Wednesday, September 1, 2010

MARK YOUR CALENDAR - September 2010

September 9 Johanna Rodoni Buffet Dinner at the historic Scotia Inn. Social Hour 6-7 p.m. Dinner 7 p.m. Tickets $30, pre-sale please call 407-8599, also at the door. Auctions will be held.
September 16 HRWF General Meeting at Elks Lodge, Wilson Lacy--Marketing Director for Humboldt Bay Harbor District to Speak. Topic will be No Port-No Town. Buffet starts 11:30, $14.50, Speaker/Beverage $4.00, Meeting 12 p.m.-1 p.m. This is Wear a Hat Day (see President’s message)
September 25 Precinct Training at 10 a.m. at GOP Headquarters
October 16-17 CFRW Fall Conference Embassy Suites, Monterey Bay,
Seaside, Group Code CFR
October 21 HRWF General Meeting at the Moose Lodge, Fund Raiser Lunch Catered by HRWF members is $12.00. Dessert and Beverage $6.00, Speaker/Beverage $4.00, Speaker to be confirmed
November 2 General Election - Take Back Our Countr

October brings us to the Moose Lodge Event again for ‘Decadent Desserts & Sumptuous Salads’
***Calling All Members***
Pass a plate, share a dish, you may bring whatever you wish!
Last names starting with A-L= Dessert ~ M-Z= Salad
(Please provide a serving utensil)
11:30 Buffet Lunch ~ 12-1 p.m. General Meeting
Buffet Lunch & Speaker ~ $12.00
Dessert, Beverage & Speaker ~ $6.00
Beverage & Speaker ~ $4.00
Checks payable to HRWF for this event
Moose Lodge 4238 Campton Road, Eureka

Humboldt County’s Republican Central Committee Rolls Up Its Sleeves

Your County Central Committee has a three-part mission: Register more Republican voters, get out the vote, and raise funds to support our candidates.

Of the several dozen Republicans registered at the party’s Redwood Acres Fair and County Fair booths staffed by volunteers, 35.4 percent switched from other parties to Republican, 30.8 percent were new voters, and 33.8 percent were registering changed addresses.

We’re now recruiting volunteers for the get-out-the-vote campaign. Our first job will be two weekend walks door-to-door in selected precincts on October 2 and 30, followed by volunteers staffing telephone banks just before the election in November. A few hours of your time could make the difference for our candidates. To join our get-out-the-vote team, call 442-2259.

As for fund-raising, we have two main sources: the annual Republican of the Year dinner held in in April and our direct mail appeal that has just gone out to close to 1,000 donors in the county.Proceeds will be used to support our candidates.

The county’s Republican headquarters is now open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. staffed by volunteers. Here voters may register and obtain literature about the party and its candidates. By Peter Hannaford, First Vice Chairman

President’s Message - September 2010

While it is a season that sees many of those aspiring to office throwing their hats in the ring, we think that it is probably a great time to have a little fun with a Hat Wearing Contest at our general meeting Thursday, September 16. We are hit daily with bad news from Sacramento, bad news from Washington, and bad news from places far and near (some unpronounceable and some tiresome because they stay so persistently on the wrong side of something or whatever). It seems like a good time to decide we will just have fun with something for the sake of fun. Fun prizes will be offered for: the most becoming hat, the ugliest hat, the best sunshade, and the most unusual hat. Both men and women many enter. The opinion of the judges is final and, no matter how much you may disagree, no one will care. Please participate. Unless you have a job interview as a fashion model immediately after the meeting, your hairstyle will survive a bout with a hat after you give it a little tweaking--so please add to the fun and put on a derby, a sombrero, a coon skin hat, or whatever you think up. I plan to prove myself a woman who wears more than one hat.

The Republican Picnic was a happy day. Rohner Park was a great facility and thanks to outstanding volunteer help, the event went off very well. Candidates were with us: Lawrence Weisner, candidate for First District State Senate; Loren Hanks, candidate for First District House of Representatives,; Karen Brooks, candidate for First District State Assembly; Sue Long, candidate for the Fortuna City Council; and Virginia Bass, candidate for First District County Board of Supervisors.

October is going to be another of our Republican Women fundraiser buffets. We will again fill the tables at the Moose Lodge for our general meeting. That’s Thursday, October 21, so please mark your calendar and save that day for HRWF---if your doctor, dentist, lawyer, accountant, or whoever wants to see you at that time, just bring them to lunch with you---they could do dessert first, if that’s their preference. BY COLLEEN HEDRICK

Humboldt Republican Women, Federated Welcomes Wilson Lacy

“No Port – No Town”
Have you ever spent time at the ports of Oakland, Los Angeles or New York, gazing at a large ontainer ship arriving or a mile-long stack train flowing though a pass? Well, Wilson Lacy worked in all these places and he has experienced the excitement for over four decades. His involvement in international trade spans changes from loading break-bulk ships to global automated containerization processes.

He grew up near the waterfront in Oakland and he was interested in shipping and transportation from childhood. He joined SeaLand Service as a trainee in 1969 and later moved to senior management at APL. He started his public service at Port of Oakland in 2004.

Wilson’s accomplishments include: completion of the Union Pass Donner Pass re-opening to allow mile- long trains go direct through Nevada; building the first on-dock rail facility in Jersey City, New Jersey; worked with Ports of Los Angeles, Long Beach and California Business Transportation and Housing on good movement language in Proposition 1B; and as Maritime Director in Oakland, completed the expansion of Port’s Vision 2000 Program. More recently, through his efforts, the Humboldt Bay Harbor District got West Coast Marine Highway designation M5 by
Federal DOT.

His public service has given him a passion to have the state and federal governments give ports, water and rail goods movement equal billing with highway and public transportation.

Wilson is a member of West Coast Corridor Coalition, UpState California Economic Development, American Association of Ports and he is a master stevedore. Please join us as the Director of Maritime Commerce discusses our area.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
11:30 Buffet Lunch ~ 12-1 p.m. General Meeting
Elks Lodge, 445 Herrick Ave, Eureka, CA
Buffet Lunch & Speaker ~ $14.50 ~ Beverage & Speaker ~ $4.00
Please RSVP to Colleen Hedrick at 268-0101
*Early lunch reservations appreciated and to be honored ~ Payable to Elks Lodge

California Legislation - WHAT A WAY TO RUN OUR STATE!!!

State Treasurer Lockyer, has been complaining and blaming Wall Street investors who openly have no confidence in California’s financial stability. It is easy to blame Wall Street, but this problem is just a symptom of the state’s sorry financial situation. This is forcing the state to offer its bonds at higher interest rates and higher rates mean much higher costs which the state cannot afford.

Must we once again be reminded our state has been consistently controlled by big spending Democrats? The party in power refuses to do any cutting in the current budget and Republicans are rejecting any new taxes. With this ongoing stalemate, no one is budging.

The longer it drags on, the more elected officials collect for added days in Sacramento.
***
A RARE WIN
Recently, with the help of 2,561 California citizens who submitted letters of support, AB 1506 passed the Senate floor by a34-0 vote! The bill called, “The common sense taxpayer protection bill,” forces the state to accept its own IOUs.

Senator Mark Wyland (R-San Diego), an ardent defender of taxpayers, gave an impressive speech on the Senate floor and his impassioned presentation was followed by Senator Tony Strickland (R-Ventura), also one of the strongest taxpayer advocates in Sacramento.

The passage of the bill was critical to keeping California businesses open during the state’s cash crisis. The bill is now headed back to the Assembly before its final hurdle at the Governor’s desk.

Who Says a Mama Bear With Cross-eyed Triplets is Impartial?

Election campaigns bring The League of Women Voters into the harsh lights of examination. There’s much to be said on the positive side. The KEET-TV schedule of debating candidates included in this edition of our newsletter testifies in support of the organization.

Where there is room for questioning the organization lies in its oft repeated statement that it is non-partisan. Now every member of The League of Women Voters is free to lay claim to whatever they can conjure in that arena but, collectively, they are no more non-partisan than Obama’s 40-plus assorted Czars.

I will shout hurrah for the group on their organizational skills and its following through on their functionsBut, if they are non-partisan, so are a mama bear with cross-eyed triplets and Humboldt Republican Women Federated.

The group’s tilt to the left was never a calculated agenda. It happened because persons of like mind joined. That simply means that conservatives need look at our failings in joining the organization, bringing our voices to the mix, and working for more balance for a true non-partisan claim. Membership is $60 per year. The League’s invitation encourages interested persons to bring a friend. Reservations deadline is Monday, September 20. Reserve seats by mailing checks to LWVHC, P.O. BOX 3219, Eureka, CA 95512. For questions, call League members at 442-7495 or 442-8581.

The Saturday, September 25, luncheon/program meeting is planned to welcome new members at Hurricane Kate’s from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The luncheon cost is $15 for non-members and, if you are joining the League that day, there is a reduction of $5 on the lunch. Members pay $12.50. The program is a panel of three persons of diverse opinions (Ryan Burns of the North Coast Journal, Supervisor Mark Lovelace, and activist Anna Hamilton of S. Humboldt) on the legalization of marijuana and the economic impacts on Humboldt County.

It is our hope that a group of members of HRWF will join the League of Women Voters so the conservative view is part of the voice of the League. Please do call Debbie Walker at 441-1126 or Colleen Hedrick at 268-0101, if you wish to attend with other Republican Women.

HRWF Nominations for 2011

Following is the slate of officers selected by the Nomination Committee for the year 2011. Nominees are presented here for your review and to be voted on at our October meeting.
President Debbie Walker
1st VP Margaret Stafford
2nd VP Gwen Morris
Rec. Secty. Carol Del Biaggio
Treasurer Mary Jerland
Director at Large Pat Murphy
We think you will agree that, with these ladies in office, 2011 will be another great year for our HRWF Club.

Nomination Committee: Bernice Huston, Nancy Elcock, Laura Bush, Debbie Walker and Barbara Hecathorn

Membership Report

HRWF has gained 2 new members!
Please welcome Lora Canzoneri and Jeanne O’Neal! A big THANKS to HRWF members who have
referred these lovely, conservative ladies to our group. To date, we now have 202 Members and Associate members.

For those of you who have yet to renew your 2010 membership, which is $30.00, please send in those dues so you can continue to receive our monthly Bulletin which will keep you informed on all of the upcoming HRWF activities and programs. Also, you can always give me your dues at our meeting. Remember, too, that although we are the Humboldt Republican “Women”, men are also welcome to come to our meetings and can become “Associate” members.

The next HRWF general meeting and luncheon will be on Thursday, September 16th, at the Elks Lodge. Lunch starts at 11:30AM and the program will begin at Noon. I hope to see you all there!

A Letter from Loren Hanks

My Fellow Americans,
I'm asking for your help to get our message of limited government and fiscal discipline out to voters in the 1st Congressional District of California and beyond.

We've produced two professional videos, and we've attached them to our website. We need voters to take a look, and then spread the message further. We must draw attention to the fact that California is not the liberal bastion the pundits portray it to be. If it were, our entrenched incumbent would not pretend to be a fiscal conservative while he's here in the district, then vote with the most liberal members of Congress when he's back in Washington.

Until now, entrenched incumbents have had all the advantages - and they've been re-elected better than 90% of the time. Butthis time we have powerful solutions to those advantages - our motivation and our networking. At no time has our motivation to improve our government been higher. And, with that motivation and activism, comes networking that is unprecedented - through the TEA Party movement, Republican Women Federated efforts, and Internet affiliations.

Let's use these resources to build a better Congress. Please forward this to friends, neighbors and relatives, and ask them to take a look at our campaign, then forward our message.

The website is: Hanks For Congress

The videos on the website can be found: Web Ads - History and Platform

The 1st Congressional District is bigger than 8 states. I'm driving the wheels off my truck trying to meet all the residents. We will be buying radio ads next week, and, if we can raise $100,000, we will buy TV ads and get our message into voter's familyrooms. Web ads are the first great equalizer to the incumbent's million dollar campaign war chest. And if you like what you see on our web ads, please help us get that message on TV with a contribution! We've built the rocket, now we need the fuel to launch it.

This is a winnable race. So many jobs have been lost, so much land and water has been taken out of public use - and more takings are underway - that people are ready to break free and get back to a limited federal government. The country will do so on November 2nd. With your help, California's 1st District will be a part of that movement. Let's roll!
Respectfully,
Loren Hanks

Monday, August 30, 2010

Karen Brooks and Wes Chesbro - Their Words: 1st Assembly District

Their Words: 1st Assembly District - watchsonomacounty
Meet the Candidates: 1st Assembly District - watchsonomacounty

KAREN BROOKS
Web site: www.karenbrooks2010.com
Age: 53
Occupation: Self employed as a small business owner.
Education: Graduate in 1982 from Humboldt State University. BS in Business Administration.
Political party affiliation: Republican

Endorsements: I am endorsed by thousands of residents of the First Assembly District. This election is all about a new direction and working as an advocate for the people. I currently have no association or group endorsements.

Membership in civic, professional or other organization: Redwood Empire Endurance Riders; Trails Trust of Humboldt Bay; American Endurance Riders Conference; Humboldt Republican Women Federated

Previous government service: None

Why are you running?

The California that I inherited from my parents is no longer available for my children. I am running to do all I can to restore California so that my children can work, live and raise their family. California is on the verge of becoming ungovernable. Uncompetitive districts, coupled with term limits, have created a political environment that caters to the special interest. Our elected leaders, some who have held a pubic office their entire lives, don’t know how the real world works. As a citizen-candidate and small business owner, I know what it takes to get things done in the real world. More importantly, I share the sentiment of the ninety-plus percent of Californians who feel that government does not represent them or is leading California down the wrong path.

What sets you apart from your opponents?

I have worked in the private sector my whole life. I know the impact of state and local government in my life and my business as well as all the businesses I am in contact with. I know how to develop budgets and work within them. I know how to solve problems and make tough decisions. I also come from a philosophy to work towards win-win solutions. My strength is the ability to bring diverse interests together, find common ground and develop common sense solutions. I know that I work for and advocate for the people of the first district, not the special interests in Sacramento.

If elected, what would be your top three priorities in office?

1. Partner with the private sector to create jobs. The private sector has the know-how to create and expand jobs in California. Government needs to get out of the way of the private sector and do everything it can to promote job growth.

2. Taxpayer Accountability Act. I will work to put in place a taxpayer accountability act that will look into many of the state programs in existence to see if they are failing or achieving their desired goals. In harsh economic times we need to start prioritizing state spending.

3. Education Finance Reform. California has one of the worst graduation rates in the country and is below the national average. We need to change the way school districts are funded and how they allocate their funding to address their needs. We cannot continue to take a “shotgun” approach to school finance since not all school districts are the same or have the same needs or deficiencies. We need to give local school districts more flexibility at addressing their needs without strings attached at the state level.

What would you do to strengthen the economy in your district?

1. Work with the timber industry to promote the most sustainable timber products from region and state.

2. Suspend/repeal AB-32 (cap and trade) and MLPA (Marine Life Protection Act).

3. Suspend the minimum franchise tax for two years to help small businesses.

4. Revamp Workers Compensation Insurance so that it is more proactive and affordable for small businesses.

5. Restore funding in the Williamson Act.

What would you do to improve the quality of life in your district?

1. Create an environment for private sector employment

2. Preserve open space

3. Restore a world class K-12 education

4. Rebuild the infrastructure

The public approval rating for the Legislature has sunk to record lows. Why do you think this is happening – and what would you do to turn it around?

Public perception of the Legislature is at record lows because the people don’t feel the Legislature is responding to the needs that really matter to Californians. Unemployed Californians are looking for jobs not the next law requiring helmets for children on ski slopes. Businesses are looking for the freedom to run their businesses and grow and, in doing so, spur the economy not more barriers to navigate a poor economic climate.

It is time to work in the best interest of the people, not the party, not the lobbyists, not the special interest groups, not the bureaucrats and not for their own benefit. It is time to do the hard work of setting an agenda to restore this great state.

California must be competitive again. The Legislature must create a new environment of partnership with property owners, businesses, and municipalities. It must reduce the size and scope state government. It must lead the way to be innovative for tomorrow’s economy while rebuilding the infrastructure we have abandoned for the past 50 years.

The framework for this is new direction is common sense, community-based solutions and independent leadership grounded in free market principles, fiscal responsibility and limits on government.

How would you resolve California’s budget problems? Be specific: If you support spending cuts, what departments or programs would you cut? If you support revenue increases, which taxes/fees would you increase?

In today’s economy the short term solution is to address spending cuts at the state level. Freeze state and state funded salaries at a ceiling of $100,000. Suspend grants and commissions. Sell off selected state assets. Release in home health care and child support collection back to the counties. Suspend SB 810 (single payer health care), MLPA (Marine Life Protection Act) and AB-32 and reduce the budgets of those departments accordingly.

In the mid term, suspend the minimum franchise tax for two years for micro-businesses. Restore confidence in the private sector by streamlining regulations, allow more flexibility in labor laws, reform workers compensation laws, and adopt a one-stop permit process. This will spur job growth which takes people off welfare and unemployment and increases the amount of people contributing taxes.

In the long term we need to look at a two year budget cycle as well as structural reforms throughout all entitlement programs. Key focus areas for investment are energy, education and infrastructure. Institute audits of state funded departments and programs. Explore privatization options and partnerships of certain services.

In short, reduce the size and scope of the state government while growing the tax base incrementally through revitalization of the private sector.

What changes, if any, should be made to public employee pensions?

My conversations within the first district lead to pension solutions that are sustainable, equitable and fair. What exists now is bankrupting the state. Public employees that I have talked to are open to a citizen commission that would bring solutions the state can afford.

What is your position on Prop. 19, which would legalize and tax marijuana?

First, Proposition 19, would only allow local governments to take steps to regulate and tax marijuana. Prop 19 does not implement any infrastructure what-so-ever at the state level for the taxation and regulation of marijuana.

Secondly, I oppose the legalization of marijuana for several reasons. First, California has a hard enough time enforcing the laws it has. Why should we add yet another? In addition, why would a grower or seller of legal cannabis register with any government entity in order to be taxed, when illegal growers and sellers can make more profits now? The enactment of this measure would put in place a legal framework that violators would refuse to follow anyway. Second, what regulations will the state put in place that allow law enforcement to enforce the proper use of legal marijuana, especially when it comes to driving and other activities that endanger the lives of other Californians? For alcohol, the Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) of .08 is the legal limit for drivers who may be under the influence of alcohol. At what level will we set it for cannabis and how will that level be determined? What will the penalties be? Lastly, the federal government still considers cannabis a narcotic and would have to change federal law in order for it to be legal here in California. Should Prop 19 pass the federal government would still enforce cannabis laws as they exist today. For these reasons I do not support Prop 19.

What is your position on Prop. 21, which would raise vehicle license fees by $18 a year in order to raise money for state parks?

This is not the best solution to the problem of maintaining our state parks. As long as the Legislature can rob special funds and write laws, this would be just another tax raising scheme for the General Fund while our parks suffer. At this time I do not support Prop. 21.

What is your position on Prop. 23, which would suspend the state law that requires greenhouse gas emissions to be cut to 1990 levels by 2020?

AB-32 is a bad law that needs to be repealed and replaced with incentives to individuals and businesses for creating a greener, cleaner environment. Prop.23 suspends a bad law without addressing how we can all reduce our footprint. At this time I support Prop.23.

What is your position on Prop. 25, which would eliminate the two-thirds vote requirement and enable the Legislature to approve the budget on a simple majority vote?

Due to hyper-partisanship, fiscal irresponsibility, and the influence of lobbyists and special interest groups Prop. 25 would not solve the state’s budget problems. A simple majority vote for our state budget will just make problems worse. Our system is broken and is in need or repair. Until structural reforms for our state budget and government entities are addressed we cannot let elected leaders who are accountable to no-one but themselves and special interests run this state into the ground. We also need to approve a spending cap that would peg expenditures to state revenues. It would require our elected leaders to spend within its means. At this time I do not support Prop. 25.

Do you support or oppose AB 155, which would make it harder for local governments to file bankruptcy?

I have not reached an opinion on AB 155 at this time, but I do believe that local governments should have the flexibility to do what is best for their jurisdictions without big government looking over their shoulder.