“Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.”
From Senator Roy Ashburn . . .
Ashburn E-Report: Thanksgiving 2008
Thanksgiving Message
I have lived most of my life in California’s Central Valley and have seen with my own eyes how the economy has impacted the lives of my constituents. We lived through the oil shortages and stagflation of the 1970’s and the boom and bust cycles of the 1980’s and 1990’s. Among my relatives and close friends are persons who have known the deprivations of the Great Depression. I can say from personal experience that tough economic times do not last forever. When we came together as a state and as a nation we have weathered through the most difficult of times.
From a distance California’s state government seems like an impersonal monolith only concerned with the affairs of narrow interests groups. I can assure my constituents that there are many persons of good will in Sacramento, on both sides of the aisle that are working hard for the welfare of all Californians. Our job is to grow the economy by balancing the budget, providing incentives to businesses, and by making this government the most efficient in the country.
We can be thankful during this Thanksgiving season that persons of good will in the Capitol are in good faith working to mend the state government. There will be moments of doubt when differences of opinion will overwhelm the common good. There must be compromise in the end to move California forward again. As always the real hard work will be done by the workers and businesses of the state who will create the new industries and innovations that will once again make California the economic engine of the United States.
Let me wish all a peaceful and serene Thanksgiving rich with the warmth of our loved ones. And my special thanks to the servicemen and women abroad whose devotion to our country never wavers even in the face of constant sacrifice.
Salvation Army Needs Volunteers
The Salvation Army, Bakersfield Citadel Corps, kicked off its annual Christmas Kettle Appeal on Saturday, November 15th, at The Marketplace with their VIP Bell Ringing Day. Each year, the Salvation Army sets up red kettles, manned by volunteers, to collect donations from holiday shoppers throughout the community. Funds collected over the years have enabled the Salvation Army to become a faithful resource to the community of Bakersfield and the greater Kern County Area to help fight poverty and prevent homelessness for children and families.
Contact your local Salvation Army to volunteer this holiday season:
Bakersfield (661) 836-8487
Bishop (760) 872-2124
California City (760) 373-4116
Porterville (559) 782-0861
Ridgecrest (760) 371-7575
Tehachapi (661) 823-9508
Tulare (559) 687-2520
Visalia (559) 734-4108
Operation Gobble 2008
Each year it is a privilege for me to participate in the annual Thanksgiving distribution, Operation Gobble, in concert with California Water Service Company.
This year 150 gift checks, good for the purchase of a turkey, will be distributed throughout the Central Valley to seventeen (17) charitable organizations in Bakersfield, Lake Isabella, Porterville, Visalia, Ridgecrest, Tehachapi, Tulare and Taft to assist needy children and their families in our midst who might not otherwise enjoy a turkey dinner. Happy Thanksgiving!
Golden Empire Gleaners, Bakersfield
Porterville Gleaners
Porterville Senior Council
Richard Prado Senior Center, Bakersfield
Stockdale Moose Lodge, Bakersfield
Kern Bridges Youth Homes, Bakersfield
The Food Pantry, Lake Isabella
Taft Community College ASB
VFW Post #97, Bakersfield
Koinonia Foster Homes, Bakersfield
Helping Hands of Porterville
Pathway Family Services, Bakersfield
Women’s Center – High Desert, Ridgecrest
Salvation Army of Tehachapi
Valley Baptist Church, Bakersfield
Tabitha House, Bakersfield
Visalia Gleaners
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