Yesterday a sick and deranged act took place in which 13 people lost their lives and dozens more were injured.

I am incredibly angry at what the alleged perpetrator did. To be clear, he

• Betrayed his country
• Betrayed his oath
• Betrayed the armed services
• Betrayed the muslim community

A reporter recently informed me that I was the only Muslim to hold elected office in California. I don’t know if that is still true – but a response as a community leader (who happens to be Muslim) is warranted.

After being elected, many approached me to ask earnest questions. Our media is not often the best tool for education. While I do not want to turn this into a discussion of Islam; compassion, mercy and charity are points of the faith I draw particular strength and comfort from.

Islam is pretty clear: criminal acts involving murder are forbidden explicitly. As a community leader, and as a Muslim, I condemn these acts.

I neither know what put the gun in the shooter’s hand nor what drove him to pull the trigger. Anyone claiming an Islamic justification for his criminal action is flat out wrong.

Like other faith-groups, Muslims are looking for ways to raise families and live the American dream. Today, the American Muslim community feels like all Americans do: outraged, betrayed and demanding justice be served quickly.

In addition to offering condolences to the families of the fallen, we must reassert our solidarity with everyone serving our country in uniform.

My thoughts go to the more than 20,000 current active-duty Muslim servicemen and women who will have to try even harder in the wake of this shooting to prove their loyalty to their fellow service personnel. Dozens of Muslim-Americans have already given their lives in the service of their country just in Iraq and Afghanistan. Those currently in the services don’t deserve to face hostility from two fronts.

I’ve had some interesting reactions from folks following Tuesday’s elections.  Many have offered their interpretation of what voters wanted to tell the council.  A few folks asking if we “are really going to make cuts.”  Some have asked me to resign because I supported Measure U.

The process of how the budget is built and will be dealt with is about as transparent as it gets.  There will be a mid-year review coming up shortly.  If you wish additional details please sign up for the E-Notify system of alerts or subscribe the city’s Twitter feed to know when new materials are posted.  You will be able to review the numbers yourself and should avail yourself to make comments and write to council as we move the process forward.

It has been stated before: the money the city receives from property taxes and sales taxes combined do not cover the costs of fire and police protection.  While many feel “entitled” to particular services (or level of services), a new way of thinking will be required moving forward.

With both School Board and City Council races being decided by the time the qualification period for candidates closed – San Carlos residents look at two items on the ballot:

Measure V

Measure V: Shall the office of City Clerk be appointive?
YES

There have been no arguments submitted to oppose this move. The role of City Clerk is a professional one. If one were to hire a police chief, city manager or auditor it makes sense to look for people with the best professional credentials and experience to fill those jobs. The City Clerk position is set with significant regulation and a level of detail that would have most folks reaching for the aspirin every ten minutes.

Quoted from the ballot arguments, “Statewide, the trend has moved towards appointed rather than elected City Clerks. Seventy-six percent of California cities appoint their City Clerks. We join many groups and individuals in California committed to quality local government and encourage you to support this logical and necessary change.

Your yes vote ensures the duties of the City Clerk are performed by a qualified professional selected on experience, education, and training, not by popular vote.”

Measure U:

Measure U: …shall the City of San Carlos adopt an ordinance enacting a one-half cent transactions and use tax (sales tax) for six years with independent annual audits and all funds staying local?
YES

You have no doubt seen the signs, received a few phone calls and read the mail. I am supporting the measure for the following reasons:

1. Our budget issues are of a structural nature. “Spending” did not get us here, the revenues for the city have been constitutionally restrained since 1978. The mandates and obligations upon the city have grown over time
2. Our revenues are subject to take-aways by the state far too often. Our city needs local revenue to stay local for local priorities.
3. Our city needs a sustainable budget which will include reliable revenues and reductions in expenses. One is not exclusive of the other – it will take both.
4. Our city’s work in taking on employee costs was cited as exemplary by the Grand Jury. Our city is doing the right things and addressing the tough issues few in California have dared. Our city has made real cuts. Our work is not done – but those who would say our city has avoided the hard work are simply ignoring the data.

Passionate arguments surround this issue. A broad coalition of community and business leaders have come together to support Measure U. The opponents of U went to out-of-town groups to fund robo-calls and mailers. It was surprising to see these tactics utilized until one realizes dogma is the issue of primary concern. Facts, the budget and the hard work which has been done to date will not deter a dogmatic argument centered around:

• “morals” and “philosophy”
• use of ad-hominum verbage “us vs them”
• use of selective data

Here are a few link to my blog with more information. I hope you will take time to look at the data and support Measure U.

• Presentation of July 13 Slides
• I Support Measure U
• Signal to Noise: Why Measure U? Let’s Raid Measure G!!!
• Signal to Noise: The Employees are to blame!
• Signal to Noise: What is Measure U going to fund?