Pro-Life Safe Surrender Baby Haven Endorses Samuel Anderson Manteca City Council

The nations largest non-profit organization of pro-life and the protection of newborns have endorsed Samuel Anderson for city council of Manteca California.

Samuel Anderson has served as the President of the Safe Surrender Baby Safe Haven and has championed the fight for the protection of the safe surrender of newborns from mothers who are and were afraid of their pregnancies. Safe Surrender offers a better alternative to mothers who would otherwise abandon their babies and offers 'No Names, No Blame' surrender to any fire station, police department and/or hospitals.

Clearly, Samuel Anderson is the pro life candidate with family values.

Steve DeBrum And Jack Snyder Spend BIG On Last Minute Campaign Marketing

It didn't take long for both city council candidates to spend their war chest on a last minute blitz on Manteca voters in an all out attempt to make it APPEAR they are the best candidate to vote for.

I disagree! Here's why.

First, there are two very large color voter marketing guides that were sent out by the following:

The San Joaquin Republican Assembly - CRA - It states: This election we have the opportunity to re-elect Republicans Steve DeBrum and Jack Snyder to the Manteca City Council. I am proud to endorse these two dedicated "tax-fighters".

Let me put it simple for everyone reading this. The CRA members are well connected to the two incumbents and rely on their network of who is in power in order to keep their personal network. It's a bunch of fluff, no matter what party, Democrat or Republican.

When I had interviewed Samuel Anderson and his experience with the CRA he really was disappointed about this organization. Here is what he said. "When I arrived at their meeting and spoke I knew I was the most conservative candidate of all the candidates and these mailings prove their hypocrisy. They were more concerned about how I would use my position based on THEIR Biblical beliefs and considered EVERYONE else of belonging to a 'cult' because they were not 'Christians', at least in their own terms of that definition." "I have decided that they were too radical and nuts for me to even allow them to endorse me."

OK, so now you have heard what our leading candidate had to say about the CRA. From our investigation we also know that many of their members are members of other groups that also endorse the same candidates. Talk about keeping it in the family. But, where on earth are they coming up with the sentence, "tax-fighters"? Manteca is the HIGHEST taxed city in San Joaquin County because of Steve DeBrum and Jack Snyder.

Our advice to the public: Do not believe the CRA (California Republican Assembly).

Let us visit the other made up marketing post card. This one is huge. It has a picture of both candidates Steve Debrum and Jack Snyder with a picture of Rex Osborn and VanClei DeFreitas. This paid advertisement states that the two councilmen are dedicated to our community and have the endorsement of the Manteca Police Officers Association and Employee's Association.

We have found out through direct contact of employees that they were pretty much forced into this and did not want to get involved, but through the arm twisting of probably some of the fellows whose picture are on the post card they went ahead regardless. This is a guess, but I'm sure quite accurate.

Allow me to put this simple for everyone. All this smells of a well-spent campaign on trying to keep in power the good'ole boys club. Why on earth would you even vote for these two men? Why on earth would you not be able to see of their acceptance of Pacific Gas and Electric money that citizens of Manteca consider their rate-payer money. And, Pacific Gas and Electric has spent over $250,000 on the anti-family homosexual activist group 'No on Proposition 8'.

Now, Steve DeBrum is a Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus that supports Proposition 8 and here he has taken money from Pacific Gas and Electric. I'm not saying too much about Jack Snyder here because he is old news. He's out! Mantecans want new blood and he's spent too much time on the council already, he will not win and don't waste your vote.

Manteca, just look at the associations of everyone and who they belong to. Let me give you this for breakfast. One of the two men in the photo together happens to have a girlfriend who is the executive director of the Manteca Visitors Bureau that was started by Steve DeBrum and his wife. Do you see what I mean? You do the math. Everyone in the know knows this and in case you didn't, now you do.

The Manteca Bulletin today posted Shasta School student voting results on the election of the city council in this order:

Tony Smith
Debby Moorhead
Jack Snyder
Samuel Anderson
Steve DeBrum
Mike Hall
Ben Cantu
John Diaz

Let me break it down for you here. I think this is correct, EXCEPT for the following. Tony Smith does not stand a chance. Take him out of this picture. Now, bring up the following - Debby Moorhead and Jack Snyder. We know that Jack Snyder is not going to be re-elected. Now, bring it up again. What does this leave us with? It leaves us with what we have endorsed all along - Samuel Anderson and Debby Moorhead. People have already made up their minds in this election and because of the failure of our National government, all incumbents are and should be scared. They want the slate to be clean and the council to be filled with "NEW BLOOD". The Manteca Response agrees.

Manteca, do not be fooled with the mailers of Steve DeBrum and Jack Snyder. They have NOT earned your vote, they are paying for it with Pacific Gas and Electric anti-family homosexual 'No on Proposition 8' money. They knew that they were going to accept this tainted money and take their chances. Call it guilt by association.

On Election Day, Vote for Samuel Anderson and Debby Moorhead for Manteca City Council.

Manteca City Council Incumbents Forget The Family City

Dear Editor,

Manteca Incumbent Council Candidates DeBrum and Snyder each accepted donations of $850 from P.G.& E.; does this mean they are against Proposition 8?

In Mr. Snyder's case, being a member of the Masonic Lodge, it doesn't matter; however, Mr. DeBrum being a Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus, by taking money from P.G.& E. (which is backing the anti prop 8 movement to the tune of $250 thousand), seems to be countering the United States Bishops Committee on Marriage and the Family as well as the Knights of Columbus!

This simply cannot be.

Mr. DeBrum must give this tainted donation back to P.G.& E. or risk losing the votes of his church members and all that are in favor of prop 8! I'm sure he's rationalized it in his own mind as being a necessary political expedient and didn't think it would get out. But thanks to the due diligence of journalism it is out. I don't know the man but taking dirty money sullies whatever good he thinks he may be able to do with it.

Same sex marriage is against God's law, against age old secular norms and against common sense! The deviates are trying to turn the tables by implying that the issue is one of fairness and equality. Let them shack up and shut up! Marriage is a sacrament originally ordained by God to protect children by exemplifying the union of man and woman.

The family is the building block which makes up the foundation upon which any decent nation rests. As the idea of family is corrupted the foundation begins to crack and the nation collapses.

Steven J. Catalano
Manteca, USA

My Personal Notes Today

I have a question for the two Manteca City Council Candidates. Does their Supporters realize the hot button issue of the acceptance of PG&E money? I'm willing to bet that they don't know. I now realize why some candidates do not accept endorsements. It could backfire on you at anytime when you least expect it.

I have been getting emails about the 'Letter to the Editor' from one of the candidates who voiced his opinion regarding this issue. Two things here. First, you can contact me to list your letter as well, but I must know who you are. Second, if you wish to Comment, then inform our readers who you are. If you don't like this blog then go start one of your own. I call the shots as I see them and with this PG&E money and them being involved with Prop 8, I do have an issue with this. This company should have stayed out of it and the two city council incumbents should have not accepted this money because it is an insult to most families in Manteca.

PG&E Donates To Homosexual Activists Against Prop 8 Including Steve DeBrum And Jack Snyder

I'm not going to discuss this one too much because it is obvious that Jack Snyder and Steve DeBrum have hidden their intentions to the voters by filing late to avoid any voters to change their minds on the absentee ballots. This is called a trick and since it's close to Halloween, I find it interesting that the trick is on us and the treat is on them.

Pacific Gas and Electric uses what they call 'shareholder' money in campaigns, but most people who are PG&E customers see it as 'ratepayer' money.

Steve DeBrum lists on his website that he is a member and Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus at St. Anthony's Parish in Manteca. However, the U.S. Bishops Committee on Marriage and Family and the Knights of Columbus are spearheading Proposition 8 in California. Yet, Steve DeBrum continues to accept homosexual activist money from PG&E who is against Proposition 8 and for the defeat of family marriage and has donated $250,000.00 for the defeat of Proposition 8.

These two men who claim to be honorable are actually HORRIBLE!

They need to do the honorable thing and give back the money and repent to Manteca citizens. What a lie and full-out trickery just like a den of thieves. All this to retain their seats on the council.

My vote goes for Samuel Anderson, again. He's the ONLY candidate that openly supports marriage for one man and one woman and Proposition 8. It is amazing how the ministers and preachers of Manteca don't do anything about this. Where are they? If you don't speak out against these two, then all of YOU are hypocrites just like them. I'll be sure to keep an eye out on the clergy in Manteca on this issue. I'll post you my update about the ministers later on.

Sun Post Uses Half It's Brain On Candidates Forum

The Sun Post website has been down for quite some time and even when it was up and running, it was terrible to look at. You call this a newspaper?

Regardless, I just finished reading their article about the candidates forum and I even watched the forum yesterday on Comcast Cable Access 97.

After carefully watching the forum and trying to see if there was a match with the article, there appears to be a bias in there because it was just boring. I'll get to the point here. Things were put together in such a way that it appeared that one candidate looked better on print instead of the forum. I smell a set-up!

I've seen this before. It happens all the time. The newspaper will set themselves up first so they are protected and appear non-biased so that when it comes time for this so called traditional "endorsement" from the editors, they will go with who THEY want, not what the public wants.

In my opinion I know who the public wants, but then again, what it comes down to is on election day. When the voter decides. The trick for the candidates is: get as many votes for you prior to the election so you can stand a chance at winning.

There are several ways of doing this and those with money do what I call, 'Armchair Politics'.

This is when you can trick your voter into believing you have been endorsed by several voter guides that cleverly have your name along side everyone else in a political party and they send it out ahead of time so that you can see this marketing image AND they say, "Send it in NOW so that your vote will count and NOT get lost in the mail." This is designed so that you won't and can't change your mind later on.

By the way. Carlon Perry of the Sun Post has used this method and so had Steve DeBrum and Jack Snyder. I call this chickenshit! They can't get their fat asses out the door campaigning and wish to deceive you of your vote. This is exactly what it is. Carlon is the same as the others when it comes time for voting and I'm going to bet that he does NOT endorse Samuel Anderson. Why? Because Samuel is a true guy. He's been listening and he's been going out there and getting the vote, meaning, he's been listening to what the people want and he can come up with any idea to solve the problems we face in our city. No other candidates have done this.

Oh, they have looked pretty on the forum, but the new challengers did not have a platform. NONE! Ben Cantu only complained and he even mentioned he designed and built the current animal shelter which he is not proud of. All Ben could do is use his time to get out all this built up anger inside of him after all these years of working for our city and getting dumped on by the city council.

I have news for everyone in Manteca. Ben Cantu is still part of THE CLUB where everyone on the board except Vince belongs to. He happens to be the President of the Kiwanis, too. He also has a very nice retirement from our city right now AND he also is hired by the current board to work on various projects as a consultant. He was seen at a recent board meeting where he praised the current council for their decision on the work they hired him to do. Do we really want to vote someone on the board that is a whiner? He has potential, but he whines too much and has a grudge. We don't need that kind of behavior on our city council.

Debby Moorhead did pretty good. She did not seem too afraid this time around speaking. However, she's a good manager, but she's 'old school'. Even though she did have some good moments, she appear better in the article than the forum.

Jack Snyder and Steve DeBrum were on the defensive most of the time and tried to make it look easy, but they did struggle a bit trying to get their point across and seeming as if they did not do anything wrong. Their biggest mistake was "we're not responsible for the foreclosures in Manteca, it's a national problem." I don't think anyone bought that one. They over-built and that's a fact. They got greedy. Also, Jack Snyder has seen his last days, I don't think he has a prayer of winning, but he certainly can divide the votes. Hopefully enough to elect Samuel Anderson.

John Diaz tried as best he could, but he could not relate to anyone.

Here is my conclusion. The Sun Post will not choose the right candidates for endorsement and you've heard it here first. At least one of them should be Samuel Anderson. He worked hard for this and I have personally followed him twice going door to door. Both times I met him on the street without a previous meeting date set. This means he was out there no matter what time I chose. Second, he understands and hears what we need straight from the citizens mouths. He knows our concerns and he knows how to fix them. No other candidate has worked like this. Some have passed out flyer's using others, but Samuel has used his time and efforts to win this fairly.

Here is what I think will happen. Carlon Perry will choose Steve and Debby. Why? Because he is beholden to them. It's still a good'ole boys club. He'll tend to lean with who has been endorsed as they have stuck together on this. Might I remind you that the GOP has also endorsed Colin Powell and Arnold Schwarzenegger some time before several times. We now know who they belong to, they are the RINO's and Colin Powell has endorsed Obama. I'll talk about him sometime later on. However, it's a club and clubs stick together. They don't want outsiders involved with them. Samuel Anderson is our BEST choice for city council of Manteca.

Manteca City Council Debate Forum On Cable Access 97

Please be sure to watch the Manteca City Council debate forum with the city council candidates. Please ensure you pass it on to your friends and neighbors.

Please be advised the candidates forum will be rebroadcast on Channel 97 as follows;

October 24, 2008 at 3:00 P.M.; and
October 27, 2008 at 6:00 P.M.

How I Would Describe An Obama Presidency

While suturing a cut on the hand of a 75 year old rancher, who's hand was caught in the gate while working cattle, the doctor struck up a conversation with the old man. Eventually, the topic got around to Obama and his bid to be our president.

The old rancher said, 'Well, ya know, Obama is a 'Post Turtle''.

Not being familiar with the term, the doctor asked him what a 'post turtle' was.

The old rancher said, 'When your driving down a country road, and you come across a fence post with a turtle balanced on top, that's a 'post turtle''.

The old rancher saw the puzzled look on the doctor's face, so he continued to explain, 'You know he didn't get up there by himself, he doesn't belong up there, and he doesn't know what to do while he's up there, and you just wonder what kind of dumbass put him up there to begin with'.

Manteca City Council Member Posts Political Sign On School Property

I would like to know how they are getting away with being able to post their signs on school property. I was actually driving to the new Bass Pro Shop to have a look and as I was arriving and leaving, I noticed Steve DeBrum's political sign, the 4' x 8' size (four foot by eight foot) hanging on the mesh fence on the elementary school on Pagola and Atherton. See the image I took.

To my knowledge, the police department code enforcement office run by Rex Osborn has determined this to be legal. I'm going to call the school board tomorrow.

Manteca: Build it and they will come

The current city council had made the decision years ago to ride the economic wave that was sweeping our country and ride they did. Vince Hernandez was quoted in September 2007 after winning re-election that "we must ride this wave to the fullest and then some". Samuel Anderson had a different tune, "We need to save and if we don't, we'll be in a huge deficit and we're going to get hit by a housing burst, it's just a matter of time and it's going to be soon."

The current council is still trying to promote the growth and they want to continue to build and build and build more store fronts and business parks. However, there aren't any tenants to occupy the buildings.

Industrial Way is still the biggest failure and worst eyesore there is in Manteca, but hey, as the good ole' boys keep saying with the Manteca Bulletin, "Build it and they will come."

Here are some pictures of our many business centers that are completely unoccupied.
Do you see any cars parked there waiting to get in? I think we need new blood on our council. This year, Vote Samuel Anderson and Debby Moorhead.

Manteca City Council Candidates Show Their Platform

Thursday night at the City Chambers showed what the candidates were made of. In a home style fashion the debate was between four challengers and two incumbents.

Tony Smith and Mike Hall were no shows. They missed the boat and they have more than showed that their campaigns were not serious to begin with and failed from the start. Say goodbye to the two.

Ben Cantu had the golden moment to show what he was about and although he had some valid and confident responses, he basically was a cry-baby and complained the entire time. When it came time for the animal shelter answer he pretty much sunk his campaign right then and there when he said that he was the one responsible for building that shelter. Oops! Not a good answer, Ben! Hence what others have been saying about Ben 'Can't-do'. He did not fight!

Debby Moorhead appeared more confident than other engagements and gave a good performance, she was able to answer some good questions but lacked any punch. She was able to get rid of her cry-baby attitude that she is known for. She must have given it to Ben. Good job, Debby. Debby did get a little aggressive, but lacked punch.

John Diaz shook like a lamb. He tried and gave it his best, but he lacked any experience whatsoever in the public forum. He did have his entire family and support present. If John wishes to be in politics, he's going to have to get good at it and stick with it for quite a while before anyone in Manteca will deliver on the votes for him. Nice try John, but no cigar.

Samuel Anderson came out being pure business. All the way professional and he was aggressive and delivered two hard striking punches to the incumbents. He was the only challenger who had it together and put up a fight. It was clear that Steve DeBrum's consultants were in the audience and maybe one of Jack's, but they were writing down just about everything Samuel had to say.

Maybe this is good or maybe it could be a set-up for later. Samuel had issues with Steve DeBrum and Vince Hernandez in his prior election when they tried to get Samuel into trouble with the San Joaquin Republican Committee. It did not work and Samuel fought back and almost cost a current chief his last job. I have a word of advice for Steve DeBrum. Don't even try it this time around with Samuel. There are laws that protect people like him and personally, I think it would be absolutely crazy for you to try anything negative against him. It would be very stupid. There you go, that's my word for you today and you can take it or leave it. Oh, and the two boys, too. Be careful.

Samuel continued to answers the questions with high-impact answers and hitting the target each and every time. He was good and he was VERY good. It put everyone on notice. Great job, Samuel!

Jack Snyder was his old self. He gave some answers and he was still the old Jack we all know. It was clear that his time has come and I almost feel for him. But, he is old enough to realize that he is in this to possibly loose. We all think he will loose and the word is, Jack is now retired. He doesn't stand a chance and it's a shame that he did not walk out of politics on top, instead he listened to the boys and is going out a looser. Good bye, Jack!

Steve DeBrum appeared almost presidential, but he was more on the defense of his past accomplishments rather than the future. It appeared that Samuel was able to put him on the defensive end and it took away from his presentation. However, he did give some good answers and he just might make it through the election. He is still popular but with everything going on in this country right now, all incumbents are extremely vulnerable this year.

The main two that stood out were, Samuel Anderson and Steve DeBrum in that order. Maybe the council will have some new blood this year and hopefully it will be Samuel Anderson.

The Manteca Response Endorses New Blood For Manteca City Council

The Manteca Response has officially endorsed two candidates for Manteca City Council.


Samuel Anderson and Debby Moorhead.

Samuel Anderson has run a campaign that has taken him to the streets of Manteca door to door. He has communicated with the people. He has heard their concerns. He is the only candidate that has run a campaign in 2006 coming in third place with 25% of the vote.

Samuel Anderson's business experience is the perfect fit for cleaning house and ridding the current city staff of those who are not capable of their position. He is also well qualified to staff any position because of being a top recruiter in the nation at one time. Aside from having worked with major FORTUNE 500 companies, Samuel Anderson is also a Police Commander. His job is putting together an agency that fights crime on the Internet including gangs. His expert knowledge and experience in technology combined with law enforcement gives him an upper hand on being able to deal with gangs in our city. Other incumbents and candidates speak about crime and what they will do, Anderson understands what needs to be done.

Samuel is a Managing Partner of a well-known software company that provides software and systems for both law enforcement and cities to help them run more efficiently including community policing systems used world-wide. Anderson understands what technology can do and how it can help our city tremendously. He also understands where our city is currently and how we need to bring it up to standards where we all can live comfortably. Water and sewer are just the tip of the iceberg and establishing a rainy day fund with a lock on the cookie jar is something Manteca needs. Samuel Anderson is a true manager and facilitator and this is what Manteca deserves.

* * * * * * *

Debby Moorhead brings her experience of having lived her in the city and being a part of the Manteca Chamber of Commerce and its culture. She has management skills that could be used to ensure our city is on the right path for future generations including being a great fit for LAFCO. A grandmother and skilled manager, Manteca deserves to have this new blood on the city council.

Good luck to both these candidates.

The Record Endorses An Old Candidate Calling Him New

The Stockton Record has endorsed Ben Cantu, a newcomer to the political scene for Manteca's city council. However, they call Ben as being the 'new blood'. We beg to differ.

Ben Cantu has retired from the city of Manteca as a planner and states very openly that over the twenty years he has been on the employment of the city he did not like how it was run. Why then did he quit? He waited for his retirement, simple. I view this as a timid man who not only does not speak out when the time needed someone to do it, but he also condemns the very actions of previous councils that he was a very strong instrument in the planning of what he says 'went wrong'.

Ben Cantu is also against anyone from the "outside" moving into Manteca. He wants to keep it strictly for those who are from here. He is also a part of what Dennis Wyatt calls, THE CLUB. Here is an excerpt from the article:

THE CLUB: Apparently the service club to belong to in Manteca if you want to serve on the Manteca City Council is the Kiwanis, or more specifically, the Manteca Noon Kiwanis that meets Tuesdays at David & Sylvia's.

It counts among its membership rolls Mayor Willie Weatherford, Councilman Jack Snyder, Councilman John Harris and council candidate and current club president Ben Cantu.

Steve DeBrum - who is also up for re-election Nov. 4 along with Snyder - is a member of the Sunrise Kiwanis. As a footnote, council candidate Samuel Anderson is a former member of the Sunrise Kiwanis.

Clearly the Record and those in THE CLUB are in this together. They have realized that because of Samuel Anderson's door to door grassroots campaign, Jack Snyder is now too old to sit on the council and has no fresh ideas. I agree. However, we need new city council people who are not affiliated with THE CLUB and can actually get things done. The Stockton Record has endorsed two candidates for obvious reasons and this is exactly what they did in the 2006 election against Samuel Anderson, more of the same that has brought us more debt, and more crime.

Steve DeBrum Acknowledges Selling His Vote

On Monday, October 13, 2008 the Stockton Record endorsed Steve DeBrum for another term on the Manteca City Council. Aside from all the stink about the fund raising here is an excerpt from the Record's endorsement page.

"He acknowledged getting support from area developers, and that because of their financial support, they also get his ear; "you're owed that", says Steve DeBrum."

Since being on the board for six years already, he has not dealt with the continued higher crime and violence in Manteca. It always seems that on election years the incumbents try to show a different side of them that tries to listen to what the citizens are saying. What matters most is their election, not the city.

Steve DeBrum clearly is on the Developers council and is on record for selling his vote.

The Manteca Response does agree with the Record that Manteca needs new blood, however, we don't agree with keeping the old. Manteca needs new blood through and through.

Crime and our deficit are the two main items out of control at this time. Steve DeBrum currently wants to increase our city reserves fund, but there is a difference between a reserve and a rainy day fund. Don't let the difference fool you.

Manteca will always have opportunities because we are at a cross-road intersection in the valley and those with the money and capability to move here are looking at us and will consider us as a destination. We just can't continue to give it away all the time.

Fast Forward Manteca City Council Race

We are only 23 days away from election day and many Manteca voters are voting with absentee ballots. I have been following the candidates very closely and they are now starting to get it into high gear. For the most part.

Steve DeBrum has his website up and running finally. Steve DeBrum is more of the same and claims he is fiscally responsible. I'm not so sure about that. He helped place our city in debt over 8 million dollars. He did boast the highest fund raising to this date and he has been spending his money on signs and more likely marketing material in the mail to all voters disguised as voter guides. However, Steve has shown up at key meetings. He is also endorsed by his party. No door to door or direct grassroots campaigning.

Debby Moorhead has a simple website and a grandmother'ish platform. It's for the grand-kids! This is sweet but not enough substance for a councilwoman. Debby has not shown up for key meetings and if so, only for a few minutes in hopes that someone would say they have seen her there. We know this game, it's not going to work. She is also sponsored by her party. She has several signs around town. No door to door or direct grassroots campaigning.

I want to discuss something about political parties endorsing candidates. First, city council candidates are supposed to be non-partisan. Why then do we need the endorsement of party bosses? Why do we need the endorsements of others? This is something I like about Samuel Anderson, he knows what they are and does not always agree with them, he can think for himself. I questioned Samuel about this and he told me this. "I went to these groups and I told them, what things do you stand for that would allow me to give you the opportunity to endorse me"? "After they could not answer me with proper answers to my questions and many of them did not fall within my guidelines of what I know our citizens would require, I opted to NOT allow them to endorse me." "Let's just say they were stumped about how I concluded our meeting."

I love how he did this. He put the people first and not the party bosses. If you contact Samuel and follow his campaign, he is more conservative and fiscal than anyone. Besides, the California ProLife group endorsed John Diaz who is pro-choice in line with his democratic party. When they were called on this they responded that they could not find the time to research everyone. I see Samuel's point.

John Diaz has been running on a platform of more taxes and uses the race card to promote his agenda. He claims there are not enough minority venues for those who are not white and wishes to use it as his Trump card. At the same time he wants to promote ideas and items that should be in Congress, not city hall. Even so, this means more programs that would force us to use tax dollars on, specifically minorities, a specific group of people over another paid for by others. I would call this making a bad loan. Many Mantecans are upset at the mortgage industry at this time and John Diaz is one of them. His campaign has not been a true door to door. He uses others to place papers on doors without ringing the door bells. John has also made huge mistakes of trying to get all the other candidates together regarding missing signs. In typical democrat fashion he wanted to start a committee with the others as if he can do something about it and possibly get some spotlight out of it. In his own words:

"Dear all Candidates,

I have noticed that some of my Political signs has been stolen or been remove. Those signs are very expensive and been paid by my supporters. Maybe this is not only happening to me but also to you guys. I would like to set up a meeting among us to discuss this matter. If you are encountering the same problem maybe we could solve this by discussing what is the best thing to do.

My committee is now forming a watch dog group to drive around the city during night time, arm with camera and hope to catch who is behind this movement.

Please reply to this email

Thanks,

John Diaz"

He sent this to all the candidates and CC'd the press in the same email. This was not a good idea and this has made him look stupid. No one will take him seriously. Do you honestly think the other candidates care enough about his signs? Well, apparently Debby Moorhead responded and so did Tony Smith who advised them to show up at that nights city council meeting. He did and he basically stepped up when they were speaking on sewer and water and spoke out of line. He left in frustration and pretty much flushed his campaign down the toilet. Immature candidates for Manteca.

Jack Snyder has raised a lot of money, too. He has signs placed all over town, most of them in violation of city ordinance. He has so many large signs that this probably has cost him most of his money. He's now attempting to raise more money to purchase marketing voter guides in his favor just like Steve DeBrum. However, his age is playing a huge factor in getting votes. The Manteca Bulletin finally realized that at least 50% of the people do not want him anymore. They feel he should retire. I agree, he should. No door to door or grassroots campaigning. Jack is past his prime and many years ago he did not want retail, he only wanted homes and more homes in Manteca. He is not well liked by most of the Manteca employees. Jack, retire!

Tony Smith, the new city hall clown. Good luck!

Mike Hall, he has a website and his platform is weak and what he proposes we already have in our city. There is no substance and you can't force an adult to any curfew as a minor. Not a very well thought out campaign.

Ben Cantu, he keeps hounding on workforce housing. This is not a popular item of discussion and he keeps pressuring items that are not that well in touch with the citizens of Manteca. He does have some good ideas, but as a former city worker who is retired and is against all new residents coming from the "outside", he does not like them. This appears that Ben Cantu is inside his cocoon and does not want to come out. He needs to get used to the fact that Bay Area folks will continue to flock to Manteca in droves and thus change the landscape. Ben Cantu does not wish for the change of Manteca, he wants to keep it "All in the Family", not "The Family City." He does have large signs around town. No door to door or direct grassroots campaigning.

Samuel Anderson has achieved a great amount of responses. All this with spending very little again. He is the only challenger that ran a campaign previously in 2006 and came in third place spending only $103.87 of his own money. He got 23.04% of the vote, or 4253 votes. He has been campaigning door to door since last March. He had to build himself up to it because 'you just can't go out there your first day and do 100 homes' he says. It takes a lot out of you. He actually rings all the bells intending to get a response out of each home. He has made this personal and intends to win this election. I say he stands a damn good chance of winning this time around. He is well positioned and this is for sure. Jack is scared of him and Dennis Wyatt of the Manteca Bulletin is also. He sure writes a lot about him and Jacks age. Although, Samuel has never said Jacks age is a problem, he only spoke of what others have been saying and Samuel does question his ability at Jacks age to run the council and the Manteca Police SHARPS. This is a huge responsibility and task for anyone and at Jack's age, this would be impossible. I'm sorry, Jack, but who are you trying to kid? What political consultant advised you and the Police Chief to do this? I'd watch out if I were you, Chief Bricker, you are still on probation.

Samuel has personally visited thousands of homes in Manteca and he has attended all the meetings. He has signs all over town, but not enough due to his budget and he only relies on his color post cards with his message on them. They are great! He has done it right and has his message on there. He attends coffees at homes that have put together gatherings on weekends and nights so he can meet people in their neighborhoods. He is very good. I went to one of them today, Sunday, and I was impressed. He showed up with all women attending the coffee and cookies sponsored by a neighborhood resident who invited her whole neighborhood. By the way, she is a democrat and Samuel is a republican. In the end, all of them said they would vote for him and most even said they have already voted for him on their absentee ballot. It was a very positive exchange of vision and mission of Samuel Anderson.

With the end in site we now have to decide on our future in Manteca. Who is it going to be Manteca?

Manteca Bulletin Endorses Current City Council Incumbents, Sort Of

It's not official. But it should be. Dennis Wyatt again writes another influential media hyped opinion letter to his newspaper slamming all of the current candidates running against the council. Specifically towards Samuel Anderson and secondly towards Ben Cantu.

Why? I guess because Samuel's Letter to the Editor had received so much praise and positive feedback that Dennis feels it's time to put him in his place. No other candidate has gone this far. Not even Ben Cantu. However, Ben has been doing some pretty good writing with his letters, he still has not convinced much of the public yet because he does not get out there to campaign. Samuel has been knocking on doors since Spring making it impossible for anyone to catch up.

What Dennis Wyatt does not say is what Samuel Anderson has been saying all along and has experience in this area. Energy, Pensions and Services. It takes energy to run a city and after that comes the salaries and pensions of city workers. Then comes the services to keep the city safe in all facets of need. Strikingly, Dennis tries to compare Manteca with Vallejo by suggesting our current leaders are doing the right thing. Are they?

I beg to differ from their method because they can not be that fiscal enough with what has happened. Yes, economies go up and down all the time during periods, but we are so much invested in new technologies now that we just don't predict the future, we can actually see the future enough ahead of us that when the warning signs are there to stop the spending or else face deficits, then this tells me the current line-up of men are not doing their job. Blanket it all you want with Bass Pro and JC Penny's and Costco, it doesn't make any difference. Taking chances with city funds and methods of payments is not something to be taken lightly and if Dennis Wyatt ran his own personal checking account this way he would probably get several notices from the bank with warnings to stop it or else loose his privilege including being fined.

Anderson has made his stand very clear; don't spend when you can't, don't give loans out to Guido even if it will drag us into a family war and keep the pay-as-you-go budgeting a central tenet of the council leadership. Trying to compare cities with each other out of context is pure madness and stupidity because they can give us insight into the future of what could possibly happen especially since Vallejo is not that far from us in the Bay Area and sits close to home. Anderson wants to make the non-restrictive accounts restrictive so that the State can't steal from it.

Let me make this crystal clear: Dennis Wyatt has not mentioned what Samuel Anderson has been saying all along; the city management and employee morale is a huge problem that needs to be fixed. There are luxury positions within the city that we simply can't afford at this time and they need to be eliminated. Also, Anderson and Cantu agree on making drastic changes to the cities codes in order to improve services and our quality of life. What happened Dennis? You're not listening just like the council is not listening. Last, what about the infamous 'Rainy Day Fund'? It only appears during re-election time when it suits the candidates the most.

Dennis Wyatt mentions "structured deficit". What he means or what he should have said is structural deficit. There is no such thing as a structured deficit. It is out of step with reality. And, how can you say a Future Deficit is not the same as a State or Federal? What? Where are you getting your math from? You did not even explain what a future deficit is. You simply wrote it off.

Manteca has changed its baseline to allow for the tax cuts for Costco and BassPro and others. In doing so, it implies that the decision has already been made. You simply can't just give a tax cut without changing your baseline. It's a bit more complicated than that, Dennis.

Under this baseline we simply increased its future deficit projections. Using this standard makes it tempting by taking it a step further by increasing deficit projections to account for restrictions on other taxes and quite possibly Measure M as an offset. Most budget advisors would say the result would be deficits far bigger than anything contemplated under current law. I agree. The Manteca city baseline may be more realistic politically, but it takes the city a step away from solving its budget problems.

It can get us into an unsustainable budget situation over the long term, if it hasn't already begun which it appears it has happened. "In the short term, we're in a 8 million dollar fiscal hole. So it's really important to hold the line," Anderson said. "The important point is: How much are the policies going to cost? All policies have a cost."

One other major item Dennis Wyatt did not mention is Measure M. Why then do we need it? Why are we the highest taxed city in the county? With all this development and conservative fiscal calculations and great decisions from the current council, past, current and future predictions, why then Measure M? Why did they push it? Why not dissolve it RIGHT NOW? I can continue with all the blunders the current council has made with developers and our city services including the bulbs in downtown Manteca. Roads and alley's that need to be paved and fixed that only come up during election year politics. You want the bombs to stop Dennis? Then stop throwing them yourself, especially on behalf of the current Manteca city council incumbents. Let them fight their own battles.

It appears that all Dennis can do is write about what he feels is best for the city and I'll say it again, why don't you run for city council? Hell, I'll even vote for you as Manteca's first Emperor.

Suggesting that past 'friends of the tax payers' and pandering drove services into the ground are simply half-truths. You seem to forget what current candidates expect is a balance, not bonds and measures to keep us out of trouble all the time. Your bias attempt as posting an opinion yourself is rude and crude as it attacks the candidates when you yourself stated in the beginning of your article, "people lob political bombs left and right as the campaign frenzy picks up." Look who is throwing the bombs, too. It goes to show us all that journalism is non-existent today and so blatantly offensive to the point they just don't care how stupid or crazy their madness is. It's the same as Obama getting a free pass with all the unanswered questions. Dennis Wyatt is giving the current council a free pass, too.

Dennis mentions that there is "only one way" that Manteca can become a Vallejo. Get real! My God, are you that obtuse to think that we can't come up with any other way? There seems to be this new avantgarde mentality that tends to lean only one way by driving their "myopic vision that frames the world with their perceived notions of how things are and not how laws and the concept of financial responsibility require things to operate."

The news from the Manteca City Managers Office confirming yet another budget deficit is sobering, but the news should not be surprising to anyone who has been listening to the Manteca Bulletin's leading economist and the current councils leading PR spokesman, Dennis Wyatt.

The die has been cast for some time. The state's many cookie jars have been raided and are empty; one-time measures and accounting gimmicks have been used; spending on programs and services has been cut repeatedly since 2001; and taxes have been raised.

Why are we again in the same old spot, facing sizeable revenue shortfalls and I'll say it again, Measure M?

The answer is simple. Manteca's policymakers have done nothing to address the structural imbalance between the growth in spending and revenue collections. This is not a cyclical issue. We cannot just grow our way out of this problem when the state's economy finally improves. Nor can we continue to cut spending without serious risk to public safety and the health and welfare of our most vulnerable residents.

Until we make structural changes in our tax system, ongoing deficits should come as no surprise to anyone in Manteca.