The actual headline from The Star included the phrase:

I looked for an author of the story that came up with that pun but there was no byline. Anyways...

Simi Valley has earned a reputation as a fiscally well run city, but in these budget cutting times the city council also has started their program reductions and staff cut backs.

The cut backs include the popular DARE program, increased holiday DUI enforcement ( there will be increased enforcement, but not as much as previously planned), some SWAT training, and a few staff positions.

Click here for the story from The Star.

Click here for the story from The Acorn.

A proposal the city council suggested was to have a retired officer volunteer to run the DARE program. I agree that would be ideal but if they are doing a weekly program in almost all of the elementary schools in Simi Valley then that is a significant contribution they will be asking for from retired law enforcement. It can be done, but I expect for the program to be run at the same level it will require more than a few volunteers. Luckily Mayor Paul Miller is a retired police officer and might have the connections needed to know who to ask for their time.

If the Mayor and other council members are successful in recruiting volunteers for the program I expect an attempt to connect the cut backs to the recent 7% raise won't be very meritorious and/or salient.

How or what is your city going to cut back? Do you think it will make much of a difference to the quality of life in your town?

Shop Simi Valley First - What's the cost to taxpayers?

Many people have either been critical or asked questions about the Shop Simi Valley First Campaign that the city of Simi Valley helps subsidize. The city helps pay for a website, ads in newspapers, and ads around town. ( Side note: a newspaper that takes money from the campaign that endorses the campaign isn't surprising to me.)

Instead of just asking questions I figured I'd help out. I get decent traffic numbers so I figured we could use this site to augment the attempts at profiling local businesses.

List a business in Simi Valley you support and why. This first entry will be all about restaurants.

If you are interested tell me some of your favorite restaurants in Simi Valley. Why do you keep going back? What is so great about them?

If you live in another town go ahead and attempt to lure people there. I will try to respond with a better Simi Valley restaurant.

My current favorite spot is Indian Haweli @ 1750 E. Los Angeles Ave ( On the south side of Los Angeles in the shopping plaza that used to have Best Records.)

Visit their website by clicking here. If you want to meet me for lunch to talk politics this is my pick. Just don't try to pick up the tab.

If you want to help out share with us your favorite places. GS, how long have you been getting coffee at the same place?

The Acorn printed an editorial column on Friday by Hannah Beth Jackson. It looks like Democrats finally have someone that is really looking to organize a great campaign. I expect this will be the most intensive local campaign of the 2008 election cycle.

Taking advantage of free earned media is a sign of a serious campaign. I don't care how many Democratic clubs in Ventura County a candidate appears at if they aren't in the local papers most people won't know about their campaign. Letters to the editor in the last few weeks don't count either unless it is a part of a sustained campaign.

Anyways, read her editorial and then leave your thoughts.

Comments are working but it requires at this time that I log in and approve them.

The story is still being investigated but it appears that the young student in Oxnard that was murdered was the victim of a hate crime. May our prayers be with the family.

The family has set up a website where you can learn more or donate to a memorial fund.

( From Horsey)

The job is for Los Angeles County but I figured it might help somebody. Click on continue reading for details. It looks like it might appeal to young people trying to get into the field of political work.

The Star had an editorial today asking readers to support measure c7, a tax plan for the city of Ventura.

How are you Venturans voting on it?

I didn't get a chance to read it before heading out but what are your thoughts on the lead articles?

Also, any news about Countrywide jobs in Simi Valley?

Do any of you guys have neighbors that don't pick up The Acorn waiting for it to turn to mush from sitting in the driveway week after week getting ran over? Do they just think it will go away? By the time it looks like cream o' wheat a new one arrives. Kind of like zombies except with pictures of squirrels.

I am trying out a new feature. Every Friday (If there is interest) I will put up an entry to discuss this week's Acorn. Here is a link if you didn't get your copy.

Some top stories with my quick reactions:

1. The Landfill Oversight Task Force is preparing to sue the city of Simi Valley.
Nothing brings people together to work out issues like litigation! No seriously, any experts on the California Cartwright Act out there?

Local Blogger Brian Mack is starting a new blog devoted to issues like the proposed landfill expansion. Feel free to visit his blog to learn more. It isn't my intention to become a Waste Management expansion blog. This issue has dominated the front page for months and I am looking forward to more electoral news.

Someone please send in some non-landfill news.

2. Countrywide Home Loans, the city's largest private employer, takes a massive loan.
If Countrywide is looking to lay off workers or down size their operations we should go out of our way to show why Simi Valley is a great location for their operations. Many people I know have worked at Countrywide and I would hate for their jobs to be shipped off.

3. The Shop Simi First Campaign is working to bring awareness to the benefits shopping local provides.
Steve Sojka is right that it is great we finally have stores like BestBuy to keep resources here.

So, what were your thoughts on today's Acorn? Feel free to mention articles I skipped.

Here is a recent article that Pro_Dunn supporters have been talking about to change th subject when it comes to The Conejo Valley Unified School Board.