City Hall

Carlsbadistan Mayoral Forum Number One

by The Editors on August 20, 2010

Carlsbadistan will get its first chance to hear from our four three of our mayoral candidates as the Carlsbad Republican Women Federated host the first forum/luncheon on Tuesday August 24, 2010, according to as story in the San Diego Union-Tribune.

The forum will following a social hour and luncheon that begins at 11 a.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn, 6450 Carlsbad Blvd. . . Tickets for the luncheon are $25. Reservations can be made by calling (760) 434-6478 or by email at bevy17@att.net

We’re not really sure which candidates will be there. Keith Blackburn, Matt Hall, or Walt Meier? Glenn Bernard said in an email that he was told only “registered Republicans could be there, so I’m left out.” Maybe this luncheon is simply a fund raiser for Matt Hall. If the Carlsbad Republican Women Federated ever get back to us, we’ll let you know.

[Update: 10:42 PM August 22, 2010] This morning we received a polite email from Carlsbad Republican Women Federated’s Judy Rees, VP on behalf of Crystal Harris President, explaining that Keith Blackburn, Matt Hall, and Walt Meier will be speaking at the Mayoral Forum on Tuesday, however because of the Carlsbad Republican Women Federated’s bylaws “Article 1V- Section 2” which states that “This Club shall not invite nor permit a person registered in any party other than the Republican Party to speak at any meeting” the other candidate was not invited to speak. Rees went on to say that while everyone who has a reservation is welcome at the forum, only Republican candidates can speak.

For a slightly less polite, more biting reiteration of the above information, be sure to read Carlsbad Republican Women Federated associate member James McMillen’s comments listed below.

[Link: San Diego Union-Tribune]

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It’s Carlsbadistan Election Season Again

by The Editors on August 16, 2010

Following the close of the Carlsbadistan candidate filing period on Wednesday August 11, 2010 it appears that we have four mayoral candidates, four City Council candidates and a couple people who want to be treasurer come November, according to a story in the North County Times.

As expected, two councilmen —- Keith Blackburn and Matt Hall —- as well as former Marine Glenn Bernard and landscape company owner Walt Meier will be seeking the mayor’s spot. The city’s current, longtime mayor, Bud Lewis, decided at the start of his term four years ago not to seek re-election. Hall’s council seat is up for re-election this year, but he is not seeking that post. . . . Four people are seeking the two City Council seats on the ballot. They are city Planning Commissioner Farrah Douglas, incumbent Councilman Mark Packard, frequent council candidate William Jubb and Carlsbad education company employee Jon Wantz.

Oh, this election season his is going to be fun. We can hardly wait for the candidates forums. . .

[Link: North County Times]

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The Riehl World: The New vs. The Good Old Boys

by Richard J. Riehl on August 13, 2010

Farrah WantzWhy does mayoral candidate Matt Hall continue to mislead Carlsbad voters about a measure on the November ballot?

His website was revised a day after my July 30 Carlsbadistan column criticized him for wrongly claiming the city charter amendment up for a vote would create a two-tiered pension plan for city employees. He now says he “successfully persuaded” his fellow council members to adopt the plan last spring, continuing to imply it covered all new city employees. He failed to point out that only police and firefighter benefits were affected.

The charter amendment would require a vote of the people for future pension benefit increases for safety employees. The council would retain the right to reduce them. Hall says he supports “fair” and “balanced” public employee pensions. He doesn’t explain why he should only be trusted to cut them.
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City of Carlsbad Names New Finance Director

by The Editors on August 3, 2010

Kc43007 Marine Reserve Lieutenant Colonel Charles H. McBride, a C.P.A. with more than 10 years of financial management experience, has been named Finance Director for the City of Carlsbad, according to the Ciy of Carlsbad.

“Charles has hands-on experience in all aspects of financial administration for a full service city,” said Cynthia Haas, Deputy City Manager for the City of Carlsbad. “He is a proven team leader who will carry on the city’s excellent track record of responsible budget management.”

McBride is filling the position left vacant in April 2010 by former finance director Lisa Irvine. Follow the jump for the rest of the details. [click to continue…]

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The Riehl World: A Peek At The Races

by Richard J. Riehl on July 30, 2010

With the retirement of a mayor who has been in office for a quarter of a century and two City Council seats up for grabs, Carlsbad voters will have their first opportunity in decades to make a substantial change in city leadership.

The incumbents have a lot going for them. The city’s in better financial shape than its neighbors, and public opinion surveys show three out of four Carlsbadians have faith in their city government.

Here’s a peek at the candidacies of two council members who say they want to be Carlsbad’s next mayor, Matt Hall and Keith Blackburn.

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TK Arnold On Mac McSherry

by The Editors on July 23, 2010

In his North County Times column this week TK Arnold remembers his friend and Carlsbad City Treasurer Harold “Mac” McSherry.

Maybe an hour after police found his father’s body in his State Street office, Travis McSherry, the eldest son of Carlsbad City Treasurer Harold “Mac” McSherry, posted this on his dad’s Facebook page: “I’m angry and confused. I don’t know why you felt that was your only way out. But you were loved and you will be missed. RIP. I love you, dad.” That pretty well sums up the feelings of most of us who knew McSherry, who took his own life after facing increasing pain from a brain tumor. . . We’re angry, because Mac was such as integral part of our lives, and he had no right to rip himself away from us.

He will certainly be missed. For the rest of Arnold’s thoughts please click the link.

[Link: North County Times]

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Carlsbad Mourns The Loss Of Harold McSherry

by The Editors on July 15, 2010

In an official press release from the City of Carlsbad Mayor Bud Lewis officially confirmed the death of City Treasurer Harold “Mac” McSherry and reminded us all of the kind of man he was:

“Mac approached his role as city treasurer very professionally, always working to make sure city funds were safe and earning the highest rate of return for our taxpayers,” said Mayor Claude A. “Bud” Lewis. “He was a man with a tremendous intellect and immense curiosity about the world and was also very generous with his time giving back to our community. He will be greatly missed by his entire City of Carlsbad family.”

Our thoughts are with everyone at the City offices but mostly with the McSherry’s family and their close friends. For the rest of the release, follow the jump.
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Julie Nygaard Pulls Out Of City Council Race

by The Editors on July 12, 2010

N1063178659 8953According to a note posted on Julie Nygaard’s facebook page the three-term former Carlsbad City Councilwoman is no longer in the race for a seat on the Carlsbad City Council.

In a status update posted at 12:27 PM July 12, 2010 she wrote the following:

After much thought, deliberation and soul-searching, I have decided to not seek election to the Carlsbad City Council.

As many of you may know, I have a new grandchild in my life, and I want to spend more time with her. While I believe I have assembled a winning team, the commitment of campaigning, and then serving on the council, is not one I want to make at this point in my life.

Carlsbad is a special place because of the people who live, work and play here. I love this community, and I only want the best for it. I know Carlsbad will continue to be the best place to live in Southern California.

I want to thank all the people who have helped during this time, particularly my campaign management team of James Comstock, Julie Baker and Ellen Roundtree. They have been very generous in their commitment to me. They are owed a special thank you.

I also want to thank all the people who have encouraged me, believed in me and helped me throughout the years. Your help has been greatly appreciated.

I am proud of the projects that I have worked on throughout the years. Working together, we have created an amazing community.

I will continue to be involved in Carlsbad as a member of the Planning Commission. I will still make my presence known in Carlsbad, and I’m sure I will see many of you around.

Thanks, again, for your support.

Sincerely,

Julie Nygaard

There is sure to be more on this story in the coming days.

[Link: Facebook]

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The Lossings To Eat Up Even More Of Carlsbad

by The Editors on June 30, 2010

Thelossings-Tm-Tm-1At the City Council meeting last night (June 29, 2010) the City announced that to cover the $4.2 million in loans it has made to “keep the golf course in the black” it is now planning to “transfer” and possibly sell two pieces of City-owned property, according to a story in the North County Times.

Initially, the two lots were to be leased to golf-related businesses, but they have stood vacant since they were created. . . One parcel is about 5 acres and the other is about 7 acres. They sit on each side of College Boulevard on the eastern edge of The Crossings at Carlsbad course. . . Joe Garuba, who is handing the issue for the city, said after Tuesday’s meeting that there has been “some interest” recently in the properties, but declined to provide specifics about the negotiations. . . . “I’m not going to talk about who or what,” he said.

We have one question: How much of Carlsbadistan is this golf course going to eat up before someone puts a stop to it? The Lossings has already cost the City of Carlsbad nearly $70 million and now the City want’s to begin slicing off pieces of itself to pay for more?

If the City is going to sell anything to cover its golf course loans it should simply cut it losses and sell the golf course to Legoland. They can throw up a few block sculptures, create some Lego golf carts, call it the “World First Lego Golf Course” and charge $350 green fees.

We’re not usually in favor of privatization, but The Lossings has been a revenue suck for over a decade and the sooner the City gets out of it the better. Then the City can spend a tiny fraction of that money on things everyone will use like parks, swimming pools, and skateboard parks. . .

[Link: North County Times via VoteJonWantz]

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Mr. Watchdog Thrown Out of Council Meeting

by The Editors on June 25, 2010

A man who reportedly calls himself “Mr. Watchdog” was thrown out of the Carlsbadistan City Council Meeting on Tuesday June 22, 2010 after he apparently referred to the Carlsbad Police Department’s handing of homeless people as “bullshit,” according to a story in the San Diego Reader.

Mr. Watchdog was the first citizen to address the council. He claimed that Carlsbad police are harassing homeless people, especially those living in their vehicles. He asserted that police accuse the homeless of camping illegally when, in fact, they’re trying to keep a roof over their heads. . . Mr. Watchdog didn’t get much further on this point after saying the policing approach was “bullsh-t.” Mayor Claude “Bud” Lewis interrupted. A courtroom officer approached the speaker and stood next to him. “I have three minutes. What is this? Show me the law that says cussing is illegal,” he yelled as the officer escorted him out. “You’re done,” said Lewis, to which Mr. Watchdog responded, “Okay, another lawsuit. Thank you.” As he was led out, he said “f— you” multiple times.

Now the man claims he is going to file a lawsuit.

The City should certainly take this seriously. A similar case in Santa Cruz, California in which homeless advocate Robert Norse was removed from council chambers in 2002 for giving the mayor a Nazi salute resulted in a free speech lawsuit that is currently being heard in a federal appeals court and could end up in the Supreme Court.

[Link: San Diego Reader and LA Times]

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