By Miriam Raftery
October 24, 2014 (Alpine) – A negative campaign mailer targeting Alpine School Board candidate Lou Russo (photo, left) was funded by the Public Safety PAC based in San Carlos. Russo is, in fact, endorsed by the Fraternal Order of Police in San Diego County.
Among those contributing major funds to the Public Safety PAC is local Diamond dealer, CK Diamonds who is owned by Charles “Chuck” Kaderabek. Kaderabek withdrew his nomination from the Alpine Planning Group after Russo exposed Kaderabek’s string of tax liens, tax delinquencies and lapsed law license.
The Public Safety PAC has also been exposed as being behind mailers targeting La Mesa City Council candidate Mary England, who has the endorsement of La Mesa’s police, fire and public safety unions.
Public Safety PAC also has major funding from prominent GOP candidates and development interests, according to the Fair Political Practices Commission. Guy McWhirter, an opponent of England, has admitted funneling money to the Public Safety PAC to pay for the negative mailers in La Mesa.
in Alpine, a second mailer sent anonymously that is similar in style to the the Public Safety PAC's hit piece was also sent to voters. It lists 115 names of Alpine residents as endorsers of other candidates, however some of those individuals have said the endorsement claims are false, Steve Hunyar reported in a commentary posted at SD Rostra.
The mailer that is attributed to the Public Safety PAC claims that Russo's contract was not renewed at two schools where he previously taught. ECM has asked Russo for a response but has not received one.
Below is an endorsement letter for Russo provided by the Fraternal Order of Police.
DATE: October 5, 2014
TO: Louis Russo
FROM: Kevin McQuillen, Lodge #10 President
SUBJECT: Endorsement
Mr. Russo,
We, the law enforcement officers of San Diego County Lodge #10 of the Fraternal Order Police, do hereby endorse your candidacy in the 2014 election for The Alpine Unified School District Board.
Your exemplary record of service within the Alpine community is a testament to your commitment to public safety and service to the community. Your voluntary outreach to the Alpine School District and coordination with the Sheriff’s Department to enhance school safety is commendable. As a private citizen, you promoted and fostered safety for the children and campuses. And as a candidate for the district position, you insisted that safety on campuses was priority number one. We concur that campus safety is the fundamental element required to facilitate a productive learning environment. We believe your dedication to improving school safety is essential in a governing school board member. We trust that your leadership and integrity will continue to ensure that citizens of Alpine will be well served by your dedication to the task of providing safe schools.
For these reasons, San Diego Lodge #10 of the Fraternal Order of Police is proud to endorse Louis Russo for the Alpine Unified School District Board seat in 2014.
For further information about San Diego Lodge #10, its members, or our endorsement, please contact Kevin McQuillen (President of Lodge #10) via e-mail at kmcrsd@cox.net.
Respectfully submitted,
Kevin McQuillen, Lodge #10
President and State Trustee
Jeff Duckworth, Lodge #10
Vice President"