John Cole, Rotating Mayor of Twentynine Palms
First off, John Cole is good people. However, nobody owns public office because they are good people. Look at the record record.
I believe the Desert Trail is disingenious and condescending to suggest Ms. Cora Heiser is better suited to an appointed city position. Here is the link to the TRAIL article wherein it recommends a vote for John Cole and pigeon holes one of our finest citizens.
Cora Heiser is a highly intelligent, well educated Special Education teacher and proven municipal researcher who gets to the bottom-line of issues. She is up-to-date on city issues and has diligently been following and educating herself on all city hall issues.
Heiser has penned scores of local articles as a writer, a commentator and researcher who writes on local political issues. She is a “watchdog” on city politics for all the people. As well, Ms. Heiser attends all city council meetings and has traveled at her own expense in California to research issues of local concern for the public .
The local publishing company that owns the Desert Trail and Hi-Desert Star clearly has “ulterior motive” for continuing with the status quo that has plunged our city in debt for $31 million dollars with zip to show for it — but for administrative costs, outside consulting fees, outside legal fees, bureaucratic costs, and travel expenses to Sacramento for naught.
We need a qualified council person who will represent all the people all the time. Heiser possesses the intelligence to think for herself and do quality research on complicated issues. During the recent Chamber of Commerce Forum, Klink and Heiser were only two who offered new solutions for complicated problems that have gone very wrong with this seated city council. [There are two position open to vote for council members on the ballot come November; three hopefuls are running.]
Councilman Joel Klink has demonstrated he can work with all council members and that he is willing to compromise on important issues if necessary to move the city forward in a positive manner.
John Cole – although a good man — has outlived his calling on the city council. Cole has demonstrated he often represents outside interests and unequivocally panders to local power groups that have controlled this city for years.
Moreover, outside (big business) special interests have lined their pockets to the sum of HUNDREDS and hundreds of thousands of dollars of Bond debt — taxpayer’s money — that shall span three generations over the next 30 years to pay off. All done with the manifest help of Mr. Cole. All done without meaningful input from the public.
The state has repeatedly (eight times) mandated this city council relinquish the money they are wrongfully withholding from the people of California for schools, fire services and public safety. The State has labeled 29 Palms as an errant and obstreperous city because of questionable malum in se (wrongful) dealings.
The town has nothing to show for this outrageous and convoluted Bond debt but more debt on its way as this Councilman Cole has/is defiantly and petulantly ignores California Department of Finance mandates, recent California Statutes, and California courts decisions — —– during the largest blunder and most infamous fiasco in 29 Palms history.
Further, Councilman Cole has continually ignored the impending doom and dangers facing this city in terms of public fire safety.
Mr. Cole has breached his fiduciary duty to the people of 29 Palms on many levels. Are we better off now than before with the honorable Councilman Cole?
Vote for Joel Klink and Cora Heiser.
Commentary / Opinion
Why the Desert Trail is making a mistake in recommending four more years of John Cole,
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Hi, I live at River Don Sanctuary Homeless Support. I’m submitting this to Cactus Thorn blog, because I have a serious question for Cora Heiser! About 1 and half months ago we put out a plea on this blog for some help. Financial help that is. Apparently some folks from 29 Palms came up with a Tug-A-War competition to help raise some funds for our cause. We were told it would take place on Oct.27,2012 which happens to be Make-A-Difference Day. We were later told it got changed to Oct.28,2012. Now it seems that a few days ago Cora you were quoted as saying it has been cancelled completely, because everybody is to tired to do it! that maybe after the Nov. election you would try to get something together for us. My big questions are, where there any funds pledged ahead of time for the Tug-A-War?? If so what became of that? How does that work out? Or were we once again made a promise from one of our local politicians just to find out later it was all talk, which makes it one more empty promise. Please help me understand. By Mary Milligan
I offered seed money of $500 bucks to start an arm wrestling competition to help you guys out but I was too busy to promote and organize it so I put the word out. Those that came forward had a couple of concerns one, they didn’t want it to compete with the chamber, two, they were worried about it being an event and needing to jump through hoops for a permit, Now don’t get me wrong I am not Mr. nice guy I had my ulterior motives namely to showcase the ludicrous code requirement supposedly required for something as simple as a fund raiser for the less fortunate.
My offer of $500 and a facility still stands, oh and by the way there is a couple of teams already formed or so I hear. Make it happen, maybe you can find a location in Yucca or JT, 29 don’t seem to be interested.
Thanks for asking your question Don; thanks Mark for answering the question and offering to put up $500. You’re Mr. nice guy sometimes.
F a permit if it’s held on your own land, land that your family has had going back decades. This isn’t North Korea. It’s the land of the free and home of the brave who can have a tug of war on private property without city interference.
Sometime after the November election is good. I offer to help pull (pun intended) it together for the homeless sanctuary. I think I may be able to get a team of tug of war warriors together (spanning three generations). How many people does it take for a tug of war crew?
Mark, where in the code does it say that you need a permit for a fundraiser?
Thanks for the interest Carey, the last time we did something like this we were put through a lot. Everything from the city wanting us to pay for law enforcement to evacuation plans; it was all kind of silly. The previous fundraiser was to raise funds to save the chamber. My disdain for the city does have a decade old history. Councilman Corbin may be able to shed light what codes they used against us, and why for that matter.
So in other words, you don’t know?
Are you just speaking without thinking?
I can look up the code. I did look up the code. And I found nothing about permits for fundraising. Why would I need to ask Mr. Corbin?
I was asking you.
You made a statement, you need to back it up.
Carey we couldn’t find the codes ether the point is that this very selective city tried to require us to have one, we had to have plot plans evacuation plans law enforcement plans and of course money. There were many of us involved we finally told Jay to pound sand aand we were having it without his dam permit, was told by staff that jay relented and issued a permit the day before, but only after treating to have it shut down.
Thanks for the opportunity to refresh the citizens of that fiasco.
Fire this G D city
If you were not required to have a permit why would you have one issued for a fundraiser?
Your story is not adding up. And I am not refreshing anything.
I am asking you about your story and accusations. What are the rest of the facts? What use/activity WOULD have required a permit?
Carey I can assure you if you hold a special event you need a permit by the city…. YOu have to buy their insurance.. You have to get their approvals… Are you “New To 29?” or something???
You must be new2 29 or, suppose you could just be in denial. Kind of scary having a public servant that can,t do his own research, time to fire the city and all connected.
No, I am who I am. And anyone that knows me, knows I research everything.
As far as a Special Event Permit, you are correct the City does have those. That falls under Chapter 19-32 TEMPORARY USE PERMITS. The City Council adopted the Development Code with that in there.
There is a requirement for Liability Insurance and in Paragraph 19.32.090 Conditions… under D. “An Additional Insured Endorsement of public liability insurance, naming the City of Twentynine Palms as an additional named insured, and which includes coverage for the effective dates of the Permit….”
So that would be YOUR insurance not the City’s.
You are not buying paying the City for insurance, you are just adding them to YOUR policy.
I do believe that all concerned would understand the need and requirement for Liability Insurance as we live in California. Ever been sued?
Dan, you have Liability Insurance right?
Mark, you have Liability Insurance right?
Some people need to read and understand the CURRENT code, and not twist the facts to fit their story.
Now I remember they called them TUPS and they were a pain to get unless you were in the club. Some receive a pass and even tax subsidized while others are targeted for harassment, that what’s wrong with this city. it is who you are, not what you want to do. I wonder how many other fund raisers / events had to come up with an evacuation plan, or were asked to pay for law enforcement?
Mary,and Don,
As a wise woman has said to me, “No good deed goes unpunished.” I, as a private citizen (running for city council)jumped in to help with the tug of war idea. No money was pledged to anyone, money was offered to a first place winner, if the event took place.I volunteered to be the contact person with River Don. A group of people in 29 got together to try to get this idea off the ground and yes the date was set for October 27, 2012. However,because these same people had to put together events for Historic Plaza and Pioneer Days,we just didn’t have enough time. We had another idea to put something together after the Pioneer Days, which ran 3 weekends, and we would have more time to plan something and do it right. I communicated this to both Don and a friend of his. We still want to do something as private citizens to help out our fellow men. No one has forgotten and all of this was communicated to River Don.
I was (key word was) one of those people that offered to help your organization.
This is one of those examples of a recipient “biting the hand that feeds them,” or “looking a gift horse in the mouth.”
I talked to the folks at Reach Out Morongo Basin, who set up right next to us at both the Historic Plaza Days and Pioneer Days. they would be happy to be the recipient of our fund raising endeavors at whatever pace we can get the event organized. No conditions attached. They will also will pitch in and help with the event if time allows them.
By the way Reach Out MB, actually gets off their ass and joins in with the community in their fundraising. They are out at every event. They don’t lay around on their asses and complain when the money does not roll in.
Unless We and others here who wanted to help your organization get an immediate
and unconditional apology from you and your staff, I am going to lobby the group to continue with the event but to give the proceeds to Reach Out Morongo Basin.
I don’t have to take this kind of shit from anybody.
By River Don: Attention Gregg Imus, I would like to send you a heartfelt thank you. For what? It was brought to my attention that it was you, who sent both Bob’s (Guthrie and Holmes) to us. Once again thank you, I really hope you win the Nov. election. Bob Guthrie has been staying with us since he got here and he has been a great help to us. Thanks again Gregg, you have our votes!!
Just a general question to all.
In a past write up “Is the School District endorsing Council candidates?” dated October 5, 2012 http://www.vote29.com/newmyblog/archives/40765
There were references made about campaign signage being placed in “illegal” areas.
If I read the California Elections Code correctly, there are quit a few campaign signs that were placed “illegally”.
Here is the text of the code.
ELECTIONS CODE SECTION 18370.
No person, on election day, or at any time that a voter may be casting a ballot, shall, within 100 feet of a polling place, a satellite location under Section 3018, or an elections official’s office:
(a) Circulate an initiative, referendum, recall, or nomination petition or any other petition.
(b) Solicit a vote or speak to a voter on the subject of marking his or her ballot.
(c) Place a sign relating to voters’ qualifications or speak to a voter on the subject of his or her qualifications except as provided in Section 14240.
(d) Do any electioneering as defined by Section 319.5.
As used in this section, “100 feet of a polling place, a satellite location under Section 3018, or an elections official’s office” means a distance 100 feet from the room or rooms in which voters are signing the roster and casting ballots.
Any person who violates any of the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor.
Now, my question is and if I am correct, isn’t the Twentynine Palms City Hall a satellite location since you can drop off you mail-in ballot there?
Then of course, that raises more questions. What about the fire station, the church(s), or the MUSD offices, all are polling places?
At everyone of them, less than 100 feet are campaign signage.
Are all the candidates guilty of a misdemeanor?
Frank,
The school district office is not one of the polling places, so the signs there are fine.
The controlling phrase is: “No person, on election day, or at any time that a voter may be casting a ballot,….”
On Election day or Casting your ballot…. dropping off a ballot at a collection point is not casting a vote, it is mailing your sealed ballot.
K.I.S.S.
“dropping off a ballot at a collection point is not casting a vote…”
What? How can you say that without laughing at yourself?
The box located in City Hall is not a mail box. It is an “official drop off point” hence a satellite location.
Hi Frank, key to your cause and critical to all legal research is case law. Case law encompasses the collection of reported cases forming all or part of the body of law. These judicial opinions are the cornerstone to crafting documents and arguments.
It’s extremely difficult and without doubt unreliable to research case law on the internet without a third party (yearly membership required) provider like LexisNexus, or the use of a law library with current supplement updates.
I like the question you presented. Do you know of a local attorney with a update law library?
The following excerpt is correspondence taken from the office of Secretary of State. It may help in the interpretation of what a “satellite location” is under Section 3018:
Oct. 8, 2012
Debra Brown | Secretary of State
TO: All County Clerks / Registrars of Voters
From: Jana M. Lean, Chief, Elections divisions
RE: General Elections: Electioneering
“…, or a satellite location under Section 3018. This effectively means electioneering cannot be conducted within 100” of the entrance to the polling place (emphasis added).”
http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/ccrov/pdf/2012/october/12294jl.pdf
End
My interpretation of this is that 29 Palms City Hall is not a polling place.
The CA Secretary of State’s Fraud Protection Handbook is available at:
http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/vfph-2009.pdf
Off Topic Note: Federal office for which voters will cast a ballot (President, U.S. Senate or House of Representatives) prohibits anything of value being given in exchange for proof of voting, even coffee or the likes.
If there was a voting booth where you actually made your vote… you would have a leg to stand on. but a drop off point is not a polling station.
Frank. Oh Frankie…Franklin where are you?
I received a callback from the Secretary of State, Maxine Sherman, who said their legal department said the drop off place for mail in ballots at 29 Palms City Hall is not in conflict with the Election Code pertaining the the interpretation a “satellite location.”
Once again you presented an outstanding question, thanks a bunch. We all enjoy being challenged by good questions.
Frank… Are you here?
100 feet is only a tad over 33.3 yards. You might try measuring the distances. Issue was that Cole placed a sign right the smack dab on MUSD property. In my travels I have not seen any others.
Do you have any others that you wish to photograph and present to the blog so we can publicly denounce them too.
Remember, facts, details, proof, all of these things far outshine perceptions or do they?
Oh I understood the issue of John Cole placing his sign. I general question was about all campaign signs.
And yes Cora Heiser, you are correct the District office is not a polling place this year.
In fact here is the list:
Palms Baptist Church
5285 Adobe Rd
Twentynine Palms, CA
Wonder Valley Community Center
80526 1/2 Amboy Rd
Twentynine Palms, CA
Fire Station #421 (29 Palms)
6560 Adobe Rd
Twentynine Palms, CA
Church of the Nazarene (29 Palms)
72603 Juanita Dr
Twentynine Palms, CA
Fire Station #422 (29 Palms)
3834 Lear Ave
Twentynine Palms, CA
Thanks for the informative feedback.