Archive By Section - Columnists
Don’t suspend federal gas tax
With the recent surge in gas prices, talk of suspending the federal gas tax is again making the rounds.
What is it to be a man?
'You'll be sorry," was the accurate prediction sounding off from the guys sitting on the barracks' steps as our ragged lot passed by. We were brand new recruits at the U.S. Coast Guard Training Station in Manhattan Beach, in Brooklyn, N.Y. It was early June 1945.
Pros and cons of June propositions
There are two ballot propositions in the upcoming June 3 election that involve state constitutional amendments:
What I learned during the city council campaign
Being Mayor Bob Kellar's campaign consultant, I enjoyed an inside view of the longest council campaign (15 months) in Santa Clarita's history.
Let's help keep our city clean
Taking pride in the place where you live stems from each individual's sense of personal responsibility and desire for constant improvement.
Welcome to SCV May: Yuccas are in bloom!
My favorite time of the year is when the yuccas are in bloom - and blooming they are, right now. Those big, fluffy white flowers look like popcorn on a stick. I find them beautiful and fascinating. McWilliams image seminar
Who ought to be '08 candidates for veep?
The vice presidency "isn't worth a bucket of warm p---." So said "Cactus Jack," aka John Nance Garner, our 32nd vice president under Franklin D. Roosevelt (from 1933-1941). Almost 70 years later, more than two dozen people - all reputable, big-named politicians - are potentially in the running for the No. 2 slot in the nation. With the presidential conventions only a few months away, many of these names have been tossed around by pundits. ...
Take time to read beyond books' covers
Never judge a book by its cover. You've certainly heard that statement countless times. Years ago, I met Mustafa Bell, Mike Baham and James Johnson at my work site, Kenyon J. Scudder Juvenile Probation Camp School in Bouquet Canyon. To be straight up honest with you, I really had my doubts about these fellows. Mustafa, James and Mike certainly appeared different. Nonetheless, their reputations as health educators preceded them; they came highly recommended from the ...
Gardener? For what?
Last summer, my wife asked if I thought we needed a gardener to maintain our front and back yards. My answer was a big "No."
It doesn’t get any better than this
The year was 1988 and the Los Angeles Dodgers were playing the mighty Oakland A's in the World Series.
Will CalPers manage Newhall Ranch?
Early in 2007, the California Public Employees Retirement fund invested some $1 billion in the proposed 21,000-unit Newhall Ranch project. The real estate market was beginning to unravel and this project would require massive infusions of cash to cover its many infrastructure needs.
'I hate you, Hillary Clinton'
There's a new pop movie playing over at the Town Center called "Forgetting Sarah Marshall." Basically, it's about a nice guy who's been dumped by his hot TV star girlfriend for a flashy boy toy. While it looks nominally entertaining, what's most compelling isn't the movie itself, but rather its grassroots, "viral"
Judging the judges
As a private investigator, I witness firsthand a competent but timid judiciary at work on a daily basis. Although I am quite proud of our judicial process, many of even the most deserving civil plaintiffs, the most noble and caring parents, and the most innocent victims of criminal misconduct experience frustrations with our court system.
Annual Sacramento road trip offers many opportunities
What a great way to start the week. Shortly after 7 a.m. Monday, April 14, some 50 residents of the Santa
Six years of change since David March's murder
"I will always be painfully honest, work as hard as I can, learn as much as I can, and hopefully make a difference in people's lives."
Articles by Section - Columnists
Tim Myers: Should the Santa Clarita City Council be elected by district?
On Nov. 3, 1987, a now-remarkable 25 percent to 30 percent of eligible voters in the area midwifed the city of Santa Clarita into existence, voting nearly 67 percent to 33 percent in favor of the formation of the city.
Marsha McLean: Live from City Hall
A strong retail environment is one of the foundations of a healthy economy and a strong community.
Scott Wilk: Teacher firing reform needed
As a father of two, I believe no one - particularly a child - should live in fear in his or her school or neighborhood. So one of my top priorities as your assemblyman is public safety.
Joe Gandelman: Sample some popular political whines
The phone rings in a big warehouse in Oriskiny Falls, N.Y.
Jason Stanford: Turning Texas into a battleground state
Those of us who worked for the late Ann Richards used to run our plans by her. The former Texas governor did not suffer fools, gladly or otherwise, and if your plan had flaws, she'd let you know in great detail.
Michael Stafford: The Cult of Self
According to the Bible, the ancient Israelites strayed from worship of God into idolatry. Today, America has done the same - except rather than placing a golden calf upon an altar, we have erected a mirror.
Will Durst: The GOP autopsy
Normally you don't expect to see the words "Republicans" and "introspection" right next to each other. Like "supermodel" and "barbecue." "Physicist" and "polka." "Gazelle" and "ophthalmology." You catch my drift.
Jim Mullen: The Museum of Modern Body Art
I was at a doctor's office in a small town recently and overheard one patient in the waiting room talking to another.
Gary Horton: Jesus isn't a Republican or Democrat
Recently, this esteemed journal has spilled much ink debating the withers and thithers as to whether Jesus, should he ever choose to reincarnate himself as an American, would malign himself with the mantle of "conservative Republican" or "liberal Democrat."
Charlie Vignola: Medicare works, no thanks to the GOP
This week I am headed to Florida to deal with a solemn duty that no one looks forward to, but which almost everyone will have to face sooner or later: I am going to deal with the imminent death of my father.
Peter Funt: Injustice in the juvenile justice system
Many of the nation's prosecutors and judges continue to put kids on trial as adults. This, despite declining crime rates among juveniles and growing scientific evidence about the inappropriateness of taking young offenders out of the court system designed specifically to protect them.
Danny Tyree:Why can't every day be like Easter?
Although it usually gets overshadowed by "Blue Christmas" in yuletide radio rotation, I still enjoy the Elvis Presley version of "Why Can't Every Day Be Like Christmas?"
Steve Lunetta: Jesus would be a conservative Christian
"Look at what this feller wrote about Jesus! Its a disgrace!"
Bob Kellar: Live from City Hall
The belief that "what is good for business is good for Santa Clarita" is a mantra that the city of Santa Clarita takes seriously. That's why City Council and staff are dedicated to providing local businesses with the tools and resources necessary to strengthen operations and improve sustainability, especially during difficult economic times.
Tim Myers: City Council candidates declare early
The race for Santa Clarita City Council in 2014 started to clarify over last weekend with two more fully announced candidates, Dante Acosta and Alan Ferdman, joining the four already-announced candidates - Gloria Mercado-Fortine, Maria Gutzeit, and the incumbents Laurene Weste and Marsha McLean - to bring the total fully announced candidates to six with more than one year left until the election.
