You may learn more about the candidates for the Joshua Basin Water District Board in their own words on MBCA's 2008 Candidates Virtual Forum.Katz-Funded Group Attacks JT Water Candidates
Big Money Brings Ugly Campaign Tactics To Local Race
KB Construction of Warrington, PA, owned by the family of developer Steven Katz, has contributed a total of $7,500 since June to a group called Taxpayers For Good Government, according to information posted on the California Secretary of State website. The group, which is based in Pomona, is a registered Political Action Committee heavily funded by developers and builders, and active in San Bernardino County politics.
Days after receiving the latest donation from KB in September, the group registered an Internet domain and subsequently launched a website devoted to personal attacks on Michael Luhrs and Iona Chellette, two candidates for Joshua Basin Water District board seats. The two have made their opposition to Katz’s proposed 2,700-home development in Joshua Tree central to their campaign.
The professionally designed website is registered anonymously, but credits Taxpayers For Good Government as its sponsor, listing a Joshua Tree PO Box. Using a Halloween theme to make its point, the website portrays the candidates in ghoulish fashion and urges voters to “be very afraid”. The site does not discuss issues, but rather levels personal attacks, claiming the two “have set their sights on gaining control” of the Water District. While not supporting any candidate, the website urges voters to “Vote No” on Luhrs and Chellette. In fact, voting “no” is not an option in this race, which allows only votes in support of candidates. There are four seats up for grabs.
A mailer using the same graphics as the website has been received by many Joshua Tree voters.
Joshua Tree Development Oversight Group (JTDOG) does not endorse any candidates, but strongly condemns this injection of ugly negativity into the race. JTDOG calls on all candidates to condemn the action of Taxpayers For Good Government.
“This ugly campaign is the work of a special interest group exercising its influence in the worst possible way,” said George Kopp, president of JTDOG. “Thanks to California’s campaign disclosure laws, it is easy for anyone to ‘follow the money’ and see who is funding Taxpayers for
Good Government.”
In its role as an oversight group, JTDOG feels it is vital that the community knows what role Steven Katz’s money is playing in our water board election. While all the candidates have categorically denied taking contributions from Katz, he has nonetheless found a way to inject his influence. This is not Katz’s first contribution to this PAC. According to election filings, in 2006 KB Construction donated $25,000 to Taxpayers For Good Government. Another contributor that year was Wal-Mart, which donated $39,000.
MORE INFO ON THIS TOPIC: See the Land Use/Development and Joshua Tree Community pages of the MBCA Website. View previous blog posts: Joshua Tree, Katz Development/Section 33.
