I did something last night that was purely political. I attended a fundraising event for Steve Knight.

I must admit, I was impressed when I met the gentleman.

I can think of many reasons to vote for Steve. A big one with me is that he lives in the 25th District. His opponent cannot say that. His opponent cannot even vote for himself.

I really don’t want to have my congressman live outside my district. Just doesn’t seem right. Heck, it isn’t right. I said so during the primary election and I’m saying so now.

So you say, “Darryl, it is only a couple of miles outside the district; what does it matter?” Well, that red-light camera that caught me “outside the stop line” didn’t forgive me. I also hear, “It’s legal: You can live outside the district and still represent the people.”

I say, “NO.” If you don’t get on the court, you cannot play the game. Period. Ask anyone in basketball. Works the same for me when I vote.

Sally, a longtime friend from Hart High days, had a great question: “Why is the city spending so much time putting plants in the median strips of our streets during the massive drought?”

I do know they are putting in drought-resistant plants. I did have a good laugh as I drove my freshly washed black Jeep through the water running down Golden Valley. Thanks. Jeeps like mud streaks.

There were a lot of dedicated folks at the fundraiser. People who are working hard to get Steve Knight elected. Just a $99 a person fundraiser. So much for buying influence.

You know, I want someone representing the SCV who knows our valley. I really don’t want someone who is attempting to use a campaign of dirty tricks to get elected. One of the latest I saw was that someone who supports Steve Knight got a DUI. So? Steve didn’t. What is the problem?

When an opponent uses the friends and supporters of the other person in a race to try to prove a point, things are getting pretty bad. I’ll say this, folks: I support Steve Knight, and way back in 1975 I got a DUI in Honolulu. What does that have to do with Steve? Oh, no. It doesn’t.

So there you have it. I hope I’m not hurting Steve’s election efforts.

Most of you know what I think about the efforts that were taken to overturn the billboard ordinance. I said there were about 22 folks who started it. I love the title for those folks that another writer gave them, and that I’m out-and-out stealing. He called them a “Frothy Mob.” That is an apt description. So now if I say someone is part of the FM, all y’all will understand.

He also defined the difference between those fighting the billboards and those fighting the dump expansion. The anti-expansion-of-the-dump folks are not overreacting or demonizing anyone. Some have used those tactics on the other side of the dump issue – especially the chairperson of the VVCAC. The folks who are anti-billboard ordinance are the frothy mob. Thanks, Mike.

I do love election time. In Virginia I got involved in a congressional campaign to the degree that we had the congressman come to our home to talk with the neighbors. It was a lot of fun, and he was elected nearly by acclimation. He may have been the last Democrat elected in that very conservative part of the Old Dominion. The seat is now held by a Republican.

The voter registration numbers showing that for the first time in many years, the “Ds” are starting to outnumber the “Rs” in the 25th District. Steve is going to have to work really hard in Congress to make sure he is reelected next time.

It is this race that might ensure we get election laws changed back to what we had. For some of us, it is confusing that there are two Republicans running right now. Only in California can such things happen.

And so it goes. The melon, cheese, chips and salsa weren’t that good, but the message from our next congressman was excellent.

So was the food at Le Chene on the way home. I think we all should meet there after Steve Knight gets elected. OK?

Darryl Manzer grew up in the Pico Canyon oil town of Mentryville in the 1960s and attended Hart High School. After a career in the U.S. Navy he returned to live in the Santa Clarita Valley. He can be reached at dmanzer@scvhistory.com. His older commentaries are archived at DManzer.com; his newer commentaries can be accessed [here]. Watch his walking tour of Mentryville [here].