March 30, 2009 – Daily Brief — The SCV Talk Archive

Kellar says “probably at bottom” of real estate downturn: Councilmember Bob Kellar put on his realtor hat for a brief chat with KHTS over the local real estate market, telling the radio station Friday that “If preliminary indiciations are accurate, we’re probably at the bottom [of the real estate market.]” He says “activity” has been up and prices have stabilized in the last month and says now is a good time for first-time buyers to get into real estate. Also- the Southland Realtors Association has their February sales numbers posted finally. PDF
Intrigue over Valencia Water Company: Apparently Newhall County Water District and Castaic Lake Water Agency have been preparing for an SCV post-Newhall Land and Farming. At least that’s what I’m getting out of a great Signal article last Friday which details the efforts by the two water providers to get “Valencia Water Company’s customer base.” VWC, owned by Newhall Land, is part of the bankruptcy proceedings afterall, and Newhall says it’s better to retain local control of VWC than to hand it off to some out of state entity. Newhall Land says the water company isn’t for sale.
Lands Bill “Major Victory” for California, McKeon too: Calling the Omnibus lands bill a “this generation’s public lands legacy for the future,” the SacBee likes that the bill was passed and may be signed by the President this week. Our Representative McKeon had a major hand in the bill, setting aside some 470,000 acres of land in California. SacBee, Signal
.edu Major industry in SCV: Interesting article in today’s Signal on the economic impact of the dozens of Santa Clarita elementary schools, high schools and colleges.
Sharon Runner removed from Ag Board, placed on Unemployment Insurance Board instead: After facing huge protests from a farm worker’s union, former Assemblywoman Sharon Runner (Sen. George Runner’s wife) will not serve on the state’s Agriculture Labor Relations Board, instead she’s been appointed to the Unemployment Insurance Board, “a job that pays more than $128,000 per year,” according to Capitol Weekly. The paper says Runner’s appointment to the ag board was “vigorously opposed by the United Farm Workers.” Capitol Weekly
Tax revolt “Tea Party” Planned for SCV: People upset with increased taxes will hold a “Tax Day Tea Party” at Santa Clarita City Hall on April 15, according to a new website www.TeaPartySCV.com. The site -completely with populist/right videos from the likes of Hannity, CNBC’s ranting Rick Santelli, and even Margaret Thatcher- was built up last week. The Tea Party meme, if you will, is about protesting increased state and federal taxes, as well as “socialism” and over spending. You should show up with your own signs “focusing on stimulous [sic] package, overspending in CA nad federal tax increases” the website says.
Smyth touts “green” sales tax holiday: Smyth’s AB 150 would set aside the Saturday after Earth Day as a tax-free holiday for consumers who purchase appliances and/or electronics certified with the US DOE “Energy Star” program, according to The Signal. He appeared at a local Home Depot to discuss the bill; there’s even a photo of him at Santa Clarita City Briefs.
Tejon Ranch last best place in California, journalist says: Edward Humes, an environmental journalist, says the planned 75,000 home development in Tejon Ranch will be disastarous for the ecologically sensitive area. “Tejon’s landscape of grasslands, granite-studded hillsides and icy-blue mountain waters has barely changed in 1,000 years, which is why more than 80 rare and endangered species still prey, roam, roost, flower and raise their young there, even the nearly vanished California condor, hanging on to this last, best refuge. To stand on a windswept hill at Tejon Ranch is to be at once humbled, enthralled and saddened by vistas that in years past defined California and the West by their plenty, rather than their dearth,” he writes. He also touches on the “epic community lifestyle” such developments require of their residents.
Tim Myers continues teasing local GOP: Another good column here.