Marina Democratic Club

This is the official web site of the Marina Democratic Club. To contact us, send an email to: marinademocrats@gmail.com

Club News The Executive Board will be meeting January 30th for a retreat. We will be planning our budget, events and setting priorities for 2010. This will be an important election year for Marina, and the state, so if you're not yet a member, please join us!

 
Thanks to all of you for your vote for Democrat Margaret-Anne Coppernoll for MONTEREY PENINSULA COLLEGE DISTRICT 2 MARINA. 
 

MARINA BUDGET VOTE DISAPPOINTS FISCAL CONSERVATIVES Marina's 2009-10 budget vote was scheduled as item 9a,ii on staff's agenda following numerous city awards, a Keys to the City presentation, and reception for the departing McCutchons, former city powerhouses, and just before weed abatement. Mayor Bruce Delgado and Council member Frank O'Connell joined in voting NO on approving a staff recommended 2009-10 budget that continues the downhill roll of deficit spending and will reduce city reserves by millions of dollars. Expenses will outpace new revenue by almost $3 million, and city reserves will continue to be drained to fill the gap. However, the budget passed by the majority, who said current spending can't be cut, and rejected the option of trimming executive staff salaries, as Salinas and Seaside have done. Marina executive staff salary ranges from $8,153 per month ($97,836 annually) to $13,918 per month ($167,016 annually) with a COLA of nearly 3%. Delgado suggested the city should revisit the idea of merging its fire department with Seaside's and said that since Fort Ord development has been stalled by the recession, the city's development staff should be reduced. The mayor said that the $12 million in Fort Ord property sales could have already rebuilt our town to benefit citizens, decrying the fact that Marina still doesn't have a senior center, the tennis court is in shambles, the public pool overlooking the bay has been left to rot, and civic enhancements promised by developers haven't been made.
O'Connell detailed Marina's boom town spending from recent years' expectations, over 100% in many areas, and said that we would logically match budget realities of today's downturn with a trimmed budget. O'Connell's explanations are posted on his website: http://oconnell4us.googlepages.com/ where he encourages citizens' productive suggestions and comments. City Manager Tony Altfeld said Marina has two years to go without having to make deep cuts or raise taxes. That timing will present exceptional challenges to the candidates of 2010.

CAMPUS HOUSING ANNEXATION The DVD of this forum is available for group viewings, please send an email request to marinademocrats@gmail.com. Two student political organizations, the DemOttercrats and the OtterGOPs, co-sponsored the special MDC meeting on Annexation of CSUMB housing May 21. The panel was very informative, questions were flying until the meeting closed at 8:50PM. CSUMB Professor Suzanne Worcester, our moderator, kept everyone on track and on topic. The attendees overwhelmingly supported the concept. Those fearful for fiscal reasons were comforted considerably when they learned that public safety and road maintenance costs remain with the university. All parties must be "made whole, no one is left holding the bag," explained FORA's Michael Houlemard. The other concern about a "transient population" was deflated by Steve Reed's facts about the demographics of the campus residents, and Mayor Delgado's reminder that 60% of Marina are also renters. Of course, constitutionally, there is no residency time period restriction or home ownership requirement for those currently inside our borders before they can vote. Some warned that student voting changed the character of Santa Cruz back in the '60's, while others said they'd enjoy a downtown filled with bookstores, restaurants, theaters, and music, all the amenities of life in a university town. Jane Parker closed by strongly suggested that the Marina City Council propose a resolution to move this forward. The University should be very proud of the community's recognition and appreciation of the positive impact its service learners have on the neighbors, as well as contributions made by faculty and the educated work force of CSUMB. The students' enthusiasm and contributions were mentioned repeatedly. Most in attendance agreed it's high time to let the residents of this housing area participate fully in civic life in Marina. Guests in attendance: CSUMB VP for External Relations, Steve Reed 
4th District Supervisor, Jane Parker
 
Marina Mayor, Bruce Delgado
 Kayleigh Bodan, Vice Chair, OtterGOPs Marina Coast Water District Director, Tom Moore Executive Officer, Fort Ord Reuse Authority, Michael Houlemard
 Bill Monning's Field Representative, An McDowell 
Save Carmel Valley Secretary, Lawrence Samuels (anti-incorporation) SAVElections Monterey County, George Riley CSUMB Professor Suzanne Worcester moderated the panel questions & answers. The next MDC general meeting is July 15, location TBA.

 
If your opponent has a conscience, then follow Gandhi. But if you enemy has no conscience, like Hitler, then follow Bonhoeffer. Martin Luther King, Jr.