27 Reasons (and Counting) why West Side Residents should vote to join the City

I was talking with my parents recently about the upcoming non-binding annexation/incorporation vote for West Side residents. See, in their ignorance, my parents moved to Sunset Pointe about 18 years ago, thinking they lived in Santa Clarita. But soon after putting down roots, they, like many other residents west of I-5, awoke one day to realize that they lived in a generic community without a real name, a place distinguished but what it is not, rather than what it is. True, they had a home, but they were in reality homeless.

They were residents of Unincorporated Los Angeles County.

So we were talking and they asked me why they should join the City of Santa Clarita. Rather than go on about utility taxes businesses pay (because who the hell cares), I decided to come up with my own reasons. 27 of them, at least. Add in some more in the comments section (or if you’re feeling contrarian, come up with a list of why West siders should not join the City):

1. Our City seal is pretty. 2. You probably visit here daily anyway. 3. The city is well run, especially compared to the county. 4. We’re already neighbors! What’s annexation among friends? 5. Incorporating your own city is a pain in the ass. 6. We have Paseos. 7. Having to explain to your children that you live in ‘unincorporated Los Angeles County’ is difficult and embarrassing, kind of like the birds and the bees talk. 8. The city has a tall sign ordinance, the County does not (See Hamburger Hill). 9. You already use our parks, so why not pay for them like we do? 10. Don’t let the freeway divide us like the Berlin Wall any longer. 11. The City bureacracy may be full of back-scratching Chamber types, but they’re our back-scratching chamber types and that’s still better than the 5th Circle of Hell, AKA the County Bureucracy. 12. Being in the same city as “Valencia” can only be good for your home values. 13. We have Amgen Tour of California, the Marathon, Festival of the Arts, Cowboy Poetry Festival, golf tournaments and other big events. 14. All the moms agree; shopping is simply better on the east side of I-5. 15. You can call a local person to complain about street maintenace. 16. Do you really want Dave Bossert as your mayor? 17.We have Gail Ortiz. 18. Our city has many websites. no really. like dozens. 19. Santa Clarita is a “Tree City USA” member city. 20. The City has a unified transportation plan for cyclists, pedestrians and even horses. 21. If you join us, the Magic Mountain/Valencia Blvd/McBean metroplex can be your downtown too. 22. You don’t have to feel all awkward & defensive about signing your kids up for city parks & rec programs anymore. 23. Old Town Newhall baby. Authentic. 24. City Council meetings can be a fun way to spend a Tuesday night. 25. You might run into your Councilperson in a grocery store whereupon you can berate her for restriping your street. 26. COC is located here. 27. If you’re really nice, the City might build you a community center like the one in Newhall. 28. Reverse 911 and text message alerts on traffic and buses.