In the " Continue reading" section there is an article from Park Board Member Gene Hostetler about Tapo Canyon Park.

Gene, who supports Jim Dantona, is fired up about how long it has taken to clean up the park and transfer it to the Park District. The county currently mismanages the park, and many people, including Judy Mikels have spoken out in favor of giving it over to the park district.

Regardless of who is right, can an issue like this impact a large campaign that spans over multiple cities?

Brett Wagner e-mailed out a press release about the investigation the California Democratic Party put on about the recent allegations in his campaign.

Click on Continue reading for more details.

Our search results are getting better and better. Check out the results of these google searches...

1. Simi Valley Democrats Republicans
2. Judy Mikels Jim Dantona
3. Arleigh Kidd ( Local Teachers' Union Leader)
4. Simi Valley Candidates
5. Cameron Smyth 38th Assembly
6. Ferial Masry Simi Valley
7. Smoking Simi Valley Mall
8. Tony Strickland Jim Dantona issues
9. Simi Smyth
10. Judy Mikels campaign

Now Updated with a response from the Jill Martinez campaign ( Thanks for the help Unai!)

Another interesting e-mail. The race to take on Elton Gallelgly is heating up. This e-mail claims that Jill Martinez and her team just hired several staff members away from Mary Pallant.

Is it true? Please comment and let us know. I know some dedicated people behind each of these candidates and I know they care deeply about their country. It seems odd they are running against each other so hard when the district is so stacked against them. Do they know something we don't? Is Elton Gallegly retiring? What plans do they have to take the fight against Elton Gallegly?

NOW UPDATED!
Click on the continue reading button for the full e-mail and the response from the Rev. Jill Martinez's campaign.

I just recieved an e-mail that someone forwarded from the Rev. Jill Martinez and her campaign team. It is a pledge for democratic candidates running to replace Gallegly are being asked to sign.

Is it just a campaign stunt? Should other candidates sign pledges? If there was such a pledge for other campaigns what should it include?

Democrats, will you vote for a candidate that won't sign the pledge?

Click on the continue reading link below to read the pledge.

The purpose of my blog is to give anyone with an internet connection a wealth of background information into local politics. In addition, I hope that I have created a tool so people can find out ways to be involved in our democracy.

Sometimes, politics can be a tough business. Elected officials, their staff, and their supporters take huge hits. From not being able to draw a straight line to out right corruption.

To take respite from this daily grind I started this thread.

Leave a comment if you agree with the following:

Judy Mikels and Jim Dantona both:
1. Love their country.
2. Want the best for our community.
3. Have different views over the proper course of action.
4. Should have their choices, not motives questioned.

Besides, with all the money they are going to spend, they are going to help out the local economy!

The Star had a story about Yes on North Park signs being stolen. Do you have any leads? If so, this blog is offering a $5 reward.

I wonder if North Park "Nature Preserve" lobbyist Keith Jajko has got the signs being taped or if he has fingerprinted any of them?

Arnold is facing down his own party this weekend. Will they support him in his re-election campaign?

Republicans only...Do you support him? If so, leave a comment for the gov. If you don't support him, tell us why.

If a friend is being attacked and you stay out of it, well that means you are no friend. With that being said I expect my Republican readers to sound off! ( Tim, Scott, Jerre, Cathy Carlson, Ryan, Big Sky, Steve, and many others).

Read the full article in the extended comments.

I just had a third confirmation that Bill Davis is really thinking about taking on Paul Miller for mayor. My question: Will people start making Roosevelt/Taft jokes?

Mary Pallant, Democratic candidate to take on Elton Gallegly, has just been endorsed by former WMD inspector Scott Ritter. I know a fair amount about his background and the guy is very interesting to say the least.

Why do you think she earned his backing?

Brian Dennert back and breaking local politics news yet again.

I Just got an e-mail with details about another candidate running to take on Elton Gallegly. What is going on with so many Democrats joining the fight? Are all the offices contested too? ( State Senate, State Assembly, other congressional districts?)

I don't have his platform, but feel free to leave questions and see if he answers them. The e-mail is in the "continue reading".

I get press releases from Jim Dantona. I see them printed in The Acorn. But, I don't see them covered in The Daily News or The Ventura County Star.

Why isn't this race getting attention. Are the local papers not interested in it because the election is in June? Has Jim Dantona not proven he is a credible candidate?

I bring all of this up because an interesting issue is surfacing about campaign finance reform and reporting. You can read the whole story here. I think the fact that a local councilmember Barbra Williamson is leading the charge makes it newsworthy, don't you? I wonder what the other council members feel about the issue.

I don't understand the whole issue yet, but I hope by reading the comments left here and having my questions answered I will be closer to understanding. If you have thoughts about this issue, or want The Star to start covering this race leave a comment.

Jim Alger a candidate for state assembly 38th district will be speaking to local citizens. He has a nice website up, but will the web be a major tool in his campaign? If so, shouldn't his supporters start talking about him on blogs like this?

Ferial Masry has an aggressive web campaign. Thanks for the link Ferial Masry!

One of his opponents is a city council member from Santa Clarita ( How come no candidate from Simi Valley is running, yet again?) Cameron Smyth. Cameron is so out of touch with Simi Valley that on his endorsements list he spells Dean Kunicki ( County Board of Education) in a creative way. Am I just being tough on him because I want someone from Simi Valley to run? Maybe. He also has the support of Chris Valenzano of the county board, even though near as I can tell their districts don't overlap.

But Cameron Smyth does have the support of both Glen Becerra and Barbra Williamson. I wonder how he earned their support so early in the process? He is the odds on favorite to win thus far.

Many local groups have linked to my website. I want to thank you for helping drive up my traffic. If you are running for office and want to publish the news of your campaign here, I'd appreciate a link somewhere on your page as it drives up my google search results rankings.

The Simi Valley/Moorpark Democratic Club is hosting a debate on the merits of teaching Intelligent Design theory in public schools.

Joe Howry of The Star will be moderating ( Clue to candidates: You want to meet this man) the debate between proponents and and those who favor teaching evolution in public schools.

For more information call (805)527-8288.

Is this an interesting idea for a debate?
If you have ideas for upcoming debates leave them here in the comments section.

Well, we fought hard but it has been done. The Simi Valley town center has changed policy and now will NOT allow smoking.

Thanks to all the people that posted their letters of complaint and the responses from the town center.

Thanks to Arleigh Kidd ( for speaking to the city council), Barbra Williamson( for inviting Arleigh Kidd to speak to the city council), Sandi Otto ( for guest blogging here about the isse and getting that ball rolling.)

Citizen action can improve our community. And the community being built at this blog has done a fine job.

You can read some of the earlier entries that played a part in putting pressure on the mall here.

Ferial Masry is selling stuff on ebay to raise campaign funds. If you have anything to donate you can contact her.

Pretty original idea isn't it? Ebay sells all sorts of things.

What do you think the funniest thing that Ferial will sell is?

Local teacher appears on survivor. Do you think he won?

Jim Alger moves ahead in 38th assembly race.

Keep reading for press release.