Republican faithful affirm their strengths

This story appeared in the Antelope Valley Press April 1, 2001.

By JULIE M. DRAKE
Valley Press Staff Writer

LOS ANGELES - While state Democrats rallied in nearby Anaheim, the Republican faithful gathered at the Renaissance Los Angeles Hotel to solidify their party's strengths at the California Republican Assembly conference.

At Saturday morning's general session, outgoing president Sergio Picchio told the crowd that it's "an everyday battle to keep our conservative values," echoing a sentiment voiced by Friday night's speaker, David Keene, chairman of the American Conservative Union.

Picchio, who lived in Lancaster for a few years, worked for Assemblyman Phil Wyman. Picchio told the crowd that CRA membership had dropped somewhat, something incoming CRA president Richard Mountjoy said wasn't entirely accurate.

"I think we've been pretty successful in electing Republicans that have been endorsed by the CRA." Picchio said the CRA sets itself apart from moderate Republicans by holding onto conservative views that unite its membership to focus on issues such as abolishing abortion. The 67-year-old CRA is one of the oldest volunteer organizations in the state.

Mountjoy, a former state assemblyman and senator from Arcadia who ran unopposed for the position, said it's less a matter of declining membership than it is stagnancy.

"No question about it," Mountjoy said, "we'll be putting a lot of effort into getting our word out there. I believe that membership in the CRA will build."

Mountjoy said one of the first things the CRA would do once he took over would be to visit each of the clubs to get their message out and to remind them why it's important to belong to the CRA, and to build membership and get to the forefront on state issues.

Delegates from the Antelope Valley Republican Assembly met Saturday with Republicans from the California Republican Assembly to elect new officers and socialize at the annual CRA conference.

The conference gave delegates a chance to elect a new president and five new vice presidents along with three secretarial positions. Representatives from the Antelope Valley chapter included AVRA President June Spencer, Mary Miller, Joy File, Warren Seidel, Lancaster Planning Commissioners Pat Sileo and Ed Sileo, Lancaster City Councilman Andy Visokey and Richard Skidmore.

Visokey said it's more likely clubs spent the last year focusing on the past election rather than recruiting new members, something he said clubs can focus on in the coming months.

Miller said the AVRA has monthly registration drives at the Antelope Valley Mall to increase membership.

In fact, unbeknownst to Spencer, Miller and the rest of the AVRA delegation, CRA officials said the AVRA was scheduled to get an award later in the evening for unit of the year.

AVRA was chosen due to the "quality of the club," said Peggy Mew, membership secretary, adding that "they've been working for local officials and are constantly increasing membership."

Assemblyman George Runner, R-Lancaster, also was expected to speak later Saturday.

Pat Sileo, AVRA second vice president, said with its current membership drive, the hope is to raise the club's membership from 90 to 150 by the end of the year.

He was elected Senate District Director on Saturday afternoon.

Ed Sileo also hinted at a possible run for Lancaster City Council.

Spencer, who said the AVRA will have a booth at next weekend's California Poppy Festival, credited the hard-working Antelope Valley Republicans for their work.