The Citizens for the Yes on Measure B committee has signs all over town encouraging residents to vote “yes” on the proposed seven-year half-cent sales tax increase devoted to Turlock roads, but has not previously faced opposition in terms of active campaigning or signage.
Donald Babadalir, candidate for Turlock City Council and an avid, vocal opponent of Measure B, has now connected his campaign to a Measure B opposition movement.
Babadalir has a posted campaign sign standing about 8 feet in the air on the corner of Monte Vista Avenue and Geer Road stating, “Government Accountability & Less Taxes, Vote No On Measure B Road Tax” along with mention of his candidacy and campaign website.
“This is not a denial of the state of our roads. In fact, it's an acknowledgement of their poor condition and a question as to how they got that way,” said Babadalir on his Facebook. “This is a call for accountable and trustworthy government and less taxes!”
Babadalir has previously stated that he favors increased economic development as a means of raising tax revenue over raising tax rates.
“The government already collects taxes from us that should be used for roads. Say no to Measure B!”
While the Citizens for Yes on Measure B committee has been active in engaging the community to vote yes on the measure, there has been no opposition movement openly challenging the tax until now.
Babadalir has been deciding on the proposed road tax just as other voters have been doing this election. The Council candidate even revised his TurlockCityNews.com candidate profile to state the following:
"As I have stated before, the poor state of the roads is no secret in our town. The roads do need improvement and I commend the proposed aim of Measure B. However, while I offered conditional, caveated – and reluctant – support for this measure waiting for certain things to be clarified (e.g. scheduling of road improvements if and when a county-wide tax passes, status of funds collected from other taxes, etc.), I can assuredly say after the revelations of the past month involving the mailers that I cannot offer my support for it.
Council Candidate Sergio Alvarado has been the only other Council candidate to share an open opposition to the road tax, and the only candidate to do so since the beginning of the Nov. 4 election process.
“We can all agree that our roads aren't very well maintained, but, the way the Measure is written causes me great concern,” Alvarado wrote in a statement.
Alvarado has cited lack of funds dedicated to roads over recent years, as well as the Turlock road maintenance schedule that may or may not be completed if Stanislaus County were to pass its own road and “ethical issues” surrounding the Citizens for Yes on Measure B.
The other three Turlock City Council candidates have stated their support of Measure B, especially Forrest White who sits on the Advising Committee for the Citizens for Yes on Measure B.
Mayoral candidate, Mike Brem, has been openly supportive of the road tax, while his opponent Gary Soiseth has stated he cannot support the tax at this time.
The voters of Turlock will get the final say on Nov. 4. Measure B requires a two-thirds, or 66.7%, approval to pass.
Come on have some integrity TCN. First he was for it now he’s against it for political expediency. You have got to learn to challenge those who buy ads on your site. Why aren’t you challenging this guys flip-flop instead of making a big deal about his new sign?
The article did state that Babadalir did change his position on his own thoughts of voting. This is good reporting. If this site didn’t include that then I would question this but it makes sense. The article mentions and links to Soiseth’s thoughts on the road tax that aren’t cemented either way.
Accountable government and less taxes. This man will have everyone’s vote. Why does Sergio Avaraldo not have any campaign signs up around town? I think he could’ve won.
While I will definitely be voting No on Measure B, I don’t think Donald should associate himself with the opposition. Seeing that Donald is supported by Turlock Republicans and Turlock Tea Party Patriots, normally I would make sure to vote the opposite of whatever this lunatic says.
Babadalir critics…they’re either trolls or can’t read. He never was for it. He said he was offering reluctant and caveated support until his questions were answered. And while he waited to get a guarantee about the scheduling, that’s when the illegal Measure B mailers were sent out by the city and that’s when the FPPC info came out. He did his homework before signing. He stood with us…the people.
LOL – Donald. Quit trying to act like you have an actual supporter speaking on your behalf. You don’t have a chance of being elected despite your delusions. “He stood with us . . . the people” What a sanctimonious joke you are.
Polls show you’re wrong Minimus.
There are no polls idiot. Likes on a page have no value otherwise the 2100 likes on Jacobs page would certainly be informative. However they have no more meaning than your alleged poll. We’ll see on Tuesday.
Donald’s poll was made on Microsoft Word. The unevenly shaped red circles are telling of his Mickey Mouse poll.
Minimus you’re trolling. TCN ran a poll. Don’t get butthurt.
Okay Maximus (Babadalir) –
Yeah, the phone poll showed getting waxed. You are referring to some “FB Likes” that have absolutely no value. Further, to suggest speaking the truth is trolling is ridiculous. You resort to vulgarity because you have neither the facts nor the intellect for anything else.
What was vulgar? Stating facts? Did your feelings get hurt?
I guess I struck a nerve. Never fear my feelings are intact. However, your use of the term butthurt just demonstrates you’re not mature enough for elected office. Turlock deserves better and Tuesday when DeHart and Jacobs are elected you can go back to working on people’s abs.
Donald is the most honest candidate I see. Gary and Donald have my vote. I feel like he’s been putting in more effort and he actually replies to posts on FB like a normal person. He has a passion and he’s doing it. He doesn’t sit on a high horse like some of the other candidates.
LOL – He answers his FB messages because he doesn’t have a “real” job. Isn’t he a pool boy or something?
i find this thread to be really funny
It is surprising that there is only one candidate in a republican ruled area that is opposing taxes and government wasteful over spending.
You say flip, I say flop! Donald’s position on B changes yet again!
Republican ruled? Seriously? Are we still in America? Watch what happens when the council is elected by district. That’s when you’ll see real change. The next ballot initiative should be to assure Mayor candidates actually live within the Turlock City limits.
I don’t even think this foreigner was born in the usa
Im votin no on B and still votin no on Babadalir you should have put this sign up so long ago so people had time to see it x
Babadalir. Your were all show and no dough. Not even a close 4th?! I’m laughing so hard right now at your pretentious style. Your vitriol failed you. Congrats to Soiseth, Jacob and DeHart.
Babadalir is a loser. All fluff and no substance. Facebook likes did not mean you got votes! So Glad. I guess you are not doing the Pee Wee Herman dance!