Next Tuesday, November 3rd, is election day and with the absentee ballots already out the election is practically over at this point! That is the usual mantra from those that say their vote will not really make a difference. I do not believe that and would argue that with this Advisory Vote for the west side unincorporated communities every single vote matters.

What is at stake with the Advisory Vote is the future governance of our communities.

On the ballot it is listed as Measures A, B, and C. Does the unincorporated community want to A) remain an official unincorporated community in Los Angeles County; B) form a new city; or C) annex into the City of Santa Clarita.

Each option has its own merits and its own drawbacks. The question is which one is the best choice for our unincorporated communities at this moment in time.

It would be prudent to look at each option and weigh the pros and cons so that at least one can have the most basic understanding of what each measure means.

Measure A states; Do you support areas in the Santa Clarita Valley including Sunset Pointe, Stevenson Ranch, Southern Oaks, Westridge, Tesoro, Castaic, and Val Verde remain as official communities in unincorporated Los Angeles County? YES or NO

In the sample ballot there is an argument in favor of voting yes on staying as is because; “Los Angles County is a proven partner that has maintained area fees consistently over the years. $22.2 million dollars alone was spent on County services in unincorporated Santa Clarita areas over the last 2 fiscal years.”

To anyone that lives in the West Ranch area that is evident with new tennis courts, park bathrooms, traffic signals, and many other improvements throughout the community.

The County has been a great partner to our communities and has forged a good working relationship with various community groups that allow for direct communication with Supervisor Antonovich and his staff. The County treats our communities with respect!

The down side for some is that County Government is located downtown and that there are some differences in fees.

The reality is that Supervisor Antonovich has an office right here in Santa Clarita staffed with a Senior Deputy and others who are attentive to the needs of the unincorporated county residents. There is no reason to go downtown as we typically get things done locally.

The difference in fees amounts to an average of $93.00, according to the recent reports, between the unincorporated communities and the City according to the recent City funded report. In the City of Santa Clarita’s “Facts about Annexing” brochure the difference in fees amounts to even less at an average of $48.00.

What is not publicized enough is that the County fees have remained consistent over the years where as the City has slowly added more fees to its residents such as the recent open space fee.     

The next option is Measure B; “Do you support areas in the Santa Clarita Valley including Sunset Pointe, Stevenson Ranch, Southern Oaks, Westridge, Tesoro, Castaic, and Val Verde incorporate into a new separate city? YES or NO

Forming a new city in the Santa Clarita Valley at this point in time would be extremely risky and potentially very divisive. Aside from the enormous amount of expense involved in pursuing this option, estimates of $300,000 or more, there does not appear to be much of a ground swell to create a new city.

If the community voted overwhelmingly to form a new city you can bet that there would be a tremendous effort to stop it by the City of Santa Clarita and others. That effort would result in delays to an already lengthy process and it would add legal costs to an already hefty tab to create a new city.

That aside, the first step in forming a new City besides all the necessary paperwork required by the Local Area Formation Commission (LAFCO) for Los Angeles County would be to have a Comprehensive Feasibility Analysis (CFA) completed. That reports alone is estimated to cost approximately $150,000 dollars.

Who pays for this? Ultimately the residents would have to come up with the money through donations and fundraisers or even a loan that would have to be repaid.

Are you prepared to write a check for a process that could fail?  

Frankly, I don’t see an outpouring of community volunteers that would take on such an arduous task nor would it necessarily be a service to the entire Santa Clarita Valley at this time to do so.

Vote NO on Measure B.

Finally Measure C states; “Do you support areas in the Santa Clarita Valley including Sunset Pointe, Stevenson Ranch, Southern Oaks, Westridge, Tesoro, Castaic, and Val Verde negotiate an annexation into the City of Santa Clarita? YES or NO

This should be a no-brainer question but unfortunately the City of Santa Clarita has made a number of missteps over the years that have shunned and disrespected the unincorporated communities surrounding the City. At times some City officials have behaved in a completely contemptuous manor towards the leadership in various unincorporated communities.

Essentially, City leaders have done as much damage to prevent many unincorporated residents from ever wanting to annex into the City of Santa Clarita. Just look at the lack of respect Councilman Ferry has shown consistently towards the unincorporated west side communities.

Ferry has shouted at and been completely disrespectful to anyone that questions the City’s motives. All you need to do is watch this video, Furious Frank, of Ferry in action at the monthly City Council meetings. Is this who you want representing your interests? No, I actually want a reasonable representative that is thoughtful, intelligent and respectful.

Ferry is part of what many believe is a dysfunctional, self-serving City government. Is that the type of local government that we should be engaging? I don’t think so; we should have a government that will listen to residents respectfully and engage in a positive and constructive dialogue that allows for creative solutions to the issues at hand.

Not a raving lunatic like Ferry flailing his arms and screaming about brains and machines! 

On a purely fee basis, there is not much difference as was already mentioned. But it is the uncertainty of future fees and taxes that is unpredictable especially when the City Council can add fees at anytime.

Further, the City lost a recent court case resulting in a more than a $20 million dollar judgment and legal fees that the City must now pay. Those are City tax dollars down the drain for what appears to be poor judgment.

What else is lurking out there; what other new fees and taxes might be imposed?

Also, it is worth pointing out that there was no argument in favor of annexation at all in the official sample ballot that was mailed out. No one individual or group of individuals made any attempt to argue in favor of annexing into the City of Santa Clarita, but there were plenty of folks in favor of staying in the County or forming a new City. That speaks volumes!!

Do you really want to be marginalized, disrespected, lied to, ripped off, shouted out and not listened to? Do you want to be part of a City whose leadership does whatever it wants regardless of what you want? Do you want to be part of City that is only interested in your tax dollars and doesn’t give a damn about you?

Finally, the City is trying desperately to control the Advisory Vote outcome so the question is, are you going to roll over and let them? Vote No on Measure C for now and send the message that the unincorporated communities should and must be treated fairly and with respect; we will not be bullied.

Vote NO on Measure C.

Taking all that into consideration leaves me with the only possible choice which is to vote YES on Measure A; staying as official communities in unincorporated Los Angeles County.

Supervisor Antonovich has proved, time and again, that he is listening to and representing the residents of the unincorporated communities. He is a man of his word who governs from a place of integrity, honesty, fairness and someone many consider to be a great and reliable public servant to the residents of the Santa Clarita Valley.      

The grass is not always greener on the other side and we can’t afford to take chances changing our governance during these uncertain economic times. The status quo is the way to go! 

Vote YES on Measure A and stay an official community in unincorporated Los Angeles County.

Dave Bossert

Dave Bossert is a community volunteer who serves on a number of boards and councils. His commentaries represent his own opinions and not necessarily the views of any organization he may be affiliated with or those of the West Ranch Beacon.