I SAW MY FIRST Ventura Council campaign sign today and it is only the first of August. This is annoying to me in the way that finding winter holiday decorations in department stores before Halloween always is. Venturans have traditionally been obsessive about placing signs in every square foot of public space around election cycles. But never have I seen anything go up this early.
By November I expect the visual pollution to be out of control with 16 council candidates and three ballot measures cluttering our political landscape. Early signage does not win votes at my house. If you excessively pollute my visual space, expect a thumbs down from me. Most studies show campaign signs don't have much effect on voters.
While I see a few familiar names in the mix and the four incumbents, of course, what always amazes me are the candidates who have not been active participants in city projects, committees, commissions, meetings and charettes. Our local government urgently needs volunteers, especially in these days of reduced staff due to budget cutbacks.
It's just the same handful of us traveling from event to event. In addition to the Cultural Affairs Commission, I've joined the Visitor's and Convention Bureau Board and recently agreed to serve on the Library Plan Steering Committee. This is in addition to the numerous other boards I sit on.
THE TRUTH IS, the city needs good volunteers a lot more than it needs 16 City Council candidates and while volunteering doesn't put your name in lights quite like running for office does, it is far more fulfilling.
Becoming a city volunteer is an excellent way to learn about how your local government works. In an era when cities everywhere are faced with tough decisions with myriad implications, I don't want somebody on the City Council who has to play catch-up. Governing a city is no small task and if you haven't read the General Plan, gone through the Capital Improvement Project Plan and can't explain the term "triple flip" or how SB 375 will impact the planning of civic projects in the future, you won't have my vote.
If you don't have the time to wade through inches-thick staff reports every week, answer 100 emails and dozens of phone calls daily, attend ribbon cuttings, mixers and endless outside meetings all for $600 a month, don't bother.
If you are interested in making an impact at the local level, consider volunteering first. You won't regret it.
I agree with you on this one Marie, some of the candidates have no record of volunteering for the city or even researching how it operates.
Thank you, Marie. The City is actively recruiting volunteers to assist in a variety of capacities. To learn more about volunteering for the City, please go to our website: http://www.cityofventura.net/volunteer_opportunities.
You can also check our Calendar of Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities at:
http://www.cityofventura.net/volunteer_opportunities/volunteer_calendar
Well said Marie. You can make a difference behind the scenes on committees and boards, sometimes more so than when you are elected. Thank you for all that you do to make the world a better place.
When I watch the City Council meetings and browse downtown mini-fairs on weekend, I always see Camille Harris working on behalf of citizens in Ventura. I saw where she is running for City Council, so she seems to meet your criteria as a good candidate. With all that "recently approved" (rubber stamped!) new development going on in the east side, you might consider voting "Yes" on Measure B, or most in the east side will not see the hills anymore. But, I know you have been a vocal proponent of new development out there, Marie, so you may be happy after all, especially if you like those cookie-cutter, generic stucco houses you see in most new developments in Orange County, Santa Clarita, etc. Probably a few generic strip malls going in out there on the east side also. Enjoy your upcoming non-unique, new development and resulting traffic congestion out on the east side, Marie. I did not notice you at the recent City Council meetings on this matter occuring in your own neighborhood? At least you might be happy because you may end up with a Starbucks closer? Personally, I will miss the hill views and farmland visible off the 126 and along Telegraph Road. Here is local radio info I found interesting on Measure B and "proactive" code enforcement:
http://1400localsonly.podomatic.com/entry/2009-08-10T08_45_15-07_00
I hope Camille Harris doesn't have excessive signs all over the place, as I will be voting for her for City Council. Maybe will vote for your friend Brian Lee Rencher also? They both are always actively involved in the community.
Hannah Beth Jackson (whom you supported) had tons of signs all over the place. While I voted for her also, she got your vote despite your claiming you will not vote for people with lots of "sign pollution". Are you sure you aren't just not wanting to see signs for those you aren't voting for?? Jackson and Strickland had more signs and advertisements than any campaign I have ever seen in my life! Also, your Christy "one-issue(Serra Cross) always defers to Bill Fulton" Weir, also had lots of excess signs. I think almost all the politicians are guilty of this, so if you follow your own advice, you shouldn't vote for anybody, Marie!
I'm in the middle on this criteria. Yes, being a volunteer is great. I know Donna does a lot of great work. Job knowledge is great too. But, one thing I look for the most is whether a candidate demonstrates good character. Are they fair-minded or do they spend their campaign trashing people? Do they appear to be good listeners or do they have a problem just being quiet when someone else is talking? Seriously, one can't put a price tag on a good referee.
I agree. Good character and good listening skills are important. I won't vote for anyone who has spent their time trashing others, either. Once you are elected, you need to work as a team and negotiate. A contentious campaign or a past record of such behavior is not a good indication of a team player.
Marie:
It may be early to tell, but this appears to be a genuine positive thread.
Great points Marie. If one hasn't volunteered for our local non-profits then how do we know one has the TIME to contribute to the life of this city via a council seat. Earning only $600 per month might as well be called volunteering. I'd like to see more candidates from our local gene pool that have been non-profit board chairpersons, city commissioners, or specialists in public safety, economic development or especially investing and banking. We're going to need some serious talent to get us out of the financial hole we are in. I'm looking for candidates with resumes of serious depth and breadth and not just a one- or even two-issue candidate. Where are the retired CEO's or CFO's that live in this town? They know how to manage large budgets and lots of people.
Some of these comments got trapped in my spam filter because of the hyperlinks. I've just approved them. Rob (not Edwards), Christy didn't run on the Cross issue. It was already resolved by the time she launched her campaign in 2003. As for signs, she had three big ones that she placed on private property with the owners' permission and the rest were mostly in private yards.
You have to admit the signs get out of control here. This is my not-so-subtle plea for moderation.
I certainly agree with moderation on the signs! Strickland/Jackson race was unbelievable. What worked for me was when the candidates came to my door and talked to me, not seeing their signs all over. I also think they should be required to clean up their signs after the election. Last time, there we many signs still up many weeks after the election was over. In answer to the other "Rob" posting on here, I would not be inclined to vote for a CEO or CFO, after all the graft and greed we recently saw from such folks who helped cause the current recession!
Marie,
Signs are effective, otherwise successful campaigns wouldn't use them. They aren't effective at convincing highly informed voters to vote for a candidate but they help name recognition and let people know who has a serious campaign. If they weren't effective why would Hannah-Beth Jackson's campaign use them?
Sure, democracy and elections can be messy but it beats more government restrictions. Requiring candidates to pick up their signs doesn't seem unreasonable though. Another fair restriction is creating a period around an election that people can put up signs.
I post pictures of candidates that don't take down their signs after an election and they normally are picked up very quickly.
http://blogs.venturacountystar.com/dennert/archives/take-down-those-old-signs/
Rob, we mostly agree. I also agree that way too many trees were sacrificed to feed the never-ending parade of campaign material in the Strickland-Jackson race.
But hey I never said I wanted East Ventura excessively developed. I just wrote a blog once asking for a good restaurant within walking distance. That's not much to ask. Our local strip mall is a ghost town. Just a pitiful Quizno's.
Brian, you have never seen the excessive sign wars Ventura has. You're a Simi Valley boy. It's just ridiculous. With 16 candidates and three ballot measures, it will be nuts.
Marie,
I have seen it and I agree there are many signs. There were many signs in Simi Valley before they passed really tough regulations. I guess I don't see political signs in a democracy as annoying like others do. When the average voter knows a few members of their own city council I will change my mind.
ALL politicians are lying cheating stealing traitorous low-life dirtbag scum. We don't want them volunteering around children or others unable to defend themselves from these perverts.
Hey "ImMadAsHell" you need to turn off the Fox News and get a grip on yourself, unless you were referring to Sarah Palin! Some of the council candidates who aren't incumbents are quality people trying to improve Ventura, despite basically having to do it for free.
Hey Rob when I said ALL I meant ALL. Republicans and democrats are out to screw You and Me. 99.9% of even the local candidates are working their own agenda not the public good, but their always glad to take a payoff if it doesn't hinder their pet cause.
Forget the repulsican verses democrap thing, its just theatre for the sheep. Both parties are working together behind the scenes to sell this country to foreign nations and immoral corporations. Keep watching that "man behind the curtain" and you'll be hanging from a meathook.
P.S. I’ve never watched fox news in my life.
So you prefer another system of governance. Dictatorship? Monarchy? You really just need to go hide with bin Laden in a cave and quit trying to ruin threads in blogs for people who come to seriously discuss issues. You're like graffiti on a wall. The same message over and no redeeming social value whatsoever.
Back to the original point of the article...that being the value of volunteerism.
It seems to me that a good place for any potential candidate to start is in being a volunteer. No, it isn't a pre-requisite but it does speak to a candidates genuine interest in our local issues.
I'd allow that while I would disagree with Camille Harris about some issues, I'd certainly say she is involved in her community. That would be a qualification I'd guess.
My volunteerism circles don't run in the Civic track, but within my labor organization I do my share.
Bottom line is that being a volunteer is a commendable action and certainly counts when considering advancement in involvment, such as to the City Council.
Now...about the signs. I'd agree....over done and they don't come down as reliably as they go up. I don't know how effective they are, but I sure do wish they'd come down faster after an election.
Then there is "ImMadAsHellAndImNotGoingToTakeItAnymore"...whew! I don't know about Fox News and you, but I think you should consider switching to decaff man...