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Council orders
further study on
trash initiative
further study on
trash initiative
City approves project list for RDA funds
| A new signpost now adorns the city’s main intersection, thanks to the effort of a local artist, donations by local residents and conversion of state property to city control. “It has taken us a while, but we have finally made it happen,” said Ridgecrest Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Director Jim Ponek. Skip Gorman created the signpost to be placed at the landscaped corner of China Lake and Ridgecrest boulevards adjacent to Denny’s. The sidewalk area was donated by Russ Mathewson and T. Simmons Co., and during a recent City Council meeting accepted from CalTrans by Ridgecrest. “Congratulations on all of our efforts of making art a reality in the community of Ridgecrest,” said Ponek. Photo by Laura Austin |
“The gold mining industry is really a roller-coaster,” said Kenneth
Mann, vice president of CR Briggs Corp. and general manager of
the newly reopened Briggs Mine.
Gold mining is known for its “boom and bust” communities, gold
rushes and an association with sporadic wealth and uncertainty.
Ironically, the Briggs project seems to be providing a surge of
stability in a faltering economy.
The sprawling plant sits in the Panamint Mountains eight miles
south of Ballarat, a ghost town boasting a population of one
resident.
In accordance with his roller-coaster analogy, Mann described
how CR Briggs survived through gold’s fluctuating prices during
eight years of production in the area (1996-2004). The project
was then shut down despite the large deposits of gold left at the
site.
After an extensive environmental reclamation process, many
assumed the project wouldn’t reopen. However, gold’s recent
surge in value led the company to reopen the mine in 2009.
Mann, vice president of CR Briggs Corp. and general manager of
the newly reopened Briggs Mine.
Gold mining is known for its “boom and bust” communities, gold
rushes and an association with sporadic wealth and uncertainty.
Ironically, the Briggs project seems to be providing a surge of
stability in a faltering economy.
The sprawling plant sits in the Panamint Mountains eight miles
south of Ballarat, a ghost town boasting a population of one
resident.
In accordance with his roller-coaster analogy, Mann described
how CR Briggs survived through gold’s fluctuating prices during
eight years of production in the area (1996-2004). The project
was then shut down despite the large deposits of gold left at the
site.
After an extensive environmental reclamation process, many
assumed the project wouldn’t reopen. However, gold’s recent
surge in value led the company to reopen the mine in 2009.
By REBECCA NEIPP, News Review Staff Writer
Wiknich says city faces expensive
legal battles if ballot item passes
legal battles if ballot item passes
By REBECCA NEIPP
News Review Staff Writer
News Review Staff Writer
An initiative that would overturn the city’s
controversial mandatory trash program and
force a lawsuit between the city and state
has been sent to staff for further
consideration.
At the Feb. 17 meeting, City Clerk Rachel
Ford reported that the county authorized
nearly 3,000 of the signatures on the
petition circulated by the Don’t Tread on Me
Citizens for Freedom — nearly twice the
amount required to place an initiative on
the ballot.
Interim City Manager Harvey Rose told
Ridgecrest City Council members that they
have three options — adopt the initiative as
an ordinance, order an election or order a
report.
controversial mandatory trash program and
force a lawsuit between the city and state
has been sent to staff for further
consideration.
At the Feb. 17 meeting, City Clerk Rachel
Ford reported that the county authorized
nearly 3,000 of the signatures on the
petition circulated by the Don’t Tread on Me
Citizens for Freedom — nearly twice the
amount required to place an initiative on
the ballot.
Interim City Manager Harvey Rose told
Ridgecrest City Council members that they
have three options — adopt the initiative as
an ordinance, order an election or order a
report.
Council opens door to county partnership with offer to help fund new home for library
The Ridgecrest City Council, under its authority as the Ridgecrest Redevelopment Agency board, approved a list of
projects worth some $19 million at the Feb. 17 council meeting.
Jim Simmons of RGS presented to the council, city staff and attendees a brief history of redevelopment agencies. RDA
funds allow for cities to improve specially designated areas of blight through county shares of local property tax.
The city developed a 40-year plan in 1986 that designated the entire city, rather than specific parcels of land, as a
blighted area that qualifies for use of RDA funds. In return, after the first 25 years of the agreement — up in 2011 — the
use of RDA funds will fall under the sanction of the county.
projects worth some $19 million at the Feb. 17 council meeting.
Jim Simmons of RGS presented to the council, city staff and attendees a brief history of redevelopment agencies. RDA
funds allow for cities to improve specially designated areas of blight through county shares of local property tax.
The city developed a 40-year plan in 1986 that designated the entire city, rather than specific parcels of land, as a
blighted area that qualifies for use of RDA funds. In return, after the first 25 years of the agreement — up in 2011 — the
use of RDA funds will fall under the sanction of the county.
CR Briggs reopens mining facility as the value of gold increases
By JUSTIN COSNER, Special to the News Review
Dore, a mixture of
silver and gold, is
poured into bricks as
the last step
in the process at CR
Briggs. The final
product is then sent
for further refining.
Photo by Laura Austin
silver and gold, is
poured into bricks as
the last step
in the process at CR
Briggs. The final
product is then sent
for further refining.
Photo by Laura Austin