Assemblywomen Audra Strickland

Audra Strickland was first elected to serve in the State Assembly representing the 37th Assembly District in 2004. She received overwhelming approval and support from her community, she was subsequently reelected in 2006. Before being elected into office, Audra Strickland taught junior high school students American history and Language Arts. Although deeply committed to educating our children, anyone who has worked with Audra knows she has a strong passion for public policy.

Audra Strickland earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from the University of California, Irvine. Shortly after graduating, she gained considerable legislative experience working in our State Capitol for several legislators including Assembly Members Bill Campbell, Chuck Poochigian, and former Speaker Curt Pringle.

As a member of the Assembly, Audra Strickland’s legislative priorities include measures to address the state’s economy, tax relief for California’s families, public safety and improving education. Major legislation introduced by Assemblywoman Strickland includes eliminating the state’s unfair double tax on gasoline, reducing property taxes for homeowners, limiting the ability for state politicians to increase college tuition, and strengthening punishments for sexual predators.

As our voice in the Capitol and at the request of local elected officials and community members, Assemblywoman Strickland authored legislation to strengthen punishments for unlicensed drivers, improve traffic safety on Highway 118, protect the safety and cleanliness of our water resources, strengthen laws that prohibit weapons to be brought onto our school campuses, eliminate the statute of limitation to prosecute sexual predators and change the way property taxes are assessed on affordable housing to make it more fair to homeowners.

Early in her legislative career, Assemblywoman Strickland was appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly to serve on the Little Hoover Commission, the state’s premiere fiscal and government efficiency oversight agency. As a good government proponent, Audra Strickland authored the first ever state measure to provide civil penalties to state government officials who knowingly lie to mislead the public on official state reports.

Audra is also involved with a variety of local organizations and causes, from a cancer awareness effort to a battered women’s support organization. In 2002, her dedication to her community was recognized by her appointment to the Ventura County Board of Education and receipt of the Teacher of the Year award from the Ventura County Republican Women’s Federated. More recently, she has been named Legislator of the Year by the Young Republican Federation of California.

Assemblywoman Audra Strickland represents the 37th Assembly District, including the communities of Acton, Agua Dulce, Camarillo, Canoga Park, Castaic, Chatsworth, Fillmore, Los Angeles, Moorpark, Newbury Park, Oak View, Ojai, Piru, Santa Paula, Simi Valley, Somis, Thousand Oaks, and West Hills.

Audra is an inspiration to all people who have had the opportunity to work or to be lead by her. The path this strong Californian is paving for our state has only just begun. This is one women to keep your eyes and your votes on. I’m sure we will see many great things from this Californian voice in the Senate.

Jesus Abelardo Carranza

I’m doing a few family Portraits and this is my Dad. His Grandfather was the brother of Venustiano Carranza – The President of Mexico. When my grandparents where alive, they would get all the kids together during thanksgiving and tell us about the Mexican Revolution and how Pancho Villa assassinated President Carranza. This heritage lives deep within my father and his drive to protect our County is as pure as gold. He was even named after Venustiano’s brother and father. He fought in the Korean war as a communication cryptographic code breaker and a liaison between commanding officers. He set up the 127th orphanage and hospital during the Vietnam War that housed and took care of all those kids orphaned due to the War. He’s been shot multiple times, survived a 450 foot cliff fall, has been electrocuted by 10,000 volts, survived a head-on motorcycle crash on the freeway and so many other things. A cat may have nine lives, but my father has over a 100. Our country has recognized him by giving numerous letters of recommendations. This man has shown me how to build a house from the ground up (literally every part), he is an incredible artist and a father of two sons and one daughter. Unfortunately life’s adventures have taken a toll on his body, along with 15+ years of diabetes which combined has has taken his health down a critical path. His kidneys are working at only 15% (dialysis starts at 14%) and a transplant is required ASAP. My Dad is my Hero and in my world Hero’s never die . . . a Hero’s life should be in our hearts forever!! My Dad has shown me what a heart without compromise can do and I pray that I take the torch of our heritage and make him proud.

I was truly honored to be one of the first to congratulate and interview the new Major of our city today. Major Craven was just moving into her new office as we met and even apologize for the delayed interview (you ask me – four days after getting the position was fantastic). Major Craven has been an elected member of our Camarillo’s City Council since 1986. This is Charlotte’s fifth term as Major in 20 years, that fact alone shows our appreciation for this incredible leader. She was the recipient of the CASA Individual Achievement Award in 2001 and has made an incredible impact for Affordable Housing within our community. Charlotte lead her fellow Councilmembers with one of Camarillo’s crown jewels, a City Library that we can boast about and hold up next to any of America’s finest. I asked Major Craven what advice she would give the kids of this world? She said “My advice for life is; Do one thing a time, do the best that you can, and do the most important thing first”.

Major Craven was so kind with her time and even put on a “Warrior” tribal outfit and told me the craziest story about how she received it. This is definitely the type of leader our community needs, someone willing to meet anyone exactly where they’re at and willing to laugh along with them.

All potential prospects fell through today, but what a blessing that was! I was able to do a portrait of a leader in the making. My little friend and neighbor Katlyn. This girl has leadership written all over her, from her Dad’s example (a helicopter paramedic) to a mother that teaches all things good. To bad Dad didn’t want to get his portrait – I still working on him – another hometown humbled hero.

Carlos ‘Sugarbear’ Reyes

Carlos is the owner of Olas Mexican Grill, my absolute favorite mexican food in Camarillo. Carlos is one of the original Longboard Crew members of HB.
His cuisine is not only magnificent, but the place is decorated in 21st Century ‘Soul Arch’ motif with beautiful longboards hanging from the ceiling and
60” plasma screens playing surf videos everywhere the eye can see. Carlos is intertwined within the youth of Ventura County by giving sponsorships and a caring heart to those who need more than just an encouraging word. Carlos thrives on reaching out to those kids that may only have their skateboard or surfboard to hold onto. This man has changed lives and attitudes to our youth, not by words but by his walk and his larger than large “Sugarbear” giving.

David Kromka is Captain at the Camarillo Fire Department. This man’s presence was as strong as any man I’ve ever met. He commands respect yet has this innate way of giving assurance. Captain Kromka has served as a fireman for 25 years all within the Ventura County area. He’s the lead instructor at the Ventura County Firefighter Academy and respect by Ventura’s best. Raised in Camarillo and a football player at Camarillo High, he has a longing to protect and serve his hometown. It’s meeting men like this that bring me comfort knowing that Camarillo is in safe hands.

Peggy Smith

This wonderful lady is CineMagic’s committee chairperson for Pleasant Valley Education Foundation. She is the core for raising money to aid Camarillo’s Educational facilities. Seven years ago she started a performance group with local talent which performs through-out the year at numerous locations and finishes off with a three day show at the Pacifica Performing Arts Theater in Mid April. Her mark in Camarillo will be remembered for many, many generations.