Join NOCCC To Meet Your Local Candidates - TOMORROW

North Orange County Conservative Coalition 

www.nocconservatives.org 

Local elected officials go on to become our State and National leaders. The important decisions we make at the Ballot Box on June 5 and in November effect our daily lives and our future. 

REMINDER
Join NOCCC To Meet Your Local Candidates 
THURSDAY 

Please invite your neighbors, friends and familyand especially NEW VOTERS!

 

TOMORROW! Thursday, April 12, 2012
7:00 – 9:00 pm

Let's talk about how Orange County 
and the media will cover the elections 
          with special guest speaker and Master of Ceremony

Brian Calle        

Please join us as Brian introduces many of our invited local candidates running for office including 3rd District Orange County Board of Supervisors; Anaheim, Brea, FULLERTON, La Habra, Orange, Placentia, Yorba Linda City Council; School Board and Orange County Republican Party Central Committee.

Brian Calle is an Opinion Columnist for the Orange County Register and President of the Young Executives of America. He is also the Managing Director of Gambit Consulting Group, a Senior Fellow at the Claremont Institute, Editor of FreedomPolitics.com, a Distinguished Speaker in the Friedman Foundation School Choice Speaker's Bureau and a member of the Board of Governors for the University of Southern California.

**One hour from 8:00pm - 9:00pm will be set aside for
folks to meet and chat with candidates who wish to stay. 
       ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Foxfire Restaurant Conference Room, 5717 E. Santa Ana Canyon Road, Anaheim, 91 Freeway @ Imperial Highway 

Dessert & Coffee provided. $5 suggested donation to help cover costs.
Please RSVP to Desaré deseric@sbcglobal.net or Karlakarladowning@aol.com
Why not dine at the Foxfire Restaurant before the meeting?
Separate reservations required through the restaurant.

Please visit our website www.nocconservatives.org
for news, events and updated election information.

Councilwoman Speaks Out Against Fellow Republican for Sex Assault Remarks

FULLERTON - Villa Park Councilwoman Deborah Pauly spoke to KFI's John & Ken Show at yesterdays Fullerton Recall rally to condemn the October 17th remarks of fellow Republican Pat McKinley.




Villa Park Councilwoman Deborah Pauly

  McKinley is the recently retired chief of Fullerton's police department and is currently a Fullerton City Council Member who is the target of a massive recall effort.

Monday, McKinley spoke to a group of women about personal protection against predators. 

An unidentified woman asked the former chief and author of She-Bear how women could protect themselves from police officers like the recently fired Albert Rincon. 

Rincon is alleged to have sexually assaulted more than half a dozen woman after falsely arresting and kidnapping them.  The City recently settled to give at least two victims $350,000 to drop their federal civil rights law suit.

McKinley, speaking of Rincon's victims, told the women in the audience that "Those ladies [Rincon's victims] weren't like..." sweeping his arm across the audience, "...like this [the ladies of the Brea Soroptimist Club]."

McKinley's words were repeated by Councilwoman Pauly on the John & Ken Show.  Pauly takes issue with McKinley's dismissal that it is not a big deal if certain woman are groped, assaulted, falsely arrested, and kidnapped by police officers. 

McKinley can be heard saying on this video that "it wasn't a sexual assault. It was inappropriate touching. It's not a good thing but it aint a dangerous thing."

These words have sparked public outrage at the gross insensitivity of the former chief who hired the now fired Rincon.

Pauly's words on the John & Ken Show even inspired Christine Walker, a Democrat and member of Kelly's Army, to join the Republican Party.  When asked why she was joining the GOP, she looked at Pauly and said, "By what you said today, it moved me and I appreciate what you have done for us [women].  Without people like you, we are nothing and I'm registering today to help support you."

California Republican Party Unveils Draft Party Platform

Below is the Draft Platform.  It falls far short on many of what I feel are key issues.  One issue I will focus on today is the terrible lack of support for the 2nd Amendment. 

The 2nd Amendment is key to protecting all of Civil Rights.  The fact that the Party has placed one sentence in one paragraph says to the country that Republicans are OK with far-reaching gun control laws. 

The Party should take the position of supporting "SHALL-ISSUE" policies and regulations.  Shall-issue means that all citizens shall be issued a permit to carry a concealed weapon unless the citizen is mentally ill or a convicted felon. 

The issues with the CRP Draft Platform are many and nothing is set in stone just yet. 

Draft May 25, 2011

Preamble

A party platform is normally a statement of present positions. This platform is a statement of future action. With this platform the California Republican Party seeks to unite all Californians.

Our Declaration of Independence’s vision for a great nation continues to ring true today and is more important than ever to remember: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

State government has been failing us for years. As it fails, it begins to extinguish the dreams and aspirations of all Californians. For some Californians, this failure threatens their equality... for some their life... for some their liberty... for some their happiness.

This is as unacceptable to us as it was to our Founding Fathers.

We recognize that in recent years, the California Republican Party has not been a viable alternative for many Californians. We want to change this.

We believe we can offer real solutions to bring good paying jobs back to California.

We believe we can offer real solutions to reform our failed state government in Sacramento.

We believe we can offer real solutions to keep our families educated, healthy, and safe.

We believe we can offer real solutions to make sure the California Dream is available for a new generation.

Perhaps most important, we believe Californians have more in common than not. We believe a failed state government hurts all of us - regardless of race, gender, age, political affiliation, or wealth.

With this platform, we hope to clearly convey what Republicans will do in office to ensure the public trust. We want to make state government accountable, effective, and ethical again. Not just for Republicans - for everyone. This platform is our call to all of the people of California: take a few minutes to read what Republicans stand for today.

If you agree with us, let’s stand together to demand the type of government that Californians deserve.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE DRAFT IN ITS ENTIRETY!

California Republican Party Platform

Supervisor Nelson to the Rescue

Texas Governor Rick Perry was in Orange County yesterday at a Perry for President rally put on by the OCGOP. The outdoor event was under an oppressive sun with no breeze.

Among the speakers was 4th District County Supervisor Shawn Nelson who gave a well received speech to a melting audience.  Nelson has a knack for getting crowds fired up.  He talked about unions, pensions, sustainable governance, and even echoed Governor Perry's sentiment that Social Security is nothing more than a Ponzi scheme. 

On cue, Governor Rick Perry walked into the amphitheater at Roger's Gardens in Corona Del Mar and the crowd roared with "PERRY PERRY PERRY" chants.  After settling down, the receptive crowd listened intently as Governor Perry spoke. 

Someone from the crowd yelled "HELP" and someone else in the same area of the grandstands yelled something about "medical."  I thought it was odd that any hecklers would be there considering the tight control of the tickets into the event.  More people began to yell.  "WE NEED A DOCTOR!"  "HELP, HEAT STROKE!"

That was when Supervisor Shawn Nelson, in his dark business suit, sprinted to the top of the stands.  You wouldn't think the former football player could still move so fast but he did.  It was like watching a bear charging through the grandstands at a football game!  He threw off his coat and used it as a pillow to support the head of an elderly woman who was ill from the brutal heat.

Supervisor Nelson began to assess her vital signs when, as luck would have it, a doctor arrived! 

Paramedics were called and the woman was taken to a local hospital.

Nelson said he heard the yelling and also thought it was hecklers.  But then it clicked and he realized someone needed help.

Nelson, a Pop Warner coach, has various first aid and emergency medical certificates.  He told me he felt he had to help and credits his training. 

The un-named elderly woman was expected to make a full recovery.  Late yesterday, Nelson said he and Governor Perry were writing get-well notes to her.

It's nice to know our County's leadership isn't just a bunch of hot air! 

Flag Day 2011

Turmoil Within the Orange County Republican Party



OCGOP "Freedom" does not appear

to extend to all of its members.


Hasn't the OCGOP learned anything?

Tonight is the April Central Committee meeting and it is sure to be a boisterous and contentious evening. 

Deviating from his usual modus operandi, OC Chairman Scott Baugh stepped in front of the camera over the weekend to call for the ousting of Fullerton resident and Committee member Marilyn Davenport for an email which he says "drips of racism." 

Instead of tackling the issue in-house Baugh was seen on several local TV stations with the standard politically correct rhetoric not normally found in the OC Republican Party's higher ranks.

Davenport's email which started the latest OCGOP turmoil shows a picture of President Obama superimposed on a chimpanzee in what some believe to be a racist image.  Keeping it in perspective, Davenport thought the image was amusing given the caption, "Now you know why no birth certificate."  She also believes there is a double standard within the media and certain political circles which supports political cartoons as free speech so long as it doesn't include Obama.  Davenport believes the email sent to a small circle of "friends" has been blown out of proportion by a GOP insider.  After all, not every depiction of a monkey implies racism.  President Bush was the figure superimposed on the face of a monkey just a little more than two years ago.

Davenport may not be alone in her lack of racial cognition. In an online poll on KFIAM640.com, 58% said the image sent by Davenport was not racist while 75% felt a similar image of Bush was not racist. 

Several sources close to the story have told me the email was "leaked" to the OC Weakly through the Schroeder/Fleischman camp as reprisal for the continued spat between Assemblyman Chris Norby and former State Senator Dick Ackerman. 

Historically, certain OCGOP elements have tried in vein to control the 72nd Assembly District.  I have heard that Jon Fleischman was behind the Mike Duvall outing (not that Duvall's actions were acceptable).  Later, Norby and Linda Ackerman duked it out for control of Duvall's 72nd Assembly seat.  Now this.

Anyone that has been forced to sit through "sensitivity training" knows that the image in the email could and likely would be considered racist.  My guess is that Davenport has never had to sit through sensitivity training and simply didn't recognize the racist overtones of depicting an African-American man, although as Davenport notes he's half Caucasian, as an ape. 

Now with Baugh choosing to play this out in the media it is reasonable to assume that the 72nd AD divide with the rank and file OCGOP will continue to grow. For the past few years the 72nd AD has grown to be much more free-thinking than some OCGOP insiders would like.  Further agitating certain factions, the Executive Committee of the OCGOP has two women from the 72nd AD as well as Mrs. Deborah Pauly from the 60th AD.  Odd how those targeted lately were Caucasian women in a position of power within the OCGOP... It's only a matter of time before more North Orange County conservatives come under fire for standing up to the "Repuglicans".

Sometime between Saturday and Sunday Baugh was notified that the Central Committee's by-laws did not authorize him to remove an unruly or politically-incorrect elected member.  As of late Sunday evening Baugh was on TV admitting he had no authority to remove an elected official but he hoped to put pressure on her to resign. 

Davenport has refused to resign.

Tonight, the Central Committee will meet and, assuming the by-laws allow for a last minute change to the agenda, take up the matter for discussion. 

North OC and Fullerton Republicans well represented on the OC GOP Executive Board

The Republican Party of Orange County (OC GOP) Central Committee voted to place North Orange County and Fullerton representatives as Executive Officers of the Party.

Two Fullerton women are among those elected by the Central Committee to serve.  Zonya Townsend, a Registered Nurse and conservative activist, was elected Party Secretary.  I know Zonya well after working with her during the 2010 general elections.  Fullerton and Orange County Republicans are fortunate to have her service.

Another woman elected from Fullerton is the 72nd Assembly District Chair, Pat Shuff, for Assistant Treasurer.  Shuff has worked tirelessly for years on Republican campaigns in Fullerton and the North Orange County region.

The race for the Party's First Vice-Chair was not the blood-bath that some thought it might be.  After two rounds of voting, Villa Park Council Member Deborah Pauly walked away victorious.  Pauly is a well balanced conservative who understands where the Party was and where it needs to go.  If you have never had the opportunity to hear her speak, let me fill you in.  Deborah Pauly is on fire.  When she speaks to you it is with sincerity and integrity.  She knows how dirty the Good Ol' Boys Club is and is ready to take them on and reign them in.  I think there were many who were surprised last night by her win, 36 to Jon Fleischman's 33 votes.  It is far from a landslide victory and Deborah Pauly knows she has her work cut out for her.  She has to bridge the gap between the old establishment Republicans from which Fleischman came and the Tea Party activists who have always rallied behind her.

My friend, Allan Bartlett, did not do as well.  In the first round of voting he received 19 votes, not nearly enough to move on.  Allan has made as many enemies as he has friends, always unafraid to call people out on their BS and push for answers when no one else would.  His fearless criticism of the Party has earned him anger from many and praise from many more.  I am certain Allan will continue to voice his concerns and stir the minds of many.

OC GOP Chairman, Scott Baugh was elected again as the Party Chair despite the atmosphere of change.  As a new-comer to the Party's internal workings, I think Baugh has tried to keep the party together while it is trying to fracture from within.  Baugh is the consummate politician in that he bends to get things done, which often comes across as being weak when in fact he is demonstrating a certain type of strength.  Many of us see this as a bad trait or a even a character flaw.  However, I see it more as a tool for keeping the Party together and getting the job done.  I think Baugh chooses his battles carefully which has lead to what has arguably been a limited and somewhat successful term.

I am hopeful that the new officers will inject their personalities into their work and rebuild the Republican Party of Orange County.

For more on the Republican Party of Orange County, go to http://www.ocgop.org/ and http://ocgopaction.ning.com/. 

Limited Governance

As new City Council members take their oath in the coming weeks, I hope each will remember what it means to be an OC Republican and lead by example:

Inalienable Rights: We believe that man's "rights" flow from the Creator and the rights of life, liberty and justice cannot be legitimately granted or rescinded by men.

Self-Government: We believe that the only answer to the current moral decline that our nation now faces is a return to the beliefs and standards of morality which our founding fathers placed into the Constitution. We believe with the framers of that document when President Adams stated, "This Constitution will not work except with a religious people." We understand that the concept of self-government begins with governing one’s self first, then family, community, state, and nation.

Education: We believe in the rights of parents to a quality education for their children. We support parental choice to create competition among the schools. We must insure that no school or teachers union can compromise the education of our children or advance a particular political agenda at the expense of our future generation’s educations.

Taxes: We believe that the federal tax system is abusive to the American people while discouraging investment and growth. We believe in growth-oriented tax policies which would gradually eliminate punitive income taxes and move our tax system in the direction of use taxes and sales taxes only.

Free Enterprise: We believe in the free enterprise system as the best hope for men and women to fulfill their economic hopes and dreams. We know that the free market is the most efficient and the least costly system to deliver the highest quality goods and services at the lowest price to the consumer. We will support only those who support the free enterprise system through legislation to reduce or eliminate intrusive government intervention in the marketplace.

Family: We believe that the traditional American family, defined as any persons related by blood, marriage of a man and a woman and/or adoption, is the cornerstone of our American society, and the government is duty bound to protect the integrity of the family unit through legislation and taxation policies.

Sanctity of Life: We believe that the preborn child is a human being deserving the full protection of the law.

National Defense: We believe in a strong and consistent national defense. We believe in victory over, and not accommodation with, tyranny in any form or philosophy.

Right to Bear Arms: We believe in the unqualified right of our citizens to keep and bear arms without the intrusive hand of government.

Victims’ Rights: We believe in the concept of victims’ rights over the rights of any criminal. We support a system of restitution as a deterrent to crime and recidivism.

Term Limitation: We believe that public service is a privilege. We support term limits for public officials, not as an ideal but as a necessity to dissuade career politicians. It is the people who should rule, not an elite with little accountability.

National Sovereignty: We believe in an America first program in which Government’s first concern is the welfare and protection of the American people. We do not believe in trade protectionism but support political leaders who will adopt policies that create fair and competitive trade.

Decentralized Government: We believe in the power of the individual over the power of the state. We believe that only small government truly serves the needs of the people.

I will pray that elected representatives will not forget these principles. And, for good measure, I will remind them regularly.

ORANGE COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY ENDORSES GREG SEBOURN FOR FULLERTON CITY COUNCIL

Contact: Greg Sebourn/Allen Wilson  　　　　 　　　       IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tel.: (714) 292-5914
E-Mail: gregsebourn@yahoo.com
allen@wilsonstrategicpartners.com

ORANGE COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY ENDORSES GREG SEBOURN FOR FULLERTON CITY COUNCIL

Fullerton - With a 2/3 margin, the Orange County Republican Party's Central Committee voted to give Greg Sebourn the Party's endorsement.  The vote came after a 5-0 recommendation from the Endorsement Committee just two weeks ago. 

"The Orange County Republican Party stood up and spoke.  Clearly they want to further advance the Party's platform which speaks of limited government, lower taxes, and the power of the entrepreneur," says endorsed council candidate Greg Sebourn.  "The Party has recognized that being a Republican In Name Only, or RINO, does nothing to advance the conservative movement.  RINOs are what have turned off so many good conservatives from the Republican Party."

The endorsement comes just days after Sebourn received endorsements from the California Republican Assembly (Fullerton), the North Orange County Conservative Coalition, and the Fullerton Tea Party.  Greg Sebourn is also endorsed by Assemblyman Chuck DeVore, Assemblyman Chris Norby, and Supervisor Shawn Nelson. 

Greg Sebourn has distinguished himself from the other 4-year candidates with his early promises to not take the City's pension and medical benefits, to close down the Fullerton Redevelopment Agency, and reform the City's broken and unfunded pension system. 

If you would like to meet Greg Sebourn, please attend the grand opening of his new campaign headquarters, Tuesday, September 28, 5:30PM, at 511 S. Harbor Blvd., Fullerton 92832.  The headquarters is being shared with Assemblyman Chris Norby, Bruce Whitaker (candidate for the 2-year seat), and Chris Thompson (candidate for the Fullerton School Board) all of whom will be on hand. 

# # # # # #

More information about Greg can be found on the campaign website at http://www.gregsebourn.com/

Also, Greg can be followed over at Twitter @GregSebourn.

OCGOP Central Committee - Allan Bartlett and Shawn Nelson

You may have read a rant or two regarding how I feel about the OCGOP and the lack of ethical leadership and the fact that we need to make some changes. The ONLY way to change a political party, at least on the local level, is to change it from within by electing quality leaders to the central committee. For the non-political types, central committees are the official representative bodies of political parties in a given county. The committee is made up of representatives from each of Orange County’s State Assembly Districts. For example, the 72nd Assembly District, which covers several north OC cities, has 6 representatives on the central committee. Each county may be different depending on how many assembly districts are in the county. Each member is elected by the voters who are registered members of recognized parties in their respective district. From what I have read, if you are registered as DECLINE-TO-STATE or DS, you cannot vote for any party’s central committee candidates. So, the first step to reformation of the Republican Party is to register as a Republican. The second step is to elect to the central committee only those candidates who demonstrate values similar to yours. With that understanding, let’s look at a couple of candidates who are running for the OCGOP (OC Republican Party) central committee. I have met each of these candidates and have seen the way they battle against the old regime which has fostered a culture of corruption.

Allan Bartlett is running for re-election to represent the 70th Assembly District on the central committee. The 70th AD is comprised of Irvine, Newport Beach, Tustin, Lake Forest, and Laguna Woods. You may have read some of Allan’s insightful and thoughtful articles on Red County Blog. The last I heard, Allan had been locked out of the blog by chief editor, Chip Hanlon because Hanlon couldn’t muzzle Allan’s criticism of the blog and OCGOP’s hypocrisy. Allan is respected by those who want lower taxes and smaller government. He is feared by those who are being fed from the government trough of consulting contracts. Allan is willing to stand up and say what we all want to say but are sometimes too concerned with what people might think. I have tremendous respect for Allan because I know he is often alone in his dissent for the old regime’s culture of corruption. Few committee members can hold a candle to Allan Bartlett’s determination to do the right thing even in the face of opposition. If you are registered as a Republican, live in the 70th AD, and you want to see the party return to its traditional platform, vote for Allan Bartlett.

Let’s now head north to my home district, the 72nd Assembly District. The 72nd AD represents Fullerton, Brea, Placentia, and parts of Anaheim and Orange. You may think it includes Irvine if your name is Ackerman. We have a newcomer to the central committee, Shawn Nelson. If you don’t know who Shawn Nelson is, go open your mail box. He is the officially endorsed Republican Party of California and OC Republican Party candidate for the 4th District County Board of Supervisors. According to the Orange County Employee’s Association, Nelson is criminal defense attorney who represents terrorists and child rapists. Of course, these are lies from the employees union who fears Nelson. For years he has been an outspoken critic of public employee unions and the outrageous pensions they demand. Nelson owns a law firm with as many as a dozen attorneys. So far as I have been able to tell, Shawn Nelson is a tort attorney. He is the guy I would call to go after a client who breaches a contract. I have asked around and NO ONE can give me a case number or criminal defendant’s name which had Shawn Nelson as the defense attorney. Then there is the Harish “Harry” Sidhu attack mailer regarding the Fox Fullerton, an old theater that is a local landmark. Sidhu seems to think that Fullerton voters would be shocked and angry that Nelson voted for the City to give the theater money. The problem is that most Fullerton residents were ok with his vote. In fact many thought the City should have done more by purchasing the Fox and rebuilding it rather than waiting for the current community group to obtain sufficient donations. The bottom line is that Shawn Nelson has pissed off a lot of people because he can’t be controlled by the public employee unions. Recently, Shawn debated various topics with Sidhu, his 4th District opponent. It was immediately clear that Nelson knew far more about County-wide issues than Sidhu. But is Nelson’s knowledge of the County sufficient reason to vote for him to be a county supervisor or even a central committee member? No.

A candidate must posses a philosophy on issues which you can identify with and I believe Shawn Nelson’s philosophy on many issues is similar to mine. I believe property rights are important and should not be unreasonably infringed upon without good cause. I believe that local government can create a business-friendly environment that attracts growth. I believe our local government is important but generally wasteful. I don’t know for a fact that Shawn Nelson would agree with me on these few issues but his voting record and the few brief conversations I have had with him indicate he at least tends to lean in the same direction as I do. Shawn Nelson most certainly will get my vote!

And, if for no other reason, I have yet to see Nelson throw a temper tantrum as a city council member like the majority of his elected peers on Fullerton’s council have done.

Remember, the central committee is the political body which endorses candidates on behalf of the party. They create policy and give the party its direction. There are other candidates running in other districts around Orange County, and probably throughout the state, but these two individuals have the right stuff to bring the OCGOP back to the basics. Try to email all of the candidates and find out what they stand for. Are they just a lot of talk?  Have they demonstrated through their political involvement and actions that they will continue to act in a manner that is consistent with their vocalized beliefs? The ONLY way to change the Republican Party is to elect like-minded conservatives to the central committee like Shawn Nelson and Allan Bartlett.

You can learn more about the OCGOP’s central committee at http://www.ocgop.org/about/committee/.

Hieu "Hugh" Nguyen

A few days ago I decided to email Hieu "Hugh" Nguyen some questions about his plans for the for the Orange Couty Clerk-Recorder's Office.  

1. What is the first order of business, should you win the election?

Response:
I will complete a management audit within the first 90 days to review the organizations structure, authorized positions, workload statistics, systems performance, customer service, communications with Title/Mortgage Industry, fee schedule and operations of Clerk, Recorder and Vital Records functions. This will be the basis of preparing a long-term plan supported by short-term deliverables. I want to improve services to customers, improve department morale and productivity and reduce operating costs. This effort will be coordinated with the Board of Supervisors and CEO and Human Resources Department.

2. What are the top three issues facing the Clerk-Recorder's Office in the coming years?

Response:
a. Review the mission and operating strategy for the Vital Records Program.
b. Correcting personnel and contracting problems created by the current administration.
c. Improving services and communications to the public and title/mortgage industry who rely on the Clerk and Recorder Offices’ services.

3. What new/improved technology do you hope to implement?

Response:
I want to continue to implement technology that improves productivity of staff and protects the security of public records. I will review the disaster recovery plan and insure the security plan and back up plans are in force and provide adequate business continuity protection. The use of Interest based services and off-site digital storage should be explored to enhance the security and capabilities of the department and reduce costs.

4. Elections must be tough on the family. Can you tell me how supportive has your family been and in what way?

Response:
My wife and two children have been extremely understanding and supportive of my campaign. We have run a grass roots campaign so for the past year I have been attending community meetings and discussing my candidacy with political leadership in Orange County. I have maintained my employment as Chief Deputy Clerk of the Board during this process. This has required my nights, days off, vacation and weekend to be devoted to the campaign. I am very grateful for my family’s participation in the campaign and understanding of my time commitment to winning the Clerk-Recorder election.

5. Recently, Tom Daly has been criticized for his expenditures. FFFF has reported extensively on the fact that Daly convinced the Board of Supervisors to OK the purchase of a building in disrepair for $2.1million that Daly hired the relatives of political contributors, and that Daly has handed out tens of thousands in no-bid contracts to questionable consultants. As Clerk-Recorder, will you attempt to rite these numerous wrongs, and if so, how?

Response:
I plan to review the mission of the Vital Records program and source of long-term funding of facilities and operations. I will conduct this review with the assistance of the CEO, Real Estate & Facilities Department. I will report the results to the Board of Supervisors in public meetings and request policy direction. Based I want I have read, I believe the purchase of the vacant office building for over $2.0 million was not a good decision and it is not feasible or cost effective to renovate it into a Vitals Records facility at a cost of $5 to $7 million. I also believe the scope of the collection needs to be limited to public records of historical significance.


Tom Daly has awarded a number of consultant contracts to friends and political associates during his term. He has structured these “Sole-Source” agreements to be under $50,000 thereby avoiding the requirement to obtain Board of supervisors’ approval. He has also split contract scope of work into phases to stay under the limit. He has also awarded contracts for work retroactively for work completed and has paid for services that were never delivered or of little value. This practice will STOP 100% under my administration. I plan to run the department in a fiscally conservation manner and follow the correct contracting and personnel procedures to accomplish the work of the office. The funds derived from user fees needs to fund the services and systems used and should not be diverted to pet projects and work for friends as has been the current practice.

6. How will you win back the public's trust in the Clerk-Recorder's Office?

Response:
I will consistent plan, organize, direct and control the operations of the Clerk-Recorder in a manner that respects we are there to provide a service and the expenses are public funds that must be spent efficiently. My communications plan will be the primary means to assure the public that they can trust the office is being run with their best interest driving decisions. This will include:


a. I will start a public education program and personally spend time speaking to community groups.


b. I will institute a suggestion program or ideas from the public and staff. I will also establish a working relationship with each OC City Clerk and City Council to determine how we can work closely to provide improved services to the City and their residents.


c. I also will conduct quarterly workshops with the mortgage, real estate, title insurance and legal professional in Orange County who depend on the services of the Clerk-Recorder to discuss legislation and service improvement initiates.


d. I will actively participate in the State Association of County Clerk-Recorders to share best practice information and review legislation that impacts our office.

7. What is your greatest revelation or lesson learned while participating in this race?

Response:
The time and expense required to run for a County Wide Office and reach the voters is greater than I anticipated. The expense of running a campaign, filing candidate statements, creating a web site, create campaign materials and holding fund raising events has been challenging. The greatest lesson I have learned is to believe in yourself and don’t be afraid to ask for help from others who believe in good government and the need for a change in leadership in the Clerk-Recorder’s Office. Insiders in government know of the mismanagement by Tom Daly and his lack of work ethics. It is difficult to get this information out to the general public because there is inadequate government watchdog capability within County government and government coverage by the press is lacking due to cutbacks in resources.

8. Currently, Records of Survey maps are filed by the County Surveyor on behalf of land surveyors and property owners in order to bring land surveys into the public domain. Historically, these maps have been filed away for safe keeping pursuant to state law; however, there is no connection between the maps and the lots/parcels they depict. This disconnect has lead to uninformed members of the public purchasing land without being fully aware of encumbrances and title issues. Do you support adding these survey maps to the property grantor/grantee index so that when a title company issues a policy, they can include relevant Records of Survey maps? If so, can you explain what the time-line might be?


Response:
I generally believe the more information we can provide in our public record on land ownership and outstanding liens and encumbrances the better we are serving the public. The imaging, storage and retrieval of survey maps should be reviewed for potential linkage to lot and parcel identification. I want to consult with other County Clerk-Recorders, Assessors and Surveyor officials to gain an understanding of the implications. I will examine the issue carefully to understand the security and cost issues before I take a position on this initiative.

9. Former Sheriff Mike Carona retaliated against OC Sheriff Lt. Bill Hunt after Hunt ran against him in the contentious 2006 election. If you were to loose the election, is Tom Daly in a position to penalize you for running against him, much like Carona did to Hunt?


Response:
Tom Daly is not in a position to penalize me for running for office. I don’t work for Tom Daly. We have continued to maintain a business relationship even though we disagree about issue on how to manage the Clerk-Recorder’s Office. I expect this will continue.

I also have no intentions of retaliated against anyone who did not support my election if I am elected. I will serve the office in an honest and ethical manner and follow County rules and protocols. People on staff will be judged on the performance and contribution to the efficiency of the office.

10. Do you support the new satellite Clerk-Recorder locations in Fullerton and Laguna Hills?

Response:
I support the initiatives to make services more accessible to the public through technology and providing services in partnership with other County Departments and local government agencies. The expansion of services to satellite offices required long term lease of facilities, tenant improvement, utilities, maintenance and out-stationed staff. I need to review the workload statistics and measurements of cost effectiveness compared to centralized services, use of technology and shared facilities. Over the long term I believe we can expand on services through Integrated Voice Response Systems, web based services and shared services with other government agencies to make services available to the public in a more cost effective manner than operating satellite facilities with low volume usage. I need more facts before I can make any decision about the two existing facilities future.

Sincerely,
Hugh Nguyen
http://www.hugh4clerkrecorder.com/

Don't forget: Get out the OCGOP vote!

Get Out The Vote With Absentee Ballots!

OC Register: Racism, Illegal Immigration, Sheriff Joe Arpaio, and Bill Hunt

The OC Register just can’t get enough of Bill Hunt. From the looks of the headlines, Hunt just might be the best thing that’s happened to the failing media company in a long time. It seems that protestors and allegations of racism no matter how patently false are great gimmicks to sell papers. Indeed, they are right up there with sex.

First, we have the OC Register story bearing the headline “Protesters rally outside O.C. Sheriff candidate’s event” http://www.ocregister.com/news/hunt-245737-arpaio-sheriff.html

The story takes you down the path of the newly minted immigration law in Arizona and then to Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio. OCR: "He helped pass this ridiculous, awful, mean-spirited bill," Maureen Shrubsole said of Arpaio. "Everybody in this country is from somewhere else originally."

It seems Shrubsole forgot that citizens pledge their allegiance to the United States Constitution. So whether you are a new citizen or your family has been here for 350 years, we all must do the right thing and uphold all of our laws including those of immigration. It is our civic duty.

The OC Register makes the protestors outside of the event the headline story rather than the reason for the fuss. No, Arpaio isn’t the reason for the angst, although the protestors and news paper will have you think he is. The real story being missed is that of U.S. citizens who are burdened by immigrants who have trespassed into the U.S.A. Those who bring their poverty north of the border hoping to strike it rich and return south someday with their pockets lined in greenbacks are displacing legitimate workers, suppressing wages, and collapsing our hospitals. This is the story the OC Register misses time and again.

But that’s not all we got from the OC Register this weekend…

Our next OCR headline is “Arpaio takes immigration victory slow”. http://www.ocregister.com/news/arpaio-245704-sheriff-hunt.html?cb=1272292126

What kind of headline is that? The author assumes that Arpaio doesn’t (or didn’t) have the appropriate authority to tackle some of the immigration issues. That isn’t true.

“Under the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution, federal law is the supreme law of the land. State and local governments are “preempted” from enacting legislation in areas where Congress has asserted its exclusive authority or that would conflict with federal legislation. In the immigra¬tion field, the U.S. Supreme Court has recognized three tests to determine whether federal law preempts a state or local law: 1) constitutional preemption, 2) field preemption, and 3) conflict preemption. A state or local law related to immigration that fails any one of these three tests is preempted by federal law and therefore unconstitutional and invalid.” http://www.ncacc.org/annualconf/2008-b1_lawbulletin.pdf 

Therefore, Arpaio can enforce many of the federal immigration regulations as well as Maricopa County Ordinances and his own policies. Most importantly, he can screen for immigration status when the prisoners are incarcerated for other crimes.

My favorite quote from these stories is from Arpaio:

"Ten guys in a trunk. I would think that's reasonable suspicion," Arpaio said. He proudly announced that his department just arrested 22 illegal immigrants at a fast-food restaurant. "I just opened 22 jobs for people here legally."

Common sense.  And that is why Sheriff Joe Arpaio is liked by many and hated by liberal lefties.

 
 

What do internet taxes and joint checking accounts have in common?

Oh Meg, oh Meg, where art thou thousands? To where have you placed them now?

Not at the polls for it is clear, technology taxes your greatest fear.

Oh Steve, oh Steve, where art thou thousands? To where have you placed them now?

Neither your bank nor pockets are safe no more, for your wife has given it all to Gore.

Are People Stupid?

The Orange County Register just released "Petitioners conned voters into switching to the GOP". So, how did these "voters" get "conned"? Under one of the very humorous photos of ticked-off libs is this: "Melissa Healy, 24, says she has voted for Barack Obama and John Kerry, but ended up on the voter rolls as a Republican because a signature gatherer at UC Irvine told her to mark herself as a Republican when she was signing some papers on campus." She really must be a dope to actually do as she is told without questioning the intentions of the person telling her to do something. Melissa must be the sort of person Mother warned you about, "If everyone jumped off a bridge, would you?" Melissa might, if you told her to. But in the interest of giving Melissa some benefit of doubt I have to ask what the circumstances were behind the "petitioner" who told her to mark herself as a republican. Was she somehow intimidated? Was he a good-looking guy who had her in some sort of trance? What happened? Surely the "petitioner" didn't force her to do it or there would be a police report on her incident.

So, why did all of these people switch to the GOP? Were they stupid or were they conned? We find the answer to our questions in the 5th paragraph:

"All of the voters identified by the Register are listed as under 28 years old; many said they knew little about politics or voting. A few, when told they were listed on the county voter rolls as a Republican, asked, 'What is a Republican?'"

As I suspected: Stupid! Read every word and understand it BEFORE you sign ANYTHING! Didn't your parents or teachers ever tell you that? Sometimes, you get what you deserve.

Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas Looses Battle

I first learned of the story from whoiscraighunter.org.  The L.A. Times is reporting that the DA wrongfully fired an investigator who was investigating one of Rackauckas's pals.

Here is the L.A. Times story:

O.C. detective wins back job after being fired for investigating political donor

April 8, 2010 4:11 pm
 A veteran Orange County district attorney’s investigator who was fired after he refused to drop his probe into one of the district attorney’s close friends and political contributors has, for a second time, won back his job and will probably get more than $1 million in back pay.

Lyle Wilson was fired in 2002 for his handling of an investigation into the business dealings of Patrick Di Carlo, a wealthy Newport Beach businessman and supporter of Orange County Dist. Atty. Tony Rackauckas.


The firing brought criticism of Rackauckas early in his career as district attorney and led to an Orange County Grand Jury report that accused the district attorney of interfering in criminal investigations involving political contributors.


In an opinion filed Wednesday, appellate court Justice Eileen C. Moore wrote that the case “arises against a backdrop of political intrigue and purported cover-ups.”

The controversy started in 2000 after Wilson was assigned to investigate allegations that Di Carlo was the victim of extortion. Wilson and his supervisor subsequently shifted the investigation to Di Carlo for purported violations of federal and state securities laws.


Rackauckas later suspended Wilson and his supervisor and accused them of stealing evidence. He also accused Wilson of investigating Di Carlo, even after he was ordered off the case, and of talking about the case with the media.


Following about two years’ paid suspension, Wilson was fired for insubordination, untruthfulness and violating the district attorney’s media policy.


In 2008, a Los Angeles Superior Court ruled that the district attorney erred when Wilson was fired for insubordination and ordered the firing vacated.


But rather than reinstate Wilson, county officials told Wilson the reason for his firing had been changed.


The move was an attempt to “game the system by backdating an amended discharge order and hoping it would fly,” Moore wrote in the opinion.


“It was a no-brainer,” said Corey Glave, Wilson’s attorney. “The county tried to play a game to do an end run around the court’s judgment without appealing it and it backfired.”

The district attorney’s office received the opinion on Thursday and was “exploring all legal options to decide what our next step is,” spokeswoman Susan Kang Schroeder said.


-- Paloma Esquivel

Email: newstips@latimes.com

Twitter: @latimescitydesk @lanow
Facebook: latimescitydesk

Shawn Nelson Holds True To His Word - No Public Employee Union Support

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                      CONTACT: Dave Gilliard

March 30, 2010                                                                (916) 626-6804

Shawn Nelson Declines to Seek

Public Employee Union Support

FULLERTON, CA - - Councilman Shawn Nelson, a candidate for Supervisor in the 4th district, announced this morning that he will not seek the endorsement of the Association of Orange County Deputy Sheriffs or of any other public employee union. The AOCDS is interviewing candidates today and invited Nelson and the other candidates in the 4th district to be interviewed.


"I hope to receive the support of the Orange County Republican Party and as such I do not believe their stance this year on public employee union support allows me to ask for both their support and that of the unions," said Nelson.

"While some candidates might try to game the system by asking for both endorsements and rely on some technical interpretation to justify their actions, that is not my style," said Nelson. "I will not mislead the party or the Sheriffs Union."

"Public safety has been and will remain my number one priority for as long as I am given the privilege of serving the taxpayers," said Nelson. "As a Supervisor, I will work to make sure public safety receives the funding they need to protect our neighborhoods. At the same time, I will strive to find a resolution to the public employee pension crisis that threatens to bankrupt local governments."

Shawn Nelson is a conservative City Councilman and the leading candidate in the 4th district, where he enjoys the strong support of former Supervisor and current Assemblyman Chris Norby as well as Representative Ed Royce, Senator Mimi Walters, Supervisors John Moorlach and Pat Bates, and the Lincoln Club of Orange County.
                                                                                ###

Perhaps my favorite quote from above is this: "...I do not believe their stance this year on public employee union support..." What could possibly make Nelson think that the OCGOP might change their stance next year? Maybe the fact that the OCGOP is losing what little credibility it may have had after, among other things, they failed to boycott or even denounce the California Republican Party's annual convention which was sponsored by at least two major public employee unions.

For what it's worth, which isn't much, I'm glad Shawn Nelson held true to his word.

Decline-To-State Voters: Help or Hindrance

Lately, I have been pondering what all of the Orange County “decline-to-state” or DTS voters might be thinking.  I was a DTS until a few years ago.  At that time I had some of the same ideas I have now, like smaller more efficient government that runs smoothly without squandering our hard-earned tax-dollars.  I also felt, and still do that all children

Shawn Nelson's List of Endorsements Continues to Grow

Today I received news that Shawn Nelson has been endorsed by OC Supervisor Pat Bates.

FULLERTON, CA -- Orange County Supervisor Pat Bates today endorsed Shawn Nelson in his campaign to be elected Supervisor for the Fourth District. Pat Bates is known as one of Orange County's most respected public servants.

"Shawn Nelson will be a strong ally in the work to make government more efficient, transparent, and responsive to the people of Orange County," said Supervisor Bates. "His experience as a strong advocate for taxpayers will serve the constituents of the Fourth District well."


Pat Bates was the founding Mayor of Laguna Niguel and served as a Council Member in that city from 1989 to 1998. Pat was elected to the State Assembly in 1998. After finishing three terms in the legislature, Pat was elected to represent the Fifth District on the Orange County Board of Supervisors. During the past year, Supervisor Bates served as Board Chair and led the County through a time of great economic challenge.


"Shawn shares my values of fiscal responsibility, limited government and individual liberty. I am proud to endorse his candidacy and look forward to working with him on such issues as balancing the County budget, reforming the pension system, and making county government more accountable to the people," said Pat.


"Finally, I am also troubled by the false charges and character assassination already going on against Shawn. I believe voters will reject these tactics, just as they have in the past," Bates concluded.


Shawn Nelson is a strong fiscal conservative who was elected to the Fullerton City Council in November 2002. He served as Mayor in 2004-05 and 2006-07. Nelson is a California native who was raised in Fullerton and he lives in the district with his wife and children. Nelson was named the "Local Elected Official for 2009" by the Orange County Republican Party.


Shawn has received a number of endorsements.  Below is a list of endorsers from the nelsonforsupervisor website.  One name is missing, however, which I have added to the bottom.

U.S. Representative Ed Royce

State Senator Mimi Walters
Assemblyman Chuck DeVore
Assemblyman Curt Hagman
Assemblywoman Diane Harkey
Assemblyman Chris Norby
Family Action PAC
Orange County Supervisor Pat Bates
La Habra City Councilman Tim Shaw
Buena Park City Councilman Fred Smith
Placentia Mayor Joe Aguirre
Placentia City Councilman Scott Nelson
Placentia City Councilman Greg Sowards
Fullerton Mayor Don Bankhead
LaHabra Mayor Tom Beamish
Villa Park City Councilwoman Deborah Pauly
Chairman Emeritus Tom Fuentes, Republican Party of Orange County

Other Supporters
Peter and Suzanne Alexander
Joe and Tamra Araiza
Dave Bailey
Dee Baker
Mike Barth
Andrea Brown
Marty Burbank
Freydel Bushala
Roland and Sarah Chi
Marie Crossen
Bob Curry
Deena David
Bob Francis
James Francis
Laverne Francis
Rae Francis
Norma Frizse
Cassidy Gayner
John and Jennifer Geiger
Todd Goldsmith
Richard and Beverly Gunter
Rob Hallstrom
Doy Henley
Susan Hirzel
Buck Johns
Greg Sebourn