I will not be running for city council against Councilmember Becerra or Councilmember Foster. They are both doing an awesome job for our community and I look forward to voting for them in their upcoming re-election.

Scott Blough

Christofer Walken 2008
yeah come on

Clint Eastwood my fellow Libertarian should run

Other than that I hope for Colon Powel
and that George Bush runs a third time ahahha jus kidding but he can remeber if he says he had lost the first election i think against al gore he can run a third time can

From your list John Mc Cain or Hilary Clinton.

Ohhh Me vs Michael Linares 2036
both products of Mr. Dennert Government class

www.walken2008.com

Brian,
Great Blog! I would disagree with your school board picks. I don't think Ed and Tim would run against Greg S. considering Greg endorsed them both and held fundraisers for them in their losing efforts. I will not be running for the Board because I represent Simi teachers now for CTA and it would be a conflict of interest, but I could legally run, of course who knows about 08? I'm more of a "Karl Rove" type, even though I hate Karl Rove personally. I see the Bond Oversight committee now wants to use general fund money to turn their soapboxes into grandstands, they want to take money fom kids and the classroom to promote their personal vendetta's, how sad!

Arleigh:

Upon hearing that the audit is in, I've requested a copy from Lowell Shultz. I also was very excited to see that the School District Trustees accepted the recommendation from the Bond Oversight Committee to accept bids outside the districts normal auditors to perform the performance audit.

I've read the education code on the bond and the oversight committee cannot hire outside consultants or attorneys, but only request that the district trustees hire them to obtain the "technical assistance" to the bond oversight committee as required by law.

If you are appointed to the bond oversight committee, would you want independent information and technical assistance from the district or just accept the district's opinion at face value?

Last night, The district went ahead with requesting bids for the Performance audit at 12,000 to 15,000 dollars. This money is taken from the general fund as well. Are you saying that the district is wrong for taking this money away from students and teachers?

Scott

Scott, Yes I did not agree with the Board on spending the $12,000. If I was on the committe I would not need to have outsiders look at the information for me, and no I would not blindly believe the District. I have been trained to read and analyze school district budgets and I understand how the process works. I knew the audit would clear the district because I understand school finance. Lets get people on the committee who can do the job without having to raid the general fund. Brian, Evan Byah will win, mark it down! As for School Board how many people run will be dependent on what Mr. Stratton and Ms. Kurachi decide to do. If they both run it will hold down the numbers, if one or both don't run I would expect 9-12 people to run. Also Brian I notice that your blog is now getting a lot more comments and hits than Tim's.

Brian:

I'm only sure that I'm not running out of that bunch and I take what Arleigh says at face value, so he's not running.

I really shouldn't share this even though I'm not all that supportive. It's just not right to speak publicly about private conversations. I think Arleigh is right on not to speak for people who may take that plunge. Shows he's a disciplined operator...

Running for office is only for the toughest of the tough. I mean you gotta be steel jawed and have an iron stomach. I revere or at least respect a lot of politicians on both sides of the political center.

Brian,

I accept your nomination and endorsement for state senator!

Seriously,

On August 21, Ventura Grassroots endorsed Ferial Masry for AD 37 and Debbie Birenbaum for Conejo School District to replace the fundamentalist nut job, Mike Dunn.

Please check the new Ventura County Events Calendar for community events http://www.vc-events.com, and the VC Grassroots site:
http://venturacountygrassroots.com/

The "Vote Yes on 79 and 80, Nix the Rest" campaign begins in earnest at the Labor Day picnic at Camarillo's Freedom Park 12 - 3.

Precinct walking and phone banking begin Saturday September 10 and continue until November 7.

If you are interested in working on this vital campaign, please log in at http://venturacountygrassroots.com/ or drop by the Democratic Club of Camarillo booth any Saturday at the Farmer's Market from 8 to 12, for details on the propositions and to sign up for precinct walks or phone banking.

Peace,

Chris

Thanks Brian.

I have to claim ignorance on immigration policy, but I'd be interested. When is it?

Scott

Governor?

Angelides!

Chris

Brian,
I was not being mean to Tim, I only made an observation. In terms of local elections I say don't make predictions too early, a lot can change in a short time. The Simi School Board race will depend on what Stratton and Kurachi do. Simi always has a lot of people running. I will say again that I will not be a candidate, but you can bet I will be involved. How did you like my powerpoint today Brian?

Chris:

Why are you running for State Senate? Why should people vote for you?

What have you done for our district in the past that gives you the background to serve your constituents?

Arleigh:

I am also looking forward to the next school board race as well. Although, I'm not sure I will be involved as of yet like I was in the last one.

Scott

In RE: Arleigh Kidd's question about my running for state senate.

It was a joke.

I'll keep to working to get others elected to office - to take our country back from the neo-con and the religious right...that are neither...here in VC and across the land...

I urge you to check the rest of my message, and either be a candidate or work to elect them...

Chris

Chris:

I thought it would be neat to for someone to announce on a blog. I’m not sure if it’s been done before.

One other thing… What’s with the jargon? I mean, I know people on the left like to use words like religious right or neo-con as identifiers to the base just as the right likes to use words like godless pointy headed liberal, but I think language like that just alienates regular people who aren’t phone banking or showing up at these grassroots functions.

I know a lot of people from various church groups that I don’t consider right wing, but they don’t like seeing religious people getting blasted by the left either. I’ve seen polling and have witnessed in my own life that most people who are very religious in many don’t necessarily fit into the normal stereotypes that I think you are implying here. Upwards of 70-80% of the American public say they attend church /temple /mosques or other religious services regularly. Is it your intention to alienate people of faith away from the Democratic Party?

Second, what is a neocon? I have heard one thousand interpretations, but think it’s pretty ubiquitous. Again, this is another word that most regular people don’t understand. I recently paged through the neocon reader and it listed Blair as a neocon. I thought this was funny because in the Clinton administration Blair was considered a New Democrat and in Britain, he is New Labor.

I’ve found regular non-active political people have different problems than are being talked about by the mainstream political class. Maybe, this is why less than 50% bother voting.

For instance, I know a small businessman who is currently working upwards of 50-60 hours a week and complained to me that he doesn’t have time to spend with his little girl to make sure she gets her homework done and generally is doing the right things. He often is worried that his daughter is spending too much time watching television, which as we all know, has heavy doses of sex, violence, and language. Because of the tax structure, employment law, health insurance and other hoops, he can’t afford to hire help, so he can spend time with his little girl and make sure he raises her right.

To me, he is doing everything right, but this wouldn’t be someone who shows up at a Democratic Party meeting, would it?

Yet, there are thousands of small businessmen and women who have the same challenges and are basically stuck in the middle between two parties who spend more time defining whose fault it is, than what can be done to help people like my friend.

Scott

Hi Brian:

Actually, that's pretty good... I think the general message I was trying to convey is "jargon" doesn't translate into motivating regular people into believing that our system can address their needs.

Here is one...A family member of mine voted for Bush simply because she felt he supported the troops whereas Kerry was always putting everything down and being super negative. She said to me it just seems like with Kerry everything is wrong and that can't be totally true.

I'm not saying this is true for everyone or this family member speaks for the entire public, but I do think it's interesting that someone who rarely goes to church, has three infants and her husband at times struggled to make ends meet during the jobless recovery voted for Bush simply because in her mind Kerry was just too negative and didn't support the troops.

What I'm talking about is perceptions not reality. The perceptions of regular people are not changed one bit by language like neo-con or religious right.

Your definition is great and is not offensive, but I don't think regular voters care about things like this... they care about a positive approach to their problems.

Scott

Brian:

This debate is getting interesting to me. As I see it, people can use whatever reasoning they want when they decide to vote or in my opinion they don't have to vote at all.

Are you suggesting or implying there should be some sort of educational test to be able to vote in this country?

I think your approach is admirable in asking tough questions and trying to find out the unintended consequences of decisions, but from listening to family members, friends, and people I work with, they are basically untouched by the abstractions that you and I are interested in.

Have you ever seen the movie Ghandi? It's an interesting profile in leadership.

Ghandi goes on a tour of India to get to know the people and the problems, then at his first conference while everyone speaks in abstraction using words akin to modern day words like "neoconservative" Ghandi gets up and speaks about the politics of bread and salt. He speaks in basic terms that most people understand on a much deeper level.

All I am saying is language like neoconservative, liberal, and religious right leave the public behind in terms of telling them what one is going to do to solve policy problems.

Thoughts???

Scott

Arleigh:

Interesting letter to the editor yesterday. If corporate interests outspend labor 26/1, yet labor endorsed candidates make up the majority in the state leguislature, how can you say money even matters in politics. Here is an example where labor unions are outspent, yet the legislature is much more pro-union than pro-corporation.

For arguments sake, why would passing a paycheck protection law diminish union power if they already have a hold on the majority being outspent 26 to 1?

Scott

Scott,
The makeup of the California legislature has to do with the fact that California is a "Blue State." Only 35% of the voters here are republican, over 50% democrat. Prop. 77 the redistricting initiative came about because Arnold told democrats he would go campaign against them, he did, and not one of them lost. He now wants Prop. 77 so he can get more safe seats drawn for Republicans and less for Democrats. With Prop. 75 he is trying to silence the voice of Unions because we to have opposed him and held him to account for lying about the 3 billion he owes California children. Are you really trying to tell me you think it is fair to impose new restrictions on Unions in politics, but none on Corporate America? Do you own any stock, Scott? If you do please call that or those companies and tell them in the future you require them to get your signed permission before using any of your shareholder money for politics. They will laugh you off the phone and then probably dispatch some nice men form the FBI to speak with you. I think on November 8th Arnold will see a complete repudiation of him and his policies.

Arleigh:

LOL... My favorite line is "nice men from the FBI." That was a nice touch.

I used to be for a lot of campaign finance rules such as the McCain-Feingold soft money bill, but what I've noticed is everytime new legislation is passed to regulate money, it mean campaigns get more expensive and less and less involvement from regular people and volunteers to participate. You can even draw a correlation with the decline in voting and the increase in campaign finance laws...

I would prefer a system that allowed whatever amount under the sun with full disclosure and a very strong conflict of interest and bribery enforcement system.

Arleigh, I own general stock, which means I vote for a board of directors who then empowers a CEO to make those choices. I can opt-out by selling my stock.

What sort of opting out is allowed for union members now. From what I hear, a lot of members join the union for legal protections not for the politics. I don't have polling, that's just what I hear.

Scott

Brian:

Would I ban local candidates from taking money from developers that do not live in Simi Valley?

No, so long as all city councilmembers' fund sources are disclosed to the public. It's not a conflict of interest because campaign donations don't personally enrich a candidate. If a candidate was receiving a house or a car or job or other items of personal enrichment, than this would fall under the bribery laws already on the books.

This is a lot like the teachers and classified unions PAC influencing the Board of trustee races. They endorse candidates and campaign for them idependently from the candidate controlled campaign. When a trustee wins who received the endorsement and help from the Teacher Union, this would not be a confict of interest when they negotiate teacher salaries down the road.

Again, if the SEA gave one of the trustees a purse of cash to their personal account or a new house, this would fall under the bribery laws.

Is it unethical?

I'll have to think about that one.

Scott

Scott,
No SEA/CTA/NEA member must give to political causes. They can opt out when they sign the membership form, or they can call and opt out and by law we track their dues to show they did not have any money go towards politics. With common stock your saying that once they have your money they can do whatever they want with it, even if it is against your beliefs? Rather than being forced to sell the stock should you not be able to call them and say to send you a check, rather than to send your money to a candidate you may not like? With Prop. 75 they are trying to make it harder for one group of people to participate, had they been fair would they not have made a rule that would affect every group the same, and not just the group they don't like? Doesn't the Constitution guarantee freedom of speech to everyone?

It sounds like the unions are already involved in paycheck protection if a union member can opt out...

What is the difference in proposition 75 and what the unions are already doing?

The common stock argument is slightly different because when I buy stock, I am an owner of the company. I am only buying an interest in the speculative value of the company. A company's political affiliation is outside the ownership of that particular stock.

At my previous job, I was told to join the Political Action Committee when I became an officer. I saw a list of people they were financially supporting and opted out because I disagreed with their policies or just didn't like them.

As long as that right is granted to everyone to make a conscious choice of where their money goes politically, I have no problem with it.

For instance, I have a friend who is against the parental notification initiative that is in the special election. She doesn't eat or buy dominos pizza because I guess the owner is a big supporter. I think having the right to choose is very important in anything politics.

What would the unions have to do if this law was enacted?

Scott

My name is Jason. I do humor for The Star. Can't say that I'm bright enough to follow Brian's blog, but I take comfort in all of you following local politics this closely. I still feel guilty for getting my news through the comics page, but fortunately I'm able to tune that feeling out. Seriously, regardless of your politics, thanks for making it your business.

Scott,

I wrote a lengthily response to your issues with my labels, or as I prefer to refer to as frames.

The Religious Right is not the vast majority of devout religious people. The ones that do not exclude Jews and Moslems from Paradise. No only those who have a one-flavor Rapture, that excuses them from addressing everything from poverty to global warming. But then, I think you know better. You know exactly who the Neo Cons are too.

These are not the people you mention stuck in the middle between the two parties.

No that group consists of diaffected Democrats (tired of losing - or not - to idiots like Bush) and Republicans (deeply embarassed by the antics and power grabs of the same idiot and the religious and political sociopaths advising them).

Strong language. Yes. I don't like having my country, my Consitution and my flag taken away from me. Overstatement. I think not. Not when Republican City Councilman (yes, I know the job is non-par, but he is not) Mike Morgan tells me we have to remove a sign from our Camarillo Fiesta Booth that says - No, Arnold. No! Not when the very partisan management of the Camarillo Farmers Market says "You do not belong here."

This is not 1930's Germany, it is 2005 in the good old USA. Yeah, I am concerned. And yeah, I'm not really very patient with folks who want to mince words when the know full well what is the intent behind them.

If you want to see who comes to Democratic Party Meetings - yes we are mostly working people with families - why not come to one?

Democratic Club of Camarillo
Thursday, September 1, 7:00 PM
UFCW Local 1036 Hall - Gardena Room
288 Camarillo Springs Road (at the 101)

Guest Speaker: Supervisor Kathy Long

While your here, please sign up to walk a precinct. Then you can learn first hand, what concerns the voters in this county.
____

Reasons to vote in the Nov 8 special election:

1. Proving that subverting the representational government through costly ballot initiative elections is not the way to go:

Vote Yes 79 and 80! Nix the rest! Vote No on 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78!

2. Protect our first amendment rights and prohibit inappropriate intervention in our lives:

Don't bring government into family decision-making - Vote No on 73!

Don't allow the government to run the Unions - Vote No on 75!

Don't let the bloated pharmaceutical firms run our prescription drug plan - Vote No on 79 and YES on 78!

etc.

Okay, that's enough!

Peace,

Chris

Scott,
Prop 75 would require public employee unions to get written permission from every member every year to use money on politics. Basically it adds another layer of paperwork with the goal of the governor and his minions, to quiet the voice of his opposition. At the same time it does nothing to stop the flow of cash from corporations with business before the governor, to the governor. Brian it seems your blog has really taken off. I took a quick look at Tim's blog and he is getting almost no comments, I wonder why? I see he is now on the soap box with Chris Hamilton trying to create an issue that they both can run on in the next election. What really gets me is that Greg Stratton supported Tim and I believe Chris in their failed runs for the Board. Greg Stratton voted for the 1.5 million transfer from Adult Ed, which was legal and cleared by the County, he also voted for the bond and switching to PMI. Greg was our Mayor and he knows the law. Now Chris and Tim are basically saying that Greg would knowingly violate the law, what BS! I point out Greg because we know they both do not like the other four Board members because they hold the seats they so covet. Bitterness and anger make people do things that one day they look back on in shame.

Chris:

I wish I could tell you that I share your political frustration, but I notice that if I focus on whose fault it is all the time like you do with the Camarillo councilmember or the religious right or Karl Rove, it would put me in a bad mood too.

I seem to gather from your comments that you feel that you are a victim to the big corporations, the religious right, or neocons. I agree with you that this isn’t Germany in the 1930’s and in that same “frame” I would like to point out for historical purposes only that the Nazi’s also felt they were the biggest victims of their time, which allowed them to justify anything. Always be cognizant of the language related to victims. Just to make this clear, I am not calling you a Nazi. I am only pointing out that the language of a supposed victim can lead to anything under the sun being justified. A great book on this is Eric Hoffer’s “The True Believer.” It’s a great assessment of what types of people get involved in mass movements.

I kind of get the sense that you feel because you’ve been wronged by the Camarillo councilmember or at farmers market that you can be more ideological rigid and I’d like your feedback on this…

Brian:

I am not an expert on school finance, bonds, or bond management, but that doesn’t mean I’m not concerned about it. I was glad to see the 1.5 million was reviewed by auditors as I felt that it undermined public confidence in the bond process.

I still think we need to have a website in compliance with the Ed code and I’m hoping that will be resolved shortly. I asked the district and they told me “3 to 4 weeks” back on July 26th.” I hope things will be up to speed shortly with that assurance.

I am also concerned with the switch to PMI as it is only handling one facet of the management process. I believe the district will be without onsite construction management as of September 3rd.

Arleigh: Do you have an answer for this one? I know it saved 5 million up front, but what sort of unintended costs is the district anticipating from this move?

From my perspective, if no one is managing the projects in the implementation stage at the sites on the ground how do we know the projects are up to building/electrical/plumbing code standards? How will the district be protecting supplies that we have seen a rash of thefts on over the past year?

Arleigh:

Thanks for the info on the paycheck protection. Can we get assurances from the district that all projects that were promised on the ballot will be fulfilled? I have concerns that because of the “compression strategy” that is being adopted, we may see a divisive fight down the road between different advocates of different projects over what remains of the bond funds.

Scott

Scott,
I don't know if every project can be completed. Who knew hurricane Katrina would hit and I guarantee it will drive all building material prices higher and make it harder to find construction workers. I'm also sure that Tim and Chris will find a way to blame the school board for not knowing the hurricane would hit. With PMI I would say that I think the Board changed because the numbers added up. Greg Stratton is a numbers guy, his work as Mayor has given him great knowledge of these things. Do you really think Greg would have voted for the change if it would not add up? With the website I understand that the committee wanted to be involved in creating it with the District. Everytime they schedule the meeting to work on the website I hear the bond committee members cancel, then they say it is the Districts fault! I noticed on Tim's blog he is holding his breath and turning red until the website is up and running, he cites Ed. Code. Funny that when the County School Board broke Ed. Code and the law with the Vista Real Charter he said nothing, I suspect because he does not want to be on Stricklands bad side. Can we all say "Hypocrisy?" Brian don't worry! Everyone knows that Scott and I are political animals and that you and no one in this whole wide world can control us!!!!!

Brian,

I think it's sad, with americans dead, dying and with the total loss of a great American city, that all Mr. Kidd seems able to talk about is me and my so-called political aspirations. It's pathetic. Hopefully, he can volunteer at a food bank, make a donation to the red cross and put politics aside, at least for a day ot two to honor the dead.

Or is Vista Real that important today Arleigh?

Sincerely,

Tim Keaney
No Issues Left Behind blog

Brian,
Your blog has become so good that Tim has left his blog to be on yours! Tim is a crack up! Here is a guy who tied a wagon to his behind filled with Keaney for School Board posters and ran around the track at the Relay for Life event for cancer victims. Because of Tim's outrageous behavior the Relay for Life people almost lost their 501c non-profit status. Tim put his needs above those of people with cancer. Then he tried to set up a booth at Simi Valley Days without paying for the right to do so and was told by an official he could not do that (This according to five eye witnesses.) Now he tries to use the death and dying in New Orleans, caused mainly by a slow response of his beloved W, to castigate me. Very sad. You notice Tim will not answer why he turns a blind eye to the Vista Real scam, while accusing innocent employees of this school district of wrong doing on the bond, even though at last nights meeting the committee was once again given everything they asked for. As for Bush he screwed up public education with NCLB, screwed up the response to 9/11, wants to destroy Social Security, why should we be surprised he dropped the ball on this hurricane.

Also if you look back at Tim's blogs you will see that I am actually the subject of at least two of his blogs. Now he is upset that I am responding back. Like I told him, I don't give anyone hell, I just tell the truth and they think it is hell!

"Officials Explain School Bond Transfer"

In this morning's paper, I received yet another explaination on the 1.5 million dollars, whihc in my mind reopens what I thought was a closed issue. The reason is reopens the 1.5 million is because its, yet another explaination that differs from previous ones.

First, we were told it never happened. Then, we were told the transfer was a "clerical error", then we were told the auditor said it was fine because nothing was expensed. Then, this morning, according the Lowell Shultze, "the elementary science program was on the reduction list and was saved by this transfer and other reductions that were made."

I thought nothing was expended???

One other thing, I'm one of those strange voters that likes to keep sample ballots from previous elections, so that I can check back on issues and see how they are coming along.

I checked the full text of Exhibit A-1 Bond Project List and no where on this list does is say bond funds wee going to be used to save an elementary science program.

Now, if it wasn't on the list of projects given to voters like me, doesn't that mislead the public. I am taking Lowell at his word and I don't see a Science Program on the bond project list.

Like I said, I thought 1.5 million transfer was over, but the district is putting yet another explaination out there that is inconsistent with previous statements.

Scott

Brian:

I have the Vista Real Staff Report and can send you and a letter I sent concerning this issue to the state superintendent. I am waiting for a response from my inquiry. I hope Simi citizens aren't bilked by this poor attempt by the county board to give our tax dollars away for purposes the voters of Simi Valley would never approve.

I can send you the letter via email if you'd like. It's a little long. (What a shock!!!)

Tim Keaney is evil!

1. He kept his high schol girlfriend out past curfew once!

2. He stole a cupcake on the playground when he was 9!

3. He cried when he was a baby!

4. He got a parking ticket once!

5. He stepped on a crack - broke his momma's back!

Arls - when you're ready again to debate real educational issues, and not waste your day job blogging about my failed school board campaign (ALMOST A YEAR AGO) then the blog you're looking for is called

NO ISSUES LEFT BEHIND - Check it out some time...

Tim

LOL! Tim, you're a funny guy. As usual you did not answer any questions. With the Relay for Life if you were there for them you would not have brought your signs promoting yourself. Also for the record the first time I heard of Tim or Chris Hamilton were when they wrote letters to the editor of the Star attacking me personally and SEA for a successful boycott of the Daily News for biased education reporting. Tim and Chris never called me, had never spoken to me, but they accused me of running the school district and the Star. This was news to me! I called the Star and asked where my paycheck was since I "ran" the Star, I also told them to put my picture in the paper ASAP! They informed me that sadly I did not run the Star. Then I called the school district and informed them that I "ran" things and to please pass our stalled contract. Sadly, they too informed me that I did not run the School District.
With the hurricane you are seeing the difference between what I call responsive government, like under Clinton, and fend for yourself government, Bush. The Army Corp of engineers told Bush they needed 350 million to enforce the levee's, Bush said sorry, the rich need a bigger tax cut, so here is 70 million. Bush has that same deer in the headlights look he had after 9/11. Maybe he can blame Iran for the hurricane and we can now bomb them. I loved the press conference the other day with Bush and Haley Barber and the FEMA and Homeland security directors. With thousands of dead bodies floating in the streets they all stood around kissing each others butts and then headed off to play golf and drink a few buds. The head of Homeland Security actually said "We will be helping rebuild the City of Louisiana."
Scott with the bond I can explain it to you, it all happened in open sessions of the school board over the past two years and I was at the meetings. It was also cleared by the County and auditors. (Tim, please don't read this part, it contains the truth about the bond transfer and may be contrary to what you and Chris are choosing to believe). Adult Ed had a 3 million dollar building fund, that money was built with non-restricted funds. Remember in school finance if non-restricted money goes into a restricted account, you can take that money out and spend it on non-restricted or other restricted items. Restricted money like the bond funds can only be used on that restricted purpose, nothing else. Two years ago the entire board, including Greg Stratton voted to take 1.5 million from the Adult Ed building fund, legally they could because the source was un-restricted. That money kept the District going and saved programs like Elementary Science. When the bond was passed the Board voted 1.5 million to go to Adult Ed for building. They were going to put that 1.5 million in the Adult Ed building fund, Pinnacle One however did not have access to that account and asked that the transfer not happen and instead that 1.5 million in bond money stay ear marked for the Adult Ed. Legally the Board could have taken the entire 3 million original building fund at Adult Ed because the source was un-restricted. Questions?

I wish the district would explain it the way you just did...

I have more of a legal question and maybe you can or can't answer this.

On the ballot statement (full text), it didn't say those funds would be used in that way. Is the district at risk here? I have read the two page audit of the 1.5 that was released a week or so ago and the firm didn't even talk to Pinnacle One when they looked at the transfer.

Also, at the bond oversight meeting last week a Pinnacle One representative and Simi Valley resident claimed this 1.5 million was very problematic.

I know Pinnacle One is no longer on the contract and maybe she is disgruntled, but my concern is that when someone from Pinnacle One is complaining about it in meetings, it makes the whole thing really look improper.

It also brings an issue up regarding why Pinnacle One was dismissed. Was it just to save money or were they removed because they protested this transfer?

Going forward: What else is the District staff and Bond Oversight Committee going to do to rebuild the unanimous distrust from the bond oversight committee that things are not above board? I want to make sure and say that it wasn't just Chris and Ed, it was there whole board when I went to the meeting.

Shouldn't these two boards realy be working a lot closer together and shouldn't the district just make sure the bond oversight committee is just singing their praises. That would make me proud of our school district if it occurred.

Scott

Scott,
The ballot statement may not be the complete text, but I was at the meeting when everything to be done, including 1.5 million to Adult Ed, was done in accordance with the law. It was done at an open Board meeting. Arleigh

Brian, Scott,
Here is the last thing I will say on the last School Board race (Unless I get a question or something on it) after the election Tim posted on his website that he was happy that more people voted for change, then for the winning three. Now let's look at this logically. Tim had 13% of the vote, is he saying 87% of the people in Simi voted against him? The three winners had a little under 50% of the vote, but nine people ran. People could vote for one person or three. Norm Walker in the past has told people to only vote for him. I'm not a math guy, but I think if three people get almost 50% of the vote out of nine people, that represents and overwhelming majority of all votes. Thoughts? Arleigh

Arleigh:

How many total votes went to the 3 winning campaigns?

How many total votes went to the 6 losing campaigns?

Scott

Nevermind, I went and got it...

3 winning campaigns 49,497
6 losing campaigns 59,542

Broken down by percentage

45% went to winning campaigns.
54% went to losing campaigns.

Why do so many people always want to run for school district?

Are local citizens that disgruntled and unhappy with their local schools.

Actually:

Since Rob Collins was a non-incumbent you could say 70.6% of voters chose someone else other than those that representated the current status quo of incumbency.

Scott,

Why do so many run?

Money doesn't keep them out.

And the stock citizens put in the school board is higher than other groups like the US House or city council. I am not saying in our city, but in most cities.

Most small or mid-size cities don't always trust the city council is trying their best to do what is right, but I believe more citizens believe the school board does.

And it is easier to amke an impact.

Scott,
Would you say then that 87% of the voters voted against Tim? With nine running the three who won had a majority of the votes cast for any three people, no? Arleigh

Brian:

I think it has a lot to do with avenues to get involved in the district. The city has a neighborhood council system and all sorts of avenues to get involved. It's very citizen-oriented.

The school district is more oriented toward interest groups. From what I gather there is the SEA, Special Education Commission, and Bond committee. Outside groups include the PTA. There are school site councils from what I gather, but for someone who just wants to get updates and at least feel they have some input, there really isn't any avenue to get involved.

I mean you can go whine at "open comments" about things, but then you are branded as the enemy. It seems there is a much more defensive posture for someone trying to give input about schools.

I think if the district moved from an interest group-oriented model to a citizen-oriented approach, there would be less people running for school board.

Scott

Scott,

I think it is very healthy that many candidates run.

Do you think it is healthy or unhealthy that almost no elections are held for the city council?

Brian Dennert

There is an election every two years and the Mayor runs every two years. There are plenty of elections.

Scott

Scott,

The mayor ran unoppossed. Is that an election? Two of the current council members were appointed?

Is that an election?

Seriously, it looks like an election in the soviet union. You have a choice between a well known and well funded candidate and maybe, oh maybe, somebody that nobody knows and has no money. I am not even sure if they exist. As a reporter I have called the only candidates that sometimes, but almost never, run and they don't bother to call back. Or campaign.

Don't you think it is strange nobody runs except one candidate? And there are so many appointments? I am not attacking the current crop.

I like the job the mayor is doing from what I see. But it sounds pretty strange to me. If we appoint people that are qualified, that can be fine, but it is NOT democracy.

Brian:

You can't put a gun to someone's head and tell them to run. It's like 25 signatures and no filing fee...

Just because people choose not to run doesn't mean they are not allowed to run.

When you say appointments, what do you mean?

Scott

Actually,

Haivng witnessed the city appointment process last time, they had two weeks to either appoint someone or get an election in place. The city council decided to save the money on an election and appoint.

The appointment Michelle Foster will stand for election next November.

Scott

Scott:

First off, I am not politically frustrated nor an I in a bad mood, I've never been more motivated to be an agent of change. It is also heartening to see the teflon shields wearing thinner and thinner on both Bush and GAS, and their minions. Their support is dwindling and the press is finally doing their jog: reporting and not managing the news.

I just tired of your faulting the attemts at framing as being more important than the underlying issues and real violations of our rights (not MY constitutional rights, but ANY of our, which to my mind equates to ALL of ours).

The issue, to those of us who probably spend too much time in politics - but then, if we do not, who will.

You do not miss your rights until after you have lost them --

I do not see myself our our political segment as being victimized by a brutal regime, but that ALL of us are targets of a mind-set that is indifferent to human suffering (Katrina relief delay) and the daily challenges of life for the middle class working population (Tax relief for corporations, the rich, and those who make money from money and not from work) that borders on criminal neglect.

Yes, I've read Hoffer (30 years ago), the longshoreman philosopher, and my take-away message was to never trust a zealot, a true beleiver who will sacrifice all in his way, because the end justifies the means. He also warned to beware such despots from both the far left and the far right.

But another book that influenced my intellectual and political development was Hannah Arendt's BANALITY OF EVIL, also warned to beware the sugar coating of the denial and destruction, over time, of basic rights and freedoms.

Being wronged by a Camarillo councilmember or at farmers market is not the issue. The issue is the denial of our organization's right of freedom of expression. The repression levied against us is not personal, nor is it received as such. It is the reaction of a power-drunk group that is losing, daily, that power. They do not want to see reminders of that.

My reply, hoping not to sound arrogant, is TOO BAD. What we are reflecting is a growing sense of non-acceptance of the right's status quo. Their measures and propositions are nothing more than bald attempts at injecting their agenda into the lives of our people - the labor unions, families with young women, teachers and their administrators, the fundamental governmental structure of legislative appropriation and bugeting, pricing and distribution of pharmacueticals, and regulation of energy (I think I got them all!)

If that is seen by you as my being ideological rigid that is your prerogative. However, I see it is maintaining a rigid bulwark in defense of fudamental American freedom.

Peace,

Chris

It seems the Council has an un-spoken agreement that if you leave you do it before your term ends, that way they pick who they want on the council. Then when it is time to campaign the new council member gets 35 to 45 thousand in developer money for their campaign and it scares off anyone from going against them because of the cash advantage. You get more people running for Simi School Board because it is a more open and democratic process and the voters in Simi put people on the Board who are most qualified, not the ones who spend the most money and run T.V. ads etc.

Hi Brian,

Will do.

I'll email the calendar for VC special election actions, under separate cover.

Karl Rove is one of those -ends justify the means - right-wing-nut-jobs who by dint of his actions and words has, at best, only a rudimentary conception of morality.

Rove outed a covert operator, and likely at least one related network for political purposes - to smear yet another one-time-ally of the Republicans(the other big time target was John McCain).

To do so is to have only disdain for morality and his self-assurance - or that of his boss, that it was okay to break the laws related to disclosing the identity of an undercover operative of the US Government.

Best,

Chris

PS To those of your readers that did not get the joke about my candidacy for State Senator, it was just that. At this point.

C.

Scott, Brian,
I think we may have a Brown Act violation by the ICOC (Simi bond oversight group). I have heard that Chris Hamilton put out a press release saying that "All" members of the group support Eric Cohen the spokesperson. But someone who was at their last meeting told me this was not done at that meeting and that they have not met since. If this is true it would seem that either they had a majority of the group speaking in private to do this, or someone is speaking on all their behalfs without their permission. I understand the press release only had Mr. Hamilton's name on it. I think this would be a good blog topic Brian, we know Tim won't hold the ICOC accountable or ask for an investigation for obvious reasons. Scott I am not saying a Brown Act violation has occured, only the possibility, who do you think would be the proper authority to investigate this?

Arleigh:

Are you saying because a member did not show up and board action was taken it's potentially a Brown Act violation?

Scott

Scott,
As a public body they must do things in open session. If they did not write this press release at their last meeting, as I have been told, and if they have not met since, then they would have all had to agree to this by speaking privately and not in open or closed official session. According to the press release the entire body was backing Mr. Cohen. Just like a majority of school board members cannot meet privately and decide to do something, neither, I believe, can the ICOC. Interesting that Tim received a copy of the press release when he is not part of the press and not on the committee, makes me wonder what his "un-official" role is with the ICOC. The School Board was able to document and explain everything on the bond and the 1.5 million and they were completely cleared. Now the question is "Will the ICOC come clean on what may be a violation of the Brown Act?", and will those who say they want an open process ask the tough questions? As a taxpayer and parent of children in the District I think I am entitled to answers from the ICOC.

Arleigh:

I was at the last meeting and at least to my recollection an endorsement of the press release supporting Eric Cohen was given and voted on, but it may be worth retrieving the minutes of the meeting as I wasn't totally focused on the issues as it relates to the Brown Act open meeting laws.

The 1.5 million dollar explaination lacked input from Pinnacle One and only verified that the transfer occurred and did not explain from a legal standpoint whether things were okay or not. However, Arleigh you gave a good explaination in this blog I believe. I wish the district would have done so a few weeks before, so I felt more comfortable. We will get a final explaination in the performance audit approved by the board of trustees, which I find acceptable at this point.

I agree with you that we as the public deserve answers.

Scott,
Yes we need a copy of the minutes. Were all members present? Were a majority of members present? I heard they did not take action on this before they left, but I was not there. I did not say they had violated the Brown Act, only that there is a question of if they violated the Brown Act. I was at Royal Friay night for the football game and the school is looking great. Funny how the ICOC never puts out press releases on the positives of the Bond, they seem intent on only focusing on things that are not even real issues in an attempt to create issues for the next Board race.

I would say a majority of the members were at the meeting and if there was one missing I wouldn't know. Most expressed concern that Eric Cohen had taken a lot of heat on behalf of the committee (ie Gary Murphy's letter to the editor and some of the comments that Trustee member Kurachi made), which is why I would say it was unanimous of the bond committee at the meeting that they supported the comments of Eric Cohen.

I do believe they ratified the comments and the press release because both were discussed and no one on the board publicly objected to either issue the way it was framed.

If a particular bond member decided not to show up and later objected to the actions of the board, my interpretation is this is not a violation of the Brown Act.

I try and run at Royal of Lincoln Park and would say there is a great deal of improvement at the school.

Arleigh:

Since were on the subject of the Simi Valley Unified school district, I'd like your input on a few things.

What is teacher turnover like in SVUSD?

How can the district go from a 1.6 million dollar surplus in 2003 to a 7.9 million dollar deficit in 2004 while state revenue increased by 2.5 million? (Based on 2004 VTD audit)

Why did the district decide to sell 13.4 million in surplus property in 2003? (Source VTD June 30, 2004 audit)

I know there has been a lot of arguments saying the district should get out of the real estate business, but my opinion is you never sell revenue generating assets that could potentially get more money in the classrooms. It appears that the district decided to pump up their 2003 numbers with a one time sell and now are losing the year to year revenue they had received when the district wasn't running a 7.9 million dollar defecit.

Between 2003 and 2004 I also see SVUSD cut the administration costs by 22% from 16.6 million to 15.4 million. How much leaner can Dr. Scroggin make our district before the public begins to feel the lack of administrative control?

Will the district meet the 3% reserve requirement this year?

If you could define the organizational culture of the SVUSD, what would you say?

Scott

Brian:

If you read my posts on the debate piece I mention the city council as part of the debate commission.

The last issue I was somewhat engaged in was a car wash located in kind of our historical center near the cultural arts center. It was voted through by the planning commission, which I disagreed with as it didn't fit the area and the sound was too high and would annoy neighbors. The city council later stopped this project, which I agreed with.

I believe the city council needs to review the current amount of police beats as well. We have not had another police beat since 1980 and I believe the new mall will place additional pressure on the city with things like car thefts and increased incidences of shoplifting, fights... Crime will not come from people who live in Simi, but people from adjacent areas...

We should set a goal to reduce response times back to 2.5 minutes.

I agreed when Unocal sold their project because the council would not look the other way when Unocal wanted to ignore the hillside performance standard approved by the voters.

I think a new general plan needs to be completed, so zoning can be reviewed and infill development can be better managed to maximize economic growth.

I also think some sort of proposal should be put forth to limit what I call, "the easy access points" where teenagers can obtain mini-liquor bottles or "starter bottles" as I call them, at liquor stores. I'd like see these bottles behind the counter, not next to the toy rack or the candy.

When the voters approved the growth management plan, we on the neighborhood council # 3 felt they should include a senior housing component in the one of the development queues. City Council Member Becerra made the argument that giving seniors a specified queue would take less daily trips thus contributing to less air pollution. The Council on Senior Housing got their senior housing queue in the growth management plan. I supported this...

I think a major challenge for the region is the ongoing "brain drain" where intelligent workers are leaving for areas with lower cost of living. I think this is why I focus so much on schools and education because it really is the engine of economic growth and development.

I also think bringing in the mall will finally give this area the needed sales tax revenue to fund traffic light synchronization creating better flow and probably will enable further investments in the police force.

Of course, Brian. I don't hear many issues being talked about other than campaign finance when we talk about the city and you are the topic master not I...

I guess I should ask, what do you want to talk about with regards to the city?

Arleigh,

I am still interested in your feedback on my questions, particularly teacher turnover... California Public Policy Institute is currently doing a study on it and I want some feedback from people who are dealing with the issues on a daily basis...

Scott,

I have addressed or argued about or brought forth for discussion:

1. Building on Smiley face hill.

2. Campaign cash.

3. The lack of real elections.

4. And the lack of real elections.

Do you see my larger point? The council is already controlled by one faction so the avenue to power is not to upset that faction and instead wait for an open seat.

The school board has diverse points of view. Therefore, it is the battle ground.

I am not sure if this is what I believe, but it looks like this bucket might hold water.

And if you truly beleived in the brain drain, wouldn't it be more prudent to not so much focus on creating more brains to be drained and more on what is draining them? Of course education is not a waste of time, but if the problem is young people leaving, the cause is not education as you said, it is the cost of living.

Scott, Brian,
I have spoken to some people at the last ICOC meeting. A draft of the press release was put given out as people were leaving, I'm told no formal action was taken. Since they have not met since then, how could they release the press release unless they had spoken privately, and as a majority? If this is the case this is a major possible violation of the Brown Act and the ICOC needs to be investigated ASAP. Scott who should we call? The grand jury? County Superintendent Chuck Weis? Brian I think you have a duty to do a blog on this topic. Scott as for all of your other questions I will try and answer a few. The 13.4 million sale of property on Alamo and Tapo Cyn. That money could only be used for building or repair projects on things that will last five years or more, like a roof, that money cannot be used for the general fund or to buy classroom supplies. The District had their budget slashed mid year in 2003 by the state and had no COLA. Costs rise every year (Even though Tim would have us believe the laws of economics don't apply in Simi). Because Republicans have done nothing to control the cost of health care we are all seeing increases every year in double digits. With our City Council it is a closed club with all like minded people, they always leave mid-term and then appoint, developers then give 35k to 45k to the new appointee who runs almost unopposed and with a boatload of money to run on. I have heard (This is only a rumor and I can't verify this) that on the last election night that a party was held for the Simi Council members who were running for re-election. Before the returns came in I was told they were celebrating "Taking over" the SVUSD Board of Ed. If this is true one can only wonder if back room deals may have been cut. Of course as the returns came in I have heard that grins turned to frowns. Again, I was not there, it would be interesting to investigate this further. For now let's focus on the ICOC and this possible Brown Act violation. Arleigh

Brian:

The cause is not solely cost of living, but that jobs being created don't have employees ready to fill them. Educational training and creating the technologically sound workforce should be number one.

If we had a larger scale educated workforce, the city's business development department could be an easier sell to new businesses.

Cost of living is high because of Geography, a transportation system into LA, and and low interest rates infused a great deal of capital in the marketplace.

We need to attract higher end technology driven businesses and technologically advanced companies to be able to compete in the next 20 years. We also need to organically infuse the citizens of Simi Valley to develop their entrepreneurial power.

This is the real challenge of our school district and our community and one we have not spent enough time on in any blog.

Yes, housing stock has fallen when compared to jobs created pushing prices higher. It was estimated by East County job officials that Simi's unemployment rate is like 3.5% and they are having trouble filling jobs with qualified people.

But, the public totally is against population growth and have been heavily involved in stopping the amount of affordable units allowed in a project because they fear "projects" and falling property values, which is totally erroneous when you look at who is applying for affordable units.

In every city meeting, neighborhood council, and planning commission I've been to, there are citizens who do not want everyone to enjoy the fruits of their own labor.

They would prefer to discriminate against developers who want to provide a need to the public because basically, they've lived their american dream and want to stop teachers, cops firefighters, and other from owning a home and having their dreams come true.

Sorry Brian, Creating Brains is extremely important to the future of our community. You may think campaign cash or a happy face hill trump this reality, but I disagree.

As far as the city council races being Soviet-Style, I don't agree. I actually know there are factions on the council from my experiences down there.

If you look in today's star, there are a number of jobs that are having great deal of difficulty being filled and we can do better.

Arleigh:

I'm not dodging your question. Been busy and still at work right now. I'll respond when I get home later tonight.

Brian:

The question I have for you Brian is it ethical for citizens and government officials to use the government process against those that want the American dream of owning a home? Not legal, but ethical?

Let's not stagnate the American dream of owning a home, let's build enough units so we can all enjoy the fruits of our own labor. When did earning a living and being able to afford things in life become so regulated?

Multiple families shouldn't be living in two room apartments... That's just substandard.

Scott

Arleigh:

Since the ICOC serve the School Board Trustees, this would be where you want to go with this question. All boards should act prudently and obey the law and the Board of Trustees should be the ones to take action with regards to their own appointments first. If the Board does not feel it's an issue with their appointments and they fail to act, then they would also be liable for allowing alleged brown act violations to occur.

However, As I understand it I would strongly urge the board not to demand resignations as this would stop the bond spending process until a new board could be seated. With higher and higher costs I want all projects approved to be fully funded. Firings or resignations that stop the bond implementation timelines would not help our kids at all.

If the District would not have sold the 13.4 million in land, would it have had more recurring money coming in each year to address maintenance? Was it bare land or were fixed assets on it?

Where did the 13.4 million in real estate sales go because in 2004 I do not see increases of that magnitude anywhere, not even in maintenance where I believe those funds would go. I'll send it to you if you want to review?

I am trying to find info on teacher turnover right now. I believe school districts can reduce costs by improving teacher retention figures, but really don't know the facts as this could just be the opposite.

Scott

Smart Growth advocates usually aren't people who don't own homes either Brian, so let's be a little more transparent. Smart Growth advocates lack even a remote sense of how their policies effect the current transportation disaster in cities like San Diego where "Smart Growth" Urban Growth boundaries designed to push for greater infill development have basically pushed up density levels to such mass levels that the city can neither keep up with road repair and drivers are often at a standstill.

Also smart growth advocates fail to take into account affordable housing. By stressing that development can only be obtained in areas where infrastructure already exists they create a system where property values in certain dense areas become more expensive while other areas not approved by smart growthers lose their value. Government has essentially picked winners and losers with people's land rights.

When government advocates for growth in certain areas it reinforces price hikes and developers pay a premium because government has made land extremely scarce, thus making development ten times more expensive for potential homebuyers...

If you are for smart growth you are against affordable units, plain and simple.

Brian, you can't be for smart growth regulations and affordable housing. If land is restricted, prices for developable land goes up and this hurts potential homebuyers.

Brian, if people buy million dollar homes, what do you think they are selling? Most are probably selling homes where they have sat on the equity for years and now supply has determined they can upgrade. Guess who can now purchase these smaller homes. First time homebuyers and middle income people, I believe...

And again, from a development standpoint smart growth advocates are always arguing down the amount of affordable units as they did in the Happy face project.

I'm not sure what zoning laws from outside influences mean either....

And yes, the condemnation law our supreme court recently decided on was ridiculous because it enables local governments to discriminate against certain landowners to the benefit of wealthier ones.

Hmmm, So what you are saying is that its okay to discriminate against landowners by using smart growth strategies in government, but you don't like the government discriminating against homeowners on behalf of economic development. Please explain this inconsistency a little further...

What happened to equal protection under the law? Does that not pertain to land rights, which is the basis of our republican system?

Scott

Brian:

Not addressing the affordable housing issue at all in your last post kind of gives away that shutting off open space from growth pushes prices higher in infill areas.

Smart growthers always propose urban growth boundaries as they tried to do in Measure B back in the 2002 election. It failed because they wanted to cede control to the county.

Here is another problem. Smart growth only allows development in areas with existing infrastructure like roads sewer systems. When you create real dense areas where traffic flow is heavy it also makes it more difficult for Police, Paramedics, and Fire to move within their zones.

The Tucson city council went to the ballot in 2000 with two urban growth boundaries, one obviously being more restricitve than the other. Fire, police, and EMT's came out against it as they thought it would hinder their efforts. They were right.

If Smart Growth is really just creating bike lanes for you please take a look at the bike lane master plan on the city of simi website. Of course, I like my car and don't want to turn our society into a model like China where everyone is on bikes.

Yes, I believe in the back and forth in creating a general plan where property owners and planning officials come up with the best mix. This is called police power and public nuisance law. I'm not actually sure of the zoning of that particular parcel, but I do know that prior to the approved condominiums it was slated for a much larger project of apartments and the city required a EIR. The citizens that complained at the first meeting argued to push down the amount of units affecting again the affordability component.

Also Brian, by law the city has to meet an affordability component of the general plan and submit this to the state or the city can be sued by affordable housing advocates/lawyers. If your policy of land restrictions came to pass, would you be willing to have our tax dollars go to affordable housing lawsuits?

Of course, if I worked in Simi I'd probably ride my bike everyday whether there was a bike lane or not.

Last November the voters approved a managed growth plan. I have seen population figures to 2030 near 130K, I think.

The San Fernando Valley is the famous example anti-growth advocates like yourself like to throw out everytime someone builds a fast food chain...

Here is the facts. San Fernando is part of LA city, one of the most mismanaged cities in the country, remember pay to play contracts. Simi is still governed by Simi, not by some giant faceless conglomerate of interests like LA.

Simi does not share it's police force with other adjacent communities either like the San Fernando valley.

That's really just comparing apples to oranges.

Scott

Scott,
So why is it the ICOC is not holding themselves to the same standard they claim they want the Board held to? Why is it Tim K. seems to believe in a double standard (attacking the Board, not questioning this apparent Brown Act violation by the ICOC, claiming he believes in local control, but not saying a word about Vista Real) if this is all not being done for purely political reasons? At the last Board meeting no one from the ICOC came to speak during their agendized time, why? This was the second meeting in a row, no one from the ICOC came to the Board meeting, this after they came to the Board crying that they were not being heard, and asking to be on every Board agenda. With the website, they claim they want, why do they keep scheduling the meeting to do it and cancelling it? I think it all points to political games and trying to create phony issues for certain people to run for School Board on. The good news is that the voters in Simi are smart and will see right through this smoke screen as they always do.

I was talking about growth, not sharing our police force. I don't even know where you came up with that!

Scott, do you really think I was talking about becoming like China? Are you calling em a communist?

There might be a master plan, but I don't see it done. If the school board took this long you'd be all over them. So, why are you defending it?

Have you ever rode your bike across town? The arroyo simi has a great path except the city messed it up.

Every big block almost you have to get off your bike, leave the path and cross the street, then get off your bike and do it again.

The crossing at Seqouia is the worst. Twice off the bike. Cross in the middle of the street. Or go out of the way. Then there is grass that almost every person cuts across. I dare you to go see it.

And why aren't new areas being built with developer provided bike lanes? ( Long Canyon). Was it to keep the cost down?

I don't advocate it for Simi at this time, but have you seen mixed use in your studies? Condos on city blocks that also have services?

I am sorry that making ways for kids to get to school safely besides by car is not a priority for you. But pleasing developers is on the top of your list.

I am aware of the state law. Does that mean Simi valley can never stop growing? Or that if we build more million dollar homes we need more condos or apartments? I think it is number two. Am I correct?

I don't think expensive homes are the problem. But never thinking of city choices critically is.

And of course you don't know anything about the previous zoning. But shouldn't it interest you?

By the way, don't you want to guest blog?

Brian:

I scare you off?

Scott

No, it was a software thing. It impounded my comments, until I approved of myself. Weird.

I have to approve comments to stop bad things like people selling internet medicines.

This time, it held my own message in the approve box.

Brian,
This blog topic has generated over a 100 comments, maybe more blogs on local Simi politics are needed.

Arleigh:

Have you taken it to the school district officials, yet? They need to ensure they are not exposed on this as elected officials. What action are you recommending they take against the board?

Scott

Brian:

I was not saying you are a communist at all nor was I implying that. I was merely saying I like my car and I don't want a society nor do I think a society is intent on everyone riding their bikes everywhere becuase we are afraid of a little development.

Affordable housing is important to me and takes priority over the open space movement. If you really wanted to look at the financial interests of a group like SOAR, why aren't you asking them why they support restrictive growth that ensures their own home prices go up. Is that ethical?

One question you asked as to why I'm more critical of the school district than the city. I don't think that's totally true. I've actually supported Arleigh's position on Real Vista, which is something no one else on any blog has done. I did it becuase he's right. That's in line with the school district's position.

I have advocated and asked a lot of bond questions, but I think that's pretty normal. I guess my question is why were other people not worried about it at all. Arleigh has been very good in making sure I know what's going on. I wish I could get that kind of info on their website... When compared to bike lanes, I think I just care more about educational issues than white lines on the side of the street.

For instance, there was an article regarding our schools in the Star a few weeks back, which talked about our increasing test scores. That's great!!! I also complemented how Royal looked a week ago on this blog because I run over there.

A year and a half ago I spoke out at city council on the need for more senior affordable units and expressed that an opportunity to retain our senior citizens was being missed. I guess you could say that was being critical, but generally I feel I can work with anyone, if they just give me a chance. The key for me is I'd rather get it right for our community than be right.

I think a big problem is people are intent on being right rather than getting it right for the community.

Housing relates to the housing balance 80/20. That is, 80% single family residential and 20% multi-family. If it's out of balance and they fail to offer affordable housing, they can get in trouble or sued. People at meeting always think its about bringing in "projects" like you see in Chicago, but really it's about creating places to live for teachers, firefighters, cops, and middle income people to live.

I guess I could say why do you give the school district a pass and complain more about the city, but what's the point... I'd be doing the same thing you just did and that's just kind of fruitless.

Oh yeah, I have biked all over the city. I've even gone through the Santa Su pass a few times, which doesn't have bike lanes at all. How many times have you gone and spoken to city council about the bike lanes? What was there response?

Scott

Scott,
I will bring it to the attention of our Board and also send a letter to Dr. Weis about the possible Brown Act violation of the ICOC.