I recently sat down with Mark Van Dam a candidate for city council in Moorpark to record a few video clips. I will be releasing one every couple of weeks between here and the elections in November.
I am releasing these videos to help candidates get their message out, drive traffic to their sites, and start a discussion about important issues.
With that in mind after watching the clip feel free to leave questions for Mark to answer. You can also leave questions I should ask candidates for other positions ( County School Board, School Board, City Council etc.) so I can keep them in mind for the future.
If you know of a candidate that would like me publish their events, videos, or pictures e-mail them to me. I am open to publishing information on a wide variety of candidates. I look forward to doing my part to inform the electorate. You can help by passing on the message about this unique opportunity to candidates and groups around town.
Also, if you have a higher quality digital camera that you'd like to donate to democracy/me shoot over an e-mail.
Thanks Mark for filming these clips. If you run into other candidates that want to do the same tell them to e-mail me.
I have a question for Vandam.
Have you ever attended a class at Moorpark College? What roll in the economic growth of the city do you see for the college?
I have seen this guy in action and he is moving up the ladder with amazing speed.
I have not attended Moorpark College, however, my sons have attended the youth volleyball camps offered during the summer.
The college offers a work force second to none. With the completion of the Moorpark Marketplace, the building of the Village at Moorpark, and the approval of the Home Depot project, college students can find employment within Moorpark, hone their job marketability in our city, all while studying to further their education.
Have you visited the EATM facilities?
If you need any help let me know. Help like picking out the decor of your new office, moving furniture, what tie to wear to your swearing in and that type of stuff.
They say the tallest person almost always wins and this guy is tall. I think he might be 7'5 or something.
Mark, Donna Prenta mentioned to me that her events this week will have school board members from Moorpark and a former Mayor. She said you are welcome to come as is the public. Just go to the entry about her and call the phone number for details.
Any word on a mall for Moorpark?
If the city keeps building around the college will that doom the chances of expanding programs? If I was the state I wouldn't invest in places without parking. The city of Moorpark wants it both ways. They don't want college kids to park on "their" streets but they keep building around the college.
Who is your current or past favorite council member? If you don't say should we assume you are not pleased with any of the leadership?
I have visited the outstanding teaching zoo several times and watched several of the television programs showing what a wonderful job the students and staff are doing there. We are very lucky to have the zoo so close for us to enjoy.
Dear Helper Smurf,
Thank you for your kind comments. If on November 8th I am victorious and have won a position on the city council, you will be welcome to decorate my office. Well, it may not be an office, but a large file cabinet should get you started.
If it is true that the tallest candidate wins, then I should be in pretty good shape since I am by far the tallest candidate at 6'5".
Thanks for your offer to help.
Dear Moorpark Backwards,
A mall in Moorpark? I think that is wishful thinking. We are surrounded by malls in both Simi Valley and Thousand Oaks. Moorpark is doing great with the relatively new stores such as Target, Kohl's, Payless, and others in the Moorpark Marketplace. These stores have added a wonderful dimension to life in Moorpark, besides the tremendous sales tax revenue it generates for our little city.
And next year, we should have our very own Home Depot. Allowing the initial controversies over this project to calm, this business will bring hundreds of jobs to the city, will contribute hundreds of thousnads of dollars annually to our city budget, and give the residents a great place to go when home improvement projects arise.
Dear Moorpark Tic Tac,
Favorite city council members? Now that's a loaded question. I believe that our current council members have done a wonderful job in planning and promoting our city. Each of them brings a special view and perspective as to how they believe Moorpark should be run and grow.
They don't always agree, and they shouldn't. But in the end, wise decisions have been the result.
I guess my favorite council members would be the ones who vote for me in November...
I am glad that Mark Vandam is willing to take a stand and isn't trying to hide behind bland slogans and poll tested issues.
Thanks Mark !
Does Moorpark have a problem with gangs?
For all the critics I remind you that car wash and conventional wisdom have the same inititals.
Mr. Van Dam I live in Simi Valley, so I cannot vote for you. I want to know how you plan to get the cities to work together better. As I see it, Moorpark is basically a large neighborhood in Simi Valley.
We tread all over you. How do you expect to change that?
Also, if your answer is pleasing, when is your next campaign event?
Dear Q #5,
Crime and gangs is always a good question. Moorpark was one of the safest cities in Ventura County again. We have an outstanding group of deputies and supervisors who work very hard at keeping our small town safe. There is at least one active gang in Moorpark, and the sheriff's department is doing a commendable job in dealing with them. Much of the graffiti we see downtown is often from other neighboring gangs that come in and try to make a statement. As our city grows, so can our law enforcement presence and their ability to combat gangs and crime. Thanks for asking.
Thank you for your comments CARWASH WISDOM.
Is Moorpark just a large neighborhood of Simi Valley? Absolutely not. It may seem that way sometimes just because we are nestled in between both Simi Valley and Thousand Oaks. While Simi Valley is a wonderful city, it is 3 times as large as Moorpark. Our residents still appreciate the small town feel, even if we have grown substantially over that past 10 years. But our growth has been pretty well thought out and planned by out city council and city staff.
I don't see Simi Valley as "treading" all over Moorpark. Our city enjoys the relationship we have with your town. It would be great to increase the interaction between the two cities. One way we could accomplish that would be to find a good location on the mutual city border and design a dog park. Connecting more bike paths and trails would also be very beneficial to both as well.
There is always room for improvement, and teamwork is one of my main goals.
I have a few guidelines for comments on this blog.
1. If you see anything that crosses the line from politics, to a personal attack and you want it removed just e-mail me (briandennert@yahoo.com)
2. You don't need to use your real name, but I trust a person that uses thier real name more. So should you.
3. In the box that says URL, feel free to leave a link back to a candidate or cause you favor.
4. Keept it clean. Don't use foul language. Try to attack ideas, not personalities. Bring the best and you will bring out the best in others.
5. In addition, I abide by other guidelines put forth by The Star. I want this blog to have high standards and I would hope as your part as a citizen you will help move the debate forward.
Why you? We have heard so many other candidates in past years tell us why they would be so good for this job, and then when they get elected, all they do is cater to their friends and the city manager. What makes you so special?
Dear A. Concerned Citizen,
I moved to Moorpark to raise my kids in a safe atmosphere almost 5 years ago. After moving here, I found out that I wanted to be more involved in the city where I live. In Los Angeles, it was more difficult to get involved and make a difference.
I have not become entrenched in the city politics to the point where I am beyond having my own opinion and making decisions based on what is prudent and reasonable. I think it is always important to get all of the facts, look at the positives and negatives, and make a reasonable decision based on that, not solely by a staff report or what someone else says.
I have learned a tremendous amount from our current city council, the city staff, my position on the Parks and Recreation Commission, HOA board, and Mesa Verde Music Booster board. I hope to take all of that knowledge and apply it to decisions I will hopefully make on the city council.
Thank for the input.
And thanks for attaching a link to my website.
www.vandam4citycouncil.com
What happened to our city getting their own swimming pool?
Dear J.B. That is still a very good question. This is a perfect example of how the city and school district have not worked together to accomplish a goal. Both had a vision of what would work best for both seperately, but then an agreement could not be reached. I do not want to see any more finger pointing or more of the blame game. Let's get together and get this done. Enough is enough. It takes two to get things done.