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Democratic club endorses candidates for November election

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DCHD endorsementsBy the Democratic Club of the High Desert

PALMDALE – The Democratic Club of the High Desert, long known as the life force for Democrats in the Antelope Valley, has endorsed the following candidates for the Nov. 5 election.

Sandy Corrales

Sandy Corrales for Palmdale School Board. Incumbent Sandy Corrales was first elected in 2001 and is vying for her fourth term on the school board. During her tenure, Palmdale School District has avoided teacher layoffs and has opened Palmdale Aerospace Academy, Dos Caminos Dual Immersion and David G Millen/AVID Academy. The District has also experienced a dramatic rise in API test scores, with a 120-point increase at Tumbleweed Academy, as well as an 85% decrease in student expulsions. A Palmdale resident for 25 years, Corrales is a former City Planning Commissioner and has served as President of the Palmdale and the Antelope Valley Hispanic Chambers of Commerce. She is also a past chair of the 36th Assembly District for the California Democratic Party.

“I’m proud to have received the endorsement of the most established Democratic Club in all of the Antelope Valley. Registered Democrats deserve to know who will best represent their values,” Corrales said.

Corrales has also received endorsements from the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, Assemblymember Steve Fox, former Assemblymember and Palmdale Mayor Larry Chimbole, and Palmdale Mayor Jim Ledford.

Doretta Thompson

Doretta Thompson for Eastside Union School Board. Doretta Thompson is a Deputy Probation Officer II with 25 years’ experience at the Los Angeles County Probation Department.

She received the Deputy Officer of the Year Award in 2012.

An Antelope Valley resident since 2000, Thompson holds a Bachelor’s degree in Human Services and is working on a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. She is a mother of two, with one student in the Eastside Union School District.

Jannie Dutton

Jannie Dutton for Keppel School Board. Jannie Dutton has 38 years’ experience teaching in the Keppel School District and is a past teachers’ union president.

Dutton has chaired and co-chaired several curriculum committees. She has also authored grants that have brought funds to Keppel School District, including the Teacher Target Grant.

Dutton served as lead for the BTSA Program and historically marched with Cesar Chavez in Bakersfield.

Manuel MaganaManuel Magana for Keppel School Board. Manuel Magana, a retired railroad foreman, has raised 10 children in Keppel School District. He served as an appointed member of the Keppel Union Board, following an elected position.

Magana is a member of the California Association for Bilingual Education (CABE), the Antelope Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Lake Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce Member and Latinos Americanos En-Accion.

 

Paul ScottPaul Scott for Antelope Valley Union School Board. Paul Scott has 22 years’ experience teaching in public schools, has served as a teacher representative, and is the co-founder and past president of the Antelope Valley Community Labor Coalition.  The Antelope Valley Community Labor Coalition is an organization that promotes educational models that enrich learning practices through the use of technology, practical application and theoretical exploration.

 

R. Michael DuttonR. Michael Dutton for Antelope Valley Union School Board. R. Michael Dutton is a Vietnam veteran who began teaching in 1974. He is the principal founder of SOAR (Students On Academic Rise) High School and author of SOAR Prep Academy charter, a 7th and 8th grade charter school in the AVUHSD.  Throughout his nearly four-decade career, Dutton has served as principal of Parkview Middle School, Palmdale High School, Littlerock High School and Desert Pathways. He is a former adult education teacher at A.V. High School and a former teacher coach and department chair at Palmdale High School. Dutton is also a 24-year board member in the Keppel Elementary District.

Sandy PriceSandy Price for Lancaster School Board. Sandy Price is a retired special education teacher and a credentialed resource specialist who has worked in several districts throughout her 35-year teaching career. She is a strong advocate for public schools and believes in education for all. Price has served on leadership committees for several schools in the Lancaster School District, including New Vista Middle School, a California distinguished school. Price is also a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) and serves on the board of directors for Desert Haven Enterprises.

Fred ThompsonFred Thompson for Palmdale City Council. Fred Thompson has been active in the Antelope Valley community since 1961.

He served 20 years on the Palmdale School Board, seven years on the City of Palmdale Planning Commission and is a former Dean and current Foundation Director at Antelope Valley College.

Thompson is also affiliated with Kiwanis Club West and the Special Olympics Antelope Valley.

“To our endorsed candidates… let’s win this November!” said DCHD President Johnathon Ervin. “We appreciate each and every person that participated in our endorsement process. It takes an incredible amount of courage to step up and run for public office. We would like all of the participants to stay engaged even after election season is over,” Ervin continued.

The DCHD Endorsement Committee includes Chairperson Maureen Feller and members Veronica Fields, Ed Galindo, Carrie Williams-Brown, and Brandon Zavala.

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Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the views of The AV Times.

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46 comments for "Democratic club endorses candidates for November election"

      • Unions are definitely outdated. I see first hand that they are all about the union and their value is in inflating wages and benefits and in protecting the people who usually should be fired. Union jobs and pay are great as long as there are non union jobs and wages keeping inflation down.

    • No they’re not. Sandy Price does not appear to be a minority. And even if they were all minorities, SO WHAT?! The party chose the people they felt were most qualified and endorsed them. Why are you fixated on their race? SMH!

  3. Party shouldn’t matter for a school board. Interest in bettering the opportunities for learning for all students should be their focus. When an 18 to 22 year old moves out on their own (with or without college), what skills do they need in life to get along with others, recognize opportunities in life, make smart decisions and to support themselves while balancing work with play and enjoying the world around them. What can the candidate do to help teachers and provide the setting to help the kids reach this goal? Who will do it best?

  4. When my daughter attended Littlerock High School, Mr. Dutton as the Principal, tried to have AP classes dropped from the schedule until parents complained to the press. I thought he leaned toward the mediocre and seemed to display low expectations for the students.

      • I would say Christian schools like Bethel, Desert or our favorite, Oaks are much better. There aren’t board members claiming their reason to be elected is a reduction in expulsions like Sandy Corrales claims is a reason for her to keep her job, nor are probation officers seeking to clean up the schools.

        Private schools don’t have tenure or unions so underperforming teachers aren’t forced on to the students and bad apple students aren’t forced on their fellow students and teachers.

        So yes, I’d say Christian private schools area much better…

  6. I belong to the High Desert Democratic Club or, at least, I thought I still do. I haven’t been able to attend the meetings because the A.V. Hospital Board meets the same night and I have attending their meetings because I do not want us to lose our non-profit hospital.

    I didn’t see any endorsement of Jeffrey Moffatt for Palmdale School District or Dave M. for the same board. They are both reformers. Sandy Corrales and Fredrick Thompson are Democrats are running on a slate with Republican mayor Jim Ledford and Republican council member Lackey.

    Aren’t Democratic party endorsements exclusively for Democrats and not for Democrats running with Republicans?

    • Like you, Michael, Moffat didn’t bother to show up for the meeting. This would tend to explain why he didn’t get endorsed.

    • Moffatt is a no go. His wife left Sun Village high and dry after stoking them up during her Senate loss. Bullying, intimidation and cash buyouts with expectations are the norm for Team Moffatt.

  8. NO DEMOCRATS!!!!!!! Look at our country now (and don’t blame the Republicans or the “Tea Party” (which is not a party). No Democrats!!!!!

    • If we could just get people who actually care about our schools and won’t be puppets, it doesn’t even matter what party they belong to!

    • Name how many Congressional Teabag D-bags are Democrats? (Answer: zero) How many Republicans? (Answer: several) Thank you very much. The Teabaggers are REPUBLICAN. Don’t try to pull a “George Bush Junior” move, by distancing yourself from YOUR sad party performance. (Another example was YOUR Governator – thank you very much.)

      Rather than deny your party’s failures, why don’t you start embracing them, and maybe you’ll stop making the same mistakes over and over (and harming America)? Hmmm?

      • For one thing, the T-bangers are only 28 people. The Democrats are so terrified of 28 independent people who are fed up with our politicians. That is too funny. They aren’t even a party. This is a perfect demonstration of how weak and afraid the Dems are. Well, at least I know I made the right choice.

        • That’s why the t-partiers are compared to screaming babies. Funny how one 30 lb. screaming kid in a nice restaurant can screw up the evening for everyone and you are one and proud of it.

          It takes just 28 screaming babies to screw up the government and the country. The Founding Fathers, who were true patriots, couldn’t have imagined how destructive so few could be. Well, they actually did as they didn’t want a king but they couldn’t have predicted you and so many like you. Too bad they didn’t know what a nuclear option is so the rest of the Congress could use it on them.

          I can’t wait to see/enjoy the next republican presidential debates, primaries and convention. Last time was gold for the comedians. And, it looks like it’s going to be even better next time.

          Do you think they’ll invite Clint Eastwood again or just the chair? You guys are so funny like monkey island at the zoo.

          • “The Founding Fathers, who were true patriots,” were also slave owners who thought that, “all men are created equal.”

            Get your own facts straight before you run your fingers across the keyboard.

            Now, let’s see if THAT gets moderated…

        • Dems aren’t “terrified”. They’re exasperated that a small number of extreme ideological brainless wonders have Boehner so TERRIFIED that he won’t even let a vote go to the floor to stop the GOP shutdown.

        • I can’t thank the Tea Party enough for railroading the few remaining ethical Republicans into the ravine along with the rest of the party. Getting a Democrat elected at this point will only require a pulse.

        • I think you are right to some extent. The Democrats need to speak up more–they are too polite. However, if the TeaParty continues to control the House, there will be more Democrats in it even if not in the majority. The Senate will probably gain Democrats unless viable candidates cannot be found to replace the 4 who plan to retire. Prediction: Based on what continues to be done now, there will be a new Democratic president come 2016

    • I realize this is a local election but the truth needs to be told and Gemini is not quite the intellectual that his sign portends,
      The TeaParty hates. They say no to just about everything. Our country would be even better if we had a House which would Compromise, be Fair and vote upOrdown; NOT waiting for the TeaPary to say it is okay. No to Rand Paul, Paul Ryan, M. Bachman, Ted Cruz and other ilk. No, they did not cause the Great Recession–that was Bush’s doing. Virtually everything they say is goofy (provide proof otherwise).
      I am not against the Republicans. I am against the Libertarians and TeaParty (by the way, the Tea Party is the name THEY gave to themselves ??)

  9. Sandy Corrales is only endorsed because of her party affiliation. Also under her tenure, school libraries have been all but closed, computer labs go without technical support, schools are taken over by state improvement programs, class sizes have increased, classified positions are reduced & eliminated, district funds are lost & mismanaged while our superintendent gets pay & benefit increases, and much-needed attendance money goes to trendy charter schools. It’s way past time for some real leadership!

    • @FedUp…you are 100% right on! PSD needs to clean slate their board so the community can have a chance at rebuilding this once amazing district. The trust is gone and this board will never get it back, so many burned bridges including Gallizzi and his finance department!

      • Who’s gonna rebuild? Not the losers your backing that is for sure, Nancy Smith does anybody remember her tenure? She left and everybody went to work to build this district to what it is today. She was not good for teachers thats for sure.

    • Campaign News in Sunday’s AV Press…can anyone tell me which Teamster Local endorsed Corrales & Stanford?? Teamsters would not endorse someone who continually votes to lay off employees and CSEA did not endorse either one of these clowns. Actually, some verification of this article would be appreciated. Who confirmed any of this before it was published?

      • Ms. Corrales endorsement from the county federation of labor is right here http://launionaflcio.org/endorsements

        PSD has thrived under her leadership and you haters are jealous! Being a leader means making the hard decisions, and that’s what some of you don’t understand. Sandy Corrales cares about students teachers and the Palmdale community and that’s why she gets my vote and the vote of my mayor. Nothing you say can take away from her accomplishment!!!

        • Palmdale CSEA and PETA did not endorse Corrales, Stanford, or Ferrin, which equates to zero votes…can’t answer for any Palmdale Teamster Local endorsements…but I would guess no!

          • I can only assume that “leaveSandyAlone” is NOT a PSD employee, otherwise he/she would be singing a different tune. You have NOT suffered the cuts to programs, teachers, and classified that we have. Sandy signs off on pay increases to the superintendent and with the same pen signs off on salary reductions and lay-off notices to employees.
            Tell me, how exactly does she show she cares for the kids? By cutting fine arts and media which our society depends on today? by stressing out classified, certificated and parents? By agreeing that the superintendent who DOES NOT even like kids gets paid over $200,000.00 a year? is that how??
            Unfortunately, teamsters did endorse Sandy because they are unaware of her true colors. She is a true politician and we need to get politicians OUT of our school board. If she can fool teamsters, she can fool anyone. This is clear by the fact that she has been sitting on her high horse for 12 years. 12 years is all is has taken to bring PSD down to the ground. She and Gallizzi intend to privatize the district. Are you all aware that they are now endorsing a NEW charter school? The held a “public” meeting to discuss this at an hour when most PSD employees are still at work and unable to attend said meeting to voice out their concerns. We are all sick of the games. IT IS TIME FOR CHANGE!!!!

          • @NEWBOARD….thanks for posting info for some of us out there who are still undecided..clean slate! Disappointed in the Teamsters…they should know her true colors before signing off. I would still like to know which Teamster Local endorsed her…it’s not the way they do business, smells fishy! What Charter? SMFH!

          • Hi Quigley,

            It is called New Promise Academy. A charter school that I am sure they will push and take kids off our seats and give them another excuse to make cuts. It is unacceptable . These charter schools aren’t even good. They API scores are low and majority of staff sub-par.
            Can you tell me what “SMFH” means.

          • Lucky the Teamsters and building trades backed Sandy Corrales one of the few Democrates that can even get elected. This club must be working for the other side.

      • They did endorse Sandy Corrales, The Teamsters and the Building Trades of Los Angeles and Orange County also did for that matter. How did the others fare?

    • Sandy Corrales is most likely to be re-elected by a large margin like it or not. The question is how many others on that ticket ever got elected? one maybe two. The party seems to be hell bent on backing losers.

    • Sandy Corralles Is endorsed by the LA County Federated Labor that includes the Teamsters and the LA and Orange County Building Trades. She will get re-elected but most of this slate will not.