Taft city planner has plans

Independent The Taft

September 21 - 27, 2012

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September 21 - 27, 2012 • Volume 7 Issue 12

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

Bike Fest Promoters Presents $4,000 Donation To Alpha House

Dr. Harold Pease Says Communists and Founding Fathers Opposite on Democracy Bow Wow Bakery Presents!

Yappy Hour

Friday, October 5th 5 pm to 8 pm Free Doggie Beer Tasting Non-Alcoholic Doggie Beer

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B.Y.O.D. Bring Your Own Dog 420 Center Street, Taft 745-4894

New City Planning Director Michael Waiczis Has Plans for Taft

By Kent Miller

City Planning and Development Director stands on site along Hillard Street where up to 350 new homes are planned.

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September 21 - 27, 2012

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September 21 - 27, 2012

Inside Community Events.........3 News Briefs......................3 Westside Watcher............4 Westside News.................5 Westside News.................6

TAFT INDEPENDENT

Community Events News Briefs Taft California “Home of the Taft Oilworkers Monument” “Gateway to the Carrizo Plain National Monument” Have a community event that you would like to include?

Email it to us at Publisher@Taftindependent.com

Taft College TIL Casino Night - Sep. 29th Taft ROCKTOBERFEST! October 5 & 6.

Annual Golf Classic - October 13. Sign up at the Chamber!

National Public Lands Day, Carrizo Plain - September 29.

Rocktoberfest 2012 coming up Friday, October 5 and Saturday, October 6.

It’s going to be a fun filled weekend with lots of live music, an expanded beer garden, as well as Cruise Night!

Friday, October 5, we will be kicking off the evening at 5:30PM on the Fifth Street Plaza with local rockers, Artificial Euphoria. Cruising Center will begin at 6:00PM, and after Artificial Euphoria finishes up their set, Celtic rockers, 1916 will take the stage! We will have an expanded beer garden hosted by Black Gold Cafe & Deli, The Petroleum Club, The Tumbleweed Cafe, and The Oasis.

Thursday, Dec. 6--Fort Craft Fair

Saturday night, get your tickets for a concert inside the majestic Taft Fox Theatre!

Starting at 7:00PM, local positive hip hop artist, CaliGEEK, will start the show with his clean rapping. Next, the very bluegrassy and fun, Mama’s Kitchin will take the stage followed by our marvelous headlining act, The Aviators. Beer and wine will be available inside the theatre, as well as refreshments from the concession stand.

Movie Review...................8

TUHS Class of 1992 Reunion

Tickets for Saturday night will be available at the Chamber next week starting at $10 for general admission and $25 for primo VIP seating.

Classified Ads.................10

The Taft Union High School Class of 1992 plans their 20 year high school reunion over Homecoming weekend. 20 years later the graduates of 1992 are planning a reunion over the homecoming weekend.

Classmates will attend the varsity Football game Friday 9-28-12 at 6:30pm to kick off the weekend. On Saturday morning, classmates will attend a tour of TUHS, meeting at the school cafeteria at 10am followed by lunch somewhere local if you are interested.

Reunion dinner and party will be held at the Taft Moose Lodge Saturday night. Social hour will begin at 5:30pm, dinner served around 6:30pm.

Other classes are welcome to join us following dinner at around 8pm for a $5 entry fee to dance and enjoy the evening.

If you are a member of the class of 1992 and would like to attend the dinner but have not submitted your RSVP, please contact Brandon Smith to see if you can be added. Fees are $25 for a single and $45 for a couple. smittyb2000@ comcast.ne

Spread the word about this upcoming and utterly thrilling weekend! We can’t wait to see you there.

Westside News.................7 Liberty Under Fire.........8

Shop Taft........................11

The Taft Independent 508 Center Street P.O. Box 268 Taft, California 93268 (661) 765-6550 Fax (661) 765-6556

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.

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Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Michael J. Long taftindypublisher@bak.rr.com Advertising Contributing Writers June Woods, Kent Miller, Wesley Morris, Nicole Frost Columnists Randy Miller Jane McCabe, Dr. Harold Pease Subscriptions\Delivery Tim Webb, Patrick Harget

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Annual Trout Derby - November 17. Registration opening soon.

Taft Sportsman’s Club Pheasant Hunt Nov. 17 and 18 Monday, Dec. 3--Christmas Parade

What’s New at the Oil Museum?

According the Don Maxwell, museum director, there will be two special events during the month of October: • On Saturday, October 6th at 2 p.m. the Museum Theater will be dedicated to the late Don Gillaspie, a beloved Taft resident who died more than a year ago. Refreshments will be served.

• On October 27th, another Saturday, the museum will hold its annual Fall Barbecue, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Ten dollars will purchase your meal. If planning to attend, come early because the food always sells out.

There will be an antique engine display with engineers operating pumps and such that were used in the oil fields.

BIG NEWS! Plans are in the works to move the Railroad Express Building currently at 4th Street and Main (next to the Rails to Trails) to the museum. Funds are being raised for the move by the West Side Sunset Railroad Historical Society and current owner, Robert Mitchell. Once moved, the building will be home to an exhibit of early photographs of Taft, the oil fields, and other special exhibits.

By end of September some special exhibits at the museum will be complete. An article on them will be published in the Independent. (We know, the suspense is hard to take.)

Maricopa Tea Room Specials

Tea Room Specials for the week of Sept 25: Tuesday-Taco Salad, chips and salsa Wed-Hamburger Wrap, Salad/Fries Thurs-Calamari & Shrimp Plate Fri-Mystery Sandwich

Telephone: 769-8231 Extension 5 323

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Full size posters for Rocktoberfest are up for grabs at the Chamber if you are interested in hanging one up at your business, or if you would just like to have one for yourself !

U.S. Rep. Kevin McCarthy Honored as Guardian of Small Business by NFIB WASHINGTON, D.C., Sept. 13, 2012 – The National Federation of Independent Business, the nation’s leading small business association, today named U.S. Rep. Kevin McCarthy (CA-22) a Guardian of Small Business for his outstanding voting record on behalf of America’s small-business owners in the 112th Congress.

NFIB President and CEO Dan Danner praised Rep. McCarthy for “standing for small business.” In presenting the group’s coveted Guardian of Small Business Award, Danner said, “Small-business owners pay close attention to how their lawmakers vote on the issues affecting their businesses and employees and stand by those who stand for them.”

“The record shows that Rep. McCarthy is a true champion of small business, having stood strong on the key small-business votes in the 112th Congress,” said Danner. “This award reflects our members’ appreciation for supporting the NFIB pro-growth agenda for small business.”

In all, NFIB will present Guardian awards to 245 Representatives who voted favorably on key small business issues at least 70 percent of the time during the 112th Congress.

EDITOR’S NOTE: To view “How Congress Voted,” which has the key small business votes and voting percentages for each lawmaker, go to http://www.

NFIB.com/hcv

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Westside Watcher

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. Thur. 6 am-8:30 pm Sun. Wed. 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, September 21, 2012 through Thursday, September 27, 2012 House at the End of the Street (PG-13) Fri: 6:00, 8:15, 10:30 Sat: (3:30), 6:00, 8:15, 10:30 Sun: (1:10), (3:30), 6:00, 8:15 Mon - Thu: 6:00 PM The Possession (PG-13) Fri: 6:30, 8:30, 10:30 Sat: (4:00), 6:30, 8:30, 10:30 Sun: (2:00), (4:00), 6:30, 8:30 Mon - Thu: 6:30 PM The Odd Life of Timothy Green (PG) Fri: (5:30), 8:00 Sat: (3:15), (5:30), 8:00 Sun: (1:00), (3:15), (5:30), 8:00 Mon - Thu: (5:00 PM)

Taft Petroleum Club 450 Petroleum Club Road - 763-3268 Open Monday- Friday 3:30pm to Close

Friday Night Ribeye Steak or Chicken Dinner from 6pm - 8pm

Open Friday Nights for Dinner Starting this Friday!

The club is available for Weddings, Birthdays, and Anniversaries Hall holds up to 200 people and the bar can hold 70.

In the Middle East, Obama’s chickens are coming home to roost

By Michael Goodwin According to President Obama’s narrative, the murder of four Americans in Libya is a story of “senseless violence” provoked by an anti-Islam video. According to his Praetorian Guards in the media, the story is how Mitt Romney rudely criticized Obama’s foreign policy.

Here’s the real story: The murder of Ambassador Chris Stevens and three others is the most important terrorist attack on American civilians since 9/11. And it happened on the 11th anniversary of that day of infamy, on Obama’s watch.

There were no Marines on guard, and there are reports that the Benghazi embassy had been warned of an Al Qaeda assault, yet there were no precautions. It is likely the organized attackers, some carrying rocket-propelled grenades, had inside information about a “safe house,” where they killed two of the Americans.

Obama, after offering condolences and vowing to find those responsible, flew off to a campaign event in Vegas.

If that were all, it would be reason enough to doubt his competency and character. But it’s not all.

The crisis, including riots at our embassies in 20 countries, is the full flowering of a policy predicated on appeasement and apology. To borrow a phrase, the Obama chickens are coming home to roost.

The essence of his doomed approach is revealed in Obama’s refusal to meet with the prime minister of Israel while finding time to meet with the Muslim Brotherhood president of Egypt. The choice raises a fundamental question: Whose side are you on, Mr. President?

To ask is to concede despair. Starting with his Cairo speech in 2009, Obama promised a “new beginning” in our relations with Muslims.

Had the comment been a marketing tool for a new administration, it would have been understandable. But the speech was far from benign.

It foretold the ruinous path he would follow.

In Cairo, Obama insisted that, after 9/11, America “acted contrary to our ideals,” by using torture — a libel against his own country and the warriors who defend it. Under the Obama “ideals,” we follow a “kill or release” protocol, blasting terrorist leaders with drones while freeing all others without interrogation. So death is now more humane than waterboarding.

He suggested in Cairo that Americans harbor bigotry against Muslims, saying, “We cannot disguise hostility towards any religion behind the pretense of liberalism.” That, too, was a slander, and the policy corollary is that he says nothing about the slaughter of Christians in

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September 21 - 27, 2012

Taft College TIL Casino Night September 29 On Saturday, September 29, 2012, the Taft College Foundation, Team Oxy and the Taft College Transition to Independent Living Program (TIL) will be holding the Fourth Annual TIL Casino Night at the Dignity Health Event Center, 1400 Norris Road, Bakersfield, CA 93308.

Doors open at 6:00 p.m., with gaming beginning at 7:00 p.m. Activities will include a catered buffet by Cougar Café; libations; gaming, including black jack, roulette, craps and Texas Hold ‘Em Poker; silent and live auctions; and prize drawings.

Hosts for the evening are Robin Mangarin-Scott and Jim Scott.

Individual tickets are $200 per person, with three levels of sponsorships also available: $2000 level, $5000 level and $10,000 level. Each level of sponsorship includes VIP table seating, logo recognition, select wines, as well as $500 Casino Cash per person.

The Transition to Independent Living Program (TIL) at Taft College is a post secondary experience for individuals with autism and other intellectual disabilities.

The program provides instruction and training in a residential setting both on campus and within the community. Curriculum and training promotes the acquisition of functional, social and career skills necessary for students to live productive and normalized lifestyles.

The TIL Program is an international model providing students will life skills promoting independent lifestyles, responsibility for self care (including home care and meal service) and accountability through employment within the community.

Since its inception in 1995, the TIL Program has monitored and tracked graduates for a ten (10) year period, after their graduation.

This had resulted in strong quantifiable date to statistically demonstrate the program’s success which includes ninety-five (95%) percent of TIL graduates continuing to live independently.

In addition, eight-nine (89%) percent of TIL graduates are gainfully employed, working either 30-40 hours per week (33%) or 20 hours per week (66%). Most importantly, eighty (80%) percent of graduates are able to pay for all living expenses.

“The TIL Program provide students with the opportunity to live productive lives, contribute to their community and their families, and achieve the satisfaction of fulfillment that comes with independence,” notes Dr. Dena Maloney, Superintendent/President of Taft College.

“The TIL Casino Night is a great way to have some fun while supporting a great program with a regional and statewide impact.”

Funds raised from casino Night will go to support the new Taft College Center for Independent Living, which is currently under construction at the Taft College campus.

This state of the art facility will provide training and educational opportunities for many years to come.

For more information, please contact the Taft College Foundation at 661.763.7961.

Arab lands.

He misstated Mideast history to draw a moral equivalency between Israelis and Palestinians. His portrayal of a “humanitarian crisis” in Gaza was spun of whole cloth, as was his claim that Israeli settlement activity “violates previous agreements and undermines efforts to achieve peace.” As a result, there have been no direct negotiations during his term.

On Iran, he talked as if the mad mullahs and the US are equally responsible for the 30-year rupture, even though Iran was at that moment helping to kill our soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. He said, “No single nation should pick and choose which nations hold nuclear weapons,” a tip-off to his feckless policy.

The central idea of that speech is that America and Israel are largely to blame for radical Islam. The same instinct drips from the statement issued by Obama’s Cairo representative last Tuesday.

Utterly craven, the statement “condemns the continuing efforts by misguided individuals to hurt the religious feelings of Muslims — as we condemn efforts to offend believers of all religions . . . we firmly reject the actions by those who abuse the universal right of free speech to hurt the religious beliefs of others.”

Deciphering the childish gibberish leads to the conclusion that free speech is OK only until Muslim feelings are hurt. Then we surrender our values to the mob.

In its cockeyed defense, the White House offered conflicting claims: one, that the statement came before the riots began; two, that we should, Obama said, “cut folks a little bit of slack” when they fear for their lives.

Let’s see — there was no riot, but they feared for their lives?

In fact, the embassy reaffirmed the apology twice while the riots raged.

After the statement was online for nearly 10 hours, Mitt Romney called it disgraceful and the White House quickly disavowed it. Until then, the apology for free speech was the sole response from the White House to the day’s events.

And why not? It is perfectly consistent with the last four years.

Visit Us Online taftindependent.com

September 21 - 27, 2012

TAFT INDEPENDENT

California Voters Face Eleven November Ballot Initiatives: End of Death Penalty, 3-Strikes Law Modification, Sales and Income Tax Increases, Ban on Corporate and Union Campaign Donations, Human Trafficking California voters are faced with 11 ballot initiatives this November, ranging from ending the death penalty to raising sales taxes to banning corporate and union campaign donations.

Already the radio and televisions ads are pounding the airwaves telling you to vote yes or no, and like most voters, you probably care less about how these proposed measure turn out, unless you are from one of the special interest groups that sponsored one of the initiatives.

To get you up to speed on these ballot initiatives, here’s a summary of each one. Good luck!

Proposition 30, Sales and Income Tax Increase Proposition 30, a Sales and Income Tax Increase Initiative, is on the November 6, 2012 ballot in California as an initiated constitutional amendment.

Gov. Jerry Brown is leading the charge for Proposition 30, which is a merger of two previously competing initiatives; the “Millionaire’s Tax” and Brown’s First Tax Increase Proposal.

Provisions of Proposition 30 include: Raises California’s sales tax to 7.5% from 7.25%, a 3.45% percentage increase over current law. (Under the Brown Tax Hike, the sales tax would have increased to 7.75%)[3][4] Creates four high-income tax brackets for taxpayers with taxable incomes exceeding $250,000, $300,000, $500,000 and $1,000,000.

This increased tax will be in effect for 7 years.

Imposes a 10.3% tax rate on taxable income over $250,000 but less than $300,000--a percentage increase of 10.6% over current policy of 9.3%. The 10.3% income tax rate is currently only paid by taxpayers with over $1,000,000 in taxable income.

Imposes an 11.3% tax rate on taxable income over $300,000 but less than $500,000--a percentage increase of 21.5% over current policy of 9.3%.

Imposes a 12.3% tax rate on taxable income over $500,000 up to $1,000,000--a percentage increase of 32.26% over current policy of 9.3%.

Imposes a 13.3% tax rate on taxable income over $1,000,000--a percentage increase of 29.13% over current “millionaires tax” policy of 10.3%.

If this proposition is passed in November, 2012, the income tax will apply retroactively to all income earned or received since the first of the year (1 January, 2012).

Based on California Franchise Tax Board data for 2009, the additional income tax is imposed on the top 3% of California taxpayers.

Estimated revenue from Proposition 30 vary from Jerry Brown’s $9 billion estimate to the $6.8 billion estimated by the non-partisan Legislative Analysts Office. The difference stem for the volatility caused by capital gains income from high-income earners, an issue in California’s tax system previously identified by the Legislative Analysts Office.

Proposition 31 Two-Year State Budget Cycle Proposition 31 is a combined initiated constitutional amendment and state statute. If enacted, it will: - Establish a two-year state budget cycle.

- Prohibit the California State Legislature from “creating ex penditures of more than $25 million unless offsetting revenues or spending cuts are identified.”

- Permit the Governor of California to cut the budget unilaterally during declared fiscal emergencies if the state legislature fails to act.

- Require performance reviews of all state programs.

- Require performance goals in state and local budgets.

- Require publication of all bills at least three days prior to a vote by the California State Senate or California State Assembly.

- Give counties the power to alter state statutes or regulations related to spending unless the state legislature or a state agency vetoes those changes within 60 days.

Proposition 32, the “Paycheck Protection” Initiative Proposition 32, is the “Paycheck Protection” Initiative.

If approved, Proposition 32 will: - Ban both corporate and union contributions to state and local candidates.

- Ban contributions by government contractors to the politicians who control contracts awarded to them.

- Ban automatic deductions by corporations, unions, and government of employees’ wages to be used for politics.

Proposition 33, Automobile Insurance Persistency Discounts Proposition 33, is the Automobile Insurance Persistency Discounts Initiative.

If approved, it will allow insurers to offer discounts to new customers who can prove they were continuously covered by any licensed auto insurance company over the previous five years.

These discounts are known as “persistency discounts” or “loyalty discounts” and under current California law, insurance companies can only offer them to existing customers.

Proposition 33 is similar to Proposition 17, which was on the June 8, 2010 ballot. Proposition 17 was narrowly defeated. Unlike Proposition 17, Proposition 33 exempts soldiers and those who have been unemployed for 18 months from paying more after a lapse in persistency.

The fight over Proposition 33, and automobile insurance persistency discounts in general, began in 1988, when Proposition 103 was approved. Proposition 103 forbids the type of persistency discounts that Proposition 33 would allow.

About $21 billion worth of automobile insurance is sold every year in California.

Proposition 34, the End the Death Penalty Initiative Proposition 34, is the the “Death Penalty Initiative Statute”.

If approved, Proposition 34 will eliminate the death penalty in California and replace it with life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Specifically, Proposition 34 will: - Repeal the death penalty as maximum punishment for persons found guilty of murder and replace it with life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.

- Apply retroactively to persons already sentenced to death.

- Require persons found guilty of murder to work while in prison, with their wages to be applied to any victim restitution fines or orders against them.

- Create a $100 million fund to be distributed to law enforcement agencies to help solve more homicide and rape cases.

- California has 725 people on death row. If the Prop. 34 is approved, their sentences will be replaced with “life in prison without the possibility of parole”. These prisoners will also be required to seek jobs within the prison system, and their earnings will go to crime victims. Seven of the 725 people currently on death row have exhausted all appeals and are therefore eligible for execution, although legal challenges to California’s lethal injection procedure must be resolved before any of them could be executed. The last time a prisoner was put to death in California was in 2006. At that time, a federal judge halted executions in the state until various changes were made in how the state administers the death penalty.

- California is one of 33 states that currently authorize the death penalty.

- The death penalty in California was judicially invalidated in the 1970s and was then reinstated via Proposition 7 in 1978. 13 inmates have been executed since then.

Proposition 35, Ban on Human Trafficking and Sex Slavery Proposition 35 is the “Californians Against Sexual Exploitation Act” Initiative.

If it is approved by the state’s voters, Proposition 35 (CASE ACT) will: - Increase prison terms for human traffickers.

- Require convicted sex traffickers to register as sex offenders.

- Require all registered sex offenders to disclose their internet accounts.

- Require criminal fines from convicted human traffickers to pay for services to help victims.

- Mandate law enforcement training on human trafficking.

Proposition 36, Changes in the “Three Strikes” Law Proposition 36, changes the California “Three Strikes Law” Initiative.

If approved, Proposition 36 will modify elements of California’s “Three Strikes” Law, approved by the state’s voters in 1994. In 2004, voters rejected Proposition 66, which like the 2012 measure was an attempt to change some aspects of the original “Three Strikes” Law. Proposition 36, if approved will: - Revise the three strikes law to impose life sentence only when

the new felony conviction is “serious or violent”.

- Authorize re-sentencing for offenders currently serving life sentences if their third strike conviction was not serious or violent and if the judge determines that the re-sentence does not pose unreasonable risk to public safety.

- Continue to impose a life sentence penalty if the third strike conviction was for “certain non-serious, non-violent sex or drug offenses or involved firearm possession”.

- Maintain the life sentence penalty for felons with “non-serious, non-violent third strike if prior convictions were for rape, murder, or child molestation.”

If Proposition 36 is approved by voters, approximately 3,000 convicted felons who are currently serving life terms under the Three Strikes law, whose third strike conviction was for a nonviolent crime, will be able to petition the court for a new, reduced, sentence. Reducing the sentences of these current prisoners could result in saving the state somewhere between $150 to $200 million a year.

Altogether, about 8,800 prisoners are currently serving life terms in California prisons under the 1994 law.

24 states have a “Three Strikes”-type law.

Proposition 37, Mandatory Labeling of Genetically Engineered Food Proposition 37, is the Mandatory Labeling of Genetically Engineered Food Initiative.

If Proposition 37 is approved by voters, it will: - Require labeling on raw or processed food offered for sale to consumers if the food is made from plants or animals with genetic material changed in specified ways.

- Prohibit labeling or advertising such food as “natural.”

Exempt from this requirement foods that are “certified organic; unintentionally produced with genetically engineered material; made from animals fed or injected with genetically engineered material but not genetically engineered themselves; processed with or containing only small amounts of genetically engineered ingredients; administered for treatment of medical conditions; sold for immediate consumption such as in a restaurant; or alcoholic beverages.”

Proposition 38, State Income Tax Increase to Support Education Proposition 38 is a State Income Tax Increase to Support Public Education.

If enacted, Proposition 38 will: - Increase state income tax rates for most Californians, resulting in increased revenues to the state of about $10 billion a year.

- The state income tax increase would end after 12 years, unless voters reauthorize it.

Earmark most of the new revenue of $10 billion for public school districts and early childhood development programs.

Proposition 39, Income Tax Increase for Multistate Businesses Proposition 39 is an Income Tax Increase for Multistate Businesses Initiative.

If approved, Proposition 39 will: - Require multistate businesses to calculate their California income tax liability based on the percentage of their sales in California.

- Repeal an existing law that gives multistate businesses an option to choose a tax liability formula that provides favorable tax treatment for businesses with property and payroll outside California.

- Dedicate $550 million annually for five years from the initiative’s anticipated increase in revenue in order to fund projects that “create energy efficiency and clean energy jobs” in California.

- The primary financial backer of Proposition 39 is Thomas Steyer.

Proposition 40, Referendum on the State Senate Redistricting Plan Proposition 40 is the Referendum on the State Senate Redistricting Plan.

Proposition 40 is an attempt to use California’s veto referendum process to nullify the California State Senate redistricting plan approved by the California Citizens Redistricting Commission.

A “yes” vote on this veto referendum is a vote to maintain intact the work of the California Citizens Redistricting Commission, while a “no” vote is a vote to overturn the commission’s lines. The sponsors who put this on the ballot are thus its opponents, or were until they withdrew their opposition.

6 TAFT INDEPENDENT

New City Planner Has Plans for Taft

By Kent Miller Michael Waiczis brings a world of experience and a mega-page resume to the position of director of planning and development services for the city of Taft.

A Northern California native, Waiczis assumed his new position on July 16. But his goal wasn’t always to be in planning.

“I really liked history; I was really interested in the museum business,” he said. His bachelor’s degree is in history-pre-law from the University of California, Berkeley, and his first master’s degree is in museum science (history).

Museum jobs Early jobs included working for the Hayward Area Historical Museum, the McConaghy House Museum in Hayward, the Cameron Stanford House Museum in Oakland, the history department of the Oakland Museum and with the Inglenook Vineyards Museum Project in Rutherford.

Working with the Oakland Museum, he was assigned a cultural resources survey with the city of Oakland’s planning department. Oakland’s Preservation Park features historic houses moved to the park and his job was to search for information on the structures.

“It was hard to make a living with museums,” Waiczis said.

That prompted a move to Fresno in 1980, where he worked as a photographer/librarian in the Art Department at California State University, Fresno and studied urban and regional planning. The city’s planning department contracted with him to do photograph work.

The planning-bug had bitten.

He earned a master’s degree from CSUF in 1987, this one in city and regional planning, and took a position with the city of Clovis. During this time he was also an adjunct instructor at CSUF in the planning program.

September 21 - 27, 2012

CEQA security No one else with the city of Clovis wanted to work with the California Environmental Quality Act and he became the city’s CEQA expert.

“In the recession of the 1980s, the CEQA gave me job security,” Waiczis said.

Highlights of his career include serving as: * Assistant and then associate planner for the city of Clovis; * Community development director for the city of Selma; * Executive officer of the Local Agency Formation Commission in Fresno; * Principal owner of Urban & Environmental Consulting in Fresno; * Project land use/environmental planner for URS Corp. Inc. In Fresno.

Taft’s appeal Waiczis’ early love of history and historical buildings contributed to his interest in coming to Taft.

“Here the downtown is virtually intact,” he said. “It drew me to this job. I can do something special for the district. I have some stake in what happens to the downtown.

“An advantage of being isolated out here is the downtown has been preserved. In other areas it has been torn down or altered.

“Fresno took all the old stuff out. You can’t find any (old structures) unfortunately.”

The Rails to Trails project is an example of Taft’s bringing its past into its future, Waiczis said.

The future also includes the 60-room hotel and a sit-down, family-style restaurant planned for Rails to Trails; a Dollar General store at 10th Street and Supply Row that is expected to open in 2013; a Family Dollar store at 10th and Kern streets, with construction to start soon; and residential plans for about 200 homes on 119 acres west of Hillard Street and north of existing homes off of Westover Avenue.

Taft has a real need for residential construction for both newcomers to the community and as move-up housing for people living in the central part of the city, he said.

When people move from the cental area that opens up sorely-needed rental housing in that part of the community, Waiczis said.

Well rounded Waiczis and his wife, Christine, live in Taft, though finding a home wasn’t easy.

They have two daughters, two grandchildren and two dogs. Christine is also an urban planner and has worked for Kern County, the city of Merced and had her own planning consulting business in Fresno.

He describes himself as an avid “fossil hound” with a “nice collection” of fossils; has collected antique furniture for their home; is a silver process darkroom hobbyist (photography); and relaxes with XBox or PS-3, usually playing first person shooter games.

He played football and baseball, ran track and was a member of the badminton team at Chabot (community) College; coached girls softball for eight years in the Fresno Recreation League; played men’s slow-pitch softball; authored “A Portrait of Fresno, 1885-1985,” a pictorial history of the city; and was a board member for the YMCA’s Camp Sequoia..

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September 21 - 27, 2012

Taft City Council Report

By Kent Miller A group of Taft citizens is anxious to walk-the-walk when it comes to making the city a better place to live.

The Oaxacan Community Committee went before the City Council on Tuesday evening to seek approval to perform clean-ups of areas where litter is a problem and an eyesore.

Businessman Ed Herrera, who has an insurance agency office in Taft, and Zenon Silva Cruz, president of the committee, were joined by other members of the group at the council meeting.

“I ... ask the City Council of Taft to consider a proposal by some Oaxacan Community Committee members to volunteer in cleaning areas in Taft, specifically alleys and other areas that need cleaning,” Herrera stated in a letter to the city.

“They can make themselves available on weekends. There is no cost to the City of Taft.”

The committee members would provide the labor, with trash bags, high-visibility vests, and drinking water and/or coffee donated by other organizations or businesses, he said.

The city or an agency could provide pick-up of the filled trash bags, Herrera said.

The three councilmembers in attendance – Orchel Krier, Ron Waldrop and Vice Mayor Paul Linder – were quick to accept the offer. They also suggested that other local clubs would be interested in joining in the clean-up and/or donating supplies.

Linder asked the city attorney if there would be any liability issues for the city and was told there would be no liability as long as those involved in the clean-up are volunteers.

Other actions In other actions, the council: * Voted to continue abiding by the Brown Act open-meeting law despite a three-year state suspension of the measure; * Approved changing the extra-help assistant planner position (with a maximum of 39 hours biweekly) to regular part-time (able to work between 40 and 80 hours biweekly); * Loaned $120,915 from General Fund Reserves to the Community Correctional Facility for payment of the 2012 second quarter Employment Development Department benefits; * Determined that longtime Taft Police Department officer Michael Eveland is disabled for the purpose of the Public Employee’s Retirement Law; * Directed staff to study the impact of moving the starting time of the bi-monthly council meetings from 7 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Ben’s Books The Largest, Cheapest and Only Used Book Store in Taft

Fiction • Non Fiction • Paperback Hard Covers • SciFi • Biography • Religion Childrens • Cookbooks and More!

Shop Our Huge Selection of Half Priced Books!

810 Center Street • (661)805-9813

HAYDENS HOPE THRIFT STORE

“We can keep our Teens off the streets!”

VHS Tapes .33 cents each Books 4 four a dollar New School Hours Mon. & Tues.

9am - 2pm Closed Wednesday Thur. & Fri. 9am - 5pm Saturday 10am - 2pm Closed Every 2nd Sat. of the Month

We Take Donations!

Drop Off Or Call For A Pick Up! 745-4963

God Bless!

428 Center Street • TAFT

745-4963

TAFT INDEPENDENT

Taft College Bookstore Sponsors National Student Day Essay Contest on Volunteerism TAFT, CA (Sept. 21, 2012)—In observance of National Student Day on Oct. 4, the Cougar Corner Bookstore is sponsoring an essay contest for students at Taft College. National Student Day was initiated by the National Association of College Stores (NACS) to encourage volunteerism and social responsibility.

“This is the first year that Taft College will participate,” said Bill Norris, bookstore manager. “The students are excited about it because they can enter at a local level and then nationally for more prizes.”

Students who would like to participate in the local essay contest must register at the Cougar Corner Bookstore, 515 Finley Drive, by Oct. 1. Registrants will receive a free wrist bracelet when they sign up and have the opportunity to win the first place prize of an Amazon Kindle donated by Pearson Publishing. Second and third place winners will each receive a computer bag with flash drive, headphones and mouse pad donated by HPI International and Manhattan Marketing.

Students will write on the subject of “Volunteerism and Social Responsibility in America Today” and turn in their essay by 5 p.m. on Oct. 4. The essays will be judged on content and grammar by Taft College professors Kamala Carlson and Jessica Grimes, who have volunteered to help with the contest.

“I’ve had really good support from the campus and the faculty,” Norris said. “And I’ve had three really great vendors come forward with prizes.”

NACS serves more than 3,000 colleges, universities and K-12 schools around the world. For more information about the Cougar Corner Bookstore or about the National Student Day contest, visit the bookstore website at bookstore.taftcollege.edu.

Taft Bike Fest Presents $4,000 Dination to Alpha House

Promoters of the Taft Bike Fest present a $4000 dollar donation to Alpha House. The donation comes from proceeds of the successful 2nd annual bike event held on the Rails to Trails on Labor Day Weekend.

8 TAFT INDEPENDENT

Liberty Under Fire Communists and Founding Fathers Opposite on Democracy

By Dr. Harold Pease

Given our constant drift from a Republic to a Democracy, it might be well to review what historical philosophies most favored the latter form of government. The Founding Fathers and the Communists were total opposites on the word Democracy, one distained; the other loved. Guess which one hated and which one loved?

First, those who favored Democracy: the most blunt was Karl Marx, the father of communism. He wrote, “Democracy is the road to socialism.” Vladimir Lenin, the one activating the communist philosophy into a government in Russia, agreed. In his 1905 work, Two Tactics of Social Democracy, he saw Democracy as a strategy leading to his desired socialist revolution. “Social-Democracy, however, wants, on the contrary, to develop the class struggle of the proletariat to the point where the latter will take the leading part in the popular Russian revolution, i.e., will lead this revolution to the democratic-dictatorship of the proletariat and the peasantry.” In a letter to Inessa Armand in 1916, he added, “We Social-Democrats always stand for democracy, not ‘in the name of capitalism,’ but in the name of clearing the path for our movement, which clearing is impossible without the development of capitalism.” Class conflict and the philosophy “share the wealth” were, and remain, central to the empowerment of communism.

Next, those who abhorred Democracy: as far as we can tell the list included all the Founding Fathers. Benjamin Franklin wrote in 1759, “Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well-armed lamb contesting the vote.”

Years later, when Franklin exited the Constitutional Convention, a woman inquired of him, “What form of government have you left us?” the brilliant Franklin answered, “A Republic, if you can keep it.” The phrase expressed some doubt as to whether man could understand the value of a Republic enough to protect it from a Democracy.

So, once again, what is wrong with a Democracy? James Madison, the Father of the Constitution, in his Federalist Paper, No. 10, wrote, “In a pure democracy, there is nothing to check the inducement to sacrifice the weaker party or the obnoxious individual.”

Thomas Jefferson agreed but was more blunt; “A democracy is nothing more than mob rule, where fifty-one percent of the people may take away the rights of the other forty-nine.” On another occasion he reasoned that the Republic would “cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not.”

Alexander Hamilton, Jefferson’s political arch-rival, saw it similarly. “We are now forming a Republican form of government. Real Liberty is not found in the extremes of democracy, but in moderate governments. If we incline too much to democracy, we shall soon shoot into a monarchy, or some other form of dictatorship.”

Do you remember your guess? Most would have guessed wrong. Now do you understand why the word Democracy is not found in any of our original founding documents, not even in our Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag? Our system, a Republic, protects us from the less informed masses, which is always the majority.

This is why, until the perversion of the Constitution by the 17th Amendment, the state legislature selected their two U.S. Senators—not the people. This is why the Electoral College selects the president and why the people have no voice in the selection of Supreme Court members.

If you call this undemocratic the Founders would agree with you. Their review of history showed them that Democracy in Athens and Rome led to tyranny by the majority that then destroyed liberty in both places. The 2009 Census reports that 47.5% of our adult population pays no federal income tax. When that number exceeds 50% we will join the fallen Republics of Athens and Rome with their “bread and circuses” as examples of the majority voting to feed their wants from those who produce. When the “rich” are destroyed and cannot provide, the majority takes to the street in anger. The majority will then vote for whatever tyrant promises them security. The historical record is clear.

This is why socialists and communists loved democracy and the Founders decidedly do not!! It was Alexis de Tocqueville, a visiting French philosopher in 1840, who told us when our Republic would fall. “The American Republic will endure until the day Congress discovers that it can bribe the public with the public’s money.” That day is today. Both parties must return to the Constitution, which preserves the Republic, or we will lose both.

Dr. Harold Pease is an expert on the United States Constitution.

He has dedicated his career to studying the writings of the Founding Fathers and applying that knowledge to current events. He has taught history and political science from this perspective for over 25 years at Taft College. To read more of his weekly articles, please visit www.

LibertyUnderFire.org

September 21 - 27, 2012

Obituary

Denise Eileen Wysel Memorial services will be held Sept. 29, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. at the Methodist Church in New Cuyama for Denise Eileen Wysel.

Denise was born to Ron and Jeanette Wysel on Nov. 25, 1963 and passed away peacefully at her home on Aug. 19, 2012, after a very long and courageous battle with cancer.

Denise lived a very active life. She loved doing crafts, working in her yard, and caring for her many pets.

Denise was especially proud of her children and granddaughter. She loved them dearly.

Denise was preceded in death her parents, Ron and Jeanette Wysel. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Anthony and Alicia Muniz; her granddaughter, Arianna Muniz; her daughter Michaella Muniz; her brother Don Wysel, her two sisters and brother- in-laws, Christine and Marvin Rahe, Shari and Ron Glagovich, and her many nieces and nephews.

Denise will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Visit The Taft Independent On-line at www.

Taftindependent. com or see us on Facebook

September 21 - 27, 2012

TAFT INDEPENDENT

Black Gold

Cafe & Deli The Only Mortuary On The West Side Where All Arrangements And Funerals Are Personally Directed By

Double Gold Medal Winner and Best Cabernet Sauvignon of Show at the San Francisco International Wine Competition

Wine Tasting and Lunch Sat. & Sun. 11:30 to 5:00 pm. www.sagebrushannies.com

Licensed Funeral Directors

501 Lucard St., Taft • 765-4111

Now Celebrating Our 23rd Year

8 miles south of HWY 166 on HWY 33 in Ventucopa, Cuyama Valley, 4211 HWY 33. (661) 766-2319

MARICOPA QUILT COMPANY

Ice Blended Mocha Fat Free and Sugar Free Available in Most Flavors

FABRIC • NOTIONS • GIFTS

Open 7 Days - 765-6556 508 Center Street • Taft

Check Out Our Website Maricopaquiltcompany.com And Facebook Page

TAFT UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

WED.-FRI. 10:00-5:30 SAT. 10:00-2:00

370 CALIFORNIA • 769-8580

ROGER MILLER INSURANCE a division of DiBuduo & DeFendis Insurance Group

Rich Miller • Jordan Miller Kathy Devine • Shelly Hamilton

License # 0707137 • (661) 765-7131 531 Kern Street - P.O. Box 985 (661) 765-4798 FAX Taft, CA 93268 • (661) 203-6694 Cell E-Mail: Richrmia@bak.rr.com Your Hometown Insurance Store

Yates’ Detailing 600 Center Street Taft, California

630 North St. 765-5557

“Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors”

Pastor Cindy Brettschneider Sunday Morning Worship 10:00 AM Adult Bible Study and Sunday School 11 AM Adult Bible Study Monday 6:00 PM Wednesday Night Service 6:00 PM Praise Team meets on Thursday at 6:00 PM

St. Mary’s Church 110 E Woodrow Street • Taft 661 765-4292

Mass Schedule

Tuesday-Friday 8:00 A.M. Sunday 8:30A.M. English 11:00A.M. Spanish

Wash, Wax, Shampoo, Buffing and Window Tinting.

Call for Appointment Today!

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

Community Christian Fellowship

604 Main Street • P.O. Box 578 Maricopa, CA 93252 • (661)769-9599

Sunday Morning Worship 9:45 Sunday Evening Worship 5:00 Monday Evening Mens Prayer 7:00 Wednesday Evening Worship 6:30 For a ride: Call Dorine Horn 427-9722 Pastors Charle (Tommy) and Mary A. McWhorter

New Hope Temple “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.

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

Morning Worship 10:30 a.m.

St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church

Sunday Service - 10 a.m.

Rev. Linda Huggard

703 5th Street - Taft (661) 765-2378

NEW LIFE COMMUNITY CHURCH Sunday Services 10am 1000 6th St. Weekly Classes Mon - Thurs Please call 765-7472 for info For a ride to church call 765-7472 before 9am on Sunday

Pastors Shannon N. and Shannon L. Kelley

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

www.nlctaft.org or nlctaft@bak.rr.com

Peace Lutheran Church- LCMS Sunday School for all ages at 9:00 a.m.

Advertise With The Taft

Visit Us Online taftindependent.com

Gateway Temple

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

(661) 623-0827 (661) 765-1171

All your detailing needs!

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Independent

Call Today!

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

WANTED: BULKY WASTE PICKUP

Ford City Tuesday

South Taft & Taft Heights Friday

City of Taft Wednesday

• REFRIGERATORS • MATTRESSES • WATER HEATERS • STOVES • WASHERS & DRYERS • SOFAS If Missed… Call Office at 7635135

All green waste must be bagged.

Tree Limbs cut in 6’ length, and bundled.

ITEMS NOT ACCEPTED Construction/Demolition Waste/Used Oil/ Hazardous Waste/Tires Westside Waste Management Co., Inc.

10 TAFT INDEPENDENT

Classifieds

Classified Adsare are$3.00 $2.00per perissue line. for Phone, fax, maillines, or drop off Classified Ads up to three $5 per issue ad for to upthe to Taft 5 lines, and $7 per issue for up to 10 lines. Yard your Independent.

Sale ads are free. Phone, fax, mail or drop off your ad to the Taft your Independent.

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

Boxed ads are $5 additional. E-mail us (or bring to our Boxed\outlined\bolded classified ads start at $12.00 for 8 office) a for photo of your home, car, truck motorcycle and lines, $16 12 lines, $20 for 15 lines, $25 for 20orlines. we’ll do the rest.

Photo Ads. Car, truck or house for sale ads are $5 per week, Yard Sale ads are $2 for 3 lines, lines $2 each. or $10 with a photo.

Email us (oradditional bring to our office) a photo of your home, car, truck or motorcycle and we’ll do the rest.

Classified ad deadline is Wednesday at 12 p.m. (noon) Classified ads deadline is now Wednesdays at 2 p.m.

Phone: 765-6550 Phone: 765-6550

For Rent

Business Services

426 Shattuck

2 bed 1 bath Cottage $550 Paul Joyce 805-218-1686 Joyce Properties 661-765-6300

Preserving for the Future

Rite Away Carpet Cleaning Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning\General Cleaning Owner Operated Visa\Master Card 765-4191

Get It Rented!

Fax:765-6556 765-6556 Fax: E-mail: Taftindypublisher@bak.rr.com Email: Taftindypublisher@bak.rr.com Payment can made by cash, check, or card. credit card.

Payment can bebe made by cash, check, or credit Taft Independent 6thCenter St., Taft,St., CA Taft, 93268.

Taft Independent210 508 CA 93268

Community YARD SALES Advertise your yard sale ad. 3 lines for $2, additional lines after that $2 each. Fax your ad to 765-6556 or call and leave message at 765-6550 by 12 p.m.

Wednesday.

installations. New & Old Scott 661-900-0917.

HELP WANTED Esthetician wanted for day spa. For interview appointments call 1-951333-0327. 9-28.

CHILD CARE SERVICES Child Care Provider.

Affordable rates and reasonable hours.

Michele (661) 2930998.10-12

Big 3 family yard sale.

907 Williams Way. 9-2212 Sat. only 7am - 1 pm.

Yard Sale. 309 Pierce St. Lots of everything.

Sat. 9-22. 7 am. - ?

ANNOUNCEMENTS New AA meeting just started in Taft at the Chevron Valley Credit Union Community Room. 7:30 am every Saturday morning. We read a topic from As Bill Sees It. 9-19.

Grief Support Group, offered as a community service by Optimal Hospice Care. Meetings held Thursdays 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. At Chevron Valley Credit Union, Community Room, 1092 W. Kern St., Taft. Enter by outside entrance – Albertson’s Shopping Center. Free and open to the public. Info call 716-4000.

Alzheimer’s Disease Association Of Kern County is offering Respite Care here in Taft. Call-Cathy Perkins at 760-3790848 for RESPITE CARE info. Respite Care is available every Thursday At the First Baptist Church located at 220 North St. from 9:00am—3:00pm.

Business Services YARD SERVICES COOLER SERVICES

Cooler Service: Motors, pumps, pads, cleaning,

WANTED FOR SALE Professional styling chair and shampoo bowl in black. $200 for both.

765-2335. 9-28.

Hot Point Washing machine. $125.00 7698526. 9-21.

AUTOMOBILES FOUND ITEMS

Found Ipod. Found near 400 Block of Center Street on Saturday.

763-4424.

FOUND PETS LOST PETS

Real Estate PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

Taft Property Management 1,2,3 and 4 Bedrooms now available in good areas.

CRIME FREE HOUSING Brokers Licence 01417057 661-577-7136

BUSINESS FOR SALE HOMES FOR SALE

Real Estate eBroker Inc.

By Appointment Karri Christensen LIC# 01522411 & #01333971 661-332-6597 www.BuyTaft.com Real Estate Sales & Purchase

Can’t make payments call me!! I can help direct you to a loan modification or assist you in your short sale!

Wondering how buying a house works? Set an appointment with Karri to watch a FREE video on the process.

Call 661-332-6597 for a current list.

Mobile Home for sale.

Nice 3 bd. 2 ba. $27,000 obo. 204-8307. 9-21

MOBILE HOMES HOMES FOR RENT West Valley Real Estate (661) 763-1500.

Lic # 01525550 FOR RENT West Valley Real Estate (661) 763-1500 Lic # 01525550

FOR RENT 205 W Ash #C 2/1.5 $700 307 Philippine 1/1 $750 218 Shattuck 3/1 $800 528 D St 2/1 $850 535 B Street 3/1 $850 224 B St 3/1 $900

Unfurnished house for rent. 2 bd. 1 ba. $700/ mo+ $700 deposit. fenced yard. 765-2819.

9-12.

Upstair 1 bd Apt. with small computer room.

All utilities paid. Kitchen range, refrig, wash and dryer, furnished. No pets. $750 plus sec. dep. 765-4786. 9-28 1 bd. Apt. all util paid.

Kitch range, refrig., wash and dryer, furnished. No pets. $650. plus dep. 765-4786.

9-28.

2 bdrm 1 & 1/2 ba. RV Parking, corrals available for your horse, quit rural area near Ventucopa (35 miles west of Taft) $800 mo plus dep.

(805) 647-1952 or (805) 642-9574. 9-28.

Lrg. 2 bd. 1 ba. Large fenced in yards. $875. mo. plus dep. (661) 9727807. 9-14.

3bd. 2 ba. 2 living rooms, fireplace. 1 acre propep. Dunstin Acres.

Contact Cody (661) 770-7020.

dishwasher. 661 7654299. 9-14.

201 and 203 Lucard St. 3bd $775. mo. plus dep. 2bd avail. 1 mo. or more. $765-4644. 7-14.

Center Street Apartments. 1 bed room 1 bath. $99 move in special. 765-7678.

2 Bed, possibly 3rd, 1 bath. Updated, fenced yard. $750. mo. Dep. $800. 763-1086. 9-28.

116 Pierce St. 1bd. 1 Ba. $550 mo plus dep.

661 343-0507.

116 1/2 Pierce. 1 bd. 1 ba. $430 mo. plus dep.

661 343-0507.

707 Fillmore. 2bd with office. $725. mo plus dep. 661 343-0507.

310 Kern St. 3 bd. 1 ba. $850 plus dep. 661 343-0507.

APART. FOR RENT Creekside Apartments.

1 BD and 2 BD. Pool, AC & Appl. 661.7657674. 420 Finley Dr. Imperial Gardens. 1 bd. $525. 2bd $625. plus dep. Pool, Stove and

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September 21 - 27, 2012

Ken Shugarts

Air Conditioning & Heating

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 Listings – Sales - Property Management Local Service You Can Depend On

322 Kern Street Taft, CA 93268 (661) 765-5000

Real Estate eBroker Inc.

By Appointment

Karri Christensen

LIC# 01522411 & #01333971

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www.BuyTaft.com Real Estate Sales & Purchase

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The Taft Independent Is seeking a serious writer

License # 0707137 • (661) 765-7131 531 Kern Street - P.O. Box 985 (661) 765-4798 FAX Taft, CA 93268 • (661) 203-6694 Cell

to interview and write stories for

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Your Hometown Insurance Store

Yates’ Detailing 600 Center Street Taft, California

(661) 623-0827 (661) 765-1171

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Wash, Wax, Shampoo, Buffing and Window Tinting.

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

with experince in feature and\or news writing. Part-time. Ability

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Andy’s Septic Tank & Sewer

UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP

HARRISON STREET AUTOMOTIVE

209 Harrison Street • Taft (661)765-2505 or (661)763-1887 fax

Used to be Paul’s Bike Shop

BMX

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Qik Smog & Tune

Black Gold Cafe and Deli

745-4919

608 Center St.

Devon’s Body Shop

(661)763-4445

508 Center Street 765-6556

No Appointment Needed for Smog Check!

General Automotive Repairs

• 661-763-4445 • 500 S. 10th Street

408 Main Street • (661)765-4337

Randy’s Trucking Cart-Away Concrete Mix Trailer • Hydraulic Rotation and Tilt for Mixing and Dumping • Mixes Concrete While Traveling • • Large Internal Blades • • Rear Operator Control Panel •

western shop & PET Wash

Behlen Country Livestock Equipment

Water Tanks

Galvanized and Poly All Sizes

Stock Gates

Utility Six Bar and Wire Filled

10 x 10 x 6 ft. Dog Kennel

(661) 763-4773 1050 Wood Street

$399.00

Full Grooming Salon

HAVE YOUR DOG FLEA DIPPED or MEDICATED BATH AND CONDITIONER FOR ONLY

• Small Dog $11.00

• Medium Dog $15.00

• Large Dog $20.00

Customer can provide medicated shampoo or add $4.00 for our Zymox itch relief therapy shampoo.

Service does not include nails, blow drying, brushing or clipping. Shaw’s recommends using a follow up flea treatment spot-on after dip.

www.shawswesternshop.com

Monday-Friday 9-5:30, Saturday 9-3

419 Harrison St. Taft, CA 93268 (661) 765-2987

The Tumbleweed Bar and Restaurant

Located in the Heart of Oil Country On the Petroleum Highway We Cater Your Place or Ours Full Bar Available For Your Special Event

Open 7 Days a Week

FULL BAR

Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner - Full Bar - Catering - RV Parking Available 24870 Highway 33 in Derby Acres • (661) 768-4655

Owner Orchel Krier Welcomes You and Your Family - Dinner Reservations

12 TAFT INDEPENDENT

September 21 - 27, 2012

Are Headaches or Migranes Controlling Your Life?

If You’re Over Age 25 And Suffer With Headaches or Migraines – These Are The Facts You Must Know Living with headaches is tough.

Day after day of being miserable, irritable, and looking a lot older than you really are. The frustration of knowing that your friends and family don’t understand what you’re going through.

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Add this to doctors’ visits, MRI’s and CT scans -- which only come back with “normal” results.

And that’s not all… trying one medication after another, feeling like you’re on a merry-go-round of drugs.

All this is enough to make anyone want to scream!

IF YOU DO NOTHING ELSE, READ THIS: 1) Approximately 22 million women are affected by migraines in the United States.

2) Medical science has discovered that most headaches are caused by damaged structures around the neck like joints, ligaments, muscles, and cervical discs, all of which have complex nerve endings.

3) Research has proven certain natural treatments have great success with headaches – even better than massage and medications – and with no side effects.

Why not get rid of those debilitating headaches today? Read the full facts on this page!

My name is Dr. Keith Sparks, and I’ve been helping patients with neck tension, headaches and migraines live pain free for over twenty years now.

Every week I hear how women suffer from severe headaches – statements like…

• “I feel like my head is in a vice.”

• “My eyes hurt and I feel so drowsy.”

• “I have to lay down.”

• “I’ve had migraines since childhood.”

• “Muscle tension in the neck and pain into the shoulders.”

They tell me they’re sick and tired of jumping from one headache medication to the next. Here’s what I hear…

“I am tired of being looked upon as someone who is only out there to get medicine. I only want RELIEF. I don’t know why that is so hard for people to understand. I don’t want to be treated badly anymore. I want to get help, and I want to get rid of the headaches.”

Imagine being able to live life like a normal person again, pain free and without headaches -- being able to play with your kids, enjoy time with friends, and not have to worry that your headache will hit you at just the wrong time.

I’m running a special 10-day offer for those suffering with headaches. Until October 5th, $25 will get you all the services I normally charge new patients $250 for!

Why would I practically give away my services? Because patients tell me too often…

“I only wished I had found you sooner”

This happens so often, I decided to do something about it and run this ad. Just call before October 5th and here’s what you’ll get…

• An in-depth consultation about your headaches where I will listen…really listen…to the details of your unique situation.

• A complete neuromuscular and skeletal examination of the head and neck so we can find the problem.

• A full set of specialized x-rays to determine if posture or joint problem is contributing to your pain … (NOTE: These would normally cost you at least $100).

• A thorough analysis of your exam and x-rays where we’ll map out how you can get rid of your headaches once and for all.

• A special report complimenting your recommendations that reveals the foods you should never, ever eat when suffering from chronic headaches.

Could This Drugless Treatment Be Your Headache Solution Too? Numerous studies have shown the benefits of spinal adjustments with headache patients.

The Boline Study This study compared two groups of headache patients, half went for chiropractic adjustments, the other half took amitriptyline, a medication often prescribed for the treatment of severe tension headache pain. After six weeks researchers found that chiropractic patients experienced almost no side effects. And only the chiropractic patients continued to report fewer headaches when treatment ended.

The Duke Study Medical experts concluded that spinal manipulations resulted in almost immediate improvement for headaches. Patients also had significantly fewer side effects and longer-lasting relief of headaches than a commonly prescribed medication.

Recurring Headaches Are Not Normal

Listen To What Our Patients Say...

Before I started care I experienced head tremors, extreme tightness in my neck muscles, and headaches. Ever since I began treatment my head tremors and headaches have almost stopped and my neck muscles have improved. I know chiropractic will benefit my overall health in the future by keeping my spine aligned properly and my muscles stretched.

Before I started care I experienced a lack of sleep, a lot of migraine headaches and poor posture when sitting and standing. I also had back pain in the mornings when waking up. After being under care I have noticed I get more sleep, fewer headaches and I have better posture in class and less back pain. I know chiropractic will continue to increase my positive changes and allow me to enjoy my hobbies more often. The overall improvement of life is amazing and it helps to increase a drive for life!

No question… if you are having headaches then something is wrong. Pain is your body’s way of telling you something is wrong.

Finding the problem and fixing it has got to be top priority! Call today…

Phone (661) 765-2225.

Call and tell the receptionist you’d like to come in for the Special Headache Evaluation before October 5, 2012.

Look, you have very little to risk and a lot to gain. Call today and we can get started with your consultation, exam and x-rays as soon as there’s an opening in the schedule. Our office is called Sparjklocated at 1107 Kern Street, #7 in Taft (next to Chicken of Oz).

Sincerely, Keith L. Sparks, D.C. P.S. Why Suffer With Years Of Misery?

CALL TODAY TO SCHEDULE YOUR $25.00 HEADACHE EVALUATION ($250 Value) Available Until 10-5-12

Sparks Chiropractic

1107 Kern Street, #7 Taft, CA 93268 661-765-2225