How Much Taxpayers Lose in Special Elections

Hopefully MPCSD will give a full accounting of the total costs of this Special Election including all of the staff time used in preparing for the election.

It would also to comforting if MPCSD can assure the taxpayers that MPCSD did not provide contact information to any individuals or organization that lobbied for these Measures.

MPCSD, hopefully, learned there lesson. I kept wondering why a special election was need also. But, never ever got an answer. Of course you know how I handled this and will continue to do so without all information being provided.

A Chair of the the San Mateo GOP Central Committee, railing against how existing election rules were used.

Pot, meet kettle...

Perhaps one might try to change the rule, possibly a proposition on the ballot, maybe?

Nah...

I am not the Chair of the San Mateo County Republican Central Committee. That honor goes to the distinguished Chuck McDougald. Colonel McDougald, a Viet Nam war veteran, was based in Okinawa, home of 1st Special Forces Group better known as Airborne. Something I would never do- Why jump out of a perfectly functioning aircraft?

Chuck spent a good part of his time commanding six two-man teams in civilian clothes along the Thai-Laotian border. Wearing civilian clothes is extremely dangerous as those caught by the enemy are not offered the protection of the Geneva Conventions and can be executed as spies. He knew the risks and accepted them- putting country above his own personal welfare. He is a great guy and a patriot and has worked very hard for our country and our party.

Don't like the message, attack the messenger. The MPCSD screwed us by putting out a special election. Some estimates are as high as $80k. I love having my tax money thrown away like that, don't you?

This special parcel tax election (along with consultant hired to do focus groups) was a complete waste of taxpayer money. This money could have been better used for so many other school-related things.

Thanks for the history on Mr. McDougald. My post referred to you as a Chair, not the Executive Chair.

Is the GOP website incorrect?

- Hank Lawrence (Menlo Park), District Chair

And to the topic, I was merely pointing out the hypocrisy of a party known for it's own unwritten rules railing against published, accepted rules. For example, the Hastert Rule, named after the imprisoned felon Denny Hastert, former GOP Leader of the House. The longest serving GOP Speaker of the House, following Newt and a series of other disgraced, and disgraceful, GOP politicians. Web Link
Web Link

It's still a rule. Perhaps one might try to change the rule, possibly a proposition on the ballot, maybe?

Nah...

The only hypocrisy is in the tortured logic that San Mateo GOP posted. You are way off topic. The Menlo Park City School District wasted the taxpayer's money in hope of getting a suppressed vote to approve their ridiculous bond issues.

And you point to Dennis Hastert? Why not point to the Democratic Party which founded the Ku Klux Klan? Neither are relevant to School Bonds.

This isn't a topic solely about "The Menlo Park City School District wasted the taxpayer's money"

It is about Special Elections and their costs, including the recent example. Did you read the link? "This is the title of the article written by Matt Fleming in Cal Watchdog"

I suggested/agree it is the way the system is set-up. Moan about it when it goes against your values all you want. Keep moaning, or do something about it, as I suggested twice (and was ignored, because I'm supposedly blasting the messenger.)

so, yet again: "It's still a rule. Perhaps one might try to change the rule, possibly a proposition on the ballot, maybe?

Nah..."

And we know why. It is used by BOTH sides. Isn't it, real republican?

Gimme me an H! Give me a Y! Give me a P! Give me an O!...............

The Ku Klux Klan? Why not just go Full Godwin?

Maybe it's time for the Almanac to shut this thread down too. Fever swamp anyone?

The title does say 'special electionS'.

There are plenty of other threads on the specific issue of this specific election.

C'mon GOP and dems... change the law. Take away this election tool. Riiiiight. We know you both use it when the issue favors low turnout.

Ain't that right, Hank?

Crickets.

No Republican committee uproar and initiative drive?

@Uproar: You've stumbled upon the dirty little secret of politics -- when a political person complains about something, it's all about making a statement. Doing something, on the other hand...welllllllllllllllll...

I have no problems with bond issues in regularly scheduled elections. (BTW California law mandates that citizen initiatives can only appear on the Fall general elections.) I may not agree with the bond but that is for the voters to decide. What I do have a problem is with anyone using a special election at considerable cost to the tax payers to get their special bond passed by reaching out to those in favor of the bond hoping that people for whom the bond does not benefit will be caught unaware and not vote. It is inherently dishonest to do that especially when a scheduled election is only a month away

Is it too much to ask that bonds only be put on primary and general election ballots? They could still appear on twice as many the elections as citizen initiated ballot initiatives. And there are plenty frivolous ballot initiatives- both legislative and citizen initiated. To imply that ballot initiatives are the special province of the GOP is ludicrous. Special interests and passions run deep in both parties.