May 2008 Culver City Democratic Club
Club Web Site: WWW.CCDemClub.Org Active Democrat
General Meeting – May 14 The Budget Crisis at Culver City Unified School District
President’s Message: Monthly General Membership Déjà Vu All Over Again Meeting: Once again 7:30 PM Wednesday, May California’s state It’s clear that CCUSD must do its government has a best to preserve worthy programs 14, 2008 budget that can’t and staff in our schools in the face of 7:00 PM – Refreshments be balanced. As major budget shortfalls in the short Rotunda Room usual the calls to term. We will have the Dr. Myrna Veterans Memorial Building cut spending on Cote, Superintendent of CCUSD, the elderly, the Scott Zeidman, School Board 4117 Overland Avenue sick, the handicapped and the young Member, and David Mielke, Corner of Overland Ave. and are heard loud and clear. Or at least President, Culver City Federation of Culver Blvd. they would be if the Republican side Teachers discussing the problems of the legislature and the Governor and solutions at our next meeting. were straightforward about their intentions. Instead they fight to It’s equally clear that we, as a state, What’s Inside? preserve tax cuts for the wealthy and have got to find a way to move 2: Letters to the Editor “yacht owners” while quietly asking beyond the budget battles and finally 2: Di’s Corner for deep cuts in social service find a way to fund our schools, and 3: Endorsements – continued spending. other state services, in a manner that 3: 10 Things…About John isn’t hostage to the ups and downs of If this was something that only the business cycle. Short term McCain affected State agencies it would be strategies may get us from one bad enough but, of course, it will also budget to another but solving the affect us very directly here in Culver many future challenges facing our Club Notes City, especially through the CCUSD state will demand more Seeking a Newsletter Editor: budget (see the letter from the school comprehensive solutions. Are we as Interested in taking charge of our board on page 2). Despite efforts by citizens finally ready to make the Democratic message? Please the electorate to guarantee funding tough decisions that will lead to a for schools we see the governor balance between funding and send inquiries to the President, balancing the budget by reducing services? For my children’s sake I Greg Valtierra at spending for schools statewide. hope so. [email protected] or call (310) 204-1338.
Club Endorsements – Vote Tuesday, June 3: Renew your membership! Mark Ridley-Thomas – Board of Supervisors, 2nd District 2008 dues must be paid to vote at our General Meeting. rd Diane Watson – U.S. Congress, 33 District – State Assembly, 47th District Electronic Newsletter: Karen Bass Submit your email address to [email protected] and ask to California Democratic Party Positions: get the newsletter by email! Save a tree and save our club the NO – Proposition 98 postage! YES – Proposition 99 Endorsements continued on page 3 Join the Culver City Peace Vigil: Protest the Iraq war every Friday 5:30 – 6:30 PM across from the Culver Hotel. Comments expressed in the Newsletter are the opinions of the
authors and do not necessarily represent the position of the Culver City Democratic Club. Culver City Democratic Club: Active Democrat May 2008 – Page 2
Letters To The Editor: As our state legislators work on City. It was an honor being CCUSD Budget: next year’s budget, please share considered for endorsement. I Since the Governor presented his your support for public education look forward to working with all 2008 – 2009 state budget, his and anger over potential cuts. of you in the future. ”Year of Education” has turned Culver City’s representatives are - Loni Anderson into a year of painful, across-the- State Senator Mark Ridley- board cuts for public education. Thomas and Assembly Speaker Seeking Submissions The Culver City USD faces a designee Karen Bass. If you need We would like your articles projected $3.5 million gap of additional information or even and letters to the editor. Let which $2.7 million is a direct sample letters, then please feel your voice be heard! result of the Governor’s proposed free to contact us through the Submissions will be published budget. The Board of Education district website (www. as space allows. Submissions started addressing this gap by ccusd.k12.ca.us) or office (310- may be edited for length. making cuts approaching $ 2.2 842-4220). million in 33 areas on Feb 26th. - Culver City Unified School The Club’s Executive Board reserves Clearly, more work needs to be District Board of Education the right to determine suitability of done to prepare for next year. submissions for inclusion in the newsletter. Thanks to the Members: We have opposed the Governor’s Thank you Democratic Club budget and requested adequate members for inviting me to speak Democracy cannot succeed unless funding for public education. Our at your February 13, Candidates’ those who express their choice reasons included the following Forum. I enjoyed meeting those are prepared to choose wisely. The real safeguard of democracy, facts. of you that I did not know. All of therefore, is education. your questions were "On Point" California is falling to the bottom addressing issues affecting Culver - Franklin D. Roosevelt in the nation regarding per-pupil funding. California now ranks Di’s Corner: By Diane Rosenberg 46th and spends $1,900 less per student than the national average On Tuesday April 8, 2008 Election for Culver City City Council race with 3 seats open. California public schools have the most Byzantine, difficult to The results were for the two candidates that the club endorsed understand budget process in Christopher Armenta and Andrew Weissman we congratulate both of either the public or private sector. them. We also congratulate Micheál O' Leary on his win. We’re acutely aware that the governing boards of schools have At our endorsement general meeting on Wed. April 9 the club endorsed virtually no discretionary funds. 7 people who were running for Central Committee 6 were club members. Jimmie Woods-Gray, Evelyn Metoyer-Williams, Terrence M. California voters approved and Montgomery, Ruth & David Weisman and Lee Welinsky. We supported Proposition 98 to congratulate them. We also congratulate Rosa Russell. protect students and schools from harmful budget cuts. We also endorsed by acclamation to re-elect to the 47th A.D. Assembly Assembly Speaker-Elect Karen Bass. We want all of our students to attain California’s academic We endorsed for Supervisor 2nd District to fill in Supervisor Burke's standards, which are the highest seat, State Senator Mark Ridley Thomas. in the nation. We want the best programs, teachers, We also endorsed to re-elect to Congress 33rd District our own administrators and support staff Congresswoman Diane Watson. for our schools. We need more, not less, to educate our students. Saturday April 12 we had a New Members Brunch which was hosted And the Governor’s proposed by Ronnie & Tom Camarella at their house. The food was great and we budget gives us less, over $800 are sorry that you missed it. We thank Ronnie and Tom. per student less. Culver City Democratic Club: Active Democrat May 2008 – Page 3
10 Things You Should 3. His reputation is built on his Islam, which he calls a "false opposition to torture, but McCain religion." McCain sought the Know About John McCain voted against a bill to ban political support of right-wing (But Probably Don't): waterboarding, and then preacher John Hagee, who from MoveOn.Org – submitted by applauded President Bush for believes Hurricane Katrina was Lee Welinsky vetoing that ban. God's punishment for gay rights and called the Catholic Church 1. John McCain voted against 4. McCain opposes a woman's "the Antichrist" and a "false cult." establishing a national holiday in right to choose. He said, "I do not honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, support Roe versus Wade. It 10. He positions himself as pro- Jr. Now he says his position has should be overturned." environment, but he scored a 0 - "evolved," yet he's continued to yes, zero - from the League of oppose key civil rights laws. 5. The Children's Defense Fund Conservation Voters last year. rated McCain as the worst 2. According to Bloomberg News, senator in Congress for children. 2008 Club Officers and Committee McCain is more hawkish than He voted against the children's Bush on Iraq, Russia and China. Chairs: health care bill last year, then President: Greg Valtierra Conservative columnist Pat defended Bush's veto of the bill. [email protected] Buchanan says McCain "will First Vice President: Ronnie Jayne make Cheney look like Gandhi." 6. He's one of the richest people in [email protected] a Senate filled with millionaires. Second VP: Laura Stuart The Associated Press reports he [email protected] and his wife own at least eight Treasurer: Eric Fine Club Endorsements homes! Yet McCain says the [email protected] (Continued) solution to the housing crisis is for Recording Secretary: Sally
people facing foreclosure to get a Gardner L.A. County Democratic "second job" and skip their Corresponding Secretary: Lee Welinsky Party Central vacations. Membership Secretary: Diane
Committee: Rosenberg 7. Many of McCain's fellow Evelyn Metoyer-Williams Terrence Montgomery Republican senators say he's too Web Editor: Brian Pogue Rosa Russell reckless to be commander in chief. [email protected] David Weisman One Republican senator said: Newsletter: Greg Valtierra (Interim) Ruth Weisman "The thought of his being Publicity: Karlo Silbiger Mollie “Lee” Welinsky president sends a cold chill down Jimmie Woods-Gray my spine. He's erratic. He's hotheaded. He loses his temper Contact the Democratic L.A. County Judges: and he worries me." Presidential Campaigns: Endorsed by LA County Democratic Party Office 4: Ralph W. Dau 8. McCain talks a lot about taking Hillary Clinton for Office 69: Harvey A. on special interests, but his Silberman campaign manager and top President Office 72: Hilleri Grossman advisers are actually lobbyists. Phone: 310.557.4287 Merritt The government watchdog group Website: Office 82: Cynthia Loo Public Citizen says McCain has www.hillaryclinton.com Office 84: Lori-Ann Jones 59 lobbyists raising money for his campaign, more than any of the Office 94: C. Edward Mack other presidential candidates. Office 95: Patricia D. Nieto Barack Obama for
America Office 119: Jared D. Moses 9. McCain has sought closer ties Office 123: Kathleen to the extreme religious right in Phone: 866.675.2008 Blanchard recent years. The pastor McCain Website: Office 125: James N. Bianco calls his "spiritual guide," Rod www.barackobama.com Office 154: Rocky L. Crabb Parsley, believes America's founding mission is to destroy
Culver City Democratic Club Presorted Standard Club Endorsements P.O. Box 4254 U.S. Postage Paid U.S. Congress, 33rd District: Culver City, CA 90231-4254 Los Angeles, CA Diane Watson Permit No. 517
State 47th Assembly District: Karen Bass
L.A. County Board of Supervisors, 2nd District: Mark Ridley-Thomas
LA County Democratic Party Central Committee: Vote - Tuesday June 3 Evelyn Metoyer- Williams Terrence Montgomery May 14 - Meeting Program: Rosa Russell David Weisman The Budget Crisis at CC Ruth Weisman Mollie “Lee” Welinsky Unified School District Jimmie Woods-Gray Featuring Dr. Myrna Cote, Superintendent of CCUSD,
Scott Zeidman, School Board Member, and David Ballot Propositions: California Democratic Party Positions Mielke, President, Culver City Federation of Teachers NO – Proposition 98 YES – Proposition 99 Culver City Democratic Club Renew your membership! 2008 dues must be paid by Application/Renewal Form renewing members before a vote to get a ballot at the Name:______Phone: ______general meeting. New and Email: ______lapsed members must have Address: ______paid dues at least 25 days in ______advance to vote at a meeting. I declare that all the individuals listed for membership are registered Democrats.
Signed: ______Upcoming Events
Membership Dues: Dues may be waived for financial hardship ► Saturday, May 24 □ Member $30 □ Student $20 Monthly Board Meeting: □ Supporting Member $75 □ Sustaining Member $125 9:00 AM at Ronnie and Tom’s home. All members welcome. Additional Contribution: $_____ Call Ronnie at (310) 836-7557 or email [email protected] Please make your check payable to: Culver City Democratic Club ► Wednesday, June 11 P.O. Box 4254, Culver City, CA 90231-4254
Monthly General Meeting: For questions please call Membership Secretary Diane Rosenberg at 7:30 PM at the Rotunda Room, (310) 398-5328 Veterans Memorial Building. Public is welcome. Call Greg at Please renew for 2008 if you haven’t already done so. (310)204 1338 or email The dues period runs concurrent to the calendar year. [email protected] Renewals are due by January 1, 2008.