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March 28
1934 - Bouquet Canyon Reservoir, replacement for ill-fated St. Francis Dam & reservoir, begins to fill with water [story]
Bouquet Reservoir


cleanbeachesAt a public hearing of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Tuesday, county residents offered strong words of protest against the proposed Los Angeles Clean Water, Clean Beaches Measure.

The ordinance, designed to improve water quality and reduce trash build-up in local waterways, would establish an annual parcel fee to be paid by property owners located within the Los Angeles County Flood Control District. If the measure is put on the ballot and approved by voters, it would raise $275 million a year for storm water clean up. The typical fee for a single family home would be about $54, according to County officials.

At the public meeting, dozens of local officials, business owners and residents spoke out against the measure and urged the Board not to put it on the ballot. Many objected to the fact that the measure has no sunset clause and would tax county residents indefinitely.

Santa Clarita Mayor Bob Kellar spoke in protest to the storm water fee, saying it “represents millions of dollars out of the pockets of Santa Clarita residents.”

bobkellar2012

Mayor Bob Kellar

Santa Clarita City Councilwoman Marsha McLean also spoke against the measure, claiming she was “speaking for senior citizens, property owners, and small businesses who will have the cost (of the fee) passed on to them.”

Marc Winger, Superintendent of the Newhall School District, who was at the meeting representing the five school districts of the Santa Clarita Valley, took issue with the timing of the proposed measure. “This fee would take operational dollars (from our schools) when we just stabilized our revenue for the first time in six years,” said Winger.

Santa Clarita Councilmember TimBen Boydston momentarily broke the tension in the room by sarcastically congratulating the Board on the controversial measure. “God sends us rain, and you’ve figured out how to tax it,” quipped Boydston to big laughter and applause from the audience. Following the extended laugh break, Chairman Mark Ridley Thomas joked back, “You are absolutely out of order, because you are not allowed to have better lines than the Board.”

Officials, residents and professional educators from Acton, Alhambra, Bell, Boyle Heights, Burbank, Long Beach, Rosemead, and other Los Angeles cities rose to speak out against the proposed tax.

Rosemead City Councilwoman Margaret Clark spoke against the measure and the way the Board of Supervisors have managed the matter. “This is an unfunded mandate,” said Clark. “I also have a real problem with the deceptive way (that property owners were notified).”

However, not everyone who spoke at the meeting opposed the ordinance. Malibu Mayor Lou La Monte spoke in favor of the measure and urged the board to vote to move this process further and put a ballot measure before voters.  Malibu City Councilmember Skylar Peak also spoke in favor of the environmental act.

City of Bell resident Donna Gannon voiced her outrage against the measure. “To put another tax burden on our city is way over the top. It’s a financial difficulty for a lot of people in our area who aren’t working,” said Gannon.

Supervisor Gloria Molina said she believes there is too much confusion about the measure and how the penalties would be collected and used. “I don’t think it’s clear (to the public) what is going on,” said Molina, adding, “I’m not so sure that this is the solution, either. But I don’t think (those protesting the measure) fully understand it.”

But Ronald Esquivel, board member of the Rosemead School District, took issue with Molina, saying, “The cities DO understand what’s going on. They understand they’re going to be taxed. How much more (tax burdens) can we put on the children of our state?”

Supervisor Mike Antonovich has previously come out against the clean water measure. “This ill-conceived tax will have a devastating impact on businesses, schools, houses of worship and non-profits,” said Antonovich.

Dr. Mark Gold, Executive Director of Heal the Bay, a non-profit environmental group working to improve the water quality in Santa Monica Bay and other southern California coastal waters, supported moving forward with the measure.

“It is an equitable county-wide way to protect health and the environment,” Gold said. “We need to invest in green infrastructure now instead of when the costs go up in the future.

But most speakers took issue with the tax and its effect on their local economies. Quipped one speaker, “I’m drowning in fees, not storm water.”

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LOS ANGELES COUNTY HEADLINES
Thursday, Mar 28, 2024
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.
Thursday, Mar 28, 2024
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.
Wednesday, Mar 27, 2024
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:
Tuesday, Mar 26, 2024
Los Angeles County Inspector General Max Huntsman of the Office of Inspector General has issued a report entitled "Tenth Report Back on Implementing Body-Worn Cameras in Los Angeles County."
Tuesday, Mar 26, 2024
The Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control is hosting March Meowness promotion where all cat adoptions are just $15 from now until April 9.

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Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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:
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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.
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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.
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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.
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1847 - Probable birth date of Pico Canyon oil driller Charles Alexander Mentry [story]
C.A. Mentry
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Los Angeles County Inspector General Max Huntsman of the Office of Inspector General has issued a report entitled "Tenth Report Back on Implementing Body-Worn Cameras in Los Angeles County."
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College of the Canyons women's tennis played to a convincing 7-2 conference win over Ventura College on Moica to strengthen its potential playoff resume.
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