Yesterday’s article in the Daily News was a balanced account of the Tuesday nights verbal rampage by Frank Ferry. I was glad they said he was red in the face as it gives you a better picture of Frank’s explosive outburst. A friend commented that if a student in Frank’s school had such a childish tantrum they would be thrown out of class or even suspended from school for a day or so. I was just glad that I wasn’t sitting up front in the council chambers as Ferry vomited his anger, red faced, fist pounding, finger pointing and all, because he might have thrown something at me! It’s hard to believe that he may get re-elected to city council.
• I think that one of the more shocking revelations from Frank’s Tuesday night diatribe was the statement that he didn’t care about the economic contribution of the 9000+ residents over on the west side. This seemed like a complete contradiction since the city spent about $8500 last year encouraging the non-city residents to shop locally because the city needs all the tax dollars it can get its hands on. Even more surprising is the fact that Frank has a campaign war chest that is funded by lots of dollars from the local business community. So in essence, Frank was saying he didn’t care if the non-city residents spent their money outside the city because it’s not important to the city. Okay! I guess the auto dealers would be fine with non-city residents purchasing cars elsewhere?
• Another stand out from Ferry’s embarrassing display was the accusation that the county approves developments in an uncaring way. This was by far one of biggest loads of crap Frank tossed out. He forgets that the City was working with DRHorton on the Lyons Canyon project (the old Warner Ranch property) in which the city was willing to approve anything as long as the builder agreed to annex the property into the city. The project plans called for the removal of ridge lines, oak tree, the moving of 6 million cubic yards of dirt and the construction of nearly 1000 dwellings. All without any thought for infrastructure or even consulting the community. I know because I called the project manager for DRHorton and was promptly told that they were working with the City. Well fortunately the West Ranch Town Council and the county were able to beat the city back. DRHorton sent a letter to the city stating the following: In a letter to City Manager Ken Pulskamp, and the Santa Clarita City Council DR Horton said in part it “feels that the fundamental issue of the City of Santa Clarita’s expansion, including Lyons Canyon and areas west of the interstate 5 freeway, is an issue to be resolved by the City of Santa Clarita, the County of Los Angeles, the area community groups and LAFCO.” The letter went on to say, “Accordingly, we are choosing to seek County approval of a project that conforms with the General Plan of the County of Los Angeles.”
DRHorton homebuilders has since submitted a plan that leaves the existing ridge lines in place, keeps the majority of the oak trees, and reduces the dwellings/home sites to 183. A large portion of the property will be left as open space with a trail system and a park included. That’s afar cry from the abomination that the city was supporting. Frank has a short memory!

More to come, Part III: “Boss Tweed is stuffed in an Attic!”