Canyon Country Magazine July 2023

Americana in Sand Canyon

Preventive Care is the Best way to avoid Illnesses and Accidents

Summer is Here and the Heat Relentless...

for your pet?

Summer Heat is known to render the Highest Number of Pet Heat Related Injuries...

Heat Exaustion, Heatstroke, Dehydration, Burned Paws... Pets can suffer from Heat Related Dangers just as humans do. We have seen a multitude of sad pet heat related scenarios. Our fur babies are our fragile fur covered pride and joys. We always recommend pets stay indoors during High Outdoor Temperatures. When outdoors, be watchful of your pets conditions and suroundings for harmful heat and scary critters; spiders, snakes, rodents, etc.

Pet Microchips and Registrations... Is your Pet Microchipped? If so GREAT! Please check your Pets Online Microchip Registry for your most current Contact Information. Not Chipped? Contact us for more information...

Rattlesnake Awareness... We have had many pets brought in due to Rattlesnake Bites. Rattlesnake Vaccinations can give you a little more time to get your Pet to Emergency Veterinary Care

Simple tests: Press your hand on the pavement for about 7 seconds OR if its too hot for your feet, it’s TOO HOT for your Pets Paws and as always for you and your pet...

New Twist in Proposed Cemex Mine Saga

By Signal Staff

Cemex Inc. has petitioned the State Water Resources Control Board, seeking to set aside a decision to reopen the review of the mining company’s water permit for Cemex’s proposed 56-million-ton sand and gravel mine in Soledad Canyon.

In a six-page letter from attorney Kerry Shapiro of San Francisco-based Jeffer Mangels Butler & Mitchell LLP, the Mexico-based multinational mining company contends that neither the project nor downstream water users’ circumstances have sufficiently changed in the past 30 years to warrant re-noticing the project.

The letter says Cemex is petitioning the state water board to vacate its executive director’s June 1 decision that the application “to appropriate 0.95 cubic-feet/second (not to exceed 322-acre-feet/year) from the Santa Clara River must be re-noticed.”

“The decision is improper because none of the criteria justifying re-noticing the application, as established by 23 Cal. Code Regs. § 684(b), have been met,” said the letter, dated Wednesday. “Specifically: (1) there have been no changes in Cemex’s application or project, and (2) there are no changes, related to this application, in the circumstances of any affected downstream water users or other interested persons. Absent changes to either Cemex’s project or to downstream users, there is no factual or legal basis that justifies re-noticing the application.”

An official with the state water board wrote Thursday “the ex-parte rule is in place so we can’t comment on the petition for reconsideration.”

After a decades-long legislative and legal battle, Cemex is seeking to mine up to 56 million tons of sand and gravel from a Soledad Canyon site that is just beyond the eastern border of the city of Santa Clarita. Its Sole-

dad mining contracts with the federal Bureau of Land Management date back to 1990, but in addition to the federal contracts, the mine requires additional entitlements, including the state water permit.

The city of Santa Clarita has been fighting to stop the mine since the 1990s, and multiple legislators at the state and federal levels have worked to stop it along the way. The BLM canceled the Cemex mining contracts in 2015, citing non-performance, which kicked off a series of appeals and legal battles culminating in a 2022 federal court decision reinstating the contracts.

The original state water application was filed in 1991 and the state water board opened it for public comment in 1993. According to the letter from Cemex’s attorney, only 10 objections were raised to the project at that time — four of which were dismissed or rejected and two of which were withdrawn.

Of the four remaining objections, three are now consolidated under one entity — the Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency, as a result of water company and agency mergers and acquisitions in the three decades that have passed — and one brought by the

United Water Conservation District, of Ventura County.

The letter from Cemex’s attorney contends that only those two remaining objections should be considered in its application, rather than re-noticing the application for public input, as announced in a June 1 letter from Eileen Sobeck, executive director of the state water board.

The Cemex letter also contends that the water board staff decision was politically motivated, based on the fact that legislators, including two local representatives who have carried bills to ensure the re-noticing of the public review, were copied on Sobeck’s letter to Cemex.

Both state Sen. Scott Wilk, R-Santa Clarita, and Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo, D-Chatsworth, have carried bills stating that if the State Water Resources Control Board has not rendered a final determination on an application for a permit to appropriate water for uses, including mining, within 30 years from the date the application was filed, the board would be required to issue a new notice and provide an opportunity for protests before rendering a final determination, with specified exceptions.

Wilk and Schiavo have worked across the aisle in cooperation to advocate the legislation, the current version of which, Schiavo’s Assembly Bill 1631, has passed the Assembly and awaits a July 10 hearing before the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee. The bill would essentially codify into law the decision announced in the June 1 state water board letter.

Wilk, reached Wednesday evening, said those who oppose the mine should continue working together to oppose it in the face of Cemex’s legal posturing.

“They’re all in on trying to open this mega-mine and we collectively have to realize that, and work together to make sure that it never happens,” Wilk said. “The fact is, the water resources board is right. Thirty years have passed, the circumstances have changed, and it warrants a relook.”

Wilk said that, in Sobeck’s original letter, “They said why they were doing what they were doing, and they have attorneys, too.”

The senator added that drought, major growth and increased traffic, coupled with the long-standing environmental issues like air quality and water quality, make it clear the mine should not proceed without additional review. And, he said, much has changed in three decades.

Wilk added: “All those things — there’s just no way to mitigate those impacts.”

Schiavo said Thursday that she continued to be hopeful the state’s water board would move forward with the statewide process to ensure residents get an opportunity to share their concerns about the project, which is being planned upstream from a critical resource.

“This is exactly why we didn’t drop our bill,” Schiavo said, “and feel like we need to continue to move forward and make sure there’s a process at the state level, so that our community has a voice on something that is going to directly impact a core source of water for the SCV.”

The mine would basically be uphill from the Santa Clara River, which starts high in the Angeles National Forest, flows down into Ventura County and into the estuary at McGrath State Beach, surrounded by more than 12 million people, according to The Nature Conservancy.

“The Santa Clara River is a vital source of drinking water for the local community,” according to nature.org, “as well as a key resource for many prosperous farms. It also offers some of the last riverside and freshwater habitat for wildlife in the bustling Los Angeles-Ventura region.” 

Abandoned equipment stands at the Cemex site in Canyon Country. PHOTO BY DAN WATSON / THE SIGNAL

Sand Canyon’s Piece of Americana

USE CODE

Only valid in our store,

Habeba Mostafa Signal Staff Writer

manual itself seems to be in its original format.

“Awonderful icon of Americana” is how

Chris Lombardo, a Sand Canyon resident and owner of a video production company, describes his newest addition to his vintage collection: a windmill from the Aermotor Windmill Co.

Drawn not by its functionality, but rather aesthetics, Lombardo has always been fascinated by the old American appeal — his front yard is decorated with a wooden wagon, a tractor and even a classic, red Ford truck. Lombardo felt inspired to continue his search for authentic pieces.

“I love iconic Americana type of symbols like tractors and windmills and old wagons. I started looking into it and discovered the Aermotor; they’re probably the most well-known classic windmill brand,” Lombardo said. “I found out that they’re still in business in San Angelo, Texas, and that they make the same windmill that they’ve been making since 1888, with just some minor improvements along the way. I just thought that was just the coolest thing.”

Not much has changed with the construction of the windmill, and the

“The tower is probably the easiest part. Because that’s like putting together a jungle gym. It’s heavy, but then we tilted it up using our Jeep. That was probably the only modern piece of equipment that we used. The manual for Aermotors says that you could use a vehicle or you could use draft animals. [It seems] that they haven’t even edited their manual to keep up with modern times.”

Taking pride in assembling it on his own, with the help of his wife, Joy, his “old skool” method, as he calls it, entailed hiring a civil engineer, two inspections and a permit. In addition, Lombardo spent nearly a year for his beloved project to finish, due to his patience to conduct each step legally and correctly.

The 21-foot windmill’s original function is to pump water from wells, and while Lombardo does not have a well, that is not an issue. Instead, a 200-pound weight hangs in the middle to stabilize the mechanism, moving up and down according to wind speeds.

Wanting the challenge of exerting each step on his own, Lombardo dug four 2-foot-wide by 5-foot deep holes

Chris Lombardo with this granddaughter, Sasha, 18 months.

PHOTO BY HABEBA MOSTAFA / THE SIGNAL

Hart District’s Newest Board Member for Area No. 4

By Perry Smith Signal Senior Staff Writer

The governing board of the William S. Hart Union High School District selected its newest member Wednesday during a special meeting at the district office.

The board chose Erin McKeon Wilson, a lifelong resident and Canyon High School graduate who will now represent Trustee Area No. 4, an east side territory that includes her alma mater and Sierra Vista Junior High.

After about an hour of interviews, the current board members conducted a “straw poll,” to see where the board was, and three indicated Wilson was the top choice from five candidates, prompting board member Linda Storli to move to name Wilson to the opening. The four current members approved the motion unanimously.

Board President Bob Jensen said he was impressed by all of the answers from the five interviewees, and Wilson’s experience in understanding students and their needs will put the district in the best position in terms of making students “opportunity ready.”

“I felt that Mrs. Wilson was very dedicated to students’ families and the community — I felt like she would be a board member who would really be there for all students,” Jensen said, “and with our new strategic plan, we are focusing on being there for all students.”

Board member Joe Messina echoed a similar sentiment, and said the board needs a variety of voices, including those who might have perspective from outside the educational system.

“I chose Erin because first and foremost, she’s involved within the district. She’s doing stuff on a regular basis,” Messina said. “I think she’ll do a great job. We need the general public in those seats. We don’t always need educators. We need the average Santa Claritan in there.”

Wilson discussed how she participated in school activities with her five children, with her youngest graduating last year.

She also attended The Signal’s town hall on fentanyl this past winter with a friend, and it spurred her interest in community involvement, she said in a phone interview after Wednesday’s meeting.

She also visited City Hall and attended a council meeting, she added.

“I’m a connector. When I get information, I like to pass it on. I was just looking for ways to serve in my community,” she said, and so when a friend mentioned to her the opening on the school board, she immediately thought, “‘Is there anything I care about more?’” she recalled asking herself rhetorically.

When the seat opened up, she said she was “poised and ready to take the opportunity.”

As someone who also has been very involved in the running of multiple organizations through her church in Sand Canyon, she said she also brings an understanding of how to work within the structure of a governing board and respecting different approaches.

She also provided examples of how she’s seen firsthand the challenges parents and students face and felt she could offer help for how parents can advocate on behalf of their children.

“I would say my most illustrious board is my family for the last 32 years,” she said, while discussing some of the community organizations she’s helped lead. “With my husband and my five children, I have worked to unify — I would say one of my greatest strengths is unifying that board.”

The seat for Trustee Area No. 4 became vacant after James Webb announced his resignation, which became effective in May. He said he needed to spend more time with his family, including his parents who were having health issues.

There were a total of seven who pulled applications, but two, John Amneus and Donald Rimac, declined to take part in the interviews. The other applicants for the seat were, in alphabetical order, Eric Anderson, Thomas Gavin, Santa Rivera and Tyger White.

In the first and only “straw poll” of the candidates after the initial round of interviews, Anderson was the only other candidate who received a vote, from board member Cherise Moore.

Wilson is expected to be sworn in at the board’s July 19 meeting, and her term is set to expire in December 2024.

Thomas Gavin (left), one of the candidates for the William S. Hart Union High School District’s open governing board seat, congratulates Erin McKeon Wilson on being selected by the governing board to take over the Trustee Area No. 4 seat at Thursday’s special meeting at the district office. PHOTO BY PERRY SMITH / THE SIGNAL

AMERICANA

Continued from page 5

in the ground, then eventually used 132 bags of cement, 60 pounds each. Discussing how a truck would have cost the same as both the cement and mixer, Lombardo went with the obvious choice:

“Now I have a mixer.”

However, there would be no journey without inevitable hiccups.

“The tower’s the easy part, but then the fan weighs 320 pounds. Getting that up 30 feet to fit over the masthead pole is usually done with a crane nowadays, but in the old days, what they used to do was make [something] called a gin pole.”

A gin pole is not a contraption that could be easily bought, which therefore meant that Lombardo needed to utilize his welding skills that he hadn’t used since high school.

“I kind of designed one and welded it together. I put this thing together and I was praying that the welds would hold, and that this [heavy] windmill wasn’t going to crash to the ground and cost a fortune.”

While the hefty rainy season was,

Continued on next page.

Lombardo works on getting his windmill in place.

PHOTOS BY CHRIS LOMBARDO

Chris Lombardo showcasing his climbing skills to encourage the windmill fan to move. PHOTO BY HABEBA MOSTAFA / THE SIGNAL

in Lombardo’s opinion, necessary, it also delayed the process of securing and stabilizing the windmill in the ground.

“I dug all those holes in December. With the incredible rainy season we had this year, they filled with water. At first I thought, ‘Oh, well, I’ll just get my hand pump,’” Lombardo said. “I realized as I was pumping that it wasn’t doing anything. Then I realized that this is groundwater.”

Needing to wait two months before he could pour the cement, the holes had caved in by then.

“I had to basically refill the holes halfway, and pack it all down, and then dig all four of them [again].”

Despite the obstacles, every moment was worth it to Lombardo.

“You read the stories about the pioneers and the people that built the towns and railroads in the Old West, and it’s just always amazing to hear how they did it. I just wanted to experience and pretend it’s the old days. The journey was fun,” Lombardo said.

Lombardo’s front yard, where he passionately channels vintage Americana. Habeba Mostafa/ The Signal

The Old West is alive in Sand Canyon, where Lombardo’s neighbors have encouraged his passions and supported his endeavors.

“[My neighbor] said: ‘You’re contributing to the aesthetic of the whole neighborhood. We love what you’re doing. And we’d love to help.’ My [other]

neighbor across the street has talked about how he loves how it looks and that [it has] contributed to the Old West vibe we have going on in this area.”

Old West, Disneyland, or even both, Lombardo is relishing a replica that has become his own.

Chris Lombardo admiring his year-long project: his new vintage Aermotor windmill. Habeba Mo-

stafa/ The Signal

“Disneyland has always been a very happy place for me: Frontierland in particular. I kind of feel, in some ways, that I’m building my own little Frontierland.”

Next on Lombardo’s list? Perhaps a working train for his grandchildren to ride in. 

Chris Miller ISAWC 11780A

Jason Beck ISAWC 1196A “Serving

PHOTO COURTESY CHRIS LOMBARDO

Auto Shop, Musician Team Up To Feed Homeless

By Trevor Morgan Signal Staff Writer

Tim Gobi, also known as “Dagger,” sat in the corner of an office in Mike and Nick’s Tire & Service as he explained his unlikely partnership with the person whose office he was sitting in.

It belonged to Scott Maxon, owner of Mike and Nick’s. When placed next to each other, Maxon and Gobi appear to be polar opposites — at least aesthetically.

Maxon has gray, wispy hair, and was dressed in a polo shirt with his name tag on it, khaki pants and sneakers.

While the name of his business is misleading, it’s because he named it after his two sons — Mike and Nick — instead of naming after himself.

Gobi was clad in black — jet black, teased hair adorned with a black conductor’s hat, black pants with imprints meant to mimic knee guards, black riding gloves and a black shirt with the logo of the band he fronts, King’s Xecutioner. The only things that weren’t black were his silver metallic converse-style shoes and silver dagger earring dangling from his left ear.

However, while they contrast in some ways, they’re on the exact same page when it comes to helping the needy.

“You go home and tears come down,” said Gobi. “You can be stoic, but tears will flow. You’ll look around you’ll say, ‘Why do I have dry walls and carpet and they don’t?’”

“You look at things two different ways. People have one view and there’s another, but when you go out there and actually walk the walk and see what’s going on, it’s pretty inspiring,” said Maxon.

“The walk” Maxon is referring to is the walk Gobi takes to meet with homeless people to talk with them, ask them about their needs and deliver what he can — whether it be food, emergency supplies, toiletries, etc.

Maxon said he was inspired to help Gobi after a recent article in The Signal detailed how a Stater Bros. deli cutter decided to pick up the tab on the meat Gobi was buying to be used on sandwiches that would later be distributed to the homeless.

Gobi said he’s been using proceeds from his band to buy fresh food for the homeless for the past five years. He’ll pick up various items, including sliced meats and cheeses from a deli in the area, prepare sandwiches and put together lunches and then drive the food into Los Angeles to homeless people — who he calls his people.

“I spend $600 a month in food and gas to get to my people — some proceeds (from the band), some out of my pocket,” Gobi wrote in an email to The Signal. “I do this every Friday (and) Saturday morning. The lunches are put together consisting of two turkey sandwiches, a banana, a ZBar protein bar and a bottle of water.”

Once Maxon read the article, he reached out to

Gobi, who was a customer, and asked how he could help and Gobi asked him to go on a walk with him.

“You don’t know until you go there. When you go there then you really realize what you can do and it doesn’t have to be that much,” said Maxon. “It’s not about how much money to give, you can’t give them money, it’s not the right thing to do. They need provisions. They don’t need to be pitied, they need to be helped.”

As a result of these walks, Maxon decided he

wanted to set up his shop to be a donation center for Gobi’s walks. Today, if you walk into Mike and Nick’s, you’ll see pictures of the walks and two bins for food donations and clothing donations.

“You know, customers come in here every day and and what will happen is they’ll see it then the next time they come in for service ... I think it’s going to take a minute for people to start doing that but … this (will be) a place for people to come bring stuff,” said Maxon. 

Tim Gobi (second from left) of King’s Xecutioner with Scott Maxon, owner of Mike and Nick’s Tire & Service, along with Barbie Housel (far left) and Lisa Reggio at Maxon’s shop. Gobi and Maxon have partnered to help feed homeless people throughout Los Angeles. PHOTOS BY TREVOR MORGAN/THE SIGNAL

Photos from a recent walk that Gobi and Maxon took while feeding homeless people.

Oakley McQueen Vanderhorst Represents Santa Clarita at the ‘Wiener Nationals’

By Habeba Mostafa Signal Staff Writer

Watch out, Wienerschnitzel, there’s a new hot dog in town.

Oakley McQueen Vanderhorst, or rather McWien (McWeen?), is a 10-month-old mini dachshund who takes his name after his inspiration, Disney’s Lightning McQueen. He was scheduled to compete at the 26th Annual Wienerschnitzel Wiener Nationals at the Los Alamitos Race Course on Saturday, July 15.

Proceeds go toward the Seal Beach Animal Care Center, which, according to the Los Alamitos website, is “a nonprofit group dedicated to finding homes for stray animals in the Orange County area. Since 1996, the Wienerschnitzel Wiener Nationals has helped raise around $300,000 for the Care Center through selected ticket sales and T-shirt sales.”

Competing among 100 contestants, Oakley is the only contender representing Santa Clarita, but he is determined to make his city proud. The race will entail ten 50-yard trial heats, and each winning wiener from the 10 races will go on to compete in the championship. First place will win $900, second place will win $500 and third to seventh places will win $100, respectively.

Proud paw-rents, Rylee and Coleman Vanderhorst, have been training Oakley for nearly a month and a half. Adopting him in January, they have always known not only how fast, but also how special of a dog he is. Looking for a race to showcase his talents, Coleman’s adamant search landed him in Saturday’s race.

“Now that we have a wiener dog, we were wondering how we could meet other wiener dog parents.”

Submission included a creative writing piece, and within 24 hours, the Vanderhorst family had been notified that their precious Oakley would be competing.

Training their puppy not only meant teaching him basic tricks, but also professional coaching.

Coleman eagerly built Oakley a racing box replica, and he was instantly a pro. Almost.

“He picked it up pretty fast. As soon as we put him in a box, and I started walking away from him, he started crying. As soon as we opened [it], he ran right to me,” Coleman said.

“He’s definitely a daddy’s boy, so it’s easier to put [Coleman] at the other end where he can see him because he’s a good target,” Rylee said.

Aware of potential distractions, such as other wiener dogs during the race, Coleman is amazed with Oakley’s progress.

“I’m most proud of how quick he picks up on tricks. He learns really quickly, and listens pretty well. If we were to [let him off his leash], we have a callback word, which is ‘cannoli.’”

Rylee discussed the overall experience and how it has been a great opportunity for the Vanderhorsts. “It’s been a fun experience. It’s brought us closer together as a little family. We’ve bonded a lot.”

While Oakley did not have a statement, he will continue to do press leading up to his big day. It is evident that he will utilize his energy to make Santa Clarita proud.

“Stay tuned, and support Oakley,” Rylee said. “He is the only wiener dog representing Santa Clarita, so I think it’d be awesome to have him bring the trophy home. It’s also a good cause to [raise] awareness to fundraise for all the puppies who need to find good homes.”

Those who would like to support Oakley can follow his Instagram, @oakleytheminiween. 

Coleman and Rylee Vanderhorst adopted Oakley in January. PHOTOS BY HABEBA MOSTAFA / THE SIGNAL

Garcia Congratulates Military Service Academy Appointees

Rep. Mike Garcia, R-Santa Clarita, hosted a reception to congratulate the U.S. military service academy appointees from California’s 27th District. Out of the high school students nominated by Garcia earlier this year, 15 leaders have been appointed to military service academies.

“It’s inspiring to see so many students in our communities with the desire to serve our nation. As a U.S. Naval Academy alum, I know how difficult it can be to receive a military service academy appointment. These young leaders rose to the challenge, and I look forward to watching them continue to make our communities proud. I commend these appointees for their allegiance to our nation,” Garcia said in a prepared statement.

The appointees from California’s 27th District are as follows:

Owen Ahten William S. Hart High School: U.S. Naval Academy.

Olivia Burk West Ranch High

School: U.S. Air Force Academy.

Geneva Cesoni West Ranch High School: U.S. Military Academy.

Ty Deperno West Ranch High School: U.S. Naval Academy Foundation Scholarship Program.

Thomas Hadji Valencia High School: U.S. Military Academy. Stephanie Galindo Hernandez Eastside High School: U.S. Naval Academy.

Isaac Kim William S. Hart High School: U.S. Military Academy Prep School.

Griffin Nibarger West Ranch High School: U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.

Nicholas Parrinello Trinity Classical Academy: U.S. Military Academy.

Tyler Roberts Saugus High School: U.S. Military Academy Prep School.

Samuel Robertson Trinity Classical Academy: U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.

Alexa Tipps Paraclete High School: U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. William Torres Royal High School: Simi Valley - U.S. Air Force Academy.

The service academies include the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado; the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York; the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland; and the United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York.

To learn more about the nomination process and how to apply, contact Garcia’s office at (661) 5684855.

Canyon Country Appointees

Jakob Brunsell

U.S. Air Force Academy Prep School (Canyon Country) U.S. Air Force Academy.

Nicole Staudinger Canyon High School (Canyon Country)

U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.

How to Apply

Members of Congress may nominate candidates for appointment to four of the five service academies: U.S. Military Academy, West Point, NY; the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD; the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO; and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point, NY. The fifth service academy. Of the official sources available to nominate a candidate to a service academy, a congressional nomination is the most sought after.

Congressman Mike Garcia may nominate up to 10 individuals for each vacant academy slot allotted to the 27th District. To request a service academy nomination, you must complete a form at mikegarcia.house.gov/services/ service-academy-nominations.htm. The deadline is Friday, Nov. 17. There is an interview with a panel of academy graduates. For the Class of 2028, interviews are scheduled to be held on Saturday, Dec. 2. Names of candidates being nominated by Congressman Garcia will be submitted to the academies before January 15, 2024, and, at around the same time, candidates will be notified of their nomination status.

Canyon Alumnus Drafted by St. Louis Cardinals

By Justin Vigil-Zuniga Signal Sports Writer

Canyon graduate Charles Harrison is the latest Santa Clarita product to enter the professional baseball world.

Harrison was drafted with the 215th overall pick by the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday, making him the first Canyon Cowboy to enter the big leagues since Major League Baseball all-star Zach Britton.

“It feels unreal,” Harrison said via social media direct message. “I’ve been working for this my whole life and to get drafted is just a dream come true. I couldn’t ask to get drafted by a better organization.”

The Canyon alumnus spent four years at UCLA, where he became a vital member of the Bruins bullpen.

Harrison, a right-handed pitcher, gained momentum every year at UCLA and stacked one improved season after another. The righty finished off his collegiate career with a 37-strikeout and eightwalk season, going 1-0 with a 1.38 ERA.

“UCLA has helped me out a ton,” Harrison wrote. “It has helped me mature on so many levels, and the coaches there have really helped me get ready for this next step.”

Harrison was one of six Bruins drafted into MLB. UCLA teammates Darius Perry and Kyle Karros, son of former Los Angeles Dodger Eric Karros, were taken by the Rockies. Fellow Bruin pitchers Alonzo Tredwell (Astros), Jake Brooks (Marlins) and Ethan Flanagan (Cubs) were also drafted.

UCLA will still feature West Ranch alumnus James Hepp, who just completed his sophomore year.

At Canyon, Harrison finished with 137 strikeouts, mostly from his junior and senior years. The pitcher nearly cut his walks and hits totals from his junior season in half in his senior campaign when he

went from 71 hits all season to 43. The righty had talked with the Cardinals organization a week before the draft but knows anything can happen when teams are on the clock. The Redbirds calling him was a breath of fresh air for the former Cowboy.

Harrison will now prepare to get to work with St. Louis’ single-A affiliate in Florida, the Palm Beach Cardinals.“I’m pumped,” Harrison wrote. “I can’t wait to get out to Palm Beach, meet everyone and hit the ground running.” 

It feels unreal. I’ve been working for this my whole life and to get drafted is just a dream come true. I couldn’t ask to get drafted by a better organization.”

Charles Harrison pitches for the Canyon Cowboys in this March 22, 2019, Signal file photo. Harrison was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals with the 215th overall pick in the 2023 MLB draft on Monday after four years at UCLA.

Charles Harrison recorded 37 strikeouts against just eight walks in 26 innings pitched this past season at UCLA, going 1-0 with a 1.38 ERA. PHOTO BY ROSS TURTELTAUB COURTESY OF UCLA ATHLETICS

City Ok’s Largest Budget Ever, Trail Spending, Policy Letter

By Perry Smith Signal Senior Staff Writer

The Santa Clarita City Council approved the largest budget in the city’s history Tuesday, in addition to agreeing to around $1 million for a trail in Sand Canyon and to send a letter urging the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department to hold off on a recommendation about rotating deputies.

Tuesday’s budget approval was the culmination of a half-dozen public meetings on the plan, as well as countless hours from city staff in a number of departments, according to City Manager Ken Striplin.

City’s Largest Budget

Striplin said during a previous budget hearing the spending plan was the city’s first to cross the $300 million threshold, with the total coming to $322 million, a 7.5% increase over the previous fiscal year.

From the city’s general fund, Santa Clarita expects to spend $141 million and bring in $141.3 million in revenue. Sales tax revenue, which is the city’s leading funding source, is expected to increase by 5% over the previous year to $48 million.

One accomplishment Striplin also regularly mentions with budget updates is the city’s continued ability to maintain a health operating reserve, a sort of rainy day fund “that can be counted on in case of an emergency or an unforeseen opportunity.” For the 2023-24 fiscal year, Santa Clarita is expected to maintain $21.3 million in reserves.

That’s in addition to the city also planning for its largest capital improvement program budget to date, which “includes prioritized projects such as parks, buildings, paseos, trails and street enhancements that improve the quality of life for residents in our community,” according to a staff report presented during Tuesday’s budget hearing by Carmen Magana in the city manager’s office.

“Comprised of a variety of multiyear and multifunded capital projects, the CIP for Fiscal Year 2023-24 totals $90 million,” the report states.

Sand Cany on Trail

The city also approved a new contract Tuesday to fund the latest phase of construction for a trail in Sand Canyon.

Council members voted in favor of a contract not

to exceed $977,777 for the Sand Canyon Trail – Pedestrian Bridges, Phase IV construction.

According to a city staff report: “The Sand Canyon Trail project will provide an approximately 2.8-mile multiuse trail along the west side of Sand Canyon Road from Placerita Canyon Road to Lost Canyon Road. The construction of this project has been separated into six phases. Phases I, II, III, and IV are substantially complete, and the remaining segments will be constructed once the necessary easements from property owners have been obtained.”

The report also notes that Phases V and VI have been completed.

“This component of Phase IV of the Sand Canyon Trail project will construct two prefabricated steel truss pedestrian bridges along Sand Canyon Road, within the segment of Sky Ranch Road to Iron Canyon Road,” according to notes from city staff on the plans.

Deputy Rotations

The council also unanimously approved the sending of a letter urging Sheriff Robert Luna not to follow one of the suggestions from a recent lengthy report from the county’s Civilian Oversight Commission.

The commission, in an effort to create policy suggestions that would eliminate deputy gangs, reported Luna should mandate regular rotations,

perhaps every five years, of patrol and custody deputies. The reasoning mentioned in the report is that entrenched deputies have, in the past, been able to create cliques that have operated at stations with more authority than the stations’ respective command staff.

The Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station was not mentioned in any of the concerns in the commission’s report, but neighboring Antelope Valley was. The commission issued a report in March, which was forwarded on to the Board of Supervisors, in an advisory capacity, and then to the sheriff in the same manner.

Luna’s office issued a statement June 16 in response to a request from The Signal, which indicated he was “in the process of reviewing the recommendation for rotations of deputies within patrol and custody.”

The statement from the Sheriff’s Information Bureau also indicated “the process needs to be thoroughly reviewed and discussed prior to implementation.”

The suggestion immediately garnered a backlash from the Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs, which said the policy would be very harmful to deputies’ efforts to build relationships in communities.

More than two dozen cities, including Santa Clarita, have now taken to publicly expressing opposition to the policy suggestion. 

CALENDAR

Celebrate The Tataviam

Canyon Country Community Center

Friday, August 11 • 6-9 p.m.

“Celebrate” brings the history and traditions of people and places from around the world to the Canyon Country Community Center every second Friday from April to September.

CANYON COUNTRY COMMUNITY CENTER

Experience Summer at the Canyon Country Community Center Programs for Youth (5-17)

Also Summer Family Night • Senior Activities • Table Tennis and more www.santa-clarita.com/CCCC

A dult and Senior Activities

Senior Walking Club (55+)

A moderate to fast-paced walking group, which meets each week and walks the around the exterior of the facility.

Mahjong (55+)

An opportunity to socialize, play Mahjong, and meet new friends! Bring your own Mahjong card.

Every Wednesday, Year-round 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.

CCCC GYM HOURS

Tuesday and Thursday Basketball

9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Bring your own ball or check one out with a student or government-issued ID

Monday and Wednesday Table Tennis

9:45 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Bring your own paddles

Friday Pickleball 9:45 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Bring your own paddles

Senior Makers Club (50+)

Senior Makers Club is a monthly DIY project class that’s sure to inspire creativity and fun!

BINGO (55+)

An opportunity to socialize, play BINGO, and

July 22

win prizes! Bring your friends!

Karaoke (55+)

Sing and dance with your friends! This activity is sure to bring out the star in you!

Low Impact Outdoor Games (18+)

Have some fun in the sun while having friendly competition with these outdoor games!

Line Dancing (18+)

This choreographed line dancing class is a great way to meet new friends and get your groove on!

CANYON COUNTRY LIBRARY PROGRAMS

10 a.m. Sit and Stitch

July 24

1:00 p.m. Little Explorers

July 25

9:30 a.m Storytime

3:30 p.m. Wild Things: A Visit from the Cabrillo Aquarium

July 26

9:30 a.m. Cuenta Cuentos. Bilingual Story Time

July 27

3:30 p.m. Teen Crafts & Stuff Relaxation Room

August 3

6:30 p.m. Club de Mujeres Latinas en Literatura

August 4

4:30 p.m. Teen Advisory Board

August 12

10 a.m. Sit and Stitch

August 14

6 p.m. Worlds of Whimsy

August 17

10 a.m. I Can Craft

August 26

10 a.m. Sit and Stitch

June 12 through July 28 Lunch at the Library Monday through Friday, noon - 1 p.m.

As a part of the Summer Reading Program, the Santa Clarita Public Library will offer free, healthy lunches for children and teens 18 and under. There is no sign-up, application, income verification or identification needed. Meals are served to all children on a first-come, first-served basis.