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
| Tuesday, Apr 8, 2014

darrylmanzer021014Today is the day. The campaigns are over. We all go out and vote. If only all of us did go out and vote. Last check I did, there were more than 8,000 ballots mailed in, so we shall see. The decision of new council members may already have been made.

I’ve got an interesting point to ponder. If an incumbent gets reelected, does she get the same health benefit package as before? Or would she be considered a new employee like TimBen was, and get compensated at a lower rate? Seems to me that a rehire starts all things over.

Just had my taxes done. I owe both to the feds and the Great State of California. Unlike a member of Congress who retires on 100 percent of his or her pay, I get a percentage of what I made. My years on submarines and ships was a lot more dangerous. Why do they get so great a retirement? Why do they get such big paychecks? Why are they exempted from the ACA? Why do we keep electing those fools?

I don’t have any answers to the above. I just got angry when that one member of Congress said they need more pay. Balderdash.

Some pretty important birthdays this week. Carol Rock and John Boston, both former employees of The Mighty Signal newspaper. And for me there is a very, very important birthday on Friday, April 11. The United States Navy Submarine Service will be 114 years old. If you wear “Dolphins” and have been called a “Bubblehead,” celebrate by getting those old “fish” out and putting them on your shirt. It isn’t regulation, but as a group that broke many uniform regs and dress standards, we can do that still. Proudly wear your “fish.” If you’re on a boat now, thank you for your service.

Tomorrow morning we’ll all wake up to a post-election Santa Clarita Valley. Those signs come down, and in a few months new ones will go up. The never-ending cycle of our government by, of and for the people … and Monsanto, Northrup Gruman, General Dynamics … the list could go on forever. Keeps the propaganda machines running.

It also keeps the conspiracy theories running, and running, and running. Now, I’ve seen some dirty campaign tactics here in the SCV. This time I’ve seen very conservative individuals team with very liberal individuals to besmirch the reputations of others running for office. Strange bedfellows, indeed.

But that is over for now. Folks are going to the polls or have already mailed in ballots. Let’s wait for the count.

Some great things are going to happen in the next three weeks. Get your tickets to the Cowboy Festival soon. There are some changes this year because of the filming schedule at Melody Ranch. (It exists to make movies, not to hold festivals.) The week before is Senses on Main. Our theaters are selling out – the live actors in Old Town, that is – and the sun is shinning most every day.

Spring in the SCV doesn’t get any better. Did you see how that little bit of rain turned our hills so green? Every sunrise and sunset brings on new discoveries in our valley.

I remember in the “way back,” hunting in Pico Canyon. It was just before sunrise and I was stalking a herd of deer at one of our watering troughs. It was going to be a warm day, but the early morning was cool and crisp. I watched each deer walk to the trough and take a drink as if they had an assigned order. Finally the large buck walked up and looked around. He took a drink and then looked right at me. It was a direct challenge. I slowly raised my rifle and found my foot caught in the sling.

Falling over my motions caused the deer to run, and I had to go to the barn and start milking. I was sure the buck was going to become dinner. He escaped that day, and I never saw him again.

I hope it is the same with the current campaigns. What has been said may have had great effect on the results. I tend to think the folks who wrote all of the stuff were picking up the rifle and got their feet stuck in the sling.

You see, we are all on this big merry-go-round. You can ride a donkey or an elephant. I’m getting off that ride. Don’t like the selection of critters to ride.

Thus I will remain my same old, unreformed demo-publican.

Where do I hold my convention next time?

 

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.

7 Comments

  1. Pls stop showing those teeth , Yuk

  2. Tom Dehn Tom Dehn says:

    Props to any person with the couage to serve as a sub-mariner.

  3. You gotta take this guy and his teeth off your FB page. Bad for business.

  4. Wow, that was way harsh.

  5. If any one thinks they can do a better job than why are you not running!

  6. I’m sorry we can’t all have beautiful teeth like Joey Sullivan there.

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:  County Bicycle Master Plan Virtual Community Meeting
College of the Canyons mens golf got back on track during its return to conference play on Monday, 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