Isn't he a one issue candidate? How can he suggest the officers here suffer (or give up too much in negotiations vs others) when they are fighting to leave other areas to serve here? The POA made a weird choice when they endorsed him, Huber and Mashburn. WAY off base. Ask him what the 2011 budget is. Ask him what percentage goes to Police, fire, roads, etc? Does he have a clue? He doesn't know how the Arroyo restructure is planned to be payed for? C'mon!

Isn't he a one issue candidate? How can he suggest the officers here suffer (or give up too much in negotiations vs others) when they are fighting to leave other areas to serve here? The POA made a weird choice when they endorsed him, Huber and Mashburn. WAY off base. Ask him what the 2011 budget is. Ask him what percentage goes to Police, fire, roads, etc? Does he have a clue? He doesn't know how the Arroyo restructure is planned to be payed for? C'mon!

I do not agree that Mike is a one issue Candidate. Like most candidates, he has his top issues. You can engage him in any topic and he'll have something to say.

To clarify, the POA didn't endorse him, Mashburn and Huber. They only endorsed Huber and Mashburn, a real surprise considering how vocal Mike has been in support of the Simi Valley police.

Pension reform for law enforcement has me torn. Obviously pensions are bankrupting everything in their path, but law enforcement hold a special place as one of the fundamental functions of government. They DO make a LOT of money, especially if you compare compensation the East coast, which is a little apples to oranges, admittedly.

Mike and others have a sensical compromise--keep the pension the same for the guys that were promised it, and tough luck to the new guys. It's not fair to everyone, but it may be the best solution.

Some of you need to learn about pensions and those groups that watch over them since emeron took a dive in the private and publis sectors.

You need to educate the people running for office to also watch the Free money floating around these days.

Brian,

This obsession you have with the Pirates of the Caribbean project in the Arroyo is really getting weird. Simi Valley has huge issues facing it with local business, dump expansion, Council Salary and Benefits etc. The list of higher priority items puts that project at the bottom.

It's going to be taxpayer dollars whether from the State as Sojka seemed to allude to in your interview with him, Federally or locally.

I lived next to the Arroyo for 13 years, used the paths down there when I trained for the LA marathon in 1996/1997. Time to get realistic about the Arroyo and put that project where it belongs - on the back burner.

Two words... Log ride. There's a reason to shop in Simi Valley. See what can happen if we work as a team?

Two words... Log ride. There's a reason to shop in Simi Valley. See what can happen if we work as a team?

I don't remember anyone saying Arroyo improvements were a top priority. But it is something to be planned for long-term, something that can truly add to the aesthetic beauty of Simi Valley, raise property values and be an attraction for new companies. It would just make the community overall look better; currently it is an underused asset. The City should be including it among long-term desired improvements.

If only Councils of the past had thought long-term, included long-term priorities along with short-term priorities. The City always needs both. Think of the Farmers building, where it is located and what it looks like. It is what it is because they were desperate for the jobs, which is understandable. But if they had the choice and could have planned, they would have made it look nicer (think of today's design elements), and would have hoped to have it closer to a freeway on-ramp, or maybe even among a campus or cluster of other industrial buildings. Instead today we have this big Lego building in the dead center of town, along Galena Avenue, a stand-alone with little hope of making it part of a "tech corridor" or "health care corridor." The Councils of the '80s surrounded it with retail and housing.

People who don't know Simi Valley who drive by on the freeway and see that giant sore thumb must ask, "Why is that there?"

The big issue with local businesses is called the worst recession of our lifetime. It is quite the liberal thought that government needs to be the one to come save them. The best businesses will come out of this stronger because they will be the ones who will be creative and will work on their own to come up with solutions for new customers and revenues.

Simi Valley does not have huge problems with Council Salary and Benefits, BTW. It has a huge problem with political opportunists running amock, and an overly bitter police officers union.

I like the political Opportunists jab that’s a new one.

I'm sorry again if I wasn't clear about the Arroyo. (I’m not use to being interviewed.) It is an unnecessary project at this time and a colorful diversion at best. Maybe if the city was flush with money-

(Which by the way is not the city's money it's our money mine and yours one thing is for certain when I'm elected I will always think of it in that way.)

-then maybe it could be considered. Remember all of these things cost money, money we keep being reminded that we don't have. To even mention this as a political issue in very disrespectful to our loyal City employees who are enduring painful pay cuts and furlough days. I understand that everyone is hurting in this economy and our current city government has exacted a toll on the current employees.

To say that I'm overly concerned about our Police Force (Thank you BTW.) is just crazy talk how can we not be concerned. There is a theme that most of the little criminals on this side of the hill repeat to me time after time when I’m arresting them “Caper in Simi go to jail”. They have fear of the SVPD I’ve heard it all from being mad dogged from one freeway exit to the next. To getting stopped two –three times for different traffic violations. To garner that kind of respect from criminals means that our SVPD is doing something right. What you the civilian should take away from this is the fact that the criminals are capering in our town, how many more cuts do you want to make to our Safety.

I don’t know how many times I’ve said it the Police Department is not the place to be looking for a bargain.

I heard a former Marine say once on a video, “There are people who call 911 and then there are people who are 911.” Think about that next time you say or think the Police get paid too much.

Keep the jabs coming.

Mike Judge Simi Valley’s next City Council Member.

Joanne,

Do you think Brian running around town asking candidates softball questions like the Arroyo is helping people understand the candidates for decision at election time?

The Arroyo is hidden, it is nowhere near any main area of retail commerce in the city and an example like the San Antonio River walk is very unrealistic.

A beautification project of the Arroyo is not going to be an attraction for new companies and will have a very very minor impact on the overall property values of Simi Valley. The old Larwin Tracts that back the Arroyo, mostly near Morley and Elizondo would receive a small boost.

Logistically it is not easy to secure those pathways between the major streets. It's not the safest place to be down there and a beautification project is not going to increase the security of the Arroyo.

In the future should we put money into the Arroyo? I'm still undecided on that, a compelling case to do so has not been presented. Please don't tell me that it's not taxpayer money, if it comes from the county, State or federal government, it's taxpayer money.

The design of the Farmer's campus has a lot more history than what you've outlined above. All property from Mervyns to Galena had some pretty weird desires of development by the past councils prior to the Farmers deal.

What you don't understand is that Farmers came to Simi Valley and initially Simi Valley didn't want Farmers. It was a 3-2 swing vote for the approval that went down to the wire.

The idea that Simi Valley was desperate for jobs and put together an ill-conceived development is about as far from what really happened as one can get.

All business is going to be faced with a bigger issue than the recession. What most don't understand is that the face of traditional retail has been changed forever not by the recession but by the Internet. Traditional retail uses that solidified retail centers for decades no longer exist. The replacement tenants are not as diverse and not as abundant.

If you'd like to see every shopping center filled with multiple dry cleaners, hair salons, nail salons, restaurants, etc. then we can claim that it will be business as usual as soon as the recession is over. Unfortunately retail centers are not designed nor can they survive with such over-duplicated tenant mixes.

This is not a matter of just the best businesses coming out stronger, it's more a matter that traditional commercial development is not going to adapt well to the changing future of retail establishments. We have a whole city filled with traditional commercial space.

We have a big problem with Council salary and benefits. We elected these people to serve us and they are accountable to us. Posting nebulous figures related to their benefits and compensation only generates more curiosity of the voters. The actions of the Council show that they are more interested in protecting something of value than coming clean and having an open public discussion about what the voters expect of their elected officials. SB501 will pass and will force them to fully disclose, why not just do it now and show some good faith?

Do I think any of the council people are bad because they are getting the benefits and salaries? No. I do think that there needs to be checks and balances and if the city of Bell prompted that for everyone in California, then we move forward and make it better for all.

"Make the case" why we should leave things the status quo instead of "hiding the case".

I know what medical insurance costs for my family with four children and I can guarantee you that myself and many other families would love to have the kind of compensation on medical insurance provided to the Council who are only considered part-time employees. Make the case that the medical benefits are reasonable and lets see if the voters agree.

I've stated publicly that I believe they work hard, sacrifice a lot and put in many hours. I've also the publicly stated that their base pay should be moved up significantly but that the burden of these golden parachute benefits be reduced.

If anyone wants to make a case that they be moved to full time with full time salary and benefits, I'm all ears. It might not be a bad idea.

It's funny how the people in opposition are labeled "political opportunists". The best and most effective time for democracy to affect change on its leadership is at election time. This is a fundamental privilege of our country going back to its inception. Labeling anyone a "political opportunist" while they exercise their right to vote seems very disingenuous.

We have a system, it's been in place for over 200 years, "Don't Tread On Me"

Mr. Judge,

I like your mindset. You have what I call political torque. Not only does Simi Valley need that the Nation does.

Police work is dangerous. It might even be more dangerous than a 24 hour mini-mart clerks. Some people ask for slurpies. Some people point to the machine.

That being said;
I think Cheif Randy Adams's salary reached a level which it became a integrity issue for him. It doesn't appear to me the public was his first concern.

What do you think is a fair salary for a SV Police Cheif?

I think the Chiefs pay should be similar to an Area Captain on the LAPD with similar time on. You also have to keep in mind that an LAPD Division (Any of the 21) is a larger Law Enforcement entity than the entire Simi Valley Police Department.

The plans for the Arroyo are a vision for the future....and yes, it is tax payer dollars, regardless of how you slice it. The federal and state dollars targeted are allocated for environmental use which means it can’t be used for anything except projects like the Arroyo, so why not go after it? If the City of Simi Valley doesn’t then Oxnard, Thousand Oaks or some other city will. This project is at least 30 years before completion; it’s not a “top” priority.

I played in the Arroyo. The water was oily and contaminated. I caught mutated frogs in the arroyo. The arroyo was a cancer cocktail. Water was coming from all kinds of problematic sources. Some of the contamination might have even sourced back to Rocketdyne. This isn't a place I'd make an effort to return to. This is not Yosemite Valley.

Joanne,

Who are the political opportunists? This is an incumbent / incumbent supporter talking point. How do non-candidate, non-campaign affiliated citizens become political opportunists?

Political opportunists run down to 24 hour fitness with a tennis racket to take a photo op with Andre Agassi then post the opportunity on FB, agreed? I can give you several real "political opportunist" moments from two of the male elected leaders of Simi Valley.

I can't think of a better person than Mike Judge to engage WM and Boeing with the concept that they pay for the clean-up of the Arroyo. If Mike's team starts today the good news could come out a week before the election... a deal has been made. Who knows that could be where the bar is for him to win. Sure couldn't hurt.

Someone should make a post called "Arroyo" so we can organize volunteer clean-ups and possible protests against Boeing and WM if they don't pay for it.

How could someone with Ronald Reagan in their heart be against that?

Joanne,

You covered quite a few issues so I will break this up.

The Arroyo is hidden, it is nowhere near any main area of retail commerce in the city and an example like the San Antonio River walk is very unrealistic.

A beautification project of the Arroyo is not going to be an attraction for new companies and will have a very very minor impact on the overall property values of Simi Valley. The old Larwin Tracts that back the Arroyo, mostly near Morley and Elizondo would receive a small boost.

Logistically it is not easy to secure those pathways between the major streets. It's not the safest place to be down there and a beautification project is not going to increase the security of the Arroyo.

In the future should we put money into the Arroyo? I'm still undecided on that. It looks great from the conceptual plans already put together. I think that they should put the CG overlay on Photos during heavy rains, so people can understand how the beautiful landscape will be washed away in the rainy season.

The design of the Farmer's campus has a lot more history than what you've outlined above. All property from Mervyns (the property line that separates Mervyns and Target) to Galena had some pretty weird desires of development by the past councils prior to the Farmers deal. Mervysn was developed and approved years before.

What you don't understand is that Farmers came to Simi Valley and initially Simi Valley didn't want Farmers. It was a 3-2 swing vote for the approval that went down to the wire.

The idea that Simi Valley was desperate for jobs and put together an ill-conceived development is about as far from what really happened as one can get.

Do you think asking candidates softball questions like the Arroyo is helping people understand the candidates for decision at election time?

Joanne,

You covered quite a few issues so I will break this up.

The Arroyo is hidden, it is nowhere near any main area of retail commerce in the city and an example like the San Antonio River walk is very unrealistic.

A beautification project of the Arroyo is not going to be an attraction for new companies and will have a very very minor impact on the overall property values of Simi Valley. The old Larwin Tracts that back the Arroyo, mostly near Morley and Elizondo would receive a small boost.

Logistically it is not easy to secure those pathways between the major streets. It's not the safest place to be down there and a beautification project is not going to increase the security of the Arroyo.

In the future should we put money into the Arroyo? I'm still undecided on that. It looks great from the conceptual plans already put together. I think that they should put the CG overlay on Photos during heavy rains, so people can understand how the beautiful landscape will be washed away in the rainy season.

The design of the Farmer's campus has a lot more history than what you've outlined above. All property from Mervyns (the property line that separates Mervyns and Target) to Galena had some pretty weird desires of development by the past councils prior to the Farmers deal. Mervyns was developed and approved years before.

What you don't understand is that Farmers came to Simi Valley and initially Simi Valley didn't want Farmers. It was a 3-2 swing vote for the approval that went down to the wire.

The idea that Simi Valley was desperate for jobs and put together an ill-conceived development is about as far from what really happened as one can get.

Do you think asking candidates softball questions like the Arroyo is helping people understand the candidates for decision at election time?

Joanne,

You covered quite a few issues so I will break this up.

The Arroyo is hidden, it is nowhere near any main area of retail commerce in the city and an example like the San Antonio River walk is very unrealistic.

A beautification project of the Arroyo is not going to be an attraction for new companies and will have a very very minor impact on the overall property values of Simi Valley. The old Larwin Tracts that back the Arroyo, mostly near Morley and Elizondo would receive a small boost.

Logistically it is not easy to secure those pathways between the major streets. It's not the safest place to be down there and a beautification project is not going to increase the security of the Arroyo.

In the future should we put money into the Arroyo? I'm still undecided on that. It looks great from the conceptual plans already put together. I think that they should put the CG overlay on Photos during heavy rains, so people can understand how the beautiful landscape will be washed away in the rainy season.

The design of the Farmer's campus has a lot more history than what you've outlined above. All property from Mervyns (the property line that separates Mervyns and Target) to Galena had some pretty weird desires of development by the past councils prior to the Farmers deal. Mervyns was developed and approved years before.

What you don't understand is that Farmers came to Simi Valley and initially Simi Valley didn't want Farmers. It was a 3-2 swing vote for the approval that went down to the wire.

The idea that Simi Valley was desperate for jobs and put together an ill-conceived development is about as far from what really happened as one can get.

Do you think asking candidates softball questions like the Arroyo is helping people understand the candidates for decision at election time?

Joanne,

There are legitimate and reasonable questions surrounding Council salary and benefits. We elected these people to serve us and they are accountable to us.

Posting nebulous figures related to their benefits and compensation only generates more curiosity of the voters. The actions of the Council show that they are more interested in protecting something of value than coming clean and having an open public discussion about what the voters expect of their elected officials. SB501 will pass and will force them to fully disclose, why not just do it now and show some good faith?

Do I think any of the council people are bad because they are getting the benefits and salaries? No. I do think that there needs to be checks and balances and if the city of Bell prompted that for everyone in California, then we move forward and make it better for all.

"Make the case" why we should leave things the status quo instead of "hiding the case".

I know what medical insurance costs for my family with four children and I can guarantee you that myself and many other families would love to have the kind of compensation on medical insurance provided to the Council who are only considered part-time employees. Make the case that the medical benefits are reasonable and lets see if the voters agree.

I've stated publicly that I believe they work hard, sacrifice a lot and put in many hours. I've also the publicly stated that their base pay should be moved up significantly but that the burden of these golden parachute benefits be reduced.

If anyone wants to make a case that they be moved to full time with full time salary and benefits, I'm all ears. It might not be a bad idea.

It's funny how the people in opposition are labeled "political opportunists". The best and most effective time for democracy to affect change on its leadership is at election time. This is a fundamental privilege of our country going back to its inception. Labeling anyone a "political opportunist" while they exercise their right to vote seems very disingenuous.

We have a system, it's been in place for over 200 years, "Don't Tread On Me"

Simi Valley city council's salaries and benefits aren't public information?

Right now the state leglislator is trying to keep their sala
ries and benefits from being public information.....

LA Times article today: Bill to post California legislators' salaries online stalls

Yes,Tax payer, of course it's public information.

Tax Payer,

It's public information. They just haven't figured out yet full diclosure part yet.

Being public information isn't enough - it should be front and center and should include all the benefits too. Steve Hintz did an excellent job of discloser for the pay/benefits of the office he is running (treasurer/tax collector).

Barbra - can you provide the website address?

Here's the City of Simi Valley's Site for Council and executive salaries but I wouldn't call it full disclosure the is no mention of a benefits package but it does comply with the law. just cut and paste it.

http://www.ci.simi-valley.ca.us/index.aspx?page=17&recordid=659&returnURL=%2findex.aspx%3fpage%3d1