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| Ahmanson Ranch Investigation (Click thumbnail image to view article or link) |
EARTHLY SECRETS
LA Weekly - June 12, 2002
Ahmanson foes want ground-water tests. "They must analyze the ground water for pollution
since they plan to use 660,000 gallons of it every day to water playgrounds, golf courses,
common areas and lawns," says environmentalist Mary Wiesbrock.
LA Weekly - June 12, 2002
Ahmanson foes want ground-water tests. "They must analyze the ground water for pollution
since they plan to use 660,000 gallons of it every day to water playgrounds, golf courses,
common areas and lawns," says environmentalist Mary Wiesbrock.
ROCKETDYNE RANCH
Ventura County Reporter - December 12, 2002
The battle over the massive Ahmanson Ranch housing development heats up amid growing
concerns about possible water and soil contamination from nearby Rocketdyne.
Ventura County Reporter - December 12, 2002
The battle over the massive Ahmanson Ranch housing development heats up amid growing
concerns about possible water and soil contamination from nearby Rocketdyne.
ROCKETDYNE - IT'S THE PITS
Ventura County Reporter - December 19, 2002
Lots of questions, few answers at the latest meeting on Rocketdyne cleanup. Collins
discovers radiation in a SSFL reactor that was being decommissioned that Boeing and
government inspectors had missed.
Ventura County Reporter - December 19, 2002
Lots of questions, few answers at the latest meeting on Rocketdyne cleanup. Collins
discovers radiation in a SSFL reactor that was being decommissioned that Boeing and
government inspectors had missed.
DON'T BANK ON IT
Ventura County Reporter - December 26, 2002
WaMu will forge ahead on Ahmanson despite massive litigation. Collins interviews Tim
McGarry of Washington Mutual regarding the controversial development.
Ventura County Reporter - December 26, 2002
WaMu will forge ahead on Ahmanson despite massive litigation. Collins interviews Tim
McGarry of Washington Mutual regarding the controversial development.
SUITED UP
Ventura County Reporter - January 23, 2003
Anti-Ahmanson forces contest Ventura County's decision to approve the massive 3,050
housing project on the eastern border of the county. "This is a horrible project," says Los
Angeles Sup. Zev Yaroslavsky. "We should join in protecting our interests as a county."
Ventura County Reporter - January 23, 2003
Anti-Ahmanson forces contest Ventura County's decision to approve the massive 3,050
housing project on the eastern border of the county. "This is a horrible project," says Los
Angeles Sup. Zev Yaroslavsky. "We should join in protecting our interests as a county."
WHO TO WATCH - JANICE LEE
Ventura County Reporter - February 6, 2003
Calabasas City Council member, pollution-hater, hell-on-heels. Lee was a Calabasas
community leader, businesswoman and long-time environmental advocate. “When I say ‘no’
on Ahmanson Ranch,” she said, “I mean business.”
Ventura County Reporter - February 6, 2003
Calabasas City Council member, pollution-hater, hell-on-heels. Lee was a Calabasas
community leader, businesswoman and long-time environmental advocate. “When I say ‘no’
on Ahmanson Ranch,” she said, “I mean business.”
AIR APPARENT
Ventura County Reporter - February 13, 2003
Deadly Rocketdyne vapor threatens Ventura and Los Angeles Counties. "It will take 50,000
years to clean up the TCE at the 10 gallon per year rate of removal of the solvent,” said
nuclear watchdog Dan Hirsch. "(Rocketdyne) should test its buildings."
Ventura County Reporter - February 13, 2003
Deadly Rocketdyne vapor threatens Ventura and Los Angeles Counties. "It will take 50,000
years to clean up the TCE at the 10 gallon per year rate of removal of the solvent,” said
nuclear watchdog Dan Hirsch. "(Rocketdyne) should test its buildings."
THE FEELING IS MUTUAL
Los Angeles ValleyBeat - July 10, 2003
"I am very pleased to see that the media exposure about the pollution and contamination up
at Rocketdyne has really made Washing¬ton Mutual take a second look and do the right
thing, which is sell the land to the State," said environmentalist Christina Walsh.
Los Angeles ValleyBeat - July 10, 2003
"I am very pleased to see that the media exposure about the pollution and contamination up
at Rocketdyne has really made Washing¬ton Mutual take a second look and do the right
thing, which is sell the land to the State," said environmentalist Christina Walsh.
RECALL RANCH
Los Angeles CityBeat - September 18, 2003
"There is something to be said for the benefit of being a corporate citizen on your bottom
line," said Ventura County Sup. Linda Parks. "People are going to appreciate you and will
become clients of your bank."
Los Angeles CityBeat - September 18, 2003
"There is something to be said for the benefit of being a corporate citizen on your bottom
line," said Ventura County Sup. Linda Parks. "People are going to appreciate you and will
become clients of your bank."
RANCH REVELRY
Ventura County Reporter - May 20, 2004
"It’s Mary Wiesbrock goes to Washington, it really is," said Rob Reiner. "It shows you that
one person can really make a difference. You hear that all the time but she did actually
make a difference."
Ventura County Reporter - May 20, 2004
"It’s Mary Wiesbrock goes to Washington, it really is," said Rob Reiner. "It shows you that
one person can really make a difference. You hear that all the time but she did actually
make a difference."
WIDE OPEN SPACES
Los Angeles CityBeat/ValleyBeat - August 3, 2006
It’s been nearly three years since CityBeat’s and its sister papers’ reports on toxic issues
plaguing Ahmanson Ranch helped force would-be developer Washington Mutual to sell the
gorgeous land to the state for public open space. Now it's time to recreate!
Los Angeles CityBeat/ValleyBeat - August 3, 2006
It’s been nearly three years since CityBeat’s and its sister papers’ reports on toxic issues
plaguing Ahmanson Ranch helped force would-be developer Washington Mutual to sell the
gorgeous land to the state for public open space. Now it's time to recreate!
AHMANSON RANCH GALLERY
This expanded gallery shows the re-christened "Upper Las Virgenes Open Space Reserve"
in all its glory. Our investigation into pollution emanating off neighboring Rocketdyne onto
the ranch did not address open-space issues but questioned the safety of building
thousands of homes on this otherwise pristine property. That this land has been saved as
public parkland is a plus, obviously, for the flora, fauna and people visiting the ranch for
generations to come. Other galleries herein show the October 2003 dedication of the ranch,
April 2004 park supporters celebration and the July 2005 opening of the "Victory Trailhead."
This expanded gallery shows the re-christened "Upper Las Virgenes Open Space Reserve"
in all its glory. Our investigation into pollution emanating off neighboring Rocketdyne onto
the ranch did not address open-space issues but questioned the safety of building
thousands of homes on this otherwise pristine property. That this land has been saved as
public parkland is a plus, obviously, for the flora, fauna and people visiting the ranch for
generations to come. Other galleries herein show the October 2003 dedication of the ranch,
April 2004 park supporters celebration and the July 2005 opening of the "Victory Trailhead."
AHMANSON RANCH ENDGAME
‘CityBeat’ contributor Michael Collins wins a 2003 Los Angeles Press Club award for coverage of
toxics issues that lead to a new state park at Ahmanson Ranch - By Dean Kuipers
Los Angeles CityBeat/ValleyBeat - December 31, 2003
An investigative journalist is only as good as his or her editor and they don't come any better
than Dean Kuipers. It takes more than just talent; it takes vision and courage. Kuipers has both.
‘CityBeat’ contributor Michael Collins wins a 2003 Los Angeles Press Club award for coverage of
toxics issues that lead to a new state park at Ahmanson Ranch - By Dean Kuipers
Los Angeles CityBeat/ValleyBeat - December 31, 2003
An investigative journalist is only as good as his or her editor and they don't come any better
than Dean Kuipers. It takes more than just talent; it takes vision and courage. Kuipers has both.
AHMANSON RANCH TIMELINE
How investigative reporting stopped a public health disaster - By Dean Kuipers
Los Angeles CityBeat/ValleyBeat - December 31, 2003
Our investigation of Ahmanson Ranch began at the LA Weekly and moved on to the Ventura
County Reporter and expanded with the debut of Los Angeles CityBeat/ValleyBeat. With the
ranch becoming a park, it would seem natural that our investigation would come to an end. It
hasn't. The story of Ahmanson Ranch is not a pretty one. Our in-depth exploration of blind
ambition, treachery, shoddy journalism, Oprah's O magazine and HBO will come out in 2008 .
How investigative reporting stopped a public health disaster - By Dean Kuipers
Los Angeles CityBeat/ValleyBeat - December 31, 2003
Our investigation of Ahmanson Ranch began at the LA Weekly and moved on to the Ventura
County Reporter and expanded with the debut of Los Angeles CityBeat/ValleyBeat. With the
ranch becoming a park, it would seem natural that our investigation would come to an end. It
hasn't. The story of Ahmanson Ranch is not a pretty one. Our in-depth exploration of blind
ambition, treachery, shoddy journalism, Oprah's O magazine and HBO will come out in 2008 .
| Michael Collins' articles listed below are from oldest to newest in descending order: |
BATTLEGROUND AHMANSON RANCH
Ventura County Reporter - December 12, 2002
On day one, pro and anti-development forces face off in Ventura.
Ventura County Reporter - December 12, 2002
On day one, pro and anti-development forces face off in Ventura.
AHMANSON RANCH DOCUMENTS
Even with our award-winning series of investigative pieces below, no single news source can
completely cover an issue as long-fought and complicated as Battle of Ahmanson Ranch.
This collection of key documents includes stories from a number of different media that shed
light on this historic fight over thousands of acres of pristine ranch land sitting in the shadow
of the Santa Susana Field Laboratory, site of this nation's worst nuclear meltdown.
Even with our award-winning series of investigative pieces below, no single news source can
completely cover an issue as long-fought and complicated as Battle of Ahmanson Ranch.
This collection of key documents includes stories from a number of different media that shed
light on this historic fight over thousands of acres of pristine ranch land sitting in the shadow
of the Santa Susana Field Laboratory, site of this nation's worst nuclear meltdown.
