header image

[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside
Weather


 
Calendar
Today in
S.C.V. History
March 28
1934 - Bouquet Canyon Reservoir, replacement for ill-fated St. Francis Dam & reservoir, begins to fill with water [story]
Bouquet Reservoir


Now and Then in the SCV | Commentary by Darryl Manzer
| Sunday, Nov 10, 2013
Darryl Manzer

Darryl Manzer

Oh, no! I’ve got to do some shopping. This year it is pretty simple. Gift cards. They fit inside a Christmas card and are always liked. At least that is my theory. I don’t have to go shopping the day after Thanksgiving. Stores don’t have sales on gift cards.

That is a problem solved, so I’ll go on to more important items. Not sure what they are right now. How about, health care? I see real problems with that. You see, we were sold a pack of lies. No, not the recent ones by the current king – er, president – but the one that started, “We have to fix the health care system.”

What system? Did we have one? Not that I can tell. Did that system that didn’t exist need fixing? Can’t fix what isn’t there. But we all went down that road, thinking we had a system for health care in this country. Well, we still don’t … and the fix for the system that didn’t exist is worse than the nonexistent system. It is another fine mess our elected officials got us into.

Like new roundabout or traffic circle or whatever being constructed in Newhall. We had a system. It was working mostly, and now we are getting a new system. What was really broke?

Then we have the beautification efforts on off-ramps from our freeways into the city of Santa Clarita. They look pretty. What was the problem? Guess something else needed fixing when it wasn’t broke.

Don’t even start me on red-light cameras. What have they solved? At $490 per ticket, it looks like a city of Santa Clarita revenue enhancement system. Heck, they are processed in Arizona. What problem was solved?

Once in a while, the citizens win. Remember the back-in parking places on Main Street in Newhall? That was a problem the city started and actually fixed. I like that.

Anyone remember the Las Lomas project at the intersection of the 5 and 14? High-rise apartments and an underground train station for the Metrolink. The city of Santa Clarita and L.A. County have stopped that. They own the land now, or soon will. It shall remain open space. Cool move. The people won another one. So did all of the critters that live there.

There is a new problem coming up. The much vaunted “cross-valley connector” that was supposed to speed traffic between the 5 and 14 and the north end of the SCV is starting to look like Soledad Canyon Road with all of the stoplights. It is providing a place to catch more speeders. Guess it is a great method to enhance revenue, too. I’m to the point that I just take Soledad. Like days of old.

How many of you know where to find Hi-Chic curve? How about Solemint Junction or Honby? Castaic Junction?

Here is an amazing fact, The Old Road between Magic Mountain and Calgrove Boulevard isn’t the “old road.” Old Highway 99 is under the southbound lanes of I-5. And what was the original name of Magic Mountain Parkway when it was still a two-lane street?

You see, some problems got solved, and others were made up so the politicians would have something to do.

Now we have a president who has become an insurance salesman. Sorry, I didn’t mean to slander those in the insurance industry. I’m really worried that once we see the product he is trying to sell, we won’t have any health care in the USA.

We heard there is a problem with the health care system, and Congress and the president rushed to fix it. I hope they respond like Santa Clarita did with the parking in downtown Newhall. That was a good fix. The City Council reversed the parking spaces. Can Congress reverse the ACA?

But this is a government problem, so we must remember how an elephant comes to mind in government solutions. You know – fixing something in the government is like mating elephants: It is done in high places with a lot of noise and takes 12 months to get results.

Please remember that what was wanted, was to fix something that really only affected those who didn’t have health insurance. Now they have to buy it, even if they don’t want it.

It could have been fixed with a mouse-sized solution. Once again, we got the elephant solution.

How do we keep forgetting that an elephant is just a mouse made to government specifications?

And if a traffic circle in Newhall is such a good idea, why didn’t we keep the one that was there until 1932 or so?

 

Darryl Manzer grew up in the Pico Canyon oil town of Mentryville in the 1960s and attended Hart High School. After a career in the U.S. Navy he returned to live in the Santa Clarita Valley. He can be reached at dmanzer@scvhistory.com and his commentaries, published on Tuesdays and Sundays, are archived at DManzer.com. Watch his walking tour of Mentryville [here].

Comment On This Story
COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

3 Comments

  1. Carol says:

    Right on!

  2. Dennis O' says:

    They changed a stop-signed intersection in Silverdale, WA to a roundabout to improve traffic flow. People can’t seem to figure out the difference between “stop” and “yield” so they all still stop. Whether anyone is in the roundabout to their left or not. Friday night backups have not been changed one iota. Yep, yep, yep, gummint strikes again.

  3. Miss Jayne says:

    Agree, agree and agree again. On Veteran’s Day, don’t forget what Americans are all about. And I am guessing most Americans aren’t about the way the politicians are going now. As for the roundabouts, shelve them. Everyone in my family, including one professional race car driver, hate the darned things and know Americans can’t figure them out easily!

Leave a Comment


Opinion Section Policy
All opinions and ideas are welcome. Factually inaccurate, libelous, defamatory, profane or hateful statements are not. Your words must be your own. All commentary is subject to editing for legibility. There is no length limit, but the shorter, the better the odds of people reading it. "Local" SCV-related topics are preferred. Send commentary to: LETTERS (at) SCVNEWS.COM. Author's full name, community name, phone number and e-mail address are required. Phone numbers and e-mail addresses are not published except at author's request. Acknowledgment of submission does not guarantee publication.
Read More From...
RECENT COMMENTARY
Wednesday, Mar 27, 2024
Remo, Inc. is is the world's leading manufacturer and developer of synthetic drumheads and shells. They’ve been in business for 60 years
Tuesday, Mar 26, 2024
Springtime in Santa Clarita brings not only vibrant blooms and opportunities to embrace the outdoors with warmer weather, but also an array of free, family-friendly events and this Saturday is no exception.
Thursday, Mar 21, 2024
Did you know that each year, Main Street in Old Town Newhall undergoes countless makeovers for different events, such as Light Up Main Street and the Fourth of July Parade?
Thursday, Mar 21, 2024
Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, whose Fifth District includes the Santa Clarita Valley, issued the following statement Thursday in response to an announcement by Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel of a proposal to change how calls to the 9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline are routed.
Monday, Mar 18, 2024
Unlike our children who enjoy a week-long spring break, we adults no longer have that luxury.
Friday, Mar 15, 2024

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
Los Angeles County Public Works is updating the Los Angeles County Bicycle Master Plan.
April 16: Public Works Virtual Community Meeting for Updating Bicycle Master Plan
College of the Canyons got back on track during its return to conference play carding a five-man score of 370 to top the eight-team field at Brookside Golf Course and maintain its unblemished conference mark.
Cougars Win Again, Keep Conference Streak
Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector, reminds property owners that the second installment of the 2023-24 Annual Secured Property Taxes becomes  delinquent if not received by 5 p.m. Pacific Time or United States Postal Service postmarked on or before Wednesday, April 10, 2024.
County Treasurer Reminds Property Owners of April 10 Due Date
Local nonprofit Fostering Youth Independence is seeking “Allies” to support Santa Clarita youth who are aging out of the L.A. County foster care system.
April 16: FYI Seeks Volunteers To Pair With Local Foster Youth
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health today unveiled the latest L.A. County Health Survey, which gathers vital data on health behaviors, conditions, neighborhood settings, and the needs of L.A .County residents, informing future public health policies and programs.
Public Health Unveils the 2023 L.A. County Health Survey Findings
Due to the projected rain forecast, Eggstravaganza will now be held indoors at the Canyon Country Community Center beginning promptly at 10 a.m. on March 30.
March 30: Eggstravaganza Now Being Held Indoors at Canyon Country Community Center
To support the mental health of California's young people, the California Department of Public Health awarded $25 million to 28 tribal and community-based organizations across the state.
California Announces $25 Million in Awards for Youth Mental Health
The College of the Canyons Athletic Department will host a dedication ceremony to unveil the Michele Jenkins Softball Team Room in honor of the longtime board member and ardent softball program supporter’s nearly 40 years of service to the district.
April 16: COC to Host Michele Jenkins Team Room Dedication Ceremony
PFLAG Santa Clarita has announced the establishment of the Peggy and Jeff Stabile PFLAG SCV Scholarship. The scholarship will provide financial assistance to LGBTQIA+ students pursuing higher education and committed to advocating for LGBTQIA+ rights and promoting diversity and inclusion.
PFLAG SCV Announces Stabile PFLAG Scholarship
1934 - Bouquet Canyon Reservoir, replacement for ill-fated St. Francis Dam & reservoir, begins to fill with water [story]
Bouquet Reservoir
The California Department of Public Health launched the “Never a Bother” campaign, a youth suicide prevention public awareness and outreach campaign for youth, young adults, and their parents, caregivers, and allies.
California Launches New Youth Suicide Prevention Campaign
The Santa Clarita Master Chorale invites the community to "Let the Sunshine In," a delightful evening of food, wine and song at the annual Cabaret & Cabernet fundraising benefit.
April 20: Santa Clarita Master Chorale’s Cabaret, Cabernet Fundraiser
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health cautions residents who are planning to visit the below Los Angeles County beaches to avoid swimming, surfing, and playing in ocean waters:
March 27 Ocean Water Warning
As an integral ingredient necessary to help the Santa Clarita Valley to flourish, feedback from the business community is the secret sauce for achieving great things.
SCVEDC Asks For the Business Community’s Opinion on Santa Clarita
Raise your heart rate while raising funds for the Santa Clarita Sister Cities Dollars-for-Desks campaign to provide school desks for students in Sariaya, Santa Clarita's Sister City in the Philippines.
April 13: Sister Cities Zumba-thon Fundraiser
Remo, Inc. is is the world's leading manufacturer and developer of synthetic drumheads and shells. They’ve been in business for 60 years
SCVEDC Company Spotlight: Drumming Up Big Business with Remo, Inc.
California State Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo (D-Chatsworth) and Assemblyman James Ramos (D-Highland) have introduced AB 3074 the "School or athletic team names: California Racial Mascots Act."
Schiavo Introduces Bill to Prohibit ‘Derogatory’ School Mascot Names
Los Angeles County’s Justice, Care and Opportunities Department  in collaboration with Local Initiatives Support Corporation Los Angeles is proud to announce the 2nd Annual Pitch Competition for the cohorts of JCOD's Incubation Academy.
March 28: JCOD Incubation Academy Helps Grassroots Non-Profits For the Second Year
Children’s Bureau is seeking foster families and now offers two virtual ways for individuals and/or couples to learn how to help children in foster care while reunifying with birth families or how to provide legal permanency by adoption.
April 18: Children’s Bureau Hosts Virtual Orientation
The Sunburst track was constructed in 1887 by the Southern Pacific Railroad and was a part of the main line running between San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Enjoy Spring With a Ride On The Sunburst Track
California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond hosted a Personal Finance Summit today where he announced his support for Assembly Bill 2927 (McCarty), legislation that would require a personal finance education course for California high school graduation.
State Superintendent Announces Support for Personal Finance Graduation Requirement
1847 - Probable birth date of Pico Canyon oil driller Charles Alexander Mentry [story]
C.A. Mentry
The first Music Jam Session at The MAIN was held on Thursday, Feb. 22 and was a hit. Come out and join in for the next one on Thursday, March 28 7 p.m.-9 p.m.
March 28: The MAIN to Host Musicians’ Jam Session
SCVNews.com