If you go to Peter Foy's website look what comes up:

Bet ya WMI & Dantona come up with a compromise and Simi Valley gets a great sports facility, in a win-win solution for all. Keep your eyes on this issue. It may start off messy as other politicos try to jump in between the two players but once the talks start the results will come quickly.

Anyone AGREE or DISAGREE that proposals of the magnitude of WMI's plan, that will have profound effects on the surrounding communities, should be developed by the principal & county officials in secret? I'm talking about ANY proposal that has a dramatic impact on our communities, not just this WMI issue. But remember, we're not talking Homeland Security-type secrecy here!

Brian,

What grade did you get in your photoshop class?

Tim

Gary,

First of all, you know that I have no faith in anything that Dantona says. I have told you how I feel about his ethics, or lack thereof. Since you are working hard for this candidate can you tell me this...does he have proof of these "allegations"? I hear allegation after allegation from him. Where is the proof?

Secondly, sounds like you already have an inside scoup. Are you willing to share that with us?

Smurf,
The Ventura County Star has the actual documentation , the "proof" you're looking for.........maybe you should ask them why they haven't printed this information. Maybe it because they are endorseing Judy and don't want to hurt her chances of getting re-elected...
Barbra

Gary,

Before I say this I want you to know that I mean it respectfully. You really need to learn about the local government process. You mentioned the "...parents & kids pissed off at having to squeeze their kids onto 6 soccer fields four times a week." This is a Park District issue, not a County issue. You need to take this up with the Park Board, specifically Gene Hostetler. It is amazing that you want to blame Mikels for everything. You have also mentioned overdevelopment in Simi. This recent is a City issue. So, you need to take that issue up with the City Council, specifically Barbara W. (I know you are concerned about the possible development in the Knolls, but with regards to Overdevelopment in Simi Valley...that is a City issue, not County.)

You also mentioned that Dantona has PROMISED a Neighborhood Council type of board for the County and that all projects will need to be approved by this board first. This would not be legal Gary. The Citizens of Simi Valley do not elect the "Neighborhood Council" to make these decisions. If Dantona would like to create a board like this that's great...but it would take the entire board of supervisors to approve...and they could always override the neighborhood boards decisions. I think Dantona is promising too much power to this board.

Also, you mentioned that Dantona will "find" more money to keep Station 43 open. I grew up in the Knolls, so I LOVE Station 43. I used to play there after school and knew every fireman. My first crush was Fireman Young, 36 years ago! So, I do understand your concern for the relocation. It was explained to me that the funds to pay for the fire station do not come from the general fund. The only way to "find" more money to keep the station open would be to increase the taxes in the Knolls. Now, I am sure that I am explaining this wrong. But, the way I understand it Dantona cannot just "find" the money.

I have told you before, Dantona is not an ethical man. I see him offering the moon to everyone ...just to get elected. I also see him making false allegations, without proof..not ethical. So, how do you know that he will keep to his promises?

With regards to should all proposals affecting our community be open to the public. The answer is of course. But, at what point? I am sure that Barbara could tell you that the City met with the developers of the mall long before it was made public. But, the public had an opportunity to provide their input. I don't know what the WM plans are or even if there are any plans. I have seen allegations, but no proof. I just see it as another ploy on Dantona's part. How do you support this?

While I certainly can't speak to the ethical abilities of Jim Dantona I can tell you from what I hear he is on the right track. The reason I am commenting in this thread is because three themes of my own campaign have been touched upon; Local control over land use decisions, getting rid of urban landfills and empowering Neighborhood Councils.

Neighborhood Councils in Simi are much different than Los Angeles where they have begun pushing for actual control, are an official part of the City, have set up procedures with city agencies, have created their own Congress, and majorly influence decisions that get made.

As a Neighborhood Council President I have pushed hard for the NC's to get more power over what goes on. As we loosen the grasp of special interest money on the politicians we can return the government to its people.

Now "control" can be accomplished two ways. First is the hard way. Redistricting each Neighborhood Council to represent equal numbers and bring them in line with the Federal Voter Rights0 Act. This process would take years and cost millions.

The "easy" way is to assist the NC's to flourish and become the "lobbyists of the people" where there "advise" is ignored at the politicians own peril due to the constituency each NC represents. When a true Neighborhood Council represents the will of its constituents and "advises" City and State agencies who in turn listen to that advise you can see how we begin to turn things around. When I worked for the Senate I instituted a program where Neighborhood Councils could provide input to the Senate on bills. Their recommendations would be available for all to see on the Senate floor when the bill came for a vote.

It is a slow process but it can work.

As for landfills. I have spent years fighting landfills in Los Angeles. As a policy I believe urban areas are no place for landfills and with the alternatives that are available we must stop this process of burying our trash (or in reality raising mountains and covering it with dirt). While cheaper in the short run, over the years the health costs, cleanup costs and environmental damage ends up costing us all more.

We need to change a few things around here and if Dantona or anyone else says things that get the discussion moving then that is a good thing.

Jim Alger

SMURF FAN!

Good, we're talking about issues!

First, let's clear a couple of misperceptions:

1) Playing Fields: No one's blamed Mikels for the lack of soccer and ball fields. But Dantona's the only one that met with a host of league and club leaders to discuss the issues they face and then try to come up with a solution. he did that knowing ha can't get them to endorse him cause they're non-profit organizations. Mikels has never stepped in to do that. In fact, my long experience shows that Mikels simply would not make herself available to do that.

If WMI & County officials are secretly planning a major expansion that impacts our community, then the Community should know about it and take part in those talks. In the end a broad discussion could well result in more playing fields, better facilities and a healthier community. Jim Dantona and Gene Hostetler have helped to get that discussion started.

2) Dantona never promised anything to the Knolls. What he did was ask us what our primary concerns were and then got us all talking about how to solve them. In two hours Jim came up with a possible solution (a municipal advisory council) and offered to do all he could to bring it into being. No one that I know believes that a MAC is a done deal. Also, none of us were ever told that a MAC would have any power to approve or disapprove ANY projects, only that the advice of the MAC would be taken under serious consideration and that the MAC would be consulted on the creation of an Area Plan for the affected communities.

3) Dantona NEVER promised to find money to keep Station 43 open. What he DID promise was to see that all new development contribute to the cost of adequate fire and safety resources, rather than make one station spread itself overly thin by handling the burdens of two or three stations, as the County's present plans hope to do.

So now that those three misperceptions are put to rest (I hope) and it would seem that the only candidate actually coming up with solutions to the area's problems is Jim Dantona.

As for Ethics: there is nothing more unethical and more morally bankrupt than for an elected public official to tell her constituents that their families' health & well-being come last because her official job is to protect a developer's profits. This isn't a rumor, its what Mikels said to my face at a meeting with her on Jan 11 this year.

So, should I vote for someone who has done nothing, offered no solutions, is never availabel and has shown no ethical character or should I vote for Jim Dantona?

Gary,

Yes, we should be talking about issues. That doesn't happen much around here.

1) Playing Fields - I stress yet again, this is an issue of the Park Board, not the County. Yes, I know, the Park District tried convicing Mikels to sell them Tapo Canyon Park for $1 for soccer fields. I am happy that Mikels told them no. Tapo Canyon Park is no place for soccer fields! Dantona's solution is to threaten WM to give the Park District the land or else he will "...lead the call for a ballot initiative to the let the voters decide the fate of this land and the future quality of life for our community." Dantona is simply trying to pull at the heart strings of parents. I am a strong supporter of property rights. I think it is absurd to demand/threaten WM to give up their property or else! This is not collaboration among the community. I hope WM doesn't buy into the pressure, they have always had strong community involvement, without the pressure.

2) Promises to the Knolls. According to several friends who have attended the many Knolls HOA meetings and according to your own words Gary, Dantona has made promises to the Knolls. You stated "For the Knolls and other unincorporated areas he's pledged to support the creation of neighborhood councils, where the community gets the first look at a developer's proposal and advises the County BEFORE it goes into the planning process." This sounds like a promise to me. One he cannot keep. Neighborhood councils do not usually go BEFORE the planning process (Correct me if I am wrong Alger).

3) I apologize for misunderstanding you regarding Dantona's promise about Station 43. I thought you mentioned in an earlier thred that he promised to "find' the money. But, I see that you said that he would demand that future City development pay for the funding of a new fire station. Can a County Supervisor do this? I really do not know. So, I stand corrected on this point :)

I think it boils down to this Gary. I have always had pleasant experiences with Judy. She has always been accessible to me. Over the years I have seen horrible experiences with Dantona. I remember past corruptions (ie. SCREAM (Earhardt), Baseballers' Against Drugs (the City of Simi Valley stopped funding this program because of fraud on Dantona's part - I am sure Barbara could explain that away), Dantona's bankruptcies hurt a lot of businesses in town, and simply put he is a bully. He bully's people to get his way...look at what he is trying to do to WM.

You obivously have your right to feel the way you do about Judy Mikels (and I can honestly see why you feel that way after the things that you have mentioned.) But, I wouldn't trust Dantona. I just wish you could see him for who he is. I understand why you wouldn't vote for Mikels and I would never suggest that you do, I just wish there was someone other than Dantona that you could put your faith in. If he wins, it will hurt our community..mark my words.

SMURF FAN!

I understand what you're saying but I don't agree about your bottom line; neither Mikels nor Foy are the candidates I believe this community needs. I know all about the Earhardt Incident and even back then, when I knew nothing about Dantona, it was clear that he was blameless of any wrongdoing. Dredging it up again doesn't make it an different today. I see that BAD is going ahead full steam, healthy and as effective as ever, so if there WAS some issue of wrongdoing there it hasn't stuck. As for bankruptcies: a lot of other good people have found themselves in terrible financial positions and protecting one's family through bankruptcy is a tough choice but its' sometimes the right choice. I give Jim a heck of a lot of credit for fighting back from the edge with a fine family and a successful second chance.

1) Playing Fields: I never said it was a County responsibility but I believe it's every elected official's responsibility to come up with solutions for the benefit of their constituents. So far Jim Dantona's the ONLY candidate that's come up with a solution: in short, help the Parks District or some other entity collaborate with WMI to make it happen.

I also think WMI's been a pretty good neighbor but let's face it, WMI exists because the County forces us to pay a hefty price for its monopoly.
By doing so this Community guarantees WMI a pretty hefty profit and if WMi wants to expand then it should give us something in return. Jim Dantona's call for WMI to act is the first step to getting them AND the Community together for a discussion.

2) OKAY. I'll give you this one. We agree that Jim Dantona's "...pledged to support the creation of neighborhood councils...". And yes, NC's and anyone else, are allowed to go before the Board on land use issues.

3) The County Fire Marshall has the last say whether or not a developer can build, due to availablility of emergency response services. If the County adopts a more stringent policy it could very quickly find the money to build a new fire station for every 3000 new homes. That's an age old formula that has somehow been lost on today's Development-friendly officials and it should be revitalized before this Community suffers a loss like Oakland or Malibu or San Bernadino. Mikel's is gambling with lives and proerty by forcing fire crews to take on two and three times the responsibility, rather than increase resources.

So far, Jim Dantona, warts and all, is the only candidate that's actually come discussed issues and come up with solutions to at least three (to me) very important ones. Neither Mikels nor Foy have done anything except make typical generic claims of frugality and support for safety. Well, that's all good and fine to promise when the County's flush with a bonanza of real estate taxes and has one of the lowest crime rates in the Nation. But can they make those promises when the County's suffering from a real estate slump or when job market losses catch up with county's middle class? When that happens I want an elected official who's a problem solver and Jim Dantona's the ONLY candidate that's proven he can be that.

Gary,

As I have mentioned before, I have known you for many years. The reason I went on this blog was to find out why in the heck you support Dantona, as I think he is one of the most corrupt politicians out there. I do respect your committment and passion. I don't think you are throwing your support to an honest or qualified candidate, but obvisouly we will never agree on that. Thank you for sharing your views with me. I could go on and on why I think Dantona is not qualified (the fact that he filed bankruptcy TWICE is a big problem for me, plus many more issues) but obviously your mind is made up. I see that your reasons are based on your passion for the Knolls. I do respect your committment, just as I am committed to Mikels. So, I guess we cancel eachothers vote :)

The problem is, Smurf Fan, is that after you cancel out Gary's vote, the mass of people behind Gary will carry Dantona to the win.

Unfortunately for your position Smurf, is that the people I talk to in the community Mr. Dantona's message has got serious traction. People see that Ms. Mikels has been an absentee-representative. People see Ms. Mikels for the type of representative she is, a dictator. Dantona has provided issue-oriented comparison and Mr. Dantona has won those battles.

I don't have anything personal against Ms. Mikels, but after 12 years of not doing much, it's time to send someone in that has ideas and is willing to take those on for District 4's benefit.

"Tony" Don't get your pants in a bunch. I was making a silly little joke to Gary.

Gary,

I read in the paper today that Dantona has promised to help Ventura County Library's. Dantona is making promises to everyone, but there is NO way that he can keep his promises.

Fire Station 43 - I did more research on this issue. The VC Fire Department funds come from a Fire Tax District. The only way to increase money to this Tax District is to increase taxes...by a vote of the people. The people didn't even approve a recent tax increase for traffic, so I don't think they would approve a tax increase for Fire. Dantona cannot make future development pay for the cost of a new station. If he demands additional developer fees (which I think the City would balk at), then that is a one time fee. He cannot approve a disproportionate tax to the new houses (as you suggested, the development north of the 118), because that would be unconstitutional. So, where is going to "find" the money.

According to Arleigh Kidd, Dantona has promised to make our libraries the "best in the state". That would be great! But, with what money? Again, the Library District is a Tax District. The only way to increase the money would be to increase taxes.

I am VERY concerned that Dantona is promising the moon to everyone, just to get elected! Where does he plan to get the money to increase public safety (they already receive 53% of the general fund), improve libraries, build a new fire station, or hire more firefighters?

He doesn't seem to understand finances or what the county supervisors job entails. Blaming the County for the lack of soccer fields is a key example. His proposal for Waste Management to give the Park District 1000 acres so that they could build a sports arena. Where would the Park District get the money to do this? They don't even have enough money to build the Skate Park that they promised the kids of Simi Valley. They don't even have enough money to keep all of the pools in Simi Valley open for the summer. Where would they get the money to pay for the sports arena? New taxes?

Please help me understand. Thank you...

I am not familiar with Dantona's plans for the County library System so you'll need to ask him about it.

Fire Station's are easy to get built, as long as you don't owe developers any quid pro quos. Every new home or building requires approval, by the County Fire Marshall, saying that an adequate level of emergency response is available. If the County so desired it, it could tighten its requirements dramatically and place a moratorium on any new developments UNTIL the developer can prove there's adequate fire protection. In effect, the County can place a mroatorium on new developments UNTIL developers provided adequate fire protection, likely through contributions for new stations and staff. There's nothign illegal, unconstitutional or immoral about making new developers pay for infrastructure that they'll be using. However, it IS immoral for government to allow new development to outstrip available infrastructure and resources, forcing you and I to foot the increased cost when the developers move on to Arizona or wherever they're retiring.

As for new soccer & ball fields: how does the Simi Hills Golf Course operate? I've been involved in this soccer issue for some time now and there are some very interesting plans for financing a state of the art facility without ANY Park or new tax dollars being spent. After June 6 I'd be happy to meet with Jim Dantona and start talking about several creative opportunities.

Its what I've been saying all along: District 4 (and the rest of California and this great Nation) needs creative leaders that can get discussions started and apply creative solutions to the issues that face us all. Jim Dantona's the ONLY candidate that's offered solutions rather than generic campaign responses about "fiscal conservative" or "supports safety".

If you vote for cliches you're simply voting to support an old, worn out party line. If you vote for a problem solver you're voting to support your Community's Future.

Constructing a new fire station is not the main cost of a new station. It's adding at least 9 new firefighters permanently to staff new stations. To keep paying more firefighters, the county would need more property tax revenues, which come from NEW HOMES.

If hardly any new homes are being built in the east end of town, there won't be enough funding to open a new station with new firefighters. Pretty simple stuff.

Gary,

What solutions has Dantona offered? I hear lots of promises, but still no solutions.

Yes, the Fire Marshall could place a moratorium on any new developments, but it would have to be Countywide...it would be illegal to place a moratorium in a specific area. I'd like to see them try that..the cities would never put up with it!

If developers pay for infrastructure who will pay for the new firefighters, or equipment, etc?

Back to the "state of the art facility" for sports. Again, this is NOT a Supervisor's job. Maybe Dantona should run for Park Board.

I am just waiting for Dantona to promise the teachers a raise! It is so sad that the average person does not understand how government works. Foy is making promises to address illegal immigration...a Federal responsiblibilty. Dantona is making promises to address park issues...a Park District responsiblity or development issues...a City responsibility. You would think that the candidates would at least understand where their responsibilites would lie!

I am voting for a PROVEN problem solver...Judy Mikels!

No one's talking about STOPPING new homes. So new homes will continue to be built and those revenues will continue to increase.

Right now the FM has the authorization to stop ANY development (and even any new home addition) in its tracks if he can show that there isn't adequate fire protection coverage. That's NOT a new proposal. And he/she can do it on a plot-by-plot basis or by making entire swaths of county real estate off limits until fire protection is provided. So yes, I agree that it is sad that the average person, like yourself, doesn't know this.

You also don't know that the County Supervisor represents everyone in his/her district or you wouldn't insist on shutting the County's most important elected officials out of their constituents' affairs. Why so sore that Dantona's looking after the best interests of the people he hoeps to represent? And why the anti-soccer & baseball attitude from Mikels' and Foy's supporters?

Jim Dantona didn't expose the secret deals being made by Mikels & WMI, one of Mikels' former supporters did that. All Dantona's done is offer the Community a role in those now public discussions about what we want our future to look like. God bless him for that!

So fine, vote for Mikels and live with the consequences of a 3000 acre garbage dump and 3500 garbage trucks clogging the 118 Frwy every morning....cause she wont! She'll be living in Tuscon.

You waste your vote on Judy. I'll vote for the well-being of our Community.

Brian,
Prediction:
Dantona 54%
Mikels 36%
Foy 10%

God love you Arleigh.......
I agree!

Dantona - 42%
Mikels - 38%
Foy - 20%

JASON........
I agree with Arleigh...

Awfully quiet on this blog today...