A recurring issue we've had here in Rosemead is that the editorial board of the local paper has been vocally and unabashedly pro-Wal-Mart.  Headlines, letters to the editor, and (presumably) news stories are often edited in ways that both subtle and unsubtle to present the point of view that a Wal-Mart in Rosemead would bring unimaginable wealth to our city while having no plausible downside.  A recent letter to the editor illustrates this point

From the San Gabriel Valley Tribune, January 8, 2006:

Hampered by budget cuts and a shortage of officers, the time it takes for Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies to respond to public calls for help - including life-threatening emergencies - is increasing, according to Sheriff's Department data.

Since 2002, average response times to emergency calls have risen 4 percent to five minutes in cities that contract with the department. In unincorporated areas, average response times have increased 3 percent to 6.4 minutes. The time it takes deputies to respond to "priority" calls for such things as robberies, burglaries and domestic violence has increased 19percent in contract cities and 17 percent in unincorporated areas, according to the data. Response times to "routine" calls like stolen vehicles, missing people and vandalism have increased 12 percent in contract cities and 18 percent in unincorporated areas.

Polly Low's campaign headquarters is located at 8730 Valley Blvd, just a half block west of city hall and a short block east of Walnut Grove.  Precinct walking continues on weekends, from around 10am - dark. 

Victor Ruiz is running his campaign out of 9703 Olney St.

Any time you can spare to help bring change to Rosemead would be appreciated.

If you'd like me to forward a message to either of these candidates, send me an e-mail at news@saveourcommunity.us

Article about Jim Flournoy's work on the earthquake fault issue:

Cached version at:

http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:7s1W1koyHEJ:www.sgvtribune.com/news/ci_3366712+flournoy+earthquake&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=2

An older story, but I love that quote from Sam Yue:  "There are no changes to our preparations.  We are going to assume the worst and continue our campaign."  As I said a few weeks ago, it really says something about your candidate when "the worst" would be to have to stand before the voters in an election.  So much better to play duck and cover, eh?

At the request of City Councilmembers Tran, Nunez, and Clark, the Rosemead City Council met in special session on December 16th, 2005. At that meeting, the council rescinded its actions of December 5th and re-established the recall election for February 7th, 2006.

Councilmen Tran and Nunez were joined by Councilwoman Clark in voting to reinstate the election. Councilmen Imperial and Taylor voted against reinstating the election.

$75,000. You already know that was Wal-Mart's *direct* political spending in Rosemead in the last municipal election. The Wal-Mart sock puppets made much of the fact that various labor unions combined to spend slightly more than that amount in that same election.

What you may not know is that the $75,000 in direct spending represents the beginning, not the end, of Wal-Mart's efforts to buy the loyalities of Rosemead voters. Some examples: Those ugly yellow t-shirts worn by the Wal-Mart sock puppets at last night's city council meeting? Paid for by Wal-Mart, but not included among its "political" spending. The food at their buffet before the meeting, and rental charges for the rec room at Rosemead Park? Also paid for by Wal-Mart, but not counted among its "political" spending. The phone bank and post cards they used to publicize the free food and to turn out their potential supporters to the city council meeting? Paid by Wal-Mart, but not included among its "political" spending. The glossy, colorful Wal-Mart "good deeds" flyer that appeared in your mailbox late last week? Again, paid for by Wal-Mart, but not included among its "political" spending.

At the December 13 City Council meeting, Councilwoman Clark tried to make much of the fact that, following the March 2005 municipal election, SOC declined her invitation to walk an initiative referendum petition to re-qualify a chance for Rosemead voters to get a say in whether or not a Wal-Mart Supercenter should be constructed in our city. She seems to think that it should have been up to us to qualify a referendum (again), rather than up to her to place the issue on the ballot.

Please set aside time on Tuesday, December 13, 2005, around 7:00 pm.

The Rosemead City Council will meet in the Rosemead High School auditorium [near the corner of Rosemead Blvd and Mission Road] to consider certification of the revised environmental impact report. Barring a last-minute change of heart, it's likely that certification will occur. But it's important for us to show Wal-Mart that our commitment to fight is still strong.