Area residents and a couple of attendees from as far away as Fresno welcomed California State Senator Dean Flores, (D) Shafter, to Nevada County Sunday at an Ice Cream Social at Seaman's Lodge in Nevada City sponsored by the Nevada County Democratic Central Committee. On a hot Sunday afternoon, where the temperature was over the 100 degree mark, ice cream and other ice cold items sold by local company Lazy Dog Ice Cream, which moved quickly and were a welcome treat enjoyed by all.
While the next Statewide election is not until next year, Senator Florez, a candidate for California Lt. Governor in 2010, spoke for almost an hour and a half introducing himself to approximately fifty area voters that were eager to hear what he had to say. He really had their attention; while he shared his story you could almost hear a pin drop.
Senator Florez shared why he decided to seek the Lt. Governor's office, how he sees changes that are needed to make the Lt. Governor’s office an effective tool of the electorate and make certain California government functions better for citizens. He also took questions from those in attendance. Questions ranged from the State Budget, concerns about State Park closures, outdated laws and rules that impact budget funding, the fairness of Proposition 13 thirty or so years after passage, the State Initiative process, and a possible California Constitutional Convention.
Growing up in and around the Mexican Colonia outside Shafter in the late 1960s and early 1970s, Florez spent a lot of time with his own grandparents, who were farm workers, while his parents worked 9-5 jobs. His journey from humble beginnings, first in his family to attend to junior college, then to UCLA (where he was elected student body President) and after several years work in the State Capitol to Harvard University where he earned is Master’s Degree, got those gathered attention. Florez was elected to the Assembly and then to the California Senate. Impressive accomplishments for a Democrat in a solid Red/Conservative district.
After the meeting wrapped up, Senator Florez returned to Sacramento to continue work on the State Budget Sunday evening. One in attendance was really impressed and thought that Florez’s story might be worthy of a movie of the week. Dean’s campaign slogan is “Hard Work Matters” and after hearing his story, you know where he learned that work ethic. Other impressions Florez left with area resident Shanti Emerson summed up the feelings of more than a few in attendance: “Dean Florez is "the real thing"-- a smart, caring, articulate human being.”
The election of 2010 has begun and Florez's star is already rising in Nevada County.
Cross Posted to: FREEFLIGHTNEWMEDIA.TYPEPAD.COM