By Pat Orr
For the Apple Valley Review

Yesterday, the United States Supreme Court heard arguments in a California case where several teachers have sued the California Teachers Unions for the freedom not to be forced to pay fees to the unions for services and activities they do not agree with.

Already California teachers can “opt out” of paying a portion of their dues that is allocated to political activity, but that isn’t the whole story.

Trying to opt out of union dues open up the teachers to a whole series of unforeseen penalties because union contracts give those unions the right to control pensions, sick pay, seniority rules and a host of other issues that can affect the career of a “non-compliant” teacher but, more importantly, the quality of education students receive.

The teachers complain that giving unions the right to structure work rules that allow older, unproductive teachers to remain while younger, hard working teachers are laid off is hurting student achievement and the profession.

Depending upon how the court finds in this case a dramatic change could be in the future for union-dominated industries and public policies fueled by politicians elected by unions dues taken from unwilling members.

Momma needs a facelift

Back before interstate freeways were the norm, Route 66 was known as “the Mother Road” because it stretched from the heartland to the pacific and the tales of travelers along this important stretch of blacktop were legendary.

Even a popular '50s television show was spawned from the allure of the open road that beckoned a new “rock and roll” generation.

While great portions of the old highway can no longer be reconstructed, some of what still exists, particularly in the Cajon Pass, is being rehabilitated, according to news released by San Bernardino County 1st District Supervisor Robert Lovingood’s office last week.

The first section is a bypass road now named Cajon Boulevard which runs from Kenwood Avenue in Devore to just below Highway 138. This is a part of the original road and will undergo a facelift.

Later in the year, work is expected to start on a portion of National Trails Highway from Victorville to Bryman Road and an even more ambitious plan for a renewed Needles to Barstow section has been endorsed by the County Board of Supervisors.

Route 66 may never be back together but pieces of it will be there, preserved for future travelers who want to put the top down, turn up the radio and take to the open road.

Are we really ready for the rain?

The storms have begun to start rolling into California and one question looms: Is the desert is really prepared?

Yes, there have been swift water rescue drills and joint training with fire personnel and law enforcement but we have two things working against us here.

First, people are inherently dumb. Driving a speeding car through a 2-foot puddle is an accident waiting to happen, but folks up here do it all the time. I have had my vision in the front window of my vehicle completely blocked by the tidal wave splash created when some “dude” felt it was OK to drive his jacked up four-wheel behemoth truck through every bit of standing water because he’s a “real man in a real truck.”

Secondly, there should be some limit to the amount of tax dollars we have to spend repeatedly to “save” folks who choose to return to live in riverbeds and drainage culverts after being removed multiple times or to rescue the few knuckleheads who just want to “ride the rapids.”

There has been some debate over the need for the Town to invest in sidewalks. Before that happens, I would think more lives and property could be saved by going through this town and reworking every intersection and street where there is no drainage and small lakes appear after even a mild rain. In past weeks I have come across a few that are an ice skating rink in the morning and a pond in the afternoon — both very dangerous. I can only imagine how impassable — again — many of our roads will be if a consistent downpour occurs over days or weeks.

When the accidents, deaths and resulting lawsuits against the Town begin, the costs to fix this problem will seem less onerous.

Sale of Park Water a blow to Town takeover plans?

According to informed sources, the sale of Park Water assets, including Ranchos Water to a new owner, Liberty Utilities, will have zero effect on the Town plan to acquire Ranchos.

The California Public Utilities Commission approval of the sale was expected some time ago. There is speculation the announcement of the “approved sale” was timed to co-inside with the political effort in Apple Valley to find a way to stop the Town action. Is the CPUC an independent body with no “dog in this hunt?”

If you look at your water bill, you will see that privately owned water companies and their ratepayers fund the CPUC. If the CPUC encourages the transition from private to public ownership of utility companies, they would be damaging their own revenue stream.

As always, this is just about cash flow — our cash flowing to their pockets.

— Pat Orr is a local business owner, community volunteer and political junkie.