In a recurring theme of the council incumbents being unable to defend their records and instead smearing challengers, Blakespear buddy and Facebook gazillionaire Michael Verdu is sending out hit pieces against Julie Thunder:
Well, if it’s not enough to have tens of thousands of dollars of developer money on your side, why not bring in some serious Silicon Valley big money!
UPDATE: Blowback!
Is anyone surprised? Money buying our council.
ReplyDeleteLike all government - pay to play (or visa c=versa).
Delete“The idea that a title gives you some kind of moat around yourself is a dangerous conclusion” says Mike Verdu. True dat.
DeleteMike and Paula Verdu are recent transplants to Cardiff. They live on San Elijo Avenue and moved here several years ago. It's hard to miss the Verdu house with its patio shaded under the dozens of "Blakespear for Mayor" signs along with a sprinkle of Kranz, Horvath and Levin signs, all beneficiaries of Verdu PAC largesse.
Mike and Paula are from Los Angeles, where he was CEO of a gaming company. Los Angeles, with its corrupted, dysfunctional politics, seems the perfect place for two patronizing activists like the Verdus, but they opted to bring their LA rot and condescension here to beach town Encinitas. We don't see the Verdus at the beach much, or in town much, or really anywhere much. For all the demagoguing about environment, biking, walking, etc., they apparently live more like sedentary vermin.
Mike Verdu comes off as a narcissistic, arrogant, double-speaking apologist who, with his short stature, demonstrates the classic behavior of one with a Napoleon Complex. His PAC shenanigans and political engineering are seemingly natural and expected extensions of his need to self compensate for perceived inadequacies. Paula, his wife, is a contributor to local blog and community websites, and it appears from her shrill posts that she's the smug, imperious, insulting, thin-lipped reptilian counterpart and the ideal foil for a little man like Mike. She is the glue that binds these spinsters to Blakespear, Hinze, Kranz, Hubbard and Horvath. Oh, and let's not forget their agents Barth and Shaffer who, like the rest of their political set, stop at nothing and would eat their young to gratify themselves.
The Verdus are big city transplants who wield money and influence in an effort to fashion our beach town into their preferred image. In the end, that's their right, and advocacy is a part of our political process. It's the WAY they do things, however, that is really slimy. Conjure images of sleazy backroom deals mixed with big money politics, and it's easy to think of Mike and Paula gleefully pulling strings and greasing wheels. It's no surprise they're on board with the Streetscam fiasco, a position that promotes promenade-styled sidewalks, roundabouts, traffic obstructionism, and promotes bicycles over motor vehicles, all hallmarks of the Verdu city vision. Think 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica as our evolutionary model, then think of little Mikey wringing his paws in anticipation.
They and their social acolytes are the reality of little town politics in Encinitas, and their political chew toys, Blakespear et al, reflect this sordid type of nepotistic politics. Mike and Paula were the force behind Catherine 4 years ago when many self impressed dipshits on this blog lined up to vote for her and the cabal currently "serving" city council. Enjoy them and the nifty changes they have in store.
Anyone who uses the word "cabal" seriously is probably seeing lizard people in their closet.
DeleteAbsolutely loved the accurate commentary on the Verdus. Thank you!
DeleteThis is what you need when you're incumbents who lack workable ideas for the future and have seriously effed up the past.
ReplyDeleteThis is where you go and you get these ego-centric meddlers. Something to brag about around the water cooler when you run out of Facebook crap to talk about.
Facebook cash vs. sweet sweet BIA concrete cash.
ReplyDeleteGonzalez is the BIA king with $27,500 in developer money funneling through his PAC. Add that to his title as the developer's choice and you got the sweet sweet title of Developer's Whore.
DeleteOh and add that to his thinking he's going to be a developer and you've got the entire sold-out picture: https://beachstreetdev.com/team/. He's a big boy now.
Scroll down to see the local wannabe on the list.
Not fooling anyone, Margo. Bought and paid for.
The developer contribution to Margo's PAC is actually more than $27,500 if you also count the individual contributions of developer spouses and land use professionals. Closer to $29,500.
DeleteA city council who is filling our hotels and streets with hundreds of criminals and druggies with no end in sight. Pretending they are shocked that our % of property and violent crimes skyrocketed to #1 and #2 respectively in all of San Diego. They continually avoid answering the concerns of the residents as they rack up complaints, lawsuits, and more transients than ever before.
ReplyDeleteIf they can’t answer the questions they have no business being in the business of representing residents.
The Verdus have sacrificed more than just their money for their candidate.
ReplyDeleteAnd Margo never had any integrity to begin with...
ReplyDeleteIs it legal to protest in front the the Verdu's home? Tell your friends what the Verdu's are doing to our Beach Town! They make me sick!
ReplyDeleteVerWho?
ReplyDeleteFind something constructive to do!
Verdu. Michael and Paula Verdu. All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others!
DeleteGot to admit that this ad caught my attention. When it supposedly exposed Thunder's supporters, I had second thoughts about her. But I voted for her anyway, as Blakespear has definitely sold out.
ReplyDeleteVerdooz are sending out hit pieces against all challengers. are they coordinating with the candidates, forbidden by law? seems like they're all over social media with the same lines coming out of the incumbents mouths.
ReplyDeleteWho do that voodoo like Verdu?
ReplyDeleteOn one hand, I appreciate the Verdu's support for the Dem's.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, I do not appreciate their unflagging support for the incumbents that have sold out our community's safety by encouraging the homeless to come to our city, with and without cars to live in and out of, such as that is even something that should be encouraged to begin with. It is not.
Anyone can drive around the downtown and at our beach parks and city parks for themselves and see what this policy has wrought, rot, upon our community.
We deserve better and will get it with a new majority. Anything less, will not change a thing.
Thunder, Turney, and Riley is our chance for true representation, of the people, by the people, for the people.
These mailers, like the one I got today, disgust me. Way to go, Marco, Scott "Lapdog" Chatfield, and Verdus. I was on the fence about Julie. Thanks for helping me make my choice. Julie got our votes!!
ReplyDeleteThese promotors think we won't notice the forces behind them. We've had enough of blakespear bowing down before the BIA. Vote her OUT before she brings on the next round of "hands are tied" excuses and developer payback.
ReplyDeleteHere's the other issue. If Catherine was such a leader, woman of vision and all around great gal, why does she feel the need to resort to such down and dirty school yard bully tactics? Just because Jerome didn't get elected to Assembly, he was the Mayor of Encinitas and served on SANDAG. I didn't like him, but I would hardly call him "failed". Some sick minds on her campaign team. I though Encinitas was better than this.
ReplyDeleteAgree with 11:43. My wife and both voted Thunder and Turney and hope that they can and will work for all of us and not just those that want to make Encinitas more like Santa Monica.
ReplyDeleteNo Barstow!
ReplyDeleteNo more Buildspear!! and her all too obliging fellow council members.
ReplyDeleteThe Verdu's are two of the most dis-liked people in Encinitas. They haven't lived here long and they and their building friends are trying to ruin Encinitas!
ReplyDeleteAnonymous sources (birdonabranch) told a friend of a friend he moved here from DC a few years back
DeleteOne Verdu. Two or more Verdus. Since it's two Verdus, the Verdus' house is in Cardiff. If it were one Verdu, the Verdu's house is in Cardiff.
ReplyDeleteour entire family is voting for Thunder!!! 17 votes for her!! Bye Bye Blakespear and gang!!
ReplyDeleteIs that 17 Thunders or Thunder's?! Either way it sounds great!
Delete17? Sounds like voter fraud.
DeleteMichael Verdu is an expert in virtual and augmented reality. His explanation for his latest hit piece is a testimony to that expertise.
ReplyDeleteSomething is seriously wrong with the guy. That mailer is disgusting and folks will remember. He dragged his own name into the mud when he decided going private citizens rather than the issues was fair game. Guess that's where you go when you have nothing to say for your position.
DeleteHe then took 20 paragraphs to try explaining away what is backfiring on him, fast. If you read this dude just know that word is getting out beyond your Facebook bubble.
He also used the royal we. He and Margo are really out of touch.
DeleteHere we go again, over $85,000 developer dark money buying the council. This developer control has been going on in Encinitas for decades, b/c the residents have not been able to get a majority on the council. Ian's book "An Inconvenient Voice," describes it perfectly! Maggie stood alone in her vote for the community, and the developers attacked her with so many dirty tactics, just like they are now attacking the 3 candidates for the community. Let's give it all we've got this time around, and Lets VOTE for Thunder, Turney, and Riley!
ReplyDeleteThe Verdus should be tarred and feather and ran out of our community! We don't need their big money and big town development. GO BACK TO WHERE YOU RECENTLY CAME FROM, YOU'RE NOT WELCOME HERE!
ReplyDeleteTime for the m&m show to move on down the road.
DeleteDefinition of Latte Elitist - Verdu's
ReplyDeleteOne Verdu. Two or more Verdus. Since it's two Verdus, the Verdus' house is in Cardiff. If it were one Verdu, the Verdu's house is in Cardiff.
DeleteDefinition of Pea-Brained loser- 9:37
ReplyDeleteDems have rigged every single possible thing they can think of, and yet they're still panicking and nervous.
DeleteLevels of pathetic and douchery never before witnessed in human history.
Thanks you for playing
Some are arguing for experience. The problem is that the experience we have with this council is bad. Vote for Thunder, Turney and Riley!
ReplyDeleteMuch of this reminds me of the Biden laptop saga currently being covered up by the majority of the media and the FBI. Thousands of emails, pictures etc exposing the corruption of the Bidens.
ReplyDeleteOhhh' that's right, it's the Russians again, how could I have forgotten? Beware the left, the enemy within.
If you have friends on the left then you are friends with people that hate everything about America and are willing to vote for people, just like them.
5:00 Even Fox news wouldn't touch this story. You are truly brainwashed.
Delete7:39, aaaa' you are delusional. It's all over Fox and the New York Post. Along with newspapers throughout the United States and countries like Australia.
DeletePull your head out of your hiding place.
8:15 Sure, the usual Fox "opinion" morons are commenting on this. The fox "actual" news faction would not touch it.
DeleteOhhh, I see. I must have missed where you type in Fox News and IT'S ALL OVER THEIR SITE. How could I have been so blind as to see those stories that, according to you, don't exist. And, for the rest of you ding dongs that think biden knows what planet he inhabits...think again, he doesn't.
DeleteOne more time moron: Rudy brought the "story" to Fox and they rejected it. After the Post ran it the Fox fear brigade jumped on board. When it is discredited they can blame the post. You are brainwashed.
DeleteHey Kevin why hasn't Pedo Joe or Crackhead Hunter come out and said that the emails are not real or true?
DeleteWhy Kevin?
Why?
We all thought these guys were very fine people?
Well...
Your hole keeps getting deeper dude go get a Zoom massage bwahahahahaha
2:20...I can't tell if you are joking or just clueless. Rudy was on Fox just last night. It's proven, they have hunter bidens signature on the shop work order. It's his
Deletelaptop. What don't you understand? Or, what's wrong with you? Well it is in the hands of the FBI and soon the courts and soon a prosecutor. Ol' joe is laying low and hunter is no where to be found.
I feel like Verdu is his own worst enemy. By calling out Mr. Thunder's $250 donation to his wife's campaign, Verdu brings attention to his own $55,000 gift to Catherine Blakespear. He is trying to shame a man for supporting his wife by donating the legal limit when Verdu has donated 220 times as much to Blakespear through a PAC.
ReplyDeleteWin or Lose, Verdus need to leave Encinitas! The community is done with them.
ReplyDeleteKevin and karen lol
ReplyDeleteVerdu is just like his candidate who cannot seem to anticipate public reaction.
ReplyDeleteShe sued residents, they got mad, she was shocked. Verdu named residents, they got mad, he was shocked. Peas in a pod.
Blowback? You betcha.
Lots of lack of self awareness and dissonance with self serving prick democrats who got lucky w wealth.
ReplyDeleteThey believe Biden crime family is a lock to take over ghe whitehouz.
It may happen to be sure but is unlikely.
These corrupt douchebags need 5o have their faces rearranged to have a reality check.
To them pedophilia and crime is normal.
Fuck them
^^Peaked in high school.
DeleteIdeal target for Trump’s grievance messaging.
Your life doesn’t suck because a Mexican took your job, or because a gay person can get married, or because the elites (nerds from high school who got advanced degrees) are out to get you.
Daddy Trump tells you your shitty life isn’t your fault. And while that may feel good to hear, we all know it’s not true, especially Trump.
You don’t like Daddy Fat Turd in spite of his lies—you like him BECAUSE of his lies.
7:39 PM One might question the sanity of the American public after reading your post. Fortunately, you are probably an aberration. Trump is a pathological liar, con-man and self-absorbed autocrat. He has treated the government as his private business and is running it into the ground, as he did with all his endeavors. He uses the time-worn ruse of telling the struggling classes that their problems come from the less fortunate, immigrants or radical elements. Meanwhile, he cuts taxes for the top 10%, removes regulations that protect the environment and consumer interests, and lines his pockets with bribes and kick-backs. The idiotic Trump base will follow him over the cliff - the enemies of America rely on that. The age of rationality is severely challenged in present day America.
DeleteKeep denying reality I know it hurts but maybe your mommy can talk some sense into you. If not come over to my mansion I've got a guillotine in the backyard for criminal pedos
ReplyDeleteIts fun and wonderful to see pedoheads all over the lawn
Nothing to see here. No security threat at all.
ReplyDeleteAfter all ITHS A CONTHPIRATHY~!
https://thenationalpulse.com/news/hunter-biden-with-accused-sexual-abuser/
7:52 / 8:08 keeps his guillotine in the trunk of his 1993 "mansion". Attaboy! you're a winner! now please stop eating the glue... thank you.
DeleteDon't forget that Verdu donated $30,000 to Blakespear in previous years. I say don't forget because Blakespear did forget!! At least that's what she claimed during the Coast News forum. The other possibility is that she is a pathological liar.
ReplyDeleteNo he didn’t.
DeleteWe have a $300 per person cap on contributions.
The cap is $250. The tens of thousands from Verdu went to PACs that support Blakespear. No limits at PACs.
DeleteAnd from margo too don't forget her bff attorney.
Delete“Donated to Blakespear”
DeleteNope.
Want to talk PACs? Fine.
Why is an east county Republican pac and San Diego gun owners spending to prop up concrete Barstow Julie and FPPC cheater Susan?
YIPES verdu now up to $61,000 in a war chest to keep the three incumbent seats. What the heck is going on here - more than meets the eye, vote accordingly. Someone or someones trying to buy your city. Between verdu and gonzalezzzz they're at $91,000. Something serious amiss here.
ReplyDeleteSounds like they care a lot about our future.
DeleteI just received a flyer where the mayor claims that she gets things done. She has a picture of the Moonlight Safety Center which came in at over $5 million when a lot of us would have been happy with the blue plastic lifeguard shacks like they have in Carlsbad. She also a drawing of a railway crossing and a drawing of Olympus Park just like she claimed the overnight parking program three months before it was voted on. If she gets anything done it is through secret meetings and accepting poor standards. All votes for Thunder in this household.
ReplyDeleteReaching back in time to write a newsletter 12 days before she hopes to be elected just highlights how much she has to hide.
DeleteThese mini projects can't mask the fact that she's screwed up everything big. Her newsletter was weirdly disjointed and revealed a state of mind unfit to lead anything, much less a city.
The lifeguard station at Moonlight was $3.9 million. The garage next to it was $1.1 million.
DeleteThe lifeguard monstrosity that took beach towel space, blocked views (incredibly bad placement) had cost overruns and is further from actually rescuing. Dysfunctional projects, our Mayor’s claim to fame.
ReplyDelete