McCarthy: President's repackaged budget speech was a flop. He needs to get real

House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (R-Bakersfield) submits his weekly view from Capitol Hill. In his words:

"On Wednesday, President Obama gave a much-anticipated speech to the nation on deficit reduction. In an attempt to provide an alternative to Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan’s widely acclaimed budget, the
President attempted to repackage his first budget as a successful sequel. It flopped. The President once again called to raise taxes on hard-working Americans by trillions of dollars. With tax day approaching, I know many of you are contemplating your tax burden. This year, the average American will work 102 days out of the year just to pay taxes before you start taking money home. Now President Obama wants you to pay more.

  "Washington does not have a revenue problem, it has a spending problem. Over the past two years, President Obama and the Democrat majority added more than $3.5 trillion to the national debt. Our national debt now stands at over $14 trillion; the Treasury Department just reported that the U.S. deficit increased 15.7 percent in the first half of this fiscal year; and our critical health and retirement security programs are going broke. This cannot continue. Instead of working with House Republicans to tighten Washington’s belt just like every family and business has been forced to do, the President is asking us to give up more of our hard-earned paycheck.

  "As a former small business owner, I know firsthand that the higher the taxes, the less money there is to hire more employees and invest in our economy. The best way to grow our economy is to let people keep
more of their money. Higher taxes serve only to discourage entrepreneurship, innovation and investment. That is why my colleagues and I this week passed a responsible, fact-based budget, The Path to Prosperity. Our budget, introduced by Chairman Ryan last week, would lower the tax burden to encourage entrepreneurship and create new jobs. In fact, the House Budget Committee projects that the Path to Prosperity would create one million private sector jobs over the next year, increase economic output and average family income, as well as decrease the unemployment rate to 4 percent by 2015.

  "The Path to Prosperity puts the budget on the path to balance and pays off the debt. In fact, our budget cuts $6.2 trillion in government spending and reduces deficits by $4.4 trillion over the next decade
compared to the President’s budget. Getting our nation’s fiscal house in order means less of a threat of new taxes on your family and businesses now and in the future.

  "Also this week, we funded government through the end of the fiscal year, cutting nearly $40 billion this year and $315 billion over the next decade, but that’s just the beginning. With The Path to Prosperity, we’re taking the conversation from billions of dollars in spending cuts to trillions, and tackling the big issues that will
fundamentally move our nation toward a balanced budget.

Michael Turnipseed fights for the Valley in Sacramento while Fisher Communications faces hostile takeover

 * ... TURNIPSEED: Hats off to Michael Turnipseed, the head of KernTax who is leading the fight to bring more equitable utility rates to the San Joaquin Valley. Turnipseed was on SmartTalk1230 with Californian columnist Lois Henry Wednesday, explaining in the clearest terms how Valley residents are being hosed (my words, not his) through a Pacific Gas and Electric rate structure that penalizes ratepayers who live in harsher climates. This is fight worth following and we should all be thankful that a pitbull like Turnipseed is in Sacramento representing our interests.

 * ... KBAK: It looks like Fisher Communications, the parent company of KBAK-TV, is in a nasty fight to fend off a hostile takeover bid from a hedge fund company. Fisher owns some 20 stations in the West, including the Bakersfield franchise. Not sure what this might mean for KBAK if the hedge fund succeeds, but they are not known for progressive management.

 * ... NURSERY: Here's something I bet you didn't know: According to reader Rob Ferree, there is a popular plum tree in town named for Carl Krauter, who ran a local nursery in town for years. Ferree said he and his wife met Krauter in 1977 "and he proudly introduced us to a plum tree called the Krauter Vesuvius which is distinguished by a dark purple leaf and pink blossoms. Apparently Carl Krauter named the variety that can be seen all over town and is quite popular elsewhere as well."

 * ... MEMORIES: Al B. Gonzales was in the first class at Garces Memorial High School and wrote to remember when "East Bako was booming. The five and dimes by the Granada Theater were Ben Franklin and Cornet, J.C. Penney's, Snider's, McMahans, Kirby Shoes, Casa Moore, Saba's and don't forget Mother's Bakery. Our dad worked for the Southern Pacific Railroad and had credit at Saba's. I bought a red flowered silk shirt with a mandarin collar. It was the style in the 1950s."

 * ... TAR HEEL: Among our community's unsung exports are our outstanding students who set out across the country attending first rate universities. One of those students is Julianne Toler, who attended Norris School and graduated from Bakersfield Christian High School in 2003. She went on to graduate Cum Laude with a bachelor's degree in athletic training from Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego. She then attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and in 2009 she received a masters in Exercise Science and Sports Medicine. She is still attending UNC in the doctorate program and should complete that in 2013 or 2014. Her father is Larry Toler, a retired battalion chief with the city fire department, and her mother Marilyn is a retired teacher with the Norris School. Proud father Larry told me Julianne will be getting married in July to Dave Schmidt, whom she met at Chapel Hill.

 * ... WILDCAT: Another youngster headed to the dorm life is Adam Karpe, who will be a freshman at the University of Arizona in the fall. Adam's older brother, Robert, will be a sophomore at the University of South Carolina. Both Karpe boys graduated from Garces Memorial High School. Adam's father is Ray Karpe, also a graduate of Garces who went on to earn a degree from CSUB. His mother, Lisa, went to Highland High School, Bakersfield College and Fresno City College.

 * ... WHO KNEW? The Rolling Stones, longtime country music fans, sang about Bakersfield in 1978 in their song “Far Away Eyes” on the album “Some Girls.”
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Gas heads to $5 a gallon and Bakersfield leads the way, and noting the 150th anniversary of the Civil War

 * ... GAS PRICES: The average price for a gallon of gas across our nation is now $3.76 and may hit $5 by the summer. That's what some experts are warning, even as the long recession drags on and areas like the San Joaquin Valley continue to experience unemployment levels north of 16 percent. In one survey, broadcast by ABC this week, Bakersfield had the distinction of having the highest gas prices in the nation. 

 * ... COLLEGE BOUND: High school seniors across town are making their choices for where they will attend college and I'm always happy to put a spotlight on some of these high achieving kids. Over at Garces Memorial High, senior Gina Bell will be attending The George Washington University in Washington D.C. in the fall on an academic scholarship. Gina was accepted at Fordham, Seton Hall, Wheaton and Providence colleges but chose George Washington because of her love for American history and politics. Gina's proud parents are Kevin and Pam Bell: Kevin is a graduate of Highland High and Cal State Bakersfield and Pam is a graduate of Garces Memorial and Fresno State University. Kevin is employed at ATT and Pam is employed at Saint Francis Parish School in Bakersfield.

* ... PROSPECT: Keep your eye on Cruise Adams, a sophomore at Garces Memorial High School who played quarterback and kicker on the JV football team. ESPN recently singled him out as a hot college prospect for the 2013 recruiting class, noting that he had kicked a 50-yard field goal in a kicking camp. 

* ... REMEMBRANCE: This is the 150th anniversary of the start of the Civil War, a topic that all Americans should be respectful of and well versed in. Was surprised to learn there is a chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy here (Mary Boykin Chesnut chapter 2634) and it is planning a moment of remembrance on Thursday, April 21, at Union Cemetery. The organization was started by the grieving mothers, wives, daughters and sisters of fallen Confederate soldiers who tended to their graves. They soon began tending to the graves of Union soldiers as well in a tribute to all the fallen men and women. Diane Allen is the local president of the UDC chapter and told me the ceremony is planned for 10:30 a.m. Everyone is invited.

  * ... SPOTTED: A young man riding his bike down Gosford Road in the bike lane, balancing
while he uses both hands for texting on his cell phone. Incidentally, the Legislature is now considering a bill to make this illegal.

 * ... CALIFORNIAN RADIO: If you get a chance, tune in to SmartTalk1230 (AM-1230) on Friday when I will be interviewing new CSUB Athletic Director Jeff Konya on the challenges facing the school's entry into Division 1 sports. If you have a Google (Android) phone or iPhone, download the free application Tunein and you can listen on your cell phone. Should be an interesting hour starting at 10 a.m. Konya recently hired a new basketball coach and has the daunting task of finding a conference that will accept CSUB.

 * ... BAKERSFIELDISM: Linda L. Welch wrote that you may be a Bakersfield old timer if you worked at the old J.C. Penney building downtown and knew the top floor was a brothel in the early 1900s and the basement was a bomb shelter.



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Farm subsidies under attack and an ode to Bakersfield's nurseries in an excellent Spring

 * ... FARM SUBSIDIES: It appears farm subsidies are being targeted by congressional leaders trying to find ways to curtail spending. According to the Wall Street Journal, Republican House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan's blueprint for fiscal 2012 "puts agriculture subsidies in the cross hairs, seeking to cut $30 billion over a decade - starting when the next farm bill is passed in 2012 - out of a total of some $150 billion is total expected spending on farm subsidies." Expect a backlash from Valley farmers, who no doubt will be putting the pressure of Rep. Kevin McCarthy and Rep. Jim Costa for relief.

 * ... NURSERIES: My earlier post on local nurseries brought responses from some folks who felt I slighted other local nurseries like Robby's and Reimer's Wholesale Nursery. Robby's, located on Hageman Road, is one of our town's old standbys where the service is always prompt and the selection excellent. I haven't been to Reimers (9305 Norris Road) but Steven Ashby invited me to stop by. "The Reimers have been growing annual color flats for 25 years here in Bakersfield," he said. "My grandfather Carl Krauter had a nursery here in Bakersfield for over 60 years. I am a fourth generation nurseryman and I truly believe Reimer's Nursery is the best in town for high quality locally strong plants and service.".

 * ... SUBARU: Picked  up a new car at the local Sangera Subaru dealership recently and was happy to make the purchase from a local dealership. I also had the pleasure of dealing with a terrific salesman, Eric Leathers,  who made the process painless and comfortable. Turns out Eric's son Justin is a senior at Foothill High School and is headed to Lewis and Clark College outside of Portland, Oregon, on an academic scholarship. Congrats to this young man and  his parents, Eric and Esther Leathers.

 * ... COLLEGE BOUND: Speaking of college bound seniors, I heard that Rachel Goldner will be attending Fordham University in the Bronx this fall. She is graduating from Garces Memorial High School and is the daughter of county counsel Teri Goldner and Barry Goldner, a principal at Klein DeNatale Goldner law firm.

 * ... PEACOCK DAIRY: Jean Morgan wrote in to say she remembers both the old Peacock Dairy and the Teakwood  Dairy in Oildale as well. "Our family enjoyed home delivery from both. The bottle caps on each jug of milk carried a picture of either a peacock or an elephant. My older brothers thought that the milk came from those respective animals!  I am happy to say that they are older and wiser now!"

 * ... SPOTTED: Middle aged woman at a local Smart and Final uses her Food Stamps electronic debit card to buy three packs of sugar cookies, two vitamin drinks and a large pack of Dorito snack packs. (State Sen. Michael Rubio has introduced a bill which would prohibit the use of Food Stamps to buy "junk food.")

 * ... BAKERSFIELDISM: From Jack Bell: You know you're from Bakersfield  "if you used  to make snowmen out of tumbleweeds instead of snow!"

McCarthy: Congressman Ryan's proposed budget a realistic attempt to put America back on the right track

 Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Bakersfield) and House Majority Whip, submits his view from Capitol Hill. In his words:

 "This week, news of a government shutdown dominated the airwaves. It’s truly unfortunate we’ve come to this point. House Republicans have made every effort to avoid shutdown and continue working toward a
resolution. Remember, the only reason we’re here today is because when Democrats controlled the majority, they failed to propose a budget. The American people recognized this failure, and voted for a new
course in November. Republicans took the majority in the House with government only funded through the beginning of March, and got right to work trying to clean up the Democrats’ fiscal mess. On February 19,
we passed H.R. 1 to fund government through the end of the year and make necessary cuts to help get our nation’s fiscal house in order.

  "Not only did Senate Democrats reject H.R. 1, they failed to propose an alternative. Still, House Republicans have continued to work to avoida shutdown and reduce spending. We passed two short-term measures to save the American taxpayers $10 billion and keep government running. ow we’re at the precipice of a government shutdown yet again, and my colleagues and I’ve put forth yet another option to give Democrats another week to get their act together while ensuring funding for our troops and the Pentagon through the end of the fiscal year. Our nation owes its liberty to the brave military men and women who risk their lives every day to protect our freedom. House Republicans want to protect our troops and it’s shameful that Senate Democrats want to put politics before our armed forces. My colleagues and I will not sit by
as the other side does nothing. We remain committed to avoiding a shutdown and are working toward a resolution that changes the culture of Washington.
 
  "Meanwhile, Budget Chairman Paul Ryan unveiled a budget proposal for the next fiscal year that takes the discussion from billions of dollars in spending cuts to trillions. This budget represents a choice of two futures. We can either choose to honestly address our spending problem, put America on the path to prosperity and get people back to work, or continue down the road to fiscal disaster. Chairman Ryan’s
budget chooses to recharge the light of the shining city on the hill, and I wholeheartedly support it.

  "The Wall Street Journal called Congressman Ryan’s budget “the most serious attempt to reform government in at least a generation,” and they’re right. It cuts $6.2 trillion from the President’s budget over
ten years, reduces our deficit by $4.4 trillion and caps spending at pre-stimulus, pre-bailout levels. This is exactly the prescription economists and even the President’s own debt commission have recommended to get our economy back on track. In addition, our budget fully repeals and defunds Obamacare.

  "Our nation has serious challenges and you deserve the truth. We must eliminate the budget gimmicks and accounting tricks and have a fact-based discussion. I’ll continue to update you on the progress
here and I encourage anyone with any questions to contact me.

Tackling our litter problem, a pure act of kindness and a walk down memory lane with local readers

 * ... LITTER: Is there anything more annoying than how some people use our community as their personal waste basket? How many times have you come across a  local park trashed with yesterday's picnic supplies, or watched as someone casually tosses a soda cup out the car window?. Dianne Hoover, director of city Recreation and Parks, has the unenviable task of trying to get the community to rally around an anti litter campaign called "Litter: It's beneath us." Here's a good way to start: this Saturday is the Great American Cleanup day in Bakersfield when volunteers will help clear our community of litter and graffiti. It's a small step, but an important one. If you want to help, call (661) 326-3539.

 * ... LOCAL KID: Eleven-year-old Buddy Shepherd is into mini sprint car  racing and recently won the  main event at the Plaza Park Raceway in Visalia. Buddy is a pretty good racer, so that was not entirely unexpected, but what happened next was. Turns out a special needs youngster attends almost every race and sits in stands with his father, wildly waving miniature flags mimicking the real flagman. After Buddy was presented his trophy, he walked into the stands and presented it to the young man. "This was a pure act of kindness and class on Buddy's part," said Randy Raymond Sr., owner of Raymond's Trophy and Awards downtown. "The crowd went nuts and gave Buddy a standing ovation." That kind of kindness is not taught in schools, but comes from the heart and his family. Buddy, a fifth grader at Cesar Chavez school, is the son of Kellie and Dick Shepherd Jr., who own HS Body Works and Towing here in Bakersfield.

 * .... MEMORY LANE: Mike Hutson wrote to talk about the miniature golf course located at Goodman and Alta Vista Drive in East Bakersfield, adjacent to Shakey’s Pizza and across from Rosalie Stubbs Dance Studio. "The actual name was Alta Vista Miniature Golf Course and a wonderful gentleman named Lee Sullivan was the owner-operator. Mr. Sullivan was a postal worker who would open each day at 4 p.m. after his normal shift at the Post Office. A number of the 'regulars' was a group of us that hailed from Washington Jr. High and later BHS.  (In the 1960s and 1970s, the La Cresta-Garces area was in the BHS district).  While we enjoyed frequenting 'Sullies' often, it was not so much for the miniature golf, but rather the pinball machines. The games were 5 cents per play or 5 games for a quarter. Certainly the video games of our childhood!  The Lynn Company’s very own 'Hippo' Hanson and Elite Painting's Dave Wilkerson were the resident pinball wizards.  Many a weekday and virtually every weekend was spent fine tuning our pinball talents on games like 'Sweethearts' and the 'River Boat.' When our gaming funds were challenged, Mr. Sullivan would redeem as many empty Coke, 7Up and Dr. Pepper bottles we could get our hands on. While the foundation and structure of the property are long gone, the memories remain."

 * ... MORE MEMORIES: LaVone Walker writes that she loves my  "articles on Bakersfield heritage and history. When I was growing up in Bakersfield in the 1950s my dad would take us roller staking every Friday and Saturday night at the Starlight  Roller Rink on West Kentucky, close to Union Avenue. The rink had a mirrored ball. Jim Huber, the owner, would turn the lights out and turn on the mirrored ball. It was  so romantic to hold your partner's hand and skate to the 1950s music. Later, the Starlight hosted concerts with Fats Domino, Ricky Nelson, the Everly Brother and many other. Jim later opened Stake Land on Ming  Avenue. His daughter was the Women's World Rollerskating Champion."

 * ... CREAMERY: From reader Pat Glenn: "With all the discussion of Wayne's Drive-in, does anyone remember the Peacock Ice Creamery just east of Union, on either 18th or 19th street? It was named for Wayne Peacock, a big dairyman in the area." 

Bako Bits: Non profits hard at work in a Bakersfield spring and a tribute to a Marine

  * ... MAKE A WISH: Hats off to the  caring students at San Joaquin Valley College's Associated Student Body who raised $9,000 for the Make-a-Wish  Foundation. The money will go to cover the cost of a Disney cruise for the family of 6-year-old Kaleb, who has undergone two liver transplants. Foundation director Cathy Anspach told me the students became aware of Kaleb's struggles and went to work raising money through car washes, food sales, raffles and other events.

 * ... STOLEN FLAMINGOS: Remember the pink yard flamingos that were stolen out of yards recently? They were placed there by the girls Challenge Team at St. Francis Parish School to raise money to help fight cancer. Principal Cindy Meek contacted me to say she received an apology letter from one person who had stolen some flamingos out of a yard in Westchester. "She did not realize they were a fund raiser and she sent a cashier's check for $200 which we are donating to Relay for Life," Cindy said. "No word about the flock that was stolen off the corner of 21st Street and Spruce or the one stolen in the Bakersfield Country Club."THe Challenge Team "flocks" yards with the plastic flamingos in the home that homeowners will donate to the fight against cancer.

 * ... RADIO: Have you heard about "Californian Radio" on American General Media's 1230 AM station? Starting this week from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. you can hear columnist Lois Henry, Opinion editor Robert Price, Executive Editor John Arthur and myself five days a week. It's all part of AGM's rebranding of the station as SmartTalk1230 featuring consumer news, local news, opinion and financial news. The station will also feature Dennis Miller, Lou Dobbs, Dave Ramsey, Wall Street Journal Radio and Red Eye Radio, among others. We hope you tune in, or better yet, give us a call while we're on the air.

 * ... TRIBUTE: Received this touching note from Rick Isle on April 1: "My mother, Evelyn (Evie) Isle called me today to share that 66 years ago today, my dad Roy Isle, led a group of US Marines onto a beach on Okinawa.  A year later, September 9, 1946, he married mom here in Bakersfield. Dad passed away Jan. 11, 2000.  I bet those Marines were thinking of April Fools."

 * ... SPRING: You know it's Spring in Bakersfield if you find yourself anxious for the weekend to visit  White Forest Nursery or Bolles..

 * ... BAKERSFIELDISM: You know you're a Bakersfield old timer if you "remember the annual football games between Kern County Union High School and Phoenix high school in Arizona. The rivalry ended in the 1950s due to cost." Thanks to Anthony Bernal for submitting this one.

The Fiddler children establish an endowment at CSUB and more on the old Bako eateries

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 * ... REMEMBERING CLAUDE: Claude Fiddler, the long-time Chevron geologist who died last year, left a lasting legacy in his generosity to the community in ways he never broadcast. And now his children have donated $100,000 to Cal State Bakersfield in the form of the Claude Fiddler Endowment to fund research in geology and other related fields. One can not help but be impressed by the commitment of this family to giving back, and certainly Claude and his late wife Shirley passed it on to their children, Linda and David. For those of us who knew Claude and Shirley, it is not surprising that their children have picked up where their parents left off in living a life that embraces community and the spirit of giving. What kind of legacy do you want to leave? 

  * ... SPOTTED: Kudos to the trim, bearded middle-aged man spotted on Alfred Harrell Highway across from the soccer park Saturday morning. His late model Camry was parked on the side of the road and he was alone, picking up trash in a public right of  way. Why? Because he cared enough to do so.
 

 * ... OLD HAUNTS: Reader Jean Gillian submitted this nugget about old Bako eateries: "Wayne's Drive-in also had an inside cafe. Their chili size was the best high cholesterol meal one could eat. You could also pick up their donuts, milk and ice cream to go. Across 5th Street was Reed and Bell Root Beer stand with iced mugs for your drink and the best hamburgers you can imagine. The owners went on to open the Carriage House with wonderful food. Let us not forget Helen Lovegreen's Southern Kitchen at Chester and 6th Street.  Delicious chicken, home made biscuits and pies and you could also have your fortune told. Further down Chester was Mr. and Mrs of Radio Fame. Interesting place. So many places to eat and it was good!"

 * ... MORE WAYNE'S: Another post on Wayne's came in from Dick Ferris: "I must correct the March 28th writer. Yes, Warren's was a favorite for burgers. In fact you could get five for $1 in the late 1940s. However Wayne's Drive-In was a few blocks north and was most certainly a drive-in. I will never forget Wayne's, because my grandparents bought me a chocolate shake that was so good I had them buy me another one. Bad decision, because I got sick and decorated the parking lot with both of them. While I am at it, has anyone remembered Reed and Bell Root Beer Drive In across the street from Wayne's on the northwest corner, and Budge-in on the other side of Chester? The Ferris family spent many happy times at the many Bakersfield drive-ins."

* ... MORE GOOD DEEDS: Happy to put the spotlight on a group of kids out at Seven Oaks who have made a habit of raising money for local worthy causes. Dave Morton, vice president of AC Electric, said it started last summer when his 12 year-old daughter Juliana announced that she wanted to have a bake sale to raise money for the St. Vincent de Paul Center. Julianna, her sisters, 14-year-old Katherine and 9-year-old Caroline Morton, and her best friend Annie Stone set up shop on Thornwood Drive between the 5th and 6th holes of the Islands Course at Seven Oaks.  They raised $357. That led to more bake sales for the Bakersfield Homeless Center, SPCA and most recently, Relay for Life. Over the month these young ladies have raised and donated more that $2,000 all on their own. They have since adopted the name "Sugar Coated Angels." And that's a feel good story.

*... WHO KNEW? Bob Weir, founding member of the Grateful Dead, sang about Bakersfield in a single on his first solo album in 1972. The song was called "Mexicali Blues"; the album was "Ace."

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