WMI and GI Rubbish have announced that as part of their modernization and expansion plans they will be renaming the landfill to honor the local community. Allow me to introduce you to...

The Ronald Reagan Landfill and Recycling Plant!

They will also be erecting a statue of Reagan on one of the capped off landfill hills with a statue of Ronald Reagan that will look down on the Ronald Reagan 118 Freeway and The Ronald Regan Library.

The plan is to make the statue about the size of a 3 story building so that he will be visible from all over Simi Valley.

The plans go before the county today ( 4/1/2008) for the statue, 24 hour a day illumination, and for the proposed Berlin Wall made of 100% locally provided recyclable material.

The statue will read off a quote from Ronald Reagan every day at lunch time.

Turn on your speakers for a guided tour by the artist.

Click here for the tour.

It is being reported by Politico.com that John McCain is considering Elton Gallegly for VP in an effort to show he is getting tough on border security.

Click here for the story.

School Board Member Socorro Lopez Hanson is running for County Supervisor against Supervisor Kathy Long ( District 3).

She has a MySpace account where she is answering questions and a website that has a map of the districts the county supervisors represent.

Before the election I plan for her do do a Q and A with readers but being that this blog is mostly read by political insiders I have some questions for my readers.

1. Being that Kathy Long has been in the position for years and she has had opponents come after her unsuccessfully before does she have a chance of being forcefully retired? Before you answer too quickly remember that Supervisor Judy Mikels ( Simi Valley) was in a strong position according to most pundits before she finished 3rd in a three way primary.

2. What major county issues impact the 3rd district more than the other districts?

3. How much money would it take to make this a serious campaign? Both Jim Dantona and Peter Foy were well funded in the successful campaigns against Judy Mikels.

4. Read this article first and then answer: Who really won the battle over the ballot statements? I think Socorro Lopez Hanson did as she earned some media attention for her campaign on an issue that most voters don't care about. Do you agree?

5. What would you say the name ID of each candidate is at this point in the game? Does Socorro Lopez Hanson have wide name ID? I know that Kathy Long makes frequent appearances in Leisure Village and of course she has been in elective office for many years. But does she get her name in the paper enough so that the average voter recognizes her?

( A really old video from when Peter Foy was running for office when he said he didn't support benefits for county employees who are registered domestic partners. If you have any new Peter Foy videos let me know.)

Peter Foy recently gave a speech at Ventura County Taxpayers Association where he was asked to speak on the topic "your money or the government's money".

Setting aside the simplistic question ( seriously, do you expect he, or anyone, was going to go in and claim it is the government's money?) Peter Foy said that the state is on the way to bankruptcy.

He talked about the subprime mortgage crisis and expressed that he is against any bailout of homeowners or banks. Whatever other criticisms people have of him at least he is ideologically consistent.

Peter Foy proclaimed that he is against welfare and said "I believe that welfare is the greatest enslavement this country has ever seen."

What do you think of Peter Foy's assessment in regards to the problems with the state budget and the role of government?

On a slightly related note check out google today. Since Peter Foy thinks the private sector and people can help without government will you be turning off the lights? Do you think Peter Foy will turn off his lights?

( A new contest! First person to leave a comment explaining the connection wins. Warning: Guns 'N Roses video )

Here is an e-mail I got from a reader:

Take a look at the schools the USDA announced today received tainted beef from downed cows. Downed cows are a sign of "Mad Cow" and are not allowed to be served to the public. please get the word out...

"Upton Sinclair"

( Rep. Elton Gallegly on the surge )

Jill Martinez ( Democratic candidate CA 24, currently Elton Gallegly ) is raising money tonight with the help of Michael Dukakis ( former governor of Massachusetts and past Democratic nominee) in Camarillo tonight.

If you are planning events for your candidate send in the information and I will post it. Please send it in at least a week before the event if you can.

( Democrats propose higher taxes, Republicans want to cut the size of spending. Any chances there is middle ground?)

Blogger and Ventura based activist Marie Lakin is helping to organize a rally to protest Governor Schwarzenegger's proposed budget.

While I agree that money won't solve all of the problems in our educational system, reducing the budget won't help . But with the size of the budget deficit it is pretty obvious that cuts are coming. The real questions are about what will be impacted and by how much.

If the state ( Governor + the legislature) showed they were serious about removing waste from the budget I bet Californians would be willing to pay more taxes.

What do you think? Is the budget crisis much more serious this year or is it hyperbole?

Click on continue reading to see her e-mail.

( Simi Valley Park Board Member and frequent contributer Kate O'Brien)

Even though most of the comments on entires I write are on the front page I do get comments on older stories.

The top two older stories I get comments on are Conejo Schools ( Mostly about Mike Dunn) and on the planned dog park in Simi Valley.

So, it is fitting there is another story about the progress of building the dog park in Simi Valley.

Dogs romping by late fall? Or maybe within a year? Yes we can!

Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District Director Kate O'Brien has agreed to answer questions that my readers have in regards to recent Park Board.

Kate O'Brien has done this service for us many times in the past. You can read some of the past entries by clicking here or here.

There are some major projects in development including the Dog Park and a transformation of the Sinaloa Park into a community park with many new features to Simi Valley including seasonal outdoor iceskating.

Kate, thanks for reaching out to our community in a very accessible way.

It is widely accepted conventional wisdom that Rep. Elton Gallegly is still the heavy favorite but he is drawing more potential challengers. On the right he has Michael Tenenbaum and on the left he has Mary Pallant, Marta Jorgensen, and Jill Martinez all running for the nomination to take him on.

Marta Jorgensen's campaign is organizing online, including at the popular liberal blog dailykos.com. You can read all of the campaigns entries by clicking here.

What innovative strategies, if any, do you think could make the difference for any of the campaigns that want to take on Elton Gallegly?

Do you think online organizing can shake up the dynamics of these campaigns?

I think if any candidate made a serious investment in organizing the local netroots it would pay off in worthwhile investments. But you can't go and ask a group to do what you should have been doing yourself.

I have no illusion that the average voter will ever read this blog on a regular schedule. But many reporters do. If you can't hold the attention of people that read local political blogs than the argument that your campaign is worthy of a print edition is diminished.

What strategies would you give a candidate trying to take on a long term incumbent?

Which candidate has the best chance of giving Elton Gallegly a real contest?

Here is a new idea from Marta Jorgensen that she e-mailed to me:

Hey Ventura County, Here’s A New Slogan

Give us your slogans and we’ll post them on our blog at Daily Kos.

If you want to inform a Superdelegate on why you are supporting a candidate click on continue reading for their names. The source for this is Politico.com . If you have the contact information for any of them, please post it.

If you get any responses post them here.

What factors do you think should be most important for the Superdelegates to consider?

( A McClintock biography campaign ad that includes his roots in Thousand Oaks.)

Many readers e-mailed me this story from the Los Angeles Times. Thanks!

I have always thought it odd that newspaper reporters, in an attempt to be nonpartisan, don't report the truth about Tom McClintock ( R-Thousand Oaks) when they say he is from Thousand Oaks. He doesn't live here, he doesn't hang out here, and he is running for congress far away from here.

But this latest scandal involving him accepting money to pay for his primary residence is making his political opponents very happy.

Legislators can accept state money to pay for a second residence under the theory that paying for two homes is too much for an average legislator. Tom McClintock has been accepting that money even though his family's home is in the Sacramento suburbs.

Now, all of this would be entirely ethical if he has to pay the bills on two homes. The article does say that his Thousand Oaks legal residence is owned by a family trust and his mother lives there.

If he owned the Thousand Oaks home and would live there except for the fact he is working in Sacramento then all of this is a moot point. If he is spending money to live in Sacramento that he would otherwise not have to spend ( Because he would be living in the Thousand Oaks home) then I understand the reason behind taking the tax free money.

Is that the case? Did he ever live there?

Otherwise, Tom McClintock has found a loophole to enrich himself at taxpayers' expense. Which, for a smaller budget crusader would be very hypocritical.

I mostly try to focus this blog on Ventura County politics. That being said, should we even discuss McClintock being that he is trying to get elected from a district in Northern California?

( Ferial Masry, candidate for State Assembly)

The California Association of Political Centrists ( CAPC ) has scheduled a great event in Simi Valley.

On the agenda are State Assembly candidates, Judicial Candidates, and a redistricting ballot initiative.

I don't remember such a great local event happening outside of the Reagan Library.

If you cannot make it what questions do you want asked of the people on the agenda?

McCain talking about The Surge.

I was reading this article from Andrew Sullivan claiming that The Surge had failed and it left me wondering what all of your opinions were on the Iraq War.

1. Do you agree ( make sure to read the article first!) that The Surge has not yet been a success?

2. In retrospect do you think authorizing the war was a good idea?

( My thoughts on the chance that Democrats will cooperate with Audra to enact her bill? Press play.)

State Assembly Member Audra Strickland has an article up on the conservative website Flash Report on her plans to solve the budget problem.

It involves protecting public safety, protecting schools from budget cuts, AND no new taxes.

What's your plan?

Who's says Republicans don't like celebrities? Frankie Avalon is appearing at a fundraiser for Elton Gallegly. Why is Elton Gallegly raising money exactly? Is he predicting someone is going to make a serious run for his seat?

I think it is safe to say most people don't think he needs the money to defeat his opponents at this time.

Sorry but for me I like the new generation of artists.

Marta Jorgensen, candidate for Congress CA-24 ( currently Gallegly) , has announced a few new events.

She also has her website up.

Click on continue reading for details.

He should and will resign. Another Democrat ( The Lt. Governor) will become governor. Hillary loses a delegate as the new Lt. Governor will be a Republican.

Democrats agree the guy should resign. Just like Renzi and Craig should resign. Both Hillary Clinton and John McCain have showed some loyalty and restraint in distancing themselves from people at the center of a scandal. Is that good or bad? Does it show loyalty or bad judgment?

Really, is all of that an exciting topic?

Kick the guy while he is down and on his way out. He acted so amazingly stupid it doesn't take much to understand why he should resign.

There you go Mongo. Enjoy.

As a fundraiser for a worthy cause I am selling a blog entry. You can write about almost anything you want. It will stay at the top of the page for a week. You can promote any cause or candidate. All you have to do is donate to a charity.

Baghdad Pups helps our military personal bring dogs they adopt in Iraq home to America.

So, how much is it worth to you to buy an entry, help out an animal in need, and support our military all in one donation? The compassion of people in our nation continues to amaze me. Let's give them the resources they need to do some good work.

With any luck I will get at least 10 bucks. Otherwise I am going to donate myself and write under a pen name.

Rules:
1. Donate money online at Baghdad Pups.
2. Save your digital receipt.
3. When you make a donation e-mail me at briandennert @ yahoo.com with the amount. You can also just wait until the end to see if you won.
4. The bidding ends on March 20th.
5. Make your donation be for whatever amount you want but have the last two digits be .20 do we can track donations with Baghdad Pups easier.

This could be a smart way to advertise your campaign while doing some good in the world. For all you know the winning bid could be twenty dollars. And for that price you will have a great spot on the most read political blog about Ventura County politics.

UPDATE: Moorpark City Council Member Kieth Millhouse won 1st place with a donation of $250!

I will talk to them about their prizes. Thanks for all the support.

( Another attack on John McCain for his connections to lobbyists.)

The title pretty much says it all.

Thousand Oaks Democrats have been doing a great job of bringing speakers to inform the public about critical subjects. I am glad they are going to shine some light on the role of Superdelegates in the Democratic Party.

They will have two Superdelegates as guest speakers this week. One of them has endorsed Barack Obama and one has endorsed Hillary Clinton.

In related news, apparently lobbyists can be Superdelegates. I guess somehow a lobbyist's vote is more powerful than mine.

But before Republican's start gloating you might want to remember that John McCain's Chief political Adviser, Charlie Black, lobbies for powerful corporate interests from "The Straight Talk Express". Do you think he uses his influence with McCain to help his clients?

We need to elect someone with a plan to limit the control that lobbyists have over our political system.

Mary Pallant is hosting a volunteer meeting in her quest to win her party's nomination to take on Elton Gallegly.

Democrats pulled off a stunning upset this weekend. Is it a sign of future trends?

Click on continue reading for the details.

A long time reader wanted me to bring attention to this article.

Read it and share your thoughts.

You knew I would throw in a Barack Obama video.

It might be good for both Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton to keep running for a few more weeks. It keeps them raising money, organizing, and pushes Democratic ideals into discussions. Democrats have invigorated their members to organize across the USA. Just look at the turn out in Texas. The Democratic Party can now use the tools that the campaigns created to help their candidates identify voters, raise money, and win elections.

Maybe all that is just spin...

But, I think I want to watch one more debate for historical reasons before we have the long wait until October/November.

( A classic video from Mike Huckabee)

On the Republican side Huckabee has dropped out. I will miss his sense of humor.

John McCain was the strongest Republican running and will make for a tough competitor regardless of who the Democrats nominate.

It is great we can go out and vote FOR our candidates instead of AGAINST someone for a change. Regardless of party do you agree we have better choices to make this year?

So, what do you think of the results?

If you have been following recent trends you knew it was predicted that soon Democrats would outnumber Republicans in Ventura County. But what many of us didn't know is how fast it would happen.

Ventura County, land of the Reagan Library, has more registered Democrats than it has Republicans.

Ventura County has turned blue.

Congratulations to all the hard working people that put in the effort to register new voters.

If you want more Republican news please e-mail it in. I am not trying to withhold Republican news but I haven't heard or seen much lately.

( When will supporters of McCain make inspirational videos?)

I am not joking. McCain is glad to have the support of a man that thinks McCain might help end the world. Pastor Hagee has said all sorts of crazy statements. If you are a McCain supporter does this stuff surprise you?

It looks like John McCain is looking to lock up his base by reaching out to the groups that have stood against him now and back in 2000. I expect like all candidates he will pivot again as he looks towards the general election.

Do you think he will distance himself from this man after the stories continue to come out? Will voters ignore this issue?

John McCain's local team could use a few organizers if they want to put Ventura County in play this November.

Democrats are quickly organizing Ventura County using myspace as a tool. I am sure at some time in the future Republicans will do the same. If your campaign creates an account send me a link so I can plug it.

The supporters of Barack Obama created a myspace before Super Tuesday so they had a head start but now young supporters of Hillary Clinton have also started organizing online with a new page in the last few days.