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
May 1
1927: First major competition, second annual rodeo, at new Baker Ranch arena (later Saugus Speedway). Overflow crowd more than fills 18,000-seat arena. Entire SCV population was ~3,000 [story]
1927 Baker Ranch Rodeo


Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. has appointed Joseph Hedges to the position of Chief Operating Officer and Pamela Mizukami as Chief Deputy Director of the California High-Speed Rail Authority.

Today’s expansion of the Authority’s executive team comes days after the selection of new Chief Executive Officer Brian P. Kelly, and is meant to continue the project’s rapid transition from the planning phases to construction and delivery.

“I’m excited to welcome Joe and Pam to the High-Speed Rail leadership team,” Kelly said. “I made a commitment to the Board of Directors to bring in highly qualified professionals to continue the transformation of the Authority from a planning organization to a strong project oversight and delivery organization. Joe and Pam have the necessary qualifications to help us get this done.”

In the role of Chief Operating Officer, Hedges will ensure that all construction and engineering elements of the high-speed rail program are delivered within scope, quality standards, budget and schedule throughout the duration of the project.

He joins the program from the Washington Department of Transportation, where he was Program Administrator of the Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Program and has been an integral part of improving project performance and advancing the progress of the project.

Hedges has more than 35 years of experience in construction, engineering, and project management in both the private and public sector. Since retiring as Captain from the U.S. Navy, Corps of Civil Engineers, he served in numerous senior leadership capacities. The compensation for this position is $337,008.

As the Chief Deputy Director, Mizukami will serve as chief advisor to the CEO on programmatic and administrative matters. Mizukami, who has been assisting the Authority and the California State Transportation Agency in improving the Authority’s administrative functions, will oversee its internal and personnel operations.

Mizukami has served in various roles at the California Department of Motor Vehicles since 2006, most recently as Deputy Director, Administrative Services Division. The compensation for this position is $169,560.

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.

21 Comments

  1. Brent Simon Brent Simon says:

    He will bankrupt California so bad. It will never recover.

  2. zoom333 says:

    States can not go bankrupt, it’s not legal or constitutional to do so either, and HSR will not do that, if a $100 billion Bond issue were voted on for HSR in CA, the cost over 50 years would be about $50.00 a person, a minor cost, especially for something that does not use OIL…

  3. You go democrats, rail to the poor house

  4. Jase Yo Jase Yo says:

    I laughed when stupid voters first approved funding in 2008.

    Almost 10-years later its the funding drain that sucks more every day.

  5. Are politicians are best at wasting $$$$?

  6. John Gilbert John Gilbert says:

    Yeah. It was “Bait ‘N Switched” from being sold as a non stop High Speed Rail along the direct I-5 corridor in the Central Valley to stopping at every cow town on the hwy 99 corridor, where property is much more expensive.. And people up there won’t even take the Amtrak ! The local city politicians influenced the change in Right Of Way and traded thier support for pork. So, Yes. People would take back their votes if they could. But the Voters wern’t the one’s that lied thier asses off and changed the deal. And the Democrates in power have been stonewalling thier accountability in all things budget in this state, and are running California like a Cartel.

  7. What a waste of money!

  8. Chris Kirk Chris Kirk says:

    Brown is a disgusting excuse for a human being.

  9. Dean Botton Dean Botton says:

    It’s very suiting that the symbol for the Democratic Party is literally a jackass mule.

  10. Crazy train to nowhere. Eliteist tyrants wasting your money on pet projects. Vote Travis Allen to Take Our State Back.

  11. A pet project to line the pockets of democrats for years to come!

  12. I can’t believe anyone even voted for this

  13. WALLY SAUNDERS c/o CRUCE SA says:

    I forget who said that those who do not know history are doomed to repeat it. All the HSR naysayers obviously do not know history. There were lots of naysayers when the Golden Gate Bridge was planned and being built. Even had more than 300 suits filed to try to stop it. And High Speed Rail is a visionary bridge from one end of CA to the other that people with vision understand. And will be worth every penny.

  14. Jon Capi Jon Capi says:

    Think of Hunger games. You didnt see people drive did you? Nope they toom fast trains everywhere.
    The preparations have begun.

  15. Greg Banta Greg Banta says:

    This needs to be shelved.

  16. Dan says:

    The California High Speed Rail Authority has done everything possible to mislead the public about the estimated cost for this project, even as they’ve been refuted by countless professionals. The fact that there are billions and billions of dollars involved makes this a crime of the highest sort. Surely Chairman Dan Richard and the other board members at CHSRA need to be held accountable for their actions…heads should roll and people should go to prison over this.

  17. Stil says:

    The comments here are so lame. The project is already generating a number of benefits to the State, and will deliver even more in the future. Yet, the comments are full of criticisms that demonstrate a complete lack of familiarity with the project or any supporting literature.

Leave a Comment


SCV NewsBreak
LOCAL NEWS HEADLINES
Wednesday, May 1, 2024
May 4: Ekklesia Meta Church to Launch Community Closet in Santa Clarita
Ekklesia Meta Church, a non-denominational institution founded by Pastor Carthel Towns, is proud to announce the grand opening of its Community Closet in Santa Clarita. 
Tuesday, Apr 30, 2024
Schiavo Introduces Click to Cancel Bill to Protect Consumers
California State Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo has announced the introduction of AB 2863, a bill aimed at protecting consumers and putting more money back in people’s pockets by simplifying the cancellation process for subscription services.
Tuesday, Apr 30, 2024
May-October Fireside Nights at Vasquez Rocks
The Vasquez Rocks Natural Area invites you to an evening around the campfire at the Vasquez Rocks Interpretive Center. Live music, sing-alongs, animal meet and greets, storytelling, crafts, activities, show + tell tables, s'mores and more.
Keep Up With Our Facebook

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
The Los Angeles County, Department of Public Social Services, and the Department of Public Health’s  CalFresh Healthy Living Program have launched the annual CalFresh Awareness Month campaign to remove barriers associated with applying for food assistance.
May is CalFresh Awareness Month
Ekklesia Meta Church, a non-denominational institution founded by Pastor Carthel Towns, is proud to announce the grand opening of its Community Closet in Santa Clarita. 
May 4: Ekklesia Meta Church to Launch Community Closet in Santa Clarita
College of the Canyons captured a 13th straight Western State Conference Championship on Monday, April 29 at Knollwood Country Club, after a 36-hole tourney that saw all six players finish in the top-10 of the field's individual standings and send the Cougars to another 3C2A Southern California Regional Championship event.
Canyons Wins 13th Consecutive WSC Title
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:
Ocean Water Warning For May 1
The cheers will be heard blocks away later this month as more than 11,000 graduating students cross the stage in front of California State University, Northridge’s iconic University Library as CSUN celebrates its 2024 commencement.
CSUN to Celebrate the Class of 2024 with Series of Ceremonies
Thanks to the community's support, E.C. Loomis Insurance Associates has officially awarded a $10,000 donation to The American Cancer Society, a nonprofit organization dedicated to saving lives, celebrating lives, and leading the fight for a world without cancer.
The American Cancer Society Awarded $10,000
Imagine a day where barriers dissolve and possibilities unfold, a day dedicated to celebrating diversity and fostering inclusivity.
Cameron Smyth:  Free To Be Me at West Creek Park
The final Business Property Statement deadline is approaching fast, with payments need by May 7 to avoid penalties. 
May 7: Assessor Reminds Businesses as Last BPP Deadline Nears
The Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corporation teamed up with the city of Santa Clarita, College of the Canyons, L.A. County's America's Job Center of California and the Chamber of Commerce to host the fourth Santa Clarita Valley job fair.
Fourth SCV Job Fair Draws Biggest Crowd Yet
The Santa Clarita Public Library is excited to announce its upcoming celebration in honor of Día de los Niños/Día de los Libros on Saturday, May 4, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Canyon Country Jo Anne Darcy Library Branch.
May 4: Celebrate Día de los Niños/Día de los Libros at the Santa Clarita Public Library
1927: First major competition, second annual rodeo, at new Baker Ranch arena (later Saugus Speedway). Overflow crowd more than fills 18,000-seat arena. Entire SCV population was ~3,000 [story]
1927 Baker Ranch Rodeo
California State Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo has announced the introduction of AB 2863, a bill aimed at protecting consumers and putting more money back in people’s pockets by simplifying the cancellation process for subscription services.
Schiavo Introduces Click to Cancel Bill to Protect Consumers
City of Santa Clarita residents can get low-cost spay/neuter services for your pets every Monday at the mobile clinic located in the parking lot of the Newhall Community Center.
Low Cost Spay/Neuter Mobile Clinic at Newhall Community Center
The Vasquez Rocks Natural Area invites you to an evening around the campfire at the Vasquez Rocks Interpretive Center. Live music, sing-alongs, animal meet and greets, storytelling, crafts, activities, show + tell tables, s'mores and more.
May-October Fireside Nights at Vasquez Rocks
It's time to kick up your heels and head on over to Gilchrist Farm for the Hoedown for Hope event Saturday, June 22, 6-10 p.m.
June 22: Howdown for Hope at Gilchrist Farm
A relic of Saint Jude has left Italy for the first time on an extended tour of the United States. Treasures of the Church, an evangelization ministry of the Catholic church, will present the Tour of the Relic of St. Jude the Apostle. The relic of St. Jude will be hosted Monday, May 6 at Saint Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic Church.
May 6: Catholic Relic of St. Jude Makes Stop at St. Kateri
College of the Canyons film instructor Bavand Karim will attend Marche du Film, one of the largest film markets in the world, at the Cannes Film Festival in May to promote the launch of a new film slate by CINE & Lost Winds Entertainment.
COC Film Instructor to Attend Marche du Film at Cannes Film Festival
Santa Clarita’s opera company, Mission Opera has been selected to present ‘The Merry Widow: Madonna’ as part of the OPERA America National Conference and World Opera Forum, being held in Los Angeles in early June.
June 6-8: Mission Opera Performances of ‘The Merry Widow: Madonna’
Given the ongoing uncertain situation in the Red Sea and surrounding area and following extensive consultation with global security experts and government authorities, Princess Cruises, which is headquartered in Valencia, is revising the itineraries for its two 2025 World Cruises, which will no longer visit the Middle East or Asia, and now instead, will offer new port stops in Africa and Europe.
Princess Cruises Reroutes Global Voyages Due to Middle East Uncertainty
California State Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo will host an upcoming Youth and Family Festival, a day packed with fun, learning and community engagement. This event is free to all and will bel held on Saturday, May 4 from noon to 4 p.m. at the College of the Canyons
May 4: Schiavo to Host Youth, Family Festival
1973 - Watergate figure H.R. "Bob" Haldeman, a former CalArts board member, resigns from Nixon White House [link]
Haldeman
The 97th annual commencement ceremony of The Master’s University will be taking place on campus Friday, May 3, at 7 p.m.
May 3: Livestream 2024 TMU Commencement
Three seats on the Santa Clarita Community College District Board of Trustees, which oversees College of the Canyons, will be up for election in November 2024.
COC Hosting Info Sessions for Prospective Board Candidates
The second and final day of the Golden State Athletic Conference Track and Field Championships gave The Master's University men's team their second championship in a row, while the women finished second.
TMU Men’s Track Brings Home GSAC Title, Women Finish Second
SCVNews.com