Having covered state news from Sacramento for a dozen years now, I continue to be amazed at the number of Ventura County connections that pop up. I am constantly running into political staffers, state administrators, lobbyists and others in Sacramento who grew up in the county, own property in the county, have parents who live in the county or who are otherwise personally linked to the county.
Others in the diminishing Sacramento press corps typically roll their eyes when they witness this Ventura County karma.
It happened again yesterday. I was in San Francisco covering a meeting of the commission tasked with recommending major revisions in California's tax system. As I sat at the press table after the meeting writing my story, Commissioner Edward De La Rosa, a Los Angeles investment banker appointed to the panel by legislative leaders, walked over to introduce himself.
"Ed De La Rosa," he said, extending his hand. "Buena High School, Class of 1974."
What is really amazing is that with all the connections to Ventura County, we have accomplished SO LITTLE over the last two decades.
DANG. Sooooo much hard news and commentary in the STAR these days!