Simi Valley Government

Still trying to rid itself of the stigma from hosting the first Rodney King beating trial, Simi Valley is turning to Ronald Reagan for help. A majority of the City Council wants to adopt an official city slogan: "Home of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library." If the plan goes forward, city stationery would be reprinted to incorporate the slogan. Welcome signs at the city's entryways would bear the motto. So would the city's Web site.

Still trying to rid itself of the stigma from hosting the first Rodney King beating trial, Simi Valley is turning to Ronald Reagan for help. A majority of the City Council wants to adopt an official city slogan: "Home of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library." If the plan goes forward, city stationery would be reprinted to incorporate the slogan. Welcome signs at the city's entryways would bear the motto. So would the city's Web site.

The Radisson Hotel in Simi Valley is now in the hands of the federal government because its owner, County Bank of Santa Barbara, has been declared insolvent, officials said Friday. The bank has been in federal conservatorship since March 27, said Kevin Shields, a spokesman for the federal Resolution Trust Corp.'s Western Division office in Denver.

Students in Rob Collins' government classes--who debated Friday whether President Clinton should be impeached--aren't old enough to vote. But they are already cynical about politics. Lying and cheating are facts of life for children of the 1980s, children reared amid broken homes and tabloid television. "It's not that big of a deal," senior Ryan Marks said about the president's predicament. "Go watch Jerry Springer. It's the same thing every day."

Students in Rob Collins' government classes--who debated Friday whether President Clinton should be impeached--aren't old enough to vote. But they are already cynical about politics. Lying and cheating are facts of life for children of the 1980s, children reared amid broken homes and tabloid television. "It's not that big of a deal," senior Ryan Marks said about the president's predicament. "Go watch Jerry Springer. It's the same thing every day."

Residents can get their feet wet in Simi Valley city government by volunteering for a two-year term on one of the city's four neighborhood councils. Members have a say in planning, development, traffic and environmental issues in their neighborhoods. The panels, which meet monthly, advise the City Council on issues that are important to their respective neighborhoods. The local councils also sponsor volunteer events and participate in the Community Emergency Response Team Program.

Republican Assembly candidate Tom McClintock on Monday announced that all five of his opponents in last week's GOP primary have endorsed him as the party's nominee for the seat being vacated by Assemblywoman Paula Boland (R-Granada Hills). "All of the candidates were gracious to come together like this," said Tony Strickland, McClintock's campaign manager. McClintock, who won the Republican primary handily, will face Democrat Jon M. Lauritzen in the November general election.

A San Fernando Valley businessman and a top aide to Assemblywoman Paula Boland (R-Granada Hills) are leading a field of six candidates in cash and loan contributions in their bid to succeed Boland in a legislative district that includes Simi Valley and Fillmore. Businessman Ross Hopkins has raised $74,239 in contributions, including $49,000 in loans, according to campaign finance statements. He had $66,295 left in the bank at the end of June.

Seven Republicans and two Democrats lined up to compete in the 38th Assembly District elections next year for the legislative seat soon to be vacated by retiring Assemblywoman Paula L. Boland (R-Granada Hills). Both the Republicans and Democrats will have contested primary elections on March 26 in the district that includes Simi Valley, Fillmore and western portions of the San Fernando and Santa Clarita valleys.

Scott Wilk, chief of staff to Assemblywoman Paula L. Boland, has decided to drop out of the race for her Assembly seat, saying he cannot stomach the "slash and burn" style of campaign he would need to defeat fellow Republican candidates. Wilk said he made his decision after former Assemblyman Tom McClintock's last-minute entry into the race in the 38th Assembly District, which includes Simi Valley, Fillmore and western portions of the San Fernando and Santa Clarita valleys.

The Radisson Hotel in Simi Valley is now in the hands of the federal government because its owner, County Bank of Santa Barbara, has been declared insolvent, officials said Friday. The bank has been in federal conservatorship since March 27, said Kevin Shields, a spokesman for the federal Resolution Trust Corp.'s Western Division office in Denver.

Scott Wilk, chief of staff to Assemblywoman Paula Boland, has decided to drop out of the race for her Assembly seat saying he cannot stomach the "slash and burn" style of campaign he needed to defeat fellow Republican candidates. Wilk said he made his decision after former Assemblyman Tom McClintock's last minute entry into the race in the 38th Assembly District, which includes western portions of the San Fernando and Santa Clarita valleys as well as Simi Valley and Fillmore.

With cash to spare halfway through the fiscal year, City Council members Monday voted to buy new shotguns for the Police Department, hire a new building inspector and give themselves laptop computers. The city's annual midyear budget review found Simi Valley's government flush with an extra $397,757 for the first half of the fiscal year. Most of the surprise revenue came from property taxes, rising along with home prices now that the local real estate market has emerged from its long recession.