(Temporarily) pulling the plug on televised meetings
The council meeting was still going on when I had to duck out at 10:15 p.m. to meet my deadline. I'll just catch up on the televised meetings. Oh, wait. That's right. West Covina cancelled that little feature. (I just crack myself up.)
Anywho, most of the meeting tonight was taken up by the nearly 20 residents that spoke about the pulling of the televised meetings. Most of them said they wanted to the meetings televised, one suggested alternative funding sources, and some suggested that the council cut other things in the budget, like trips to China and Japan, car allowances and getting rid of the horse property it is allegedly leasing. (I'll follow up on the horse property claim tomorrow.)
But in the end, the council majority said, basically, that the economy stinks, everyone is making tough budget decisions both at their homes and at their work places, and that this is after all just a temporary decision.
Also coming out of tonight's meeting: The council approved a master plan for Orangewood Park. As far as funding goes, that still has to be figured out. But this does mean bonified soccer fields so the hundreds of soccer players in the city.
Oh yeah, and Councilman Mike Touhey took a dig at Councilman Roger Hernandez, who asked the council to consider installing flagpoles at all city facilties. Hernandez was also the one asking the council to bring back the broadcasts of the meetings. Touhey said if it were him, he wouldn't be asking for the reinstatement of the broadcasts of the meetings AND the installation of the flagpoles at the same meeting.
To those dedicated West Covina residents: What did we miss?
It appears that a few individuals are lashing out in anger over the economy that we are all suffering with. A few off the cuff ideas to cut the budget such as ax a beautiful park so a selected few can watch themselves on T.V. week after week (I thought it was supposed to be 15 min of fame?)
As an individual who belongs to several riding groups which rent Ridge Riders, it does not take a trained eye to see how many residents enjoy and know how precious the facility is. The doubters need to take a minute and watch the smiles on a camp kids face who is riding a horse for the first time it truley is beautiful.Ridge Riders is an amazing place.
I travel from the San Gabriel Valley to L.A and down to the San Diego area to take my daugter to horse shows. There is no place as beautiful and peaceful as Ridge riders. Horses teach children so many lessons. They all need love and care which is a great lesson best taught by a horse. What a pity that a few individuals are attacking one of the most extrodinary places in the city. There is such peace and beauty to be enjoyed at Ridge riders and it is for everyone. I along with my family spend a lot of time relaxing in the shade listening to the trees blow in the breeze and it is a jewel. How sad to think the day might come that the beauty could be taken away. That park is precious to many individuals not only "Horse Owners." It is there for all to enjoy as it should be.
So, Jennifer ... after you've stopped laughing, what happened to your follow-up on the horse property claim, 'eh? We're still waiting. Or, maybe you're still trying to find a few quick words of flash, tongue-and-cheek?
BTW, the City of West Covina purchased the land of the Maverick Ridge Riders Park from the Valencia Water Company (2003) over 5 years ago. Perhaps this little bit of factual text might help you with your follow-up?
I absolutely agree with the other poster; the City of West Covina should be ashamed of themselves for considering selling out 50+ years of family-recreation where many kids, now adults played baseball and rode horses! The Maverick Ridge Riders Park has won numerous botanical awards and honors under the care by former groundskeepers, which the City of West Covina has enjoyed. Perhaps they've forgotten and need a little refresher!