Harvey Hall -- all the way!

Hey Pup -- I think you're being a little harsh on Harvey.  As mayor, he has no official powers within the City, and cannot propose or vote on policies (unless there is a tie vote on the Council, which happens rarely).

The Office of the Mayor of Bakersfield is an honorary position only -- save your ire for the City Manager, who is the de facto mayor -- or better yet, save it for your Councilmember who holds the real power and is truly accountable to you.

Harvey has done a great job, and his opponents make statements like they can change policy in Bakersfield, when that just is not the case.

Harvey Hall in 2008!

How can Harvey have done a great job when by your own admission he has no official powers?

The only thing Harvey has done a great job at is getting his ambulance company an exclusive contract with the city and county.

Great Post Lincoln,

Harvey has done a great unbiased job in his position of mayor thus far. The position is largely honorary, however, the mayor does run the city council meetings. Harvery has done an amazing job of allowing the council meeting to function regardless of his position on any of the issues. Vote Hall June 3rd

-Ace

He does a great job promoting the City -- he attends every ribbon cutting of every new business, all school functions, picks up trash along our streets and highways, is very concerned about the homeless in our City, and yes, he is a very successful businessman.

The other candidates for mayor do not seem to have any good reasons for me to vote for them because they all have proposals that are silly in my mind, and will go nowhere -- unless that candidate cum mayor is able to persuade a Councilmember to take on his cause.

And about his exclusive contract -- what other ambulance company has the network and resources that Hall does?  Did any other company bid?  I believe not.  Hall Ambulance is not present in Ridgecrest, the Kern River Valley or in many parts of North Kern...

Hall in '08! The only man who understands how powerless he is.

Pup -- it is only an honorary position.  I am not "razzle-dazzled" in any way -- check out the City Charter.  Bakersfield is a City Manager style city.

If you want a "real" mayor, talk to your Councilmember about amending the Charter to allow for an executive mayoral office with real power.

You have to consider your choices.  Hall is the only one to take seriously.  Honestly.  I'd love to vote for someone else, but they just aren't mayor material.

And, even though I am pro-business, Hall's ambulance deal is most certainly a monopoly.  How can another ambulance come in and even expect to be able to compete with Hall.  Can't happen.  This is not right when we want a free market.  So although I will vote for him, you also have to admit that the ambulance deal is wrong.  And if there was a serious alternative, it would be a good idea to vote Hall out.

There are but two things about Mayor Hall that stick out as negatives:

1. He owns the only ambulance company in the city which has in the past brought up some dust when Golden Empire was trying to break back into the business and over the rates his company charges.

2. He wrote and signed the 2001 Westpark letter assuring the residents that the City would "never" cosider that alignment again. I suppose this would be yet another situation pointing out that you should never say never.

Mayor Hall appears to be a very generous and pleasant man on the surface and I support his re- election for Mayor

I say it's time to shake it up..so I am not voting for Mr.Hall. 

At the Community Forum held on May 23rd Mayor Harvey Hall was articulate and well prepared.  Although he did seem to be put on the defensive on a couple of issues.  Overall, Mayor Hall has accomplished a great deal during his terms as Mayor and will probably win again. Mayor Hall is a generous man, His entire mayor’s salary is dedicated toward scholarships for local students wishing to continue their education locally at the community colleges or university.

Personally, I'm voting for Harvey Hall

posted by Janet Needham

Hello People.