NEW CITY HALL & CIVIC CENTER - TOWN MEETING - Blogs from Stan - packerfan's Blog - Tehachapi News

Sep 28, 2007 at 02:09 PM : Gee, This isn't...

Gee, This isn't going to be as easy of a decision as I thought. Here is where my conflict lies. Number one, I totally agree and support this 100%....

My first line of thinking is, let's keep the larger complexes, i.e., the Civic Center, medical complexes, the hospital, large hotels, etc. out of the Historic Downtown area and let that develop its' true potential as an art, tourist, antiques, and souvenir district.

I do however have a problem with this......

The Capital Hills City Hall and Civic Center will be just that, a place the community can use for civic events. There is an Auditorium to seat 500 to 750 people (this is yet to be worked out), there is an Amphitheater to seat approximately 500 (another detail to work out).

I don't feel this is needed. Maybe one of the two that sits like 500 people, but both! I think not. Why can't we decide on something "in the middle". It's like we have to choose between something that we'll out grow to soon or something that is too big and don't really need. Blahhhhh!

Sep 28, 2007 at 02:09 PM : As usual, Council...

As usual, Council member Beckham is thinking "outside the box" on the future of the greater Tehachapi area. The Capital Hills site represents just that! The "old timers" on the Council can't seem to think beyond today. They are stuck in a time warp! I have spoken to Stan and received his unreserved assurances that he has no financial interest in Tower Investments or any of its subsidiaries or working partners, nor has he any friends, relatives or colleagues working for them, and he owns no stock in any of the above. He just believes, as I do, that the Capital Hills site is the most logical fo us to enjoy as well as the next generation or two after us. To prove my own interest, I live directly across the street from the proposed "Shopping Center" site and if built there, would undoubtedly significantly increase the value of my property. However, that would only be of benefit to ONE PERSON...ME. However, if built at the Capital Hills site, it would be of benefit to everyone of the thousands of other people who live in the greater Tehachapi area. Need I say more?

Jim Richards

Sep 28, 2007 at 03:09 PM : In my opinion, the...

In my opinion, the Capital Hills site is the best location for the New City Hall, Civic Center, Hospital and any other place where many people would or could congregate.

One only has to look at a map of the city to see that the site proposed by Jason Caudle is right in the middle of residential areas. The main traffic streets are North and South Curry, Valley Blvd, possibly a Green Street extension joining South Green to the older part of Green in town. Valley and Curry are narrow streets and would have to be widened to accomodate the extra traffic and that also costs money. Traffic can be heavy on these streets any time of day. Factor in the times when school children and their parents are in the area --also consider the location of the Fire Dept on Valley and Curry. Ever tried to get home from the fireworks on the fourth of July? We are already at a disadvanttage should we have another major quake. This is what many of us would be stuck in just trying to leave or return home. A shopping center would also attract many more people walking- and possibly not the kind of people we wish to have in our neighborhoods.

I'm sure property values in the area would raise as Jim said but for the ones who live in that area--would the raise in property taxes along with the home values be worth the extra traffic in an already bottle neck location? Not to me and I live in the area. We don't even try to go anywhere when it's school traffic time. A shopping center would also attract many more people walking- and possibly not the kind of people we wish to have in our neighborhoods. I don't think this location would raise property taxes in other parts of the city.

This is a bit off topic but I remember the "Old Pear Orchard" well. As a teenager, some of us would sneak off the old path on Valley and snag a few pears, or if it was after curfew, I'd hide behind a tree any time headlights approached so Coy or Chuck didn't have to tell me to go home. There may have been one car every five minutes between ten and midnight. In the 1970's, some of my children worked in the orchards lighting smudge pots in the spring. They spent the night in the bunkhoudse and when the temp got to a certain point, their butts were hustled out of bed to light the pots.

Yes, I'm an old-timer-- but I'm not against growth as long as it's done after proper planning. Unfortunately, I physically can't get to the meetings but I DO like to know where my tax dollars are going and what will be built in my neighborhood.

Sep 29, 2007 at 07:09 AM : This seems like a...

This seems like a no-brainer. Tehachapi is growing. The Capital Hills location can accommodate that growth. The idea of building at the corner of 202 and Curry is absolutely ridiculous to me. The idea of locating city hall inside a shopping center is even more ludicrous!!

I personally love the idea of an auditorium or amphitheater, but I agree with countrygirl - do we really need both? Maybe in the distant future, and the capital hills location would allow for that someday.

Thanks for the info, Stan. I have to confess I had some preconceived ideas about you, after years of your 'playful' harassment at Kelcy's restaurant and the Village Grill...but I think you may be the only one down there with a brain!

Sep 29, 2007 at 10:09 AM : I hate the Capital...

I hate the Capital Hills site! It is however better then putting it in a shopping center at Curry and Valley! How many more cars can Curry handle? What will people think about having City Hall in a strip mall between the ice cream store and the laundry mat?

I also don't want to see a shopping center at Valley and Curry! If you think a shopping center at this location is a good idea, go stand at the traffic light at 8am. That intersection is at its MAX right now.

Sep 29, 2007 at 10:09 AM : countygirl and...

countygirl and everyone else, I forgot to mention perhaps one of the most important advantages of the Capital Hills site. The auditorium can be set up with movable walls to allow classroom sized spaces. Bakersfield and Cerro Coso Jr. Colleges and CSUB have made overtures to having outreach programs in our area if we have the class space and this would provide that.

As for the amphitheatre, I for one would like being able to sit out there on a summer evening and listen to some of our local talent. This venue could also be used for family gatherings, weddings, or any other group gathering. It is positioned in such a manner and is far enough away that the wind would tend to block the train noise. I hope you'll reconsider these open spaces as necessary for the Tehachapi Valley Area and not just consider the City of Tehachapi.

NOTE: Private parties would be charged a fee for use of the space to cover cleanup, maintenance and so forth.

Sep 29, 2007 at 11:09 AM : Those are both great...

Those are both great options. The space for college classes is definitely needed. I know I'd take some courses if we had more options here. :) I also think a nice place for venues like weddings is need here also although that site has a long way to go before people will want to get married there! lol I'm still very hesitant and I'm sure all feel better when I see it all laid out in front of me at the meeting.

Sep 30, 2007 at 07:09 PM : I definitely agree,...

I definitely agree, post secondary educational resources are needed in Tehachapi. What's holding it up? The Kern Community College District (KCCD), onbehalf of Bakersfield College, agreed to the acquisition of 126 acres from Bolthouse Properties, LLC, south of Bear Mountain Blvd. along Highway 99. Source: BC News Release dtd 6 Sep'2007.

Humm -- The Tehachapi Valley is the only population cluster without a post seconday resource of any kind a within reasonable distance. If classroom space is a problem, couldn't they form a partnership with TUSD? They claim not to be eligible for state aid due to a surplus of classrooms.

Local classes would benefit our graduating youth, adults and yes even us oldies.

I would be interested in some answers.

Sep 30, 2007 at 08:09 PM : City Hall in a...

City Hall in a shopping center would be absurd! While it would be a lot closer to me, it would be more difficult for other residents to get to.

I would, however, like to see the corner of Valley and Curry developed. If it's a grocery store, all the better for me. I'm one of those people who prefer to walk if I'm going somewhere in town- it saves fuel, gives me exercise, and gets my son and I out into the fresh air. Right now to get to the stores on Tucker, I have to walk along Cherry St because Valley is too dangerous without sidewalks. Cherry doesn't have a sidewalk either but it at least has a graded dirt walkway along the side out of traffic (not too easy with a stroller though). If Valley & Curry were developed, maybe we could force the developer to widen their sections of the roads, which might spur the city to finally widen Valley and put in sidewalks. Then it could handle the increased traffic and students and other pedestrians would be much safer.

And I couldn't agree more about college classes being offered locally! I'll cross my fingers for that one!

Oct 1, 2007 at 09:10 PM : It was a hot time at...

It was a hot time at City Hall tonight. Apparently Debra Hand got her cronies, Holly Hart among others, together and ambushed Stan Beckham in the meeting. Holly Hart railed on interminably about how Stan had called "some friends of hers" and said that Debra Hand was a smoking dope down at her music store with her musician buddies. As if Stan didn't already have enough ammunition against Debra Hand.

Phil Smith kept rolling his eyes disrespectfully every time Stan would ask Holly Hart who these "friends" were and why weren't they there accusing him instead of her. Thankfully Mayor Grimes put Holly on a three-minute time table. I thought she was going to bust an artery. And, get this, the next guy to stand up was this filthy, skinny guy who said, "That's right, I smoke pot and it's none of your d@mn business." I have never witnessed anything so ridiculous. If this wasn't such a serious forum I would have been rolling in the aisles laughing.

Carl Ghoerke (?) asked the City Attorney if he would start a recall election against Stan and the City Attorney said, "you're on you're own." We all know if anyone needs to be recalled it is Debra Hand.

Hand and Smith are both mad because they cannot vote on the Capital Hills issue because they have a financial interest in where the City Hall goes so they are now trying to divert everyone's attention with a recall election against Stan on some supposed phone call he made.

Something smells fishy here and apparently at minimum Debra Hand in involved and this Carl Ghoerke character. I know I've seen him before at meetings but he always seemed like too much of a buffoon for anyone to take seriously. I guess water seeks its' own level and Hand and Ghoerke have found each other at last.

Our council really doesn't want anything done in the best interest of the public. They just want to undermine Stan even it means voting against everything that the public wants and according to what I am seeing on the poll, the votes are running 2-1 in favor of Capital Hills. I wonder if Jason had something to do with this? I thought I heard that he didn't like Holly Hart? Does anyone know the relationship here?

Oct 1, 2007 at 11:10 PM : ORDER, ORDER! This is...

ORDER, ORDER! This is getting out of Hand! lol OK, I'm a dork and I'm probably the only one who found that funny! Who calls someones friends and tells them...."Hey, your friend is smoking pot at her place of work!"? What are we in third grade?? Wow! Hand must be REALLY desperate! What are the other council members so afraid of? Apparently if you don't agree with Jason 100% there is no place for you on this council. Oh, and Carl is one of Jason's cronies. Big surprise,huh. I'm pretty sure he was the only volunteer the City Fire Dept had. They did this so the Fire Dept could take credit for the firework shows on the 4th of July. Carl was in charge of them.

Oct 1, 2007 at 11:10 PM : The whole crony system...

The whole crony system is like the Energizer bunny...it just keeps going and going and going.

Oct 1, 2007 at 11:10 PM : Not that it matters...

Not that it matters but aren't Holly Hart and Debra Hand sisters?

Oct 17, 2007 at 11:10 AM : TEHACHAPI IS AT THE...

TEHACHAPI IS AT THE FORK IN THE ROAD

We are all interested in the Quality of life in the Tehachapi Valleys. We want a safe environment for our children & grandchildren; we want educational & recreational facilities and programs. We need to realize that “Growth is inevitable, but quality growth is planned”. A quality community takes creative leadership, intelligent planning, and effective implementation. Presently, sorry to say, I think we are short in all three areas, but it's not too late.

I think we are at the fork in the road, which will help determine the quality of Tehachapi's future growth and the quality of life in our valley. The location and design of our City Hall will greatly influence Tehachapi's future image. Let me share some thoughts.

At present I think that Capital Hills is my preferred location. I feel it has many advantages especially when compared to the Curry/Valley (shopping center) location.

Curry/Valley (shopping center) location:

· A "City Hall" in a shopping mall has no class. It's typical of "limited thinking ".

· Will be too small and has no space for expansion.

· Will create unacceptable traffic problems, which will cost a fortune to correct later.

· Addresses only one of Tehachapi’s needs a "city hall"

· Is not visible from 58 hence, will not invite transit/tourist traffic. (Primary drive by image of Tehachapi is a trash/recycling facility, which is not very inviting. We need to improve our image, which presently is set by a trash/recycle facility.)

Capital Hills location would:

· Create a fresh/new city area while retaining the unique original historic Tehachapi sites, which can and should be enhanced.

· Meet the needs of the “greater Tehachapi” area by having adequate space for the City Hall, Civic Center, landscaping, parking, other appropriate community facilities and supporting businesses. (Set desired image or city theme)

· Have excellent access potential to both the freeway and the city, which the developer would be required to provide.

· Have new and adequate infrastructure, which the developer would be required to provide (some is already in place).

· Bring in much needed transit revenue without impacting our way of life.

· Require "thinking outside-the-box" to implement. It will need creative planning, financing and management. Some of our present leaders may not be up to it. The "good-old-boy" style of management will not get the job done. Some also carry too much baggage in nepotism and cronyism history, which will always be a point of contention.

My preference to Capital Hill over Curry/Valley is based on my experience in another southern California city. It had very similar decisions to make (i.e. a historic old town, new valley development, need of a new city hall, civic/cultural center, new regional mall vs existing mall upgrade, freeway transit business, etc. (even leadership problems).

However, after attending the orchestrated “Public Workshop” not a “public hearing” on 8 Oct., which was primarily attended by those living near the city center and resulted in an expected Tehachapi News front page article concluding “Tehachapi Town Hall meeting reveals citizens want new city hall to be ‘centered’ in the city”. I now think the city council should slow down in their decision making and consider alternate locations which would benefit the “Greater Tehachapi” residents not just a limited number centered in the city. Tehachapi never has been and never will be a “walkable” community. It has been, is, and will continue to be a beautiful mountain community, needing cooperative intelligent planning, which will benefit all the residents.

What say You?