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Friday, Sep. 11, 2009

Loose Lips: Bailing on a mayoral candidate

Word made it around last week that banker-about-town Joe Ramirez bailed on mayoral candidate Rick Osorio's campaign after his recent personal bankruptcy became public.

Not so, says Ramirez. He was listed as Osorio's treasurer on fundraising paperwork. He's no longer in that role. But he wasn't trying to dump a toxic asset.

Before news of the bankruptcy broke, Ramirez said, he told Osorio that he didn't have time to deal with keeping track of the money coming in and going out of the war chest.

A Rabobank branch manager, Ramirez said he's been busy cold-calling people and drumming up more business for his employer.

That, or he didn't want to be working for a candidate who left roughly $209,000 in consumer debt.

Backed by the badge

Speaking of abandoning the Rickster, the police and fire unions, which stood behind him in 2005 and 2007, have looked elsewhere for the next mayor.

Both last week endorsed Michele Gabriault-Acosta. The rank-and-file City Hall workers haven't yet decided who they'll back. The mayor's seat is a ceremonial post. They may be waiting to see who has the best ribbon-cutting skills.

The public safety backing comes just as the city is negotiating a new contract with the unions. The decision is a boon to her campaign, which has yet to begin fundraising. She said Thursday that two events -- one small, one blowout -- are planned.

And of course, who can forget about the Election Night party?

Passing the hat

With the election drawing closer, other candidates have been out collecting cash. Josh Pedrozo held an event at E.J. Lorenzi's house on Thursday night. Tickets were $20.

This mover-and-shaker- in-training also gets props for being the first candidate to post signs around town.

Mary Michal-Rawling has been busy drumming up support downtown. She's held events at Forte Yogurt and J & R Tacos. Besides hitting those hot spots, she may be using subliminal messages to attract younger voters. Her campaign colors -- blue and yellow -- are similar to UC Merced's colors. Rawling is also on Facebook and Twitter, though she shows but one post.

Several of the candidates have been turning up at the last couple council meetings to brush up on government. Undersheriff and candidate Bill Blake has been a regular, along with Rawling, who spoke at the last meeting.

Lips is surprised, though pleased, that more candidates haven't used the public comment portion to stump.

Osorio has popped in. No sign of Richard Cervantes, though he may already get his fill of "Robert's Rules of Order" from his service on the Planning Commission.

Pedrozo, a high school teacher, missed the last meeting. But he gets an excused absence. It was back-to-school night.

Loose Lips can be reached at editor@mercedsun-star.com.