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February 22, 2012 – Daily Brief

By Jeff — Jeff Wilson

  • Developers could break ground on Landmark Village, the first phase of Newhall Ranch, by next year following last night’s final (like this time it really is final) by LA County Supervisors. The project consists of 1,174 condominiums, 270 single family lots, “retail centers, parks and plazas” and one fire station, park and school on the west side of town northwest of Magic Mountain. Vote was 3-0 with two supervisors, Molina and Yaroslavsky, abstaining. SIGNAL, DAILY NEWS
  • Lynne Plambeck, along with Friends of the Santa Clara River and a new group called Ventura Coast Keeper, released a 9 page comment on the project and tried out a new strategy by calling into question Newhall Land’s murky financial structure, which they helpfully documented in a flow chart. “There is no guarantee that Newhall Land, who is 82% owned by unnamed ”lender groups”  (hedge funds?) and only recently emerged from bankruptcy, will have the wherewithal to pay for needed infrastructure for the project,” she wrote. OWNERSHIP STRUCTURE, COMMENT DOCUMENT
  • Truly horrific: The District Attorney has charged 18 year old Jerry Moon with 17 counts including first degree burglary, attempted murder, and multiple sexual assault accounts which I don’t even want to contemplate here. Moon’s bail has increased to $16 million and if he’s convicted he faces life in prison. SIGNAL
  • Parents and students are upset in the Saugus Union School District after the District announced that it would issue preliminary layoff notices to 73-80 teachers at the District’s 13 schools because of an estimated $6.7 million deficit. Some students, who were told by their teachers that they might lose their jobs, held a “pink lemonade for pink slips” sale, while parents showed up at an SUSD Board meeting to vent. One SUSD official told angry parents that “The enemy isn’t in this room. The enemy resides in Sacramento.” Parents are floating the idea of starting a nonprofit education foundation or a possible property tax that would provide local funding to SUSD. SIGNAL has the big picture while KHTS details the budget and the idea for an education foundation
  • Re: the above, Newhall School District looking smart and prescient having put a $60 million bond on the ballot last November which was approved by 66% of voters. Will it help them avoid the layoff troubles SUSD is going through?
  • And community colleges too: the LA Times reports community colleges are being hit with an unexpected $149 million budget shortfall now. At fault for the shortfall are students who are receiving fee waivers and property tax revenue which fell short by $41 million. LA TIMES
  • City Council incumbents are endorsed by the SCV Chamber; meanwhile Council candidates appeared before the Latino Chamber of Commerce and talked about diversity, with Councilwoman Laurie Ender noting that Latinos are the fastest growing population in the SCV and that there aren’t enough women who run for City Council. There are no Latinos running either, despite being ~30% of the population. Hatami says his Persian heritage will bring diversity to the City Council. Other candidates talked about supporting local businesses SIGNAL
  • Alan Ferdman has posted videos of all five candidates speaking & taking questions before the Canyon Country Advisory Committee meeting last week. View KELLAR, ENDER, HATAMI, BOYDSTON and COLLEY or just watch NotaFerryFan’s fanboi video of Kellar angrily denouncing innuendo that his personal loan from Rasmussen influenced his votes on the City Council.
  • But if you didn’t make it out to one of these various forums, or you’re a couch potato, or maybe you like multitasking, fear not! KHTS, SCVTV, and the Signal will actually tape a debate on March 5 and air it the week after on TimeWarner Channel 20, AT&T U-Verse channel 99 and on SCVTV.com. They want your questions ahead of time too. SCVNEWS
  • In business news, the distinctive semi-urban high density experiment that is The Madison on Town Center Drive in Valencia has been sold to an investment group for $56.65 million. Decron Properties says the Madison is a “premier property, priced well below replacement cost….Valencia is a phenomenal location as a burgeoning bedroom community with strong rental demand and attractive to first time home buyers and young families because of its excellent schools.” And here we thought Town Center Drive’s glory was fading in contrast to its younger, brighter, sexier sibling, The Patios. COSTAR GROUP
  • The Santa Clarita Tourism Bureau is seeking new member businesses to build “brand awareness of Santa Clarita as a tourist destination.” WRB
  • Congressman Buck McKeon may have purchased stock in a for-profit college system when he was overseeing the House’s Education & Workfroce Committee, the very committee charged with authority over such colleges. BLOG. Corinthian College, the for-profit system McKeon may have bought stock in, was featured on Frontline’s excellent documentary two years ago about the abuses in for-profit higher edu industry. FRONTLINE DOC
  • Today at COC’s University Center lobby, Scott Wilk will officially announce that he is running for AD 38. He’ll be introduced by Lena Smyth, wife of Cameron Smyth at around 2pm.
  • Going to be hot today: 80 degrees and windy LA TIMES
  • Letter writer says LA County has handed the City of Santa Clarita  a “golden opportunity” to form our own police force. “Let the county move the county Sheriff’s Station to Castaic. Then, the city should buy the current building, or lease/buy another facility, and develop its own department that answers to the citizens and elected City Council, not the Sheriff and the county Board of Supervisors.” LTE
  • And another letter writer says drivers should be more vigilant for motorcyclists and says that “I didn’t see him” is no excuse. Cager commenters on the letter blame the victim, as usual. SIGNAL

Comments

91 · as published
  1. MikeFebruary 22, 2012 at 9:23 am
    Perhaps the Phil Ellises of the world can help out here, but I’m not so sure that bonds can offset layoffs. I know they can’t directly, but their indirect affect is mitigated because they usually fund projects that the districts would be otherwise unable to do.
  2. ToddFebruary 22, 2012 at 9:28 am
    Damnit Mike. Again with the jumping in before I hit the “post” button. I agree with you, but I don’t think there’s an offset even. Since they’re used to fund capital projects, if there’s no bond, then there are just no projects. School funding has been historically strapped (thanks Prop 13) to the point that their entire regular budgets are used for personnel costs and maintenance costs… Bonds are a necessity for damn near every capital improvement.
  3. LarMccFebruary 22, 2012 at 2:26 pm
    Sorry, but I would rather keep more of my money than give it to the state and forgo prop 13. Our state needs to make better use of the public funds they already take in. I am sure the state can find plenty of money to cut or put to better use. Instead they cannibalize education funding and then come to the voters wanting us to raise taxes to cover this shortfall. If passed, who knows where this money will end up. Personally, I would rather pass a bond and keep the money controlled at the local level. Newhall School District runs a tight ship and from everything I have seen, they try to make every dollar count. Our state is in a financial crisis, yet they found half a million dollars to build a 1.2 mile bike path from Piru to Rancho Camulos (which is basically in the middle of nowhere). And no, I am not picking on bikers but the state really needs to get it’s priorities in order with the crunch we are in. This is one of many examples I am sure I can cite.
  4. PackfanFebruary 22, 2012 at 5:26 pm
    Isn’t Prop 13 valid only to the original owner when it was approved? I’ve moved at least five times since that was voted on. Most people should have passed away by now.
  5. CCFebruary 22, 2012 at 7:55 pm
    No, Prop 13 is for every home owner. It keeps the rate at 1% of the value you purchased your home. Because you have moved, you haven’t seen the benefit of someone who has stayed in his home. We all benefit from being priced out of our homes in 10 years because the State can’t manage the budget.
  6. mikecFebruary 23, 2012 at 12:55 am
    My understanding is that there is a waiver for family transfer ie…inheritance. For example, if 1979 house was worth 100K and taxed at that rate say until 2012…house is now worth 300K…after being transferred house is still taxed at the 100K rate versus it being re-assessed and taxed at the higher rate.
  7. CCFebruary 23, 2012 at 10:09 am
    There are some rules that allow for transfer, but they are fairly limited.
  8. CastaicClayFebruary 22, 2012 at 7:12 pm
    The original intent of the California Lottery was to increase funding for schools. Then Governor Dukemajian stripped all of the original school funding and replaced it with the lottery money for a net gain of zero to the schools. The GOP in action. Leave prop 13 alone.
  9. Capt. GeneFebruary 22, 2012 at 9:57 pm
    I spent some time trying to find evidence that Deukmejian single handedly shuffled the budget as you described and came up empty, do you have a link that you could share that backs that up?
  10. CastaicClayFebruary 23, 2012 at 9:38 am
    The link is no longer active: New study shows California’s deteriorating educational status – Topix They are overused and misused the most of any that I know of. …. will happen to them if they don’t enforce the immigration laws! …. When the lottery talk began, our Gov. at the time (George Dukemajian) came out against it. … When the lottery proposition passed, Dukemajian took the Prop 98 monies away … http://www.topix.com/forum/city/los-angeles-ca/TLHUPVHB1RNDJSBJJ – Cached – Similar
  11. Capt. GeneFebruary 23, 2012 at 2:23 pm
    That’s it? You would think the story of a republican governor in a democrat state taking money from education by executive fiat would be all over the news. Wow, I guess nobody cared.
  12. LarMccFebruary 22, 2012 at 11:43 pm
    And our democratic governor has done what exactly to correct this? The democrats have controlled both houses in this state for over 30 years. I am not going to claim that the GOP are our saviors, but don’t try to lay blame for these problems at their feet.
  13. LindaFebruary 23, 2012 at 7:34 am
    The California lottery contributes very little to the schools relative to their needs. About 1.5% of school funding comes from the lottery. http://www.calottery.com/Support/LotteryFunds/EduFAQ/
  14. Phil EllisFebruary 22, 2012 at 11:42 am
    Mike, it is not the Bond, just great planning by our adminstrators. NSD, started its cutbacks earlier than most districts in the state.
  15. Coastal SageFebruary 22, 2012 at 4:00 pm
    Boring answer to Mike’s question: I’ve read the actual “bond documents” for the last 3 bond financings by the Hart District. Their “bond counsel” was Bowie, Arneson, Wiles & Giannone, who among the universe of bond lawyers seem to charge fairly reasonable legal fees. Typical “bond documents” form an original stack about 3″ tall. In the bond documents, there is usually no more than 1/2 of one sentence which says what the bond sale proceeds can be used for. The language is generally vague, to provide a school district the maximum flexibility. Usually the “bond documents” also contains a sentence which says that the school district can change what they are going to use the money for, by giving the “bond trustee” prior written notice. Since “bond counsel” tend to use and reuse the same forms for the bond deals they document, it wouldn’t surprise me if Bowie, Arneson, Wiles & Giannone’s two other clients in Santa Clarita, the Saugus District and the Newhall District, had the same loosey-goosey language in their bond documents. What is relatively new, in the last 10 +/- years, is a statutory right for taxpayers to bring legal action against their local school district if the taxpayers discover that the school bond money was not used for the purposes described in the election materials for the bond election, i.e. the Sample Ballot sent to the voters. While doing some research on another topic, I found a California Court of Appeals case discussing just that sort of scenario, use of school bond proceeds for something other than what the Sample Ballot said the money would be used for. Unfortunately for the aggrieved taxpayers in that case, they “discovered” the misuse of school bond funds “too late” under the law, and brought their lawsuit on a date which the court said was too late under the applicable Statute of Limitations. As a result, that’s why the community advisory committees “monitoring” the spending of school bond proceeds need to speak up when they see the money derived from the school bonds misused. And that, of course, is why school districts are so careful about who they don’t put on the advisory committees. So, could school bond funds be used to plug holes in a school district’s operating budget? The answer under the bond documents is generally yes. The answer under the “Does the use comply with what was said in the bond election Sample Ballot” is yes as long as the taxpayers are asleep at the switch.
  16. Phil EllisFebruary 22, 2012 at 4:41 pm
    The language is not loosey-goosey and it greatly exceeds 1/2 of one sentence. I was on the Hart Board whn measure V was passed and I recall noting that furniture had been neglected on our list of acceptable expenses. Historically, furniture was not a permitted bond expense, but it was included in Prop 39. Although Measure V was a Prop 39 bond, without an express listing of furniture, furniture expenses would not have been permitted. Permitted expenses were listed on Exhibit A of the Bond and while I was on the measure V Citizens Oversight Committee, we referred often to that exhibit. Newhall’s Bond also has an Exhibit A and while it may leave room for expenses that are not spcifically listed, it too is in excess of 1/2 sentence and is fairly extensive and complete. see: http://www.newhallschooldistrict.net/images/stories/pdf/bond/information/proposed_project_list.pdf
  17. Coastal SageFebruary 22, 2012 at 5:43 pm
    I note that the list you attach is from a Newhall District bond measure, not the Hart District bond documents I referred to. The list is, as you indicate, merely an attachment to the bond documents, not the whole 3″ of them. While I give my compliments to the Newhall District for adding a detailed list of “projects” to their bonds, the reality is that SCV bond issuers can and do change the “projects” which they initially say bonds are to be used for. That language, allowing the changes, is in the document called the Indenture and in the Official Statement, for example. As to the Hart District take a look, for example, at the documents prepared by the Bowie Arneson firm to raise funds to do the grading and infrastructure construction for Golden Valley High School while you were on the Board, Phil.
  18. Phil EllisFebruary 23, 2012 at 7:50 am
    Go back and read what I said about the exhibit A for the Hart bond and the experience I had with it. Sorry, I don’t have a copy handy for you. Perhaps you can dig up a copy of your fictional 1/2 sentence. Yous said that is common for bonds written by Bowie Arneson. I highlighted the Newhall bond to disprove your gross and innaccurate generalization.
  19. ToddFebruary 22, 2012 at 9:26 am
    On PD: The LTE writer, if he is who I think he is, would be an excellent choice to lead the campaign on this issue. I hope that he does more than write letters. On Buck: Why is there so much smoke around him. And whats that saying about where there’s smoke…. On Layoffs: I don’t believe Measure E can save jobs. Bonds (typically) are designed, and as such can only be used, for capital improvements. On Weather: Super stoked about springtime in February. Driving too and from work has been awesome, not because of the traffic, but because its nice to roll with the windows down taking in the scents of the SoCal wildflower blossom. On Community Colleges: I keep telling you… we need to up the fees, or guarantee that those who are attending are doing so with the bona fide intent on completing a 4-year degree or a skilled trade certification.
  20. SCV LoverFebruary 22, 2012 at 9:30 am
    The Saugus Union School District has to be the worst run district in the valley, in the the eyes of this Saugus District employee. Incredible that they have cut so much over the past couple years (teachers, closed schools, bus routes) and still end up in the red. When will we hold the administrators and that board accountable? Blaming Sacramento is a cop out.
  21. ToddFebruary 22, 2012 at 9:31 am
    I’m not well versed on Saugus Union… what makes them so poorly run?
  22. SCV LoverFebruary 22, 2012 at 9:36 am
    Well for one, the broken promises of Emblem and Bouquet Canyon Elementary come to mind. The Hart and Newhall Districts seem to able keep their staff, while the Saugus District gives out the pink slips every other year.
  23. ToddFebruary 22, 2012 at 11:11 am
    What were the promises? I’m not trying to be smug, I’m actually interested, and relatively uninformed. Are you sure the issue behind layoffs is a mismanagement issue and not a population/demographic shift?
  24. ThomasFebruary 22, 2012 at 12:50 pm
    Emblem promise was that it would be done in one year and be ready for the 2011-2012 school year. Now it is looking like 2013. No workers seen for a couple weeks now at the project. At least Bob Cutting retired. He was part of the problem. If you looked up liar in the dictionary, his picture was right next to it.
  25. Timothy Myers SRFebruary 22, 2012 at 1:31 pm
    SUSD had a meta problem. As new tracts were brought on (Northpark, Tesoro, West Creek, etc.) developers made mitigation agreements that required the building of new elementary schools in their tract (the developers applied their mitigation fees to these). Everyone wants an elementary school in their neighborhood. At the same time these new facilities were built aggregate enrollment in the District FLATTENED and even began to recede. Combine this with the failure of neighborhoods to “churn” in younger families due to the real estate bust, and Bouquet Canyon and Emblem became surplus. So as far as broken “promises” I am sure they were made with every intention of keeping them, but demography and macroeconomics have come crashing in. The District administration IS culpable, however, for failing to adjust even after three or four years of negative trend data.
  26. ToddFebruary 22, 2012 at 2:23 pm
    I suspected as such given how my California Bride and I started looking initially at West Creek and saw how the building came to a screeching halt. Still might make the jump up there once we rebound, but they’d better get some more grocery stores and such. Is so vacant up there, residentially and commercially.
  27. MikeFebruary 22, 2012 at 9:32 am
    Don’t worry, you’re now in the trusty hands of Steve Winkler!
  28. NateFebruary 22, 2012 at 12:50 pm
    Only way I would trust him is if he was tending bar… I am sure he makes a mean Old Fashioned.
  29. Timothy Myers SRFebruary 22, 2012 at 6:13 pm
    Those kids that are selling pink lemonade and cupcakes should use the money to buy a rubber sheet for the Board meeting room. Just sayin’
  30. Phil EllisFebruary 22, 2012 at 11:47 am
    Lay off notices at this time are required by state law. Hopefully once the idiots in Sacramento get their act together and pass a decent budget (not holding my breath) perhaps many of these layoff notices will be rescinded, as they have in the past several years. The problem is that school district must complete their budget plans prior to the state doing so. Also, notices (or possible termination) must be out by March 15. If districts makes no layoff notices and then see a state budget that leave them little to pay teachers salaries, after March 15, then those districts will have no ability to react.
  31. Mr PerezFebruary 22, 2012 at 9:47 am
    While not entirely related to todays Daily Brief, I had a paradigm shift yesterday and am thinking a Republican candidate needs to win the election in November #HereComeTheThumbsDown
  32. ToddFebruary 22, 2012 at 10:00 am
    Please elaborate. I’m not thrilled at Obama’s leadership… I think he could have, and should have done more, but has been cool and taken it easy in the hopes of keeping moderate Republicans in his pocket. But, all, and yes ALL of the GOP’s candidates are so damn awful (at least they are now until they win the primary and rush to the middle and basically retract everything they’re saying now) that no chance I vote for any of them.
  33. CCFebruary 22, 2012 at 7:58 pm
    I concur
  34. MikeFebruary 22, 2012 at 10:02 am
    Is it the iPhone snobbery of the left-leaners in your circle?
  35. Mr PerezFebruary 22, 2012 at 11:00 am
    Well apparently they have all the answers on how to fix this abysmal mess President Obama created within the short span of 3 years. Me thinks they are all geniouses! And plus I could really use $2 a gallon gasoline, even if I am marginalized and/or put into an internment camp #smirk
  36. Mr PerezFebruary 22, 2012 at 11:03 am
    But the reality is if a Republican is elected and he can’t fix the economic mess instantly, the more Conservative crowd will distance themselves and claim “this was not the Reaganite we voted for!” Or they will blame Obama like they accuse the Left of doing daily
  37. PackfanFebruary 22, 2012 at 12:43 pm
    The economy? We don’t have time for the economy. Santorum is fighting Satan and Rick along with the rest of the Republicans are fighting a war against womens health care. Check how many bills were brought against women vs for jobs in the past year since the right took control of the House. When the Republicans and Fox (news) are working against the President and then saying that things aren’t getting better, how can you blame the President?
  38. Mr PerezFebruary 22, 2012 at 12:53 pm
    And they will blame the President for their bills not being approved, or the fear if they introduced they would be shot down. Being in politics today is like being the parent of pre-teen children who constantly bicker and blame each other for every little thing.
  39. PackfanFebruary 22, 2012 at 1:04 pm
    We need jobs and they are trying to undo settled law. I hear attack after attack on the President yet don’t hear any alternatives except one, which is more tax cuts for the rich and corporations. In 30 years, nothing has trickled down.
  40. Mr PerezFebruary 22, 2012 at 1:49 pm
    I tire of that as well. If anyone truly feels that cutting taxes and limiting regulations on corporations will being the jobs back to the US, they need to put the crack pipe down. Once a corporation tastes cheap labor they won’t so willingly let go. Why pay an American worker a living wage, healthcare benefits, vacations, and potential retirement packages for 8-10 hrs a day of work when you can get it for a 1/10th of that in China or India.
  41. Mr PerezFebruary 22, 2012 at 1:50 pm
    *bring
  42. 4eyedsueFebruary 22, 2012 at 4:59 pm
    #ObligitoryThumbsDown
  43. MikeFebruary 22, 2012 at 10:01 am
    It’s interesting how much of this McKeon stuff has been kicking around for years. He hadn’t faced an inquisitive press or serious opposition before, so now it has new life. A lot of these bits hadn’t been sexy enough to get traction, but there is a common thread of soft corruption running through it all McKeon is among the House members with the lowest net worth, yet lives in a very affluent area. He has as much a drive/need to juice his position for some extra cash as just about anyone else in Congress. It may not be a pathology as much he’s in a compromised position and surrounded by easy opportunities and motivated benefactors. Every single one of these mini-scandals plays into that narrative. There is so much here for a funded and determined opponent to run with.
  44. Coastal SageFebruary 22, 2012 at 4:07 pm
    Mike, with reference to your comment that the McKeons live in an affluent area. I assume you mean the one in SCV. Apparently they also have very nice digs in Virginia too, according to the SCV ladies with whom Mrs. McKeon chats at local Republican events. Given how house prices in Arlington, Alexandria and Fairfax County which are a decent commuting distance from the Capitol have rocketed into the stratosphere in the last 20 years, I’d politely ask the question “How can they afford two snazzy houses on a Congressman’s salary?”
  45. mikecFebruary 22, 2012 at 10:01 am
    I don’t know about our own PD. Imagine the initial start up costs, you would probably have to offer better pay, benefits to lure current LAPD or LASD officers to new PD. In addition, you would need additional admin staff, etc. Maybe a compromise of some sorts will be reached, in which county builds new facility as proposed, keeps the Valencia station open and then opens an eastside station somewhere, maybe they are thinking long term and planning for growth in SCV…
  46. PackfanFebruary 22, 2012 at 10:16 am
    All cyclists should have a headlight and tail light on when travelling. The better to see them when they wear black outfits that are virtually invisible.
  47. Mr PerezFebruary 22, 2012 at 11:05 am
    Seeing that other cars and trucks are often “invisible” to California drivers, one would have to sport a light with the candle power of the sun on their bike to get their attention
  48. PetzFebruary 22, 2012 at 11:59 am
    A light as bright as the Sun would blind the driver.
  49. Mr PerezFebruary 22, 2012 at 12:53 pm
    But at least they would know you were coming
  50. ScottEFebruary 22, 2012 at 11:23 am
    The LTE addressed MOTOR-cyclists, but seeing as how you bring it up: Equipment Requirements. VC 21201 d) Every bicycle operated upon any highway during darkness shall be equipped with the following: 1. A lamp emitting a white light which illuminates the highway and is visible from a distance of 300 feet to the front and the sides of the bicycle. 2. A red reflector mounted on the rear of the bicycle and visible from 500 feet to the rear of the bicycle. 3. A white or yellow reflector mounted on each pedal visible 200 feet to the front and rear of the bicycle and a white or red reflector on each side to the rear of the center of the bicycle, except bicycles which are equipped with reflectorized tires on the front and the rear need not be equipped with side reflectors. All reflectorized tires must meet DMV requirements. e) A lamp or lamp combination, emitting a white light, attached to the operator and visible from a distance of 300 feet in front and from the sides of the bicycle, may be used in place of a lamp attached to the bike. I’ve got both. I seldom ride when it’s dark. When I do (usually early in the morning) I assume that no car sees me, and keep to lightly traveled streets or bike trails. I’ve pretty much given up on motor-vehicle drivers (in particular in the SCV) giving a crap about my rights. I also carry a tire pump that can double as a zombie killer .. if you know what I mean. Just in case my rights get compromised and I’m still able.
  51. Mr PerezFebruary 22, 2012 at 12:57 pm
    Reminds me of an all famous scene from a classic movie http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Y_6H617Fcs
  52. ScottEFebruary 22, 2012 at 1:39 pm
    Favorited.
  53. Mr PerezFebruary 22, 2012 at 1:51 pm
    There are ppl here in the SCV that have a basement armory of such magnitude
  54. leslieFebruary 22, 2012 at 10:25 am
    Bonds are usually for construction projects — either new or modernization. Requires only 55% to pass. Parcel taxes could be used for salaries, curriculum, etc. But much more difficult to pass as need to hit the old threshold of 66%. Even though some of the votes on recent bonds in SCV come close, I don’t belive they have crossed that threshold. Also, Sulphur Springs district has been sending layoff notices to their staff on an annual basis for the past several years.
  55. MikeFebruary 22, 2012 at 10:54 am
    I was about to ask, I know these need to go out by a certain date, but it seems like they’re usually rescinded.
  56. Timothy Myers SRFebruary 22, 2012 at 11:17 am
    Leslie: If you evaluate bond votes in the SUSD over the last several years, they generally garner 70% of the vote so a parcel tax would probably pass. The fact that we don’t have a parcel tax on the ballot this fall for SUSD is a COMPLETE failure in leadership of the SUSD, elected and otherwise. Blaming Sacramento IS a cop out because if the state sends you less money due to austerity you either make the cuts or you plug the hole with more local taxes. If one looks at the Irvine Unified School District, they have passed several parcel taxes, even before austerity, to plug funding holes.
  57. Coastal SageFebruary 22, 2012 at 4:17 pm
    Leslie, see my comment above on the reality of how school bond proceeds can be used for “different purposes” without the taxpayers knowing or having any meaningful recourse if the taxpayer thinks the bond proceeds have been “misused”. As an FYI to all, very often a public agency’s borrowing documents are technically called Certificates of Participation (COPs), rather than bonds. Bonds often require voter approval, while COPs don’t. Castaic Lake Water Agency is particularly fond of COPs because their organizational statute requires that “bonds” issued by them be approved by their voters/taxpayers. For example, the Hart District lent money raised from COPs to lend to the Santa Clarita Facilities Foundation, to finance the grading of the Golden Valley High School site and the construction of its utility and road infrastructure. There was nothing inherently wrong with that loan. However, among the line items expenses for which those COP proceeds were used was for a full-time construction manager hired by the Foundation. One day, in digging through the City’s files on the school site grading project, we discovered a memo from a member of the City Engineer’s staff griping that the Foundation/District’s construction manager was constantly a no-show and the diligent City employees were having a very hard time tracking him down to sign off on change orders.
  58. leslieFebruary 22, 2012 at 11:22 am
    I honestly don’t remember the last time Saugus passed a bond so can’t comment on the pass rate. In terms of the process of RIF notices — notices have to be delivered by March 15. Those who receive a notice are entitled to a hearing to ensure that the criteria being used was followed correctly and then a final action by the board would make them official by May 15. At that point the teachers would be let go at the end of the year and be put on a rehire list.
  59. Phil EllisFebruary 22, 2012 at 11:51 am
    Last year Newhall was able to rehire all
  60. SCVTeachFebruary 23, 2012 at 8:08 pm
    Saugus laid off 30 in 2010 and has only rehired 7. Now has noticed 74.
  61. NateFebruary 22, 2012 at 12:42 pm
    Juking Jon Facebook Post– “There has been some talk from a few residents, one blog, and even one or two city officials that forming a city police department would be a good idea. That couldn’t be farther from the truth. First, the LASD Santa Clarita Deputies have been doing a top-notch job protecting our City and Valley. I have worked side-by-side with our Deputies, and the support they have provided me in the prosecution of my cases is by far the best in the state. Second, the cost of running a city police department would be financially devasting. It would cost over $50 million, at least, to have a city police department. And, lastly, the support of all the LASD resources, such as homicide, lab technicians, helicopter units, gang units, special victim’s unit, etc. is the best in the country – that is from my own personal experience. We, as a city, and as a city council, need to work with the county, as a partner, not as an enemy. The County surrounds our City. It just blows me away how childish some of our leaders act. It is really like children in a sandbox. It really needs to stop. The only ones who suffer are the residents. Like some have said, I’m a long shot to win this election. I haven’t seen that going door to door, but I guess the so-called people-in-the-know, are just more informed than I. My opinion – It really is up to the citizens, not the papers, the media, the blogs, or the Santa Clarita “inner circle.” If you really want change, a new vision, new leadership, go to the polls on April 10th, or vote absentee on March 12, and show our city you are tired of the same old politics of the past.”
  62. NateFebruary 22, 2012 at 12:48 pm
    The biggest problem with Juking Jon is his gross inaccuracy… He is way off by the 50 million number. Simi Valley pays about 80-90. If the 50 number was accurate, I would say why wouldn’t we do it we are already paying 37 million to LASD. He also mentions resources of which they the department gives to Santa Clarita very sparingly because they view us as a safe area and would rather use those resources. As a deputy last time they actually got a helicopter when they asked for it… I don’t think Juking Jon has an inch of room to call anyone childish after the behavior of him and his rag tag bunch of deputies. Can anyone really trust anything Hatami says about the county when both him and his wife’s checks are written by La County.
  63. NateFebruary 22, 2012 at 12:49 pm
    *rather use those resources. – should say rather use those resources elsewhere.
  64. ToddFebruary 22, 2012 at 1:10 pm
    Nate, your numbers are off… I had the full breakdown last week Simi is $25MM, we currently pay the County $20MM for our contract, per the respective cities’ 2011-2012 budgets.
  65. GibsonFebruary 22, 2012 at 3:50 pm
    The budget for Simi according to their budget document is about $29 million. Also, Santa Clarita’s size is about 60,000 more people and 10 square miles bigger. So to compare $29 million to $20 million is not really apples to apples. Santa Clarita’s cost will be significantly more.
  66. Coastal SageFebruary 22, 2012 at 4:21 pm
    Gibson, my question is whether the County will allow the City of Santa Clarita the use of the new sheriff’s station as a freebie, or whether the Sheriff/County will want to ramp up the “overhead” charge in the City/Sheriff contract to account for amortization of the cost of buying the land and building the new Sheriff’s station. In essence, it becomes the classic question a normal person faces: Is it economically better to rent or own a “new home”?
  67. GibsonFebruary 22, 2012 at 4:22 pm
    Good question
  68. ToddFebruary 22, 2012 at 4:23 pm
    Agreed. I was merely putting the numbers out there. Thanks for correcting the 25/9. I would estimate that SCPD would need a $35-50MM budget annually, depending on how advanced we want to be? Do we have a park/open space detail? Air support? Tactical Response Team? Do we build ourselves a full-time substation, or get a part-time strip mall space in the best strip mall in the SCV? All questions to be vetted and thoroughly weighed and contemplated. But I think its imperative that we begin the discussion, otherwise, we’ll be left behind.
  69. NateFebruary 22, 2012 at 7:20 pm
    I just spoke with Sheriff’s deputy this weekend who would disagree with you… this was actually the topic of discussion. The 80-90 million is a conservative estimate of start up cost.
  70. Mr PerezFebruary 22, 2012 at 11:33 pm
    Oh great, the guy working the fries knows how much the franchise costs #smirk
  71. MikeFebruary 22, 2012 at 1:02 pm
    Free advice to Jon… Instead of: City has been childish, therefore we should support moving our Sheriff’s station from our downtown to Castaic 100%. Perhaps: City has been childish, therefore you need an adult on the council who can work with the LASD so that we get a new, modern, second station built in the *City* of Santa Clarita. Even if you go with his assumptions, he really shouldn’t take delight in punitive actions that the County takes against the City because of something the city, as a governmental unit, has done when that action is clearly against the interests of the people of Santa Clarita.
  72. JerryFebruary 22, 2012 at 2:13 pm
    Nate-But I think we all have the right to call U childish. When U keep calling Jon names U sound like U’r still in Jr. High. GROW UP!
  73. MikeFebruary 22, 2012 at 2:31 pm
    huh?
  74. ScottEFebruary 22, 2012 at 2:34 pm
    Shut up Nate.
  75. MikeFebruary 22, 2012 at 3:14 pm
    something something Pearl Jam
  76. ToddFebruary 22, 2012 at 4:24 pm
    Nate, you’ve been warned. No pulled pork for you now for at least a month.
  77. Mr PerezFebruary 22, 2012 at 11:35 pm
    Geez dude! Continue to use “U” instead of “you” and you may as well type your statements like this: HeY NaTe U ArE BeInG ChIlDiSh!
  78. 4eyedsueFebruary 23, 2012 at 7:55 am
    it would be “n8 u r being childish”
  79. Mr PerezFebruary 23, 2012 at 1:01 pm
    Fo sho!
  80. SCV Republican SupporterFebruary 22, 2012 at 10:12 pm
    Mr. Hatami, Get real. You are running for the Santa Clarita city Council, not County Supervisor. The City currently pays, as you have stated in public, more than any other contract City. In return, our Captain, who is our chief of Police, is not even informed, much less the City Manager, that the County wants to by land in the unincorporated westernn side of the valley, outside the City, to build a new sheriff’s station. Is this going to be free like the County paid for the Darcy and Newhall library construction? The County has no extra money due to State Budget duts. If he wants to be a City Councilman, represent the City
  81. BrianBFebruary 22, 2012 at 12:54 pm
    Rag tag deputies? What do you mean Nate?
  82. LindaFebruary 22, 2012 at 1:21 pm
    It is a little confusing, isn’t it Brian? I think it boils down to this: People who make their living as city employees = Good People who make their living as county employees = good only if they support the city in ways that make the city look good
  83. PattyFebruary 22, 2012 at 2:35 pm
    It’s a no-brainer. You keep the HQ near the population base and within decent drive times to more densely populated neighborhoods. The county would spend millions to a friendly developer just to win the fight it’s picking rather than accept land from the city in a much more logical area. If there’s a true need for a substation near the Castaic area, perhaps Newhall Land will see 1/4 of the available property.
  84. BrianBFebruary 22, 2012 at 3:05 pm
    Yes Linda that’s sounds about right. But I am also very interested in Nates definition of these “rag tag deputies” and how he has formed that opinion.
  85. Coastal SageFebruary 22, 2012 at 3:29 pm
    On the issue of who owns Newhall Land Development LLC, when “Newhall Land” came out of bankruptcy, they issued this 2009 press release which The Signal quoted verbatim: http://www.the-signal.com/archives/16357/ From that press release/Signal Story: “Newhall Land is backed by strong ownership that consists of a group of investment funds led by Anchorage Advisors LLC, Third Avenue Management LLC, funds affiliated with Och-Ziff Capital Management Group, LLC, funds affiliated with Marathon Asset Management, LP and TPG Credit Management, L.P., along with Lennar Corp. Newhall Land will be managed by Emile Haddad, the CEO of Five Point Communities Management, Inc., a newly formed management company jointly owned by Mr. Haddad and Lennar.” The “ownership chart” shown on Scribd and linked above was filed with the California Public Utilities Commission (PUC) in 2009 by Valencia Water Company’s lawyers “The Nossaman Firm” with offices in Downtown L.A. and in Sacramento. During the PUC proceeding where Valencia Water Company got the PUC’s permission that transfers of the “ultimate ownership” (i.e. the top of the organizational/ownership chart) of Valencia Water Company could occur, The Nossaman Firm flipped out, in writing, when the press release, linked above, was filed with the PUC, because The Nossaman Firm wanted to keep identity of the ultimate owners of Newhall Land a secret. It was the common sort of case where “the left hand didn’t know what the right hand was doing”. So, the question of “Who owned Newhall Land” can still truthfully be answered by saying “a majority is owned by a bunch of hedge funds, with the rest owned by Lennar and Five Points Development”. There will, of course, be another battle at the PUC when Valencia Water Company next seeks to raise water charges to consumers, and those consumers will, once again, pursuant to the PUC’s rules and regulations, demand disclosure of “who owns Newhall Land right now”. And, as usual, The Nossaman Firm will argue that Valencia Water Company should not have to disclose that information despite the PUC’s rules, regulations and ordinary procedures. The key point to be made is that Newhall Land and Valencia Water Company are not “hometown companies” anymore. The number of their personnel working in the Santa Clarita Valley has dramatically dropped, and the “operations boss” is Emile Haddad who lives and works in Orange County. Mr. Haddad and Lennar co-own Newhall Land’s management company Five Point Communities Management, Inc., officed in Orange County and Lennar, Five Points and a bunch of hedge funds from around the country are the ultimate owners of both Newhall Land and Valencia Water Company.
  86. Coastal SageFebruary 22, 2012 at 4:30 pm
    Note to Jeff: Ventura Coast Keeper is not a “new organization”. See: http://www.wishtoyo.org/ventura-coastkeeper.html They simply seem new to you because few Santa Claritans know what is going on in the environmentalist community in Ventura County.
  87. BrianBFebruary 22, 2012 at 9:02 pm
    Nate this deputy you spoke with… Was he a “rag tag” deputy? I have to ask since you are clearly avoiding my question regarding your “rag tag” deputy statements and I’m confused. Who is doing the JUKING now????
  88. Capt. GeneFebruary 22, 2012 at 10:00 pm
    Brian, you didn’t take Nate seriously, did you? Rookie mistake my friend.
  89. PackfanFebruary 23, 2012 at 8:22 am
    I would advise that all building materials NLF wants to use be quality checked first so the buyers don’t end up with inferior or dangerous crap just to save them a buck. SCV history. The lawsuit claimed that developers throughout the valley – including The Newhall Land and Farming Company The Newhall Land and Farming Company is a land management company based in Valencia, California, United States. The company is responsible for the master community planning of Valencia, as well as the management of farm land elsewhere in the state. and American BeautyAmerican Beauty The settlement affected 2,500 homes and seven condominium complexes in at least nine valley communities including the Stevenson Ranch, Northbridge, Mountainview and Shadow Hills developments. http://www.thefreelibrary.com/SETTLEMENT+FUELS+FERVER+FOR+REPIPING+DEALTO+FIX+FAULTY+PLUMBING.-a079095095
  90. LarMccFebruary 23, 2012 at 9:01 am
    And, virtually all of the homes built around that time in Stevenson Ranch had problems with the windows. They were cheap windows which leaked and also built up condensation between the two panes.
  91. Timothy Myers SRFebruary 23, 2012 at 3:24 pm
    The irony of the “cheap” stainless steel pipe was that it was harder to work with than copper so any “savings” from using cheaper pipe was outstripped by additional labor or installation.
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