Chris Travis, San Clemente
Our family moved to San Clemente 28 years ago to enjoy the nice beach town atmosphere that the city has enjoyed since Ole Hanson envisioned the coastal land so many years ago.
Most of the residents of San Clemente feel the same way, as the over development advocate, Jim Dahl, has had his ideas and proposals voted down over his tenure as city councilman.
It is time to let Jim Dahl know that development of our city has to be a slow process so that San Clemente doesn’t turn into a giant tourist shopping mall where there is little open space and traffic is oppressive. His voting record speaks for itself, and it is time for him to leave the city council.
We need conservation oriented city council people to run San Clemente in a logical
ecological way, so that our standard of life is not compromised for the sake of
development.
We need to make sure that #1 Bob Baker gets re-elected to the city council, as his record also speaks for itself, so that he can help shape the future of San Clemente and not lose her charm.
I agree—- we truly need Hamm and Bob Baker #1–
The Dahl Mortensen ticket is dishonest. They take us right back to a toll road we do not want, more crowds, the wrong quality development, like cheap trash malls, and above all a death spiral embrace of a nuke plant that is way past its prime!
Mr. Adams,
When you say the ‘DahlMortenson’ ticket is dishonest, in what way? Jim Dahl and Mike Mortenson are not running together, they share some similar beliefs. If anyone is dishonest, it is the Baker/Hamm ticket. Baker lent himself $30,000 to run this negative campaign! He is paying an outside political consultant and running a smear campaign against Mike Mortenson. None of what is being printed about Mike is true. NONE.
Did you listen to any of the debates? If so, you would know that Mike doesn’t support the 241 ending at trestles, or pico, or anywhere else in San Clemente that would negatively affect it. What mall are you referring to? The one that is already approved and moving forward? Pretty sure Mike had nothing to do with that. Baker and Hamm run on a NO campaign – tell me what their ideas are instead of making stuff up about the other candidates.
VERY Dishonest—- Have you ever heard Dahl and Mortensen bob and weave around not answering development questions like about bringing us a toll road (read freeway) thru town??? Did you know that while Dahl was voting on our council he was taking 150k from the toll road builders?
This is exactly the type of corruption we do not need in SC !!! Time for a change!!!!!!!!!!!!
No, I have not heard Mike ‘bob and weave.’ What I have heard is Mike state multiple times (and which I already stated but will again for your benefit)
Mike DOES NOT support the 241 ending at trestles, or pico, or anywhere else in San Clemente that would negatively affect it.
If that’s not a clear statement, I don’t know what is. You just refuse to listen to facts.
You’re right, it is time for a change so that’s why Bob ‘NO’ Baker is not getting my vote and Mortenson is.
WOW— I don’t know you and of course you have not put your name on this thing but if you don’t see Mortenson as a super pro develop/toll road/lab type guy i can’t help you.
His best buddy in this thing is Urban Sprawl Dahl who IS the toll road! Can you believe it? He took over 100k from the toll road personally and he still sits and votes on our city council?
Craig
HAHA! The only thing dishonest about this race is the garbage Baker/Hamm/Eggleston/Mann are feeding people. I laughed hysterically at Hamm’s new ad in the SCTIMES, what a bunch of lies?! Was he a big boy this time, and pay for his own ad?? That would be shocking, but a nice break for Wayne Eggleston’s wallet…
Chris just isn’t ready for this job, perhaps in 8 more years. Being born in San Clemente does not qualify you to sit on council, nor do Amber Alert signs cause our traffic here in San Clemente. Hamm was losing credibility due to his naive answers, so he had to resort to lies. If I have to hear that guy say his dumb pre-rehearsed line about his signs in residents yards one more time I’m going to be ill. He would really say no if a successful business offered to put his sign up??? Doubt it. If that is the case tell him to go take his sign off the Valero station.
He is the biggest hypocrite, not only for the reason above regarding signs, but for constantly repeating that he is not backed by a developer. How can he keep printing that and saying it with a straight face?! A developer, bought his yard signs for him!!! Mortenson on the other hand, has not received one single penny from a developer.
What’s next for Hamm? Turning to Bob’s Los Angeles campaign consultant? Loaning himself 20k, he just stumbled across? We shall see… New facts are found out about these two scoundrels daily, I’m glad the people are learning the truth about who they are and who exactly is funding their dirty campaigns.
Dishonesty at it’s finest, courtesy of Baker and Hamm (and of course their sugar daddy’s who are funding the whole mess)
WOW sc guy— do you ever have some odd misconceptions about Mr. Hamm. I wonder where you get your info?
Hamm is more than qualified for this job and we need him!!!!
What we do not need is the same old pro BAD development that we always get from Urban Sprawl Dahl and now his asst Mr. Mortenson the lawyer who loves developers.
Oh, and while you’re at it, please enlighten me and everyone else on Hamm’s qualifications — since he certainly hasn’t. What’s his educational background? What is his business experience? Any other experience that “qualifies” him to run a city? and when you include his brief tenure on GPAC, make sure to include his attendance record which, as I understand it, was about 40% absent.
Happy to enlighten you. First— council members do not “run the city”, you may be thinking of Somalia where often one person runs things. Be that as it may, He is a multi generational resident, in fact goes back to the Foresters (you should know who they were,,,) , a settler in essence. He graduated from SC High School, has planned and run big charity/NGO events, he is a member of our current city gov in my view as a member of the GPAC planning body, and is a professional County firefighter assigned right here in his beloved SC. We need a fresh perspective on our old issues. This guy is perfect. If you’ve had any time to chat him up, as I have, you’ll find out that unlike either of his opponents Dahl or Mortensen, he is bright, open, very articulate and engaging. He is not running for President of the US, he’s running for a city council seat in our small town, but he comes with some unique local historical perspectives, a deep understanding of our very important safety issues, and a sensibility about preservation and pro growth that we happen to need badly and don’t get with the alternative folks.
I will vote for him and have done my level best to get all of my neighbors to as well!
I get my info straight from the source- Hamm himself. I went to all 4 forums, and have read exactly where campaign contributions came from. Please enlighten me on what in my above comment is a “misconception” about Hamm???
The fact that he thinks traffic is caused by Amber Alert signs (I can barely type that without laughing) That’s a fact, he said it over and over and over and over, painful really. The fact that he prides himself on ONLY having signs in residents yards, yet he has a huge one up at Valero and also one at The Villas by the Sea, just two I’ve seen this past week, I am sure there are plenty more! Or is it the fact that a developer paid for his yard signs? Which one is the misconception?? Also his ads were paid for by a very disliked former council member. I would go into detail just how crooked Mr Eggleston is, but looks like he has won over Jim Shilander, seeing as though some comments regarding some collectibles he allegedly owns have been deleted from these blogs. No misconceptions here!
Nobody loves developers more than Baker and Hamm!!! In fact, I got another cheesy mailer today from a PAC supporting Baker and Hamm… Tony- do yourself a favor before you look even sillier, and do some research on that PAC. Maybe you’ll learn something and stop drinking the Baker/Hamm/Eggleston/Mann Kool-aid…
I did not delete the comment in question. It is still in our system. I am not aware of the rumors mentioned, other than through the post itself. I took it out because, without substantiation, it’s just a rumor. It could have been made up on the spot, for all I know. I don’t want to print unsubstantiated rumors, particularly of a sort that could be considered inflammatory, as the post in question was and is.
So are Baker and Hamm pro-developers or are they anti-growth? It’s used both ways, depending on what you need for your argument. I can’t keep track of what you mean.
SC Times-
Thank you for the response. I guess I was confused seeing as though Mr. Eggleston’s letter had so many rumors itself, for example, that Mortenson was from LA. Thank you for taking the time to explain why the comment was taken down. It is a pretty well known “rumor.” As a reporter, it may be worth looking into…
Regards,
SC Voter
Tony is correct sc voter— I went to the same meetings as you and saw no such evidence about developers and Hamm/Baker. I have however watched decades of Dahl’s bad growth machine. ANY one who lives here has seen it, from the Lab, to the failed mega Ralphs to the toll road, Dahl has been in bed with development. His new buddy the lawyer Mortensen appears to applaud Dahl’s sad stewardship—- That’s all we need to know.
Craig-
All contributions to campaigns (over 99.00) are public record. Chris Hamm did not pay for his yard signs. A developer did. A developer “donated” Chris Hamm the gift of yard signs for his campaign. I personally have received 3 anti-dahl anti-mortenson mailers, there could be more, this is just what I have received, they are all paid for by a specific PAC, the treasurer just happens to be this same developer’s wife. This is public information. These are not secrets or rumors or exaggerations, it is all fact, and can be looked up by anyone. It is also public information that Dahl and Mortenson have not accepted a penny from a developer. I’m glad you went to the forum’s, then you know that Hamm is not qualified for the position on the merits that he was born here. You would also know he thinks traffic is caused by amber alert signs displaying the message “click it or ticket.” And hopefully you also know that is just a naive, nonsensical answer to a big problem we have here in San Clemente, traffic. Sorry Craig and Tony, time to open your eyes and ears, or do a little more research- specifically into an out of town developer getting VERY friendly with Baker and Hamm…
SC Voter—-
1. We KNOW Dahl and Mortensen are developer guys— you can’t answer my Marblehead sign thing can you? The owner allows ONLY their signs there!
2. Dahl’s looooong record in this town and prior campaigns have all been developer funded, I have the records.
3. Look at u tube—- DAHL is the clown who said of our so called traffic problem….”well….just avoid Pico and other bad areas during rush hour…” problem solved!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!– There are some hilarious videos of Dahl saying that and, as always, losing his cool and disrespecting residents.
4. Mortensen is his running mate/pal—
5. Dahl took about 150k personally from the very pro bad development toll road, it’s almost criminal.
5. EVERY fact in those anti Dahl/Mortensen mailers are true—– don’t facts matter anymore?
This aint close amigo— These two are very bad for SC—–“I am joining my neighbors and ending our nightmare—- voting for Hamm and B Baker#1…..
Craig-
So you get to just skip over all the facts I have listed above, the ones about Hamm?? (Btw, I’m still waiting for you to list Hamm’s qualifications, starting with education and experience. ) You are going to say they are false, not explain why you incorrectly think so, then change the subject?? You are not even worth my time.
For the record, Mike Mortenson is in the only candidate endorsed by the Republican Party, did it ever occur to you that perhaps someone in charge at Craig Realty is a Republican??? I see Steve Lang’s sign up there too, he is also endorsed by the OCGOP and endorsed by Bob Baker, Hamm, Brown and Egglston . No conspiracies there Craig. Other candidates indeed asked to have their signs there, and were told NO. Wouln’t you like to know who…. ??
“EVERY” Fact in Mailers is true???
I can’t even begin to tell you how un-informed you are if you truly believe that. And- if you were part of Baker and Hamm’s core team, you would know this- so you are clearly just some misinformed groupie that is here trying to stir up trouble, nobody has time for your nonsense. When you have the time to do some research and are ready to play with the big boys, let me know. Until then- switching topics, ignoring facts, and spreading lies, is just a waste of time for all of us who actually know what we are talking about. Go back to the playground Craig.
Do you think that the OC Republican Party, OC Register, Lincoln Club, CRA, Chamber of Commerce, 7 past mayors/councilmembers, chairmen of various city commissions, president of the DBA, property owners up and down del mar (including the historic city hall), hundreds of residents are all involved in the conspiracy to “destroy” SC? Give me a break. Go to Mike’s website to actually learn something about him: http://www.mikemortenson.com. Oh, you can also go to Baker’s website too — on it you’ll see the pictures of a number of people who DO NOT support him, and who have ASKED HIM TO TAKE THEM OFF HIS WEBSITE — but, because he puts “residents first” — he REFUSES.
Baker and Hamm are disasters. Everyone knows it.
Wow man— so you’re a Lincoln Club fan! That about says it all— The driving force behind the cit united cases—- ok– at least I know your a tea bag fringe guy. No wonder you don’t debate, you pontificate. I answered the questions about Hamm’s qualifications I think on another one of your posts on this site–the fact that you don’t accept them is of no moment to me. You are a classic example of what has ruined my Republican party. Sad.
Time for a change amigo!
Hamm and B baker #1
Nope. You didn’t answer them. Nice try. Keep the excuses coming!!
P.S.
PLEASE CHECK BOB BAKER’S WEBSITE IN RESPONSE TO YOUR COMMENT ABOVE. BOB BAKER is the ONLY candidate that has “TEA PARTY” listed as an endorsement, on his website. Bob Baker is endorsed by the TEA PARTY, looks from your comment above you wouldn’t agree with an endorsement like that.
Why oh Why do I waste my time on you Craig. You just don’t know enough to be holding a conversation about any of these candidates, and now it looks like you know nothing about the 2 bozo’s you support, one is a proud Tea Partier, the other you just can’t seem to give me any educational background or experience that makes him relevant. Please research before you post, I am starting to feel bad for you- I sure hope Craig Adams isn’t your real name, so embarrassing for you…
LOL— So now I’m not Craig Adams? Are you a nut Mr. SC Voter? I looked you up in the phone book this afternoon, S.C. Voter must be unlisted. Hmmm. I answered your questions little buddy. In fact I answered about Hamm’s qualifications above, on this page !!! Do you want to maybe get someone to read it to you?
And Tea Party and B Baker #1? LOL— YOU are the guy who brought up the Lincoln Club not me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You do realize they sponsored the Cit United litigation all the way to the US Supreme Court right? This isn’t the first time you’re hearing this, right? You do know that that has allowed unlimited pac donations in our federal races and in fact unlimited foreign donations as well, riiiiiight?
B Baker #1 has been a voice for responsible quality development on the council, Hamm wants this as well. Mr. Dahl has a decade long history of very poor votes ALL in favor of nearly ANY development. His nick name “urban Sprawl” Dhal was well earned! Your boy Mortensen was booed at one forum when he REFUSED to answer the toll road question!!! Of course he has semi flipped and now says he likes toll roads just not “ending at Trestles” —LOL Like anyone believes him!
Hamms signs were paid for by ANOTHER member of the GPAC planning group— why are you spreading lies? Seems kind of desperate to us.
Oh— and why exactly do you think the DEVELOPERS of Marblehead are only allowing “Urban Sprawl” Dahl and Mortenson to put those signs up? Are you even curious?
haha- “US” clearly nobody informed stands with you Craig. You don’t know enough to be in the A team buddy…
Yes, Baker and the Tea Party, right here:
http://www.electbbaker1.com/supporters.php
Now- I don’t care in the least that they endorse BB1, I merely stated the fact in response to you slamming the tea party in your above post. U-n-d-e-r-s-t-a-n-d Craig?? See what I did there? Spelled it out for you, hope you get it this time. Nice and sloooooowwww- you are slamming the Tea Party, yet the candidate you are supporting is endorsed by them. Once again, to help you out, I dont really care who endorses BB1, just pointing out how little you know about YOUR candidate.
What’s with all the LOL’s ?? are you 14?? grow up Craig.
I just saw this, are these his qualifications? “He is a multi generational resident, in fact goes back to the Foresters (you should know who they were,,,) , a settler in essence. He graduated from SC High School, has planned and run big charity/NGO events, he is a member of our current city gov in my view as a member of the GPAC planning body, and is a professional County firefighter assigned right here in his beloved SC. ”
HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! In summary, he’s lived here a long time. He graduated from high school (wow!). He planned some parties? And now he’s a public employee and was appointed to an advisory committee, where he’s been absent for about 40% of the meetings? You cannot be serious? Really? this qualifies him. I hope a lot of people see this.
HAHAHAHAHA!!
HAHAHAHA ? Are you nine?
Well—— YOU said you were not going to “interact” with me out here any more? I guess I got ya spinning eh little buddy?
Your extreme views were pretty easy to smoke out.
You finally saw my post about Mr. Hamms qualities. Phew, I thought that you got so wound up that you’d spend a few more days missing it!
First of all, this job isn’t Director of the National Security Agency. It’s for city council of a small town that desperately needs some stewardship. His family history shows that he deeply cares, an important quality, his local education is MORE than enough for this position and his status as a professional firefighter give him deep understanding about the piece that is arguably the most important thing a town councilman does— protect the public. (Mr. Dahl in fact has ONLY this qualification) But his must significant quality, and one that for instance Mr. Dahl has NEVER had, is character. The many of us who support him, see patience in Hamm, integrity, and respect. Those qualities are VERY hard to se in Dahl and Mortensen.
I urge people to type Jim Dahl San Clemente into you tube and watch Mr. Dahl storm out of council meetings, whine about not being treated like a king while arguing FOR the toll road at the CCC meetings, go off on speakers at city meetings and otherwise display his most intemperate character to the world. What a pathetic symbol for San Clemente. If you love this town you have to agree that those videos make Mr. Dahl look VERY small.
I knew you couldn’t resist responding to me. I knew that would be difficult for you. Because I have once again bested you with truth. Again, are you the best Mortensen and Dahl have got? Please send out the varsity squad we are very close to election day.
Oh, Mr SC Voter—–
One last thing. I guess it’s clear that you are going to continue to dodge my questions. I will lay them out again to give you a final chance. We know that Mr. Hamm is for responsible development and as a working member of the GPAC planning group has a great qualification in this arena. And we know from Councilman B.Baker #1′s record on the council that he is for responsible development because of his voting record. But here’s what we still don’t know–
1. Who was Jim Dahl serving when he personally took 150k from his freeway building masters while he was serving and voting on our city council? Were his votes on the council serving citizens of SC or his toll road masters? Pick one so we can discuss it. Waiting.
2. Since the developers of the largest development in San Clemente history, Marblehead Trash Outlet Mall, ONLY allow Dahl’s and Mortensens’s sign on their property and we can ALL see that EVERY day (ya gotta love that!), what do you think the developers expect from your boys? Waiting.
Mr. Adams,
In response to your last point about only Dahl and Mortenson’s signs being on Marblehead… Did Baker ask to have his signs placed there? You don’t know that their signs are the ONLY signs allowed. I see a Steve Lang sign, I’ve seen a John Alpay sign and most recently, and I saw a Hope for Hanna sign. It’s a great location and one of Mortenson’s supporters asked if the sign could be placed there and they said yes. That’s it, end of story.
What I do ‘gotta love’ is Bob Baker’s ties to the DEVELOPER Charles Mann. What do you think Mr. Mann expects from Baker? Mortenson has stated numerous times that his vote can’t be bought. The only candidates taking money from a developer are Baker and Hamm. Your candidates are in the back pocket of developers not Mortenson.
“another ” sc voter—- Good points. But Yes— I do know that the developer won’t allow Hamm and B Baker #1 signs. And—– To compare Mr. Mann as a developer to the Marblehead mess is a bb next to a mountain. Which developer do you think is about to need a whole TON of “help” from the city? Marblehead is the largest development in city history. This aint close.
Today I decided to do some research on the candidates for our San Clemente City Council seats. After a few hours on this site, the OC Register site, and the candidates’ websites, I’ve come to a conclusion:
These candidates’ “supporters” are doing them more harm than good.
EVERY article, opinion piece, blog post, etc. about this race is followed by countless comments back and forth between the same two or three individuals blasting the other’s candidate(s). Even though the candidates themselves are not those commenting (I hope), it really makes everyone appear very petty. I thought mudslinging and negative campaigning were reserved for races for major political office.
Another thing that struck me was the amount of time it must take to comment and counter-comment on all of these different articles. I didn’t know that anyone was that interested in local politics. If you are invlolved with the campaigns of Mr. Baker, Mr. Mortensen, Mr. Dahl, or Mr. Hamm, or if one of them is family or a friend, do him a favor and stop bickering anonymously in the “comments” boxes of articles. Especially since you’re only fighting with someone who clearly is not going to vote for your guy(s).
Even assuming that your witty comments about the shortcomings of Candidate X were compelling enough to sway a vote (so far, I’ve not been impressed), how many people (present company excluded) do you really think are reading 20+ comments that go on for 5 days about an opinion article on the website of a low circulation newspaper (no offense San Clemente Times)??????
If you really want to help him, spend more time doing some real campaigning (about his good qualities and ideas, not his opponents’ bad ones). Talk to your neighbors; pass out campaign materials; write your own letter to the editor.
I’ve now wasted enough of my time commenting on these pointless comments, so I’m going to return to my real research. Good luck to everyone, I hope this campaign is not indicative of what we’ll see from our City Council.
Casual Observer—- Yes, there is aways a danger in calling someone out and alienating others. But when the stakes are so high regarding quality of life here — it’s worth the risk. These forums do a service when they support robust debate. Just taking the toll road issue alone —- its presence would change the town forever, just like the freeway planning choice we made in 1958. Respect for all— but no quarter given to folks who drive us down the wrong road all the while lining their pockets.
Casual Observer—- One other point, if you don’t mind—- Today there was yet again another leak reported at SONGS—–this time hydrogen which is extremely dangerous of course if it hits an ignition source. The leaky old nuke has discharged, leaked and safety violated for decades…..and yet……our historic city council positions have been silent at best. Mr. Dahl LOVES the plant. Now of course our little town council does not control the world— but to remain silent in the face of probably THE worst nuke in the US—- it defies logic and falls far below our expectations of what government should do. While this is not much of an issue in this race–it ought to be. We live next to a ticking bomb.
I say all of that only to argue to you that this race is important–someday this city council may get brave and start actively supporting the large community contingent who see the danger and want the plant, which was supposed to be decommissioned by now– shuttered for good.
Thanks for listening to me.
SC voter is Dahl
nope.