By Alan Elmont
Re “He Was Slated to Lose His Second Term Bid, Karlo Says”
Your current series of articles/interviews with Karlo Silbiger lamenting about “slate” politics in Culver City is so much false propaganda, as everyone active in Culver City’s elections already knows. Since I have reached my tolerance level for BS (being below sea level to start), I am compelled to say there is an elephant in this room.
The Silbiger family is steeped in “slate” elections. They have been for years. The slate is determined via the Democratic Club (their endorsements are, by definition, a “slate”). For School Board elections, add the Teachers and Classified unions (again a “slate”)along with their outside funding. A big difference in the past has been the encouragement to “bullet” vote for the heir apparent, casting only a single vote in a multiple option field.
What changed this year? In the past, individual candidates who were not graced with the Union or Democratic Club endorsements were forced to compete as an individual where often the determining factor was funding. This year there was a new player, United Parents of Culver City. There was at last an alternative to the traditional Culver City slates.
As to outside money? UPCC is all “inside” Culver City money as there is no overarching organization from which to draw funds. Various individuals have oft received funding from groups and people outside Culver City. That is unlikely to change (my Mom from Florida gave $500 to my campaign once).
You quote Karlo as saying: “My political estimation is that in the future, you are going to see many more outside groups doing slate work in coming (Culver City) elections. Groups and slates are going to start developing.”
But the big dollar guns in California belong to the Teachers Union, public service unions and the Democratic Party. If we really fear “slate” politics, whose slate should we really fear?
The value of the Democratic Club’s endorsements or the unions’ and in particular with them combined should not be ignored. They have clout and financial backing, and they have experience running a slate. And do not rule out the clout the Silbiger family has grown over the years. They remain a Culver City force. These groups have important views that need to be aired in our diverse community. But let’s not deny the “slate” elephant has not been in the room for quite some time.
Happy HolidaZe,
Mr. Elmont may be contacted at aelmont@ca.rr.com
