I interviewed Al Adam last week as part of my ongoing Thursday Night Live series. This week he sent a press release out that he is teaming up with incumbent Claudia Bill-de la Peña to run together for city council.
Al Adam has put together an initiative that would bring term limits to the Thousand Oaks City Council. Running for office with what appears to be a popular ballot initiative might be the formula he needs to bring attention to his issues. Read my interview with him about his ballot initiative and then vote in my poll:
Challengers for city races are usually at a disadvantage but running as a slate and his initiative might just be what he needs to win. Term limits might not be a great policy idea as even Rep. Tom McClintock now says they were a mistake but they remain popular with voters.
In other Thousand Oaks City Council news I like the format in posting campaign finance forms. Go to their website and check it out.
CLAUDIA BILL-DE LA PEÑA AND AL ADAM KICK-OFF THEIR 2010CITY COUNCIL CAMPAIGNS!
Stop Wasting Tax Dollars
THOUSAND OAKS, CA - On Wednesday, August 4, 2010, Thousand Oaks Planning Commissioner and Term Limits initiative author, Al Adam, will kick off his campaign for City Council with current Councilmember Claudia Bill-de la Peña. Claudia and Al are campaigning together because they feel the Thousand Oaks City Council needs more fiscal restraint in these challenging economic times when the City is receiving lower tax revenue. "It's time to stop wasting taxpayer dollars on frivolous polls and projects," said Adam.
Al states, "The Lakes shopping center was built on very valuable public land and is leased to a billionaire land developer for only $1 a year. Taxpayers deserve a better deal." Bill-de la Peña states, "We are sending a message that strong financial leadership is needed in our City. We are running together, and we are keeping out special interest money and influence. Now more than ever, we need to put necessities first - not luxuries!"
Both candidates will speak at a reception on Wednesday August 4th, at the home of Al and Marilyn Adam. The event will begin at 7:00pm. Dessert and beverages will be served.
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Term Limits have been a mistake in Sac because people like the Stricklands, the Runners, etc. view it as an opportunity to play musical chairs. Sacramento is rife with husband/wife teams - many of whom use different last names.
I personally would like to see a change on the TO City Council. GIven how many of them backed the horribly deafeated Audra Strickland in her run for BOS and they put up with her campaign shenigans - it is clear that they are out of step. Furthermore, they continue to waste taxdollars - the most recent being many hundreds of thousands of dollars for 12 parking spaces at the Lakes development.
If a passing of term limits is what is necessary to get rid of 4 or 5 or even more term council members - then let have it all over the county.
Term limits only work for a predetermined time. IF the voters are aware, they can vote out bad officials. If they don't vote or aren't aware, they can move to Bell. I would like to see our towns, like Simi Valley, go to districts since they already divide it into 1/4's with Neighborhood Councils. Make each Council member actually live in the district they represent. A plus would be it's easier and cheaper to run a campaign with only 1/4 of the voters to communicate with.