Dear Editor,
In yesterday’s mail I received an attempt at a smear ad for one of our local candidates for County Supervisor, Diane Burgis. The claim, in bold red font, states that she intends to draw a salary and benefits for that position, paid for by the taxpayers. Does candidate Steve Barr, therefore, intend to forfeit his salary and benefits if elected?
Further, it attempts to slam her for drawing a salary as Executive Director of Friends of Marsh Creek Watershed (FOMCW). She can’t be chastised for drawing a salary for that work, as she is paid with grant funding to organize and mobilize volunteers, engage in community outreach, run successful creek cleanups of our local watershed, and support academy internships for local students. FOMCW saves the County money, especially with the trash cleanups. She has done a fine job linking people of all ages to their local environment and to the scientific community.
I find the ad misleading, lacking integrity, and unprofessional.
I hope fellow community members see through the lame attempt by big oil and so-called “criminal prosecutors” to discredit a person who has fought for improved health of our local environment. I doubt these folks from Sacramento have ever organized a community volunteer force like Diane Burgis has.
I’m going to donate more money to FOMCW out of spite for this negative political ad. The community organization has done a fantastic job over the fifteen years I’ve been familiar with it, and it is an honor to continue to support FOMCW as well as Diane Burgis for County Supervisor.
Spencer Holmes
8 comments
Steve Barr should be ashamed of himself for this mailer. I received it and was disgusted. I have seen nothing but good things from the Friends of Marsh Creek and Diane Burgis.
In fairness… I asked Steve about the mailer yesterday, which was an Independent Expenditure. He has no control over it. He stated it did not come from his campaign and if it did, he never would have approved that it go out.
Again, Burgis supporters jump to premature conclusions and unfairly attack Barr. Mr. Spencer Harris should apologize to Mr. Barrfor his wrongful assumption and accusation. Thank you Mr. Burkholder for exposing Spencer’s wrongful statements.
On another note. If friends of Marsh Creek and the East Bay Regional Parks truly want to clean up hazardous trash and garbage, they should focus on the tons of waste and garbage on Vasco Road that affect wildlife. Batteries, Coolant, Oil containers bleed into the eco system. EBR Parks under Dianne Burgis spent big dollars for a sign of “protected forever ” to pacify the public for their excessive bonds yet leave hazardous waste and garbage to rot into the environment. I think Burgis is over rated and Barr would do a more honest job for us in Contra Costa County.
I was disgusted by that sleazy trash that came in the mail. My kids and I have volunteered at the marsh creek cleanups several times and they always do a good job. I am supporting Burgis.
George you, like Barr, must be another puppet of the oil companies or a mouth piece trying to deflect. The mail piece is sleazy and it shows that when Barr got caught being fiscally irresponsible and negligent he stopped campaigning because he has no money. His string pullers went in to attack mode. When someone doesn’t have anything to stand on they attack their opponent. Barr and his representatives are desperate because they have nothing substantial to stand on.
There was no merit to the mailer and it wreaks of influence from a sleazy politician and a political consultant that Barr is known to hang with. These folks want to get politicians they can control rather than getting smart, capable and thoughtful candidates.
Burgis is by far the more outstanding choice. She has regional experience, a huge network of supporters, & a stronger base of knowledge. She has support from a wide array of endorsers politically, industry wise and geographically. Thank you to the letter writer, when I saw this mailer my opinion of Barr was diminished.
IF Mr. Barr truly does not approve of that “hit” piece, and really is against its message – then LET HIM SAY SO! Where is his voice? Where is his Comment on this, and other forums, making it clear that he DOES NOT AGREE with the message of that piece? How convenient to hide behind the IE’s. If he really is against that message – then SAY SO – OUT LOUD!
Mr. Barr will not waste his time on this bias site. It’s that simple
Jim you are probably right! After tonight it is “Steve Barr” who?
Poor guy can’t win for losing.
Seems to me he is pretty darn good at wasting time.
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