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By REBECCA NEIPP, News Review Staff Writer
Mayor to meet with waste management board today in Sacramento
Walmart initiative approved by council
Trash issue divides council
Confusion continues to hang up progress in resolving contention surrounding the city’s mandatory trash program. The
ire of citizens and frustration of city council and staff appear to have broken decorum down into debates marked more by
frenzied emotion than productivity.
Persistent outcry from the public has apparently worn down the council’s commitment to finding a compromise that
appeases the California Integrated Waste Man-agement Board — which has continually threatened the city with
devastating penalties if it does not follow through with the agreed-upon recycling programs — without burdening
residents with an unwanted, compulsory fee.
ire of citizens and frustration of city council and staff appear to have broken decorum down into debates marked more by
frenzied emotion than productivity.
Persistent outcry from the public has apparently worn down the council’s commitment to finding a compromise that
appeases the California Integrated Waste Man-agement Board — which has continually threatened the city with
devastating penalties if it does not follow through with the agreed-upon recycling programs — without burdening
residents with an unwanted, compulsory fee.
Local doctor says cuts
could raise healthcare
costs
could raise healthcare
costs
By REBECCA NEIPP
News Review Staff Writer
News Review Staff Writer
Among the programs on the chopping block on
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s budget proposal
is the Healthy Families insurance program,
which at least one local pediatrician said could
endanger the lives of uninsured children and
ultimately drive up the cost of administering
health care.
Schwarzenegger made a case to the federal
government about California’s dire budget
situation, threatening to make devastating cuts to
social services if the feds did not come through
with a $7 billion bailout.
Analysts have criticized the governor’s actions
as both high risk and an unlikely solution. If the
governor follows through with cuts, according to
the California branch of the American Academy
of Pediatrics, more than 874,000 children could
lose coverage.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s budget proposal
is the Healthy Families insurance program,
which at least one local pediatrician said could
endanger the lives of uninsured children and
ultimately drive up the cost of administering
health care.
Schwarzenegger made a case to the federal
government about California’s dire budget
situation, threatening to make devastating cuts to
social services if the feds did not come through
with a $7 billion bailout.
Analysts have criticized the governor’s actions
as both high risk and an unlikely solution. If the
governor follows through with cuts, according to
the California branch of the American Academy
of Pediatrics, more than 874,000 children could
lose coverage.
Malacai Washington and his aunt Letia Bogan
follow along with a scripture reading during a
service Monday in observance Dr. Martin Luther
King Jr. Day. Local residents gathered to
celebrate Dr. King’s dream with a program of
inspiring words and music.
Photo by Laura Austin
( click for larger images )
follow along with a scripture reading during a
service Monday in observance Dr. Martin Luther
King Jr. Day. Local residents gathered to
celebrate Dr. King’s dream with a program of
inspiring words and music.
Photo by Laura Austin
( click for larger images )
Mayor clarifies city’s support for new supercenter
By REBECCA NEIPP, News Review Staff Writer
Walmart is one step closer to opening a supercenter in Ridgecrest
after the City Council accepted a petition and approved ordinances
to move the project forward.
Aaron Rios, senior manager of public affairs for Walmart, thanked
the city for working with the company on the project, which Interim
City Manager Harvey Rose said has been in development for almost
four years.
After apparently being hung up in development, Walmart pulled out
of working with the Planning Commission and returned with an
initiative that would bypass parts of the standard process.
Many theories arose for the driving forces behind that action, but
Councilman Chip Holloway said it simply came down to the fact that
forces outside of Ridgecrest were working against the development,
and this was the most expedient road to opening a store — set for
the property directly east of the current location.
after the City Council accepted a petition and approved ordinances
to move the project forward.
Aaron Rios, senior manager of public affairs for Walmart, thanked
the city for working with the company on the project, which Interim
City Manager Harvey Rose said has been in development for almost
four years.
After apparently being hung up in development, Walmart pulled out
of working with the Planning Commission and returned with an
initiative that would bypass parts of the standard process.
Many theories arose for the driving forces behind that action, but
Councilman Chip Holloway said it simply came down to the fact that
forces outside of Ridgecrest were working against the development,
and this was the most expedient road to opening a store — set for
the property directly east of the current location.