The VIC awards are given to those “Very Important Citizens” that demonstrate outstanding involvement in the political process for all who live in the City of Riverside. These are citizens that are willing to take on the political process for the betterment of us all and dedicated to making the City of Riverside a quality city for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
These are the people fighting the causes that are changing the process, future, and structure at City Hall. Through the selfless effort of many, these people have made significant change in the fabric we all call home. These are the people who make the effort to attend city council meetings on Tuesday and are not afraid to speak up. They do it without a retirement package, paycheck, or a car allowance.
This year the award goes to Marilyn Whitney, for being one of the most influential citizens who has made change for the betterment of her community. In lieu of being called crazy and misinformed she kept the fight and shined the light on a housing development that would have been built on improperly cleaned, contaminated land. This development is called AG Park.
Marilyn has been instrumental in bringing the AG Park issue to City Council. Also, getting the media source KTLA involved and interested in the issues of AG Park. Marilyn last year was new to council meetings but has brought a lot to the table since then. She made sure that thee AG Park issue didn’t go away, in doing so, she changed helped change how the City of Riverside has done business with developer buddies such as Chuck Cox. During this year, Marilyn received a letter from Developer Chuck Cox’s lawyers to “Cease and Desist,” as to stop her first amendment right of free speech with reference to public comment at City Council. This was a back fireing blow to developer Mr. Cox., because later in the year the light of exposure brought to the forefront the true reality of this cover up. Thsi was a someone has done someone wrong type scenario, and it came to light.
She created the AG Park Family, and exposed the misdoings of the Department of Toxic Substance Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), developer Chuck Cox and former scumbag Ward 7 Councilman Steve Adams. With her efforts, the Center for Community Action and Environmental Justice (CCAEJ) Director Penny Newman took notice, then the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) took notice, now there are investigations being forwarded on the Congressional level. The community of Riverside expects accountability for those individuals and entities involved, and we believe we will see it 2016. From all of us at the TMC Family, we Congratulate and Thank-you, and simply say Well Done….
jehunter51
TMC: Thirty Miles of Corruption 
Happy New Year. I wish my neighbors in the La Sierra neighborhood would quit with the fireworks as my poor dogs are shaking and panting. My first complaint of 2016.
LOL Matt..Yep, I’m taking care of two dogs inside as well as four cats and it is a party of nerves in this household! I feel your pain! Best, Javier Moreno
Matt this problem will never subside until we have strong representation in city hall ! Happy New Year. Larry
I have spoken to Lt Hutzler but according to him they have done a great job. We had so many fireworks going off last night in La Sierra I thought I was at Disneyland…and if you call non emergency dispatch they tell you No police will be coming out????? Still fighting the fight in 2016
To have friends like Vivian Javier, Rachele, Aurora, Divonne, Errol and Ag Park family shows me who the real heroes are. Ag Park families deserve more than they have gotten in the reference to getting medical help. The DTSC is now under investigation for racist remarks made about families in contaminated sites Our race our religion and our social status has been attacked. We are not the rich but we feel, love, and value life unlike our appointed and elected officials. There is no greater a fight than to save lives. I have my Ag Family to encourage me motivate me and make me realize we as a family can make a difference in Civil liberties, our lives, and the pursuit of happiness. The guilty need to be punished for our loss of life. But as we know it’s always been wealth over health. We fill coffins while they fill their pockets. Thanks to past council members the land swap(swindle) took place These Past members need to go to jail Ron Loveridge, Greg Priamos, Brad Hudson , Mike Beck, Shibon Foster, Steve Adams, Scot Barber just to name a few. When we get medical help and our home sanitized and these jerks are jailed will we only receive half Justice. We have many cases of cancer and deaths here in Ag park. How do you put a price on a person’s life or the family left behind. The pain of loss will never go away. Porter Ranch has upper middle class and look how fast they got results they may have illness but we in Ag Park have DEATH as a neighbor. Chuck Cox should be made to live on that land the DTSC says on average is safe. But the EPA finds it is 81 times above safe let’s put their pockets and their lives on the line and see what happens. This lack of Justice shows me the DTSC has no regard for life or families.