BAKERSFIELD.COM Trump Visits Bakersfi Eld
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2020 • BAKERSFIELD.COM Trump visits Bakersfi eld ALEX HORVATH / THE CALIFORNIAN House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy and President Donald Trump react to farmer Larry Starrh’s praise of the president’s efforts on behalf of farmers. The president visited Bakersfield to sign his administration’s reworking of environmental regulations that will direct more of the state’s water to farmers and other agriculture interests in the Central Valley. See more photos from the event at Bakersfield.com. President signs declaration for delivering more Northern Calif. water to Central Valley farmers BY JOHN COX [email protected] ON BAKERSFIELD.COM President Donald Trump, • More photos of Trump’s speaking to a cheering crowd appearance in Bakersfield next to Meadows Field Airport, moved forward Wednesday with • Video of Air Force One touch- a controversial plan intended to ing down give Central Valley farmers more • Vote in a poll on what you’d water from the environmentally like to talk about with Presi- sensitive Sacramento-San Joaquin dent Trump River Delta east of San Francisco. Trump signed a presidential memorandum that, along with fi- the action, adding that “California nalization Wednesday of a federal won’t allow the Trump Adminis- “record of decision,” is intended to tration to destroy and deplete our bring new flexibility to the opera- natural resources.” tion of two main conduits bring- Farming groups and Central ing water south from Northern Valley politicians have hailed the California, the Central Valley Proj- Trump administration’s proposal ect and the State Water Project. as a breakthrough that would California Attorney General provide water badly needed by Xavier Becerra immediately re- California’s agricultural industry. President Trump shared his signed administration’s reworking of environmental regulations that will sponded with a news release say- direct more of the state’s water to farmers and other agriculture interests in the Central Valley with an ing the state would soon challenge Please see TRUMP | A3 enthusiastic crowd in Bakersfield. Trump supporters out in full Protesters outnumbered, but force at airport, nearby areas still make their presence felt BY QUINN WILSON BY STEVEN MAYER [email protected] [email protected] Supporters of President Donald About 30 people carrying picket Trump waited in lengthy lines signs and chanting slogans gath- outside of Meadows Field Airport ered near Meadows Field Airport Wednesday morning to welcome on Wednesday afternoon to the president to Bakersfield. protest during President Donald Excitement and pride were Trump’s brief stop in Bakersfield. exhibited by many who sported But the small group was their Trump gear and “Make dwarfed by thousands of Trump America Great Again” hats. supporters who came out in “It means everything to us (that hopes of catching a glimpse of Air the president is visiting us),” said Force One — or even the presi- Diane Barnett. “We (Republicans) dent himself — many showing feel alone here in California, but MARK NESSIA / THE CALIFORNIAN that they back the president and STEVEN MAYER / THE CALIFORNIAN we’re not.” A crowd gathered in front of Fabulous Burgers his actions and policies. Democratic candidate for the 34th Assembly “I think it’s a great thing that we on Airport Drive reacts shortly after Air Force The anti-Trump demonstrators District Julie Solis, wearing sunglasses, helped One landed at Meadows Field Airport across the organize an anti-Trump rally held on Airport Drive Please see SUPPORTERS | A4 street. Please see PROTESTERS | A4 on Wednesday. LET THE FUN BEGIN MCFARLAND HIGH SCHOOL SOCCER Shafter celebrates its roots GEO to appeal vote rejecting Foothill beats East to advance for annual Colours Festival immigrant detention centers to D-III championship game EYE STREET | C1 LOCAL | A2 SPORTS | B1 CONTACT US OUTSIDE TODAY INSIDE YOUR CALIFORNIAN Subscriber services: YOUR COMPLETE FORECAST | A8 Advice / Horoscopes .................... C5 / C6 Obituaries .............................................. A5 661-392-5777, 800-953-5353 HIGH LOW Classifieds ..............................................D1 Opinion .................................................. B4 or [email protected] Comics ....................................................C7 Puzzles .....................................C6, C7, D2 To report a news tip: 77 46 Eye Street ............................................... C1 Sports...................................................... B1 661-395-7384, 800-540-0646 AIR QUALITY Lottery numbers .................................. A2 Stocks .....................................................A7 PRICE: $1.25 or [email protected] 55 | Moderate Nation & World ..................................... A8 Television................................................C5 A2 The Bakersfield Californian Thursday, February 20, 2020 LOCAL MCFARLAND GEO plans to appeal commission vote to reject immigrant detention centers BY SAM MORGEN [email protected] A private prison company has indi- cated it plans to appeal a decision by the McFarland Planning Commission to reject permit applications that would have allowed two state prisons to be converted into immigrant deten- tion centers. GEO Group Inc., which operates the Mesa Verde ICE Processing Center SAM MORGEN / THE CALIFORNIAN in Bakersfield, had planned to turn GEO supporters hold signs before a McFarland Planning Commission the Golden State Modified Commu- meeting on Jan. 21. CALIFORNIAN FILE PHOTO nity Correctional Facility and the McFarland Mayor Manuel Cantu Jr. Central Valley Modified Community Faith in the Valley community orga- mission’s vote. He painted a stark view Correctional Facility into annexes nizer Alex Gonzalez, who was in Mc- of the city if GEO leaves. of its Bakersfield location. However, Farland on Tuesday, said McFarland “We could be filing bankruptcy Mayor Cantu resigns those plans were at least temporarily residents would be ready to push back within a year,” he said. “As it is, we’re thwarted on Tuesday during a Plan- against GEO if called upon to do so about half a million dollars in the red, BY SAM MORGEN is more driven toward the ning Commission meeting. again. so this will put us about a million and [email protected] fact that people don’t un- Two 2-2 votes that would have “The community is organized and a half in the red.” After nine years, McFar- derstand that. They need changed the facilities’ conditional use the community is ready to speak out,” But even if GEO did stay, the city land Mayor Manuel Cantu to understand that there permits to allow for the incarceration of he said. “The community made their may have lost valuable taxpayers. Jr. has submitted his letter are sacrifices that need to federal immigration detainees failed to voices heard. The community made Several people who claimed to be of resignation, saying he be made.” find a majority. If the votes had passed, it clear that they are united and they McFarland residents said during the does not think he can help He worried that if the the commission would have forwarded are organized against institutions that commission meeting they would leave lead the city in the direc- city did not keep GEO as its recommendations on to the McFar- profit off of human lives.” the city if ICE were allowed to open tion he sees it heading. an employer, it could be land City Council for final approval. U.S. Immigration and Customs two facilities. However, others spoke Cantu submitted his let- forced to disincorporate, a But by rejecting the proposals, the Enforcement, which lies at the center of the loss of jobs the city would expe- ter of resignation Wednes- process by which the city Planning Commission has stalled of the controversy, did not respond to rience should both facilities close. day, a day after the city’s would become part of un- GEO’s plans, at least for the moment. requests for comment Wednesday. Immigrant rights activists see the Planning Commission incorporated Kern County. The company can still appeal the de- ICE has signed multiple contracts McFarland decision as a potential denied permit applications “It is an imminent re- cision to the City Council itself, which with GEO and private prison com- bellwether for a future without private that would have allowed ality based on the fact a company spokesman signified GEO pany, CoreCivic, worth $6.8 billion to prisons in the state. They appear ready two state prisons to be that we are already deficit intends to do. house detainees in California. The two to fight any effort by GEO to open new converted into immigrant spending as a city,” he said, “GEO is proud to be a long standing McFarland facilities, which contain ICE facilities. detention centers. Cantu adding that the city was al- member of the McFarland commu- 700 beds each, appeared to be vital Recent changes to state law have said the decision directly ready $500,000 in the red. nity, and we are hopeful to be able to parts of the agency’s plans. made it more difficult for ICE to op- impacted his decision to Yet, if the city can get continue to contribute to the City’s GEO portrayed its presence in Mc- erate in the state. Even if the Planning resign. through its current chal- growth by keeping over 300 high pay- Farland as vital to the community’s Commission did approve the permits, “If people in this com- lenges, Cantu sees a bright ing jobs in the area,” the company said success. The company claimed on lawsuits would likely challenge GEO munity are against our future for the city. in a statement. Tuesday McFarland would lose $1.5 in court. plan for the future of Mc- “We know that the future If GEO does bring the matter before million in utility fees, and property “Last night’s victory is a sign that the Farland, then maybe they is going to get better, but the council, it can expect another pro- taxes would drop by $500,000 if two tide is shifting,” Christina Fialho, co-ex- need a different leader, in the interim we have to tracted fight. Hundreds of protesters facilities were not allowed to operate.