(L to R) Congressman Howard P. “Buck” McKeon and Democratic Congressional candidate Lee Rogers.
PALMDALE – The Palmdale Chamber of Commerce is holding a special membership luncheon on Thursday where guest speaker, Congressman Howard P. “Buck” McKeon, is expected to discuss “issues facing the 25th District, in particular the Antelope Valley area.” (Read more here.)
The event has riled local democrats, who are demanding that Democratic Congressional candidate Lee Rogers be given equal time to address the Chamber’s membership.
“This luncheon smacks of a political infomercial for Congressman McKeon,” Democratic Club of the High Desert President Johnathon Ervin said in a news release. “If both candidates are not invited to speak on sequestration or other bills that impact the local economy, it appears that the Palmdale Chamber is making a de facto endorsement of the Congressman, and that’s not fair.”
“And I have to wonder what extent the Chamber’s new CEO Jeff McElfresh played, as he was McKeon’s former field rep until a few months ago,” Ervin continued. (Read more here.)
In a letter to the Palmdale Chamber of Commerce, Rogers requested speaking time at the luncheon. Rogers wrote:
“The timing of this special event, less than 1 month before the election and during absentee voting, shows favoritism to a particular candidate. Therefore, I request to be given equal time at the event to speak on my plans for the same topics. If that can’t be accommodated, in the effort of fairness, I’d request that the special luncheon be postponed until after the election.” (Read more here.)
In a statement issued Tuesday, Jeff McElfresh said the Palmdale Chamber of Commerce would not allow Rogers to speak at the luncheon Thursday. In explaining the reasons behind this decision, McElfresh wrote:
“The Palmdale Chamber of Commerce has decided to not offer the opportunity for Dr. Lee Rogers to speak at this luncheon, because Dr. Rogers cannot provide a current legislative update as it pertains to representing Palmdale or as it pertains to the House Armed Service Committee since he is not currently the elected official that represents Palmdale and its economic interests. Dr. Rogers is an accomplished podiatrist and author and has helped a countless number of people in his field. As the schedule permits, The Palmdale Chamber of Commerce is and has always been, open to allowing Dr. Rogers the opportunity to educate members in his field of expertise, which at this moment, is medicine. If the time comes that Dr. Rogers is the current elected representative for Palmdale and the surrounding area, the Palmdale Chamber of Commerce will be glad to host an update from him.” (Read more here.)
Thursday’s luncheon is open to the public and will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Larry Chimbole Cultural Center at 38350 Sierra Highway in Palmdale. The cost to attend the luncheon is $20 for members and $25 for non-members. Prices at the door will be $25 for members and $30 for non-members.
To RSVP, visit www.palmdalechamber.org.
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Ervin states: “If both candidates are not invited to speak on sequestration or other bills that impact the local economy, it appears that the Palmdale Chamber is making a de facto endorsement of the Congressman, and that’s not fair.”
The national and local organizations calling themselves the Chamber of Commerce is a GOP/PAC.
The League of Women Voters in the AV have offered to host debates with McKeon & Rogers; McKeon has refused.
Voters in the AV can decide for themselves if McKeon is just visiting CA as a Lobbiest, representing the Chamber of Commerce/PAC of Washington, DC, or if he’s actually a candidate.
Howard McKeon IS… RESPONSIBLE For The Death Of OUR Brave Troops
Repeated touted as being OUR representative and oh so pro-military and aero space McKeon has IGNORED or perhaps been BRIBED by the defense contractors to go along to get along… While our soldiers fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan…
1. Have been equipped with the trendy but inefficient, “All Terrain Digital Camouflage..” That FAILS to hide anything and reportedly actually gets our troops killed by making them stand out and be MORE VISABLE…
2. Have been using combat rifles that repeatedly failed in Vietnam and are even worse in the sands of Iraq and Afghanistan for jamming. The 223 caliber combat round has also proven ineffective at a distance or when the wind blows. It lacks stopping power too.
3. Are protecting the Drug Lords and their crop of Opium that supplies 95% of the world’s illegal HEROIN.
Has McKeon ever said ANYTHING at all publicly about the FACT of the INSANE non-engagement policies inflicted by the pro-Islamic fascist Obama traitors wherein Our Boys cannot even shoot the enemy? Nope… Not a peep..!
As the Ranking Member of the powerful House Armed Services Committee has McKeon brought home the bacon to local aero space industries? Nope… They are all moving elsewhere while our local economy remains a tragedy.
It’s time to get this BUM out of office and back to selling cowboy clothes where he belongs.
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I actually had occasion to contact old Buck Mckeon in the past,about two different issues. He basically wrote me back and told me to poop in my hat.
Of course I am not an influential contributor $$$.
My personal bias aside,it is not surprising he wouldn’t want Mr.Rogers around, by comparison ole Buck seems antiquated and out of touch.
I urge my fellow voters to elect a new 25th district congressmen,someone isn’t afraid to stand toe to toe with another candidate and debate the issues.
MORE censorship by Dilworth everyone…
Typical…
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Dilworth isn’t “censoring” anything! The commentary content is controlled by the readership of this site, based upon favorability of comments.
If your comments are “poorly rated”, then I think that would probably call for some introspection on your part.
That’s “Funny” coming from a person who pushed for my ban from posting the truth, which of course few “Like” from the loser intheav.com blog rather than debate. Did their constantly pointing out your professed homosexuality and making you look like the brain washed college twit you are?
I notice you rarely post here either. Just skulking around voting Like or Dislike MLM..?
You Matty are typical of liberals who LIE about their love offree speech.
Like how William hogs the entire deal by posting constantly while trying to FORCE his views on others while calling them insulting names.
So, all someone has to do is log on about ten times and vote someone you don’t agree with off the island?
I have tried the bogus vote system and anyone can vote repeatedly.
You, Matty MIGHT be doing just that, sneaking little punk that you have always been.
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Well well well.. Ace whines when people call him names, yet Ace thinks it’s ok to call other people names. I honestly do wish idiots like Ace were banned from this site. No one would miss him.
Yes the community. I encourage everyone to check the thumbs down on not just the above post by Ace but all Ace posts.
I can assure everyone that poor old Ace will have a fit.
This close to and election EVERYTHING is political. It’s sad that Palmdale would let this happen. I guess when you paid the president of the chamber for so many years, it’s pay back!
Q- What is the difference between a Democrat and a puppy?
A – A puppy stops whining after it grows up.
I WOULD LIKWE TO HAVE A MEETING OF ALL LATINO DEMS…AT MY HOUSE…CALL ME!!!
Why?! So you Latino’s can strategize a takeover of America?
Howard McKeon IS… RESPONSIBLE For The Death Of OUR Brave Troops
Repeated touted as being OUR representative and oh so pro-military and aero space McKeon has IGNORED or perhaps been BRIBED by the defense contractors to go along to get along… While our soldiers fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan…
1. Have been equipped with the trendy but inefficient, “All Terrain Digital Camouflage..” That FAILS to hide anything and reportedly actually gets our troops killed by making them stand out and be MORE VISABLE…
2. Have been using combat rifles that repeatedly failed in Vietnam and are even worse in the sands of Iraq and Afghanistan for jamming. The 223 caliber combat round has also proven ineffective at a distance or when the wind blows. It lacks stopping power too.
3. Are protecting the Drug Lords and their crop of Opium that supplies 95% of the world’s illegal HEROIN.
Has McKeon ever said ANYTHING at all publicly about the FACT of the INSANE non-engagement policies inflicted by the pro-Islamic fascist Obama traitors wherein Our Boys cannot even shoot the enemy? Nope… Not a peep..!
As the Ranking Member of the powerful House Armed Services Committee has McKeon brought home the bacon to local aero space industries? Nope… They are all moving elsewhere while our local economy remains a tragedy.
It’s time to get this BUM out of office and back to selling cowboy clothes where he belongs.
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REALITY..? No one really cares about ANYTHING here in the AV.
Will the Democrats picket? Probably not.
Ervin IS really nice but has shown no true leadership.
When he spoke at the last crime meeting held by the NAACP and The Nation I attended he appeared wimpy and without any true convictions or drive to me.
With all the problems here, he chose to MUTTER some drivel about how we need jobs here.
No foolling. Did he offer even one suggestion about how to bring jobs here or stop the economic decline? NOPE…
They “ANNOUNCE” their poorly attended meetings on Facebook do they? How brave is that?
Facebook is crap and takes over one’s email address book when you join.
Does Ervin have his own email address yet? Nope.
Do the local Dems have an email newsletter? Nope.
Will they picket this rubber Chicken banquet for McKeon the CROOK and corrupt do nothing-say nothing just keep my job, LOSER? Nope.
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Are all the thumbs down about the person who wrote it?
I have to agree with Ace.
California is primarily Dems, that is a fact. We care about our
planet, don’t like war,are for womens right to choose…and I personally don’t mind guns…but a ban of semi automatic weapon sales might be nice!
I realize people are more important than animals, but I like basically all living creatures…Congressman McKeon DOES NOT take what we the people want to the HOUSE. I’ve watched him several times on CSPAN, etc., know some extended relatives personally..he is a nice man, but he does not speak for me. As a matter of fact a few months ago I got a survey in the mail….1-5 with ’1′ being the most important issue…yes 1-5..’1′ is MOST important…when I first filled it out I placed a ’1′ next to ‘defense’ thinking this was the ‘least’ important..then thankfully re-read my choices..of course they were all backwards and I switched them all. SO If you want more defense spending, no increased tax on $250,000 and over(or they won’t give us jobs, lol), no choice, religious views regarding ‘global warming’ etc., and $65,000 I believe in taxpayer monies to pay his secretary spouse, than McKeon is your man. If you’re voting Romney, vote Buck…simple as that.
Oh, and a comment regarding jobs..I really don’t know what companies will start doing business in the AV..HOWEVER, they will come, just not fast enough…Gov. Brown is FOR high speed rail…it is coming to AV and then an arm in Victorville to VEGAS baby! LA to VEGAS at 165mph=1hr30min ish…LA to AV 20min…Valley to AV 10 min..it’s coming…and more people will move to the AV as it happens..as well as a stop at Palmdale Airport…which will be up and running as an alternative to Burbank, LAX…10 years or less…google ‘high speed rail news’ ‘high speed rail Victorville Las Vegas news’, etc…things are changing slowly but surely for the better. Obamas infrastructure plan will put construction back on track….google ‘high speed rail jobs’ for that number…I think it’s 600,000 permanent jobs? There is also a really cool video on You Tube ‘California High Speed Rail’
Why isn’t there a Hispanic or Latino leading the local democrat club? last time i checked it was Latinos who made up the majority of democrats in Palmdale? and Palmdale is now 60% Latino as well.
I am a democrat and a Latino and I think we need to start showing more force at the local democrat meetings. Either that or join the republicans.
Jesus H. Christ! Why does it matter the race or the ethnicity of the local democrat club leadership??
Shouldn’t it just matter if the leader is doing a good job and properly representing the party’s beliefs? And if you could change from Democrat to Republican just because a Latino is not leading the local democrat club, then perhaps you do not belong in the club anyway. Because it’s quite obvious that you know nothing about the core values of either party!
Maybe the Latino community is tired of being ignored and having their needs swept under the rug in favor of other groups?
Lmao -where is that happening?
Okay, ‘Ty,’ then show up at the meetings of the various Democratic Clubs and speak your peace. Their meetings are publicly posted on their facebook pages and even on AVCalendar.org, too.
You a racist Ty?
Sounds like you are.
Steve Hill doesn’t sound like a Latino name. Maybe that’s why he didn’t put his phone number.
How about picketting MAN-YA-NA Steve or Ty?
Too busy wayching TV?
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They fear the fact that all would hear our own Congressman Mckeon voted for sequestration.
It does seem lopsided and unfair. Dr Rogers reqeust seems fair. November would be a good month. Perhaps there is favoritism or the program chair was urged to do this? I am losing my faith in part of Palmdale.
Last I checked, the guy they asked to speak was our congressmen. So for him to meet with the chamber and give them a state of the district brief is within his current job title. So the Democratic challenger should not get equal time. If we are to buy the challengers argument then I guess he should be allowed to go everywhere Buck goes and speak right after him.
Buck had all year to give his district brief to the Chamber. Why now, just weeks before the election? And if he is voted out of office come November, won’t his ramblings be meaningless anyway? Sounds like someone is trying to drum up some votes to me.
If the Chamber is not a partisan organization, then their membership should be allowed the benefit of hearing the challenger’s plans for the same topics that Buck plans to speak on. What would it hurt?
Buck seems a little desperate, especially in light of how the paper has been hammering him about that whole VIP loan fiasco.
I am not defending Buck. I just think it depends on what the nature of the meeting is. If he is briefing the chamber on pending legislation then I think it is within the scope of his job. Its open to the public so go listen and see if it is merely informational or a campaign stump.
I wonder how long it will take Willy the Whiner to jump on this one with more democratic drivel.