Taft Conley School

February 22 - 28, 2013 TAFT INDEPENDENT

February 22 - 28, 2013 • Volume 7 Issue 32www.Taftindependent.com“Serving the West Kern County Communities of Taft, South Taft, Ford City, Maricopa, Fellows, McKittrick, Derby Acres, Dustin Acres, and the Cuyama Valley”

[email protected] TaftIndependent

Twenty Lincoln Student Essay Winners Receive Free Computers From Taft Correctional Institution

Alan

QIK SMOG & TUNEYour Hometown Auto Care Center500 S. 10th Street(661) 763-4445

Conley School Receives $5,000 Education Grant from Synagro

Taft College\Westec Now Offering Court Reporting Program

See Us About Low Income CAP Program. Up to $500 Available for Smog Related Auto Repairs.No Matter Where You Failed Smog Test, Come See Us! No Appointment Necesssary.

2 TAFT INDEPENDENT February 22 - 28, 2013

Shop Taft

1277 Kern Street (661)765-6899

Ten Percent Firearms

523 Finley Drive • 765-7147 • Mon-Fri 8am-5pm Sat 8am-1pm

Tire & Automotive Service Center

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Must Present Coupon at Time of Purchase

$3.50 Oil Disposal FeeExp. January 30, 2013

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& Brake CheckPlus

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& tire pressure

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Passion For Nails

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Nail Services:HOLIDAY SPECIAL

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Men & Seniors & Diabetics Welcome

1014 6th Street • TaftIn the Save A Lot Shopping Center

(661)745-4913

CHECK-IN TO OUR FACEBOOK PAGE AND GET $1 OFF

A Hint of ClassInside The Historic Fort • 623-1783 • 763-1700

915 N. 10th Street Suite 34

REJUV 10 23 Healthy Face and Body Spa

Elaine Arnold, OwnerPedicures, Manicures @ Detoxing

Dee Morgan, EstheticianFacials Waxing and Microdermabrasion

Samantha HagstromMassage Therapist

European and Hot StonePrenatal Massage

510 6th Street, Ste. A - Taft(661) 765-2335

Fine Jewelry • Gifts 14K Gold • Sterling Silver Black Hills Gold • Jewelry Repair • Watch Batteries

Candles • And More!

426 Center Street (661)763-5451

426 CENTER STREET • 661.763.5451

acme jewelry co.F i n e J e w e l r y

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Small town, family owned, low overhead.We can save you money on quality jewelry!

Store Hours:Tuesday to Friday 9:30am - 5:00pm

Saturday 10:00am - 2:00pmClosed Sunday and Monday

Watch Batteries Replaced

Most $4.00Some $8.00

421 & 423 Center (661)763-3527608 Center St.

Used to be Paul’sBike Shop

745-4919

The New 2013 bikes are here! Start your Christmas shopping

now with our lawaway plan.

1277 Kern Street (661)765-6899

Ten Percent Firearms

Spring Arrivals! Garden, Clothing & Home Decor.

Personal Style

423 Center Street • 763-3527

Geiger Construction & Plumbing

24 Hours/ 7 Days a WeekSe Habla Espanol 661-301-4660

Residential • Commercial

Fast • Friendly • Affordable661-765-4377

Cement & Asphalt Cutting

Lic # B-721903

SALE!New Arrivals

Just In!LA Idol, Bermuda,

Capris and Jeans - Regu-lar and Plus Size

Spring Fashions Arriving Now!

610 Center Street • 661-745-4954Prepaid Phones, Accessories & Cards

Gran Venta del 2013Sabado y Domingo Solamente

*Telefonos GRATIS**Telefonos Android desde $79.99*Planes de Llamadas Ilimitadas*

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Blue Jeans & BlingHats, Jewelry, Purses & More

Miss Me • LA Idol Nicole Lee • Grace In LA

Monday - Friday 11am to 6pmSaturday 10am to 5pm

Women’s Sizes 0-21 Women’s Plus Sizes

Children’s Jeans & Shirts

763-9100Host a partyVisit us on [email protected]

401 Center Street

Boutique


Community Events.........3

News Briefs......................3

Recreation Report..........4

Westside News.................5

Westside News.................6

Westside News.................7

Movie Review...................8

Classified Ads.................10

Opinion and Feature....11

Shop Taft........................12

Inside

The Taft Independent

508 Center StreetP.O. Box 268

Taft, California 93268(661) 765-6550

Fax (661) 765-6556

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.TaftIndependent.com

Locally and Independently owned since 2006

The Taft Independent is a locally owned community newspaper published weekly on Fridays for your enjoyment and reading pleasure. We publish 3,500 issues and distribute to over 225 locations in the city of Taft and the neighboring communities of Cuyama Valley, McKittrick, Maricopa, Fellows and Western Kern County, California.

The Independent is available free of charge, limited to one copy per reader. Additional copies are $1 each. The contents of the Taft Independent are copyrighted by the Taft Independent, and may not reproduced without specific written permission from the publisher.

We welcome contributions and suggestions. Our purpose is to present news and issues of importance to our readers.

SUBSCRIPTIONS. Subscription home or businessdelivery of the Taft Independent is available for $6.50 per month or $78.00 per year. To subscribe to please call 765-6550.

LETTERS-TO-THE-EDITOR.Send us your letter to Taft Independent at the above address. Limit it to 300 words and include your name, address, and phone number. Fax: (661) 765-6556. Email your letter to: [email protected].

ADVERTISING.Display Ads: Rates and special discounts are available. Contact our advertising representative at (661) 765-6550, or email to [email protected]: Call 765-6550 or fax us at (661) 765-6556. Phone orders are taken. Visa and Master Card accepted.

Publisher and Editor-in-ChiefMichael J. Long

[email protected]

Advertising

Contributing Writers Kent Miller,

Wesley Morris, Nicole Frost

ColumnistsRandy Miller

Jane McCabe, Dr. Harold Pease

Subscriptions\DeliveryTim Webb, Patrick Harget

Member California NewspaperPublishers Association

Printed in California

News BriefsTaft California

“Home of the Taft Oilworkers Monument” “Gateway to the Carrizo Plain National Monument”

Have a community event that you would like to include? Email us at [email protected]

Visit Us Onlinetaftindependent.com

Bike Shop

Calendar

Grandma’s Attic Resumes at Taft Library Grandma’s Attic Storytime resumes at the Taft Branch Library on Satur-day, January 19, 2013 and will continue every Saturday morning at 10:30 a.m. through April 20. Aimed at 5 to 8 year-olds, Grandma’s Attic offers an old trunk full of surprises and stories presented by a different volunteer reader each week. Children who participate will receive a form to return to their teacher for credit in their school reading program. Parents are always welcome to attend, or may enjoy some library or computer time while their child is occupied. Also starting on Thursday, January 17 at 11:45 a.m. is Preschool Storytime, for 3 to 5 year-olds. Join us for stories and fun for the younger set. For more information, call 763-3294 or visit the library at 27 Emmons Park Drive.

Ethics Training Class March 14th The City of Taft will be hosting an Ethics Training Class on Thursday, March 14, 2013, 6:00 p.m., in the Taft City Hall Council Chamber. Ethics Training is required for elected and appointed officials every 2 years. Mr. David Prentice of Cota Cole Law Firm will be the presenter. Any city or district wishing to join us for the training are welcome. Please RSVP prior to Wednesday, March 6, 2013, so that Mr. Prentice will have sufficient training materials and Certificates of Completion for everyone attending the class.

426 CENTER STREET • 661.763.5451

acme jewelry co.F i n e J e w e l r y

Fine Jewelry • Candles • Gifts

14K Gold • Sterling Silver

Black Hills Gold • Jewelry Repair

Watch Batteries

Small town, family owned, low overhead.We can save you money on quality jewelry!

Store Hours:Tuesday to Friday 9:30am - 5:00pm

Saturday 10:00am - 2:00pmClosed Sunday and Monday

New Inventory

Hand Made

Greeting Cards by Donna

Sterling Silver Knuckle Rings $5.00

New Arrival of different Clocks.

426 Center Street (661)763-5451

Kern County History Day Competition Slated for March 2 February 19, 2013 — Dozens of 4th through 12th grade students will com-pete at the 30th annual Kern County History Day from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 2 at the Larry E. Reider Educational Center, 2000 K Street in Bakersfield. History Day, which is free to the public, features students competing as individu-als or in groups in one of six categories: exhibits, documentaries, performances, Web sites, historical papers and posters. An awards ceremony follows at 2 p.m. in the Kern CountyBoard of Supervisors Chambers, 1115 Truxtun Ave. History Day encourages students to explore a historical subject related to a yearly theme. This year’s theme is “Turning Points in History.” Students sharpen skills as researchers, writers, artists, documentarians, Web site developers and perform-ers in the preparation of their projects. Winners in each category are eligible to participate in the History Day state finals, April 26 & 27 in Sacramento. State winners can advance to the National History Day competition held in Maryland in June. Kern County History Day is presented by the Kern County Superintendent of Schools office. For more information, contact Christine Goedhart-Humphrey, student events coordinator, at (661) 636-4330.

Westside Little League Sign-ups On-lineTaft’s Westside Little League is currently offering sign-up for the new season. To register, go to www.taftwestsidelittleleague.org

ARC Irish Bunco March 2nd The Taft ARC will sponsor and Irish Bunco fundraiser at 204 Van Buren St. on March 2nd. Cost is $25 per person. Dinner is included and begins at 5pm. There will be a 50 / 50 drawing at halftime. For tickets call 763-1532 ext. 1.

Kern’s best junior high and middle school musicians, vocalists ready for an-nual Honor Music Festival Approximately 400 of the best junior high and middle school musicians and vocalists from dozens of schools will perform in the 66th annual Kern County Honor Music Festival, which is free to the public, Feb. 26 at 7 p.m. at Rabobank Convention Center. Students had to prove themselves in demanding auditions and maintain perfect attendance in three weeks of intense rehearsals. Guest band conductor will be Gary P. Gilroy, professor of music and director of bands at California State University, Fresno, where he built one of the finest col-legiate marching bands on the west coast. Professor of music at California State University, Fullerton Christopher Peterson will lead the choir. The orchestra will be led by cellist, Dr. Dieter Wulfhorst, who teaches orchestra and related courses at Fresno Pacific University. Each of the three sections will perform a variety of music selections individually, before ending the concert with a collective rendition of the patriotic number “Battle Hymn of the Republic.” The event is presented by the Kern County Superintendent of Schools (KCSOS) and Kern County Music Educators Association in cooperation with the Panama-Buena Vista Union School District. Call Christine Goedhart-Humphrey, KCSOS student eventscoordinator, at(661) 636-4330, for more information.

ROGER MILLER INSURANCEa division of DiBuduo & DeFendis Insurance Group

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E-Mail: [email protected] Hometown Insurance Store

Rich Miller • Jordan MillerKathy Devine • Shelly Hamilton

4 TAFT INDEPENDENT February 22 - 28, 2013Editorial

Westside Watcher

Your Guide To The Best Restaurants and Entertainment on the Westside

The Taft

Restaurant and Entertainment Guide

Independent

Asian ExperienceAsian Food and Pizza

Lunch and DinnerTuesday - Friday

11 am - 2 pm 4 pm - 9 pmSaturday 4 pm - 9 pm

215 Center Street, Taft763- 1815

Black Gold Cafe & DeliPastas - Sandwiches

Espresso - Beer - WineCraft Beers

Open Monday to Friday6:30am to 8pm

Saturday7:30am to 8pm

Sunday10am to 2pm

508 Center Street765-6556

Tumbleweed Café and Steakhouse

Steak, Seafood, Wild Game, Full Bar

Monday – Friday 6 am to 2 pmSaturday – Sunday 7 am – 2 pm

Dinner Hours Friday and Saturday 6 pm to 9 pm24870 Highway 33, Derby Acres

768-4655

Paik’s Ranch HouseWhere Everybody Meets

Breakfast, Lunch and DinnerOpen 7 Days

Mon. Tues. Wed., Thur. 6 am-8:30 pm

Sun. Fri. & Sat. 6 am - 9 pm765-6915 200 Kern St. Taft

Sagebrush Annie’sRestaurant and Wine Tasting

Wine Tasting and Lunch Sat. & Sun. 11:30-5 pm

4211 Highway 33, Ventucopa(661) 766-2319

514 Center Street • (661)765-7469LIKE us on Facebook: Fox Theatre Taft

TAFTFOX.COM

Week of Friday, February 22, 2013 through Thurs-day, February 28, 2013

A Good Day to Die Hard (R) No Passes AllowedFri & Sat: (5:30), 7:45

Sun: (3:30), (5:30)Mon - Thu: 7:15 PM

Identity Thief (R) No Passes AllowedFri & Sat: (5:15), 7:30

Sun: (3:15), (5:30)Mon - Thu: 7:00 PM

Warm Bodies (PG-13) Fri & Sat: (5:00), 7:00, 9:00

Sun: (3:00), (5:00), 7:00Mon - Thu: 7:15 PM

Tue - Thu: 7:00 PM

Visit Us Online

taftindependent.com

Paik’sRanch House Restaurant

“Where Everybody Meets”

Breakfast, Lunch & DinnerOpen 7 Days

Mon, Tues, Wed., Thurs - 6 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Fri. Sat. and Sun. 6 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

765-6915200 Kern Street, Taft, Ca.

One of the newest classes that are being offered at the Westside Recreation a

Time to Clean-up the Westside Last Friday morning, the newly established Greater Taft Economic Development Authority embarked on a tour of Taft and the county areas surrounding the city to get a good look at the blight, unsightly trash, run down buildings and other properties that grace the entrance and neighborhoods of Taft. To put it bluntly, until now county government has failed the people of Taft and the Westside when it comes to code enforcement and neighborhood health and welfare. But that is about to change. Newly elected Fourth District Su-pervisor David Couch has de-cided to make the clean-up of the Westside a priority and work with Taft city government and the newly created Greater Taft Area Economic Development Authority to target blight and the awful structures that harm neighborhoods and property values. This is good news for local residents. Couch, who took office in January this year, is taking code enforcement very seriously and al-ready has identified more than 80 properties that need to be addressed in South Taft, Taft Heights and Ford City. The Kern County Grand Jury is also getting involved. Last August, the Taft Independent wrote a letter of complaint to the Grand Jury about the lack of code enforcement in South Taft and Ford City and asked for an investigation into why structures were allowed to stand in otherwise nice family neighborhoods, even after they burned down or became havens for criminal activity and drug abuse. This week the Grand Jury sent a letter to the Independent advising that a report will be prepared and posted on their website in May 2013. While it’s nice that the Grand Jury has taken up this issue, were con-vinced that lack of funding and a historical lack of interest by elected officials are the reason that blight has been allowed to exist. Recently, the Kern County Board of Supervisors, at the request of Supervisor Couch, took action on two homes on D Street in Taft Heights. The cost to take down the two houses and clean-up the prop-erties, which has already occurred, cost the county nearly $40,000. The bill for the clean-up will stick with the property, and will be paid eventually by the property owner upon sale, if that ever happens. This is the way government is suppose to work, and it is only the beginning. Supervisor Couch has committed to cleaning up these neighbor-hoods and giving hope to those neighbors who have had to live by these structures. We applaud Couch’s determination to help Westside residents and hope that the rest of the board of supervisors take blight on the Westside seriously and funds the clean-up and demolition of these structures that so badly effect the community.

Health Care Foundation, District to Hold Community Meeting Feb. 28th The West Side Health Care Foundation, a 501c-3 non-profit foundation, was formed inNovember of 2011. Our goal is to work with the West Side Health Care District to improve our health care services here in Taft and the surrounding communi-ties.

To kick things off, we have scheduled a Community Meeting for Thursday, February 28, 2013, at 6:00 p.rn., at the Historic Fort on io” Street. Hor d’oeuvers will be served beginning at 5:30p.m., no reservation is needed.

We will hear from the West Side Health Care District on their plans to improve our health care services on the Westside and how we can all help. We know from past projects that when the West Side community gets together on important projects, good things happen!

We would like to extend an invitation to you to come and hear what exciting things are underway and explore how we can all help the District improve health care on the Westside.

Feel free to call any of the Officers with questions or ideas.

Bob J. HamptonPresident

Senator Fuller Speaks Out On California Parks InvstigationCriminal Investigation, First Declined by Attorney General’s Office, Now Underway SACRAMENTO – Senator Jean Fuller (R-Bakersfield) released the following statement after today’s Joint Oversight Hearing by the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Water, and the Assembly Committee on Water, Parks and Wildlife. “The most revealing thing from today’s hearing is that the Attor-ney General’s office is, in fact, pursuing an investigation that could bring criminal charges against officials who hid more than $50 million from both the Legislature and the Governor’s Office.” The Attorney General’s Office earlier completed a civil review of the matter, finding the hiding of millions of dollars at the Depart-ment of Parks and Recreation “deliberate”, but stated in a January 24, 2013 letter to the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office that it would not initiate a criminal investigation. “California taxpayers deserve a thorough review and understand-ing of how these funds could go missing, but as important is the as-surance that those who may have committed illegal acts, like fraud, be prosecuted to the full extent of the law,” said Senator Fuller. Senator Fuller is a member of the Standing Committee of Natural Resources and Water. State Senator Fuller represents the 18thSenate District, which in-cludes Bakersfield, Barstow, Big Bear City, Bishop, California City, Exeter, Frazier Mountain, Lone Pine, Mojave, Needles, Porter-ville, Ridgecrest, Rosamond, Taft, Tehachapi, Twentynine Palms, Tulare, Visalia and other areas in the Kern River Valley and in Inyo and San Bernardino counties.

Just Say No to Blight. This bat infested home on D Street was recently demolished by county govern-ment. 80 more structures may be next.


Greater Taft Area Economic Development Authority, City of Taft Tour Westside to Identify Blight at City Entrances and Neighborhoods

See Us About Low In-come CAP Program. Up to $500 Available for Smog Related Auto Repairs.No Matter Where You Failed Smog Test, Come See Us! No Appointment Ne-

Taft’s new economic development organization, the Greater Taft Area Economic Development Authority and representa-tives from the city of Taft took a a tour of blighted areas inside and outside the city last Friday to identify areas and buildings for clean-up. Taft City Manager Craig Jones and Taft Chamber of Com-merce Executive Director Kathy Orrin were accompanied by City Councilman Orchel Krier, GTAEDA Chairman Michael Long, and retired Taft Businessman Bill Black on the tour to examine what areas of the city and county should be cleaned up and targeted for removal.

“Taft has a blight problem,” said Long. “Our group (the economic development association) is determined to clean-up those areas of the city and county that harm the image of Taft and act as dangerous attractive nuisances that hurt property values and family neighborhoods.” Krier, who is also a board member of the GTAEDA said that his goal was to help neighborhoods with problem houses that have burned down and left where they burned for many years. “I am concerned with property owners who have no regard for their community, “ Krier said. “It’s time we went out and made these people cleanup their mess and have respect for those of us who live here.” Fourth District Supervisor David Couch has also voiced support for cleanup efforts on the Westside. Recently, the Kern County Board of Supervisors, at Couch’s request, approved nearly $40,000 for the demolition and removal of two homes on D Street in Taft Heights. While the cost of destruction and removal of the homes are paid for by the county of Kern, the property owners are liable for repayment of the costs. Couch’s district aide Mark Salvaggio said that Couch was committed to the clean up effort. “Supervisor David Couch is very serious about helping the greater Taft area in removing blight and cleaning up properties that present public safety and health problems for the community,” Salvaggio said. “He will be making a major announcement next month and again in April about the removal of several hazardous buildings.” Salvaggio aid that his office was looking at more than 80 code enforcement cases and that Supervisor Couch would be addressing them in the next few months. GTAEDA is a joint powers agency created by the city of Taft and Kern County to promote economic development in the city and county areas of the westside of Kern County.

Westside Tour of Blight

Community leaders went on a tour of the Westside last Friday morning and identfied several homes and areas for cleanup. These pictures are just a few of the struc-tures identified by the group for removal. Two houses (photo left, and bottom left column) were targetd for demolition by the Kern County Board of Supervisors. The board alocated nearly $40,000 to demolish and removed these two homes.


Westside News & Business Briefs

HAYDENS HOPE“We can keep our Teens off the streets!”

428 Center Street • TAFT

THRIFT STORE

God Bless!

745-4963

New School HoursMon. & Tues.9am - 2pm

Closed WednesdayThur. & Fri. 9am - 5pmSaturday 10am - 2pmClosed Every 2nd Sat.

of the Month

All Dishes1/2 Off!

Fiction • Non Fiction • Paperback Hard Covers • SciFi • Biography • Religion

Childrens • Cookbooks and More!

810 Center Street • (661)805-9813

Ben’s Books

SALE!!!Saturday, March 2nd

EVERY book in the store - .10centsThat’s right - .10 cents

The Largest, Cheapest and Only Used Book Store in Taft

OTCookhouse & Saloon

NEW Lunch Menu NEW Dinner Menu

Come in and check out our new items!!!

We are also proud to offer our“Chef ’s Personal Creations & Selections”

Five Specials Available Daily

OT Cookhouse can accomodatesmaller or larger Private Dining Events

Reserve your Banquet today!!!661.763.1819

Lunch Hours: Tues-Fri 11am-2pmDinner Hours: Tues-Sat 4-9pm

Closed: Sunday and Mondaywww.otcookhouse.com

find us on facebook205 N. 10th Street 661.763.1819

Closed Feb. 9th thru the 11th.

Lincoln School Student Essay Winners Get Free Computers from Taft Correctional Institute Twenty lucky Lincoln School students have received a free computer from the federal Taft correctional institution as a prize for winning an essay contest. Associate Warden Norris Hogans of TCI presented the computers to the students last Thursday on behalf of the institute. The 20 computers were fully recondi-tioned. Seen here at the Taft City Schools District board meeting room are the winning students. The winning students pictured here are Shane McConville, Tisel Martinez, Natalie Bavinez, Mason Davis, Susanna Gibson, Cherisne McLeran, Cora Wood, Yadira Astorga-Leon, Elizabeth Huizar, Karen Aranda Garcia, Sarah Dawn Green, Elizabeth Santil-lian Morales, Chloe Schwerdetfager, Felicity Reich, Emily Yoakum, Alyssa Reevesn, Orion Gilmore, Omar Uribe, Dylan Johnston. Hogans is pictured in the center of the back row.

Taft Union High School will host Orientation Night for eighth graders at 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 25, in the Mullen gymnasium. The event will showcase the activities at the school from sports and clubs to electives and academics. The incoming freshmen and their parents will get an initial exposure to the high school and will be able to schedule counselor appointments so they will be able to sign up early for popular classes and summer school classes. Staff will be on hand to answer questions. The new students will receive free Class of 2017 T-shirts, popcorn and prizes. Taft High band will be playing music.

Lincoln School Student Cora Wood (photo left) claimed her new computer with John Roland. Shane McConville (photo right) claims her com-puter with mom Nicole. The computers were donated to Lincoln School by Taft Correc-tional Institute.

Skin Care by CortneyCortney Madsen Esthetician

Facials - Waxing - Spray Tanning

www.facebook.com/SkinCareByCortney

Call or text for an appointment

Bangs & Tangles404 Center Street (661)623-4855


HOOKER’S AUTOMOTIVEComplete Automotive Service

218 HARRISON STREET (661) 765-2437

Skin Care by CortneyCortney Madsen Esthetician

Facials - Waxing - Spray Tanning

www.facebook.com/SkinCareByCortney

Call or text for an appointment

Bangs & Tangles404 Center Street (661)623-4855

Jackson’s Automotive

Now Doing Smog Tests!

Front End RepairsTransmission Service

Brake Service Tune Ups and Fuel Injection Service

and Repairs

Call Today for an Appointment763-1055

Corner of 3rd and Center Street110 3rd Street - Taft, CA. (661) 763-1055

Four Taft College\WESTEC Students Prepare for Court Reporting School

On February 9 and February 10, 2013, four students from the Taft College at WESTEC court reporting school participated in an online “webinar” conducted through an outside educational source. The four, Au-brey Mesa, Katie Johnson, Alyson Duclos and Ashley Keene, spent several hours in the school lab studying and preparing for the English portion of the California Court Reporters Board licensing examination process.

In order to receive a Certified Shorthand Reporters license in the state of California, students must pass a 200 word per minute dictation test, along with two written exams, one being the afore-mentioned English test as well as a Professional Practices exam.

The four students utilized the new laptops provided by a Perkins Fund grant and reported that the training was very helpful in preparing them for the upcoming state test.

Conley School Receives $5,000 From SYNAGRO for Education Programs Conley Elementary School received a $5,000 donation from biosolids manage-ment company Synagro Technologies Inc.’s South Kern Compost Manufactur-ing Facility. The school will put the money to a va-riety of good uses, including the purchase of Accelerated Reader Books and Tests for kindergarten through third-graders, according Lisa Kindred, the schools’ principal. “We also want to purchase one to two Samsung Chromebooks per classroom for the ability to take Accelerated Reader tests in the classroom due to aging tech-nology that we currently have,” Kindred said. Synagro’s local plant, the South Kern Compost Manufacturing Facility, has given financial support to several not-for-profit organizations including the Taft College Foundation, the Taft Chamber of Commerce, the West Side Parks and Recreation District, and the Kern Tree Foundation. “Synagro firmly believes in support-ing the communities we operate in,” said Clyde Harris, Plant Manager at the Taft facility. Synagro, whose corporate head-quarters are in Houston, Texas, operates in 36 states.Kindred said the school would develop a recycling program plan that would include creating a curriculum tied to state standards in third-grade science and Synagro employees have volunteered to assist in recycling-based lessons. The principal said the school also hoped to visit local businesses that recycle their products and teach children what is done with recycled products such as aluminum, glass, cardboard, tires, and waste. Other ideas include creating art with the collected recycled items, an essay contest, and a poster contest sponsored and judged by Synagro employees.Kindred said they hope to tie the ideas into the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) program at Taft College. The Taft location is Synagro’s largest biosolids-composting facility. Last month it earned the Silver Level Recogni-tion for its Biosolids Management Program from the Water Environment Federation’s National Biosolids Partnership.

Westside Oaxacan Community Turns out for Highway Clean-Up

Nearly 20 members of the Westside Oaxacan Community turned out last Sunday morning to clean up Highway’s 119 and Midway Road. The group is an official participant of the Califonria Adopt-a-Highway cleanup program.

Conley School Principal Lisa Kindred (left), and 3rd grade teacher Leticia Krier receive a $5,000 check from SYNAGRO plant manager Clyde Harris last Thursday in front of the school with the 3rd Grade Class in the background.


Liberty Under Fire Miller TimeWhere’s All The Ammo?Hi Everyone,

Just coming down from a winter cold, not the flu, but a plain old stinking cold that settled in my chest and I’m fighting it all the way. I had already gotten through this column about half way when something happened and I lost my work. First time in three years, so now in the shroud of my feeble mind I will remember to title, date my piece first, and then start, geese. I’m trying all the remedies everyone has suggested, but in the big picture you just have to see it through. This one isn’t near as bad as what I had last May, but it is best to avoid people as much as possible. But what do you do ?? You just can’t avoid people and objects and I guess you can carry around wipes all the time. It is not always convenient to wash your hands right after you shake someone’s had, how do you think they’d feel your running off to the bathroom. It is just one of those societal is-sues you face, do the best you can to keep sterile, but if you get sick stay home until it’s over. Hope you make it through. There is an amazing phenomenon going on since the Newtown and Taft shootings. The outright scarcity of ammo for most makes of firearms but especially the popular AR15 type brand. Last November you could buy a twenty round box on sale for about 8 bucks. Now if there is any available at all, you going way north of 30 bucks a box. What happened; hoarders. American ammo manufacturers produce somewhere around 1 billion rounds of ammo a week, they can’t keep up. The military gets priority as with law enforcement, then the rest of us. I haven’t heard this but I would guess even cops are hoard-ing every round they can get. Why, because there is a quinine fear that the governments, state or federal, are going to stop or restrict the sale or possession of ammo or they will tax it to death. Then if that doesn’t happen they’ll go after the ammo manufacturers to close them down or limit their output. This is how you address gun control; take the ammo out of the good law abiding citizens hands. Then you can use those rifles as sledgehammers instead. For me the cat is already out of the bag, with 300 million weap-ons out there in the USA. Ninety nine percent of those weapons are being used correctly, legally, and with care. Of the rest that are in the hands of the bad guys how do we identify them ?? How do we take away these illegal guns without violating their rights before they come to kill us ?? How many of the recent shooters have had mental issues that came up publicly before they committed their heinous crimes ?? In most cases no one said anything to the author-ities and we can’t do anything anyway because they have rights. The shooter is the issue and the debate should be about the shooter, whether it is person with mental issues or the criminal. National debate should be about how we can preserve rights for all espe-cially the victim and how harsh do we come down on the criminal. You don’t solve this issue by attacking the object. 300 million guns

are never coming back peacefully to the government, because when that happens you’ll have a government you’d rather not want. Seri-ous debate, not knee jerk reactions should prevail. Of course, the other end of the tail is the media and our rights to know. Do we really need to see the shooters picture ?? Is it really necessary; I could care less. Don’t give them the notoriety they eventually are looking for. If you really need to see their ugly mug, go to some obscure web site to find it, don’t make it easy. Stay tuned because this just isn’t going to die down especially in Cali-fornia where our legislature feel they can solve all our problems by becoming dependent on them. Sad news to report !! For the 34 years, I have been in Taft Ki-wanis, there has always been a Kiwanis pancake breakfast in April in support of the Westside Little League. Their board recently announced that they are ending the breakfast because why, I’m not entirely certain. The trouble I assume is ticket sales by individual team members. Kiwanis only takes out the supplies cost while donating everything else. The kids in the past, to have players buy into the program and help with costs, were assigned to sell 10 tickets at $5 each. When is the last time they have been around to your door selling tickets ?? What happened ?? Well I suspect that parents are complaining about buying the tickets when in fact they were supposed to be teaching, showing, encouraging their kids part of life is doing difficult things to get what you want, you have to sell the tickets. Certainly, for Kiwanis, it is bitter disappoint-ment. Now I suppose the board is going to visit various businesses and corporations with their hand out. Good luck with that. What are we teaching our children ?? In tune with Little League issue, I found a quote from a judge dealing with troubled kids back east saying there is nothing to do and nowhere to go that I paraphrase here; “go home, mow the lawn, wash the windows, clean up, learn to cook, get a job, study, read a book. Your town doesn’t owe you anything. The world doesn’t owe you a living, you owe the world. You owe it your time, energy, and talent so that no one will be sick, or lonely again. In other words, look around, grow up, stop being a cry baby and whiner, get out of your dream world, get a back bone not a wish bone. Start behaving like a responsible person. You are important and needed. There is not time to sit around and wait for somebody to do something someday. Someday is now and somebody is you”. Sell L/L tickets.

See you around town,Randy MillerProud Resident of Taft

If only the President would read,and follow, George Wash-ington’s Farewell Address Dr. Harold Pease It is the normal course of things to read in both houses of Congress every February, somewhere near his birthday of February 22, President George Washington’s Farewell Address. Until the last two decades it has always been seen as a guidepost for the future, and reverenced as such. It was given, in fact, for this very purpose just prior to his leaving the presidency. In it he warned posterity of possible pitfalls that could undermine or destroy this great experi-ment in liberty. His warnings may be more timely 217 years later as we near his birthday February 22. Although read, we have not adhered to it for at least the last four presidents. In strong terms Washington asked that we avoid debt. He said: “As a very important source of strength and security cherish public credit… use it as sparingly as possible, avoiding occasion of expense… [Use the] time of peace, to discharge the debts which unavoidable wars may have occasioned, not ungenerously throwing upon posterity the burden which we ourselves ought to bear.” Today our national debt sits at over $16.5 trillion—the highest in our history—increased by about four billion a day. To put this in perspective if we laid dollar bills on top of each other a trillion dollars would take us upward 68,000 miles into the sky—a third of the way to the moon. Three trillion would take us all the way. Six-teen and a half trillion dollars stacked on top of one another would take us to the moon and back twice, then to the moon and half the way back. Obviously today neither party has taken Washington’s advice. Presently the debt per taxpayer is $146,193. We are spend-ing our way into oblivion (See USDebtClock.org). Washington pleaded with the nation to keep religion and morality strong. He said: “Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable su ports…. Let it simply be asked, where is the security for prop-erty, for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obligation des-ert the oaths which are the instruments of investigation in courts of justice? Reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.” The Founding Fathers never supported the notion of separation of religion and government—only the separation of an organization of religion from government. What would Washington say of the immorality that prevails today? Our first president also had advice with respect to how we should deal with foreign nations. He advised that our commercial policy “should hold an equal and impartial hand; neither seek-ing nor granting exclusive favors or preferences…diffusing and diversifying by gentle means the streams of commerce but forcing nothing.” This is a far cry from the bullying tactics we’ve too often employed the last 100 years. Today we have troops in 32 nations in over 1200 military bases. But the warning about foreign aid was especially good. He basi-cally told us that gift giving in foreign affairs is a good way to be universally hated. He said it placed us “in the condition of having given equivalents for nominal favors, and yet of being reproached with ingratitude for not giving more.” Today there is hardly a na-tion in the world that does not have its hand out and when, after once giving, the amount is reduce or terminated we are hated all the more for it. Even potential enemies line up for favors. The Muslim Brotherhood state of Egypt received 1.8 billion dollars last year in foreign aid and is to receive, in addition, sixteen F-16 fighter jets and 200 Abrams tanks this year. Israel is their only likely target. He warned against the origin of “combinations and associa-tions” whose intent was to suppress the desires of the majority in favor of the minority. He called them artificial power factions. We call them special interest groups. What would he say upon learning that a third of the cabinet of every president since Herbert Hoover belonged to the semi-secret Council on Foreign Relations as does either the President or Vice President of every administra-tion including Barack Obama’s? Such factions, he said, “May answer popular ends and become potent engines by which cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people and to usurp for themselves the reins of government….” The antidote for

this, Washington explained, was “to resist with care the spirit of innovation” upon basic constitutional principles or premises no matter how flowery, appealing or “specious the pretext.” Washington worried about posterity not holding their elected officials strictly to the limits imposed by the Constitution. He knew many would seek to undermine that document by twisting it to gain power they could not acquire without the distortion. Sound familiar? He said: “But let there be no change by usurpa-tion; for though this, in one instance, may be the instrument of good, it is the customary weapon by which free governments are destroyed.” Today much of what the federal government does is not even mentioned in the Constitution and therefore, as inter-preted for most of 200 years, unconstitutional. But freedom fighters are not likely to be popular, he said: “Real patriots, who may resist the intrigues of the favorite, are liable to become suspected and odious; while its tools and dupes usurp the applause and confidence of the people, to surrender their interests.” One need not look far for the “tools and dupes,” they seem to be everywhere and in both major political parties. Dr. Harold Pease is an expert on the United States Constitu-tion. He has dedicated his career to studying the writings of the Founding Fathers and applying that knowledge to current events. He has taught history and political science from this perspec-tive for over 25 years at Taft College. To read more of his weekly articles, please visit www.LibertyUnderFire.org

Visit Us Onlinetaftindependent.com


TAFT UNITEDMETHODIST CHURCH

630 North St. 765-5557

“Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors”Pastor Cindy Brettschneider

Sunday Morning Worship 10:00 AMAdult Bible Study and Sunday School 11 AM

Adult Bible Study Monday 6:00 PMWednesday Night Service 6:00 PM

Praise Team meets on Thursday at 6:00 PM

Trinity Southern Baptist Church 400 Finley Drive

We invite you to join us each week as we worship

Sunday Bible Study 9:45 amSunday Morning Worship 11:00 amSunday Evening Worship 6:00 pm

Wednesday Prayer & Bible Study 6:00 pm

New Hope Temple“Connecting Lives”

308 Harrison Street765-4572

Sunday Morning WorshipService 10 a.m.

Sunday Evening WorshipService 6 p.m

Bible Classes All AgesWednesday 7 p.m.

Gateway Temple CommunityChristian

Fellowship631 North Street

Sunday School 9:30 a.m.Morning Worship 10:30 a.m.

St. Andrew’sEpiscopal

ChurchSunday Service - 10 a.m.

Rev. Linda Huggard703 5th Street - Taft

(661) 765-2378

Peace Lutheran Church- LCMSTaft- A caring community under Christ

We welcome you to worship with us at peace lutheran church, 26 Emmons Park Drive (across from the College). Worship service begins at 10:00 a.m.

Communion will be offered 1st and 3rd Sundays

Sunday School for all ages at 9:00 a.m.

The Pregnancy crisis center is now open and available for support and assistance. For information, call 763-4791

If you have a prayer request please call (661)765-2488. Leave a message if the pastor or secretary is not available

Sunday Morning Worship 9:45Sunday Evening Worship 5:00

Monday Evening Mens Prayer 7:00Wednesday Evening Worship 6:30

For a ride: Call Dorine Horn 427-9722Pastors Charle (Tommy) and

Mary A. McWhorter

604 Main Street • P.O. Box 578Maricopa, CA 93252 • (661)769-9599

The Only Mortuary On The West Side Where All Arrangements And

Funerals Are Personally Directed ByLicensed Funeral Directors

501 Lucard St., Taft • 765-4111FD756 FDR50 FDR595 FDR618

WANTED: BULKY WASTE PICKUPFord CityTuesday

South Taft & Taft Heights Friday

City of TaftWednesday

• REFRIGERATORS • MATTRESSES • WATER HEATERS • STOVES • WASHERS & DRYERS • SOFAS

All green waste must be bagged. Tree Limbs cut in 6’ length, and bundled.

ITEMS NOT ACCEPTEDConstruction/Demolition Waste/Used Oil/

Hazardous Waste/Tires

If Missed… Call Office at 763-

5135

Westside Waste Management Co., Inc.

Black GoldCafe & Deli

Ice Blended MochaFat Free andSugar Free

Available in Most Flavors

Open 7 Days - 765-6556508 Center Street • Taft

St. Mary’s Church 110 E Woodrow Street • Taft

661 765-4292

Mass Schedule Tuesday-Friday 8:00 A.M. Sunday 8:30A.M. English

11:00A.M. Spanish

WED.-FRI. 10:00-5:30 SAT. 10:00-2:00 FABRIC • NOTIONS • GIFTS

MARICOPA QUILT COMPANY

370 CALIFORNIA • 769-8580

Check Out Our WebsiteMaricopaquiltcompany.com

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Wine Tasting and Lunch Sat. & Sun. 11:30 to 5:00 pm.

8 miles south of HWY 166 on HWY 33 in Ventucopa, Cuyama Valley, 4211 HWY 33. (661) 766-2319

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Double Gold Medal Winner and Best Cabernet Sauvignon of Show at the San Francisco International Wine Competition

Now Celebrating Our 23rd Year

ROGER MILLER INSURANCEa division of DiBuduo & DeFendis Insurance Group

License # 0707137 • (661) 765-7131531 Kern Street - P.O. Box 985

(661) 765-4798 FAXTaft, CA 93268 • (661) 203-6694 Cell

E-Mail: [email protected] Hometown Insurance Store

Rich Miller • Jordan MillerKathy Devine • Shelly Hamilton

600 Center StreetTaft, California

(661) 623-0827 (661) 765-1171

All your detailing needs!

Wash, Wax, Shampoo, Buffing and Window Tinting. Call for Appointment Today!

Monday - Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Yates’ Detailing

First Baptist Church

Pastor Scott Pearson

Sunday School 9 a.m.Worship Celebration 10:30 a.m.

Evening Service 6 p.m.

Awana Childrens ProgramWednesday 6 p.m.

220 North Street - Taft661 763-3138

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pre-employment drug screen, physical and thorough background

check. E.O.E.

CHILD CARESERVICES

WANTED

Junk Cars Wanted. Cash Paid. 805-0552.

FOR SALE

Convection range andmicrowave. Stain-less steel. Both $550 or best offer. Will sell sep. Tall table and 4 chairs. $350 obo. excl. cond. 619-1057.

Upright like new GE freezer. 1 year old. $250. Also have a lot more household items for sale. Call 763-3586.2-30.

Firewood. $1 to $2 each. 313 Kern St.

AUTOMOBILESPETS

LOST PETS

$500 Reward. Lost Mini Aussie. Black\grey\white w/tan spot on face. Blue eyes, female. Rexxie. REWARD. 661-765-5862 or 623-0758.

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

Taft Property Management

1,2,3 and 4 Bedrooms now available in good

areas.CRIME FREE

HOUSING Brokers Licence

01417057661-577-7136

ROOMS FOR RENTRooms for rent. Maricopa. Private home, furn. or unfurn. Call for info. 745-4211. 2-26

HOMES FOR SALEReal Estate eBroker Inc.

By AppointmentKarri ChristensenLIC# 01522411 &

#01333971661-332-6597

www.BuyTaft.comReal Estate Sales &

PurchaseCan’t make payments call me!! I can help direct you to a loan modification or assist you in your short

sale!Wondering how buying a house works? Set an appointment with Karri to watch a FREE video

on the process.

Call 661-332-6597 for a current list.

MOBILE HOMES

HOMES FOR RENTWest ValleyReal Estate

(661) 763-1500.Lic # 01525550

FOR RENTWest ValleyReal Estate

(661) 763-1500Lic # 01525550

FOR RENT(661) 763-1500Lic # 01525550

FOR RENT522 Center 1/1 $500

2/1 $825 3/1 $875205 W Ash 2/1.5 $700203 W Ash 2/1.5 $700

400 Woodrow 2/1 $725104 North 2/1 $725561 Front 2/1 $800

709 Kern St 3/1 $900512 D St 3/1.75 $900

507 Tyler 3/1.75 $1,00027558 Hwy 119 3/1.75

$1,100340 F St 3/1.75 + 1/1

$1,200

ClassifiedsClassified Ads are $3.00 per issue for up to three lines, $5 per issue for up to 5 lines, and $7 per issue for up to 10 lines. Yard Sale ads are free. Phone, fax, mail or drop off your ad to the Taft Independent.

Boxed\outlined\bolded classified ads start at $12.00 for 8 lines, $16 for 12 lines, $20 for 15 lines, $25 for 20 lines.

Photo Ads. Car, truck or house for sale ads are $5 per week, or $10 with a photo. Email us (or bring to our office) a photo of your home, car, truck or motorcycle and we’ll do the rest.

Classified ads deadline is now Wednesdays at 2 p.m.

Phone: 765-6550

Fax: 765-6556

Email: [email protected]

Payment can be made by cash, check, or credit card. Taft Independent 210 6th St., Taft, CA 93268.

ClassifiedsClassified Ads are $2.00 per line. Phone, fax, mail or drop off your ad to the Taft Independent.

Ad your photograph for $5. Ad your company logo for $5. Boxed ads are $5 additional. E-mail us (or bring to our office) a photo of your home, car, truck or motorcycle and we’ll do the rest.

Yard Sale ads are $2 for 3 lines, additional lines $2 each.

Classified ad deadline is Wednesday at 12 p.m. (noon)

Phone: 765-6550

Fax: 765-6556

E-mail: [email protected]

Payment can be made by cash, check, or credit card. Taft Independent 508 Center St., Taft, CA 93268

Business ServicesRite Away Carpet CleaningCarpet & Upholstery Cleaning\General CleaningOwner OperatedVisa\Master Card 765-4191

YARD SALESAdvertise your yard sale ad. 3 lines for $2, additional lines after that $2 each. Fax your ad to 765-6556 or call and leave message at 765-6550 by 12 p.m. Wednesday.

318 Easter Ave. in home. 8am - ?

25010 First St. Derby Acres. Sat. and Sun. Lot’s of tools. and Misch.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

New AA meeting just started in Taft at the Chevron Valley Credit Union Community Room. 7:30 am every Saturday morning. We read a topic from As Bill Sees It. 9-19.Grief Support Group, offered as a community service by Optimal Hospice Care. Meetings held Thursdays 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. At Chevron Valley Credit Union, Community Room, 1092 W. Kern St., Taft. Enter by outside entrance – Albertson’s Shopping Center. Free and open to the public. Info call 716-4000. 3-27.

Alzheimer’s Disease Association Of Kern County is offering Respite Care here in Taft. Call-Cathy Perkins at 760-379-0848 for RESPITE CARE info. Respite Care is available every Thursday At the

Real Estate eBroker Inc.By Appointment

Karri ChristensenLIC# 01522411 & #01333971

661-332-6597www.BuyTaft.com

Real Estate Sales & Purchase

Ken ShugartsAir Conditioning & Heating

First Baptist Church located at 220 North St. from 9:00am—3:00pm.

BUSINESSFOR SALE

Establshed electronics and shipping store. Includes equipment, inventory. Former Radio Shack. $19,500. (661) 805-8722. 3-10.

HELP WANTEDIMMEDIATE OPENING

FORATTENDANCE AND

SPECIAL EDUCATION SECRETARY

AT BUTTONWILLOW SCHOOL.

PLEASE GO TO WWW.BUTTONWIL-LOWSCHOOL.COM

FOR DETAILS.

Meter Reader($3,025 - $4,751 per

month)

If you are looking for a career, come and

check out what we have in store for you! West Kern Water District is seeking an energetic

and dependable individual to join our

team who has the ability to work independently and read water meters

with a high degree of accuracy. Apply

immediately at 800 Kern Street, P.O. Box 1105,

Taft, CA 93268.

Deadline for submitting application is 4:30

pm on Wednesday, February 27, 2013. Resume will not be accepted in lieu of

District application. The successful applicant will be subject to a

30 Plus Years in ConstructionLicense No. 927634

We Do All Phases of ConstructionKitchen and Bathroom Specialists

Ken Shugarts (661) 343-0507

Plumbing • Septic • RooterFraming • Electrical • Concrete

Real Estate Services and Property ManagementListings – Sales - Property Management

Local Service You Can Depend On

322 Kern Street Taft, CA 93268(661) 765-5000

Visit Us Online atwww.taftindependent.com

Looking to buy a house in Taft. Have

$20,000 cash. Call 805 651-9720.

Homes for Rent2bed. 1 ba.

411 Shattuck. $600.3bd. 1ba $750. 520 Shattuck.

3bd. 1 1/2 ba. $800.118 Crystal.

3bd. 1 ba. $800.220 Mont View

Call Paul Joyce (805) 218-1686

Joyce Properties(661) 765-6300

Se renta uma casa de 2 cuartos y un bano 650 por mes y 400 seguro de deposito. En 520

olive, taft ca por favor llame 8057465410.

2 Bd Home for Rent, Available Now, located at 520 Olive Ave., Taft,

CAGood Family Home,

Big Back Yard, Washer Dryer Hookups, $650

per month,plus $400 deposit. Hablo Espanol, 805

746 5410

$700 Mo. Renter pays utilities 3 bd 1 ba. Pet’s

ok. Call 745-3211.

FOR LEASE. 4\2 Big fenced yard. 2 car

garage. Avail 3-1. $1,100 mo. $1,100 dep. 500

Eastern Ave. (661) 765-4333. DO NOT DIS-TURB TENANTS. 2-30.

FOR LEASE. 3/1. Fenced yard. Big lot.

$750. mo. $1,000 dep. 109 South Street. (661) 765-4333. DO NOT DIS-TURB TENANTS. 2-30.

2bd. w/garage $675. mo 429 Rose.

2 Units 319 1/2 San Emido w/utilities. 1 bd

765-4191 or 549-1068

Writers Wanted

At the Taft Independent

Experience Required.

Please call 765-6550.B License 442018

Preserving for the Future

For Rent 520 Shattuck

$750 monthPaul Joyce

805-218-1686 Joyce Properties

661-765-6300

For Rent 220 Montview

$795 monthPaul Joyce

805-218-1686 Joyce Properties

661-765-6300

$600. abnd 1 bd. plus office $700. plus dep.

522 San Emidio 3/1 $800 month.

765-5000. License 01914953

402 Pierce St. 3bd 1 ba. w/ gargae. $880. mo. plus dep. 765-5000.

APART. FOR RENT1bd. 1ba. Upstairs. $450 Mo. plus $450 dep. 155 1/2 North Street. (661) 477-9636. 2-8.

Creekside Apartments. 1 BD and 2 BD. Pool, AC & Appl. 661.765-7674. 420 Finley Dr.

Center Street Apartments. 1 bed room 1 bath. $99 move in special based on approved credit. No Pets Allowed. Call (805) 375-1458 or (661) 765-7678.

Large 1 bd. 1 ba. Upstairs Apt. Stove, Refir. no pets. $495. mo. plus $500 sec. dep. 661-428-3252. 3.8.

WANTED TO RENTWanted to Rent. We are a couple in our 50’s. Long term renters looking for a house with an in ground pool and garage. 2 or 3 bedroom 1ba. Will pay 3 months in advance plus sec. dep. 661-293-0116 or 293-0413. 2-16.

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Opinion and FeaturesTexas Senator Ted Cruz Deserves Cheers, Not JeersBy Jim Demint

Imagine a new senator who ran a campaign of “no more business as usual.” No more special interest politics, no more backroom deals — and he won. He came to Washington, and he delivered. He didn’t stay quiet, he spoke passionately for what he believed in, and he made it clear he planned to shake up the status quo. How would the media react to a senator like that? Noth-ing but praise for standing his ground, right? Surely editori-als lauding his boldness, his vision, his courage would be his reward. He would be held up as an example for others. Finally, a true leader who keeps his promises! Unless, of course, your name is Ted Cruz, and you have the audacity to defend the Constitution and buck inside the Beltway politics, all while espousing a perfectly reasonable and sane governing philosophy usually absent from partisan political debate. Then it’s a different matter entirely. Then your only duty — according to the media and their parrots inside Congress — is to sit down and shut up. Is such bald-faced hypocrisy possible? It’s not only pos-sible, it’s happening. Cruz has become a lightning rod, and all because he’s daring to do what he promised during his campaign for the Senate. That simple act of integrity has set him apart from the pack. Most politicians know what to say to get elected but then arrive in Washington with no real spine — or in many cases, no intention of ever doing what they promised. Not Cruz. He’s proved himself an effective advocate for the founding principles that made our nation great: personal freedom and responsibility, local control and adherence to the law as it is written, not the way some politicians wish it was written. The Washington establishment opposed him when he was a candidate because he lacked big money or name rec-ognition. But once groups such as the Senate Conservatives Fund helped to shine a spotlight on him, support poured in from grass-roots activists within Texas and all over the country. Voters expect more of politicians than simply keeping a seat warm in Congress, so Cruz has been quick out of the blocks. For example, when it was time to question former Sen. Chuck Hagel during his confirmation hearing to be sec-retary of defense, Cruz didn’t shrink from making pointed queries about the nominee’s views on Israel and personal income Hagel has refused to disclose since leaving public service in January 2009. For that, Cruz was extolled for taking his responsibili-ties seriously, correct? No, he was labeled an upstart, tagged as a bully — and worse. But why even hold confirmation hearings at all if senators are expected to lob nothing but softballs at nominees who are there merely to be rubber-stamped? Was Hagel expecting, as a former senator himself, to get a free ride? Judging from the furor over Cruz’s line of questioning, it would appear so. Cruz has even been willing to speak frankly about an issue that has many in his party running scared: immigra-tion. When the “Gang of Eight” senators released their four principles to guide immigration reform, he praised them for vowing to better secure our “porous border” but questioned their proposed path to citizenship. “To allow those who came here illegally to be placed on such a path is both inconsistent with rule of law and pro-foundly unfair to the millions of legal immigrants who wait-ed years, if not decades, to come to America legally,” he said. To Jennifer Rubin of the Washington Post’s “Right Turn” blog, this amounts to “shooting from the hip.” In fact, Cruz is voicing a serious concern shared by millions of Americans. And now’s the best time to express serious concerns, before a specific piece of legislation based on flawed principles is rushed out for a vote. Yet, Cruz, the son of a Cuban immi-grant who fled oppression, is ludicrously accused in liberal

quarters as being anti-immigration. All Americans can be grateful that Cruz doesn’t just sit down and shut up and pre-tend this isn’t the same cleverly disguised amnesty legislation that has failed in the past. Cruz has also shown the courage to tackle other difficult issues that many have been content just to talk about. He has been pushing to end corporate welfare, expand workplace freedom and promote school choice. These bold policies frighten Washington special interests but give American working families reason for hope. “I made promises to the people of Texas,” Cruz has said, “… to lead a concerted and meaningful effort to end the un-sustainable spending, deficits and debt that have been propa-

In 2012, Ted Cruz was elected as the 34th U.S. Senator from Texas. A passionate fighter for limited government, economic growth, and the Constitution, Ted won a decisive victory in both the Republican primary and the general election, despite having never before been elected to office. Propelled by tens of thousands of grassroots activists across Texas, Ted’s election has been described by the Washington Post as “the biggest upset of 2012 . . . a true grassroots victory against very long odds.” National Review has described Ted as “a great Reaganite hope,” columnist George Will has described him as “as good as it gets,” and the National Federation of Independent Business characterized his election as “critical to the small-business owners in [Texas, and], also to protecting free enterprise across America,” Ted’s calling to public service is inspired largely by his first-hand observation of the pursuit of freedom and opportunity in America. Ted’s mother was born in Delaware to an Irish and Italian working-class family; she became the first in her family to go to college, graduated from Rice University with a degree in mathematics, and became a pioneering computer programmer in the 1950s. Ted’s father was born in Cuba, fought in the revolution, and was imprisoned and tortured. He fled to Texas in 1957, penniless and not speaking a word of English. He washed dishes for 50 cents an hour, paid his way through the University of Texas, and started a small business in the oil and gas industry. Today, Ted’s father is a pastor in Dallas. In the Senate, Ted serves on the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation; the Committee on Armed Services; the Committee on the Judiciary; the Special Committee on Aging; and the Committee on Rules and Administration. Before being elected, Ted received national acclaim as the Solicitor General of Texas, the State’s chief lawyer before the U.S. Su-preme Court. Serving under Attorney General Greg Abbott, Ted was the nation’s youngest Solicitor General, the longest serving Solicitor General in Texas, and the first Hispanic Solicitor General of Texas. In private practice in Houston, Ted spent five years as a partner at one of the nation’s largest law firms, where he led the firm’s U.S. Supreme Court and national Appellate Litigation practice. Ted has authored more than 80 U.S. Supreme Court briefs and argued 43 oral arguments, including nine before the U.S. Supreme Court. From 2004-09, he taught U.S. Supreme Court Litigation as an Adjunct Professor of Law at the University of Texas School of Law. Prior to becoming Solicitor General, he served as the Director of the Office of Policy Planning at the Federal Trade Com-mission, as Associate Deputy Attorney General at the U.S. Department of Justice, and as Domestic Policy Advisor on the 2000 Bush-Cheney campaign. Ted graduated with honors from Princeton University and with high honors from Harvard Law School. He served as a law clerk to Chief Justice William Rehnquist on the U.S. Supreme Court. He was the first Hispanic ever to clerk for the Chief Justice of the United States. Ted and his wife Heidi live in his hometown of Houston, Texas, with their two young daughters Caroline and Catherine.

Texas Senator Ted Cruz: True Conservative

gated, unfortunately, by members of both parties.” Hardly a radical position, and yet the senator has been slammed as an opportunist who doesn’t seem to know his place. If Cruz has ruffled feathers in Congress, that means he’s doing his job. Voters want Washington to be shaken out of its complacency. The last thing we need is another status quo senator or a congressman who goes along to get along. That’s how we got into the mess we’re in in the first place. Cruz’s honest and common-sense leadership should be commend-ed, not criticized. Former Sen. Jim DeMint is the president-elect of The Heri-tage Foundation.


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