This picture is from the 2006 campaign when Glen Becerra was a part of a Hispanic group supporting Arnold Schwarzenegger. A friend of mine Brian Mack created it for this blog. It is a reference to the movie predator.

I wonder of Arnold Schwarzenegger signs a compromise that raises taxes if the local Republican Party will support him vocally or abandon him for raising taxes?

I haven't see it on youtube yet, but Simi Valley City Council Member Glen Becerra was briefly on screen during Senator Joe Lieberman's speech. Glen is a Republican party activist and has been involved in promoting the party for many years.
In 2000 he supported Bush and stood by him when he visited Oxnard. He has also been a supporter of Governor Schwarzenegger as I covered here before.

I saw Glen Becerra about the time Lieberman said something like:

Make the government work for all Americans.

I wonder who he would blame for government currently not working for all Americans?

I guess it doesn't matter since he isn't true to his word. Joe Lieberman said:

I assure you this, Tom: I'm not gonna to go to that convention -- the Republican convention -- and spend my time attacking Barack Obama. I'm gonna go there really talking about why I support John McCain and why I hope a lot of other independents and Democrats will do that.

If you see a youtube video of Fox's coverage let me know.

I am interested to see Glen Becerra update his and Neal Andrew's blog.

I left them a question on their blog. Feel free to check when him or Neal Andrews answers it.

ABC news is reporting from the parties at the Republican convention. Check out the band "Hookers and Blow" playing at party thrown by a former aide to Tom Delay. For Democrats Tom Delay has provided many chances to attack corruption or scandals.

ABC news reported that the California Delegation to the Republican convention was invited to a party featuring a pig roast and reggae music sponsored by oil companies. Anyone know if the Ventura County ( CA 24 properly) delegation mentioned in this article attended it? Do you recognize anyone in the video? The California delegation is mentioned about 1:15 in the video. You can ask Glen Becerra or Neal Andrews questions at his blog by clicking here.

I look forward to seeing them answer questions from their readers about who they met, what parties they went to, and what they think of their candidates.

I will ask Sandy Emberland if she attended any parties of interest not mentioned in the local Democratic delegation's blog. To view their blog click here. The Star took down their blog but when it is back up I will post a link.

This commentator for the conservative group "Focus on the Family" was joking about praying for rain of Biblical proportions to come down on the acceptance speech of Barack Obama at the Democratic National Convention. Watch the video to see all of his joke in context.

I guess his joke is really insensitive now, eh?

Ventura City Council Member Bill Fulton has updated his blog. I guess that proves it isn't just an election tool for him. Bill, what has the response been like so far from Ventura citizens? Do many of them talk to you about it? I liked your entry about the length of meetings.

What local elected officials would you like to see a personal blog from? If there is an overwhelming response I will propose it to The Star and the elected official that it be done.

Start nominating elected officials you would like to read more from!

I nominate:

Moorpark City Council Member Keith Millhouse
County Supervisor Peter Foy
Simi Valley City Council Member Glen Becerra

I would also like to see some park board, water board, and school board officials bring more light into what they do.

The Tony Strickland for State Senate campaign has announced the support of many Simi Valley City officials and other Simi Valley citizens. You can click on continue reading to read the whole list. Rep. Elton Gallegly is one of the most prominent, but so far it looks like a who's who of the Simi Valley Republican Party. Most of them could be relied upon to endorse the GOP candidate in most campaigns.

The list includes the entire city council except for Michelle Foster. Anyone know why Michelle didn't join with the rest of the council? The other prominent names not mentioned are Republican school board members Eric Lundstrom and Janice Difatta,

On a personal note, thank you to Tony Strickland and his staff . Tony has put together a quick responding and young staff. Thanks for your help! I will write about it more later.

I will have a Hannah Beth Jackson campaign update next week. But in the meantime enjoy their new campaign widget:

The City of Simi Valley voted 4 to 1 ( Barbra Williamson casting the only vote against it) to spend $100,000 next year in cooperation with the Chamber of Commerce on the Shop Simi Valley First campaign.

Read the article by clicking here.

And check out the Shop Simi Valley First website here.

Do you think this is a wise use of money?

Does a program like this show conservative principles?

Does your city have a program like this in place? Who pays for it?

Can government prove a program like this pays for itself?

( 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?

( Thanks to loyal contributer Brian Mack for another amazing photoshop. For the record Britney Spears is not currently trashing Simi Valley. Yet. Seriously, why don't those cities get their own dump? Are they too good for it? )

UPDATE FOR THE BRITNEY SPEARS FANS. THE TRASH FROM MALIBU REFERS TO THE TRASHBAG, NOT BRITNEY SPEARS. PLEASE STOP E_MAILING COMPLAINTS!

The Star has an article today about the proposed expansion of the Simi Valley landfill. The proposed expansion will continue to take trash from the surrounding region. This story will be dominating local politics and elections for a long time. Personally, I want to open a massive dump in Thousand Oaks and put all of our trash there. Maybe even a used tire lot. Who's with me?
UPDATE: It is a joke. I am not in favor of turning Thousand Oaks into a dump.
Here is the article from The Star. Kind of surprising that other council members ( besides Barbra Williamson) or Peter Foy weren't quoted. Maybe in the future? I don't want my city leaders to comment at the very end. I want them to be there the entire time working in public view. This a tough issue and I expect ALL city leaders to comment.

The article does mention former ( or current if he runs for State Senate) candidate Jim Dantona though.

Also, click on continue reading for more information.

( One of the three people in the picture is Bill Davis. I guess they are part of some formal shoveling team. Kind of strange to do yard work in a suit but when you are the mayor, or former mayor you can do what you want apparently. )
UPDATE: Apparently the picture is from the Simi Valley Hospital ground breaking.

On a different blog entry Simi Valley City Council woman Barbra Williamson revealed that former Bill Davis told her he is running again in 2008. That opens a bunch of questions for me.

1. Does that mean current Mayor Paul Miller isn't running again?
2. If he is running again, is he going to run against him?
3. Why did he retire from the job if he still wants it?
4. What accomplishments is Bill Davis most proud of? I think the Amtrak station is pretty sweet.
5. How hard will it be for people leaving comments to bring up any issue besides Waste Management?
6. How many developers, lobbyists, consultants, and corporate spokespeople are either running for local office or hold it?

Barbra I saw your comment where you said you were open to answering many questions from the public. I figured with such a great offer you deserve the front page. If you want me to use another photo ever e-mail one to me.

Without further ado...

Welcome to the first of hopefully many installments of Ask Barbra.

Barbra Williamson is a local Simi Valley city council member and an advocate of digital democracy.

So, fire away.

What are your first thoughts on this editorial in The Star today?

Are they right? Did Simi Valley just outlaw Girl Scout's selling cookies? No more hot dog stands? Are we opening ourselves to lawsuits? In centralized economic planning back in vogue? Has any member of the city council eaten from the eloteros that they just banned? Vendors selling Mexican food items not found elsewhere have just been outlawed. Were they really a problem?

I doubt the law will be applied evenly.

( The above cartoon is from The Star's in house cartoonist Steve Greeneberg.)

I was e-mailed a tip that Elton Gallegly might be preparing to run again. Like all anonymous stories take it with a grain of salt until it is confirmed.

When Elton Gallegly said if he ran again it would be his last term was it a pledge? In a tight election it could of been the reason for his victory, but as he won in a landslide, does it matter? Will his opponents use it against him?

Click on continue reading for the e-mail.

( The above picture was created for me by Brian H. Mack. It is Glen Becerra, Simi Valley council member as Maj Alan "Dutch" Schaeffer from Arnold's movie the Predator. It all started when I saw a press release ( i En Espanol!, but since removed ) and story that Glen Becerra is helping Arnold team up to appeal to Hispanic voters.

Rumor has it that Glen Becerra was being promoted at the Republican Party State Convention last weekend as a candidate to replace Tom McClintock for CA Senate Seat 19. Someone posted here on my blog that a flyer was being passed around.

I was not at the convention. I don't have a copy of the flyer. And I don't have any second source to the rumor.

Can anyone bat down or confirm this rumor? I am sure one of my readers could just ask Glen Becerra and post the response.

I would e-mail him but I know he is busy getting ready to outlaw the menace of hot dog stands, pet goats, affordable self storage centers, and whatever else the city has been up to.

Maybe I am teasing the city council. Or maybe I am teasing Glen Becerra's opponents who won't have a long voting record of tough votes like state budgets, illegal immigration, and workers' compensation reform.