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


steveleeI sat through a fascinating meeting of the Val Verde Community Advisory Committee as I listened to a scientist, A.J. Atkins, sing the praises of the Chiquita Canyon Landfill.

I have to be honest. I was thinking: Man, they are really working hard to ensure our safety.

I personally think they are trying. I also think they are trying harder now because of the resistance from the residents of Val Verde.

During the presentation, my mind started to spin. Why? The scientist was presenting his findings from the wells surrounding the landfill. Atkins stated they were all clean. He raved about how clean they were, and how he had never run across such immaculate wells.

His entire report based on documentation given to him from the landfill. That is when my head started spinning. I know the landfill presented different documentation online – documentation that shows the exact opposite of Atkins’ findings. Shouldn’t those documents be looked at? I even remember Darryl Manzer expressing his concerns about the contaminated wells, based on the findings released online, as he wrote here.

After the long praising from this scientist, he got to a concern: Odors.

The landfill is not going to be able to control the odors as its massive growth increases. It was not that they MIGHT not be able to control the odors, but that they WIILL not be able to.

He also referenced the 21,000 homes coming in from The Newhall Land and Farming Co. They would be tremendously impacted by those odors.

So now it is not only the 2,400 residents of Val Verde, but the possible 63,000 residents in the new development. (Conservatively. I multiplied each residential dwelling by 3, two adults and one child.)

He briefly mentioned that these smells were prohibited and then moved on.

The second concern pertained to the containers at the landfill that are set up to control contaminants from escaping the landfill during rainstorms.

The last four years of drought made it possible for contaminants to stay within the borders of the landfill, which also affected any testing that this scientist might have done. But a moderate rain would cause significant environmental damage to the Santa Clarita River and to its inhabitants. Yet, we have been recently warned of a major El Nino year, and there will be more.

The environmentally protected Santa Clarita River will be severely compromised. The health of the children and families who will be living in the 21,000 homes will be compromised.

Imagine the anger of a parent when they find out their child was slowly being poisoned while they were laughing and enjoying the expression on their young child’s face as that child jumped in leftover contaminated pooling puddles from a heavy rain.

All of that poison that will destroy the river will be the same poison in the puddles at the 21,000 homes that Newhall Land and Farm would have provided them.

I can imagine a class-action suit waiting to happen. The families will first try to sue Newhall Land to recover some of the medical costs they will be entangled with, in the desire to get justice for the deception they feel was present when they bought their environmentally safe home or condominium or rented their apartment.

Then these families may attempt to sue the landfill – which was previously owned by Newhall Land. The landfill is a limited liability company, which would shield the company from liability for medical costs.

Now the families have to go after the county. The county will claim it had no idea there were dangers. Much like they say they are not part of the contract with the landfill and Val Verde today.

But the county is on the same CUP. They were well aware of the contract and are in fact part of it. Supervisor Antonovich and his staff are aware of the landfill. I can only assume they are also aware the river is protected; they are aware of the contaminated wells.

In the future, when people rightfully decide to sue the county for the injustices that befell them, they will hopefully do some Internet searches and stumble across the many articles making the public – and the public officials – aware of the dangers and outright violations and contaminants being delivered to its residents by air and water. Unfortunately, the officials now in charge will no longer be in office.

The county and all those involved should be held liable now. The landfill is a large profit-making corporation. The landfill should not have the right to be a limited liability company. If it poses a danger, then it should be forced to pay for the damage that danger caused on individual lives and the environment.

Parent companies should not be able to set up companies they plan to bankrupt in order to protect themselves from future lawsuits. Protecting these corporate structures looks like government collusion to me. It looks like the parent company knows of the dangers. This should be absolutely illegal.

The county will not be able to claim ignorance. If I go to court, I cannot claim ignorance. Ignorance of the law is no excuse. Ignorance of dangers of landfill and the companies that are permitted by the county is not an excuse. The county needs to be held liable for any violations from these companies.

The culpability for poisoning our communities does lie with the county that allowed it. Los Angeles County is well aware of the dangers now and the future dangers to its residents and to its protected river.

 

 

Steve Lee is a resident of Val Verde.

 

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. Linda says:

    Very well stated!

  2. jim soliz says:

    If you are right, Steve, and I chose to believe that you Are right, then culpability would rest on the County and the Supervisor sitting in the seat Representing the Fifth District which would Supervisor MICHAEL ANTONOVICH.
    Not to be dismissed are State Senators and State Assembly Representatives and on a Congressional level it would be the Congressman for the 25th Congressional District.
    Gee, that strange. Why, they are all Republicans. I’ll be darn, what a coincidence!!

  3. Josh says:

    I’d hate to live my life convinced that “everyone is out to get us” and no matter who it is, if it contradicts my thoughts “they must be lying” it must be exhausting!

    I hope it really is alright, I hope that having faith (not blind faith mind you) in our leadership and their decisions is still an acceptable avenue to take in these kinds of things.

  4. Susie Evans says:

    I wrote to our State and Federal senators and congressmen no matter what party they belonged to and they never cared to respond other than, contact your local county representative.

  5. Erica says:

    Thanks for bringing up Newhall’s mega development! It is quite a head scratcher that this combination of developments would ever be a good idea. Oh and the scientist’s name is B.J. Atkins. :)

  6. Steve Lee says:

    Josh, thank you for your reply. I too do not believe in blind faith, but I do believe in holding big corporations and our elected officials accountable. I am sure that when the agreement with Val Verde, Chiquita Canyon Landfill, and the county was signed the feeling of the landfill and the county was that Val Verde would forget the promise/contract. After all 19 years is a long time if it is day one of the contract, looking back 19 years, it is just a blink of an eye.
    It seems that memories are very short for big corporations and for some politicians. I am aware that when the civil complaint was filed Antonovich’s spokesperson said it was the first time they heard of such complaints. But, on January 5, 2015 Scope and others went to the County Board to make them aware. Maybe what they should have said, “It is the first time we are listening.”
    Faith in our leadership is one thing, speaking up when that faith has been compromised is another. I am not rich and I can not donate tons of money in order to hold politicians and big corporations accountable, but,what I can do is write.
    I have been informed in private email that parent companies can be sued when they are overseeing their smaller companies that are LLC.
    This is great news. When the people know this in the future, they will have much more choices then was once thought.
    Once again Josh, thank you for your comment.

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
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.
SCVEDEC 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
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."
Office of Inspector General Issues Latest Report on LASD Body Cams
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.
Canyons Closes Out Ventura 7-2 in Final Home Match
Join the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce with the Latino Business Alliance at the Cinco de Mayo Networking Celebration on Tuesday, May 7.
May 7: Latino Business Alliance Cinco de Mayo Celebration
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.
Adopt a Cat During March Meowness at Castaic Animal Center
California State University, Northridge is partnering with the Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians and the Tataviam Land Conservancy to battle the impact of climate change in disadvantaged communities throughout the San Fernando Valley by establishing “urban forests.”
CSUN Partners with Fernandeño Tataviam Band to Build Urban Forests
Join the Santa Clarita Artists Association on Monday, April 15, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Barnes and Noble, 23630 Valencia Blvd., Valencia, CA 91355, for the SCAA monthly meeting and guest demonstrator.
April 15: SCAA Presents Debbie Abshear Watercolor Demo
Residents are invited to join members of the Santa Clarita City Council for a special ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the addition of Santa Clarita's 38th park, Skyline Ranch Park, 18355 Skyline Ranch Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91351, to the Santa Clarita parks system on Saturday, April 6, at 10 a.m.
April 6: Grand Opening for Santa Clarita’s 38th Park
The Santa Clarita Valley Senior Center is preparing for the annual fundraising event, Celebrity Waiter, with the theme “California Dreamin’” on Saturday, April 27 at Bella Vida, 27180 Golden Valley Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91351.
Table Sponsorships Still Available for Celebrity Waiter Dinner
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.
Ken Striplin | A Fun, Festive, Egg-Filled Day
SCVNews.com