I ran against Alan Long in 2010 for a seat on the city council. I got to know Alan quite well during the campaign, and I discovered that Mr. Long is a very good individual. He's caring, he's a good family man, he takes a lot of pride in his job as a fire fighter, and he cares about Murrieta. He ran on making Murrieta a better place, and stopping the intrusion of the Riverside Conservation Authority into Los Alamos Hills where the concept of sustainable development has gone hog wild, and the government is taking people's land by making it unsaleable, unable to be developed, and unusable.
In the last four years Alan Long has not lived up to his campaign promises. He may be a nice guy, but he failed to live up to his campaign promises.
Residents in Los Alamos Hills consider him a turncoat.
Last July, when the immigration issue exploded in Murrieta, California, and protesters turned around buses full of infected illegal aliens, Mayor Alan Long became the face of Murrieta to the nation, and to the world. The forgotten community of Murrieta tucked inland somewhere between Los Angeles and San Diego became more than just Temecula's less interesting sister. Murrieta took center stage in the immigration debate, and became the spark that launched a serious debate in Washington regarding the issue. Murrieta's impact went so far that even President Barack Obama recognized what happened, and then blamed the "partisanship in July" as his excuse to delay his unconstitutional executive actions regarding the immigration issue until after the mid-term elections in November.
Fire Fighter, family man, respected local politician, mayor, and face of Murrieta. When the public is watching you, you have to watch your step. Opponents are looking for missteps, and political pundits are ready for those stupid mistakes that change the face of politics, and destroys political careers.
Alan Long is a good man who was not thinking. He made his bed. He is a good man that did a very stupid thing.
On Thursday Night it has been reported that Mayor Alan Long, under the influence of alcohol, caused a vehicular accident that left four teens injured with moderate to major injuries. Sure, drinking and driving is stupid, and unforgivable. . . but when you are in the spotlight, are a rising star in politics, and you are the face of a city, "stupid" doesn't even scratch the surface as a description of such an irresponsible action.
Citizens will begin to ask, even if their questions may have no truth to them, "Does he drink while on duty at the Anaheim Fire Department?" "Does he toss a few back before the city council meetings?"
My wife, after learning of what happened, told me, "I've lost all respect for the man."
Now, the aftermath will begin to fall into place. Alan Long's candidacy for reelection may be destroyed. He may have to face the piper on his job, and with his family. His legal troubles, I am thinking, are only just beginning. He's a good guy, but he brought this upon himself by doing a very bad thing.
Rick Gibbs, already considered a joke to local political pundits, and a member of the good ol' boy's club in Murrieta, has supported, and has been closely connected to, Alan Long. His campaign for reelection may be at risk, as well. Challenger Ruthanne Taylor-Berger, a WRCOG crony that supports idiotic sustainable development schemes like the conservation invasion in Los Alamos Hills, or the United Nations driven Jefferson Corridor project, is also someone that has been lumped with Alan Long, and may suffer for his stupidity.
The reality is, we may see an election for city council where all three seats available may wind up being filled by challengers. The two incumbents, Alan Long and Rick Gibbs (no relation to me, by the way), may find themselves looking at the city council from the outside, after this election. There are very capable candidates, people who love their city, and have worked hard to improve their city, running for Murrieta City Council. Chances are, we will see a changing of the guard, and the lone conservative on the council, Harry Ramos, may finally get some help. . . thanks to Alan Long's interestingly timed bad move of grave stupidity.
-- Political Pistachio Conservative News and Commentary
2 comments:
Could Mr. Gibbs (Douglas V., that is) or any informed reader please expand on the statement in this article, "United Nations driven Jefferson Corridor project"? I've been doing some reading and know what the project is, but I've found nothing yet on the U.N. connection. Any help?
Mr Gibbs sounds like a sore loser he was in 2010 his political motivation for writing this hit piece is that he is connected at the hip with Diane Serafin and John Ingrahm who are running for City Council and who would both be horrible for the City of Murrieta.
as someone who has known Alan for 35 years, and have never seen him take a drink, I can say that this incident was not only out of character, but in no way defines Alen as a person, battalion chief leader, husband, father, or mayor. alan has lived in this valley for 40 years and has served it for over 25 years. He has stirred up in support of the citizens of Murrietta on many occasions, he deserves more than a rush to judgement. especially when you consider the fact that he was tested under the legal limit.
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