Playing (with) Catch Up

Okay, here’s my attempt to get y’all up to date on the haps in town.
--------

Nearly twenty percent of the new homes purchased in town this past year were bought by investors. That’s almost double the national rate, which is not a good sign for Bakersfield residents interested in developing a healthy community. The investors drive up home prices and then dump ‘em when the market goes cold. Meanwhile city planners are falling behind by refusing to discuss building new freeways, inviting dairies in, and approving housing developments, which leads to urban sprawl. Seems like they’re so anxious to hang on to the “small town” feel they’re ignoring the fact that we’re no longer a small town.

--------

The cops raided the home brother of Bruce Sons, Dwight, last week. According to the paper, the house was ransacked and left “in shambles.” Officials removed a computer, some financial documents, and other papers. Dwight says that the seizure has “effectively shut down his business.” He also told reporters he has been working with Bruce’s defense team and believes that the sheriff’s deliberately took evidence they were preparing to use in the trial next month. One thing is for sure, the D.A.’s office will to anything to keep Bruce in jail. Sons’ third trial is set to begin July 20.

(By the way, Vincent Brothers' arraignment was postponed for the second time today. It's been two years since the family of five was murdered and a year since Brothers was arrested, but they still haven't even held an arraignment. Apparently Brothers is in no hurry to get out of jail. I'd be hollering like crazy if I was innocent and locked up for a year.)

--------

A new report released last month provided stated that the Hispanic population of Bakersfield is over taking the white population. By 2010 they will comprise nearly half the population. In 2003 there were only 3,800 Caucasian births in Kern County compared to 7,150 Hispanic births. Apparently the whities just aren’t breeders.

The Californian ran a very informational article this past Sunday explaining that the Kern River is dangerous. Considering the fact that there’s a life lost nearly every week each summer, you’d think people wouldn’t have to be told that. Also is Sunday’s paper, the people out there who DON’T know what a junk car is, the front page featured several pictures and examples and reminder that boats, RV’s, and buses are also included in the proposed ‘one eye sore per person’ legislation.

--------

Realtors all over town may be ecstatic over the recent new housing development, but the people in Pumpkin Center are far less enthused. Monday’s local section headlined an article about three proposed developments, which would bring thousands of new homes to the southwest community. Residents of the rural area would like to maintain their “county feel” despite the encroaching urbanization. Considering the way things have gone so far, I would suggest they move to Buttonwillow. It’s hard to believe thousands of Los Angelenos would want to live in a suburb named Pumpkin Center. Is Weedpatch in danger too?

--------

Local resident Paul Knight wrote a letter to the paper yesterday expressing concern over the poor air quality in the San Joaquin Valley. Mr. Knight points out that the Board recently approved “19 dairies to move here with more than 82,000 cows,” that there is a “brown haze over the valley,” and that “Bakersfield’s population has exploded by thousands.” Worried that we’re all going to have to wear oxygen masks, Knight asks, “Do members of the Board of Supervisors realize that Kern County is surrounded by mountains and the flow of air is confined in the valley?” (Apparently not, Knight. Thank God you came along and pointed it out.)

--------

Speaking of cows, a meeting was held in Fresno yesterday to discuss the effect of dairies on the valley air quality. The executive director, David Crow, of the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District, estimated the smog-created gases to be about 20.6 pounds per cow per year. Environmentalists whined that the number was too low and dairymen complained that the number was too high. Officials gave Crow till August 1st to come up with an exact number. No pressure there.

--------

A new ex-con in town spoke to the news recently asking that the community over look the fact that he is convicted violent sex offender and insisted that he would make a good friend (to you – not your kids, of course.) John Howard Hardacre says he changed his name and moved because he is making a new start and promises he is a different man. He also claims that, “Satan has had control of Atascadero hospital for 45 years” which is good to know, cuz now I know how to avoid him.

--------

The “southwest prowler,” arrested recently is crying foul. According to Jerrad Allen, police forced him to confess to crimes he did not commit, broke his arm and refused to let him speak to an attorney. Speaking through the press Allen asked a private attorney to come forward and take his case. While recounting what happened Allen stated, “I turn around and somebody came out the trash can with a gun.” (That would make me run too.) Allen also claims police used undo force, violated his Miranda rights and asserts that he, “ain’t never touched no little kids.” He does, however, admit he was selling drugs the night he was nabbed.

--------

Sure, there’s more, but that’s all for now.