Takasugi Takes Center Stage at GOP Conclave

Oxnard Mayor Nao Takasugi told the Republican National Convention here Tuesday that his city is an embodiment of the American dream as well as a proven example of successful partnerships between government and business.

“My hometown is a hometown of the American spirit,” Takasugi said to a sparsely filled Astrodome audience at noon. “Like my mom and dad, more than half the families are Americans, not by birth, but by choice, coming from as far away as the Philippines or as near as Mexico.

“For them, as for all of us, America is the promised land of opportunity where those who work hard get ahead; where achievement is admired and rewarded; where family is honored, and where the education of children comes first. Those are also the values of our great President--George Bush.”

Takasugi, who is also the Republican nominee in the 37th Assembly District, was one of a long list of speakers--38 to be exact--during the morning session.

His speech prompted a sharp rejoinder by his Democratic Assembly opponent, Roz McGrath, who blamed Republican values shared by Bush and Takasugi for the area’s high number of jobless, Oxnard’s continuing budget troubles, and the loss of Ventura County farmland to developers.

Takasugi, who is Japanese-American, has been an Oxnard City Council member for 16 years and mayor the past 10. He also addressed the Republicans in New Orleans in 1988.

He was given three minutes to address the delegates, alternates and guests, many of whom milled about as he talked.

“In our city, President Bush’s way, and President Bush’s ideas--which I share--are working,” Takasugi said from the podium as his image simultaneously appeared on two huge video screens on either side of him.

“President Bush believes in public-private partnerships. In Oxnard, public-private partnerships have transformed our downtown, brought in new businesses and given added vitality to an already vibrant city.”

Takasugi said Bush does not want “environmental over-regulations” at the “cost of jobs.”

“Again we know that he’s right, because in our city we’re working to make the environment and jobs work together. We are helping local companies meet environmental rules at the least cost to investment and jobs, and we’re keeping them in the community.”

McGrath, a Camarillo school teacher challenging Takasugi for the Assembly seat, said “President Bush’s way,” which her rival had enthusiastically endorsed, led to 8.5% unemployment in Ventura County in June. She said it also might explain “Oxnard’s budget disaster and the submission of the Oxnard Plain to out-of-town developers.”

“My opponent’s speech talked about how, in Oxnard, the environment and jobs work together,” McGrath said in a statement. “But, in reality, our loss of agricultural land has meant lost jobs and lost opportunities.”

Takasugi, 70, said in an interview that he believes that he was asked to address both conventions because he is the nation’s senior elected Asian-American Republican official. If he wins the Assembly race in the GOP-leaning district, he will be the first Asian-American in the state Legislature in 14 years.

In his speech four years ago, Takasugi emphasized his personal experience as an American of Japanese descent. He and his parents were taken from Oxnard to a detention camp in Arizona after Japan bombed Pearl Harbor in 1941. He was a 19-year-old business major at UCLA at the time.

Takasugi eventually went on to earn a master’s degree in business administration, and after World War II took over his family grocery store, the Asahi Market, which his father had started in 1909. Takasugi sold it in 1981 after he and his wife had operated it for 35 years.

Recalling his election to Oxnard’s highest post 40 years after his internment, Takasugi said in an interview, “I don’t think there’s anywhere else that could happen. In spite of the bad experience and the shortcomings in America, I still think it’s the greatest country in the world.”