Sterling King on the abuse of council candidate signs
Written by Jeff on April 2nd, 2008You’ve seen the City Council Candidate signs everywhere by now, and local videographer/blogger Sterling King wants you to know it’s not cool to abuse or mark up the signs with your political thoughts.
You see, King was on patrol recently on his moped when he found a sign vandalized and defaced lying on the side of the road.
He shows the council candidate sign and the defacement in the video and chides us all to respect the candidates’ right to free expression.
Consider yourself nagged. No defacement or abuse -humorous or otherwise!- of signs until after the election!
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This is a late April Fools joke right?? This guy has way too much free time on his hands. Gimme a break!!
Oh, BTW -
RESOLUTION NO. 08-28
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SANTA CLARITA, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING THE FINE SCHEDULE
PURSUANT TO SANTA CLARITA MUNICIPAL CODE §23.20.060
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Santa Clarita recognizes the detrimental effects on the aesthetics of the community from signs posted on the public right of way;
WHEREAS, on August 24, 2004 the City of Santa Clarita adopted Ordinance 04-8 (”Citation Ordinance”) which adds 23.20, entitled “Administrative Citations” and consisting of 23.20.010 to 23.20.270, to Title 23 of the Santa Clarita Municipal Code (”SCMC”) and allows City enforcement officers to issue administrative citations for SCMC violations;
WHEREAS, the citation ordinance allows fine amounts to be adopted by City Council resolution;
WHEREAS, this Resolution is adopted pursuant to SCMC 23.20.060 and Government Code §53069.4(a)(1).
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Santa Clarita does hereby resolve as follows:
SECTION 1. The fine amounts for the violation of illegal signage in the right of way increase from $50 for the first violation to $250 and the second and any additional violation of the same provision within one year of the first violation increase from $100 to $1000.
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I’m not sure what his point was. The only sign he found was Laurie Ender’s, which makes me think his video is a clever way of saying don’t vote for Ender. And he just happened upon it on a side street in what looks like Wiley Canyon.
Anyway, the video was added on March 30, so kind of early for an April Fool’s joke.
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Consider myself sick. Camera control, dude!
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I made it through 30 seconds of the video.
1. Turn off the motor!
2. Take off the helmet and shades unless you are filming T4 or T5 or whatever the next one is.
3. Don’t try a live mike on a moving vehicle unless you want it to sound like a hurricane is going by.
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Seems phony to me. Clever way of slamming Ender. Must be a real Kellar supporter! You know him, he is the guy with truly, questionable ethics!
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Yes, Sterling King had a small portion of satirically oriented style in his video but the point is well made that vandalizing candidates rightful opportunity to advertise their candidacies is wrong.
I know he had nothing to do with Laurie Enders business or the Crook stickers would have been removed, nor does he agree with her on issues.
That being said, I haven’t seen such unprofessional behavior in a local SCV election ever. Hit mailers have played a role in the past but not like the lies, mailer funding scams, and faults representations that has tainted this years election. It make us look bad to all our surrounding towns and disrespects the intelligence of our own citizens. It shows the level dignity, honesty, professionalism, and worthiness of some trying to snag a council chair at city hall.
Most of the candidates have stood above the fray and stayed out of the Myer. Each have their concern, desire, and anxiety to win but one is clawing their way at all costs.
Would I endorse any of the candidates regardless of party? You bet I would.
Dian Troutman - has tirelessly worked for the good of our valley as a planning commissioner. ( among other things) I don’t always agree with her but she is dedicated to the big picture and devilish details proving her capabilities. I know her and have seen her dedication.
Bob Kellar - has been tough as a rhino on issues like Cemex, Elsmere canyon, Las Lomas to name a few. Without his perseverance we may be smelling everyone’s rotten chicken, babies diapers and breathing gravel dust all day.
Bob Spierer - with his executive Law enforcement experience and being the first SCV Sheriff Chief has had a luminous proving ground for our council. He has the proven grit to deal our issues. I know he is humble and willing to take others impute to heart.
I’m a bit uncomfortable with Enders choices burring this campaign and shows a loud and clear she couldn’t win by herself and her own leadership. She should have stayed above the fray and left Frank Ferry’s endorsement alone.
Campaign signs? These may be the only unbiased sources we have to see and know who’s running. Free from controversy and false representation. No lies, no faking resumes, no endorsements, just a multi florescent calauge of hopefuls hoping to dazzle passerby’s while they drive to work or those soccer games. After all, if the sign is the biggest and the Name is easy to remember isn’t that enough? Of course not. Unfortunately for some it is!
We may have some nasty campaigning but is vandalizing signs a new part of our process? If so then we need to keep a tally of the most vandalized as a mark of the most disliked. You get my point. Were better then that out here. King is right.
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The signs clutter the city. To blame Ender without the facts is a bit juvenile. Kellar has been exposed for his wrong doing and it is juvenile to ignore this. Bob number two has blown the downtown Newhall redevelopment program and being an old cop is just that, he is an old cop. It is clear that Diane Trautman has not made an impression, as some on this board can’t even spell the name correctly.
This leaves the dark horse. The one that seems to have the brains of the group.
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“Laurie has decided to take the low road in this campaign. She’s getting poor advice from her professional Los Angeles consultant who apparently doesn’t understand that we do things a little differently in Santa Clarita,” Goldman said. ”
“who apparently doesn’t understand that we do things a little differently in Santa Clarita,” Goldman said.
This is understatement of the year. This is not a City for the people, it is a city controlled by special interests that will do anything to keep it that way. Wake up Goldman. This cat is out of the bag! At least Goldman admits to the problem. Small town thinkers in a not so small town anymore!
Bruce McFarland may not be the best speaker among us, but his message is not to far from the mark. Goldman has made this even more clear.
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Cash,
Thanks or the correction on Trautman. Sorry, not perfect all the time. Blame isn’t necessary when one openly perpetrates bad bad campaign behavior.
What part of the “Truth in endorsements law” does Ender not understand? She knew Bob Spierer was legal and honest but she threw out the false advertising claim to muddy the waters. Did she retract her slinging? Not yet. Not to mention Her convenient collusion with Ferry and mailergate. I said from the very beginning with this fiasco that all he needs to do is say I’m sorry I’ll never do it again -however the damage is already done. Perfect, one more vote for the office buildings. G&L’s “Dollars spent per vote” tally could chock that one up as a free one.
That is far more sinister to me then Bob Kellar who has a seriously compromising and clashing position with Legal disclosure issues mandated by the state. I fully understand, as one with a real estate license, the conflict there.
Bob S. may be an “older cop” but hes seen more, managed more people and money, with monumental consequences making him well tested and suitable for our valley. He comes from a public service perspective with of course a “public safety” point of view and the complexities involved. Not bad in my view.
Sure they all may have their weaknesses. Being underhandedly week from the start shouldn’t be one of them.
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Bob S. was a cop in an autocratic society. This does not necessarily qualify him for the council. His lack for using good judgement while on the downtown Newhall committee, is a sign of his capability, or lack thereof. I do not believe he possess the breathe of knowledge we need on the council and therefore do not believe he is a good choice for the council. He may be very good at public safety issues, but that is but one small area in need of attention. Our new captain seems to be doing a great job. I would like to see Bob on the planning commission before he gets a crack a screwing up city government more than it already is.
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Cash,
I appreciate your opinion on the subject of Bob S. I think it’s good to remember that he isn’t the only member of the redevelopment committee and would have a hard time single handedly screwing anything up. It’s not about Public service being his only area of expertize more then his applied capacity to make judgments. That he has. Look, politics in general isn’t for those who go to politician school to be eligible for a local city council. It’s the capacity to make choices for local citizens without being compromised by special interests or personal gain along with the character to be honest. That would mean anyone with any or no experience can run and have a seat at the council table. An 18 year old can run and win out here if he compelled enough people. If Obama can secure the democratic nomination for president with his breadth of experience then anyone can run for city council. Were a city here don’t forget, not a nation. Unfortunately we don’t have an Obama personality here but if were matching up experience to experience then Trautman, Bob S, and Bob are clearly great choices. All 5 have put themselves out there and should be commended on their willingness to serve. That I respect.
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” Look, politics in general isn’t for those who go to politician school to be eligible for a local city council”
Thanks for sharing, I did not know this!
“If Obama can secure the democratic nomination for president with his breadth of experience then anyone can run for city council”.
Anyone but Ender I suppose.
I respect their willingness to serve, but that does not mean I respect them all as candidates. Bob S doesn’t have the breadth of experience needed. He has made fullish comments about why Newhall H had to close its doors. Additionally, the ability to exercise judgement in a heavy handed, autocratic , command and control, sheriff department does not make Bob S. an expert in decision making or leadership. He has clearly not demonstrated the ability to lead the Old Town Newhall committee to the right decisions. Why would you entrust him with the City?
Once again, a commission assignment would be a good test for Bob.
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Cash,
Has anyone told you Cash is King?
You said,
“Anyone but Ender I suppose.”
I never said she couldn’t run for council. Cash, you know better then to infer my saying she shouldn’t be running. Experienced or not she can run. I said we have no styled candidates who are talented and inspiring as is said about Obama. That she doesn’t have.
I can see your point Cash and I don’t want to make you feel I’m flippantly disregarding our points about Bob. It’s up to the voters now and if he wins the seat then I feel things will work out alright. I don’t agree completely but you have made points that are valid to you. I hear what your saying. We’ll see what happens. People still should leave their signs alone.
I am he - the political sign cop - by the way.
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Looking for anyone but guys named Bob. The people deserve better leadership. TimBen has shown that the oversight of the City staff is far from adaquate. The Bob’s do not have what it takes.
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Your right about TimBen that’s for sure. He wasn’t much for being told what to do. Your right about needing better leadership.
Often good leadership is taking place but people never have the chance to see it or even know how to find it if they wanted. What we need is a new approach to open disclosure using new technology to let people know what is happening.
Otherwise people need to trust who we have but air grievances when necessary in a public forum like Council meetings or working with Local organizations who are keeping watch.
Good comments though Cash.