When I make a decision to mark my ballot, I do my homework first. When it comes to choosing a candidate, I look at their record and pretty much ignore their campaign promises. It can be a real eye opener.
Mary Piepho, our current supervisor has been sending out a campaign material touting her accomplishments of the past three years. The message is, this inexperienced member from the community swept in and has single handedly fixed all the county problems, in spite of the fact that the Board votes in lock step 5 to 0 on every issue. If I were on the Board with her I would be insulted that she gets all the credit. But then again, maybe they are happy under her “Leadership” to give her all the credit for the County Grand Jury report that came out on Friday:
“Supervisors have said that they have learned their lesson, that they will do better, and that they are on the road to fiscal sanity. Their record says otherwise.” The report says:
- Individual supervisors are individually communicating with labor leaders undermining the negotiation process
- The Board has continued to approve labor contracts through the last couple of months that “…in each case, the Supervisors as a group have failed to take any meaningful steps to address out-of-control health benefit costs, attributable largely to the generous union agreements.”
- The Board has targeted only 40% of the OPEB debt, the Grand Jury recommends raising the target to 85% of the debt. They say the Board should come up with a plan in the next six months as to how this will be achieved.
- The current annual “gap between the required and planned contributions” for OPEB is estimated to be $54 million. The Board is not required to actually “fund” that amount, but it must fund it, reduce it in some manner, or disclose the $54 million as a liability on the financial statements. Currently, the plan is to report the liability.
Guy Houston’s accomplishments in the State Legislature are too numerous to list in one blog. Here is but a sample of what he has accomplished in Sacramento:
- Equalization for school funding which has brought millions of extra dollars to not only Contra Costa County but under funded districts across the state.
- Introduced a bill to equalize county funding across the state, which would bring millions into Contra Costa County and other under funded counties in the state.
- A bill to enhance penalties for people that maliciously post someone else’s information on the internet.
- Authored a bill which helps address State’s critical shortage of specialists for disabled students.
- Introduced a bill to increase the tax exemption for 100% totally disabled veterans.
Additionally, he was appointed this year to serve on the Banking and Finance committee, the Local Government committee and the Transportation committee. He received the American Electronics Association prestigious award as “Legislator of the Year.”
Guy Houston doesn’t promise to swoop in like Superman and make this County whole overnight. But with his background and experience at the State level Guy has gained the support of the Assessor, the Auditor-Controller, the County Treasurer (the financial Big Three) and the Sheriff.
So let’s move away from the gender arguments, nice person arguments, hard working arguments and elect the most qualified candidate with a proven track record. That person is Guy Houston.
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Mr. Nononsense I am still waiting for you to name the outstanding things Mary has done for this County. You keep avoiding that request. All I can find is lots of letters that do nothing, however have caused additional expense to the receiver. Mary shoots from the hip and does no research about the problem. Or should I say she listens to the bafoon husband of hers who slants everything. Please furnish this site a list of her wonderful accomplishments beside graduating from High School, the newspaper job she was terminated from was hoax, running the Title Company with a license was false, she was a clerk for twenty minutes. What else ya got?
” The Truth About The Comon Taxpayer. Com ”
I’m so taxed out I’m feeling ill, The County is so far in debt I cannot vote for an incumbant, I need to read the Grand Jury Report………………………
- Individual supervisors are individually communicating with labor leaders undermining the negotiation process. Page 4
- The Board has continued to approve labor contracts through the last couple of months that “…in each case, the Supervisors as a group have failed to take any meaningful steps to address out-of-control health benefit costs, attributable largely to the generous union agreements.” Page 8
- The Board has targeted only 40% of the OPEB debt, the Grand Jury recommends raising the target to 85% of the debt. They say the Board should come up with a plan in the next six months as to how this will be achieved. Page 9
- The current annual “gap between the required and planned contributions” for OPEB is estimated to be $54 million. The Board is not required to actually “fund” that amount, but it must fund it, reduce it in some manner, or disclose the $54 million as a liability on the financial statements. Currently, the plan is to report the liability. Page 7
NOT AUTHORIZED BY A CANDIDATE OR A COMMITTEE CONTROLLED BY A CANDIDATE
Not Paid for by the East Bay Business Coalition – not supported by law enforcement, healthcare workers , however, supported by taxpayers
” Big Al ” Baby, Don’t forget to let everyone know about the disclaimers at the bottom of that ” Hit Piece” . I’m sure the backer’s , ( cough) unions would want people to know they can play Mary and Federal like a puppet, but maybe not Houston when it careomes to taxpayers money. But then again, why would they want the public to know they helped put Contra Costa County Taxpayers 2 Billion ( BILLION $$$$ ) dollars in debt with thier moral tactics.
Disclaimer: These statements were not paid for by anyone. They are the personal opinion of a concerned taxpayer who WILL VOTE OUT COUNTY INCUMBANTS FOR THIER POOR PERFORMACE with my money.
Disclaimer/Disclaimer: This has not been spell checked
The unions are scared to death of Houston…right Al. Your website and the mailer I received at home are nothing more than a last ditch desperate effort to try to save their ridiculous benefits and fat contracts. The unions know piepho remains in their pocket as she has demonstrated over the last 4 years. The unions also know Houston has the potential to break from the pack and do what this county badly need but piepho is incapable of.
I just wonder what Steve Thomas is going to run down to next? How about mayor of Danville. All that class warfare stuff will go over well there.
Check the facts for yourself: http://truthaboutguyhouston.com/
All I’ve got to say is ” Me Too”
When it comes to VOTING OUT THE THE INCUMBENTS…….
Did I spell all that right ?
~ EDITOR GRADES SPELLING — You done good, Disco Man.
Mr. No Nonsense (aka David Piepho)…How do I know that?.. Well, if you read editorials, blogs and letters from Mr P, he has a very distinctive style. Even materials that have other people’s signature are distinctively Piepho. The joke is on him…he is not fooling those who know him.
Mr. No Nonsense’s recent blogs on this website are proof positive of his character, or should I say lack thereof, and his obvious disdain for his constituents (he is an elected member of the Town Board of Discovery Bay) and/or anyone who disagrees with him….the King of Discovery Bay. The inside joke in East County is the Piepho’s are referred to as King and Queen, as they treat their constituents and staff like serfs.
I would like to point out two direct quotes from Mr Non Nonsense that in my view say it all about who these people really are:
In reference to BGR, “And not because I get my jollies out by busting your nuts (ok maybe a little)…”
In response to a blotg “old school, I’m no Psychologist, but that repeated reference and fixation to insert things in cavities can’t be healthy.”
I would think there would be a more appropriate way to get the point across without offensive gutter statements. This friends and neighbors is your elected official in action. Shocking…not really if you live in East County and have been on the receiving end of the King and Queen’s rath.
Discussion of difference point of views (which is what this website is all about) is a healty part of our political process. This sewer level rhetoric has no place in the public forum much less from an elected official.
As I said in my original blog, before I mark my ballot I do my homework on the candidates. In my book it is not what a candidate or official says during campaign time but what they have actually done and equally important their character.
I think what we have read on this website says it all. Thanks BGR we appreciate the opportunity for discussion.
Got something to say?
Bill, thick skin suit still at the cleaners? Are you saying Guy and Mary didn’t both interview for the CC Times endorse and he lost?
So how long have the Piepho folks had Admin rights to post on your blog? Since you say they are the ones always bringing up the endorsements. And not because I get my jollies out of busting your nuts(well OK, maybe a little) but aren’t we jawboning within a thread where YOU trotted out multiple endorsements for Houston?? Seems a little odd for someone who says they aren’t counting! Still waiting on proof of that earlier claim that Piepho was taking all the credit. Research team a little backed up over there?
Ruth…..err, just had a thought. Halfway house, halfwaytoconcord. A consistent theme? Anyyyyway, where exactly did I call Houston names? I stated his character and his ethics are a bit shaky, IMO, but not quite the same thing now is it? You having trouble finding Piepho’s website? That’s the obvious place to look if you were genuinely interested in reading the accomplishments, don’t you think? But we both know that wasn’t the point.
Disco Man, I’m wading into the kool-aid factory here getting tag teamed by three or four of you unarmed intellectuals. I guess it does take a little attitude, so you got me there. I believe Barber is head man in the personal attacks department and you are in charge of the gratuitous “me too’s” every now and then. But if you ever get to where you can actually talk community or county issues in any intelligent manner, then let’s chat. Until then you’re wasting electrons with the low quality posts. You missed again with the poster ID game you fellas are playing, but keep trying……and for God’s sakes man, get a spell checker. Once in awhile, OK, but doing it every post is a joke.
Are we done with the personal barbs so we can get back to real issues or is this the way you guys play right up to June 3?
~ EDITOR REPLIES — It has always been the policy of this blog to encourage any responsible party to use this site to submit their own posts. Sadly, some are too lazy or really don’t have anything to say except to take pot shots at others.
The “endorsements” have been an issue in so far as Piepho supporters proudly point to the website’s locals and politcos supporting Mary in response to “outside” support for Houston. This has been fairly well documented. I am always surprised as to what details you conveniently forget about in your “gotcha” campaign. And I suppose massive Indpendent Expenditures from “outside” support from the East Bay Business Coalition and more to come don’t count. You cut some very fine hairs. Good luck with that.
The only press materials I have received recently from Supervisor Piepho was “news” about the early cherry crop. Now there’s a story. I am glad she’s working hard at supervising or whatever she has done in the past three years besides being led around on a leash by John Gioia.
Someone needs a lesson on working with the press. Maybe Mary could send her Democrat hand maidens, Bielle and Tomi, over to whisper stories into my ears like they do to certain CC Times’ writers.
if any fortune 500 CEO turned in the numbers that piepho and her cronies turned in, shareholders would have voted them out. its that simple. where is chuck prince? gone
Nosense will never win an exchange off words with that attitude and approach. No sense becomes an easy target when emotions are showing through.
I guess when you sleep with someone it’s hard not to be emotional.
No nonsense: 5 Grand Jury reports and all 5 say the Board needs to get a grip on spending more than they take in and giving away the store. I love the part where they say exparte communications with Union leaders. There’s a real smart move. I did read the entire report and if you think that was favorable then you will make as bad a politician as she does. Please name all the famous things Mary Piepho has done that she has not ridden on the wings of someone else. STop trying to divert her lack of accomplishments by trying to call Houston names. I give you a littlie time to think about it, as it will take several hours.
Bill, don’t cheap out on the low hanging fruit, go for the meat and potatoes.
Why not answer where Piepho is on record in claiming “has single handedly fixed all the county problems”. That was your quote, was it not? I want to think we’re not going drama queen here, so maybe clarification on that point is in order?
Since you want to talk endorsements, how is the DB Chamber and John T. Nejedley’s(got grapes?) working out for your camp these days? By your definition should we now acknowledge that Houston has lost the CC Times support?
~ EDITOR REPLIES — Corresponding with you is like trying to fold a fitted sheet. It is the Piepho camp that consistently brings up the endorsement issue like anyone is counting. Besides, Houston did not have the CC Times endorsement to lose so I don’t understand your logic at all. I only clarified my post concerning the art and headline, which you tripped out over on your own. Doing your endless “but what abouts” is not argument but innuendo and parsing bordering on nitpicking. You or anyone is welcome to post your own thesis here instead of picking at someone else’s work. bgr
CLARIFICATION — Dearest No Nonsense, you recently commented that:
>Sorry BGR, but suggesting the Costa endorsement was a loss for Piepho is
>disingenuous and the 6 year old clip art suggesting it was some big PR deal was
>just over the top. She never asked him for the nod in the first place.
I know you have a very high opinion of your fellow readers, but you give me too much credit in suggesting some conspiracy on my part to mislead readers with specious “clip art” and headlines.
The “clip-art” was simply grabbed from a Google search to show who Ted Costa was. That’s all. New format protocol requires a photo at least 320 pixels wide. That was the best picture I could grab easily that fit the requirements. Your fantasy that I meant to create the illusion of some press conference is all you. Sorry to disappoint.
As for your parsing of the headline and conclusion; well having an endorsement one year and then losing next time is exactly what it sounds like. As for “never asking” for the endorsement…where I come from, that’s called “sour grapes.” bgr
Ruth, you have shown your selective reading skills quite well. Did you read the GJ report in its entirety, or just run with the talking points fed to you? Houston does get some credit for the equalization initiative, but it must be noted that was started by Lynne Leach. His fiscal and ethics issues factored in make it a net minus in my book. Didn’t he throw his Dad under the bus over the fraud case? The Hawaii and Ireland junkets are already noted. I watched him shamelessly try to pitch his safe neighborhoods bill, but when questioned on it it became obvious he has no clue on the real problem with police services in our area. The frosting was when he said he would take money from anybody and his contributors report shows it. If you don’t think all those Developers and special interests won’t come knocking for favors later, then I’ve got some ocean front property in Arizona to sell you.
What’s Guy up to now, more local endorsements than you have fingers on one hand? That compared to Piepho’s 40+? Sorry BGR, but suggesting the Costa endorsement was a loss for Piepho is disingenuous and the 6 year old clip art suggesting it was some big PR deal was just over the top. She never asked him for the nod in the first place.
With that questionable history my recommendation would be to count your fingers afterward if you ever find yourself shaking his hand.
Mr. No Nonsense. Obviously your laughter is caused because you have not checked the facts on Mr. Houston’s record in the Assembly. It is clear that his bill on School Equalization, which brought millions dollars directly to our school districts in Contra Costa County and across the state without raising taxes, is of little interest to you. Oh I get it you support Piepho the Cha Ching Queen. I think there are a lot of parents, children and teachers in our county that are grateful. Your ability to blame the horrendous debt Piepho and her coherts have placed this County in is of not interest to you. You must think the 5 Grand Jury Reports critizing the Board is irrelavant . Each report points out their inability to deal with union negoiations and finances. The taxpayers of this county will mostly likely disagree with your spin on the information. The outregous claim that Supervisor Piepho claims she increased the Sheriffs budget for Marine Patrol and other patrols is an out and out lie. Remember the Piepho vs Rupf correspondence? You are one spun up angry dude. I guess I would be angry too if I was in danger of losing my Porche. It is kinda scary when someone like you feeds off a county system.
It’s obvious Thomas is a co-con with Piepho. If they can delute the voting results to less than a fifty percent majority, the run off will allow more time to find mud and sling it. Let’s move on to new blood and experience. The county is sinking fast……………
How about this for Houston’s record:
Voted against toxic toys AB 1108
Voted against Lower cost prescription drugs AB 2911
Voted against consumer safety SB 484
Voted against sweat shop working conditions SB 578
I’m a working class guy who will represent the middle and working classes. Forget if you think you are in a “class” or not, you are whether you like it or not. The middle class is being demolished by outsourcing. The real estate bubble has been the underpinning of our economy for probably the last 10 years. People have been taking equity out of their homes to make up for the “consumer spending” that has disappeared because of their lack of real earned income due to outsourcing. Exactly HOW are we going to pay for $9 TRILLION in debt? If 1$ is a second, then 1trillion is 32,000 years! 9 trillion is 100,000 years of seconds. We’re handing that debt to our kids, grandkids and great grandkids. So far, we’re paying for it with tax cuts for the rich and voodoo economics. Think about it!
Proven track record?? When I get up off the floor from laughing, please do explain.
6 years and 5 “authored” bills is it? How about stuff that actually got passed? The AEA either has a low bar or maybe there are a lot of Board members with yachts?
Let’s not forget the Assessor, the Controller and the Treasurer are the three amigos under who’s watch the OPEB problem has gotten worse. Don’t even start me with the Sheriff. For them, electing Houston gets them someone who won’t ask where the bodies are buried.
Piepho single-handedly fixed the County’s problems??? Wow, talk about creative paraphrasing. You got a direct quote that suggests anything of the sort? In fact, the televised debates contain comments that acknowledge she’s only made a dent and feels there is much work to be done.
Mr. Barber, you’re sounding more paranoid with every post.
Excellent “No-Nonsense” summary!
I look forward to reading how the piepho crew is going to attempt to spin the Grand Jury report into anything other than a political death sentence. Remember it was the piepho crew who touted the grand jury very loudly regarding the BoS pay issue. I anxiously await their logic on how they can have it every which way. No doubt they will start by saying something snide about me and then blame Houston for the China earthquake. But the fact remains piepho does not have what it takes to deal with county’s primary problems. She has had her chance and all she did was get cozy with the other 4 and cherry-pick some (low value) low hanging fruit. It is time for a change.
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