Modesto Bee Article
last updated: May 11, 2008 03:29:58 AM
Supervisor Jim DeMartini is a fascinating individual and politician.
He's frank to a fault, leaving no one in doubt on his views. When he opposes something, like Gerry Kamilos' West Park proposal, he's a pit bull in his objections. And when he believes in something, such as beefing up the agriculture protections of the general plan, he will endure hours of discussions to carry it forward. He puts in more hours than any other county supervisor, to the point where he gets calls from constituents in other districts because they know he'll be responsive.
He attends ribbon-cuttings, festivals and city council meetings throughout his district. He's everywhere.
And sometimes he says the darndest -- and most inappropriate -- things, such as referring to a Stanislaus County Superior Court judge as a "weenie."
Challenging DeMartini for the District 5 seat on the Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors is Newman Mayor John Fantazia, a lifetime resident who clearly cares deeply about his hometown.
Fantazia describes himself as the kind of person who frequently ends up cooking at community events. He's active in several civic groups and is chairman of the Stanislaus Council of Governments, the transportation planning agency, where he represents Newman.
Fantazia agrees with DeMartini on many issues, most notably West Park, which they both have opposed. Both men believed the business park should not be larger than the Crows Landing air field. They agree, too, that the county needs a sales tax for transportation.
However, on other county issues, such as the Health Services Agency and the animal shelter, Fantazia is not nearly so knowledgeable or able to articulate a clear philosophy or vision.
Fantazia promises to be a full-time supervisor, but the district already has that with DeMartini. He also promises that he would not be partisan in the nonpartisan role of supervisor. DeMartini is the former chairman of the county Republican Central Committee and his conservative leanings are well known, but they have not seriously affected his ability to serve as a supervisor.
This campaign is unusual in that DeMartini has been under attack for months, dating to a hit piece that showed up on YouTube last December. There was no apparent connection with Fantazia.
And then there's the sideshow -- the criminal case against an attractive young woman who allegedly stole DeMartini's identity after working with him on Republican causes. She has been represented by the celebrity attorney Mark Geragos, who has made every possible effort to embarrass DeMartini. The supervisor has responded by firmly and repeatedly denying that he had any romantic relationship with the woman. The next proceeding in the case comes after the June 3 primary.
The criminal case and the YouTube video make for political intrigue, but don't directly affect the supervisor race, which was calm until Fantazia sent out a color mailer characterizing DeMartini as a liar.
The brochure fairly criticizes the incumbent for his occasional rudeness, but it runs astray with its suggestion that DeMartini surreptitiously advanced West Park by supporting Jeff Grover's re-election in 2006. Grover had been a strong West Park supporter. A more accurate appraisal, we believe, is the fact that DeMartini and Grover have developed a good relationship despite their differences on that and some other subjects.
While Fantazia has gone after his opponent, we're not aware of DeMartini attacking Fantazia.
Rather, he has focused on successfully amassing dozens of key endorsements. And his precinct walking has become legendary, to the point where other candidates seek his advice on how to do it efficiently.
We've criticized DeMartini in the past for popping off inappropriately, and we will encourage him to be more tactful. But he is a hardworking supervisor, attuned to the concerns of his district and far better equipped than his opponent to address the the complex issues facing the county.
The Bee endorses Jim DeMartini's re-election as supervisor representing District 5.
