Aug 29 2008
In The Pocket?
Something Iâve put off commenting about is brewing under the surface and hinted at in various places in the Times-Call and the internet. Were four councilmembers (Benker, Hansen, McCoy, and Levison) bought and paid for by special interests?
Much was made of candidate, now councilmember, Gabe Santos receiving a contribution of $5,000 by the Longmont Association of Realtors in January, 2008. As far as I can tell, I havenât seen any proposed ordinances or resolutions brought forward in the name of this organization, so obviously thereâs not been a vote. Nevermind, it takes more than a lone vote on council to pass such a thing.
On the other hand, there has been a major issue brought forward that could change our city charter and at the very least will cost the city thousands of dollars in a special election: collective bargaining for certain police and fire employees. I advocated for this group in 2004, and am leaning towards voting their way once again this year, so this has nothing to do with pro or anti-union positions. As hard as it may be, put that aside for the sake of this discussion.
Letâs look at the hard numbers: Karen Benker received a $1,500 cash donation and a $266.75 endorsement advertisement from the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP). Brian Hansen received a $500 cash donation and the same $266.75 ad buy. Sean McCoy received a $1,000 cash donation and the same $266.75 ad buy from the Longmont Police Officers Assocation (LPOA). Sarah Levison received a $1,000 cash donation from the LPOA, but I canât find an ad buy. No other candidates received these donations, and Iâve been told all were interviewed. This is a grand total of $4,800.25.
Since this is not a partisan group (some would argue that point), like one of the political parties (weâre supposed to have a non-partisan electoral structure in
When
the unionization concept was brought to council on first reading, these
four didnât much question the language, all four voted for it with
little hesitation. The other three members of council (Lange, Blue, and
A big concern thatâs been conveyed to me, and I agree, is that this vote may become a referendum on city council, these four members in particular. Itâs not fair to our police and fire employees to be saddled with that. If thatâs truly a concern amongst voters, especially those in favor of this collective bargaining, how about separating it out and just have a flat out recall of these four members?
Yeah, I know, fat chance and a little extreme. But I do have an easier alternative: each of these four councilmembers make $1,000 a month for the service they provide, and donât get me wrong, as much as I tear into them (and previous councils as well, for those that have forgotten), they do put in a lot of their own time in their elected positions. I suggest, to avoid any suggestion of impropriety, and to truly help the police and fire employees they claim to support, that these four councilmembers forego enough of their stipend equal to these contributions and put it back into the General Fund.