Santa Paulans cheered opening of the Vinnick headquarters.

Kickoff for SP’s favorite son Vinick draws supporters but not candidate

April 29, 2005
“It is only natural that Vinick come from Santa Paula”
Santa Paula News
By Peggy Kelly Santa Paula TimesAmid patriotic bunting and red, white and blue balloons, spirited John Philip Sousa music, T-shirt and button sales, a history of U.S. Presidential stops in Santa Paula and - yes - a speech, the campaign for the city’s favorite son candidate Senator Arnold Vinick was kicked off at his Depot headquarters. The only glitch at Monday’s gala ceremony was that the candidate was not on hand for the celebration: a glitch ignored in that Vinick doesn’t exist except on television’s political drama The West Wing.But that didn’t deter the enthusiastic crowd that hoisted signs, sported Vinick T-shirts and buttons and waved miniature American flags to show their support of Vinick, or rather tying the role of the candidate played by Alan Alda to his adopted hometown of Santa Paula. Actually, the City Council adopted Vinick in a tongue in cheek bid to bring publicity and more visitors to the city.Mayor Mary Ann Krause told the enthusiastic crowd that Monday had been selected as the official opening of Vinick’s headquarters because of its historical significance. “One hundred and fourteen years ago today, on April 25, 1891, Santa Paula welcomed its first Presidential visit at this very site: our historic railroad Depot.”Benjamin Harrison, the nation’s 23rd President, arrived in a special four-car train at about 2:30 p.m. and “A large and enthusiastic crowd appeared right where we are standing today,” noted Krause. Harrison was presented with samples of the county’s then leading crop, lima beans, along with a miniature oil rig made from various colored roses. After a few remarks to the crowd, Harrison’s train chugged off to Ventura.In another nod to history, Krause said that Jimmy Carter used the Plains, Georgia depot as his ceremonial headquarters.Earlier this year on The West Wing, Alda as Vinick noted during his campaign announcement that he is a native of a citrus producing area of California. “It is only natural that Vinick come from Santa Paula, as we are the Citrus Capital of the World,” said Krause.Now it’s been a matter of convincing The West Wing: Krause sent Alda, the NBC show’s producer John Wells and writers a Limoneira gift pack and other Santa Paula items in January, urging that they make Santa Paula Vinick’s hometown. Subsequently, City Manager Wally Bobkiewicz has been mailing postcards depicting Santa Paula on a weekly basis. Bobkiewicz also put television personalities Jay Leno, Katie Couric and Tim Russert on his campaign headquarters opening mailing list; all are NBC personalities.“Our future is only limited by our imagination and our commitment,” said Krause. “So why not use a presidential campaign to help bring attention to Santa Paula and, as a community, to have a little fun?”The opening of the campaign headquarters drew residents, local media and city employees who adjusted their work schedules to attend Monday’s event.
Citizen Arthur Pulido purchased a $20 T-shirt tying Vinick to Santa Paula. “Am I going to wear it? No, I don’t think it will fit, but my mother said the money will go to the fireworks,” said Pulido.“I’m looking forward to meeting Senator Vinick on his next trip to Santa Paula,” said Krause after the ceremony.“This is a wonderful idea,” said Anita Pulido. “Is this it or are we going to stick around?”Bobkiewicz also admitted that he has never met Vinick, but with the close multi-family relationships forged over generations, Vinick is “probably a Teague,” a family with a history in the citrus industry as well as politics.City Attorney Karl Berger sagely noted that “All politics are local,” but that the event lacked one campaign essential: “We need some babies for kissing....”The city’s campaign to adopt Vinick has been big news on the Internet, where there has been intense interest in the moderate Republican’s fictional campaign.Bobkiewicz, wearing a gray pin-stripped suit and patriotic tie, noted that “I’m campaigning for the front page for Santa Paula!” A new Web site for Vinick’s campaign - www.santapaulaforvinick.com - has been created and a faux documentary about Vinick’s link with Santa Paula is also in the works.



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