So I’m sure you’ve heard by now that TimBen has announced:
“There are a lot of citizens who asked me to [run for Council],” Boydston told KHTS. “While I was on the Council, I really enjoyed being in the position to help people.”
He says that he can call upon his history in the area.
“I grew up in Santa Clarita,” he said, noting that he attended schools in the Sulphur Springs School District, Canyon High and College of the Canyons. “I have seen this area change dramatically, and I’ve seen a lot of good things happen since we became a City. But there are a few challenges that have come up over the years.”
No doubt TimBen’s SCV-cred is authentic and worthy of consideration, but can edge out Ferry, McLean or Weste?
I bet he can pick up many votes in Valencia & Newhall given that 1) he lives in this area and 2) has a business in this area and 3) fought for the residents of Valencia when it came to the hospital, but what about the rest of the valley? Tim Myers has already pish-poshed the entire race, saying it’s going to be a pointless exercise.
Logic may say no, but my heart says yes yes! Run and let’s see what happens. Let’s get some real contrast in our candidates for once. I may not agree with all that Boydston says (or even most of it) but I like seeing a candidate who has fire in his belly, even if he rocks the boat at City Hall.
Plus, I will pay good money to see TimBen get under Mayor Dude’s skin at the first debate. Maybe we can have another “Gimme a break Boydston!” moment.
Now that TimBen has announced, the only other wild card is David Gauny. Will he chance a run and split whatever votes go to TimBen?
Sigh. April (or rather the four weeks preceding the election) seem so far away.
can’t wait for some competition tthe incumbents yipee!!
can’t wait for some competition tthe incumbents yipee!!
don’t know why this printed twice and wrong but what I meant was
can’t wait for some competion against the incumbents yipee!!
Jeff,
TimBen lives up Sierra Highway close to Golden Valley Road. His sphere of influence goes beyond the narrowly defined area you mentioned. He was also helpful in stopping the MRF and other misguided projects, you may recall. Many of the citizen committees you have seen speak at the council meetings respect TimBen’s contribution and leadership. One thing TimBen has that the incumbents seem to have lost sight of along the way (they have been there too long),is the desire to help the general population of our city. The others only give such a task lip service at this point, but bend over backwards for special interest groups and individuals.
I hope the campaign will bring this out in the open, in a respectful way of course.
You had it right the first two times. Are we enjoying a glasss of wine? Yipee!! (:
Ditto on the Yipee!!
blah blah blah incumbents yada yada yada
Yipee here too!
TimBen responded to me. That’s more than I can say about a single candidate now serving. I wish him luck!
Great News~TimBen!
I for one will work to get the good word out,
and as many votes in (for you) as I possiably can!
Sorry to rain on your parade, but TimBen loses. If Dave Gauny runs, he loses by more, and if Alan Ferdman jumps in, even more.
I’m not happy about it, but I just can’t stand someone I like going through such a heartache.
Timothy
I am not worried about TimBen’s parade. Maybe the council members that have tried to silence the community by their antics (i.e public speaking at council meetings) should get an umbrella.
I sure hope so!
I’m happy TimBen is running and I hope he wins a seat. At least he has a passion for the job and the guts to stir things up. The current Council members up for reelection have become arrogant and complacent. They aren’t interested in what we the people have to say. They have made it less and less convenient for people to express their opinions at Council meetings by moving Public Participation to the end of the meeting. That sure makes me think they want just want to get out of there as fast as possible. That is not what I want from elected officials who are supposed to represent me. I want someone willing to respectfully listen to all sides and have the courage to make the tough decisions and protect our neighborhoods. Go TimBen!
Berta
Amen to what you said. The current CC does not answer you, consider your concerns etc. They could care less about you. I personally belong to a group that is hoping for a better canidate.
Maybe TimBen will be the one
This is a great start to cleaning house. Tim Ben you have my complete support along with many others. Now if we get rid of the two more useless council members Santa Clarita might have a chance of being a great place to live again!
I wish TimBen well, but my conscience is clear since I actually ran into him at Legoland this summer and explained my numerical analysis on his chances.
As a preview, on October 11 I plan a column on the nearly impossible road TimBen must travel to narrowly beat ONE incumbent and accomplish something only done ONCE before in City history.
A second column will detail signals on what to watch for if the party of incumbency actually believes that TimBen is a serious candidate.
Also Jeff, EVERY city council election since 1998 has been DECIDED three weeks before the election through vote by mails. The precinct votes did not alter any outcomes, so anything that happens within three weeks of the election is basically a waste of time.
Go TimBen. We need a Council member that listens to the citizens and not merely to the local business interests. We need more transparency in local government. TimBen can only help in this regard. At this point, I’d only vote for TimBen and none of the incumbents who seem to have lost touch. If folks bullet vote, I don’t see the incumbents all holding their seats. Frank Ferry has been an embarassment!
Tim Myers – I can’t argue about your expertise with stats and political prognostication techniques.
I’m with Jeff in that my heart is screaming for a change in the city council. If we can get enough hearts changed through a grass roots campaign that is not financed by developers, perhaps we can change enough hearts in this valley to vote all three incumbents out?
There is a lot of sentiment against current government in general in this valley (as expressed at the town hall). Perhaps that sentiment can effect the local election as well.
Timmy,
“As a preview, on October 11 I plan a column on the nearly impossible road TimBen must travel to narrowly beat ONE incumbent and accomplish something only done ONCE before in City history”.
Thank you so much for trying to help someone you like! How do you treat those that you do not like? There is no need for the article other than to feed your own ego!
You seem very skilled with the pen and could just a easily author an article that explains why the current council needs to be replaced. You could do this with a clear conscience as well, and this would at least balance the perspective.
Jim,
I watched the town hall meeting twice last night. Whoever it was that said (I think it was the Signal) that the most of the people in attendance were in favor of the health care proposal did not see the same meeting I did. I was very surprised to see how upset people are in general with our government. I guess I expected to see a more low key group! As for Buck, I am sorry but that guy is not the brightest tool in the box. I do not think I saw him answer one question directly. He generally addressed a question with a war story that had little to do with the question he was asked.
You are correct Jim, people have had just about enough. Our City Council and City Manager exhibit some of the same characteristics as those in DC.
Great point Cash.
Here is one thing for sure. It will require a huge effort to mount a grassroots campaign. I’ve already let TimBen know I will support him in any capacity. If we can get enough people to actively participate in the campaign we can make a difference.
Si Se Puede!
Thanks to those who have expressed their support. I know it will be an uphill battle and I will need all of of you to help. Our campaign email is timbenin10@gmail.com We can win this election with your help. We look forward to a debate on the issues. I am not running against any single Councilperson, but rather for a position where I may serve all of you. We live in a great place and we want to make sure it stays great as we continue to build it.
At Your Service,
TimBen
I’m with you TimBen. Bring it on!
I’mBen downBen with the BoydstonBen.
It’s a RevolutionBen!
Cash:
I did write those kinds of columns before and the people lost and it was a big awful heartache. If I don’t like someone I would encourage them to run so they waste all that time and energy.
OK, everyone, put up or shut up!
How many posters will RIGHT NOW commit on this public website to donate the maximum to TimBen’s campaign? Based on my count here TimBen should have $4,000 in the campaign kitty tomorrow morning!
what’s worse timmy? telling everyone you know that we need to support a solid candidate for change or writing a check for the candidate and telling everyone that it’s a waste of time to run? my guess is that you will do the latter. and probably with a small check.
cash is right, why don’t you spend your time expressing the need for change? probably because you’re afraid you’ll be kicked out of social club you try so hard to stay in.
you are yellow through and through and the worst kind of american… imagine if the entire country thought the way you do! if your math is always right, why do we have an african american president? surely, the numbers didn’t support it, right?
all things do not remain equal so your “scientific data” is severely flawed. hate to disagree with jim farley but i’m not impressed with your “facts” – you have been wrong many times and the only other consistency you offer is tireless arrogance.
So is voting Timothy. Do you propose we quit that too?
Timmy, I would hope you reconsider the need to take pot shots at TimBen.
That is what the article will do. Is maintaining a strong presents and good relationships with the local developers, city government and others, that may use your landscape company or promote your business, worth prostituting yourself?
Please expain why you think your article will do anything to benefit the common good.
I can’t believe it. I’ve actually been agreeing with cash’s comments lately! The new medication is definitely working, cash. Keep it up. Looks like Timothy’s taken over as the resident bitter old man.
SB “explain” Timmy, you are definitely not an expain, not yet anyway..
Money,
no need to agree with me. Stick with your principles. My med’s have not changed, nor have my core beliefs. So there must be another reason you have switched.
Cash:
On three separate occasions I have had to take a candidate aside in their “victory” celebration to tell them they need to get reconciled to the fact they will lose when we see the tally of the vote by mails at 8 am. Unless one has done that they can’t imagine the pain and heartbreak in the all or nothing game of politics. Better that candidacy had never been born!
Catalyst:
I did not personally know Barack Obama so if he wanted to run and lost I wouldn’t be there for the pain.
Nearly all my personal friends are Lutherans so I only have to drink black coffee to be accepted.
Timmy,
You can take TimBen aside without writing the piece. Your sincerity is overwhelming!
I think you “may” have become a pompous ass, or perhaps believe you have reached an even higher calling. Claiming to sense someones emotion as you suggest, is supernatural.
Clearly your motives have nothing to do with compassion for TimBen.
timmy: your statement, “if [obama] wanted to run and lost I wouldn’t be there for the pain…”
that is the big “if” to which i’m referring. lots of people thought it impossible and the numbers didn’t support it and yet it happened anyway.
it sounds like you’re more consumed with yourself and how you feel than the people you’re charged to communicate with through your column. that’s a sad situation given your talent.
when you get together with your lutheran friends, do you talk about faith or are you consumed with the irreversible path to hell? i mean, who would ever gather with friends if all you did was accuse each other and reinforce a path of certain doom?
why don’t you spread faith for a change. no one will blame you if your candidate fails but saying the fight is hopeless makes your no friend to anyone.
if you don’t stand for something, you will fall for everything. what a pity you are if you only have your math to stand by.
Catalyst:
Not a visionary. Take great comfort from numbers because numbers connote discipline and truth.
yes tim… 100% of living people will die. why not kill yourself?
Catalyst:
I have my consent letter to be turned into Soylent Green when I go before the Death Panel. Do you want me to set aside a case for you?
Catalyst:
Only God knows the date of everyone’s death but we ALL know the date of the City Council election.
I don’t!
Cash:
And hence, the problem with turnout!
Is there still time for me to learn of the date? If you tell me I will mark my calendar with a daily reminder.
Cash:
Don’t you vote by mail. All the cool kids do it that way.
He is a repulsive man who has a WIDE spread reputation for his viciousness. He commonly uses racist names and doesnt hesitate to lie to make a point. He pulls from his theatrics background to create a scene laced with half truths and dramatic misconceptions. The ” good questions” he asked were laughable at most. He asked leading, mean spirited and loaded questions. If the answer ( truth) wasn’t what he liked he attacked! Ask around and you will see what kind of man he is ….. It’s scary!
Timmy, no I don’t vote by mail. I would rather vote in person; I feel more patriotic when I go to the voting booth. Besides, the walk does me good.
SCVFAN,
Are you talking about Ferry? Laughable is a perfect description of Ferry. You can always tell when Ferry has been backed in a corner, because he has not done is homework and lacks the facts. He begins to yell and wave his arms in hopes that will take people like TimBen of the point. Fortunately, TimBen does not back down and he continues to bring out the facts. Be they the hospital expansion, big league dreams, MRF, Smiser, etc. Ferry on the other hand brings out the rubber approval stamp. Ferry is lazy and he neglects his responsibility as a member of the city council.
City staff works hard but they do not always get things right. Ferry believes they do so out comes the stamp unless a citizen group proves that he needs to pay attention.
Wasn’t it Frank Ferry who yelled at TimBen, in a live City Council meeting, something like.. I am elected~your not?
TimBen is NOT the smooth, polished, “yes man” and that just might be why he is running.
Staus quo is NOT working for us!
I disagree, TimBen is smooth. His questions generally have an underlying reason that those not familiar with the issue would see. TimBen could be much more direct if he elected to take such an approach. He has definitely causes some to get their shorts in a bunch when he asks questions that they thought would not be asked. Grease does not generally stick to TimBen’s skids.
Cash:
I would guess that SCVFan is somehow involved in the Canyon Theatre Guild (“CTG”), an organization rife with secret cabals and unholy triumvirates where TimBen has steered a difficult course for years.
Cash,
Maybe sly/sneekey would have been a better words.
Who?
Questions are excellent. involvement Is needed….I’m saying that his tactics are dirty and he has demonstrated poor judgement. All officials make mistakes and city hall is not flawless. But his antics are distasteful! I have first hand experience with him and it was certainly NOT with the Guild. Ferry is sometimes out of line and says too much but Ferry has never ( to my knowledge) called someone a Nazi if he doesn’t agree with them.
And Timben was not elected.
Ferry has called people “malcontents” before as a way to dismiss their complaints/concerns.
As for TimBen’s ‘antics’ this isn’t the first time I’ve heard complaints.
But here’s the thing- governing isn’t always smooth and easy. Governing sometimes involves clashes, clashes between interests and power bases. That’s what it’s there for, to represent the people who don’t always agree.
If the local media is worth the paper its printed on (or the airways its broadcast on) then ‘temperament’ and management style should be brought up as an issue in this election.
So hopefully your concerns and others will be aired out.
Malcontent can actually be used as an appropiate noun. If people are opposing the established government then they are malcontent. It’s not a slander. I’m not sure how Ferry was using it but there are malcontent people showing up every other Tuesday for sure.
In fact, folks like Plambeck might be the physical definition of malcontent.
SCVFAN
Seems that you are the kind of individual that is willing to look the other way while the manager and the city council find clever ways to support special interest at the taxpayers expense. TimBen has asked questions in an open forum that at times has exposed the misdeads of others. Anyone that follows the workings of the council and the city manager know that their primary interest is in supporting special interests and are not surprised by what TimBen brings to light. But those caught with their pants down really do not like it. I have heard council members say more than once that “we need to resolve matters behind closed doors”; a tactic however, that does not promote trust.
While handing out our money (or waiving fees)to special interests, they talk like the money they are handing out belows to the city. Well the money belongs to the taxpayers.
Undoubtedly members of the GOBN will be working overtime to support the other candidates.
If nothing else, I hope the campaign will expose the truth about how this city operates. Especially with respect to the influence special interest has on this council.
Wow Cash. That was quite the leap to an assumption. You are now calling me a passive resident who is ok with status quo based on posts about TImBen and his character?quite rude.
Again – my point repeated is TimBen has questionable character in dealing with people who he believes are beneth him. Resident involvement is absolutely needed but in a respectable manner.
SCVFAN
I think you need to grow up. This is not child’s play we are discussing. It is the future of or City. What we need is someone that will speak up on an issue and not just band together to assure that the council can produce a vote of 5 to 0. Our council is a joke, and it lacks independent judgement and the ability to ask critical questions. The goal is to put on a united front rather than express opposing views.
Dear SCVFAN,
I would love for you to actually get to know me. If you would post your real name and contact info, I would be happy to buy you coffee or lunch.
With regards to the racist comment, I believe you need to look at my written reaction blasting local racism in the Signal, my public comments on local cable TV, and my body of work in directing shows with anti-racist messages such as “To Kill a Mockingbird”,”Fiddler On the Roof”, “Diary of Anne Frank”, and “The Zoot Suit”.
I look forward to meeting you.
Thank you for the kind offer.
I have read your “written reactions” but since I was the individual you called a Nazi I will respectfully decline.
Having visited concentration camps in Poland your careless use of words was especially offensive.
I actually used to support your line of questioning and investigation. However, the behind the scenes viciousness I saw changed my opinion.
Jeff – I especially hope ‘temperament’ and management style is brought up as an issue in this election.
Leadership skills, integrity and character are equally as important as transparency, accountability to the public and honesty.
Dear SCV Fan,
Calling you a Nazi? It never happened.