I had the distinct pleasure today of hearing Meg Whitman speak at a Town Hall meeting in Anaheim Hills. She is a persuasive and polished candidate, so very impressive and sincere at the same time. She spoke of the success of Ebay and graciously and confidently acknowledged that it is a unique company, she called it a “platform” that succeeded because of the users. She encouraged everyone to similarly, be a "part" of her effort to make California great again.
I share this philosophy of the impact of community efforts and that is why my children have always attended public school. I have always believed that the public school is what we make it. It is our school. I am fortunate to live in a community where most of the parents feel the same way, and due in large part to an active population of parents who care and volunteer and pay attention and cooperate with the administration, the schools in my community, all of them, are the top schools in the nation. I have subscribed to this philosophy and have seen it work. We invest in them and care for them because they are OUR schools, and the schools are great because we as a community are so invested.
A woman at the Meg Whitman town hall meeting reminded us all that we made history when we elected Governor Schwartzenager in the special election and encouraged us to make history again by electing Meg Whitman.
The point is, the government we have, is the government we have earned.
Many of us are unhappy with what we see. If you are one of those people, what are you doing about it?
I have been frustrated with the city government in Yorba Linda for some time now. I see people in elected positions, who have no vision and no direction. I see personalities that conflict, that are petty and vindictive and more concerned about personal retribution against other council members than the best interests of our community. I see councilmembers who can not make a decision, who have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on feasibility studies over the past few years that have lead nowhere. I am frustrated that while the people of Yorba Linda were not paying attention, the needs of our families and businesses have been ignored. The discussions related to the redevelopment and Town Center focus on the aesthetics reflecting our rural and equestrian heritage, but no one has bothered to talk about the 6 massage parlors that are located in the redevelopment area. How does that fit into the “Land of Gracious Living” and why are we not addressing this preponderance of adult businesses while we theoretically remediate blight? Why do aesthetics and aspiring to have a rural "look" get top billing over the safety and wholesomeness of the environment we are providing for our kids?
I could not sit by any longer while our city operated in this fashion. I have jumped into the deep end of this local political pool head first in the hope that we will raise awareness and involve a large segment of our community. I want to see citizens of Yorba Linda involved and getting heard, and elected officials who are responsive to the needs of ALL of the citizens and not just the loud and boisterous few.
We will have the government that we have invested in. Do you want something better? I do. What will you invest?
Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. Galations 6:7
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Volunteers: Making our community great
Volunteers are the only human beings on the face of the earth who reflect this nation's compassion, unselfish caring, patience, and just plain love for one another.
- Erma Brombeck
The unique thing about who we are as Americans is our ability to see a need and meet it. Whether it is meeting our neighbors, at home or abroad, in the time of a crisis, or simply building and sustaining our own communities through our churches, and other civic organizations, donating of one’s time, energy and resources is a uniquely American endeavor. In Yorba Linda, our history illustrates this volunteer spirit that made America great, and shows an impressive and continuing pattern of volunteerism that continues to make our community truly outstanding.
In February 1912, in an area of Southern California now known as Yorba Linda, a small group of dauntless women joined together to form a noble organization still known today as the Yorba Linda Women’s Club.
In the minutes of the November 14, 1912 meeting of the Yorba Linda Women's Club, a motion was made that “Mrs. Nixon being the first one of members to have anticipations of a little one in her home, and wishing to show our regard for her, I move we give a surprise for Mrs. Nixon at the home of Mrs. Trueblood.” Two months later on January 9, Mrs. Nixon did in fact give birth to a son and named him Richard Millhous.
In those early years, the club began their proud history of service to the community by supporting the first library in Yorba Linda. They raised money for the Library building, and through the dedication of its Garden Club members, planted the trees and greenery surrounding the early library. They gave a piano to the first Yorba Linda school and were instrumental in efforts to bring electricity to the community. In 1915, together with the committment of the Chamber of Commerce and the Yorba Linda Water company, the Women’s club orchestrated the planting and care of the first park. The Women’s Club has continued to the present, to be a vital part of the Yorba Linda community contributing substantially to joint efforts with Girl Scouts and many other important charities today including Relay for Life and Fiesta Days in recent years.
The Chamber of Commerce was formed in 1915 largely as an organized group to confront the Janns company on issues of water usage. The Chamber also worked with the Women's Club on bringing electricity to the community and building the first park. The Yorba Orange Growers association was an off-shoot of this early Chamber of Commerce. Today, the Chamber of Commerce is a much more sophisticated organization with marketing opportunities for local business, promoting local business through shop local programs and education and informative legislative activigtes. As we also saw in the crisis that followed the catastrophic fire in 2008, the Chamber proved to be the go-to resource to get “boots on the ground” to coordinate assistance flowing to families in need in times of confusion and catastrophe.
The volunteer fire department was organized in Yorba Linda in 1932. The original fire station building on Lemon Drive was built by citizens of the community and financed from their own pockets. When I was a young girl living in Yorba Linda, and even during the large brush fire that scorched the northern hills in 1979, this volunteer fire department was still the main resource protecting our city. With a horn loud enough to be heard from every corner of town, the volunteer fire fighters were called to action in the event of an emergency.
The volunteer spirit in our community has been present for more than a century. It is a proud and noble tradition in our country that has remained in our community until the present time. This kind of cohesive codependence makes for a prosperous and healthy community.
Geese fly together in a "V" formation. Have you ever wondered why they do this?
The flapping of the wings of each bird creates an uplift for the bird immediately following. By flying in "V" formation, the whole flock has a significantly greater flying range than if each bird flew on its own. A goose who falls out of formation will suddenly feel the drag and resistance of trying to go it alone, and will likely fall quickly back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird in front.
When we share a common direction and cooperation we will get where we are going more quickly and easily. If we are at least as wise as the geese, we will stay in formation and will be more efficient and go farther and faster than any of us could go alone.
If you have an opportunity to thank the volunteers in your community who work hard to make it great, you should certainly do so. We all benefit from the work, past and present, of these tireless individuals.
- Erma Brombeck
The unique thing about who we are as Americans is our ability to see a need and meet it. Whether it is meeting our neighbors, at home or abroad, in the time of a crisis, or simply building and sustaining our own communities through our churches, and other civic organizations, donating of one’s time, energy and resources is a uniquely American endeavor. In Yorba Linda, our history illustrates this volunteer spirit that made America great, and shows an impressive and continuing pattern of volunteerism that continues to make our community truly outstanding.
In February 1912, in an area of Southern California now known as Yorba Linda, a small group of dauntless women joined together to form a noble organization still known today as the Yorba Linda Women’s Club.
In the minutes of the November 14, 1912 meeting of the Yorba Linda Women's Club, a motion was made that “Mrs. Nixon being the first one of members to have anticipations of a little one in her home, and wishing to show our regard for her, I move we give a surprise for Mrs. Nixon at the home of Mrs. Trueblood.” Two months later on January 9, Mrs. Nixon did in fact give birth to a son and named him Richard Millhous.
In those early years, the club began their proud history of service to the community by supporting the first library in Yorba Linda. They raised money for the Library building, and through the dedication of its Garden Club members, planted the trees and greenery surrounding the early library. They gave a piano to the first Yorba Linda school and were instrumental in efforts to bring electricity to the community. In 1915, together with the committment of the Chamber of Commerce and the Yorba Linda Water company, the Women’s club orchestrated the planting and care of the first park. The Women’s Club has continued to the present, to be a vital part of the Yorba Linda community contributing substantially to joint efforts with Girl Scouts and many other important charities today including Relay for Life and Fiesta Days in recent years.
The Chamber of Commerce was formed in 1915 largely as an organized group to confront the Janns company on issues of water usage. The Chamber also worked with the Women's Club on bringing electricity to the community and building the first park. The Yorba Orange Growers association was an off-shoot of this early Chamber of Commerce. Today, the Chamber of Commerce is a much more sophisticated organization with marketing opportunities for local business, promoting local business through shop local programs and education and informative legislative activigtes. As we also saw in the crisis that followed the catastrophic fire in 2008, the Chamber proved to be the go-to resource to get “boots on the ground” to coordinate assistance flowing to families in need in times of confusion and catastrophe.
The volunteer fire department was organized in Yorba Linda in 1932. The original fire station building on Lemon Drive was built by citizens of the community and financed from their own pockets. When I was a young girl living in Yorba Linda, and even during the large brush fire that scorched the northern hills in 1979, this volunteer fire department was still the main resource protecting our city. With a horn loud enough to be heard from every corner of town, the volunteer fire fighters were called to action in the event of an emergency.
The volunteer spirit in our community has been present for more than a century. It is a proud and noble tradition in our country that has remained in our community until the present time. This kind of cohesive codependence makes for a prosperous and healthy community.
Geese fly together in a "V" formation. Have you ever wondered why they do this?
The flapping of the wings of each bird creates an uplift for the bird immediately following. By flying in "V" formation, the whole flock has a significantly greater flying range than if each bird flew on its own. A goose who falls out of formation will suddenly feel the drag and resistance of trying to go it alone, and will likely fall quickly back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird in front.
When we share a common direction and cooperation we will get where we are going more quickly and easily. If we are at least as wise as the geese, we will stay in formation and will be more efficient and go farther and faster than any of us could go alone.
If you have an opportunity to thank the volunteers in your community who work hard to make it great, you should certainly do so. We all benefit from the work, past and present, of these tireless individuals.
Monday, September 6, 2010
A Chicken in Every Pot (August 9, 2010)
One of my earliest memories of politics was when I was a little girl and George McGovern was running against Richard Nixon. I was watching McGovern on TV with my dad when he gave that “chicken in every pot” speech. I remember being so impressed and turning around to say to my dad, “You should vote for him! He will put a chicken in EVERY pot!”.
My father was pretty angry at the speech, and explained to me very emphatically that McGovern would not and could not do as he said, put a chicken in everyone’s pot. My father explained that McGovern did not have the money to do that. At that young age, I was bewildered as to why this powerful man on television would say something that was not true.
As I have observed in politics as an adult, idealism and enthusiasm often blur the lines between promises and reality. McGovern and his successors in the hand-out philosophy of government probably don’t intend to mislead voters, but they and the public following them, certainly fail to consider any of the consequences and costs of these platitudes and ideals.
We are at a crossroads in our governments, at the state and local, as well as the federal level. The platitudes and promises that the public bought at the last election have not only NOT ferreted out, but runaway spending is exacerbating and not helping the current issues facing our nation. We must realize this. We must face it and deal with it.
I am already seeing, shaping up for the November election, big promises of these proverbial chickens being plopped down into every single pot. It is a nice idea, but it can not be done. Will we continue to buy off on unreachable, destructive ideals, or will be take ahold of the harsh reality of preparing for our future?
The only solutions to our current issues are approaches that engender good old fashioned supply-side economics. Unless and until we take the governmental stranglehold off of business and let the free market do what it does best, we will remain in the same dismal cycle of a tax and spend downturn.
This is my platform, and I think it works even on a local level.
Spending reserves and providing handouts is never the answer and is getting us nowhere fast. We must encourage, strengthen and promote the businesses in our local community. This is how we create jobs, enhance revenue and facilitate a healthy economic and fiscal environment in our communities. Teach a man to fish.......
My father was pretty angry at the speech, and explained to me very emphatically that McGovern would not and could not do as he said, put a chicken in everyone’s pot. My father explained that McGovern did not have the money to do that. At that young age, I was bewildered as to why this powerful man on television would say something that was not true.
As I have observed in politics as an adult, idealism and enthusiasm often blur the lines between promises and reality. McGovern and his successors in the hand-out philosophy of government probably don’t intend to mislead voters, but they and the public following them, certainly fail to consider any of the consequences and costs of these platitudes and ideals.
We are at a crossroads in our governments, at the state and local, as well as the federal level. The platitudes and promises that the public bought at the last election have not only NOT ferreted out, but runaway spending is exacerbating and not helping the current issues facing our nation. We must realize this. We must face it and deal with it.
I am already seeing, shaping up for the November election, big promises of these proverbial chickens being plopped down into every single pot. It is a nice idea, but it can not be done. Will we continue to buy off on unreachable, destructive ideals, or will be take ahold of the harsh reality of preparing for our future?
The only solutions to our current issues are approaches that engender good old fashioned supply-side economics. Unless and until we take the governmental stranglehold off of business and let the free market do what it does best, we will remain in the same dismal cycle of a tax and spend downturn.
This is my platform, and I think it works even on a local level.
Spending reserves and providing handouts is never the answer and is getting us nowhere fast. We must encourage, strengthen and promote the businesses in our local community. This is how we create jobs, enhance revenue and facilitate a healthy economic and fiscal environment in our communities. Teach a man to fish.......
Inclusion means everyone
Why We Don't Want Men to Vote (quote from Alice Duer Miller, 1915)
- Because man's place is in the army.
-Because no really manly man wants to settle any question otherwise than by fighting about it.
- Because man's place is in the army.
-Because no really manly man wants to settle any question otherwise than by fighting about it.
-Because if men should adopt peaceable methods women will no longer look up to them.
-Because men will lose their charm if they step out of their natural sphere and interest themselves in other matters than feats of arms, uniforms, and drums.
-Because men are too emotional to vote. Their conduct at baseball games and political conventions shows this, while their innate tendency to appeal to force renders them unfit for government
This may sound silly to us now, but in 1915, this satirical view of Alice Duer Miller, was important and revolutionary thinking. She was an activist for women's suffrage. It is astonishing to think, that it was only 90 years ago that women were completely prohibited from voting or running for any public office.
We just recently celebrated the momentous occasion of the signing of the Nineteenth Amendment, which occurred on August 26, 1920 and for the first time in this country, women were allowed to vote. The 90th anniversary of this important event should be a pensive time for those of us, men and women alike, who treasure our right to vote.
A friend recently shared with me, "What you see from here, you don't see from there", a telling and appropriate observation from Ariel Sharon. What we see from here, now in 2010, is much different from what Alice Duer Miller saw in 1915 when she wrote these words, pointing out the cruel irony in the tortured logic of men having a right to vote but not women. Since that time, women have become some of our most influential and significant leaders. In this election year, the political prophets are telling us that the influence of women in politics and at the polls will be significantly expanded, as voters exercise their right to determine what "hope and change" really is.
What an exciting time to be an American, and what an exciting time to be a republican woman in politics. It all depends on your view from here. If we choose to see only the negative that the current administrations have bestowed upon us, we will undoubtedly be hobbled with despair. Look for opportunity, because it is here, but we must take it.
"Equality and inclusion means everyone has a place on the playing field. Priority seating on the sideline is simply not good enough." Donal Cashman, Enable Ireland
Inclusion is something that every elected official should strive for. Inclusion of the views of all citizens is something that has been sorely lacking for sometime in the government in my city. The voices of a select and boisterous few have and continue to control the city and it's current dysfunctional government. We have a long proud history in our country of including everyone, regardless of their viewpoint or station in life. Inclusion of the views of the quiet majority, parents, families and business owners, is something I will strive for if I am elected to serve on the City Council of Yorba Linda.
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