April 25, 2011 – Daily Brief

By Jeff — Jeff Wilson

The City now says it doesn’t need the special County library tax that was approved by Santa Clarita voters in 1997 and amounted to about $1.4 million in funding for our three libraries. Over five years the city says property tax revenues are expected to outpace expenses as it relates to the library. Recall that the City thought it could unilaterally collect the tax; then when the County disputed that, the City considered holding an election to impose the tax. Now they say they don’t need it after all. AGENDA
Also on the agenda, the City wants to spend $312,000 to implement an RFID system for the books and materials in the library system. RFID tags will replace the older barcode system and may allow for faster checkouts SIGNAL
Finally, one last bit of library news. LSSI, the firm that’s taking over day-to-day operations of the libraries on July 1, has a new CEO named Brad King PR
Home sales and prices continued their slide in the SCV in March according to a local real estate group. Median home prices are down to $376,000 from $385,00 in February and 165 homes changed hands last month. Condo sales tracked down too, but median price increased $5,000 DAILY NEWS
After introducing a bill that would standardize the way the state considers chloride pollution in water, Assemblyman Cameron Smyth has parked the bill in committee for two years after farm interests expressed concern. He wants to work out a deal with farming interests in the meantime. The City says it supports the bill. Won’t Smyth be out of office in two years? SIGNAL
Sixty percent of California voters favor holding an election to decide the outcome of tax extensions according to a new LA Times poll LA TIMES
Economist Mag: It is the citizens of California and their propositions that have put California into a perpetual budget chaos ECONOMIST
NBC 4 says that when Jerry Brown visited Hart High last week, the Governor -who the students recognized- had to introduce Assemblyman Cameron Smyth to them, even though Smyth is our rep and was a graduate of Hart High. NBC 4
Congressman McKeon is “using money – raised through defense contractor contributions – to curry favor within the Republican membership of his committee.” TIME MAGAZINE
High school athletic infrastructure and programs for girls now equal (enough for the federal government anyway) to boys’ programs at the Hart District SIGNAL
The City and College of the Canyons have hammered out another MOU for the use of COC’s Performing Arts Center. Cost to the city will be $70,000 for the next year SIGNAL
A Santa Clarita family is among the first that I know of to purchase a Chevy Volt. The woman in the story charges her Volt at both home and work and her husband figures the vehicle costs about $1.35/day to operate. They haven’t had to fill up with gas in weeks. DAILY NEWS
Hurray for the passive voice: A Deputy was injured last week after his patrol vehicle struck a guardrail on the Hasley Canyon onramp KHTS
Librarian, in LTE, says LSSI won’t be hiring highly-qualified and educated librarians like her for the new library system. She says it’s been nice serving Santa Clarita but most of the County staff will just get longer commutes and transfers out of the deal. But Darren Hernandez disputes her letter saying the City is hiring three former County MLS librarians. SIGNAL
Myers says the Save our Libraries group is organizing to push for districts in the City of Santa Clarita. Currently we have no districts and our council members are elected at-large. Myers thinks it wouldn’t make a difference; incumbents would still be invulnerable in a District system. SIGNAL
Bossert: City leadership lacks character WRB

Comments (9)

PetzApril 25, 2011 at 7:54 am

A resident of Saugus displayed his new Volt next to a Tesla at Arbor Day two weeks ago. Bought his in Long Beach because Power Cevrolet is requiring the purchase of non factory options -of questionable value that add $3,000 to the sticker-there goes the tax revenue. Notice that these folks bought theirs at Keyes. FYI CLWA is giving away sprinkler control units worth $500.00 that use a wireless station that measures temp, rain fall, type of vegetation and seasons to control water usage-it is a Smartline brand. Petz is qualified to install because he attended the mandatory class. They work great and should save a lot of water and $$$$. They still have some “government cheese” if you want one . This is a no brainer for any homeowner. Give Petz a shout @ Petz2@aol.com if you want more info or call CLWA if you don’t mind taking a 2 hour Saturday class and want to do it yourself.

spineflower2April 25, 2011 at 9:43 am

District voting for City Council would bring representation closer to the neighborhood level. Being outvoted because an incumbent gets money from across town is an old story for the City, and it’s time to change it. But our hypocritical and self-serving City Council opposes it, despite their battle cry for how the County Supervisors represents too many. As usual, they feel the rules and arguments only hold water when they favor themselves, not based upon the principles involved.

Timothy Myers SR.April 25, 2011 at 9:58 am

SP2: The Board of Supervisors is the textbook example of why districts don’t really solve any problems, particularly the development problems you are interested in. Supes currently “log roll” their votes, voting against the noxious projects (Cemex) in their own districts while voting in favor of the ones outside. with everyone collecting contributions from the same interests anyway.

spineflower2April 25, 2011 at 9:45 am

While I favor the public vote on adding/continuing taxation (we seek a democracy, right?), I am dismayed by the sweetheart deal offered to the prison guards, and the teacher’s union-financed ads that are already running advocating “doing something” about the current situation. This will be a battle of union ad money vs. common sense and fiscal responsibility. I am doubtful the average voter will not fall prey to the violin-soundtracked cries to “do it for the children.”

4eyedsueApril 25, 2011 at 10:21 am

Actually, our California flag says we are a Republic. I wish we should act like one, instead of constantly trying to be a direct democracy. We send legislators to Sacramento to legislate. They are the ones who are supposed to understand the ins and outs of the budget, the legal ramifications of new laws, etc… I sadly agree, spinflower2, that the proposition that wins is the proposition that has the most money behind it and the best commercials. And the information from those 30 second commercials is usually all the information that thousands of Californians take to the polls with them to get their “I Voted” sticker. Jerry is no fool. Those “save our schools” bumper stickers will get him what he wants. And the republicans can avoid becoming heads on a stick. Win-win.

Bill ReynoldsApril 25, 2011 at 9:58 am

From Master Blogger Jeffrey’s April 21st Daily Brief: “While the local GOP and Tea Party are shouting at Jerry Brown with their bullhorns, I’ll be recharging my liberal batteries and rubbing elbows with the best of the Left Coast’s left at a star-studded Hollywood event for President Obama in Culver City!” Hmmm? I am guessing Master Blogger Jeffrey’s GREAT Obama Culver City excursion last week was a GREAT BIG BUST. Of course I could be wrong. Ha!

Timothy Myers SR.April 25, 2011 at 9:58 am

DB talks about the City exaggerating their CV. Irony anyone?

Timothy Myers SR.April 25, 2011 at 10:37 am

Economist Special Report I read that special report in the Economist this morning an found it quite edifying and educational. I would also commend a subscription to the economist (the iPhone and iPad app is to die for) for anyone who does not want to be a complete idiot on international news.

CCApril 25, 2011 at 3:49 pm

I particularly liked the great comments by the readers. Some great minds post there and they are worth the read. In the end, I agree with most of the comments, that the article was a puff piece and didn’t address many of the more serious issues facing California.

PetzApril 25, 2011 at 7:54 am
A resident of Saugus displayed his new Volt next to a Tesla at Arbor Day two weeks ago. Bought his in Long Beach because Power Cevrolet is requiring the purchase of non factory options -of questionable value that add $3,000 to the sticker-there goes the tax revenue. Notice that these folks bought theirs at Keyes. FYI CLWA is giving away sprinkler control units worth $500.00 that use a wireless station that measures temp, rain fall, type of vegetation and seasons to control water usage-it is a Smartline brand. Petz is qualified to install because he attended the mandatory class. They work great and should save a lot of water and $$$$. They still have some “government cheese” if you want one . This is a no brainer for any homeowner. Give Petz a shout @ Petz2@aol.com if you want more info or call CLWA if you don’t mind taking a 2 hour Saturday class and want to do it yourself.
spineflower2April 25, 2011 at 9:43 am
District voting for City Council would bring representation closer to the neighborhood level. Being outvoted because an incumbent gets money from across town is an old story for the City, and it’s time to change it. But our hypocritical and self-serving City Council opposes it, despite their battle cry for how the County Supervisors represents too many. As usual, they feel the rules and arguments only hold water when they favor themselves, not based upon the principles involved.
Timothy Myers SR.April 25, 2011 at 9:58 am
SP2: The Board of Supervisors is the textbook example of why districts don’t really solve any problems, particularly the development problems you are interested in. Supes currently “log roll” their votes, voting against the noxious projects (Cemex) in their own districts while voting in favor of the ones outside. with everyone collecting contributions from the same interests anyway.
spineflower2April 25, 2011 at 9:45 am
While I favor the public vote on adding/continuing taxation (we seek a democracy, right?), I am dismayed by the sweetheart deal offered to the prison guards, and the teacher’s union-financed ads that are already running advocating “doing something” about the current situation. This will be a battle of union ad money vs. common sense and fiscal responsibility. I am doubtful the average voter will not fall prey to the violin-soundtracked cries to “do it for the children.”
4eyedsueApril 25, 2011 at 10:21 am
Actually, our California flag says we are a Republic. I wish we should act like one, instead of constantly trying to be a direct democracy. We send legislators to Sacramento to legislate. They are the ones who are supposed to understand the ins and outs of the budget, the legal ramifications of new laws, etc… I sadly agree, spinflower2, that the proposition that wins is the proposition that has the most money behind it and the best commercials. And the information from those 30 second commercials is usually all the information that thousands of Californians take to the polls with them to get their “I Voted” sticker. Jerry is no fool. Those “save our schools” bumper stickers will get him what he wants. And the republicans can avoid becoming heads on a stick. Win-win.
Bill ReynoldsApril 25, 2011 at 9:58 am
From Master Blogger Jeffrey’s April 21st Daily Brief: “While the local GOP and Tea Party are shouting at Jerry Brown with their bullhorns, I’ll be recharging my liberal batteries and rubbing elbows with the best of the Left Coast’s left at a star-studded Hollywood event for President Obama in Culver City!” Hmmm? I am guessing Master Blogger Jeffrey’s GREAT Obama Culver City excursion last week was a GREAT BIG BUST. Of course I could be wrong. Ha!
Timothy Myers SR.April 25, 2011 at 9:58 am
DB talks about the City exaggerating their CV. Irony anyone?
Timothy Myers SR.April 25, 2011 at 10:37 am
Economist Special Report I read that special report in the Economist this morning an found it quite edifying and educational. I would also commend a subscription to the economist (the iPhone and iPad app is to die for) for anyone who does not want to be a complete idiot on international news.
CCApril 25, 2011 at 3:49 pm
I particularly liked the great comments by the readers. Some great minds post there and they are worth the read. In the end, I agree with most of the comments, that the article was a puff piece and didn’t address many of the more serious issues facing California.