Salinas Measure K foes doubt tax hike will fund police

If there's one thing some top supporters and opponents of Measure K agree on, it's that the city needs more cops on the streets to battle a rising tide of gang violence, and Police Chief Louis Fetherolf is the leader his department needs to get that done.

[robertoen]

NOT FUNNY 'LAUREL AND HARDY'

Mr. Johnson is to be commended on both his fairness and thoroughness in reporting on this news story.

However, the leaders of the city of Salinas have a history of promises made, promises broken.

Measure V is the perfect example. It’s funds have been used mainly for the salary increases of city employees.

Measure K is a super-sized version of Measure V.

The city of Salinas’ own version of ‘Laurel and Hardy’ or the police chief and mayor, will be on 1460 AM radio again next Monday morning between 6-9AM.

However, this comedy team is not very funny.

[Wrangler]

Do you think UNION "leader" Fitz has the public's interests at heart? Or is he looking to fatten the already bloated union members and bosses benefits and beaurocracy. Be careful!

[elusa]

Salinas city officials always threaten the DEATH of recreation programs as the FIRST line of response to cutbacks---as tax opponents say over and over again: CUT THE PERKS, SALARIES, RETIREMENT BENEFITS ( funded at 90%!) of city employees FIRST!

Stop threatening cuts that create the easiest emotional responses in the public. We aren't that simplistic...

[STAN]

Let's talk plain English, and tell it as it is.Mexican population doubles every four years or so. White population declining. 90% or more crimes are commited by Mexicans in Salinas. If we need 18 to 20 million more dollars to control Mexicans, how much more will we need in 4 to 5 years? We must stop welcoming Illegals to our communities. If things are to get better. If our Agri-Businesses and other Enterprises can't manage without illegals, than perhaps they should not be in bussines. or take their business to Mexico. Untill we rid ourselves of this Unsavory element.we will have no peace, and know how big of a police force we actually need. We raid homes in foreign countries looking for terrorists, why can't we do the same here. We already have the power and means to do that. We don't need 20 million dollars for that. DEPORT ALL ILLEGALS FIRST, and than talk Measure K . But for now NO ON MEASURE K !!!!!!!

[deja vu]

VOTE "NO" on K...
http://svtu.org/k

[leaving_salinas]

They knew two years ago that they didn't have the money to pay higher salaries and benefits but they did anyway and created a $17 million structural deficit.

Look what their W2s looked like last year:
http://www.joincitywatch.org/2008COS100V2.htm...

If you give them more money, they will do it again and again and you'll never see more services, just higher tax rates. Let them carry out their threats and run on their failures. The mayor and three others on the 7 member city council are up for election in Nov. 2010. I'd like to see a recall drive start the day after this election because they can do a lot of damage in a year's time whether K passes or not. Leaving Salinas is the only other choice.

[Tony]

I already voted "No on K"... and I think it's about time to STOP VOTING FOR THE SAME MORONS EVERY ELECTION AND EXPECTING DIFFERENT RESULTS.

[leaving_salinas]

There's been a lot of talk about the connection to playing football and early age dementia. The latest antic of Salinas' infamous politico, aka the “fatman,” carrying around a football with him at all times should not go unnoticed.

[deja vu]

leaving_salinas wrote:

There's been a lot of talk about the connection to playing football and early age dementia. The latest antic of Salinas' infamous politico, aka the “fatman,” carrying around a football with him at all times should not go unnoticed.

Mayor Dennis Donahue?

[vanman]

Now the latest rip-off, the city is looking to cut gang programs to balance the budget next year. VOTE NO ON K. The only way the leaders are going to get the message is if every citizen demands that priorities get taken care of. Get ICE in here, stop raising taxes. Enforce laws already written. Stop spending money on renovations etc. Clean this place up, then business will come, people will feel safe and taxes will increase. Then we can build a new city hall, downtown or whatever if the money is there.

[RoseBud]

The voters don't have time to wait 3-5 years to figure out if they are going to live up to their promises. Thats why we need to make our decisions based on their track record.

If they hire only 15 officers and use the rest to fill the well known Salinas budget black hole, what is the voters recourse? There is NO recourse. We will be STUCK with the tax.

That is why we need a dedicated tax for the police and not a general fund tax that can be used for ANYTHING.

Nip this in the bud, Vote NO on K.

[Outraged]

deja vu wrote:

<quoted text>
Mayor Dennis Donahue?

Yes old wrinkled blue shirt himself.

Who were you thinking Joe Montana

[Mongolian]

What happens if people stop buying in salinas what will be next plus what if the state adds another penny to the sales tax. We did give them a nice chunk of cash the last time with Measure V and what did we get it return two record breaking years of homicides. I always thought that polical and government employess was suppose to serve with Honor and Integrity but thye way they have run this campaign is down right deplorable. Using the brave men and women of the police force and the victims of senseless crime to further there own agendas. That I feel is down right low. If this was so important why not take the chance and do a bond just for police. If the public feels we need it we will vote for it and support it. I still feel that this is some gimmick to balance there books. Its like that old saying eat your cake and save it at the same time. I still say No to K

[Mark]

This INCREASE IN TAXES! will not...WILL NOT! bring "Peace" to Salinas. What a joke! Please people...if you had any sense at all you would not vote for this INCREASE IN TAXES! In these hard economic times, do you really want to be giving the City of Salinas your hard earned money? The city has squandered other TAX INCREASES and spent the money on raising city employee salaries. Do not...DO NOT! fall for the lie that one more penny from EACH AND EVERY dollar you spend in the City of Salinas will reduce gang problems and bring "peace". City leaders are praying on your fears and anxieties in order to get Measure K passed. MEASURE K is and INCREASE IN TAXES! VOTE NO! on MEASURE K on November 3rd! Say "NO" to this TAX INCREASE!!!

[mongolian]

Don't get me wrong I would love to see the violence end. But when they had the chance the first time around with Measure V. They chose to give each other nice raises and build some nice looking sidewalks. Meanwhile a real good guy that I had the pleasure of working with and can say was my friend was killed Andres was his name. I feel in my heart if these guys would've did there jobs him and a lot of other people would probably still be alive. That is why this time around I do not trust them again. I think that what we need to do is vote this down and then we need to replace them with people who are willing to do there job. I still say No on K

[CPRA]

You go to Tom Kever the same guy who oversaw the lending of $20,000,000.00 to Basil and Roger Mills, city employee money. Some of these people should be going to the big house and they are quoting us numbers? Lets pull Bernie Madoff out of the federal penn and give us some advice while we are at it, you can't trust these people, when will anyone learn?

[gone]

I'm now gone but I'll return if matters in Salinas change. K is just more of the same.

[elusa]

landon is most effective as a logical, sensible voice opposing the "establishment"; as an office holder he would have to compromise and we'd lose his advocacy side--

thank you, brett for all you do!

[elusa]

HDH: current council doesn't compromise, it capitulates even when faced with hard facts as in '07 when landon stated at the city council meeting exactly what would happen if they raised pay rates...