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Taft, Calif. —
Voters will once again on Tuesday have the chance to exercise their right to pick the people who will be making decisions on their behalf for the next four years.
It's a valuable right and one every eligible voter should never take for granted.
This election gives voters important choices that will have a major impact on the future of the city and its surrounding communities.
Two of the most important local races involve public bodies that have been the targets of investigations by the Kern County Grand Jury.
The Taft City Council has been by far the most contentious body. It is split by factions that date back a decade to the bitter fight during the Belli Scandal.
After being papered over for several years, the rift on the council erupted last year and has now gotten to the point where the city's governing body is dysfunctional.
That's why we think its time for change. It's time to tell all three incumbents on the ballot – Randy Miller, Paul Linder and Cliff Thompson – thank you for your service to the city, but its time to move on.
All three have been on the council for at least eight years and have served the city well. Granted, they have very different styles, but all three had the best interest of the city at heart.
But the council is now split so severely and personal rancor has gotten to the point that this city needs new people no ties to the current controversies.
We need to start our second century by letting go of the past. The best way to do that is with three new councilmen.
Taft has great opportunities and challenges facing it today. We need a council that can work together to hammer out a public policy to take advantage of those opportunities and meet those challenges – a council that can decide together how best to move us forward.
Orchel Krier, Dee Bankston and Gypsy Freeman are the three candidates that offer the most to the city.
Krier stands out in the field of challengers with a solid businesses background, willingness to get involved in civic activities and strong conservative views.
Bankston will bring experience and maturity to a council that is now sorely lacking in the latter, and Freeman offers a wisdom and strong moral background to add to the leadership this city needs.
Likewise, we believe there is a need for some freshness on the West Kern Water District Board of Directors. Barry Jameson and Scott Niblett can do just that. Through their community involvement, both have shown the desire and ability to work productively for the betterment of Westside.
A good first step in bringing an end to the rancor that has hampered the important work the district does was the selection of a new general manager. The next logical step is new leadership on the Board of Directors.
It's a different matter on the West Kern Community College Board. Stability and the ability to form a consensus to keep Taft College moving in the right direction have been a hallmark of this board over the years, and we think keeping Larry Buttke, Carolyn Hosking and Dawn Cole on the board will keep the college in good hands.
Voters will once again on Tuesday have the chance to exercise their right to pick the people who will be making decisions on their behalf for the next four years.
It's a valuable right and one every eligible voter should never take for granted.
This election gives voters important choices that will have a major impact on the future of the city and its surrounding communities.
Two of the most important local races involve public bodies that have been the targets of investigations by the Kern County Grand Jury.
The Taft City Council has been by far the most contentious body. It is split by factions that date back a decade to the bitter fight during the Belli Scandal.
After being papered over for several years, the rift on the council erupted last year and has now gotten to the point where the city's governing body is dysfunctional.
That's why we think its time for change. It's time to tell all three incumbents on the ballot – Randy Miller, Paul Linder and Cliff Thompson – thank you for your service to the city, but its time to move on.
All three have been on the council for at least eight years and have served the city well. Granted, they have very different styles, but all three had the best interest of the city at heart.
But the council is now split so severely and personal rancor has gotten to the point that this city needs new people no ties to the current controversies.
We need to start our second century by letting go of the past. The best way to do that is with three new councilmen.
Taft has great opportunities and challenges facing it today. We need a council that can work together to hammer out a public policy to take advantage of those opportunities and meet those challenges – a council that can decide together how best to move us forward.
Orchel Krier, Dee Bankston and Gypsy Freeman are the three candidates that offer the most to the city.
Krier stands out in the field of challengers with a solid businesses background, willingness to get involved in civic activities and strong conservative views.
Bankston will bring experience and maturity to a council that is now sorely lacking in the latter, and Freeman offers a wisdom and strong moral background to add to the leadership this city needs.
Likewise, we believe there is a need for some freshness on the West Kern Water District Board of Directors. Barry Jameson and Scott Niblett can do just that. Through their community involvement, both have shown the desire and ability to work productively for the betterment of Westside.
A good first step in bringing an end to the rancor that has hampered the important work the district does was the selection of a new general manager. The next logical step is new leadership on the Board of Directors.
It's a different matter on the West Kern Community College Board. Stability and the ability to form a consensus to keep Taft College moving in the right direction have been a hallmark of this board over the years, and we think keeping Larry Buttke, Carolyn Hosking and Dawn Cole on the board will keep the college in good hands.
