Thursday, January 25, 2018, I attended the Grand Opening of the Government offices of Congressman Mike Thompson (D), State Senator Bill Dodd (D), and State Assemblymember Tim Grayson (D). As you can see below the event was well attended. The new offices shared by all three Representatives are located at 420 Virginia Street, Vallejo, CA 94590.
My friend Dana Dean, President of the Solano County Board of Education, in floral print, is a political activist representing Benicia in addition to her long history of service to the Democratic Party. Benicia is Vallejo’s sister city and adjoins Vallejo. I had the good fortune to work with Dana for many years on the Solano County Democratic Central Committee. The new goverment offices will serve Benicia, Vallejo and Southern Solano County.
Attending events such as these are critical for an activist such as my self as it allows me catch up with my representatives and fellow community members.
Attendees line up to sample the food provided by local businesses and restaurants.
And of course there is the food. The treats were provided by local Vallejo businesses and restaurants. Thanks to Brookdale, El Nopal, Front Room, Good Day Cafe, Gracie’s, Grocery Outlet, League of Chefs, Mezklas Catering, Vino Godfather, Zoey Jujne Gift and Garden.
Vallejo City councilmember Rozzana Verder-Aliga, EdD with phone talking to constituent. In the green with glasses Michael Wilson, District Representative for Supervisor Hannigan.
The event was held in the lobby of an historic Vallejo building recently renovated by Buck Kamphausen. The upstairs has additional offices and is occupied by a number Vallejo businesses. The attendees spread out through the building bottom floor and just about every open space was filled up.
Vallejo Vice Mayor Katy Miessner, in red, smiles for a photo.
There were many other elected officials and notables that I was unable to get a pictures of in attendance. These included Solano County Supervisor Monica Brown, Raymond Brown representing the Vallejo Community Democratic Club, and Vallejo City Councilmember Robert McConnell Also present were Rosemary Thurston President of the Solano Community College, and A. Marie Young board member of the Solano Community College and on the board of the Vallejo Community Democratic Club, and Robert Padilla, elected member of the
(L to R) State Assemblymember Tim Grayson, State Senator Bill Dodd, and Congressman Mike Thompson Mike Thompson with microphone addressing the audience. Vallejo Vice Mayor Katy Miessner, in red, glancing at Vallejo Mayor Bob Sampayan.
Mike Thompson noted in his brief remarks that the public will benefit from the synergism of having all three representatives in the same office. All three representatives took the opportunity to welcome the public to the new offices and they introduced their staff.
Buck Kamphausen, holding microphone, addressing the audience. Vallejo Vice Mayor Katy Miessner, in red, and Vallejo Mayor Bob Sampayan. Our three guests of honor on the far left. Buck Kamphausen is a private citizen and is the owner of the office building that will house the government offices of our three elected officials.
Center in the picture below is my friend Mel Orpilla, Senior District Representative for Congressman Mike Thompson. Developing a relationship with officials staff is a key to successfully accomplishing anything having to do with government. On the right is Mike Browne President & CEO of Visit Vallejo. Sorry about the blur in the picture, but this is Mike’s natural state. He is always on the move. He is one of the most active members of the community promoting festivals, parades, tourism, and many other activities.
(L to R) Mike Browne President & CEO of Visit Vallejo and Mel Orpilla, Senior District Representative for Congressman Mike Thompson.
Noticeably absent were the “loyal opposition” to these mainstream Democrats mentioned above. Politics in Vallejo and Solano County is a bit unusual in that almost everyone is registered a Democrat, Green, or Independent. So the internal political discussions, or fights, are between these groups and not the Republican Tea Party types. Clearly this event was not political. But because almost everyone that attended are Democrats, well you know, we can’t help talking politics when we get together.
Jonathan Gordon (linkage) with Congressman Mike Thompson. I had a simple message for Mike. “Save our democracy.” It is the same message I gave him the last time I met with him. These events are hectic so there never is much time to chat any further. The point is to stay on message and keep it simple. Save any complex or long discussions for your elected officials for their Field Representatives.
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