I think Jim Dantona will make an excellent Clerk-Recorder for the people of Ventura County. It is time for fresh blood in Ventura County politics and Lunn seems like he would just be more of the same old politics.

A liberal democrat winning the endorsement of a public safety union. Now there's a surprise.

Hey yyz, can you offer some backup for the "liberal" tag you applied? I don't know what Jim's beliefs are and not sure that firefighters are ever considered a "liberal" group, so I am interested in your reasoning.

Hopefully you are not taking the fact that he took a photo with someone once as a determination on a person's philosophy. I once took a picture with Bob Dole, am I a right-wing conservative now? Or am I someone who can appreciate a person who deserves respect no matter what their political beliefs?

Fresh blood, huh? Bucky, do you realize Dantona is one of the most inside baseball candidates to ever run for office? He is a political consultant by trade and makes his living grooming and advising candidates how to win office. He's been doing this for many years and has developed connections with all the special interest groups in the process.

He is not the candidate for change, believe me. More like the candidate for more of the same.

yyz,

Mr Lunn has the endorsement of the deputy sheriffs and that is a public safety union, so lets see according to you he must be a liberal.
That just isn't rational.

Brian,

It's interesting that you said "The legitimacy of our elections is dependent on voter participation."

I couldn't agree more. While the Clerk Recorder of Ventura County has many responsibilities, managing the Elections Division presents the most challenges and opportunity for reform.

I think most voters would agree that at a minimum, the person elected should have a demonstrated interest and committment to the election process.

Sadly Mr. Lunn's voting record indicates otherwise. He not only didn't bother to vote in an election for candidates running for offices such as Governor, Assembly and Congress, but also in an election where there were ballot initiatives that specifically addressed voting modernization for the state, and voters rights to have their ballots counted.
That sends the wrong message to the electorate.

Jim Dantona has demonstrated throughout his career, and with his voting record, that he understands and believes in the importance of the election process, and the critical role it plays in helping us all work towards a more effective government.

The choice is clear.

Laura, what election are you referring to? Was this a one-time oversight or has Mr Lunn left a pattern of not voting regularly? I suppose the election records would show this.

People like Lunn and Meg Whitman only seem to care about taking care of themselves, they don't vote or participate and then cry about bad politicians. I want a man like Jim Dantona in office who is engaged and ready to roll up his sleeves and work for the people and not the special interests like Meg Whitman and the big corporations who control her.

So, Bucky, you're falling for Dantona's campaign picture (the coat slung over the shoulder, ready to get down to work shot)? Don't forget, this is coming from a guy who manufactures political images for a living.

I don't trust this guy for a minute and I hope that the voters in this County see through his b.s. image-building campaign as well.

Falling for his campaign picture? What are you smoking? I've met Dantona a couple of times and he is smart and he wants to serve the public. After reading about the Ventura County Republican Committee and how it is controlled by Audra and Tony Strickland it seems to me that Lunn is part of a cabal that I don't think much of. I mean come on, Ms. Strickland's mother-in-law is on that committee and then Audra claimed she knew nothing of that push-poll? And then I read that the head of that committee Michelle Osborn said "Maybe" she and the rest of them paid for the poll? I'm sorry, if Lunn had intergrity he would have spoken out about all that foolishness.

Dantona is the inside baseball candidate? Lunn is the CHIEF OF STAFF to the County Supervisor. The guy who watches over the elections for the whole county (including the County Supervisors) would be THE former staff member to a sitting Supervisor? Hello Mr. Fox, would you mind watching this hen house for me....

Endorsed by an absolute litany of sitting elected officials, all who have elections under his control... I would think Dantona is the guy we want watching over our elections to make sure they are secure and fair.

Dantona has been office-shopping for the past several elections. You make the accusation that Audra Strickland has been doing this, but take a look at Mr. Dantona and the various offices he's run for these past few elections. This guy is a career politician. Nothing more, nothing less.

Mark Lunn is light years ahead of Dantona in integrity and commitment to service. He's a decorated ex-CHP Assistant Chief with a storied history of service to the community.

We need a trustworthy person in this office. Someone who can sort through and fix all the areas needing improvement in the Elections Office, which has been a partisan puppet of the Board of Supervisors for many years now. We need integrity and objectivity, not a Democratic Party stooge like Dantona.

Elect Mark Lunn if you want real change in the Clerk-Recorder's Office.

So again the trustworthy guy is Lunn, the one who is buddy-buddy with all the elected officials and oversees the elections of all the people who he owes his possible successful election to? And the guy who was actually a part of the VCRCC, whose mission it is to drive partisans to the ballot?

Instead of Dantona who understands how elections operate? And is not beholden to any of these people for his successful campaign? Nice try "Down with Dantona". Stop trying to make the argument against Dantona and just pitch your guy. If you have a preference just say it, but don't try to mask it in the good government argument.

Lunn is the insider in this race. Dantona is challenging the establishment in Mark Lunn. What part of "Lunn is the Chief of Staff to Foy (sitting County Supervisor)" do you not understand? Truthfully, you understand all of that you are just trying to tear down the other guy. Well I am sorry sir or madam that dog isn't going to hunt.

I'm so tired of hearing that Dantona is a career politician, Dantona has done so much for kids and people in Ventura County for free that I really don't understand how you can possibly say these crazy things, they just aren't true. Dantona has been honored by everyone in California and nationally for his philanthropic work so get your facts straight. I personally like Audra Strickland but I'm starting to wonder who her followers are, because maybe they need to stop bashing Dantona or risk losing support for Audra.

I agree with the last blogger, I have not only voted for Tony and Audra I have given them money and so has my family. As a Republican I seldom vote for Democrats, but Dantona is one I like and can vote for.

This race isn't about anyone particular candidate. It's not about one party or another. This race is about humanity. The fairness and integrity of our elections has an impact on the entire world. We are the ones the world looks to.

The Republicans caused major damage to our electorial process in Florida. The world saw that and they see us trying to fix it.

Electing a VCRCC lackey like Mark Lunn doesn't just hurt us. It hurts every human that strives to be free.

Please support humanity.

Vote for Jim Dantona.

GS, indeed the election records do show it. I had just started looking at the voting records when I ran across the election that Mr. Lunn missed. I checked the database 3 times to verify that there was no record of his vote on 3/5/02.

I haven't had a chance to go back through all the records yet to see if this was an anomaly or a pattern.

That's it???

You're cracking bad on the guy for missing 1 vote 8 years ago?

That's crap!

No, that's the facts so far, with more to come.

Not all CHP officers are good people. Mark Lunn is no exception.

Craig Peyer was a decorated CHP officer that taught safety training to women. He turned out to be a rapist and a murderer.

Law enforcement wants to hide what happend but I and my family will never forget. You shouldn't either.

How come Andy Levinson has not been on here bashing Lunn for being a retired public employee who gets a pension? I guess Andy only cares when the person getting it is not a far right extremist eh Andy?

As a Republican turned Independent, I like Dantona. I think he always brings new ideas to the table. He is an informed, articulate, attractive candidate who I happen to like. Speaking as a mid 30's woman I think Dantona will attract a lot of women voters. Good Luck................................

I just met Jim Dantona yesterday at a meeting of Teachers. I have never met him before but I am quite impressed with his passion. He is an articulate candidate and he has my vote,

Does anyone know if there is going to be a debate for County Clerk. Most of us don't really knows what the position does, so it would be nice to hear all the candidates.

I agree lets have a debate. Its an important position few people know about. I heard Dantona speak the other night and he was quite impressive. Hope to see more in the papers and hopefully a debate.

I doubt there'll be a debate but there's no reason the candidates can't appear on their own at various venues to explain the Clerk Recorder position and how it affects all of us. It's important for voters to know that one important function of the CR is to make sure that every one of our votes get counted and not tossed our simply because some party attorney selectively challenges them.

Don't let some attorney steal your vote!

Carol,

The Recorder's Office issues marriage licenses; files notary public bonds, powers of attorney, and fictitious business name statements; and registers humane officers, process servers, professional photocopiers, unlawful detainer assistants, legal document assistants, maintains deputy appointments and oaths of office. They are also responsible for the recording of deeds, mortgages, decrees of court, and leases affecting title to real property in the county. This office also maintains Uniform Commercial Code filings, subdivision maps, and vital statistics, including births, deaths and marriages. They also supervise the registration of all voters, conducts all county and statewide elections (including school and special districts), processes local and statewide petitions, assists in the conduct of municipal elections, establishes and maintain precinct boundaries, equips polling places on election day, appoints and trains polling place election officers, tabulates election returns (including a semi-official canvass on election night, and an official canvass), prepares a statement of votes cast, and maintains the county's master voter file.

The county clerks office is a very attractive target for VCRCC insurgents. If we are interested in defending liberty We must elect someone much less partisan than Mark Lunn.

Thank you for contributing to humanity.

So, Nobody, you think it would be a good idea to elect a Democratic Party insider like Dantona to this position? Is that a good alternative to Mark Lunn? I fail to see your point.

If you're claiming that Mark Lunn is a puppet of the VCRCC, how can you claim that Jim Dantona isn't a puppet of the VCDCC? Your logic is faulty here, brother.

I think someone like Linda Parks would be fantastic but you guys spent the last two decades scaring off the talent.

A chairman on the VCRCC Board (Mark Lunn) is not a good fit. He is too partisan. This has become a election of who is the least partisan and that's Jim. I wouldn't be surprised in Jim didn't even like Brian Leshon so how could he be a puppet for the VCDCC?

Trust me, Dantona likes Leshon. That's one of the ways he's hoping to get elected, with the Dems/unions help. What's not to like?

I doubt Jim get's more union help than Mark Lunn's bloated tax-paid pension. If Jim likes Brian Leshon it's nothing compared to the mad passionate love affair Mark Lunn has with the VCRCC. He was their vice president you know.

Every partisan decision Mark Lunn makes will be viewed with skepticism. Why not save the tax-payers a bunch of litigation costs and elect Jim Dantona?

Mark Lunn was the First VP of the VCRCC which means he was second in command. He was on the Executive Committee which means he approved of any dollars received or spent. He is Peter Foy's Chief of Staff and on the TO Planning Commission. And he actively defended Audra's aborted run for Tax Collector. I have met him - he is a nice guy but has not seperated himself from Partisan Politics. Heck, he is using a Strickland employee as his campaign manager. He has been told this and has ignored it. I'm not too sympathetic.

Dantona will be a better pick for this non-partisan position. Lunn is too entrenched with the right wing side of things to do a good job. It is not a right wing county.

So let me see if I understand the way things work in Katie Land.

You support a:

Professional lobbyist joined at the waist with Gray Davis, Art Torres, John Burton and the rest of the Democrat establishment.

Someone who has a history of being a "bagman" for Davis and Burton.

Someone who has a history of lawsuits against him, bankruptcies and tax liens.

You don't support:

A decorated police officer.

A man who put his very life on the line to keep you and your family safe.

A man with an impeccable financial history who honors his commitments and pays his bills.

And you think people should follow your advise????

You should probably stay in Katie World where that kind of thinking is considered sound because it sure doesn't make any real sense here!

Ditto to what "voter" said and another question for Katie: Do you realize the Clerk-Recorder is a non-partisan position?

So, your rants about Mark Lunn being a tool of right wing Republicans holds no water. The same case could easily be made for Jim Dantona being a puppet of left wing Democrats.

Time to get off partisan politics for a minute and consider the respective qualifications of these two candidates. In my book, Mark Lunn comes out on top, for all the reasons "voter" stated and more.

County Supervisor is also a "non-partisan" office, but four years ago the local Republican party threw in a lot of money at the very last minute to help Lunn's boss, Peter Foy, squeak by and win. It would seem like a huge stretch in figuring that Foy's boy would follow his mentor's lead in using whatever is available in terms of partisan tools to help him nail down a win.

NOT!

Yes, and in the same race Dantona brought in a lot of money from LA, including from City Councilman Tony Cardenas who Dantona's son works for.

Dantona is a money launderer and has a history of bringing LA Democrat machine money into Ventura County and will do it again!

Nice bobbin' and weavin', but I noticed that you did not deny Foy and his boy run partisan races for non-partisan offices.

The full picture: the "good ol' boys" who own and operate the VCRCC feel that public office in this county belongs to them by something akin to divine right. They have endorsed Lunn and why not? He and his boss Foy are their handpicked instruments. It is this crew that is the only political machine in this county. However, they get real nervous at the prospect that someone who answers to the voters alone and not to them might mess up the beautiful thing they have been working here for a long time.

Even Republicans possessing an independent spirit scare the holy corn pone out of them! They make sure that these "outsiders" with the audacity to try to serve on the VCRCC or hold or run for office are the targets of their rath. Interestingly, this seems to be particularly true of independent female Republicans like Linda Parks, Leslie Cornejo, Katie Teague and even former Supervisor Judy Mikels.

What color is the sky in your world, Harold?

Voter,
What world do you live in. I am in law enforcement and know Mr. Lunn. Lunn has been a paper pusher not a street officer. Actually at one time he simply reported traffic. I don't classify that as a hero.
Jim Dantona has worked with at risk kids for over 20 years, that's a real world hero. To criticize Dantona for having to deal with the struggles we all face just doesn't make sense.
Check your facts, Lunn is Done.

You say you're in "law enforcement."

To make those comments about Lunn while lauding the crook Dantona I know just what part of "law enforcement" you're in.

You're in California Correctional..........

doing 3 to 5.

Probably for fraud.

Voter is it true that Lunn is a Master Debator? Dantona is a crook? Why, is it illegal for him to kick the crud out of losers like Lunn?

Voter on,
Actually Narcotics Division and 3 years in Iraq. Please dont show your ignorance.
Dantona is a fine person and a good American.

Did you just call Dantona a money launderer, Voter? You're slithering over the line into slander and libel territory. Haven't you heard - you can't do that with impunity behind fake names on the internet any longer.

Keep it up and you can expect to find your IP traced and outed via subpeona.

John W.,

What's 832?

FNW,

Trace away, truth is the ultimate defense.

How about that Roy Ashburn, conservative republican California legislature who was caught drunk driving in Sacramento and then they find out that he was driving back from a gay bar, despite being married and having four kids. Today Ashburn admitted he was gay, even though he has always voted against gay rights. I don't care if he is gay, but I hate the hypocrisy. Voter I thought you guys were all about family values, what happened?

Interesting how Miss Katie does not respond to
the above blog.
A repeat;

So let me see if I understand the way things work in Katie Land.

You support a:

Professional lobbyist joined at the waist with Gray Davis, Art Torres, John Burton and the rest of the Democrat establishment.

Someone who has a history of being a "bagman" for Davis and Burton.

Someone who has a history of lawsuits against him, bankruptcies and tax liens.

You don't support:

A decorated police officer.

A man who put his very life on the line to keep you and your family safe.

A man with an impeccable financial history who honors his commitments and pays his bills.

And you think people should follow your advise????

You should probably stay in Katie World where that kind of thinking is considered sound because it sure doesn't make any real sense here!

Do your homework Katie!

Jasmine is Mike Gibson's new cross dressing fake name.

Got issues, Mike?

Others answered for me Mike.

Actually Foy was the one who had all the liens and a record of not paying his debts, not Dantona. Dantona is qualified for this job and Lunn is not. Dantona will win, Lunn will lose.

Dear ekiM nosbiG SkuS,

I find it odd that you are saying that Dantona has no record of not his paying bills. Let me just give you some credible facts because you obviously have not done your research. The following facts are public record, Dantona has filed for Bankruptcy twice in the past 18 years. He has had hundreds of thousands of dollars in IRS debt and many judgments against him. Now you tell me who has the financial problems... Do we really want someone who is a registered lobbyist as of this year handling our important documents and making sure our elections are done fairly? I might add that Mr. Foy's financial background, has nothing to do with Lunn's campaign or his ability to do the job.

The records show Dantona has a clean record. Foy and Lunn are good old boy buddies. Lunn may have even been called in the past to investigate Foy for stiffing people he owed money to and did not pay.

Word has it that at a meeting in T.O. last week held by Tony Strickland that was supposed to be on property rights, it instead turned into a fundraiser for Audra. Tony called Foy up and Foy then said he needed more right wing extremists like himself on the County Board, then he and Tony started telling the audience they needed to write campaign checks to Audra for $700.

As i am reading all these comments on this blog i am amazed at what people write these days, and how they are able to write so much and be so against someone, Mr. Lunn, without even knowing the truth about what they are saying. People are talking about lack of integrity and lack of trust, and how Lunn is one of the people that “only seem to care about taking care of themselves.” You people obviously have never met the man and heard him speak. You people don’t know who Mr. Lunn is, if you have ever spent any time talking to him 1 on 1 or just listening to him speak, you would see the amount of integrity he has, the passion he has for what he is tying to do. You say that he’s a “retired public employee who gets a pension,” and I don’t see how that does anything but prove the fact that he is running for this position because he wants to, its not for the money its because he has a passion for it. Mark Lunn is not the kind of man that does things for himself and to try to prove people he’s better or whatever it may be, he would be the first to help someone with anything if they asked for his assistance. He is a great man.
Lastly I think that anyone who bashed or scrutinized Lunn’s work as a Police Officer should be ashamed of themselves! How can you ever see that as a negative quality, and comparing him to a rapist and a murderer, Really people? How low can you get! Its insane that that thought would even come into someone’s mind, you need some serious help. Im sorry if you’ve had bad past experiences in your life but this is not the place to make accusations and comparisons like that. I will end by responding to the “Lunn has been a paper pusher, not a street officer” comment, do one thing go to marklunn.org/about and read about all he has done in his career much more then “push papers” we should all be thanking Mark Lunn for all that he has done for us……

As i am reading all these comments on this blog i am amazed at what people write these days, and how they are able to write so much and be so against someone, Mr. Lunn, without even knowing the truth about what they are saying. People are talking about lack of integrity and lack of trust, and how Lunn is one of the people that “only seem to care about taking care of themselves.” You people obviously have never met the man and heard him speak. You people don’t know who Mr. Lunn is, if you have ever spent any time talking to him 1 on 1 or just listening to him speak, you would see the amount of integrity he has, the passion he has for what he is tying to do. You say that he’s a “retired public employee who gets a pension,” and I don’t see how that does anything but prove the fact that he is running for this position because he wants to, its not for the money its because he has a passion for it. Mark Lunn is not the kind of man that does things for himself and to try to prove people he’s better or whatever it may be, he would be the first to help someone with anything if they asked for his assistance. He is a great man.
Lastly I think that anyone who bashed or scrutinized Lunn’s work as a Police Officer should be ashamed of themselves! How can you ever see that as a negative quality, and comparing him to a rapist and a murderer, Really people? How low can you get! Its insane that that thought would even come into someone’s mind, you need some serious help. Im sorry if you’ve had bad past experiences in your life but this is not the place to make accusations and comparisons like that. I will end by responding to the “Lunn has been a paper pusher, not a street officer” comment, do one thing go to marklunn.org/about and read about all he has done in his career much more then “push papers” we should all be thanking Mark Lunn for all that he has done for us……

Funny - the people who often "like" Audra's Facebook posts are the mother/daughter combo of Debra Tash and Jennifer Amodei. Debra Tash "founded" the property right group. And Lindsay Kaye wrote a letter today and last month in support of AS running for BOS. And I believe Darlene Carson is AS's mother. AS's Cheif of Staff Joel Angeles often shows up as "liking" stuff too. In fact, these are about the only people who do show up. So Word - maybe you are on to something.

Debra Tash Add as Friend Darlene Carson Add as Friend Lindsay Kaye Add as Friend Jennifer Amodei Add as Friend
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Mark Lunn was the VP of the Ventura County Republican Central Committee. He is an election law violation waiting to happen.

Let's take advantage of the down economy and pick up some talent like Jim Dantona. These guys aren't going to be around when the economy picks up. The Tony Strickland's and Mark Lunn's will always be there. We have a chance now to do better let's take it.

We are in a down economy (hopefully on the way up this year!) so if Jim Dantona really is such a "talent," why hasnt he been picked up already?

I agree with Dart Dude. If Dantona is such a "talent", then why does he endlessly run losing campaigns for whatever local political office seems to be open. I'm unimpressed. His supporters do nothing but trash everybody else, which demonstrates that their candidate is desperate and lacks substance. I'm a registered democrat, but I would never vote for a sleazeball like Jim Dantona.