March 18, 2011 – Daily Brief

  • Packed City Council Agenda for Tuesday: Awarding a contract to add an additional left turn lane on southbound Bouquet to Newhall Ranch Road, allowing a telecom company to install fiber optic lines to street lights (which will allow for more small cellular antennas), formation of the SCV Transportation Coalition which will help the  city “strategize on funding options and resources for transportation needs,” reconsideration of the Sand Canyon/SR 14 beautification project, which some Councilmembers criticized at the last meeting and formation of a City Council public safety subcommittee . Finally, there’s an interesting development in the library saga, which you can read about here and more on those mobile billboards. AGENDA
  • City Planning Commissioners unanimously reject staff’s request to dissolve the MOU between COC’s Performing Arts Center and the City of Santa Clarita. “It was like a scene from a play,” in the Council Chambers says the SIGNAL
  • Tim Myers finds out how much Gloria Mercado-Fortine makes in her position with a charter school company whose affiliate company has had business before the Hart District, where she serves as a board member. She has recused herself several times though so I’m not sure what to make of it. MYERS
  • In the wake of the Bell, Vernon and several other local LA government scandals, the LA Times wants you to investigate your city or community and share documents with it. They’ve spun up a Public Records clearinghouse and information portal to help. LA TIMES
  • Man steels Batman and Flash Gordon costumes from Magic Mountain, then poses as a Magic Mountain security guard. But Deputies caught and arrested him. KHTS, SIGNAL
  • A group of teens has allegedly vandalized Doc Rioux Park in Stevenson Ranch so much that the County has decided to lock down the park from sunset to sunrise. Drug paraphernalia has also been found at the park. WRB
  • Wrapping up crime for this week is a Father of the Year award which goes to a Castaic dad who got in fight with his wife, struck her, then punched his 16 year old stepdaughter when she tried to intervene. The man was arrested. And yes the Father of the Year award is sarcasm. SIGNAL
  • You don’t throw a life away just because it’s a little banged up: Great story about an abused horse that was rescued and then adopted by the Sheriff’s Department. “The Dude” is undergoing mounted patrol training right now in preparation for his new career in law enforcement.  SIGNAL
  • An Assemblyman who represents part of Castaic is being called back for service in the US Navy. Assemblyman Jeff Gorell is an intelligence officer in the USN and will serve 1 year in Afghanistan. KHTS
  • David Gauny and a slew of others will be installed as leaders of the local chapter of the conservative California Republican Assembly at a special Installation Ceremony next week at the old IHOP SCV PATRIOTS
  • Someone has created a fake email complete with County logos that says the Fukushima nuclear plant radiation plume will create acid rain in Southern California that will burn people. It’s a hoax email and completely false. Experts say there is no risk. KHTS, SIGNAL
  • The County’s Supervisorial districts will be re-drawn this year along with Congressional, Assembly and Senate Districts. The County has set up a website with more information for residents WRB
  • Great Signal editorial which takes a deeper look at the 2010 Census results for the City of Santa Clarita. Overall, the city only approved 1,400 single family homes and 2,470 multi-family homes between 2001 and 2010; most of the growth in the City’s population is the result of annexation of various communities from the County, which is more laissez-faire when it comes to development SIGNAL
  • The Signal debuted a new bi-weekly real estate column today, and it’s a good one. Sal Aranada is with the SCV Division of the SoCal Realtors Association and he says the American mortgage system needs an overhaul and new government regulations that will protect and enable homebuyers while distributing more risk to the banks rather than taxpayers SIGNAL
  • Japanese children’s cartoon attempts to explain the Fukushima nuclear crisis with fart and poop analogies any 8 year old boy would love YOU TUBE
  • NOOOOO! New York Times announces subscription plan for online content. It’s actually pretty well thought out. NY TIMES
This entry was posted in Daily Brief. Bookmark the permalink.

88 Responses to March 18, 2011 – Daily Brief

  1. Todd says:

    First!

    The company running the Fiber is NextG, who builds the network for Verizon’s 4G-LTE and Sprint’s WiMAX networks…. Nice to see some real high speed wireless data coming to town!

    Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

  2. ReaderMama says:

    How exactly will they “shut down” the park in Stevenson Ranch? I know in the past they have closed the parking lot to cars at sunset, but without guards I don’t see how they can keep people from walking in……

    Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

    • Timothy Myers SR says:

      Dave Bossert will be a one man vigilante committee enforcing the curfew, counting on the well known fear and terror of teenage males when they see an obese, whiny middle aged white man.

      Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

    • john Adams says:

      Just heard on Phil Hendrie show that it will be the CAP Citizens Auxiliary Police. They will be shooting at the legs of trespassers.

      Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

  3. Josh Premako says:

    What the NYT is doing had to happen sooner or later. Here’s hoping it sticks.

    Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

  4. Petz2 says:

    Obama and his ilk in the Democrat Party continue to trash the Constitution as they look to the UN Security Council to dictate US defense policy. Article I, Section 8 only the Congress has the power to declare war. Totally predictable that this administration would work outside the constitutional framework established by the founders.

    Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

    • Jeff says:

      Unbelievable. Did you forget the last ten years of undeclared war on Muslim nations?

      Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

      • Not surprising that you would bend over for Obama, but your amnesia over the Iraq War is a head scratcher.
        The Iraq Resolution or the Iraq War Resolution (formally the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 [1], Pub.L. 107-243, 116 Stat. 1498, enacted October 16, 2002, H.J.Res. 114) is a joint resolution (i.e., a law) passed by the United States Congress in October 2002 as Public Law No: 107-243, authorizing the Iraq War.

        Just say that you do not believe in the Constitution and it’s safeguards – show a little honesty.

        Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

        • Jeff says:

          The Constitution specifically says Congress must declare war before the president makes war.

          I see no declaration of war in that resolution.

          Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

        • Nate says:

          bend over? Is that profanity?

          Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

          • Gang Fang says:

            I am deeply offended and disgusted by this reference to anal sex. My eyes are stinging from reading this horrid mention of booty pool. “In through the out door”? Most unholy. Please try to control your starfish obsession, Petz.

            Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

            • Nate says:

              Nate doubts that jeff would ever offer himself up to be sodomized for the President’s pleasure. I find Petz’ reference to be lowbrow for this VERY family friendly website. This corruption can only be explained by the new Alternative publication known as Altscv (http://www.altscv.com) Obviously Petz picked up a copy and has now become a heathen reprobate. This is just the beginning folks! Soon Valencia Blvd will become Vice Blvd full of marijuana dispensaries, tatoo parlors, strip clubs and gay bath houses! on the bright side we will finally be able to score some high quality black tar heroine!

              Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

    • Nate says:

      When president Bush did the exact same thing before taking action in Desert Storm… this was trashing the Constitution?

      Where in our constitution does it say a president must go and defend other countries?

      It seems Petz that you don’t actually know what the constitution says…

      Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

      • Cough…Vietnam…Cough, cough…No war declared…ahem…Gulf of Tonkin resolution issued but…No war declared…Cough cough…Kosovo…Somalia…Haiti…etc. etc. Petz, I love ya man, but only you would figure out a way to blame it on Obama. I’m awaiting your next post on how he caused the earthquake and tsunami in Japan!

        Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

  5. It is widely accepted that a declaration of war by Congress does not have to take any specific form. Unacceptable to commit US blood and treasure based upon the a Security Council resolution-not to mention it is not constitutional. Founders would never have approved.

    Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

    • Timothy Myers SR says:

      Not by Ron Paul and his libertarians. Congressman Paul still contends that the Iraq and Afghanistan wars are unconstitutional. Also, Petz forgets that an actual declaration of war in Desert Storm was done pursuant to a UN resolution by the elder Bush.

      Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

    • Nate says:

      Only our troops never get the full benefits of going war… Pay, medals, ect… U.S. has not been to “war” since WWII.

      Petz you have no idea what the “founders” would or wouldn’t have approved of.

      Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

      • John Adams says:

        Maybe after we defund NPR we can give it to the troops. That is something I would be very happy to see

        Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

      • Bill Reynolds says:

        Try selling that notion to Vietnam combat veterans, Korean combat Veterans, Gulf War combat veterans, etc., etc…

        Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

  6. Obama is a blubbering fool-Rights are endowed by the Creator-thay are anything but “universal. ” He has no idea what he is talking about-a very dangerous man.

    Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

    • Nate says:

      You are so petty.

      ————————————————–>

      Speaking before the United Nations General Assembly, the president called for renewed efforts to enforce the U.N.’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights, a striking point of emphasis for a leader who’s widely accused of violating human rights in waging war against terrorism.

      Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

      • Petz2 says:

        You are referencing Bush-not Obama.

        Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

        • Nate says:

          Exactly.

          Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

          • Bill Reynolds says:

            The Messiah said he would bring our troops home and close Gitmo… what is he waiting for? Now he’s on the verge of War in Libya. The Messiah speaks out of both sides of his mouth.

            Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

            • Nate says:

              What politician doesn’t… they all make promises many of which they could never deliever.

              The “Messiah” kept most of the Republican “Messiah’s” policies in tack. Proving all presidents are very close to being the same person with a handful of differences.

              Spending all day to attack a president is equally as pathetics as spending all day to defend one.

              Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

  7. Thomas says:

    The additional left turn lane at Bouquet has already been installed. The agenda item is to accept the completion of it. What the council should be asking is “Did it really cost your company $300,000 to move the curb over 1 foot and add asphalt to where you moved the curb?”. But then the city council has to remind itself that it approved that amount.

    Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

  8. Coastal Sage says:

    Jeff says “Experts say there is no risk” from Fukushima-Daichi.

    The reality is that it’s like Ender math. No risk today, Friday, but unknown risk by Monday, and unpredictable risk afterwards depending on what happens at each of the nuclear reactors, and their spent fuel rod pools. I usually won’t repeat links to “radical truth” websites, but drudgereport.com posted the story below, and the author the numerical machinations better than I can. See:

    http://www.infowars.com/reports-of-harmless-radiation-reaching-california-are-a-whitewash/

    And if I were cynical, I would say that Pres. Obama is “wagging the dog” with his sudden receptiveness to taking military action against Col. Gadhafi.

    Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

  9. Petz2 says:

    Anybody see The Guru down at the Arts Commission groveling for some city funded subsidy money last night ? Petz supports a separation between the Arts and State.

    Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

  10. john Adams says:

    Why are we involved in Libya? What can he do to us here? This is all about oil and obama’s oil buddies. Get our troops home. Close gitmo too

    Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

    • Nate says:

      I couldn’t agree more. If a people want freedom and Democracy rise up and take it. The people won’t appreciate it if we come and give it to them.

      Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

    • john Adams says:

      What about all the innocent libyans being killed by Obama?? Jeff?? Nothing??

      Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

      • Bill Reynolds says:

        Obama heavily criticized America’s War Against Terrorism, which Congress approved and he railed against Gitmo during his presidential campaign, but now look what the Messiah has done in Libya! Liar Alert! Bring on 2012!

        Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

        • john Adams says:

          I wonder how much this fireworks show is going to cost us? How many starving babies could have been fed? How many homeless families could have been provided shelter? How much protective armour for our soldiers fighting in afghanistan? I am sure Code Pink will be all over this.

          Can’t wait for the liberals (nate already did) to step up and be consistent.

          Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

        • Nate says:

          Congress never declared war on terror…

          Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

          • Bill Reynolds says:

            Under Bush Congress approved military action in Iraq and Afghanistan so why didn’t the Messiah do likewise?

            Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

    • Mike says:

      I agree.

      …but I find the right wing outrage over this to be hilarious.

      Or maybe I would hope they’ve learned their lesson from Iraq.

      Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

      • john Adams says:

        I would hope you guys have learned your lesson. Did I not hear in the last few days that obama said George Bush was right about Gitmo? Was that not a HUGE issue for you? Who was right?

        Now we have Obama doing what US presidents do. Protect others from evil dictators.

        But, for your side to be consistent you need to proclaim your hatred equally between to two. Going to be tough for ya?

        Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

        • Mike says:

          I disagree with Bush about Gitmo, so I now disagree with Obama about Gitmo. It’s not a difficult leap to make.

          I also don’t hate George Bush, so not hating Barack Obama is an easy position to maintain.

          I’m also smart enough, and clear-headed enough to know that what is just now a day of intervening in a pre-existing civil war is not the same thing as a war in Iraq. If only you’d be so honest and consistent.

          Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

          • john Adams says:

            How many posts have you made about obama’s GITMO postition? How many 3 years ago? Consistency!

            Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

            • Mike says:

              Is this a local news blog or my diary?

              Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

              • john Adams says:

                I did not read this blog for a few hours (14) because I am in So Cal hanging out with my daughter. But I knew you would not respond with “hey you are right”

                At some point you need to be honest with yourself. I know it is tough to admit your partisan politics. But, you are way to intelligent to not see that for yourself. Deep down inside, where only you know the truth, there is this knot that you cant explain. It is killing you. Asking yourself “how could someone as smart as me been so wrong?”

                Now I dont expect you to admit to it. But, we both know the truth. You are not fooling me.

                Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

              • Gang Fang says:

                This sounds like bad porn dialogue .

                Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

      • Bill Reynolds says:

        The outrage is over the Messiah’s dithering…

        Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

  11. Gang Fang says:

    Sad that the utter devastation of war turns into an opportunity for a cheap parlor game, feeding the endless US vs. THEM argument. Sick, evil, and rigidly unpatriotic to say the least.

    Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

  12. Bill Reynolds says:

    How is that “Hope & Change” working out for you liberals!? Ha!

    Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

    • john Adams says:

      Bill,

      The liberal model will never work because “Sooner or later you run out of other peoples money”

      Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

      • Preflyte says:

        The problem with conservatism is you eventually run out of people to exploit.

        Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

        • john Adams says:

          Funny I always thought people let themselves be exploited??? I will never be exploited ?? Why is that?? (stupid liberal response entered here)

          Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

          • NickelDime says:

            I always thought people let themselves be exploited?

            Ahh, from the mouths of MORTGAGE BROKERS. How many IO, ARM and NINJA loans have you written tough guy? I bet you’ve bragged about your borrower conquests at cocktail parties.

            Amazing how you wax Ayn Rand poetic whilst sucking on Fannie’s left teet.

            Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

    • Gang Fang says:

      As a vet, you would think Bill would realize first hand the devastation of war first hand. On the contrary, he sees it as an opportunity for an attempt at political “gains” for “his side”. Meanwhile, lives are lost and families torn apart. You would think the horror of war would humble us all, and realize it’s not a chance to try and make gains.

      Seems Bill pledges allegiance to his TV, his own personal anger and inferiority complex issues, and his faded war experience – and not the United States Of America. I know many people who have served in this nation’s armed services, and lost a family member to war – and you aren’t fit to clean their boots Bill.

      Shame on you.

      Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

      • Bill Reynolds says:

        First of all, I have no personal anger. Secondly, combat veterans do not have “faded war experience”… it never goes away. For the record in one battle, my unit lost 47 soldiers including my medic who was shot dead right next to me. Thirdly, freedom is not free hence I am supportive of this action in Libya against another stinking rotten murderous dictator. And lastly, I am thoroughly disgusted by the Messiah’s dithering… next to Peanut Jimmy and LBJ, this president is the weakest yet…

        Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

        • john Adams says:

          Thank You for your service! SIR!!!!!!

          Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

        • Gang Fang says:

          I referred to your war experience as “faded” as you seem to have forgotten the cost of war, and only see an attempt to play political “i know you are but what am I”.

          So if you support the action in Libya, why not give support on the matter to the President? Mush easier to play the game, I understand……

          PS – If you have no personal anger, then I’m Berta’s hairstylist.

          Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

          • john Adams says:

            Gang you are the 2nd easiest target on here because you are not consistent. What is your opinion on our libya attack?? You only get one answer……. But before you answer think back a few years…. OK let us have it

            Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

            • Gang Fang says:

              I oppose the President’s action in Libya. We are not the world’s police.

              Barking up the wrong tree, Johnny. I don’t play by your rules. Have a sandwich.

              Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

          • Bill Reynolds says:

            I fully understand the cost of war… more than you ever will, Gung Fungus. I do support the action against Gadafi, but I’m irritated that Obama waited until his women finally concinved him to take action… he’s a lousy leader. Even Big Fat Mike Moore knows that.

            P.S. I like Berta’s hair… nice job.

            Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

            • Gang Fang says:

              Glad to hear it Billy. Now start acting like it. I have no interest in playing a big dick contest with you over “who know war’s true horrors” the best. So it’s you and your shadow on that one, pal.

              PS – I knew you would like her mane, gives you something to pull on eh? Thank me later.

              Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

    • Nate says:

      Damned if he does and damned if he doesn’t.

      He doesn’t act on Libya and Republicans criticize.

      He does act and they criticize.

      So petty.

      Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

  13. NickelDime says:

    Screamin’ Coupons is running a deal right now for 50% off Cowboy Festival tix… http://bit.ly/hAFLqv

    Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

  14. john Adams says:

    Question: In what circumstances, if any, would the president have constitutional authority to bomb Iran without seeking a use-of-force authorization from Congress? (Specifically, what about the strategic bombing of suspected nuclear sites — a situation that does not involve stopping an IMMINENT threat?)

    Obama: The President does not have power under the Constitution to unilaterally authorize a military attack in a situation that does not involve stopping an actual or imminent threat to the nation.

    As Commander-in-Chief, the President does have a duty to protect and defend the United States. In instances of self-defense, the President would be within his constitutional authority to act before advising Congress or seeking its consent. History has shown us time and again, however, that military action is most successful when it is authorized and supported by the Legislative branch. It is always preferable to have the informed consent of Congress prior to any military action

    Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

  15. Nate says:

    Isn’t it time to give the Trolls their cage again… bring back the talker forums. PLEASE!!!!

    Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0