It is all a matter of perspective.

In big and bold letters, the headline read, “Trial of the Century.” It wasn’t THE trial of the century. I think there are two trials of the 20th Century, both following World War II. Nuremberg and Tokyo had the real trials of the century. War criminals were brought to trial.

Not O.J. Simpson or the Scopes monkey trial. They couldn’t make the list when taken into perspective.

I know I said I was going to wait to write about “The Billboard Issue” until after the meeting of the Santa Clarita City Council next week. Well … I can’t wait.

I know thousands of people signed the petitions to have the City Council take another vote on the issue or have a special election to resolve the issue. For the life of me, I cannot understand why they signed. Do they really know why?

The removal of billboards was one of the defining reasons we have a city of Santa Clarita today. People hated that the County of Los Angeles didn’t seem to regulate the huge signs. It was hoped that with the new city of Santa Clarita, we could see the removal of most all billboards in the city.

The City Council’s billboard ordinance would have gotten rid of these unsightly signs on Railroad, Bouquet and Soledad Canyon Road.

Well, we still have those huge, pesky critters. The current City Council was presented with a proposal to get the signs removed in exchange for erection of three electronic billboards to be placed on city property along the 5 and 14 freeways.

You would have thought the latest “Trial of the Century” was happening right here in our little valley. You might also think, if you read some of the anti-ordinance words, that all but one of the members of City Council should be on trial for war crimes. The one not on trial is the one who voted against the deal.

I’m sure it has happened before, but for folks here in the SCV, they should note that the anti-billboard ordinance folks spread the word via social media. A few folks posted their displeasure with the council’s vote on billboards, and it spread all over.

There was another reason folks raised questions about “the deal.” It all happened during the campaigns to elect a three members of council. Tensions were high. Words were hot. Politics “down and dirty” were the action taking place. Nothing to get excited about. Happens all the time. Move along now; nothing to see here.

Nothing except a few folks who convinced other folks that the deal among Metrolink, Santa Clarita and Allvision was flawed and … what?

Various theories were advanced. “Back room deals for campaign funds.” “Council members making money from increased land values.” “They don’t listen.” I could increase this list ad infinitum or even ad nauseam.

So here we are again. All that is missing are the pitchforks, torches, tar and feathers. Only one member of the City Council can be trusted, so he will be the point person once again. (See, I did attempt to write that in a politically correct manner.)

Now for the real questions:

A) Were all the folks who signed informed that should the issue go on the ballot come November, it could cost nearly a half million bucks?

B) Were they also informed that should the council decide to change the vote and not accept the deal, the legal costs could be substantial? Breaking a contract is breaking a contract.

C) Maybe Metrolink will make a deal to have a few of the existing signs converted to electronic billboards, and they cannot be controlled by the city. There are a few that could happen to.

D) The deal is to remove signs. Those signs stay unless the electronic ones get installed.

E) Why is a councilman violating the norms and ethics of the council to fight against the majority of the members after a formal vote?

F) Is Jimmy Hoffa buried under the posts of one of the signs to be removed, and did O.J. ever look for the “real killer or killers?”

G) What if they do get the deal changed and the same folks who started the petition don’t like the new deal?

H) What is really WRONG with the old and original deal?

So there you have it. I’m no longer sure what this is really all about. But I am sure about a few things, such as:

1) My 11 year old grandson hit a baseball 258 feet in a game to decide the championship team in all of Kentucky.

2) He also pitched a no-hitter.

3) He was named MVP for his team and for the tournament for the state title.

4) His team won the championship for all of Kentucky and parts of Tennessee.

5) I’m so proud of him I just had to tell you about it.

You see, it really is all a matter of perspective. Grandson wins on importance level – and on all other levels, too.

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 are archived at DManzer.com. Watch his walking tour of Mentryville [here].