Local Politics

RICKY GILL CONCEDES, CONGRATULATES OPPONENT

STOCKTON, CA, November 7, 2012 – Congressional candidate Ricky Gill made the following statement after conceding to his opponent, Congressman Jerry McNerney:

“Tonight, I called Congressman McNerney to congratulate him on his victory. I extended my best wishes to the Congressman and his family, and I expressed my willingness to act as a resource and to help him serve this community in any manner possible.

I am enormously proud of the campaign we ran, and I am humbled by the tireless efforts of the many volunteers, neighbors, and supporters who threw their efforts behind it. Although we did not emerge victorious in this campaign, I believe we accomplished something extraordinary. We put this community and its people first, and we took our story to the national stage. We fought for jobs, education, and common-sense government. We made clear that the American Dream will rise once again in this community we love so dearly.

As this campaign closes, I encourage all residents of the 9th District to come together and work towards the bipartisan, lasting reforms this country so badly needs. I wish Congressman McNerney the best, and I congratulate him on a hard-fought victory. “

—
Information provided by Ricky Gill for Congresd

San Joaquin County Election Results

Unofficial Final Results

Updated : Berryhill with 51% district wide Cathleen Galgiani 49% district wide

President:
Preliminary results for election show that President Barack Obama takes the lead in San Joaquin County.

US Senator:
Dianne Fiensteine at 61.05% versus Elizabeth Emkin at 38.06%

US Rep 9th District:
Jerry Mcnerney 54.01 % versus
Ricky Gill 45.09%

US Rep 10th District:
Jeff Denham 53.08% versus
Jose Hernandez 46.02%

Senate 5th District:
Bill Berryhill 51%% versus
Cathleen Galgiani 49%

9th Assembly District:
Antonio Amador 42.07% versus
Richard Pan 57.03%

12th Assembly District:
Kristin Olsen 61.04%versus
Christopher Mateo 38.06%

13th Assembly District:
Susan Eggman 63.05% Versus
K. Jeffery Jaffri 36.05%

Stockton Mayor:
Anthony Silva 55.05% versus
Ann Johnston 44.50%

Stockton City Council Dis. 2:
Randy Hatch 41.88% versus
Kathy Miller 58.12%

Stockton City Council Dis 4:
Diana Lowery 50.05 %versus
Moses Zapien 49.95%

Stockton City Council Dis 6:
Michael Tubbs 58.47%
Dale Fritchen 41.53%

Ballot Measures:

Yes on 30
Temporary tax to find education

No on 31
State budget, state and local gov.

No on 32
Payroll deduction for political candidates

No on 33
Driver insurance based on driving history

No on 35
Death Penalty

Yes on 35
Human trafficking

Yes on 36
Three strikes law

No on 37
Three strikes law

No on 38
Tax for early childhood education

Yes on 39
Business tax for energy funding

Yes on 50
Redistributing senate

- Results may change as ballots are counted

JobsPAC derails Parede’s Assembly bid

JobsPAC mailer

California — As voters received their absentee ballots for the 2012 primary election, the California’s 13^th Assembly District voters also received a negative campaign mailer by JobsPAC —a mailer that made Xochilt Raya Paredes reconsider her candidacy. Continue reading »

New Community Development Director for Stockton

Official seal of City of Stockton

(Stockton, CA) – The City of Stockton has selected a new director to head its Community Development Department. Steve Chase, Director of Planning and Environment Services with the City of Goleta, will join the City of Stockton in July as the chief official of building, planning and development. Continue reading »

STATE OF THE CITY 2011-2012

STOCKTON, CA— “We have to change the way we run this city; we need to change the structure of how we do things,” remarked Mayor of Stockton Ann Johnston at the 2012 State of the City.  She highlighted, “We know that a band aide approach will not solve this… We have to do radical surgery to this patient —in that general fund.”

 The city’s gloomy finances, a budget deficit, and sky rocketing crime shadow the city’s sunny days and in her State of the City Address, Mayor Johnston gave a detail account of the past, present and hopeful future for Stockton.

 How did we get here?

 Johnson explained the unsustainable retiree benefits costing 417 million dollars, the large bond debt of 319 million for infrastructure projects like local community, fire houses, the ball park and the arena that we are still paying on today. Generous labor contracts and State raids on City finances such as the removal of vehicle license fees and removal of the Redevelopment agency that she says helped to transform Stockton’s waterfront. The Prior council made mistakes and mismanaged funds without any back-up plan for a rainy day. The Valley continued deeper into its own recession beyond that of the country with extreme unemployment, foreclosures and housing market collapse (from 3,000 home built in 2007 to only 150 in 2011) with the next year’s budget looking just as gloomy.

 Whats the problem?

The total budget for the city is 520 million, however only 125 million is accessible and in crisis. The 366 million that is left behind is in restricted funds for things like sewage, water, and measure k that cannot be touched. Past city councils tried to move some of the 366 million to the general to cover things like police, community centers and library’s but the city was sued and lost. With a little more than a month left, the council has until July 1^st, 2012 to pass a balanced budget.

 What is our current situation?

 The city must pass a balanced budget; the city cannot print money or borrow. The city is required by the state and city charter to balance. Only three options, to tax, to cut, or to negotiate however, the taxes that the city would have to pay to get out of this debt would be unconscionable, the city has already cut the budget by 90 million and cannot cut any further without jeopardizing the safety of its residence, so  Johnson says “We have to change the way we run this city we need to change the structure ,” by negotiating with debtors in a process called AB506, a new law, Stockton is one of two cities in the State (Mammouth Lakes is the other) that will be going through this process.

State of the City

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CRIME

STOCKTON, CA – “We have an increase in crime.  We have had an increase in violent crimes; most of it a result of lifestyle choices like prostitution, gangs and drugs but the city says they remain committed,” said Mayor Ann Johnson at the State of the City address early this month at the Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce annual event at the Stockton Port, “We remain committed to cracking down on the criminals that are terrorizing our citizens.”

Johnston explained that the city is presently working on the following:

• Two weeks ago the U.S. Marshalls fugitive task force began working with the city, and they have a top ten list and Johnson reported they have arrested 13 that have made it to that list.

• The city received 8 million to hire 17 more police officers, with 20 vacancies, the new police Chief, Eric Jones believes he will have 50 new police officers sometime this summer after they complete their training.

• Chief Jones announced a new initiative, community response teams to work specialized hot spots to do real-time policing to address the problem areas.

• The city is also working with the County that has a fire arms consortium to get the guns off the street and a county-wide gang task force.

• The City developed the Marshall Plan Steering Committee to look at a comprehensive plan for the city.

• The city held a crime crackdown for one weekend that brought police from other areas. In order to do so the City police worked with highway patrol, probation, parole, police from Manteca, Lodi and Tracy. The city had FBI, AFT, and the U.S. Marshalls join in. The result of the weekend crime crackdown included 101 arrests, and  17 firearms confiscated.

• Stockton Downtown Alliance and the Miracle Mile improvement district with the University of Pacific are working as city partners to fund bike patrols in the downtown, the Miracle Mile improvement district to increase their security.

• Neighborhood watches are stepping up and getting to know their community, now they can text tip, with online reporting.

The Silver Lining

Johnson Said that it was not all bad. The city is overhauling the Community Development Department to make it easier to do business, and that over 100 people are taking out business licenses a month that want to do business here. The city is working with Public Works to create the delta water supply project – a 200 million project which will bring us a reliable water source.

“Many would be envious of the water we have,”added Johnson. The city has also partnered to create a coalition to fight the state to take Delta water, to save the delta adding that it would be an “Economic disastaster should anything take our water around the delta instead of through our delta.”

Johnston continued, “The city will continue with infrustruture for restricted funds, infrastructure like the I-5 interchange project that seeks to connect 99 to bring in more business to the south side of Stockton,”

The State has invested in a prison Hospital in Stockton, with a 50% local hire requirement the state will bring 2400 employees on board in 2013.

 The port, as reported by the Port Commissioner, is an international point of commerce,  it is the only port on the west coast that is exporting more than importing- a good economic sign.

Related articles

• News Release – Stockton Adopts Violence Reduction Initiative (bwnews.us)
• Stockton Proposes bankruptcy Plan (bwnews.us)
• Stockton Selects Mediator (bwnews.us)
• Stockton’s Administrators Seek way out of Bankruptcy (bwnews.us)
• Stockton’s Ab 506 Confidential Mediation Participants (bwnews.us)
• Council Approves AB 506 Confidential Neutral Evaluation Process (bwnews.us)
• AB 506 Process Extended (bwnews.us)
• AB 506 Process Extended to Prevent City Bankruptcy (bwnews.us)
• Protesters March against Stockton Police Brutality (bwnews.us)

VIDEO: State of the City, Stockton 2011-2012

State of the City

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James Butler,one of the candidates interested in leading the city of Stockton in 2013.

Plant Maintenance Supervisor, James Butler, is one of the candidates interested in leading the city of Stockton in 2013. Continue reading »

Water Measures Request Third Party

EDITORS NOTE: Earlier this year, Investigative Reporter Deanna Lynn Wulff  discovered the Peripheral Canal‘s 12 Billion dollar projection may be closer to 40 billion.

SACRAMENTO - Assemblyman Bill Berryhill announced  April 24, 2012 that the Assembly Committee on Water, Parks and Wildlife passed out two common sense water measures, Assembly Bills 2421 and 2422. 

AB 2421 requires that an independent third party Cost/Benefit analysis must be completed on any plan that is submitted as part of the Bay Delta Conservation Plan (BDCP).  Many in the Delta have strongly expressed skepticism to the BDCP’s ability to achieve the co-equal goals that were mandated by the Legislature in 2009.  Nearly all of the options being studied, including a tunnel that could divert the entire Sacramento River around the Delta, will have a significant financial burden on California. Continue reading »

Candidate for City Council could be voice of Latinos in Stockton

STOCKTON, CA –Three Stockton City Council seats are up for election in the June 5^th Primary and November 2^nd General election.   In District 4, Attorney Moses Zapien is challenging incumbent, Diana Lowery.   Continue reading »

Rhodesia Ransom seeks SJ Board of Supervisors

TRACY, CA – Over a hundred San Joaquin County residents rallied at the Tracy Grand Theater in support of Rhodesia Ransom as she announced her candidacy for the 5^th District of the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors on February 16, 2011 — the seat is currently held by termed-out Leroy Ornellas.  Ornellas is now vying for the State Senate 5^th District seat. Continue reading »

Diana Lowery Running for Re-Election

Stockton, CA- Diana Lowery is presently the 4^th District City Councilmember in Stockton and she is seeking voters to reelect her in a second term. Continue reading »

Puerto Rican Theresa Velazquez runs for 4th District at City Council

Dance instructor and business woman, Theresa Velazquez, D.M., is running for Stockton City Council District 4. Continue reading »

Anthony Silva joins race for Stockton

Boys and Girls Club Executive Director to Challenge Stockton’s Mayor

STOCKTON — “I am standing before you tonight to officially announce my intentions to become the next mayor of the City of Stockton,” said CEO and president of the Boys and Girls Cub, Anthony Silva, as he stood before an audience of more than 200 at Variety`s Banquet Hall on Wednesday, February 29^th .

Anthony Silva,CEO and president of the Boys and Girls Cub, announces that he is running for mayor.

Silva is a former Stockton Parks and Recreations commissioner and a former Stockton Unified School District (SUSD) board president. He currently serves on the board of directors for Silver Lake Camp and the Miss San Joaquin County scholarship program. Additionally, Silva works at the San Joaquin County`s human Service Agency as the Aquatic program Director,where he teaches children swimming and water polo.

“I am not afraid to make tough and right decisions, to take on gangs, to address the homeless situation or to challenge special interest groups,” expressed Silva. “I am especially not afraid to roll up my sleeves and work to clean up the city by taking it back one street at a time.”

In addition to his anti-crime agenda and the City’s budget, Silva explained that one of his priorities is creating jobs. “I will implement an aggressive plan to market our city in good light and help bring new industries and new opportunities to Stockton.”

“If elected Mayor, I will not take the 80,000 per year stipend until the city can get approved a balanced budget,” declared Silva in his speech. Silva acknowledged that Stockton is in one of the worst economic periods in our history, with record-breaking crime statistics: “it is not what I want people to think of when they think about our city.”

“Imagine a city with enough jobs for graduates, where people walk the streets without the fear to of crime, a city where we don’t close public libraries and community centers,” said Silva as she shared his future vision of Stockton to the audience.

Thus far four others have expressed interest in running against Mayor Ann Johnston; those interested to lead Stockton’s City Council are: Bar Owner Jimmie Rishwain, Auto Dealer Anthony Stevens, Plant Maintenance Supervisor James Butler, and former council member Ralph Lee White.

Carlos Villapudua files for Re-Election of the 1st District County Board of Supervisors

Supervisor Carlos Villapudua announces his campaign for reelection for the first San Joaquin Supervisorial District.

STOCKTON  – San Joaquin County Supervisor Carlos Villapudua announced his candidacy for re-election for the County Board of Supervisors 1st District on Tuesday, February 28, 2012. Continue reading »

Tubbs announces candidacy: pledges mission to solve hopelessness

Stockton, CA- Surrounded by supporters, Michael Tubbs announced his candidacy for Stockton City Council district 6 —a seat presently held by Dale Fritchen.  His announcement at Van Buskirk Community Center included spoken word poetry by With Our Words, Inc. and music by local bands Tipping Point and Sugar Water Purple.

In an e-mail to the Stanford Daily, Tubbs revealed that his speech was designed to express, “the long road to victory we have in battling: poverty, crime, hopelessness and a political power system.”

Michael Tubbs

Additionally, he emphasized the importance of education, stating: “I will work to advance education… so, I can help Sara Cazares and the school board to make sure the schools are educating our kids,” said Tubbs while looking toward Sara Cazares, President of the Board at Stockton Unified School District, who made a return appearance for Tubbs’ announcement following weeks in the hospital due to a stroke and aneurism.

Tubbs’ story one of triumph as he is a, “son of an incarcerated father and a teenage mother.”  A product of Stockton Schools —he is a Franklin High school graduate—Tubbs received a full-ride scholarship to Stanford University.  Tubbs is poised to graduate from Stanford with honors on his bachelor’s degree and a master’s in Policy, Organization, and Leadership Studies in May.

In his speech, Tubbs referenced his experience working in the White House, helping craft the Obama administration’s strategy for engaging with mayors and city councils nationwide as part of the Bing Stanford Program in Washington D.C.  Furthermore, he co-founded the Summer Success and Leadership Academy at the University of the Pacific and currently serves as the founder and executive director of The Phoenix Scholars, a state-wide non-profit, which to date has helped over 300 high school students apply and matriculate into college.