What do you do if you’re a Southern California city with an $800,000+ deficit in the worst economy in our lifetimes?
You do what our forefathers did: look west for new opportunity. Manifest Destiny 2010!
Dave Bossert has a copy of a letter sent by City Manager Pulskamp to County authorities in which Pulskamp says the City has waited long enough to annex portions of the westside. Bossert writes:
Santa Clarita City Manager Ken Pulskamp notified Los Angeles County of the City’s intention to attempt to annex Sunset Pointe, Southern Oaks and the Westridge communities. The Stevenson Ranch community and the Valencia Market Place are conspicuously absent from this latest salvo by the City.”
In the letter, Pulskamp says a group of west siders approached the City last week “requesting that the City take whatever steps necessary to ensure that this annexation moves forward.” That follows requests by Castaic folks in 2008, but Castaic is not under discussion here.
Pulskamp notes that the November “advisory” vote indicated no support for incorporation among west siders and he tells LA Count CEO William Fujioka that “Supervisor Antonovich has been very clear that the Board of Supervisors, the City Council and LAFCO must respect the will of the people to determine their future governance.”
As Bossert points out, it’s peculiar that the City is leaving out Stevenson Ranch and Valencia Marketplace, which is, or was at one time, one of the most prosperous shopping centers in the Santa Clarita Valley. But as Bossert points out, there are plenty of tax-revenue generating operations the City would like including five hotels and Magic Mountain.
Bossert says some are viewing Pulskamp’s letter as an attempt at “cherry picking” prosperous properties on the West Side, which is a familiar charge in the annexation debate. He also says the West Ranch & Castaic Town Councils weren’t consulted about this.
Ladies and gentlemen, I think we have a new issue for the City Council election!
PS: This reminds me of an old post I wrote three years ago around this time
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The SC City Manager, Ken Pulskamp, works under the direction and supervision of the five member City Council, three of which are running for re-election.
Yes, the incumbents have questions to answer, and this letter should allow anyone affected by this action to address and question the City Council directly.
The next Santa Clarita City Council meeting is Tuesday February 9th at 6pm at City Hall Council Chambers on Valencia Blvd.
Follow the money.
I’m tired of Amnesty for County Residents! If they want to cross the 5, they should do so legally!!!!
The self-denied cherry-picking by the City is alive and well, and is the most destructive planning cancer this valley has ever seen.
One Valley, One Vision, my a$$.
Their true intentions are coming out, just as predicted.
Spineflower2:
So you would adjure democracy? Those areas had a clear majority in favor of annexation in the advisory vote.
Yes, we do not have a pure democracy… why not vote house by house?
There are logistical, economic, and social implications t letting everyone “do their own thing.” A united community is vital to a successful community.
Todd, some of those westside people do enter legally. They pay the additonal fees for their kids to play in our parks so I guess you could say they’ve “paid their dues”
Todd: Plus the majority of the people west of I-5 shop in the city and buy their cars as well contributing greatly to the City’s general fund revenues.
Some of you guys take yourselves way to seriously. Really… could you not see the irony of my post?
Todd, it gave me a great laugh. I *think* navigator got it.
I love how they try to push the issue of the ADVISORY vote… take away the Incorporation option, place those votes in those people second choice catagory and THEN see where it lands. If individuals want to be part of the City then MOVE TO THE CITY! The votes of the majority (that bothered to turn out) suggested that we all stay as we are, UNincorporated proud County Citizens. The CITY can build THEIR MRF inside THEIR limits be proud to be racisit and continue to confirm they are the idiots they are but they need to can keep there hands off the west side!!!