Union bosses and well-funded outside special interests tried again in 2008 to take over small town El Segundo

2008 EL SEGUNDO CITY ELECTION

Union bosses and well-funded outside special interests tried again in 2008 to take over small town El Segundo

Former City Councilmember Mike Robbins fought against a big city-style political machine in small town El Segundo

“El Segundo Fire and Police Union bosses unilaterally endorsed candidates with the worst public safety, spending, and integrity records.”

Candidates were supported with tens of thousands of dollars from outside special interests, including developers, a trash hauler, someone who tried to obtain a large city contract without competition, and others who may have expected something in return. One of these candidates was Eric Busch.

Busch has received large contributions from someone who tried to rig the competition for a large city contract and have it awarded to a less qualified bidder at nearly twice the price ($120,000 versus $65,000 for a Golf Course construction management contract). Busch was so arrogant that he continued to take the money from this person after he was confronted with this relationship.

The $50,000 plus election campaign with many $1,000 to $6,000 contributions was highly unusual for small town El Segundo. Campaigns used to cost less than $5,000 and a lot of shoe leather. Although the Union bosses and outside special interests out-spent the independent candidates by as much as ten to one, they won only one of three council seats – Eric Busch.

Michael D. Robbins, 4/2/2008
Founder, El Segundo Public Safety Project
Former El Segundo City Councilmember (1992-1996)

Read all about it and see more pages, documents, and images posted throughout the week!