For the last several months I have sat back and watched the proposed City of Santa Clarita takeover of the local County Libraries unfold. The outcome was predictable from the first whiff that the City was eyeing the libraries and even before then with the controversy over the design of the new library slated for Newhall. This was a done deal from the moment it was couched.

When Councilwoman Laurie Ender read a stilted statement proposing the City taking over library services from Los Angeles County it was a done deal. The statement was clearly written by someone at the City and Ender was just the vacuous puppet chosen to regurgitate the message. It was an obvious choice because she will be up for re-election in about 18 months.

In fact, those running the City will be making sure that Councilwoman Ender gets more “air play” in press releases and at the council meetings in the coming months. This is the typical modus operandi of the City management; think “Mayor Dude” or “Got Mayor” campaignes. When was the last time that you saw a City press release with a quote from Councilman Kellar? Quite a while! (Although, now that I wrote this, they may now throw him a bone to prove I’m wrong!)

Councilman Kellar is on the outs, the odd man out, because he has a mind of his own and is listening to what City residents are saying regarding various issues. Kellar was the only City Council member that voted against the City takeover of the County Libraries. He was listening to the residents that were speaking out against this and questioning how fast the City was trying to make this decision.

This is not about whether or not the City or the County should be running the libraries; either will do a good job. Rather it is about the process and the input from the community, City residents, which are voicing their opinions. It is about elected officials listening to what their constituents are saying and representing those residents’ wishes. It is about decorum and building a consensus before moving forward; about letting all side participate and finding the common ground.

Unfortunately, this issue is also about money and that is what is motivating the City. The City of Santa Clarita wants the money that is going to the County Library system so it can be used to finance the new Old Town Newhall Library. This is a money grab and you can bet that the money will not be used for increased services.

There was a council chamber filled with residents that had a strong opinions and reservations about the library issue and were raising valid questions. Yet, the Santa Clarita City Council once again completely ignored what those residents had to say. At the very least, because of the turnout, the City Council should have tabled the vote and instead looked into some of the concerns being raised by residents as a matter of fiduciary responsibility.

Alan Ferdman, Chair of the Canyon Country Advisory Committee (CCAC), questioned what City Staff was claiming; “Under City Operation, the City could significantly enhance public library services for the City of Santa Clarita” at a lower cost. He went on to state; “But when Mr. Hernandez was asked the question; “Will the city commit to providing, at a minimum, the same level of services, at no increase in cost, to all library users from both within the city and unincorporated county?” he did not answer in the affirmative.” 

Alan then stated the following; “Now ask yourself, how could the City Staff know they can provide enhanced library services at a lower cost if they have not yet determined what services will be provided?  It is a safe assumption that under the City’s plan the service mix will be different than those currently provided by the County. Until the city can provide an exacting list of library services currently provided by the County and match them to the list of services the City intends to provide, we are just being feed a very disingenuous “smoke and mirrors” presentation.”

What Mr. Ferdman was pointing out was that the City did not have a clear alternate plan to submit to residents that should have had a comparison of services and the potential cost savings. In other words, where were the clear enhanced services at a lower cost that the City would provide over the County? The City doesn’t have that information nor can they provide it until they have surveyed the residents as to the services they would want. More “smoke and mirrors” is right!

There is no surprise as to why the City is trying to silence Alan Ferdman and the CCAC by pulling support. Anyone that is voicing an alternate opinion, questioning the City’s judgment or speaking counter to the party line, the City will try to silence, discredit or smear. This has been the same scenario for countless decision that the City leadership has been making for years including all the bungled annexation attempts.  

Councilwoman Laurie Ender for her part speaks out of both sides of her mouth regularly to justify her actions. On one hand she claims to be listening to her constituents when it supports what she is being told to do. On the other hand, she discounts residents speaking out against a topic she favors as being a small group of malcontents that don’t represent the 170,000 plus residents in the City. She has a very small minded and myopic view of her role as a Councilmember since she is easily manipulated by the resident “County Hater” Frank Ferry and the City managers.

At the opposite end of the spectrum is Councilman Bob Kellar who has not waivered from his responsibility in representing City voters. He has shown that he not only listens to, but votes based on the “will of the people” and not on special interests. This is why the other Council members are doling out political retribution towards him and why some will try to get him unseated in the next election.

All of this will continue in our provincial valley as long as City voters are apathetic and unwilling to show up to the polls in any kind of numbers to be heard. The future make up of the Santa Clarita Valley depends on a City of Santa Clarita leadership which should be professional, visionary and representing the will of residents respectfully. Only then will there be a united Santa Clarita Valley working for the good of all. 

More Bob Kellar’s representing the will of the people and less vacuous puppets doing what they are told by City employees!          

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.