UPDATE: I found these videos on youtube on the same subject.
This first video has high production skills. Any idea who created it?

and

From The Star's studio 805

I received a press release from a charter school about their battles in Camarillo. I do not live in, nor do closely follow school board politics in Camarillo. The bottom line is that i need more information and input to understand this story. Please fill all of us in.

I have also heard that the school board recall committee in Camarillo is serious and is gathering strength. What have you guys heard?

Click on continue reading for the press release.

Like always, if you disrupt the entry by posting random comments I can delete your comments.

( Laura Winchester heading left. Sorry Laura, it was too hard to avoid that joke. I had to say it before someone else did.)

This is another in an ongoing series where local leaders take questions from the public. I don't play favorites. If you know a local leader that wants to answer questions contact me by e-mail.

Laura Winchester is a woman of many hats. Her titles include:
Elected member - California Democratic Party Executive Board
First-Vice Chair, Ventura County Democratic Central Committee
John Edwards for President supporter
In addition to all of that she runs the technology for several local democratic organizations. If you are running for local office you might want to hire her before your competition does.

Anyways, what try to keep the questions focused on things she can answer. Great examples include how central committees work, the role of local parties in nonpartisan elections, and why she has hope for a blue Ventura County.

As we all pause today to honor the fallen in the wars we can understand the sacrifices made because of increased technology.
Here is an article about myspace.com profiles from our men and women in the armed forces who gave it all in Iraq. The soldiers leave behind their most personal thoughts and talk about the hardships they are going through as the headed to the battlefront. Although they didn't return their myspace profiles continue to exist as a final testament to their connections to family, friends, and country.

Here is one example of a soldier who was killed in the war. Read his blog entries and comments from his family and friends. Read what he says about enlisting again.

Here is another example of a soldier killed in the war. Read through his survey and look at his biggest fear.

I think we best honor the fallen by understanding the causes and consequences of war. We must understand their sacrifice and mission to support them.

If you know somebody serving our nation in harm's way leave their name and how they are connected to you so we can all pray for them.

If you know a soldier that needs anything let us know how we can help.

If you attended an event today or have other thoughts to share let us know how you honored our heroes today.

In our latest entry you can ask newly elected ( Nov. '06) city council member of Moorpark Mark Van Dam questions about what he has learned in the last several months both about his city and his job. Mark thanks for making yourself accessible to those that don't attend council meetings. Before you were elected I attended a Moorpark meeting and I think there was three of us in the audience including me and you. Obviously, for democracy to function we all need to reach out beyond the old traditional ways of participation.

Before the election Mark Van Dam answered questions from voters here and here. You can also visit his issues page on his website for more details.

We have also had the pleasure of fellow council member Keith Millhouse answer questions here. Keith, thanks for answering questions. If anyone ever says it is hard to get a hold of a politician give them a link.

The Star reported today that John Zaragoza is running for county supervisor from Oxnard. Current Supervisor John Flynn has not announced his intentions yet but the move seems to be part of an effort to help persuade John Flynn to retire.

John Flynn has taken questions from my blog readers in the past and you can read them here and here.

Does anyone from Oxnard have more information on this campaign? Who is John Zaragoza? What are his chances with or without Flynn in the campaign? What will be his base of support?

( On the left likely State Senate candidate Jim Dantona (D) with Fmr. Ambassador Joe Wilson.)

I have two updates today on the state senate race.

1. Jim Dantona
The above photo is from a recent event put on by Mary Pallant and others that invited Former Ambassador and Bush critic Joe Wilson to speak. It seems Jim Dantona is really thinking about running and meeting Democratic Activists across the county.

This commentary was provided and e-mailed to me by one of the attendees.

On the campaign trail - Jim Dantona, Democratic candidate for Senate District 19, is seen here discussing several issues with Former U.S. Ambassador Joe Wilson, at an event on 5/19/07 at Cal Lutheran University. This event was just one of several on Saturday for Dantona, who was at the annual Tri-County Working People's Alliance convening in the morning, and a Conejo Democratic fund raiser in the evening.

2. Tony Strickland

Another reader directed me to The Flash Report a Republican blog devoted to California Republican politics. It looks like Tony Strickland has landed the endorsements of all 15 state senators and the Ventura County Republican Central Committee. I thought parties didn't normally endorse in primaries before the filing period had even opened. But it looks like Strickland has been able to use his connections to the GOP base to clear the primary field as of now.

I was at Rancho park the other day enjoying myself a fine picnic when I saw the above picture of a vendor selling things like corn on the cob to fellow park goers.

Under the new rules set by the city this guy would be banned, yes?

Is there anyone offended by what he is doing? Would regulations for this vendor be in the city's or park board's domain?

Can we spend our time instead discussing how to drive gang members out of Simi Valley?

I look forward to hearing from Barbra Williamson and Kate O'Brien on this one.

The Union ( UFCW) representing Grocery Workers is having a support event this Wednesday. Click on continue reading for more information.

For all Democrats and Democratic Activists:

Union organizer Marilyn Valenzuela is a major player in Democratic politics in this county so it might be a good idea to meet her.

Skilled politicians target their mail at certain groups. In the last election cycle Elton Gallegly sent out this mailer to Democratic households.

In the future I plan to scan all mailers of importance so there is no more secret campaigning. If you have a Ventura County classic I should post send them in.

So, what do you think? Is it an effective mail piece? I don't know if Elton Gallegly needs to spend a single dollar to win unless he draws out a strong opponent. I think this mailer is decent but it seems like a recycled version from past campaigns of his without anything too exciting.

I do have a question for John Flynn though. As a Democrat what makes you keep supporting Elton Gallegly? is it a certain issue? You do support him, right?

Drinking Liberally is a group of progressives that gets together to discuss politics locally. Their latest event is this week. Drinking is not required or pressured on people but you must be 21 as it is at a bar.

Join us this Thursday, May 24th at 8:00 pm for
liberal discussion at Dargan's Ventura!

Click on continue reading for the rest of the e-mail about the event.

Al Gore will be in Los Angeles this week to discuss his new book. He will be appearing this Tuesday May 22nd.

Here is a link to an excerpt from his new book. After you have read it chime in with your thoughts. Stay on topic though or your comments will be deleted.

The head of The Ventura County Republican Central Committee Mike Osbourn sent me this mailer he received addressed to him. It kind of reminds me how the adult entertainment industry got invited to be advisers to the the NRCC's Business Advisory Council. Except that time they were accepted and continue to donate money.

If you get an interesting mailer you want me to post send it in.

When you post on this blog leaders across Ventura County including elected officials and party chairs read what you have to say. So, if you have something important to express do it here.

Mike, thanks for sending it in. It might surprise you but Bush called me a grassroots leader instrumental to Republican victories. He even signed a portrait!

Here is the latest in leaked documents from Waste Management and their plan to expand. Keep sending them in.

Nothing really ground breaking. Los Angeles lacks the political will to create a new dump. Their goal is to export their trash to other areas. The document does mention astroturf ( or fake grassroots) groups that are put together by their competition. If you see that locally let me know so we can expose it. A company should have to deal with the local community but not their competition to expand their business.

Thoughts?

UPDATE: Click on continue reading to see the latest update from Barbra Williamson about her oversight committee.

There is a rumor that Bill Davis is thinking of running for mayor again.

In one of the comments on this blog I saw the web address ( URL) for the following video:

The video is of Ron Speakman ( Camarillo school board trustee) speaking his mind at a school board meeting.

Can someone fill us in on the details? Has the age of gotcha politics and macaca style youtube.com fun hit Ventura County?

I am kidding. Since, the video doesn't show exactly what he was reacting to and I wasn't there I cannot really comment on this video much. As always, the main part of this blog is the readers. I will be reading the comments to learn more and I suggest everyone else does the same. Pay more attention to people that use their real names.

From what I can tell it is from the pro-recall faction in the Pleasant Valley School district.

We can also play seven degrees of Kevin Bacon, or as people in Ventura County do, seven degrees or less to Tony Strickland.

I am slightly offended that the recall forces didn't let me know they had this video. In the future guys send me a link and tell me the background.

Mary Pallant, former candidate for congress, (CA-24 Democratic Party) has been hosting a speaker series for high profile heroes to Democrats.

Her latest catch is Former Ambassador Joe Wilson who in the run up to the Iraq war was dispatched by the CIA to investigate rumors that Iraq had tried to buy uranium. In retaliation many DC insiders spread rumors in the press about his wife's position at the CIA.

Needless to say he is held in high esteem by Democrats and ignored largely by Republicans.

UPDATE: PEOPLE THAT ATTENDED THE EVENT ARE NOW LEAVING COMMENTS.

( Just like Old Faithful Mike Dunn can be counted on to attract attention and make school board meetings interesting. )

I saw this article about School Board member Mike Dunn being attacked again for playing by a different set of rules again. In the past he was attacked for trying to negotiate the school calendar outside of the local union contract. And many of us remember the big eruption over a textbook that set marriage was a partnership between two people. I still say that is the correct definition. Marriage used to be a union between a man and a woman where the man had most of the power, but today we accept it as a partnership between two equals.

Does this type of activism make Mike Dunn a hero to the right? Do conservatives support him? Who is his base of support? Gallegly touts his support but is he popular with other elected Republicans?

In a few weeks this website will be up to 10,000 comments. If yours is the winning comment I will post it on the front page and leave a link to your favorite cause or candidate. Thanks for reading. Most of my traffic is built up by people discussing events in the comments section. You don't need to use your real name, but more faith is put in people that do.

If you ever see an over the top comment that offends you, e-mail me and I will take it down.

I don't really care for gas boycotts but I figured it might be worthy of discussion. I received a forwarded e-mail about the subject and I have heard people talking about the latest attempt. See how many examples of faulty logic you can point out.

I say McCain won the debate. He didn't dodge questions, he wasn't afraid to say Bush mismanaged the war for four years, and he had some great lines. If someone can't say Bush has made serious mistakes they lack courage.

In my mind Rudy seems like an odd candidate. He favors the government paying for abortion, but he will restrict abortion, but he will keep it legal, but he will appoint judges to overturn it, but...you get the point.

Also, Rudy thought the "death tax" going to zero for a few years would be a great incentive. For what? Murder? Really, I don't know what he meant.

Mitt Romney seemed too smooth. Is it a strange coincidence that Massachusetts is known for flip floppers? Republicans will look like hypocrites beyond belief after they attacked John Kerry for flip flopping. He is telegenic, but in the Republican party is that a good thing?

Of the second tier candidates I liked watching Ron Paul. His chances are next to nil but he is the Mike Gravel of the Republican Party. The others seemed like a joke to include. Anyone really think Tommy Thompson stands a chance? Duncan " Hunting but no hiking" Hunter? Pass the microphone please.

I am shocked people are raising their hands against evolution. And they won't say Libby is a criminal?

I also say Mayor Miller and Steve Sojka in the audience. Guys, you should of declared and got the free VIP dinner. I mean, Tom Tancredo did. I bet he got better parking too.

After the debate I attended the Rudy for president event at Paul's Italian Villa. Steve Frank and the Rudy team threw an awesome event. There were tons of college age people there. One of them that I have known for years found out from friends at Santa Monica Community College! Thanks for Barbra Williamson and Team Rudy for letting me know.

Anyone recognize the people in the picture? We were all standing by each other and I corralled them together for a picture.

All four of these people were really charming and made the event fun. No matter how many sticks and stones are thrown their way they still have a higher purpose and a sense of humor. Jerrod, make sure to send in the picture of Cameron Smyth warming up the crowd.

No matter what I think of Rudy's performance, the fact is his team really is putting together a grassroots campaign locally and I respect that.

Anyone at the debate see Tom McClintock, Tony/Audra Strickland, or Elton Gallegly? Seemed like half of his caucus was up on the stage.

Here is another photo from the Rudy event. Cameron Smyth ( CA- Assembly R Santa Clarita) has endorsed Rudy and was giving a warm up talk. Thanks to his staff member for sending in a much better photo than the picture I could take from my vantage point.

( Thanks to Brian Mack for this great photoshop I have been using for entries about Jim Dantona)

This article was written by Democratic party Activist Laura Winchester. If you would like to write a guest blog entry send me an e-mail.

Timm Herdt, chief of The Star's state bureau,
wrote a very insightful piece in
today's paper. I hope you will all take the
opportunity to read it.

At the Convention this past weekend, I was glad
to finally see major interest from
Leadership about this district and Jim Dantona.
It was a who's who of Democratic
politics and power brokers, and the reception
Dantona received was great! There
was a lot of talk about his near upset in the
supervisor's race, in the reddest
of districts, and how this race is an even
better fit for him than that one.

Rank and file delegates and activists from
within the region and neighboring areas
were absolutely pumped up about this possible
campaign, and left energized, ready
to work, contribute and win.

As a woman in this district, I'm excited about
the chance to elect a moderate like
Dantona, someone who is a true champion of
issues that concern the middle class,
instead of an extremist like Strickland.
Dantona is a supporter of smart growth,
fighting off-shore oil drilling, women's rights
and will work for reform of the
current healthcare system.

While we may not agree on every issue after
all, it's no secret that I'm a Party
loyalist and liberal, I know that Jim is in
step with the voters of this district.
He would work to represent everyone, with the
power of the majority behind him,
when elected.

GO DANTONA!

Laura Winchester
1st Vice Chair, Ventura County Democratic Central
Committee
Member, California Democratic Party Executive
Board

Keith Millhouse is a member of the Moorpark City council where he is currently Mayor Protem. Keith has agreed to answer questions from readers. For a primer on his issues click here.

My first question:

Keith, what have you done to bring environmental issues forward in East Ventura County?

Kate O'Brien is a member of the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District. She has volunteered to answer questions from my readers.

Kate, thanks for making yourself available to all of the readers.

My first question:

What is the status of the proposed Simi valley dog park? I have heard about it for years but how far along is the plan?

UPDATE: I have restored all earlier comments. I just wanted Kate O'Brien to be able to start on questions directly related to her position before she responds to questions. So, now she can answer questions about the Libertarian Party, drug laws, and squaring her small government beliefs with being a member of a park district.

ML Peterson is a trustee of The Ventura County office of Education. What questions do you have for her?

Thanks again ML for answering questions of voters.

Last month John Flynn answered questions from the public. Here is another chance to ask a county supervisor any issue on your mind.

Thanks again John Flynn for being so open with voters. If other elected officials would like to take part in a virtual town hall meeting send me an e-mail. Same goes with candidates.

UPDATE: John Flynn is recovering from surgery. Here is an article about that. John, I hope you are back on your feet soon!

You might want to bookmark this page and refer to it as election season heats up next year.

Katie Teague of the California Association of Political Centrists sent in this data of the break down of local offices by political registration.

The Ventura County Republican Central Committee will be targeting many of these seats based off of political registration. Should Democrats adopt the same tactic?

Click on continue reading to see the chart.

And thanks again Katie!

( This picture of Jim Dantona ( apparent candidate for State Senate CA-19 with Democratic candidate for President Bill Richardson was sent in by Laura Winchester. Laura, is that a Jim Dantona for state senate button?)

A sharp eyed reader spotted this phrase on the Ventura County Democratic Party's website:

19SD Convention Delegates
Jim Dantona - Candidate Proxy
Jay Kapitz - Delegate
Dave Ettinger - Delegate

37AD Convention Delegates
Ferial Masry - Candidate
Chris Robson - Delegate
Ingrid VanEckert - Delegate

24CD Convention Delegates
Jill Martinez - Candidate

More signs are pointing to Jim Dantona ( D ) running in the CA-19 State Senate Race. On the Republican side we have Tony Strickland and maybe others. Anyone hear updates on that?