Speech to Brea Republican Women (see below)

Ken Palmer for Brea City Treasurer

[v] Vote Yes to Government Accountability

[v] Vote No to Higher Taxes

Ken’s Pledge:

I promise to be of service to the people of Brea. I will help the City Council to be wise stewards of our funds, by seeking to “tighten our belts” and balance the budget.

Ken’s experience in Corporate America and CPA / MBA education help him to understand more options available to increase City efficiency and productivity without raising taxes.

Non-deductible contributions to defray campaign costs are greatly appreciated.
Make checks payable to Ken Palmer for Treasurer to 275 Morning Glory St.

Organizations Served: City of Placentia Financial Oversight Committee, North Orange County Leadership Institute, Brea Chamber of Commerce, Park Paseo HOA, Brea Foundation, Knights of Columbus, Brea Soccer Association, St Angela Merici.

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SEPTEMBER 25, 2008 SPEECH

to Brea Republican Women

“Government is not the solution to our problem, government is the problem”.
This quotation is from President Ronald Reagan’s Inaugural Address, and I have adopted it as my motto. That being said, in post 9/11, post Enron, and mid-financial bailout USA,there is definitely a place for government. To protect civilians like you and I from terrorists and criminals, civil defense and financial regulations are needed.
I believe, however, that the bureaucracy in America and NOC and Brea has sort of created a beast which must be fed…with more and more tax dollars. I have two examples which directly address this phenomenon. #1 – The new Brea Sports Park. I am in favor of community activities and sports organizations. I am glad the property at the corner of Birch and Valencia was purchased and developed with City dollars. However,the landscaping and shrubbery is way over the top! You have sycamore trees planted a few feet from each other. Maintenance will be very costly!
And, what about watering? When we are in the middle of a drought and the City asks us to conserve! Practice what you preach! Do you think we are blind?
#2 – My second example of feeding the beast was exemplified when I attended the City Council meeting. The administration supported the imposition of sales tax to balance thebudget. There may be times when this becomes necessary, but not until expenditure reduction has been explored and rejected. Councilman Simonoff requested an analysis of how the expected $3.5 million shortfall could be addressed with cost reductions. I believe Marty wanted to gauge just how painful such a plan would be. What programs would be discontinued, etc. I understand that no budget analysis was ever presented!

Instead, a survey was concocted to justify the imposition of a tax increase. The Council originally rejected a motion to impose a sales tax by a 3-2 margin, (a super majority or 4 in favor would have been necessary to place this initiative on the ballot.) Once this would be on the ballot, I can only imagine the time and energy devoted to educating the people of our City as to why such a tax increase is necessary! I believe this type of behavior is arrogant and an affront to the citizenry!
My understanding is that the current job description of the elected City Treasurer is as follows:

• participate as member of the City’s Investment Advisory Committee, which meets quarterly (March, June September and December) throughout the calendar year.
• The elected City Treasurer shall act in concert with all Fiscal Policy Statements adopted by the City Council.
• The elected City Treasurer’s signature shall appear as one of the authorizing signatures used on all City of Brea Redevelopment Agency bank accounts.
• The elected City Treasurer shall meet with the Financial Service Director on an as needed basis to discuss treasury-related City issues.
  

My perception is that the current scope of these activities is very narrowly defined, and unnecessarily limits inquiries into financial data. With all due respect to sensitive payroll information, I think the activities of the City Treasurer should be expanded. I propose that a “read-only” access to the financial database be granted to the new city Treasurer.

My time is almost up before the luncheon is served but let me pose a final question. You may ask……….Why am I running for the Office of Treasurer? (pause) The very meeting which I attended and witnessed the scary predictions about the ruin of our great City, a portion of the meeting, matters from the audience, was addressed by the incumbent Treasurer. He supported the sales tax increase. Councilman Beauman later spoke and referred to the City Treasurer as supporting it; therefore, “it must have merit’. I am running to challenge this logic and offer innovative thinking to our councilmen, not just the slick presentation they get from City staff. President Reagan also said, “Government is the problem and the people have the solution.”