I don't even get press releases, fund raiser information, or other updates from anyone but Denis O'Leary at this point.

This campaign doesn't look like there will be any upsets at this point.

"Bored" ?

No. I'm quite excited that I can be the voice of those who live in the Fifth District and who want to bring our community forward. This is not boring at all.

Denis O'Leary
Candidate for Ventura County Supervisor

www.denis4supervisor.com

Denis,

I wasn't talking about the quality of the candidates but instead the ability of the candidates to draw attention to the campaign.

What have you done in the last week to get more attention about this election coming up in front of voters?

I do appreciate your youtube videos. They are impressive.

Thanks for writing!

Brian,
I understand that the bulk of those who give their comments on your blog do not live in the greater Oxnard area. Being the largest city in Ventura County (16th largest city in the state of California) with such a low political strength perhaps explains such things as the targeting of the area for LNG lines and other outside projects that would not be welcome in other areas of the county or state.

The Fifth District Supervisor has been John Flynn for 32 of the past 36 years, (having lost his second bid for this office).

I am running against an incumbent who has stated in debates and at doors in our neighborhoods that all is fine and that we should be satisfied living in paradise. What else would you expect him to say?

My other opponent has shown his 12 years as an Oxnard City Council member as to why he should take the Supervisor’s position. John Zaragoza has sent out hit mail pieces telling of Flynn’s long history of bullying others. John Zaragoza has disappointed me in that after a poor showing at a televised debate hosted by the Political Centrists, John Zaragoza relied on reading scripts laid out in front of him in the following two debates.

John Zaragoza also paid a telemarketing firm to conduct a poll: “Who are you going to vote for Supervisor: John Flynn or John Zaragoza?� As you can tell, my name was left out of this poll and the voters may wonder why Mr. Zaragoza left out the first name that appears on the ballot. I see this as a good sign for my chances of winning the election.

I have addressed two groups of fifty plus voters in the last week. Flynn and Zaragoza were not present. Great receptions and great questions. I look forward to taking on the many issues they brought up to better their living environments.

I have been walking door to door and will continue to do this until Election Day. We continue to put more street and house signs out. By the way: many signs for Mr. Flynn are at corner lots, and many of these are replacing his sign with mine. The response is that Flynn’s staff forced the signs on the persons with such phrases as “You have been selected to have this sign in your yard.� Many others are not registered voters or not American citizens who felt that they had to place the sign in their yard.

I was interviewed on two radio programs this last week, taking questions in Spanish on one station and the other in English.

I have run my political commercial on 14 television stations for the past 2 weeks and will continue up until Election Day. I have had a great response from the public from these spots and have had many hits on my web site because of this media.

Yes, I am excited about this election and in giving the people who live and work in the Fifth District better condition to raise a family and make a living.

It’s time for positive change.

Denis O’Leary
www.denis4supervisor.com

Denis,

I agree that most of the comments are not from your district. But my larger point isn't about this blog but instead about the difficulty trying to get people to understand the importance of a county supervisor.

Do you spend much time trying to explain what the position does?

When is your next big event? I know you have a youtube channel, but what about myspace?

Brian,

Yes. I am surprised that the far majority of people do not understand what are the responsibilities of a County Supervisor. Perhaps this is because they don’t know a “County Supervisor� they know “Mr. John Flynn�.

The Fifth District is the most compact district in the county and many confuse Oxnard City Council issues with Ventura County issues. Blame and congratulations are often misdirected.

The other myth I have had to address is that one vote on the Ventura County Board of Supervisors does not change County policy. Most voters have been very entertained by the words of Mr. John Flynn over his 32 years in office. Policy is not won with one vote. Policy is set with a majority of the votes on the BoS.

I plan to represent the Fifth District as an equal on the Board of Supervisors. It should not be the show of one person. This office is to bring a voice on all issues in Ventura County and to improve the conditions of the local district with a majority vote of the five members who sit on the board.

This last week will be one of meeting and talking to as many people as I can. Political campaigning at its best!

Denis O’Leary
www.denis4supervisor.com

I think Flynn and Zaragoza will each get less than 50% of the vote, thanks to O'Leary's entry in the race. This will force a run-off between the two in November, which will be won handily by Flynn.

John Flynn may be feisty, obstinate, and a career politician, but he knows how to win elections and has a fiercely loyal base of support within his district. Look for him to beat Zaragoza in November by more than a 10% margin.

Zaragoza is not a very exciting candidate. He is basically saying: "Vote for me, I'm Hispanic and on the Oxnard City Council." He doesn't have much more to run on than that.

"Somebody",

I have been bringing up issues and expectations from the beginning of the race. I have been open about my expectations and have brought up the ineffectiveness of Flynn on the BoS and the lack of leadership of Zaragoza on the Oxnard City Council.

I expect to win this race and to help my community advance.

Denis O'Leary
www.denis4supervisor.com