Westside Reader October 2015

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6 • Westside Reader October 2015 Fa M i ly Fa l l F u n i n t h E SCV 28 Ride some of the world’s most exciting roller coasters . . . in the dark . . . at Six Flags Magic Mountain’s Fright Fest. Publisher Richard Budman Features & Entertainment Editor Michele E. Buttelman Staff Writers Brandon Lowrey, Robb Fulcher, Patti Rasmussen, Lauren Budman, Beau Harrper, Jim Walker, Jane Gates, Josh Premako, John Boston, Steve Pratt Contributing Writers Steve Knight, Cameron Smyth, Dave Bossert Michelle Sathe, Ray Kutylo, Beth Heiserman, Dave Guenther, Scott Wilk Advertising Account Executives Michelle Earnhart, Chuck Christensen Production & Prepress Manager Chris Budman Digital & Social Media Lauren Budman Production David Perez, Carol Roper The entire contents of the Westside Reader is copyrighted 2015 by BGL Multimedia, Inc. All submitted letters and columns are strictly the opinions of the authors, and not necessarily those of the publishers. All rights are reserved and no part of this publication may be reproduced without the written permission of the publishers. For information, call 661-505-7180 e-mail: info @WestsideReader.com Mail correspondence to: 25876 The Old Rd., Suite # 66, Stevenson Ranch, CA 91381 Table of Contents The State of drugs in the SCV Cover Contested Soledad Canyon mining project not dead yet 5 Newhall man charged with killing wife 5 City to host regional mayors’ conference 5 Work begins on key access road to Castaic High School 7 Castaic Town Council: Disappearing hillside a concern 7 LA Councilman Englander runs for Antonovich’s seat 8 West Ranch Town Council: Proposed roadway changes approved 9 Hike Santa Clarita Trail Ambassadors sought 9 Marlee Lauffer moves from Newhall Land to Henry Mayo Hospital Foundation 13 Westside Sports: West Ranch football 15 WM. S. Hart Union High School District candidate questions 16 Statements from Gloria Mercado-Fortine and Linda Storli 16 Westside Schools: West Ranch TV goes national 17 Valet program started at Castaic Elementary 17 Congressman Steve Knight: A Day in the Life 19 Crime Blotter 20 Castaic Range War: America’s forgotten and deadliest 21 Westside Real Estate: To disclose or not to disclose 22 Recent Westside home sales 22 Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital turns 40 23 Westside Opinion: Cameron Smyth 24 Westside Opinion: Dave Bossert 24 Westside Opinion: Assemblyman Scott Wilk 25 Westside Calendar 26 Restaurant Review: Le Chene French Cuisine 27 Family Fall Fun in the SCV 28 Out & About in the SCV 31 Fall Films have something for everyone to enjoy 32 Garden Gates 35 What a Pair!: What causes a ‘red wine headache’? 36 The 15th Annual Bow-Wows & Meows Pet Fair at Hart Park 36
October 2015 Westside Reader • 7 CaStaiC town CounCil MEEting Disappearing hillside a concern From left: Randy Wrage of Romero Canyon LLC, Hart District board member Steven M. Sturgeon and Paul Hughes, project superintendent for Romero Canyon LLC, visit the construction site of the new access road that will lead to the new Castaic High School. Work begins on key access road to Castaic High School site by Robb Fulcher Staff Writer With the county’s official blessing, grading has begun for an access road to the site where the new Castaic High School will be built, bringing the long-awaited school project closer to completion. Grading on the 2,600-foot access road, connecting Sloan Canyon Road to the school site, began after officials of the William S. Hart High School District, Los Angeles County, and developer Romero Canyon LLC ironed out technical issues concerning water lines, sewer lines and drainage. “It’s nice to move on from eight to 10 months of study to the actual work product,” said Randy Wrage of Romero Canyon LLC. He said completion of the access road is expected in the early part of next year. “This is the third school I’ve been associated with,” he said. “There is a great deal of satisfaction in working on school projects.” Wrage said the road will be a vital connection not only once the school is built, but also during its upcoming construction. He said grading of the school site itself is nearing completion, so building the new access road is an important step. “The building pads themselves are ready,” Wrage said. “We’ve completed 7 million cubic yards of grading so far, and the grading of the project site is expected to be wrapped up within the next five to six months.” The access road requires 900,000 cubic yards of grading, over hilly terrain, to reach the 58-acre location of the future campus, which is part of a 198-acre total project. In addition, Wrage said a drainage system at the access road will help prevent flooding that occurs in areas below. Officials continued to set a 2017 target date for the opening of the new school, which is funded by a $300 million bond measure approved by Hart District voters in 2008. Students will come primarily from Castaic Middle School, which currently feeds West Ranch and Valencia high schools. Officials of the high school district say projected growth in the Castaic and Val Verde areas show a need for the new high school. The school will open its doors initially to ninth graders only, then will add a grade each year until grades 9-12 are present. “When you see the work and how much progress is being made, it makes it real. Castaic High School isn’t just a concept anymore. It’s a physical project making real headway,” said trustee Steven M. Sturgeon of the high See Access Road, page 12 By Jim Walker Staff Writer In addition to discussions of signage code violations and annoying taco truck investigations, this month’s Castaic Town Council meeting featured a goodbye to a classic event, some rumblings from Val Verde and a presentation on moving earth—moved by men and by nature. Last Love Ride Spokesman Rick Trotter announced that Love Ride 32, set for Oct. 18 and finishing at Castaic Lake, will be the last Love Ride. With attendance down from peak years, and other considerations, he said, “It’s kind of run its course for us, the amount of effort and time we have to put in.” He noted this year’s event should bump up attendance, as the music will be provided by the Foo Fighters and Social Distortion. The Love Ride is the largest and longestrunning one-day motorcycle charity event in the world, currently raising awareness and funds for the Wounded Warrior Project. Trotter received general applause when he said the Love Ride has raised more $14 million for charity over the past 31 years. At issue in Val Verde Val Verde resident Susie Evans offered a letter to the council as notice of a group of citizens’ intention to circulate a petition for the recall of Council Member Greg Kimura—and requested the council notify them what the total number of eligible voter signatures required would be. As this was an announcement of intention and request for information, there was no discussion of the issues involved. In a related query to the council, Val Verde resident Steven Howse requested clarification of any council member’s responsibilities, whether to their area first or to Castaic as a whole first. Council President John Kunak said that, though area representatives might know more about their local issues, “I think each and every one of us has an obligation to the entire Castaic area with what we do.” Council Member Bonnie Nikolai said, “The bylaws specifically state we have to give equal consideration to our region and to Castaic (as a whole).” IAC grading The largest portion of the evening was devoted to a presentation on the IAC Commerce Center grading project and the questions the presentation raised. Brian Smith, a civil engineer with the Geotechnical and Materials Engineering Division of the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Works, spoke on the project while projecting images of diagrams, maps and satellite photos. At issue is the more severe grading of a hillside and removal of a ridgeline at the industrial project, which have become necessary because of the discovery of additional “ancient” landslides there. These adverse conditions were discovered after initial grading began and so require more grading-back than originally anticipated to increase soil stability to acceptable levels. Among the many issues raised by council members and members of the audience during the questions session were those of safety, standards, process, responsibility, possible penalties, aesthetics, proximity to the Chiquita Canyon Landfill and the effect earthquakes may have on the site. This was an informational presentation and, after Smith answered all questions, the council took no action. WR
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Westside Reader October 2015

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