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February 4, 2011 – Daily Brief

By Jeff — Jeff Wilson

  • Hart District has “likely launched an investigation” into alleged conflicts of interests on the part of board member Gloria Mercado-Fortine, according to The Signal. The paper says the board has directed the new superintendent to look into it. At issue: whether a charter school Mercado-Fortine works with is connected at all with a separate charter school that does busliness with the District SIGNAL
  • An 18 year old unnamed drunk driver ran a red light, slammed into a car and injured two motorists on Soledad Canyon and Valley Circle drive Wednesday. The driver, whose blood alcohol levels were twice the legal limit, is in the pokey on $100k bail. SIGNAL
  • Bones found yesterday in a carpet in the Walker Ranch open area were canine, not human as initially reported SIGNAL
  • On the Agenda: Next Tuesday, the City Council will discuss changing the terms of its CalPers contributions for new employees (2.0% at 60 years instead of 2.7% at 55 years), adopting the massage parlor and the vehicle dealer overlay zone ordinance (prohibiting car sales outside of certain areas), and then, a big one: a first reading of a new non-commercial temporary sign ordinance that will impact how Council candidates can display their campaign signs. AGENDA
  • Everyone from the City’s traffic engineers to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety agrees: red light cameras reduce collisions at intersections where they are used. Here in the SCV, the Signal says red light related collisions at intersectiosn equipped with cameras have dropped 18% while collisions at intersections without cameras have dropped only 2% since 2006. SIGNAL
  • The US Economy added only 36,000 jobs in January, as weather impacted businesses nationwide. But the unemployment rate has fallen to 9.0% NY TIMES
  • JP Morgan Chase bank knew Bernie Maddoff’s investment fund was a Ponzi Scheme a full 18 months before the news broke. But they continued to invest their clients money with him. NY TIMES
  • Stockton California, along with Fresno, Modesto, Bakersfield and Sacramento made the top 20 list for the most miserable cities in the USA, according to Forbes. Stockton was #1. I think Sacramento is a fine city; what gives? LA TIMES
  • Andy Pattantyus, a Republican columnist for the Signal, presents a pretty compelling argument for why Jerry Brown’s plans to kill redevelopment agencies is good policy. Now what about Enterprise Zones? SIGNAL
  • Necessary Football post: So the Superbowl is this weekend. Who are you rooting for? Who’s going to win? And you know I can’t resist this: what makes football so great? Socialism! argues Bill Maher in an essay in which he likens football to socialism and baseball to robber-baron capitalism. Do discuss. LINK

Comments

57 · as published
  1. mikecFebruary 4, 2011 at 7:45 am
    The steelers will win!!!! War cupcakes!!!!!!
  2. NateFebruary 4, 2011 at 12:32 pm
    False.
  3. mikecFebruary 4, 2011 at 3:59 pm
    How dare you sir insult my “War cupcakes” post…. It is on…like Donkey Kong!!
  4. NateFebruary 4, 2011 at 4:48 pm
    You owe ninetendo a nickle and maybe a dime for that one and don’t think I won’t turn your steeler-liking-ass in!
  5. ReaderMamaFebruary 4, 2011 at 7:49 am
    The greatest thing about football is that it is almost over. The next best thing is that Mr. RM is going to a friend’s house to watch the big game on a big screen. Our TV will be blessedly football free on Sunday! As for baseball, it has got to be the biggest bore on the planet, next to golf.
  6. Joe GrandeFebruary 4, 2011 at 10:32 am
    Golf was invented to make baseball seem less boring.
  7. ScottEFebruary 4, 2011 at 8:11 am
    I like Sacramento. I’m from Sacramento. One of the best things ABOUT Sacramento, is that it sits between two of the best places in California: San Francisco and Lake Tahoe. Go Bears! Eh? Not in the Super Bowl? ,$@&€¥#%##! go packers *hangs head*
  8. Mr PerezFebruary 4, 2011 at 8:16 am
    As a fellow Bears fan, you can NEVER root for the Packers. Even if satan was the one playing them you would have to root for satan
  9. JayceFebruary 4, 2011 at 12:46 pm
    LOL!
  10. ScottEFebruary 4, 2011 at 1:24 pm
    Well that’s another problem … I ALWAYS root for Satan. (He’s got a wicked arm and the highest hail mary completion % of any QB)
  11. NateFebruary 4, 2011 at 12:33 pm
    #highfive for scott… #middlefinger for Mr. Perez
  12. Mr PerezFebruary 4, 2011 at 3:12 pm
    Sniff Sniff, I think I smell cheese!
  13. Mr PerezFebruary 4, 2011 at 3:15 pm
    And why are all the Repubs/ Tea Party people backing the Steelers? What a conundrum! I just won’t be watching it then since I can’t align with either side.
  14. MikeFebruary 4, 2011 at 3:51 pm
    IIRC, Rush is a big Steelers fan.
  15. Mr PerezFebruary 5, 2011 at 12:16 pm
    Here is a good article for you Scott that delves into why Bears fans cannot root for the Pack lol http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/grizzly-detail/Who-Should-Bears-Fans-Cheer-for-on-Sunday-115303669.html
  16. MikeFebruary 4, 2011 at 8:17 am
    Would Bunk & McNulty fall for that? Hey cops, go back to juking the stats.
  17. mikecFebruary 4, 2011 at 8:27 am
    I don’t think Bunk would…but McNulty might, if he thought it would serve a greater good! “You feel me? He got’s to be got!” ITS OMAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wire Season 2 the best ever!
  18. MikeFebruary 4, 2011 at 8:33 am
    If it’s Omar, it must have been an attack dog. He never puts his gun on a citizen.
  19. NateFebruary 4, 2011 at 12:34 pm
    watching season 2 now… after a stern scolding from the professor
  20. Bill ReynoldsFebruary 4, 2011 at 8:45 am
    My $$’s are on the Steelers!
  21. NateFebruary 4, 2011 at 12:35 pm
    I will take that bet.
  22. Mr PerezFebruary 4, 2011 at 3:18 pm
    Loser has to parade around in front of city hall…..in a speedo, that’s all.
  23. Bill ReynoldsFebruary 4, 2011 at 5:17 pm
    Las Vegas has the Steelers M/L at +130 so can you match that, Nate?
  24. John AdamsFebruary 5, 2011 at 6:52 am
    Since I do not have a strong feeling either way in the game. I decided to bet the total. Bet over 44.5 Then I took some prop bets if the point total is between (61-64.5) I get 14 to 1. If it is between (64.5-68) I get 35 to 1. Now if it comes in between (68-73) I get 65 to 1. Please let the game be a shootout!
  25. ReaderMamaFebruary 6, 2011 at 7:12 pm
    Looks like you lost . . .
  26. John AdamsFebruary 7, 2011 at 6:06 am
    You must not have watched the game? The game went over! But I am sure you are on the thimble rule when it comes to football.
  27. Jim FarleyFebruary 4, 2011 at 8:55 am
    Football vs Baseball? George Carlin said it best in his comparison of football to ‘prissy’ baseball. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=om_yq4L3M_I
  28. Jim FarleyFebruary 4, 2011 at 9:02 am
    Re: Red light camera tickets. The Signal article also says there are other ways to make intersections safer such as longer yellow light times. I’ve heard the Newhall Ranch Rd/McBeane left turn yellow ticket is unfair due to a very short yellow time not allowing the vehicle to clear the intersection before the red. My wife got a ticket here but didn’t take my suggestion to fight it. Has anyone successfully used any of the online red light ticket fighting services to successfully fight a red light ticket? Here’s one of several available: http://www.2fixyourtrafficticket.com/red-light-camera-ticket.html
  29. Linda SFebruary 4, 2011 at 9:15 am
    I got a ticket at that intersection too. I requested info from the City and they provided me yellow light timing info. While the Signal article didnt mention it, the City actually programs its yellow lights longer than the State minimum. I also found out that you only get a ticket if you cross the white line after the light turned red. So if you enter the intersection on yellow and the light turns red and you’re still in the intersection you’re okay. That is what a city staff member explained to me since they said the sensors that trigger the cameras are located behind the crosswalks.
  30. NickelDimeFebruary 4, 2011 at 9:33 am
    Regarding Yellow Light timing… Scroll to “ Defect #2
  31. Jim FarleyFebruary 4, 2011 at 10:11 am
    This is indeed a great site and I had already bookmarked it as well. In Defect #9C “Churning” it specifically lists Santa Clarita as a violator relating to left turn tickets. It says our yellow time needs to be longer due to the higher speed limits and the long length of the left turn pockets. Me thinks left turn tickets could be successfully challenged.
  32. NickelDimeFebruary 4, 2011 at 9:30 am
    So far, this is the best website I’ve found on the internets for red light camera defense: Highway Robbery — scroll down to “Defects” for most/all of what’s contained in bogus paid materials. The format leaves a lot to be desired but the content is precious. Defect #10 specifically cites the City of Santa Clarita, BTW, for being in violation of Vehicle Code Section 21455.5(g), which prohibits “pay per ticket”/cost neutral contracts. BOOKMARK THAT SITE! You never know.
  33. JayceFebruary 4, 2011 at 12:53 pm
    Best way to fight it is to actually slowdown and stop when it’s yellow
  34. ReaderMamaFebruary 4, 2011 at 2:59 pm
    That’s what I do, Jayce . . . much to the annoyance of those behind me!
  35. TylerFebruary 4, 2011 at 5:42 pm
    I don’t have to worry. My plates are private. But I do stop though.
  36. Alan FerdmanFebruary 4, 2011 at 9:05 am
    Traffic Cameras? Whites and Soledad is a very busy intersection. Traffic Cameras have definitely helped manage that intersection. From that perspective, they have my vote.
  37. Alan FerdmanFebruary 4, 2011 at 10:29 am
    Jim F Very interesting posts. I was not aware there was that much controversy.
  38. NickelDimeFebruary 4, 2011 at 12:26 pm
    Hi Al, I didn’t either, until my wife got a ticket.
  39. Jim FarleyFebruary 4, 2011 at 2:11 pm
    Did you and/or your wife fight it on line ND?
  40. NickelDimeFebruary 5, 2011 at 9:00 am
    No, in person. The cam was in SFV, and there were at least two defects. Judge dismissed.
  41. MikeFebruary 5, 2011 at 9:03 am
    Important thing to remember when it comes to these tickets: STOP SNITCHIN’
  42. Alan FerdmanFebruary 4, 2011 at 2:32 pm
    Hi ND I can see why that got your attention. Now you and Jim have my attention also. Read SCVTalk and I learn something new every day.
  43. SamFebruary 4, 2011 at 10:18 am
    Does anybody know if Emmaus Park is a new city park?
  44. CalimanFebruary 4, 2011 at 11:04 am
    No, that is not owned by the City but a private company. Second it is not a park but, a dirt field.
  45. ToddFebruary 5, 2011 at 4:49 pm
    Isn’t its main purpose as a PARKing lot during Cowboy Festival???
  46. PetzFebruary 4, 2011 at 11:31 am
    Everyone forgets that Gloria Mercado -Fortine recussed herself on the Einstein Academy Charter School vote . She should avoid potential conflicts of interest by resigning from the Hart Board. This is a needless distraction and she cannot serve two masters. Petz does not care about the game as long as the score is Packers X4 – Steelers X0
  47. Jim FarleyFebruary 4, 2011 at 12:27 pm
    I’m shocked, shocked, to find out that gambling is going on here!
  48. NateFebruary 4, 2011 at 12:37 pm
    Packers 104 – Steelers 0
  49. Bill ReynoldsFebruary 4, 2011 at 5:18 pm
    I’ll take that bet.
  50. PetzFebruary 4, 2011 at 6:56 pm
    Whatever works.
  51. John AdamsFebruary 5, 2011 at 7:13 am
    We should all be happy that the Pack beat Steelers. It saved us hundreds of millions of dollars. You ask how? Easy! Obama said he would attend Super Bowl if Bears got there. Add up how much that trip would have cost us.
  52. Mr PerezFebruary 5, 2011 at 9:57 am
    *when the Fudge Pack beat the Bears(that made me cringe writing and reliving And the McCaskey’s and Jerry Jones could’ve funded his trip. Either way, he’s going to probably go watch our Bulls in the playoffs, hopefully stomping a mud hole in the Heat or Magic.
  53. Gang FangFebruary 6, 2011 at 7:35 am
    Love watching me some Bulls, but no way they make it past the first round.
  54. SFC PerezFebruary 6, 2011 at 9:44 am
    Alot hinges on how Noah performs when he gets back and who they get in the playoffs. They are virtually unstoppable at home. I think the Celtics and Spurs are gonna be tough to beat this year and Lakers dont look to repeat.
  55. PetzFebruary 6, 2011 at 8:25 pm
    Petz was in the money at the end of the first quarter !
  56. drive66February 4, 2011 at 2:24 pm
    The Lobsta Truck was in Burbank today and it was AWESOME!!!!!!! I would highly recommend it.
  57. Mr PerezFebruary 5, 2011 at 12:48 pm
    I didnt see anything on their schedule for the SCV so may have to go travel to them, looks muy good.
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