Beach Cities Democratic Club P.O. Box 2192, Redondo Beach, CA 90278 May, 2006

Candidates’ Forum to the insurance companies and forced Next Meeting payment to victims of the Holocaust. Democrats came from all over the He supports gay marriage, saying Tuesday, May 23, 7:30PM south bay to hear candidates in a well- David K. Hayward Center “separate but equal” is unequal. organized forum held at the UFCW Liz Figueroa—Worked on Healthy 2000 Artesia Boulevard, R.B. hall in Harbor City on April 22. The Families, and stood up on the Senate Our speaker will be Jim Brandt, program was officiated in turn by Don floor to defend marriage equality. Fighting Democrat and candidate Dear, Lee Fink, and Jim Brandt. Attorney General: for the House of Representatives, Some highlights: Rocky Delgadillo—Prochoice. Be- 46th Congressional District against Governor: lieves Three Strikes is useful but needs Dana Rohrabacher. Steve Westly—Favors the Massa- reform. He has taken on gangs and Mr. Brandt is an educator and chusetts health care program mandat- gun-dealers and started anti-truancy software engineer, and the founder ing employers coverage, and going af- program Operation Bright Future. and CEO of Pyramid Software. He ter tax cheats instead of raising taxes. —Also pro-choice, has a Masters Degree in Public Phil Angelides—Would roll back strong environmental record. Stood up the $17 Billion tax break for the Administration from USC and was a against the Iraq invasion on Fox news. wealthiest Californians, and supports captain and pilot in the US Marine Supported impeachment of Richard drivers’ licenses for undocumented Nixon two years early. On Three Corps. He is regional vice chair of workers. the LA County Democratic Party. Strikes: tough on crime, but supports Controller: training, reentry, and rehabilitation. John Chiang—Supports reproduc- Secretary of State: tive choice and would fight back Volunteer Opportunities Debra Bowen—Dedicated to Clean against excessive corporate tax breaks Money, and emphasized she wants Sign up for booth duty at the Hermosa and oil company profits. government to spend time working for Beach Memorial Day Fiesta! Board of Equalization: the people instead of raising money. May 27, 28 & 29 Jerome Horton—An “Old Party 10 AM – 6 PM Democrat” who Contact Barbara Blum or Peggy Carter opposed the Iraq if you can help. war; wants to bring the troops Save the date! home. Manhattan Beach Old Hometown Fair Judy Chu— October 7 & 8 Authored legisla- BCDC needs volunteers both days. tion to close tax loopholes, has a Announcements 100% environ- We will hold Club elections in June. mental scorecard. The nominating committee will Lt. Governor: present its proposed slate in May. If Jackie Speier— you would like to run for a club Forced the gover- position or nominate someone, be sure nor to return ster- 2006 State Party Convention to come to the May meeting. oid money. An activist on the is- Lori Geittmann, Mayor Jim Dear, Ray Waters, Diane Strack, Jim Dues are payable for the new 06-07 sue of gay mar- Aldinger, and Shirlee Browne at the California Democratic Party year on July 1. According to the by- Convention in Sacramento April 28 – 30. Highlights included Governor riage. Bill Richardson of New Mexico as the honored guest at the Convention laws, members who pay in March are John Gara- dinner on Saturday, and Senator Max Cleland, former US Senator from paid-up for the upcoming year. mendi—Stood up Georgia, who spoke on Sunday. Photo courtesy of Diane Strack.

Visit our Website at lafn.org/politics/bcdc Page 2 Beach Cities Democratic Club

From the November that we can make a April Recap difference in this election. And then Local Candidates Speak President we can serve notice on Hermosa and Our April meeting featured judicial Painting the Manhattan that we are coming there candidates who had been prescreened Town Blue next, and we’re going to paint the town Blue. by our committee of attorneys. All the The California speakers were registered Democrats. Democratic Party City – Total Registered Voters – First was Janis Barquist, running for held its annual Registered Democrats – Registered seat #144 in the Superior Court. With convention last month, and one of Republicans over 25 years of legal experience, she the fascinating phenomena I noticed started out as in-house counsel for a was that a lot of us are out of touch April 2006 labor union. She has experience repre- with the partisan breakdown of the El Segundo - 9,909 - 3,209 - 4,306 senting both union and management beach cities. Many of us—and many Hermosa Beach - 12,918 - 4,402 - and has worked from outside our area—seem to 4,817 in trade and civil believe that we live in a liberal haven. Manhattan Beach - 22,968 - 8,132 - rights litigation. At the end of the column, you can 9,889 Her endorse- see the voter registration in all of the Redondo Beach - 38,274 - 14,085 - ments include Beach Cities as of April of this year. 14,229 the LA County While we are fortunate to live in Democratic Democratic legislative districts, the January 2004 Party, Sheriff Lee reality is that the Beach Cities (and El Segundo - 9,279 - 2,991 - 4,239 Baca, and Fire many of the surrounding cities in our Hermosa Beach - 12,036 - 4,074 - Chief Bamattre. legislative districts and up on the hill) 4,832 Susan Lopez- have Republican registration advan- Susan Lopez-Giss and Manhattan Beach - 22,113 - 7,796 - Janis Barquist Giss, running for tages. What makes it even more chal- 10,015 seat #95, was an lenging for us is that not only are we Redondo Beach - 35,360 - 12,985 - assistant city outnumbered, but as we all know, the 14,028 attorney in LA for 30 years. She’s been other side tends to be higher propen- a criminal prosecutor for fifteen years sity voters, particularly in our local For more information on Voter and was named one of California’s elections. Registration Statistics, go to: Top 75 Women Litigators by the Daily The good news, however, is that http://www.ss.ca.gov/elections/ Journal. She drafted a domestic we are making progress. There are elections_u.htm violence prosecution manual and has more Democrats in all of the Beach Lee Fink worked to protect DWP ratepayers Cities than there were in January from fraud. She has been endorsed by 2004, and there either fewer regis- DA Steve Cooley, former Attorney tered Republicans, or in some cases, General John Van de Kamp, and for- just a handful more. In Redondo mer LA District Attorney Ira Reiner. Beach, there are only 144 more Lynn Olsen, running for seat #120, Republicans than Democrats, down is challenging an incumbent Republi- from a Republican edge of more than can. She has worked at two law firms 1,000 just two years ago. While this is and specialized in prod- good progress, I personally know that uct liability, workmen’s as few as 56 votes can make the compensation, and difference in an election. labor law. Her back- So let us set a goal—once we have ground includes years of elected Jeff Duclos in Hermosa LA County Democratic Central Committee public service including Beach, let’s make up that 144-voter Candidates Ray Waters, Lori Geittmann, helping to raise difference and make Redondo Beach Denise Moehlman, and LJ Carusone. The club Lynn Olsen $106,000 for cancer a Democratic City. I believe that we endorsed Bobbi Buescher, Lori, Denise, Ray, research. She has been can register enough new Democrats James Lau, John Frierson, and Janni Ekstrand endorsed by the LA County Democ- in Redondo Beach between now and as the seasoned members and encouraged Mr. ratic Central Committee. Carusone to serve as an alternate. Page 3

Alan Friedenthal, running for seat Monroe’s possess classified documents that #8, has nine years’ ex- were illegally provided to them.” In perience as a Superior Corner 2004, the government classified over Court bench officer My wife & I recently 15 Million documents “secret” or and has experience in watched the DVD “top secret.” Many are so classified in family, criminal, and in- “Good Night & order to insure that bureaucratic tellectual property and Good Luck.” We superiors read them. During World bankruptcy law. He Alan Friedenthal lived through that War II the Bow & Arrow were worked on George era. It was & still is a graphic reminder labeled as secret & called “silent McGovern’s staff and served as a dele- of the dangers to freedom & democ- flashless weapons.” gate to the 2000 Democratic National racy. “Tail-gunner” Joe McCarthy, the Last year NY Times reporter Convention. His many endorsements junior senator from Wisconsin, was a Judith Miller was jailed for 85 days include Assemblymembers Paul deadly menace, not unlike our Presi- for refusing to name her confidential Koretz and Lloyd Levine, Hon. John dent Dubya. Both wrapped themselves source, until “Scooter” Libby cut her Chiang—Board of Equalization, and in the flag! loose. The FBI today is attempting to AFSCME Local 575, the Court Clerks’ But for today we have the Patriot search & recover classified papers Union. Acts I & II which are enough to cause from the estate of the late columnist Next we heard from six of the eight the words Democracy, Freedom, Jack Anderson. Added to the confu- County Democratic Central Commit- Justice, Logic...to lose all meaning. The sion are 55,000 documents formerly tee candidates: LJ Carusone—a con- Acts allow for surveillance of US citi- available for research that have been sultant who has worked in film and zens domestically; permit searches withdrawn & re-classified as “secret.” television and supported progressive without due process of law; allow AIPAC, a pro-Israel lobby, is in candidates; John Frierson—a founding access to personal confidential matters; Federal Court on charges of violating member of the New Frontier Democ- & define domestic terrorism so vaguely espionage laws by having secret Pen- rats and has worked that lawful groups may easily be tagon data. Prosecuting AIPAC for Councilman Nate penalized. allows the government to establish a Holden; Lori Geitt- As Al Jolson used to say, “You ain’t new precedent, without attacking the mann—our past three- seen nothin’ yet!” Bush & company are press directly & openly. Just think term president, who exploring a new approach to govern- what would have happened to Wood- chairs the state party ment secrecy regarding the leakage of ward & Bernstein & the “Deep Senior Caucus; James classified info. Heretofore, the one Throat” details. Instead of being suc- John Frierson Lau—who has worked who spilled the beans could & would cessful & wealthy, they would be for 5 years in the state be prosecuted. The new wrinkle on serving life sentences! So let this be a legislature; Denise Moehlman—a leaks is to go after the recipient. Since lesson to all of us, Button up your lip former DA candidate we are now in a perpetual war against or else!!! and a “let’s-impeach- terror, the law says, “...no person may Monroe Weinstock Bush Democrat”; and Ray Waters—who has attended County ies. Lori Geittmann said that many Ira Stein from ’s Committee as John Fri- children in North Redondo use this office reported that Jane spoke on erson’s alternate. Not library (where the club meets) and it is Earth Day about energy independ- present were Bobbi James Lau not large enough to hold the books ence and is working on safe ports Buescher—former and computers. The club moved to legislation. She has been vocal in three-term BCDC president, and Janni endorse Prop 81. criticizing Bush for his double stan- Ekstrand, longtime County Committee We also moved to endorse Prop 82, dard on leaks. She said he selectively member. a proposal to give all four-year-olds declassified certain information in Lee spoke in favor of Prop 81, the access to a quality preschool education. secret and empowered people in his Public Library construction bond. By Jim Aldinger reported that the new White House to leak it to discredit combining a 65% state match with police and fire facilities in Manhattan his opponents. 35% locally generated funds, Prop. 81 Beach will be open on July 1. Regard- It was reported that the Democ- would result in nearly $900 million ing the undergrounding dispute, the ratic Action Center open house being spent to renovate or build librar- city prevailed over those homeowners enjoyed a large turnout. who sued over its assessment formula.

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Beach Cities Democratic Club P.O. Box 2192, Redondo Beach, CA 90278 President Lee Fink—310-370-3020 Vice-President Ray Waters—310-374-4744 Treasurer Edna Murphy—310-545-6292 Secretary Ani Haigazian—310-798-7903 Newsletter Moira Zucker—310-546-7562 Database Steve Zucker—310-546-7562 Mailing Tammy Minion—310-406-8057 Web Manager James McGreevy—310-320-1638 Membership Barbara Blum—310-540-6346