Dinner to Honor State Legislator

About 500 friends and supporters of state Sen. Gary K. Hart (D-Santa Barbara) are expected for a “lighthearted roast” in Oxnard on March 11 to pay tribute to the California legislator’s 20 years in office.

At Hart’s request, the event, sponsored by Democrats United, will be the only tribute dinner for him as he completes his final year in office, said Beverly O’Gorman, administrative assistant to Hart.

“We want to make this a fun evening, one in which we can all remember the times and events that took place in the county over the years,” O’Gorman said. “It seemed appropriate to acknowledge what he has contributed to all of us.”

Among Hart’s primary areas of interest were education and the environment, O’Gorman said. Hart carried legislation to set aside $7 million to buy a site for a four-year state university in Ventura County and fought to protect funds despite a years-long delay in securing an acceptable site.

Hart has also carried several bills on recycling, including one that increased the redemption value for beverage containers, a move that “really got the program kicked into high gear,” O’Gorman said.

To keep the price of tickets to the dinner down, the Oxnard High School jazz band will perform the music and Bob Guillen, executive secretary of the Ventura County Building and Construction Trades Council, will be chief cook.

Assemblyman Jack O’Connell (D-Carpinteria) will be the evening’s emcee.

Tickets are $25 each or $200 for a table of eight. For tickets or information, call 648-7150, or mail checks to Democrats United, 2641 Loma Vista Road, Ventura 93003.