Virginia Fujita Enters Pinole Coucilman Race

PINOLE, November 24, 2007 - The Concerned Citizens of Pinole (CCOP), the grass-roots group that is spearheading the recall of Mayor Maria Alegria and Councilman Stephen Tilton, is pleased to announce that Virginia Fujita, a retired personnel specialist for the city, has entered the race to replace Tilton.

Fujita, who retired last year and was re-hired by the city this year on a part-time basis without benefits, is the first Japanese-American to ever run for the council in Pinole. She will be elected if Tilton is recalled, as she is the only candidate running.

Two candidates are running for Alegria's seat; one will be elected should she be recalled. They are former Councilman Roy Swearingen, who served from 1987 to 1990, and machine shop owner Steve Denlis. Denlis has endorsed the recall but is not a CCOP member.

In a separate special election for former Councilman David Cole's seat, the candidates are Pinole Planning Commissioner Debbie Long and former Pinole Camber of Commerce Executive Director Ivette Ricco. Cole resigned his seat in August.

Ricco has a long association with Alegria and Pear Street Bistro owner/former Chamber of Commerce President Gary Wong, whose failure to make monthly payments on nearly half a million dollars on his Pinole Redevelopment Agency loans for more than two years was a catalyst for the recall.

All three elections will be on Tuesday, February 5, the day of the California Presidential Primary.

The League of Women Voters, in partnership with the Contra Costa Times, will sponsor a recall debate on Thursday, January 10, 2008, at the Pinole Senior Center. The time will be announced. Alegria, Tilton, recall spokespersons, and the candidates running in all three elections will be invited to participate.

JEFF RUBIN
Spokesperson
Concerned Citizens of Pinole for the Recall of
Maria Alegria and Stephen Tilton
(510) 724-9507, office and home (try this first)
(510) 303-2700, cell
jeff@thenewsletterguy.com
www.PinoleRecall.com

Pinole Recall of Maria Alegria and Stephen Tilton

Concerned Citizens Of Pinole for the Recall of Maria Alegria and Stephen Tilton

The members of the Concerned Citizens Of Pinole are a group of
Pinole citizens striving to recall Mayor Maria Alegria and Councilman Stephen Tilton

Our main reasons are: • THE PEAR STREET BISTRO FIASCO HAS GONE ON TOO LONG without the owner paying anything, and this has inflamed Pinole citizens and business owners alike. People in Pinole view this act by the City Council as favoritism. We want this to stop — this is taxpayer money. Source: West County Times, 1/25/07, 4/25/07, 4/24/07, 5/31/07. • THE UNFAIR TERMINATION OF A CITY MANAGER for no particular stated reason and for allowing her to become a “scapegoat” for politicians who cannot make a decision. Belinda Espinosa provided a 200-page chronology at the behest of citizens to show her efforts to rectify the Pear Street Bistro loan situation. For her efforts, she was let go. Citizens want a competent city manager at the helm who cannot be bullied by politicians and special interests. Alegria, Tilton, and former Councilman David Cole all voted for Belinda’s ouster. Source: West County Times, 5/15/07, 6/1/07. • ACCORDING TO POLICE REPORTS, MAYOR MARIA ALEGRIA WAS INTOXICATED AND INTERFERED WITH a police stop on January 17, 2007. She invoked her standing as Mayor and threatened to interfere with the police budget as the officer was carrying out his duties to cite a driver who made an illegal turn and was not carrying a license or insurance. Source: West County Times, 6/22/07. • ALEGRIA, TILTON AND/OR FORMER COUNCILMAN DAVID COLE ARE STILL UNDER SCRUTINY with various authorities such as the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s office, the Contra Costa County Grand Jury and the state Fair Political Practices Commission. Source: West County Times, 6/9/2007. CITIZENS OF PINOLE WANT FAIR, HONEST, AND EFFICIENT GOVERNMENT! The status quo must go! Please Join us! Concerned Citizens of Pinole for the Recall of Maria Alegria and Stephen Tilton Call (510) 587-3225 to get involved Send contributions to: Post Office Box 758, Pinole, CA 94564

Pinole Recall www.pinolerecall.com

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