May 06 2018
http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/cavoter/
Note: Eligible 17 1/2 year olds may register to vote as long as they are 18 on an election day.
May 01 2018
Why I’m Running
I’m Bill Ostrander and I’m running to represent California’s 35th Assembly District, which includes all of San Luis Obispo County and almost 50% of Santa Barbara County.
With the extraordinary energy of protest and resistance we’ve experienced here in the 35th Assembly District and across the country, now is our best chance in the past 50 years to flip this seat from red to blue.
But I want to focus on the issues of concern to the residents of the district. That’s why I’m hoping that our current Republican Assembly representative, Jordan Cunningham, will agree that residents of the 35th Assembly District will benefit from a wide-ranging discussion of political positions, ideas and ideals in the form of a series of Lincoln-Douglas style debates. These debates will be an opportunity for a substantive dialogue about where we are going and how we want to get there.
It’s my hope that these debates will not include now-typical political equivocation and poll-tested political sound bytes with no substance. Instead, these debates – to be held across the county – will follow the general form of the seven debates between Stephen A. Douglas and Abraham Lincoln during the 1858 Illinois state election campaign. The issues Douglas and Lincoln discussed were of critical importance the basic underpinnings of the union. We are now experiencing a time in our history that many believe are comparable to the troublesome times faced in 1858.
While, at the time of these momentous debates, Senators were elected by the state legislatures, Douglas and Lincoln nevertheless chose to take their message directly to the people. I would hope that our incumbent Assemblyman will do the same as Douglas and Lincoln, gather in our communities’ public squares throughout the 35th district, and debate the substantive issues we face today.
These debates will be free to the public because that’s what democracy dictates. I believe that everyone, regardless of political party, deserves a meaningful discussion of the complex issues that are crucial to our future. Let’s lay out our visions for the future for our district, our communities, and pour neighborhoods. And let’s provide voters with the information they need to make a truly informed decision based on the issues and not just empty rhetoric.
Remember, it’s not THE government, it’s OUR government, and we must all take part for democracy to flourish.
For more information, visit my website: https://www.billostrander.org
Apr 22 2018
2018 Endorsed Candidate, Betsy Schaffer, CPA
Santa Barbara County Auditor-Controller
QUALIFICATIONS: The County Board of Supervisors, since the 1950’s, has required candidates for the Santa Barbara County Auditor to meet certain qualifications (CA Government Code Section 26945):
1. Possession of a California Certified Public Accountant (CPA) License or be a Certified Internal Auditor. California Certified Public Accountant (CPA) – License #70139, issued 1995
2. Hold a degree in accounting. California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA Bachelor of Science, Business Administration, Accounting Concentration – 1991 Graduate
3. Serve as the county auditor, chief deputy county auditor, or chief assistant county auditor. Assistant Auditor-Controller (2 years) \ Chief Deputy Controller (2 years)
Other Qualifications: 2 years as a CPA and the Assistant Auditor-Controller, I fulfill and represent the basic tenets of independence, objectivity, and the required professional ethics of the Auditor’s Office for financial related issues 26+ years of professional work experience in government & private sector Committed to the office, the county, the community – I have lived and worked in Santa Barbara County for 35 years. Strong team builder and team leader (I have successfully applied W. Edwards Deming’s Process Improvement & Management Philosophies) Proven ability to think critically and provide an alternate perspective Proven ability to get things done with a realistic, yet positive temperament GFOA Certified Public Finance Officer (CPFO), #590, issued 2015.
EDUCATION: California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, CA Bachelor of Science, Business Administration, Accounting Concentration – 1991 Graduate Cuesta Community College, San Luis Obispo, CA Associate in Arts, Business Administration – 1989 Graduate Ernest Righetti High School, Santa Maria, CA – 1985 Graduate.
Email: betsy4countyauditor@gmail.com. Website: betsy4countyauditor.com.
LISTS OF CAMPAIGN DONORS: https://www.opensecrets.org
CALL TO ACTION: https://santamariademocrats.info/resist-call-to-action/
Call/Sign Petitions: https://santamariademocrats.info/petitions/
Write letters to the Editor: https://santamariademocrats.info/letters-to-media/
Look up elected representatives: https://santamariademocrats.info/your-reps-and-maps/
INDIVISBLE: https://www.indivisible.org
Get Local Events and Political News at Democratic Club of Santa Maria Valley Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/DemocraticClubOfSantaMariaValley/
May 08
County of Santa Barbara
PRESS RELEASE
Open 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday – Friday
(24-hour drive-up drop box in parking lot exit)Lompoc: 401 E. Cypress Ave, Room 102
Open 9 a.m. – noon and 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. Monday – Friday
(24-hour drive-up drop box at 100 Civic Center Plaza)
Santa Maria: 511 E. Lakeside Parkway, Suite 134
Open 8 a.m. – noon and 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. Monday– Friday
(24-hour drive-up drop box in parking lot exit)To confirm vote by mail status or voter registration status, contact the County Elections Office toll free at (800) SBC-VOTE or go to the Secretary of State website at https://voterstatus.sos.ca.gov/.The deadline to register to vote for the election is May 21, 2018.If a voter has moved or changed their name, they must reregister. Voters can register online at https://registertovote.ca.gov/ or obtain a Voter Registration Card from the County Regsitrar of Voters, the Department of Motor Vehicles, or most post offices and public libraries.Santa Barbara County Has Many Tools Available to Assist Voters:
- The Automark ballot marking system is available at our three offices and at every polling location in the County on Election Day. The AutoMARK is especially helpful for voters who are blind, have limited sight, or a disability or condition that makes it difficult to traditionally mark a ballot without assistance. The AutoMARK is easy to use and has a Braille keypad, increased font size, and audio options.
- Accessible Voter Information Guides and sample ballots are available at www.sbcvote.com in English and Spanish.
- Language Assistance and ballot facsimiles are also offered in Chinese, Korean and Tagalog in certain precincts. For more information, visit: http://sbcvote.com/elections/languageassistanceinfo.aspx
- Audio recordings and large font copies of the State Voter Information Guide and the County Voter Information Guide are available by contacting our office at (800) SBC-VOTE.
- Accessible voting booths are available at all polling locations for voters in wheelchairs or those needing to sit while voting.
- The Independent Living Resource Center is also available to assist voters at (805) 963-0595.
For information on accessible voting, contact the Elections Office at (800) SBC-VOTE or visit the Registrar of Voters’ website at www.sbcvote.com.
May 02
San Luis Obispo, CA – On Wednesday, May 2, Congressman Salud Carbajal (CA-24) and Bill Ostrander, Director of Citizen’s Congress, (and 2018 Candidate for CA 35 Assembly) introduced the Corporate Political Disclosure Act of 2018.
For more information, click on the link below:
Apr 19
Phone: (805) 730-1710
A local office will be an opportunity for constituents to discuss with Congressman Carbajal how he can best be of assistance in dealing with constituent casework and federal matters that concern Santa Maria residents.
OTHER LOCATIONS:
OFFICE LOCATIONS
WASHINGTON, DC OFFICE
212 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515Phone: (202)-225-3601
SANTA BARBARA OFFICE
360 S. Hope Ave.
Suite C-301
Santa Barbara, CA 93105Phone: (805)-730-1710
SAN LUIS OBISPO OFFICE
1411 Marsh St
Suite 205
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Phone: (805) 546-8348
Apr 18
California can’t count on congress to assist Americans with affordable insurance. We must take steps to provide coverage to those who will need it and whose lives depend upon health care. The CA Senate has passed SB562, now the CA Assembly must pass it. 
Please FORWARD this message to friends and activist groups. We need a flood of calls to stir these legislators! Thank you all for your work!
This is an important message for all SB 562 supporters. Please read and follow up ASAP.
As our bill heads to the CA Assembly, the Healthy California campaign is asking us to make THREE VERY QUICK PHONE CALLS. If everyone does this, it will bolster the process and build momentum going forward.
SAMPLE MESSAGE: “SB 562 is key to our health and economy. I am looking to (name of Assemblymember) to support it.”
SAMPLE MESSAGE: “SB 562 is key to our health and economy. I am looking to (name of Assemblymember) to support it.”
District 35 Map: http://www.calvoter.org/voter/maps/2011/assembly/map_20110815_ap_ad_35_certified.pdf
*** BE NOTIFIED OF THE PROGRESS OF HEALTH CARE FOR ALL SB562: http://www.healthycaliforniaact.org/home/
| May 18, 2018 |
| Yesterday marked the 64th anniversary of the historic Supreme Court case Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, in which the Court ruled that state laws segregating schools were unconstitutional. Yet schools today are more segregated than they were in 1968, with approximately 75 percent of black students attending racially segregated schools. This is bad news for students and particularly impacts black girls. Vouchers divert desperately needed resources from public schools to fund the education of a few students at private or religious schools. |
Continue reading –
https://www.aauw.org/2018/05/17/still-separate-still-unequal/
Mar 31
After the rally carpooled (check out QUEERPOOL) to Tranz Central Coast’s event in San Luis Obispo 4-6pm. Look for their
TDOV event on facebook at Tranz Central Coast
https://www.facebook.com/
Mar 20 2018
March 24th, at 2:30 p.m., over 120 people marched in front of Santa Maria High School’s Ethel Pope Auditorium and took over the corners at South Broadway and Morrison Avenue, chanting “Enough is enough!” “The people united will never be divided!” “Vote them out!” and “Hey, hey NRA, how many kids did you kill today?”
Joana Barrera, community organizer for Central Coast Alliance for a Sustainable Economy (CAUSE), said the organization has been talking to students since the Parkland shooting and the national walkout March 14, and hoped that it’ll spark more conversations about gun control in the near future.
“Santa Maria already faces high crime and youth violence stemming from gang activity,” Barrera said. “We want students to be listened to, and today’s a great way to help students get involved. Enough is enough.”
The “March for Our Lives” rallies were spearheaded by survivors of the Feb. 14 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, that left 17 people dead.
South Broadway and W. Morrison Street
Jan 30 2018
SIGN THE LETTER:
EASY CONNECT WITH MEMBERS OF CONGRESS: https://dreamacttoolkit.org/?link_id=1&can_id=83c605ec892ede215fcc88c82e0a78fb&source=email-defenddaca-protect-undocumented-communities&email_referrer=email_228200&email_subject=defenddaca-protect-undocumented-communities
SIGN THE PETITION:
https://santamariademocrats.info/petitions/immigration-and-daca/tell-trump-to-protect-dreamers/
Jan 29
Data collected by the Pew Research Center in 2014 found that only half of the least financially secure Americans are registered to vote, and only one-fifth planned to cast a ballot in that year’s midterm election. These voters also didn’t follow politics very closely — only a quarter knew which party controlled Congress, and only 14 percent had gotten in touch with an elected official in the last two years.
“Most people are registered to vote but you’ll find that they’re not turning out to vote,” says Alexandra Gallo, an organizer with West Virginia Citizen Action Group who participated in a panel on rural organizing. “They don’t feel that it matters or that it’s going to make a difference, or they don’t want to vote for the lesser of two evils.”
“You don’t just show up and knock on people’s doors,” she continues. “You have to develop trust. They want to know why you’re there. How long you plan to stay. And usually, when people are showing up, they assume that they have some money associated with their being there that probably will never get to the community.”
http://billmoyers.com/story/poor-people-arent-involved-in-politics/#.WU3KOExq96w.facebook
Jan 27 2018
Our leaders say things to appease our comfort level, but are enacting laws and changes that are destructive and irreversible to our planet. If we don’t come together to prevent this, nothing else will matter.
What they vote into law, is what we, and future generations, will live or die with. Don’t expect someone else to step up on your behalf. It’s everyone’s turn to be present.
Continued on our tab ‘POSTS CONTINUED” –
Click here – https://santamariademocrats.info/posts-continued/climate-change-is-a-survival-issue/
Nov 14 2017
There are over 750 new wells proposed for Santa Barbara County that will be voted on by our county Board of Supervisors. Click on the link: NO drilling! Reject proposals by oil companies AERA, ERG and PetroRock. These projects would drill through the Santa Maria Valley Groundwater Basin, which provides clean drinking water to 12 cities and over 200,000 people. We need to make sure our county votes against these proposals! https://secure.foodandwaterwatch.org/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=2949
CONTACT YOUR SANTA BARBARA COUNTY SUPERVISOR:
https://santamariademocrats.info/your-reps-and-maps/north-santa-barbara-county-supervisors/
OTHER ARTICLES OF INTEREST:
Oklahoma Has Had More Earthquakes Than California in 2014, Partly Because of Fracking
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/earthquakes-triggered-by-fracking/
