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| Numbers Don't Lie by Jack Pellerin March 20, 2003 - NUMBERS DON”T LIE AND IT IS TRUE THAT THIRD DISTRICT SUPERVISOR GAIL MARSHALL WON THE INITIATIVE, “NO ON RECALL”. I HAVE OBTAINED A COPY OF THE FINAL CERTIFIED RESULTS OF THE ELECTION. MRS. MARSHALL WON BY A MARGIN OF 2,176 VOTES OUT OF 24,916 VOTES CAST AND THIS WAS 54.37% OF REGISTERED VOTERS. IT IS ALSO TRUE THAT THE VOTES FROM U.C.S.B. AND ISLE VISTA NETTED 3,955 VOTES IN FAVOR OF MARSHALL. WITHOUT THESE VOTES FROM A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF NON-RESIDENT STUDENTS, MARSHALL WOULD HAVE LOST BY 1,779 VOTES. She lost all but one precinct in North County. In this one small precinct of 103 voters she won by only 15 votes. All the other North County precincts supported the recall significantly. This tends to support that the North County is disenfranchised and taxed without representation. Marshall’s district is the only one that has portions of both North and South County but she consistently supports South County The recent Gerrymandering Marshall Plan included about 6,000 prisoners without the right to vote. However, if they could vote, it’s conceivable that they might favor Marshall as her Administration Assistant is John Buttney, a five-time felon and what’s the old saying, who sticks together? A concerted effort was made by the Marshall Clan and by notably partisan Ken Pettit to defeat the recall at all costs. Pettit is retiring from his non-partisan office next month. They succeeded in registering several thousand students at U.C.S.B. and Isle Vista City College after entertaining this special interest group with well-known musical entertainers. However, similar aggressive efforts were not provided at Allan Hancock College in North County. Their plan to delay the election by filing a lawsuit succeeded even though their lawsuit failed on all counts. Their political machine definitely needed the vote to be held while schools were in session. Pettit stayed within the law but usually went to the extreme edge rather then following the intent of the law. He is expert in bending the rules to coincide with his political agenda. I was a strong supporter of the recall initiative and I want to publicly express my thanks for the leadership and exhaustive work by Lammy Johnstone-Koekler with the constant support of her husband, Nicholas. We had at least 20 legitimate reasons to recall Marshall even though the opposition usually referred solely to the “pledge to the flag” incident. Her patriotism wasn’t the issue, it was her belligerence, loss of temper and dictatorial behavior that was totally unacceptable and beneath the dignity of her office. However, one unforgivable action that evening was her strong supporter, Lansing Duncan remained seated during the pledge to our flag. Again there is an old saying, “If you think you have reached a dead end, perhaps you are sitting on it. On Oct. 3, 2002, prior to the election, I sent a letter to Gail Marshall ending any semblance of our former friendship started about 20 years ago. I projected that she would lose in the North County and her only chance of survival would be by receiving a large majority of votes from South County students, many of whom are non-permanent residents. Additionally, she needed the strong efforts from Pettit, Buttney and Duncan. A recall of an incumbent is always very difficult and an almost impossible legal action. We fought a good battle and came up short of our goal. We remain particularly proud of our replacement candidate. Jim Thomas. We couldn’t of asked for more qualified person for the job. We hope and pray that Gail Marshall will learn a lesson from this initiative and more fairly represent her entire district in the future. |
| We Agree to Disagree by Jack Pellerin October 24, 2001 - Prior to Gail Marshall becoming 3rd District County Supervisor, I knew her and worked with her on the annual Santa Ynez Days. During those times, I liked her and respected her. However, since she became County Supervisor, I found while I still liked her, I hated her politics. Once at the Chumash Casino, I was guest speaker on North County issues and Gail was the MC. Jokingly she introduced me as her arch-enemy. This was the finest compliment she could have given to me. We had an arrangement to agree, to disagree, but to continue to respect each other. Gail, in my opinion has proven to be an ultra liberal favoring public rights over private property rights and freedoms. She is also anti-agriculture and often anti-business plus being an extreme environmentalist. If you disagree with her, she calls you divisive. She consistently joins with the South County Supervisors with many votes going 3 to 2 which frequently favors South County over North County. Her stands on reapportionment, the grading ordinance, amortization ordinance, the oak tree initiative, the oil industry, etc. can have devastating effects on our County. I am also fearful of her support for the Gaviota National Sea Shore initiative and the expansion of the Channel Island Marine Sanctuary. While these issues “sound good,” they can really create excessive problems, particularly for Vandenberg Air Force Base. All these issues eat away at our freedoms. The influence of Administrative Assistant John Buttny, (5-time convicted felon for anti war activities) is evident in Gail’s decisions as it was with former Supervisor Wallace. Marshall’s recent inept, unprofessional handling of the General Plan Advisory Group’s Pledge Of Allegiance was beneath the dignity of her office. This is regardless of whether Chairperson Olla followed protocol {as Mrs. Marshall has done as a Supervisor} or if she was so-called “set up” as many of her opposition were in attendance. A capable Supervisor would have risen above the circumstances by being calm and making the right choices. During this time of concern over terrorism which has resulted in a most welcome return to Patriotism with U.S. flags of all sizes being openly and proudly displayed, all efforts should be made to show our loyalty to our country, our heroes, and our flag. Our flag is a symbol of our freedoms and independence. Pledges Of Allegiance are becoming even more frequently utilized. Even if only a few persons gather, it is worthwhile and appropriate to salute and honor our Flag. Furthermore, I would recommend adding a non-sectarian invocation along with a flag salute. I’m a great supporter of God and Country. Based on all of the above, I have lost my respect for Mrs. Marshall and enthusiastically urge all 3rd District voters to actively join in supporting the recall of Supervisor Marshall with your volunteerism, promotion and funding. |