Mayor Rouses Ire of Local Veteran

“Freedom of speech allows us to debate, it allows us to come up with our best conclusions, it allows us to put the best, most qualified people in public offices. When there’s a law, for example, I’m going to go back pre-1960’s, Jim Crowe laws, if it wasn’t for freedom of speech, it would still exist, slavery would still exist, women’s voting rights wouldn’t exist if we didn’t have freedom of speech. Freedom of speech allows us to develop the type of government we want to have as people. Without it, we’re not free,” says Anthony Grande, a Grand Terrace resident recently returned from Afghanistan after four deployments. His latest was as a civilian contractor. “I get home and I see all these signs on Measure C; I’m asking my folks what Measure C is. They say, ‘Oh it’s a new tax on us,’ and it infuriated me. I come home and they’re going to tax me 5% on everything. I’m sure there’s a reason for it, but I’ve learned through history taxes don’t work, you don’t tax yourself into prosperity, so I decided to do something about it. My brother got hold of some flyers from some gentlemen that he met at a barber shop. He had a stack of maybe 12 flyers, and we decided to go get rid of them. “The reason I picked that shopping center was because of all the ‘Yes on Measure C’ signs out there, not just [La Pasta Italia] but all around the plaza in the front, ‘Yes on Measure C’ signs. I saw them all over town; I didn’t see ‘No on Measure C’ signs, and so I wanted people to have other flyers at that shop. He comes out [Walt Sanckiewitz] and he starts taking pictures of my car license plate. I’ve never had anybody take pictures of my car license plate before— he doesn’t say anything to me. So I ask him, ‘Am I doing something illegal sir?’ That’s when he got a little bit angry and he said, ‘Yes, as a matter of fact you are. This is illegal. This is an unregistered organization, there’s a lawsuit in place, there’s a lot going on, and guess what? You just made yourself a part of it. Congratulations,’ then he smiled and walked off back to the shop.” According to Walt Stanckiewitz, the Mayor of Grand Terrace, “He [Grande] was giving flyers to a woman who just drove up. I took this [photo] from my doorway and he returned to his car. The only other picture I took was of his license plates and he asked me if he was doing something wrong and I said yes, you are distributing leaflets for an organization that was not registered with the state of California. I just need your license plate so I can identify you when we file a complaint. I waved to him and he turned and walked away. When he yelled out ‘Are you the mayor?’ I said Yes. ‘Are you the owner of La Pasta Italia?’ I shook my head ‘yes’ and kept going. When we got into the store, my girls, who were watching all of this, said, ‘Is he flipping you off?’” “I didn’t know he was the mayor at the time. I asked him if he was the owner. He said yes. I found out the two were one in the same. People in the shop said I cursed him. I wouldn’t do that because he’s an older gentleman, I’m not going to use that kind of language. Also, I’m not going to argue all day long about politics, but when it comes to a political argument, I’ve learned that using foul language and going down to that level doesn’t work—it makes your argument null and void. He [Stanckiewitz] said these flyers are from an illegal organization. He never saw the flyers. I had the flyers in my hands, most of the time folded up. I didn’t give the flyers to anybody. No one could have showed him the flyers. I found out later he determined that he knew what flyers I had by the color of the flyers.” Jeff McConnell, the most vocal resident against Measure C, insists there is not a PAC (political action committee) against Measure C. His viewpoint is citizens are voicing their opinions individually. They are using their own money, time, and energy to be heard on this issue. “Freedom of speech still prevails in these United States,” said McConnell. “Mark Jolstead [another resident against Measure C] called the FPPC (fair political practices commission) and asked them what are the rules and they told us the rules. We followed the rules. We haven't violated the rules.” The FPPC states on their website that any individual may spend $1,000 of their own money without filing as a political action committee. They may print as many flyers as $1,000 will purchase. They may mail no more than 200 mailing pieces. They may make as many telephone calls as they like as long as they are not paid individuals making the calls. Otherwise they are limited to 200 phone calls. Newspaper ads must include in 10-point type and in contrasting color the name of the party paying for the ad. The maximum number of yard signs to be purchased by one individual is 200 and must state on the sign who is the purchaser. Passing out flyers of one's own free will is not a violation of the FPPC, according to FPPC representatives. According to McConnell, “The Mayor and Councilman Sandoval have been exercising selective enforcement, instructing proponents of YES on Measure C to steal flyers from public places, to remove NO on Measure C signs, even pressuring city staff to remove yard signs under the guise the signs are illegally placed too close to the street. More and more residents are finding out that our elected mayor who rose to top dog by relentlessly attacking his political rivals has a very short fuse with anyone who disagrees with him. In my opinion he has anger management issues and, as our mayor, has now led our city to a very embarrassing incident for us all.” When asked if any violation had been filed with the FPPC, Stanckiewitz referred that question to Jo Olchawa, a Grand Terrace resident since 1976 and treasurer of Save Grand Terrace. Olchawa, well-versed in FPPC requirements, was perplexed as to why the proponents of no against Measure C had not filed for a PAC. “It is free to file for a PAC, although there are some reporting requirements. I don't have a problem with opposition as long as they are truthful.” The purpose of these requirements is to allow people to determine if there is an ulterior motive. “I believe in the political process,” said Olchawa. “My parents are proud of me. They’re proud that they have a son that’s going to stand up for what he believes in. I’m sure it didn’t work out the way he thought it would. I don’t think he’s a bad guy by that action, but in the future he should act differently. I wasn’t intimidated or bullied, but as mayor he needs to do what he can to stop coming off that way. I’ll admit that I was probably wrong in not doing the research on both sides before going out and handing out the flyers. But all you read about in the news is tax, tax, tax. I come home and I find out my sweet little town is trying to raise taxes on itself. People are going to vote to tax themselves. I thought that was ludicrous. Whatever the cause is, whatever the Measure is, it can be fixed in a different way,” said Grande.