What is a PAC?
clairek: A PAC is a Political Action Committee. It is formed in support or opposition of a candidate or a ballot measure.
Definition: A political action committee, or PAC, is the name commonly given to a private group, regardless of size, organized to elect or defeat government officials in order to promote legislation, often supporting the group's special interests.
There are two local special interest PAC's; Friends of Fillmore and Fillmore Citizens for Responsible Planning. These PAC's are funded and maintained by developers and their lawyers and contractors.
PAC's are usually the ones responsible for the dirty tricks in a political campaign. They usually choose names that are the opposite of what they represent. For instance the Fillmore Citizens for Responsible Planning is primarily made up of Griffin Industries, their lawyers and their contractors.
They have contributed large sums of money to defeat candidates or measures that try to limit growth. In fact Ken Smedley and Ernie Villegas were supported by these PAC's. These PAC's also worked very hard to defeat Patti Walker in the last election.
Patti Walker and I have vowed not to accept any special interest money from developers. Our only source of funds is local individuals and small businesses. We are truly a grassroots campaign. We will be outspent 20 to 1 or more. I hope the citizens of this town can see through all the dollars to see what's at stake.
Right now, in this current campaign, they have already expended a large amount of money conducting a "survey" about the City Council race. You may have participated in this telephone survey. I was even polled.
The questions were so targeted and twisted that I would hope anyone with a modicum of intelligence can see right through the tactics...more tomorrow.
posted by Gayle Washburn @ 10:38 PM
26 Comments
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26 Comments:
Question Gayle,
Is Richard Francis and SOAR considered a PAC?
PAC's are one way for a small group of individuals to pool resources so their voice can be heard.
Walker is familar with another way for having heard voice heard. Lawsuits.
Anonymous & Marco, sounds like an upset city official.
Seems to me Marco and Anonymous is the same person. It is obvious; he is attacking the people who care about this community. Instead of attacking the PAC, "Friends of Fillmore", whom are destroying our Small Town.
This particular PAC Group hides behind the name of their Group. Just like Anonymous and Marco hide behind these names.
Why don't they come out and disclose their names?
Could it be that if the public knew, the public would be shocked at finding out whom they are? That it would ruin their strategy?
Lets see, they are Attorney's, Representatives for the Developers, X-Council & X-Mayors of Fillmore for the Developers. (Why are they still active, I thought they retired?)
I know there are others too.
Yes! They are known here in Fillmore yet hide, Why?
In my opinion, it is because they know what they are doing is "WRONG" and they are embarrassed to have their names linked to these actions.
Yet, for their selfish gain they participate.
Gayle can you disclose the names or these members???
I am sure Fillmore Residents would be interested.
FILLMORE VOTERS ,
THE FRIENDS OF FILLMORE PAC IS 99% FUNDED BY PEOPLE IN BAY AREA (DEVELOPERS AND APPLIANCE CO'S) ALL THE WAY DOWN TO SAN DIEGO. THERE IS EVEN MONEY COMING FROM SALT LAKE CITY UTAH. NOW WHY WOULD SALT LAKE CITY UTAH BE SO INTERESTED IN FILLMORE?
AS IVE SAID , THE FRIENDS OF FILLMORE PAC IS REALLY THE ENEMIES OF FILLMORE. IF WANT OUT OF COUNTY ,OUT OF FILLMORE, OUT OF STATE INFLUENCING OUR ELECTIONS THEN BY ALL MEANS VOTE FOR SMEDLEY,MCCALL,ROBERTS , HERNANDEZ.
IN 2004 , THE FRIENDS OF FILLMORE SPENT 50,OOO TO PROMOTE DRESSY, CONY,CUEVY THINK ABOUT IT . WHAT ARE THEY AFRAID OF? ACCOUNTABILITY? TRUE LEADERSHIP? ANTI- RUBBERSTAMPER?
BE RESPONSIBLE VOTERS THIS YEAR ,,AND LOOK AT THE FINANCIALS! THERE WILL BE SOME CANIDATES THAT WILL HAVE SUPPORT THROUGHOUT VENTURA COUNTY AND FILLMORE, THEN YOU WILL OBSERVE THE MAJORITY OF CANDIDATES WHO ARE RELIANT UPON THE THE FRIENDS FILLMORE PAC WHICH IS SUPPORTED BY BAY AREA DEVELOPERS DOWN TO SAN DIEGO DEVELOPERS AND HOME APPLIANCE PRODUCTS. ALSO DONT FORGET ABOUT THE OUT OF STATE COMPANIES.
ASK YOURSELF, DO YOU FEEL REPRESENTED? DO YOU WANT TO CONTINUE WITH THE STATUS QUO?
I SURE DONT ,I WAS FOOLED IN 2004 BUT NOT AGAIN.
WALKER/WASHBURN FOR FILLMORE CITY COUNCIL 2006.
There probably wouldnt beso many lawsuits if city hall actually complied with the law and didnt partake in shady deals. A insightful observation is the DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM . This program is truely flawed and the city staff is very inexperienced to operate it. Its a shame that city hall along with the city council spit in the faces of hard working families who want to provide housing for their families . Most home buyers who have went through this program have experienced complete resentfullness , and harassment. Again its a shame that the City of Fillmore has so many lawsuits, but they are legit.
Marc o: Richard Francis is a former Ventura Mayor and council member. I believe he was or is a board member of SOAR.
I do not know if SOAR is a PAC or not. I wasn't living here during the SOAR campaign in Fillmore so I have not had the opportunity to really know anything about the organization.
anonymous: I believe that was the intent of PAC's, but the ones operating in Fillmore now have been perverted into developer special interest machines to control politics here.
I am not familiar with Patti Walker being a plaintiff in any lawsuits, so, I did a search on the Superior Court website just to make sure. I did find a case where the City and Roy Payne sued Patti and nine other citizens - including Clarence Freeman. I wasn't able to determine what it was about but the City lost and had to pay attorney costs.
Hi Marco.
I wanted to clarify that SOAR is a non-profit corporation which has worked tirelessly to protect our unique agriculture environment. And they have been successful.
When a major portion of the county's revenue is generated by agriculture and the various off-shoots from ag industry, I believe it is in the best interest of not only county government but each individual city to provide protection to this resource.
It is not only the county that benefits from the revenue generated but each resident in Ventura County. With this income we have access to county hospitals, roads and other worthwhile amenities.
Thanks for asking.
Patti
Well, anonymous, if you can provide me with any documentation that can support your claim that I have sued the City of Fillmore, please do so.
Since I know that none exists, let me clarify the situation and you can become an informed voter.
My husband and I were defendants in a lawsuit brought by the City of Fillmore. The litigation was based upon ballot statements signed by various community members in favor of Measure J and against Measure K.
As a para-legal I knew of that old adage "only a fool is his own attorney," so we had to hire one.
Many may say we did not win that round, but the city had to pay our attorney's fees.
Whether or not you choose to believe this, or ignore the truth, at least you have been informed.
Just for the record, Mayor Pro-Tem Ken Smedley recused himself from the dias, took his turn at the podium and he threatened to sue the city.
So you decide.
Patti
Ms. Washburn and Ms. Walker;
Please define what smart-growth is. I've heard the term used but do not fully understand it, or what your definition of it is. Thank you.
i read someone(marco) wants fillmore to grow up! Should we wear our big boy pants? Do you think the Friends of Developers I mean Friends of Fillmore(perhaps both) could spare a few bucks for ALL OF OUR POCKETS...Or will it go to the select few that wears them well? Marco, If you were intellectually honest with yourself,you would have to agree...the only one to make $$$ will be the developers,and the shills that hawk for them.NOT THE PEOPLE OF OUR FAIR CITY.Please remember,when our city is gone...
so are the developers.Unfortunately our pants still won't fit and still no $$$ in our pockets.Thanks for your time&your opinion.
At what point in history did capitalism become evil? Isn't it the american dream to own your own home?
I don't see any tents in Fillmore so let's not be hypocritical of living in a home some else build and we purchased or rent.
Anonymous again,you missed the point. Any time someone brings up reality,you and another one change the question.I never said capitalism is evil.Oh by the way...I think a house is wonderful,I have two. I hope Gayle or Patti can answer the following question...
Property owners pay Property Tax’s.
Does this Revenue pay City Official & City Workers Salaries?
If not, what pays these High Figure Salaries?
Thank you Patti & Gayle for answering,
However Id like to respond to Patti's declaration that "it is in the best interest of not only county government but each individual city to provide protection to this resource"
Then isn't SOAR choosing to protect one source of revenue over many? Isn't that considered a special interest?
What about the property owners who have absolutely NO say in how SOAR governs their own private property? We all know that agriculture is the result of private business owners (farmers) taking it upon themselves and their own property to succeed in a free enterprise. But what's going to happen to these farmers if God forbid another medfly infestation wipes out their investment? SOAR has only taken away their rights as property owners to invest in real estate or commercial investment. Is that fair? Even Gayle acknowledged the fact during this blog forum that every business carries risks and can fail at any time.
SOAR has lead to housing shortages and significant housing-price increases throughout the years and not to mention increased political manipulation of the housing market. It is my opinion that SOAR is a PAC that stands for regulating a free marker, private enterprise and individual liberties.
Marco,
First, I define "special interest" as protecting the revenue source of one (those involved in the building industry for instance). In my comments, I indicated that SOAR benefits the entire county.
Secondly, right now any ag property owner in the county could develop his/her property. Instead of getting the city's permission, they would have to get permits from the county. They can still develop. What is happening is the farmer is selling their property to developers.
As you said, their business is farming. It is zoned ag just like your home is zoned residential and just like where you work is zoned for business use. Are you free to change your zoning just because you can no longer afford to pay your mortgage? One positive for ag is if a crop fails (and I believe our ag community is more concerned with importing of foreign foods) they can cultivate another type of crop. That is one reason why you see the oranges being turned under and peppers going in. That's free enterprise.
Most ag surrounds Fillmore. Very little is actually within the city limits. In order for the county ag to be developed (like the Heritage Valley Park project) it needed to be annexed into the city limits. After that happens all responsibility to provide services (police, fire, school, roads, sewers) are paid for by the city. And the revenue from the property taxes, etc. that are seen from the development never cover the costs for these services.
Don't you want to be able to have a say on how your city is developed? Do you want your community to not have form or function? That is democracy, which is a very strong reason for SOAR.
Third, SOAR has not lead to any increase in housing costs. If that was the case then why is it just as expensive to purchase homes in Santa Barbara, Los Angeles and other counties in Southern California where there isn't SOAR?
And finally, each and every SOAR has a component that allows for annexation and development of a specific number of acres each and every year. They also carry an element that allows for annexation of property for public use - like sewer plants, roads, and the like.
Well, Voter,
Some of these wages are paid for in your water/sewer bill.
A portion of the property taxes received go into the redevelopment fund (which all the city is in) and that pays for the capital improvement projects. Those employees who work on those types of projects get paid out of that fund.
And then there is development. Development also pays wages. Every developer has to pay an application fee. Each time a staff member works on a project they put their time on the ledger and they are paid out of the "application" fees. As the fees whittle down, the developer has to put in more money to cover the staffs payroll for the time they are working on that specific project.
There are some who believe that this final reason is one way they keep development at the city's door - it keeps their salaries up.
A good, productive way to conserve our money in city hall is to put a stop to the double dipping consultants that absolutely do nothing positive for fillmore. The bureaucratic madness has dampened city hall with complete corruption and inemptness. Our household received a fine for our air conditioner, so i went to pay this fine and city staff did not know what was going on. The fine was for the incorrect amount for starters , then they said the fine was not for the air conditioner,, it was for an addition to our home. We never did any addition to our home, i think any knowledgable homeowner would know to file and get a permit. It makes me wonder how the City of Fillmore survives.
I guess the answer is the HIGH SCALE TAXES WE PAY FOR AN INCOMPETENT CITY HALL AND WASTELFUL CONSULTANTS!
Claire you are a typical housewife that has nothing else going on.
I hear that Jafra cosmetics is hiring! Go back to Omaha.
Did clairek offend you anon?, i guess if i were a city official i would feel the same hatred towards the voters who want the truth and facts.
ClaireK..
Koodoos.
I thought we all are to respect each others opinnion
Anonymous..
You hide behind anonymous, at least we know Claire's name.
Everyone: Reminder...just conversation here. We're sharing information and opinions. Those opinions can differ but ultimately we are all in this together.
We can be a better community - with more communication, open government and a shared vision(and Patti Walker and Gayle Washburn on the City Council!)
City Hall and our current leadership are doing what they think is best - and to the best of their ability.
A couple of comments in the posts caught my eye. One point that Patti made is "Are you free to change your zoning just because you can no longer afford to pay your mortgage"
There does seem to be a certain sense of entitlement if you are a land owner who wants to make a speculative windfall by changing zoning.
As homeowners, we wouldn't be able to change our homes into motels or boarding houses just because we could make a lot more money.
Another point I would like to make is that there is a lot of unwarranted hostility about SOAR. I was not here at the time it was voted on, but just looking at the situation from an objective viewpoint - the City really lost nothing because of SOAR but added quite a bit of land into the sphere.
As far as I can tell, we just can't annex Bardsdale and Grand Avenue until after the 20 years. Were we intending to do that anyway? Develop those areas? How would we pay for that infrastructure? What am I missing?
Hi Gayle,
Just to clarify my response to Patti and I'll try to make this short. I wasn't referring to changing the zoning in a residential neighborhood to commercial. I would hate for a Motel 6 to erect next door to my residence. I was implying that SOAR is not fair to agriculture property owners and that SOAR promotes too much government control over private property. I apologize if I sounded hostile.
It is my understanding that the city can annex property outside the CURB line if approved by LAFCO. LAFCO must consider Fillmore's adopted general plan if they are to allow such annexation. The property still cannot be developed for urban use without voter approval. I do not believe that the city has any intentions in developing Bardsdale or Grand Ave at this time. Even I would hate to see that area developed, but I also feel that I have NO say in what someone else does with their own property.
Who are the Friends of Fillmore. This is a better guarded secret than Opus Dei. Why can't anyone get a list of supporters and donations?
Todd VanDeMheen says,
I live at 1355 Goodenough road.
Sometime around April of 2006 I received a mailer from the City Of Fillmore, informing me that I was about to be the proud recipient of a few new neighbors. I was informed that 894 brand new homes were about to be approved next door to my 1 acre property. I was informed that if I did not appear at the next city council meeting and voice any objections I had no future legal recourse.
I was at that meeting, only to find out that the city staff, and city council had already decided upon the full buildout of 894 homes more than three years prior (the mailer was merely a legal requirement.)
Fortunately I was not alone, the residents of Fillmore came out in force. Though it became evident that the vast majority of Fillmore residents were entirely opposed to the North Fillmore Development, including the Planning Commission, The entire City Council unanimously rejected their own voting constituency's recommendation to reject The North Fillmore E.I.R. (but also that of The Planning Commission, which they themselves put into office.)They even went so far as to vote UNANIMOUSLY - at the request of The Sun-Cal Developer - to dispose of any and all future Planning Commission involvement in any and all future involvement concerning The North Fillmore Development.
Thus began The Referendum. Only after The City Council was confronted with over 1600 signatures by you, The registered Fillmore Voters did they have to (by law) finally take us seriously.
YOU, the registered voters made all the difference.
For the very first time since this all began I am giving myself the well deserved credit for my part in "fighting the battle."
My battle began in April and did not take a break until The Referendum was officially certified.
Much more important than my own effort though was the combined efforts of all the rest of the team.
The "Citizens For Responsible Growth" was made up of some of the finest individuals I have ever known.
At the top of the list is Gayle Washburn.
Without Gayle's skills, endurance, and committment I honestly do not believe we would have done half as good as we did.
Without Gayle Washburn and Patti Walker, I believe that The North Fillmore Developement would already be out of control.
The Referendum was just the first step. In order to assure that YOU continue to have YOUR voices heard and acted upon, it is absolutely necessary to vote for GAYLE WASHBURN and PATTI WALKER for City Council.
Sincerely,
Todd VanDeMheen
YES SOAR IS A PAC, and yes friends of fillmore is a pac, and yes the urban league of women is a pac and yes the nra is a pac. A pac is an organization that not only contributes moneys toward a campaign, but lobbies public officials in an attempt to sway a vote in favor of their agenda. PACS have been around a long time and are based from a diverse and ecletic group of organizations all vying for support for their interests. And no a farmer cannot develop, unless SOAR is voted on by the county and / or city that has it in place to be changed. If a farmer wants to sell their land to a developer and the developer assumes the risk of loosing the vote, thus in general will not buy the land. And the rumor, is that the law suit was generated by a PAC that supported Patti, thus indirectly generated the rumor that Patti brought a law suit against the city. Again this is rumor and thus unvarifyable, unless someone has more information and would like to present it as fact, which I doubt anyone will. again assumption and Rumor, during a campaign, go figure.
Oh ya gayle designed this Blog with the ability of people to be anonymous, this is their right and choice, and while I choose to remain anonymous, I am not a developer, not a developer supporter, I only want to know the truth in an unbias manner in order to make a decision as to which candidate to vote for. My identity is irrelevant to this discussion.
With all the blunder I have been reading.
Why is it that one has to blame the other?
Can’t one Councilperson step up and admit they have faulted with their decisions?
Most Lawsuits with the City of Fillmore were caused by the arrogance of the City Council members.
The City Council Members have continually acted against the advice of the City Attorney.
Don’t blame Patti, don’t blame me, and don’t blame the people.
The Decisions were made by "3 Votes" by “YOU”
the City Council Members.
anonymous,from one to another.Your right you probably are irrelevant.Not slinging mud,just shoveling something away.
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