BLOG: Mrs. Riddle Misleads on Measure N -- AGAIN!

Note: Anybody can blog on Dixon Patch, including Mrs. Riddle and supporters of Measure N. Just click here: http://dixon.patch.com/blog/apply

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Fact checking Mrs. Riddle's Measure N writings is becoming a full-time job. In today's "Independent Voice" she said:

"The Measure N Sunshine Commission is an unpaid three-member panel of Dixon residents randomly selected (just as the County Grand Jury members are selected) by the City Council, from applications submitted to the City"

Did she really think we wouldn't check with Solano County?

From the Solano County Grand Jury website: http://solano.courts.ca.gov/JuryInformation/GrandJury/#s6

"How are Grand Jurors Selected?

Each year the Solano County Superior Court Judges identify qualified citizens who might serve on the Grand Jury. Nominations for prospective jurors are made by the judges themselves and other public elected officials.

Solano County residents are urged to volunteer for service on the Grand Jury. Those recommended are interviewed by a Superior Court Judge, Court Executive Officer and the Grand Jury Foreperson. Based on the results of interviews, a pool of qualified jury candidates is created and these citizens are invited to appear in the Superior Court of the Presiding Judge. Names are then drawn randomly by the Clerk of the Court."

Only AFTER Superior Court Judges and elected officials have identified "qualified citizens" are names randomly selected!  Some felon off the streets will never make it to the random selection.  NOT IN DIXON!

Here's the Measure N text, please read it:

Section 12.01.32 Open Governance Commission A. There is hereby created an Open Governance Commission, a permanent three-member volunteer citizen oversight body chosen from applicants who are not employees of the City, do not have immediate family members employed by the City and do not have such a close relationship with elected or appointed officers, or present or former City employees. Former commission members shall be barred from City employment for at least one year after they leave the commission. Applications for each open four-year term must be filed with the City clerk immediately following passage of this Chapter and for each subsequent regularly scheduled election where City Council members are elected and subsequent commission vacancies. At such time three or fewer applicants (depending on the number of applicants) will be randomly selected by the City Council to serve a four-year term to establish overlapping terms. The commission’s contact information shall be published on public records request forms and on the City’s website.

NO screening of applications by the council! Felons welcome to apply!

Anyone may apply for the commission as long as he/she : 1. is not an employee of the City  2. does not have immediate family members who work for the City  3. does not have a close relationship (whatever that means) with elected or appointed officers, or present or former City employees.  THAT"S IT.

Do a thought experiment:  Imagine the worst qualified person in town for this commission.  Now imagine the best qualified person in town for this commision.  Both of those people would have the same chance of being "randomly" selected to this important commission.

Measure N:  The more you read, the worse it gets.

-- Steve Steiert (not a member of the Rotary, DDBA, Chamber, the City, or any other branch of the "Shadow Government.")