Government roundup: Bright House bills on the rise and much more
| Tuesday, Feb 02 2010 04:40 PM
Last Updated Tuesday, Feb 02 2010 04:40 PM
Bright House Networks customers will see an increase in cable bills starting March 1, the company announced to city officials.
Costs for limited basic will rise from $16.95 to $17.95, expanded basic from $34.50 to $36.50 and standard service -- which combines the two -- from $51.45 to $54.45.
Got HBO? You'll see a $1.50 monthly jump. Digital tier pricing will rise a dollar to $5. Customers with the SD DVR (digital video recorder) option will also pay a buck more, with the monthly fee going to $8.95
Voice mail service will go up by $1, but most phone and Internet pricing won't change. There's one decrease on the books: Customers with all three Bright House services will see a monthly $4 drop for Unlimited Nationwide Home Phone service, which will cost $31.60.
An effort to create an off-roading facility in Bakersfield got a boost from a new partner: the local YMCA.
While prospects aren't good for a facility on an 80-acre, city-owned sump at Highway 58 and Mount Vernon Avenue, proponent David Rogers told a City Council committee Monday the "spot is immaterial."
"We'd like it in the Bakersfield area," he told the Community Services Committee.
Rogers first brought the proposal to committee members Jacquie Sullivan, David Couch and Sue Benham in November. City staff weren't thrilled with liability issues. Rogers was also advised to partner with a nonprofit.
He returned Monday, enthusiastic as ever, with an off-road convert at his side: Joslynn Skelton, executive director of the YMCA of Kern County.
"I didn't realize how large it truly is," Skelton told the committee.
The family friendly sport perfectly matches YMCA goals by building strong kids, strong families and a strong community, she said, adding she hopes the Bakersfield project could become a pilot program nationally for the YMCA.
"We're so excited about it," Skelton said.
Rogers said he has been flooded with supportive calls and is possibly looking at private property for a site. The 80-acre size is ideal, he said. A facility in Hesperia he sees as the ideal model actually pays that city to operate.
Councilmember Couch asked whether city-owned land in the southeast that will eventually be used to spread treated wastewater might serve as a temporary site, though an answer was not immediately available.
City staffers said in addition to environmental issues at the sump site, they have since learned it can help waive $1 million in mitigation costs needed for several major highway interchange projects under construction. The city is looking at building artificial dens for kit foxes and state Fish and Game staffers especially like the 58 and Mount Vernon location, said City Manager Alan Tandy.
"Don't forget Kern County has more areas that are not urbanized," Tandy said to Rogers.
"But I like you so much, Alan," Rogers replied.
The Community Services Committee also sent proposed changes to the city's ordinance governing the riverside bike path to the full city council.
One update would be a name change to the Kern River Trail. The path is now called the Kern River Bicycle Trail. Usage is open to pedestrians, skaters, joggers and other non-motorized users, so trail advocates hope the name change will reinforce the multi-use element.
Another change would require dogs to be on a six-foot or shorter leash.
The changes came out of a community meeting in November.
Do you drive on the west side of town? If so, you might want to attend an informational meeting tonight on upcoming construction of the Westside Parkway's second phase.
Roadwork slated to start later this year will create several major detours for north-south traffic on several routes. The Californian will write a separate story on upcoming construction impacts later.
Tonight's informational meeting runs from 4:30-7:30 p.m. at Columbia Elementary School, 703 Mondavi Way. You can stop by any time during those hours to see exhibits and ask questions. A presentation will be given at 5:30 and repeated at 6:30.
Phase two construction includes about four east-west miles between Mohawk Street and Allen Road.
For more information, visit the Thomas Roads Improvement Program website at www.bakersfieldfreeways.us.
Kern County Roads Department officials have put up "no parking" signs along the road leading to the U.S. Borax mine in Boron, which locked out 560 workers Sunday morning.
Kern County Roads Commissioner Craig Pope said the mining corporation approached his department asking for the signs. The company was referred to the Kern County Sheriff's Department -- which recommended the signs go up, Pope said.
Sheriff Donny Youngblood said his deputies, who are providing security at the mine, need the ability to prevent a "gang of cars" driving into the area and blocking off the road if violence erupts like it did during a strike in 1974.
"The history from 1974 is very fresh in my mind," Youngblood said.
He said the current situation is more controlled and violence seems less likely.
But, Youngblood said, replacement workers, locked out employees and deputies all have to have a quick, safe route out of the area if violence does break out.
Youngblood said his deputies can't, however, provide security indefinitely.
"We cannot economically afford to have 12 people out there on overtime," he said. "The more money we spend on this incident the less we have at budget time. (Money) means jobs."
-- Compiled by staff writers Gretchen Wenner and James Burger
