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Monday, August 31, 2009
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Red Light Advise: From the Email InBox
Paww...
I am against the Red Light camera's. I perfer the "Notice to Appear" citation. I received an Red Light Ticket in Riverside about a year ago. I pled not guilty and explained to the Judge that I have a Constitutional Right to confront my accuser. If my Rights are to be respected in a Court of Law, then I would like that camera removed and brought into Court with the person that invented it, and an explaination on how it is supposed to work. the person that last calibrated it and an explaintation of any possible malfunctions such as yellow lights being set at one or two seconds to catch the person in a red light. The video did show I entered the intersection as the light turned red but the Judge dismissed it because of my request.
Paww...
If Simon can't understand the cameras, what about city management?
Paww....
If you get a red light ticket in G.T. many times the fine is very excessive. If you pay it, then OK.
If not, as many folks say no to. They then go to court in downtown S.B. and get a date for a hearing before speaking judge. This then saves them quite a few dollars.
The judge too may say the infraction was wrong, but then due to the high (arbitrary) fine, will reduce it to about 1/3rd or 1/2 the original rate. Nothing wrong with that, the driver is still guilty, but the fine is lesser, at a bit more than the rate a motor officer would have charged.
I have heard the original mail-in fine is nearer to $600 whereas the judges say the fine is better at $100-$200 each offence. Solution?
Raise the fine rates up more to make up for the shortfall in fees collected. Pretty soon it will cost One Million dollars to violate the camera bandit, as only one person pays the full rate. Like the lemonade stand at the curb charging $15 each, you only need to sell one glass to make up in profits for all the losses.
Paww Thinks:
You have some great advise to citizens who do get a red light violation. However, your long term economics are a bit off even if amusing.
Understanding the contract is not a problem, if you are not looking to spend every last available dime even if it doesn't belong to you to spend.
The contract was for 6000.00 per month for 5 years. If in one month the collections fell short the amount would carry forward to the end of the 5 years in the event the under collection would cover past shortfalls. However, if at the end of 5 years the account would settle out. If in the event the total receipts exceeded 6000.00 per month in the 5 years the city would claim those funds for the general fund.
What should have been the financial method of accounting would have had an account that was not touched by the city for 5 years except to make payments to the Red Light Company. Those months where receipts exceeded the debt owed or the monthly account due, should have been held in reserve to the end of the 5 year contract. The city would be earning interest on these held funds and the balance would have been legitimately transferred to the General Fund.
However, the flawed financial manipulation was neither prudent or ethical, perhaps even illegal. It exemplifies the bad management practices or criminality of Tom Schwab, Steve Berry and Bernie Simon and the City Council. It also indicates a flaw in the legal advise the city is paying for at an excessive amount each month.
The citizens should demand a full disclosure of where the money went, down to the last cent. Where did the money come from to pay off Tom Schwab. Where did the money come from to pay for Tom Schwab's retirement party and chair? Even after Tom Schwab was side lined failure to pay the Red Light Company falls onto the ineptitude or criminality of Steve Berry the Council and Bernie Simon.
The funds collected and spent on anything other than payment to the Red Light Company were not the City's Funds to Spend until the end of the 5 year contract. That is a Crime plain and simple.
What else is to be discovered under the rugs that are in the Behind Closed Doors of City Hall?
I am against the Red Light camera's. I perfer the "Notice to Appear" citation. I received an Red Light Ticket in Riverside about a year ago. I pled not guilty and explained to the Judge that I have a Constitutional Right to confront my accuser. If my Rights are to be respected in a Court of Law, then I would like that camera removed and brought into Court with the person that invented it, and an explaination on how it is supposed to work. the person that last calibrated it and an explaintation of any possible malfunctions such as yellow lights being set at one or two seconds to catch the person in a red light. The video did show I entered the intersection as the light turned red but the Judge dismissed it because of my request.
Paww...
If Simon can't understand the cameras, what about city management?
Paww....
If you get a red light ticket in G.T. many times the fine is very excessive. If you pay it, then OK.
If not, as many folks say no to. They then go to court in downtown S.B. and get a date for a hearing before speaking judge. This then saves them quite a few dollars.
The judge too may say the infraction was wrong, but then due to the high (arbitrary) fine, will reduce it to about 1/3rd or 1/2 the original rate. Nothing wrong with that, the driver is still guilty, but the fine is lesser, at a bit more than the rate a motor officer would have charged.
I have heard the original mail-in fine is nearer to $600 whereas the judges say the fine is better at $100-$200 each offence. Solution?
Raise the fine rates up more to make up for the shortfall in fees collected. Pretty soon it will cost One Million dollars to violate the camera bandit, as only one person pays the full rate. Like the lemonade stand at the curb charging $15 each, you only need to sell one glass to make up in profits for all the losses.
Paww Thinks:
You have some great advise to citizens who do get a red light violation. However, your long term economics are a bit off even if amusing.
Understanding the contract is not a problem, if you are not looking to spend every last available dime even if it doesn't belong to you to spend.
The contract was for 6000.00 per month for 5 years. If in one month the collections fell short the amount would carry forward to the end of the 5 years in the event the under collection would cover past shortfalls. However, if at the end of 5 years the account would settle out. If in the event the total receipts exceeded 6000.00 per month in the 5 years the city would claim those funds for the general fund.
What should have been the financial method of accounting would have had an account that was not touched by the city for 5 years except to make payments to the Red Light Company. Those months where receipts exceeded the debt owed or the monthly account due, should have been held in reserve to the end of the 5 year contract. The city would be earning interest on these held funds and the balance would have been legitimately transferred to the General Fund.
However, the flawed financial manipulation was neither prudent or ethical, perhaps even illegal. It exemplifies the bad management practices or criminality of Tom Schwab, Steve Berry and Bernie Simon and the City Council. It also indicates a flaw in the legal advise the city is paying for at an excessive amount each month.
The citizens should demand a full disclosure of where the money went, down to the last cent. Where did the money come from to pay off Tom Schwab. Where did the money come from to pay for Tom Schwab's retirement party and chair? Even after Tom Schwab was side lined failure to pay the Red Light Company falls onto the ineptitude or criminality of Steve Berry the Council and Bernie Simon.
The funds collected and spent on anything other than payment to the Red Light Company were not the City's Funds to Spend until the end of the 5 year contract. That is a Crime plain and simple.
What else is to be discovered under the rugs that are in the Behind Closed Doors of City Hall?
Friday, August 28, 2009
Is this a Criminal Act or Bad Managment?
Red-light cameras are a financial headache for Grand Terrace
Stephen Wall, Staff Writer
Posted: 08/28/2009 02:45:36 PM PDT
GRAND TERRACE - It's been nearly two years since red-light cameras were installed at two intersections in the city.
During that time, the city has not made a single payment to Redflex, the company that put in the cameras, which are on the corner of Mount Vernon Avenue and Barton Road and Michigan Avenue and Barton Road.
City officials say complexities in how tickets are processed through the court system account for the problem.
Until recently, the city was unable to define exactly how much money it owed Redflex.
"That money is split up so many ways, it's difficult to trace," said Bernie Simon, acting city manager and finance director.
When a violator gets a red-light citation between $500 and $600, the money is paid to the court.
The money from red-light fines and related court and traffic fees is divided between the court, state, county and city.
Simon said the city nets about 35 percent of the amount of each violation.
Redflex bills the city about $6,000 per month per intersection.
The city has a cost-neutral contract with Redflex, meaning it doesn't pay any more than it collects in fines. The contract runs through 2012.
After doing an analysis, city officials found they were not putting away enough money to pay Redflex.
From October 2007 through May, the city received $141,520 in red-light fines.
But Simon said the city set aside only $87,400, leaving a deficit of $54,120.
The city has $25,000 available in a traffic safety fund to pay part of the deficit.
But there is nearly $30,000 more the city still owes Redflex.
The money went into the traffic safety fund, but instead of being put aside for red-light fines, Simon said it was spent on traffic signs and to pay part of the city's contract with the sheriff's department for police services.
On Tuesday, the City Council agreed to pay Redflex the $87,400 and directed staff members to find out exactly where the $30,000 went, along with a plan to reimburse Redflex the remaining amount. Council members also asked for an accounting of all red-light revenues and how the money is spent.
"We need to get on top of this or this is going to get on top of us, and it's not going to be good," Councilman Jim Miller said.
Redflex representatives told the council they are willing to give the city some time to resolve the situation. The council is expected to discuss the matter again in two weeks.
stephen.wall@inlandnewspapers.com, (909) 386-3916
Added Thoughts:
If a small business fails to pay its sales tax or employee with-holdings or consignment sales it is called theft, embezzlement of funds kiting. Bernie Simon Finance Department should have retained 100 percent of the funds that came into the city until the calculation of what is owed was clarified. Allowing funds to be spent on other purposes or allocated to any other fund or activity demonstrates fiscal malpractice and a clear reason for Bernie Simon not be considered as City Manager. It also demonstrates the need to clear the House of City.
Bernie is not the only one responsible for the lack of good financial practices in handling these funds. The Budget Games were played by Tom Schwab and Steve Berry. The City Council Voted to approve the expenditures and redirection of funds knowing there was still a question on the contractual obligation for the Red Light Services. Citizens should look back in the record for who if any objected to the movement and spending of funds for a purpose other than the intended use of the funds collected. As Finance Directer Bernie Simon should have warned the council and public of this error in judgement of the City Manager and apparently the City Council.
If a Person did this they would find themself in jail or at minim in the bankruptcy court.
Stephen Wall, Staff Writer
Posted: 08/28/2009 02:45:36 PM PDT
GRAND TERRACE - It's been nearly two years since red-light cameras were installed at two intersections in the city.
During that time, the city has not made a single payment to Redflex, the company that put in the cameras, which are on the corner of Mount Vernon Avenue and Barton Road and Michigan Avenue and Barton Road.
City officials say complexities in how tickets are processed through the court system account for the problem.
Until recently, the city was unable to define exactly how much money it owed Redflex.
"That money is split up so many ways, it's difficult to trace," said Bernie Simon, acting city manager and finance director.
When a violator gets a red-light citation between $500 and $600, the money is paid to the court.
The money from red-light fines and related court and traffic fees is divided between the court, state, county and city.
Simon said the city nets about 35 percent of the amount of each violation.
Redflex bills the city about $6,000 per month per intersection.
The city has a cost-neutral contract with Redflex, meaning it doesn't pay any more than it collects in fines. The contract runs through 2012.
After doing an analysis, city officials found they were not putting away enough money to pay Redflex.
From October 2007 through May, the city received $141,520 in red-light fines.
But Simon said the city set aside only $87,400, leaving a deficit of $54,120.
The city has $25,000 available in a traffic safety fund to pay part of the deficit.
But there is nearly $30,000 more the city still owes Redflex.
The money went into the traffic safety fund, but instead of being put aside for red-light fines, Simon said it was spent on traffic signs and to pay part of the city's contract with the sheriff's department for police services.
On Tuesday, the City Council agreed to pay Redflex the $87,400 and directed staff members to find out exactly where the $30,000 went, along with a plan to reimburse Redflex the remaining amount. Council members also asked for an accounting of all red-light revenues and how the money is spent.
"We need to get on top of this or this is going to get on top of us, and it's not going to be good," Councilman Jim Miller said.
Redflex representatives told the council they are willing to give the city some time to resolve the situation. The council is expected to discuss the matter again in two weeks.
stephen.wall@inlandnewspapers.com, (909) 386-3916
Added Thoughts:
If a small business fails to pay its sales tax or employee with-holdings or consignment sales it is called theft, embezzlement of funds kiting. Bernie Simon Finance Department should have retained 100 percent of the funds that came into the city until the calculation of what is owed was clarified. Allowing funds to be spent on other purposes or allocated to any other fund or activity demonstrates fiscal malpractice and a clear reason for Bernie Simon not be considered as City Manager. It also demonstrates the need to clear the House of City.
Bernie is not the only one responsible for the lack of good financial practices in handling these funds. The Budget Games were played by Tom Schwab and Steve Berry. The City Council Voted to approve the expenditures and redirection of funds knowing there was still a question on the contractual obligation for the Red Light Services. Citizens should look back in the record for who if any objected to the movement and spending of funds for a purpose other than the intended use of the funds collected. As Finance Directer Bernie Simon should have warned the council and public of this error in judgement of the City Manager and apparently the City Council.
If a Person did this they would find themself in jail or at minim in the bankruptcy court.
Schwab's Conduct Falls Below the Professional Standard
Point of View
City managers committed to integrity
Roderick Wood and Robert J. O'Neill Jr.
Posted: 08/27/2009 07:51:05 PM PDT
Recent media reports including an acknowledgment by the former Grand Terrace city manager that he took no public action to address allegations of wrongdoing by the assistant city manager in 2003 and failed to disclose the matter to the City Council and public are dismaying.
Evidently motivated by a desire not to embarrass an organization that had been scandal-free to date, the former city manager's conduct clearly fell far short of the high standards set by the local government management profession.
We feel compelled to comment on this matter to reassure the public that the former city manager's conduct is not the norm.
Across California, there are literally hundreds of cities and counties that have hired professional managers and assistants who are committed to ethical, transparent and responsive local government. As members of CAL-ICMA, these individuals understand that building faith and confidence with the public they serve requires complete honesty and transparency in all local government matters, always.
When faced with incidents of wrongdoing or a scandal, they know that the right course of action is to be completely forthcoming with the facts, cooperate with the legal system to prosecute those who crossed the line, and take immediate corrective action to reduce the opportunity for future wrongdoing.
By virtue of their membership in CAL-ICMA, these professionals agree to abide by a stringently enforced Code of Ethics, established in 1924 by the International City/County Management Association (ICMA).
Notably, the ICMA Code of Ethics requires city and county managers to: be dedicated to the concepts of effective and democratic local government; be dedicated to the highest ideals of honor and integrity in all public and personal relationships; recognize that the chief function of local government at all times is to serve the best interests of all people; refrain from all political activities which undermine public confidence in professional administrators; and, seek no favor, believing that personal aggrandizement or profit secured by confidential information or by misuse of public time is dishonest.
Our commitment to unwavering integrity - both in our professional and personal lives - is just one of the many values professional local government managers contribute to the communities they serve. It is about dedication to the highest standards of honor and integrity in all public and personal matters to merit the trust and confidence of those we serve.
Roderick Wood is president and Robert J. O'Neill Jr. is executive director of the International City/County Management Association.
And More......
Recall how many Realtors and "Old Guard" praised Tom Schwab and Steve Berry for their "Professional Conduct" of City Business. Let us hope a new page in GT history has turned. Including Standard of Operations of City Hall.
City managers committed to integrity
Roderick Wood and Robert J. O'Neill Jr.
Posted: 08/27/2009 07:51:05 PM PDT
Recent media reports including an acknowledgment by the former Grand Terrace city manager that he took no public action to address allegations of wrongdoing by the assistant city manager in 2003 and failed to disclose the matter to the City Council and public are dismaying.
Evidently motivated by a desire not to embarrass an organization that had been scandal-free to date, the former city manager's conduct clearly fell far short of the high standards set by the local government management profession.
We feel compelled to comment on this matter to reassure the public that the former city manager's conduct is not the norm.
Across California, there are literally hundreds of cities and counties that have hired professional managers and assistants who are committed to ethical, transparent and responsive local government. As members of CAL-ICMA, these individuals understand that building faith and confidence with the public they serve requires complete honesty and transparency in all local government matters, always.
When faced with incidents of wrongdoing or a scandal, they know that the right course of action is to be completely forthcoming with the facts, cooperate with the legal system to prosecute those who crossed the line, and take immediate corrective action to reduce the opportunity for future wrongdoing.
By virtue of their membership in CAL-ICMA, these professionals agree to abide by a stringently enforced Code of Ethics, established in 1924 by the International City/County Management Association (ICMA).
Notably, the ICMA Code of Ethics requires city and county managers to: be dedicated to the concepts of effective and democratic local government; be dedicated to the highest ideals of honor and integrity in all public and personal relationships; recognize that the chief function of local government at all times is to serve the best interests of all people; refrain from all political activities which undermine public confidence in professional administrators; and, seek no favor, believing that personal aggrandizement or profit secured by confidential information or by misuse of public time is dishonest.
Our commitment to unwavering integrity - both in our professional and personal lives - is just one of the many values professional local government managers contribute to the communities they serve. It is about dedication to the highest standards of honor and integrity in all public and personal matters to merit the trust and confidence of those we serve.
Roderick Wood is president and Robert J. O'Neill Jr. is executive director of the International City/County Management Association.
And More......
Recall how many Realtors and "Old Guard" praised Tom Schwab and Steve Berry for their "Professional Conduct" of City Business. Let us hope a new page in GT history has turned. Including Standard of Operations of City Hall.
If you didn't get it let us know SBCS is in 08 28 09
This week's San Bernardino County Sentinel for 08-28-09 is available... If you haven't already received it in your email inbox... let the blog know and it will be sent...
Grandterracenews@yahoo.com
Grand Terrace search for a new city manager is included in the current issue. Of note 2 city employees applied for the City Manager position even after knowing that the Council has stated to the public that they will not consider people currently employed by the city. Of course no one currently employed by the city has 5 years experience as the City Manager or the Assistant City Manager. Clearly when the job search was opened it was written to only include Schwab and Berry and perhaps a token applicant with such a high bar of work history being set.
No one in the City's employ has that required title history. So even if they are capable they do not meet one of the basic criteria for the application process. Not to hire from within the city staff indicates that there are still internal issues that may arise and a period of self atonement may be needed by staff that allowed the past transgressions to be held as management munitions. Tom Schwab and Steve Berry did not act in a vacuum, their transgressions in style and acts were aided by other city employees in that disclosures to the Citizens who should OWN their City Government, and or the City Council were kept uniformed about critical issues, including criminal investigations of the Assistant City Manager Steve Berry.
Stepping in as City Manager of Grand Terrace may be a difficult task with Department Managers who feel they should have gotten the job. The employed applicants should be asked to evaluate if they are willing to work and work for the citizens if they are not selected as the City Manager. If not they should be encouraged to look for a job with another city who may be able to offer them a job title advancement that Grand Terrace can not do for years to come.
Grandterracenews@yahoo.com
Grand Terrace search for a new city manager is included in the current issue. Of note 2 city employees applied for the City Manager position even after knowing that the Council has stated to the public that they will not consider people currently employed by the city. Of course no one currently employed by the city has 5 years experience as the City Manager or the Assistant City Manager. Clearly when the job search was opened it was written to only include Schwab and Berry and perhaps a token applicant with such a high bar of work history being set.
No one in the City's employ has that required title history. So even if they are capable they do not meet one of the basic criteria for the application process. Not to hire from within the city staff indicates that there are still internal issues that may arise and a period of self atonement may be needed by staff that allowed the past transgressions to be held as management munitions. Tom Schwab and Steve Berry did not act in a vacuum, their transgressions in style and acts were aided by other city employees in that disclosures to the Citizens who should OWN their City Government, and or the City Council were kept uniformed about critical issues, including criminal investigations of the Assistant City Manager Steve Berry.
Stepping in as City Manager of Grand Terrace may be a difficult task with Department Managers who feel they should have gotten the job. The employed applicants should be asked to evaluate if they are willing to work and work for the citizens if they are not selected as the City Manager. If not they should be encouraged to look for a job with another city who may be able to offer them a job title advancement that Grand Terrace can not do for years to come.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Grand Terrace City News .... a Slip of Information?
The article in the Grand Terrace City News, Aug 27 2009 edition identifies the tinting scandal as the reason Steve Berry was dismissed from his job as Acting City Manager/ Assistant City Manager.
The Official reason given at the council meeting was first of all the end of the Assistant City Manager Position being eliminated and that Steve Berry was no longer able to work effectively as the Acting City Manager.
Interesting... statements both of them.
Recall that his removal was directly after Steve Berry and a Computer Technician were locked in City Hall trying to access city records. The public has yet to be informed what records were accessed.
Could this be tied to the Emergency Behind Closed Door Meeting to discuss potential law suit against the city? No one knows yet. This is the problem of not informing the PUBLIC and CITIZENS of what is happening in their Government. This City Council is determined to work behind closed doors and keep the citizens uninformed when ever it can, not when ever it MUST. There is a difference in what May be done behind closed doors and what MUST be done behind closed doors and this City Council chooses to use the closed door when ever it is possible to do so. Perhaps the Brown Act needs to be revised so that Citizens can be better informed about the goings on in Redevelopment Agency and City Council Meetings.
It is clear this Mayor and Council has no interest in informing the Citizens they represent.
The Official reason given at the council meeting was first of all the end of the Assistant City Manager Position being eliminated and that Steve Berry was no longer able to work effectively as the Acting City Manager.
Interesting... statements both of them.
Recall that his removal was directly after Steve Berry and a Computer Technician were locked in City Hall trying to access city records. The public has yet to be informed what records were accessed.
Could this be tied to the Emergency Behind Closed Door Meeting to discuss potential law suit against the city? No one knows yet. This is the problem of not informing the PUBLIC and CITIZENS of what is happening in their Government. This City Council is determined to work behind closed doors and keep the citizens uninformed when ever it can, not when ever it MUST. There is a difference in what May be done behind closed doors and what MUST be done behind closed doors and this City Council chooses to use the closed door when ever it is possible to do so. Perhaps the Brown Act needs to be revised so that Citizens can be better informed about the goings on in Redevelopment Agency and City Council Meetings.
It is clear this Mayor and Council has no interest in informing the Citizens they represent.
CJUSD Board Elections Not To Be Delayed
Colton school board rescinds vote to change election years
Michael J. Sorba, Staff Writer
Posted: 08/26/2009 05:10:08 PM PDT
COLTON - The Colton Joint Unified School District Board of Education has rescinded a vote it made in June to move district school board elections from even to odd-numbered years.
The decision means the next school board election will take place when it was scheduled in November 2010 instead of moving to November 2011.
"After we got the new figures from the county, it was a no-brainer for us to not spend more money to do the same thing," said board member Mel Albiso.
The decision to rescind the vote came after the San Bernardino County Registrar of Voters office sent a letter to the district that provided an estimate of how much it would cost to move the election from 2010 to 2011.
A 2010 election would cost about $51,000. A 2011 election would cost around $155,000, the letter stated. Registrar of Voters Kari Verjil sent similar letters to the Rialto Unified School
District and San Bernardino County Board of Education, which were also considering election-year swaps.
"I wanted the districts to be informed that there would likely not be a savings by switching to the odd year," Verjil said.
Odd-year elections are more expensive because of fewer jurisdictions to share costs to hire poll workers and set up polling places. Districts would also be required to mail out costly change of election notices, Verjil has said.
Albiso said he wasn't aware delaying the election one year would add to its cost. The district is
planning to cut about $12.5 million from its 2010-11 operating budget due to education cuts at the state level, said district spokeswoman Katie Orloff.
Albiso reasoned moving the election to November 2011 would defer its cost to the 2011-12 fiscal year, a time when the district won't be burdened with such a drastic budget setback. "The point was to delay an expenditure to save money for a while, not to triple an expenditure," Albiso said.
On June 25, Albiso and board members Marge Mendoza-Ware, Frank Ibarra and David Zamora voted to switch elections to odd-numbered years, while board members Robert Armenta Jr. and Patricia Haro voted against the change. Board member Kent Taylor was absent from the vote.
On Aug. 20 the board voted unanimously to rescind the original vote and conduct the election in Nov. 2010.
"From the very beginning, common sense is that it would have been a significant increase," Armenta said. "I was pleased when the Registrar of Voters released those figures, not only for our district, but for other districts that were considering the change."
Albiso sounds like Whimpy in Popyee, I'll have a hamburger today and pay you tomarrow... and then the next day he does the same thing. Or was there a political reason to delay the election... say perhaps the Naming of a High School, or increased problems within the CJUSD? The citizens should not be delayed in their voting for School Board Members or Council Members and that is that. Thank you Mr. Armenta and the Registar of Voters to putting a hault to this folly.
Michael J. Sorba, Staff Writer
Posted: 08/26/2009 05:10:08 PM PDT
COLTON - The Colton Joint Unified School District Board of Education has rescinded a vote it made in June to move district school board elections from even to odd-numbered years.
The decision means the next school board election will take place when it was scheduled in November 2010 instead of moving to November 2011.
"After we got the new figures from the county, it was a no-brainer for us to not spend more money to do the same thing," said board member Mel Albiso.
The decision to rescind the vote came after the San Bernardino County Registrar of Voters office sent a letter to the district that provided an estimate of how much it would cost to move the election from 2010 to 2011.
A 2010 election would cost about $51,000. A 2011 election would cost around $155,000, the letter stated. Registrar of Voters Kari Verjil sent similar letters to the Rialto Unified School
District and San Bernardino County Board of Education, which were also considering election-year swaps.
"I wanted the districts to be informed that there would likely not be a savings by switching to the odd year," Verjil said.
Odd-year elections are more expensive because of fewer jurisdictions to share costs to hire poll workers and set up polling places. Districts would also be required to mail out costly change of election notices, Verjil has said.
Albiso said he wasn't aware delaying the election one year would add to its cost. The district is
planning to cut about $12.5 million from its 2010-11 operating budget due to education cuts at the state level, said district spokeswoman Katie Orloff.
Albiso reasoned moving the election to November 2011 would defer its cost to the 2011-12 fiscal year, a time when the district won't be burdened with such a drastic budget setback. "The point was to delay an expenditure to save money for a while, not to triple an expenditure," Albiso said.
On June 25, Albiso and board members Marge Mendoza-Ware, Frank Ibarra and David Zamora voted to switch elections to odd-numbered years, while board members Robert Armenta Jr. and Patricia Haro voted against the change. Board member Kent Taylor was absent from the vote.
On Aug. 20 the board voted unanimously to rescind the original vote and conduct the election in Nov. 2010.
"From the very beginning, common sense is that it would have been a significant increase," Armenta said. "I was pleased when the Registrar of Voters released those figures, not only for our district, but for other districts that were considering the change."
Albiso sounds like Whimpy in Popyee, I'll have a hamburger today and pay you tomarrow... and then the next day he does the same thing. Or was there a political reason to delay the election... say perhaps the Naming of a High School, or increased problems within the CJUSD? The citizens should not be delayed in their voting for School Board Members or Council Members and that is that. Thank you Mr. Armenta and the Registar of Voters to putting a hault to this folly.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Got a Whistle To Blow? Blow It. BUT Get Legal Rep First
The Employee or Employees who get the courage to Blow the Whistle on the actions of the Past City Managers and City Council Members and other City Officials can and should be protected by the Whistle Blower Laws. This may well be the next action taken against the City Council after having some reason for making such a large payment to Tom Schwab to "Keep his mouth shut" as he said in this last interview with the press. Steve Berry called it "Hush Money".
The actions the City Council does not want disclosed for what ever the reasons are actions of the Government, and quite frankly that means PUBLIC. PUBLIC should be informed what the Government of their community is doing... OR this is Not a Democracy.
Perhaps it is a Government for the Developer, Realtor, and Large Land Owner, and the "Friends of the Council", but it is not a Government for the Citizens who live in Grand Terrace.
The actions the City Council does not want disclosed for what ever the reasons are actions of the Government, and quite frankly that means PUBLIC. PUBLIC should be informed what the Government of their community is doing... OR this is Not a Democracy.
Perhaps it is a Government for the Developer, Realtor, and Large Land Owner, and the "Friends of the Council", but it is not a Government for the Citizens who live in Grand Terrace.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
"Emergency Closed Door Session" Law Suit ?
By not telling the public the source of the Potential Legal Action against the City the citizens are left to speculate where is the next shoe going to drop. Who is now taking action against the city?
Let's see what recent events could result in the Need for an Emergency Closed Door Session Regarding a Potential Law Suit. Could either Steve Berry or Tom Schwab or Jim Miller have a case against the City? Well it appeared that Jim Miller was party to the Closed Door Meeting so it is doubtful he is the subject of conversation.
Could the terminated employees be seeking action for unlawful termination under whistle blower protection? Perhaps the City now seeking a traffic mitigation for the Senior Villas could be an issue for the courts to revisit the case on the Senior Housing. Or how about the Computer Tech that was locked into the building with Steve Berry just prior to his termination is there a possible suit there?
Could it be a parent of a Boy Scout who served at a City Christmas Party where Wine was served and the meal was cooked by criminal convicts? Could it be a parent who is upset that a convicted criminal was allowed into the Day Care Center?
Could it be any number of the people who have been pushed off their land and out of their businesses, or had an RDA project directly compete with an existing business? Could it be the Red Light Camera People trying to collect more than the contract stipulates? WHO KNOWS... The Topic of the Legal Action should be part of the AGENDA... or in the case of an EMERGENCY Announced at the Public Meeting.
Current Cases Vs City of Grand Terrace Pending in Courts…. That we know of.
It is not known if one of these is what was being discussed in the “Closed Door Meeting” of the City Council Aug, 25, 2009
Case CIVSS807573 - GROVE-V-CITY OF GRAND TERRACE ET AL
Case CIVSS807573 - Complaints/Parties
Complaint Number: 1
Complaint Type: COMPLAINT (UNLIMITED)
Filing Date: 06/10/2008
Complaint Status: ACTIVE
Party Number Party Type Party Name Attorney Party Status
1 PLAINTIFF MICHAEL GROVE LAWSON, CARROLL M First Paper Fee Paid
2 PLAINTIFF GARY GRAY LAWSON, CARROLL M First Paper Fee Paid
3 PLAINTIFF GLORIA ESQUIBEL-SMILEY LAWSON, CARROLL M First Paper Fee Paid
4 PLAINTIFF JOHN CLARKE LAWSON, CARROLL M First Paper Fee Paid
5 PLAINTIFF RICK SANDBERG LAWSON, CARROLL M First Paper Fee Paid
6 PLAINTIFF RICARDO DORAME LAWSON, CARROLL M First Paper Fee Paid
7 PLAINTIFF BOBBY MORGAN LAWSON, CARROLL M First Paper Fee Paid
8 DEFENDANT CITY OF GRAND TERRACE HARPER & BURNS, LLP Answer 07/10/2008
9 DEFENDANT THOMAS J SCHWAB HARPER & BURNS, LLP Answer 07/10/2008
10 DEFENDANT GRAND TERRACE CITYMANAGER Unrepresented Serve Required (WaitS)
Case CIVSS807573 - Actions/Minutes
Viewed Date Action Text Disposition
01/11/2010 9:30 AM DEPT. S32 COURT TRIAL SET FOR COMPLAINT (UNLIMITED) FILED 06/10/2008 OF MICHAEL GROVE
01/07/2010 8:30 AM DEPT. S32 READINESS CALENDAR
12/07/2009 9:00 AM DEPT. S32 MANDATORY SETTLEMENT CONFERENCE
05/05/2009 8:30 AM DEPT. S32 TRIAL SETTING CONFERENCE Pre-D Complete
Minutes
JOHN P WADE PRESIDING.
CLERK: OLIVIA MCDONALD
COURT REPORTER BETTY KELLEY BETTY KELLEY
COURT ATTENDANT LARRY RUSSELL
Let's see what recent events could result in the Need for an Emergency Closed Door Session Regarding a Potential Law Suit. Could either Steve Berry or Tom Schwab or Jim Miller have a case against the City? Well it appeared that Jim Miller was party to the Closed Door Meeting so it is doubtful he is the subject of conversation.
Could the terminated employees be seeking action for unlawful termination under whistle blower protection? Perhaps the City now seeking a traffic mitigation for the Senior Villas could be an issue for the courts to revisit the case on the Senior Housing. Or how about the Computer Tech that was locked into the building with Steve Berry just prior to his termination is there a possible suit there?
Could it be a parent of a Boy Scout who served at a City Christmas Party where Wine was served and the meal was cooked by criminal convicts? Could it be a parent who is upset that a convicted criminal was allowed into the Day Care Center?
Could it be any number of the people who have been pushed off their land and out of their businesses, or had an RDA project directly compete with an existing business? Could it be the Red Light Camera People trying to collect more than the contract stipulates? WHO KNOWS... The Topic of the Legal Action should be part of the AGENDA... or in the case of an EMERGENCY Announced at the Public Meeting.
Current Cases Vs City of Grand Terrace Pending in Courts…. That we know of.
It is not known if one of these is what was being discussed in the “Closed Door Meeting” of the City Council Aug, 25, 2009
Case CIVSS807573 - GROVE-V-CITY OF GRAND TERRACE ET AL
Case CIVSS807573 - Complaints/Parties
Complaint Number: 1
Complaint Type: COMPLAINT (UNLIMITED)
Filing Date: 06/10/2008
Complaint Status: ACTIVE
Party Number Party Type Party Name Attorney Party Status
1 PLAINTIFF MICHAEL GROVE LAWSON, CARROLL M First Paper Fee Paid
2 PLAINTIFF GARY GRAY LAWSON, CARROLL M First Paper Fee Paid
3 PLAINTIFF GLORIA ESQUIBEL-SMILEY LAWSON, CARROLL M First Paper Fee Paid
4 PLAINTIFF JOHN CLARKE LAWSON, CARROLL M First Paper Fee Paid
5 PLAINTIFF RICK SANDBERG LAWSON, CARROLL M First Paper Fee Paid
6 PLAINTIFF RICARDO DORAME LAWSON, CARROLL M First Paper Fee Paid
7 PLAINTIFF BOBBY MORGAN LAWSON, CARROLL M First Paper Fee Paid
8 DEFENDANT CITY OF GRAND TERRACE HARPER & BURNS, LLP Answer 07/10/2008
9 DEFENDANT THOMAS J SCHWAB HARPER & BURNS, LLP Answer 07/10/2008
10 DEFENDANT GRAND TERRACE CITYMANAGER Unrepresented Serve Required (WaitS)
Case CIVSS807573 - Actions/Minutes
Viewed Date Action Text Disposition
01/11/2010 9:30 AM DEPT. S32 COURT TRIAL SET FOR COMPLAINT (UNLIMITED) FILED 06/10/2008 OF MICHAEL GROVE
01/07/2010 8:30 AM DEPT. S32 READINESS CALENDAR
12/07/2009 9:00 AM DEPT. S32 MANDATORY SETTLEMENT CONFERENCE
05/05/2009 8:30 AM DEPT. S32 TRIAL SETTING CONFERENCE Pre-D Complete
Minutes
JOHN P WADE PRESIDING.
CLERK: OLIVIA MCDONALD
COURT REPORTER BETTY KELLEY BETTY KELLEY
COURT ATTENDANT LARRY RUSSELL
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Citizens to Pay for Bad Contracts.... and more...
Agenda Available.. Sorry to big to attach to email
http://www.cityofgrandterrace.org/archives/38/08252009%20Council%20Packet.PDF
In the Minutes: The council said and voted that Public Comments be recorded verbatim and they are not so recorded in this set of minutes...
Walt S made the motion and it passed that all charges to cards be itemised and identified on the voucher. This motion passed. Perhaps it would be good to release a special report of all credit card transactions for the past year, given the type of leadership we have had for the past years.
New Old Business: The warnings of citizens were not heard now look what return to agenda.
On the Agenda is a proposal to limit parking on Grand Terrace Road. Well, what is the problem. First of all the Parking limits will restrict public use of the "Public Park". In addition the Traffic was an issue that was brought up several times and the PUBLIC was told oh there will be no problem as the hours of the school and Senior Activities don't overlap. The council was warned and the city was sued and a traffic mitigation study was done.. So what was the finding of that study... did the Corporation for Better Housing pay for street improvements to make the street wider, or re-aligned, as anyone else would have had to do.
Again, the City Attorney, and the Former City Manager Schwab were at the helm of this problem. Red Curbs do not solve the problem of the curve, line of sight issues. Red Curbs or limited parking hours clearly limit the use of the Park and Senior Center that also has fewer parking spaces than code would require.
Perhaps this will go back to court, as a follow up action on the case. Or again perhaps the City Attorney and Mr. Schwab and the Corporation for Better Housing would like to FIX the problem they created and pony up for the cost of road improvements not just a can of red paint.
On the Agenda is the paying for the Red Light Enforcement after we were told that it was City Expense Neutral... so Who is the Legal Expert for the City... Remember this was supposed to be cost neutral to the city... So who is messing with the money or the contract terms?
The Contract says we pay 6000.00 per month or the gross receipts to the City... Is there money missing from the Gross Receipts to the city... if so where did they go... and if they were skimmed off before the city got it's money the money skimmed should not count as gross receipts to the city.
The Company wrote the contract and any part that is unclear will be decided in the favor of the City...
I am not against camera enforcement, I am against a bad contract and misleading sales job.
If OUR City Manager, and City Attorney allowed a faulty contract to be signed and recommended to the council approval, they should be held in account. Schwab is gone... however the city attorney Mr. Blackberry Harper is still employed by the city. Perhaps the increased expense to the city if it has to be paid could come from the account his fees are paid from. Or Mr. Schwab could pay the city back some of the funds he "settled" for on his termination.
Wow, look at how much Schwab got to end his contract... and this after his admission of a cover up as a minimum.
http://www.cityofgrandterrace.org/archives/38/08252009%20Council%20Packet.PDF
In the Minutes: The council said and voted that Public Comments be recorded verbatim and they are not so recorded in this set of minutes...
Walt S made the motion and it passed that all charges to cards be itemised and identified on the voucher. This motion passed. Perhaps it would be good to release a special report of all credit card transactions for the past year, given the type of leadership we have had for the past years.
New Old Business: The warnings of citizens were not heard now look what return to agenda.
On the Agenda is a proposal to limit parking on Grand Terrace Road. Well, what is the problem. First of all the Parking limits will restrict public use of the "Public Park". In addition the Traffic was an issue that was brought up several times and the PUBLIC was told oh there will be no problem as the hours of the school and Senior Activities don't overlap. The council was warned and the city was sued and a traffic mitigation study was done.. So what was the finding of that study... did the Corporation for Better Housing pay for street improvements to make the street wider, or re-aligned, as anyone else would have had to do.
Again, the City Attorney, and the Former City Manager Schwab were at the helm of this problem. Red Curbs do not solve the problem of the curve, line of sight issues. Red Curbs or limited parking hours clearly limit the use of the Park and Senior Center that also has fewer parking spaces than code would require.
Perhaps this will go back to court, as a follow up action on the case. Or again perhaps the City Attorney and Mr. Schwab and the Corporation for Better Housing would like to FIX the problem they created and pony up for the cost of road improvements not just a can of red paint.
On the Agenda is the paying for the Red Light Enforcement after we were told that it was City Expense Neutral... so Who is the Legal Expert for the City... Remember this was supposed to be cost neutral to the city... So who is messing with the money or the contract terms?
The Contract says we pay 6000.00 per month or the gross receipts to the City... Is there money missing from the Gross Receipts to the city... if so where did they go... and if they were skimmed off before the city got it's money the money skimmed should not count as gross receipts to the city.
The Company wrote the contract and any part that is unclear will be decided in the favor of the City...
I am not against camera enforcement, I am against a bad contract and misleading sales job.
If OUR City Manager, and City Attorney allowed a faulty contract to be signed and recommended to the council approval, they should be held in account. Schwab is gone... however the city attorney Mr. Blackberry Harper is still employed by the city. Perhaps the increased expense to the city if it has to be paid could come from the account his fees are paid from. Or Mr. Schwab could pay the city back some of the funds he "settled" for on his termination.
Wow, look at how much Schwab got to end his contract... and this after his admission of a cover up as a minimum.
Something GT Can Learn.... from Others..?
Workshops on county ethics commission to start
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 08/22/2009 07:06:24 AM PDT
The first of two planned workshops on a proposed county ethics commission is scheduled for 2 p.m. Tuesday in Covington Chambers, on the first floor of the San Bernardino County Government Center.
It comes in the wake of Third District Supervisor Neil Derry's call to establish the commission following the release of the 2008-2009 Grand Jury report, which included a special section on governmental reform suggesting an ethics commission "untainted by political influences and biases."
Derry has also recommended a sunshine ordinance to facilitate public records act requests by the general public and the news media, requests that are often hindered by an escape clause cited often by the county known as "deliberative process," which allows the county to limit the release of certain information.
Derry's staff has been researching reputed ethics commissions in the Bay Area - San Francisco and Oakland - and gleaning information that could be helpful in the establishing of San Bernardino County's ethics commission, said George Watson, Derry's chief of staff.
Derry is proposing the county allot an annual budget of $500,000 for the commission, and that the Board of Supervisors, for the first year, pony up half of that by using discretionary funds from their districts, Watson said.
The remaining $250,000 will have to come from county coffers.
Derry has also recommended the commission be composed of five volunteer members who are not county employees and are not conducting any kind of business with the county. One option for selecting members could be a lottery process similar to the one used to select members of the grand Jury, Watson said. "That's the real challenge," Watson said.
A time for the second workshop has yet to be announced, but Watson stressed the goal is to get the commission off the ground as soon as possible.
"It's important to get this done, but it's even more important to get it done right," Watson said. "We certainly don't want to create another layer of government that creates less transparency, we want more. It's important that county leaders have a good understanding and have time to digest everything they hear."
Last year, a scandal erupted in the Assessor's Office, where allegations of cronyism, misuse of time and widespread timecard fraud led to criminal charges being filed against former Assessor Bill Postmus and four of his former top staffers. The county has also filed a civil lawsuit against Postmus and some of the criminal defendants, one of which has already been convicted.
Under a plea bargain with county prosecutors, former Assistant Assessor Adam Aleman pleaded no contest in June to four felony counts, which will be bumped down to misdemeanors if he cooperates with law enforcement and testifies against his former colleagues, as was stipulated in the plea agreement.
The San Bernardino County Government Center is located at 385 N. Arrowhead Ave., in San Bernardino.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 08/22/2009 07:06:24 AM PDT
The first of two planned workshops on a proposed county ethics commission is scheduled for 2 p.m. Tuesday in Covington Chambers, on the first floor of the San Bernardino County Government Center.
It comes in the wake of Third District Supervisor Neil Derry's call to establish the commission following the release of the 2008-2009 Grand Jury report, which included a special section on governmental reform suggesting an ethics commission "untainted by political influences and biases."
Derry has also recommended a sunshine ordinance to facilitate public records act requests by the general public and the news media, requests that are often hindered by an escape clause cited often by the county known as "deliberative process," which allows the county to limit the release of certain information.
Derry's staff has been researching reputed ethics commissions in the Bay Area - San Francisco and Oakland - and gleaning information that could be helpful in the establishing of San Bernardino County's ethics commission, said George Watson, Derry's chief of staff.
Derry is proposing the county allot an annual budget of $500,000 for the commission, and that the Board of Supervisors, for the first year, pony up half of that by using discretionary funds from their districts, Watson said.
The remaining $250,000 will have to come from county coffers.
Derry has also recommended the commission be composed of five volunteer members who are not county employees and are not conducting any kind of business with the county. One option for selecting members could be a lottery process similar to the one used to select members of the grand Jury, Watson said. "That's the real challenge," Watson said.
A time for the second workshop has yet to be announced, but Watson stressed the goal is to get the commission off the ground as soon as possible.
"It's important to get this done, but it's even more important to get it done right," Watson said. "We certainly don't want to create another layer of government that creates less transparency, we want more. It's important that county leaders have a good understanding and have time to digest everything they hear."
Last year, a scandal erupted in the Assessor's Office, where allegations of cronyism, misuse of time and widespread timecard fraud led to criminal charges being filed against former Assessor Bill Postmus and four of his former top staffers. The county has also filed a civil lawsuit against Postmus and some of the criminal defendants, one of which has already been convicted.
Under a plea bargain with county prosecutors, former Assistant Assessor Adam Aleman pleaded no contest in June to four felony counts, which will be bumped down to misdemeanors if he cooperates with law enforcement and testifies against his former colleagues, as was stipulated in the plea agreement.
The San Bernardino County Government Center is located at 385 N. Arrowhead Ave., in San Bernardino.
Friday, August 21, 2009
WHY?
Why hasn't Steve Berry and Tom Schwab been arrested and charged for their apparent and some publicly admitted Crimes in the City of Grand Terrace? We are sill waiting for Justice to be applied to these two "Leaders" who have lead us and the City Council. The City Attorney has been to busy with his Blackberry at Council Meetings to pay attention and provide proper guidance to the Council and allowed Scwhab and Berry to entangle others in questionable business dealings. So as the Miller Case advances lets hope that the others also face their fair day of judgement.
Miller Will Serve Current Term to 2012
10:33 PM PDT on Thursday, August 20, 2009
By DARRELL R. SANTSCHI
The Press-Enterprise
Grand Terrace Councilman Jim Miller, charged with felony conflict of interest for voting to approve city payments to his wife's newspaper, said Thursday he will finish his term but will not seek re-election in 2012.
Miller declined to say in a telephone interview whether he is guilty or innocent. "That's what I am going to be proving" in court, he said. "I won't answer that question. "He would not elaborate on why he has decided not to resign or seek re-election.
Miller is scheduled to be arraigned Sept. 30 in San Bernardino County Superior Court on a felony count that carries a prison sentence, if convicted, of 16 months to three years.
He was arrested July 15 on a charge stemming from payments the city made to the Grand Terrace City News from Oct. 26, 2006, through Aug.12, 2008. Prosecutor John Goritz said Miller had voted to approve the council's consent calendar authorizing payments to the weekly newspaper totaling about $18,000 for legal ads.
Miller, 61, returned Wednesday to his real estate services manager job for San Bernardino County. He had been on paid administrative leave since his arrest.County spokesman David Wert said officials "found no reason to keep Miller off the job any longer."
"They did a thorough investigation, and after that thorough investigation they decided they would go ahead and put me back to work," Miller said.
He said county officials found no connection between the county and the allegations in Grand Terrace, but told him "they would still be watching what happens with the criminal case. Then they would be making any future decisions from that.
"Miller said Grand Terrace City News is owned by his wife, Margie. "It's her sole and separate property," he said. In a report filed in support of the charge, a district attorney's investigator quoted Miller as saying that he had been told by CityAttorney John Harper when his wife bought the paper in 2006 that her ownership posed no conflict of interest.
Harper has since contended that his opinion dealt with whether the councilman's wife could make a purchase within the city-wide redevelopment agency boundary, not with Jim Miller voting on paymentsto the paper."That's his side," Miller said Thursday.
He declined to elaborate. Miller also contends that investigators misinterpreted a financial disclosure statement he filed Sept. 7, 2007. Investigators said Millerhad reported an interest in wife's business amounting to less than 10percent of the business's total worth. Jim Miller says he interpreted the form as inquiring whether his interest was 10 percent or less."So, when I put the form in, I put down that I did not own anything. They misinterpreted that," Miller said. He said since no interest is less than 10 percent, "I put it down as such."
Reach Darrell R. Santschi at 951-368-9484 or dsantschi@PE.com
A Reader Suggested that Jim Miller should just resign.
Here is my opinion why he should not. First of all he was elected and the Citizens knew of the City's Business with Grand Terrace City News Paper owned by Margie Miller. In addition, there is a question of was there a crime or a conflict to be resolved in the court of law. Finally I'd rather have Jim Miller as a Council Member on his best behavior than a "Appointed Replacement" selected by the Ferre Garcia Cortes Triad.
If I were a Council Member in Grand Terrace now or in the future, and if Jim Millers case is found to be a conflict of interest other members of the City Council may be subject to similar charges even if it is for a smaller amount of funds or influence. Waiting for a court resolution of the Miller case will define who is qualified or elegable to run for council in the future.
By DARRELL R. SANTSCHI
The Press-Enterprise
Grand Terrace Councilman Jim Miller, charged with felony conflict of interest for voting to approve city payments to his wife's newspaper, said Thursday he will finish his term but will not seek re-election in 2012.
Miller declined to say in a telephone interview whether he is guilty or innocent. "That's what I am going to be proving" in court, he said. "I won't answer that question. "He would not elaborate on why he has decided not to resign or seek re-election.
Miller is scheduled to be arraigned Sept. 30 in San Bernardino County Superior Court on a felony count that carries a prison sentence, if convicted, of 16 months to three years.
He was arrested July 15 on a charge stemming from payments the city made to the Grand Terrace City News from Oct. 26, 2006, through Aug.12, 2008. Prosecutor John Goritz said Miller had voted to approve the council's consent calendar authorizing payments to the weekly newspaper totaling about $18,000 for legal ads.
Miller, 61, returned Wednesday to his real estate services manager job for San Bernardino County. He had been on paid administrative leave since his arrest.County spokesman David Wert said officials "found no reason to keep Miller off the job any longer."
"They did a thorough investigation, and after that thorough investigation they decided they would go ahead and put me back to work," Miller said.
He said county officials found no connection between the county and the allegations in Grand Terrace, but told him "they would still be watching what happens with the criminal case. Then they would be making any future decisions from that.
"Miller said Grand Terrace City News is owned by his wife, Margie. "It's her sole and separate property," he said. In a report filed in support of the charge, a district attorney's investigator quoted Miller as saying that he had been told by CityAttorney John Harper when his wife bought the paper in 2006 that her ownership posed no conflict of interest.
Harper has since contended that his opinion dealt with whether the councilman's wife could make a purchase within the city-wide redevelopment agency boundary, not with Jim Miller voting on paymentsto the paper."That's his side," Miller said Thursday.
He declined to elaborate. Miller also contends that investigators misinterpreted a financial disclosure statement he filed Sept. 7, 2007. Investigators said Millerhad reported an interest in wife's business amounting to less than 10percent of the business's total worth. Jim Miller says he interpreted the form as inquiring whether his interest was 10 percent or less."So, when I put the form in, I put down that I did not own anything. They misinterpreted that," Miller said. He said since no interest is less than 10 percent, "I put it down as such."
Reach Darrell R. Santschi at 951-368-9484 or dsantschi@PE.com
A Reader Suggested that Jim Miller should just resign.
Here is my opinion why he should not. First of all he was elected and the Citizens knew of the City's Business with Grand Terrace City News Paper owned by Margie Miller. In addition, there is a question of was there a crime or a conflict to be resolved in the court of law. Finally I'd rather have Jim Miller as a Council Member on his best behavior than a "Appointed Replacement" selected by the Ferre Garcia Cortes Triad.
If I were a Council Member in Grand Terrace now or in the future, and if Jim Millers case is found to be a conflict of interest other members of the City Council may be subject to similar charges even if it is for a smaller amount of funds or influence. Waiting for a court resolution of the Miller case will define who is qualified or elegable to run for council in the future.
Interesting Read in the SBCSentinel
Who on the City Council Supported whom in the County? Who has "Friends in High Places" to call in favors... and follow the dots... Reading the article in the SBCSentinel about the Attorney General Jerry Brown's investigation of Judges and Supervisors list names of people members of our City Council count as "Friends in High Places". I've been told you are judged by the "Friends you keep".
Date: Thursday, August 20, 2009, 10:36 PM
A pdf version of the San Bernardino County Sentinel is available for Aug 21, 2009 Edition.
If you are not interested in receiving the Sentinel, you can be removed from the email list by simply emailing back to us and informing us that you wish to cancel your complimentary email subscription. You can get the email from this blog where your email is kept private BCC or from the Sentinel that uses CC to send out its email.
sbcsentinel@yahoo.com is the San Bernardino County Sentinel Email and
GrandTerraceNews@yahoo.com is this blog's address.
The Blog is not associated with either the Sentinel or the Grand Terrace City News or City News Group. We provide readers with news cogent about Grand Terrace from multiple sources including the Minutes of the City Council Meetings and News Papers.
Date: Thursday, August 20, 2009, 10:36 PM
A pdf version of the San Bernardino County Sentinel is available for Aug 21, 2009 Edition.
If you are not interested in receiving the Sentinel, you can be removed from the email list by simply emailing back to us and informing us that you wish to cancel your complimentary email subscription. You can get the email from this blog where your email is kept private BCC or from the Sentinel that uses CC to send out its email.
sbcsentinel@yahoo.com is the San Bernardino County Sentinel Email and
GrandTerraceNews@yahoo.com is this blog's address.
The Blog is not associated with either the Sentinel or the Grand Terrace City News or City News Group. We provide readers with news cogent about Grand Terrace from multiple sources including the Minutes of the City Council Meetings and News Papers.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Embattled councilman back at work
Stephen Wall, Staff Writer
Posted: 08/19/2009 06:30:26 PM PDT
Updated: 08/19/2009 07:44:18 PM PDT
GRAND TERRACE - Councilman Jim Miller, who was arrested last month on a felony conflict-of-interest charge, returned to work at his county job Wednesday.
Miller heads the property management division for the county's real estate services department. He was placed on administrative leave following his July 15 arrest. He was on his own time for about a week, and then he was on paid leave, said county spokesman David Wert.
In his role as a councilman, Miller is accused of repeatedly voting to spend thousands of dollars in advertising with his wife's newspaper over the past two years.
Prosecutors say Miller voted on $18,000 worth of contracts for the Grand Terrace City News, a weekly publication.
The city ran legal ads in the community newspaper from 2006 to 2008.
Miller, 61, is scheduled to be arraigned Sept. 30 in San Bernardino Superior Court.
If convicted, Miller could spend up to three years in prison and could no longer hold public office.
He can keep his council seat while the case against him proceeds.
The county is watching to see how the legal process plays out.
"The review is ongoing in the sense that the county will closely monitor his work and keep abreast of developments in the criminal case," Wert said Wednesday in an e-mail.
Miller did not return a call seeking comment.
In a July 29 entry on his blog, Miller told supporters he would like to say more but isn't at liberty to discuss the situation.
"I sincerely apologize that I must protect myself and my family by remaining silent at this time," he wrote. "I look forward to the day when I can provide full disclosure. In the meantime, thank you for your understanding, kindness and patience."
stephen.wall@inlandnewspapers.com (909) 386-3916
Stephen Wall, Staff Writer
Posted: 08/19/2009 06:30:26 PM PDT
Updated: 08/19/2009 07:44:18 PM PDT
GRAND TERRACE - Councilman Jim Miller, who was arrested last month on a felony conflict-of-interest charge, returned to work at his county job Wednesday.
Miller heads the property management division for the county's real estate services department. He was placed on administrative leave following his July 15 arrest. He was on his own time for about a week, and then he was on paid leave, said county spokesman David Wert.
In his role as a councilman, Miller is accused of repeatedly voting to spend thousands of dollars in advertising with his wife's newspaper over the past two years.
Prosecutors say Miller voted on $18,000 worth of contracts for the Grand Terrace City News, a weekly publication.
The city ran legal ads in the community newspaper from 2006 to 2008.
Miller, 61, is scheduled to be arraigned Sept. 30 in San Bernardino Superior Court.
If convicted, Miller could spend up to three years in prison and could no longer hold public office.
He can keep his council seat while the case against him proceeds.
The county is watching to see how the legal process plays out.
"The review is ongoing in the sense that the county will closely monitor his work and keep abreast of developments in the criminal case," Wert said Wednesday in an e-mail.
Miller did not return a call seeking comment.
In a July 29 entry on his blog, Miller told supporters he would like to say more but isn't at liberty to discuss the situation.
"I sincerely apologize that I must protect myself and my family by remaining silent at this time," he wrote. "I look forward to the day when I can provide full disclosure. In the meantime, thank you for your understanding, kindness and patience."
stephen.wall@inlandnewspapers.com (909) 386-3916
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Dozens seek Grand Terrace city manager job
Stephen Wall, Staff Writer
Posted: 08/18/2009 04:14:46 PM PDT
Updated: 08/18/2009 04:24:31 PM PDT
GRAND TERRACE - More than three dozen people are vying for the city's top administrative post in the wake of a political scandal that brought down the former acting city manager.
The city received 37 applications for the city manager position, which was held on an interim basis for about a year by Steve Berry. The deadline to file applications was Monday.
Berry took over the job when now-retired City Manager Tom Schwab was hospitalized with a brain injury in June 2008.
Berry was relieved of his duties last month following recent revelations of a window-tinting scandal involving Berry and a county work release inmate in 2003.
Berry, who was then assistant city manager, was suspected of embezzling city funds and filing false records, according to sheriff's reports.
City Council members are trying to put the ordeal behind them as they select a new city manager.
City Attorney John Harper will review the applications to weed out candidates who don't meet the qualifications. Applicants must have a bachelor's degree and at least five years serving as a city manager or assistant city manager, with broad experience in all areas of municipal government.
The council decided last month to consider only candidates who don't work for the city for the job.
The applications of eligible candidates will be submitted to council members, who will rate them individually. The highest-rated candidates will be interviewed by the council.
A decision is expected in October. The winning candidate is likely to start work in early November. Finance Director Bernie Simon is serving as acting city manager in the meantime.
"I think it's more important that we identify and hire the right person than hurry just to get the process finished," Councilman Walt Stanckiewitz said.
Stanckiewitz said he wants to hire an outsider with "fresh ideas" to move the city forward.
Mayor Maryetta Ferre said Grand Terrace needs a city manager "who is very financially savvy and knows how to work with people."
Stephen Wall, Staff Writer
Posted: 08/18/2009 04:14:46 PM PDT
Updated: 08/18/2009 04:24:31 PM PDT
GRAND TERRACE - More than three dozen people are vying for the city's top administrative post in the wake of a political scandal that brought down the former acting city manager.
The city received 37 applications for the city manager position, which was held on an interim basis for about a year by Steve Berry. The deadline to file applications was Monday.
Berry took over the job when now-retired City Manager Tom Schwab was hospitalized with a brain injury in June 2008.
Berry was relieved of his duties last month following recent revelations of a window-tinting scandal involving Berry and a county work release inmate in 2003.
Berry, who was then assistant city manager, was suspected of embezzling city funds and filing false records, according to sheriff's reports.
City Council members are trying to put the ordeal behind them as they select a new city manager.
City Attorney John Harper will review the applications to weed out candidates who don't meet the qualifications. Applicants must have a bachelor's degree and at least five years serving as a city manager or assistant city manager, with broad experience in all areas of municipal government.
The council decided last month to consider only candidates who don't work for the city for the job.
The applications of eligible candidates will be submitted to council members, who will rate them individually. The highest-rated candidates will be interviewed by the council.
A decision is expected in October. The winning candidate is likely to start work in early November. Finance Director Bernie Simon is serving as acting city manager in the meantime.
"I think it's more important that we identify and hire the right person than hurry just to get the process finished," Councilman Walt Stanckiewitz said.
Stanckiewitz said he wants to hire an outsider with "fresh ideas" to move the city forward.
Mayor Maryetta Ferre said Grand Terrace needs a city manager "who is very financially savvy and knows how to work with people."
RDA and Jacobsen Family Development the Cost
Mt Springs Resorts in Highgrove is not being built. The public should be made aware of the cost of the City's Redevelopment Agency Buy in to the Jacobsen Family Development Plan and perhaps hold the Council Members, Realtors and others accountable for their actions.
Approximately 120 Citizens and their homes and mobile homes were destroyed, removed and vacated by the Developer. Some of these under the threat of the use of Eminent Domain by the City's redevelopment Agency. Of these homes the mobile home park provided housing for low or moderate income individuals some of which were seniors and others who wanted to live in Grand Terrace.
These homes represent Consumers that no longer pay sales tax in Grand Terrace. These lost citizens represent lost business for all our local shops and stores.
The RDA owning the property causes a deferment of the taxes so the property taxes on RDA held property is no longer an income source.
The vacant field now is a weed abatement problem and the loss of large trees causes other negatives to the appeal of the drive past the property and the overall environment. Neighbors complain of added dust caused by the dry field being disturbed by the weed abatement methods.
How many years have we lost the benefit of the Citizens who have been lost. How many years income has been lost. How much has the RDA Paid in Interest Cost for the Property that Jacobsen said he would buy from the city but has not? How much has the value of the property decrease due to the economy. Will Jacobsen pay the RDA Cost plus Interest for the land the RDA Acquired for his development? The RDA and City Need Money... perhaps it is time he pays up.
Then there is Jack Brown. Where is that new store? Is the store going to be nixed because there is not the added demand by the Spring Mt Resort? Let's face it even in the best of times our local shops, restaurants and services have ample competition, in Grand Terrace and just down the hill in Coley Ranch. Without the Highgrove build out there is not sufficient demand to increase supply. In addition the 215 right of way needs to be fixed so the people investing and building have a better idea of traffic conditions so the EIR documents are not so lame.
We are seeing the City take RDA Funds for its operations to balance the budget. The RDA has Debts so we are just tipping the funds acquired by a Debt Bond to the City General Fund and then spending it. This is not a balance, it is a tipping of the balance, digging a budgetary hole twice. The interest payments on the loans exceeds the interest the city can earn on the funds... This is a speculation that has not shown to be wise on many levels and outcomes.
The land where the defunct OAC was planned has accomplished much the same. A loss of people and productive farm land use. In return the city has over priced or undervalued land and a home, and stiffed smaller self sufficient development and use. This has not paid off for Grand Terrace. When the 215 lay out is there may only be a strip of land big enough for Billboards or better Wind Mills to capture the up draft from the freeway, and a sign GT Green City...
The Council Members / RDA Board Members who have lead us down this path should hear from the voters, not the Realtors and Self Interested Developers.
Approximately 120 Citizens and their homes and mobile homes were destroyed, removed and vacated by the Developer. Some of these under the threat of the use of Eminent Domain by the City's redevelopment Agency. Of these homes the mobile home park provided housing for low or moderate income individuals some of which were seniors and others who wanted to live in Grand Terrace.
These homes represent Consumers that no longer pay sales tax in Grand Terrace. These lost citizens represent lost business for all our local shops and stores.
The RDA owning the property causes a deferment of the taxes so the property taxes on RDA held property is no longer an income source.
The vacant field now is a weed abatement problem and the loss of large trees causes other negatives to the appeal of the drive past the property and the overall environment. Neighbors complain of added dust caused by the dry field being disturbed by the weed abatement methods.
How many years have we lost the benefit of the Citizens who have been lost. How many years income has been lost. How much has the RDA Paid in Interest Cost for the Property that Jacobsen said he would buy from the city but has not? How much has the value of the property decrease due to the economy. Will Jacobsen pay the RDA Cost plus Interest for the land the RDA Acquired for his development? The RDA and City Need Money... perhaps it is time he pays up.
Then there is Jack Brown. Where is that new store? Is the store going to be nixed because there is not the added demand by the Spring Mt Resort? Let's face it even in the best of times our local shops, restaurants and services have ample competition, in Grand Terrace and just down the hill in Coley Ranch. Without the Highgrove build out there is not sufficient demand to increase supply. In addition the 215 right of way needs to be fixed so the people investing and building have a better idea of traffic conditions so the EIR documents are not so lame.
We are seeing the City take RDA Funds for its operations to balance the budget. The RDA has Debts so we are just tipping the funds acquired by a Debt Bond to the City General Fund and then spending it. This is not a balance, it is a tipping of the balance, digging a budgetary hole twice. The interest payments on the loans exceeds the interest the city can earn on the funds... This is a speculation that has not shown to be wise on many levels and outcomes.
The land where the defunct OAC was planned has accomplished much the same. A loss of people and productive farm land use. In return the city has over priced or undervalued land and a home, and stiffed smaller self sufficient development and use. This has not paid off for Grand Terrace. When the 215 lay out is there may only be a strip of land big enough for Billboards or better Wind Mills to capture the up draft from the freeway, and a sign GT Green City...
The Council Members / RDA Board Members who have lead us down this path should hear from the voters, not the Realtors and Self Interested Developers.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Where Do Cortes and Garcia Get Income?
From the Readers:
How does Ms. Cortes support herself?Why would she work for a realty firm she would have a potential conflict of interest?
I have known she has been unable to sell any property.
I understand from others her work experience was largely as a legal secretary. With her limited governement experience with state legislative office's and PERS (Public Employees Retirement System) contribution of 15 years get her a retirement?
From the Readers:
LeaAnn works a a govt. consultant...any conflicts. Sanbag contracts etc.
Confidentially yours.
From the Readers:
What kind of business, especially a real estate broker, keeps a sales person employed that produces no income for the business? Other than the vote for the Dodson property sale and issuance of the checks by the city for a piece of property that went into closed session with the council at a $750,000 value and came out of closed session with a $2,900,000 done deal sale. At that time Councilman Hilkey was visibly and vocally mad, stating that the city bought a property it did not need and paid too much for. Carlstrom negotiated for the Dodson's and Tom Schwab for the city. Less we forget Tom Schwab was the house guest of the Dodson's when he was without lodging after his divorce. That was a crime against the taxpayers of Grand Terrace and the State. It was fraud and conspiracy to Defraud.
Carlstrom now has a relative living in the Dodson's house, receives a monthly check for "managing" the property and there are vouchers on record totaling in the thousands of dollars for maintenance and up keep of the property. I would surmise the city has all the receipts for material purchased. Odd how city workers maintain the other vacant RDA properties, but Carlstrom gets money from the city for this one property. How many other properties does the city now rent out that Carlstrom manages. Something smells here, you think?
Carlstrom,Schwab and Cortes need to be investigated for any and all RDA property deals. Carlstrom has, with the aid of Tom Schwab, sold property to the RDA he could not get market value from. This was nothing more than a "good old boy" political favor just like the Dodson deal.
Then there is the Public Employees Retirement System scam. The Council was a member of P.E.R.S. and it was discontinued for some time. Steve Berry re-instated it and gave Council members Garica and Cortes each a fifteen year credit. This had to cost the taxpayers thousands upon thousands of dollars. Without a doubt it was a vote buying bribe. Did not Cortes abstain from the vote to remove Berry from the consideration list for City Manager. She was also one of the louder defenders of Berry.
While we are on the subject of bribes, LeeAnn Garcia took contributions from Jacobson and his wife (straw contribution from Mrs. Jacobson because of the contribution amount law) and even after being challenged from the podium that it was nothing less than bribery, voted for the Jacobson project.
Councilwoman Cortes is a home owner in Grand Terrace and the owner of a condominium in Colton. She must be very good at budgeting if her only income is from her serving on the Council.
Councilwoman Cortes should make public her State and Federal income tax filings. Isn't there phone numbers one may call to inform the State and Federal Governments of possible tax filing irregularities.
Here is my question. Does anyone believe that the City list on the monthly vouchers everything they spend our money on?
First Answer:
Not all payments made by the City are Disclosed or Detailed. Payroll is not for example. Receipts to special funds are not reported nor are the detailed expenditures. Property sale or disposal is not detailed and publicly accounted for. In addition the Arrowhead Credit Union Account or Credit Card costs and Petty Cash Fund is never detailed as to what was purchased where and by whom. This is just the beginning of what is not disclosed. Special Accounts may be set up within the city's banking and not be presented to the Council for Review and Approval. Yep, there is reason to question the accounting practices in the city.
Second Answer:
The City Council's purchase of a Electric Sign to tell citizens the same thing that is put on their door step by the Grand Terrace City News and the Blue Mt. Outlook suggests that they assume either the GT Citizen doesn't read either of these publications or they are inviting outside travelers to the events, that were posted on the wood sign boards effectively to begin with.
SO even when you see where the money is going their lack of prudence and wisdom is shocking enough.
Third Answer:
Council Member Bea Cortes is compensated by Terra Loma. She is included in their weekly advertising, she receives phone service and desk space in their office. This has value and is compensation past apparently what she is providing Terra Loma in income. So what Terra Loma is paid by the City does benefit Bea Cortes.
Just because you do not receive a paycheck from, but do allow your face or name to be used by a firm does not mean that you are financially attached to it then. Not when they provide a desk and opportunity to use their office. Does she pay Terra Loma for the services she receives while she does not sell homes?
How does Ms. Cortes support herself?Why would she work for a realty firm she would have a potential conflict of interest?
I have known she has been unable to sell any property.
I understand from others her work experience was largely as a legal secretary. With her limited governement experience with state legislative office's and PERS (Public Employees Retirement System) contribution of 15 years get her a retirement?
From the Readers:
LeaAnn works a a govt. consultant...any conflicts. Sanbag contracts etc.
Confidentially yours.
From the Readers:
What kind of business, especially a real estate broker, keeps a sales person employed that produces no income for the business? Other than the vote for the Dodson property sale and issuance of the checks by the city for a piece of property that went into closed session with the council at a $750,000 value and came out of closed session with a $2,900,000 done deal sale. At that time Councilman Hilkey was visibly and vocally mad, stating that the city bought a property it did not need and paid too much for. Carlstrom negotiated for the Dodson's and Tom Schwab for the city. Less we forget Tom Schwab was the house guest of the Dodson's when he was without lodging after his divorce. That was a crime against the taxpayers of Grand Terrace and the State. It was fraud and conspiracy to Defraud.
Carlstrom now has a relative living in the Dodson's house, receives a monthly check for "managing" the property and there are vouchers on record totaling in the thousands of dollars for maintenance and up keep of the property. I would surmise the city has all the receipts for material purchased. Odd how city workers maintain the other vacant RDA properties, but Carlstrom gets money from the city for this one property. How many other properties does the city now rent out that Carlstrom manages. Something smells here, you think?
Carlstrom,Schwab and Cortes need to be investigated for any and all RDA property deals. Carlstrom has, with the aid of Tom Schwab, sold property to the RDA he could not get market value from. This was nothing more than a "good old boy" political favor just like the Dodson deal.
Then there is the Public Employees Retirement System scam. The Council was a member of P.E.R.S. and it was discontinued for some time. Steve Berry re-instated it and gave Council members Garica and Cortes each a fifteen year credit. This had to cost the taxpayers thousands upon thousands of dollars. Without a doubt it was a vote buying bribe. Did not Cortes abstain from the vote to remove Berry from the consideration list for City Manager. She was also one of the louder defenders of Berry.
While we are on the subject of bribes, LeeAnn Garcia took contributions from Jacobson and his wife (straw contribution from Mrs. Jacobson because of the contribution amount law) and even after being challenged from the podium that it was nothing less than bribery, voted for the Jacobson project.
Councilwoman Cortes is a home owner in Grand Terrace and the owner of a condominium in Colton. She must be very good at budgeting if her only income is from her serving on the Council.
Councilwoman Cortes should make public her State and Federal income tax filings. Isn't there phone numbers one may call to inform the State and Federal Governments of possible tax filing irregularities.
Here is my question. Does anyone believe that the City list on the monthly vouchers everything they spend our money on?
First Answer:
Not all payments made by the City are Disclosed or Detailed. Payroll is not for example. Receipts to special funds are not reported nor are the detailed expenditures. Property sale or disposal is not detailed and publicly accounted for. In addition the Arrowhead Credit Union Account or Credit Card costs and Petty Cash Fund is never detailed as to what was purchased where and by whom. This is just the beginning of what is not disclosed. Special Accounts may be set up within the city's banking and not be presented to the Council for Review and Approval. Yep, there is reason to question the accounting practices in the city.
Second Answer:
The City Council's purchase of a Electric Sign to tell citizens the same thing that is put on their door step by the Grand Terrace City News and the Blue Mt. Outlook suggests that they assume either the GT Citizen doesn't read either of these publications or they are inviting outside travelers to the events, that were posted on the wood sign boards effectively to begin with.
SO even when you see where the money is going their lack of prudence and wisdom is shocking enough.
Third Answer:
Council Member Bea Cortes is compensated by Terra Loma. She is included in their weekly advertising, she receives phone service and desk space in their office. This has value and is compensation past apparently what she is providing Terra Loma in income. So what Terra Loma is paid by the City does benefit Bea Cortes.
Just because you do not receive a paycheck from, but do allow your face or name to be used by a firm does not mean that you are financially attached to it then. Not when they provide a desk and opportunity to use their office. Does she pay Terra Loma for the services she receives while she does not sell homes?
Readers What Do You Think?
The San Bernardino County Sentinel
Friday, August 14, 2009 A Fortunado Publication in conjunction with Countywide News Service 10808 Foothill Blvd. Suite 160-446 Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730
Cortes Sees No Conflict in Terra Loma Votes
Despite the consideration that one of her council colleagues has been criminally charged for doing what is essentially the same thing she has done, Grand Terrace city councilwoman Bea Cortes this week said she does not consider her votes to ratify city payments to the real estate company where she works as a sales agent to be a violation of state conflict-of-interest law.
Cortes for several years has had a professional relationship with Terra Loma Real Estate. She has also consistently voted, as a member of the Grand Terrace City Council, to approve the consent calendars that are a part of the council’s agendas at its twice monthly meetings. The consent calendar, in Grand Terrace as in all cities, typically contains multiple items pertaining to the function of the city government, all of which are deemed non-controversial and routine matters and are bundled together so they can be approved in a single yes or no vote of the council. It is unheard of, in Grand Terrace and elsewhere, for the consent calendar not to pass and it is generally approved by a unanimous vote of the city council, although on rare occasions a dissenting vote on a consent calendar’s acceptance is registered.
In Grand Terrace as elsewhere, the consent calendar contains the city’s check register, that is, a listing of the checks that have been written to the city’s various vendors and contractors.
Among the companies that have rendered service to the city of Grand Terrace over the last several years is Terra Loma Real Estate, which provides property management services to the city. City payments to Terra Loma are made by check. Those payments are then ratified by the city council as an item on the consent calendar.
Records available to the Sentinel show that in the last year, the city has made at least 11 payments to Terra Loma, totalling $8,366.47. Cortes participated in the votes to approve at least nine of those, including a vote made at Tuesday night’s council meeting.
Cortes insisted that she had done noting illegal in casting that vote or any of the others.
Government Code Section 1090 prohibits an elected official from participating in a vote on any matter in which he or she has a financial interest. A payment to a business owned by an official casting such a vote or a business that employs the official voting or one with which the official voting is professionally affiliated is construed as having a bearing on that official’s financial interest.
Cortes said she has not made any money recently as a real estate agent with Terra Loma so she therefore has no interest tied up with the company.
“I have not received money from Terra Loma Real Estate,” she said. “Due to the economy I have not been able to sell any property.” The sales drought, Cortes said, has lasted “at least two years.”
Moreover, she said, “I spoke with the city attorney and he advised me there was no conflict.”
Cortes acknowledged that she is professionally affiliated with Terra Loma Real Estate and its owner, Gene Carlstrom, but said that payments the city makes to Terra Loma for property management services are not passed along to her.
“I have my real estate license in his [Carlstrom’s] office,” Cortes said. “Whenever I sell any property, I have to have a licensed broker over me. He is the broker. I have my license under Mr. Gene Carlstrom.”
The councilwoman insisted the city attorney had examined the potential for conflict inherent in the circumstance and found that she is in compliance with the law, Government Code section 1090 and any other statutes that are applicable.
“For two years I have not been selling any property in affiliation with them [Terra Loma],” she said. “I have never sold anything for them.” She said she has been working out of the Terra Loma office “a little over three years.”
She said she did not know if a conflict would exist if she had success as an agent while working for Terra Loma.
“Hopefully, I’ll make a sale and when that issue comes before me, I’ll give it some thought,” she said. “I wish I were so lucky to be selling property right now.”
Another member of the Grand Terrace city council, Jim Miller, has had worse luck, it would appear, than Cortes.
On July 15, Jim Miller was arrested by San Bernardino County district attorney’s investigators and charged with violating Government Code section 1090. That charge stemmed from votes Miller had made to approve the consent calendars which included check registers that contained payments for the city’s legal advertisements that were printed in his wife’s newspaper, the Grand Terrace City News. Miller’s wife is the sole owner of that paper and two others, the Colton City News and the Loma Linda City News.
Miller had never voted to authorize the city to purchase the ads. That decision had been made by city staff members who had determined that the rates in the Grand Terrace City News were lower than in competing newspapers. Like Cortes, Miller had relied upon an assurance provided by city attorney John Harper that as long as the newspaper was his wife’s sole property, the city’s purchase of the ads from her represented for Jim Miller no conflict.
The Sentinel was unsuccessful in reaching Harper for comment by press time.
The Entire Sentinel PDF file is available for 8/14/2009 email grandterracenews@yahoo.com and it will be sent to you...
Friday, August 14, 2009 A Fortunado Publication in conjunction with Countywide News Service 10808 Foothill Blvd. Suite 160-446 Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730
Cortes Sees No Conflict in Terra Loma Votes
Despite the consideration that one of her council colleagues has been criminally charged for doing what is essentially the same thing she has done, Grand Terrace city councilwoman Bea Cortes this week said she does not consider her votes to ratify city payments to the real estate company where she works as a sales agent to be a violation of state conflict-of-interest law.
Cortes for several years has had a professional relationship with Terra Loma Real Estate. She has also consistently voted, as a member of the Grand Terrace City Council, to approve the consent calendars that are a part of the council’s agendas at its twice monthly meetings. The consent calendar, in Grand Terrace as in all cities, typically contains multiple items pertaining to the function of the city government, all of which are deemed non-controversial and routine matters and are bundled together so they can be approved in a single yes or no vote of the council. It is unheard of, in Grand Terrace and elsewhere, for the consent calendar not to pass and it is generally approved by a unanimous vote of the city council, although on rare occasions a dissenting vote on a consent calendar’s acceptance is registered.
In Grand Terrace as elsewhere, the consent calendar contains the city’s check register, that is, a listing of the checks that have been written to the city’s various vendors and contractors.
Among the companies that have rendered service to the city of Grand Terrace over the last several years is Terra Loma Real Estate, which provides property management services to the city. City payments to Terra Loma are made by check. Those payments are then ratified by the city council as an item on the consent calendar.
Records available to the Sentinel show that in the last year, the city has made at least 11 payments to Terra Loma, totalling $8,366.47. Cortes participated in the votes to approve at least nine of those, including a vote made at Tuesday night’s council meeting.
Cortes insisted that she had done noting illegal in casting that vote or any of the others.
Government Code Section 1090 prohibits an elected official from participating in a vote on any matter in which he or she has a financial interest. A payment to a business owned by an official casting such a vote or a business that employs the official voting or one with which the official voting is professionally affiliated is construed as having a bearing on that official’s financial interest.
Cortes said she has not made any money recently as a real estate agent with Terra Loma so she therefore has no interest tied up with the company.
“I have not received money from Terra Loma Real Estate,” she said. “Due to the economy I have not been able to sell any property.” The sales drought, Cortes said, has lasted “at least two years.”
Moreover, she said, “I spoke with the city attorney and he advised me there was no conflict.”
Cortes acknowledged that she is professionally affiliated with Terra Loma Real Estate and its owner, Gene Carlstrom, but said that payments the city makes to Terra Loma for property management services are not passed along to her.
“I have my real estate license in his [Carlstrom’s] office,” Cortes said. “Whenever I sell any property, I have to have a licensed broker over me. He is the broker. I have my license under Mr. Gene Carlstrom.”
The councilwoman insisted the city attorney had examined the potential for conflict inherent in the circumstance and found that she is in compliance with the law, Government Code section 1090 and any other statutes that are applicable.
“For two years I have not been selling any property in affiliation with them [Terra Loma],” she said. “I have never sold anything for them.” She said she has been working out of the Terra Loma office “a little over three years.”
She said she did not know if a conflict would exist if she had success as an agent while working for Terra Loma.
“Hopefully, I’ll make a sale and when that issue comes before me, I’ll give it some thought,” she said. “I wish I were so lucky to be selling property right now.”
Another member of the Grand Terrace city council, Jim Miller, has had worse luck, it would appear, than Cortes.
On July 15, Jim Miller was arrested by San Bernardino County district attorney’s investigators and charged with violating Government Code section 1090. That charge stemmed from votes Miller had made to approve the consent calendars which included check registers that contained payments for the city’s legal advertisements that were printed in his wife’s newspaper, the Grand Terrace City News. Miller’s wife is the sole owner of that paper and two others, the Colton City News and the Loma Linda City News.
Miller had never voted to authorize the city to purchase the ads. That decision had been made by city staff members who had determined that the rates in the Grand Terrace City News were lower than in competing newspapers. Like Cortes, Miller had relied upon an assurance provided by city attorney John Harper that as long as the newspaper was his wife’s sole property, the city’s purchase of the ads from her represented for Jim Miller no conflict.
The Sentinel was unsuccessful in reaching Harper for comment by press time.
The Entire Sentinel PDF file is available for 8/14/2009 email grandterracenews@yahoo.com and it will be sent to you...
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
READERS WANT TO KNOW?
San Bernardino County Briefs - 8/11/09
The Press-Enterprise Mon, 10 Aug 2009 22:57 PM PDTgrand terraceElectronic sign contract on agenda The City Council tonight will consider awarding a contract to a San Bernardino firm to construct an electronic message board at Grand Terrace's western city limits. The full-color sign would be built near Barton Road and Palm Avenue at a cost of about $56,000. The council meets at 6 p.m. at 22795 Barton Road.
SO What is it going to COST? $ 72,000.00 or $56.000.00 and where it the "LEFT OVER" Money going? IS THIS A SIGN OF SOME THING MORE THAN BAD SPENDING?
The Press-Enterprise Mon, 10 Aug 2009 22:57 PM PDTgrand terraceElectronic sign contract on agenda The City Council tonight will consider awarding a contract to a San Bernardino firm to construct an electronic message board at Grand Terrace's western city limits. The full-color sign would be built near Barton Road and Palm Avenue at a cost of about $56,000. The council meets at 6 p.m. at 22795 Barton Road.
SO What is it going to COST? $ 72,000.00 or $56.000.00 and where it the "LEFT OVER" Money going? IS THIS A SIGN OF SOME THING MORE THAN BAD SPENDING?
From In the News: PE / SUN
Grand Terrace Heads for Calm
Press Enterprize
10:00 PM PDT on Tuesday, August 11, 2009
CASSIE MACDUFF
He was Grand Terrace's finance director from 1994 to 2000, leaving for a job in San Jacinto, so he was gone during most of the tumult.
He was still on board when the utility tax measure failed, forcing the city to lay off a police officer and end recreation programs.
But he wasn't around in 2004 when Berry and Schwab pushed for a 123-acre outdoor recreation center with dirt-bike trails and a lake for testing jet skis and speedboats. The proposal stirred up a storm of protest among residents, who complained it would be too noisy and bring too much traffic.
Simon wasn't around in 2005 when city officials threatened to use eminent domain to oust two holdouts where they wanted to lure a Lowe's home improvement center (also unpopular with residents who complained it didn't fit the city's small-town feel).
Nor was he around in 2006 when disgruntled citizens mounted a recall effort against Mayor Maryetta Ferre and Councilwoman LeeAnn Garcia for supporting the big development deals. (The effort failed, lacking enough signatures.)
That gives Simon a relatively clean slate to start re-establishing residents' trust in City Hall and calming jittery city workers.
City workers are eager to "move on and forget about this soap opera ... and just go about the business of providing service," Simon said.
"There is a great change in atmosphere," said Ferre, citing a letup in phone calls, e-mails and people coming to her door. "There's a definite sense of calm at City Hall."
Councilman Walt Stanchiewitz agreed: "Things have settled down, people are smiling again."
Of course, there's still the matter of the felony charge against Councilman Jim Miller, who's accused of voting on payments for city ads in his wife's newspaper.
"Jim's matter will be a distraction ... until the courts deal with it," Stanchiewitz said.
But the search is on for a new city manager. Ferre said she hopes one will be on board by Nov. 1.
Meanwhile, Simon has helped to calm the waters, she said. "He's the person we need to tide us over."
Cassie MacDuff can be reached at 951-368-9470 or mailto: cmacduff@PE.com
Grand Terrace helps seniors fix homes
Stephen Wall, Staff Writer
Posted: 08/13/2009 03:03:14 PM PDT
GRAND TERRACE - The city wants to help needy seniors fix up their homes.
The City Council on Tuesday approved a partnership with San Bernardino County for a senior home repair program.
"It sounds like it would be very beneficial for our seniors," said Mayor Maryetta Ferre.
County officials came up with a plan that allows small cities such as Grand Terrace to jointly pay administrative aspects of the program.
The county gets federal Community Development Block Grant funds that are distributed to the city.
Grand Terrace was alloted $16,281 in federal money for the program in 2009-2010. The city's contribution is estimated at $4,583.
Under the program, homeowners 60 years and older can get one-time grants of up to $5,000 to correct code violations and health and safety deficiencies.
Many people who get help have no other way to take care of broken water heaters, plumbing leaks, leaking roofs and electrical problems, city officials say.
To qualify for the grant, an applicant's household income cannot exceed 80 percent of the county median income.
For one person, the annual income limit is $37,300. The maximum income for a two-member household is $42,650 per year and $47,950 a year for three people.
City staff members plan to inform seniors of the program through the senior center, mobile home parks and on the city's Web site.
If the number of participants exceeds the available funds, staffers will ask the council to consider augmenting the program with redevelopment money.
Councilman Walt Stanckiewitz said the program is needed in Grand Terrace.
"We've got an aging community," Stanckiewitz said. "This is a program that could become critical. It's laid out to help people who can't help themselves."
stephen.wall@inlandnewspapers.com. (909) 386-3916
Press Enterprize
10:00 PM PDT on Tuesday, August 11, 2009
CASSIE MACDUFF
He was Grand Terrace's finance director from 1994 to 2000, leaving for a job in San Jacinto, so he was gone during most of the tumult.
He was still on board when the utility tax measure failed, forcing the city to lay off a police officer and end recreation programs.
But he wasn't around in 2004 when Berry and Schwab pushed for a 123-acre outdoor recreation center with dirt-bike trails and a lake for testing jet skis and speedboats. The proposal stirred up a storm of protest among residents, who complained it would be too noisy and bring too much traffic.
Simon wasn't around in 2005 when city officials threatened to use eminent domain to oust two holdouts where they wanted to lure a Lowe's home improvement center (also unpopular with residents who complained it didn't fit the city's small-town feel).
Nor was he around in 2006 when disgruntled citizens mounted a recall effort against Mayor Maryetta Ferre and Councilwoman LeeAnn Garcia for supporting the big development deals. (The effort failed, lacking enough signatures.)
That gives Simon a relatively clean slate to start re-establishing residents' trust in City Hall and calming jittery city workers.
City workers are eager to "move on and forget about this soap opera ... and just go about the business of providing service," Simon said.
"There is a great change in atmosphere," said Ferre, citing a letup in phone calls, e-mails and people coming to her door. "There's a definite sense of calm at City Hall."
Councilman Walt Stanchiewitz agreed: "Things have settled down, people are smiling again."
Of course, there's still the matter of the felony charge against Councilman Jim Miller, who's accused of voting on payments for city ads in his wife's newspaper.
"Jim's matter will be a distraction ... until the courts deal with it," Stanchiewitz said.
But the search is on for a new city manager. Ferre said she hopes one will be on board by Nov. 1.
Meanwhile, Simon has helped to calm the waters, she said. "He's the person we need to tide us over."
Cassie MacDuff can be reached at 951-368-9470 or mailto: cmacduff@PE.com
Grand Terrace helps seniors fix homes
Stephen Wall, Staff Writer
Posted: 08/13/2009 03:03:14 PM PDT
GRAND TERRACE - The city wants to help needy seniors fix up their homes.
The City Council on Tuesday approved a partnership with San Bernardino County for a senior home repair program.
"It sounds like it would be very beneficial for our seniors," said Mayor Maryetta Ferre.
County officials came up with a plan that allows small cities such as Grand Terrace to jointly pay administrative aspects of the program.
The county gets federal Community Development Block Grant funds that are distributed to the city.
Grand Terrace was alloted $16,281 in federal money for the program in 2009-2010. The city's contribution is estimated at $4,583.
Under the program, homeowners 60 years and older can get one-time grants of up to $5,000 to correct code violations and health and safety deficiencies.
Many people who get help have no other way to take care of broken water heaters, plumbing leaks, leaking roofs and electrical problems, city officials say.
To qualify for the grant, an applicant's household income cannot exceed 80 percent of the county median income.
For one person, the annual income limit is $37,300. The maximum income for a two-member household is $42,650 per year and $47,950 a year for three people.
City staff members plan to inform seniors of the program through the senior center, mobile home parks and on the city's Web site.
If the number of participants exceeds the available funds, staffers will ask the council to consider augmenting the program with redevelopment money.
Councilman Walt Stanckiewitz said the program is needed in Grand Terrace.
"We've got an aging community," Stanckiewitz said. "This is a program that could become critical. It's laid out to help people who can't help themselves."
stephen.wall@inlandnewspapers.com. (909) 386-3916
Monday, August 10, 2009
Open the Closed Door : NO SIGN IS NEEDED.
Grand Terrace plans new message board
Stephen Wall, Staff Writer
Posted: 08/06/2009 04:27:12 PM PDT
GRAND TERRACE - Seeking another way to keep residents informed, the City Council on Tuesday is expected to award a bid and approve funding for an electronic message board and a new community sign.
The double-face, full-color electronic sign is set to go up in the landscaped median area at the corner of Palm Avenue and Barton Road west of City Hall.
The 3-foot-high and 8-foot-wide reader board would provide rotating messages about city news. Nonprofit groups also could advertise their events on the sign.
Officials also plan to put up a sign structure for temporary event banners at the southwest corner of Canal Street and Mount Vernon Avenue.
The banner area would hold up to a 3-foot by 6-foot display and provide a cleaner look than the existing sign at that location. It would be illuminated by a solar unit at the top of the sign.
Both signs are expected to be installed by late November.
"The two new signs are placed to catch people driving in and out of the city," said Joyce Powers, the city's community and economic development director. "We want to get better information out to the public and to enhance the image of what we've already been doing."
City staffers recommend awarding the contract to Quiel Brothers Electric Sign Service Co. of San Bernardino.
The $72,000 cost would come from redevelopment funds.
Councilwoman Lee Ann Garcia said she is a big supporter of the new signs.
Garcia said there are many upcoming events that could benefit from additional publicity, including the Grand Terrace Community Day on Sept. 12, the Halloween Haunt on Oct. 30 and the Country Fair on Nov. 7.
"We have such an active community with all our nonprofits," Garcia said. "It's just another avenue to let our residents know what's going on in town."
stephen.wall@inlandnewspapers.com, (909) 386-3916
OH MY DO I HAVE TO GO THERE:
72,000.00 for a sign that will cause a traffic hazard at an intersection where children cross after school? NO, a BIG LOUD NO on this one. How about 72,000.00 for a Dog Park, or a Place for the Grand Terrace Players to put on a show? A Mini Grand Terrace Bowl... / stage in one of the parks... BUT A SIGN... NO...
This is an idea that Council Members would support it is all FLASH and no real new communication... The paper posters are good enough for this little town.. we are not VEGAS
Stephen Wall, Staff Writer
Posted: 08/06/2009 04:27:12 PM PDT
GRAND TERRACE - Seeking another way to keep residents informed, the City Council on Tuesday is expected to award a bid and approve funding for an electronic message board and a new community sign.
The double-face, full-color electronic sign is set to go up in the landscaped median area at the corner of Palm Avenue and Barton Road west of City Hall.
The 3-foot-high and 8-foot-wide reader board would provide rotating messages about city news. Nonprofit groups also could advertise their events on the sign.
Officials also plan to put up a sign structure for temporary event banners at the southwest corner of Canal Street and Mount Vernon Avenue.
The banner area would hold up to a 3-foot by 6-foot display and provide a cleaner look than the existing sign at that location. It would be illuminated by a solar unit at the top of the sign.
Both signs are expected to be installed by late November.
"The two new signs are placed to catch people driving in and out of the city," said Joyce Powers, the city's community and economic development director. "We want to get better information out to the public and to enhance the image of what we've already been doing."
City staffers recommend awarding the contract to Quiel Brothers Electric Sign Service Co. of San Bernardino.
The $72,000 cost would come from redevelopment funds.
Councilwoman Lee Ann Garcia said she is a big supporter of the new signs.
Garcia said there are many upcoming events that could benefit from additional publicity, including the Grand Terrace Community Day on Sept. 12, the Halloween Haunt on Oct. 30 and the Country Fair on Nov. 7.
"We have such an active community with all our nonprofits," Garcia said. "It's just another avenue to let our residents know what's going on in town."
stephen.wall@inlandnewspapers.com, (909) 386-3916
OH MY DO I HAVE TO GO THERE:
72,000.00 for a sign that will cause a traffic hazard at an intersection where children cross after school? NO, a BIG LOUD NO on this one. How about 72,000.00 for a Dog Park, or a Place for the Grand Terrace Players to put on a show? A Mini Grand Terrace Bowl... / stage in one of the parks... BUT A SIGN... NO...
This is an idea that Council Members would support it is all FLASH and no real new communication... The paper posters are good enough for this little town.. we are not VEGAS
THIS IS AN OPEN BLOG
This blog is open to email posts on anything related to GRAND TERRACE CA.
If you find that you have a different point of view please email us. Most of the topics or issues are from NAMED Grand Terrace Citizens who have brought issues to the attention of the City Council during the Public Speaking Time and are recorded in the minutes of the City Council Meetings. This PUBLIC INFORMATION is then provided to the web / blog readers with supporting documents and opinions. Your Opinion Counts to if you email it in.
What is not important is the old scape goat "Who is GrandPaTerrace". That is not important.
If you find that you have a different point of view please email us. Most of the topics or issues are from NAMED Grand Terrace Citizens who have brought issues to the attention of the City Council during the Public Speaking Time and are recorded in the minutes of the City Council Meetings. This PUBLIC INFORMATION is then provided to the web / blog readers with supporting documents and opinions. Your Opinion Counts to if you email it in.
What is not important is the old scape goat "Who is GrandPaTerrace". That is not important.
Thursday, August 06, 2009
Former Acting City Manager Steve Berry has not yet been charged with criminal charges as a result of his actions while Acting City Manager and Assistant City Manger. Some of the crimes he has publicly admitted to in PUBLIC, others he committed in PUBLIC.
Perhaps the People of Grand Terrace need better Friends at the DA's Office in San Bernardino County?
Perhaps the People of Grand Terrace need better Friends at the DA's Office in San Bernardino County?
Date of Election Change Idea? Who does it serve?
S.B. County supervisors hold off on Colton's request to move school board elections to odd numbered years
10:00 PM PDT on Tuesday, August 4, 2009
By IMRAN GHORI
The Press-Enterprise \
A proposal to delay Colton school board elections for a year was put off Tuesday by San Bernardino County supervisors to give education officials an opportunity to consider rescinding the request.The Colton Joint Unified School District's Board of Education voted in June to move its 2010 election to 2011. Three years ago, the board switched its election cycle from odd years to even years.District officials said they wanted to move back to odd years to defer election costs.The change requires the approval of the Board of Supervisors, although it has limited leeway to do so, denying only if it would pose logistical problems, said Kari Verjil, county registrar of voters.
Supervisor Josie Gonzales said she had concerns about the request, which according to the registrar's office would result in cost increases to the district. At her request, the board delayed consideration of the request to Aug. 11.Moving to a 2011 election would cost the district $155,000, whereas holding the election in 2010 would cost $55,000, Verjil said. Elections are more costly in odd numbered years because there aren't as many jurisdictions to share costs, she said.In addition, the district would incur $8,800 to notify voters of the election date change.
School board trustee Robert Armenta Jr., who voted against the change, plans to ask his colleagues at a Thursday meeting to consider rescinding the request. If he is able to get support from two of his colleagues, it could come up for discussion at the Aug. 20 meeting."The entire argument to change the election back to odd is absurd now that we've learned there is no cost savings," Armenta said.
The election delay would lengthen the terms of school board trustees, a provision that also troubled supervisors. Combined with the previous change, trustees would have six years on the board instead of four before facing voters."It's a disturbing precedent if we allow that," Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt said.Colton isn't the only district considering a change in its election cycle. The county Board of Education and the Rialto Unified School District are also looking at changing their elections from 2010 to 2011.In March, the San Bernardino City Unified School District won approval from the supervisors to change its election from even to odd years.Reach Imran Ghori at 951-368-9558 or ighori@PE.com
10:00 PM PDT on Tuesday, August 4, 2009
By IMRAN GHORI
The Press-Enterprise \
A proposal to delay Colton school board elections for a year was put off Tuesday by San Bernardino County supervisors to give education officials an opportunity to consider rescinding the request.The Colton Joint Unified School District's Board of Education voted in June to move its 2010 election to 2011. Three years ago, the board switched its election cycle from odd years to even years.District officials said they wanted to move back to odd years to defer election costs.The change requires the approval of the Board of Supervisors, although it has limited leeway to do so, denying only if it would pose logistical problems, said Kari Verjil, county registrar of voters.
Supervisor Josie Gonzales said she had concerns about the request, which according to the registrar's office would result in cost increases to the district. At her request, the board delayed consideration of the request to Aug. 11.Moving to a 2011 election would cost the district $155,000, whereas holding the election in 2010 would cost $55,000, Verjil said. Elections are more costly in odd numbered years because there aren't as many jurisdictions to share costs, she said.In addition, the district would incur $8,800 to notify voters of the election date change.
School board trustee Robert Armenta Jr., who voted against the change, plans to ask his colleagues at a Thursday meeting to consider rescinding the request. If he is able to get support from two of his colleagues, it could come up for discussion at the Aug. 20 meeting."The entire argument to change the election back to odd is absurd now that we've learned there is no cost savings," Armenta said.
The election delay would lengthen the terms of school board trustees, a provision that also troubled supervisors. Combined with the previous change, trustees would have six years on the board instead of four before facing voters."It's a disturbing precedent if we allow that," Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt said.Colton isn't the only district considering a change in its election cycle. The county Board of Education and the Rialto Unified School District are also looking at changing their elections from 2010 to 2011.In March, the San Bernardino City Unified School District won approval from the supervisors to change its election from even to odd years.Reach Imran Ghori at 951-368-9558 or ighori@PE.com
Monday, August 03, 2009
In Passing...
Jonna Hughes
Published: Thursday, July 30, 2009 11:13 PM PDT
Jonna Hughes, 81, died July 21, 2009.Born Jan. 30, 1928, in Ashford, Ala., she ws a resident of Grand Terrace who moved to Redlands in 1952.As a licensed funeral director Jonna was co-owner of Hughes Funeral Chapel in Yucaipa for over 40 years.She is remembered as a talented musician and for hercompassionate service.
She is survived by her son Billy and his wife Marilyn, four granddaughters and one great grandson all residing in Redlands.A private gathering of family was held in her home. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to the Jonna Hughes Scholarship, Department of Physical Therapy, School of Allied Health Professions Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92354. Weaver Mortuary of Beaumont handled arrangements.
Published: Thursday, July 30, 2009 11:13 PM PDT
Jonna Hughes, 81, died July 21, 2009.Born Jan. 30, 1928, in Ashford, Ala., she ws a resident of Grand Terrace who moved to Redlands in 1952.As a licensed funeral director Jonna was co-owner of Hughes Funeral Chapel in Yucaipa for over 40 years.She is remembered as a talented musician and for hercompassionate service.
She is survived by her son Billy and his wife Marilyn, four granddaughters and one great grandson all residing in Redlands.A private gathering of family was held in her home. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to the Jonna Hughes Scholarship, Department of Physical Therapy, School of Allied Health Professions Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92354. Weaver Mortuary of Beaumont handled arrangements.
San Bernardino County Sentinel Available.
The FULL SBC Sentinel for July 31 is available by pdf file (966KB).. email grandterracenews@yahoo.com and we'll send it to you via attachment.
The blog only posts GT specific articles. However, the entire paper is worth a read. A liminted number of paper copies are at the GT Donut Shop..
The blog only posts GT specific articles. However, the entire paper is worth a read. A liminted number of paper copies are at the GT Donut Shop..
Perhaps a link to our Graffiti
Sun Telegram
Man arrested for spray-painting Colton buildings
Posted: 08/02/2009 07:27:27 PM PDT
COLTON -- Police arrested a 27-year-old man Friday for spray-painting graffiti on the walls of several businesses in the 200 block of Valley Boulevard.
Louis Hunt was spotted tagging the buildings by employees of a nearby business and was caught in the act when police arrived, according to a Police Department news release.
Hunt was arrested and charged with felony vandalism. The damage to the properties was estimated to be over $4,000, the release said. Hunt is believed to responsible for several other reports of vandalism in the area, the release said. Detectives are investigating the case.
michael j. sobra@inlandnewspapers.com
Man arrested for spray-painting Colton buildings
Posted: 08/02/2009 07:27:27 PM PDT
COLTON -- Police arrested a 27-year-old man Friday for spray-painting graffiti on the walls of several businesses in the 200 block of Valley Boulevard.
Louis Hunt was spotted tagging the buildings by employees of a nearby business and was caught in the act when police arrived, according to a Police Department news release.
Hunt was arrested and charged with felony vandalism. The damage to the properties was estimated to be over $4,000, the release said. Hunt is believed to responsible for several other reports of vandalism in the area, the release said. Detectives are investigating the case.
michael j. sobra@inlandnewspapers.com
Sunday, August 02, 2009
From In the Sun:.. Steve Berry & Miller Equal Jusitice?
http://www.sbsun.com/letters/ci_12979583
A special place
Posted: 08/02/2009 05:47:29 PM PDT
Let me see if I understand this.
Grand Terrace City Councilman Jim Miller and his wife profited from votes that Jim cast. He was told by the city's legal counsel that it was OK for him to vote for the city to pay his wife's newspaper for city obligations.
At the same time, other City Council members (serving at that time) certainly had to be aware of his votes and what that would mean for Marge's business income. Why didn't they ask Jim to recuse himself?
And Steve Berry, who has recently been in the limelight for his 2003 actions, found it necessary to publicly assert that he made it clear to Jim that he should recuse himself?! If I were in Steve's current situation, I would not want to be making public statements regarding someone else's misdeeds.
Why aren't the involved council members standing beside Jim and acknowledging their part in this mess? It certainly doesn't appear to have been only Jim's mistake. I am not an apologist for him. However, I am annoyed that everyone else is staying quiet. I am also baffled as to why Jim was arrested on a felony charge and Steve, who allegedly has stolen from the city, has not suffered legal consequences.
I also am annoyed that Tom Schwab felt he had to protect me and the rest of the Grand Terrace population by not blowing the whistle on Steve Berry immediately. I believe mistakes are less traumatizing when acknowledged and corrected quickly. The members of this community can handle mistakes and the truth.
We are a great, small town and this special quality can continue if we do not take a page from San Bernardino County's book of ethical behavior.
Our elected officials should be appreciated for the effort they put into helping make this city a good place to live. However, if one of our city representatives forgets that they are elected to serve us rather than profiting financially or otherwise, let's deal with the issue immediately and fairly, without finger-pointing and political posturing.
LYNDA SNYDER Grand Terrace
Dear Linda: It isn't quite that simple.
First Issue: Tom Schwab didn't just not blow the whistle on Steve Berry's Criminal Activity he directed a Law Enforcement Officer not to proceed with advancing the Criminal Case to the DA's Office. This is on Tom Schwab's part an admission of a crime, and on the part of the Sheriff and anyone else in on the cover up Conspirators to the Crime After the Fact.
Second Issue: The City Attorney guided Jim Miller Properly in that the "Purchase of the News Paper" was not an issue of Conflict of Interest. The City Attorney was not at the time specifically asked, can the News Paper do business with the city and there not be a conflict of interest. Apparently the wiser Steve Berry recognized the Conflict of Interest potential prior to the first ad being placed. He reports that when he brought this to the attention of then City Manager Tom Schwab, he was told to drop it, "that is how you get fired". Well he remained silent and the adds were placed, (which by the way cost to print, the payments are not all income). The STAFF and CITY MANAGEMENT made the arrangements with the News Paper, including Mr Berry himself.
THEN after Mr. Berry became the Acting City Manager, and was no doubt frustrated by Council Member Millers insistence and request for detailed information on issues before the council, Mr. Berry brought the matter up again, and Jim Miller received a letter from the City Lawyer saying that the practice "May" be a conflict of interest. The Practice stopped and the City Left a Unpaid Bill at the News Paper. That was in Aug 2008 It was not until Late September 2008 that the complaint came to the attention to the DA's Office. So the Add Placement by the city and including Steve Berry himself went on for 2 years, prior to Steve Berry acting on something he apparently thought was wrong BEFORE the Event took Place.
Then enter the Schwab vs Berry fight over the City Manager's Job. Well, clearly either Schwab or a Friend of Schwab spilled the news of Berry's Moonlighting, and later the Criminal Investigation thinking this would "Help" Schwab get his job as City Manager back. Tom Schwab's interview in the news paper, clarifying the events of the Criminal Investigation eroded his own case for City Manager. He was now a Berry Collaborator in a criminal act, by his own admission of covering up that act, and stopping the advancement of the case to the DA's Office and Court. The City Rewarded Tom Schwab with a 170,000 payoff to keep his mouth shut. Even so Tom Schwab was quoted after the fact that Steve Berry lacked morals and integrity. Perhaps that interview was done prior to the hush money deal was made.
Council Member Bea Cortes publicly defended Steve Berry. Wagging a finger at the SBCS Reporter saying you should be ashamed about printing lies. Then she offered her own version of what happened to the "Donated" wine, that did not really help Berry's accountability or statements on the wine being taken from City Hall being used at his private party at his house. She was the only Council Member that did not vote to exclude Steve Berry for consideration for the City Manager's Job. Her motivations are yet to be fully discovered. However, she and Steve Berry have received reimbursements for lunch meetings and have been seen in each others company outside the city limits.
Steve Berry Panicked, and wanted to keep this story out of the local news papers. He threatened the Millers in earshot of GT Citizens that if Margie Published the story about the Embezzlement and Falsification of Records he would push the Conflict of Interest Case. "He had friends at the DA's Office". This intimidation of a Council Member is an illegal act of attempted coercion of a public official. Before his exclusion of candidacy for the City Manager's job, he boasted he would have Jim Miller arrested and publicly humiliated.
Fact, the "Criminal Investigation" of Jim Miller did not start in until after the San Bernardino County Sentinel had contacted Berry regarding Berry's Criminal Case. Perhaps he was thinking the SBCS wasn't a widely read news paper and if the story would stop there he could survive. He needed to stack the Deck of Political Pressures against Jim Miller who was favoring Tom Schwab or a New Hire for the City Manager Position, and keep the News of his Embezzlement and Falsification of Documents out of the Local Press, in particular the widely read in Grand Terrace the Grand Terrace City News.
The Sun, and the printed the articles, Grand Terrace City News even printed Berry's Attempt to say oh it was no big deal, it isn't even in my personnel record, not so much as a discipline action was taken...... Then the Press printed the same basic news but attached 25 pages of the original investigation report. After which the Grand Terrace City News printed a similar story. Still a candidate for City Manager... Berry took no action. BUT after the Vote to Eliminate him as a candidate, he gave the go ahead and had Council Member Jim Miller arrested, booked and made sure the DA's Office sent out News Release to the Media.
Steve Berry then knowing that he had put the last straw on the camels back and knew he was on his way out as the Council Agenda showed his job as Assistant City Manager was going to be terminated and the result would be his immediate termination. The Acting City Manager has to be a City Employee. SO, what does he do. He grabs the City Information Technology Tech and locks he and the tech in the City Hall and attempted to access computer files. Now this is either a theft or inappropriate use of city property, (Data), and Unlawful Detainment (Kidnapping) of the Tech for the purpose of commission of a crime, or the destruction of evidence of criminal activity.
He was escorted out of the building. We hope his keys were taken away from him and Criminal Investigation will FINALLY be done. Included in that investigation we the Citizens should know what files he was after and if the Information Technology Tech was a victim or a collaborator.
Perhaps Steve Berry was making a list of all the times the Mayor voted to pay the water bill. Every Land Owner is an owner of a part of the water company and the Mayor's Husband is on the Water Company Board of Director.
Perhaps Steve Berry was making a list of all the times he or members of the city staff and council ate at Pasta Italia and paid for it with a credit card, then approved later as a bulk credit card payment on the Voucher approved as Non Controversial?
Perhaps Steve Berry was collecting details of the Payments to Terra Loma / Gene Carlstrom who is the Employer of Bea Cortes. (A job has co-mingled with her City Council Position as Mayor Pro tem in her Business Advertisements).
Perhaps Steve Berry was collecting details of the Travel Expenses of Lee Ann Garcia for some sort of disclosure.
For sure, more is to be made clear to the Citizens of Grand Terrace before these issues are resolved. The only place this can happen is in a Court of Law because this council will hide all behind the Closed Door Meeting Excuse. They won't come clean, until they are forced to testify in a court of law in front of a judge. Where as, with Council Member Miller, as soon as he was informed of the "Possible Conflict of Interest" he made he situation PUBLIC. and the Paper Stopped taking adds from the city. However, even after that stoppage, Committees such as the Historical Committee used the GTCN as their news paper to advertise City Hall sponsored events, including those at the request of Steve Berry.
Perhaps, in the real world a Court could rule that due to the fact the City has only one local news paper, that is delivered to every home and is available at many stores for free, that the contract negotiations is less than or equal to the cost of advertising in the Colton Currier, the Sun Telegram or the Press Enterprise that there is no Conflict of interest or undue financial advantage of the the use of the Grand Terrace City News, in spite of the inconvenient fact that a Wife of a Council Member owns the news paper. Giving the Miller's a waiver of the apparent conflict of interest.
If Margie Miller had not purchased the News Papers, Loma Linda, Colton and Grand Terrace would not have any local news papers. We are only an after thought for the Sun and the Press, who never do the hard news in GT unless it has appeared in this blog, or in the GTCN or in the SBCS first.
In the Court of King Solomon would give the paper and Miller's a situational waiver. However, the rest of the criminal activity and cover ups would have no such benevolence applied.
A special place
Posted: 08/02/2009 05:47:29 PM PDT
Let me see if I understand this.
Grand Terrace City Councilman Jim Miller and his wife profited from votes that Jim cast. He was told by the city's legal counsel that it was OK for him to vote for the city to pay his wife's newspaper for city obligations.
At the same time, other City Council members (serving at that time) certainly had to be aware of his votes and what that would mean for Marge's business income. Why didn't they ask Jim to recuse himself?
And Steve Berry, who has recently been in the limelight for his 2003 actions, found it necessary to publicly assert that he made it clear to Jim that he should recuse himself?! If I were in Steve's current situation, I would not want to be making public statements regarding someone else's misdeeds.
Why aren't the involved council members standing beside Jim and acknowledging their part in this mess? It certainly doesn't appear to have been only Jim's mistake. I am not an apologist for him. However, I am annoyed that everyone else is staying quiet. I am also baffled as to why Jim was arrested on a felony charge and Steve, who allegedly has stolen from the city, has not suffered legal consequences.
I also am annoyed that Tom Schwab felt he had to protect me and the rest of the Grand Terrace population by not blowing the whistle on Steve Berry immediately. I believe mistakes are less traumatizing when acknowledged and corrected quickly. The members of this community can handle mistakes and the truth.
We are a great, small town and this special quality can continue if we do not take a page from San Bernardino County's book of ethical behavior.
Our elected officials should be appreciated for the effort they put into helping make this city a good place to live. However, if one of our city representatives forgets that they are elected to serve us rather than profiting financially or otherwise, let's deal with the issue immediately and fairly, without finger-pointing and political posturing.
LYNDA SNYDER Grand Terrace
Dear Linda: It isn't quite that simple.
First Issue: Tom Schwab didn't just not blow the whistle on Steve Berry's Criminal Activity he directed a Law Enforcement Officer not to proceed with advancing the Criminal Case to the DA's Office. This is on Tom Schwab's part an admission of a crime, and on the part of the Sheriff and anyone else in on the cover up Conspirators to the Crime After the Fact.
Second Issue: The City Attorney guided Jim Miller Properly in that the "Purchase of the News Paper" was not an issue of Conflict of Interest. The City Attorney was not at the time specifically asked, can the News Paper do business with the city and there not be a conflict of interest. Apparently the wiser Steve Berry recognized the Conflict of Interest potential prior to the first ad being placed. He reports that when he brought this to the attention of then City Manager Tom Schwab, he was told to drop it, "that is how you get fired". Well he remained silent and the adds were placed, (which by the way cost to print, the payments are not all income). The STAFF and CITY MANAGEMENT made the arrangements with the News Paper, including Mr Berry himself.
THEN after Mr. Berry became the Acting City Manager, and was no doubt frustrated by Council Member Millers insistence and request for detailed information on issues before the council, Mr. Berry brought the matter up again, and Jim Miller received a letter from the City Lawyer saying that the practice "May" be a conflict of interest. The Practice stopped and the City Left a Unpaid Bill at the News Paper. That was in Aug 2008 It was not until Late September 2008 that the complaint came to the attention to the DA's Office. So the Add Placement by the city and including Steve Berry himself went on for 2 years, prior to Steve Berry acting on something he apparently thought was wrong BEFORE the Event took Place.
Then enter the Schwab vs Berry fight over the City Manager's Job. Well, clearly either Schwab or a Friend of Schwab spilled the news of Berry's Moonlighting, and later the Criminal Investigation thinking this would "Help" Schwab get his job as City Manager back. Tom Schwab's interview in the news paper, clarifying the events of the Criminal Investigation eroded his own case for City Manager. He was now a Berry Collaborator in a criminal act, by his own admission of covering up that act, and stopping the advancement of the case to the DA's Office and Court. The City Rewarded Tom Schwab with a 170,000 payoff to keep his mouth shut. Even so Tom Schwab was quoted after the fact that Steve Berry lacked morals and integrity. Perhaps that interview was done prior to the hush money deal was made.
Council Member Bea Cortes publicly defended Steve Berry. Wagging a finger at the SBCS Reporter saying you should be ashamed about printing lies. Then she offered her own version of what happened to the "Donated" wine, that did not really help Berry's accountability or statements on the wine being taken from City Hall being used at his private party at his house. She was the only Council Member that did not vote to exclude Steve Berry for consideration for the City Manager's Job. Her motivations are yet to be fully discovered. However, she and Steve Berry have received reimbursements for lunch meetings and have been seen in each others company outside the city limits.
Steve Berry Panicked, and wanted to keep this story out of the local news papers. He threatened the Millers in earshot of GT Citizens that if Margie Published the story about the Embezzlement and Falsification of Records he would push the Conflict of Interest Case. "He had friends at the DA's Office". This intimidation of a Council Member is an illegal act of attempted coercion of a public official. Before his exclusion of candidacy for the City Manager's job, he boasted he would have Jim Miller arrested and publicly humiliated.
Fact, the "Criminal Investigation" of Jim Miller did not start in until after the San Bernardino County Sentinel had contacted Berry regarding Berry's Criminal Case. Perhaps he was thinking the SBCS wasn't a widely read news paper and if the story would stop there he could survive. He needed to stack the Deck of Political Pressures against Jim Miller who was favoring Tom Schwab or a New Hire for the City Manager Position, and keep the News of his Embezzlement and Falsification of Documents out of the Local Press, in particular the widely read in Grand Terrace the Grand Terrace City News.
The Sun, and the printed the articles, Grand Terrace City News even printed Berry's Attempt to say oh it was no big deal, it isn't even in my personnel record, not so much as a discipline action was taken...... Then the Press printed the same basic news but attached 25 pages of the original investigation report. After which the Grand Terrace City News printed a similar story. Still a candidate for City Manager... Berry took no action. BUT after the Vote to Eliminate him as a candidate, he gave the go ahead and had Council Member Jim Miller arrested, booked and made sure the DA's Office sent out News Release to the Media.
Steve Berry then knowing that he had put the last straw on the camels back and knew he was on his way out as the Council Agenda showed his job as Assistant City Manager was going to be terminated and the result would be his immediate termination. The Acting City Manager has to be a City Employee. SO, what does he do. He grabs the City Information Technology Tech and locks he and the tech in the City Hall and attempted to access computer files. Now this is either a theft or inappropriate use of city property, (Data), and Unlawful Detainment (Kidnapping) of the Tech for the purpose of commission of a crime, or the destruction of evidence of criminal activity.
He was escorted out of the building. We hope his keys were taken away from him and Criminal Investigation will FINALLY be done. Included in that investigation we the Citizens should know what files he was after and if the Information Technology Tech was a victim or a collaborator.
Perhaps Steve Berry was making a list of all the times the Mayor voted to pay the water bill. Every Land Owner is an owner of a part of the water company and the Mayor's Husband is on the Water Company Board of Director.
Perhaps Steve Berry was making a list of all the times he or members of the city staff and council ate at Pasta Italia and paid for it with a credit card, then approved later as a bulk credit card payment on the Voucher approved as Non Controversial?
Perhaps Steve Berry was collecting details of the Payments to Terra Loma / Gene Carlstrom who is the Employer of Bea Cortes. (A job has co-mingled with her City Council Position as Mayor Pro tem in her Business Advertisements).
Perhaps Steve Berry was collecting details of the Travel Expenses of Lee Ann Garcia for some sort of disclosure.
For sure, more is to be made clear to the Citizens of Grand Terrace before these issues are resolved. The only place this can happen is in a Court of Law because this council will hide all behind the Closed Door Meeting Excuse. They won't come clean, until they are forced to testify in a court of law in front of a judge. Where as, with Council Member Miller, as soon as he was informed of the "Possible Conflict of Interest" he made he situation PUBLIC. and the Paper Stopped taking adds from the city. However, even after that stoppage, Committees such as the Historical Committee used the GTCN as their news paper to advertise City Hall sponsored events, including those at the request of Steve Berry.
Perhaps, in the real world a Court could rule that due to the fact the City has only one local news paper, that is delivered to every home and is available at many stores for free, that the contract negotiations is less than or equal to the cost of advertising in the Colton Currier, the Sun Telegram or the Press Enterprise that there is no Conflict of interest or undue financial advantage of the the use of the Grand Terrace City News, in spite of the inconvenient fact that a Wife of a Council Member owns the news paper. Giving the Miller's a waiver of the apparent conflict of interest.
If Margie Miller had not purchased the News Papers, Loma Linda, Colton and Grand Terrace would not have any local news papers. We are only an after thought for the Sun and the Press, who never do the hard news in GT unless it has appeared in this blog, or in the GTCN or in the SBCS first.
In the Court of King Solomon would give the paper and Miller's a situational waiver. However, the rest of the criminal activity and cover ups would have no such benevolence applied.
Saturday, August 01, 2009
A Call For Citizens to Wake UP!!!
I agree.
The City council is not going for ask for a prosecution on Berry from any law enforcement agency. They are not going to ask for an investigation from any other agency than the San Bernardino County D.A.'s Office where they can be guaranteed the outcome from their corrupt buddies. It would mean their bribe to Schawb and the "keep your mouth shut" clause of the "retirement gift" of $177,000 will be exposed in court. Schwab stated in the press he was paid to keep his mouth shut. About what? Anyone else curious? If there is nothing to hide why would there have to be a confidentially clause in Schwabs retirement contract. A retirement contract? I know the Feds do it with their law enforcement agencies like the FBI and the Secret Service. I have never heard of a "confidentially clause" or a contract in a retirement of a city manager
They have to be very concerned about what files Berry has in his possession. There has to be a panicked scramble amongst the council members to see what he has and how he could use it. Think about it. What could this little city council have done to fear Schwab or Berry divulging anything. The city files belong to the citizens. Ask the council what the confidentially clause is meant to hide. Good luck on that one. The citizens are going to have to petition the State Attorney General or the Public Corruption Unit of the FBI to get honest city government here.
Those of us that have watched since the incorporation of Grand Terrace know that the "good ol boy" network, of which Mayor Ferre's father was a ring leader, incorporated Grand Terrace for one reason and one reason only. To make money. Why did they put into the RDA here that the whole of the town is declared blighted.
What is a matter of public record is that former council member Tony Petta has made more money from his dealing with the city than any of those that pushed through the incorporation of Grand Terrace. Carlstrom and Matteson are close runners up. Former Mayor Matteson gets over three million from the CRA for his property on Michigan and Jo Stringfield is offered squat for her property on Barton. Carlstrom and Schawb handle the closed session on the Dodson property, with whom Schwab lived, and the $750,000 Dodson property becomes worth $2,900,000 in closed session. Now Carlstrom manages the property and it is rented to a Carlstrom family member. Though the city will not tell how much is being paid for the rent or how much the city pays Carlstrom to manage the property. There is a monthly payment of 95.00 to Tera Loma, and other payments for repairs in the thousands.
Can't be a conflict though that Council member Cortes works for Carlstrom. If you recall Cortes asking from the dais at a council meeting about anyone knowing of a job after she was let go from a Democrat Representatives office. The next week she was employed by Carlstrom. You think that influenced any of her votes on Carlstrom related payments when the council votes to approve the check register.
The people need to wake up in this town. We can't get a pot hole fixed, but we can get the windows tined at city hall. We can supply a vehicle of his choice to the city manager and get RDA houses to the city manager and secretary, for which they are legally over qualified. How many of the seniors that were supposedly on the priority list are living at the senior housing. Has anyone been inside. It is the cheapest construction possible without failing inspection. I don't believe 20 million bucks went into that. How about an accounting from the city on how much of that 20 million went into the pockets of the Corp. for Better Housing.
The more things are made to appear that they have changed, the more they remain the same. When the citizens realize that the incorporation of Grand Terrace was from the outset and to this day a money making proposition for a select handful nothing is going to change for any of us.
The City council is not going for ask for a prosecution on Berry from any law enforcement agency. They are not going to ask for an investigation from any other agency than the San Bernardino County D.A.'s Office where they can be guaranteed the outcome from their corrupt buddies. It would mean their bribe to Schawb and the "keep your mouth shut" clause of the "retirement gift" of $177,000 will be exposed in court. Schwab stated in the press he was paid to keep his mouth shut. About what? Anyone else curious? If there is nothing to hide why would there have to be a confidentially clause in Schwabs retirement contract. A retirement contract? I know the Feds do it with their law enforcement agencies like the FBI and the Secret Service. I have never heard of a "confidentially clause" or a contract in a retirement of a city manager
They have to be very concerned about what files Berry has in his possession. There has to be a panicked scramble amongst the council members to see what he has and how he could use it. Think about it. What could this little city council have done to fear Schwab or Berry divulging anything. The city files belong to the citizens. Ask the council what the confidentially clause is meant to hide. Good luck on that one. The citizens are going to have to petition the State Attorney General or the Public Corruption Unit of the FBI to get honest city government here.
Those of us that have watched since the incorporation of Grand Terrace know that the "good ol boy" network, of which Mayor Ferre's father was a ring leader, incorporated Grand Terrace for one reason and one reason only. To make money. Why did they put into the RDA here that the whole of the town is declared blighted.
What is a matter of public record is that former council member Tony Petta has made more money from his dealing with the city than any of those that pushed through the incorporation of Grand Terrace. Carlstrom and Matteson are close runners up. Former Mayor Matteson gets over three million from the CRA for his property on Michigan and Jo Stringfield is offered squat for her property on Barton. Carlstrom and Schawb handle the closed session on the Dodson property, with whom Schwab lived, and the $750,000 Dodson property becomes worth $2,900,000 in closed session. Now Carlstrom manages the property and it is rented to a Carlstrom family member. Though the city will not tell how much is being paid for the rent or how much the city pays Carlstrom to manage the property. There is a monthly payment of 95.00 to Tera Loma, and other payments for repairs in the thousands.
Can't be a conflict though that Council member Cortes works for Carlstrom. If you recall Cortes asking from the dais at a council meeting about anyone knowing of a job after she was let go from a Democrat Representatives office. The next week she was employed by Carlstrom. You think that influenced any of her votes on Carlstrom related payments when the council votes to approve the check register.
The people need to wake up in this town. We can't get a pot hole fixed, but we can get the windows tined at city hall. We can supply a vehicle of his choice to the city manager and get RDA houses to the city manager and secretary, for which they are legally over qualified. How many of the seniors that were supposedly on the priority list are living at the senior housing. Has anyone been inside. It is the cheapest construction possible without failing inspection. I don't believe 20 million bucks went into that. How about an accounting from the city on how much of that 20 million went into the pockets of the Corp. for Better Housing.
The more things are made to appear that they have changed, the more they remain the same. When the citizens realize that the incorporation of Grand Terrace was from the outset and to this day a money making proposition for a select handful nothing is going to change for any of us.
New Reader of Interest..
O'Reilly Public Relations
3403 Tenth St., Suite 110 Riverside, CA 92501
Visit Length
Page Views 9
Referring URL
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=san
Visit Exit Page
http://grandterracenews.blogspot.com/2009/07/from-san-bernardino-county-sentinel.html
Out Click
It is interesting that they would be interested in the San Bernardino County Sentinel and visit 9 other pages. The City Council and Schwab / Berry have spent money in the past trying to have the apparent use of public surveys to show they have been representing the wishes of the community. Remember how those surveys were written in such a way as to slant the outcome the City Desired.
Well, given that the Sentinel stories on the blog are only on Tom Schwab and Steve Berry.
There is no easy way over that Public Relations Issue other than to see these men fully held accountable in the Courts. Spending any taxpayers money on "Public Relations" is a gross miss use of taxpayers funds, and would demonstrate further obstruction efforts.
3403 Tenth St., Suite 110 Riverside, CA 92501
Visit Length
Page Views 9
Referring URL
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=san
Visit Exit Page
http://grandterracenews.blogspot.com/2009/07/from-san-bernardino-county-sentinel.html
Out Click
It is interesting that they would be interested in the San Bernardino County Sentinel and visit 9 other pages. The City Council and Schwab / Berry have spent money in the past trying to have the apparent use of public surveys to show they have been representing the wishes of the community. Remember how those surveys were written in such a way as to slant the outcome the City Desired.
Well, given that the Sentinel stories on the blog are only on Tom Schwab and Steve Berry.
There is no easy way over that Public Relations Issue other than to see these men fully held accountable in the Courts. Spending any taxpayers money on "Public Relations" is a gross miss use of taxpayers funds, and would demonstrate further obstruction efforts.
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