Yucca Valley, Ca.-OPINION-The recent attack on the Gregg Imus for Congress campaign signs and someone splashing red paint on Hi-Desert Water Candidate Sarann Graham’s signs is disgusting. What a bad reflection on our town! The vandals (wink-wink) and other fanatics are out to destroy property no matter what. Forgetting their Christian principles, it is an undeclared holy war on the basics of respecting property and the “Golden Rule.”
I contacted our local newspaper to report the damage to eight Imus signs. Eight! No report or photo of the damage in the Saturday edition or on their website.
Is Measure U is Dividing Our Town between the Haves and the Have-Nots?
Measure U is a bad tax that will not help the poor and most needy of our community living in Phase One. It is a General Fund tax and will not pay for the sewers. The main corridor of businesses, commercial and restaurants will not be assisted by Measure U. Please Christian citizens, become informed and know that you are dealing with people’s lives. Fighting the bad image of ten years ago of “Yucky Valley,” it appears this town is on that same path again.
In the case of two signs (above) that were accidentally placed on a vacant lot, due to an honest miscommunication, these signs valued at over $175.00 were destroyed. The fabric sign was ripped from the posts and surely an axe was taken to the plywood to destroy the other square sign. When the manager of the vacant lot was questioned, he replied he was in favor of Measure U and felt he was within his rights, as a manager not owner, to destroy the opposing view-point. Is this the Christian thing to do?
If Cal Trans removes a sign, it is placed in their storage yard and one is able to retrieve it. If an owner of a property sees a sign that did not have permission, he or she usually uproots the sign and lays it down flat on the ground. Why would anyone take pleasure to shred and destroy a plywood sign? How many hacks with the axe did it take to destroy someone’s property? Did God cast any splinters in your eye for your actions? Maybe he was riled up by another fellow Christian’s message on his Facebook page?
In a recent post on Facebook, Kris Collins, spouse of Yucca Valley Chamber President Jennifer Collins wrote:
Kris Collins -3 hours ago near Yucca Valley, CA via mobile "PLEASE BE ALERT!! As you all know the signs for Yes On U will be going up all over the place. I have no doubt that the opposition is already planning to take some of them down or all of them if they had their way. Please be vigilant and call the police if you see anyone doing this! THANKS AND "YES ON U"!"
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There are no accidents. No excuses. Why were the signs on private property without the owner’s permission? It shows dishonesty, inaptness, or just plain stupidity. Which one are they claiming? An unorganized campaign doesn’t show much promise.
BTW Margo, I was in Colorado when Hageredman posted. I thought it was pretty disgraceful. I hope you got a laugh out of it.
Not necessarily so. We had a sign up with permission from the realtor, as we’ve gotten permission for each and every sign/banner placed in 29, and while doing the rounds Saturday morning to repair some wind damage to the larger ones we found one of the signs at Indian Cove laid down on the ground. Calling the realtor to see if there might have been an issue we got no answer so back in the ground the sign went (thinking pranksters at this point). Finished up the rounds repairing the others around town and received a call back from the realtor that the property owner wished to remain non-political and had respectfully(thank you)placed it on the ground. Not a problem, went right back over and promptly took the sign down and filled in the holes and raked the surrounding area to return it better than how we found it. Wishes were honored and all is well.
Sometimes things happen, accidents and reasons. No dishonesty.
Lighten up maybe???
It’s nice to see that it was settled civilly. It doesn’t sound like a raging battle against free speech.
You must have known a realtor had no authority to give you permission. Reading Margo’s article it happened with at least one other sign by “accident”. How many accidents have you had? I refer back to my original comments.
I support Measure U. 1% is a drop in the bucket. 1 cent (penny) on every dollar spent in Yucca Valley to help repair from my observation a heavily used and dated infrastructure and will help provide many upgrades to assist the citizens and the elderly population of Yucca Valley. Why not let the “other” communites who utilize Yucca Valley for their shopping and service needs help pay for the infrastructure updates and ammenities for all citizens of Yucca Valley?
29 Palms has a 9% TOT and as a result, a very healthy Reserve General Fund. Measure U is a “No-Brainer” whether it goes to fund the Sewer or not.
Now to the alleged Campaign Sign destruction. Sadly, true Christians are the minority in these days.
Having lived in Yucca Valley for almost a year and reading the weekly police reports in the paper, teen vandalisim/crime appears to be a real problem in Yucca Valley and I believe this the cause, not opposition.
I see this issue as a growing epidemic facing Yucca Valley that maybe Measure U dollars can help eliviate.
Steve Whitten, I’m disappointed you are backing Measure U (although I respect your right to make your own choice).
I would think you would be the one to see that by voting down the Measure U, the sewer issue would then go back to the drawing board to specifically comport to the law and be set aside for sewer projects rather than go into a general-fund-candy-story for a revolving door of political hacks with their own agenda to use the money for other than sewer projects.
Why roll the dice on sewers?
This a poorly drafted Measure. It is nothing short of effete trickery to take a pound of flesh where it would ordinarily require a 2/3 majority vote.
I don’t have a dog in this fight but I do have a few questions.
As I understand the issue with the sewer is, that if the town doesn’t do anything the state will. The plans for the sewer were drawn up. But now the city changed a few things and will need to get more money than was originally planned for thus the 1% tax.
Those that are against the measure want the town to go back and re-redo the plans so that you don’t need a tax.
Now to the questions.
Were other plans sent to the council to pick from?
How much money has already been spent to date on this?
If is goes back to the drawing board, how much more money will be spent?
Just asking.
Steve the 9% TOT is apples and oranges, since 80-90% of the hospitality trade is base oreinted and has very little to do with true free market pressures on the trade. The Hospitality industry in 29 would DIE without USMC and the USMC is willing to pay the pauper.
Steve, explain in the most simple of terms, as you know I’m a country boy, how a City sales Tax / Use Tax that is by its very nature a general fund tax, be redirected to another agency and used for a Water district project? Wouldn’t that be a violation of the State Constitution? Even so, as this is a thirty year tax, how is a supposed magic lease, (a temorary contractual agreement) hold any future legislative body to anything? That is a violation of the State Constitution.
Look I’m all for leveling the playing field, I think a 1% tax disadvantage, will help make JT and 29 far more attractive locations to the business community to relocate.
I would suggest that 29 Palms apply to the Legislature to move to create a Targeted Tax Area (TTA)
A TTA is a program very similar to the Enterprise Zone program. The primary difference is that TTA incentives are available to companies located in the TTA and engaged in a trade or business within the Standard Industrial Codes (SIC). (1) There is currently one TTA in California. Surely there could be one more.
This could lower sales tax by an additional 1-2% more and make 29 Palms an extremely attractive place to relocate and a better shopping destination.
More info: http://caez.org/about/
But guys don’t let me stop you from increasing the toll on your business community…. Can I interest you in some 29 Palms Regulations that have over the years held our community back? We are about to dump them and hey since you all are into making it harder to do business and all….
Dan,
I’m not so sure this is strictly a Water District project only. The town has many public facilites in it’s inventory that would require connection to the system. Measure U would help fund those cost. Money has to come from somewhere, right?
I am not fully up to speed on all legalities, still working on that.
How is it so different than monies from the TOT making there way into the GF to fund or help fund a new Fire Truck?
The sales tax would be collected in the same way state sales taxes are now. I don’t see it overly burdensome than current BOE reporting procedures, just one more line to fill out, amount included in the same check.
You can keep the DC 29 has. The current PC recently tightened up the bolts on the DC even more by changing 2 words in the current code – “Should” to “Shall” and “Encourage” to “Require”. YV’s codes are less restrictive with friendlier DIF’s in my opinion.
Prediction: Measure U will be a win-win for Yucca Valley.
Steve… I have known you for quite sometime and have always found you to do your homework…. I am just going to remind you if you are not “fully up to speed” on this issue there is no sense in you carrying water for someone else.
I think we can only talk about what is painfully obvious… As for the tax, I will once again state that it would be to the advantage for our 29 Businesses for the Town of Yucca Valley to raise their prices by what ever means. And once again I will say to our 29 Council it would be to their advantage to capitalize on Yucca Valley’s move. Only makes sense. Would you agree?
As for the PC in 29…. New Council, New PC…. It would seem to behove all of the Council to rethink its present Commission and decide if this commission has taken the direction of the Council in an effective way.
I believe that the make up of the Commission should reflect the mindset of the Council…. It seems for the most part the Council has made it clear to the Present Commission to “Keep it simple stupid” I don’t think I am alone here in thinking that there is a certain disconnect… As we used to say in the Telephone Company and MOH… Microphone Off Hook.
Don’t worry, haven’t quick cracking the books.
I do 110% support utilizing the KISS method as much as possible.
Hi Steve,
Good to hear from you again.
From what I remember during my Council days is as follows as it relates to Measure “U”.
You made a comparison to the 29 fire truck purchase from the GF. Well that almost matches but not the same as what Yucca is trying to do.
In order to get a tax passed that will deal only with the sewer issue is known as a “special tax” – that requires a 2/3 majority vote of the citizens to pass. That is a big hill to climb as we saw in 29 a few months ago when the “special” rate increase was proposed for the fire department. It failed and 29 is losing the fire department.
So what Yucca is proposing is a “general tax” of 1% on sales. That revenue should it pass would all go into the GF and only requires 50% plus 1 vote.
The Yucca spin on this tax is that there will be a lease agreement of some type that will allow 49.9 percent of that sales tax to be used to lease sewer infrastructure from the water district. In other words GF money from the tax will help to off set the cost of the sewer project. just like 29 did with the fire truck purchase.
That all sounds good but there is a major weakness in that approach that few seem to want to talk about.
No current town council or water board can enter into an agreement that will last the 30 years of the proposed measure “U”. In effect the next election cycle in 2014 could see the town elect a new body to both the water district and the town council and those boards could then vote to rescind the lease agreement thereby allowing all of the measure ‘U” dollars to go into the GF for whatever use they or a new city manager sees fit.
I do not envy Yucca in their position at all. How they solve that problem is their concern.
Should 29 be faced with a similar problem the first thing that needs to be established is exactly what is the State saying. Now, 29 has had preliminary talks with these folks at the State and as I recall they were pretty slick in what they say.
They never told us we would someday have to build a sewer system. What they did say was that you may someday be told you can’t add any more septic systems to the city. There is a big difference there. No more septic systems does not mean State mandated sewer. There are other alternatives.
Those alternatives range from a moratorium on further construction, or only construction that uses package plants, or other alternatives but it does not mean a sewer system.
Good luck to you in your home in Yucca – we miss you.
Appreciate the information and clarification brother. Semper Fi.
Sorry SteveW- having just become Mark Nuaimi’s Facebook friend has you parroting his dog and pony show, to include the “no brainer” used in the letter to the editor in favor of Measure U. The next thing you may repeat is “sticking our head in the sand” which is his favorite too. Sadly, it sounds like all your information is coming from the Hi-Desert Star instead of doing your own research.
What is a General Fund Tax? Why is it not legal to designate or earmark General Fund Taxes? Why did the Attorney General determine Mark Nuaimi had a Conflict of Interest while he was Asst Mgr in Colton? What Phase of the sewer plan are you in? Nuaimi is not in any phase….why is that?
The Seniors and the low income will become crushed because Measure U will not help them….Measure U, as written, will not help the schools with their assessment costs…where did this 35% figure come from to help with connection fees? Whoo-hoo! Big deal.
The Town and HDWD cannot even come up with an “agreement” until 2013! Why is that Steve?
Sorry Margo, I have always respected your opinions and expect you do do the same of mine. Last time I checked this is a free country where you have freedom of choice, which includes positions on the issues and who you choose to be friends with.
I hope you are not one who chooses their friends and enemies based on their political positions or mis-perceptions.
I’m new to Yucca, learning the issues and a parrot of no one.
The State mandated Sewer issue is only one piece of the infrastructure fiscal puzzle that Yucca Valley faces. With the cuts/reductions in revenue from all entities, the local 1% sales tax is a logical way to fiscally pay for and maintain the current infrastructure by all who use said infrastructure.
Yucca Valley has an extensive Community Parks and Recreation system as well as many low cost/no cost activities for the elderly. Much more extensive than 29. Would it be in the best interest of the community and elderly to shutter or sacrifice these programs to pay for infrastructure needs? I don’t think so.
Why should the bill for maintaining this infrastructure be paid for soley by those who pay property taxes within Yucca Valley?
Those outside the Town boundaries who utilize Yucca Valley for their shopping and services should also contribute fiscally to maintaining the infrastructure they use.
If the people of Yucca Valley feel they want to reduce their individual sewer assessment tax and are palatable to a Measure specifically written for such, then they should present this idea and support for to the Town Council.
Again, I point to the 9% TOT revenue the City of 29 recieves. This money not only is used to increase the size of thier Reserve General Fund, but is also used for many purposes including maintaining the infrastructure within the City of 29.
Someday in the near future, the State will mandate a sewer system for 29 and some of the TOT most likely will be used to help pay for it. Is that a bad thing?
Steve Spear’s synopsis of 29′s septic future is correct. It’s a statewide water safety problem facing small incorporated cities and unincorporated areas that do not have sewer systems in place. The current state proposal recommends septic systems be allowed only on 5 acres or more. This means the current small lots in 29 and elsewhere could not have septic systems for new constructuin and if yopur current septic system fails it will have to be replaced with a waste water treatment system. There are new ways of treating waste water but the cost and availability of them is not well known. And the state has not finalized their rules and regs to the best of my knowledge.
Larry what’s your thoughts on a basin wide solution for the sewer
@Steve W-My disappointment in your endorsement of a General Fund tax on a post regarding defacing signs caught me off guard. Where were you all these previous months when the events and discussions were unfolding about the TRUTH of Measure U?
Of course you are entitled to your opinion..that is not the issue here. You have always exhibited a depth of knowledge on other issues over the years….this time, it’s different, just saying.
Mark, Won’t happen in our lifetime.
Theres a lot of money in it, 29 has to do something even if it is not state mandated, I am sure you as I have noticed the degradation of our water quality. I know how you feel when the state imposes there mandates on us, let’s beat them to the punch we know we need sewers.
Funny our town leaders would rather have a 30 plus million dollar play box for the cronies than bettering our beloved community with needed infrastructure.
Like if we indebted the future we will be like yucca unable to pay for sewers when the time comes
Just makes sense to address the problem basin wide, like I said the basin already has a treatment plant, why waste the money on having three.
Signs were Not destroyed! Please use facts instead of opinions, or at least let people know when it is your opinion and not a fact.
Drive thru town see signs. At 5pm a call was made to Sabrina Puekert, the realtor, who said she didn’t know who’s signs they were or how they got there. (even though there were at least 2 other sites with these signs by hers) Sabrina continued to say please take them down and get rid of them.
Dan then gets a call from Lori Herbel after 9 pm asking about the signs. He let her know the realtor does not have the authority to give permission to put signs on a property anymore than she can say sure park your RV there for the weekend. I believe it is unethical and probably illegal, (I will be looking into this as well). Dan also questioned Lori on why she would oppose measure U, when it would give the town the money needed to fix roads and help with the sewer. Even though the town budget has been balanced for several years doesn’t mean there aren’t repairs that have been needed but couldn’t be afforded. Then the call was disconnected, but that is a whole other story on AT&T and iPhones.
About half an hour later text messages from Margo Sturges started coming in. Margo asked about signs and said they cost $150. She sent another message with the picture of the Imus signs defaced and states a christian would no do this. Dan responded that Sabrina had no right to give permission and signs were taken down and disposed of. Dan responded that he had not seen the defaced signs and for her to please stop using his personal number and instead call his business number, which he included in the text. He then turned the ringer off on his phone and went to bed. It was never said that her signs were destroyed, or that she could not have them back. Margo I too long for the “good ol days” when people thought it rude to call someone after 8pm, unless it was an emergency.
In the morning a call was made to the worker who took signs down and asked him to please retrieve them as they were wanted back. Dan was waiting for a call on his business number for someone to pick up the signs. Instead of a call for the signs, he got a call about a blog on Cactus Thorns which is attacking his Christian character.
I don’t care if your for or against measure u, please make sure it’s your decision, not someone else’s. There is an informative meeting on the measure U at Joshua Springs at 1 pm on October 7. This is a free event, and all are invited to attend. If you have questions, please attend this meeting and get your answers. Make an educated decision. Please do not be a sheep following the herd off the cliff. It is your American duty to research and find out about the measures, propositions and candidates before a vote. Do not look in one place, do not just ask friends and family for their opinion. Do your homework! Don’t follow the crowd.
Please remember there are two sides to every story and until you know both sides, “Judge not, that you be not judged. (Matthew 7:1 NKJV)
I got to ask you Mam,
Dan who?
Quoting previous comment-”Dan responded that Sabrina had no right to give permission and signs were taken down and disposed of.”
1.signs were taken down…
2.and disposed of…..
Even though a telephone conversation took place rather late in the evening, although a Friday night-I did not call. Because of the “late” hour at 9:28 pm, I sent a text. Two reasons, not to disturb with a loud ring and to have a record of the exact conversation.
I asked for mercy and asked how he could destroy them because it was an honest mistake. I also asked which trash can to search for the signs and agreed not to use personal number.
No reply, no response. No calls to any parties to pick up signs.
So now you know the rest of the story…..
While I’m not allowed to place signs on your property, they are still personal property that are identifiable. If I parked on your property, you would have recourse, but not the right to destroy my car. Beekeepers use this loophole when placing bees in the desert..
The signs were placed illegally and if they were destroyed on purpose, illegally destroyed.
What side should we choose when neither shows merit?
@ Nichol Letourneau- Thank you for informing all of us the signs were not destroyed and I will call first thing tomorrow(at the business number)to retrieve them.
And yes, I will write about this matter being straightened out.
Thank you again for your comment.