Since
Carafa and Luna are running a recycled campaign of the past, let’s take a look
at the time they wish to relive. In
1990, Tony Luna was the mayor and Emil Carafa was his councilman. Neither could finish their terms. They were such a disaster, the people of Lodi
collected a large amount of signatures and changed Lodi’s form of government
just to get them out of office. Why did
the people of Lodi take such an extreme measure? In 1990, Carafa and Luna raised municipal
taxes 35% as their CFO was stealing what turned out to be $740,000.
Could
you imagine how a 35% tax increase would impact you today? Emil’s bad practices are the same today as
they were in 1990. Emil hasn’t changed. He has hidden his reckless spending somewhat
by bonding away Lodi’s future.
Instead
of Tony Luna, PRIDE now has Scott Luna.
Scott Luna’s politics are exactly like his father’s. Scott Luna demonstrated
that clearly when he had his running mates create a new, unnecessary, high paying
position for his son just weeks before they filed to run together.
In
1991, Emil was a teacher in the Lodi schools.
Within year of leaving office, Emil Carafa was promoted to Washington
School principal. A common practice of
the time was every school employee that made it to the Lodi council was rewarded
with a principal spot. Emil’s reward for
raising municipal taxes 35% was a promotion to principal.
The
following appeared in the Record newspaper on March 15, 1991:
“Prominent issues in
the campaign were last year's 35 percent tax increase and the recent indictment
of Peter Schettino, the borough's former finance officer, on charges he
embezzled more than $500,000.”
