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April 6, 2011· scvtalk.com · WordPress (SCVTalk 3.0) · Wayback capture

April 6, 2011 – Daily Brief

By Jeff — Jeff Wilson

  • A 57 year old woman allegedly attempted to run over a 7 year old girl who was walking her dog near the woman’s home on Monday. The woman was parked in her SUV in her driveway and left skid marks as the child walked by. Neighbors say the woman is often ornery and most disagreeable and children in the Castaic neighborhood applauded and cheered when Deputies showed up to arrest her. SIGNAL
  • And in Canyon Country on Tuesday, one man assaulted an off-duty police officer following a vehicle collision. SIGNAL
  • The Rabbi behind the Albert Einstein Elementary school seems to have given up hope of opening an elementary charter school in Santa Clarita, telling the Jewish Journal that he and a group of parents will “open a school [in Ventura], the question is the timetable.” JEWISH JOURNAL
  • With the Sierra snowpack at 165 percent of normal and state reservoirs enjoying 100+ percent capacity, Governor Jerry Brown says California’s long drought is officially over. But local sanitation officials say that doesn’t get the SCV off the chloride hook; the SCV needs to stop salting Ventura’s earth, one way or another SIGNAL
  • A “noted UCLA Economist” will speak at a North County economic and real estate conference this month at the Hyatt. Tickets are $125 though KHTS
  • College of the Canyons has a higher retention rate (students actually completing courses) and a higher “success rate” (not defined) than other area community colleges according to a review of state data SIGNAL
  • Congressman Buck McKeon agrees with John Boehner that if the federal government shuts down due to lack of a budget, Democrats will win in the public’s mind. Recall that McKeon was just a young Congressional Buck in 1995, the last time the Republicans successfully made good on their claims that government doesn’t work. POLITICO
  • Meanwhile, the New York Times has a story predicting what a government shutdown would look like. For one thing, the IRS may not issue tax refunds. NY TIMES
  • The San Francisco Giants fan who was brutally assaulted following a Dodgers game at Dodger stadium sent a text message to relatives saying he feared for his safety while at Dodger Stadium. So that settles it- LA Raiders fans have simply transformed into Dodger Fans? LA TIMES
  • Another Alaskan storm is headed our way. Rain could start falling tomorrow and last until Saturday LA TIMES
  • Naturalist Wendy Langhans explores free loaders, parasites and mutually-beneficial organisms in local wooded areas KHTS
  • Gary Horton has a really good piece if uncomfortable piece that asks us to examine our feelings about homelessness in the wake of the woman who ended up dead while resting at Mayo’s ER. There have been several other recent deaths of homeless people in the SCV lately as well SIGNAL

Comments (33)

  1. MikeApril 6, 2011 at 7:31 am
    I am embarrassed as a Dodger fan, but the key distinction is that in addition to being poor hosts, Raider fans would beat up each other.
  2. CCApril 6, 2011 at 8:56 am
    If for no other reason than to get Raider’s fans out of Dodgers Stadium, I support a football team in LA.
  3. Timothy Myers SR.April 6, 2011 at 9:02 am
    Kudos to COC for the excellent results, but also for providing meaningful comparisons with Antelope Valley, Pasadena and Ventura County community colleges rather than the intellectually lazy practice of the Hart District annual comparisons to state and county averages. By the way, “Success” rate means students that stayed in the course received a passing grade so actually earned the credit. Also shocked to find out that COC produces nearly twice as many hours as the three campus system (Moorpark, Oxnard and Ventura) of Ventura County.
  4. Alan FerdmanApril 6, 2011 at 9:20 am
    Gary Horton’s commentary “It could be any of us” seems to encompass two major issues. While Gary pleads a case for more homeless services, he minimally addresses the other half of the issue. A question which seriously needs to be addressed is, how does someone die in an emergency waiting room, after receiving medical treatment, just feet from medical services, without the medical staff knowing about the event? Of course, before we throw any stones, results of the Autopsy and other facts need to be revealed. Perhaps, it was a circumstance beyond the scope of medical treatment. In any event, until we know the whole story “it could be any of us”, homeless or not.
  5. James FarleyApril 6, 2011 at 10:55 am
    Alan is right in that we need the specifics on why this poor lady died before casting judgement. That being said, I think Horton’s piece today is very compelling. (I rarely agree with him but on this one I do). We do need a year round shelter to help those in need. I checked out the shelters website today for the first time having been moved by Horton’s piece. The shelter offers many services to help people back on their feet. Where Gary and I likely disagree is on whether government should solve this problem or local charity. I think this is a perfect example where local giving is the best way to handle the problem. Our community needs to come together and see this facility open year round. http://www.santaclaritashelter.com/
  6. LindaApril 6, 2011 at 12:08 pm
    ….how does someone die in an emergency waiting room, after receiving medical treatment, just feet from medical services, without the medical staff knowing about the event? People don’t necessarily make a lot of noise when they die. She was thought to be sleeping, I’m sure, since she had been given permission to remain in the lobby until daylight. If she was under the influence of some drug or alcohol when she sought treatment and then was given pain meds, that could have been enough to send her over the edge into oblivion. I do agree that the shelter should be open year ’round and help made available to people like this. But having a year ’round shelter would not have prevented this lady from dying.
  7. Alan FerdmanApril 6, 2011 at 1:27 pm
    Linda I understand your point. At the same time, she was just seen by the medical staff and I hope a drug interaction is not what caused this woman’s death. Currently, without the whole story it is not in our best interest to speculate. Let’s wait until the facts become known.
  8. LindaApril 6, 2011 at 2:03 pm
    Let’s hope the facts do become known, although the facts may not result in a clear picture of who is to blame, if anyone. As to drug interaction, patients have been known to lie in order to get medication and they have been known to overdose as well.
  9. NateApril 6, 2011 at 10:21 am
    Nanny Antonovich wanting to limit alcohol even more at ball games is ridiculous. Hasn’t it been the position of Republicans not to “make policy” when emotions are high? i.e. gulf oil spill and recent japanese earthquake? Oh but some dirt bag cholos give a guy a beat down and now the rest of us responsible citizens should suffer? They don’t even have these guys in custody but we know they must have been drunk. They couldn’t have been sober or on some other drug. I am sure they were both respectable citizens before they bought the devil’s brew at dodgers stadium Grow up Antonovich, quit trying to punish everyone for the actions of few low life gang bangers.
  10. yourwebguruApril 6, 2011 at 11:46 am
    I’m convinced alcohol is too cost prohibitive at Dodger Stadium in that most people can’t afford to get drunk there. My guess is the perpetrators of the beating began their alcohol-fueled rage on cheaper substances prior to the event in question.
  11. KevitivityApril 6, 2011 at 12:44 pm
    My friends and I always bring in a flask of whiskey if we think we will want a drink. I have no interest in any of the beer they sell there anyway.
  12. Mr PerezApril 6, 2011 at 12:24 pm
    While I agree with you Nate that individual responsibility should take over, the vast majority of violent incidents in the stands have involved person who were intoxicated. Simply charging them with Public Intox or a few other minor offenses isn’t going to change the culture. The reason we all go, or should be, to the stadiums for is to watch a competitive game, not get all liquored up. I was there on Opening Day for the flag detail and I saw firsthand quite a few incidents in such a short time where people of all backgrounds shouldve been ashamed of themselves and kicked off the property.
  13. NateApril 6, 2011 at 1:43 pm
    I am not saying alcohol doesn’t make things escelate. But what these two mouth breathing thugs did can only be blamed on them. Nanny Antonivich thinking that limiting alcohol more would have some how stopped these lowlife is naive at best. I think the Dodgers should offer a reward for information leading to their capture.
  14. Lori RivasApril 6, 2011 at 6:31 pm
    According to an articlein today’s LA Times, the reward money is $100,000, which includes a portion from the Dodgers. Also contributing to the reward: County Board of Supervisors and the paramedic company for which the victim worked.
  15. NateApril 7, 2011 at 8:01 am
    Very cool. I might turn in a family member for $100,000.
  16. KevitivityApril 6, 2011 at 12:42 pm
    The Democrats would be technically responsible for a government shutdown, since they are basically sitting on their hands and Obama is campaigning… But the media will be able to pin the blame in the Republicans.
  17. Mr PerezApril 6, 2011 at 12:52 pm
    I give Ryan credit for actually being due diligent and drafting a plan. I may not agree with all the cuts and think some could be made in other arenas, but at least it wasn’t just status quo with the budget plan. I also think Mr Lunetta is off the mark if he thinks that any religious organization, or non-profit, can resolve the homeless and poverty problems. If you were to lower one’s taxes do you honestly think that same person is going to donate the same amount or higher to said religious or non-profit organization?? Nope! We are greedy by nature as humans and for the most part, alot of the economic collapse that started during President Clinton’s tenure occurred because of such. We have an economy that bases it’s success on how big your house is or how much you spend, spend, spend. People spent themselves right into crippling debt and when they stopped, those who lived off such fell into hard times as well.
  18. James FarleyApril 6, 2011 at 3:00 pm
    The fact is that Americans are already the most charitable people in the world in spite of high tax rates: http://www.american.com/archive/2008/march-april-magazine-contents/a-nation-of-givers If taxes are lowered we will give more. I don’t share the cynical view that we are driven by greed and will just hoard everything we can. Here are some facts: The rich have been very generous as a group in America. (Bill Gates, Carnegie, Rockefellar, the list goes on). Religeous give more than Seculars. Conservatives give more than Liberals. Local charity is the best way to solve social issues and the people will rise to the occasion as they already have.
  19. MikeApril 6, 2011 at 3:12 pm
    I’m no expert in this field, but my recollection on the conservative/liberal point was that it didn’t control for donations to churches, many of which are more like mutual benefit societies than charities.
  20. James FarleyApril 6, 2011 at 4:46 pm
    The article linked above does state that about 1/3 of charitable donations are to religious institutions. It is fair to say that people who participate in religions probably skew more conservative so it’s not a surprise that conservative vs liberal and religious vs secular run the same way. I’m also no expert, but believe most organized religions in America are not ‘mutual benefit societies’ but also provide greatly to their local communities.
  21. James FarleyApril 6, 2011 at 5:08 pm
    Additionally, even if the religious donations only help members within a specific religion it still benefits society overall. I’m not Mormon but have a great respect for their system of tithing. My guess is that there are very few Mormons taking government hand-outs.
  22. Mr PerezApril 6, 2011 at 8:29 pm
    The Mormons arent taking government hand outs because they believe in and follow fiscal responsibility. I still am not sold on the fact that people overall will contribute more if their taxes were lowered. Maybe I took too many Psychology and Sociology classes in life lol. And I know Americans in general are the most charitable people in the world but if all Americans followed the example of the percentage that do give, poverty would be dramatically reduced in this country.
  23. Lori RivasApril 6, 2011 at 8:49 pm
    Yeah, well, I think the “most charitable nation” may be open to debate. Your link was sponsored by the American Enterprise Institute, a “conservative, non-profit think tank” purposed to promote capitalism, and funded in part by corporations. I think, perhaps, AEI research is not necessarily beyond critique. This link, however, includes data by Gallup which, I believe, is a more trusted resource for polling. Plus, this data was updated just last month. http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/datablog/2010/sep/08/charitable-giving-country#data According to Gallup, and as reported in the Guardian, the US ranks #5 on the national giving scale. Of the four countries which ranked higher than the US in giving, all have stronger nationalized social programs than the US. Apparently, funding more social programs (ie, paying more taxes) does not hinder the Aussies, Kiwis, Irish, Canadians or the Swiss from giving more than than US citizens. Here is another fact: rich folks do not give more money than those less affluent. Sure, rich folks may give more actual dollars, but as a percentage of income, poor people way out-give their rich counterparts: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/22/magazine/22FOB-wwln-t.html This fact is obvious in my daily life, and here are two contrasting examples: while living in an impoverished area of Tijuana (dirt roads, no water, no sewage, no electric, houses were predominantly lean-tos), I was invited to dinner at a house with a dirt floor; I was served chile rellenos, which was a very expensive, elaborate dish for the very poor. Fast forward a number of years, I was running a food drive for Thanksgiving, and was astounded at the amount of crappy, dollar store, dented can, expired “food” that was given to feed the poor. This is both extremes: the very poor had served me her very best, while the relatively wealthy had donated the crud at the back of their cupboards while feasting on the very best, all in the name of a holiday for giving thanks. So, no thank you, I do not agree with you, James, and I think that you would be hard pressed to find concrete evidence to back your claims. And as far as local charity solving social issues — any time, my friend, any time. God knows there are enough mouths to feed, and babies to love, and families to house, and wounds to heal. Until every single one of us decides to get up close and personal with those in need, and every single one of us makes it a personal goal to serve another human being, then I will gladly pay my taxes, knowing that a collective system will provide a safety net for those that this society ignores. Shame on us all.
  24. spineflower2April 6, 2011 at 1:19 pm
    Blame the media! Blame the minority party! Blame Obama! Blah, blah, blah.
  25. yourwebguruApril 6, 2011 at 1:34 pm
    The Democrats know that success has come before, so why re-invent the wheel? The shutdown in the mid-90s was attributed to the Republicans (Right or wrong, I’m not here to argue that point.) They know that the public-at-large will view this as the Republican party’s unwillingness to negotiate. He who blinks first…
  26. NateApril 6, 2011 at 1:44 pm
    Really Government didn’t shut down the last 2 years… what changed again?
  27. Mr PerezApril 6, 2011 at 8:33 pm
    I just know I may need some food and someone to pay my utilities if my pay is cut http://www.navytimes.com/news/2011/04/military-pay-shutdown-warning-040611w/ Lucky for me I could continue riding my bike to a job I currently wouldnt be paid for.
  28. NateApril 7, 2011 at 8:04 am
    Maybe Buck McKeon can help you out… Congress is still getting paid. Apparently Congress is more important then our fighting men and women. So much for support the troops… Huh Bucky
  29. Gang FangApril 6, 2011 at 9:47 pm
    When one pins the blame in the Republicans, does one need to take the party to dinner first? Or just get right in there?
  30. IHeartSCVApril 6, 2011 at 10:10 pm
    Thus the importance of the proper preposition, perhaps proposition, in this case.
  31. Mr PerezApril 6, 2011 at 8:26 pm
    The Dodgers did offer part of the reward which was great. I also noticed there were TONS of law enforcement out there and other assets I won’t mention. I think thic incident boils down to someone stepping forward who knows these scumbags, do the right thing, and collecting a the 100K. Now there were other incidents I and others saw that involved clearly inebriated ppl that should’ve been kicked out as well as just plain rude and arrogant azzholes. Who sits there and curses at the Giants pitching bullpen in front of their child to be kicked out? What kind of example is that?
  32. NateApril 7, 2011 at 8:05 am
    I am happy about the 100k reward. I hope someone collects.
  33. Mr PerezApril 7, 2011 at 4:52 pm
    Im surprised someone already hasn’t. I think they need to push it to the regional news stations a little more since they may not have been from this area.

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