LANCASTER – Christmas came early for several youngsters Wednesday, when Lancaster Mayor R. Rex Parris visited several of the City’s Neighborhood Impact Homes with shiny new bicycles in tote.
“Do you believe I’m Santa Claus?” Parris asked a group of youngsters at the Trend Neighborhood Impact Home.
Though skeptical at first, young minds were changed once Parris gave away the first bicycle.
“I believe you’re Santa Claus!” one young boy shouted.
The Mayor, members of City Council, Lancaster Sheriff’s deputies, and volunteers caravanned to the City’s six Neighborhood Impact Homes.
Five randomly selected children at each home were presented with a bicycle from Parris as an early Christmas surprise.
Then the Mayor and company helped the families assemble the bicycles.
“I didn’t want this to be considered a hand out,” Parris said. “I wanted the families, friends and neighbors here to pour their love and elbow grease into these gifts for the children. This is why we are all here working together as a community.”
Families were notified ahead of time about winning the drawing, but the children didn’t have a clue about what was going to happen.
Ten-year-old Nathaly Morano cupped her hands over her face when her name was called, as her friends squealed with excitement.
“I felt very excited and happy,” said Morano. “I would like to say thank you very much to the mayor for giving me this bike.”
Local retailers Bicycle Johns and Wal-Mart offered deals on the bicycles to help make the contribution possible. Wal-Mart also provided the helmets required for the children’s safety.
“This effort was truly the result of many arms in our community coming together to give these neighborhoods a great big hug,” said Parris. “We all have this deep desire to bring joy to others and it is a tremendous experience when we all pitch in to do something extra special for our City and its citizens.”
Stinger says
Here’s an idea: The next time Parris wants to try to warp little children’s minds into believing that he is a saint, or Santa Claus, how about if he actually BUYS the bicycles that he gives to them, instead of taking credit for others’ donations!!
Marissa says
Here is to hoping that all the Christians that have voted for this man in the past actually start reading their bibles.
Most specifically the part about the wolf in sheep’s clothing. That parable was not written simply to help people identify the anti-christ, but as a way to determine those who would use faith as a means to manipulate others.
There is always something that gives away the wolf(evil ones), no matter how hard they try to convince you they are sheep (good folks).
Sometimes its a little thing, a little slip of the proverbial mask that shows the wise they are dealing with a wolf. You don’t have to look for that with Rex Parris.
He is an obvious wolf. He speaks like a wolf, rude, self absorbed, self rightious, petty, arrogant, and even jealous. He looks like a wolf, his hackles rise when faced with anyone he does not like, and, male or female, he attempts to “roll” them. He acts like a wolf, predatory and territorial, prone to attacking without provocation anyone he sees are challenging his dominance.
There is very real reason that true Christians are taught to reject these wolves, and reasons why the warning in the bible is so clear. Men like this will do anything to convince you that they are sheep, because it makes it much easier for them to take what they like from you if you believe it. Christians so want to believe that anyone who is marginally successful that calls themselves a Christian is one, that he doesn’t have to take what he wants, he’s got some of them so dumbstruck, they would just hand it to him.
William says
and like a wolf marking territory, he ‘sprays’ his name all over his Valley territory, the fairgrounds, the school in Palmdale, his law offices and ads in every media. The ‘stink’ is overwhelming but his fans love it.
Eric Moore says
Stop the press The Mayor of the city of Lancaster breaks wind, at least that is what it felt like last Tuesday at the City Council Meeting, ( I watched the video)hot air comming out of both ends, how on earth can Perris a joke of a Mayor critize Mayor Ledford?, Parris is not in the same league with Mayor Ledford, what is Parris up to now?, he wants to take over the Sanitation Commision? there’s got to be some hidden agenda in there, whatch Parris make a mess out the Sanitation commision.
William says
Mayor Ledford is and has been a class act as our mayor whilst the idiot to the north puts his foot in his mouth regularly.
And, what’s with Parris’s silly hand gestures when he’s giving a speech? Watch for it next time. He looks like a little girl telling a story with a lot of emphasis. Nothing against little girls who are expressive. But, Parris is an adult male. We think.
Anyway, I saw the council whining, I mean meeting and, boy, were their panties in a bunch. Good. Serves ’em right. They lost the power plant fight and now are looking for another battle.
Marissa says
R. Rex is mentally ill on the subject of Jim Ledford and has been for more than 2 years. Ever since the Valley press did that have your say thing about who AV residents would rather have as mayor, and Ledford won by a mile, even in Lancaster.
He just can not understand how the big, billboard spouting, millionaire Lawyer end up playing second fiddle to the middle class, east side of Palmdale, ex-bar owner. Now that it appears that Ledford has coat tails that can get other people elected without spending a whole lot of money, poor Rex’s head is ready to explode.
It’s got to piss the shyster off that he has to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to be even close to electable. At least a hundred thousand during an election, and another hundred thousand plus between elections so people will think he’s a halfway decent guy.
People genuinely like Jim Ledford, they tolerate R. Rex Parris because he’s the biggest bully in town, and people that cross him tend to get sued, threatened with lawsuits, harassed by code enforcement or the local sheriff.
William says
i don’t know how Mayor Leford can keep such a cool head in the face of someone like Parris but he does and always comes off the better for it.
I’m so glad we have Mayor Ledford and would hate to ever see him leave or retire. How selfish of me.
Whoever follows him has some incredibly big shoes to fill. I don’t envy him/her. However, we might also benefit from the next mayor standing on Mayor Leford’s shoulders and taking off from there if we elected someone really capable.
Considering how annoying Parris is from across the ‘cactus curtain’, I would be really aggravated if I lived in Lancaster and had to put up with him. Oh, the horror. I feel for those Lancaster residents who didn’t vote for him and are stuck anyway. Many of them have written to the AV Press to complain and I’m sure there are many thousands more who feel likewise.
William says
Reading your comment again about “…ex-bar owner..”, I realized that I knew several bar owners growing up. Both were very personable, ‘people persons’ and popular. I guess that describes Mayor Ledford pretty well. They have to deal with people who are sometimes difficult or ‘not themselves’.
It’s funny cause, on the other hand, Parris is an alcoholic as I heard him discuss it on the local Lancaster channel. It seems that although he may have quit drinking, his obnoxious behavior is consistant with a drunk. Dontcha just love the poetic symetry of those 2 men? ‘The sober ex-bar owner vs the dry drunk’. Cheers!
Marissa says
The differences between the two could be seen way back. Long before either men became who they are today. The benefit of being local is that their stories go way back too.
High school, Ledford was every guy. Middle of the road, got along with people, just an easy going, laid back sort of guy.
Parris was a druggie, a bully with a chip on his shoulder, the kind of guy that not many people liked, but quite a lot feared. That continued for quite a long time with him. Well into his 20’s when he was a bouncer for the scummiest bar in town and got a reputation for really liking it when he could hurt people.
Ledford stayed local and did good. Nice job with Lockheed, left to start his own business, eventually ran for city council, been mayor now forever, and it doesn’t look like the voters want him to leave any time soon.
Parris left, came back a small time ambulance chaser. Only thing that changed there is he started to make real money at it, which has allowed him to once again be a bully.. full circle. He’s still the same trash he always was, he just spends a whole lot of money these days trying to cover the stench.
Stinger says
I’ve noticed that the type of people who support Parris tend to be bullying types, too…
Scott Pelka says
Hey… even if Rex passes gas he sends out a press release… since this was in several media sources I would have to say he did it to promote himself.
Nicole Dawson says
What have you guys done to bring a smile to a child’s face this holiday season? If the answer is nothing, then I suggest you shut your trap and allow the mayor to give back. What harm is it really doing? Sheesh!!!!
Jo says
That’s the point exactly Nichole. Those who give, TO GIVE, won’t answer you. And Rex has done no harm giving bikes to kids. But he got what he was looking for in the giving. Which was a reward. The reward was good publicity. So, was he giving, or was he buying?
Michael says
All I see on this blogsite, Nichole, are some very hateful and jealous individuals who are bitter at life and feel the need to tear everyone down. But none of these creeps have the balls or the brains to run for office and take the heat that comes along with it. They’d rather sit at their keyboards and be armchair commanders (aka pussies!!!)
Jo says
Really Michael? Are the ones who wrote this also “hateful and jealous individuals”?
The Gospel highlights a typical feature of Christian almsgiving: it must be hidden: “Do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,” Jesus asserts, “so that your alms may be done in secret” (Mt 6,3-4). Just a short while before, He said not to boast of one’s own good works so as not to risk being deprived of the heavenly reward (cf. Mt 6,1-2). The disciple is to be concerned with God’s greater glory.
sickntiredofbs says
So the press covers him giving some bikes away and you go apoplectic over it? Spare me the bible verses “Jo”! What do you do to help the poor “jo”? Lets hear it, creep!
Jo says
“apoplectic”??? LOL Sounds like you’re talking about Rex’s behavior from his seat on the council Tuesday, attacking Ledford. But then, he’s “apoplectic” every other day.
As far as what I do for the poor? I, like most others, do what I can. And I don’t wait for the holidays to do it. As far as details? None of your business. (read the above bible quote)This isn’t LBC where Chapell forces his attendee’s to stand in front of the congregation to testify as to what they have done for him lately.
As far as the bible quote goes, if you don’t want Rex to be held to the Christian rules of giving, then tell him to shut up concerning his Christian life. He is the one insisting he is all about the “Christ”, and as such, is solely responsible for others judging him on the rules HE INSIST he lives by. Man up!
If Rex doesn’t want these kind of comments concerning his purchasing of good publicity, then tell him to NOT call the press before he does his next “charity” gig. And if he doesn’t want bad publicity, tell him to quit being such a dick.
In case you haven’t figured it out, sick n tired, The people of Lancaster have gotten “sick n tired” of an overgrown baby, throwing tantrums, and being outraged over manufactured BS from a grown man who should know better.
William says
Jo, I love the way you ‘let it rip’ with your comment re: Parris below. I couldn’t reply to it directly.
I always thought there was something a little off about Lancaster since I moved to Palmdale in 1990. Although, it was the more established city with more amenities back then, Palmdale sure overtook it during several bad recessions. I had the feeling from driving around Lancaster that the development of the city had more to do with which connected people owned which land than what really served the entire city.
Then, Parris really took it to the next level with the Walmart across from Quartz Hill High School and other arrogant actions such as opposing Palmdale’s power plant and seeming to be amused that the High Speed Rail Authority might abandon the Palmdale station for the Gorman route.
Every time I hear how ‘vibrant’ the BLVD is compared to actually being there at dinner time last Sunday night when everything was either closed or less than half full (BeX), I wonder how long they can keep up the BS. Sure, it’s busy during an event but so is the fairgrounds during the fair.
I wonder how Parris will make excuses if he loses the Mongol lawsuit as well as well the prayer at council meetings one too. They pray at their council meetings while their mayor calls Mayor Ledford names and acts in a totally unprofessional manner towards his neighbor to the south. I guess prayer is a useless exercise when it doesn’t guide the person praying to behave better than that.
Jo says
Thanks William. Just saying what everyone is thinking. And at the risk of this sounding like a “mutual admiration society” your analogy of Rex playing dog and marking his territory is spot on. Along with Marissa’s wolf in sheep’s clothes statements.
See, Rex can bring people together after all!
Scott Pelka says
Excuse me… I did pull papers to run for mayor in the last election. I stepped aside so the field of candidates would not be muddled and threw my endorsement to Arnie Rodio. Right now I wouldn’t even think about running because the city’s finances are sooo screwed up. We have junk bond status for any projects we try to borrow money for and all the questionable stuff the council has been doing will be coming out when the feds raid this town for misuse if federal dollars.
sickntiredofbs says
nobody in their right mind would vote for your fat, uncouth, sloppy a–!
Marissa says
What do you want to bet that mr. “sick” is the same guy who above was trying to play Santa.
They both have the same refrain.. anyone who criticizes the king get slapped with “what have you done?” as if everyone should be as big a braggart as Parris.
William says
I had already made a donation to UNICEF before I read your comment but, judging from your righteousness, it won’t make a bit of difference for you to know that.
I suspect that many others who find Parris obnoxious and arrogant do generous things WITHOUT PRESS RELEASES AND PHOTO OPS. They do it for the sake of doing it not for their egos like Parris.
sickntiredofbs says
as a politician, anything that Rex Parris does is going to be in the spotlight. FYI, though, I have heard credible sources tell me that he does give A LOT more than is known publicly. Whether or not you too choose to believe this is up to you.
William says
I ‘choose’ not to believe anything coming from you.
Stinger says
There is a difference between somebody noticing that you do something and bringing an entire press entourage to take pictures of it! Parris doesn’t do ANYTHING without getting some sort of return on it – that’s just the way he rolls.
William says
…and if he or any of his fans think his gift giving excuses his bad behavior the rest of the year, it doesn’t.
William says
Parris gives some kids bikes while helping plant a Walmart across from Quartz Hill High School. I guess that’s a fair trade in your world.
Stinger says
SAINT Rex? Really? Boy, the requirements for sainthood have really lapsed, haven’t they? At this rate, Hitler & Mussolini will be up for canonizing soon!
Marissa says
I know several people here in the AV who adopt whole families every year. Regular working people who sacrifice to provide gifts to other families that they don’t even personally know.
One local family puts money aside all year long, $30 a week, and then at the end of the year, they spend it buying gifts for about 60 children in foster care.
These people aren’t rich, they don’t have the press following them around to tell them how great they are, they most definitely don’t have their names up on buildings or billboards all over the valley.
This year, the family that provides the gifts for foster kids does not even have a Christmas tree themselves because they can’t afford one, but they spent their entire Christmas account, almost $1600, buying gifts for other people’s children.
So yeah, Rich old Rex got to play Santa, press in tow to make sure that everyone knows that he gave a couple bikes away.
The rest of the time he acts like a complete moron.
William says
Parris tries to promote Lancaster and the BLVD as some kind of ‘destination’ for visitors yet he probably costs local business quite a few customers in the process. ‘Moron’, you say??? You’re being too kind.