SCV Talk · Archive
Nine years of the Valley’s town square · 2006–2015
SCV Talk
May 29, 2012· scvtalk.com · WordPress (SCVTalk 3.0) · Wayback capture

May 29, 2012 – Daily Brief

By Jeff — Jeff Wilson

  • City raising parks, recreation, business and community service fees. Deputy City Manager Darren Hernandez says the City is raising fees so that such services “are not being subsidized by the taxpayers.” SIGNAL
  • Memorial Day service at Eternal Valley draws 1000 residents. Two SCV Vietnam Vets, including Bill Reynolds, received Bronze Stars at the event SIGNAL
  • Newly-elected Councilman TimBen Boydston is upset that his in-lieu compensation isn’t equal to that of other Councilmembers. Boydston says it’s not about the money, though, to be fair, the difference amounts to about $10,000. The difference in pay is due to a cost-saving measure that went into effect in 2011 for new employees; Boydston seems to say he shouldn’t be considered an employee in the same sense as a full time staff member SIGNAL
  • One week remains until Election Day! The Signal has an update on the Assembly race financials, with Wilk raising nearly as much as Patricia McKeon (or at parity if you consider the $40k loan McKeon made to her campaign). SIGNAL You can also compare who donated to the campaigns (click Contributions Received and scroll to the bottom for the latest contributions) WILK, MCKEON
  • Also, if you scan the Pat McKeon contribution list, it appears defense industry donations have diminished somewhat in the last reporting period. But the Down With Tyrrany blog notices one local defense company executive is hosting a $500 fundraiser dinner for Patricia McKeon on Thursday DWT BLOG
  • Buck McKeon, meanwhile, sent out a sly mailer over the long weekend. We’ll just call it the “Beware McKeon” Mailer for short; in it, Congressman McKeon warns readers that there are two Stricklands on the ballot and tells voters not to be confused. “Don’t be confused by your primary ballot. THere are two Republican candidates named Strickland. State Senator TONY Strickland endorses McKeon.” Ahhh but which McKeon you’re thinking? Bossert has a copy and some thoughts over at WRB (including the observation that if you just glance at the mailer, it says “BEWARE MCKEON”) and the FACEBOOKERS commented as well
  • On the Congressional side of the ballot, Lee Rogers wins one of those unofficial newspaper polls with 46% of the vote, with Buck McKeon receiving only 25% of the vote. The usual caveats apply (ie it’s not scientific at all) AVPRESS
  • And finally, the Signal has a nice profile of the two State Senate districts that include the SCV, one of which, might be represented by a Democrat SIGNAL
  • We seem to be running out of adjectives to describe the state of local school district finances, all the more so if voters refuse to approve tax increases this fall. SIGNAL
  • Meanwhile, some 1800+ students, about 10 percent of enrolled students, have voluntarily signed up for drug testing at the Hart District. SIGNAL
  • Sheriff’s Station Captain Paul Becker has some interesting statistics on the number of “post-release supervised persons” who live in the SCV following Governor Brown’s realignment plan. Becker says there are 64 PSPs in the SCV, and 15 of them have been arrested since being released, a “29.7 percent recidivism rate.” Becker also says it’s too early to tell if it’s having an impact on local crime rates SIGNAL
  • Also, The Times has a story on what it’s like to be one of these PSPs LA TIMES
  • Driver plows car into gas meter at mobile home park, starts fire that engulfs car and part of a mobile home SCVNEWS
  • Letter writer complains that Canada Geese aren’t more entertaining. “I work at a local golf course, and I can tell you that these are one bunch of lazy birds…..All they do is eat grass, poop, sleep and multiply.” SIGNAL
  • Steve Lunetta calls local Republican apparatchiks “evil” and of low morals and poor values in a humorous op/ed piece. He ends by saying he’s going to marshall the forces of the Vast Right Wing Conspiracy against Pater Familias McKeon’s empire. SIGNAL
  • Maria Gutzeit has a great column on what’s wrong with California State parks. She says they’re so poorly run and unfriendly to patrons she doesn’t care if “they are saved in their current form.” SIGNAL

Comments (47)

  1. BertaMay 29, 2012 at 2:04 AM PT
    Ok, I will start the conversation off. As I mentioned in a previous post, the Memorial Day event at Eternal Valley was well attended and a wonderful tribute to our local heroes. As to the TBB issue, I am surprised that the compensation is such a big deal to him, especially since the issue of Council compensation was decided a couple of years ago and he no doubt has medical benefits via his employ. In my opinion, no Council members or anyone else at City Hall should receive compensation for medical benefits they do not actually need. Serving on Council is a part time position and most part time jobs do not offer paid medical etc, although I realize that to do the job properly many hours are involved. TBB’s wife is a teacher and he is an executive with the CTG so via one or the other he surely has medical benefits. The other council members also very like have medical benefits via their employers/businesses or spouses so maybe it is time to eliminate this benefit entirely for PUBLIC SERVANTS and save the taxpayers some money. The new rules were in place when he applied for the job and pulled papers to run so live with it TBB.
  2. Timothy Myers SRMay 29, 2012 at 2:47 AM PT
    Berta: Must respectfully disagree. The diminishing of pay and benefits for TBB is a big FU to all of his supporters. Elected officials are not “employees” in even the remotest sense so they should all be paid the same regardless of tenure in office.
  3. ToddMay 29, 2012 at 2:52 AM PT
    Simple answer: The council should do the right thing and significantly cut their own salaries and benefits. Many other councils have done the right thing and done just that. To make a fake gesture of “well, all the new guys will not get paid as much” is just a joke.
  4. MrPerezMay 29, 2012 at 3:06 AM PT
    But isn’t this what happens in most jobs? Usually to save money you institute a rule where all new hires receive a pay amount lower than current employees who are grandfathered under the previous pay. It even happens to us in the military for our housing allowance if it is lowered on Jan 1st.
  5. ToddMay 29, 2012 at 4:04 AM PT
    Yes, and undoubtedly for the rank and file, I’d agree. But the City Council should lead by example… and demonstrate the way forward. Hell, I don’t think that they should be allowed to vote themselves any sort of compensation package… if only we had a city charter, approved by the voters of Santa Clarita, which clearly spelled out the compensation. I believe, for Charter cities, the council compensation is clearly stated, by code, that salaries and benefits are raised by x amount per year, and the only vote that can be taken is to not accept the raise (again, which is what they’ve been doing in the last few years). I know that Council Members work hard, and aren’t hardly compensated fairly and equitably for the actual amount of time they put in. But thats why its an elected position. Council members volunteer for the job. Nobody is forced to serve. Thats just my take. I don’t get compensated for being on the board of directors for the two organizations I’m on the BOD for, nor would I expect to be. I don’t even get any sort of discount for attending their annual conferences or seminars. Don’t expect one either. If I ever am elected to city council (heaven help us) I would refuse all salary and benefits and only take reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses and mileage. Period.
  6. BertaMay 29, 2012 at 3:18 AM PT
    TMJ that is why I said: In my opinion, no Council members or anyone else at City Hall should receive compensation for medical benefits they do not actually need. Please note: NO COUNCIL MEMBERS…
  7. Alan FerdmanMay 29, 2012 at 8:25 AM PT
    Berta I am surprised you would take that position. A compensation package is made up of many items not just base salary. It was not that long ago, when the excuse used to compensate women with a lower salary, was that they did not need the same amount because they had a man to take care of them. That was wrong then and it is wrong now. Compensation packages should be equal for an equal job. How one uses it, should be up to the individual.
  8. BertaMay 29, 2012 at 9:00 AM PT
    Al as a female I have always supported equal BASE pay for equal work. Experience, extra abilities, length of time on the job, and/or additional responsibilities are some of the things, which normally account for pay differences. Or would you pay your gardener the same as your neurosurgeon? What I am not in favor of, nor have I ever been, is giving anyone something for nothing. Giving TBB or the other Council members extra money because they do not need and are not taking medical benefits, which are available to them elsewhere, is not equal pay. It is extra compensation. It is actually discriminatory against single women and those who do not have a full time job where they can have health care benefits provided and collect the cash in lieu of taking benefits from the city. I do not support taxpayer provided health benefits for part time work not available in the private sector. Serving on the Council is supposed to be a public service not an enrichment vehicle. As I said, I support equal base pay and no medical benefits for all part time folks, especially those who already have benefits.
  9. Alan FerdmanMay 29, 2012 at 3:41 AM PT
    Berta I absolutely agree. This is more about having all Council Members treated as equals rather than how much they are being paid. Council Member compensation was never discussed in a public forum and if you check the State Controller’s office you will be able to see all Council Members compensation in 2010. The latest data posted. It surprised me to find, council member compensation to be close, but not exactly equal. When it comes to the City compensating individuals for health care you will see the practice applied to all City Employees as well. From my point of view, the Council has only two choices. Make Mr. Boydston’s compensation look like the rest of the Council, or make the rest of the Council’s compensation look like Mr. Boydston’s.
  10. Alan FerdmanMay 29, 2012 at 3:54 AM PT
    Sorry Tim M. This new format had me answering the wrong pperson. I was trying to agree with you.
  11. Phil EllisMay 29, 2012 at 6:14 AM PT
    As the California Voter Rights Act becomes more of a discussion this pay discrepancy may become a bigger issue. If a potential minority candidate cannot afford to run due to this pay differential, might the City become more likely to lose a CVRA law suit?
  12. BertaMay 29, 2012 at 7:11 AM PT
    Ok then Phil you heard it here first: As a “minority” I am considering, but have not decided yet, running for Council next election.
  13. PetzMay 29, 2012 at 2:08 AM PT
    This is crunch time for the elections and while Petz is not a political animal by nature…it is well past time to name names. For Right Minded GOPers Independents, and , Conservatives, this is your slate. President-Romney, but voting Santorum is allowed to send a message to Mitt. At this point a vote of conscience. US Senate- Al Ramirez…small businessman who will appeal to a certain portion of the electorate that the GOPers can use some help from. Congress…Dante Acosta-by now it should be apparent that whether the GOP is in or out of the majority the name McKeon does not mean much. The Cash for Clunker deal was my Waterloo as a principled Conservative. Mr McKeon we are citizens , not subjects. This is Santa Clarita…not Chicago. State Senate-Steve Knight…our only choice, but a damn good one. Assembly 38- Scott Wilk is the most qualified by his values, record at COC, and life experience to represent us in Sacramento. Petz likes Paul Strickland and will not speak ill of him. Patricia McKeon simply does not have the experience or gravitas / let us not add to the McKeon power base. District Attorney-Alan Jackson, because it’s 5 o’clock somewhere. County Supervisor- Michael Antonovich because he still uses the 1957 LA County Seal on his correspondence and defended the seal against the ACLU onslaught. No on 28 No on 29-When they start adding a buck to a botttle of wine for medical research-Petz will vote for it. Until then-he enjoys a good smoke and the company of people who frequent tobacconists. County Measure H- No – Supported by Zev Yaroslavsky who voted to change the county seal. A radical secularist. County Measure L No–See reason for H above. The real race to watch is the GOP Party Central Committee which pits the traditional McKeon Republican power brokers against the Tea Party upstarts who want to take the party back . This is a battle for the heart and souls of our Conservatives in the SCV. Vote for these seven. Wendy Albright BJ Atkins Mary (Katie) Varner Adam Gregory Tana Lampton Joe Messina Carlo Basail That is it for now.
  14. Timothy Myers SRMay 29, 2012 at 2:48 AM PT
    Petz: So you want to boot poor “Pepper” Parkinson out of office?
  15. PetzMay 29, 2012 at 3:01 AM PT
    She’s a good friend but does not hold the position now. She is too nice a person to get thrown into the GOP mosh pit. Perfectly fine leading Republican Women , they are not allowed to endorse. Pepper undersatnds that Petz prefers clarity to agreement. Really acting in her best interest. If you find one of her signs let me know.
  16. Timothy Myers SRMay 29, 2012 at 4:41 AM PT
    Petz: Can you vouch for Pepper’s personal well being? From the tone of Lynn Haueter’s email I was afraid that the senior Republican ladies had dismembered and thrown her remains in a garbage sack down the canyons!
  17. Capt. GeneMay 29, 2012 at 6:32 AM PT
    Anyone else find Tim’s post…disturbing?
  18. NateMay 29, 2012 at 8:20 AM PT
    I love that tim can make this guy obsess… I think he is building a room dedicated to his Tim Meyer’s hatred!
  19. MrPerezMay 29, 2012 at 3:09 AM PT
    But wouldn’t writing Santorum in on your ballot take a vote away from Romney and thus give President Obama a greater potential for victory? And watch it with that Chicago ish! ;o)
  20. PetzMay 29, 2012 at 3:24 AM PT
    CA is not in play for November at the presidential level.
  21. MrPerezMay 29, 2012 at 4:05 AM PT
    Ok but how close is the margin? I guess I vote in a state where the large city is highly Democrat but the rest of the state is Republican, so a push in either direction is meaningful.
  22. BertaMay 29, 2012 at 5:23 AM PT
    Individual votes always count, and unexpected results are what constitute an upset. Folks should never take voters for granted…
  23. MrPerezMay 29, 2012 at 9:30 AM PT
    No they shouldn’t
  24. MrPerezMay 29, 2012 at 10:38 AM PT
    As an example Berta, my district in IL voted heavily for Bush in both 2000 and 2004 but then leaned towards Pres. Obama in 2008. What happened?
  25. BertaMay 29, 2012 at 11:03 AM PT
    JP the most logical answer is that in 2008 they voted for whom they considered a local Chicago guy.
  26. MrPerezMay 29, 2012 at 11:54 AM PT
    Possibly, but Chicago politicians aren’t popular in the suburbs or other parts of the state. And its doubtful Republican voters would flip and vote for a Democrat, even if Palin was the VP candidate lol
  27. NateMay 29, 2012 at 2:51 PM PT
    Did Berta really just say “the most logical answer”… mark it down I have seen everyting!
  28. 4eyedsueMay 29, 2012 at 2:16 PM PT
    Obamney… Robama… lesser of two evils is still evil….
  29. NateMay 29, 2012 at 2:53 PM PT
    I prefer Coke Classic to New Coke.
  30. Mr PerezMay 29, 2012 at 3:58 PM PT
    Well, you’re going to get one of the two. I can say without a doubt that my political prediction, unlike Tim’s….sorry, will be 100% right
  31. spineflower2May 29, 2012 at 11:46 PM PT
    County Supervisor- Michael Antonovich because he still uses the 1957 LA County Seal on his correspondence and defended the seal against the ACLU onslaught. Interesting… so if a Supervisor chose to exercise his/her personal preference for official government seals and included a mosque on the official seal, a Mexican flag, or perhaps a swastika, that would be fine with you? After all, you have endorsed using false government symbols on official business documents based on personal preference. The issue is nor forgery. The only difference is that HIS fake doc agrees with your personal politics. See where this slippery slope leads? Shameful to endorse this act of defiance of the legal system.
  32. BertaMay 30, 2012 at 2:03 AM PT
    Spineflower2 one very substantial difference however is that a mosque, swastika, Mexican Flag etc were never represented on the American Los Angeles County seal. A cross was and Mike Antonovich has simply refused to be “politically correct” and remove it from his personal stationary, good for him.
  33. SCV Republican SupporterMay 29, 2012 at 2:54 AM PT
    Good information on the 38th Assembly District. In addition to what is in the Signal and WRB, I received the glossy Buck McKeon for Congress Cemex mailer last week defending his efforts on Cemex. Honestly a good effort. However, the amazing thing about this mailer is that the large picture on the front is Buck and Patricia McKeon. In addition, in the text in the back Patricia is mentioned twice, once about how long they have lived in SCV and second time asking the reader to join both of them in opposing Cemex. I don’t know electionlaw, but this would sure appear to be crossing the line, using federal campaign funds to help Patricia McKeon for Assembly. Wonder if anything will come of that. Finally, in addition to seeing Wilk’s fundraising exceeding Patricia’s in the last period and having much more cash on hand, especially if she won’t spend her $40,000 loan, I only see Wilk yard signs in front of home, no Patricia McKeon. A sign that Scott has more committed supporters.
  34. CCMay 29, 2012 at 4:48 AM PT
    Probably paid for by a PAC
  35. JaneMay 29, 2012 at 5:47 AM PT
    On the contributions I was confused by the 2 for $3,900 each from the Buck McKeon campaign. I didn’t know one campaign was allowed to give money to another. Learn something every day.
  36. SCV Republican SupporterMay 29, 2012 at 7:26 AM PT
    It is a maximum donation for the primary and general, $3900 each. However, the additional $3900 for the general can not be spent until she qualifies for the general.
  37. PetzMay 29, 2012 at 3:09 AM PT
    The natural support base for the McKeons were at Eternal Valley on Monday, and their absence was duly noted by all. While Petz did not take attendance, he did not even see any support staff from the McKeons-nor a public statement giving regrets. Scott Wilk needs help in the the Simi area to overcome the Strickland name recognition problem, Anyone who wants to help can go to Wilk camaign headquarters on Tourney and dial voters in Simi for an hour or two. Come to make calls…stay for the candy bars and snacks.
  38. PetzMay 29, 2012 at 3:23 AM PT
    Petz had several people come up to him at Eternal Valley asking what is up with Tim Myers -…giving Buck his vote for life because he voted yes to TARP. After signing their programs Petz response was “Myers is a real head scratcher anyway, an enigma of epic proportion, but me thinks his employer must have gotten a bunch of money out of the deal to save the whale.. It is going to take someone better than Petz to explain Tim Myers, maybe his Nebraska bride can chime in.
  39. MrPerezMay 29, 2012 at 2:16 PM PT
    Signing their programs? You some kind of celebrity or something?
  40. MrPerezMay 29, 2012 at 3:32 AM PT
    Petz, from what I have read about Zev Yaroslavsky it seems he is active in the Jewish community, was very much against the Soviet empire, and may just want the government to be secularist.
  41. PetzMay 29, 2012 at 3:44 AM PT
    For the secular jew….leftism is their religion,
  42. ToddMay 29, 2012 at 4:05 AM PT
    Sounds borderline Anti-Semitic there Steven….
  43. TiredOfTheHypocrisyMay 29, 2012 at 4:16 AM PT
    What would you expect from Putz
  44. MrPerezMay 29, 2012 at 5:21 AM PT
    So what you are saying is someone cannot be for separation of church and state and yet be personally religious?
  45. NateMay 29, 2012 at 8:19 AM PT
    Wow.
  46. PetzMay 29, 2012 at 8:48 AM PT
    Where did you get this concept of “Church/State Separation”. The Constitution ?
  47. MrPerezMay 29, 2012 at 9:40 AM PT
    That pesky 1st Amendment and all those judicial “misinterpretations”!

Preserved as part of the SCV Talk Archive. Text is presented as originally published; presentation has been standardised for readability. The original capture is available at the Internet Archive.

Support