Bennett Sets Sights On Washington
Former NHS educator to run for Congress
By Logan Hall
Ventura County District 1 Supervisor Steve Bennett announced his plan to run for the 26th Congressional District seat in 2012. After serving the county for more than 10 years as supervisor, Bennett has set his sights on Congress.
A former educator who taught at Nordhoff High School for 20 years, Bennett says he wants to see the country start moving in the right direction. “We really need to avoid this gridlock that’s happening in the government right now,” he said. “We need to be focusing on actually getting proposals that make common sense and start moving this country forward.”
The focus of his campaign, so far, seems to gravitate around setting solid, tangible goals that can be implemented with as little red tape as possible. “We really need common-sense leadership that can take on things like job availability,” he said. “The current ideology is paralyzing so much action.”
In a press release from the county, Bennett says the economy will be one of his main focuses if elected. “Getting our economy back on track should be the No. 1 priority of all national leaders,” he said. “Politicians who block job creation policies in order to advance a narrow electoral agenda are not the kind of leaders that Ventura County needs.”
Bennett believes that he has the political background necessary to take on the congressional position. “We have made major improvements in the fiscal health of Ventura County,” he said, “When I took office 10 years ago our reserves stood at zero and today they are 10.2 percent of our budget.”
One of the better-known projects that Bennett was involved in was the Ventura County Save Open Space and Agricultural Resources initiative, which according to Bennett’s press release, he co-authored with other county officials. The plan was put in place to try to help limit the county’s “urban sprawl” throughout the area. “We had the courage to make some tough votes that were not politically popular then, but are paying off now,” he said.
Bennett has an honors degree in economics from Brown University and a master’s degree in education from Butler University. He served on the Ventura City Council from 1993 to 1997 and taught U.S. history and economics at NHS from 1980 to 2000.
Gray and Black is a serious matter in Ojai now that
we are part of the new and improved Oxnard
congressional district. Black jerseys are going
to become more common for Republicans and
Democrats alike. Have a nice day and take your
Charles Woodson jersey out of the closet homie!
Boy, annoymous racists…
“Silver and Black Pride” amongst the residents of
Oxnard is a very serious thing. I still retain my
Charles Woodson Raiders Jersey. Steve Bennett
should go to the CenterPoint Mall in South Oxnard
and buy one. Then he can walk through the
neighborhood and win thousands of votes. Their
nice people. He can invite all of these new
friends to weekly barbecue and campaign fundraisers
at his home in the Ventura Hillsides Association.
His neighbors and Ventura Police will be delighted.
Steve, do you need help going door to door in the
Nard and El Rio? Let me put the silver and black
on (Raiders t-shirt) and I will also help you win
Colonia.
I think Bennett has done enough dammage to this county. He doesn’t need to go to Washington to do more dammage to us.
Huge difference between these two men. Steve Bennett does not live like a rich person. He and his wife have adopted a family who lives with them in a modest home.
What is the difference between Elton Gallegly
(tweedle dee) and Steve Bennett (tweedle dum)? Both
of them are middle aged white men, wealthy, live in
the hillsides (Bennett in Ventura,Gallegly Simi).
No wonder people don’t vote anymore. Republicans
will come out and vote their man in. Mexicans in
Oxnard (Democrats) stay home and don’t know who
Bennett is.
> “We need to be focusing on actually getting proposals that make common sense and start moving this country forward.”
Okay then. What are your common sense proposals, Mr. Bennett?
High winds warning today portend a whiff of Bennett
inspired arundo treatment in Ojai (pesticide drift
from massive chemical warfare and monsanto herbicide
with illegal underground injections).
Elton Gallegly, bless his heart, is no Robert Lagomarsino (his predecessor) who as a long-time Republican congressman (same seat and very long serving) did amazing things as the REPRESENTATIVE of the people he served. In fact I would say that back in 1981 Lagomarsino literally intervened in something with the authorities and literally saved my life.
Ray, I had the same problem with trying to get help from Gallegly. He was totally useless.
I’m sure Congressman Gallegly has done some excellent things for us all, Republican or Democrat. Personally, I have called on Supervisor Bennett’s office a number of times and have been helped very well on all occasions. I did call Gallegly’s office once when I needed help with my son in the military who was having a medical problem he wasn’t getting help with overseas and the Congressman’s office couldn’t have been less interested. Instead I went through Barbara Boxer’s office and in short order I got a call from my son’s Commanding Officer. All went very well from there, my son is currently a career Marine officer serving in Afghanistan in Helmond Province.
I have always had respect for Gallegly and gotten a quick response from his office. For as along as I can remember Gallegly has been fighting for the American taxpayer against being swindled, robbed and raped by the illegal immigrant and their supporters.
Steve Bennett is way too liberal for me to support. We have one of those way too liberals in the White House now!!!!! How is that working our for us Americans??????
Over the years I have written to Congressman Gallegly 3 times regarding issues and I have never receive a reply. Supervisor Bennett has returned a note to both of my letters and while we may not agree on everything at least he acknowledged his constituent.
How much money is tinseltown going to give Bennett?
I know a lot of the blog readership here likes to get down on Bennett and other teachers, but by their ignorance they are showing they either didn’t have Civics or were asleep at the time (probably couldn’t be bothered–it’s easier to diss people than be educated).
Okay roadrnr, since you asked, in our area no one uses their party affiliation for the Supervisor’s office. They do for the congressional race however, and you will find that Bennett is running as a Democrat against a Republican, the sitting and long-time Congressman Elton Gallegly. I know it’s a lot to take in at one time, but it’s a start. These are what are known as “facts” as opposed to an opinion–which anyone can have right or wrong.
goodbye steve, what the hell does Nordhoff have to do with arundo treatment or spraying poisons? seriously, wtf are you talking about
Nordhoff Teacher should go live with the other
white trash in the “Ventura Hillsides.” The NHS
crowd and their leader Bennett want money all the
time for their special projects (arundo treatment,
glyphosate spraying, two fish in a pond). They
love it when they see a big truck from Orange County
and Nature’s Image on the Ventura River spraying
poison ($$$). More money for the Democrats.
The rest of the people go to hell. Does “NHS Teacher”
have a big mansion above Ventura High School too?
I take notice that the article doesn’t mention Party affiliation. Why are democrats afraid to admit that they are democrats?
Local Yokel do not confuse “blather with knowledge” to paraphrase Larry of Oak View.
ray ,you sound like the rest of the bafoons whom like to be fooled in that”Im hear to help you”? Where are we now because “im hear to help you”??????
Locoyocol, the ignorance astounds.
Here’s what you do…..look up Bennet’s website and click on “accomplishments.” I know you’ll think it’s poo poo kind a stuff, but then for comparison purposes do the same with our other supervisors and you’ll get a mini civics lesson in what exactly our representatives do for us. It’s kind of little stuff in a way, but it has to do with where we live. Also true for any of our representatives, is if you have a problem with local county government you can go to them and they will help cut through red tape and b.s. and can help constituents in little and big ways. I have used this to great advantage many times when being twisted around by bureaucrats–it’s the advantage of the elected public official (again CIVICS!!).
A local congressional member like Gallegly or whomever fills that position helps his home district and the people in it on the federal level. I know it’s big stuff to grasp, but it’s good to know about. In our cynical time we think we can do without government–I recommend a trip to Mogadishu some time to see how well that works.
Bennett has done alot of good for Ventura County but he came off as unprepared and unenergized at the first democratic debate. David Pollock clearly won. Steve better step it up or he’s gonna have some serious competition.
he wants to get to dc before all the insider trading dries up.give me ten things he has done good for us.lets see 1…..?2…….?3……..?etc…he will fit right in
Since “True Guy” and “Fact File” know so much about what Bennett hasn’t done, etc., maybe instead of just throwing out words they could fill us in on all the things he’s done wrong.
I worked with Steve Bennett closely at Nordhoff for nine years. He is a top notch highly intelligent man with an incredibly strong work ethic. Ojai would be well served to have Steve as our representative. He is highly analytical, thoughtful, thorough and does his homework. He is a moderate: a fiscal conservative who is also a human being and cares about the middle class. He will invest time into listening to his constituents. I do not recall a time in the almost twenty years that I have lived here when Elton Gallegly has come to Ojai to address our concerns.
Yoville:
LOL !!!!!!!!
PS He’s done enough damage locally…he’s NOT what we need in D.C. !
LET OFF SOME STEAM! Bennett!…
Steve Bennett is extremely bright and motivated. He accomplishes anything he sets out to do. He would be a welcome legislator to replace Gallegly who has no education.
How can a guy with no small business experience get
the economy going? Bennett has no future. He should
of stayed at the typical Democrat loser job in
local government (bureaucrat bottom feeder).
Vote for Steve “Augie” Offerman for his seat who is a Nordhoff graduate from 1975. He has worked with Lacey then Bennett for the good people of the Ojai Valley for years.