Janet Nguyen Begins Campaigning Early, Litters the 22 Freeway

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Posted by Gustavo Arellano in Politics

October 24, 2007 6:27 PM

Permalink | Comments (7)

In a couple of months, Orange County Supervisor Janet Nguyen will seek reelection in the First Supervisorial District. The race will be brutal, as Nguyen will have to fend off Trung "Don't Call me Tan" Nguyen (whom she beat earlier this year in a special election by a scant three votes) and whomever the Democrats trot out to the abattoir. OC Blog reports Janet will kick off her fundraising efforts on Nov. 5, but she's already scored one of the most prestigious endorsements in Orange County--the 22 Freeway.

If you drive on the 22 West before the Harbor Boulevard exit, you'll notice one of the many Adopt-A-Highway signs that dot the state's freeways. This one is different--it states "Janet Nguyen," "Orange County," and bears what looks like the county seal. There is no mention of her political seat--just the name in big, black, visible letters. A similar sign also greets commuters on the 22 East just after you enter from the Harbor entrance. I'd post pictures, but my cell phone camera is terrible--first person to send me one at GArellano@ocweekly.com gets a free autographed copy of ¡Ask a Mexican!.

Caltrans' Adopt-a-Highway website states the program "is not a forum for advertising or public discourse," but we all know that's a crock--otherwise, auto dealerships wouldn't have a stranglehold on those signs. And Adopt-a-Highway's own rules allow political candidates and their election committees to buy signs provided they don't "reference the office held or their individual title." Regardless, it's downright Machiavellian and Ozymandian of Janet to buy a non-campaign sign campaign sign. Gracias a lot, Janet: now county commuters can expect to see more trash on our highways in the form of other candidates following your lead.

Comments (7)

Publius says:
October 24, 2007 23:26

You can bet that if Janet's campaign get's charged by piece of trash picked up that Tran, Trung and Schroder will hire people to litter on that mile in order to bleed her campaign coffers.

That's also what they're doing with all the legal action - with Schroeder volunteering his services and Janet paying hourly legal fees.

OC Insider says:
October 25, 2007 08:08

LOL.... Hey Gustavo you do know that Supervisor Campbell has an Adopt a Highway on the 5 North right past the Irvine Spectrum.

Gustavo Arellano says:
October 25, 2007 10:04

Does it identify Campbell as a Supervisor? Shills, all.

Spanky says:
October 25, 2007 15:06

Years ago, when I contacted Caltrans to learn more about their program, they told me that there was a longgg waiting list to adopt any highway segment in OC.

What strings did Janet have pulled?

Joe Brown says:
October 25, 2007 16:16

I saw that sign yesterday.

Can anybody find out if that walkway overpass that runs over the 22 is included in this program. This walkway was a poorly planed nightmare for the residents, a hidde place that runs along the freeway and at night looks like one of those dark alleys we her about in bad stories. In fact, two people where shot in this alley adjoining the overpass about two months ago. There a problem with litter and graffiti.

I say if Janet is truly committed to this community we find out how to directly report graffiti to her so that it gets done right away. If she(as the Caltrans website) contracted out her responsibility to a company we need their contact information.

Let's find out the rules of compliance with this program. I mean how long does it take before we report graffiti in the walls. We want to amke sure if Janet is willing to get the publicity for her name she gets stuck with the bill for cleaning up this freeway.

So who do we call to report graffiti on this section?

OC insider says:
October 25, 2007 16:26

Gustavo,

He has the same sign as Janet.... Oh yeah thats right you beat on her because its Janet she is young and a woman.... Lets face your in Joe Dunn's corner LOL>

Thats the real shill!!!!

Gustavo Arellano says:
October 25, 2007 16:38

If you ever bothered to read the Weekly, you'd know that our ire is directed at virtually everyone BUT Janet that ran earlier this year. Bustamante? Bubba Gump. Umberg? Carpetbagging philanderer. And don't get me started on Trung "Photoshop" Nguyen.

No, I beat on Janet because sponsoring such such signs is disingenuous. Same with Campbell, but I didn't know about Campbell until you pointed it out (gracias for that, btw)--I rarely take the 5 North past the 55 interchange. And I wouldn't even know about Janet if I hadn't hopped onto the 22, a freeway I avoid at all costs. So what's your point again?

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