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‘Voluntary vs. mandatory’ debate goes to polls
By REBECCA NEIPP, News Review Staff Writer
Ashburn scandal draws national attention
Grand Jury releases report on mandatory trash
Jean Fuller to speak at
‘Respect for Law’ dinner
‘Respect for Law’ dinner
| State Sen. Roy Ashburn |
By REBECCA NEIPP, News Review Staff Writer
Critics across the state and country zeroed in on state Sen. Roy Ashburn after his
arrest last week for driving under the influence led to leaked information of his
presence at a gay bar, and ultimately his revelation that he is gay.
The admission from the now-divorced father of four who is famous for his socially
conservative platform and voting record shocked many of his constituents. However
some of his Republican counterparts at various levels of government admit that
Ashburn’s lifestyle has been the subject of quiet conjecture in the years since his
divorce in 2002.
They are equally quick to point out that since the senator has termed out of both
houses in the state legislature and is not expected to seek election at the national
level, Ashburn’s political relevance is a moot point.
The story broke last Wednesday morning, drawing local and state attention.
California Highway Patrol reported his arrest for driving near the state capitol at 2
a.m. in his state vehicle — with a blood-alcohol level of .14. Officers stated that
Ashburn had been very cooperative, and the senator issued a statement apologizing
to his family, friends, constituents and colleagues.
arrest last week for driving under the influence led to leaked information of his
presence at a gay bar, and ultimately his revelation that he is gay.
The admission from the now-divorced father of four who is famous for his socially
conservative platform and voting record shocked many of his constituents. However
some of his Republican counterparts at various levels of government admit that
Ashburn’s lifestyle has been the subject of quiet conjecture in the years since his
divorce in 2002.
They are equally quick to point out that since the senator has termed out of both
houses in the state legislature and is not expected to seek election at the national
level, Ashburn’s political relevance is a moot point.
The story broke last Wednesday morning, drawing local and state attention.
California Highway Patrol reported his arrest for driving near the state capitol at 2
a.m. in his state vehicle — with a blood-alcohol level of .14. Officers stated that
Ashburn had been very cooperative, and the senator issued a statement apologizing
to his family, friends, constituents and colleagues.
Councilman proposes ballot poll on trash and recycling as compromise after ‘initiative’ doesn’t pass
legal muster
legal muster
In keeping with a report that cited several legal concerns with an initiative to reverse the city’s mandatory trash
program, the Ridgecrest City Council’s motion to place the issue on the ballot failed for lack of support.
However, a compromise suggested by Councilman Jerry Taylor will place on the ballot two questions that ask
residents whether they would support mandatory trash and mandatory recycling programs.
Taylor said it is unfortunate that the proposed initiative could not move forward, but he did not want to disenfranchise
some 3,000 people who signed the petition. “We want at least to give the citizens a satisfactory opportunity to tell us how
to proceed.”
City Attorney Keith Lemieux cited several points that prevent the effort from being legal. Chief among those were the fact
that it looked to revise existing law, which classified it as a referendum rather than an initiative. On that count, he said, the
window of opportunity to revise municipal code has expired.
program, the Ridgecrest City Council’s motion to place the issue on the ballot failed for lack of support.
However, a compromise suggested by Councilman Jerry Taylor will place on the ballot two questions that ask
residents whether they would support mandatory trash and mandatory recycling programs.
Taylor said it is unfortunate that the proposed initiative could not move forward, but he did not want to disenfranchise
some 3,000 people who signed the petition. “We want at least to give the citizens a satisfactory opportunity to tell us how
to proceed.”
City Attorney Keith Lemieux cited several points that prevent the effort from being legal. Chief among those were the fact
that it looked to revise existing law, which classified it as a referendum rather than an initiative. On that count, he said, the
window of opportunity to revise municipal code has expired.
Findings from the Kern County Grand Jury have validated the city’s implementation of the controversial program for
mandatory curbside collection of trash and recycling.
“The staff and officials of the city of Ridgecrest demonstrated a sound knowledge of both the legal issues involved and
the needs of the citizens in the contentious issue of trash policy,” states the report. “All issues identified by the committee
were satisfactorily answered by city staff.”
The much-criticized program was the city’s answer to threats from the state, which has cited the city for not complying
with the state mandates of diverting 50 percent or more from the waste stream into recycling. (See also related story, this
page).
mandatory curbside collection of trash and recycling.
“The staff and officials of the city of Ridgecrest demonstrated a sound knowledge of both the legal issues involved and
the needs of the citizens in the contentious issue of trash policy,” states the report. “All issues identified by the committee
were satisfactorily answered by city staff.”
The much-criticized program was the city’s answer to threats from the state, which has cited the city for not complying
with the state mandates of diverting 50 percent or more from the waste stream into recycling. (See also related story, this
page).
Despite this
week’s cold
snap,
flowering
cherry
blossoms —
as seen in
front of
Heritage Inn
— bring
tidings of
spring.
Photo by
Laura Austin
week’s cold
snap,
flowering
cherry
blossoms —
as seen in
front of
Heritage Inn
— bring
tidings of
spring.
Photo by
Laura Austin
Assemblywoman Jean Fuller brings strong support of law
enforcement in California as she prepares to deliver the
keynote talk at the Annual Respect for Law Dinner in
Ridgecrest on March 26.
Elected officials and the representatives from all levels of
government that provide law enforcement services are
expected to attend as the local agencies honor their “Officer of
the Year” at the banquet set for the Elks Lodge on March 26.
The public is welcome, and encouraged, to attend and show
support for the men and women who protect the society in
which we live.
enforcement in California as she prepares to deliver the
keynote talk at the Annual Respect for Law Dinner in
Ridgecrest on March 26.
Elected officials and the representatives from all levels of
government that provide law enforcement services are
expected to attend as the local agencies honor their “Officer of
the Year” at the banquet set for the Elks Lodge on March 26.
The public is welcome, and encouraged, to attend and show
support for the men and women who protect the society in
which we live.