The West Ranch Beacon - News & Commentary for the Santa Clarita Valley

I recently visited our nation’s capitol, with a large group of people from Santa Clarita. Prior to meeting with congressional staff, we were able to have a day to do some sight seeing. I have never been to Washington, D.C., and was impressed, when I saw with my own eyes the various memorials, the Capitol and the Supreme Court. I didn’t get a chance to walk by the White House- maybe next time.

During our tour, we walked over to several of the War memorials. After reading some of the quotes at the World War II memorial, I observed a veteran in a wheelchair, surrounded by loved ones. At this time, I began to wonder what he was thinking, which then got me thinking about several veterans in my family.

My grandfather Samuel Mendoza (who lived in the Santa Clarita Valley, during the 1940s and 1950s) served in World War II. Unfortunately, he passed away when I was only three years old. I asked my Mother, if he ever spoke about the war. She replied that she could not recall a specific conversation with him.

My wife’s grandfather Jack Stephenson also served in World War II and he stormed the beaches on D-day. During the several years that I knew him he never spoke about his experiences in the war, instead he attempted to teach me without success, how to eat spaghetti and meatballs, in which you wrap the pasta around the meatball, he learned this well while he was stationed in Italy.

My Uncle Mike Upton served in the Vietnam War, During my entire life, he has never spoken about the war. However, if you look in the den of his house, you will see that he pays homage to those he served with.

What am I getting at? I don’t want to say that I found respect for veterans, because I already have the highest admiration for those who served and to Quote President Lincoln for those who “gave the last full measure of devotion.” I experienced a deeper feeling for all those who have served in our military. I cannot begin to understand the experiences they must have lived through or the horrors of war that they witnessed. I can only thank them for answering our nation’s call.

I was also deeply moved by the following quotes, which were inscribed in the World War II memorial:

“Our debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the service of our country can never be repaid. They have earned our undying gratitude. America will never forget their sacrifices.”

President Harry S. Truman

“They fought together as brothers-in-arms. They died together and now they sleep side by side. To them we have a solemn obligation.”

Admiral Chester A. Nimitz.

It doesn’t seem possible, but come March 2007, the military will have been in Iraq for four years. In addition to The Signal, I read another newspaper, which publishes a list of soldiers who lost their lives in Iraq. After reading their names and their obituaries, I say a special prayer for them and their loved ones.

Based upon my experience in Washington, D.C., I can honestly say that Memorial Day and Veterans Day will take on a new meaning for me. It will no longer be about a three-day weekend or an excuse to barbeque, but instead I will reflect on our nation’s military and the sacrifices they made on our behalf with a newfound feeling that words alone cannot express.

Michael Cruz
Santa Clarita

There was an overflow crowd for the regular monthly Castaic Town Council meeting in Castaic last night. The hot agenda items were a presentation by the Hart School District regarding the proposed Castaic High School and a presentation by developer Sun Cal on the North Lake housing development which would include the new high school.

In attendance to show their support were members of the West Ranch Town Council including Vice President Ron Mechsner, Treasurer James Zimmerman, liaison to the Castaic Vision Committee Randall Winter, and newly installed Council President David Bossert. The West Ranch Council voiced its support for not only the proposed new high school but also for the Castaic Town Council and vowed to lend their help in anyway possible.

At the conclusion of the Hart School District presentation various Castaic Council members asked some pointed questions regarding the recent delays in moving the new high school project along. Clearly a number of the council members were annoyed and frustrated with the delays. There was some finger pointing but all agreed on the urgency of getting the project back on track.

Several members of the school district and the developer emphasized looking towards the future and driving toward the goal of getting the new high school opened by August of 2010. Sun Cal, the developer, was committed to doing whatever was needed to get a construction ready pad ready to turn over to the school district by March of 2008. The proposed Castaic High School will cost approximately $130 million to construct.

The construction for the Magic Mountain Parkway/I-5 interchange improvements is underway! The general contractor, Security Paving Construction, is currently constructing a rectangular shaped storm drain box, which is located west of The Old Road. The completion of the entire storm drain box and the outlet structure should take about 12 months.

The improvements involve various construction activities in the City, Los Angeles County, and Caltrans’ jurisdictions. Soon, we will be constructing retaining walls along the southbound I-5 on and off ramp at Magic Mountain Parkway, to be followed by widening of portions of the ramps. The work should take about 12 months to complete. In addition, we will be constructing retaining walls at the corner property of the northbound I-5 off ramp to Magic Mountain Parkway, which will take place in the summer of 2007.

There are a total of 11 phases for these improvements. Currently, we are on Phase 2 of the construction and this phase alone will take approximately 12 to 15 months to complete. During this phase, existing ramps, at least one lane, and local roadways (Magic Mountain Parkway and The Old Road) will be open for vehicular traffic.

Please check the City of Santa Clarita’s website at www.santa-clarita.com or the project hotline (661) 290-2297, for any extended major lane closures, detours, or news associated with this project.

Santa Clarita, September 20, 2006 - Waste Management/Blue Barrel has temporarily suspended the new food waste recycling program in the City of Santa Clarita program because of permit issues.

The County of Los Angeles has informed our local processor that they can no longer accept greenwaste that has been co-mingled with food waste. The company had been taking the material and composting it and processing it into soil and mulch. Residents are encouraged to continue to recycle green waste.

Recycling has always been a major priority for Waste Management. Not only does recycling help save valuable landfill space, it also helps protect the health of the environment and surrounding community. Waste Management and the City of Santa Clarita are continuously working together to increase the recycling efforts in the community. We strongly encourage residents to participate of all our or recycling programs.

Residents can continue to contribute to the recycling circle by placing loose yard waste materials in the charcoal gray 96-gallon greenwaste container alongside their trash and recycling carts, which will be picked up on the regularly scheduled service day.

Each Santa Clarita household is provided with one gray cart with a green lid for proper disposal of recyclable materials. We ask residents to participate each in recycling by placing glass, aluminum, and plastics in the container provided and place it at the curb on the regularly scheduled service day. If residents have more recycling than will fit in your cart, it’s okay to place an extra container of your own or extra bundles of cardboard and newspaper along-side your carts. “Recycle” stickers to place on your own container are available for free by calling our Customer Service center at (661) 259-2398 to request them. Cardboard and newspaper must be cut and bundled no larger than 4′x4′ in diameter and placed next to your bins.

The Hart School District Board will be meeting regarding the proposed new High School in the Northlake area of Castaic. The meeting tonight, Wednesday September 20th, will feature Paul Strickland the President of the Hart School District Board giving an overview of the proposed plan. The meeting begins at 6:30 at the Castaic School Board offices, 28131 Livingston Ave, Castaic.

(NewsUSA) - Summer days bring high temperatures and expensive electricity bills, and often the electricity grid is pushed to the point of rolling blackouts. Winter’s cooler temperatures can put stress on the system as well.

It’s apparent that the demand for more electricity is growing. Part of the solution for meeting that demand is nuclear energy.

A new public opinion poll conducted by Penn, Schoen & Berland Associates on behalf of the Clean and Safe Energy Coalition shows strong national support for nuclear energy. However, the survey reveals that many Americans don’t know enough about the country’s future energy needs or the benefits of nuclear energy.

“There is a need for education to inform people that nuclear energy enhances security and, as the only major electricity source that does not emit greenhouse gases, protects the environment,” said Patrick Moore, CASEnergy Coalition co-chair and co-founder and former leader of Greenpeace.

Americans see a need for electricity production solutions that focus on affordability, energy independence and environmental stewardship, the survey found. According to the poll, 76 percent of Americans do not believe enough is being done to increase affordable electricity supplies for the future. In addition, 69 percent do not believe enough is being done to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution associated with electricity production.

Nuclear energy’s attributes - protecting the environment and enhancing America’s energy security - address people’s concerns about electricity production in the future. Support for nuclear energy grew 40 percent after people learned that nuclear plants emit zero greenhouse gases or controlled air pollutants.

“I am convinced that as people learn more about nuclear energy, they will come to share my certainty that increasing America’s supply of nuclear energy makes sense from an environmental and an economic standpoint,” said Christine Todd Whitman, CASEnergy Coalition co-chair and former Environmental Protection Agency administrator.

The Hart School District is planning on adding a new High School to the Castaic area by 2010. On Wednesday night September 20th, Paul Strickland the President of the Hart School District Board will be giving an overview of the proposed plan at the Castaic School Board offices, 28131 Livingston Ave, Castaic.

The plan has finally gained the support of all parties including the developer in the area SunCal, the Castaic Town Council, the School Boards and The West Ranch Town Council. The proposed new High School will alleviate the potential future overcrowding of the West Ranch High School on Valencia Blvd. in Westridge.

Currently, high school students from the Castaic area are attending the West Ranch High School. With current growth trends, there is a potential of 800 more students flowing into the West Ranch High School in the coming years if plans for the additional High School in Castaic were nixed.

The Stevenson Ranch Community Association has combined the recently petitioned recall of the board and the annual meeting. The recall of the board is now scheduled to be addressed at the beginning of the annual meeting and the outcome of the recall will dictate the remainder of the meeting.

The annual meeting was to originally be held in October but was moved to November because of procedural issues. At the October meeting there was to be an election to fill three board seats that were being vacated by the developer. That changed when a recall petition was filed by Keith Pritsker and David Harvey, two of the master association delegates.

The bylaws allow for a recall of the entire board if 5% of the homeowners petition for it. Apparently, Pritsker and Harvey represent enough homeowners in The Arts and Diamondhead neighborhoods to make the 5% requirement. Some delegates are questioning the validity of the petition and whether or not Mr. Pritisker was an actual delegate or an alternate at the time the petition was submitted.

The general sense around the community is that a move is a foot to grab control of the Stevenson Community Association. Some current delegates are questioning the motivation of Pritsker since he is only a property owner and no longer a resident of Stevenson Ranch.

Many may recall that Pritsker was a member of the Stevenson Ranch Community Association some years ago and was one of the board members responsible for bringing in The Management Company to manage the master association. That was apparently a very dark period for the HOA in which there were accusations of mismanagement and incompetence. It took the current board and new management company a number of years to clean up records, accounts and various issues in the wake of that period.

This will no doubt be a developing story over the next few months. The process and outcome is being watched widely by many both inside and outside the Stevenson Ranch community.

On Wednesday September 20, 2006, City Manager Ken Pulskamp will be attending the Canyon Country Advisory Committee meeting to discuss issues and ideas related to Canyon Country. At the meeting, Mr. Pulskamp will be speaking about current and planned projects for the Canyon Country area. This is a free event and the public is invited to attend.

The meeting will take place at 7:00 pm at the Sports Complex Center located at 20850 Center Pointe Parkway in the George Caravalho Banquet room.

For further information, please contact Al Ferdman at 661.713.9344 or via e-mail at fermanda@dslextreme.com

Well here we go again! In the past, I have written several pieces where I proposed the thesis that any annexation had to be a “negotiation”. Several people have hammered me on that stance by espousing liberal and communist doctrine on how everything has to be equal, that if you get something than I have to get it as well, etc.

The other day there was a small piece in the news about the oil drilling leases off the Gulf Coast. Maybe you saw it in which it was widely reported that the leases did not have any royalty increase pegged to the price of crude. The leases called for a flat royalty fee to the US Government per barrel of oil pumped. As the price per barrel climbed over the past year or so there was no additional revenue income to our government.

What that means is that we, the US taxpayer/citizen have lost out on BILLIONS of dollars in potential royalty payments. We lost out because a government bureaucrat didn’t have the skill set to “negotiate” a fair lease agreement. Wouldn’t it have been great if the Federal Government was able get a qualified and skilled negotiator to handle these lease agreements? Maybe the feds should ask Donald Trump next time around!

Instead, the oil companies are reaping billions in profits. I don’t hold any grudge against these oil companies because they probably sent in their best and most skilled executives to negotiate on behalf of the oil companies and its owners, the shareholders. The companies got the best value legally for the shareholders; they did their job.

It is examples like this that showcases why governments should be run more like a business; albeit a not for profit business. This is why residents in the unincorporated areas of Santa Clarita should be asking a lot of questions and comparing services. It is also legitimate to look at the tax revenue being generated, like that along The Old Road commercial corridor, as bargaining chip as well.

The residents in Castaic and West Ranch need to continue to ask tough questions in the continued investigation into the self-determination options of annexation, incorporation or remaining in the county. Failing to do so will result in the possible loss of services and amenities that otherwise could have been “negotiated”.

Dave Bossert

After a couple week break to welcome his new daughter into the world, Jack Murphy is back with both barrels blazing. As I was reading Jack’s latest column all I could do was smile and nod in agreement. Welcome back Jack!!

These days we hear the mantra of the far left loud and clear. And they are party correct. We are running out of fossil fuels. If you have a limited, non-reclaimable natural resource you WILL at some point run out of it. We all also concur that by acquiring most of our oil from the Middle East it is in someway or another helping monetarily fuel radical terrorists and crazy madrassas all over the world.

For a while the far left blamed the SUV for this problem. Claiming all SUV owners were helping fuel the terrorists, or what they really meant to say was that the SUV’s were burning more gas due to low MPG’s and using more oil and thus exacerbating the effects of global warming. Ok, fair enough argument.

Alas, since we have now seen with our own eyes these very same environmentalists driving around in their SUV’s, the former president of the Sierra Club cutting down old growth trees in his own back yard so he could build a pool or something, they have cooled their heels a bit. Why? Because we get it. When know what you on the far left mean now and you KNOW we know. Your mantra really is ” do as I say, not as I do”.

I don’t begrudge ANYONE the car of their choice. It is legal to drive a Hummer so great, if you can afford it, go and drive a Hummer. If you want to spend all that money on gas for that thing have at it. If you want to drive a scooter, great. have fun, but wear a coat when it rains.

I have 2 SUV’s. 95% of the time they sit on the driveway and every now and then I go out to start them just to keep them alive. I love to drive them and occasionally I do. However, I work out of the house and am lucky because I only fill up at a gas station once every few months. But, most of the time when I do head out I take my car. A 1966 Volkswagen Bug. I get 30 plus miles per gallon. My wife, well, she drives a Prius and gets about 40 miles per gallon. We are Republicans. I have a compost pile and the reason my yard looks so good is that I use my compost in it.

I see a few local environmentalists and local far left folks in their SUV’s driving around town. The same people who claim the air out here is rotten and blame me, a Republican for this poor air quality. I read Gary Horton’s article in the paper the other day about how he is driving around in his 1995 Corvette. This is the same guy who says Bush went into Iraq for oil, who says we need less dependence on oil and need alternatives. Driving around in a Vette getting 10 miles to the gallon. Telling us it is costing his company 3 times as much money to fuel their air polluting landscape vehicles and he is fed up. Where is Rod Serling?

In closing I would like to end with this simple answer to all of our woes. Gary, get a Honda!

Jack Murphy

By Deborah Notkin (NewsUSA) - The root of the current crisis of undocumented immigration is a fundamental disconnect between today’s economic and labor market realities and an outdated system of legal immigration.

Undocumented immigration is driven in large part by a U.S. labor market that is creating a higher demand for less-skilled workers than is being met by the native-born labor force or by the current legal limits on immigration.

As the past decade and a half of failed federal border-enforcement efforts make clear, immigration policies that ignore these larger economic forces merely drive migration underground rather than effectively regulate it.

In short, there is an unsustainable contradiction between U.S. economic and immigration policy, with economics winning. The problem is a broken immigration system that sends the dual messages “Keep Out” and “Help Wanted” to foreign workers.

The U.S. economy continues to create large numbers of less-skilled jobs even as native-born workers grow older and better educated and are increasingly unavailable to fill such jobs.

Yet the federal government continues to impose outdated numerical caps and other restrictions on immigration that bear little relationship to the economic realities of our time.

As a result, enforcement resources are devoted in large part to trying to stem the labor migration the U.S. economy attracts and which is an outcome of globalization. Despite the critical role immigrants play in filling less-skilled jobs, America offers few opportunities under the current immigration system for them to come to the U.S. legally.

There is a similar bottleneck for low-skilled workers who seek temporary, employment-based visas. Of the 16 different types of temporary immigrant visas available for employment and training in the United States, only two -; H2A and H2B -; are available to workers with little or no formal training. Moreover, the total number of H2B visas that can be awarded in a year is capped at 66,000.

Only a truly comprehensive approach will work, one that includes a process by which undocumented immigrants already living and working in the United States can apply for legal status, as well as the creation of a temporary worker program with stringent protections for both temporary workers themselves and native-born workers.

Lawmakers must tackle the issue of undocumented immigration with less rhetoric and more realism. Continuing the status quo by trying to enforce immigration policies that are at war with the U.S. and global economies will do nothing to address the underlying problem. Nor is it feasible to wall off the United States from the rest of the world.

The most practical option is to bring U.S. immigration policy in line with the realities of the U.S. labor market and an increasingly transnational economy.

Deborah Notkin is president of the American Immigration Lawyers Association.