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Independent The Taft

November 14 - 20, 2014

The Taft Independent

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Publisher@Taftindependent.com

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November 14 - 20 2014 • Volume 9 Issue 18

“Serving the West Kern County Communities of Taft, South Taft, Ford City, Maricopa, Fellows, McKittrick, Derby Acres, Dustin Acres, and the Cuyama Valley”

Gone But Not Forgotten West Side Hospital

The Place 4014 Highway 33

Beautiful Downtown Ventucopa (661)766-2660

It’s time to order your Thanksgiving Pies!

The Place on Highway 33 is taking orders for the following pies: Blackberry, Rhubarb, Dutch Apple, Pumpkin, Peach, Cherry, Coconut Cream, Chocolate Cream, Banana Cream, Pecan, German Chocolate Call us at (661)766-2660 and order by Nov. 24th. Pies can be picked up on Nov. 26th at 4:00pm at the Oil Field Monument in Taft. $1 delivery charge added for each pie.

Qik Smog & Tune

No Appointment Needed for Smog Check!

Local Motorcycle Repair

European and Japanese Street Bikes and All Dirt Bikes Safety Inspection Professional Service Dirt and Street BikeTire Mount and Balance Experienced Mechanics Basic Tune-up to Major Overhaul

• 661-763-4445 • 500 S. 10th Street

Now Servicing Japanese and European Motorcycles

by Jerry Livingston N o w S e l l i n g Te c h I n s p e c t e d a n d S m o g g e d Q u a l i t y Us e d C a r s

Monarch Fleet Services and Automotive

Alignment - Diagnostics - Brakes - Tires and Wheels TIA Certified ASE O P E N S AT U R D AY S 8 A M T O 4 P M

Open Monday-Friday 8am-5pm

217 Center Street (661) 765-2886

A/C & BRAKE SPECIALS. ALL TIRES ON SALE. SEE STORE FOR DETAILS

Financing Available

The Taft Independent

2

Shop Taft

Passion For Nails western shop & PET Wash Fish - Reptile - Supplies Tack - Feed - Livestock Supplies Western Clothing - Boots - Work Apparell Pet Grooming Fred and Cheri Shaw 419 Harrison Street, Taft, CA 93268 (661) 765-2987

Geiger Construction & Plumbing Residential • Commercial

Cement & Asphalt Cutting

Lic # B-721903

661-765-4377 Fast • Friendly • Affordable Se Habla Espanol 661-301-4660 24 Hours/ 7 Days a Week

Try Our New Pedicure Chairs Men & Seniors &

Diabetics Welcome CHECK-IN TO OUR FACEBOOK PAGE AND GET $1 OFF

1014 6th Street • Taft In the Save A Lot Shopping Center Monday to Friday

10am-7pm and Saturday 9am-6pm

(661)745-4913

Salon and Boutique

Fall Into Fashion!

Lots of New Arrivals

Shop Taft for

Good Prices!

Shop Downtown Taft!

421 & 423 Center (661)763-3527

A Hint of Class

Like us on Facebook

Gifts

FREE drop off

and

1016 6th St. Taft 661-745-4855

Next Step Cardio & Fitness

Coming Soon!

Full Spectrum Infrared Sauna

Now Serving Splash Cafe Clam Chowder in a Pyrenees Bread Bowl 508 Center Street (661) 765-6556

Personal Style

Holiday

We buy iphone 4, 4S & 5

Black Gold Brewing Company An American Craft Brewery

Inside The Historic Fort • 623-1783 • 763-1700 915 N. 10th Street Suite 34

Packages

November 14- 20, 2014

more.

Your Affordable Ad Here!

Call 765-6550

Ten Percent Firearms 1277 Kern Street (661)765-6899

Shop Taft.

LET’S FACE IT Mariah Melton, Esthetician 915 N. 10th Street No. 14 Taft, Ca 93268

Black Gold Brewing Company An American Craft Brewery in Taft

By Appointment Only 661-623-1913 mariahmelton328@gmail.com

Sign-up Now and get your first 20 minutes free.

506 Center Street - (661) 745-4918

SPECIALIZING IN FACIALS, SKIN CARE & WAXING

Grilled Tri-Tip Special Every Thursday $8.95 508 Center Street (661) 765-6556

The Taft Independent

November 14 - 20, 2014

Events Inside

Taft Business of the Week

Shop Taft..........................2

Marty’s

By Gardener Field Community Events.........3 Taft Calendar...................3 Westside Recreation......5 Westside News.................6 Westside News.................7 Liberty Under Fire.........8

The Taft Business of the Week: Marty’s at 520 Center Street. Marty’s was the most popular women’s clothing store around in the 1980’s and now it is back! Marty’s has a great prices, service, and selection of women’s clothing and accessories. It is owned and operated by great Taft Resident Judy Olson. Stop by Marty’s today.

Classified Ads.................10 Shop Taft........................11 Shop Taft........................12

The Taft Independent

CITY OF TAFT COUNCIL MEETINGS Tuesday November 18, 2014 – 6:00 p.m.

508 Center Street P.O. Box 268 Taft, California 93268 (661) 765-6550

CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBER 209 EAST KERN STREET, TAFT, CA (661) 763-1222

Email: Publisher@taftindependent.com Website: www.TaftIndependent.com Locally and Independently owned since 2006 The Taft Independent is a locally owned community newspaper published weekly on Fridays for your enjoyment and reading pleasure. We publish 3,500 issues and distribute to over 225 locations in the city of Taft and the neighboring communities of Cuyama Valley, McKittrick, Maricopa, Fellows and Western Kern County, California.

The Independent is available free of charge, limited to one copy per reader. Additional copies are $1 each. The contents of the Taft Independent are copyrighted by the Taft Independent, and may not reproduced without specific written permission from the publisher.

We welcome contributions and suggestions.

Our purpose is to present news and issues of importance to our readers.

SUBSCRIPTIONS. Subscription home or business delivery of the Taft Independent is available for $6.50 per month or $78.00 per year. To subscribe to please call 765-6550.

LETTERS-TO-THE-EDITOR. Send us your letter to Taft Independent at the above address. Limit it to 300 words and include your name, address, and phone number. Fax: (661) 765-6556. Email your letter to: Publisher@taftindependent.com.

AGENDA POSTED ON BULLETIN BOARD OUTSIDE CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS AND POSTED AT THE CITY OF TAFT WEB SITE www.cityoftaft.org TELEVISED ON BRIGHT HOUSE CABLE CHANNEL 11: Wednesday 8 p.m.

Thursday 10 a.m. 8 p.m.

Friday 10 a.m.

The Taft Independent is seeking Experienced Writers News and Feature Writers Experience Required.

Contact The Taft Independent Send Bio or Resume to Publisher@taftindependent.com

ADVERTISING. Display Ads: Rates and special discounts are available. Contact our advertising representative at (661) 765-6550, or email to Publisher@taftindependent.com.

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Contributing Writers Stephanie House, Jerry Livingston Wesley Morris, Mimi Collins Joan Raymond, Andreas Fault Columnists Randy Miller Dr. Harold Pease Newspaper Delivery Tim Webb

By Andreas Fault The Junior Football League All-Star Games are this Saturday.

B Team vs. Arvin at 4pm, A Team vs. Jack Frost Centennial at 6pm at Martin Memorial Stadium. Come Cheer on these great future Wildcats.

Friday- Homegrown Comedy Presents an 18 & older Comedy Show at the Oasis at 414 North Street, doors open at 7pm, show at 8pm. $10 at the door, $5 pre-sale at the Oasis or Black Gold Brewery. Hosted by Andrew Boydston.

Saturday- Taft Trout Derby at Buena Vista Lake at 6am. Call the Taft Chamber at 765-2165 for info. If you have not already registered you can before it starts at 4am.

Taft Community Clean Up Day, 8a.m.-noon. Make Taft look even better. Sign up by calling 868-3680.

Taft Sport Shooters “Steel Challenge” at the Taft Sportsmen’s Club, registration at 8am.

Live Music with Barry Levenson & the Lubricators at the Oasis from 8-Midnight.

Thursday- Leonard Gentieu book signing of “Chasing the Heat- 50 Years & A Million Meals,” at Black Gold Brewery at 508 Center Street at 6pm. Call Black Gold at 765-6550 for Reservations.

Save the Date for these Future EventsNovember 21st: West Side Rec “Holiday Vendor and Craft Show” from 5-8:30pm, November 22nd- 8:30am- 3pm. Call the Rec @ 763-4246 for more info.

November 29th: Taft Shooter’s Challenge(Geocaching/Shooting Event) at the Taft Sportsmen’s Club.

December 1st: Taft Christmas Parade. Contact the Taft Chamber for more info at 765-2165.

December 4: Holiday Gift Show and Dinner at the Fort from 5-8pm.

December 5th and 6th: West Hills Church of the Nazarene Drive Thru Nativity Scene at 300 Lassen Street.

December 7th: West Kern Oil Museum Christmas Tea from 1-3:30.

December 9th: Taft College Bookstore Open House from 4-7pm.

Truxton Mile & Friends “Christmas Lights” A Holiday Presentation at 6:30 at WBF Church at 101 HWY 33.

December 13th: Taft Soroptimist Home Tour, Fashion Show, and Luncheon at WBF Church.

The Fort is having it’s Annual Holiday Gift Show and Dinner on Thursday December 4th from 5-8pm. Get a great Dinner, do your Christmas Shopping, and see lots of friends. There is still room for more Vendors. For more information call the Fort at 765-7371.

ROGER MILLER INSURANCE a division of DiBuduo & DeFendis Insurance Brokers LLC

Rich Miller • Jordan Miller Kathy Devine • Shelly Hamilton

Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Michael J. Long Publisher@taftindependent.com Advertising Publisher@taftindependent.com

Taft Calendar

3

Visit Us On Facebook

(661) 765-7131 531 Kern Street - P.O. Box 985 (661) 765-4798 FAX Taft, CA 93268 • (661) 203-6694 Cell License No. 0E02096 E-Mail: Richrmia@bak.rr.com Your Hometown Insurance Store

The Taft Independent

4

Editorial The Taft

Independent

Restaurant and Entertainment Guide Your Guide To The

Best Restaurants and Entertainment on the Westside Tumbleweed Café Asian Experience and Steakhouse Asian Food and Pizza

Steak, Seafood, Wild Game, Full Bar Monday – Friday 6 am to 2 pm Saturday – Sunday 7 am – 2 pm Dinner Hours Friday and Saturday 6 pm to 9 pm 24870 Highway 33, Derby Acres 768-4655

Paik’s Ranch House Where Everybody Meets Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Open 7 Days Mon. Tues. Wed., Thur. 6 am-8:30 pm Sun. Fri. & Sat. 6 am - 9 pm 765-6915 200 Kern St. Taft Sagebrush Annie’s Restaurant and Wine Tasting Wine Tasting and Lunch Sat. & Sun. 11:30-5 pm 4211 Highway 33, Ventucopa (661) 766-2319

Lunch and Dinner Tuesday - Friday 11 am - 2 pm 4 pm - 9 pm Saturday 4 pm - 9 pm 215 Center Street, Taft 763- 1815

Black Gold Cafe & Deli Pastas - Sandwiches Espresso - Beer - Wine Craft Beers Open Monday to Friday 6:30am to 8pm Saturday 7:30am to 8pm Sunday 10am to 2pm 508 Center Street 765-6556

514 Center Street • (661)765-7469 LIKE us on Facebook: Fox Theatre Taft TAFTFOX.COM Week of Friday, November 14, 2014 through Thursday, November 20, 2014 The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1 (PG-13) Premiere Showing! All seats $9 Thu: 8:00 PM Big Hero 6 (PG) Fri & Sat: 6:00, 8:15 Sun: (3:00), 6:00 Mon - Wed: 6:15 PM Thu: (5:45 PM) Interstellar (PG-13) Fri & Sat: 6:15, 9:35 Sun: (3:15), 6:30 Mon - Thu: 6:30 PM Nightcrawler (R) Fri & Sat: 9:05 PM Sun: 6:20 PM Mon - Thu: 8:05 PM Fury (R) Fri & Sat: 6:30 PM Sun: (3:30 PM) Mon - Thu: (5:30 PM)

Paik’s

Ranch House Restaurant “Where Everybody Meets” Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Open 7 Days

Mon, Tues, Wed., Thurs & Fri. 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Sat. and Sun. 6 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

765-6915

200 Kern Street, Taft, Ca.

November 14- 20, 2014

American Energy Exports Can

Westside Watcher Help Keep Russia in Check

By Michael James Barton

CALIFORNIA COMMON SENSE LAUNCHES “OPEN RECORDS INITIATIVE” New national platform provides free electronic access to large compilation of local, state, and federal records Mountain View, CA (November 12, 2014). Today, California Common Sense (www.cacs.org) announced the launch of its national Open Records Initiative (ORI) (www.cacs. org/ori). ORI is a web-based platform that provides the public with free electronic access to nearly 20,000 records for local, state, and federal governments. The platform currently includes government budgets, audited financial reports, retirement system valuations, education reports, and public safety reports. In addition to consolidating documents and making them accessible electronically, ORI promotes government transparency and accountability among government officials.

Already one of the largest public collections of electronic government records, ORI is expected to surpass 100,000 records in the coming months and become the single largest collection in the country by early 2015. The initiative also takes a crowdsourcing approach to growth by offering users opportunities to contribute and request additional documents.

“Every single day, this nation’s researchers, journalists, policymakers, and concerned citizens waste time tracking down documents across the web or requesting them from governments directly,” said Autumn Carter, Executive Director of California Common Sense. “We launched the Open Records Initiative because we saw an incredible opportunity to both promote government transparency and alleviate many headaches. This is only the start.”

Quick facts about the Open Records Initiative: Provides free access to nearly 20,000 records for local, state, and federal governments.

Includes hundreds or thousands of records for each of the following: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Delaware, Idaho, Maryland, Massachusetts, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, and Vermont.

On pace to become the single largest public collection of electronic government records in the United States by early 2015 (100,000+ documents).

Crowdsourcing feature encourages users to grow the platform by submitting documents and requesting specific documents for California Common Sense to acquire.

The platform is powered by Box, Inc. (www.box.com).

ABOUT CACS | California Common Sense is a non-partisan non-profit founded by Stanford students and alumni to open government to the public, develop data-driven policy analysis, and educate citizens about how their governments work.

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Why Should They Pay to See Your Newspaper Advertisement?

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Though a ceasefire appears to be holding in Ukraine, it’s clear much more needs to be done if the international community hopes to permanently stop Russian aggression. So far the campaign of denouncements and sanctions has not given Russia pause.

There is something the United States can do that will be both effective and not risk a wider war: lift the economic blockade imposed against American exports of crude oil and liquid natural gas to Europe.

European countries, including Russia’s closest neighbors, depend heavily on Russia for their energy needs, and Russia uses this dependency as strategic leverage. Ramping up American energy exports to Europe stands a real chance of helping resolve the battles in the Ukraine, in contradistinction to our current strategy, which appears to consist of being mean to Russia on social media.

Since 1975, there has been a near-total ban on American crude oil exports. The Energy Policy and Conservation Act was passed as a means of preventing the energy price shocks U.S. consumers experienced in the 1970s. And while there’s no official ban on liquid natural gas exports, the Obama administration’s approval process is so slow it amounts to a de facto ban.

But new technological breakthroughs have enabled the United States to become the world’s largest oil and natural gas producer. So American policymakers are not terrified of an oil embargo. America can now easily afford to export domestically produced crude oil and liquid natural gas.

Russia, meanwhile, can ill afford to see its share of the global energy export market shrink. In 2012, oil and gas revenues accounted for more than half of Russia’s federal budget revenues and 70 percent of the country’s exports.

This is the real leverage the international community has over Russia.

Without his energy monopoly to bully Europe, it will be much harder for Putin to continue his hobbies, which judging by his behavior seems to be invading neighbors and supplying missiles to shoot down civilian airliners.

If Russia suddenly had to compete in energy markets previously closed to the United States, the fiscal impact would be felt immediately in Moscow. David Montgomery, senior vice president of the consulting firm National Economic Research Associates, estimates that American competition could drive down Russian revenues from oil and gas exports by 30 percent in the next five years, and over 60 percent in the longer term.

“Since energy exports are the mainstay of the still inefficient and lagging Russian economy, this is a penalty with teeth,” Montgomery told a Senate committee in March.

If oil and gas revenues begin to slow, the Russian government will find it very difficult to pay the bills for continued military adventurism.

In June, the House passed a bill requiring the Energy Department to dramatically speed up the approval process for liquid natural gas exports. But until this bill becomes law, approvals for liquid natural gas exports remain sluggish to non-existent. And crude oil exports are still effectively banned.

The best way to rein in Russian imperialism is not temporary sanctions, but forcing the Kremlin to confront the reality of the end of its energy leverage over its neighbors. We can prevent further war in Ukraine by deigning to compete more directly with Russia in the global energy market.

Michael James Barton is the Director for Energy at ARTIS Research, and speaks around the country on energy and energy security matters. He previously served as the deputy director of Middle East policy at the Pentagon.

November 14 - 20, 2014

The Taft Independent

5

Truxton Mile Rocks Center Street Saturday Night

More than 1,000 people turned out Saturday night on Center Street to hear one the best concert performances in Taft ever featuring Taft’s own Truxton Mile. The street was closed for the special event.Photo by Michael R Lewis Photography, www.mrlphotobako.com

Gone But Not Forgotten, Former West Side Hospital

The Taft Independent

Jerry Livingston J.D. Jerry.Taft.independent@gmail.com Drive by the 100 block of East North Street and you’ll see what might be a metaphor for the West Side Health Care District Board of Trustees (“Board”) activities. While the Board continues to meet at an accelerated pace in its drive to remodel the District from what once was a Hospital District to what is now a Health Care District, the old structure comes down to make room for a new one.

The demolition has prompted many reminiscences around the West Side regarding the Hospital’s place in the community.

On more than one occasion the demolition has provoked people to observe that they or a brother, sister, daughter, son or other family member was born at the hospital. Of course it has also incited other less celebratory thoughts. Institutions of this type are anchors in the community, financially as well as emotionally, and there loss can be felt deeply.

With the goal of developing a Health Care District that can achieve a similar place in the community, the Board, carrying on its aggressive meeting schedule, has met three times in the last four weeks and will have had a fourth meeting by the time this paper is published.

On October 22nd, the Board finalized job descriptions in preparation for hiring an Executive Director. At the same meeting the Board approved a job description for a Clerk of the Board/Office Administrator position.

The October meeting also saw the finalization of committee assignments, establishing six committees to include: Personnel, Finance, Building and Facility, Community Outreach, Board Handbook and RFP/Radiology Services committees.

The board met again on November 4th, in a special meeting where, as previously reported, the board approved the job description for an Administrative Business Analyst position.

The Board met again this past Monday in what would normally have been the Board Finance Committee meeting but given the seriousness of the financial discussions it was held as a special board meeting.

Discussions at the meeting included the development of a Request for Proposal for radiology services that will be on the

Site of the former West Side Hospital which was demolished over the past 2 weeks. agenda for this Thursday’s Board meeting. The Board has been concerned with the costs of current radiology service offered on site at the Urgent Care facility and is exploring ways to reduce those costs.

Also discussed by the Board was the need for a property reassessment of the Health Care Campus by the Assessor’s office.

This meeting also saw the fruits of the improved financial reporting procedures when the board received clear break downs of its different cost centers. This break out shows that the Urgent Care is currently losing around $40,000 a month, resulting in a net loss of approximately $160,000 since July 2104, while the contract with the city of Taft for its MCCF has so far resulted in a net profit of over $160,000 for this fiscal year starting July 1st. While this represents a breakeven point between the District’s two biggest business units, most urgent care facilities are run as for profit operations.

In previous meetings the Board as indicated the need to explore ways to help the Urgent Care facility break even at a minimum and preferably generate a profit that would allow the district to concentrate its resources on developing other desperately needed services on the West Side Thursday’s Board meeting will have updates from Dr. Mathis on recruiting efforts for recently approved positions and well as future activities resulting from the Boards planning retreat, CPA Jim Trimble on current and future activities associated with the districts financial reporting and analysis and a review of the District’s contracts and insurance policies by the Boards recently retained attorney, Linda Danube.

November 14- 20, 2014

Chef Leonard Gentieu to host book signing on Thursday, November 20th, 6pm to 8pm, Public Invited

Accomplished chef, author and former Taft resident Leonard Gentieu will hold a book signing with his latest book on Thursday, November 20th at the Black Gold Brewing Company in Taft.

Gentieu will be signing his new publication, Chasing the Heat - 50 Years & Millions of Meals, between 6 and 8 p.m. at the brewpub restaurant. The book will be on sale at the event.

Gentieu will also be offering a free appetizer course of his famous Connecticut Clam Chowder which he made and served exclusively in Taft from 1973 until 1989.

Following the book signing, Gentieu will discuss the book, an exploration of the challenges and triumphs of a life in the kitchen- told with humor, frankness, optimism, and his favorite recipes.

Gentieu, who spent nearly 20 years - about half of his career - in Taft has owned 5 restaurants, and taught culinary skills at Taft and Maricopa High Schools.

In October 2005, Leonard and his wife Midge Gentieu, of Cambria, California, took ownership of the 72 foot Burger Yacht Papagallo II. The yacht is berthed in Morro Bay and sails California waters under their direction.

The Papagallo II Luxury Yacht is one of the great attractions of San Luis Obispo County, and Morro Bay, catering dinners and cruise along the California coast.

RSVP’s are required by calling the Taft Independent at 765-6550 and leaving a message with your name and number of persons attending. Reservations are limited. The event is free to the public.

Black Gold Brewing Company is located at 508 Center Street in Taft.

The Taft Independent

November 14 - 20, 2014

Miller Time

that are buckled up. City crews are getting to those as fast as they can. Remember we don’t have inmate work crews any longer, so there is a lot of pressure on the Public Works crews to get to everything. We are saving our money and applying for more grants as they become available. The key to grant writing is being successful in getting grants as that begets new grants. Grant writing is an art and we have people on staff and on contract scouring all over to find grants we can be eligible for. Our newest one that is now in progress is the extension of the Rails to Trails along Hillard Street up to ‘A’ Street Park. We also have grant money to extend the Rails to Trails from 1St Street down to the museum. That grant includes funds to build a bridge over the Sandy Creek tributary coming out of South Taft. Hopefully that will be completed by Oildorado so you can walk the trail from the center of all the activities right on down to the museum, how cool is that.

The next project will be to build a Transit Station due east of the Oil Workers Monument. It will serve dual purposes. It will provide more parking for the monument and allow for a lobby and restroom for transit riders, offices for transit dispatchers, parking for all our transit buses. Again another grant we applied for. The transit is not a mandated service by the City as we could never afford to operate it on its own; we apply yearly for and get state transportation funds. We do have to have meet 10% fare box match, so use it or lose it. So with all these grants come reporting responsibilities and some percentage of matching City funds. We have been real fortunate over the years to add these services and infrastructure to the City without expending much by the way of local tax dollars.

The City has struggled mightily over the past few years with the loss of the CCF and the downturn of the economy.

Please give a pat on the back to City staff across the board for doing their jobs with not much reward for the past 5 years or so. The goal of the Council was to avoid layoffs which we were thankfully able to do. We are not out of the woods yet, the reopening of the CCF is fraught with perils, but we are generating money again and we are putting it away for all the belt tightening we had to do. We are “Energized for the Future”, hopefully you are too.

While the final tallies are not in, it looks as if we have two new council members to welcome aboard: Renee Bitzer Hill and Josh Bryant. Ron Waldrop mounted a write in campaign and those votes haven’t showed up yet. So we’ll wait and see how it all plays out. I thank those that voted for me and it has been my extreme pleasure to be your councilman for the past 12 years.

Hi Everyone, Aren’t you glad that we don’t have to hear all the political TV ads any longer ?? They were getting down right annoying and they seem to be getting worse every election cycle. The amount of money being spent across the nation is getting obscene. It seems we can’t find anyone that is pure as the driven snow, as if there was anyone who could fit that bill. But the negativity in the ads is just getting worse and worse. Doesn’t anyone run on their record anymore ?? Luckily living in a small community we tend to get to know our folks at a more street level so we don’t have to go negative. Word of mouth in regards to who is running for an elected office rules. But there is the problem of rumors if you don’t know the person personally; they sometimes can hurt someone who is running.

All in all people who run for office in Taft have really good intentions and they learn real fast that being a one issue candidate or an axe grinder doesn’t work once you get into office because there are so many more issues that need attention in that it can get overwhelming. Congratulations to all that ran and for those of you who were elected, we are expecting good things because you will do the right thing while remembering that you are representing the people and not yourself.

Have you looked around lately ?? After that wowzer of a rain storm, I know what is rain, notice how bright and clean everything is. It gives you a fresher outlook on Taft. The motel is coming along nicely with the second story already up. A spring time opening won’t be far off and I believe that it will change the whole vibe for Taft. It will encourage other investors to look at us once again. Maybe some more retail outlets and a chain restaurant. Nothing is in stone yet, lots of rumors, nothing concrete. Our master developer and City staff has feelers out everywhere and are constantly following up. When we are able to point to that freshly completed motel property, it will have an impact on those contacts. The new Taco Bell is also coming along nicely.

You will also notice that we are doing a lot of corner curb and gutter work around the different school sites. That money came from a Safe Schools grant that the City applied for. Unfortunately it does not allow us o fix all our sidewalks

7

Athelete of the Week 11-14-14

Kyle Adkins TUHS Baseball Baseball is one of those sports which requires a dedication to practice year around. In Kyle Adkins’ case, he recognized this early on in his life.

He started playing club ball at the age of 7 for the Orange County Swing and later played with great organizations such as the Bakersfield Swing, Bakersfield Dodgers, and Trosky Baseball. More recently, he has had the opportunity to be exposed to high quality competition playing with the Brewers and Marlins scout teams. This year around dedication has paid dividends for his playing ability. In his high school career, he has been named all-league three consecutive years and won awards such as: Rookie of the Year, Golden Glove, and Golden Arm. Kyle is heading into his senior year of baseball and we look forward to seeing him continue this success in the collegiate level.

Congratulations Kyle and keep up the good work!

See You Around Town Randy Miller

Ben’s Books

The Largest, Cheapest and Only Hours Tuesday to Thursday 10am to 5 pm Friday and Saturday 10am to 3pm

Attention MI CASITA Customers!

We will be moving from our popular 416 Center Street location to just up the street at 621 Center Street.

We look forward to serving you starting December 1st! See you there!

810 Center Street • (661)805-9813

Let’s Go! Location Photos!

Senior Portraits Class of 2015 Fun and Easy

Free clothing change, multiple pose packages, yearbook photo Starting at $99 + Tax.

Have Camera, Will Travel. Call today for more details and appointment 763-5429.

427 Center Street • Since June 1986

www.kcphotographyandframing.com

Proof #

1

Date

4/6

Visit Us Online taftindependent.com and Facebook

8

Liberty Under Fire

Obama warned against violating the Constitution, again Harold Pease, Ph. D President Barack Obama acted as though he was unaware of the overwhelming rejection of his policies, which he had insisted were on the ballot this election, in one of the largest mid-term election defeats in the last 100 years. He came out of the gate with a renewal of his long-time threat of legalizing illegal immigration by himself through executive order before the end of the year. He referred to it as taking “care of business.”

“I can’t wait another two years,” he defiantly threatened Congress.

Both branches of Congress returned their own warning if he made law independent of them. The new Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell countered that his doing so would be comparable to “waving a red flag in front of a bull.” House Speaker John Boehner warned, “When you play with matches, you take the risk of burning yourself—and he’s going to burn himself if he continues to go down this path.”

There is nothing more clear nor basic in the Constitution than the separation of federal power into three branches, one to legislate, yet another to execute that law, and a third to adjudicate possible violations, when contested, of that law—a division of power held “sacred” until the last few decades. The Constitution reads: “All legislative powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives”(Article I, Sec. I).

The Executive Branch has no authority to make law— any law!!!! Executive Orders are constitutional only when they cite a single, recently passed law of Congress, where that law needs a statement of implementation by the executive branch. Presidential Directives, a type of Executive Order, differs only in defining how that law, passed by Congress, will be implemented.

Neither type is to alter, or defy, law formerly passed by Congress.

For years some in Congress have been working on what is called the Dream Act that would extend

WEST SIDE URGENT CARE

765-1935 HOURS

Monday thru Friday 8:00am –9:00pm Saturday and Sunday 10:00am – 9:00pm 100 E North St. Taft CA

The Taft Independent

November 14- 20, 2014

amnesty and place millions of illegal immigrants on a course toward full citizenship. Lacking popularity, twice it has failed to get the majority vote of both Houses of Congress required by the Constitution thus leaving existing immigration law unchanged; once, between 2008-2010, when the President’s party controlled everything except the Judicial branch. He had his chance and was unable to even sell it to his own majority party.

A president can only suggest a need for new law in his State of the Union Address, and either sign or veto a law passed by Congress, which then, if vetoed, must be overridden by a vote of 2/3rds of both Houses to become law. That is it. Candidate Obama understood this when first ran, he said, “Congress’s job is to pass legislation. The president can veto it, or he can sign it.”

This is the law of the land and the Constitutional procedure violated by Barack Obama, as President, June 16, 2012, when, failing to get a favorable vote from Congress on legalizing illegal immigration, openly defied Congress and the Constitution by ordering a like measure to that defeated, implemented anyway.

Thousands of illegals avoided deportation as a result.

This is the most open case of contempt for Congress and the Constitution and the President knew it. In March 28, 2011, he said, with respect to the idea of nullifying Congress on the deportation issue.

“The notion that I can just suspend deportations just through executive order, that’s just not the case, because there are laws on the books that Congress has passed.”

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So why did he “flip-flop” and knowingly violate the Constitution? Obama saw an inept Congress that has not placed any restraint on his previous unconstitutional executive orders. He brilliantly also saw a way to “buy” the Hispanic vote. If the Republicans resisted he had a powerful campaign issue. His argument for the violation, “It is the right thing to do.” But this has nothing to do with the fact that he usurped the powers given only to Congress, and in the most contemptuous way possible, and established a precedent for the continued nullification of Congress. Moreover, he also violated his oath of office to “preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States”(Article II, Sec. 1, Clause 8). His failure to do so was “a high crime,” an impeachable offense, which action should have been introduced with bipartisan support with 100 signatures in the Senate and 435 in the House.

This issue should have been that clear but unfortunately party loyalty is higher than constitutional loyalty.

Will he defy Congress again?

The “waving red flag” mentioned by Mitch McConnell and the “playing with matches” noted by John Boehner should refer to the full use of impeachment powers by the House and the Senate if the President attempts to nullify existing law by his executive order. Democrats too must recognize that executive orders making law weakens the sole power of Congress to make all law and places us on the road of government by decree or edict of one man. We must choose the Constitution over party. How does a president’s defiance of Congress differ from what a king or dictator does? It doesn’t. The Constitution is there to protect all parties and all citizens from arbitrary and caprices rule. Please let it work.

The Taft Independent

November 14 - 20, 2014

9

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Monday - Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

First Baptist Church Pastor Scott Pearson

Sunday School 9 a.m.

Worship Celebration 10:30 a.m.

Evening Service 6 p.m.

Awana Childrens Program Wednesday 6 p.m.

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“Connecting Lives” 308 Harrison Street 765-4572 Sunday Morning Worship Service 10 a.m.

Sunday Evening Worship Service 6 p.m Bible Classes All Ages Wednesday 7 p.m.

Your Neighborhood Church 314 Asher Ave

Childcare Available During Services Info call 765-7151

631 North Street Sunday School 9:30 a.m.

Morning Worship 10:30

St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church

Bible Study 9 a.m.

Sunday Service - 10 a.m. www.standrewstaft.org The Rev. Heather Mueller 703 5th Street - Taft (661) 765-2378

Trinity Southern Baptist Church 400 Finley Drive We invite you to join us each week as we worship

Sunday Bible Study 9:45 am Sunday Morning Worship 11:00 am Sunday Evening Worship 6:00 pm Wednesday Prayer & Bible Study 6:00 pm

Peace Lutheran Church- LCMS Taft- A caring community under Christ We welcome you to worship with us at peace lutheran church, 26 Emmons Park Drive (across from the College). Worship service begins at 10:00 a.m.

Communion will be offered 1st and 3rd Sundays Sunday School for all ages at 9:00 a.m.

The Pregnancy crisis center is now open and available for support and assistance.

For information, call 763-4791 If you have a prayer request please call (661)765-2488.

Leave a message if the pastor or secretary is not available

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10

The Taft Independent

Classifieds

Deadline for submission is Wednesdays at 4pm.

Boxed\outlined\bolded classified ads start at $12.00 for 8 lines, $16 for 12 lines, $20 for 15 lines, $25 for 20 lines.

Ad your photograph for $5. Ad your company logo for $5.

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YARD SALES

Maricopa VFW Yard Sale. 600 Hazelton. 7am to 1p.m. Fall Yard Sale.

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Plant sale, Succucelents\ landscape\house plants.

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Yard sale. Womens clothes, desk, mocrowave stand, other misc. Nov. 14 and 15 8am-noon. 221 B Street.

ANNOUNCEMENTS HELP WANTED Outside Sales Do you view Mom and Pop Business Owners as Heroes?

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Email Resume to jackrobbins1950@ comcast.net Or Fax Resume to 260 492 0041 RN/LVN needed for busy Urgent Care in Taft. Very good working environment.

Varied shift and days.

Minimum 2 years acute care experience. Must passdrug and Livescan screening. Please submit resume to: West Side Health Care District, 119 Adkisson Way, Taft, CA 93268, FAX (661) 765-7234, email: wshcd@bak. rr.com.

Registered Nurse needed for Correctional facility in Taft. Position is Parttime and is varied shifts (day and night).

Must pass drug and Livescan screening.

Minimum 3 years acute care preferred.

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Please submit resume to: West Side Health Care District, 119 Adkisson Way, Taft, CA 93268, FAX (661) 765-7234, email: wshcd@bak. rr.com.

Part-time and substitute Bus Driver/ Custodians needed for student transportation. Salary range from $13.87 per hour to $17.18 per hour.

Interested applicants please contact the Maricopa Unified School District Office at 769-8231 ext 204.

EOE employer.

AUTOS FOR SALE FOR SALE LOST ITEM HOMES FOR SALE Americana Real Estate 322 Kern St. 661765-5000 Lic # 00447658 & 01942324 118 Van Buren St, 3/2 modular on permanent foundation, nearly 2,000 sq ft, brand new roof, new carpet & tile floors, tile counters in kitchen, huge back yard, $125,000 413 Kern St, Commercial & Residential property, 2/1 with office, updated kitchen & bath,very well maintained, $110,000 909 San Joaquin, Maricopa, Modern 3/2 close to school, 2 car garage, new flooring & paint throughout, large updated kitchen, lots of storage $99,000 Pick up a list of all homes For Sale and For Rent at 322 Kern St. or call 661-7655000.

Real Estate eBroker Inc. Karri Christensen LIC# #01333971 661-332-6597 www.BuyTaft.com Real Estate Sales & Purchase FREE How To Videos: Buy a House Stage Your House

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West Valley Real Estate www.BuySellManage. com (661) 763-1500 BRE Lic # 01525550 FOR RENT 502 Lucard 1/1 $375 224 B St #A 1/1 $625 110 E San Emidio 2/1 $975 426 D St 3/1 $1,000 340 F St 3/2 + Studio $1,200 517 Washington Ave 3/2+Pool $1,395 104 Village Way 4/2 $1,800 100 South Commercial Property/Yard $750 3 bd. 1 1/2 bath newly remodeled home. Rock fireplace, completely remodeled and like new. garage, alley entrance, w/work bench, storage loft, outside pets only, non-smokers, $1,150 mo. 1st, last and $300 dep. Built on 2 lots. 308 San Emidio.

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Classified Ads are $3.00 per issue for up to three lines, $5 per issue for Classified $2.00 per off up to 5 lines,Ads andare $7 per issue forline. up toPhone, 10 lines.fax, Yardmail Sale or adsdrop are free. your adfax, tomail the or Taft Independent.

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November 14- 20, 2014

Contractor’s Lic. #352844

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The Taft Independent

November 14 - 20, 2014

Ken Shugarts

549-1068

Air Conditioning & Heating

Black Gold Brewing Company An American Craft Brewery in Taft

765-4191 BBQ Ribs Special Every Friday $9.95

Plumbing • Septic • Rooter Framing • Electrical • Concrete We Do All Phases of Construction Kitchen and Bathroom Specialists Ken Shugarts (661) 343-0507 30 Plus Years in Construction License No. 927634

Real Estate Services and Property Management Laura Vega DRE 01942324

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New Homes for Sale in Taft

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The Taft Independent

Andy’s Septic Tank & Sewer

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November 14- 20, 2014

Black Gold Brewing Company An American Craft Brewery

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Used to be Paul’s Qik Smog Layaway for Christmas Now. 2015 Fit’s are Here!

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The Tumbleweed Bar and Restaurant

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Owner Orchel Krier Welcomes You and Your Family - Dinner Reservations

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