Here is an article to prepare you to discuss Paul Miller's State of the city speech.

As with most of you I didn't attend the speech because I have a day job and the event organizers usually put it in the middle of a work day.

But for those of you that did keep sending in photos.

So, what do you guys think? Here are the things that stood out to me:

$300 million for new sewage pipes? Does this mean sewage fees are going up? Does anyone here still remember the sewage fee recall of 1978 ( was it '78?) that lead to a new crop of city leaders? I hope the city is better able to explain the need this time. I don't want crappy pipes in our town breaking down.

And about time we sync the traffic lights again. I hit so many lights this morning I almost finished reading The Acorn in the car driving across town.

All of the photos from " Where in Simi Valley" are really taken in Simi Valley without any special effects done by the photographer.

Can you guess where in Simi Valley this photo was taken? Feel free to guess the approximate location.

Local Citizen ( and city council member) Barbra Williamson has sent out a press release that she is forming an ad hoc committee
( that is unrelated to the city of Simi Valley) to look into any expansion of the Simi Valley landfill.

Barbra gives credit to this blog for helping to formulate the ideas behind of the committee. In the next few days expect to see a story in local papers.

I hope she includes people from a variety of backgrounds to ensure the public is aware of the different proposals.

The big questions are about taking trash from outside cities, daily truck trips, and their environmental programs. Go to their website to see more about their environmental programs.

Click on continue reading for more details.

Our latest elected official to take questions in a virtual press conference is long time Ventura County Board of Supervisors member John Flynn.

Since, you can ask any questions you want make the best of the opportunity.

And John....Ignore the trolls.

( First person to get the reference earns a gold star.)

In Moorpark Time Warner was fined $25,000 for poor service. This is a question for local Time Warner users.

How's the service?

This issue becomes political because the government hands out monopolies to service providers like cable and in return preform some oversight.

Anyways, I haven't had any major problems.

The California Association of Political Centrists is a local group looking to give a voice to the large middle of the political divide. They are set to help moderate candidates as you can read in their business plan.

The Ventura County Republican Central Committee is devoted to electing Republicans to all local offices .

My question for readers is pretty simple:

Can a person be a loyal member of both groups? Can they serve two masters?

I see no conflict but many people do. What do you folks think?

Take some guesses where in Simi Valley this picture was taken from. If this is your picture feel free to take credit. I didn't want to say your name and give away a major clue.

You can also guess the approximate location.

What is going on?

Any updates? How is the new supervisor working with you folks?

I don't see much in the local papers.

Digital Democracy is here to stay. Like it or not politicians ( and/or their staffs) read blogs and respond. I want to take it to the next level by creating public committees to research and report back to our readers.

My first committee will look at the proposals to expand the Simi Valley Landfill.

I want a diverse committee that will look into all the alternatives ( maybe more recycling that will help WMI's bottom line and prevent the need for an expansion?), ideas, proposals, and the like and report back to us.

Most of the work will take place on my blog but a few face to face meetings will take place also.

This is how I envision it. The committee meets at a local pancake peddler and shares background information, articles, and ideas. Afterwards they break up and do some research. They then meet up and discuss what they have found out on this blog so everyone can read it.

The committee doesn't need to agree on anything except to come back and discuss what they found out here. That way they have time to talk to WMI people, city people, and people from the county and other local agencies.

Imagine it as a committee of citizen reporters who will report back to the rest of us.

Then anyone with access to an internet connection can leave feedback and tell the committee what information they would like to know more about.

I don't have a dog in this race. WMI is a private land owner with rights to use their land. But I would like to make sure any deal is done in the open, not behind closed doors.

The next step? I am going to create a committee. I want tough, independent minded people that I know will dig for the truth.

I am nominating Jim Dantona as a member of the committee. I figure if Waste Management can convince Jim Dantona after how much he has gone after him then they can convince the rest of us.

I also nominate the blogger known as "Bubba Kidd". I think if Bubba Kidd and Jim Dantona ever agree on anything it will be a miracle.

I would also nominate Katie Teague but I believe she is from West County.

So with that I leave the floor to open it up to other nominations. Who else would my readers like to be a part of a committee to inform the public?

Simi Valley Democrats gather to discuss the Iraq war.

This Weds. @ the Simi Valley Library community room.

Click on continue reading for more details.

A great source tells me that SOAR co-founder Richard Francis is thinking about running for congress ( CA-24, Currently Gallegly).

What credentials would Richard Francis bring to the table?

Can he overcome the registration numbers that make it a Republican district?

UPDATE: Someone left a comment saying they were recently polled about a potential Gallegy match up. Anyone else hear about such a call?

( The California Association of Political Centrists sees itself as a middle of the road political group in the mold of Dr. Keith Richman. )

The CAPC has announced the formation of their advisory council for the upcoming elections. With Romper Room in mind let me tell you who I see out there that stands out:

Leslie Cornejo ( Former GOP chair before Mike Osbourn and his insurgents overthrew her.)
Frank Dantona ( Hmm..the last name sounds familiar...)
Donna Prenta ( Looks like she has some new partners...)
Katie Teague ( Will she ever run against one of the Stricklands for something? That would an explosive race)
Barbra Williamson ( Of the famous Ask Barbra column on this website.)

What names on the list stand out to you folks?

( One of the three people in the picture is Bill Davis. I guess they are part of some formal shoveling team. Kind of strange to do yard work in a suit but when you are the mayor, or former mayor you can do what you want apparently. )
UPDATE: Apparently the picture is from the Simi Valley Hospital ground breaking.

On a different blog entry Simi Valley City Council woman Barbra Williamson revealed that former Bill Davis told her he is running again in 2008. That opens a bunch of questions for me.

1. Does that mean current Mayor Paul Miller isn't running again?
2. If he is running again, is he going to run against him?
3. Why did he retire from the job if he still wants it?
4. What accomplishments is Bill Davis most proud of? I think the Amtrak station is pretty sweet.
5. How hard will it be for people leaving comments to bring up any issue besides Waste Management?
6. How many developers, lobbyists, consultants, and corporate spokespeople are either running for local office or hold it?

( During the campaign Peter Foy designated himself a farmer. I like the idea that instead of Mr. Smith goes to Washington, Mr. Foy goes to Ventura. Thanks to Brian Mack for the photoshop.

A regular commentator on this blog "Bubba Kidd" requested that I put up a post so that readers can discuss Peter Foy's first 60 days in office.

There was an article in The Star today with many quotes from the other supervisors. They said although he ran on a conservative agenda he has been focusing on finances not social issues. I think that has been a mixed issue as he has come out against global warming ( not just man made global warming, he doesn't believe the planet is heating up at all, which puts him at odds with George W. Bush) and against evolution. But most of that isn't in his official capacity as a supervisor.

I am looking forward to the ethics reforms that he talked about during the campaign. I am also looking forward to the debate about term limits. I don't expect him to pass ethics reforms right away, but if there is a need for reforms it should be done ASAP.

Anyways, focusing on the last 60 days ONLY as much as you can how is Peter Foy doing?

What is going on with any expansion? I remember it coming up in past election cycles but I haven't seen anything since then. Have any of you?

John Flynn sent out an editorial to me and other local media. I don't live in John Flynn's or Steve Bennett's district so I don't know all the details but I figured I'd post it.

I ran into John Flynn last summer and he said that he reads my blog. I appreciate it Mr. Flynn.

It has been reported several times that Elton Gallegly is NOT retiring. And although anything that has to do with Elton Gallegly and future plans must be held with suspicion I am still amazed that even after I sent Brett Wagner an e-mail with a link to Roll Call magazine his new website still talks about this open seat.

Is he going to try to make an issue out of Gallegly's In and Out campaign plans? Is he pretending Gallegly is retiring because that was Gallegly's last public statement to local media? Did I miss another announcement?

Why does the DC media get more information out of Gallegly than The Star?

Just curious how many of my readers can watch videos just by clicking on them. Do you have speakers? Does it run?

I am thinking of using more local videos but I want to see if there is a demand.

Under current party rules independent voters can vote in the 2008 Democratic primary here in California but they may not vote in the Republican primary.

What do you folks think the impact of these rules will be?

I would imagine it will help Democrats to choose a candidate that can appeal to people across the political spectrum whereas it can assist the Republicans of choosing someone that has party loyalty and purity.

I am not going to advise the Republicans to undo their own doom. Since an independent can't vote in the Republican primary they will vote in the Democratic primary. And once they have voted for the Democratic candidate in the primaries earning their vote in the general election will be easier. If a voter wasn't going to vote for the same candidate again they would have to admit they were wrong. And how many people do that? Republicans have made it a habit for many Californians to vote Democratic.

I understand the idea that private parties should be able to elect their own leaders. I agree it is a decent basis for a law. But is it a wise?

We might as well slide all the California electoral votes into the Democratic side already.

Good Game.

Brett Wagner the former nominee in 2004 for CA-24 ( Currently Elton Gallegly) is planning on running again.

In his e-mail ( which you can read the entire e-mail by clicking on "continue reading") he mentions that the seat will be an open seat. I don't know Gallegly's plans as he has always been elusive and with his choices to run again or not, but it has been reported that he has hired a new campaign manager which could be a hint that he is planning on running again.

Anyways, what would would it take for a Democrat to win this seat? I never say never but I think all of us admit it would be a very difficult task.

When would any redistricting plan that is placed before voters next February go into effect?

Any new news on Gallegly's plans?

Many papers have started to drop Ann Coulter after her most recent inflammatory and offensive attack at a national leader.

Should The Ventura County Star also drop Ann Coulter from her print edition?

If they did drop her what other writer should replace her?

Personally if the paper no longer carried her I would want someone from Reason Magazine.

Awards season anyone?

Legislators get to hand out awards, certificates, and press releases. As bloggers we are more limited. In cyberspace people tend to gravitate towards the negative and use the chance to settle old scores.

I say we try to ditch that mentality for a thread and try to uplift our local public servants.

Nominate someone for an award and then everyone else can weigh in and add their voice to your opinion.

I will start:

I want to honor Barbra Williamson for her devotion to digital democracy. Barbra, thanks for answering citizen questions online. If any other politicians or their staffs want to give it a twirl send me an e-mail.

( Thanks to Brian Mack for another great photoshop. If you want him to 'shop a local figure e-mail me with suggestions. In the meantime check out the website for his new play he wrote.

Here is your chance to help Peter Foy reform county government. He wants you to apply for a variety of volunteer positions with the county government. If you plan on applying leave a comment what position you are applying for.

If you end up working with Peter Foy you can always blog here on the front page of your efforts and meetings.

Click on continue reading for the press release.

This one was sent in from a reader that spotted it in the Knolls on the way up to Rocky peak. I don't know all the regulations covering The Knolls but I know it is outside the city of Simi Valley's sign regulations.

Candidates and their supporters lose track of all the locations that their signs are up at. If you see an old sign snap a picture and e-mail it in so they can go and pick it up. I know Donna Prenta will have it picked up right away.

Donna, is it okay if any reader picks it up for you?

File this under rumors '08.

I think in politics sometimes off the record sources are better than named sources and sometimes they are worse. I will leave it to my readers to decide in this case.

Anyways, I was sent an e-mail from a local political insider that Ventura County Board of Education member Chris Valenzano is considering on challenging Democratic Supervisor Kathy Long in 2008. Has anyone else heard this rumor? The rumor says that the VCRCC is planning to use their resources to put more Republicans into place across the county including in non-partisan positions.

If he does run what are his chances? What are the expected lines of attack on each candidate? I don't live in Camarillo and I cannot tell you much about Kathy Long's record to her voters. I do know someone that lives in Leisure Village and they insist she is there all the time speaker to seniors.

Considering running is a long way from actually running. I would guess that a majority of US senators for example have considered running.

Here is another thought provoking policy discussion from my think tank scholar in residence Scott Blough. If you would like to join and write for this blog let me know.

Scott is writing about a proposed law by local Assemblyman Cameron Smyth. I don't yet understand the full bill but this section stands out:

(b) Urban greening will improve the quality of life, reduce air
pollution, save energy, and help to reduce global warming.

Anyways, click on continue reading to read Scott Blough's take.

I reported awhile back that Steve Bennett is being targeted in the 2008 election for county supervisor. Currently the Ventura County Republican Central Committee is looking for a candidate to run against the popular Democrat in a bid to take control of the board.

Today The Star reported that robocalls are being launched against Steve Bennett although The VCRCC and their Chairman Mike Osbourn denied involvement. Osbourn is correct when he says it could be the work of a single person.

If it isn't a partisan Republican who else could it be?

One of the regulars around here is Owen. Here is a link to his blog. We don't agree on much but I get a kick out of what he writes.

Feel free to leave him a few comments.

Owen, any future political plans in the So Cal area?