McCarthy: America can't tax its way to prosperity

Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Bakersfield) gives his report for the week. In his words:

 "As we provide for our families every day, we all know that every hard-earned dollar is important. This is an easy principle for most Americans to understand, but a hard one for Washington.

  Unfortunately, federal spending is growing faster than federal revenue.  As I often say, Washington does not have a revenue problem, we have a spending problem.  The CBO predicts that the 2010 federal
deficit could be as high as $1.5 trillion and the federal debt will reach $13.2 trillion.  These numbers are astounding, especially on days like today, when the Bureau of Labor Statistics announced that
national unemployment for the month of April rose to 9.9%. Clearly all this spending is not creating jobs. On that point, earlier this week, I had lunch with former Massachusetts Governor, Mitt Romney and we
talked about job creation.  However, rather than focusing on policies to foster economic prosperity, several of the President’s economic advisors have floated the idea of imposing a job-killing Value Added
Tax (VAT) on American products and services. 
 To that end, I joined others in sending a letter to the President’s debt commission opposing
adding a VAT to our current tax system.  I don’t believe that our country will ever be able to fix its problems by taxing its way to prosperity.  American success has always been rooted in our entrepreneurs and small business owners—a VAT will only destroy jobs and crush innovation.

  It was great to spend all day Friday working in Bakersfield for a change.  This afternoon, I am honoring twenty of Kern’s best and brightest high school students for their positive achievements with my
office’s Congressional Merit Award.  Earlier this year, high school principals selected one outstanding graduating senior per school to receive this Merit Award. Congratulations are in order for all these
stellar high school students who have demonstrated academic excellence by earning a 3.5 GPA or higher, exemplary school citizenship and leadership, along with community service. 
 On Monday I’ll be in Paso Robles to honor those students from San Luis Obispo County.

 

  "As a part of First Friday this evening, I am at Metro Galleries downtown for a reception to honor the winners of the 29th Annual Congressional Art Competition for high school students.  Out of the
105 entries from 14 schools that my office received, the overall winner is Sona Shah, who is a junior at Stockdale High School.  Her winning piece, “Playing Art,” which is an excellent pastel and
charcoal, pictures six different children working on art outdoors. Sona will travel to D.C. with her parents, Dr. and Mrs. Nilesh Shah, and attend the Congressional exhibit opening and her artwork will be
displayed in the corridor leading to the U.S. Capitol for one year. Students were also awarded for placing first, second, third along with honorable mention for the following three categories: photography,
computer-generated art, and all other mediums.  All winners have the option of displaying their artwork in my Washington office for a year for visiting constituents to see.
 

  "Thanks for reading, and remember to do something nice for your Mom!

Making a list of things we should be thankful for in our home town, and welcoming the Tour of California to town

* ... HOME SWEET HOME: When was the last time you jotted down all the things you like about living in Bakersfield? I did so recently on a plane returning from the east coast and trust me, it's a much better experience than listing the things we don't like. In no particular order, here's my view of some of Bako's more endearing qualities: great weather, wonderful people, small town feel, the bike path, Luigi's, Basque food, short commutes, access to the mountains and beaches, the Padre Hotel, locally owned businesses, great neighborhoods, good schools, active and committed non-profits, a high sense of personal accountability in a town where everyone knows each other, acceptance of outsiders, the Kern River and local agriculture. What's on your list?

* ... OLDEST GRADUATE? Heard from retired CSUB math professor Lee Webb wondering if his friend, Esther DeLeon Dougherty, is the oldest graduate of UC Santa Barbara living locally. Esther graduated from Santa Barbara State College (precursor to what became UC Santa Barbara) in 1943 and apparently still substitute teaches. "All of us at the (Kroll) dog park really enjoy her company and her enthusiasm for life. She was the first Hispanic to graduate from college in her family, working her way through college, teaching for a number of years in Bakersfield schools, and she is still adding to the culture of this outstanding city."

 * ... AMGEN TOUR: Remember to put Thursday, May 20, on your calendar. That's the date that some of the world's best cyclists will storm into town for a sprint finish up the Panorama Bluffs in the Amgen Tour of California bicycle race. Trust me, this is an event worth attending and you'll be treated to some spectacular bike racing as well as music, food and vendor booths. Tour de France winner and cancer survivor Lance Armstrong will be there along with all the big names in professional cycling. There will be a Stage 5 "Lifestyle Festival" in the northeast parking lot on the campus of Bakersfield College from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. the day of the race, and it's free to the public. This is a chance to show off Bakersfield, so don't miss it.
  

* ... COOL WATER: Ever notice how just the tiniest bit of water in the Kern River makes us all feel better? It's always a surprise to return from a long trip to find real liquid in our river, as crazy as that sounds to outsiders. Wish it were there all the time.(photos courtesy of Don Martin)

 * ... OFF TO KOREA: Kudos to Emily Shapiro, a 2009 graduate of Cal State Bakersfield, who is off to Seoul, South Korea, to teach English. She majored in communications with an emphasis in journalism and public relations.


* ... MEA CULPA: I heard from the mother of Jenna Richmond, the fourth grader who had a chance to see pop singer Miley Cyrus as part of the local "Make a Wish Foundation." I reported that Jenna was suffering from a brain tumor but mother Kellie Richmond happily reported the tumor is in remission. Now that's a mistake I don't mind correcting.

 * ... BAKERSFIELDISM: You know you're from Bakersfield when "you think beans and salsa go with everything."

Women and Girls Fund addresses violence against women and a reader rants

 * ... GIRLS FUND: Violence against women has long been one of our community's greatest problems, so it was nice to see the Women and Girls Fund handing out some grants to combat it. The Alliance Against Family Violence and Sexual Assault and the Kern County Network for Children were each awarded $10,000 during a luncheon at Seven Oaks County Club last week. The Alliance will use the money for education programs for 600 young women in rural Kern County, and the Network's funds will go for circumstances where children witness domestic violence or suicide of a parent or caregiver. The girls fund has an endowment of some $460,000 within the Kern Community Foundation.
 
* ... PORTUGAL BOUND: Joe and Judy Mullins are two Bakersfield natives who now live in Loveland, Colorado, and wrote to share a story about their son Kevin and his wife Angelina. They both attended high school in Bakersfield and Kevin later graduated from CSUB with a BS in religious studies. After moving to Lubbock, Texas, to attend the Sunset Bible School, they moved  to Dublin, Ireland. They returned to Bakersfield so Angelina could finish her degree at CSUB. They are now planning on moving to Portugal to work with a church planting organization called Kontact Mission. Why Portugal? Turns out Angelina's mother was originally from the Azores Islands, immigrated to the United States as a teenager and became a teacher at Shafter High School. Her name is Maria Sanchez. "Our kids have sold everything except their basic essentials, and those are being freighted to Lisbon as I write this. Kevin will be working as a contractor for his current employer there in Bakersfield, Lightspeed internet, and Angelina will be giving birth to their first child in September. I just wanted you to know of two more Bakersfield natives who grew up there and gone on to truly make a difference in this world."

 * ... READER SOUND OFF: This from reader Barbara Meuleman: "Why do you continue to write notes about the higher-income people who send their children off to schools and then return to Bakersfield, blah, blah, blah, which apparently makes you and them so proud of our town.....but then you follow up with an ending not  about what people call Bakersfield. A touch of Johnny Carson and not needed. Bakersfield is Bakersfield, not Bako, or anything else somebody thinks is cute. I'd hate to see what nickname they give their children, by the way.  I love Bakersfield and am disappointed when it is not built up, but instead given names that reflect we are either stupid, just in off of the farm, or whatever. Who started this, and why is is so important to label a wonderful, compassionate town when there are other ways to use the space?  Let's let the name Bakersfield be important, well thought of and if with a nickname, a great one, not one that pulls it down to the level of "dumb blonde" jokes.  Thanks, beano...whoops Mr. Beene."

 * ...SAN JOSE STATE: Got an interesting email from insurance risk consultant John Pryor, who was remembering some special local folks who graduated from San Jose State. In his words. "In 1954, four Bakersfield residents graduated from San Jose State wearing traditional caps and gowns for the ceremony in Spartan Stadium.  However, underneath this traditional garb, they each wore US Navy officers' uniforms.  Dick Giles, Bob Gorman, John Pryor, and Terry Whitney 'went forward' to receive their degrees.  Then they each removed their cap and gown and - now in their naval officers' uniform - went forward a second time to receive their commission from a senior US Navy officer.  Each immediately reported for active duty with orders to ships or duty stations ranging from Japan to France -- and points in between."  

  For background, John said Dick Giles' career was in sales management for Hopper, Inc. and McCarthy Tank and  Steel, Bob Gorman, who passed away last year, was a local workers' compensation consultant, Whitney was CEO of Welch Grape Company in Buffalo NY (now living in San Francisco), and John was a local insurance broker.

* ... BAKERSFIELDISM : You know you're  from Bakersfield when you know that ordering a "half and half" at Luigi's means half pasta and half beans.

 

Celebrating the success of local kids and a sound argument for gun rights when predators walk our streets

 * ... WASCO GRAD: Audra Miller wrote to tell me about her son Carl Miller, who graduated from  St. John's Catholic School in Wasco and then Wasco High School. He went on to earn his PhD from UCLA and did post doctorate work at the Harvard Medical School. He  is now working in Seattle as a scientist for Dendreon, a company that recently announced a break through in the treatment of prostate cancer. "There is great hope that this prostate cancer treatment will be a stepping stone for the treatment of many other types of cancers," she said. Well done.

 * ... OFF TO OREGON: Kudos go out to Paul Brumfield, son of Superior Court Judge Lorna Brumfield and local attorney Robert Brumfield,  for getting an academic scholarship to attend the University of Oregon in Eugene. Paul will major in music (with a minor in business) and is coming off participating in the California state honor choir. As his father said, "Go Ducks!"

 * ... GUN RIGHTS: Is there a better argument for the right to bear arms than the brutal killing of grandmother Dorothy Pauline Session? She was beaten to death in her east Bakersfield home by some lost children who apparently just happened on the house intent to steal a few things.  How many of these predators walk our streets on any given day? I can think of few better arguments for the Second Amendment than senseless cases like this. (suspects appear in court in photo below; Dorothy Session below)

 * ... MEA CULPA: In a recent post on the engagement of Morgan Houchin and Jillian Giumarra, I neglected to mention that Jill's parents are John and Pamela Giumarra, and the mother of the Houchin boys is Candus Houchin-Birnbaum. That was bad form on my part and  I apologize. Morgan's brother and Jillian's sister are already married, keeping this one all in the family.

 * ... SAN JOSE STATE: Heard from Mark Powell, a reporter at The Tehachapi News, who wanted  to know how big the community of San Jose State University alumni was locally. Powell noted that he graduated from San Jose State, as did long-time Californian courts reporter Steve Swenson and Jose Gaspar of  KBAK Eyewitness News 29. In addition, former KBAK producer Meg Stewart is a San  Jose State graduate.

 * ... BAKERSFIELDISM: You know you're from Bakersfield when "you know the Garces circle is not a quiz item on a geometry test."

McCarthy: it's time to turn on the Delta pumps to provide water for Kern County farmers

Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Bakersfield) gives his weekly report from our nation's capital.
 

As your Congressman, I am always looking for ways to make it easier for Americans to communicate their ideas to their Representatives. When the House is voting and Representatives are in Washington, an additional way that could work is through Skype, but unfortunately, government is a step behind.  To change this, I recently asked the House leadership to consider allowing members to use Skype and other secure videoconferencing services to communicate with constituents.
  On Tuesday, I was pleased that Speaker Pelosi responded to my request, and announced that the House would begin evaluating the use of new communication tools like Skype.  At a time when many feel their voice is not being heard, Congress should encourage communication to ensure that the best ideas are brought forward.
  Legislatively, the debate continues in the Senate over the direction of financial regulations, and the President’s federal debt commission began its work.  Federal Reserve Chairman Bernanke opened with a serious warning that our budget deficit is unsustainable and action is needed soon to avoid dangerous results.  Also two former Congressional Budget Office directors warned that we won’t be able to tax our way out of debt.  Real solutions will require tough choices and it involves addressing the soaring rate of spending.  The problem is spending." While there is no quick fix to our economic challenges, the business sector must also have stability and freedom from burdensome regulations to create private sector jobs.  My hope it that this debt commission is not used as a cover to raise taxes, but to deal with
Washington’s wasteful spending habits.

  One issue important to job creation locally is the need to turn the Delta pumps on.  The Kern County Water Agency and Assembly member Jean Fuller provided staggering statistics on the true cost of low water allocations to our farmers and businesses.  Each year the KCWA pays for 100% of the water supplies it receives from the State Water Project, but in recent years, we have not received our full allocation. We all know that regulations are restricting the flow of water to Kern County – but did you know that this year, the expected loss is 580,000 acre feet (and an acre foot is 326,000 gallons) – that’s 189 billion gallons of water.  And this year, Kern County will pay $51,900,000 for water they will not get from the State Water Project.  Since 2007, the cost to the county has been $134,000,000. It is not acceptable that our community pays for water it does not receive, resulting in hurting farms and fewer jobs.  We need to turn
on the pumps!

  "This weekend, I will be at Relay for Life and the last time I checked there were over 6,000 participants signed up.  Strong community support like this is what makes Bakersfield such a special place to live.  Also, I hope you can make it out for First Friday on May 7,  5:00p.m. at Metro Galleries to meet the winners of the 29th Annual
Congressional Art Competition for high school students.

Saving sports at Cal State Bakersfield, hostile emails and Make a Wish Foundation sends a girl to LA

 * ... SAVING CAL STATE SPORTS: The effort to save wrestling, tennis and golf at Cal State Bakersfield is moving along and - according to supporters - gaining some momentum. One of those involved is local business owner Molly Busacca, who is leading the bid to save the women's tennis program. She told me that a huge fund raiser is planned for May 15 at the Jam Center to support all four of the endangered sports (men and women's golf, women's tennis and wrestling). These four sports are victims of the extreme budget crunch but folks from all walks of life have emerged to save them. Call Tonya Eagle for tickets and details at 661-302-4455. On that same Sunday, the CSUB Division One women 's tennis team will host a pasta feed and exhibition match against local players at Stockdale Country Club. Call Molly Busacca for details and tickets at 661-588-9644.

* ... MAKE A WISH: Was nice to hear that a local 10-year-old girl had a chance to meet pop singer Miley Cyrus as part of the "Make a Wish Foundation," which assists young people suffering from various illnesses. Jenna Richmond, a fourth grader at Olive Drive Elementary, met Cyrus on Wednesday in Los Angeles along with 29 other "Make a Wish" kids. Catherine Anspach is the local director of the Kern  County chapter of "Make a Wish" and said Jenna's wish was granted to "highlight the hope, strength and joy that Make a Wish Foundation brings children with life-threatening medical conditions every day." Jenna, daughter of Michael and  Kellie Richmond, is suffering from a brain tumor.

 * ...  INCOHERENT RANT: You just can't please everybody. At least that's what my mother always told me. So it really came as no surprise when I received a hostile email from perennial letter-to-the-editor writer Panfilo Fuentes taking me to task for highlighting a local bike shop owner (Kerry Ryan of Action Sports) for giving dozens of local kids jobs over the years. Helping kids find their way in the business world wasn't good enough for Panfilo, who apparently smelled racism in my post because - in his words - "this is a great guy whose work undoubtedly is important to keeping the status quo of Bakersfield life and maintaining a dominant presence in a shrinking white population."  Huh? Never mind that Kerry has employed plenty of kids from all backgrounds, as so many will attest, but never let the facts get in the way of a good rant.

 * .. OVERHEARD: Overhead on a beach in south Georgia, one man to another: "Don't be walking behind me, I a spittin'."

 * ... BAKERSFILEDISM: You know you're from Bakersfield when "you remember the missile on top of the Padre Hotel and know why it was there."

One person's ability to influence a life and another Houchin-Giumarra wedding in the works

* ... ACTION SPORTS: If you ever question your ability to influence the direction of a young person, consider the case of Kerry Ryan, owner of Action Sports. Kerry has employed dozens of young people over the years and so many have gone on to successful careers, thanks to getting a real life grounding in business and customer service at Action Sports. This idea came up while I was chatting recently with Buttonwillow farmer and businessman Donald Houchin, who mentioned that his sons Morgan and Clayton had both worked as teenagers at the store, now located at the corner of Brimhall and Calloway roads. Houchin raved about how much his boys had learned under Kerry, and how many opportunities Kerry had given young people over  the years. So I jotted down on a napkin some of the local kids who have worked at Action Sports and gone on to successful careers. Among them are Amanda Wolff and Oscar Baltazar, both now working at CB Richard Ellis, Scott Reynolds at RE/MAX, Melissa Reynolds now at First American Title, Jen Stanhope owns her own painting business, Jordan Lewis works at an investment firm, Lynn Tran is working in inside sales at Roxy, David Wiens is working at an engineering firm and Chad Carpenter at Bright House. This is an abbreviated list and just a few of the kids who have gone on to successful careers after starting at Action Sports.

 * ... HOUCHIN-GIUMARRA: And speaking of the Houchins, I learned the other day that Morgan Houchin and Jillian Giumarra have become engaged. The Houchins and Giumarras are two of the more prominent names in our local farming and agriculture industry, but this union brings an added twist. Morgan's older brother, Clayton, is married to Jillian's sister, Juliana. Clayton and Juliana have twins and chose their siblings to be the god parents. Apparently sparks flew between Morgan and Jillian at St. Francis Church and the rest is history, as they say. Now that's keeping it all in the family. Morgan graduated from Colgate University and Jillian from the University of Arizona. Clayton is a graduate of Colby College (and later USC graduate school) and Juliana from the University of Arizona. Both Houchin boys left Bakersfield to work but returned to their roots. Clayton is sales manager for the family's Buttonwillow Warehouse Co. and Morgan is a director of agriculture real estate development and sales for AgTech Financial. Morgan's parents are Donald and Patti Houchin of Bakersfield.

 * ... ANIMAL CRUELTY: Sometimes you read a story and it just breaks your heart, and you wonder what drives people to such cruelty. That's how I felt when reading The Californian story about the man arrested on suspicion of animal cruelty related to a hog-tied pitbull found near Adobe and Sandrini roads. The picture of the dog was just heart breaking. Arrested was 52-year-old James Worley. How does one explain this? The dog was taken to a  rescue center.

 * ... ART SHERWYN: If you have Thursday evening open, consider heading down to Metro Galleries on 19th Street for "An evening with Art Sherwyn." Sherwyn is the local artist, high school art teacher and former tennis coach who has an engaging personality and the ability to hold an audience. He'll be talking about the process and his perspectives on the creative process. Some of his varied works will be on display. The cost is $30 a person. It runs from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

  * ... BAKERSFIELDISM: You know you're from Bakersfield when "you know the order of the set up at Woolgrower's."

A surprise mother-son reunion at the Atlanta airport and two South High kids receive Gates scholarships

* ... IS THAT YOU MOM? This is such an uplifting story that I had to share. I cannot say it better than reader Kim Goforth. So here it is. Enjoy. "On Easter Sunday evening, I was walking through the Atlanta Airport with my friend Carol Formanek, returning home from a fun trip to Georgia. In the back of my mind, I knew my oldest son, Captain David Goforth, was coming home from Iraq sometime in the near future with his unit, the 923rd Movement Control Team.  I had not talked to him recently. Off to the right, we came upon a group of Army soldiers in their brown/tan fatigues. As we got closer, I said to Carol, 'That soldier on the end looks like my son.' (Was not wearing my glasses) Carol replied that indeed he did look like my son. I zeroed in to make a positive identification. 'David?  Mom?!!   What are you doing here?'  'Coming home from a trip to Georgia.'  Talk about shock and awe!  All the other soldiers had met me before and had received care packages and letters, and were so surprised to see me. I was able to visit with David and the other soldiers for about an hour before they had to board their plane to Ft. Bliss, TX  (El Paso), the last leg of the journey before coming home to Bakersfield about three to four days later.  This is such a supreme coincidence that I will always remember and treasure it as a gift.  I just wanted to share this remarkable story with your readers" Thank you for sharing.

 * ... SOUTH SCHOLARS: Jason George, the assistant principal over at South High  School, wrote to tell me that on May 13 the school will be honoring more than 100 kids going on to four-year colleges. These schools include UC Berkeley, Stanford, Boston University, UCLA, Johns Hopkins and a number of other top schools. In addition, he said two South students have been awarded the Gates Millenium Scholarships. Now that is some accomplishment. Jason said he hopes this event turns into an annual tradition honoring these kids moving on.

* ... ARMANDA BOSLEY: Reader Ruth Jackson wanted to share some moments about the last years in the life of Armanda Bosley, the former owner of Lou Ella's Children's Boutique who died recently. She was a neighbor of Bosley's and recalls how Armanda and her daughter Brenda would ride in their golf cart accompanied by their two dogs. "These two ladies always wore big smiles and lifted the spirits of pet owners and their animals. Some of the pets included Jacque, Mugs, Pebbles, Happy, Peaches, Andy, Bug, Buddy and many others I'm sure. For pets and their owners, we will always remember 'Do' and her daughter Brenda for those welcome day visits."

 * ... AIR FORCE RETIREE: Local residents Nancy and Larry Jamison told me that their son, Jeffrey Jamison, is retiring from the  U.S.  Air Force in May after 22 years.  Jeffrey was raised  in  Bakersfield and became an Eagle Scout. Two weeks after graduating from South High School in 1988, he left for basic training and later was stationed at Malmstrom AFB in Great Falls, MT., and well as Ellsworth AFB in Rapid City, S.D. He served in Desert Storm at an air base in Oman and later served in South Korea. He is now stationed at Randolph AFB in Universal City,  Texas, where he is an air crew life support systems manager.

 * ... BAKERSFIELDISMS: You know you're from Bakersfield when "you refer to wearing jeans, a T-shirt and cowboy boots as a Lamont tuxedo."