Election Finance By the Numbers
Click for either an Excel Spreadsheet or PowerPoint Presentation detailing where the candidates dollars came from the last few years.
Cap campaign donations before big money hog-ties Atascadero
The Tribune Viewpoint August 17, 2007
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Money Makes It Happen
New Times Guest Editorial
July 31, 2007—"It's getting more expensive each year to run for Atascadero City Council. Despite being a part-time position that pays only $300 a month, the average amount of money raised has increased steadily and dramatically from $11,298 per candidate in 2000 to $24,997 in 2006 an increase of 120 percent. The biggest fundraiser in 2000 was George Luna who raised $19,702. In 2006, Tom O'Malley led the pack by raising $32,671, a 66 percent increase."
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Brennler Praised
The Tribune Letter to the Editor
It is only February, but it is obvious the political campaign in Atascadero has begun. Mike Brennler, mayor, will be up for re-election and a Tribune weekly column severely criticized his courageous actions, our local paper carried a letter to the editor chiding Mike's actions and now the Tribune is weighing in with a negative "opinion" but included Mike's great picture.
The Tribune was provided the new information the majority of the council considered in reversing its economic consultant decision, this time including in the vote the fifth City Council member, George Luna.
Many of us in Atascadero believe Mayor Brennler to be a positive man of vision. He is transparent in his actions, admits when he makes a mistake, is open to new information, listens to property owners and is conscientious in everything he does.
The numbers now attending the City Council meetings is an indication that Atascadero folks are paying attention to what is going on in their city government. They want change from the old way of doing business and this "change" is being challenged. Add in the Wal-Mart equals polarization!
Thank you, Mike Brennler, for your dedication to the city you love.
Lee Perkins
Atascadero
They're Not Worthy
The Tribune Letter to the Editor
October 25, 2006—On Sept. 24, The Tribune endorsed Bob Kelley and Robert "Grigger" Jones for the City Council seats in Atascadero. On Oct. 13, The Tribune ran a front-page article reporting that Atascadero city staff said that prominent Atascadero developer Kelly Gearhart enlisted the help of both Kelley and Jones to pressure them into circumventing city policy regarding a Gearhart project.
Neither Bob Kelley nor Robert "Grigger" Jones is worthy of The Tribune's endorsement. They do not represent all of Atascadero; they only represent developers and real estate concerns. This idea is reinforced by the fact that most, if not all, of the signs backing these candidates are placed on commercial property waiting to be developed, property in the process of being developed or property already developed. The signs of the other candidates are not on commercial property.
This is not to say that developers and the real estate people should not be represented in city government; they should. But we do not need a City Council that represents only those concerns. That kind of makeup of the City Council has gotten Atascadero in the mess that it is in now. Everybody should be represented, and there are candidates on the ballot who will do just that.
Mitch Paskin
Atascadero
In the days and weeks ahead, Oppose Wal-Mart will be sending you more
information about our efforts to stop a Super Wal-Mart from coming to
Atascadero. We'll also tell you how the candidates for City Council in
Atascadero really stand on the Annex re-zoning and other key issues that affect
our quality of life in Atascadero. Thanks for your support!
Tom Comar,
Oppose Wal-Mart Spokesperson
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 Luna Supports the General Plan
January 28, 2007—"My reconsideration of the big box ordinance has been assumed by some to be support for the recent WalMart proposal. It is not. That proposal is not consistent with the General Plan and Zoning for the site. I have said repeatedly and I say again here that I will not support a General Plan amendment and rezoning for such a project.
As I wrote in my press release regarding the reconsideration: "I am prepared to work with the whole community with the General Plan and Zoning Ordinance WE HAVE IN PLACE to shape a commercial development at the Del Rio property to benefit Atascadero ".
Mike Brennler's Letter to the Atascadero News and New TImes
Recently certain city councilmen have been attacking me as being negative, simply because I have called into question certain behavior at City Hall and have asked the questions which beg to be asked.
Historically speaking, it is the nature of incumbents to attack any newcomer who dares to question their authority or motives. It is a common case of "don't rock the boat."
Before deciding the issue of negativity, let us first look into the points I have raised:
I have questioned the propriety of threatening citizens and business owners with the seizure of their property under the veil of eminent domain
I have questioned the failure of certain council members and executives in fully complying with the Government Code as related to public disclosure.
I have questioned the propriety of abandoning our general plan, less than 5 years after the community designed it.
I have questioned the large expenditures of taxpayer's money on the executive manager's operational budget (a 95% increase from a half million to over a million dollars in the past 5 years)
I have questioned the expenditure of taxpayer's monies on housing loans (over a quarter million dollars) with gracious interest rates to executive managers whose monthly salaries range between nine and twelve thousand dollars.
If asking these difficult questions label a citizen and candidate as being negative then I submit to you, most of the folks in Atascadero are being painted with a broad brush, because they are asking the same questions.
Mike Brennler
Atascadero
Sweeping the Field
New Times
October 20, 2006—"New Times presents a voters' guide for the special-interest conscious."
 Mike Brennler
Running for Atascadero City Council
"We have recently discovered that our County Assessor has attached his official county title to an expensive brochure advocating for the development of the Wal-Mart project. This elected official has not only attached his official title, but he is also the president of an advocacy group (www.cctaxfighters.org) whose executive board members include two individuals who are linked to Wal-Mart as advertising consultants.
"This unethical nonsense must stop for it not only damages our city's reputation, but it may also result in costly litigation. We owe it to our children, our grandchildren, and ourselves, to give City Hall a good scrubbing."
www.atascaderomike.com
Ellen Beraud
Running for Atascadero City Council
www.ellenberaud.com
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