Here we go again... what is with our local Republican officials twisting and turning to avoid or manipulate the Democratic process. This time it's Oceanside, where Treasurer Rosemary Jones (88) passed away. Rosemary was elected every four years for sixteen years by the people of Oceanside to serve in this office. However, the four Republicans on the city council voted against actually holding an election and instead have decided to appoint a Treasurer for the remaining 3 YEARS of her term. This is an outrage. There could be a reason to appoint, in my opinion, if the term remaining were say a few months, but we are talking years.

The worst comment was by City Manager Peter Weiss in the North County Times who said it would cost $440,000 for an election, and that he couldn't be ready for one until November. Really? Well, maybe Mr. Weiss should read the paper. It looks like there is a very good chance Governor Schwarzenegger will be calling a June Special Election. Is Mr. Weiss saying that the City of Oceanside will be incapable of conducting that election, or is Mr. Weiss saying that he simply doesn't want to conduct an election for Treasurer? Is Mr. Weiss saying that $440,000 is too expensive to elect what the people have decided should be an elected position? You know how Oceanside could save a great deal of money in the future? Simply put off elections altogether and just let the Council appoint every four years. Or maybe just turn the government over to Mr. Weiss.

Councilman Rocky Chavez has another gem in the paper, where he says the process will be 'fair and open'. Really? You know what would be fair and open? Letting thousands of people vote not just 3 of 5 Council people. Mayor Jim Wood, who is rumored to be considering a labor fueled race against Supervisor Bill Horn, states that he'd like to get rid of the Treasurer position altogether and turn it over to the city staff. Great. Another bureaucrat with no accountability to the people... just what we need here.

As hard as it is for me to write: kudos to liberal Democrat Esther Sanchez for understanding the vital American principles involved here.