Candidate for
Board Member; Ramona Community Planning Area

Warm Greetings Ramona Residents!

Welcome (again) to my "no-frills" campaign site. I'm neither soliciting nor accepting funds from anyone or any interest group, as I run for one of several vacant unpaid seats on the Ramona Community Planning Group (RCPG).

It's difficult to find the time to contribute to the community in these hectic times - fortunately for Ramona many do volunteer their time to events, youth sports, and education - Bravo!

I was "on the fence" regarding running for re-election in 2010 but was convinced by friends and supporters to again "throw my hat in the ring" and provide a needed a long-term view and sound analysis of issues presented to the RCPG.

It's important to elect those with with interest beyond "single-issue candidates" because those persons will likely resign early from their terms on the RCPG leaving vacancies and appointed members will have to play catch-up filling the mid-term open seats.

I promise to continue advocating farming and rural character, property rights and development in character with Ramona that are needed to preserve Ramona's rural and agricultural character that our families moved up here to enjoy.

Citizen participation is vital to a successful Representative Democracy (see definitions). It is also important that citizens watch over their elected representatives as encouraged in the popular Russian proverb "Trust but verify" or " doveryai no proverya" which remains sage advice for citizens when dealing with governments both foreign and domestic.

Please review my Nov 9th 2010 Candidate Qualification Statement filed with San Diego County Registrar of Voters for a seat on the RCPG.

Please note I authored the well regarded "What Ramona's About" vision statement (See Vision Statement link) and in early 2005 secured news coverage for bypass opposition (See Past News Coverage link).

Our last stand: Without getting overly dramatic, we are nearing the point of Ramona's "last stand" with respect to protecting the rural character of this area. For example -implementing an interconnected trail system gets more difficult with each passing day. This is the time for good folks to stand up, take a strong position, and be counted.

I have often stated "If it doesn't make sense, politics will explain it" + think about it, you look at a situation that just doesn't make sense or is just wrong, then you say to yourself one word - "Politics" + ah yes, it now makes sense...

You've already sensed this yourself based upon the discouraging information in the news media, that the County doesn't take Ramona's input to the land use and planning process seriously. Ramona's rural character doesn't fit well "Smart Growth" plans and high-density low-income housing plans they have for our area.

Our roads and highways are dysfunctional at best and inappropriate high- density developments continue to be proposed and approved often over the protest of the RCPG.