Hoffman Biz PAC Gives to Sherman, Hoffman Camp Gives Spin
In his bid for a congressional seat, Republican Randy Hoffman has promoted his success in the business world as the president of Magellan Systems Corp., a San Dimas firm that makes hand-held satellite navigation systems.
But his opponent, incumbent Brad Sherman (D-Sherman Oaks), has come up with a way to try to tarnish Hoffman’s business success story in the upcoming campaign.
It seems that Magellan’s parent company, Orbital Sciences of Virginia, has recently contributed $500 to Sherman’s campaign. The contribution came from the firm’s political action committee.
What does that mean?
According to Sherman’s campaign, it shows that Hoffman’s own business associates dislike him so much that they are supporting his opponent. In fact, according to Sherman’s campaign, the contribution was unsolicited.
“I think it says that people who know Randy Hoffman best are supporting Brad Sherman for Congress,” said Parke Skelton, Sherman’s campaign consultant.
Not so, says Hoffman’s campaign. Hoffman supporters say the contribution signifies only that Orbital Sciences is a business-savvy firm.
They argue that Orbital Sciences routinely contributes to incumbent politicians to help improve the firm’s chances of getting government contracts.
Orbital Sciences is a space and information systems company that designs, manufactures, operates and markets a broad range of space and satellite infrastructure systems.
Hoffman’s campaign director, Todd Slosek, said Orbital Sciences has a long history of contributing to incumbents.
“Historically, PACs have given to incumbents,” Slosek said. “Therefore, it’s not a surprise.”
He adds that the founders of Magellan support Hoffman and in fact are planning a fund-raiser for him next month.
A spokesman for Orbital Sciences declined to comment on the motive for the contribution. Records show that the firm has not given any contribution to Hoffman.
Sherman and Hoffman are vying to represent a district that stretches from the west San Fernando Valley to parts of Ventura County.
The Greening of Madonna
Green Party candidate Maria Armoudian has again figured out how to generate attention for her congressional campaign.
She has employed martial arts and the name of one of the country’s most popular celebrities, Madonna, to generate publicity for her bid.
Armoudian, who says she has studied martial arts for 11 years and holds a black belt in karate, is organizing an effort to help teach women self-defense techniques.
Armoudian is running for the congressional seat held by Howard Berman (D-Mission Hills). They will face off in November.
At an event at the Glendale YMCA today, Armoudian will demonstrate some kicks, punches and throws on another supporter of the cause, Assemblyman Scott Wildman (D-Los Angeles).
Wildman is the honorary chairman of the Program to End Violence Against Women, which Armoudian founded. Madonna, whose agent could not be reached for comment, is listed by Armoudian as a member of the program’s honorary committee.
The former “boy toy” is not expected to attend the YMCA event.
Freer Speech
From now on, it will be known as the Steffen Stipulation in Santa Clarita.
Earlier this week, the city of Santa Clarita agreed to adopt formal guidelines involving public speakers at its City Council meetings as part of a settlement with local activist John Steffen, who said that his civil rights were violated during an April 21 meeting.
In what city officials have called an attempt to keep the peace, Steffen was repeatedly interrupted by Mayor Jan Heidt and finally escorted from the podium at her request by a sheriff’s deputy after he refused to stop verbally attacking council members.
Steffen, who is well-known in Santa Clarita for his strong opinions and occasionally abrasive commentary, launched into an attack against veteran Councilwoman Jo Anne Darcy and others for campaign tactics in the city’s April election. Arguing that he never used abusive, threatening or profane language, Steffen sued the city in June for violations of his 1st and 14th Amendment rights.
Urged by U.S. District Judge Audrey B. Collins to negotiate a settlement, the two sides reached an agreement Monday that will probably keep the matter out of court.
In return for a promise by Steffen to dismiss his suit, the city agreed to adhere to a formal policy that guarantees citizens the right to speak without interruption for three minutes without regard to content “as long as there is no objective disturbance of the meeting.”
Predictably, both sides were claiming victory.
“I think this sends a clear message. You get to tell City Hall what you think,” said Carol Sobel, Steffen’s lawyer. “Nothing in [the stipulation] says that he can’t make personal attacks. On the contrary, it says that he can say whatever he wants.”
Heidt refused to comment on the case, but Santa Clarita City Atty. Carl Newton said the city admitted no wrongdoing.
“I don’t think they won anything. The city didn’t admit that it violated Mr. Steffen’s rights. . . . We simply agreed to recognize a policy that’s been in place all along.”
The suit has not been settled entirely, because although Steffen said that he would not seek damages, he is trying to recover court costs and attorney fees.
“I believe this is a victory for the citizens,” Steffen said. “It should have never been allowed to go this far. If they would have just let me speak for three minutes, it would have been no big thing.”
Martin is a Times staff writer and Satzman a correspondent.
