July 18, 2012 – Daily Brief

By Jeff — Jeff Wilson

Gorman man tries to shoot his cousin on Saturday, gets arrested. Man posts bond, goes home, and by Tuesday, he’s trying to attack his cousin again, this time with a golf club. He gets shot in the foot and re-arrested in the process. KTLA, DAILY NEWS
Bummer: Rock the Rhythm, Beat the Odds mass drum event at COC in May fails to set Guiness World Record for the largest percussive drum assembly in the world (the title remains in the hands of Hong Kong) SCVNEWS
Inside the debate over Placerita’s Canyon trail and whether mountain bikers should be allowed to ride alongside equestrians and hikers. Plambeck says no (and says mountain bikers are more in it for the sport than the natural beauty), Korenthal says yes KHTS
2014 Heats Up: Councilwoman Marsha McLean posts in the Facebook Santa Clarita Letters to the Editor group and instantly readers ask her about TimBen Boydston’s nominations for various City committees/commissions. And she answers! And then, former City Councilman and city founding father Carl Boyer hints that he’d like to see Dianne Trautman on the City Council, not just the planning commission. High city drama on FACEBOOK
The City says thousands of people have taken part in its Senses on Main event which started one year ago this month. KHTS. Thursday’s event is Beach-themed CITY BRIEFS
Six Flags Magic Mountain blogger visits MM again, sees disgusting water leaking onto sidewalk from Hurricane Harbor (remember that unresolved story?) and speculates on a possible new ride from Australia that involves sitting inside a steel ball and being propelled into the air at 100mph COASTER GUY BLOG
When they’re not depositing nasty ozone and particulate emissions (without any recompense to us) in the SCV or crashing into things in the Newhall Pass, big rig trucks are running over fire hydrants and flooding local businesses as happened yesterday in Castaic when a truck hit a hydrant and caused a 125 foot plume of water to erupt. SIGNAL
This year’s annual warning about the West Nile virus seems more potent after Supervisor Antonovich announced that he wants multi-agency coordination to fight mosquitos carrying the disease SCVNEWS
One can only hope: Thunderstorms might be possible in the SCV today and tomorrow as this unseasonably cool, cloudy weather continues SIGNAL
This week, Congressman McKeon invited former Vice President Dick Cheney to the House to strategize and talk about the pending sequestration cuts from the Defense Budget next year. McKeon says he invited the unpopular former VP in order to get people to listen to his warnings about the Defense cuts he agreed to during last summer’s Debt Ceiling debate FOX NEWS
Also this week in McKeon politics, Buck accuses President Obama of deliberately cutting the Army’s sponsorship of a NASCAR race team. But it was actually a Republican congressman from Georgia of all places who moved to strike the $20 million Army-NASCAR sponsorship deal and Politico says McKeon himself signed off (literally with his signature) on the idea POLITICO
Journatic, a web service that provides outsourced “hyperlocal” news to local newspapers, was profiled recently on This American Life. NPR has a follow-up story about the organization, which employs journalists in Mexico, the Phillipines and elsewhere to write stories about small communities for papers that can’t afford to hire local journalists. I’m conflicted- what if The Signal fired all its reporters and went all-in with Journatic and we got a better product? NPR
Opposite Day Part #1:Don’t miss SCVTalk reader and realtor Petz’ analysis of Buck McKeon’s recently released loan docs from the late 1990s, mentioned in the recent Issa report covering Countrywide, influence-peddling and Congress. Shorter Petz: McKeon’s 1998 mortgage really was a sweetheart deal and Petz is “madder than hell” at McKeon SCVTALK
Opposite Day Part #2: Liberal columnist Gary Horton, who swooned over Congressman McKeon after meeting him earlier this month, pens a column in which he calls McKeon’s Countrywide Friends-of-Angelo loan a truly “yawner of a scandal” in comparison with Watergate or McKeon’s own continued, hyperventilating support of a bloated DoD budget. But I think Horton misjudges the documents released this week which prove McKeon’s loan was out of the ordinary SIGNAL
Signal commenters start pool on how many DUI arrests will happen at the Sheriff’s latest DUI checkpoint scheduled for Friday evening. So far the smart money is on 0 – 2 arrests. SIGNAL
Letter writer reminds readers what it means for Buck McKeon to continuously vote with his party to repeal Obamacare. McKeon’s opponent, Lee Rogers, wants to fix the problems with the law, not repeal it wholesale SIGNAL
If you care: Kanye West and Kim Kardashian were at Six Flags Magic Mountain yesterday and tweeted pics of themselves on roller coasters. NY DAILY NEWS

Comments (109)

Bill ReynoldsJuly 18, 2012 at 1:57 AM PT

Be advised that it’s only left wingers who consider VP Dick Cheney unpopular. We conservatives appreciate his long and distingushed service to America. Thought you should know…

Timothy Myers SRJuly 18, 2012 at 2:52 AM PT

Bill: So conservatives constitute only 19% of the population? (That was Cheney’s approval rating when he left office.) Also, his quip when asked about not serving in Vietnam was borderline disrespectful. (“I had other things to do.”) Much like Mitt Romney about his sons lack of military service in 2008. (“They serve the country by working on my campaign.”) In our recent trip to Hawaii a cab driver who was a veteran asked why I had not served in the military. I gave him the following answer: “It was an all volunteer army by the time I was old enough to serve and because people like you were willing to volunteer it let me and others like me off the hook. So thank you for your service.” The cab driver thought that was a good answer.

Bill ReynoldsJuly 18, 2012 at 4:38 AM PT

Hey Tim, we conservatives appreciate VP Dick Cheney.

Capt. GeneJuly 19, 2012 at 10:21 AM PT

Well, yeah Bill, but do Hawaiian cabbies like him? That’s the real question.

Bill ReynoldsJuly 19, 2012 at 2:59 PM PT

Not likely – LOL.

Dave PutnamJuly 18, 2012 at 2:18 AM PT

I’d probably appreciate Dick Cheney if he hadn’t ducked and covered when it came time to serve our country during the Vietnam War years.

Bill ReynoldsJuly 18, 2012 at 2:22 AM PT

Well, he joins a long list of Americans who chose education, raising a family or high tailing it to Canada. Cheney served America with honor and integrity as far as I’m concerned… even with heart disease.

Dave PutnamJuly 18, 2012 at 3:41 AM PT

Others of us might differ on that whole integrity thing….just sayin’

Bill ReynoldsJuly 18, 2012 at 4:40 AM PT

You’re entitled…

JeffJuly 18, 2012 at 4:13 AM PT

Cheney draft dodges, John Kerry earns a purple heart serving alongside Bill R in Vietnam, and who does Bill R defend as having “honor and integrity”? Cheney. Pretty incredible.

Bill ReynoldsJuly 18, 2012 at 4:45 AM PT

Hey Jeff, Hanoi John F’n Kerry avoided the draft by joining the Navy and then he dissed Vietnam Veterans like no one ever has. He supposedly threw his medals away. As far as I’m concerned, he’s a despicable human being…. same goes for Hanoi Jane. Try reading “Unfit For Command” by John E. O’Neill.

mikeJuly 18, 2012 at 6:14 AM PT

“Avoided the draft by joining the Navy” Nice. Ask John McCain how “avoiding the draft” worked out for him.

Bill ReynoldsJuly 18, 2012 at 6:20 AM PT

John McCain’s family tradition was joining the Navy and McCain wanted to be a pilot…. study up. As info, guys my age did many things to avoid the draft back then due to a fear of infantry service in combat, hence many joined the National Guard, Coast Guard, Air Force, and Navy…. many fled to Canada.

mikeJuly 18, 2012 at 6:32 AM PT

Right, more honorable because of stuff that happened before he was born. Also, because he’s a Republican.

SCVResJuly 19, 2012 at 2:53 AM PT

So much for having the back of a fellow vet.

Bill ReynoldsJuly 19, 2012 at 3:00 PM PT

So much for your intelligence…

Phil EllisJuly 18, 2012 at 5:52 AM PT

If we are talking about those that didn’t serve, Jeff, don’t you think that you should add Clinton to the mix?

Bill ReynoldsJuly 18, 2012 at 6:10 AM PT

And AlGore’s Dad made sure he had a cushy “Stars & Stripes” gig….

SCVResJuly 19, 2012 at 4:39 AM PT

Another vet getting thrown under the bus.

Bill ReynoldsJuly 19, 2012 at 3:02 PM PT

Are you not aware of Hanoi John F’n Kerry’s degradation of Vietnam Veterans to Congress when he was still supposedly serving in the Navy looking like a grungy hippie? Wise up son…

JeffJuly 18, 2012 at 6:33 AM PT

Yeah sure, whatever, Clinton was a draft dodger too. Geez reading the blog today feels like a rehash of the 1960s. Vietnam ended almost forty years ago, two years before I was born. How Vietnam is viewed is a fight that’s been defined by my parent’s generation, not mine. Your generation and your parent’s generation created the Vietnam war and the resulting counter-culture movement and for as long as I remember, it’s been important to frame a President’s character in light of what he did during those crazy, tumultuous years. It was refreshing to me as a 30-something to understand that our current president is somewhat of a post-Vietnam president in that he’s not really a boomer and was a child during Vietnam. He’s being challenged by a baby boomer who, like fellow boomers Clinton and Cheney, also avoided service in Vietnam . If he wins, I wonder if Romney will be the last boomer President who came of age during Vietnam. I won’t be sad to see the “President X did Y during Vietnam and that’s shameful/controversial etc” debates end.

Phil EllisJuly 18, 2012 at 6:54 AM PT

Did Romney inhale?

JeffJuly 18, 2012 at 7:08 AM PT

Definitely not. Equally scary- has Romney ever had a good hot cup of coffee? Or an ice-cold coca cola?

mikeJuly 18, 2012 at 7:24 AM PT

There is evidence that Romney has enjoyed a Coca-Cola from time to time. I understand that caffeinated soda is not forbidden, though many Mormons do not drink it. Among my Mormon friends, nearly all avoid coffee, but many will consume concentrated energy drinks with enough caffeine stimulative chemicals to power a stage of the Tour de France. If I’m not mistaken, decaffeinated coffee is off limits, too.

JeffJuly 18, 2012 at 7:31 AM PT

yeah Mike, I think the prohibition isn’t so much on caffeinated drinks (to put it in a Catholic context, consuming caffeine is a venal sin) but rather on hot liquids (mortal sin). So I guess coca cola is okay, but Intelligentsia wouldn’t be, unless it was iced and the consumer was feeling somewhat rebellious. Maybe CC, our resident “Jack Mormon” can pop in here and speculate on orthodox beverage consumption practices in the LDS faith.

mikeJuly 18, 2012 at 7:47 AM PT

I looked it up. Mormons are divided on decaf coffee and soft drinks. Caffeinated coffee and tea, at any temperature are off-limits. All other non-alcoholic hot drinks are OK, even hot chocolate, which is both hot and caffeinated.

CCJuly 19, 2012 at 12:30 AM PT

Similar to other religions that ban pork or beef on Friday it has more to archaic knowledge of these things that were perceived to be bad for you. As time goes on, these religions will either hold onto tradition or change with the times. Frankly, sugary soda and smoking is still pretty bad for you, but you will take my hot cup of poor over organic coffee from my cold dead hands!

CCJuly 19, 2012 at 12:31 AM PT

pour not poor…duh

JayceJuly 19, 2012 at 6:37 AM PT

Jeff he would have had coffee but it looked like it came from the local 7 Eleven

Bill ReynoldsJuly 18, 2012 at 7:13 AM PT

Looking at the posts above it appears that Tim, you & Dave brought up Vietnam & now you’re bemoaning the subject. Whot tha….

mikeJuly 18, 2012 at 7:18 AM PT

I agree.

SCV LoverJuly 18, 2012 at 4:33 AM PT

You’ve jumped the shark here, Bill

ToddJuly 18, 2012 at 4:37 AM PT

I’m pretty sure that Bill considers Barry Goldwater to be a liberal and a socialist at this point.

Bill ReynoldsJuly 18, 2012 at 5:17 AM PT

I’m pretty sure that Todd doesn’t know what he’s talking about…. again.

ToddJuly 18, 2012 at 5:25 AM PT

So, then, tell us Bill, have you always supported Barry Goldwater, even as he began to support Democrats as he approached the end of his life?

Bill ReynoldsJuly 18, 2012 at 5:52 AM PT

Hey Todd, I recall appreciating JFK (“It’s not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country”) and despising LBJ for starting the Vietnam War & quitting when the going got tough. Goldwater was not on my radar….

Bill ReynoldsJuly 18, 2012 at 4:47 AM PT

Left wingers despise Dick Cheney….

Dave PutnamJuly 18, 2012 at 5:27 AM PT

Many of us taxpayers who got stuck with the $800 BILLION tab for Iraq aren’t too enthralled with him either.

Bill ReynoldsJuly 18, 2012 at 5:49 AM PT

Freedom is not free…

Dave PutnamJuly 18, 2012 at 7:06 AM PT

Obviously

BertaJuly 18, 2012 at 7:10 AM PT

Bill thanks for paying my tab.

SCVResJuly 19, 2012 at 2:55 AM PT

But should not be paid for with higher taxes, right?

Dave PutnamJuly 18, 2012 at 7:22 AM PT

Would love to hear details on how LBJ “started the Vietnam War”.

Bill ReynoldsJuly 18, 2012 at 7:33 AM PT

I have an extra DVD documentary that illustrates exactly what happened…. in a nutshell, LBJ sent CIA operatives into North Vietnam to blow up their infrasturcture which caused them to retaliate. Thus the Gulf of Tonkin incident whereby the North Vietnamese supposedly fired torpedoes at the USS Maddox. This incident is highly questionable, but nevertheless LBJ retaliated and thus began his huge war machine…. all in name of the domino theory.

Bill ReynoldsJuly 18, 2012 at 7:35 AM PT

Worrying about Romney’s caffine intake is akin to knowing the color of his socks. Hello….

Phil EllisJuly 18, 2012 at 8:28 AM PT

LBJ may have esalated the war, but JFK certainly had a big hand in it. Just Google JFK and Vietnam

SCVResJuly 19, 2012 at 2:59 AM PT

The first person whose name is on the Vietnam Memorial wall died on Eisenhower’s watch. Ike, JFK, LBJ, Nixon, Ford all had part of it.

AnnetteJuly 18, 2012 at 2:52 AM PT

This was Marsha’s answer… “It was not a decision I take lightly. I feel I did what is best for the City as a whole. I seconded Diane Trautman’s and Jim Farley’s nomination and two of Tim-Ben’s nominations were passed.” She did not answer any other questions we had for her…wonder why? Please feel free to join SCLTE it is a free speech forum!

Timothy Myers SRJuly 18, 2012 at 2:56 AM PT

Annette: I agree that was a non-answer answer, but that was in keeping with the political genius of Marsha McLean. People will recall that Marsha McLean had to run (nearly) as much as Joe Messina to get elected to office. Since then she has embraced the built in advantages of incumbency but ALSO made sure that low information voters know that she has never really done anything offensive. This is why she tends to come first when she runs for reelection. Incumbency gets one reelected but the fact you have given little offense gets one number one.

LarMccJuly 18, 2012 at 3:21 AM PT

Genius? Really Tim. Doing nothing daring to keep ones job is not genius, it is pathetic.

Timothy Myers SRJuly 18, 2012 at 5:12 AM PT

One person’s pathetic action is another person’s strategy for long term employment.

SCV SageJuly 18, 2012 at 7:02 AM PT

But she can tap dance!

AnnetteJuly 18, 2012 at 7:41 AM PT

So funny, SCV Sage!

Bill ReynoldsJuly 18, 2012 at 7:54 AM PT

But can she tap dance into re-election, again?

AnnetteJuly 18, 2012 at 8:57 AM PT

Isn’t that the M of O for most of the council ….tap dancing ? LOL

BertaJuly 18, 2012 at 4:35 AM PT

Annette, I do not have a Facebook account so here is my response to Irene Kirk’s letter, which is full of factual errors, she writes: “A recess was called to discuss Councilman TimBen Boydston’s appointments to be passed. Why?” Ms. Kirk, a recess was called so that council members, city staff, and we the public in attendance could have a BATHROOM break! Council members do not get together and chat as you state, the Brown Act specifically prohibits it. I personally spoke with Marsha McLean in the ladies restroom during the break and she was the only other person in there at the time, so there goes your conspiracy theory. Ms. Kirk further states: “Alan Ferdman is a well-respected and qualified leader in the community. His efforts have kept Canyon Country residents safer and deterred crime. He has given, free of charge, his time and money to us, has made the public aware of local problems and impacted solutions.” You make it sound like Al Ferdman is out there armed and patrolling our streets. Al is not a law enforcement agent or council member where credit for our local safety rightfully belongs. I could argue that not only has Al not kept us safe but also he has been a deterrent to keeping us safer. A few years ago, the City approached me about volunteering my time to participate in a gang suppression group to deter gangs in our neighborhood. Mr. Ferdman, falsely claiming he spoke for all of us, told the City no dice since “WE” did not want folks thinking we have a gang problem, which would lower our property values. Fast forward a couple of years and we now have had drive-by shootings, knife attacks, drug dealing, etc so thanks so much Al for “protecting” us. Mr. Ferdman also continues to fight the City’s efforts to clean up our neighborhoods and tells folks who will listen to his one sided rants that “… Canyon Country being singled out for selective enforcement” by the City but fails to mention that it is those of us who live in this community who want our neighborhoods kept clean, safe, and well maintained so that we enjoy a good quality of life and have increased property values. Al is apparently more concerned with the removal of garage sale signs etc than with getting folks to clean up their properties or comply with building codes and local ordinances. I guess he has not heard of the “broken window syndrome”. He never asks “us” our opinion on matters before he gives leaders his opinion and specifically keeps those of us who disagree with his views out of the discussion. He continues to claim falsely that he speaks on behalf of the entire community when he does not even ask the few who attend monthly CCAC meetings what we want. The other council members correctly refused to second Mr. Boydston’s appointment of Mr. Ferdman to a city commission where he would presumably advise them and represent us. Al Ferdman is not well respected, nor do I believe he has their/our confidence or trust to work selflessly on behalf of all the residents. He has his own agenda. Of the four people who spoke to the Council on Al’s behalf, one resides in Agua Dulce, one in Castaic both of which are outside of the City, and two are residents of Valencia, NO ONE from Canyon Country lauded Al. What continues to amaze me is how misinformed some folks are and yet they do nothing to get their facts straight before rushing to defend Al. Al is not the instrument of positive accomplishment for Canyon Country, but rather a power hungry dude who gets in the way of positive change for our community. Al is an obstructionist to improvements he does not personally like, in part by discouraging genuine citizen involvement, particularly if you disagree with his anti city biases, and unfairly criticizing nearly everything the city tries to do to improve Canyon Country. The Council has better choices for public servant commissioner positions.

NateJuly 18, 2012 at 5:21 AM PT

Don’t waste you time TBB will never do wrong in Annette’s eyes.

NateJuly 18, 2012 at 5:22 AM PT

*your

AnnetteJuly 18, 2012 at 7:54 AM PT

Two questions Berta, How do you know it was a “bathroom” break did Frank tell you that? Frank was the one person who knew because he called the recess IMHO! “A few years ago, the City approached me about volunteering my time to participate in a gang suppression group to deter gangs in our neighborhood.” Berta,you like me, speak you mind, Why didn’t YOU take the responsibility to form the gang suppression group?

BertaJuly 18, 2012 at 8:18 AM PT

You are correct Annette; I speak my mind. I also do not follow leaders whom for cogent reasons I do not respect. Your two things Annette: 1. I do not need Frank or anyone else to tell me that it is a bathroom break since that is usually the case at Council meetings and that is what at least Marsha and I did with most of our break time. 2. It was to be a city/sheriff’s sponsored local neighborhood group never formed because our community, according to Al, supposedly did not support it. There already exists a Blue Ribbon and Anti-Gang Task Force for citywide issues and I already have many other committees and groups I participate in but that does not change the fact that Al falsely said there was no interest in OUR community, he never asked us. He unilaterally made the decision and said no to the city, typical Al Ferdman style. If a sponsored group had been formed, I would have made the time to participate.

Alan FerdmanJuly 18, 2012 at 4:02 PM PT

Annette Berta #2 story = totally untrue fabrication

BertaJuly 18, 2012 at 5:48 PM PT

Al are you publicly stating that you did not tell Cruz Caldera and Hope Horner that “we” did not have a gang problem in Canyon County, demanded statistics, and did not want any information disseminated or group formed indicating a gang problem, thereby killing the idea? Because if that is what you are saying, you are a bold-faced liar. You yourself bragged to me about killing the idea and confirmed the conversation when I confronted you about this very issue a couple of years ago.

Alan FerdmanJuly 19, 2012 at 2:39 AM PT

Berta Neither members of the Anti-gang Task Force or the Sherriff Department were able to produce any statistics or data to justify the statements posted in the Anti-gang Task Force yearend newsletter relating to the Lower North Oaks area. As a result, Rick Gould and Adel then removed the statements from the City’s Web Site.

AnnetteJuly 19, 2012 at 3:27 AM PT

Berta, It may have been a bathroom break for you and you may have seen Marsha in the bathroom but as I said you do not know what FF did with his break time. Another fact is it does not take all of the break time to use the restroom and so what did Marsha do with the rest of her break time…were you with her?

mikeJuly 19, 2012 at 3:32 AM PT

Quite a conspiracy they cooked up during their break that they stumbled all over Val’s vote.

BertaJuly 19, 2012 at 3:56 AM PT

OK Annette you cling to your conspiracy theory, there is no reasoning with you. Do you honestly believe no one anticipated Ferdman and Thomas would be offered some position for their years of loyalty to TBB? Especially given Harrison Katz was not vying for a position anymore. If they all talked about refusing nominees at the break, then why would Laurene originally abstain with all of that confusion instead of just voting no? I would ask you why TBB offered folks he knew are controversial, are very critical of Council/City, are not good team players, and would most likely not be acceptable by the majority. I think TBB offers us all enough divisiveness and drama, thanks. If I were you, I would advise TBB to vet all of his nominees in future instead of putting all of his eggs foolishly in one basket and be prepared to offer alternate nominees for these important positions.

AnnetteJuly 19, 2012 at 5:07 AM PT

Berta, I follow no one, and am in no position to tell TB what he should or should not do. Controversial (people) is in the eye of the beholder and your opinion may/does differ from other, that’s all. I can’t answer why Laurene abstained. Laurene did not share that information with me. Be honest, do you really think the 3 of them never talk over issues amongst themselves?

AnnetteJuly 19, 2012 at 3:29 AM PT

BertaJuly 19, 2012 at 4:02 AM PT

No Annette I was collecting signatures on a petition to derail High Speed Rail, but thanks for asking.

Bill ReynoldsJuly 18, 2012 at 5:21 AM PT

I’m simply trying to find out why Marsha thought Trautman was first a great selection, and then was not a great selection, but now a great selection again. Huh? Enquiring minds need to know.

SCV SageJuly 18, 2012 at 7:06 AM PT

I had forgotten that one. Thanks for the memory Bill! Reason Marsha did not support Diane Trautman before was because she had the audacity to support Gauny and TimBen when they ran up against them in the previous election cycle. But, when Ender went down, I guess Marsha decided it was time for a change. Someone must have spoken to her — Frank, Bob, Laurene? Who knows — they do speak to each other as I have personally witnessed them at breakfast, etc.

Eric HeilbrunJuly 18, 2012 at 10:50 AM PT

Marsha was a bit fickle concerning Diane. First she voted to eliminate term limits for commissioners citing the “experience” factor. But the “experience” factor wasn’t enough for Marsha to nominate her for another term because she didn’t think she would be affirmed for reasons mentioned above. But now Marsha and others seem to think Diane is fit for the post. The political winds are a blowin’.

LarMccJuly 18, 2012 at 3:13 AM PT

I can sympathize with the mountain bikers. Equestrian people (yes I am going to generalize) don’t seem to share well with others. Horses are big and take up a lot of room on the trails. Horses are allowed to defecate wherever they want and horse owners do not have to pick it up. Horses are dangerous, and if spooked can lose control and trample and kill others. A few years back, we were at Vasquez Rocks for Easter. In spite of holding a site since 5am, the fun stopped when two horses showed up in the afternoon. The park staff ordered all the kids to stop flying kites because it might scare the horses. They were heavy handed about it and cited county ordinances against “dangerous objects” (apparently the kites were dangerous in their eyes). I later complained to the park superintendent who stood by the decision. Apparently, two people on horses had more rights to use the park than a dozen kids flying kites. I then complained to the head of county parks who sided with me on the issue, reprimanded the park staff and issued a written apology. I am fine with areas being set aside for specific uses. But the horse people have to realize that there are a lot of accommodations that have to be made to allow them to use an area. On the flipside, I have never had a problem sharing a trail with mountain bikers.

IHeartSCVJuly 18, 2012 at 3:37 AM PT

There’s nothing like a nature trail to bring out the gang mentality in people. A knife fight between some combination of entitled horseback riders, reckless trail runners, speed-demon mountain bikers, trail-hogging youth groups, trail-fouling dog walkers, oblivious gear-head photographers, and obnoxious nature parkour people can’t be too far off. As a birdwatcher myself, I’d like to see all of them go away.

Phil EllisJuly 18, 2012 at 3:56 AM PT

. . .and take those damn pigeons with them

Coastal SageJuly 18, 2012 at 6:29 AM PT

The reality is that the State owns the park and the County is, in effect, its tenant. Between the two of them, if unsafe conditions occur on trails at the park, and someone is injured or killed, it will be the State and the County which will end up liable to write a check for damages in a personal injury case. Over the years, L.A. County and the State have settled a lot of negligence cases relating to safe/unsafe conditions at local beaches. The bottom line is that the opinions of hikers, horseback riders and mountain bikers on “proper use of the trails” simply do not matter at the Placerita Canyon Nature Center or anywhere else. The State Parks’ and the County’s relatively anonymous risk management officers will make a decision about the level of economic risk they face from negligence claims which arise by mixing these three types of trail users, and their decision will likely be the determining factor on who is allowed to use any particular trail regardless of the merits of arguments put forth by any particular interest group.

IHeartSCVJuly 18, 2012 at 6:05 AM PT

RE: “If you care…” Kim Kardashian has over 15,000,000 Twitter followers. Her tweets concerning the Magic Mountain incident may be the most widely read words peripherally related to the SCV ever. The City of Santa Clarita has 3,470 followers, 0.02% of Kim’s Twitter following.

mikeJuly 18, 2012 at 6:18 AM PT

Question: If Kanye and Kim stopped at Hamburger Hill and Kanye went to Taco Bell and Kim went to McDonalds, what happened to Yeezy at Taco Bell and what did Kim order at McDonalds?

IHeartSCVJuly 18, 2012 at 6:31 AM PT

Yeezy’s friend gives him free food, leading to the termination of that friend’s employment with Taco Bell one week later (the manager noticed a discrepancy in the churro count…nonsensical because Taco Bell sells cinnamon twists, not churros, but oh well). Kim, fish filet.

mikeJuly 18, 2012 at 6:39 AM PT

You win the prize* So fast, so thorough. I had no idea. *TBD

IHeartSCVJuly 18, 2012 at 6:44 AM PT

I hate to apostrophe check you like this, but for my prize: can I have McDonald’s instead of McDonalds?

mikeJuly 18, 2012 at 6:59 AM PT

I am terribly embarrassed.

IHeartSCVJuly 18, 2012 at 7:25 AM PT

Me too. Nobody else seems to like this string. *shame*

JeffJuly 18, 2012 at 8:08 AM PT

I’m terribly entertained and I thank you for being local grammar cop and catching Devlin on that. He’s usually the one whose been catching other’s

NateJuly 18, 2012 at 2:07 PM PT

You guys should should get a room.

Lori RivasJuly 18, 2012 at 8:09 AM PT

Both of my uncles served in the Navy during Vietnam (I come from a Navy family), one of whom worked in the boat delivering Agent Orange. Undercover-type boat, with no uniform or hair regulations, my uncle literally slept on a bed next to floor to ceiling Agent Orange. Five years ago, my uncle contracted a cancer linked to Agent Orange exposure. Three years ago, my uncle passed away, a career Navy man, who served with dignity, to his own demise. He did not dodge the draft, but chose the branch in which he wished to serve, just like any other man could have chosen. There is honor and integrity to all branches of the service.

Bill ReynoldsJuly 18, 2012 at 8:34 AM PT

Lori, my unit served in the Mekong Delta with the Navy and I know how brave and dedicated those sailors were. I’m just saying that many young guys chose other branches to avoid the US Army and Infantry duty. And, a lot of people did not realize early on there would be a Brown Water Navy operation that placed them harms way. BTW, there are youtube videos of Sailors spraying agent orange everyone just as you stated.

Bill ReynoldsJuly 18, 2012 at 11:46 AM PT

Phil Ellis: LBJ may have esalated the war, but JFK certainly had a big hand in it. Just Google JFK and Vietnam I studied the heck out of this subject so I don’t need to google it. JFK’s hand in Vietnam was minimal…. he was on the fence about war in SE Asia just as he was with the Bay of Pigs Invasion. I’m not saying that was bad inclination for a US President. However, JFK did send in advisors to assist the South Vietnamese and that’s all. The really big question has always been: how would things have progressed had JFK lived. Obviously LBJ started the War and could not stomach the fight, yet he let our military action continue on the ground, losing many troopers while pulling back bombing North Vietnam and negotiating for peace via the Paris Peace Talks that went on forever. Insanity!

Phil EllisJuly 18, 2012 at 11:58 PM PT

Yes, but JFK was a firm believer in the domino theory and had he not been assassinated, I believe that he would have taking the same direction as did LBJ. Everything he did pointed that way. Sending in advisors is certainly not sitting on the fence. America should have listened to the French on Viret Nam. And LBJ’s involvement was criminal. I am not going to opine on the merits of whether we should have been there or not, but once the decision had been made, LBJ had an obligation to see that our troops were armed with weapons that operated and were provided proper backup in the field.

Bill ReynoldsJuly 19, 2012 at 12:15 AM PT

Phil, sending in advisors does not equate to LBJ’s 500,000 troop build up by a long shot. LBJ purposely agitated North Vietnam into the highly questionable Gulf of Tonkin incident. I listened to numerous LBJ phone converstaions (via the internet) and I studied numerous documentariies to know this is true. The major I problem I have with LBJ is that he picked the fight and then ran. People have wondered for years how JFK would have handled Vietnam and that is something that we’ll never know.

Phil EllisJuly 19, 2012 at 2:38 AM PT

Let’s not argue over a matter of degree. Both supported the domino theory and both got us involved in Viet Nam. I don’t think that “LBJ’s War” would have come about without JFK involving us in Viet Nam.

Bill ReynoldsJuly 19, 2012 at 3:20 AM PT

I fault LBJ because it happened big time on his watch, but obvioulsy we’re both entitled to our opinions. And actually, our Vietnam involvement started prior to JFK, but you already know that.

SCVResJuly 19, 2012 at 4:41 AM PT

Yes. It started under Ike.

Phil EllisJuly 19, 2012 at 5:18 AM PT

That’s hard to say for sure has Truman offered help to the French in Viet Nam. Ike was astute enough to give JFK a warning about involvement their.

Bill ReynoldsJuly 19, 2012 at 3:06 PM PT

Butt out Res…

ScottEJuly 18, 2012 at 12:32 PM PT

How can anyone trust a “foodie” who likes McGriddle’s? In other news, I can’t believe a non-drug-using “Brit” will likely win Le Tour De France this year. Oh the humanity!

MikeJuly 18, 2012 at 2:22 PM PT

I expected that you’d correct me on my suggestion that Tour riders would rely on such inelegant performance-enhancing techniques. As for McGriddles, you just gave me an idea.

NateJuly 18, 2012 at 2:37 PM PT

No worries Mike is having the hot foodie from last week write his yelp reviews now…

Bill ReynoldsJuly 19, 2012 at 1:38 AM PT

Speaking of other news: Earlier this week a very influential and most knowledgeable person effectively explained to me that Master Blogger Jeffrey did not actually build this blog. Indeed, I was incredulous….

mikeJuly 19, 2012 at 1:53 AM PT

Mitt Romney built this blog retroactively.

CCJuly 19, 2012 at 2:54 AM PT

LOL

Bill ReynoldsJuly 19, 2012 at 4:37 AM PT

That would be Algore.

JeffJuly 19, 2012 at 2:18 AM PT

Ha! Depends on what the meaning of “build” is. I didn’t build WordPress, the free, open-source engine that powers the blog, nor did I build PHP (the programming language) or MySQL (the Dataase server). It’s all free software that runs on a free operating system named Linux, which was built by a guy named Linus in the socialist country of Finland. Nor did I build the theme, which is also free. I just made the banner pic because I’m terrible with design. The server is based in Texas, and I merely bought hosting from the hosting company. I then put up the files and configured everything myself, so your source isn’t entirely correct. My wife and I came up with the name ourselves and the rest is history. SCVTalk.com/oldsite was version 1 from March 2006 to about mid 2007 SCVTalk.com/v2a was version 2 was from 2007 to September 2009, when the site was hacked. I successfully restored it to a new database and made it read only for archive purposes.

mikeJuly 19, 2012 at 2:20 AM PT

Jeff, are you suggesting that you didn’t build the Internet?

Bill ReynoldsJuly 19, 2012 at 2:30 AM PT

Hmmm, explaining this away, eh. Where have I heard this excuse before?

ScottEJuly 19, 2012 at 3:26 AM PT

I knew it! Jeff = Al Gore! Breaking NEWS! Or wind ..

BertaJuly 19, 2012 at 3:39 AM PT

Al, Adele McPherson, and Rick Gould did indeed remove items from the City’s website at your behest regarding a gang presence in North Oaks, but that is an entirely different conversation than the one you claim never took place between you and Caldera and Horner. Although, yet again you did also gave that direction to City Staff based on your own opinion supposedly representing “us” without even consulting those of us who actually live in the tract. As I said, you yourself confirmed the conversation with Caldera/Horner and were proud of the fact you killed the idea to form a community based gang suppression group, in which I had already agreed to volunteer, without consulting anyone else, in order to protect “our” property values. I have an excellent memory Al so you better have your facts straight before you claim something never happened and call me a liar.

Alan FerdmanJuly 19, 2012 at 6:59 AM PT

Berta Ever since that incident in 2009 we have been asking for the Anti-Gang Task Force to present at a CCAC meeting and discuss our communities wants and needs. They have continually stonewalled and put off visiting the CCAC. Most all of these requests and responses are documented in email and have been presented at CCAC meetings. I intentionally do it that way to avoid “she said he said” discussions like this one.

BertaJuly 19, 2012 at 7:10 AM PT

Presenting at a CCAC meeting would not offer an opportunity for “OUR’ community’s views to be expressed anyway. Especially since many of the 25 or so regular attendees are not even Canyon Country residents but Saugus, Newhall, and Valencia residents instead. Any genuine outreach would need to bypass the CCAC in order to really gauge our community’s needs.

Bill ReynoldsJuly 18, 2012 at 1:57 AM PT
Be advised that it’s only left wingers who consider VP Dick Cheney unpopular. We conservatives appreciate his long and distingushed service to America. Thought you should know…
Timothy Myers SRJuly 18, 2012 at 2:52 AM PT
Bill: So conservatives constitute only 19% of the population? (That was Cheney’s approval rating when he left office.) Also, his quip when asked about not serving in Vietnam was borderline disrespectful. (“I had other things to do.”) Much like Mitt Romney about his sons lack of military service in 2008. (“They serve the country by working on my campaign.”) In our recent trip to Hawaii a cab driver who was a veteran asked why I had not served in the military. I gave him the following answer: “It was an all volunteer army by the time I was old enough to serve and because people like you were willing to volunteer it let me and others like me off the hook. So thank you for your service.” The cab driver thought that was a good answer.
Bill ReynoldsJuly 18, 2012 at 4:38 AM PT
Hey Tim, we conservatives appreciate VP Dick Cheney.
Capt. GeneJuly 19, 2012 at 10:21 AM PT
Well, yeah Bill, but do Hawaiian cabbies like him? That’s the real question.
Bill ReynoldsJuly 19, 2012 at 2:59 PM PT
Not likely – LOL.
Dave PutnamJuly 18, 2012 at 2:18 AM PT
I’d probably appreciate Dick Cheney if he hadn’t ducked and covered when it came time to serve our country during the Vietnam War years.
Bill ReynoldsJuly 18, 2012 at 2:22 AM PT
Well, he joins a long list of Americans who chose education, raising a family or high tailing it to Canada. Cheney served America with honor and integrity as far as I’m concerned… even with heart disease.
Dave PutnamJuly 18, 2012 at 3:41 AM PT
Others of us might differ on that whole integrity thing….just sayin’
Bill ReynoldsJuly 18, 2012 at 4:40 AM PT
You’re entitled…
JeffJuly 18, 2012 at 4:13 AM PT
Cheney draft dodges, John Kerry earns a purple heart serving alongside Bill R in Vietnam, and who does Bill R defend as having “honor and integrity”? Cheney. Pretty incredible.
Bill ReynoldsJuly 18, 2012 at 4:45 AM PT
Hey Jeff, Hanoi John F’n Kerry avoided the draft by joining the Navy and then he dissed Vietnam Veterans like no one ever has. He supposedly threw his medals away. As far as I’m concerned, he’s a despicable human being…. same goes for Hanoi Jane. Try reading “Unfit For Command” by John E. O’Neill.
mikeJuly 18, 2012 at 6:14 AM PT
“Avoided the draft by joining the Navy” Nice. Ask John McCain how “avoiding the draft” worked out for him.
Bill ReynoldsJuly 18, 2012 at 6:20 AM PT
John McCain’s family tradition was joining the Navy and McCain wanted to be a pilot…. study up. As info, guys my age did many things to avoid the draft back then due to a fear of infantry service in combat, hence many joined the National Guard, Coast Guard, Air Force, and Navy…. many fled to Canada.
mikeJuly 18, 2012 at 6:32 AM PT
Right, more honorable because of stuff that happened before he was born. Also, because he’s a Republican.
SCVResJuly 19, 2012 at 2:53 AM PT
So much for having the back of a fellow vet.
Bill ReynoldsJuly 19, 2012 at 3:00 PM PT
So much for your intelligence…
Phil EllisJuly 18, 2012 at 5:52 AM PT
If we are talking about those that didn’t serve, Jeff, don’t you think that you should add Clinton to the mix?
Bill ReynoldsJuly 18, 2012 at 6:10 AM PT
And AlGore’s Dad made sure he had a cushy “Stars & Stripes” gig….
SCVResJuly 19, 2012 at 4:39 AM PT
Another vet getting thrown under the bus.
Bill ReynoldsJuly 19, 2012 at 3:02 PM PT
Are you not aware of Hanoi John F’n Kerry’s degradation of Vietnam Veterans to Congress when he was still supposedly serving in the Navy looking like a grungy hippie? Wise up son…
JeffJuly 18, 2012 at 6:33 AM PT
Yeah sure, whatever, Clinton was a draft dodger too. Geez reading the blog today feels like a rehash of the 1960s. Vietnam ended almost forty years ago, two years before I was born. How Vietnam is viewed is a fight that’s been defined by my parent’s generation, not mine. Your generation and your parent’s generation created the Vietnam war and the resulting counter-culture movement and for as long as I remember, it’s been important to frame a President’s character in light of what he did during those crazy, tumultuous years. It was refreshing to me as a 30-something to understand that our current president is somewhat of a post-Vietnam president in that he’s not really a boomer and was a child during Vietnam. He’s being challenged by a baby boomer who, like fellow boomers Clinton and Cheney, also avoided service in Vietnam . If he wins, I wonder if Romney will be the last boomer President who came of age during Vietnam. I won’t be sad to see the “President X did Y during Vietnam and that’s shameful/controversial etc” debates end.
Phil EllisJuly 18, 2012 at 6:54 AM PT
Did Romney inhale?
JeffJuly 18, 2012 at 7:08 AM PT
Definitely not. Equally scary- has Romney ever had a good hot cup of coffee? Or an ice-cold coca cola?
mikeJuly 18, 2012 at 7:24 AM PT
There is evidence that Romney has enjoyed a Coca-Cola from time to time. I understand that caffeinated soda is not forbidden, though many Mormons do not drink it. Among my Mormon friends, nearly all avoid coffee, but many will consume concentrated energy drinks with enough caffeine stimulative chemicals to power a stage of the Tour de France. If I’m not mistaken, decaffeinated coffee is off limits, too.
JeffJuly 18, 2012 at 7:31 AM PT
yeah Mike, I think the prohibition isn’t so much on caffeinated drinks (to put it in a Catholic context, consuming caffeine is a venal sin) but rather on hot liquids (mortal sin). So I guess coca cola is okay, but Intelligentsia wouldn’t be, unless it was iced and the consumer was feeling somewhat rebellious. Maybe CC, our resident “Jack Mormon” can pop in here and speculate on orthodox beverage consumption practices in the LDS faith.
mikeJuly 18, 2012 at 7:47 AM PT
I looked it up. Mormons are divided on decaf coffee and soft drinks. Caffeinated coffee and tea, at any temperature are off-limits. All other non-alcoholic hot drinks are OK, even hot chocolate, which is both hot and caffeinated.
CCJuly 19, 2012 at 12:30 AM PT
Similar to other religions that ban pork or beef on Friday it has more to archaic knowledge of these things that were perceived to be bad for you. As time goes on, these religions will either hold onto tradition or change with the times. Frankly, sugary soda and smoking is still pretty bad for you, but you will take my hot cup of poor over organic coffee from my cold dead hands!
CCJuly 19, 2012 at 12:31 AM PT
pour not poor…duh
JayceJuly 19, 2012 at 6:37 AM PT
Jeff he would have had coffee but it looked like it came from the local 7 Eleven
Bill ReynoldsJuly 18, 2012 at 7:13 AM PT
Looking at the posts above it appears that Tim, you & Dave brought up Vietnam & now you’re bemoaning the subject. Whot tha….
mikeJuly 18, 2012 at 7:18 AM PT
I agree.
SCV LoverJuly 18, 2012 at 4:33 AM PT
You’ve jumped the shark here, Bill
ToddJuly 18, 2012 at 4:37 AM PT
I’m pretty sure that Bill considers Barry Goldwater to be a liberal and a socialist at this point.
Bill ReynoldsJuly 18, 2012 at 5:17 AM PT
I’m pretty sure that Todd doesn’t know what he’s talking about…. again.
ToddJuly 18, 2012 at 5:25 AM PT
So, then, tell us Bill, have you always supported Barry Goldwater, even as he began to support Democrats as he approached the end of his life?
Bill ReynoldsJuly 18, 2012 at 5:52 AM PT
Hey Todd, I recall appreciating JFK (“It’s not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country”) and despising LBJ for starting the Vietnam War & quitting when the going got tough. Goldwater was not on my radar….
Bill ReynoldsJuly 18, 2012 at 4:47 AM PT
Left wingers despise Dick Cheney….
Dave PutnamJuly 18, 2012 at 5:27 AM PT
Many of us taxpayers who got stuck with the $800 BILLION tab for Iraq aren’t too enthralled with him either.
Bill ReynoldsJuly 18, 2012 at 5:49 AM PT
Freedom is not free…
Dave PutnamJuly 18, 2012 at 7:06 AM PT
Obviously
BertaJuly 18, 2012 at 7:10 AM PT
Bill thanks for paying my tab.
SCVResJuly 19, 2012 at 2:55 AM PT
But should not be paid for with higher taxes, right?
Dave PutnamJuly 18, 2012 at 7:22 AM PT
Would love to hear details on how LBJ “started the Vietnam War”.
Bill ReynoldsJuly 18, 2012 at 7:33 AM PT
I have an extra DVD documentary that illustrates exactly what happened…. in a nutshell, LBJ sent CIA operatives into North Vietnam to blow up their infrasturcture which caused them to retaliate. Thus the Gulf of Tonkin incident whereby the North Vietnamese supposedly fired torpedoes at the USS Maddox. This incident is highly questionable, but nevertheless LBJ retaliated and thus began his huge war machine…. all in name of the domino theory.
Bill ReynoldsJuly 18, 2012 at 7:35 AM PT
Worrying about Romney’s caffine intake is akin to knowing the color of his socks. Hello….
Phil EllisJuly 18, 2012 at 8:28 AM PT
LBJ may have esalated the war, but JFK certainly had a big hand in it. Just Google JFK and Vietnam
SCVResJuly 19, 2012 at 2:59 AM PT
The first person whose name is on the Vietnam Memorial wall died on Eisenhower’s watch. Ike, JFK, LBJ, Nixon, Ford all had part of it.
AnnetteJuly 18, 2012 at 2:52 AM PT
This was Marsha’s answer… “It was not a decision I take lightly. I feel I did what is best for the City as a whole. I seconded Diane Trautman’s and Jim Farley’s nomination and two of Tim-Ben’s nominations were passed.” She did not answer any other questions we had for her…wonder why? Please feel free to join SCLTE it is a free speech forum!
Timothy Myers SRJuly 18, 2012 at 2:56 AM PT
Annette: I agree that was a non-answer answer, but that was in keeping with the political genius of Marsha McLean. People will recall that Marsha McLean had to run (nearly) as much as Joe Messina to get elected to office. Since then she has embraced the built in advantages of incumbency but ALSO made sure that low information voters know that she has never really done anything offensive. This is why she tends to come first when she runs for reelection. Incumbency gets one reelected but the fact you have given little offense gets one number one.
LarMccJuly 18, 2012 at 3:21 AM PT
Genius? Really Tim. Doing nothing daring to keep ones job is not genius, it is pathetic.
Timothy Myers SRJuly 18, 2012 at 5:12 AM PT
One person’s pathetic action is another person’s strategy for long term employment.
SCV SageJuly 18, 2012 at 7:02 AM PT
But she can tap dance!
AnnetteJuly 18, 2012 at 7:41 AM PT
So funny, SCV Sage!
Bill ReynoldsJuly 18, 2012 at 7:54 AM PT
But can she tap dance into re-election, again?
AnnetteJuly 18, 2012 at 8:57 AM PT
Isn’t that the M of O for most of the council ….tap dancing ? LOL
BertaJuly 18, 2012 at 4:35 AM PT
Annette, I do not have a Facebook account so here is my response to Irene Kirk’s letter, which is full of factual errors, she writes: “A recess was called to discuss Councilman TimBen Boydston’s appointments to be passed. Why?” Ms. Kirk, a recess was called so that council members, city staff, and we the public in attendance could have a BATHROOM break! Council members do not get together and chat as you state, the Brown Act specifically prohibits it. I personally spoke with Marsha McLean in the ladies restroom during the break and she was the only other person in there at the time, so there goes your conspiracy theory. Ms. Kirk further states: “Alan Ferdman is a well-respected and qualified leader in the community. His efforts have kept Canyon Country residents safer and deterred crime. He has given, free of charge, his time and money to us, has made the public aware of local problems and impacted solutions.” You make it sound like Al Ferdman is out there armed and patrolling our streets. Al is not a law enforcement agent or council member where credit for our local safety rightfully belongs. I could argue that not only has Al not kept us safe but also he has been a deterrent to keeping us safer. A few years ago, the City approached me about volunteering my time to participate in a gang suppression group to deter gangs in our neighborhood. Mr. Ferdman, falsely claiming he spoke for all of us, told the City no dice since “WE” did not want folks thinking we have a gang problem, which would lower our property values. Fast forward a couple of years and we now have had drive-by shootings, knife attacks, drug dealing, etc so thanks so much Al for “protecting” us. Mr. Ferdman also continues to fight the City’s efforts to clean up our neighborhoods and tells folks who will listen to his one sided rants that “… Canyon Country being singled out for selective enforcement” by the City but fails to mention that it is those of us who live in this community who want our neighborhoods kept clean, safe, and well maintained so that we enjoy a good quality of life and have increased property values. Al is apparently more concerned with the removal of garage sale signs etc than with getting folks to clean up their properties or comply with building codes and local ordinances. I guess he has not heard of the “broken window syndrome”. He never asks “us” our opinion on matters before he gives leaders his opinion and specifically keeps those of us who disagree with his views out of the discussion. He continues to claim falsely that he speaks on behalf of the entire community when he does not even ask the few who attend monthly CCAC meetings what we want. The other council members correctly refused to second Mr. Boydston’s appointment of Mr. Ferdman to a city commission where he would presumably advise them and represent us. Al Ferdman is not well respected, nor do I believe he has their/our confidence or trust to work selflessly on behalf of all the residents. He has his own agenda. Of the four people who spoke to the Council on Al’s behalf, one resides in Agua Dulce, one in Castaic both of which are outside of the City, and two are residents of Valencia, NO ONE from Canyon Country lauded Al. What continues to amaze me is how misinformed some folks are and yet they do nothing to get their facts straight before rushing to defend Al. Al is not the instrument of positive accomplishment for Canyon Country, but rather a power hungry dude who gets in the way of positive change for our community. Al is an obstructionist to improvements he does not personally like, in part by discouraging genuine citizen involvement, particularly if you disagree with his anti city biases, and unfairly criticizing nearly everything the city tries to do to improve Canyon Country. The Council has better choices for public servant commissioner positions.
NateJuly 18, 2012 at 5:21 AM PT
Don’t waste you time TBB will never do wrong in Annette’s eyes.
NateJuly 18, 2012 at 5:22 AM PT
*your
AnnetteJuly 18, 2012 at 7:54 AM PT
Two questions Berta, How do you know it was a “bathroom” break did Frank tell you that? Frank was the one person who knew because he called the recess IMHO! “A few years ago, the City approached me about volunteering my time to participate in a gang suppression group to deter gangs in our neighborhood.” Berta,you like me, speak you mind, Why didn’t YOU take the responsibility to form the gang suppression group?
BertaJuly 18, 2012 at 8:18 AM PT
You are correct Annette; I speak my mind. I also do not follow leaders whom for cogent reasons I do not respect. Your two things Annette: 1. I do not need Frank or anyone else to tell me that it is a bathroom break since that is usually the case at Council meetings and that is what at least Marsha and I did with most of our break time. 2. It was to be a city/sheriff’s sponsored local neighborhood group never formed because our community, according to Al, supposedly did not support it. There already exists a Blue Ribbon and Anti-Gang Task Force for citywide issues and I already have many other committees and groups I participate in but that does not change the fact that Al falsely said there was no interest in OUR community, he never asked us. He unilaterally made the decision and said no to the city, typical Al Ferdman style. If a sponsored group had been formed, I would have made the time to participate.
Alan FerdmanJuly 18, 2012 at 4:02 PM PT
Annette Berta #2 story = totally untrue fabrication
BertaJuly 18, 2012 at 5:48 PM PT
Al are you publicly stating that you did not tell Cruz Caldera and Hope Horner that “we” did not have a gang problem in Canyon County, demanded statistics, and did not want any information disseminated or group formed indicating a gang problem, thereby killing the idea? Because if that is what you are saying, you are a bold-faced liar. You yourself bragged to me about killing the idea and confirmed the conversation when I confronted you about this very issue a couple of years ago.
Alan FerdmanJuly 19, 2012 at 2:39 AM PT
Berta Neither members of the Anti-gang Task Force or the Sherriff Department were able to produce any statistics or data to justify the statements posted in the Anti-gang Task Force yearend newsletter relating to the Lower North Oaks area. As a result, Rick Gould and Adel then removed the statements from the City’s Web Site.
AnnetteJuly 19, 2012 at 3:27 AM PT
Berta, It may have been a bathroom break for you and you may have seen Marsha in the bathroom but as I said you do not know what FF did with his break time. Another fact is it does not take all of the break time to use the restroom and so what did Marsha do with the rest of her break time…were you with her?
mikeJuly 19, 2012 at 3:32 AM PT
Quite a conspiracy they cooked up during their break that they stumbled all over Val’s vote.
BertaJuly 19, 2012 at 3:56 AM PT
OK Annette you cling to your conspiracy theory, there is no reasoning with you. Do you honestly believe no one anticipated Ferdman and Thomas would be offered some position for their years of loyalty to TBB? Especially given Harrison Katz was not vying for a position anymore. If they all talked about refusing nominees at the break, then why would Laurene originally abstain with all of that confusion instead of just voting no? I would ask you why TBB offered folks he knew are controversial, are very critical of Council/City, are not good team players, and would most likely not be acceptable by the majority. I think TBB offers us all enough divisiveness and drama, thanks. If I were you, I would advise TBB to vet all of his nominees in future instead of putting all of his eggs foolishly in one basket and be prepared to offer alternate nominees for these important positions.
AnnetteJuly 19, 2012 at 5:07 AM PT
Berta, I follow no one, and am in no position to tell TB what he should or should not do. Controversial (people) is in the eye of the beholder and your opinion may/does differ from other, that’s all. I can’t answer why Laurene abstained. Laurene did not share that information with me. Be honest, do you really think the 3 of them never talk over issues amongst themselves?
AnnetteJuly 19, 2012 at 3:29 AM PT
Berta, It may have been a bathroom break for you and you may have seen Marsha in the bathroom but as I said you do not know what FF did with his break time. Another fact is it does not take all of the break time to use the restroom and so what did Marsha do with the rest of her break time…were you with her?
BertaJuly 19, 2012 at 4:02 AM PT
No Annette I was collecting signatures on a petition to derail High Speed Rail, but thanks for asking.
Bill ReynoldsJuly 18, 2012 at 5:21 AM PT
I’m simply trying to find out why Marsha thought Trautman was first a great selection, and then was not a great selection, but now a great selection again. Huh? Enquiring minds need to know.
SCV SageJuly 18, 2012 at 7:06 AM PT
I had forgotten that one. Thanks for the memory Bill! Reason Marsha did not support Diane Trautman before was because she had the audacity to support Gauny and TimBen when they ran up against them in the previous election cycle. But, when Ender went down, I guess Marsha decided it was time for a change. Someone must have spoken to her — Frank, Bob, Laurene? Who knows — they do speak to each other as I have personally witnessed them at breakfast, etc.
Eric HeilbrunJuly 18, 2012 at 10:50 AM PT
Marsha was a bit fickle concerning Diane. First she voted to eliminate term limits for commissioners citing the “experience” factor. But the “experience” factor wasn’t enough for Marsha to nominate her for another term because she didn’t think she would be affirmed for reasons mentioned above. But now Marsha and others seem to think Diane is fit for the post. The political winds are a blowin’.
LarMccJuly 18, 2012 at 3:13 AM PT
I can sympathize with the mountain bikers. Equestrian people (yes I am going to generalize) don’t seem to share well with others. Horses are big and take up a lot of room on the trails. Horses are allowed to defecate wherever they want and horse owners do not have to pick it up. Horses are dangerous, and if spooked can lose control and trample and kill others. A few years back, we were at Vasquez Rocks for Easter. In spite of holding a site since 5am, the fun stopped when two horses showed up in the afternoon. The park staff ordered all the kids to stop flying kites because it might scare the horses. They were heavy handed about it and cited county ordinances against “dangerous objects” (apparently the kites were dangerous in their eyes). I later complained to the park superintendent who stood by the decision. Apparently, two people on horses had more rights to use the park than a dozen kids flying kites. I then complained to the head of county parks who sided with me on the issue, reprimanded the park staff and issued a written apology. I am fine with areas being set aside for specific uses. But the horse people have to realize that there are a lot of accommodations that have to be made to allow them to use an area. On the flipside, I have never had a problem sharing a trail with mountain bikers.
IHeartSCVJuly 18, 2012 at 3:37 AM PT
There’s nothing like a nature trail to bring out the gang mentality in people. A knife fight between some combination of entitled horseback riders, reckless trail runners, speed-demon mountain bikers, trail-hogging youth groups, trail-fouling dog walkers, oblivious gear-head photographers, and obnoxious nature parkour people can’t be too far off. As a birdwatcher myself, I’d like to see all of them go away.
Phil EllisJuly 18, 2012 at 3:56 AM PT
. . .and take those damn pigeons with them
Coastal SageJuly 18, 2012 at 6:29 AM PT
The reality is that the State owns the park and the County is, in effect, its tenant. Between the two of them, if unsafe conditions occur on trails at the park, and someone is injured or killed, it will be the State and the County which will end up liable to write a check for damages in a personal injury case. Over the years, L.A. County and the State have settled a lot of negligence cases relating to safe/unsafe conditions at local beaches. The bottom line is that the opinions of hikers, horseback riders and mountain bikers on “proper use of the trails” simply do not matter at the Placerita Canyon Nature Center or anywhere else. The State Parks’ and the County’s relatively anonymous risk management officers will make a decision about the level of economic risk they face from negligence claims which arise by mixing these three types of trail users, and their decision will likely be the determining factor on who is allowed to use any particular trail regardless of the merits of arguments put forth by any particular interest group.
IHeartSCVJuly 18, 2012 at 6:05 AM PT
RE: “If you care…” Kim Kardashian has over 15,000,000 Twitter followers. Her tweets concerning the Magic Mountain incident may be the most widely read words peripherally related to the SCV ever. The City of Santa Clarita has 3,470 followers, 0.02% of Kim’s Twitter following.
mikeJuly 18, 2012 at 6:18 AM PT
Question: If Kanye and Kim stopped at Hamburger Hill and Kanye went to Taco Bell and Kim went to McDonalds, what happened to Yeezy at Taco Bell and what did Kim order at McDonalds?
IHeartSCVJuly 18, 2012 at 6:31 AM PT
Yeezy’s friend gives him free food, leading to the termination of that friend’s employment with Taco Bell one week later (the manager noticed a discrepancy in the churro count…nonsensical because Taco Bell sells cinnamon twists, not churros, but oh well). Kim, fish filet.
mikeJuly 18, 2012 at 6:39 AM PT
You win the prize* So fast, so thorough. I had no idea. *TBD
IHeartSCVJuly 18, 2012 at 6:44 AM PT
I hate to apostrophe check you like this, but for my prize: can I have McDonald’s instead of McDonalds?
mikeJuly 18, 2012 at 6:59 AM PT
I am terribly embarrassed.
IHeartSCVJuly 18, 2012 at 7:25 AM PT
Me too. Nobody else seems to like this string. *shame*
JeffJuly 18, 2012 at 8:08 AM PT
I’m terribly entertained and I thank you for being local grammar cop and catching Devlin on that. He’s usually the one whose been catching other’s
NateJuly 18, 2012 at 2:07 PM PT
You guys should should get a room.
Lori RivasJuly 18, 2012 at 8:09 AM PT
Both of my uncles served in the Navy during Vietnam (I come from a Navy family), one of whom worked in the boat delivering Agent Orange. Undercover-type boat, with no uniform or hair regulations, my uncle literally slept on a bed next to floor to ceiling Agent Orange. Five years ago, my uncle contracted a cancer linked to Agent Orange exposure. Three years ago, my uncle passed away, a career Navy man, who served with dignity, to his own demise. He did not dodge the draft, but chose the branch in which he wished to serve, just like any other man could have chosen. There is honor and integrity to all branches of the service.
Bill ReynoldsJuly 18, 2012 at 8:34 AM PT
Lori, my unit served in the Mekong Delta with the Navy and I know how brave and dedicated those sailors were. I’m just saying that many young guys chose other branches to avoid the US Army and Infantry duty. And, a lot of people did not realize early on there would be a Brown Water Navy operation that placed them harms way. BTW, there are youtube videos of Sailors spraying agent orange everyone just as you stated.
Bill ReynoldsJuly 18, 2012 at 11:46 AM PT
Phil Ellis: LBJ may have esalated the war, but JFK certainly had a big hand in it. Just Google JFK and Vietnam I studied the heck out of this subject so I don’t need to google it. JFK’s hand in Vietnam was minimal…. he was on the fence about war in SE Asia just as he was with the Bay of Pigs Invasion. I’m not saying that was bad inclination for a US President. However, JFK did send in advisors to assist the South Vietnamese and that’s all. The really big question has always been: how would things have progressed had JFK lived. Obviously LBJ started the War and could not stomach the fight, yet he let our military action continue on the ground, losing many troopers while pulling back bombing North Vietnam and negotiating for peace via the Paris Peace Talks that went on forever. Insanity!
Phil EllisJuly 18, 2012 at 11:58 PM PT
Yes, but JFK was a firm believer in the domino theory and had he not been assassinated, I believe that he would have taking the same direction as did LBJ. Everything he did pointed that way. Sending in advisors is certainly not sitting on the fence. America should have listened to the French on Viret Nam. And LBJ’s involvement was criminal. I am not going to opine on the merits of whether we should have been there or not, but once the decision had been made, LBJ had an obligation to see that our troops were armed with weapons that operated and were provided proper backup in the field.
Bill ReynoldsJuly 19, 2012 at 12:15 AM PT
Phil, sending in advisors does not equate to LBJ’s 500,000 troop build up by a long shot. LBJ purposely agitated North Vietnam into the highly questionable Gulf of Tonkin incident. I listened to numerous LBJ phone converstaions (via the internet) and I studied numerous documentariies to know this is true. The major I problem I have with LBJ is that he picked the fight and then ran. People have wondered for years how JFK would have handled Vietnam and that is something that we’ll never know.
Phil EllisJuly 19, 2012 at 2:38 AM PT
Let’s not argue over a matter of degree. Both supported the domino theory and both got us involved in Viet Nam. I don’t think that “LBJ’s War” would have come about without JFK involving us in Viet Nam.
Bill ReynoldsJuly 19, 2012 at 3:20 AM PT
I fault LBJ because it happened big time on his watch, but obvioulsy we’re both entitled to our opinions. And actually, our Vietnam involvement started prior to JFK, but you already know that.
SCVResJuly 19, 2012 at 4:41 AM PT
Yes. It started under Ike.
Phil EllisJuly 19, 2012 at 5:18 AM PT
That’s hard to say for sure has Truman offered help to the French in Viet Nam. Ike was astute enough to give JFK a warning about involvement their.
Bill ReynoldsJuly 19, 2012 at 3:06 PM PT
Butt out Res…
ScottEJuly 18, 2012 at 12:32 PM PT
How can anyone trust a “foodie” who likes McGriddle’s? In other news, I can’t believe a non-drug-using “Brit” will likely win Le Tour De France this year. Oh the humanity!
MikeJuly 18, 2012 at 2:22 PM PT
I expected that you’d correct me on my suggestion that Tour riders would rely on such inelegant performance-enhancing techniques. As for McGriddles, you just gave me an idea.
NateJuly 18, 2012 at 2:37 PM PT
No worries Mike is having the hot foodie from last week write his yelp reviews now…
Bill ReynoldsJuly 19, 2012 at 1:38 AM PT
Speaking of other news: Earlier this week a very influential and most knowledgeable person effectively explained to me that Master Blogger Jeffrey did not actually build this blog. Indeed, I was incredulous….
mikeJuly 19, 2012 at 1:53 AM PT
Mitt Romney built this blog retroactively.
CCJuly 19, 2012 at 2:54 AM PT
LOL
Bill ReynoldsJuly 19, 2012 at 4:37 AM PT
That would be Algore.
JeffJuly 19, 2012 at 2:18 AM PT
Ha! Depends on what the meaning of “build” is. I didn’t build WordPress, the free, open-source engine that powers the blog, nor did I build PHP (the programming language) or MySQL (the Dataase server). It’s all free software that runs on a free operating system named Linux, which was built by a guy named Linus in the socialist country of Finland. Nor did I build the theme, which is also free. I just made the banner pic because I’m terrible with design. The server is based in Texas, and I merely bought hosting from the hosting company. I then put up the files and configured everything myself, so your source isn’t entirely correct. My wife and I came up with the name ourselves and the rest is history. SCVTalk.com/oldsite was version 1 from March 2006 to about mid 2007 SCVTalk.com/v2a was version 2 was from 2007 to September 2009, when the site was hacked. I successfully restored it to a new database and made it read only for archive purposes.
mikeJuly 19, 2012 at 2:20 AM PT
Jeff, are you suggesting that you didn’t build the Internet?
Bill ReynoldsJuly 19, 2012 at 2:30 AM PT
Hmmm, explaining this away, eh. Where have I heard this excuse before?
ScottEJuly 19, 2012 at 3:26 AM PT
I knew it! Jeff = Al Gore! Breaking NEWS! Or wind ..
BertaJuly 19, 2012 at 3:39 AM PT
Al, Adele McPherson, and Rick Gould did indeed remove items from the City’s website at your behest regarding a gang presence in North Oaks, but that is an entirely different conversation than the one you claim never took place between you and Caldera and Horner. Although, yet again you did also gave that direction to City Staff based on your own opinion supposedly representing “us” without even consulting those of us who actually live in the tract. As I said, you yourself confirmed the conversation with Caldera/Horner and were proud of the fact you killed the idea to form a community based gang suppression group, in which I had already agreed to volunteer, without consulting anyone else, in order to protect “our” property values. I have an excellent memory Al so you better have your facts straight before you claim something never happened and call me a liar.
Alan FerdmanJuly 19, 2012 at 6:59 AM PT
Berta Ever since that incident in 2009 we have been asking for the Anti-Gang Task Force to present at a CCAC meeting and discuss our communities wants and needs. They have continually stonewalled and put off visiting the CCAC. Most all of these requests and responses are documented in email and have been presented at CCAC meetings. I intentionally do it that way to avoid “she said he said” discussions like this one.
BertaJuly 19, 2012 at 7:10 AM PT
Presenting at a CCAC meeting would not offer an opportunity for “OUR’ community’s views to be expressed anyway. Especially since many of the 25 or so regular attendees are not even Canyon Country residents but Saugus, Newhall, and Valencia residents instead. Any genuine outreach would need to bypass the CCAC in order to really gauge our community’s needs.