June 10, 2011 – Daily Brief

By Jeff — Jeff Wilson

Today’s the day! It’s like the NFL draft of politics- can you feel the excitement in the air? Draft district maps are being released statewide, the first move in what will determine where Santa Clarita resides. Political consultant Scott Wilk has the early read on what our districts will look like in this draft. Congress: includes all of SCV, Palmdale, half of Lancaster, and western San Fernando Valley to Roscoe. Registration is Dem 38%, Rep 39%. Assembly: 38th Dist includes all of SCV save for Agua Dulce, then down into SFV to Roscoe. Dem 38%, Rep 37%. State Senate: SCV + Castaic and all the way down to Thousand Oaks. Dem 41%, Rep 34%. Wilk notes the state senate district may see more changes. Get the maps at WeDrawTheLines.ca.gov, LA TIMES
Update to the above: This is changing by the minute people. Wilk now tells me CD 25 will include Simi Valley and be much more Republican while 38th AD will include Bell Canyon and Thousand Oaks, another win for GOP registration.
City Council Agenda: After taking a week off, the City Council will meet next Tuesday and hear about a new plan for Newhall called Compass Blueprint. The plan deals specifically with property, roads, and infrastructure along Railroad Avenue from Lyons north and west. In the plan are details of a Lyons Ave railroad crossing with a connection to Dockweiler, an alternative improved crossing at 13th street, a medium density development of 327 units, and commercial/office/retail space. Interesting stuff. Also on the agenda: Budget adoption, Tourism Marketing District levy, awarding a contract to a pizza vendor for the Santa Clarita Aquatic Center, and, of course, the big one: ONE VALLEY ONE VISION, certification of the EIR, and approval of the new general plan. COUNCIL AGENDA
What the hell? A 17 year old boy tried to rob someone at knifepoint on the bike path behind the River Oaks/Target shopping center in Valencia. Deputies apprehended him though and no one was injured. SIGNAL
Residents of unincorporated SCV learned yesterday that a library in Stevenson Ranch/West Ridge could be built in about two years, but talk of location is premature. Residents sound upset about the City seizure of the County libraries, telling County officials they should expect an “influx” of library patrons who don’t want to “wait five weeks and spend $5 to get a book.” Not clear what they’re talking about there but resentment of the City jumps off the page SIGNAL
Many people are mourning the death of 24 year old Chris McElroy, the man who was walking along Bouquet after a wedding and was struck by a vehicle and killed. SIGNAL
29 year old man arrested one year after his girlfriend died in a bizarre fight involving a vehicle. In July 21 year old Rosemary Flynn apparently grabbed onto the door of her boyfriend’s truck after a fight. As he drove away, she fell off and hit her head on the street and died. The suspect is being charged with vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence. SIGNAL
A water well serving Valencia water company has been removed from service after officials found low levels of perchlorate in the water. Is this why I’m so itchy after taking a shower? KHTS
Laurie Ender, another city official, folks from the SCVEDC and other business people all traveled to Sacramento this week to try to put a positive spin on the Enterprise Zone program despite its cost and dubious results. How come such an impressive list of SCV notables doesn’t go up to Sacramento to fight for school funding instead of taxpayer handouts to businesses? SIGNAL
Blogger takes a look at how much our Congressmen spend on auto leases. Buck? Well he’s near the top of the pack with taxpayers paying $662/month for his unspecified car BLOG
Bill Reynolds doesn’t waste time, he goes straight to the top. In an LTE he calls upon Buck McKeon to investigate the shenanigans, corruption, and grift going on at the SCV Republican Assembly. Reynolds says he’s shocked -shocked!- that small town politics can be so mean and vicious when the united-front Dems are up there in Sacto hatching their plans to tax the air we breath. LTE

Comments (18)

lstaedtlerJune 10, 2011 at 9:10 am

For the redistricting, I went to this page: http://wedrawthelines.ca.gov/maps-congress-1st-draft.html and shows Santa Clarita being split up for the congressional districts. All of Newhall is located in the western San Fernando Valley district and the rest of Santa Clarita is with Lancaster/Palmdale and North LA County. Not sure if this is the latest map or not.

MikeJune 10, 2011 at 10:13 am

Which map are you looking at, exactly? I think Newhall stays with us. I’m trying to get better data somewhere.

MikeJune 10, 2011 at 10:38 am

I stand corrected. I thought they were cutting just south of Lyons, looks like it will include maybe all of Newhall and parts of Valencia. If they were to split SCV, I wish they had done it right down the middle, at least we’d matter, a little bit, to two people. SCV is but a drop in the bucket in that valley district.

CastaicClayJune 10, 2011 at 9:36 am

What does connecting Lyons to Dockweiler gain? Connect Dockweiler to Market and build the RR Tracks over an access road to the former Casden property at 15th St. There is a natural dip in the RR Tracks at 15th between 13th and the Placerita wash that could be turned over into a rise without being too steep of a grade for the trains to run over.

Coastal SageJune 10, 2011 at 4:35 pm

FYI, sitting in the City planning staff’s files are two important letters, one from Metrolink safety staff and the other from the California Public Utilities Commission Railroad Right of Way division staff. The Metrolink letter essentially says (1) don’t forget we own the land under the tracks at Lyons Avenue and you can’t cross it without our consent and (2) we will not approve an at-grade crossing of the train tracks at Lyons Avenue. The Cal PUC letter says ‘we will not approve an at-grade crossing of the train tracks at Lyons Avenue. It will be interesting to see if the City Council and staff have the lobbying juice to get the elected officials who form the Board of Directors of Metrolink to over-rule their staff members and the lobbying juice with Jerry Brown appointees to the PUC to get them to overrule their staff members. The “no more at grade crossings” policies stem from searing NTSB reports faulting the PUC, Metrolink and local cities for train crashes and deaths which occur with great regularity at “at grade crossings’. The alternative is for the city to build, at somebody’s cost, a vehicle bridge over the train tracks or a viaduct under the train tracks. The politics of a major Santa Clarita roadway possibly being allowed to cross the train tracks “at grade” is going to be very interesting to watch. Most of that politicking will occur behind closed doors in Downtown L.A. and in San Francisco.

CastaicClayJune 11, 2011 at 7:20 am

My point exactly. A bridge at 15th would work. Moving RR Tracks is not easy, but neither is building a connector at Lyons across the RR tracks and over the wash to the other side. Maybe even cheaper in the end to make it at 15th.

Gang FangJune 10, 2011 at 10:14 am

Did Bill run from here with his tail between his legs, ala Berta? Robbing at knifepoint is so “Outsiders”, crazy.

Gail OrtizJune 10, 2011 at 11:14 am

Hey Jeff, it was actually Mayor Pro tem Laurie Ender that traveled to Sacramento for Enterprise Zone.

RepublicanMomJune 10, 2011 at 11:15 am

I was very happy to see the letter to The Signals editor from Bill Reynolds! This other local blog is now also filled with comments demanding accoutnability and transparency from the previous SCV CRA leaders. You can see it here: http://westranchbeacon.com/2011/06/guest-commentary-feuding-at-local-scv-republican-club/ I believe Mr. Reynolds went “straight to the top” because many of the people who were in charge were staff members of Buck McKeons office. They ran our club with an iron fist at the same time our money went missing under their command. When they lised and tried to cover it up then they got caught. It turns out some of them are also official party leaders locally who serve on a central committee for the republicans. Pathetic and sad. I now know that this is a liberal blog and that the other blog is more republican but its odd that people on both sides of this issue are united here. This kind of corruption and cronyism serves the wealthy and others in power. It is bad for the middle class and demands for accounting should be answered. As a republican, I oppose this just as much as any democrat. It doesnt matter whos doing it, we need to vote them out. What say you Mr. McKeon???????????

MikeJune 10, 2011 at 11:28 am

United? I’m either indifferent or happy to see the squabbling. I can’t decide. The people Reynolds blasts include senior staff to McKeon and their spouses. As usual, I think our friend’s appeal will fall on deaf ears.

PackfanJune 10, 2011 at 2:23 pm

Let’s be honest in answering this question. Does anyone feel the Republicans are trying to fix anything about the economy or are they happy to allow, and even try to hasten the negative numbers in an effort to win the White House and other elections? It’s in Republican interests to tank the economy before this next election. As Mitch said, Our primary job is to ensure that Obama is a one term president. Are Republicans helping America or themselves?

spineflower2June 10, 2011 at 3:21 pm

All politicians help themselves. But you are right, at this time it is in the interest of the ‘Pubs to see the economy get worse. That also explains why they are threatening the creditworthiness of our nation with their baloney as the debt ceiling fights bungles along.

yourwebguruJune 10, 2011 at 7:51 pm

YWG predicts Petz will ditch his platonic mancrush on Herman Cain once Rick Perry throws his hat in the ring. Come on, Petz! Here’s a state governor (who regularly hints at secession) calling for a national day of prayer. Here’s a guy who says “There is hope for America, and we’ll find it on our knees.” Now the good old boy hasn’t officially thrown his hat in the ring, but the staff that just abandoned Newt have found themselves in Perry’s warm bosom, so I predict it’s only a matter of time (and perhaps, a little prayer) before he declares himself a worthy candidate. Step into the light, Petz! Sure, you had some good times with Herman Cain, and I’ll admit he’s quite the charismatic fellow and a great motivator. He might even make a good veep, but Perry has everything you seem to be looking for. He loves Jesus, and hates big government (except where it comes to women’s rights), AND…He wants us all to pray for a better America!

PetzJune 11, 2011 at 3:19 am

Petz will stick with Cain through thick and thin (pizza crust that is) because his loyalty is legendary-The Patron Saint of Lost Causes. The GOP has a smorgasboard of qualified candidates while the Dems have a very limited selection. Obama has expired his shelf life three years into his administration. Within a few weeks the Dems will have to look at the real possibility of throwing Obama overboard or letting him take the ship down with all the rats aboard.

yourwebguruJune 11, 2011 at 5:56 am

The GOP’s “Smorgasbord” resembles the dried remnants left at the counter at the tail end of a Hometown Buffet dinner shift.

PackfanJune 11, 2011 at 2:54 pm

Are you intentionally lieing Petz? President Obama has been in office for 2 years and 5 months. All obstructed by the likes of you. I ask again. Are Republicans hoping the economy gets worse and will they do all they can to make it happen?

spineflower2June 10, 2011 at 3:18 pm

Whadaya bet the water from the shut down well is still being counted as available when new housing projects come up for approval?

Coastal SageJune 10, 2011 at 4:45 pm

Even more important, the well which is now closed because it was ‘contaminated’ with perchlorate is way, way past the two “barrier wells” along Railroad Avenue where were supposed to suck up all of the perchlorate and TCE contaminated water coming from Bermite. What that means is that the local water agencies, Whittaker and DTSC are going to have to go back to the drawing board and figure out another way to keep all of the drinking water wells downstream from Bermite becoming contaminated and closed. And of course someone is going to have to pay to implement that new plan, hopefully not the public. FYI roughly half of Santa Clarita’s drinking water comes from well water, and the vast majority of those wells are downstream from Bermite. For those who don’t know where Bermite is, it’s the 1000 acre property including the Santa Clarita Metrolink Station parking lot, the huge mountain south of the Swap Meet, all of the land west of Golden Valley Parkway where it runs north-south next to the high school, and most of the mountain east of Circle J and the commercial properties on the east side of Railroad Avenue.

lstaedtlerJune 10, 2011 at 9:10 am
For the redistricting, I went to this page: http://wedrawthelines.ca.gov/maps-congress-1st-draft.html and shows Santa Clarita being split up for the congressional districts. All of Newhall is located in the western San Fernando Valley district and the rest of Santa Clarita is with Lancaster/Palmdale and North LA County. Not sure if this is the latest map or not.
MikeJune 10, 2011 at 10:13 am
Which map are you looking at, exactly? I think Newhall stays with us. I’m trying to get better data somewhere.
MikeJune 10, 2011 at 10:38 am
I stand corrected. I thought they were cutting just south of Lyons, looks like it will include maybe all of Newhall and parts of Valencia. If they were to split SCV, I wish they had done it right down the middle, at least we’d matter, a little bit, to two people. SCV is but a drop in the bucket in that valley district.
CastaicClayJune 10, 2011 at 9:36 am
What does connecting Lyons to Dockweiler gain? Connect Dockweiler to Market and build the RR Tracks over an access road to the former Casden property at 15th St. There is a natural dip in the RR Tracks at 15th between 13th and the Placerita wash that could be turned over into a rise without being too steep of a grade for the trains to run over.
Coastal SageJune 10, 2011 at 4:35 pm
FYI, sitting in the City planning staff’s files are two important letters, one from Metrolink safety staff and the other from the California Public Utilities Commission Railroad Right of Way division staff. The Metrolink letter essentially says (1) don’t forget we own the land under the tracks at Lyons Avenue and you can’t cross it without our consent and (2) we will not approve an at-grade crossing of the train tracks at Lyons Avenue. The Cal PUC letter says ‘we will not approve an at-grade crossing of the train tracks at Lyons Avenue. It will be interesting to see if the City Council and staff have the lobbying juice to get the elected officials who form the Board of Directors of Metrolink to over-rule their staff members and the lobbying juice with Jerry Brown appointees to the PUC to get them to overrule their staff members. The “no more at grade crossings” policies stem from searing NTSB reports faulting the PUC, Metrolink and local cities for train crashes and deaths which occur with great regularity at “at grade crossings’. The alternative is for the city to build, at somebody’s cost, a vehicle bridge over the train tracks or a viaduct under the train tracks. The politics of a major Santa Clarita roadway possibly being allowed to cross the train tracks “at grade” is going to be very interesting to watch. Most of that politicking will occur behind closed doors in Downtown L.A. and in San Francisco.
CastaicClayJune 11, 2011 at 7:20 am
My point exactly. A bridge at 15th would work. Moving RR Tracks is not easy, but neither is building a connector at Lyons across the RR tracks and over the wash to the other side. Maybe even cheaper in the end to make it at 15th.
Gang FangJune 10, 2011 at 10:14 am
Did Bill run from here with his tail between his legs, ala Berta? Robbing at knifepoint is so “Outsiders”, crazy.
Gail OrtizJune 10, 2011 at 11:14 am
Hey Jeff, it was actually Mayor Pro tem Laurie Ender that traveled to Sacramento for Enterprise Zone.
RepublicanMomJune 10, 2011 at 11:15 am
I was very happy to see the letter to The Signals editor from Bill Reynolds! This other local blog is now also filled with comments demanding accoutnability and transparency from the previous SCV CRA leaders. You can see it here: http://westranchbeacon.com/2011/06/guest-commentary-feuding-at-local-scv-republican-club/ I believe Mr. Reynolds went “straight to the top” because many of the people who were in charge were staff members of Buck McKeons office. They ran our club with an iron fist at the same time our money went missing under their command. When they lised and tried to cover it up then they got caught. It turns out some of them are also official party leaders locally who serve on a central committee for the republicans. Pathetic and sad. I now know that this is a liberal blog and that the other blog is more republican but its odd that people on both sides of this issue are united here. This kind of corruption and cronyism serves the wealthy and others in power. It is bad for the middle class and demands for accounting should be answered. As a republican, I oppose this just as much as any democrat. It doesnt matter whos doing it, we need to vote them out. What say you Mr. McKeon???????????
MikeJune 10, 2011 at 11:28 am
United? I’m either indifferent or happy to see the squabbling. I can’t decide. The people Reynolds blasts include senior staff to McKeon and their spouses. As usual, I think our friend’s appeal will fall on deaf ears.
PackfanJune 10, 2011 at 2:23 pm
Let’s be honest in answering this question. Does anyone feel the Republicans are trying to fix anything about the economy or are they happy to allow, and even try to hasten the negative numbers in an effort to win the White House and other elections? It’s in Republican interests to tank the economy before this next election. As Mitch said, Our primary job is to ensure that Obama is a one term president. Are Republicans helping America or themselves?
spineflower2June 10, 2011 at 3:21 pm
All politicians help themselves. But you are right, at this time it is in the interest of the ‘Pubs to see the economy get worse. That also explains why they are threatening the creditworthiness of our nation with their baloney as the debt ceiling fights bungles along.
yourwebguruJune 10, 2011 at 7:51 pm
YWG predicts Petz will ditch his platonic mancrush on Herman Cain once Rick Perry throws his hat in the ring. Come on, Petz! Here’s a state governor (who regularly hints at secession) calling for a national day of prayer. Here’s a guy who says “There is hope for America, and we’ll find it on our knees.” Now the good old boy hasn’t officially thrown his hat in the ring, but the staff that just abandoned Newt have found themselves in Perry’s warm bosom, so I predict it’s only a matter of time (and perhaps, a little prayer) before he declares himself a worthy candidate. Step into the light, Petz! Sure, you had some good times with Herman Cain, and I’ll admit he’s quite the charismatic fellow and a great motivator. He might even make a good veep, but Perry has everything you seem to be looking for. He loves Jesus, and hates big government (except where it comes to women’s rights), AND…He wants us all to pray for a better America!
PetzJune 11, 2011 at 3:19 am
Petz will stick with Cain through thick and thin (pizza crust that is) because his loyalty is legendary-The Patron Saint of Lost Causes. The GOP has a smorgasboard of qualified candidates while the Dems have a very limited selection. Obama has expired his shelf life three years into his administration. Within a few weeks the Dems will have to look at the real possibility of throwing Obama overboard or letting him take the ship down with all the rats aboard.
yourwebguruJune 11, 2011 at 5:56 am
The GOP’s “Smorgasbord” resembles the dried remnants left at the counter at the tail end of a Hometown Buffet dinner shift.
PackfanJune 11, 2011 at 2:54 pm
Are you intentionally lieing Petz? President Obama has been in office for 2 years and 5 months. All obstructed by the likes of you. I ask again. Are Republicans hoping the economy gets worse and will they do all they can to make it happen?
spineflower2June 10, 2011 at 3:18 pm
Whadaya bet the water from the shut down well is still being counted as available when new housing projects come up for approval?
Coastal SageJune 10, 2011 at 4:45 pm
Even more important, the well which is now closed because it was ‘contaminated’ with perchlorate is way, way past the two “barrier wells” along Railroad Avenue where were supposed to suck up all of the perchlorate and TCE contaminated water coming from Bermite. What that means is that the local water agencies, Whittaker and DTSC are going to have to go back to the drawing board and figure out another way to keep all of the drinking water wells downstream from Bermite becoming contaminated and closed. And of course someone is going to have to pay to implement that new plan, hopefully not the public. FYI roughly half of Santa Clarita’s drinking water comes from well water, and the vast majority of those wells are downstream from Bermite. For those who don’t know where Bermite is, it’s the 1000 acre property including the Santa Clarita Metrolink Station parking lot, the huge mountain south of the Swap Meet, all of the land west of Golden Valley Parkway where it runs north-south next to the high school, and most of the mountain east of Circle J and the commercial properties on the east side of Railroad Avenue.