Frazier Park (Saturday, May 14, 2011 at 3 p.m.)—Here are some stories we are working on for the next print issue of The Mountain Enterprise. This is written in the tone of a blog becaues we are still gathering the data. Consider it a sneak peek.
1) Fort Tejon State Historic Park: Yes, it is true. Fort Tejon Historic Park is slated to be closed as part of the elimination (yes, this is not temporary, they are talking about this as the permanent closing) of 70 of California’s wonderful state parks. A $26 million budget cut because of the deadlock between Sacramento Democrats and Republicans over the budget is the driver for this decision.
The group SOS: Save Our State Parks writes: "This shocking plan will close the doors to 25 percent of California’s state park system." Margaret Rhyne, who works with the California Poppy Preserve in the Antelope Valley, writes: "Both Saddleback Butte State Park and the Antelope Valley Indian Museum are on the list for parks that will be closed in September if the current budget is not changed." SOS is urging everyone who cares about this to contact their state representatives and make your voice heard. Hungry Valley State OHV Park is not among those listed. Miscommunication regarding the notion of a "Tejon Ranch State Park" not being funded appears to be merely an artifact of the rumor mill’s fact-twisting.
2) Frazier Mountain High School Sports Program Rally: Yes, we have confirmed that Frazier Mountain High School students were invited to attend a rally on Thursday, May 12 during lunch, at which Sophomore Antonio Saenz said he had attended the El Tejon Unified School District Board of Trustees meeting Wednesday, May 11. According to student Tony Levesque and others, Saenz said a decision to cut the sports program at FMHS is being considered, and that students need to work together "on car washes and bake sales" to try to raise the money needed to keep a sports program alive at the high school. One source said they were told that $80,000 needs to be raised, but we have not independently confirmed that number.
3) Tejon Ranch Company: And yes, a lawsuit has been filed in Kern County Superior Court in which a former hunting guide for Tejon Ranch Company alleges that mountain lions were routinely killed on the ranch without a depredation permit. Spokespersons for the ranch have ridiculed the charges. State Department of Fish and Game personnel are reported to have confirmed there is sufficient basis for investigation. We have contacted the attorney and are seeking to get in touch with the plaintiff, Bron Sanders. We can be reached at Editor@MountainEnterprise.com if you’d like to help.
4) The Mountain Community is a seriously fun place to live. This rumor is confirmed as true. I just went to the Lilac Festival Parade and it was terrific to see all the local faces having a fun time with their neighbors. Lilac Festival will be open again tomorrow, on Sunday.
Tonight is the Golden Spur Casino at Cuddy Hall. Dinner begins at 5:30 and you get $200 in Booster Bucks plus dinner and a free raffle ticket for great prizes for a donation of only $30. All proceeds benefit the sports program for the high school.
Please keep you eye on the Community Calendar on the front page of this website and in your local paper so you can enjoy the fun and useful events coming your way.
The Mountain Enterprise will be on newsstands with these stories, and much more, on Thursday, May 19.
—Patric Hedlund, Editor of The Mountain Enterprise
This is part of the May 13, 2011 online edition of The Mountain Enterprise.
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