You go Lois :) I agree Nicole's letter read blah blah blah blah typical political type

She seems just a tad bit PO'd.

I'm surprised that Parra cared what a columnist from the Bakersfield Californian thought about her. Must have been a slow day.

You know she's in trouble when she has to remind Lois of her accomplishments. Apparently neither Lois nor anybody else knows what she has done for the past six years.  To me, that speaks volumes!

The sad part, is you can author a similar letter about 80% of our assembly members. Most of them are playing the political game. Down to the local city councilmen.

We can take Lois's response and switch the names with several local people.

So i really don't see the purpose of these exchanges but to put Nicole on blast.

Lois, Why her? She is just like everyone else. The point I'm trying to make is the story is identical to several Kern county politicians careers.

Maybe Ms. Parra should apply for a Board of Trade job. Tourism needs a boost here in Kern County, and she has demonstrated an ability to fill the bus with people who have the targeted incomes to spend.   

"Any journalist worth their salt knows that the Valley cares about solutions, not ideologues."

That line speaks at a volume of over 110 decibels regarding Nicole Parra, who couldn't vote for a budget based on a soapbox of newly found ideology that had no chance of going anywhere. Yes, we are still looking for solutions, and Nicole Parra had none. 

Thanks Lois! I'm a firm Democrat and she's been really a disgrace to our party.  Good riddance! Give em hell Lois!

And may I add....and embarassment to Latinos like myself.    We've gone so far yet have people like Ms. Parra completely embarass everything we've fought for. 

 Like I've said time and time again, there's only a small hand full of those in Office worth a hill of beans. We're in bad need of cleaning house and starting over.

If the little Lady can't take the heat, she should get out of Office. I haven't seen her do so great, to Listen to her though, you'd think she has walked on water.

I hear they're hiring for day care.

 Yes it is, we took a trip over there a couple of weeks ago and liked the Mission so well that we took our teen age Daughters over to see it last Sat. we must have taken two, to three hundred pictures.  Any one going to Santa Babara, the Mission is a must see. The Wife and I are planning a trip down the Coast for a few days and there's an evening service in our plans at the Mission.

Not even a half mile to the South of there is a Great small museum as well, another must see.

Also Big Dog store, they had shirts that cost 12 to 20 dollar at the store we use to have at the Plaza on Ming of which closed down. These shirts are on sale at this time four $3.00's to$6.00's.  We only went into look and came out with over $200.00's worth, it was a bargain and a half.

This is precisely why I read the Californian on-line Only. I do not like a Columnist getting on her soapbox to criticize a politician and whine why they are not doing this or that. Until someone can pick up a telephone to call their respective legislator to give them input on their concerns or ideas to address local issues they have no Right to complain or criticize because they do not see eye to eye about what the politician is doing And doing it in a Monday Night Quarter back manner.

Everyone in the central valley knows that you could not have a fair article written about a politician or Law Enforcement officer in Bakersfield. This is just proof that Lois Henry is on-board that bandwagon. If I was in any state legislator's shoes I would have voted for the Crappy State Budget just because of the thousands of State Employees that depend on the budget being passed in this district. Then I would be advertising why it was that i did vote the way I did and how much of a trashcan filler that budget should have been. The Governor has every right to Veto the Bill and rightfully so if it is that bad as the ones who have come forward say it is.

There is life after politics and everyone needs and is entitled to have a job if they are willing to work. I just hope the lobbying is for the benefit of the people in our community. I would be mad to if I was criticized by someone that I bet sits back to critique rather than provide positive input to help solve local problems . Anyone can write and everyone has an opinion but when you have a job and combine it with tunnel vision you get "The Bakersfield Californian".

To prove my point I remember the Headline "Police Slay Man". If that didn't slant the article to a one sided view with Dennis Eddy's family reading it the following day. I don't know what the editor was thinking when they approved that headline.

Nobody likes politicians when any budget does not get passed on time but to have to read about just one politician and how the writer feels does nobody any justice and then to slam that politician for the well written response shows nothing more than another Californian writer bias. So sad.

 If we all called in, we'd be put on hold so long that we'd forget as to WHY, we called.  The times I have called, I'd just get sick of the time I sat on my ass waiting for some one to pick up the Damn phone !  We elect  and I DID say elect these people to represent us and they in turn set on their dead ass because they're afraid of what some one is going to think of them after doing the right thing.  Sad to say, some (Not All ) of them wouldn't know what the right thing is if it came up and hit them in the forehead.

Money talks and enough of it can allow some of them ( Not All ) to see thing the way other view it.

Yes, I agree fully, you are a sad one. And just maybe you can push em to get off their Lazy asses and get it done?

If that's your real name, I'll have to remember it so that if your ever run, I can Vote against you. ;=)))

Para did nothing. Yet help create the mess the budget is in now.

She'll make a great Republican.

No one is going to hire her as a lobbyist. She has indulged herself in a mess that will cause a stench on every program she wishes to endorse.

If a republican pulls out of the budget. What is she going to do? Vote for the over-ride and anger the republicans.

Vote against the override and anger the very farms and oilmen she wishes to lobby for in her new career.

Abstain, do nothing. Waste our taxpayers dollars for her new job.

How many times has it been told to voters. That they must vote if they wish to effect government.

What about it Para?

Thanks, Lois!

--virgil

Never argue with the woman who buys ink by the barrel.

Good job Lois.  The people in Kern County owe you their appreciation for rooting out this material and throwing the light of day on political miscreants like Nicole Parra. 

Lori,

My little me.

ALL politicians these days suck.

I would welcome Nicole Parra to the Republican party. I certainly do not need to hear from a democrat that the only way to solve budget issues is to raise taxes because they dont want to let go of their pet project. Im tired of paying my tax dollars to fund social programs that do not work, Welfare that is unregulated and most social programs were created by "What"  a Democrat. Social Security (democrat) , Welfare (Democrat), Food Stamps (democrat), gasoline tax (democrat) and the biggest kicker is taxing your state refund from the previous year that was already taxed (DEMOCRAT).

I have no intention of running for office as I serve my community well doing what I love as a Law Enforcement Officer. I have already lived the slanted Californians views of our fellow officers and I can read into Lois Henry's slanted attack of Parra. We all get that Lois is against Big West and their expansion efforts and that is her opinion. Why do we need to read about her opinion. The preface to her article was that it was her opinion and not that of the Californian, but correct me if I am wrong but she gets paid and published by the Californian which makes it their's also.

We as a Collective Law Enforcement coalition opposed Big West for the public safety aspect, but as an open minded person I agree if it was done correctly there would be a positive side to the expansion. There is no guarantee of that as yet.

I see Lois using terms like Grandstanding, ploy, lame-duck and antics. I read the article and I read every bit of those terms in what our Govenor is doing with the state budget to our state employees and their families. But I see no article from Lois attacking him because his antics are not directly affecting us locally. Well with Four prisons locally and two more within commuting range and every state agency office in our community it effects us greatly. He has done more harm than Parra ever could by, What not voting on a less than satisfactory state budget and signing support for Big West. Those seem to be the two biggest bur's in Lois' backside with Parra.

The Bakersfield Californian, Lois Henry. One in the same and every bit of sensationalizing the wrong side of a story to adversly effect our community. What is our community but real people with real issues that deserve respect and an unslanted portrayal to a news worthy event. There are some people in this community that still remember High School English. Just because someone writes something does not mean you have to agree nor believe what was written.

You are not afforded the opportunity to reflect from both sides of a story when it only ever gets told  from a one-sided point of view as the Californian is known to do.

Well said swright2. Be safe in there man.

I lived in the valley 17years and have observed Nicole and her politics. I have gone to school with her brother, belonged to the same sports facility as her father.  I have seen the public persona and been within earshot of the private comments made by the Parra's when it was presumed no one was listening and have no respect or regard for the Parra's. Nicole has proved herself to be self-serving and out of touch with the valley.  All show and no go. A hostess/tour guide, not a leader. Perhaps she'll be a great lobbyist. A lobbyist doesn't need character, leadership or respect; Just aggression and the desire to serve themselves regardless of who is stepped on, hurt. or damaged.  Good riddance Nicole.  Lois is right about you.

 swright2 ~ You said it right. I def. agree with our second comment.  I see how the californian is bias. 

And I too am sick of paying tax after freekin tax FOR WHAT?!  I am sick of all tax here and there and everywhere Sh%$ I dont make enough money for all these freakin taxes I make min wage! WTF Man. The more and more I see the other side it's starting to look like I should either go to prison or become a welfare recipient cause I dont know what the heck else to do. My husband works, thats not good, I work, that's not good, my kids go to school with no free lunches or programs, not good, our oldest has a part time min wage paying job and goes to college which WE pay for, not good, let's see what else OH if we need to go to the dr we really really think about it cause there goes another expense, no dental ins, no vision, hmmmm what else, we pay for our home how ever we can, our own bills, our clothes, food, hmmmm..... Oh yeah like normal people should right? Then why the F are there so many other people not doing the same?!  And I dont mean people that are really disable and unable to work I am talking about people that have abs. nothing wrong with them except they keep having babies for that extra amt on their checks, or people cause they work in the fields arent they making min wage too? WTF I have no prob with helping people get back on their feet til they find a job BUT THAT'S IT UNTIL THEN!!!!!! What has this place become!? LIke I said the more I look at it We are working too damn hard for what we have and that's thanks to our parents that instilled these values in us, but I am really starting to re consider here. Prison or Welfare.  Did I get off subject? I just needed to vent on all these socialism programs that are just beating the  "middle" working people and when did we become middle income? As hard as it is for us month to month pay check to paycheck I hardly see ourselves as middle income. All of this just sucks! I am not asking for help I am just asking to let me freakin keep a little more of my freakin money since by the time we will be able to retire there will be nothing left for us to get again What the heck.

Very well said, swright2!!  I couldn't agree with you more. 

As GrizzlyCoach said, "stay safe", and thanks for serving our community.

Fedup ~  I love your directness.  

Since the Democrats love to give away their money (for all of their "special programs") what do you think of them giving our "share" too?  I vote for that!! ;o)

It's just so fraustrating that we work and work and work and too see all these free programs just spread out like this is so irresponsible, people getting "made up"  positions, paid so much money w/ benefits, and free this and free that, and some with their big new trucks & SUV's (gas?) and welfare checks, foodstamps,  its all in the same bunch. People get used and "people" use them and who pays for it all WE DO. And worst of all it seems there is not much we can do but take it. It's not right. People should have to work for what they have no matter how little or how much they have, there is no shame in that. But nowadays it seems prisoners have it better.... other than not being in the general public from time to time, they have it made, no bills, they have all medical, food, a place to sleep, gym HA, education, ect. and welfare recipients (and you know what i mean not the true needy ones), bills paid, medical, food, housing, education ect. Does this make any sense?

One more thing.... who are the politicians allowing this? What kind of  people are allowing this to happen?... Hmmmm

swright2:

I clearly stated in my column that I did call Parra. She did not return calls.

I also clearly stated in the column, and in previous columns, that I SUPPORT Big West's proposed expansion as long as it is done safely and openly so that the community knows exactly what it is getting.

Anyone who wants to work should be able to do so. What Parra is doing is creating a demand for her future job on OUR dime, right now, rather than paying attention to the issues and making reasoned and responsible decisions as a policy maker.

Thank goodness for Lois Henry's columns. They are always a breath of fresh air, so needed in Bakersfield. We finally have learned what Ms. Parra's next job should be: Kern County Hostess! Anyone who hires her to lobby a Democratic Legislature must have more money than smarts.

Signed: Ready for New Leadership in Kern County

Well Lois;

It seems a rather large organization thinks very fondly of our Assemblywoman. Will you be writing that article congratulating her on her achievement or will you be obstaining? Just rather good timing I think after all this negativity from the Californian's holiest of writers.

I see Lois Henry's next article for someone attempting to secure their next job on Taxpayer dollars. God help McCain, Palin, Obama and Biden for not conforming to ' The Lois Henry Doctrine of politics'.

Cheers

 swright2 says "It seems a rather large organization thinks very fondly of our Assemblywoman."  A "large organization"?  Do you mean like the AFL-CIO or maybe General Motors?  Is it possible that you don't know enough grammar to comment in a lucid manner?  This person -- swright2 -- describes himself as a law enforcement officer.  He needs to go back to school.

Lois,

You already made your points in the original column and she responded.  There was no need to respond to the response in the "Sound Off" section today.  It made you seem like a child who had to have the last word, when despite her response, most of your original column said all that needed to be said.  It also makes it seem like things might somehow be personal between the two of you or there is some possible ax-grindage amiss.  I don't think there is, but I can see how others might.  Definitely one of those times to just take the high ground and allow her to make herself look worse.   

Parra. More like Perra!

Thank you Lois Henry for standing up for us and saying what was on all our minds.

Aside from some ignorant; fact-less comments above; keep fighting the good fight! You smelled  a rat and called her out on her crap.  High praises! Go Lois!

This large Organization thinks fondly of our Assemblywoman. Since you did ask CHESHIRECAT.

If the Californian was truly fair about what they report, this would have been mentioned in todays newspaper since it was released at 2PM yesterday. The Californian concentrates on the negative especially when it pertains to someone or something they do not like or agree with. Instead they chose to emphasize on the negative today by reporting Parra endorsing a Republican.

California National Guard Awards Assemblymember Parra
One of Their Highest Civilian Honors

(Sacramento, CA) – Assemblymember Nicole M. Parra (D-Hanford) was honored with the 2008 “Charles Dick Medal of Merit” from the California National Guard.  It is one of the highest honors awarded by the by the National Guard Association of the United States. Parra was to be given the award during the 130th Annual General Conference in Baltimore, Maryland this weekend, but budget negotiations keep the Assemblymember focused on Sacramento at this time.

“I am deeply honored to be receiving this award.  But even more so, every Californian should be honored to have these brave men and women put themselves in harms way time and again for the protection of us all.  It has truly been a privilege to be able to stand up for, and with, California’s service members.  As long as I have a voice, they will have a champion,” said Assemblymember Parra.  

The Charles Dick Medal of Merit is awarded to a person in a position of great responsibility, who distinguishes themselves with outstanding and exceptional service.  Assemblymember Parra was praised for her legislative and community efforts.  A former Chair of the Veterans Affairs Committee, Assemblymember Parra authored important legislation for California three million veterans, including AB 2085, ensuring returning military servicemen and women are given financial assistance through the California Military Family Relief Fund.  This program raised over $500,000 of funds for qualified California National Guards members.  She also authored landmark legislation, AB 2586, that allowed all veterans convicted of a crime that have been diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder to be diverted into treatment programs as opposed to being incarcerated.