What do you think of the local Magnet Type schools like Vista?

What do you think of Simi Valley schools versus Conejo schools? Are Simi Valley schools truly better? How?

Young Democrats October Meeting THIS THURSDAY!!!!
Body: Hello all Young Democrats!

Our meeting this Thursday has been moved and changed, but it's still on!

I hope to see you all there!

Heather Schmidt
President
Young Progressive Democrats of Ventura County

Young Progressive Democrats of Ventura County
October Meeting

Thursday, October 12th, 2006
7:30 pm

We will be discussing upcoming events, having club activity sign-ups, and we will have at least two special-guest speakers!

Please let me know if you are coming by clicking "Reply" and saying Yay or Nay!

Hope to see you all there!

Roundtable Pizza
239 West Los Angeles Avenue
Moorpark, California

YAY...finally we have a candidate that will allow us to teach creationism in school. I cant wait to learn about the Lakota version of Genesis and the Wiccan story of creation and the Buddhist history of the beginning. Thank you mister Cruz, for bringing attention to these beliefs that are sorely missing in our childrens' lives today.

Cruz is calling for the forced teaching of creationism in Simi Valley Schools. He claims evolution is being shoved down kids throats. He should read about what happened in the City of Dover when the Board tried this. Norm Walker lives!

How come the extremists that hijacked the Republican Central Committee endorsed Cruz but not Watson? Watson's been a good conservative. Was it because Watson wouldn't be pressured into voting for more and more charter schools? I think so. I know Cruz is for them, along with the new extremist party leaders and their developer friends who are also Cruz's and the extremists' biggest donors. Sounds a lot like what happened when all that money flowed from the charter school developers to the Stricklands to a few votes on the County Board and...VOILA! The charter schools pass!!

GS
Sounds like you are onto something!

With all the problems with our schools why do we keep getting candidates addressing nonproblems that aren't in the power of local school boards? Do these guys even read the newspaper?

I want names of the science teachers that are forcing evolution down students' throats. I bet Cruz won't name one because they don't exist.

I know Ray Cruz and he is a man of character. You might not like his values, but his values are really strong.

I am extremely glad that we live in a land where we can express our opinions. Thank you for your thoughts and comments. I will keep our children's education my number one priority. All of our children deserve the best education possible. Thanks again for candid thoughts at this time.

I have a question for Mr. Cruz:

Do you think it is about time that teachers get a raise?

I also have questions Mr. Cruz. Why are you calling for the forced teaching of creationism in Simi schools? Also is it true you have already accepted big money from developers?

Mr. Cruz's pre-election financial statement showed he excepted $1500.00 from developers for total contributions for this filing period of $2100.00. He also shows that he has $1800.00 in outstanding bills/expenses which is a payable as salary to his WIFE.

I thought it was strange that he would accept $2100.00 in donations and then pay his wife $1800.00. I am curious to know his justifications for paying his wife with donations. Don't spouses usually volunteer their time?

He will only be receiving a small stipend as a School Board Trustee can he afford to offer his time with the time constraints of being a Trustee. It is a charitable job he will not make a profit and it will most likely take time away from his ability to earn a living.

Mr. Cruz received a $500.00 donation from Dean Kunicki and also a $1000.oo donation from a developer that Dean Kunicki Consults for according to Mr. Cruz's pre-election financial statement. I wondered if Mr. Cruz is aware of his benefactor's/benefactor's.

Colton Lee Properties who Kunicki consults for made a $5000.00 donation to the Ventura County Republican Central Committee. Several days later The VCRCC endorsed Kinicki and Cruz. Other Republican candidates were not even considered. Some of the VCRCC for the SV-Moorpark area protested and said that they should not endorse one republican over another for the same reason they do not endorse in the primaries.

Dean Kunicki received for his 2002 election;

Green Rark Ranch $1000
Newport Beach Devloper
Peter Kiesecker $1000
CEO/Green Park Ranch Developer
Executive Center SV $1000
SV
Isaac Moradi $3000
BeverlyHills/Developer
Urban Strategies $200
TO/Developer
Colton Lee Properties $10,000
Agoura Hills/Developer
Committee To Elect Tony Strickland $6340.20
In kind donatin for mailer

That means Kunicki received $16,200
from developers that are not from our community or the County-why do they want to make donations to a County BOE Race.

The plans to build the new Educational Conference Center were in the works when Dean was running for office in 2002. One of the big accomplishments he reprts on his sample Ballot statement are building an Educaiton COnference Center.

What does this do for our children! This is what happens when developers pay for School Board races to put a developer in office who knows nothing about school programs.

Mr. Kunicki tells people they are going to "Rent" the conference center out to offset the costs! Yeah RIGHT! What about all the staff time that was redirected from children to "Build" a conference center to rent out, what about the interest payments etc. I would sure like to see the numbers that proves it will not "cost the taxpayers " and why we should be in the commercial real estate business rather than educating children.

Are the County Schools in the business of building commercial property and then "renting it out?"

Are they in the business of not making their own Gateways Schools for at-risk students adequate so that For Profit Charter Schools can come in and provide an inferior education to our students with our taxpayers ADA money meant for educating students not lining investors pockets. Schools with no student support services, special eduication, school psychologists, extra-curricular activities, sports of any kind bare bones store front schools.

This election 2006 Kunicki received so far.

Peter Kiesecker $2500
Land Developer
PacificKies/Newport Beach

Ed Levine $390.00
Big Bear,
Real Esate Investor/Arrow Real Corp.

Alex Soteras
Calabasas/Mortgage Banker
Soteras Mortgage $500.00

Now we have real estate investors and mortgage brokers intereseted in our County schools, Hmmmmm!

Colton Lee Properties who Dean consults for made a $5000.00 donation to the VCRCC and two days the VCRCC endorsed Dean over the objections of many Republicans in our own caucus who said they should not endorse one republican over another and then they totally overlooked Charles Watson for Area 1 even though he was the only Republican running for County Board of Education.

Why do developers want Dean in office so bad? Where are the individual stakeholders that should be supporters$

Maybe these developers really belive the old adage, "You get what you pay for."

I imagine that one day, in the not too distant future, when the first of the many $40M charter school campuses are built, with taxpayer dollars diverted from the general school budget, some wise developers are gonna say, "This is what we paid for. Hahhahahhahahah!"

It is not too late for Ray Cruz to give the developers back their money if he did not realize the backroom deals that have been going on.

I have actually heard very nice things about Ray Cruz and his honor, character involvement and in Rotary.

Cruz is giving campaign money to his wife?! Who does he think he is, Tony Strickland?!

There is one problem with the conspiracy theory above and that is the following statement:

"The plans to build the new Educational Conference Center were in the works when Dean was running for office in 2002"

Dean was appointed to this office in 2004 after Rob Collin's election to simi school trustee.

Except that Dean takes credit for the Center in his mailings. So what did he have to do with the Center before he was appointed? What's his connection, if any, with the people that built it?

Rio,

You failed to make the connection that the developers made the contributions to his 2002 race that he lost to Rob Collins. Developers were making huge donations before the conference center was built and trying to help him become elected, HE LOST the election Rob WON.

Despite the fact that Dean lost the election and came in third place the County Board of Education appointed him to the position despite the recommendations of Rob Collins. Dean has run for office three times in Simi Valley and lost three times. The other County Board Members should have respected the district's voters choice in the past. Truth is Dean is in office and received a total of four votes from people who do not live in our district. He states he is an incumbent which is incorrect, he is an appointed incumbent, big difference!

County Board Members stated quite clearly at the time of his appointment that they favored him because he approved of Charter Schools.

Tony Strickland who made the $6500 donation towards Dean's 2002 was a paid lobbyist for the Charter Schools at the time. Charter Solutions has made HUGE donation to both of the Strickland's campaigns.

Dean pulled papers to run for local school board many years ago when the Star interviewed him and asked him "Why do you want to run for School Board?" his answer was "I've always wanted to be on City Council and I thought it would make a great stepping stone." He received so much heat from his comment that he did not follow through and file his papers for the SVUSD School Board race.

I find it peculiar that he never reports on his public service that he was a planning commissioner. Why is he ashamed to report his occupation as well as a consultant to developers. You can not make a living on being a Board Member with a stipend of $350.00 a month.

RIO, further clarification, Rob did not fulfill his four year term. He was elected to local school board in 2004 and vacated his seat which is when Dean was appointed to finish the term.

This is not a conspiracy these are cold hard facts that were reported to the County Elections on pre-election financial statements and also financials for 2002 by Mr. Kunicki. It is a simple fact that Dean is financed by developers not grass-roots. Mr. Cruz may not even have been aware, I think it is important that he understands who his benefactor is.

Go to Ventura County Elections and read the hard copies statements yourself. I have hard copies for my records.

Before we attack the man please give Raymond Cruz a chance to explain what his wife has done while working for his campaign.

Please reserve judgement.

Dear follow the $, Dean Kunicki probably does not want to bring attention to his work as planning commissioner for the city because he resigned that job under a cloud of suspicion when the city found out that he was also moonlighting as a paid consultant to the same firm that was trying to get permission from the city for the Parker Ranch development. That same firm is bankrolling Deans campaign and I hear their both helping to raise money for Peter C. Foys race. It seems that Dean Kunicki and Peter Foy and Raymond Cruz and the developer all have too much in commong to do this town any good. I would not trust my childrens education to these people.

Again with the theories! I am sure Cruz will soon explain why he paid his wife and what she did.

Seems strange he would need to pay his wife. Wouldn't most of our partners work for free?

Whoops, I said partners instead of a husband and wife, oh no!

How is it that Republicans keep finding ways of putting donations in their pocket.

If you give money to Cruz he will spend it as personal money.

Cruz is nothing but a Strickland puppet!

Actually, I have a feeling Cruz is a good-intentioned guy that doesn't quite realize what he's got to give up, in exchange for the support he's getting.

Seems like as soon as there was tough question sRaymond Cruz stopped answering them. If you talk to Mr. Cruz remind him that people want answers.

Raymond Cruz will do to Simi Valley what Dunn has done to Thousand Oaks if he was elected.

We will be fighting about health textbooks, fighting over religion, and the PTA's will be attacked as fellow travelers in the liberal movement.

Cruz has a plan and it doesn't include answering questions, so feel free to leave them.

Remember the same board that kicked Leslie Cornejo out for not being crazy enough endorsed Cruz over other Republicans.

The local Republican Central Committee has become a branch of the Strickland political machine. They will endorse any candidate and give them money to get ahead. They don't need local schools to do well because they make money off of charter schools voted for by their henchpersons.

Raymond Cruz has been attacked for funny money. He hasn't responded. Maybe it is because he doesn't have a good story.

I am really glad that Republicans want to trash our local schools instead of running thier own party.

Why won't anyone defend Cruz? They endorse him in back rooms but back away from him in public? Not fair if you ask me.

Everyone is waiting for Raymond!

Couple of thoughts and comments:

Campaigns cost money. We campaign and receive funds from different sources. Many of the sources that you criticize have donated hundreds of thousands of dollars into our schools. In society there are many different types of people - good and bad. Many of these developers are good people who care about our children.

If you would like to make a donation to my campaign feel free to do so. You also have the right to vote for me or not. I can assure you that I will do an outstanding job as a Board Trustee. I will keep our children first and will represent our teachers, classified workers and our citizens to the best of my abilities.

Those of you who continue to criticize me don't even know me. You are not builders but destroyers. It is really difficult building foundations, buildings and good people. It is easier to destroy and put people down.

Try to encourage instead of tearing down. It's good for the heart.

The last time I looked we live in a free country and I can hire anyone to work with and for me. I chose someone I that knows me for over 40 years. I am truly a blessed man.

Make the right choice on November 7th. Vote Cruz for School Board.

You are right about building versus destroying. Thanks for answering questions Raymond and e-mail in any campaign updates you have.

Concerning Creationism:

Board Members do not have the 'power' to dictate curriculums in our schools. I would never jeopardize our children's education by trying to force creationism into our schools. All I said was that we should give creationism a chance - give it equal status as evolution. Enable students to learn about creationism. No harm - no foul. There is a process in place to approve our schools' curriculum. Committees are already in place to select what will be taught in the schools. I care a great deal about our children and their education. We are entitled to our God given opinions. I respect your opinions - try respecting mine - you'll sleep better at night.

There is no committee structure to choose State Standards at the local level. I think it is strange that a candidate for board of education would know that.

The committees are at the state level.

What class would you propose we teach creationism in? If it is science would you really give it equal weight to evolution?

I am also surprised you aren't up to date with the code language of the right wing. They are calling it intelligent design because creationism has lost so many lawsuits for clearly being part of a religious agenda, not a science agenda.

Do schools like CLU and Pepperdine teach creationism in their SCIENCE classes?

Hi Ray Cruz:

We all know that the bond funds are not enough to finish all the projects promised by the C4 committee. The real question I have is maitenence. Currently, the Howard Jarvis Taxpayer Association has said that districts should implement a "sinking fund" on all bond projects that will allow recently completed projects to be maintained in perpetuity.

Currently, our policy is to complete the project, then throw it to the end of the line on the maintenence list.

Shouldn't we have a long term bond maintenence program in place such as a sinking fund, so that recently approved projects are maintained onm an ongioing process, so we don't have to just keep requesting more tax dollars from the public every five years to maintain what we should have been maintaining all along?

One other question on school finance to any school candidate.

We are neighbors of Royal High school and I want to thank them for dropping off a flyer yesterday that informed us they were going to use fireworks and we should bring our dogs in. Thank you!!!

We often walk our dogs in the neighborhood of Royal High school and was wondering if anyone was aware that the air condition systems are running on weekends when no one is there.

I'm sure the cost savings would be pretty good if we just shut those off at the end of the week. I also know teachers that still don't have air conditioning during the Santa Ana/ Indian summer months.

Question-- What are we doing about this? Kids and teachers shouldn't have to sit in a sauna while they learn and bungalows shouldn't have the air running all weekend when no one is there.

Scott -

You should direct your energy questions directly to the district ... they have an "energy czar" that is supposely saving the district tons of money. In fact, the School Board takes absolute delight in highlighting the "czar's" savings.

You are also right that our teachers and students shouldn't have to sit in saunas. This of course is lack of planning (as usual) by the district. Alot of these bungalows have a ton of problems (termites, broken storage cabinets, broken floors, etc.). The district is putting on bandaids, hoping for the best (meaning that enrollment will decrease and that they won't have to use the bungalows in the future).

Scott,

Don'tyou mean "native american" summer months?

Bill

Actually, I always thought Indian summer referred to a summer in Calcutta... You must forgive me as I don't get the updated memos on political correctness each day. I still call spring break, easter break... Shame on me. :)

Hi Scott, sorry about your dogs. Fireworks and dogs don't mix, I know I have a dog who hates the sound of fireworks. Anyway I remembered hearing somewhere that one of the reasons some air conditioners such as central air are kept on is because it is prevention of mold and mildew build up in the system. So it may be a health question and not a question about saving money.

Hi Tim:

My dogs are fine. We knew when we bought we'd wake up to the drums and all sorts of other activities. I was just appreciative the school dropped a flyer, so we wouldn't be shocked and awed...

Oh, and the drums. They remind me of football season and the spirit of excellence that I get to watch on weekends. It makes me work like a champion at work and is a good start before I head out the door to work.

I'm not sure about mold and mildew as these are the brand new bungalows. While I don't have the facts to your input, I would say if we have mold or mildew problems, the school district should pay for removal.... These are dnagers to kids and employees and instead of blowing it around through the air system, we should remove the source. These are just my thoughts though. I'll probably call the energy czar and get an answer and report it back to the blog.

hi i think my brother RAYMOND CRUZ will make an excellent canidate.if you do not vote for him you will be missing OUT on someone who is kind and compassionate and believes in what he does will be a success.do not know him so much he is the best........you will not be unhappy give him a chance.

we are the cruz family from new city new york and we vote for the best that ventura county has to offer.DO not knock RAYMOND CRUZ so much,TRUST ME YOU WILL NOT BE DISSAPPOINTED!