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Election
Results: Everybody Got Something
Published Saturday,
November 14, 1998
For Nevada County
voters, the November elections had something for everybody. No one person
or party will be totally happy -- or totally dismayed, for that matter.
As one local candidate reminded me, the process is more important than
the officeholder. And even if your candidate didnt win or your proposition
didnt pass, were all supposed to be friends the next day.
So lets take a lightning-fast look at the election highlights.
National Elections. I think the Republicans did very well in the
mid-term election, but they dont call me for my opinions. They are
whining about losses because they thought theyd have more gains.
Its kind of a shame, but Newt Gingrich is stepping down as Speaker
of the House. I guess Republicans are mad at him. Maybe everyones
distressed at his failed strategy to discredit Clinton in the last weekend
of the campaign (was that $10 million in TV spots in three days?).
I bet the real insult to the GOP is that Jesse The Body Ventura
is now governor of Minnesota. Maybe Republicans should worry. Maybe old-style
Democrats should worry, too.
Senator. Barbara Boxer again? Although Nevada County voted overwhelmingly
for Fong, I voted for Boxer. Shes not sensible or honest about gun
control, but I can live comfortably with her other positions.
Congressional Representative. Wally Herger again? Is this the best
the Republicans can do? Granted, Congressional District 2 is safely Republican
(for the present), but couldnt you nominate someone with a pulse?
Governor. As usual, Nevada County did its best to keep the state
executive branch Republican. However, the Democrats swept the offices,
and I think thats a very healthy change for California. My father,
a conservative Republican, is in despair. His only hope is that Davis
will ruin us so badly well promptly return a Republican to office.
As a bonus, Dan Lungren not only isnt governor, but hes no
longer Attorney General. Maybe this will result in correct enforcement
of Proposition 215 (marijuana), fewer property seizures, and less bad
advice to Nevada County District Attorney, Mike Ferguson.
Assembly.
Sam Aanestad, local dentist, makes good. Bifurcations to bills, root canals
to resolutions, its the old dentist-to-legislator story. Hes
local, and so is presumably interested in our issues, an interest we didnt
much see from Bernie Richter. Of course, it was unlikely that Gruendl,
the Democrat, was going to show strongly in this largely Republican assembly
district. Best of luck, Sam!
The initiatives. For the most part, I thought Californians had
their heads on straight. The surprises for me were a big NO to air quality
improvement, and a YES on the electric utilities proposition. So, were
not going to bribe polluters, but were going to pay for nuclear
debacles. Amazing.
We also stopped the senseless slaughter of horses for human consumption,
as opposed to the senseless slaughter of horses for dog food. How enlightened.
The tobacco tax (as it is labeled by the Secretary of State) shows that
were always willing to tax the other guy. When theres only
one smoker left in California, I figure hell be paying about $10
million a pack for cigarettes. Serves him right, the slime.
Local elections. Look at the undercounts in the results! Those
are people who couldnt stomach either candidate. Bet you the losers
wish they had earned those votes. Theyd be winners.
District 4 Supervisor. The election of Izzy Martin stocks the Board
of Supervisors with four progressives. Great! The operative word is progressive,
not liberal. So relax, and see what happens.
I heartily disagree with Melinda Monaghanss hand-wringing in last
weeks Both Sides Now. She worries excessively about the Rural
Quality Coalition (RQC). Not necessary. The RQC has excellent stated purposes
and the right to express and press its views. However, until the
principals improve their listening skills, reasoning ability and understanding
of people, they wont be terribly effective.
Clerk recorder. A contest between two unqualified candidates. Somebody
won.
Assessor. Tax cutter vs systems analyst. Somebody won.
Grass Valley City Council. I knew Gerard Tassone would take the
first seat. Hes good, and besides, I managed his campaign. After
that, it was fun to see the wannabees duke it out for the second seat.
Congratulations to all the candidates, especially those winners and losers
who had the civility to take out thank you ads in the newspaper.
See you next time!
Barry Schoenborn is a technical writer, and a ten-year resident of
Nevada County. You can write to him at barry@wvswrite.com. The opinions
of columnists are not necessarily those of The Union.
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