Tehachapi News

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On the eve of the one of the country’s most controversial elections in recent American history, a small group of concerned, non-registered voters gathered anxiously inside downtown’s Veteran’s Hall. Wearing uniforms bearing hand-sewn emblems affirming their dedication to duty and honor, the youthful group solemnly led the assembled crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance with firm, two and three-fingered salutes.

Members of Webelos Den 3, Wolf Den 5 and Boy Scout Troop 135, ranging in age from seven to 13, the Bear Valley troops were there to seek answers about the city council’s role in government. When one Scout asked “Why is city hall called city hall?”Councilman Smith suggested the term may have evolved from practices that preceded the concept of localized representation — and before the United States Federal government had been officially formed. Smith described how “in the old days” townsfolk would all gather at the “town hall” when there were problems to be solved collectively.

“Everybody would grumble and gripe and then they’d come up with a decision.”
Smith then advised the Scouts to to go home and Google “city hall” to  double check on his theory about the term’s evolution.

Laughter greeted Councilman Ed Grimes’ light-hearted response, “These are harder questions than we had at the candidate forum.”

In fact, the degree of difficulty did increase noticeably as the Scouts listened attentively, overcoming shyness to pose question after question:

How many council members are there and why they do the things they do? What is the most important project they’ve worked on lately; and just exactly how long do they serve?

Mayor Deborah Hand deferred to veteran Councilman Phil Smith, who explained that the council consists of five elected members who must reside within the City of Tehachapi. Smith also explained that the city council decides how best to use the monies received from services like water, sewer and property taxes to fund additional community services like fire and police services.

“It’s our job to make sure we spend that money wisely,” Smith said.

Webelo Ethan Story said, "It was really interesting listening to everyone's comments to each other and seeing how the council tries to help the citizens of Tehachapi. It's great that someone can step up to the microphone and say what's wrong — that the senior center's ice machine is broken or that the city owes them money — and see how the council tries to fix their problems."

The Webelos are currently earning their Citizen Activity Badges, while both the Webelos and the Wolves are earning their Citizenship Belt Loops and Pins.
Mayor Deborah Hand described how the mayor is elected from among the five council members for a two year term.

“The citizens don’t vote directly for mayor, they vote for the council,” Hand said explaining that Council member Linda Vernon currently holds the Mayor Pro-Tem seat, “Just like the president has a vice president.”

She also addressed the issue of term limits.

“There are no term limits. In our  small city it would take a public vote to change that,” she said adding “It’s a good thing to have some continuity and longevity.”

“When  you get tired of us you vote us off,” said Smith. “If you’re not doing a good job people will vote for someone else.”

Hand said Councilman Smith’s lengthy service to the county-wide council called KernCog — Kern Council of Governments — also benefits the City of Tehachapi.

“Someone from every one of the governments in Kern County sits on that council and it helps if you’ve got someone with experience on there,” she said. “They decide who gets transportation money to build roads...there’s a lot of politics involved and it helps if you know the ropes.”

In addition to listing the Tehachapi Police Department as one of the council’s most important accomplishments, Grimes also emphasized the council’s dedication to making sure the city’s finances are well managed.

“The budget is another issue we have to deal with constantly,” said Grimes. “We have to make sure we don’t spend more than what we take in. I ask a lot of questions of Mr. Garrett all the time to see where we’re at. We do not want to get like the state or the national government. We don’t deficit spend.”

When asked how many hours they work, Mayor Hand said it varies drastically, and graciously credited the city manager with coordinating all the hard work necessary to implement the council’s decisions.

“We don’t always have to work a whole lot but Mr. Garrett sure does,” Hand said.
Garrett went on record stating, “Mr. Garrett works 24 hours a day, seven days a week, just to be clear.”

Wolf Den Leader Cheryl Story said    that many of the Scouts’ mothers   thought the experience “was very enlightening, especially since local government — unlike national government — is usually not discussed at school in great detail.”