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By Gazette Staff Writer — Wednesday, May 15th, 2013
PIRU NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL MEETING AGENDA Call to order: C. King Crime Report: Deputy Oriee Presidents Report: New Business: Old Business Treasurer’s report Next Meeting: Wednesday June 19, 2013 @ 7pm Meeting adjourned: |
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By Gazette Staff Writer — Wednesday, April 24th, 2013
Interested citizens urged to apply by May 7th
The Fillmore City Council unanimously determined Tuesday, April 23, 2013 to fill its current Council vacancy by appointing a citizen to the seat, and is inviting interested persons to apply for the position. Citizens have until Tuesday, May 7th at 4:00 p.m. to file an application and FPPC 700 Form with the City Clerk’s office. Applications and 700 Forms are available at Fillmore City Hall at 250 Central Avenue and on the City’s website www.fillmoreca.com. The resident appointed must be at least 18 years old, live in the City limits and be a registered city voter at the time of appointment. They will be appointed to complete a term that will conclude after the November 2014 City Council elections. The person selected will occupy the seat held by Eduardo Gonzalez, who announced his resignation from the City Council by letter dated April 15, 2013. Citing health reasons, Gonzalez’s resignation took effect immediately. The City Council is expected to interview candidates and make a decision on the appointment at its May 14th regular meeting. The City Council chose to fill the vacancy by appointment rather than calling for a special election. City staff informed the Council that calling a special election would cost an estimated $18,000. For more information on the application process, please contact Deputy City Clerk, Diana Impeartrice at 524-1500, extension 211. |
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By Gazette Staff Writer — Wednesday, April 24th, 2013
Sacramento, CA – The Senate Natural Resources Committee today approved SB 135 by Senator Alex Padilla (D-Pacoima). The vote was 9–0. The bill would require the development of a comprehensive statewide earthquake early warning system in California. The measure now goes to the Senate Appropriations Committee for consideration. About 90% of the world’s earthquakes and over 80% of the world’s strongest quakes occur along the Pacific Ring of Fire. The Ring of Fire includes the very active San Andreas Fault zone here in California. Japan, Taiwan, Mexico, Turkey, Romania, Italy and China either have or are working on earthquake early warning systems. Specifically, SB 135 would direct the Office of Emergency Services, in collaboration with the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), the California Geological Survey, the University of California Berkeley, the United States Geological Survey, and others, to develop a comprehensive statewide earthquake early warning system in California. The initial cost estimate for the system is $80 million. “A fully developed CONTINUED » |
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By Gazette Staff Writer — Wednesday, April 10th, 2013
Clears Higher Education Committee with Bipartisan Support
Sacramento, CA – Legislation to freeze the fees and tuition paid by students in the UC and CSU public universities today passed out of the Assembly’s Higher Education Committee with bipartisan support. Assembly Bill 67, introduced by Assemblymember Jeff Gorell in January, was recently combined with higher education legislation by Assemblymembers Kristin Olsen (R-Modesto), and Rocky Chavez (R-Oceanside). “We’ve balanced the budgets of the universities over the past decade by tripling the tuition and fees students pay, making a college education unaffordable for many California families,” said Gorell. “This bill reaffirms California’s commitment to supporting higher education and maintaining a well-educated workforce, one of the most important pillars of California’s economy.” The legislation was written to help ensure that the revenue raised through the recent Proposition 30 tax increases is prioritized for education, as promised in the campaign. Over the past decade, tuition and fees for students attending California’s public universities has risen dramatically as the legislature repeatedly underfunded higher education. AB 67 addresses this by calling for a freeze in the tuition and fees that students pay, and tying the freeze to a commitment to increases of 5% per year to higher education in the 2013-14 and 2014-15 budgets, and increases of 4% per year in 2015-16 and 2016-17. |
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By Gazette Staff Writer — Wednesday, March 13th, 2013
The Ventura County civil Grand Jury is now accepting applications for the 2013-14 year. If you are interested in serving, you will have until April 15, 2013 to submit your application. To get more details about the mission of the Grand Jury, and to view previous years’ reports, please visit our website: http://grandjury.countyofventura.org. You can also get an application at this site and fill it out on-line. If you would prefer to fill out a paper application, please call us at 805-477-1600, and we will mail you one. The Grand Jury is an investigatory body created for the protection of society and the enforcement of the law. Its goal is to ensure government agencies within our County are doing their best to serve the public in a cost-effective manner. If you have ever wondered about how you might contribute to your County, now is your opportunity to participate. The Grand Jury is available for speaking engagements throughout the County. If you would like to request a speaker for your organization, please contact: Judith Cohen at 805-477-1600. |
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By Gazette Staff Writer — Tuesday, March 5th, 2013
Assemblyman Jeff Gorell will be continuing his series of “Sidewalk Office Hours” where he looks forward to meeting with constituents and discussing their concerns. The next public event will be on Friday, March 15th in Oxnard in front of the Sugar Beets Restaurant on South A Street from 11:00 am until 1:00 pm. Please come by and share your opinions and ideas with Assembly Member Jeff Gorell in person at: Sugar Beets Restaurant 455 South A Street Oxnard, CA 93030 For complete directions you can visit GoogleMaps at: http://goo.gl/maps/Q8FY3 For additional information, please call Jeff's district office at (805) 230-9167. |
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By Gazette Staff Writer — Monday, February 25th, 2013
Oxnard, CA - Assembly Member Jeff Gorell (R-Camarillo) today introduced Assembly Bill 248 that directs appropriate state agencies to collaborate with local authorities to study, evaluate and report back options related to the future of the two natural-gas-fired electrical power plants located at Mandalay Bay and Ormond Beach in Oxnard, California. “Over the next few years, there may be a once-in-a-generation opportunity for the people of California to acquire and preserve precious property along the coast in Oxnard,” said Assemblyman Gorell. “I have authored this bill to ensure that government, community and corporate stakeholders all come to the table to determine whether there is a path to consensus to decommission at least one of the Oxnard power plants and convey the property to the public for preservation.” The bill would also evaluate options related to replacing one or more of the plants with a modern, low profile, low carbon footprint facility. “The City of Oxnard will be at the table with stakeholders on this important study,” said Mayor Tim Flynn. “We have an interest in providing reliable power to our constituents while pursuing possible opportunities to reclaim and improve our coastal resources. If there’s a path to consensus on retiring one or more of these coastal plants, we will endeavor to find it.” “This is not an affront to the company which owns the plants, or its shareholders,” said Gorell. “We want to forge a path forward by consensus with them at the table.” Built in the 1970s, the power plants at Ormond and Mandalay Bay are among the oldest and most outmoded natural gas-fired power generators in the state. While recognizing the top priority of the community is to preserve energy reliability and maintain regional system integrity, the bill’s stated intention is to determine what policies, legislative actions and other federal, state and local incentives, if any, could synchronize with the interests and contractual obligations to the current facility owners/operators, to effectuate the ultimate retirement of one or both of the two power production facilities and return the property to control of the City of Oxnard, County of Ventura, State of California, or some other responsible entity for preservation as a natural resource in the California Coastal Zone. The bill requires that the report is to be completed and returned to the Chair and Members of the Assembly Committee of Utilities and Commerce by January 1, 2015. |
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By Gazette Staff Writer — Monday, February 18th, 2013
Ventura County, CA – At the request of local veterans groups and Seabee boosters, Assemblyman Jeff Gorell (R-Camarillo) today introduced Assembly Concurrent Resolution 18 to rename a segment of Pacific Coast Highway 1 as “Seabee Memorial Highway”. The section of highway between Mugu Rock and the City of Ventura would be designated in honor of the men and women who have served and sacrificed throughout history while serving in the U.S. Navy Seabees. The Navy Construction Battalions or “Seabees” have a history of building bases, bulldozing and paving thousands of miles of roadway and airstrips, and accomplishing a myriad of other construction projects dating back to World War II. They also served in Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf War, Afghanistan, Iraq, and have provided relief to disaster victims, such as those from Hurricane Katrina and the Indonesian Tsunami. Seabee moxie and heroism during the war in the pacific was portrayed in the 1944 John Wayne movie “The Fighting Seabees.” Gorell will be working with the Navy Base, supporters of the local Seabee Museum, and the local community to bring attention to the heroism of our Navy Seabees and the role of Ventura County and its Navy bases in training and deploying Seabees. Port Hueneme has been the home of the Pacific Seabees since World War II; and the local Navy bases are the largest employer in Ventura County. “My grandfather, Fred Gorell, was a Navy Seabee in the Pacific in World War II and served with distinction embedded with the U.S. Marines”, said Assemblyman Gorell, a Navy Reserve Lt. Commander and two-time veteran of the War in Afghanistan. “Navy Seabees fought and died to build, dig, detonate and dredge their way to victory. It’s fitting that we do what we can to honor them for their sacrifice.” Seabees continue to play a major role in the war on terrorism. In support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Seabees repaired runway facilities at Camp Rhino and Kandahar in Afghanistan. Seabee battalions have rotated deployments through Helmand Province Afghanistan to work with Marines to build roads, clinics, schools and other infrastructure that will help provide independence and transition farmers off the opium industry that fuels Taliban and insurgent operations. The cost of renaming and signage to dedicate the “Seabee Memorial Highway” will come entirely from independent, private funds, and not from public sources. |
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By Gazette Staff Writer — Tuesday, February 12th, 2013
CAMARILLO, CA - Ventura County Supervisor Kathy Long will serve as the Economic Development Collaborative-Ventura County’s 2013 board chair with Sim Tang-Paradis of City National Bank as vice chair. The two were installed at EDC-VC’s 16th Annual Meeting on Jan. 17. As a public-private partnership, EDC-VC connects the two sectors to promote communication and shared agenda for a prosperous Ventura County. The organization annually alternates its board leadership between a public-sector representative and private-sector one. “It’s my great honor to serve as the chair of EDC-VC’s board for 2013,” said Long. “Over the years, I’ve worked with EDC-VC as it developed into an important business resource, whose deep community investment is built upon engaged public and private stakeholders. I look forward to working with Sim to help EDC-VC continue making significant contributions to our region’s economy.” “Our board is fortunate to have such high-caliber leaders steering our organization,” added Bruce Stenslie, EDC-VC’s president and CEO. “They are passionate about helping EDC-VC continue creating and saving jobs, and helping businesses be more competitive through a skilled workforce and access global opportunities.” Ventura County Supervisor Long is currently in her fifth term as the Third District representative, serving as chair in 2000, 2005 and 2010. She has been on EDC-VC’s board since the organization’s inception in 1996, and served as board chair in 2001. She is a former small business owner and is an active member of several community service and business organizations, co-chairing RDP-21, the Regional Defense Partnership for the 21st Century at the Naval Base Ventura County. Tang-Paradis joined EDC-VC’s board in 2010. As vice president and manager of City National Bank’s Oxnard banking office, she oversees delivery of the bank’s financial products and services, including commercial, consumer and real estate loans; cash management; international banking and foreign exchange. EDC-VC is a private, nonprofit organization that serves as a business-to-government liaison to assist businesses in Ventura County by offering programs that enhance the economic vitality of the region. For more information about the Small Business Development Center and loan, manufacturing outreach and international trade programs, contact Bruce Stenslie at 805-384-1800 ext. 24, or bruce.stenslie@edc-vc.com. Or visit www.edc-vc.com. |
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By Gazette Staff Writer — Tuesday, February 12th, 2013
Sacramento, CA – Assemblyman Jeff Gorell (R-Camarillo), Vice-Chairman of the Assembly Budget committee, announced today that he has introduced Assembly Bill 208, which will prohibit state employees from receiving a full-time state salary while also concurrently accepting hourly employment positions within the same department. This specific practice to augment pay for state employees was revealed at CALPERS after a recent Sacramento Bee news story and follow up investigation by the Department of Finance. “This practice, which I believe is pervasive throughout state government, is a back door way to provide salaried employees overtime pay where overtime for those on salary is prohibited,” said Assemblyman Gorell. “Not only does this practice circumvent the state’s compensation policies, but by assigning an employee two job classifications it takes away employment opportunities for the state’s unemployed job-seekers.” Recent investigations by the Sacramento Bee newspaper staff and the department of finance of payroll data revealed that state workers in nearly a dozen departments hold both a salaried position and another hourly-wage position in-house. Gorell further stated: “The state controller’s office confirmed yesterday that hundreds of managers, supervisors and other non-hourly state workers in nearly a dozen state departments are using this loophole to receive additional hourly wages above their existing salary. This practice appears to be an inappropriate, and perhaps abusive, use of taxpayer dollars to overcompensate employees for their existing responsibilities.” |
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By Gazette Staff Writer — Tuesday, February 12th, 2013
SACRAMENTO – George Runner today urged the Franchise Tax Board to reverse a controversial staff decision seeking millions in retroactive taxes from California entrepreneurs and small businesses. “As an elected official and taxpayer advocate, I cannot remain silent while state tax officials punish California taxpayers who in good faith followed our laws,” said Runner. In a letter to the three members of the Franchise Tax Board, Runner calls FTB’s December 2012 staff action “unwarranted and unfair to taxpayers.” In his letter, Runner explains that the Second District Court of Appeal’s decision in Cutler v. Franchise Tax Board does not require FTB to take this action. He warns that it “sends entirely the wrong message to investors, entrepreneurs and job creators doing business in our state.” Runner joins a growing CONTINUED » |
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By Gazette Staff Writer — Tuesday, February 12th, 2013
Oxnard, CA - Assembly Member Jeff Gorell (R-Camarillo) today introduced Assembly Bill 248 that directs appropriate state agencies to collaborate with local authorities to study, evaluate and report back options related to the future of the two natural-gas-fired electrical power plants located at Mandalay Bay and Ormond Beach in Oxnard, California. “Over the next few years, there may be a once-in-a-generation opportunity for the people of California to acquire and preserve precious property along the coast in Oxnard,” said Assemblyman Gorell. “I have authored this bill to ensure that government, community and corporate stakeholders all come to the table to determine whether there is a path to consensus to decommission at least one of the Oxnard power plants and convey the property to the public for preservation.” The bill would also evaluate options related to replacing one or more of the plants with a modern, low profile, low carbon footprint facility. “The City of Oxnard will be at the table with stakeholders on this important study,” said Mayor Tim Flynn. “We have an interest in providing reliable power to our constituents while pursuing possible opportunities to reclaim and improve our coastal resources. If there’s a path to consensus on retiring one or more of these coastal plants, we will endeavor to find it.” “This is not an affront to the company which owns the plants, or its shareholders,” said Gorell. “We want to forge a path forward by consensus with them at the table.” Built in the 1970s, the power plants at Ormond and Mandalay Bay are among the oldest and most outmoded natural gas-fired power generators in the state. While recognizing the top priority of the community is to preserve energy reliability and maintain regional system integrity, the bill’s stated intention is to determine what policies, legislative actions and other federal, state and local incentives, if any, could synchronize with the interests and contractual obligations to the current facility owners/operators, to effectuate the ultimate retirement of one or both of the two power production facilities and return the property to control of the City of Oxnard, County of Ventura, State of California, or some other responsible entity for preservation as a natural resource in the California Coastal Zone. The bill requires that the report is to be completed and returned to the Chair and Members of the Assembly Committee of Utilities and Commerce by January 1, 2015. |
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By Gazette Staff Writer — Monday, February 4th, 2013
State has ‘one of the longest constitutions in the world’
Three “Thought Leaders” will be featured at a major speaker panel and discussion from 9:30 a.m. to noon Sat., Feb. 9, hosted by the League of Women Voters of Ventura County. The public is invited “to bring friends, listen to Thought Leaders, and discuss the issues,” said Nell McCombs of Ventura, League representative. This event will be in the Santa Monica Room at Courtyard by Marriott, 600 S. Esplanade Dr., Oxnard 93036. The $5 donation includes a Continental Breakfast. No reservations are needed. Moderator will be Barbara Doyle of Santa Paula. Speakers featured will be: CAMERON SMYTH, Former Assemblyman (R-38th), who represented Eastern Ventura County, on the role of the Legislature in the initiative process: why do so many issues end up on the ballot and what can be done? KATHAY FENG, Executive Director of California Common Cause (CCC) and a civil rights attorney, on the process of qualifying propositions for the ballot and ideas for reform. |
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By Gazette Staff Writer — Monday, February 4th, 2013
Sacramento, CA – Assemblyman Jeff Gorell (R-Camarillo), Vice-Chairman of the Assembly Budget committee, announced today that he has introduced Assembly Bill 208, which will prohibit state employees from receiving a full-time state salary while also concurrently accepting hourly employment positions within the same department. This specific practice to augment pay for state employees was revealed at CALPERS after a recent Sacramento Bee news story and follow up investigation by the Department of Finance. “This practice, which I believe is pervasive throughout state government, is a back door way to provide salaried employees overtime pay where overtime for those on salary is prohibited,” said Assemblyman Gorell. “Not only does this practice circumvent the state’s compensation policies, but by assigning an employee two job classifications it takes away employment opportunities for the state’s unemployed job-seekers.” Recent investigations by the Sacramento Bee newspaper staff and the department of finance of payroll data revealed that state workers in nearly a dozen departments hold both a salaried position and another hourly-wage position in-house. Gorell further stated: “The state controller’s office confirmed yesterday that hundreds of managers, supervisors and other non-hourly state workers in nearly a dozen state departments are using this loophole to receive additional hourly wages above their existing salary. This practice appears to be an inappropriate, and perhaps abusive, use of taxpayer dollars to overcompensate employees for their existing responsibilities.” |
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By Gazette Staff Writer — Wednesday, January 30th, 2013
Sacramento, CA – Statement by Assemblyman Jeff Gorell (R-Camarillo) Vice Chairman of the Assembly Budget Committee on bi-partisan immigration reform proposal at the U.S. Senate: “I am very encouraged to see bi-partisan action on immigration reform in the U.S. Senate. The details I have read so far appear to be thoughtful reflection of the reality that we need to create a pathway to citizenship, while embracing common sense requirements of border security and an employment verification system going forward. A comprehensive plan is likely to bring tremendous relief to families in California caught in legal uncertainty while laying the foundation for renewed economic vitality for the struggling economy in California. I call upon the U.S. House of Representatives to follow the example laid out in the Senate and work toward bi-partisan consensus on this important issue. Now is the time for governance and leadership in Washington.” |
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By Gazette Staff Writer — Wednesday, January 30th, 2013
SACRAMENTO, CA – George Runner today issued the following statement in response to Governor Jerry Brown’s State of the State Address: “The Governor struck a conservative tone today when he spoke of fiscal discipline, local control and regulatory reform. “But the challenge before California remains the same: growing private sector jobs. If we want to solve our long-term budget problems, we need more taxpayers, not less. “Despite some job gains, California’s unemployment rate remains among the highest in the nation—many California counties still have double-digit unemployment rates ranging as high as 25%. “Many entrepreneurs, small business owners and even athletes are considering leaving our state due to rising taxes. “And while certain government-favored industries are growing, most job creators are struggling to survive under a growing weight of new regulations, taxes and fees. “It’s far too early to celebrate California’s recovery. Millions have yet to experience it.” Elected in November 2010, George Runner represents more than nine million Californians as a member of the State Board of Equalization. For more information, visit www.boe.ca.gov/Runner. |
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By Gazette Staff Writer — Wednesday, January 30th, 2013
Sacramento, CA – Assemblymember Jeff Gorell (R-Camarillo) today introduced legislation to clarify the way write-in candidates qualify for the general election under California’s “Top Two” election system. Assembly Bill 141 reestablishes the 1% minimum vote requirement, allowing greater legitimacy for the write-in process. The bill would remedy a significant flaw in state election procedures initially brought to light through investigative journalism by Timm Herdt of the Ventura County Star. “The 1% minimum established a degree of legitimacy for write-in votes by assuring that an individual would not appear in a general election solely by writing in their own name,” stated Assemblymember Gorell. “It makes sense that we would want to continue that requirement under the new system of state elections.” In 2010, public approval of Proposition 14 dramatically changed the way Californians choose their candidates for elected office. The new “Top Two” general election format was designed so that the two candidates who received the most votes in the state’s primary election would face each other in a November general election, regardless of their own party registration. Unfortunately, the language necessary to maintain a minimum threshold for write-in votes was not included in Prop 14, unintentionally abandoning the longstanding requirement that write-in candidates must receive at least 1% of all votes cast to advance to a general election. AB 141 corrects this oversight by reestablishing that 1% minimum. |
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By Gazette Staff Writer — Wednesday, January 23rd, 2013
SACRAMENTO – George Runner today issued the following statement in response to the Governor’s January budget proposal: “I commend the Governor for championing fiscal discipline, which is a foreign concept to most Democrats in the Legislature. The Governor has his work cut out for him. “However, I’m disappointed that we’ve heard virtually nothing from the Governor about spurring job creation and economic growth. “California’s budget challenges will not be solved by higher taxes, which only serve to chase investment and jobs out of our state and make revenues more volatile. “If the Governor and Legislature want to ensure California’s solvency, they need to help the private sector succeed in our state. That means fewer taxes and regulations, not more. “California’s unemployment rate is still too high. We need more jobs.” Elected in November 2010, George Runner represents more than nine million Californians as a member of the State Board of Equalization. For more information, visit www.boe.ca.gov/Runner. |
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By Gazette Staff Writer — Wednesday, January 23rd, 2013
Sacramento, CA – Assemblymember Jeff Gorell (R-Camarillo) today introduced legislation to clarify the way write-in candidates qualify for the general election under California’s “Top Two” election system. Assembly Bill 141 reestablishes the 1% minimum vote requirement, allowing greater legitimacy for the write-in process. The bill would remedy a significant flaw in state election procedures initially brought to light through investigative journalism by Timm Herdt of the Ventura County Star. “The 1% minimum established a degree of legitimacy for write-in votes by assuring that an individual would not appear in a general election solely by writing in their own name,” stated Assemblymember Gorell. “It makes sense that we would want to continue that requirement under the new system of state elections.” In 2010, public approval of Proposition 14 dramatically changed the way Californians choose their candidates for elected office. The new “Top Two” general election format was designed so that the two candidates who received the most votes in the state’s primary election would face each other in a November general election, regardless of their own party registration. Unfortunately, the language necessary to maintain a minimum threshold for write-in votes was not included in Prop 14, unintentionally abandoning the longstanding requirement that write-in candidates must receive at least 1% of all votes cast to advance to a general election. AB 141 corrects this oversight by reestablishing that 1% minimum. |
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By Gazette Staff Writer — Wednesday, January 16th, 2013
SACRAMENTO, CA – George Runner today issued the following statement in response to the Governor’s January budget proposal: “I commend the Governor for championing fiscal discipline, which is a foreign concept to most Democrats in the Legislature. The Governor has his work cut out for him. “However, I’m disappointed that we’ve heard virtually nothing from the Governor about spurring job creation and economic growth. “California’s budget challenges will not be solved by higher taxes, which only serve to chase investment and jobs out of our state and make revenues more volatile. “If the Governor and Legislature want to ensure California’s solvency, they need to help the private sector succeed in our state. That means fewer taxes and regulations, not more. “California’s unemployment rate is still too high. We need more jobs.” Elected in November 2010, George Runner represents more than nine million Californians as a member of the State Board of Equalization. For more information, visit www.boe.ca.gov/Runner. |