Comments on: Hanford City Councilman Francisco Ramirez to Face Recall

By: Russ Curry

Russ Curry — Tue, 03 Oct 2017 19:10:53 +0000

I have received several calls in regards to this article. I find it to be preposterous if it was not so serious. Let me point out a few errors and make some observations.

I did not step down as mayor. Each year the council selects a mayor to serve a 1 year term. I completed my one year term as mayor. Refer to your Valley Voice article dated Sept 3 2015.

“Ramirez says that Dan Chin and Dan Escobar were his campaign managers and set him up. (Blackmail, his own words) Ramirez details his claim that Chin and Escobar filed faulty campaign finance paperwork”. Chin and Escobar are not required to file any paper work with the FPPC. This is the candidates’ responsibility and signed under the penalty of perjury.

According to Ramirez, Chin and Escobar prepared the fraudulent paperwork not reporting the $3000 and had Ramirez sign it. (This is not what he told the Grand Jury. Ramirez said “after reviewing my paper work that I turned into the FPPC, (Campaign contributions) I found that I made a mistake. I collected just over $1,000 dollars.” Grand Jury Investigation revealed he had collected over $3,000 dollars in reportable contributions). Which statement is true Ramirez? Did Chin and Escobar set you up or did YOU collect just over $1,000? Even in his video, he admits that he had knowledge of the “In Kind Gifts”. If you have knowledge of these gifts/Donations, YOU must report it on your 460 form.

“According to Ramirez, Chin and Escobar had him sign the fraudulent paperwork.” What is disconcerting about this statement, Ramirez signs a document under the penalty of perjury because someone “TOLD” him to sign it? This leaves me to question in the last 3 years, what other documents or votes he cast because someone “TOLD” him to vote a certain way without reading supporting documents?

Former city council member Gary Pannett has joined the fight as Ramirez’ campaign manager. “I have seen the corruption first hand and I want to help you take it down,” Pannett told Ramirez.” Didn’t Pannett endorse Councilman Martinez (rumored that he will be pulling papers to run for Ramirez seat) when he was running for reelection against Ramirez? If Martinez does run for Ramirez’s seat, I believe this puts Pannett in a challenging position; he supports (endorses) one candidate and is campaign manager for other candidate. (Just a word of caution for Pannett, be vigilant, Ramirez has a tendency of throwing his “so called campaign managers” under the bus)

Ramirez is also incredulous about how the recall proponents recruited 1062 signatures in District D. Where did they come from?” Let’s review some of his pass comments: According to Ramirez, “The District does not support this recall and they will not get the signatures.”(Valley Voice May 27 2017). Ramirez has stated from the beginning that he does not believe the group will get the needed 853 signatures. “The only way I think they will get them is if they lie.” (Valley Voice June 26 2017) You are wrong again Ramirez. Let me try to explain it. There are 3,412 register voters in his district. Only 25% of those voters needed to sign the recall petition. Over 25% registered voters signed the petition so it appears his district does support the recall. Who voted in the 2014 election has nothing to do with this recall other than someone who voted for him might have signed the recall petition.

In my opinion, the reason FPPC investigation is taking so long, they are following the money. Remember, Ramirez has said there are multiple investigations. All one has to do is read your article in Valley Voice Political Fix (18 August, 2016) Want to Make Some Major Bucks without a Real Job? (Valley Voice, it is my understanding you have requested and received the FPPC compliant. Why not print the sworn statements from the citizens that donated monies or in kind gifts to Ramirez’s campaign? (Or print to entire complaint) I believe you’ll find that they all said they gave Ramirez the money (Not Chin or Escobar). Remember, follow the money.) Ramirez has run for an elected office 5 times. It appears there might be violations in each of these elections. Each violation has a maximum fine of $5,000. You can see how the FPPC will take time to complete a very complicated investigation. (FPPC is taking this investigation seriously. They have said several times it is a “top priority” to complete their investigation)

As Ramirez would say, “do your own research”. Compare his pass statements to what he is saying now.

By: wish u were smart enough

wish u were smart enough — Mon, 02 Oct 2017 03:59:39 +0000

In reply to davemce.

Does “CON MAN’ sound familiar anybody?

By: davemce

davemce — Mon, 02 Oct 2017 00:30:30 +0000

Sounds like sower grapes to me. If you were part owner, where was your startup capitol? You must not have listened in your business classes. Nobody owes any of us a living, though our local politicians feel differently.

By: Curtis D.E. Hellman

Curtis D.E. Hellman — Sun, 01 Oct 2017 23:54:50 +0000

To Whom this may concern,
I have a notion to make on my behalf, in regards to Francisco Ramirez. My name is Curtis D.E. Hellman. I graduated and wrestled at Hanford High School, West campus class of 2000. Thats how I was first acquainted with Mr.Ramirez. I didn’t get to know him on a personal level until about 2005_ 2006. I had enlisted to the U.S.M.C. and served in Operation Iraqi freedom & Operation Enduring Freedom. Well, I moved back to Hanford, and was actively searching for gainful employment. Well. With that said,u he had mentioned he went to west hills college, and earned a Master’s Degree in Marketing, as we’ll as a bachelor’s degree business. Well, that sounded promising for him, but he had put an offer on the table I couldnt refuse, and mater a fact, the.Hanford Sentinel. Had did an article on him and I, in the bizz week. So he had offered me half owner to a company he wanted to venture in, due to his experience, and my experience, and background the Company name was Open World I.T. I worked on flyers marketing,u emails, cold calls, beating the heat in the street in the summer marketing this business that sounded so promising, I did this for close to 3 months or so. Recieved in full maybe $50.00 bucks.u for half owner to this business, What I am getting at is I was extremely u used and abused mentally, physically, and emotionally, most of all financially, I had moved to oklahoma, because my fathers passing in hanford, nothing seemed promising,u iu was workin for free, with my name all over the place for Francisco Ramirez dream, my dream was gone. I recently came back to Hanford, and saw Mr. Ramirez, & mentioned Open Wo/rld I.T. AND the $. I have been owed for years, and I was shunned away. I HOPE Mr. RAMIREZ reaps what he sews in the life, for him to have no respect or regard for and to a Marine Corps Veteranr, and I thought I was a friend, but very selfish. And no regard s for others. Unless he gains from it. It seems he wants to take every short cut in life, and not ,doing it on his own. With self pride. Thank u for letting me share my story, hope it helps.

By: just a though

just a though — Sun, 01 Oct 2017 20:42:52 +0000

In reply to Lupe Mendoza.

So True! He is the only man I know that in one breath can tell his employees that he is broke and can’t pay them and then in another magically come up with the funds to pay them – all in a days time!!

And he is a wizard on securing loans if you don’t mind your little city being put up for collateral..

By: Lupe Mendoza

Lupe Mendoza — Sun, 01 Oct 2017 19:02:53 +0000

City of Hanford, Tulare has your perfect candidate for your city council. His name is Benny Benzeevie and he can make your city lots of money. He is a money machine.