Moody Loner's Election Guide: Part III

Okay, for those of you coming in late, Part I of my Election Guide covered the statewide initiatives on the June 6 ballot in CA, while Part II went over all the statewide races - yes, even though I don't vote in most of them. Now we are winding up with Part III, the county and local issues on the ballot. Happiness abounding!

Judicial:

Judge - Superior Court; County of Santa Clara; Office 8:

Quick answer: Reluctantly, Douglas B. Allen
Long answer: We start off with a toughie. With no information about political affiliation available, I need to base my decision on - horror! - what I can learn about the candidates and - shudder! - make my own decision based on how I interpret their qualifications.

Seriously, though. After going over the comprehensive biographies and excellent responses from the candidates, Ill have to reluctantly pick Douglas Allen as the most experienced and qualified. I reserve the right to rethink this, probably in the voting booth.

Judge - Superior Court; County of Santa Clara; Office 13:

Quick answer: Timothy Pisker, I guess. Can I write-in for this?
Long answer: Another toughie - but for precisely the opposite reason as Office 8. Whereas those candidates were all too happy to discuss their positions, experience, and life history, these three say nothing. Well, except for Michele McKay McCoy who deigns to share with us unwashed masses her political philosophy, to wit:

• public safety
• rule of law
• victims' rights

And that's a direct cut-and-paste. I'd vote for none of them if I could, but since I must, I rolled a d6.

County:

County Supervisor; County of Santa Clara; Supervisorial District 4:

Quick answer: Linda LeZotte by a nose. No, that isn't a comment on anyone's facial features.
Long answer: At first I didn' think this was going to be tough, as one of the candidates didn't bother to respond to the questions posed by the League of Women Voters and got crossed off the list early.

But after researching Ken Yeager and Linda LeZotte, I'm going to have to go with Linda. You see, at this level, politics becomes personal. No, I don't know either candidate - but I do know Sally Leiber, who personally helped me out with a certain asshole mobile home park manager (who will remain nameless) and Ms. Leiber impressed me with her professionalism, loyalty and willingness to do her job - advocating for her constituents, even her Decline-to-State constituents. She endorsed Ms. LeZotte, so that's what tipped it.

Any candidates reading this guide, higher office or local, take note.


Assessor; County of Santa Clara:

Quick answer: Incumbent, God damn it.
Long answer: I was really looking forward to voting for "Primo". But, "Primo" didn't offer any information to the League of Women Voters. I couldn't find "Primo"'s website. Other than that he's a member of the Board of Supervisors, I can't find anything that suggests that ol' "Primo" particularly wants this job, let alone that he's capable of performing it.

Any candidates reading this guide, higher office or local, take note.


District Attorney; County of Santa Clara:

Quick answer: Dolores Carr.
Long answer: Another drowning-in-information contest - not only do I have the candidates' websites and the League of Women Voters' information, but this race has been burying me in mailings. In fact, my daughter's making something out of a Karyn Sinunu mailing now. Hat? Airplane? Nope, blanket for her doll.

OK, seriously though - not enough info on Marc Buller, Jim Shore wants to monitor sexual offenders 24/7 with GPS, so it's down to a coin-flip between Dolores Carr and Karyn Sinunu, which Dolores won.

Whew!


Sheriff; County of Santa Clara:

Quick answer: Laurie Smith. Are you sure I can't write-in for this?
Long answer: Laurie Smith is running unopposed. Dammit. I hate voting for people running unopposed almost as much as I hate voting for incumbents.

City:

Mayor; City of San Jose:

Quick answer: Looking like David Pandori for this one, but we'll see.
Long answer: Okay, if you're going to run for the mayor of the tenth-largest city in the world, you might want to take the time to proofread your candidates' statements. At least click the little button with the check-mark and ABC on it.

I'm talking to you, John Michael Candeias. I am also talking to you, Timothy K. Fitzgerald.

Now that those two are off the slate, it looks like David Pandori is the best pick, but this is another one that I'll be going back and forth over in the voting booth while people wait impatiently.


Director; Santa Clara Valley Water District; Division 4:

Quick answer: Larry Wilson, dammit.
Long answer: Well, we have Larry Wilson, and we have Joe Pandit - who wants to do pretty much what Larry Wilson wants to do, far as I can tell. Both candidates are solidly for clean drinking water.

While I'm sure Joe Pandit is a hell of a guy, with a family and everything, I don't see any reason not to stick with the God-damned incumbent if the only other option is to elect someone just like him.

Convince me differently, Joe. You have three days.


Local Measures:

Measure A: Sales Tax -- County of Santa Clara
(Majority Approval Required)
Shall a one-half cent sales tax be enacted, for 30 years, for general county purposes, such as:

The County hospital and clinics;
Trauma and emergency services;
Affordable homes for families and seniors;
Health insurance for uninsured children;
Prevention programs for at-risk youth, families and seniors;
Transportation improvements approved in city and countywide transportation plans;
Services for abused and neglected children;

with a Citizens Oversight Committee ensuring fiscal accountability by reviewing the Annual Audit?

Quick answer: No.
Long answer: Laudable goals. Who could be against those? Why didn't they add sunshine and puppies and kittens and happy faces and unicorns?

And we'll get a bunch of citizens to look over the books once a year. That'll prevent any funny business.

Yeah, right.

Measure B: Parks -- County of Santa Clara
(Majority Approval Required)

Without increasing taxes, shall the Santa Clara County Charter be extended to provide for the acquisition, development, maintenance, and operation of parks, by continuing the annual transfer from the general fund of an amount estimated to equal $0.01425 per one hundred dollars of assessed valuation of all real and personal property commencing on July 1, 2009 for twelve years?

Quick answer: Sure, why not?
Long answer. I don't own property, they're not raising my taxes, and my daughter likes parks. Sure, why not?

Measure K: Fire Station Construction -- City of San Jose
(Majority Approval Required)

To improve fire suppression, emergency medical services and increase essential emergency facilities available for disaster response within the Evergreen and East Hills area, shall the City be authorized to construct a two-company fire station on one acre in Silver Creek Park?

Quick answer: Oh, all right.
Long answer: Silver Creek Park is about 3.8 acres. We can burn one (no pun intended) on a fire station.

So there you have it, the final chapter in Moody Loner's Election Guide. I'd like to thank the candidates and the League of Women Voters for making this analysis possible.

In conclusion, I exhort you all to study the issues, draw your own conclusions, and vote your conscience - and, above all, ask for a paper ballot!