ABSTRACT: Compiled from articles in The Carmel Pine Cone, the views of the candidates for mayor, namely Adam Moniz and Sue McCloud (incumbent), on significant issues, including CITY HALL, CARMEL FIRE DEPARTMENT & AMBULANCE, COMMERCIAL DISTRICT/BUSINESSES & ECONOMY and URBANIZED FOREST, are presented.
Candidates for Mayor: Sue McCloud (incumbent) and Adam Moniz:
CITY HALL:
Adam Moniz: Transform City Hall to a “transparent, open and accessible” government. Believes there are “problems at City Hall,” as evidenced by the sexual harassment legal complaint filed by on-leave Human Resources Manager Jane Miller and a letter written by retired 34-year former city employee Stephanie Pearce asserting “city government in Carmel is badly broken” because of “a pattern of avoiding and ignoring resident and staff concerns,” a mayor pursuing “pet projects” and staff reductions leaving the City “leaderless.”
Sue McCloud: In her State of the City 2010 address, the mayor stated that “regrettably we are constrained from commenting” on personnel issues, particularly claims by on-leave Human Resources Manager Jane Miller alleging sexual harassment, employment discrimination and retaliation at City Hall, because of rights of privacy.
CARMEL FIRE DEPARTMENT & AMBULANCE:
Adam Moniz: Advocates retaining Carmel firefighters in Carmel and preservation of response times (3-4 minutes) in determining long-term solution, such a regional Peninsula-wide consortium, contract with the City of Monterey/another agency or a stand-alone department.
Sue McCloud: In her State of the City 2010 address, the mayor stated that the 2009/2010 Budget Year goal established by Council was to “explore Fire Department options and implement what is ultimately decided.” She claimed that prior to the completion of a comparative study of options, "another option appeared on the table in the form of a Peninsula-wide fire service (brought about by efforts to merge Seaside and Marina).” She claims this option “will take some time to study” and in the meantime, Fire Department management by the City of Monterey will “remain in place.”
COMMERCIAL DISTRICT/BUSINESSES & ECONOMY:
Adam Moniz: Advocates a better relationship between businesses and the City. Moniz calls for a “special initiative to identify and create superior incentives for the opening of more resident-oriented businesses in an effort to encourage the occupancy of currently vacant storefronts.”
Sue McCloud: Stated that “officials are considering hiring a consultant to find the right retailers and services to fill vacancies downtown” in order to “boost business, and the sales taxes.” “The key thing is going to be how we can continue to provide services, keep our expenditures down and try to find new sources of revenue.” Also, in the State of the City 2010 address, the mayor stated that for marketing and economic development, the City has added Concours on the Avenue, Authors and Ideas Festival and the Art and Film Festival over the past two to three years. And, the City is working with Sunset Cultural Center, Inc. (SCC) to bring small ‘boutique' conferences to Sunset Center.
URBANIZED FOREST:
Adam Moniz: Recognizes that Carmel’s urban forest is in a current state of decline; focus “great efforts on replanting trees that have died or been removed.”
Sue McCloud: Stated that “a lot of trees are reaching their life expectancy, and we have to continue planting.” She cited the fact that Carmel-by-the-Sea has been named a Tree City USA by the National Arbor Day Foundation.
SOURCES:
McCloud, Hazdovac, Rose seek new terms as Burnett challenges, MARY BROWNFIELD, The Carmel Pine Cone, December 18, 2009
Moniz' agenda: 'transparency,' more business, MARY BROWNFIELD, The Carmel Pine Cone, January 22, 2010
McCloud: Finances, Flanders warrant sixth term, MARY BROWNFIELD, The Carmel Pine Cone, January 29, 2010
State of the City 2010 (February 2010)
1 comment:
Mayor Sue McCloud's recent ad in The Carmel Pine Cone about open government shows she does not have a grasp of the concept or does not care to show she understands the concept. Posting agendas at the Post Office and televised council meetings do not constitute open government. VOTE for Adam, he understands the need to restore open government to Carmel, where all feel they can be heard and appropriately responded to in a civil manner, not ignored and disreaspected.
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