One thing drives me crazy about elected officials. Just one.
A issue comes up in the legislature or in the community, you ask them their position. The answer you get is a bunch of "weasel words". They are not sure not, need to consider the totality of the issue, want to hear all sides, not sure of all the facts, need to wait to the final wording before they can say for sure--you get the point.
The prison Czar, Clark Kelso, unelected to anything, not appointed to anything by any California official, has told the people of Camarillo and Ventura County he is going to bring 1500 criminals to our community, and we have no say in this.
Today, Assemblywoman Audra Strickland made her position clear in the Star. The title of the piece leaves no doubt she opposes it, "Prison facility doesn't belong in Camarillo"
Former Senator Cathie Wright was like that as well. She was always willing to be direct, even when she disagreed with you. I was a strong supporter of hers. But on occasion we had differences on public policy. But at least she was honest enough to look you in the eye and tell you, instead of using "weasel words" like many of her colleagues.
Leaders tell you where they stand on issues and concerns. I look forward to other office holders to come out publicly on the prison issue.
Do you want your elected officials to tell you directly, or do are you willing to accept "weasel words"?
I don't doubt that politicians are a slippery sort of critter.
However asserting that Girl Strickland is some kind of "plain speaker" is a bit of a stretch, at least as far as this Camarillo prison hospital is concerned.
She went to folks unhappy, even angry about this plan. Fair enough. She also seems to be pretty much on the same wavelenghth...fair enough. This is and will be a contentious issue. Girl Strickland pretty much said what the folks wanted to hear.
Weasal words? Who knows?
Seems to me that you can only be sure when a politician isn't indulging in "weasel-speak" is when he/she tells you what you DON'T want to hear, but rather what you think they should hear. risking your vote wrath!
The measure of political courage won't be measured by going with the flow anytime soon I think.
Tom,
I don't think the prison will be a contentious issue among the residents of Camarillo and Ventura County. I haven't heard of anyone in the County that's in favor of it so far. The only place it will be contentious will be between the communuity and the State receiver.
Audra has been anything but a weasel on the prison issue. She's been forthright from the start in her opposition to it and has, in fact, helped keep it on the forefront of people's minds, particularly Mr. Kelso.
Hi Stephen,
One has to wonder if you do any research at all when composing your posts. It took me less than a minute to find that J. Clark Kelso has been appointed to at least two positions by two California Governors. He was appointed Insurance Commissioner by Gray Davis and Chief Technology Officer by Davis and reappointed by Arnold. You can learn something about Mr. Kelso's appointments by visiting http://politicalwatchcentralcoast.org/media/blogger-statements-bolster-strickland-leadership/
I knew all that about him and more. So what?
That has nothing to do with the fact Kelso is trying to take billions from our State treasury. His background has nothing to do with his desire to put 1500 criminals 2000 feet from honest families.
I know much more about him, but that does not change what he is trying to do to Camarillo and Ventura County.
The issue is you made a false claims about him to support your position. You were not truthful in your statements about Kelso having never been appointed to anything by any one in California. And now you say your lack of honesty is not important. I am not arguing about the prison, I am talking about a lack of candor. Kelso was appointed to clean the prison health care system, something that was wrecked during a string of Republican Governors.
Here is another view of Audra Strickland's comments in the Star: http://politicalwatchcentralcoast.org/audra-strickland/as-environment/audra-strickland-not-in-my-yard/
You are confusing issues. I was talking about him being appointed by a California official or elected by the public, to his position as Prison Czar--that was the point I was making--he was selected for the position by a Federal judge--who as you know is not elected by the public and unless he is caught doing a felony, has a lifetime appointment by the President and US Senate.
Who cares if a Governor appointed him to run our technology or other system? The Governor, the Assembly, the State Senate, or even a judge on a California State court did not appoint him to this position.
I am not confusing the issue, look at your own wording. That may have been your intent but not how it was presented. He was appointed by a Federal Judge who point the system into receivership rather than shut it down.
Brian,
You mean to say you actually approve of what this unelected federal judge is foisting upon us?
Steve is absolutely right. This whole thing is ridiculous. It's government overreach at its worst.
We, as taxpayers of this State, are ultimately responsible for the funding of the prison system. If you ask most taxpayers (me included), they are not going to have a problem with the level of funding that the prison health care system is currently receiving. The only ones that seem to have an issue with it are the ACLU and these liberal, unelected judges who take it upon themselves to make decisions that affect our local communities, without batting an eye.
Well, I think Judge Henderson and his butt-boy, Kelso, are about to get a little civics lesson from the City of Camarillo and the rest of Ventura County. This will not stand!
I hope all are prepared to pay for upgrades to water and sewer plants. I am sure everyone in the county has the money for an municipal bond slapped on your property or residence. You have been warned.
Upgrades to municipal plants are very expensive and do not grow on trees, it grows out of your pocket book.
Do you like Jay's new 2500 bed prison now?
How many more costs, are you the county resident going to cough up.
If you want a little prison education google Coalinga State Hospital and learn about what size your new Camarillo Prison is going to be.
Good Luck to all.........