Brian Dennert here with some political rumors. I received the following ( bulk) e-mail from Brett Wagner, the Democratic candidate that ran against Elton Gallegly in 2004 and is very likely to run again in 2006.

Dear Friends,

As many of you have already heard, rumors are
flying in
Republican circles that Elton Gallegly is
planning to
retire after his current term in office. That
means
there's a good chance that our congressional
district may
be an open seat in 2006!

And as many of you already know, rumors are also
circulating that Governor Schwarzenegger will
back a
ballot initiative next October to begin redrawing
California's congressional districts as soon as
possible.

Those backing this proposed initiative claim they
just
want to redraw the districts so that voter
registration is
more evenly divided between the two parties.
While the
truth may be closer to a bald-faced attempt to
steal
Democratic seats, in our district it would
probably
back-fire: creating a congressional district that
might
finally be poised to switch from Republican to
Democrat!!

How's that for Great News on New Year's Eve!!!!!

As you might imagine, I'm watching all this with
great
interest. I can't begin to tell you how much it
would
mean to me to represent our district in
Washington two
years from now.

In today's political reality, congressional
campaigns
don't begin 6 months out.

They don't begin 12 months out.

In fact, if you're a Democrat you'd better start
a couple
years early just to keep pace with the
Republicans'
ability to suck up corporate PAC money like
Hoover vacuum
cleaners.

Please help us start off 2005 on the right foot.

Please help us get the jump on the Republicans
already
vying for Gallegly's seat.

Brian Dennert back. Who are the Republicans? I have some guesses.

Tony Strickland.
Plusses: Experience, Money, Connections.
Minuses: His wife Audra just got elected to the Assembly and that would create alot of time apart

Glen Beccera
Plusses: GOP activist, went to convention in New York, Simi Valley City Council
Minuses: Only elected to city council, GOP activist, not as well known

Steve Sojka
Plusses: Business owner, Simi Valley City Council
Minuses: Doesn't seem as ambitious as the other two politically.

Any other Guesses? Then leave a comment.

Brian Dennert here with an education/political entry. The county board is looking to fill the seat left open by Rob Collin's election to the Simi Valley School Board. Who will it be? One current board member spoke in a recent article

viewable at http://www1.venturacountystar.com/vcs/
county_news/article/0,1375,VCS_226_3359907,00.html

From the Star:

The Ventura County Board of Education plans to appoint a board member to fill a seat vacated by Rob Collins, who is moving to the Simi Valley Unified School District. Matthews says he wants another conservative Christian, though he knows the idea may be blocked by other board members.

"Any thinking person who knows he's right is going to pursue a person who is like-thinking," Matthews said. "I know I'm right."

One mentioned name is Norm Walker who fits the conservative christian reqs 100 percent. He is a Republican, supported Alan Keyes in 1996, and is a Principal of a Christian School.

The Star Article also mentions the other candidates:

Laurie Dickinson, a manager in Simi Valley's community services department, who has a background in special education and in working with at-risk kids.

Laurie fits the background of what the county board of ed deals with. The board deals with about 900 students that no longer go to traditional schools because of a variety of problems or issues.

Who will it be? Who is the best candidate? Any thoughts?

Brian Dennert here with a strange flyer.

I found the following word for word on my front door......

Last Chance to save Kuehner Drive at the 118

Dear Neighbors,

Your concerned neighbor

Any comments? Ideas who is behind it? I have some ideas. If you haven't been to the proposed builing site you should, perhaps before it is too late. The site is pretty cool. It has alot of local character. I don't want to ruin the surprises there, so go explore for yourself!

Brian Dennert here with news from the Simi Valley Democrats. All three of them are planning to meet ( joke, just a joke!)

"The Simi Valley/Moorpark Democratic Club will meet on Wednesday, December 15, at 7:00 p.m. in the community room of the Simi Valley library. The agenda will include a potluck, the election and installation of 2005 club officers, a report and discussion on a mission statement, and support for a newsletter.. For more information contact: ( 805) 527-8288 or (805) 577-9186 "

Go to venturacountydemocrats.com for more info.

Jimmy Carter is going to be in West LA signing copies of his latest book on Weds. December 15th. Click here for more details.

Also, The Ronald Reagan Library has an exhibit of Christmas Trees from around the world. Pretty cool stuff. Check it out.

Brian Dennert here. This blog will be devoted to the nuts and bolts of local politics. Have some political Info you want released? Let me know! In the coming days I want to publicize fund raisers, parties, websites, meetup.com events and anything else happening in Ventura County. So, start sending them in to briandennert@yahoo.com