From the Sun: Steve Berry Ousted / Miller Gets Support

Berry ousted in Grand Terrace
Stephen Wall, Staff Writer
Posted: 07/29/2009 04:12:22 PM PDT


GRAND TERRACE - Steve Berry's eight-year run in city government came to an abrupt end Tuesday night.

The City Council voted 4-0, with Councilman Jim Miller abstaining, to dismiss Berry from the post he held since former City Manager Tom Schwab was hospitalized with a brain injury last summer.

In a subsequent move, the council laid off Berry as assistant city manager, his position before becoming acting city manager. The council eliminated the assistant city manager job from the budget in June for financial reasons.

"I have no regrets," Berry, 46, said Wednesday. "I am very proud of what we accomplished in the last eight years in the city."

Finance Director Bernie Simon was named acting city manager until a permanent city manager is selected in the fall.

"This decision by the council is not intended to reflect on Steve Berry's integrity or skills," according to the motion passed by the council and read by Mayor Maryetta Ferre before the vote.

"The council, however, feels that under the current circumstances, it is impossible for Steve to provide the leadership of staff and the city necessary to continue as acting city manager."

A series of events over the past few months led to Berry's downfall.
He made no secret of his desire to become the permanent city manager, even after Schwab told the council he wanted his job back when he recovered. Many old-timers came out in support of Schwab, who ultimately decided to retire last month.

Berry was also suspected of embezzling city funds in a window-tinting scandal involving a county work release inmate in 2003, according to sheriff's records. The allegations against Berry were covered up by Schwab, who didn't push for criminal charges or discipline Berry because he wanted to save the city embarrassment.
(Blog Notes: Schwab didn’t not push, he said don’t send the case to the DA’s Office and that is Obstruction of a Criminal Investigation and Justice. Schwab’s action involved the Sheriff Investigator and countless others in a cover up after the fact.)

Two weeks ago, council members decided they would not consider Berry for the permanent city manager job.

The next day, district attorney investigators arrested Miller on a felony conflict-of-interest charge. Miller is accused of voting to spend thousands of dollars on advertising with his wife's newspaper.

Berry had a feud with Miller's wife, Margie Miller, who was upset with his decision to stop the city from running legal ads in her publication last year.

Berry wanted the district attorney to accelerate the investigation of Jim Miller, hoping that charges would be filed before the council could take action against him in response to the window-tinting allegations.

"I think that was the last straw," Councilman Walt Stanckiewitz said Wednesday.

Simon, meanwhile, said he is considering applying for the permanent city manager job. The 53-year-old San Jacinto resident is in his second stint with the city. He was finance director from 1994 to 2000, left for the same position with the city of San Jacinto for six years and came back to Grand Terrace in September.

"I think it's a wonderful community," Simon said of Grand Terrace. "I'm willing to do whatever it takes to get us to the next point. The council needs to find a city manager that can bring this community back together."

- stephen.wall@inlandnewspapers.com (909) 386-3916


Residents back embattled councilman
Stephen Wall, Staff Writer
Posted: 07/29/2009 05:29:05 PM PDT

GRAND TERRACE - More than 160 people packed the Council Chamber on Tuesday night to support embattled Councilman Jim Miller.

Miller is accused of voting on $18,000 worth of advertising contracts that benefited a weekly newspaper owned by his wife. He is scheduled to be arraigned Sept. 30 on a felony conflict-of-interest charge.

If convicted, he faces up to three years in prison and could no longer hold public office.

Several residents said they were stunned by Miller's July 15 arrest and vowed to stick with him and his wife, Margie, through trying times.

"We love and respect them and admire their integrity," said resident Frances Carter. "It is tearing their lives apart. It was a mistake and they are willing to make it right."

Jim Miller is an active member of several service clubs that raise money for charity. He also helped victims of a fire that gutted an apartment building on De Berry Street in 2007, said Roy Nix, a former councilman.

"When I heard about the allegations, I was shocked," said longtime resident Terri Lee Robb. "They are the antithesis of everything I know about the man."

Other residents said Miller was targeted by former acting City Manager Steve Berry, who pushed the district attorney to investigate Miller's votes. Berry, who declined to discuss the Miller situation, was removed from his position by the council Tuesday night.

Some criticized the manner in which Miller was arrested at his home and taken to jail.
"He was treated worse than a common criminal," said Gene Carlstrom, who served on the council from 1988 to 1996.

After residents expressed their support, Miller made his first public remarks since his arrest.

"It's been a very difficult time for me and my family," he said. "I am very, very humbled by all of the people that have come out tonight in support of us. I love every one of you."

Miller apologized to the council, city employees, residents and his wife for what happened.

"It's been horrible. I wouldn't wish it on anybody. We will continue to fight. With your support, we hope to (prevail)," he said.

The standing-room-only crowd then erupted in applause and gave Miller a standing ovation, prompting him to flash the thumbs-up sign.

- stephen.wall@inlandnewspapers.com, (909) 386-3916