Fund ready to distribute $200,000 to Wild Horse Organizations for Long-Term Care of Horses

The Bureau of Land Management, Take Pride in America® and Ford Motor Company announced today that more than $200,000 raised for the Save the Mustangs fund is ready for distribution to eligible wild horse and equine rescue groups to help place thousands of mustangs into private, long-term care.

The Save the Mustangs fund, established in May 2005 by Ford Motor Company in collaboration with the BLM and Take Pride in America, builds public awareness and support for wild horses. In less than a year, the fund has generated more than $200,000 in contributions, including Ford’s financial support for 2,000 horses and has educated more than one million visitors through an informational Website, www.savethemustangs.org.

The BLM, which manages more than 32,000 free-roaming horses and burros on public lands, places thousands of these animals into good private care each year.

Take Pride in America, which administers the Save the Mustangs fund, will distribute money to qualified wild horse and equine rescue groups that purchase horses.

“As we promised last spring, the goal of the Save the Mustangs program was to provide wild horses with a sustainable future and we're delivering on that promise as we assist those who are offering loving homes for the mustangs,” said Ziad Ojakli, Ford Group Vice President of Corporate Affairs. “I am very proud of the contributions that Ford and other mustang lovers have been able to make in preserving such a marvelous icon of American freedom.”

BLM Director Kathleen Clarke said, “The growth of the Save the Mustangs fund and the upcoming distribution of the money raised, is good news for all who care about America’s wild horses and burros. I want to thank all of the donors, especially Ford Motor Company, for supporting our agency’s efforts to ensure good homes for America’s mustangs, which are a living symbol of our nation’s Western spirit.”

Charged with maintaining public lands and protecting America’s historic and cultural resources, Take Pride in America is committed to supporting wild horses as living legacies of Western history and is encouraged by the initiatives of private corporations, such as Ford, that contribute to natural resource stewardship. “Save the Mustangs is a program that not only protects the legacy of our wild horses and burros, but also exemplifies a creative solution between the American public and a private organization, a true representation of a cooperative effort,” said Michelle L. Cangelosi, Executive Director of Take Pride in America.

In letters being sent this week to more than 300 non-profit wild horse and equine rescue organizations, the BLM is urging the groups to buy saleable wild horses and to apply for financial assistance from the Save the Mustangs fund to help them in providing for the horses’ long-term care.

To qualify for the funds, groups must verify their non-profit status by documenting their 501(c)3 standing; must show that they have the capability to care for purchased horses; and must demonstrate to the satisfaction of the BLM and Take Pride in America that they will provide for the long-term care of the animals.

The BLM manages wild horses and burros under the authority of the 1971 Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act. Congress amended this law in December 2004, when it directed the bureau to sell wild horses and burros that are either more than 10 years old or have been passed over for adoption at least three times. Since that time, the Bureau has sold more than 1,700 wild horses and burros. Currently, more than 8,000 are eligible for sale.

The BLM’s sales program is separate from its wild horse and burro adoption program, under which the agency has placed more than 208,000 wild horses and burros into private care since 1973.

For further information about the sales program, see www.blm.gov; for adoption information, see www.wildhorseandburro.blm.gov/.

The bureau, which is authorized by the 1971 law to make necessary removals of wild horses and burros from the public lands, seeks to keep herd populations at a level that allows them to thrive in balance with other rangeland resources and uses. In managing the public lands for multiple uses, the BLM has determined that the public rangelands under its jurisdiction can support a free-roaming population of 28,000 wild horses and burros.

Take Pride in America® is a national partnership program that enables individuals, civic groups, corporations, and others to volunteer in caring for the lands shared by all Americans. Take Pride's goal is to instill an active sense of ownership and responsibility in every citizen for the nation's natural, cultural, and historic resources.
For more information, visit www.TakePride.gov.

Gall graduates basic training

Navy Seaman David G. Gall, son of Teresa S. and Robert F. DeBruyne of Tehachapi, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill.

During the eight-week program, Gall completed a variety of training which included classroom study and practical instruction on naval customs, first aid, firefighting, water safety and survival and shipboard and aircraft safety. An emphasis was also placed on physical fitness.

The capstone event of boot camp is Battle Stations. This exercise gives recruits the skills and confidence they need to succeed in the fleet. Battle Stations is designed to galvanize the basic warrior attributes of sacrifice, dedication, teamwork and endurance in each recruit through the practical application of basic Navy skills and the core values of Honor, Courage and Commitment. Its distinctly Navy flavor was designed to take into account what it means to be a sailor.

Gall is a 2005 graduate of Tehachapi High School of Tehachapi.

The metabolic syndrome epidemic

Metabolic syndrome, also known as syndrome X, is soon to become the leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease worldwide. Smoking has always been considered the leading risk factor for heart disease in the past. However, metabolic syndrome is now being looked upon as the number one risk factor in the new medical literature.

Here is an important statistic from Diabetes Care medical journal: there are nearly 250 million adults worldwide today, 80 percent of whom will die from cardiovascular disease. However, those diabetics who also meet the criteria for metabolic syndrome are at a two-fold risk of dying from a stroke or heart attack than those who do not have the syndrome.

Diagnostic criteria

The diagnostic criteria for metabolic syndrome are as follows:

• Dyslipidemia (high triglycerides and low HDL)

• Elevated blood pressure

• Central obesity

• High fasting glucose, impaired glucose tolerance, insulin resistance or plain old diabetes mellitus

Nearly half of the population will die from a cardiovascular event. In addition, the leading cause of these cardiovascular conditions is now being recognized as metabolic syndrome, or syndrome X.

According to the data from the Third National Health and Nutritional Survey from 1988 to 1994, 50 million Americans (25 percent of the population in the U.S.) met the diagnostic criteria for metabolic syndrome. The Framingham Heart Study Statistics later confirmed these figures. The Framingham study demonstrated that the metabolic syndrome alone predicted an approximately 25 percent incident of new-onset coronary disease.

Physician and patient awareness

Several years ago, before I met my wife, she went to several doctors and told them that she believes she fit the criteria for metabolic syndrome. She states that doctors looked at her as if she was crazy. Physicians felt offended because she talked about something they had not yet heard about.
Since that time, metabolic syndrome has appeared extensively in medical literature. Interestingly, according to recent medical surveys, physicians continue to be unfamiliar with this condition and often fail to diagnose their patients with this syndrome.

Diagnosing syndrome X

In diagnosing syndrome X, a physician needs to measure abdominal girth. Think of this as a new vital sign. This is for the measurement of central obesity. Measurement should be done at the level of the naval (the belly button). For caucasian women, 35 inches or greater and for caucasian men, 40 inches or greater, would meet the criterion. Although not directly related to metabolic syndrome, weight is important. However, weighing a patient without height is not very meaningful. Use a conversion chart on the wall for body mass index.

As for blood pressure, we have become increasingly aware over recent year the blood pressure of 140/90 is high. We should target for 130-80 or even lower depending on risk factors.

Healthcare providers also need to be educated about patients’ ethnic backgrounds. The definition of central obesity and even HDL may differ from one ethnic group to another and from one race to another. For example, Asian men with abdominal girth of over 35 inches and women over 30 inches would meet the criterion.

As physicians, we need to update ourselves with changing criteria and definitions. Definitions of elevated blood sugar levels have been constantly changing over the years. For example, now we know that fasting sugar over 115 may be high or may be even over 100. Unfortunately, the blood tests for glycemia (sugar levels) are not always very reliable. Reliability of blood tests for gestational diabetes in pregnancy is worse. I cannot tell you how often I have delivered diabetic babies from mothers whose sugar tests were completely normal during their pre-natal care. Moreover, insulin resistance is as serious a problem as diabetes itself as it relates to metabolic syndrome.

Conclusion

Considering the epidemic of metabolic syndrome in the United States, you need to consult your physician if you think you are at risk. Have you physician do the appropriate testing that meets the diagnostic criteria. If you have a family history on top of all the risk factors, I suggest you find a physician who takes keen interest in this area. Considering the fact that you are likely to die from cardiovascular disease rather than anything else, work for this syndrome should be one of the most essential parts of your basic healthcare offered to you by your healthcare provider.

Any questions with regard to metabolic syndrome are welcomed at healtharetoday@hotmail.com/.

Letter: Congratulations to Jake’s

On behalf of Main Street Tehachapi, I want to congratulate Jake's Steak House on winning the Sterling Silver Certificate from the Southern California Restaurant Writers, Inc. We are very proud of Jake's and all our Downtown eating establishments. They are a major reason to come Downtown on a regular basis and enjoy the cuisine.

— Ron James,
Manager Main Street Tehachapi, Inc.

Letter: Point of view outside Wal-Mart website

In response to Sam Walden’s Letter to the editor regarding Wal-Mart: you don’t suppose that the information about all the good that Wal-Mart does and the “high” wages they pay, that comes to you courtesy the Wal-Mart website might be just a little lopsided?

The only reason the “average” wages are over $10 an hour is because the managers and executives make considerably more than that, while the workers get stiffed. Even at $10 an hour, if you are only allowed to work 30 hours a week, therefore not qualifying for benefits, what good does that do for a struggling family?

As to saving gas by not having to go down the hill, even if we had three WalMarts here in town, most people will still have to go down the hill for many reasons. The secret to saving gas is to plan your trips and accomplish several things in one trip. I use it as an excuse to see my grandchildren. I don’t care if it is considered wasting fuel to Mr. Walden

— Anne Crawshaw

Continuation of comments regarding traffic issues

For the past few weeks, we have discussed the speed limit on Red Apple Avenue and other traffic issues.

The numerous submissions on this topic indicate that many readers want our community to be aware of regulations and driving patterns that can cause vehicle accidents.

Following are more responses on the traffic issue:

For many motorists it is just human nature to drive faster than the speed limit.

This has got to be considered when setting speed limits on the roads, especially in a residential area where children and animals are present.

Forty-five mph is definitely too fast for Red Apple Avenue. It is a residential community and it should be lowered to 35 mph to keep it safer.

There have been too many accidents on the 202 in the last few weeks. I think that we all need to realize that vehicles have the potential to be killing-machines.

A Caltrans worker was killed, another one seriously injured and a 6-year-old girl died recently. Then there was another injury wreck involving children just a few days later.

Motorists should not be passing on the 202; it is barely wide enough to allow two cars traveling in opposite direction to clear. People are dying needlessly.

I would like Caltrans and the County to install the flapper dividers that warn drivers they are too close and/or widen the 202, install a double yellow line, and eliminate the passing zones.

Our children are on the school buses that travel on that road all the time. Please, let’s all slow it down and stop passing cars on the 202. It's just not safe; plain and simple!

— Christine Froehlich

As it has been brought up that Red Apple Avenue has been declared by Tehachapi School District and the CHP to be unsafe for school bus stops, I think that as travelers of this road, you should know that the school district expects our son and other elementary school students to walk down from the bus stop at 202 and Sierra Vista Red Apple and then Cross this newly designed freeway to reach their safe haven homes.

I will not allow my son to become a victim like the dog of a neighbor, or our own cat of six years. He must go to after-school day care until he can be picked up. What will it take for people to realize this is a residential area? There are kids and bike riders (more so now).Maybe people are driving too fast to see them.

Also, how long is it going to be before someone rear ends our cars as we turn into our driveways? Let me say it again, in case no one noticed, Red Apple is a residential area. Slow down regardless of what time you "wanted to get home".
Thank you,

— Theresa Satton
Red Apple resident

In reference to your observation of the difference in posted speed limits between Tehachapi Boulevard and Red Apple. Speed limits are usually established by a traffic engineer after the collection of extensive data.

Such a survey and study was completed on both Tehachapi Boulevard and Valley Boulevard/State 202 a number of years ago. The recommendation for both was to adjust the speed limits to 40 mph. Part of the reason for the survey was to allow the use of radar to detect vehicles exceeding the posted speed limits and cite the operators.

Without the survey, a radar detected violation, usually will not withstand court challenge. History tells us that the Valley Boulevard section between Curry Street and Beech Street was changed form 35 mph to 40 mph and the state established limit was carried west to Woodford Tehachapi Road.

So what about Tehachapi Boulevard you ask? Well it would seem that the members of the City Council at the time were more interested in the economic well-being of their friends who owned businesses on the boulevard than they were in traffic control. So in their ultimate wisdom they kept the speed limit at 35 mph between Dennison and Tucker Roads. My own experience on this section of the Boulevard has been that driving under 40 to 45 mph. is hazardous and many passing by.

Enforcement? Nearly impossible without radar due to the legal requirements relative to establishing the speed of the vehicle being "clocked". As for Red Apple, ask the County Traffic Engineer how the 45 mph. limit was established.

—R.R. Bakman

Editor’s Note: Read the article “Speed limts are set my state code” in this week’s edition of the Tehachapi News. To make comments or suggestions, write to www.tehachapinews.com/.

Car veers up embankment

A car was found precariously positioned on an embankment in Stallion Springs after it left the road in the 1800 block of Sacramento Way.

At approximately, 8:40 a.m. on March 27 the SUV veered from the road and up the embankment.

When Stallion Springs Chief Brad Burris found the car and saw that it was tipping on its side, he ordered a skip loader to prevent the car from rolling over.

Calvin Harrison, an equipment operator for the Stallion Springs Community Services District, responded and positioned the loader so that Kern County Fire Department personnel could extract the driver and her 11-year-old daughter.

Although her daughter was not injured, the driver was transported by Hall Ambulance to the Tehachapi Hospital with minor injuries.

“Remind people to slow down and not let cell phones, coffee cups, CDs and other passengers distract you when you are driving,” Burris said.

KCFD Engine No. 16 from Bear Valley and Engine No. 12 responded to the incident.

County judge okays expansion of Tejon industrial complex

Tejon Ranch Company is clear to move ahead with Tejon Industrial Complex following Kern County Superior Court Judge Kenneth Twisselman’s recent ruling dismissing the last legal challenges to the expansion of the commercial and industrial business park community.

The Kern County Board of Supervisors originally approved the 1,109-acre expansion of Tejon Industrial Complex in 2003, but that approval was set aside when Judge Twisselman ordered the county to do additional work on the Environmental Impact Report in response to a lawsuit filed by the Center for Biological Diversity and several other no-growth groups.

In response to the court’s ruling, the county prepared a supplemental analysis to the EIR and in November 2005 the board of supervisors again approved the expansion of Tejon Industrial Complex. In doing so, the Board specifically noted the quality of the development plan and the economic impact of the master planned industrial and commercial center. Tejon Industrial Complex will generate thousands of jobs and millions of dollars in tax revenue for the county.

Judge Twisselman rejected arguments presented by attorneys for the Center for Biological Diversity and ruled the supplemental analysis prepared by the county satisfied his original court order, which had called for additional air quality analysis and the correction of two minor technical errors in the biological report.

“We congratulate the Kern County Planning Department and the County Counsel’s office. They did an excellent job,” said Robert A. Stine, president and CEO of Tejon Ranch Company. “We are pleased to have this issue behind us so we can move ahead with our vision for Tejon Industrial Complex, a vision that involves preserving California’s legacy and providing for California’s future. We believe Tejon Industrial Complex does both by creating jobs and economic opportunity for thousands and by helping to improve the air quality in the San Joaquin Valley.”

Stine was referring to Tejon’s voluntary program to reduce air emissions.

Through a contract with the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District, Tejon Ranch established a fund the district is using to pay for the replacement of older polluting diesel engines. The program is already underway and engines are in the process of being replaced throughout the San Joaquin Valley air basin.

When they again approved the expansion of Tejon Industrial Complex last November, the supervisors were uniformly complimentary of Tejon Ranch’s efforts to clean the air.

"To have fully offset air quality impacts is something they ought to be commended for," said fourth district supervisor and Chairman Ray Watson. "You can't ask for a higher standard of development, in my opinion."

“Tejon Ranch should be congratulated for its efforts to clean the air,” added fifth district supervisor Michael Rubio. “The company is serving as a model that others should follow.”

Second district supervisor Don Maben also decried the delay created by the original lawsuit.

“This project has already created a thousand jobs and by now would have likely created another thousand and improved the quality of life for those holding those jobs, if there wasn’t this delay,” Maben said. “It’s a shame this had to take almost three years.”

Tehachapi substation arrest and felony log

Periodically, the Tehachapi News runs a list of arrests made by Kern County Sheriff’s Department officers assigned to the Tehachapi area.

Misdemeanor arrests
Jan. 22 – male, misdemeanor — unlicensed driver, no insurance, age 20
Jan. 29 – male, misdemeanor — under the influence, age 22
Feb. 2 – male, misdemeanor — warrant, age 35
Feb. 3 – male, misdemeanor — driving with a suspended license, age 44
Feb. 3 – male, misdemeanor — under the influence, no license plate lamp, expired tags, age 29
Feb. 5 – male, misdemeanor — warrant, age 21
Feb. 5 – male, misdemeanor — resisting or delaying the officer, under the influence, age 25
Feb. 5 – male, misdemeanor — under the influence, age 20
Feb. 5 – male, misdemeanor — under the influence of drugs, possession of marijuana, defective light, age 21
Feb. 6 – female, misdemeanor — under the influence, age 42
Feb. 6 – male, misdemeanor — driving under the influence of drugs, under the influence, expired registration, age 28
Feb. 6 – female, misdemeanor — under the influence of drugs, age 27
Feb. 7 – male, misdemeanor — under the influence, possession of paraphernalia, age 23
Feb. 8 – female, misdemeanor — under the influence, age 23
Feb. 8 – female, misdemeanor — false information, resisting arrest, age 22
Feb. 8 – female, misdemeanor — under the influence, possession of paraphernalia, driving at an unsafe speed, age 18
Feb. 11 – male, misdemeanor — no front license plate, unlicensed driver, age 28
Feb. 12 – female, misdemeanor — loud music, suspended license, open container, age 24
Feb. 14 – female, misdemeanor — possession of drug paraphernalia, age 23
Feb. 14 – female, misdemeanor — possession of drug paraphernalia, age 28
Feb. 18 – female, misdemeanor — public intoxication, age 58
Feb. 18 – male, misdemeanor — possession of less than 1 ounce marijuana, under the influence, age 46
Feb. 19 – female, misdemeanor — warrant, age 35
Feb. 19 – male, misdemeanor — arrest, age 40
Feb. 20 – female, misdemeanor — petty theft, age 23
Feb. 20 – male, misdemeanor — resisting arrest, public intoxication, age 36
Feb. 22 – male, misdemeanor — public intoxication, alcohol in the park, age 56
Feb. 23 – male, misdemeanor — driving under the influence, age 59
Feb. 23 – male, misdemeanor — under the influence, age 22
Feb. 24 – male, misdemeanor — public intoxication, license plate lamp out, age 33
Feb. 24 – female, misdemeanor — no seatbelt, no driver’s license, no registration, age 42

Felony arrests
Jan. 30 – female, felony — possession of methanphetamines, paraphernalia, under the influence of drugs, age 25
Jan. 30 – male, felony — drug possession, possession of paraphernalia, age 26
Feb. 2 – male, felony — burglary, resisting arrest, trespassing, possession of stolen property, age 22
Feb. 2 – male, felony — burglary, resisting arrest, possession of stolen property, age 21
Feb. 3 – male, felony — possession of a dangerous weapon, possession of drug paraphernalia, hit and run, age 22
Feb. 5 – male, felony — possession of dirk or dagger, age 27
Feb. 8 – male, felony — kidnapping, false imprisonment, sexual battery, annoying or molesting a child, child cruelty, age 46
Feb. 9 – male, felony — possession of methamphetamine, age 21
Feb. 9 – male, felony — possession of a controlled substance, age 23
Feb. 10 – male, felony — possession of methanphetamines, unlicensed driver, obstructed view, age 26
Feb. 10 – male, felony — possession of methanphetamines, unlicensed driver, age 28
Feb. 13 – male, felony — under the influence, possession of a dangerous weapon, possession of drug paraphernalia, age 29
Feb. 13 – male, felony — false name, false personation, age 23
Feb. 14 – female, felony — possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, age 22
Feb. 17 – male, felony — robbery, burglary, criminal threats, age 22
Feb. 20 – male felony — possession of methanphetamines, driving under the influence of drugs, under the influence, providing false information to officer, driving on a suspended license, expired registration, age 36
Feb. 23 – male, felony — possession of controlled substance, possession of narcotic paraphernalia, false information, parole hold, driving on suspended or revoked license, failure to stop at a red light, age, 27
Feb. 23 – male, felony — possession of controlled substance, possession of paraphernalia, false information, age 28

Felony reports
Jan. 16 – grand theft auto
Jan. 31– commercial burglary
Jan. 31– male — annoying or harassing telephone calls, criminal threats, age 27
Feb. 9 – vehicle burglary
Feb. 9 – burglary
Feb. 9 – grand theft
Feb. 9 – grand theft
Feb. 10 – vehicle theft
Feb. 13 – grand theft auto
Feb. 13 – grand theft
Feb. 14 – residential burglary
Feb. 15 – dissuading or preventing a witness or victim, violate domestic violence protection order
Feb. 16 – identity theft
Feb. 17 – cruelty to a child
Feb. 17 – burglary, forced entry into garage
Feb. 18 – vehicle theft
Feb. 19 – vehicle theft
Feb. 23 – burglary
Feb. 24 – spousal assault, burglary

Surviving cancer, busy with life

Cancer does not have to stop you: Stallion Springs resident Jack Buss is a prime example of that.

Buss plays tennis at least two to four times a week and plays golf twice a week.
Buss and his wife Betty moved to Stallion Springs 15 years ago. They saw an ad in the Los Angeles Times about a golf package being offered, and when they arrived, they were captivated with the ‘wide open space’ and quickly decided they wanted to retire in the area. They started to live their dream in 1991.

In 2002, Buss was diagnosed with prostate cancer. His PSA tests had been elevating slowly over time and his doctor referred him to a surgeon in Bakersfield. Fortunately, his surgery was successful and he did not require chemotherapy or radiation.

His family had no known history of cancer. But Buss took a proactive role in his own health with regular examinations, and believes it is because of this that he and his doctors were able to identify the cancer early. “Get those PSA tests. If you don’t, it gets ahead of you,” Buss said.

Buss is very active in the Tehachapi prostate information group and said being part of the group helps him feel better because he can talk to someone who has been through it.

“There are always new people arriving all the time. People react to the news differently and it helps them to learn and discuss the different options available,” he said.

Buss plans on participating in the Relay for Life event which will be held in Tehachapi July 15 through 16. Cancer survivors are invited to walk the first lap around the Jacobsen Middle School track. Teams may also enter the 24-hour marathon.

For more information, call chairperson Tracey Lankin at 821-1654.

Multiple accidents occur during storm

A spring blizzard blasted the Tehachapi area on April 5 creating havoc on town streets and surrounding roads, as well as on Highway 58.

Officer Stephen Hunsaker of the California Highway Patrol said the snow came down so fast and heavy that snow plows couldn’t keep up with clearing the snow off the freeway.

That, coupled with the wind that turned the freeway into a river of black ice, were factors in the decision to close the freeway from Towerline Road to Tehachapi at approximately 2:30 p.m. The freeway was reopened at 7 p.m.

Hunsaker said the CHP handled two wrecks on the freeway and one on Highline Road.

“Basically the accidents were caused by people driving too fast for the conditions,” Hunsaker said. “They need to slow down for bad weather, especially snow.”
Hunsaker reminds drivers that although having a 4-wheel drive might be helpful in stormy weather, it is not infallible.

Ironically, the driver of one car that was totalled on Highway 58 was the witness of another bad accident the following day in town.

Joanne Wilson of Concord was returning home from visiting family in Arizona when her car slipped on the the freeway just west of Tehachapi.
She said the car hit the median and spun around. Traveling with her were her son and daughter-in-law.

“People were going so fast they didn’t see us on the side of the road,” Wilson said.
The following day, she came into Tehachapi with an Enterprise Car Rental driver to retrieve items from her totaled car. As she and the driver followed a man in a truck, who was taking them to the wrecking yard, the man was hit by a big truck on West H Street, between Mill and Green streets.

The accident is under investigation.

Bear Valley Springs also had a number of weather-related accidents. Sgt. Dave Watts of Bear Valley Police Department said Cumberland Drive had to be closed for six hours due to an accident on that road. But, like the wrecks on the freeway, there were no serious injuries.

Sgt. Joe Giuffre of the Kern County Sheriff’s Department Tehachapi substation also reported that his department were called to several accidents throughout the area.
Side bar

Stopping distance information from the California Highway Patrol
A car in good condition with good brakes and tires traveling on dry pavement 20 mph will require at least 19 feet to stop.

The same car traveling 20 mph on an icy road will need 100 feet to stop. If the car has reinforced chains, it will take 75 feet before it can stop.

News unveils new Web site

At the Tehachapi News, we strive to be a comprehensive newspaper, giving our readers a real sense of our community and its residents. Now, our Web site, www.tehachapinews.com, will be able to better serve as another portal into our community and bring residents and fellow Tehachapi lovers closer together.

Unlike our previous site, the new one offers more features. Now, all articles, events, letters, columns and photos can be found on the site. With our new flexibility, we’ll be able to post stories as they are completed, even before they publish in the paper. As readers, you will be able to post comments on all stories on the site, as well as e-mail them to friends.

We also offer discussion topics, inviting you to comment on specific issues pertaining to our town.

Another feature is “Meet Your Neighbors.” When you submit articles, photos and events, you will be asked to register once, and have the opportunity to tell us all about your interests, include a photo, share favorite Web sites, and find other neighbors with like interests.

With the launch of the new site, we are also changing the way news, letters and photos are submitted to us. Instead of e-mailing the information, go to the Web site and click on the “Spread Your News” icon at the top of the page. If you haven’t registered, we’ll ask you to so we know how to contact you if we have any questions.

Then, choose what you’d like to contribute (an article, letter, photo or community event). Another page will pop up and all you have to do is fill in the blanks for the title, byline and information. You can even add photos or logos to your submission. When sending photos, be sure to use at least 200 dpi to ensure the best quality for our print edition. When you’re done, click on the “Submit” button.

A Tehachapi News editor will review your contribution and e-mail you when it has been published on tehachapinews.com. We include as many contributions as possible in our print edition.

So, go to tehachapinews.com and take a look around, register, and send us some news. We’d love to hear from you!

Will Cantil be L.A.’s dumping ground?

East Kern County leaders held a press conference in Cantil on April 3, in opposition to a proposed 3,100-acre landfill site for waste trucked in from Los Angeles.

Area residents gathered at the wind-swept site on Neuralia Road, just north of California City, to hear reasons why a one billion, cubic-yard landfill/energy park would be detrimental to the desert eco-system, the aerospace industry and residents, alike.

“What this Missouri-based trash dumping company [Herzog Environmental, Inc.] is proposing, is threatening the safety of test pilots and the mission of the bases; Edwards Air Force Base, China Lake Naval Weapons Center and the Mojave Spaceport,” said former State Senator and Assemblyman Phil Wyman.
Kern County 2nd District Supervisor Don Maben, who has worked for regulation to protect the bases from encroachment, agreed.

“If this initiative passes, it will allow the interference of night-flight testing from Edwards and China Lake,” Maben said. “It’s a naturally dark area and lights from a 24-hour plant, plus trucks every two minutes, would certainly have an effect on night vision flying.”

Mojave Space Port Manager Stewart Witt spoke of the the project’s lack of due process and the need for Los Angeles to be responsible for its own waste products.
Attorney Brandon Martin, spokesman and manager for the landfill project (known as the High Desert Green Energy Park), said he is disappointed by reactions from local politicians regarding military issues surrounding the project.

“The military missions are very important to the people of East Kern, all of Kern County and the nation,” he said. “We will do all we can to protect those missions and we are dealing directly with base officials.”

The selected site is within an existing flood zone, which Wyman believes is another concern for residents.

“Here are the problems with this L.A. dump proposal. The potential of spreading hazardous waste and potential illness to the residents of East Kern County when the proposed dump site floods,” he said.

According to Martin, the project will include a multiple technology renewable energy facility, made up of solar and wind energy as well as biomass conversion of agricultural crops and construction debris.

“The important thing for people to know is that biomass is not sludge or human waste,” Martin said. “What is disposed of would be made up of household and municipal solid waste; no medical waste or asbestos.”

He added that Kern County stands to collect hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue over the life span of the project, plus create jobs as well as a charitable benefits trust.

However, Mayor Larry Adams of California City countered the company’s beneficial claims, saying, “This is about collecting somebody else’s trash and we don’t want it.”
Other grievances listed by Wyman include the potential transport of 18,000 tons of trash per day from L.A, carried by up to 60 trucks per hour traveling through eastern Kern County over the proposed 44-year life span of the plant.

In addition, Cantil residents Glen and Venita Harshman fear a potential impact on the habitats of already endangered species, including the desert tortoise, condors and mountain lions in the desert area.

“This is an L.A. problem, not a Kern problem,” Glen said.

In February, State Senator Dean Florez (D-Shafter), also an opponent of the landfill project, presented two ballot measures designed to stop proponents from obtaining voter support before environmental approvals are established. He urges Kern County voters not to sign the petitions.

According to Florez’ Chief of Staff Al Wagner, the petitions have mainly been accessible to Bakersfield residents who live far from the East Kern dump site.

“We haven’t heard of any petitions so far in the outlying areas of Kern County,” he said.

Some 15,000 signatures are needed to qualify the measure for the ballot in November.

Prayer breakfast and rallies

In observance of the National Day of Prayer, a prayer breakfast will be held on May 4 from 7 to 8 a.m. featuring speaker Chuck Wall.

Prayer rallies will follow at city hall at noon and at the First Baptist Church at 7 p.m.

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