Long time Congressman doesn't plan to lose his final go-round

Longtime congressman doesn't plan to lose his final
go-round. By Sylvie Belmond belmond@theacorn.com
www.simivalleyacorn.com/news/2006/0929/community/018.html

Longtime U.S. Rep. Elton Gallegly (R-Thousand Oaks) said he is confident local voters will reelect him to represent California's 24th District in Washington, D.C. because he keeps his promises.

The conservative congressman has represented most of Ventura County and parts of Santa Barbara County for almost 20 years. While his stands on major issues may not please everyone, he said it seems the majority approve, and he credits his prior success at the polls to his consistent voting record. Voters know what they'll get if they elect him again, he said.

Gallegly is an avid proponent of national security; he supports the war against terrorism and doesn't endorse amnesty for undocumented workers.

He defends the president's position on the war in Iraq. "Sometimes, when you are in office you have to make tough decisions," he said. "But there is no question that the nation is safer now that Saddam is gone. He killed a quarter-million of his own people, using weapons of mass destruction on his own people," Gallegly said.

Illegal immigration has a negative impact on national security, he said, and although laws were passed a long time ago to curb illegal immigration, the executive branch hasn't enforced those laws, according to Gallegly. He said the country needs to be protected from the influx of illegal immigrants; they aren't all Mexican nationals seeking a better life.

"Many come from other countries, using the border as a cover to do great harm," he said. "Illegal immigration will continue to be a front-burner issue with me." But until government agencies eliminate the rewards, people will continue to come, Gallegly said. "You can't hire them but they are allowed to live in public housing and they have access to health care and in-state tuition fees to go to college," he said. Gallegly serves on four House committees.

He was selected by House Speaker Dennis Hastert to serve on the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.

He was also appointed to the International Relations Committee and to chair the newly configured Subcommittee on Europe and Emerging Threats.

"When you consider how important intelligence is in this world today, tracking down terrorist enemies, this committee has great significance," Gallegly said. "No one likes war or wants to see us at war, but it's a lot better dealing with that issue there than on our own soil," Gallegly said.

"The fact that we're trying to pro- mote democracy around the world makes the world a safer place," he said. While he spends much time in Washington, the former mayor of Simi Valley said he hasn't forgot- ten who he represents, and he has a personal stake in preserving the local quality of life.

He's lived in the region for 40 years and flies back home every week to spend time with his four grown children and seven grand- children. One more is due in a month, he said..

Gallegly said his Democratic opponent, Jill Martinez, doesn't live in the congressional district. "She might be a nice lady with good intentions, but why is she running for a district where she doesn't even live?" he said.

Martinez, a resident of Oxnard right outside 24th District boundaries was reported to be moving within the district, which doesn't include some coastal areas of Ventura County.

Gallegly challenger trades pulpit for soapbox
By Sylvie Belmond belmond@theacorn.com September 14th, 2006
www.theacorn.com/news/2006/0914/community/020.html

Presbyterian pastor Jill Martinez is confident she'll have the support of local voters in her attempt to unseat U.S. Rep. Elton Gallegly (R-Thousand Oaks), who's represented the 24th Congressional District in Washington since 1986.
The district encompasses most of Ventura County, including Oak Park and North Ranch, and has about 660,000 residents.

The Rev. Martinez, 56, was ordained in 1984 but set aside her ministry on Jan. 1 this year to run for political office. "I don't want any confusion between the understanding of the separation of church and state," she said.
Martinez' top priorities include ending the war in Iraq, funding quality education and achieving universal access to affordable healthcare and housing.

Gallegly, who initially announced he would retire due to concerns about his health, decided to run for an 11th term only because he was pressured by White House and Republican leaders, Martinez said. "But he really doesn't want the job. "He's not engaged anywhere with anyone," she said.

The Republican congressman votes in step with the administration, and people aren't happy with that kind of voting record, she said.
According to the candidate, the American dream needs to be revitalized because democracy no longer lies in the hands of people. Martinez said she'd fight for fiscal, social and foreign policy reforms. The country is currently on the wrong track and its leadership is out of touch with the needs of people, she said.

"We need a nation that provides opportunities for everyone and creates the conditions that allow hard-working people to succeed," said Martinez, who served as deputy director for the Ventura County Area Housing Authority in the mid 1990s and has been involved with affordable-housing organizations ever since.

The region's high real estate prices make homes out of reach for working families, so legislators must work together to provide workforce housing, she said.

Martinez considers herself pro business and intends to help small businesses develop in the region. She also hopes to offer healthcare for everyone. "Affordable healthcare is on everybody's mind," she said. The issue of health coverage affects businesses because offering benefits to employees is so costly.

"We need to develop a plan to work with businesses and with existing healthcare providers so no one suffers the huge burden," she said.
Individual families also need help as many live paycheck to paycheck, Martinez said. A chronic illness could quickly put such a family into bankruptcy, she added.

Through her career in ministry, Martinez has visited many countries and has learned much about how the people of the world feel and the public policies they pursue. She believes the U.S. has become an island.

"We (the U.S.) act as if we can do it all alone rather than developing strong international partnerships," she said. Martinez believes the war in Iraq can only be resolved through solutions supported by the international community that will help Iraqis stabilize the situation in their own country. "The war is mislead and mismanaged and it sent us into financial deficit," she said.

In dealing with immigration concerns, Martinez said, a path should be set to enable the immigrants who are already here to come forward so they can be registered and given the opportunity to become citizens.

Hard-working immigrants who've been here for years have built businesses, own homes and pay taxes. They contribute much to the economy and it would be prohibitively costly to send them back, according to Martinez, who also points out that the immigrants come from every corner of the world, not just Mexico.

To prevent further problems, Martinez said, borders must be secured and laws enforced. This could be done with increased technology and personnel at the borders and ports of entry. But building walls isn't the answer, she said. As part of the solution, Congress needs to pass measures that will create a security system to check vessels before they leave their port of origin, the Democratic candidate said.

Martinez grew up in Pismo Beach. She has one adult daughter, a graduate of UCLA and Hastings Law School, who is working on the campaign with her.
She was a parish associate at First Presbyterian Church in Oxnard and served in many other ministries throughout California. Martinez also helped to develop Hispanic ministries in several areas.

Martinez said she's able to work with both political parties to get problems solved. “Being a minister is going to help me in politics," she said.

Representatives must be reminded they've been elected to serve the people, she said. "Our leaders have lost sight of that."

Martinez also counts on her faith to shore her up and give her the passion, energy and commitment to face challenges.When she's not busy with the campaign, Martinez enjoys swimming, horseback riding, reading and movies, and she still serves as a guest preacher.

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