Two weeks ago I was very disappointed in how easily Mayor Lewis and the council dismissed everyone who showed an interest
in the council vacancy. After the comments on the agenda item were finished he stated I have a couple name from the planning commission that I would like to nominate without regard for any of the comments or qualifications of the people he had just heard. This very much feels like Mr. Lewis came into the meeting with his mind already set. It seems like a deal was already established shortly after Jillian stepped down so when the mayor and council appointed Tony Ambrose from the planning commission to fill the Vacancy it came as no surprise. In my opinion I consider it a “green light appointment”. It’s just another way for the current leadership to keep those green lights coming on the decision making process. I believe they are doing a grave disservice to the city of El Cajon with this mentality. The only way to make good educated decisions is to question and challenge the ideas themselves. There is nothing wrong with a little debate and banter. Too much “group think” leads to mediocrity and complacency which in turn leads to poor decision making. Let me get this straight, I don’t disagree with all the decisions being made. Far from it, I support most of them with a strong exception to any tax and rate hikes but I still question that there might have been a better option. After voicing my displeasure to a few people for the lack of a democratic process and what seemed a “back room deal” I heard “Welcome to El Cajon Politics”. That is just a sad statement regarding the political climate in El Cajon. It is my only hope that in November the voters will voice their displeasure as much as me by making this appointment a “lame duck” appointment. The people of El Cajon can go a step further as there will be two additional council seats up for re-election. If all three of those seats were changed El Cajon Politics could be changed.
Vote Swainston for El Cajon Council in November
 
With the resent resignation of Jillian Hanson-Cox from the El Cajon City council, the Mayor and remaining council members are tasked with the decision to let the seat remain vacant until November's election or to appoint someone immediately. Besides myself, there were five other candidates that arrived at the most recent council meeting on March 13th seeking the appointment, before any of us had a chance to speak Mayor Lewis stated that he would suggest some names for appointment in two weeks. I do not have a problem with that decision if the process was fair and unbiased and took into consideration the will of the people. As the candidate that finished second in the last election for city council I believe I represent the will of the people. After the floor was opened for discussion and all the potential candidates and supporters had their say, Mayor Lewis stated that he had a couple people in mind from the planning commission that he would like to appoint. I did not see any of them there to represent themselves thus, it seemed to me that he already had his mind set on who he wanted without regard to public opinion or qualifications. The only council member that actually wanted more information via application was Bill Wells. If this appointment goes through in two weeks with one of Mayor Lewis' selection from the planning commission (which seems very likely) it will give this person unfair advantage in the next election by being deemed the incumbent based on a 7 month appointment. Just remember in November when it is time to cast your vote make it count for a candidate that will take into account the will of the people. 


Vote Swainston for El Cajon City Council 2012