TheLiberalOC.com sat down for an interview with Fullerton Mayor Sharon Quirk, Democratic candidate for Assembly District #72 seat to replace disgraced Republican Mike Duvall… and came away quite impressed with Mayor Quirk’s energy, focused passion, and firm grasp of the issues facing this North Orange County district of Fullerton, Placentia, Yorba Linda, and parts of Brea, Anaheim, and La Habra.
With her frugal, in-the-trenches approach to governance, it’s no wonder that a sizable bipartisan coalition of Fullerton voters has twice elected public school teacher Quirk to City Council.
Education is a top priority for Mayor Quirk, who is a mover-and-shaker behind the Addressing the Achievement Gap Summit being held on October 2, 2009 at Cal State Fullerton. Joining Mayor Quirk in addressing this landmark summit will be Democratic Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez, Republican Congressman Ed Royce, State Senator Lou Correa, and Assemblyman Jose Solorio.
Also joining Quirk will be Juan Sepulveda of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans, and California Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell.
Mayor Quirk listed her other top priorities as state spending, jobs, and statewide allocation of resources, particularly water:
Quirk, who has a reputation for moderation in spending, believes that three questions must be asked about every state program, no matter how old or entrenched:
- Is there a need for this program?
- Is the program working effectively?
- Does the program incorporate a “customer service attitude” toward citizens?
In regard to California’s soaring unemployment rate, Quirk believes we fervently need to finally answer the timeworn bipartisan question: “How can we make California attractive again for employers?”
The next step is the California Democratic party endorsing caucus, which may choose to endorse either candidates Sharon Quirk or John MacMurray for the November 17, 2009 primary election. Caucus voters are comprised only of delegates to the state party from Assembly District #72. (Full disclosure: I am an A.D. #72 elected delegate.)
TheLiberalOC.com hears that the endorsing caucus is tentatively set for October 10th, Saturday, at Carpenters Hall in Orange.
Check back here for more on Assembly candidates Sharon Quirk and John MacMurray, and Democratic chances to prevail in the Assembly District #72 special election, as we move forward.