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55th AD Watch: Popular Assemblyman Curt Hagman endorse Phillip Chen

Posted by Allen Wilson on October 29, 2013

OC Political just received this press release from Phillip Chen Campaign for Assembly in the 55th AD (Brea, Diamond Bar, Yorba Linda):

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Assemblyman Curt Hagman Endorses Phillip Chen in AD 55

YORBA LINDA, CA – – Republican State Assemblyman Curt Hagman has endorsed Phillip Chen as the next Assemblyman in the 55th district, which Hagman currently represents. The highly coveted endorsement from the popular incumbent Curt Hagman solidifies Chen as the clear frontrunner in the June election.

“I am endorsing Phillip Chen to continue my work representing the people of the 55th district. Phillip’s background as a reserve deputy sheriff, School Board Trustee and small business owner gives him important insight on the most important issues facing our area – jobs, education and crime. I am extremely confident that Phillip Chen will be an outstanding new conservative member of the Assembly for our district,” stated Hagman who has represented the Orange County, Los Angeles and San Bernardino based district since 2008.

“I am very honored to receive Assemblyman Curt Hagman’s endorsement and I look forward to continuing the standard he has set with his strong, conservative leadership,” said Chen.

Phillip Chen is a small business owner and USC Professor who was the top vote-getter in the Walnut Valley Unified School District Board election in November of 2011. He is a top advisor on health care issues to Supervisor Mike Antonovich and a reserve Deputy Sheriff for the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department. Phillip was appointed by Governor Pete Wilson to serve in the Governor’s Office of Criminal Justice Planning, where he worked on legislation involving foster care, gang prevention, drug awareness, and mental health.

Phillip is a Doctoral Candidate at USC, he has a Master’s in Public Administration from USC and holds a B.A. in Communications from Cal State Fullerton. In addition, Phillip teaches Public Administration as an Adjunct Professor at USC.

Posted in 55th Assembly District, Brea, California, La Habra, Placentia, State Assembly, Yorba Linda | Tagged: , , | 1 Comment »

Antonovich for Governor 2018?

Posted by Allen Wilson on October 19, 2013

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The 2014 campaign is underway for many candidates, but some California Republicans are looking for some light in the tunnel: 2018.

The leading candidates running for a challenge to incumbent Governor Brown in 2014 are former Lt. Governor Abel Maldonado and Assemblyman Tim Donnelly (R-Hesperia).

However, there are sources this writer has obtained that a group of donors are willing to hedge their bets behind Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael Antonovich as a credible and viable candidate for Governor in 2018.

Supervisor Antonovich has a long resume of public service that started in 1969 with his election to the Los Angeles Community College Board of Trustees. Antonovich was then elected to the State Assembly in 1972 by serving three terms.

In 1978, Antonovich was unsuccessful in seeking the Republican Nomination for Lt. Governor, which he lost to Mike Curb.

In 1980, Antonovich ran and successfully defeated incumbent Baxter Ward for a seat on the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors and has been re-elected eight times and is term limited in 2016.

Though, in 2018 Antnovich would reach the age of 79 and my sources has indicated that the Supervisor is not interested to be a candidate for Governor of California.

California has been receptive by electing elder leaders to keep an eye on the youngsters running the bureaucracy and especially in the legislature.

As for the donors to skip the 2014 election cycle by looking towards 2018 is very telling for Maldonado and Donnelly that both must prove to skeptics and donors that 2014 is the year for Republicans in California.

Posted in California | Tagged: , , , | 2 Comments »

Transgender Bill Becomes Campaign Fodder in City Council Contest

Posted by Allen Wilson on October 16, 2013

Diamond Bar Council Candidate Joseph Kim is making some hay regarding AB 1266 in a campaign mailer drop.

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AB 1266 was authored by Assemblyman Tom Ammiano (D-San Francisco) and signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown that would allow transgender students to use school facilities reflecting their gender identity.

The Transgender bill faces referendum challenge by the Privacy for All Students campaign, which faces long odds of collecting 505,000 signatures by the November 12th, 2013 deadline to qualify for the November 2014 statewide ballot.

It will be interesting to see whether or not Mr. Kim will gain some traction by pushing the transgender controversy as a campaign fodder in local council campaign.

If Mr. Kim is successful, then Diamond Bar will become ground zero for future campaigns in 2014 for statewide and legislative candidates to capitalize the controversy surrounding AB 1266.

The Diamond Bar City Council election is slated for November 5th.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged: , , , | Leave a Comment »

73rd AD Watch: Baric Drops Assembly Bid

Posted by Allen Wilson on October 1, 2013

Steve Baroc

We surely got your attention and this morning’s headline will require no caffeine for OC politicos.

Rancho Santa Margarita Councilman Steve Baric is taking himself out of the race for State Assembly in the 73rd Assembly District (South Orange County).

Jon Fleischman of Flashreport explains Councilman Baric’s reasons why the sudden departure.

My colleague Chris Nguyen on August 1st explained that Baric was the runner-up on the campaign war chest.

The 73rd AD contest will surely shake things up in the coming days.

Posted in 73rd Assembly District, California, Rancho Santa Margarita, State Assembly | Tagged: | 1 Comment »

Grand Jury Civil Report Financial Recommendations for Diamond Bar

Posted by Allen Wilson on September 29, 2013

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The Los Angeles County Civil Grand Jury issued their 2012-2013 report, which included a very detailed 71 pages (page 85-156) section entitled “Cities of Los Angeles County:  Fiscal Health, Governance, Financial Management and Compensation”.

The City of Diamond Bar needs to brush up their fiscal health and best practices, because the city was ranked 64 of the 88 cities for “number of positive responses”.

The City of Diamond Bar was ranked 65 of the 88 cities for “Governance and Financial Management Best Practices”.  According to the Civil Grand Jury report defines governance as:

“…the role of the city council in providing leadership for an organization.”

“Key tools of effective governance include strategic planning and management including performance measurement and monitoring.”

The City of Diamond Bar responded in the negative on the following governance and financial management best practices:

1)  Performance Indicators

2)  Annual Executive Goals

3)  Conflict of Interest Policy

4)  Formal Audit Committee

5)  Updated Policies on Accounting Manuals

6)  Fraud/Ethics Policy

7)  Formal Internal/Audit Functions

The Grand Jury recommended the City of Diamond Bar to do the following:

1)  Adopt financial planning, revenue and expenditure policies to guide city officials to develop sustainable, balanced budgets.

2)  Develop a balanced budget and commit to operate within the budget constraints.

3)  Should commit to not using one time revenues to fund recurring or on going expenditures.

4)  Should develop specific annual goals for the city’s executive.

5)  Should formally establish an audit committee making it directly responsible for the work of the independent auditor.

6)  Should undertake a full scale competitive process every 5 years for the selection of an independent external auditor.

The general demand by the public for transparency of financial matters regarding their local government has been increasing overtime and Diamond Bar is no different, which the Los Angeles Civil Grand Jury has highlighted the various concerns addressed to the 88 cities throughout the county.

It is imperative for the City of Diamond Bar to take corrective action on the Civil Grand Jury recommendations to ensure internal controls are in place with regards to fiscal health and governance best practices.

If no one is watching how their local government spends those tax dollars, then who will.  It is best to ask questions now, than later with regrets.

We surely hope that the Diamond Bar City Council takes the Civil Grand Jury key points with seriousness and not brush it off by putting the report on a shelf to collect dust.

Posted in California, Uncategorized | Tagged: , | 1 Comment »

Tilt Heads: Chris Hansen and Orange County-Centric Campaign Consultant

Posted by Allen Wilson on September 16, 2013

When a story has a twist it makes many tilt their heads as questions start to evolve especially when it involve FPPC civil matters.

The Fair Political Practices Commission is a state watchdog campaign finance reporting agency created in 1974 due to passage of Proposition 9 by the California voters, which the initiative was known as the Political Reform Act (PRA).

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Last week, the Sacramento Bee reported that Chris Hansen settled a $50,000 fine with the FPPC due to failure to properly disclose the source of funding behind the ballot measure to force a public vote on the City of Sacramento arena subsidy.  The arena was to be used for the basketball team Sacramento Kings.

Chris Hansen is hedge fund manger who had desired to relocate the Sacramento Kings to Seattle, which never came to fruition.

The FPPC’s detailed 6 page report to the Commissioners gives a lengthy background information regarding the $50,000 settlement with Chris Hansen, but also mentions the names of Brandon Powers and Lysa Ray as the other two defendants agreeing to the fine.

Brandon Powers is an Orange County-centric campaign political consultant and Lysa Ray is an Orange County-based campaign treasurer.

Brandon Powers is the President-CEO of Powers Communications who managed campaigns for Diamond Bar Councilmembers Ling-Ling Chang and Steve Tye in 2009 and the unsuccessful campaign for GOP Attorney General candidate John Eastman in 2010.

Lysa Ray is the owner of Lysa Ray Campaign Services since 1991, which Ms. Ray has provided campaign finance reporting services for Jordan Brandman School Board in 2010, Larry Dick for State Assembly in 2008, Lorri Galloway for Orange County Supervisor in 2010, Harry Sidhu for State Senate in 2008, currently campaign treasurer for GOP Assembly candidate Diamond Bar Councilwoman Ling-Ling Chang.

What is so intriguing, immediately after the Sacramento Bee article went to print, Mr. Hansen gave his account with regards to the proposed FPPC settlement and what really happened of the events from May 15th NBA vote regarding the relocation of the Sacramento Kings and up to the FPPC fine.

The heads start to tilt as Mr. Hansen asserts:

At this time, a broad-based political committee had not yet been established, and I neither directed nor authorized Loeb & Loeb to make this expenditure on my behalf. During this entire process, I never spoke with, emailed, met, or had any correspondence with GoCo, Brandon Powers, STOP or Taxpayers for Safer Neighborhoods.  

Whoa!

According to the FPPC’s September 9th memo explains Mr. Powers role that could have put Mr. Hansen in the dark with regards to the signature gathering efforts:

…August 9, 2013, a representative for GOCO said political consultant Brandon Powers approached GOCO in order to hire GOCO to provide signature gathering services in Sacramento…

Mr. Hansen admits his error in judgment in the midst of the raw emotions from the get-go beginning on May 15th and never made any political contributions in his life:

Finally, although  I’ve never made any political donations or contributions in my life prior to this (including contributions to PAC’s), with the benefit of hindsight I also should not have relied solely on Loeb’s expertise and discretion in handling this matter and clearly should have asked more questions earlier in the process.

The FPPC role with regards to the Chris Hansen matter has been instrumental in enforcing the Political Reform Act to ensure campaign finance reporting are done in a transparent manner, because it is in the public interest regarding any issue much like the controversial Sacramento arena.

The next time any candidate or campaign committee desires to get themselves in the political mud it is best to get reputable campaign consultant and treasurer that knows what he or she is doing before getting a phone call from the FPPC that would amount to a tilt head.

Posted in 55th Assembly District, California, Orange County, State Assembly | Tagged: , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Former Senator Dutton runs for County Assessor-Recorder

Posted by Allen Wilson on September 16, 2013

OC Political received word that former Senator Bob Dutton (R-Rancho Cucamonga) announces his plans to run as a candidate for San Bernardino County Assessor-Recorder.

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If Mr. Dutton is successful in his candidacy, he will be the second State Senator to run for county Assessor-Recorder in four years.  Dave Cogdill served as State Senator from the 14th State Senate District until 2010, which then he was elected as Stanislaus County Assessor-Recorder.

Dutton announces campaign for

San Bernardino County Assessor/Recorder

 

Rancho Cucamonga, CA – Former State Senator and long time business owner Bob Dutton will run for San Bernardino County Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk.  In this role, Dutton will look to provide over 2 million residents of California’s largest geographical county with independent oversight on property assessments, accurate information on county documents, and increased efficiency with the administration of public services.

“I have always taken a commonsense approach to the issues,” said Dutton.  “My experience as both a business owner and elected representative will provide the residents of San Bernardino with a voice on the county level.  As we recover from an historic recession, I will look to deliver efficient and effective service for a region in which I have been dedicated for nearly forty years.”

After serving in both the Army Reserve and National Guard, Bob Dutton’s commitment to the Inland Empire and desire to own a business was realized when he opened a real estate investment and management firm in Rancho Cucamonga.  As Dutton’s knowledge of the real estate market grew, so did his ability to affect positive change for the residents of San Bernardino County. He won his first election to the Rancho Cucamonga City Council in 1998 and was re-elected in 2000.

In 2002, Dutton used his knowledge as a business owner and reputation as a community leader to win a seat in the State Assembly. In 2004, he successfully ran for the State Senate where he represented portions of San Bernardino and Riverside Counties, and was re-elected with nearly 60 percent of the vote.

“I had the pleasure of working with Bob when he was in the legislature.  His commitment to the residents of San Bernardino County, his knowledge of the issues, and his commonsense approach has always provided a sense of direction when it was needed most,” said San Bernardino County Supervisor Janice Rutherford.       

As the next County Assessor, Senator Dutton will use this approach to offer the efficient and effective service needed for the residents San Bernardino County.  In addition to running a small business and being involved with numerous professional organizations, Senator Dutton is focused on giving back to the community. He has served as president or board member for numerous community and civic organizations including the local Kiwanis Club, YMCA, Red Cross, the Chamber of Commerce and the Community Foundation.

Bob and his wife Andrea Guillen, have been married for more than 30 years.  Andrea, a fourth generation Chino resident, is the Professor and Program Director of Radiology at Chaffey Community College.  Their daughter Kara, who received her Master’s in 2010 from the University of La Verne, is working in the banking industry

Posted in California | Tagged: , | 3 Comments »

RPLAC Censure Proposal on Thomas Hanson

Posted by Allen Wilson on September 15, 2013

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The Republican Party of Los Angeles County (RPLAC) is considering a motion to censure the one of it’s members, Thomas Hanson, at the regularly scheduled meeting on Saturday, September 21st, 2013.

Thomas Hanson is the Chairman of the 45th Assembly District Republican Central Committee (ADRCC).

On July 20th, 2013, RPLAC took up the endorsement for one of three Republican candidates running for the Special Election slated for September 17th, but none of the candidates failed to garner the necessary 2/3rds votes required for such endorsement.  The highest vote getter of the endorsement was Chris Kolski  who was shy of one vote.  The other candidates are Armineh Chelebian and Susan Shelley.

Then, July 24th, 2013, Mr. Hanson submitted a very misleading letter to Los Angeles County Registrar of Voters (ROV), Dean Logan, by using RPLAC logo with the following verbiage:

“This is to advise you and confirm a party endorsement of a Republican candidate for the special election to be held on September 17, 2013 to fill the current vacancy of the 45th Assembly District in the California Legislature”

Mr. Hanson efforts was an attempt to deceive the ROV by giving the implication that the endorsement was approved by RPLAC, which it was not the case.

The Los Angeles County ROV was prepared to submit sample ballots indicating that Chris Kolski has been endorsed by the Republican Party of Los Angeles County.

The RPLAC Chairman Mark Vafiades learned of this and immediately notified the ROV that Mr. Kolski has NOT been endorsed by RPLAC, which the sample ballots were immediately destroyed and re-printed at considerable amount of money at taxpayers expense.

The integrity of Mr. Hanson, the 45th ADRCC and Mr. Kolski hangs in the balance as they attempted to manipulate the elections through deception to the Republican voters in the 45th AD.

This is the third proposal to formally censure a central committee member in six years.

In 2007, Michael Jackson, the 2006 GOP Assembly Nominee in the 54th AD was formally censured for “disrupting RPLAC meetings”, which Mr. Jackson was a thorn to then-RPLAC Chairman Linda Boyd and the Executive Board.

In 2010, a motion to censure Robert Vaughn, the 2010 GOP Nominee for Congress in the 38th CD, failed to gain traction beyond the RPLAC’s Rules and By-Laws Committee.

Posted in 36th Senate District, Republican Central Committee, South Orange County Community College District | Tagged: , , , | 2 Comments »

BREAKING: San Diego Mayor Filner will resign

Posted by Allen Wilson on August 22, 2013

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San Diego NBC 7 Reports that embattled Mayor Bob Filner plans to resign as part of harassment settlement agreement reached last night.

http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/San-Diego-Mayor-Bob-Filner-to-Resign-220675401.html

Diana Palacios posted this YouTube showing Filner leaving City Hall yesterday in a black SUV with boxes to vacate the office.

Posted in California | Tagged: , | 1 Comment »

Los Angeles County Sheriff Baca has a challenger!

Posted by Allen Wilson on August 14, 2013

OC Political has received information that Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca has a serious contender for his job, which Baca is up for re-election in 2014.

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Olmsted Campaign for Sheriff released this Press Release:

Los Angeles, August 14th – Today former commander Bob Olmsted, 62, has announced his run for Los Angeles County Sheriff against Lee Baca.

Bob Olmsted is a proven reformer. As a commander, he was unafraid to call attention to the corruption in the men’s central jail system. After his retirement, he was willing to talk openly about the widespread dysfunction and corruption that has resulted in multiple federal investigations and a long string of departmental scandals.

Now Olmsted wants to take his over 32 years of experience as a highly-regarded supervisor, as a teacher of criminal justice and, most importantly, as a law officer with the courage to stand up for what’s right, and use it to bring back honor and good policing to the Los Angeles Sheriff’s department.

The Olmsted campaign has launched a web video highlighting Lee Baca’s record of mismanagement and corruption while introducing candidate Bob Olmsted.

Click below to view the ad:

Bob Olmstead states, “Sheriff Lee Baca’s mismanagement is to blame for numerous corruption scandals and federal investigations. Change has to come from the top.”

“Voters deserve a sheriff’s department they can be proud of. I’m running for Sheriff to restore integrity into the department and get back to the basics – serving the community, stopping crime, and helping keep kids out of crime in the first place.

Please visit Olmsted’s campaign website at http://www.OlmstedInstead.com for more information and campaign updates.

Bob Olmsted worked his way through the ranks in the Sheriff’s department from Deputy to Commander, excelling as a training officer, investigator and executive. Bob taught Criminal Justice at El Camino College, and earned his BA and MPA degrees from Cal State Dominguez Hills.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged: , , , | 2 Comments »

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