Picking Cherries

By Jeff — Jeff Wilson

There seems to be this idea here on this blog and elsewhere that if annexation really started to gain steam among west siders that the City would “cherry pick” only the parts of the west side that generate tax revenue. Take these two quotes from SCVTalk readers:

The City could cherry pick the “nicest” areas that would require the least services and generate the most tax revenue while leaving the “slums” to the County. Would the City annex Val Verde? I doubt it very much.

…

The City wants to cherry-pick. It does not want Val Verde or the rest of Castaic. There is no current or envisioned proposal to annex all of the west side.

Bollocks I say. First of all, who is the City and why are they so intent on picking cherries?

Critics of west side annexation don’t usually specify who they’re talking about. Are they talking about City staff? City Manager Ken Pulskamp? Are they saying that Pulskamp only wants to acquire the Valencia Commerce Center but not Hasley Hills?

Newsflash- Ken Pulskamp and the City staff carry out the will of the elected City Council. Nothing more, nothing less.

The elected city council is hired by you and me. And therefore any annexation decisions would ultimately be approved by them, not by City staff. And if we didn’t like it, we could vote them out.

This is just another example of an unfortunate tendency in this community. I saw it on display last night at the Council meeting. For some reason, Santa Clarita residents like to blame and discredit city staff for things that ought to fall on our elected representatives. Several speakers last night accused the city of wasting money on both the Old Town Newhall land purchase and the $10,000 study for a convention center. But no money had been spent; the staff was merely presenting options to our duly elected representatives to decide on.

On the flip side, our city council* seems entirely too eager to shirk responsibility for their decisions onto the city staff. Case in point- Decoro bike lanes. I never saw a Councilmember run from their decision and blame staff faster than when Northbridge got all pissed off about the bike lanes. Who was there to take the flack from the community? Not the decision makers, but Ken Pulskamp. The same thing apparently happened Monday night at the meeting with the Bonelli tract residents.

Give staff a break and own up to the fact that City is of, by and for us and it reflects us. Those five people are there because we elected them. They will be the ones who ultimately approve boundary lines on a map of the west side, not city staff.

* Bob Kellar is the exception, he owns up to mistakes he makes, apologizes and promises to do better. I tell you what folks, that’s just fantastic!

Comments (8)

gobstopperOctober 28, 2009 at 10:23 am

here here!

mikeOctober 28, 2009 at 10:52 am

I’ve really come around on Bob Kellar. I don’t share his politics, but he might just be the best councilmember we’ve ever had.

Berta González-HarperOctober 28, 2009 at 11:26 am

Jeff, I could not agree more with your comments. People go before Council and rant and rave without mentioning significant facts they either do not know about or intentionally disregard since it does not serve their purpose. In my opinion they do this to rally the troops and storm the Citadel (City Hall) to take it back from those evil people. First, we elect those people so someone thought they had some good ideas when they voted for them. That is true democracy at work. Second, it is not us against them. WE ARE THE CITY AND THEY WORK FOR US. I have had many differences of opinion with both Councilmembers and staff. That does not make me the Good Witch Glenda and them the evil Wizards. I have also had many wonderful interactions with both Council and Staff. Lucky me. What makes this country great, and this city for that matter, is that I can express my opinion, vote people in or out of office without worrying someone will pull me from my bed in the dead of night and make me disappear. As a first generation American born person, I appreciate my rights and responsibilities as an American citizen. Be reasonable people. Take the time to get all of the facts, listen to others. Understand that we all bring a different perspective but working together to achieve common goals can do great things. Honestly, I truly believe this!

navigatorOctober 28, 2009 at 12:08 pm

It would truly be great if we knew just how many of the folks who stand up and bitch, moan and complain at City Council actually get off their butts to vote.

rosierayOctober 28, 2009 at 12:22 pm

amen to that navigator

SCVfanOctober 28, 2009 at 2:07 pm

I almost applauded after reading this!!!!! The complainer and clearly misinformed whiners show up, make crazy statements and rarely get corrected! They are rude and lazy. It’s much easier to complain then to actually research and investigate. The city of Santa Clarita is an outstanding community and residents in surrounding cities would be thrilled with our balanced budget, expanded program, revenue and sustainability .

CCOctober 28, 2009 at 4:24 pm

I agree Mike. I used to despise Kellar, but he has shown that he is really interested in making the citizens happy.

spineflower2October 28, 2009 at 8:24 pm

Kellar’s own words make clear the City does NOT want all of Castaic or the west side, heaven forbid Val Verde. It’s on tape with the Castaic Area Town Council a couple of years back. And it’s never been retracted. In fact, off the record, it’s been reiterated. Why do you think the City is behind Roney’s gerrymandered proposal for the industrial center? C’mon, wake up and face political reality.

gobstopperOctober 28, 2009 at 10:23 am
here here!
mikeOctober 28, 2009 at 10:52 am
I’ve really come around on Bob Kellar. I don’t share his politics, but he might just be the best councilmember we’ve ever had.
Berta González-HarperOctober 28, 2009 at 11:26 am
Jeff, I could not agree more with your comments. People go before Council and rant and rave without mentioning significant facts they either do not know about or intentionally disregard since it does not serve their purpose. In my opinion they do this to rally the troops and storm the Citadel (City Hall) to take it back from those evil people. First, we elect those people so someone thought they had some good ideas when they voted for them. That is true democracy at work. Second, it is not us against them. WE ARE THE CITY AND THEY WORK FOR US. I have had many differences of opinion with both Councilmembers and staff. That does not make me the Good Witch Glenda and them the evil Wizards. I have also had many wonderful interactions with both Council and Staff. Lucky me. What makes this country great, and this city for that matter, is that I can express my opinion, vote people in or out of office without worrying someone will pull me from my bed in the dead of night and make me disappear. As a first generation American born person, I appreciate my rights and responsibilities as an American citizen. Be reasonable people. Take the time to get all of the facts, listen to others. Understand that we all bring a different perspective but working together to achieve common goals can do great things. Honestly, I truly believe this!
navigatorOctober 28, 2009 at 12:08 pm
It would truly be great if we knew just how many of the folks who stand up and bitch, moan and complain at City Council actually get off their butts to vote.
rosierayOctober 28, 2009 at 12:22 pm
amen to that navigator
SCVfanOctober 28, 2009 at 2:07 pm
I almost applauded after reading this!!!!! The complainer and clearly misinformed whiners show up, make crazy statements and rarely get corrected! They are rude and lazy. It’s much easier to complain then to actually research and investigate. The city of Santa Clarita is an outstanding community and residents in surrounding cities would be thrilled with our balanced budget, expanded program, revenue and sustainability .
CCOctober 28, 2009 at 4:24 pm
I agree Mike. I used to despise Kellar, but he has shown that he is really interested in making the citizens happy.
spineflower2October 28, 2009 at 8:24 pm
Kellar’s own words make clear the City does NOT want all of Castaic or the west side, heaven forbid Val Verde. It’s on tape with the Castaic Area Town Council a couple of years back. And it’s never been retracted. In fact, off the record, it’s been reiterated. Why do you think the City is behind Roney’s gerrymandered proposal for the industrial center? C’mon, wake up and face political reality.