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Grove calls for legislative overhaul
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By REBECCA NEIPP,
News Review Staff Writer
News Review Staff Writer
By REBECCA NEIPP,
News Review Staff Writer
News Review Staff Writer
Conference speakers tout local strengths
Water board OKs rate increases
Rep. Shannon Grove
Dysfunction in California’s legislature has wrought havoc on virtually every agency
in the state over the last several budget cycles. Although this point seems to be
universally acknowledged, the causes and solutions are the subjects of great
debate by our elected leaders.
But at least one local representative is calling for reform of that very system of
leadership in order to promote healing for our state.
Assemblywoman Shannon Grove, a Bakersfield conservative who represents the
residents of the Indian Wells Valley, shared her concerns, and her proposed
solution, with the Ridgecrest Republican Women Federated last Friday during one
of her frequent trips to Ridgecrest.
Fed up with an inability to effect the change her district is calling for — both
houses of the state legislature lack the numbers to see any conservative bill get
heard on the Senate or Assembly floors — Grove is calling on citizens to support
an initiative that would dramatically change California’s political status quo.
in the state over the last several budget cycles. Although this point seems to be
universally acknowledged, the causes and solutions are the subjects of great
debate by our elected leaders.
But at least one local representative is calling for reform of that very system of
leadership in order to promote healing for our state.
Assemblywoman Shannon Grove, a Bakersfield conservative who represents the
residents of the Indian Wells Valley, shared her concerns, and her proposed
solution, with the Ridgecrest Republican Women Federated last Friday during one
of her frequent trips to Ridgecrest.
Fed up with an inability to effect the change her district is calling for — both
houses of the state legislature lack the numbers to see any conservative bill get
heard on the Senate or Assembly floors — Grove is calling on citizens to support
an initiative that would dramatically change California’s political status quo.
The Indian Wells Valley Water District board of directors
voted 5- 0 Monday night to adopt a three-year plan raising
rates and charges for water service.
Following a public hearing during which eight residents of
the district commented on the proposed plan, directors
decided that the major component of the monthly water bill,
called the “ready to serve” charge, would increase in three
steps by 19.5 percent by February 2014.
The only portion of the monthly bill that is subject to control
by ratepayers through conservation measures or waste,
called the usage charge, and the elevation-based “zone
charge,” will each increase a modest three percent by the
same date.
While there had been substantial angst expressed by pre-
meeting letter-writers, hallway and corridor conversations,
and even among the attendees at the hearing, there were no
histrionics on display during the public comment period, and
what outrage was expressed ranged from managed ire to
courtly complaint.
Former IWVWD board member Judie Decker castigated the
board early on, however, for ...
voted 5- 0 Monday night to adopt a three-year plan raising
rates and charges for water service.
Following a public hearing during which eight residents of
the district commented on the proposed plan, directors
decided that the major component of the monthly water bill,
called the “ready to serve” charge, would increase in three
steps by 19.5 percent by February 2014.
The only portion of the monthly bill that is subject to control
by ratepayers through conservation measures or waste,
called the usage charge, and the elevation-based “zone
charge,” will each increase a modest three percent by the
same date.
While there had been substantial angst expressed by pre-
meeting letter-writers, hallway and corridor conversations,
and even among the attendees at the hearing, there were no
histrionics on display during the public comment period, and
what outrage was expressed ranged from managed ire to
courtly complaint.
Former IWVWD board member Judie Decker castigated the
board early on, however, for ...
By JAMES SIMMONS, News Review Correspondent
Even as the national and state economies
are sluggish in recovering from the recession,
innovation in Ridgecrest, China Lake and
Kern County is helping to ensure a bright
future for the region.
This was the overall theme from elected
officials and leaders in military, real estate
and healthcare fronts. But with that outlook
came a realistic assessment of current and
coming obstructions,and a call to residents to
join in a partnership designed to protect the
interests of the Indian Wells Valley.
“We are facing many challenges — not just
here in Kern County, but in the nation,” said
1st District Supervisor Jon McQuiston, who
served as master of ceremonies for last week’
s Economic Outlook Conference, sponsored
by the city and the Ridgecrest Chamber of
Commerce.
“But if we work together, we can find the right
path.”
McQuiston talked about the region’s assets,
primarily the unreplicatable Navy mission at
China Lake, which he said must continue be
protected and promoted.
are sluggish in recovering from the recession,
innovation in Ridgecrest, China Lake and
Kern County is helping to ensure a bright
future for the region.
This was the overall theme from elected
officials and leaders in military, real estate
and healthcare fronts. But with that outlook
came a realistic assessment of current and
coming obstructions,and a call to residents to
join in a partnership designed to protect the
interests of the Indian Wells Valley.
“We are facing many challenges — not just
here in Kern County, but in the nation,” said
1st District Supervisor Jon McQuiston, who
served as master of ceremonies for last week’
s Economic Outlook Conference, sponsored
by the city and the Ridgecrest Chamber of
Commerce.
“But if we work together, we can find the right
path.”
McQuiston talked about the region’s assets,
primarily the unreplicatable Navy mission at
China Lake, which he said must continue be
protected and promoted.