Tag Archives: Politics

Local Politics Over Dinner A Success

Staff Reports Cover--Republican-Women's-Dinner6-WEB

Diamond Bar – The Diamond Bar Republican Women Federated (DBRWF) hosted a dinner and social gathering on Thursday, May 26. The event took place at the Diamond Bar Golf Course/Country Club, located at 22751 E. Golden Springs Drive in Diamond Bar.

The cost to attend was $25 and it included dinner. The social gathering started at 6:30 p.m. and the dinner began at 7 p.m.

The dinner was combined with the Puente Hills Republican Women Federated. The guest speaker was the Chairman of the California Republican Party, Jim Brulte.

“Jim will no doubt have some great insights for us, having just held the California Republican Party convention in Burlingame last weekend,” said a DBRWF newsletter.

It was an honor to have Jim Brulte as a special guest speaker at the event. He has many accomplishments such as; Chairman of the CA Republican Party in March 2013, 14 years in the CA State Legislature, recent Senate Republican Leader, joined CA Strategies to head up the IE office, and completed a term as a member of the Board of Visitors of the US Naval Academy.

Brulte has focused a lot of his efforts on education, regulatory reform, crime reduction, and common-sense legislation representing the IE to improve California’s business climate. He had been described as “arguably the most powerful elected Republican in California.”

This event was open to the public and opened to any political party. The newsletter encouraged anyone to attend and become up to date on California’s politics.

For future events, if you would like to attend, please contact Trisha at BrahmaMama1@aol.com.

Chang Appointed Vice-Chair Of Assembly Rules

Staff Reports

 

Sacramento – Assemblywoman Ling Ling Chang (R-Diamond Bar, 55th Assembly District) has been appointed to Vice-Chair of the influential Assembly Rules Committee.  The appointment was part of a number of key committee appointments made by the Speaker of the Assembly.

“I am so honored to have the privilege to serve in a leading capacity on such an important committee,” said Chang.  “What an amazing opportunity to work for Californians and my constituents.”

As Vice-Chair of the Assembly Rules Committee, Chang will play a leading role in the governing body of the Assembly, including jurisdiction over legislation and personnel.  Assembly Rules influences the fate of every bill introduced in the Legislature given its important role of referring legislation to respective policy committees of the house.

“Ling Ling is a strong leader for streamlining government so it can better serve Californians,” said Assembly Republican Leader, Kristin Olsen. “She will be a powerful voice for commonsense leadership in her new role as Vice-Chair of the Assembly’s most powerful committee.”

Chang, the first Taiwanese-American Republican woman to be elected to the State Assembly, was first elected to the Diamond Bar City Council in November 2009 and served as the Mayor from 2011-2012. Before her election to the City Council, she held a variety of positions in local government, including service as President of the Walnut Valley Water District, and as a member of the Diamond Bar Parks & Recreation Commission. Chang brings business sector experience as well, developing software products for the health information management industry.

“I am so excited to get California back on track,” said Chang.  We can have the best schools and more jobs if we all work together. Serving on the Assembly Rules Committee is a great opportunity to get that done.”

In addition to Rules, Assemblywoman Chang has been appointed as a member of the following committees: Appropriations, Business & Professions, and Privacy & Consumer Protection.

The 55th Assembly District contains parts of Los Angeles, Orange and San Bernardino Counties. It includes the cities of Diamond Bar, Walnut, Brea, La Habra, Placentia, Yorba Linda, and Chino Hills.

 

 

Eastvale Transforms Operational Structure

BY JENNIFER MADRIGAL

eastvale officialsEastvale – This year, the City of Eastvale has seen some big changes and restructuring. With the resignation of City Manager, Carol Jacobs, a few months past, and the appointment of temporary City Manager, Robert Van Nort, the operation of the City has come under some scrutiny.

Van Nort’s contract has recently been extended for another 90 days, until March 2015. Public Information Officer, Michele Nissen, has assumed the helm as Acting City Manager during a short absence by Van Nort, currently effective through Dec. 8.

The City is expected to open the official City Manager position up to applicants imminently.

Eastvale’s City Council was affected by the bizarre resignation of councilmember Jeff DeGrandpre last July. This created an immediate opening to which Joe Tessari was voted in to serve out the remaining two years of DeGrandpre’s term.

At the recent General Election, three seats on the Council were open. Council members William Link, and Mayor Pro-Tem Adam Rush ran for reelection, while Councilman Ric Welch did not. Nine candidates applied and campaigned for those positions. In the end, Link and Rush were reelected, along with newcomer, Clint Lorimore.

Lorimore, a small business owner who has lived in Eastvale since 2004, is anxious to start his first term on Eastvale’s Council.

“I am committed to the idea that together, we can make Eastvale a better place to live, work and play. I am looking forward to working with my fellow council members to implement policies of smart growth, which will provide comprehensive solutions to the challenges we face as a young and growing community,” said Lorimore.

Rush – who was Eastvale’s First Mayor in 2010, and has been a council member ever since – is excited to continue to work for the people of Eastvale and keep this City on the right track toward responsible growth, safe schools and a strong fiscal foundation.

Link – who was nominated to fill Kelly Howell’s vacated seat in 2013 – plans on continuing his focus on economic development and growth, as well as public and traffic safety.

The Public Safety Commission has also had a few bumps this year with the resignation of several commissioners for family and job related issues. Melonee Cruse, who was the Chair, also resigned recently due to job responsibilities.

Chris Hook, recently appointed by Mayor Ike Bootsma, is the newest commissioner. Hook hopes to increase and promote safety awareness around school zones and parks in effort to lower the amount of accidents involving pedestrians. His goals include creating a worry-free and safeguarded environment for parents and children in school zones and recreational areas. Hook brings 20 years of safety and security experience to the job, with 18 years as a proprietor of his own security business.

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Chino Hills: Curt Hagman Supervisor-Elect To SB Fourth District

STAFF REPORTS

Curt Hagman

Curt Hagman

Chino Hills – The November 4 General Election has come and gone, and the efforts of Assemblyman Curt Hagman (R-Chino Hills) in the race for Supervisor of San Bernardino’s Fourth District have paid off.

In a public letter published on Nov. 6, Hagman said he, and his wife Grace, “…are thrilled and humbled that the voters chose us to represent their interests in the Fourth Supervisorial District.

Hagman, who is a California State Assemblyman for the 55th District, termed out this year, and became a contender against Congresswoman Gloria Negrete McLeod (D-Montclair). His campaign promises included building a better future by creating jobs and continuing to strengthen the San Bernardino County economy, and with his win, Hagman is determined to keep the following issues in the forefront:

 

  • Take control of Ontario Airport away from Los Angeles so San Bernardino County can build it into a job-creating economic engine.
  • Attract more investment to San Bernardino County.
  • Personally recruit new employers to San Bernardino County.
  • Invest in infrastructure to keep people working and improve our quality of life.
  • Support the use of tax credits to encourage small businesses to hire new workers.

 

An article recently published by examiner.com stated that current 4th District Supervisor, Gary Ovitt has been in semi-retirement mode for at least six years. The article continues with high hopes for the Supervisor-elect stating that, “Most are tired of the current lack of transparency, ethics and integrity and hope that Curt Hagman will inspire change that restores public trust.”

On his website, Hagman says that he wants to make lives better. He will get the opportunity to do just. Hagman will be sworn into office in December.

 

Eastvale: Get Out And Vote!

BY K.P. SANDER

2014_General_ElectionEastvale – It’s time to go to the polls, Eastvale, and voice your opinion for the municipality you call home. The 2014 Consolidated General Election is on Tues., Nov. 4, with the polls open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

There have been a few opportunities for you to learn firsthand about the candidates for the three seats open on Eastvale’s City Council. The Chamber of Commerce offered a Candidate Forum on October 23, and the Eastvale Community News asked the candidates specific questions which they answered in the October edition (results for both options can be viewed at www.anapr.com).

Eastvale_City-Council_candidates_2014

Bill Newberry and the candidates for Eastvale City Council at the Forum held Thurs., Oct 23 at Ramirez Intermediate School. (Photo Courtesy: Jennifer Madrigal)

Of course there are a multitude of issues on the ballot and most voters have their own way of seeking out due diligence. Everything from the controversial Measure GG to the State Assembly is up for opinion, and your votes are needed to chart the courses.

The trend of early voting has become more prevalent in recent years for those unable to make it to the polls (or want their votes counted early), and this option is available leading up to Election Day. Registered voters may drop off a vote-by-mail ballot or vote on an accessible voting unit at the Registrar of Voters office, located at 2724 Gateway Drive in Riverside. They are open Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sat., Nov. 1 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and on Election Day from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

If you are voting by mail, keep in mind that the City of Eastvale’s office is a drop-off location. They are located at 12363 Limonite Avenue, Suite 910 (in the Gateway Shopping center at Limonite and Hamner). They can be reached at (951) 361-0900, and their hours of operation are Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (closed Fridays).

If you need help finding your polling location, visit www.voteinfo.net. If you have received a sample ballot in the mail, your location is also listed on the back of that document. For more detailed direction, access one of the following links:

Remember, every vote matters. There is power in numbers, so let your voice be heard. Vote for your children, your community, and yourself. Vote to effect the changes you want to

Eastvale: Teens Influence Interest In Voting

BY EMILY AGUILAR

Eastvale – A surprising number of teenagers in the area have taken an interest in the political affiliations of their country, and are inspired to spread this passion with the adults in their communities. Students of Eleanor Roosevelt High School’s club, the Young Democrats of America, (which is affiliated with the Democrats of Norco and the California Young Democrats) have made it their duty to spend their summer doing just that.

The members of the Young Democrats of America (which also extends to other high schools in the region) have begun a small campaign to increase the amount of adults over the age of 18 who are registered to vote by handing out registration forms. Settling in at the local Von’s market in Eastvale recently, the members of the club didn’t necessarily persuade shoppers to become part of the Democratic Party. Rather, the teens tried to emphasize the importance of having a voice in any upcoming election.

Shukan “Shuky” Patel, who leads the club at ERHS, is especially eager to ensure that Americans will realize the importance of voting.

“Most adults feel that their vote has little or no impact on the overall political process. Therefore, it is my fundamental belief that if we can erase this ‘my vote doesn’t matter’ mentality from the adult population, then we can have a higher turnout rate,” he said.

Patel also emphasized that teenagers who are interested in their country’s politics will have more power to change the course of the activities in the region, so he was proud to see that his peers are taking up an effort to show how important voting is.

The teenagers had success in garnering a handful of people to register. They plan on spending more days throughout August registering more voters.

 

Hagman Fights to Keep Bond Funds for Their Intended Purpose

STAFF REPORTS

Sacramento – Assemblyman Curt Hagman (R-Chino Hills, Assembly District 55) issued a press release on Wed., June 18, stating that his Assembly Bill 1664 passed the Senate Education Committee with unanimous bi-partisan support.

With a 7-0 vote, this bill seeks to update Hagman’s AB308 signed into law in 2013, clarifying the process of selling or leasing specific types of school facilities. AB1664 gives local educational agencies first priority in purchasing surplus school site property, and keeps school facilities for their intended purpose.

“I was encouraged by the unanimous bi-partisan support from the Senate Education Committee on AB1664,” stated Assemblyman Hagman. “This bill sends a clear message that property built or modernized with state school facility funds should remain in the hands of educational entities,” he continued.

AB 1664 remedies a conflict with the Naylor Act, which requires local education agencies to offer any real property to non-educational government agencies prior to offering that property to another school or school district. This new bill will help ensure that educational agencies have priority in purchasing or leasing these facilities without changing the intent of the Naylor Act.

For more information on Assemblyman Curt Hagman please visit: www.assembly.ca.gov/hagman