I know I have been a harsh taskmaster and it’s been hard to keep up with the daily projects I’ve been giving you to stop the sale of our Fairgrounds.  (I know because not that many of you have signed this petition yet – yesterday’s very undemanding task.)  But I also know what it’s like when an important cause fails, and you think to yourself for years, “What if I had just done a little bit more?”  That’s how you will feel if the Fairgrounds get sold Jan. 8 – which is getting to be less than 40 days away – and I just want you to not have to go through that!

So THIS WEEKEND – these three days, while you’re off work and all the politicians’ offices are closed – is the perfect time to compose a LETTER – actually three nearly identical letters – to the Governor, your Assemblyman, and your State Senator. Politicians take letters (and faxes) far more seriously than e-mails and phone calls;  I heard that they calculate if one person feels strongly enough to write a letter about an issue, that ONE HUNDRED PEOPLE out here must feel the same way (I think that was the figure.)  So even if it does take you twenty minutes this weekend, as opposed to the two minutes firing off a call or e-mail, it is time well-spent.  (And don’t complain, old Vern will be spending all Saturday at the Swap Meet or “Marketplace” getting postcards signed, so you’re getting off easy!)  Follow me, let me help…

First, write your letter to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.  In the first paragraph ask him to stop the sale of the Orange County Fairgrounds – he can do this single-handedly.  Of course if we manage to pass legislation rescinding the sale we will want him to sign that as well, but that goes without saying.

In your second or remaining paragraphs, give your reasons that you oppose the Fairgrounds being sold.   You may already know enough to do this on your own;  after all the letter doesn’t need to be long.  But if you want a little material, watch Katrina’s videos on this post, or read my summary “Derailment Report.” This part of the letter (all except the first paragraph) you can copy and paste later for the other two letters.

Then, if you know who your Assemblyman and State Senator are, write them letters with a NEW FIRST PARAGRAPH, asking them to “carry legislation to reverse AB22 and rescind the sale of our Fairgrounds!”  And paste the rest of Arnold’s letter after that.  IF YOU DON’T KNOW what Assembly and Senate district you live in,

1. Don’t feel bad, most Americans don’t, but now you will!
2. Find out here!!  http://192.234.213.69/smapsearch/framepage.asp

The hard part’s done, print your three letters, get three envelopes and stamps, and here are the addresses you’ll need.  Get them in the mailbox Monday morning!  By then there will only be 39 days left before the Fair is sold, and only a week or so before the Legislature has its last chance to reverse it legislatively.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
State Capitol Building
Sacramento, CA 95814

OUR STATE SENATORS

Tom Harman
950 S. Coast Drive Suite 240
Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Lou Correa
State Capitol, Room 5052
Sacramento, CA 95814

Mimi Walters
24031 El Toro Rd. Suite 210
Laguna Hills, CA 92653

Mark Wyland
27126-A Paseo Espada, #1621
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675

Bob Huff
20888 Amar Road, Suite 205
Walnut, CA 91789

OUR ASSEMBLYMEN

Jim Silva (*he’s already on our side, so thank him!)
17011 Beach Blvd Suite 570
Huntington Beach, CA 92647

Van Tran
1503 South Coast Dr. #205
Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Jose Solorio
2400 E. Katella Avenue
Suite 640
Anaheim, CA 92806

Chuck DeVore
3 Park Plaza, Suite 275
Irvine, CA 92614

Curt Hagman
13920 City Center Drive, #260
Chino Hills, CA 91709

Jeff Miller
20532 El Toro Rd, Suite 203
Mission Viejo, CA 92692

Diane Harkey
29122 Rancho Viejo Road, Suite 111
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675

Tony Mendoza
12501 E. Imperial Highway
Suite 210
Norwalk, CA 90650

DERAIL THE SALE!!!