Last night’s February 6, 2018, City Council Meeting was a barn burner worthy of an episode of Game of Thrones. City Manager John Russo’s 7-year, $2+ million contract came up for review by our Council…2-1/2 years early we must add. After a bit of faux deliberation, it was passed 5-2 by our doting Council. Mayor William Rusty Bailey then exercised the nuclear option and for the first time in 24 years, a Mayor’s veto was used to quash the passing of the contract.
The bees in the hive then became agitated, and the coup-detat was on. Wannabe Caesar Bailey was not going down without a fight and a royal rumble commenced. Out of the ring he threw Councilman after Councilman, eventually even ousting et tu brute City Attorney Gary Geuss.
While the Council is in favor of the contract and touting the narrative of a bad political move for Rusty, we at TMC believe their fairy tale is untrue…like all fairy tales. TMC is receiving responses that the public is overwhelmingly supporting Rusty (well maybe not Rusty per se, but defending sound fiscal policy and our City Charter). We believe it is the four Councilmembers (sans recently-appointed Councilman Adams) that should be worried about their seats instead.
What is more amazing by the Council’s display of arrogance is that they never mention the taxpayers during their entire defense of Russo’s largess. It was all about them, and that’s what the public is seeing. And perception dear boys is sometimes reality. And the perception is that City Manager Russo is simply greedy and out-of-touch with the members of the public he purportedly serves. Good job Councilman Chuck Condor and Councilman Jim Perry. Especially good job Mayor Bailey: you spoke for the unheard.
Without risk there is no reward! TMC loves a good fight more than just about anything (short of a good sex scandal). It’s on! More to come soon…
TMC sends a call-out to the good folks of Alameda and Oakland! Send us your Russo’s war stories and his history in dealing with authority figures elsewhere. Tigers don’t change their stripes. We want to hear from you!
TMC, RATED RIVERSIDE’S REGIONAL COUNTIES MOST, “NEGATIVE,” “RAUNCHY,” “LOW CLASS,” “VISIONS OF GRANDEUR,” “FULL OF B.S.,” “REPREHENSIBLE,” “IGNORANT,” “MISGUIDED,” “BULLYISH,” “FILTHY,” “VILE,” “SICK,” “PERVERTED,” “DEFAMATORY,” “STUPID,” “PATHETIC,” “DESPICABLE,” “DISAPPOINTING,” “BELOW THE BELT,” “A NEW LOW,” “SHOCKING,” “OFFENSIVE,” “OBNOXIOUS,” “INAPPROPRIATE,” “HURTFUL,” “MEAN SPIRITED,” “DISTASTEFUL,” “EMBARRASSING,” HORIFFIC,” “SLANDEROUS” “FIT TO BE VIEWED FROM THE REAR” AND MEZZSPELLED, “MISSPELLED” AND “OPINIONATED” BLOG SITE! YES WE ADMIT WE OUR ALL OF THAT AND MORE, WHICH IN CURRENT TERMS IS KNOWN AS “UNPOLITICALLY CORRECT.” TEMPORARILY BLOCKED BY THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE AT PUBLIC ACCESS SITES WITHIN THE CITY, THEN UNBLOCKED. I GUESS YOU CANNOT DO THAT ACCORDING TO THE ACLU. RATED ONE TWO ONE STAR OUT OF FIVE IN TERMS OF COMMUNITY APPROVAL RATINGS.. … AGAIN, THANK YOU COMMUNITY OF RIVERSIDE AND THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE EMPLOYEE’S FOR YOUR SUPPORT! CONTACT US: thirtymilescorruption@hotmail.com
IG
Javier Moreno
TMC: Thirty Miles of Corruption 
I have received a number of emails from residents giving accolades to Mayor Baileyfor his veto and Councilmen Conder & Perry for their “nay” vote. In fact a number of the residents have written to Bailey thanking him for his veto; I do not believe this has hurt the mayor, I believe it has strengthened his position with voters.
WOW, someone’s ego got pinched there. It looks more like Geuss is acting as Russo’s personal attorney. That looks like a conflict of interest.
Why was Russo shaking his head? Geuss, “I am the city attorney, I’m the boss I’m the boss, I’m the boss.”
So why did Geuss seek the opinion of Colantuono, before the council mtg?
And how far in advance did Colantuono issued an opinion, since Geuss said, “The city council received the opinion, also city clerk has received the opinion.”
When did they receive it and why did Geuss feel it was necessary? To defend Russo? Is that his job?
Melendrez threatens and implies that Bailey’s decision will cause chaos and says, “it’s going to stump our progress.”
Exactly what progress is he referring too?
MacArthur is claiming it’s personal. Really? How does he know?
Russo’s contract is not up yet, so why is he having a meltdown?
So if the city of Riverside is retained by Ruttan and Tucker, and the city council has retained Ruttan and Tucker, and Geuss is the city attorney of Riverside, how can it be problematic? Is it because it differs from Geuss’s opinion?
Does the mayor not get the use of the city’s retained law firm? Are they not all on the same side?
Why exactly has the city council has hired rattan and tucker to defend them?
What is the city council planning to do by hiring Ruttan and Tucker.
Geuss says Ruttan and Tucker giving the mayor their opinion is PROBLEMATIC.
Geuss says because, “The city of riverside retains Ruttan and Tucker in its defense of matters, and if you retained Ruttan and Tucker to solicit an opinion, that is contrary to the opinion of the city attorney, that puts them in conflict.”
(But it’s okay for the city council to retain Ruttan and Tucker. The city of Riverside does not change it’s charter depending on who retains them).
Does the mayor not work for the city of Riverside? That is just bizarre
They (Ruttan and Tucker) have been put on notice. Condescending much?
I really appreciate this separate news source. The Press Enterprise is like North Korea, in that they censure public opinion and slant their facts. I posted 2 comments on their article about Russo and Bailey, but both comments were deleted by their editors. Back in 2016, Russo had the top pay package for public servants in the IE. Yet, the PE article on top pay packages did not include him on their list of the top 5. They instead tried to tar and feather Chris Vicino, who was the acting police chief. It’s all about who their owners support. But they will delete your comment if you point out their errors.