• Local Blogger Receives Honor

Our elected representative in the California Assembly, Melissa Melendez, is a tireless worker for her constituents... whether you belong to her party or not — I don't belong to it.

Assemblywoman Melissa Melendez.

She is very active in her job up in Sacramento, and then when she's back in her district (the 67th) she holds town hall meetings, usually twice a month.

One in the AM, and another in the PM, so that as many of her constituents that would like to speak with her, will have ample and regular opportunity do to so.

Her district has 450,000 people in it.

She has an award called Power to the People, where she likes to highlight members of the community for positive contributions they've made.

Link to January 2017 blog where Caring Hearts received this award.

Somehow I got on her radar for that honor.

It's a bit on the surreal side to stand in front of a group of people, many that you know, and have a local official talk about things you've done.

Joseph Morabito holds up one side of the Power to the People Award, while Assemblywoman Melissa Melendez hold up the other side. Photo credit goes to Grace Morabito. ☺

"After starting Wildomar Rap he started volunteering and assisting many local organizations with his graphics talents. If they needed help with [video] recording or graphics [...] he'd help them. He has created logos, marketing flyers, brochures for organizations like the Elks, Caring Hearts For Veterans and Community, Boy Scouts, VFW, lots of others, and he also joined the rotary [...] in 2016. (the next part was delivered in a lighthearted way) So, he really needs to get a little more active in the community... he's kind of slacking, we're hoping this might motivate him to get a little more involved." (audience laughter)

-67th District Assemblywoman Melissa Melendez

Below is a video link, though the audio is a bit spotty because of the acoustics of the room, and no microphones, but most of it can be followed.

For those that want more of the story behind it, I'll add it below. For those that don't, hit the eject button now. ☺

I got a call from her office in April telling me that I was selected for one of her Power to the People awards; I was gobsmacked. 

The honor was originally slated for a morning coffee in Lake Elsinore, and I had the temerity to ask if there was a way that we could postpone it until an evening meeting so that my wife and friends could attend. If that wasn't enough, I asked when the next time she'd be meeting in Wildomar. (A true example of someone giving an inch and the other person taking a mile ☺)

It happened that June was the magic month, and the evening date was set for June 28th at Wildomar City Hall. 

Then on June 11th my lovely wife Grace asked me when the date of the presentation was to be... I told her, "The 28th."

Her response flattened me, "That's the day you're flying out to visit your mother."

That was at 4:00pm, the day before the scheduled town hall at the VFW. I called the Assemblywoman's office, spoke with Katelyn Wilkerson, and told her of my dilemma. True to the form of the Melissa Melendez machine, within 15 minutes they were able to adjust the schedule to accommodate my travel plans.

This last minute change interrupted my chance to invite people as I had intended. Sorry to all that didn't hear about this. It was all short notice.

The backstory of how the blog originated.

For the five people that are curious (including my family members), I've always been interested in politics on all levels, but did nothing more than read, vote and comment... I never attended any city meetings, and didn't even know where Wildomar city hall was.

Over the years I've logged way too many comments at places like Yahoo News, PE and Patch. It was that last stop where I found an active comment section about issues in Wildomar. 

It was also where my neighbor (someone I hadn't met up to that time) Kevin Jon Sax invited me, and others, to join a Facebook group that centered on Wildomar. I took to that right away. 

I met Bridgette Moore by chance, at the Brown House on a blistering hot August afternoon, while Kevin and I were there picking up litter. She came over to make sure we weren't trespassing (at least that's how I remember it), which we probably were. 

After introducing herself, she asked if I had any questions about the city. I asked about the fate of the fields on the west side of I-15 that straddle Baxter. She didn't hesitate to offer setting up a meeting at city hall along with the city manager... uh, no thank you... I wasn't that interested (or so I thought).

About a week later I went to my first city meeting, a parks subcommittee meeting. Then I went to a planning commission meeting, and finally a city council meeting. 

Back in early October 2013, at Patch (which is nothing like it used to be), the topic of blogging came up, and I recall posting: only a moron would write a blog.

In less ten days I started Wildomar Rap (the truth will out). 

I had no idea what it was going to be, but the person that was suggesting that I give it a try was the guy that had been haunting Wildomar since incorporation, and before that he was always hounding Lake Elsinore: Gil Rasmussen.

Check out my first blog issue, I think it still only has under 30 lifetime page views. It's actually rather telling, and has some of my poorly drawn cartoons in it too. 

LINK to first blog

The lifetime pageviews are just under half a million at this point. The spike occurred when I blogged about Chelsea Romo being shot while at a concert in Las Vegas. 

After starting the blog, there are three things that made it work. 

   •  First, the fact that I do the work —yippee! 

   •  Second, and particularly critical to it staying around for more than 6 issues, is my wife and her encouragement to keep doing it. 

   •  Third, and every bit as integral to the longevity of WR is Bridgette Moore.

Way back in the early days, she gave it credibility that it hadn't really earned to that point. Her stamp of approval opened the door for others to read it. I remember the first time she matter-of-factly mentioned the blog from the dais during a city council meeting, that was a trip.

In January of 2014 I opened the facebook page associated with Wildomar Rap, and this is what I put in the description area, though I don't think I ever hit the publish button. 

That "one year experiment" is pushing five years now.

Thanks to all those that read this blog. It's truly humbling.

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If I only had three words of advice, they would be, Tell The Truth. If got three more words, I'd add, All The Time.

– Randy Pausch

If Wildomar Rap only had three words of advice, they would be, Take Off Hoser... errr... I mean, Smile More Often. ☺

This blog was produced for viewing on a desktop or a laptop. Though it's been optimized for smartphones, the formatting can look odd on a smartphone or if you get this delivered through email (such as missing video links). Link to proper format.

• Coffee With Assemblywoman Melissa Melendez June 2017

The hardest working member of the California Assembly, our own Melissa Melendez, hosted one of her community coffees at The Corporate Room in Wildomar.

Part of her program is the Power to the People award that she presents to a member of the community that has done something outstanding. The man above has helped a WWII vet with day to day care and even to get new flooring and new roofing for his home. 

What I appreciate about her is that she is there for the people in her district. Not just those that might have voted for her, but all the citizens in her district.

She doesn't give speeches at her community coffees, she just gives an update and the format is very informal. People started chiming in with questions right away, and she was there to give answers, never looking to duck a topic.

This "legislative update" included conversations about bills she's introduced and where they are in the pipeline. 

One such bill was AB 27- Rape as a Violent Felony. Yes, it's hard to believe that this even needed to be brought before the legislature, but it was killed in Assembly Appropriations... again. Even though the cosponsor was a Dem.

The topic of California becoming a Sanctuary State came up, as did SB 1 and the effort to repeal it (that's the gas and car registration tax that will be adding a minimum of 12 cents per gallon in just another few months).

The scheme of universal healthcare for all Californians was batted around, and the attempts by the Democrats in Sacramento to protect embattled State Senator Josh Newman from a recall election (SB 96 - which has already passed).

Another topic that the audience enjoyed was AB 807 (Chu) which aimed at eliminating daylight savings time, not really a liberal v conservative issue, but it was recently killed too.

Nearly 100 people came to hear Assemblywoman Melissa Melendez speak.

Unless you're a unremitting partisan that can't play well with others, you're missing out if don't make your way to one of her community coffees. She usually holds them twice a month, once in the morning and once in the evening. 

We've been lucky to have her in Wildomar twice in the last couple of months, check out her website to get on her mailing list for future community coffees.

Link to her website

Her other contact information

Capitol Office
State Capitol, Suite #6031
Sacramento, CA 94249-0067
(916) 319-2067
(916) 319-2167 fax
Sam K. Spencer- Chief of Staff
Donda Scholl- Scheduler

Samantha Henson- Legislative Aide

MURRIETA OFFICE
41391 Kalmia Street, Suite #220
Murrieta, CA 92562
951-894-1232
951-894-5053 fax
Deni Horne- District Director
Branden Webb- Field Representative

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"My old grandmother always used to say, Summer friends will melt away like summer snows, but winter friends are friends forever."
– George R.R. Martin

Wildomar Rap had an old grandmother too, and she tried to warn against getting married before the age of 30... but did anyone listen to her sage advice? 

• Assemblywoman Melissa Melendez in Wildomar

Assemblywoman Melissa Melendez held one of her community coffees at Wildomar VFW Post 1508. The room was packed with her constituents, as she fielded questions on a variety of topics.

Panoramic shots always seem to make crowds look smaller than they were. The room had two aisles of six chairs that went back about ten rows, and many people only had standing room spots.

She started off by honoring local veteran Ron Larsen on his 75th birthday. 

He's a local in the Windsong neighborhood, and many of us know him as the kind man that can be seen walking with a large sunhat and sunglasses, and often accompanied by his friend, and Wildomar resident Kevin Jon Sax.

Ron Larsen is flanked by Assemblywoman Melendez, and Wildomar Mayor Tim Walker as Kevin Jon Sax snaps some pictures of the occasion.

Next was recognition of the Vietnam Veterans Day. 

With a certificate from the city and a plaque from the Assemblywoman thanking all veterans for their sacrifice for our country, the sacrifices their families made and for their love of our country. 

Mayor Walker got a bit choked up when presenting the certificate, and that's why I admire this man. He's real, he's genuine. 

"I'm not a veteran, so I salute you guys for doing your job and protecting us.... thank you."

Assemblywoman Melissa Melendez, Steve Regalado, and Mayor Tim Walker.

From here she went over some current legislation. Bills that she has introduced, bills that she finds troublesome, and other bills that she likes.

She fielded all sorts of questions, ranging from Russian hacking, why she didn't support last year's tobacco tax, Governor Brown's bullet train, the recently proposed vehicle taxes, the talk about having California secede from the union and several others.

What I have to admire about her is that she treats all the questions, including the dumb ones, seriously. 

It's not a regular thing that an elected official cares enough to meet the community as often as she does. I suggest that you get on her mailing list and plan to attend one of her upcoming coffees.

To finish up the evening, she recognized two groups for outstanding work in the community. 

Michelle's House that helps with those battling cancer, and Operation Prom Girl that helps underprivileged teenage girls obtain dresses for the prom.

From left to right: Dawn Schultz, Michelle Wallis, Mary Martinez, and Assemblywoman Melissa Melendez.

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If you want a quality, act as if you already had it. Try the "as if" technique.

– William James 1842 –1910

Wildomar Rap tip of the day: You don't have to say "as if" when trying the "as if" technique..

• Local Charity Receives Recognition From State Representative

Caring Hearts for Community & Veterans Receive Recognition From Assemblywoman Melissa Melendez

Below is a video of the Power to the People award presentation to Tim Underdown and  Isabella "Ina" Schieffer, for the nonprofit group's work assisting over 50 families with their Christmas Basket program. 

.

A closeup look at the award.

While I was at the Assemblywoman's Community Coffee I checked something off my to-do list. 

In a previous blog covering a similar community event (link to the blog) I was asked about a quote I attributed to the Assemblywoman. (It was a hearty back and forth with John Garret, which can be viewed at the bottom of the blog mentioned).

She introduced a bill (AB 27) to have all rape classified as a violent felony. The question was asked from the audience, "Who would be against such a bill that would make all rape a violent felony?"

I reported her response as "The ACLU."

I couldn't find the quote on the recording so I told him I'd ask her next time I saw her.  

Yep, that was the original answer as you'll hear for yourself if you elect to listen to the audio.

In addition to the question and answer, I also commented that I thought she was a classy person, and though I'm an independent and probably disagree with most of her positions on the social issues, I'd always vote for her since she represents the people so well.

Anyway... the audio is below.



She is truly a dedicated public servant, and there were many people with opposing viewpoints that asked tough questions and were given complete respect by Melendez and the audience.

I suggest that you sign up for her email blasts, which also mentions when and where the various community coffees will be. 

Link to her website

Her other contact information.

Capitol Office

State Capitol, Suite #6031
Sacramento, CA 94249-0067
(916) 319-2067
(916) 319-2167 fax

Sam K. Spencer- Chief of Staff

Donda Scholl- Scheduler

Samantha Henson- Legislative Aide

MURRIETA OFFICE

41391 Kalmia Street, Suite #220
Murrieta, CA 92562
951-894-1232
951-894-5053 fax

Deni Horne- District Director

Branden Webb- Field Representative

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"Convictions must be reevaluated under the light of new reality."
– E.G. Marshall (CBSRMT) 1914-1998

Wildomar Rap isn't into tenaciously clinging to convictions/beliefs just because they were handed to you by your parents.

• Coffee With Assemblywoman Melissa Melendez January 2017

Assemblywoman Melissa Melendez, 67th Assembly District, had her first community coffee of 2017

She packed the house at RJ's in Murrieta and proceeded to go down the legislative update list she'd provided to the people in attendance.

A look at about 30% of the people in attendance.

For those of you that haven't been to one of her community coffees, she doesn't give a speech. She reads most of the items on her legislative update, then takes questions on any topic. They typically last about an hour.

One of my favorite quotes of her's was, "Luckily right now it's early in the year so they haven't done a lot of damage yet," which was met with amused laughter from the group, and she followed up with, "give us time."

Her two sided handout was broken up by things you'll love and things you'll hate.

She started with the things you'll love side first.

AB 27 - Rape as a Violent Felony

This bill will make all forms of rape a violent felony. 

It's stunning to think that RAPE, of any kind, can be off the Violent Felony list. 

However, even though rape nearly always means FORCED SEX ON A PERSON WITHOUT THEIR CONSENT, somehow there are actually some types of rapes that don't qualify as violent. 

Directly following this morning's community coffee, the assemblywoman was interviewed on KFI and this was touched on while she was on the air with Gary Hoffman and Shannon Farren. Apparently if a rape victim is passed out (from either drugs or alcohol) it's not classified as violent. 

Here is a brief list of "non violent" rape: 

• statutory rape
• rape of an unconscious person
• rape of an intoxicated person 
• rape using a controlled substance.

The only one I'd be willing to hear a counterargument to is statutory rape. Some of those are boyfriend/girlfriend with a nominal age gap this side or that side of 18, aside from those... rape is rape.

When asked, "Who would be against such a bill that would make all rape a violent felony?" The answer was, "The ACLU."

Figures.

Upholding the Second Amendment

The stunner here (or not so much, considering the braindead one party rule up in Sacramento) is that Melendez was taken off the Public Safety Committee, though she's been the Vice Chair for the four years she's been our Assemblywoman.

That's the committee that hears all the gun bills, all the law and order bills, all the crime and punishment bills.

It's her reward for doing too effective of a job up there. 

It was basically a political vendetta on the part of the Speaker of the Assembly because MM was too effective at countering Sacramento's bull crap. They wanted someone less effective to get the position.

Utilizing Existing Funds for Road Repair

They've tried in the past to get this commonsense legislation passed, but to no avail so far. 

The aim is to pass legislation that says: Sacramento has to use the money collected for transportation, FOR TRANSPORTATION.

Sadly, this kind of commonsense is eschewed by California's Democrat majority.

Legislative Whistleblower Protection Act

This will be the third attempt on the part of Assemblywoman Melendez to get this through. As it stands, the laws that protect whistleblowers does NOT apply to the staff of legislators. 

My bet is that it will go down to defeat just as it has before. Nothing quite as nauseating as the unctuous stench that comes from legislators exempting themselves from the laws that apply to the rest of us.

Franchise Tax Credit

This is aimed at assisting businesses that would like to relocate to California, giving them a five year exemption on the Franchise Tax Fee.

This was beyond my understanding, but if it concerns you, contact the Assemblywoman's office. They'll give you the pertinent details.

Sober Living Homes Bill

This isn't about stopping such group homes. We want people to straighten out their lives [from substance abuse] and sober up. Many need the help of such facilities. The problem is that if a group home is comprised of six or fewer "guests" there is no regulation.

As it stands today, anyone can open up a "sober living home" and not need any training or other qualifications. 

Sorry, but if we're going to regulate lemonade stands and what can and can't be sold at the park snack bar during a city sponsored event, I want group homes in my neighborhood to be regulated too. 

A look at the crowd from the other side of the room.

Next, the bad legislation on the 2017 horizon:
aka Things we'll hate.

AB 1 (Frazier) & SB 1 (Beall)

This bill, among other things, would increase the gas tax by at least 12¢ per gallon and the diesel tax by at least 20¢ per gallon.

Of course, if the majority party, that has been ruling the capital for generations, would just use the money already raised for road repairs, such tax increases wouldn't be needed for road repair.

AB 5 (Gonzales-Fletcher)

This is one of those government overreach bills that wants to dictate to businesses more rules about new hires. It apparently aims to require businesses to offer more hours to existing employees before hiring additional employees.

Here's the problem. Some people still think we live in America, and want LESS regulation, especially on this level, not MORE of it.

This was discussed for awhile. 

It's surmised that the authors of this bill are looking for a way to "encourage" (cough... more like "force") businesses into having more full time workers. 

A noble idea, but one so shortsighted that it would only find favor in California's heavily biased seat of power.

In a sane world, where many onerous obligations don't start to kick in after about 30 hours, bosses and managers would far prefer having full time employees. 

However, when you start dictating to businesses what types of benefits you must offer your full time employees, anyone with a brain would have been able to see the spike in part timers, as they began taking over the full timers.

Repeat after me the well known aphorism: the road to hell is paved with good intentions.

AB18 (Pan)

According to the handout, "This bill undermines the role of the parent by establishing seven, incredibly vague "rights" for youth in California in order to determine the best interest of the children."

If you can't read the graphic, follow the link at the bottom of the blog.

As Melendez was reading the proposed "rights" from the website, I kept waiting for something along the lines of, "...and a flying unicorn for every child," to be one of the proposed new "rights."

Must we revisit the aphorism mentioned above so soon? Good intentions or not, some things are nothing but poppycock on steroids. This being one of them.

•          •          •

As the hour was winding down, there was one guy that was having a problem. It appeared that he'd been in contact with the assemblywoman's office many times before, as she remembered the man and his story, and it sounded as if he already has a private appointment with her.

As compelling as his story may have been, something about his friend racking up $74,000 in legal fees trying to defend a lawsuit over a "fraudulent" $120 invoice, time and place, sir. 

This was neither the time nor the place for personal problems. At one point a couple of CHP officers approached him to maintain order. I think without their intervention the guy would have continued to escalate.

Based on the fees he claims were paid to defend a bogus case should remind everyone why so many people just settle cases. You can "WIN" the lawsuit, and still end up on the short end of things.

•          •          •

I spoke to Melendez's representative, Branden Webb, and asked when we can get one of these community coffees in Wildomar. I has happy to hear his response that they're working on it and we should expect one in Spring.

I urge all Wildomartinis to make time on your schedule to attend if at all possible. The way to know when such community coffees are happening is to sign up for the Assemblywoman's emails. 

Link to Melissa Melendez's Official Webpage

Link to SB 18

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Hell isn't merely paved with good intentions; it's walled and roofed with them. Yes, and furnished too.
– Aldous Huxley

Wildomar Rap reminds you that whenever you find yourself meandering down the primrose path, there's no better mode of travel than a hand basket.

• Coffee With Assemblywoman Melissa Melendez October 2015

Today there was a community coffee for Assemblywoman Melissa Melendez at Las Palmas restaurant in Lake Elsinore. There was a small crowd of about 30 or so people, that enjoyed breakfast and coffee as we listened to our elected official go over some of the things still pending in Sacramento.

She mentioned:
• AB 74, which deals with Highway 74 coming under local control. It's awaiting the governor's signature.
• AB 545, requires an individual who is a repeated domestic abuser to remain in custody for no less than 48 hours. This is awaiting the governor's signature.
• AB 950, this will allow an individual the right to transfer their firearm(s) to a Federal Firearm Licensee if they are forced to surrender their firearms due to a restraining order. Goes into effect January 1, 2016.

At this point she threw it open to questions from the group.

Honestly, I heard a lot of talk from the crowd that really can't be dealt with by Sacramento, even if we had a fistful of Billion Dollar Bills. Things like, the general decay of the current generation. How the young generation doesn't have respect for their elders, etc.

Melendez handled such topics with adroitness and aplomb, but in the end, such things are not actually subject to legislation. We can't pass laws demanding parents actually be good parents... though the thought is nice.

Assemblywoman Melissa Melendez speaking to locals at Las Palmas restaurant in Lake Elsinore.

I did love it when one person mentioned that the societal decline could be traced back to violent video games, which received nods and applause... except from me. That's just flat out silly.

I steered the conversation back to legislation and asked the Assemblywoman her thoughts on SB 25 (SB 25 was the bill that would have helped Wildomar out by returning $1.9 Million per year to us).

Wildomar Rap:

Bringing it back to legislation, maybe you can talk about SB 25 which was going to help Wildomar. I don't know if it's even worth trying anymore with the current governor. 

Melissa Melendez:

SB25 was a bill where they took away the [portion of the] Vehicle Licensing Fees that went back to the cities. Wildomar was one city, and Menifee as well,  where when they calculated their budget, they calculated that money in with the other money they were supposed to be getting.

Then the state, in 2011, took that money away, and so there went Wildomar's budget. There has been a bill three years in a row, my entire time in the legislature, they have done a bill to give that funding back, because it was promised to these cities.

The cities didn't do anything wrong, they played by the rules, but the state took it (VLF funds) away. Three years in a row I helped with this bill and three years in a row the governor has vetoed it.

Now I will tell you, and I don't mind saying this out in public, that I had a conversation with governor Brown a couple of months ago. We were at dinner, not just he and I it was a group of people ((which led to some laughter among the attendees)). But it just so happened that he was sitting right across from me... I got the lucky seat.

So I said to him, "Governor Brown, we have this bill coming up which will really helps two cities in my district [by] giving back their vehicle licensing fees. They were pretty hard hit, what are your thoughts on that?"

And he paused for a minute, and he looked at me in his Jerry Brown way, and he said, "What was the percentage of votes I got in Riverside County?" 
((The assembled let out a protracted gasp at that))

He actually said that to me. 

I was stunned, I said, "uhhh... Well... you know, it was probably higher in some other areas of the state." 

And he replied, "I think it was about 22 maybe 23%, so I'm not really motivated."

So that bill is never going to pass (be signed into law), ever.

One guy, that logged the most speaking time from the floor, chimed in towards the end with a quote from Plato:
"One of the penalties of refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors"
 ...and then asked, "Do you consider yourself a career politician, and if so will you be running for governor?"

To which the Assemblywoman chuckled and said, "Oh good lord no!"

She then went on to explain that the political climate in California will most likely preclude any republican from being elected as governor for the foreseeable future.

A shot from earlier this year.

Melissa Melendez:

I can't imagine I'd ever run for Governor. Only because this state, I don't think is going to see a republican Governor for a very long time.  I don't think I am (After some hesitation choosing the right wording) "moderate" enough for enough Democrats to put me in office. I have my certain principles and I'm not going to change. I'm not crazy off to the right off the cliff, but I think for California, because we are a very liberal state, I can't see it happening. 

After the coffee session had ended I chatted for a moment with the Assemblywoman, reminding her that I lean Libertarian and she probably knows where the divisions lie between that and a traditional conservative like her.

She had pushed for audits of Planned Parenthood, and she must have known such a thing was a nonstarter in Sacramento. I asked her about the point of pursuing something that had no chance of advancing and I liked her candid answer, which I really knew all along, but needed reminding.

I'll be honest with you, sometimes as an elected you have to fall on your sword for your district because it's something they want you to fight for. Even if they know you're going to lose, by god they want you to fight for it. 

If you ever get a chance to speak with Assemblywoman Melissa Melendez take it. She's very personable and genuinely is interested in her district and her constituents.

Here is the Assemblywoman's contact info:

assemblymember.melendez@assembly.ca.gov

Local (951) 894-1232

Sacramento (916) 319-2067

 link to previous blog: Coffee With Assemblywoman Melissa Melendez

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The children now love luxury. They have bad manners, contempt for authority; they show disrespect for elders and love chatter in place of exercise.        
—  Socrates

Wildomar Rap wants to remind you that the more things change, the more you sound like a broken record when think the current generation stinks more than your own.