October 30, 2026

Ridgecrest California

Submitted by Tom Wiknich, Guns4Us, Inc.

Publisher’s Note: The following is Posted on Roadrunner395.com as a community service. Thanks to Tom and Shannon Wiknich for your years of service to the City of Ridgecrest and the Indian Wells Valley in California and to the gun owners in the states of California, Nevada and Arizona. Tom Wiknich is a DOJ certified CCW instructor, and an NRA certified instructor.

10/30/2026 IMPORTANT GUNS4US ELECTION INFORMATION

RE: November 3rd, 2026, Election

Have you had it with the Ridgecrest City SWAMP council?

We NEED a NEW City Council

YOU can make a difference this election.

YOUR vote is crucial. VOTE for only NEW people to the City Council.

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VOTE YES for Mayor Jeremy “JV” Vaughan

VOTE YES for City Council Tammy Charlon-Bouyer

VOTE YES for City Council Lawrence Gaceta

VOTE NO Skip Gorman for City Council

VOTE NO Ron Strand for City Council.

VOTE NO Debilyn Kinzler (LIBERAL) for City Council.

IMPORTANT SEE BELOW: Skip Gorman voting record, Ron Strand City Manager record and Debilyn Kinzler (LIBERAL) political comments including why NOT to vote for them.

IMPORTANT SEE BELOW: for the GREAT bios on Mayoral candidate Jeremy “JV” Vaughan and our two City Council Candidates Tammy Charlon Bouyer and Lawrence Gaceta.

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For Indian Wells Valley Water District

VOTE FOR: David Saint-Amand

VOTE FOR: Stan Rajtora

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VOTE NO FOR SKIP GORMAN CITY COUNCIL

VOTING RECORD SEE BELOW:

Candidate for Ridgecrest City Council

Current Ridgecrest City Council Member

8/7/2026

Skip Gorman Council Member

Position on Flock

“I remain ambivalent about Ridgecrest’s Flock network. I trust police chief Ysit implicitly to use Flock to the City’s advantage and to suggest we cancel the Flock contract if and when he feels that it abrades our constitutional rights. I will be glad to ask that a Flock discussion be placed on our agenda (I understand that I have an automatic second from mayor Endicott on this) once the issue becomes “ripe”. But I want to know first how responsive to chief Ysit’s queries Flock Safety will be. Can and will they offer acceptable concessions? We don’t know that yet. I want a Flock discussion to happen but only when our options are better known. Right now I think it’s prudent, and respectful to Chief Ysit, to be patient.”

IMPORTANT NOTE: Several members of the public have been requesting a public discussion of the FLOCK issue for several weeks at council meetings. Mayor Endicott finally placed a motion at the 9/2/2026 City Council meeting to have a public discussion of the issue and after a very LONG silence another council member seconded it. And it was NOT Council Member Gorman.

When the Council meeting discussion occurred on 10/7/26 Mr Gorman did NOT give his opinion but did state he was too tired and would give an opinion at a later time in writing. All the other council members verbally approved having Flock in Ridgecrest.

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7/19/2026

Skip Gorman Council Member

VOTED YES

To appoint Eric Bruen to the Planning Commission.

Because of this appointment Eric Bruen is now a TOP pick for any City Council appointment that comes up.

Mr Gorman stated he voted YES because Mr Bruen was “so nice to him” when he started on the City Council.

Mr Gorman also stated his wife is available for any Planning Commission opening that becomes available.

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6/2026

Skip Gorman Council Member

Came out publicly against 4th of July fireworks for the City of Ridgecrest. And instead endorsed having a “Drone Show”.

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Skip Gorman Council Member

RE: Trash Waste Management Costs

VOTED YES to raise the cost of trash collection on the following dates:

5/6/2026 Approved trash rates to increase 2.2% increase in residential, commercial, and industrial service rates.

5/7/2025 Approved trash rates to increase 2.4% increase in residential, commercial, and industrial service rates.

5/15/2024 Approved trash rates to increase 2.6% increase in residential, commercial, and industrial service rates.

7/19/2023 Approved an annual adjustment in residential,commercial and industrial service rates of 6.0% with a carryover of 3.1

NOTE: Waste Management REDUCED the trash service and raised the cost.

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2/4/2026

Skip Gorman Council Member

VOTED YES

To place MEASURE B on the ballot that would change the Current Term Limits law that also included a loophole that would allow three City Council members who were just about to be termed out to stay on the council an additional 4-5 years. At the time of the vote the public was not aware of the loophole.

This measure was initiated and proposed by City Council Member Kyle Blades who was to be termed out in Dec 2027.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Mr Gorman WAS aware of the loophole when he voted YES.

In addition both measures also had a major error that included changing the Municipal Code of Fillmore instead of Ridgecrest. He was one of the council members who made NO effort to remove or invalidate Measures B and C.

This measure cost the City of Ridgecrest SEVERAL thousands of dollars to be placed on the ballot.

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2/4/2026

Skip Gorman Council Member

VOTED YES

To place MEASURE C on the ballot to change the elected mayor from 2 years to 4 years so that the mayor could stay in office longer. In 2012 65% of voters voted for a 2 year Mayor instead of a 4 year mayor. No member of public requested this change. Only the City Council wanted it.

NOTE: This measure cost the City of Ridgecrest SEVERAL thousands of dollars to be placed on the ballot.

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2/4/2026

Skip Gorman Council Member

VOTED YES

To appoint Mr. Travis Reed to become the next City Manager in Ridgecrest without opening the position competitively to others to apply and interview as always done in the past.

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11/5/2025

Skip Gorman Council Member

Initiated and

VOTED YES for FIREWORKS ORDINANCE NO. 25-03 It shall be unlawful to store any fireworks in any residence, home, garage, or automobile within the City of Ridgecrest.

Each individual violation observed is subject to a $1,000 citation.There were already laws on the books for the county. By passing this ordinance the RPD is now required to actively enforce and fine individuals in Ridgecrest.

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9/3/2025

Skip Gorman Council Member

VOTED YES

To change the policy to require TWO council members instead of ONE to place an item on the agenda. Because of this vote it became harder for a single council member to place items on the agenda for the public.

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9/4/2024

Skip Gorman Council Member

VOTED YES

To purchase an empty dirt lot at 243 Balsam St for $65,000

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2/21/2024

Skip Gorman Council Member

VOTED YES

For authorization to enter into a two year agreement with Flock Safety, Inc. (Not to exceed $80,000.00 for FY 24 budget and not to exceed

$72,000.00 for FY 25 budget) for Automated License Plate Reader cameras (ALPR).

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VOTE NO FOR RON STRAND

Candidate for Ridgecrest City Council

Retired City Manager, See Below for More Information

RON STRAND

9/11/2026

RE: Kern County District Attorney’s and FBI’s investigation of the City of Ridgecrest for alleged Brown Act Violation Article written by the Daily Independent During the time Ron Strand was the Ridgecrest City Manager an alleged Brown Act violation issue first came to light soon after a bill hearing in the Assembly Committee on Water, Parks and Wildlife on April 8, 2025, during which AB 1413 and 1466 were among 12 bills considered.

Blades, Councilman Scott Hayman, and then-City Manager Ron Strand appeared at that hearing.

Kern County District Attorney’s office recently confirmed to the DI that there is an ongoing investigation into The City of Ridgecrest regarding the city’s support of two legislative bills, Assembly Bill 1413 and AB 1466, during the 2025 session.

City Manager Travis Reed stated “I’ve talked to the DA, I’ve talked to the FBI, I’ve talked to all of them”

City Manager Travis Reed also stated I’ve gotten emails from DA, from FBI, asking questions where they can find minutes all the time.

Endicott said there had been multiple council members who had interviewed with the DA’s investigators.

Blades identified himself as the mayor pro tem for Ridgecrest during the discussion for AB 1466, then said he urged the passage of the bill.

During discussion of AB 1413, which came later, he said, “Kyle Blades, city of Ridgecrest, strongly support” in his few seconds of allowed time.

There was no record of the council discussing and voting to send anyone to Sacramento to support the bills on the city’s behalf, and that would be a major violation of the Ralph M. Brown Act, the California open meeting law that applies to most government agencies in the state. The topic of whether the council approved the bill support during a closed session became an issue in the community.

UPDATE: 10/12/2026 A Kern County District Attorney investigation found that Ridgecrest City Council member Kyle Blades and former city Manager Ron Strand violated California law with statements that the city of Ridgecrest supported a bill in the legislature in 2025 without a vote having been taken.

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As City Manager Ron Strand negotiated the Waste Management Trash agreement for the City of Ridgecrest that reduced the trash service and raised the cost.

AND

Recommended to the City Council to raise the cost of trash collection rates on the following dates:

5/6/2026 To approve trash rates to increase 2.2% increase in residential, commercial, and industrial service rates.

5/7/2025 To approve trash rates to increase 2.4% increase in residential, commercial, and industrial service rates.

5/15/2024 To approve trash rates to increase 2.6% increase in residential, commercial, and industrial service rates.

7/19/2023 To approve an annual adjustment in residential, commercial and industrial service rates of 6.0% with a carryover of 3.1%.

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As City Manager Ron Strand supported the the $400 million dollar water pipeline and the Groundwater Authority. The multi million dollar cost of this pipeline will be passed on to IWV residents.

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8/2026

As City Manager Ron Strand was late adopting the the Ridgecrest’s Housing Element that was over 3 years overdue in providing a housing plan under state law that was due in 2023 to the State of CA Department of Housing and Community Development.

Because of this the State of CA filed a lawsuit against the City of Ridgecrest.

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2/4/2026

As City Manager Ron Strand selected the next City Manager himself and made staff recommendation to the Ridgecrest City Council to appoint Mr.

Travis Reed to become the next City Manager in Ridgecrest instead of opening the position competitively for others to apply as done in the past.

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Prior to the June 2026 election

Retired City Manager Ron Strand actively and publically campaigned on Facebook to pass MEASURES B and C including writing the pro ballot arguments for both measures.

MEASURE B on the ballot would have changed the Current Term Limits law that also included a loophole that would allow three City Council members who were just about to be termed out to stay on the council an additional 4-5 years.

The measure also had a major error that included changing the Municipal Code of Fillmore instead of Ridgecrest.

This measure was initiated and proposed by City Council Member Kyle Blades who was to be termed out in Dec 2027.

Both of these measures cost the City of Ridgecrest SEVERAL thousands of dollars to be placed on the ballot.

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11/5/2025

As City Manager Ron Strand

Recommended to the City Council to Approve:

FIREWORKS ORDINANCE NO. 25-03

It shall be unlawful to store any fireworks in any residence, home, garage, or automobile within the City of Ridgecrest.

Each individual violation observed is subject to a $1,000 citation.

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9/3/2025

As City Manager Ron Strand

Recommended to the City Council to Approve:

Changing the policy to require TWO council members instead of ONE to place an item on the agenda.

Because of this vote it became HARDER to place items on the agenda that the public requested.

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4/3/2025

As City Manager Ron Strand

Authorized a payment of $4,953 and an additional $105.75 for a VERY favorable Amicus Brief authored by the City Attorney Mr Koczanowicz that was written in support of Defendant Kyle Blades for Kyle’s own personal lawsuit. This Amicus Brief was submitted to the Kern County Superior Court and the Fifth Circuit Appeals Court for Kyle Blades by the City Attorney Mr Koczanowicz. The city was NOT named in the case.

The city was prohibited by law to pay for any legal defense for Kyle Blades since this was a personal lawsuit and the City of Ridgcrest was not named in the suit.

In addition City Manager Mr Strand, City Attorney Mr Koczanowicz all were present with Mr Blades at BOTH hearings even though none of them or the City of Ridgecrest were named as part of the case. They also attended both court hearings during City Hall work hours.

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9/4/2024

As City Manager Ron Strand

Recommended to the City Council to Approve:

Purchasing an empty dirt lot at 243 Balsam St for $65,000.

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2/21/2024

As City Manager Ron Strand

Recommended to the City Council to Approve:

Authorization to enter into a two year agreement with FLOCK SAFETY, Inc.

(Not to exceed $80,000.00 for FY 24 budget and not to exceed $72,000.00 for FY 25 budget) for Automated License Plate Reader cameras (ALPR).

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8/16/2023

As City Manager Ron Strand

Recommended to the City Council to Approve:

City staff to use PLACER AI as an advanced location analytics platform describing physical locations, the people and businesses that interact with them, and the markets they inhabit at an annual cost of $19,000.

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VOTE NO FOR Debilyn Kinzler (LIBERAL)

Candidate for Ridgecrest City Council

Professor of English at Cerro Coso College Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in English SUPPORTS FLOCK “I support Ridgecrest’s continued use of Flock cameras”

“I do support using an ALPR system (such as Flock) as an effective public safety tool. I will not commit to ending all ALPR systems”

RE: Measures B and C

“I would have voted in favor of both Measures B and C.”

“As for reopening measures B and C, I’m open to discussing it further with the community and council members.”

IMPORTANT NOTE: We also need new City Council members who are independent from the city staff. Debilyn Kinzler (LIBERAL) is a good friend of the Police Chief and she also has a banner hung on the City Manager’s house.

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VOTE YES FOR JEREMY “JV” VAUGHAN

Candidate for Mayor of Ridgecrest

Retired Navy Base Commander

Currently Naval Air Warfare Center, Weapons Division (NAWCWD) Chief Strategy Officer Bachelor’s of Science (Mechanical Engineering), U.S. Naval Academy Executive Master’s of Business Administration, Management, and

Operations: Naval Postgraduate School (with distinction) SHRM-Senior Certified Professional

Against Data Center.

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VOTE YES FOR Tammy Charlon Bouyer

Candidate for Ridgecrest City Council

Bachelor Degree of Social Work from California Baptist University.

Currently State Farm Insurance Representative and Claims Liaison for auto, fire, life, financial planning.

Former Counselor for pregnant and parenting teens.

Started the Taxpayers for Accountability for our Groundwater, a grassroots citizen group working to ensure that decisions about water are made transparently, responsibly.

Organized citizens and actively campaigned against Measures B and C that would have changed the Current Term Limits law that also included a loophole that would allow three City Council members who were just about to be termed out to stay on the council an additional 4-5 years.

Against the Data Center.

Organized citizens and actively campaigned against the proposed Data Center.

Against the FLOCK system

Organized citizens and actively campaigning against FLOCK system Against the Water Pipeline Supports legal steps to protect our groundwater and long-term economic future.

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VOTE YES FOR Lawrence Gaceta

Candidate for Ridgecrest City Council

Retired Senior Chief Petty Officer,

Graduated from the Navy Senior Enlisted Leadership Academy Masters of Science degree in Business Management Currently working on a Doctorate in Organization Leadership and Management Currently Sr Logistics Analyst at PMA-242 Domestic Violence sexual assault advocate with Kern County and Ridgecrest Certified Health Life coach with over 4000 sessions throughout the globe, and participates in local community cleanup and food drive events for underprivileged people.

Against Data Center.

Against FLOCK

Against the Water Pipeline

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