PROMINENT DEMOCRATS SUPPORTING REPUBLICAN IN EL CAJON CITY COUNCIL RACE

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East County News Service

October 29, 2018 (El Cajon) – Even Democrats are supporting the Republican in the El Cajon City Council race.

Republican Gary Kendrick, who has served on the city council since 2002, has gained the support of a number of prominent Democrats in his race against Ben Kalasho, a city councilman since 2016.

Kalasho registered as a Democrat in 2012, although he attempted earlier this year to change his party affiliation that will appear on the November ballot from Democrat to the Federalist Party, which has not been in existence since the early 1800s. San Diego County Registrar of Voters Michael Vu rejected Kalasho’s application because the Federalist Party is not qualified in California. Founding fathers Alexander Hamilton and John Adams are credited with establishing the Federalist Party, considered as America’s first political party which operated from the early 1790s to 1816.  Kalasho will be listed on ballots with no party preference, county officials said.

The two El Cajon City Council incumbents are vying for District 1 seat on the council in the city’s first election since switching from city-wide to by-district voting. The winner will hold the seat until 2022. District 1 covers the Fletcher Hills community and other portions of El Cajon south of Main Street.

James Elia, a Democrat candidate for the State Assembly’s 71st District running against Republican Randy Voepel, is supporting Kendrick. “As a lifelong Democrat, it’s not often that I prefer a Republican over a Democrat,” said Elia, accountant, director of operations for the Neighborhood Market Association. “However, in the El Cajon city council race, I am supporting Gary Kendrick. I trust Gary with the future of the city. He is truthful, level headed and truly loves the city. He is the best choice and deserves everyone’s support.”

Mark Lane, Elia’s campaign manager, said, “Our support of Gary Kendrick for El Cajon City Council has brought together Democrats and Republicans in unified opposition to Ben Kalasho. That’s how horrible Ben is. Ben is unethical, dishonest and downright dangerous. We have obvious policy differences with Gary, but for the betterment of the city, Gary is a far better choice to represent the 24,000 residents in El Cajon’s District One.” 

Lane sued Kalasho in federal court for violating his free speech rights by blocking his posts on Kalasho’s social media, a case that resulted in a settlement. Kalasho is currently being sued for sexual harassment of contestants in a beauty pageant he runs, as well as for defamation of character by the pageant contestants, a taco shop owner and an attorney. He has previously pled guilty to workman’s compensation fraud. He currently has three police complaints filed against him in El Cajon alleging that he threatened to assault a process server and an ECM reporter with an attack dog, as well as an allegation that he stalked and harassed Kendrick’s son.

Kendrick  is also endorsed by the El Cajon Police Officers’ Association, East County Chamber of Commerce, County Supervisor Dianne Jacob, El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells and fellow city council members Bob McClellan and Steve Goble. Other elected officials endorsing Kendrick include: State Senator Joel Anderson; State Assemblymember Randy Voepel; La Mesa City Council members Guy McWhirter and Bill Bater; Santee Mayor John Mento and Santee City Council members Ronn Hall, Rob McNelis and Brian Jones; Lemon Grove City Council member Jerry Jones; Ernie Dronenburg, County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk.  Local school board officials endorsing Kendrick include: Jim Kelly and Gary Woods, Grossmont Union High School District; Jill Barto, Jo Medina-Alegria, Cajon Valley School District.

Kendrick’s campaign website is www.vote4kendrick.com.

Kalasho’s website, https://www.benkalasho.com/, lists no endorsements from anyone.

 


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Comments

Rent control

Yes, this is a Very important issue, particularly for those of us on a fixed income and the working poor (which east county has the highest poverty rate in San Diego). I understand landlords need to make profit, yet there's a breaking point where people simply cannot afford housing and pay other bills. Saving money for many is a real struggle and buying a home is nothing but a dream. Used to be the average rent paid was around 1/4 of one's income and that was considered 'normal'. Now the 'normal' is around 1/3 and often times much higher. Something must be done about this problem. Are landlords simply greedy? Or are they raising rents because of their increasing costs? Is rent control something that landlords are willing to do themselves as a collective? Or does a higher authority need to step in on behalf of renters and do something? Whatever the case - something needs to be done with controlling the constant rise of rental costs so people can live a little better.

so bias

No one has dug into Gary's personal problems and made them public, why? Oh because that has nothing to do with the job he is doing. 16 years on council and what has he put on agenda that the citizens have asked for?? One. How many times has he voted different than Wells?? None. I look at the job I voted them in to do. Ben started to fight for us and was a voice for the people putting their issues on the table, but they fought him on doing his job. When they couldn't bring him down that way they went another. Ask Gary what has he done with the campaign money he has gotten from the mobile home park owners that are kicking seniors out on the streets. Ok here you go . . .Senior citizen after senior citizen coming in front of council asking for some kind of rent control, they raise the space rent so high that when you can't pay because you are on a fixed income you get a lien put on your home then you lose it and the mobile home park owner now owes it, one more senior a brand new homeless person. Wait guess who votes against helping them, yes good old Gary does. Do you think it has anything to do with that few thousands of dollars they donated to his campaign or does he just wants more seniors kicked out of their homes and on to the streets? Let's just look at what kind of a job each one has done, 16 years compared to 3 years on council, seems to me Gary has had a hand in this city going down hill a lot longer than Ben. WE NEED THINGS TO CHANGE!!! Gary has done nothing to make El Cajon better, in fact this city has gotten worst in the past 15 years because Gary won't fight for us. It's just my opinion and I am in titled to it. . . . so you don't have to like it because it's mine. Thanks for your time.

Wake up

Gary and any of the other council members haven't been looked at or make the news because unlike Kalasho, on a weekly basis he commits illegal or questionable acts in his professional and personal life.This is a person that doesn't seem to learn from his mistakes, he seems to think in his words "Keep Making Me Famous". Don't use the lack of dirt on others to justify Kalasho action, Teach your man how to act.

"Nothing to Make El Cajon Better"

I had a conversation recently with a man that I love, respect, and disagree with on several issues important to both of us. He shared with me that one of the biggest problems we have these days is when people don't agree with you on a single issue it turns to hate almost immediately. "Nothing to make El Cajon Better?" Really? $2,000,000 invested in the homeless crisis along with mobilizing 200 hard working volunteers. New hotels, car dealerships, and Live Nation in the Performing Arts Center to name a few that Gary's tenure on the City Council has brought about. I understand rent control is your issue, but please don't share your blindness to other issues that affect the entire city. Answer the challenges to the other candidates incredible character flaws. You know the list. If you've forgotten just Google his name. Republicans, Democrats, The Legal System, hundreds of private citizens (some of them his victims), other public servants that I'm pretty sure you voted for all agree. Here's some digging into Gary's murky past that I dug up - check it out. https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/leadership-profile-el-cajon-councilman-gary-kendrick-hero-homeless. or just review the article above: Kalasho’s website lists no endorsements from anyone. Kendrick is also endorsed by the El Cajon Police Officers’ Association, East County Chamber of Commerce, County Supervisor Dianne Jacob, El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells and fellow city council members Bob McClellan and Steve Goble. Other elected officials endorsing Kendrick include: State Senator Joel Anderson; State Assemblymember Randy Voepel; La Mesa City Council members Guy McWhirter and Bill Bater; Santee Mayor John Mento and Santee City Council members Ronn Hall, Rob McNelis and Brian Jones; Lemon Grove City Council member Jerry Jones; Ernie Dronenburg, County Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk. Local school board officials endorsing Kendrick include: Jim Kelly and Gary Woods, Grossmont Union High School District; Jill Barto, Jo Medina-Alegria, Cajon Valley School District.

Rent control is an important issue.

Stephanie --We've actually got a story already assigned out on this that Paul is working on for us; he'll be comparing how other local cities are addressing this and compare it to El Cajon. I know that Santee has some sort of rent control for mobile home parks, for instance.  If anyone has facts on rent control ordinances in other local jurisdictions and how those have worked out I'd be very interested to hear more.

I wasn't aware of the mobile home park donations but will take a look.  If you know specifics on the dates of any votes or the specific proposals that would help me to look them up.