I would not vote for Mike Gibson if he was the only candidate on the ballot! Thank God he is not!

I'm not sure if I'll be voting for Gibson yet or not. I want to find out a little more about where he stands on some of the city issues first.

But, I got to hand it to the guy, he's sure jumping out of the starting gate and trying to get his name out there as quickly as possible. That will be very important in this election, especially with a field of 16 candidates.

So far, he gets an A for effort.

Well, one thing is for sure, we need to get rid of all the incumbents. Is there any doubt in anyone's mind about that?

I like Mike. He's gutsy and is not afraid to speak his mind on controversial issues. This is more than I can say for the four clowns that are up for reelection (Summers, Andrews, Brennan, and Monahan).

Hasn't Monahan been on the Council for over 40 some years? Jeez, this guy has definitely got to go!

And no more ex-city employees/bureaucrats pleez, like ex-Police Chief Mike Tracy. There will be more of the same if he gets elected. Especially when it comes to excessive police officer pensions.

We need change at City Hall. Mike is the only one talking about that so far.

Gibson, quit making up names to post here in support of yourself. You are pathetic. You don't spend two years on this blog making an ass of yourself and expect anybody here to support you. Grow up. Find a new hobby. Move to Siberia.

How funny, this guy who signs as "Fake names" is accusing me of being Gibson incognito and criticizing people for posting under fake names. Not hard to see the hypocrisy here. Sorry, dude, but you're wrong. I'm just a supporter of change in Ventura who is actually on Mike's endorsement list. You might gain a little more credibility when you post under your real name too, but until then, you're just a ranter in my book.

I don't think Mitch is Gibson because he wrote a coherent response. Had it been Gibson it would have included all the Christian Coalition talking points and the usual right wing nutjob talking points.

Gibson is such a liar he probably made up the endorsement names too. ZERO credibility.

Actually I would vote for Pinocchio before I would vote for Gibson. At least Pinocchio did his own thinking, Gibson only does what Phony Tony tells him to do.

What's with all the liberals posting under fake names complaining about other people posting under fake names?

Looks like he's doing OK on the online poll. I certainly wouldn't count him out. Plus, I agree the incumbents all need to go.

So far, the only other signs I've seen up are Jim Monahan's. He's got a huge one sitting on top of the Top Hat hot dog stand downtown. That's the place where all the bums and derelicts hang out. That speaks volumes in itself.

I agree with the previous poster. We need change. Vote against all incumbents!

Yeah and Gibson copied Monahan's signs it looks like, right down to the shamrock. Monahan's been using that for years. Gibson doesn't have an original thought and it looks like he can't come up with an original sign either. What an embarrassment this guy is. Another wacko running for council.

Funny comment here considering Gibson's signs were up well before Mohahan's. Who's copying who?

Monahan has been on the City Council for over 30 years and hasn't done squat. Hell, you can tell he doesn't open his agenda packet until Monday night at the meeting. This guy's got to go.

Hey Bubbs's Friend-
Qit dissin' Top Hat. It's a great burger at a fair price. Five stars *****.

Gibson needs to keep his signs off public property. Drve up Johnson and see he or one of his supporters stuck signs in the mow strip.

So out of the million of motifs that could have been picked, Gibson picks the shamrock? Either he is in cahoots with Monahan or he is copying Monahan. And they are the only two candidates that have signs up? Something doesn't pass the smell test.

I met Gibson a few times and he really creeped me out. He is not someone I will be voting for. I don't know Monahan.

Why wouldn't Gibson use Monahan's shamrock? He pretends to be other people when he blogs, so it is logical that he pretend to be Monahan in his campaign signs.

What does the shamrock mean? That voters should vote for the Irish? As opposed to what other ethnicity? Do the Irish make better councilmen, and is it because of their race?

True, he's pretended to be a Democrat complaining about himself. Once he pretended to be a well known car salesman. Other times he's blogging as women who have the hots for him. (Jill Dominique) Why not. Just think we can elect him and get all his split personalities. Who needs a seven-member council when we can have one wacko with many personalities.

Thanks for all the support!
I am a long time resident and I love our city.
I was once a paper boy for the Ventura Star Free Press, Known now as the Ventura County Star our local paper.
I am grateful and thankful and look forward to helping our city be a cleaner and safer place to live,
Thanks sincerely Phil Mechanick

My vote is for Phil Mechenick! He is the most positive and honest man we know. He is a wonderful family man, has always truly loved Ventura and I cant think of anyone more appropriate to represent our great city!
Sincerely,
Lareina Higgins

All these people who keep coming on and bashing Mike Gibson are supporters of the status quo. So, according to them, we should just keep electing these dumb asses to the City Council who keep screwing us over and throwing our money away at every opportunity. No thanks!

And I have no idea who Phil Mechenick is.

D.A.- So do we vote for the Irish who is in office, or the Irish that wants to be a council member?

I'm voting for the Irishman who wants to be a Council member, but not because he's Irish but because he represents change from the status quo. No more dumb asses!

Specifically which members of the Ventura City Council are you referring to as "dumb asses"?

Do you see how ridiculous it is to run as an Irishman? It may have worked for Monahan years ago (cute), but these days it can be seen as culturally divisive (dumb).

And either Monahan approved of Gibson's using a shamrock too, to run as an Irish slate - and thus risk losing his first election in a long time because he attached himself to someone that presents himself as multiple people, or he's going to be pissed off that Gibson infringed on his campaign image and will have to deal with that distraction during the campaign.

All of the incumbents are dumb asses -- especially Monahan!

Are those marijuana leaves because you would have to be high to vote for him?

Hey DA most of us here don't live in Ventura so status quo isn't really our issue. But we've seen your Gibson make an ass of himself on this blog and others for years. He's been banned on one I hear. So go ahead and whine but this guy's a jerk and nobody here is going to support him.

I think Gibson might have actually devised a pretty good strategy with his signs. Hey, he's out there early with his signs all over the place. He's seemingly got Monahan hustling to catch up with him with his own set of shamrocks, which seem like Johnnie-come-latelies now.

So, if nothing else, he's injected a little healthy competition into the race early on. Let's face it folks, this is pretty boring stuff. Even if you do live in Ventura.

I think the overriding sentiment here is that Monahan has been basically filling a seat at the Council dias for the last several years. Why we keep electing him is beyond me.

I checked out Gibson's website (www.mikegibsonforcitycouncil.com) and it's obvious that he's interested in change at City Hall. I say out with the incumbents and in with Gibson.

Hey Dumb Asses (your name not mine) Your name is Dumb Asses but you keep bashing the incumbents as being dumb asses - ???? Are you an incumbent? A self hater? You're as confusing as Mike Gibson's use of the shamrock - I think that's code for just another white guy!

I've been reading all these posts with both amazement and humor. For one thing, I happen to know Mike and he is not this creepy, evil monster that a lot of these anonymous people are trying to make him out to be. He's actually an extremely nice, level-headed guy who sincerely wants to make a difference in his community and has some really good ideas on how to initiate change at City Hall. These people obviously don't know him or know anything about him and are content to take cheap, unsubstantiated shots from the safety of their computer keyboard (without even saying who they are). The height of cowardice.

These critical posters are nothing but defenders of the status quo and apparently would like to keep electing do-nothings like Monahan and Brennan. Monahan doesn't seem to know which way is up or even know what he's voting on most Monday nights and Brennan hasn't held a real job in over 10 years. And these are the guys we want to keep electing to the City Council? No wonder they can't balance the City budget. They probably have difficulty balancing their own checkbooks.

Then we have the usual gadflies like Brian Lee Rencher running again. This guy can't even manage his own life and we want to elect him to manage millions of dollars in City funds? I don't think so. He and Brennan can't hold a job or make a success of themselves and we expect different results if they're elected to the City Council.

Mike, on the other hand, has been successful at everything he's done in life. He has a great family, is a wonderful family man, enjoys a very successful career, he's invested his money in areas that are paying big dividends in a bad economy. He's bright, well-educated, and well-spoken. He's exactly the type of person we want on the City Council as far as I'm concerned.

For those who want to keep electing the same old-same old, with the same results, lotsa luck to you. I think I'll be voting for Mike Gibson.

Laker Fans don't want a Boston Celtics fan representing them on the city council. Please join Laker Fans Against Gibson at your local sports bar coming soon.

-----------------------------------------------

Phil Mechanick is the city of Ventura's candidate for honest change. Phil Mechanick grew up in the city of Ventura. Phil Mechanick understands what makes the city of Ventura one of the greatest cities in the world and he knows how to make it even better. You don't have to let things crumble. You don't have to move backwards with Mike Gibson and Wal-Mart. You can move forward with Phil Mechanick.
----------------------------------------------

*this message has NOT been approved by Phil Mechanick for city council and is solely the opinion of a private citizens who love the city of Ventura and love America.

Am I the only one who has picked up on the parody intended by Gibson's shamrock campaign signs? He is clearly mocking Monahan and his lengthy (and unfulfilling) tenure on the City Council. Time for change. Vote Gibson!

By the way, who the hell is Phil Mechanick? The joke candidate, right?

Tell us "Ron," do you think anybody would vote for a guy who has been busy posting things like this on Star blogs for the last two years:

-----

Heather, are you hot?

-----

"There you go again agreeing with me, folks. I'm the only one telling it like it is on a politically correct blog that's constantly being edited by the Grand Furher himself - Brian. You have to be so careful what you say or the politically correct worms come crawling out from under the keyboards and set things straight in a matter of minutes.
I've been banned for going over the edge on a couple of occasions, so I better
watch my "p"s and "q"s or I'll be banned again - the Lenny Bruce of the Dennert Blog, I tell you.
------
"I hope this b----[expletive deleted] runs again in 2012 so that she can get ground into the dirt again, this time by Jeff Gorrell. What a friggin' three-time loser!!!
-----
"You kiddin' me, bro? They would have gotten the livin' sh-- [expletive deleted] kicked out of them if they'd gone down to First A.M.E Church in South Central. They were sticking to the young, polite white boys in their pressed slacks, white shirts, and ties. The odds are much better, don't you
know?"

-----

Helen, you're such a goose-stepper. You claim to march to your own drummer, which is, in fact, in lock-step with O'Neil's and the boys policies. When, in fact, they're tossing you into the garbage heap and waiting for you to decompose.

-----

There's lots more where that came from, "Ron." Stay tuned.

While the other candidates are making a mockery of this election; Phil Mechanick is working hard because he knows this election will define the future of the City of Ventura.
Is the City of Ventura going to be a run of the road Wal-Mart city or is it going to continue to be a destination point for those who love it's unique culture and atmosphere?

While the "Wal-Mart" candidate is making a mockery of the City of Ventura; Phil Mechanick is working hard because he loves the City of Ventura too much to do anything else.

And tell me, Keith, how exactly is Mike Gibson making a mockery of the City of Ventura? Your candidate hasn't done anything for the City that I've ever heard of.

Mike has been involved in many charitable and volunteer organizations and has donated time and money to good causes in the community.

And how is being in favor of bringing a large retail establishment to the community that will generate upward of $1 million a year in new sales tax revenue to a revenue-starved city to pay for additional public safety staffing (among other needed services) a bad thing?

It sounds to me like Mechanick is another "let's keep Ventura the same as it was in the 1950's" candidate. We have enough of them already on the City Council now.

To "Mike Gibson's Legacy", you need to have your head examined. Mike would never post anything remotely close to what you're alleging. As I said before, it's easy to make baseless claims using a fake name. Your credibility stands at zero.

You must either be new to this blog or have a short memory. Or maybe you know all about it but are busy denying under your own fake name. He's admitted to posting as Mongo Flamo on Star blogs and all those posts came from him. For fun, let's all look through Brian and Marie's archives. He's posted plenty of snark under his own name too.

What is Mike Gibson's birthday? I like to do a little research before voting.

Obviously, Mike Gibson will not take Ventura to greater heights if he can't control the impulse of blogging disgusting, woman hating, comments as Mongo Flamo. Let's find someone with a little more class.

And nice try "Shenanigans" at reinventing history. Gibson (Mongo) is not capable of parody. Clearly he was pretending to be Monahan, or trying to tell people he would vote just like Monahan.

I agree with Ron. These anonymous posters are nothing but big, lying cowards.

These folks are likely supporters of the lame City Council members we have in office right now who lost $10 million in bad investment decisions and now want the taxpayers to make it up with a half-cent sales tax. No thanks.

I'm voting for Gibson. At least he's willing to call them on their poor decisions and try to make some changes for the betterment of the community.

The guy is not worth discussing. He has no chance. But since he sets himself up here for potshots maybe it will do him some good to get a taste of his own medicine. What a loser.

It is so hilarious to see Shenanigans, the anonymous poster, bad-mouthing anonymous posters!

And an anonymous endorsement carries no weight. Makes one assume it is the candidate himself, his family, or Mike Osborn, who as GOP chairman, has bragging rights at stake in this race.

Karma cracks me up. He or she says, "This guy is not worth discussing," and then goes on to discuss him at length. Clearly, there's an interest here or there wouldn't be so many comments on Mike Gibson. He's obviously making a name for himself in the community and the 40+ posts here simply prove my point.

I don't give any credibility whatsoever to anonymous posters who make disparaging, baseless comments and accusations. I recognize some of the writing styles of a couple of them though and they are definitely people with not so hidden agendas.

One I believe is Marie Lakin, a paid staffer for Christy Weir who has

One repeat poster here, I believe, is Marie Lakin, a paid staffer for Mayor Christy Weir, who hosts her own blog on The Star and routinely bans people from her blog for disagreeing with her opinion. Very unbiased comments from her, I'm sure.

Another one is ex-Republican, Katie Teague, who used to be a member of the County Republican Central Committee until she was asked to leave for being disruptive at their meetings. Now she's got an axe to grind and because many Republicans support Gibson she likes to take potshots at him whenever she has a chance.

The emperor's clothes are off on these two.

The others seem to be supporters of another candidate, Phil Mechanick, an unknown from the Pierpont neighborhood, who's got a few friends and neighbors posting for him because they're upset that the City doesn't clean the sand off their streets next to their multi-million dollar properties (boo-hoo).

This guy is so serious about winning that he couldn't be bothered to lay out the $850 to publish a candidate's statement in the ballot pamphlet like the other candidates to explain their platforms and positions on the issues. His supporters claim he's a great guy and all, but that doesn't qualify you to be a City Council member. You actually have to have done something in the community.

Right on, Ron. We ought to be calling out these disgruntled, agenda-driven politicos for who they are, since they only post under disguised names from the safety of their home computers. Talk about losers.

You are so full of it fake name Ron - I was not asked to leave. Mike Osborn put pressure on the former secretary (I was her alternate) to force me to leave. She said no. He then called me. I told him no - I would leave when I wanted to. I left when my business was done - a few months later. So don't lie on this blog about me. And I am still a Republican. Another lie. Nor have I posted under this thread under fake names (unlike you). And you wonder why your pathetics posts in support of Gibson aren't supported. You don't have any credibility.

I don't know Phil M. but at least he lives in Ventura - which may not be the case for people that have endorsed one of the candidates for city council.

Hi Ron,

I would prefer you not drag me into this.

I am not a paid staffer for Mayor Christy Weir. She has her own staff at City Hall. She is my friend, however.

Mike Gibson was banned from my blog for threatening another blogger, posting that he and I needed to get a hotel room together and many other things. He apologized publicly for doing so saying it was just his strange sense of humor. See below:

Posted by mgibson on December 31, 2008 at 6:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Marie,

I am sorry that you find my sometimes offbeat sense of humor so offensive, but any comments that seemed "smarmy" to you were simply that -- my (obviously unsuccessful) attempts at humor. And for that, I do apologize.

The same is true of the "nose-twisting" comment. As I recall, this was directed at "Skip," as he and I have had ongoing back-and-forth jabs at one another. I meant no offense by it, of course, and I think he realized this.

Anyway, folks are probably getting bored with our ongoing debate here, so I will sign off now and wish you a very Happy New Year as well!

Again, my sincerest apologies for the off color comments."
...

Mike posted many other off-color and inappropriate comments on Helen Conly's blog last summer. I was helping her monitor it last summer, so I know.

I routinely delete posts which are threatening in nature, sexually harassing, or overly disparaging toward other people. Most blogs have these same rules.

My kids read my blog. I don't have to put up with people who violate my rules. The forum is for constructive discussion on topical issues pertaining to the city and state. If you don't like my rules, post elsewhere.

Mike Gibson's lack of judgment is appalling and he would make a very poor council member. Luckily, there are 14 others to choose from.

Ron, I find your tone and accusatory, anonymous postings very insulting. I don't believe your candidate will be getting many votes from Pierpont, if this is indicative of your campaign's approach. They have a legitimate problem down there.

You're doing your guy no favors. I think it's best if both of you stay off the blogs.

How much would Mike Gibson's narcissistic reckless behavior cost the city of Ventura in lawsuits if he was elected? Mike Gibson's self-righteous ignorance would cost the city millions. The last thing the city of Ventura needs is an ignorant ego-manic rookie who thinks he knows everything on the city council.

I believe people like Mike Gibson do not belong in any kind of position of power; they belong in a straight jacket.

Dear Mike Gibson,

I am sorry that you find my sometimes offbeat sense of humor so offensive, but any comments that seemed "smarmy" to you were simply that -- my (obviously unsuccessful) attempts at humor. And for that, I do apologize.

I still think if you become a city council member you will cost the city of Ventura millions of dollars in lawsuits.

Seems fake name Ron is still obsessing about events that took place 2-3 years ago - and re-inventing history, again.

This are Gibson's endorsements - any of these people from the City of Ventura?

Gary and Lisa Schoeffler

Michael and Michele DiMauro

Emilio and Alma Quezada

Sharon Friedrichsen

Dr. Roshan Shah

David and Edwina Medina

Frank and Cari Gibson

Chris and Angela Haines

Kent and Deirdre Seaman

Phil and Sheila Caballero

Allen and Geraldine Rasmussen

Neil and Pauline Tobin

Ray and Margaret Perez

Bob and Cindy Perez

Ian and Monica Perez

Jeremy and Heather Lewis

Mike and Mary Osborn

John and Tara Jayasinghe

Dave Reid and Terri Schuller

Jason and Julie Stilwell

Dan Hernandez

Tina Pappas

Scott Monroe

Brendan Gibson

Ann Lozano

Shawn Terris

Ronnie Thompson

Erik Axelson and Deirdre O’Shea

Juan and Tish Beltranena

Celia De Gonzalez

Lyn Semenza

Coleen Lund and Mark Mittermiller

Jemmi Irabon

Jack and Jackie Finnegan

Claude Garciacelay

Richard Lindley

Jeff and Debbie Stone

Mitch Medeiros

William and Joanne Burkley

Panteleon and Janette Rivera

Faustino Rodriguez

Most of the above endorsements are from Venturans, many of whom are natives of the City. I happen to know many of them personally. Your presumptuous comment that none of them live in Ventura are just that - presumptuous - and blatant lies and a distortion of the truth.

Since Katie made a comment in her previous post about Mike's endorsements not living in Ventura, I'm sure she is the one posting under the fake name "Endorsements" here to try and make her point. But, by doing so, she's doing the very same thing she criticizes everyone else for doing (posting under a fake name). She is being very hypocritical here, which is no surprise. She is also a bona fide RINO (Republican In Name Only), since she criticizes Repubicans at every opportunity.

And, Marie, your defensive comments speak for themselves and your made up posts about Mike are also getting pretty old as well. Everyone knows you ban people from your blog when they start getting the upper hand on you in arguments. Just ask Bubba Kidd, Juandeveras, John Doe, and NostraDemus, none of whom post on your blog any longer. The record speaks for itself, Marie.

Ron (who is too afraid to post under his own name), not one of those bloggers you named has been banned. They're free to post any time they want. NostraDemus posted not long ago. Bubba hasn't posted anywhere in a long time.

You ought to know by now that I don't make things up and I don't back down. I even posted his apology written under his own name on an entry out on the Star's main site.

Two years of posts by mean, ultra-conservative, anonymous male bloggers haven't stopped me yet and you aren't very intimidating, either. But I have been really busy and the blog is not a priority any more. I rarely post here, either.

Have fun in your land of denial.

Ron, put a cork in it will ya? Offense is not the best defense. Attacking me or others on this blog makes you and your candidate look very, very small and tiny.

Looking at this list I see mostly no name people, a few local real estate agents, a person or two who work in Santa Barbara, etc.

And use your Rino term correctly - I'm pro-life, pro-gun, pro-troops, pro-Iraq war and pro-Bush. Can you say the same? Can you say anything using your real name?

You two again reveal your hypocrisy. You both blog under fake names here and yet you criticize others for doing the same thing. I'll say it once more - zero credibility.

I've uncovered your agendas again, as many others have before me, and you still deny it. That's beyond hard-headedness. That's bald-face lying and you're both guilty of it.

Marie, I'm surprised you're not out defending your boss, Christy Weir, who looked like a complete fool in today's Star in her defense of the half-cent sales tax measure. She claims the City is looking at pension reform, which is complete baloney.

If they get this $8 million from the local taxpayers (which they won't because this thing is going down in flames) they'll spend it on whatever they damn well please, like they always have. Zero credibility from the tax and spend City Council as well!

The City Council has indeed convened a task force to tackle pension reform. They've also agreed on a spending plan for the sales tax revenue which will have strict oversight by a citizen's committee. Absolutely everything you post here is factually inaccurate.

Again, I don't work for the city. Christy is my friend; we both sit on the Serra Cross Conservancy Board.

Ron, it's just really difficult for you to let two women have the last word, I know. Go ahead call me a liar, whatever. I don't care. I won't wade in the mud with you any more.

Much better things to do with my time.

"Ron", you are either being lied to by someone on the Republican Central Committee or you are perpetuating lies on this blog. Stop displaying your ignorance/malice so publically.

Katie, Marie you're smarter than this. Gibson is using the name Ron now. There isn't anybody else it could be. Ignore him.

I think it's Osborn getting some shots in to defend the VCRCC and their lying deceitful practices. Mike Gibson will get their endorsement, I'm sure. But, this should come as no surprise given his relationship with Boss Hogg Osborn.

Osborn needs to get in some anonymous shots to distract how badly he has done in voter registration in the county. Democrats dominate the Republicans by 12,000, when just 4 years ago the Republicans were ahead by over 10,000. That's a 22,000-23,000 deficit in Republicans!

And good luck Mike Gibson, when the voters of the city of Ventura figure out what an angry white Irish man you are.
Registration:
Democrats 28,858
Republicans 21,443
declined to state 11,025

Prediction. Gibson comes in dead last.

I thought last place was reserved for Ed Summers this time around?

BIG BLUE COUNTY is right. Ventura is very liberal, Gibson and the other Republican candidates will have a tough time winning over many Democrats.

Since it's a non-partisan race, I'm not sure political party affiliation will have that much bearing on who wins the election.

Jim Monahan is a Republican and he wins handily every time. So is Neal Andrews. In fact, he sits on the County Republican Central Committee and was the County coordinator for the John McCain presidential campaign last year. He will probably win reelection too.

It's supposed to be non-partisan, but in reality it isn't. The only reason Jim Monahan wins "handily every time" is he has long been a well known member of the community and seems to be more moderate.

Right now a dog is lifting his leg on one of Mike Gibson's signs.

Poor Nobody. He has to say something outrageous because no one ever pays any attention to him.

I think they should change the banner across the top of Gibson's signs to say:

IT'S TIME FOR A MANGE

It seems "Sign Warden" cannot help being fascinated by Gibson's signs. He must have read them pretty closely to see the slogan at the top. Can anyone say "obsessed"?

The truth always sounds outrageous to a VCRCC member. Mike Gibson is a disaster waiting to get elected.

Ron wears a foil hat.

Looks like "Sign Warden" has a bit of an unhealthy fascination with Mike Gibson's campaign signs. He obviously reads the signs closely and then probably fantasizes about them in his dreams.

"Sign Warden" has a fantasy about urinating on Gibson signs, strange thing is that Gibson has the same fantasy.

Actually, every post in this thread is by me. I posted under all these fake names. Just because I'm sad that no one wants to talk to me.

Regards,

Anonymous