Kern County voters to decide the fate of proposals to raise the sales tax and put terms limits on county supervisors, developments in the newly drawn Ward 7 and we share some endorsements heading into election day

Welcome to Bakersfield Observed. Our mission is to celebrate life in Kern County by focusing on newsmakers and events and the local characters who make this community such a special place. The views expressed here are strictly my own and do not represent any other company or publication.

 * ... ELECTION DAY:We have an election in three weeks, an important one, so let's catch up on the key local races, some endorsements and late developments. This is a busy election cycle, where voters will be faced with everything from the national mid-term elections that will decide if Kevin McCarthy is reelected to become House Speaker, to local elections where seats are up for county supervisor, city

council as well as local school boards. Add to that two potentially far reaching initiatives in Measure J and Measure K, the first of which would limit supervisors to two consecutive, four-year terms and the latter which would add a penny to the sales tax charged in unincorporated areas. The Bakersfield Californian endorsed Measure K but not the term limit question.

 * ... ENDORSEMENTS: In the Ward 3 race where City Councilman Ken Weir attempts to return to a job he first gained in 2006, the newspaper threw its endorsement behind challenger Boyd Binninger, a senior vice president at ASU Commercial, a commercial real estate company. The paper criticized Weir for opposing the "Unity Map" that redrew the boundary lines of Ward 7, and the paper also noted he opposed the Measure N city sales tax measure. In the Ward 7 race, which opened up when Chris Parlier decided to retire, The Californian endorsed Manpreet Kaur, a dynamic newcomer to local politics who is enjoying a tidal wave of local support among both the Punjabi community as well as the established seats of power and influence in town. Finally, The Californian endorsed Jeff Flores to succeed Mike Maggard as District 3 county supervisor.

 * ... MANPREET KAUR: There is an odd twist in that Ward 7 race, and it involves a man who was arrested for allegedly forcing his Hispanic girlfriend to take pills to force a miscarriage. And that man is the brother of Ward 7 candidate Manpreet Kaur, a promising newcomer whose candidacy has energized local support in this newly drawn district. The incident raises the question about whether a candidate - or any of us for that matter - should be forced to defend or even respond to the actions of a family member? (Cue up the list of high profile people whose behavior has embarrassed their families-Hunter Biden, Prince Andrew and for those of you a tad older, Billy Carter, to name a few)  In this case Kaur's brother, Jagmeet Singh Sandhu, was accused of forcing his girlfriend to take pills to induce a miscarriage. An early report indicated there were cultural issues involving bringing shame on a family, but others say that was never a factor. Kaur's candidacy and qualifications - born at Kern Medical, daughter of hard working Sikh immigrants, highly educated, accomplished  - stand unquestioned but don't be surprised if the incident isn't used by those who hope to derail her candidacy. I asked Kaur about the case and this is what she said: "My brother’s situation is separate from my own and has nothing to do with my commitment to serving our community. I have worked hard all my life - in school, in my professional career, and in my commitment to serving our community. I am hopeful the voters of Ward 7 will assess my qualifications and character when selecting their next city councilmember." Kaur heads into the election a heavy favorite over candidates Raj Gil and Tim Collins, and she already has picked up the endorsement of the Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce, The Californian, sitting council members and various local unions.

 * ... MY ENDORSEMENT PICKS: For those who may care, here are a few of the endorsements from Bakersfield Observed as we head toward the Nov. 8 vote:

 - VOTE NO ON MEASURE J: Measure J would install term limits on the Board of Supervisors, restricting the terms to two consecutive four year terms. Vote no.

- VOTE YES ON MEASURE K: A yes vote on Measure K will raise the sales tax in the unincorporated areas of the county by 1 percent, bringing it in line with the city's tax rate. The measure would generate some $50 million a year for the cash squeezed county. Vote yes.

  - BINNINGER FOR WARD 3: Vote for Boyd Binniger. Incumbent Ken Weir was first elected in 2006 and has served his time. Time for new blood. Vote Binninger.

 - KAUR FOR WARD 7: Vote for Manpreet Kaur for Ward 7. Kaur is a local product who represents the future of a much more rich and diverse Bakersfield. She graduated from UC San Diego and holds a master's degree from the University of Wisconsin in urban planning. Vote Kaur.

 - FLORES FOR SUPERVISOR: Vote for Jeff Flores for District 3 country supervisor. Retiring incumbent Mike Maggard has served his district with distinction and class, and Flores promises to do the same. Vote Flores.

 - PEREZ FOR ASSEMBLY: Vote for Leticia Perez for the 35th Assembly District. Perez positions herself as the kind of person who will work across the aisle while pushing to represent the special interests of Kern County. She has the energy and intelligence to serve the district well. Vote Perez.

 - SCRIVNER FOR KCHSD: Vote for Kathy Scrivner for a seat on the Kern High School District. The Beene girls were fortunate to have Kathy Scrivner as a teacher. Her commitment, her tenure, her experience and her passion qualify her for a seat on the high school district. Vote Scrivner.

 - 21st DISTRICT CONGRESS: One of the most expensive races in country pits Republican incumbent David Valadao against Democrat Rudy Salas. Salas bailed out on a television debate at the last minute (bad form) while Valadao had the courage to vote to impeach former President Trump. Vote Valadao.

 * ... CSUB ALUMNI HALL OF FAME: The CSUB Alumni Association has announced a new class for the Alumni Hall of Fame, three women and a man who have advocated behalf of crime victims, dedication to the law, soaring musical gifts and commitment to the healthcare of vulnerable families. This year’s inductees are Kern County District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer, U.S. Federal District Judge Jennifer Thurston, Bakersfield College associate professor of music Kris Tiner and Kern Family Health Chief Executive Officer Emily Duran. (picture of Zimmer with KHSD candidate Kathy Scrivner.)

 * ... OVERHEARD: A conversation overheard at lunch downtown. A man in his 50s turns to his pal and says: "Forget sanctuary cities. We have our own 'homeless bill of rights' here. You can sleep wherever you want, you can (defecate) wherever you want, you can walk into any store in town and grab whatever you want and you can weave through traffic screaming like a nut and no one will bat an eyebrow."

 * ... MEMORIES: Here's a blast from the past thanks to the Kern County of Old Facebook page. The caption: "Buck Owens bought KUZZ radio in 1966, here he is sitting in the drvers seat of a Volkswagen KUZZ van probably in 66, the station is still owned by his family and has been #1 in the United States many times! "

 * ... THANKS, PAM: And before we go, enjoy these two quite fabulous pictures taken on the coast by my kayaking, gospel-singing, God loving friend Pam Taylor. 

Former residential home builder Kyle Carter readies for a run for mayor, celebrating the small-town feel of Bakersfield and noting some good form about town

 * … MAYOR: Mayor Harvey Hall's term in office doesn't expire for another year, but already folks are lining up to replace Hall if he chooses not to seek reelection. One name mentioned frequently is Kyle Carter, the former residential home builder who was recently elected to the Kern Community College District. Carter is deeply involved in the community and has recently been investing in downtown properties. He successfully sold the company bearing his name before the recession hit, and he would no doubt be a formidable candidate. Meanwhile Kevin Burton, who runs the foundation over at San Joaquin Community Hospital, is also eager to run. "It's all Kevin talks about," said one of his friends. Hall has served as mayor since 2000 and told me he would announce his intentions in February of next year.

 * … SMALL TOWN: Another reason to celebrate our "small town" feel comes from reader Aneta Adams: "Over the weekend, I caught two of the Bakersfield episodes of Diners, Drive-ins and Dives.  You know it's not Bakersfield if you don't see someone you know! At KC's Steakhouse, it was Howdy Miller and Gary Crabtree. At Mama Roomba, it was H.A. Sala. How did the restaurants choose the patrons for the show? I also caught the episode with Salty's. Both were good representations of Btown!"

 * … BAD FORM: Emily Shapiro was in res room at Barnes and Noble when she spotted this example of bad form. "In an era of water depletion, conserving water is of the utmost importance. However, this past Saturday around 5 p.m. at Barnes and Noble I noticed a patron in the ladies room who after washing and drying her hands left the water running full blast. Not only is it bad manners, but the lack of consideration for others is astounding."

 * … WATER: Reader Gene Bonas' note about the length of time it takes hot water to reach the other end of the house drew this comment from Lee Altmar, himself a former sailor like Gene. "A trick we used when I lived in Santa Barbara during the drought of the 1980s was to keep a 5-gallon bucket or two in the shower. We would fill the bucket(s) while waiting for the water to get hot, then use the water for cleaning (e.g., dishes and floors). The fun thing about Bakersfield is that, in the summer, it takes even longer for the water to get cold enough to use. I've had to brush my teeth with water that was almost boiling."

 * … NORTHEAST: Penny Young responded to a reader's rant about the lack of new retail in the Northeast. Said Penny: "Needless to say, we enjoy your column for all the voices and personalities and events and tidbits that come to light. Today Elizabeth Trainor was spot on about the feelings of northeast residents and our lack of shopping while there are such exuberant openings on the other side of town. However, I think she was a little hard on Ken Weir, our Councilmember Ward 3. It appears she misses some of the information published in The Californian. Very recently Mr. Weir organized a public forum at the new Paul Cato Middle School where he brought together directors of 5 agencies connected with development in the NE, (transportation, parks, etc.) It was enlightening, well-received, well-attended, and well-reported by Theo Douglas. It's easy to miss things, and I am sorry that Ms. Trainor has 'never seen or heard from him over the years.'  If  Ms. Trainor Googles Bakersfield City Council and clicks on the first link, she will be able to solve her problem of being 'unable to discover his email address.' (These comments are not meant in a smarty tone, but just to give more balanced perspective.)"

 * … MEMORIES: Here's a puzzler from reader Cheryl Hyde Reid: "I recently obtained my great grandfather's death certificate.  It states that he died at the Stockdale Country Club Hospital in 1940.  I was born here in 1947, and don't remember that hospital.  Does anyone else recall a Stockdale Country Club Hospital?"