|
A few of Tom's Speech's |
Galt Chamber of Commerce Luncheon, August 2002: “Thank you for inviting us here this afternoon to introduce ourselves. My name is Tom Malson and I am a candidate for City Council. Let me give you some of my experience and qualifications: In addition: I have a Certificate in 'The Practice of Local Government Planning' from the International City/County Management Association.
For the past sixteen years, I have a proven track record in serving the citizens of Galt. The following are just some of my accomplishments during this period:
In addition, I have served as representative for the Cities of Folsom, Isleton and Galt on: Our City is in a unique and challenging position and we have a real opportunity to plan and control our future. I firmly believe that Council Members are involved citizens of the community and your voice in City Government. One item I have learned being on the Sacramento Environmental Commission is that we are not alone. Regional land use issues are here and are not going away. We really have no choice but to find ways to work with our County, other cities and developers to find solutions to our regions growth, protecting our open space, implementing sustainable development concepts to protect our environment and solve transportation problems in order to build a favorable business climate to increase our City's job and tax base. I am committed to continue my responsive and responsible role in city government and represent all of our citizens to the best of my abilities. This provides a strong foundation to be one of your City Council Members. I ask for your support during this election and your vote on November 5th, thank you.” (Home) Televised Campaign Forum on PEG Metro Channel 14:FRIDAY (5-Oct-02, League of Women Voters, Sacramento Board of Supervisors Chambers, 8:45 AM): Opening Statement: “Thank you for inviting us here this morning. My name is Tom Malson and I am asking for your vote on November 5th. Our family settled in Galt 21 years ago and I have been involved with our city’s planning since 1986, have attended League of California Cities Planning Conferences and a 16-week SACOG sponsored course on ‘The Practice of Local Government Planning’. During this period I was also appointed to 4 regional and 4 city commissions and committee’s. We need qualified council members that understand the importance of updating Galt’s General Plan, increasing retail and commercial tax base, expanding our sphere of influence, planning a green belt between Galt and Elk Grove and working cost effective solutions for city, school, fire and transportation joint use facilities. Why I am running? I believe that my community involvement, experience and qualifications have prepared me well to serve and represent you on Galt’s City Council and I would very much appreciate your support. Thank You” Closing Statement: “The citizens of Galt have a real opportunity to benefit in this election. For the past sixteen years, I have a proven track record in serving the citizen’s of this city. I am also the only Planning Commissioner or Council Member to complete the course and past the test for a Certificate in the Practice of Local Government Planning. Being on the Sacramento Environmental Commission I have learned that we are not alone. Regional land use issues are here and are not going away. We really have no choice but to find ways to work with our county, other cities and developers to find solutions to our regions growth, protecting our open space, implementing sustainable development concepts to protect our environment and solve transportation problems in order to build a favorable business climate to increase our city’s job and tax base. I would hope that based on what you have heard today, you agree with me, in that I can make an immediate and substantial contribution to our city. I would like to thank the League of Women Voters for hosting this event and in closing I would again ask for your vote on November 5th. Thank You” Questions: Q: How do you feel about Growth? A: “Having been involved in our last update, I know that the best tool for planning Galt's future is our General Plan. It is time to review and update this plan. This is where our cities policies and goals are put down on paper. They include our sphere, green belts (open space), housing needs, parks, transportation, sustainable development policies and land use. This provides a planning document for the next 10-15 years. It is very important that citizens participate in this process because really in the end it is their plan and we can never lose sight of that.” Q:
Do
you support Measure R (Legal limit of 5 percent on annual
A: “No, I do not favor Measure R. Limiting residential growth based on our Cities General Fund is a narrow viewpoint with unknown fiscal consequences. There are better ways to address growth while still allowing options for our City. One way would be by City Ordinance, but I believe the best way is by updating our General Plan. Having been involved in our last update, I know that the best tool for planning Galt's future is our General Plan.” Q:
Do
you support Measure Q (Campaign finance reform as A: “Vote NO on Measure Q. This is not campaign finance reform; it is just another law on top of existing state laws to make it more difficult to run for office. It gives incumbents a big edge. The basis for campaign finance reform is to limit spending, promote a ‘level playing field’ and make an elected office accessible to everyone. I do not see how this measure would do any of that. It does not limit spending, just how you report it, it does not promote a level playing field, incumbents can still amass large campaign war chests and therefore elected office would still not be accessible to everyone. What I do favor is true campaign finance reform such as the proposed model ordinance developed by Common Cause and the League of Women Voters for the City of Sacramento. We should look at this model, which is written specifically to ensure a level playing field and to reduce the influence of large contributors with specific interests. Q: What course would you
take to solve the current wastewater A: "First, work with the California Water Quality Control Board to minimize any fines imposed and it sure looks like we may be fined. However, it does appear that they are willing to work with us but we are probably going to be required to put together a plan to accomplish four things: 1.) Provide a short-term solution to acquire land necessary to handle our treated water and by short term I mean immediate leasing of land, if possible. 2.) Comply with requirements of the Water Quality Control Board to get our new permit and this probably means agreeing to a compliance schedule to upgrade our plant to tertiary treatment. 3.) Work on the financial impacts this will have and any possible mitigation solutions for the citizens of Galt. 4.) Find out how we got into this situation so it does not happen again.” Q: What core values provide
the foundation for your ability to Experience and Qualifications: A: “I have been a member of the Galt City Planning Commission since 1986 and am past Chairman and Vice Chairman. I have served the City as Chairman of the Citizens General Plan Committee, member of the Gora Aquatic Center Development Committee and Park Master Plan Committee. I am a Past President, Vice-President and Treasurer of the Galt Area Historical Society. In addition, I have represented the Cities of Folsom, Isleton and Galt on the Sacramento Solid Waste Advisory Committee, History & Science Commission and currently the Sacramento Environmental Commission (Chairman, 2001). Furthermore, I am the only Planning Commissioner or Council Member to complete and pass the test for a Certificate in The Practice of Local Government Planning. Being a representative for Folsom, Isleton and Galt on various Commissions has exposed me to regional issues. I know that what our County and other Cities do, does have an impact on Galt. Council Members must stay involved and work with their counterparts on regional planning questions and solutions.” Q: What you have to offer Galt as a councilman? A: “I can 'hit the ground running', being a Planning Commissioner for the past 16-years, a member of the SWAC, SEC, General Plan Committee and having passed the SACOG sponsored course to obtain a Certificate in The Practice of Local Government Planning I have the experience. I understand the importance of sound General Plan policies, CEQA, AB939, EIR's, mitigation measures, negative declarations, development maps, findings & conditions. In addition, I have been exposed to regional issues being a FIG representative on 3 separate Commissions.” Q: What would your priorities be as a Council Member? A: My ‘core’ Priorities have always been: It is time that we finish Lincoln Way, do 'something' with the railroad property and at least put a plan together for freeway off-ramps.” Q:
How do
you plan to implement council’s decision to pursue a A: “What we have at present is a goal. We also have a process that we know works. It worked for the Gora Aquatic Center, I know, since I was a member of that Committee. I would suggest using a similar process by forming a Skate Park Committee to address and answer the following questions: size, location, design, liability, any access restrictions, cost estimate, how do we fund it and a schedule to build it. The Committee should be made up of one member from the Council, Planning Commission and Recreation Commission with at least the same number of interested citizens at large, including users of the park. When the Committee answers these questions with possible alternatives then the plan would go to the Recreation Commission for Public Hearing. The Recreation Commission would then forward their comments and recommendations to Council. At this point in the process the major issue for the Council should be approval of a funding plan.” (Home) Statement I made when I was sworn in, December 2002: “Thank You for Your Support Election 2002 is over and I extend my deepest thanks to the citizens of Galt who have bestowed a tremendous responsibility upon me to represent you on our City Council. As a Council Member I must always remember that I represent all the people of Galt. My 'core priorities' have always been public health & safety, environmental and public services. With that said, we have to deal with the sewage treatment plant question and address the growth issue. Your new Council will be entering the sewage treatment plant controversy in the middle but I am confident we will quickly come up to speed and solve this problem. The best way to address the growth issue is to update our General Plan, which has not been updated in almost 14 years. This is where our city's policies and goals are put down on paper. They include our sphere, green belts (open space), housing needs, parks, transportation, sustainable development policies urban services boundaries and land use. This provides a planning document for the next 10-15 years. It is very important that you, the citizens of Galt participate in this process because really in the end it is your plan and we can never lose sight of that. As a Council we also must stay involved, investigate and understand regional land use and environmental impacts such as air quality, water availability and any possible impacts to our ground water aquifer. I would like to see our cities tax base increased by attracting retail and commercial business to our city. We all know that property taxes on residential units alone are not enough to sustain city services, we must work to maintain a sound and balanced general fund on which to operate our city. I remember major items discussed in the 1990 election were Lincoln Way improvements, doing 'something' with the railroad property and improving our freeway off-ramps. Maybe it is time that we finish Lincoln Way, do 'something' with the railroad property and do more than just put another plan together for freeway off-ramps. My family moved to Galt 21 years ago, my daughter started school right here in Galt and graduated from Galt High, my wife has worked for our City Police & Finance Departments and the past 12-yrs at SCT/Link (TRACS). I have volunteered to coach our children in youth sports and we are life members of the Historical Society. Our family has made a commitment to our community. Having made this commitment, I educated myself, and become involved with our City. In the past 16-yrs I have been on 4 City Commissions/Committee's, 4 Regional Commissions/Panels and have Chaired 3 of them. I am committed to continue my responsive and responsible role in city government. I firmly believe that Council Members are involved citizens of the community and your voice in City government. I commend everyone who ran in this election. If they did not know before, they most certainly know now how very difficult it is to run for an elected office. It takes very special people to make that kind of commitment and I am proud our City has people of this caliber. To Bob Kraude, Teresa Pearson, Dan Pillsbury, Marylou Powers, Jonathan Rotondo and Rob Sealey I know how you feel since I too have lost elections but have never been sorry and have always been proud that I made the effort. You should also. I congratulate my fellow Council Members Elect Darryl Clare and Randy Shelton. We all know that a great responsibility has been bestowed upon us and we will do our best to carry it out. My special thanks to Ted Banker, Marilyn Blansett, Marilyn Edwards, June Gilmore, Rico Oller, Sue Roberts, Rita Villarreal, Business United for Good Government and all the people who supported my campaign. It simply would not have happened without you. Finally, I must mention Grace and
Gracie Malson for their
extraordinary help, support and generally just putting up with me during this
campaign. Tom Malson" (Home) Skate Park Opening Address Jun-2003: “Good afternoon and thank you all for coming out to celebrate the opening of our first Skate Park. We should recognize the previous City Council for making a Skate Park our City’s number two priority and your current Council for implementing that goal in seven months. For those of you who do not know, in “government time”, seven months is truly amazing. While Council set this goal the real ‘engine’ behind this project were you, the Citizen’s of Galt and your ad-hoc Committee. The most vocal of this group, Al Baldwin (the guy in the Hawaiian shirt), was selected Chairman and did an outstanding job leading this group and getting this park from idea to reality. Committee members include: Rick Stancil, Corrine Sealey, Adin Selby, Bob Dees, Rueve Epstein, Francisco Sanchez, Joe Gilmore and myself. Sue Cory from the City Clerk’s Office is the Committee Secretary. City staff were a very important part of this Team. They did their job well. Boyce Jeffries and his Parks & Recreation Organization provided everything from equipment and park design information to actual assembly of the equipment. We also must thank the Boy Scouts who took equipment assembly on as a project and were also here helping out. So, where do we go from here, what’s next? First, let’s enjoy this Park. Then in September time frame, your ad-hoc Committee is planning on meeting to review how well this park is doing. We will discuss items such as how much this park is used, what is liked about it and what could be improved. How well equipment is holding up and should we build another park on the west side. We have plans on meeting at the Raley’s community room and hope to see you there in September. We should also acknowledge that today is the 59th anniversary of D-Day, which was the invasion of Fortress Europe that precipitated the end of the Second World War. Tom Brokaw has called these solders America’s Greatest Generation. They are a very large reason we Americans enjoy the freedoms that we have today and can create parks like this. Thank you and stay tuned.” (Home) Fireworks, 4-Jul-03: [Introduction by Boyce Jefferies, Parks & Rec Director]: “Thank you Boyce. I would like to thank Boyce and his staff for doing a great job supporting this event each year. Welcome to the Galt Festival, now in its 44th year. Special thanks to the Galt Festival Committee who put this event on each year and their Committee Chairperson: Corrine Sealley. Corrine requested that I mention that this year’s festival is dedicated to Bobby Williams one of their most committed members who passed away this past May. He will be missed. Today is a celebration of our country’s independence and along with that we need to remember our service personnel that are in harm’s way on this holiday. Now for this evenings activities:” (Home) Lincoln Way (speech written by Tom Malson, presented by Grace Malson): “Thank you for being here today, for the few who may not know who I am, my Name is Grace Malson and I am representing Council Member Tom Malson. He also refers to me as “staff”. Council Member Tom Malson has waited a long time for this day and truly regrets not being here. As some of you may know, Tom ran for Council once before, in 1990. In that election, 13 years ago, two major issues were Lincoln Way and Railroad property improvements. In reality, Lincoln Way improvements have been an issue for more than 13 years. This street “lost” it’s identity as a State highway in the early 1950’s when it was replaced by what is now Highway 99. Eventually along with that went State funding to maintain it. To our City Lincoln Way has never lost its identity; it is “our old street”. It is now time for us to take care of “our old street” and give it a much-needed facelift. Lincoln Way is the major north-south arterial on the west side of Galt. To many visitors to our City it is their “first impression” of Galt. It is about time that we make a positive impact on visitors to our City, rather than give them the impression that we are a four wheel drive vehicle testing facility. Council and City Staff have made every effort to support and specify a construction contract to minimize the mess a construction project like this generates. It will still be a ‘mess’ and inconvenient. Please be patient, everyone involved will be working as fast as possible to complete this project on time, to the highest quality and within budget. I am sure when this project is completed we will all be impressed, thank you.” (Home) Habitat House Apr-2004: “Good Afternoon – boy what a great day – great weather Thank you all for coming out today. Habitat for Humanity International was founded in 1976 with a goal to eliminate poverty housing and homelessness worldwide. They have completed over 100,000 homes in all 50 states and 60 other nations. They build homes that are sold on a no-profit, no-interest basis making homes affordable to families with low incomes. Local volunteers founded the Galt Area Chapter of Sacramento Habitat for Humanity in the year 2000. Today we are celebrating the Galt Chapter of Habitat for Humanity’s first Home. Well over 150 people worked on this home, one person actually had a 70th birthday work party to help build this home. Over 35 of Galt’s businesses and organizations made significant contributions either financially or with work teams. Your City Council also stepped up and did what they could by waiving Capital Impact Fees which will be paid back to the City through a Redevelopment Agency Loan and deferring Building Permit fees until after the sheetrock inspection. Now that we are up to speed on all this – why are we really here today? How many of you remember your first home? That kind of says it all, doesn’t it?” (Home) Girls Fast Pitch opening day, 2004: “Welcome to the 2004 Girls Fast Pitch Softball League Opening Day. I have been where you are standing a dozen times. We have amazing youth sports programs in our City and are able to maintain them due directly to great Parks and Recreation Staff, volunteers, involved parents and supported by funding from our Galt market. When my daughter was growing up here in Galt we got involved in Girls Fast Pitch Softball. I ended up coaching and even getting certified by the American Softball Association as a Coach. “Rec League Ball” as we called is about learning and playing the game. It is about Team Work and above all it is about having FUN – after all – it is just a game. I remember once showing up for a game without enough players. The other Coach “loaned” us a player so the game could be played. I do not remember who “won” but I do remember that we played that day. That is what it is all about. I hope that you and your family will enjoy today’s festivities and have a safe and enjoyable season. For their volunteer service in assisting the Department in coordination of the Girls Fast Pitch League, the Galt Parks and Recreation Department would like to thank the following coaches: . . .” (Home) Galt Community Choir Dec-2004: “Good afternoon and thank you for joining us today. One quick reminder, please turn off your cell phones and pager’s they never seem to “go-off” in time with the music.My name is Tom Malson and Betty Bohn has honored me by asking that I start the program today.Could you all please stand and face our countries flag.Please honor our flag and join me in the pledge:I Pledge Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.Please remain standing.Let us prayLet us remember the important things in life and give thanks for our health, our friends and family this holiday season along with remembering those that have passed on. Let us also honor and give thanks to our men and women in the service of our country many away from home for the first time sitting behind sand bag emplacements eating MRE’s as their holiday meal. May you protect them and return them home safe to their loved ones. Amend.Please be seated and get comfortable for the show:Before we start, this is my opportunity to thank our City’s Parks and Recreation Department staff for supporting this event and of course Betty Bohn and the Galt Community Choir for putting it on. I would also like to acknowledge fellow Council Member(s):(--) (--) (--) (--) who have also joined us today and of course my lovely wife of 30+ years, Grace.Before I turn the program over to Betty, I want everyone to know that this is her 18th year in providing this service to our community. It looks like we are in for a great program today, so sit back and enjoy it.Betty – it is all yours . . . .”(Home) Testimony to Central Valley Water Quality Control Board, 2004: “Good morning. My name is Tom Malson and I am a Council Member from the City of Galt. I should also point out that I was a Member of the Sacramento Environmental Commission for 6 years. Due to Brown Act requirements only one other Council Member could attend today and I'm it. First, I would like to state that all Council Members are in agreement with what Mayor Clare has said here today. Then, I also have a few comments of my own: Initial cost estimates to comply with this permit will increase residential rates 2-1/2 to 5 times and connection fees 2-1/2 to 4 times from what they are now. This will simply kill affordable housing. How do we explain this fee increase to our citizen's and how are many of them even going to be able to afford to pay these rates? It could very well be a choice of being able to put food on the table for their children.” Note: At this point the Chairman told me to “sit down and shut-up, he did not want to hear it” (I finished anyhow). “Your Board and Staff are the experts on these regulations. They should also be experts in advising and guiding permit applicants to obtain the best possible environmental and economic solutions. For ALL concerned. It should be a Team effort to produce the very best permit to comply with required laws, while using best engineering practices and making it all affordable and cost effective. In closing I invite this Board to form a Team with our City and together we can work to produce a model world class permit to achieve these results. Thank you, I know your job is not an easy one.”
(Home) Galt Chamber of Commerce Luncheon, February 2006: “Thank you for inviting me today. My subject always goes well with any meal. I am going to be discussing our WWTP, giving you an update on where we are with it, what options are still on the table and leading into some proposed rate increases. I might add that a fee or rate increase of any kind is never a subject Council or staff enjoys discussing. First let me mention that we have 3 schedules to manage and when you lay them all on top of each other mid 2010 jumps out at you as a real key date: Also let me again say that growth never has and never will be the cause for these costs associated with permitting regulatory compliance. The plant capacity that is currently permitted has not changed since it was built in 1992. Next, let me run through our WWTP options: We started with something like 17 different possibilities and those were narrowed down to 4 options. Of those 4 options, 1 was so costly, required so much additional land and expansion possibilities were so slim that it has been dropped. That leaves 3 options on the table, which are: Option A: Which is pretty close to what we are doing now – a seasonal discharge in the winter and land application in the summer, except with much higher treatment standards. For you technical types this means UV disinfection instead of chlorine and a tertiary filtration system. One very key item with this option is that is relies on some dilution during the winter discharge season. The estimated cost for these improvements in 2009 dollars is $48 M. Option B: Is a zero dilution solution allowing a year-round discharge and is referred to as a tertiary plus system. It has all the components of Optional A, without the dilution. The plus means that without any dilution, we can not meet regulatory requirements without something in addition to tertiary filtration. This option relies on using engineered wet lands designed specifically for this purpose. The up-side of this option is that we end up with a year-round discharge. The estimated cost of this option is $49 M. Option C: This option is to run a pipeline to the Sacramento River and continue treatment to our current levels. It is the simplest from an engineering standpoint using proven technology and when plant capacity is expanded has the potential of having the lowest overall costs in the end – even though initial costs are estimated at $63 M. However, this option appears to have the most risk involved since it almost completely relies on dilution. It my many conversations with other jurisdictions, both large and small, it is the feeling on the street that dilution is going to be a thing of the past. That adds a lot of risk to this option and when we are dealing with public money we just can not gamble and for that reason this option is beginning to look like a real long shot. At present the Council has decided to “move-out” on the actions needed to implement Option A and I would guess that when expansion or perhaps even our final permit is discussed this option may very well turn into Option B. Option C is still “on-the-table” but again a real long shot. So let’s get to the bottom line here: Rates Why raise them now? First, proposed rate increases include 2 components: The 1st is just an annual cost of living increase based on the CPI which this Council has been doing for the past few years. The second component of the increase begins to address the costs to comply with these regulatory requirements. Our sewer fund will be in the red this year if we do nothing and then we would have to borrow the funds. This proposed increase should get us through this year and all this money will go toward upgrades – it will be interest free. We can see no way that our City will not have to borrow money, in the future to pay for these required upgrades – and it may, or may not be interest free. I have asked Gregg Halladay, our Public Works Director to joint me today to present the actual details of this proposed rate increase since the Commercial/Industrial rates are more involved than residential. Gregg Bio:”
(Home) League of Women’s Voters Candidate Forum PEG Channel 14 10 A.M., Saturday, 30-Sep-2006 Opening Statement: “My name is Tom Malson and it has been 4 years since I was elected to our Galt City Council. It has been a challenging and fulfilling time for me and a responsibility I take very seriously. As a resident of Galt for 26 years we share the same concerns and I have faced these concerns for the past four years as a council member. Over the past 4 years your city council, working together, has many accomplishments to its credit, such as: In the next four years we need to concentrate on 3 things: Thank you” Closing Statement: “It is hard to believe that almost four years have passed since I was first elected to our Galt City Council. It has been one of the greatest honors of my life and a responsibility I take very seriously and one that would not have been possible had good friends such as you not stepped forward. I remain deeply grateful for the opportunity you have given me and I thank you for your support. The knowledge and experience I have gained from 16 years as a Planning Commissioner, 9 years on the Sacramento Environmental Commission and the past 4 years on your City Council has served you well with the institutional knowledge I bring to this position. Our City is on the verge of completing a new general plan which will generate changes in land use, economic development, parks, city streets, how we access Hwy 99 and city infrastructure such as our storm water, drinking water and wastewater systems. Now more than ever you need this experience on your City Council My 'core priorities' have always been public health, safety, environmental, public services and economic development. I want to continue to serve our community as one of your Council Members and your support will be critical. Together we can ensure that Galt remains a wonderful place to live, work and raise a family. With your continued friendship, we will do impressive things for our Great American Little Town and I ask for your vote this November. Thank you”
(Home) Galt Chamber of Commerce Candidate Forum Chabolla Center, 6 P.M., Wednesday, 11-October-2006 Opening Statement: “My name is Tom Malson and my family and I have lived in Galt for the past 26 years. My wife Grace works for SCT/Link, we have been married for 33 years, my daughter is a Galt High School graduate and very close to getting her Masters Degree at Sacramento State University. I was elected to our Galt City Council 4 years ago and over that period your city council, working together, has many accomplishments to its credit, such as: In the next four years we need to concentrate on 3 things: Thank you” Closing Statement: “It is hard to believe that almost four years have passed since I was first elected to our Galt City Council. It has been one of the greatest honors of my life and a responsibility I take very seriously. The knowledge and experience I have gained from 16 years as a Planning Commissioner, 9 years on the Sacramento Environmental Commission and the past 4 years on your City Council has served you well with the institutional knowledge I bring to this position. Our City is on the verge of completing a new general plan which will generate changes in land use, economic development, parks, city streets, how we access Hwy 99 and city infrastructure. Now more than ever you need this experience on your City Council My 'core priorities' have always been public health, safety, environmental and economic development as shown by the endorsements I have received. I want to continue to serve our community as one of your Council Members and your support will be critical. Together we can ensure that Galt remains a wonderful place to live, work and raise a family and I ask for your vote this November. Thank you” |
|
(Home) Last Council Meeting Comments
|
Paid for by: Committee
1246762