Election Season

It seems to happen about the same time every year, sometimes twice a year. It’s the time when feelings are shared, words are spoken and people get hurt. It’s when things are said with intent, whispered to do harm and to change people’s minds. In this country it’s called election season.

In fact, it happens all around the world, some are more vicious than others. We have read all sorts of stories about rogue campaigns in far off places and some not so far away. The use of scare tactics that are designed to inflame and harm an individual’s character and credibility seem common place. Like this is the norm and the way campaigns are supposed to be run. Sometimes these are done with the candidate’s full knowledge and forethought, others done behind their back by outsiders that support the candidate or issue.

Of course this is not new. The Romans and Greeks had some wicked statements said for and against competitors. In America, things said forty, eighty even a hundred years ago in campaigns would curl your hair even today. This election cycle we hear stories from elections around the country that are hard to believe but true. Charges leveled at candidates or parties that have no truth but designed to inflame and incite a visceral reaction.

Locally, we hear a few of these stories as they are whispered at door steps instead of broadcast for all to hear. Many of the statements are undoubtedly false if one was to think about the statements, others are so far from the truth they are outright slanderous. Still others reflect some fact, some conjecture and some exacerbation woven into a tale that people may actually believe to be true.

It’s time that we all as a society and as a community step back a bit. Is this really the way we want to elect our representatives? This is certainly not new to Marina; it’s been going on for years. There are plenty of examples of cases from both/all sides over the years of whispered, printed and even stated comments that crossed the lines. Even acts of theft and property damage designed to intimidate or threaten.

The only way this stops here and elsewhere is when we ALL stand up and say it is unacceptable. Argue the facts, the policies and even the actions of the candidates. Talk about what you would do differently, your ideas, your proposed policies. It does not need, nor should it ever be personal. It’s not as easy as it sounds because many of the statements, policies and ideas of candidates are based on personal beliefs, thus making a counter argument sound personal when it is not. I think we all know when it crosses the line … the hard part is listening to that inner voice that says it’s too far, time to back off. It’s time we do a bit more listening to that inner voice

More later…

2014 Marina Elections

It has been a while since I have written a Marina Matters column, primarily since it is election season and you needed to hear from the candidates about the issues and where they stand. By now I hope you have seen and heard from many of the candidates and have an idea of how you will vote in the November elections. If not, or if you are not sure I want to forward to you the Monterey Herald editorial endorsement for the Marina elections.

Mind you I have not agreed with the Herald on a lot of things over the years but they evolved recently to now look at the issues that affect us all in a much broader sense. The editorial board really captured the essence of our Marina City election and stated it very clearly. It goes without saying that I agree with their comments and the candidates they endorse.

More later….

Editorial: Amadeo, Turgen, Devlin best for Marina

Monterey County Herald

POSTED: 10/16/2014 05:20:54 PM PDT

Marina was one of the cities hardest hit economically when Fort Ord closed in 1994, and now 20 years later it is still dealing with a variety of issues stemming from that event. But its officials are also considering how to develop a downtown with a specific identity and how to meet the needs of various groups in the community, like teens and seniors.

A recent candidate forum highlighted different approaches to these issues. We found mayoral candidate Ken Turgen and council candidates Dan Devlin Jr. and Nancy Amadeo, an incumbent, to have the most balanced approach. We recommend their election.

Turgen, a member of the city Planning Commission and an architect, emphasizes the need for logical economic growth and job creation, and stresses the benefits to Marina of more regional cooperation. He clearly understands the necessity of solving the region's water problem, as so many of Marina's residents work in jobs all over the Monterey Peninsula — jobs that could be in jeopardy without a water supply project. Turgen wants to see city parks improved, a downtown identity developed and a stable city revenue base established.

Incumbent Mayor Bruce Delgado clearly spends a lot of time on his job as mayor. But his future vision for the city is not as clearly balanced or delineated as Turgen's. Delgado emphasizes "smart growth" and a new "greenway" for Marina, though he has not provided details about the greenway or how it could contribute to the city's economy. Delgado does highlight his endorsement by political parties, a trend we find unhealthy for local nonpartisan offices.

We believe Turgen would bring a more vigorous and balanced perspective to Marina's economic future.

The council race mirrors the mayoral contest. Incumbent Nancy Amadeo clearly has the best grasp of how to be an effective council member. At a recent forum she stressed the need for Marina to develop policies and strategies for economic health, rather than just react in a piecemeal fashion. She also has an impressive understanding of the city's budget process.

Candidate Dan Devlin Jr. emphasizes his interest in providing good city services for families, and wants to develop an economic base that will benefit Marina overall and provide jobs for CSU Monterey Bay graduates. We feel his family-oriented perspective and his budget expertise from his job with the Department of Defense would be good additions to the City Council.

Incumbent David Brown believes the city's "smart growth" is a sufficient economic policy, but offers few details about how he would apply that to future project review. Brown has noted he's been part of "a council majority with Delgado and Frank O'Connell since 2010." We think a more open-minded approach to council business would be better for Marina.

Turgen, Devlin and Amadeo offer balanced, reasonable and thoughtful approaches to Marina's future and deserve your vote.