Fire department study - City Fire Department? - citylady's Blog - Tehachapi News

Oct 10, 2006 at 12:10 PM : I think if you want...

I think if you want some appropriate commentary you should at least spell their names correctly. Regardless of what you might think of them, they are people and deserve that much.

Oct 10, 2006 at 01:10 PM : This study if done...

This study if done right is what we all have asked for. I hope we can have some real public hearings on this. I don't think citylady spelled the above names wrong, I think he/she was trying to make a point. Not the best point but its her point and she is initialed to it. Please when these public forums start please be involved and show up!!! Lets keep this blog clean so it doesn't get deleted.

Oct 10, 2006 at 01:10 PM : Show up and let them...

Show up and let them know $1.5 million more is not what we want...... Trained/ experienced/ completive testing/ no nepotism/ more bang for the buck fire protection. Please! you don't want kids showing up at your door on the worst day of your life and you need help do you?

Oct 10, 2006 at 01:10 PM : mimi- whats your spin...

mimi- whats your spin on this issue?
And please others tell us what you think if you can........................lol

Oct 10, 2006 at 01:10 PM : Just say NO to this...

Just say NO to this nightmare the city has forced on us.

Oct 10, 2006 at 01:10 PM : I think the study is...

I think the study is to late. Do you think the city will back down from what they have started? What are they going to do with all the kids that they have put in to these jobs? Think of them they have been mislead into thinking this was a full time and permanent thing. They probably have bought cars and homes, what is the city going to do with them if they do what the study will for sure tell them? If the city keeps this fire department and i know they will, how are they going to pay for it? They are going to stop all new homes. What happen to putting the cart before the horse? Why do a study if you already done it?

Oct 10, 2006 at 01:10 PM : My spin, medicone - I...

My spin, medicone - I of course, agree with most people posting on here: A fire department study isn't needed because we should never have had a city fire department in the first place. Obviously, the county offers us so many valuable services already and for the city to even attempt to spend that kind of money on comparable services of their own is a joke. I feel the city has wasted enough of our tax money on crap that we don't need and I hope whomever does this study has sense enough to see that this is a waste of time and money that could be spent elsewhere. Whether or not Caudle and McLaughlin will "contaminate" the study? I think enough people are upset enough with the city at this time that it would be difficult, but I suppose it all depends on who is doing the study, doesn't it?

Oct 10, 2006 at 02:10 PM : Wow mimi has a...

Wow mimi has a brain....I wish more of you did. I would like to see more SMART blogging like this.

Oct 10, 2006 at 03:10 PM : Does anyone know what...

Does anyone know what the situation with the grants they applied for is like? Also, does anyone know how long it took to do the study for the police dept? If the contract isn't awarded until Nov.6 will they even be done with the study by Jan.1, 2007 when the county contract is up for renewal?

Oct 10, 2006 at 04:10 PM : I was told they got...

I was told they got the grant for new firefighters, but the city has decided to wait for the study to be done 1st. What an idea! It only took them 1 1/2 years to do something right. The police study took over a year from start to finish. This study will be done in the spring I hope. Make sure you go to any meetings about this when they come up. Lets make the City do the right thing. Two of the City firemen went to work for the County and all but one of the guys still with the City have tested for other departments. I guess all but one has seen the writing on the wall.

Oct 11, 2006 at 10:10 AM : FIRE DEPARTMENT- Well...

FIRE DEPARTMENT- Well I know for sure the City is planing on during what ever the study says. It just happens to be that the study will say what they want it to. Just like the police study. County Fire Department = 46 stations, 50 plus engines, 4 ladder trucks, haz-mat team, heavy rescue team, helicopter, air tankers, arson, experience and trained firefighters. All for less then $300,000 a year cost to Tehachapi. City Fire Department = 6 firefighters with little to no training and experience, 2 fire engines, one station and that's it. Cost to Tehachapi over a million a year. Do the math! The county provides 9 firefighters at it's Curry street station and 12 more in the greater Tehachapi area. If Tehachapi needed 100 firefighters today for some big emergency it would cost the City of Tehachapi no more then the $300,000 they already pay. If we had only the City fire department the city would have to pay the cost of those other 94 firefighters. It's called mutual aid, it cost if you don't have something to mutual back with.

Oct 11, 2006 at 10:10 AM : I cant believe that...

I cant believe that the City leaders can't see the damage to this program they have done. If they would have done it right they would have a fire department today. BUT they hired friends and family, they promoted the chief's son and others with no experience. They never did any testing so I or anyone else could get a job. The son goes around with a chip on his shoulder talking down to people, including me when he inspected my store. Who was I going to call for this behavior his dad? Lets stick with the PRO's and not let the city pull this very expensive nickel and dime stuff. I feel sorry for the good firefighters with the city that are getting hurt by this. I also feel sorry for the county firefighters that do i good job, they shouldn't be having to deal with this.

City leaders have you been reading the blogs for the last year????

Oct 11, 2006 at 11:10 AM : Nepotism is nothing...

Nepotism is nothing new for the city of Tehachapi. I was born here 56 years ago, so I've seen many changes. One constant that has plagued Tehachapi, Bear Valley and Stallion Springs is nepotism. Many times executives hire relatives, whether it is sons, brothers, cousins etc. I call it the "back door policy." You can test all you want and have oral evaluations, but when all is said and done the boss hires who he want's. When Tehachapi disbanded the police department everyone was told it was about money, not enough, the truth is, it was all about politics and that is the truth. Now the city wants to reinstate a police dept. and expand the fire dept., which means moving the county out. I agree with everyone who says do the math. With a local police dept. there are aspects the city could never afford, swat, state of the art equipment, etc, without spending millions of dollars. It also works the same way with the fire dept. in a much larger venue. In my opinion, what the city is doing, is what's always been done, they want full control over the city, with no one to answer to except the taxpayers, who they routinely don't listen to anyway. Maybe this time the city will actually make the right choice, don't hold your breath, and save the taxpayers a huge amount of money.

Oct 11, 2006 at 02:10 PM : My spin on this topic...

My spin on this topic is: I have worked with both departments. One is very professional, and well trained, one is not. If I had an emergency at my house, I would think the one would make it better, one I am not to sure about. I like all the guys on both sides but we are talking about life and safety here right?

Oct 11, 2006 at 03:10 PM : I just got an e-mail...

I just got an e-mail from the News paper saying "I" continue to make insulting post....someone please tell me what post I have made that is insulting? They are public figures, They have ran or took jobs that make them targets for people that don't like what they are doing. Do you see FOX, the Bakersfield Californian, CNN telling there customers to stop saying insulting things about Bush or anyone else for that matter. Is this not a newspaper that has a blog? Does the news paper have a side they want promoted or not promoted? Come on look at my post it says keep things nice. If your going to censor things just shut down the site.

Oct 11, 2006 at 03:10 PM : The blogging stopped...

The blogging stopped at my request. Sorry for that I guess. I was told if I could get the blogging to stop they would do a study and they have done that now. Now lets keep our voices loud and we will be noticed. That's if the Newspaper will allow it. The study will be done right because there is to many smart people watching them now. See Vicky the not so nice post have helped the City of Tehachapi and it's citizens to get that study..The Newspaper does some good. It's not all fluff is it now?

Oct 11, 2006 at 04:10 PM : It's funny we got...

It's funny we got someone talking about gays, someone talking about a wall to keep Mexicans out, but we can't talk about the fire department and the city. WHY? Yes someone purposely missed spelled some names to make a point and to try to be funny. Whats the big deal? The point is they are trowing our money away. I know why they want you to stop. I bet it is because the City keeps calling them asking them to delete you. What other paper would do what the city asked?

Oct 11, 2006 at 05:10 PM : We absolutely support...

We absolutely support your right to express yourself regarding any topic you see fit, and encourage you to do so. Sending an email asking posters to abide by our Terms of Service is our way to try not to remove posts. It's not a question of what we will or won't allow --- it's a matter of whether posters will or will not abide by the terms they agreed to when they assumed profiles on the site. I enjoy reading your comments, about all types of topics that encompass the city. All I'm asking is that you be respectful toward your fellow townspeople. I don't think that's a lot to ask. Especially since, as you've noted, your voice on these blogs is heard by many and can make a difference in the way things are done.

Oct 11, 2006 at 08:10 PM : The best solution for...

The best solution for the City would be to revert back to the system they had 4 years ago. The city had a Chief, Asst. Chief two paid firefighters and reserve firefighters. They did a good job of taking care of city business, inspections, and Public Relations. They drilled and got along with the County Fire Dept. and did it for a fraction of the cost of what they propose to spend on a fully staffed fire dept. They will soon find out that the County is not going to charge them anymore for the protection they are now getting. At this time one of their full time Firefighters is going to quit and start with the County. One of their Captains is going to quit and start with Bakerfied Fire Department , One of their Reserves is going to the County Fire Department, and the rest of their firemen just took the test for Bakersfield City. This department is going to be in a constant turnover. We as citizens of Tehachapi cannot afford to train new firefighters every few months and as a result have a department with less and less experience instead. We do need to stand up and let the study group know where we stand.

Oct 11, 2006 at 10:10 PM : Adding more fuel to...

Adding more fuel to the debate....

Apparently 'Tehachapi Command One' drove up on the scene of a major accident at 58 & Towerline this afternoon. My information is sketchy, and I didnt hear all the radio traffic myself, but I certainly heard enough. I have no doubt that it was a chaotic mess, but you could definitely tell the difference between the county responders and our esteemed chief.

The county guys all sounded calm and composed, while Command 1 sounded like he was in over his head. We need a cool, confident, knowledgeable leader in times of emergency.... and if a wreck can fluster the chief of a department, think about what would happen if a hopelessly underqualified captain was running the show... Not that that would EVER happen...

And then there's the whole issue of cheaper and better service from the county, but I digress...

Oct 12, 2006 at 08:10 PM : Kern County Fire...

Kern County Fire Department has just stated, they will charge the City of Tehachapi $0 for Fire protection. That's right $0 for everything the County has. The County will still take the $200,000 fire fund tax from the state but that's it. The City never sees that tax money and for what I was told never would have! So Tehachapi do you want the County Fire Department for $0 and everything that comes with it OR 1.5 million for a City Fire Department with 2 guys an 1 firetruck?

Oct 12, 2006 at 10:10 PM : Give the poor guy a...

Give the poor guy a break, you have unrealistic expectations, I mean a County Trainee gets more calls in their probationary period than the Chief's had in his whole career. When you work at a station running over 2000 calls a year, that's 4-5 times Tehachapi's call volume. I'm sure that after 5-6 years on the new Tehachapi Fire Department and 5-10 million (maybe more if they need mutual aid in the next 5-6 years) I'm sure he'd be great on a call. The same goes for his kid and the other young guys they've hired (if they stay around long enough).

Oct 13, 2006 at 10:10 AM : Tehachapi Fire Dept....

Tehachapi Fire Dept. cost over a million dollars and the County cost $200,000! Why is the City spending $100,000 for a "NEED Study" for a city fire department? Is this not a no brainier? WASTE WASTE WASTE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oct 13, 2006 at 09:10 PM : Tehachapi Fire cost...

Tehachapi Fire cost that much more! What are they thinking?

Oct 14, 2006 at 07:10 PM : I heard that...

I heard that California City was all ready to contract with the KCFD for fire services, even the firefighters were all ready to come over, even though they were going to take a pay cut. Then Jason Caudle and Tim McLaughlin got in the middle of it, told the California City city manager not to do it, I even heard that Tim McLaughlin was on the board to help hire the new Fire Chief for Cal City Fire. Thats pretty bad that they are interferring in things that do not pertain to them. The only reason they did it was to help them keep the Tehachapi City Fire Dept. If Cal City went with the KCFD, Tehachapi wouldnt have a chance in keeping their fire dept. Pretty soon Tehachapi fire will be in the same boat as Cal City fire, Cal City had 2 major fires in close together, and they decimated their budget, they can't even afford to pay back the KCFD for all of the services they recieved on those 2 fires. Caudle and McLaughlin need to keep their noses in their own business.

Oct 15, 2006 at 10:10 AM : Caudle and McLaughlin...

Caudle and McLaughlin doing this shows there desperation! McLaughlin interviewing people for there Chief is a joke, he is not even a real chief himself! I was told that Cal City was still going to go back to Kern County, did this change? How is the City of Tehachapi going to say they need there own fire department when Kern is not going to charge them anything? HELLO LINDA, ED and PHIL don't you see what's going on? Someone please called them and tell them about this blog. Tehachapi go back to the paid call department you once were. That's what is best for our City!

Oct 15, 2006 at 08:10 PM : Nepotism o how ugly...

Nepotism o how ugly you are! once again my TFD story. I applied for the city of Tehachapi when it was a paid call dept. having over 12 years of experience I only wanted to help my community and I understood it was not a full time job. To my dismay I was turned away from the fire department, Turned away from a volunteer dept! shortly after i heard of TFD trying to become a full time department. I then understood why a person with good experience in public and private fire and rescue would be turned away. You see I would have interfered with a sons and friends job, they already had people in mind and these people would not have to test, compete, or apply for the job. About one year later i went to work for the KCFD and I love it I'm not writing because I have a grudge with the TFD, I really can give a heck if they have a department or not. I would still have my job we wouldn't have station 12 but KCFD would be fine protecting the rest of the county and not loosing money with the Tehachapi station. The people of Tehachapi would loose thats it pure and simple. I just know TFD would have been so much better and respected if they would have taken the high road and had a competitive test like all other fire departments in the united states.
only then would they have had a good qualified applicant to make a captain some good people would have come about out of the thousands (yes i said thousands) of applicants that take tests to be firefighters.

Oct 17, 2006 at 08:10 AM : Are you saying that...

Are you saying that our firefighters do not have to take and pass the tests?
I am new to this conversation, and frankly, assumed that our department was likened to those in other towns... I had just taken for granted that it was above-board and qualified.
I know how hard it is to pass these exams, and I know that there are huge waiting lists to become a firefighter--are you saying that this is not true here? How can this be?
Thanks for enlightening this resident who has unknowingly had her proverbial head in the sand.

Oct 17, 2006 at 10:10 AM : Nope to be a Tehachapi...

Nope to be a Tehachapi Firefighter all you have to do is be a reserve 1st! How do you be a reserve? You just got to know someone in the City Department. You can't have more experience or qualifications then the Chief's son and that is it, your in! It's sad that they have never let anyone with any real qualifications take there test. OH and the City Department will cost the people of Tehcahpi 1.5 million more! It will be a sad day for us when they take over calls and go fulltime.

Oct 17, 2006 at 01:10 PM : Yes I'm saying...

Yes I'm saying this fire department was hired noncompetitive. If the city is intent on waisting money on a fire department at least the city manager and council should waste money on a real fire department that was tested and hired in a proper competitive manner. Potential qualified persons who have been training and studying to be a firefighter did not get a chance to serve tehachapi there was no equal opportunity. The city has hired in a way which proves that without testing there will be no diversity within its city services. There is also a reason that small city's do not have fire departments. They are simply not cost affective. Firefighters will always look to move on to larger departments where they will have a chance to promote, work in other programs, and move around to other fire houses to expand experience as firefighters. Take my word every firefighter in the Tehachapi Fire Department that is not above the nepotism block will move on. This "local control" fire department is a sham on the public and all that was controlled is who received Tehachapi citizens money.

Oct 17, 2006 at 06:10 PM : I had NO idea that...

I had NO idea that this was the case, either.
Who started and allowed this in the first place?
How long has it been going on?
Why don't we hear about this debate as a lead story on THE TEHACHAPI NEWS? (Oh, it would be too controversial--they won't put a story on the "happy" paper... no negative or debate-type stories "there"... I wish that would change--it certainly would benefit the population here... but that's a new blog eh?)
Thank you for airing this. It takes a brave person to bring it to light, especially since it seems to have been the status quo for so long.
What can regular folks to do bring it back to the way it should be?
And "who" thought it was a good idea to be paying so much? Who allowed this discussion to even get to this level?
Thanks for the info. I think that most people are like me (and the person above) and had NO idea that this was the case.
Frankly, I don't care "who" it is that comes up a ladder to rescue me from a burning building--But I do care that he/she has passed the physical and testing that proves them capable of doing the job.
Thank you again.

Oct 17, 2006 at 07:10 PM : This was Jason Caudles...

This was Jason Caudles and Tim McLaughlin's idea with the blessing of all the members of the City Council! To top that off they have helped squashed a long term plan for Kern County Fire to take over Cal. City Fire. This was a plan that the employees of Cal City Fire wanted. Now they have decided to test and go out of town to find a job. Just like all the Tehachapi City guys have. What other bridges will they burn with the County Firemen? Do you think it will ever get better? What can you do? Find a Tehachapi City leader and tell them your not happy. When the study you paid $100,000 for starts go and say hell no! Whats the city going to do hire guys just to watch all of them move on to other larger departments?

Oct 17, 2006 at 11:10 PM : I know I'm kind...

I know I'm kind of repeating myself, but please, bear with me. I want to know how everyone feels about the study and the deadlines. According to the aritcle the paper put out about it http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/viewarticle.php?cat_id=383&post=22642 Caudle says the deadline for the renewal of the County contract is Jan.2007. Now if the study takes longer than two months to finish(and a decent one should) ,what will they do? Will the County extend this deadline? Will we be forced to go with the City Fire Dept? Are they actually using the study to backdoor this as they have been doing all along? Anyway, I am just curious how everyone else feels about this.

Also, Can I tell you how annoyed I am that you can't "quote" any of these blogs!!! lol Geesh! Sure would make life easier.

Oct 18, 2006 at 04:10 PM : SAVE FIRE DEPARTMENT -...

SAVE FIRE DEPARTMENT - Vote for Henry, and Stan!!!

Oct 19, 2006 at 12:10 PM : B/C Steve Kinsey is...

B/C Steve Kinsey is Tehachapi City Fire biggest supporter! He uses them every chance he gets, even when they are not needed. When Tehachapi City Fire goes full time they can thank Steve for all his hard work!!!! Maybe he is looking for a job.

Oct 20, 2006 at 07:10 PM : Firefighters from Cal...

Firefighters from Cal City are suing their city for the right to talk/speak about going to the Kern County Fire Department. The Cal City firefighters are wanting to take a cut in pay in order to improve the level of fire service to the town. They feel going from a small city department to Kern County that there own safety and the safety of the public will go up! Tehachapi News needs to do a story on this, it is just the opposite of what our City Hall is saying. WHY IS THAT?

Am I the only one that saw NO Tehachapi Fire Department on today's Haz-Mat thing in down town Tehachapi? Did they choose to let the Pros do there job? What wound the cost to the city be if they didn't have a contract with Kern County? One County Haz-mat team all day long at what $1000.00 an hour? Mrs. Hand says she will just bill the rail road for the cost. What if the next Haz-Mat is not the fault of the rail road? What if its an unknown hazardous material in a city street?

Who is this B/C Steve Kinsey? Why is he helping the City do this rotten thing to us?

Oct 20, 2006 at 08:10 PM : Medicone. ...

Medicone. B/C Steve Kinsey does not dispatch the city to calls just to be friends with them. Any time that he dispatches the city, with or without the county responding, has always been in the best interest of the public and not in an attempt to make the city happy. When he cancels Keene and starts the city, it is in the publics best interest to keep Keene covered while at the same time getting more equipment on the scene sooner. Today was a good example of the city being kept where they belong. Chief Kinsey canceled the city on the Railroad Haz Mat incident so that while the Kern County Fire Dept. did an excellent job of handling the incident, the TFD would be available to help cover the Tehachapi area even though there were still a couple of county engines on scene of the Haz Mat that were available to respond. To all of you out there, keep talking to your friends, neighbors, and anyone you meet. Let them know how Caudle and others are trying to scam them and the rest of the city. Caudle summed it up quite some time ago in the paper when he said "It is not about money, it is about control." He just wants to have control and the heck with how much money it costs the tax payers.

Oct 20, 2006 at 09:10 PM : I can not disagree...

I can not disagree with you more. If he had the best interests of the people in mind he would not ask for the city on calls outside of the city. Ask yourself this question, If you lived in Golden Hills would you want a fully trained county crew in 15 mins (station 11) or the city crew in 8 mins, as your second engine? He is doing the county tax payers a disservice by starting and city to Golden Hills and 916 the prison crew also. How will us in Golden Hills ever get a station when he tries to show one is not need by using untrained kids and inmates. Do you want these kids or inmates working on you? Keeping Keene covered that's a joke, right? If Keene didn't go to Tehachapi on calls they would not have any calls. None of the other B/C's use the prison and the city like he does. I can't believe any of the Chief's put up with the constant self dispatching from the city.

Oct 21, 2006 at 08:10 PM : The city was not...

The city was not involved in the hazmat, IN MY OWN OPINION, because they do not have the training, equipment, experience or maturity to be involved in such an incident. If anyone out there can contradict this and show me how wrong my opinion is, by all means show me the error of my ways. I don't expect any takers, but if you're out there, I want to hear from you.

I heard they were also not utilized on a bad wreck the other day.

The Towerline Road wreck last week was a prime example of the City department's inability to adequately protect us.

Can someone at The News confirm what was said on here recently about the county's new proposal that would not cost the city a penny? And please... do an in-depth, comprehensive story on this issue...

Oct 21, 2006 at 08:10 PM : To...

To Caudle: Please spare your city tax payers yet another penny on your quest for "local control." Why even go there you have shown for more than enough time that you simply don't care what your city population says. I beg you don't waste more city money on a "fair study" by an "independent study group". You know that your ego wont allow you to be wrong. Just give up the ego and assume for once some decision making responsibility insted of letting a trumped up study group justify your "local control" facination, or be a real big person and admit you were totally wrong. KCFD $200,000 vs $1.5 million TFD for less service? what is there to study? We all must just be too short sighted to understand. To all those wondering what to do, please write the grand jury and ask why the City of Tehachapi gave good paying jobs away without a competitive process. Nepotism, unfair hiriing practices, equal opportunity, diversity, all things that need to be addressed that TFD/Tehachapi City did not when hiring fand promoting the Fire Department.

Oct 21, 2006 at 09:10 PM : Bill 93561, as I have...

Bill 93561, as I have said before, the city will not have to pay the county any additional money for full fire protection in the city other than the current structural fire tax the county now collects (approx. 270,000). But I don't believe the answer would be to do away with the city fire department. Chief McLaughlin has done a tremendous job of turning around a failing volunteer fire department. He should have just been satisfied with that and not tried to be a big new department. I believe he got the interest of city manager Caudle who got grandiose ideas about being in charge of his own city police and fire departments. I don't believe he can still say that would be the fiscally responsible approach. For a fraction of the cost, he can have an experienced, fully staffed fire department (The County Fire Department) and spend a little more money and get the two firefighters to do the inspections and programs they think necessary.

Oct 22, 2006 at 10:10 AM : gman, You...

gman, You are absolutely correct. Our city cannot afford all these independent services. As a businessman, I know when to outsource and I don't need an expensive consultant to tell me to do it. My name is STAN BECKHAM and I am asking for your VOTE for Tehachapi City Council.

I've been around here just a bit longer than you have and under my leadership as your city council member, I guarantee you the nepotism and cronyism is going to stop. I have no tolerance for it. I remember the old days and they weren't that great unless your parents were 'connected.' I saw the problem as a problem then and I see that we are starting the cycle again.

This is one of the reasons I am in this race and the first place we stop the nepotism is to DON'T VOTE FOR TEEL, your City Manager, Jason Caudle's, mother-in-law. Because of the TEEL/Caudle connection, you have Tim Felsoci, Caudle's neighbor, on your Planning Commission who has 'rubber stamped' every deal that has come his way. He doesn't attend the meetings unless his vote is needed to break a deadlock in favor of the TEEL/Caudle/James agenda.

If you want to STOP the NEPOTISM and CRONYISM, then pass the word to VOTE for STAN BECKHAM FOR CITY COUNCIL! Let's start holding your City Manager and Planning Director, your Mayor and Council Members responsible for their actions. Let's STOP wasting your tax dollars and let's get together as a community!

GET out the VOTE on Tuesday, November 7th! Your VOTE does count!

Stan Beckham

Oct 22, 2006 at 11:10 PM : Mclauglin and...

Mclauglin and Caudle, It's time to do the right thing. Go back to the old way. Go back to paid call firemen, and two full time guys. You will get your own little firetruck to push around, and the city will get WHAT IT NEEDS. Hell all but one of your firemen are going else where. $1.5 million for what? So you can train guys to go to work for other departments! Your cops will do the same by the way! Thanks to everyone that has posted on here, Please keep your questions and commits coming. Don't forget to show up for the study meetings. It's time to look at what you have gained and what you have lost pursuing this department. Gained= lots of mad citizens. Lost =old ties and good service to the City. You can add more to your own +/- list!!! Don't spend our money on a study to tell you what you already know. County Fire has more for less, City Fire has less for more!Do you really need to pay $100,000 for a study to tell you that? HEY you guys you have been asked 100's of questions, when are you guys going to answer some of them?

Oct 24, 2006 at 09:10 PM : Hello Tim, Jason can...

Hello Tim, Jason can you see this???? We need to make a list to give the study guy when he shows up. Like, Why pay 1.3 million more? Why let untrained kids run calls? You know little stuff like that. I was told that the Tehachapi news has told the City who all us bloggers are. Is this true or just rumor?

Oct 24, 2006 at 09:10 PM : Hey where is all that...

Hey where is all that $3,000 per new home tax money going? Why is part of that money for fire and cops not going to the county? They provide the service right? Is this money being spent, saved, or what?

Oct 25, 2006 at 11:10 AM : Tehachapi city wisdom:...

Tehachapi city wisdom:

Listen up Bear Valley Residence Tehachapi City is now affecting you!

Tehachapi city leaders in its quest for "local control" have done it again. Tehachapi City wants to use the Bear Valley dispatch center for the new city police department. The Tehachapi City "locally controlled police" will also be staffed to the level that Bear Valley currently staffs it department. The Bear Valley Police do a great job with what they have however Bear Valley is not Tehachapi its quite smaller in population and troubles. What this means for Bear Valley? By using the Bear Valley dispatch center Tehachapi City will overtax an already busy dispatch center. By dispatching from BV the Bear Valley Police will be the main back up to the City since the County Sheriff will be out of the information loop. The Bear Valley Police will constantly have to leave the valley to assist the understaffed Tehachapi City Police department. This will mean that Bear Valley many times will be left with no or just one police officer. So Tehachapi City's "local control" just spilled into regional control. Good job City now people in two communities will be less safe. When will they stop this messy power play.

Oct 25, 2006 at 11:10 AM : It's more then...

It's more then that!!! Tehachapi City has turned down a plan that would have added two new Fire Station in the Tehachapi area! This plan would have also added 3 more firemen for Bear Valley, full time Fire Stations in Golden Hills and Stailion Springs. This is hurting all of the Tehachapi Valley in the name of "Local Control"!!! To top that Tehachapi City is now messing with Fire Protection in Cal. City!!!

M-I-C-K-E-Y M-O-U-S-E

Oct 25, 2006 at 12:10 PM : The one thing about...

The one thing about this fire district is that we in the tehachapi area would pay for it on our tax bills. I say we hold our county supervisors accountable and make them protect us like they do the Bakersfield area without added tax. Why should we pay more for the protection our current tax structure is supposed to provide. We need to have a station in Golden Hills and Stallion Springs its an injustice to not protect these tax paying citizens.

Oct 25, 2006 at 01:10 PM : The thing about the...

The thing about the fire district is that the money will be the County Fire Chiefs to spend in the Tehachapi Area. The County BOS will not be able to take it from him and use it for something like nurses for jail inmates or what ever. $100 per year for 2 new fire stations and 30 more firemen, thats a good deal, plus you will get that money back ( and then some) from your fire insurance rates going down. These new stations will not be in the City but right next door. They will be able to help in the city just like Keene does now but faster. We in the City have loved ones in the county as well. We want wants best for the whole Tehachapi Valley!! Tim and Jason are hurting everyone with their plan. They are hurting the City by bringing cost UP and service DOWN. They are hurting the county folks be preventing a good plan for them. Now they are hurting Cal. City it looks like.

Oct 27, 2006 at 03:10 PM : 28 plus Kern County...

28 plus Kern County Firemen sent down south to help today!

Oct 27, 2006 at 03:10 PM : Why is that? ...

Why is that? Is that a good thing?

Oct 28, 2006 at 01:10 AM : tehachapiforlife,...

tehachapiforlife, Thanks for noticing that 75% of my neighbors on the Anita Drive blocks, East of Snyder, have my signs out.  Being the kind hearted neighbor that I am, I thought of asking Mrs. Teel, who is one of my neighbors, if she wanted one of my signs to put out on her lawn, but thought that might be pushing things a bit. :-))

Did you notice the signs along the detour along E Street off the main Blvd.? I'm hoping that everyone who drives by those signs remembers who and why they are having to drive this detour, and for such a long time.

Seriously and sadly, the reason the firefighters were sent down south today was because of the apparent arson fires in Riverside County. I'm sure you've heard by now that four firemen have lost their lives and a fifth man is badly burned over 90% of his body.  This is gut wrenching and my condolences go out to those mens' families and to all our fire personnel who spend their lives trying to help people only to be kicked in the gut like this. We have had too many of our fire personnel in California die this year.

I don't feel like talking politics here, especially on this subject, but what in hell is going to happen when our inexperienced and untrained "City Fire Personnel" get into a situation they can't handle. How many of them will die or how many victims will die because of their lack of training. This type of scenario could happen any day now and will cause the citizens of Tehachapi untold grief. And, with an untrained and undermanned police force, wouldn't you think the criminal element in our City is just waiting for a free-for-all when that situation hits the fan?

This is serious business.  This is not a little toy fire department and a little toy police department for Jason Caudle to play with. This power hungry boy has got to be reigned in.  Apparently the Mayor and the City Council can't, or won't do it.

Why, would people of reason allow Jason Caudle to be in charge of the hiring of such serious positions?

Why on earth would anyone give someone of Jason Caudle's known and extreme lack of experience complete control to manage a fire department, police department and an entire city?

City Council and Mayor Grimes, get your heads out of the sand and look around and see what you have created. Shame on each of you and shame on us for letting you keep your positions. Regardless of Jason Caudle's pitiful performance, you put him in the position. This, my friends, is your responsibility and I hope to heaven that no one has to pay with their life because all of you were "playing at city government" and hoping to see your names in the paper.

Stan Beckham

Oct 31, 2006 at 03:10 PM : >> City...

>> City Government << it looks to me that 99% of all the post on here are against what the City is doing. From Fire, code enforcement and development. Is there not one person out there willing to say something good about our City Government? Are all these post from one upset person or group? Where is the opposition to what they are saying? Is everyone upset with whats going on or happy and not talking? I want to know the other side before I vote.

Oct 31, 2006 at 05:10 PM : Anonymous- I ask you...

Anonymous- I ask you to go read Mrs. Mariana Teel's statement in this weeks paper. It will give you a good idea as to why so many of us are fed up and want new blood in the city council. In it she lists several citizen issues that she and the other members of the council are aware of. She then goes on to tell you why SHE feels that more than half of these issues are not warranted, and tells us WE need to go into the future with our eyes wide open. Am I mistaken when I say I thought city council members are supposed to speak and work for the citizens in the city??? She even says it at the end of her statement,".. let me represent you!" Personally the hole statement had me very confused. She starts out saying, Yes, I hear you and I know these are issues for you, then she goes on to say why we need to go against thes issues and we need to think more open-mindedly, and then in close she asks us to let her represent us???
Many are fed up because they refuse to listen to us and they vote on what THEY want, what THEY think we need, what THEY feel is right for us. THEY works for us! THEIR job is to do what we want, not the other way around, and if this isn't enough they keep spending our money like it's their own also just to benefit a chosen few.
I would really like to know the other side to, and at one point I think there actually may have been one. Now I'm not so sure.

Nov 1, 2006 at 04:11 PM : Anonymous - Yes the...

Anonymous - Yes the City Council has done some good things over the years. It is just of late, with all the growth and expansion that has been mismangaged and misguided that the citizens of Tehachapi have become weary. The bad is out weighing the good at this point and the City Council is not willing to put a stop to it.

I'm a citizen like you. I never really thought about entering this political arena until I had to fight City Hall and quickly saw what kind of mess our city government was becoming. Further, I did not see any light at the end of the tunnel for getting us back on track.

I have responded to another who accused me of wild accusations and to Mr. Smith's accuation of my having 'political interests' backing my campaign. Please right click on the following link and "Open in Another Window", i don't want to take the focus off the subject on this Blog. http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/viewblog.php?id=208&pid=835

Kindest regards,

Stan Beckham

Nov 1, 2006 at 07:11 PM : I am glad to see most...

I am glad to see most of you supporting Stan. He's a local guy and has the smarts and drive to get the job done right the first time. I can't believe the knuckleheads that are worried about what will happen if he has to go up against Teel. Don't worry madam, he'll grow on you in time. Just follow his lead and you'll be OK.

Stan make this new fire department the fired department, OK?

Go get 'em buddy!

Casey

Nov 1, 2006 at 08:11 PM : I hope WE are not...

I hope WE are not asking for the City Fire Department to go away. I will never support NO City Fire Department. I just want whats right, I want the City of Tehachapi to get the biggest bang for it's buck. What the City is doing now is not that. I want a City Fire Department but not like what we have or where its going. NO one in 'The Group' has ever asked for NO City Fire Department. I would like to see what we had 2 years ago. That was 2 fire trucks in Tehachapi for the cost of one. Not one at the cost of two, like what has been proposed, and what would have happened if 'The Group' didn't stand up and say "No way" There is also OTHER options on the table that would improve fire protection for Tehachapi City as well as the entire Tehachapi area. The guys that work for Tehachapi are very good guys. Some are very good firefighters. Most I would love to work with again. What we didn't like was the promotions, the very limited testing, the lack of training, the red helmets, the "Company One" call sign, the cost, and how the County guys were treated. The leaders in this town have been told what needed to be done to make this all go away. They have decided to not respond, they have chosen to let things stay the way they are. NOW they have people calling for there jobs and for NO fire department. Stan and Henry may or may not get elected but either way I hope the leaders in this town get the message this time! There are people in City Hall that have the capability to learn the truth. There are others that will never be able to learn the truth. Teel and Smith are just some of the ones that have closed there minds and ears to us.

Nov 1, 2006 at 11:11 PM : Well i dont want a...

Well i dont want a Fire Department that cost 1million dollors more. When it will not be better. I dont want leaders that start a department then does a study to find out if its needed.