Dirk Lay for Camarillo City Council District 2
Why am I running?
Because the incumbent City Council Member representing District 2 was nearly recalled after making several public remarks which indicate that she is not always proud of Camarillo or its citizens ... and in regard to those statements... "I am not her".
But I am more than just a protest candidate!
Camarillo is a great place to live, work and raise a family due to decades of sound management and that is what I promise to provide.
Get to know Dirk
Retired U.S. Navy Commander/Aviator with 24 years of service in all 24 time zones, 5 continents, and 39 countries. Working around the world with our allies gives you insight in to many interesting cultures and enhances your appreciation to how good we have it in the U.S. My 12 years on active duty was flying H-46 helicopters and C-12 multi engine turboprops, and my 12 years in the Reserve was leading a group of law enforcement professionals .... So Cal deputies, police officers, federal agents, CHP and many more.
MBA from Pepperdine University, and years of experience with financing residential and commercial real estate, lines of credit and loans. When you lend money to private companies, you learn a lot about what they need to survive and thrive and what you can do to support that growth.
Personal - Married 37 years, 2 adult children, 1 gorgeous granddaughter (brand new - born in January 2022).
Favorite Sayings - "Walk the Walk"..... "Be Not Afraid" ..... "Fortune favors the Bold" ... "Let Freedom Ring"..... "Siempre Adelante" (always forward) ..... "No one sees the light until they have felt the heat" .... and from the ancient Greeks - "Weak men create bad times, Bad times create strong men, Strong men create good times, Good times create weak men." Where in the cycle do you think we are now?
Faith - practicing Catholic at Padre Serra Catholic Church and an active member of the Knights of Columbus who help support many local charities. I respect and love to learn about all faiths and moral codes. I will never apologize or try to hide my faith, nor would I expect any other honest person to do so..... Let Freedom Ring, baby!
Business Development - I have lived and worked in Ventura County since 1986; helping grow local businesses with critical products and services.
Occupation - My current full time job is with Airgas, the largest packaged gas company in the United States. We manufacture and distribute industrial, medical and specialty gases to hospitals, water treatment plants, manufacturers, universities, military, aerospace and defense, and agriculture. I help design and install the large bulk storage tanks with associated equipment.
I love the American Dream...I am living the American Dream...You can too!
Issues
** Pride - I believe that Camarillo is a beautiful place to live, work and raise a family, and I want to keep it that way, while making any improvements that make sense.
** Independence - I have never run or held political office...... I am beholden to no special interests ..... the only endorsement I seek is your vote and assistance in this campaign
** Priorities - I believe the role of City Council Members is to promote the interests of Camarillo, not to bring in the troubles of the world.
** Local Focus - I believe government should be small and helpful..... If you want to do something with your home or business, the City of Camarillo should "Lean Towards Yes" and help you with your request consistent with safety and ethics and what is good for the City.
** Public Safety - I believe the police are vital to our ability to ensure "Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness," and I will not seek to defund them or unnecessarily hamstring their efforts to keep us safe.
** Government Overreach - NO to mask mandates, NO to online school, NO to business shutdowns/excessive regulation.... Be Not Afraid..... We have nothing to fear but fear itself. By the same token, if you want to wear a mask I support your decision and no one should question your freedom to make that choice. That is how freedom works.... as much as possible.... "you do you" and "I'll do me".
** Respect - For way too long, intolerant scolds have been personally attacking anyone who dares to disagree with them.... it doesn't take much courage to support the free speech of those with whom you agree..... you can respect someone without having to agree with them. I will do my level best to focus on criticizing the policy and the ideology of my opponent, but I will not disparage them as a human being.... I don't want to win that badly.
** No increases in City Sales Tax - The Ventura County Supervisors narrowly voted recently to allow free spending Oxnard to raise their sales tax again..... the worst part is that to do that, they had to authorize the other cities in Ventura County to increase their sales tax, currently at the state minimum.
** Election Integrity and Access - Every eligible voter should have their vote counted, once. We should know who won before we go to bed on Election DAY. It should not be difficult to register and vote, and I don't think it is difficult now.
** Identity Politics - Every citizen in Camarillo deserves to be seen as a unique individual created by God, not some mindless helpless member of a group with preset destinies.
** Privacy/Contributions - $99 is the maximum donation I will accept..... if you give $100, I have to report your name on public disclosures. I prefer to protect your privacy.