County 2-18

Republican state Senator Tony Strickland introduced a bill (SB 963) on President’s Day, 2/15, which would authorize a statue of Ronald Reagan to be erected on the grounds of the state’s capitol building. During a ceremony at the Reagan Ranch Center, Strickland credited Reagan with fostering a major economic revival as well as helping end the Cold War and bring down the Berlin Wall. Strickland announced that the bill would prevent state funds from being used to design, construct, or maintain the statue, and said he hopes to have the memorial installed by Feb. 6, 2011, when Reagan would have celebrated his 100th birthday.

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The filing period to become a candidate for local office is now open, and will remain so until March 12. Open seats include the 5th District supervisor and District Attorney. Potential challengers would have to face incumbents in the 2nd District race, as well as in the Clerk-Recorder, Assessor; treasurer-tax collector; and auditor-controller’s offices. Several judges’ seats are also up for reelection during the June 8 primary.