08 Aug Vallejo’s Political Climate and Special Interests
For decades Political Action Committees(PACS) have slowly eclipsed Public Unions, Private Trade Unions, Developers, Real Estate, wealthy Vallejoans, and local businesses in raising campaign money that contribute to candidates, tax measures, and bond measures. Today any one entity above can contribute to a PAC which can mask itself in a mission statement that contradicts the mission statement of the industry that contributes to it.
For example a PAC can call itself, “The Committee for a Better Vallejo”, but is it really? The only way to know is to look at who contributes to the PAC and what the contributors primary mission is. If a Public or Trade Union donates to the PAC and their primary mission is to promote better salaries and benefits for their members all of a sudden the mission of such a PAC is better revealed.
In 2020 for example the Measure G sales tax was put on the ballot and supported by a PAC called Jumpstart. In 2016-2018 cycle of elections Jumpstart contributed to a number of candidates in Vallejo. Some organizations that contributed to the PAC were public unions, Trades Unions, and the Operators of a proposed terminal and cement plant on Derr Street called ORCEM\VMT. The Vallejo School District also was struggling to put a bond measure on the ballot, as a slim School Board majority supported more bond accountability before they would vote to put it on the ballot.
The Jumpstart PAC supported candidates whose mission statements did not match the Candidates own mission statements. By November of 2018, Jumpstart had successfully elected candidates that furthered the welfare of Jumpstart and the special interests that supported it. The City of Vallejo weakened term and conditions of development on Mare Island, voted for relaxing Police accountability in their union contract, voted for raises in salaries and benefits to their employees. In 2019 the City voted to purchase for $15 million, a waterfront building not even suited for the purpose of a new Police station. The Special interest supported Council majority narrowly voted to essentially give away 157 acres on North Mare Island to a developer.
In Vallejo Schools a bond was put on the ballot and passed with projects going to interests that contributed to Jumpstart. During this gigantic spending spree from 2019 to recently there was plenty of money for special interests, and no one once brought up the condition of the City’s infrastructure, roads, and the lack of priority they received by the Council majority. This next election cycle, we will likely see new PACS with mission statements that do not match their donors mission statements.
Another tax is being proposed for the City of Vallejo, and candidates will be emerging that are supported by such PACS to make the focus of our elected bodies that of special interests, and secondary will be for the interests of the community. The goal of providing this website is to help Vallejoans pick candidates that are best suited to represent the best interests of the community as their primary function, and the interest of developers, the real estate industry, public unions, private unions, secondary or tertiary. We hope to expose endorsements of candidates backed by current and former elected officials in the voting records of their endorsers and if they better served the community or special interests. As we enter into the next election cycle remember your vote will be bitterly fought for in commercials, glossy fliers and lofty missions statements. We hope to help you see though all of that and vote on the candidates best for our community, not someone else’s industry.
Fanni V
Let’s take a look into the upcoming event Board Supervisor Hannigan and her team will have at the waterfront that will give an opportunity for the constituents of Solano County to engage with this political representative scheduled at 9 am on September 16, 2022. Florence Douglas Center is sponsoring this event which leads me to think about the question: Are all the issues back years ago that were impacting our senior community still ongoing?
Sept 16, 2022 “Walk With Supervisor” event at 9 am at the Waterfront as reported by John Glidden’s Twitter
https://twitter.com/glid24/status/1568332132807999488?s=20&t=bQ0aE7YjFiqk7k1XZUnoLQ
The following is from an August 2018 Facebook post by Karen Richer on the Solano Seniors Count page listed issues that were discussed during a Solano County task force meeting. Are these issues from 4 years ago still happening or this “walk” event is considered one of the steps that will finally be implemented by the team of County Board Supervisor Hannigan to hopefully address any issues our senior community is having? Or is it just another promotion and celebratory event for a politician in Solano County?
“Solano Seniors Count Task Force Meeting #10 July 18, 2018
Erin Hannigan, Josette Lacey and Monica Brown are guests.
Announcement from Monica: Subcommittee meeting for PSA28 is meeting 7/19. More info follows.
Overview: Debbie Toth of Choice in Aging is acting in Brenda’s absence. We are collecting parking lot issues to deal with once the AAoA issues are addressed. We began educating ourselves on the AAoA programs. Some were older American act funds, some came through dept of aging, some other funds (county, grants, etc.) The programs provided by contractors had emergency contracts put into place. AAoA direct services have not been picked up such as the caregivers’ support group and the drop-in center at the Marina Towers. Last week Debbie was educated by the AAoA people who are physically closing the agency. The scope of services is much greater than originally thought. Teisha Brown is the new manager. Teisha with a T not a K. Mark was corrected by Teisha.
Teisha gave Erin a tour on Teisha’s 2nd day. Erin had a conversation with Sara who is clearing out the space. Sara is an employee of the AAoA who ran the PEAS program for the last 5 years and is now in charge of closing the AAoA locations. Debbie has also met with Sara and asked her to stop clearing out the place as we need the furniture, property and other assets for IRS purposes and to form a new AAoA. Geri Huber is working on obtaining a certificate of insurance with Monica Brown. We are getting volunteers to staff the facility. Socialization is #1 for seniors. AAoA reached out to the community. By January 1 we should have a “new” AAoA at that space. Meanwhile we are looking for volunteers 3 days a week as a stop gap measure.
Mark said he has asked the Marina Tower residents what is needed. They told Mark that they don’t go to the Florence Douglas Center (FDC) due to transportation and comfort level.
Data at the drop-in center – John Stewart had resident dollars. If Marina Towers residents used the services there we may be able to access this money.
Meals on Wheels (MOW) – Erin’s office has given $3k to MOW and $1k to the FDC for congregate dining. FDC serves 35 people on a daily basis. This is the only congregate dining with MOW. Erin has gone on ride-alongs with MOW.
Ideas floated… 880 cities. Creating pop up events for the community with food and fun and you get the feedback on what is needed. What do seniors need in our community. The Senior Coalition can be an access for us. Could we work with Laurie Hartmann at MOW to get surveys. Ways to get info from seniors. Resource brochures available to give to people who need assistance. Debbie has been working with partnership health plan. We could come up with a simple resource list since the AAoA provided many of the direct services.
The PSA28 subcommittee meets July 19th 8:30 am. Monica Brown and Jim Spering have to talk with Napa about the JPA. Solano Senior counts has many questions: What will be the makeup of the JPA, we need updates, insurance certificate for the stop gap to open Marina Towers, what is the model going to be? We have to work with the Dept of Aging. This is complex. Our job as advocates is to ensure that seniors receive their services.
Erin asked us if is this a Solano issue or Vallejo issue. The AAoA closure is county wide – but it was based in Vallejo at the drop-in center. Are there services up the corridor in Solano County that are being affected or have they picked up services lost by the AAoA? Our understanding is that services have not been picked up (except MSSP by Choice in Aging).
Side note: Where are the GVRD pool tables, the FDC pool table that the Omega girls & boys took/purchased from the FDC. One positive place was brought up but Erin said that location has been condemned. Mark and Anna will work on locating the pool table(s) and investigate.
K Patrice asked where the data for the AAoA lives? Debbie believes that Sara has it and it is being transitioned back to the CDA. This should be public info. Debbie will call Sara on her way back to the office.
We can contact Laura Connelly, she is the director of the CDA and is amazing. She was/is a social worker.
Seneca center is centrally located in Fairfield and Debbie is looking for Choices in Aging rental space for the MSSP 160 seniors that are located from Dixon to Napa.
Mark – Solano County has been slow on funding. Survival mode is hard to live by. How do we get organization funding? Gate foundation. Large employers – we have an opportunity if we are getting the data how can we get the large company support. Non-profits need to have a cultural shift. Capacity building – First 5 Solano. $3 per capital, $100 per capita in Contra Costa County funding. 2006, 2016 surveys. Foundation specific funding survey. Solano county has a packed to share with funders. Foundations ask where Solano County is. Headquarters are where they give their funding. We have not asked properly. We need to meet with the foundations. Seniors and others have moved to Solano County for affordability. The Solano County effect. SF fosters move here for affordability. Health & Human Services, first 5 will help you meet with foundations. Capacity building is being funded from the county and First 5 (tobacco money). First 5 is not a standalone non-profit it works with the county. First 5 contracts out with nonprofits.
Quote of the day from Anna…. No is on the way to Yes”