Blogs from Stan - packerfan's Blog - Tehachapi News

Blogs from Stan - packerfan's Blog - Tehachapi News http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/packerfan Thank you for your support. I will do everything within my power to listen to your concerns and make the changes you would like to see. Working together, we can make our great City of Tehachapi a safe, healthy and productive community. Thank you for your support. I will do everything within my power to listen to your concerns and make the changes you would like to see. Working together, we can make our great City of Tehachapi a safe, healthy and productive community. en-us Your Tax Dollars At Waste, AGAIN! http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/packerfan/24542 http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/packerfan/24542 <p><span style="font-size: small"><span><span style="font-family: Verdana">Here’s an update for you from Monday’s City Council meeting. In the past we have discussed Mitigation Fees. That Blog has disappeared, so I’ll redefine. Mitigation Fees are the impact fees that the City collects on new construction to offset the cost of water, sewers, new roadways, etc.</span></span></span></p> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: small"> </span></div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: small"><span style="font-family: Verdana">Until recently under David James’ management, mitigation fees were NOT collected up front from the developer because there was some convoluted formula for calculating those fees based upon whether a retail space was going into a new development or a restaurant as each would have a different impact on the infrastructure.</span></span></div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: small"> </span></div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: small"><font face="Verdana">Because these fees were not collected upfront from the developers <b>and the developers were not disclosing these fees to their new tenants UNTIL AFTER the tenant had spent considerable money in tenant improvements</b>, there have been three separate occasions where we as the City have made arrangements for the <b>tenants</b> to repay the City on a contract basis for these mitigation fees.</font></span></div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: small"><font face="Verdana"> </font></span></div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: small"><font face="Verdana">The two most recent instances were Que Pasa and Don Pericos. I argued during the council session that we, the City, were not a bank and the developers were pulling a fast one, to which Mr. Garrett agreed, and that we should not be loaning money even at 0% interest. Even the City Attorney agreed that he did not think the City should be in the business of loaning money. We wanted the developers to pay the fees and work out the situation with their tenants.</font></span></div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: small"><font face="Verdana"> </font></span></div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: small"><font face="Verdana">However, my esteemed colleagues, Mayor Grimes (at the time), Debra Hand, Phil Smith and Linda Vernon, in their infinite wisdom voted 4-1 against me to allow the tenants to repay the City at $3,200 per month over the next 3 years or roughly $115,000. NOW, Que Pasa has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The City is not listed as a creditor even though notice was given. That means the City most likely will never recoup these fees unless David James can come up with a solution.</font></span></div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: small"><font face="Verdana"> </font></span></div> <div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt"><span style="font-size: small"><font face="Verdana">Also, note, Don Pericos wants to renegotiate with the City because, expectedly, the $3,200 per month is eating into their operating margin. <b>If you want to put a stop to this madness, please vote out Mayor Hand and Ed Grimes in November. Their ‘business usual’ attitude is wasting millions of dollars and with the State budget shortfalls that are looming we can’t afford Mayor Hand and Ed Grimes’ way of doing business any longer. </b>Check out </font></span><span style="font-size: x-small"><a href="http://www.stanbeckham.com/"><span style="font-size: small"><font face="Verdana">www.StanBeckham.com</font></span></a><span style="font-size: small"><font face="Verdana"> for more information.</font></span></span></div> Support Main Street Tehachapi http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/packerfan/21088 http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/packerfan/21088 <p> </p> <p><span style="color: #ff0000"><span style="font-family: Verdana"><span style="font-size: small">Join in supporting MAIN STREET TEHACHAPI and have a great time celebrating Valentine's Day!</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="color: #ff0000"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana"><span style="font-size: small">WINE & CHOCOLATE TASTING</span></span></b></span></p> <p><span style="color: #ff0000"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana"><span style="font-size: small">THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14TH, 6:00 - 8:00 PM</span></span></b></span></p> <p><span style="color: #ff0000"><b><span style="font-family: Verdana"><span style="font-size: small">DOWNTOWN TEHACHAPI</span></span></b></span></p> <p><span style="color: #ff0000"><span style="font-family: Verdana"><span style="font-size: small">Pick up your MAIN STREET TEHACHAPI wine glass at THE TEHACHAPI FLOWER SHOP</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="color: #ff0000"><span style="font-family: Verdana"><span style="font-size: small">and off you and your sweetheart go on a tasting of fine wines & chocolates paired together to bring out the best in each other.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="color: #ff0000"><span style="font-family: Verdana"><span style="font-size: small">Your ticket is good for one Main Street Tehachapi wine glass & eight 1 1/2 oz tastes of wine and accompanying treats</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="color: #ff0000"><span style="font-family: Verdana"><span style="font-size: small">Tickets are $20 per person, or $25 the night of the event.  You can pick up your tickets early at:</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="color: #ff0000"><span style="font-family: Verdana"><span style="font-size: small">Main Street Tehachapi, 122 E. Tehachapi Blvd, Suite F</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="color: #ff0000"><span style="font-family: Verdana"><span style="font-size: small">Canine Creek, 979 Valley Blvd, #4</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="color: #ff0000"><span style="font-family: Verdana"><span style="font-size: small">Cottage Carpets, 110 E. Tehachapi Blvd.</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="color: #ff0000"><span style="font-family: Verdana"><span style="font-size: small">Fuller & Fuller Gifts, 125 W. Tehachapi Blvd</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="color: #ff0000"><span style="font-family: Verdana"><span style="font-size: small">Le Marche, 108 E. Tehachapi Blvd</span></span></span></p> <p><span style="color: #ff0000"><span style="font-family: Verdana"><span style="font-size: small">For more information call Michelle 822-6519</span></span></span></p>

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Roses Say I Love You.jpg Roses Say I Love You Requesting Investigative Audit of Tehachapi City Accounting http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/packerfan/19417 http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/packerfan/19417 <p><font color="#0000ff" size="3">At tonight's City Council meeting I will be asking for an <strong>Investigative Audit of the City of Tehachapi's financial records</strong>.  There are people on the council who will undoubtedly take this personally.</font></p> <p><font color="#0000ff" size="3">This is not personal.  As you are aware our former City Manager has just resigned.  He was in office for many years.  The City of Tehachapi is a business and should be run as such.</font></p> <p><font color="#0000ff" size="3">In effect the City Manager is equal to a President or Chief Executive Officer of a business.  The City Council is equal to the Board of Directors of a business.</font></p> <p><font color="#0000ff" size="3">Normal and PRUDENT operating procedure for a large business is to have not only Annual Audits done by an external CPA firm, but to initiate an an Investigative Audit when a high level executive leaves.</font></p> <p><font color="#0000ff" size="3">An Investigative Audit will put to rest any questions the public has about the accountability of funds controlled by the City Council and the City Manager.</font></p> <p><font color="#0000ff" size="3"><strong><font color="#ff0000">IF the council votes this down, my first question will be WHY?</font></strong> IF in fact this happens, I hope you will remember this in November when two seats are up for re-election, Ed Grimes and Deborah Hand.</font></p> <p><font color="#0000ff" size="3">I have spent my entire time in office pulling for the citizens and openness in their government.  I hope you will support this issue by attending this evening.</font></p> <p><font color="#0000ff" size="3">The meeting is at 6:00 p.m. at the Veteran's Hall, 125 East F St.</font></p> TUSD - Student Resource Officer http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/packerfan/18656 http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/packerfan/18656 <p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">For the sake of public disclosure, I did not vote yes on this project.  While I believe wholeheartedly that Chief Kermode has done a fantastic job since he began as our Chief, unfortunately I cannot get behind this project.  At present our city police force is taking up 45% of the City’s budget.  We just hired two new officers and purchased more vehicles.  One of the new hire officers is to ‘backfill’ for the Student Resources Officer as this officer carries out his duties with the TUSD.</font></p> <p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">This SRO, with salary and benefits, costs the City approximately $76,646 per year.  Under the contract, the TUSD will pay ½ of this cost or approximately $36,823 per year.  IF the TUSD can obtain grant funds for this program, their out-of-pocket expense will be reduced by the amount of grant funds.  IF the City or the TPD can obtain grant funds, these funds will be used to reduce the TUSD’s out-of-pocket expenses, NOT the City or TPD’s expenses.</font></p> <p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">While I believe that the programs offered by the TPD have great value, I believe the TUSD should provide their own security and our officers should go onsite to train teachers, security staff, and administration, and respond to calls.  We are a small town and the TPD has rapid response times.</font></p> <p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">The police officers can maintain a high presence on campus with the DARE and GREAT programs without being on campus for a full eight-hour shift.</font></p> <p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">The school district is, and should be, completely responsible for the school children while the children are in their care.  I would prefer to see our police direct their efforts to after school programs when junior high and high school age children are more likely to be unsupervised.  As far as TUSD paying for security, there are grant monies available for this.  </font></p> <p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">If our TUSD board would work together, rather than constantly infighting we might have lockers at the high school.  This was brought to my attention by a blogger.  Is this really true that the high school DOES NOT have lockers for the kids?  What kind of oversight was this?  I’ve never heard of such a thing.</font></p> <p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">I have never forgotten George Orwell’s book 1984 and his prediction that our society would become a police state.  We have moved closer to that than ever before and when I said in the Council Meeting,  "I'm worried about the 'Big Brother" aspect, the school should do their own<br /> security work," I meant exactly that.  I do not like the intrusion of government in our personal lives, especially after 9/11.  This is the slippery slope of government and I do not believe we have a strong need for police personnel on our campuses at this time.</font></p> <p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">This is, of course, a moot argument because the contract was voted in by your City Council.   However, despite what CAJONES said, I do care about the safety of your children, but I strongly believe that the TUSD board needs to address the issue of security and keep this process in-house.<br /> </font></p> Response to Mr. Cajones http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/packerfan/18648 http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/packerfan/18648 <p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">Dear Mr. Cajones, </font></p> <p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">Please do start your recall petition with Mr. Reed IF you have foundation. As for Civics 101, I know better than most the format of Robert’s Rules of Order and I find that I prefer FUNCTION over FORM. If you are so “embarrassed” by my activities, you and Mr. Reed must be very insecure people. I take responsibility for my actions. Why don’t you both do the same? Come to the meetings and address me. </font></p> <p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">Quite frankly I would not mind putting on an RIP (Recall in Progress) button for Mrs. Hand, Mr. Grimes, Mr. Smith and Mrs. Vernon who voted for a $3 million failed fire department. As Mr. Smith says, “That wasn’t a failure, we had coverage during that year.” The County would have provided this coverage for roughly $250 thousand, so we only had a loss of $2.75 million. Yep that was a bargain. These people voted for this program, not me. </font></p> <p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">Perhaps if you knew a little more than just Robert’s Rules of order, let’s say the Brown Act, the FPPA and the Government Code, you would then be qualified to call me on the carpet for my lack of decorum in council chambers. Mayor Grimes only enforces the rules if it is to his benefit to do so. At least I don’t hide my viewpoints in closed session. You, as the public, know where I stand because I say it up front in the council meetings. </font></p> <p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">Mr. Cajones, pray tell what agenda would I have. I don’t have a business at this time like the other council members do. I don’t own a home within less than a quarter-mile of the new Shopping Center development at Valley and Curry like the other council members, and our former City Manager, so I have no property values that will rise with its’ erection. Also, putting the new City Hall in there doesn’t make the City Council meetings more accessible to me, so there go those agendas. Please state what other agendas I might have.  </font></p> <p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">I made a promise to the public during my campaign to look after their tax dollars and weigh the daydreams against fiscal responsibility and this is what I have done. My AGENDA is to hold the City Council accountable to the citizens, which is what the Brown Act is for. The Brown Act explicitly addresses the laws regarding OPEN Public Meetings.  Please tell me if the other council members have lived up to their responsibilities. In my opinion they have not. </font></p> <p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">My experience comes from 30 plus years in the business world, while other council members have had 30 plus years as a counselor at the prison, or a photocopy repairman, or as a Realtor or as a small town shop owner. I’ll match my decisions to theirs any day of the week.</font> </p> DON'T FORGET TO BE AT THE MEETING, IT'S YOUR FUTURE CITY http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/packerfan/15651 http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/packerfan/15651 <p align="center"><font color="#0000ff"><font size="2"><font face="Verdana"><strong>Public Workshop Reminder<br /> Monday, October 8, 2007<br /> 6:00 p.m. at the Veteran's Hall<br /> 125 F Street</strong></font></font></font></p> <font color="#0000ff"><font size="2"><font face="Verdana"> <p align="justify"><br /> This night is set-aside for the citizens of Tehachapi to give their input on what they want their new city hall to be, and where they want it located.</p> <p align="justify"><br /> Your input is crucial because this project is going to affect the citizens of this town and your children and grandchildren for many years.  This is an opportunity for you to weigh in make yourselves heard.</p> <p align="justify"><br /> I've made no secret of the fact that I believe in my best business judgment the Capital Hills location is the best for the citizens of Tehachapi and that is what I am recommending.  I have attached the site plan map for the Capital Hills site.  We would be building on lots 6, 7, 11, 12 and lots 8 and 10 are for future growth.</p> <p align="justify">  <br /> Others feel the shopping center site is best and that is what they are recommending.  I strongly feel that this particular location is not looking far enough into the future.  This is landlocked with nowhere to grow.  This is at Valley and Curry where the fire station is located and the proposed city hall at this site would be the anchor for the shopping center. </p> <p align="justify">This site might fit our needs for 5 to 10 years, but then what?  Those of us still around and possibly your children will have to rebuild at the prices of the market at that time, not in today's dollars.</p> <p align="justify"><br /> I know that the bloggers have been up in arms this week over the incident that happened at City Hall last Monday.  I thank the many that stood in defense of me.  But this is not the time for people to be deciding a crucial and costly issue such as this one based on personal likes and dislikes.  This is your future you are deciding.</p> <p align="justify"><br /> Tower Investments will be at the meeting and can show and tell you more than I could describe about their proposal.  You will have the opportunity to question Tower, your city officials, and any other presenters that show up.  I urge you strongly to do so.</p> <p align="justify"><br /> I can tell you that if the city hall is built in Capital Hills this facility will anchor future medical complexes that can draw better and more healthcare to our area.  I was recently at the Tehachapi Hospital Foundation fundraiser and I was made further aware that if the new medical complexes go in the hospital has a better shot at being built sooner.  This is important.</p> <p align="justify"> <br /> Equally important, Bakersfield College, Cal State and Cerro Coso have all told me that if there was a complex in Tehachapi where they could hold classes they would.  Capital Hills offers us the space to build not only a City Hall, but also four 1,000 sq. ft. rooms that can be used for classes.</p> <p align="justify"><br /> There will be an auditorium that can roughly hold 400 to 500 people and could be segregated space for classrooms.  The auditorium would allow us to bring in some small convention activity and will bring in revenue to the local businesses.  There could be concerts, plays, the symphony and any number of other activities to serve the community.</p> <p align="justify"><br /> There will be plenty of parking and three access and exit points so that traffic shouldn't be a nightmare situation, which could occur at the shopping center location with the main entrance on Valley Blvd.</p> <p align="justify"><br /> From a business and aesthetics perspective, I am so convinced that Capital Hills is the best site that I could go on forever, but I've posted this in my prior blog October 6, 2007.  I would respectfully request that all of you that can possibly be at the meeting to attend and make your decisions from the information provided there.</p> <p align="justify"><font color="#0000ff"><font size="2"><font face="Verdana"></font></font></font></p> <p><font face="Verdana" color="#0000ff" size="2"></font></p> </font></font></font>

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Site_plan2.jpg packerfan NEW CITY HALL & CIVIC CENTER - TOWN MEETING http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/packerfan/15237 http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/packerfan/15237 <p><strong><font size="3">This was supposed to come out in your water bills.  I haven't seen mine yet.  I guess JASON CAUDLE thinks the less lead time he gives you the less people who show up and ask questions.</font></strong></p> <p align="center"><strong><font color="#0000ff" size="3">Public Workshop</font></strong></p> <p align="center"><strong><font color="#0000ff" size="3">Monday, October 8, 2007</font></strong></p> <p align="center"><strong><font color="#0000ff" size="3">6:00 p.m. at the Veteran's Hall</font></strong></p> <p align="center"><strong><font color="#0000ff" size="3">125 F Street</font></strong></p> <p align="left"><strong><font color="#0000ff" size="3">This is still in the preliminary stage.  Two sites have been selected for the future City Hall.  One site, that Jason Caudle is backing, is the proposed shopping center at Valley Blvd & Curry Street.  For you folks that have lived in Tehachapi for a long time, we used to call this the 'Old Pear Orchard.'  This is going to be a nice shopping center, but do we really want our City Hall in a shopping center?</font></strong></p> <p align="left"><strong><font color="#0000ff" size="3">The other site is in Capital Hills and following you will find my reasoning on why I strongly believe this is the better deal for Tehachapi.  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.</font></strong></p> <p align="left"><font color="#0000ff" size="3"><strong>The Capital Hills site has almost 10 acres.  Initially lots 6, 7, 11 and 12 would be developed with lots 8 and 10 used for additional parking and future growth.  To be fiscally responsible, we have to think 10 to 50 years down the road.  </strong><em>With the shopping center site, the City Hall is landlocked and could not be expanded <u>enough</u> to meet future growth needs.  Within 10 - 15 years the whole City Hall would have to be moved and rebuilt at a cost of approximately 3 times the cost today.</em></font></p> <p align="left"><strong><font color="#0000ff" size="3">Tower Investments will build the facility to the City's specifications with NO capital outlay for the City.  They will lease back the facility to the City for 30 years and the City can buy-out the facility at the end of the lease for $1.00.  Tower Investments would, of course, charge interest on the lease.  <em>Compare this to a 30 year mortgage on your home, it works much in the same fashion.</em></font></strong></p> <p align="left"><font color="#0000ff" size="3"><strong>The Capital Hills project could be built much sooner.  The off-sites, i.e., the roads, electrical and sewer are already completed.  Work on the actual facility could begin within weeks not 1 or 2 years from now </strong><em><strong>because the ground has not even been broken on the shopping center yet.</strong>  The way Jason Caudle drags his feet, who knows how long it will take to get the shopping center complex under way.</em></font></p> <p align="left"><font color="#0000ff" size="3"><strong>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).</strong><em>  The shopping mall site would be a City Hall and that's is all.  <strong>Not a</strong> <strong>Multi-purpose structure like the Capital Hills site.</strong></em>  </font></p> <p align="left"><font color="#0000ff" size="3"><strong>In my <em>mind the citizens deserve more than another JASON'S FOLLY.</em></strong></font></p> <p align="left"><font color="#0000ff" size="3"><strong>Many civic groups can use both spaces, there is ample parking room.  </strong><em>The shopping center location would limit parking and there is NO large auditorium planned, that I am aware of and NO amphitheater planned.</em></font></p> <p align="left"><font color="#0000ff" size="3"><strong>Easy access for all off the freeway, even if you don't like waiting for trains.</strong><em>  The main entrance to the shopping mall is off of Valley Boulevard which is already extremely congested with no relief in sight.</em></font></p> <p align="left"><font color="#0000ff" size="3"><strong>We can offset the cost of the Capital Hills site in a number of ways, one of which we could bring in entertainers, much like come to the Crystal Palace, the Fox Theatre and the like in Bakersfield.  We could have a local Summer Concert series in the Amphitheater.  With the wind blowing NNW the train sounds would not be as disrupting.</strong><em>  Nothing of the kind could even be done at the shopping center site.</em></font></p> <p align="left"><font color="#0000ff" size="3"><strong>Using the Capital Hills site as a multi-purpose venue would create some jobs in our area and bring in tourist dollars.  Business entities could use the facility for meetings with hotels within walking distance for their people who need or want to stay in the area.  The Tehachapi Blvd hotels and restaurants could also prosper from this as could the merchants Downtown.  The City hall could certainly have a rack of brochures showing what is available in the area.</strong><em>  The shopping center site offers none of these possibilities.</em></font></p> <p align="left"><strong><font color="#0000ff" size="3">Because the wind typically blows from the NNW, the facility could be used as an evacuation center in case of a train collision with a hazardous spill, or other disaster.</font></strong></p> <p align="left"><font color="#0000ff" size="3"><strong>If the City builds the Civic Center in Capital Hills, Tower Investments has committed to building a Medical Office complex and other business complexes.  When they do that the Hospital will have a better chance of being built.  Tower Investments has already committed to financially assisting building access roads from the freeway to bypass crossing the train tracts.  Quite frankly I don't understand why the TVHD board hasn't already worked out a similar deal with Tower Investments.  Perhaps JoAnn Huckins could give us some insight here?</strong><em>  None of this will happen if the shopping center site is chosen.  <strong>Jason Caudle</strong> doesn't know how to lead and negotiate and <strong>this project is too BIG for him to handle.</strong>  He has no vision and doesn't care what the public needs.  <strong>He is a one dimensional, small time thinker and only wants to build what he can grasp and understand.</strong></em></font></p> <p align="left"><font color="#0000ff" size="3"><strong>AND, the best part yet, Oak Creek Energy has committed to giving us a wind turbine so that the Civic Center will be using Green Energy.  NO this does not mean that an 'ugly' windmill would be on the property.  The windmill can be placed miles away and still provide the energy.</strong></font></p> <p align="left"><strong><font color="#0000ff" size="3">I also spoke with Cathy Hart of Southern California Edison when I was in Sacramento.  SCE has architects on staff who can work with Tower's Architects on other ways to "green" the Civic Center and virtually eliminate its' pollution factor.</font></strong></p> <p align="left"><strong><font color="#0000ff" size="3">OK, so now you have a choice, a multi use Civic Center and City Hall with room to grow for future generations (your kids), or a one dimensional City Hall landlocked in a shopping center with no place to go and NO room to grow.</font></strong></p> <p align="left"><strong><font color="#0000ff" size="3">Now it's time to hear from you and I'll answer your questions, or I'll find out the answer for you.  If you support the Capital Hills site <em>YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE TO SPEAK LOUD AND CLEAR TO YOUR COUNCIL MEMBERS AND SHOW UP AT THE MEETINGS.  OTHERWISE YOUR COUNCIL MEMBERS WILL VOTE WITH JASON CAUDLE AND YOU WILL HAVE A SHOPPING MALL CITY HALL.</em></font></strong></p> <p align="left"><strong><font color="#0000ff" size="3">Best regards,</font></strong></p> <p align="left"><strong><font color="#0000ff" size="3">Stan</font></strong></p> <p align="left"><strong><font color="#0000ff" size="3"></font></strong> </p>

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Caption: Second floor plan
Credit: packerfan

Exterior_views.jpg Exterior views packerfan Site_plan.jpg Site plan packerfan Interior_views.jpg Interior views packerfan First_floor_plan.jpg First floor plan packerfan Second_floor_plan.JPG Second floor plan packerfan New Hall Ambulance Station http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/packerfan/14913 http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/packerfan/14913 <p><font face="Verdana" size="2"><a name="1"></a>Shane recently questioned if the new Hall Ambulance Station was up and running.  The answer is yes!  As of the week of September 12th a new station was added on Woodford-Tehachapi Rd.  </font></p> <p><font face="Verdana" size="2"><a name="2"></a>The representative from Hall ambulance was at the Council Meeting on Monday night to follow-up on some complaints raised by Mrs. Socorro Schmidt.  Hall ambulance acknowledged one instance where they had a disconnect and stated in their letter dated September 12, 2007 that they are adjusting their policies and procedures so that the same circumstance doesn't happen again.</font></p> <p><font face="Verdana" size="2"><a name="3"></a>If you would like to here what the representative said, you can pick up a CD at City Hall and if you would like to see copies of the correspondense referred to herein please call me at 822-1907.</font></p> <p><font face="Verdana" size="2"><a name="4"></a>Also, please know that I am working on the Fire contract to enforce the agreement between the City and the County as soon as possible.</font></p> <p><font face="Verdana" size="2"><a name="5"></a>Best regards,</font></p> <p><font face="Verdana" size="2"><a name="6"></a>Stan Beckham</font></p> Council Member Beckham Attends League of California Cities http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/packerfan/14428 http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/packerfan/14428 <p><a name="1"></a><span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"><font face="Verdana" size="2">SACRAMENTO – Stan Beckham, Council Member represented the City of Tehachapi at the League of California Cities 109<sup>th</sup> Annual Conference, September 5-8, at the Sacramento Convention Center in Sacramento.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </span>“Cities Shaping California’s Future” was the theme of the four day event, at which local government leaders from California’s 478 cities gathered to exchange information and learn new ways to plan for and solve the critical issues faced by California cities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </span>The conference theme encapsulates the importance of local government in the political arena.</font></span></p> <p><span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"><a name="2"></a><font face="Verdana" size="2">Beckham and other attendees were briefed on state legislation of note to cities and issues such as climate change, eminent domain reform, affordable housing, infrastructure, flood control, future water crises, city finance, and economic development.</font></span></p> <p><span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"><a name="3"></a><font size="2"><font face="Verdana">The conference was held at the end of the State Legislative session and Beckham and other attendees were able to walk over to the State Capitol and lobby their representatives for nay votes on bills that would be detrimental to cities and lobby for aye votes on bills that will help the cities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </span>Of particular importance were ACA 8 and AB 887.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </span>The members were urged to pass this bill THIS YEAR.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </span>ACA 8 contains strong constitutional prohibitions AGAINST using eminent domain to take homes, small businesses and churches/houses of worship to convey to a private party.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </span>Voters deserve a chance to vote on this reform.</font></font></span></p> <p><span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"><font size="2"><o:p><font face="Verdana"><font size="2"><a name="4"></a>Another important piece of legislation that was lobbied on was in SUPPORT OF CLEAN UP LEAGISLATION for Local Streets and Roads Funding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </span>While cities and counties appreciate the allocation of $950 million of Proposition 1B funding for local streets and roads in the FY 2007-08 state budget, there were a number of technical FLAWS contained in SB 88 that had to be addressed before the close of session to ensure the efficient distribution of these funds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </span>For instance, clean up and streamline the accountability process to avoid delays in funding and clarify the city/county split of the $950 million allocated for local streets and roads so cities receive $550 million and counties receive $400 million.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </span>There were nine other bills under consideration that also needed lobbying for the sake of the cities.</font></font></o:p></font></span></p> <p><span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"><font size="2"><o:p><a name="5"></a><font face="Verdana"><font size="2">“The conference is an opportunity for our members to celebrate our successes this year,” said Pinole Mayor and League President Maria Alegria.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </span>“Without a doubt, our hard work and success at the local level is helping revitalize California.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </span>But we must continue that dedication, particularly in the areas of infrastructure development, eminent domain reform and expanding affordable housing.”<o:p></o:p></font></font></o:p></font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><strong> <a name="6"></a></strong><font size="2"><font face="Verdana">“The Annual Conference is an opportunity for city officials to come together and share solutions to the challenges we face in preserving local services,” added Alegria.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </span>“We can learn from expert speakers, as well as pool our collective experiences and share new ideas.”</font></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><font face="Verdana" size="2"></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><font size="2"><font face="Verdana"></font></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><font size="2"><font face="Verdana"><o:p></o:p></font></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><font size="2"><font face="Verdana"><o:p></o:p></font></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><font size="2"><font face="Verdana"><o:p><a name="7"></a>Speakers at the conference’s general sessions were John Garamendi, Lieutenant Governor of California, Mark Sanborn, President of Sanborn & Associates, an idea lab dedicated to developing leaders in business and life; surprise speaker Jerry Brown, State Attorney General and Greg Nickels, Mayor of Seattle, Washington who discussed climate change; and Sir Ken Robinson, Ph.D., and internationally recognized leader if the development of creativity, innovation and human resources.</o:p></font></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><font size="2"><font face="Verdana"><o:p></o:p></font></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><font size="2"><font face="Verdana"><o:p></o:p></font></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><font size="2"><font face="Verdana"><o:p><o:p></o:p></o:p></font></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><font size="2"><font face="Verdana"><o:p><o:p></o:p></o:p></font></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><font size="2"><font face="Verdana"><o:p><o:p><a name="8"></a><span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"><font face="Verdana" size="2">Beckham participated in some of the nearly 50 workshops covering city issues, from achieving fiscal stability, to housing innovations and employee relations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </span>Other topics of note at the conference include coalition building, intergovernmental relations, after-school programs, and working with the public and working with the media.</font></span></o:p></o:p></font></font></p> <p><a name="9"></a><span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"><font face="Verdana" size="2">An exposition introduced attendees to vendors who offer innovative products and services to help city officials supply the services needed by city residents and businesses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </span>The theme of the exposition offered many ideas on green energy and recycling to save cities money.</font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"> <a name="91"></a><span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"><font face="Verdana" size="2">“The conference theme, ‘Cities Shaping California’s Future,’ stresses the impact cities have in the overall success and growth of California,” said League Executive Director Chris McKenzie.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </span>“The conference is a wonderful time to celebrate what we have accomplished, but also help inspire and inform city leaders so they can better lead their cities in this increasingly complex world.”</font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"><font face="Verdana" size="2"></font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"><font face="Verdana" size="2"></font></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"><a name="92"></a><span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"><font face="Verdana" size="2">On August 30<sup>th</sup>, Congressman McCarthy met with Beckham, who is a Vietnam veteran, in Bakersfield to seek Beckham’s input and discuss the VA Medical Facility here and the ones in Southern California to better understand the facilities and how to correct some of the problems for these citizens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </span>Beckham will continue to work with Congressman McCarthy and local Veteran’s associations to clean up this process.</font></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"><font face="Verdana" size="2"></font></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"><font face="Verdana" size="2"></font></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"><a name="92"></a><font size="2"><font face="Verdana">Since taking office Beckham has spent his time keeping the new city hall and civic center project moving forward, airport growth, eliminating the cost of an obviously unnecessary city fire department, taking the required courses to be a city official, attending conferences and interacting with mayors, city managers, city planners and city council members from all over California.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </span>Beckham is noting the ideas that have worked for other cities and is bringing those ideas that are feasible for Tehachapi to the citizens of Tehachapi.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </span>Being a Council Member is a full time job when one takes the job seriously.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </span>As noted above the city has tremendous challenges coming and the city needs leadership from the CITY COUNCIL to meet these challenges.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </span>You will be seeing more details in the coming months as to projects that are underway to meet some of these challenges.</font></font></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"><font size="2"><font face="Verdana"></font></font></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"><font size="2"><font face="Verdana"><font size="2"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"><strong></strong></span></font></font></font></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"><font size="2"><font face="Verdana"><font size="2"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"><strong></strong></span></font></font></font></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"><font size="2"><font face="Verdana"><font size="2"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"><strong><a name="95"></a><font face="Verdana" size="2">Beckham is working hard for the citizens of Tehachapi to keep the governmental process moving forward and not letting it get bogged down with minutia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </span>This is done with leadership, making decisions and moving forward.</font></strong></span><o:p></o:p></font></font></font></span></span></p> HENRY L. SCHAEFFER ELECTION RESULTS http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/packerfan/1137 http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/packerfan/1137 <p><font face="Verdana" size="2"><a name="1"></a>The election results are finally in and certified.  Unfortunately Henry did not garner enough votes as a write-in candidate to make it on the council.  On the upside, the number of votes he received for being a write-in candidate is impressive and definitely should send a message that the electorate of Tehachapi is taking back control of their City Council.</font></p> <p><font face="Verdana" size="2">I will need your input and support on the passing of ordinances if I meet with opposition on items on the agenda that are the wishes of the citizens of Tehachapi.</font></p> <p><font face="Verdana" size="2">Here are the final "final" vote results for the November 7, 2006 election:</font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" align="center"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" align="center"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"></font></p> <div style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" align="left"><font face="Verdana" size="3"> <div align="center"></div> <div align="center"></div> <div align="center"></div> <div align="center"></div> <div align="center"></div> <div align="center"><a name="2"></a>KERN COUNTY ELECTION RESULTS AS REPORTED BY CAROL AND ANN BARNETT OF THE KERN COUNTY ELECTIONS OFFICE ON 12/05/06 @ 9:08 A.M.</div> <div align="center"></div> <div align="left"><font color="#0000ff"><a name="3"></a>STAN BECKHAM - 965 - 23.51%; </font></div> <div align="left"><font color="#0000ff"><a name="4"></a>PHIL SMITH - 931 - 22.69%;</font></div> <div align="left"><font color="#0000ff"><a name="5"></a>LINDA S. VERNON - 827 - 20.15%;</font></div> <div align="left"><a name="6"></a>MARIANA B. TEEL - 780 - 19.01%;</div> <div align="left"><a name="7"></a>HENRY L. SCHAEFFER - 577 - UNKNOWN.</div> <div style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" align="center"> </div> <div style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" align="center"></div> <div style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" align="center"></div> <div style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" align="center"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"></span></div> <div style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" align="center"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"></span><a name="8"></a> </div> <div align="center"></div> </font></div> <div style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" align="left"><font face="Verdana" size="3"></font></div> <div style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" align="left"><font face="Verdana" size="3"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA">Per Carol and Ann Barnett at Kern County Elections Office 12/05/2005 @ 9:08 a.m.</span></font></div> <div style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" align="left"><font face="Verdana" size="3"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"></span></font></div> <div style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" align="left"><font face="Verdana" size="3"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"></span></font></div> <div style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" align="left"><font face="Verdana" size="3"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"></span></font></div> <div style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" align="left"><font face="Verdana" size="3"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"></span></font></div> <div style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" align="left"><font face="Verdana" size="3"></font></div> <div style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" align="left"><font face="Verdana" size="3"></font></div> <div style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" align="left"><font face="Verdana" size="3"></font></div> <div style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" align="left"><font face="Verdana" size="3"><a name="9"></a>Stan Beckham</font></div> Thank you for your support! http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/packerfan/887 http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/packerfan/887 <font face="Verdana" size="3">First, my thanks to all of you who turned out to vote today for the candidates and ballot initiatives of your choice.  And, personally, thank you for your support.<br /> <br /> <a name="1"></a>Many of you have contacted me to ask why the KGOV channel is not posting the outlying areas' election results and why there are still only 1 of 4 precincts for the City of Tehachapi showing as being counted (as of 12:30 a.m.)?<br /> <br /> <a name="2"></a>I just spoke with Ann Barnett and she explained that the KGOV broadcast is being generated from their Web site and the Web site refreshes every 5 minutes.  When it refreshes it throws the page you are viewing back to the top which, is the Governor's race.  The length of scroll time from the Governor's results to the Sheriff's results is about 5 minutes and, you guessed it...the city council races follow that, also the propositions.  So, unless you have access to the Kern County Clerks' Web site from a computer, the results of the elections won't be showing on television.  Their web site address is <br /> <a href="http://elections.co.kern.ca.us/elections/results/Nov06/default.htm">http://elections.co.kern.ca.us/elections/results/Nov06/default.htm</a><br /> <br /> <a name="3"></a>Next, Ann assured me that all the precincts from Tehachapi have been received, but what is slowing up the counting process is the very heavy write-in voting for Henry.  I believe this means good news for Henry, because from what I've heard Henry was being written in a lot.  Also, the one precinct you were seeing this evening was the absentee ballots that the county had already received by mail.  The count won't be 'unofficially' completed until Wednesday morning.<br /> <br /> <a name="4"></a>Lastly, a sincere word of thanks to the Tehachapi News, editor Carin Enovijas, and the staff,  for allowing all of us to participate in their blog forum and for allowing me to campaign heavily on their blog forum.  While this practice is commonplace in larger cities, this is relatively new to the Tehachapi news and they should be applauded for their efforts in delivering a platform which allows the citizens of Tehachapi a forum for freedom of speech.<br /> <br /> <a name="5"></a>Thanks again for all of your support and encouragement throughout the campaign and now onward and upward from here.  Please keep those thoughts and questions coming.<br /> <br /> Best regards,<br /> <br /> Stan<br /> </font> Rebuttal to Phil Smith and Mariana Teel http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/packerfan/835 http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/packerfan/835 <font face="Verdana"> <div style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">I was promted to write this because of a "blind blog post" done by 'beenthere' <a href="http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/viewarticle.php?cat_id=383&post=23767">http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/viewarticle.php?cat_id=383&post=23767</a><br /> <br /> You would think that only people who keep abreast of the issues would dare put a statement like that in writing.  Go figure!<br /> <br /> Dear Mr. or Ms. 'beenthere',</div> <div style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> </div> <div style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">            First it is NOT mudslinging or negative campaigning when the statements being made can be verified and are the truth. The fact that you are not a student of the news does not make what is said a half-truth. </div> <div style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> </div> <div style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">            It is NOT for anyone to have to prove anything to you. You need to do your own investigation of the facts as I have. The information is all out there for you to find. But you are like a lot of people, you want someone to do the research and thinking for you and then you can sit back and “try” to throw rocks. That’s the easy way out. So far you have not done your homework. </div> <div style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> </div> <div style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">            First, go to the City’s Web site. Then actually read the newspaper for several months back. Not just the Tehachapi News, but also the Mojave and California City papers for the whole story. Then talk with people who know what they are talking about. They can discuss the upside and the downside to all of the issues. Only then you can take a stand, make your decisions and call me a liar, or not qualified for the job.</div> <div style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> </div> <div style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">            And, by the way, when I am elected, and I will be, if Mrs. Teel is re-elected she will find it to her benefit to work with me. I will be demanding on behalf of the citizens of Tehachapi. I will demand that David James and Jason Caudle do their jobs to your benefit. You may find me combative, but that is the excuse weak people use when confronted with a demand for ethics, high standards and professionalism.</div> <div style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> </div> <div style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">            Not one thing I have stated in this campaign has been a lie or half-truth, or wild accusation as you call it. </div> <ol style="MARGIN-TOP: 0in" type="1"> <li style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Is Jason Caudle not the son-in-law of Mariana Teel?</li> <li style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">What exactly was Jason Caudle’s work experience prior to being appointed to the mighty position of City Manager? Was he not just an intern for Steve Perez?</li> <li style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Did not the city council abdicate their power by placing all the authority in the hands of this inexperienced person? </li> <li style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Did he not hire Tim McLaughlin; a co-worker of Ms. Teel's as the Fire Chief, even though Mr. McLaughlin has absolutely no experience in fire service? </li> <li style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Did not Mr. McLaughlin then hire his son and promote him to captain, a young man who also has absolutely no fire experience? </li> <li style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Has not the City of Tehachapi spent $3,000,000 to develop a Fire Department, only to turn around and spend $100,000 to find out if they’ve done the right thing?</li> <li style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">During the recent HAZMAT incident with the railroad, did you see our City Fire Department in ANY of the photos that were taken by the press? No, it was the County Fire Department handling that little crisis.</li> <li style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Has not the City Council condoned and ratified all of these actions?</li> <li style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">As for the new police department, doesn’t the plan in front of your face show that they will be undermanned and inexperienced as well?</li> <li style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Do you understand what will happen with an undermanned and inexperienced police department? The criminals are quick. They already have this figured out and will run circles around these people. That means your property and your life could very well be at stake.</li> <li style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Why do we constantly have to hire consultants? David James was hired as the City Planning Director. If we need a consultant for that, then we don’t need David James and his pithy attitude.</li> <li style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">And, as Mr. Smith says, “…our general plan is decades old and revisions are not keeping up with the will of the people…” Don’t you think it would have been nice to recognize this, and he should have with his 20 years of experience, BEFORE planning to build 2,500 new homes and more than doubling our population within THREE YEARS? Use some common sense. And now, there is a sudden moratorium on building (close to the election) and they are looking at hiring another consultant for $100,000 to review the city plan and tell them where they went wrong. As usual, closing the barn door AFTER the horse is loose.</li> </ol> <div style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> </div> <div style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">            And by the way, Jason Caudle was going to announce the name of the new Chief of Police on November 1<sup>st</sup>. As of this writing no such announcement has been made even though a job want ad was placed for a secretary for this individual. Surely even Jason Caudle isn’t stupid enough to hire his former boss Steve Perez and bring a Grand Jury investigation down on the City of Tehachapi!!!</div> <div style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> </div> <div style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">            You accuse me of bashing the “job of serving our city.” I am not bashing the job, I am bashing the civil servants who are clearly becoming antiquated and outclassed, who have not used their common sense and who have cost us millions in taxpayer dollars that could have been better spent elsewhere. I am bashing our system of no term limits where the mayor is elected by popularity vote of the city council and not by the people. That is why they have been able to play musical chairs all these years. That is called backroom politics for your edification (look it up.)</div> <div style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> </div> <div style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">            I applaud anyone who gives of his or her time to this crucial civil service function because the monetary reimbursement is not there. But, the NEPOTISM and CRONYISM HAS TO STOP. Change has to be made because your city council is NOT listening to the citizens. As the lady said, just read Mariana Teel’s statement above, it doesn’t make any sense. And, we need term limits. Time has moved on and way past the system of government we currently have in our City. Change has to be made.</div> <div style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> </div> <div style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">            You are the one spreading half-truths and innuendo when you infer that I am not a citizen of Tehachapi. My family moved here in 1948. My father was a local businessman. I went to local schools, played football as a Tehachapi Warrior and then went on to college. I went to Vietnam and served my country. I then worked for Lloyd’s Bank in international banking along with the federal government. After retirement with Lloyd’s I owned a small business and sold that out successfully and moved back to Tehachapi, my home. I have lived continually in Tehachapi for the past 20 years.</div> <div style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> </div> <div style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">            Phil Smith made the innuendo that I have funds from special interests because I have “fancy signs, mailers and ads.” I have funded my campaign completely on my own and have accepted endorsements from no one. Phil Smith obviously didn’t sign the same ethics pledge that I did regarding slander when I turned in my campaign package, because he did not state the truth and has no facts to back up his statement. </div> <div style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> </div> <div style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">            Phil Smith and Mariana Teel did not even spend the $500 to put ANY information about themselves on the voters’s ballot. Campaigning is called applying for the job. These two have NOT even applied for the job. The only reason you saw the statements they made above is that it was offered for FREE by the Tehachapi News.</div> <div style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> </div> <div style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">            I challenge YOU to prove any of the innuendo that you have put in your Blog. Quote me chapter and verse and I’ll be happy to continue this debate. I also challenge you to put your name out there and quit hiding behind your computer if you really have a stand and really have something to say.</div> <div style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> </div> <div style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">            More facts and proof on Teel and her ethics regarding the Nunes Ranch Property to come; watch for it.</div> <div style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> </div> <div style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Stan Beckham</div> </font> VOTE for STAN BECKHAM. Change Tehachapi City Council, Tuesday, Nov. 7th http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/packerfan/700 http://www.tehachapinews.com/home/Blog/packerfan/700 <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">VOTE for STAN BECKHAM for Tehachapi City Council.</font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">My name is Stan Beckham.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </span>I am running for City Council and I am asking for your vote.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </span>My name is on the ballot because I read the instructions and met the requirements, ON TIME!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </span>I guarantee you I am not your usual slick politician with rehearsed and scripted answers for every question.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </span>I will tell you what I believe, based on what I’ve learned from my years of experience in this city, in corporate business, in owning a small business, in security and the military.</font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></font></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">Accordingly, I will be open to your concerns and questions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </span>For this reason I have established a Web site that I will keep up and running where YOU can have a TRULY OPEN forum.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </span>Your political speech will NOT be edited on my Web site.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </span>Go to </font><a href="http://www.stanstanding4u.com/"><font face="Times New Roman" color="#800080" size="3">www.StanStanding4U.com</font></a><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </span>The sight is currently under construction, but within a few days there will be a blog section open to everyone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </span>Free and un-edited political debate is what built our Great Country; this is why you should VOTE for STAN BECKHAM.</font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></font></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">Those of you wanting change and a positive direction in our City Council will find that we agree on many of the major and important issues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </span>I give you my oath that I will demand the highest quality from those that serve you, demand better negotiated contracts, and demand transparency in your city government to make it easier for you to stay abreast of what is going on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </span></font></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></font></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">Our small businesses will cease getting the run-around from City Hall because of the heavy-handed running of these departments by our City Manager Jason Caudle (current Council Member and Former Mayor Mariana Teel’s son-in-law) and David James, our Planning Director with his disrespectful attitude towards the citizens and the planning commission.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">  They forget they work FOR the City Council who represent the citizens of Tehachapi and, in Mr. James' case, he works FOR the Planning Commission, not the other way around.<br /> </span><br /> Our small businesses should THRIVE.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">  There is no reason to build our city income simply on tax revenues from overbuilt housing.  We have many other assets to offer to bring in money and the Chamber of Commerce needs our support in planning for this vision.  </span>VOTE for STAN BECKHAM.</font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman"><br /> Our children should not have to move away because they can't find a decent job in our community that pays a living wage.  With proper leadership, we can plan and build a city to be proud of!<br />  <o:p></o:p></font></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">I've been watching the blogs and news articles regarding the 'new' fire department, the new police department, a new hospital, and so on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </span>First we had a tremendous amount of new home building that was going to proceed, then, “just before elections”, a sudden MORATORIUM on building until a $100,000 consultant can tell the city where they went wrong!</font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></font></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman">These sudden “surprises” are nothing but inexperience, mismanagement, lack of leadership and complete disorganization.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </span>ELECT me, STAN BECKHAM and I will give my all to make the changes and bring professionalism and common sense to our city government.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </span></font></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></font></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">I am embarrassed that our city council has given up their power to Jason Caudle and David James.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </span>The council has abdicated its’ responsibility to the community and allowed these two incompetents to completely rip this city to pieces.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </span>This last statement has been proven by the continuing ineptness that has been displayed of late and reported somewhat in the local news, but mostly on your blogs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </span>Your BLOGS prove the discontent of the people.</font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></font></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">Registered voters of the City of Tehachapi will be seeing a postcard mailer from me coming out within the next few days briefly outlining why you should vote for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </span>If you would like a yard sign, please call 822-1907.</font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></font></font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><font face="Times New Roman" size="3">Things that make me wonder:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </span>“I read the Tehachapi News along with many other papers, and interestingly enough, I find more detailed information about our City Council Meetings in the California City Newspaper.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </span>Hmmm!”</font></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><font size="3"><font face="Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></font></font></p>