Santa Cruz Mayor Ryan Coonerty declares March “Lou Dobbs-free Month,” and discusses his proclamation with Sentinel reporter Shanna McCord.
Video by Christina Gullickson
SENTINEL VIDEO: Mayor proclaims March to be Lou Dobbs-free
Read more about: Sentinel Video
58 responses so far ↓
Karl Hagemann // Mar 5, 2008 at 4:12 pm
I think Ryan should Be moer “thoughtful” when he proposes such stupid legislation and takes up city time and resources to do so. Ryan is just supporting another “open borders” politico so he can get some more votes in a liberal town. Grow up and get serious Ryan.
Local // Mar 5, 2008 at 5:13 pm
Nice proclamation….but in a week - who will really give a damn. Now, if you want people to remember your proclamations - make sure they have something to do with SANTA CRUZ. I’m thinking maybe like….FIX THE ROADS, WORK ON CRIME - little stuff like that.
Ryan Coonerty // Mar 5, 2008 at 5:30 pm
Before everyone gets hot and bothered, this took zero city time. In fact, the only time/materials/staff that this took was one piece of paper. Councilmembers all have full time jobs and are on the council for a stipend that is based on the fact that we are supposed to work less than 20 hours a week.
kap // Mar 5, 2008 at 5:43 pm
You both need to lighten up!! He states very clearly twice in the video that this is “tongue in cheek”. He’s trying to bring attention to the miserable state of so-called professional journalism in this country today, using Lou Dobbs as an example. Lou might not be as loudly offensive as Bill O’Reilly, Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, etc. but he comes real close. And he puts himself forward as a journalist. I just think it’s really sad that it’s practically impossible to get UNBIASED, nonpartisan and intelligent information on the important issues of the day from our media, especially on television. Thanks Ryan and I too admire Sam Farr and greatly appreciate all he does for us everyday.
Eric R // Mar 5, 2008 at 5:48 pm
Ryan, if you’re going to parse what he said, get it right.
From the Mercury:
“”What happens is the public image of you becomes one of not this compassionate law enforcement agency but essentially a Gestapo-type agency that is knocking down doors,” Farr said, according to preliminary transcripts of the hearing.”
If you think journalists should take care in how they use words, do you not think our Congressmen should show the same care?
He did not need to use inflammatory words to make his point. NOBODY thinks that comparing anything to Hitler or the Gestapo furthers civil public discourse.
Ken Schwab // Mar 5, 2008 at 6:13 pm
Ryan, please be concerned with our city and not the media regarding issues that are not relevent to our city. Those issues are relevant to our country and there are hundreds of reporters covering that.
You spent more than a piece of paper and a stamp, you spent time. The time to be present for this interview, time of the sentinel to videotape you, this is not a cheap act. (although a cheap shot at Lou Dobbs, which I am not defending) Your time can be better served focused on issues that are revelent.
Do not expect my vote, if this is how your spending your tenure.
Ryan Coonerty // Mar 5, 2008 at 6:22 pm
For the record, Ken, the city council sent a letter to Sam asking him to convey to ICE our concerns about the tactics used against members of our community. He did so and was attacked by Dobbs.
What do you think the chances are that he or any Member of Congress will raise controversial issues on behalf of their constituents as long as Dobbs and others like him are looking for blood to increase their ratings?
RobtA // Mar 5, 2008 at 6:29 pm
Hmmm… I consider myself to be relatively conservative by Santa Cruz standards. How is it that I never heard of Lou Dobbs until recently? Could it be that others don’t tell me what to think?
But I do believe the “zero city time” thing. So we can all lighten up. Now excuse me, as long as I’m on the Internet I’ll go find out who Lou Dobbs is.
Pat Kittle // Mar 5, 2008 at 8:43 pm
Lou Dobbs is one of the most civil hosts I can think of.
He invites his adversaries on his show where he treats them respectfully. Lumping him in with O’Reilly is incredibly dishonest. I recently watched an open-borders loud-mouth talk all over Dobbs on his own show. Dobbs could hardly get a word in edge-wise. He could have easily put a stop to that but he didn’t. Sam Farr and Ryan Coonerty would never put up with an adversary behaving like that, which is why they are behaving so cowardly.
Dobbs even invited Farr on his show. When’s the last time Farr or Coonerty sponsored an honest debate on immigration? Right! NEVER!
All they do is wimp out to the absurd unending demands of the open-borders lobby of which they are a part, although they hypocritically pretend otherwise.
I’ve tried repeatedly for years to discuss the ecological implications of mass immigration into California with Farr and he just changes the subject and says we “have to move on.” Not enough time to discuss that, it seems. But he’s got plenty of time to listen to illegals whine about not having enough subsidized you-name-it to reward them for being illegal.
Illegals have even tried to make it illegal to call illegals illegal! Farr and Coonerty would doubtlessly go along with that if they dared. Who’s censoring who, anyway?
Here’s some quotes from Mexicans you won’t hear from Farr or Coonerty. Not surprisingly, they want to censor Lou Dobbs for daring to repeat them:
“We have an aging white America.They are not making babies. They are dying. The explosion is in our population… I love it. They are sh—-ng in their pants with fear. I love it… we have got to eliminate the gringo, and what I mean by that is if the worst comes to the worst, we have got to kill him.”
— Professor Jose Angel Gutierrez, University of Texas
“The American Southwest seems to be slowly returning to the jurisdiction of Mexico without firing a single shot.”
— Excelsior - The national newspaper of Mexico
“We are practicing La Reconquista in California.”
— Jose Pescador Osuna, Mexican Consul General
“Republica del Norte,” the Republic of the North, which would include the present U.S. states of California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, plus southern Colorado, along with several current Mexican states, is “an inevitability.” The new “Hispanic homeland” should be brought into being “by any means necessary.”
— Charles Truxillo, professor, University of New Mexico
“… you are like the generals who command armies! We’re in a state of war!”
— Armando Navarro, professor, University of California.
“They’re afraid we’re going to take over the governmental institutions and other institutions. They’re right. We will take them over… We are here to stay.”
— Richard Alatorre, Los Angeles City Council
“Go back to Boston! Go back to Plymouth Rock, Pilgrims! Get out! We are the future. You are old and tired. Go on. We have beaten you. Leave like beaten rats. You old white people. It is your duty to die…. Through love of having children, we are going to take over.”
— Augustin Cebeda, Brown Berets
(Source: http://www.americanpatrol.com/REFERENCE/QuotesByRecons030404.html)
Local // Mar 5, 2008 at 9:14 pm
Hey Ryan - I will get hot and bothered. I am sick and tired of the Santa Cruz City Council pulling crap like this. Last time the Council urged a probe into Impeaching Bush (which was just as much as waste of time). Focus on SANTA CRUZ. Lets fix the problems here - and don’t even get me started on the $80,000 wasted on that stupid River Street sign. In the last couple of years, the gang problem has become much worse, the roads are the pits and the homeless number is growing.
ohman // Mar 6, 2008 at 2:24 am
I wish I could replay the moment that the idea to do this occured to him. The moment he thought “This will be a FANTASTIC idea and everyone will think it is HILARIOUS”.
LDFM ties with purse snatcher for headline in SC: good thing/bad thing. One thing is certain, nowehere but here. For good reasons.
Hidalgo // Mar 6, 2008 at 6:41 am
Well, let’s face it. We have a “tongue in cheek” city council to deal with all our “Chicken Little” Santa Cruz issues. Instead of dealing with real city problems, we’ll just make a big show of “out-Santa Cruzing” all the other left-wing California towns trying to make a name for themselves.
revisionist // Mar 6, 2008 at 8:22 am
Dear Mayor:
My mother, who is a holocaust survivor, told me she wishes her family had been able to escape _to_ Mexico in the 1930s. But Mexico closed its doors entirely to Jewish refugees by 1937.
To compare ICE deportations of Mexican nationals back to Mexico to the Gestapo’s expulsion of Jews to gas chambers is obscene.
You and Rep. Farr owe the Jewish community (at least those who aren’t whacked-out leftists) an apology.
jarbee // Mar 6, 2008 at 9:14 am
Pat Kittle has a great idea: Let’s have a local debate about immigration. Since the Mayor and Sam Farr are so concerned about their “constituents” they should host a forum where they can hear first hand from the community how we feel about illegal aliens. They both seem to be out of sync with the voters.
jarbee // Mar 6, 2008 at 9:30 am
Ryan Coonerty, Tony Madrigal, and Ed Porter all have their terms expiring this year. Anybody going to challenge the Mayor? Looks like at least 2 out of 3 will be easy pickin’.
Becky Johnson // Mar 6, 2008 at 10:29 am
At least he didn’t give the key to the City to the PLO Ambassador who then went on to praise Hezbollah.
Gerry // Mar 6, 2008 at 12:19 pm
How about a Ryan Coonerty free month, maybe then santa cruz could get something done that really matters
Dan Dickmeyer // Mar 6, 2008 at 1:08 pm
Not it’s Coonerty making a mountain out of a mole hill.
Hey Ryan, What about the Gestapo tactcis of the planes who made 20 passes over my house spraying pesticides? What about the Gestapo tactics of your police–most recently invading a home while they purported to look for other home invaders?
Keep your focus locally. And perhaps it would have been better to have a proclamation to encourage Farr to appear on Lou Dobbs who so graciously invited him and would have had a civil discussion about immigration.
Dan Dickmeyer // Mar 6, 2008 at 1:15 pm
Sam Farr’s a big boy. He can take care of himself. I hope that Ryan Coonerty will take it upon himself to get on the show with Lou Dobbs and explain why he felt he needed to write this proclamation which appears to not necessarily represent his own constituents.
BTW, the first word in my last post should have been “now.”
Db // Mar 6, 2008 at 4:08 pm
“He said there’s a perception among some of his constituents that are concerned”
“Perceiving” that an agency is gestapo-like is in fact stating that the agency in question is gestapo like. Repeating those perceptions is a thinly veiled agreement of those views.
“…Pass it of as public debate, I think its bad for the country”
You Mr Coonerty, take trivial things ands pass them off as public debate, and from living here I see how bad it is for the county. For you to cite this against a reporter is hypocritical, thoughtless, ridiculous and last but not least utterly laughable. I’m sure you will want me to state examples, but as I am currently doing this as a quick “tongue in cheek” effort to make you look how foolish you actually are, you will have to give me research time. For you sir, to call anyone irresponsible in light of the crime, budget shortfalls, infrastructure woes and general lack of anything approaching an efficient city government is almost criminal. What passes for public discourse in Santa Cruz county has crippled our transportation system, crippled our ability to deal with ILLEGAL immigrants, and allowed Cannabis cafes mostly frequented by recreational users. Public debate has regularly acted against the best economic interests of the majority of the working class in this county, be it hindrance of housing or business development. The government of this city fails miserably Mr Coonerty. MISERABLY. It is a group of people who have shown time and time again their willingness to cut off their nose to spite their face.
Db // Mar 6, 2008 at 4:17 pm
“For the record, Ken, the city council sent a letter to Sam asking him to convey to ICE our concerns about the tactics used against members of our community. He did so and was attacked by Dobbs.”
So by constituents he means the county of Santa Cruz, so it was in reality the city council (the one you sit on) that feels ICE is a gestapo like agency. Well if I didn’t know any better I would say that this proclamation is a response by people who slept through history class to a well informed “shut up and sit down if you have nothing of substance to say”
If my earlier statements putting public debate were misunderstood, I dont have anything against public debate, I think its stupid that Coonerty cites this as a reason while not mentioning how pointless debate has hurt the county he lives in and the town he is mayor of.
Robert Norse // Mar 6, 2008 at 5:57 pm
I find Ryan’s talk about thoughtful debate on controversial issues rather hollow
He refused to come on Free Radio Santa Cruz last Sunday to discuss his new City Council “gag” rule.
Rotkin appeared instead–the show can be heard at http://www.santacruzcopwatch.org/robert/brb080302.mp3
His new regulation was neither voted on by the Council nor the community, but simply proclaimed. It requires anyone who wants to talk at City Council on most of the items (those on the Consent Agenda) to limit their speaking time to 2 minutes total.
Since the Consent Agenda has between 6 and ite30 ms and includes most of the substantive business of the city, this means, if you want ot speak on three items, you get 40 seconds per item–unless a Council member deigns to give you more time.
Coonerty also keeps his public sppearance calendar a secret (so as to discourage critics) and won’t disclose what lobbyists he’s talked with–in violation of the state Sunshine Act.
I second Dan Dickmeyer’s suggestion that he actually come out in public view.
Backing Rep. Farr unquestioningly (Farr recently voted for the massive military appropriation) does us no service, but perhaps warms the hearts of Democratic party loyalists.
Why do we need the new Coonerty law that makes sitting in your vehicle for 16 minutes in any public parking lot or garage a $100+ fine? Or a dozen officers responding to surround a house with three unarmed youths? Ask Mayor Coonerty at 423-8939 (his publicly published number).
Perhaps Shanna will do her next story on Coonerty’s support for police expenditures downtown and the removal of public benches without hearings?
Ken Schwab // Mar 6, 2008 at 6:16 pm
Yes, I am much, much more concerned over arial pesticide spraying which has only been approved by a state sponsored chemist.
Ryan, here is a topic that would serve the city’s interest, do something with that.
To defend yourself in this wasteful act will only hurt your credibility, please show us your doing some usefull with your time and pertinent to the people of Santa Cruz.
Lucas // Mar 6, 2008 at 9:03 pm
Mayor Ryan Coonerty:
It would seem that the residents of the county weren’t particularly happy with our congressman insulting a branch of law enforcement. Perhaps you should reconsider your proclamation. Just cross out the word “free” so it reads: “March is Lou Dobbs Month”.
I hope this helps…
Pat Kittle // Mar 6, 2008 at 10:16 pm
So far, of the 24 comments above, 21 are critical of Ryan Coonerty. Of the 3 that are complimentary of Ryan, 2 are Ryan’s.
Pat Kittle // Mar 6, 2008 at 10:17 pm
Sorry, 4 are complimentary.
Pat // Mar 7, 2008 at 10:25 am
Ryan, I know this is not a fair comparison but I cannot get the image of someone’s 82 year old mother getting mugged downtown while you are fantazing about Lou Dobbs. You need to get your head out of the clouds and get to work!
c'est moi // Mar 7, 2008 at 12:10 pm
Santa Cruz/Berkley Lite - the gravitas of your mayor, like the substance of his “proclamation” (cue the powdered wig and beauty mark) - leave me weak from laughter.
Royal maroon - second generation.
Eric R // Mar 7, 2008 at 12:34 pm
Quote Coonerty:
“Before everyone gets hot and bothered, this took zero city time…”
Please recognize that my issue is not with the time or expenditure. It is using your position as MAYOR of Santa Cruz, and writing the name of MY city on YOUR proclamation that is at issue. You are free to proclaim anything you choose as a private citizen. As our elected official, you are obligated to represent the city, and not your personal views, nor the views of the council.
Jennifer James // Mar 7, 2008 at 4:43 pm
After reading some of the harsh comments made by the public, it seems that Santa Cruzians are in need of a serious dose of humor. Do any of you have any idea how hard it is to constantly be in the center of the government? At least be thankful that we have leaders who can see light in the overwhelming amount of problems around us. This was certainly not an opening for attack!
laura // Mar 9, 2008 at 1:22 pm
Bravo Ryan Coonerty ! Local issues are national and vice versa.
Local // Mar 9, 2008 at 3:22 pm
Jennifer, I do have a sense of humor. What the Mayor did was NOT FUNNY, actually it was stupid - and he further embarrassed himself and our city in the Lou Dobbs interview . If he spent as much time on his job as he did with this proclamation, maybe the people would cut him a break.
I have a Santa Cruz address, but live in the county so I don’t get to vote for city council. I’d love to see that change! Heck, I can’t even run for city council .
Pat Kittle // Mar 9, 2008 at 3:51 pm
laura:
You say, “Bravo Ryan Coonerty ! Local issues are national and vice versa.”
If you really mean it, you have no problem with local law enforcement enforcing our immigration laws. I hope I’m wrong, but I suspect you’re hypocritical and you don’t really mean that.
Pat Kittle // Mar 9, 2008 at 4:06 pm
Jennifer James:
You say, “…Santa Cruzians are in need of a serious dose of humor.” about Coonerty’s proclamation.
Let’s see… Sam Farr supports defacto open-borders while he pretends otherwise. He calls actual immigration enforcement “gestapo-like” and then quibbles over semantics.
Our mayor officially encourages censorship of one of the few national venues where the immigration debate actually does occur, and then wants us to think he’s funny.
Can you imagine these guys “lightening up” when someone calls “undocumented migrants” a PC-unapproved term? Illegals have literally tried to make it illegal for US citizens to call illegals “illegal.” Did Farr or Ryan Coonerty tell the illegals to “lighten up”?
You know what IS funny? When hyper-PC politicos claim the rest of us need a sense of humor!
Jennifer James // Mar 9, 2008 at 7:45 pm
Case in point…
Pat and Mr. “Local” are so obviously enraged about issues that they both, yet again, missed the point in the comment I made. In my humble interpretation of the proclamation, I believe it was the Mayor’s intent to “reach out” for some journalist accountability. How either of you managed to interpret that as a lack of civic duty or an embarrassment by association leads me to believe that you may fall into that dreaded category of citizens who stand on the sideline and complain about everything yet have no interest in getting your hands dirty working on a solution to the problem. And Pat, thank you for the new title I can add to my resume. “Hyper PC-politico” is quite the statement considering that you know nothing about me. It speaks volumes about your character. Since you seem to be in need of attacking someone, I appreciate taking the baton for the moment.
Pat Kittle // Mar 9, 2008 at 8:41 pm
Jennifer Jones:
You (sarcastically) thank me “for the new title I can add to my resume… ‘Hyper PC-politico’.”
Hate to ya, Jenny, but it’s not ALL ABOUT YOU. I was referring to the politicians Farr & Coonerty, which you might notice if you read more carefully and lose some of your narcissism. It was Coonerty who tried to pass his humorless attempt at official censorship off as humor.
You say I “seem to be in need of attacking someone.” You conveniently forget it’s Farr & Coonerty who did the attacking. I’m doing the defending.
If you have a problem with “hate” you might want to take it up with your loving compassionate heroes.
Meanwhile, why don’t you get Farr & Coonerty to sponsor some honest immigration debates? The fact that you haven’t “speaks volumes about your character.”
As for “getting my hands dirty” — I’ll bet your I’ve done a whole lot more of that than you have, my “humble” primadonna.
One last thing — you say I am “so obviously enraged,” but I use smileys liberally (liberally!), and you don’t use them at all. You must be awfully depressing.
JohnnyO // Mar 9, 2008 at 9:47 pm
I would much rather see a proclamation calling for a Coonerty-free Santa Cruz !
Jennifer James // Mar 9, 2008 at 11:00 pm
You’re a great writer. It’s unfortunate that it is wasted on you spinning in your foot stomping tantrum of a dust cloud. Apparently it is ALL ABOUT ME as your last comment went so far as to call me narcissistic, attacking and depressing, to include the notion that it is now my fault that immigration debates are not being held. I am happy to take my own advice and lighten up by bowing out of this personal debate and remind myself of why I came here in the first place….to find some humor in politics. Good luck with that.
Pat Kittle // Mar 9, 2008 at 11:26 pm
You say me write good. Thanks.
Now, about me blaming you for our societal lack of immigration debates — you took a cheap shot about my “character,” and I returned it — go back and look.
Funny how you open-borders apologists NEVER acknowledge (let alone confront!) the hate-drenched reconquista agenda. That would take more courage and integrity than you pushovers can muster. While you may think your unquestioning support buys you respect from reconquistas, you’re kidding only yourselves.
So you now depart, searching no doubt for a forum where no one dissents from your comforting illusions.
Don't Be Ridiculous // Mar 10, 2008 at 9:06 am
I consider myself an open-minded person but I’m also a realist, and I think enough is enough when it comes to the immigration issue. Since when are we obligated to accept half the population of our neighboring countries simply because they’d rather live here than their native home? And, once they are here, why are we obligated to let them stay forever, just because they have jobs and families? I understand that everyone’s an individual and I don’t fault any one person who is trying to make a better life for themselves and their family, but when you look at the big picture, this is a crisis. As far as local issues, our hospitals and services are overwhelmed due to the inundation of new people, so this does filter down to us rather quickly. Although I understand that this is meant tongue-in-cheek, I am irritated by my representative’s disagreement with Mr. Dobbs, whose opinions I actually find myself agreeing with. I thought I was an bleeding heart Santa Cruz liberal, but the massive influx of immigrants has driven me over the edge.
If returning to Mexico resembles being sent to a gas chamber, then maybe there should be an outcry about the poverty and corruption in Mexico that forces its people to risk life and limb seeking employment across the border. That’s where our voices would be most appropriately directed here. Mexico is one of the wealthiest Latin American countries, yet the majority of her people live in abject, desperate poverty. Mr. Dobbs is one of the few people I hear speaking up about this terrible injustice happening right next door.
It’s ironic that our mayor falls into the socioeconomic group Mr. Dobbs tends to speak up in support of. Instead of taking issue with a journalist who is representing your own interests, why can’t we do something about the drug problem in our little town? How about doing something about the fact that my boyfriend, who is fighting a losing battle with drug addiction, is able to get drugs within 10 minutes of walking out our front door when the urge to relapse hits him. And by the way, who’s bringing the heroin into our town, anyway? It sure isn’t the Canadians.
jarbee // Mar 10, 2008 at 9:41 am
Because it’s worth reading again:
”
I consider myself an open-minded person but I’m also a realist, and I think enough is enough when it comes to the immigration issue. Since when are we obligated to accept half the population of our neighboring countries simply because they’d rather live here than their native home? And, once they are here, why are we obligated to let them stay forever, just because they have jobs and families? I understand that everyone’s an individual and I don’t fault any one person who is trying to make a better life for themselves and their family, but when you look at the big picture, this is a crisis. As far as local issues, our hospitals and services are overwhelmed due to the inundation of new people, so this does filter down to us rather quickly. Although I understand that this is meant tongue-in-cheek, I am irritated by my representative’s disagreement with Mr. Dobbs, whose opinions I actually find myself agreeing with. I thought I was an bleeding heart Santa Cruz liberal, but the massive influx of immigrants has driven me over the edge.
If returning to Mexico resembles being sent to a gas chamber, then maybe there should be an outcry about the poverty and corruption in Mexico that forces its people to risk life and limb seeking employment across the border. That’s where our voices would be most appropriately directed here. Mexico is one of the wealthiest Latin American countries, yet the majority of her people live in abject, desperate poverty. Mr. Dobbs is one of the few people I hear speaking up about this terrible injustice happening right next door.
It’s ironic that our mayor falls into the socioeconomic group Mr. Dobbs tends to speak up in support of. Instead of taking issue with a journalist who is representing your own interests, why can’t we do something about the drug problem in our little town? How about doing something about the fact that my boyfriend, who is fighting a losing battle with drug addiction, is able to get drugs within 10 minutes of walking out our front door when the urge to relapse hits him. And by the way, who’s bringing the heroin into our town, anyway? It sure isn’t the Canadians.”
RYAN COONERTY, since I know you are reading these comments, I hope you read this person’s comment several times. This is where the community is on this issue.
Tim Rumford // Mar 10, 2008 at 11:01 am
Mayor,
Telling us what media to watch and what not to watch is not only wrong, it a waste of your 20 hour week to run our city. Please get back to your real job. We can decide what to watch all by ourselves.
Tim Rumford
Pat Kittle // Mar 10, 2008 at 9:34 pm
Does the silencing of the immigration debate seem maybe just a little like aconspiracy?
Open-borders pushers slander anyone who disagrees with them as “gestapo-like.” In the real world, most Americans are fed up with their cowardly betrayal.
Brigid // Mar 10, 2008 at 11:29 pm
How strange that the comments I posted a few days ago when this story was new have disappeared.
I understood Mr Coonerty’s comments to refer to journalism and not the immigration debate. I am amazed how many people on this board didn’t get that.
Db // Mar 11, 2008 at 11:00 am
I understand that Mr Coonerty might take issue with some of the journalistic practices in the country and to that I say this; Journalists have a job to do, that is to say they are supposed to keep the public informed. Some reporters do this well, others do not. Where the issue lies, is that city governments are much the same way, some of them do their jobs well and others (IM LOOKING AT YOU SANTA CRUZ COUNTY GOVERNMENT) I feel Mr Coonerty is entitled to his opinion, however I don’t want to hear about it in a city-wide proclamation until crime goes down, or affordable housing is not just a laughable notion, or I dont hit a pothole every twenty feet while driving. Until that time, this proclamation seems like a tongue in cheek effort to make people rabble rabble about something other then the current crumbling infrastructure of our county.
Mark West // Mar 12, 2008 at 1:38 pm
It is our hope for Mayor Coonerty to champion the work of prior mayors and use his time to move ahead the designation for the award MONTEREY BAY 2008 Cultural Capital of America. We have sch a great cultural heritage in our city and county, but the Sentinel and press only communicate this content when an elected official steps acts as a spokesperson.
One would think Mayor Connerty as a UC lecturer could make this contribution as Mayor on his watch for such a monumental occasion.
Maybe he lives in his own confortable “fantasy” space.
Ted // Mar 16, 2008 at 11:58 am
Mr. Coonerty,
Lou Dobbs expresses the intense resentment of millions of Americans who’s voices are ignored by the elite media and Washington politicians. I have lived in Santa Cruz all my life, and I clearly remember the past when hispanic gang crime and an overflowing illegal immigrant population did not exist. With your utopian liberalism, along with past SC mayors and council members, you have managed to allow this problem to grow unchecked to the point that Santa Cruz is becoming the “new Salinas”. With all due respect you owe it to your legally residing constituents to focus your attention on pressing issues and not waste city money and time espousing your personal agenda. In fact you could help reduce crime by inviting ICE to SC and let them do their job. We do not owe anything to people who have broken into our country illegally, consume resources, and try to evade apprehension. Please direct your energy and sympathy to legal Americans who need assistance and support.
Carmen Gonzalez // Mar 17, 2008 at 9:54 pm
How can that be possible that we have been invated in our own yard. We are called Geatapo-like, racists, haters, m.f.’s and much much more. We have to put up with their disrespect, gang members killing our own people. We allow them to pass drugs to our country without any regard for our children, family members and others. This is destroying our community while Nancy Pelosi lived happily in her mansion we struggle day by day. Bush live in a Wonder Land with his family and do not care either. The congress is sold out for a lot of money. Let’s take over the white house and force all this delinquents out, we do not need them anymore like they do not need us either. Lets stop the abuses and take control of our own country. They given away our contry to Mexican to continue the Ethnic Cleansing against American people.
Gang Bang Jones // Mar 20, 2008 at 5:50 pm
I think maybe we should be looking into how gangs from salinas and watsonville keep marring our streets and headlines… is it just me or do 3 of the 4 font page topics in the sentinel now read something like “live oak man stabbed by watsonville gang member.”
I see two options: education or deportation
Jane Baer // Mar 22, 2008 at 8:26 am
There’s a public art painting in a public park (paid for by taxpayers) in Santa Cruz at Leibrandt and Raymond near the boardwalk that is a painting of a “Gestpo Border Patrol Agent” abusing a Latino.
If there has been a Santa Cruz Latino who has said that the Border Patrol is like the Gestapo, it is because our City Government has used our taxes to teach them that that is what this City wants them to say. The pait
Pat Kittle // Mar 23, 2008 at 3:23 pm
Jane Baer, I couldn’t find the mural you described.
Is it near the “Viva La Raza” mural featuring a guy with a shotgun (behind the children’s playground slide)?
Dick Formo // Mar 23, 2008 at 4:23 pm
Pat Kittle,you are the kind of person that I was so glad to leave when I left Santa Cruz in 1982. Sant aCruz WAS a beautiful little town before your likes came in and screwed it over. You’re not cool ! You remind me of kids that came to get stupid and crazy on their ‘uppers’ and what have ya. I notice that S.C. is now a sick community with wierdos goin off and stabbing one another. You had better spread some Love around,before it gets,even,worse ! Just some thoughts from another ‘wonderland’ !
Dick Formo // Mar 23, 2008 at 4:35 pm
Hey Pat Kittle ! What’s This “hate to you,Jenny” ?
Boy,what an egotistical attitude,you present ! Let’s see some beauty in your words,ok ?
As far as Mayors go,they usually have deficits to deal with,so what do ya expect ? And Yes,I believe more energy should be given to the task of dealing with all of craziness that’s causing Santa Cruz’s Light to go out. Too many ‘rotten apples’ for Me !
Dick Formo // Mar 23, 2008 at 4:56 pm
Hey Mr.Mayor !
What,in Gods’ name are you doing with all the Lou Dobbs stuff ? You like makin mountains out of mole hills ? I,personally,enjoy CNN and Lou. His views seem to be what was lost in the past and are waiting to be again received by “we the people”. Are you that shallow,Not to See ? Furthermore,his stance on changing our affiliations to Independent makes very clear sense to me. Now,GET BUSY,Ryan !
Pat Kittle // Mar 23, 2008 at 6:28 pm
Dick Formo,
You seem very confused about who I am and what I say.
I, like you, got on the mayor’s case for his “shallow” (your word) attack on Lou Dobbs. (Go back and look.)
Furthermore, I am NOT one of those “wierdos goin off and stabbing one another” and I do NOT make excuses for them! Frankly, it’s somewhat surreal that you think I am.
As for me saying, “hate to you, Jenny…” — that was a typo — I meant to say “hate to tell you, Jenny…” I assumed my typo and actual intent would be obvious. But it wasn’t for you. Sorry.
Dick Formo // Mar 24, 2008 at 8:13 pm
I say to ALL you Santa Cruzans,”shut up and fill the seats at the city council meetings” ! What you say here doesn’t mean a thing ! In the 60’s and 70’s it was all in control ! What happened ? Nowadays ya seem to have too many “out of towners’ runnin the show. I suppose that’s the way it goes these days. Wierdos with wierd ideas,running rampant ! Does everything HAVE to be politically correct ? What nut coined that,anyway ?
Dick Formo // Mar 24, 2008 at 8:30 pm
Since I’m at it and a bit befuddled by some comments here,I may as well say to the Mayor,”Ryan,you Must be Out to lunch or just havin a good time with nothin to do except make little plaques for your constituency” ! What do ya do in your spare time ? Any hobbies ? Checkers,twiddly winks,fish,old maid,what ? What’s your passion,man ? From my vantage point,it’s gotta be,”being a Mayor” ! That’s IT,huh ?
jw // Mar 25, 2008 at 1:58 am
the king of bums-r-us. get a life
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