Editor’s note: The following is a letter to the editor. The opinions expressed in this letter are those of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect those of The Mendocino Voice. If you would like to submit a letter to the editor feel free to write to [email protected].Â
Dear Editor:
I recently became aware of a significant change in how candidates for local office are conducting their campaigns. In the past, our local city council races were locally funded, candidates agreed to limits on spending, and there was not the kind of nasty, derogatory comments about other candidates that are now commonplace on the national and state level.
On. October 13, Rescue California Coalition, a conservative political action committee based in Southern California, filed Independent Expenditure Reports with the Ukiah City Clerk showing that over $5,700 was being spent on opposition mailers against the three incumbent candidates. Ross Liberty donated $5,000 to this PAC just prior to this filing.
While I can appreciate that Ross Liberty owns a local business that offers employment, I don’t appreciate the way he is heavily funding the city council race, hoping to unseat the three incumbents through an opposition mailer. He was the driving force behind the No on Annexation campaign, funding signage and spreading incorrect information about the city’s proposal. Now he’s turned his considerable resources and influence to elect the three candidates who are backed by the Mendo Matters group.
Personally, I don’t like having one wealthy person in our community wield so much influence. Consider this when you cast your votes for the Ukiah City Council.
Margo Frank
Ukiah
Dr. Evil being Dr. Evil.
Agreed
Sad that this country is becoming less and less shy about it’s desire to be an oligarchy. If the wealthy can just buy our leaders then we no longer live in a representative democracy. It didn’t work out in the 1920s and here we are again, seemingly bent on creating yet another financial disaster.
But on the other hand, the incumbents are not innocent. They too are spreading lies about the other candidates, boldly so. They point a finger saying “Maga” and “Those 3 are dangerous” but aren’t they acting just like Maga in doing so? Voters need to talk to all the candidates to make a good informed decision. It’s really easy to do these days as they all have Facebook pages. Message them your questions. They answer! Then make a good informed decision with your vote.
How many people has Juan Orozco “boldly” told that the challengers are MAGA or dangerous? Did he say that to you? When did that happen? Specific examples please.
I just wish to say that the signs of Strangio, Froneberger, and Bazzani are hung up in the local Republican HQ in Ukiah.
Whether they are Maga or not doesn’t even matter. They are simply incompetent and not equipped to serve the people of Ukiah. It would be dangerous for Ukiah if these bozos made it on the City Council simply because of their ineptitude. The fact that dark money from outside the city and even outside the county is supporting them is just further evidence that they would not serve the interests of Ukiah residents.
Please print a copy of this letter and mail it to your neighbors that are displaying candidate signs for those benefitting from this type of PAC Funding. The fact that a measly $5,700 can make such an impact in a local community is concerning.
I don’t think anyone should hold it against the candidates if someone supporting them decides to spend their money to advocate for their preferred candidates. The candidates themselves, whether challengers or incumbents, don’t and can’t control how other people communicate their political speech. I don’t really see how this is concerning anyway. This isn’t dark or secret money. If it was, this article wouldn’t have been possible. I assume the information is from the FPPC filings about campaign contributions and expenses that are filed with the City Clerk’s office. Candidates, their committees, and independent committees all have to file them and disclose donors over $99 and how the donated money is spent. This is pretty normal and transparent. I am also not sure why anyone thinks it is bad for a local business person and property owner to spend a modest amount of money on a mailer. That cost probably only covered a single mailer to Ukiah voters. In Fort Bragg, which is smaller than Ukiah, mailers can cost more than $2000.
https://theava.com/archives/151696
-Dr Evil’s mini me, Mr. Patterson?
Also, most of these comments are under weird names that obviously aren’t anyone’s actual name. Is that secret and nefarious? I don’t think so. If someone is concerned about someone else sending a political mailer through a campaign committee they funded (and reported) rather than just as themselves, why would they also hide who they are when they bring it up? It seems a little hypocritical.
Did the commenters pay $5000 for the opportunity to make everyone hear their opinion?
Mr. Burl, please give your $5000 bucks because I didn’t receive my bribe from the dark money incorporated.
You mean secret names like Nathaniel Holmes? When people become immensely unpopular, they sometimes resort to aliases to retain a shred of credibility. You should know this better than most Nathaniel, oops, I mean Jacob.
The barbarians are at the gates to our city, folks. That our local Republican Party, having turned on its former leader, a Marine veteran and church-going family man, is now supporting Bazzani, Strangio, and Froneberger speaks volumes to the fact that it is completely unmoored from what used to be Republican values of selfless service, courage, faith, and integrity. With Mr. Liberty involved, cowering behind a SoCal PAC, this should surprise precisely no one. At least one of their candidates is manifestly unqualified, and another isn’t even a Republican (which these days may be a credit). But basic qualifications to public office and shared conservative principles don’t matter; all that matters is that these three know who they work for – and it ain’t us, folks, and it ain’t our kids. It’s the likes of Ross Liberty and Mendo Matters who are paying their bills and from whom unquestioned loyalty will be demanded – extracted – in return. All to enrich themselves and cut everyone else out.
False Sextus approaches the gate. Who will keep the bridge?
#FreedomFromLiberty
If elected, will Bazzani, Strangio, and Froneberger make decisions based on what their city constituents want or on what is the will of influential people living or doing business in the County? Bazzani will likely do the latter, even if only because he seems hopelessly confused about the difference between a city and a county.
These candidates purchased by the Oligarchs of Mendo Matters.