Schmidt was honored on behalf of Mayor Rick Cook, the Council, and the citizens for “her years of work on ‘The West Wing,’” and offered thanks “for recognizing the unique qualities of Santa Paula that made it a natural for Senator Vinick’s hometown,” said Krause. “We wish her every success in the future... we were very, very excited that we were fully incorporated into Vinick’s life, including the great values” he garnered through his hometown experiences. “We really appreciate” the episodes mentioning Santa Paula, Krause added.“It’s a pleasure and an honor to be here.... I feel a little silly coming here and getting your thanks,” said Schmidt. “We should be thanking you” for the “interest and enthusiasm” that Santa Paula showed in their quest to claim Vinick as its own. “The writers were inspired by you all,” and garnered insight into Vinick’s character through the hometown support and materials offered.With the final episode of “The West Wing” series airing May 14, Krause asked Schmidt about her future plans. “I’m looking for a job, all the new shows are starting” that will need writers. “Coming off ‘The West Wing’ has given me a great step into the future. I’m excited about starting something new.”Schmidt added that before the Council meeting, she and her male companion drove throughout the city, including a stop at the Depot, still festooned with Vinick campaign banners. “You have a beautiful town” whose favorite son, Republican Vinick, lost the presidential election but was named Secretary of State for the incoming Democratic administration of Jimmy Smits’ Rep. Matt Santos.
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(Center) Lauren Schmidt, story editor for the television series West Wing, is thanked by (right) Mayor Rick Cook and (left) Councilmember Mary Ann Krause for her efforts in making Santa Paula the hometown of Senator Vinick (Alan Alda) during the last episodes of the program. The City of Santa Paula and Krause made a big effort to have Santa Paula named the hometown. Krause was mayor at the time the effort started and sent oranges and other items to make sure Santa Paula caught the eye of the writers. Photo by Don Johnson |
Council honors ‘West Wing’ story editor Schmidt for Vinick-SP match
May 05, 2006
Santa Paula City Council
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula TimesThe dramatic strains of the familiar theme song could only be imagined, and there was no fictional political intrigue in the air as the City Council formally thanked the real live “West Wing” story editor who officially matched fictional Senator Arnold Vinick with Santa Paula on the long-running NBC series. Lauren Schmidt was presented with the proclamation recognizing her support - nay, creation - of the story line that made Santa Paula the hometown of Vinick, played by acclaimed actor Alan Alda.Councilwoman Mary Ann Krause presented Schmidt with the proclamation and a special plaque with a Vinick for President button as well as a photo of the gala ceremony that marked the opening of Vinick’s presidential campaign headquarters at the Depot. The proclamation noted that the city began its own aggressive campaign to become the hometown of Vinick in January 2005, after he mentioned during his presidential bid kickoff that he grew up in a California citrus producing community.That same month, then-Mayor Krause sent letters and boxes of oranges to Alda, “West Wing” executive producer John Wells, and the show’s writers offering Santa Paula as Vinick’s hometown. Schmidt, the program’s story editor, replied, thanking Krause for the oranges and noting that Santa Paula would “definitely be kept in mind if we ever take a journey back to Vinick’s home for campaign events.”The seemingly simple note led to a weekly letter writing campaign by City Manager Wally Bobkiewicz - including books about and postcards showing Santa Paula - to Schmidt, “reminding her for nearly a year of the wonderful qualities of Santa Paula,” said Krause.In October 2005, “The West Wing” website listed the fictional Vinick’s biography “stating indeed he was from Santa Paula,” as well as details of his boyhood while growing up in the city, including his fondness for the California Oil Museum. The website even noted that Vinick, then an attorney, got his start in politics when he was unexpectedly elected to the City Council as a write-in candidate.Mentions of his hometown on “The West Wing” started early this year, and “It is because of Lauren Schmidt that Santa Paula became the hometown of Senator Arnold Vinick,” said Krause.
