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	<title>Cactus Thorns</title>
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	<link>http://www.vote29.com/newmyblog</link>
	<description>Irreverent Barbs on Desert Politics</description>
	<lastBuildDate>Sat, 04 Feb 2012 05:54:00 +0000</lastBuildDate>
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		<title>JBWD Offers a Sneak Peak of Desert Spring Flowers</title>
		<link>http://www.vote29.com/newmyblog/archives/32308?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=jbwd-offers-a-sneak-peak-of-desert-spring-flowers</link>
		<comments>http://www.vote29.com/newmyblog/archives/32308#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 04 Feb 2012 05:54:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Kathleen Radnich</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Entertainment]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.vote29.com/newmyblog/?p=32308</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[In anticipation of an early spring season, the Joshua Basin Water District invites the general public to come learn about our Morongo Basin’s native plants at our first Joshua Tree Water Wise Garden Docent meeting of 2012. Join us at the District Office on Friday, February 10th, from 3pm-4pm.  You need not be a docent to participate and enjoy the information being shared by our guest speaker, Darrell Shade, from the Joshua Tree National Park Association corps of volunteers, who also serves as a botanist instructor for the Desert Institute.  Mr. Shade has given numerous talks on plant life growing naturally in the park, and will share his favorite flowering photos of local desert plants, his insights on how using native plant species impacts the beauty of our desert landscape, the park&#8217;s ecosystem, and more! This program is free. The District Office is located at 61750 Chollita Road in Joshua Tree. For more information, contact Kathleen Radnich at 760.218.2822,or by E-mail at kjradnich(at)gmail.com. &#160; No related posts.
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		<title>Ramos and the Mexican Mafia</title>
		<link>http://www.vote29.com/newmyblog/archives/32299?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=ramos-and-the-mexican-mafia</link>
		<comments>http://www.vote29.com/newmyblog/archives/32299#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 03 Feb 2012 22:36:55 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Neil Derry</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Candidates]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[San Bernardino Co]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.vote29.com/newmyblog/?p=32299</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[And now he wants to be our Supervisor!
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		<title>Governor&#8217;s Tax Increase Initiative: Impact on School Funding</title>
		<link>http://www.vote29.com/newmyblog/archives/32292?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=governors-tax-increase-initiative-impact-on-school-funding</link>
		<comments>http://www.vote29.com/newmyblog/archives/32292#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 03 Feb 2012 15:25:26 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Assemblymember Connie Conway</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.vote29.com/newmyblog/?p=32292</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Governor&#8217;s budget relies on a ballot measure that authorizes a five year, half cent increase of the state sales tax and raises personal income taxes for incomes over $250,000.  While the measure purports to generate $6.9 billion for schools, a complicated funding shift means that programmatic funding for schools will remain flat. Recent independent analyses have found: Despite a proposed $6.9 billion tax increase, the state&#8217;s financial obligation to schools would be increased by just $2.5 billion in 2012-13. Education will suffer 97 percent of the Governor&#8217;s trigger cuts if the taxes fail, even though school funding accounts for roughly 50 percent of the state budget. California&#8217;s economy is on the upswing.  If the voters reject the taxes, but the state continues to experience a surge in tax revenue from increased economic activity, the trigger cuts will still happen. Click here to read more. No related posts.
No related posts.]]></description>
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		<title>HDWD Pres Sarann Graham- Party Hardy!</title>
		<link>http://www.vote29.com/newmyblog/archives/32278?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=hdwd-pres-sarann-graham-party-hardy</link>
		<comments>http://www.vote29.com/newmyblog/archives/32278#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 03 Feb 2012 08:19:15 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Margo Sturges</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Yucca Valley]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[$125 million sewer system]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[HDWD]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Hi-Desert Water District]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sarann Graham]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Vote29.com]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.vote29.com/newmyblog/?p=32278</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Hi-Desert Water District President Sarann Graham heading to Sacramento to attend a 2 hr Gala Reception at Ella&#8217;s Dining Room and Bar located in the downtown district of Sacramento using ratepayer funds! Yucca Valley, Ca.- It must be tough growing old and having missed the opportunity of being an important lobbyist working in Sacramento or Washington.  This was never my dream but apparently Hi-Desert Water District President Sarann Graham, a career politician, still dreams of the &#8220;Big Top.&#8221;  A self pro-claimed &#8220;Political Junkie,&#8221; her words, not mine, she enjoys  a little jaunt to D.C. or Sacramento on the HDWD rate payer&#8217;s dime. In January 2008, she traveled to Washington D.C. and again in March 2009.  I do not how many days she stayed there or the reasons for those jaunts, but she is very sure to turn  in every receipt she is entitled to receive as well as $125.00 per day, which usually includes the day before and the day after which are &#8220;traveling days.&#8221; God forbid after paying hundreds of dollars for her trip that she should have to pay for one meal of $9.49! She turned in her receipt for reimbursement. Her last trip to Sacramento on November [...]
Related posts:<ol>
<li><a href='http://www.vote29.com/newmyblog/archives/32102' rel='bookmark' title='Travelin&#8217; HDWD Directors using our Public Funds!'>Travelin&#8217; HDWD Directors using our Public Funds!</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.vote29.com/newmyblog/archives/18299' rel='bookmark' title='HDWD President Sarann Graham, &#8220;It was a fib!&#8221;'>HDWD President Sarann Graham, &#8220;It was a fib!&#8221;</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.vote29.com/newmyblog/archives/31269' rel='bookmark' title='HDWD Sarann Graham violates Brown Act &amp; Government Code'>HDWD Sarann Graham violates Brown Act &#038; Government Code</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.vote29.com/newmyblog/archives/20735' rel='bookmark' title='HDWD President Sarann Graham, &#8220;It Was A Fraud!!&#8221;'>HDWD President Sarann Graham, &#8220;It Was A Fraud!!&#8221;</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.vote29.com/newmyblog/archives/15161' rel='bookmark' title='HDWD President Sarann Graham’s Magic Wand'>HDWD President Sarann Graham’s Magic Wand</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.vote29.com/newmyblog/archives/26089' rel='bookmark' title='HDWD Slants Sewer Survey-&#8221;Pull The Plug!&#8221;'>HDWD Slants Sewer Survey-&#8221;Pull The Plug!&#8221;</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.vote29.com/newmyblog/archives/22359' rel='bookmark' title='2011 HDWD FPPC Form 700s + Highlights'>2011 HDWD FPPC Form 700s + Highlights</a></li>
</ol>]]></description>
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		<title>Some Events at the Hammers</title>
		<link>http://www.vote29.com/newmyblog/archives/32263?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=some-events-at-the-hammers</link>
		<comments>http://www.vote29.com/newmyblog/archives/32263#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 03 Feb 2012 03:20:23 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Mike Hawkins</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.vote29.com/newmyblog/?p=32263</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I got this in an email from Betty, President Johnson Valley Improvement Association… The lead-up to the Griffin King of the Hammers 2012 is in full swing. By tomorrow, Hammertown will be complete, safety briefings and technical inspections will have begun, and the multitude of sponsors and vendors of equipment, parts and food will be doing a brisk business under the big top and on Vendor Row. The schedule features the new “Everyman Challenge” with stock and modified stock vehicles on Sunday, Feb. 5, and the KOH Last Chance Qualifiers the following Tuesday and Wednesday. On Thursday there are two events. The Pitbull UTV race for several classes of side-by-sides such as Rhino and Polaris starts at 8:00 a.m. The King of the Motos will be run at 9:00: pro motorcycle riders on a course that combines Baja-style trails and extreme rocks. Friday, Feb. 10, at 8:00 a.m. is the start of the big one, the world-famous Griffin King of the Hammers. The racers start out two-by-two in a wide variety of custom vehicles that go fast on the sand trails and climb incredible rock obstacles in the Hammers trails. Maybe half will finish. A 20.00 donation gets you into [...]
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		<title>Statement by Assemblyman Cook on California Running Out of Cash</title>
		<link>http://www.vote29.com/newmyblog/archives/32273?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=statement-by-assemblyman-cook-on-california-running-out-of-cash</link>
		<comments>http://www.vote29.com/newmyblog/archives/32273#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 03 Feb 2012 02:59:49 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>John Sobel </dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.vote29.com/newmyblog/?p=32273</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[SACRAMENTO- Assemblyman Paul Cook (R-Yucca Valley) expressed alarm regarding the State Controller&#8217;s announcement that California is running out of cash. According to Controller John Chiang, the state will run out of money by March 1 if no immediate action is taken to reduce spending. The state has spent $2.6 billion more than allocated in last year&#8217;s budget agreement. Chiang stated that without an additional $3.3 billion in revenue, the state will be unable pay its bills come March 1. Without  remedy, the state will be forced to issue IOUs to vendors and tax returns will be delayed. Cook stated, &#8220;As a state, politicians haven&#8217;t prioritized spending. Some areas, such as educating our children, should come first. The average Californian understands how to prioritize spending in a home or small business, yet many politicians in Sacramento refuse to do the same. We can&#8217;t let this lack of responsibility continue. &#8220;I suspect that if we saw a huge jump in revenue, we&#8217;d see a huge jump in spending, instead of saving it for bad budget years.  That behavior is exactly what got us into this budget mess.  It&#8217;s wrong, and it&#8217;s damaging to taxpayers. We need structural changes to make real cuts [...]
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		<title>Celebrate Super Bowl Sunday With Safe and Sober Driving</title>
		<link>http://www.vote29.com/newmyblog/archives/32269?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=celebrate-super-bowl-sunday-with-safe-and-sober-driving</link>
		<comments>http://www.vote29.com/newmyblog/archives/32269#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 03 Feb 2012 02:52:47 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Officer Eric Brewer</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[General Posts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.vote29.com/newmyblog/?p=32269</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The big game can mean big fun for football fans everywhere; however, rather than waiting until the fourth quarter to designate a driver, have a plan in place before the festivities begin. “We hope everyone can enjoy the fun by designating a driver before the game begins,” said Morongo Basin CHP Area Commander Lieutenant Tim Tompkins. “The safety of your family, friends, and other motorists should be your priority.” Last year on Super Bowl Sunday, CHP officers throughout the state arrested a total of 452 motorists for driving under the influence, and unfortunately, two people were killed in alcohol related traffic collisions.  Motorists are encouraged to assist law enforcement in keeping the roadways safe this weekend by dialing 911 to report suspected drunk drivers. Please provide the dispatcher with a description of the vehicle, including the license plate number, its location and the direction of travel. Finally, proper use of safety equipment is a very important element while driving. In fact, an overwhelming majority of the state’s motorists have made the wise choice to buckle up; California is among the top four states in the nation for seat belt usage, and well above the national average. “Seat belts are the most effective equipment to save lives and reduce [...]
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		<title>Kwappenberg Nominated for Planning Commission</title>
		<link>http://www.vote29.com/newmyblog/archives/32266?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=kwappenberg-nominated-for-planning-commission</link>
		<comments>http://www.vote29.com/newmyblog/archives/32266#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 03 Feb 2012 02:38:03 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Joseph Turner </dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[San Bernardino Co]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.vote29.com/newmyblog/?p=32266</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[SAN BERNARDINO, CA – Supervisor Neil Derry announced today that he would nominate Theresa Kwappenberg to the Planning Commission for the Feb. 7 board meeting. Kwappenberg is a well-respected and long-time resident of Redlands with extensive experience and knowledge about planning rules and procedures. She previously served as a commissioner from 1997-2006 and also was president of the California County Planning Commissioners Association. “Planning matters have an enormous impact on the future of our communities and their residents,” Kwappenberg said. “I believe in following the rules and documents and consistently applying the law in a fair manner.” She is known for being a student of the issues she encounters and for doing her homework, Derry said. “I have the utmost confidence and faith in her knowledge, experience and ability to serve with integrity,” Supervisor Derry said. “Her entire life has been devoted to one form of public service or another and her passion for fairness will be a great asset. Kwappenberg must receive support from a majority of the board to be appointed. She replaces Bill Collazo who recently resigned to pursue other endeavors. “Bill was an exemplary commissioner and dedicated public servant,” Derry stated. No related posts.
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		<title>It&#8217;s a Win-Win for Local Schools and Copper Mountain College</title>
		<link>http://www.vote29.com/newmyblog/archives/32249?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=its-a-win-win-for-local-schools-and-copper-mountain-college</link>
		<comments>http://www.vote29.com/newmyblog/archives/32249#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:04:01 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Branson Hunter</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[29 Palms]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Yucca Valley]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[29 palms]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[29 palms property owners]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[colleges]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[incremental property taxaxes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Legislative Analyst]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[schools]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.vote29.com/newmyblog/?p=32249</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The full text accompanying this graph can be found at this pdf Link. Legislative Analyst Report &#8211; California 2011-2012 Budget (scroll down 5  pages). The use of property tax increments laundered through the old draconian redevelopment agencies before being euthanized is staggering: 58% went to redevelopment agencies. Now, however, the Legislative Report estimates schools and community colleges will receive over half the revenues with the demise of redevelopment agencies. Legislative Analyst Report &#8211; California 2011-2012 Budget (scroll down 4 pages). This just may stave off another local tax increase from Copper Mountain College which inevitably would have been necessary. Our greatest assets are our children and college students who will eventually take the rein of society. Meanwhile, the 29 City Council continues to hide behind fancy-pants attorneys, bleeding the system, and an overpaid City Managers &#8212; who btw is a really nice guy. They continue to scheme and plan for the extraction of debt Bond money for a playhouse. This money must go to local schools, CMC and local districts and agencies. By design, they continue with their frivolous assault for an unnecessary fifth (5) playhouse in the Basin at the expense of the youth and college students in our area. [...]
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<li><a href='http://www.vote29.com/newmyblog/archives/31456' rel='bookmark' title='So&#8230; What&#8217;s the plan gentlemen?'>So&#8230; What&#8217;s the plan gentlemen?</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.vote29.com/newmyblog/archives/17442' rel='bookmark' title='Redevelopment agencies need to go away, once and for all'>Redevelopment agencies need to go away, once and for all</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.vote29.com/newmyblog/archives/9380' rel='bookmark' title='Wine/Cheese Fundraiser Raffle for Diana DeMartino Board of Trustees Copper Mtn. College 2010'>Wine/Cheese Fundraiser Raffle for Diana DeMartino Board of Trustees Copper Mtn. College 2010</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.vote29.com/newmyblog/archives/14732' rel='bookmark' title='Say goodbye to the 29 Palms RDA Surplus!!!'>Say goodbye to the 29 Palms RDA Surplus!!!</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.vote29.com/newmyblog/archives/17498' rel='bookmark' title='The fix is in: Twentynine Palms held hostage by debt bond?'>The fix is in: Twentynine Palms held hostage by debt bond?</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.vote29.com/newmyblog/archives/20902' rel='bookmark' title='Cook Says Unexpected Tax Revenue Should Go to Public Safety and Schools'>Cook Says Unexpected Tax Revenue Should Go to Public Safety and Schools</a></li>
<li><a href='http://www.vote29.com/newmyblog/archives/31640' rel='bookmark' title='A clue for a delusional 29 City Hall kleptocracy'>A clue for a delusional 29 City Hall kleptocracy</a></li>
</ol>]]></description>
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		<title>It actually is all about the Children</title>
		<link>http://www.vote29.com/newmyblog/archives/32241?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=it-actually-is-all-about-the-children</link>
		<comments>http://www.vote29.com/newmyblog/archives/32241#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 02 Feb 2012 05:33:04 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Cora Heiser & Dan O'Brien</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[29 Palms]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Opinion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[San Bernardino Co]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Yucca Valley]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.vote29.com/newmyblog/?p=32241</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[With the report of the temporary closure of Monument High School and the Layoff of 18 teachers by the desert trail reporters Jimmy Biggerstaff and Courtney Vaughn: Budget woes close Monument High School temporarily &#8211; The Desert Trail: News: morongo unified school district, education, budget cuts, sky high school, monument high school MORONGO BASIN — Morongo Unified School District is temporarily closing one school and eliminating 18 teaching positions. The school district announced Wednesday afternoon, Feb. 1, it will close Monument, the alternative high school in Twentynine Palms, and move students, faculty and staff to Sky High in Yucca Valley. District administrators will deliver layoff notices to 11 elementary teachers, two high school teachers and about five special education teachers. Additionally, the school district is eliminating management and classified positions at the district office and at unspecified schools. The changes should begin to take place in the next school year, Sky High School principal Ron Cox said. Superintendent Jim Majchrzak cited declining enrollment and state funding cuts to public education as reasons for the changes. In a time when it really is all about the Children, the City of Twentynine is still stuck in 2011 and trying to promote a [...]
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