My nephew, Das Williams, is running for California State Assembly. Das grew up in Ojai and attended local schools. Old-timers may recall that as a young lad Das played the lead role in Badger Claws, an Illusions Theatre production based on the book, Badger Claws of Ojai, a story about a Chumash Indian boy. His mother (my middle sister) and I are looking forward to attending the debate.
Ventura County Democratic Party: 35th Assembly District Debate
On Thursday, February 25th at 6:30 p.m. the Democratic Club of Ventura will host a debate between 35th Assembly District candidates Susan Jordan and Das Williams. The debate will be moderated by local business owner and political consultant David Maron. CAPS will film the debate for future broadcast.
The debate will be held in the Topping Room of E.P. Foster Library at 651 Main Street, Ventura, CA 93001. Ample parking is available in the public lot behind the library. Members and non-members are invited. The event is free of charge though a $5 donation is requested to help the club cover expenses. Doors will open at 6 pm and the meeting will start at 6:30 pm. Snacks will be served.

The debate format will be as follows:
A Club member will time the debate using a yellow 30-second-warning sign and red sign to stop the speaker.
Candidates will be given three questions in advance, two of which will be asked at the outset of the debate and determined by the moderator.
Opening remarks: The first speaker will be determined by coin toss. Speakers will alternate from there. Each will have 5 minutes for an opening remark.
Questions: The moderator will ask a question. The speakers will have 3 minutes each followed by 1-minute rebuttals.
Following the first two questions, screened, written questions from the audience, starting with Club members, will be read by the moderator according to the aforementioned format, despite that it may have been directed specifically to one candidate.
Concluding remarks: 3 minutes in reverse order to the opening remarks.
About the book, Badger Claws of Ojai
http://www.vcoe.org/Portals/VcssoPortals/cici/users/Library%20LRDC/Documents/BadgerClawsPromo.pdf
About the 35th Assembly District
California’s 35th State Assembly District is one of 80 districts in the California State Assembly. It is currently represented by Democrat Pedro Nava of Santa Barbara.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California%27s_35th_State_Assembly_district
About Das Williams
Das Williams has dedicated his life to the protection of the coastal environment and working families. In 15 years he has done this in a variety of capacities: serving 4 years as legislative aide, 5 years teaching, 6 years on the Santa Barbara City Council, and working in over 26 elections for progressive candidates and causes.
Das knows the people of the South Coast and understands their priorities. He grew up locally, moving to the Ojai Valley as an infant and attended local schools in Ojai, Ventura and Santa Barbara. He left high school early to attend Santa Barbara City College before transferring to U.C. Berkeley, where he earned his degree in Political Science.
Soon afterward, Das was inspired by the first Democratic elections in South Africa and flew to Cape Town in 1994 to work for Nelson Mandela’s African National Congress. During this time he experienced the transforming power of grassroots action. It’s this deep belief in the power of community and neighbors reaching out to neighbors that has helped Das become an accomplished and respected Santa Barbara City Councilmember.
Since being elected, Das has worked closely with the community and his colleagues to get results for the residents of Santa Barbara. Das spearheaded the successful effort to pass some of the toughest energy efficiency standards in the state and require that 30% of the city’s energy comes from renewable sources by 2011. He has been a leader in the effort to stop off-shore oil drilling, protecting the coast and local water supplies by working to restore local creeks and wetlands, and fighting to preserve open space. He led the push to expand the city’s public transit system – reducing traffic and pollution. While the state’s school system has come under increasing stress, Das helped craft a plan to avoid layoffs at local schools and expand critical after-school programs. Recently, he helped balance the city budget without cutting vital city services, like police and firefighters, and protecting middle class jobs. He has earned a reputation for independent leadership, offering new ideas and approaches to conventional problems and getting things done.
Das will take his innovative leadership and focus on local priorities to the California State Assembly to tackle the most pressing challenges facing our state and community. Das’ years of public service at the local level provide him with a unique perspective on issues ranging from public safety and budgets to education and the environment – making him an effective voice for local communities. Das understands how poor planning and leadership in Sacramento hurts local communities. He will fight to ensure local governments are always able to provide the critical public services that citizens expect and deserve. Das plans to work on renewable energy legislation that will put our state on the path to reach our potential to be the birthplace of the green economy and create thousands of new jobs. Access to affordable, quality public education is a top priority for Das. His experience as a teacher and school board member give him the background to work with teachers, policy makers, parents and education experts to rebuild our school system and ensure every child has access to a world class education.
In addition to his service on the Santa Barbara City Council, Das has been active in a variety of capacities in the community. Das is a community organizer for CAUSE, a Ventura based non-profit, and is heading the group’s efforts to stop a proposed Wal-Mart development in Ventura. Das currently serves as a Trustee of Peabody Charter School. Das is also a national board member of the National Organization for Women (NOW). Das currently teaches at Antioch University in Santa Barbara.
Das holds a Master’s degree in Environmental Science & Management, with a focus in water pollution, planning processes, and land-use law at UC Santa Barbara’s Bren School of Environmental Science.