Mojave Desert Democrats

About me:

Mojave Desert Democratic Club MySpace:

The Mojave Desert Democratic Club provides a voice for Democrats in Barstow and surrounding communities. The club meets once a month and provides a forum in which its members can discuss local, state and national political issues. The club mobilizes volunteers and resources during elections and provides networking opportunities for local Democratic candidates.

In recent years, the club has prospered under the leadership of President Larry Halstead, a dedicated Democratic activist. In 2009, community activist and Planning Commissioner Carmen Hernandez is taking the reins, and the club members are pleased to have another hardworking president who will provide strong leadership.

Announcements:

Please join our good friend and fellow member of the Mojave Desert Democratic Club
Pat Meagher

Listen to High Desert Community Feedback 1230 AM every Wednesday 10:00 am to 11:00 am. Call in number 254-4004.

The Mojave Desert Democratic Club meets every 4th Saturday at Quigley’s Restaurant. Breakfast starts at 8:30 am and the meeting starts at 9:00 am.

No meeting in August

Next meeting will be September 26, 09 at Quigley's Restaurant map

Barstow Area Chamber of Commerce Events Calendar

Honorable mention:

Beverly Lowry was a founding a member of the Mojave Desert Democratic Club. Lowry, a Barstow resident for more than three decades, has served for many years as a director on the board of the Mojave Water Agency. The agency is responsible for managing the region’s water resources to ensure a sustainable supply now and in the future. On the board, Lowry was a strong advocate for an important project known as the Mojave River Pipeline, which delivers water to Hodge, Lenwood, Daggett and Newberry Springs.

Lowry worked in government for many years and served as a field representative for State Sen. Walter Stiern. Over the years, she has maintained friendships with numerous elected officials from the local to national level. The longtime politico enjoyed attending the inauguration of President Barack Obama in January.

Club memos:

Elected as delegates to the State Democratic party convention:
Watson Hammond, Eddie Garcia and Larry Halstead

Our Members

News ALERTS:

Mitzelfelt, Postmus not High Desert representatives (Desert Dispatch - May 30, 08)
Developer puts lawsuit behind him, again gives to S.B. County supervisors' campaigns (The Press-Enterprise - May 6, 08)
No More Crap From Brad Mitzelfelt ! by Larry D. Halstead
Facility approval doesn't address top concerns (Desert Dispatch - March 1, 07)
Mitzelfelt is the poster boy of a special interest politician selling his votes
San Bernardino County OKs desert sewage sludge composting plant (LA Times - Feb 28, 07)

Letters to the editor:

Eddie U. Garcia - Fire District can't rely on state funds
Bob Conaway - McKeon's ideas bad for High Desert

Newly elected:

Re-elected as the Chair of the 34th AD Democratic Committee:
Larry Halstead, is a longtime activist and Democratic leader. Halstead, who has a degree in political science from U.C. Davis, has worked as a lobbyist in Sacramento on issues involving alternative health and patients’ rights.

Mayor Joe Gomez

Joe Gomez was elected to the Barstow City Council in 2004 and elected as the city's Mayor in 2008. Born and raised in Barstow by Dennis and Frances Gomez of Belen, N.M., Joe graduated from Barstow High School in 1976 and later attended Barstow College where he received his Associate in Science degree. Source: City of Barstow website read more Mayor Joe Gomez's website (http://barstowcrat.blogspot.com/)

Willie Hailey Sr., City Council Member
Willie L. Hailey Sr. was elected to the Barstow City Council in November 2008. His
family has been residents of Barstow since 1947. His parents, Robert and Mary, lived
worked and raised nine children in the community. His father worked for the Barstow
Unified School District as a Grounds man and his mother retired from the billeting office
at the National Training Center at Ft. Irwin. All nine children attended elementary,
middle and high school in Barstow and some have also attended Barstow Community
College.

Source: City of Barstow website read more

Candidates to keep an eye on:

Carmen Hernandez, Club President and City of Barstow Planning Commissioner

Carmen, the president of the Mojave Desert Democratic Club, was a candidate for Barstow City Council in November 2008. She came within 11 votes of winning. She is a retired supervising social worker and currently serves on the City of Barstow Planning Commission.

During the November 2008 election, the Desert Dispatch asked the candidates the following question: “How will you decrease the number of homeless people in Barstow?”

Carmen response:
I am a Desert Manna Board Member, and we are constantly looking for
resources to serve the homeless. The issue is not simple. People become
homeless for different reasons such as addiction, mental health issues, and lack
of employment. Each individual’s needs have to be assessed to be able to direct
them to the right resource.

Source: Desert Dispatch read more

Jackie Conaway

Jackie Conaway Candidate for US Congres - 25th District in 2008; attended Cypress College and Clover Park Vocational School; started an ESL program for Russian students; served as president of the Victor Valley Knitting Guild; served as a 4-H leader and a showmanship judge at San Bernardino County Fair; home healthcare worker, member of SEIU; worked for the Yakima Firing Center & the Ft. Lewis Logistics Center Federal civil service), People's National Bank, West Coast Grocery Company and ITT-General Controls; served on the 28th District Agricultural Board.

Attorney Bob Conaway click image to view video

Bob Conaway is a longtime Democratic activist who has lived in the Barstow area for several years. An attorney since 1984, he operates his own law practice in Barstow. He ran for the Barstow College Board in November 2008. His service to the Democrats has included serving as a California Democratic Party Regional Director. Bob Conaway Show video

Eddie U. Garcia
Eddie U. Garcia, the Mojave Desert Democratic Club’s longtime treasurer, has been active in the Barstow community for many years. He was part of the group that created the Desert Manna homeless shelter and also served on a committee at Barstow College in the 1970s that created the EOPS Program. The former MCLB electronics mechanic has also been politically involved as an activist, campaign treasurer and as a candidate for the Barstow Fire Protection District’s board. He is a member of the Barstow Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.