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March 31, 2011· scvtalk.com · WordPress (SCVTalk 3.0) · Wayback capture

March 31, 2011 – Daily Brief

By Jeff — Jeff Wilson

  • A public funeral & procession will be held today at 10:30 am for Spc. Rudy Acosta, who died in Afghanistan two weeks ago. The route starts in Canyon Country and winds its way through Valencia and Newhall before ending at Eternal Valley. Residents are encouraged to line the route and show support to the family. SIGNAL
  • Henry Mayo Hospital joins the Santa Clara River and Canyon Country library as places in the SCV where homeless people are found dead. Only this time it was a 50 year old woman who had complained of wrist pain and sat in the ER for hours SIGNAL, WRB
  • College of the Canyons students are facing a 30%+ hike in fees next fall as the community college system raises per unit charges to $36. If additional cuts are needed -or perhaps if there’s no budget deal in Sacramento- the Leigslative Analyst’s office says fees should go to $66 per unit. SIGNAL
  • Marsha McLean dishes out interesting SCV economic details to a group of real estate people. As recorded by the Signal’s new real estate columnist, Santa Clarita is seeing leases increase at industrial spaces, and the unemployment rate is going down. She also said the Disney Studios at the Ranch project -announced with much fanfare in 2009- will enter the design phase this summer SIGNAL
  • A new study out of Boston downplays the risk of the toxic perchlorate mineral, the same stuff that’s currently being cleaned out of the Whitaker Bermite site. Interesting factoid: the EPA says adults can handle perchlorate up to 245 parts per billion; at certain Whitaker Bermite “hot spots,” perchlorate rates are 60,000 parts per billion SIGNAL
  • A Santa Clarita man has been convicted of violating the Clean Air Act after he failed to provide proper asbestos protection to workers he employed to work on an apartment building he owned SF SUN
  • Roger Seaver at Henry Mayo hospital wants Dr. Gene Dorio to be disciplined for writing about personnel matters at the hospital WRB
  • Speaking of Sacramento, Assemblyman Cameron Smyth thinks the budget talks between Jerry Brown and Republicans are dead. His statement follows 53 Republican demands made last week that compelled Jerry Brown to end talks VECO STAR
  • Congressman McKeon has helped 13 freshmen Republican on his committee learn how to hustle K Street lobbyists for campaign cash POLITICO
  • Record high temperatures expected today LA TIMES
  • Albert Einstein School denied a charter for a fifth time by Ventura County Board of Education VECO STAR
  • Toyota Prii are in short supply due to the earthquake/tsunami in Japan just as gas prices are rising. And the quake has affected Honda and Subaru too. More Prii are sold in California than any other state says the LA TIMES
  • A shadow inventory of 1.8 million homes threatens to derail any real estate recovery, especially in California where the ‘shadow inventory’ has increased from a 15 month supply in January 2010 to a 16.8 month supply last month. LA TIMES
  • Sorry Santa Clarita, Google has chosen Kansas City, Kansas as the place it will build a 1 gigabit fiber network NY TIMES
  • Letter writer accuses the Saugus Union School District of being “selfish” and “short sighted” after its denial of a charter for the Albert Einstein school. LTE
  • Letter writer wants City to hang banners with the names of SCV soldiers and Marines currently serving. “When I think of Santa Clarita, I think of Lyons Avenue and old San Fernando Road on the Fourth of July. I have been curious as to why such a family-oriented city doesn’t acknowledge until one of ours is killed in action,” she writes. SIGNAL
  • Good old John Boston has a new take on SCV geography angst with a column that should be titled “You know you’re in Newhall/Valencia/Canyon Country when…..” WRB
  • So I Heart has his literature of the SCV series, but what about films in the SCV? John Boston has a good column on “Suddenly,” a Frank Sinatra picture filmed entirely in Newhall in 1954 about a team of hired killers who try to kill the president. And yes, Netflix has it and it’s available for live streaming, so why are you still here? Go watch it you SCV nerd! WRB

Comments

25 · as published
  1. NFICMarch 31, 2011 at 7:01 am
    It will be interesting to see if the Republicans are willing to continue to take the nuclear approach as they have so far on the State budget. The no new taxes mantra does get a bit tired (even though we would just be extending our current tax levys). What I particularly object to is the barrage of criticism without any concrete alternatives proposed (like specific cuts) or if there are alternatives, they are not practical. I just wish that both parties could work together to reach a concensus rather than acting like kids throwing sand at each other in the sandbox. Cameron Smyth is especially good at this and Buck is getting better with his criticism of Obama on Libya (didn’t hear a peep out of him when Bush entered into the disasterous and wasteful Iraq war). In my opinion, this partisianship has adversely effected the country more than some of the tax and spending policies. Regarding Mayo, Seaver sure doesn’t seem to like transparancy! He also seems to be stacking the deck. I was surprised Mayo was only a few notches below Holy Cross in the US News ratings. But don’t go there if you have a heart attack! Dr. Dorio is correct in his commentary on the insufficient number of OR’s versus rooms. The bed to OR ratio for Mayo is 74:1 if there are 3 OR’s and 55:1 if there are 4 OR’s. UCLA has a 27:1 ratio. Of course it is a bit harder to get into a bed there after surgery…
  2. PetzMarch 31, 2011 at 7:20 am
    Petz is madder than hell at Obama for plotting to raise gas prices in an effort to boost Chevy Volt sales which remain pathetically anemic. We are paying at the pump for his failed energy policies and America has rejected the Volt as an expensive novelty. Obama dismisses Drill Here Drill Now without explanation, yet flies down to Brazil to urge deep water drilling and with the promise that the US will be a good customer. It is ephemeral public policy based on hope, not strategic planning. You will find Petz on the SW corner of McBean/ Valencia for the funeral procession of Spc. Rudy Acosta.
  3. Venturan (NDMarch 31, 2011 at 9:50 am
    Hey Petz, the sum total of all the recent bailouts (including GM) pales in comparison to the Fannie/Freddie bailout – that’s the only thing providing any support to the housing industry, from which you and John Adams directly benefit. How many homes have you bought or sold that were sponsored by the Federal Government? I count you among those who benefit from Uncle Sam yet are so quick to point the finger. ps if hybrids/electric cars ain’t selling and folks aren’t slowing down, then gas is still cheap
  4. PetzApril 1, 2011 at 4:46 am
    Petz has had his eyes opened in both the mortgage and real estate industry to the long term damage done by government intervention in markets. When engaged in mortgage banking he saw “Republicans” making money using FHA/VA and GSE conduits. “If we can’t sell it, we don’t fund it” was the mantra. In real estate, Petz was shocked to find leadership in NAR singing out of the subsidy hymn book. They are worse than teachers unions-raising mandatory PAC dues with the funds ending up in the pockets of libs like Maxine Waters and Barney Frank. So Venturan-sitting in your beachside mansion smoking who knows what-commuting hundreds of miles each week while attacking those who advocate progressive positive change in public policy-you just have a very nice day-and invite old Petz out to the housewarming.
  5. MikeApril 1, 2011 at 8:50 am
    I would pay big money for a ND/Petz talk show.
  6. NateMarch 31, 2011 at 11:18 am
    Nate wants to know why Petz doesn’t blame OPEC?
  7. Phil EllisMarch 31, 2011 at 6:21 pm
    There is no oil shortage. Blame the traders. Anyone remember who rigged our electrical shortages?
  8. yourwebguruMarch 31, 2011 at 7:51 pm
    Enron rigged our electrical outages. Enron, a corporation who wasted no time manipulating an industry deregulated by the government. Enron, living the Libertarian dream of profit without accountability. Enron…Now defunct with its leaders either dead or in jail. What do I win?
  9. Venturan (NDMarch 31, 2011 at 7:57 pm
    Privatize the profits, socialize the losses. What ever the ‘free market’ once was, it will never be again. Technology, globalization and time have rendered that a quaint idea relegated to wikipedia articles, talk radio and bedtime stories.
  10. PetzApril 1, 2011 at 4:34 am
    And you forgot to mention that the boys at Enron underwrote PBS television for millions of dollars. They were the pride of the arts and crossiant crowd-oh yes, they were going to make the market in carbon credits. The Guru has met his match ! Is that burnt toast Petz smells?
  11. yourwebguruApril 1, 2011 at 11:36 am
    There you go comparing apples to oranges again, Petz. The fact that they underwrote anything has nothing to do with the despicable acts perpetrated by their greedy traders and fraudulent auditors. And what I’m smelling is still from phone recordings made by their traders to wit: “Burn baby, burn.”
  12. PetzApril 2, 2011 at 3:44 pm
    Surely the Webguru knows that the support of PBS by Enron was the equivalent of protection money paid to the mob. Same with GE today, Jeff Immelt serving at the behest of Obama, the 21st century version of National Socialism. GE rubs Obama’s back on MSNBC and NBC to get govt contracts for green energy contracts while funding a rehab at the Reagan Library. You cannot serve two masters.
  13. yourwebguruMarch 31, 2011 at 1:25 pm
    America, with exception of Mr. Petz’ father, proud owner of one Chevy Volt!
  14. PetzApril 1, 2011 at 4:30 am
    During the purchase process Petz engaged his father in several long discussions about the purchase and attempted to dissuade him. Unfortunately, 78 year old men do not respond to calls for rational decision making any better than 18 year olds. For my father, the car is a novelty that he could afford-and that he enjoys….so that does bring his son a degree of satisfation and joy.
  15. yourwebguruApril 1, 2011 at 11:33 am
    Your father has set a great example for future generations in embracing alternative fuel technologies. His dedication to a cleaner global environment is to be highly commended. Perhaps he and I should go bowling sometime. Sounds like we have a lot in common!
  16. PetzApril 1, 2011 at 11:56 am
    Next time you visit the Gerald R Ford Museum in Grand Rapids, MI …Petz will hook you up with his father ..so to speak.
  17. SaugushomeownerMarch 31, 2011 at 7:38 am
    SUSD did nothing selfish in denying AEA its charter. SUSD is having enough trouble managing the campuses it has on limited funds. They don’t have the time or money to oversee another campus. I mean geez, they can’t even can’t the calendar out for the next school year and we are basically in April already.
  18. localteachMarch 31, 2011 at 4:26 pm
    Agreed. The letter-writer also states that the school would have created jobs. However, it would have taken an equal number of jobs AWAY from the existing schools due to students who have left. I don’t WANT to work for Einstein. Perhaps the letter-writer should talk to teachers who have already lost their jobs or whose jobs are in danger prior to purporting to speak for us. While a few might be angry at losing a chance to work at Einstein, I’m pretty sure they’d be in the minority.
  19. spineflower2March 31, 2011 at 8:20 am
    ‘Pubs have shoiwn themselves to be as brainlessly obstructionist as the Dems have been on reforming our state finances. Looks to be backfiring on them this time. This gives the Dems the perfect opportunity to blame ‘Pubs for every draconian service cut that comes late this year. And then the ‘Pubs get to explain how they didn’t let people vote on their own taxes. On a state level, I am bipartisan. neither side has a clue or gives a damn on actually fixing the problem. I had high hopes this crisis would force meanigful talks and compromise, but partisanship has sunk the citizens yet again. Bad times ahead, and finger-pointing instead of problem-solving. Once again, the only alternative is to throw them all out next election.
  20. spineflower2March 31, 2011 at 8:22 am
    “Suddenly” is a rather poor movie, but seeing old Newhall and Saugus in the background makes it well worth it for any old timer. Hey, the Saugus Station was actually in Saugus, for heaven’s sake! Not sure, but I think the DVD may be on sale at the Hostrocial Society in the Saugus train Station in Newhall.
  21. Whiskey Tango FoxtrotMarch 31, 2011 at 8:33 am
    It looks like You Tube has “Suddenly” in full length. I’ll have to check it out.
  22. spineflower2March 31, 2011 at 7:58 pm
    Yeah, but the fun is seeing the detail in the background and pausing it frame by frame! Yeah, I’m sick. But you lose that in the tiny and lossy YouTube format.
  23. JayceMarch 31, 2011 at 9:29 am
    Jerry Brown should just say “I’m going to do what Reagan did to get us out of the mess California was in at that time and raise taxes at record levels”. Wouldn’t the Tea party people and repubs like that since Reagan is their hero? As long as he said “government is the problem” out of the side of his mouth at the same time right?
  24. JayceMarch 31, 2011 at 9:50 am
    Oh and I love how the Prius is always in short supply when gas prices go up. Gas is a finite resource it’s eventually going to be a lot higher in price. Why wait until it gets to that point before taking any kind of action? (like buying a gas sipping car) That’s rhetorical btw
  25. BrookMarch 31, 2011 at 10:56 am
    I will be along McBean for the funeral procession of Spc. Rudy Acosta too.
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