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Monday's Internet Edition, January 05, 2009.
Wilton residents host Democrats in 'meet and greet' gathering
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Photo by Fran Soto
Supporters of three Democrat candidates gather at the home of Wilton residents Dan and Kathy Schmitt for an informal 'meet and greet' on Oct. 12.
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By Fran Soto
River Valley Times Staff
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Dubbed ‘The Dream Team,’ Congressional Democrat candidate Dr. Bill Durston, and Assembly Democrat candidates Joan Buchanan and Alyson Huber were hosted by Wilton residents Dan and Kathy Schmitt at a meet and greet event on Sunday, Oct. 12.
Gathering in the backyard of the Schmitt home, about 35 area residents were on hand to meet the candidates, ask questions, enjoy light refreshments and visit with friends and neighbors. “This is the most important election since 1972,” Schmitt said. “We’ve got a great guy running for the Congressional district.”
Durston is running for the 3rd Congressional District against incumbent Dan Lungren, Huber is running for the 10th Assembly District against local businessman Jack Sieglock and Buchanan is running for the 15th Assembly District against San Ramon Mayor Abram Wilson. The community of Wilton contains portions of both the 10th and the 15th Assembly districts.
Durston, an emergency room doctor and combat veteran, highlighted the need for universal healthcare and vowed to stop spending money on war. “I will not vote for any military funding,” he said. “As for healthcare, we are paying twice and not getting what we pay for.” He also vowed to restore government "back to and for" the people.
Durston, elated by a recent poll that showed him neck and neck with Lungren, was not easy on his opponent - calling Lungren a "carpetbagger" and "career politician."
“He has no idea of the challenges people face,” Durston said. “He has a lack of military experience and yet sent others to war.” Durston urged those present to help him get his message out. He asked for contributions and for volunteers to make phone calls and walk precincts. “The most powerful way is person to person,” he said. “This race is about peace and prosperity for ourselves and future generations.”
In response to Durston’s blanket promise to oppose all military spending, his wife Diane Durston responded later by quoting General Petraeus, saying that the general has said there was no military solution in Iraq. “So why are we there?” she asked. “My husband supports the sacrifice that our troops are making, but does not support sacrificing our troops.”
Huber and Buchanan spoke of their backgrounds, the issues concerning California residents and how they would work to solve problems. “I’m running because I have a vision for California, and it’s a promise to our children,” Buchanan said. “My first priority is a balanced budget. We can’t do it with funding tricks.”
Buchanan has served on the San Ramon School Board for 18 years while raising five children as a single mother. She advocates good financial principles and cites her background as director of Commercial Operations with Delta Dental. Buchanan said she feels Wilton residents face the same issues as all state residents: the need to promote business and good paying jobs, quality education, fix roads, promote alternative energy, mass transit and clean water.
Huber described herself as a working mom and the first in her family to go to college. “I knew I needed to be self supporting at age 18,” she said. Huber worked her way through college and law school; for the past nine years she has practiced business litigation. “We need to focus on how to bring high paying jobs to California,” she said. “We need to fix our educational system and need to make it relevant to our students.” Huber that, although she and her husband and children lead busy lives, she has never been too busy to focus on understanding the problems of the state.
Wilton residents will go the polls on Tuesday, Nov. 4 to cast their votes for Congressional, state and local candidates as well as a variety of propositions.
Editor's Note: Look in next week's RVT to see statements from candidates running for the Wilton Fire District board.
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Online publication, Copyright 2005, The River Valley Times.
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