Bureaucrat Beat
Written by Benett Kessler Friday, 12 March 2010 12:50
Let's start today with Hollywood and then dive into the dark, snarly depths of bureaucracy. Ruminations on the Oscars - "Avatar" filmmakers learned once again that you have to be human to win an award. We think you will find the 3D version of "Avatar" quite the experience - human or not.
Movieland just loves a remake. Right now, Tim Burton's "Alice in Wonderland" dazzles moviegoers with 3D and 2D versions. Not far behind, so say insiders, a remake of "The Wizard of Oz." Word has it that Hollywood wants to revisit Oz and spin out Wizard 2 and then a story about Dorothy's granddaughter in Oz. Well, okay, but how can you beat Judy Garland and her pals?
For those out there who miss Jerry Seinfeld and have found his new venture, "Marriage Ref" less than satisfying? Listen to this. Jerry will do an evening of stand-up comedy to benefit the Reprise Theatre Company where former "Seinfeld" costar Jason Alexander sits as artistic director.
Of course, to see the Jer live would mean a trip to Beverly Hills. April 8th at the Saban Theatre.
Okay, enough of dazzle. Down home here's the first note - CHP officers have thoughtfully staked out the new four-lane highways in and out of Independence where travelers whiz on through town with warp speed. One officer told us that the CHP will work to slow down traffic. Thank goodness. Caltrans promised that the new sidewalks would "calm the traffic."
We in the Bureaucrat Beat newsroom, with a bird's eye view of the new highway, knew that was falderal. The CHP stopped a speeder north of Independence. When asked about the town they had just zipped through, the driver said, "What town?" He tore through the little town so fast, it was all a blur. Way to go, Caltrans.
From highway nonsense to statistical versions of the truth. At a past Mammoth Town Council meeting, consultant Brian Godbe explained to officials and citizens how his firm surveyed Mammoth voters and gauged their support for a new utility users tax.
Godbe found out that Mammoth people are satisfied with the quality of life in town. The survey asked about the most important issue. The largest percentage - roughly 1/3 - named the economy and jobs. Other issues include population and development, the town budget, the cost of living and leadership.
Godbe said of Mammoth's people that they "understand there is a crisis" but feel optimistic about the future. 65% of those surveyed like town services. People also like the low crime rate and access to the national forest and to parks and trails.
Sounds like officials should keep an eye on the number one issue - the economy and jobs. This undoubtedly holds true for Inyo County, too.
It takes work to keep track of everything in life. One thing you might want to jot down - Sunday at 2 am marks the start of Daylight Saving Time. We lose an hour, basically, when we spring ahead. Of course, you don't have to get up at 2am, just turn the clock ahead Saturday night. Away we go - at least a week of inner confusion as we watch the light and the clock and feel like we're still behind.
Sounds like we have fallen behind, again, when it comes to the global health. The McClatchy Newspapers reported that lower levels of oxygen in the Earth's oceans, particularly off the Pacific Northwest coast, could be another sign of fundamental changes linked to global climate change, according to scientists.
Seems that some spots off the coast of Washington and Oregon show the almost complete absence of oxygen with dead sea creatures piling up. Scientists are still unsure of the long-term implications. Wow.
And, Mono Supervisor Hap Hazard took care to look into a 
health care issue in which an Alameda man said he struggled with Mammoth Hospital for a week to get his broken leg taken care of. Mono County investigated since they give money to Mammoth Hospital for charity care. Hazard said the investigation proved that the County's safety net for those without insurance did work. Problems, in this case, seemed to arise after initial care and stabilization. Hazard wanted citizens without health insurance to know for sure that they should go to the hospital emergency room if they have a serious problem without fear of being turned away.
With that, this is Benett Kessler signing off for Bureaucrat Beat where we await your word on our lives in the Eastern Sierra and beyond.
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Subscribe to this comment's feedwritten by Jose , March 12, 2010
written by Jason , March 12, 2010
written by BryAnna , March 13, 2010
written by Rob , March 14, 2010
written by CL , March 14, 2010
written by James , March 15, 2010
Hopefully someone in authority has noticed how narrow and potentially unsafe the sidewalk is in front of Independence Hall since the new roadway has opened. You can practically jump, if not trip, from the steps directly into oncoming traffic.
I've never agreed with the "sidewalks to nowhere" argument, although I love the metaphor. They make the town look better and it is likely much safer for pedestrians. They also make an optimistic statement about the town's future, although recent events with the proposal to relocate the new main courthouse complex to Bishop is disappointing and potentially devastating to Independence businesses and community.
Sadly the great-looking roadway makes parts of the rest of the town look "dilapidated" and "shopworn". The abandoned Mairs Market is looking shabby and unkempt. The old, abandoned Pines Cafe should either be torn down or refurbished by its owner - LADWP. The old gas station at the north end of town looks godawful. At least put it behind a high screened fence to the townspeople and visitors alike don't have to look at it.
As to the speeding issue, it is a problem in Big Pine as well. And it is a problem which local communities were well aware when they insisted on the highway to go through the towns. Nevertheless, I could never understand why flashing lights could not be installed at both ends of town cautioning motorists to "slow down". I'm not a fan of traffic cameras as they have been so often abused, but some solutions to the speeding need to be found.
Despite aesthetic and safety issues, Independence remains a great town. Keep the faith!
written by G. Adams , March 15, 2010
Editor's Note:
No one is blaming sidewalks for anything. It was Caltrans engineers who insisted that sidewalks would act as "traffic calming" devises to slow down motorists. It's not happening.
No one has suggested a washboard, either. How about an effective devise. Don't we pay Caltrans people to find real solutions to traffic issues?
Benett Kessler
written by James , March 17, 2010
Editor's Note:
Really good suggestion. Thanks.
BK
written by bltnmammoth , March 17, 2010
written by Scott , March 17, 2010
Editor's Note:
The business owners were very fearful that a bypass would put them under, and perhaps it would've. These are painful decisions that people make in an effort to survive. I'm sorry you feel so self-righteous about how things unfolded in Independence.
While some people did prefer a bypass, they agreed, in solidarity with the business owners, to not object to a four-lane. These are not easy decisions and your haughtiness is not well-placed.
Benett Kessler,
resident of Independence
written by Durrell Coleman , March 17, 2010
Device is spelled with a 'c'.
Editor's Note on Un-editor's note:
Thank you!
BK
written by Rick O'Brien , March 17, 2010
written by Rob , March 18, 2010
written by Bob Kimball , March 18, 2010
written by Cindy , March 18, 2010
written by C Branscombe , March 18, 2010
written by Rick O'Brien , March 18, 2010
written by James , March 19, 2010
And let's not blame small communities for their not wanting bypasses around their towns. Just look into what happened to communities and businesses along the I-5 and Hwy 99 north in the San Joaguin Valley. They are community and business-killers, although there is something to be said for "truck by-passes", if only they could be restricted to such. Oh well, we live in a world fraught with problems, don't we? Even solutions come with their own set of problems.
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