EDITORIAL ENDORSEMENT: Our picks for the November 4 general election

November 2, 2008 by Bill Gould, Publisher.

So it is election season, and we have done some research and below we have selected the candidates and propositions we believe in and hope you do too. This was a tough one, we have a split panel this year, with some of our writers supporting differing candidates. After speaking to our writers individually we have come to a middle ground where majority ruled and thus our picks were chosen by voting. This brings up a good point - GO VOTE, even if you disagree with our picks, voting is the foundation of our great country and it should not be eroded. That being said, here are the picks of the majority of the Full Value Review editorial board:

President - We feel that Barack Obama is the best choice to lead the country forward from this dismal point in our history. A strong leader who has a vision of a greater nation, Barack is the man and truly has the vision to bring about the kind of Change we can believe in. The last thing we need is 4 more years of failed republican politics; vote for the future of our country, vote for Barack Obama on Nov 4.


US Rep 44th district - This is a tough one because we disagree with the area of the district (it is spread out over 2 counties divided by a mountain range). In this case we think the best vote is for Bill Hedrick on Nov 4, a man who says he is for equal rights, renewable energy and that sounds good for us.

US Rep 45th district - This district is another odd one if you ask us, it represents two parts of Riverside County that are not only geographically diverse, but very different in economic and social makeup. It seems to leave us southwest county residents as a forgotten cousin to our Palm Desert family. Either way a vote for Julie Bornstein is a vote for a new Riverside County and a vote for experience as she has been a State Assembly member and a College trustee as well an advocate for affordable housing.

US Rep 49th district - Robert Hamilton is a clear choice for voters who are looking to ditch Darrell Issa and the Bush policies of oil dependancy that increase the wealth of the rich. Robert is a local guy who is not uber wealthy and has the best interest of the middle class in mind, vote Hamilton on Nov 4.

CA Senator 37th district - Arthur Bravo Guerrero is our pick for the 37th district. He is new, has no ties to anyone for anything and represents another new start for our growing area. Vote Guerrero on Nov 4.

CA Assembly 65th district - Carl Wood is the right guy for the job. Carl has been a resident of the IE since 1962 and has been a leader in energy policy for years. He is supported by a variety of organizations and wants quality education for kids, clean air and a fair immigration policy.

CA Assembly 66th district - Grey Frandsen is against the proposed quarry, has experience serving both republicans and democrats in Washington and abroad. He is young, like many of the families he will represent, and has our support in his quest to be elected in the 66th district.

Temecula City Council - The city council race in Temecula is the most notable for a few reasons; arguably Temecula is the ‘hub’ of the southwest county area due to its having the majority of shopping, housing options, tourism, casino and culture, as well it is the largest city in population. This has made for a highly contested race full of accusations and other trash talk. What it really comes down to at the end of the day is the following question: Is Temecula the nicest, most well ran city, providing the best services, most diverse cultural opportunity’s, while still having a balanced budget and reserves for an emergency? The answer is clearly and with out a doubt, YES. Because of the terrific leadership in Temecula we recommend that you re-elect Mayor Mike Naggar and Councilman Chuck Washington.

Murrieta City Council - Murrieta is a town in need of change. With council members being indicted, we believe that bold new leadership needs to come on board and Randon Lane is the correct person. Doug McAllister has done a good job and is a fine selection for re-election.


Lake Elsinore City Council - Bob Magee, Mike Norkin and Steve Manos are the best choices for the City of Lake Elsinore to prosper into the future.

Canyon Lake City Council - Good luck on this one, your guess is as good as anything we could come up with. Our sense is that Canyon Lake is in big trouble financially no matter who gets elected.

Perris Mayor - We support Louis D Armmand for Mayor of Perris California. Perris is a town that need a new direction and fresh leaders.

Perris City Council - Christopher Sandoval and Joanne Evans have our support and should also have yours. Sandoval is young and will provide good input to a young and growing city that could have a promising future. Evans appears to have strong ties in the area with an endorsement from County Supervisor Marion Ashley and some of the current city council.

Valley Wide Parks District - Nick Schouten, Darrell Von Driska and Jan Bradley Bissell have done a fine job and we see no reason to change what currently works well.

Menifee Union School Board - Phoeba Irey and Victor Giardinelli have done a fair job in guiding Menifee Schools and they should be re-elected. We think it would be worth while to have a non-educator with fiscal credentials on the board and therefore also support the election of Manolito Vitug.

Temecula Unified School Board - With the incumbents not running for re-election there is certain change coming to Temecula’s Schools. We think that change should come from Kristi Rutz-Robbins and Robert ‘Mark’ Katan who have experience in education, government and business.

Lake Elsinore School District - Jon Grey is a good choice for re-election. Sue Scott is a terrific choice for school board, she is a great pricipal and a take no BS type of leader who demands results - they both have our support.

EMWD District 3 - Randy Record gets our vote and should have yours as well.

Prop 1 - Vote YES on High Speed Trains so we can reduce the amount of air travel between LA and the Bay Area, thus reducing air pollution and fuel costs.

Prop 2 - We feel that animals deserve to have a decent life and to be treated fairly. The argument by the opposition to Prop 2, want to stay with the ‘business as usual’ plan and continue the policy of not allowing animals to move around, stand up and fully extend their limbs. This will save them money, but continue the needles torture of farm animals. This is cruel and must be stopped. Vote YES on Prop 2.

Prop 3 - We say YES to children’s hospitals and YES to Prop 3.

Prop 4 - Voting yes on Prop 4 will not limit teen pregnancy, nor will it make teen girls who have a bad relationship with their parents suddenly talk to them. It will force underage girls determined on having an abortion to either attempt it themselves or travel out of state or out of the country to get the abortion. We support a NO vote on Prop 4.

Prop 5 - In a time with budget deficits, rising costs due to the prison system, prison overcrowding because of non-violent drug offenders this Prop 5 makes dollars and sense. It will save a projected 2.5 BILLION! With this Prop, drug users will get rehabilitation they need and free up prison space for violent offenders. Vote YES on Prop 5.

Prop 6 - This prop is a terrible idea in a time of fiscal hardship. This is a measure supported by the prison gaurds union because it will increase spending on new prisons and hire more guards at a cost of about 500 million yearly. This measure could take money away from schools and healthcare to fund prisons. Vote NO on Prop 6.

Prop 7 - Vote NO on Prop 7.

Prop 8 - This is a Prop based on hate and discrimination. Contrary to ads you might have seen, a no vote on Prop 8 will NOT force gay marriage education in school and it will NOT devalue your marriage. Voting yes is discrimination, plain and simple; as well a yes vote does nothing to stop same sex relationships. A yes vote will likely cause a decrease in sales tax revenues due to same sex couples leaving the state to get married and spending money on the wedding someplace else, this could cost the state over 10 million dollars and in a time of budget crisis less sales tax money in the name discrimination is wrong and bad for the bank. Vote NO on Prop 8.

Prop 9 - Another bad idea supported by the prison system, vote NO on Prop 9.

Prop 10 - Vote YES on Prop 10 and continue our quest toward energy independence.

Prop 11 - This is a great idea and will not cost taxpayers much money, while removing the power of state legislators to create their own districts. It makes a new commission that is comprised of persons from various different political group and regular voting citizens and these people would create the districts every 10 years instead of the elected officials making their own districts. Vote YES on Prop 11.

Prop 12 - Vote YES on Prop 12 and continue to provide loans to our countries veterans who deserve the best after dedicating time to protecting and serving our country.

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