The Music Downtown - Lucy from the Shining Land of Wardrobe - LucyPevensie's Blog - Tehachapi News

May 24, 2008 at 08:05 PM : No I've I've...

No I've I've talked to likes it. As to price , That system was well over $100,000.00

May 24, 2008 at 09:05 PM : When's...

When's wherestehachapi.com coming back online??????

May 24, 2008 at 10:05 PM : Personally, I like...

Personally, I like it. I don't find it offensive nor too loud at all. Cheers me up when I'm walking around downtown.

May 24, 2008 at 10:05 PM : I like it the most at...

I like it the most at Christmas time when they are playing Christmas music all the time. I think it adds to the small town feel that their after. As far as how much it cost well at least there is something to show for the money spent. And wasn't the money from a grant anyway?

May 25, 2008 at 09:05 AM : I like the...

I like the music. I am proud that Tehachapi does it. I have bragged to friends and relatives about it.

May 25, 2008 at 08:05 PM : Whether the money was...

Whether the money was from a grant or not is not the issue. That doesn't mean it should just be wasted. If they want to play music than it should be instrumental only. I think it's kind of cute during Christmas also but like I said, for once a year I don't think that it's worth it.

The people that I was talking to were from Bakersfield and they didn't like it either. I understand they don't live here but don't we want people to visit....that is kind of what boosts the economy of a small town. People aren't going to visit a place that they don't like the structure of.

With all this grant money, did the city ever take a poll on what residents might like to see or did they just figure all on what they wanted?

May 25, 2008 at 08:05 PM : When did the...

When did the "City" ever ask the citizens what they wanted. I never understood the logic of spending millions in the immediate downtown area and virtually nothing in the Tucker Road/ Valley area where virtually the entire commercial infractructure of the town is located.

Myself and most residents go weeks or months without needing anything from 'Downtown" but I'm positive everyone in the area does business in the Tucker Road/ Valley area on an almost daily basis.

May 25, 2008 at 10:05 PM : I personally like the...

I personally like the music downtown, but I'm a music lover in general and not everyone is. I guess I just think having that in the background is cheerful, even if it is Neil Diamond. For every piece of music I don't care for, there is one someone likes. I'd much rather listen to something like that than just cars driving around. I also have to say that even though at one time I complained about all the construction done downtown, I'm impressed with what has been done. Has anyone driven down there lately? I was surprised and smiled today when I drove down F street and looked around. The murals are amazing and a unique aspect of our town. I also am happy to see restaurants downtown that I actually care to eat at and spend my money at that are healthy and not fast food. For the first time in years I actually find myself wanting to be in the downtown area. I'm really happy with the changes and I hope it continues. It's having a positive effect so far in my little space in this world.

May 25, 2008 at 11:05 PM : I can't say I...

I can't say I hate them, but I think they are kind of loud. I'm kind of on the fence about them I suppose.

I have to agree with the others on here who think the money could have definately gone to something more important.

May 26, 2008 at 02:05 AM : Help me out if...

Help me out if I'm wrong but when you write a grant asking for money don't you put in the grant what the money will be used on? What I understand the money for the speaker system and all the green benches that are all over the place downtown came from the same grant. If you want a grant to beautify tucker road then May I suggest that you write one.

May 26, 2008 at 07:05 AM : Virtually nothing on...

Virtually nothing on Tucker Road? Are you kidding, Truth, or just woefully misinformed? For starters, how many millions of dollars do you think it cost to RE-ALIGN the Tucker/Tehachapi Blvd intersection? Don't you remember the funky little oddball intersection Tucker used to make - back when going into town was what we WANTED folks to do when they got off of 58?

Then there is the sewer lift station that was required to develop the new Tucker/Tehachapi Blvd intersection - you know, the City's one million dollar gift to Starbucks, Walgreens, and Wal-Mart?

Or how about the continued annexations of Valley Blvd to aid the developers of those properties, including the as-yet undeveloped open fields that have been added to Tehachapi and zone commercial to add a million dollars in value to the owners of the SaveMart center - the same owners who kicked out our local VFW from collecting for poppies yesterday, btw.

But I give - what do you want the city to do on Tucker Road? Re-paint the center median so to allow left-turns into Albertsons by South-bound traffic? Remove that idiotic "Right Turn Only" arrow on Tucker from west-bound Valley Blvd traffic? Make the center lane on west-bound Tehachapi Blvd left turn permissive so that we have a two-lane road turning onto a two-lane road like it is everywhere else? How about re-aligning Cherry Lane and Tucker so I don't have to skip-to-my-loo around the stop sign there?

All great improvements, but not really big enough to need a grant....

May 26, 2008 at 08:05 AM : The Tucker Realignment...

The Tucker Realignment Was a State Project., not city.

The Sewer Lift station money was more than recouped by the exorbitant developer impact fees.

The mentioned Annexations were to bring tax money into the city coffers. Not to help the annexed. Sure it adds value to the property butthat in turn increases the tax revenue to the city.

Virtually No improvements have been funded by the city in that area, even the sidewalks, where they exist, were put in by the state or private developers.

What do I want them to do, Stop spending Millions for cheesy asthetic projects downtown for the benifit of a couple of restaurants and thrift stores and spend it on improvements in the areas which generate the most taxes for the town and the part Everyone uses.

By the way, do you think a grant is just free money falling from the sky, whether satae or fed, It is still tax money paid in by the citizens being wasted on unnecessary things of little practical use.

May 26, 2008 at 08:05 AM : Yes, the realignment...

Yes, the realignment was built with the state money. Most grant money is state money as well. Do you think State money is free money falling from the sky?

The lift station was not funded by the impact fees, the lift station was built first. Impact fees followed according to the regular schedule which was not increased by any factor for the businesses that use the lift station. That schedule is being adjusted by the addition of new development fees now, because the fund is out of money, you should note.

The annexation I mentioned has brought no money into the city, obviously. It still amounts to a gift in value to the same developer that kicked the VFW out yesterday.

If you only want to rail against the idiotic downtown boom-box you won't get any argument from me, but what improvements do you want the city to make on Tucker? I named four, so it isn't that I don't think there are any...

May 26, 2008 at 01:05 PM : I like the downtown...

I like the downtown music.. it adds to the charm and specialness of Tehachapi. Those who complain need to "lighten up" or wear ear plugs... better yet, move somewhere else. If those Bakersfield people don't like our music, they are free to stay in downtown Bakersfield where they can enjoy nothing but traffic noise and sirens.

May 26, 2008 at 01:05 PM : Well said...

Well said ragmop.......We agree on something.

May 26, 2008 at 02:05 PM : Woo...

Woo Hoo! That's one in a row, gube... lol

May 26, 2008 at 02:05 PM : hey were on a...

hey were on a roll...........lol

May 27, 2008 at 03:05 PM : " I like the...

" I like the downtown music.. it adds to the charm and specialness of Tehachapi. Those who complain need to "lighten up" or wear ear plugs... better yet, move somewhere else. If those Bakersfield people don't like our music, they are free to stay in downtown Bakersfield where they can enjoy nothing but traffic noise and sirens."

I live in Tehachapi and I don't like the speakers. It's probably about 50/50 (the people who like/dislike the speakers). Why should anyone have to wear earplugs. There is much more to listen to than just traffic noise. Our downtown doesn't have much traffic let alone foot traffic for people to even enjoy the music (if they do.) For starters, I like to listen to conversation from live people in front of me but I guess we'll just have to move away from those obtrusive speakers next time.

BTW, I live downtown (and so do many others) so we have to deal with this much more frequently than any of you who come down here just to get a bite to eat, etc.

FWIW, I like music too, and I like Neil Diamond even though it brings back memories of my abusive alcoholic parents.

May 27, 2008 at 06:05 PM : I like the music...

I like the music downtown. The improvements to the downtown area has brought in new businesses to the downtown area. This means less empty buildings, and that also improves downtown. The more the City does downtown the better it gets. What do you want an overnight wonderland? Where did you get your 50/50 stats from?? Did you pull that out of your wardrobe?

So let me get this right. Your parents got drunk and abusive to Neil Diamond?????? Maybe the City could change the music to some Haggart and Jones? "I will never swim the Kern River again" always cheers Sam Heath and me up!

May 27, 2008 at 10:05 PM : Man I would hate to...

Man I would hate to see what effect the Carpenters would have on your parents...........

May 28, 2008 at 07:05 AM : I never said the...

I never said the reconstruction of downtown was bad but for you to say it has brought in new business??? How do you get THAT correlation?

I said it is probably 50/50. And no, my parents didn't get abusive while listening to Neil Diamond but they did listen to him all the time and they were abusive. I don't have a good relationship or fond memories of them....so don't lack compassion. Just get off the topic of that and keep rude and lame comments to yourself.

May 28, 2008 at 08:05 AM : Lucy its time to come...

Lucy its time to come out of that closest! For someone that says they spend a lot of time downtown, you must of missed the fact that 3 new restaurants and 2 new professional offices have opened up downtown. The owner of the italian restaurant said she moved downtown because of the improvements and that she has doubled her amount of business. I say its more like 20/80, with 80% of us liking the music downtown. I was wondering, did you complain when the City played Neil Diamonds " Coming to America" ( Gube's favorite song by the way) during the last ten 4th of July fire work shows?

May 28, 2008 at 11:05 AM : Improving downtown...

Improving downtown Tehachapi has been a lengthy process and they are not finished yet. I commend those who have pushed for the improvements, although they were costly in some people's eyes. In any government, be it city, county, state, federal or whatever, there is waste.... at least with the downtown improvement projects, we have something nice to show for the money spent. The murals are beautiful and depict the history of Tehachapi... the music just adds to the charm of the city. Maybe Lucy could find out who controls the music 'volume' button and ask them to turn it down a tiny bit (except for Christmas season.. we need full volume for Christmas!) or maybe Lucy could turn down her 'irritation' button a tiny bit and let the music soothe her soul.

May 28, 2008 at 03:05 PM : I think it's...

I think it's being done to prevent crime and loitering in general.

Seriously, they play Barry Manilow in Sydney, Australia to keep thugs out of parks. I have heard more than one Barry Manilow hit every day (I work downtown).

Click here for the link to the Aussies' use of easy listening to deter crime.

May 28, 2008 at 03:05 PM : I said it is probably...

Hey your the one that brought up your drunken abusive mommy & daddy.........Rule #1 if you can't take it..... ...don't start it.

May 28, 2008 at 07:05 PM : In reality, City...

In reality, City residents, if polled would be 20% for, 30% against, 10% don't care and 40% HUH, what music.............

And in a separate poll of non-working couch potatos who have nothing better to do that think up smart a$$ blog retorts its 90% for and 10% Pass that blunt back over here.

May 28, 2008 at 07:05 PM : lol

lol

May 28, 2008 at 09:05 PM : I have real concerns...

I have real concerns with declining revenues, foreclosures, increasing gas prices and a costly local police department. The music may stop on main street because of the lack of funds.

The taxpayers in Tehachapi are on life support.

It is time for our city leaders to plan ahead; downsize, consolidate, streamline and contract out basic services. Balance the budget, without increasing taxes, fees or new bonds,

This is the start of a new era of basic goverment services and limited resources. A good start would be freezing salaries, reduction of paid consultants, and repeal the age 55 early retirement perks and provide a 401 K retirement plan to take the place of PERS.

We need bold new accountable leadership in City Government, the School District, and Hospital Board.

May 28, 2008 at 09:05 PM : MrsMcQ.. I doubt...

MrsMcQ.. I doubt seriously if Neil Diamond and the Carpenters and other easy-listening music would prevent crime in downtown Tehachapi... has there ever been a poll taken on a criminal's favorite music?? Is it unthinkable for a criminal to break a window when an Eagles' song is playing? Is there a code among criminals that keeps them from spraying graffitti if Barry Manilow is crooning from the speakers?? Loitering is another story... I would think that the music would make people want to loiter and listen to the music.. maybe that's why all those green benches are placed there so conveniently.

May 28, 2008 at 11:05 PM : helendale009,...

helendale009,

City manager resigns

By: by Carin Enovijas, Tehachapi News Editor

Description: Caudle accepts vice president position with investment banking firm
Topics:
Posted by editor Tue Dec 11, 2007 10:39:29 PST
Viewed 411 times
0 responses 0 comments

After nearly a decade of service to the City of Tehachapi, Jason Caudle has officially submitted his resignation as city manager to pursue a job offer from the investment banking firm of Kinsell, Newcomb & De Dios, Inc.

His executive position will provide him the opportunity to utilize the extensive contacts and relationships he’s established through the years to provide financial advisory services to municipalities and governmental entities to finance new projects statewide. His last day as a city employee will be Jan. 4.

Caudle expressed mixed emotions about leaving the job he loves.

“I am heartened by the fact that I leave you with the greatest staff of people that can be assembled in this community, and I am proud of the legacy I have left,” stated Caudle’s resignation letter.

Mayor Ed Grimes noted that the last few years have been exceptionally productive for the city and that Caudle has many unprecedented accomplishments to be proud of, including leaving with more than $5.5 million in the city’s bank accounts.

////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

I do not doubt that the city will run short of money, they seem to be spending hand over fist for superfluous "improvements" to the downtown area meant to attract the tourist that are flocking to the area in the dozens weekly and spending tens of dollars here.

Then there's the police department which has to be at about double it's allotted budget by now.

Just think, only recently the city bragged of having 5.5 million in the bank. (See above article) Did they ever think of cutting taxes, even a little?

No, of course not. Are they saving or investing it? They're just blowing it on Foo-Foo crap that benefit the few in their immediate circle but very few of the average citizens.

Now, watch'em throw even more money into that pile of old bricks that used to be a theater. theres nothing left of it but 4 outer walls with nothing unique about them. They could push it down and build a much nicer place for half of the cost of the proposed remodel of that old derelict.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>