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October 8, 2010· scvtalk.com · WordPress (SCVTalk 3.0) · Wayback capture

October 8, 2010 – Daily Brief

By Jeff — Jeff Wilson

  • Facing penalties for running buses late and less operational hours than they expected, MV Transportation -the City’s transit contractor- says its having money problems and it hopes the Teamsters union representing its drivers will be flexible with their time and pay. A strike is a “whispered” possibility. SIGNAL
  • One pickup truck driver “perceives” being tailgated by another pickup truck driver on Newhall Ranch Road, words/unpleasantries are exchanged, and eventually the drivers pull over to hash it out. Driver A grabs a crowbar and proceeds to hit female passenger of Driver B’s truck with it in the head, then leaves the scene. The road rage incident cost the driver $30,000 in bail money and he’s facing assault charges. Is it time to spike our water with Valium yet? KHTS
  • Amgen Tour of California coming to the SCV : The Signal and KHTS both have a report. From what I can determine, the route will start in Valencia (likely Town Center, where it started in 2009) and go west on Highway 126 to Guiberson and then climb up Balcom Canyon on its way to Thousand Oaks. So the only road closures will be on the west side of town. SIGNAL, KHTS
  • And yes, for the complainers, of which this town has many, this is a good thing for Santa Clarita. Just look at how Santa Rosa is whining that they didn’t get selected for a stage start/finish SR PRESS DEMOCRAT
  • Justice: An LAPD Metro officer who hit two people with his car after drinking at Mabel’s bar in Saugus about 3 years ago has been convicted of two charges of leaving the scene of an accident and causing bodily harm and may face up to 6 years in prison KHTS
  • Graphic testimony in Michael Stephens murder trial SIGNAL
  • Wow, the SCV Chamber of Commerce actually invited a Democrat (and a Republican) to talk about ballot initiatives, the economy, and the political climate at a recent Chamber luncheon. Interesting article SIGNAL
  • At Tuesday’s planning commission meeting, City Planner Jason Smisko told the commissioners and crowd that the city is actually under-built when it comes to commercial and office properties. More commercial properties equals more jobs, or so the theory goes. Good report KHTS
  • The 29 year old woman who was killed while riding her motorcycle at 70-75 mph in the Commerce Center a week ago was a popular local life coach and Valencia High and CSUN grad. Tributes have poured into KHTS
  • Whoa: Buck McKeon sent a letter to the Pentagon “wondering if President Obama will send more US troops” to Afghanistan. McKeon says a lack of troops may be harming the war effort, such that it is. Obama just sent 30,000 more troops there last year, a decision McKeon applauded.  Time’s Mark Thompson writes of that in the context of our 9 year old war which has killed 1,300+ Americans (several from this valley) and cost over $350 billion TIME MAG
  • I suppose there’s one good piece of news if Republicans take back the House this fall: Currently Northern California representatives wields a lot of power in the House, but if the GOP gets back to power, Southern Californians will have more committee chairs and such. The ROSE INSTITUTE runs through the possibilities
  • Since the start of her primary campaign, Meg Whitman has spent nearly $10,000 per hour trying to become California’s next governor SAC BEE
  • And yet, it’s still not enough: Chris Lim of Tea Party SCV doesn’t think Meg passes the conservative purity test, so he’s going to vote his conscience. TEA PARTY SCV
  • Speaking of Tea Party, I found a new Tea Party blog that’s managed by someone in the SCV. Restoring Patriotism.com promises to help your patriotism cup overfloweth, and today’s post is about how Progressives have infiltrated the English language RESTORING PATRIOTISM
  • People actually write to the Signal to complain about its weather charts? No wait. People actually wait for the Signal to publish weather details, and when they find such details lacking, they take the time to write a complaint letter? Have they never heard of the internet tubes? Editor Lila Littlejohn gives you more than you ever wanted to know about local weather reporting SIGNAL
  • Los Angeles is experimenting this weekend with Ciclavia, an event in which the City will shut down several major streets and allow the public to come out and, well, do stuff on the streets without fear of being hit by cars or buses. Wouldn’t it be cool to have an event like that here? LA TIMES
  • John Boston’s Time Ranger column this week tells a tale of a rabid motorcycle gang that scuffled with Deputies way up Acton way, then, when the Deputies had made their arrests, the motorcyclists followed them all the way back down Soledad Canyon. Read more to find out what happened next WRB

Comments (43)

  1. mikeOctober 8, 2010 at 7:13 am
    Ridiculous: Signal shuns Jeff Wilson from the 51 most influential, but includes such luminaries as the publishers out the “Magazine” of Santa Clarita, which is nothing but a saddle-stiched heap of junk mail.
  2. ScottEOctober 8, 2010 at 7:18 am
    Inconceivable! (No seriously)
  3. cashOctober 8, 2010 at 7:48 am
    Jeff is not a good ole boy. Remember he is a young dude with an opinion that is not persuaded by the self proclaimed city leaders. The 51 is a joke and an embarrassment anyway. Jeff is a top 10er to me.
  4. Gang FangOctober 8, 2010 at 8:51 am
    The “Magazine” of Santa Clarita makes great kindling for campfires. Other than that, it’s a massive joke/scam/mailbox stuffer.
  5. SamOctober 8, 2010 at 8:58 am
    I can always count on them to get my Weber charcoal BBQ started.
  6. MikeOctober 8, 2010 at 9:13 am
    Yes, indeed. My favorite chimney starter. “Ashes of Flemmings”
  7. IHeartSCVOctober 8, 2010 at 9:45 am
    “Ashes of Flemings” LOL!!!
  8. cashOctober 9, 2010 at 8:05 am
    I wonder how many votes are cast for each winner. This top 51 business is a joke. The same crowd voting for the same narcissistic people.
  9. john adamsOctober 9, 2010 at 5:40 am
    LOL! I have never really understood the dislike of the Flemmings? No other couple in the community gives back as much in time and money as they do. Every Charity function I went to they were the big spenders.(Silent Auction, Live auction, wine purchase etc..) Every time they are called and asked to give they say YES without hesitation. Is it just jealousy or a dislike of their self promotion? Seems to be way better targets to go after in Awesometown
  10. cashOctober 9, 2010 at 8:11 am
    Writes off every donation as a business expense. Pockets became almost empty when his car sales slumped. Besides, most donations are in the form of gifts to the wife. It would be intersting to see how a take audit would view these donations/ gift giving. The donations buy influnce within the community and this is clear. I have seem them in action many times.
  11. john adamsOctober 9, 2010 at 8:25 am
    Sure it is easy to slam giving as a tax write off. But that argument has always seemed childish to me? It would seem everyone has the same opportunity to write items off but can’t seem to find the arm strength to pull it out of their pocket. Can you say Joe Biden? Everyone has cash, Cash
  12. cashOctober 10, 2010 at 9:11 am
    It is not OK to buy your wife a diamond necklace for her birthday at a charity, and then write off the purchase as a donation and business expense. That is the point John Adams. Some of us make cash donations to charity and these are legit. Our local car delears are clever at buying influence and selling cars.
  13. mikeOctober 9, 2010 at 8:23 am
    Forgive John. He speaks as though Santa Clarita is as it was in 2004.
  14. john adamsOctober 9, 2010 at 8:34 am
    I would be willing to bet that if we added up Mike, Jeff and Cash’s charitable community giving and times it by 200 it would not reach the Flemmings. Couldn’t say the same thing about income
  15. mikeOctober 9, 2010 at 8:41 am
    John, my point is that you are talking about a different time. They aren’t around nearly as much as they were back in the day — except in the pages of the Mag of SCV.
  16. john adamsOctober 9, 2010 at 9:02 am
    oh yeah I see what you mean. http://www.the-signal.com/section/46/article/32439/ http://westranchbeacon.com/blog/2010/10/eves-wine-101-what-you-missed-at-the-3rd-annual-art-and-wine-gala/ http://www.insidescv.com/scoop.php?id=596
  17. mikeOctober 9, 2010 at 9:32 am
    AMAZING! One legit thing, Bossert’s thing and a thing from 2007.
  18. john adamsOctober 9, 2010 at 9:41 am
    Do you want me to get more? LOL! The one legit thing was honoring their record of giving. Tell you what give me all the links for you jeff and cash and we will compare
  19. cashOctober 10, 2010 at 9:21 am
    John Adams, seems that these member of the top 51 list have out smarted you too. When I see the big guy make a personal cash donation I’ll be impressed. Winning the bid for a trip to Hawaii and writing it off as a business expense, in the form of a donation to a local foundation, would probably not pass the smell test. Gets good press though!
  20. ReaderMamaOctober 9, 2010 at 12:27 pm
    When the time donated is spent writing checks, throwing parties and posing for pictures, there is some natural resentment generated. Plenty of people give back to their community in quiet ways that are never publicized and for which they receive no tax write off. Many volunteer at homeless shelters, animal rescue organizations, food pantries, hospitals and elementary schools and never receive any sort of recognition. While it is laudible that those who have copious amounts of free time and money are willing to part with some of it, the real test of generosity is not how many dollars you give but whether you are willing to give without any expectation of return.
  21. lvogelOctober 9, 2010 at 12:59 pm
    wonderfully put, ReaderMama
  22. john adamsOctober 9, 2010 at 2:11 pm
    Copious amounts of free time? Oh yeah those rich people got there by having lots of free time. Wonder who puts in more days of work per year, the Fleming’s or a santa clarita educators 184 days? We better not go there
  23. ReaderMamaOctober 9, 2010 at 3:08 pm
    You’re right, John. I’m sure the Flemings are out on the lot right now, selling cars and changing spark plugs. And it’s hard to do while supervising those yappy little dogs! Maybe they need a butler . . . .
  24. john adamsOctober 9, 2010 at 3:40 pm
    You may want to call the store. I bet you will be suprised. They didn’t get where they are in the world working 184 days a year
  25. cashOctober 10, 2010 at 9:26 am
    It is unfortunate the money spent for the Amgen tour was not used to support the charities you mentioned above. If the top 51 would get behind those charities, like they do other charities in this city, things would improve. Unfortunately these charities are not the see and be seen opportunites others offer..
  26. Samuel AdamsOctober 8, 2010 at 2:05 pm
    The Magazine of Santa Clarita is simply a monthly phone book, boring….The copy is all paid for and written by the advertisers. Does anyone but the businesses themselves actually read this thing?
  27. Tim MyersOctober 8, 2010 at 7:47 am
    On the weather reporting: Those complainst MUST come from a certain demographic that punctuates every sentence with “by cracky” and needs those kids to “get off my lawn!!!”
  28. ReaderMamaOctober 8, 2010 at 9:01 am
    While I have not written or called the Signal to complain about their weather forecasting, it is the subject of much derision in our house. Several days in advance of the last heat wave, the weather people on TV were telling us to brace for triple digit temps. The day it all started, the Signal was telling us it was going to be 93 degrees. And that temperature forecast didn’t budge at all during the course of that 3 or 4 day hot spell. There are some mornings when one is in a rush that it would be nice to be able to look at the little weather box in the paper and rely on it for accurate information, but alas that is not to be in Awesometown, by cracky!
  29. OlenkaOctober 8, 2010 at 9:17 am
    People also send in letters complaining on comics and bridge… you know… the essentials of a newspaper.
  30. cashOctober 8, 2010 at 7:49 am
    Last Updated Monday, Jul 26 2010 07:42 PM Let’s do it again. That’s the attitude organizers are taking as they prepare to submit a bid for Bakersfield to once again play host city to the Amgen Tour of California. Stage 5 of the tour finished in front of Bakersfield College on May 20 with an estimated crowd of 15,000 cheering the cyclists and television coverage putting a spotlight on the city. Bakersfield Convention & Visitors Bureau manager Don Cohen, a member of the local organizing committee to bring the race back, said it couldn’t have gone any better. He’s hoping sponsors will help raise a total of about $200,000 to show Amgen they’re serious about their bid for a stage on next year’s tour. The money is needed to house the cyclists and their entourage, rent venues and equipment, pay for police and emergency services and other associated costs. It’s difficult to say how much money the event brought to Bakersfield, but Cohen said they never represented it as a tremendous financial boon to the city. “When we suggested bringing it to Bakersfield this year, we sold it specifically as an image-building event and it delivered on that,” Cohen said. The committee is going to ask that Bakersfield be considered to host both the start and finish of a stage. Cohen put their chances at repeating as a host city at 50-50. But judging by AEG spokesman Michael Roth’s reaction, the odds may be better than that. AEG is in charge of the race. “Our experience in Bakersfield was exceptional,” Roth said. Several factors, including a city’s past performance, how the city geographically fits into the route, scenic elements and overall participation of residents play a role in which cities get picked, Roth said. The route changes every year and only two cities, Santa Rosa and San Jose, have been part of the tour each year. “We change the route every year to introduce the tour to new fans, and also to introduce new course challenges to the riders,” Roth said. Host cities will be announced in the fall. The tour is the largest cycling event in the United States. It’s scheduled to take place from May 15-22 in 2011. You can decide what Santa Clarita paid!!!!!!!!!!
  31. PoliticoOctober 8, 2010 at 2:20 pm
    Bakersfield!!!! Always trying to be something it isn’t!!
  32. MoneyOctober 8, 2010 at 8:50 am
    Give it a rest, cash.
  33. cashOctober 8, 2010 at 10:26 am
    With increasing cost, who would bring Amgen Tour of California back to Santa Cruz? Posted on: Thu, 09 Sep 2010 06:06:14 EDT Symbols: AMGN Email to friend Print Add This RSS Feed Font size: A A A SANTA CRUZ, Sep 09, 2010 (Santa Cruz Sentinel – McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) — A top official with the Amgen Tour of California, which has visited Santa Cruz the past two years, said Wednesday that the race can’t lower its financial demands on host cities because the tour itself is still pedaling uphill to break even. Michael Roth, vice president of communications for the Los Angeles-based sports and entertainment firm AEG, said the 5-year-old race is losing between $1 million and $2 million annually as revenues from sponsorships and TV rights fail to cover “logistical and infrastructure” costs associated with the eight-day race. “The last few years have not exactly been the most advantageous time,” Roth said. “It always takes several years to launch events. We believe in it and believe it will ultimately break even.” The increasing cost to cities for hosting a stage finish, estimated by local officials to exceed $200,000 for 2011′s race, was a key reason Santa Cruz pulled out of contention before the application deadline in mid-August. The city of Capitola, which also has struggled to chart a funding and operational plan, also passed on hosting the event last week after tour officials contacted the city shortly after Santa Cruz dropped out. Losing a county connection to the nation’s premier cycling event, which has attracted Lance Armstrong and other world-class riders, has raised a number of questions, including the effect on tour planning. Santa Cruz provided the only coastal finish last year. Roth declined to discuss the bow-outs by Santa Cruz and Capitola, but in general, he said, he was unaware of any decisions by potential host cities jeopardizing route planning. “We always have a wish list of cities, particular cities we hope will apply to be host cities,” Roth said. “Several times in the last five years we have had to adjust our plans because of different factors coming from cities not bidding. I wouldn’t say our route has ever been adversely affected by a particular city declining.” Another unanswered question is, who might organize any future bid to bring the race back if local cities are too cash-strapped to take a gamble on fundraising? The local organizing committee’s former chairman, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk concessionaire Matt Twisselman, said he doesn’t know of any group or organization stepping up. However, he said ,there has been talk of launching a fundraising event next year for a 2012 bid. Twisselman and others have wondered whether the county’s tourism agency, the Conference and Visitors Council, should be the rallying point, much as tourism or sports commissions in other cities have been. In 2009, the visitors council provided staff for support, but reduced its involvement this year to inclusion of the race in its marketing campaigns. The organization turned down Capitola’s request for financial help with a 2011 bid. Director Maggie Ivy said the race, while providing one day of international exposure, isn’t a wise investment because it has twice failed to generate a significant number of overnight stays at local hotels. She said her agency, with six full-time staff members, isn’t equipped to provide operational support. “It was evident that it was a great community event, but room nights did not materialize,” she said. “From the CVC’s perspective, it doesn’t make sense for us to provide financial contributions for operational expenses for the event.” The agency expects to nearly double its marketing budget this year thanks to a new Tourism Marketing District that adds a new fee of $1 to $1.50 to nearly every hotel stay in the county. Ivy said 70 percent of the new funding, estimated at $1.1 million annually, will be used to attract overnight guests largely from the San Francisco Bay Area, Sacramento and the Central Valley. But Twisselman, a former visitors council board member, said he believes the Tour of California burnishes Santa Cruz’s image as a recreational sporting destination, an identity he believes is important to highlight regardless of whether visitors stay overnight. “The active leisure industry isn’t represented very well,” he said. Somebody needs to take it on. I truly believe it’s not the city of Santa Cruz’s responsibility to host the race. If it’s not the city of Santa Cruz, it would be more appropriate that the CVC takes it on.” Mo McElroy, executive director of the Santa Rosa Convention and Visitors Bureau, sympathizes with Ivy. McElroy, who has been a primary organizer of her city’s participation in the Tour of California for five years, said Santa Rosa hotels grew from 40 to 90 percent occupancy over a two-day period during the race in May. But the bump wasn’t enough to justify spending a quarter of her time organizing the race’s visit, and she has asked other supporters to pick up more responsibilities if Santa Rosa gets the race again. “It has been a definite pressure that comes into my office when it’s about the tour and whether we get it,” she said. “I have actually pulled back because it was so much work.” Meanwhile, Paul Krutko, San Jose’s chief development officer, said Wednesday his city expects to host a stage finish now that Santa Cruz is out of the running. San Jose has hosted a downtown starting line for the last two years, an event that draws far less attention than a finish. “It would be the reason you wouldn’t see the Tour of California come back,” said Krutko, also co-chairman of the race’s local organizing committee. “We deserve the respect” of being awarded a finish. “We’ve earned it.”
  34. SCVKickstandOctober 8, 2010 at 10:42 am
    I think cash may be on to something here. I love the ATOC (and my apartments get blocked off every time) and am thrilled to see it back in Stanta Clarita, but I think I would like to see what it is actually costing us.
  35. ToddOctober 8, 2010 at 2:08 pm
    IIRC, last year we had it, the the projected revenues exceeded the costs. Something like we paid $500K and expected over $1MM in revenues. But I could be way off on those figures. I know the year it rained they said that the turnout was bigtime affected by the rain, and as a result, revenues were down… Regardless, I think its a good event to have, and so long as the expenses aren’t out pacing revenues 10:1, I’m pretty ok with it. Remember, long term publicity can’t be instantly recaputred as a dollar figure.
  36. cashOctober 8, 2010 at 4:56 pm
    Revenue does not cover taxpayer cost for the event. The tax on the revenue goes to the city coffer. I beleive the state tax rate is 9.75% but the city does not recieve all 9.75%, I think the city recieves about 3% (let’s use that number for the sake of this argument). Do the math, a million dollars in revenue only pays back the city $30K in the form of taxes. If you are suggesting the $1,000,000 is paid to the city in the form of taxes, the event would need to bring in many many millions. This event does nothing more than make a small percent of the community feel good and it helps business feel great at taxpayer expense. Unless of course the business community is kicking in to cover the bid to host the event. Yeah right Cash! Are you off of your meds again?
  37. Bill ReynoldsOctober 8, 2010 at 2:53 pm
    Free advice for Master Blogger Jeffrey: If it’s really important to you, move to the center, dump your liberal clique and then just maybe you’ll make the “51″. }
  38. Street KnowledgeOctober 8, 2010 at 2:55 pm
    The real 51 would recognize Thomas Dierckman. No doubt.
  39. Tim MyersOctober 8, 2010 at 3:06 pm
    On the 51: Can someone explain to me why the corporate nasty website filter (that denies access to sex, marijuana and gun websites) won’t let me view the 51 nominees?
  40. Street KnowledgeOctober 8, 2010 at 3:19 pm
    Two words: Brian Koegle
  41. Bill ReynoldsOctober 8, 2010 at 5:24 pm
    Because your last column was even more of a flop than usual…
  42. john adamsOctober 9, 2010 at 9:07 am
    23 Days, 20 Hours, 53 Minutes, 22 Seconds.
  43. Gang FangOctober 10, 2010 at 7:47 pm
    Hahahahahahahaha…..and it’s all gonna change just like that – POOF!

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