E-Mail
Print
tool name
close
Friday, Dec. 12, 2008
Loose Lips: 25,001 ways to torpedo a government
So ... the oh-so-wise Gang of Four up the road in Atwater managed to deadlock on a vote this week.
No, it wasn't about what they should eat for dinner before the meeting (pork, no doubt).
It was about lighting a match and holding a developer's feet to the fire. Seems easy enough, but the council split along party lines: Mayor Joan Faul/Councilman Nelson Crabb supported the effort while Councilmen Joe Rivero/Gary Frago opposed it.
Oh, you thought the council was nonpartisan?
It's actually ineffective, as Lips presciently predicted last week after the council failed to appoint a fifth member, despite a candidate pool of 12. Instead, there'll be a special election. For the $25,000 bill, it had better be special.
Without a tie-breaker, the council is making state government leaders look like models of democracy.
Seems as if the council's team-building exercises (which teach adults how to play nice) will be even more important next year.
That is, if the council can agree to hire the consultant.
Moving on up ... maybe
State Sen. Jeff Denham, R-Merced, revealed his biggest unkept secret Thursday.
Folks, he's running for lieutenant governor, a contest that'll go to voters in 2010. He has a new logo, snazzy Web site, more than a million bucks in the bank and long list of supporters to prove it.
We know. It comes as a shock. The idea of a termed-out politician, who opened an account in 2007 to raise money for a run, decided to seek higher office.
What's next? Assemblywoman Cathleen Galgiani, D-Stockton, running for state Senate?
That's just crazy talk.
Does Mayor Jim Sanders have a nice ring to it? The councilman himself is still trying to decide.
In classically slick politician-speak he said a run for the center seat is a "definite maybe." Before he throws a hat in, he explained, he has to decide what kind and what size.
Oh, and of course whether he wants to run against Councilwoman Michele Gabriault-Acosta, who's already declared her ambitions.
Benchwatch 2008
Well readers, it's that time of the column again.
No, not when we call county leaders out for some bonehead move. It's been quiet on M Street.
Lips must bare its fangs and scare Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger into giving us "our fair share," as the local muckety-mucks like to put it.
That share, besides way more in funding for just about every program, includes another judge for Superior Court.
One Voice, a group of county and city leaders, will rank its 2009 priorities during its meeting today.
Lips moves that lobbying for a judge be put at the top. Where's the justice in Merced?
Lips will be back next week. Send tips to sink ships to editor@mercedsun-star.com.
A few rules are needed to help foster a feeling of community. We encourage a free, CIVIL and open exchange of ideas in a climate of mutual respect, but any post that violates someone's right to use and enjoy mercedsunstar.com is prohibited. Before you post, please read the terms of use and obey these simple guidelines. Here are the ground rules:
1. Be yourself. A nickname will be used for posts, but if an editor finds a user without a verifiable name , that user will be warned or banned.
2. Keep it clean. Foul language (defined by prime-time standards) will not be tolerated. Neither will the intentional misspelling of foul language or the use of non-English curse words.
3. Be truthful. Do not lie or link to sites that may be considered libelous, defamatory or false.
4. Be nice. Don't harass anyone. Don't threaten anyone. Don't use racial slurs. Don't post anything sexually explicit.
5. Be an individual. Do not advertise or solicit. Do not harvest any information for business use.
6. Be original. Do not post copyrighted material.
7. Follow the law. Don't do anything or post anything considered illegal by city, county, state or federal regulations and laws.
On most news stories, the commenting period is closed after three days. If you wish to continue a discussion, please use The Sunspot forum.
@Nyx.CommentBody@