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

Santa Clarita officials concerned about prospect of new neighbor. If cities are “municipal corporations,” it may be natural that they act like private corporations and compete for business reports Alex Dobuzinskis in a well balanced article in the Daily News.

Back in the late 1980s, Lancaster and Palmdale both tried to land the Antelope Valley Mall. Palmdale offered land and beat out Lancaster for the major shopping center, which has proven to be an economic driver for the city.

Burbank, Glendale and Pasadena also have a history of competing for business. The question stands, is it good or bad for residents when neighboring cities compete?

Officials from Santa Clarita and town council members from communities west of the city will examine that question in the coming months, as the topic of forming a new west side city gets studied.

Read it here: http://www.dailynews.com/santaclarita/ci_5102911

Support for President George W. Bush’s strategy to inject more troops into Iraq frayed further on Sunday, ahead of a week in which Congress is expected to distance itself formally from the plan reports Krishna Guha in Washington for the Financial Times.

Arlen Specter, the senior Republican on the Senate judiciary committee, became the latest Republican senator to voice opposition to the “surge”, telling CBS News: “I cannot support sending additional troops to Iraq.”

Read it here: http://www.ft.com/cms/s/8ea75294-af0b-11db-a446-0000779e2340.html

The West Ranch and Castaic/Val Verde Town Council members meet with Local Agency Formation for the County of Los Angeles (LAFCO) officials on Friday afternoon in a fact finding meeting. As was first reported here on the West Ranch Beacon over a week ago, the Councils have received funding from LA County Supervisor Antonovich for an Initial Feasibility Analysis (IFA).

The Council representatives met for a little over an hour at the LAFCO Glendale offices with Executive Officer Sandor Winger and others. The purpose of the meeting was for Council members to fully understand the requirements for the IFA and to make sure that the analysis is being properly commissioned.

Several Council members completed registration for the CAL LAFCO sponsored seminar on the ins and outs of incorporation. The two day seminar is being held in Sacramento at the end of February.

The West Ranch and Castaic/Val Verde Town Councils are working in close partnership in gathering information for the options the communities have regarding self-determination. The IFA will provide a key piece of tax revenue data that will be important in any future discussions.

George W. Bush on Friday sought to deny widespread rumors his administration was preparing some kind of military action against Iran. Mr Bush confirmed a report in Friday’s Washington Post that he had authorized US troops to shoot and kill Iranian operatives in Iraq, but denied this was a prelude to stronger action. 

Read it here:  http://www.ft.com/cms/s/1126b14a-ad6f-11db-8709-0000779e2340.html

The US economy showed signs of renewed strength on Friday as data revealed unexpected growth in the housing sector and orders for big-ticket manufactured goods rose reports Eoin Callan in Washington for the Financial Times.

Sales of newly built family homes rose 4.8 per cent last month to 1.1m for the year amid signs that housebuilders were beginning to clear excess inventory that has weighed down the construction sector.

Read it here: http://www.ft.com/cms/s/f27e4744-ad5a-11db-8709-0000779e2340.html 

U.S. sales of new homes jumped by 4.8% in December to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.12 million, the highest level since April, the Commerce Department reported Friday writes MarketWatch.

Warm weather at the end of last year, along with low interest rates and aggressive discounting by builders, boosted sales far beyond the 1.07 million rate that economists surveyed by MarketWatch had expected. By region, sales gains were strongest in areas that enjoyed unseasonably warm temperatures. Sales rose 27% in both the Northeast and the Midwest, while sales were flat in the South and fell 4% in the West.

Read it all here: Housing Rebounding   

Several weeks ago the new tenants of the old Hamburger Hamlet on The Old Road near Magic Mountain painted their building a two-tone bluish-purple to the horror of local residents. Several homeowners contacted County and West Ranch Town Council officials complaining of the eyesore.

The matter was brought to the attention of the original developers of the property, Newhall Land, and the current property owner. The owner was unaware that the new tenants had re-painted the building or that they had violated the CC&R’s. Upon notification, the tenant went through the proper design review and received approval of a new color scheme.

As of yesterday, the building was being re-painted with a more pleasing earth tone scheme. Local residents were relieved to see the new paint job and thrilled with the quick action of all involved.    

An arrest was made in the 25800 block of Browning Place in Stevenson Ranch on January 13, 2007, at 12:49 am. Deputies responded to a call regarding fighting in the street.  When they arrived, the Deputies saw 10 to 15 males in the street yelling but they were unable to locate any one who admitted to being in a fight.

The situation appeared that a fight had occurred, but a victim was not located.  During the investigation, it became apparent that there had been a large party at the location.  The resident, Andre Boshant, M/18, said his parents were out of town and he was having a party.  He admitted that the party had gotten out of hand and he was glad all of the people were gone. 

Boshant was arrested for the misdemeanor county code of disturbing the peace.  He was booked at Santa Clarita Sheriff’s Station.  He was released on a citation after processing.  His next court date is March 12, 2007.