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Hey, Occupy Martinez, Why Don't You?

Is there some reason we're the Contra Costa city no one wants to occupy?

Frankly, I’m a little offended.

Walnut Creek got to host the county’s version of Occupy Wall Street this week.

So what, Martinez isn’t good enough to occupy? We’re not “Wall Street” enough? Hey, we’ve got lots of banks in this town. We even have a Bank of America, which is going to start charging its customers for using debit cards next year. We have Wells Fargo, and Chase, and Citibank. They all got bailouts. They all have Wall Street connections.

Heck, we even have county offices. Surely we could find some connection between Wall Street skullduggery and county government?

At any rate, I don’t see why Walnut Creek gets all the Occupy Wall Street glory. Sure, they have a Nordstrom. Big deal. We have a Walmart. Walnut Creek has a Tiffany’s. We have a Good Stuff Guitar Shop. It’s far more awesome for my money.

I think, as cities go, Martinez would be a natural place for the Occupy Wall Street events. We have vendors who are used to setting up on Main Street, classic cars that used to parking on the street, we could even get the snow blowers to show up early and give us that “streets of New York” feel.

The Chamber of Commerce and Main Street Martinez are always seeking new ways of marketing the city. This seems like a natural. We could be the Occupied county seat. The media would flock here, cover the ongoing demonstrations, vendors and classic car owners would be thrilled with the turnout, local merchants could stay open late (but apparently not serve wine without a license) and cater to the outraged 99 percent, who would no doubt need a bite to eat, perhaps some antiques or boutique items, maybe even some guitar strings. Stores could even offer a 99 (per)cent sale. 

It just feels like Martinez is once again getting snubbed for its ritzier neighbor down the freeway. And perhaps that should be our cause. Maybe we should take to the streets and protest the fact that Walnut Creek gets all the glory. Maybe we could even occupy Walnut Creek. . . oh, wait. Now we’re back to where we started.

Never mind.

Have a safe and relaxing weekend.  

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Dwayne Glemser October 14, 2011 at 12:11 pm
Let's start with "Ocuppy Armando's" and listen to some great music. I could get behind that.
Carolyn Hill October 14, 2011 at 12:17 pm
I donot feel that exercising our right to peacefully protest would be a negative to our city. We are a very integral part of Contra county. Way too many merchants are not team players.
Bill Schilz October 14, 2011 at 12:20 pm
Hear Hear! Now that's something I would love to see!
Martini October 14, 2011 at 12:26 pm
The Last thing i wan't on my WEEKEND is More of the
New BAYAREANS....I get enough of there Liberal Arces M-F Thanks For Staying over there!
David Parks October 14, 2011 at 12:40 pm
Occupy Martinez is a grass-roots wildfire unleashing the spirit of equity and equality... Wha? It isn't? Oh. Nevermind. Carry on.
Barbara Glenn October 14, 2011 at 12:41 pm
W are already occupied by the same kind of flack that walks the City. Maybe if we could get rid of the crazy/homeless/drug-addled losers that occupy the city parks, we could attract more wholesome families, better vendors and charming news crews.
Donna Allen October 14, 2011 at 12:53 pm
I do think Jim is writing this in jest, however I think the protest is valid. Most of us are really tired of the wealthiest 1% getting tax breaks, etc. and the protesters are just trying to let politicians know that the 99% are not happy. I think it is amazing that there have been so many protests in so many places for so long and there has been no trouble. Just protest. I'm hoping that the republicans will begin to think about negotiating on some more equitable tax for all of us.
Jim Caroompas (Editor) October 14, 2011 at 01:03 pm
Barbara, I'm not sure I've ever seen a "charming news crew." But if there are such creatures, I hope they come to Martinez.
Linda Meza October 14, 2011 at 01:15 pm
B of A had an ad campaign where two guys were in something like a Starbucks, one with a laptop the other ordering coffee. The gist of the campaign was the instantaneous updating of checking accounts when you used your atm card. Instantaneous. So tell me why, then, would an atm account without overdraft protection be allowed to overdraw an account for a $1.80 coffee? Easy - to charge a $35 (per transaction) overdraft fee. Most people could get better terms from a loan shark.
The banks pushed unrealistic financing vehicles on first time home buyers, sold bad paper on the secondary market, got bailouts, didn't protect at risk mortgagees, filed shady/sloppy paperwork, were slapped down by congress for their usurious fees, paid out extraordinary bonuses, tightened business lines of credit, and are now charging folks for the privilege of spending what little is left of peoples harder earned money and they aren't supposed to be upset? C'mon. This isn't a left/right thing, this is a common decency thing.
sean October 14, 2011 at 01:18 pm
The 99%...you must be a union school teacher that has been brain washed? Seriously? Have any of you ever been employed by a POOR person?
These Morons have all been organized by Soros types, they have no cogent message,they are smoking dope in public,crapping on police cars,having sex in public and you want that to come to MARTINEZ? Really? I realize this was in jest, but it opened up the lefty loons in your city to chime in and remind me why I dont ever ever spend money in your town unless I have Jury Duty. Wake up ZOMBIES, we folks work our butts off, you have no right to anymore of our money..get off your ass and find a job...Even a minimum wage job,work your way up..What a bunch of leaches. By the way, I am very middle class, maybe lower middle class wage wise for California.
Tony Shrum October 14, 2011 at 01:41 pm
poor, poor sean
Cindy Brokman October 14, 2011 at 01:48 pm
I agree somewhat with Sean.. the Occupy group is being backed by Soros type to keep spreading the rumors that the weathly in this county need share more. That is not the problem and either is getting a job. The problem is our money system ran by our banks. A must read book is...The Creature From Jerkyll Island. The banks set up the federal reserve (no it is not a government agencyit is a private agency) when we went off the gold standard back in the 1930's. He who controls the money controls the world...Google "Thrive the Trailer" and watch the video clip. We do not control the money but we can control the knowledge and the more you know the more you can seek the solutions. The banks are playing a game we can never win because money is debt and as long as the Federal Reserve can print money out of nothing the more debt we incurr and inflation eats away our paychecks. The biggest scam on the american public is the this last melt down of our economy .....look who is holding all the money and making more money then they did in the years when the economy was good for us all..The BANKS. Read, Listen & Learn. The most important financial lesson of your life will be understanding " What is the Mandrake Mechanism". Cheers to the truth!
Donna Allen October 14, 2011 at 01:53 pm
To Jim I say..... great job. You certainly sparked some controversy.
To Linda I say....right on! To Sean I say.....It's fine with me if you don't visit Martinez and I hope if I am on trial you are NOT on my jury.
Chris Kapsalis October 14, 2011 at 02:18 pm
One thing, you don't go to a city with more whacked out crazy people than you if you want to stand out. With all due respect, I hope this didn't come off wrong, whacked out in a good way mostly. Involved, On the same note you would want to go to San Jose and not Berkeley if you want to stand out I guess. No one would notice you in Berkeley.
Our good frineds daughter, a 5th degree balck belt I will add, and has a masters, and a good job, amazing person, is camped out on wall streeet, for weeks now, and I hope the cops don't grab her. For their sake.
Chris Kapsalis October 14, 2011 at 02:31 pm
I am a "poor" person, in the money department at least, and i work on average 12 hours a day, hard, and also put people to work, and am lucky I live on family land. I would barely make it like the dozens of other hard working "poor" people in Martinez if I had to pay say $1200 a month rent, health insurance, Car, Gas, and food, and on and on. I will say a lot of "poor" people in America work hard. And to spread the wealth around some is not always a bad thing.
However, I am in favor of a flat tax. So 20% of a person who makes a million a year would be $200,000 they pay, and 20% of a person who makes $100,000 a year would be $20,000 they pay. $20,000 a year earned would be $4,000 they pay. I think this is fair. SO make more, please, and your 20% will be more for others and the US. The 99%...you must be a union school teacher that has been brain washed? Seriously? Have any of you ever been employed by a POOR person? And who did what on police cars?
Chris Kapsalis October 14, 2011 at 02:33 pm
Ooops, the bottom part of my post was a quote from another psoter and not me. yikes. lol.
Concerned Citizen October 14, 2011 at 03:11 pm
This article was a riot! I was enjoying it until I saw someone suggesting it otherwise and wanting to send the bill to him for police and road crews to do their jobs and what annual budgets should allow for. I've been following what the Chamber and Main Street have supposedly been "working hard" to do but their continuous dictatorship and old-fashioned mentality bogs them down and are strangling the efforts of the merchants, especially the news ones trying to get in to bring MTZ into the current century. So Bill, although the article was written in jest, perhaps it's a good idea to bring some life and hopefully some modern thinking to the city and encourage such an event.
Dick Duncan October 14, 2011 at 04:03 pm
Linda, I think you nailed this one! The greed and corruption that has permeated the "upper echelons" of our society and government at all levels is amazing. The problem is that the majority "middle class" which has kept this country on an "even keel" has systematically been eliminated. There is no moral compass left, unfortunately common sense and common decency are a things of the past. For a growing number, basic survival is becoming a challenge.
Dick Duncan October 14, 2011 at 04:10 pm
Sean, Can you define your status as "very middle class"? I am curious based on your statements as to what values you would embrace as middle class.
MIKE ALFORD October 14, 2011 at 06:08 pm
Dwayne & Matini You guys made the most sence --- hell if tou really want to draw a crowd --- do what they did back in the 60 & 70s they could march up and down main St from bank to bank ! Hell you could even Burn your bank cards in protest ! man think of it we could have music from the 60s & 70s Hey mabey the girls would even burn their bras boy would that get coverage ---- what do you think of that idea ?
Chris Kapsalis October 14, 2011 at 08:13 pm
OK, just for the record, Tony Shrum is one of the hardest working people I know. Days,and nights he works. I got in email from this thread I am sure was pulled. OK, I am done for the day.
Paul L Wilson October 15, 2011 at 12:28 am
“I think, as cities go, Martinez would be a natural place for the Occupy Wall Street events.” Statements like this could be construed as insightful. Was this written in jest?
Chris Kapsalis October 15, 2011 at 12:45 am
I don't know if you are referring to my post Paul. But if you are, I will put it this way. I was driving down Alhambra and right in front of the hospital a man in a Karate suit jumped in front of my truck suddenly and got into a karate stance and I slammed on the breaks and ended up bumping him pretty good. Then he got up, and came at my truck again and kicked it. I drove up to C street and pulled over and called 911. The police showed up. I was understandably kinda shocked and upset and I told the officer "this guy is nuts. He ...." And the officer told me half the town is nuts and you can go on your way, when they had the man and took him to get help. So I guess it is not a place where I would be shocked by anyone on the street on court street setting up a tent. On Main in WC I might be more shocked to see it. And the point of many protests is at the very least to be noticed and stand out, then deliver your message I guess. I was just saying Martinez has lots going on and it would not stand out as much imo as a more reserved and predictable city maybe.
Paul L Wilson October 15, 2011 at 01:22 am
No Chris I am not referring this quote to you nor could I would I even know how to answer you back after your last statement. The quote is from the story Jim wrote and I ask if it was written in jest?
Stacey October 15, 2011 at 01:37 am
Anyone who is a civil servant, public school teacher, etc. has been employed by a "poor person" aka taxpayer. The middle class (who now live hand-to-mouth) are the ones getting whacked with the lion's share of taxes while millionaires and billion-dollar corporations are tax-sheltered and off-shore all their jobs to increase their bottom lines. The greed of the ultra-wealthy has no limit, they have no problem with selling out their own countrymen to make a few more bucks for their worthless, trustfund offspring to spend on imported crap.
sonja snavely October 15, 2011 at 02:13 am
hey ... Jim for Mayor...:)
Chris Kapsalis October 15, 2011 at 02:16 am
He could probably win if he ran, if.
Sarah Williams October 15, 2011 at 11:30 pm
And as we can all see from barbras comment martinez is known for its rude judgmental business owners and city citizens... people dont wanna come here because of how judgemental people here seem. I myself have experienced the peircing stares and dirty looks from the business owners in downtown mrtz (not all But definatley at least half) and I am not a" drug addict loser homeless person" I am a college graduate with a beautiful family.
Pamela October 16, 2011 at 09:42 pm
From reading these comments I can see why no one wants to Occupy Martinez. I bet you were all very surprised when the movement went global this weekend.
Sincerely, A Walnut Creek resident and staunch supporter of Occupy Wall Street and Occupy Walnut Creek.
Bill Schilz November 18, 2011 at 12:31 pm
Barbara, Doug Stewart of Pacheco-Martinez Homeless Outreach is doing everything he can to help the homeless get off the streets, but he needs help! He works 6 days a week, nights and weekends helping the homeless get the services they need.
I would ask you to take a look at his website www.homelessoutreach.net and then make a donation to help him continue his valiant efforts!
Note Article
Just a short thought to get the word out quickly about anything in your neighborhood.
Share something with your neighbors. Write a new post... What's up? Make an announcement, speak your mind, or sell something
margot bray May 31, 2013 at 03:18 pm
Silly me, I was hoping for news about Beavers and Otter's around Martinez waterway's. I look forwardRead More to that.
Randall Hopper May 29, 2013 at 10:02 am
Paint the railroad trestle that crosses Alhambra. It's an eyesore.
margot bray May 29, 2013 at 01:28 pm
I agree, but the money is going to other places...whatever they are.