March 27, 2012 Daily Brief-"Is it too early to celebrate?" Edition

Nothing would make me happier than one or both incumbents losing in the City Council election because the analysis of how that happened would be a fascinating puzzle I would love to put together. Nothing would make me happier than the incumbents retaining their seats because I like to watch the (sometimes virulent) anti-incumbent crowds' head collectively explode. Therefore, like most stoic Midwesterners, I can be be happy all the time!

On trying to garner some clues the daily velocity of ballot counting at the City Clerk's office significantly slowed last Friday and Monday from 1,300 to 500 per day. This COULD (emphasize could) indicate a not insignificant reduction in vote by mail turnout that can only help the challengers, since incumbents' power relies so much on the casual voter. Also intriguing, my and my Nebraska's brides ballot have not yet been counted, though they will have been in the Clerk's office for two weeks come this Thursday.

Real estate seems to be recovering in the SCV though one month figures do not a trend make. SIGNAL Best part is a mortgage broker "spams" the comment section.

Does Petz know about this? COC officials put together seven year plan for Canyon County Campus because there will probably be money available again someday. Plans include the building of a planetarium. SIGNAL

32 year old gets five years probation for possession of child pornography after spending nearly a year in jail after arrest for allegedly filming a 12 year old in a COC (Canyon Country Campus) restroom. SIGNAL

Blame the victim? Attorney for Aqua Dulce man accused of allegedly mowing down dog walking neighbor while intoxicated asks for dismissal since the deceased "darted" out into the dirt road and caused her own death. Judge says enough evidence exists to take the matter to a trial and a decision by a jury. SIGNAL According to informed sources of SCVTalk the accused was arrested while eating dinner at his home about one hour after the accident and did not realize that he had even been involved in an accident.

I am in ABSOLUTELY no position to judge, but I find it a bit disturbing that Congressional primary candidate Dante Acosta trots out his two younger children to a special chapel service and photo op at Santa Clarita Christian School to honor Rudy Acosta. SIGNAL Just sayin'

This one is a stumper. Valencia's most (recently) infamous resident, disgraced LAUSD School Police office Jeff Stenroos, raises $309K in restitution from family and friends which allows him to remain free pending the appeal of his earlier conviction. SIGNAL I am confident that if I had a friend or family member in a similar situation they would get a big fat NO from me.

Must read for all neocons and other cheerleaders for war. Kevin Buck, local Democrat activist and general anti-war guy and his wife are putting all their chips on the table as their only son deploys with the Marine Corps to Afghanistan. SIGNAL Part 2 is tomorrow.

Steven Winkler goes all kinds of crazy in an LTE. The former Democrat who, by all accounts, still has Hillary Clinton 2008 bumper stickers on his car, plumps for Newt Gingrich. Comments are hilarious. Yes, this man is an elected official.

"Jukin" the (crime) stats? Elizabeth Gaede claims the SD's and the City are doing just that in an LTE.

Does Patricia McKeon know? Court upholds County's plastic bag ban and 10 cent paper bag fee that became the (much mocked) origin myth of the Patricia McKeon assembly campaign. SCVNEWS

WRB provides a link to a SACBEE report on legislative race fundraising for the beginning of the year. The numbers find Patricia McKeon and Scott Wilk running about neck and neck save for the personal money the McKeon's seeded in her campaign. Edward Headington is far behind but due to his identification as a Democrat and three Repubs in the race he will probably sail into the runoff. No information on Paul Strickland.

Dave Bossert attempts to stir up turnout (Dave, if you want TimBen to win you want to depress turnout!) in a plea to poll voters to attempt to overturn the decision of the vote by mails. WRB Ironic from a person elected for life some years ago with 36 votes.