Herman Hilkey's Letter to the Editor..

Investigation misdirected
Posted: 03/03/2010 06:16:44 PM PST

As many citizens are now finding out, city attorneys seem to be above the law.
In the case of Grand Terrace City Council members Jim Miller and Bea Cortes, both received advice from the city attorney advising them there was no conflict of interest if they approved the city of Grand Terrace's monthly check register. Both claimed they talked to the city attorney and received similar advice that there was not a conflict of interest. Now both are facing serious accusations.
The city attorney has washed his hands, claiming he cannot be held accountable for the advice he gave.
District Attorney Mike Ramos is making a serious attempt to clean up "white collar crime" in San Bernardino County, but these two investigations seem injudicious. Mr. Ramos' intent is honorable, but would be better directed toward blatant dishonestly and not small-town, well-intended citizens who volunteer.


HERMAN HILKEY
Grand Terrace

Editor's note: The letter writer is a former Grand Terrace mayor and city councilman.

GrandPa Thinks that the real investigation here is beneth the Miller / Cortes case. The Real Investigation should be into Ex City Manager Tom Schwab and City Attorney John Harper. Did they conspire to entrap members of the City Council in a compromised position so that future "Staff" recommendations and Contract Negotiations would go in their favor? Former Acting City Manager Steve Berry learned this method of Council Manipulation from Ex City Manager Tom Schwab. Berry however lacked the finesse to get away with it as long.

Look at the income increases Tom Schwab/Steve Berry and the City Attorney received. Look at the House and Cars for Schwab. Look at the increase in Legal Fees collected as a result of the bad advise the City Attorney gave to the City then "had to defend in court".

It would be reasonable to pay a flat fee to keep the city out of court and if the city goes to court the City Attorney gets no increased billing hours to bail the city out of a problem he should have prevented.