Election Recount Results

The election recount took place tonight and the results remain the same as before. Actually, based on the new count Don Campbell wins his council seat by two votes instead of a single vote. Looks like Topete and his buddies lose their $1000. They have 24 hours to protest these latest results but hopefully they have learned their lesson by now and they will start to behave like civilized people and stop harassing city employees.

Sheriff Gang Unit

Some of you may have noticed that in the last few weeks there has been an increase in activity by the Kern County Sheriff Department in our area. I am grateful that our new sheriff Donnie Youngblood and his staff have done their best to act quickly and try to stop the gang violence before it gets out of control. While driving around town over the past few weeks I have witnessed two arrests and I was even pulled over by a sheriff who was working hard trying to track down someone that had stolen a vehicle.

Mr. Youngblood is asking for everyone's support in reporting any suspicious activity or tips that may lead to more gang member arrests. Please contact the local sheriff department at 792-2121.

Here is a copy of a memo that was distributed to McFarland city council members describing some of the work that has been done recently. http://s135462243.onlinehome.us/resources/Sheriff+Memo.pdf

City Hall Protest

McFarland just can't seem to stay out of the news. Yesterday afternoon a group of people decided to protest the election results in front of city hall. Humberto Topete went into city hall yesterday to get an explanation on the process that needs to be followed to initiate another vote recount. He has until Monday to submit a letter of protest and a $1000 deposit, this is all that is required to start the process for another recount. Very simple.

After the process was completely explained to Humberto, later that day, he and his friends decided to stage a protest in front of city hall demanding another recount. I don't quite understand why it was necessary to stage a protest. No one has denied him and his friends the right to a recount. It seems that this guy has a difficult time understanding simple directions. This is what he and his Melendez groupies are like, they can't understand and follow simple processes. And they think they can manage this city?

I hope they decide to put up the $1000 deposit. If the recount fails to yield any different results, then the deposit will have to be forfeited and it will be used to cover the costs for the recount. Let's see if these guys are willing to gamble their own money on this, should be interesting. My bet is that they won't do anything and they'll continue to whine about it. They are very good at that and whining doesn't cost them any money.

http://www.turnto23.com/video/11265175/detail.html

http://www.kget.com/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=91B8EC0E-1E2D-48B3-B2FA-DD9474B647DE&gsa=true

Election Results

This was a close race, too close. But I'm not surprised that it was so close after we began to hear the lies that the 9th street group was telling people as they went door to door the last few days before the election. But that's past us now and they can't cause too much trouble with city matters.

Results based on the hand count.
Mayor:
Ken Rosson = 289
Hilda Osorio = 269

Councilmember:
Sam Cantu = 279
Don Campbell = 263
Humberto Topete = 262
Socorro Munoz = 234

Here is a letter from the company that oversees the election with their recommendation that the hand count be certified.

http://s135462243.onlinehome.us/resources/MartinChapmanLetter.pdf
http://s135462243.onlinehome.us/resources/MartinChapmanLetterMemo2.pdf

Election News

The local election has been receiving some press coverage over the last few days. Our current mayor Ken Rosson was interviewed along with Hilda Osorio. The differences between the two people are clear. Mr. Rosson is clearly more prepared and experienced, while Hilda appears lost. Having her elected as mayor would be a disaster for the city and McFarland would lose credibility. She would like to setup a police department in our city but doesn't mention how she would pay for one. Nice goal but a bit unrealistic at this time.

Bakersfield Californian Article
http://s135462243.onlinehome.us/resources/2007_03_04+Election.pdf

Eye 29 News Clip
http://s135462243.onlinehome.us/resources/_Cable-7_20070302_180552.wmv