Hats off to Barney Karger:

The Title should Be:
Grand Terrace Citizen Rescues Discount Drug Program

Grand Terrace rescues discount drug program
Stephen Wall, Staff Writer
Posted: 01/14/2010 04:18:57 PM PST

GRAND TERRACE - The city's prescription drug discount program has been revived, thanks to an unlikely benefactor.

Barney Karger, an 81-year-old resident who has been critical of city officials, made a generous donation this week allowing Grand Terrace to offer the program.

The program enables Grand Terrace residents to get an average savings of 20 percent off the price of prescription drugs at CVS Pharmacies and other drug stores.

The program was approved by the council last year, but was never implemented for budgetary reasons.

The city was a member of the National League of Cities, which made the program available at no cost to member cities.

But the program was not offered because the city couldn't afford the nearly $1,500 membership renewal fee last year.

This week, Councilwoman Bea Cortes decided to try to resuscitate the program.

With the help of Riverside Mayor Ron Loveridge, the league's newly elected president, the city was able to get a 50-percent discount off the renewal dues.

But the city was still short of money for the program. Cortes said she would have paid for it out of her campaign account but lacked the funds to do so.

So she approached local businesses and asked if they would be willing to pitch in to pay for the membership.

Karger, a retired developer and contractor, agreed to write a check to cover the cost.

"We've had a great deal of strife in the city in the last year," Karger said. "If the city can't afford it, I can. I presume there will be a lot of people getting these cards and I can help them out."

Cortes had nothing but praise for Karger.

"In my estimation, he's a hero for Grand Terrace," she said. "A lot of residents have lost their jobs, or they have furlough days, or their hours have been cut. It's difficult times right now financially. If we can help them save a few dollars, we should."

With the renewal, the city's membership in the league now runs through Oct. 31, said Gregory Minchak, a spokesman for the organization.

The city plans to issue a news release soon with the locations and date the discount cards will be available to residents. Information also will be posted on the city's Web site.

Minchak said the program is intended for residents without health insurance looking to save on the retail price of prescription drugs.

"I think it's great that a donor stepped up," Minchak said. "It's wonderful to see the community is coming together on this. We think it's an important program that will benefit a lot of people."

The program is in place in more than 300 cities nationwide, he said. Locally, the discount cards are available to residents of Rialto, Fontana and Claremont.

NOTE: EVERYONE should go get a Discount Card and Show Barney Karger you appreciated his gift to his fellow citizens.

Bea Cortes offer to pay for it out of her campaign funds (if she had the money), would seem to me to be a violation of the law or at least the trust of her donors who make contributions for the specific purpose of her campaign.

Barney Karger has done a good thing, a step in turning the page on the Schwab/Berry City Management that drove Citizens away from the community and away from supporting the City in many ways. Yes Barney we want the city to do well and your gift shows you have compassion for your fellow citizens. Thanks Barney for the gift of a small step forward.

Barney Karger's donation does not give the City Council or Mayor or City Staff the idea that they can now take trips and junkets to attend National League of Cities Events/Junkets/or such events.