Tag Archives: election

Mike Robbins’ Public Communications at the May 3, 2016 El Segundo City Council Meeting

Posted on May 4, 2016 by Mike

First, I want to thank outgoing Mayor Pro Tem Carl Jacobson for his many decades of service to the City and the citizens of El Segundo, as Mayor, as Mayor Pro Tem, as Councilmember, on the Planning Commission, and in other capacities.

I had the privilege of serving on City Council with Carl Jacobson as mayor. We agreed on most issues, but when we disagreed, I always knew he was honest, intelligent, competent, and doing what he believed was in the best interest of the City and the citizens of El Segundo.

Second, I would like to congratulate the newly elected City Council Members, Don Brann, Carol Pirsztuk, and Drew Boyles. The City Council election turned out the way I believe will be best for our City. I am disappointed with the passage of Measure B, the 50 percent increase in the Hotel Transient Occupancy Tax.

I hope that increase in City tax revenue will not trigger a clause in the union contracts to give automatic additional COLA pay raises to the City employees. Such a clause existed in the previous union contracts. …

Any change in the way the mayor and mayor pro tem are elected should be based on what is best for the citizens of El Segundo, and should be put before the voters of El Segundo. All of the pros and cons of such a change should be carefully considered before putting the question before the voters. … Continue reading →

Posted in California, El Segundo, El Segundo Election Coverage, El Segundo Hotel Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT), El Segundo Measure B TOT Tax Hike, El Segundo News, El Segundo Tax and Fee Increases, Elections, Firefighter Union Corruption, Police Union Corruption, Political Corruption, Politics, Tax Policy and Issues, Union Corruption | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Mike Robbins’ Public Communications at the May 3, 2016 El Segundo City Council Meeting

New El Segundo City Council Members Sworn In, Council Voted for Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem

Posted on May 4, 2016 by Mike

By Michael D. Robbins

The May 3, 2016 El Segundo City Council meeting began with a proclamation, a commendation, and a presentation recognizing the Election poll workers for their valuable services rendered to the City of El Segundo during its April 12, 2016 General Municipal Election.

Next was a roll call, followed by public communications. Former El Segundo City Councilman Mike Robbins spoke, thanking Mayor Pro Tem Carl Jacobson for his decades of service to the City and citizens of El Segundo, congratulating the newly elected City Council members, and opposing agenda item L-8 to change the traditional method of electing the mayor and mayor pro tem and their terms. That agenda item, requested by Councilman Mike Dugan and Councilwoman Carol Pirsztuk, would change to a rotating mayor and mayor pro tem selected by the City Council with only one-year terms.

The old City Council then conducted a minimal amount of City business, including approving the minutes from the April 19, 2016 City Council meeting. They adopted a City Council Resolution certifying the final election results, declaring the winning candidates, and declaring that Measure B, the 50 percent increase in the Hotel Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT), was passed. … Continue reading →

Posted in California, El Segundo, El Segundo Election Coverage, El Segundo News, Elections, Politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on New El Segundo City Council Members Sworn In, Council Voted for Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem

Inherent Conflict of Interest – Letter to the El Segundo Herald by Mike Robbins

Posted on April 22, 2016 by Mike

Inherent Conflict of Interest

The Police Officers’ and Firefighters’ Associations (unions) bankrolled the Measure B tax-hike campaign. FPPC campaign disclosure forms show the police and fire unions spent an overwhelming $39,247.50 in our city election ($19,033.50 police, and $20,214.00 fire) to influence voters on Measure B and the City Council race.

This is nearly four times the $10,000 they contributed to the “Yes on Measure A” campaign in 2014, for eleven tax hikes, on residents and businesses. The fire union probably spent more than $100,000 on their Measure P campaign in 2012, to outsource our local Fire Department to Los Angeles County for a reduced level of service, for their own financial benefit.

None of the firefighters and only about one-fourth of the police live in town. They campaign in our local elections to maximize their pay and pensions, and raise taxes and fees to pay for it, no matter how excessive and unsustainable.

The latest available El Segundo City Employee compensation data, for 2014, at TransparentCalifornia.com, shows the 58 sworn police employees had the following total annual pay and benefits statistics: Minimum=$139,028; Maximum=$358,536; Average=$228,240; and Median (half above and half below)=$214,867.

The 44 sworn firefighter employees had the following total annual pay and benefits statistics: Minimum=$148,235; Maximum=$375,524; Average=$247,646; and Median=$225,882. The firefighters are paid to sleep and eat, including some of those hours at the overtime rate of 150% their regular pay rate.

The union campaigns have nothing to do with safety and everything to do with union greed.

– Mike Robbins

Continue reading →

Posted in California, Economy and Economics, El Segundo, El Segundo Election Coverage, El Segundo Herald Letters, El Segundo Hotel Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT), El Segundo Measure B TOT Tax Hike, El Segundo News, El Segundo Tax and Fee Increases, Elections, Firefighter and Police Union Compensation and Pensions, Firefighter Union Corruption, Fraud Waste and Abuse, Government Employee Compensation and Pensions, Letters to the Editor, Measure A - 5 New Taxes and 6 Tax Inceases, Measure P - Firefighters Union Initiative, Police Union Corruption, Political Corruption, Politics, Tax Policy and Issues, Union Corruption | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Inherent Conflict of Interest – Letter to the El Segundo Herald by Mike Robbins

More Help on the Way – Letter to the El Segundo Herald by Richard Switz

Posted on April 22, 2016 by Mike

More Help on the Way

Many thanks to the Voters of El Segundo for electing candidates last week to aid existing City Council members in continuing the positive changes started two years ago…well done El Segundo voters!

– Richard Switz

Continue reading →

Posted in California, El Segundo, El Segundo Election Coverage, El Segundo Herald Letters, El Segundo News, Elections, Letters to the Editor, Politics | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on More Help on the Way – Letter to the El Segundo Herald by Richard Switz

What are Provisional Ballots, Why are They Useful, and Who Should Use Them?

Posted on April 21, 2016 by Mike

California state election law allows voters to request and vote a provisional ballot at a poll on election day if their name and address do not appear on the roster of registered voters at that poll, or if their name and address are marked as a voter who was sent a vote-by-mail ballot.

What are provisional ballots?

Provisional ballots are special ballots that are cast at the poll on election day, but like vote-by-mail ballots, are placed in a sealed envelope with the voter’s name, address or other information, and signature on it. Each provisional ballot is placed in an envelope to keep it identified and segregated from all the other ballots cast on election day, to allow it to be verified that the person who voted the provisional ballot is:

  1. A registered voter in the election district;
  2. Is the registered voter in whose name they voted; and
  3. Did not also vote and send in a vote-by-mail ballot which would be a duplicate ballot.

Provisional ballots and vote-by-mail ballots are verified in the same way. The signature on the envelope of a provisional or vote-by-mail ballot is compared with the signature on the voter registration card. And it is also verified that the voter did not vote both a provisional ballot and a vote-by-mail ballot. … Continue reading →

Posted in California, El Segundo, El Segundo Election Coverage, El Segundo News, Elections, Politics | Tagged , , , , , , , | Comments Off on What are Provisional Ballots, Why are They Useful, and Who Should Use Them?

543 Ballots Remain to be Counted for the April 12, 2016 El Segundo General Municipal Election

Posted on April 20, 2016 by Mike

By Michael D. Robbins

Due to a new California election law, vote-by-mail ballots will be counted if they are postmarked on or before election day, and they are delivered to City Hall on or before the Friday after the election. Although City Hall is closed every Friday, the City has a special permit or arrangement for the Post Office to hold all mail that would have been delivered on Friday had City Hall been open, and deliver that mail on Monday segregated from the regular Monday mail delivery.

The total number of uncounted ballots, including provisional ballots cast at the polls on election day, and vote-by-mail ballots received by the new deadline, has swelled to 543 ballots. All of these ballots must be verified that they are not duplicate ballots for the same voter (e.g., if the voter voted both their vote-by-mail ballot and a provisional ballot at the poll), that the signature on each ballot envelope matches the signature on the voter’s registration card, and for provisional ballots, that the voter is registered to vote.

It is possible but highly unlikely the election outcome will change. The only possible change is for City Council candidates Don Brann and Marie Fellhauer. The outcome for the other City Council candidates, and for Measure B – the 50 percent increase in the Hotel Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) from 8 to 12 percent – cannot change. … Continue reading →

Posted in California, El Segundo, El Segundo Election Coverage, El Segundo Hotel Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT), El Segundo Measure B TOT Tax Hike, El Segundo News, El Segundo Tax and Fee Increases, Elections, Politics, Tax Policy and Issues | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on 543 Ballots Remain to be Counted for the April 12, 2016 El Segundo General Municipal Election

Knows Who She’s Not Voting For Council – Letter to the El Segundo Herald by Donna Hooper

Posted on March 24, 2016 by Mike

Knows Who She’s Not Voting For Council

A little less than three years ago, Spring 2013, Marie Fellhauer and Dave Atkinson joined with Bill Fisher in the sleaziest operation I have seen in the 48 years I’ve lived in El Segundo. They pushed Carl Jacobson out of his position as mayor in the middle of his term and replaced him with Bill Fisher. This is not the way decent people act and therefore I will not vote for either Marie Fellhauer or Dave Atkinson to continue on the El Segundo City Council.

– Donna Hooper Continue reading →

Posted in California, El Segundo, El Segundo Election Coverage, El Segundo Herald Letters, El Segundo News, Elections, Letters to the Editor, Political Corruption, Politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Knows Who She’s Not Voting For Council – Letter to the El Segundo Herald by Donna Hooper

November 4, 2014 General Election News and Information

Posted on October 31, 2014 by Mike

By Michael D. Robbins
October 31, 2014

Election information and recommendations for the November 4, 2014 General Election will be posted here on the days leading up to the election. Please check back regularly. This will include recommendations for candidates and ballot measures, possibly including judges.

Here are some ground-rules for this election:

  1. Vote Against Scott Houston!
    Vote for Stephen Murray instead for West Basin Municipal Water District, Division 4 Director.
  2. Vote Against Al Muratsuchi!
    Vote for David Hadley instead in California’s 66th State Assembly District.
  3. Ignore All Campaign Slate Mailers!
  4. Vote Against Candidates Endorsed and Supported by Firefighter, Police, Teacher, and Other Government Employee Unions who expect large pay and pension increases and tax hikes to pay for those increases.
  5. Vote Against Candidates Endorsed by Militant And Extortionist Labor Unions who artificially increase consumer prices and taxes.

VOTE AGAINST SCOTT HOUSTON!

Vote for Stephen Murray instead.

BE SURE to vote AGAINST Scott Houston for West Basin Municipal Water District, Division 4, Member of the Board of Directors if you DO NOT want additional unnecessary water rate increases. Vote for Stephen Murray instead. All three candidates are “progressive” (ultra-liberal) Democrats, but Scott Houston is the absolute worst. If he had his way and was successful, El Segundo residents and businesses would have lost our local fire department, and would have suffered at least THIRTEEN TAX HIKES to pay for wildly excessive and unsustainable firefighter and police union salary, benefits, and pension increases handed out as rewards for campaign support to City Council candidates.

VOTE AGAINST AL MURATSUCHI!

Vote for David Hadley instead in California’s 66th State Assembly District.

He has voted as a rubber stamp for nearly all of the radical Democrat agenda, including making California into a sanctuary state for illegal aliens including gangsters, drug smugglers, and terrorists; expanding rights and privileges for illegal aliens while reducing rights and freedoms for citizens; banning plastic bags; banning traditional self-defense, sporting, and collectible firearms including even single-shot handguns; and more.

IGNORE ALL CAMPAIGN SLATE MAILERS!

Candidates and campaigns for and against ballot measures PAY to appear in those slate mailers regardless of their political party, voting record, politics, and agendas. They are phony and deceptive. They almost always have no connection to the causes they claim they represent, such as protecting Proposition 13, taxpayers, and women. They are tailored for the registered political party of the recipients to deceive them.

There will be more information to come. Please check back regularly between now and the close of polls on election day, and after election day for recommendations and analysis.

VOTE AGAINST CANDIDATES ENDORSED AND SUPPORTED BY BY FIREFIGHTER, POLICE, TEACHER, AND OTHER GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEE UNIONS

Firefighter, police, teacher, and other government employee unions endorse, contribute to, and support the campaigns of the candidates and ballot measures that will give them the biggest salary, benefits, and pension increases, no matter how excessive and unsustainable, and raise our taxes and fees to pay for it all. That is why many cities in California are being pushed down the road toward bankruptcy, and some have already filed for bankruptcy.

There is an inherent and unavoidable conflict of interest when government employees are allowed to unionize and engage in collective bargaining, and then exercise their inalienable First Amendment right to campaign to elect (hire) their own bosses who will negotiate their salaries, benefits, and pensions with them and give final approval in secret (closed session) meetings.

VOTE AGAINST CANDIDATES ENDORSED BY MILITANT AND EXTORTIONIST LABOR UNIONS

Vote against candidates endorsed by unions that use militant and extortionist tactics including sabotage, endangerment, and/or violence to force employers to unionize their employees and meet the union bosses’ demands, or be forced out of business.

Vote against candidates endorsed by the SEIU. Their official Contract Campaign Manual, made public by discovery in a lawsuit against them, teaches extortionist methods to sabotage businesses in ways that can get innocent employees and customers killed.

Thank you.

Mike Robbins

Continue reading →

Posted in California, El Segundo, El Segundo Election Coverage, El Segundo News, El Segundo Tax and Fee Increases, Firefighter Union Corruption, Police Union Corruption, Political Corruption, Union Corruption | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on November 4, 2014 General Election News and Information

Support Hadley against extremist Muratsuchi – Letter to the Daily Breeze by Marianne Fong

Posted on October 29, 2014 by Mike

Daily Breeze

dailybreeze.com

LAX TO L.A. HARBOR

In South Bay, support Hadley against extremist Muratsuchi: Letters

POSTED: 10/28/14, 3:12 PM PDT | 0 COMMENTS

Support Hadley against extremist Muratsuchi

Please vote for David Hadley in the 66th State Assembly District. His opponent, Al Muratsuchi, voted for the extremist Democrat agenda while pretending to be a moderate. For example, Muratsuchi voted for AB 1266, which requires schools to allow K-12 students to use the bathrooms, locker rooms and showers of the sex of their choice, regardless of their biological sex.

Muratsuchi’s campaign called my father’s home, claiming he is endorsed by the Redondo Beach, Torrance and Gardena police departments. That is false. Muratsuchi is endorsed by police, fire, and other government unions, which is a conflict of interest. They endorse candidates whose votes will give them the biggest pay and pension increases, and raise our taxes to pay for it. That’s why police and firefighter total compensation is $150,000 to more than $330,000 per year.

Muratsuchi’s campaign is attacking those who believe we are taxed enough already. Please disagree by voting for David Hadley.

Marianne Fong, El Segundo
Continue reading →

Posted in Beach Reporter Letters, California, Elections, Firefighter and Police Union Compensation and Pensions, Firefighter Union Corruption, Government Employee Compensation and Pensions, Letters to the Editor, Police Union Corruption, Political Corruption, Politics, Union Corruption | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Support Hadley against extremist Muratsuchi – Letter to the Daily Breeze by Marianne Fong

Vote AGAINST Scott Houston – Letter to the El Segundo Herald by Mike Robbins

Posted on October 23, 2014 by Mike

Vote AGAINST Scott Houston

Vote AGAINST Scott Houston for West Basin Municipal Water District Board of Directors if you don’t want additional unnecessary water rate increases. Two-time City Council loser Houston is the absolute worst of three “progressive” (ultra-liberal/leftist) Democrats running. Vote FOR Stephen Murray instead.

Houston supported Measure P, the firefighter union’s initiative (4/10/12 ballot), which was defeated by 90% of El Segundo voters. It would have disbanded our local Fire Department and transferred our fire and paramedic services, and firefighters, to Los Angeles County for inferior services. It would have eliminated 31% of our on-duty firefighters, two paramedic squads, and all three paramedic transport ambulances, doubling hospital transport times.

Houston lobbied the City Council (2/15/11 meeting video) to enact Measure P directly into law without allowing the voters to vote on it!

Houston supported THIRTEEN TAX HIKES, including ELEVEN TAX HIKES in Measure A (4/8/14 ballot; 3/13/14 Herald letter).

Houston took endorsements and huge campaign contributions from the police officers’ “association” (union). Police, firefighter, and other government unions support candidates and ballot measures that will give them the biggest pay and pension increases, and raise our taxes to pay for it. That’s why our police and firefighters are paid $150,000 to $330,000 each in total annual compensation.

Houston campaigns claiming qualifications and positions he does not possess. He wants to use WBMWD as a stepping stone to higher office to promote Big Government tax-and-spend “progressive” politics.

Houston is a government union puppet, not a representative of the people.

– Mike Robbins

NOTE BY MICHAEL D. ROBBINS:

This letter was submitted with an error that is corrected above. “Metropolitan” was corrected to “Municipal”. I was researching both the West Basin Municipal Water District (WBMWD) and its up-stream water provider Metropolitan Water District (MWD) just before I wrote this letter, hence the mistake.

Continue reading →

Posted in California, El Segundo, El Segundo Election Coverage, El Segundo Herald Letters, El Segundo News, El Segundo Tax and Fee Increases, Elections, Firefighter and Police Union Compensation and Pensions, Firefighter Union Corruption, Government Employee Compensation and Pensions, Letters to the Editor, Measure A - 5 New Taxes and 6 Tax Inceases, Measure P - Firefighters Union Initiative, Police Union Corruption, Political Corruption, Politics, Tax Policy and Issues, Union Corruption | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Vote AGAINST Scott Houston – Letter to the El Segundo Herald by Mike Robbins