Salvation Army Sending Help to Gulf Coast

JACKSON, Miss.– With winds of 95 mph hammering his base of operations here, Salvation Army Divisional Commander Major Dalton Cunningham, said that, in his experience, the impact of Hurricane Katrina is unprecedented.
Cunningham, who is responsible for the three states hardest hit by the storm so far – Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama – said, “The size of this is massive. It is covering several states and coming several hundred miles inland. So the needed resources are going to be more widespread.” He added, “This one is hitting multiple cities.”
Indeed, Cunningham reported that at least 800,000 people in Louisiana are without power. He reported also that those sheltered in the Superdome in New Orleans were without air conditioning and possibly electricity. In Jackson, he reported that at least 50,000 where without power at the time of the interview, which was about 4 p.m. CDT.
He said that approximately 100 Salvation Army workers are presently working either in the field – such as at shelters in New Orleans – or at national and regional headquarters to coordinate activities. Another 200 are standing by at the perimeter of the storm, waiting on the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to assess where best to direct resources.
Once activated, the 200 workers of the Salvation Army's Incident Management Teams will be moving in 72 canteens that can feed 400,000 people a day and two 54-foot mobile kitchens that can feed an additional 20,000 people a day.
Cunningham explained, “The first priority is to feed those that are hungry, that have no food, and that have no place to cook.”
He said those wanting to help the needy by assisting the Salvation Army could best do so by making cash donations. “Financial contributions are greatly needed, and provide The Salvation Army with the funds to purchase what storm victims need. They also allow The Salvation Army to assess the unique needs of individuals and families, as well as put money back into the economy of those communities affected by the disaster.” To donate by phone, call 1-800-SAL-ARMY. To donate by mail, send checks, earmarked ‘disaster relief,' to PO BOX 4857 JACKSON, MS 39296-4857. Click here to donate online...

Cal Senate Constitutional Amendment 15 to be heard today

Today, August 30, the California Judiciary Committee will vote on Senate Constitutional Amendment 15 (SCA 15), the Homeowner and Property Protection Act.  If it becomes law -- through a vote by the legislature and a vote by the general public -- this amendment will protect all home and business owners throughout the state from the abuse of eminent domain for private commercial development.  It is crucial that the Committee approve the amendment so that the full legislature and the people will have a chance to enact it.  If you are interested in the plight of California home and small business owners, it’s vitally important that you contact the members of the Judiciary Committee today and urge them to approve SCA 15.

The Problems with Measure N

Chief Executive Officer of Hi-Desert Medical Center David Selman has resigned. Dr. Cesar Aristeiguieta, former director of emergency medicine at HDMC, has moved on to become the state's Director of Emergency Services. The two key players in the original negotiations are now absent. Is the campaign to pass Measure N falling apart? We have this sinking feeling, the crew is abandoning the ship.

Inland Counties Emergency Medical Agency (ICEMA) a branch of the Department of Health and Safety which establishes and enforces regulations for emergency medical services in San Bernardino County. Executive director Virginia Hastings says the measure language is "a little misleading."

The whole issue is a little misleading as we see it. Right now HDMC has a recognized Emergency Room. The hospital wants tax payers to approve an additional $24 increase in property taxes to gain a Level IV status "Trauma Center." It turns out that a Level IV is basically what we have now.  In a story by the Hi-Desert Star Hastings explained, "...At Level IV, a facility is not permitted to receive any trauma patients other than the ones with minor injuries, and those considered "in extremis," meaning in more common language, "near death." Any hospital with a recognized emergency room, including HDMC, can accept these patients. All other trauma patients, however, must be taken to higher level trauma centers." Well hell's bells that's what we have now! Why should we pour more tax dollars into the same services we already pay for now?

HDMC has no immediate intention to meet requirements for Level III or higher status. The hospital has declined to do so, Hastings recalled, because it didn't have the requisite physician staff. A Level III  is the least we need and deserve in the Morongo Basin.

While everyone would like to have better emergency services and everyone would support a 21st century trauma center, we cannot support  vague promises of improved services based upon this proposed measure and past performance. A vacuum of leadership and a lack of requisite physician staff does not promote confidence. From what we can glean from the best information available we would not support Measure N.

CEO leaves hospital; trauma center in question

JOSHUA TREE - David Selman recently submitted his resignation as Chief Executive Officer of Hi-Desert Medical Center. According to a Bullhead City, Ariz., daily, Selman was recently appointed CEO for Western Arizona Regional Medical Center in that city. The notice ran in Wednesday's edition of the Mojave Valley Daily News and states Selman will take the helm at WARMC on Sept. 26.

http://www.hidesertstar.com/articles/2005/08/27/news/news1.txt

Pray for the "Big Easy"

The mayor of New Orleans has ordered hundreds of thousands of people to flee the city as Hurricane Katrina nears with winds of up to 160mph (257km/h).

Ray Nagin said Sunday's move was unprecedented. It came after Katrina grew to a Category Five hurricane - the highest on the Saffir-Simpson scale.

Forecasters say the low-lying city could be in the eye of the storm, which is expected to reach land on Monday.

Katrina has been blamed for nine deaths since she lashed Florida on Thursday.

President George W Bush had appealed for the mandatory evacuation of the Louisiana city, the governor said. (More BBC News)

Measure N proposes an annual $24 tax on property owners

Here is one at a readers request

 Mail ballots will be going out Monday to High Desert voters who will be asked to decide whether they want to fund emergency medical care that would establish the first trauma center in the booming Morongo Basin.

The trauma center at Hi-Desert Medical Center in Joshua Tree would be paid for by a proposed $24 annual tax, which would be levied on property owners in the Morongo Basin, including Yucca Valley and Twentynine Palms.

If Measure N passes, the hospital could open a trauma center by the end of the year, said Joe Ruddon, hospital spokesman. "It's long overdue," he said.

It takes some residents up to 90 minutes to get to the nearest trauma center, which is Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs.

A trauma center in the Morongo Basin would be no more than 20 minutes away for most residents. It would ensure that patients with life-threatening injuries get care within the "golden hour," the first 60 minutes after injury, which can mean the difference between life and death, according to campaign materials.

If two-thirds of voters approve Measure N, the tax would go into effect next year and generate about $1.4 million a year, Ruddon said. The tax would not expire, but the Hi-Desert Memorial Health Care District, which operates the hospital, could not raise it without the approval of two-thirds of voters. More

We have yet to take a position on this measure. The Riverside PE reported that, "An anonymous donor paid for the special election's $150,000 price tag.." That is a bit of a worry to us. In politics it has always been FOLLOW THE MONEY. Why would someone not want us to know who is paying for this election? Before we take the leap we want to know who's deep pockets this is coming from.

Michael Yon: "the Ernie Pyle of the 21st century..."

Every once in a while surfing the net you come across some truly inspired work. Without a doubt the war blog by Michael Yon beats anything I have ever followed. Embedded with "DUCE FOUR" of the US Army in Mosul, Iraq. Michael Yon documents the everyday life of  combat infantryman from the perspective of the grunt on the ground.

Michael Yon is an independent, informed observer chronicling the monumentally important events in the efforts to stabilize Iraq. His dispatches have the benefit of his life experiences without drawbacks based on deadlines or demands of marketplace. The cost of these dispatches are borne solely by Michael.

You'll read the true eye witness accounts of the everyday bravery, compassion and personal sacrifice  of this generation. While the Main Stream Media focuses on the picture in the comfort of the Green Zone, Mr. Yon is in the Sh*t with the troops. Walking patrols, taking fire, Yon is the Ernie Pyle of the 21st century. You can feel yourself there. His columns will  sometimes make you laugh or mad as hell and sometimes make you cry, but  most of all you'll be proud to be an American.

Readers who enjoy these dispatches and want to support Michael's mission in Iraq, can make a contribution using the PayPal links which are activated when the "support the next dispatch" button is clicked from his website. Donations can also be sent to Michael Yon P O Box 416 Westport Pt MA 02791

SUPERVISORS OK PLAN TO IDENTIFY ILLEGAL ALIENS IN JAILS

The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors on August 16 unanimously approved a plan by Sheriff Gary Penrod to create a specially trained Identification Processing Unit that would identify inmates in violation of immigration laws. The plan resulted from a request by the Board of Supervisors initiated by Second District Supervisor Paul Biane on May 17.

The Sheriff’s Department and the Immigration & Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE) estimate that 15-18 percent of inmates in the county jail system are in the United States illegally. Due to staffing shortages at the federal level, the majority of arrestees are released from Sheriff’s Department custody before ICE officials have had a chance to screen them. With the creation of this program, nine Sheriff’s Custody Specialists will be cross-trained by ICE and be granted limited federal powers to place immigration holds on inmates and refer them to be processed for deportation.

State agency probes former city manager's raise history

DESERT HOT SPRINGS - A third entity is questioning how former City Manager Jerry Hanson may have benefited personally while serving the public.

California Public Employees Retirement Systems representatives who are calculating Hanson's retirement pay rate have been seeking information from the city's finance department about how Hanson received three raises, one as much as 87 percent, between October 2003 and September 2004. More...

Sustaining revenues

There is a fundamental fact that every new home built will be a financial debit to California cities. In other words, homes do not, have not, nor will they ever pay their own way. The cost of services required by residences far outweighs the property taxes derived from them. Revenues to sustain a growing city must come from sales taxes.

One-time developer fees, commonly referred to as impact fees, provide a quick deposit into city funds and most often are used to improve roads, put in street lights and other sundry infrastructure needs to accommodate new housing. But when those funds are used, the required services such as police, fire, libraries, street maintenance and their costs remain forever.

From the Desert Sun's: Don't let DHS become a bedroom community

Deputy city manager goes before grand jury in complaint

Desert Hot Springs Deputy City Manager John Soulliere appeared before a Riverside County Superior Court Grand Jury on Wednesday morning. City Council asked a grand jury to investigate whether former City Manager Jerry Hanson or any other public official acted in conflict of interest when the City Council unanimously passed StoneRidge, an upscale housing development, in early 2004. Desert Sun

Corky Larson proves to be a good choice for Desert Hot Springs

After signing several different contracts full of perks - including severance pay and 1,700-plus hours of vacation - in 20 months, former city manager Jerry Hanson this last week found his ex-employer saying "Wait a minute." And the one variable that has changed to make this happen? New Interim City Manager Corky Larson. She deserves applause. Last weekend, the last payment to Hanson - for $22,722 - didn't include 400 hours of vacation and sick time that his contracts apparently called for. The city instead plans auditing all final figures to be paid to him. As Larson pointed out in a letter to Hanson accompanying his paycheck, he may not be entitled to the extra vacation and sick time for it may constitute a "gift of public funds." Desert Sun

San Diego State Senator Asks for Ban on Eminent Domain Use

SACRAMENTO – Government's historic power to take land has been exercised to clear out slumlords and revitalize decaying downtowns, as well as manipulated to uproot homeowners and mom and pop stores to make way for mega-malls and high-rises.

Hit with scattered horror stories but convinced from her experiences on the San Diego City Council that eminent domain can be a valuable tool for progress, state Sen. Christine Kehoe says it's time to rethink how local governments use – and sometimes abuse – their broad powers of condemnation.

The San Diego Democrat has introduced legislation that includes an immediate two-year moratorium on seizing owner-occupied housing under the banner of eminent domain.

In doing so, Kehoe aligns with a growing number of lawmakers – both liberal and conservative – who are demanding a fresh look at eminent domain after a 5-4 U.S. Supreme Court decision that upheld a Connecticut city's right to evict middle-class homeowners to pave the way for a waterfront hotel and convention center to support a $300 million research facility for Pfizer. (More...)

Mount Shasta Herald, Supervisors back eminent domain ordinance

The Siskiyou County Supervisors overwhelmingly adopted the Greenhorn Grange proposed "Homeowners and Property Protection Ordinance" Tuesday of last week with a 5-0 voice vote, bringing it back for a first reading in September as is and providing letters of support for state amendments to protect property owners.
More

Playgirl Says: Woman Prefer Their Men Hairy, Chubby & Poor

Although, maybe not in that order.

N.Y. Daily News reports: “Forget waxed chests and rock-hard abs. A new survey finds ladies like their men scruffy, a wee bit chubby - and definitely not a metrosexual.”

Better cancel the order for the Bowflex. And “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy?” Don’t need ‘em, either.

    Playgirl asked 2,000 of its readers what they find sexy in a man and the answers were surprising: 42% said they thought love handles were kind of sexy and 47% approved of chest hair.

    “This survey shows that the guy who’s most attractive to our readers is not your average Hollywood hunk,” said Playgirl editrix Jill Sieracki. “It’s the average Joe who came up on top. Women are practical about their choices, and they’re smart.”

God love ‘em. So smart. So generous. (More...)

The Blight of Eminent Domain

by Steven Greenhut

My sister-in-law came back from a recent trip to Poland outraged at how that former communist country treats its citizens. An acquaintance of hers owns a beautiful home in the Polish countryside and is now involved in an ugly court battle because a government official was so impressed with the property that he began the legal process of taking it for himself.

That sort of outrage would never happen in America, for heaven's sake. This is the land of the free and home of the brave. A place where every man's home is his castle and where the government can't just take property for the heck of it, thanks to a sophisticated system of property rights. At least that's what my sister-in-law and the vast majority of Americans think.

Unfortunately, the truth is far different. The experience of that Polish homeowner isn't much different from what happens every day in southern California. And don't think it's only on the left coast property rights are treated shabbily. Eminent-domain abuses are rampant in every state in America. More

Fontana threatens eminent-domain to close black church

Contrary to what the Twentynine Palms City Attorney Patrick Munoz told us, it can happen in California. Government's Chiseling cheep offers for your land are tantamount to theft and are part  and parcel to the offers made when a city wants your property. No one is immune from the curse of eminent-domain, not even your local house of worship.

Fontana officials are hoping to eventually widen Baseline Avenue between Citrus and Sierra avenues, but their plans are being challenged by members of the 60 year old Bethel AME Church which is located at 16262 Baseline Avenue. Bethel AME Church of Fontana was chartered in 1947 and has a membership of 360.

At issue is the frontage of Bethel's property at 16262 Baseline and 16270 Baseline, which the City of Fontana needs in order to expand the road from two lanes to six lanes.  Initial plans had the road going through the church's sanctuary.  While revised plans show the road passing anywhere from 18 to 33 inches from Bethel's front door, experts hired by the church have stated that the expansion will render the property unusable as a place of worship.

Rev. John Cager said that the amount of money the city offered for the property is extremely low.

"What you are offering us leads us to two options: We either accept, close the church and move to Rialto, or we fight," said Cager. "We will not accept such a low offer. We will have to hire some lawyers and take it to court. It's something we don't want to do after serving the Fontana community for almost 60 years, but we have no choice."

Projects involving the widening of Baseline Avenue will mean tearing down and cutting short several properties, including the one at 16270, which together with Bethel AME Church could face eminent domain if a settlement is not reached.

Council-member Janice Rutherford said that the services offered by Bethel are important, but that the widening project is important as well.

"Law has no religion," said Rutherford. "In this case, we have to go along with the law. I understand the community needs the services Bethel offers to the community, but the community also needs the widening of Baseline."

The law might well not have religion but it sure as hell must stand for fairness and justice. The use of the power of eminent-domain is neither fair or just. If it was fair or just it would not be called "seizing private property."

This should be a lesson to any long time resident, business or church in this city as well. The economic and social interests of developers and the influx of new homeowners' property taxes feeding a hungry bureaucracy puts older properties in jeopardy.

Church-state dispute

You think we have problems?

You heard the old adage, "I cried because I had no shoes until I met a man with no feet"? Well thank your lucky stars you don't live down the road in Desert Hot Springs (DHS). While we snipe at one another about special favors, DHS is in a free-fall into both a political and financial abyss.

Still under the thumb of the Bankruptcy Court their council is spending the city's treasury as if there is no tomorrow. And talk about dumb asses sitting on a Council these guys take the cake. They have everything from just plain corrupt self enrichment to dereliction of duty.

Here are a couple of background stories  from the Desert Sun:
Desert Hot Springs residents deserve an explanation
Desert Hot Springs pays city manager for 92 weeks of work in a year

Why is this an important story for us?

For the Morongo Basin and for anyone who travels the 62 down to the 10 there is concern about those new housing projects to the west of the expressway as you barrel down the hill. There is no plan to build on and off ramps that we know of. 62 is about to become an even more dangerous road out of piss poor planning and municipal greed. Thousands of new homeowners turning on to the highway on once seldom used access roads is a recipe for tragedy.
Twentynine Palms for all it's minor faults in comparison, can take pride in it's public safety and traffic concerns. I wonder if Twentynine Palms, Yucca Valley, MCAGCC, Joshua Tree, CalTrans and the County of San Bernardino will move to make sure this vital infrastructure into the Morongo Basin is maintained as a expressway or allow it to be ruined by unbridled development and a cascade of  stoplights.

Community development director named

TWENTYNINE PALMS - Alex Meyerhoff, former Principal Planner with the City of Palm Springs, has been named Community Development Director for the City of Twentynine Palms.

City Manager Michael Swigart noted that he is pleased to have Meyerhoff join as a member of the City's executive management team. Meyerhoff will start on Aug. 30. (More in the Desert Trail)

To be a gadfly on the wall

When Bob Minick came before the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors a few years ago, he wasn't anxious to be associated with usual government critics.
Minick's business at the time was to protest a county plan to make it more difficult for women to obtain the morning-after birth control pill. In the past, he had come to these meetings as a representative of the office of former U.S. Rep. George Brown.
Though he had become a regular "Joe Public,' Minick still thought of himself as more legitimate than those who regularly crowded county meetings to voice their concern and air their rage. "I didn't want to be close to them,' Minick, 80, said. "They sounded like nuts to me.'
How times have changed. More....

Spear Calls for Airing of Laundry

Councilman Spear has called for residents and taxpayers to voice their concerns about the recent misuse of City equipment and manpower at the next City Council Meeting. First proposed by ex-Councilman Glenn Freshour, this could prove to be an opportunity for citizens to express their views on this and other examples of perceived incidents of misuse of taxpayer moneys. This might mark the first time that we all agree.

The problem is we know that without an item calling for the hearing of Citizen concerns being placed on the agenda providing for a complete airing, the subject will be relegated to the public comments section of the meeting and will never be acted on. This BS of, "we can't discuss that tonight," will not appease the growing anger of the public.

We would like to request that the subject be placed upon an agenda and there be a Special Council Meeting for the expressed purpose of this and other examples of possible  mismanagement past and present. With a new Council, still fresh on the job we trust that they will hear out the People's concerns. If examples rise to a level of legitimate concern, we feel that they would move to investigate, recover and even send their findings to the Public Integrity Unit of the DA or the DOJ for possible prosecution.

We've put all of this off far too long. It is time to air the dirty laundry.

The road to hell is paved with good intentions

While at first blush our good friend Councilman Steve Spear's posted explanation of the grading of the City Managers non-maintained road seemed reasonable, but after thinking about it, it has raised more questions than it answered.

With  all due respect Steve, I have got to question your posted scenario. It makes no sense that city employees knowing the extent of  damage and clean up in town after the recent storms, would have exposed themselves to public criticism by diverting precious resources away from clearing public roads without the approval of some level of city management.

You said, " The bottom line is that we had a loyal city crew that thought by doing something more, they did well..."

What the hell is that, the Abu Ghraib defense? Blame it on the enlisted personnel? Come on, are you telling us that city employees are allowed to work outside the scope of their assigned task without permission from supervision?

Who were these supposed self-motivated city employees "loyal" to? Are you saying that these trained road crews became oblivious to their scope of responsibility out of some altruistic need to show "loyalty?" In my neck of the woods that's called brown nosing, and nobody likes a brown-noser.

To be quite honest I think we have a far more intelligent and professional group of guys and girls working down at the city yard than you give them credit for. I can not see them doing something like that without someone in a higher pay grade giving them the go ahead.

If we have employees feeling that  "loyalty" to the city is manifested by doing favors for the Boss, at the expense of the taxpayer, we have a hostile workplace and a huge personnel problem. Justice cries out to ask, what else has the taxpayer payed for in the name of this kind of expression of "loyalty?" Wouldn't all this misplaced "zeal" in fact reflect an even deeper problem with city management? What kind of management structure would foster such a workplace environment that an employee would feel the need to prove "loyalty" by an obvious misuse of the taxpayers equipment and manpower?

Public Integrity Unit hires new investigator

The San Bernardino County District Attorney's Public Integrity Unit is growing. The division, which was created to investigate complaints against elected officials and government employees, has added one investigator and is hoping to add another in the coming months, lead attorney Frank Vanella said Wednesday. (Source)

What we need is to replace Vanella with a fellow with a  "set." All the people have gotten from Frank Vanella is cover-up, excuses and defending the indefensible. In a sign of a complete distrust of the DA's Office, the County Supervisors have hired Leonard L. Gumport esq. to do their investigating of corruption,  the job that Ramos' Vanella should have been doing from day one.

Grading Story Grates Glenn

Update on the road grading fiasco:
It is reported that City Manager Mike Swigart has or is going to write a check for the cost of grading of his non-maintained city  road by city crews. We'll be asking for a copy of the check through the "Public Records Act" as soon as we can. Depending on the amount, city crews might be busy with the rest of the dirt roads in town.

Contrary to our first report of Glenn Freshour having the road graded to his driveway on the non-maintained street he lives on by the city, the grading falls short of his property by 20 yards.

Storm brews trouble for City Manager

With the end of a week of thunderstorms, folks on "On The Hill" have begun to ring the phones off the wall complaining about the most blatant example of the misuse of city equipment we've seen in years.

The roads in the area boarded by Sunrise to the east to El Camino Rd on the west, 62 to the south and Two Mile to the north are not maintained by the City of Twentynine Palms unless you have “old Boy” political connections that is.

Several residents of the area have called fuming as to why were City Crews and equipment used to grade the street of the city manager and ex-mayor. They understood the need to clear the road for emergency vehicles but this goes way way beyond that requirement. Intersections and driveways were blocked by 1 foot high tailing berms as the city crews plowed the non-maintained street up to the driveways of ex-mayor Glenn Freshour and City Manager Mike Swigart. Residents watched in disbelief. "People are pissed," said one resident.

Residents have for years pooled their resources to maintain the roads in the exclusive area. Has the city added the area to it's maintance schedule? They ask why is the city plowing one road in the area while ignoring other obvious problems on others? Who is going to pay for it? They want to know now. We do too.

Moonbat Brown uses eminent domain to take businesses without ruling of 'Blight.'

Our City Attormey Patrick Munoz has told you "It can't happen in California." Well Read this story from Oakland.

ON JULY 1, Oakland took possession of two properties that housed two viable businesses -- Revelli Tires and Autohouse, which provided the livelihoods of John Revelli and Tony Fung -- by eminent domain so that a private developer can build apartments in the redevelopment zone. On Aug. 1, Oakland took possession of a parking lot about one block away -- on which owner Alex Hahn says he wants to build housing -- so that Sears can relocate its Auto Center to that lot.

If you had to re-read the above paragraph, it is because this story makes no sense. Oakland, you see, is using government's supreme power -- the ability to seize citizens' private property -- so that bureaucrats can trade years of sweat and dreams as if they were property cards for a Monopoly game board. Except Oakland pols view all properties as if they are the inexpensive purple ones, Baltic and Mediterranean. More

The Railroading of Property Owners in California City.

We are embarking on a series of articles that we will dive right into the sorted political and financial connections of Senator Diane Feinstein, her husband Richard C. Blum and his controlling interest in Catellus, Hyundai, Korean Banks, California City.  In studying any business venture the object is not to figure out the end game but to follow the money.

Overview

The story goes way back to the time of the "Desert Protection Act of 1994" and the brokered deal for 100s of thousand of acres of useless desert land bought by or traded to the Federal Government for exchange for lands and options for lands more valuable closer to civilization. We are going to move forward to 2004 and the sweat heart deal that forced  families off their land for the promise of 50 jobs.

When Hyundai needed land for a new auto testing track, Catellus and officials in the remote, high-desert town of California City were eager to oblige.

The City hoped the $50 million track would bring a wealth of property taxes for the struggling town, where the unemployment rate is twice the state average. Catellus was just in it for the profit.

Under a state law that allows governments to seize land designated as "urbanized and blighted," the city's redevelopment agency went to court and won permission to take more than 700 acres from private landowners, paying them what many in the area considered a fair amount.

On the surface, the arrangement looked like a reasonable example of the government buying privately owned land for the public good. But four holdout property owners said if Hyundai wants the land it must be worth much more than what the city offered. (Source)

California City annexed 29 square miles of unincorporated Kern County land suitable for the track and relinquished another 29 square miles to the county. Hyundai then bought almost 3,000 acres from Catellus, a real estate company that sells former railroad property controlled by Blum the husband of Feinstein. The city then forced other property owners to sell at bargain basement prices the rest of the needed property and handed it over to Hyundai along with a huge tax deferment deal.

Who is Catellus?

Catellus is one of the most politically wired development companies in California with significant ties to Senator Diane Feinstein, outgoing San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown (who was formerly their attorney), ex-California State Senate President Pro Tem John Burton (another ex-Catellus attorney), and John Foran, the MTC lobbyist who briefly served as Catellus' lobbyist on a very provocative piece of legislation sponsored by Burton in 1997. Another client with Foran's lobbying firm Nossaman, Guthner, Knox and Elliott is the LA Metropolitan Transit Authority, whose offices happen to be in another Catellus property, renovated with redevelopment money in downtown Los Angeles at Union Station. It is reported that Catellus is controlled by Richard C. Blum the husband of Diane Feinstein. (source)

And it is a wonder why Feinstein is so silent about the Kelo ruling on eminent domain.

More to Follow

Anthony Martinez Kidnapping Marked the End of Innocence

The kidnapping and killing of little Anthony Martinez in 1997 consumed much of the thoughts of local residents back in the late '90s. It  marked the end of innocence in our area. People have become more weary of strangers. Parents have become justifiably overly protective. Schools diverted funds from the classroom to security. For 8 years  parents and grand-parents prayed that their child would never meet the same fate as little Anthony.

Idaho Killer/rapist Joseph Edward Duncan III confessed to killing Anthony, authorities said Wednesday.

This Duncan scum not only murdered a little boy but changed the way we conducted our lives, raised our children and viewed our neighbors. This bastard, deserves far more than a civilized needle in the arm and put to sleep.

OC Board of Supervisors Vote to Back McClintock Bill

Per the Register's Blog:

Board votes to support ban on eminent domain abuse

The board voted 5-0 today to endorse the McClintock/LaMalfa constitutional amendment to ban the abuse of eminent domain.
Posted by Steven Greenhut -- sgreenhut@ocregister.com at 2:36 PM

A Chilling Reassurance

In the aftermath of Kelo it looks like Rancho Cucamonga's Redevelopment Agency is trying to reassure wary homeowners about eminent domain, though their words would leave me less than comforted.

The following comes from their Fast Track newsletter.

I like my home, I like my neighbors. If I am in a Redevelopment Project Area, does that mean that I will lose my home and have to leave?

Simply living in a redevelopment project area does not mean that you will be forced to move. Redevelopment does not mean that there is a bulldozer waiting around the corner. There may be some need for relocation, demolition of existing buildings, and recycling of urban land. These activities are part of a carefully thought-out redevelopment plan designed to fulfill the needs and desires of the majority of residents, property owners, and business owners for the betterment of the community. Only properties essential for revitalizing a declining area are purchased by an agency.

Feel better?
Source

AG Lockyer challenges seizure of land for private project City tries to use eminent domain to take 15,000 acres of "'blighted" desert

In a move that suggests the use of eminent domain by local governments might be coming under closer scrutiny by state officials, California Attorney General Bill Lockyer said in court papers Tuesday that a Kern County city abused its authority under redevelopment law when it declared 15,000 acres of vacant desert land to be blighted and moved to force the owners to sell the property.

 California City, located in southeastern Kern County near Edwards Air Force Base, used the threat of eminent domain to get most of the owners of the desert land to sell so the property could be turned over to Hyundai Motor America for construction of a 4,340-acre test track facility. (More from sfgate.com)

81% Jump in Local Real Estate Prices

In Twentynine Palms, the price of a home jumped 81 percent compared to a year ago. (Source)

Speculative buying has almost doubled the price of a home yet the local job market remains depressed. Gas prices at $2.50+ a gallon makes it rough for building that bedroom community.

We think it is time to double the effort to bring some sort of clean light industry to the Basin. If sand is silicon we should be the home of Microsoft.