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
September 19
1863 - Gen. Edward F. Beale loans money to A.A. Hudson and Oliver P. Robbins to erect toll house in Newhall Pass [story]
toll house


Now and Then in the SCV | Commentary by Darryl Manzer
| Tuesday, Oct 7, 2014

darrylmanzer_blacktieHear ye! Hear ye! All ye citizens of the town of Castaic: Know ye that your Town Council is seeking people who want to join that merry group by election in November. You must file your application for the election by October 15 – next week.

I’m hoping that maybe this time, folks will elect Castaic Area Town Council members who are more interested in the community as a whole and not what some company can give them at the expense of the First Amendment rights of just about every citizen of Castaic.

This is a great opportunity to have a Castaic Area Town Council that will listen to the entire town area and not just the money being offered by the Chiquita Canyon Landfill.

Hey, I can dream can’t I? Judging by the last election, not many people voted, and there wasn’t a single seat that was a contested race. This means the current council wasn’t really elected, since nobody ran against the folks now serving. Some volunteered, and next thing you know, the election was called off and all of those who applied became members. At least that is what I read in the Town Council notes on their website.

So I guess they really speak for the people, don’t they? Few volunteered for the job, and nobody got to vote. Sometimes that is considered just a little strange.

Six of the 10 folks on the council voted to accept the money from Chiquita. None of the six lives near the dump. But what does it matter? We don’t know how they were elected because at least some of them were just reappointed and continued to serve.

I’d really like to know how many folks voted in the election of the Castaic Area Town Council the time before last. If it was anything like a West Ranch Town Council meeting a few years back, the total vote count was around 74, if my memory serves me right. Was that anything like the Castaic Area Town Council’s last balloting? Just how many people vote for the Castaic Area Town Council, anyway? What percentage of the Castaic area population takes the time to vote for a “council” that is advisory and has no real power?

But it makes some folks feel like a real community to know they have a Town Council advising the county supervisors about the concerns they have – unless it is the community of Val Verde. That part of greater Castaic may as will have duct tape covering their mouths. They have no real voice as long as the rest of the Town Council acts on the offer of money and not on the welfare of Val Verde.

So, I ask you, this Castaic Area Town Council that has had elections in the past – just how many people voted in your last election? Was it a few thousand? A few hundred? Or just around 74 like your counterparts in West Ranch a few years back?

I’ve not been able to find the results of your last election. I did find the results of the races you’ve held that were sponsored by the dump. That seems to be a very important subject on your website. But to have your own election results not posted is another strange little part of the Castaic Area Town Council.

Along with posting your election results, you should also post your Form 700s that by law you’re required to submit. I only ask this because six of the 10 members of the Castaic Area Town Council who voted for the landfill expansion would certainly have to have a payoff of some kind to ignore the facts of pollution, illegal dumping of material not allowed by the current permit, the stink and smells that are rivaled only by the smell of those six voting in favor.

Maybe I’m giving too much weight to the real input the Castaic Area Town Council has from the community. Maybe the community of greater Castaic doesn’t know about the dump or the council, or doesn’t care one way or the other.

In researching an article about the West Ranch Town Council a few years ago, I found that most folks care little about what a town council does. They are usually more worried about what an HOA can do.

I love the way the Los Angeles County supervisors can point at the various town councils dotting the L.A. County map and say, “See? We have folks who help us listen to the people.”

No, they don’t. Town councils are really just a way for the supervisors to look like they’re listening. If they really wanted input from folks, they would provide funding to operate the councils. If the supervisors provided operating funds, the councils wouldn’t have to accept “gifts” from companies like Chiquita.

Imagine if there weren’t a promise of money for the Castaic Area Town Council to consider. Imagine if they had to vote on the dump expansion based on the facts of past performance.

If y’all can elect four new Town Council members in the Castaic area who will do that, I urge you to vote for them.

Land use should be based on the merits of the use requested and not on how much money the “developer” is willing to give for the community to shut up about the development.

If it were a real elected office, that person would be prosecuted for fraud, graft, corruption and all sorts of other things.

But the Castaic Area Town Council has proven it only wants money and not justice. Maybe the hundred or so folks who vote on new council members will remember that.

One thing for sure: It appears the current Castaic Area Town Council and maybe the future members won’t have a “mandate” from the community.

 

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. His older commentaries are archived at DManzer.com; his newer commentaries can be accessed [here]. 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.

1 Comment

  1. Susie Evans says:

    OK, am I missing something? Their email said there was a $50 filing fee. For a voluntary non-paid position?

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
Friday, Sep 13, 2024
As a father of three, I understand firsthand the importance of guiding our children through open communication and keeping them engaged in extracurricular activities and sports to foster their growth.
Thursday, Sep 12, 2024
You may have noticed that things look a little different around our city. Maybe you noticed the motion sensor lights at our parks, or the solar panels being installed in city parking lots.
Wednesday, Sep 11, 2024
California State  Sen. Scott Wilk (R-Santa Clarita) is urging residents to prepare an emergency evacuation plan as the Line Fire, Bridge Fire and several other wildfires continue to pose a serious threat to High Desert and foothill communities.
Wednesday, Sep 11, 2024
As we approach the November 2024 elections, the importance of informed voting cannot be overstated. The choices we make at the ballot box will shape the future of our city, state and nation. Yet, in an era where soundbites often substitute for substantive discussion, how can voters truly grasp the complexities of the issues at hand?
Friday, Sep 6, 2024
As scorching triple-digit temperatures engulf Los Angeles County throughout the weekend and excessive heat warnings have been issued for many communities in Los Angeles County’s Fifth District, I urge residents to do their part to lessen the threat of wildfires.
Thursday, Sep 5, 2024
After being part of the Parks and Recreation Commission in the early 90s and spending nearly 30 years on the City Council, my life has been dedicated to creating a community where residents and businesses feel welcomed and safe here in Santa Clarita.

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
1863 - Gen. Edward F. Beale loans money to A.A. Hudson and Oliver P. Robbins to erect toll house in Newhall Pass [story]
toll house
The Counties of Los Angeles and San Bernardino today announced the opening of multiple joint Local Assistance Centers to assist residents impacted by the Bridge and Line Fires.
L.A., San Bernardino Counties to Open Joint Local Assistance Centers for Residents Impacted by Bridge and Line Fires
Valencia Gynecology Associates, owned by longtime Santa Clarita Valley OB-GYN physician Don Nishiguchi, MD, has joined the Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital network. 
Valencia Gynecology Assoc. Joins Henry Mayo Network
JCI Santa Clarita is proud to announce the upcoming Veteran’s Resource Fair, scheduled to take place on Sept. 21 at William S. Hart Park. 
Sept. 21: JCI Invites All Veterans to Upcoming Resource Fair
A "friendies" field tournament  is being  hosted by the Saugus Instrumental Music program, with support from Valencia High, later this month. 
Sept. 21: All Valley Showcase Comes to Valencia High
Public, member-supported 88.5 FM The SoCal Sound, Southern California’s leading Triple-A (adult album alternative) format radio station has announced the lineup for its inaugural “Year-End Bash” taking place on Saturday, Dec. 7.
Dec. 7: CSUN Owned 88.5-FM The SoCal Sound Announces “Year End Bash” Lineup featuring Ben Gibbard
The Master's University cross-country teams continued their successful 2024 campaigns with strong finishes at the BIOLA Invitational on Friday, Sept. 13 at Craig Regional Park in Fullerton, Calif.
TMU Women Win, Men Place Second at XC Invitational
Sheriff’s Department Announces New Law Enforcement Gang Policy
Sheriff’s Department Announces New Law Enforcement Gang Policy
The biology department at California State University, Northridge has stayed committed to promoting STEM research carried out by K-12 students and teachers in the Los Angeles Unified School District.
CSUN Student Research Journal Celebrates 28 Years of Inspiring Scientific Imagination
Did you know the SCVEDC has an interactive, online tool that provides themed virtual tours of the amazing features the community has to offer? 
Take a Virtual Tour of the Santa Clarita Valley
California Institute of the Arts alum and visionary filmmaker Tim Burton (Film/Video 1979) was honored with the 2,788th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
CalArts Alum Tim Burton Receives Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame
1962 - Articles of incorporation filed for Golden State Memorial Hospital on Lyons Avenue [story]
Golden State Hospital
The Santa Clarita Valley Senior Center welcomes back Jim Curry for an evening concert celebrating the music of John Denver on Saturday, Oct. 5 at 5 p.m. in the Grand Ballroom at Bella Vida.
Oct. 5: SCV Senior Center Welcomes Jim Curry ‘Take Me Home’
As part of the Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency's ongoing commitment to ensuring local groundwater quality and reliability, the SCV Water recently began construction on a new treatment facility to remove perchlorate and volatile organic compounds at Well 205 in Valencia.
SCV Water Begins New Water Treatment Project in Valencia
Get ready to set sail at the Pirates SENSES Block Party, presented by the city of Santa Clarita, Thursday, Sept 19 from 7-10 p.m. on main street in Old Town Newhall.
Sept. 19: SENSES Pirate Block Party
No. 21 College of the Canyons football team knocked off No. 5 Fullerton College 29-13 on Saturday night behind a stifling defensive effort and five field goals from Luis Rodriguez.
No. 21 Canyons Knocks Off No. 5 Fullerton 29-13
Six of the seven Foothill League Varsity football teams begin league play Friday night, Sept. 20.
Foothill League Football Begins for SCV Teams
The California Institute of the Arts will present the "NAACP Santa Clarita Masquerade Ball", Friday, Oct. 4, 7-11 p.m. at 24700 McBean Parkway, Valencia, CA 91355.
Oct. 4: NAACP Santa Clarita Masquerade Ball at Cal Arts
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is investigating two human cases of a rare parasitic infection, Baylisascaris procyonis, also known as raccoon roundworm.
Public Health Investigating Disease Spread from Animals to Humans
1879 - First official Newhall School building erected near Walnut & Ninth streets [story]
First Newhall School
The city of Santa Clarita is hosting Make A Difference Day on Saturday, Oct. 26 and is looking for enthusiastic residents to volunteer for various projects that benefit local nonprofits, as well as the city.
Oct. 26: Volunteers Needed for Make a Difference Day
Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital and PathPoint announced the graduation of Aiden Land and Andrew Mendence from the Project SEARCH internship program.
Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital, PathPoint Celebrate Grad Interns
The William S. Hart Union High School District has announced upcoming community information meetings about Learning Post Academy Independent Study School, Thursday, Sept. 18 and Friday, Sept. 19.
Sept. 18-19: Learning Post Academy Online Information Meetings
The Santa Clarita Community College District Board of Trustees will hold a special meeting Wednesday, Sept. 18, 5 p.m. in open session to interview and appoint a new trustee for Area 5.
Sept. 18: COC Board to Interview, Appoint Area 5 Trustee
SCVNews.com