Delay in Action Shows Problems in the Council.

May 1, 2009 the San Bernardino County Sentinel ran a lengthy article about the Alleged Embezzlement and Falsification of Government Records by now Acting City Manager Steve Berry.

The mayor and city council needs to answer the question of why it has taken each of them as individuals and as a body to respond to the issues raised in the article and the associated 150 pages of investigators report.

Did any one of them request the full investigation report be made available to them and the Public?

How can a Council Member get away with calling a reporter with so much documentation a Liar in public? Hasn't the Council Member Knowingly Slandered the reporter? Or is it the case the Council Members who support Steve Berry are unable to read the article, and the investigators report.

It is Clear that City Council Members were contacted prior to the Printing of the Sentinel Article. It is Clear that the Assistant City Manager was contacted prior to the printing of the article. It is also clear that the truth is still not being told. Schwab states he nearly fired Berry over the issue, Berry claims it was never an issue in May, then later down the road he changes his representation in the following interviews in the Grand Terrace City News and other public statements.

What is also clear is that the right thing to have done in 2002 was to let the investigation run its course and find a resolution in the Court not behind closed doors of Tom Schwabs Office. Now 7 years later the issue and cover up should not be dealt with behind closed doors of the City Council Chambers. The issue should be handed to the Grand Jury or DA's Office for further investigation and the filling of charges.

At a minimum the City Council Members had the opportunity to be informed or interested in the allegations no later than May 1 when it appeared in print. Clearly some were informed prior to that as the reporter in that article had contacted them regarding the story. Council Members that attack the reporter for printing the story and informing the public of the investigation are Dupes and Stooges of the City Managers. Their intentional lack of curiosity and determination to be informed disqualifies them as Council Member they should resign and go fishing.