2011-02-07·westranchbeacon.com · WordPress (West Ranch Beacon)·Wayback capture

Commentary: Runner’s experience trumps Unknown

By admin

Antelope Valley Dave Bossert Opinion Politics Santa Clarita Valley

Recently I had to interview a group of candidates for a new assistant position. I had helped my previous assistant advance into a more definitive career path and was meeting perspective candidates to replace him. I was looking for a reasonable level of communication and inter-personal skills as well as some level of experience.

Experience is an extremely important aspect of any perspective candidate that is applying for a position. The same is true for political candidates. We have all witnessed the difficulty political figures run into when they lack experience; they lack the ability to get much done except spend time trying to learn the ropes through trial and error.

So it was a complete surprise to some that the city’s newspaper, The Signal, endorsed an unknown, inexperienced Democrat from the Antelope Valley for the 17^th district State Senate seat. The Democratic candidate, Darren W. Parker, has no experience in office; has never held office before and has virtually no political support in the Antelope Valley where he resides. Aside from that, he is an unknown in the Santa Clarita Valley as well.

The Signal Editorial Board which is made up of Publisher Ian Lamont, Editor Lila Littlejohn, Leon Worden, Fred Trueblood and Morris Thomas chose an inexperienced, unknown person who has next to no support base or interest in the Santa Clarita Valley!

I’m not surprised by the endorsement as the City’s newspaper has been out of touch and out of step with our community for a long time. Its inability to engage the community has resulted in its slide into irrelevance and anemic circulation. Less than 8% of households apparently even subscribe to the paper that used to be the watchdog of the Santa Clarita Valley.

Now to be fair, both Fred Trueblood and Leon Worden have written op-ed pieces trying to distance themselves as far as possible from their “Why Parker’s the choice for 17^th” endorsement. I say “their” editorial because they are part of the editorial board that endorsed Parker but clearly those two Signal editorial board members objected to the paper endorsing an inexperienced candidate.

By contrast, Sharon Runner the Republican in the race has a proven track record as a friend of Santa Clarita and was a strong supporter of business issues in her previous 6 years in the California State Assembly. She is committed to protecting the Santa Clarita Valley Enterprise Zone and Redevelopment Agency, which are some of the few economic development programs available locally in SCV.

Sharon Runner is well known throughout the Santa Clarita Valley and understands the needs or our community. She is also a business owner and along with her husband have a very successful private school in the Antelope Valley. She will be a partner with local businesses as we work to get out of this recession and stop the over regulation and taxation from Sacramento.

She is endorsed by most of the local SCV elected officials, including Assembly member Smyth; most of the Santa Clarita City Council; Castaic Lake Water Agency Board Members Tom Campbell, Ed Colley, Jerry Gladbach, Peter Kavounas, Jacquelyn McMillan, and William Pecsi; Newhall County Water District Director BJ Atkins; Newhall School Board Member Phil Ellis; Santa Clarita Community College Board Members Michael Berger, Michelle Jenkins, and Scott Wilk; and Santa Clarita Planning Commissioner Bill Kennedy

All of those local endorsements mean a lot! They mean that Shannon Runner is a known commodity; she is someone who is not only known but knows many individuals in our community. It means that Runner will listen to our local concerns and will fight hard for us in Sacramento as well as dealing with the States woes with an experienced hand. There is no doubt that she will do this in a positive way by setting aside party politics and reaching across the isle for the good of the residents of California.

With all that, The Signal’s endorsement of an unknown, inexperienced, individual is reprehensible and moronic. It lacks regard for the communities that the paper is suppose to be serving. That endorsement has infuriated a number of business leaders and small business owners throughout the Santa Clarita Valley who are looking at possibly pulling advertising and canceling subscriptions. Good going for a paper that is in an industry going through readership upheaval and tectonic technological change.

It’s the thumbing of the paper’s nose at the community and the community has no doubt been returning the favor over time! Forrest Gump once utter the words; “Stupid is as stupid does!” That seems to be the motto of the City’s newspaper and its editorial staff.

The clear choice is Sharon Runner for the 17^th State Senate district. If you would like to learn more about Sharron Runner visit her website at www.Sharonrunner.com and if you like what you read about her then drop her a note of support or a donation if you can.

Dave Bossert- Commentary

Dave Bossert is a community volunteer who serves on a number of boards and councils. His commentaries represent his own opinions and not necessarily the views of any organization he may be affiliated with or those of the West Ranch Beacon.

Comments

12 · as published

February 7, 2011 – Daily Brief | SCVTalk.com
February 7, 2011 – Daily Brief | SCVTalk.com Says: February 7th, 2011 at 8:45 am [...] Bossert likes serial government worker Sharon Runner over Darren Parker WRB This entry was posted in Daily Brief. Bookmark the permalink. ← February 4, 2011 – [...]
admin
admin Says: February 7th, 2011 at 4:44 pm “Serial government worker” You mean like Bill Clinton, Nancy Polosi, Harry Reid, Barbra Boxer, Jerry Brown, and most other politicians? Yes, Sharon Runner is a dedicated public servant!
Allan Cameron
Allan Cameron Says: February 9th, 2011 at 8:58 pm Perhaps this commentary would be different if Dave were to have met or spoken with Darren Parker or reviewed Darren’s web site (Darren Parker4senate.com) before he wrote it. The Signal editorial Board did have such a meeting with both candidates before they made their endorsement. It is helpful for people to begin to know just how many Democrats there are in the Santa Clarita Valley. At last count there were more than 54,000 registered Democrats in the SCV. They are local business owners, elected officials, community leaders, Directors and staff of multiple local non-profits, home owner association presidents, and far more. These tens of thousands of great Democrats also have the ability to “vote with their pocketbooks”, and to choose with whom they will do business. Darren Parker has a staggering array of significant endorsements of his own. Among the huge list are the Democratic Club of the Santa Clarita Valley, the Democratic Alliance for Action, the Democratic Party of the San Fernando Valley (the SFV, in part, is also in the 17th Senate District), the Democratic Party of Los Angeles County, United States Congressman Brad Sherman (who represents a small part of the Santa Clarita Valley as part of his District), United States Senator Dianne Feinstein, and far to many to list here. Again, please refer to Darren Parker’s web site for the amazing complete list. Of the many reasons to vote for Darren Parker for this seat, one is overwhelming. The State of California is run by Democrats. Santa Clarita Valley pays billions of Dollars in taxes to Sacramento. We in the SCV have billions of dollars in unmet needs for schools, parks, roads, sewer systems, police and fire stations, and far more. Darren Parker has earned the respect of Democratic (and Republican!) leaders from all over our State, and even the nation. He was urged to run for this seat by many of our State leaders, the very same people who hold our fate in their hands. He can get what Santa Clarita needs from Sacramento in ways not available from any Republican. The Signal Newspaper is well aware of the Partisan thoughts that would come their way as a result of their endorsement of Darren Parker. Witness Dave’s column. They did what was best for the unmet needs of the Santa Clarita Valley. You can do the same by being certain to vote on Tuesday, February 15th, and by voting for Darren Parker, who can get what we need and deserve from our tax dollars sent to Sacramento. Allan Cameron, President, Democratic Club of the Santa Clarita Valley
Allan Cameron
Allan Cameron Says: February 10th, 2011 at 2:08 am Darren Parker’s main web site, mentioned in my commentary above (Darrenparker4senate.com)has been hacked, so no one can access it. While this site is being repaired, you can inform yourself as to why The Signal endorsed Darren Parker for the 17th Senate Seat election on Tuesday, Febraury 15, by accessing anothe web site for information about Darren Parker. This web site is http://www.darrenwparker.com . Allan Cameron, President, Democratic Club of the Santa Clarita Valley
admin
admin Says: February 10th, 2011 at 4:59 am Allan, Thank you for your comments. At the heart of it and what is truly the issue not only in our state and nationally is your comment; “The State of California is run by Democrats.” Unfortunately I disagree with that statement. I think that our state is run by Californians; a diverse mix of state residents trying to do right by all those that live in the state. I am disappointed by your myopic view as it is at the root of the partisan bickering that seems to dominate politics today. It’s a “them against us” mentality that is stale, divisive and has contributed the mess we are in both on the state and national level. Just as an FYI, I actually vote based on the person, their record of accomplishments and not their party affiliation. Thank you, -Dave
Allan Cameron
Allan Cameron Says: February 10th, 2011 at 9:51 am Hello to all. My thanks to Dave Bossert for his prompt and thoughfull response to my comments. I agree completely with Daves concern with the negative effects of hyper partisan ship. “Party before Country” is un American. My observation that “California is run by Democrats” was not an statement advocating that our elected leaders define themselves first and formost by their Party affiliation. It was a statement about a factual condition, as if I had observed that “California is run by people over 30 years of age”. It is imperative that our elected leaders always place “Country before Party”. It is for that reason, as well as for so many others, that Darren Parker is truly an astounding candidate to be our State Senator. Everything about him places civility, decency,and an ability to transcend differences above all else. I am confident that if Dave has an opportunity to meet, question, and have a dialogue with Darren Parker, that he would be mightily impressed. I was pleased to read that Dave places the attributes of a candidate first and formost,above slogans and labels. Time is short, but folks can get a good sense of who Darren is by watching the forum/debate that is available as “video on demand” on Santa Clarita Valley Television (SCV TV, channel 20) The central issue again is,who can return the billions of dollars we send to Sacramento to our community, where we have so many unmet critical needs. Darren supports effective Redevelopment Agencies and Enterprise Zones, which he has statedapplies to what we have here. However, Darren also understands that there are some of these in California that have been abused, or that are miss managed. One size defintely does not fit all for this critical issue. Who has the best chance to retain these agencies and zones for us? Before you vote, please take a well researched look at Darren Parker. You may very well find that you agree with the Signal Newspaper, and that you will vote for Darren Parker for State Senator on Tuesday, February 15. It is the only item on the ballot. Thank you again for this opportunity to comment. Allan Cameronh, President, Democratic Club of The Santa Clarita Valley.
Diane Trautman
Diane Trautman Says: February 10th, 2011 at 11:43 am Thanks for the link, Allan! I just contributed to Mr. Parker’s campaign. Dave, it looks as though Darren has a significant amount of support in the Antelope Valley and has held quite a few positions of influence. I’d recommend you take a look at his website. And I’m surprised by The Signal’s endorsement, but pleasantly so. I salute the editorial board for their action and lend my support to Darren Parker’s campaign as a small business owner. I suspect that Leon might have backed away from it because of his support for the RDA and the Enterprise Zone. Problem is that supporting the current level of funding for redevelopment and business breaks may lead to massive and very damaging cuts to education. That all needs to be weighed very carefully. That’s what I want the decision-makers to do in order to come to some reasonable conclusions. I don’t know Mrs. Runner, but I think it’s time for a fresh voice in this district. Sharon pushed through well-intentioned, but loosely written and underfunded laws such as Jessica’s Law. That approach to law-making has to stop — from both parties. And concerning Allan’s comments about California government being run by Democrats, I think his point is that, in the existing balance of power at the state level, a member of the majority party may have better opportunities to obtain benefits for our valley than someone from the minority party. I agree with you that partisan bickering is a problem, but we can start to calm the waters by our choosing our own words carefully and by not taking absolutist, hard-line stances that lead to gridlock.
Glenn
Glenn Says: February 10th, 2011 at 5:19 pm Are Mr. Cameron and Ms. Trautman really saying that the primary reason we should vote for Mr.Parker is that he is a Democrat and since California is “run by Democrats” he can work with the majority party and get us our money back? Really? Is that the best arguement they have? I guess so. Using that logic I assume Alan and Diane voted for “Buck” and other Republicans when that party controlled Congress. After all the GOP “controlled the money” and could get us our money back. Heck, using that arguement we should still be voting for the Federalist Party, since it was the first party “in control” and could get us our money back. Mr. Cameron says, “He (Mr. Parker) can get what Santa Clarita needs from Sacramento in ways not available from any Republican.” I think the message from the Democrats is clear, vote us in or suffer the consequences. And here I thought we were all working together in the spirit of love and bipartisanship. To the Democrats bipartisanship is what this country needs when it is the minority party. Oh and would this be the same Democratic Party that has done such a wonderful job of governing this once great state over the last 20 years or so? Yeah that’s the ticket, elect another Democrat and let the good times roll.
Allan Cameron
Allan Cameron Says: February 11th, 2011 at 4:00 am To the person identifying themselves only as “Glenn”, and to everyone else. California’s challenges are complex, as our the reasons for our financial problems. Unfunded mandates from the Federal Government are one. The fact that we get far less of the money we pay to the Federal Government returned to us for our needs is another. There are a huge list of reasons why Darren Parker is the best choice to be our State Senator. As I suggested, please access his web sites. I believe the “hacking” that disabled them has been repaired. The State budget is prepared each year by the executive branch, I.E. the Govenor. “Glenn” implies that California’s problems have been caused by Democrats. For 15 of the last 20 years, including the last 7, the Govenor has been a Republican. Even when Republicans were in the Govenor’s chair, Santa Clarita has never received what it has needed and deserved from the State. It is time for Santa Clarita to get the leadership it needs. Please vote for Darren Parker on Tuesday, February 15, for State Senate so that leadership can be ours.
admin
admin Says: February 11th, 2011 at 5:27 am Alan, Both the Democrats and the Republicans are at fault for the current state mess! Neither party was willing to be flexible enough to work together and find the common ground to work out the budget problems because of party politics. Now that we have a Democrat Governor and a Democrat dominated legislative the tough choices that were needed several years ago will actually move forward and it will be worse then what had been proposed over the last several years. It’s sad that it couldn’t have worked like that previously; that what’s disgusting about politics today and unfortunately your comments continue to perpetuate that theme. -Dave
Minerva and Todd
Minerva and Todd Says: February 11th, 2011 at 7:54 am Commentary: Runner’s experience trumps Bossert’s Unknown Post tags: Antelope Valley , Dave Bossert , Opinion , Politics , NAACP, Santa Clarita Valley I appreciate the breath of Bossert’s argument but note how significantly he mentions that he has not had the opportunity to speak about, to know, nor to interact with those that know Darren W. Parker, the democratic nominee for the 17th Senatorial District. Rather than complain, why isn’t Dave Bossert asking for an interview of Darren Parker, wouldn’t this solve his immediate questions? I believe you need to know the interpersonal skills and effectiveness of this perspective candidate and not base your voting decision purely on someone else’s opinion, which is often based on partisanship. I do not know what support base Bossert is missing. Darren Parker is the Chair of the California State African American Caucus. He is the Chair for Region 1 of the Los Angeles County Democratic Party, which includes all of the Santa Clarita and Antelope Valleys. Along an array of nonpartisan positions, he holds in the Antelope Valley. STABILITY: Parker retired after 31 years. He was an international representative of the Communication Workers of America, which is the major union for AT & T. Please don’t imply Republicans aren’t members of unions, they are. SUPPORT BASE: He has the support base of the Democratic Club of the Santa Clarita Valley, the Democratic Alliance for Action of Santa Clarita Valley, the San Fernando Valley NAACP, the Democratic Party of the San Fernando Valley, PDA members of the Santa Clarita Valley, and several church leaders. He was a key speaker in a Black History Event given by the Democratic Alliance for Action, where Marsha McLean herself was an invited audience member (all city council members were invited). McLean was so impressed by the presentation by Darren Parker that she challenged me as to why I did not provide him with a City of Santa Clarita Commendation Certificate as I had given to other participants that evening. Being that the African American Caucus was a listed sponsor and the emcee, I did not provide him with a certificate. She asked me to come to her office the following week to pick up a certificate she would prepare for him and asked that I let him know that it was from her. Last I checked, Marsha McLean is still a Republican! I can’t argue regarding the subscription of The Signal, its relevance or its anemic coverage, however, if that were the case as Bossert argues, why argue with their findings? I thought it was quite commendable that The Signal took the time to publish the dissenting op-ed pieces at the same time, providing a good “balance” and I hope they continue to provide such a point of view in all of their future coverage. Interestingly, it was two dissents to one editorial. I have not had the opportunity of meeting Sharon Runner. However, I do question the veracity of George Runner’s resignation and the apparent filing of his wife during the holiday season. Many of us Independents and Democrats believe this was done in hopes that no one would notice and the odds of a challenge would be diminished. However, in being fair, as you offer, yes, both candidates are interested in protecting the SCV Enterprise Zone and the Redevelopment Agency. Parker has been consistent in his support of both programs in the Antelope Valley area, where he resides. He stresses job, jobs, jobs. He has been transparent as a small business owner, enrolled his children in the Runner private school, and too has spoken to the over-regulation and excessive taxation from Sacramento. Not always making him loved by some Democrats. He often speaks truth to power, which is how he is known in Antelope Valley. The Runners are no strangers to Darren Parker. They too have negotiated with him in the past. For the length of time Sharon Runner has been active in politics, I would certainly expect her to be well known in the immediate area. However, it is George I have seen pushing the small business envelope at a couple Chamber of Commerce meetings that I have attended, but it is George who is moving on to fight that battle and we wish him well. Nevertheless, this is not the point. What will work best in these challenging times is to choose someone who has been able to work on both sides of the political aisle and who seeks to amplify a healthy collaboration between both parties. All the members Bossert list are Republicans and Republicans do live in the region, however, Sharon needs to know 54,000 other voters in the 17th Senatorial district and the thousands of Independents, and not because she needs their votes. We have always been here. Maybe the irony in your message is just that, “reaching across the Isle” and coming to land with her constituents. I challenge your readers to seek a fresh perspective and choose Darren Parker. Parker is a healthy fighter and a negotiator. Bossert you are right; Darren Parker is not an “old runner”. We challenge you to interview him first, then decide. ——————————————————————————————————————————————— Minerva L. Williams and Todd L. Hoover-Commentary. Minerva L. Williams is married, a retired LA Times marketing representative, and a community volunteer who serves God. Todd Hoover is a Systems Analyst and Web Master and Designer. Their commentaries represent their own opinions and she and her husband maintain the http://www.scvdems.org ; and http://www.scvyoungdems.org websites, communication links and calendars for the Democratic clubs and interested voters of the Santa Clarita Valley. She is an avid reader and listener of the West Ranch Beacon, KHTS, and “the anemic Signal”, and voters in the Santa Clarita Valley, who happen to be Democrats,Republicans, Independents, Peace and Freedom, Greens, and AI.
Glenn
Glenn Says: February 12th, 2011 at 1:24 pm Mr. Cameron makes two true statements, 1)California and Santa Calarita both get less money back then they send to Washington and Sacramento. and 2)in California the Governor prepares the budget. Mr. Cameron’s solution to number one is to increase the size of both the federal and state governments and raise our taxes so we can pay more and get even less back. As for number two, after the budget is prepared it is submitted to the union controlled Democratic legislature to be approved. If that didn’t have to be done, the governor could not only propose but also implement the budget, bypassing the legislature completely. Trying to pass off the mess that the state government onto a (powerless) governor is disingenuous. As Dave says, the Democrats now control every elected state office and the two major cities in California. All of them are in complete disarray. Republicans are totally powerless to stop anything the Democrats propose or chose to enact. But I am sure Mr. Cameron and his fellow Democrats will find a way to blame them for the disaster about to befall all of us. As for Mr. Parker, you still haven’t given us anything other then he’s a good guy, a family man ,civic minded and because he is a Democrat he will get us money. The first three are admirable traits (and the same could be said for Ms. Runner), the last one is still not much of a reason to vote for him.