Letter to the Editor

Say It Ain’t So

Doug LaMalfa and Sam Aanestad, both congressional
candidates, took California taxpayers for a free ride . . . literally.

Dave Palmer, Watchdog at noethics.net, investigated a perk
giving legislators a state-subsidized vehicle upon request. Taxpayers pick up
90 percent of the monthly bill and legislators cover the rest.

According to Palmer,

“Shortly after
assuming office in Dec. 2002, Doug LaMalfa was of the opinion that he was
entitled to hose the public by ordering a 2003 Mustang Mach 1 at a cost to the
public of $28,957. … From 2003 through 2008, it cost the taxpayers of
California $65,584 to provide Doug LaMalfa with a “muscle car” to allegedly
serve the best interests of his constituents. … Doug LaMalfa personally
authorized the expenditure of $16,258.64 for maintenance on the Mach 1 for the
years 2006 and 2007.”

Aanestad has a similar horror story.  Sam purchased a 2003 Ford Expedition for
$45,393.91 and Chrysler 300M in 2007 for $43,780.70.  Palmer says,

“From 2003 through
2008 the taxpayers were hosed to the tune of $165,286 to provide ol’ Sam with
luxury rides of his choosing. This comes out to a yearly average of $27,048 a
year.”

Please, gentlemen, say it ain’t so.

Donna Caldwell

Cottonwood, CA

Chiefs of staff for two Yuba-Sutter area state legislators have been booted from a conservative
grassroots organization over claims they committed membership fraud and were
disruptive.

The board of the directors of the California Republican Assembly voted 36-2 in separate
motions Saturday to expel Mark Spannagel, chief of staff to state Sen. Doug
LaMalfa, R-Richvale, and David Reade, chief of staff to Assemblyman Jim Nielsen,
R-Gerber.

Aaron Park, sergeant at arms for the CRA, said Reade manipulated units of the assembly to
get the group’s endorsement for Mitt Romney during the 2008 presidential
primary. And Reade and Spannagel submitted records of association members who
weren’t actually affiliated at all, Park said.

“These instances go back as far as 2007,” said Park, adding Reade is expelled for 10
years and Spannagel for five.

The expulsions do not affect either man’s position with LaMalfa and Nielsen nor their status as
registered Republicans, Park said. Reade and Spannagel can appeal their
expulsions when the statewide assembly meets for a convention, which could
happen in either November or January. http://blogs.redding.com/bross/archives/2011/07/gop-group-boots.html

And, now they claim to have had no advance knowledge of Herger’s
retirement announcement and the coronation of LaMalfa as his successor.

So, who ya gonna believe?

Just a quick note to express my thanks and appreciation to the Chico League of Women Voters for sponsoring yesterday evening’s candidate forum.  The event was held in the Chico City Hall Chambers, which quickly filled to capacity.

Although my opponent, Congressman Wally Herger, has refused to debate me, the League decided to allow republican and democratic candidates for Congress to make a 5 minute presentation, explaining the reason they are running for office. 

This was followed by a debate between State Senate candidates Keene and Lamalfa.

Again, my many thanks to the sponsors of last night’s event, the Chico League of Women Voters.

Pete