Republicans, Candidates Gather in Napa

A photo gallery from the We the People Candidate Night at the Napa Elks Lodge. Were you there?

Napa Republicans gathered for the We the People Candidate Night May 1 at the Napa Elks Lodge.

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Napa Women Named Delegates to Democratic National Convention

At a district-level caucus in Santa Rosa Sunday, two Napa women were elected as delegates to the convention in Charlotte, N.C. in September.

Two Napa women are among the 547 delegates the California Democratic Party is sending to represent the state at the party's national convention in Charlotte, N.C., Sept. 3 through Sept. 6. Joanne Gifford and Betty Malmgren were elected by their fellow Democrats at a district-level caucus in Santa Rosa Sunday, Malmgren said. A member of Occupy Napa, Gifford describes herself in her Patch blogger profile as "Mom, Community and Political Activist and Fierce Advocate for Social Justice." Malmgren directs the Community Relations Office at Napa Valley College and publishes a newspaper for English-language learners, Easy English Times. She has attended national conventions in the past, Malmgren said, but this is her first trip to one as a …

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Louisa Hufstader

4:53 pm on Monday, April 30, 2012

You're my kind of Republican, Doris! Thanks for that warm across-the-aisles shout-out.   more ›

Candidate Posts "Burma Shave" Signs

Supervisorial candidate Juliana Inman posts a series of lawn signs opposing—in rhyme—the Napa Pipe development proposal. Photographs by Eve Kahn.

Inspired by the mid-20th-century "Burma Shave" advertising campaign, Napa City Council member Juliana Inman, who is challenging longtime Napa County Supervisor Mark Luce for his seat on the county board, has set up a series of rhyming campaign signs on her First Street front lawn. The signs oppose the proposed Napa Pipe mixed-use development, which comes before the county planning commission for the conclusion of a crucial hearing Monday night. Eve Kahn of the local group Get a Grip on Growth snapped Inman's signs and was kind enough to share them with Napa Patch after Sandy Elles of the Napa County Farm Bureau tipped us off. Our thanks to both ladies. If you see something interesting around town, please feel free to share photos with your…

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Louisa Hufstader

9:19 am on Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Rumor has reached my desk that the signs have changed. New photos welcome!   more ›

Republicans Back Dodd, Luce

Endorsements for county supervisors from the Napa County Republican Central Committee.

The Napa County Republican Central Committee has unanimously endorsed the following local candidates: Mark Luce Napa County Supervisor 2nd District and Bill Dodd Napa County Supervisor 4th District. "While Mark is not a registered Republican, we support his disciplined approach to governance and his re-ellection to this non-partisan office", explained Republican Central Committee Chairman Kevin Hangman. "Under Bill and Mark's leadership, Napa County has lived within its means producing a balanced budget with stable reserves during this economic downturn. Both Bill and Mark have the ability to listen, build consensus and find innovative solutions to Napa's challenges that can be supported by everyone," said Chairman Hangman. Further …

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Local Schools May Lose $8 Million if Tax Fails

Education reporter Isabelle Dills on the worst-case scenario for the Napa Valley Unified School District, which has already made close to $7 million in cuts, if voters fail to approve Gov. Jerry Brown's proposed temporary sales tax measure.

Law Requires Ballots in Spanish

Napa County elections chief John Tuteur explains why county voters now have their choice of English or Spanish-language election materials.

In a letter to the editor, Henry A. Budding (American Canyon Eagle - February 21, 2012) asked why he received an English or Spanish language survey from our Election Division.  On October 13, 2011, the United States Census Bureau published a list that, for the first time, included Napa County as a jurisdiction that must publish all election materials in English and Spanish.  The requirement applies to Napa County because more than 5 percent of voting age residents belong to the Spanish language minority group and are limited-English proficient and, using Census Data from the 2005-2009 American Community Survey, the rate of total voting age citizens that are limited-English proficient and have less than a fifth-grade education is higher …

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Luce to Run for Fifth Term

The longtime District 2 supervisor will formally announce his campaign Wednesday, according to a media release. He already has two challengers on the June ballot, Napa City Council members Juliana Inman and Mark van Gorder.

Mark Luce is making it official: He will run for a fifth term on the Napa County Board of Supervisors, where he has represented District 2 for more than 15 years. Supervisorial District 2 includes the northwestern part of the city of Napa, excluding parts of Browns Valley. "These are difficult times," Luce said in a press release issued Monday and attached to this article. "The challenges before our county are complex with state government placing significantly greater demands on our county while our economy is unsettled at best. I believe my experience and proven leadership are needed for our continued success in meeting these challenges," Luce's statement continued. Luce will formally announce his campaign Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. at the …

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Diverse Candidates Declare for Council

Challengers to the incumbents now include a young banker from an immigrant family, a retired firefighter who spent nine years on the school board and a young hospitality worker who has been active with Occupy Napa and Napa Local.

The November, 2012 election is shaping up to be a pivotal one not only for the nation, but for the city of Napa, where three first-time council candidates have already stepped forward to challenge the incumbents. Alfredo Pedroza A 25-year-old credit union manager is the latest would-be council member to declare for the race. "We have a unique quality of life and I am committed to working hard to preserving our community values," said Alfredo Pedroza in a campaign statement released last week. Pedroza grew up in north Napa, the son of Mexican immigrants. He attended Vintage High School and Sonoma State University and is a branch manager for Redwood Credit Union. He serves as a commissioner on the Napa County Gang and Youth Violence …

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Louisa Hufstader

6:27 pm on Monday, January 30, 2012

I agree, Doris. Alex is another young Napan who is stepping up as well; while Scott, of course, is known to so many of us for his professional and volunteer work as well as his public service. We've got some good choices in this election.   more ›

Local Republicans Respond to Obama

A response to the State of the Union speech, by three Napa County Republicans.

“When is enough, enough?” declared Kevin Hangman, Chairman of the Napa County Republican Central Committee. “How can the President think more government jobs are the solution? He has had three years to get it right, we are spiraling out of control!” In the State of the Union Speech, Obama referred to savings from war spending. Obama said, “Take the money we’re no longer spending at war, use half of it to pay down our debt, and use the rest to do some nation-building right here at home.” “That is the most ridiculous statement,” said Pam Silleman, Napa Tea Party activist. “War spending is not about U.S. spending from savings accounts; it is about the U.S. spending borrowed money. When war stops, borrowing for war stops. There is no sudden …

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Pam Silleman

7:38 pm on Thursday, January 26, 2012

I long for the days when we could all just be NAPANS, not Democrats or Republicans, or green or rainbows or some other label used to divide us........ We are so lucky to live here; can't we all agree to get along and enjoy our beautiful city? That is one quality I have always admired in Doris Gentry...........she is always able to keep politics out of her emotions and truly enjoys working with …   more ›