America’s Cup Winner Bill Ficker, a retired Newport Beach architect, filed his "City Hall in the Park" charter amendment initiative with the Clerk, City of Newport Beach this morning. Joining Bill as co-proponents are Former California Secretary of Education and former State Senator Marian Bergeson, and local businessman Jack Croul. The charter amendment measure was written for the proponents by your author, Jim Lacy, who is also serving as counsel to the initiative committee. The amendment does not require a tax increase.

The charter amendment, to be on the ballot in February, 2008 if the qualifying signatures are gathered, would place in the City Charter a requirement that the City Hall of Newport Beach be placed in Newport Center next to the new Newport Beach Central Library. Some council members have resisted the idea of placing the new City Hall next to the current Library. The current City Hall on the Balboa Peninsula is in poor condition and need of extensive repairs.

The City Attorney has fifteen days to return a "title and summary" to the proponents, and signature gathering will likely begin thereafter in June. STA… Read More

Today the FlashReport features two ‘must read’ columns — one from Jon Coupal, President of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, and one from Board of Equalization Member Michelle Steel. The former column is about the tragedy of over six billion dollars in bonds being authorized by the State of California (the "prison deal") without a vote of the people, and the latter is a sobering reminder that Californian’s have to work longer than most Americans to reach our "tax freedom day" — which is today!

Courtesy of Ryan Clumpner, the newly elected Chairman of the California College Republicans, check out this post from their CCR website – and the video below it when you’ve read it…

Friday, 04 May 2007

**There is more – click the link**

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Today the FlashReport features two ‘must read’ columns — one from Jon Coupal, President of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, and one from Board of Equalization Member Michelle Steel. The former column is about the tragedy of over six billion dollars in bonds being authorized by the State of California (the "prison deal") without a vote of the people, and the latter is a sobering reminder that Californian’s have to work longer than most Americans to reach our "tax freedom day" — which is today!

Courtesy of Ryan Clumpner, the newly elected Chairman of the California College Republicans, check out this post from their CCR website – and the video below it when you’ve read it… Friday, 04 May 2007 Yesterday I had the privilege of joining about 11… Read More

It seems that 53% of French voters have had it with big government socialism. As a result of their decision, and the words of (gasp) conservative President – elect Sarkozy, I can now release the power of my personal income on the consumption of French products again. Whew! Not a moment too soon I might add. Before I give you anxious readers the list, let me state unequivocally that my boycott of all Peugeot | Renault vehicles still stands, for obvious reasons.

Here are the top 10 French products I now plan to use:

1. Dom Perignon (best bubbly on the planet)

2. Louis Vitton (handbags – the wife is now very happy)

3. Michelin (tires for my German Audi)

4. Sofitel (upscale hotels)

5. Smart & Final (groceries)

6. Krups (great coffee makers)

7. Dannon (yogurt and water, etc.)

8. France (going this summer)

9. Nexium (acid reflux – need it to watch John Boehner explain the GOP "agenda" on Sunday Morning talk shows)

10. Mephisto (shoes, etc., accidentally spent $112 there this morning before I knew the outcome of… Read More

Moments ago the MSM media reported pro-American center-right candidate Sarkozy had smashed Socialist candidate Royal 53%-47%. Sarkozy’s first public comments were straight to the United States: that we "can count on France as a friend". Cheers.

The humorous aspect to this French election, and our election in November, is that the Sarkozy won by promising the French a closer relationship with the United States, a tougher crackdown on terrorism, and a more free economic system, while the Democrats took control of Congress by promising a closer relationship withSocialist France, a policy of retreat on terrorism and the war, and a less free economic system.

Many Hollywood stars over the past several years have mentioned that they’d like to move to (Socialist) France. Looks like it would be easier to just stay home.… Read More

Logan Jenkins: The Dems Make Party in a GOP Stronghold… A week has passed and none but the hack even remembers the ado about the Democrats having a convention in town. Yet, last Monday the Union-Trib’s Logan Jenkins delivereda great piece on the D’s foray into SD and the political make-up of the region:

Did all those Democrats seem out of place to you? I still can’t believe it.

The Democrats in full throat, twisting and shouting, weaving and stem-winding, glad-handing and backslapping.

**There is more – click the link**

View Full Commentary… Read More

Logan Jenkins: The Dems Make Party in a GOP Stronghold… A week has passed and none but the hack even remembers the ado about the Democrats having a convention in town. Yet, last Monday the Union-Trib’s Logan Jenkins delivereda great piece on the D’s foray into SD and the political make-up of the region: Did all those Democrats seem out of place to you? I still can’t believe it.

The Democrats in full throat, twisting and shouting, weaving and stem-winding, glad-handing and backslapping.

For one wild-and-crazy weekend, San Diego, the lucky city of Nixon and Reagan, turned baby blue in the face.

The first statewide Demo tent meeting ever held in San Diego.

My, oh my. This was like a drag-queen pageant cakewalking into downtown Salt Lake City. Read the entire column… Read More

This morning after dropping of my daughter at German school in Temple City, I went down the street to the 49th Assembly District Victory Elephant Breakfast (VEB). This meeting is held and has been held on the first Saturday of the month at the Denny’s on Rosemead Blvd since the 1980’s. I actually attended it back then and do so every so often. Today’s speaker was State Senator George Runner. He did a great job talking about life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness and answered questions. There were 30 or so people there. While what George said was valuable, more precious was his presence. The GOP nominee in 2006 got 28.90 percent of the vote. In other words Democrat territory. They have had some success electing and re-electing Republicans at the local level and work GOTV in the election years. George drove at least an hour one-way to do the breakfast. … Read More