North County 'Super Couple' Endorse Rocky Chavez for Assembly
VISTA—Rita and Dale Geldert have endorsed Rocky Chavez in his bid for California Assembly District 76 that includes Carlsbad, Camp Pendleton, Encinitas, Oceanside and Vista. Rita Geldert was the City Manager of Vista from 1997 through 2011 and was credited with being instrumental in Vista’s business and job growth and improving the infrastructure. Dale Geldert headed the California Dept. of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) and was also Oceanside’s Fire Chief for ten years in addition to a stint in the US Navy.
“The Gelderts have worked tirelessly in the field of public service, both with illustrious careers in their respective fields and have contributed immensely to improving their communities and the state of California. I am deeply honored to receive their endorsement” said Chavez.
Dale was the first fire chief to head up Cal Fire, appointed by then Governor Schwarzenegger, after a long career in the fire service, and has been credited with reorganizing the department after the 2003 California firestorms, ensuring that San Diego County has sufficient firefighting helicopters. Rita was the Director of Finance for Dana Point in addition to serving as Management Services Officer for the City of Merced. She came to Vista as Assistant City Manager for three years before her long tenure as City Manager overseeing the development of Vista Village and the new Civic Center amongst other projects. Rita also was active on Board of Trustees of California City Management Foundation.
Chavez is seeking to represent the 76th California Assembly District that includes Oceanside, Vista, Carlsbad, Encinitas and Camp Pendleton. The Chavez campaign is focusing on jobs and the economy, education, veterans, and government efficiency. Chavez served as a Marine for more than twenty-eight years, retiring as a colonel. He then went on to serve nearly a decade on the Oceanside City Council before leading the California Department of Veterans Affairs.
ROCKY ENDORSED BY NORTH COUNTY TIMES
OCEANSIDE--Rocky Chavez has been endorsed by the North County Times newspaper in his bid for California Assembly, District 76. The Times also endorsed opponent, Farrah Douglas.
An exerpt is below. Read more in the North County Times.
" . . . Chavez's experience is likewise broad. He served nearly three decades in the Marine Corps before helping found and run a charter school. He also served on the Oceanside City Council, as well as in the California Department of Veterans Affairs.
Both Chavez and Douglas also recognize the value of cooperation for members of the minority party in California's Legislature. With Democrats holding a viselike grip on power in Sacramento, and likely to do so for the foreseeable future, the only way for Republican legislators to have any relevance is to form alliances with independent-minded Democrats. That Chavez and Douglas have made clear their understanding of this political reality is refreshing; naivete accomplishes very little in politics. . . ."