Unfortunately, reminders and remnants of the old guard still exist. A small, but telling example of the insidious old guard, is the chest-pounding of Doug Wilson. In public session at the City Council meeting (a forum which he now uses as his personal campaign stumping grounds) he insisted that "No candidates be allowed to put up campaign signs until the official Oct. 2 date." Everyone but him, that is. The old guard is just simply that - old, rusty and mired in the intimidation practices of the past.
Well, Tom Schwab, Doug Wilson, Lee Ann Garcia and Bea Cortes, the party is over. Grand Terrace citizens are now paying very close attention. We're embarrassed by a former city manager (and I use the term loosely) who is ignorant of the fact council stipends are taxable! We're embarrassed by the slip-shod way you've handled public finances, housing, and redevelopment monies, as though we were lemmings, so stupid you could continue concealing (dare I say stealing) forever without our ever catching on.
Friends, the covers are off and the lights are on! We now have a slate of change agents we can be proud of - Walt Stanckiewitz as mayor, and Bernardo Sandoval and Sylvia Robles as council members.
The past abuses of Grand Terraces's redevelopment agency (and I'm sure many more corrupt and/or ignorant activities yet to be unveiled) will be over with our newly elected leadership.
The future is in our hands - and theirs. I'm proud and energized to be counted as one of their many supporters.
CLAUDIA ROSS
Grand Terrace
