Follow the Money (Yes on A vs. No on A)

By JD Miller CPA

5/29/10

In "All The President’s Men," an undercover source tells Woodward/Bernstein that to find the real story, they should "follow the money." Vallejo voters should do the same.

Do you wonder whether Binding Arbitration gives employee unions undue leverage against an elected City Council in deciding how taxpayer dollars are spent? Follow the money.

The campaign spending reports have just been released. Not unexpectedly, those supporting "No on A" raised $98,784. Those supporting "Yes on A" raised $12,721.

The "Yes on A" money is primarily from small local contributions from taxpayers concerned about their City.

Of the $98,784 for "No on A," $61,410 came from outside Vallejo. All but $100 of that came from unions outside Vallejo. Contributions greater than $2,500 included $5,000 each from the California Association of Highway Patrol, San Jose Police Officers, Pace of California-School Employees, Oakland Police Officers, and Cal Pipe Trade Council. $10,000 came from Peace Officers Research and $16,864 came from Anaheim Firemen Association.

The rest of the money came from the Vallejo Police Officers Association, $37,229, and $145 from Mat Mustard, President of VPOA.

Do you have a problem that so much money, $61,410, came from outside Vallejo to influence your vote on a local issue that is critical to you?

Do you have a problem that well financed special interests can outspend your neighbors 8-to-1 trying to keep their special leverage in place?

You see the large, glossy "No on A" signs everywhere. Now you know who is paying for them.
And the tacky "Yes on A" signs? They were all made by your neighbors, volunteering their time, to make Vallejo better.

Vote YES on Measure A!

     Ethicalego Speaks

Ethicalego (Kenneth Brooks) discusses current events from a critical thinking perspective rarely expressed elsewhere

Rand Paul confuses libertarian principles to approve racial discrimination. 

Parent Summit - A Youth Advocate’s Guide

By Ruscal Cayangyang

5/28/10

Since the Youth Expo on April 24, Vallejo Together has been working hard for the last 4 weeks to organize the 1st ever “Parent Summit” in Vallejo, which will be this Saturday, May 29, 2010, from 10 AM - 3 PM, at Solano College Vallejo Center, 545 Columbus Pkwy. Its open to all parents, advocates, relatives, educators, students, as well its a free event!

“This provides the opportunity for parents of our children to find resources, answers, information and needed assistance to help them thru the maze of parenting issues facing parents today.” said Harriet Carion.

The Parent Summit will feature speakers, presenters, organizations and resource tables that will help inform and address the issues facing Vallejoans everyday. They will either go to the Lecture Hall or to the Summit Room to be informed.

In the Lecture Hall, there will be speakers and experts that will lecture and address the attendees about the following topics: Sexuality; Violence; Substance Abuse; Health & Fitness; as well as Mental Health.

In the Summit Room, there will be presenters and resource tables that will provide information regarding: Foster Care System; Special Needs Children; Substance Abuse; Gangs; Youth Development; Suicide; Partnering with the VCUSD; Higher Education - Next steps, community college as an option; Faith Community and the youth; GLBTQ and much more!