From the Email In Box:
Gramps, the City Council Members get Health Care Coverage and they work part time.
My question is are the City's Part Time Employees covered by Medical / Health Care Insurance at the same level?
Answer:
I don't know all the facts however, I have read job announcements that indicate that some Part Time Employees are not covered, and some have a larger contribution for the insurance if they opt in to a insurance plan the city only covers a portion of the coverage.
Is this fair.. No... it is an example of a elitist attitude that the Management Deserves better health than the workers. I can not think of a time where the opposite is more true. The people who work as crossing guards, child care and other "Part Time" Exempt jobs in the city, are more exposed to flu and colds and other medical risks in their jobs than the Council Members. They should be covered long before the City Council Members.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Reminders
Holloween Haunt Oct 30
Council Member Jim Miller returns to Court Nov 3, to face Conflict of Interest Charges in the San Bernardino County Superior Court in front of Judge Douglas Elwell.
Woman's Club Hamburger Cookout and GT City's Country Fair Nov 7th.
It is not know yet if Steve Berry or Tom Schwab will face criminal charges for their part in the coverup of a criminal investagation, fraud and possible other crimes.
Council Member Jim Miller returns to Court Nov 3, to face Conflict of Interest Charges in the San Bernardino County Superior Court in front of Judge Douglas Elwell.
Woman's Club Hamburger Cookout and GT City's Country Fair Nov 7th.
It is not know yet if Steve Berry or Tom Schwab will face criminal charges for their part in the coverup of a criminal investagation, fraud and possible other crimes.
City will Sell off Future I1 Funds as Debt Bonds.
On the City Council Agenda Tonight...
This idea to get Bonded Debts for Future Receipts is not a sound practice and it does not come at zero cost. The cost or premium for getting the money now will be paid in a fee or interest. Fees to pay some one to sell the bonds, interest to the holders, and a premium if the I1 funds are over estimated by the City in the First Place.
There should be extraordinary reasons for borrowing or in this case Selling our Right to Future Funds. I do not find sufficient justification for such financial trickery. In addition the City Attorney should not be the agent selling the bonds or be compensated in anyway with regards to this transaction.
Other things in the agenda specifically the check register still needs clarification.
First of all a normal family check register has records of Deposits from where the contributions to the pool of funds come from. No such accountability is made visible to the citizens or the City Council in their Council Packets.
Second: CalPERS is being paid for Council Members however there is no Charge to Department 110 for Retirement. Citizens should know the Benefits and Stipends paid to each Council Seat. It looks as if a council member receives $600.00 only. How much should be added for Medical Insurance and Retirement Fund that the city is paying for? If this amount is known perhaps a wider pool of candidates would run for the council in the future.
Third: The Senior Centers Kitchen. Who is responsible is important when an 80,000.00 fix is required.
The Corp for Better Housing. "Professionals" submitted designs and a contract that the City Council Approved. Was the kitchen they built the same as in the approved designs and contracts?
If it was, then they are not responsible.
If the Planning Department, and City Council Approved the design and contract then the Fault is within City Hall and the "Professionals" there in. Perhaps their incomes for the next 20 years could be reduced by 10 percent to repay the error.
IF the Builder got a Change order that did not comply with contract change requirements for approvals then the Builder and the Persons making the changes should be held financially responsible for the Contractual Breaches and Transgression of Authority. Such actions may even cross over into an issue of Fraud. Any Authorization to build less than contracted for is a theft of a sort. The person approving that theft or fraud should be held in account.
This is a PUBLIC ISSUE and what is known should be On The Record and dealt with in the courts if needed. That is a big chunk of boo boo to fix up and sweep under the rug. $ 80,000.00 do over funds could have gone a long way for other uses. This money may be available, but think of what is not being done because the kitchen needs to be re done. Some thing is being neglected because of the types of Professional Management the City of Grand Terrace has allowed to provide the oversight to the building of the Senior Center and Senior Housing.
In conclusion.
The Traffic Flow on Grand Terrace Road, and putting no parking on the North Side of the Street across from the Park is further evidence that the Park is not for Public Use. The Development Fees and Plans should have provided for making the road wider or put in parking turn out where the Orange Trees Were Planted... The "Professionals" in City Hall fought the public concerns over traffic, ignored the concerns of the court, and went right on with the cheep construction plan. Red Curbs and No Parking Signs do not indicate a Friendly City. Visitors and Residents are offended by all the RED Curbs... covering poor traffic and park use planning.
This idea to get Bonded Debts for Future Receipts is not a sound practice and it does not come at zero cost. The cost or premium for getting the money now will be paid in a fee or interest. Fees to pay some one to sell the bonds, interest to the holders, and a premium if the I1 funds are over estimated by the City in the First Place.
There should be extraordinary reasons for borrowing or in this case Selling our Right to Future Funds. I do not find sufficient justification for such financial trickery. In addition the City Attorney should not be the agent selling the bonds or be compensated in anyway with regards to this transaction.
Other things in the agenda specifically the check register still needs clarification.
First of all a normal family check register has records of Deposits from where the contributions to the pool of funds come from. No such accountability is made visible to the citizens or the City Council in their Council Packets.
Second: CalPERS is being paid for Council Members however there is no Charge to Department 110 for Retirement. Citizens should know the Benefits and Stipends paid to each Council Seat. It looks as if a council member receives $600.00 only. How much should be added for Medical Insurance and Retirement Fund that the city is paying for? If this amount is known perhaps a wider pool of candidates would run for the council in the future.
Third: The Senior Centers Kitchen. Who is responsible is important when an 80,000.00 fix is required.
The Corp for Better Housing. "Professionals" submitted designs and a contract that the City Council Approved. Was the kitchen they built the same as in the approved designs and contracts?
If it was, then they are not responsible.
If the Planning Department, and City Council Approved the design and contract then the Fault is within City Hall and the "Professionals" there in. Perhaps their incomes for the next 20 years could be reduced by 10 percent to repay the error.
IF the Builder got a Change order that did not comply with contract change requirements for approvals then the Builder and the Persons making the changes should be held financially responsible for the Contractual Breaches and Transgression of Authority. Such actions may even cross over into an issue of Fraud. Any Authorization to build less than contracted for is a theft of a sort. The person approving that theft or fraud should be held in account.
This is a PUBLIC ISSUE and what is known should be On The Record and dealt with in the courts if needed. That is a big chunk of boo boo to fix up and sweep under the rug. $ 80,000.00 do over funds could have gone a long way for other uses. This money may be available, but think of what is not being done because the kitchen needs to be re done. Some thing is being neglected because of the types of Professional Management the City of Grand Terrace has allowed to provide the oversight to the building of the Senior Center and Senior Housing.
In conclusion.
The Traffic Flow on Grand Terrace Road, and putting no parking on the North Side of the Street across from the Park is further evidence that the Park is not for Public Use. The Development Fees and Plans should have provided for making the road wider or put in parking turn out where the Orange Trees Were Planted... The "Professionals" in City Hall fought the public concerns over traffic, ignored the concerns of the court, and went right on with the cheep construction plan. Red Curbs and No Parking Signs do not indicate a Friendly City. Visitors and Residents are offended by all the RED Curbs... covering poor traffic and park use planning.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Arrests of Interest
19-year-old in custody for Riverside graffiti vandalism
Special to the Valley News
Thursday, October 22nd, 2009. Issue 43, Volume 9.
RIVERSIDE - A 19-year-old suspected of repeated acts of graffiti vandalism in and around Riverside, causing thousands of dollars in damage, was in custody today.
Alex Villa, of Riverside, was arrested Sunday during a tagging investigation in the area of Chicago Avenue and Massachusetts Street in Riverside, authorities said.
Passers-by spotted two men spray-painting a wall along Interstate 215 and called police, said Riverside police Sgt. Mark Rossi. Responding officers stopped Villa and an associate, who was not identified, walking away from the scene, according to Rossi.
A search of Villa uncovered graffiti implements which Rossi said tied the suspect to "graffiti found on advertising signs, railroad crossing arms and city-owned electrical boxes" in Riverside, Grand Terrace and Highgrove, as well as all over the 60/91/215 Interchange.
"It is estimated that Alex Villa caused approximately $8,000 in damages to the local freeways, $4,000 to railroad property, $5,000 to local billboard advertisers and $3,000 to the city of Riverside and some local businesses," said Rossi.
Villa was booked into the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility in Banning on multiple allegations of felony and misdemeanor vandalism. He is being held in lieu of $5,000 bail.
latimes.com
52 children rescued in nationwide sex-trafficking raid
Federal officials arrest almost 700, including 60 pimps, in a three-day crackdown on child prostitution. The youngest victim was 10, authorities say. Two children are rescued in Riverside.
By Joe Markman
This is a report about Riverside Arrests however these arrests only scratch the surface of the Child Prostitution Problem in the USA. Yes it could happen right here in Grand Terrace. Please be alert to this problem where ever you are. Gramps..
Special to the Valley News
Thursday, October 22nd, 2009. Issue 43, Volume 9.
RIVERSIDE - A 19-year-old suspected of repeated acts of graffiti vandalism in and around Riverside, causing thousands of dollars in damage, was in custody today.
Alex Villa, of Riverside, was arrested Sunday during a tagging investigation in the area of Chicago Avenue and Massachusetts Street in Riverside, authorities said.
Passers-by spotted two men spray-painting a wall along Interstate 215 and called police, said Riverside police Sgt. Mark Rossi. Responding officers stopped Villa and an associate, who was not identified, walking away from the scene, according to Rossi.
A search of Villa uncovered graffiti implements which Rossi said tied the suspect to "graffiti found on advertising signs, railroad crossing arms and city-owned electrical boxes" in Riverside, Grand Terrace and Highgrove, as well as all over the 60/91/215 Interchange.
"It is estimated that Alex Villa caused approximately $8,000 in damages to the local freeways, $4,000 to railroad property, $5,000 to local billboard advertisers and $3,000 to the city of Riverside and some local businesses," said Rossi.
Villa was booked into the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility in Banning on multiple allegations of felony and misdemeanor vandalism. He is being held in lieu of $5,000 bail.
latimes.com
52 children rescued in nationwide sex-trafficking raid
Federal officials arrest almost 700, including 60 pimps, in a three-day crackdown on child prostitution. The youngest victim was 10, authorities say. Two children are rescued in Riverside.
By Joe Markman
This is a report about Riverside Arrests however these arrests only scratch the surface of the Child Prostitution Problem in the USA. Yes it could happen right here in Grand Terrace. Please be alert to this problem where ever you are. Gramps..
Friday, October 23, 2009
From the Sentinel: In the NEWS...
San Bernardino County Sentinel
Friday, October 23, 2009
Friday, October 23, 2009
GT to Name New CM as Early as October 27
GRAND TERRACE— Neither of the two applicants for the Grand Terrace city manager’s post who are currently employed by the city will get the job, the Sentinel has learned.
Rather, one of the thirty-five others who sought the job will get the nod, perhaps as early as October 27.
Both Bernie Simon, who is Grand Terrace’s finance director, and Joyce Powers, the city’s community and economic development director, turned in applications.
They are not among the six finalists who have been interviewed by the city council since October 3.
The original 37 candidates were winnowed down to 12 by September. As of the middle of this month, that number had been cut in half.
The final choice will assume the permanent city manager’s position last officially held by Tom Schwab, who was forced out of the employ of the city in June. He had been beset by a medical condition in June 2008, and was succeeded by Steve Berry, the assistant city manager, who served in the capacity of acting city manager until July. Berry was terminated by the city council in July after a series of revelations pertaining to his involvement in several questionable activities over the years.
Bernie Simon, the city’s finance director, was designated to serve as acting city manager following Berry’s departure. He applied for the permanent city manager’s appointment, but, according to city attorney John Harper, neither Simon nor Powers was selected to join the final candidates now being considered by the city council. It is anticipated that both Simon and Powers will remain in their roles as finance director and director of community and economic development, respectively, when the new city manager assumes the city’s helm.
Several of the candidates under consideration for city manager have experience in municipalities much larger than Grand Terrace, which boasts fewer than 13,000 residents currently. One of the candidates previously worked as city manager in a city of 500,000 population.
Rather, one of the thirty-five others who sought the job will get the nod, perhaps as early as October 27.
Both Bernie Simon, who is Grand Terrace’s finance director, and Joyce Powers, the city’s community and economic development director, turned in applications.
They are not among the six finalists who have been interviewed by the city council since October 3.
The original 37 candidates were winnowed down to 12 by September. As of the middle of this month, that number had been cut in half.
The final choice will assume the permanent city manager’s position last officially held by Tom Schwab, who was forced out of the employ of the city in June. He had been beset by a medical condition in June 2008, and was succeeded by Steve Berry, the assistant city manager, who served in the capacity of acting city manager until July. Berry was terminated by the city council in July after a series of revelations pertaining to his involvement in several questionable activities over the years.
Bernie Simon, the city’s finance director, was designated to serve as acting city manager following Berry’s departure. He applied for the permanent city manager’s appointment, but, according to city attorney John Harper, neither Simon nor Powers was selected to join the final candidates now being considered by the city council. It is anticipated that both Simon and Powers will remain in their roles as finance director and director of community and economic development, respectively, when the new city manager assumes the city’s helm.
Several of the candidates under consideration for city manager have experience in municipalities much larger than Grand Terrace, which boasts fewer than 13,000 residents currently. One of the candidates previously worked as city manager in a city of 500,000 population.
Also in the Sentinel:
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Tuesday, October 20, 2009
High Speed Rail in the Snail Mail / Email Again...
Gramps:
Back about end of September I got in the mail an invite to complain about new High Speed Rail running through GT.
Received another one today in the mail.
Speaking with my neighbors, they say they are all for it.
However when you tell then it will buzz by w/o stopping, then the tune changes. How can they then?
They thought we were on the route and going to get a depot?
Then they ask how much is this going to cost me?
Gramp notes: High Speed Rail is an interesting technology. Some are less noise than the current trains chugging by your house. Design and type of equipment is a question that needs to be asked. In addition pedestrian and auto traffic should be an issue. Most plans either have the tracks elevated over crossings. It is quite a splat when these trains bump into something or go off the rail path. Again a good question as to design and safety.
High Speed Rail is not Metro Link. However, there being a stop near by or not is also a good question due to the real fact that most households in Grand Terrace and Highgrove send at least one member out onto the freeway commute to work every day. Improved Public Transportation is needed. There are some less costly ways and than others.
You bet I support the Metro Link Stop in Highgrove or some where closer than Riverside or San Bernardino. It stops in Clairmont and Montclair just minutes apart on the Sbdno/LA run... so why the bad service to Orange County? Having a stop in Highgrove or even Colton would save time and relieve parking at the other station stops.
Now the real reason for the High Speed train is to load Californians and their money up and take them to Nevada to Las Vegas to empty their pockets there rather than in California. This train is designed to suck money and taxes right out of California. It is not intended for daily commuter use. It will be too costly to ride on a daily basis.
I think Local Jobs, are better than long commutes. Move products not employees and you gain in sustainability of a community and improve the environment. I think improving current systems Metro Link should trump High Speed Rail. We move fast enough now... Slow down and enjoy California.
Back about end of September I got in the mail an invite to complain about new High Speed Rail running through GT.
Received another one today in the mail.
Speaking with my neighbors, they say they are all for it.
However when you tell then it will buzz by w/o stopping, then the tune changes. How can they then?
They thought we were on the route and going to get a depot?
Then they ask how much is this going to cost me?
Gramp notes: High Speed Rail is an interesting technology. Some are less noise than the current trains chugging by your house. Design and type of equipment is a question that needs to be asked. In addition pedestrian and auto traffic should be an issue. Most plans either have the tracks elevated over crossings. It is quite a splat when these trains bump into something or go off the rail path. Again a good question as to design and safety.
High Speed Rail is not Metro Link. However, there being a stop near by or not is also a good question due to the real fact that most households in Grand Terrace and Highgrove send at least one member out onto the freeway commute to work every day. Improved Public Transportation is needed. There are some less costly ways and than others.
You bet I support the Metro Link Stop in Highgrove or some where closer than Riverside or San Bernardino. It stops in Clairmont and Montclair just minutes apart on the Sbdno/LA run... so why the bad service to Orange County? Having a stop in Highgrove or even Colton would save time and relieve parking at the other station stops.
Now the real reason for the High Speed train is to load Californians and their money up and take them to Nevada to Las Vegas to empty their pockets there rather than in California. This train is designed to suck money and taxes right out of California. It is not intended for daily commuter use. It will be too costly to ride on a daily basis.
I think Local Jobs, are better than long commutes. Move products not employees and you gain in sustainability of a community and improve the environment. I think improving current systems Metro Link should trump High Speed Rail. We move fast enough now... Slow down and enjoy California.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Grand Terrace close to naming new city manager
Stephen Wall, Staff Writer
Posted: 10/18/2009 07:07:04 AM PDT
GRAND TERRACE - The city is nearing the finish line in its search for a new chief executive.
The City Council has had three closed-door meetings in the past two weeks to interview a half-dozen finalists for the position.
Thirty-seven people turned in applications for the job. Council members received a list of about a dozen candidates who met the minimum qualifications and graded them. Those who got the best scores were called in for interviews.
City Attorney John Harper said the council is scheduled to discuss the issue again in closed session Oct. 27 and could make a decision "in the next few weeks."
"They are all excellent, top-notch people," Harper said. "I think the council and the community will be very happy with whoever is selected."
The council is seeking to find a replacement for former City Manager Tom Schwab, who retired this summer. Schwab suffered a traumatic brain injury in June 2008 and went on medical leave.
Steve Berry became acting city manager in Schwab's absence, but the council fired him in July after news reports revealed a cover-up of possible crimes several years ago.
Added Note: Berry was let go after his Assistant City Manager Job was eliminated due to budget cuts. Or so the City Council Said. He was eliminated only after he was instrumental in the public arrest of the Council Member not supporting his promotion to City Manager, Jim Miller's trial is still pending. No one has heard of Steve Berry or his potential criminal charges being advanced.
Berry was suspected of embezzling city funds and filing false records in connection with a window-tinting scandal involving a county work release inmate in 2002, according to sheriff's reports. Berry was assistant city manager at the time.
Berry was never disciplined or charged with a crime, but the disclosure of the incident sparked a public outcry.
Finance Director Bernie Simon was named acting city manager following Berry's dismissal.
The council is only considering people who don't work for the city as candidates for the permanent position.
Councilman Walt Stanckiewitz said he is pleased with how the selection process is going.
"The candidates that we have interviewed are way beyond what I thought we would see," he said. "I've been very impressed with the people we've talked to."
Stephen Wall, Staff Writer
Posted: 10/18/2009 07:07:04 AM PDT
GRAND TERRACE - The city is nearing the finish line in its search for a new chief executive.
The City Council has had three closed-door meetings in the past two weeks to interview a half-dozen finalists for the position.
Thirty-seven people turned in applications for the job. Council members received a list of about a dozen candidates who met the minimum qualifications and graded them. Those who got the best scores were called in for interviews.
City Attorney John Harper said the council is scheduled to discuss the issue again in closed session Oct. 27 and could make a decision "in the next few weeks."
"They are all excellent, top-notch people," Harper said. "I think the council and the community will be very happy with whoever is selected."
The council is seeking to find a replacement for former City Manager Tom Schwab, who retired this summer. Schwab suffered a traumatic brain injury in June 2008 and went on medical leave.
Steve Berry became acting city manager in Schwab's absence, but the council fired him in July after news reports revealed a cover-up of possible crimes several years ago.
Added Note: Berry was let go after his Assistant City Manager Job was eliminated due to budget cuts. Or so the City Council Said. He was eliminated only after he was instrumental in the public arrest of the Council Member not supporting his promotion to City Manager, Jim Miller's trial is still pending. No one has heard of Steve Berry or his potential criminal charges being advanced.
Berry was suspected of embezzling city funds and filing false records in connection with a window-tinting scandal involving a county work release inmate in 2002, according to sheriff's reports. Berry was assistant city manager at the time.
Berry was never disciplined or charged with a crime, but the disclosure of the incident sparked a public outcry.
Finance Director Bernie Simon was named acting city manager following Berry's dismissal.
The council is only considering people who don't work for the city as candidates for the permanent position.
Councilman Walt Stanckiewitz said he is pleased with how the selection process is going.
"The candidates that we have interviewed are way beyond what I thought we would see," he said. "I've been very impressed with the people we've talked to."
Sunday, October 18, 2009
When "Good Press" Hurts.
We received the following email:
Much thought was given prior to posting this email: Here is the thinking it triggered.
The Press or News coverage does not help when it glosses over the levels of participation. A reader may conclude that there was a big bunch of people and that the next event doesn't need their participation.
The Lions Pancake Breakfast is not only a money earner for their charity work it is also a community social event intended to bind relationships and bring neighbors together. The email writers suggestion of charging more per plate may be a funny math on fund raising economics. However, the gathering of neighbors and friends for a community meal is priceless.
So to the Press: Tell about the event AHEAD of the EVENT... and Encourage Participation. After the Event.... Please tell it like it was. More people could have enjoyed the breakfast, come on down for the next event... Put it on your family calendars. The Grand Terrace City News / Margie Miller was offering a 2/1 ticket if you visited the office. The Press and the Sun Telegram reported? How about a Pre Event Picture of a Full Plate and a price tag... saying this meal if for YOU...
So to the Lions: Keep the ticket price down, and have a tip jar for those of us who would contribute more to your efforts.
So to the Citizens of Grand Terrace: Bring your family, or make a commitment for your block to all meet at one time and bring the kids, and have a meal all together and the Lions do the cooking and clean up... Make a family day of it after eating head out to the park and walk off the breakfast or perhaps have a litter walk home... picking up trash on the way home.
Finally:
The press coverage in Grand Terrace has consistently been cast behind a set of Rosy glasses for one reason or another. It is OK to report the news as it IS... and identify where improvements can be made. Ask the Hard Questions. Stop painting over termite infested wood.
Fact is that the Citizens of Grand Terrace are hurting from the Economic Down Turn. Houses are empty or in foreclosure. Employment has dropped, and people finding replacement jobs are taking large income cuts. The Clubs and City Government should all respect and plan on these factors in their event planning.
Is there support for future pancake breakfasts. Perhaps so... but not all activities should be bunched together in the fall. GT' Days, Fireman's PanCake Breakfast, Lions Breakfast, and Halloween Haunt, Country Fair and Woman's Club Hamburger Grill. One could suggest that some of these activities be spread out on the calendar a bit. Perhaps there could be a tie in activity that would increase participation. For example, a pancake breakfast served to people waiting in the dump day line... Deliver pancake meals at the bus stop... a flap jack drive up.
Some of the overload was caused by the GT Days being held in fall rather than spring. Events are good... Collaboration between groups can help improve every events success and participation rates.
Hang in there Lions, and Women's Club, and the GT Days Group, and the GT Community Players, and the Youth Sports Teams... and all other public community groups out there... Your work is needed in the communities you serve. Let people know there is more room at the table, you may be pleased with who may show up. Reporting that there was a full house keeps participants away.
Read story on front page of GT News that the Lions Club breakfast was sort of a huge success, or "Something to Remember".
Before I saw it, and talked to three residents and all said attendance was down. Previous years it was taking a slide, so owners gave the usual Sunday date to another group. If I read this article correctly, it makes it appear as to if the attendance was BIG. Not smaller than any previous years.
For now, one Lions club member said that next year may be the last one. They did not loose any money, but sure did not make up what they thought was to be gained.
Why then, maybe if they charged $1000 per meal all they got to do is sell one to make a profit. As similar to the GT days event at the park once reported upon, the city is not looking in to obtaining a whole bunch of folks, but just the few biggie ones. The GT reporter is not telling all of the truth, but is not lying either.
Ifn' you aim the camera thissa way and crop the picture thatta way, it looks like you got a whole bunch of people present, then the readers missed out on something special, and....
Much thought was given prior to posting this email: Here is the thinking it triggered.
The Press or News coverage does not help when it glosses over the levels of participation. A reader may conclude that there was a big bunch of people and that the next event doesn't need their participation.
The Lions Pancake Breakfast is not only a money earner for their charity work it is also a community social event intended to bind relationships and bring neighbors together. The email writers suggestion of charging more per plate may be a funny math on fund raising economics. However, the gathering of neighbors and friends for a community meal is priceless.
So to the Press: Tell about the event AHEAD of the EVENT... and Encourage Participation. After the Event.... Please tell it like it was. More people could have enjoyed the breakfast, come on down for the next event... Put it on your family calendars. The Grand Terrace City News / Margie Miller was offering a 2/1 ticket if you visited the office. The Press and the Sun Telegram reported? How about a Pre Event Picture of a Full Plate and a price tag... saying this meal if for YOU...
So to the Lions: Keep the ticket price down, and have a tip jar for those of us who would contribute more to your efforts.
So to the Citizens of Grand Terrace: Bring your family, or make a commitment for your block to all meet at one time and bring the kids, and have a meal all together and the Lions do the cooking and clean up... Make a family day of it after eating head out to the park and walk off the breakfast or perhaps have a litter walk home... picking up trash on the way home.
Finally:
The press coverage in Grand Terrace has consistently been cast behind a set of Rosy glasses for one reason or another. It is OK to report the news as it IS... and identify where improvements can be made. Ask the Hard Questions. Stop painting over termite infested wood.
Fact is that the Citizens of Grand Terrace are hurting from the Economic Down Turn. Houses are empty or in foreclosure. Employment has dropped, and people finding replacement jobs are taking large income cuts. The Clubs and City Government should all respect and plan on these factors in their event planning.
Is there support for future pancake breakfasts. Perhaps so... but not all activities should be bunched together in the fall. GT' Days, Fireman's PanCake Breakfast, Lions Breakfast, and Halloween Haunt, Country Fair and Woman's Club Hamburger Grill. One could suggest that some of these activities be spread out on the calendar a bit. Perhaps there could be a tie in activity that would increase participation. For example, a pancake breakfast served to people waiting in the dump day line... Deliver pancake meals at the bus stop... a flap jack drive up.
Some of the overload was caused by the GT Days being held in fall rather than spring. Events are good... Collaboration between groups can help improve every events success and participation rates.
Hang in there Lions, and Women's Club, and the GT Days Group, and the GT Community Players, and the Youth Sports Teams... and all other public community groups out there... Your work is needed in the communities you serve. Let people know there is more room at the table, you may be pleased with who may show up. Reporting that there was a full house keeps participants away.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
More on the High Speed Rail... and Grand Terrace
Public hearings to discuss high-speed rail in Riverside County
Desert Sun Wire services • October 12, 2009
http://www.mydesert.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20091012/NEWS01/91012002
Public hearings will be held in Riverside County this month as state officials take comments on proposed routes for the southernmost leg of California's proposed $40 billion high-speed train network.
The state plans to route 220 mile-per-hour trains from Los Angeles through the Inland Empire to San Diego, with proposed stations in the eastern San Gabriel Valley near Diamond Bar, at Ontario International Airport, in downtown Riverside near the UC Riverside campus, and near the 15/215 split in the Temecula Valley city of Murrieta.
But several alternative plans are pencilled in for the Inland Empire, with one plan bypassing Riverside entirely by instead going directly south down Interstate 15 from Ontario to Murrieta. Another plan would loop the tracks all the way northeast into a proposed station in downtown San Bernardino.Several plans are also up in the air for bringing the tracks from alongside the San Bernardino (10) Freeway at Colton into Riverside near the UC campus.
The 220-mph trains through the Inland Empire would bypass the crowded Amtrak and Coaster tracks along the beaches of Orange and San Diego counties, and would place Riverside County as an important link in a proposed rail network stretching on through Los Angeles, Lancaster and the San Joaquin Valley to San Francisco and Sacramento.One tentative map for the Inland Empire shows the tracks would be at grade level from Ontario Airport east along the 10 Freeway past Colton, then curve southward on elevated tracks to Grand Terrace.Under that plan, the tracks would either be at grade level or elevated along Interstate 215 through Riverside, then cross Moreno Valley, Perris and the Temecula Valley.
Most of that route would be at grade level along or in the middle of the freeway, although some sections would be elevated, the state's tentative map shows.Three alternatives exist for crossing the San Gabriel Valley and approaching Los Angeles Union Station: either next to, above or in the middle of the San Bernardino (10) or Pomona (60) freeways, or along the existing Union Pacific tracks through Industry, Pico Rivera, MontebelloTo the south, the tracks would head south above Interstate 15 to Escondido, zigzag west to the La Jolla and end at downtown San Diego. At the request of San Diego officials, a major transportation interchange point at near-capacity Lindbergh Field may be added.
The hearings start in San Diego County this week, and will take public testimony on the proposed routes, as the state hears evidence on what issues and alternative routes must be studied during the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement.All of the hearings are from 3-7 p.m., and are set for: -- Oct. 19 at the Murrieta Public Library, 24700 Adams Ave., Murrieta. The second hearing will be from 3-7 p.m. Oct. 20 at Corona Public Library, 650 S. Main St., Corona.The final Riverside County hearing will be Oct. 22 at Cesar Chavez Community Center, 2060 University Avenue, Riverside.
A hearing will be held Oct. 29 at the Pomona First Baptist Church, 569 N. Main St., Pomona.The first leg of the California network will be funded with $9.95 billion in bond funds approved by voters, and a sizeable chunk of the $8 billion that Congress has allocated for nationwide high-speed rail seed money as a part of President Barack Obama's commitment to high speed rail. Congress is expected to add another $1.5 billion in economic stimulus moneys as well.
The federal government has identified eight city-pairs and corridors across the country as likely recipients of the federal money, but other states are seeking to get a piece of the federal pie. The President has said California is at the head of the line because of the commitment of local moneyand advanced state of planning, as well as the fact that California is the only state proposing travel speeds of 220 miles an hour.
Nevada officials are proposing a privately-funded high speed track between Las Vegas and the outskirts of San Bernardino, and are investigating the possibility of bringing it across the mountains to plug into the California network.Arizona and several other states are setting up planning efforts to investigate building high-speed rail lines between Southern California and Phoenix and Tucson.
Desert Sun Wire services • October 12, 2009
http://www.mydesert.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20091012/NEWS01/91012002
Public hearings will be held in Riverside County this month as state officials take comments on proposed routes for the southernmost leg of California's proposed $40 billion high-speed train network.
The state plans to route 220 mile-per-hour trains from Los Angeles through the Inland Empire to San Diego, with proposed stations in the eastern San Gabriel Valley near Diamond Bar, at Ontario International Airport, in downtown Riverside near the UC Riverside campus, and near the 15/215 split in the Temecula Valley city of Murrieta.
But several alternative plans are pencilled in for the Inland Empire, with one plan bypassing Riverside entirely by instead going directly south down Interstate 15 from Ontario to Murrieta. Another plan would loop the tracks all the way northeast into a proposed station in downtown San Bernardino.Several plans are also up in the air for bringing the tracks from alongside the San Bernardino (10) Freeway at Colton into Riverside near the UC campus.
The 220-mph trains through the Inland Empire would bypass the crowded Amtrak and Coaster tracks along the beaches of Orange and San Diego counties, and would place Riverside County as an important link in a proposed rail network stretching on through Los Angeles, Lancaster and the San Joaquin Valley to San Francisco and Sacramento.One tentative map for the Inland Empire shows the tracks would be at grade level from Ontario Airport east along the 10 Freeway past Colton, then curve southward on elevated tracks to Grand Terrace.Under that plan, the tracks would either be at grade level or elevated along Interstate 215 through Riverside, then cross Moreno Valley, Perris and the Temecula Valley.
Most of that route would be at grade level along or in the middle of the freeway, although some sections would be elevated, the state's tentative map shows.Three alternatives exist for crossing the San Gabriel Valley and approaching Los Angeles Union Station: either next to, above or in the middle of the San Bernardino (10) or Pomona (60) freeways, or along the existing Union Pacific tracks through Industry, Pico Rivera, MontebelloTo the south, the tracks would head south above Interstate 15 to Escondido, zigzag west to the La Jolla and end at downtown San Diego. At the request of San Diego officials, a major transportation interchange point at near-capacity Lindbergh Field may be added.
The hearings start in San Diego County this week, and will take public testimony on the proposed routes, as the state hears evidence on what issues and alternative routes must be studied during the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement.All of the hearings are from 3-7 p.m., and are set for: -- Oct. 19 at the Murrieta Public Library, 24700 Adams Ave., Murrieta. The second hearing will be from 3-7 p.m. Oct. 20 at Corona Public Library, 650 S. Main St., Corona.The final Riverside County hearing will be Oct. 22 at Cesar Chavez Community Center, 2060 University Avenue, Riverside.
A hearing will be held Oct. 29 at the Pomona First Baptist Church, 569 N. Main St., Pomona.The first leg of the California network will be funded with $9.95 billion in bond funds approved by voters, and a sizeable chunk of the $8 billion that Congress has allocated for nationwide high-speed rail seed money as a part of President Barack Obama's commitment to high speed rail. Congress is expected to add another $1.5 billion in economic stimulus moneys as well.
The federal government has identified eight city-pairs and corridors across the country as likely recipients of the federal money, but other states are seeking to get a piece of the federal pie. The President has said California is at the head of the line because of the commitment of local moneyand advanced state of planning, as well as the fact that California is the only state proposing travel speeds of 220 miles an hour.
Nevada officials are proposing a privately-funded high speed track between Las Vegas and the outskirts of San Bernardino, and are investigating the possibility of bringing it across the mountains to plug into the California network.Arizona and several other states are setting up planning efforts to investigate building high-speed rail lines between Southern California and Phoenix and Tucson.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Hidden in a BIG FILE hard to Download.
Download of tonights Agenda and Council Packet is on line. Problem 1 is that the file is duplicated making it nearly 300 pages. Don't panic it is two sets of the same document. I read it all.
Posting it this way may have been a boo boo however it causes the file to download very slowly and may even give you a file damaged error an not down load at all.
So what's in it?
Rail Road Bridge Graffiti
Agreement with the CJUSD on Land Use
Purchase of Right of Way along Barton Rd.
Also interesting what is not on it... this includes the Selection of the City Manager. Remember when a Meeting in Closed Session is held, the results or decisions should be announced immediately to the public on the public record. Perhaps, Grand Terrace some how is above this law, or section of the Brown Act.
Cal Trans had a camera at Iowa on the 215 that showed the Rail Crossing. This Camera could be watched 24/7 for the "Artists" to show up. Make them pay for the repainting. The City could ask that the Cal Trans Camera be available on line 24/7 not on a loup with other cameras along the 215. Then the City of Grand Terrace, Cal Trans, CHP and the Colton PD and Rail Road Security phone numbers could be available to call when "Artists" or "Others" are on the Rail Crossing.
Looking at the cost of the Senior Gardens... I have to then ask what other group in Grand Terrace has the right to come in and ask for 4,000.00 of funding for a project that will have less than 100 participants? Vote no on this. Let the Seniors provide their own tools. Water and Land is being provided.
Someone should ask the City Council for a summary of their individual benefits on a monthly basis. They get 200.00 for Transportation Cost, even if they don't use it, and money for each meeting they attend, and Medical Care and Medical Insurance. It may inspire others to run for the City Council if folks knew that there is about 1000.00 of benefit for the 2 meetings a month, except for November and December and possibly January. (Do they get half medical coverage those months? ) ADD to that we are paying for lunch when they go to a Chamber of Commerce Meeting? The Chamber of Commerce is a Political Action Group and the City should not be funding any lunches at any PAC including the Chamber of Commerce or the California Cities Organizations. Those activities and costs should be the burden on the Council Member not the Tax Payer, if they chose to attend a PAC Meeting or Event.
Council Member Miller needs to abstain from voting on the Check Vouchers again. The City is buying Margie Miller a Uniform for her participation in the COPs Program. (Citizens on Patrol) We wouldn't want him to have a conflict of interest. By the way, this is a proper city expense, where the Senior Garden Tools is not.
Posting it this way may have been a boo boo however it causes the file to download very slowly and may even give you a file damaged error an not down load at all.
So what's in it?
Rail Road Bridge Graffiti
Agreement with the CJUSD on Land Use
Purchase of Right of Way along Barton Rd.
Also interesting what is not on it... this includes the Selection of the City Manager. Remember when a Meeting in Closed Session is held, the results or decisions should be announced immediately to the public on the public record. Perhaps, Grand Terrace some how is above this law, or section of the Brown Act.
Cal Trans had a camera at Iowa on the 215 that showed the Rail Crossing. This Camera could be watched 24/7 for the "Artists" to show up. Make them pay for the repainting. The City could ask that the Cal Trans Camera be available on line 24/7 not on a loup with other cameras along the 215. Then the City of Grand Terrace, Cal Trans, CHP and the Colton PD and Rail Road Security phone numbers could be available to call when "Artists" or "Others" are on the Rail Crossing.
Looking at the cost of the Senior Gardens... I have to then ask what other group in Grand Terrace has the right to come in and ask for 4,000.00 of funding for a project that will have less than 100 participants? Vote no on this. Let the Seniors provide their own tools. Water and Land is being provided.
Someone should ask the City Council for a summary of their individual benefits on a monthly basis. They get 200.00 for Transportation Cost, even if they don't use it, and money for each meeting they attend, and Medical Care and Medical Insurance. It may inspire others to run for the City Council if folks knew that there is about 1000.00 of benefit for the 2 meetings a month, except for November and December and possibly January. (Do they get half medical coverage those months? ) ADD to that we are paying for lunch when they go to a Chamber of Commerce Meeting? The Chamber of Commerce is a Political Action Group and the City should not be funding any lunches at any PAC including the Chamber of Commerce or the California Cities Organizations. Those activities and costs should be the burden on the Council Member not the Tax Payer, if they chose to attend a PAC Meeting or Event.
Council Member Miller needs to abstain from voting on the Check Vouchers again. The City is buying Margie Miller a Uniform for her participation in the COPs Program. (Citizens on Patrol) We wouldn't want him to have a conflict of interest. By the way, this is a proper city expense, where the Senior Garden Tools is not.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
GT Community Players NEEDS YOU....
Auditions
It's A Wonderful Life: Grand Terrace Community Players will hold auditions for the stage production of Frank Capra's "It's a Wonderful Life." Begins at 11 a.m. Saturday, Grand Terrace Community Center, 22795 Barton Road, Grand Terrace. Free. Information: http://www.gtcommunityplayers.com/.
What is most needed is a place for this group to hold its shows in Grand Terrace. Perhaps a local business would allow them to set up an outdoor stage and coco stand in your parking lot ??? Let's use some innovative, small town logic and support this group's efforts.
How about at the Fire House Christmas tree lot, Coco theater in the round? Pancakes for dinner theater? Just thinking out loud...
Go to their web site and see how YOU CAN HELP... and BE A PART of this FUN Bunch of People..
It's A Wonderful Life: Grand Terrace Community Players will hold auditions for the stage production of Frank Capra's "It's a Wonderful Life." Begins at 11 a.m. Saturday, Grand Terrace Community Center, 22795 Barton Road, Grand Terrace. Free. Information: http://www.gtcommunityplayers.com/.
What is most needed is a place for this group to hold its shows in Grand Terrace. Perhaps a local business would allow them to set up an outdoor stage and coco stand in your parking lot ??? Let's use some innovative, small town logic and support this group's efforts.
How about at the Fire House Christmas tree lot, Coco theater in the round? Pancakes for dinner theater? Just thinking out loud...
Go to their web site and see how YOU CAN HELP... and BE A PART of this FUN Bunch of People..
Wednesday, October 07, 2009
What Will a New City Manager Find In GT..
Below is an article about Colton, however expect the exact same things to happen right here in Grand Terrace. For years now the City Council of Grand Terrace has been told to say they have a large reserve, when in fact that reserve represents Committed Redevelopment Funds that are acquired by DEBT Financing. For years now there has been an effort to find who is GrandpaTerrace or infiltrate the Blog.
Even though a few members of the City Staff have contributed to the blog, and most of the Blog is a repeat of statements made by NAMED individuals IN City Council Meetings, the need to know who makes this data available has hounded some to the point of trying to bribe individuals with a "Reward" for the identity of Grand Pa Terrace, and the alleged hiring of an attorney to take some sort of Legal action upon discovery of Gramps ID.
Individuals who have taken active rolls in the election of, and employment of City Council Members their business with the City should be included in the Public Discussion. Particularly when some of the negotiations for that business has been done behind closed doors and on non competitive bid arrangements. This individual has contacted several of the folks who have been outspoken in the Council Meetings to try to find out who is Grand Pa Terrace with intent to disrupt the availability of the information on the blog.
Now this particular individual and None of the Current City Council Members or the Mayor have emailed the blog for a retraction or correction on any of the posts on this blog. Their apparent angst is that the information is out and not hidden in an obscure City Record. The City Council Members Email is blocked from receiving Email from the Blog, so they are not informed and do not respond to questions. However, information has come from within City Hall to their great frustration.
We hope the NEW City Manager will have Ethics similar to the temporary City Manager of Colton. Citizens and yes even Council Members should have in hand the truth and all the information available. Rather than playing the Who is Grand Pa Terrace, the question should be why is there a Grand Pa Terrace and work on removing the Need for such a Blog in Grand Terrace.
The threats of legal action, the hunt for Grand Pa Terrace, is demonstrative of the type of climate that exemplifies the proof of the intimidation efforts of the City Council, City Staff, and Former City Managers, and their supporters. Council Member Miller is and example of the natural or un-natural progression of the intimidation efforts and threats that have been employed.
Grand Pa Terrace wants to thank the contributors to this blog for all the homework they have done and continue to do for the citizens of Grand Terrace.
Perhaps, just perhaps the City Council will hire a City Manager with Ethics this time around, WE however, expect more of the same... as in some cases they have a vested interest in not having Grand Terrace clean house. In some cases there is pressures from former Council Members and Staff to continue on with the past style of conduct, and management.
Gramps..
Nasty Surprises Left in Colton
http://www.pe.com/columns/cassiemacduff/stories/PE_News_Local_N_ncass07.4835a60.html
10:00 PM PDT on Tuesday,
October 6, 2009
Cassie MacDuff
The Press-Enterprise
When Colton City Manager Daryl Parrish unexpectedly announced in May that he had accepted the city manager post in Covina, no one knew just what was in the bag that he left the city holding. Interim City Manager Bob Miller started poking around and discovered Parrish had overspent on two consulting contracts by $56,000. And the $5 million-plus reserve fund the council relied on to avoid layoffs? It doesn't exist.
But there's more. Parrish recruited away the city's finance and human resources directors, and has refused to make good on a $652.31-a-month lease on the Lexus he insisted on driving. Parrish didn't return calls seeking comment on Tuesday.
The city was supposed to pay $500 a month toward his car allowance and Parrish was to make up the difference. The city can't unload the Lexus because it would cost more to end the lease early than to keep paying it. City officials hoped Parrish would take the car with him or Covina would take over the lease. That didn't happen. Admirably, Miller brought that and the overspending on the contracts for psychologist Bill Mathis and public relations consultant CV Strategies to the council's attention. And he took responsibility.
Miller, who has the energy and build of a football coach, believes in taking the bull by the horns. If the city stubs its toe, he says, it should admit it publicly. "I'm not just the city manager, I'm the police chief. I have a standard I have to uphold," he told me in an interview in his office on Tuesday morning.
What's this? Ethics in Colton government? How refreshing.
The council brought him in to get more control and oversight of the bureaucracy, and to instill confidence in city government, he said. That will take a culture change. He's ousting the bunker mentality and directing department heads to meet with community groups -- even Colton First, the perpetual thorn in Parrish's and Mayor Kelly Chastain's sides. That's a good approach for problems he inherited.
He also took that approach on the nonexistent reserve fund, which is actually money owed to the general fund by the electric utility. (The utility is solvent and will pay, Miller said.) Miller himself met with five members of Colton First on Monday morning. I met with them a short time later, and they seemed open to giving Miller a chance. That's a good sign in a city where every council meeting seems to descend into acrimony between audience, council and staff.
However, Colton First (which does its homework) was disturbed to learn CV Strategies apparently had been tasked to infiltrate it. "Research Colton First group. Obtain membership form and submit," said a CV progress report. Colton is a small town. An outsider trying to go undercover would probably stand out like a sore thumb. Still, there's something Nixonian about the episode.
CV Strategies President Erin Gilhuly said her policy is not to discuss work she does for clients; it's for them to disseminate. Parrish managed CV's and Mathis' contracts, so his assistant couldn't elucidate either. Miller said the city doesn't do counter-intelligence on community groups.
Council members weren't happy about the overspending. On Sept. 22, they voted 4-3 against paying CV and Mathis for the extra work. Meanwhile, Miller has found a new finance director: former Redlands CFO Bonnie Johnson. Community Services Director Bill Smith will add HR to his duties, becoming a deputy city manager. Miller is a breath of fresh air in Colton. Too bad he doesn't want the job permanently. Then I'd be more confident the changes he's bringing in would stay.
Cassie MacDuff can be reached at 951-368-9470 or
http://us.mc331.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=cmacduff@PE.com
Even though a few members of the City Staff have contributed to the blog, and most of the Blog is a repeat of statements made by NAMED individuals IN City Council Meetings, the need to know who makes this data available has hounded some to the point of trying to bribe individuals with a "Reward" for the identity of Grand Pa Terrace, and the alleged hiring of an attorney to take some sort of Legal action upon discovery of Gramps ID.
Individuals who have taken active rolls in the election of, and employment of City Council Members their business with the City should be included in the Public Discussion. Particularly when some of the negotiations for that business has been done behind closed doors and on non competitive bid arrangements. This individual has contacted several of the folks who have been outspoken in the Council Meetings to try to find out who is Grand Pa Terrace with intent to disrupt the availability of the information on the blog.
Now this particular individual and None of the Current City Council Members or the Mayor have emailed the blog for a retraction or correction on any of the posts on this blog. Their apparent angst is that the information is out and not hidden in an obscure City Record. The City Council Members Email is blocked from receiving Email from the Blog, so they are not informed and do not respond to questions. However, information has come from within City Hall to their great frustration.
We hope the NEW City Manager will have Ethics similar to the temporary City Manager of Colton. Citizens and yes even Council Members should have in hand the truth and all the information available. Rather than playing the Who is Grand Pa Terrace, the question should be why is there a Grand Pa Terrace and work on removing the Need for such a Blog in Grand Terrace.
The threats of legal action, the hunt for Grand Pa Terrace, is demonstrative of the type of climate that exemplifies the proof of the intimidation efforts of the City Council, City Staff, and Former City Managers, and their supporters. Council Member Miller is and example of the natural or un-natural progression of the intimidation efforts and threats that have been employed.
Grand Pa Terrace wants to thank the contributors to this blog for all the homework they have done and continue to do for the citizens of Grand Terrace.
Perhaps, just perhaps the City Council will hire a City Manager with Ethics this time around, WE however, expect more of the same... as in some cases they have a vested interest in not having Grand Terrace clean house. In some cases there is pressures from former Council Members and Staff to continue on with the past style of conduct, and management.
Gramps..
Nasty Surprises Left in Colton
http://www.pe.com/columns/cassiemacduff/stories/PE_News_Local_N_ncass07.4835a60.html
10:00 PM PDT on Tuesday,
October 6, 2009
Cassie MacDuff
The Press-Enterprise
When Colton City Manager Daryl Parrish unexpectedly announced in May that he had accepted the city manager post in Covina, no one knew just what was in the bag that he left the city holding. Interim City Manager Bob Miller started poking around and discovered Parrish had overspent on two consulting contracts by $56,000. And the $5 million-plus reserve fund the council relied on to avoid layoffs? It doesn't exist.
But there's more. Parrish recruited away the city's finance and human resources directors, and has refused to make good on a $652.31-a-month lease on the Lexus he insisted on driving. Parrish didn't return calls seeking comment on Tuesday.
The city was supposed to pay $500 a month toward his car allowance and Parrish was to make up the difference. The city can't unload the Lexus because it would cost more to end the lease early than to keep paying it. City officials hoped Parrish would take the car with him or Covina would take over the lease. That didn't happen. Admirably, Miller brought that and the overspending on the contracts for psychologist Bill Mathis and public relations consultant CV Strategies to the council's attention. And he took responsibility.
Miller, who has the energy and build of a football coach, believes in taking the bull by the horns. If the city stubs its toe, he says, it should admit it publicly. "I'm not just the city manager, I'm the police chief. I have a standard I have to uphold," he told me in an interview in his office on Tuesday morning.
What's this? Ethics in Colton government? How refreshing.
The council brought him in to get more control and oversight of the bureaucracy, and to instill confidence in city government, he said. That will take a culture change. He's ousting the bunker mentality and directing department heads to meet with community groups -- even Colton First, the perpetual thorn in Parrish's and Mayor Kelly Chastain's sides. That's a good approach for problems he inherited.
He also took that approach on the nonexistent reserve fund, which is actually money owed to the general fund by the electric utility. (The utility is solvent and will pay, Miller said.) Miller himself met with five members of Colton First on Monday morning. I met with them a short time later, and they seemed open to giving Miller a chance. That's a good sign in a city where every council meeting seems to descend into acrimony between audience, council and staff.
However, Colton First (which does its homework) was disturbed to learn CV Strategies apparently had been tasked to infiltrate it. "Research Colton First group. Obtain membership form and submit," said a CV progress report. Colton is a small town. An outsider trying to go undercover would probably stand out like a sore thumb. Still, there's something Nixonian about the episode.
CV Strategies President Erin Gilhuly said her policy is not to discuss work she does for clients; it's for them to disseminate. Parrish managed CV's and Mathis' contracts, so his assistant couldn't elucidate either. Miller said the city doesn't do counter-intelligence on community groups.
Council members weren't happy about the overspending. On Sept. 22, they voted 4-3 against paying CV and Mathis for the extra work. Meanwhile, Miller has found a new finance director: former Redlands CFO Bonnie Johnson. Community Services Director Bill Smith will add HR to his duties, becoming a deputy city manager. Miller is a breath of fresh air in Colton. Too bad he doesn't want the job permanently. Then I'd be more confident the changes he's bringing in would stay.
Cassie MacDuff can be reached at 951-368-9470 or
http://us.mc331.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=cmacduff@PE.com
Monday, October 05, 2009
Political Scab Picked by Berry & Cortes Hides Infection?
From the Email INBox..
The Miller Trial for Conflict on Interest may have began by the political maneuvering of Steve Berry and Bea Cortes. They were collaborators in having the DA scratch the scab of the politics and practices of Grand Terrace, and the grand public and news event of Miller's arrest. As the trial continues we should ask how many of the Court Viewers "Supporting" Jim Miller have issues of their own just under that scab.
If Jim Miller is the itch... what lays under the scab may be the infection that needs to be uncovered and aired out. Gene Carlstrom himself said that he was on the City Council and voted for things that affected City Council Member's, employees, family members and friends... Did he just admit to past actions that could be criminal conflict of interest charges IF the DA's Office is tenacious enough to look back into the history of actions of the Grand Terrace City Government? One wonders.
Has the DA's Office begun an investigation of Bea Cortes and Terra Loma Real Estate and has there been an accounting of all funds that have been paid to Terra Loma by the City and money paid by Terra Loma to Bea Cortes? What is she getting paid for if she has not sold houses? Where is her income comming from? Has the DA's Office investigated the connections with Terra Loma and past Planning Commissioners?
The outcome of the Miller Case may or may not be reason to be relieved from the stress of these questions. Miller may be found not guilty. But, because Berry and Cortes picked the scab the festering infection under the scab may be sufficient for criminal prosecutions. DA's don't like to lose, and there may be other GT Investigations where criminal charges can stick. Jim Miller may well be found not guilty of criminal actions, and fined for some lessor transgression. However, the executioner's ax has been sharpened and those posing as "Supporters" may just be worried about their own necks.
Miller's should know their friends were friends prior to the arrest, and be careful of those who all of the sudden are "Friends" and advisers, as they may have an agenda that is not real support for Jim Miller.
The Former Staff Members and City Council Members should all be thinking their history of actions may be under closer investigation by the DA's Office. Thanks, to Steve Berry and Bea Cortes trying to manipulate support for Berry's Promotion to City Manager, they may just be the cause of the clean up of GT City Hall after all.
Note Added By Gramps:
Perhaps the DA could start with the case of the Embezzlement Investigation hidden or covered up by Tom Schawb protecting Steve Berry. Which then acted as a part of the itch that resulted in the Miller Charges.
The Miller Trial for Conflict on Interest may have began by the political maneuvering of Steve Berry and Bea Cortes. They were collaborators in having the DA scratch the scab of the politics and practices of Grand Terrace, and the grand public and news event of Miller's arrest. As the trial continues we should ask how many of the Court Viewers "Supporting" Jim Miller have issues of their own just under that scab.
If Jim Miller is the itch... what lays under the scab may be the infection that needs to be uncovered and aired out. Gene Carlstrom himself said that he was on the City Council and voted for things that affected City Council Member's, employees, family members and friends... Did he just admit to past actions that could be criminal conflict of interest charges IF the DA's Office is tenacious enough to look back into the history of actions of the Grand Terrace City Government? One wonders.
Has the DA's Office begun an investigation of Bea Cortes and Terra Loma Real Estate and has there been an accounting of all funds that have been paid to Terra Loma by the City and money paid by Terra Loma to Bea Cortes? What is she getting paid for if she has not sold houses? Where is her income comming from? Has the DA's Office investigated the connections with Terra Loma and past Planning Commissioners?
The outcome of the Miller Case may or may not be reason to be relieved from the stress of these questions. Miller may be found not guilty. But, because Berry and Cortes picked the scab the festering infection under the scab may be sufficient for criminal prosecutions. DA's don't like to lose, and there may be other GT Investigations where criminal charges can stick. Jim Miller may well be found not guilty of criminal actions, and fined for some lessor transgression. However, the executioner's ax has been sharpened and those posing as "Supporters" may just be worried about their own necks.
Miller's should know their friends were friends prior to the arrest, and be careful of those who all of the sudden are "Friends" and advisers, as they may have an agenda that is not real support for Jim Miller.
The Former Staff Members and City Council Members should all be thinking their history of actions may be under closer investigation by the DA's Office. Thanks, to Steve Berry and Bea Cortes trying to manipulate support for Berry's Promotion to City Manager, they may just be the cause of the clean up of GT City Hall after all.
Note Added By Gramps:
Perhaps the DA could start with the case of the Embezzlement Investigation hidden or covered up by Tom Schawb protecting Steve Berry. Which then acted as a part of the itch that resulted in the Miller Charges.
Sunday, October 04, 2009
Special Meeting... Angers Citizens.
The Blog has received emails expressing outrage with the City Council's "Special Meeting" to be held in the Conference Room on the 2nd Floor. The time and place designed to keep the citizens out of the process of selection of a City Manager. This after the City Council and city Attorney had done so well with the Schwab/Berry Administration. This after years of bad legal advise from the City Attorney.
This is a summary of their concerns.. the citizens have not even had the show of an opportunity to voice their comments as to what they desire in a City Manager... after having been abused all these years... at a minimum the public should have an opportunity,,, a REAL Opportunity to participate in the selection process or at minimum the criteria for hiring. Including often mentioned in email a limit to the number of years a City Manager can work in the city, and a limit on the income, and benefits paid to the city manager. In general we don't want a King, or Pope or Dictator, that has been done and it wasn't productive.
The Citizens want to return to a bare bones City that pays for Trash, Water, Fire, and Police Protection. The Citizens want the RDA to END... in a quick but orderly wind down. The Citizens want an OPEN GOVERNMENT...
The Citizens should be informed that the individuals being considered have had a complete criminal back ground check, and education checked, and Googled for their online information and posts.
The Citizens do not trust this Council not to repeat the Schwab/Berry Years by their selection of a similar person.
This is a summary of their concerns.. the citizens have not even had the show of an opportunity to voice their comments as to what they desire in a City Manager... after having been abused all these years... at a minimum the public should have an opportunity,,, a REAL Opportunity to participate in the selection process or at minimum the criteria for hiring. Including often mentioned in email a limit to the number of years a City Manager can work in the city, and a limit on the income, and benefits paid to the city manager. In general we don't want a King, or Pope or Dictator, that has been done and it wasn't productive.
The Citizens want to return to a bare bones City that pays for Trash, Water, Fire, and Police Protection. The Citizens want the RDA to END... in a quick but orderly wind down. The Citizens want an OPEN GOVERNMENT...
The Citizens should be informed that the individuals being considered have had a complete criminal back ground check, and education checked, and Googled for their online information and posts.
The Citizens do not trust this Council not to repeat the Schwab/Berry Years by their selection of a similar person.
What We Know About the City Manager Applicants.
San Bernardino County Sentinel
Friday, August 28, 2009
Dozen Under Consideration in Grand Terrace
Twelve city managerial candidates, all of whom boast impressive credentials in the area of municipal operations, are now under consideration by the Grand Terrace city council.
There were a total of 37 applicants for the position, which has been unfilled since Tom Schwab, Grand Terrace’s city manager from 1989 until last year, was felled by a subdural hematoma in June 2008. Schwab was only the second city manager in Grand Terrace’s 31 year history, having been preceded by Seth Armstead.
In Schwab’s medical absence, the city’s managerial duties were assumed by then-assistant city manager Steve Berry, who served in the capacity of interim city manager until he was terminated in July. The city council has elevated Bernie Simon, the city’s finance director, to the post of interim city manager. It is anticipated that he will remain in that capacity until a final candidate is selected.
Simon is one of the thirteen candidates for the post. Simon, in some quarters at least, is considered to be a leading candidate for the position in that he has previous experience in Grand Terrace as finance director and possesses tremendous institutional memory with regard to city operations and developments going back over a decade, as well as an unparalleled understanding of the city’s current and future financial prospects.
Another candidate, whose identity can be divulged is Grand Terrace’s economic and community development director Joyce Powers. Like Simon, Powers is intimately familiar with operations at Grand Terrace City Hall and embodies the advantage of having already acclimated herself to the community and city operations.
“Joyce is a very qualified candidate, I would say,” Simon said. “That’s just my opinion.”
Regretfully, the Sentinel is not currently at liberty to disclose the names of the remaining ten candidates under consideration.
Simon, while noting that no legal obstruction existed to prevent the disclosure of the identities of those vying for the position, stated that some of the candidates had submitted their applications with an implicit expectation of confidentiality.
“This is a personnel issue,” Simon said. “We don’t like to talk about current applicants for several reasons, one of which is that an applicant’s current employer might not know that the employee has applied and if it were to be divulged who has applied that might cause him or her some trouble. The other reason is only one of these people will be selected ultimately and we don’t want that decision to be viewed as a negative reflection on the other candidates.”
Simon did acknowledge that disclosure of those under consideration would have the practical effect of increasing the amount of information about the candidates under consideration being brought out and intensifying the scrutiny to which the potential employee will be subjected. Nevertheless, Simon said, the method of allowing the city council to do its work in private, as it were, does not necessarily mean the candidates will not be carefully analyzed.
“If it comes out in the future that there was some problem with the council’s choice, that would show we have not done a good job investigating the background of those people who have been selected,” he said. “Hopefully, though, we’ll do a thorough job investigating these people. We will make sure each person’s background is reviewed and any issues brought forward. The council is not going to make a snap judgment.”
The Sentinel has, through multiple sources including interviews with several of the applicants and/or their colleagues, learned and confirmed the identities of the ten outside candidates now being considered by the city council.
The candidates include municipal employees who have formerly worked, or are currently working, in the capacities of city manager, city administrator, assistant city manager, deputy city manager, finance director, redevelopment director, economic development director, director of public works, community development director, human resources director and assistant to the city manager.
The candidates have worked in dozens of cities up and down the state, including ones in San Bernardino, Riverside, Los Angeles, San Mateo, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Ventura and Napa counties. The size of the cities for which these candidates worked range from one with a population of over 500,000 to a town of less than 5,200 inhabitants.
At least one candidate has municipal managerial experience outside the state of California. One has taught municipal government and financial courses at the college level. One of the candidates is a certified public accountant.
One of those candidates, at the age of 31, is among the youngest of individuals to have served in the post of city manager in Southern California in the last decade.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Dozen Under Consideration in Grand Terrace
Twelve city managerial candidates, all of whom boast impressive credentials in the area of municipal operations, are now under consideration by the Grand Terrace city council.
There were a total of 37 applicants for the position, which has been unfilled since Tom Schwab, Grand Terrace’s city manager from 1989 until last year, was felled by a subdural hematoma in June 2008. Schwab was only the second city manager in Grand Terrace’s 31 year history, having been preceded by Seth Armstead.
In Schwab’s medical absence, the city’s managerial duties were assumed by then-assistant city manager Steve Berry, who served in the capacity of interim city manager until he was terminated in July. The city council has elevated Bernie Simon, the city’s finance director, to the post of interim city manager. It is anticipated that he will remain in that capacity until a final candidate is selected.
Simon is one of the thirteen candidates for the post. Simon, in some quarters at least, is considered to be a leading candidate for the position in that he has previous experience in Grand Terrace as finance director and possesses tremendous institutional memory with regard to city operations and developments going back over a decade, as well as an unparalleled understanding of the city’s current and future financial prospects.
Another candidate, whose identity can be divulged is Grand Terrace’s economic and community development director Joyce Powers. Like Simon, Powers is intimately familiar with operations at Grand Terrace City Hall and embodies the advantage of having already acclimated herself to the community and city operations.
“Joyce is a very qualified candidate, I would say,” Simon said. “That’s just my opinion.”
Regretfully, the Sentinel is not currently at liberty to disclose the names of the remaining ten candidates under consideration.
Simon, while noting that no legal obstruction existed to prevent the disclosure of the identities of those vying for the position, stated that some of the candidates had submitted their applications with an implicit expectation of confidentiality.
“This is a personnel issue,” Simon said. “We don’t like to talk about current applicants for several reasons, one of which is that an applicant’s current employer might not know that the employee has applied and if it were to be divulged who has applied that might cause him or her some trouble. The other reason is only one of these people will be selected ultimately and we don’t want that decision to be viewed as a negative reflection on the other candidates.”
Simon did acknowledge that disclosure of those under consideration would have the practical effect of increasing the amount of information about the candidates under consideration being brought out and intensifying the scrutiny to which the potential employee will be subjected. Nevertheless, Simon said, the method of allowing the city council to do its work in private, as it were, does not necessarily mean the candidates will not be carefully analyzed.
“If it comes out in the future that there was some problem with the council’s choice, that would show we have not done a good job investigating the background of those people who have been selected,” he said. “Hopefully, though, we’ll do a thorough job investigating these people. We will make sure each person’s background is reviewed and any issues brought forward. The council is not going to make a snap judgment.”
The Sentinel has, through multiple sources including interviews with several of the applicants and/or their colleagues, learned and confirmed the identities of the ten outside candidates now being considered by the city council.
The candidates include municipal employees who have formerly worked, or are currently working, in the capacities of city manager, city administrator, assistant city manager, deputy city manager, finance director, redevelopment director, economic development director, director of public works, community development director, human resources director and assistant to the city manager.
The candidates have worked in dozens of cities up and down the state, including ones in San Bernardino, Riverside, Los Angeles, San Mateo, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Ventura and Napa counties. The size of the cities for which these candidates worked range from one with a population of over 500,000 to a town of less than 5,200 inhabitants.
At least one candidate has municipal managerial experience outside the state of California. One has taught municipal government and financial courses at the college level. One of the candidates is a certified public accountant.
One of those candidates, at the age of 31, is among the youngest of individuals to have served in the post of city manager in Southern California in the last decade.
Saturday, October 03, 2009
Steve Berry Continues to ...
http://www.zoominfo.com/Search/PersonDetail.aspx?PersonID=23767990
Grand Terrace
1212 Valencia Drive Colton, California 92324United States
Website:
www.cityofgrandterrace.org
Phone:
(909) 876-4227
Steve Berry: ZoomInfo Business People Information
Grand Terrace saw a 17.19 percent increase in sales tax revenue over the last year .... Steve BerryAssistant City Managersberry@cityofgrandterrace.org ...www.zoominfo.com/people/Berry_Steve_1153797757.aspx
Steve Berry: ZoomInfo Business People Information
Steve BerryAssistant City Managersberry@cityofgrandterrace.org.
Steve Berry former Acting City Manager continues to represent that he is currently the Acting City Manager of Grand Terrace.
The City Council and City Attorney should get a restraining order to force the misrepresentation to be retracted or corrected on web sites controlled by Steve Berry including zoom info.
Why is this a big deal... Well given the past actions of Steve Berry the City of Grand Terrace could be at risk as a result of his misrepresentation of his current title and status.. a big FORMER or more correctly Removed with Cause... should be in front of his work history title Acting City Manager and Assistant City Manager.
Any and all references suggesting a current association with the City of Grand Terrace should be corrected and removed from all sources.
What we don't need is for Steve Berry to take on the roll of a Rouge Agent of Grand Terrace. If the City Does nothing to correct his misrepresentations of the association a third party may hold the City Liable for any liability resulting in Berry's Misrepresentation(s).
There is reason to not trust Steve Berry to do the right thing. Action MUST be taken...
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/steve-berry/16/22/75a
Here he at least says PAST Work History...
Steve Berry
Government Administration Professional
Greater Los Angeles Area
Contact Steve Berry
Add Steve Berry to your network
Past
Acting City Manager at City of Grand Terrace
Assistant City Manager at City of Grand Terrace
VP Sales and Marketing at Swiftcomm
Executive Director at City of Riverside, Riverside Community On-Line, Office of the Mayor
Municipal Contracts Manager at Browning-Ferris Industries BFI
see less...
2 more...
Education
California State University-Sacramento
Miami Dade Community College
Connections
68 connections
Industry
Government Administration
Steve Berry’s Experience
Acting City Manager
City of Grand Terrace
(Government Administration industry)
June 2008 — July 2009 (1 year 2 months)
As Acting City Manager for over one year and Assistant City Manager for seven years, I oversaw the $5.3M General Fund Operating Budget including San Bernardino County Sheriff and County Fire contracts. Other duties included oversight of all contract services and all city employees including Community Services, the Child Care Center, the Senior Center, Maintenance and Operations, Community and Economic Development, Building and Safety, Parks and Recreation, Code Enforcement, and Information Systems.
Assistant City Manager
City of Grand Terrace
(Government Administration industry)
September 2001 — July 2008 (6 years 11 months)
During his seven year term as Assistant City Manager the City blossomed with hundreds of trees planted, new parks, revenue enhancement programs and the city was voted "Top 100 American Towns" by Money Magazine.
VP Sales and Marketing
Swiftcomm
(Government Administration industry)
June 2001 — September 2001 (4 months)
Bringing wireless broadband to the Inland Empire!
Executive Director
City of Riverside, Riverside Community On-Line, Office of the Mayor
(Government Administration industry)
September 1999 — July 2001 (1 year 11 months)
RCOL was the foundation for SmartRiverside. Bridging the Digital Divide through the innovative Riverside Computer Investment Program - made it the most successful in-home computer/Internet access program in the U.S.!
Municipal Contracts Manager
Browning-Ferris Industries BFI
(Government Administration industry)
January 1987 — July 1999 (12 years 7 months)
In "The Wizard of Waste" cover article from Sell!ing Magazine, Steve was noted as a top innovator in the Solid Waste and Recycling Industry. Starting in sales, then sales management, national accounts, district vice-president and municipal contracts manager, Steve has had a 12-year career in the corporate environment.
Steve Berry’s Education
California State University-Sacramento
B.S. , Business Administration , 1984 — 1987
Activities and Societies:
Delta Sigma Pi Business Fraternity
Miami Dade Community College
A.A. , Business Data Processing , 1980 — 1982
Additional Information
Steve Berry’s Groups:
Riverside Educational Enrichment Foundation (REEF)
Berrysberry@cityofgrandterrace.org
SBerry@cityofgrandterrace.org
and one Email on AOL account known to Gramps and others ... indicate a man who compartmentalized communications as if trying to hide contacts.... What was done when he and the computer tech was locked in City Hall...?
Grand Terrace
1212 Valencia Drive Colton, California 92324United States
Website:
www.cityofgrandterrace.org
Phone:
(909) 876-4227
Steve Berry: ZoomInfo Business People Information
Grand Terrace saw a 17.19 percent increase in sales tax revenue over the last year .... Steve BerryAssistant City Managersberry@cityofgrandterrace.org ...www.zoominfo.com/people/Berry_Steve_1153797757.aspx
Steve Berry: ZoomInfo Business People Information
Steve BerryAssistant City Managersberry@cityofgrandterrace.org.
Steve Berry former Acting City Manager continues to represent that he is currently the Acting City Manager of Grand Terrace.
The City Council and City Attorney should get a restraining order to force the misrepresentation to be retracted or corrected on web sites controlled by Steve Berry including zoom info.
Why is this a big deal... Well given the past actions of Steve Berry the City of Grand Terrace could be at risk as a result of his misrepresentation of his current title and status.. a big FORMER or more correctly Removed with Cause... should be in front of his work history title Acting City Manager and Assistant City Manager.
Any and all references suggesting a current association with the City of Grand Terrace should be corrected and removed from all sources.
What we don't need is for Steve Berry to take on the roll of a Rouge Agent of Grand Terrace. If the City Does nothing to correct his misrepresentations of the association a third party may hold the City Liable for any liability resulting in Berry's Misrepresentation(s).
There is reason to not trust Steve Berry to do the right thing. Action MUST be taken...
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/steve-berry/16/22/75a
Here he at least says PAST Work History...
Steve Berry
Government Administration Professional
Greater Los Angeles Area
Contact Steve Berry
Add Steve Berry to your network
Past
Acting City Manager at City of Grand Terrace
Assistant City Manager at City of Grand Terrace
VP Sales and Marketing at Swiftcomm
Executive Director at City of Riverside, Riverside Community On-Line, Office of the Mayor
Municipal Contracts Manager at Browning-Ferris Industries BFI
see less...
2 more...
Education
California State University-Sacramento
Miami Dade Community College
Connections
68 connections
Industry
Government Administration
Steve Berry’s Experience
Acting City Manager
City of Grand Terrace
(Government Administration industry)
June 2008 — July 2009 (1 year 2 months)
As Acting City Manager for over one year and Assistant City Manager for seven years, I oversaw the $5.3M General Fund Operating Budget including San Bernardino County Sheriff and County Fire contracts. Other duties included oversight of all contract services and all city employees including Community Services, the Child Care Center, the Senior Center, Maintenance and Operations, Community and Economic Development, Building and Safety, Parks and Recreation, Code Enforcement, and Information Systems.
Assistant City Manager
City of Grand Terrace
(Government Administration industry)
September 2001 — July 2008 (6 years 11 months)
During his seven year term as Assistant City Manager the City blossomed with hundreds of trees planted, new parks, revenue enhancement programs and the city was voted "Top 100 American Towns" by Money Magazine.
VP Sales and Marketing
Swiftcomm
(Government Administration industry)
June 2001 — September 2001 (4 months)
Bringing wireless broadband to the Inland Empire!
Executive Director
City of Riverside, Riverside Community On-Line, Office of the Mayor
(Government Administration industry)
September 1999 — July 2001 (1 year 11 months)
RCOL was the foundation for SmartRiverside. Bridging the Digital Divide through the innovative Riverside Computer Investment Program - made it the most successful in-home computer/Internet access program in the U.S.!
Municipal Contracts Manager
Browning-Ferris Industries BFI
(Government Administration industry)
January 1987 — July 1999 (12 years 7 months)
In "The Wizard of Waste" cover article from Sell!ing Magazine, Steve was noted as a top innovator in the Solid Waste and Recycling Industry. Starting in sales, then sales management, national accounts, district vice-president and municipal contracts manager, Steve has had a 12-year career in the corporate environment.
Steve Berry’s Education
California State University-Sacramento
B.S. , Business Administration , 1984 — 1987
Activities and Societies:
Delta Sigma Pi Business Fraternity
Miami Dade Community College
A.A. , Business Data Processing , 1980 — 1982
Additional Information
Steve Berry’s Groups:
Riverside Educational Enrichment Foundation (REEF)
Berrysberry@cityofgrandterrace.org
SBerry@cityofgrandterrace.org
and one Email on AOL account known to Gramps and others ... indicate a man who compartmentalized communications as if trying to hide contacts.... What was done when he and the computer tech was locked in City Hall...?
Friday, October 02, 2009
Trusting the Council to Pick a City Manager
This Council... picking a City Manager behind closed doors.
Hmm. They Picked Tom Schwab who covered up a Embezzlement Investigation, and more...
Hmm. They approved the hire of Steve Berry... and appointed him as Acting City Manager even after they apparently knew of his traits...
Hmm. They selected the Planning Commission and Planning Department that approved the Non Commercial Kitchen at the Senior Center. They even signed off on the plans...
Hmm.. They purchased a house for Tom Schwab and increased his income to way past the average income of Grand Terrace Residents.
Should we trust the selection process? When the field of applicants was narrowed by the City Attorney who was Hand Picked by Tom Schwab, and approved by the City Council... The Same City Attorney who has allowed all the situations that ended GT in Court, and City Council Members Charged with Crimes that just got by him because no one asked him a direct question. What does he do to earn 15,000 per month?
It is reasonable that there is concern about the results of the selection process.
The people being considered should talk to the Press and let the community know who they are before they are hired. Perhaps the City Council could at least Google Search the Applicants... and get a criminal background check on them. In addition the job should not pay more than the average income in the City of Grand Terrace. If the New City Manager has to live in the Highlands on Section 8 so be it... but Please no more Kings of Grand Terrace. The Peasants have have enough of the Dictatorship and Cronyism Practiced in the past.
Hmm. They Picked Tom Schwab who covered up a Embezzlement Investigation, and more...
Hmm. They approved the hire of Steve Berry... and appointed him as Acting City Manager even after they apparently knew of his traits...
Hmm. They selected the Planning Commission and Planning Department that approved the Non Commercial Kitchen at the Senior Center. They even signed off on the plans...
Hmm.. They purchased a house for Tom Schwab and increased his income to way past the average income of Grand Terrace Residents.
Should we trust the selection process? When the field of applicants was narrowed by the City Attorney who was Hand Picked by Tom Schwab, and approved by the City Council... The Same City Attorney who has allowed all the situations that ended GT in Court, and City Council Members Charged with Crimes that just got by him because no one asked him a direct question. What does he do to earn 15,000 per month?
It is reasonable that there is concern about the results of the selection process.
The people being considered should talk to the Press and let the community know who they are before they are hired. Perhaps the City Council could at least Google Search the Applicants... and get a criminal background check on them. In addition the job should not pay more than the average income in the City of Grand Terrace. If the New City Manager has to live in the Highlands on Section 8 so be it... but Please no more Kings of Grand Terrace. The Peasants have have enough of the Dictatorship and Cronyism Practiced in the past.
NOTICE OS SPECIAL MEETING GT CC
Thanks...
I'll post. The problem with holding this in public is that some of the applicants may not want their current employee rs know they are looking for work. However this could be dealt with by calling each applicant by a Letter A B C D... and having them behind a Partition but in the room like a Applicant Protection system.---
On Fri, 10/2/09, :
From:
FW: Notice of Special Meeting - Grand Terrace City Council
To: "Grand PaTerrace" grandterracenews@yahoo.com
Date: Friday, October 2, 2009, 8:30 AM
This is an example of the blatant arrogance our City Council led by Mayor Ferre exhibit on a continuous basis. The citizens of Grand Terrace have been railroaded and misled for years. Finally, because of the courageous people who spoke out against Steve Berry, we are free of a corrupt City Manager. Now they want to go behind closed doors to interview potential candidates for his job. Why should we trust them, they have failed time and time again. When they interviewed the candidates for the Planning Commission, it was not behind closed doors. I personally feel every aspect of the hiring should be done above board. I also feel that that candidates should be people of Grand Terrace, who have the public in mind. Didn’t Ferre make it a requirement when Schwab was in office and to support him sold him an RDA purchased by the City then Sold to Tom Schwab as part of his compensation package. Oh no, I say everything is of public record, including the hiring of the City Manager
From: City Clerk [mailto:listserv@civicplus.com]
Sent: Thursday, October 01, 2009 4:45 PM
To: :
This complimentary message is being sent to opt-in subscribers who might be interested in its content. If you do not wish to continue receiving these messages, please accept our apologies, and unsubscribe by following the instructions at the bottom of this message.* * * * * * *
I'll post. The problem with holding this in public is that some of the applicants may not want their current employee rs know they are looking for work. However this could be dealt with by calling each applicant by a Letter A B C D... and having them behind a Partition but in the room like a Applicant Protection system.---
On Fri, 10/2/09, :
From:
FW: Notice of Special Meeting - Grand Terrace City Council
To: "Grand PaTerrace" grandterracenews@yahoo.com
Date: Friday, October 2, 2009, 8:30 AM
This is an example of the blatant arrogance our City Council led by Mayor Ferre exhibit on a continuous basis. The citizens of Grand Terrace have been railroaded and misled for years. Finally, because of the courageous people who spoke out against Steve Berry, we are free of a corrupt City Manager. Now they want to go behind closed doors to interview potential candidates for his job. Why should we trust them, they have failed time and time again. When they interviewed the candidates for the Planning Commission, it was not behind closed doors. I personally feel every aspect of the hiring should be done above board. I also feel that that candidates should be people of Grand Terrace, who have the public in mind. Didn’t Ferre make it a requirement when Schwab was in office and to support him sold him an RDA purchased by the City then Sold to Tom Schwab as part of his compensation package. Oh no, I say everything is of public record, including the hiring of the City Manager
From: City Clerk [mailto:listserv@civicplus.com]
Sent: Thursday, October 01, 2009 4:45 PM
To: :
Notice of Special Meeting -
Grand Terrace City Council
This complimentary message is being sent to opt-in subscribers who might be interested in its content. If you do not wish to continue receiving these messages, please accept our apologies, and unsubscribe by following the instructions at the bottom of this message.* * * * * * *
CITY OF GRAND TERRACE
NOTICE AND CALL OF
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
TO THE MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GRAND TERRACE AND TO THE CITY CLERK:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Special Meeting of the City Council of the City of Grand Terrace is hereby called to be held on Monday, October 5, 2009 at 3:45 p.m. and Tuesday, October 6, 2009 at 3:45 p.m., in the 2nd Floor Conference Room, located in the Grand Terrace Civic Center, 22795 Barton Road, Grand Terrace, California.
Said Special Meeting shall be for:
Council will meet in Closed Session to interview applicants for the position of City Manager.
Dated: October 1, 2009
MARYETTA FERRÉ, MAYOR
NOTICE AND CALL OF
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
TO THE MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GRAND TERRACE AND TO THE CITY CLERK:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Special Meeting of the City Council of the City of Grand Terrace is hereby called to be held on Monday, October 5, 2009 at 3:45 p.m. and Tuesday, October 6, 2009 at 3:45 p.m., in the 2nd Floor Conference Room, located in the Grand Terrace Civic Center, 22795 Barton Road, Grand Terrace, California.
Said Special Meeting shall be for:
Council will meet in Closed Session to interview applicants for the position of City Manager.
Dated: October 1, 2009
MARYETTA FERRÉ, MAYOR
The Best Court Coverage in the SBCS
Friday, October 2, 2009
San Bernardino County Sentinel
Miller Pleads Not Guilty
Grand Terrace City Councilman Jim Miller pleaded not guilty to a felony conflict-of-interest charge at his arraignment on September 30.
The district attorney’s office arrested Miller on July 15 and charged him with felony conflict of interest, based upon Government Code Section 1090, which prohibits an elected official from participating in a vote in which he or she has a personal financial interest. Between 2006 and 2008, Miller made several votes on the city of Grand Terrace’s consent calendar which approved payments totaling about $18,000 to his wife Margaret’s newspaper, The Grand Terrace City News, for printing the city’s legal advertisements.
The consent calendar is a collection of routine items considered to be non-controversial which are bundled together and approved on a single yea or nay vote by the city council.
The prosecution, led by district attorney John Goritz, was not forthcoming with any further documentation relating to the case against Miller, who has been on the council since 2004. San Bernardino County Superior Court Judge Douglas Elwell gave the prosecution until November 3 to present that information, a date which corresponds to Miller’s next scheduled hearing.
On September 30, Miller’s attorney, Rick Ewaniszyk, said that the prosecution has not marshaled evidence to substantiate the felony conflict-of-interest charge.
“We entered a plea of not guilty to the complaint, which alleges he violated 1090 of the California Government Code by making a contract that he was financially interested in. However, the prosecution has produced no such contract in discovery and as far as I know there was no such contract approved in his official capacity. It appears as a matter of law the Grand Terrace City Council must publish notices of special meetings and ordinances in the newspaper of general circulation for the city of Grand Terrace and that paper would be the paper owned by his wife.”
Grand Terrace city attorney John Harper said that Ewaniszyk is likely correct when he asserted there was not a contract between the city and Mrs. Miller’s newspaper and, as such, Jim Miller could not have approved its issuance. “I don’t know whether there is a contract or not, but if I was going to speculate I would say that I would be surprised if there is one, although I suppose it is theoretically possible.”
If there is a contract, Harper said, it would almost assuredly have been entered into and signed by a city staff member in the city manager’s office or the city clerk’s office and would not have involved the city council.
The fact that the city was required to run the ads in the Grand Terrace City News is not the only leg of Miller’s defense, Ewaniszyk said.
“It is also true that Mr. and Mrs. Miller had a prenuptial agreement whereby they maintained their exclusive rights to their separate property and agreed they would keep separate the property each acquired during their marriage,” according to Ewaniszyk. “Therefore it does not appear he was financially interested in the contract and the rule of necessity would require legal notices to be published in the Grand Terrace City News.”
Miller’s votes to approve the payments or legal advertising which ran from October 26, 2006 through August 12, 2008, after staff placed advertisements in Mrs. Miller’s newspaper did not constitute a violation of Government Code Section 1090, Ewaniszyk said.
Bernard Sandoval, a Grand Terrace resident who attended the hearing with roughly 40 others, most of whom appeared to be Miller’s supporters, said he believed Miller to be innocent of the charges, as well.
Sandoval noted that a major portion of the case assembled against Miller had been drawn from statements made by former assistant city manager Steve Berry, who had been working at the city when the contract for legal ads had been extended to the Grand Terrace City News. He pointed out that Miller had taken the lead in opposing Berry’s promotion to city manager, a circumstance which he said appeared to have created an illegitimate motive for the investigation into Miller’s votes.
“I don’t believe the district attorney was made fully aware of the political backdrop to this whole thing,” Sandoval said. “There was a city official who was manipulating the rule of law to enrich himself and that official was not Jim Miller. Jim Miller was crucified in the press. The real facts behind this case have not been discussed. There needs to be a clear investigation into the former assistant city manager, Steve Berry, to understand his role in this. It appears he was one of the ones who made the recommendation that the city advertise in Mrs. Miller’s newspaper. It was only when Jim Miller begin to openly oppose and criticize Steve Berry’s promotion to city manager that Steve Berry took this to the DA’s public integrity unit. And the district attorney, who was under pressure to deliver on public corruption types of cases, arrested him.”
Sandoval said, “It was common knowledge his wife owned the newspaper. Everyone was aware when he voted on it. His vote wasn’t the deciding factor. There was no ill intention. I honestly believe it was the responsibility of the city attorney to let him know there was a possible conflict of interest. To be suddenly accused of having broken the law at the same time he is opposing the promotion of Steve Berry to city manager, people have to ask ‘What is going on here?’”
And, Sandoval said, the others involved in the vote were equally knowledgeable about the circumstance.
“You could as easily arrest the city attorney who did not inform him or anyone else about the potential conflict,” Sandoval said. “You could arrest the entire city council, who knew his wife owned the newspaper. Nothing was hidden.
“I think I have a pretty good read on the character of people,” Sandoval said. “The Millers are good, solid people. Local government is broken. Individuals who have money or power or political connections can use the rule of law to get what they need to make more money or get or retain power. It is disappointing. My hope is the DA will be able to look at the whole picture and see what is really going on. If Jim Miller had been properly counseled he simply would not have voted. The whole truth needs to be communicated to the public so it can make an informed opinion. All they are hearing now is that he voted and enriched himself by thousands of dollars. When he heard of how it could be a conflict, he stopped voting. Anyone who wants to give back to the community could find himself in this situation.”
Sandoval was echoed by another member of the Grand Terrace community, Gene Carlstrom, who was also in attendance at Miller’s arraignment. Carlstrom was formerly a member of the Grand Terrace City Council. He said participating in governance in small towns like Grand Terrace, which has a population of slightly over 12,000, is fraught with potential conflicts.
“I have believed all along that Jim will be vindicated,” Carlstrom said. “The consent calendar is an ambiguous thing. When I was on the council, similar things came up. All the bills had to be paid. We never heard anything about votes being a conflict, even when someone we knew or worked with got paid. It’s just something that occurs. Now they’ve singled him out as one who was in violation. This is more than I can figure. It occurred many times in the past with others who were not aware of the implication of the 1090 law.”
Former city manager Tom Schwab like Sandoval said he considered the prosecution of Jim Miller to be an outgrowth of Berry’s effort to move into the permanent city manager’s position.
“Steve or some agent of his turned Jim into the DA’s office to discredit or marginalize him because he was openly critical of Steve’s management of the city,” Schwab said. “This was essentially a political set-up. Steve is saying that the minute he got appointed acting city manager he quit advertising in the City News because he thought there was a potential conflict of interest. But if that is the case, why did he go along with it before? Why did he arrange to buy the ads from Marge when he was working under me? Why didn’t he let everyone know that there was a potential conflict of interest? That would have saved us all from this problem. He was using it as leverage. He was threatening Jim with the exposure of the 1090 violation, basically telling Jim he would turn them into the DA’s office if Jim didn’t support him in becoming city manager.”
Schwab said of Jim Miller he was confident “there was never any intent to do anything illegal.”
In reference to the contract between the city and the newspaper which Ewaniszyk had indicated would be crucial to establishing Miller’s guilt, Schwab said, “The district attorney’s office won’t be able to produce that because it doesn’t exist. They are implying Jim approved a contract but we never had a contract with the Grand Terrace City News. Nor did we have a contract with the Sun or the Press Enterprise. We advertised with them, as well.”
Efforts to reach Berry for comment were unsuccessful.
Goritz, was not present in court, and could not be reached for comment on the case.
Some Added Notes:
Carlstrom has admitted to activity simular to the Miller situation. If Miller is found guilty then the past dealings of the Council may come under a microscope investigation.
Steve Berry said in the DA's Investigation Report that he informed Tom Schwab of the Conflict of Interest and Tom Schwab took no action other than to suggest to Steve to shut up that is how you get fired. Now Tom Schwab is saying that he was not so informed by Steve Berry, and Steve Berry's continued use of the Millers Paper for local advertizing for special events he had control over the advertizing expenditure indicates Tom's Threat either worked or Steve Berry never voiced or had a concern of a potential conflict until Jim Miller had the courage to verbalize public disatisfaction with Steve Berry's Job Performance and was against his promotion and retention.
In a Panic to Cover up the Embezellement Investigation involving Steve Berry. Steve Berry put into action a threat he could not hold the reigns on once the horse was out of the barn.
San Bernardino County Sentinel
Miller Pleads Not Guilty
Grand Terrace City Councilman Jim Miller pleaded not guilty to a felony conflict-of-interest charge at his arraignment on September 30.
The district attorney’s office arrested Miller on July 15 and charged him with felony conflict of interest, based upon Government Code Section 1090, which prohibits an elected official from participating in a vote in which he or she has a personal financial interest. Between 2006 and 2008, Miller made several votes on the city of Grand Terrace’s consent calendar which approved payments totaling about $18,000 to his wife Margaret’s newspaper, The Grand Terrace City News, for printing the city’s legal advertisements.
The consent calendar is a collection of routine items considered to be non-controversial which are bundled together and approved on a single yea or nay vote by the city council.
The prosecution, led by district attorney John Goritz, was not forthcoming with any further documentation relating to the case against Miller, who has been on the council since 2004. San Bernardino County Superior Court Judge Douglas Elwell gave the prosecution until November 3 to present that information, a date which corresponds to Miller’s next scheduled hearing.
On September 30, Miller’s attorney, Rick Ewaniszyk, said that the prosecution has not marshaled evidence to substantiate the felony conflict-of-interest charge.
“We entered a plea of not guilty to the complaint, which alleges he violated 1090 of the California Government Code by making a contract that he was financially interested in. However, the prosecution has produced no such contract in discovery and as far as I know there was no such contract approved in his official capacity. It appears as a matter of law the Grand Terrace City Council must publish notices of special meetings and ordinances in the newspaper of general circulation for the city of Grand Terrace and that paper would be the paper owned by his wife.”
Grand Terrace city attorney John Harper said that Ewaniszyk is likely correct when he asserted there was not a contract between the city and Mrs. Miller’s newspaper and, as such, Jim Miller could not have approved its issuance. “I don’t know whether there is a contract or not, but if I was going to speculate I would say that I would be surprised if there is one, although I suppose it is theoretically possible.”
If there is a contract, Harper said, it would almost assuredly have been entered into and signed by a city staff member in the city manager’s office or the city clerk’s office and would not have involved the city council.
The fact that the city was required to run the ads in the Grand Terrace City News is not the only leg of Miller’s defense, Ewaniszyk said.
“It is also true that Mr. and Mrs. Miller had a prenuptial agreement whereby they maintained their exclusive rights to their separate property and agreed they would keep separate the property each acquired during their marriage,” according to Ewaniszyk. “Therefore it does not appear he was financially interested in the contract and the rule of necessity would require legal notices to be published in the Grand Terrace City News.”
Miller’s votes to approve the payments or legal advertising which ran from October 26, 2006 through August 12, 2008, after staff placed advertisements in Mrs. Miller’s newspaper did not constitute a violation of Government Code Section 1090, Ewaniszyk said.
Bernard Sandoval, a Grand Terrace resident who attended the hearing with roughly 40 others, most of whom appeared to be Miller’s supporters, said he believed Miller to be innocent of the charges, as well.
Sandoval noted that a major portion of the case assembled against Miller had been drawn from statements made by former assistant city manager Steve Berry, who had been working at the city when the contract for legal ads had been extended to the Grand Terrace City News. He pointed out that Miller had taken the lead in opposing Berry’s promotion to city manager, a circumstance which he said appeared to have created an illegitimate motive for the investigation into Miller’s votes.
“I don’t believe the district attorney was made fully aware of the political backdrop to this whole thing,” Sandoval said. “There was a city official who was manipulating the rule of law to enrich himself and that official was not Jim Miller. Jim Miller was crucified in the press. The real facts behind this case have not been discussed. There needs to be a clear investigation into the former assistant city manager, Steve Berry, to understand his role in this. It appears he was one of the ones who made the recommendation that the city advertise in Mrs. Miller’s newspaper. It was only when Jim Miller begin to openly oppose and criticize Steve Berry’s promotion to city manager that Steve Berry took this to the DA’s public integrity unit. And the district attorney, who was under pressure to deliver on public corruption types of cases, arrested him.”
Sandoval said, “It was common knowledge his wife owned the newspaper. Everyone was aware when he voted on it. His vote wasn’t the deciding factor. There was no ill intention. I honestly believe it was the responsibility of the city attorney to let him know there was a possible conflict of interest. To be suddenly accused of having broken the law at the same time he is opposing the promotion of Steve Berry to city manager, people have to ask ‘What is going on here?’”
And, Sandoval said, the others involved in the vote were equally knowledgeable about the circumstance.
“You could as easily arrest the city attorney who did not inform him or anyone else about the potential conflict,” Sandoval said. “You could arrest the entire city council, who knew his wife owned the newspaper. Nothing was hidden.
“I think I have a pretty good read on the character of people,” Sandoval said. “The Millers are good, solid people. Local government is broken. Individuals who have money or power or political connections can use the rule of law to get what they need to make more money or get or retain power. It is disappointing. My hope is the DA will be able to look at the whole picture and see what is really going on. If Jim Miller had been properly counseled he simply would not have voted. The whole truth needs to be communicated to the public so it can make an informed opinion. All they are hearing now is that he voted and enriched himself by thousands of dollars. When he heard of how it could be a conflict, he stopped voting. Anyone who wants to give back to the community could find himself in this situation.”
Sandoval was echoed by another member of the Grand Terrace community, Gene Carlstrom, who was also in attendance at Miller’s arraignment. Carlstrom was formerly a member of the Grand Terrace City Council. He said participating in governance in small towns like Grand Terrace, which has a population of slightly over 12,000, is fraught with potential conflicts.
“I have believed all along that Jim will be vindicated,” Carlstrom said. “The consent calendar is an ambiguous thing. When I was on the council, similar things came up. All the bills had to be paid. We never heard anything about votes being a conflict, even when someone we knew or worked with got paid. It’s just something that occurs. Now they’ve singled him out as one who was in violation. This is more than I can figure. It occurred many times in the past with others who were not aware of the implication of the 1090 law.”
Former city manager Tom Schwab like Sandoval said he considered the prosecution of Jim Miller to be an outgrowth of Berry’s effort to move into the permanent city manager’s position.
“Steve or some agent of his turned Jim into the DA’s office to discredit or marginalize him because he was openly critical of Steve’s management of the city,” Schwab said. “This was essentially a political set-up. Steve is saying that the minute he got appointed acting city manager he quit advertising in the City News because he thought there was a potential conflict of interest. But if that is the case, why did he go along with it before? Why did he arrange to buy the ads from Marge when he was working under me? Why didn’t he let everyone know that there was a potential conflict of interest? That would have saved us all from this problem. He was using it as leverage. He was threatening Jim with the exposure of the 1090 violation, basically telling Jim he would turn them into the DA’s office if Jim didn’t support him in becoming city manager.”
Schwab said of Jim Miller he was confident “there was never any intent to do anything illegal.”
In reference to the contract between the city and the newspaper which Ewaniszyk had indicated would be crucial to establishing Miller’s guilt, Schwab said, “The district attorney’s office won’t be able to produce that because it doesn’t exist. They are implying Jim approved a contract but we never had a contract with the Grand Terrace City News. Nor did we have a contract with the Sun or the Press Enterprise. We advertised with them, as well.”
Efforts to reach Berry for comment were unsuccessful.
Goritz, was not present in court, and could not be reached for comment on the case.
Some Added Notes:
Carlstrom has admitted to activity simular to the Miller situation. If Miller is found guilty then the past dealings of the Council may come under a microscope investigation.
Steve Berry said in the DA's Investigation Report that he informed Tom Schwab of the Conflict of Interest and Tom Schwab took no action other than to suggest to Steve to shut up that is how you get fired. Now Tom Schwab is saying that he was not so informed by Steve Berry, and Steve Berry's continued use of the Millers Paper for local advertizing for special events he had control over the advertizing expenditure indicates Tom's Threat either worked or Steve Berry never voiced or had a concern of a potential conflict until Jim Miller had the courage to verbalize public disatisfaction with Steve Berry's Job Performance and was against his promotion and retention.
In a Panic to Cover up the Embezellement Investigation involving Steve Berry. Steve Berry put into action a threat he could not hold the reigns on once the horse was out of the barn.
Thursday, October 01, 2009
Connecting the Lack of a Contract... to A Contract...
and you get a "Conflict"? Remember this..........
The city of Grand Terrace is taking steps to eliminate its contractual arrangement with Terra Loma Real Estate (Owned by Gene Carlstrom) for property management services..........
Bea Cortes may still have to answer Conflict Charges of her own. She approved payments to the Real Estate Agency where she is a Realtor, benefiting from the Office Overhead and Services provided to her there. She has also advertised as Mayor Protem and Terra Loma Real Estate Adds linking the two.
In this situation there are contracts negotiated and voted on, in addition to payments made on the consent calendar. Bea Cortes's past active cheerleader like support of Steve Berry, may well be a future challenge much more serious than those faced by Jim Miller.
Perhaps the practices of Past Council Members, City Staff and Planning Commissioners and other service providers will come under a Microscopic Audit of their own. We can only hope...
Has anyone interviewed Steve Berry to get his "Official Opinion" on the Miller Trial? Just wondering if Mr. Annon has something to add to the discussion.
The city of Grand Terrace is taking steps to eliminate its contractual arrangement with Terra Loma Real Estate (Owned by Gene Carlstrom) for property management services..........
Bea Cortes may still have to answer Conflict Charges of her own. She approved payments to the Real Estate Agency where she is a Realtor, benefiting from the Office Overhead and Services provided to her there. She has also advertised as Mayor Protem and Terra Loma Real Estate Adds linking the two.
In this situation there are contracts negotiated and voted on, in addition to payments made on the consent calendar. Bea Cortes's past active cheerleader like support of Steve Berry, may well be a future challenge much more serious than those faced by Jim Miller.
Perhaps the practices of Past Council Members, City Staff and Planning Commissioners and other service providers will come under a Microscopic Audit of their own. We can only hope...
Has anyone interviewed Steve Berry to get his "Official Opinion" on the Miller Trial? Just wondering if Mr. Annon has something to add to the discussion.
More On Miller Trial...
Grand Terrace councilman pleads not guilty to conflict-of-interest charge
Mike Cruz, Staff Writer
Posted: 09/30/2009 05:08:21 PM PDT
A Grand Terrace councilman entered a not-guilty plea Wednesday to felony charges that he voted to send city advertising contracts to his wife's newspaper.
Jim Miller was arrested in July and charged with a conflict of interest. County investigators said they found that he voted to give $18,000 worth of city advertising to a weekly newspaper owned by his wife, Margie Miller.
On Wednesday, the councilman and his lawyer Richard M. Ewaniszyk, stood before Judge Douglas Elwell and entered a not-guilty plea at his arraignment in San Bernardino Superior Court.
If convicted, Miller could face up to three years in state prison.
He is to return to court Nov. 3.
Miller supporters, wearing small red, white and blue ribbons, lined the hallway outside the courtroom during his proceedings.
Afterward, Ewaniszyk confidently defended his client and said the charges against Miller "might be a misunderstanding."
State Government Code requires a contract for advertising between the city and the newspaper, Ewaniszyk said, and prosecutors have not produced any contract as part of their discovery.
"They have yet to produce the contract because there is no contract," Ewaniszyk said in a courthouse hallway.
Deputy District Attorney John Goritz, who was not present in court, later said he would not comment about evidence in the case.
The defense lawyer also said the city must publish its legal advertising in a general circulation newspaper adjudicated in Grand Terrace. The Grand Terrace City News, bought by Margie Miller in 2006, is the only such newspaper, he said.
Therefore, "the rule of necessity" required the city to advertise in the City News, said Ewaniszyk.
Jim Miller wouldn't talk about the case, but he said he was pleased with the "positive vibes" from his supporters.
Former City Manager Tom Schwab, who started advertising in the City News in 2006, said on Wednesday that the issue should not be in the courts.
The city manager, staff and city attorney recommended using Margie Miller's newspaper, he said.
Former Assistant City Manager Steve Berry became acting city manager when Schwab became ill. One of Berry's first actions, he told county investigators, was to cancel the contract with the newspaper because of what he believed was a conflict of interest, according to investigative reports.
Miller, who has been a real-estate services manager for San Bernardino County since April 2000, returned to work Aug. 18.
mike.cruz@inlandnewspapers.com
(909) 386-3880
Not guilty, Grand Terrace councilman says of conflict of interest charge
10:47 PM PDT on Wednesday, September 30, 2009
By DARRELL R. SANTSCHIThe Press-Enterprise
Grand Terrace City Councilman Jim Miller pleaded not guilty Wednesday to a felony conflict-of-interest charge.
San Bernardino County Superior Court Judge Douglas Elwell entered the plea for Miller at an arraignment that lasted less than two minutes. He ordered Miller, who briefly responded to the judge's questions, to return to court Nov. 3.
Miller, 61, faces up to three years in prison if convicted of the felony charge stemming from his votes on routine items on the council's consent calendar that authorized payments to his wife's weekly newspaper, the Grand Terrace City News, for legal advertising from Oct. 26, 2006 through Aug. 12, 2008.
But Miller's attorney, Richard M. Ewaniszyk, said outside the courtroom that he doesn't believe the county district attorney can prove the case because the code governing conflicts of interest, Government Code Section 1090, prohibits public officials from entering a contract with the city or agency they represent.
Ewaniszyk said prosecutors have not yet produced a contract between the city and the Grand Terrace City News.
Deputy District Attorney John Goritz, who is prosecuting the case, declined to comment on the existence of a formal contract, adding that he would not discuss the evidence or facts of the case outside of the courtroom.
Goritz said Ewaniszyk's statement that the prosecution could not prove its case under Government Code Section 1090 "doesn't change our outlook on the case."
Grand Terrace City Attorney John Harper said by phone Wednesday that he does not know whether a formal contract with the newspaper was ever signed. He said it would not be necessary to have a contract to publish legal ads.
Harper said he believes the district attorney's office, among others, has "mushed together facts" related to a Government Code case and a separate law, the Fair Political Practices Act, which prohibits council members from discussing or voting on matters that would financially benefit them.
Violation of the Fair Political Practices Act could lead to a fine and an amendment to financial declaration forms, Harper said.
Goritz said he couldn't comment on Harper's belief that his office "mushed together" government code and the separate Fair Political Practices Act.
Miller has said the newspaper was purchased by his wife in 2006 and is her sole and separate property. If she is the sole owner and Miller has no financial interest in the paper, the councilman did not violate the Fair Political Practices Act by voting to approve the payments, Harper said.
Margie Miller has said the paper was running legal ads for the city before she bought it and that she stopped accepting ads after her husband received a letter from former acting Grand Terrace
City Manager Steve Berry in September 2008, stating he considered the practice a conflict of interest.
As she mingled with more than three-dozen supporters in the hallway outside the courtroom Wednesday -- most of them wearing red, white and blue ribbons --
Margie Miller voiced optimism.
"I'm looking forward to a positive conclusion," she said.
Other supporters offered more fervent comments.
Gene Carlstrom, a former Grand Terrace councilman who campaigned for Miller's election, described the accused elected official as "a pillar of the community.
"It's just a bad deal," Carlstrom said of the charge.
Thelma Beach said the prosecution "is ridiculous.
"You can see that the community is behind him," she said of Miller. "It is quite evident that the whole community feels the same way."
Staff writer Melanie C. Johnson contributed to this report.
Reach Darrell R. Santschi at 951-368-9484 or dsantschi@PE.com
Added Note: Well Council Watchers more details have been added and the City Attorney has sort of well kind of offered an "Opinion" once again. Did he offer this "Opinion" at the time he became aware of the "Possible Problem". NO... again, it is clear above all else it is time that Tom Schwab's hand picked Lawyer Friend needs to be replaced. Tom Schwab also hand picked and protected Steve Berry all those years.
Mike Cruz, Staff Writer
Posted: 09/30/2009 05:08:21 PM PDT
A Grand Terrace councilman entered a not-guilty plea Wednesday to felony charges that he voted to send city advertising contracts to his wife's newspaper.
Jim Miller was arrested in July and charged with a conflict of interest. County investigators said they found that he voted to give $18,000 worth of city advertising to a weekly newspaper owned by his wife, Margie Miller.
On Wednesday, the councilman and his lawyer Richard M. Ewaniszyk, stood before Judge Douglas Elwell and entered a not-guilty plea at his arraignment in San Bernardino Superior Court.
If convicted, Miller could face up to three years in state prison.
He is to return to court Nov. 3.
Miller supporters, wearing small red, white and blue ribbons, lined the hallway outside the courtroom during his proceedings.
Afterward, Ewaniszyk confidently defended his client and said the charges against Miller "might be a misunderstanding."
State Government Code requires a contract for advertising between the city and the newspaper, Ewaniszyk said, and prosecutors have not produced any contract as part of their discovery.
"They have yet to produce the contract because there is no contract," Ewaniszyk said in a courthouse hallway.
Deputy District Attorney John Goritz, who was not present in court, later said he would not comment about evidence in the case.
The defense lawyer also said the city must publish its legal advertising in a general circulation newspaper adjudicated in Grand Terrace. The Grand Terrace City News, bought by Margie Miller in 2006, is the only such newspaper, he said.
Therefore, "the rule of necessity" required the city to advertise in the City News, said Ewaniszyk.
Jim Miller wouldn't talk about the case, but he said he was pleased with the "positive vibes" from his supporters.
Former City Manager Tom Schwab, who started advertising in the City News in 2006, said on Wednesday that the issue should not be in the courts.
The city manager, staff and city attorney recommended using Margie Miller's newspaper, he said.
Former Assistant City Manager Steve Berry became acting city manager when Schwab became ill. One of Berry's first actions, he told county investigators, was to cancel the contract with the newspaper because of what he believed was a conflict of interest, according to investigative reports.
Miller, who has been a real-estate services manager for San Bernardino County since April 2000, returned to work Aug. 18.
mike.cruz@inlandnewspapers.com
(909) 386-3880
((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((0))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
Not guilty, Grand Terrace councilman says of conflict of interest charge
10:47 PM PDT on Wednesday, September 30, 2009
By DARRELL R. SANTSCHIThe Press-Enterprise
Grand Terrace City Councilman Jim Miller pleaded not guilty Wednesday to a felony conflict-of-interest charge.
San Bernardino County Superior Court Judge Douglas Elwell entered the plea for Miller at an arraignment that lasted less than two minutes. He ordered Miller, who briefly responded to the judge's questions, to return to court Nov. 3.
Miller, 61, faces up to three years in prison if convicted of the felony charge stemming from his votes on routine items on the council's consent calendar that authorized payments to his wife's weekly newspaper, the Grand Terrace City News, for legal advertising from Oct. 26, 2006 through Aug. 12, 2008.
But Miller's attorney, Richard M. Ewaniszyk, said outside the courtroom that he doesn't believe the county district attorney can prove the case because the code governing conflicts of interest, Government Code Section 1090, prohibits public officials from entering a contract with the city or agency they represent.
Ewaniszyk said prosecutors have not yet produced a contract between the city and the Grand Terrace City News.
Deputy District Attorney John Goritz, who is prosecuting the case, declined to comment on the existence of a formal contract, adding that he would not discuss the evidence or facts of the case outside of the courtroom.
Goritz said Ewaniszyk's statement that the prosecution could not prove its case under Government Code Section 1090 "doesn't change our outlook on the case."
Grand Terrace City Attorney John Harper said by phone Wednesday that he does not know whether a formal contract with the newspaper was ever signed. He said it would not be necessary to have a contract to publish legal ads.
Harper said he believes the district attorney's office, among others, has "mushed together facts" related to a Government Code case and a separate law, the Fair Political Practices Act, which prohibits council members from discussing or voting on matters that would financially benefit them.
Violation of the Fair Political Practices Act could lead to a fine and an amendment to financial declaration forms, Harper said.
Goritz said he couldn't comment on Harper's belief that his office "mushed together" government code and the separate Fair Political Practices Act.
Miller has said the newspaper was purchased by his wife in 2006 and is her sole and separate property. If she is the sole owner and Miller has no financial interest in the paper, the councilman did not violate the Fair Political Practices Act by voting to approve the payments, Harper said.
Margie Miller has said the paper was running legal ads for the city before she bought it and that she stopped accepting ads after her husband received a letter from former acting Grand Terrace
City Manager Steve Berry in September 2008, stating he considered the practice a conflict of interest.
As she mingled with more than three-dozen supporters in the hallway outside the courtroom Wednesday -- most of them wearing red, white and blue ribbons --
Margie Miller voiced optimism.
"I'm looking forward to a positive conclusion," she said.
Other supporters offered more fervent comments.
Gene Carlstrom, a former Grand Terrace councilman who campaigned for Miller's election, described the accused elected official as "a pillar of the community.
"It's just a bad deal," Carlstrom said of the charge.
Thelma Beach said the prosecution "is ridiculous.
"You can see that the community is behind him," she said of Miller. "It is quite evident that the whole community feels the same way."
Staff writer Melanie C. Johnson contributed to this report.
Reach Darrell R. Santschi at 951-368-9484 or dsantschi@PE.com
Added Note: Well Council Watchers more details have been added and the City Attorney has sort of well kind of offered an "Opinion" once again. Did he offer this "Opinion" at the time he became aware of the "Possible Problem". NO... again, it is clear above all else it is time that Tom Schwab's hand picked Lawyer Friend needs to be replaced. Tom Schwab also hand picked and protected Steve Berry all those years.
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