|
|
Conclusion of "Do Headlines Lie" ? I downloaded the following, and placed the text in “red” type, which is from the Kern County Gran Jury. Please pay close attention to what they say, and let me know if the Gran Jury really exonerated Cal City officials as the newspaper article wants you to believe: "COMMENTS": The crux of the issue in this complaint appears to be two-fold, as follows: 1. Whether the property at issue is subject to the requirements of a CUP for development of a motocross track as part of the movie studio, based on the M1 zoning; and 2. Whether the City Manager has the authority to override the recommendations of the Planning Commission. FINDINGS: 1. Relative to the first issue in “Comments” above, it appears from the information located on the City’s web site and as considered by the Planning Commission, based on the zoning ordinance in effect at the time of the re-zoning to zone M1, a movie studio does not require a CUP for the planned activities described in the complaint. This is consistent with the ruling of the Planning Commission. 2. Relative to the second issue in “Comments” above, it appears that it is not the “custom and practice” within the City for the City Manager to override the recommendations of the Planning Commission. In fact, it appears that the City Manager acted inconsistently with the City’s own ordinances relative to zoning. The recourse for the City Manager or the Planning Commission in such a disagreement is to refer the issue to the City Council. There is no evidence that this was done by either party. 3. While not necessarily relevant to the complaint, but certainly of interest to the City’s overall financial stability, it appears that the economy of the City would fare well if the motocross track was developed on the movie studio site. This would tend to bring in a substantial amount of revenue not normally available to the City, through an influx of temporary film-crew workers for such things as lodging, dining, and gasoline purchases. RECOMMENDATIONS: 1. Given the amount of time that has passed since the decision of the Planning Commission and the resulting confusion, the Planning Commission should re-visit their decision of August 14, 2007, and, if their decision remains unchanged, should officially reiterate that decision so that the Complainant can proceed with the proposed plans. 2. If the Interim City Manager is in disagreement with the decision of the Planning Commission, the Interim City Manager should appeal the matter to the City Council. Absent such an appeal, the decision of the Planning Commission should stand. The City of California City should post a copy of this report where it will be available for public review. Note: Present and past Kern County Grand Jury Final Reports and Responses can be accessed through the Kern County Library system and on the Kern County Grand Jury website: www.co.kern.ca.us/grandjury. RESPONSE REQUIRED WITHIN 60 DAYS TO: PRESIDING JUDGE KERN COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT 1415 TRUXTUN AVENUE, 2ND FLOOR BAKERSFIELD, CA 93301 cc: FOREMAN KERN COUNTY GRAND JURY 1415 TRUXTUN AVENUE, SUITE 600 BAKERSFIELD, CA 93301” Maybe I’m reading this wrong, but please tell me where the above exonerates City Officials. You know already that CBS didn’t want to wait any longer and took their $2,000,000.00 budget for the film to Arizona, I believe. One more example of the slanted views we see in national media and newspapers “tanking” for their favorite politicians. I wish I could post this response in the Mojave Desert News but: · It is far too long. You are only limited to 500 words (although there are many articles in the paper that go on and on for far many more hundreds of words, that at times, put you to sleep). · If they indeed were to publish it, it would come out after the November 4 elections for mayor and city council. · We already know who Mojave Desert News wants to support. Fruitless, I say. Which brings me to more proof of my statement of “tanking” for certain candidates. I’ve had several articles published by Mojave Desert News, which I thank them for it, although I had to restrain myself to 500 words. And I know several of the candidates have had their articles published. Well and dandy. But in this week’s Mojave Desert News, Thursday, October 30, 2008, page A-3, there’s a terrific banner atop the page: “ELECTION 2008.” Guess who are featured in that full page? I won’t keep you in suspense. The incoming Mayor Davis Evans, with a 28-point mast head of his name and likewise incumbent Councilman Kevin Schafer. That’s it. Nobody else! Mr. Michael Sellard, also a candidate, had to buy a quarter page ad and was put on the same page. Did Mojave Desert News ever bother to call all the other candidates and invite them to put their platform in this “special election” page? I carry my telephone with me. I didn’t get a call. This is the page that should feature all the candidates for office in California City, because it is an important page, just before the Nov 4 election, so that their readers can make up their minds if they haven’t done so before next Tuesday. It is a vital page for those who subscribe to the Mojave Desert News. Tell me how is the newspaper serving their paid subscribers? No, I’m afraid it doesn’t work that way, I guess, even in small-town politics. The only two that are prominently featured with FREE space are Mr. Evans and Mr. Schafer and, of course, Mr. Sellard with his PAID advertisement, the others? What a “crock” of $#@%. Unfortunately, this is the reality nowadays, which is played in the big leagues with publications such as the L.A. Times, Washington Post, New York Times and many others--all in the “tank” for Barack Hussein Obama, while only the few honest, fair and minded media, dedicate their pages to everyone else. How would you rank the Mojave Desert News among those above? I’ll leave that up to you. If I become mayor of this great city, I’m going to make sure that there is another newspaper in town or at the very least, the City will publish all the uncensored, unbiased and honest truth of everything that is happening in our city and the comments that people make about our performance. YOU CAN TAKE THAT TO THE BANK! Lou Peralta Candidate for Mayor Of California City |
|
|