Democrats Shift Picnic to East County

THOUSAND OAKS —  A picnic in the park is a great way to spend Labor Day--just ask the Democratic Party of Ventura County. The organization will hold its annual holiday picnic from noon to 4 p.m. today at Conejo Creek Park.

Although the celebration traditionally is held in Camarillo or Ventura, party organizers switched to Thousand Oaks this year. The goal is to reach out to Democrats living in the county’s affluent eastern suburbs, considered by many to be a Republican stronghold.

“We need to have some activities that signify the party is alive and breathing and [acknowledge] there are Democrats in the east county,” said Hank Lacayo, chairman of the Ventura County Democratic Committee. “If there are some in the closet, [we want to] get them out and participate.”

The picnic’s theme is honoring America’s working families, something Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Sherman Oaks) says is very important.

“Labor Day was established to honor the hard work of working men and women and in part to honor the contribution made by organized labor for the general standards of wages and working conditions around the country,” said Sherman, whose district includes Conejo Valley. “One hundred years ago, working men and women were treated much less fairly.”

But, of course, celebrating working families isn’t the only purpose for the picnic. With several crucial elections set next year, it is also a premier networking event for Democratic hopefuls.

“It’s a chance for candidates to appear and press the flesh and meet the public,” Lacayo said.

Gov. Gray Davis and U.S. Sens. Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) were invited to the festivities, but none of them will attend due to other engagements, Lacayo said. In addition to Sherman, Assemblywoman Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara) and state Sen. Jack O’Connell (D-Carpinteria) are expected to show up, Lacayo said.

The cost for attending the picnic is $12 for adults and $5 for children over age 6. Hamburgers and hot dogs will be served, and music will entertain the crowd.

“We’re gearing for battle in 2000,” Lacayo said.