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
April 5
1970, minutes before midnight - Newhall Incident: 4 officers murdered in worst-ever CHP slaying [story]
Newhall Incident


Now and Then in the SCV | Commentary by Darryl Manzer
| Saturday, Sep 20, 2014
steveroter091914aVanessaBrookman091914b
(CLICK TO ENLARGE) Top: Postings made on SCVNews.com by "Steve Roter," alias Vanessa Brookman (above), who chairs the Val Verde Community Advisory Committee, a county-appointed panel which serves as the official liaison between the landfill operator and the community. For violating the published SCVNews.com terms of service (see above right) - perpetrating a fraud by repeatedly using a fake name to make "libelous, defamatory, profane or hateful statements," only a sampling of which appear here - the user has been banned.

darrylmanzer_blacktieOK. I admit it. I was wrong. What I wrote yesterday was not entirely accurate. What the heck, when it comes to writing about the expansion of Chiquita Canyon Landfill, it isn’t easy to be accurate. So much has been said and printed and rumored.

In all the many times I’ve written about the dump in the last couple of months, I kept thinking all the folks involved had at least a little bit of honor and ethics left. I’ve found out I was wrong on that, too.

Each year the folks from Chiquita Canyon Landfill give many thousands of dollars to various groups in and outside of Val Verde. It appears they have spread a lot of money around to mask some of the things they are really doing.

You name the charity or other organization in need, and there is the dump. There are some political campaigns and services for political concerns that they have helped. We may never know how much they are spending on the charities they help. It looks like a hefty price. The money they give to Val Verde this year is $340,000, and it could nearly double if the expansion is approved.

The Castaic Area Town Council has negotiated a contract to have a benefits fund created just like the one in Val Verde (see below). This is the subject about which I was wrong. You see, I thought the only folks who couldn’t disagree with the landfill expansion were the members of the Castaic Area Town Council and their families. What I as wrong about is that the contract they approved says, and I quote from Item 20 of the contract:

“20. In the event that the CATC, any officer, director, employee or agent of CATC, including any family members or co-habitants or any person or entity whose residence or business is located in the Castaic Area initiates any appeal of any project approval or joins in or supports in any way any appeal of Project approvals, including without limitation an appeal to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors or filing any administrative or judicial challenge to the Project or the EIR or any Project approvals including those required by the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”), this Agreement shall be voidable and of no further force and effect in CCL’s sole discretion.”

So I was wrong. You see, it says ANYONE who lives or operates a business in the Castaic Area cannot do anything to stop the expansion of the landfill. The Castaic Area Town Council not only gave up the First Amendment for themselves; they did so for the whole area, as well. I’ll try not to be so inaccurate next time – well, this time.

Here is another item in the “Memorandum of Agreement,” or contract, which states in Item 11.d:

“None of the 9 seats can be filled by a Val Verde resident or an owner of property in Val Verde.”

Item 11 is how the CCCCCBF, or Chiquita Canyon Castaic Community Benefits Fund, shall be created. (All dictated by the dump.)

So nobody within the area that is covered by the Castaic Area Town Council can say anything ill about the landfill or its expansion, and Val Verde cannot be on the Castaic Benefits committee. All this for something entirely in the confines of Val Verde’s traditional boundaries.

Let me state that even more plainly: It isn’t a problem for Castaic, yet they want some money. What a crock of bovine scatology this is, my friends.

So all y’all who live in the Castaic Area can’t say anything good or bad about the dump unless you want to be blamed for preventing a lot of money going to the Castaic Benefits committee.

We’re also told the new agreement proposed for Val Verde will read about the same way. I wonder who is going to approve it?

I want to thank Steve Roter, aka Vanessa Brookman, for dashing any hopes I had that most folks in this discussion had some remaining honor. I could never figure out what Steve Roter was writing about. Brookman – the Antonovich appointee who chairs the existing Val Verde benefits committee – publicly admitted Friday that she is “Steve Roter,” and now we all know. Her duplicity in the comments she posted on my articles is exceeded only by the way she degraded the residents of Val Verde in and out of meetings. I feel sad that someone would stoop so low. I hope she can get some help.

This tale just gets more and more twisted. There are books that don’t have as many twists in plot and characters. It isn’t over yet.

Stay tuned for another chapter of “As the Dump Smells.” Coming soon. Don’t miss it.

 

 

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].

 

CCCCBF Contract 1CCCCBF Contract 2CCCCBF Contract 3CCCCBF Contract 4CCCCBF Contract 5CCCCBF Contract 6CCCCBF Contract 7CCCCBF Contract 8

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. msc545 says:

    I am expecting a lawsuit will be filed over this by someone ? Hopefully ?

  2. Steve Lee says:

    Wow, I am the resident from Val Verde that she called a fear monger, tool, and idiot. I am just one of the ones that she cares so much about. I agree that help is needed. Too sit on a board that is suppose to listen to its residents and to call them names the entire time is disturbing. There are free groups out there somewhere that could help her. That would be a start.

  3. Kathy Howse says:

    Should it even be possible for a few to vote agreeing to something that will affect many? Something this impacting should be voted on by the whole community. Are the people in Castaic even fully aware of what has happened and what it means?
    The concern should be why is there even a need to restrict anyone’s comments concerning the landfill? Could it be the landfill knows there will be complaints and concerns? something Castaic hasn’t experienced yet.
    Listen to the comments from Val Verde and think about it.

  4. Thank you Darryl Manzer, a one-man csi, for digging into this messy issue. I think your findings are probably very accurate and that we scv dwellers will regret this dump expansion forever more.

  5. Thank you Darryl Manzer, a one-man csi, for digging into this messy issue. I think your findings are probably very accurate and that we scv dwellers will regret this dump expansion forever more.

  6. C4CCLC says:

    If you want to see footage of the video please visit: http://chiquitalandfill.net/audio-partial-video-catc-917-meeting/

    There is also a link there to a pdf of the agreement.

  7. The problem is, too much garbage from too many people going to too few dumps that are filling up too fast. Most cities are suffering the same plight!politics and Darryl’s rant, are just a cover up for the “we don’t want your garbage in our back yard”mentality. Use less plastic,recycle more, make a compost pile,use cloth diapers too, then you’ll make a difference. Otherwise grow the dumps!

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
Thursday, Apr 3, 2025
Arbor Day is more than just a celebration, it’s a commitment to our future. Every year, communities across the world come together to plant trees, promote environmental stewardship and enhance the landscapes that make our cities and towns more beautiful and livable.
Wednesday, Apr 2, 2025
One of the things that makes the city of Santa Clarita such a great place to live, work and play, is the wide range of amenities we offer our community.
Tuesday, Apr 1, 2025
Howdy, Santa Clarita! It’s time to dust off those boots and round up the family because the Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival is riding back into William S. Hart Park April 12-13, for two full days of western fun you won’t want to miss!
Monday, Mar 31, 2025
From our fun and friendly staff that run our Recreation and Community Services programs, to our Building and Safety team that make sure all developments are up to code, to our Communications team who bring all the trending, informational videos to social media, our staff is hard at work ensuring that the city of Santa Clarita continues to be a great place to live, work and play.
Thursday, Mar 27, 2025
Our family has called Santa Clarita home since 1972 and I take great pride in our city’s beautiful paseos, scenic trails and vibrant neighborhoods.
Wednesday, Mar 26, 2025
Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger strongly supports Public Works’ recent request to FEMA for the inclusion of debris removal from commercial, residential, and non-residential properties impacted by the Eaton, Hurst, Palisades, and Sunset Fires. Barger issued the following statement today:

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
1970, minutes before midnight - Newhall Incident: 4 officers murdered in worst-ever CHP slaying [story]
Newhall Incident
The Santa Clarita Valley Family History & Genealogy Fair, an annual free genealogy fair hosted by the Valencia FamilySearch Center, will be held on Saturday, April 26, 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
April 26: SCV Family History, Genealogy Fair
The Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector reminds Santa Clarita Valley residents that the second installment of the 2024-25 Annual Secured Property Taxes becomes delinquent if not paid by Thursday, April 10.
April 10: Second Half of L.A. County Property Taxes Due
The 52nd Annual Frontier Toyota Henry Mayo Golf Classic will host a $20 per ball Helicopter Golf Ball Drop at 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 10 at Valencia Country Club.
May 10: Frontier Toyota Henry Mayo Golf Classic Golf Ball Drop
California State Park enthusiasts from across the state have nominated their favorite state parks, and now it’s time to decide. State Parks has gathered the top nominations, and now it is time for you to determine the Best of California’s State Parks.
April 11: Deadline to Vote in Best of California State Parks Poll Nears
Residents wanting to wear their Santa Clarita pride can now shop online at the city of Santa Clarita City Store. The store offers a variety of city-branded merchandise options, including t-shirts, hoodies, hats, totes and more.
Santa Clarita Opens Online Merchandise Store
Explore the world by traveling to the Canyon Country Community Center for the Celebrate event series. Experience different customs and cultures, no plane ticket needed.
Travel the World in 2025 with the Celebrate Passport
After three successful years guiding the Teton Ranch Conservancy, Executive Director Jaron Cramer will be stepping down from his position effective Friday, April 18.
Tejon Ranch Conservancy Leadership Transition Announced
The Santa Clarita City Council will meet in open session on Tuesday, April 8 at City Hall to consider sending a letter, signed by all city council members, to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors regarding Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department deputy vacancies and encouraging the board to make investments in enhancing LASD retention and strengthening recruitment efforts.
April 8: City Council to Discuss Letter on LASD Vacancies to County Supes
1893 - Large earthquake centered in Pico Canyon; locals believed oil drilling caused it [story]
map
California State University, Northridge’s Department of Theatre will host Native Voices, the only professional theatre company in the United States devoted to bringing Indigenous playwrights, 7:30 p.m. Monday, April 7, to perform “To Indigeneity and Beyond!”
April 7: Native Voices to Perform at CSUN
The William S. Hart Union High School District has announced that Anthony Eslao, a senior at Golden Valley High School, has been awarded the distinguished California Scholarship Federation Seymour Award. Additionally, Matthew Thomas De Guzman, also from Golden Valley, has been recognized as a Seymour Award finalist.
Golden Valley Student Wins CSF Seymour Award
Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo’s bill, D-Chatsworth, the Expediting State Housing Permits Act (AB 301) was passed as part of a major package of housing legislation aimed at tackling the state’s housing crisis.
Schiavo Joins Forces with Rivas to Expedite Housing Development
The Department of Water Resources conducted the all-important April snow survey on Wednesday, April 2, the fourth measurement of the season at Phillips Station.
DWR April Snow Survey Shows California at 110% of Average
The Santa Clarita Master Chorale invites you to an elegant evening of wine, dinner and song atthe annual Cabaret & Cabernet benefit “The Beat Goes On,” on Saturday, April 26, 5 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Valencia.
April  26: ‘The Beat Goes On’ Master Chorale Cabaret & Cabernet Benefit
Visit the Santa Clarita Public Library Valencia branch, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 8 for a "Alice's Looking Glass" crafting session.
April 8: ‘Alice’s Looking Glass’ Craft Session at Valencia Library
Join the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce for a Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting at Monarch Beauty Academy, Thursday, April 24 at 4 p.m.
April 24: Monarch Beauty Academy Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting
For the third year in a row, The Master's University's basketball player Kaleb Lowery has been named an NAIA All-American, this time on the First Team.
Lowery Named First Team All-American
Lief Labs, a premier formulation and product development innovator and manufacturer of dietary supplements, has announced the launch of its 2025 Brand Boost Guide which offers tips, guidance and resources to support dietary supplement brands in identifying potential sales growth and risk management strategies.
Lief Labs Launches 2025 Brand Boost Guide
The Master's University men's volleyball team completed the sweep of its old rival with a 25-11, 25-21, 25-19 controlling of the Arizona Christian Firestorm Saturday afternoon, March 29 in Glendale, Arizona.
Mustangs Complete Sweep on Arizona Trip
Arbor Day is more than just a celebration, it’s a commitment to our future. Every year, communities across the world come together to plant trees, promote environmental stewardship and enhance the landscapes that make our cities and towns more beautiful and livable.
Jason Gibbs | Celebrate Arbor Day in Santa Clarita
April 30 will be the final day for submitting comments regarding the updating of Los Angeles County Floodplain Management.
April 30: Deadline for Comments on Floodplain Management
Among several important issues presented at its Tuesday, April 8 regular board meeting, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors will hear recommendations on establishing a unified permitting authority for the Altadena One-Stop Recovery Permitting Center relating to properties impacted by the Eaton Fire.
April 8: Supes to Consider Altadena One-Stop Recovery Permitting Center
1917 - Castaic post office established inside Sam Parson's general store [story]
General Store
SCVNews.com