( This video of Steve Sojka at a recent meeting talking about campaign finance reform was filmed by Mike Chandler.)
Mike Chandler, the blogger behind votesimivalley.com, is calling on Barbra Williamson to return some donations from her last campaign that have been at the center of some recent news stories to put the story behind her.
To see Mike's take on the story click here.
Both Paul Miller and Steve Sojka have already returned money that was bundled to their campaigns from an unrelated source that has directed criticism towards them.
Click here for a recent post that goes into more details on the money returned from Paul Miller and Steve Sojka recently.
The city council candidates are wise when they try to keep the public trust in their government. Most of us don't believe that $1,000 donations or larger from outside the state are given without the expectation it will help the cause of the group giving it. I am pleased that they started returning money that made us trust our local government less.
Time to look at all the city council members and the funding - not just Barbra.
I personally don't think a man from Texas should be trying to sway local politics. Doesn't pass the smell test.
I'd say my position on my website was lukewarm, at best -- I wouldn't say I'm taking a firm stand. To clarify, I think giving back the money is the simplest way to make this issue die and go away.
It should be noted that I believe if Glen Gerson wants to give Barbra Williamson $1000 or $10,000, there should be nothing preventing him.
We have these rules to stop people from buying influence. You might make the argument that as long as we know where the money comes from it is acceptable, but I wasn't told that Sojka and Miller took really large donations from a person pushing a major project until after the election.
Law - it is rather distasteful that it wasn't made public under after the elections. But then look at the governor of Illinois - his defense is that "he broke no laws". He is corrupt as they come but he doesn't believe he did wrong because he was within the law.
I am surprised that so much money was donated to so many different local politicians but nobody has pointed out what the project is that was at the center of it.
What exactly did they want when they gave thousands to the Simi Valley City Council and how come we weren't told until after the election. Did the council not know what they wanted when they took the large checks?
Mike,
You don't support any caps on donations?
Mike,
I see that you have a more nuanced position then I posted about earlier. For those of you interested go to Mike's website @
http://www.votesimivalley.com/2008/12/campaign-finance-excitement/
No, I don't support caps on donations.
What about limiting last minute donations so that there is time to discuss, debate, and reflect on who is giving money and for what reason?
I can't see what a 10/25 donation for a 11/04 election is supposed to be other than an off the radar assist. I'm just not sure how you'd fairly limit these donations or regulate them differently over other donations throughout the campaign cycle.
Per the article today in the Star (which I can't find in the online edition); Gerson is in a heap of hotwater regardng his unruly crowds. Various citizens aren't happy with him.
In all fairness to Gerson, he seems to have every intention of making good on his promise to address the issues of his crowds. He seems genuine in his desire to remain a long term fixture in Simi and pledges to take care of these issues asap.
"He seems genuine in his desire to remain a long term fixture in Simi and pledges to take care of these issues asap."
That shouldn't be too hard, seeing as he's the source of them...A city with Gerson in it is one that won't have me there much longer. I've had to live with his noise for two years and you'll forgive me if I am not ready to vote him "Man of the Year."