January 13, 2009 – Daily Brief — The SCV Talk Archive

Castaic High could be built within four years: Hart officials say that thanks to the passage of a $300 million bond in November and despite the economic crisis, Castaic High School could be built within four years at a site in the Valencia Commerce Center. Board President Steve Sturgeon doesn’t see construction beginning for at least two years, however, but the proposed location has less hurdles than the previous ones that have delayed construction of Castaic High for years. Signal report
SCVTV needs $300k to keep operating: More impact from that new state law that went into effect on 1 January that relieved cable operators from hosting public access TV stations: SCVTV/Channel 20 says they need $300,000 to keep “the same level of service people are used to” according to Leon Worden, who is SCVTV’s president. Late last year, the City approved some funding for the station, giving it $25,000 for operations and $150,000 to purchase equipment, but Worden says the station costs much more to operate. Worden hopes SCVTV will access some grant money and work with other local institutions to close the gap. Signal
Inside Kellar’s Brain: I totally missed this interesting article in yesterday’s Signal, but leave it to the SCVTalkers to bring it up and debate it. A Signal reporter delivered a detailed account of Councilmember Bob Kellar’s visit to the SCV Senior Center and recorded much of what Kellar told the crowd. Among other things, Bob Kellar 1) doesn’t believe in rent control because it is a “violation of the free enterprise system, 2) thinks it’s disgusting how elected officials have “taken America off the road,” 3) doesn’t believe Americans should depend on the government during this difficult time and 4) believes that the CIty of Santa Clarita seal ought to have “In God We Trust” placed on it because, “It’s your God. And my God. This country was founded on the appreciation of God. We need to bring that back. We need to go back to the basics.” The seniors and Kellar ended their meeting with some Wii bowling. Link
Lennar touchy on Minkow allegations: The giant Florida homebuilder that once owned Newhall Land issued a big press release yesterday, fighting off allegations of fraud by a San Diego “institute.” Among the more interesting charges made by Barry Minkow are the ones dealing with how Lennar used joint ventures like Landsource. Lennar says Landsource was an “arm’s length transaction,” saying it formed the venture in 2003 “to acquire and hold various real estate interests.” IN 2007, Lennar “reduced its interest from 50 to 16%” the press release says, and the rest is well known: “In June 2008, Landsource filed bankruptcy as a result of the collapse of the real estate market.” The press release says Lennar really had nothing to do with all those Landsource investors (not to mention local businesses) getting screwed: “The lenders and investors are large institutional entities who conducted their own extensive due dilligence with the aid of indpeendent experts.” Lots of coverage on this one: Press Release, NY Times, Reuters, CNBC Transcript of interview with Lennar CEO that mentions “Valencia.”
White and Blue collar crime reports: Say it ain’t so- a Santa Clarita lawyer (The Signal doesn’t say what kind of lawyer, but if you read between the lines, he appears to be a personal injury attorney) was arrested on Saturday for allegedly “bilking clients of more than $150,000.” (KHTS also has a good report)Meanwhile over on Lyons Avenue, the American Gas station was robbed by men wielding rifles and a brick. The perps made off with about $600 and haven’t been caught but are described as four male Latinos. That’s the second time that station has been robbed, if I recall correctly.
Lobbyist records back! The City has restored lobbyist records from 2008-2009. No explanation was made, but I’d wager they just cleared them out for the new year or as the data becomes out of date. According to the records, no lobbyists have registered since June of 2008.