Countdown to the Capitol
I’m entering my final week as Supervisor for Orange County’s Fourth District. This Friday, January 29, I will be sworn-in on the floor of the California State Assembly as the newest Member representing the 72nd District.
This Tuesday’s Board meeting will be my last, preceded by an 8:30 reception in the Hall of Administration lobby. All are welcome. My Supervisorial swan song will appropriately involve an agenda packed with 59 items, including long-awaited movement on funding reform of the Orange County Harbor Patrol.
I’ve long opposed funding the Sheriff’s Harbor Patrol with $6.9 million in annual park funds. Those scarce recreational dollars should be spent throughout OC, not on a costly boat towing service in Newport and Huntington Beach. These free services are functions not required of the County to do at all.
The Board will likely have Performance Auditor Steve Danley conduct a study and make recommendations as to proper responsibilities and funding of Harbor Patrol.
The creation of an independent Office of Performance Audit Director will be one of the lasting legacies of my 7 years on the Board. Danley serves directly under the Board to provide objective analyses on how to streamline County operations, without regard to turf protection.
The Sheriff’s Deputies’ pension reform agreement will reach the Board for ratification the week following my departure. A small step toward pension viability and a rare one agreed to by our union, the current 3% at 50 formula will be changed to 3% at 55 for new hires, who will also make up to a 5% contribution toward the fund.
Reforming public pensions, education and local government finance will be among my top three priorities in the legislature. To Sacramento I’ll take 25 years of experience in City and County government. I’ll also be taking two current staffers to man my district field office: Denis Bilodeau and Bruce Whitaker.
Denis currently serves on the Orange City Council, OC Vector Control Board and OC Water District Board. Bruce serves on the Fullerton Planning Commission and coordinator for Fullerton Association of Concerned Taxpayers. Both will serve in the 72nd Assembly District Field Office, currently at 210 W, Birch Street in Brea (previously occupied by Lynn Daucher and Mike Duvall).
Staffing in my capitol office has yet to be finalized.
Last fall I was anticipating a long and low key run for OC Clerk Recorder. Suddenly this seat opened up. Five months have now passed without North Orange County having a voice in the State Assembly. Nearly a half million people in Fullerton, Brea, Anaheim, La Habra, Placentia, Orange and Yorba Linda half been without representation. It is time to fill this seat and to raise that voice again, a voice for personal freedom and governmental accountability.
Norby wins 72nd Assembly District seat
Orange County Supervisor Chris Norby garnered nearly 63% of the vote in yesterday’s special election to capture the 72nd Assembly District seat left vacant by the resignation of Mike Duvall. Family, friends and supporters gathered at Cherch Lounge in downtown Fullerton to hear election results and to celebrate the victory with the Assemlyman-elect.
Final vote totals from the Registrar of Voters are available here, and news reports are available in the Orange County Register, the Los Angeles Times and the San Francisco Chronicle.
Election Night Party Tonight
Join Chris Norby and his supporters this evening for an election night party at Cherch Lounge in downtown Fullerton beginning at 7:00 pm. It’s located at 101 S. Harbor Blvd. (on the corner of Harbor and Commonwealth).
The Orange County Registrar of Voters will begin reporting election results online at 8:05 pm. Live video feeds of supplies arriving at the warehouse and ballot processing will begin at 7:45 pm.
You can also get periodic updates on goings-on at polling places throughout the district from Registrar Neal Kelley on Twitter.
Help Get Out The Vote tomorrow
Your help is needed tomorrow – Tuesday, January 12 — at Orange County GOP Headquarters. Even if you don’t live in the 72nd Assembly District you can help to Get Out The Vote for Chris Norby, whether you choose to make phone calls, help in the office or walk precincts.
OCGOP Headquarters is located at 1800 West Katella Avenue, Suite 210 in Orange. For more information call 714-453-0900 or e-mail contact@ocgop.org.
BREAKING NEWS: Ackerman endorses Norby
Today Linda Ackerman — Chris Norby’s main opponent for the Republican nomination in the primary election held on November 17 — has announced her endorsement of Chris in tomorrow’s run-off election.
Norby Election Night Party
On election night, Chris and his supporters gathered at Cherch Lounge in downtown Fullerton to wait for election results. As soon as victory appeared certain, campaign consultant Matt Holder started the celebration:
Norby 10 Victory Party Part 1
Norby 10 Victory Party Part 2
Candid video shot November 17, 2009 by Jack Dean.
Norby is top vote-getter
Norby will face the Democrat and Green candidates in a run-off election on January 12.
Final vote information is available online at the Registrar of Voters site.
Read newspaper coverage of the election returns in the Orange County Register (also see this blog post) and the Los Angeles Times. CBS Channels 2 and 9 were at the election night party and broadcast this report.
Walk precincts Saturday, and help Get Out The Vote on Election Day
Join Chris Norby for a precinct walk this Saturday from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm, and then plan to help with the final Get Out the Vote push on Tuesday from 9:00 am until the polls close at 8:00 pm. This race is going to have a very small election day turnout, so every vote will be critically important.
On both days precinct walkers will meet at Chris’s home at 216 N. Yale in Fullerton (1/2 block south of Chapman, 2 blocks west of Berkeley). To confirm your participation (or if you have questions), please call 714-937-1005.
On Tuesday night, plan to join Chris and his supporters for an election night party at Cherch Lounge in downtown Fullerton. It’s located at 101 S. Harbor Blvd. (on the corner of Harbor and Commonwealth).
Orange County Taxpayers Association PAC endorses Norby
The Orange County Taxpayers Association Political Action Committee has endorsed Chris Norby with the following letter:
The Honorable Chris Norby
216 North Yale
Fullerton CA 92831The Orange County Taxpayers Association Political Action Committee (OCTaxPAC) is proud to support your campaign for election to the 72nd Assembly District.
OCTaxPAC’s mission is to ensure that taxes and tax-supported programs are “fair, understandable, cost-effective, and good for business.” Your service as an Orange County Supervisor indicates that you share those goals.
You voted to approve a pay-and-benefits contract that is fair to sheriffs’ deputies, yet will save taxpayers $140 million. You voted to introduce the landmark concept of defined-contribution pension benefits into Orange County government. You supported legal action against a retroactive county employee benefit; if a court finds that it is unconstitutional, taxpayers will save hundreds of millions of dollars. You are an outspoken defender of private property rights, and an equally outspoken opponent of expansion of government power and programs.
Your record proves that taxpayers can count on you to stand up to big-spending Sacramento politicians and their special-interest allies.
The 72nd Assembly District includes the cities of Fullerton, Anaheim, Placentia, Orange, Brea, Yorba Linda and La Habra. Your work on the Board of Supervisors, your experience as a city councilmember, and your varied background in government, education, and community organizations equip you to represent your constituents in this dynamic part of Orange County.
OCTaxPAC is convinced you are qualified and motivated to help keep State spending in check. We hope that this endorsement will encourage other elected officials and candidates for office to follow your example of taxpayer-friendly leadership.
Reed L. Royalty
Secretary, OCTaxPAC
You can help Chris Norby this Saturday
Join Chris Norby for a precinct walk this Saturday from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. Meet at Chris’s home at 216 N. Yale in Fullerton (1/2 block south of Chapman, 2 blocks west of Berkeley). Morning refreshments will be provided. To confirm your attendance (or if you have questions), please call 714-937-1005.
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