Great day today. Many thanks to the Valenzuelas and my favorite firefighter Jason Hodge for all their hard work.

Susan Jordan's speech was wonderful. She's always inspiring to me because she works so hard. Pedro is also one of the best speakers around.

Brian, great to FINALLY meet your family today. You are one lucky guy.

Also, special thanks to Geoff Dean for chasing my flyers through the field twice when the wind came up. He also helped us hang a banner. You've got my vote.

RE:Candidate for Sheriff Geoff Dean (R) worked the crowd.

We have two old white cops running for sheriff, now....they should both withdraw

Time for a sheriff of diverse background, from outside the police department who will represent the people and not the interests of police unions...the county is 50% non-white

We only had 3-4 hispanics in the last sheriff cadets graduating class in ventura county.....the ventura county sheriff department is a good old boy establishment

We need someone who will NOT spend 12 years, like the current sheriff, trying to raise our taxes...taxes are out of control in the county and our elected officials are out like rabid dogs looking for way to raise taxes.....

Geoff has my vote for Sheriff as well. He has a ton of bi-partisan support, is very professional, and is very ethical. He also believes that the workplace is not a place for politics. Go Geoff!!!

Oops. Forgot to mention the great help I got from Denis O'Leary in taking my booth down.

Thanks, Denis!

Since we still have gerrymandered (fixed) districts, the interesting elections will be the primaries and the race for sheriff. The Jordan/Williams race and the Dean/Carpenter race will be the big two. Guess we all better get bigger mail boxes in preparation!

Geoff Dean is a good guy, and holds a lot of progressive positions on crime prevention.

As to the gerrymandering, I recommend Leslie and Katie read some of Dave Dayen's work at Calitics on this issue. If you "naturally" composed the districts rather than gerrymandered, the vast majority of the seats would still be safe--perhaps safer even.

These days, voters tend to live next to voters who share their interests and agree with them. Lois Capps' district may seem gerrymandered, but people in her district all have similar interests; the district actually makes sense. And while it would be helpful to Democrats to take some of the 23rd and put it in the 24th, it doesn't actually make sense from a representational standpoint.

Speaking of raising taxes, Andy, we've got the two biggest culprits in the City of Ventura (Ed Summers and Brian Brennan) pimping themselves with Geoff Dean in the picture. These two are both big supporters of the City of Ventura's half-cent sales tax measure (Measure A) on the November ballot. Boo!!!

David-
The test will be when we actually do have re-districting after the next census, though it will have no affect on the Congressional districts, as they were specifically excluded from the redistricting that was passed by the voters. Why were they excluded? Because the current members of Congress believe it would affect their districts. Democrat Pelosi and Republican Doolittle spent tons of money to defeat a prior re-districting measure. As closely as redistricting passed this last time, it could have been defeated if Members of Congress meddled.

Getting back to my earlier point, it is highly unlikely that the current districts as drawn will change parties, making the primary where all the action will be. As usual.

Tax-And-Spend, both Monahan and Weir support the sales tax measure so who doesn't support it? Does Neal not support it? Carl?

Everyone wants their picture with Geoff Dean because he is going to win the election. I'm sure that Monahan and Andrews would be equally happy posing with Geoff. The fact that Summers and Brennan are in the picture are a testiment to the wide bipartisan support he garners - Dems, Reps and DTS's.

So which Ventura City Council member is against the sales tax?

RE:Speaking of raising taxes, Andy, we've got the two biggest culprits in the City of Ventura (Ed Summers and Brian Brennan) pimping themselves with Geoff Dean in the picture

...and if they get this half cent tax increase...they will be back for more....they always come back for more.....

...when the county or city buys stuff...they pay no sales' taxes...

...best bet...buy online when possible, out of state....and avoid sales' taxes

You're right, Monahan supports the tax too, as do all the other Council members, except we're not really sure about Andrews. He was the only one who voted against putting it on the ballot, ostensibly because he didn't feel the Council had committed themselves enough to looking at pension reform and advancing a serious economic development program.

But, it was more likely a political move designed to play to his "fiscal watchdog" reputation, since he's facing a tough reelection.

I don't want my picture with Geoff Dean because it probably means I am in trouble.

Ventura's tax measure, Measure A, has stellar A-list endorsements from most of Ventura's movers and shakers. Of course there are the few who don't care if Wright Library closes who won't support it.

As a matter of fact, the endorsement list for Measure A is full of people far better known locally than most of the list of no-name challengers running for City Council.

RE:Ventura's tax measure, Measure A, has stellar A-list endorsements from most of Ventura's movers and shakers.

Yep....everyone who has something personally to gain by raising other peoples' taxes backs this tax increase....

The Star report that the City of ventura has a stash of $138 million investments hidden away somewhere from public inspection....let's find out where the money is, where they gopt, and for what purpose the city holds onto millions investments

Be sure to see lengthy interviews of Williams and Stoker here:
http://www.PlanetSantaBarbara.com/Politics

Ventura Watcher, the list of challengers in the Ventura City Council race are hardly all no-names.

They include Mike Tracy (ex-Police Chief), Mike Gibson (conservative, taxpayer advocate who ran 2 years ago), Camille Harris (head of VCORD and Measure B advicate who got 10,000 signatures to place it on the ballot), and Brian Lee Rencher (City Hall watchdog and perennial Council candidate).

I think City residents are ready for some big changes at City Hall, so the incumbents aren't going to slide back in, as they're accustomed to.

Which race are you watching?

Mike Stoker is hoping and praying that Das Williams wins the primary because if Susan Jordon wins, he is going to lose by an embarrassing margin.

re: Names of the Challengers Only three of the names are well known, and Mike Tracy probably has the best chance of the three. However, the recent push-poll could hurt him politically - which may have been in the intent.

I agree, Katie. I think Tracy will be viewed as a one-issue guy (public safety) and his name will get associated with the Andrews push poll, which will hurt his chances.

Believe it or not, I think Rencher might do better than expected this time. He certainly has a following and the remaining challengers will probably splinter the anti-incumbent vote, which will be very strong this time.

Hopefully, Rencher will never be elected. To serve on the City Council you need to be able to work effectively with a broad range of personalities and egos. Rencher is way too prickly and cantankerous to serve effectively in this role. He has a "my way or the highway" mentality and is angry and emotionally immature.

The same could be said for Camille Harris. Too rigid and self-righteous. We need leaders who are flexible and congenial and able to compromise and work effectively with others.

Masry is running yet again? Her book sales must be sluggish.

Never heard of Gibson until I saw his obnoxious signs all over town. Littering won't get him votes here.

I agree that the signs all over town are a bit much. But Gibson isn't the only offender. What about Tracy, Knox, Cozzens, Harris, and Monahan. None of these people will get my vote either.

Good idea--the poll that is--p

I hope Mike Gibson wins. He's the best candidate of the bunch. Anyone who is supporting the incumbents is a fool. Mike Tracy is brainless and Brian Lee Rencher is a lunatic. Who else is there?

What we don't want is an angry, woman-hating guy who spends his time pretending to be other people. I see a sexual harassment claim by female city employees in his future.

I think Mike will do great this time. The momentum is building in his favor. Mike Tracy is getting hurt big time by the Andrews robo-call scandal, since he was endorsed by the VPOA. Camille Harris sounds like a nut. And Brian Lee Rencher, while he makes a lot of sense, presents himself very poorly.

Brian Brennan will probably win again, as will Monahan. Summers and Andrews are the weak sisters it seems.

Summers has the most broad-based endorsements of all of them. Seems to be the guy everybody likes.

I agree, Summers is a very likable guy. However, that doesn't make him a good City Council member. His votes have been highly questionable -- the 911 fee, the half-cent sales tax measure, Cemetery Park, etc.

We need new blood on the Council. The time for change is overdue.

After hearing about how great Mike Tracy was, I decided I had to meet him and I have to agree - he'll be wonderful for City Council. He cares about local business and is very mindful of the safety of the community. I'm tired of the lip service coming from some members of the city council regarding public safety. It matters to people who live there and it matters to businesses that want to settle in Ventura. He seems more interested in serving the community than just getting re-elected. In the words of someone else who has been in business for many, many year - "Ventura would be lucky to have him".

re: above post - I have also heard good things about Ed Summers.

The 911 fee was rescinded, polling and major endorsements show there is support for the tax measure and the council merely voted to put it on the ballot to let the citizens decide. Cemetery Park has had nothing finalized yet.

Ed Summers has been the driving force behind every policy that Fortune magazine named when they said Ventura was one of the top places to start a small business. And the enviros like him, too. Lots of support out there.

The 911 fee was rescinded after much pressure and dissatisfaction from the public and the press constantly beating up on it. It was a poor decision to begin with that cost a lot of people money unnecessarily, some of which they will never recover. Summers needs to take ownership and responsibility of these types of horrible decisions that he supported and voted for and not simply write it off as - we rescinded it.

The tax measure is going to fail. Anyone who thinks otherwise is fooling themselves. There is no community support for a raise in the sales tax rate at a time when the economy is in the crapper and individuals and businesses are already suffering from the ill effects. This will further hurt businesses, especially auto dealers, major appliance outlets, furniture stores, and computer stores. The City's phony survey (push poll) is nothing to hang your hat on if you think that represents the level of community support for this measure. In reality, it's just not there.

Cemetery Park was voted down by the Council in July (again, after people in the community rose up and said this plan is stupid and makes no sense whatsoever). Despite this clear opposition by the public, Summers continued to advocate for spending $6 million to go backwards in time with this wonderful community resource. A complete waste of money with no community support.

With these kinds of poor decisions, it's no small wonder Affinity Bank (Summers' bank) went under.

You are incorrect about the Cemetery Park plan. There is no identified funding for improvements for it, so no money has been voted on or allocated. It was a draft plan and if private fundraising efforts or a grant can pay for it, that's the only way it will happen.

Affinity was purchased by Pacific Western. Many banks are changing hands these days.

No decisions have been made by the council on the tax measure. It's the people's choice.

Most of the residents didn't care about the $1.49 per month fee. Few opted out. Why even candidate Mike Gibson supported it, per this Star newspaper article:

Resident Mike Gibson applauded city leaders for being creative and following through on a pledge to provide greater safety resources. Officials estimated the revenue would allow the city hire six police officers and three firefighters and buy necessary equipment.

"The fee is the most palpable and acceptable approach," said Gibson, who ran unsuccessfully for a city council seat last month. He said the roughly $20 annual cost per phone line "is a small price to pay to add six officers and three firefighters on the street."

You are incorrect about the Cemetery Park plan. There is no identified funding for improvements for it, so no money has been voted on or allocated. It was a draft plan and if private fundraising efforts or a grant can pay for it, that's the only way it will happen.

Affinity was purchased by Pacific Western. Many banks are changing hands these days.

No decisions have been made by the council on the tax measure. It's the people's choice.

Most of the residents didn't care about the $1.49 per month fee. Few opted out. Why even candidate Mike Gibson supported it, per this Star newspaper article:

Resident Mike Gibson applauded city leaders for being creative and following through on a pledge to provide greater safety resources. Officials estimated the revenue would allow the city hire six police officers and three firefighters and buy necessary equipment.

"The fee is the most palpable and acceptable approach," said Gibson, who ran unsuccessfully for a city council seat last month. He said the roughly $20 annual cost per phone line "is a small price to pay to add six officers and three firefighters on the street."

The people care about the city of Ventura's history. Mike Gibson is a new-comer with a Walmart swagger. He doesn't care about Ventura's history. Not the cemetery. Not the enviorment. Not it's culture.

It's easy to point out problems every city is having them. The tough part is finding answers. Where are Mike Gibson's answers?

There is a master plan for the historic cemetery. Ventura has a candidate with roots in the community. That candidate is Phil Mechanick.

Gibson was a big proponent of the 911 fee. He actually went to the City Council and told them it was a great idea, according to the Star on Dec. 11 2007. Wow how many folks actually do that? He must've been motivated. So he likes Wal-Mart too? Well being a newcomer I guess he really doesn't know much about his new town.

I saw Mechanick at the candidates forum at the Crown Plaza last week. The guy is clueless. Clearly way in over his head.

Gibson has a plan. It's on his Web site. Try clicking on the link and reading it, instead of criticizing someone you obviously haven't taken the time to find anything out about.

Read it. What he has proposed is already being done. Who's clueless?

Any idea where Gibson is getting all the money for his campaign? His signs (big & small) are plastered all over town (far more than any of the others). He has already mailed out thousands of brochures around town and I'm sure he'll have other advertising pieces cropping up everywhere imaginable.

I read somewhere that he's strongly hooked into the County Republican Party machine and has friends from out of town that are financing him (Simi Valley where he used to work, particularly). Dean Kunicki on the SV School Board is a pal too.

Just thought I'd ask.

I had to laugh because I recently talked to a CC committee person and he said he never heard of Gibson. I never met him at any of the CC functions when I was there. I think he might be strongly hooked into Mike Osborn, who endorsed him. I suspect alot of the money is his own. I am sure Neil Andrews who is also on the CC won't appreciate it if more is spent on Gibson than him and there are other Republicans running in this race - Jim Monahan and Mike Tracy to mention just a couple of them.

Dean K. got a lot of development money - which is in short supply these days. I doubt if Wal-Mart is going to give money to anyone who isn't a sure bet. And $$$ to any lower office means less money for Sac officials.

I think he's a relative newcomer to Ventura, so it's no wonder that some County Republicans haven't heard of him. But, he may be getting pipeline funds from others that he's acquainted with outside the County. I know he's well known in Santa Barbara County circles.

It's just remarkable that he would spend that much of his own funds to run for office when he's up against 4 well-known incumbents. Something just doesn't smell right.

Well I was on the CC three years ago and never saw him and I talked to a recent/current member of the CC and he is not known to him/her either. So........

Watch those finance reports. You'll probably see some donations from Greka Oil (Mike Stoker's co.) and Firestone Vineyards (Brooks Firestone's business). Both of these guys served on the SB County Board of Supervisors and are friends of his.

He can't accept more than $275 per contributor so you aren't impressing us. Oil and alcohol. Typical Republican.

Per law, political parties can send out "member communications" at no reporting costs to the person they are communicating about. Not sure why unions aren't allowed to do the same. But I suspect other Reps would be most unhappy if a "member communication" was sent out to benefit just one candidate.

I thought Brooks was a moderate. Stoker is not.

I hope you're not naive enough to think that things won't happen surreptitioulsy that will definitely raise some eyebrows. Gibson is in good with Osborn. Andrews and the others are not. Osborn does not like Andrews. Gibson will get whatever help he needs, believe me.

I believe the Firestones sold their winery, so money coming from there wouldn't be connected to Brooks. Can't see him meddling in another county's race anyway. Stoker is another story, because his assembly district overlaps the City of Ventura. A coordinated campaign between Stoker (Strickland's paid staffer)/Strickland/Gibson/Osborn benefits all of them. Unlimited IE's - independent expenditures - will be lined up to do hit pieces at the time the absentee ballots are mailed. They will do it as last minute as possible. At the same time the Republican Party will be walking precincts delivering door hangers to the Republicans only - all outside the $275 campaign limit. That's the Strickland model to win elections, and it works.
Osborn's ego is at stake and he'll pull out all the stops - maybe even he and his wife Mary (also on the county party Executive Committee providing a vote for the funding of these "member communications") will walk precints.

Oh I know illegals things will happen - some of the players are lacking in brains, backbone and smarts. The current Joel Angeles/Audra Strickland's Chief of Staff Trial is but a reflection of what is inflicted on good people everywhere in the county. Not to mention the amount of tax payer money necessary to underwrite such stupidity.

All of this conjecture is silly when absentee ballots have already been sent out.

Are they really going to wait until after people start voting to first vote to spend money and then to communicate with voters?

The VCRCC isn't going to endorse someone challenging incumbents multiple Republican incumbents, especially when one of them was the leader of McCain/Palin for this area.

Their bylaws might even stop them.

The VCRCC changed the bylaws to allow them to endorse the "best" Republicans in their opinion.

With 4 open seats they could endorse any four Republicans they want. They will typically endorse the Republican incumbents but are not required to do so.

Brian:

Silly or not, the fact remains that this Ventura voting household, with multiple voters in it, has yet to receive a single piece of mail from a single candidate for City Council, Democrat, Republican, Independent or Whacko..

Apparently, all of them must believe that tactile voters' ignorance of their political platforms, equates to political absentee voting bliss..

Tempis fugit candidates..

NostraDemus

NostaDemus,

That's the issue I am raising. If some candidate was going to run an innovative campaign or raise large sums of money the time is slipping away.

But old George spoke from the heart, and believed what he said, and really, he actually did what he said he was going to do, even if it wasnt popular, yet necessary for our country. Obama speaks as someone reading something. There is no belief in it, no conviction. Just empty words. And he doesnt do what he says. His think tank says just say it and they will buy into it, like they did with change, change, change. But I think America has learned now, as to what a snake oil salesmen he is.