Brentwood City Councilman Steve Barr has been the apparent victim of a whisper campaign against him in his bid for the District 3 County Board of Supervisor Seat.
According to an email floating around by many political insiders, the anonymous email challenged Barr’s voting record, highlighted being sued by his former campaign consultant, not being able to win a mayoral race and says he flip-flopped on Project Labor Agreements.
Barr addressed the attacks and explained that all anyone had to do was just ask him if they were true or not and he would be happy to explain it. He also stated that if the email had substance, it would not have been anonymous.
According to the email, Barr did not vote in three of the last four elections (May 19, 2015, March 17, 2015, and June 2014) which were primary or special elections.
Barr admits he did not vote because he had been out of town caring for a close family friend who was ill and later passed. He stated he was in and out of town and missed the voting days.
“Realizing this could happen again, in December, when I changed parties I changed to an absentee ballot and permanent mail to rectify the problem” says Barr. “Now I can receive a ballot and still vote.”
He says he understands the line of questioning, but says not voting in a primary or special election does not make him any less of a candidate because he was elected to cast votes for the people of Brentwood, not his personal ballot.
“If you check my voting record, the seat I was elected too serve on, I didn’t miss the votes. That is the most important thing that I made the votes for the people who elected me. If they elect me to the Board of Supervisors, I am not going to miss those votes there,” says Barr. “Yes, I missed a personal vote for another candidate, but I did not, in my opinion, let down the people I serve in the City of Brentwood. You can check I have been to all the council meetings. I rarely miss council meetings. I maybe miss one meeting in a year which is a good record.”.
Another knock on Barr is that he was sued by his campaign consultant which is something Barr admits did happen and has been resolved.
“My consultant gave me a bill for services that was a lot more than I feel the work he had done and what we anticipated. So there was a dispute over the amount of the bill. We could not come to agreement and we went to the system” explained Barr. “I can tell you that after we settled the lawsuit, what I had to pay was significantly lower than the bill he presented me with. I think that makes the case that it probably was too high. It was resolved.”
Barr says upon the settlement being agreed to, it was paid off.
Barr further stated that its about standing up for what is right and he expects anyone who receives a bill that they think its inaccurate to stand up for themselves and refuse to pay it until they can come to a resolution.
The email also questions his leadership by the lack of results of Barr serving on the East Contra Costa Fire Protection District and not finding a long term solution while two tax measures have failed.
He calls it an unfair criticism.
“The fire issue in East County is a very difficult issue to solve. Would I like to have a solution, yes I would. But the one thing I know is that I am not willing to give up on the fire district by throwing up my hands and leaving. A lot of good people have been on the fire board and I will remind you that Assemblyman Jim Frazier served as a city councilman and we didn’t find solutions then,” explained Barr. “Many people have come onto that board including two mayors who are no longer on the Board. I don’t think 100% responsibility falls on one of the nine members to find a solution.”
Barr highlighted that he is the only one of the Supervisor candidates who is actively working on a solution.
“Doug Hardcastle has an opportunity to be on the fire board because the City of Oakley needs to appoint somebody,” says Barr. “Doug also could have stepped up last year and been appointed instead of Randy Pope to work towards a solution.”
He admits that the best thing politically for him to do would have been to stay off the fire board because of the appearance of not being able to solve a difficult problem but stated he wanted the challenge of coming to an agreement on a long-term solution.
“It’s the right thing to do for East County and if you can’t work hard on a problem, you really don’t have business serving people and the residents of East County,” said Barr. “The solution is not going to make everyone happy. Nobody wants to increase taxes any more than I do, the problem is it’s a revenue situation. Many of the questions have been addressed and I would challenge anyone to look at the budget instead of these bold brush statement about wasteful spending. No one ever points out where the waste is. There is only so much service you can provide with “x” amount of dollars.”
Barr, who switched political parties in December over the President of the United States stance on the San Bernardino shooting, is getting grief from both political parties on the move, something he says fit more in line with his current beliefs and his voting record.
“I want to remind people that the County Board of Supervisors seat is a non-partisan seat. Some people are trying to make it a democratic or republic seat, its not. I don’t change how I do things from a Brentwood City Council seat to a County Supervisor. My actions, my financial decisions, my common sense approach, nothing changes,” says Barr. “That is what I like about local politics, local government is local and when you see the people you represent in the grocery store and they let you know if you are doing something wrong right away. You don’t have to wait to read it in the newspaper, you know it right away.”
When asked hypothetically if he was running as a democrat if it would be different, Barr says nothing would really change because he still has his record which has not changed.
“I know both sides don’t like minimizing their positions, but for me, it’s about me and how I vote and viewing fiscal policies,” explained Barr. “The Board of Supervisor does not have to go all the way right or all the way left; they need to make the best decision for the county.”
One argument being made against Barr which he laughs at is he cannot beat Mayor Bob Taylor in the mayoral race so he should not run for county supervisor.
“I don’t agree with that,” says Barr. “I am not the only one who has run against Bob Taylor and lost. I know Bob Taylor has tremendous support in Brentwood and his supporters have told me that when they had to decide losing me as a council member and going to Mayor or losing Bob Taylor, they really wanted us both. If Bob lost, he was out, if I lost, they still had us both on the council and that is what they wanted.”
Barr says he could make the case that anybody in East Contra Costa could not beat Bob Taylor for mayor.
“I would venture to say the way Brentwood residents feel about Bob Taylor, I don’t know anyone in East County who could run against him and try and replace what he does for Brentwood,” explained Barr. “So no, nobody in East County can beat Bob Taylor in Brentwood. After I learned what I learned, I will never run against Bob again. There is no one in Brentwood who attends the events that he attends and the people love him. The mayor is always available to go to read a book at a daycare center, show up for third grade graduation, no matter what he is asked to do he shows up and sometimes even in a turkey suit. Generally the mayor is always responsible to the residents and it reminds them it can still be a small town feel.”
One item Barr would like to clear up is his record on Project Labor Agreements which the Antioch Herald recently called him a “flip-flopper” which he says they did not fact check because had only voted on one PLA.
The Antioch Herald, which is published by Allen Payton, is also a campaign consultant for Doug Hardcastle who is running for the same seat Barr is seeking.
“They must have me confused with someone else because I have only voted on one PLA and was not on the city council when the city hall project was approved,” says Barr. “There was no flip-flop, I did vote for a PLA for the library and I voted for it because of the success of the city hall project coming in on time and under budget.”
Although Barr does not like the negativity that may go along with campaigning, he plans to run a positive campaign and focus on his race and his record.
“Each candidate is going to run their own campaign. I do not like and I don’t think the public likes negative campaigns. I think negative campaigns diminishes the quality of the process,” explained Barr. “I am willing to stand on my record in Brentwood and each candidate can stand on their own record.”
Barr says if people hear a rumor and want it addressed, he is easy to contact and is accessible.
“Before the rumor spreads or is forwarded in this case such as email, people should fact check first or just come ask me,’ says Barr. “The PLA is a perfect example of no flip-flopping because I only voted once.”
He also noted that he is aware of the rumor of the Brentwood Police Officers Association and their selection to endorse him. He says he is offended by it and how offensive it was to the POA.
“The officers support me because of their experience with me on the Brentwood City Council and how I support the police department. There have been many issues we have solved together and they simply recognize that,” says Barr. “I didn’t appreciate some of the comments that were made in regards to our police officers, in my opinion those were disrespectful to our police officers and I kind of take that personally. We have an incredible group of men and women who keep Brentwood safe every day and diminishing a decision they made is irresponsible.”
For more information on Steve Barr, visit his website: www.stevebarrforsupervisor.com
18 comments
Since I was called out in this article, I will respond. First, the column that was posted on the Antioch Herald website is by the self-labeled Watchdog, Barbara Zivica who writes what she wants and I don’t pay her to do so. Just as I publish others’ opinions in the form of columns and letters to the editor. They are her opinions based on her research. If she includes something I know to be inaccurate I will challenge her to make sure it’s corrected. As for her including the part about Steve’s position on the PLA for the Brentwood City Hall and vote for one on the library, she wrote – “My biggest beef with him is, although he was opposed to a project labor agreement the City used on its new city hall, he was seated on the council when they unanimously agreed to move forward with creating a project labor agreement to build the Brentwood library. Should we call him a ‘flip flopper’?” She didn’t write that he was on the Council for the first vote. But I have just now emailed her this article asking where she got the information about Steve’s position on the PLA for the city hall project before he was elected. I will be back later with her response. Allen Payton
Allen Payton = Antioch’s biggest hypocrite. Nothing you say can be trusted, especially since you are running Doug Hardcastles pathetic little campaign. You have been a little weasel in Antioch for years and have little respect by many.
I don’t think I’ve seen one positive thing written about Wade Harper or Monica Wilson in that paper. It’s biased against any democrat.
Look at Paytons article about the mayor and the car accident, it was about Lori Ogorchuck instead of the mayor helping out.
Allen, I am not buying this explanation, you are the publisher of a paper and decide what goes in or stays out. If its great news, you take credit, if it becomes a problem, its every one elses fault. You are the single reason I am not voting for Doug Hardcaslte and supporting the rhino republican in Steve Barr.
Good job Steve Barr. Its clear Allan Payton can’t be unbiased with the Herald since he is having his writers attack you in the form of columns. Whoever is writing anonymous emails is pretty low, shame on others for hitting forward. Thanks for sticking up for BPD and our firefighters. Best candidate for the job!
I think this is the first time I have seen a candidate address internet rumors. Good job Steve Barr.
Ironic, Steve wants to run a positive campaign, but is quick to blast Hardcastle for not getting on the fire board. He also blasts Jim Frazier and the mayors for also not coming to a solution. Double speak if you ask me.
We publish all commentaries and letters to the editor we receive, on the Antioch Herald website. But due to limited space in the paper each month, not all of them can fit on our opinion page. Every single press release from all candidates in the Supes’ race that we have received or learn about have been published on our website. All candidates’ campaign announcements have appeared in the paper. Hardcastle’s appeared without his photo on page 13 in last September’s issue. All of his opponents’ announcements – with photos – have appeared on the front page. The New York Times’ slogan is All The News That’s Fit to Print. We have to abide by a different version of that – all the news that fits, we print. As for the source of information on Barr’s opposition to the PLA on the Brentwood City Hall, it was Jack Weir, the current President of the Contra Costa Taxpayers Association, who wrote in an email to Barbara Zivica – “I did a little work with Steve several years ago when I was helping ABC fight a PLA for the new Brentwood civic center project.” ABC is the Associated Builders and Contractors. She stands by what she wrote and it stays in her column. Allen Payton, Publisher, Antioch Herald
One last thing. I am the paid consultant on Doug Hardcastle’s campaign and informed each of his opponents of that fact, as they’ve entered the race. I also wrote about that in a brief editorial on our Opinion page in our March issue stating the Herald would not be endorsing in the race, as a result. It is also why I am not writing any articles about the race and have hired a reporter to do that in May and for our June issue. As for Barbara Zivica, again, she writes what she wants and I don’t pay her for her periodic columns. Allen Payton.
Bill Moon: The article should have been written about Mrs. Orgorchalk. She was in the accident. She was in complete control when Harper happened by. Harper was a citizen who happened by quite a bit later and called in the story on himself as he is up for election for Supervisor. The story was simply grandstanding by Mr. Harper. Get over it.
For centuries mankind has blindly accepted the myth of the perfect political master or flawless patriarch. Year after year, century after century, most of the governed populace holds the leading prime-ape-chieftain in their minds as a non-contradictory, perfectly honest, virtually blemish-less leader with all of their interests in mind.
When will we move on from this and admit that our politicians are flawed beings just like the ones they govern? When will we see that our moral standard for politicians is outdated and always comes up short in the real world? Give the guy a break, it’s not like he ramped up the use of predator drones while receiving a Nobel peace prize in the next breath (you know, like Obama).
Steve Barr is by far the best candidate. This article is just one more example of how genuine he is. The childish attacks are meaningless cries from dis tractors whom have no faith in their own candidates. Steve Barr will be a great asset for east county representation.
After reading this I am positively NOT voting for Steve Barr. His excuses were admissions which make those “silly internet rumblings” not so silly. According to Barr himself, they all occurred.
The amount of double speak from this guy is downright scary.
“You can check I make all the council meetings. I rarely miss a council meetings. I maybe miss one meeting a year which is a good record.” So which is it? None of those strung together statements coincides with the other!
Giving advice of refusing to pay bills for service is equally disturbing. You can bet there is another side to that story. Anyone really want to do business with a guy who doesn’t pay his bills?
Suggesting that no one could beat Bob Taylor is laughable at best. It must be the only way that Mr. Barr can justify being beaten so badly. One thing for sure, the result was not because of any intent to leave them both on the board. Not even close.
For Barr to state he doesn’t like negative campaigns when he smeared another candidate in this same article reminds me of the old hypcrital saying, “do as I say, don’t do as I do”.
Barr just made himself look really bad.
@Anon,
I disagree, he makes himself look bad why? Because he is honest and open? We need more of that, not more rhetoric and spin. I for one appreciate him being open to the public and answer tough questions that others are lying about.
Tim, you asked an honest question so I’ll give you an honest answer. Steve Barr looks like a bad candidate because of his double speak. He just can’t seem to keep his story straight. It has nothing to do with his effort, it is his honesty that is problematic for him.
You can’t say you make ALL the council meetings in one sentence and the. In thefollowing sentence say you don’t. It’s right there in black and white.
You can’t say you don’t want a negative campaign but then go on to smear at least two elected leaders (Hardcastle and Frazier). It’s right there in black and white.
You can’t say that you don’t give up (on the fire district) when your record clearly shows you did. Again, it’s right there in black and white.
You can’t downplay a political ass whooping by Bob Taylor by making a ridiculous statement that no one could beat him. A monkey could beat him.
I question you Tim since all of these facts are right in front of you, and yet you somehow want us to “appreciate” a politician that is hypocritical and out of touch? Huh?
So here is a question for you Tim, who is lying about what (tough questions)? You made the “silly” accusation now maybe you might want to spend equal time clarifying “exactly which tough questions Barr answered that others lied about”. You don’t have to have a third grade education to read his responses and see that his admissions gave 100 percent credibility to allow the accusations. To anyone following the issues, without exception, Barr provided only rhetoric and spin.
Time for you (and Steve) to try a different angle. This one backfired.
Anon, your comments are that of an instructed puppet. Because your nose is up some else’s ass doesn’t make Barr bad. In fact it shows honesty and willingness to be open. Go back to your hole ass. The choice for a better east county will come if Barr is elected. Talk about flyby. Anon, go back to your puppet master , you still are flawed by your incorrect comments.
Unome, still unable to produce a single rational adult comment worth responding to. You sound like a broken record. Can’t even answer simple questions let alone difficult ones.
Nice to know I got your number. Looks like a little anger management is in your future.
Poor little fella, run along.
Wouldn’t vote for this guy if he was the only one running. Steve Barr’s record is dismal and lacks any real accomplishments. We don’t need poor performers at the county level.
Its bad enough we are stuck with him locally.
Comments are closed.