Norma Torres Misguided on Law and Order
The Inland Valley Daily Bulletin has wrote an opinion column about one of Norma’s latest bills and it does not look flattering.
Local Assemblywoman Norma Torres has introduced a bill to deny journalists – and hence, the public – crime information that is now public and, in our opinion, vital to California residents.
In fact, loss of that information to journalists would pose dangers for the public.
Torres, D-Ontario, introduced Assembly Bill 1682 at the behest of Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca. The bill is no doubt well intended, but completely misguided.
AB 1682 would amend a 1995 law that restricts general access to address information about arrestees and crime victims, but gives access to the information for a "scholarly, journalistic, political, or government purpose. …"
As introduced, Torres’ measure would restrict access even for those purposes to the city of residence – not the address – of a person arrested or victimized by crime.
That would leave the Daily Bulletin and every other newspaper in the state unable to fully inform readers about dangers in their own blocks or neighborhoods.
More at:
http://www.dailybulletin.com/editorial/ci_14501896
So would this mean we would not know where a robbery or even an attempted assault of a young woman might take place so we would be able to know to take caution to protect our homes or loved ones?
I could understand victims need their privacy, but we should be able to know the neighborhood at least.
Who Are They?
Looking at the candidate filing status reports from the San Bernardino County Registrar of Voters makes me puzzled at some of the people who put their hat in the ring for the June Primary. Who are these individuals?
For one, I am glad Supervisor Ovitt has a challenger. However it took me a bit of detective work to figure out who is Ronald Wall. Ronald Wall is a Democratic Party activist, but what is Ronald Wall also good for? I know that San Bernardino County needs to be cleaned up, but how will Ronald Wall clean up San Bernardino County government and represent the fourth district effectively?
In the 32nd State Senate District, the Republican Party has an announced challenger and he is yet another dark horse candidate. Who is Michael T. Bryant from Ontario, California? He used to have his email address listed, but it was taken down when I tried to ask about his candidacy. I don’t want to end up knocking on his doorstep asking for details about his campaign since he did not leave a phone number, web site or e-mail address.
It would be appreciated for future canidates to have at least a public address even from a place such as hotmail or yahoo so people could offer their support or ask a few questions so they would be informed voters.
Crossposted from iepolitics.com
Dialing for Couch Lint
I understand that our public university system is suffering due to the collapsing economy and lack of support from Sacramento. Unfortunately I am not in the condition to donate money at this time and would love to be taken off the solicitation list from the school until I am able to donate. Not all of us are scientists, attorneys or other professionals that could afford to give a few hundreds to help pay it forwards. I would love to help out, but when the student callers call over and over on the same day when they are told that I have no spare money it does not help the cause.
If the school wants to help make it possible for the next generation of students to get a quality education maybe for the students who are lost after graduation provide them guidance so they would be able to donate back and feel that their education was a worthwhile investment, not a debt.
Matthew Munson ‘03
East End Loses Satellite Office for Senator McLeod
From the State Senator:
District Office Consolidation
Dear Neighbor,
In a cost cutting measure to save precious State budget dollars, effective March 1, 2010 the San Bernardino District Office for Senator Gloria Negrete McLeod will be closed and its operations merged with the District Office in Montclair.
Although we will be consolidated in Montclair, please be assured that my staff and I will continue to serve all residents of the 32nd Senate District.
How to Solve the Wal-Mart Debate in Ontario, California
I would like to come up with solutions to solve the Wal-Mart versus residents’ fight that is happening in North Western Ontario. It may not be the Israelis versus the Palestinians but it surely feels that way.
One, it is going to take sacrifices from both sides. Wal-Mart may have to give up the idea of a 24/7 supercenter and consider having the same hours as the one in Upland.
Two, Wal-Mart can use green technology to help build positive public relations such as having the store being able to power its own energy and being energy efficient.
Three, the abandoned lot needs to be demolished. It is creating decreased property values. Maybe give the property owner a permit to do the demolition in the next few months, and if Wal-Mart refuses, use the redevelopment agency’s money to pay for it and put a lien on it. It’s like code enforcement going after a residential property owner for bad landscaping.
Four, many of the property owners are worried about “the underclass” such as the homeless hanging around the new shopping center. Maybe team up with Upland who has the same problem so we could make shopping up and down the 10 freeway overpass a good one.
Its the Candidate Not the Party
This is another year that I am not going to vote a straight ticket. Right now here is my pending choices.
Senate: Campbell
Congress: Pamela Zander *
State Senate: Michael Bryant *
Governor: Poizner
Secretary of State: Roy Allmond
Lt.Governor: Abel Maldonado
Attorney General: Tom Harman
Treasurer – Mimi Walters
Controller – TBD
Board of Equalization: George Runner (since its only about money, he’s not going to threaten my civil rights)
Superintendent for Public Instruction: Romero
San Bernardino County Sheirff – Paul Schrader
San Bernardino County Auditor-Recorder – Ensen Mason
* Will need to find out more about their positions before voting for them in November.
Recovery Without Loss of Freedom
I hear you Senator Dutton, California does need to put jobs first. However there is something the Republican Party establishment needs to do first before voters in California consider the party seriously. Republicans may have the solutions to bring back California’s economy back to life, but voters will find out there is a cost for this economic recovery.
For the voters who value equality where each Californian deserves equal rights regardless of sexual orientation they will find out that Republicans will put forth a wrecking crew ready to take down anti-discrimination laws, school safety regulation and partnership registration laws.
Yes, we do need to bring forth the private sector jobs to make California a successful place. However we need to make sure that personal and economic freedom is both respected. If we want the recovery it will take two to make it work and make it where we do not have to suffer in the name of recovery.
5 Dollars Goes a Long Way
I made another political contribution tonight. I helped Paul Schrader pay a portion of their filing fee for San Bernardino County Sheriff. It may only be 0.2% of the filing fee, but he only needs like $1200 now out of $2000 and he would appreciate your support so he could get on the ballot so visit his website and make a contribution today.
We need a new sheriff that would be independent and not as tarnished as other elected officials from our county. I know many of us are not making much money, but 5 or even 10 dollars would be much appreciated.
There Must Be Some Suspicion
When a neighbor gets robbed you become more suspicious about strange cars parked near your home. The strange car ended up being an investigator at the local animal control agency.
The irony is the individual is parked at the same corner for three straight days which raised the suspicion from me and my neighbor across the street. Talking to animal control dispatcher did not really do anything to mediate the situation. The individual is there to do his job and that is understandable and he has the right to park where he needs to park.
However if you were a loss prevention investigator/detective or a license inspector like the guy from animal control would you do your best to make sure you are inconspicuous? You would not wear a uniform saying you are from the ABC Department Store. Would you park in the same corner on day 1, day 2 and day 3?. I would not.
At least by knowing this individual was in the vicinity my sister got her dog license taken care of online.
Upgrade Time
I decided to upgrade my phone from a Curve 8900 to a Bold 9700. The only benefits for me was 3G data, Visual Voicemail and an optical trackpad.
185 dollars was blown, but I feel I will have more peace of mind. I was frustrated with my blown trackball and I wanted something better after finding out my refurbished 8900 was going to be delayed.
This phone is going to have to last me for 18 months at least. I can not afford to change smart phones like clothes. If the iphone is released on t-mobile I might never end my contract and remain married to T-Mobile. So I stay in the Crackberry Nation for good times and bad.
