I have been a resident of Murrieta since 1989, longer than this community has been an incorporated city. I have seen nasty politics come and go in this city, but what I have seen during the last half dozen years has been absolutely unacceptable. Initiative E from 2010 has never been properly implemented, a sign that the power brokers in Murrieta reject the voice of the people. The 2014 city council election was the nastiest I have ever seen. It was a campaign that included death threats and hateful attacks against one of the candidates, that wound up winning I might add, Jonathon Ingram; and the reelection of Alan Long who, during the campaign, rear-ended a car full of teenagers while in a drunken stupor. Now, in the next chapter of vicious politics inside and around the City of Murrieta, Murrieta Mayor Harry Ramos is under fire.
Murrieta Mayor Harry Ramos was elected as a grassroots candidate in 2012. His was an unexpected win against well-established candidates. He ran the campaign on nearly no funds, simply doing what he could to make sure that he put out a reasonable voice during the pre-election debates. Since Ramos has been on the city council in Murrieta, he has gained quite a reputation for rocking the local vote. Perhaps a little wet behind the ears as far as politics goes, but you will not find a more honest, and honorable, individual.
Since Ramos has been on the City Council, he has to usually stand alone as the lone voice of dissent regarding programs and issues that he believes is not best for the local area from a "limited government" point of view. Ramos has often commented that he has no intention of playing in the "little boy's club." He is not a part of the local establishment, the club of political elite, and he has no intention of ever giving in to the cat calls being sent out by self-absorbed group.
Now, city officials are considering an investigation into the conduct of Mayor Ramos. The "character attack," according to Ramos, was inevitable. “This is politics,” Ramos said. “I knew this was going to come. This is over the way I vote.”
The coalition that prompted the probe is led by Ed Faunce, a resident who has led two recall efforts in the past. Former councilmember Doug McAllister has also been a critic of Ramos. McAllister was also a particularly nasty customer I had to deal with when I ran for city council in 2010, during which he did all he could to sabotage Initiatives C, D, and E, of which I supported. At one point, he put out printed propaganda at The Colony debate before I arrived, targeting me and Initiatives C, D, and E as not being good for the city, convincing the audience I was some kind of enemy, and resulting in the audience refusing to applaud after any of my responses to questions, even though they enthusiastically applauded after every other candidate's answers (of which there was a total of 8 candidates participating in that particular debate, in front of a packed room of a bit less than 100 people).
The coalition that prompted the probe is led by Ed Faunce, a resident who has led two recall efforts in the past. Former councilmember Doug McAllister has also been a critic of Ramos. McAllister was also a particularly nasty customer I had to deal with when I ran for city council in 2010, during which he did all he could to sabotage Initiatives C, D, and E, of which I supported. At one point, he put out printed propaganda at The Colony debate before I arrived, targeting me and Initiatives C, D, and E as not being good for the city, convincing the audience I was some kind of enemy, and resulting in the audience refusing to applaud after any of my responses to questions, even though they enthusiastically applauded after every other candidate's answers (of which there was a total of 8 candidates participating in that particular debate, in front of a packed room of a bit less than 100 people).
McAllister is a former city council member, having served 12 years before deciding not to continue on. Nonetheless, he tries to remain involved, and is very critical of Ramos.
“I’ll not stand by and watch while someone with a title destroys the bright future our citizens deserve,” McAllister said during the public comment portion of the City Council meeting on Tuesday, June 16.
The attacks against Ramos have been so petty that even his gavel has vanished. The mayor has been without a gavel since it went missing June 2.
Ramos, when asked about the allegations being put forth, including claims of inappropriate contact with staff members and “influence peddling,” refuted all of the claims. After the last council meeting, McAllister said he did not contact a grand jury or the Fair Political Practices Commission regarding his allegations because the city has a protocol in place to deal with these sort of issues. Murrieta City Clerk Sarah Manwaring said the council will decide whether to launch the investigation at a future meeting.
I have seen Murrieta at its worst, and I have seen Murrieta at its best. When the hearse carrying United States Marine Eric Seaman's body came to bring the fallen Marine home, thousands lined the streets and overpasses to cheer the return of their hero. When the federal government sought to force its immigration policies on the city, the citizens stood against the tyranny and turned the buses around in July of 2014. Now, we have a local city leadership and minions trying to crucify a good man, and I am here to tell you that as a local political advocate, Harry Ramos is an honorable man, and will weather this attack. I simply ask that the good citizens of Murrieta, as they see this unacceptable witch hunt emerging, once again join together for the best of this community, stand up for what's right, and stand with Harry Ramos.
-- Political Pistachio Conservative News and Commentary
2 comments:
Amen!!
Come Tuesday morning 8:30 to support Harry at city hall.
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