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Who is the woman that is sending around a collection plate during City Council meetings for the 4th of July? It is totally distracting! Whatever organization she is representing should keep her away from the coffee pot
and come up with a better system for donations.

She is a local realtor named Cori, I do know her last name, but I do not know how to spell it. I agree, it is very distracting and very tacky.

then don't put money in the donations can. Then do not come to the 4th of July events then. This is a fund raising event so that we all have a nice day that day.

I also think it is tacky. I don't know why you would tell us not to attand any 4th of July events. All the OP was saying is that there MUST be another way to raise the funds needed. I know Cori and I am not impressed with her in ANY way. BTW, I WILL attend the 4th events, thank you.

I also know Cori, very nice woman. I guess she can find another way to do it. Maybe have a box of some sort sitting at the front and back door for people to put there money in. I personaly dont thing this is annoying at all. She is just trying to help our community and help the children have fun on fourth of july. Give her a break, i dont see anyone else doing anything like this.

I am quite happy to put money in the tin, I don't think it is a problem. Those that don't like it just pass the tin onto the next person. I think that is making a good statement. Looking forward to the 4th July and the fireworks.

Has anyone ever suggested a audit of the fourth of July "can "$'s. I've seen $10's, $20's etc...go into the can. Maybe this money could be better at use for either the new high school or fixing the potholes on West Carolyn.

The can is always audited. It is for the fourth of July and will be used for the fourth of July. If you need the pot holes fixed then take up a collection and fill the pot holes yourself if you are so worried about the holes on the road.

I guess you don't enjoy the fourth of July but if everyone is there you will surely be there because you would obviously you don't want to pay the money.

The question is what organization is this woman representing? It is not about not wanting to donate it is about a possible large scale collection drive...
As for the potholes on West Carolyn, maybe one of the city workers will have alittle asphalt left over and can stop by and fill them in on his lunch hour.

I believe she is the chairperson for the 4th July committee and that is why she has a collection. At the end of the evening I have seen it counted by a city staff member but for the life of me I can't remember her name.

My understanding is that the City has taken over the 4th of July event from the Lion's Club. So, we are donating to the City to cover costs of the 4th of July?
Why not just ask the citizen's to make a contribution of $1.00 to be included in their water bill with an explanation of how this money is to be used?

I would much rather donate to one of the non-profits towards their booth expense.

my question to everyone is why does everyone nit pick on everything but in the same breath they all want to get along well it will never happen with everyone picking on every little thing that everyone does in this city. just get over it

I saw the request in the Echo or Post and thought "are you serious?"
I love the 4th of July celebration that Am Can sponsors...but your sponsorship requests leave out a lot of small businesses that couldn't afford your sponsorship amounts. Why not bring in alot of small business for $100 than a few big sponsors in the $1,000's. I would be interested in knowing how much response there has been so far for "big" sponsorships...

How much has been collected and how many sponsors have signed up?

Well, $5,000, I guess the community should thank Mr. Paul Maguire, owner of the Napa Valley Casino and Poker Dealer School in American Canyon for his generous donation to sponsor the stage and seating area at the 4th of July. A question I do have is will the banners be advertising your casino or some other business. The reason I ask is I remember when an Indian Tribe wanted to open a casino in town and you would have thought it was a Walmart from the negative sentiments in the community. Now the stage area of the 4th of July family entertainment will be advertising what?
Also, I didn't realize you now have a poker dealer school? Is that like a certified school or how do you become a poker dealer school? You have mentioned on a previous post that you have not given up on the idea of running for city council again. Could you also be planning to expand your current interests in the city or relocate your poker parlor to a larger lot in American Canyon??? I don't mean to sound suspicious of your intentions but we citizens have been down that somewhat self-serving political road before... I look forward to your response...

Why do you post this question anonymously and hide behind your pacbell dsl connection? If you want a public answer be bold enough to ask it publicly you know? Afterall, Paul has. Thank you.

Herein lies the problem with old news......Maguire pulled his support for the 4th based on a myriad of reasons. The fact that he owns a card room is moot, the fact that there are large businesses and a chamber with over 400 members is important.

Why don't all of those businesses contribute something on a smaller scale so it becomes a "community" event? Why must one or two businesses burden the cost associated with this event alone?

As for advertising the Poker room, who cares? If he coughed up the cash to support an event for families who really cares. But all of your concern is over nought since he withdrew the support for the stage and reduced his contribution to $500.00, still more than most local businesses.

I know, let's call Wal-Mart they will donate. At least while they think they are coming into town. All non-profits should take note and get while the gettin' is good. It's a common fact once they are in town they usually only give $1,000.00 per year with a few random gift cards, unless of course its public collected funds matched by the meager wage earning employees.

As for the Poker School, how productive is that? Graduates have already obtained employment earning above standard wages at area casinos (with benefits).

Who cares if Paul Maguire runs again it is a free country. Or did you seem to forget that with this last post. Somebody has to run again against the three incumbants. But after reading your rude comments I am personally glad Maguire pulled his cash. Let the developers, wineries, and franchise owners pay for the stage after all they are the ones making the money off of the public.

I am lucky to be a member of the 4th July committee, I do not hold a position of any importance just a sort of general worker, Cori and the other members who are working extremely hard are doing an excellent job. This July 4th will be spectacular by any standards. Anyone can donate time or money to the committee and if Echo Reader would like to do either everyone on the committee will be delighted. If you don't have the time or the finances you can still attend a meeting and see for yourself how hard working everyone is.
Paul Maguire's sponsorship was gratefully received but Echo Reader if you could come up with $15,000 and become the main sponsor you could get a sainthood.

Apparently I hit a nerve... Businesses are willing to give goods they produce... Not necessarily cash...Maybe the committee needs a different approach? Possibly a raffle prior to the 4th that would generate funds?
Collect goods...Door to Door sales for the 4th...Just a different idea.

Thank you for your questions, although your tone is a bit antagonistic. It sounds like you read something and got a bit worked up. I understand, and let me clarify the Current events.

I share your concerns with the card room sponsoring a stage event at the fourth of July festival which is a family event with young children. The casino has sponsored other activities in the past, and has a long history of doing so. The prior owner, Bill Long, also sponsored events in the community. The card room has been here for over 25 years, and was here prior to the incorporation of American Canyon. It has been a sponsor for years of various activities.

What would or would not have been on the stage is irrelevant at this point however, and your information is old news and partially accurate.


There was a commitment to donate 5000.00 from me several weeks ago. That commitment was withdrawn and a new commitment of $500.00 was sent out.

The reason for the withdraw of the $5000.00 is several, but specifically, the ad hock 4th of July committee claimed that there was a need for over 40,000.00 in order to fund the event. This claim is unsubstantiated, as I later learned.

It was not clear that the City of American Canyon had budgeted and committed $14,000.00 for fireworks already, and that commitment was made public at a later date. Furthermore, as explained in the letter to the Committee Chairman , which was CC'ed to the City Clerk, the committee did not have a budget, could not produce a budget, and the need for funds for the items listed was in fact, in my view, excessive. For example, the chairmans email to me, sent after the withdraw letter, and talked about a need to rent chairs as one example.

The city has hundreds of chairs in the auditorium which can be used for free, and if you attended the wal mart planning commission meeting, as I did, you probably sat in one. This being a city sponsored event, the city could use their own chairs.

The committee claimed a need to pay for and hire additional security guards. However, that AC Police are reponsible for security at this event, and it would seem, that they do fine providing security. There may be some need but not $40,000.00 worth. IN my view, generally the police prefer NOT to have private security at events the police are already providing security for.

Finally, another point I could not get over, was that all of the booth fees have been raised this year, again providing funds for the event and the costs of the booths, and there is not any accountability or bids for the items that could be provided.

For these reasons and others, I withdrew my commitment, and recommitted to $500.00. Napa Valley Casino will not be sponsoring the stage, and I suspect, no one will for a price of $5000.00.

As to relocating, I have renewed my lease for an additional 5 years at that location. Should the city and the owner of the land I am on work a deal to redevelop it, the city planner has advised me that they would work with me to relocate within the city. Rick Hess, as an example, will be relocated the gravel and land scaping material yard from the north of AC road to highway 29 in order to develop Don Colcleasers old property, just across from Safeway. With that redevelopment, the city will keep an existing business in town, and provide over 40K sq feet of new commercial for new businesses, like the gym discussed on another thread.

The card room would not be much different in that regard.

As for the poker dealing school, it has a city business license and has been going for just about a year or so. We have trained several students who now work in card rooms around the state. A few are from the area and now work in our card room. Thus, the school has created jobs. What kinds of jobs? Great jobs. The average poker dealer in a California card room can make up to 40-80K per year, depending on the shift and the number of ongoing games.

With reference to expanding my current interests in the city, I own a few houses here, which is a matter of public record. I bought here because I think that AC has tremendous value, and upside. Perhaps you did too.
It is no secret that I am involved in real estate deals in the bay area and out of the bay area. That is mostly what I do. Would I do some in American Canyon- I would, absolutely. American Canyon, however, is getting saturated with Commercial for what the area can handle already in my view, and once Rick Hess finishes his project, and Napa Junction is completed(when and if Wal Mart goes or doesnt go), along with the new office going up, it will be tough to get much more absorbtion.

There already is difficulty here in finding tenants, and most builders will not move forward without a tenant in tow today, especially in a relatively small town like AC.

Otherwise, I am not sure what other interests I would want to expand in the city here, because I dont have any, other than those mentioned. I think your suspicion is unwarranted.

As for politics, if you want to call it that, in AC, I have interest yes. I see the council as more of an administrative body than a political forum. This city is more like a small business, with the budget of a small or medium size business, and most of the councils work has been to adminster to the best of their ability these funds in the best interest of the city. Further, they certainly create law and run the city. Personally, I think they have done pretty well with that for the vast majority of items.
A good majority of the decisions they have made I agree with. The supercenter approval was not one of them. But that is a issue for the courts now, and having attended arguments earlier this week at Napa Court, there should be a decision out soon on the injunction that was filed.

I hope this addresses all of your concerns, and that you can chill out now, knowing there will not be a big banner on the stage from my business-nor that their is a top secret hidden agenda in the works- there isn't.

With regards to Linda's post, apparently the chairman has not disclosed to the committee the letter sent over a week ago. I am sure the committee will be successful in their event. As pointed out to the Chairmen, at the time of my letter, with getting just 3 sponsors of $100.00 each per day, the committee would raise over 21,000.00 prior to the event.

I would suggest you would have WAY more credibility if you just say who you are. That way, we could all talk to one another and know who we are talking too. It is much more productive. But it is your choice.

So there you have it, first hand. Have a great weekend.

Thank you for your response...not everyone takes the time to claify the issues...

You are very welcome.

After reading Mr. Maguire's post I would have no problem voting for him if he chooses to run for a city council seat. I feel you have been very forthcoming in your response to my questions.

Paul, I made no comment about the amount of money you have given to the committee, I simply feel that it was not my place. Echo Reader great ideas, so why don't you come to a committee meeting and help?

Linda, for Paul Maquire to downsize his donation because of the lack of documentation on funds required, it sounds like your committee has some work ahead of them. To sit and wait for a winfall to cover expenses that you have no idea what they are sounds totally disorganized.
I realise you are just a committee member but surely someone has an idea for raising funds? Here's a few...

Door to Door / 50/50... You set cash prizes $1,000, $500, and $250.
You have your committee members and volunteers go door to door selling tickets for a drawing. Winner need not be present to win!

You ask the City to enclose an envelope with each water bill requesting donations of any donomination for the 4th of July celebration.

You ask the City to approve a $1.00 donation to be included on a water bill.

You contact local businesses for donations of their goods and services.
Then door to door drawing tickets.

I think you guys are running out of time and maybe as Paul alluded to you better have a documented amount of money that needs to be raised.
As for attending a meeting, not possible but thanks for the invite.

So what is really hapining with the 4th of July?
I heard from other posts that it costs 1,000 DOLLARS for a booth wow.
So thats why there are only like 20 stands out there.
I wonder if we lowerd that to maybe 500 that would shurley bring more people out. What i havent heard abought is the parade and the fire works display what abought that?

please post any other low down abought this subject.



neo has spoken

I like the bias comment about pauls funds in the chamber newsletter. what a way for the chamber to support our local businsess i cant wait until dale is replaced

I'm relatively new resident, and I don't say much in these forums but it seems to me that if our City Officials had the honesty and integrity that Paul Maguire has, AmCan would be a much better city, a better place to live, and a town that TRUSTS its leadership.

That padded 4th of July budget seems in exact character with the other misleading representations that our city officials have made to the public they "serve," and is right in line with the typical deception tactics that these folks use to serve their own personal agendae time and again. It's so disheartening. I'm glad you pulled the $5k sponsorship.

I am no fan of gambling, gaming or cardsharking but I have all the respect in the world for a business person as forthright as Mr. Maguire. Thanks for the breath of fresh air. I believe I'd vote for a man like you, card-room and all.

(Please let there be only one card room in this town, though...)

In todays article, Cori, the committee chair, says " I haven't seen a check yet. Show me the money".

The check is already at the city, and was given to the finance director yesterday early afternoon, prior to the paper coming out.

I find her comment to be offensive and somewhat hostile. It has been said to me that I am not the only one who has withdrawn. Whatever the case, my biggest regret is ever getting involved with a committee that has a director who has been overly critical. I am certain others will be careful in donating less they end up on the front of the Eagle.

Misrepresentation, or lack there of the facts, lack of a budget, lack of bids, and lack of accountability for the money is not acceptable. Worse, taking a shot at your donors when you are fundraising is bad policy.


On a similar matter, in an article for the chamber, it is said that I "quietly" reduced the amount of my donation. Really? Let's see, I wrote an letter to the chairman, and cced the city clerk. I advised a city council person who advised the other members. And in the most quiet way, I discussed it in detail here on this thread several weeks ago, on a public forum for all to see.

I have since terminated my membership in the chamber.

It is rather odd to me that in attempting to HELP I end up being attacked and made wrong. Oh well, I guess I get to be the villian for today for donating $500.00 to the cause, and this weeks target of criticism for doing so.

Clearly what is really going on here is obvious.

Have a great week everyone.

Paul have you not realized by now what goes on? The citizens are not represented by officials their opinions are not published unless it benefits somebody up there you have seen this in the last election you have seen this on WALMART. The Chamber: I urge everyone to revoke their membership until "the chipmunk" is replaced by some one who is not stuck up and thinks they are the sole reason why the they have members!! UGH!

Paul, I hope once you withdrew your membership from the Chamber you walked right over to the bank and placed a "stop payment" on your check!

Paul, I also hope you would place a stop payment. I couldn't believe the articles. They deserve NOTHING! I only imagine that from this poing on they will have trouble raising anything...

Paul- isn't it quite obvious that Cori's committee hasn't raised very much money. After all she has only had a year. Instead of taking a rather low budget event and simply improving on it reasonably she is attempting to try and make it self-sufficient. I don't think the city really cares if it is self- sufficient. The city has the money and quite frankly owes it to the community to do at least one event.

Why doesn't she focus on quality entertainment and ask for tents and umbrellas to be donated? After all this is a COMMUNITY event. Why not ask the Kiwanis to donate, they have raised the most money of all clubs this year and isn't she a member? Instead I believe she has given the opportunity of selling beer and wine to the club exclusively. Something that has been done by the Thrift shop for the past few years.

The club members have yet to see any bids or budget for this event. How hard is it to do a budget? You list what is necessary and what is desired. You fund necessary first and desired with the extra income. If the budget was produced then perhaps you and maybe the other $15,000.00 title sponsor that pulled out too might have stayed. Which by the way we have heard nothing from or about, I wonder who it was????? Butler, WestAmerica, Vintage, or Kaiser.......hmmmmm.

I noticed they weren't bashed in the press. Doesn't Cori realize that she is in jeopardy of being removed from this committee? After all she is representing the city and actually making the city liable for her nasty and disrespectful mouth.

Why doesn't the chamber step up and cosponsor the event? They certainly make enough money or how about that Wal-Mart......typically it is their M.O. to make very large donations in a community they are trying to storm trooper in. Maybe somebody should give her the corporate number to call, no wait she already has it.

I just think she should get out there and start pounding pavement with little donation letters going business to business and accepting whatever a business may want or better yet can afford to donate. Asking for $1,000, $5,000 or $15,000 donations is outrageous and completely out of line. Has J&R Wilson donated $5,000.00 yet? After all shouldn't she do it first if we can't "Make a move without Cori?" Just a thought.

Cori has a history of talking the talk, but she mostly doesn't walk the walk. Most recently she insisted on taking over the 8th grade T-shirts for the kids traveling to Washington so parents who had it covered cancelled at their insistance, but you know what happened......not a darn shirt was done and so you have this large group of kids without American Canyon brand identification, what a let down for parents and kids.

Wake up American Canyon this gal isn't all there ......she flips sides by who is closer to dying or moving to a nursing home so she can sell their houses.

Every city council meeting my family and I watch as she passes the can and gives her "update." I am sorry but I remember when she said she had more than enought donors. Then at the next meeting she needed somebody to be first, that is when you were duped Paul, then when you changed your mind due to her mismanagement, she gets "pissed." Give me a break she shouldn't even be begging for money at this point. This event should be planned and paid for with what she has collected thus far.

Next year perhaps with nine members on the Parks Commission a Commissioner can takeover the helm, at least there would be some level of accountability.

I too wish you would cancel your $500.00 check. What's next Cori? Charging a entrance fee? I am sure it has crossed your mind.

Disgruntled Patriot

Hankins usually attends the chamber meetings so to see that he has teamed up with them to bash paul publically does not seem far fetched if you put 2+2 together

Hey Cori! You were up at the podium at City Council whining how you need the council members to provide a "paper trail" on their expenses weren't you? Well, where's yours? Where's your budget?

Are Ad Hoc Committee Chairpersons paid? I ran across the Parks & Community Service Commission meeting on Channel 28 last night and just want to make sure I understood Mr. Ross correctly.

good question but I think he was refering to the members and by that I mean the city council members but I could be wrong.

I wish that Paul had shared with the community before last November his character and business savvy; because he would have had my vote. The good news is 2 city council seats will be open in November and we can all have the pleasure of voting for Paul McGuire.

well u have my vote

Todays Eagle has in the letters to the editor my response to last weeks article. It is similar to what I said here.

Several people have told me that article last week reflected poorly on the committee, and will make fundraising more difficult than it already is.

That is unfortunate, because I do believe that members of that committee generally want to help, as I did, and do want to see a successful event.

The purpose is grand, but the methods out of step with the expectations of any fund raising committee by donors.


Regardless, it was my error to commit before I had all the facts. I should have known better, and I do know better. Thats the bottom line, and I regret getting involved before having all the facts. The $500.00 commitment was honored, and paid.

Fourth of July should be a great time of celebration, so lets move on, shall we.


The support and kind words are appreciated on this site.

Something has bothered me since last weeks article about what expenses need to be covered for the 4th of July. Wouldn't you think that the sheriff's dept and the city would have include expenses for their employee's time in their budgets. It's not like this is the first year for this event. Also, hopefully the non-profits will not feel the backlash from donors in the future due to the 4th of July's committee chairman's remarks.

May I remind everyone this is only the second year that the city has been handling the entire event, for those of you still new to the city or the festival the AMERICAN CANYON LIONS CLUB started the event and ran the event until 2 years ago. The sound stage at the most the last year cost 1800.00 private security was used at night at the gates otherwise it was club members that handled the gates. They handled the booths all of it. The fireworks were paid for by community donations from businesses and residents from the entire year before. The city ran the parade in the morning and I believe always made a nice donation for the fireworks. As time past the cost of fireworks like everything else raised and the clubs members passed on and it grew to be too much for a small club to handle.
If they had half the money the current committee is asking for things I know would have been different.
I had 2 things that I loved about this city one was the santa sleigh at Christmas driving threw our city and watching all the children get so excited. It was an experience that made everyone stand in awe. That is now been settled for a truck with the sleigh sitting in the safeway parking lot. Not even close to the experience once felt in this city.
The second was the 4th of July festival which was the reason I became a LION so I could be part of it. I was disappointed when we had to ask the city to take it over but we had no choice. Now I fear we are in danger of losing the festival if this does not stop. This is suppose to be a family event of a small town not some High Society bash. The booths are suppose to be local businesses and groups that provide food and games or information to our residents. Not break the city bank.
Tug of war games and three legged races cost noting to do maybe these options need to be looked at again.
They provided hours of fun year after year after year with all local bands playing for free on a stage and sound system that worked just fine for only 600.00 to 1800.00. A city tradition is a sad thing to lose. Please let's remember that.

The whole ordeal of this event has just gotten worse. I believe the intentions of the 4th of July Committee are sincere. The problem is not with the committee but with the Chair.

Cori has a history of volunteering for everything and accomplishing nothing. Another problem she has is taking her "friends" into each committee that she joins and then attempting "handle" or "cover" the event as a loner.

While I commend her participation I question her reasoning. Why commit to events, organizations, or committees and take on the responsiblity when others are willing and then drop the ball within days of the event? This is a pattern of behavior that has been shown with all the things she has been involved in within this community.

Many the public are not aware of. Cori's problem is that she needs to realize her limitations both physically and experience-wise. I know she feels she is the caliber of volunteer that say perhaps Fran Lemos or Lorraine LaVoie is but these women have years of tireless dedication to the community behind them, something Cori has a long way to catch up to.

While the public is bashing her for not having a budget or accomplishing many important tasks like the 8th grade events or handing out flyers for an unapproved orientation, I feel we need to learn from all of this. We need to learn that if we allow people to "take" the helm either make sure they have the experience and qualifications to do so or do it ourselves. That way Cori and others like her who hopefully have sincere intentions "can observe and learn" on how to run things the right way.

Then in thefuture we can entrust important events to them without all of the subsequent drama like the July 4th, 8th grade graduations, etc.

I couldn't help but watch last nights meeting on cable. Why not since my apprentice favorite didn't win. I too don't like the 2011 concept of a high school... it can be done faster.

But what really annoyed me was Cori once again presenting herself as the savior of the project. Challenging people about signing up to work on committees for the school and stating that she is on a few that only have one other name is a sign of bad times to come.

At the beginning of her reign at the school as PTO President the board was presented with a $24,000 shortfall for text books. To this date no money has been raised to offset that deficit. In addition, this year has had more parents quit and is the lowest participation year in the history of the school. With this in mind and learning that she is attempting to once again derail a project I would like to encourage people to step forward and take control of these important committees and make your first order of business to remove Cori off of your group.

Otherwise it will end up a disaster like the other school activities she has been involved in. Thanks Cori for giving the city a wake up call to get involved!

SO WHERE IS THE BUDGET FOR THIS EVENT?

It seems that we now have a new program on every other Thursday night..."The Cori Show". I found her comment about almost forgetting what she was going to say after Mr. Couch's appearance to be totally inappropriate and not worth remembering. Mr. Couch may get confused when he speaks to the council but he knows his land is in jeopardy again.

Cori was condesending and accusatory. What else is new.

The budget will be out July 5th.