Manteca City Council Race Has A New Front Man

It’s already 2008 and most of the entire nation has seen their fair share of politics with the presidential primaries. However, this has not stopped Samuel Anderson of Manteca California.

In 2006 Samuel Anderson posted a significant number of votes of 4253 or 23.4% of the vote. It wasn’t enough to obtain the city council seat he challenged against the two incumbents, but it was enough for him to substantially use for 2008 in his next challenge against incumbents Steve DeBrum and Jack Snyder.

According to independent polling and research from local papers and residents the current two incumbents are trailing Samuel Anderson by at least 10 percentage points. Most feel that Jack Snyder has completed his duties and should move on to greener pastures and enjoy his retirement including getting involved in other areas of need that the city offers with numerous non-profits if he wants to keep busy.

Steve DeBrum is trailing because of his negative ratings by the press and concerned citizens that seem to think that he continues to give the council a rubber stamp to whatever Willie Weatherford decides to do. Although he has been involved with many areas of the city and charities, being on the city council is starting to fade and people see him now as someone who can remain a leader of non-profit groups and organizations throughout the City of Manteca and do better there.

Samuel Anderson has shown significant progress in his business and personal life as he continues to be a Managing Partner of a small venture capital group Tekbrokers VENTURES, LLC and continues as the President of Safe Surrender Site – Baby Safe Haven which is an organization that assists all hospitals, fire stations, police stations and other designated places where a mother can drop off her newborn with no questions asked. Because of his active role in this area Samuel has garnered trust and requests from others around the world including Japan, Germany, and Australia and recently by personal request by the Kingdom of Swaziland.

Samuel continues to knock on doors throughout Manteca and has also approached several businesses in the city introducing himself and getting to know everyone personally. “I know I can’t meet everyone, but I know I can make a difference in being able to do what I need to do to introduce myself and ask for their vote because it does make a huge difference in any election to get to know those you are asking to put their trust in you for the position (of city council)”.

The other candidates Debby Moorhead (Manteca Chamber of Commerce) and Ben Cantu (Retired City Planner) have a rough road ahead of them because of their inexperience of running for election. At the recent South San Joaquin Republicans Meeting where Local and State candidates had the opportunity to introduce their campaigns Samuel Anderson shined over all the candidates and it was obvious by the front page headlines the following morning.

Ben Cantu was a no-show and lost a golden opportunity to show what he is about. Not a good decision. Debby Moorhead spoke about her love for the city and wants to be ‘The Voice’ for Mantecans. Steve DeBrum wishes to continue business as usual and Jack Snyder wants to continue because he feels he owes the city for what it has done for him. This was a very heartfelt speech and was sincere from Jack, but honestly, Jack Snyder has given Manteca much already and he should not feel that he owes it back. It’s time for new blood and Jack is on top and should bow out gracefully. Jack, you have my utmost respect for your service to Manteca and a giant, Thank you from many of your citizens!

Samuel Anderson’s campaign website (www.votechangenow.com) spells it out with what the City of Manteca needs. Starting out he wants to have a top to bottom inquiry of the cities funds by requesting an audit to determine any wasteful spending including having a clear picture of the cities current circumstance. “This current council spends money like it grows on trees and if I were to run my businesses in this fashion I would be expelled from my board and then fired from the company”.

He is now accepting contributions. In the last campaign he only spent $103.87 total. That is extremely remarkable since he had no signs; no postings, no mailing, and he went door-to-door to over 10,000 homes in Manteca. I think it’s the right decision to accept funds because it will promote much better his position as it would with any candidate.

The race ahead of Samuel Anderson is going to be a tough one, but he does have a good lead and is giving it all he has. The other two candidates will probably have a difficult time against Steve DeBrum but with his current ratings he is still vulnerable. But anything is possible in politics and we still have a few months before the Manteca election. Good luck to everyone.

By: Jonathon Cole