Recently the Cardiff School Board appointed me to fill an open seat on the board until an election is held in November. Why would I want to serve again on the Cardiff School Board, knowing that within weeks I will be making cuts that are likely to anger parents, demoralize teachers and confound students?

It’s simple. I have invested over 20 years as an elected official and volunteer leader in Cardiff schools and believe that my experience will be helpful in making the difficult budget decisions that are coming up within weeks. I am honored that the trustees will allow me to continue to serve, but I have no illusions about the emotional upheaval that lies ahead.

I attended the forum that the Rancho Santa Fe Democratic Club held for the Democratic candidates for the 50th District in January at the Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club. Although I have known Francine Busby for several years and have met her opponent on several occasions, I went with an open mind and sense of curiosity.

Both candidates gave opening statements and answered questions from the audience for almost an hour. By the conclusion, it was readily apparent that Francine Busby is ready to step into the halls of Congress and get to work. Not only did she have command of the issues, she delivered her comments with ease and grace, confidence and authority. Most of all, she is genuine, approachable and pragmatic.

Instead of giving easy sloganistic answers, she layered the complexity of the issues that served both to inform us and to give us an appreciation of her reasoned responses. It was refreshing and reassuring to see a person who truly represents the interests of our district, who has the courage to run for office and the passion to serve us and our country. As a result, the Rancho Santa Fe Democratic Club voted overwhelmingly to endorse Francine Busby to be our next member of Congress. I'll be supporting her and hope you will too.

Anna Lillian

Rancho Santa Fe

"According to the CBO, the Affordable Health Care For Americans Act of 2009 will be paid for by the provisions in the bill. Where was all this outrage and concern about cost and the rising budget deficit when the Republican Congress rammed through The Medicare Prescription Drug Act of 2003 in the middle of the night?"

Francine Responds to the passage of this legislation by calling it "a first step in the right direction for all Americans including the voters of the 50th District."

"I reflect the values and lifestyle of people in this district, where I've lived for 20 years."

Every public school in the United States is guaranteed to fail under "No Child Left Behind" because of the impossible goal of having every child performing at grade level by 2014.

Imagine greeting your congresswoman by first name when you run into me at your park, school, business, office or farmers market. Then picture me actually listening to your concerns.