tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-136498472024-03-07T18:56:02.081-08:00Central Coast News Mission (CCNM)NewsstandGreghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04099049885765768069noreply@blogger.comBlogger126125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13649847.post-81405238595995687912010-07-07T12:32:00.000-07:002010-07-07T12:42:34.602-07:00Strength In Numbers: Central Coast UnionsCalifornia has long been the place where immigrants arrived from other countries looking to improve their life. In the 1860's, Chinese laborers built much of our state's mountainous railroad tracks and tunnels.<br /><br />Central coast labor news today often centers on agricultural workers. Fieldworkers are exposed to methyl bromide in the strawberry fields. Many are Latinos and some are labeled "illegal" immigrants.<br /><br />Other trades have Central Coast union representation, among them plumbers, carpenters, sheet metal workers, painters, engineers, pipe tradesmen and plasterers.<br /><br />There are labor-related organizations with a state-wide service area which make policy affecting our local labor activity. You may never have heard of some of these before.<br /><br />The <a href="http://www.perb.ca.gov/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Public Employment Relations Board</span></a> is a quasi-judicial administrative agency charged with administering the collective bargaining statutes covering employees of California's public schools, colleges, and universities, employees of the State of California, employees of California local public agencies (cities, counties and special districts), trial court employees and supervisory employees of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority.<br /><br />Unions listed here are located in the Tri-county area:<br /><ol> </ol> <ul> <li><a href="http://www.cccneca.org/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">National Electrical Contractors Association</span></a> (NECA) central coast, representing construction management.</li> </ul> <ol> </ol> <ul> <li>The <a href="http://www.ibew.org/IBEW/directory/SearchDirectory/detailLU.asp?LocalUnion=639"><span style="font-weight: bold;">International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers</span></a> (IBEW) representing building trades workers in <a href="http://www.ibew639.org/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">San Luis Obispo</span></a> and <a href="http://www.ibewlu952.org/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Ventura</span></a>.</li> </ul> <ol> </ol> <ul> <li>The <a href="http://www.caaa.org/members/members.asp?pageid=2"><span style="font-weight: bold;">California Applicants' Attorneys Association</span></a> (CAAA) a statewide group dedicated to the protection of rights and benefits of California's injured and disabled workers and their families.</li> </ul> <ol> </ol> <ul> <li><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.sbctc.org/">SBCTC: State Building & Construction Trades Council of California</a> provide apprenticeship and training programs statewide.</li><br /><li><a href="http://www.tcsmacna.org/pages/about.html"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Tri-Counties SMACNA Sheet Metal Contractors Trade Association</span></a><br /></li> </ul> <ol> </ol> <ul> <li style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.aflcio.org/">AFL: CIO!</a></li> </ul> <ol> </ol> <ul> <li style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.jca.apc.org/%7Ey-okada/igc/labornet/">IGC: LaborNet Directory</a></li> </ul> <ol> </ol> <ul> <li style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.ibpat.org/">IUPAT</a> <span style="font-weight: normal;">representing over 140,000 members in the construction industry, such as, Painters, Drywall Finishers, Glaziers, Floor Coverers, and Sign and Display workers.</span></li> </ul> <ol> </ol> <ul> <li><a href="http://www.smwia.org/local_original_system/index.cfm?fa=viewLocal&LCL=273"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sheet Metal Workers International Association, Union Local 273, Goleta</span></a><a href="http://www.smwia.org/"><br /></a></li> </ul> <ol> </ol> <ul> <li style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.ua.org/">United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters</a></li> </ul> <ol> </ol> <ul> <li style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.pipeta.org/">Pipe Trades Association</a></li> </ul> <ol> </ol> <ul> <li style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.laborerstrainingschool.com/local_add.htm">Laborers Locals, in Tri-County area</a></li> </ul> <ol> </ol> <ul> <li style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.calpipes.org/CommunityAffiliate_citysorted.asp">California Pipe Trades State Council</a></li> </ul> <ol> </ol> <ul> <li style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.sbctc.org/default.asp?id=123&pagetype=sitemap">Plasterers & Cement Masons CA State Conference</a></li> </ul> <ul> <li><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.ibewlu952.org/">Welcome to IBEW Local Union No.952, Ventura</a><br /></li> </ul> <ol> </ol>NewsstandGreghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04099049885765768069noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13649847.post-51882167096881625882009-08-31T06:28:00.000-07:002009-08-31T06:28:00.348-07:00Ted Kennedy Buried; Next Generation Heeds CallDuring a light afternoon rain shower, according to the <b><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/30/us/politics/30kennedy.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&bl&ei=5087&en=6beb5bb840527bb7&ex=1251864000">New York Times</a></b>: "The nation said final farewell on Saturday to Edward M. Kennedy, who used his privileged life to give consistent, passionate voice to the underprivileged for nearly a half-century as a United States senator from Massachusetts. He was the only one of four fabled Kennedy brothers to reach late adulthood, and he was remembered for making the most of it."<div><br /></div><div>It is a testament to this last of the Kennnedy's in high public office that his eulogy was presented by our president, Barack Obama. Ted Kennedy's endorsement of Obama's candidacy was a moment where the "torch" was passed to Obama and the next generation. You knew it when it happened.</div><div><br /></div><div>Some will say this wraps up the "Camelot" theme of the post-WWII Kennedy's. Yet Ted's own words live on, echoing even today, "the dream shall never die."</div>NewsstandGreghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04099049885765768069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13649847.post-5964671377017873292009-08-29T06:30:00.000-07:002009-08-29T15:33:05.560-07:00HR 3200 Helps North San Luis ObispoOur final look at how our government can help us in north San Luis Obispo county via the House Resolution (<b>HR 3200</b>) also titled "<b>America’s Affordable Health Choices Act."</b><div></div>Affordable is the keyword. It would provide significant benefits in the <b>22nd Congressional District</b> represented by Congressman <b>Kevin McCarthy</b>. The district spans north San Luis Obispo county across to most of Kern county.<blockquote><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Up to 12,200</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> small businesses could receive tax credits to provide coverage to their employees;<br /><br /></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">10,200 seniors</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> would avoid the donut hole in Medicare Part D;<br /><br /></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">1,300 families</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> could escape bankruptcy each year due to unaffordable health care costs; health care providers would receive payment for $48 million in uncompensated care each year and<br /><br /></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">107,000</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> uninsured individuals would gain access to high-quality, affordable health insurance.</span></blockquote><div>A note about financial security. There have been <b>1,300 health care-related bankruptcies</b> in the district in 2008, caused primarily by the health care costs not covered by insurance. The bill provides health insurance for almost every American and caps annual out-of-pocket costs at $10,000 per year, ensuring that no citizen will have to face financial ruin because of high health care costs.</div><div><br /></div><div><div>Coverage of the uninsured? There are 130,000 uninsured individuals in the district, 17% of the district. The <b>Congressional Budget Office</b> estimates that nationwide, 97% of all Americans will have insurance coverage when the bill takes effect. If this benchmark is reached in the district, 107,000 people who currently do not have health insurance will receive coverage.</div><div><br /></div><div>Best of all, there's no deficit spending. The cost of health care reform under the legislation is fully paid for: half through making the Medicare and Medicaid program more efficient and half through a surtax on the income of the wealthiest individuals.</div><div><br /></div><div>This surtax would affect only <b>2,710 households</b> in the district. So less than one percent of all people living in this district would pay a little more to share the benefits this country has shared with them. 99.1% of all taxpayers in the district would not be affected by the surtax.</div><div><br /></div><div>Surely these 2700 people <b>(.9%)</b> could have it in their heart to follow in the steps of the Great Healer and help those less fortunate than themselves. They might even smile more for having done a good deed for their fellow man--a deed which will last a long, long time.</div></div>NewsstandGreghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04099049885765768069noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13649847.post-84434112505034308212009-08-28T10:30:00.000-07:002009-08-29T13:37:08.575-07:00HR 3200 Benefits For 24th Congressional DistrictHere's the second summary of <b>HR 3200</b> benefits for those of us fortunate to live on the Central Coast inside the blue line of the <b>24th Congressional District.</b><div></div>668,099 (est.) of your neighbors are represented by <a href="http://www.govtrack.us/congress/person.xpd?id=400144"><b>Congressman Elton Gallegly</b></a> in this district, spanning from north Santa Barbara county (Lompoc) to Ventura and some of L.A. counties. Benefits for you:<br /><blockquote><b>Up to 15,000 small businesses</b> could receive tax credits to provide coverage to their employees;<br /><br /><b>10,000 seniors</b> would avoid the donut hole in Medicare Part D;<br /><br /><b>1,000 families</b> could escape bankruptcy each year due to unaffordable health care costs;<br /><br /><b>Health care providers</b> would receive payment for $48 million in uncompensated care each year and<br /><br /><b>64,000 uninsured individuals</b> would gain access to high-quality, affordable health insurance.</blockquote>How do we pay for this? The cost of health care reform under the legislation is fully paid for: half through making the Medicare and Medicaid program more efficient and half through a surtax on the income of the wealthiest individuals.<br /><br />That's 2.2% or 6,620 households and here's hoping these high net-worth people will decide the right thing to do is to <b>"pay it forward."</b><br /><br />Next: what the facts are in northern San Luis Obispo and the 22nd Congressional District.NewsstandGreghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04099049885765768069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13649847.post-59086259880091070622009-08-27T19:56:00.000-07:002009-08-28T11:31:06.865-07:00HR 3200 Health Care Reform Benefits For YouSome staffers on the <b><a href="http://energycommerce.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1717">US House Committee on Energy and Commerce</a></b> have been burning the midnight oil to get the facts straight for the Central Coast on HR 3200, also known as "America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009."<div>They have crunched the numbers and for 639,088 people living in Lois Capps' <b><a href="http://www.govtrack.us/congress/person.xpd?id=400062">23rd Congressional District</a></b>, the coastal areas of San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties, it breaks down like this:</div><div><div></div><blockquote><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Up to <b>15,700 small businesses</b> could receive tax credits to provide coverage to their employees;</span></div><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><b>4,100 seniors</b> would avoid the donut hole in Medicare Part D;</span></div><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><b>350 families</b> could escape bankruptcy each year due to unaffordable health care costs;</span></div><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><b>Health care providers</b> would get payment for $50 million in uncompensated care each year and</span></div><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><b>148,000 uninsured</b> individuals would gain access to high-quality, affordable health insurance.</span></div></blockquote><div></div>I'll post what the picture looks like for our other two districts in the next two days. You're welcome!</div>NewsstandGreghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04099049885765768069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13649847.post-2811926353019452152009-08-27T06:30:00.000-07:002009-08-29T15:09:38.602-07:00Arnold: Let's Have A Garage Sale!Probably had to happen. Call it out-of-the-box thinking or just a desperate move to grab tv time on the networks. <b><a href="http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-garage-sale26-2009aug26,0,6237442.story">The L.A. Times</a></b> has the details.<div>Our Governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, is now using Craigslist and <b><a href="http://myworld.ebay.com/great-ca-garage-sale/">eBay</a></b> to sell surplus state items. More than 500 state cars are on the auction block. Arnold has even autographed one of the car's visors and it sold for $1,625; the rest of the car went for $.01!</div><div><br /></div><div>Heck, I'd buy an autographed copy of his 2008 proposed state budget, (even though not one of his original budget proposals has ever been passed without a summer's worth of wrangling.)</div><div><br /></div><div>What we know in our hearts is this: Arnold makes a much better action movie hero than a governor. In the theater we get what we pay for.</div>NewsstandGreghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04099049885765768069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13649847.post-17828032626439545202009-08-26T06:30:00.000-07:002009-08-27T09:12:30.715-07:00Private Insurers Are The Death PanelsThose people protesting the <b>"Obamacare"</b> health insurance reform probably understand one thing. The private insurers such as <b>UnitedHealth</b> make money by denying treatment. Simple as that.<br /><div>Here's a story from a syndicated, professional writer, Froma Harrop.</div><div><br /><div>Hers is a heartbreaking story. I'm sure there are other wrenching tales from our neighbors here on the central coast, in <b><a href="http://74.125.155.132/search?q=cache:U089_EEi5_UJ:www.sanluisobispo.com/news/local/story/817317.html+HOME+HEALTH+CARE+SAFETY+NET+UNRAVELING+Ann+Marie+Cornejo+Simple+household+tasks+are+the+hardest:+Doing+the+dishes,+washing+the+laundry+and+putting+the+groceries+away+can+exhaust+Ovsanna+Basmajian&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us">San Luis Obispo</a></b>, Santa Maria and Santa Barbara. Big towns, little towns.</div><div><div><br /></div><div>The public option must be part of the legislation. Give people the choice to keep their own private insurance--or choose the option. Just ask yourself--can I really afford my health insurance now? Could I afford a <b>20%</b> rise in cost next year?</div><div><br /></div><div>You know the answer, the only one, must come from what we pass into legislation this year.</div></div></div>NewsstandGreghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04099049885765768069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13649847.post-57665824119080966632009-08-25T06:05:00.000-07:002009-08-26T15:49:43.690-07:00Together We Can Have Better Health Insurance!Show this <b><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jng4TnKqy6A">YouTube clip</a></b> to all of your friends. Then show it to any "tea-bag protesters" you also might know or be, ahem, related to.<div>Why we need Government-run, universal, socialized health insurance. Since "we" are the government, we <b>can</b> have this, but we have to work for it.</div><div><br /></div><div>There's a bit of effort involved...much like it took effort to elect Barack which gave us this first chance to improve our life and world. There will be many other opportunities for improvement. </div><div><br /></div><div>First, this test. Then the lesson follows. Welcome to the big school room of life.</div>NewsstandGreghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04099049885765768069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13649847.post-46255877041277790952009-08-24T06:30:00.000-07:002009-08-24T10:28:28.612-07:00Lois Capps Is Where The Action Is!Some central coast conservatives question where Lois Capps is in the health care reform debate. Lemme show you:<div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggjyL64nbx8VlxeI6t-Fv3pvFPiMbhwup_jjQKEk_XuXJp2GLdqEdRGiF1Rg5dGBQWtSJ3sxzAbuX5zP0JOIaiGb9wCE-RN_4JpEnTm304TDmSgK-HMITC1uGFgkRTiNKyBjHD/s1600-h/Capps-rally-protest.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 221px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggjyL64nbx8VlxeI6t-Fv3pvFPiMbhwup_jjQKEk_XuXJp2GLdqEdRGiF1Rg5dGBQWtSJ3sxzAbuX5zP0JOIaiGb9wCE-RN_4JpEnTm304TDmSgK-HMITC1uGFgkRTiNKyBjHD/s320/Capps-rally-protest.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372966321369519378" /></a><b><a href="http://independent.com/news/2009/aug/14/shout-fest-over-health-care/">Little more than ten days ago</a></b>, on the 13th, Lois and her supporters were gathered at the intersection of Reason St. and Health Care Reform Avenue. Actually the address is in the 300 block of East Carrillo Street, where Capps' office is located.</div><div><br /></div><div>Demonstrators showed they cared about their neighbors and family members by supporting President Obama's healthcare reform efforts now taking shape in Congress. Those supporting the president outnumbered those opposed.</div><div><br /></div><div>When will Lois actually meet with the "teabaggers" and other protesters? Capps has stated she intends to hold a community forum in early September, preferably in a church where health care opponents presumably might be less rowdy and boisterous.</div><div><br /></div><div>Heck, they might even bring their ability to reason and act like adults!</div><div><br /></div><div>Just ask your parents or grandparents if Medicare and Social Security assistance is something they would prefer to live without. Oh, if your loved one is a veteran, ask if they would care if the Veterans Administration stopped all their health care treatment and prescription drug supply.</div><div><br /></div><div>Not likely that any of the people you love would give up these successful programs that the governed--you and I and our parents or grandparents--voted to create.</div><div><br /></div><div>In my case, I'm alive and have post-stroke medication and doctor's appointments at my <b><a href="http://www.slocounty.ca.gov/veteran/health_and_wellbeing/va_outpatient_clinic_locations.htm">central coast veterans clinic.</a></b> Beats pushing daisies!</div><div></div>NewsstandGreghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04099049885765768069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13649847.post-29988736867275767352009-08-23T06:05:00.000-07:002009-08-24T10:27:15.490-07:00Does Lompoc Need A Walmart "Superstore?"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZsVSzTefF2dd3QeFnYHOHO072scj_MldswHtosbeLQlyVAdNS5u52hqPpsA2x1kLXanlp9xnSlalaC6JN9xtAyFFix6I29iwpM5E0jNxep2myN5F5Bp_iXdx8VVWBMg2pkfyO/s1600-h/Grocery-bag.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 104px; height: 114px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZsVSzTefF2dd3QeFnYHOHO072scj_MldswHtosbeLQlyVAdNS5u52hqPpsA2x1kLXanlp9xnSlalaC6JN9xtAyFFix6I29iwpM5E0jNxep2myN5F5Bp_iXdx8VVWBMg2pkfyO/s320/Grocery-bag.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5372944437141552066" /></a><div>Another question to pose: how many Lompoc grocery stores will close if Walmart expands its own grocery department and creates a "superstore?"</div><div><br /></div><div>History shows us that's the among the possible consequences if the expansion is allowed. <b><a href="http://www.walmartwatch.com/">WalmartWatch</a></b> puts it this way: "...the factor that Lompoc officials have ignored is that another big grocery store will lead to one or two empty grocery stores anyway. The “saturation” in Lompoc is not just liquor licenses---its grocery stores as well, and adding the new supercenter brings no added value to the Lompoc economy."</div><div><br /></div><div>According to the <b><a href="http://www.lompocrecord.com/articles/2009/08/20/news/news03.txt">Lompoc Record</a></b>, the proposed expansion to a Super Walmart would add 47,000 square feet to the building by growing to the west and the north. Essentially expanding toward the airport. The automotive section would be rebuilt into store space, and the grocery section expanded to offer a wider variety of products.</div><div><br /></div><div>Take a look at the project information and draft version of the Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) available at the Lompoc Public Library, at City Hall, and on the <b><a href="http://www1.cityoflompoc.com/departments/comdev/Environmental/Wal-Mart/Scoping090826.pdf">city’s Web site</a></b> for review. The public review period ends Sept. 14. Review comments can be sent to Lucille T. Breese at the address shown above or l_breese@ci.lompoc.ca.us.</div><div><br /></div><div>A scoping meeting, to identify the potential categories of environmental impacts the store expansion might cause, will be held at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday the 26th, at City Hall.</div><div><br /></div><div>If enough Lompoc residents respond, the expansion can be stopped.</div><div><br /></div><div>According to a list released this week by <b><a href="http://www.sprawl-busters.com/search.php?readstory=3038">SprawlBusters.com</a></b>, Wal-Mart Stores has abandoned a record-shattering 45 proposed projects over the past 10 months and another 19 Wal-Mart projects have been killed by local citizen's groups. In total, the world's largest retailer has suffered an historic loss of 64 projects.</div><div><br /></div><div>During the early 2000s, Wal-Mart had as many as 350 “dark stores” on the market. The number of dead stores today is around 200.</div>NewsstandGreghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04099049885765768069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13649847.post-83732813760319387042009-08-22T14:35:00.000-07:002009-08-23T12:26:55.598-07:00Welcome Lompoc's New Mayor Siminski!Now I can stop holding my breath because the Lompoc City Council has named one of its own to fill the empty Mayor's office. On a 3-1 vote, they selected five-term councilman <b>Mike Siminski</b> for the post.<br /><br />Siminski made it clear during the replacement process that he would not run for mayor in 2010.<br /><br />The runner-up by (80 votes) in the last mayoral election, John Linn, said he'd continue to seek the city's highest elective office next year.<br /><br />The <span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.sbcvote.com/elect/resources/results11_2008/results-1.htm">tally for mayor</a></span> last election shows 61.78% of the voters wanted someone other than Dick DeWees for the office. DeWees garnered 38.03% of the vote.NewsstandGreghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04099049885765768069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13649847.post-84361995019001939842009-08-13T17:01:00.000-07:002009-08-16T17:07:27.192-07:00Newsstand Greg with Dave on KVEC 920AMFrom time to time, Dave Congalton invites me to be a guest on his afternoon talk show on AM 920, KVEC. He invited me this week to provide counterpoint to the volatile town hall meetings across the country this month.<br /><br />The topic: how does using inappropriate language in a public forum affect the discussion of how to reform our current expensive health care system?<br /><br />This also gives me the moment to introduce replays of my radio call-in comments and later, my own produced podcast episodes, right here!<br /><div><br /> <object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://fpdownload.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,0,0" width="210" height="25" id="mp3playerlightsmallv3" align="middle"><br /> <param name="allowScriptAccess" value="sameDomain" /><br /> <param name="movie" value="http://www.podbean.com/podcast-audio-video-blog-player/mp3playerlightsmallv3.swf?audioPath=http://goodhelp.podbean.com/mf/play/7x53h2/Newsstand-Greg-DaveCongalton-8-10-09.mp3&autoStart=no" /><br /> <param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#ffffff" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent" /><br /> <embed src="http://www.podbean.com/podcast-audio-video-blog-player/mp3playerlightsmallv3.swf?audioPath=http://goodhelp.podbean.com/mf/play/7x53h2/Newsstand-Greg-DaveCongalton-8-10-09.mp3&autoStart=no" quality="high" width="210" height="25" name="mp3playerlightsmallv3" align="middle" allowScriptAccess="sameDomain" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" /></embed><br /> </object><br /><a style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; font-weight: normal; padding-left: 41px; color: #2DA274; text-decoration: none; border-bottom: none;" href="http://www.podbean.com">Powered by Podbean.com</a><br /> </div>NewsstandGreghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04099049885765768069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13649847.post-62732279489073553232009-08-12T13:39:00.000-07:002009-08-22T15:34:57.294-07:00Does Local Talk Radio Speak For You?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsa1Q1yPjWBsIHN9PpnFPyo22IyNgVff56XCLg96eg_HunSdZR2jqy6H3PmfKO_-zewx7FC7nukh4sVgKllAl_zd3BKQGxiRUHg177pmn5HVxfyP9YzO2hserEKZF7yOKDIodR/s1600-h/radio-set.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 124px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 124px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5369208012802601314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsa1Q1yPjWBsIHN9PpnFPyo22IyNgVff56XCLg96eg_HunSdZR2jqy6H3PmfKO_-zewx7FC7nukh4sVgKllAl_zd3BKQGxiRUHg177pmn5HVxfyP9YzO2hserEKZF7yOKDIodR/s320/radio-set.jpg" /></a> What do you think of local AM radio? Is there a "hometown" host you listen to? Is there a philosophical spin to the type of talk you prefer? How important is it that listeners can call in? Do facts really matter?<br /><br />According to published program schedules, with few exceptions<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">*</span>, the central coast has <strong>four or fewer hours</strong> each weekday anchored by informative, local listener call-in talk show programming. Total: little more than 20 <strong>afternoon</strong> hours a week.<br /><br /><div>The Central Coast of California has no local, call-in talk shows scheduled before noon. The out-of-town, big name, nationally syndicated programs are the morning rule on central coast AM radio. Does this really serve your public interest on the public (FCC regulated) airwaves?</div><div><br />Today's talk shows consist of a personality relating his/her own conservative or liberal philosophy. They may or may not take calls. You already know which is more often heard on local radio. Our stations in San Luis Obispo and Santa Maria cannot seem to find a way to have a local talk show host for more than four afternoon hours a day.<br /><br />Santa Barbara has even less--one weekday hour a day--on 1490AM KIST, "The Nick and Paul Show." Ventura county has it four times better with a four-hour local morning show on 1520AM, KVTA.</div><div><br /></div><div>-----------------------------</div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">*</span>Ed note:<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;"> </span></b>San Luis Obispo has it better than most--but in the afternoon. While Dave Congalton is on 920AM KVEC from 3 to 7pm, Bill Benica is talking on 1340AM KYNS from 3 till 5pm.</div>NewsstandGreghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04099049885765768069noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13649847.post-12939295160095225872009-08-10T11:48:00.000-07:002009-08-10T12:52:08.658-07:00Could You Pass The US Citizenship Test?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCzCAi8vPIuJNUvscM1eXp6sKD-V5SPOQPU979rWY-6GFcgOGtVCvZa78vw3H7lF1N-JP5en5gUu-CitQS1HJrXSIveOKKWGE3im3-PSNnn_HN6t8EKw-uz_bX3GbYR2rtsgh6/s1600-h/born-in-usa.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 116px; height: 116px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCzCAi8vPIuJNUvscM1eXp6sKD-V5SPOQPU979rWY-6GFcgOGtVCvZa78vw3H7lF1N-JP5en5gUu-CitQS1HJrXSIveOKKWGE3im3-PSNnn_HN6t8EKw-uz_bX3GbYR2rtsgh6/s320/born-in-usa.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368425278473180226" border="0" /></a>Lately in the broadcast and cable news channels, there is all this "birther" controversy challenging <span style="font-weight: bold;">President Obama's</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">birth status</span> and therefore his eligibility to be qualified to hold the highest office in the land. Was Barack Obama <a href="http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/born_in_the_usa.html"><span style="font-weight: bold;">born in the USA</span></a>?<br /><br />Is the president's birth certificate authentic? All questions about it have been proven false and it's been totally debunked as early as October, 2008, in <a href="http://archives.chicagotribune.com/2008/oct/30/nation/chi-birth-certificate-30-oct30"><span style="font-weight: bold;">the Chicago Tribune</span></a>.<br /><br />In any event, every US citizen knows the "birth" qualification for the office: “No Person except a natural born citizen, or a Citizen of the United States … shall be eligible to the Office of President.” Acts of Congress in 1790 and 1795 clarify that “the children of citizens of the United States … shall be considered as natural born citizens.”<br /><br />All Americans are assumed to know the basics of their government and how it works. My question: could you pass the <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13442226/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">test for US Citizenship?</span></a><br /><br />Go ahead, take the test. You'll be glad you did!NewsstandGreghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04099049885765768069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13649847.post-2989026240402068072009-08-02T16:24:00.000-07:002009-08-02T16:32:15.380-07:00Remembering Dick DeWeesHere's a tribute to the late Mayor, created by Inga McCullough.<br /><br /><object width="415" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/GhHe3XJJSCc&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/GhHe3XJJSCc&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="415" height="344"></embed></object>NewsstandGreghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04099049885765768069noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13649847.post-7639257623629048132009-08-01T11:05:00.000-07:002009-08-02T16:24:52.930-07:00Paying My Respects to Mr. DeWeesThe passing of our Lompoc mayor, Dick Dewees, late last Thursday came as a shock to me. He was 61 and had recent heart problems. I met him at a Lompoc Rotary meeting when he was a guest speaker.<div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnsx0oOb6C2BRmihTNspxr0jfQeoXV5xWHxCPDq4dLhYlAiCRFZ_SwEQR4pNqjmkOPWkKm_VpdiDtS89i74KupAOk_f3EP29vZ5woETST875tA2fvT8fVNNfvX744KeeJKhP8A/s1600-h/Dick+DeWees.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 80px; height: 101px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnsx0oOb6C2BRmihTNspxr0jfQeoXV5xWHxCPDq4dLhYlAiCRFZ_SwEQR4pNqjmkOPWkKm_VpdiDtS89i74KupAOk_f3EP29vZ5woETST875tA2fvT8fVNNfvX744KeeJKhP8A/s320/Dick+DeWees.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5365498170368928242" /></a>The news spread far and wide throughout the state all day Friday. The Lompoc paper Friday edition had already gone to press, so Saturday featured a full front page memorial and condolences.</div><div><br /></div><div>I did not know the man very well, but I respected his ability to handle the top job and campaign for it as often as he did: six times. He was a jovial man with a warm laugh and will be missed.</div><div><br /></div><div>At the moment, city leadership continues with the City council which has 30 days to decide how to fill the now vacant mayor's seat. The council can either 1) appoint a new mayor, or 2) vote to spend $120,000 for a special election.</div><div><br /></div><div>Councilwoman Ann Ruhge was <a href="http://www.lompocrecord.com/articles/2009/07/19/news/news02.txt">quoted</a> in the Lompoc Record issue dated July 19, saying that she "is seriously considering making a run for mayor." (At the moment, <b><a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32241963/ns/local_news-san_luis_obispo_ca/">KSBY</a></b> is the only news organization calling Mrs. Ruhge, Lompoc's "mayor pro-tem.")</div><div><br /></div><div>Ruhge also stated she would not oppose Mayor DeWees if he should decide to run again. The 2010 city election is 16 months from now. </div>NewsstandGreghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04099049885765768069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13649847.post-52969725556269219112009-07-30T16:24:00.000-07:002009-07-30T17:23:43.904-07:00Central Coast Bank Bailout Picture<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ShLryVUrRNFVnNrtC2n0zTNzGnhyphenhyphenoUJqfy2pDjxaPH0UKAzKySRvzVs7-HYkJDbI-DtebyCusV2fda_vuVasgPmfOevncWZx0U2mWU7AqWYhQyZ_x3AyWPuNzeYgvUEV_hDt/s1600-h/bank-bailout-tshirt+copy.jpg"><blockquote></blockquote><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 211px; height: 181px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ShLryVUrRNFVnNrtC2n0zTNzGnhyphenhyphenoUJqfy2pDjxaPH0UKAzKySRvzVs7-HYkJDbI-DtebyCusV2fda_vuVasgPmfOevncWZx0U2mWU7AqWYhQyZ_x3AyWPuNzeYgvUEV_hDt/s320/bank-bailout-tshirt+copy.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364400209862716114" /></a>Since we looked (last January) at the California and central coast banks on the receiving end of taxpayer bailout money, the list has expanded to <a href="http://bailout.propublica.org/main/list/state/CA">75 institutions</a>.<br /><br />Is your bank on this list? You might like to "work with them" on a new car loan or home down payment, knowing they have the money to lend.<div><br /></div><div>They are lending, aren't they?<br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Atascadero: Santa Lucia Bancorp, $4 million</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Goleta: Community West Bancshares, $15.6 million<br />Ojai: Ojai Community Bank, $2.1 million<br />Paso Robles: Heritage Oaks Bancorp, $21 million<br />San Luis Obispo: Mission Community Bancorp, $5.1 million<br />Santa Barbara: Pacific Capital Bancorp, $180.6 million<br />Simi Valley: Bank of America, NA, Mortgage servicer, $804.4 million<br />Simi Valley: Countrywide Home Loan Servicing, $5.2 </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">billion</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br />Thousand Oaks: California Oaks State Bank, $3.3 million</span></span><br /><br />The total bailout committed to California-based institutions is $33.7 billion, which is 5.9% of the total bailout so far committed.<br /><br />In January we counted five central coast banks accepting federal help.<br /><br />Now, two California banks which accepted bailout money last December and January, have already returned it to the taxpayers.<br /><br />Bank of Marin Bancorp got their $28 million bailout check last December, 2008; they returned it March 31, 2009. First ULB Corp received $4.9 million on January 23 and refunded it to the US Treasury April 22 of this year.</div>NewsstandGreghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04099049885765768069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13649847.post-19260713808812478182009-01-03T14:30:00.000-08:002009-01-03T16:53:56.616-08:00State Of Labor On Central Coast<div>It's always good to start the New Year with a firm grasp of last year's economic facts for the state of California.</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikEem16oVrFMDnWUkkbTJqkSP9rzXzF6Ei7MFzqs0-Qdu5jiOiOfuqxUzhx2POKQgdpf8CxbCVBYl3QzK-isweSW8RG5lKBixNslQg0N5k4HHTlVA2jV9TN0I6mfMGdUBh8ql5/s1600-h/labor-poster.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 116px; height: 114px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikEem16oVrFMDnWUkkbTJqkSP9rzXzF6Ei7MFzqs0-Qdu5jiOiOfuqxUzhx2POKQgdpf8CxbCVBYl3QzK-isweSW8RG5lKBixNslQg0N5k4HHTlVA2jV9TN0I6mfMGdUBh8ql5/s320/labor-poster.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287235273518320850" /></a><div>Unemployment and Labor statistics, for example. How bad or how good is the jobless rate? What's the change since last year? The US Bureau of Labor provides a handy reference in their website. The data is fresh from their October, 2008 tabulations.</div><div><br /></div><div>Here's the info for the Central Coast. To make easier for you, I've set the following three links:</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.bls.gov/eag/eag.ca_santabarbara_msa.htm">Santa Barbara-Santa Maria</a>, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><a href="http://www.bls.gov/eag/eag.ca_sanluisobispo_msa.htm">San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles</a> </span>and <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><a href="http://www.bls.gov/eag/eag.ca_oxnard_msa.htm">Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura</a>.</span></span></span></div>NewsstandGreghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04099049885765768069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13649847.post-90756354880820891822009-01-02T15:15:00.000-08:002009-01-02T15:28:59.723-08:00The 100 Mile Per Gallon California Car<div>The American auto industry may be in the throes of its reinvention, over the next painful transition years. But here's my bit to help us all through it.</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVGogHg9mVwUiFCaoDK8ZraQJiKiRodg2FP7fmvouzp8SOgTLDKGOaWdSJPROFWm0d5akOqBDA1Rin_loCl3n71M6AXB84uyKulnlbLz1cs7A8JrZYcvZoC1qihs3tpUIKzRli/s1600-h/aptera-car.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 111px; height: 111px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVGogHg9mVwUiFCaoDK8ZraQJiKiRodg2FP7fmvouzp8SOgTLDKGOaWdSJPROFWm0d5akOqBDA1Rin_loCl3n71M6AXB84uyKulnlbLz1cs7A8JrZYcvZoC1qihs3tpUIKzRli/s320/aptera-car.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286839343659121570" /></a><div>Look on the bright side--there's an entrepreneurial, start-up car company that makes today what Detroit may not manage ever to do.</div><div><br /></div><div>Build the 100 mpg car! It is the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.aptera.com/index.php">Aptera</a></span> and is priced in the mid-$20,000 range; it's a winner.</div><div><br /></div><div>One of Detroit's Big three could buy this company and make the car for the national market.</div><div><br /></div><div>On second thought, Aptera would be better to stay away from the old mindset of Detroit. This is a complete reinvention of the automobile, from top to bottom, complete with a new company culture.</div><div><br /></div><div>The inventors are headquartered in Vista, California and produce the composite body parts in Carlsbad, California. What fun and only from the west coast!</div><div><br /></div><div>(I don't drive one of these yet, but would not turn down the opportunity to represent the manufacturer if asked.)</div>NewsstandGreghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04099049885765768069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13649847.post-19668565180289377512009-01-01T18:50:00.000-08:002009-01-03T18:38:33.953-08:002009: Newest Bank Bailout News<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBqlOReP1z_tiNYLGwtdPd36B_fz4iaVz-07JxYGh6z1hjckdjBb2ocuIxCDfgYr1SnbTmJkj0EQ2xX4_TNTx-PThLp2jon9CmA-zuMA3-yZhNfncHgffqmbqjwlKhuxwSGbnu/s1600-h/dollar-sign.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 94px; height: 94px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBqlOReP1z_tiNYLGwtdPd36B_fz4iaVz-07JxYGh6z1hjckdjBb2ocuIxCDfgYr1SnbTmJkj0EQ2xX4_TNTx-PThLp2jon9CmA-zuMA3-yZhNfncHgffqmbqjwlKhuxwSGbnu/s320/dollar-sign.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286589395574304114" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Happy New Year's Day!</span> And an even happier new year for some bankers on the central coast.<br /><br />Curious to know which central coast banks are getting federal "bailout" money? Here's a list, courtesy <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.propublica.org/feature/bailout-bucks-to-banks-1028">ProPublica.org</a>:</span><br /><br />>> Santa Lucia Bancorp, Atascadero: $4 million.<br />>> Pacific Capital Bank Santa Barbara, operating First Bank of San Luis Obispo: $188 million.<br />>> Community West Bancshares, Goleta: $15.6 million.<br />>> California Oaks State Bank, Thousand Oaks: $3.3 million.<br />>> Mission Community Bancorp, San Luis Obispo: $5.1 million.<br /><br />Source material also from: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.treas.gov/initiatives/eesa/docs/12-29-08.pdf">US Department of the Treasury</a></span>; Bloomberg; Dow Jones; and the companies.NewsstandGreghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04099049885765768069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13649847.post-22084398441207127992008-12-31T17:33:00.000-08:002008-12-31T17:41:13.489-08:00Toasting The New Year!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4D8a4ClwM6V3itbl7XVCErhHHGnclOEfr87_w6sTM3-2yyhBfdDeRYaR7I3e-jMj8HreytiJ_L2fNLug1O2jDlzkiqX0Gu2EEOQWYhZOl2woClHUeprUwvkV79lDMPL5JX7uj/s1600-h/new-year.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5286133585872114674" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 117px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 117px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4D8a4ClwM6V3itbl7XVCErhHHGnclOEfr87_w6sTM3-2yyhBfdDeRYaR7I3e-jMj8HreytiJ_L2fNLug1O2jDlzkiqX0Gu2EEOQWYhZOl2woClHUeprUwvkV79lDMPL5JX7uj/s320/new-year.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Thank you for visiting the NewsMission this year!<br /><br />There will be more posts and perhaps even news will be reported here for the first time.<br /><br />My resolution is to pour more into the CCNM and give you better reasons to keep coming back. This will be a year of change and rebuilding, locally and nationally.<br /><br />What is your biggest New Year's resolution for 2009?NewsstandGreghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04099049885765768069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13649847.post-70549655659214679562008-12-30T09:56:00.000-08:002008-12-30T16:29:30.179-08:00Lompoc's Hidden Value: LompocNetThe big headline in the paper this morning screams <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.lompocrecord.com/articles/2008/12/30/news/featurednews/news01.txt">Lompoc's Wi-Fi Internet service</a></span> is losing money. Could there be a another side to the story?<br /><div>Read it, do the math and you'll know there's only one conclusion. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3d8vl99Gobkbp6bPhjhXnYh7pY1dz59Aw9msqtGZ6zYKgOllHvpMLRmjgdnHTAruJZN1eFgDOcTvR7ybwaEaalB0yzJDp4sC_I03saT7TWief_M5L7OO59nTaivK0LX3Vd87L/s1600-h/lompocnet200.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 180px; height: 126px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3d8vl99Gobkbp6bPhjhXnYh7pY1dz59Aw9msqtGZ6zYKgOllHvpMLRmjgdnHTAruJZN1eFgDOcTvR7ybwaEaalB0yzJDp4sC_I03saT7TWief_M5L7OO59nTaivK0LX3Vd87L/s320/lompocnet200.jpg" border="0" alt="Lompoc Net wireless" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285712452048091970" /></a> 750 more customers are needed for our municipal internet service to break even!</div><div><br /></div><div>More advertising to reach potential customers about this value will get more sign-ups. More <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.cityoflompoc.com/lompocnet/home.htm">info here</a></span>.</div><div><br /></div><div>Following my own inspiration to support "local Lompoc" goods and services, here's my free ad for this bargain priced ($4.99/mo.) city wireless service.</div><div><br /></div><div>Are there reception problems with LompocNet? One might like to get a strong signal at Ocean and H Streets, but <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://lompocnet.invisionzone.com/index.php?showtopic=5">reports tell us</a></span> there's more work to be done on the signal strength of the system.</div><div><br /></div><div>Let's see the City Council improve this situation while facing the honest truth in 2009!</div>NewsstandGreghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04099049885765768069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13649847.post-56582800588573505902008-12-29T14:46:00.000-08:002008-12-30T00:01:36.051-08:00Beyond The Usual In Lompoc<div>Life between Santa Maria and Santa Barbara is interesting, especially the political life in Lompoc. Now, some change is in the air.</div><div><br /></div><div>After ten years in the Mayor's office, my impression was that "the good old boys" running the city included city council, mayor and others. I thought that included the Lompoc Record columnist and outspoken local civic critic and long-time resident, Ron Fink.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRehYYHVuouGxYGbKR3aAJYkH0jOAdHgRZLLK6Z5PjqYxi4Gwu5cJEz06qF4Q3fQ74iVXIM6goOOV2LPzwVsLGMqi94x6-VyJr2ESHnEJ2Nlykx0F5Fnn1798onJNyl8S30djh/s1600-h/Lompoc-Mayor-DeWees.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 88px; height: 122px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRehYYHVuouGxYGbKR3aAJYkH0jOAdHgRZLLK6Z5PjqYxi4Gwu5cJEz06qF4Q3fQ74iVXIM6goOOV2LPzwVsLGMqi94x6-VyJr2ESHnEJ2Nlykx0F5Fnn1798onJNyl8S30djh/s320/Lompoc-Mayor-DeWees.jpg" border="0" alt="Dick DeWees, Lompoc Mayor" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285489848124135554" /></a><div></div><div>Got a big surprise Saturday when I opened the Lompoc Record's letters to the editor page. Took me aback to see--in print--the Lompoc Mayor, Dick DeWees, disagree with "local activist" Ron Fink. I thought they were always on the same page.</div><div><br /></div><div>DeWees, who narrowly won re-election in November, explained why he did not appoint Mr. Fink to the city planning commission.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Mayor's problem, in his words, was how Mr. Fink's "columns frequently distort or manipulate facts, or provide misleading or inaccurate information." </div><div><br /></div><div>Can't help agreeing that a newspaper columnist encourages people to view that columnist as an authority figure.</div><div><br /></div><div>Public officials have the responsibility to "convey accurate information to the public they serve," wrote the Mayor. "Based upon his journalistic history, I am convinced that Mr. Fink would be <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">unable</span> to fulfill that obligation."</div><div><br /></div><div>Mr. DeWees, thank you for knowing the importance of how real qualifications for office require an honest person who really can tell the public the unvarnished truth.</div><div><br /></div><div>And thank you for saying it to Mr. Fink, in print!</div></div>NewsstandGreghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04099049885765768069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13649847.post-62981052737024319382008-12-29T13:09:00.000-08:002008-12-30T16:39:19.700-08:002009 In A Center Left Country!<div>Is America really a "center-right" country? Will Obama have to govern a country that "leans right?" Have you had enough of this national debate?<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Yeah, so have I. Here's a fresh <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://www.learcenter.org/html/projects/?&cm=zogby/centerleft">Zogby/Lear poll</a></span> which asked 42 typology questions of 3,167 adults nationwide. 21 statements had majority support from the entire sample. (How would you answer these?)</div><div><br /></div><div>The results reveal three groups: 41% Red, 34% Blue and 24% Purple.</div><div><br /></div><div>Who are the "purples?"</div><div><br /></div><div>"Purples" are a significant group (24%) who split their answers between "Red" and "Blue" points of view. (44% red, 56% blue).</div><div><br /></div><div>Call them centrists if you like. Add it up and the results are clear: the USA leans <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">center-left</span>. 52% Blue vs 48% Red.</div><div><br /></div><div>A sample of the 21 statements: "Foreigners who immigrate to America want the chance to work for a better life."</div>NewsstandGreghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04099049885765768069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13649847.post-65612496328840850452008-12-29T11:12:00.000-08:002008-12-29T12:39:38.507-08:00Green Shopping Helps Everyone<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-1TQvVM6R4468hUr9gWpNy-Zel8Lu8esW8BUD93soWyHhwJ2Z-ewgQm5AQ8kBRAUqWnzoTYyU5ff4tDkX3tTjX-00RBwRT3kcxLIoOxTVE499OtwDWP8fMHy6jPwRh3-LjBsS/s1600-h/Ten-dollar-bill.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 95px; height: 127px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-1TQvVM6R4468hUr9gWpNy-Zel8Lu8esW8BUD93soWyHhwJ2Z-ewgQm5AQ8kBRAUqWnzoTYyU5ff4tDkX3tTjX-00RBwRT3kcxLIoOxTVE499OtwDWP8fMHy6jPwRh3-LjBsS/s320/Ten-dollar-bill.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5285314440050609874" /></a><div>How can you give everyone in your town a meaningful gift all at once? Eliminate the hassle of shopping for 3,000 of your nearby neighbors? Just do one simple thing (which yields green results!)</div><div><br /></div><div>Buy everything you need from a locally owned business. That will do the trick and here's why, according to Stacy Mitchell author of <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Big-Box-Swindle-Mega-Retailers-Independent-Businesses/dp/0807035009">Big Box Swindle</a></span>:<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>"Of every $100 spent in a chain store, $14 goes back into the local economy...for a locally owned business, $45 goes back!"</div><div><br /></div><div>Wow! This gives new meaning to being "Green:" good for the earth, your carbon footprint and your community's economy. It inspired me to post this while reading yesterday's USA Weekend insert in the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><a href="http://www.lompocrecord.com/">Lompoc Record</a></span>. Page 16.</div><div><br /></div><div>Where to start? Here's a link to a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">"<a href="http://www.cityoflompoc.com/departments/econdev/DiscoverLompoc/030.htm">shop Lompoc</a>"</span> site to help you find the locally owned stores which stock what you may want in my neighborhood. To find where to buy locally in your town, search Google for the phrase "shop (your town)" and have a good, green time.</div><div><br /></div>NewsstandGreghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04099049885765768069noreply@blogger.com0