ojai blog - news and events in the Ojai community

The Ojai Post

in case you haven't noticed... i'm doing all of my blogging over at The Ojai Post...

Social Justice Action Convening

press release...

Social Justice Action Convening

United States Congressional Representative Lois Capps will be the featured speaker as the Ventura County Working People's Alliance, a coalition of labor, community, and faith-based organizations, hosts a series of speakers on various social and economic justice issues at their 2nd Annual Action Convening.

This free event will be held on Saturday, May 19th, 2007, from 8:30 am to 2:00 pm at the North Oxnard United Methodist Church, 2300 West Gonzales Road, Oxnard.  Lunch will be provided.  For more information, call 805-385-4487 or email laborfoundation@aol.com.

Ojai Ballot Intiative info

For the latest on the Ojai Ballot Intiative issue, take a look at the Ojai Post.

And did I mention OjaiEvents.com is up and running, serving the community? 

Author Profile: Playing President

Robert Scheer will present his latest book Playing President; My Close Encounters with Nixon, Carter, Bush 1, Reagan and Clinton and How They Did Not Prepare Me for George W. Bush

Matilija Junior High School Auditorium
703 El Paseo, Ojai
Thursday October 12th at 7pm
Reservations 805-640-7340 
Tickets $25   Seniors $15  Students $10
Pay cash or check at door (no credit cards)
Sponsored by the Ojai Valley Democratic Club

What should be done about Ojai's street gangs?

Ojai City Council candidate Pete LaFollette has let me know that he will be participating in a discussion addressing Ojai's street gangs, TONIGHT 6pm at Topa Topa Elementary School.  Email Pete for more info and to volunteer.

Rabble Rousers

this just in from a reader...

Please be in attendance at the Tuesday August 22 city council meeting - addressing the O-Hi Frostie item, where Jimmy Stewart im his hopefully last act, will be scolding the city council and threatening to take his case to Washington D.C.  Please come and speak with Jimmy and the council personally!

November: Gallegly v. Martinez in CA-24

For California's 24th Congressional District:
57.7% ( 313 of 542 ) precincts reporting as of Jun 6, 2006 at 11:17 pm

Jill M. Martinez (D)      13,232   100.0%   

Republican Primary      
* Elton Gallegly             21,148   80.5%   
  Michael Tenenbaum    5,129     19.5%

Give Peace a Chance - tonight

This note from evan austin - email him for more info...

This evening, Thursday may 11 from 5:00 to 6:30pm is the final Ojai Peace Coalition Mini-Conference session. Thank you to those who’ve attended the other meetings, and thank you SO much to those who’ve written in with encouragement and ideas.  It’s good to know you’re reading my messages, and it’s great to know you care.  If you’re available to discuss our future as an organization, i’d love to see you at my home tonight: 210 Grand Avenue, apartment 3, Ojai.

The Ojai Post

The Ojai Post is a community blog, featuring Ojai residents from all walks of life writing about the unique Ojai experience. Ojai is a special place, not just for its geography, flora and fauna, small-town architecture and rich native American history - its also because of the people - talented, creative souls who tend to walk to the beat of their own drummer and carve their own path through life. Check in for daily musings, rants, Ojai news and greater goings-on from the place some call Shangri-La.

Looks like I picked the wrong day to quit launching websites.  Happy March 1, Ojai.

Good results for Brett Wagner in investigation

A number of local Democrats piled on to Congressional candidate Brett Wagner a few months ago, attempting to push him out of the race in 2006 for Elton Gallegly's seat.  I covered the story here, which links to a couple additional posts.  I received this email a few minutes ago from Brett's campaign:

"Wagner's name cleared by California Democratic Party Investigator"

Ventura, February 27, 2006:  The Brett Wagner campaign last week received official confirmation from the California Democratic Party's investigation into a series of scurrilous and baseless accusations attacking Mr. Wagner, supposedly in the party's name.

Mr. Wagner, the 2004 Democratic Nominee for U.S. Congress (CA-24), had formally requested the CDP investigation in order to clear his name.  Mr. Wagner was very pleased that each of his requests had been fulfilled:

(1) The investigator concluded that none of the local party officials who had initiated the attacks against Mr. Wagner had any authority whatsoever to speak in the name of the Democratic Party.

(2) No evidence was ever presented to back up any of the accusations or allegations attacking Mr. Wagner.

"I am very pleased with the results of the California Democratic Party's investigation," said Wagner, "and I'm looking forward to our local party coming together to work toward our common goals in this all-important Election Year."

Wagner added, "I'm sure that now we have put this unfortunate episode behind us, our friendships will be renewed and our dedication to working together on our shared goals will be stronger than ever."

The CDP official leading the investigation recently shared with Mr. Wagner, "I feel that you will prevail at any goal that you set. Just keep on pushin."

I respect the fact that Brett Wagner and his team didn't back down and fought back.  It's a shame to see negative and accusatory politics at the party level.  If certain Dems feel that they can put forth a better candidate in this Congressional district, be it Jill Martinez or someone else, then they should do it on the up-and-up: running a candidate in the primary, not undercutting a fellow Democrat with baseless accusations.