C R & R Wast Services was linked to PACs that supported local City Council candidates, according the the Orange County Register’s OC Watchdog.
As we here at Tustin Residents Action Committee (TRAC) suspected, C R & R contributed thousands of dollars to the campaigns of John Nielson, Allan Bernstein, and Charles “Chuck” Pucket. According to the Register, C R & R gave $7,000 to John Nielson’s campaign, and $2,000 each to Allan Bernstein and Chuck Puckett’s campaigns.
It is important to note that John Nielson voted to extend C R & R’s contract without opening the process up to bidding. “No matter who donates to my campaign, I always vote in the best interest of Tustin,” said Nielsen. “My only allegiance is to the voters and residents of Tustin.” TRAC will follow this throughout the next 4 years of their term in office and keep you apprised.
For the full story, visit the OC Register’s OC Watchdog page.
This whole issue goes back years before when the city council scammed the citizens into allowing for a ten year contract for trash hauling. Next thing we knew, CC&R had taken the contract over a superior company and they have maintained a stranglehold over the city ever since.
The other end of the puzzle, of course, is the apartment associations who contributed heavily to Nielsen’s campaign. Looking at the financial forms, which are due at the end of this month, will tell you a lot about who really runs the city.
Yes, and I remember a petition going around Tustin, trying to prevent the city from contracting with C R & R. Unfortunately, I don’t think the person that I spoke to fully understood how to explain why this was a bad idea. If she had, I think a lot of people would have been more concerned.