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March 8, 2011· scvtalk.com · WordPress (SCVTalk 3.0) · Wayback capture

March 8, 2011 – Daily Brief

By Jeff — Jeff Wilson

  • New group calling itself Santa Clarita Voters for Better Government launches website. Their main complaint seems to be with the library takeover. They’ve got a petition urging the City to reconsider its decision and say the best result might be a city-run library but that the city should proceed only after careful consideration SCVBG
  • The Great Blow of 2011 : I think last night’s winds were the most fierce I’ve experienced in these parts since I moved here in 1992. What a winter of extremes: snow, then sunny, calm skies last weekend and finally, hellwinds from the north (some were calling it Hurricane Charlie Sheen). Anyway the Times says a wind meter in Saugus recorded gusts of 59 mph last night LA TIMES
  • Must be nice: Assemblyman Smyth got free tickets to a Sacramento Kings game and newly-elected Senator Sharon Runner enjoyed free tickets to Disneyland. All that and more in the latest FPPC Report VECO STAR
  • The Sanitation fee increase linked to in yesterday’s Daily Brief isn’t being proposed to deal with excess chloride in the river, but rather is just meant to cover “everyday operational costs and improvements to water reclamation plants in Valencia and Saugus,” according to The Signal. The proposed $1.33/month increase ($16/annually, an 8% increase) will be voted on in May SIGNAL
  • Are you confused about what a Whittaker-Bermite is? Well be confused no longer. The City Briefs blog has posted a Flickr collection of the SCV’s gaping donut hole and amid the rolling, windswept hills there are shots of cleanup equipment and sweeping vistas of the SCV. Nice shots. CITY BRIEFS
  • Early 2010 Census Data shows that, contrary to popular belief, suburbs are doing just fine and indeed growing. Downtown cores grew only 3.2 percent from 2000 to 2010, but suburbs grew 21.7 percent. But critics say a better measurement of city vs suburb demand is housing costs; while suburbs remain affordable, prices in downtown areas are increasing BLOG
  • City Council meeting tonight: KHTS has a summary of what’s on the agenda
  • A little anticlimactic, but I’ll take it: two readers contacted the Signal saying they know the guy whose $15,000 in government bonds was found in a file cabinet in the river five years ago. The man lives in Santa Barbara but the Signal didn’t actually talk to him, only the unnamed reader did. Now that I think of it, I know a guy in Santa Barbara who is owed some money too. If you give me the money I’ll make sure it gets to him.SIGNAL
  • Canyon Country COC students are upset that no cell signals reach the campus, which is built on a hillside way up Sierra Highway way. They must suffer the indignity of using payphones until providers build cell infrastructure in the area. SIGNAL
  • Canyon Country man returning from work at 3am gets robbed by three men as he enters his home KHTS
  • The Santa Clarita Shakespeare Festival wants a more permanent presence further away from the freeway in Towsley Canyon, KHTS reports. They’re looking for volunteers and companies that would like to donate the use of construction equipment. I say we build an old Roman style amphitheater for the players back there, wouldn’t that be neat? KHTS
  • 19 year old COC student with autism finds a good friend in an old performing horse at the Gentle Barn animal rescue sanctuary. SIGNAL
  • The City is sponsoring a bus trip to the Getty museum in Malibu on March 19. Tickets are $30 for residents. KHTS
  • The California High Speed Rail blog makes the case for HSR by simply posting some charts of gas prices CHSR BLOG
  • Buck McKeon somewhat/kinda happy with Obama Administration for allowing trials to resume in Guantanamo Bay Cuba. USA TODAY
  • Diana Shaw’s column on the history of organized labor in the context of Wisconsin is a good read SIGNAL

Comments

40 · as published
  1. SeanMarch 8, 2011 at 8:40 am
    Two comments. When have Sacramento Kings tickets ever been a perk? Second, a Roman amphitheater would be very cool.
  2. NateMarch 8, 2011 at 9:53 am
    When the Kings play the Lakers?
  3. Mr PerezMarch 8, 2011 at 11:20 am
    Or when the Kings play the Bulls
  4. NateMarch 8, 2011 at 12:44 pm
    True. Rose is looking good
  5. Mr PerezMarch 8, 2011 at 4:47 pm
    Rose has always been looking good but the teamwork aspect is why they are #2 in the Eastern Conference. Their schedule is cake minus one game against the Celtics who they have beat already.
  6. Gang FangMarch 8, 2011 at 7:24 pm
    Sacramento Kings tickets would have been a perk in 2001 or so. Not at all now. (Side note: Lakers looking strong, Bulls looking great – but Lakers in a heartbeat. Sorry Mr. Perez.)
  7. Mr PerezMarch 9, 2011 at 11:24 am
    So you see the Lakers getting past the Spurs in a prolonged series? I mean individual games may or may not be an indicator, especially seeing that the Bulls have beat all top 5 teams this year. I didn’t pick the Bulls to get to the Championship and would be happy with major advances they have made so far.
  8. Leon WordenMarch 8, 2011 at 9:15 am
    Aargh. One of those days. To the brave person/people behind scvfbg.org (NOT) — way to go, hiding your identity behind a private domain registration. D. Shaw & the Associated Press — way to go, failing to mention that Scott Walker NEVER SAID he wanted to end collective bargaining over wages — only pensions & medical benefits. The NBC poll says people support collective bargaining FOR SALARY, which isn’t even an issue in Wisconsin. Duh. John Chiang — way to go, criticizing redevelopment agencies for failing to create jobs. Redevelopment agencies AREN’T SUPPOSED to create jobs. They’re supposed to cure blight. A couple of years ago the redevelopment agencies went to Sacramento and tried to get the Legislature to expand their purpose to include job creation — and the Legislature said no! J. Chiang either knows this and wants to deceive people, or he doesn’t know it and he’s an idiot.
  9. Your Web GuruMarch 8, 2011 at 9:54 am
    I think you’re being a bit hypercritical regarding the private domain registration. Allowing your name, address, phone number and email address to be seen by the world via public WHOIS opens the door for SPAM galore, not to mention the unscrupulous domain ripoff artists of the world. If the organization is still in the process of being setup with professional contact info, then the registrant would have to list his/her home or billing address to be seen by the world. That being said, the site itself is rather vague as to who’s behind it, which is more perturbing than not listing their WHOIS info.
  10. Lori RivasMarch 8, 2011 at 10:38 am
    The scvfbg.org is not purposefully vague, to my understanding. It is just new, and a convenient site for us to post the petition. I do not own the site, but I am one of the contributors to the wording of the petition. The other contributors are all local, concerned citizens. No hidden agenda, no private or public funding. We are all just giving our time and efforts to cause for which we feel passion. And before someone makes the accusation, no, the union is not behind the petition. Sign it, or don’t sign it, Leon. It’s not like we are changing policy behind closed doors, or giving tax money to an out of state business, or even pushing an agenda without public support. That would be the domain of the City government. I don’t remember the City publicly posting something so forthright, and then actually considering the will of the people.
  11. Leon WordenMarch 8, 2011 at 11:13 am
    Thanks for stepping forward, Lori. There are several ways to register a domain, and one way is to hide one’s identity purposefully. That was done in this case. Also didn’t see any names on the website itself.
  12. Lori RivasMarch 8, 2011 at 2:12 pm
    Truly, the petition was put together by an ad hoc committee, that spans the political and social spectrum. None of us has the intention of “hiding,” in fact, many of us are spreading the word of this petition through our contacts, and linking to the http://www.scvfbg.org site. Again, this was just a convenient website onto which we could post the petition and to which we could all link.
  13. Fed Up N SCVMarch 8, 2011 at 3:34 pm
    I looked at the site and I don’t see any reason for all the hub-bub about “who” it is. What difference does it make unless you just want to harass them? The website says they are a group of voterss in Santa Clarita who want better government. Who doesn’t?? I know I do.
  14. Leon WordenMarch 8, 2011 at 3:41 pm
    Fed — Oh. A bunch of altruistic people who have no political ambitions. I see.
  15. Lori RivasMarch 9, 2011 at 10:07 am
    Yes, Leon, a bunch of regular Joes who do not want to leave the County library system comprise the citizens who are organizing. Are you going to marginalize our voices, yet again? First, you did it with union bashing, now you are doing it by alleging secret political motivations. Why is it so difficult to accept that regular Santa Clarita citizens really do not want to leave the County library system? That regular citizens have genuine concerns about the process by which this was passed? Leon, again I say, sign the petition, or don’t sign it, but stop slamming those of us who are exercising our democratic freedoms. Get over it. Not everyone agrees with your POV, and it is not personal.
  16. Leon WordenMarch 9, 2011 at 10:12 am
    LOL Lori you’re too funny. “Get over it” — That’s the pot calling the kettle black! The decision to secede from COLA is made; it can’t be undone. It takes effect July 1. You want ME to get over it? Thanks for putting a smile on my face!
  17. Lori RivasMarch 9, 2011 at 10:48 am
    Yeah, now that I read your comment, it is pretty funny. You know what I meant though, right? I mean that it’s just not right to slam the opposition because they hold a different POV. You have to use facts for an argument, not just broadly categorize without base. Now I am laughing, too. Me, who is most decidedly “not over it.”
  18. Library Card Carrying BookreaderMarch 9, 2011 at 11:08 am
    You’re right. Anytime a government body does something we find disagreeable, we should just get over it. It’s the American way—right there in the Declaration of Independence. And the First Amendment says, “it is not the right of the people… to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” NOT! Get over it. Not everyone is going to shut-up and sit down when someone says,”The decision has been made.” Besides, it ain’t over…
  19. OccassionalPosterMarch 8, 2011 at 4:31 pm
    Leon: Walker’s proposal calls for the end of raises beyond the CPI without legislative approval by two-thirds of the legislature. In one way a punt to the legislature – walker doesn’t have to be the “decider.” However, the provision on compensation at the very least weakens the unions ability to perform its most basic function which is collective bargaining. Now, couple the wage provision with the provisions that call for a union recertification vote each year. The union would be automatically dissolved if the majority of workers in the union – not the majority of those casting votes – don’t vote in favor of re-certifying the union. Let me repeat. The union needs a majority of its members on a given day to vote in favor. Not just a majority of voters in a union certification election. These are the same tactics used by big box and this is union busting. But I know the AP is full of erudite liberals that have an agenda. Now let the unions are breaking the back of America argument begin. I will defeat those arguments with more “torpedoes of truth” (Charlie Sheen)
  20. Gang FangMarch 8, 2011 at 9:28 am
    Another reason to love Gentle Barn.
  21. NateMarch 8, 2011 at 9:54 am
    I had to read that twice, I thought you said “another reason to make love in Gentle Barn.”
  22. Gang FangMarch 8, 2011 at 7:22 pm
    Don’t knock it ’till you try it.
  23. navigatorMarch 8, 2011 at 9:33 am
    “The City is sponsoring a bus trip to the Getty Center on March 19. Tickets are $30 for residents” It’s not THE Getty museum it’s the villa in Malibu
  24. Mr PerezMarch 8, 2011 at 11:21 am
    Maybe after the visit they could coordinate a visit to Charlie and Alans abode in Malibu
  25. Jim FarleyMarch 8, 2011 at 12:23 pm
    Re: Great Blow 2011. The winds really were howling last night. I seem to remember our all time record gust(s) was on or about 10/22/2007. While wunnderground doesn’t show it for the day I’m pretty sure there were gusts of 100 mph. This was the day when many homes in the Camp Plenty area of CC burned down. I remember it as the winds were so strong they were sucking the heat from my BBQ as I was trying to do a batch of ribs for guests.
  26. lvogelMarch 8, 2011 at 2:44 pm
    It would only make sense that with increase in development (homes, offices, hospital, library, etc.) there would be an increase in fees in order to operate the sewage need within this valley. What kind of ‘input’ is the district board looking for from the citizens/residents? No, we don’t want our costs going up. Speaking of construction…..Does anyone know what’s going up on that little piece of land on the right of the southbound offramp on Lyons(next to Ihop)? It’s a small 2 story structure. Just curious
  27. GregmMarch 8, 2011 at 4:10 pm
    Going to be a 3-story office building
  28. ReaderMamaMarch 8, 2011 at 10:44 pm
    Someone posted that it is going to be an office building. I thought it was kind of an odd spot for offices myself …..
  29. ToddMarch 8, 2011 at 5:01 pm
    Get used to not knowing who is behind what movement…. With the unlimited capabilities of corporations s to contribute to campaigns now…. We’ll never gay any story straight. And you thought the swift boat vets were hard to figure out…..
  30. Whiskey Tango FoxtrotMarch 8, 2011 at 9:51 pm
    Glad to see Obama made the right call with regard to the Gitmo trails. Good for him.
  31. spineflower2March 9, 2011 at 8:34 am
    It would only make sense that with increase in development (homes, offices, hospital, library, etc.) there would be an increase in fees in order to operate the sewage need within this valley. Yes, but the County General Plan states that the costs of growth should be borne by those who profit from it, not by current residents. Examples like this treatment plant (and new roads and schools and water systems, and…) show this valley’s government (city and county) has failed to live up to that policy. Oh, and OVOV does nothing to stop this; in fact, it makes it worse.
  32. Lori RivasMarch 9, 2011 at 10:18 am
    Yeah, now that I read your comment, it is pretty funny. You know what I meant, though, right? I mean that it’s just not right to slam the opposition because they hold a different POV. You have to use facts for an argument, not just broadly categorizethe group without base. Now I am laughing too. Me, who is most decidedly “not over it.”
  33. Leon WordenMarch 9, 2011 at 10:28 am
    Hi Lori! I know (or at least I believe) that you’ve got some very valid points to make. Here’s how I see it: If what you want is — let’s call it “library service” — then you garble your own message when you continue to attack a decision that has already been made (i.e., who the library operator will be). When you attack a decision that has already been made, you’re perceived by those decision makers as bashing — and bashers fall on deaf ears. It’s human nature. If what you want is service, then fight for the service. The operator has been decided. The services haven’t. Just my two cents – worth every penny.
  34. JeffMarch 9, 2011 at 10:38 am
    Not that Lori needs any defense, but she and many others are arguing that the decision made on August 24th was illegitimate, rushed, and against the wishes of the public. I always appreciate your contributions and respect your opinion but I’ve got to say you’ve got an (understandable) anti-County bias that goes back decades Leon. Most folks who moved here in the last 20 years don’t. When regular SCVers interact with the County, it’s likely they’re interacting with the courts, the library, or the jury system. Of these three, the library is well-liked and filled with helpful, friendly people who assist their children in learning and reading. In other words, you let your anti-County bias override the concerns of people who have built up years of good relationships with the local libraries.
  35. Leon WordenMarch 9, 2011 at 10:43 am
    Jeff, I don’t know how to respond other than to say you’re frightfully wrong if you think I am motivated by an anti-county bias. I like local control exactly as much as our fine Supervisor Mike Antonovich likes local control. It’s our STATE government that I don’t particularly like.
  36. Lori RivasMarch 9, 2011 at 10:56 am
    I am fighting for service. I’ve attended and spoken at every library advisory committee meeting. I have met and am in consistent, respectful, mutual conversation with the City, expressing my concerns about the process, and advocating for the needs of homeschooling library patrons. And I am also fighting against going with LSSI. Plenty of political decisions can be reversed, or amended, or stayed, and this one is no different. Just because the Council has voted doesn’t mean that it is a done deal.
  37. Leon WordenMarch 9, 2011 at 10:35 am
    Oh, one more thing, Lori. I can’t tell you how many politically minded groups I’ve seen crop up over the decades. There is always an interest in knowing who is behind them. That will never change, and I’m not “slamming” anyone by asking. That said, I have a strong distaste for people who hide behind a veil of anonymity, be it on SCVtalk or anywhere else. My policy is, if you can’t or won’t stand behind your words by putting your name to them, don’t say them. =;->
  38. Mr PerezMarch 9, 2011 at 11:26 am
    High 5 to Mr Worden on being transparent!
  39. Eric HeilbrunMarch 9, 2011 at 12:53 pm
    I love transparency, which is why I am so dismayed with how the city is handling the library situation. I think the city COMPLETELY underestimated the resistance and felt that if the citizens of SC liked WHAT they were doing, they wouldn’t have to explain WHY and HOW they were doing it. The proverbial “ends justifying the means”, except in this situation, not everyone is thrilled with the ends. Cracks are forming and they’re not all within the LA County Library system.
  40. Berta González-HarperMarch 9, 2011 at 1:39 pm
    Well said Leon.
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