Ferial Masry, Candidate for 37th Assembly District is saluting MANNA of Conejo Valley at her campaign kickoff on May 2, 2010.

Ferial’s perseverance has been years in the making and now she has an Open Seat! High School Civic & American Government Teacher at Distinguished San Fernando Valley School. She is a grassroots activist, small business owner, labor member, neighbor, friend, mother, wife, committed community member, and she has name recognition.

ADMITTANCE: Bring several dry goods or canned food, your dancing partner, shoes and noise makers. Free ample parking. Open to the community. Great Networking! Free hors d’ oeuvres, Desserts & Drinks! Ventura County 2010 Candidates, Propositions, Voter Registration & Special Guests. Opportunities available for campaign endorsements and fund raising.

LOCATION: Casa De La Senda Clubhouse, 3780 Cabrillo Avenue, Newbury Park, CA 91320
Date: May 2, 2010
TIME: 3 p.m. – 6 p.m.
RSVP: Ventura County (805) 498-7608; LA County (661) 295-9318

Sponsored by Friends to Elect Ferial Masry for (California’s 37th) Assembly District, 2010.
FPPC ID # 1321069 http://www.ferialmasryforassembly.com
POB #19244, Newbury Park, CA 91320‐0213; MasryforASSEMBLY@GMAIL.COM;
Ventura County: 805‐498‐7068 or Los Angeles County: 661‐295‐9318
Financial Contribution limited to $3,600 per person. Contributions are not tax deductible

Thousand Oaks, CA – Statement by Marie Panec, Democratic candidate for Congress in district 24:

“I applaud the courage and tenacity of the U.S. Congress for bringing the decades-long health care debate to a vote and passing historic health reform legislation and lifting up the common good of all Americans.

Major provisions of the bill would:
- Strengthen coverage by reining in the worst insurance company abuses.
- Help small businesses to provide coverage with new tax credits
- Reduce premiums for many who buy their own coverage by an average of nearly 60 percent –while getting better coverage than what they have today.
- Substantially reduce prescription drug prices for Medicare recipients if they fall into that gap in coverage known as the ‘donut hole.’
- Provide the largest middle class tax cut for health care in history to help folks buy coverage.
- No longer determine eligibility by health status or pre-existing conditions – insurance companies will be required to offer coverage and they cannot boost rates or drop you from your coverage when you get sick.

As parents of college age children, my husband and I can keep our children on our insurance plan until the age of 27, if necessary. Cost estimates by the Congressional Budget Office show that the bill would reduce federal budget deficits by $143 billion in the next 10 years. This represents significant savings over our current system and is especially appealing to me.

It is the right thing to do. It confirms the best hopes for our country.

How did Elton Gallegly vote on this? ‘No.’ That is totally unacceptable. He has been holding our country back for too long. It is time for the good and decent people of Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties to rise up and say, ‘We demand better than this!’”

Ventura, CA, Arnulfo “AC” Carbajal announced today that after careful consideration, he has decided to withdraw from the race for County Clerk/Recorder and endorse Jim Dantona.

Carbajal explained that he was motivated to run for County Clerk/Recorder in late 2009 after he saw that the only declared candidate lacked the non-partisanship necessary to effectively run the county’s elections office.  Carbajal described his motivation for running: “Every candidate and every voter must trust the integrity of the elections office and must be 100% certain that the person responsible for elections is independent.  In good conscience, I could not sit by and let an officer in the Republican party take control of this office without voters having a choice.”

AC Carbajal is a registered Democrat but has never served on the central committee or in any position within the party and has never raised funds for either party.  He has always believed and acted independently of either party.

Carbajal went on to explain his reasons for stepping aside.  “When Jim Dantona entered this race, I investigated his experience and credentials much like I investigated Mark Lunn.  Jim Dantona has never served on any party central committee and has truly been an independent voice in Ventura County politics.  In addition, Dantona has excellent experience in elections, management and serving the community.  When I realized that we shared a deep respect for independent elections, I decided that the stakes were too high to have three candidates in this race.  For these reasons, I have decided to step aside and support Jim Dantona.  I intend to work hard for him and for the people of Ventura County to elect the most independent person in this race who will best protect taxpayer dollars.

Jim Dantona is an independent small businessman who runs a legislative and governmental consulting firm.  An dedicated youth advocate, community leader and philanthropist, he founded Baseballers Against Drugs in1989, helping over 60,000 young people to fight drugs and gangs and stay in school. The organization was awarded the 2003 Volunteer Organization of the Year and Dantona was honored by the FBI with the FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award.

“I am honored to have AC Carbajal standing beside me in this race,” states Dantona.  “We are both passionate about protecting the American democratic process as we have both seen examples in the county of Election Day mistakes, needless delays of election results and poor investments of our hard-earned tax dollars,  With AC’s help, I will fight for a county-wide voter outreach while working to prevent voter fraud.”

Ventura, CA, Arnulfo “AC” Carbajal announced today that after careful consideration, he has decided to withdraw from the race for County Clerk/Recorder and endorse Jim Dantona.

Carbajal explained that he was motivated to run for County Clerk/Recorder in late 2009 after he saw that the only declared candidate lacked the non-partisanship necessary to effectively run the county’s elections office.  Carbajal described his motivation for running: “Every candidate and every voter must trust the integrity of the elections office and must be 100% certain that the person responsible for elections is independent.  In good conscience, I could not sit by and let an officer in the Republican party take control of this office without voters having a choice.”

AC Carbajal is a registered Democrat but has never served on the central committee or in any position within the party and has never raised funds for either party.  He has always believed and acted independently of either party.

Carbajal went on to explain his reasons for stepping aside.  “When Jim Dantona entered this race, I investigated his experience and credentials much like I investigated Mark Lunn.  Jim Dantona has never served on any party central committee and has truly been an independent voice in Ventura County politics.  In addition, Dantona has excellent experience in elections, management and serving the community.  When I realized that we shared a deep respect for independent elections, I decided that the stakes were too high to have three candidates in this race.  For these reasons, I have decided to step aside and support Jim Dantona.  I intend to work hard for him and for the people of Ventura County to elect the most independent person in this race who will best protect taxpayer dollars.

Jim Dantona is an independent small businessman who runs a legislative and governmental consulting firm.  An dedicated youth advocate, community leader and philanthropist, he founded Baseballers Against Drugs in1989, helping over 60,000 young people to fight drugs and gangs and stay in school. The organization was awarded the 2003 Volunteer Organization of the Year and Dantona was honored by the FBI with the FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award.

“I am honored to have AC Carbajal standing beside me in this race,” states Dantona.  “We are both passionate about protecting the American democratic process as we have both seen examples in the county of Election Day mistakes, needless delays of election results and poor investments of our hard-earned tax dollars,  With AC’s help, I will fight for a county-wide voter outreach while working to prevent voter fraud.”

Please Join Susan Rose and Allan Ghitterman, Honorable Gary K. Hart, Naomi Schwartz along with Co-Chairs Hourigan, Holzman and Sprague, Judy Hopkinson, Alan Moelleken, M.D., and Sponsors Nancy Brown, Wayne and Sharol Siemans, and John Thyne at a reception in support of Assemblymember DAVE JONES FOR INSURANCE COMMISSIONER on Friday, March 12th 2010 from 5:30 – 7:30 PM.

Available sponsorships include:
Co-Chair – $1,000
Sponsor – $500
Co-Sponsor – $250
Ticket – $100

Please RSVP by Tuesday, March 9th to Drew at 310-477-8081 or rsvpfordavejones@gmail.com.

The event will be held in the home of Susan Rose and Allan Ghitterman at 928 Las Palmas Drive, Santa Barbara, CA 93110.

NEWBURY PARK, CA. It is now official. Ferial Masry is the only Democratic candidate running for the California 37th Assembly District primary and general election. Her two opponents Warren Harwood and Ernest Morrell have both dropped out of the race. Masry hopes she has the region’s full endorsement and financial support.

“When the Republican opponent refers to the candidate as an inspiration and promises to run a fair, positive campaign, we can only hope our Democrats can share this enthusiasm and bolster her with pride also,” says Percy Severn, a Newbury Park resident.

This is now an open seat. After coming within 4.5% of winning the last campaign, Masry still realizes that she will garner early support, in spite of Gorell’s $250,000 treasury and the full backing of the Republican Party.

“Yes, she has been the standard bearer for the 37th Assembly District when others didn’t believe it was possible for a Democrat to even run”, says Todd L. Hoover, a Castaic resident, “This time we believe that, with her name recognition, residents identifying with her will stay with her to the finish line due to her persistence and perseverance.”

Lynn Landers, a neighbor of Masry, summed it up in four words, “Her campaign should be renamed to ‘2010: Yo Go Girl’.”

For more information regarding the campaign please contact her Communications Team at: Friends for Ferial Masry Assembly 2010. #1321069; Post office Box # 19244, Newbury Park, CA 91320-0213.

Phone: 805.498.7608
Cell: 805.300.7226 and 661.295.9318
website: http://www.ferialmasryforassembly.com and email: masryforassembly@gmail.com

On February 22, 2010, having pulled papers with the Ventura County Elections Division, Ed Summers announced his candidacy for Ventura County Treasurer-Tax Collector. Summers enters the race with top qualifications among competitors in the field with a background that includes educational, professional and elected service in finance and banking. A broad base of community and business leaders including former Ventura County Supervisor Susan K. Lacey and former Ventura County Supervisor Judy Mikels, and Mayor Bill Fulton have formally endorsed the candidate praising the strength of Summers’ community service in addition to a strong financial background.

Summers spent a career in financial services and community banking after earning a bachelor’s degree in business finance at the University of Southern California and a master’s degree in business administration from Claremont Graduate School. He is a 20-year resident of Ventura, and spent four years as a city council member beginning in 2005. Summers has a strong record of community activities and service.

“Ventura County voters can feel confident in my experience, passion, and commitment to serving them as treasurer-tax collector,” says Summers. “I will provide more than good stewardship for Ventura County – the role of treasurer-tax collector is about the voters entrusting me to look out for the taxpayer funds that flow into our County’s cities and schools as well. Being treasurer-tax collector means working together in non-partisan fashion to ensure prosperity for Ventura County in the long term.”

Summers continues: “I’ve spent my life managing finances – in the private sector, in the community as former chair of the Economic Development Collaborative of Ventura County and Ventura County Economic Development Association, and in public service on the Ventura City Council’s Finance, Audit, and Budget Committee.” Summers noted that, while on the City Council’s Finance, Audit, and Budget Committee, the City succeeded in having its debt rating improved by ratings agencies despite the national economic downturn.

Of Summers’ candidacy, former Ventura County Supervisor Susan K. Lacey says, “Ed Summers is the kind of finance professional that Ventura County needs to steer it in the right direction. When he gives his word, you can take it to the bank.”

For more information, please contact Ed Summers’ campaign at 805-644-5122, edsummers4countytreasurer@gmail.com, or 3875A Telegraph Road #107, Ventura, CA 93003.

Join us on Saturday, 27 February at 4:00 as we come together to organize Marie Panec’s campaign for the 24th Congressional District Democratic Primary Election.

Meet with Marie, members of her grassroots leadership team and new campaign staff. Share your concerns for the district, bring your ideas and help plan a course of action for the campaign and let’s win this election together!

Marie invites you to get engaged in her campaign. Enjoy some good food. Find out how you can be part of something great, take meaningful action, and make a difference in your own community.

4:00 pm – Saturday, 27 Feb. 2010
14886 Marquette St. Moorpark, CA 93021
R.S.V.P: panec4congress@gmail.com

Hosted by: Min Gu & John Baker
Sponsored by Friends of Marie Panec for Congress
www.panec4congress.com

Jim Dantona, an independent businessman and veteran of local, state and national government, has announced his candidacy for the office of Ventura County Clerk and Recorder.  Promoting fair elections, fiscal responsibility and protecting our future, Dantona has already secured the endorsement of the Ventura County Firefighters.

Dantona acknowledges “The average voter may not realize just how important is the work of Clerk and Recorder.  Besides recording and securing vital public records, the Elections Division is ultimately responsible for guaranteeing fair elections and timely results. In recent years, I think we’ve seen mistakes that call into question whether or not Ventura County has always accomplished that.”

Dantona’s government experience includes work with both Democratic and Republican leadership which he sees as a major advantage in this non-partisan position. “I have always said we do not need new taxes. What we need is new leadership and strict fiscal accountability to halt the waste of taxpayer dollars.  I will work to create more efficiency and embrace competent, proven technology that saves money and protects our records and our votes. And if Sacramento comes knocking on Ventura County’s door, I have the ability, the contacts and the guts to oppose them for trying to cover their own mismanagement of taxpayers dollars by raiding Ventura County funds.”

Dantona says he relates to many county residents today who are struggling through personal and professional hardship. “Believe me, I have been there and my past opponents have tried to exploit that fact, but I know that leadership, hard work and determination are what will ultimately get us through.”  A single parent, Dantona raised his three children on his own, founded an award-winning non-profit organization dedicated to keeping young people off drugs, in school and out of gangs, and was honored by     the FBI for doing so.  He has also managed large staffs for the State of California and consulted for two U.S. Presidents.

The Ventura County Democratic Central Committee passed the following Resolution last night by unanimous vote. Members of the Committee feel strongly that in light of the recent activist Supreme Court rulings breaking the long-standing, anti-corporate personhood interpretation of the United States Constitution that the only way to have fair elections is to have publicly-financed ones.

A good example of the problem is the over $7 million dollars raised on the Tony Strickland (R), Hannah-Beth Jackson (D) race for the California 19th State Senate District race which made it the most expensive legislative campaign in California history. Strickland raised $4.3 million to win the seat, and Jackson raised $2.7 million and lost. Over 60% of Tony Strickland’s contributions came from corporations, business leaders and individuals outside of the 19th State Senate District. When one sees numbers like this, one must ask who the elected really represents.

The average politician spends 4 hours per day fund raising to get elected to office.

The full text of the Resolution passed is:

Endorsement of California Fair Elections Act campaign activities in Ventura County
Author: Jay Kapitz
Sponsor: Sandra Kinsler

WHEREAS, The California Fair Elections Act on the June 2010 ballot creates a voluntary system for candidates for Secretary of State to qualify for a public campaign grant if they agree to strict spending limits and take no private contributions.

WHEREAS, Candidates under the California Fair Elections Act would have to qualify before receiving the grant, would have to demonstrate sufficient public support would receive the same amount and would be prohibited from raising or spending money beyond the grant.

WHEREAS, The Ventura County Fair Elections campaign is organizing events including but not limited to awareness meetings, tabling, phone banking, and canvassing in Ventura County,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Ventura County Democratic Central Committee shall support these activities.