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Joyce Clark Unfiltered

For "the rest of the story"

Jul 16

6

Sammy refuses debate invitation

Posted by Joyce Clark on July 6, 2016
Posted in City issue and actions • City of Glendale • Glendale elected officials • Glendale finances • Glendale zoning issues  | Tagged With: , , , , , | 4 Comments

PLEASE DONATE TO MY CAMPAIGN BY CLICKING ON THE PAY PAL BUTTON TO THE LEFT.

PLEASE CHECK OUT THE CHAVIRA VIDEOS TO THE LEFT OF THIS COLUMN.

It has been 18 years and 200 days since the city’s pledge to build the West Branch Library.

On June 27, 2016 I sent a letter and an email to Sammy inviting him to a debate. Here is a copy of the letter I sent (email was identical).

Debate invitation June 27 2016

Debate invitation to Chavira June 27, 2016

I secured a site for July 14, 2016 at a local church and Robert Heidt, CEO of the Glendale Chamber agreed to moderate. I asked Sammy to respond by close of business on July 5, 2016.

Surely it is not difficult to make such a decision within a week.  I clearly stated in my letter that if  I did not receive a response by July 5th that meant that he was declining my invitation and I would cancel the arrangements I had made. As of posting this blog I have received no letter of acceptance or rejection; no email of acceptance or rejection; and no phone call of acceptance or rejection.  I have cancelled the debate arrangements. Sammy does not have the common courtesy to respond to a debate invitation and to confirm or refuse that invitation. He should not be surprised if he turns up at the church on July 14th to find that no one is there.

It is July 6, 2016 and Sammy has not responded, period. Not an, “I’m sorry. I have another commitment on that date.” Nothing. Just silence. That seems to be his habit and practice. He has been contacted by the media on numerous occasions to explain his lavish travel on taxpayer dollars. Once again, nothing. Just silence. Does he really believe that ignoring a situation will make it disappear?

In the July 7, 2016 edition of the Glendale Star, Sammy was asked by Darrell Jackson, the reporter, if he would take part in the debate to which I had invited Sammy and had scheduled for July 14, 2016. Chavira’s response? “Let’s just say my record speaks for itself.” It certainly does. His record consists of abuse of taxpayer money on lavish trips, a dozen absences from council workshops and meetings, one district meeting held during his entire term and failure to appear in court with a subsequent driver’s license suspension. That is a record that certainly speaks for itself.

Is Sammy afraid to debate? One could assume that is the case. After all, he and I would have been asked questions without the benefit of knowing them beforehand. Sammy would not have had time to ask others to help him to prepare his answers. If you have ever watched Sammy at council workshops or meetings, he is heavy on thanking everyone for everything but light on offering a substantive response on anything. He doesn’t appear to be very articulate on any subject and seems to have trouble responding without prepared notes (crafted by someone other than Sammy).

So, Sammy will remain, for the time being, as the Yucca district’s invisible councilmember. Sammy, has repeatedly shown how little he respects the voters of the Yucca district and has not earned your vote.

© Joyce Clark, 2016

FAIR USE NOTICE

This site contains copyrighted material the use of which is in accordance with Title 17 U.S. C., Section 107. The ‘fair use’ of any such copyrighted material as provided for in Section 107 of the US Copyright Law and who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. For more information material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of environmental, political, human rights, economic, democratic, scientific and social justice issues, etc. We believe this constitutes a ‘fair use’ of any such material. For more information go to http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond ‘fair use,’ you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.

Jun 16

3

Campaign update…June, 2016

Posted by Joyce Clark on June 3, 2016
Posted in City issue and actions • City of Glendale • Glendale elected officials • Glendale's Fire Union  | Tagged With: , , , , | No Comments yet, please leave one

PLEASE CHECK OUT OUR LATEST SAMMY VIDEO, CHAVIRA INVISIBLE, TO THE LEFT OF THIS COLUMN. YOU CAN ALSO VIEW THE TWO OTHER CHAVIRA VIDEOS, CHAVIRA MAKES THE NEWS OR NOT AND CHAVIRA MONEY MONEY. EACH RUNS ABOUT A MINUTE AND A HALF TO TWO MINUTES.

Wednesday, June 1, 2016 was the last day Glendale candidates could file their nominating petitions. The City Clerk’s Office has been very, very busy accepting petitions from mayoral candidates Jerry Weiers and Mark Burdick as well as those of council candidates Ian Hugh for the Cactus district ( unopposed); Ray Malnar for the Sahuaro district ( unopposed), myself and Sammy Chavira, my opponent, for the Yucca district.

Here’s some trivia. The number of nominating signatures required for each race is based on the total number of votes for mayor in the 2012 Glendale General Election. The total number of votes for mayor throughout Glendale was 69,558. That means that each of the mayoral candidates submitted a minimum (5%) of 3,478 signatures and a maximum (10%) of 6,956 signatures. Since each petition sheet holds 10 signature spaces the City Clerk received somewhere between 350 and 700 sheets from each mayoral candidate. Not all petition sheets may have been filled out completely. It is possible to submit more than 700 sheets because of that fact.

The total votes for mayor in the Sahuaro district were 15,360. Ray Malnar, unopposed, submitted a minimum of 768 signatures and a maximum of 1,536 (76 to 150 petition sheets). The total votes for mayor in the Cactus district were 9,395. Ian Hugh, unopposed, submitted a minimum of 470 signatures and a maximum of 940 signatures (47 to 94 sheets). The total votes for mayor in the Yucca district were 9,271. Sammy Chavira submitted a minimum of 464 signatures and a maximum of 927 (46 to 92 sheets).  Now you can see why the City Clerk has been busy. She and her staff have processed an estimated 2,000 petition sheets from various candidates.

I turned in my nominating petition signatures on May 4, 2016 with the maximum allowable of 927 signatures. Since some of the sheets did not have all 10 signature

Joyce turns in her nominating petitions

Joyce turns in her nominating petitions

spaces filled, the actual number of sheets I turned in was 101. The registered voters I and my volunteers met during signature collection were eager to sign my petition and often commented on having read about Sammy’s travel misadventures.

Sammy has turned in his petitions. My team discovered some interesting facts from reviewing them. The last time Sammy ran in 2012 he had a lot of support from the fire unions, the Democrat Party, former Councilmember Norma Alvarez and “Dreamers.” All of that support has evaporated. It is rumored that the fire union had a “heart to heart” meeting with Sammy and asked him not to run. They felt that he had tarnished the image of fire fighter with his publicized misdeeds. Former Councilmember Norma Alvarez rejected Sammy, urged me to run and has endorsed me. The “Dreamers” have disappeared.

Sammy has one, last friend to save him…Congressman Ruben Gallego. You remember Ruben, don’t you? Sammy spent $2,075 of your tax money to go to D.C. to see him sworn in. Ruben invited Sammy to go to D.C. to see the Pope on a large screen TV for another taxpayer funded $1,933. Along the way Sammy racked up a $400+ dinner for his bosses and blew $3,136 on changed airline tickets and baggage fees. Yep, you guessed it…on the taxpayers’ dime.

Who circulated Sammy’s petitions? Not Sammy. He’s too busy playing the wheeler, dealer councilman. This time around he had to pay for petition circulators…25 of them. I guess he couldn’t find Yucca district people to support him. The petition company he used appears to have strong connections to…Ruben Gallego. He had 4 Glendale citizens collect signatures for him. Three of them were paid circulators. Only one person was an unpaid volunteer. That volunteer collected a total of 4 signatures for him. How embarrassing.

The race for the Yucca district council seat is on. The next two months are critical. Early Permanent Voter Ballots will be mailed out on August 3rd with the Primary on August 30, 2016. A majority of the voters in the Yucca district now vote by Permanent Early Ballot. One of us will take the election in the Primary because there are only two of us and one will have a majority of the votes.

Now I really need your help. I need an army! I have raised $6545 in campaign thermometer w new numbers Ap 20 2016contributions to date with 98% of the donations coming from people just like you. Some of you may be thinking, “I need to donate to Joyce’s campaign.” You’ve read previous blogs and intended to donate but got distracted. Now is the time. Won’t you take a moment to donate via the Pay Pal button to the upper left of this column or send a donation to: Clark for Council, 8628 W. Cavalier Drive, Glendale, AZ 85305. Any amount is gratefully appreciated. You can make more than one donation as long as your total giving to any onedollar-sign-clipart-black-and-white-dollar-sign-clip-art-dollar-sign-pic---clipart-best candidate does not exceed $6500. Your spouse can make a donation as well. Please include your employer, job title, and address. These items are legally required.

We have received quotes for campaign signs and they are not cheap. We estimate the cost of signs alone will be in the neighborhood of $2,000. Getting quotes on campaign mailers is next. They are even more expensive than the signs…primarily because of the cost of postage.

I need volunteers to call voters. Surely there are a dozen brave souls among youcall-clipart-clip-art-telephone-007396 willing to make cold calls to the voters in the Yucca district. It’s pretty easy work done comfortably in your own home. At least you don’t have to be outside in this heat! Come on, please email me at: clarkjv@aol.com or text/call me at 602-320-3422 and volunteer. I can’t do this without you.

So many people have called, texted or emailed me with their support. Now is the time to demonstrate your support by helping the campaign. Please make a donation or volunteer to call voters.

© Joyce Clark, 2016

FAIR USE NOTICE

This site contains copyrighted material the use of which is in accordance with Title 17 U.S. C., Section 107. The ‘fair use’ of any such copyrighted material as provided for in Section 107 of the US Copyright Law and who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. For more information material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of environmental, political, human rights, economic, democratic, scientific and social justice issues, etc. We believe this constitutes a ‘fair use’ of any such material. For more information go to http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond ‘fair use,’ you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.

Apr 16

7

Violations of the federal Hatch Act?

Posted by Joyce Clark on April 7, 2016
Posted in City issue and actions • City of Glendale • Glendale elected officials  | Tagged With: , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

It has been 18 years and 111 days since the city’s pledge to build the West Branch Library.

Many of us have heard of the federal Hatch Act. Broadly it prohibits local governmental employees from participating in local election activities. But since it’s a federal act who is covered and who is not?

“The Hatch Act applies to any city employee  ‘whose principal employment is in connection with an activity which is financed in whole or in part by loans or grants made by the United States or a Federal agency…’  5 U.S.C.A. § 1501(4) (emphasis added).  The number of city employees covered has expanded drastically over the years, due to numerous federal grants and loans made to local governments.  Employees of any police or fire department receiving grants and/or loans from the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Justice, or any other federal agency are subject to the limitations imposed by the Hatch Act.  Also covered are employees of any city department that participates in activities that are funded, in whole or in part, by any federal loans or grants, even if those funds were received from a state agency.” 

Examples of local governmental employees who are commonly covered by the Hatch Act include:

  • city clerks  (including deputy clerks and possibly city recorders)
  • employees of housing authorities
  • officers and employees of development and transportation authorities
  • emergency services employees
  • firefighters and police officers.”

Please note that the Hatch Act specifically identifies firefighters and police officers. Why? Because their departments typically accept numerous federal grants. It is a fact that both Glendale and Phoenix fire departments have accepted federal grants for emergency preparedness. Therefore those department’s employees are covered by the Hatch Act. Both Glendale and Phoenix police departments have accepted federal grants for the hiring of additional police officers. Therefore those department’s employees are also covered by the Hatch Act.

A “covered employee” may not use his or her official authority or influence to interfere with or affect the result of an election.  For example:    

  • May not use his or her official title or position while engaged in political activity  
  • May not host a political fundraiser    
  • May not invite others to a political fundraiser    
  • May not sell tickets to a political fundraiser
  • May not use any e-mail account or social media to distribute, send, or forward content that solicits political contributions 

That brings us to a very interesting set of observations leading to questions.

Phoenix Councilmember Danny Valenzuela is a city of Glendale firefighter and is a covered employee under the Hatch Act. Glendale firefighter Danny Valenzuela co-hosted a fundraiser for Glendale mayoral candidate Mark Burdick.

Glendale Councilmember Sammy Chavira is a Phoenix firefighter and was also a co-host of the same event.

The political fundraiser that both co-hosted was held on Tuesday, March 22, 2016 from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM at the Phoenix home of Sal Rivera.  Suggested contributions ranged from $500 for a “Contributor” to $50 for a “Guest.”

Fact 1: The Hatch Act defines “covered employees” on the local level as those whose departments receive federal loans and grants and/or state agency loans or grants.

Fact 2: Both fire departments of the city of Glendale and the city of Phoenix have received numerous federal loans and grants.

Fact 3: Glendale firefighter Danny Valenzuela is a covered employee.

Fact 4: Phoenix firefighter Sammy Chavira is a covered employee.

Fact 5: Danny Valenzuela co-hosted a political fundraiser for Glendale mayoral candidate Mark Burdick.

Fact 6: Sammy Chavira co-hosted a political fundraiser for Glendale mayoral candidate Mark Burdick.

Therefore it is alleged that Valenzuela and Chavira are in violation of the Hatch Act.

It is the responsibility of the Glendale City Attorney and the Phoenix City Attorney to investigate and to corroborate these facts for the purpose of recommending disciplinary action. That action can range from a fine to termination of employment.

Neither of these men can hide behind the cover of their elected office as councilmembers. Their primary jobs have been as firefighters for many, many years long before they were elected to political office. Their elected positions are secondary occupations. Hopefully the voters will come to realize what an untenable position these men hold. If they want to be politicians, fine, but they should quit or retire as active city employees.

It is now up to the Glendale and Phoenix city attorneys to issue opinions regarding these alleged violations of the Hatch Act. Let us hope they do not whitewash these allegations in favor of their political bosses for councilmembers hire and fire City Attorneys. It is one of several positions, such as the City Manager, that are the direct hires of a city council. If these firefighters, covered employees, are found to be allowed to participate in local elections, it sets precedent for all city employees covered by the Hatch Act.

As for Sammy, it’s just another lapse in a long line of questionable ethical decisions he has made. Add it to the $25,000 of taxpayer money he spent on “fun” trips; the council meetings he has missed; and his lack of outreach to the people of the district he is supposed to represent.

It appears that both of these men are in violation of the Hatch Act but then again, I’m not a city attorney and certainly not well versed in the art of spinning a situation to make it go away for my boss. Whatever the determination it deserves a public announcement.

More questions about the Hatch Act and fire unions to come…

© Joyce Clark, 2016

FAIR USE NOTICE

This site contains copyrighted material the use of which is in accordance with Title 17 U.S. C., Section 107. The ‘fair use’ of any such copyrighted material as provided for in Section 107 of the US Copyright Law and who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. For more information material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of environmental, political, human rights, economic, democratic, scientific and social justice issues, etc. We believe this constitutes a ‘fair use’ of any such material. For more information go to http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond ‘fair use,’ you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.

Jan 16

13

Burdick’s agenda…pandering

Posted by Joyce Clark on January 13, 2016
Posted in City Council Actions • City issue and actions • City of Glendale • Glendale elected officials • Glendale finances • Glendale's Fire Union  | Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

It has been 18 years and 27 days since the city’s pledge to build the West Branch Library.

Not only are we entering the intense portion of the national political season with the election of a new President but Glendale politics will soon heat up. Several have taken out nomination petition packets which are due in the City Clerk’s office between May 2, 2016 and June 1, 2016.

Current Mayor Jerry Weiers and mayoral contender Mark Burdick have already taken out nomination petition packets as have Vice Mayor Ian Hugh (Cactus district) and current Councilmember Ray Malnar (Sahuaro district) who recently unseated Gary Sherwood in a Recall Election. Neither of these current councilmembers, as of this date, faces a challenger. In the Yucca district current Councilmember Sammy Chavira has not taken out a nomination petition packet. Nor has anyone else.

On January 8, 2016 KJJJ radio aired interviews centered on the topic, “Is Glendale Bouncing Back?” It was a strange exercise as apparently Burdick had been interviewed by the station before talking to senior staff and Mayor Weiers and Vice Mayor Hugh. The consensus of senior staff and the Mayor and Vice Mayor is that Glendale has recovered but not completely. All felt there was more work to be done to achieve the holy grail of complete financial stability for Glendale. All believe Glendale is well on its way to doing so.

It was what mayoral candidate Mark Burdick said in this story that will trouble many. “Burdick said the fire department needs more resources to reduce response times. The police department needs more detectives in north Glendale.” Despite the published fact that Fire Department response times have not increased in the past 5 years.

Everyone should be concerned that Burdick’s major agenda is throwing more money exclusively into the Fire Department. Burdick has acknowledged that the city is not in full financial recovery yet he is willing to take dollars…from somewhere…probably all other city departments…to throw to his favorite department…the Fire Department. What would one expect from a man who retired as Glendale’s Fire Chief? What else would one expect from a candidate who is counting on the tremendous financial and manpower support of the fire unions to try to capture the mayoral seat? He will owe them big time.

With regard to calling for more detectives in north Glendale Burdick is simply pandering to voter strength. It is no secret that the 3 north Glendale districts (Cholla, Sahuaro and Barrel) outvote the 3 south Glendale districts (Cactus, Ocotillo and Yucca) by a margin of 3 to 1. If he attempts to capture the majority of the voters in the 3 north Glendale districts he is going to have to promise them some goodies. Is it any wonder that he made a call for more detectives in north Glendale when more police personnel are needed throughout the city? It’s merely the first of what may be many goodies for north Glendale.

There is no doubt that every Glendale department is stretched thin as Glendale continues its path to full financial recovery. There is no doubt that every department has needs to be met. Allocating more money to the fire department must not occur at the expense of the many needs throughout Glendale.

The Fire Department and the Police Department must be thoroughly scrutinized under zero-based budgeting. Zero-based budgeting requires each department to begin with zero dollars and to justify the need for every dollar allocated to it. Explaining what dollars are needed and where they will be utilized provides openly transparent public knowledge to every Glendale taxpayer that must foot the bill.

Be careful of Burdick’s promises. His advisors, such as Julie Frisoni formerly embroiled in alleged shenanigans related to the $15 million dollar a year Coyotes contract, appear to be a very slick bunch not above promising those things that will garner him votes and using whatever dirty tricks are at their disposal. All signs point to a fierce fight for the mayoral seat and the fight has just begun…

© Joyce Clark, 2016

FAIR USE NOTICE

This site contains copyrighted material the use of which is in accordance with Title 17 U.S. C., Section 107. The ‘fair use’ of any such copyrighted material as provided for in Section 107 of the US Copyright Law and who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. For more information material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of environmental, political, human rights, economic, democratic, scientific and social justice issues, etc. We believe this constitutes a ‘fair use’ of any such material. For more information go to http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond ‘fair use,’ you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.

Oct 13

31

Norma, say it ain’t so

Posted by Joyce Clark on October 31, 2013
Posted in City of Glendale • Glendale elected officials  | Tagged With: , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Woo Hoo! Remember Councilmember Alvarez’ promise to resign after the external audit results were made public? Or remember her repeated assertions that she was finished…done…would not run for another term? How the worm turns!!

In the October 31, 2013 edition of the Glendale Star Jamie Aldama, an Ocotillo district resident, announced he is running for Norma’s seat. His experience to date in public service has been to serve on the Glendale Elementary School District Governing Board, past Commissioner on Glendale’s Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and current Glendale Planning and Zoning Commissioner. That’s more than enough service. I had none when I ran for my seat in 1992. I just happened to catch a Planning and Zoning Commission meeting not too long ago simply because it came on right after a council meeting. So I stayed tuned and watched. Remember Robert Petrone? He’s the guy from the Cholla district who announced his candidacy for the Cholla seat. He’s the one with decidedly questionable financial baggage endorsed by Manny Martinez. As Chairperson of the Planning Commission he was a study in pandering and positively oozed solicitousness. Creepy.

Jamie Aldama is a Chavira clone. Chavira habitually thanks everyone, from the Pope on down, before expressing his thoughts which tend to be light weight and signifying nothing. Aldama does the same…thanks everyone, especially staff, and then says…nothing of substance. How many intellectual light weights does council need? It’s already got Alvarez and Chavira.

As for Norma, say it ain’t so. She now says, “It’s so early, so many things happening in the city I don’t like. I’m so outspoken, I don’t think I’m being effective.” At least she got that right. She goes on to say, “…But I’m not sure yet. If I do, I’ll be deciding by January. There are a lot of things for taxpayers I want to get done.” Said like a true politician, Norma.  Sounds like she’s been co-opted by the perks and privileges of the office…especially the great medical benefits she used repeatedly during her first term. She has spent more time not attending council meetings than any councilmember in recent history. She is truly a Wonder Woman because after she has spoken everyone wonders what the heck she said.

© Joyce Clark, 2013

FAIR USE NOTICE
This site contains copyrighted material the use of which has. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of environmental, political, human rights, economic, democracy, scientific, and social justice issues, etc. We believe this constitutes a ‘fair use’ of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. For more information go to :http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond ‘fair use’, you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.

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