Category: Politics

Voto Latino — Latinos in Battleground States support gun control & abortion rights

by Community Contributor • June 24, 2022 • Comments Off

Also see:

NBC News — Poll: Majority of Latinos in battleground states support abortion rights, gun reform

By Voto Latino

Latinos are the second largest voting bloc in the country and disproportionately reside in critical battleground states where they are also the fastest growing voting bloc. Candidates hoping to win in November and beyond will need to appeal to Latinos and the issues that matter to them. In order to understand how Latinos feel about two of the most salient issues in the country – abortion rights and mass shootings – Change Research surveyed 1,033 registered Hispanic and Latino voters in the seven key battleground states of Texas, Arizona, Nevada, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania from June 2-7, 2022 on behalf of Voto Latino.1

A strong majority of Latinos are concerned about their personal safety from gun violence and believe weak gun laws are a major reason why perpetrators are capable of inflicting such carnage. Overwhelming majorities support many common sense gun safety laws Democrats have proposed and believe there would be fewer mass shootings if they were to be enacted. Latinos are also ready to reward leaders who take action on gun laws: an overwhelming 69% are more likely to support candidates who support the gun laws tested in this poll, including roughly half of Republican Latinos.

Latinos also fear for their reproductive freedoms as the conservative majority on the Supreme Court indicates it is prepared to overturn Roe v. Wade. Over two-thirds of Latinos support the right to an abortion in all or most cases.

Dr. César Morales Elected as Ventura County Superintendent of Schools

by Community Contributor • June 10, 2022 • Comments Off

For the first time, Dr. César Morales has been elected by voters as Ventura County Superintendent of Schools. He was initially appointed to the role in 2021 by the Ventura County Board of Education to fill the vacancy left by the retirement of former Superintendent Stan Mantooth. Upon his appointment, Dr. Morales made history by becoming the first Latino and first person of color to hold the office since it was created in 1873. Dr. Morales ran unopposed in yesterday’s primary election. His new term will run through 2026.

“I’m extremely gratified to have the opportunity to serve as Ventura County Superintendent of Schools for the next four years,” Dr. Morales said. “As local schools deal with declining enrollment and issues surrounding school safety and student mental health, my office will be at their side to find solutions and strategies that best meet students’ needs.”

First District Supervisor Das Williams — Vote by 8pm tonight in the California Primary Election!

by Community Contributor • June 7, 2022 • Comments Off

There are many important races in today’s California Primary Election that need your vote to ensure a good candidate moves on to November but also critical local County races that will be decided TODAY!

We have statewide offices at the top of the ballot, including Governor Gavin Newsom, who successfully defeated a recall attempt last year but needs your vote again today to stay in office. Additionally, my former colleague and friend, appointed Attorney General Rob Bonta is facing tough opponents from the right-wing and critically needs your support to stay in office. Lastly, you will need to vote for Senator Alex Padilla twice – once to move on to November for the new Senate term starting next year and a second time to keep him in the seat through the end of this year. That second vote is a nuanced one and critical to ensure we don’t have a Republican take over that seat for the rest of the year, altering the makeup of the Senate.

County of Ventura COVID-19 & County Update

by Community Contributor • June 7, 2022 • Comments Off

It’s election day! Voting centers are open today until 8:00 pm. Visit www.venturavote.org to find a voting center or ballot drop box. Shout out to the many county election workers supporting the 2022 CA primary election!

Bilingual report — Ventura County Opening 51 Vote Centers for June 7, 2022 Primary Election

by Community Contributor • May 27, 2022 • Comments Off

The next milestone of Ventura County’s June 7 Primary Election is being reached with 10 Vote Centers opening Saturday, May 28, 2022, followed by 41 additional Vote Centers opening Saturday, June 4, 2022. Ventura County registered voters will have a total of 51 Vote Centers and 11 possible days of in-person voting available.

For voters that prefer to vote in person, the California Voter’s Choice Act is structured to give voters more time to vote than ever before. For ten days prior to the Election there must be at least one Vote Center for every 50,000 registered voters. For three days prior to the Election there must be one Vote Center for every 10,000 registered voters. All Vote Centers are open Election Day and voters can vote at any Vote Center throughout the County.

Bilingual commentary — “Parental Rights” and Public Education

by Community Contributor • May 26, 2022 • Comments Off

Beware the impending chaos in our schools.

As conservative politicians make inroads to our local governments, they will be charged with the political duty of acquiescing to parents who demand “control” over school boards and other educational entities. Ostensibly, parents on the far right of the political spectrum want to ensure that their children are taught only what are deemed to be “American” or “Christian” values. Unfortunately, this is often code for the elimination of lessons and discussions that investigate our troubled racial history. Anything that barely grazes age-appropriate matters of sexuality will also be off the table.

California State Assembly Advances Gun Violence Prevention Package in Wake of Uvalde, TX School Shooting Tragedy

by Community Contributor • May 26, 2022 • Comments Off

In the wake of another tragedy and inaction at the national level, the Assembly Wednesday advanced a package of six gun violence prevention bills to the Senate, signaling California’s commitment to doing everything possible to take action where the federal government is not.

The group of six Democratic lawmakers – Asm. Mike Gipson (D-Carson), Asm. Buffy Wicks (D-Oakland), Asm. Steve Bennett (D-Ventura), Asm. Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento), Asm. Brian Maienschein (D-San Diego), and Asm. Jesse Gabriel (D-Woodland Hills) – together brought their bills to a vote on the Assembly Floor. The Members expressed impassioned frustration with Congress’s failure to act on the issues of gun control and gun violence prevention, and emphasized the corresponding need for California to recommit itself with urgency to the fight.

“Our number one job as legislators is to keep our communities safe — and on the issue of gun violence, our federal lawmakers are failing horrifically” saidAssemblymember Buffy Wicks. “While we have strong gun violence prevention laws here in California, there’s still so much more that can be done. We must do everything in our power under state law to strengthen protections for our communities, and be an example for other state legislatures to take action where our federal policymakers are not.”

Letter to the Editor — Please protect our families and our water by voting Yes on A and B!

by Community Contributor • May 25, 2022 • Comments Off

As a California registered Civil Engineer for the US Navy I was responsible for the execution of hundreds of Environmental Security projects. Please join me in rejecting Big Oil’s attempt to overturn the bipartisan water protections that our Democrat and Republican Supervisors put in place. The Big Oil fliers that flood our mailboxes and ads that flood our TVs and even web sites are paid for by Chevron’s $6,000,000 campaign. The Oil campaign is funded by their price gouging which, thank God, is under US House Investigation. Chevron’s gouging got them $73 BILLION in profit in the year ending in March – a 92% increase year over year.

UCSB — The Current — ‘A Threat Reconsidered’ and more news

by Community Contributor • May 24, 2022 • Comments Off

A new study finds support for political violence in the U.S. is overstated.

Letter to the Editor — In support of Ventura County District Erik Nasarenko

by Community Contributor • May 18, 2022 • Comments Off

I am writing in support of Ventura County District Erik Nasarenko. In June, Erik will be on the ballot to continue his position as DA. I had the pleasure of serving with Erik on the Ventura City Council, and saw firsthand how his leadership style benefited the residents of Ventura, particularly during his term as Mayor. His intelligence and dedication, combined with a compassionate and thorough approach, were of immense help to our community during challenging times. Erik has the rare ability to communicate with clarity, precision and understanding of complicated issues. He works effectively with a wide variety of individuals and groups, facilitating consensus and action.

Bilingual report — Ventura County Elections Has Immediate Need for Election Workers

by Community Contributor • March 21, 2022 • Comments Off

Do you want to take part in our democracy? Do you enjoy public service? Apply to be a part of our awesome team! Ventura County Elections is seeking to fill 380 Temporary Intermittent Elections Voting Assistant positions immediately at an hourly rate of $22.37 to assist with the June 7, 2022 Statewide Direct Primary Election.
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¿Gustaría usted tomar parte en nuestra democracia? ¿Disfruta usted en el servicio público? ¡Aplique para ser parte de nuestro equipo impresionante! La División de Elecciones del Condado de Ventura está en búsqueda para llenar de inmediata, 380 posiciones Temporarias Intermitentes de Asistente de Votación Electoral a $22.37 por hora para asistir con la Elección Primaria Directa Estatal del 7 de junio de 2022.

Bilingual report — Nomination Period for June 7, 2022 Statewide Direct Primary Election Extended for Four Offices

by Community Contributor • March 14, 2022 • Comments Off

Mark Lunn, Ventura County Clerk-Recorder and Registrar of Voters, announced the extension of the nomination period to 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 16, 2022, for four offices that are scheduled to be voted upon at the June 7, 2022 Statewide Direct Primary Election.

The extension applies to the following offices:

County Supervisor, 4th District
County Assessor
County Clerk and Recorder
County Treasurer-Tax Collector

Bilingual commentary — The Big Lie and the Flat Earth

by Community Contributor • March 11, 2022 • Comments Off

The vast majority of Republicans believe Trump’s Big Lie about last year’s election. They support the “alternative fact” that the election was “stolen” and “fraudulent” and that Trump indeed “won.” They cling to this belief despite the mountains of evidence and reams of data to the contrary. There are thoroughly fact-checked, credible reports about the 61 courts, including the Supreme Court, that struck down lawsuits claiming election malfeasance. This means nothing to the “True Believers” who consider themselves “real Americans” and “patriots.”

“Trump won.” That’s their belief and they’re sticking to it.

Bilingual report — The War on Education

by Community Contributor • March 4, 2022 • Comments Off

As I sit down to write this article, the Russian army is waging war on its neighbor, Ukraine. This is of enormous concern in Europe and around the world. But there is a different kind of war in our own midst that threatens to undermine the very foundations of our country’s success as a nation.

Until recently, education of our children and young adults was something that we valued – something in which we took pride and strove to provide for them. We thought it was important that our children were learning math and history and music. We used to admire young people who chose to go to our colleges and universities. Now we also recognize that higher education is not the only path to financial and personal success.

Bilingual report — Offices Eligible for Election in the June 7, 2022 Statewide Direct Primary Election

by Community Contributor • February 10, 2022 • Comments Off

Mark Lunn, Ventura County Clerk-Recorder and Registrar of Voters, announced the offices eligible for election in the June 7, 2022 Statewide Direct Primary Election; and the opening of the nomination period for those office on Monday, February 14, 2022.

Official nomination documents for candidates interested in the offices below may be obtained beginning at 8:00 a.m. on February 14th at the Ventura County Elections Division, Hall of Administration, Lower Plaza, 800 S. Victoria Avenue, Ventura. To obtain or file official nomination documents, appointments for in-person services are highly encouraged and can be made online at https://bit.ly/3zcjWWx. Official nomination documents must be filed with the Ventura County Elections Division by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 11, 2022.

UCSB — The Current — ‘Getting a Read on Responsible AI’ and more news

by Community Contributor • January 25, 2022 • Comments Off

William Wang’s lecture on artificial intelligence launches UCSB Reads 2022.

LULAC Warns A Repeat Of The January 6, 2021 Insurrection Is Still Possible

by Community Contributor • January 6, 2022 • Comments Off

The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) issued the following statement on the first anniversary of the attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. The protest and violence were carried out in an attempt to stop the ratification of the electoral ballot results from the November 2020 presidential election that defeated Donald Trump. The US Justice Department issued a report six months following the attack and stated that more than 535 people who took part in the insurrection were arrested in all 50 states. Five people died during the incident, a Capitol police officer lost his life the following day of stroke complications from injuries he suffered in the violence, and four other officers on duty during the attack died later from suicide. A full congressional investigation into the insurrection continues.

Bilingual report — Ventura County Clerk-Recorder, Registrar of Voters Lunn Announces Signatures-In-Lieu Period for June 7, 2022 Statewide Direct Primary Election

by Community Contributor • January 2, 2022 • Comments Off

County Clerk-Recorder, Registrar of Voters Mark Lunn announced (Dec. 30) that signatures-in-lieu of the filing fee petitions for the June 7, 2022 Statewide Direct Primary Election may be obtained from the Ventura County Elections Division beginning Monday, January 3, 2022, for the following offices:

Feb. 23 — LWV Ventura County Wraps Up Lunch and Learn Online Series with County Supervisor Interview

by Community Contributor • January 1, 2022 • Comments Off

What do our local elected officials do every day? What are the main challenges their office is facing? What skills do they need to be successful? These are just some of the questions that will be asked of County Supervisor Linda Parks, the last of six local elected officials to join League President Betsy Patterson for an informal online interview/Q&A presented by the League of Women Voters of Ventura County.

May 28 — Ventura County Bilingual Voter Education Workshop

by Community Contributor • January 1, 2022 • Comments Off

The Ventura County Election Division presents a Bilingual Voter Education Workshop at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, May 28.

Learn about your voting options and the language assistance we provide!

Join us on zoom or via telephone!

Bilingual report — Ventura County Registrar of Voters Holding a Virtual Public Hearing on the Draft Election Administration Plan on Dec. 15

by Community Contributor • December 6, 2021 • Comments Off

The Ventura County Registrar of Voters will hold a virtual public hearing on the draft Election Administration Plan (EAP) on December 15, 2021, in accordance with the County’s upcoming transition to the California Voter’s Choice Act (VCA) for the upcoming June 2022 election. Language interpretation will be available in the following languages: Spanish, Tagalog, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Gujarati.

The draft EAP was developed through a series of community meetings to gather feedback on the new voting model that will modernize the way Ventura County residents vote. The draft EAP is posted online in all required languages at VenturaVote.org under the “California Voter’s Choice Act” icon.

Bilingual report — City of Oxnard, District 2 Special Municipal Vacancy Nov. 2 Election Final Results and Certification Announced

by Community Contributor • November 22, 2021 • Comments Off

Ventura County Clerk-Recorder, Registrar of Voters Mark Lunn announced today the final election results for the November 2, 2021 City of Oxnard, District 2 Special Municipal Vacancy Election with 100% of precincts reporting.

A total of 2,257 ballots were cast in this election. Final results for this election yielded a 12.57% voter turnout.

Bilingual commentary — Mexico’s “Third-World” Reputation

by Community Contributor • November 19, 2021 • Comments Off

Much of the world regards the United States with either admiration, envy, jealousy, anger, mistrust, or outright hostility.

I have a cousin in Mexico who frequently mentioned the U.S. with rancor and a hint of animosity. She disdainfully described her own country as “Third World.”

However, I’ve come to understand that the term “Third World” is now considered derogatory. It’s no longer “politically correct” to refer to a country as “Third World.” The term is a relic of the Cold War. It was originally meant to designate countries that were not aligned with either NATO or the communist bloc. At the time, Mexico fit that description, and the term stuck.

Rep. Brownley — Honoring Our Veterans – Today and Every Day

by Community Contributor • November 11, 2021 • Comments Off

On this Veterans Day, we must commit not only to express our gratitude to our veterans, but to also fulfill our nation’s solemn promise: just as the military pledges to leave no soldier behind on the battlefield, we must leave no veteran behind when they return home. How we care for our veterans is a measure of our character as a country.

Since being elected to Congress, I have made it my priority to ensure that as a nation we fulfill this promise to our veterans and their families. Without their selfless service, America would not have the liberties so many of us enjoy – and often take for granted.

So, today, we pay tribute to these men and women who have served our country in defense of our values, our security, and our way of life.

In Ventura County, Veterans Day perfectly illustrates our community’s traditions and steadfast commitment to recognizing and honoring the men and women who have served our nation in uniform. It is that ethos that also guides my work – both in Congress and in Ventura County.

Bilingual commentary — The Importance of Being Informed

by Community Contributor • November 5, 2021 • Comments Off

For me, keeping abreast of the news is a lifelong habit. For some reason, I tend to think that everyone keeps up with the news at least as much as I do. But then not everyone is as obsessed with the news as I am! And there are others who are far more diligent than I am about analyzing the affairs of the world.

I often talk with people I know about something in the news on the national, state, or local level. I mistakenly assume that “everyone” knows what I’m talking about, but I’m often faced with a blank stare. They may be interested but not aware of the circumstances that make something newsworthy. They may be embarrassed that they don’t know what I’m referring to. Or they flat-out may not care.

And then again, sometimes I’m the one with the blank stare.

Bilingual report — Revised Draft Supervisorial District Maps Available Ahead of November 9 Public Hearing

by Community Contributor • November 2, 2021 • Comments Off

The County of Ventura has released revised draft redistricting maps available for review atwww.ventura.org/redistricting/draft-maps/. The revised draft maps were developed by the project consultant, Redistricting Partners, in response to public comments and direction provided by the Board of Supervisors at the October 19, 2021 public hearing.

Redistricting Partners will provide an overview of the revised draft maps at the next redistricting public hearing at the Board of Supervisors’ meeting on November 9 at 3:00 pm and again at 6:00 pm. An additional public hearing has been scheduled for November 16. Spanish and Mixteco interpretation will be available at the public hearings. Information about participating in the public hearings can be accessed at https://www.ventura.org/bosmeetings. All past public hearings and community meetings can be viewed at https://www.ventura.org/redistricting/participation/.

Former U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and Presidential Candidate Julián Castro speaks before UCSB A&L audience in Campbell Hall on “Waking Up From My American Dream’

by Community Contributor • October 13, 2021 • Comments Off

CSB Arts & Lectures (A&L), the Central and South Coasts’ premier cultural arts presenting organization, proudly presented Former U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and Presidential Candidate Julián Castro, who spoke Sunday, October 10th at 7:30 p.m. on Waking Up From My American Dream. Castro shared insights from his political journey and actionable ways we can effect change.

A former Democratic candidate for president, Julián Castro served as secretary of Housing and Urban Development under President Obama from 2014 to 2017, and as mayor of San Antonio from 2009 to 2014. He made history in 2001 as San Antonio’s youngest city councilman at that time, and again in 2012 as the first Latino to deliver the keynote address at the Democratic National Convention.

His memoir, An Unlikely Journey: Waking Up From My American Dream, published in 2018, is a candid account of race and poverty in America. Born to unmarried parents in a poverty-stricken neighborhood of a struggling city, Castro details his unlikely journey to becoming an emerging national icon.

Bilingual report — Draft Supervisorial District Maps Available for Review

by Community Contributor • October 12, 2021 • Comments Off

County of Ventura Draft Supervisorial Maps are now available for community review on the Redistricting website at www.ventura.org/redistricting/draft-maps/. Based upon the principles listed below, the County’s consultants Redistricting Partners have objectively prepared a series of draft alternative supervisorial maps. These draft maps were derived from an amalgamation of obligatory state and federal inputs, data points from the most recent census, and draft maps, comments, and statements submitted by the public.

Grant Program Championed by Assemblymember Irwin to Seize Weapons from Prohibited Persons Announces Open Application Window

by Community Contributor • October 11, 2021 • Comments Off

California Attorney General Rob Bonta today announced the opening of the application period for Gun Violence Reduction Program grants. Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin led a coalition of over 20 of her colleagues in the Assembly to secure this funding in the 2021 Budget Act. Funding will be awarded by the California Department of Justice (DOJ) to county sheriff’s departments to support activities related to seizing weapons and ammunition from individuals prohibited from possessing them.

UCSB — The Current — ‘Uniting Generations’ and more information

by Community Contributor • October 7, 2021 • Comments Off

A clinical trial explores how virtual reality can help older adults and their families stay connected.

Bilingual report — Sept. 14, 2021 California Gubernatorial Recall Election Final Results and Certification Announced

by Community Contributor • October 5, 2021 • Comments Off

Ventura County Clerk-Recorder, Registrar of Voters Mark Lunn announced today the final election results for the September 14, 2021 California Gubernatorial Recall Election with 100% of precincts reporting.

A total of 321,553 ballots were cast in this election. Final results for this election yielded a 63.07% voter turnout. The county had a record-breaking total of 509,797 registered voters.

Bilingual report — Choosing the Enemy

by Community Contributor • September 10, 2021 • Comments Off

Sometimes we reach for an artifact, a bauble, a seashell, or a book because something—we don’t know what—attracts us to the object. It’s almost as if the object chooses us.

I’ve often randomly reached for books or watched a movie or documentary. For reasons unknown to me, they caught my attention and ended up giving me a new perspective that helped me understand more about the world around me. These sources of information have pulled my life into different orbits, and at times even changed the course of my existence completely and irrevocably. One of my latest book choices certainly had me reconsidering some of the things that I had observed and learned throughout my life.

Bilingual report — Sept. 14, 2021 California Gubernatorial Recall Election Reminders

by Community Contributor • September 9, 2021 • Comments Off

Fifty-one vote centers will be open throughout Ventura County beginning Saturday, September 11. Voters can vote at any location; they are not assigned a specific location. Vote centers will offer same day voter registration and Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant touchscreen devices and voting assistance.

Bilingual report — Post-Census Redistricting Process Underway in Ventura County

by Community Contributor • August 18, 2021 • Comments Off

The County of Ventura’s Board of Supervisors has announced a series of upcoming public meetings on the County’s redistricting process, which is underway in every county in California and involves the redrawing of district lines to balance the population in each of the County’s five supervisorial districts. The process occurs every 10 years with the release of new U.S. Census data to ensure that each Board member represents about the same number of constituents.

Following Robbery of Senator Boxer, CDAA Calls for Withdrawal of Dangerous Theft Legislation

by Community Contributor • July 28, 2021 • Comments Off

There was nothing petty about what happened to former U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer yesterday—it was a violent robbery, and it was awful. This crime occurred in broad daylight in Oakland’s Jack London District, a popular tourist destination that also happens to be in the California Senate District of Senator Nancy Skinner. The same Nancy Skinner who proposed declaring such horrific crimes misdemeanor petty thefts under SB 82.

Santa Barbara First District Supervisor Das Williams — Highway 101 Highlight, COVID Update, & more news

by Community Contributor • July 26, 2021 • Comments Off

Yes, concrete. I like to highlight innovative programs in our district, and the Highway 101: Carpinteria to Santa Barbara project has a big one. The new concrete mix site (see photo) is going in by the southbound on-ramp at the North Padaro Lane. This enables concrete for the new freeway lanes to be mixed on-site and reduces truck routes by 6-16 miles per trip, saving an estimated 463,771 truck miles for the Carpinteria, Padaro, and Summerland segments. This also reduces water use by 400,000 gallons (concrete mixed on-site uses less water), reduces off-site neighborhood impacts, and saves taxpayers between $10-$15 million. Old concrete is also being recycled across the freeway (see left edge of photo). Crews are also installing a new concrete surface that is a quieter and has a longer lifespan. For more project information, visit www.SBROADS.com.

Bilingual report — Candidate Nomination Period for September 14, 2021 California Gubernatorial Recall Election begins Friday, July 9, 2021

by Community Contributor • July 8, 2021 • Comments Off

On July 1, 2021, Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis issued a proclamation declaring the California Gubernatorial Recall Election to be held on Tuesday, September 14, 2021.

Official nomination documents for candidates interested in the office of Governor may be obtained beginning at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, July 9, 2021, at the Ventura County Elections Division, Hall of Administration, Lower Plaza, 800 South Victoria Avenue, Ventura.

Bilingual commentary — John Cox’s Bear

by Community Contributor • May 28, 2021 • Comments Off

John Cox, a businessman and political activist, has been a perennial candidate for political office. He has not quite yet achieved his goal. He has run for Congress, a county office in Illinois, and even president of the United States. More recently, he ran for governor of California, but lost to Gavin Newsom, a former mayor of San Francisco, in the 2018 election. Now he is one of the current Republican candidates vying for the governorship of California in the effort to recall Mr. Newsom this year. Cox has his eye on being the incumbent in California’s gubernatorial election in 2022.

UCSB — The Current — ‘Anchors Aweigh’ and more news

by Community Contributor • May 13, 2021 • Comments Off

After months of COVID-related delays and cancellations, research vessels are once again sailing the ocean to study its carbon cycle.

Bilingual commentary — When Religion Channels Into Politics

by Community Contributor • April 29, 2021 • Comments Off

A Gallup news item from last month describes the precipitous drop in religious affiliation in the United States since the turn of the century—not that long ago. In just over 20 years, the number of those who declare themselves members of a church, mosque, or synagogue has decreased more than 20%. In fact, according to the Gallup poll cited in the report, less than half of Americans claim to belong to a religious organization.

Guest commentary — HR 1 For the People’s Act – Making Democracy Work

by Community Contributor • March 1, 2021 • Comments Off

On January 4, 2021, H.R. 1 For the People’s Act was introduced and is currently being reviewed by Congressional committees. The bill provides an opportunity to expand and protect voting rights, get big money out of politics, hold elected officials accountable and assure our democracy is representative of all Americans’ voices and values.

The vast majority of Americans support this bill, including 56% of Republicans. Special interests spent $14 billion to influence the 2020 election, the most amount of money spent on an election in the history of the U.S.

Bilingual commentary — Surviving the Belly of the Beast

by Community Contributor • January 29, 2021 • Comments Off

Amanda Gorman, our country’s first Youth Poet Laureate, stood proudly, if not nervously, before the country and the world during President Biden’s inauguration as she delivered her poem, aptly entitled “The Hill We Climb.” It was a formidable image, reminiscent of watching Barack Obama delivering his inaugural address to the nation as our first African American president.

Sept. 13 — Bilingual report — Community Members Encouraged To Provide Input On County Of Ventura Redistricting

by Community Contributor • January 1, 2021 • Comments Off

The County of Ventura is offering several ways to encourage and receive input from community members on its supervisorial redistricting process, including hosted virtual meetings, online resources at the County’s website and visiting a local library or by appointment at the County Government Center. Each one enables community members to learn about redistricting and give their input on how district boundaries should be drawn to best represent communities in Ventura County.

Guest commentary — Oxnard Must have a Special Election, and not permit the City Council to appoint a ‘Puppet’!

by Community Contributor • December 10, 2020 • Comments Off

…We have work too hard and long for district wide city council representation by and for the people. As I write this piece the City Council is deciding whether to appoint a new city council member to the seat that will be vacated on January 4, 2021, by Carmen Ramirez as she takes her new position as the Ventura County Supervisor of the 5th District. Or instead have a special election and have the voters of that district decide. An appointment by the city council of a favored “son or daughter” is highly problematic and will come with the inevitable strings attached. That appointee will be beholden to the political powers that put her/him in office.

Guest commentary — On Immigration (Migration), Genocide, Remembrance, Atonement and Reparation to the African-American and Indigenous Nations of America

by Community Contributor • November 26, 2020 • Comments Off

Approximately 30,000 years ago our early ancestors began migrating crossed the Bering Straits. Between 15,000 to 20,000 years ago these first migrants continued their long journey into what is now known as the Americas. We the Indigenous of the “Americas” are the progeny of these first migrant. In the ensuing 15,000 years our Indigenous ancestors would continue their migration from what is now known as the North Pole all the ways south to Tierra del Fuego, Argentina.

Guest commentary — The Crucial Latino Vote Helped Elect Biden

by Community Contributor • November 13, 2020 • Comments Off

The American people have driven the mad tyrant out of the White House, long live Democracy! The last four years have been the most polarizing, uncertain, and painful years in our lifetime, nonetheless, we got the job done we have a new president. Without doubt Biden would not be the president-elect if Black, Latino, Asian, Native American and the young folks vote had not come to the rescue of the Democratic Party again. 19 million Latinos voted in this Presidential Election, more than 13million or roughly 67% of the Latino votes went to Biden. The first time in American history that the Latino vote represented the highest minority vote in the nation. The powerful and decisive Latino voting pattern will continue to grow in the coming years. Both the Democrats and the Republican are aware of this growing American electorate, and we will no longer will be appeased, marginalized, manipulated or simply be ignored. Biden know this better than most, and he must act accordingly! We will closely watch Biden not in what he says but in what he does.

Guest commentary — What I Learned About America as a Poll Worker in the 2020 Elections

by Community Contributor • November 6, 2020 • Comments Off

I volunteered to be a poll worker in the Santa Maria area of Santa Barbara County for the presidential election of 2020. I was assigned to work at Orcutt Junior High School, in the small agricultural city of Orcutt, here is what I learned. …At the end of the final night of poll work, I walked out to my car with a big smile on my face, with the satisfaction of knowing that I had just participated in a very important and sacred part of our American electoral process. And that our team had done a wonderfully honest, transparent, inclusive, and patriotic job.

Letter to the editor — Post Election Expectations

by Community Contributor • November 6, 2020 • Comments Off

November 3rd is Election Day, but we may not know all the election results for days or even weeks afterward. This doesn’t mean anything is wrong. It just means our elections officials are doing everything possible to make sure every vote is counted and the election results are accurate.

Letter to the Editor — Election offices to remain active to process all ballots postmarked by Nov. 3

by Community Contributor • October 30, 2020 • Comments Off

Once the Election Polls close, voters can be assured that the election offices will remain active to process all the ballots that were postmarked by November 3rd. Ballots properly postmarked will be counted at the elections office through November 20.

Get Out the Vote Nationwide #LULACvota

by Community Contributor • October 30, 2020 • Comments Off

Missed the online registration deadline in your state? Same-day registration is available in-person in the states highlighted above: TURQUOISE – Same-Day Registration during Early Voting Dates ONLY PURPLE – Same-Day Registration on Election Day (November 3) ONLY BLUE – Same-Day Registration during Early Voting AND on Election Day ALASKA – Allows Same-Day registration but ONLY for President and Vice President.

PLEASE NOTE: Same-day registration must typically be done IN PERSON and only at limited locations. An elections official may request a state-issued photo ID and proofs of residency for each new registration. Contact your local / county elections office for specific requirements for same-day voter registration.

Bilingual report — Oxnard Election 2020 Updates — In-Person Voting Starts this Saturday, Oct. 31st

by Community Contributor • October 30, 2020 • Comments Off

In-person voting will start on Saturday, Oct. 31 and run through Tuesday, Nov. 3. There are currently ten in-person voting locations in Oxnard, listed below.
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La votación en persona comenzará el sábado 31 de octubre y se extenderá hasta el martes 3 de noviembre. Actualmente hay diez lugares de votación en persona en Oxnard, que se encuentran a continuación.

Bilingual report — COVID-19 Update for Oct. 23 — It’s Time to Vote!

by Community Contributor • October 23, 2020 • Comments Off

View the list of ballot drop off locations at the following link: https://recorder.countyofventura.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/List-of-Drop-Off-Locations-9182020.pdf

View the list of in person voting locations at the following link:
https://recorder.countyofventura.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IPVL-Insert-FINAL-1.pdf

Commentary — Registering to vote (Oct. 19) deadline looming

by Community Contributor • October 16, 2020 • Comments Off

Thank you to all those in the 805 region who have completed their U.S. Census surveys.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled this week that the census count officially ended on Oct. 15. …

The high response rate will help the 805 region receive more federal funding for education, roads, health care, public safety and other projects and increase the number of representatives we have in Congress.

Congratulations.

Now, time to register to vote

Bilingual report — Ventura County Clerk-Recorder, Registrar of Voters Mark Lunn Announces Important Details Regarding November 3, 2020 General Election

by Community Contributor • September 25, 2020 • Comments Off

Under Executive Order, the Governor declared the November 3, 2020 General Election an all Vote By Mail election in the state of California. County Clerk-Recorder, Registrar of Voters Lunn stated, “With the current Coronavirus pandemic and the confluence of the flu season upon us, I encourage all voters to utilize the Vote By Mail ballot they receive at home to take advantage of the health and safety measures that voting by mail provides.”

Guest commentary — The Fall of American Democracy and the Rise of White Nationalism and Tyranny: We all saw it Coming!

by Community Contributor • September 24, 2020 • Comments Off

Get Rid of the Ballots…That is what he said, that is what he will do, and who is going to stop him? We are less that 42 days away from the most cataclysmic, potentially apocalyptic, American election in our lifetime. However the election results turn out, approximately half of the American electorate will be enraged, convinced that the election was rigged. The evil tyrannical genius of Trump, is that in less than four years he has been able to consolidate all federal power under his control and in the process is annihilating all semblance of American democracy. Trump with his tyrannical power grab, along with the considerable help of all his well-placed and well-paid henchmen/women, has turned us all into a pathetic nation of cowards, haters, doubters and conspiracy theorists. Make no mistake all of us, by omission or commission, are responsible for the creation of this monster that now occupies the White House.

Letter to the Editor — Celebrate National Voter Registration Day

by Community Contributor • September 22, 2020 • Comments Off

National Voter Registration Day is celebrated each year in September. This nonpartisan civic holiday celebrates our democracy and encourages us to use our voice and VOTE!

Are you registered to vote? Have you checked your registration for correct address and language preference? It is easier to do than you may think.

Letter to the Editor — Voting has never been easier. Voting from home is safe, easy and convenient

by Community Contributor • September 22, 2020 • Comments Off

Once you receive your official ballot in the mail in early October, you can return it by the US Postal Service mail – postage is prepaid. It must be postmarked by Nov 3 and received by Nov 20 (in California) for your vote to be counted. We recommend you vote as early as possible after receiving your ballot.

An alternative to mailing your ballot is using one of the 34 Ballot Drop Boxes that are located throughout the county and will be open from Oct. 6 until Election Day, Nov. 3 at 8 pm. Ballot Drop Box locations can be found here: https://tinyurl.com/y45ol4mo.

UCSB — The Current — Food from the Sea

by Community Contributor • August 20, 2020 • Comments Off

If sustainably managed, wild fisheries and mariculture could help meet the rising demand for food in the long term.

Guest commentary — After 500 years it is Time for All Our History to be Heard and Respected!

by Community Contributor • July 17, 2020 • Comments Off

Last week I wrote an op-ed piece on racism that got quite a lot of circulation in the local electronic media. I want to lend some nuance to the often ugly race relations in American. I also wanted to give the reader a 62 year historical perspective through a few of my personal and traumatic race relation experiences I had in America. The negative comments from readers came fast and furiously as expected. Some of the exasperated readers wrote the usual racist advice and complaints, “get over it…stop whining…your comments are toxic…America belongs to white people…MAGA” and the old standard bile “If you don’t love this country then go back to Mexico”, but I also got positive feedback like, ”you should write a book… and the one that keeps me writing and helps me take on all the slings and arrows from the haters was, “you have to keep writing to tell our history.”

And then I read Caroline Randall Williams’s profound, painful and poignant article, My Body Is A Confederate Monument, in the New York Times and I was moved to tears and a solemn recommitment to speak truth to power as inspired by her searing and eloquent truth.

Bilingual report — Offices Eligible for Election and Voter Nominated Offices Run-Off Election in the November 3, 2020 Presidential General Election

by Community Contributor • July 13, 2020 • Comments Off

VENTURA — Ventura County Clerk-Recorder, Registrar of Voters Mark Lunn announced that the November 3, 2020 Presidential General Election is a non-partisan run-off election, as well as a regular election date for cities, special districts, and school districts. Lunn stated,…

Guest commentary — Throwing the Proverbial Bones to the Mongrel Dogs

by Community Contributor • July 10, 2020 • Comments Off

American racism is complex, insidious and multi-layered. It is not a just black or white phenomenon. Our American racism comes in many shades of color and degrees of ignorance, contempt, stupidity and hatred. This brings me to the current seldom talked about or completely ignored ongoing racist beef/pedo between some Brown and Black folks in this country and in California, in particular.

Democratic Club of the Conejo Valley weekly ‘ZOOM CONEJO DEMS COFFEE’ cancelled this Saturday

by Community Contributor • June 19, 2020 • Comments Off

CONEJO DEMS COFFEE
CANCELLED THIS WEEK
Link to Zoom Meeting will be sent by bed time on Friday (or very early Saturday morning).
Sign ups taken until 10:30 a.m. day of. Hope you can join us.
Join your fellow Conejo Valley Dems
for some friendly conversation.
Every Saturday (next coffee on 6/27)
11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
A DCCV ZOOM!
Hosted by Henry Montalvo

RSVP Here (for 6/27)
Fair warning:
Conejo Dem meetings will be strictly monitored.
Attendees may be refused service at the whim of the host or co-host.

Democratic Club of the Conejo Valley weekly ‘ZOOM CONEJO DEMS COFFEE’ on Saturdays

by Community Contributor • June 12, 2020 • Comments Off

CONEJO DEMS COFFEE
RSVP Here
Link to Zoom Meeting will be sent by bed time on Friday (or very early Saturday morning).
Sign ups taken until 10:30 a.m. day of. Hope you can join us.

Join your fellow Conejo Valley Dems
for some friendly conversation.
Every Saturday
11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
A DCCV ZOOM!
Hosted by Henry Montalvo

Guest commentary — No Justice! No Peace!

by Community Contributor • June 5, 2020 • Comments Off

Editor’s note: Amigos805 welcomes guest columns, letters to the editor and other submissions from our readers. All opinions expressed in submitted material are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the viewpoint of Amigos805. By Armando Vazquez / Guest contributor Just…

Democratic Club of the Conejo Valley weekly ‘ZOOM CONEJO DEMS COFFEE’ on Saturdays

by Community Contributor • June 5, 2020 • Comments Off

CONEJO DEMS COFFEE SPECIAL DISCUSSION ABOUT THE EVENTS SURROUNDING GEORGE FLOYD We will welcome special guests… Michelle Grue, PhD candidate in Education and local mom Gregory K. Freeland, PhD, Associate Dean, Inclusion & Research/Creative Works and Professor of Political Science RSVP Here Link…

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