Since we have built a terrific following for this blog it seemed appropriate to refresh our readership on some of the West Ranch Beacons views. So here is a recap on the ever present annexation question. Please keep in mind that these are fact based opinions. There are a number of people in the local politico who have been engaged in name calling; lackey, tool, etc.; who have attempted to confuse and mislead members of our community on this issue.
I get asked often where I stand on annexation. Usually it’s when I run into someone at the market or somewhere around town. My standard answer is that it really doesn’t matter to me whether we annex, form a new city or stay in the county as long as our community gets a fair and honest deal. Now I not wavered from this stand!
Part of any major issue, such as the status of one’s community, is investigating the pros and cons associated with the various options. That investigation requires asking questions and rooting out all the information regarding each option. In the course of that investigation faze, while asking questions, if one starts to get resistance in obtaining information or getting forthright answers that would be a red flag.
The reason why there has not been any movement on the annexation front is that there have been many red flags popping up in the course of the investigation. In fact, many of those red flags are because of the behavior of the Santa Clarita City Council and City management. Some of those flags have also been because of the County as well.
The City of Santa Clarita City Council can’t understand why the West Ranch community doesn’t want to just jump right into the arms of the City, no questions asked. I think part of the problem is Councilman Frank Ferry. By profession he is a Teacher and is use to dealing with students who if they misbehave receive a punishment. So, if a student cuts class they receive a detention. Frank doesn’t appear to be the type that would deal with such situations in any out-of-the-box, different or creative way. There in lies the rub, no one at the City is able to deal with a possible annexation of West Ranch in any different way than they have handled the other 27 annexations.
As I have said over and over, the future of the Santa Clarita valley is completely in the hands of the City of Santa Clarita. How they decide to handle themselves is entirely their choice. They have clearly stumbled over the years with the tactics that have been employed including the recent two tier park fee structure that the City Council implemented. They could have ultimately gotten the same result had they worked with the outlying Town Councils in a cooperative fashion. Sadly, this was yet another blown opportunity to build a good working relationship.
In the recent City Council election I had hoped that some new blood would have invigorated the management of the City but unfortunately the status quo has prevailed. Until the city starts to approach the West Ranch communities from a place of respect and honesty nothing will change and the status quo will continue in the unincorporated communities as well.