Independent The Taft
August 10 - 16, 2012
TAFT INDEPENDENT
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August 10 - 16, 2012 • Volume 7 Issue 7
“Serving the West Kern County Communities of Taft, South Taft, Ford City, Maricopa, Fellows, McKittrick, Derby Acres, Dustin Acres, and the Cuyama Valley”
Taft Elections 2012: Candidate Files For Local Office Kern Couty Code Enforcement Fails the Westside: Outrageous Blight Still Haunts S. Taft
August is Child Support Awareness Month
Ten Percent Firearms
Taft City Treasurer Candidate Charles “Ben” Mangum Stands With Taft City Clerk Louise Hudgens In Front of City Hall.
1277 Kern Street (661)765-6899
Prepaid Phones, Accessories & Cards 610 Center Street • 661-745-4954 Now Available HTC EVO Design 4G
Coming Soon! Internet Corner.
By June Woods
Taft Woodworks
Kitchen and Bath Remodeling Custom Cabinetry and Counter Tops
Over 25 Years Experience in Taft. Under New Management.
605 6th Street, Taft, CA. 93268 (661) 765-5000 (661) 343-0507
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Ta f t
WOODWORKS
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TAFT INDEPENDENT
Shop Taft
Black Gold Cafe and Deli
508 Center Street 765-6556
Passion For Nails Nail Services:
Gel Polish • Sea Shell • Glitter Acrylic Metalic Flakes • Rock Star
1014 6th Street • Taft In the Save A Lot Shopping Center Monday to Friday
Residential • Commercial
Cement & Asphalt Cutting
(661)745-4913
Personal Style
Women • Contemporary • Junior • Toddler • Infant • Men
Hot Summer Sales for new savings! New Arrivals Coming.
Lic # B-721903
421 & 423 Center (661)763-3527
A Hint of Class
Prepaid Phones, Accessories & Cards 610 Center Street • 661-745-4954 Now Available HTC EVO Design 4G
Coming Soon! Internet Corner.
Inside The Historic Fort • 623-1783 • 763-1700 915 N. 10th Street Suite 34 Name Brand Clothing Shoes • Jewelry Accessories & More
Summer Essentials In Stock Yankee Candles Shoes & Sandals Sunglasses & More!
FREE
Host a party 415 Center Street Visit us on Facebook sales@bluejeansandbling.com
763-9100
426 Center Street
(661)763-5451
NOW OPEN L CKYLAND
Ten Percent Firearms
Now located at 210 6th Street
Tire Rotation & Brake Check Plus We will check all fluids & tire pressure
Monday - Friday 11am to 6pm Saturday 10am to 5pm
Store Hours: Tuesday to Friday 9:30am - 5:00pm Saturday 10:00am - 2:00pm Closed Sunday and Monday
WE HAVE MOVED!
Hats, Jewelry, Purses & More
Women’s Sizes 0-21 Women’s Plus Sizes Children’s Jeans & Shirts
Leanin Tree Watch Batteries Greeting Cards CENTER STREET • 661.763.5451 2 426 for $1.00
1277 Kern Street (661)765-6899
Blue Jeans & Bling Miss Me • LA Idol Nicole Lee • Grace In LA
J e w e l r y
Internet Sweepstakes Cafe 522 Center Street 661-745-4980 18 And Over
Check in each week
661-765-4377 Fast • Friendly • Affordable Se Habla Espanol 661-301-4660 24 Hours/ 7 Days a Week
F i n e
Small town, family owned, low overhead. We can save youFine money on •quality Jewelry Candles jewelry! • Gifts Black Hills Gold • Jewelry Repair
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Geiger Construction & Plumbing
acme jewelry co. Fine Jewelry • Gifts 14K Gold • Sterling Silver 14K • Sterling Silver Black Hills GoldGold • Jewelry Repair • Watch Batteries Candles • And More!
Men & Seniors & Diabetics Welcome
10am-7pm and Saturday 9am-6pm
August 10 - 16 2012
*Most Cars & Light Trucks Up to 5 Qts.
Tire & Automotive Service Center
Oil & Filter Special 95* $
39
Plus Tax
$3.50 Oil Disposal Fee Exp. August 31, 2012
Must Present Coupon at Time of Purchase
523 Finley Drive • 765-7147 • Mon-Fri 8am-5pm Sat 8am-1pm
(661)763-4176
Electronics • Prepaid Phones Service • Accessories
WE SHIP!
August 10 - 16, 2012
Inside Community Events.........3 News Briefs......................3
TAFT INDEPENDENT
Community Events News Briefs Taft California “Home of the Taft Oilworkers Monument” “Gateway to the Carrizo Plain National Monument”
The Second Annual Community Pinewood Derby August 19 There is still time to sign up for the Second Annual Community Pinewood Derby. This year’s derby will be held on Sunday, August 19. A great time was had by all participants at last year’s derby and this year it’s moving inside to beat the heat, Imagination Laboratories, Inc. has partnered with WSRPD and True Value to bring you this year’s event. Boy Scout troop 600 and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints have once again generously donated the use of their track. This year’s derby will be held at the WSRPD Community Center Auditorium. There are still some car kits are available to purchase at the WSRPD main office and at True Value home center. Registration is only $6 for a car kit and event entry. Those with their own cars will be able to register the day of the event for $4. Registration and weigh-ins are from 12:00-1:30pm and racing begins at 2:00pm. For more information you can call WSRPD at 763-4246 or email ILinc at ggolling@gmail.com.
Have a community event that you would like to include? Email it to us at Publisher@Taftindependent.com
Westside Watcher............4
August 20th - School starts
Westside News.................5
August 16 - Farmer’s Market on Center Street August 23 - Farmer’s Market on Center Street
Westside News.................6 Westside News.................7 Westside News.................8 Classified Ads.................10 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
August 30th - Taft College 90th Birthday Party 12pm-2pm August 30 - Farmer’s Market on Center Street August 31st - September 3rd, Taft Bike Fest September 27th - Last Farmers Market September 29th - Taft College/ TIL Casino Night
Bus Route Schedule Roosevelt School
ROUTE 10-13 ARRIVE/DEPART ROOSEVELT (7th St.) 1300 LINCOLN (JEFF/ROOS/LIN)
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GOLF COURSE SOUTH
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DUSTIN ACRES NORTH
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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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We welcome contributions and suggestions. Our purpose is to present news and issues of importance to our readers.
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ARRIVE/DEPART ROOSEVELT (7th St.)
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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.
SUBSCRIPTIONS. Subscription home or businessdelivery 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. ADVERTISING. Display Ads: Rates and special discounts are available. Contact our advertising representative at (661) 765-6550, or email to Publisher@taftindependent.com. Classifieds: Call 765-6550 or fax us at (661) 765-6556. Phone orders are taken. Visa and Master Card accepted. Publisher and Editor-in-Chief Michael J. Long taftindypublisher@bak.rr.com
DUSTIN ACRES SOUTH
ORANGE & PINE SE
ROUTE 20-23
VISTA VIA & TERRACE (ROOS/LIN) HOVEY HILLS 28345 GARDNERFIELD RD GARDNERFIELD RD & S. LAKE DUSTIN ACRES SOUTH (ROOS/LIN)
*** INACTIVE BUS STOP, IF YOU NEED SERVICE FROM AN INACTIVE BUS STOP PLEASE CONTACT THE TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT AT 765-6397.
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
Member California Newspaper Publishers Association Printed in California
BUSES AND DRIVERS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE, PLEASE LEARN ROUTE NUMBERS
MINIMUM DAY SCHEDULE EVERY WEDNESDAY - AFTERNOON BUSES WILL ARRIVE AT BUS STOPS APPROXIMATLY 1 HOUR EARLY. OTHER MINIMUM DAY SCHEDULE NOTICES WILL BE SENT HOME FROM SCHOOLSITES
Visit Us Online taftindependent.com
4
TAFT INDEPENDENT Editorial
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, August 10, 2012 through Thursday, August 16, 2012 The Bourne Legacy (PG-13) No Passes Allowed Fri: (5:15), 7:50, 10:30 Sat: (11:45 AM), (2:20), (5:10), 7:50, 10:30 Sun: (11:45 AM), (2:20), (5:10), 7:50 Mon - Thu: (5:10), 7:50 Total Recall (PG-13) No Passes Allowed Fri: (5:00), 7:30, 10:00 Sat: (12:00), (2:30), (5:00), 7:30, 10:00 Sun: (12:00), (2:30), (5:00), 7:30 Mon - Thu: (5:00), 7:30 The Dark Knight Rises (PG-13) No Passes Allowed Fri: (4:30), 7:45 Sat: (12:30), (3:45), 7:00, 10:10 Sun: (12:30), (3:45), 7:00 Mon - Thu: (3:45), 7:00
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
CLOSED JULY 4th Industry Night
July Industry Night will be Wednesday, July 11th due to July 4th being a holiday.
Industry Night for July is sponsored by LDL Services The club is available for Weddings, Birthdays, and Anniversaries Hall holds up to 200 people and the bar can hold 70.
How do you Know Something is True? Use Constants. By Dr. Harold Pease While on vacation in a neighboring state helping my son-in-law build a second bathroom for his soon to be family of six, I noticed more fully what I have always known; if your base is wrong so is everything else. Nothing was square, plumb or level. Things fit, and almost fall into place as if by design, when the base is right. When the foundation is level and when studs are vertically placed 16 inches on center 4 by 8 sheets of sheetrock fit perfectly, as does every thing else. If, as in my case, there are no true reference points, or constants, nothing is right, nothing fits. I had to begin anew with a rectangle room without a single wall from which to get a true bearing. Getting back to the basics that I new to be true, was painful and many times harder, but it had to be done. In construction, as in all areas of endeavor, there are tools to get us back to proven constants such as a squares, chalk lines, or levels. In other fields it may be a ruler, compass, or a Bible. Ancient mariners used the North Star as a constant. Math, algebra, geometry are based upon constants. In chemistry water is always, and forever will be, H2O and freezes at 32 degrees. In government the constant should be the Constitution. My point. What are your constants? What do you use to decide if something is true? Are there constants in all fields of study—even in political science? When I find another out of harmony with myself, I want to know his/her constants. What do you read or watch? What is your base? I am unimpressed when I hear the labels republican, democrat, liberal or conservative as these change—thus are not constants. John F. Kennedy, a liberal and a democrat, would make George W. Bush, a conservative and a republican, look very liberal. These terms are not trustworthy over time. I am far more impressed when opinion is based upon factors resistant to change such as natural law and human nature are mentioned instead. Because the Constitution is based upon these constants it will deal with every crisis now or another 200 plus years from now. The Preamble identifies the purposes of government. For over 20 years I have asked my students in every political science class what they would add or remove. What is outdated or no longer relevant? No additions or deletions have been suggested. So, what are some of those time-tested constants? Let’s identify two big ones. First, all governments tend to grow. They view everything in a way to extend their power. Either the government comes to control the people or they control it. That is why historically countries that are truly free are rare and why we are losing our freedom today. Second, the more apathetic and indifferent the public becomes the greater their tendency to shove decisionmaking power upward to the seat of government. To prevent the growth of government all power not listed in Article I, Section 8, or identified in a subsequent amendment, was left with the states and the people (Amendment 10). The little power remaining was then specifically identified and separated
Paik’s
Ranch House Restaurant “Where Everybody Meets”
August 10 - 16 2012
California’s Fire Tax - An Assault on Rural Taxpayers
SACRAMENTO - North State Assemblyman and Chief Republican Whip Dan Logue announced today that in mid-August the State Board of Equalization will begin sending out tax bills to the first of 825,000+ Californians who own habitable structures in a State Responsibility Area (SRA). The new law requires taxpayers to pay within 30 days of receiving a bill or face steep penalties and interest. “I have opposed this new tax from the beginning, because I believe it is unconstitutional and a blatant attempt to circumvent Prop 26 restrictions. The liberals simply called it a “fee” to skirt the 2/3rds vote requirement designed to protect taxpayers,” stated Logue. “I intend to join a lawsuit asking the courts to halt this illegal money-grab as soon as possible. However, procedurally no one can file a lawsuit to stop the tax until after the bills go out.” Unfortunately, last year the liberals and Governor Jerry Brown were able to get what has become known as the “Fire Tax” passed on a simple majority basis. This new law requires nearly a million rural Californians who own habitable structures in a State Responsibility Area (SRA), to pay a new annual tax of $150 for every habitable structure found on their property. The “Fire Tax” also unfairly impacts rural residents because many of these property owners already pay an annual assessment for fire services and won’t receive any benefit from the tax. Moreover, many North State residents in the SRA are seniors and families on fixed incomes who are already struggling to get by in the current tough times. “The Sacramento bureaucrats claim the purpose of this socalled “fire prevention fee” is to prevent fires, but in truth the millions of dollars collected will be used to fund Cal-FIRE’s existing bureaucracy rather than expand the state’s fire prevention efforts. I’m fed up with state agencies money shell games and slush funds and I believe California taxpayers are too!” Added Logue. To find out if you live in an SRA and might soon receive a fire tax bill, visit the State Responsibility Area Viewer: Click Here The path to economic recovery for California will not be found in another shell-game tax scheme. We need to focus on the basics, balance the state budget, reduce regulatory burdens to encourage business growth and investment. I am committed to working to put California back to work and together, I believe we can. Assemblyman Logue represents the 3rd Assembly District in the California Legislature, which includes the communities of Butte, Lassen, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sierra and Yuba. into a branch to make all law (Article I, Section I), another to execute the law (Article II), and yet another to adjudicate the law (Article III), each with a list of powers in its respective area. The Bill of Rights was ten areas specifically identified as off limits to the federal government—again to keep it from totally controlling the people. The constants of the Constitution will keep the government from dominating or controlling everything. It will even checkmate apathy for a time until a majority of the people fall into this category. These constants must be taught in our homes and schools so that we are not “tossed about by every wind of doctrine,” and that we have a dependable base to reference. It is our level, chalk line, and square in government and if not used nothing is right and nothing fits. Just as a child eventually learns that he must understand, and be in obedience to, the law of gravity to survive, we as a nation must return to constitutional constants to survive as a free nation. Will you make the Constitution your constant and only vote for those who do likewise? 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.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Open 7 Days
Mon, Tues, Thurs - 6 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Wed, Fri. Sat. and Sun. 6 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
765-6915
200 Kern Street, Taft, Ca.
Visit Us Online taftindependent.com
August 10 - 16, 2012
August is Child Support Awareness Month
“Investing in Your Child’s Future” As the Kern County Department of Child Support Services focuses on collecting every dollar we can for families, did you know: Nearly 254,081 children live in Kern County: 37% of families raising children are single parent families 57% of families raising children in poverty were single parent families 75,076 children live at or below poverty 14,000 children in Kern County do not have health insurance To assist in addressing these local community concerns, in FFY 2010/2011 the Kern County Department of Child Support Services has: Collected and distributed over $73 Million dollars in child support payments to families representing approximately 58,585 children Established child & medical support orders in 85.5% open child support cases Established paternity for 43,501 children Child Support is important because it provides an essential bridge to self-sufficiency and financial security for nearly 1.8 million children and families by ensuring that children have a reliable source of financial and medical support, allowing them to grow, learn, and achieve their dreams. Child support is important because it supplements and stabilizes family income, increases self-sufficiency, and encourages mothers and fathers to be involved in their children’s lives. By working with the whole family, the child support program ensures that our children can rely on their parents for the financial and medical support they need to be healthy and successful. Child Support Awareness Month Activities In celebration of Child Support Awareness Month, the Kern County Department of Child Support Services has collaborated with the Kern County Bar Association Charitable Foundation, Young Lawyers Association, Kern County Department of Human Services and the City of Bakersfield Parks and Recreation to host its third annual “2012 Ready-Set Back-2-School Health and Wellness Fair” August 16, 2012, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Central Park @ Millcreek, 19th Street, Bakersfield, CA This event is designed to increase awareness of the importance of Child Support in a child’s life and connect families and children with much needed local community health and wellness resources. Child Support Workshops During Child Support Awareness Month, the Kern County Department of Child Support Services is also hosting a series of
TAFT INDEPENDENT
Taft City Council to Consider $75 Million Contract To House Los Angeles County Inmates
5 Year Contract Would House LA County Prisoners at Vacant Taft Correctional Facility By Michael Long, Publisher The Taft City Council will meet in special session on Monday, August 13th to consider and approve an agreement with the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors to house up 512 prisoners at the vacant Taft Community Correctional Facility on Commerce Way. The Los Angeles Board of Supervisors are scheduled to meet the following day to approve the agreement which would pay the City of Taft up to $75 million over 5 years to house, feed, educate and provide general medical and dental services to the inmates. The contract would expire in July 2017. Los Angeles county jails are currently overcrowded since the state released certain classes of prisoners back to county jails for incarceration in early 2012. This change has forced the Los Angeles County Sheriff to find alternative locations to house inmates. The Taft Community Correctional Facility has been vacant for more than a year because the state of California terminated its lease with the city and stopped housing inmates in Taft as a money saving device. “It’s great for the city,” said Taft City Manager Craig Jones. “We’re hoping to return $1 million to replenish our reserves and recover other funds we lost when the state ended their contract with the city.” The city lost an estimated $770,000 when the state ended its contract, and another $500,000 in unemployment payments to former correctional officers and facility staff, according to Jones. Taft has been negotiating with Los Angeles County for more than a year and approval of the contract will see the rehiring of former correctional officers and staff. “We’re putting people back to work, and replenishing our general fund,” said Jones. “The city will also have the benefit of returning inmate labor to clean-up the city.” In anticipation of the contract, the city has been running correctional officer recruitment ads in local newspapers. Taft stands to benefit financially when the contract goes into effect this Fall when prisoners arrive. The city will receive up to $61
workshops for parents who would like more information or have questions regarding child support, custody, visitation, Compromise of Arrears Program and modifying child support. All workshops will be held on Thursday evenings at 1300 18th Street, Bakersfield, CA. 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Attendance is free. The workshops are as follows: Thursday, August 9, 2012 – Why does Custody and Visitation matter? Thursday, August 16, 2012 Here’s a remarkable early post card photograph of McKittrick circa 1910 featuring the O.H. Tetzlaff - Is a Modification of Child general mechandise store and several other buildings located at what is believed to be the southwest Support Right for You? corner of Reward Rd and Highway 33 looking south. Note the number of businesses stretching down Thursday, August 23, the street of the now nearly empty street. A 5 cent trade token issued by the store is shown in the 2012 – Are You Eligible to upper left corner of the post card. Trade tokens were commonly issued by merchants in times of acute Reduce your State Owed Past shortage of coins in the state to enable trading activities to proceed. The token was in effect a pledge Due Child Support Balance redeemable in goods but not necessarily for currency. These tokens never received official sanction through the Compromise of from government but were accepted and circulated quite widely. Courtesey of Jerry Gibby. Arrears Program? Thursday, August 30, 2012 – Why does Custody and Visitation matter?
Back in the Day.
per prisoner per day, and when the facility is full, receive $31,000 per day, or $11 millions dollars annually. Los Angeles County stands to benefit financially as well, saving as much as half what they would normally pay to house inmates in Los Angeles -- paying Taft $61 per prisoner per day verses paying $121 per prisoner per day in Los Angeles. Los Angeles County will pay an initial $475,000 in start-up costs to Taft as soon as the agreement is signed. Taft will begin receiving the first of 260 prisoners this September.
Taft City School District Seeks Applicants for Citizens Oversight Committee The Board of Trustees of the Taft City School District is seeking qualified, interested individuals to serve on the independent Citizens’ Oversight Committee (“COC”) of the Measure C Bond program. Proposition 39 Bond Election On June 5, 2012, voters residing within the Taft City School District passed Measure C 2012 under Proposition 39. Measure C 2012 is a $23.6 million bond measure that authorizes funding for needed repairs, upgrades, and modernization construction projects to the schools within the Taft City School District Establishment of a Citizens’ Oversight Committee After a bond authorized under Proposition 39 is passed, state law requires that the Taft City School District Board of Trustees appoint a Citizens’ Oversight Committee. Committee Responsibilities In accordance with Education Code Section 157278(b), the Citizens’ Oversight Committee shall: • Inform the public concerning the District’s expenditure of Measure C 2012 bond proceeds; • Review expenditure reports produced by the District to ensure that Measure C 2012 bond proceeds were expended only for the purposes set forth in Measure C 2012; • Present to the Governing Board, in public session, an annual written report outlining their activities and conclusions regarding the expenditure of Measure C 2012 bond proceeds. Appointments of Committee Members All appointments will be made by the Governing Board from applications submitted to the district. Time Commitment and Term The Citizens’ Oversight Committee meets three times each year. Initial appointments will be staggered, such that some of the initial appointees will be appointed to serve one full two-year term and others will be appointed to an initial one-year term. All seven committee seats are available. Interested applicants are encouraged to complete and submit an application for appointment to the committee for a two-year term. Sitting committee members are eligible to be reappointed for more than one term. Would you be interested in Serving? If you wish to serve on this important committee, applications (Committee member roles and responsibilities and Committee bylaws attached) can be picked up from the Taft City School District Office or downloaded from the district website at www.taftcity.org Completed applications can be mailed or faxed to the Attention of Ron Bryant, Superintendent. Deadline for applications will be 3:00 PM on Friday September 7, 2012 Positions currently open are in the following categories: • One (1) member active in a bona-fide taxpayers association (2 year term) • One (1) member active in a business organization (1 year term) • One (1) member active in a senior citizens’ group (1 year term)
Continued on Page 8, Column 3
South Taft on Olive Street Nearly 4 years ago, the Taft Independent featured this boat in it’s “Abandon Vehicle of the Week” photo tribute to Kern County Code Enforcement. Today the boat sits on the side of the road with the addition of a laz-e-boy adjustable chair across the street from it’s original resting place at the entrance to Olive St. at 5 Hill Road. What does one have to do to get code enforcement to get this un-attractive nusiance cleaned-up before it moves again?
Next Week’s Photo: South Taft Fire Sale
6
TAFT INDEPENDENT
Westside News & Business Briefs
City Council Appoints Krier to Economic Development Board By Kent Miller
The third time was the charm. In a quick and quiet meeting Tuesday evening, Taft City Councilmembers were finally able to set the assessment for Landscape Maintenance District No. 1. It was a basic item and was handled in the Consent Calendar with a dozen other items, but its passage required at least four yes votes from the five-member council. The council received the engineer’s report on the district on July 10 and a public hearing – with no one commenting – was held July 24. At both of those meetings, one councilmember was absent and Councilmember Paul Linder abstained because the district benefitting from the assessment is near his property. That left only three yes votes. City staff was notified on July 30 that the resolution need at least four yes votes and that Aug. 10 was the deadline for submitting the item to the county. This week, all the council was present, with four voting yes and Linder abstaining. Cruising The councilmembers used the statements portion of the agenda to comment on the Taft District Chamber of Commerce’s first Cruz Night, on Aug. 3. While their comments were favorable and they said they are looking forward to the next Cruz Night, from 6 to 10 p.m. on Sept. 7, Mayor Randy Miller noted that there were a couple of incidents of “burning rubber” by cruisers. Police Chief Ed Whiting told the council that they didn’t have any reports on any burning rubber incidents, but that a citation would carry a minimum fine of $1,000 and a 30-day driver’s license suspension. And if two vehicles burn rubber, it is considered drag racing, which combines the $1,000 fine and 30-day license suspension with impounding of the vehicle, Whiting said. Appointments Councilmember Orchel Krier was appointed to represent the city on the Kern Economic Development Corp.’s Board of Directors, with Mayor Miller as alternate. In another appointment, Mike Waiczis, the new director of Planning and Community Services, was named to fill the city staff position on the Taft Chamber’s Board of Directors. Former Taft Redevelopment Manager Paul Gorte used to hold the city staff seat on the chamber board, but his position with the city was eliminated earlier this summer. Other items In other actions, the council: • Approved an ordinance to amend the contract between the city and the Board of Administration of the California Public Employees Retirement System. It changes the retirement rate for new employees. • Adopted a mitigated negative declaration and a mitigation monitoring and reporting program for the city’s Municipal Waste Water Treatment Plant upgrades project. • Approved amendment of the original contract between the city and Enfinity CentralVal6 Taft LLC to share costs for needed
August 10 - 16 2012
Election 2012: City Council, City Los Padres Forest Service Closes Road to Protect Amphibians Treasurer, City Clerk, Water District, School Boards and GOLETA, CA…. In an effort to provide greater protection to Health Care District Seats endangered amphibians in the Taft City Council, city treasurer and city clerk positions will be among those Taft voters decide upon in the general election on November 6. District boards with candidates this year are the West Kern Water District (two candidates), Taft City School District Board of Education (three candidates), Taft High School District (two candidates) and West Side Health Care District (three candidates). Of the five Taft City council members—Dave Noerr, Orchel Krier, Ron Waldrop, Randy Miller and Paul Linder—only Noerr and Krier will be on the ballot. Non incumbents for city council positions include Jesse Barron, currently on the planning commission, and Patricia Crawford. Neither Barron nor Crawford had returned papers to make their candidacies official as of Thursday. City Clerk Louis Hudgens is rerunning for the clerk’s position despite a measure on the ballot for the clerk to be appointed. Hudgens has held the position since 2004. This will be the third time she has run for the office. Erica Barron, the city’s human resources person, has taken out papers to run against her. Bill Le Barron, a retired pastor from Maricopa, is running for the position of city treasurer. On the West Kern Water District Board, Gary Morris is the only incumbent candidate with Willis Roger Miller running against him. Directors of the West Kern Water District are responsible for policies and decisions. Directors serve four-year terms and elections are held every two years. The other board members are David Wells, Charles Comfort, Barry Jameson and Scott Niblett. The Taft City School District Board of Education has three incumbent candidates: Dee Goodman (4 years), Keith McElmurry (4 years) and John Montgomery (2 years). Board members Les Clark and Mike McCormick hold their positions until 2014. Taft High School District Board of Trustee candidates are incumbent Tom White and Jeremy Gregory. The other four trustees are Stan Barrett, Rick Twissleman, George Harmer and Kenneth Anderson. On the ballot for the West Side Health Care District Board are incumbents Sheri Black (4 years), Teri Jordan (4 years) and Genny Miller (2 years). The two members not up for re-election this year are Chuck Hagstrom and Eric Cooper. electrical repairs at the wastewater treatment plant. • Approved rejecting the only bid to complete electrical work on the wastewater treatment plant as too high and put the work out for rebid. • Approved the 25 percent allocation of the Transient Occupancy Tax to the Taft Chamber for the January-March quarter of 2012. The TOT total for the quarter was $11,211.80, with $2,802.95 going to the chamber. • Approved issuance of a request for proposal for the design, hosting and maintenance of the city’s website.
Agua Caliente Creek, Los Padres National Forest officials have closed the Romero Camuesa Road (Forest Road 5N15.1) at Divide Peak to all motorized vehicles. This closure will restrict vehiclular access to the Rock Camp, Middle Santa Ynez, P-Bar Flats, and Mono campgrounds and the Big Caliente Day Use Area and will remain in effect until August 7, 2013. Recent biological surveys of the stream crossings have found the presence of the federally endangered California red-legged frog and arroyo toad. An earlier Forest order signed in April closed the road from the crossing west to where the road ends near Mono Campground. “We’re expanding the original closure order to ensure we are doing everything we can to protect these endangered species from further impact,” said Santa Barbara District Ranger John Smith. “We’ll continue to monitor the stream crossing and, if future biological surveys indicate a reduced presence of these species, we’ll re-open the road to vehicles.” Visitors are strongly encouraged to plan ahead and contact the Los Prietos Ranger Station for the latest conditions by calling (805) 967-3481.
Bow Wow Bakery New Strollers Just Arrived
Cat Tree Houses & Dog Carriers Play Pens and Dog Beds Arriving Soon. Dog Spa Opening Soon! 420 Center Street (661) 745-4894
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August 10 - 16, 2012
TAFT INDEPENDENT
Westside News & Business Briefs
Kern County Leads State, Nation in Employment Growth
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment rose in 24 of the 26 large counties in California from December 2010 to December 2011, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported this week. (Large counties are defined as those with employment of 75,000 or more as measured by 2010 annual average employment.) Regional Commissioner Richard J. Holden noted that Kern County posted the largest employment increase, 5.3 percent, followed by San Francisco County at 3.3 percent. Nationally, employment grew 1.4 percent during this 12-month period, as 266 of the 322 large U.S. counties gained jobs. Kern County’s 5.3-percent employment gain was not only the largest in California, but in the nation as well. Benton, Wash., had the largest employment decrease in the United States, 3.4 percent. Among the large counties in California, Los Angeles County had the highest number of employed, 3,953,700. Orange and San Diego were the only other counties with employment levels above 1,000,000. Together, the 26 large counties in California accounted for 92.7 percent of total employment within the state. Nationwide, the 322 large counties made up 70.7 percent of total employment, which stood at 131.1 million in December 2011.
Regional Commissioner Richard J. Holden noted that Kern County posted the largest employment increase, 5.3 percent, followed by San Francisco County at 3.3 percent. Average weekly wages decreased in 24 of the 26 large California counties from the fourth quarter 2010 to the fourth quarter 2011. Santa Clara County recorded the largest decline, 5.7 percent, but still had the highest average weekly wage in the state at $1,836. Nationally, the average weekly wage decreased 1.7 percent over the year to $955 in the fourth quarter of 2011. (See table 1.) Employment and wage levels (but not over-the-year changes) are also available for the 32 counties in California with employment below 75,000. Average weekly wages in these counties ranged from $921 in Napa to $626 in Mariposa during the fourth quarter of 2011. (See table 2.) Large County Wage Changes The vast majority of the large California counties experienced over-the-year wage declines from the fourth quarter of 2010 and all but 7 of the 24 had decreases that were greater than the national average. The remaining two counties, San Francisco and San Mateo, had wage gains of 0.8 and 0.1 percent, respectively, which ranked 24th and 36th highest nationally. Nationwide, 282 large counties recorded decreases in average weekly wages over the year. Olmsted, Minn., had the largest wage loss among the largest U.S. counties (-21.3 percent) from the fourth quarter of 2010. The next largest declines were reported in Douglas, Colo. (-8.6 percent), Williamson, Tenn. (-6.7 percent), and Durham, N.C. (-6.5 percent). Of the 322 largest U.S. counties, 36 had over-the-year increases in average weekly wages. Tulsa, Okla., had the largest average weekly wage increase with a gain of 8.6 percent from the fourth quarter of 2010. Harford, Md., had the second largest increase in average weekly wages (5.8 percent) followed by Lake, Ohio (4.9 percent), Snohomish, Wash. (3.0 percent), and Westmoreland, Pa. (2.9 percent).
HAYDENS HOPE THRIFT STORE
“We can keep our Teens off the streets!” New School Hours Mon. & Tues. 9am - 2pm Closed Wednesday Thur. & Fri. 9am - 5pm Saturday 10am - 2pm Closed Every 2nd Sat. of the Month
Back to school sale. Bring in new or gently used school items and receive buy one get one 1/2 off all clothing.
We Take Donations! Drop Off Or Call For A Pick Up! 745-4963
God Bless!
428 Center Street • TAFT
745-4963
Large County Average Weekly Wages Santa Clara County’s $1,836 weekly wage placed 2nd among the 322 largest counties in the nation during the fourth quarter of 2011. Santa Clara was followed by San Francisco ($1,597, 5th), San Mateo ($1,556, 8th), Alameda ($1,212, 23rd), and Marin ($1,181, 27th). All five counties are located in the San Francisco Bay area. At the other end of the wage spectrum, Tulare County’s $669 weekly wage ranked 319th. Across the country, 103 large counties registered weekly wages at or above the U.S. average of $955 in the fourth quarter of 2011. New York, N.Y., held the top position among the highest-paid large counties with an average weekly wage of $1,889. Santa Clara, Calif., was second, followed by the counties of Washington, D.C. ($1,668), Suffolk, Mass. ($1,599), and San Francisco, Calif. Slightly over twothirds of the largest U.S. counties (219) reported weekly wages below the national average. Horry County, S.C., reported the lowest wage ($569), followed by the counties of Cameron, Texas ($597), Hidalgo, Texas ($601), Yakima, Wash. ($648), and Lake, Fla. ($649). Average Weekly Wages in California’s Smaller Counties All 32 counties in California with employment below 75,000 had average weekly wages lower than the national average of $955. (See table 2.) When all 58 counties in California were considered, 10 counties, all with employment above 75,000, had an average weekly wage of $1,000 or more. Six counties had average weekly wages from $900 to $999. Ten counties reported average weekly wages from $800 to $899, 18 had wages from $700 to $799, and 14 had wages below $700.
Ben’s Books The Largest, Cheapest and Only
Tacos Y Maricos Casa Tabares
Mexican and Seafood Taqueria
! ! ! Grand Opening ! ! ! Saturday, August 18th - 9 a.m.
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
Open 7 Days a Week 4 am to Midnight 330 Kern Street Corner of 4th and Kern Street 745-4898
8
Brokering A Better Healthcare System By Janet Trautwein The Supreme Court just affirmed that President Obama’s health reform law is indeed constitutional. Supporters of the measure have rejoiced that America may finally be on its way toward achieving universal health coverage. Unfortunately, the newly upheld law undermines one of the chief means of expanding access to affordable coverage, particularly among small businesses -- by threatening to put thousands of insurance agents out of work. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires insurance companies to devote no more than 20 percent of premium dollars to administration and profit. This “minimum medical loss ratio” may seem like a reasonable way to ensure patients get their money’s worth. But it puts the jobs of insurance agents at risk -- to their detriment and that of their customers. Last year, the Department of Health and Human Services ruled that insurers had to count commissions paid to agents as administrative costs. Insurers responded by slashing commissions. The Government Accountability Office found that commissions for many agents were cut by 50 percent. Consequently, some agents are leaving the business or downsizing, laying off employees just to keep their doors open. Already, one in five has done so. And that number will likely grow. Ironically, just when many consumers would benefit from brokers’ expert counsel on the healthcare law and its benefits, that same law is winnowing their ranks. Treating agents as mere overhead is a mistake. Just ask anyone who’s had to buy insurance on their own. Or ask the 75 percent of small businesses who rely on brokers -- including many who use them as de facto human resources departments. Independent agents do more than just sell insurance policies. They help consumers navigate a rapidly changing marketplace and secure the best coverage at the most affordable price. They don’t work for insurance companies but for their clients, often serving as consumer advocates when billing and claims issues arise. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners -- which represents state insurance regulators -- has called agents “essential” to a functioning, consumer-friendly marketplace. Take the case of John Walley, an Alabama-based agent. Upon meeting with an 80-year-old client, Walley discovered that she was living alone in a disheveled trailer and spending nearly a quarter of her $400 monthly income on Medicare premiums. Walley applied for Medicaid for his client, which waived her $96.40 monthly deductible. He also enrolled her in a Special Needs Plan that exempted her from paying the deductibles and co-pays that kept her from seeing a doctor for 15 years. Or consider New Jersey agent Thomas Kohler, who intervened on behalf of his client in a hospital billing dispute -- and succeeded in lowering the client’s medical bill from $7,000 to $3,000. Defenders of the medical loss ratio claim that brokers won’t be needed once the health insurance exchanges mandated by the ACA are up and running in 2014. Consumers will then be able to pick from a menu of health plans on a government website, they say. But shopping for health insurance is more complicated than buying a pair of shoes online. Consumers are often confused by pages of legalese describing benefits, deductibles, and provider
Andy’s Septic Tank & Sewer
UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP
TAFT INDEPENDENT
Additional Fire Restrictions Take Effect in Los Padres National Forest Due to rising temperatures, extremely dry vegetation and an increasing fire danger, Los Padres National Forest officials today announced that additional fire restrictions will go into effect beginning Wednesday, August 8, 2012. The following restrictions will be rigorously enforced until the end of the declared fire season, generally some time in mid- to late-November: Wood and charcoal fires are prohibited in all areas of Los Padres National Forest except for designated Campfire Use sites; however persons with a valid California Campfire Permit are allowed to use portable stoves and lanterns using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel outside of designated Campfire Use Sites. California Campfire Permits are available for free download from the Los Padres National Forest website (http://www.fs.usda. gov/lpnf ). You must clear all flammable material for a distance of five feet in all directions from your camp stove, have a shovel available, and ensure that a responsible person attends the stove at all times when it is in use. Recreational target shooting is prohibited in all areas of the National Forest unless specifically authorized by a special use permit with the Forest. Hunting with a valid State of California hunting license during open hunting season is exempt from this restriction. Smoking is prohibited in all areas of the national forest except within an enclosed vehicle, building, or designated Campfire Use Site. Operating or using any internal or external combustion engine without a spark arresting device properly installed, maintained and in effective working order on roads and trails specifically designated for such use. (This restriction is in effect year-round.) A list designated Campfire Use Sites is attached. For further networks. Some may be inclined to make choices based solely on price, which might not be the wisest course. More importantly, unlike a pair of shoes, a consumer will only find out if the policy “doesn’t fit” when he’s sick or injured -- when it’s too late. In its own programs, the federal government has experienced how difficult it can be to expand access to insurance without agents. Consider the health law’s temporary Preexisting Condition Insurance Program, which was supposed to provide coverage to “high-risk” consumers. The law initially gave agents no role to play in attracting people to the program. Not surprisingly, very few signed up. Just 18,000 had done so by March 2011 -- less than 5 percent of the 375,000 that federal officials expected by the end of 2010. So the feds enlisted the help of agents. Immediately, enrollment climbed -- by 400 percent over the past year and 24 percent over the last few months. Lawmakers have historically recognized the importance of agents and brokers. And they must continue to do so. Otherwise, brokers will vanish from the marketplace. That would be bad news not just for the patients who depend on them as advocates -- but for the broader job market, too. Janet Trautwein is CEO of the National Association of Health Underwriters.
Visit Us Online taftindependent.com HARRISON STREET AUTOMOTIVE
209 Harrison Street • Taft (661)765-2505 or (661)763-1887 fax
Diagnostic Specialists
(661)765-5000 or (661)343-0507
Service & Repairs • Smog Repairs Air Conditioning • Tune Up • Front End $15.00 OFF with mention of this
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August 10 - 16 2012 information regarding current conditions and safety tips, contact your nearest Forest Service office or visit the Los Padres National Forest website at http://www.fs.usda.gov/lpnf.
Citizens Oversight, Continued from Page 5
• Two (2) members from the community at large (2 year term) • One (1) member shall be a parent or guardian of a child enrolled in the District. (1 year term) • One (1) member shall be both a parent or guardian of a child enrolled in the district and active in a parent-teacher organization or school site council. (2 year term)
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
Yates’ Detailing 600 Center Street Taft, California
(661) 623-0827 (661) 765-1171
All your detailing needs! Wash, Wax, Shampoo, Buffing and Window Tinting. Call for Appointment Today! Monday - Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
August 10 - 16, 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
426 Shattuck
2 bed 1 bath Cottage $550 Paul Joyce 805-218-1686 Joyce Properties 661-765-6300
Preserving for the Future
August 10 - 16 2012
Business Services 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.
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
Yard Sale. 609 North. Lot’s of miscl. Sat and Sun. 8 - 4 407 Fillmore St. 6am - ?. Clothes, house essentials, etc. 431 Olive St. Maricopa. Hugh fabric and yard sale. Fri. thur Sun. Yard Sale. 106 Sage St. (at the top of A Street past Terrace) Sat. Aug. 11 6am to 9am. Sat. 7 to ? 316 Naylor Ave. LOTS of everything, misc Yard Sale. Sat. 8 am ?? 318 East San Emidio
ANNOUNCEMENTS Toastmasters forming in Taft. Speak with confidence. Men and women. 747-9345. 8-10 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
AUTOMOBILES FOUND ITEMS FOUND PETS LOST PETS
Real Estate PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
SERVICES OFFERED
Taft Property Management 1,2,3 and 4 Bedrooms now available in good areas. CRIME FREE HOUSING Brokers Licence 01417057 661-577-7136
Computer Repair. Daniel Loza. 661-293-0961. Hablo espanol. 6-24.
BUSINESS FOR SALE
COOLER SERVICES Big sale. 511 First St. Fri-Sat. 8am Refri. table 6 chairs, cupboards and lovely lift chair & Misc.
Frostless chest freezer $150. 203-4219.
Cooler Service: Motors, pumps, pads, cleaning, installations. New & Old Scott 661-900-0917.
PC Repair. Fix your computer or make it run like new. $50 overnight no charge if I can not fix it. (661) 623-2150. 8-20
HELP WANTED Front desk help. Next Step Cardio on Center Street. Part-time. 2055579. Free Lance Writer. Taft Independent seeks free lance writer. Writing Exp. Req. Feature, news, interviews. Need digital camera. 7656550.
CHILD CARE SERVICES
Wanted
WANTED
Old Appliances, In ANY Condition. Car Batteries & Motorparts. Cash Paid $1 - $20 Call David 661335-2370 or 661-6541014. We will pick up!
For Sale FOR SALE Mens Shoes sz13 EEEEE width some like new - boots, dress, sandals, New Balance. 7 pr top quality for $100. Plus 10 pair of new socks xxl. 661 763.3845 - 8-17.
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 HOMES HOMES FOR RENT West Valley Real Estate (661) 763-1500.
Lic # 01525550 FOR RENT 420 ½ San Emidio 2/1 $600 302 Jefferson 2/1 $850 514 Grant Terrace 2/1 $900 306 Taylor 3/2 $900 535 B Street 3/1 $900 404 Fillmore 3/1.75 $900 108 E Calvin 3/1 $950 116 Franklin 3/1 $1,000 500 Welch 3/2.5 $1,200 302 E San Emidio 3/1.75 Pool $1,300
__________________
The Taft
707 Fillmore. 2 bd. 1 ba. office. $725 mo plus dep. 661 343-0507.
Independent.
3 bd. 2 ba. No pets. Large garage, patio shade. Pierce St. $750 plus dep. 301-2527. 8.17
The Only
Advertise
Locally Owned
With
Newspaper in
The
Taft.
Taft
For Rent. Maricopa. 4 bedroom, 2 bath. $800 mo. plus dep. $800. 661-577-7041. Hablo espanol. 8-10. 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.
Get It Rented!
310 Kern St. 3 bd. 1 ba. $850 plus dep. 661 343-0507.
House for rent. 3 Bed/2 bath Newly Remodeled, RV Parking, Fenced Yards $975 mo $975 dep. 661-763-3043 441 Hazelton, Maricopa
APART. FOR RENT Creekside Apartments. 1 BD and 2 BD. Pool, AC & Appl. 661.7657674. 420 Finley Dr.
Personals PERSONALS
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
Independent Call
Real Estate eBroker Inc. By Appointment
Karri Christensen
Today!
LIC# 01522411 & #01333971
765-6550 Classified
201 Lucard. 3 bedroom, laminated floors, dual pane windows. $775 mo. plus dep. 765-4644.
Ken Shugarts
661-332-6597
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ROGER MILLER INSURANCE
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Rich Miller • Jordan Miller Kathy Devine • Shelly Hamilton
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License # 0707137 • (661) 765-7131 531 Kern Street - P.O. Box 985 (661) 765-4798 FAX Taft, CA 93268 • (661) 203-6694 Cell
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All your detailing needs!
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Wash, Wax, Shampoo, Buffing and Window Tinting. Call for Appointment Today! Monday - Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
August 10 - 16, 2012
Andy’s Septic Tank & Sewer
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HARRISON STREET AUTOMOTIVE
209 Harrison Street • Taft (661)765-2505 or (661)763-1887 fax
Used to be Paul’s Bike Shop
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Bikes Are Here! Diagnostic Specialists Service & Repairs • Smog Repairs Air Conditioning • Tune Up • Front End Brakes • Fuel Injection
(661)765-5000 or (661)343-0507
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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
Full Grooming Salon LARGE DOGS
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(hard to handle dogs always welcome)
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(661) 763-4773 1050 Wood Street
NEW LADIES PURSES & WALLETS WESTERN CHARM LAYERED JEWELRY SETS MONTANA SILVER
Flea & Tick Products Available! Some Saturday Appointments & Nail Spots Available! 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
August 10 - 16 2012
If you’re over the age of 30 and suffer from neck pain, tingling in the arms, or headaches, this could be the most eye-opening article you’ll ever read.
Why Haven’t People With Neck Pain Been Told These Facts? It can affect your sleep, your marriage and your job. Nothing’s worse than feeling great mentally, but physically feeling held back from life because your neck hurts and the pain just won’t go away! My name is Dr. Keith Sparks, owner of Sparks Chiropractic. Over the past fifteen years since we’ve opened the doors, we’ve seen hundreds of people with neck pain, arm problems and headaches leave the office pain free. Because patients tell me too often…“I only wished I had found you sooner”, I’m running a special two week Neck Pain Evaluation for those suffering with neck problems. Feel the Improvement – and Say “Yes” to Life Again With my “Neck Pain Evaluation” we’ll be able find the problem and then correct it. Think of how you’ll feel in just a few short weeks. See and feel your life change for the better. Start your body on the way to pain-free, normal living. Feel tight joints rest, relax, free up. Feel muscles tied in knots become more supple. Feel strength in your muscles increase. As you begin to see motion returning to your joints, you’re preventing and reducing chances of disability and a crippling future. You’re able to live life like a normal person again, without neck pain -- able to play with your kids, enjoy time with friends, and not have to worry that your pain will hit you at just the wrong time. “Will This Really Work For Me?” Chiropractic has been around for over a hundred years, and has been used to help everyone from tiny babies to the elderly. Even top sports star and entertainers… like Tiger Woods, Emmitt Smith, Tony Robbins, Joe Montana, Lance Armstrong, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Mel Gibson. These professional athletes have the money to hire any kind of doctors they want, yet they choose to have a chiropractor on their team. A recent scientific study showed chiropractic adjustments outperformed massage treatments in reducing pain. The study concluded that patients with chronic neck pain showed “clinically important improvements from a course of spinal manipulation… The current evidence does not support a similar level of benefit from massage.” – J Manipulative Physiol Ther 2007 In another study comparing acupuncture, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, and spinal manipulation found… “After a median intervention period of 30 days, spinal manipulation was the only intervention that achieved statistically significant improvements.” - J Manipulative Physiol Ther 1999
In addition to that, here’s what some of the top medical researchers had to say … Chiropractor’s manipulation of the spine was “more helpful than any of the following: traction, massage, biofeedback, acupuncture, injection of steroids into the spine and back corsets, and ultrasound.” – Stanley Bigos, MD, Professor of Orthopedic Surgery The 9 Most Dangerous Words A Person With Neck Pain Can Say The big myth about health problems is “maybe it will just go away on its own.” A 1998 study in the British Medical Journal proved this myth false, showing that most back pain sufferers who do nothing will have pain 12 months later.
Here’s What Our Patients Say... Before I was treated I had excruciating neck & shoulder pain and severe migraines. After just a few weeks my pain lessened unit it was gone. I can’t express what a difference this has made in my life. I had a bad whiplash & nothing that was done for me helped my severe pain until I went to a chiropractor. I would say it’s been a miracle! That’s no way to live. The Single Most Important Solution To Your Neck Pain For 10 days only, $19 will get you all the services I normally charge new patients $250 for! What does this offer include? Everything I normally do in my new patient evaluation. Just call before August 20th and here’s what you’ll get…
IF YOU READ NOTHING ELSE READ THIS The following conditions can be caused by a problem in your neck… • Carpal tunnel syndrome • Numbness and tingling in the arms and hands • Cervical disc bulging and herniations • Weakness in the arms/hands • Neck Pain • Headaches • Tension in the shoulders • Shoulder and arm pain • An in-depth consultation about your neck problems where I will listen…really listen…to the details of your case. • A complete neuromuscular examination. • A thorough analysis of your exam and x-ray findings so we can start mapping out your plan to being pain free. • A full set of specialized x-rays to determine if a spinal problem is contributing to your pain or symptoms… (NOTE: These would normally cost you at least $100). • A special report complimenting your recommendations that reveals the foods you should and should not eat, the best way to sleep and how to reduce stress. 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 Sparks Chiropractic and we are located at 1107 Kern St. #7 (next to Chicken of Oz) Tell the receptionist you’d like to come in for the Neck Pain Evaluation before August 20, 2012. The appointment will not take long at all and you won’t be sitting in the waiting room for long – no more than 15 minutes Sincerely, Keith L. Sparks, D.C. P.S. How many years can your body handle taking one pill after another?
CALL TODAY TO SCHEDULE YOUR $19.00 NECK PAIN EVALUATION ($250 Value) Available Until August 20th
Sparks Chiropractic 1107 Kern Street, #7 Taft, CA 93268
661-765-2225