WANT TO RUN AGAINST GALLEGLY–District 24 congressional candidates Marie Panec of Oak Park, right, and Tim Allison of Santa Barbara, left, participate in a candidates forum at the Grant Brimhall/Thousand Oaks Library last week. It was moderated by Cynthia Martin, center. Panec and Allison will face off with Shawn Stern in June’s primary election on the Democratic ticket to face U.S. Rep. Elton Gallegly (R-Thousand Oaks) in November’s general election. JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers Two of three Democratic candidates running for the 24th Congressional District in the June 8 primary election answered questions about the economy, education and other topics at a forum last week at the Grant Brimhall/ Thousand Oaks Library.

Marie Panec, a biologist and member of the Oak Park school board, squared off against Tim Allison, a Santa Barbara lawyer and businessman.

Fellow Democrat Shawn Stern did not participate.

The district includes Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. Elton Gallegly, the Republican opponent in November, is the longtime incumbent.

The event, sponsored by the Democratic Club of the Conejo Valley and the “Eye on the Issues” television program, attracted about 150 people. Questions posed by a moderator were submitted by the audience. A tape of the forum will air at 6 p.m. every Wednesday in May on “Eye on the Issues” on Time Warner Cable channel 25.

The following are some of the topics that were covered:

Q: What in your background makes you more qualified to serve?

Panec: My background is in education, science and community service. We need folks at the national level who understand education so we don’t get legislation like No Child Left Behind. My background in science is important for the environment. We’re past the point where we can go back to the way things were. We need to get good policy passed. For 23 years I’ve lived, worked and volunteered in this community, raising two daughters here. I’ve been through the public schools. I understand the needs of this community. Whether elected or not I will continue to serve this community.

Allison: I was an economics major in college; I have a law degree, and I’m a small business man. In terms of jump-starting our economy and creating jobs, I understand that. I’m in touch on a daily basis with individuals struggling. I understand what it takes to pass laws and the interpretation of laws. I am the father of a first-grader. I understand the issues of education very well firsthand as a father. The accomplishments I have in the environment, education and the economy set me apart.

Q: How can our schools better educate our children to meet the demands of employers?

Allison: As the son of two educators and the father of a student in school, education was always an important part of our family. My son had a college fund before he really knew what money was. Education is at a crossroads. We have things we need to work on—math, science, technology, giving opportunities to teachers of the future.

Panec: Thirty years ago what we did in this state was to pull vocational education out of schools. It was absolutely the wrong approach. We need to bring vocational education back. Every child should have the opportunity to take a class in career development. It makes the theoretic, book learning make sense.

Q: With job creation foremost on voters’ minds, what would you do to bring jobs here?

Panec: I see what I have done in the past as contributing to that already. If you look historically, science and technology have driven jobs. We have the opportunity to do just that. Small businesses, startups are trying to bring green jobs to this district. At Moorpark College we train workers for those industries. As a member of Community Action we are training folks in these jobs. Once we have a trained work force, then the businesses that are trying to start up have folks they can hire so that we can improve our economy. We need to create an environment where these businesses can thrive.

Allison: We need to retool our economy to create a green economy. Creating alternative energy sources, putting people to work rebuilding our schools make perfect sense for Southern California. I would support a stimulus package and make sure Santa Barbara and Ventura County are very wellrepresented.

Q: What will you do to help the state conserve water?

Allison: The concept of water is a major issue that starts with our personal actions. We have to make sure our water supply is not contaminated. In Santa Barbara County we funded an effort of $2 million a year for cleanup. It’s going to take everyone, agricultural, environmental, to help.

Panec: About a month ago I met with state water board officials who predict that in the coming years we will not have sufficient water to meet the needs of everyone in California. The Oak Park Unified School District board recently passed a facility bond, and as a result we installed energy-efficient utilities including a parking lot water catchment system and automatic timers on sprinkler systems that respond to weather. We will save 40 percent of our water just by doing that. I would encourage businesses to look into that.

Q: On the Santa Susana Field Lab, what will you do to make sure the toxic cleanup happens as soon as possible?

Panec: I met last week with the California state toxic waste department to address how the site is going to be cleaned up, the pace and to make sure it is going to happen. Let’s make sure those responsible get out there and do that.

Allison: We need to exert every possible pressure. As a member of Congress I would provide significant oversight to make sure the site gets cleaned up.

Q: What is one specific vote Elton Gallegly has made that you disagree with?

Allison: When Elton Gallegly has voted 96 percent of the time with the Bush/Cheney agenda I would say there’s a lot of material. The important thing is to jump-start our economy, create jobs and improve education. I think what Elton Gallegly should be doing is making sure we put people back to work.

Panec: He voted against the current healthcare reform. Elton Gallegly votes by the line that the conservative party gives to him. In Congress as a representative what we are looking for is someone who is going to look at what the needs are of this district, of this county and how to work with other members of Congress to develop legislation.

Q: How should we handle the issue of healthcare?

Panec: Healthcare is a right. We guarantee every student in this country a free and appropriate education. The reason is that we believe in the potential of the individual and that by educating folks they are going to contribute to society. The same is true with healthcare. If you’re sick you cannot contribute to society.

Allison: Healthcare reform still needs work in containing costs. Individuals and small businesses are having more difficulty in providing coverage. There’s a lot more work to be done. We’ll be doing healthcare reform the rest of our lives.

Q: How do you feel about a reduction in defense spending?

Allison: The money we’re spending overseas right now can be spent here at home improving our education system, fixing our roads. We can invent wonderful things in terms of alternative energy, solar technology, clean technology.

Panec: The question we need to ask is, is our current military spending ensuring our security? Is the war in Iraq and Afghanistan making us safer? We need to take the money being spent in Iraq and Afghanistan and invest it in our own people, our education system, our healthcare.

For more information about the Democratic candidates, visit www.panec4congress.com and www.timallison.com.