Darryl Manzer

The low temp in Newhall tonight is forecast to be more than twice what the temp here in Kentucky is right now. It is just plain cold. Tomorrow it won’t get above 32 degrees. Did I ever pick a wrong weather time to visit this place.

Santa Clarita City Council election season has started. What will it be like to have a council without Frank Ferry? We shall see, I’m sure. I can’t wait. Do we know which candidate can have the best temper tantrums? That would be the perfect Frank Ferry replacement. Just saying.

I don’t know how or who I should cast my vote for, but I do have some opinions about how not to vote. I’ll not bore you. I love the idea of actually getting to vote for them this time, so I can write about it. That way I come to my warped opinions with clarity, if not much forethought. Voting does give me a right to complain, even when I vote for the winner.

Please don’t ask me my opinion about “Duck Dynasty.” I’ve spent many years defending the right of people to say what they want and believe. I didn’t spend all of that time in and with the Navy so someone could anger his or her boss by what they say, only to get fired for saying so.

I file this “problem” in the same file folder you’ll find my notes about renaming a street after some actor who died in a wreck on that street because he was in a car that was obviously going too fast.

The grapevine tells me we might have another park or open space or building named after our very own Los Angeles County supervisor. Place your bets on what gets his name attached to next.

I’m happy his name is interesting. Imagine if it were Supervisor Joe Smith or Harold Jones. The Michael D. Antonovich Fire Hydrant has such a great ring to it. My little Basset Hound, Mr. Renly, could use that hydrant to express my thoughts on government in general. Can we get one named for “Buck” McKeon or Lady Dianne or Mistress Barbara? That way I can have Mr. Renly vent my displeasure with all of Congress, too.

I’ll wait until after the City Council elections to see if we need any hydrants named for any council members. I do think there should be a Frank Ferry Hydrant located near my vet’s office. That way, many folks could express themselves through their doggy family members.

Whatever happens in the next few months on our local political scene, it is going to be most interesting. There are some big questions, such as:

1. Is “Buck” McKeon going to run again?

2. Will the local Republicans find common ground and keep the 25th District seat in Congress that might be up for grabs?

3. Can the Democrats find someone to run against any Republican candidate in the 25th District? Someone who can win, that is?

4. Did you get to keep your health care plan and the doctors you like? If not, will that affect how you vote in the next couple of elections?

5. Will the stoplights on Lyons Avenue ever be timed so I don’t have to stop at each one?

These are some major issues, and they might require some major answers.

Notice I wrote nothing about Cemex. We might have to admit that our reps in Congress have failed in that matter. If you ask Mr. McKeon, he starts to sound like the character in the movie, “Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.” You know, the governor “doin’ a little sidestep” and, “Now you see it, now you don’t.” Really looks like that, doesn’t it though?

Our little valley has such wonderful political grist for those of us who write a little bit about such things. We can start with the “Super HOA” also known as the City Council, and go to Sacramento, home of our nanny-state functions, and then head to Congress and the president of these here United States of America. So much to write about, so little time to write.

As my friend John Boston would say, “Hang on, saddlepals” – this is going to be a wild ride these next few months or even a couple of years.

I can’t wait. This is fun.

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 and his commentaries, published on Tuesdays and Sundays, are archived at DManzer.com. Watch his walking tour of Mentryville [here].