You Can Help Fight Against Unhitched Trailer Blight

Councilman Greig Smith's office  has been working on solutions to the blight of trailers with large advertisements parked on city streets. 

Recently the City Council passed a resolution supporting Assembly Bill 2756, introduced by Assemblymembers Feuer and Blumenfield.

The bill would ban these mobile billboards in the state of California, unless a local community specifically allows them. If it passes, the city  can begin work on an ordinance to ban them outright within city limits. 

Visit tiny.cc/StopBlight to voice your support for the bill.

Thanks for Day of the Horse

Dear Editor:

My family attended the Day of the Horse. We had a lovely time as a family and really enjoyed the day. The ranch was amazing inside and my kids loved meeting so many friendly horses all in one day.

The sock horses we made there have become one of life's big joy and are the main reason I am writing today. It was such a wonderful craft and such a simple, beautiful toy for the kids to enjoy. I now have three galloping children enjoying their creations. They even ride them around while they do chores. We were also surprised that our five year old got right in the middle of the herd and ran with all the other sock-horse riding kids. He's been talking about it all week.

As a family strapped for cash this year, I want to express my appreciation for the Chatsworth Council paying for the horses and the hotdogs and hamburgers. It meant a lot to attend a low cost event full of fun for everyone. It reminds me why I love Chatsworth so much.

I know there are lots of ways to spend money and I want you to know that we appreciate it when you keep the events accessible. We had so much fun and learned a lot that day.

Nikki Maxwell
Our Community School parent


Septic System Issue

Dear Editor:

Sunland-Tujunga's Neighborhood Council hosted quite a tangle between property owners and representatives from the Bureau of Sanitation (BOS) over AB 885.

AB 885 directs the State Water Resources Board to create minimal septic system regulations. The bill's goal is to solve problems like the presence of unusual amounts of fecal bacteria in drinking water resources.

Signed into law in 2000, its regulations are about to be finalized, and if you own a septic tank, this law will most likely affect you financially. The BOS wanted homeowners (including those in Chatsworth) to bear a $900 cost of mandatory
septic tank inspections, as well as the cost of repair or replacement or, alternatively, hook-up to the public sewer system.

The BOS estimates the repair, replacement or hook-up cost could be up to $30,000. Yet, residents confirmed quotes of up to $100,000. That's right, $100,000 in an era when many homeowners are hard pressed to provide their families with basic necessities.

It's not that angry residents lack of sympathy for treasured water resources. Rather, this is about
authorities whose cavalier actions left homeowners wondering whether they have the resources to continue living in their homes.

Now, here's the rub: AB 885 was inspired by the federal Clean Water Act which only applies to
waters where septic systems are identified as contributing to pollutants. I am not aware that the BOS proved that unsafe levels even exist anywhere in our district, let alone come from septic tanks.

Under those conditions, it's hard to rationalize bankrupting homeowners.

Thankfully, resident reaction has sent BOS back to the drawing board. Here are some
suggestions:

1. The State Water Resources Board should rewrite the regulations so that Californians aren't threatened with financial ruin.

2. Test the water! Mass septic tank inspections paid for by the homeowners for a hypothetical
problem simply will not do. The BOS should hire an independent firm to perform spot water
analysis. If these tests prove the existence of pollutants, then and only then should there be a
determination whether the unsafe levels can be traced to septic tanks;

3. If it cannot be proven that there is a hazard, leave the community to deal with their septic problems..

4. There must be a way to radically cut estimated costs of repair or replacement. The BOS reps alluded to financial assistance, but couldn't come up with any source or amount. The BOS must do better than that before implementing these regulations

5. Finally, make sure there is no connection between the testers, the companies licensed to make
repairs and governmental institutions.

Residents have the impression that this endeavor is a plan to line the pockets of big political contributors. Leaders need to earn our trust. They've done a sorry job in this instance.

I applaud efforts to make BOS listen. Hopefully, the BOS is up to the challenge. Residents
deserve success and I will do what I can to make sure you are not forgotten.

Diana Shaw
Candidate for the 38th Assembly District