Category: Unions

ENDORSEMENT: SUNDSTROM

5/6/2014

Anyone who is paying attention to local politics knows that Gary Wysocky is bad news. He's known as a bully, manipulative, and is unqualified for the Tax Collector/Treasurer/Controller position he is running for.

How did Wysocky get to be 'president of the Junior College Neighborhood Association'? He bullied the elected president, Kay Tokerud, and hounded her out by gathering a group of minions to take over the board. Then they appointed him to her position. Right after that he ran for Council as 'Your Neighborhood President.'

What does he say qualifies him to be Tax Collector/Treasurer/Controller for Sonoma County? He's a CPA, big deal. He's been 'running' for the Tax Collector position the entire time he's been on the Santa Rosa Council, beginning most of his comments with 'I'm a CPA'. He says the county needs a 'fresh pair of eyes'. Having two eyeballs doesn't qualify you to run the county.

He says he's a watchdog but he's more like a lapdog. He appointed Michael Allen to the Planning Commission---Allen went on to be fined for a serious conflict of interest violation and Wysocky continued to endorse him.

What else? The position was vacated by Rod Dole (who went to run the Ygrene private venture that he'd been pushing as an elected official---cozy) and the county took applications for an interim appointment. Wysocky applied but was rejected as being unqualified. He didn't even get an interview he was so unqualified.

Who was considered qualified out of a wide field of head-hunted financial officers, auditors, fund managers, CPAs, from all over the nation? David Sundstrom.

Sundstrom is highly qualified, is doing the job admirably well, is liked by staff, is fearless in looking into county issues, is not a crony---this is who we want in the Tax Collector/Treasurer/Controller position.
We endorse
DAVID SUNDSTROM for Auditor /Controller/ Treasurer/ Tax Collector

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MONEY AND POWER AT THE CASINO

11/4/2013

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REPORTED TO US:

Greg Sarris, 61, Graton Rancheria Tribal Chief on 11/3/2013 at meeting of North Bay Organizing Project in Santa Rosa said:

“… last night the tribe opened its casino.  That casino is currently employing 2,500 people all of whom have medical, dental and retirement and wage above the minimum…and I love walking around and seeing all the brown faces and hearing all the Spanish in that building.  We’re also—you hear a lot about the casino—but we also have 250 acres aside from it.  We are planting those 250 acres in organic vegetables and with us we are going to hire low risk prisoners and undocumented workers.  All of that with a living wage with medical, dental, and retirement.”

And he also said:

“So we want to make a difference. And it’s not just in the environment and in jobs but in social justice.  We know that there are public officials here today and that you better listen.  You better start coming over to our side of town over there listening to what we have to say because now I’ve got what you’ve always had…it's called money. Listen carefully each of you. Until you come out and talk to us and listen to us and answer to what happened, I will take my money and run a spotted chihuahua and try to win.  And I mean it.”

This month the 1,300-member Graton Rancheria tribe will open its Graton Resort & Casino, an $800 million development with 3,000 slot machines and 144 gambling tables spread out over 340,000 square feet is expected to generate revenue of more than $530 million a year by 2016. Just beyond the parking lot is 250 acres of undeveloped land.  It is currently being discussed as the site for vegetable farming but the tribe has also said it eventually plans to add a hotel.

Here is the audio file with the introduction of Sarris beginning after approximately three minutes.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0pKAcmsTRI5TFJYbHlMQ00tLVk/edit?usp=sharing

North Bay Organizing Project--what is it?
Our Mission: Unite people to build leadership and grassroots power for social, economic, racial and environmental justice.

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Got Gas?

6/3/2012

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Take a look at the Climate Action Plan about to be passed by the Santa Rosa City Council on Tuesday, June 5.

We dare you.

One thing you'll find is that you'll be 'incentivized' to get rid of your gas appliances and 'switch' to electric. Here's what Kay Tokerud had to say about it in the Santa Rosa PD blog:
I read through Santa Rosa’s Climate Action Plan that goes before the city council at their next meeting. What jumped out at me was a recommendation and/or mandate that all gas appliances be changed to electrical appliances. That would include cook stoves, furnaces, dryers and water heaters. This one piece of their plan could run households or businesses thousands of dollars to make this change including the necessary electrical service changes which would be required whenever anything electrical is added to an existing system. This could easily add up to over ten thousand dollars.
This plan has Electrical Unions written all over it. Electricians would get a lot of work. Only in Sonoma County/Santa Rosa would the government try to force people to do very expensive changes to switch to a much more costly fuel to power their homes. Michael Allen received the maximum amount allowable from every electrical union in California in his last race for Assembly. This requirement has Michael Allen written all over it. He ought to make this a campaign disclosure now that he's running again... he should keep running over the state line.

And to top things off, this recommendation is coming at the same time that Sonoma County wants to set up their own green power company. Natural gas is very plentiful, cheap and clean burning. It’s unbelievable the amount of contempt that our elected officials appear to have for their constituents when they would try to make us switch to a much more expensive power source for our homes and businesses.

Michael Allen has been lobbying for mandates for a few years now, first it was mandatory inspections and retrofits for Santa Rosa (our group successfully pushed back on this), then he was involved in another bill, SB730 when he worked for State Senator Pat Wiggins that failed that would have essentially forced every building owner to put in solar hot water, and now he’s very likely involved in this climate action plan in some way.

Michael Allen is a union rep and will represent his unions over the general public every time. Maybe it’s time to investigate his activities again. The last time he ended up paying a fine to the Fair Political Practices Commission for serious conflicts of interest. Why would anyone want to vote for him? Will you?

VOICE YOUR CONCERNS ABOUT THE Climate Action Plan -- GO TO THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING. TUESDAY JUNE 5. 4 PM. BE THERE. SPEAK OUT.

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Change Agents in Santa Rosa

12/9/2011

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According to the Santa Rosa Press Democrat, Michael Allen recently assaulted an opponent, Marc Levine. They're both running for 10th District Assembly. Michael Allen is the incumbent in the 7th District but redistricting removed him from his district, so he shopped around for one he thought he might win and picked the 10th. Marc Levine is a San Rafael Councilperson. He made a comment at a Democratic meeting (they're both Democrats) that he has lived in his district for a long time. Michael Allen, according to the PD, 'stormed out' of the meeting. But he came back. Later he grabbed Levine by the elbow, hard, and told Levine that if he ever said anything like that again, Allen would 'kick his ass.'

Ok, what a story, right? The headline could read "Michael Allen Shows True Colors." On Watch Sonoma County, the PD's online comment site, I commented about this. And Michael Allen's attack dog came out after me. And referred readers to a nasty piece of yellow journalism that the PD did on me when i reported Michael Allen to the FPPC last year for a conflict of interest.

I looked back at the link, just for nostalgia's sake, and read the comments that attacked me and my partner, Kay. As I read the viciousness I marvelled that so many people were willing to be lapdogs and operatives. So many obedient toadies were willing to attack me---why?

Did they get appointed to the Community Advisory Board or another commission? Did they get a few bucks via a small contract? Did they just get flattered about how important they are to the 'community?' They've gone to their trainings.

It's so easy to be a good german. How far will they go? Do they know themselves? Maybe they'll threaten to kick someone's ass. Maybe they'll do it.

We won't make it easy for them. Have they forgotten? This is America.

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So much for free speech...Occupy space

11/9/2011

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I just received this from a citizen who was concerned enough about her safety in the center of Santa Rosa that she spoke out. For a related post please scroll down to my 10/12/11 post below .

Dear Mayor, Councilmembers and City Manager,
Thank you for your time, I know each one of you must be extremely busy dealing with all that is on your plates. I spoke last night regarding the Occupy issue. My name is Joyce Garcia. I’m writing you because of an incident that occurred before the doors opened to the City Council Chambers last night.

I arrived about 10 to 15 minutes before the doors opened. Not realizing the doors were locked, I walked pass several people to go into the building. Not able to enter the building, I turned around and stood on the side, placing my tablet on the rail, writing what I intended to say during my 2 minutes. I must note that I arrived alone and was did not expect what happened to me. I was approached by Lisa Maldonado, a Union Leader. After she greeted me with a polite, “Hello, how you doin’”, she then introduced me (to whom it wasn’t clear because there were 30+ individuals there) by my full name and as a member of the NorCal C.R.U.S.H., then she added, “....which stands for Conservatives....what?” which was clearly to get me to engage in a conversation where she knew I was out numbered. This was clearly a maneuvered tactic she used to intimidate me and point me out to the Occupiers as a person who opposes them.

Regardless of my statements that I agreed with many of the issues, just not their methods, she made it clear to those 30+ people whose eyes were now all on me, one in the crowd who did not agree with them, that I was disingenuous and was part of a group who created a Facebook page “Stop Occupy Santa Rosa”. This is an out and out lie. If you can put yourself in my place at that moment. Last week I was one of two people that I know of who spoke in opposition to allowing the Occupy movement to camp out. That was not an easy thing to do in such a overwhelming pro Occupy crowd...especially when many on the council outwardly were in support of the movement, claiming they too were one of the “99%”.

I was pointed out in a crowd where I believe many of the people recognized me as speaking out against their movement. I was called out by my first and last name, surrounded by a crowd who do not welcome my opinion. I was accused of being apart of a FB page who wants the movement to stop. I was, and am still shaken. I was intimidated by a Union leader and pointed out to many people who may or may not wish me harm because of my opinions. I chose not to be silenced by the obvious skilled intimidation tactics and spoke up anyway because I know too many people who refused to be in attendance at regular council meetings because they are intimidated by the presence of the Occupiers, and I am speaking on behalf of them! I watched as council members were being threatened by these people during a council meeting, only to turn around and be intimidated by a Union leader. This is unacceptable and should not be tolerated!

I know that I speak for many....please stand up to these people and uphold the laws and ordinances that are set in place for ALL individuals. I fear for the police! I know they are being targeted as the bad guys when they are only doing their jobs. Do what is necessary and right and I know that you will have overwhelming support from the citizens you represent.

Respectfully and with much concern, Joyce Garcia

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OCCUPY CITY HALL

10/12/2011

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I had been thinking that the 'Occupy' movement was a wonderful opportunity for Americans to get together and share information and ideas about what has happened with our government. Clearly the economy has collapsed due to manipulation, regulation, and outright theft by our government.

When I saw that the 'Occupy Santa Rosa' meeting this coming Saturday was organized by Lisa Maldonado I knew there was a serious problem. She heads up the North Bay Labor Council of the AFL-CIO. Did you know that the AFL-CIO supports Smart Growth and condemned sprawl (aka Suburbs and Rural Areas) at their annual 2001 Convention because most rural and suburban areas don't support unions as much as the big cities do? She refers to herself on her Twitter account as:

Lisa Maldonado @LaMujerObrera en la lucha. just your average labor boss,working for the revolution, all about the class struggle and waiting for the great leap forward.

Just in case you think that this is a charming bit of humor I'll remind you that she is a vicious attacker of anyone who disagrees with her (often referring to the person as a 'hater' so that she can justify her abuse), and is dead serious. 'En la lucha' means 'in the fight' in Spanish. 'Working for the Revolution, all about the Class Struggle, and Waiting for the Great Leap Forward' all reference Communist regimes; specifically Russian and Chinese.

Lisa Maldonado is a Progressive Democrat. You might think you know what that means. You might even call yourself a progressive Democrat too. But what it means to you and what it means to the Progessive Democrats of America and the Congressional Progessive Caucus are two different things. They are socialists. You might think that socialism sounds cool. Especially if you don't own anything and don't have a job. The collapse of the economy feeds the socialist movement. Promises of jobs, housing, education, health care, and green draw you in. If Lisa Maldonado is any indication of the behavior of other socialists, the first thing to go is your right to free speech. The Congressional Progressive Caucus is the largest caucus in the Democratic party, with over 80 members. It was formed by the Democratic Socialists of America.

Here's a statement from their website (http://www.dsausa.org/pdf/widemsoc.pdf)

Aren't you a party that's in competition with the
Democratic Party for votes and support?
No, we are not a separate party. Like our friends and allies in the feminist, labor, civil rights, religious, and community organizing movements, many of us have been active in the Democratic Party. We work with those movements to strengthen the party’s left wing, represented by the Congressional Progressive Caucus.

The process and structure of American elections seriously hurts third party efforts. Winner-take-all elections instead of proportional representation, rigorous party qualification requirements that vary from state to state, a presidential instead of a parliamentary system, and the two-party monopoly on political power have doomed third party efforts. We hope that at some point in the future, in coalition with our allies, an alternative national party will be viable. For now, we will continue to support progressives who have a real chance at winning elections, which usually means left-wing Democrats.

NORMAN SOLOMAN IS A PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRAT.

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MICHAEL ALLEN FOUND GUILTY BY FPPC

2/2/2011

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The Fair Political Practices Commission has found Michael Allen guilty of conflict of interest charges and is in the process of fining him. He is guilty of lobbying the City of Santa Rosa for land use changes to a parcel owned by SCWA. His campaign slogan of 'Our Values Our Voice' is a farce, as is his appointment to the Assembly Ethics Committee.

Those who thought we had some sort of vendetta against Michael Allen should ask themselves now why they would defend someone who is guilty of vote selling and secret lobbying. The FPPC doesn't investigate, find guilty, and fine innocent politicians.

KEEP YOUR EYE ON MICHAEL ALLEN.

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Michael Allen's C Team

9/12/2010

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A friend sent us this copy of Lisa Maldonado's twitter account bio:

Name: Lisa Maldonado
Location: en la lucha
Bio: just your average labor boss, working for the revolution, all about the class struggle and waiting for the great leap forward.

She's in the fight (la lucha). What is she fighting for? Working for the revolution. What revolution? Class struggle? Great Leap Forward (Chairman Mao of China's rallying cry).

Michael Allen really has the C-team here. This sounds like communist rhetoric, and sadly, I'm not name-calling. I don't have to. She did it herself. Revolution and Great Leap Forward---these are alarming statements, and her bulldog aggressive attacks on us are stunning from someone in the public domain. What the heck is this? I'd say it's high school play-acting but Maldonado is in a position of trust in the unions. Is she in some fantasy land or does she know something we don't?

One guarantee: She goes with Michael Allen to Sacramento. Is this what you want?

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Civil Unions?

8/6/2010

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I was a union member for nearly 30 years: 7 with Communication Workers of America (CWA), and 22 with SEIU. I encouraged others to become members of the union, and asked them where they'd be without it---minorities, women---would they even be employed? When the issue came up regarding whether union dues should be used to support candidates I was in favor of it.

Now, however, I realize that as a rank and file member I had no idea what was going on with my money or how the unions had morphed from the Cesar Chavez model of fair representation for the voiceless to the gorilla in the room playing back door politics.

The creation of ever-fragmenting groups here in Sonoma County is an example of this. We've been accused of picking on poor Michael Allen but he is the nexus around which much of this swirls.

Look under the rock and he is invariably there with one of his hats on and with his hand out.

The Accountable Development Coalition (creating artificial community consensus to forward a self-serving machine): He was a founder

The North Bay Labor Council (Lisa Maldonado is executive director, need we say more): He was president

Solar Sonoma County (using pressure to enact legislation requiring labor-installed solar installations): He was a founder

Santa Rosa Planning Commission: As a planning commissioner appointed by Gary Wysocky, he tried to get a requirement into the General Plan which would force all property owners to have energy tests on their homes (union) and mandatory energy upgrades (union work)

Who were his biggest campaign contributors for his runs for City Council (he lost) and 7th Assembly District? Unions. Electrical Unions. Potential installers of solar. In both races he raised tens of thousands more than anyone else. Union money. My money. Your money.

Who is the big boss now? Who is carrying the big stick? Who is not accountable to the people who pay the bills? Who needs a light shone on their bullying tactics? No union should be able to rest on the saintly laurels of Cesar Chavez or those who fought for workers rights in the early days of organizing. If it's dirty we don't want it. Root them out. Clean up the unions.

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ENDORSEMENT: SUNDSTROM

MONEY AND POWER AT THE CASINO

Got Gas?

Change Agents in Santa Rosa

So much for free speech...Occupy space

OCCUPY CITY HALL

MICHAEL ALLEN FOUND GUILTY BY FPPC

Michael Allen's C Team

Civil Unions?

Eyes on Santa Rosa

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