ML left this comment on another entry. I figured it deserved an entry all by itself. -Brian Dennert

ML Peterson wrote:

I am interested in learning how Dennert bloggers define "public" education? "public" schools?

Do we still have "free public education"?

May all other tyrants be served notice.

Click on continue reading for a poor quality cell phone video of him having the noose put around his neck and falling from the gallows.

It is kind of strange that some guy was able to sneak a cell phone into the execution chambers. What type of security does the Iraqi government have?

Before he hangs this article says you can hear the crowd chant for American enemy Muqtada Al Sadr. They are also not wearing military uniforms. To avoid more division in Iraq it should have been done by the government and not by supporters of militias that are anti-Sunni. Saddam Hussein received justice but it is not clear if the people of Iraq will.

Former Democratic Congressional nominee ( against Gallegly, CA-24, in 2004) Brett Wagner e-mailed out his end of the year update. Although he is not currently in the area as he is helping his family in Missouri, his think tank is still active. Their big project this year was stopping the new "Pain Ray" that the US government was looking to buy for crowd control.

How many other think tanks either left or right are in Ventura County?

Anyways, read the update by clicking on continue reading and leave your thoughts.

( The above photo of a satellite shot of Happy Face Hill is from Google Earth)

An article from The Star says someone altered the image but the developer quickly rubbed it out. But the article doesn't tell what they altered it to say or represent. Anyone have any clues?

Click here for an overhead photo of the the hill.

Click here for the developer's website. Go to communities and then Arroyo Run.

If you ever want to stop a project put a big cross or maybe a puppy on it. Then if the developer attempts to put some condos on it they will look like jerks.

FROM Left to Right: Leslie Cornejo, Roger Anderson, and former Assemblyman Richman. I know Cornjejo and Richman would describe themselves as moderates, I do not know Mr. Anderson's views.
The above picture is taken from The Ventura County Republican Central Committee's website.
Visit that unrelated website @ vrrcc.org

If you have read the comments section ( and the comments section is where most of the action is!) on this blog you have most likely read the comments left by Katie Teague and Leslie Cornejo. Both are Republicans frustrated with the way politics is played in this state. Outside of The Republican or Democratic Party they were looking for change.

With the help of others they founded The California Association of Political Centrists. CAPC is looking to push forward reforms like redistricting and open primaries. I would like to see more Democrats involved because as I see it, the two most prominent voices are major GOP activists. Of course, the group is new, so maybe we should just give them time.

If you would like to read their mission statement click on continue reading.

The Green Party of Ventura County is organizing an activist center in downtown Ventura. if you would like to help them click on continue reading.

Is Jill Martinez preparing to run again in 2008 when it is expected Rep. Elton Gallegly ( CA-24) will be retiring?

I expect the primary on the Republican side will be Tom McClintock or Tony Strickland and Glen Becerra.

If you want to read a recent e-mail from Jill Martinez click on continue reading.

The Simi Valley City Council now has video archives up on their website. What other services would you like the city, school board, or park board put up on their websites?

My favorite idea is allowing local citizens to submit comments online. This way working families that cannot make meetings can still let their ideas be represented. Barbra Williamson, what do you think of this idea? If you need tech support I can show you how citizens can leave instant messages to help our democracy and give input.

On another note Keith Mashburn who considered a run for the city council before changing his mind has instead opted to be appointed to the planning commission. I would love to see his opinion on issues like Runkledyne. I have met Keith Mashburn briefly before and I know he has a wealth of experience to bring to the job. With that being said Keith alongside every appointee should be questioned.

A reader wrote in and asked about the progress building a dog park for our canine citizens.

I wrote an entry about it last year but I haven't heard any updates. City council woman Barbra Williamson said that there were plans to include it in Lost Canyons. If you haven't driven by the Thousand Oaks Dog Park it is the most used park I have seen.

I look forward to the day when the park opens. If we work together I think we can move the date on the calendar forward.

If you have comments, thoughts, contact information for people in charge, or ideas please leave them. Any letters or copies of e-mails you send or get post them. I really don't like being second best to Thousand Oaks in this category.

Here are some quick links:
1. City of Simi Valley
2. Simi Valley Parks and Rec.
3. Thousand Oaks Dog Park

Merry Christmas...

Merry Christmas...

Cameron Smyth has hired many staff members now that he has officially won the campaign to replace Dr. Keith Richman.

I don't know all the people, but at first glance it looks filled with mainstream people, not activists.

A person from our community is former Judy Mikels staff member Jarrod DeGonia. Jarrod, congrats on the promotion.

Any word on what the first bill will be that Smyth will introduce?

( Here is a guest entry from local citizen Scott Blough. Want to write a guest entry? E-mail me @ briandennert@yahoo.com)

Scott Blough here.

Thinking about and preparing for the future is difficult. Many of us would much rather fight yesterday's battles or stay within our daily routine. While I often find myself falling into the routine trap, taking on something uncomfortable and new is part of life, so here goes.

There is a growing emerging market in many local communities across the US. An opportunity, I feel both that I may not totally understand, but remains untapped in many communities. Many communities are quietly developing a new green economy and community.
A small community in Northern California is developing green building regulations whereby rewards are given to builders for installing energy efficient materials like Energy Star air conditioning.

A Mayor in Florida is proclaiming he wants to be first to go green in his county.

There is a US Green Building Council
defined by sustainable and profitable buildings and development. There is even a new Bank that's looking to loan to green industries and is focused on environmental entrepreneurs.
From your local schools to your local developments and industries, what is your community and county doing to foster this emerging market?
With all the wind these past few days, how much energy and energy savings could the local Simi economy developed this past week?
Do you believe it's possible that the coming green economy will eventually be a revenue source for government, an employment source for citizens, and a source of fiscal savings for your local community?
Or is it just a fad?
I welcome your thoughts

I don't know the clear answer but I am throwing out the debate topic.

When conservative news groups call Barack Obama by his full name ( I kid you not his middle name is Hussien.) for no other reason but to remind people he has a strange middle name connected to one of America's enemies, are they being racist?

By the way if you get involved in the primaries and would like to write for local readers let me know.

The Ventura County Sheriffs' website now allows you to search for more information on inmates.

Check it out.

Former Mayor Bill Davis is going to be working for the Simi Valley dump on winning over public support for an expansion.

I thought people told us there was no plans to expand the dump?

Thoughts?

Mark Van Dam won a seat on the Moorpark City Council. My readers might remember him from this video over the summer:

Want to know a secret? It was filmed in Simi Valley! Not yet in office and already a scandal.

Anyways Mark, thanks for coming out to Simi Valley for the video. Best wishes in your new position.Thanks for reaching out to voters in new ways. If you ever want to write a guest blog about Moorpark or any other issue ( maybe the dump expansion?) send me an e-mail.

Quick links and reviews of websites you might of missed about Rocketdyne and Runkle Canyon:

1. Stop Runkledyne Catchy title guys.
2. KCET Not just for pledge drives!
3. Developer's website. Buy a house with free glowing plants!
4. My left wing. Great, now toxic waste is a partisan issue.

I heard a rumor that a long term goal of some Chumash groups is to open a casino in or around Simi Valley. Has anyone else heard about this rumor? I am hoping it is pure fiction as the social costs of casinos have been well covered.

I guess we should start keeping track of what local elected officials take money from casino groups.

A wise man told me that when it comes to zoning issues one council will approve it and then years later the council ( with many new members) will allow a project (because of the zoning) saying their hands are tied. Sadly, the public doesn't notice until the project phase, not the rezoning phase. If I remember correctly this was the case with Happy Face Hill.

Anyways, post any local elected officials taking money from casinos. Also, if you notice any rezoning efforts that could make way for a casino, post that too.

I do believe we could all do more to learn about the history of Simi Valley and honor those that came before us. I also think we could do more to admit the past mistakes that were made. But opening a casino in Simi Valley is not the solution.

When presented with facts I am open to change but I don't think I am going to come around on this one.

( Editor's note: I created the title. Mr. Blough is not really trying to take credit for The Brown Act If you would like to write a guest entry, e-mail me @ briandennert@yahoo.com. You do not need to agree with me or my views to have an article published.)

Scott Blough Here. How would you feel if a decision concerning how your tax dollars were being spent was made in private closed session? All that was required was a report of any conclusions of the deal after the fact.

A few months ago, I came across a great article stating collective bargaining negotiation is exempt from Brown Act scrutiny. This would indicate that while in closed session a deal is often struck with no public input or scrutiny from the local media.

The same goes for real property negotiations. Technically, the government can "consider price and terms of payment in connection with the purchase, sale, exchange, or lease of real property�?, yet the public often is given a conclusion after the fact.

While I totally understand the need for closed session on legal disputes, public security, and personnel issues, how do most of you feel about labor negotiation and real property negotiation being done in closed session?

With many jurisdictions in the state facing unfunded pension liabilities, is it really time to keep the light out?

I welcome your thoughts.

I do not understand all the facts of the case but I thought it was interesting that someone that used to be with the Ventura County District Attorney's office was attacking the tax collector in such a strongly worded editorial. Of course, he is in private practice now.

I look forward to learning more about this case including the tax collector's point of view.

UPDATE: There is talk of a recall election. If you think it should or should not be done make sure to comment before any papers are pulled. I don't know if people are serious or what the law says on this matter. Read the comments to find out more information.

...Is pregnant.

Will it change any minds in or out of the Republican Party ?

Best Wishes to the growing Cheney family.

I have always said that Elton Gallegly is really from Simi Valley. Some politicians might move away and pretend to be from around here but with Elton he truly lives in Simi Valley. I have seen him at Applebee's, Home Depot, and Regal. Of course, I have seen him at political events too but that doesn't count. But we can all expect to see him less often.

Congress is moving away from the Dennis Hastert 3 day work week towards a Nancy Pelosi 5 day a week gig.

This article from The Washington Post has two quotes that stand out:

Rep. Elton Gallegly (R-Calif.), who had intended to retire this year, only to be persuaded to run again, wondered whether the new schedule was more than symbolic. "If we're doing something truly productive, that's one thing," he said. "If it's smoke-and-mirrors hoopla, that's another."

and

"Keeping us up here eats away at families," said Rep. Jack Kingston (R-Ga.), who typically flies home on Thursdays and returns to Washington on Tuesdays. "Marriages suffer. The Democrats could care less about families -- that's what this says."

I can't believe Jack Kingston thinks a five day work week is anti-family. I wonder if he voted for the Family Leave Act? I know most readers of this blog work at least 5 days a week.

One of the books that I've recently been reading through is entitled, An Army of Davids by Glenn Reynolds.

The book discusses a growing movement of people who have been empowered by technology to beat big media conglomerate reporting, big government fleecing of the public's interest, and big corporate issues. Face it, we are a do-it-yourself individual-based society and technology is creating a new level of ingenuity. My favorite example is the people who have started to make their own beer or those that make their own music CD's.

What many people don't grasp yet is that blogs represent an opportunity to write your own laws you'd like to see. A place to garner feedback and really debate at a whole different level...

This evening I intend to quickly outline some two redistricting proposals currently in the system. I think the general consensus from Brian's blog is most want to redraw the lines and create competitive elections as do I. Well, if you do, what proposal do you support?

Or you're welcome to write your own reform for the discussion. Who do you think should decide?

See some of the plans here.

The Governor's plan would form a citizen's commission where 55 citizens chosen by the Fair Political Practices Commission of 20 Democrats, 20 Republican and 15 Decline to states or minority party members would develop a plan.

A different plan is from Democrat Assemblyman Mervyn Dymally, a Democrat from Compton, where a five-member commission would be dominated by Democrats and Republicans to develop the plan.

Don't like the plans. Feel free to write your own plan.

And if you don't like any of the plans and like the status quo, then do what good obstructionists do in the Legislature and attach some wicked poison pill amendments.

Brian, what is your plan?

As always, I welcome your reform ideas.

In the history of the Bear Flag Republic one governor's name is equated with reform, Hiram Johnson.

Of his many reforms the most salient to Ventura County is the drive to clean up politics by making local races nonpartisan.

The VCRCC has made a mockery of the term by making every campaign they can into a partisan issue. Of course if given the chance in east county I am sure many Democrats would use the same playbook.

I have many questions that can best be answered by local party leaders.

1. Who benefits and who loses when we make races partisan?
2. Should we get rid of the nonpartisan ballot? It seems it is expensive to send mailers to a party's voters to let them know what a quick D or R on the ballot could tell them. It would make campaigns far less expensive.
3. Is there any race that a local party shouldn't get involved in? Park Board maybe? Do Democrats want to cut and run from softball safety? Do Republicans just favor the top 1% of parks? Which party is bought out by "Big Lawn"?
4. Was Hiram Johnson wrong?

I am not saying party's or party members should not be involved, but how will we know when we have gone too far?

The picture is of convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff.

( Editor: here is another piece by Scott Blough. I will post entries from guest bloggers across our community. Just send me an e-mail. As usual, just because I post it doesn't mean I agree or disagree.)

Scott Blough here. Both nationally and locally during the 2006 campaigns we heard a lot about ethics reform. We never really heard what specifically would be done about ethics reform, but we heard about it. Well, I decided to look around and find out what other local communities and activists are actually doing about ethics reform.

Many communities such as San Diego and Los Angeles have offered ethics commissions to oversee ethics within the government structure or electoral process. The city of Simi Valley has an ethics pledge and has recently upgraded their website to give greater access to staff reports and streaming video of meetings, which I think is a great addition.

Then, I came across this proposal from the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights . The Foundation says they are a non-partisan website, but I really don't agree.

A copy of a "sample text" is linked here for your review.

While this sample is written with a city in mind, the basic idea behind the proposal bars public officials from receiving personal or campaign advantage from those to whom they allocate public benefits. Feel free to take a look at the sample text for yourself as I believe this is the first rule I've seen that expands the conflict of interest thought process to campaign accounts. Apparently, it has passed in cities such as Pasadena and Santa Monica, but since then, attempts have been made to water it down or end it.

Do you think an expanded conflict of interest law like this one should be applied to local government, school boards, or county government?

What ethics reforms would you offer?

I welcome your thoughts

I ran into a couple of nice people that worked on the Peter Foy campaign and they said Jim Dantona called and conceded the race to Peter Foy. I know at this point it isn't much of a surprise, but congrats to Peter Foy. I am sure you are relieved at the end of a long election.

They also said they think Peter Foy was talking about 3 terms when he referred to term limits. I don't have a pledge or anything like that. I would like to see more details on his term limits pledge. For example, will he limit himself if the rest of the board does not?

Good Luck Mr. Foy. I am most looking forward to your work on ethics reform and a new gang unit.

If you ever have press releases about the work you are doing, send them in and I will post them.

Here is another policy entry from Scott Blough. I find it interesting that the people that slag each other all day over campaigns don't discuss policy. Anyways, I might agree or disagree with Scott. I will print his stuff either way, just like I will post articles from other people also.

For the past year, I've been following the use of Red Light cameras used at intersections to catch drivers who run red lights. I have seen these types of cameras in the City of Ventura and the City of Oxnard. While some cities have seen a large drop in red light accidents, motorists in other communities have been faced with certain levels of abuse. Lobbyists for these camera companies have also grown increasingly powerful in state and local governments and municipalities often do not want to lose the revenue source, once installed.

So far, my favorite was the discovery in Bethesda, Maryland that the city had shortened the yellow light timing to catch more motorists when the light changed red. or there was even an instance where a man received a ticket in the mail for running a red light when he was in the hospital.

The other important point to think about is that according to a Federal Highway Administration study that while right angle crashes dropped 25%, rear end crashes at intersections increased

Would you like to see red light cameras in your community?

If you live in Oxnard and Ventura, how do you like your cameras so far?