Archive for the “Elton Gallegly” Category
Last Friday at the California Republican Party’s spring convention in Burlingame, CA, Republic Report caught up with Congressman Darrell Issa (R-CA), who has been leading the investigation into the massive Countrywide bribery scandal.
You remember the Flap and Rep. Darrel Issa’s involvement.
A leak to the media that identified three Republicans who are being investigated by the House Ethics Committee has lawmakers and staffers wondering who the source is, and his or her motive.
There are many theories on who, over a four-day period, forked over the names of GOP Reps. Pete Sessions (Texas), Buck McKeon (Calif.) and Elton Gallegly (Calif.) to media outlets in reference to an ongoing investigation into VIP loans given to lawmakers by Countrywide.
The leaks stunned the three legislators, who have all denied accepting special rates on the loans in exchange for political favors.
Some are pointing the finger at House Oversight and Government Reform Chairman Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) for releasing the publicly sensitive information, though his office is pushing back at that notion.
And, you remember the details of the sweetheart deal Rep. Buck McKeon received which I covered here.
Four years after Countrywide Financial became a symbol of the mortgage meltdown, the company and its questionable dealings have become a potent political issue in the Santa Clarita congressional district held by Republican Howard “Buck” McKeon.
Congressional investigators allege that McKeon and Rep. Elton Gallegly, a Republican colleague whose neighboring district includes much of Ventura County, got cut-rate home loans under a Countrywide VIP program known as “Friends of Angelo,” named for the now-defunct Calabasas lender’s former chief executive, Angelo Mozilo.
McKeon received a $315,000 mortgage refinance in 1998 as his family-owned business, Howard & Phil’s Western Wear, was going through a Chapter 11 bankruptcy, according to documents reviewed by The Times. McKeon was no longer involved in the daily operation of the business after his 1992 election to Congress, but he had retained a stake in it. He saw his income plummet in the years before refinancing his Stevenson Ranch home, financial disclosures and bankruptcy filings show.
In spite of that, McKeon received a favorable rate and wasn’t required to produce documentation proving he could repay the mortgage — terms ordered by Mozilo himself, according to documents subpoenaed for a House inquiry.
The McKeons bought the Stevenson Ranch property, a foreclosed home, in August 1997 for $261,000, putting down 10% and getting a loan of $234,900, property records show. In January 1998, they took out a home equity loan of $31,500 through Valencia National Bank, where McKeon had previously sat on the board.
That October, Countrywide approved the $315,000 refinance loan. The loan paid off McKeon’s original mortgage loan and the home equity loan and gave him $46,894 in cash.
Five months later, the couple took out another home equity loan through Valencia, in the amount of $30,000.
Clearly, there was an attempt by Countrywide Financial to influence Rep Buck McKeon and the others. But, why is Rep. Issa refusing to call it a bribe?
Why, because, silly, they are Republicans and they were caught with their hand in the cookie jar.
As I pointed out yesterday, this involvement of Rep Buck McKeon and his California Assembly candidate wife, Patricia McKeon in the Friends of Angelo Mozilo, Countrywide Financial scandal will be used in both McKeon’s upcoming campaigns.
Tags: Angelo Mozilo, Buck McKeon, CA-25, Countrywide Financial, Darrel Issa, Patricia McKeon
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What SOPA and PIPA are at face value and what they could end up enabling
Tags: Elton Gallegly, SOPA
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Tony Strickland and his family, including former California Assemblywoman Audra Strickland
California State Senator Tony Strickland is in the race for CA-26.
From the press release:
Surrounded by family and supporters, State Senator Tony Strickland today announced his campaign for Congress in an event at the Commemorative Air Force Aviation Museum.
“I remember the most important lesson my father taught me: that it’s the duty for every generation to leave their community in a better place than they found it,” said Strickland. “And that’s why I’m asking to become your next Congressman.
I expect the campaign ahead to be spirited but I’m committed to uniting our community; Republicans, Democrats, and Independents behind policies that create jobs and economic opportunity for those struggling to make ends meet.”
Strickland also stressed the importance of maintaining a strong national defense and developing alternative energy sources.
“Send me to Congress, and I’ll stand up to those who want to weaken our military and threaten our defense related jobs,” he continued.
“Dependence on foreign energy sources makes our energy prices vulnerable and too reliant on unstable and sometimes hostile foreign regimes. We can no longer afford to fund both sides of a war. Energy independence is truly a national security issue,” he added.
Strickland announced at the Aviation Museum at the Camarillo Airport before a group of 100 or so supporters and Ventura County political activists. He joins previously announced candidates, Ventura County Supervisors Steve Bennett and Linda Parks, Oxnard Harbor District Commissioner Jess Herrera, Moorpark City Councilman David Pollock, retired longshoreman Zeke Ruelas of Oxnard and businessman David Cruz Thayne of Westlake Village.
The seat is being vacated by long-time incumbent Congressman Elton Gallegly who has announced his retirement.
I will have video of the announcement later in the afternoon.
Tags: CA-26, Elton Gallegly, Tony Strickland
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I was in Santa Fe, New Mexico at a funeral when I received notice that long-time Republican Congressman and friend, Elton Gallegly was releasing that he was retiring.
When I was at Elton’s home a few weeks ago, I received the impression that this would be Elton’s choice. He did outlay the scenarios of re-election strategy, but I could see that his interests were elsewhere. He wants to start a new phase of his life – outside the Congress.
And, who can blame him?
Now, who will seek the seat?
California State Senator Tony Strickland a conservative Republican has informally announced his candidacy, along with Democrat Ventura County Supervisor Steve Bennett (Ventura Ojai). Moderate Republican Ventura County Supervisor Linda Parks who represents the Thousand Oaks and Oak Park area has also informally announced her candidacy.
Plus, there are some other lesser known Democrats: business man David Cruz-Thayne and Moorpark City Council member David Pollock.
Remember the June primary election will be a top two process – whether it be Democrats or Republicans. Therefore, it is possible that the two Republicans Linda Parks and Tony Strickland could be running in the November general election.
There will be a lot more later, since this seat will be one of the few contested California Congressional races this cycle.
Tags: Elton Gallegly, Linda Parks, Steve Bennett, Tony Strickland
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U.s. Rep. Elton Gallegly’s wife, Janice counts assembled toys at their Simi Valley residence for Sunday’s delivery by Santa
And, Santa is arriving in an Air Force C-130.
From the press release:
In a community thank you to military families at Naval Base Ventura County, the U.S. Rep. Elton Gallegly and Friends Operation Toy Drop will once again present toys and food primarily to families who have a service member who has been deployed, is deployed or is scheduled to be deployed.
When: Sunday, Dec. 4, 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m., Naval Base Ventura County, when Santa will arrive from the North Pole on an Air Force C-130 bearing gifts for the children. (Interested media are requested to call Vance Vasquez, Naval Base Ventura County Public Affairs Office, at (805) 989-8095 by COB on Thursday Dec. 1.)
And, Rep. Gallegly, his friends and family will distribute:
- Approximately 500 bicycles, battery-operated quads, and tricycles
- Approximately 750 age- and gender-appropriate gift bags with toys and/or sporting goods
In addition, food to be distributed on another date will include:
- 400 hams
- 400 Marie Callender’s pies
- 2,000 pounds of potatoes
Unfortunately, I will not be able to attend, since I will be in Las Vegas running the Las Vegas Rock’n'Roll Half Marathon. But, this will be a fine event.
I want to thank the Congressman and his wife, Janice for showing me around their home last Saturday.
And, the big exit question: Will Rep. Gallegly be running for re-election next year? If so, then which Congressional District?
This was discussed, but will have to wait for another post – I don’t want to detract from Santa’s arrival.
Tags: Elton Gallegly
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Rep. Elton Gallegly lends a hand as the non-profit group For the Troops packs its 25,000th package for military men and women deployed overseas, October 2010.
Photo Credit Elton Gallegly’s Facebook.
From the press release:
In a community thank you to military families at Naval Base Ventura County, the U.S. Rep. Elton Gallegly and Friends Operation Toy Drop will once again present toys and food primarily to families who have a service member who has been deployed, is deployed or is scheduled to be deployed.Media will have three opportunities to cover the events:
- Saturday, Nov. 26, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the home of Elton and Janice Gallegly in Simi Valley, when about 30 volunteers will package 3,500 toys and sporting goods into 750 age- and gender-appropriate gift bags.
- Saturday, Dec. 3, Time TBD, Simi Valley to Navy Base Ventura County, when Navy personnel will transport the bicycles, tricycles, battery-operated quads and gift bags to Navy Base Ventura County
- Sunday, Dec. 4, 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m., Naval Base Ventura County, when Santa will arrive from the North Pole on an Air Force C-130 bearing gifts for the children. (Interested media are requested to call Vance Vasquez, Naval Base Ventura County Public Affairs Office, at (805) 989-8095 by COB on Thursday Dec. 1.)
And, why?
To thank those families who also sacrifice when their loved one is deployed to protect all of us Americans.
What a worthy charity.
So what will be distributed?
- Approximately 500 bicycles, battery-operated quads, and tricycles
- Approximately 750 age- and gender-appropriate gift bags with toys and/or sporting goods
In addition, on Saturday, Dec. 3, food to be distributed will include:
- 400 hams
- 400 Marie Callender’s pies
- 2,000 pounds of potatoes
For more information, media can contact Tom Pfeifer, thomas.pfeifer@verizon.net
Tags: Elton Gallegly
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Rep. Elton Gallegly (R-Camarillo) and Romanian Minister of Defense Ioan Micrea Pascu
My Congressman, Elton Gallegly has criticized President Obama regarding his recent comments about Israeli Priminister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Sometimes an overheard comment sheds some light on the truth. That certainly was the case at the G-20 economic meeting in France recently when French President Sarkozy and President Obama discussed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
“I cannot stand him. He is a liar,” Sarkozy said of Netanyahu. In apparent agreement, Obama replied, “You’re fed up with him, but I have to deal with him every day.”
While the French and American presidents have previously and repeatedly voiced their strong support and friendship for Israel while in public, their candid comments, which they thought were private, make you wonder about their own veracity, if not their hypocrisy.
The Sarkozy and Obama comments also make you wonder: If they don’t like working with Israel’s prime minister, which world leaders do they like? The Palestinian’s Abbas? Russia’s Putin? Syria’s Assad? Or Iran’s Ahmadinejad? Do Sarkozy and Obama think these leaders are more honest than Benjamin Netanyahu, who won his office in a fair and open democratic election?
Gallegly has a point, no?
Tags: Barack Obama, Benjamin Netanyahu, Elton Gallegly
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