| |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| . |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Candidate drops out after scandal
Vigil to honor military
By REBECCA NEIPP, News Review Staff Writer
Assembly Candidate Shannon Holloway says Mettler encouraged her to run as a political strategy
Bidder challenges city’s selection for solar project
By LAUREN LOEWEN
News Review Staff Writer
News Review Staff Writer
By REBECCA NEIPP,
News Review Staff Writer
News Review Staff Writer
A project to generate solar energy for City Hall has been stalled after a competing bidder — as well as members of the
Ridgecrest City Council — raised concerns about the proposal by the Trane Company to implement photovoltaic panels
at Helmer’s Park. The council agreed to table the issue in order to work through those objections, but Information
Systems Manager Craig Bradley told the council that a prompt decision is necessary in order to meet critical deadlines.
A special meeting has been scheduled for 5 p.m. on Monday, May 3, to further address those concerns and presumably
allow staff to move forward.
Though the current project has changed from its original scope, the city first began dealing with Trane some four years
ago. Disappointment with an underperforming Kinetic Systems project led the city on a search for better cost- and energy-
saving solutions. Councilman Chip Holloway suggested Trane, which was in the early stages of implementing a system
for Ridgecrest Regional Hospital.
Ridgecrest City Council — raised concerns about the proposal by the Trane Company to implement photovoltaic panels
at Helmer’s Park. The council agreed to table the issue in order to work through those objections, but Information
Systems Manager Craig Bradley told the council that a prompt decision is necessary in order to meet critical deadlines.
A special meeting has been scheduled for 5 p.m. on Monday, May 3, to further address those concerns and presumably
allow staff to move forward.
Though the current project has changed from its original scope, the city first began dealing with Trane some four years
ago. Disappointment with an underperforming Kinetic Systems project led the city on a search for better cost- and energy-
saving solutions. Councilman Chip Holloway suggested Trane, which was in the early stages of implementing a system
for Ridgecrest Regional Hospital.
Voluntary recycling program,
solar project prolong city
meeting
solar project prolong city
meeting
A candidate for the 32nd Assembly District race has dropped out amid accusations of creating voter confusion.
Last week Shannon Holloway, while explaining her withdrawal from the race to a Bakersfield radio show host, said that
Ken Mettler recruited her run for the seat currently held by Jean Fuller. Holloway would vie in the Republican primary
against Mettler and a candidate who shares Holloway’s first name — Shannon Grove.
“I was encouraged by Ken Mettler to run,” said Holloway. “He explained to me that it’s a political strategy.”
The announcement came on the heels of e-mails leaked from the Mettler campaign that included details on how to run
Holloway’s campaign. Consultant Tracy Leach directed staffer Jeff Price on Feb. 28 to “give some thought to how we
might stealthily promote her.” Leach directed Price to “copy Groves verbiage subtly, maybe even very similar campaign
colors — confuse, confuse, confuse.”
Last week Shannon Holloway, while explaining her withdrawal from the race to a Bakersfield radio show host, said that
Ken Mettler recruited her run for the seat currently held by Jean Fuller. Holloway would vie in the Republican primary
against Mettler and a candidate who shares Holloway’s first name — Shannon Grove.
“I was encouraged by Ken Mettler to run,” said Holloway. “He explained to me that it’s a political strategy.”
The announcement came on the heels of e-mails leaked from the Mettler campaign that included details on how to run
Holloway’s campaign. Consultant Tracy Leach directed staffer Jeff Price on Feb. 28 to “give some thought to how we
might stealthily promote her.” Leach directed Price to “copy Groves verbiage subtly, maybe even very similar campaign
colors — confuse, confuse, confuse.”
Military servicemen and women and their families will be reverently
honored for their many sacrifices on Friday, May 14, at 7:30 p.m., when a
candlelight vigil will be held at Freedom Park as part of a weeklong
celebration of Armed Forces Day.
The vigil is being coordinated by Amy Auld, a woman who was inspired by
the sacrifices that military service members and their families make by
being a part of our country’s military family.
“I wanted to do something that our service men and women could be
proud of and that would give their families something to be a part of,” said
Auld, who was proud to coordinate her first candlelight vigil in 2005. “I feel
so strongly about the sacrifices that our servicepeople and their families
make — especially when they’re apart,” she said.
honored for their many sacrifices on Friday, May 14, at 7:30 p.m., when a
candlelight vigil will be held at Freedom Park as part of a weeklong
celebration of Armed Forces Day.
The vigil is being coordinated by Amy Auld, a woman who was inspired by
the sacrifices that military service members and their families make by
being a part of our country’s military family.
“I wanted to do something that our service men and women could be
proud of and that would give their families something to be a part of,” said
Auld, who was proud to coordinate her first candlelight vigil in 2005. “I feel
so strongly about the sacrifices that our servicepeople and their families
make — especially when they’re apart,” she said.
Coordinators Nancy Brannon and daughter Kara Leonard
celebrate the success of the April 17 Semper Fi Run for the
Fund — which drew more than 250 participants and raised
more than $10,000. “Bless Kara’s heart,” said Nancy. “The
way she was running around on race day I thought for sure
she would go into labor that night!” Kara waited until
Monday, April 19, when Brady Michael was born. Top
finishers in the 5K race were Jeff Dobson, Jesus Rivera and
Anthony Barnes. Mike Hill won the 10K event. Nancy
thanked the sponsors, participants, Farris Family Singers,
motorcycle escort Dave Cornelius and Bass Phillips and
Mark Millis. Photo by Rebecca Neipp
celebrate the success of the April 17 Semper Fi Run for the
Fund — which drew more than 250 participants and raised
more than $10,000. “Bless Kara’s heart,” said Nancy. “The
way she was running around on race day I thought for sure
she would go into labor that night!” Kara waited until
Monday, April 19, when Brady Michael was born. Top
finishers in the 5K race were Jeff Dobson, Jesus Rivera and
Anthony Barnes. Mike Hill won the 10K event. Nancy
thanked the sponsors, participants, Farris Family Singers,
motorcycle escort Dave Cornelius and Bass Phillips and
Mark Millis. Photo by Rebecca Neipp
By REBECCA NEIPP,
News Review Staff Writer
News Review Staff Writer
Lengthy discussions on the city’s proposals for a project
prolonged the April 21 regular meeting of the Ridgecrest
City Council to nearly seven hours.
The city’s ongoing project to conserve energy has been
tabled until a special meeting on May 3 (see related
story, above).
The issue that drew most attention from the public was
the city’s revisions to the mandatory trash and recycling
collection program. Public Services Director Jim McRea
said that while the intent — to modify the program so that
residential property owners can easily opt out of it — will
remain the same, City Attorney Keith Lemieux has been
directed to clarify the proposed language presented at
the last meeting.
“We haven’t seen those revisions yet, but they will be
presented at the regular May 5 meeting,” said McRea.
In 2007 the council approved an agreement between the
city and the California Board of Integrated Waste
Management — now Cal-Recycles — that included
programs to bring the city’s rate of diverting recyclables
from the waste stream in compliance with the state’s 50-
percent-or-greater requirement.
prolonged the April 21 regular meeting of the Ridgecrest
City Council to nearly seven hours.
The city’s ongoing project to conserve energy has been
tabled until a special meeting on May 3 (see related
story, above).
The issue that drew most attention from the public was
the city’s revisions to the mandatory trash and recycling
collection program. Public Services Director Jim McRea
said that while the intent — to modify the program so that
residential property owners can easily opt out of it — will
remain the same, City Attorney Keith Lemieux has been
directed to clarify the proposed language presented at
the last meeting.
“We haven’t seen those revisions yet, but they will be
presented at the regular May 5 meeting,” said McRea.
In 2007 the council approved an agreement between the
city and the California Board of Integrated Waste
Management — now Cal-Recycles — that included
programs to bring the city’s rate of diverting recyclables
from the waste stream in compliance with the state’s 50-
percent-or-greater requirement.