REFLECT ON THE ELECTION

[CURIOUS]

Is there anyone out there that is as disappointed with the results as me? Feel free to vent. Azusa has spoken and the future to me looks like sloooooow Keith Hanks goings. Looks like the sensational propaganda from the "safety committee"/ urr gun club worked. I guess the bridge to nowhere is not only an Azusa destination but also its motto. Oh well guess change is bad, see you next election

[Voter]

Dissapointed is an understatement! Why do people vote if they are not properly informed! I hate to loose Macias who would have given the council the shot in the arm it needed. And what where the voters thinking when they voted for Hanks? He is directly in the pockets of the gun club! Just what we need another person on the city council making sure all the special interests are taken care of! What about the residents? I hope that Dianne will at least give the open seat to Macias to appease the other half of the city who voted for him. If they don't seriously consider this move they will have at least half of the city disgruntled and watching their every move with distrust. I think it would be a good way for the council to show they care about the will of the other half of the people of this city! City council are you listening?

[Glad its over]

Obviously you are a Macias supporter to wish for him on City Council. Many of us are relieved that he is not because of his affiliation with Christina Madrid. I was also very unsettled by the aggressive tactics used during his campaign, including some of the manipulative and dishonest postings on this board. Yesterday, after the election committee cleared the area of visible electioneering prior to opening the polling place at our lodge, Macias supporter put up their signs on common property right outside the entrance to Mountain Cove. Even more outrageous is the fact that when Euclid Management ordered the landscape workers to take down the signs ... these supporters interfered with that process and refused to let the workers carry out their orders. I'd call this low and unethical. If these sort of actions are what Macias is about ... I hope he goes away for good.

[disgusted mc resident]

First of all, let me tell you that chagnon supporters were the first ones to put up signs on mc community property, which I thought was not allowed by our home owner association policies. But, it figures because the Board members were chagnon campaigners they allowed it, why should macias not do the same.... Macias will not go away, Chagnon was very fortunate that the gun club supported her, but guess what you guys, I guess we will enjoy listening to the mixture of nature, our nations safety at war, and poison our air.

[Happy Day]

Voter:"I hope that Dianne will at least give the open seat to Macias to appease the other half of the city who voted for him."

Yes, Voter, I imagine you and the other whining, immature Macias supporters wish this would happen, but it won't. The underhanded Madridlike campaign tactics employed by Macias saw to that. The lies on this board about Chagnon were just a reflection of the rotten core that was the Macias campaign. So, Voter, take down all your little Macias signs and balloons now and go home. Play time is over. It is time for the adults to govern.

[Status Quo]

I come forward as the author of many anti-Chagnon messages appearing on this board. I have no affiliation, whatsoever, with Macias and I have never even met the man.

What I have seen, however, is the fact that Chagnon accepted money from the gun club's landlord, Vulcan Materials, as well as from Athens Services, our trash service company under the control of Azusa Light & Power (which employs Mr. Chagnon). Macias did not take money from special interests, and as a result of not being "for sale", he may have cost himeself the election.

Regarding signs on Mountain Cove property, I thought it was quite underhanded for Chagnon's supporters to post her signs just outside the lodge, which served as the polling place. Put it on your own property, fine, but don't put it on public property. Also, it is worth pointing out that one of the persons working at the poll was an avowed Chagnon supporter, appearing on her mailer as one of her endorsers.

Anyway, it will be the Status Quo in Azusa. Too many people, some of them right here in Mountain Cove, are seemingly trying to elbow themselves into position for their own future runs at City Council or maybe their own land deal similar to the furniture store fiasco.

With a city council that includes Chagnon (Mayor), Hardison and Hanks it doesn't look too good. There just may be a gun club opening up soon in Mountain Cove!!!

Just a parting thought...the fact remains that the gun club attacked nearly everybody BUT Diane Chagnon, and whether or not Diane Chagnon orchestrated any of this or endorsed any of this, it seems to have served her very well. May she have a troubled tenure and may some of her skeletons escape from the closet. Until then...

[SIPPING SOME COOKING SHERRY]

Ok seriously who are the people that voted for Johnson? Did some you hit the sauce and go and vote, 29 votes for Johnson in the MC. Please if someone voted for her , next time do some research or jump in the river, and dont even get me started on (belly hanging out of shirt) Gonzo. Is this the possible logic Gonzo sounds like bonzo + Bonzo, monkey that was movie with Reagan. Reagan= good president. Therfore Gonzo =good canidate. please guys give this some more thought next time Otherwise we are going to be driving out of town to get decent anything forever

[CORRECTION REGARDING SIGNS]

CORRECTION: There were NO election signs on COMMON PROPERTY outside the lodge AND there were no campaign signs anywhere visible from the front of the lodge. However, there was one Chagnon sign and one Macias sign on Wildflower way along side of the lodge which were both on PRIVATE PROPERTY. The only "illegal" signs were those of Macias put up AFTER the pollworkers had cleared the area at the entrance to MC. And it were Macias supporters who interfered with the instructions of the landscape crew.

[HOW CUTE]

Guest-Happy said:

Voter:"I hope that Dianne will at least give the open seat to Macias to appease the other half of the city who voted for him."

Yes, Voter, I imagine you and the other whining, immature Macias supporters wish this would happen, but it won't. The underhanded Madridlike campaign tactics employed by Macias saw to that. The lies on this board about Chagnon were just a reflection of the rotten core that was the Macias campaign. So, Voter, take down all your little Macias signs and balloons now and go home. Play time is over. It is time for the adults to govern.

How cute you are , with your name calling and such! Im guessing that youve never voted before this, judging by your reactions and comments! You remind me of a little school girl that just won a bet over hop-scotch or something! Guess what pal, you didnt do it alone! The Chagnon supporters won by under 300 votes, granted she won, she barely did! So speaking of immature little school girl, take a look around and you will find that the majority of Macias' "little signs and balloons" have been removed without whining , so do us all a favor and keep your arguements in the schoolyard!

[Happy Day]

How Cute,
You sound like one of the many Chagnon liars on this board under one of many assumed names I suppose. Since you say only "most" of the little Macias signs and balloons have been cleaned up it is obvious your work is not done. Do not let me keep you from going out and finding every last one that litters our beautiful city and putting it in the appropriate trash bin.

[gun club supporter]

It is a happy day ;D, we got what we wanted... with Diane being our preferred Mayor. I know we can convice her, she's a girl, we are here to stay Cove residents and make all the noise we want, whenever we want... We know that she carries a for sale sign on her, and we know how to quite you up Cove residents.

[Comment and Suggestion]

Happy Day, who ever you may be, given the almost half split of the voting results, I think you've lost your teeth on the whole multiple identity posting thing. It's about as outright psychotic as the "Macias is Madrid pawn" conspiracy. Macias and Chagnon both had nearly equal number of supporters.

There is one particular person on Chagnon's campaign that has a practically certifiable obsession with his hatred for Madrid. That person scares me more than Madrid herself ever could.... I'm sorry for anyone that would still remain so fixated on that. Chagnon won. One would hope they'd move on past their beef with the outgoing mayor (she's done) and concentrate on the city's future.

There's a couple of hypocracies going on here. First, a post made this assertion of "underhanded tactics" by the Macias campaign. Making a federal case of putting up the signs in the wrong place? Come on. There is not a candidate in this election who didn't have that occur in some manner. You think there was malice involved? Pleeease.

Why don't you consider this? There was an all day event hosted at the Women's Club at the same time during the voting there... with Diane Chagnon's mother as one of the people in charge, and nowhere for voters to park as all the spaces were taken. The city clerk's office had not been notified in advance of this, and wasn't exactly thrilled to hear about it. Since you're angry about signs being placed improperly, should I get an investigation into poll inaccessbility too?

I also wouldn't be too liberal about making baseless accusations and equating them to Madrid. Since she's most infamous for that certain Monrovia Nursery mailer that went out, it's ironic to say the least that a mailer in support of Chagnon was sent under similar circumstances (two days before the election, illegally identifying itself as a "sample ballot", from the gun club disguised as a "Save Azusa" action committee....). I'm not meaning to egg this, but I am pointing out that there are elements of contention from Macias supporters, too.

You on the other hand, were making accusations that were either vapid or totally baseless. Have some dignity and accept victory with class as opposed to trying to fight with people, and divide your side from theirs. From either point of view, about half of the city voted for the other candidate. Wouldn't it be better to try to coexist with each other and move forward? Isn't that what a good mayor would (or should) do, too?

By the way, to the gun club guy, I'm not impressed with your contribution in the least. If there's anything we've learned from the election, it's that we know how little you value the people in our community. Like it or not, and no matter what may or may not have happened behind the scenes, Chagnon will be held to her promise of support for the exit (I mean in less than 2 years, not 10).... and if you're suggesting that she did cut a deal to help you guys, I'd consider myself cooked because the community will make sure that it isn't going to happen.

[HOW CUTE]

Guest-Happy said:

How Cute,
You sound like one of the many Chagnon liars on this board under one of many assumed names I suppose. Since you say only "most" of the little Macias signs and balloons have been cleaned up it is obvious your work is not done. Do not let me keep you from going out and finding every last one that litters our beautiful city and putting it in the appropriate trash bin.

oh yeah well youre a big bird brain! Does this cute little school girl game work better for you happy gay?! ;D

[VOTER]

Dear Happy Days.
You are sooo transparent! It's obvious you have a personal stake in Chagnon's victory ie: your own campaign for some position in the future? So maybe you better start being nice to us Macias supporters as well, again for your personal gain. Remember we are voters!

If you would have been more objective and taken the time and effort to know the facts and the other candidate, you would have found out that Madrid had no connection to Macias. Macias is very much his own man and doesn't need anyone to tell him what to do (unlike your man who has you for a boss). An educated person who doesn't have a personal stake at hand would have done that before making a choice.

Anyways, enjoy your happy days while they last because with all of the lawsuits and the Vulcan situation coming their way, they are going to have a tough time no matter who sits on those chairs. Enjoy!

[Irritated Guest]

I am so sick of you people and your whining dribble. The election is over, folks. Give it up. And no, Diane cannot appoint Macias to a council position. If he wanted to try to be a councilmember, he would have run for council, dummies. He wanted to be Mayor, and he lost, so suck it up and shut up! Either work with the new council which, by the way, the majority of people in Azusa voted for, or just go away. Go try your "gentrification" in some other town. Your (MC) 700 votes didn't get you much, did it? All you succeeded in doing was getting a whole lot of Azusa citizens who logged on to your website more reasons that ever to dislike you.

[Cry Baby MCR]

Irritated Guest
Congrats are in order, it appears that you are satisfied with your winners and your city. WE ARE NOT! You may be satisfied with Azusa remaining the armpit of the foothills. BUT WE ARE NOT! Hate us as you may, there are many more of us looming in the distance prepared to take over Monterra, and even you street. The days of Azusa lagging behind it foothill neighbors are getting tougher and tougher. You may have, pardon the pun missed a bullet, but I guarantee you, progress will not forget Azusa. And sorry your fear of your word of the day “gentrification”

gen·tri·fi·ca·tion [ jèntrəfi káysh’n ]
noun

renovation of an unprosperous neighborhood: the process of transforming an unprosperous neighborhood of buildings needing repair into a more prosperous one, for example, through investment in remodeling buildings or housesBut not all us want to live with crack house, gang members, graffiti, pawnshops and no decent downtown. I know you hate change is scary. But maybe you should start looking for a place in Fontuckey. Because it might not be this year or the next, but soon the ugly duckling town is going to become a swan and we will be enjoying the flower that your past B.S will be fertilizing. No crying here, just looking forward to the day when I don’t see you and your shopping cart

[could be]

Guest-VOTER said:

Macias is very much his own man and doesn't need anyone to tell him what to do (unlike your man who has you for a boss).

maybe you right... we'll see. if he continues to be involved in azusa like he promised, even though he didn't get the big show position, then maybe he is alllright.

[IRRITATED GUEST]

To: Cry Baby MCR
I have been a resident of Azusa for well over 30 years. I doubt very much that you will be taking over my street any time soon. In fact, I doubt you and yours will be taking over anything in this town. If Azusa is such an "armpit", why did you move here? Oh, I know, you wanted the big house on "the river" in the canyon, and that big house was cheaper in the armpit city than it would have been in Glendora, Claremont, San Dimas or LaVerne. If you ever wish to have your ideas embraced by the long-time residents of this city (many, like me, who are college educated), you have to first get over yourself and realize that you are no better than anyone else in this city. Behave in a civilized manner, respect those who came here before you, respect the members of the City Council, and convince the voting majority that you are worthy of living in our town. Our town was doing just fine when you moved here and we'll be doing just fine when you leave. Fortunately, most of us have the good sense to recognize that there are only a handful of you who make all the noise. I remember my mom telling me about your type..... something to do with one rotten apple spoiling the whole barrel. I believe the majority of those living in MC are good people, it's just unfortunate that they allow those like you to pretend to speak for the entire community. Grow up and act like an adult rather than a spoiled child.

[BRAVO]

Kudos to you, Irritated Guest. I must agree with you that the MC residents, on the whole, are probably rather personable but are sadly overshadowed by those rotten apples. My several personal friends in MC disavow any knowledge of these troublemakers. Let's allow them their childish endevours and hope they choke on their sour grapes.

You and I and others in our fair city have important work to do with our new, better-than-ever City Council. Those few MC rotten apples seem to have nothing better to do than attempt to stir up trouble within our city. Allow them the joy of playing on their website, it keeps them out of trouble and out of our hair. Little to they realize that up there in the canyon they are not only out of sight, but out of mind as well.

[sage]

Hello Azusa Residents,

Ah...Gesh...I was not going to post on this thread because I just want this election stuff to be over and I really did not like the nasty campaigning that went on, which I was not a part of. But I would like some clarification from the residents that live outside of Mountain Cove. I appreciate and respect your input. However, I ask that you please clarify your position a little. When you say that there are a few "bad apples", at what point is one considered to be a "bad apple" in this city? I mean, I understand it when it comes to some of the recent posts on this board. But what about the people who live in Mountain Cove that is really trying to support changes in this city that will help improve it, including:

1. supporting the Montarra project
2. helping with Our Neighborhood Homework House
3. pushing for better quality schools, especially with a new school coming into the city (in Montarra). I think that it is important that the new school, as well as the other ones in the city, offer the students an education that is challenging to each student.
4. pushing for downtown development and a supermarket in the city
5. supporting tough decisions that the city council makes (including the recent rezoning plan) that will result in improving the quality of life for the residents. I realize that some decisions do not affect the entire city. But even if it helps only a certain portion of Azusa, I think that the majority of Azusa residents should support the other residents on issues that help improve their lives. I know that there are a few residents in Azusa, not specifically Mtn. Cove residents, which like to pin one area of Azusa against another. But I think this kind of behavior should be rejected by Azusans as a whole.
6. reduce crime by redeveloping the highest crime properties in the city.
7. encouraging the city council to work on the issues that they approved of in the General Plan.

I know that there are some people in Azusa that just want the residents of Mountain Cove to be quiet and that don't want to see any real changes in Azusa. I’m sure that these people are not the majority. If they were the majority, then 75% of the voters would not have approved the Montarra project. From the Azusa residents that I have spoken to, they want the same things that I have stated above.

I just found a couple of your comments a little odd. I don't believe that ANY of the Mountain Cove residents wants to "take over your street" or city for that manner. I think that I can say that most of us just want to see this city improve for the benefit of all of the residents of Azusa. We don't think that having empty run down buildings in the downtown or high crime areas is good for the residents of Azusa. And we see that there is a real opportunity to really help make a difference in the quality of people’s lives. That is one of the reasons why I moved here. Yes, I could have moved to another city like the one I grew up in, but I felt like my tax dollars would mean more in a poor city than a city full of expensive homes. And that is truly one of the reasons why I wanted to move to Azusa. I wanted to support the process of helping this city become as nice as Monrovia and the other cities along the Foothills. I don't believe that things just stay the same. They always get better or worse. And Azusa is on track to keep getting better. I know that it is not a quick process but I do see continuous progress.

To me, a "bad apple" would be someone who is trying to cause trouble by slowing down or stopping the improvements within the city. And yes, a few of these people do exist throughout the city. Do any of the above qualities that I have posted above make us "bad apples" in your eyes? If you disagree with an improvement that I would like to see, does that make me a bad apple? Just curious! Thanks in advance for answering my question.

[Observing From The Cove]

I would also like to add that not everyone in the cove should be held to these standards. I happen to be a hard working man with a couple of kids, and a great wife that feels very fortunate to be living here. Sure Azusa has to make some changes, go to Glendora anywhere south of the 210, and it's nowhere near as nice as North Glendora. I very seriously doubt that anyone here in the cove moved from a more affluent neighborhood to Azusa. I've talked to many of my neighbors and I'm hearing Long Beach(not great)Pasadena(and not South Pas) What I'm trying to say is we all moved to a better place,and yeah a few(between 5-20....no mre than 20) are "uppity like".
As for the election results....what can I say but that the only one of my votes that "won" was Rocha, Hanks was very surprising to me but I've only been here 2 years. I don't know much about any of these people.
I think we should all work together on this and try to better Azusa without maliscious overtone.
Using words like getrification just to encite someone is a good way to piss someone off! I will say again....the majority in the cove as do I, come and go everyday and appreciate what we have and hope for the best for the city of Azusa! Thanks!

[sage]

I think that the uppity comments also need to stop as well. Just because people like to enjoy nice things does not mean they think that they are better than anyone else. There is nothing wrong with enjoying a nice restaurant meal, going on a vacation, or splurging on a little chocolate. The whole uppity thing is ridiculous.

[Observing From the Cove]

Sage,
the reason I used "uppity" is because of that is what alot of people are using to describe All of us. I too enjoy the nice things you enjoy, with the exception of "expensive" chocolate, an everyday Snickers is fine for my taste buds. I like tacos, burritos, pizza and most of all a good burger joint. I drink beer, I don't do wine, ( gives me a headache)but I love to have a good shot or two of Crown Royal whiskey. I enjoy alternative music, hard rock,but connect more with the Blues, deep down southern blues to be exact. My favorite thing to do is spend time with my family every chance I get. I'm looking forward to the rennaisance fair coming to Irwindale.
Ok what does anybody care right? What I'm getting at is that I am an average man living in Mountain Cove. I can tell you that alot of people are average here. They may not like much of anything I like but they are average. They wash their own cars on weekends and not everyone owns a beamer or benz. That is the impression some Azusans have of us, mainly the ones who call us "uppity", and just like you don't like uppity, I don't like the assiciation to it! By the way, how well do you think a Hanzel & Grettel chocolate shop would do in downtown anyway??? We have to think about the survivability of any business we try to bring in as well you know that I know that.

[AK47]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Very, Very Upset!!! It was a very close race... Why did the Gun Club had to intervine using "Dirty Politics" to mess with peoples minds not to vote for Macias... those flyers made a great impact in the campaigning, sending wrongfull messages to the citizens of Azusa...while Macias being a clean, honest and sincere candidate not retaliating and keeping it clean!!!

I also dont understand why "Diane Chagnon's" name was not in the flyers, from my understanding shes also against the gun club staying...it smells funny...and dirty...

Wrongfull messages: The Gun Club stated that Macias its against public safety...hummm well lets see Macias is a U.S Navy member devoted to his country.....and Chagnon has not so ever any background in military or police... Macias promise to donate part of his salary as a mayor to the Azusa Police Explorers...hummm and they say hes against public safety...yeah right!!!

Great job Diane!!! lets see what else is under youre sleeves!!!

[ak47]

Much credit for the mayoral race results was taken by Xavier Hermosillo, representative of the San Gabriel Valley Gun Club. The gun club was recently voted by the City Council to vacate their current Azusa location within 18 months, with an option for 10-year extension.

After Tuesday night's reading of election results at City Hall, Hermosillo openly claimed that about half of the absentee ballots (nearly a third of all the ballots cast) were a direct result of the gun club's efforts - and that they targeted Macias for defeat because he was unwilling to work with them to remain in Azusa.

The gun club ultimately supported Chagnon for mayor, and inundated Azusa residents with a barrage of advertisements equating the voting for Macias - as well as council candidates Angel Carrillo, Bob Donnellson, and Joe Rocha - with exposure to threats of terrorism. The most blatant of the fliers featured a photograph of Osama Bin Laden next to these candidate's names

[sage]

Hello Observing From The Cove,

The uppity comments are undeserved and people that use them want to just make up reasons to not like us. As for the Hanzel & Grettel chocolate shop, I'm not sure what that is. Is that a franchise? A chocolate shop all by itself downtown, of course would not do well. If the downtown was redesigned to attract shoppers from local cities as well as Azusa, then a variety of stores could do well. The stores would be much more successful than a center that designed to be just for Azusa residents to shop in. I think that it would be nice to see an area in Azusa where people from the entire valley came to shop. Azusa residents have been shopping in their cities for years and I would like to see residents from other cities do a little of the same in Azusa.

[MC VOTER]

AK 47 There are a few of us that are like the pioneers that are coming to this community with visions of a better life. Like the pioneers we have to face some hostile indians that are resistant to change. But like the pioneers before me there are more coming and more change on the horizon. (This just exampe before i get blasted, of course pionerrs had it worse) The gun clubs is slowly going to get weaker and weaker as the community starts to stand up for themselves. They might have played a role in the election, but i'm sure at an expensive cost, they will now plague the city with lawsuits that will cause further delay in the city being able to focus on improvement. Hanks may be on their payrole but he still has to be accountable to his voters and their best interest. The days of carpbaggers coming in and changing our communitty will slowly deminsh as our city grows with new energized blood and the long times residents of Azusa awaken from their slumber and start make this place a great city