March 31, 2014 – Daily Brief

By Josh Premako

Book About the Barn: Ellie Laks, founder of The Gentle Barn, has penned a memoir about her passion for saving animals. The Signal KHTS
Don't Ignore It: Ignoring a red light camera ticket is not an option, officials say. The Signal
Man Killed While Off-Roading: An SCV man was killed while off-roading yesterday at Rowher Flats, out on the edge of town. Odd footnote: He was off-roading in a Lexus SUV. The Signal
Money, Money, Money: Mike Devlin rounds up the latest City Council campaign expenditures. SCVTalk
The Earth Keeps Shakin': After Friday's latest quake, people continued to feel hundreds of aftershocks. Daily News LA Times
Bull Riding on Hamburger Hill: Apparently Shooters on Lyons isn't just the place to go to shoot pool, but for those would-be rodeo riders who want to climb aboard a mechanical bull. The Signal
Signs of Life: Some will likely argue it's too late to matter (and there might be some truth to that), but The Signal's editorial board admirably showed some teeth this weekend, calling out the city over its rush to push through the billboard deal. "(T)he city’s attitude presented to those who turned out for meetings descended to that of condescension. This is uncalled for." The Signal
The War for Water: Central Valley farmers are drilling 1,000-foot wells in the search for precious water, "... draining the precious aquifer beneath the nation’s most productive farmland like never before, pitting neighbor against neighbor in a perverse race to the bottom." Daily News
Sprinkler Program Keeps Flowing: The Castaic Lake Water Agency is extending a successful free water sprinkler program credited with reductions in water use. The Signal
Hoops, There it Is: SCVTV is streaming The Signal's boys and girls All-Star boys and girls basketball finale. SCVTV The Signal (boys) The Signal (girls)

Comments (7)

James FarleyMonday, March 31st, 2014 at 9:15 am

The Signal is so missing the story on red light camera enforcement. The issue is the number of folks getting trapped unfairly in left turns as has been covered on SCVTalk. We have now discovered the program is actually losing money since the beginning of the year. Not making the $90,000 as reported in the Signal.

timothymyers02Monday, March 31st, 2014 at 10:09 am

Two things on red light story: The "real" story is in the Comments section, where many knowledgeable folks are posting information and links about how people can safely ignore the red light tickets. (In my opinion, it is the duty of citizens to resist violations of the fourth and fifth amendment by ignoring the tickets.) Second, I see the dynamic that repeats itself over and over with City staff. The management team has enjoyed incredible longevity not common in these positions and they have determined (I thing wrongly) that a major cornerstone of that longevity is to NEVER admit that a mistake has been made, as they were with red light cameras.

timothymyers02Monday, March 31st, 2014 at 10:12 am

There is a lot of hope out there about some kind of earthquake dislodging the two incumbents come next Tuesday. While I don't want it to happen this way I am just feeling the vibe that turnout is going to be lower than 2012 and that the incumbents will skate back in, with quasi-incumbent Gloria Mercado-Fortine capturing the open seat.

AbbyNormalMonday, March 31st, 2014 at 1:01 pm

The local social media had alI kinds of "talk" saying, ignore red light tickets. But talk is cheap and I didn't see any real evidence from the "ignore It' folks. I paid it because 1) in the second notice the fine was twice as much 2) it included a threat to place me for collection 2) it gave an out to pay the original amount, $490, if paid in 30 days 3) I feared a point on my DMV, higher auto insurance rates and a hit on my credit rating. If I'd read this LA Times Article, I probably would not have paid it. http://articles.latimes.com/2011/jul/27/lo "But for those who ignore them and do not show up in court or admit guilt, neither the city nor the court system will force them to pay. Additionally, Cmdr. Blake Chow of the Los Angeles Police Department said those scofflaws face no risk to their credit rating, car registrations or driver's licenses."

timothymyers02Monday, March 31st, 2014 at 2:29 pm

AbbyNormal One should get very suspicious when a HUGE penalty is imposed (doubling the fine) but then they are willing to settle for the original amount. That should have made you very suspicious of the enforceibility of the fine.

Bill ReynoldsTuesday, April 1st, 2014 at 2:05 pm

Hey Timmy, how using your busybody time in your own community....

timothymyers02Wednesday, April 2nd, 2014 at 9:24 am

Bill Reynolds: Still trying to find a cranky, flinty, old (emphasis on old) South Orange County based Conservative to tease. Not successful yet but I have high hopes. :)

James FarleyMonday, March 31st, 2014 at 9:15 am
The Signal is so missing the story on red light camera enforcement. The issue is the number of folks getting trapped unfairly in left turns as has been covered on SCVTalk. We have now discovered the program is actually losing money since the beginning of the year. Not making the $90,000 as reported in the Signal.
timothymyers02Monday, March 31st, 2014 at 10:09 am
Two things on red light story: The "real" story is in the Comments section, where many knowledgeable folks are posting information and links about how people can safely ignore the red light tickets. (In my opinion, it is the duty of citizens to resist violations of the fourth and fifth amendment by ignoring the tickets.) Second, I see the dynamic that repeats itself over and over with City staff. The management team has enjoyed incredible longevity not common in these positions and they have determined (I thing wrongly) that a major cornerstone of that longevity is to NEVER admit that a mistake has been made, as they were with red light cameras.
timothymyers02Monday, March 31st, 2014 at 10:12 am
There is a lot of hope out there about some kind of earthquake dislodging the two incumbents come next Tuesday. While I don't want it to happen this way I am just feeling the vibe that turnout is going to be lower than 2012 and that the incumbents will skate back in, with quasi-incumbent Gloria Mercado-Fortine capturing the open seat.
AbbyNormalMonday, March 31st, 2014 at 1:01 pm
The local social media had alI kinds of "talk" saying, ignore red light tickets. But talk is cheap and I didn't see any real evidence from the "ignore It' folks. I paid it because 1) in the second notice the fine was twice as much 2) it included a threat to place me for collection 2) it gave an out to pay the original amount, $490, if paid in 30 days 3) I feared a point on my DMV, higher auto insurance rates and a hit on my credit rating. If I'd read this LA Times Article, I probably would not have paid it. http://articles.latimes.com/2011/jul/27/lo "But for those who ignore them and do not show up in court or admit guilt, neither the city nor the court system will force them to pay. Additionally, Cmdr. Blake Chow of the Los Angeles Police Department said those scofflaws face no risk to their credit rating, car registrations or driver's licenses."
timothymyers02Monday, March 31st, 2014 at 2:29 pm
AbbyNormal One should get very suspicious when a HUGE penalty is imposed (doubling the fine) but then they are willing to settle for the original amount. That should have made you very suspicious of the enforceibility of the fine.
Bill ReynoldsTuesday, April 1st, 2014 at 2:05 pm
Hey Timmy, how using your busybody time in your own community....
timothymyers02Wednesday, April 2nd, 2014 at 9:24 am
Bill Reynolds: Still trying to find a cranky, flinty, old (emphasis on old) South Orange County based Conservative to tease. Not successful yet but I have high hopes. :)