Tehachapi News

the cycle is normal, people from a big city move to a small one, the "locals" get angry at growth.... so then you move to a even smaller city or town..... or just sit back and complain.... it is a natural thing to do.... to remember those good ol days.... but as I moved here to get away from the big city, this place has grown a lot already since 2006.... My views from my home have been blocked by new homes.... and there is three more stop signs that I did not have to stop at on my way to work in the morning.... but I still enjoy this place I currently call home.... but I know that the next time home prices go up.... growth will too, and then I will move on to another even smaller town... and yes, till then I will complain about growth... hate new stores, yet still shop at them... I do the same with the places to dine at tooo. It is only natural to do....

Good grief, this forum sounds like the grade school at lunch time.

I something to say. I have lived in Tehachapi for the last 30 years. I proudly call myself a Tehachapi resident. However, I have never once lived in the four square miles that encompass the entire city limits. It is ridiculous to say that only those who live in that minuscule area can call themselves Tehachapi residents.

I don't make much money. When I go into a Walmart, I feel like a king. I buy exactly what I need & feel good about it. When I go into Albertsons or stinky Kmart, I have to watch every penny & end up buying generic cereals & go home mad. Let's face it, Technology rocks...Let's make Tehachapi a tech town. Walmart has a fully loaded Toshiba w/Win7 for under $400.........

O god how I miss the old days of tehachapi when people didnt want or need anything that big towns had, when the streets rolled up at 8pm and everyone knew eachother, it wasnt that long ago!! people coming here from the city is what has ruined this town we had it good but its gone forever!

MallWart...your source for cheap, plastic crap. WalMart sucks...preserve Tehachapi. Those are two bumper stickers I have on my cars. I fervently hope MallWart NEVER darkens Tehachapi's doorway.

I was disapointed to see Love's coming to town - not looking forward to the increased truck/car traffic on that corner - like Tehachapi needs another gas station, right? But I admit I'll probably take advantage of the businesses that will eventually grow up on that corner. ...and what about the businesses whose markets fit metal barns? Tack shop, feed store, maybe fresh produce sure a metal barn. Grocery store, pizza place, maybe not fitting.

I'm currently looking to move to Tehachapi (or surrounding areas) within the next year or so and I would hope that responsible, productive newcomers would be welcome (not so sure after reading some of the posts previous). The reason I've chosen Tehachapi is the seemingly good community and the small town feel (whether it's real or not). Nowhere is perfect but Tehachapi seems like the best option for a person looking to escape the city and get some fresh(er) air. I personally don't shop at Walmart because I don't like their corporate ethics and would rather not squeeze through the tight lines with a million other people just to save 35 cents on a can of soup. I would rather see competition in the form of small (FRESH) grocery stores but I understand both sides.Obviously I'm not as informed about the local landscape as some of you are but I thought you might just like a perspective from the outside looking in. It seems you guys really do have something special when it comes to your town. :)

Picture this: The police chief of Tehachapi walking around the downtown area talking with business owners, who by the way are also his friends. Children of all ages walking home at eleven o'clock at night from the moive theater. Picture the beautiful smell of pear blossoms around town from the many orchards that were once here. I remember how is once was when I could walk into any business in this town as well as my parents and we were all known by our first name. Picture the serinity and friendliness of a town like Mayberry. That's what was Tehachapi until the seventies. I know I was born here in 1950. So in reality all who came here from somewhere else are transplant. That's Ok because that's how communities grow, but what must always be remembered is when ten families come here and then ten more and so on pretty soon you have thousands of people living here, not the four thousand that was Tehachapi past. With more people comes more need for food, clothing, etc. Unfortunaltely it also brings more cars, creating more polution and traffic cogestion. It dirties our air and taxes our water table. So growth has it's good and bad points but the fact that we're all here means we all have to live together. It doesn't matter whether you live in Tehachapi or one of the outlying areas we all live here as one. In a crisis we would all work together, so lets not be distracted by geography. People said that if the Home Depot came here it would put the other two businesses that supply the same material out of business, but that didn't happen they're both doing fine. Albertson and Savemart could use some compitition, it's called free enterprise. To the person who said if you can't afford to live in Tehachapi move somewhere else, shame on you. I hope your life isn't just about money because that would be very sad. Growing up here I knew people from all social and financial levels. To real Tehachapians it never made a difference, everyone helped everyone and no stigma was ever attached. To say that Walmart attracts unsavory people is an insult to me and everyone else in the community. Are you saying that those of us who now drive to Bakersfield or Lancaster to shop at a Walmart are unsavory? Next time you feel the need to respond on this website I would choose your words more carefully. The small hometown atmosphere of Tehachapi is gone forever, I know I watched it disappear, that doesn't mean what is here now is bad, just different. What really makes up any community is not the businesses but the people. If everyone would stop pointing fingers at everyone else and use that energy in a constructive way there is no reason that Tehachapi can't be the best midsize town in California. My family and I survived the 1952 earthquake and saw the town rebuild. It was the people working together that did it and people working together now is what's needed to make this area the best it can be.

What attracted most people to move to Tehachapi? I bet a small nice town? If people want a big town move to a big town. Mojave and Cal City are waiting for us to get a Walmart also!

I haven't read all of the responses and don't have an answer about whether or not the wal-mart is coming. I'm enjoying Not having to look at it sitting in the heart of our Tehachapi Blvd. I'm not thrilled about the new truck stop but at least it sits right off of the freeway and not in the middle of town. My family and I moved out here to get away from traffic and fancy buildings that make a good impression. we like it here and don't really look forward to our little town getting bigger.

I actually read Alphs post, not just skimmed thru it. He said we are all to blame. He never said SS people were bad or anything derogatory, just stated the simple fact that they do not live in Tehachapi, which they don't. Why inject personal insults where he is just debating facts?

Alpha, I may not pay Tehachapi CITY taxes, but I do pay taxes to TEHACHAPI UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT. You act like people from SS have some sort of disease or something. I didn't destroy your town, and neither did other SS residents, so let it go. I wonder if you were to run into me at the market, with my two sweet, smiling little girls, if you were to act so harshly in that moment,as you feel so free to do so on here. Perhaps it's the feeling of anonymity one gets when online. I'm really quite friendly, you see. If you go back to my very first post on this topic, I emphasized RESPECT. We should all RESPECT one another AND Tehachapi. Respect the law. I do. Do you? Speaking of the law, if I broke down, broke the law, etc. it doesn't matter if it's Brad Burris, Bear Valley Police, or the Tehachapi City Police, they all cover each other's "zones" and all equally have the right to pull you over for violating the law. I have seen Mike from SS Police pull over an elderly woman on South Street, by Hemme Hay and Feed...I've seen another pull over someone on High Line and Backes Roads. I've also seen BVS police patrol our area as well as SS respond to other areas. Take it easy. All this over a Walmart question. Have a spooktacular Halloween tomorrow!

Wow!All of this from one question?First thing's first.Nobody is to "blame" here,not the transplants,nor the locals or even the "unsavory hoodlums" from cal city,mojave,ss,bear valley or alpine forest.Jesus christ,how stuck up can you possibly be.Like being a local gives you some kind of entitlement,or labeling yourselves as a better class than someone who moved here recently?I for one grew up here.I am 33 and moved here when I was 8.You heard the same BS when Save Mart opened and Albertsons,Jiffy lube,Taco Bell,Jack in the Box,McDonalds,Blockbuster,Thrifty Etc,Etc. But I can tell you that in the end,every one of us has supported them in one way or another.Just like you will end up suporting Wal-Mart.Hypocricy knows no bounds.Unless of course your talking crap online apparently.We are all to "blame" if that makes you feel better for letting it get this far I guess.We ruined "our" little town years ago by letting our city council approve progress.By not picketing the construction sites,and in the end,not doing everything to support the Town and Country markets,and the C& P markets when they where going under.So stop blaming "transplants" for your problems.Your just as much to blame for our progress.Oh,and by the way.Since a majority of the "locals" where once "transplants" themselves,as was I,If you don't like the way things are going here you DO have the freedom of "transplanting" somewhere else.I hear Florida will take anyone who complains.Now shut up already and get on with your lives!

Hey Alph, You've got it right. The folks from the the outlying communities like SS have their own local services, police and fire protection, they are not Tehachapi residents.

Hey I didn't attack you personally, It's just my pet peeve all the outlying people claiming to be residents of Tehachapi.

"Hey Alpha, Last I checked, I paid my property taxes to Tehachapi too, and my mail address is in Tehachapi. I am just a part of Tehachapi as those who live in Alpine Forest, BVS, Golden Hills East/West...etc. etc."            ...                            ...           ...         .....         ....         ....      ....    .......                YOU BETTER CHECK AGAIN..... People in Stallion Springs do NOT pay TEHACHAPI city taxes. ....I do agree though, you are as much a part of Tehachapi as Alpine Forest, BVS, Golden Hills East/West...etc. etc. THEY DON"T LIVE IN TEHACHAPI EITHER. ....You have a Tehachapi address because the Tehachapi branch of the US Post office serves you, just like it does everyone between Keene and Mojave. .....Do you vote in Tehachapi city elections? ....When you call 911 will Tehachapi Police show up or Stallion Springs Police?..... Do you pay your water bill to Tehachapi city hall or Stallion Springs Community Services District. You only live in the Greater Tehachapi area. You are a Stallion Springs resident.

Ever driven though Gallup, New Mexico? It looks just like Tehachapi... it just has a different zip code. Just another truck stop town. Congrats city planners. Although I'm sure some will argue with me... after all, we have a rosette in the middle of the street in our downtown and speakers blasting music for people who aren't there. Tehachapi so could've been a Fredericksburg, Texas. Such a pity. A library in a strip mall... LOL Ri. Dic.U. Los.

"I understand the appeal the draws people to move here, but what people forget is, you moved here you should conform to the lifestyle, not us conforming to your lifestyle. " I pay property taxes here, so if I see something I don't like, that I didn't notice before I got here, or something that I think might be better, I have every right to voice my opinion. If the majority doesn't like it then it won't take hold, if they do it might. You need to get over yourself, because it doesn't matter if you lived here 50 years or two days, if you pay taxes you have a say.

I understand the appeal the draws people to move here, but what people forget is, you moved here you should conform to the lifestyle, not us conforming to your lifestyle.

Hey Alpha, no need to be smart, now. Last I checked, I paid my property taxes to Tehachapi too, and my mail address is in Tehachapi. I am just a part of Tehachapi as those who live in Alpine Forest, BVS, Golden Hills East/West...etc. etc. Don't get mad at me because you hate it here. I love it! And I always will. Now, stop being so hasty, accusatory, and defensive! You're only hurting yourself. I could care less what you say.

Walmarts coming.<(that's a period) The small town atmosphere is already gone. The greedy developers and misguided city government have long since destroyed it. The blame is widespread, but lies a little with everyone on here. For years now the urban dwellers have flocked into the area for the reasons espoused by several on this very thread, with there main attraction being the simple small town atmosphere. Many locals also cashed in on this influx catering to the newbies and touting the "rural charm" in real estate ads far and wide. The combination of these things coupled with a city government with an eye more on new tax dollars than orderly growth has virtually destroyed any semblance of a small town. Now it's just another suburb. The very thing which everyone was seeking has been ruined by the very people seeking it. I for one am disgusted and plan to move as soon as I can work it out. And by the way "StallionSpringsMom", you do not live in Tehachapi nor are you from Tehachapi. You live 15 miles from town and are the same as folks from Mojave or Cal City, you only shop here and use the resources here.

LACO- Do you consider people from Cal-city and Mojave locals? It won't just be locals shopping there. Bring on the Wal-mart....one more store for the "locals" to rob with an easy getaway route to the 58.

When I moved to Tehachapi 14 years ago, I loved that people in their cars would smile and wave. Since the growth of the last few years there is much less of that and Tucker Road has become more dangerous to both pedestrians and drivers. I've noticed many more rude drivers, weaving in and out and speeding up. My question is, how much worse will it be with a WW Superstore? I think I'll just stick to the backroads and avoid Tucker when that happens. I highly doubt I'll ever shop at WW either. I like quality for my hard-earned $. Just my 2¢.

From what I am aware, construction on the Walmart is supposed to start around Spring of 2010. It has already passed the Environmental Report. It is supposed to be located on the east side of Tucker Road, in the lot across from Del Taco. I moved here from Bakersfield about two years ago. We have bought a home, my husband works as a correctional officer at CCI. Now, I am sure I will be attacked on here for many things that I just identified myself with. I'm a "transplant," my husband is a C.O., I'm causing the town to grow, just by moving here. I understand the frustration many feel, who have lived here a long time, grown up here, etc. However, my family and I moved here for several reasons: 1) It's not ghetto; 2)Predominately conservative political town; 3) Lots closer to my husband's work, so it saves us money; 4) Our mortgage is cheaper than our rent was in Bakersfield, so it saves us money; 5) Better air quality; 6) Much lower risk of gang activity and home invasions; 7)People are nice. I love Tehachapi, and I love Stallion Springs even more. You couldn't pay me a million dollars to move back to Bakersfield, where I was born and raised. Our children attend the local schools and find the teachers are well-educated and mostly teach "old school" style, yet include updated technology. I love this place! However, I don't think bringing a Walmart here is a bad idea. If it wasn't here, I would still continue to drive an hour away to do my shopping. I support small town businesses, too. I could be wrong, but I really think that those businesses won't have much to lose by having a Walmart move in. Their true customers should continue to support them financially, just as they have for years. Many businesses have come and go, but the ones that are able to stay, stay because they can retain their customers. They may have to lower their prices, but according to a good business plan, lower prices should increase customer patronage also. Change is a part of life. It always will be. We all have to wake up everyday and deal with change. It's not fair to criticize good ideas, like having a Walmart. It will save people money in gas, in prescription medication, clothes, etc. I don't care if it's a Super Center or not, though I would probably prefer it be a regular Walmart. We don't have the population to have three major grocery stores. Personally, I like to shop at SaveMart. For some reason to me, the people that work there seem to be so much nicer, than Albertson's, but Albertson's is good to have too. It allows for competition, which is a part of any growing economy. I think we should all take the time to respect one another as residents, and should refrain from calling it as "locals" and "outsiders"...I respect this town so much, and I really dislike being put down by the "older" residents who think their money is better than mine, just because I haven't lived here as long. It's way too prejudice to say. All of you "locals" were new here once, too. Let's stop putting one another down, and work together, respectfully. It's the only way we can genuinely build a town people want to visit and stay.

Well the fact of the matter is that Tehachapi isn't the small quaint town that we would all like it to be... I don't really care if Walmat comes in cause I work in Lancaster and can go shopping on my way home from work.. I would however like to see it for my wife and kids... I would much rather my wife stay in town then have to drive to Bakersfield or Lancaster and deal with the people there... I work in Lancaster and would not raise my kids there that is why I live here... Sure Walmart in Lancaster and Bakersfield draws a shady crowd... People say that a Walmart will just bring trash into the community... Well I hardly doubt that shady people from Bakersfield and Lancaster would drive up here to go shopping at Walmart... So the people shopping there will be local residence.. People go to Walmart for one stop shopping, competitive pricing that blow others out of the water... I am all for Mom and Pop businesses but they also need to have fair prices... I can almost guarantee that if Loves Truckstop has fuel for 10-20cents per gallon cheaper that you would buy from them... In this economy we all need to save money... Also Walmart and some of these larger stores like Big 5, Home Depot etc bring a large tax base to the community so that we can have a community that we can be proud of... It will help restore the downtown area and help beautify the City if done right... So lets all band together and support the growth and beautification of Tehachapi....

concerned, I moved here a couple of years ago, and I hate to tell you, but my money is just as good as yours and so is my opinion.

........so, are we getting a walmart?

.....so, are we getting a walmart?????

I don't want a Walmart. As a local, I hate seeing our small town way of life slowly disappear. A Walmart is just going to push all of the small locally owned shops out of business. The more people that transplant here, the more people want to change this great town. The locals want things to stay small town. I don't mind seeing the little shops that pop up, the restaurants, etc. but the big box stores I do not like. If I want to shop at a big box store I go to Bakersfield or Lancaster, it isn't that far, that is what we here have done for a long time. Now all the newbies move in and they want it right here right now. I don't agree with it. The reason why most of the transplants move here is for the small town atmosphere the easy going life, so why do you want to ruin it by bring all these big stores in and running everyone out of business. Like I have said before don't come to my town and try to change my lifestyle because you moved here from LA or Orange county and now you want to have the same things you had there, here. If you like it so much move to a bigger city that has all of that, but don't ruin my city. I find it funny that it is always the transplants that complain about everything, not the locals. Go out in the town and ask around if you find someone that agrees with changing our town, they are most likely a transplant. I miss the good old days of no stoplights, when the only markets were C & P and Old Town market, when everyone knew everyone, there was always a friendly wave when you drove down the street, hardly any traffic. Now since all the transplants moved here, you see rudeness, people riding you a$$ down hwy 202 when you take your kids to school, or the friendly finger when someone thinks you are not going fast enough, or all the bitching in the line at albertsons about how crowded it is, how ridiculously long it takes to checkout. Just Remember we were here first, you chose to move here. So remember who are the locals and who are the outsiders!!!!

http://www.walmartmovie.com/ check it out, see what you are REALLY supporting, its an eye opener. Teach your kids to be socially responsible consumers. Walmart is disgusting!

I don't know what happened to the Walmart idea, but frankly I don't shop at Walmart because the people that frequent that store are truly unsavory. I think Tehachapi should maintain locally owned businesses that support entrepreneurship, not the sweatshop superstore. Its cheap, and there is a reason for that. Keep the crap down in Lancaster and Bakersfield, and keep Tehachapi for those that can afford it. If you can't afford it, move somewhere else. Tehachapi should not become another Antelope Valley. The Love's is an entirely different situation, it caters to travelers and truckers who are not looking to LIVE here, just fill up and go, and its in a precarious spot in a mountain valley, I am sure alot of travelers on empty would like to see a Love's here. Personally I think I would move if they put up a superstore ghetto hangout called Walmart here. Kmart is bad enough. If that goes it you know the 99 cent store and the food stamp office is right around the corner. Support local stores by local people, not sweatshops and cheats. Research what you are supporting when you buy their goods.

"I wasn't ragging on RST crane as a business, matter of fact I have used them before and they did an excellent job... I was simply saying that it's not much to look at when you drive into Tehachapi... You know what they say about first impressions.."

How about the "wonderful impression" that Benz makes as you drive on 58? Now THAT is an eyesore!

Can't get a Walmart, but they can put in a truck stop without batting an eye.

OWN the land not pen...my typo

To Grumpy" Over between Jiffy Lube and Starbucks, they already pen the land. and it is big enough for a super-center and lots of parking

Wow Darkstar you seem to have taken my comments the wrong way, even though I do see how it could taken that way... I wasn't ragging on RST crane as a business, matter of fact I have used them before and they did an excellent job... I was simply saying that it's not much to look at when you drive into Tehachapi... You know what they say about first impressions... And every time I drive by there it looks like a Used Car lot with people parked everywhere. You know as well as I know that Tehachapi is a growing City and it's only gonna get worse so I say embrace it and encourage beautiful structures to be built for new businesses not Metal buildings shaped as barns... Who wants to live in a city that looks like all your businesses are storage units.... Like I said I have only lived in Tehachapi for just over a year but plan on being here until I retire... I have lived other places in California and really like Tehachapi... The people here are genuine and nice.. And I love hearing and seeing the trains come though all day and night... I am not trying to bash on Tehachapi, that is not my intention, I just want to point out things that can be done to improve the appearance of the community... Also the bike paths etc that the city is doing should also get a big thumbs up... I like to see the City playing an active roll in Fitness and health in the community...

I have lived in this town for over 30 years now and I have seen such changes and growth to this town. To see a Wal-mart come in would definitely take the small town out of here but the small town has grown tremendously since the first years I have lived here. I wouldn't mind a Wal-mart but as for you Fireman Guy, this town is built on resources within. A lot of the local businesses are the ones who have supported this small yet growing town for years and RST Cranes happens to be one of them. Even though I believe that RST Cranes is on county property and the city has no restrictions for that property, RST has been very supportive and giving to this community as a small young business. So next time you want to attack small town communities and the businesses that are striving through this economy maybe you should move back to where you came from. Besides if you had seen that property and what it looked like 5 to 10 years ago, then I could see your point. The city of Tehachapi is not Beverly Hills and has hometown heart to keep its history yet still grow. Learn the history and meet the people in this town before you start talking down on this town or you forsure will not like it here cause Tehachapi folk stick together.

I know I will probably get Flamed on here for wanting to see a Walmat here in Tehachapi because I am a Transplant... We have only lived here for a year but I have some observations.. I think Tehachapi could really use a facelift and from what I have been seeing it looks like the City is working on it with the new construction buildings... It's funny cause every time we have people come visit us they enter from Tehachapi BLVD off of HWY 58 and the first thing they notice is the Eyesore at Dennison and Tehachapi Blvd... RST Crane should be dissapointed in there business facility and I can't believe the city lets them keep it looking like it does... Besides I believe that is also a residence.. There should be some sort of code violation for allowing your primary residence to be on the same premisis as their business. Especially the heavy equipment... Dosent the City have zoning for these types of businesses? Next why did they let that barn looking auto shop build that place right there on Tehachapi Blvd, the main drag.. Don't you want people when they drive into your city to think "WOW' what a beautiful place... Not, wow looks like dirty run down town... Sorry for the Rant... Guess I need to get involved in the City here at some point... Don't get me wrong.. Tehachapi is a great city... And I have met alot of really great people here but let's take some pride in our community and make it a place people want to come see and visit.... Ya, I know I am about to get the if you want to live in a big City move somewhere else speech but guess what... Tehachapi isn't gonna get any smaller so lets make the best of the growth it's gonna experience and make future establishment current with the times... Were not living in the 1800's anymore... Sorry for all the misspelled word's and such.. I grew up with public school... lol...

I never thought I'd say this but a Wal-Mart Super Center would put JunK-Mart and the other local over priced stores on notice. My only concern is where are they supposed to build it?

Please, Grocery Store Gods, send Tehachapi a new Grocery Store. Please, please, please, please,,, just one more Grocery Store.