October 05, 2010 09:36 PM UTC

More to Recalling Merida than Meets the Eye

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• by: Middle of the Road

(A very well-researched effort by MOTR.  I lean toward supporting the recall of Merida, but this diary is definitely food for thought. – promoted by Voyageur)

Let me start off stating the obvious–I’m no fan of Andrea Merida and have been vocal about some of her decisions, particularly her lack of disclosure regarding her paid work with the Romanoff campaign during the primary. For those of you that want to assume this piece is to prop up her School Board directorship, think again. My past comments on this blog regarding that subject speak for themselves.

This is about the larger issue of using a recall effort as a means to an end because of a personal vendetta and the man behind that effort–Jose Silva, former Democratic candidate for House District 5.

According to Denver Westword, Silva has spearheaded a petition recall to remove her from office with a special election which will cost DPS taxpayers a small fortune that their school district can ill afford.

On September 7, community activist Jose Silva dropped off a petition at the Denver Elections Division to initiate the process of recalling Merida from the board. As grounds, it cited “unethical conduct,” “unbecoming behavior” and “failure to perform duties.” Merida’s main offense, according to the petition, was failing to disclose that she was a paid Romanoff staffer while serving on the board.

So why is a man who doesn’t even live in Merida’s district so concerned with her performance on the Board? Why so eager to lead up the effort to force her out, with a special election recall that will cost DPS taxpayers anywhere from $150,000 to $1 million?

Let’s play connect the dots for a minute–Andrea Merida’s district is HD2. Jose Silva lives in HD5, where he ran for the State House and lost to Crisanta Duran in the primary. Duran was endorsed by Andrea Merida and defended Duran against accusations that Silva alleged on his Facebook page during his primary against Duran.

Silva has been gunning for Merida ever since. On March 13, 2010, Silva dropped a comment in a DenverPols.com diary, a diary originally posted on December 1, 2009. Why it took Silva 3 and 1/2 months to get around posting a comment on a dead diary is anyone’s guess.

What is clear is that Silva’s issues with Merida predate his stated concern with her activities during the Senate primary. This isn’t about the Romanoff/Bennet primary. It’s about his failed primary bid for the State House and his subsequent quest for payback.

At Least She’s Not Your School Board Member…Oh, Crap

Andrea Merida is a CROCK!!

She is a crock she thinks she can pick and choose whom she answers to. This chick is trying to brain wash the latina’s and bring division in the latino community. She is all about herself and not the community, She will not win re-election oh wait she is in training for her House District seat, lets not let this happen.

What a CROCK!!!  

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by: Denver Jose @ Sat Mar 13, 2010 at 19:08:55 PM CST

Who is Jose Silva, besides a self proclaimed community organizer and candidate for HD5? Yes, he lost in the primary but he still introduces himself as a man running for the State House. Apparently, he’s running for 2012 since he already lost in the primary this spring. Guess he’s getting a head start.

In addition to claiming to be a candidate for a political office he isn’t currently running for, Jose seems to be a man plagued by huge ethics problems of his own.

According to Tracer’s website, courtesy of Colorado’s Secretary of State, Jose Silva earns spot number eight on the Top 10 List of committees/candidates in Outstanding Penalties with a whopping $27,700 in penalties and late fees.

Top 10 Committees in Outstanding Penalties in the Current Election Cycle

Select Jurisdiction:   Click here to view information on all Outstanding Penalties

Committee Name Candidate Name Amount

COLORADO REFORM PARTY (CRP)   $40,600.00

ADVOCATES FOR BETTER REPRESENTATION   $40,600.00

JAMES R. PHILLIPS PHILLIPS, JIMMY $40,600.00

WOMEN OF COLOR UNITED   $40,600.00

OLDS2008 OLDS, BRIAN $40,600.00

COLORADO INDEPENDENT AUTO DEALERS POLITICAL COMMITTEE   $39,000.00

COMMITEE TO ELECT JEFF SHAW SHAW, JEFFREY L. $36,200.00

JOSE G. SILVA FOR COLORADO SILVA, JOSE G. $27,700.00

COLORADO RIGHT-TO-WORK COMMITTEE   $25,700.00

COMMITTEE TO ELECT JACK POMMER

The latest delinquency letter was posted today, notifying Silva that he has not filed his current Report of Contributions and Expenditures. Then again, he hasn’t filed one since he formed his campaign committee on July 8, 2009.

Considering he posted a press release on the Denver Dems website on December 10, 2009, announcing his campaign kickoff and fundraiser, one must assume he has contributions that need to be reported. Yet, according to Tracer, he has not filed or reported a single campaign contribution. Not one. Not once.

Campaign Kickoff and Birthday Fundraiser for HD5 Candidate Jose Silva

Thursday, December 10, 2009 – 6:00pm – 9:00pm

Location:

Rosa Linda’s Mexican Cafe, 2005 W 33rd Avenue, Denver CO 80211

Please join hosts Esther Silva, Tiffany Segura, Tim Bernard, Quincy Mitchell, Lennon Garcia, Crystal DeHerrera, Mike Obley and Donna Banuelos at a birthday fundraiser to support Jose Silva’s campaign for State House District 5.  Suggested donation is $50 but other contributions are welcome…

Where did the contributions go? Where are his reports for the last 14 months? Why hasn’t he responded to any of the delinquency letters? Why hasn’t he made any attempt for restitution for his accruing fines?

Surely racking up nearly $30,000 in penalties and fines ($50 per day for each day he misses his filing report deadline) gives one pause before making this man the leader of…well, anything… let alone supporting him for a State House seat that he still claims to be running for. Or worse, a recall movement he admits to pursuing for months in the name of the people of District 2.  

Fortunately, he appears as inept at leading a recall effort as he is at handling his finances. The Denver Elections Commission has twice rejected his petition based on massive typos and legal errors, which should come as no surprise when looking at Silva’s chronic issues with filing reports.

Recalls are a slippery slope and should be guided by legitimate grievances based on something more than a personal vendetta by someone with huge ethical issues of his own.

Follow this man at your own peril, folks and don’t say you weren’t warned.