Posted on 09/30/2005 7:36:13 PM PDT by calcowgirl
Signed by governor before many took notice, new law shrinks county's central committee from 54 to 30
VICTORVILLE — Recent changes in how San Bernardino County Republican Party Central Committee members are elected is drawing pointed criticism and concern from Republicans not informed of the changes until after they became law.
A new law, sponsored by Assemblyman Russ Bogh, R-Yucaipa, and signed into law by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger shrinks the size of the county's Republican Central Committee from 54 to 30 members. And membership will be based on county supervisors' districts — not state Assembly Districts.
"It substantially changes the way in which members are elected," Republican central committee member Barry Hartz said. "I assume it will reward the High Desert and the Rancho Cucamonga District ... a couple of the districts will benefit inordinately."
The stealth allegedly involved in changing election rules for the central party's membership does not sit well with some.
"I think it helps the desert have more representation on the central committee," said central committee member and Victorville Mayor Mike Rothschild. "I'm not sure that is the correct thing to do. I would prefer a statewide rule that adheres to every county, not just to us."
Jim Cox, former Victorville City manager and central committee member, said he found out about the rule change by accident.
"When I finally got a copy of the bill — oh, July sometime — it had already been signed by the governor," Cox said. "It was never discussed in the central committee to my knowledge."
"The bill surprised me," Rothschild said. "I am on the central committee as well as the state, and I did not know about the bill until it had passed."
Cox said he is resigned to live under the new rules, and that what's done is done but expressed bitterness about how it was done.
"It should have followed a democratic process," Cox said. "When it does not it gives the impression that a minority is trying to control the majority, and that leaves a bad taste in some people's mouths."
According to the San Bernardino County Republican Party's web site, the pending legislation "was discussed at the June 16 Central Committee meeting, however no action was taken to support or oppose the bill due to lack of a quorum."
Yet a Senate Committee on Elections, Reapportionment and Constitutional Amendments, held one day before the June 16 county Republican central committee meeting to discuss Bogh's proposed legislation, listed First District Supervisor Bill Postmus, chairman of the county's central committee, as a supporter of the legislation.
"Bill Postmus knew about it," Hartz said. "Nobody gave him the authority to unilaterally eliminate 24 elected members of the Republican Central Committee. ... It is not right."
The new method of selecting committee members takes effect with the June 2006 primary election.
Neither Bill Postmus nor Postmus' chief of staff Brad Mitzelfelt, who is also a member of the county Republican central committee, returned calls for comment on this story.
LeRoy Standish may be reached at 951-6277 or lstandish@vvdailypress.com.
...ya ought not be messing wif Berdoo...
nothing to see here, folks.. move along..
lol
Isn't this a good thing? I get the impression that it is the RINOs who will be hit the hardest.
Ve don't got to show yoo littul peepoles no damnocratic process!!! Yoo vil show propur attitude, dude!!!
and the Hells Angels. We got that going on for us.
less government
What am I missing here? How does the state have any authority to control the inner workings of either political party's organization?
Are you refering to the Clubhouse in Muscoy?
Yes But I think the city "fathers" would prefer you did'nt call it Muscoy.
I honestly don't understand the party structure and rules. I posted the article hoping to get some insight. Unfortunately, there wasn't much of that posted.
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