Reply to Frank Roppolo in the GTCN Voice of the People

Does Grand Terrace Really Need a Self-Appointed Monitor?

Yes, and active citizenry is what will secure our right to freedom in this Democracy. We would all be better governed if we were as active and questioning of our government as Mr. Bill Hays is and has been. EACH CITIZEN should be a SELF APPOINTED CITY MONITOR.
*
Frank Roppolo asks "What else in Life is there for Bill Hays and "His Followers". The purpose of life, is not, nor has it been, the issue or questions, raised by Bill Hays, or any of the citizens concerned with the Governance of this Community. However, IF you want to know each of the individuals including Mr. Hays have families, are either working daily or are retired, and are folks with purposeful lives, like everyone else. So to suggest there is some deficiency of the quality of existence or life of an individual or individuals who take part of their valuable time in being concerned with their local government demonstrates either a flaw in logic, or an elitism which suggests that a ruling class should be elevated above the common man.
*
City Council Meetings should be attended, and should be animated with public participation. IF it was the intent to have a City Council Meeting just to read an agenda of pre approved staff recommendations, get the rubber stamp out and be done with city business on a pre-ordained time line, it is time for more than a Recall. Dictators don't have to listen to the public. Perhaps we should be called the Kingdom of Grand Terrace.

*
The accusations made by Mr. Hay are based on facts, provided by city documents. The City Council, City Manager, and City Attorney have either not responded or sufficiently responded to the questions or as you characterize them accusations to eliminate or resolve the issues of concern. YES it is important to have clarity in communication and it is the OBLIGATION of the City to communicate with clarity the facts of the issues and concerns.

*

Mr. Hays and other Citizens have a been making a positive contribution to city's management. They have raised concerns about the legality of the practices of the Planning Commission, and the Plans for the OAC, Town Center and Blue M. Villa Senior Project. IF the City Council had listened, and reworked the plan or sent it back THE PLAN would have been don better and in such a way that it would have stood the trial in a court of law. Bill Hays and the "Followers" as you refer to the group, share their concerns about the ideas being forced upon the City Council include such things as, Financial Accountability, Contract Process, Labor Negotiations, Environmental Concerns, and the business of the City.

*

DO you really think the public should be silenced? Hitler, Sadam, Amin, Komeni, Castro, follow this leadership and management style. Let's HOPE this is not the type of Government you desire for Grand Terrace. If use of time is such an issue for you, perhaps City Council Members should not waist time speaking about the Lions Club, trips to the Library, or what they eat at a restaurant during Council Meetings. Mr. Roppolo, what is your real agenda in making such statements?
*

To say Bill Hays has followers is in fact an error. There are many people, citizens of this community who are concerned with the governance of this community. Bill Hays is for now the person who can function as a hub or central point for the organization of all those people. He is providing an organizational function which is inclusive of many different groups of interested people.
*
His being the spokes person in presenting the Recall Notices and errands to the City Hall should not lead anyone to believe he has earned a Personal Following. No He is simply the servant of the group. A servant who runs errands, and makes contacts and appointments others are not able to accommodate.
*
Mr. Rank Roppolo, now that Bill Hay's Right to Exist, his purpose of Life Evaluated, perhaps you should like to make a similar personal declaration and disclosure as to your own personal human value and contribution to the community of Grand Terrace. Perhaps some one will be interested. We all recall you were interested in serving on the Planning Commission, and you were a recommend wasnt' it Council Woman Ferre? NO ONE did, nor should they have questioned your willingness to serve, as if to question your right to exist, or participate. No to be a member of the Planning Commission requires additional qualifications beyond that a JQPUBLIC/Citizen. But, it does not question your purpose of LIFE.
*
The Issues are the Point, Not Bill Hay's Humanity, or his Purpose of Life.
*
We don't need less of Bill Hays, we need MORE. When there is nothing to be concerned about, and all questions and concerns are resolved, perhaps we can move forward with a clear understanding of the communities resources, and in a collaborative effort to provide the entire community with a better place to call their town.

*

You sir are not forced to attend, or watch the Council Meetings, so one must ask if the Council Meetings are so disturbing to you, why do you watch, or attend? I have looked and you have not addressed a meeting, in the past year. What great inconvience have you been burdened with by Bill Hays or any other citizen speaking at City Council Meetings? What great burden has befallen you personally as a result of other citizens speaking at City Council Meetings? You will have to be more direct if it was your intent to Support Council Member Ferre's and Garcia's attempts at not facing recall. The recall is about ISSUES, and their Actions. IF you support their actions, say so and why.

Gramps

FROM THE EMAIL INBOX: A reader Writes

Mr. Roppolo:

Mr. Hays has a purpose in life. That purpose includes watching out for the Citizens of Grand Terrace.

Mr. Hays has not been disruptive at City Council Meetings. Unlike some children who attend meetings he sits in his chair until it is his turn to speak. He speaks and then waits for the answers many times no answer is provided. He asks again and asks for it to be answered in writing. IF it is answered the answer and the question are shared with the PUBLIC. This may be an annoyance to those who feel the public does not need to know the workings of their government. BUT, it is well within the rights of Mr. Hays, and the Obligation of the Local Government.

Provide an example of a false accusation. The city is in debt, there is not a net surplus as repeatedly suggested by the Council Members and City Manager. The INCOME projections are budgets based on FUNDS from Debt, not Funds from INCOME such as Tax Revenue. This information was requested and not provided.

What Positives has been brought forth. Well for the citizen to bring forth a positive one must assume that the Council is receptive to receiving the public provided information.

When warned of the problems of OAC the Council Duly Noted the Comments went along with City Staff and were put through the expense of the Planning, Zone Changes, Land Purchases, land sales under duress of the prior property owners, the legal costs of the case. The Positive would have been listening, not just duly noting Public Comments.

It is a Positive to have the Public know the real financial status of the City.

It is a Positive to know how RDA funds are or aren’t accounted for properly, including purchases of cars for the use of the City Manager.

It is a positive when citizens attempt to organize Youth Programs for Youth between 7th and 12th grades. Is it a positive to be concerned about traffic, safety, and noise?

It is a positive, when citizens express concern about the High School, Town Center, and Senior Villa. Options and ideas were all provided and duly noted and the Staff Recommendation went forth.

Perhaps Mr. Roppolo needs new friends because I see a lot of potential positives being brought forth by the citizens of the community, and them being duly noted and disregarded by the Council which repeatedly has been guided right into court by the suggestions and recommendations of the City Staff. Perhaps the Council Meetings would be more productive, and the city would run better if Council Comments were limited to 3 minutes, and Presentations were limited to 3 minutes and Public Comments were allowed 10 minutes.

Clearly, Not Enough has been Said!

From the Email InBox: Open Letter to City Council and Citizens of GT

Dear GT City Council.

Since you are so dedicated and so nice and all you want to do is serve. Well, serve up a lawsuit against the "List of Preparers", (the writers), of the OAC specific plan and get our money back. If you bought a faulty air conditioner you would want your money back. Oh wait a minute, you did. Well you bought a flawed specific plan. In fact every plan you have bought is flawed and is costing us more than they will ever bring in, anyway more than it will bring in to the city. I'm not saying someone isn't making money but it's not us.

In fact hire Mr. Johnson, apparently he knows more than the legal eagles you and and your leader Schwab, hire. Mr. Johnson is batting a 1000, but then he's major league and your guys seem not to be able to even get off the bench. Awe what the heck, they get paid win or loose.

You Council Members better come to grips with the incompetence of Mr. Schwab and Mr. Koontz. You are responsible for their actions. Schwab is dishonest and his only talent appears to be to make a mess of the Cities finances. Mr. Koontz works two days a week for the City and three days a week for Nolte Engineering, one of the preparer. Now he has changed companies and Councilman Miller questioned a $5800.00 check to this new company he works for. Are you starting to catch on yet. Just think how much he could do for us if he worked full time. Please don't let him work on the High school

Dear GT Citizens:

The City kept the OAC quite for a year or so before bringing it to the public. Ralph Megna and Gary Koontz companies made hundreds of thousands. The Partners come in and show it's not marketable or feasible and Megna, who also had a contract with the city has disappeared. Even their fiscal impact study was a joke. GT would have gone into the hole over a million a year on law enforcement alone. You would think these intellectuals, Harper included would know the law well enough to just submit and just do it over. Nope they make money off the City win or loose. They couldn't care less if they loose. They still get paid. I'll ask when they are all done how much the City has had to spend in legal fees including Johnson's for incompetence. Is it more than a $150,000 a year? Schwab is in the City's Employ because....?

Gramps asks: Is there or has there ever been a case where the actions of a City Official/Elected or Employeed, become a personal Liability, rather than being absorbed by the City and Citizens? How many times do the Citizens of GT have to suffer from the same errors made by the same people?

Highgrove/Grand Terrace AES Peaker Plant Approved

YOU MAY WANT TO READ THE MISLEADING ARTICLE
IN THE PRESS-ENTERPRISE

THE POWER PLANT WILL HAVE LITTLE TO DO WITH EASING THE HEAT IN GT HOMES WHERE THE TRANSFORMER HAS FAILED, AND AES POWER GOES TO THE GRID NOT GT. WHO PROMOTES THIS FICTION?

Plan puts Grand Terrace in line to beat the heat
PROPOSAL: If approved, the Highgrove Power Plant could produce electricity in 2008.
10:00 PM PDT on Tuesday, July 25, 2006
By JULIE FARRENThe Press-Enterprise
http://www.pe.com/localnews/inland/stories/PE_News_Local_C_gtpower26.3be1c43.html

THE ARTICLE IS ABOUT:

The South Coast Air Quality Management District reports the AES Highgrove, of Arlington, Va., application to the commission May 25 to build a new power plant at 21700 Taylor St, Grand Terrace,( Across the street of the Proposed High School). The commission last week unanimously approved the licensing review of the Highgrove Power Plant.

Interestingly this article suggests that power would be generated to the grid used by the city of Grand Terrace. The AES presentation to the City Council of Grand Terrace specifically denied any traceability as to where the power would be delivered to. It would be fed into the grid. Now if there has been a negotiation to change the delivery of power that would be in a contract. Show the Citizens that Contract.

It is unfortunate that the news of additional power and the fact that 7 homes in Grand Terrace have been suffering from a lack of power is linked by the title. The lack of power for GT homes is due to transformer failure, not low available power. Replacement of Lines, and Transformers is what is required to bring these 7 homes back to the electricity we have all become overly dependent upon. Perhaps this linkage is intended to scare anyone from speaking against or raising concerns about the AES PEAKER Plant when it comes time for public hearings. If these events are linked, will AES be changing transformers so the power generated can be delivered? No... there is no direct link between the Peaker Plant and Power Delivery specifically to GT.

However, the sell of Power, is a taxable event. That is not lost to the City Management. Nor should it be hidden from the Citizens of GT. If this is what we are going to do to earn tax money let us know that is what we are doing. Drop the Shell Game, the Smoke and Mirrors. Short cutting has already cost the Citizens and City lets not continue that managment style any more.

Grand Terrace, as a small city could encourage its citizens to install PV Cells and alternative energy systems and develop a Green Community little by little from the Dependency on the SEC Grid, and oil dependency. IF every home in Grand Terrace had PV Cells right now we would be producing electricity and be able to sell it to the Grid. City Buildings, New Construction, and City owned buildings and even Water Company Buildings could lead this effort, in addition to the lowering of the Speed limit in town as mentioned over and over and over. WHOOPs an idea slipped in there...

In the EIR of AES the sheriff says they can respond to an emergency call in 4 minutes. They do not say, IF the deputy is not booking some one down town, or responding to a call outside the city perhaps in Mentone, or Loma Linda.

I am not against the Peaker Plant, I just wish for once, our City Management would INFORM the citizens and the COUNCIL of what is going on without making it a extraordinary effort to stay informed. THIS CITY has provided reports to the AES EIR and Review, without asking for public input, or evaluation on the document committed. One would doubt the Council has been informed of the data provided in Support of AEA's Application.

OF course the location near the High School should be a flag needing appropriate attention to all parties. THIS is supposed to be the "Information Age". It would have been nice if Steve Berry reported about the Services being Provided for those 7 homes and the GT Residents suffering the heat without power. Has Citizen Patrol made wellness checks, brought ice, or perhaps helped the elderly with getting to a cooling station?

Neighbors check on neighbors. Wet cloth twirled in the air, gets real cool... Drink water, and keep your body temperature down. CALL for help BEFORE you think you can't stand it any more. Move Slow. Eat Light, Drink Water, and check up on each other... Feet and hands in cool water help.

Be save out there.... Gramps

Outdoor Adventure Center Specific Plan Invalidated by Court

http://www.pe.com/localnews/grandterrace/stories/bwebgrandterracecenter.5d81a3.html

From the above PE Article: "The ruling will revert the property back to its original commercial zoning."

*********************************************

The Day of the Court Decision the Blog Reported

"The Judge Today Invalidated the Grand Terrace OAC Specific Plan", quote from Attorney Mr. Johnson.

What does this mean: Well Gramps looks forward to the full judgment being released. Here is the short on line Judgement:

HEARING RE: WRIT/CEQA. 07/25/2006 - 8:30 AM DEPT. S8
JOHN P WADE PRESIDING.
CLERK: ROSEMARY ROJAS
REPORTER: BETTY KELLEY
COURT ATTENDANT LARRY RUSSELL
-
APPEARANCES:
ATTORNEY RAYMOND W JOHNSON PRESENT FOR PLAINTIFF/PETITIONER.
ATTORNEY JOHN ROBERT HARPER PRESENT FOR DEFENDANT/RESPONDENT.
-
PROCEEDINGS:
ARGUED BY COUNSEL AND SUBMITTED.
ACTION CAME ON FOR HEARING ON PETITION FOR WRIT OF MANDATE (CEQA).
PETITION OF CITIZENS FOR A BETTER GRAND TERRACE GRANTED
PETITIONERS REQUEST FOR JUDICIAL NOTICE OF RESPONDENTS MUNICIPAL CODES AND GENERAL PLAN IS
DENIED.
-
THE WRIT IS GRANTED DUE TO RESPONDENTS FAILURE TO ADEQUATELY CONSIDER ALTERNATIVES AND THE
FREEWAY ACCESS PORTION IS THE TRAFFIC ELEMENTS HAS NOT BEEN ADEQUATELY MITIGATED. RESPONDENTS
ARE ORDERED TO VACATE ALL APPROVALS AND CERTIFICATIONS.
PETITIONER TO PREPARE THE WRIT.
STAGE AT DISPOSITION: ALL OTHER JUDGMENTS BEFORE TRIAL.
COURT NOW RULES -- STAT CASE FOR 2C REPORT. CASE DISPOSITIONED ON 07/25/06.
CASE DISPOSITIONED BY JUDGMENT
ACTION - COMPLETE
=== MINUTE ORDER END ===

Perhaps, all those prior land owners who had a problem selling their land and homes because of the restrictive use included in the OAC Specific Plan may have an action against the City for the loss of value to their property.

Perhaps, the city did over pay for the Dodson Property. Perhaps there was more to Mr. Hilkeys Protest about the price negotiations done by Friend, Employer, and Campaign Manager, of the Council Members Gene Carlstrom of Terra Loma Realty.

Perhaps there will be a EIR required for ESSCO now that the EIR for the OAC can not be used as a EIR Overlay, as suggested by City Manager Tom Schwab, and the Planning Department.

Perhaps there was just cause to the suit, and it was not a "Frivolouse Law Suit" as characterized by City Manager Tom Schwab, and Council Member Ferre, and Council Member Garcia in the Press. Perhaps their desire for citizens not to be involved in the government or checking things would have served their interests but clearly the Judge found problems with the plan, or the process of how the plan was developed and placed upon the property owners. This speaks to the malfeasance and incompetence of the city's management, and council oversight of that management.

For a Fact it means that the Judge has determined the Law Suit had Merit, and was in fact decided on in favor of the Plaintive. This Means the Council was Wrong in supporting or approving Staff Recommendations. It will be interesting to know the Specific reasons for the decision when the formal decision is written, PERHAPS the City will Post it on their Web Page.

If you want a copy of the suit emailed to you... Grandterracenews@yahoo.com OAC Suit Request.

Remember this is the same Judge that is hearing the other GT City Cases. More decisions are pending. ESSCO and Blue Mt. Senior Villas still have all or portion of their cases under consideraton, and review.

Council Members Quoted in OPINION section in the Sun

PLUG INTO THE FACTs IS WHAT THE RECALL IS ABOUT.


Pulling the plug
Recall efforts more trouble than they are worth
Our view: The recent efforts to oust local politicians from office a waste of taxpayers' time and money.

...Non GT related portion not included ...................................
.....................................

The threatened recall Hansberger is facing is similar to the one-sided attempt to try to unseat Grand Terrace Mayor Maryetta Ferre and Councilwoman Lee Ann Garcia. It seems a few frustrated souls have been trying to start a recall but have run up against a variety of problems, not least of which is having a valid reason in the first place to launch a recall.

The two councilwomen, who have dedicated themselves to revitalizing the city's economy and improving its quality of life, say there are those who are always upset with whatever action the city takes, because it will bring about change, but that there is no truth to the allegations of impropriety.

"I serve on the council," says Ferre, who has served in office since retiring as principal of Terrace View Elementary School, "because I wanted to be of service to my community."
Says one of her supporters, Janie Garcia, "I get frustrated when I hear they are trying to recall her. They don't know her. She just cares so much about Grand Terrace and trying to keep everything going smoothly."

Come on, people. Let's get down to brass tacks, and stop wasting voters' time. A recall is for the purpose of voting out of office someone who has done a bad or criminal deed, or who is unfit to serve in office.

It is not, and should not be, because a few malcontents simply don't like an elected official because of a policy or decision that might have gone against them.

Gramps asks the readers to Note:

It is not the Citizens Ability or responsibility to PROVE and CONVICT a CRIMINAL DEED. WE Malcontents would WELCOME a FULL AUDIT and INVESTIGATION for the PURPOSE OF a CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION. HOWEVER, that is not our political right.

IT IS our RIGHT to question the Fitness of those serving in office.

That TEST includes the Recall Process. I invite all voters of Grand Terrace to read the Concerns and the evidence provided. Ask do you want this to continue, or do you want a better government? The Recall Proponents are Giving you a Choice. The Recall Proponents are giving you evidence of specific issues.

What real facts and evidence has the Council Members Provided. Statements, I am a nice, I WAS A PRINCIPAL, I want to serve, doesn't pass the fitness test. Measure the actions taken, or not taken that is what should be measured to test fitness.

Recall Pettition Signature Collection

Eminent Domain Still Possible In Grand Terrace:

Stopping the Bulldozers: Jo Stringfield’s Battle to Save Her Childhood Home

*

Grand Terrace. O, Terrace, my Terrace

a small town with heart;

so lovely, so lively, a city apart.

With people who love you, who make up your core,

And leaders who guide you, protect you, and more.[1]

*

*

Sadly, as Grand Terrace, Calif., homeowner Jo Stringfield recently discovered, the City’s traditional poem is only half true.
*

Jo Stringfield has fought against all odds to keep the childhood castle she loves from City Manager Tom Schwab and Assistant City Manager Steve Berry. These two threatened to take Stringfield’s home by eminent domain—using a blight designation dating back to 1979 that declares every home, business and place of worship within city limits as “blighted.” Never mind the more than 25 years of progress since then. Under California law, municipalities can condemn private property for private use as long as the property has been designated as “blighted” under the state’s broad and sweeping blight language, statutes that leave perfectly fine properties such as Stringfield’s up for grabs. Indeed, Grand Terrace’s permissible use of an ancient blight study underscores just how little protection the law actually provides.
*
Stringfield’s modest residence on two acres is not just any house. It’s her childhood home, nestled in one of Southern California’s charming bedroom communities near San Bernardino. It’s a place she spent her spare time as a child riding horses in nearby Blue Mountain. If nothing else, it’s certainly not what people would describe as “blighted.”
*
Grand Terrace is known to many as the Blue Mountain City, celebrated for its peaceful atmosphere, beautiful neighborhoods, high performing schools, safe streets and surrounding mountain scenery. But, apparently, that is just not enough for city officials, politicians so hungry for taxes that they were willing to go to extreme measures to facilitate private development. So City officials joined together with a private developer to build Town Center, a proposed shopping complex anchored by a Lowe’s Home Improvement Warehouse and a Stater Bros. Supermarket. Only the City did not own the property. Homeowners like Jo Stringfield did.
*
With the threat of eminent domain, the City acquired nearly 20 acres of private property. But a committed activist refused to bow to the government’s abusive threats of eminent domain. Stringfield stuck it out, firmly stating, “The bottom line is that I own the property.”[2]
*

In 2004, Stringfield received a letter from a real estate agent asking her to sell her home, which, following her mother’s death in 2002, she had recently moved back into with her boyfriend Matt Fleming. She was not interested in selling; it is a home she loves and adores, so she threw out the letter. That year, she received many more letters, and when she received one from a developer, she got nervous and filed the letter away. Developer Jacobsen Family Holdings LLC, along with City officials, began to make extravagant offers, but she continued to inform them of her decision not to sell.
*

“What they want to do is put up a shopping center on my property,” Stringfield said. “At that point, I realized I needed an attorney.”
*

With eminent domain looming in the background, Stringfield was galvanized to action. She started to research the issue on the Internet, consulted with a local attorney and investigated her rights as a homeowner. She is an activist by necessity, not by choice—a woman who merely wants to save her home from the government’s wrecking ball.
*

With the support of the Castle Coalition, she began a grassroots battle. She circulated petitions and hosted rallies with “Hands Off My Home” and “Hands Off My Business” signs. She even went so far as submitting her own redevelopment plan, in which she proposed more of what the community wanted—smaller businesses, room for trees and parking, lighter offices with lofts and, most importantly, no eminent domain for private use.
*

In response to her grassroots activism and increasing public outcry against eminent domain abuse, Lowe’s pulled out of the project and, in April 2006, the City council tabled its proposed abuse of eminent domain.
*

It appears Jo Stringfield has successfully saved her home from eminent domain abuse, though Californians still need meaningful protection against eminent domain for private profit. Since the U.S. Supreme Court decided Kelo v. City of New London last year, legislators in 47 states introduced, considered or passed legislation aiming to limit eminent domain. More than 20 governors signed reform into law, but the California Legislature has still failed to pass eminent domain reform.
*

Fortunately, activists throughout the Golden State share Jo Stringfield’s commitment to property rights.
*

Emphasizing that she is not planning to wave a white flag anytime soon, she said, “It’s not right to take somebody’s home and give it to someone else for them to make money off of it.”[3]
________________________________________
[1] Thomas Federich Teorey, “City Poem,” City Poem & Song, City of Grand Terrace, Calif. (available at http://www.cityofgrandterrace.org/about_city/poem_song.html).
[2] Jo Stringfield, Telephone Interview with Justin Gelfand (Institute for Justice), March 2006.
[3] Ibid.

This City Council has already shown a willingness to use Eminent Domain as a Threat and Negotiation Tool between two Private Property Owners. Their Failure to actively protect Private Property Ownership is or should be a cause of Concern. Please support Property Rights Protection, and be alert to the Actions of the Grand Terrace City Council as Jacobsen and Schwab present the new Town Center Plans. They have not been honest in the past. There is reason to be cautious in evaluating their presentations, and their desire to Protect your Private Property.

GT City Management Practices May Bring Law Suit

More Reason for Recall



Citizen Patricia Farley has been bringing to the City Council Chambers concerns, and specific complaints against Swertfeger’s Equipment. Swertfigeter's Equipment has been operating as a truck trailer repair facility since 1984 when founder, Lee Swertfeger, purchased two acres of land in Grand Terrace, California,Trucking locate on Michigan Street in Grand Terrace. Of issue are the current violation of the Conditional Use Permits and other related operational practices and code enforcement.

The blog will post all documents provided in JPG if they are emailed to Grandterracenews@yahoo.com.

The first complaints did not result in action. Patricia Farley persisted. She maticilously unraveled the maise of information regarding the business, the business expansion, and the permits of occupation. She has recovered many interesting documents regarding the city's lack of oversight of the operations of the business.

Finally the City Manager was directed to have the matter reviewed. It was FINALY a directive from the Council, then he was OBLIGATED to look into the Swertfeger’s Equipment Issue. The results were presented to the Citizen asking the question so Patricia Farley has the details, and when trying to present them to the City Council and Citizens at the Only Public Forum in Grand Terrace, she was limited to 3 minutes during Community Comments.

This is not a 3 minute issue. Perhaps one of the Council Members who is concerned about the safety of our community will put the presentation of the information on the Agenda. Perhaps the Council will then have a Directive to the City Manager to take action. WITHOUT such a directive it is apparent from past behavior that the City Manager is unwilling, or disinterested in taking action regarding the Swarzegler Trucking Company.

We must ask why does Code Enforcement ticket things like posters and signes and banners for local small businesses, and fail to look at the Bigger Complaints and issues? You fill in the reason. What ever it is, it isn't right. A discount on a hair cut sign I can live with. The situations discribed at the truck yard may not be so easy to live with, or in some cases perhaps not live with.


Citizen Patricia Farley, feels that the most important thing in Grand Terrace should be families, private property and homes. She expressed her anger with the negligence with the residential area on Michigan. She feels as if they have not been protected. She expressed her dissatisfaction with the trucking business on Michigan with what they have been allowed to do.

Only after Patricia Farleys repeated insistence and the efforts of Sharron Abbott at getting the documents related to the business did the Council Finaly Direct the City Manager to have an audit of the Permits and Condituional use Permits of the Swatzegafe Trucking.

Citizen Patricia Farley, stated that at the last Planning Commission Meeting they approved something that she believes to be illegal and she would like the Council to prevent it from occurring. The Planning Commission is approving ESSCO to move around in a specific plan, which is the OAC, and it also is a business that has been using our public streets without any reimbursements for storage. They clearly expect to continue to store outdoors and she is tired of seeing Michigan trashed and more and more trucks being brought in. She feels that the Council in the past was responsible for damaging Barton Road because the poor people that lived there were always up in the air because the City was dealing with developers and making it hard to do what they wanted to do with their property. Those peoples property was not bought fairly and now they are going down Michigan.

There is now a Suit against the Approval of the ESSCO Plans. EVEN the City Attorny said during the Council Meeting: The ESSCO site is under the OAC Plan Specifications and the ESSCO Plan is not in agreement with the OAC Plan Specs, and this will not doubt be cause for court action. YET the Council acted in agreement with STAFF recommendation.

Citizen Patricia Farley stated to the City Council that the evaluation of the City Manager and the staff that you rely on for decisions is so alarming to the citizens of Grand Terrace. The staff are not seasoned attorneys and you are taking their opinion over the law at the risk of the community and money and she has a problem with that. Many people in Grand Terrace are dissatisfied with Mr. Schwab’s performance. Over the past few years, complaints have been expressed by many citizen’s in Grand Terrace about how Mr. Schwab is managing our City. Your evaluation of him needs to reflect all of the problems that we have and continue to have. As Councilmembers, you need to have the best legal advice to protect all residents and you are not getting that. Your continued support of Mr. Schwab and ignoring the concerns of the residents is very alarming. Council is responsible for the problems that Mr. Schwab is causing Grand Terrace if you continue to support him. She and others in this City feel very strongly that the Council owe it to the Citizen’s of this City to hire a new City Manager in which they can have confidence and who better represents the needs of the community. You have a big job to do and you need to do the right thing.

The Council Action: Give City Manger a Raise, and Increase his Benefits should he be terminated in the Future. Full payment of unused sick leave, and medical insurance for a year in the event on separation was added to his terms of the contract. SO if he is essentially FIRED, he leaves with a pile of cash, no other employee enjoys that level of compensation, and one must ask why is he provided such a high reward. There are other people able and willing to do his job. I am not suggesting bargain hunting for a City Manager, however it seems odd to pay a premium price for the services provided either.


The active participation of citizens in their government does not end when you cast your vote. Please know that making the government works takes everyone’s effort to watch and be aware of their governments actions.

Please encourage the full disclosure and discussion of the above real issues. Help insist that the City Council is held in account for their responsibility in Oversight and Evaluation of the City Manager, and the City’s Management.

Come One Come ALL ! ! ! Here the BUZZ

Below are the sample of reasons we need to Reform the Management of the City of Grand Terrace.

The City Council is responsible for the Oversight and Direction of the City Management

Please support the Recall of those on the City Council Who

Support the Current City Management Practices

Email ? SCHWAB CAR & SCHWAB SPEAKS: Selfish Citizens :

ATTEMPT TO LOCATE CITY ASSETS CONTINUES

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE CAR PURCHASED FOR

THE USE CITY MANAGER?

Dear Gramps,

I sent this to Counciman Miller who is in charge of the Traffic Committee. Gramps you may post with my name.

Dear Councilman Miller,

Just the other day I received an email from Mr. Berry regarding the Traffic ad-hock committee. Albeit Vice Chairman Youngman requested Deputy Eversol to speak we are going to be addressed at the next meeting by Lt. Guerra. Mr. Berry relayed the message from Mr. Schwab that any questions we have for the Lt. must first be submitted to him.

I would guess that would eliminate any questions that might embarrass the City or the Sheriff's Office. I am only presuming that spontaneous questions will not be entertained. So, if I may, since you are over Mr. Schwab I would prefer, if you will, to go directly to the top, only because my efforts of dealing with the bottom produced no results. I might add no results that by law I have a right to.

Here Sir, is my question for the Lt. "Lt. Guerra. Here is the Vehicle Identification Number to a City owned 1996 Ford Crown Victoria 2FALP74W6TX185814. Lt. would you please run this number through DMV and tell me what happened to it. City Hall can't." I requested from the City what happened to this vehicle that was used by Mr. Schwab and then replaced by a Dodge Durango Cherry Red in color, which by the way I have not seen at City Hall. Has it also been replaced or lost. The staff at City Hall informs me that no documents exist regarding the Ford.

Thank You. Bill Hays

Gramps says: I hope there is a full investigation on ALL Cars Purchased by the City. This is interesting that they just vanish every 5 years. What is he driving this year?

THE DOCUMENTS

of the

BLUE MT. SENIOR VILLA CASE

AND SCHWABS STATEMENTS.

City Manager Tom Schwab’s Comments in the July 20th, 2006 edition of the Grand Terrace City News: show a that it is his continued opinion that the conduct of the City’s Planning Department, Planning Commission, and Redevelopment Agency and the Plans and Process used in the approval of the Blue Mt. Senior Villas and other Developments Promoted by City Staff and the Redevelopment Agency are or should be immune from public scrutiny. His comments attempting to vilify the group called Citizens for a Responsible and Open Government and Temecula Attorney Ray Johnson demonstrate his failure to recognize the problems which are endemic with the Management of the City’s Business for which he is responsible, and for which the City Council should be exercising greater oversight. City Manager/RDA Director Tom Schwab and the City Council are responsible for the inconvenience of the Senior Citizens and the Debt caused by their folly.

He is much like the smoker who attempts to blame the doctor for finding a spot of lung cancer on a lung. The Citizens who hire Mr. Johnson to represent their concerns did not write the Plans or run the Process of Approval of the Plans. The Citizens who have brought suit attempted to bring their concerns to the awareness of the City Planning Commission, the City Council and the City’s Planning Department, and the typical response was a non response by each of those entity. Therefore in the exercise of their rights Mr. Schwab attempts to vilify the plaintive, instead of addressing each of the real issues of the developments being challenged.

Abrupt Zone Changes, Plans and Designs not in agreement with General Plans, and Specific Plans, lack of Environmental Studies are just the tip of the iceberg threatening most of the Development Project Supported by the Redevelopment Agency Director Tom Schwab. Below the surface are No Bid Agreements, Debt Financed Development, and Exclusive Development Rights which were awarded without competitive bidding opportunities. Below the surface are land purchases, land leases that are negotiated behind Closed Doors. Below the surface are the contributions to city activities by developers with projects pending the planning approval review process.

In addition, City Manager Tom Schwab attempts to indicate that “A single group”, a “Small Group” of “SELFISH” people are blocking development in Grand Terrace. Yes Mr. Johnson does indeed represent citizen groups on several cases currently filed against the City/RDA. This is a prudent action by the citizens who hire him as they know he is aware of the problems which are endemic in the City of Grand Terrace, and it is a better use of their limited resources. However, there are different memberships to each of the groups for each of the suits the city faces.

Citizens have testified against the Plans approved by the City Staff and City Redevelopment Agency Director include: Manhole Builders, Out Door Adventure Center, Town Center (Lowes), Essco, Water Company Head Quarters and Garage Facility, and the Blue Mt. Senior Villas and Senior Center.

Consistent flaws are the lack of addressing environmental issues, flawed paper work, in one case using the paperwork for a gas station for the application for the Manhole Builders. Failure to abide by existing zoning, or pre-existing general plans or specific plans complicates each proposed development. The Staff at the City’s Planning Department and the City Manager/Redevelopment Agency Director Tom Schwab repeat the promotion of defective plans failing to alert the Council Members of the areas where additional studies or documentation needs to be done in order to be in full compliance with the State and Federal Requirements.

The idea that the laws don’t apply to Projects the City Manager Approves of should be a significant concern to all Citizens of Grand Terrace, and the City Council. It should also be a significant concern that the Attitude of the City Management is that the Citizens, or a Group of Citizens who raise an issue to a Court of Law are acting Selfish and not acting for the public good as well as protecting YES their own interest which is an OPTION we AMERICANS have on occasion.

Of the 108 Senior apartments being built 10 will be offered at market rate. The other 98 will be for Section 8, or VERY VERY LOW INCOME SENIORS. This is not what was represented to the Community. So for those seniors who are looking to live in one of the apartments at the Blue Mt. Senior Villa’s you may find there is no place at the Villa for your income classification.

All citizens have rights in Grand Terrace, not just Seniors. Affordable Housing should be available to All age groups. Senior Housing was Planned in the area near the existing facility known as “The Terrace”, close to the center of town and shopping. AND so forth. No one desires to HARM the seniors. Everyone except Mr. Schwab and Mr. Jacobsen would have been pleased if the Senior Villa’s were to be built ON Barton Road where Planned, using sound competitive bids as a means of determining the contractor and service agreements.

When a Judge Reverses the Approvals of a City, it indicates that the law suit was not frivolous. IT is UNUSUAL that City Hall loses in court. The Judge has decided there is a problem, he has only decided the environmental portion of the case, more decisions will be coming in the future.

How should the City Council Respond to the events and lessons. The City Council should increase its Oversight and Scrutiny of Projects Promoted by the City Manager/RDA Director and Planning Department, so that the Citizens are not subject to legal action, and the Developers are properly informed of the requirements prior to a problem.

Remember the Cancer Patient Example. Well the Cancer is Improperly done development plans, and designs. The doctor making that diagnostic evaluation are the citizens filing bringing the issues to court. The Attorney Ray Johnson is the surgeon. City Manager / Redevelopment Agency Director is the Tobacco Farmer, Distributor, Adviser, and Marketer. A few citizens are saying NO don’t BUY his Product. This is not a selfish act; it is an act worthy of praise and one to be encouraged as good citizenship.

Let's remember who gets paid $150,000.00 per year and is provided a car, full medical and dental insurance and suggests with the satement that the City Manager of Riverside gets paid more... oh that would be the selfless Mr. Schwab.

If you would like PDF files of the cases please email Grandterracenews@yahoo.com and they will be on the way.

OTHER DOCUMENTS

OF CITY MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS

This is just a sample... of Documents... that add up to un answered questions regarding the quality of government being provided to Grand Terrace.

Review of the Key Issues:

THIS COULD HAPPEN TO YOU IF YOU OWN A BUSINESS OR HOME IN

GRAND TERRACE











The above documents and the Lack of coherent Explanation by the City Management or City Council Members, and the Lack of adequate Guidance, Correction, and Oversight of the City Manager and City Management Staff specifically Planning department and the Planning commission and the City Manager/RDA Director has caused the rising desire to Replace and hold accountable those Council Members who have consistently erred in their responsibility to the Citizens of Grand Terrace.

Issues:

Lack of insistence on competitive bids for all contracts over 5,000.00 per year as required by State Law.

Lack of Public Notice at the sale of RDA property, and City Property.

Allowing the Part Time City Planner to work for a No Bid Contract Winner.

Improper purchase of the House provided to the City Manager.

Improper use of RDA funds, and the Issue of Bond Debt to HIDE the purchase of Cars for the City Manager, and other non authorized expenditures of RDA Funds.

improper association with Developers, including the threat of use of Eminent Domain LONG before it was authorized by the City Council.

Acceptance of Plans which result in being liable in court for failure to comply with California and Federal Environmental Law Requirements.

Failure to keep current plans on file with the State of California.

Failure to document or account for city assets.

Acceptance of Contributions to the City's Activities from people and agents of persons with issues before the Planning Committee, and City Council.

Failure to disclose the true income and debt information for the City in terms of City, RDA and COMBINED... The NET VALUE OF ASSETS plus expected tax income - Total Liabilities and expenses. THE DEBT or NET VALUE REAL Surplus of the CITY...

Failure to investigate a Replacement for the City Manager. NOT even considering other applications as they consider his contract to be without an end date.

Failure of the Council to Instruct the City Manager PUBLICLY not to LIE to the Council or PUBLIC as in the case of the claim he saw the Leases SIGNED leases at Stater Brothers.

This is not a Recall of Personality, it is a Recall due to error, and the repeat of errors, and the projection that the majority of the Current Council will persist in these errors, or let them continue to be perpetrated upon the Citizens of Grand Terrace, putting the very City at Risk of Failure.

The improper association with Terra Loma and the City and City Council and RDA.

These are all issues asked and not Answered by the City Manager, and thus the City Council who is accountable to the Citizens.

Council Member Miller is not being held into account this time. He is new to the task and is in the discovery mode himself.

HOWEVER, Council Member Herman Hilkey, Council Member Bea Cortez will be held into account this election cycle.

Therefore we humbly request that the Citizens Sign the Recall Petition to Recall Council Member Ferre, and Recall Council Member Garcia so the Citizens may have the opportunity or the best opportunity to set the Government of Grand Terrace on a Better Governance Track.