The article in The Signal today titled County, city at odds over mail is a glaring example of the City taking a private discussion and spoon feeding it to The Signal. Too many in the local politico know this is a typical tactic that the City uses frequently to manipulate the local press.

There is no other way an article on this topic would have appeared unless it was purposely spoon feed to the paper. The City is whining and pissed off that a regular County mailing has gone out to unincorporated residents regardless of the fact that it is a normal informational publication complete with resource information on County services.

Here is exactly what City Manager Ken Pulskamp had to say in what was a private email exchange to a County official:

 “I understand that the 5th District will be mailing out two brochures this week to all residents in the unincorporated areas of the SCV.  While I’m sure the information is valuable for residents, I would like to respectfully request that the County wait until after the advisory vote to mail them out.  As you know, we have an agreement that neither the City nor the County will actively try to influence the outcome of the vote with residents in the voting area.”

Now isn’t it curious that a reporter would make a freedom of information request to the City about an email in such a short span of time? It was a private email which was sent out by the City manager this past Wednesday, October 14, 2009, at 4:16 PM in the afternoon. How would The Signal have known that this exchange was happening unless the City leaked it to the press?

Between Wednesday afternoon and press time on Thursday evening a freedom of information request was submitted, processed and the information turned over?  Give me a break!! This is a glaring example of the type of media manipulation that has gone on in this Valley for years.

Pulskamp went on to say in that same email:

“I believe this mailing by the County violates the spirit of this agreement.  Please let me know if you would consider this request by the City.”

Now realize that there was a community meeting in Tesoro on Tuesday evening, October 13, that the City, County, LAFCO, West Ranch Town Council and Castaic Area Town Council all participated in. It was similar in some respects to the forum that was held last Thursday, October 8, 2009, in City Hall.

At that meeting the City had a stack of “City of Santa Clarita: Facts about Annexing” brochures on a table at the entrance to the meeting room for all to take. I would say that the City’s brochure was a direct violation of any “agreement that neither the City nor the County will actively try to influence the outcome of the vote” and they did it without any consultation with the Town Councils or County.

The City brochure, which was recently redesigned and printed, is a sales tool for convincing folks of the panacea of annexing into the City of Santa Clarita and quite different from the County’s “Santa Clarita Valley Connection Community Guide 2009” which is published and mailed annually as a resource guide for residents in the unincorporated communities.

The City is certainly having a “do as I say, not as I do” moment and it shows that they are scared to death of the advisory vote. Their fear is almost palpable when in reality they should just leave it be.

This is just one more example of the City shooting itself in the foot and actually creating and perpetuating an atmosphere in which many residents do not want to be part of the City at this time. They are doing everything possible to be divisive and continue to try to exert control over the process.

Take a moment to think about the manipulation the City engages in on a wide range of topics and issues. Think about how, in this instance, Pulskamp’s email made it into The Signal so quickly. In took less than 24 hours to find out about the email; submit a freedom of information request, have it processed and release the email. The Signal story appears to have been ”manufactured” by the City without question!!

Now start thinking about the need for some serious changes at City Hall!

Dave Bossert- commentary

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.