Written By Jessica Garrison and Abby Sewell, Los Angeles Times

In its heyday, Montebello was known as the Beverly Hills of the Eastside.

Perched on the rolling hills above the 60 Freeway, it was the move-up community for working-class East L.A. and Boyle Heights, with a municipal golf course, shopping mall and manicured parks.

Now tree... http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-montebello-20110924,0,324170.sto...

He also says it has become a "common practice." As long as the victims are lower on the totem pole than Sunni Muslim Pakistanis, Islamabad will not see a crisis. But the same supremacist conduct they look the other way from when it is perpetrated against non-Muslims or non-Sunnis is gradually eroding the stability of the entire society and its institutions. "Punjab: armed Muslims rape a Christian, a 'common practice'," by Jibran Khan for Asia News, September 24:

Lahore (AsiaNews) – The rape of Christian women in... http://www.jihadwatch.org/2011/09/pakistan-priest-in-diocese-of-lahore-s...

Written by By Matt Patterson

Years from now, historians may regard the 2008 election of Barack Obama as an inscrutable and disturbing phenomenon, a baffling breed of mass hysteria akin perhaps to the witch craze of the Middle Ages. How, they will wonder, did a man so devoid of professional accomplishment beguile so many into thinking he could manage the world's largest economy, direct the world's most powerful military, execute the world's most consequential job?

Imagine a future historian examining Obama's pre-presidential life: ushered into and through the Ivy League despite unremarkable grades and test scores along the way; a cushy non-job as a "community organizer"; a brief career as a state legislator devoid of legislative achievement (and in fact nearly devoid of his attention, so often did he vote "present"); and finally an unaccomplished single term in United States Senate, the entirety of which was devoted to his presidential ambitions. He left no academic legacy in academia, authored no signature legislation as legislator.

And then there is... http://www.americanthinker.com/2011/08/obama_the_affirmative_action_pres...

Washington, D.C. – House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) and Immigration Subcommittee Chairman Elton Gallegly (R-Calif.) today criticized a California bill that would allow businesses in the state to opt-out of E-Verify. This bill, the Employment Acceleration Act of 2011 (A.B. 1236), was passed earlier this week by the California State Senate. The bill now heads to Governor Jerry Brown’s desk for signature.

Chairman Smith: “California has the second highest unemployment rate in the U.S., yet elected officials in Sacramento just sent a bill to the Governor’s desk that will further diminish job opportunities. California’s E-Verify opt-out bill shows exactly why we need a federal E-Verify law. Without a federal law on the books, some states—including those with the largest illegal immigrant populations, such as California—will be free to hire illegal workers.

“That’s why I have introduced the Legal Workforce Act. This bill requires all U.S. employers to use E-Verify to check whether prospective employees are legally authorized to work in the U.S. This program is free, quick and easy to use – those eligible to work are immediately confirmed 99.5% of the time. This bill is one of the most significant steps we can take to put millions of Americans back to work and curb incentives that drive illegal immigration.”

Chairman Gallegly: “Illegal immigration cost Californians a net of more than $20 billion in 2010 in services and incarceration costs. Yet California continues to provide magnets to draw illegal immigrants to the state. That includes free education for illegal immigrant adults, sanctuary cities and – soon – an opt-out for E-Verify.

“Illegal immigration will not subside until we remove the magnets, including the largest one, a job. California’s bill to prohibit cities and counties from requiring employers to use E-Verify is one of the reasons I am working with House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith of Texas to pass a federal law to make it mandatory for all employers in the United States. It has a 98 percent accuracy rate, which is far better than the antiquated I-9 forms now used.”

In June, Chairman Smith introduced the Legal Workforce Act (H.R. 2164). Chairman Gallegly is an original cosponsor. This bill could open up millions of jobs for unemployed Americans by requiring all U.S. employers to use E-Verify.

A federal E-Verify law for all U.S. employers is essential to protecting jobs for American workers and reducing the jobs magnet that encourages illegal immigration. Only 17 out of the 50 states and the District of Columbia have an E-Verify mandate in place. And unfortunately, these state laws are only applied in a limited way or are rarely enforced.

Sacramento, CA – Sen. Tony Strickland, co-author of Senate Bill 292, released the following statement on the passage of this bill:

“This legislation is a no-brainer. It will help to ensure we bring jobs to hardworking Californians and bring much-needed revenue to Southern California,” Sen. Strickland said. “We have the second-highest unemployment rate in the nation and companies are fleeing California left and right. When most investors are taking their money out of state, AEG is investing billions into our economy. This project is privately-funded – it does not rely on any taxpayer dollars – and brings nearly $2 billion to our local community, as well as over 23,000 jobs.”

“It’s been over 16 years since the NFL has had a presence in Los Angeles and it’s high time we change that,” Sen. Strickland added. “The Farmers Field project will make Southern California a destination for conventions and big sporting events such as Final Four, the Super Bowl, and boxing events. This project will have a positive impact for years to come.”

“The only way we fix our current budget problem is by creating jobs and the Farmers Field project is a step in the right direction towards achieving this,” Sen. Strickland added. “SB 292 is also a step in the right direction in ensuring the project gets a fair environmental review, without allowing it to be held up in frivolous lawsuits.”

SB 292 expedites review for the Farmers Field project, without suspending the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) or the environmental impact report. Because the NFL is on a strict timeline to bring a team back to Los Angeles, this bipartisan legislation was necessary in ensuring the project moves forward.

SB 292 passed the Senate and now heads to the Governor’s desk for signature.

Sen. Strickland is available to the media for an interview or comments.

Tony Strickland represents California Senate District 19, which includes portions of Los Angeles, Ventura, and Santa Barbara counties.

[A Fillmore citizen and resident of the El Dorado Mobile Home Park invited Senator Sharon Runner to speak
to the senior residents at her convenience. At issue was the Senator’s vote, or abstaining from voting, on
SB444, saying it has the same affect as voting ‘no’. [Quote from the Capitol Report, the GSMOL Californian,
the July/August Edition, page 4, showing a report by GSMOL Lobbyist Brian Augusta: “Note that a ‘no’ and
an ‘abstain’ are the same; abstaining from voting on SB444 has the same affect as voting no”.]This is the
response from her Runner’s Legislative Director, Tanya Vandrick]

Senator Runner is very busy this week due to it being the end of the legislative session, as am I, so I apologize for the delay in responding. However, Senator Runner will not be addressing the residents at El Dorado MHP. It seems you are misinformed about Senator Runner's vote as she abstained on Senate Bill 444 (Evans).
While she normally supports policies which give local governments more local control she also strongly supports private property rights. SB 444 failed in the Senate with a vote of 18-16. If it had passed it would have discouraged the conversion of mobile home parks to resident ownership. Specifically, it would have allowed a local government to establish ordinances or use other provisions of law to disapprove conversions, so it could have had the effect of keeping mobile home parks under local rent control ordinances that could otherwise convert and get out of rent control. Senator Runner believes that such a policy would have allowed local governments and residents to control private land use decisions for land they do not own thereby infringing on the property rights of the park owner.

Senator Runner understand that she and the residents do not agree on this legislation and will not agree on legislation of this nature in the future. Therefore;— while she appreciates your invitation to address the residents of El Dorado MHP, she respectfully declines. You are, of course, welcome to write an editorial expressing your support for the bill. Senator Runner appreciates an open exchange of ideas with her constituents because this helps her make policy decisions that reflect her constituency as a whole. Believe me, she has had plenty of feedback from both proponents and opponents of SB 444.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts and concerns with Senator Runner. She was happy to have me help you track down the person you needed at the City and she hopes your concerns are addressed by the judge's decision to require an EIR before a conversion can be done.

Best regards,
Tanya Vandrick Legislative Director

While taqiyya may make it difficult for some to discern the truth concerning Islam, there is another way: connect the dots. Consider: if a Muslim follows the minor commands of Muhammad as recorded in the hadith, is it not reasonable to conclude that he or she also follows, or at least accepts as legitimate, Muhammad's major commands in the hadith -- such as disassociation and enmity for infidels, "while smiling to their faces"? For instance, Hamas-linked CAIR's Arsalan Bukhari (pictured above), who helped sue those who refuse to uphold the beard and maligns those who speak the truth about Islam, also just so happens to follow Muhammad's precise commands concerning the beard. What about Muhammad's other commands -- the ones that cannot be read on the face? More on the significance of the beard, from Pajamas Media (via RaymondIbrahim.com):

To develop a thorough understanding of... http://www.jihadwatch.org/2011/09/raymond-ibrahim-why-the-muslim-beard-b...

City of Fillmore

CITY OF FILLMORE CITY COUNCIL

AGENDA
REGULAR MEETING

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2011
6:30 P.M.

FILLMORE CITY HALL
CENTRAL PARK PLAZA
250 CENTRAL AVENUE
FILLMORE, CALIFORNIA 93015-1907
(805) 524-3701 • www.fillmoreca.com

Sign up for the City’s Informational E-list at
http://www.fillmoreca.com/mailman/listinfo/city-clerk_fillmoreca.com
WELCOME TO THE CITY OF FILLMORE CITY COUNCIL MEETING! Your participation at this public meeting is valued and appreciated. Please note the City Council and Redevelopment Agency convene concurrently.

Agenda/Packet: The Agenda/Packet is available for review at Fillmore City Hall and online at www.fillmoreca.com/cityhall/agendas 72 hours before the scheduled meeting (but generally available the Thursday prior to the scheduled Tuesday meeting). Materials related to an item on this agenda submitted to the City Council/RDA after distribution of the agenda packet are available for public inspection in the City Clerk’s Office during regular business hours and on the City’s website subject to staff’s ability to post the documents before the meeting.

Americans with Disabilities Act: In compliance with the ADA, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting or other services in conjunction with this meeting, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at 534-3701. Notification 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting. (28 CFR 35.102-35.104 ADA Title II)

Audible Devices: Please ensure all audible devices (pagers, telephones, etc.) are off or otherwise not audible when the City Council/RDA is in session. Thank you.

Challenging City Council/Redevelopment Agency Decisions: Any legal action by an applicant seeking to obtain a judicial review of the City Council/Redevelopment Agency’s decision on a hearing or issue listed on this Agenda may be subject to the 90-day filing period of, and governed by, Code of Civil Procedure § 1094.6. Additionally, if you challenge the actions of the City Council/RDA in court, you may be limited to raising only those issues you or someone else raised at the public hearing described in the public notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the City Council/RDA at, or prior to, the public hearing pursuant to California Government Code § 65009.

Consent Calendar: Items listed on the Consent Calendar are considered to be routine in nature, not discussed individually, and are normally approved by one motion. If a Councilmember or member of the public wishes to comment on a particular item, that item shall be removed for separate action.

No New Business will be considered by the City Council/RDA after 11:30 p.m. unless a majority of the legislative body determines to continue.

Public Input: If you wish to address the Council/Redevelopment Agency regarding an item listed on this agenda, please complete and submit an Audience Participation Form to the City Clerk prior to consideration of that agenda item. Public Comments is the time for presentations/comments not on this agenda but within the subject-matter jurisdiction of the City Council/Redevelopment Agency. Please complete and submit an Audience Participation Form to the City Clerk prior to the beginning of Public Comments. Pursuant to California Government Code/Brown Act, the City Council/ Redevelopment Agency ordinarily cannot take action on any item that is not listed on the agenda. As a result, matters identified during Public Comment will be referred to staff for follow-up or considered on a future agenda. In accordance with Resolution No. 09-3175, speakers are provided five (5) minutes for items listed on the agenda and no more than five (5) minutes to speak during Public Comments. Please stay within the time allotment indicated by the Mayor.

Replay Schedule: City Council/RDA meetings will be re-broadcast on Channel 10 daily at 6:00 p.m.

1. Call to Order: 6:30 P.M.

2. Pledge of Allegiance CONTINUED »

Written By Patrick Buchanan

NOT SINCE PEARL HARBOR, 60 years before, had we been as united as in that September after Islamic terrorists brought down the twin towers. The nation stood behind the president in his resolve to exact retribution on the men who had done this, and those who abetted the mass murder of 3,000 innocents. And George W. Bush rose to the occasion.

Within three months, a northern alliance of anti-Taliban Afghans, assembled by U.S. special forces and supported by U.S. air power, had driven into Kabul and deposed Mullah Omar. Osama bin Laden, architect of the massacre, was holed up in Tora Bora, his capture or killing seemingly imminent.

Fast forward 10 years. Bin Laden is... http://www.newsmax.com/Remember911/Buchanan-911-Wars-March/2011/09/09/id...

What would America do without its government-run postal monopoly? The U.S. Postal Service is set to go bust within a few weeks absent yet another multibillion-dollar bailout. If it doesn’t get one, the postman threatens to cancel Christmas deliveries. This threat could safely be ignored if only we’d permit companies like DHL, FedEx and UPS to handle regular mail in addition to packages. The only thing we’d miss without USPS would be long lines and a careless postman losing our mail.

The Post Office does “loss” better than anyone. It’s on track to rack up nearly $10 billion in red ink this fiscal year. The problems run so deep that there’s no way to make the dismal numbers add up without a massive infusion of taxpayer cash.

USPS is a government agency that... http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/sep/7/usps-rip/

By most accounts, President Obama’s $800 billion “stimulus” bill that was passed in February 2009 with the promise of keeping unemployment below 8 percent was an absolute failure. However, last night in a speech to a joint session of Congress, the President demanded that it spend another $450 billion on more of the same “stimulus” that has left America with zero job growth and continued economic stagnation. But don’t worry. His top economic adviser Gene Sperling told NBC that this one would likely get us down to 8 percent.

Despite Sperling’s predictions, there... http://blog.heritage.org/2011/09/09/morning-bell-more-stimulus-from-pres...

Written By Corina Knoll

During City Council meetings, the insults fly. City Hall has been a revolving door as administrators depart, often not on good terms. Sexual harassment claims have been filed; council members all but stage coups to serve as mayor.

But La Puente hit a new low this summer when the economically pressed town of 40,000 was warned that it has until the end of next year to clean up its act or risk losing its insurance, without which it cannot operate. The only other California city to face a similar fate is Maywood, which ended up laying off virtually all its employees and disbanding its Police Department... http://articles.latimes.com/2011/sep/04/local/la-me-la-puente-20110904

Following two consecutive years of declining assessed values, the total value of state-assessed and county-assessed property rose to $4.382 trillion for 2011-12, an increase of $11.6 billion (0.3 percent) from the previous year, George Runner, Second District Member of the Board of Equalization announced today.

The value of county-assessed property increased by $5.3 billion (0.1 percent) to $4.297 trillion. The value of state-assessed property, mainly privately owned public utilities and railroads, totaled $85.3 billion, an increase of $6.3 billion (8.0 percent).

Year-to-year percentage changes ranged from a high of a 19.5 percent gain in Colusa County to a low of a 5.3 percent decline in Plumas County. The increase in Colusa County is largely related to utility assessments (which comprise more than one-third of the county’s assessment roll), and was driven by the construction of a new power plant in the county. In all, twenty counties posted year-to-year increases in assessed value, although most of the increases were modest. Excluding Colusa County, only three counties (Kern, Madera and Trinity) grew by more than two percent.

Thirty-eight counties experienced year-to-year declines in value, with Plumas the only county declining by more than five percent. For the third year in a row, declines in assessed values were especially concentrated in the State’s Central Valley. Assessed values dropped by 2.9 percent in the Greater Sacramento Area, and declined 2.7 percent in the North San Joaquin Valley. However, assessed values actually grew by 1.4 percent in the Southern San Joaquin Valley, driven by the 2.4 percent growth experienced by Kern County.

The assessed valuation in California’s 15 coastal counties (which account for over 60 percent of total assessed valuation) gained 0.9 percent. By contrast, valuations in the 43 inland counties fell 0.6 percent. Southern California assessed values increased 0.7 percent. The increase in San Francisco Bay Area values was a modest 0.3 percent, in line with the statewide figure.

Of the twelve counties with rolls exceeding $100 billion, seven counties posted an increase in assessed value, while values in five counties fell. Values increased in the counties of San Mateo and Orange (1.0 percent), Santa Clara (0.9 percent), San Francisco (0.5 percent), San Diego (0.4 percent), and Alameda (0.1 percent). Declines in value include the counties of Sacramento (-3.7 percent), Riverside (-1.2 percent), San Bernardino (-0.5 percent), Contra Costa (-0.4 percent), and Ventura County, which was only down slightly, virtually unchanged by percentage. Los Angeles County, with the largest assessment roll at $1.079 trillion, increased by 1.4 percent, up $15.0 billion over 2010-11.

Elected in November 2010, taxpayer advocate George Runner represents the Second District of the Board of Equalization. Runner was sworn in as Second District Board Member on January 3, 2011. Prior to his election to the Board, Runner served twelve years in the State Legislature. As a thoughtful conservative, his legislative priorities included improving the economy, business growth, education excellence, and public safety for all Californians. As a member of the Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee, Runner consistently led the fight against tax increases and supported tax relief for families and businesses.

The five-member California State Board of Equalization (BOE) is a publicly elected tax board. The BOE collects more than $50 billion annually in taxes and fees supporting state and local government services. It hears business tax appeals, acts as the appellate body for franchise and personal income tax appeals, and serves a significant role in the assessment and administration of property taxes. For more information on other taxes and fees in California, visit www.taxes.ca.gov.

2011-12 Assessed Values Matrix: http://www.boe.ca.gov/news/2011-12_Assessed_values.xlsx

George Runner today issued the following statement in response to remarks by Governor Jerry Brown opposing a proposed deal to bring an estimated 7,000 Amazon.com jobs to California:

“If the Governor truly believes the ‘Amazon Tax’ is going to generate millions in revenue for the state this year, he’s mistaken. Board of Equalization staff have determined that the projected $200 million in revenue will not materialize this year.

“As of today we’re not aware of a single online retailer that has registered with BOE to collect sales tax because of AB 28X. According to Board of Equalization staff, the number of out-of-state registrations in July 2011 was actually lower than July 2010.

“Additionally, should a referendum qualify for the ballot, the law would be suspended until a vote of the people in June or November of next year. That would mean the ‘Amazon Tax’ would be a guaranteed money loser this fiscal year, since terminated affiliates will pay significantly less income tax.

“The priority must be jobs: either we lose thousands of jobs by keeping the current law, or we gain thousands of jobs by encouraging online retailers like Amazon to invest in our state. If the Governor wants real and lasting budget revenue, he needs to grow jobs.”

Elected in November 2010, George Runner represents more than nine million Californians as a member of the State Board of Equalization. For more information, visit www.boe.ca.gov/Runner.

A Fort Collins, Colorado, elementary school has ignited anger and frustration after the American flag was lowered and the Saudi Arabian flag was elevated in a room inside the educational facility.

Strong responses followed after an image of the flags’ positions was originally posted on a local blog. Despite the debate and attention this incident has been given, Bauder Elementary School principal, Brian Carpenter, claims that he has no idea how this happened.

In his response to media, he reiterated the fact that... http://www.theblaze.com/stories/colorado-elementary-school-under-fire-af...

Written by Yoram Ettinger

Sept. 11, 2001 represented a horrific awakening from the post-Cold War delusions of "peace dividends" and a "new world order" to the reality of a "new world disorder" and a worldwide surge of Islamic terrorism.

The 9/11 reality has exposed Islamic terrorism as a clear, present and lethal danger to the free world, irrespective of the Arab-Israeli conflict, Israel's existence, U.S. pressure on Israel, generous U.S. foreign aid to Muslim countries and U.S. military support of Muslim national aspirations in Afghanistan (against a Moscow-backed regime), in Bosnia and in Kosovo (against Serbia). Autocratic Islamic regimes consider Western-style religious, political, educational and economic liberties to be fatal threats. Islamic terrorists consider Western democracies to be infidel societies and geopolitical obstacles to be subjugated via terrorism and holy wars (jihad), as has been the practice of Islam – confronting "infidels" and "apostates' -- since the 7th century.

The trauma of 9/11 has... http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_opinion.php?id=417

Behind a nondescript door at CIA headquarters, the agency has assembled a new counterterrorism unit whose job is to find al-Qaeda targets in Yemen. A corresponding commotion has been underway in the Arabian Peninsula, where construction workers have been laying out a secret new runway for CIA drones.

When the missiles start falling... http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/cia-shifts-focus-t...

Sacramento, CA – Senate Bill 177, authored by Sen. Strickland (R-Simi Valley), passed unanimously on the Senate floor and now heads to the Governor’s desk for his signature.

Santa Barbara County has only one licensed hospice facility and the waiting list for this facility averages 8 to 12 patients, as there is no other inpatient facility in Santa Barbara County and only a small facility in neighboring Ventura County. SB 177 would increase the maximum number of patient beds allowed in Santa Barbara County.

“I’m pleased to have authored this bipartisan legislation which solves an important healthcare need in my district,” Sen. Strickland said. “This bill is essential in addressing the growing need for hospice care in our community.”

“Healthcare is of the utmost importance, and I’m happy my colleagues unanimously agreed that expanding hospice care on the central coast was a necessity,” Sen. Strickland added.

SB 177 is now awaiting the Governor’s signature. If signed into law, this bill will take effect January 1, 2012.

Tony Strickland is Vice Chairman of the Senate Health Committee and represents California Senate District 19, which includes portions of Los Angeles, Ventura, and Santa Barbara counties.

CAMARILLO, CA — U.S. Rep. Elton Gallegly (R-CA), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Immigration Policy and Enforcement, sent a letter this week to President Obama urging him to stop his policies of destroying jobs for American citizens and legal workers.

Specifically, he urged the President to reverse his policy of granting amnesty to illegal immigrants through selective deportation, and to focus on creating jobs for American citizens and legal workers instead of illegal immigrants.

“As someone who has worked on this issue for more than twenty years, I cannot sit back and not express my extremely strong disapproval with your new policy,” Gallegly wrote. “This decision, in addition to undermining the enforcement of our immigration laws, is a direct assault on the fourteen million Americans and legal immigrants who are looking for a job to support themselves and their families. It will result in higher unemployment and lower wages and benefits for many Americans, especially, but not limited to, those in the minority community.”

Gallegly noted in his letter that under the Constitution it is Congress’ job to create immigration policy and it is the President’s job to enforce it. While the President has been given some discretion, “Any discretion granted to you by Congress was intended to be limited and used rarely. Granting what is effectively an amnesty to 300,000 illegal immigrants in the process of being deported is a clear abuse of your discretion,” Gallegly wrote.

The full letter is attached.

Continuing the series of “Sidewalk Office Hours” during Assemblyman Jeff Gorell’s military deployment to Afghanistan with the navy, district staff will meet with constituents and discuss their concerns.

The next public event will be on Friday, September 9th in Camarillo in front of the Marie Calendars on East Daily Drive from 11:00 am until 1:00 pm. Please come by and share your opinions and ideas with District Director Ernie Villegas and Field Representative Adam Haverstock in person on Friday, September 9th in front of:

Marie Calendars
185 East Daily Drive
Camarillo, CA 93010

The Marie Calendars is located near the 101 freeway close to the intersection of Daily Drive and Calle La Roda in Camarillo. For complete directions you can visit GoogleMaps at: http://goo.gl/maps/y2xM

Jeff has already held sidewalk office hours in Moorpark, Thousand Oaks, Camarillo and Simi Valley prior to his military deployment, and his office will be continuing these meetings throughout the 37th assembly district during his absence.

For additional information, please call Jeff's district office at (805) 230-9167.