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
July 4
1932 - Robert Poore wins the greased pole climbing contest and $2.50 at Newhall's July 4th celebration [story]
4th of July Parade


Now and Then in the SCV | Commentary by Darryl Manzer
| Saturday, Aug 2, 2014

darrylmanzer_blacktieI have to correct a little something from my last commentary. The Castaic Area Town Council is elected, not appointed.

All of the comments on yesterday’s installment made me look a lot closer at the laws and regulations governing boards, commissions and committees that are appointed or elected to serve the county in some capacity. This includes town councils, committees for just about any reason, and various boards and commissions created by the L.A. County Board of Supervisors.

A little over nine years ago, the subject came up on the requirement of members of those various listed groups with respect to the Ralph M. Brown Act which, among other thing, requires financial disclosure forms to be filed. All y’all can thank the Agua Dulce Town Council for getting the matter resolved and clarified.

With all the arguments and ill feelings between various people and groups in Val Verde and Castaic concerning the proposed expansion of the Chiquita Canyon Landfill, some matters need to be brought up and some questions need to be asked.

The Val Verde Civic Association is not appointed or elected through a county-used process. It is an association of private citizens who live in Val Verde. It is not subject to the reporting requirements of the Ralph M. Brown Act.

The members of the Val Verde Community Advisory Committee (VVCAC) are appointed by “the member of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors representing the Fifth District,” making them an arm of the county.

The CBFC is the Community Benefits Funding Committee; they are the ones who take in the money from the landfill and distribute it throughout the Val Verde Community via the programs offered. The CBFC is an elected committee, and along with the VVCAC and Castaic Area Town Council, are all subject to the Ralph M. Brown Act.

So I hope the members of the VVCAC, CATC and CBFC are filing their financial disclosure forms as required by state law. If you aren’t, get working on them. The penalties are not good.

There’s a rumor going around that the Castaic Area Town Council has a deal with the Chiquita dump to get 30 percent of the funding that now goes to the CBFC if the landfill is expanded again. Is this true? Could someone please answer this?

I find it difficult to understand why Castaic should get any of the funds now given to CBFC. Folks in Castaic don’t get the smell or the aggravation from the dump. So I hope it isn’t true.

In 1957, there was an effort to have all the schools in the SCV become one huge, unified school district. At the time, the Sulphur Springs and Saugus schools were the poorest schools, and Newhall and Castaic had money because of the oil and gas wells within those districts. So the fight was on.

During that fight, there was a school board election, and my mother was elected to the Castaic board of education. She had gone to Val Verde – we lived on Church Street in Castaic at the time – and talked to the members of that community … something no other candidate even attempted to do.

She carried Val Verde at the polls and thus won election. (Efforts at unification were also shot down.)

The folks in Val Verde in those days felt they were isolated and forgotten. The county gave them a park and a pool and stayed away otherwise. The kids in Val Verde rode the bus to Castaic Elementary or to William S. Hart Junior and Senior High School.

And Val Verde was isolated and forgotten because almost all of the residents there at the time were African-American. It was, for housing, de-facto segregation. Things have changed since then.

But the attitude of self-reliance, amid the isolation, has remained. I would think the thought of Castaic taking some of the mitigation funds would be cause for legal action by the folks in Val Verde.

If Castaic does get some of the funds, are they willing to move part of the dump to the west end of Parker Road?

If you don’t ever smell it, you shouldn’t even have a say in the process. Just a thought.

I think the best solution to the whole mess is that it be put to a vote by the people of Val Verde. Keep the dump, yes or no? That would mean some members of the VVCAC couldn’t vote on that choice, because not all of the members of the committee that’s supposed to be a liaison between the dump and the community of Val Verde live in Val Verde.

If folks in Val Verde want the dump, let it expand, and deal with the smells. But if they don’t the dump, let it be shut down in 2019 and covered and replanted. I like that best.

What do all y’all think about some real “self determination” process out there? I know it is a rather radical idea. Let’s do 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 and his commentaries are archived at DManzer.com. Watch his walking tour of Mentryville [here].

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.

6 Comments

  1. I think a vote is a great idea, and I commend your persistence on sharing this issue, which stirs up a lot, but is so important.

  2. Steve Lee says:

    Would love it. Yes Castaic would get 30% of the funds that come into Val Verde. I am on the VVCA and I was the opposing vote on that. I had been to a Castaic meeting and did not feel we were well represented here in Val Verde. I could be wrong, but that is how I felt at that meeting. When negotiations started they were asking/demanding that they get most of it, since they have most of the kids from Val Verde coming to their schools. As a VVCA board member I felt I needed to represent all the members of Val Verde. I went to the neighborhood that complained about the smells. I smelt the smells, I mean really smelt them. I get them by my house but maybe 12 days in a year. They live in it for a good chunk of the year. Over time more of Lincoln street came to the meetings. They were vocal. When we had the big meeting to discuss the landfill, they were very vocal about shutting it down. I think that was a shock to most of our board. They thought the funds would the issue, and how to deal with the funds. At that meeting the majority said shut it down. As a board we felt it best to represent the vote of the community. We are not at a final vote yet, that comes when all the fights are over and we bring in as many people who want to be heard. I as a resident want it shut down. As a member if the vote goes to say no, I will fight, fight, fight. If the vote say’s we need the money, I hope it does not, but if it does I will sign the agreement. I will still fight for Lincoln, but I think I will have to sign. I might be lucky, since I am appointed just to clean the trash that is thrown out car windows as they pass through our town. My signature would not be required.

    By all means lets vote. As a resident I say Close it. As a member of the board, I will say what the town says. I hope I can sway them to say close it.

  3. Greg Kimura says:

    Darryl, I like how you take a step back from this and look at things from viewpoint of the whole picture.

    I appreciate you writing these commentaries and I believe you have a good grasp of what’s happening, based on your desire to speak to the residents.

    The people who live in the area of Val Verde near the landfill (I call it the President Streets) have a many known problems and also some unknown problems.

    Smells exist – no doubt about that.
    Something in the air makes people nauseaous – no doubt about that.
    Something in the air gives people a headache – no doubt about that.
    The unknown creates stress and fear – fact.
    The stress and fear create medical conditions – not sure if there is proof of this, but it makes sense to me.
    Air quality is not tested in this neighborhood. Definitely an unknown.
    What is the landfill doing to the soil in Val Verde, ie. the particulate matter and also any landfill gas mixing with the soil? Another unknown.
    What is the effect of breathing in these gasses for years? An unknown or maybe not.
    What about the “other” things that the landfill isn’t suppose to take in, but they have? What is this doing to my family and me?
    Property values are lower, due to the proximity to the landfill. – Anyone who argues against this needs to go back to economics 101 and look at supply and demand curves. If there are less people willing to buy near a landfill, then there is less demand. Shift the curve down and you have a lower price.
    In times of a weak real estate market, location, location, location are much more important vs when the market is strong. One part of location is “are there any undesirable aspects to the location”. I would think a landfill being close by would be a great example.

    I could add much more to this list. I just want people to think about trading dollars off for these impacts.

  4. Abigail DeSesa says:

    Someone just brought it to my attention that the next DEIR hearing is the exact same date and time as the VVCA (Val Verde Civic Association) meeting, but it is going to be held at the meeting place of the CATC (Castaic Area Town Council. What a coincidence.

    • SCVNews.com says:

      Perhaps the VVCA could change its meeting location to the site of the CATC meeting for that one time.

  5. Geese says:

    I was notified there is another DEIR meeting. This DEIR meeting is directed at the Castaic Area Town Council Land Use Committee. They have a public meeting scheduled for August 14, 2014, starting at 7 pm at the Castaic Union School District Office, 28131 Livingston Ave., Castaic, CA 91355. I wonder why this was not mentioned at the DERI meeting on July 31, 2014 at the Castaic Sports Complex Gymnasium?

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
Monday, Jul 1, 2024
By day, the sounds of music and laughter fill the streets as we celebrate Independence Day in true Santa Clarita fashion with the annual Fourth of July Parade.
Thursday, Jun 27, 2024
“Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and cheer and give strength to body and soul.”
Monday, Jun 24, 2024
The 2023-2024 school year has come to a close and along with it a very successful year of high school athletics.
Monday, Jun 24, 2024
I know I speak for everyone when I say the passing of firefighter Andrew Pontious in the line of duty just one week ago was heartbreaking.
Monday, Jun 24, 2024
As a city manager, father and community member — the safety of Santa Clarita residents will always be my top priority - especially on the roads.
Thursday, Jun 20, 2024
Every summer, Santa Clarita’s very own Central Park, located at 27150 Bouquet Canyon Road, transforms into a premiere venue for live musical performances where friends, families and neighbors come together to sing and dance the night away.

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
1932 - Robert Poore wins the greased pole climbing contest and $2.50 at Newhall's July 4th celebration [story]
4th of July Parade
Celebrate the Fourth of July in Santa Clarita with a full day of festive events including a run, pancake breakfast, parade and fireworks.
Celebrate Fourth of July in the Santa Clarita Valley
In an effort to prevent vehicle thefts or thefts from vehicles, remember the following simple safety tips.
Sheriff’s Department Gives Vehicle Theft Awareness Tips
The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority annual Point-in Time count of residents experiencing homelessness revealed a 22.9% reduction in the level  of homeless veterans. 
Veteran Homeless Drops 22 Percent From Previous Year
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors and the County’s Department of Economic Opportunity kicked off its award-winning Youth@Work program, announcing the availability of up to 10,000 paid employment opportunities for local county youth.
County Kicks-Off Annual Youth@Work Program
The city of Santa Clarita’s The Big I Do event is returning on Valentine’s Day, 2025, with chances to win big. 
The Big I Do Returns With Lavish Giveaways
More than 17.7 million Californians now have a REAL ID, an increase of 137,929 from the previous month, according to California Department of Motor Vehicles data.
Start Summer By Upgrading to a REAL ID
Those who own rental properties or mobile home parks, it’s time to complete the Rent Registry 2024-25 registration.
L.A. County Rent Registry Now Open
SCVEDC recently participated in two major investment conferences: SelectLA hosted by the Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation, as well as the SelectUSA Investment Summit in Washington D.C.
Local Leaders Look to Attract Major Investors
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond today applauded the passage of AB 1955,  Support Academic Futures and Educators for Today’s Youth Act (SAFETY Act).
State Schools Chief Celebrates Passage of LGBTQ+ Legislation
The Los Angeles County Health Officer has issued an excessive heat warning as high temperatures have been forecast for the following areas:
County Health Issues Excessive Heat Warning Through Monday
As the Fourth of July holiday approaches, accompanied by dangerously hot temperatures and excessive heat warnings in portions of Los Angeles County’s Fifth District, Supervisor Kathryn Barger is reminding residents to do their part to lessen the threat of wildfires. She issued the following statement today: 
Barger: Do Your Part to Prevent Wildfires
1925 - By letter, Wyatt Earp beseeches his friend William S. Hart to portray him in a movie, to correct the "lies about me." Hart never did. [story]
Hart-Wyatt Earp
With an excessive heat warning in effect this week, the city of Santa Clarita strongly urges residents to prioritize heat safety and preparedness during the Fourth of July Parade and the holiday weekend.
Stay Cool, Safe During the Fourth of July Holiday
California State Sen. Scott Wilk (R-Santa Clarita) has announced his bill to make wildfire settlement payments tax-free cleared its first hurdle in the Assembly, passing out of the Committee on Revenue and Taxation.
Wilk’s Bill to Make Wildfire Settlements Tax-free Clears First Assembly Committee
Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) recently presented deputies from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department with the highly esteemed MADD Award. This award recognizes their unwavering commitment to road safety and dedication to preventing the devastating consequences of drunk driving.
MADD Awards Presented to Pair of SCV Sheriff’s Station Deputies
The First Presbyterian Church of Newhall is hosting an eight-week grief and loss recovery group, scheduled to run 2-3:30 p.m. on eight consecutive Sundays, Sept. 15 through Nov. 3.
Sept. 15: Presbyterian Church Hosts Grief, Loss Recovery Group
The California Department of Motor Vehicles has introduced a new online case management system that provides faster response times. The modern digital system provides drivers, as well as their attorneys, with a more convenient way to interact with the Driver Safety office at the DMV.
DMV’s Driver Safety Team Provides New Online Access
The city of Santa Clarita has issued a traffic alert for residents traveling to Central Park, 27150 Bouquet Canyon Road, Santa Clarita, CA 91350.
Main Entrance to Central Park Closed for Parking Lot Paving
As an excessive heat warning descends upon portions of North County this week, including the Santa Clarita Valley, Los Angeles County officials remind SCV residents of county resources that bring free or low-cost heat relief.
County Offers Cooling Centers, Summer Pool Program
The Santa Clarita Valley opera company, Mission Opera opens its seventh Season Oct. 26-27 with "Cold Sassy Tree" by Carlisle Floyd, an American opera in English, based on the 1989 historical American novel by Olive Ann Burns.
Oct. 26-27: Mission Opera Presents ‘Cold Sassy Tree
Thanks to the cooperation and diligence of Santa Clarita Valley area residents and local agricultural officials, the California Department of Food and Agriculture, working in coordination with the United States Department of Agriculture and the Los Angeles County Agricultural Commissioner, has declared an end to the Tau fruit fly quarantine following the eradication of the invasive pest.
Tau Fruit Fly Quarantine Lifted in SCV
The Hello Auto Group has announced its third annual Back-to-School Backpack Drive. This year, the Hello Auto Group will partner with three Santa Clarita Valley school districts, Sulphur Springs Union School District, Newhall School District and Castaic Union School District, to support students preparing for the upcoming school year.
Hello Auto Group Launches Annual Back-to-School Backpack Drive
The Regal Summer Movie Express is underway offering family movies for $1 a ticket now through Aug. 7.
Family Movies $1 During Regal Summer Movie Express
SCVNews.com