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 29
1928 - Little dam victim, thought unidentified & buried in SCV, actually ID'd & buried in Chatsworth [story]
Newhall Cowboys


Commentary by Steve Lee
| Monday, Aug 8, 2016

steveleeFor years, big business has been holding public meetings on draft environmental impact reports in the county of Los Angeles. Citizens have shown up and stated their approvals or concerns for these projects. The myth is that the county then takes all of the information and, based on that, either approves the project or gives it thumbs down.

Chiquita Canyon Landfill is no different. Nineteen years ago, the town of Val Verde went through the same process. Conditional use permits were drawn up and promises were made, by both the landfill and by the county, to a town called Val Verde, which is a town that starts at about 800 feet from the border of the trash in the landfill.

Val Verde is the closest of any town in Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich’s district to a landfill. Sunshine Canyon Landfill’s residents start about a mile out, and Lancaster’s nearest residents are about 2 to 2.5 miles away.

As you may know, the landfill reached its 23-million-ton limit in early June, and the conditional use permit says it must close at 23 million tons, no exceptions.

Early last week, residents started emailing the county’s zoning compliance officials to hold the landfill accountable to the conditional use permit. On Aug. 3, the county stepped in and claimed it gave the landfill a “clean hands” waiver basically to break the contract and continue accepting trash as usual.

The county at this point cannot produce evidence of the waiver it supposedly was working on in March. The waiver should be public record and accessible from any laptop. But apparently these important documents are buried in the average $700,000 that the county receives from the landfill on a monthly basis.

The county receives 10 percent of the profits.

hearnoevilThat is partly why Santa Clarita Valley is called the Valley of the Dumps. The county is also the one that holds the landfill to its contract. Kind of hard to hold a landfill to a contract when doing so could cost you money.

That could also be the reason the landfill was never fined when it got caught taking in sludge (which is prohibited). They like to bring that up – that once it was bought to their attention, the landfill stopped taking the sludge it had taken for a year … and it had to pay no fine.

After the press release on Aug. 4, the county and, I am assuming, the landfill went back to the contract to find a loophole. They found one they are clinging to: It would be too dangerous to close the landfill. The hundreds of trucks per day would have to turn around and go somewhere else.

Since 80 percent of the trucks are from outside of the Santa Clarita Valley, they could just not show up. That would take a huge stress off of our Highway 126 and Interstate 5. We would have to pay more for trash here in the valley.

The truth is that there is actually a glut, and landfills are bidding on trash. That is why we get 80 percent from places that have landfills. We are the low bidder. There are low bidders out there to take our trash. But to threaten the residents with higher bills is the standard of big business.

The big question is: Will this deliberate partnership with the landfill to deceive the people affect Kathryn Barger, the frontrunner and Antonovich’s handpicked successor for his county seat? I do know she was present when Val Verde’s representatives and others held a closed-door meeting with Antonovich.

I got this email the other day in regard to all of this:

“Please review this communication from the county today. Reading between the lines, it appears the county has always intended to grant the landfill the expansion, has no intention of enforcing the current permit or the agreement with the community of Val Verde, and the clean hands waiver document does not exist. They have found an ordinance on their books that allows them to let the landfill continue operating without a permit until the permitting process is complete.

“It is evident to me that the county has not been acting in good faith with the residents of Val Verde and has been stringing them along all this time since the CUP application for the landfill expansion began approximately two years ago.

“The community of Val Verde and residents of the surrounding valley must strike while the iron is hot. Now is the time to enforce the agreements. The county is scrambling to cover (its) tracks. We need action now, especially legal action. At the very least, the press needs get more involved, dig deeper and expose the corruption. Please share your thoughts.”

I agree with the sender.

 

Update Monday afternoon, Aug. 8:

I received a copy of the clean hands waiver in my email box today, Aug. 8 … five days after the county said it had one. The county said it could not produce it sooner because the office is closed Thursdays.

Don’t they have a computer system that could bring up such vital documents? Here is the kicker: The decision goes to one person, and he, like the president of the United Sates, can make his decision apparently without notifying anyone besides the county and the landfill. The groups on the original document were left out of the loop. I guess money can buy what it wants.

The sole decision was Richard J. Bruckner’s to make. I still question the entire thing, because when I personally called Oscar Gomez to file my complaint about the tonnage, he asked me to send him an email and he would look into it, since it was a violation of compliance. The conversation and email were sent Aug. 1. Oscar Gomez is the same person we are told to notify on the clean hands waiver.

If a story had to be made up and documents also had to be made up, then seven days should be enough time to create a paper trail.

The landfill never mentioned the clean hands waiver when it realized we knew it was near tonnage. The only response was that they never planned to close, nor did the county plan to close them down. The zoning staff was unaware at the same meeting that the landfill had a clean hands waiver, or they would have brought it up. It seems the only one who knew was Richard Bruckner. It all just sounds too convenient.

 

Steve Lee is an asthmatic 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.

8 Comments

  1. Susie Evans says:

    I found something I wish I could post, it is a picture of Sgt. Schultz from the TV show Hogan’s Hero’s, entitled I see nothing I know nothing. If someone can tell me how to add the pic, I will do it.

  2. Steve says:

    19 years ago we heard the same story. Antonovich not for landfill’s in his region. Yet his region has so many landfills. Where is the no vote 19 years ago. I only see yes votes. The county says one thing and with the money votes another way.
    http://articles.latimes.com/1997-02-26/local/me-32660_1_chiquita-canyon-landfill
    Val Verde still waiting for health survey’s promised years ago.

  3. Sally White says:

    GREAT WRITING, STEVE! This is such an important issue important for ALL citizens of the Santa Clarita Valley!

    Thank you, Steve, for all of your efforts to publicize this issue! The history of the Chiquita Landfill must get out to all in this valley and beyond! The movement to close it for GOOD, and put a stop to any thoughts of expansion MUST GROW EXPONENTIALLY! We must all take heed!

  4. waterwatcher says:

    The County must be held accountable for this. One person should not be able to set aside a key component of the Conditional Use permit without even notifying the community. What is the use of having conditions on permits, if this is the case? And by the way, another condition on this same permit says the community advisory board SHALL be notified. I guess that County doesn’t care to keep any of its promises. Sup. Antonovich, is this your legacy?

  5. C.R. says:

    How do we contact Mr. Bruckner?

  6. Susie Evans says:

    FACTS ARE FACTS, LAWS ARE LAWS…they got caught and they are not suffering any of the consequences. If you break the law, you bet you are going to pay, but you are just a citizen, not a giant company. BTW PG&E was found guilty in the San Bruno explosion. Do we really have to suffer something that horrendous for big companies to be held responsible and accountable?

  7. jim says:

    Bruckner is the Director of the Los Angeles County Regional Planning Department. He formerly held the same position at the City of Pasadena (CA not TX). Lots of stuff with his name on it if you search the web.

    Scholl Cyn Landfill is just a few miles north of the 134 freeway in Glendale. I wonder how much higher the tipping fees are at Scholl compared to Chiquita Cyn? Google Earth tells me that Chiquita is at least 35 miles farther from Pasadena by way of the 210 to 5 fwys.

    Director or not, I somehow doubt that even a County Department head can go against the orders of a County Supervisor. County Directors have no need or legal way to collect campaign funds from “persons”, human or corporate.

  8. Steve says:

    My email to the 5 County Supervisors, Landfill, and Zoning.

    Please make sure that this reply is forwarded to all 5 county supervisors.

    I would like the closing plans emailed to all concerned on this email list. I am worried since we were told by the Landfill representative that there were no closing plans and that the county never had any plans on closing the landfill, or they would have informed them. If that is the case than it does suggest cohersion between the landfill and the county, which imply’s that the expansion was a forgone conclusion for the landfill. I am assuming that since the landfill was so close to tonnage that closing papers are on file and were started in or by the year 2014 and completed when tonnage was reached. I would like this within the next 10 days. If they cannot be supplied because they were never drafted, than please feel free to take the next 60 days to comply and create and send closing plans. This time make sure that the Val Verde Community Advisory Committee and the VAl Verde Civic Association are included in all documents within 5 business days. Another violation of the Conditional Use Permit when they were not included in the supposedly Clean Hands Waiver signed on March 17th, but could not be produced to all involved until Yesterday.

    I would like this request to be included in the administrative record.

    Thank you for you expedient work on this matter.

    Sincerely,

    Steve Lee

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
1928 - Little dam victim, thought unidentified & buried in SCV, actually ID'd & buried in Chatsworth [story]
Newhall Cowboys
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
SCVNews.com