Calling all Citizens:

Fair Government For All Grand Terrace

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Above are the sample of reasons we need to

Reform the Management of the City of Grand Terrace.
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The City Council is responsible for the Oversight and Direction of the City Management
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Please support the Recall of those on the City Council Who
Support the Current City Management Practices

From the Email Inbox: From Brian

Brian R wrote:

Gramps,

Sorry to bother you again, but I'd like to give you some information so you can correct the record. I'm not sure why you feel the need to background check people of different opinion when you won't even give a name, but its ok since I have nothing to hide. I would like to ensure that you have the facts though:

--I am not a Lab Technician, the majority of my time is not spent doing lab work.
--I do not "calculate blood alcohol levels." I'm not even sure what that means.
--I maintain a breath alcohol program that covers 2 counties and includes almost 200 breath alcohol instruments and over 3,000 police officers.
--I respond to homicide crime scenes and work homicide cases.
--I'm in training to work rape/sexual assault cases.
--I testify as an expert witness in court---alot.
--I'm trained and qualified to work narcotics cases, but am currently not assigned to that section.

So you've, yet again, misrepresented the truth to your followers. You've taken a small fact kernal that you dug up somewhere (calculates blood alcohol levels.) and extrapolated it out that I'm a lab technician and that "Its important to understand the meaning of the word Criminalist." To all of you who follow Gramps, this is what he does. Can't you see that? I don't want any more hostilities but I don't understand why you feel the need to attack my job or me personally. All I'm doing is putting forth ideas that don't agree with yours. Like you always say, "stick to the issues." My job has nothing to do with this Did my name in the Press Enterprise upset you that much? I'm sure that Julie Farren would be glad to interview you if you'ld come forward. Please correct the record of my job duties.

Thanks, Brian

Grand PaTerrace wrote:

Sure, but you can't say the Yes represent support either. (related to Jacobsen saying 400 returned Votes Yes for Town Center out of a mailing of 4000)

It is kind of like giving a DUI test to some one 12 hours after a car accident, while they were not in custody. How would you know if they just drank or had not had something to drink for the 12 hours, or if they had smoked, or taken some other substance that may affect the calculations? IF there were a Place to say no, more No People May have returned the Mailers, so the Mailer was flawed and can not be used to indicate "More Support". It is just bad math used to tell a false story, or try to.

Gramps wrote to Brian:

I will post your request along with this article... and let the reader know that the reason I tried to clarify your job description is that saying you are A Criminalist suggests you have actually spent some PROFESSIONAL time investigating the City Council an City Manager. When you are not an Forensics Accountant, nor have you even bothered to find out what where the money came from to pay for the City Manager's Car. We as citizens do not have to prove a crime, we have to raise the issue and they have to satisfy the critics, by providing documents, records, open meetings, and so forth. We do not have the power of a court order, or a police force.

If you had said, Hi I am Brian Citizen... I would not have investigated you. However, your wife working for the city is cogent don't you think...?

Why are you so bothered by the clarification when you are so sure the GrandTerraceNews is only read by a small group of people?

If I were your employer, and indirectly I am, I am concerned you don't know what blood alcohol levels are, when you testified to tests results in court on the issue.

You are also Selling T-Shirts from your home, do you have a Resale Permit, and a business license for the City of Grand Terrace? Did you get approval from The Foundation of Grand Terrace to use their name as linkage to support your Political Views? Are the readers to assume the Foundation of Grand Terrace approves or supports your views? ( I happen to know some members don't support the views that there is nothing wrong at city hall.) I'll let the readers determine my motives, and yours. I gain nothing, my name is not known, I sell nothing, not even add space on the blog.

My motive is better government for Grand Terrace, yours well, that is still being evaluated and demonstrated by your actions and writing.

Gramps,

Support Data:

Motorist to stand trial for murder in deaths of three
SIGNONSANDIEGO NEWS SERVICES
3:36 p.m. March 2, 2006
RIVERSIDE – A 30-year-old Moreno Valley man with a history of drunken driving convictions was ordered Thursday to stand trial on murder and other charges in connection with a hit-and-run crash that killed three people.

After a three-hour preliminary hearing, Riverside Superior Court Judge Dennis A. McConaghy ruled there was enough evidence to hold Efrain Rodriguez to answer to three counts each of murder and vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, with prior offenses, and hit-and-run driving causing death.

He is being held in lieu of $1 million bail and is due back in court March 16 for arraignment.

The charges stem from a Nov. 5 collision on Highway 60 that killed Sheila Finney, 45, her son Keith, 13, and her 13-year-old nephew Roderick Buckner, all of Moreno Valley.

Finney's husband, Nathaniel Finney Jr., 47, survived the crash. He was driving the family home from a trip to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art when the collision occurred.

Rodriguez was arrested 12 hours after the crash.

Brian Reinarz, a criminalist for the state Department of Justice, testified that he analyzed blood samples taken from Rodriguez after he was arrested, showing an alcohol content of .05, below the legal limit of .08.

Deputy District Attorney Jeanne Roy asked Reinarz to calculate the defendant's blood-alcohol level at the time of the crash, based on the sample he was given. Reinarz said it would have been .29 – more than three times the legal limit.

California Highway Patrol investigator Michael Ritter testified that he did not conduct a field sobriety test because too much time had elapsed since the crash.

Defense attorney Robert Corrado sought dismissal of the drunken driving and manslaughter counts. He argued that DUI had not been proven since Reinarz analyzed blood 12 hours after the accident, and no field sobriety test was done.
“There is no proof of a DUI,” Corrado argued. “There is no proof of gross negligence.”
Rodriguez contends he drank three beers about three hours before the accident.

The defendant has three drunken driving convictions dating to 1997. He was convicted twice of driving under the influence of alcohol in Riverside County and once in San Bernardino County.

He has three other traffic violations on his record, including one conviction for driving in excess of 100 mph, according to court documents.

From the OFFICIAL City Redevelopment Meeting Minutes:

Community Redevelopment Agency Minutes
April 13, 2006
Brian Reinarz, 13909 Vivienda Court, stated that he has been listening and reading about the Town Square Project for quite some time. He has read accusations of conspiracy that involved the City Council, the City Manager, Jacobsen Family Holdings,LLC and some people would have him believe that all three bodies are conspiring to destroy our way of life. He indicated that he works in a crime lab so the first question he asks when faced with any issue is why. Why would City leaders propose and support a project that would significantly damage our City.

The only conclusion he can come to is they would not. To hear one vocal opposition group talk, everything that the City does is evil and has malice. He doesn’t feel that this is a productive discourse and he feels that it is flat out not true. If you disagree with an issue or a position that is one thing but the baseless allegations and scare tactics such as hords of teenagers rampaging through town destroying everything that they can affects the credibility of the accuser.

He feels that he speaks for the majority out there that doesn’t have time to come to the meetings. He lives in Grand Terrace and his daughter goes to school here and plays soccer here and the residents that he has discussed this project with over the last year or so are firmly for the project and virtually all are in favor of Jacobsen completing the project.

He stated that it is easy to say that there is a conspiracy when things don’t go your way but doesn’t feel that does anything to further intelligent debate no matter what the issue is or who you are debating with. He sees good people working hard to make out City a better place to live.

I think Council has shown that they are really looking out for everyone in the City. He feels that once everyone cools off they will realize eventually that this project is good for the City and the Council will make the decision that is best for the City as a whole.

From Your OWN Web Page:

From your own web site:
Brian Reinarz
I'm a political junkie who loves my family, my job, and living in Grand Terrace.
Contact
Email Address: Email Me
Website:
PGP Key
One-Line Bio
I'm a political junkie who loves my family, my job, and living in Grand Terrace.
Biography
My name is Brian Reinarz and I am the youngest of 14 children.
I was born and raised in Northern Minnesota until I left to join the United States Air Force at age 18.
I spent 9 years as an Active Duty Air Force Security Policeman and 12 years as an Air Force Reserve Medic, for a total of 21 years of military service.
I've earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology from the University of California, Riverside, and a Master of Science Degree in Criminalistics from California State University, Los Angeles.
I am currently employed as a Criminalist for the California Department of Justice's Riverside Crime Laboratory.
I am married and have one child, a daughter.
We've lived in Grand Terrace since September of 2001, we love it here, and never intend to leave.
I've always been interested in politics, national and local, and hope to become involved on a local level.

Gramps Says: YOU provide the above... Detail...

Perhaps you should investigate where the cars that were purchased for Tom Schwab are, and Where the money came from to pay for them...

Explain how the use of RDA funds marked for Low and Moderate Income housing should be spent on a Car for the use of the City Manger, and when that car is replaced every 5 years it just evaporates...

The state auditor found this to be a miss use of funds. Justify your support for that single issue.

You said there was no basis for the law suit. A judge found a basis to reverse the Senior Villas.

You say you looked at the documents regarding the house purchase. explain how the house sale from the VA to a Private Individual was ok, then to flip it to the RDA, and then the RDA to the City and the City to the City Manager, without any public notice during the process? That is not legal as noted in the Audit of the RDA...

Just because an arrest and a trial did not happen as a result of the audit, does not make it a leagal act, nor does it make it a right, or ethical act. This is for the city and the city manager to prove, not the citizen. Failure to prove these things the Council Members not holding Mr. Schwab in account, perpetuate the same actions over and over.

If any one has hurt your reputation, YOU have done it to yourself.

Untill then, it is reasonable to investigate the representation of authority or proffessional capacity when you express your "FINDINGS". You made You and Your credibility an issue by your words, and actions.

Angery, no, I am not angery. I am determined not to let smoke and mirrors miss direct the purpose of finding the truth of what is happening in the City Hall. When some one uses their proffession or educational elitist attitude to say, believe me... against the evidence, that I have to consider an act of diversion. I then look for motive, associations, and question the source of the statement. Angery, no... I am not angery.

Brian then Emailed:

You are correct, the article does suggest some connection, but I had nothing to do with that. I presented myself as a citizen and she made that connection, which I intend to talk to her about. I know what "blood alcohol levels" are, I just don't "calculate them. We have instrumentation to do that.

Yet someone else added:

He did not disclose to the reporter his wife worked for the City and he contacted her. If he does homicides like he does the City the murders have nothing to worry about. Would he be an expert witness with three months training like he has become of the City after attending meeting for only three months.

Gramps concludes, in his FINAL email he did say he PRESENTED himself as a Citizen... I suppose that means HE called or contacted the Reporter. Gamps also knows he has spoken the idea of being in Law Enforcement at a Council Meeting on the topic of the Town Center. So its mention in the PE was what it was. HOW it got there is between Brian and Julie.

Brian offers a final correction:

I didn't, and if I did inadvertently, I didn't mean to. Post this to make it very clear. I have no auditing of forensic acounting training or experience! Nothing even close. I am acting solely as a private resident of Grand Terrace.

Brian

Request Made to PE..: I'll let you know the Answer

Grand PaTerrace wrote:
Dear Nancy Clark:

I understand the PE would prefer that the Blog get permission to reprint the articles responded to in the Blog.

I here by make a request for a blanket use of the articles. When Posted the articles are commented and the use of the article is for a reference point to the commentary. The blog does not provide anyone any source of income. It is the intent of the blog to provide a forum of detailed discussion of issues related specifically to Grand Terrace.

We understand that the PE has a larger readership, and can not spend the time or space to do detailed investigations into our small community. However, having the past articles and related back ground material available on the blog helps to provide the information to the public in a way that is not available via your web site.

Therefor, I request a blanket permission to post all PE articles where Grand Terrace Ca is mentioned, for the above stated purpose.

Thank You


Gramps, of
Grandterracenews
http://grandterracenews.blogspot.com/

By the way, we are not associated with other print media. The blog is the effort of an independent individual, and it is contributed to via email.

Planning Commission Agenda July 20, 2006

AGENDA
THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF GRAND TERRACE WILL BE HELD ON
DATE: July 20, 2006
PLACE: Council Chambers, Grand Terrace Civic Center
22795 Barton Road, Grand Terrace, California
7:00 P.M.

CONVENE SITE AND ARCHITECTURE REVIEW BOARD/ PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING

Call to Order
Pledge of Allegiance
Roll Call

Public address to Commission shall be limited to three minutes unless extended by the Chairman. Should you desire to make a longer presentation, please make written request to be agendized to the Director of Community and Economic Development.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION:

This is a time for anyone in the audience to speak on any item, which is not on the agenda for this meeting.

ITEMS:

1. CUP-06-05/E-06-09 Conditional Use Permit No. 06-05 (CUP-06-05) and Environmental Case No. 06-05 (E-06-09) to construct a “drive-thru” for the existing Demetris Restaurant. The “drive-thru” will be located mainly on the east side of the restaurant with an entrance to and exit from the “drive-thru” located in the parking area on the west side of the restaurant building. Minor modifications to the restaurant building may also take place adding of a service window for the “drive-thru.”

APPLICANT: Demetris Restaurant

LOCATION: The subject site is located at 21900 Barton Rd. (The site consists of a 1.95 acre parcel located on the north side of Barton Road just west of the intersection of La Crosse and Barton.)

RECOMMENDATION: Open the Public Hearing, receive testimony, close the public hearing, and approve CUP-06-05 to construct a "drive-thru" and approve E-06-09 for appropriate reasons given by the Commission.

2. SA-06-03/E-06-04: Site and Architectural Review Case # SA-06-03, to construct a
single family modular residence with 3,149 Square feet of living area
and a attached two car garage of 480 Square feet. It will have 3
bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, 2 family rooms, an office, and a retreat. It will be
one story in height.

APPLICANT: Design Plus 3, Inc. on behalf of the Owners, Nestor and Dora Ruiz

LOCATION: A 25,246 square foot vacant lot on the east side of Rosedale Street, approximately 515 feet north of Palm Avenue, in the City of Grand Terrace (APN 0275-083-14)

RECOMMENDATION: Open the Public Hearing, receive testimony, close the public hearing, and approve SA-06-03 to construct a single family residence.

ADJOURN SITE AND ARCHITECTURE REVIEW BOARD/PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING

CONVENE PUBLIC WORKSHOP SESSION

Information to Commissioners
Information from Commissioners

ADJOURN PUBLIC WORKSHOP SESSION
NEXT PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING TO BE HELD ON AUGUST 3, 2006

Gramps Note:

Why was this only posted on web on the day of the Meeting? It is fantastic that the Agenda is specific as to what is being proposed, and the LOCATION is clearly stated.

Regarding the items on the agenda if the ban on Drive Thru is to be lifted for New Construction as planned in the Jacobsen Town Center restaurants which have been subjected to the ban in the opportunity to provide drive thru service and not be subject restriction on their trade competitiveness. Yes, there is the issue of added air pollution. But, if there is ONE Drive Thru in restaurant, all should be permitted to have Drive thru service if they want to provide it. In the past Drive Thru was rejected. Why the change now. Simple... Jacobsen wants Drive Thru for the new Miguels, other for the other "FINE" dining he will put into the Town Center Development.

This will or may put some of the existing restaurants at a disadvantage unless they too can provide this service.

The building of a single family residence item. Hello Neighbor..

GRAMPS HOPES THAT THE PROCESS OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION IS DONE IN SUCH A WAY THAT THE DECISION MADE BY THE COMMISSION CAN BE CARRIED SO THE CITY IS NOT AT RISK FOR ADDITIONAL LAW SUITS.

IF THERE IS A FAILURE AT THE PLANNING COMMISSION, IT IS THE OBLIGATION OF THE CITY COUNCIL TO REJECT AN APPROVAL AND SEND IT BACK TO THE COMMISSION WITHOUT PREJUDICE AND HAVE THE PLAN RE HEARD.

Recall in the Press: and a Note from Gramps

Recall petition language OK'd
CITY COUNCIL: A group is collecting signatures to bring the mayor and a councilwoman to a vote.

12:22 AM PDT on Thursday, July 20, 2006
By JULIE FARREN
The Press-Enterprise

The Press-Entreprize has asked that the Blog Requests to repost their articles... From this time forward we will only list the above information and the link... untill we get a blanket permission.

http://www.pe.com/localnews/sanbernardino/stories/PE_News_Local_B_brecall20.1fd3e8b.html

Gramps provides the reader the following additional information:

Mr. Brian Reinarz, has been provided with the State Audit information which was presented previously to the blog’s readers. Here it is again, a clear statement that the REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY did not conduct its self in accordance to the legal requirements. Many crimes go un charged or prosecuted for many reasons.

However, it is after this negative Audit report that the City Refinanced the RDA Debt and increased the total Debt. Increasing the “Funds available for Low Income Housing”. Now we rush into a Blue Mt. Senior Villas which will be 90% LOW LOW INCOME HOUSING, also known as SECTION 8 Housing.

Mr. Reinarz is a Lab Technician who calculates blood alcohol levels. It is important to understand the meaning of the title Criminalist.

Mr. Reinarz’s observations of the City Council Meetings are clearly limited to the more recient meetings and this limitation of time precludes the most heinous behaviors as a result of continuous citizen complaints, several law suits, and of course the growing call for recall.

Mr. Reinarz’s wife is also a part time clerk for the City of Grand Terrace. No doubt her continued employment is dependent on the approval of the City Manager.

The City Manager’s House Deal, and the Terra Loma connection with the Real Estate Dealings within the city are all just cause for the charges, suspicion, or raising the issue of questionable ethics and self interest and advantage being taken by City Council Members and City Employees and their “Friends”.

Mr. Reinarz overlooks the lack of competitive bids on the large proposed developments which involve Selling, RDA Property, or Leasing RDA/City Property without the process of competitive input and bids.

The Recall Supporters have been actively raising these issues for many years now. The issues are not being resolved by the Council Members rather they are being compounded.


The OAC issues were not resolved after the Citizens raised their concerns. No the Developer finally did an economic feasibility study and determined that their was not sufficient economic justification for the development as first envisioned. However, the zoning and plan requirements overlaying that area remain in force and continue to constrain the fair and natural development of the property by its land owners. For Example the ESSCO building is in non compliance with the OAC specifications.

The City Council has oversight responsibilities to direct the functions and actions of City Management. The Recall proponents feel that these Council Members fail to exercise that obligation in ways that open the city to legal action, and financial folly.

The Recall is not a substitute for a criminal trial and conviction; it is the voters only way to Stop the City Council Members from containing the same type of governance they have provided thus far. We can’t afford Governance which practices lead to Law Suits, greater debt, and serves only a minority or select small group of individuals and businesses in Grand Terrace. As Citizens of Grand Terrace the Full Criminal Investigation and GOA Audit, and Investigation of the City would be a welcomed event. IF the City Manager and City Council were concerned with answering the Issues they would request a GOA Audit of all Federal Funds and Programs, and they would request an Audit by the AG's Office. They would rather just half answer , or not answer, the questions of citizens, as an attempt to deflect attention from what is happening to the finances of the city.

The Citizens / Voters of Grand Terrace do not have the right or authority to bring criminal charges, nor do they have the authority or ability to do a full audit, and criminal investigation. However, when there is sufficient concern, and evidence that continued poor governance will be perpetuated it is not only a right to Recall the Elected Officials perpetuating these behaviors, but the RESPONCIBLE ACTION to be taken.

Signing the Recall Petition, gives the Voters of Grand Terrace an opportunity to accept or reject the type of Governance it is Receiving from these Council Member Ferre, and Council Member Garcia.

Planning Commission NO AGENDA: WHY

AGENDA IS NOT POSTED

THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF GRAND TERRACE WILL BE HELD ON

DATE: July 20, 2006
PLACE: Council Chambers, Grand Terrace Civic Center
22795 Barton Road, Grand Terrace, California
7:00 P.M. MEETING

The meeting is on the July calendar, and it is noted on the July 6th 2006 meeting. AS of July 19, 2006 10:30pm the agenda is not posted on the WEB..

From the Email Inbox: Colton's Park Plans

Paww....

Read about the notice for public to attend the City of Colton Planning Commission meeting regarding a sports park. From what I understand, this to be in an area near Honey Hills which I had thought to be in limits for City of Grand Terrace. That being, I must have my City Limit lines mixed up.

If not mistaken, there is an irony in this, that the the City of Colton permits comments from residents of G.T. but our own Planning Dept. seems to want and hide their intended uses along a city limit line. From what I read, it is an outrage for thinking of placing a 1000 person facility on a two lane road, but in the case of the G.T. Council, they invite a 5000 person facility to be built along a two lane road (the proposed new Colton U.S.D. high school). Has any one read about comments from the County of Riverside regarding the new high school?

Back in the early 1980's while with a developer, we attempted to connect 14 large and small lots together in that valley of Honey Hills, known as the Honey Hollow. We were going to file a subdivision with new lot lines, that contained ten lots. BOY, you should
have heard the outrage then. "Why you can't develop that area!" Not knowing that one person on city council was within eyesight of our development, and a future one was leading the protest. Yes, we would have come up with fewer lots, than beforehand, but that did not matter at the time. As it was, the subdivider could have saved money, and hauled in applications for fourteen individual building permits. However, we wanted to install new roads and driveways, and do some unusual (for then) grading, which required a subdivision map. The project never went much further, and instead we developed some properties within Reche Canyon and Loma Linda. After we showed some conceptual drawings to yet another developer, it was easily sold for twice the purchase price.

I would suggest that no resident from City of G.T. attend the Colton meeting. For the Council seems to be blindsided today. For what are the chances that one or two voices from G.T. residents going to have over a foreign meeting, when thirty residents of the same city can stand at the podium have zero affect. They only look at their own neighborhood and not that of other residents. For "if it don't affect me or my family, I don't want to get involved" as in the long run this will be good for the City of G.T. as they often say.

Gramps Answers:

Yep, why and what is the rational or thinking for being against the Park...

The Citizens of Grand Terrace have been served by the City of Colton's Parks and Recreations Department for YEARS long before Grand Terrace was even incorporated our children learned to swim at the Colton Plunge... We sent them to Summer Day Camp in their parks. This week some of our seniors will be welcome in their cooling and feeding senior centers. Colton requires parks and green spaces in there developments. A soccor field will be used by at least two teams, and one would assume on game day, one of those teams may be from Grand Terrace.

I provided the additional map as many readers were not sure where the Colton/Grand Terrace line is... I don't know enough about the geography constraits of the planned park, nor do I pretend to know the traffic plan, but the reasons or shall I say the Council Members reasons for being against the park did not pass the sniff test for me. I have to question the values of the Council Member who made the suggestion as I think the logic is flawed, I don't have a problem with the City of Colton providing a park, as part of a development plan.

Sports Field or Houses? Colton Planning an ISSUE?

Suggestions by Council Member to have Citizens of Grand Terrace attend Colton Planning Commission with the intent to stop the building of Lighted Soccer Fields off of Barton Road in the Valley at the easterly base of the Barton Road strike me a ODD.

This area has in the past been used for training horses, a large parking area/ drive way. Now it and the area around it is slated for development.

I am not against development. It appears the developer has negotiated a plan with the neighbors for half acre lots, and now the City of Colton wants to have that flat land at the base to be a sports facility.

Well, why not should be the answer. The City has an obligation to provide all its citizens with parks and open spaces including a function such as a soccer field is generally a welcome idea. Well, why not. Well, it will be lighted. That means after dark practices and traffic. Well, why not. The children and parents will be from COLTON… ? Well why not? There will be noise, and Light Pollution. Well why not.

Now trade the idea of a soccer field with the location of a High School next to your house. Or a Big Box Store, or A bar and Grill. This city council asks for support for the High School and the other developmens. This city council has not said don't build it... as a matter of fact they have been of great assistance to the promotion of development as the RDA is in need of paying off debt bonds.

A soccer field with or without lights is used by children and their parents. During the School year, most children are in bed by 9:00, or should be. Games and noise will be minimal during the day as children are in school. HOWEVER the High School will be operational during the day, and after school, and of course there will be foot ball games, school busses, and all sorts of traffic. Senior housing and the new center will increase the after 4:00 traffic, and use of the infrastructure adjacent to that development. Town Center well that has so many concerns I won't list them.

The traffic pattern of the New High School should be a much higher priority than a Soccer Field in Colton. The Roads needed to move students in and out and around the community and to make the "Shared" facilities usable by the community should be a City Council Issue. INCLUDING the Parking for PICO Park.

OR is it just the fact that it will be people and children from the apartments in Colton using the facilities that cause such alarm. There is a word for this, it is Elitism, and yes Prejudice. Don't people in big houses on big lots have kids who play soccer?

There may be real reasons to be against the development of that bottom land, included should be a plan to widen Barton Road, limiting the speed on Barton Road, to 35mph. Soccer fields like golf courses use pesticides and fertilizers, so there may be water quality problems. Perhaps there is a need to protect the Blue Belly Lizards known to be found in that area.

However Reasons given at the Council Meeting were of the Elitist and I have to be concerned about the promotion of such a concept, and social behavior.

Our City Council will tell you, Your not guaranteed your “View”, Our City Council GIVES City Property or leases it to others in ways that “bother” the Neighbors of the property. I just find the inconsistency ODD.

1506+ the Magic Number Needed for Recall

Recall of Council Member Ferre
and
Recall of Council Member Garcia

Moves Forward

Next Step:

The City Clerk has approved the form of the Recall Petitions and it is time to Print the Petition for Recall of Council Member Ferre, and Council Member Garcia.

Many of you have been waiting eagerly for this moment and for something to do, now is the time to begin the larger effort.

Worker Bees will need to meet and organize and select jobs, each contribution of effort being important.

Some specific tasks you may be interested in helping with:

Signature Collections By Registered GT Voters
Street to Street canvassing:
Phone Contacts:
Signature verification, and Counting. Daily

The City Clerk says 1506 signatures of Registered Voters of Grand Terrace are required. Goal should be 2000 signatures or more. October 16th 2006 is the last date for this effort on this approval of Recall. HOWEVER, it can be done MUCH faster than that with effort coordination.

Clip boards, pens, and sun hats ...

If you want to be put on the worker bee list please email me with your name and address and email contact. Information, and I'll forward it along. Please know you must be a registered voter to collect signatures. This does not mean you can't help in some way as your put on the rolls of GT Voters. We strongly recommend voter registration and encourage you to go to City Hall to register there, and keep the receipt of registration.

GrandTerraceNews@yahoo.com SUBJECT: RECALL WORKER BEE "Time to Swarm"

LET's Get the Job Done Early in the Time Given, as a demonstration of the Citizens Desire for Good Governance in Grand Terrace.

Remember the Concert: Remember Your Rights

FREE SUMMER CONCERT AT ROLLINS PARK
Friday, August 18th starting at 7p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Come early and bring your chairs and picnic blankets to a free concert with the Riverside Concert Band performing show tunes, big band, and patriotic music. Concert goers can bring their own dinner or there will be vendors on site, community group's information booths and the concession stand operated by the Grand Terrace Community Soccer League.

The Riverside Concert Band was established in 1876 to celebrate the nation's centennial and today is proud to be known as the oldest year round community volunteer band. The Riverside Concert Band consists of 50 to 55 volunteer musicians who play for the love of music. The Band maintains the historical tradition of American concert band music by playing 20-25 concerts each year throughout Southern California. Band members represent all ages and a variety of backgrounds and perform the world's most beloved and cherished tunes: classical to traditional to hand-clapping patriotic.

The city is welcoming all Grand Terrace based non-profits groups to display their information and recruit new members at the concert. There is no charge to promote your organization.*

The set-up will be between 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.

Confirmed to date are:
The Friends of the Library, The Foundation of Grand Terrace and Friends of Blue Mountain

*must be Grand Terrace based with an official non-profit status

For more information, please call Community Services at 909-430-2201.

Gramps Says:

I find the statement that There is no charge to promote your organization with the footnote must be Grand Terrace based with an official non-profit status, to be an attempt dissuadeade, the public use of the park for public purposes which may be counter to the desires of the City Council.

The park is a Public Park, the Event is a Public Event, and if there were a member some group that was not in Grand Terrace, or was in Grand Terrace regardless of their status has the same rights to be there as any TOM, DICK OR HARRY. Now sales of food without a business licensence, or sale of anything with out a permit, that may be appropriate to regulate at a PUBLIC PARK, but who can show up and hand out materials, or Perhaps even Collect Signatures for a Recall, that is not in their power to Stop from Happening.

So, IF you want to start a Group of Hat Making One Eyed Purple People Eaters and you are not an "OFFICIAL non profit Organization, with a base in Grand Terrace, come to Grand Terrace and promote your group, demonstrate your hats, sign up new members. JUST don't take any money.

Don't let the City Council Intimidate you in the exercise of your Civil Rights, to public assembly, use of public parks, and free speech. IF you want to hand out business cards for your dog wash, come and promote your business do so at the Concert.

IT is a PUBLIC PARK, a PUBLIC CONCERT

Just a thought.... and a final question... You get to answer it.... WHO do they think THEY are?

Try to Find the Money Trail:

Grants pave way for sidewalks
SAFETY: Highland and other Inland cities will receive funds from the Safe Route to School program.

10:00 PM PDT on Saturday, July 15, 2006
By JULIE FARREN
The Press-Enterprise
………………………………………….

Grand Terrace applied for a grant for new sidewalks and a bicycle lane along Michigan Avenue but was turned down this year, said Richard Shields, the city's director of public works and building and safety.
The city was awarded a $50,000 grant in 2004 to build a 4-foot-wide bicycle lane on both sides of Barton Road between Mount Vernon and Michigan avenues.
Shields said he plans to go before the city council within the next few months, so they can award a bid for a contractor.
"We're hoping we'll have this done in less than a year," Shields said.
________________________________________
Online at: http://www.pe.com/localnews/sanbernardino/stories/PE_News_Local_B_bgrants16.3c60e67.html

Gramps has a thought, (an IDEA), a Concern, and an ISSUE:

I am all for alternative transportation, and would be Tickled if the “Bike” Lanes were also LEV or NEV lanes for Barton Road and Mt. Vernon. You see, the Senior Citizens, and Soccer Moms could use LEV or NEV’s (that would be Light Electric Vehicles, or Neighborhood Electric Vehicles) for the running around town errands. California is or has been, in love with Auto Makers, will allow pedestrians, horses, even power riding lawn mowers to use the road ways. BUT not a LEV on Barton Road. WHY, well the law is that LEV’s and NEV’s can only be used on streets with a speed limit of 35mph or less, or in a special marked lane…

Hmm, LEV, NEV, perhaps even a Hydrogen Fuel Station and Repair Industry right here in Grand Terrace. Now that may be forward looking, you know beyond the Big Box cookie cutter overlay planning we are now adopting just as the rest of the country is waking up to the disaster of Big Box Store we persist in that general direction.

Back to the bike lane, grant was awarded in 2004 and it is now 2006. Where was the money used between the time awarded and when it will actually be “Spent”. Well, was this the source of funds for the pay off of the Air Conditioner, which had to be paid for before the loan was processed, and the money from one fund or account, had to be transferred or refunded to the account when the “Loan” came in? Were the funds not spent to do the bike lane because the city was going to combine those funds with the Jacobsen’s Road Impact Funds and do a better job of the bike lane? WHO knows, these type of things are made known to the public, and apparently not even the City Council is informed of such decisions and action or non action as the case may be.

To use grant money for anything other than the specific grant, even if it is to be “Paid” back or refunded in the future is not good governance, and it may even raise to a criminal act of fraud. Just incase some one cared to chase down the financial transaction and accounting procedures of the City to that level of detail.

More often the result of this type of behavior in regards to grants and grant funds, is the granting agency won’t provide anymore grants until the Work is Preformed for past grants. So if you don’t use a grant of 50,000.00 the way you should in the time you should you may lose a larger grant or additional available grants in the future.

IF we NEEDED a Bike Lane, it should have been put in when the money was made available. We should not be using grant money as “Float” in the Check Book. OF course I don't know IF this specific money was used to "Float" the finances of the Air Conditioner, but the Float took place and is recorded in Council Minutes.

There are alot of women bookkeepers in the Norco Women's Jail for this very type of accounting practices. Go into the City and ask them "Show Me the MONEY". You will be entertained for weeks if not months trying to piece it to gether. Accounts, and books that don't tell a clear and direct story are often intended to be a distraction, or diversion.

State Law is an ISSUE

CALIFORNIA CODES
GOVERNMENT CODE
SECTION 1090-10991090.

Members of the Legislature, state, county, district, judicial district, and city officers or employees shall not be financially interested in any contract made by them in their official capacity, or by any body or board of which they are members.

Nor shall state,county, district, judicial district, and city officers or employees be purchasers at any sale or vendors at any purchase made by them in their official capacity. As used in this article, "district" means any agency of the state formed pursuant to general law or special act, for the local performance of governmental or proprietary functions within limited boundaries.

(Except for in the City of Grand Terrace)

From the Email Inbox: Senior Villa Issues

Dear Gramps:

One item you left off the Senior Center moving, which they aren't supposed to be doing is they broke a water main with their back hoe.

Gramps Says:

Yes, I did leave out that detail. Breaking a water main is an avoidable event for sure. IF proper planning, and safety practices were used this would not have happened. The lack of shoring for the dig is not only a problem for people being in a pit, land or a dig can slip and under cut the backhoe or equipment and cause injury to people who are above grown working. This safety violation speaks to the "Quality" of the Contractor and the Building Inspectors at our City Planning Department.

I am not quite sure, of the Judges Intent when it is written ALL City approvals are reversed on the Blue Mt. Senior Villas. I would think that means ALL.. Including moving dirt, moving the Senior Center to a Temp Location, doing the hook ups for the Senior Center Move. And any other construction on site. BUT, I don't know perhaps the Judge clarified or specified which approvals are covered by his decision. Perhaps he did allow the Move of the Senior Center to be completed. Perhaps he did care about the seniors and the move of a temporary building to a temporary site may not have been included in his decree to Reverse All City Approvals Regarding the Blue Mt. Villas. I don't know.

I do know that IF the Judge said STOP it would not be a wise thing to continue work. IF there were any question as to what he meant the City should be very careful and ask prior to continuing work. The city may find a Court order to destroy the Old Senior Center as a result of not following the Courts Orders. It would be equal to building without a permit or approved plan. The Center will have to be removed, and if not done the way the court likes, the Judge could call in a bulldozer and remove the problem. Yes, cities use this judicial power against citizens, so it is possible that the city could find its self in the same situation. This is an ISSUE of how the attitude of the City Manager, and City Attorney affects the Management of the City's actions, Guides the Council's response or not response by not informing them. This issue will no doubt come around and bite the Seniors, and Citizens and Council, and the City Manager, and City Attorney will shrug their shoulders and Blame the "Small Group of People" on Brentwood for causing the problem.

IF the proper process, and procedures were used by the City Manager, and City Attorney, these things would not be on the steps of City Hall, or a burden on our Senior Citizens and tax payers.

Mention was Made of Blogs:

While making a happy announcement about the birth of the City Clerks child, there was some back and forth of a nature or type of comments not made on this blog. However, the existance of the Blog was noted in sort of the suggestion that such comments were the nature of the issues presented on the blogs.

Well, not this blog, this blog is G rated, and concerns itself with the ISSUES of City Government, and Management. IF a persons Personal LIFE is in that scope it would be posted, but it would be limited to the aspects of impact and issues of City Business, and Government Ethics.

If Private Lives become public such as in an arrest, or court action it may be reported, but what spots are on what or whose blue dress or suit is not city business, unless it is connected to city business or puts the city at risk for a law suit. So, as this is being written, never say never comes to mind. Private personal matters most likely will not appear in this blog. That is the standard of this blog.

What blog are they reading in addition to this one. Yes they do read this blog. Some members of the City Management read it as much as an hour a day. Some city staff even provide items to be posted, for which we are thankful.

From the Email Inbox: Senior Villa Court Order, and Safety

From the Email Inbox:

Gramps you didn't post that Virginia Hardford tried to present a couple of planned statements one of her own writing and one from the Chair of the Fireworks Committee Chair, Kim Hathaway.

As much as I can recall was her general support for the concept of the provision of Senior Housing in Grand Terrace, but she is frustrated that the city failed to properly plan, and manage the program or project up to this date so as to avoid the Court action requiring the reversal of all Council Approvals, or to her understanding a halt to the Entire Project.

She expressed concern that the Judge was not hearing the desires or needs of the seniors of the community. She did realize that the seniors needs or desires aren't the real issues before the Court, nor are they the issues being raised by the residents of Brentwood, or the community in general.

She was angered at being chased away from looking at the progress on the project, and the notices that are posted saying PRIVATE PROPERTY, angered as it is PUBLIC PROPERTY. OR that was her understanding.

She was cut off and asked to summarize, she read a closing statement questioning the oversight of the City Management, and City Council.

She also walked off with only being able to paraphrase Kim Hathaway's message, there is no Sanity or "Safe and Sane" fireworks.

Also a neighbor to the Senior Center Relocation Site reported improper safety practices and no shoring being used as trenches are being dug on the site. This is a City Inspectors JOB to insure that safety measures are in place during construction and it is the City Inspectors JOB in particular when it is a City Project to make sure that SAFETY of construction crews, and anyone who may enter the job site is protected, by more than keep out fences, and Private property signs.

Gramps thinks:

Yep, I forgot to write about these two important public comments and issues. They demonstrate the lack of "Effectiveness of the Governance" lead by the Council and City Manager.

Virginia, it is not public property, it is Private Property, as it has been leased to Corporation for Better Housing, INC, for a buck a year, and we are paying them 9 million dollars we got by going into debt 17 million, to build a building they will lease and manage for I honestly forget for how long, and then they will convert the improvements to the City as the Land Lease will expire, and for all intents and purposes the building will be worn out and need to be demolished and removed at City expense I would presume. All the time they plan to have 10 apartments for Market rate prices, and all others will be Section 8 qualified Low Low INCOME renters of senior age. Such a Deal, for a non bid contract.

This is not the plan that was presented to the Citizens, the Council, or the Residents on Brentwood but that is how it is being financed, with Federal Housing Loans, and other Bond Debts. So it is Private Property paid with or financed by Tax Payers Loans, Bonds, and taxes one way or another.

These are the particulars that were shoved aside by those looking for low cost apartments for friends and family of shall we say advanced years.

One more thing, the current plan is not 120 units, there was at least one concession on the last known plan that the development will have 108 units not 120... Final Plans have not been submitted or approved who knows what will be built. It is kind of like depending on a general plan in this town what is presented may or may not be what is built.

Remember the General Plan was that the Senior Housing was to be near the Terrace Assisted Living Center, the Center of town, where walking to the stores, would be possible... But, heck a General Plan is just like a Zone Map in this town. It isn't a plan, it is a suggestion, and only used as a way to limit the use or development if the City Manager wants to use it that way.

Just my thoughts on the situation... You don't have to read them if you don't like them.

Oh and remember, they the Corporation for Better Housing provide "Donations" to Grand Terrace City Activities, as do the Jacobson Family Holdings, as they are in negotiations with the City.

I recall the word ethics coming up during the meeting. As in there is a required Ethics course for all council members that MUST be taken, and they haven't done that yet. I won't offer any other comment on that.....

Gramps.

Missing Report on GT DAYS Financial Audit and Report

There was no mention of the Financial Report of GTDAYS... was this submitted to the Council Members as Minutes to be approved? I do not recall it being mentioned... Perhaps Council Member Miller can provide this information to the Blog for PUBLIC view.

Joint Use of School and Pico Park Sports Facilities

Gramps says:

I am all for the Joint use of Public Facilities.

However, absent of a traffic pattern and flow, design and land use plan it is difficult to support a mystical agreement still being negotiated and the gifting of the road to the RDA and per the agreement the School Development does not settle well. I see problems, lets hope with traffic problems I don't see Dead People too.

Parking access and convenience for patrons of the Pico Park Base Ball Fields and use during the Base Ball Season may conflict with the use of the High School's Athletic Program. Will the PUBLIC be allowed to visit the Park for recreational purposes during school hours. Students and young children who are home schooled or pre school ages will they be allowed to use the Pico Park facilities during school hours and days?

In addition, will the city negotiate the idea of shared library resources and facilities as part of the development plan. This seems to be as logical as a shared ball park, and parking facility.

The maps also raised question as to the traffic flow around the campus, and around the power plant in the event of an emergency, and of course the "OAC". What is the Total Plan for that area, there seems to be several conflicts to over come, in design, use, and traffic, not to mention noise, water run off, safety, security, and the move to a closed campus for "Safety".

Again, mark this INTERESTING, not enough information is available to limit or support the issues of this grand plan.

It would have been prudent to hold off on the land swap until things were more resolved. It may have been a chip in a negotiation between city and school.

interesting.... That is my conclusion so far... Just interesting.

La Loma Hills Citizens Left Without City Representation

YOU WERE DISREGARDED BY THE CITY MANAGER:

There was a Traffic mitigation Meeting regarding the La Cadena / Barton Road intersection. NO one from the city went to represent our citizens concerns. Apparently if Steve Berry was busy no one was Assigned to Cover the Meeting.

The citizens of La Loma Hills should feel disrespected. They were. Steve Berry is not the only person who could have represented the city at this meeting. The lack of providing a staff member or informing the Council of this meeting is a flaw in the decision making or management methods of City Manager Tom Schwab. Apparently, City Manager Tom Schwab was not available or motivated to attend the meeting, and he did not assign the task to another staff member or inform the Council of the Meeting.

The citizens of La Loma Hills have been disrespected.

The discussion of there being a past option to let the citizens of La Loma Hills join Colton was interesting. It was stated that the Representative from that District was against allowing that change if ONE citizens of the area was against it. WE don't have Districts in Grand Terrace. Not then, not now, our representation should be concerned with the city as a whole. This is a small city, we should be able to look at it as a whole and appreciate the diversity it contains. From Million Dollar Homes, to Low Income Trailers and Agriculture Overlay and Flood Zones.

I'd like to see the Council members make that walk from La Loma Hills, to Michigan. It is unacceptable to allow the bridge over the track to persist as it has. Federal funds, State Funds, or the funds used to build silly islands on Mt Vernon should have been used as seed money to fix at least a bike/pedestrian bridge over the tracks ... People in automobiles are inconvenienced, walkers and bike riders are put in real danger.

You were disrespected, by the City Manger. The City Council is responsible for his job performance.

Training Delayed Due to Fires:

Community Emergency Response Team C.E.R.T Training Held off due to Fires

25 GT Residents have signed up. That is a good response for training that will take place during normal work hours.

Great Job Fellow Citizens thank you for responding to this service opportunity.


Cost of our own Pico Fire is still being calculated. Fireworks are not ruled as Cause, Investigation still pending for "OFFICIAL CAUSE". HOWEVER, public comments were all against the continued sale of Fireworks in GT. OF course, no discussion or action of the Council Could be taken as the Issue was not on the Agenda, it will go to Committee and be on the Agenda in Aug..

A POINT OF ORDER:

From the Email Inbox:

Patrica Farley CITIZEN requested the Full reading of ALL Ordinances on the Agenda, and this legal request was not abided, or required by either the Attorney Mr. Harper, nor the Council Woman Ferre, who take pride in sticking to the Law, and Policy Requirements.

The ORDINANCES were discussed, but they were not read in their entirety as a formal Ordinance should be.

Interesting Point of Order.