Don't you start bashing Mr. McCullough... he is the hardest working man in Tehachapi.  You have to do a lot of preparation to have a productive vineyard.. he is out there in all kinds of weather keeping the weeds under control, getting his vineyard set up and ready for planting.   You can't just poke holes in the ground and plant a vineyard in 24 hours... give the man a break and watch what happens in the next year. 

ragmop - Why not answer the points I made regarding the propaganda produced by Chuckie? 

I'm watching his work and nothing is happening.  Of course he's pulling weeds - that's what grows in dirt when nothing else is planted.  Duh .....

He's hard at work all right ---- spreading BS about 20 acre plots with junk cars, trailer homes and metal building barns as a great alternative to a nice development.  And let us not forget his statements about water not being an issue because, be assured,  when 70 each, 20 acre home sites dig wells, his wasteland will never get the quality water required and that "winery" cannot survive - should it ever start in the first place.   Either that or he will spend his remaining years pulling weeds from the dirt. 

And Stallion Springs will have water shortages too.  We currently have a "gentlemen's agreement" with the sod farms because during August & September, SS gets 95% of their water from the valley aquifer and the sod farms shut down their wells near ours - otherwise we pump water too high in nitrates.  When the sod farms sell out to a big developer from Orange County - what will the Cummings Valley look like?  Will KB consider Chuckie's dirt or the needs of Stallion Springs? 

You are being spoon fed BS from that nice man - and his reasons are self serving.  Don't take my word for it.  Do some research instead of going, lamb-like to slaughter.  Talk to LAFCO about what is required to rezone land.  And stop listening to junk about Ashburn not signing off on rezoning - HE'S a POLITICIAN.  He'll agree to what the monied lobbyists pay for.  Get the statistics from the CSD about where SS gets their water in high usage seasons.  Gee - call one of the sod farms and pretend you want to buy their land for development purposes and see if they give you a price?

It is sooooooo dumb to think that several dozen smart "farmers" are going to buy that land and produce boutique products.  It is NOT natural farm land.  That land requires lots and lots and lots ---- and then even more --- water to produce anything.  A farmer would have to charge $5.00 for a tomato just to cover his costs and there will be no buyers.  Who's gonna do that?  You?

This guy sounds like blendonw?

Mind you I know nothing about any of this, or even Mr. McCullough, but I can tell you that to grow grapes for wine requires a lot of time.  You don't just throw some seeds in the ground and run around with your watering can.  You generally prepare the land a year before you even plan to plant to make sure the soil PH is what it should be, the fertility is what it should be, etc.  You are growing these grapes as a business, not as your flower garden.  You need to test out the land to see if you need to take corrective measures in order to give your grapes the best environment to grow.  Then after that you generally plant grape vines that have already sprouted.  And you have to constantly check to make sure they are ok -- enough water, enough or not too much sun, pray the temperatures are good, etc.

I could go on and on but the point is that if you don't see grapes growing 12 months from now thats not an abnormal thing and certainly nothing to try to use in whatever argument you are trying to make.  It only shows ignorance and a reluctance to type two words into google -- "growing grapes."  Which doesn't help whatever the latest diatribe around here is.

I wish that Ronald Reagan was still the governor.  He was so handsome.

scottso:   Thank you.  That was the point I was trying to make about Mr. McCullough's vineyard.   It takes a lot of preparation time, soil amendments, pre-emergence weed abatement,  fencing, grape-stakes, irrigation infrastructure, etc.   We should all be happy that this man bought that land for  agricultural use and we will have something pleasant to look at as we drive in Cummings Valley, rather than building spec houses all over the place to make a quick buck.   Mr. McCullough works out there constantly, tending to his own business and we should applaud his efforts.

jen:    I hate to be the one to break the news, but Ronald Reagan passed away.  He can't come back and be governor, but I agree with you that he was one handsome man.   And so tall!   

Isn't it sad?  I couldn't believe it when he left us.  America will never be the same.   And went poor Nancy passed away, it just broke my heart.  She loved him so.

It is relatively well known information that beautiful vineyards take many, many, many years to become that way.  So, I guess we can all agree:  McCullough's "winery" will look sorrowful for many, many, many years.  Again, let's all give our thanks to that nice old man who works so hard. 

Anyone up to addressing the water issue?  What does your imagination come up with when you see the sod farms cut up into 20 "agricultural" acres?  Boutique farms, giant trailer park with no restrictions, industrial sized/concrete "greenhouses?"  Or, if the current owners find a developer, KB homes could be our fate. 

Come on - if you're gonna participate, then do so.  If you're able to link Ronald Reagan with the subject, then I'd like to read that.  Otherwise, I don't understand why you would waste your time.

The Tehachapi News editor has information me that some of the facts detailed in my original blog are incorrect.    I know my facts are correct.  My suppositions and extrapolations are just that.  We all get to use our minds that way.   And, of course, my opinions can be mine under any and all circumstances.

I have asked contributors to this site to go get the information for themselves.  I believe the CVPA has fully documented through their publications and flyers that they have their own agenda and feel no remorse about putting out incorrect information.  Some data stuffed in my mail box were flat out lies.  So, if you use the CVPA as a source, please ...... check out everything you hear from any one of the members.  If they tell you the time - check it out.  Which is my other point about that nice old, hard working man ..... he is the President of the CVPA and responsible for distributing propaganda for his own selfish reasons.  One of which is he needs someone to share the water expenses for his vines.

jen:   washburn is touchy about his blog so we need to talk about ronald reagan somewhere else, OK dear?

I just thought he was such a good govenor and also a good president.  (AND he was so handsome, wasn't he?)  I wasn't trying to get anyone upset.

If I remember correctly, I think they named a battle ship after him.  If that is true, I hope they painted it red, because that was Nancy's favorite color.  Didn't she have the prettiest dresses, and shoes to match!!!!!!!!!!

jen:  yes, he was a good governor and a good president and they named a ship after him but they didn't paint it red because that would be a bad color for a ship that went into battle.  You don't want your battleship glowing red on a blue ocean because the enemy could see it and try to sink it.   While we're on the subject, Mrs. Reagan is still alive. At least I haven't heard of her passing, so you can be glad about that.  She had a lot of nice clothes and shoes; being First Lady was a big role for her and she had to look her best on every occasion.   Now, we need to leave Mr. Washburn's blog alone and talk about Ronald and Nancy somewhere else, because Mr. Washburn wants his blog to only represent his views of Cummings Valley.  OK, dear?

I am sorry to be such a pest.  I don't know how to do this.  I keep clicking on to the comment part.  Am I doing things wrong, I hope I don't get in trouble for being on peoples computers in the wrong place.

I just was thinking how proud Nancy would be to have on a red dress, red shoes, and to be on a red ship named after her beloved husband.  I don't know why I thought she had passed.  I must be confused.