[poll id=”31″][poll id=”30″]Disclaimer: The comments in this blog are my personal opinion and may or may not reflect an adopted position of the city of Glendale and its city council.
This morning, Friday, August 03, 2018 started out as any other day. The Chamber held its First Friday breakfast with its usual compliment of about 100 attendees. Everyone in attendance is given about 30 seconds to say something about the business they own or represent. Usually the Mayor attends and occasionally a councilmember or two will be there. I was not there but my phone starting ringing the minute the breakfast broke up.
Emmanuel Allen, candidate for the Ocotillo district council seat, was there and during his brief remarks announced that he was endorsed by 5 councilmembers; the Mayor and Councilmembers Hugh, Malnar, Tolmachoff and me.
It so happened that the current Ocotillo councilmember Jamie Aldama was also in attendance this morning. His allotted 30 seconds turned into a 3 minute speech. During his remarks Aldama referred to the action of five councilmembers endorsing his opponent, Allen, and accused us of “corruption.” Everyone in the room sat in stunned silence. Mayor Weiers did respond to Aldama’s accusation saying that he took exception.
Aldama is desperate and running scared that he may not be reelected. However, when he makes that kind of accusation he better damn well be able to prove it.
© Joyce Clark, 2018
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Yes, that is said that one Council Member accuses the rest of the Council and the Mayor of corruption in an attempt to gather support, but as it appears, it backfired and only left him displayed as a worried candidate that will resort to anything to get attention. It’s been said many times “give a man enough rope and he will hang himself”.
Sure politics can get emotional, but that doesn’t give Jamie Aldama, who is representing the city and Ocotillo district the license to act like a child who didn’t get his way in front of a 100 people.
I was at the Glendale Chamber Breakfast this morning and witnessed this event. Full disclosure I am a supporter of Emmanuel (who is a minister, and has a center called Roots in the Ocotillo District) During the meeting I went to get a glass of water when I noticed Jamie and approached him to shake his hand. Although I have known Jamie for years, he would not acknowledge me, refused to shake my hand and waived his finger back and forth to let me know he was not going to shake hands. I just walked back to my seat with my glass of water, thinking oh well.
In our 20 to 30 second commercial rather than promote my business I praised Emmanuel and his wife Belinda for the work they are doing through Roots with at risk kids in the Ocotillo District. I also said the City of Glendale owes a debt of gratitude to them for working with the kids. (There are several other reasons I support Emmanuel for City Council).
When it became Emmanuel’s turn he mentioned Roots and that he was running for City Council and five current Council Members had endorsed him. When it came time for Jamie to give his commercial he walked over to my space and started talking about who he considers to be my competitor (in my opinion his words were very immature). He stated to the 100 people in attendance the people from Glendale should all buy their insurance from this individual who supports him. Then Jamie did something I was taken aback by when he stated the reason the five city council (including the Mayor and Vice Mayor) members are endorsing Emmanuel is because they are corrupt. (Jamie did not state why he believed these five council members are corrupt, just corrupt). Most if not all in attendance were shocked he would state this, and then not to substantiate this accusation had people in the audience booing and telling him to sit down (he had far exceeded the time allotted to others who were advertising their business).
When the Mayor spoke he had no choice, but to let the audience know there is no corruption at City Hall with these five council members. I don’t know what the first time people to the Chamber thought this morning. I have talked to several chamber members and they were very disappointed in Jamie lack of self control this morning. In my opinion, Jamie certainly did not represent his elected office and Ocotillo constituents in a positive light at the Glendale Chamber breakfast this morning.
Joyce, how is this different than when you and Phil tried to fight against a batch of head nodders in the prior mayor’sadministration?
Much different context. The two situations are not similar at all.
Gee, it’s nice to see not much has changed in Glendale politics since I retired from the Chamber. LOL. Seriously, it’s too bad that Mr. Aldama still has no class. Hopefully a better candidate will prevail. At least he exposed himself for what he is to the business community. Kudos to the Chamber for giving him that opportunity! Cheers!
Don, the Chamber has endorsed Aldama, Turner and Tolmachoff. So has The Glendale Star.
That’s fine. I don’t have a dog in the hunt. Just found it amusing that the same goofy politics still exist with the city. After this episode, whomever has endorsed him might want to reconsider. Just my opinion.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion. My opinion is opposite of yours and that’s ok.
Don, I totally agree with your comments
Glendale Voters, the best way to form your opinion is to attend the Candidate forum on Wednesday and decide. Don’t just take someone’s word for gospel. Give every candidate the chance to speak on issues.
Politics has been hateful in Glendale for years. Hit mailouts at the 11th hour, that were not true is only part of what people will do to win.
Research on your own and talk to others to see how they have been treated and if there was a response to an issue that was addressed.
The facts and real stories are with your neighbors too.