Last meeting before Nov. 4

When I interview voters outside polling stations during past elections, I come across many who are too shy to talk about their picks.

Council gadfly John Lyons, however, has no qualms about that. He listed his endorsements tonight at the City Council meeting, the last meeting before Election Day.

For the record, Lyons announced his support for Sam Spagnolo (whose nickname, we learned, is "Spaggi") and Dennis Michael. No surprise there since he had a baseball cap made that reads "Michael Spagnolo." Lyons is also endorsing Jim Frost for treasurer. "Jim is the longest person I've known in this room. ... My wife knows his wife. Women used to stay home after they have babies." He's endorsing Bob Dutton for Senate. "I go way back with Bob." Other endorsements include Jim Curatalo for Cucamonga Valley Water District and John McCain.

"I have a political joke tonight," Lyons ended, a cue for me to take out my notebook. "You want change? You got it, here's 50 cents!"

Lyons, of course, wasn't the only one gabbing about Nov. 4. Candidates used their five minutes to announce their qualifications and Web sites. Jan Reynolds, Ryan Orr, Jim Moffatt all took turns. Reynolds, who's running for city clerk, said city clerk duties are a lot of work.

"There's no time for on-the-job training," Reynolds said, evoking McCain, you know, Lyons' pick for president.