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City launches budget talks
By REBECCA NEIPP,
News Review Staff Writer
News Review Staff Writer
Endorsements heat up
supervisor race
supervisor race
Public vents frustration at lack of meaningful information
Ashburn endorsement raises
objections
objections
| Ridgecrest Police Detective Kenny Merzlak shows a group of young children how police dust for fingerprints at the recent open house at the RPD. ( click for larger ) Photo by Laura Austin |
By REBECCA NEIPP, News Review Staff Writer
By REBECCA NEIPP,
News Review Staff Writer
News Review Staff Writer
The news of the city’s fiscal health continues to be grim, with
city officials discussing Monday night the devastating effects of
reduced revenues, increasing mandates and what amounts to a
$2-million annual loss that happened after money was already
obligated.
But while members of the public voiced their understanding of
the severe choices facing the city, they also expressed frustration
about the format in which it was presented — with the big picture
expressed only in vague terms and the mechanics of the budget
read in numeric codes unavailable to the public.
“I listen to [Finance Director Tyrell Staheli’s] presentation
without any idea what he’s talking about,” said former
councilmember Howard Auld. “From the public’s point of view, it
means nothing to us.”
city officials discussing Monday night the devastating effects of
reduced revenues, increasing mandates and what amounts to a
$2-million annual loss that happened after money was already
obligated.
But while members of the public voiced their understanding of
the severe choices facing the city, they also expressed frustration
about the format in which it was presented — with the big picture
expressed only in vague terms and the mechanics of the budget
read in numeric codes unavailable to the public.
“I listen to [Finance Director Tyrell Staheli’s] presentation
without any idea what he’s talking about,” said former
councilmember Howard Auld. “From the public’s point of view, it
means nothing to us.”
PD budget outlined for council
The city has seen a decrease in serious crimes and
traffic-collision injuries in recent years. Ridgecrest Police
Chief Ron Strand said the city was able to achieve that with
a reduced force and an increase in responsibilities.
Last year the force had 32 sworn officers. Next year the
department will be down to 30. Since fiscal year 2009, the
department has lost eight officers, said Strand.
That number is important because, particularly once
travel, training and sick leave are factored in, it is harder to
cover the load in investigations and on the streets. He said
that while the PD has typically been staffed with one
sergeant and four officers at any given time, that is likely to
be reduced to one sergeant and two or three officers.
traffic-collision injuries in recent years. Ridgecrest Police
Chief Ron Strand said the city was able to achieve that with
a reduced force and an increase in responsibilities.
Last year the force had 32 sworn officers. Next year the
department will be down to 30. Since fiscal year 2009, the
department has lost eight officers, said Strand.
That number is important because, particularly once
travel, training and sick leave are factored in, it is harder to
cover the load in investigations and on the streets. He said
that while the PD has typically been staffed with one
sergeant and four officers at any given time, that is likely to
be reduced to one sergeant and two or three officers.
Last week’s endorsement by the Bakersfield
Californian for Kern County 1st District Supervisor has
sparked criticism for the support of the controversial
candidate. The Californian (which also endorsed Mayor
Pro Tem Chip Holloway) backs Roy Ashburn on the
strength of his knowledge of the 1st District and his
previous experience in the office from 1984-96.
The primary objection from critics seem to focus on the
glossing over of his “baggage” with only an oblique
reference to the end of his long political career.
“You cite his ‘controversial’ job with the state
Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board and recall that
he ‘comes with a lot of baggage.’ Faint praise indeed,”
wrote Dennis Kline of Ridgecrest.
Californian for Kern County 1st District Supervisor has
sparked criticism for the support of the controversial
candidate. The Californian (which also endorsed Mayor
Pro Tem Chip Holloway) backs Roy Ashburn on the
strength of his knowledge of the 1st District and his
previous experience in the office from 1984-96.
The primary objection from critics seem to focus on the
glossing over of his “baggage” with only an oblique
reference to the end of his long political career.
“You cite his ‘controversial’ job with the state
Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board and recall that
he ‘comes with a lot of baggage.’ Faint praise indeed,”
wrote Dennis Kline of Ridgecrest.
By REBECCA NEIPP,
News Review Staff Writer
News Review Staff Writer
| ROCK-A-BYE BABIES. Swaying on a tree branch are two baby hummingbirds whose mother obligingly built her nest just outside Eleanor and Jim Stanford’s front door. The Stanfords have spent many hours observing their beautiful little visitors, who as of last week were about to outgrow their nest. ( click for larger ) Photo by Liz Babcock |
The endorsements coming out for the eight candidates in
the race for Kern County 1st District Supervisor have raised
awareness of where support for each candidate is coming
from and in some cases concern about what that means for
the independence of each candidate.
Dave Freeland, a retired ranger from Kern River Valley,
submitted a list of nearly 50 small businesses and individuals,
including markets, clinics, restaurants and automotive dealers.
Delano City Councilman Sam Ramirez has been endorsed
by Delano Mayor Grace Vallejo, McFarland Mayor Manuel
Cantu, Shafter Councilman Gilbert Alvara-do, former Shafter
Mayor Fran Florez and the Service Employees International
Union.
Mick Gleason of Ridgecrest submitted a list of more than 100
businesses and individuals including state Sen. Jean Fuller
and Assem-blywoman Shannon Grove, each of whom have
attended campaign functions.
He has also garnered endorsements from Naval Air Warfare
Center Weapons Division Execu-tive Director Scott O’Neil,
Kern County Young Republicans, Bakersfield College Director
Richard McCrow and Kern County Board of Education Vice
President James Bartleson. Other support comes from former
NAWC Commander and NAWS Commanding Officer Mark
Storch, Vice Mayor Jerry Taylor, former Councilman Tom
Wiknich, Water Board Director and businessman Peter Brown
and scores of other businesses and individuals.
the race for Kern County 1st District Supervisor have raised
awareness of where support for each candidate is coming
from and in some cases concern about what that means for
the independence of each candidate.
Dave Freeland, a retired ranger from Kern River Valley,
submitted a list of nearly 50 small businesses and individuals,
including markets, clinics, restaurants and automotive dealers.
Delano City Councilman Sam Ramirez has been endorsed
by Delano Mayor Grace Vallejo, McFarland Mayor Manuel
Cantu, Shafter Councilman Gilbert Alvara-do, former Shafter
Mayor Fran Florez and the Service Employees International
Union.
Mick Gleason of Ridgecrest submitted a list of more than 100
businesses and individuals including state Sen. Jean Fuller
and Assem-blywoman Shannon Grove, each of whom have
attended campaign functions.
He has also garnered endorsements from Naval Air Warfare
Center Weapons Division Execu-tive Director Scott O’Neil,
Kern County Young Republicans, Bakersfield College Director
Richard McCrow and Kern County Board of Education Vice
President James Bartleson. Other support comes from former
NAWC Commander and NAWS Commanding Officer Mark
Storch, Vice Mayor Jerry Taylor, former Councilman Tom
Wiknich, Water Board Director and businessman Peter Brown
and scores of other businesses and individuals.