OC Political

A right-of-center blog covering local, statewide, and national politics

Lisa Bartlett Continues Her Loose Use Of The “Facts” In Recent Press Release

Posted by Greg Woodard on September 3, 2014

Lisa Bartlett’s September 2, 2014 press release follows in the footsteps of her first edition of the so-called “Ming’s Dings,” and not in a good way (again, I am a supporter of Robert Ming).  As I wrote regarding the false facts in her “Mings Dings,” Bartlett erroneously stated the median home price in Laguna Niguel in an attempt to attack the city’s home loan to its City Manager, and also neglected to mention that her city’s (Dana Point) City Manager makes more in salary and benefits than Laguna Niguel’s City Manager.

Bartlett continues her assault on the facts by now claiming that her fundraising was at a 2-1 clip better than Ming from June 15th through August 29, 2014.  Again, Bartlett has to make up and manipulate the facts to get to this erroneous conclusion.  A review of Ming’s and Bartlett’s campaign disclosure forms for the period from June 15th through August 29, 2014 shows that Ming raised $28,325 during that time (Bartlett’s release shorted Ming $1,000 – yet another sloppy fact check failure), while Bartlett raised $37,304 (not including $400 in rainbow sandals her campaign received).  Even the mathematically challenged can tell that a difference of approximately $9,000 does not equal the 2-1 “advantage” that Bartlett claims in her release.  Moreover, if you add contributions that Bartlett received on September 1 and Ming received on September 2, the difference closes to only approximately $7,000.

How does she get to this mythical 2-1 number?  It may be by adding in a $17,000 loan that she made to herself during the reporting period.  I have not been active in politics as long as many readers on here have, but I think anyone would be hard-pressed to claim that a loan to yourself constitutes “fundraising.”  Sadly, it appears as though Bartlett did not learn from her earlier lies, and has once again stretched the truth for a sound bite, rather than acknowledge that both candidates were actively fundraising and relatively close in actual raising of funds during the period.

I had hoped after her first false release, Bartlett would be more careful in her fact-checking.  Unfortunately, it appears that Bartlett is so focused on smearing Ming, that she does not care about facts.  I leave it to the readers to determine what that says about her character and her qualifications to lead our county.

Posted in 5th Supervisorial District, Orange County Board of Supervisors | Tagged: , , | 5 Comments »

Live from OCGOP Endorsements Committee: Round 2A

Posted by Chris Nguyen on September 2, 2014

We’re live from OCGOP Endorsements Committee tonight as they hold the first of two meetings to make recommendations for the September Central Committee meeting’s endorsements.

On tonight’s docket are:
Angie Cano – Santa Ana School District
Timothy Surridge – Orange Unified School District, Trustee Area 5
Jim Cunneen – Fountain Valley School District
Sandra Crandall – Fountain Valley School District
Tracy Pellman – Ocean View School District
Rick Ledesma – Orange Unified School District, Trustee Area 7
John Briscoe – Ocean View School District
Measure H – AUHSD Bond (No)
Measure I – FJUHSD Bond (No)
Measure J – NOCCCD Bond (No)
Measure K – OUSD Bond (No)
Measure Z – RSM Zoning (Yes)
Andrew Hamilton – Lake Forest City Council
Elaine Gennawey – Laguna Niguel City Council
John Jennings – Laguna Niguel City Council
Shawn Dewane – Orange County Water District Division 7
Ron Amburgey – Mesa Water District Division 4
Chuck Perry – Director Costa Mesa Sanitary
Brad McGirr – Rancho Santa Margarita City Council
Michael Vaughn – Rancho Santa Margarita City Council
Jesse Petrilla – Rancho Santa Margarita City Council
Laurie Biehl – Rancho Santa Margarita City Council
Don Chadd – Rancho Santa Margarita City Council
Jerry Holloway – Rancho Santa Margarita City Council
Kris Murray – Anaheim City Council
Gail Eastman – Anaheim City Council
Douglas Pettibone – Anaheim City Council
James Vanderbilt – Anaheim City Council
Tony Capitelli – Costa Mesa Council
Kevin Muldoon – Newport Beach City Council
Scott Peotter – Newport Beach City Council
Duffy Duffield – Newport Beach City Council
M.J. Noor – Fullerton Joint Union High School District

6:11 PM: SAUSD Candidate Angie Cano is a UCI student who graduated from SAUSD and was an English Language Learner. She opposes Common Core. She notes SAUSD has three Democrats and two Republicans. A Democrat is retiring.

6:14 PM: OUSD Trustee Timothy Surridge speaks about his background in education as a teacher. He speaks about being a conservative. OUSD is one of the most fiscally sound districts in OC. He has fought for music education. His opponent is a liberal union lawyer.

6:16 PM: FVSD Candidate Jim Cunneen is concerned about district spending. He has five children in public schools. He’s attended every school board meeting over the last two years. He serves on a city commission. He notes he is one of only two Republicans in the race.

6:17 PM: FVSD Trustee Sandra Crandall speaks of the challenges of finding a new fiscally conservative superintendent, local control agebcy funding, and various other conservative stances.

6:19 PM: OVSD Trustee Tracy Pellman is absent due to a medical emergency with her husband.

OVSD Trustee John Briscoe notes that Pellman has received significant union IEs.

6:20 PM: OUSD Trustee Rick Ledesma speaks about his budgetary experience, increasing OUSD test scores, and the Republican majority on the OUSD Board, including his efforts to help elect more conservatives to the Board.

6:21 PM: OVSD Trustee John Briscoe says he’s the only independent voice on his Board. He was first elected in 2006, but two unions united to try to oust him from office in 2010. He speaks about the lay of the land of the candidates for OVSD, including likely significant union spending. He apologizes for an error on his questionnaire.

6:25 PM: The committee has pulled everyone except Briscoe for discussion.

BRISCOE RECOMMENDED UNANIMOUSLY

6:26 PM: Committee Member Mark McCurdy asks Cano about her non-support of a constitutional amendment to protect local government from losing money to the state. Cano says she made a mistake on the form.

McCurdy asks about her non-support of shall-issue gun permits. Cano says she misunderstood the question.

CANO RECOMMENDED UNANIMOUSLY

6:27 PM: Jeff Matthews asks Crandall and Cunneen why they marked both yes and no on supporting Common Core. Crandall says they both support strong academic standards and are concerned about implementation. Cunneen speaks about supporting local control but is open to the Common Core standards.

CRANDALL AND CUNNEEN RECOMMENDED UNANIMOUSLY

6:32 PM: Thomas Gordon asks Surridge and Ledesma about voting to put a bond on the ballot.

Mark Bucher suggests waiting to discuss the bonds before discussing Surridge and Ledesma.

6:34 PM: Jeff Matthews asks for a neutral recommendation on all the bonds. He says the committee needs to understand the details of each measure and the arguments of both sides before voting on a ballot measure.

6:35 PM: Thomas Gordon questions how the party can have a taxpayer protection pledge and not take a stand on the bonds.

6:36 PM: Peggy Huang expresses concern about districts adding more debt and the lack of State matching funds. She says there needs to be a strong justification for a bond. She asks to stay neutral on Measure Z, the Rancho Santa Margarita zoning measure.

6:37 PM: McCurdy supports Huang’s position.

6:38 PM: There are no speakers for or against Measure H, the Anaheim Union High School District bond.

6:39 PM: Superintendent George Giokaris speaks in favor of Measure I, the Fullerton Joint Union High School District Bond. He speaks of meeting the OCTax criteria. He says it’s a brick and mortar bond. He says their schools are excellent. He speaks of the Fullerton Chamber of Commerce endorsement. He urges support or neutrality.

6:41 PM: Councilman Bruce Whitaker speaks against Measure I as a tax increase that provides no specifics. He notes there was a bond in 2002. He praises the schools with the existing funds. He says this is an effort to finance run of the mill expenses in order to free up funds for pension liabilities. He says he appreciates the FJUHSD but limiting government is the right ideology. He says many of the official proponents are Democrats.

6:44 PM: Huang asks about various taxpayer protection language provisions.

6:45 PM: Giokaris says they will have a taxpayer oversight committee as required by Prop 39.

6:45 PM: Gordon asks about OCTax and PLA.

Giokaris says it meets the criteria of OCTax but that OCTax does not support bonds. He says there is no PLA because it is necessary to meet the OCTax criteria.

6:46 PM: Mark Bucher asks about whether it’s a tax increase.

Giokaris says it will be $19 per $100000.

6:47 PM: Gordon moves to recommend opposing Measure I, the Fullerton Joint Union High School District bond. McCurdy seconds.

Gordon questions about the failure of districts to set aside maintenance money.

Bucher cites Whitaker’s argument.

NO MEASURE I RECOMMENDED BY A 4-0-1 VOTE. (Mathews abstaining.)

6:49 PM: Bucher solicits and Gordon moves to oppose Measure H, the Anaheim Union High School District bond.

NO ON MEASURE H RECOMMENDED BY A 3-0-2 VOTE. (Matthews and Huang abstaining.)

6:50 PM: Councilman Bruce Whitaker speaks against the size of Measure J, the NOCCCD bond.

NO MEASURE J RECOMMENDED BY A 4-0-1 VOTE. (Mathews abstaining.)

6:52 PM: Todd Spitzer urges the committee to stay out of Orange Unified’s Measure K. He points to the poor state of El Modena and other schools. He points to conservatives like Fred Whitaker supporting the bond. He says he’d be happy to pay the bond.

6:53 PM: Tim Surridge speaks about the Napa earthquake. He speaks about student safety and outdated facilities.

6:54 PM: Deborah Pauly notes this is the largest bond ever proposed by a K-12 school district. She says the Taj Mahal plan would cost three times as much as the bond. She notes about the failure of the district to put enough money for maintenance.

6:55 PM: Robert Hammond speaks about finding better ways to fund repairs to the schools like his alma mater, Orange High School. He is concerned about the bond debt of a $296 million bond, which would be approximately $540 million to pay off.

6:57 PM: Thomas Gordon moves to recommend opposing Measure K, the Orange Unified School District bond. He speaks about fiscal mismanagement.

6:58 PM: Bucher speaks about fiscal mismanagement of school districts.

NO MEASURE K RECOMMENDED BY A 4-0-1 VOTE. (Mathews abstaining.)

7:00 PM: Joe Dychen speaks in favor of Measure Z in Rancho Santa Margarita. He says it is an issue of property rights. He says personality conflicts are the only reason they didn’t get the rezone.

Dick Ackerman speaks of the Council using confiscatory zoning.

Steve Baric expresses concern about Republican elected officials taking zoning awry.

7:02 PM: Carol Gamble speaks against Measure Z. She hands out a document showing car dealers do wish to locate I Rancho Santa Margarita.

Tony Beall points to a myriad of arguments by the proponents of Measure Z that were ruled false by a court. He speaks about the proponents failing to form an FPPC committee and disclosing their expenses.

7:04 PM: Gordon asks how this is not a property rights issue.

Beall states the zoning existed before the property owner bought it and that the property owner knew it going in.

7:05 PM: Bucher asks a question about the number of dealerships.

Beall describes the number.

Dychen describes the physical locations of the dealerships.

7:07 PM: Huang asks Dychen why did he buy it if he knew what it was zoned for.

Dychen says they had met with the City and expected to be rezoned like the neighboring parcels.

7:08 PM: Gordon asks if the opponents are fine with leaving the site as-is.

Beall says Toyota of Rancho Santa Margarita is willing to buy the land with the current zoning.

7:09 PM: Mathews moves for neutrality on Measure Z in Rancho Santa Margarita.

He says they should not be taking a position on something with strong arguments on both sides.

Peggy Huang says this should be a local control issue and that the residents should decide this for themselves without the party taking a position.

Gordon asks why Dychen hasn’t taken the Toyota deal.

Dychen says he didn’t receive the offer until this morning.

McCurdy wants to stay out.

NEUTRAL ON MEASURE Z RECOMMENDED UNANIMOUSLY

7:12 PM: Rick Ledesma explains he has served on the Board for years and is a financial analyst. He opposed the bonds in 2004. He could not find a way to fund maintenance without the unions scooping out the money. He reminds the committee that he is the only Republican running in his Trustee Area and that Surridge is the only Republican running in his Trustee Area.

Huang asks about his efforts to cut spending.

Ledesma speaks about his efforts to sell off surplus properties. He speaks about the cities inhibiting the full surplus property value.

Gordon asks if Ledesma opposes PLAs.

Ledesma says yes.

7:17 PM: Gordon moves to endorse Ledesma and Surridge. He is concerned about their liberal opponents. He urges them to continue opposing PLAs and to oppose future bonds.

Huang supports the motion and urges Ledesma and Surridge to act prudently if the bond passes and creatively if it fails.

Bucher says this is a tough one. He fears the unions are trying to run schools into the ground and get conservatives to vote for higher taxes.

LEDESMA AND SURRIDGE RECOMMENDED FOR ORANGE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT 3-2 (BUCHER AND MCCURDY DISSENTING).

7:20 PM: Lake Forest Council candidate Andrew Hamilton is Chairman of the Planning Commission. He speaks about his fiscal conservatism and his endorsements from Senator Mimi Walters and Mayor Dwight Robinson.

Since no other candidate is seeking the endorsement:
HAMILTON RECOMMENDED UNANIMOUSLY FOR LAKE FOREST CITY COUNCIL.

7:23 PM: Laguna Niguel Council candidate Elaine Gennawey speaks of her service to the city, her efforts for cityhood, and her Citizen of the Year award. She speaks of her work for Republican candidates. She speaks of her fiscal conservatism. The crowd is impressed that she used exactly her alloted time.

GENNAWEY RECOMMENDED FOR ENDORSEMENT UNANIMOUSLY FOR LAGUNA NIGUEL CITY COUNCIL.

7:25 PM: Laguna Niguel Council candidate John Jennings speaks of his service to the city. He speaks of his efforts to help Republican candidates. He speaks of his various Republican endorsements.

JENNINGS RECOMMENDED FOR ENDORSEMENT UNANIMOUSLY FOR LAGUNA NIGUEL CITY COUNCIL.

7:27 PM: OCWD Director Shawn Dewane speaks of his experience with water. He speaks of his conservative endorsements including Rohrabacher, Righeimer, and Mensinger. He draws positive laughter when he notes his opponent is Wendy Leece.

DEWANE RECOMMENDED FOR ENDORSEMENT UNANIMOUSLY FOR ORANGE COUNTY WATER DISTRICT.

7:28 PM: Mesa Water District candidate Ron Amburgey speaks about his fiscal conservatism and notes the incumbent’s use of taxpayer funded limousines.

AMBURGEY RECOMMENDED FOR ENDORSEMENT FOR MESA WATER DISTRICT UNANIMOUSLY.

7:30 PM: CMSD incumbent Chuck Perry is difficult to hear. This blogger is able to hear that Perry is endorsed by Righeimer and Mensinger.

PERRY RECOMMENDED FOR ENDORSEMENT UNANIMOUSLY FOR COSTA MESA SANITARY DISTRICT.

7:33 PM: The Rancho Santa Margarita onslaught begins.

Councilman Brad McGirr notes his previous endorsement by the OC GOP in 2010. He speaks of the City’s low crime and strong public safety. He speaks of the balanced budget and large reserve. He supports Prop 13 and Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association. He speaks of his work for numerous Republican candidates and his numerous Republican endorsements. He goes on a tangent on Measure Z having good conservatives on both sides.

Mike Vaughn speaks of his service to the city. He speaks of his service to the school district. He speaks to quietly to be heard well.

Joe Dychen speaks against them because of nanny state attitudes by these two candidates. He criticizes McGirr supporting a woman’s call for a police investigation of her child’s preschool. He accuses them of using liberal tactics against their opponents.

Carol Gamble speaks on behalf of McGirr’s knowledge and experience and Vaughn’s community volunteerism.

Mike Safranski speaks against McGirr, citing zoning and Measure Z. He also cites McGirr’s nanny state bullying ordinance.

Jennifer Beall says McGirr and Vaughn have built grassroots coalitions of volunteers helping to carry 50,000 pieces in support of Prop 32.

7:41 PM: Councilman Jesse Petrilla thanks the Party for endorsing him in 2010. He opposes tax increases. He speaks of the balanced budget and budget surplus. He speaks of his military service, his small business, and his new baby.

Laurie Biehl speaks of being a mother, businesswoman, and volunteer. She says she is the only woman applying for the endorsement in Rancho Santa Margarita and is the only one with no political experience. She speaks of her community volunteerism. She speaks about her business.

Don Chadd says he is a Reagan Republican. He helped in the cityhood movement. He says he is not an insider. He says he is concerned about property rights. He signed the ballot argument in favor of Measure Z. He is concerned about the current Council majority.

Councilman Steve Baric says Petrilla’s behavior as a 17 year old is irrelevant. He points to Petrilla’s conservative voting record on the Council and his service in the military.

A woman speaks in favor of Biehl and her numerous community activities.

Mike Safranski speaks of serving with Chadd on numerous Boards and being a consensus builder.

Tony Beall speaks against Petrilla due to his felony convictions. He says Petrilla lied about his convictions during his Assembly race. He notes six statements in the argument in favor of Measure Z had six statements struck by a court. He says Biehl is a court reporter working for Dychen’s lawyer’s firm, which she denies.

Carol Gamble says Petrilla rarely shows up at Council events. She says she’s never seen Biehl anywhere near city government.

Jennifer Beall says Chadd is a double dipper with two pensions.

7:51 PM: Jerry Holloway speaks of his city experience and his efforts on behalf of Republican candidates.

No one speaks in favor of or against Holloway.

7:53 PM: Gordon asks if Tony Beall refused to vote to cut Council compensation after Jennifer Beall passed out the document about Chadd’s pension. Beall doesn’t recall the vote. Baric argues Beall did vote against it. Debate ensues.

7:55 PM: Huang asks if anyone has received money from Dychen. Both McGirr and Petrilla have.

Lots of cross-talk ensues.

Petrilla, Chadd, and Biehl support Measure Z. McGirr, Vaughn, and Holloway oppose Measure Z.

Jennifer Beall says Petrilla’s Planning Commissioner dissented in a 4-1 vote on the underlying issue in Measure Z. She says Petrilla dissented in a 3-1-1 vote (Baric was absent).

McGirr says his antibullying ordinance was only conceptual for discussion after a girl committed suicide after cyber bullying.

Petrilla talks about a 3-2 vote on cutting Council defined contribution programs (Petrilla and Baric wanted to cut them). Beall says he has no Council defined benefit plan.

8:00 PM: Matthews motions for neutrality because there are six people applying for endorsements with only three seats on the ballot.

Huang seconds the motion. She says the residents of Rancho Santa Margarita need to determine whether to pass or defeat Measure Z. She says she wishes Petrilla was more forthright about his felony convictions but she cites her experience as a Deputy Attorney General in forgiving him and protecting the rights of juveniles.

Gordon agrees with Huang on the felony issue. He is disgusted that a crime committed as a juvenile keeps being brought up. He cites Petrilla’s exemplary adult life including his military service. He says Measure Z has clouded the city when they should be fighting for Republicans. He’s inclined to endorse Petrilla and Petrilla alone.

McCurdy says there’s plenty of documentation.

Bucher leans toward the Matthews-Huang position. He prefers neutrality. He has no problem with Petrilla’s behavior as an adult.

NEUTRALITY RECOMMENDED 4-1 IN RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA (MCCURDY DISSENTING).

8:07 PM: Costa Mesa candidate Tony Capitelli speaks about working for Congressman Dana Rohrabacher, Congressman Buck McKeon, and Supervisor Mike Antonovich. He speaks of needing to attract younger voters to the Republican Party. He warns that Costa Mesa is in danger of becoming a city with more Democrats than Republicans.

Matthews notes two candidates have already been endorsed by the party for Costa Mesa City Council (Jim Righeimer and Lee Ramos) with only two seats.

Capitelli doesn’t understand why the Central Committee overruled Desare’ Ferraro’s effort to delay the Ramos endorsement until Capitelli could be considered.

Bucher suspects the endorsement of Jim Righeimer carried the day for Lee Ramos.

Capitelli calls it cronyism and urges the committee to rescind its Ramos endorsement.

Bucher says the Endorsements Committee can’t do that, but the Central Committee can. Bucher says it would be an uphill battle though.

Capitelli doesn’t understand the difference between Rancho Santa Margarita and Costa Mesa on the endorsements.

Matthews suggests Capitelli apply for a city commission or committee.

8:14 PM: The Anaheim City Council chaos begins.

Doug Pettibone notes his longtime residence in Anaheim. He worked for the Orange County Register. He says it is tough for a first time candidate to get the endorsement. He notes Ronald Reagan was a first time candidate when elected Governor. Pettibone says he is endorsed by Mayor Tom Tait, who was endorsed by the OC GOP. He urges an endorsement for Tait, Pettibone, and Vanderbilt. He says endorsing Tait, Murray, and Eastman would send an inconsistent message.

James Vanderbilt speaks about his military service and his conservative record on the Anaheim City School District Board. He has fought against fee increases. He has refused taxpayer-financed benefits since his election to the school board in 2004.

Tom Tait speaks in favor of Pettibone and Vanderbilt. He says he disagrees with the other side’s fiscal policies, including tax giveaways and failure to support pension reform.

8:19 PM: Bucher notes that neither Councilwomen Kris Murray nor Gail Eastman have signed the union-free pledge. Bucher says they cannot be endorsed under the rules because of that.

Murray says they have passed pension reform, balanced the budget, and restored city services. She has led efforts to bring employers and the jobs they bring. She has cut the cost of doing business. She has worked on law enforcement issues to improve public safety, citing banning sex offenders from parks and fighting medical marijuana disoensaries. She says she worked for the Republican Party in Washington, DC. She notes various Republican elected official endorsements.

Eastman says she has already received union support. She says they have achieved as much pension reform as possible. She says she and Murray have been Republicans in good standing who have pushed conservative values for the past four years on the Council. She says she defends the free market. She says the split with Tait is overblown by the media.

8:25 PM: Alexandria Coronado says she opposed the Anaheim Union High School District Measure Z bond in 2002. She says Vanderbilt supported that bond and served on the oversight committee that lost a quarter-billion dollars. She says Vanderbilt also supported an Anaheim City School District bond.

Vanderbilt says he was put on the Anaheim Union High School District oversight committee after the Grand Jury report came out and that he has actually helped clean up the mess that Coronado described. He also says the Anaheim City School District bond has had no problems.

Jennifer Fitzgerald says the committee would be inconsistent for endorsing the incumbent Mayor but not the incumbent Councilmembers. She says they have implemented pension reform which she says is the point of the union-free pledge.

Sam Han representing Assemblyman Don Wagner asks for neutrality citing pension reform.

8:30 PM: Jeff Matthews questions what is a Republican in good standing. He urges neutrality when there are more Republicans in good standing than spots available. He wonders if Murray and Eastman are not Republicans in good standing due to their refusal to sign the union-free pledge.

Peggy Huang moves for neutrality. She credits Murray and Eastman for being honest enough to not sign the pledge as opposed to lying by signing the pledge and then breaking it. She praises Anaheim’s pension reform but urges taking more steps to protect taxpayers. She says all four are good candidates.

Gordon is concerned that people who have accepted union money are urging neutrality simply as a way to block people who abided by the union-free pledge.

Bucher asks if Murray signed the union-free pledge in 2010 when she was endorsed.

She says she did. She has since accepted union contributions.

Bucher asks Tait about the pension reform debate.

Tait says the State allowed a 60% pension for new public safety employees. He lost on a 4-1 vote where they instead backed an 82% pension.

Murray says Tait voted for 3% at 50 as a Councilman. Murrays says she voted to cut the 3% at 50 pension formula to 2.7% at 57 for public safety employees. She agrees with Huang that there needs to be more steps for pension reform.

Tait says the Council majority voted for the highest public safety pension formula permitted under PEPRA.

8:40 PM: Gordon asks if Vanderbilt endorsed Tom Daly for Assembly in 2012.

Vanderbilt says Daly was the business Democrat running in 2012 against union Democrats.

Gordon asks about Murray’s level of union support.

She says she is being attacked by unions across the County who are trying to impose districts in Anaheim.

Bucher asks a followup to Gordon’s question.

Murray says she received thousands of dollars in union support.

NEUTRALITY RECOMMENDED IN ANAHEIM CITY COUNCIL BY A 3-2 VOTE (BUCHER AND MCCURDY DISSENTING).

8:43 PM: The committee takes an intermission.

8:53 PM: The committee returns. There’s a discussion about Newport Beach City Council applications being submitted at different times and an impression that the party was going to be neutral.

Bucher suggests having OCGOP Chairman Scott Baugh send all the Newport Beach City Council candidates for consideration at the full Central Committee instead.

8:57 PM: Newport Beach City Council candidate Duffy Duffield speaks about his father’s staunch anti unionism and conservatism. He speaks of now running his family business of Duffy boats.

His opponent, Councilman Rush Hill, has not submitted an application despite being endorsed four years ago.

DUFFIELD RECOMMENDED UNANIMOUSLY FOR ENDORSEMENT FOR NEWPORT BEACH CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 3.

Candidate Scott Peotter expresses frustration with the Bucher proposal because he and Kevin Muldoon submitted timely applications while Mike Toerge and Tim Brown submitted late applications. Peotter proposes getting a thumbs up from the Endorsements Committee for Peotter and Muldoon but allow Toerge and Brown to be considered at Central Committee.

Thomas Gordon asks Brown if he supported a dock fee.

Brown says he was not on the Council, but Gordon asks if he publicly supported it, which he did.

9:04 PM: Scott Peotter speaks about his help for numerous Republican candidates. He speaks about his business and his family. He opposes the dock tax. He opposes the “Taj MaCity Hall.”

Scott Hart notes that Peotter had only moved back to Newport Beach within the last year from Irvine. He says Toerge has lived in Newport Beach for 39 years and serves on a City commission.

Gordon asks to see Toerge and Brown’s applications.

Huang moves to recommend Peotter for endorsement. McCurdy seconds.

Matthews asks if Toerge and Brown had simply not submitted because they had thought there’d be no endorsement.

Gordon notes Muldoon and Peotter submitted their applications in June. Toerge and Brown submitted in August.

McCurdy warns that waiting for an October endorsement is not good for any of the candidates.

Gordon says Brown signed the anti-fee pledge yet supports the dock fee.

Matthews submits a substitute motion to hear all the candidates tomorrow. He withdraws the substitute motion because there has not been enough time to notice the candidate for the meeting.

PEOTTER RECOMMENDED 4-1 FOR ENDORSEMENT FOR NEWPORT BEACH CITY COUNCIL, DISTRICT 6 (BUCHER DISSENTING).

Kevin Muldoon has been a Republican activist. He opposes fee and tax increases.

Huang moves to endorse Muldoon. Gordon seconds. Nearly everyone says ditto on their comments though Gordon again expresses concern about Brown’s position on the dock fee.

MULDOON RECOMMENDED 4-1 FOR ENDORSEMENT FOR NEWPORT BEACH CITY COUNCIL, DISTRICT 4 (BUCHER DISSENTING).

9:22 PM: Last candidate of the night.

Fullerton Joint Union High School District candidate MJ Noor grew up in Boston. She graduated from Harvard Law and worked for the United Nations. Her children graduated from public schools. She is running because she is concerned that there are three incumbents who have voted to put the Measure I bond on the ballot, that the three have served over 30 years each, that the three are implementing Common Core, and that Planned Parenthood is trying to get into Fullerton high schools.

Robert Hammond would like to have a conservative on the Fullerton Joint Union High School District Board. He notes the Orange County Board of Education voted 5-0 to examine Common Core.

Bucher interrupts to say even one election has consequences.

Hammond continues urging the committee to recommend Noor for endorsement.

Matthews asks if Noor opposes Measure I and if anyone else has applied for the endorsement.

She opposes Measure I and no one else has applied.

NOOR RECOMMENDED UNANIMOUSLY FOR ENDORSEMENT IN FULLERTON JOINT UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT.

9:29 PM: Committee adjourns.

Posted in Republican Central Committee | 6 Comments »

Should Santa Ana’s Sal Tinajero be charged with a crime?

Posted by Thomas Gordon on September 2, 2014

Santa Ana Mayor Pro Tem Sal Tinajero has decided to ramp up the election year campaign rhetoric yet again.

“Hey, if there’s something here we can investigate and prosecute, then we do it,” Tinajero said.

Tinajero is referring to property swap between the family of Mayor Pulido and business owner Rupen Akoubisn back in 2010 that is currently being investigated by the DA and FPPC.

But if Sal Tinajero is looking for criminal behavior on the Santa Ana City Council, he needs look no further than the nearest mirror.

Sal Tinajero was one of several Santa Ana City Council members who illegally took thousands of dollars in campaign contributions and then illegally voted to sweeten the pot for said donors.

The votes in question appear to violate Santa Ana Municipal Code section 2-107. The law prohibits members of the city council from participating in discussions and voting on matters benefitting campaign contributors who have contributed more than $250 during the year preceding the vote. The crime may be prosecuted at the discretion of the City Attorney who can choose between filing an administrative citation for an infraction or a misdemeanor charge that is punishable by a fine of $1,000 and 6 months in county jail.

Sal Tinajero went so far as to send out a press release in which he admitted guilt.

At tonight’s Santa Ana City Council meeting the public will ask the City Attorney to investigate and prosecute Sal Tinajero for his many flagrant violations of the law he’s sworn to uphold.

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Posted in Santa Ana | Tagged: , , | 10 Comments »

Why Republicans have the advantage this fall

Posted by Thomas Gordon on September 2, 2014

The scales tip toward Republicans: Welcome to the campaign. Post-Labor Day, the table is set for what is on pace to be the most expensive midterm in history. It could lead to a Republican majority in both the House and Senate for the last two years of President Barack Obama’s time in office. So why do Republicans have the advantage starting out? First, with primary season all but wrapped up — Delaware, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island hold the last primaries next Tuesday — Republicans have done all they can structurally to prevent problematic candidates from emerging, unlike in years past. But most importantly, it’s where these races are taking place — largely in conservative-leaning states. In fact, of the 12 states with competitive Senate races that are likely to decide the outcome of control of the Senate, Republican Mitt Romney won nine of them in the 2012 presidential election by an average of 16 points. And that’s in a year when Republicans lost the Electoral College by 126 votes. (Republicans need to net six states seats to wrest control.) What’s more, if you add in the three states won by President Obama, Republicans still have an 11-point advantage. Democrats are defending more states — 10 of the 12 are seats held by Democrats. And the two Democratic targets are in states Romney won by an average of 15 points. Plus, the demographics of who shows up in midterm elections favor Republicans. The electorate in midterms is generally whiter, older, more likely to be married and have better paying jobs.

The above was copied in its entirety from the PBS website and can be read HERE

Posted in Independent Expenditures, National | Tagged: | Leave a Comment »

We Are Back!!! Cash For Votes in LA

Posted by Former Blogger Chris Emami on August 25, 2014

It is with much appreciation that I announce to our readers that we are officially back from our candidate filing period hiatus. Due to some of our new partnerships that we have made a lot of candidates are now working with us for this November election especially after the success we had in June with Linda Lindholm, Eric Woolery, Tony Rackauckas, Ira Glasky, Robert Ming, etc… Now that candidate filing has closed we will have the time to start updating the blog more frequently.

voted

One item that I just noticed while catching up on news was the story of the city Ethics Commission in Los Angeles recommending a lottery in which $1,000 cash prizes will be offered to people as an incentive for voting. This comes as a result of extremely low voter turnout in the last city council election. I find this to be an absolutely horrendous idea with a number of potential negative results. The biggest problem with this is the potential for more uninformed voters turning out simply to earn a shot at $1,000 without researching the candidates.

If LA really wants to increase voter turnout they can do so with a couple of simple fixes:

1) Update who is on the active voter rolls. Orange County had their voter roll shrink by 17% this last year during a large-scale update. By shrinking the active voter rolls it will give a more accurate picture of voter turnout.

2) Consolidate the election with the Gubernatorial and Presidential elections. By having an election in an odd year fewer people will be motivated to turn out thus driving down voter turnout. If the elections are consolidated with the June Primary and November General Election in even years, turnout will see an increase.

I find voting to be a civic duty and am appalled by the idea of offering cash prizes to get people out to vote. One final gripe I have is about why the LA Ethics Commission has anything to say about this. What does voter turnout have to do with ethics?

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

Live from OC GOP Central Committee: Endorsements Round 1

Posted by Chris Nguyen on August 18, 2014

We’re live from OC GOP Central Committee for the first round of endorsements for the November General Election.

As is normal for an endorsements meeting, a slew of new alternates are being sworn in (though several represent new ex officio members as this is the first meeting since the Secretary of State certified nominees for the November election).

There are so many elected officials and candidates present that I will not even attempt to list them all.

Pete Peterson, the Republican nominee for Secretary of State, addresses the Central Committee.

Ron Nehring, the Republican nominee for Lieutenant Governor, addresses the Central Committee.

The endorsements agenda consists of:
1. Jim Righeimer – Costa Mesa
2. Lee Ramos – Costa Mesa
3. Yes on Charter – Costa Mesa (Measure O)
4. Peggy Huang – Yorba Linda (November Election)
5. Mark McCurdy – Fountain Valley
6. Tyler Diep – Westminster
7. Jeff Lalloway – Irvine
8. Steven Choi – Irvine Mayor
9. Lynn Schott – Irvine
10. Tom Lindsey – Yorba Linda
11. Tom Tait – Anaheim Mayor
12. Dave Harrington – Aliso Viejo
13. Derek Reeve – San Juan Capistrano
14. Pam Patterson – San Juan Capistrano
15. Jesse Petrilla – Rancho Santa Margarita
16. Robert Ming – Orange County Supervisor, 5th District
17. Craig Alexander – Capistrano Unified School District, Trustee Area 4
18. Fred Whitaker – Orange
19. Ray Grangoff – Orange
20. Steve Sheldon – Orange County Water District, Division 5
21. Timothy Surridge – Orange Unified School District, Trustee Area 5
22. Rick Ledesma – Orange Unified School District, Trustee Area 7
23. David Yang – Tustin Unified School District
24. William Hinz – Lowell Joint School District
25. John Novak – Savanna School District
26. Phil Yarbrough – Rancho Santiago Community College District, Trustee Area 6
27. Sandra Crandall – Fountain Valley School District
28. Measure E – County Contracting with FPPC (Yes)
29. Measure G – Supervisorial Vacancy (Yes)
30. Measure H – Anaheim Union High School District Bond (No)
31. Measure I – Fullerton Joint Union High School District Bond (No)
32. Measure J – North Orange County Community College District Bond (No)
33. Measure K – Orange Unified School District Bond (No)
34. Measure AA – Santa Ana Utility Tax (No)
35. Measure JJ – Yorba Linda Pension & Healthcare Elimination (Yes)
36. Measure W – Irvine Great Park Transparency (Yes)
37. Measure V – Irvine Term Limits (Yes)
38. Measure GG – Stanton Sales Tax (No)
39. Julie Collier – Capistrano Unified School District, Trustee Area 7
40. Ellen Addonizio – Capistrano Unified School District, Trustee Area 6
41. Brett Barbre – Municipal Water District of Orange County, Division 1
42. Diane Dixon – Newport Beach
43. Yorba Linda Recall (No)
44. Measure Y – Newport Beach General Plan Update (Yes)
45. Dave Ellis – Municipal Water District of Orange County, Division 5
46. Scott Voigts – Lake Forest
47. Erik Peterson – Huntington Beach
48. Lynn Semeta – Huntington Beach
49. Mike Posey – Huntington Beach

26 of the 49 items were passed as a consent calendar, except the following 23 people/measures who were pulled for discussion or for referral to the Endorsements Committee:
2. Lee Ramos – Costa Mesa
4. Peggy Huang – Yorba Linda
10. Tom Lindsey – Yorba Linda
11. Tom Tait – Anaheim Mayor
15. Jesse Petrilla – Rancho Santa Margarita
16. Robert Ming – Orange County Supervisor, 5th District
18. Fred Whitaker – Orange
19. Ray Grangoff – Orange
21. Timothy Surridge – Orange Unified School District, Trustee Area 5
22. Rick Ledesma – Orange Unified School District, Trustee Area 7
23. David Yang – Tustin Unified School District
24. William Hinz – Lowell Joint School District
25. John Novak – Savanna School District
27. Sandra Crandall – Fountain Valley School District
30. Measure H – Anaheim Union High School District Bond (No)
31. Measure I – Fullerton Joint Union High School District Bond (No)
32. Measure J – North Orange County Community College District Bond (No)
33. Measure K – Orange Unified School District Bond (No)
38. Measure GG – Stanton Sales Tax (No)
43. Yorba Linda Recall (No)
47. Erik Peterson – Huntington Beach
48. Lyn Semeta – Huntington Beach
49. Mike Posey – Huntington Beach

8:02 PM: Chairman Scott Baugh reveals more than $10,000 in union contributions for Lucille Kring despite her signing the nonunion pledge. He makes a scathing speech blasting Kring for breaking her word. If she disagrees with the pledge, she shouldn’t have signed it, Baugh says. Kring attempts to protest, but cannot speak as a nonmember of the Central Committee. Baugh entertains a motion from Tim Whitacre to endorse Tom Tait for Mayor of Anaheim.

TJ Fuentes speaks in favor of Tait. He speaks of Tait’s servant leadership, Tait’s grassroots activism and efforts to support the Republican Party. Fuentes speaks of Tait standing by his principles of lower taxes, limited government, kindness, and transparency. Fuentes notes Tait is the OCGOP’s 2013 Local Elected Official of the Year.

Alexandria Coronado says the Tait of the past is not the Tait of today. She says he’s given money to Jordan Brandman and Jose F. Moreno. She says Tait is working with unions and was a speaker at a Democratic Party-sponsored event.

By a voice vote:

TAIT ENDORSED.

Fred Whitaker moves the endorsement of Lee Ramos for Costa Mesa City Council. He says Ramos will help unify the city. He says Ramos is the leading conservative candidate for the open seat.

Baugh asks how much Ramos has raised, how much his opponents have raised, and if he has endorsements from Righeimer, Mensinger, and Monahan.

Ramos says he’s raised about $40,000 while the nearest opponent had $9,100. Ramos does have the endorsements.

Desare Ferraro urges delaying this to allow Tony Capitelli to be considered for endorsement.

By voice vote:

RAMOS ENDORSED

One person pulled the endorsements in Huntington Beach, but there is little debate on the Huntington Beach candidates.

PETERSON ENDORSED

SEMETA ENDORSED

POSEY ENDORSED

There is no debate on Peggy Huang for Yorba Linda City Council.

HUANG ENDORSED

Desare Ferraro objects to the endorsement of Tom Lindsey for the November General Election. She says it would be divisive with the recall going on.

Brenda McCune notes she ran against Tom Lindsey in 2010, but she supports his endorsement now. She calls the recall a power grab. She calls Lindsey an independent mind and listener. She calls him a good Republican and family man.

Baron Night proposes a substitute motion to go to Endorsements Committee. He cites the recall.

Brett Barbre notes the recall is October 7 and general election is November 4. He notes the recall costs $300,000. He says Lindsey is a good Republican.

Night’s substitute motion gets 17 votes. There are far more votes against Night’s substitute motion.

A debate of parliamentary procedure ensues.

By a standing vote, there are 39 votes to endorse Lindsey. 37 were needed.

LINDSEY ENDORSED.

Brett Barbre of Yorba Linda moves to endorse against the recall. Scott Peotter of Newport Beach seconds.

Baron Night of Buena Park offers a substitute motion to send it to Endorsements Committee. Tim Whitacre of Santa Ana seconds.

Night argues the recall is a local issue.

Brenda McCune of Yorba Linda says the people of Yorba Linda want to hear from the party because these issues have gone on for quite some time in Yorba Linda.

Scott Baugh speaks of becoming an Assemblyman in the Doris Allen recall. He warns of recalls against Jeff Lalloway, Jim Righeimer, and Deborah Pauly. He warns against recalls for anything other than malfeasance or betrayal of Republican principles.

Night withdraws his substitute motion.

Peotter notes that Young and Lindsey are following the law and the will of the people. He blasts NIMBYs for launching the recall and says that removing Young and Lindsey should be in a general election, not a recall.

Whitacre of Santa Ana helped collect recall signatures in Yorba Linda. He claims that Young and Lindsey received PAC contributions. He claims Mark Schwing and Nancy Rikel are conservatives.

Barbre of Yorba Linda says it seems the longer you live in Yorba Linda the more credibility you have. He says he’s lived there for 45 years. He says the recall is the biggest waste of money he’s ever seen. He notes the recall supporters were the same people who opposed making Imperial Highway a city road. He notes there is ballot box zoning in Yorba Linda. He notes that Young and Lindsey voted for densities 35% below the cap imposed by voters.

Nancy Rikel attacks Young, Lindsey, and Hernandez. She criticizes the Central Committee for endorsing Lindsey. She blasts Young and Lindsey for supporting the Brea Police contract with Yorba Linda. Disruptive audience members who appear to have been brought by Rikel are cheering for Rikel. Rikel complains that the recall cost more because opponents tried to stand at supermarkets to oppose the recall.

Baugh asks Rikel if she’s actually arguing that the taxpayer cost of the recall went up because people opposed the recall. She admits she meant her side’s campaign contribution dollars.

Peggy Huang notes that unions spent $80,000 in the 2012 Yorba Linda election. She notes Rikel lost in 2012 and is running in the recall.

Dennis White recaps the Brea Police Department versus Orange County Sheriff’s Department contract debate in Yorba Linda. Rikel’s disruptive audience members applaud again.

By a voice vote:
ENDORSEMENT FOR “NO” ON THE YORBA LINDA RECALL

By motion of Tony Beall and seconded by Jennifer Beall, the Central Committee votes to send:
JESSE PETRILLA TO ENDORSEMENTS COMMITTEE

Bill Dunlap speaks about Robert Ming being a public servant who is a state leader.

Bill Christiansen speaks on behalf of Darrell Issa that there are two good Republicans running for Fifth District Supervisor.

Baron Night says Lisa Bartlett failed to ask for the endorsement in the general though she did ask for the endorsement in the primary. He calls Ming an active supporter of other Republicans, a conservative, and a successful Councilman.

Steve Nagel speaks on behalf of Lisa Bartlett. He has served with her on various regional committees. He says she is a hard worker and has been a strong Republican in Dana Point and statewide. He says both Ming and Bartlett are good Republicans. He says both applied for the endorsement in the primary and that should stand.

By a voice vote:
MING ENDORSED

Fred Whitaker notes his long term service to the party. He states he is willing to compare his conservative record against anyone else’s. He notes he led the successful effort to eliminate Council compensation. He notes that Orange unions are paying their employee contributions without raises, the only city in the County with this accomplishment.

Deborah Pauly points to Whitaker’s $1,000 campaign contribuition to Democrat Tita Smith for Mayor of Orange. She points to Whitaker’s front yard included a sign in support of Smith.

By a voice vote:
WHITAKER ENDORSED

With no debate:
GRANGOFF ENDORSED

A whole lot of people move to send:
SURRIDGE TO ENDORSEMENTS COMMITTEE
LEDESMA TO ENDORSEMENTS COMMITTEE

Alexandria Coronado moves to send:
YANG TO ENDORSEMENTS COMMITTEE

With little debate since he’s unopposed on the ballot:
HINZ ENDORSED

No one makes a motion on Novak.

Mark Bucher moves to oppose Measures H, I, J, and K, with a second by Deborah Pauly.

Fred Whitaker makes a substitute motion to send all of them to Endorsements Committee, with a second by Baron Night.

Whitaker says four conservative school board members voted for Measure K. He says he doesn’t know anything about the other three measures. He wants the Endorsements Committee to vet them.

Bucher says it’s a simple question of whether the Republican Party stands for or against higher taxes.

There are 24 votes to send the four measures to Endorsements Committee. There are 22 votes against sending the four measures to Endorsements Committee.

MEASURES H, I, J, AND K TO ENDORSEMENTS COMMITTEE

David Shawver speaks in favor of Measure GG. He says the City of Stanton cut $9 million, have 26 employees left, cut spending on public safety. He says the Register said that Stanton has done a good job. Shawver says only three people have opposed this and they’re not Stanton residents.

Mark Bucher says Measure GG is a sales tax for public employees. He says that there are alternatives to higher taxes. If the Republican Party does not oppose higher taxes, the party should fold its tent and go home. Bucher says that sending this to Endorsements Committee will simply result in this coming back to Central Committee.

Shawver attacks Wayne Lindholm. Shawver says the City has cut 6 out of 20 officers. He says they’ve cut everything they can. He encourages people to look at his books. He claims only outsiders oppose this tax and that Stanton voters should decide.

Jon Fleischman notes Diane Harkey opposes this tax. Fleischman agrees with Bucher that approving this tax hike in Stanton will set a precedent where other cities will turn to higher taxes rather than reducing public employee salaries.

By a voice vote:
ENDORSEMENT FOR “NO” ON MEASURE GG

Round 1 of endorsements are complete. Round 2 will be considered in September.

Mary Young thanks everyone who volunteered for the Party at the OC Fair. There’s also a presentation for the Volunteer of the Month.

Mark Bucher says the bills are all paid. Baugh jokingly disputes that.

TJ Fuentes welcomes the new ex officio members and reminds them to pay their $25 dues.

Captain Emily Sanford, USN (Ret.) thanks the Party members for donations of goods to the troops. She encourages more donations, particularly those of the dental variety.

CENTRAL COMMITTEE ADJOURNS AT 9:23 PM.

Posted in 5th Supervisorial District, Aliso Viejo, Anaheim, Anaheim Union High School District, Capistrano Unified School District, Costa Mesa, Fountain Valley, Fountain Valley School District, Fullerton Joint Union High School District, Huntington Beach, Irvine, Lake Forest, Lowell Joint School District, Municipal Water District of Orange County, Newport Beach, North Orange County Community College District, Orange, Orange County, Orange County Water District, Orange Unified School District, Rancho Santa Margarita, Rancho Santiago Community College District, Republican Central Committee, San Juan Capistrano, Tustin Unified School District, Westminster, Yorba Linda | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 13 Comments »

O.C. Senate Candidate Jose Solorio Voted Illegally To Give Construction Contract To His Political Donors

Posted by Dave Everett on August 18, 2014

Jose Solorio Plans On Giving Away $29 Million Dollars of Santa Ana College Funds To Special Interests This Monday (3/24/2014)! This money should go to new buildings and improving conditions for our students, not to pay off Jose Solorio’s political donors. Worse yet, this special interest deal discriminates against over 80% of local construction workers in favor of Big Labor bosses and union companies from Los Angeles.

Jose Solorio Voted To Give Away $29 Million Dollars of Santa Ana College Funds To Special Interests! This money should have gone to new buildings and improving conditions for our students, not to pay off Jose Solorio’s political donors. Worse yet, this special interest deal discriminates against over 80% of local construction workers in favor of Big Labor bosses and union companies from Los Angeles.

…In the recent vote to limit the construction at Santa Ana College with one of these forced union agreements, Orange County State Senate candidate Jose Solorio voted illegally to give construction contract to his political donors.

Because of the two illegal votes that began and finalized this forced union agreement (or Project Labor Agreement; PLA) have now come to light, the Associated Builders and Contractors of Southern California will be submitting a letter to the Rancho Santiago Community College Board of Trustees today (August 18, 2014) asking them to invalidate the forced union agreement on the nearly $200 million dollar Measure Q bond passed by voters in November 2012. ABC So-Cal will request that the RSCCD Trustees open the bidding up to everyone in the free market, including the 84% of California construction workers who choose not to be in a union. This will ensure that the bidding is legal, first of all, but also will allow more local Santa Ana residents to work on the project.

As you may know, political contributions are exempt from the 1974 Political Reform Act, but gifts are not. If there was a gift of $250.00 or more in the last 12 months that was reported, usually on form 700, then that would exempt Jose Solorio from voting on the PLA due to a conflict of interest.

Solorio not only took a gift over the legal limit within 12 month prior to voting to begin the PLA negotiations, he took another gift over the legal limit just two months after the final PLA vote. Both entities that he took gifts from were Big Labor unions that would directly benefit from the PLA. If you have any doubt about their direct benefit, just scroll to the last page and look at the list of union bosses that are to sign the forced union agreement…

For the full article, CLICK HERE.

Posted in 34th Senate District, Rancho Santiago Community College District, Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

Costa Mesa: Lee Ramos Raises More Than All Non-Incumbent Candidates Combined

Posted by Newsletter Reprint on August 18, 2014

This just came across the wire from Lee Ramos for Costa Mesa City Council 2014:

Lee Ramos Raises More Than All Non-Incumbent Candidates Combined

Has More than Double Cash on Hand of Non-Incumbent Candidates Combined

(Costa Mesa, CA) – Campaign finance reports show Lee Ramos far outpacing all other non-incumbents combined in the race to replace termed-out Costa Mesa City Council Member Wendy Leece.  Ramos raised more than all non-incumbent candidates combined.  The majority of money Ramos raised for his campaign has come from Costa Mesa donors.

Having already walked to 75% of the homes in Costa Mesa, the Ramos campaign juggernaut is firmly ahead of all other non-incumbents with both more dollars raised and more homes walked.

“I am honored by the outpouring of support from throughout Costa Mesa, as I’ve met thousands of residents personally walking to their homes,” Ramos said. “I am humbled that so many Costa Mesa donors have contributed to my effort to make our hometown an even better place to live.”

Subtracting out loans, Ramos has double the cash on hand of all other non-incumbent candidates combined.  With loans included, Ramos has triple the cash on hand of all other non-incumbents combined.

Of all Costa Mesa candidates in the November elections, only incumbent Mayor Jim Righeimer has outraised Ramos.  Subtracting out loans, however, shows Ramos has more cash on hand than even Mayor Righeimer.  Mayor Righeimer is running for re-election while Ramos is seeking the seat held by termed-out Council Member Wendy Leece.

The clear front-runner for Leece’s seat, Ramos is endorsed by:

  • U.S. Congressman Dana Rohrabacher
  • California Board of Equalization Vice Chair Michelle Steel
  • Ambassador George Argyros (Ret.)
  • Costa Mesa Mayor Jim Righeimer
  • Costa Mesa Mayor Pro Tem Steve Mensinger
  • Costa Mesa Council Member and former Mayor Gary Monahan
  • Former Costa Mesa Mayor Jack Hammett
  • Mesa Water District President James Fisler
  • Mesa Water District Vice President Shawn Dewane
  • Mesa Water District Director Ethan Temianka
  • Entire Costa Mesa Planning Commission
  • Majority of Costa Mesa Parks and Recreation Commission

(partial list)

A resident of Costa Mesa since the age of four, Lee Ramos serves on two Costa Mesa City committees.  Ramos and his wife raised their family in Costa Mesa, where he grew businesses, managed companies, and served as an educator.  Ramos is a well-respected community leader, having volunteered not only on city committees, but also for the Self-Help Interfaith Program, for the First United Methodist Church, and for the Estancia High School football team.

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Paid for by Lee Ramos for City Council 2014, ID# 1361842.

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Celebrities, Veterans and suicide

Posted by Thomas Gordon on August 13, 2014

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TV, radio and water cooler chatter is non stop talk about the suicide of Robin Williams.

Anytime someone takes their own life, heartbroken onlookers often ask a simple question.

Why?

Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in the United States accounting for roughly 40,000 lives lost every year.

But while we all take to Facebook and Twitter to remember Robin Williams, we should never forget our Veterans.

Roughly 22 Veterans take their own lives every day. Studies show that of those who served in Afghanistan and Iraq, nearly half know someone who has attempted suicide.

If you or someone you know needs someone to talk to, the National Suicide Prevention number is 1-800-273-8255.

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

AB2393 going to raise taxes/fees thanks to OC Elected’s

Posted by Thomas Gordon on August 12, 2014

In what can only be described as yet another ruthless tax grab by money hungry politicians, get ready to hand over more cash next time you register your automobile.

Local Elected’s who voted to further pick your pocket include Assembly member Sharon Quirk Silva and Senator Lou Correa.

It appears the “enhanced funding” will allegedly be used for fingerprint identification.

Read more HERE

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