Archive By Section - Columnists
City expanding sports complex
In an effort to continue bringing high quality recreational facilities to our community, the city will be breaking ground this week on phase four of the Santa Clarita Sports Complex. This new phase includes a new gymnasium, a multi-use playing field, more parking and landscaping, and a new and expanded skate park, investing $25 million in this popular city facility located in the center of Santa Clarita.
I’ll have my Velveeta and eat it, too
Being single wasn't so bad. But at the time, I would've given up both my arms and a leg to have a wife like I have now. I would've given up my vision and my hearing. Heck, I would've taken more drastic measures and trashed my prized DVD collection to be with someone.
A conversation about the gay marriage ruling
When I want a different view of the world, I go and visit my friend Libby. Some of you may remember Libby from past articles. Libby drives a BMW, retains a comfortably upper-middle-class lifestyle, and owns a small poodle named Ralphie who wears more bling than some rappers. Libby lives the good life in Santa Clarita and feels horribly guilty about it. Ralphie doesn't care. He's just happy being a dog.
True patriotism is commitment to nation’s ideals
Patriotism. Nationalism. Militarism. Fascism. It's a slippery slope from the "P" at the start of patriotism to the "m" at the end of fascism. But slip-sliding away we've been, and it's strange to think we've welcomed our slide from liberty with our very own votes. Artifacts of liberty's decline abound, from "Patriot Acts" violating privacies to news of American military "prison ships" secretly detaining "war on terror" prisoners indefinitely, without trial. All the while, public ...
How to choose the local judges
Let's be honest. Who really cares about the judges on a ballot? I'm sure many of us simply guess at or skip the folks listed in the "Judicial" portion of our ballots. Does it matter which lying lawyer gets elected to the bench?
Can you go home again?
Is the old adage "you can never go home again" actually true? Nostalgia has a way of sneaking up on us at times, but recently, it knocked me over. I was compelled to do more than just reminisce about the "good old days." Feeling a strong yearning to visit my childhood home in the Santa Clarita Valley, I packed up the kids and husband and headed west. Now my husband has his need for annual ...
Take the city out to the ball game
Baseball is an American tradition that dates back to the 18th century, when amateurs played a baseball-like game by their own informal rules using improvised equipment. In the late 19th century, baseball was widely and officially recognized as the national sport of the United States.
Polluted water shouldn't count — and it doesn't
I applaud all the interest in our water quality, and truly hope those wanting more information about the process and timing of the groundwater cleanup contact our water agencies. There is a wealth of information available and it's quite fascinating.
They show what it means to give back
May is gone and June has arrived, bringing graduations, Father's Day and the countdown to Fourth of July. I have a wedding anniversary this month, too. It's hard for me to comprehend that I've been married 30-plus years! Kudos to good citizens Poole and Shaffery
10 reasons to go to Central Park today
As of 9 a.m. today, thousands of Santa Clarita Valley residents will be excitedly joining together at Central Park.
Winds of change buffet Santa Clarita
If you have ever attended or watched a City Council meeting, you undoubtedly have observed a cast of "usual suspects" who appear when the council is voting on a proposed development. This group opposes virtually every development. Over the last couple of years something has changed. Before I go any further, let me say the purpose of this op-ed piece is to not talk about the merits of each issue raised - those issues each ...
Supreme Court another reason to vote Republican
An interesting editorial appeared recently in the Los Angeles Times. It was titled "A vote against history" and referenced the Supreme Court decision that upheld Indiana's requirement for voter identification.
Halloween monsters in May
It's almost summertime - time for swimming pools, time for beach parties and time for barbecues. My 4-year-old son says it's time for Halloween.
Can biofuel solve our energy crisis?
With gas more than $4 per gallon, we are now all looking at ways to conserve or convert our energy use away from this expensive source. Environmentalists and others have long been concerned about our dependence on oil. Remember the hoopla over the secret energy meetings held among White House higher-ups early in 2000? The rising gas prices were easily predictable, and everyone wanted our government to do something about it. The solution did not lie in ...
Revolt against $4 tomatoes
Mother's Day. Rushing through Pavilions, gathering groceries for our barbecue just one hour before folks hit the front door. Today's menu: burgers and dogs, baked beans, chips and salsa. And we plan to do the burgers up right, what with big beefsteak tomato slices, white onions, crisp lettuce, American cheese - the works.
Articles by Section - Columnists
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.
Jonas Peterson: Environmental reform needed
At a time when California is striving to encourage both sustainable growth and job creation, reforming the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) is imperative.
Donna Brazile: Leaned on for leaning in
Cheryl Sandberg's book "Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead," has sparked a debate about the role of women in America - and everywhere else.
