FOR
MEMBER OF THE CITY COUNCIL
JOHN P. CAPOCCIA
Age: 57
Occupation: Retired General Manager, B.S. Engineering, PMP®

I would be honored and privileged to serve as your representative on Sierra Madre’s City Council.
I am running to ensure that our town retains its distinctive small-town character and charm.  Having reared three children here with my wife Marta since 1983, I deeply appreciate the many attributes that make our town special. 
I’ve served on our Parks and Recreation Commission as chairperson, and as President of the Pony baseball league.
As a recently retired General Manager from AT&T, I’ve developed collaboration, leadership and analytical skills that will enhance the professionalism of the CounciI.
I believe in government by the people, for the people.
•    I will fight overdevelopment and the harmful effects of misguided state mandates
•    I will fight to ensure that the City’s resources are used wisely and efficiently, to maximize services and minimize the burden on taxpayers
•    I will ensure that our city government is transparent and open.  I will speak openly and honestly with the public and with my peers on the Council
Sierra Madre’s citizenry is well-informed and possesses a wealth of experience and skills.  I will work to tap this incredible resource to ensure that decisions represent the vision and will of our citizens.
/s/ John P. Capoccia

Argument Against 12-1

Vote NO on Measure 12-1.  Police, Fire and Paramedic services are highly valued by Sierra Madre’s citizens and must be protected.  The proponents of Measure 12-1 would have you believe that public safety is at risk with a NO vote.  Nothing could be further from the truth.  Police, Fire and Paramedic services are FULLY BUDGETED at the current 10% Utility Users Tax (UUT) rate.

The current UUT sunset clause will not revert back to 8% until June 30, 2015.  At the next city election in 2014, voters will have the opportunity to extend the UUT if justified.  THERE IS NO NEED WHATSOEVER TO DO IT NOW!

A NO vote sends a strong message that tax increases are not to be taken lightly and should only be enacted when necessary after careful public scrutiny.  Voters should also note that an increase of the UUT to 12% would be unprecedented, giving Sierra Madre the unwanted distinction of having the HIGHEST UUT IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA!

The citizens of Sierra Madre will always do what is necessary to maintain the Public Safety services they value, and will approve an extension to the UUT if and when it is needed.  A NO vote encourages accountability and fiscal discipline without jeopardizing Public Safety.  Vote NO on Measure 12-1.

John Capoccia, Concerned Citizen

_______________January 17, 2012

Argument Against 12-2

Vote NO on Measure 12-2.  This is a meaningless measure designed to make you, the voters believe that your City Council actually has a choice about how to spend Utility Users Tax (UUT) revenue - They don’t!

While it is absolutely true that the original 2008 referendum that increased the Utility Users Tax (UUT) was driven by the need to fund Paramedic Services and provide salary increases for our Police Department, the fact is that the UUT is a general purpose tax increase.  Revenue from the UUT goes directly to the general services fund, from which Public Safety is funded.  The incremental increase in the UUT as enacted by the 2008 ballot measure provides for only half of the projected cost for Public Safety.  For fiscal year 2012-2013, Public Safety is budgeted for $5.6M.  The incremental revenue received from the UUT increase is forecast at $2.8M, thus this measure “advising” the City Council to spend the incremental UUT revenue on Public Safety is moot – there just isn’t enough UUT revenue to spend on anything else!

Public Safety will be fully funded from the UUT and other revenue sources regardless of the vote on this measure.  Your City Council will do absolutely nothing different whether or not Measure 12-2 passes. Sierra Madre’s citizens are intelligent and well informed and expect accountability and straight talk.  Please advise your City Council to speak plainly and truthfully by voting NO on both Measures 12-1 and 12-2.

John Capoccia, Concerned Citizen

______________January 17, 2012