It makes sense, I guess. “SMPD Security”, formerly known as the Sierra Madre Police Department before 9 of its 20 officers ran for the hills thus requiring it to be a “daylight hours only” police force, does still have a union known as the Sierra Madre Police Association (SMPA).
What I didn’t know is that 2016 wasn’t the first time that the SMPA meddled in Sierra Madre politics as a supporter of Yes on UUT. Kinda ironic, when you think about it, that this union has 100% of its members living outside Sierra Madre (gasp!!)
Proof of the SMPA's $1,500 contribution in 2014 is circled above. We figure it helped to pay the minimum wage guys to litter all our porches with Yes on UUT propaganda. What’s interesting is this contribution wasn’t reported until the next year even though FPPC regulations require any $1,000+ contributions to be reported within 24 hours. That means it should’ve been reported no later than March 26, 2014, not over 9 months late.
I guess the “Queen of Yes,” Ms. Harriet Susan Henderson-Poole-Carter-Whatever, may have forgotten to mention that salient fact when she reported a FFPC complaint had been filed against Yes on UUT 2014.
Interesting fact: The Yes on UUT treasurer in 2014 was Amy Putnam. Wait, isn’t Prof. Putnam also the treasurer for Yes on Measure UUT 2016? It's déjà vu, all over again …
Let's hope our Amy J. Putnam isn't hiding any cop union funny money again this year.
Shall we now flash forward to 2016?
When it comes to increasing your UUT tax bill by a whopping 66% in 2016, nobody is liking that more than the Sierra Madre Police Association. And why not? Get that humongous tax increase and we’ll be able to pay cop raises (66%, anyone?) and keep those CalPERS Platinum Pensions.
Oh, and strictly as an aside mind you, do not forget about those posh City of Sierra Madre employee health care plans you've been paying for.
In the interest of jacking up our taxes, the SMPA has been spending money like a drunken sailor (with apologies to sailors).
So far they have directly contributed $2,000 TWICE so far = FOUR THOUSAND $$ to the Yes on Measure UUT 2016 campaign. That’s enough for at least a couple of frantic Martin Truitt postcard junk mailings.
And the Sierra Madre Police PAC (PP) has mailed 2 pieces of their own tree killing postcards, too! (Funded by the same 9 persons)
From your mailbox and then directly into a bright blue Athens recycling bin. Not very sustainable, I say.
So let’s review: For a local Sierra Madre Campaign, the Police Association union has spent directly (or through its PAC) at least $8,000.
On the February 27, 2016, report, Yes on Measure UUT had raised $ 6,422 not including any of the SMPA contributions.
Always remember the Tattler Money Rule.
Rule #1: It’s always about the money
Rule #2: If you think it’s not about the money, see Rule #1.
The Sierra Madre Police Association, with its part-time police force and whopping 9 members wants you to vote YES so they can keep their jobs, get raises and keep those CalPERS Platinum Pensions. The same pensions that are bankrupting our mountain village.
This election isn’t about the library, weed abatement, capital improvements, and it sure as hell isn’t about any water pipes.
This election is about keeping an overpriced Police Department with the required CalPERS pensions that are eating up our city’s budget. A part-time police department that can’t even protect us 24 hours a day, though they can sure try and buy an election.
That’s why the Sierra Madre Police Association is spending close to $10,000 to get you to vote Yes on Measure UUT.
And to that I say: Hell NO.
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