Happy Thanks Giving Day...

Paw...

Thank you for the blog, and pass on my thanks for all folks who aid the community and do not get paid for it, travel on tax payer's dime, or use service as self promotion. These are the true foundation to community and these are the folks for which I am thankful.

Let us all remember the men and women serving in the Military and their families.

Thanks again gramps....

Dear Pawww:

Steve Berry's Party Plan of Civic Management is interesting:

The Youth Sports Teams are denied any City Support for their activities other than the space and even that they have to kick in fees to "Reserve the Field" and pay for lights. So they put us all at risk by selling fireworks and earn 15,000.00 or perhaps as much as 20, 000.00. This added to the fees paid by parents provide activities for Youth Year Round. Sure there are savings that could be made in these activities... but add up all the hours and kids served, and parents that get connected with their children and community.

Then... look at the cost of Grand Terrace Gala.... a Private Party for a "Select Few" of the Favored Friends of the City Council, Mayor and City Manager, and Assistant City Manager.
The cost listed does not include the hours of City Employees spent in planning and pulling off the event... One Day, One Event and only a few citizens served.

Now... look at the Halloween Haunt. This was at a time done with public contributions, and the GT Woman's Club, and businesses. Then Steve Berry made it his show... along with the even more expensive Grand Terrace Days. The Halloween Haunt has become a Steve Berry event and is used by Lee Ann Garcia as a Campaign Event... did she report the City as a Donor to her Campaign? Her booth was effective, tacky but effective as she got name recognition and elected again. Were the other candidates offered space at the City Event?

Again, the time of City Employees Planning and Holding and Cleaning up after the event is missing from the Financial Report. Also missing is a record of the Contributions made for the event and the number of hours spent by city staff requesting funds. Why is the city spending money on a mailer for the HH? That is just dumb, unless you benefit from the expenditure some way. Like the more people who come will come see my campaign booth.

Grand Terrace Days... well there is a whole bunch of time and money there too... Every Hour and CENT should be accounted for or the people in charge in the city should lose their jobs. Who do they think they are... the US Treasury or something. No... accountability should start right here at GT CITY HALL.

Tax Payers Have a Right to Be UPSET about the use of the City Funds. Demand an Audit.

Oh this is the RDA and City Council that thinks DEBT is Good... see how good this is working...
thanks for the warning Gramps... Perhaps the New City Council will make corrections and be less like the Auto CEO's and make the City Serve the Citizens not the Citizens serve the Council and City Staff as if they were CEO's.

If We had a Jet they would Fly it to the Post Office

CITY FUNDS SPENDING ON “ENTERTAINMENT”

Missing from these numbers are the Direct Cost of City Employee Hours of Labor Spent on Party Planning and Attendance

30th Anniversary Gala

(Private Party Not a PUBLIC EVENT)

SB County Sheriff 's Dept ................................................$ 2,175.00
Balloon Team ....................................................................$ 2,299.11
11/11/2008 Boy Scout Troop 40 .....................................$ 250.00
11/11/2008 J.Z's Party ..................................................$ 2,785.21
111/11/08 Junipero Sierra House ..................................$ 250.00
10/16/2008 Cashbox-Montes ........................................$ 150.00
10/16/2008 Dr. Robert Knop .....................................$ 1,500.00
10/16/2008 10/16/2008 ............................................$ 3,500.00
10/30/2008 Souvenir photo frames ..............................$ 575.28

Cost of Private Party $ 13,484.60

Halloween Haunt

10/30/2008 Game Booth Rentals ................................$ 1,373.81
1030/08 Studio 33 Productions ..................................$ 9,152.30
Studio 33 Productions ..................................................$ 4,487.92
11/11/2008 Halloween Haunt ........................................$ 10.89
Halloween Haunt...............................................................$ 16.16
Halloween Haunt ............................................................$ 193.69
Halloween Haunt...............................................................$ 70.51
11/11/2008 Mailer .....................................................$ 1,449.87
October Costume Rent Owens/Montes .....................$ 150.00
October Halloween Candy ............................................$ 369.96
October Halloween Candy ............................................$ 245.67
October S Berry/lunch ....................................................$ 16.73
October Halloween Candy.............................................$ 582.52
October Halloween Candy ............................................$ 915.76

Cost of Halloween Haunt Public Party $ 19,035.79

Other Questionable Expenditures

11/11/2008 Embroidery-shirts ...............................$ 90.46
embroidered blankets/bags ......................................$ 796.19
10/28/2008 Embroidery-shirts ...............................$ 119.54
11/11/2008 Golden Tiger Martial Arts....................$ 206.50
10/17/2008 Pumpkins-Daycare ...............................$ 277.75
10/17/2008 Book Fair Fundraiser.............................$ 632.64
10/13/2008 Berry/Garcia Lunch .............................$ 7.00
10/15/2008 Lunch L. Ronnow ..................................$ 12.00
10/19/2008 flowers-Alldredge..................................$ 67.35

October Programs .........................................................$ 65.78
10/4/2008 League Conference-Garcia/Ferre ........$ 828.14
10/5/2008 Preschool Classroom Supplies ...............$ 173.65
10/6/2008 Child Care Ann Celebration ...................$ 29.14
10/28/2008 Install Hall Fire Alarm....................$ 19,500.00
10/28/2008 Joint Newsletter Contribution...........$ 870.00
10/28/2008 Bottle Water........................................$ 320.08

STRANGE Expenditures $ 23,996.22

City Staff BBQ

13-Oct ..............................$ 57.40
10/16/2008 ....................$ 35.40
10/18/2008 ....................$ 32.33
10/19/2008 ....................$ 33.37
Employee BBQ.................... $ 178.50

Also missing is the accounting of Funds "Contributed" to the Events. Grand Terrace Days Financials and Labor Report has also not been made PUBLIC in Full Detail. WHY?

Measure G Passes with Caution:

The Voting Citizens of Colton Joint Unified School District approve Measure G with the intent the funds build Schools, not foot ball fields or pay Administrators Wages and Perks.

The average cost will be YEARS of paying an additional 40.00 per 100,000 value on your house tax bill...

So folks you have increased your taxes, with the intent on building schools. These schools will have increased operational costs which will be a need for more funds... SO be ready to be sure your taxes are paid and spent for what you want.

From the Email InBox: Sheriff Contact

From the Email InBox:

On Sun, 11/9/08,
Brian R
Sunday, November 9, 2008, 6:30 PM

You may want to confirm, but I believe that cell phone 911 calls from the city of Grand Terrace now go directly to the Sheriff's Dept; not to the CHP as the last poster indicated. I called 911 from Rollins Park 2 weeks ago on my cell phone and the Sheriff dispatcher answered.

Brian

Thanks, that is great news... I'll post it... I recall that was a plan to happen... It is good to have the Non Emergency Sheriff's Number Preprogramed too... I'll have to look it up, I have already changed my phone to my new Sheriff Dept...

Gramps...

Crime and Economics Affect GT

10:00 PM PST on Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Grand Terrace
Car burglary suspects tied to other break-ins

Detectives believe two men charged last week with burglarizing a vehicle at a Grand Terrace apartment complex committed numerous other break-ins in San Bernardino and Los Angeles counties, and are urging victims to contact them to see if their property has been recovered.
Alonzo Jay Lucas, 40, and Jaymes Greathouse, 30, both of San Bernardino, pleaded not guilty to felony counts of grand theft stemming from an Oct. 24 theft of tires and rims from a car at the Highland Apartments in Grand Terrace.

Lucas also is charged with assault with a deadly weapon and receiving stolen property.
Lucas was arrested that night by deputies investigating a vehicle break-in and attempt to run over a security guard. Greathouse was arrested four days later.

Lucas also is suspected of stealing a checkbook from another car at the complex and giving it to his wife, Michella Roan, 39, who was arrested on suspicion of depositing a forged check into her account, a sheriff's news release said.

During a search of Lucas' storage unit, detectives found a Los Angeles police badge, handcuffs, a baton and ammunition reported stolen in June from an officer's car in West Covina , detectives said.

For further information, call Detective Al Ixco at 909-387-3545.
--Paul LaRocco

GRAMPS: Please post this...

This explains all the activity the other night.... it also demonstrates that with the economy getting bad Crime goes up and GT is a easy target. We must increase our community awareness and get to know our neighbors and be more alert to warning signs of criminal acts. Take a cell phone picture, and call in crimes in action... and make notes of licence plates if you feel that something isn't just quite right. IF there is a crime you may have captured the clue that is needed to make an arrest.

Be Safe Out There... Have Emergency Numbers Right Next your Phones... and pre program your Cell Phone for the Sheriff's Number remember 911 on your cell phone calls the CHiP's

Thanks for keeping the blog up.. sorry you moved....

In the Pink...

New Council Member

Welcome to the City Council Walt... Perhaps your first night will include questions about Lunch Fund for Lee Ann and Steve and the City Staff... speaking of having a hand out to the public.

For those who lost this time around.... thanks for putting yourself up for public service. Please try again, in non Presidential Election Years the number of votes you got may have resulted in your being elected. So Please hang in there and run again... AND Please become a member of the "Other Side of the Podium" as the Public needs a voice OFF of the COUNCIL to ask the inconvenient questions, not on the "Agenda".

Restaurant owner takes a seat at Grand Terrace council table
By Stephen Wall, Staff Writer
Article Launched: 11/05/2008 09:59:28 PM PST


GRAND TERRACE - Walt the pasta maker is cooking up a recipe for success on the City Council.
Walt Stanckiewitz, the 58-year-old owner of La Pasta Italia restaurant, wrapped up a spot on the council Tuesday night.

Incumbents Jim Miller and Lee Ann Garcia won the other two seats that were up for grabs in the six-candidate race.


A native of Munich, Germany, Stanckiewitz served in the U.S. Army from 1972 to 1978, achieving the rank of captain. He and his wife, Monique, have operated their restaurant on Barton Road for nearly 20 years. They have a 20-year-old daughter, Lindsey.

The couple moved to the city after losing their Running Springs home in the Slide Fire last year.
Stanckiewitz said he will bring the perspective of a small business owner to the council.
He thinks the city's biggest challenge is balancing the budget in the midst of tough economic times. He also wants to make sure that a new high school and Stater Bros. market get built.
"We need to be very judicious in how we spend our money," Stanckiewitz said. "The last thing we want to do is go to the residents with our hand out."

Free LUNCH? Breaking a Campaign Statement...

Lee Ann Garcia... Eats on City Funds... and the Free Lunch...

Why is the city paying for a free lunch for a Council Member, City Staff and BBQ for a Week?

Why has Halloween Haunt been allowed to be turned into a Political Event??? BOO that is Scary it needs to stop... beyond tacky...

It is time for a Full Audit of Cost and Contributions to the HH Event, including Hours spent by City workers. It is getting out of hand and being abused enough to cross that Ethics line.

Can you READ THIS SIGN...???

Paww.....As to signs noted per paragraph of Nov. 1st.

Was similar situation mentioned of the Visual Impact situation at a Planning Commission meeting of some months ago when the NEW OAC was brought up.

As the proposed site is hidden via a depressed freeway, and thus when driving by it on the I-215, the land will appear high on a knoll, how then is the site to attract investors of visitors? Other than silence at the meeting, the only solution mentioned was to line the edge of the freeway chain link fence with billboards. They of course will be "temporary".

But isn't that against present code? YES.... but the City Think is.....

Not if the act is being done by the City of G.T. for their own benefit. ...

Word is if the Chain Link Fence Billboards are going to go up Cal Trans may have Words for The City of Grand Terrace... "Cute Signs" along Barton Rd... well that is again... a City Do but Local Business Don't Do Code of ETHICS..

PROTECT YOURSELF and TURN IN THE SCUM

Why aren’t our news papers reporting this?
Contra Costa Times
Five implicated in foreclosure scam
By Daily News wire services
Article Launched: 11/04/2008 10:10:54 AM PST
Three people were arrested and two others are being sought in connection with an alleged foreclosure scam ring, California Attorney General Jerry Brown announced today.
Saul Amador of West Covina , Jesus Flores of Baldwin Park and Rosa Conrado of San Bernardino were taken into custody by agents from the California Department of Justice's Bureau of Investigation and Intelligence, according to Brown's office.

Arrest warrants have been issued for Juan Perez of Grand Terrace and David Giron of Ontario .

"It is appalling how these scammers took advantage of desperate homeowners and ripped them off for thousands of dollars," Brown said. "Our campaign against mortgage scams masquerading as foreclosure assistance will continue and even intensify."

The arrests stemmed from an investigation into First Gov, also operating as Foreclosure Prevention Services, which solicited hundreds of homeowners with fliers offering to help them stop the foreclosure process on their homes, authorities said.

Homeowners were allegedly falsely told that their mortgages would be renegotiated, that monthly payments would be reduced, and that any delinquent loan amounts would be transferred to the renegotiated principal in exchange for an upfront fee ranging from $1,500 to $5,000, according to the Attorney General's Office.

Authorities warned that it is unlawful for companies to promise to help consumers in foreclosure collect any money upfront, before they have done what was promised.

The state Attorney General's Office advised that homeowners who are behind in their mortgage payments or whose homes are already in foreclosure can seek services at little or no cost.
For information about the serivces, call -888-995-46473 or see www.yourhome.ca.gov or www.995hope.org.

Read this Sign... GT to Increase Visual Distraction ?

Paw,

Steve berry says put up more signs to tell people what they should be doing – Is he kidding.

He says it was the signs that said “Don’t Even Think About Speeding” stopped folks from speeding. It wasn’t the signs; it was the police and all the tickets they were giving out. Without the police, does he really think people would pay attention? They are in a hurry to get to work, school, shopping, meeting at the Food Connection, etc. etc.

“Don’t Even Think About It” sounds more like the ol school marm, Maryetta Ferre, still telling people what they can and can’t do. That is what the people were really saying.

Steve Berry is out of touch. He should have the job of fixing all the walls that have been graffiti on. I know the Mr. Hilkey and Mr. Miller were against more signage in GT. I think it just litters and distracts.


Grand Terrace bringing back old-fashioned billboards
By Stephen Wall, Staff Writer
Article Launched: 10/30/2008 06:25:32 PM PDT
GRAND TERRACE - The city is going back in time in hopes of generating a brighter economic future.
City officials are developing a sign campaign reminiscent of the Burma-Shave billboards that were prevalent in much of the United States from 1925 to 1963.

Burma-Shave was a brushless shaving cream that was promoted through catchy, humorous rhyming poems posted on small billboards along the edge of highways. The signs were spaced apart so they could be read consecutively by passing motorists. The last sign was almost always the name of the product.

Acting City Manager Steve Berry is working on a similar concept with his staff in an effort to promote local businesses in the midst of challenging economic times.
"It's a cute way to get across the idea that for a small community to continue to offer quality levels of service, people need to support their local businesses," Berry said.

Berry said the wording on the signs is still being worked on. The slogans could be changed every few months to constantly provide a "clever" marketing message, he said.

The cost of the campaign is minimal - "$300 or $400 at the most," Berry said.

The signs could be placed on a hillside area on Barton Road near the Colton border. Motorists entering the city from Colton would see the signs as they come around the hill approaching
Preston Street . The signs could be put 20 or 30 yards apart for maximum visual effect, he said.
A few years ago, officials installed "Don't Even Think About Speeding in Grand Terrace" signs at city entrances.

Even though the signs were taken down recently, the campaign was successful in reducing speeding, officials said.

"It became entrenched in people's minds. We're trying to have the same effect with the new signs," Berry said.

Bobbie Forbes, a Grand Terrace resident who sells real estate, said the ad campaign would be "money well-spent."

"They need to remind the residents that it's important to shop in our community," Forbes said. "As more businesses come into Grand Terrace, it will financially benefit Grand Terrace and hopefully get the community to spend more money here."
stephen.wall@inlandnewspapers.com
(909) 386-3916