OK - I've been to a few of the meetings. Part of the reason that they are so looooooong is that everyone on the council drones on about each matter that comes up - I think some discipline needs to be established. You people need to be on the clock!!! The public is. Seriously! That is the reason why the meetings take so long - a lot of time is wasted by the council members and some discpline needs to be established.

More blogs from politicians? We already have Rick "King" Cole with his "blog" which is mostly "spin" about his deeds at Ventura City Hall. These are not "blogs" in the traditional sense. They are merely propaganda outlets for these people. Don't forget that both Fulton and King Cole were journalists which is often just another word for "PR expert". I sure don't want to have them cluttering up my news source.

More blogs from politicians? We already have Rick "King" Cole with his "blog" which is mostly "spin" about his deeds at Ventura City Hall. These are not "blogs" in the traditional sense. They are merely propaganda outlets for these people. Don't forget that both Fulton and King Cole were journalists which is often just another word for "PR expert". I sure don't want to have them cluttering up my news source.

Hank,

Have you tried leaving questions and seeing the response on their blogs?

I agree wholeheartedly with Hank's sentiments. Another blog for self-promotion, self-aggrandizement, and political spin. "King" Cole's blog does this masterfully. Fulton's is a cheap imitation, but, essentially, tries to accomplish the same thing - "Look how tough we City Council members have it. We have to attend meetings until midnight once a week. Whine, whine, whine. Cry, cry, cry." Jeez, nobody forced you to run for office. Comes with the territory, pal.

Katie hits the nail on the head here. If the Council members themselves would confine their comments to points relevant to the discussion, instead of rambling on about God knows what, they could easily cut an hour or two off the length of the meetings. Then they could go home and get their beauty rest.

Neal Andrews is the biggest offender here. The guy addresses the question of "What time is it?" by not only telling you how the watch is made, but by disassembling and reassembling the watch 3 times, before he tells you how it's made.

Carl Morehouse is another piece of work. He's famous for formulating the questions in such a way that the response staff gives can do nothing else but validate his position on the issue. Self-serving to the hilt. Often times, his comments are indictments or criticisms of the public disguised as questions (shutting off street lights being a classic example).

Flamo,

Have you tried leaving questions on his blog for him to answer? Do you actually attend council meetings? You make them sound so boring!

Glen Becerra would never agree to do a blog. He went to the school of Elton Gallegly politics - stay invisible except for a photo op, and play it safe.

Bland Politics,

You might not think he would agree but is he the elected official you want to see a new blog from?

If not, who do you want to start blogging?

Brian,

No, I have not left any messages on Fulton's blog. I'm not opposed to doing so, I just haven't had the opportunity or desire to yet.

I have actually attended Council meetings in the past, but usually I watch them on TV (they're on our local government channel in Ventura).

Boring is the word. In fact, if you're suffering at all from insomnia, the Ventura City Council meetings are a sure-fire cure, believe me.

Again, as Katie implied, it seems to be mostly a case of loving to hear themselves talk, since a lot of the comments are philosophical or theoretical in nature and often veer dramatically from the decision point that they are trying to reach.

The only entertainment is provided by gadfly, Carroll Dean Williams, who, although a complete idiot most of the time, has a knack for humorous analogies and extremely random comments that often get the audience tittering.

Do you want local government to be exciting?

"Do you want local government to be exciting?"

Hell, yes. I love watching these guys when they're passionate about issues. Some are amazingly eloquent. I wish meetings were as raucous and entertaining as the British House of Commons.

Special thanks to council members and staff who keep the citizens informed with their published thoughts.

I agree with MF and KT ... if there were a disease that's only symptoms were diarrhea of the mouth, the council would need to be quarantined. They definitely do need to learn to cut their comments down to relevant points and spare us the witty reelection statements and overused platitudes.

And, preemptively answering your question Brian, no I have not left comments on Bill Fulton's blog. Fulton is nice personally but I get lost in some of his longer blog entries to really be left with much to say. Or ask.

Oh, also, in response to the point about just another blog from a politician ... while I think it is great that local politicians are trying to utilize internet technology and new avenues of reaching out to voters, even during off-election times, I think that it really speaks volumes that these politicians will blog on their OWN blog but will not do anything other than occasionally glance at the local blogs already in existence. Rather than always making US, go to THEM, local politicians should be speaking up more on venues such as this one. And doing so themselves, rather than having over zealous campaign volunteers post under fake pseudonyms. Of course that would not be as safe as the comforts of your own personal blog that you can monitor and censor all you want.

Heather,

I have had many local politicians post under their real name here.

Maybe more under other names.

Heather makes some really good points. I believe the only one who posts on a regular basis on Brian's blog is Barbra Williamson. Good for her!

M.L. Petersen used to post occasionally, but I think I scared her off.

I've seen Neal Andrews a time or two on Brian's blog. There might be a few other infrequent bloggers from a couple of the school boards, but that's about all I can think of.

Brian may be able to offer a few more though.

Flamo,

Going through the archives I have had Q and A sessions with the following"

Moorpark City Council
Keith Millhouse
Mark Van Dam

Simi Valley Park Board
Kate O'Brien

Candidate for VCOE:
Donna Prenta

County Supervisor:
John Flynn

County Supervisor Candidate:
Denis O'Leary

Simi Valley School Board Candidate:
Tim Camarillo
Tim Keaney
Ray Cruz

Conejo Valley Unified School District:
Mike Dunn

VCOE Member:
ML Peterson

And a few others.

Ventura Council was looking good but petty fights between you and a candidate scared people.

Brian,

Thanks for the rundown. That's a pretty impressive list.

My memory must be failing me here, but which Ventura City Council candidate was I supposedly engaging in petty fights with?

CDW.

Remember?

Mongo Flamo is, of course, a thoughtful, balanced and measured community observer. I am so flattered at his kind and sensitive comments on my blog.

For those interested in coming to their own conclusions, I invite a visit to my blog:

http://www.cityofventura.net/cmblog/

I welcome your feedback!

Rick Cole
City Manager
City of Ventura

I would like to respectfully comment that Carol Dean Williams can hardly be considered a viable candidate for city council and fail to see any of the council members OR viable candidates making regular appearances from Ventura. I would also comment that I hardly doubt that the rantings of Pseudonym Sally versus CDW would scare away the big guns of people like Fulton or Morehouse ... I mean come on -- CDW's campaign slogan was "I have lunch in my picture because I'm taking YOU to lunch."

Still I think that this is a VERY impressive list of locals who have posted on this blog and hope to see more of it.

Oh yeah, him. Yes, I remember, and I agree with Heather.

Jousting with him is not a very challenging undertaking and no one on the City Council takes him seriously anyway. So, I don't that would have deterred another serious candidate or incumbent from commenting on the blog.

You might not agree it scared people off but it did. I talked to candidates and it was a major factor. They didn't feel like debating people in the middle of the mess that was created.

Feel what you want but I have it confirmed.

How come neither of you have listed someone you would like to see blog?

Do you have that little respect for all elected officials all over Ventura County?

Brian,

I guess all I can say to that is if they were truly "scared off" by any kind of bantering with CDW they are total cowards - the lot of them.

So, that pretty much eliminates anyone from the Ventura City Council from my list, which should come as no surprise.

I would like to hear from Toni Young (Port Hueneme City Council), Paul Miller (Simi Valley Mayor), Dennis Gillette (Thousand Oaks City Council), and Peter Foy (Ventura County Board of Supervisors).

Rick,

When you leave a comment leave the link in the box marked URL and it will make your name into a link.

Click on my name and it will direct people to your blog.

Thanks for reading and commenting.

Oh, you're welcome, your majesty. You know me, pride myself in telling it like it is...

I am not arguing that it did not "scare" some people off, but if people can't take the heat ... get out of the kitchen. I find it greatly concerning here that people representing our city / county / etc are unable to partake in a little bit of political jousting on a local blog.

All I am saying is that in politics there is going to be some occasional tension and if you are a viable contender or if you are currently holding a seat in office, you have to be able to take a verbal fire-fight once in a while. I think a part of my point before was that I agree that this is just another politician's blog ... because it is safe. When you are serving the community, you can only hide behind your own comment controls and internet security safety nets so long before you have to face your constituents and come down to their level.

In terms of who I would like to see post on this blog. Well, for starters, anyone that we as voters have hired (via our votes and tax dollars) as our elected officials. More specifically -- Peter Foy, Kathy Long, Steve Bennett, the whole gang in Ventura, other council members, particularly ones in Oxnard, Hueneme and Santa Paula.

Heather,

Have you attended many Ventura City Council meetings? The person that was going to debate with them here asks many questions there.

So the idea they are hiding from someone they debate, listen to, and discuss issues with often doesn't work.

Heather,

Thanks for reading and writing comments on my blog. I appreciate it.

Brian,

Actually, they don't really debate with CDW. Occasionally, they respond to or refute his comments, or ask staff to respond in their proxy. But, the vast majority of the time, they completely ignore him.

If you were on the council would you spend more, less, or the same amount of time discussing his issues?

Brian,

Let me answer you this way. I'd spend more time discussing the issues and less time talking in circles.

Who knows, I just may get my chance to made good on this promise...

What I have seen at council meetings, both in attending and watching them on tv, the council members generally poke fun at CDW and Brian Rencher. They also seem to just sit there and take it and then move on. I do not know if I have ever seen or heard them actually debate, but I do not view every meeting either.

If I were on the council I would spend more time on the issues and less time talking about what great new parks or beautification project I had started. That's just campaign rhetoric for the next election.

Heather,

Do you think they need to spend more, the same, or less time talking to those two?

Do you want a blog where council members answer every question from them?

Flamo,

I said his issues as in CDW and any of the other regulars. Should they spend more time dealing with their issues? I haven't been to meetings so I cannot in fairness tell you the value of their input.

But if you agree they have spent a fair amount of time why would you be surprised if they avoid spending even more time on it?

Brian,

As I said previously, they don't spend a lot of time on the gadflies right now and, no, I don't believe they should spend any more time on their issues. After all, these guys run for Council too, so they're using their "camera time" to promote themselves as well.

My thought is they should be spending more time on real City issues and the issues on the agenda rather than engaging in as much self-promotion as they do now. Heather stated it well.

Which is why CDW and you scared people off...

Mongo Flamo takes pleasure in hurting people. Mongo's comments about CDW's candidacy were not a debate of CDW's qualifications or his stance on the issues.

Mongo Flamo's comments were made for Mongo's own pleasure and ego nourishment.

People shouldn't be punished for trying to utilize what Brian Dennert's genius has provided us all. Everyone.

May Brian have mercy on your local political blogging soul...

Sorry, Brian, but I disagree with your conclusions. If someone is running for office, they shouldn't be "scared" about engaging in debate or discussion with them, despite their gadfly or maverick reputations.

Besides, they can always do what they do at City Council meetings and ignore the gadflies and engage in debate with the ones they feel are raising serious questions or issues or presenting legitimate viewpoints.

Flamo,

I agree that a talented politician answers serious questions and avoids getting stuck in the same arguments over and over.

Brian,

I agree with your point, but actually "answering the questions" is the key. If you can answer the question effectively enough to deflect further arguments, you have not done your job effectively

Brian,

I agree with your point, but actually "answering the questions" is the key. If you can answer the question effectively enough to deflect further arguments, you have not done your job effectively

Mongo,

I have had many fine people in the community tell me that they have no wish to engage you on either Brian's blog or mine. You are quite capable of discussing things intelligently if you're in the mood, but so often you are just in it for the sport of taking potshots at others.

Most people don't have the patience for this nor the time. It was in no Ventura candidate's best interest to roll around in the mud with you and all your pseudonyms.

Heather, all public speakers are treated with respect at Council meetings. I can't recall anyone ever poking fun at anyone. They give them their three minutes and move on unless they have specific questions.

Marie,

So, you've returned to the blogosphere, eh? Drat, I thought you were on permanent vacation (jk).

I happen to agree with Heather that it would be refreshing to see a Council candidate, or incumbent, jump on the blog now and then and engage in a little toe-to-toe. What harm could it possibly do them and it might even make them seem more human. Barbra Williamson (Simi City Council) has my utmost respect for her willingness to do this and I don't think it has hurt her reelection bids one iota.

Anyway, you've certainly viewed your share of City Council meetings. You must admit, they do their fair share of blathering on and on. (I forgot to mention Brian Brennan in this context - major yawneroonee). If they were to exercise a little self-discipline, in terms of keeping their comments more focused, they could easily cut an hour (if not more) from the proceedings. Agreed?

Well... They are given the freedom to talk about their own (or others') projects at the beginning of the meetings and then report on their outside commission and committee meetings as well. It's a tradition and they often give plugs to very worthwhile projects. I actually enjoy listening to these reports.

On the City's Cultural Affairs Commission we are also given time at the end of meetings to talk about our own projects. This is my favorite part because all of my fellow commissioners are so interesting and do so many wonderful things.

What gets dull during council meetings is the minutiae of public works or planning projects. I TiVo most meetings and fast forward to things I want to listen to. I am sort of a wonk so public policy interests me.

I was in Costa Rica for 9 days sitting on a beach and looking at monkeys and parrots. No Internet. You really should take a vacation, too, Mongo.

Marie,

Welcome back.

Thanks for reading and commenting on my blog.

Thanks Mongo..........I appreciate the support.

Marie,

Thanks for your perspectives. I really do value your contributions, since I know you to be very tuned in and well-informed on what's going on in the City. I hope you didn't take my "permanent vacation" jibe seriously. Just having some fun with you.

I agree. I should take a vacation. I haven't had a chance to get away on a real vacation for over 3 years now. But, I will be heading to New York in the middle of August for about 3 weeks on a business trip - disposing of some family property in Manhattan. I think I'll have a couple of days in there to relax though, so I'm really looking forward to it.

Sounds like you had a nice one...

Flamo,

You will blogging from the road, yes? Maybe a comment here or there.

Thanks for reading and commenting on my blog.

Brian,

As time permits, of course. I may take Marie's advice though and check out of the real world for a while.

Check out the house we rented in Costa Rica:

http://www.costaricaonthebeach.com/jadworks/annette/jwsuite.nsf/sitewelcome/home

I highly recommend it. And you really do need some time away from your computer. Not that I am trying to get rid of you. Oh no, not me ;-)

Very nice. I've always wanted to go to Costa Rica. How do I book this place?

Hello
Nice site!

Bye