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August 26, 2010 – Daily Brief

By Jeff — Jeff Wilson

  • More on the Library takeover: The Signal notes the “public outcry” over the library takeover, but also quotes Laurie Ender who said “I know there were people in the room that were not happy, but there are (278,000) people in the city and it’s my job to represent all of them.” Meanwhile, I HEART weighs in with two posts, one describing what went down Tuesday night and another suggesting performance measurement standards for our new City libraries.
  • New Facebook group “Save our Santa Clarita Libraries” has surfaced. Perhaps all the moms Laurie Ender referenced that support the takeover will create an alternate group.
  • Library messaging: Here is how you sell a library takeover no one wants. You say that the City voted in favor of a public-private partnership. PUBLIC CEO
  • Dianne Trautman, a respected community member and planning commissioner for eight years, was not reappointed to the commission at Tuesday’s council meeting. She says it’s because she supported Gauny and Boydston SIGNAL
  • Carmageddon on Highway 14 as car carrying truck hits a CalTrans truck and explodes into flames. And then the cars on the truck exploded into flames too. ABC 7, SIGNAL
  • Property tax revenue declined $148 million last year SIGNAL
  • California community colleges sever relationship with Kaplan University because the for-profit school’s classes weren’t transferrable to CSU or UC LA TIMES
  • Kyle Boller, the SCV’s greatest quarterback ever and a Hart alum, reflects on his career as he starts practice with the Oakland Raiders SIGNAL

Comments

103 · as published
  1. NickelDimeAugust 26, 2010 at 6:13 am
    One day, perhaps many years from now, Laurie Ender will wake up and realize how unbelievably asinine her oft-repeated logic “the people that aren’t here support this!” truly sounds. And she’ll be completely disgusted with herself that she actually believed it, and used it to shape her thinking.
  2. ScottEAugust 26, 2010 at 7:38 am
    I don’t think she actually believes it, I think she thinks WE’RE all dumb enough to believe it…in particular if she’s the one who said it. There is something about that woman that gets the hair on the back of my neck up. Creepy.
  3. ToddAugust 26, 2010 at 7:54 am
    Indifference is indifference. I’d hardly call 48 speakers (of which how many were acutally residents vs county employees who were trucked in?) an overwhelming voice on the issue. Seems to me the point is: Not many people care.
  4. NickelDimeAugust 26, 2010 at 8:07 am
    Uhh, Todd? It was standing room only. There were 2 voices supporting vs 48 against. Correct me if I’m wrong, but that is similar (if not larger) in scale to the Henry Mayo debate,which stretched on for a year. I’d hardly call that indifference. What do YOU define as an overwhelming voice?
  5. navigatorAugust 26, 2010 at 8:29 am
    3 in support. You’d have to think that Ender actually does believe what she says since she says it so often. Too much bleach when she was younger
  6. Berta González-HarperAugust 26, 2010 at 9:59 am
    @ND, there were three voices locally, including mine, supporting. Because more locals were not willing to speak in favor of locally controlled libraries does not indicate more were married to the idea of the County running our libraries. I don’t really think MOST people care who runs them as long as they are open days and hours they want to go, have the materials they want to use or check out, have a nice quiet, air conditioned place to sit, with good access and parking, and don’t charge them an arm and a leg personally for access. By the way, there were also several librarians and other folks from cities/counties that spoke in favor of locally run libraries outsourcing to LSSI based on their experiences. If those supporters are not counted as supporters of LSSI and in favor of what Council proposed because they are tied to LSSI, then you have to subtract all of the COLA/ union folks who spoke in support of COLA libraries since they are tied to COLA. Considering the City did not set up booths, buy tee shirts, and have paid staff recruiting supporters anywhere, etc. while the union and COLA did, think about that. If you further remove those folks who just object to ANYTHING the City does or proposes, well you see where I am going with this…
  7. NickelDimeAugust 26, 2010 at 10:03 am
    Berta, I am less comfortable with the rushed approach – one that smacks of a lack of transparency to additional reasons for this change – than the conclusion the CC came to. Do you think the public was given enough time and information on all the facts surrounding this change to form an opinion?
  8. Berta González-HarperAugust 26, 2010 at 10:28 am
    @ND, I have said on the record, I would have supported more time to hold community meetings etc. I have also said it would not have made ANY difference. COLA/union, and Al & co as they do ANYTHING proposed by the City/Council, would still oppose. The few who actually took the time to do INDEPENDANT research, would favor. More time would not have changed anything IMHO.
  9. booknerdAugust 26, 2010 at 1:17 pm
    but, berta, it would have made a difference to ME as a humble resident of the area, as a constituent. it would have made a difference to me because i would have felt that they were being honest in their intention to deliver better services, but the better services part seems to be an afterthought. it seems to me that they weren’t being transparent about why they want the city take over library services. it’s clear to me that their primary intent for making this decision now before the dec. 2 deadline to notify the county is to get the money they need to fund the newhall library. if library services was at the heart of this matter, then, they definitely could have taken more time to assess the needs of the community and what it takes to run a library system effectively and efficiently. there wouldn’t have been a need for urgency–i mean, they’ve got 2 years in office.
  10. Berta González-HarperAugust 26, 2010 at 2:25 pm
    @booknerd, I am sorry you feel that you were not heard but honestly you are not listening either and I doubt giving you more time would have changed your mind. The money is in the BANK to build the Newhall Library. You do not have to believe me, march down to City Hall and ask Darren Hernández to prove it to you. You are not listening to any of the answers to other questions asked and answered numerous times. I do not mean to offend you, I am simply pointing out why sometimes if people are entrenched in their positions something happens to their objectivity and listening skills. That is why I contend; more time would not have changed who opposed or who supported this proposal. It just would have expended more time and money better spent on getting a library advisory committee together, libraries staffed, materials purchased, programs lined up, etc. I would encourage you to apply to serve on a library advisory committee if you can commit to spending the time necessary. I hope we meet at one of our City of Santa Clarita libraries after July 1 2011, and can resume this conversation. Honestly I do.
  11. Santa ClaritaAugust 26, 2010 at 3:04 pm
    From the city’s own library web site: “Facility construction could include building of the new library in Old Town Newhall which would permit the Redevelopment Agency to redirect the $25 million currently budgeted for the new library toward other redevelopment activities in Old Town Newhall. ” Even though the money is there, it can be moved. The city makes this statement on their web site, in the attachments to the agenda item (IIRC), and Hernandez confirmed it verbally in the public “hearing.” We heard fine.
  12. Tim MyersAugust 26, 2010 at 12:16 pm
    ND: Todd would only think there was a problem if 10,000 people converged on City Hall and burned it to the ground. Laurie Ender would then say 168,000 people DIDN’T burn the building to the ground.
  13. navigatorAugust 26, 2010 at 12:36 pm
    “Laurie Ender would then say 168,000 people DIDN’T burn the building to the ground.” Sad but disappointingly true
  14. ToddAugust 26, 2010 at 1:25 pm
    In a valley of 1/4 of a million people, I’d say that yes, .02% of people speaking out on an issue is probably not really a strong voice.
  15. gregory molineriAugust 26, 2010 at 1:29 pm
    Todd – what would you consider a “strong voice” on a topic like this? What percentage?
  16. NickelDimeAugust 26, 2010 at 1:29 pm
    Todd, You dodged the question. Apparently a packed house and hours of speakers isn’t enough. What is?
  17. NickelDimeAugust 26, 2010 at 1:33 pm
    Todd, By your logic, since only a handful of people voted in the last election, this City Council is a sham.
  18. gregory molineriAugust 26, 2010 at 1:49 pm
    Yes, this was the point of my unanswered question. If 25% is a “strong voice”, then City Hall would need to hold 50,000 people before Todd would hear it. Are you related to Ender, Todd?
  19. booknerdAugust 26, 2010 at 8:32 am
    not many people knew. i just moved here, so i don’t know many people, but the people i did talk to had no idea.
  20. WalkerAugust 26, 2010 at 9:22 am
    Exactly! Of course there weren’t many people there, there weren’t many people that knew! This has all happened in less than a month! During a time of year that is especially busy for most families. Few people realize it was even up for discussion and those that are aware were either NOT in support or desired more information/time to decide how they felt. Unfurtunately most of those people likely have kids that are in their first weeks back to school and were unable to attend. We were able attend because the kids aren’t BTS just yet, but I can tell you that had the meeting been next week and we were just getting in to our back to school routine, we wouldn’t have been able to attend either. But that wouldn’t have been for lack of care/interest.
  21. GRAMPSAugust 26, 2010 at 4:49 pm
    Todd, Sounds as though you are waking up and sleeping with Bairta!
  22. spineflower2August 26, 2010 at 9:32 pm
    Gee, then by her own logic, we can throw her out of office, because the 85% who didn’t vote at all did NOT vote for her. She didn’t actually win the election! Yay!!!!!
  23. John AdamsAugust 26, 2010 at 6:38 am
    Speaking of new Facebook groups. http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000556802211# !/group.php?gid=100576506668111&ref=ts
  24. GangFangAugust 26, 2010 at 7:17 am
    At least spam correctly, junior.
  25. Fred ButlerAugust 26, 2010 at 7:40 am
    Worked for me. You do now how to cut and paste?
  26. GangFangAugust 26, 2010 at 7:35 pm
    Yes. The Lord taught me.
  27. Need for Involved CitizenryAugust 26, 2010 at 6:56 am
    Diane Trautman not being reappointed to her Planning Commission seat is as much of a travesty as the outsourcing of the Library and increase in contribution limits. She was by far the brightest light on the Planning Commission, and that, as well her support for challengers in the last election must have just sent Frank Ferry into a tizzy which sealed her fate. It will be another true loss for the residents here – but not for the developers who will now more than ever be able to shove through whatever projects they want through the Planning Commission and Council without enough regard to impacts.
  28. Need for Involved CitizenryAugust 26, 2010 at 7:12 am
    If you ever wanted to compare and contrast ability and quality, compare Diane Trautman to DeDe Jacobson. Diane would be asking about traffic flows and DeDe would be asking about colors!
  29. Tim MyersAugust 26, 2010 at 8:15 am
    NFIC: The Politburo has to conduct its purges periodically!
  30. TimBen BoydstonAugust 26, 2010 at 8:28 am
    Losing Diane Trautman from the Planning Commission is a great loss for the citizens of Santa Clarita and the planning of the future of Santa Clarita. She spent countless hours reading and understanding all of the documents that came before her. Her questions and comments were thorough, precise, and always looking at what would be the best balance for a well built City. After all of her good work as a Commissioner, and her hard work and support to get Marsha re-elected, it must have come as a great shock to have Marsha not even put her name in. This is politics at it’s worst.
  31. AnnetteAugust 26, 2010 at 9:25 am
    Well said! It is a true loss for SCV :{
  32. Coastal SageAugust 26, 2010 at 10:50 am
    Marsha not attempting to re-appoint Diane to the Planning Commission points out an unpleasant reality. Marsha was elected as a result of intensive efforts by the Sierra Club, SCOPE and Democratic Party. Marsha defeated a far more sophisticated candidate (John Grannis) who probably would have done a better job reigning in the out of control city staff members and city attorney staff who I constantly criticize. Marsha has never been an aggressive or strident person. As a result, it is clear that the Republican/pro-development majority on the Council made a decision to befriend her, and win her over to their way of seeing things. That in fact has happened, because Marsha didn’t have the force of personality that Lynne Plambeck or Cam Noltemeyer do, to keep fighting for what is right. So over the course of time, Marsha has become a reliable vote for the development and business community, only occasionally straying. Marsha’s support of the Golden Valley project developer and Pardee Homes, who illegally graded land which was required to be preserved for endangered species habitat, sealed the deal in terms of Marsha betraying those who first got her elected. Just look at the name of the main street at that project. As a result, Marsha dumping Diane as a Planning Commissioner is no surprise. In fact, it’s surprising that she didn’t do it 4 years ago. The people who got Marsha elected clearly understand the picture, based upon Marsha running for re-election on a “team” involving Frank Ferry, and acquiescing in Marsha’s name and image being used on “team” campaign mailings which were necessary to let Frank ride along on Marsha’s coat tails. The general, uninformed voters simply don’t understand that Marsha is no longer the person she used to be. Back in the late 1980′s, one of Ventura County’s most prominent environmentalists, Ann Rock, was elected to the Simi Valley City Council, much to the consternation of the development community and city staff. In just over a year, Simi Valley’s very slippery and manipulative City Manager Lin Koester had won over Councilwoman Rock, and she started voting his way. Soon Ms. Rock became known among her former supporters as the “Environmental Turncoat”. A few years later, Ms. Rock made a sudden decision to move to Temecula, but the damage to Simi Valley was done and continues. Mr. Koester went on to a disastrous career as Ventura County’s Chief Administrator. The bottom line is that city managers and the business/development community know how to manipulate gentle, kind, well meaning people who get elected to City Councils. It’s part of their stock in trade. I think that Diane Trautman will find that she can contribute just as much to the community off the Planning Commission as on it, give the fact that she had been fighting a pyrrhic battle for a long time. Good luck to you Diane and thank you for your efforts.
  33. Need for Involved CitizenryAugust 26, 2010 at 11:06 am
    Well said!
  34. CCAugust 26, 2010 at 7:16 am
    Wow, losing Diane is a real disappointment. I wonder how bad the City has to get before people get off their ass and vote these jerks out of office? Can you say Bell?
  35. Tim MyersAugust 26, 2010 at 8:26 am
    CC: I would pee on a spark plug to get Laurie Ender out now if I thought it would do any good, but it won’t, so I need to work on my refugee status to Ventura or Orange County in three years, and then keep myself willfully ignorant of local politics in those areas for my own mental health.
  36. Your Web GuruAugust 26, 2010 at 8:58 am
    Nice “War Games” reference, Tim!
  37. Tim MyersAugust 26, 2010 at 10:02 am
    Yeah, I wandered who would pick up on that.
  38. Coastal SageAugust 26, 2010 at 10:53 am
    Tim, how much of my money, contributed through a PAC, do you think it would take to remove her from the Council?
  39. Tim MyersAugust 26, 2010 at 11:18 am
    Probably about $150K. Opponents would have to do a hit mailer a week accusing her of vile and probably false things, like an amnesty because she did not vote in favor of the right wing resolutions on immigration. No one has enough pecuniary interest in what she is doing to spend that kind of money.
  40. scvfanAugust 26, 2010 at 1:56 pm
    CC: Your reference to the City of Bell is the most ridiculous and downright shameful. Comparing our Council to the crazy crooks in Bell makes you sound foolish.
  41. spineflower2August 26, 2010 at 9:35 pm
    Yeah, the Bell crooks made themselves rich. Our SCV crooks made their buddies rich. Totally different. ppppllllbbbbbthththththth!
  42. LindaSAugust 26, 2010 at 7:37 am
    I have serious concerns regarding the decisions Laurie Ender is making for the city. If the signal quoted her right and she thinks that there are 278,000 people in the City, she needs to be off the council. Santa Clarita only has approximately 178,000 people. Using the logic that if only 200 people come out in opposition, then there are 176,000 others who dont show up and then must be in favor, is just plain stupid and irresponsible. By that logic, there is never any reason to deny anything that comes across the council. Also, not every resident even uses the library. I’m sure there are those out there in favor of the city taking over the library, but dont assume because only 200 people came out, only 200 people are in opposition to it.
  43. Tim MyersAugust 26, 2010 at 8:28 am
    Laurie Ender is counting the 100,000 people that live inside her head under that mane of hair and communicate with her on City issues, probably during the actual council meetings.
  44. Natalie EverettAugust 26, 2010 at 8:34 am
    Hey now – my bad, Laurie Ender’s direct quote was “…There are 200,000 people in the city…” I aimed to use a more precise number and typed the 278K instead of 178K. I was apparently counting the 100K people who live inside my head under my mane of hair. Newspaper reading 101: If you see something in parenthesis ( ) within a quotation, it’s the reporter’s (sometimes lame) effort to make the quote clear, usually replacing pronouns like “it” or “he” with a proper noun for clarity… I should have left Ender’s quote well enough alone. Apologies to all… A correction is forthcoming.
  45. Tim MyersAugust 26, 2010 at 8:47 am
    Natalie: Your hair is lovely! All is forgiven. We would be more than happy to adopt you as our fourth daughter. We are already looking forward to another lovely young woman to become our daughter if our oldest son has the brains to marry her!
  46. LindaSAugust 26, 2010 at 9:29 am
    Thanks for the clarification Natalie on the numbers. Her logic for everyone else not showing up to the council meeting meaning they are in favor of library takeover is still faulty though.
  47. gregory molineriAugust 26, 2010 at 10:26 am
    I have finally come to the conclusion that Laurie Ender is actually “Cousin ‘It’”, the creepy and mindless character from the original Adams Family series. They both use the same logic and words – unintelligible. And they both have the same hair.
  48. Tim MyersAugust 26, 2010 at 10:29 am
    Remember when Cousin It told Morticia that he had three shoulders?
  49. Fred ButlerAugust 26, 2010 at 7:43 am
    I was on a bus yesterday with no air conditioning sitting in the snarled, Beijing like traffic jam. I got off the bus and rode my bike the last two miles home in 110 degree heat. I thought of you Jeff as I whizzed past all those gloomy motorists slowly inching their way up Via Princessa and Sierra Hwy.
  50. Need for Involved CitizenryAugust 26, 2010 at 7:57 am
    No, the Bejing like traffic jam will come after they add another 200,000 folks to the population base in the SCV. Did anyone know how the Urgency Ordinance for the car dealerships did before the Council?
  51. IHeartSCVAugust 26, 2010 at 8:22 am
    NFIC: It passed unanimously. The only comment was given by Hunt Braly who was representing the auto dealer assoc. Despite the fact that no one could point to any actual public harm that has occurred because of new dealerships, the urgency ordinance was viewed as necesary to protect public safety and well-being.
  52. Tim MyersAugust 26, 2010 at 8:32 am
    Are there actually any new dealerships? The auto dealers got in a tizzy several years ago about the Auto Faire at COC (a great place, we got our oldest son his first beater care there, a Grand Am with 130,000 miles and an air conditioner that didn’t work for $2,000). Chancellor Van Hook compromised by moving the Auto Faire to the upper parking lot, though it sometimes finds its way to the Valencia Blvd parking lot from time to time.
  53. IHeartSCVAugust 26, 2010 at 8:39 am
    The agenda item describes “a recent proliferation of retail automobile and light trucks sales businesses throughout the City,” so one would think there are new dealerships somewhere. And they’re dangerous, so you’d best stay as far away from them as possible!
  54. Coastal SageAugust 26, 2010 at 10:56 am
    Maybe the emergency ordinance was to head off a competitor who had not actually opened yet.
  55. rosierayAugust 26, 2010 at 11:39 am
    Prepare for a possible strike in two weeks, no air conditioning is an old story with SCT
  56. TeresaToddAugust 26, 2010 at 8:08 am
    As a resident, I’d like to extend sincere thanks and highest appreciation to Diane Trautman for her years of service and all that she brought to our City’s Planning Commission. As a Commissioner, I found Diane to be very approachable and willing to listen to all sides. Her intellect, balance, and tireless hours devoted to the issues will be missed. Best wishes, Diane, for your future endeavors.
  57. Berta González-HarperAugust 26, 2010 at 10:19 am
    @Teresa Todd, I agree with you wholeheartedly about Diane Trautman. Shame on Marsha for not reappointing her, it certainly appears punitive. I believe the rest of the Council would have gone along if SHE had stood by Diane as a commissioner but if not; Marsha should have fought for her. I would have. It seems that if you ask many questions, listen to the folks, request project enhancements, and choose to support someone other than whoever appoints you suggests, you are out. I am sure the other commissioners understand now so we will not see a repeat next election.
  58. Need for Involved CitizenryAugust 26, 2010 at 11:14 am
    Don’t fool yourself Berta. This is pure Frank Ferry vengeance. If you think he or Lori Ender would have voted for Diane if Marsha had a spine your kidding yourself. While I voted for both Weste and Marsha when they first ran, after seeing what they’ve done over the past 5 years, I’ve stopped voting for them and feel they’ve lost touch with the community. They seem unwilling to listen and are more interested in selling positions.
  59. Berta González-HarperAugust 26, 2010 at 11:38 am
    @NFIC, I disagree. Marsha should have stood behind Diane. I do not think Frank and Laurene would publicly oppose Diane’s reappointment if Marsha took the fight to the public in Council chambers. They have no incentive to do so and unlike you, I do not see conspiracies and revenge scenarios everywhere. I view MARSHA’S action as being punitive, and not willing to buck the others even in your preferred scenario. Marsha is the one who comes off looking bad since Diane was her appointee/supporter and she dumped her for someone unknown to most of us and with no experience as a Planning Commissioner. The others stayed with their previous appointees for better or worse.
  60. spineflower2August 26, 2010 at 9:36 pm
    Diane Trautman will be missed as a lonely voice of logic and fairness that was, and now will be, lacking in SCV government.
  61. navigatorAugust 26, 2010 at 9:15 am
    Though I don’t think Diane was always right (and I’ve told her so and we’re still friends) she was without a doubt the best of the 5. “When will people wake up in Santa Clarita?” Well, they’ll probably wake up about the same time I did. Right after the kids are jumping into their cars and going off on their own. By that time, though, many will do the same as Tim and beat feet out of town. Uninformed people keep voting for idiots while the informed work their butts off to make a change. I guess apathy can be a good thing. I’d rather see low voter turnout than a high volume of voters who have no idea what they’re voting for. Unfortunately even with a low voter turnout in SC there still seems to be a plethora of people walking around out there that haven’t realized that their brains died years ago.
  62. GRAMPSAugust 26, 2010 at 5:02 pm
    Do you include Bairta?
  63. CastaicClayAugust 26, 2010 at 9:23 am
    If your city takes over the libraries will the county remove all of their books, videos, computers etc.? They should, they bought them. Who will replace this inventory?
  64. navigatorAugust 26, 2010 at 9:32 am
    CC – Part of the deal is for the City to buy whatever inventory it sees fit from the county
  65. Coastal SageAugust 26, 2010 at 10:59 am
    Which may be a purchase of nothing. I repeat my intuitive thought: $4.6 Milion for used books, furniture and computers may instead be spent on real estate. There is simply no telling what is in store for Valencia Library patrons over the next year.
  66. Berta González-HarperAugust 26, 2010 at 11:25 am
    @J, just suppose I go along with your theory. What exactly would be so terrible if the City decided to buy property and build a new library in Valencia from scratch, or buy a large vacant building with great access and parking such as the vacant Newhall Land building literally across the street from City Hall and remodel/refurbish as a Santa Clarita Valencia Library Branch? I am not sure I understand the argument. Buy from COLA existing branch with contents for $ 4.3 million, or investigate alternatives for better use of capital at another site. Based on experience, with both the Canyon Country and now new Newhall library branches, the City has done a good job of designing and in CC building nice facilities with design elements and other features residents have asked for. So where is the problem?
  67. JerryAugust 26, 2010 at 1:16 pm
    What’s the problem? Who is going to pay the bill? Don’t tell me that it is the saving from going with LSSI. That money has been spent twice already.
  68. AnnetteAugust 26, 2010 at 9:32 am
    Me thinks Laurie will never have to listen to the people because the council chambers cannot hold 178,000 people ;}
  69. navigatorAugust 26, 2010 at 9:33 am
    ………..But obviously her head can! There’s plenty of room in there!
  70. Coastal SageAugust 26, 2010 at 11:19 am
    RE: The New Facebook Group: Save Our Santa Clarita Libraries I don’t do Facebook or Twitter. Half the time I can’t find my cel phone, and my computer skills are way behind. I’m also going blind, which is common when your head is violently jolted in an 80mph collision. So somebody who is in this new Save our Santa Clarita Libraries group please cut and paste the information below into your communication stream. You CAN use your brains and your time to accomplish something important on the library issue: However, if the library-lovers are serious about understanding what led to the rapid vote without the LSSI contract being made public, in the hopes of turning the situation around or at least ending some political/public administration careers, the first and absolutely mandatory step is a thorough review of all of the City’s public records on the topic and related topics, including emails and city telephone bills (including city-paid cel phone bills), concerning the matter. That review takes a well written California Public Records Act Request, a team of intelligent people to review all of the records and decide what to copy, and then someone savvy to decide how to deal with the more interesting documents which are discovered. It would also be interesting to do a polite Public Records Act Request to the County Librarian, and begin looking at relevant materials in the County’s files, to built a picture of how the City dealt with the County. Reviewing two public agencies’ files always turns up documents “the other agency” has deleted because they don’t want the public to see it. Back in George Caravalho’s days as City Manager, when Ken Pulskamp was his assistant, I would never cease to be amazed at the enlightening things I found in City files, some of them planted there for me by disgruntled employees. Knowledge is power, and there is nothing like constant reviews of City files to put together the broader puzzle of what the City Manager and his assistants are up to, and why. Never forget that George Caravalho taught university level Public Administration courses, and was repeatedly caught (by kids of Santa Claritans) telling his classes that Santa Clarita City Council members were sheep which he would herd with great ease. George Caravalho was Ken Pulskamp’s mentor, bringing Ken from Bakersfield with George when the city was formed. Ken is perhaps George’s most successful student, and Darren is obviously learning fast at the elbow of this second generation manipulation mentor. “The public” will never begin to understand what the senior City employees and their friends on the Council are up to, and why, without careful and repeated reviews of the City’s public records. Without knowledge about what is going on, big picture, and why, the average outraged voter “can’t do anything about it”. Santa Clarita is full of people who know how to write a detailed Public Records Act Request: Plambeck, Noltemeyer, Cameron, Thomas and probably Boydston. Once can hope that the people who have been down this road before (and know how to avoid being spammed by the City staff) can teach the new, angry, intelligent people the ropes. Let any army of angry, intelligent, retired library patrons descend on City Hall for intensive file reading and copying sessions.
  71. lvogelAugust 26, 2010 at 11:47 am
    I was terribly sorry to hear about Diane Trautman. She is a woman I have a great deal of respect for. She has worked hard for ‘the community’ and has never hestitated to speak up when there are questions that need to be asked, and answered. The two people I have been most impressed with (given my minimal exposure to city affairs and attending C/C meetings) have been Diane Trautman and TimBen Boydston. They always attended meetings prepared and ready to listen, and again, ask tough questions that others on the panel(s) have a hard time with. I cannot begin to tell you how turned off I am with small town’ politics! I don’t believe that the publics wants or concerns have EVER been a consideration to those currently sitting up there and making decisions. The often knee-jerk comments and decisions show a lack of respect many have for the citizens of this city and that deals have already been made prior to public participation. Yeah, I have a real bad taste in my mouth about this city and the citizens really need to pay close attention to the decisions/projects being made/planned, and why.
  72. DubiousAugust 26, 2010 at 12:44 pm
    Since it was so easy for Marsha to stab her own Planning Commission appointee in the back, how can anyone who views the councilwoman as a friend feel safe?
  73. Alan FerdmanAugust 26, 2010 at 1:11 pm
    Diane Trautman was a shining star on the Planning Commission. She researched each issue, asked pertinent questions, listened to the community and made informed decisions. Her past performance as a Planning commissioner should have been the deciding factor. Diane is an independent thinker and that seems to be what our Council does not want. We should all remember to thank Diane the next time we see her. She needs to know just how much the community appreciated her efforts.
  74. Berta González-HarperAugust 26, 2010 at 2:06 pm
    @Alan, I actually agree with your comments regarding Diane Trautman. I have to ask, then why did you not get up and imply you spoke for me too and support Diane Trautman before Council on 8/24/10? You spoke regarding other agenda items both before and after that agenda item. So did TimBen but not a peep about Diane from either of you. Hum… You say, “Diane is an independent thinker and that seems to be what our Council does not want.” “Berta is an independent thinker and that seems to be what our CCAC Chair does not want” would be an equally accurate statement. Before you have one of the anonymous “friends” say that I don’t do my research, ask pertinent questions, listen to people, etc. OH YES I DO and I take accurate notes, keep documents, and have a very good memory too! Al, do you even see the irony of YOU chastising Council members on this topic and others?
  75. lvogelAugust 26, 2010 at 2:16 pm
    What did I miss……?
  76. Tim MyersAugust 26, 2010 at 3:27 pm
    Schoolyard politics between Alan F. and Berta.
  77. Berta González-HarperAugust 26, 2010 at 3:49 pm
    @Tim, an interesting response. So you think that when a “community leader” defames, ignores, marginalizes, and prevents a resident from fully participating in a local community group because they disagree with the resident’s opinion that is “schoolyard politics”. What was it you were saying about current Council members earlier?
  78. JerryAugust 26, 2010 at 4:31 pm
    Ivogel Yes U did. You missed Berta comparing herself to Diane Trautman, quoting herself and patting herself on the back. I’m sure she impressed herself.
  79. GRAMPSAugust 26, 2010 at 5:06 pm
    The only thinking you do is in your pillowcase. Wakeup and go back to sleep
  80. Need for Involved CitizenryAugust 26, 2010 at 2:20 pm
    If everyone who was disappointed by the actions of the Council over the past couple of months educated 10-20 of their eiligible to vote friends ant they each educated another 10 folks and got them to vote in the next two elections, you might actually have a City Council that listened to the community and took into consideration what they wanted. Thus the need for people to become involved and take note of what is actually happening at City Hall. The more of these sorts of stunts the Council pulls, the more folks will be aware of how arrogant and isolated from public sentiment they are. Maybe this is a good thing after all! Remember after the last election results I said “another four years of darkness”.
  81. Tim MyersAugust 26, 2010 at 3:26 pm
    NFIC: That sounds easy but in real life is extremely difficult to do, so it is just easier to decamp and then keep oneself willfully ignorant of local politics.
  82. Berta González-HarperAugust 26, 2010 at 3:41 pm
    @ Santa Clarita (not) Apparently, you have not heard fine and just keep proving my point for me! The ability to MOVE IT ($24 million) implies it is there, as you cannot move that which you do not have. NOT HAVING IT AT ALL, as you informed residents keep repeating, you would be unable to MOVE IT. These two statements are not interchangeable and not the same thing but you stick to your theories regardless… Darren Hernández has said several times within the last weeks and again before City Council “the money to build the Newhall Library is in the bank”. Since he is the head financial guy, he should know. Go do your own research…
  83. Cheryl PhillipsAugust 27, 2010 at 8:00 pm
    What?????
  84. DubiousAugust 26, 2010 at 3:54 pm
    I remember arguing with a friend over the value of cityhood for our area way back in the 80s. My friend said that we would eventually get the same kind of treatment from city officials as we were getting from the county. My answer was that at least we didn’t have to drive to downtown L.A. to protest, and that would mean we residents would have more voice in our government. How naive I was! I have found that it’s true I don’t have to drive so far, but as far as having a voice? HAH! We residents get to pour our hearts out and submit pertinent negative facts on an issue in individual 3-minutes time slots while council members and city staff stare at us blankly and/or fiddle with pencils or electronic devices. We have found that there is no obligation to listen to us and definitely no obligation to acknowledge our facts. The only thing that will stop them in their tracks is a savvy lawyer that costs residents big bucks. Bottom line: THEY know more and better than we do, and THEY have a plan — and WE don’t figure in it unless we agree with THEM.
  85. lvogelAugust 26, 2010 at 5:46 pm
    You hit it on the head!
  86. PetzAugust 26, 2010 at 7:11 pm
    Just returned from back to school night and it is clear that there are liberal elements indoctrinating our children within the Hart District from the dance class featuring multicultural dances to US History where the teacher trys to explain the significance of the old dead guys. Since when is immigration controversial? Petz says……
  87. Santa ClaritanAugust 26, 2010 at 7:27 pm
    How is multicultural dance indoctrination? In case you haven’t looked around lately, the world is a great deal more diverse than a bunch of frail, white guys. As for immigration, those of us that believe in the Constitution and the rule of law get peeved when elements of our society denigrate fellow American citizens with racial slurs such as “anchor baby” and believe that their personal beliefs of how the world should be trump the long established laws of our nation.
  88. PetzAugust 27, 2010 at 6:18 am
    Hello Mike VN
  89. JeffAugust 26, 2010 at 7:49 pm
    I invite you and your love to go salsa dancing with me and my wife. You’ll have fun. Come on Petz! Or maybe you could teach us the polka?
  90. Timothy MyersAugust 26, 2010 at 8:32 pm
    You should see me boogaloo to “Dynamite” and “The Club Can’t Handle Me…” I rock those!!!!
  91. PetzAugust 27, 2010 at 3:20 am
    You’ve seen me dance.
  92. Mike MAugust 27, 2010 at 10:30 am
    I have to admit I’m very confused as to how “multicultural dance” is indoctrination. Does that mean that my kids, who are half Irish and half Filipino should only see dances with European or American origins because to see something from the other side of their heritage shows a liberal bias? Or is it just the Mexican stuff that is a problem?
  93. PetzAugust 26, 2010 at 8:08 pm
    They even even pictures of Obama on the walls all over the school.
  94. NickelDimeAugust 27, 2010 at 6:56 am
    Petz, you’ve graduated from The Curmudgeon to The Fatalist.
  95. Mike MAugust 27, 2010 at 9:22 am
    OH MY GOD NOT PICTURES OF THE PRESIDENT!! Fortunately nobody had pictures of George W Bush up all over the place when he was pres… wait, yes they did. The president of the United States is a fairly important dude to learn about when you’re in school.
  96. lvogelAugust 27, 2010 at 9:33 am
    Only if it’s a president your parents elected.
  97. Mike MAugust 27, 2010 at 10:04 am
    Ugh… I didn’t care much for W, but I taught my son to respect him because that’s what’s right. When the self-proclaimed “patriotic” Americans can’t do that, you know something’s seriously wrong.
  98. PetzAugust 27, 2010 at 8:22 am
    The school reminded me of Mao and the Cultural Revolution.
  99. lvogelAugust 27, 2010 at 8:42 am
    Perhaps home schooling is the answer for you? Wonder how much your child is picking up on your attitude about the school he/she is attending?
  100. PetzAugust 27, 2010 at 10:08 am
    Petz doubts that you spend much time thinking about it. There are better things to do with your time.
  101. lvogelAugust 27, 2010 at 10:20 am
    True…but we should never stop caring.
  102. PetzAugust 27, 2010 at 11:16 am
    From the bottom of Petz heart…….thanks for your concern.
  103. john adamsAugust 28, 2010 at 4:38 am
    Anyone that believes kyle is the best QB out of the SCV knows less about sports than they do athletics! Pretty sure Joe kapp could play circles around Mr Boller
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