The following pictures are from around town and all were either e-mailed to me or requested I take the photo. I am not saying these signs violate the city's code, just that different supporters claim they do. I don't want to be the judge of which signs are fair and I don't see why the city wants to be put in that position either. If it was up to me, more people would put up signs to show their support for our democratic process and their candidates. I am not attacking the businesses that put up signs, in fact I am saluting their effort to take part in our community. Regardless of their favorite candidate, at least they care! Next time you frequent one of these places I say we should all thank them.
Simi Valley passed a sign ordinance a few months back that I hate. The attempt was to clean up the signs around town that were appearing year around. But instead of crafting a black out period around elections, it attempted to ban signs from the public right of way.
The results have been chaos. Almost everyday I get e-mails with questions about the signs. One candidate thought all signs were banned. Supporters of both Peter Foy and Jim Dantona have sent in pictures or complained about signs. Instead of focusing on issues, they have to focus on getting their name out there.
Here are some of my complaints ( but not all of them). ( click on continue reading for my thoughts).
1. It makes a candidate more dependent on developers.
The largest pieces of land are owned by developers. Developers are not all a part of our community. They want something and they are a special interest. Their products are sometimes good and sometimes bad. But instead of donating money they donate ad space. This doesn't show up on any campaign finance reports but you better believe the candidates will remember who supported them.
You can put a sign in your front yard, but it you most likely don't own property in the middle of a major intersection. Your political clout is not the same if you don't own commerical property. I thought we did away with having to own land to be a part of our democracy.
2. There was already a gap of information during election season leading to less voter interest.
In fact I started this blog to try to fill part of this gap. But the average voter doesn't read this website and never will.Most voters don't read blogs at all.
The Simi Valley City Council and Mayor again don't have elections. Well, actually they do, but you have one choice. Kind of like Russia. I hope you like comrade Lenin. So, since no candidates were running the city council made it tougher to run.
I might of voted for the same candidates anyway( I like many of the issues that our local elected officials stand up for even though I disagree on this topic), but I like a choice. And as long as running is getting harder and harder we can expect less choices.
Right now there is a ten way race for school board. Anyone want to bet that the average name ID is under 15 percent? How can we even begin a discussion when people don't know who the candidates are?
The current regulations makes it even tougher to challenge an incumbent. It was already tough enough. Most people choose not to run against an incumbent because getting their name out there is so tough.
Rarely do challengers win ( Although Becerra did defeat Webb), why make it tougher?
3. It makes campaigns more expensive.
To be successful a candidate has to get their name out there. Without signs the next cheapest way I guess is direct mail. Direct mail isn't cheap and chases more candidates way from running.
Of course, if we had a local television network that covered the campaigns it would be different. But we don't. The Star doesn't print nearly enough articles about things like the School Board or Parks Board and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
The papers would cover debates but many candidates refuse to take part in the American democratic tradition. If they don't debate, the papers don't cover the race much.
4. It is hard to enforce and makes the city look like they are playing favorites.
The rules say " Contact information for the sign owner (including name, address, and telephone number), the date of installation of the sign, and the property owner's permission, including name and phone number, must be affixed to the lower right hand corner of the sign."
But when I drive around I see few signs that meets these requirements. I don't think it is because all candidates are refusing to obey the law. I think the law is unclear. That means that some candidates will come to believe the city is out to get them.
I have heard that the city responds to complaints about illegal signs. I have also heard that local campaigns spend a decent amount of time complaining to about their opponents just to cause each other to waste more time correcting the situation.
If you see an illegal sign, call (805) 583-6769. It will take you 5 minutes, but it will cost the opposition some serious effort to go out and get the right phone number or move the sign. From what I hear campaigns are doing this all the time. If the city responds in 3 hours to one complaint and not until the next morning for the other, do you really think the campaigns will think the staff is short handed or will they make up theories to explain it instead?
Glen Becerra said in The Acorn the rule " requires written permission to put signs on private commercial property. " But what is written permission? On the sign itself? If it is a letter I don't see that requirement on the city's website. Maybe that explains why candidates are out of compliance.
5. It doesn't help democracy.
I believe our city can craft a better solution to the problem of clutter. Maybe a window of 30 days before an election? We would have temporary blight every other year, but I think the reward ( a vital, functioning democracy) is worth the cost ( a bunch of signs for a few weeks.)
Please leave your thoughts.
Every FOY sign that is up has a signed sticker on it. Thanks.
However i have not seen one legal Dantona sign.
Stick to the rules Jimmy!!
The old ordinance forbid more than one sign on any single parcel. It is illegal to place two signs right next to each other. If that clause was not changed, then Dantona has violated the ordinance on multiple locations.
Did the tree give it's signed approval to be branded and stapled?
No legal Dantona signs? Only the Farmer is following the rules? Come on Ken. Open your eyes. Don't be a blind zealot like the Farmer. Since reading your opinion, I stopped at the first four Dantona signs I came upon. Each and every on had the proper name and telephone number as required. You're just blowing smoke, just as the Farmer does. I'm sure you are aware that no posting is required for signs on private residential property, just those on a commercial site.
Has anyone else seen the Dantona signs haphazardly pasted all over the billboards off the 118 near Topanga? He can't get enough of L.A., apparently.
Ventura County Star
LETTERS
4th Supervisorial District
October 24, 2006
None of LA's business
A dominating percentage of people who live in Simi Valley and Moorpark will tell you that they love their communities. The reasons are many, from quality of life to feeling safe to good schools and parks.
One huge reason is simple: It's not Los Angeles.
Many of us fled communities in Los Angeles County because of their unresponsive and incompetent government, corruption and inability to care for residents.
But I learned recently that one person seeking political office to represent Simi Valley and Moorpark, Jim Dantona, has accepted thousands of dollars from Los Angeles politicians, their staffs, union bosses and bureaucrats.
It begs the question: Why? Why do these Los Angeles officials and bureaucrats support a Ventura County candidate? And why did Dantona accept their money? What exactly do Los Angeles officials and bureaucrats want from our Ventura County government?
It's impossible to trust a candidate who is so linked to a government so untrusted by so many of us living here in Ventura County. It sure helped solidify my vote for Dantona's opponent, Peter Foy.
Vote for Foy and send a message to Los Angeles officials and bureaucrats to stay far, far away from our beloved communities.
? Casie Bailey,Simi Valley
Foy takes tough stance
Illegal immigration seems to have faded from the headlines in the national debate, but its effects are still being felt throughout our state and county. And while the issue is complex and emotions run high on both sides of the debate, the fact remains that something must be done!
In the current race for county supervisor, a champion of government accountability regarding this issue has emerged. Peter Foy admits that while the county government is restrained in its ability to solve the issue, it can and must do more. I particularly like Foy's recommendation that a countywide audit be completed that will identify our expenditures related to illegal immigration. He then wants to seek compensation at the state and federal levels to reimburse our county.
The fact that Foy has stood up and staked out his position on this controversial issue leads me to believe that he will take the hard road in even the most contentious of issues. This gives me reason to support Foy as our next supervisor!
? Sabrina Badalich,Simi Valley
Supporters of candidates that call Delay, Ney, Norquist, Abramoff, Falwell and others "colleagues" should not be worried about WHERE signs are posted. They also shouldn't be concerned about the other candidate's funding sources when most of THEIR candidate's support comes from much farther away.
And as for audits...Mr Foy realized that Jim Dantona's plan to audit county departments was a great idea. Enough to adopt it for his own when his first idea (to reduce police & health care budgets for administering to illegals) turned out to be a dumb idea.
Speaking of signs: one of Mr Foy's supporters was caught with seven damaged Dantona signs ysterday, on Katherine Avenue. When confronted his name was given as "Mike Willis" and we were told he used to work for the Dantona Campaign, which was why he had the signs. Anyone at the Dantona Campaign know "Mike Willis"?
Or does anyone know the owner of a green 4X4 with out-of-state plates that's been trespassing on people's yards to remove signs and moving them from their legal positions to illegal spots?
Anyone?
Cassie has apparently figured it out. LA City is going to annex eastern Ventura County and then transplant Pacoima and South Central into Simi Valley. Or perhaps, it just might be that Dantona's son works for the City of LA and has asked many of his loyal friends to support his Dad. Or maybe it is that Dantona worked as a consultant in LA for many years and has a lot of friends who have wanted to support him out of loyalty and respect. So, you see Cassie, we have several possibilities. Do they all drive you to support Phony Farmer Foy? And don't forget, Cassie, all the sand and gravel mines are supporting Foy. I wonder why?
Reading through the past few months to catch up on these blogs (i know too much free time)
IT IS APPARENT GS and LOUPY are working for Dantona or otherwise hardcore Dantona fans
that dont care about simi valley or moorpark
but rather care about getting him elected.
Neither of you have made an unbiased comment
yet.
Id like to see people that can support Dantona
and praise him without having to bring down Foy.
Loupy doesnt even call him by his name she calls him Phony Farmer Foy? HOW is that helping our communities? or is it just you bringing down Foy and lifting up your man.
LOUPY are you an athiest? that doesnt believe in a higher power? because you make continuous and anabrashed assults on any Canidate that believes there is a God?
Im not even religious and I see this?
Foy is the worst offender!
Oh I think Loupy believes in a higher power....it's just not Mr. Foy who thinks "he" is that higher power.
Marcus, Obviously you're new to the blog so I'll bring you up to speed:
I've been avery active community advocate long before Dantona came on the scene. When he and Foy decided to run, Dantona took the time to visit and discuss issues. Foy wouldn't accept an invitation.
I've made no secret that I support Dantona and I'm working to get him elected.
To my knowledge I'm the first one that's come out AGAINST taking potshots at Mr Foy's religious beliefs, at the Christian Coaolition and at religious believers in general.
I admit I'm biased against FOR a candidate that is intelligent, skillful and devoted to community service and AGAINST a candidate that has proven himself unable to voice his own opinion and has had to resort to marketing himself behind a bunch of untruths regarding his positions. Make no mistake, Mr Foy is FOR big developments, he couldn't give a rat's ass about community safety and he's shown an inability to handle his own tax returns, let alone the County budget.
Hey GS,
You obviously havent done your homework because Foy's number one stance is public safety.
Why else would the Sheriff Bob Brooks and all the Sheriffs associations endorse him??
Get the facts straight!
And as for handling finances, you seem to leave out Dantona has filed bankruptcy TWICE! And dont go back and give me this stuff about why. Its a fact he cant handle money.
Maybe its why he wants this job so bad-- more money than hes ever made in his life. Poor Dantona.
Not to mention a government pension to cover that retirement he never saved for.
Marcus, you have Loupy all wrong. Not only did 'ol Loupy attend religous school as a kid, his kid also went to private religious school from 7th to 12th grade. In fact, Loupy's family is very religious, just not on the sleeve so to speak. Loupy's religion is main stream religion. You know the difference Marcus, don't you? I'm talking Methodist, Catholic, Presbyterian, Jewish and the like. The Phony Farmer, on the other hand, is right wing evangenical that is so out of touch with American that even President Bush has referred to their organization as "a bunch of nuts". No, Marcus, you got this figured all wrong. Our family goes to church and loves religion, but we also understand the separation of church and state. The Phony Farmer, on the other hand, wants to substitute his religion for the U.S. Constitution. He is part of a hate organization. This isn't about religion. This is about a zealot who sees himself as the chosen one above all others. He is a dangerous man, Marcus. No Marcus, we love God, but we don't love Mr. Foy.
Interesting question "who wants the job so bad"? Dantona is busting butt to raise money as a candidate should do. Foy, on the other hand, has put in nearly $300,000 of his own money. Indeed, who wants the job so bad?
Dantona filed for both a business & personal bankruptcy at the same time. That's the TWO you're referring to. Now have you asked Mr Foy if he's cleared up any of his liens and judgements? Should we delve into Mr Foy's personal checkbook to see why he's good at making money while being a bit shaky on paying his debts?
(hum the song tune to When the Saints come marching in...)
Oh when the saints, Foy, Delay, Norquid, Abramoff & Falwell, come marching in, oh when the saints, (repeat the names listed above), come marching in, we will all want to run for cover, cause their going to preach not govern.
Does Foy currently have liens against him or are you bringing up the past?
REBUTTAL FROM CITIZENS FOR ETHICAL LEADERSHIP
If a client's insurance premium lapsed for four years, would Peter Foy's insurance company continue to honor the client's insurance or would it cancel it? What if the client said he didn't get reminders? Would Foy be forgiving of his negligence?
Thankfully, the Secretary of State is forgiving when it comes to dealing with negligent nonprofits like the Peter C. Foy Foundation.
In response to our ad about Foy's suspended foundation, he argued, "The ad reflects untruths and a misunderstanding of the law."
The truth is that the California Secretary of State and Franchise Tax Board provided all information, as our sources clearly indicated.
As for Foy's "misunderstanding of the law," I hope this will help him to understand.
He cleverly cites IRS rules, but slickly overlooks Franchise Tax Board and secretary of state requirements that govern nonprofits' ability to operate in California. After all, it was they, not we, who indicated the foundation was suspended in August 2004 for not filing tax returns for four consecutive years.
For clarification, I contacted trusted certified public accountant Mark Nadel, who successfully represents taxpayers before the IRS. His response: "The article in the Ventura County Star regarding the Peter C. Foy Foundation is an artful dance around the fact that the Foundation solicited funds for two years while suspended."
That is the heart of the matter that Foy refused to acknowledge.
California Business and Professional Code 17534.6 indicates that, while suspended, the foundation does not have a charitable exemption, and yet it illegally solicited and operated. Maximum penalties are $500 or six months' confinement, or both.
Foy stated that after seeing the ad, he realized the foundation was in fact suspended.
I'm glad we could be of help to the foundation's president.
I hate filing and paying taxes, but do so each year as a responsible citizen. Why an insurance company president would fail to do so for an organization that benefits children, and that he claims is active, only Foy can honestly answer.
Maybe millionaires don't pay taxes.
It is only fair to note that we support Foy's opponent, Jim Dantona. When Foy's foundation solicited contributions from my business, I researched the foundation's history and what I found concerned me. While Dantona has been forthright as opponents and media put his life under a microscope, Foy has stealthily avoided any honest inspection of his own. Since he refuses any public forum to enlighten us, let this serve as our first examination.
-Barbra Williamson
Councilwoman, City of Simi Valley
Whoever posted the above fabrication is (at best) a frustrated soap opera writer. However, this latest scenario of lies will not sell to any network NOR to the voters of this district.
More likely: From the tone and content, the person who posted this nonsense would attack any woman in authority who would dare to voice her own mind or take on the role of leadership in any way. Obviously from a very insecure individual who perhaps would be more comfortable in the 16th century.
The Phony Farmer's secret organization is known to want to put women back in the house, chained to the kitchen and bed. The malicious attack against Councilmember Williamson is about as sick as we would expect from this small bunch of nuts (using the words of our President Bush). Simi Valley is blessed to have the five Councilmembers that it has. Never in its history has local government been so procommunity and anti special interest. Of the five, Barbra is always the leading champion of the neighborhood. What a shame that the Farmer's minions would resort to this. Barbra, I urge you to obtain the name of the author and bring an action. These people are dangerous to our community and nation. President Bush is wrong. They are not "a joke" and "nuts". They are as dangerous to our government as was Hitler to Europe.
Councilmember B, take it as a compliment for one reason. Dantona is clearly advancing on the Phony Farmer's campaign and they are scared. You have made serious enemies with the few minions and paid consultants that the Farmer maintains. Keep up the pressure. In just a couple of weeks, the Phony Farmers fields will be tilled and sprayed with herbicide to lie fallow for another 20 years of the Farmers stealth existence in Simi Valley.
Interesting comments about the Simi Council, in light of the fact that all of them and the mayor, except Barb, support Foy. Loupy, your glowing support of the council and their judgement makes Foy the only choice.
Interesting comments about the Simi Council, in light of the fact that all of them and the mayor, except Barb, support Foy. Loupy, your glowing support of the council and their judgement makes Foy the only choice.
Glad my advice could be of help to you in evaluating your vote. Foy does need your support. Fortunately for Dantona, these same four Councilmembers supported Mikels. Hope you followed their endorsements then as well as now.
I am surprised that "Still Open" didn't mention Jim's and my four children...how could he/she have missed that?? Guess my song about "When the Saints Go Marching In" was the final straw for the Foy Supporters, they have now gone bezerk!
A debate? Now that is an interesting option. Seems to me that Dantona has been asking for one for several months. The Phony Farmer just can't break away from his busy schedule. Maybe one of his minions or paid hacks can stand up for him and debate Dantona instead.
To every reader of this blog:
Please judge for yourselves by listening to the audio of the two candidates found today at this newspaper's home page: www.venturacountystar.com.
Dantona, whether you like every answer or not, is at least coherent, concise and specific in most of his answers. At least, you know where he is on the issues and that he has paid a great deal of attention to the business of government particularly at the county and state level.
Foy rambles ad nauseum through diconnected anecdotes, non-sensical word usage, evasive side-tracks, repititous vageries and plugs for his insurance company. A real sleeper of an interview!
No wonder Foy does not want to debate in public! The anxiety of his rambling responses show a panic that I remember from my days in high school when I had answer a test question with an essay and I did not have a the slightest clue. Like Sergeant Schultz on "Hogan's Heroes", I was just waiting for him to suddenly shout: "I know nothing!"
It was actually painful!
Anyone notice how often the Dantona signs keep coming down? Nice adolescent campaign strategy Peter.
Maybe it's time to steal a school mascot or t.p. the campaign headquarters!
Pathetic...
I listened to the interviews. Unfortunately part of Foy's interview seemed to fade out so I don't think I heard it all. Up to that point though Foy didn't sound that coherent and knowledgeable on the questions that were asked of him. He spoke very quickly and was repetitive. "Focus" was a favorite word and not always used in proper context given the question.Dantona seemed much more knowledgeable and articulate in his responses. I couldn't help but notice that at least up to the point of my audio fade-out, that Dantona was lobbed more challenging questions than was Foy. Maybe it was just that Dantona's responses were more straight-forward and appropriate to the question asked.
I wish the Farmer would surprise me just once. The interview shed no new light on his inabilities to understand any issues to come before the Board of Supervisors. He is trying to be a Ronald Reagan with his folksy stories, but Foy is no Ronald Reagan. Foy's stories are slighting interesting, but his attempt to avoid taking a position on an issue that he clearly doesn't understand leaves the voter with absolutely no knowledge of his opinions. His behavior in politics is thus far following the doctrine of his secret right wing organizations that state "do not let the public know where we stand. We must first get enough people elected to office before we can make the needed changes in our government."
Is it legal in Simi Valley to nail stuff into trees. I would think a liberal would know better but a conservative just views it as a "resource"
No, it is NOT legal to nail a sign to a tree.......
MR FOY, TAKE DOWN THAT SIGN!
Opps, where are my manners?
Please take down that sign. Thank you
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