Candidate for Simi Valley Mayor Steve Sojka put his signs up first across town and now it has become a campaign issue. Mike Chandler's blog post and the article in The Acorn are comprehensive enough that I don't have much to add.
The article in The Acorn had this observation from candidates Mike Judge and Michelle Foster:
Though Judge said the law favors incumbents, who have strong ties with local developers, business and property owners, Foster said she believes the ordinance still creates a level playing field."Everyone has the opportunity to receive permission from someone to put a sign on their property," she said, adding, "Just because you are currently an office holder doesn't mean people say yes to you. It's their way of validating whether you are doing a good job in the community or not."
A property owner that wants to develop their property would be wise to curry favor with the people in charge of making a decision on what they can do with their land. The same goes for commercial property owners who often need to work with the city on a variety of issues. A sitting council member has an advantage when asking a property owner to allow their sign to be posted. Remember that next time you see a property with a campaign sign in front of it.
That said Steve Sojka has been effective at placing his signs beyond simply being an incumbent. As a local business owner he has worked closely with many people either through nonprofit work like the Police Foundation or as customers of his advertising business. He has developed many personal relationships that have been helping him as he campaigns.
Mike Chandler, over at Votesimivalley.com, has created a Facebook page dedicated to the 2010 Simi Valley elections. Click like on it below to see his posts in your Facebook feed.
Mike Chandler also posted Bob Huber's response to the start of the campaign signs going up on his blog. Huber contends that he chose not to post them out of respect for voters. read more about his response here.
I believe Simi Valley's campaign sign ordinance was put in place by already elected people to favor the elected people. It is a ridiculous policy.
I find Sojka's remarks in the acorn to be very revealing. He says "Who determines what amount of time is respectful to the community? “Is it 60 days, 90 days, 120 days?” Well here's a novel approach Mr. Sojka.....How about asking the community what they think? I mean do you REALLY think that 4 months of signs all over the City is really needed?
As to his second comment that he was advised from the City Attorney, "Because of free speech protections, a more restrictive time period could open up the city to lawsuits". I find that suspect as that the County of Ventura only allows signs for 90 days and our neighbor, The City of Thousand Oaks only alows signs for 45 days. Have they been fending off many 1st ammendment lawsuits?
Lets be honest. Contrary to Councilwoman Foster's assertion, encumbents have a inherent advantage. (At least councilman Becerra is honest enough to admit it). Do you really think when a landowner or business gets a call from Counciwoman Foster or Councilman Sojka that asks, " can I please put a sign for my re-election on your property?, that theres much of a chance that they would hear NO?
And I don't believe that a business feeling an obligation to put up a sign of a sitting councilmember is any validation of the job they are doing. By definition, that validation is on Nov. 2nd!!
Time for new blood at City Hall in Simi. Under Sojka, Becerra and Foster the economy in Simi Valley has crashed. Maybe Huber and Mashburn can turn the ship around!
Hi Wendy,
I can’t speak for any other Council Member, but yes, I have been told that I could not place a campaign sign on a commercial piece of property. So to say that incumbents have an edge over other candidates is not always the case. Most businesses are very approachable for placement of signs on their property. In this particular case, the owner was supporting Mr. Judge, who was a first time candidate, so it does happen. Also I am sure if we pass a certain law that is in opposition to what the business community favors, they will for darn sure not let you place a sign on their property. Do we have a higher percentage of businesses allowing us to put up signs? Of course. Mainly because we probably sit on various committees with them , i.e., Boys & Girls Club, Police Foundation, Free Clinic, and have come to know them as friends, not just a business in town. I guess my question is where are some of these candidates when it comes to giving back to our community prior to their decision to run for office? I know that is not a prerequisite, but I am curious. I am not trying to “stir the pot”, just sharing my thoughts. Thanks
Under the new SupCourt ruling, can a corporation put up a candidate's campaign sign 365 days of the year?
well Its actually just the opposite The current council members that have just been going
through the motions for years all of sudden in an election year are acting like they are so pro-active and give back -when in reality they have done little to make this city better in past years-
and the giving back to the community is just for pure self promotion - Huber has given back to the community his whole life -
Hers a recent example- Rotary - and box city
Rotary is about service above ones self-Bob and his wife were a major part in this event for rotary-they spent weeks planning the event and were there for an entire 24 hours during the event
-again no pictures were posted on Huber campaign about it at all- Steve and Glen showed
up Gave out an award and left-
again this event is for rotary to help the samaritan center and the homeless-
About two weeks later Sojka showed up at the samaritan center by himself with cameras in a suit and tie to give out bicycles to the homeless-
Now he keeps posting the pictures and talking about giving back?
Box city was by rotary for the homeless
So who is just doing things since they are running for office- SOJKA
There is a big difference between giving back to the community-
And pure self promotion!
So Barbarai if you weren't trying to “stir the pot” then you wouldn't have said anything!
Its obvious Bob has been giving back to the community his whole life-
and does it as a labor of love for the community -and He has been giving back to the community for 30 years longer
Hey Barbra Did you attend Box City? Did you go out and spend the night in a field to help the homeless? Did Steve? Did Glen?
Chad you are right on your description of Sojka, and the bikes were donated by a local bike shop that has supported the Samaritan Center for a while. How dare he show up for photo op. Just like his stunt giving out money from the non-profit Police Foundation to strangers he "caught being good" so he could photograph and give to the newspaper. How phony and transparent is that.
Also when did Sojka hop on board for the girls softball field. The Amanda McPherson Foundation raised a huge amount of money for it and the Park District as well. How is it that he is taking so much credit for it.
Plus Sojka rides on the coattails of his father's accomplishments. My father was a rocket scientist and physicist I sure wouldn't pump up my resume with his credentials. Earn the respect of the community on your own accomplishments not your Dad's.
No comparison between Huber and Sojka.
Huber tireless humble community servant, past Deputy District Attorney, Simi Valley City Council, Ventura County Community College Board, private paractice attorney and business owner for 30 years,multiple degrees in higher education.
Sojka, joins committees to self promote, slick smoothie politician. Bought a coupon franchise when he was 20 still doing the same thing 25 years later, you would think that if he was real ambitious he would have numerous franchises, no higher education.
This city needs a representative that has more sophistication. No one on the council knows how to attract large businesses here it is only the cronies for the Chamber of Commerce that receive subsidized advertising on a failed "Shop Simi Valley First Campaign" which hired a marketing company outside of Simi Valley. that was a waste of $500,000.00 of our money.
Foster and Sojka should have both recused themselves when they approved Shop Simi Valley first since both of their businesses benefitted from it.
Now Sojka wants to use city funds (our taxpayer dollars) to finance low interest loans for small businesses with very few restrictions on qualifying for the loan.
When did our city Council decide it should be in the high risk banking business using our money to give their friends businesses loans. Thank goodness Williamson had some sense to vote against it.
There are Angel Investors-Private Investors out there who will give out loans if a business owner proves himself credit worthy. If an individual can not prove that they are credit worthy personally and for their business or persuade investors they shouldn't be in business. Also why can't they apply for a SBA loan?
The last election when Foster, Becerra and Miller ran unopposed the City Council voted to spend $40,000.00 to put their names on the ballot mainly so Foster could claim to have been "elected." This was the City Council's campaign contribution with our money for Foster's campaign. What a waste of our money to self promote so they can have their name on the ballot, how arrogant!
I'm voting for Huber, Mashburn and Becerra!
Hi Chad,
Yes, I did in fact attend Box City. I was there until around 10:30p.m. (I think) I sat with Joe Lansden and Deb Huber checking in people and asking questions. I am to old to scrunch in a box....so I went home...
Yes, Both Glen and Steve were there. As a matter of fact, they presented a Proclamation on behalf of the City.
Both Glen and I co-chair the Task Force on Homelessness.
This was a really great Rotary event and I look forward to it next year.
Barbara- thanks for responding I would like to learn more about the Task Force on Homelessness
as I'm very interested in this subject? Thanks
Chad,
Yes, you are right. Bob Huber has been involved with the City of Simi Valley for many years; however, except for his four years on the council back in the 80’s he hasn’t made a decision which effects the inner workings and the residents of the City of Simi Valley. Steve has. Everyday Steve is on the firing line, making decisions that affect everyone, including his family, mine and yes, yours. So it’s easy to throw rocks at him and the council because you know where he/we stand on issues. I believe it was Wal-Mart that donated the bikes to Rotary and Steve was representing them (Rotary) when he presented them to the Samaritan Center. Would you have him show up in shorts and a t-shirt? I think not.
All politicians, and I do mean all, have ego’s as big as the room they are in, including Bob Huber.
If by chance he is elected, I will guarantee you that he will be in very photo opt that comes his way. It’s the nature of the beast.
Call the city,(805) 583-6701 and ask when the next Homeless Meeting is. You are more than welcome to attend and we would love to have you. B
yes- Barbra i would like to hear more specific things that Steve has done in that time -what
programs has he initiated, what ordinances was he involved in creating, What issues does he stand for? give me some examples of major decisions he's been a part of that effect the City?
is there somewhere i can find some specific info ?
Barbra -was Steve really there for Rotary ? did you see the description he posted on the picture?
wow Barbra -" If by chance he is elected" - WHEN he is Elected, Do you really think it will be by chance?
definitely not --the people finally have a choice and they will make their voice heard!
people don't win Elections by chance!
When was the last time there was an actual heated election -20 years ago?
This will be a landslide!
Chad,
No I didn't see the description he posted on the picture. However I am positive he was there for Rotary. Steve is a past president and has been a member for many many years.
I am sure if you go to his website, you will see what he has accomplished in his 12 years on the Council. Now you may not agree with all that he has done, because I haven't....but in the long run the good he has done for the residents far outways the those that I didn't agree with. So go to the site, or better yet, call City Hall and meet with him personally. He will answer your questions face to face.he's that kind of guy.
Chad, Chad, Chad.....if I said it, I believe it....
What are their stances on the issues such as cleaning up rocketdyne, gangs, and whose watching WM?
Good Question's Nobody. Let's start talking issues and also campaign finance disclosure.
Does our Councilman/Mayor Candidate follow the Municipal Code?
The rules of the sign code indicate campaign signs need to have the contact information of the property owner in the bottom right hand corner. I checked two current Sojka sign placements with no property owner contact information. This requirement is important to the community which has a right to know and participate. The current code establishes fairness since a challenger in any race could access the owner contact information from existing signs. Do incumbents think signage display is an exclusive right? Is that why Sojka "obtained" permission more than 3 months ahead of our city's election?
Here is a photo of the mayoral candidate's sign. Follow this URL: http://tinyurl.com/2aqwbdk
Maybe previous crony elections did not enforce the code. Sojka for Mayor signs infer property owners permission has been obtained but we don't know who he spoke to. Who authorized this sign? Check this URL: http://tinyurl.com/233remb
I reviewed County Assessor's maps and Sojka place this sign on public entity owned property. This violates two conditions of the rules. The code is the code and Mr. Sojka is clearly in violation of this requirement. No one else is in violation of this at the moment since no other signs are displayed.
How can Mr Sojka be Mayor if he cannot follow the rules established during his own service?
@Follow The Rules Guys: I've got the digital artwork on my laptop for the Sojka for Mayor signs and the contact information is in the actual artwork, ensuring that contact data exists on every sign that goes to print. No need to affix a label with contact info, it's printed on the sign permanently.
But if you think there's a violation, report it to the city with the location of the signs in question and they will investigate it immediately. It happened last election, they followed up on every report promptly.
What a bunch of baloney. The only thing out of compliance is the idiot that wrote this nonsense. Mr. Sojka has been through enough campaigns to know the rules. He should, he had a hand in writing them. I am surprised you can even read the county assessors records, or find the building for that matter.
According to the information I have been reading, all the current Council Members support the cleaning up of Rocketdyne. Gangs and graffiti are almost nonexistent, thanks to the leadership of the City Council, and of course the great police department. Waste Management and the expansion of the landfill, well now that is a different matter. Aside from one Council Member, Barbara Williamson, most have stuck their heads in the sand…This is an issue that will come back and bite them in the rear-end. Any candidate for office would be wise to jump on this issue at the get go. It’s probably the only big issue facing our valley, it’s like a 500 pound gorilla and it’s not going away.
Speaking of a 500 pound gorilla. Mr. Huber is so concerned about illegal immigrants, what's his solution to the illegal immigrant from Oxnard, Liliana, wanted for deportation, living at the United Church of Christ. Where is his leadership on this issue? Forget E-Verify, let’s see him wrap his arms around something that campaign headlines are really made of.
@Mike Chandler I report infractions when more candidates put improper signs out. See the violation http://tinyurl.com/23xrx99 and download the rules sheet. This is active from the city website. The code prohibits multisided signs. I will report those too when everyone gets them out. @The Shadow Knows should not call me an idiot. My generation will need to clean up the mess your generation is creating. Besides who is the idiot when you are confirming this city is run by a bunch of cronies writing their own rules to litter this town with a bunch of trashy signs for months before the election? Shadow, what about putting signs on park district property? Is that good for you too?