Joy Juedes, Staff Writer
Posted: 02/19/2010 03:51:16 PM PST

REDLANDS – The Redlands Townhall Patriots hosted a thickening field of Assembly candidates at its Thursday meeting.

The Tea Party-affiliated group – one of two in Redlands – invited candidates for Bill Emmerson’s 63rd Assembly District seat to talk about themselves and answer questions.

Ellen Egan, a co-organizer of the group, thanked the candidates for going to Sacramento “in a den of Democrats.” Once the meeting started, extra chairs had to be brought in and people stood at the back of the meeting room at the former Mission Aviation Fellowship headquarters.

Redlands Mayor Pat Gilbreath, Paul Chabot, Rancho Cucamonga Mayor Don Kurth, Fontana City Council member Acquanetta Warren and Joannie Morrell, wife of Mike Morrell, took turns introducing themselves.

Joannie Morrell said she was not used to public speaking, and talked about him “but not for him.”

She talked about her husband’s service in business and the community. He built his real estate business on honesty and trust, she said, and pointed out his cell phone number on a flier.

“He will return you call – that’s the kind of guy he is,” she said.

Warren talked about her upbringing near Watts – she was one of the first African-Americans bused to another high school – and how her parents’ values stayed with her.

“My dad taught us California was the best state in the nation – they didn’t even allow us to go to school out of state,” she said.

After moving to Fontana, she could not keep her promise to “sit still and be quiet” when a rate increase was proposed.

“I know how to save money and spend money correctly,” she said. “I can’t afford the taxes and why should I impose them on you?”

“I not going to get up here and do the high school `vote for me and I’ll set you free,’ but I will work hard for you,” she said.

Paul Chabot talked about his military service in Iraq and experience in law enforcement.

“I am running as a veteran, not as a politician,” he said.

His supporters are walking precincts today in Redlands.

Gilbreath said she is an AA – “anal accountant.”

“I know how to balance books and how books get out of balance,” she said.

“We’ve got to get better representatives in Sacramento that can balance the books.”

California’s business environment is hostile, she said, and businesses are leaving a state rich in raw materials and agriculture.

“So California has to change its (business) environment and regulations,” she said. “It’s going to be devastating for us (if more leave).”

Kurth, a doctor, decided to get involved in government when he was required to install expensive steel doors for his exam rooms. He served on the Rancho Cucamonga Chamber of Commerce board, then City Council.

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