Posted on 03/29/2006 11:59:49 AM PST by mathprof
Amidst continuing partisan furor, Hollywood producer Rob Reiner today resigned his seat on a state commission he helped found, and was replaced by another Democrat.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger praised Reiner's service while accepting the resignation, which Reiner two weeks ago said he would not submit.
Schwarzenegger named Hector Ramirez, 38, of La Mirada, as Reiner's successor.
Republican state senators had campaigned against the noted liberal Reiner, accusing him of abusing his position as chairman of the First 5 California Children and Families Commission to further passage of Proposition 82, an initiative on the June ballot that would create universal preschool.
The commission used public funds for an ad campaign touting the benefits of preschool at the same time Reiner was launching the political effort for Proposition 82.
"Rob Reiner has always put California's kids first and I thank him for the great work he has done over the last seven years," Schwarzenegger said in a statement.
Reiner last month took a temporary leave as chairman of First 5 while he campaigned for Proposition 82. The measure would raise the income taxes of wealthy Californians by $2.4 billion to fund preschool for all of the state's 4-year-olds.
[snip]
A state audit is underway to determine whether there was any connection between the Yes on 82 campaign and the tax-funded ad blitz promoting preschool. The ads aired from November through mid-January, when Reiner was collecting signatures to qualify Proposition 82 for the ballot and preparing for the campaign.
In his letter, Reiner said that he did not want "political attacks to get in the way of doing the very best we can for California's children."
Reiner could not immediately be reached for comment.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
Reiner put his leftist ideology first. Screw him...
If an honest investigation is done, I think he'll do time.
You're a meathead!
Those re-runs are funny. I actually thought he was good in "Sleepless in Seattle" too.
BS, Reiner wants the investigations to stop before he gets nailed.
Right on! You meathead scumbag criminal commie. Good riddance.
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today announced the appointment of Hector Ramirez as chair of the California Children and Families Commission.
"Hector has a longstanding passion for helping children and a demonstrated commitment to giving disadvantaged parents and families the support they so desperately need," said Governor Schwarzenegger. "I am excited that he has accepted this new challenge to lead the Children and Families Commission in its efforts to provide the youngest of our state with the health care, child care and parental support they deserve."
Ramirez is currently vice president and chief operating officer for Para Los Ninos, a non-profit serving impoverished children and their families throughout Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties. He has served in this capacity since 1998, providing administrative and fiscal oversight of the agency's child development, school age, adolescent, family resource and mental health programs. Ramirez was previously a children's social worker for the Los Angeles County Department of Social Services from 1996 to 1998, assistant to the director of the Child Welfare League of America from 1995 to 1996 and an administrator for the Los Angeles County Department of Social Services from 1990 to 1994. He currently serves on several local, national and international committees, including as co-chair of the California Region Education Committee for the National Council of La Raza and the Child Welfare League of America's International Advisory Committee. Ramirez is also an agency delegate to the International Child Welfare Forum, a board member with SPIN-USA and served on the Advisory Committee for the Los Angeles County Universal Preschool Initiative.
"I am honored that Governor Schwarzenegger has given me the opportunity to continue my life's work in this new capacity," said Ramirez. "The Commission plays a very important role in helping children develop early in life the critical mental, physical and emotional skills they need to lead successful lives and I look forward to contributing to that effort."
Ramirez, 38, of La Mirada, earned a Master's of Social Welfare and Bachelor of Arts degree from California State University, Long Beach. He is also a certified team leader for the Commission on Accreditation for Children and Family Services and a graduate of Harvard University's Performance Measurement for Effective Non Profit Organization. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Ramirez is a Democrat.
Ramirez will replace Rob Reiner as chair of the commission. Reiner is resigning from the commission after having served as chair since its inception in 1999.
"Rob Reiner has always put California's kids first and I thank him for the great work he has done over the last seven years," said Governor Schwarzenegger. "Because of Rob's efforts, California has become a national leader in providing early childhood health and education services for our youngest children and their families."
In his letter of resignation to the Governor, Rob Reiner said that when he and Governor Schwarzenegger spoke over the weekend, "we agreed that we cannot let personal political attacks get in the way of doing the very best we can for California's children. For seven years I have volunteered as the chairperson of First 5 California, and I am proud of all that we have accomplished. We have touched the lives of over 3.4 million children across the state, from providing health insurance to preschool to parent education information to prenatal services. I applaud your appointment of Hector Ramirez as First 5's new chairperson, and I remain as committed today as I have ever been to improving the welfare of California's children."
The Children and Families Commission provides for statewide dissemination of public information and educational materials; adopts guidelines for an integrated and comprehensive statewide program of promoting, supporting and improving early childhood development; provides for independent research; provides technical assistance to county commissions in adopting and implementing county strategic plans; reviews and considers the annual audits and reports transmitted by the County Commissions; and makes recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature for changes in state laws.
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He is replaced by another one.
[Right on! You meathead scumbag criminal commie. Good riddance.]
Other than that, are you a fan of his? :-)
Thanks a lot, Arnold. Your "bipartisanship" hasn't done you enough damage yet?
Yea, I felt the damn earth shake!
JOhn & Ken have been after him since this whole thing broke.
But they aren't through with him. There are very real charges about misusing funds facing Reiner.
The Governator will be replaced too.
Meathead should be thrown in jail for using public money for his pet project.
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