We had an interesting article on this "Local Races in California are NINO--Nonpartisan in Name Only" back in July if you or any of your readers are interested at http://californiaprogressreport.com/2006/07/local_races_in.html

We love Hiram Johnson, too.

Frank, thanks for reading!

Brian

http://www.californiaprogressreport.com/2006/03/meet_frank_d_ru.html

I don't see a problem with each party making an effort to develop a farm team with the local "non-partisan" races. They are merely trying to get candidates ready for the big-leagues - which are the statewide/federal partisan races.

Right now the system doesn't work because of closed primaries and safe districts and to a lesser extent the term limit structure. The consequence is that fringe elements win the elections and then spend the rest of their time in office protecting their turf instead of working for the voting populace.

It is interesting to note that many of our elected officials identify and manipulate various minions to do their dirty work in maintaining and protecting their job status. It is a system of dimishing returns. A fringe person gets elected (often not the sharpest tool in the shed) and surrounds his or herself with people that will protect the illusion (often even less ethical or intelligent people)and all of them will fight tooth and nail to protect their perceived lock on "power". Sadly, they are never even near being powerful because they don't know how to effect change.

Real power comes with being able to influence people that might not necessarily agree with you. This is what made Ronald Reagan such an effective leader. Maintaining status quo by bullying is merely grade school or even gang banger behavior.

Ventura County can do better but it will require that people step up and act with integrity despite enormous pressure to protect those that have been elected to both partisan and non-partisan offices.

California Citizens of Political Centrists supports candidates that are more interested in working across the aisle then protecting the status quo. We do not advocate the creation of a third party but a reclaiming of the existing parties. The vast majority of the voting population is not being served by either party system. CAPC believes that it can provide a foothold for those candidates that truly want to lead our county and state. California is powerful but is sinking under the current weight of political corruption and malaise.

Can the fair lady give us examples from Ventura County of elected officials who aren't the sharpest tools in the shed?

Does she really want partisan park board races? If that is what you want why not eliminate the nonpartisan ballot?

Dull tools tend to make themselves known by the poor quality of their work.

There are some that argue all races should be non-partisan - even at the state level. This will occur when pigs fly but it is something to consider.

The problem isn't whether or not a race is partisan, the problem is the quality of candidates that are being presented and supported.

I agree with Katie on the issue of redistricting and potentially ending or changing term limits. It is clear term limits create an envinronment where the bureaucrats can just wait you out on oversight and stymie effective government.

Mike I'm interested on your take on redistricting?

What are democrats feelings on redistricting?

I personally am against re-districting. Unless you fix the mess in Texas that Delay did, why should California Dems go along and put the nation at risk with republicans taking over again in Washington DC? The only reason Arnold is pushing it is because he wants to run again, the only reason the Sacramento Republicans want it is to try and buy more elections like they tried in VC. The only reason Sacramento Dems might go along is so they can stay in office. The people said no to Prop 77 so it should stay as is. I mean it would be nice to have a real rep from VC instead of Gallegly as Ed Jones said. Great story today in the Star on how Cheney is the only neo-con left in DC. GS, do you know if it is true that Strickland and McClintock are angry with Foy for "outing" them as members of the CNP as was Ted Haggart? Also both parties should stay out of non-partisan races!

What we need is redistricting that gives us "communities of interest," as the law intends. My assembly district is a center chunk of Oxnard, Malibu and Santa Monica. Convince me that was done for the citizenry rather than protecting political power! We do not want the legislators drawing the lines - it should be some kind of independent group. Prop 77 was shot down last year by a very good hit campaign with Judge Wapner (sp?) against retired judges, and also the negative voter attitude of "Vote NO ON EVERYTHING!" Incidentally, prominent Republicans (like Congressman Doolittle) and Democrats funded and campaigned against re-districting. I wonder why? I believe a good re-districting initiative can pass because the voters are better educated now on the results of legislative drawn districts, better known as incumbent protection.

Ms. Cornejo,
I don't believe that this process can be done without it becoming political and without the politicians getting involved and trying to manipulate this. I especially do not think we could ever get a fair district in VC that had the rep and dem numbers equal, the Strickland's and their Indian Casino supporters would never allow it because they would both have to get real jobs.

M Fillmore,
I refuse to throw in the towel. Certainly what we have now is about as bad as it can get. While we may not be able to achieve perfection, we certainly deserve and can do better. The districts should not be drawn, as you infer, by party. They should be drawn as communities of interest - emphasis on "community." The result of that may be districts that are naturally more Democrat or Republican, but at least they would not be gerrymandered specifically for political power. They would be truly representative of the people. Tell me why the 23rd Congressional District (the "ribbon of shame") goes from Oxnard all the way to the Monterey County line. How much shared interest does Oxnard have with Lompoc?

Millard,

You are correct. Everything is political including any system of redistricting. Sometimes that is true also of silence in the face of a known wrong.

Perhaps, a model similar to what is used in dispute arbitration could be applied where all in the legislature would have some say in selecting outside arbitrators whose objective judgment would create the districts.

Is such a rational system likely? Probably not any time soon. There has not been anything to prove anyone really wants to lose a perceived advantage - now or in the future. On the other hand, it does not look like anyone has really been forced to do so. Maybe a challenge in the courts or directly from the people (via ballot proposition) could force it to be done better than the current system.

I will only support redistricting if Judge Wapner and Judge Judy get to draw the boundaries! Also, the Supreme Court gave their blessing to most of the Delay plan in Texas, so why should California Dems do something that republicans like Arnold and Villines want?! I also think most voters in California could care less about redistricting, they would rather see something done about the out of control cost of healthcare!

Unethical and corrupt behavior have been a part of politics since Jefferson waged dirty campaigns against Hamilton & Adams. Today's no worse. But what's happening today is we're hearing so much more about fixing the System and so much less about the issues that affect us, our families and our neighbors the most. If the voters would only respond to issues and answers and turn their backs on those politicians that game the voters, it would go a long way to correcting the failings of the System. After all, what purpose would any amount of redistricting serve if voters tended to choose the best candidate? Maybe the answer lies in creating a System that rewards candidates that speak to the issues and penalizes those that game the voters.

Millard,

Democrat or Republican label is irrelevant to this issue.

Gerrymandering keeps incumbents from any real accountability as they are virtually assured re-election even against a well-financed candidate from the minority party. Of course, this scenario is rarely the case as party money tends to go where perceptions of a possible victory are likely. So, the minority party nominates sacrificial lambs to run - loyal activists without the skills, credentials and money to win just to fill out the ticket. Meanwhile, the incumbents continually fatten their war chests due to the bandwagon effect on those trying to purchase favor or influence.

Therefore, the incumbents will be arrogant and non-responsive and the challengers are going to be mediocre at best.

Hence, it is in the interest of ALL voters to have lines drawn that will insure that whoever holds the seat will be a quality representative accountable to the voters.

Garibaldi,
Exactly right. They don't have to talk about issues - only pretend at election time as they skate through the pre-destined General Election win.

This is precisely why I am perplexed at all the political trolls on this site who are so party loyal. People around here love to continually bash the other side, yet in the end they are playing right into the hands of the two-party system. Very few people I know spend the time to understand the issues or to fairly consider candidates, instead choosing to be loyal to their party. That is why gerrymandering is so effective. Both parties can rely on having a core base of supporters so all they need to do is draw the district line appropriately and they have guaranteed power.

We have a democratic system where we can vote out corrupt or incompetent politicians at any time, yet we don't because we either don't vote or we choose not to think for ourselves. So long as people care more about Brittany Spears than their local school board candidates you will have the same thing, and the winners will simply be the person who can raise the most money for advertising.

Mr. Bubba,
Does it not take a troll to spot a troll? In terms of school board races the VCRCC was the biggest spender on candidates countywide, I assume the VCRCC does not fit into your "Troll" mode as you seem to think they are fine and dandy. Do you think either party should be spending heavily on "non-parisan" races? What would Hiram say?

Mr. Fillmore, please list the republicans you voted for this past election. I'm curious if you actually give fair consideration to each candidate or if you are so biased that you vote the party ticket. If you vote only for democrats then you are in no positon to lecture the rest of us on the topic of "non-partisan" races.

Well I voted for Eric Lundstrom and also Steve Poizner. What Dems did you vote for M. Bubba?

I've already answered that question before recently, but I'll answer again. The list includes Chiang, Lockyer, Brown, Feinstein, Prenta, and Davis. However, since I did not support for Dantona I have been repeatedly been characterized on this blog by many as a right wing extremist. That accusation sure doesn't seem consistent with my personal beliefs or voting record. But a lot of people around here are quick to label and attack anyone they disagree with. Go figure.

BK, I don't know you but you don't seem to be an extremist. Although, you really had it out for Dantona. With that election over I am wondering what will catch your interest in local politics.

BTW, have we ever met?

A quote from Mike Osborn:

" we'll get to the mosquito abatement district next time."

Now, I know Mike was joking about that position ( it isn't elected) but with all due respect, what do local party leaders know that Hiram Johnson didn't know.

Do we want every race to be partisan? If so, can we put the letters on the ballot?

Is there really a republican mosquito abatement method versus a democratic mosquito method method?

Yeah, I think one involves spraying massive quantities of DDT to kill every last mosquito and everything else in its path, and the other using environmental laws to protect mosquitoes so that their population and disease carrying ability actually increases.

Brian,

We have never met, though I have a few friends who you might know. With regard to Dantona, my only issue with him was some of his campaign methods, though in fairness Foy did a lot of the same things as well. What really bothered me was the viciousness and unfairness of the personal attacks being levelled against Mikels and then Foy by many Dantona supporters.

But that is all in the past, I think. Moving forward I would like to look into the feasibility of organizing a recall of our Treasurer/Tax Collector Larry Matheney.

Hi Bubba:

As soon as I posted last night I figured someone would catch that and point it out. Did you see the study released yeterday where scientists argued that Malaria is accelerating HIV infection in Sub-Saharan Africa?

Also, did you happen see the EPA is considering removing lead as a list of pollutants because it's gotten so low after being removed as an additive in cars?

It appears the battery industry is really trying get this removed from the list, while the clean air groups oppose it. Looks like an interesting fight is coming next summer.

What's your beef against Matheney? I saw the Supervisors wanted to take some action yesterday. I figured someone would be moving to recall the county clerk for the election performance.

Hey Folks,

First off, I was a little flip with Laura and the mosquito jab, but all elections are inherently partisan. Hiram Johnson's major goal in his reforms was to break the power of the railroads, he did that. Today, however, you have to be a registered voter to run for any election, so you have to have a preference, or state no preference. We all register one way or another because we think one party, or another, defines what we think is important, or we prefer to belong to none. Scott belongs to a party as does Brian, they have chosen their's for a reason. I'm elected to promote and elect Republicans, Laura's elected to promote and elect Democrats that's our job and we try to do it well. Do we think Hiram Johnson was wrong? As far as the initiative process-no, as far as cross-filing is concerned-yes, non-partisan offices...I don't think it really matters except that, in most cases, the result is one election, not two, and saves the people money.

As far as redistricting is concerned, believe it or not, you will see the most resistance from the Dems. The current arraingement was the best deal the Reps could get with a Democrat legislature and Governor. Any equitable redistricting would result in Democrat loses which was what happened in the '90's when redistricting was thrown into the Supreme Court. However, in all honesty, if things were the other way around I'm sure we would resist any change just as vigorously. Redistricting is absolutely political and will never change unless we have a truly independent commission. This will always be supported by the party out of power and opposed by the party in power. That's just the way of things. Will the people be strong enough to force it through? We'll see. The Republicans will fight for it, the Democrats will fight against it, that too is just the way of things. Are we right and they wrong? For the people-yes, for their party-no.

I would also ask everyone to take a breath on the County Clerk's office. I have worked many elections, and as some of you know, I'm do have some expericence in absentee drives. This turn out was a complete surprise. The clerk sent out 144,000 ballots, and on Thursday prior to the election had about 60,000 returned. This was completely normal. Phil Schmidt had concerns about the size and postage required for the absentee ballots that was forced upon the county by the courts. (FYI, our older system had never experienced any problems) He had asked the BoS to provide postage, they said no. At any rate the weekend and day-of-election return was overwhelming. I believe the Clerk's office did the best they could, and still certified before the deadline. We should cut them some slack.

Hi Scott.

My beef with Matheney is the scandal in the Public Guardian's Office. There have been a few articles on this over the past year. The Star wrote an editorial on this just today. His performance in overseeing that department over the past four years is totally unacceptable. Click below to read.

Bubba,
Donna Prenta is a republican and was slammed by the VCRCC that is supposed to represent republicans as was Pat Phelps in Conejo, even though Pat won it going away. Since Phelps was the incumbent and republican should not the VCRCC at least have interviewed her and not gone along with a mailer sent by the Strickland's folks at Cal Tax Alliance attacking her? Mr. Osborn never answered if he is with the CNP? Why is that a secret?

Matheney does not need that 9% pay hike. Did many of us not just send him a big check made out to him?

I'd like to know Peter Foy's position on the 9% pay raise for Matheney, or even letting him keep his job for that matter. People should be upset about this. With all the outrage expressed on this blog on so many issues I'm really surprised nobody around here seems to be paying attention to this.

Bubba,
I don't quite understand why the tax-collector was in charge of guardians? Fill us in.

Was Matheney one of Peter Foy's supporters? Was he at that press conference? In which case, I suspect Foy isn't going to do a whole lot.

Bubba Kidd,

Yes I am a Republican it is a way of life not just a party to me. That being said i do not like how the party is acting and I believe it has become a puppet for extreme agendas. I consider myself as fiscally conservative, socially moderate. Having a child with disabilites changes your beliefs on the need or public services.

Bubba, I am not for sure of who you are but someone I know suggested that you are actually a person that I know and have great respect for, possibly an accountant, who may have recently done an ethics seminar I attended, just guessing.

Funny that Matheny is on your radar, I was thinking that if you are who I think you are, you would make a great replacement for him.

I spoke to Ron Bamieh today about the Public Guardian's office, more firewoorks will be out very soon and rightfully so.

I, as you know am an advocate/case manager for individuals with disabilties so this issue is near and dear to me. I am currently working to represent individuals that are privately conserved and accounting their special needs trusts to the courts. I find it hard to believe that the public guardians office could be so lax. This issue is despicable!

The County Supervisors should have the entire departments head on a plate.

Matheny should rescind his entire salary to provide restitution to the clients.

Trouble is, this is not only about money it is also about the quality of care and the physical abuse and neglect that the elderly and disabled individuals are enduring as wards of the public guardians.

If the guardians are using their time to figure out how to embezzle do you really think that they are visiting and investigating direct care of the conservatees.

Bubba Kidd,

Will you write a guest entry on the guardian's office? E-mail it to me. I will put it on the front page under your pen name.

Thanks,

Brian

The Republicans keep track of what party controls everything from park board to water board. They really want to make sure evrything is partisan.

Is this the mosquito district everyone is yammering about?

Donna,

Sorry for not knowing you are a republican. Knowing your views and passions I guess I assumed that you were a democrat. Maybe I should have verified your party affiliation, but I was going to vote for you anyway so I suppose it really doesn't matter.

We have met, though I am not who you are suggesting. I agree completely with your assesment of the Public Guardian's Office. Individuals with disabilities is also an issue near and dear to my heart for my own personal reasons. Considering the type of people who have been victimized, what happened at the Public Guardian's Office is unconscionable and so outrageous that people should be lined outside Matheney's office with pitchforks and torches. I am so angry about this.

Bubba,

YOU were going to vote for her even when you thought she was a DEM? That must have been painful. ;-)

It's a slippery slope my friend. You better keep that bleeding heart in check or else you'll end up wearing blue neckties, sleeping with Democrats and voting for them too.

Can Armageddon be far behind, lol?

I'll admit that I slept with a few Democrats over the years. But I only did it out of a sense of responsiblity to be fair and open-minded. After all, who am I to reject beautiful Democratic women who want to go to bed with me? Still, I always kept my little red necktie, though sometimes I would let them tie me up with it. :-)

And you lived to tell? Impressive...