From Senator Ashburn . . .
I don’t usually copy an entire newsletter into the blog but I felt Senator Ashburn had several bits of good information. I probably won’t do this in the future, but since I haven’t received anything from him in a very long time, I put it all in here. I always post the link so that you can go directly to the website to get the whole newsletter.
Ashburn E-Report: November 2008
Historic Election
This election season from the national to the state level has been one for the history books. Regardless of the outcome we can all be proud of how our democracy performed and of how hard all the candidates fought to represent their respective constituents. And now at the end of the campaigns and in the best tradition of our democracy, the candidates will respect the results and wish the winner of the contests the best of luck in fulfilling the oath of their office.
I congratulate all this year’s candidates and especially President-Elect Obama and Senator McCain for giving us all a presidential campaign we will long remember. The California Assembly and Senate contests represented the best of the political parties and all of the public office seekers deserve respect and admiration for their willingness to serve the people at some cost to their personal lives. Then there are also numerous elections at the local level where the biggest reward is not the office but the satisfaction of knowing that the winner will improve the lives of their neighbors.
In conclusion I would note that the people of California should be given the most credit this election year. They voted in record numbers and once again showed the political class that what matters most is not the candidate but the will of the voters.
Legislative Priorities for 2009
2008 has been a very busy year in Sacramento. I worked diligently to pass important legislation on behalf of my constituents, with eight of my bills signed into law by the Governor this year alone. I was also successful in passing two constitutional amendments on which the voters themselves will decide. One deals with earthquake safety and the other is the compromise that was critical for passage of California’s very late budget. This success rate is within the top five percent of Republicans in the Legislature.
Though we are now headed into a special session to deal with the ever-increasing budget shortfall, my staff and I are also busy putting together our legislative package for next year. My priorities are as broad as the 18th Senate District: increasing access to rural healthcare; ensuring that our tax laws are fair; reforming state government so that it is responsible to the taxpayers and does not waste money; protecting our most vulnerable citizens; meeting the special needs of my district…and the list goes on.
As always, I would appreciate legislative ideas from my constituents. Please contact my capitol and district offices so that we may have the opportunity to consider your proposal. In the past some of our most far-reaching and important legislation has come from ordinary citizens who have made the effort to voice their opinion on important issues.
Capitol Office
State Capitol, Room 3060
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (916) 651-4018
Fax: (916) 322-3304
Bakersfield Office
5001 California Ave., Room 105
Bakersfield, CA 93309
Phone: (661) 323-0443
Fax: (661) 323-0446
Special Session Update
In two months the 2009 legislative session will begin in Sacramento. In the interim, Governor Schwarzenegger has called a special session of the legislature to address the state’s budget crisis. The special session will be from November 6 th to November 30 th and will be dedicated to the issue of how the state government plans to stop a fiscal meltdown in next year’s budget.
The budget crisis has been long in the making and any deal to fix it must include common sense reforms such as the ones I introduced during the recent budget impasse. There must be an iron-clad spending cap and reasonable cuts in spending before any form of new revenues is even considered. None of these proposals are new; what has been lacking is the political will to rise above narrow interests to do what is right for all Californians. Only now with the threat of a severe economic recession and a huge budget shortfall has the legislature attempted to act in a responsible manner.
Veteran’s Day
“These are the times that try men’s souls,” is the phrase that comes to mind as 2008 draws to a close. We as a state and as a nation have had to endure a year of unprecedented economic upheaval and political uncertainty. Though many of us are rightly preoccupied with our particular situation, I ask that we take special care this holiday season to honor those who have taken care of us in good and bad times–our veterans.
On Veteran’s Day, November 11th, let us honor them by contributing to their causes in whatever way we can. There are many volunteer opportunities available and our local Veteran’s Administration would be the best place to ask where we can be of most use to those who have served us. In addition there are charity organizations in need of additional donations this year to support veterans and their families who have been hit hard by the economic downturn.
In the end, though, what may be the most important thing we can do for many veterans is simply to acknowledge their sacrifice and patriotism. There will be many events planned this year where we can show our admiration in person to those who have protected America’s freedom through great personal sacrifice.
Contact Bakersfield Community Based Outpatient Clinic for volunteer work:
1801 Westwind Drive
Bakersfield , CA 93301
Phone: (661) 632-1800
Fax: (661) 632-1888
Or go to the Veteran’s Administration Website for more information on their volunteer programs:
http://www.volunteer.va.gov/aboutvavs.asp
Charity Organizations Specializing in Veterans Needs:
* Armed Services YMCA of the USA
* Fisher House Foundation
* Homes for Our Troops
* Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund
* National Military Family Association
Veteran’s Day Community Events:
KERN County - Bakersfield Veteran’s Day Parade, Tuesday, Nov. 11
Flag Raising Ceremonies at 8am at the Liberty Bell Plaza.
Parade starts at 10am at 21st Street and L Street and continues until disbanding at the corner of 20th and M Street.
2008 will be the 89th Veteran’s Day Parade in Bakersfield.
Be A Santa To A Senior
State Senator Roy Ashburn (R-Bakersfield) has teamed up with Bank of America, Kern County Aging and Adult Services, Bakersfield Family Medical Center, Walgreens, New Vision for Independence, ElderLife Adult Day Health Care, Glenwood Gardens and Home Instead Senior Care in providing special gifts to seniors in Kern County this Holiday Season.
“I am privileged to assist in conjunction with so many selfless people in our community who are willing to help our seniors,” said Mr. Ashburn. “The holidays can be a lonely time for many seniors who have no family nearby or who may simply be overlooked.”
The program asks organizations to identify financially disadvantaged seniors in the community and provide those names to Home Instead Senior Care. The deadline for accepting names is November 21. Christmas trees will be decorated in local businesses such as Walgreens, Curves, Kern County Aging and Adult Services and Bank of America. The trees will feature ornaments with the first names of seniors and their holiday wish.
Holiday shoppers can pick up an ornament, buy an item on the list and leave them at the business where they picked up the name.
The following is a list of gift ideas that tend to run short every year: socks, robes, nightgowns, slippers, lap blankets, T-shirts, shaving cream, lotion, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrush, soap.
A citywide gift-wrapping party will be held on December 11 at 6:30pm at Glenwood Gardens, 350 Calloway Drive, Bakersfield.
“This program is a way that we can give back to our community and help our neighbors who need us most,” said Debora Savoy, owner of Home Instead Senior Care.
“It is important that we all come together as a community and help our neighbors who need us most,” Ashburn said.
For a complete list of tree locations or for more information, please call Home Instead Senior Care at (661) 321-3235.
The Great Southern California Shakeout
November 13, 2008 is the start of the Great Southern California Shakeout and Senator Roy Ashburn urges the communities of his district to participate in the event. The Shakeout is a week of special events featuring the largest earthquake drill in U.S. history organized to inspire Californians to get ready for earthquakes and to prevent disasters from becoming catastrophes.
On an individual basis there are many things that can be done to prepare for the “Big One.” Inspect homes and businesses for items that might fall or injure others and check to ensure that the appropriate emergency supplies and equipment that are easily accessible and functional.
For additional information, please visit www.ShakeOut.org.
National Memory Screening Day for Alzheimer’s Disease
Senator Roy Ashburn (R-Bakersfield) is a long-time supporter of the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) and their initiatives to raise awareness of the disease. Such as the National Memory Screening Day to be conducted on November 18, 2008.
AFA introduced the first National Memory Screening Day in 2003 and holds the event each November, during National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month.
In 2007, an estimated 40,000 people with memory concerns were screened at approximately 2,000 sites nationwide and the number is expected to rise this year.
For a complete list of the participating sites and information regarding the memory screenings and the disease please visit: www.nationalmemoryscreenings.org.
Senator Ashburn’s November Mobile Office Hours
A District Representative will be available in communities throughout the 18th Senate District this month to meet with individuals needing information or assistance with state agencies such as the Department of Motor Vehicles, Department of Fish and Game, Professional Licensing Boards, State Board of Equalization, Franchise Tax Board, CalPERS, State Personnel Board, Employment Development Department, etc.
“My hardworking staff and I are continuously trying to improve the level of service we provide our constituents,” Senator Ashburn said. “We face unique challenges in the 18th Senate District which is the largest in California in terms of land area. The mobile offices give an opportunity for constituents to interact with our district staff without having to travel long distances.”
Senator Ashburn’s Mobile Office Hours Program takes the services of his office to cities throughout the 18th Senate District which includes Kern, Tulare, Inyo and San Bernardino Counties.
TULARE
Monday, November 3, 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Tulare Chamber of Commerce
220 E. Tulare Avenue, Tulare, CA 93274
VISALIA
Monday, November 17, 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Visalia Chamber of Commerce
220 N. Santa Fe Avenue, Visalia, CA 93292
PORTERVILLE
Tuesday, November 18, 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Porterville Chamber of Commerce
93 N. Main Street, Suite A, Porterville, CA 93257
EXETER
Tuesday, November 18, 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Exeter Chamber of Commerce
101 W. Pine Street, Exeter, CA 93221
TAFT
Wednesday, November 19, 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM
Taft Chamber of Commerce
400 Kern Street, Taft, California 93268
FRAZIER PARK
Wednesday, November 19, 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Mountain Communities Family Resource Center
3015 Mt. Pinos Way, Frazier Park CA 93225
RIDGECREST
Tuesday, November 11, 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Ridgecrest Chamber of Commerce
128 East California Avenue, Ridgecrest, CA 93555
ADELANTO
Wednesday, November 12, 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Adelanto City Hall
11600 Air Express Way, Adelanto, CA 92301
INDEPENDENCE
Monday, November 17, 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Independence Chamber of Commerce
139 North Edwards Street (Hwy 395), Independence, CA 93526
BARSTOW
Tuesday, November 18, 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Barstow Chamber of Commerce
681 North 1st Street (Harvey House), Barstow, CA 92311
TWENTYNINE PALMS
Thursday, November 20, 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Twentynine Palms Chamber of Commerce
73660 Civic Center Suite C & D, Twentynine Palms, CA, 92277
NEEDLES
Thursday, November 20, 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
City of Needles City Hall
817 Third Street, Needles, CA 92363
MOJAVE
Friday, November 21 at, 9:00 AM to11:00 AM
Board Room of East Kern Airport District
Mojave Airport, from, 1434 Flightline, Mojave, CA 93501
TEHACHAPI
Friday, November 21, 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
City of Tehachapi City Hall
108 South Robinson Street, Tehachapi, CA 93561
Tags: Roy Ashburn, santa, seniors, Veterans