CLICK ON ABOVE IMAGES TO VIEW RUTAN & TUCKER LEGAL OPINION GIVEN TO RIVERSIDE MAYOR RUSTY BAILEY
The following has yet to be thoroughly studied by TMC, but we present it here for your viewing pleasure: the full legal opinion giving Mayor William Rusty Bailey the authority to veto an executive employment contract extension, such as the one passed by our City Council on Feb. 6, 2018, involving current City Manager John Russo. The opinion is from Rutan & Tucker, L.L.C., who incidentally is also retained as the City’s law firm in other matters. Exhibits to this legal opinion are as follows:
CLICK ABOVE DOCUMENT IMAGES TO VIEW EXHIBITS
As of today, TMC is the only media source offering this full opinion to the public: we’ll let you decide its merits.
And that is why Mayor’s Chief of Staff Cheryl-Marie Hansberger was at a recent Budget Engagement Commission Meeting a couple of weeks ago complaining about a lack of resources, and just-so-happened (wink) to also mention Russo’s contract extension and request more funding for the Mayor’s office. At which point Rusty’s former Riverside Unified School District buddy colleague and deputy Superintendent Mike Fine picked up the ball and ran with it, mentioning how he knew the Mayor would never cause dissention in the ranks – it just wasn’t his style. Team Russo, led by Assistant City Manager Natasha Fatale Marianna Marysheva, countered with, “I haven’t seen it!” referring to a divide between the Mayor’s office and the City Manager’s office. But the rift between Mayor Bailey and City Manager Russo is evident, and IS personal, and that is the real story despite all the public statements to the contrary.
But that is not the story for today. For we at TMC do not much care if Bailey rumbled, bumbled, or stumbled into the cockfight, as long as he’s on the right side. After the Mayor’s veto the power struggle for control of City Hall really began in earnest, with both sides firing off volleys in what will surely be a donnybrook with only one side standing at the end. City Attorney Gary Guess offers a summary of his legal opinion in the video above and now we give you the Mayor’s full legal opinion. Only one can be right. The Press Enterprise has had both legal opinions for weeks and as yet, has not published them…we at TMC can only imagine why!
So let’s talk about the City’s case for a second. In December, after Bailey checked with Geuss to “confirm” that he had the power to veto Russo’s contract, Geuss asked attorney Michael Colantuono of Colantuono, Highsmith & Whatley to weigh in with an “independent” opinion. Colantuono offered that the mayor does not have that power. “If the mayor could veto a contract for a charter officer, that officer would have an obvious incentive to take direction from the mayor and to seek his approval,” Colantuono wrote in a four-page analysis. “That incentive is in tension with, if not fully inconsistent with, the Charter’s statement that charter officers ‘serve at the pleasure of the City Council.’”
Michael Colantuono, Esq.
Riverside City Attorney Gary Geuss still has yet to release Attorney Michael Colantuono’s opinion publicly that the Mayor cannot veto a executive staff member contract. Geuss claims a conflict with Bailey’s use of the firm Rutan & Tucker on retainer with the City of Riverside, for using them for his legal opinion. But is there another, perhaps larger conflict? TMC has learned that back in 2006 Michael Colantuono contributed to John Russo’s State Assembly campaign in Northern California in an amount of $1,500? Reminds us of the old adage: what a twisted tale we weave, when at first we try to deceive. Yep, we may have trouble in River City!
Is it possible to be a hypocrite and still correct at the same time?
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
DO WE HAVE TROUBLE, RIGHT HERE IN RIVER CITY? WELL TROUBLE CAME AND LEFT IN THE FORM OF VIVIAN MORENO AT LAST NIGHT’S (2/13/18) CITY COUNCIL MEETING.
Incredible footage below of a real life con-man explaining the art of the con! AT THE FEBRUARY 6, 2018 CITY COUNCIL MEETING, COUNCILMAN CHRIS MACARTHUR LECTURES COUNCILMAN STEVE ADAMS ON MAKING AN EMOTIONAL DECISION AS OPPOSED TO A LOGICAL ONE! The decision of course in question was in reference to City Manager John Russo’s contract extension of 7 years, 2-1/2 years prior to his existing contract ending. Has MacArthur made City Council decisions based on emotion over the past 12 years that he’s been on Council? That would sure explain a lot. Councilman Chris MacArthur is the Regional Vice-President of Primerica. Is this how Chris does business? As an investment adviser does Chris tell his clients that they should make emotional decisions with their money as oppose to a sound logical one? Does he tell elderly widows to time the market in pork belly futures with their savings? Is this how he invests other peoples’ money?
BANK OF RIVERSIDE: OPEN FOR BUSINESS. WOULD YOU THE TAXPAYER LIKE A CRACK AT THE LOW, LOW, LOW RATE OF 1.35% TO BORROW MONEY ON YOUR HOME? If they are doing this for executive staff, such as City Manager John Russo, and offering it to other public employees, shouldn’t the Bank of Riverside be open to the rest of the public? Call your local Councilman for an appointment! Remember, the taxpayers are taking the risk, not the City Manager with this home loan. He gets the mortgage money from us, and we hold the title to his home until we are paid back in full…or not. Who knows, the next thing you know the City of Riverside may also be selling gas too…(at least to their employees)
LATE UPDATE: AS OF 02.13.2018: RIVERSIDE CITY COUNCIL CLARIFIES DETAILS OF CITY MANAGER’S CONTRACT EXTENSION: AS RELEASED BY SPOKES HOLE PHIL PITCHFORD (FORMER PRESS ENTERPRISE REPORTER). You know the City must be hearing it from outraged constituents as word of the new contract for our City Manager has gotten out. This press release was issued to clarify the details of his contract, aka attempt to calm the savage Riverside taxpayer beast. What our Council doesn’t get, is that this city manager’s salary, and other high roller salaries such as in police, fire and utilities…are just plain excessive! Many of these coddled employees don’t pay but a portion of their pension, medical, life insurance (if they pay at all). With car allowances and free public transportation, free Wifi and cell service, expense accounts for lunch and dinner, etc., they have fewer and subsidized expenses relative to the private sector and more free income to use their months of vacation, sick time, and administrative leave. They are the new California Politburo.
Their claim is that the new City Manager’s contract is not much of an increase, but they conveniently miss the point. Those salaries do not reflect the real world taxpayers have to live in and Riversiders are just not seeing the benefits of paying a such a compensation package to the City Manager. Assistant City Manager Marianna Marysheva talks about the value that their team brings to River City, but what value really is that beyond words? Her team has increased the cost-of living here dramatically – higher fees, taxes, and utility rates. Are we instead paying the City Manager excessively because he’s figured out a way of soaking us, without the torches and pitchforks coming out (yet), in order to cover up the past ‘screw ups’ by our City? We at TMC believe these guys just don’t know how to negotiate a deal, and have no concept of when to just walk away. We know so when we hear Councilman Chris MacArthur lecturing another Council Member on how a decision should be made! Don’t utilize logic in decision-making, use emotion!!! How asinine is that?
Will the taxpayers continue to bite the bullet from the pain of higher taxes? Apparently so….
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
John Russo, Zorro, champion of the underdog and defender of the common man; or low-down outlaw and notorious gang leader?
As we at TMC wax nostalgic over the passing of the largest tax increase in the history of the City of Riverside just over a year ago, we pass along these gems, proving once again: the more things change, the more they stay the same in the ole’ River City…
Exhibit A, Councilman Mike Soubirous, 11/30/2017, a year after the passage of Measure Z:
As a 2013 candidate for Council I was against the GFT (Measure A). Mostly out of principle because I thought that the City should not have to rely upon the GFT to make ends meet. At the time, being an outsider (not on the Council) not knowing our City’s true financial status, I believed that if we needed that transfer that much we must be in bad shape financially. After the former City management team left and newly hired City Manager John Russo and his staff came on board, it was discovered that the City was about $11.5 million in the hole (or $11-1/2 million less than what Council had been told we had). In order to balance the budget Council immediately implemented 4% across-the-board cuts to all departments/services (June, 2016). We also discovered additional bond debt that was kept somewhat quiet. We were headed down the path toward bankruptcy had we not taken the immediate budget cutting action!
The residents/voters saw the Council initiated reforms and pledges to pay down debts, raise our dwindling reserves (from 15% to 20% – actually at the time down to 13%) while balancing key infrastructure and public safety needs. So the residents voted to approve Measure Z. Since May, 2015,the City Council and Executive Management team has promoted an openness, transparency track and have been improving the City’s economic development/building & safety/planning business model (more business friendly) customer service oriented position. Things are headed in the right direction! Problem is, the economy is not growing very fast (tax revenue) and is staying somewhat flat. Flat is better than trending down, but means we will probably have to impose ANOTHER 4% across-the-board cuts this June (2018) to again balance the budget. This is good for taxpayers as our City is becoming financially leaner and leaner. Doing more with way less. But not so good for those who want City services right now or five minutes ago. So by cutting back on the GFT at this point would mean imposing more than the upcoming anticipated 4% across-the-board cuts to all departments and services. Most who voted for the Measure Z (1 cent per dollar sales tax) did so to keep or advance City owned tree trimming, road paving, hiring of more police and some infrastructure projects in place or actually (finally) catching-up.
Exhibit B, City Manager John Russo and sidekick Natasha Fatale Marianna Marysheva, 4/23/16, seven months or so before the vote on Measure Z:
The city’s new administration has spent several months working to institute the kind of fiscal discipline required to generate healthy and sustainable budgets well into the future. This process has been difficult at times for everyone involved. A $1 million surplus projected for fiscal year 2015-16 – built on the type of budgeting we should no longer allow – has morphed into a shortfall of about $8 million. This shortfall, if not corrected with sustainable ongoing measures, will result in a $10-12 million budget hole in fiscal year 2016-17.
Unfortunately, some perennial critics of the city have confused the cure (early diagnosis of future budget challenges) with the disease (a negative imbalance between ongoing expenses and ongoing revenue). These folks have been frightening some Riversiders by proclaiming loudly that the city faces imminent bankruptcy.
As Riverside moves through weeks of introducing, refining and, ultimately, approving a budget for fiscal years 2016-17 and 2017-18, there will be some bumps in the road. Residents and business owners may hear things that make them uncomfortable, and perhaps even a bit nervous about Riverside’s financial health. But as we work through this difficult process, please keep in mind that Riverside is in good financial condition overall, and that this process is only going to make that even stronger.
So who are we to believe regarding the financial condition of the City of Riverside in 2016? Staff prior to the passage of the Measure Z ballot measure, a $50+ million new annual sales tax; or an elected official afterwards? Well neither, of course! Butttttttttt, neither were technically (fingers crossed) lying either…the key word being “imminent” when it came to the timing of bankruptcy.
Staff and the Council knew back in early 2016 (and looooong before that for some of them) that the City had been hiding its true liabilities off-balance-sheet for years. Trouble was, the cows were soon to be returning to the barn, where they was no hay. We’ll even give you TMC’s version of proof of this knowledge: former Finance Director Brent Mason was scapegoated fired within months of Assistant City Manager Marysheva arrived on the scene. Given the tremendous leeway the City has traditionally afforded other overpaid, hack executive employees caught with their pants down hands in the cookie jar, so they could either “retire” or “seek better opportunities,” while staying on the City payroll for much greater time periods, we must conclude Mr. Mason did something fairly egregious to merit his ignoble departure. Marysheva described it at the time as, “The city has a history of unbalanced budgets, but those imbalances have been disguised,” while ex-City Councilman Paul Davis described it more in layman terms: “cooking the books”.
But the real truth would have to wait until 2017 because Harold HillJohn Russo had a tremendous idea at the time and just the right strategy to pull it off. And that hustle plan was theWells Fargo Wagon Measure Z good folks. And along the way he would seduce one spinster librarian loner Councilman and perhaps fool the whole town into believing his shipoopi. But that fine story is for another day…but with a twist we’ll bet you didn’t see coming! Then you may have been caught with your pants down in River City.
Long-time readers will remember how we and our band of, “perennial critics,” trudged over to council chambers week after week after week to warn of impending financial collapse, and our dear “leaders” (gulp) only response was to call us crazy or deranged. As the old adage goes: if you can’t attack the message, attack the messenger. And so who’s crazy now? With gargantuan unpaid pension liabilities, fully-leveraged assets with bonds that need to be paid, and skyrocketing taxes, fees and rates … yep, there’s still going to be plenty of trouble; right here in the ole’ River City. More to come.
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
BREAKING NEWS: Mayor William Rusty Bailey issues his veto message. The mayor stated this in a circulated email just mere minutes ago:
Good Afternoon, Last week at the City Council meeting, under the authority invested in the Mayoral position by Section 413 of the City Charter (https://riversideca.gov/municode/city-charter.asp), I vetoed the City Council’s decision to renegotiate and extend the City Manager’s contract. As required by the Charter, attached is the veto message that we released to the City Council this afternoon. Each of you plays a valuable role serving our community, I would encourage you to engage in this process in the coming weeks.
With Respect, Rusty
William R. “Rusty” Bailey, III Mayor
BAD TIMING, BAD BUSINESS, BAD POLICY, BAD MESSAGE – RUSTY’S VETO EXPLANATION
Just when you think you’ve seen all, you forget you’re in Riverside: the epicenter of creative government finance for the betterment of special interests. At Tuesday’s February 6th council meeting, Mayor Bailey did something that has not been done for nearly 25 years: he dusted off his copy of the City Charter and used his veto power, finally showing he has a pair of balls.
Initially, when discussion opened to City Manager John Russo’s proposed contract, it appeared that the majority of Council was outraged. Condor, Adams, Soubirous and Gardner expressed their displeasure with the contract. When the final decision came about the vote was Condor and Perry “Nay”; MacArthur, Soubirous and Melendrez “Yea,” with Adams and Gardner flipping at the end with “Yeas” as well, to make the final tally vote 5-2 in favor of a brand spanking new 7-year contract for City Manager John Russo. TMC nominates both flippers for Academy Awards in the special category of “Pretending to Give a Damn”.
During the debate one could tell this outcome would not go over well with Mayor Bailey. The rumor is that behind the scenes the Mayor’s office and the City Manager’s office are feuding. Apparently, the Mayor’s Office cannot function as his predecessor, ex-Mayor Loveridge’s had things running (you know, with him having access to all City staff for his pet projects). It appears that the new City Manager put a stop to that, as was his right under the City Charter, and the paths were set for collision – Hatfield and McCoy-style. TMC takes no political position on this donnybrook, for the time being, we are just enjoying the the little boys stomping their feet. We present a montage of highlights:
ROYAL RUMBLE IN COUNCIL CHAMBERS
Interestingly enough at the February 1st Budget Engagement Commission Meeting, Natasha Fatale, Marianna Marysheva – (Martinez, what happened?), responded to what she was informed was a divide between the two offices with…“I haven’t seen it!” According to the video she receives weekly calls from headhunters (recruiters) asking her to go elsewhere for more money. Lucky for us, she rebuffs those solicitations because she sees the value of the City of Riverside and our best-in-class leadership. [snicker, snicker]
While your Council became worried about losing Russo, and began kissing his behind, Mayor Bailey finally asked the question, “Have you made a statement that you will leave if you don’t get this contract?” Well then the real John Russo comes out swinging! His ego is let loose for all to see. TMC reminds readers that Russo chose to enter into the public sector because he didn’t want to take any risk, as in the private sector. Now it seems he’s having a mid-life crisis as he comes to the latter stages of his career, and realizes he’s nothing more then a city manager hack in Riverside, California…unlike entrepreneurs and real businessmen like Elon Musk, who doesn’t have to beg for money, who doesn’t have to beg for his salary, while he’s shooting rockets to Mars doing exactly what he wants to do.
“When truth is blurred by lies and misinformation, perception becomes reality and all is lost.” … This person is creating his own perception by creating an illusion of reality. It does not matter that this person isn’t god’s gift to Riverside, it only matters that to him that you perceive him as one.
What is the reality of Russo’s contract to the taxpayers? Over his lifetime after retirement will it cost us over $50 million in pension cost and benefits? This has yet to be addressed by Council.
Back to the council meeting/spitball fight: Bailey gave a scathing response to the Council’s approval of Russo’s contract, and used his super secret, mayoral, wonder-twin power to veto the action vote of the Council! City Attorney Gary Guess was asked if the veto was legal? His response was a somewhat trepid (and mostly unconvincing) one, leading to Rusty’s “talk to the hand” response.
According to Section 413 of the Riverside City Charter:
Well, this kind of contradicted what City Attorney Gary Guess had earlier stated to Council and the Mayor, and certainly creates a controversy vis-a-vis the opinion he requested from outside counsel Michael Colantuono (a Proposition 218 attorney from Los Angeles that by the way, the Moreno’s beat on a case in Riverside, which protected ratepayers…not that we’re bragging…much).
In what must’ve been a land/speed record for Riverside contracts, the following morning City Clerk Colleen Nicol and Mayor Pro Tempore Chris MacArthur signed the contract. And within two days, we have the Mayor’s veto justification…without Council approval.
And so the saga continues….lies and drama, and yes, there is a divide Natasha. Not only is this a divide; its a fracture that will not repair itself. A fracture over the whole organization, and over EGO AND ARROGANCE AND ENTITLEMENT. And our Mayor has chosen his hill to defend or die trying. And so there will be only one winner. The Ice Queen selling a bill of goods to the budget committee that she is so sought after she can go anywhere, and old grandpa Russo being so smart that if he leaves, the sky will fall. And then you have the council tripping over each other, seeking favor from our City Manager in doling out the last remaining nectar from the almost-dry Measure Z honeypot.
We never thought we’d utter these words, but this may be better than the Brad Hudson/Belinda Graham era. But better in what way dear readers? Only time and a really good legal opinion will tell us who’s right on the Charter. But one thing for sure is that the Mayor’s office and the City Manager and their Council supporters will continue to fight this out in private and public now…and it will get uglier.
But is there still a game within this game? Our take is that one or two of the Council will flip their vote in favor of Bailey, out of loyalty and to insure future political fare in the City of Riverside. Ya knows? For the good of the old Riverside families.
TMC welcomes you responses and comments on this issue. Please reply in the comment section. We especially welcome those from the City of Oakland and the City of Alameda.
Will Don Bailey finally get’s Capo Russo to show respect for the River City Godfather and La Famiglia by kissing the ring? Who will be next on Corleone’s contract? For now finito!
“Riverside officials said they’re getting their money’s worth. Councilman Andy Melendrez pointed to citywide improvements under the Renaissance program and the city’s healthy fiscal condition, things Hudson also cited as achievements.” Five years later Russo comes to town and discovers a $10 million budget deficit and $600 million in unfunded pension liabilities, and has to deal with $2 billion in City debt. Fast forward three more years 2018 and it’s the same old song and dance by our more-or-less-the-same Council just replace “Renaissance” with “the Cheech and new Library”. Nowhere does it mention the rate hikes, fees hikes, new taxes, and new debt that supported this non-stop reckless spending.
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
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
It has been brought to the attention of TMC that there is an ongoing feud between Mayor Rusty Bailey and City Manager John Russo. We took some excerpts from the last Budget Engagement Commission Meeting on February 1, 2018, depicting Mayor’s Chief of Staff Cheryl Hansberger airing the City of Riverside’s dirty laundry. We can’t make this up; this is too good.
War by Proxy – Hansberger vs. Marysheva, Round 1: a study in openly vs. passively aggressive combat
We’d feel compassion for the Mayor, except he watched as member after member of the general public came to the podium over the years, under previous administrations, and turned a deaf ear to their similar complaints on missing/inaccurate information and bias within staff reports. Why? Because he was getting what he wanted. The Mayor’s situational ethics leave him without high ground to stand upon, and in that way he continues to fail us now, as his legitimate concerns are ignored, and the public screwed again.
RIVERSIDE COUNCIL CONCEPTUALLY PASSES A UTILITY RATE
We at TMC have been taught to follow the bouncing ball and have noticed that just a few weeks ago your Riverside City Council passed 6 percent raises for union members of the Riverside Police Department, while simultaneously hinting at 4 percent across-the-board budget tightening forthcoming in the 2017-18 budget. Riverside’s unfunded pension obligation stands at $600 million…and counting, and 19% of proposed rate increase will be transferred to the general fund to help pay for the above-mentioned unfunded pension obligation and salaries. All Council flippers besides Soubirous (who ran unopposed in his re-election) are heavily financially supported by Riverside public employee unions. Putting two plus two plus two together, we summarize that five Council members were lobbied hard by City staff so they could continue to ride the gravy train, this time paid for by RPU ratepayers. (We concede that TMC was never great at math.)
Fresh off a 5-year, $1.5+ million deal for City Attorney Gary Geuss, who carries on the tradition of former City Attorney Greg Priamos of providing legal cover for the City to rape its utility ratepayers, it now appears that City Manager John Russo wants his reward for covering up the Council’s past mistakes using our wallets, with a new 7-year contract with bells and whistles never-seen-before.
TOMORROW FEBRUARY 6TH CITY MANAGER JOHN RUSSO’S NEW CONTRACT IS UP FOR REVIEW BY CITY COUNCIL AT 2:00 PM, RIVERSIDE CITY HALL. BE THERE OR BE SQUARE. GRAB YOUR POPCORN!
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
Just over a year after Riverside City Manager John Russo fought to increase your sales taxes and mere days after advocating to raise your utility taxes by increasing rates, on February 6th at 2pm in Council Chambers he’s asking for his payola in the form of a new, 7-year contract from his bosses. And the Bad News Council will probably give it to him as he’s been instrumental in bringing us some of the highest tax and rate increases in the history of Riverside for them to continue to play with…in the name of “public safety and vital services” of course. [snicker, snicker]
We don’t believe most of us would have a problem with a salary increase or extension if he was actually bringing value to his shareholders, or in other words, a savings to the taxpayers, feepayers, ratepayers, etc. Heck, one could make the argument that he might deserve such if he was providing us with better services at the same price to us. Instead, Russo has been increasing all-of-the-above during his tenure to cover-up the poor decisions made by the Bad News Council over the previous decade-or-so, especially concerning unfunded pensions, which are now beyond $600 million in the red. That’s right, since he arrived a mere 3-years ago from his $240+thousand/year salary gig in Alameda (after serious prompting by recently exiled ex-General Manager of Riverside Public Utilities, Girish“Drunk Daddy” Balachandran), you and I are paying higher sales taxes, higher property taxes, higher fees, and soon, if he has his way, higher utility rates. So busy has Russo been playing his role as taxman we wonder where he finds the time to, you know, actually run the city.
So what of this 7-year contract you may ask? For starters, he is asking for a new contract with over 2 years remaining on his current contract! What gives? This brings us to the obvious question, “Why is he asking now, and why would members of the Bad News Council seriously consider it or even agree to it at this time?” Is he planning on breaking his current contract like he previously did in Alameda? If so, and if he gets his new contract, what would prevent him from bolting in a few years anyway, as there are no clawbacks or liquidated damage provisions to ensure he stays? It is clear to us that he thinks he holds all the cards at the moment, or that he’s identified most of our Council as pigeons.
Another pressing question is why does Russo even need a 7-year contract? Our Council can apparently fire him at any time with a 12-month severance payout. Is this an ego thing or is he just striking while the iron’s hot? And why would a Council, full with individuals who may not even be on the dais in less than 4 years, bind the hands of a future Council? So is this another rendition of the Old Man and the Sea of Taxpayer Monies, or is it to further lead us into a California society of To Haves and Have Nots and in doing so run us Across the River and Into the Trees?
CLICK ON IMAGES TO VIEW FULL CONTRACT
Not only is he already one of the highest paid public sector employees in the Inland Empire, he is also the sixth highest salaried city manager in the State, behind only the likes of city managers at Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, West Hollywood, Santa Ana, and Palm Springs. On top of 3-4% annual raises he requests based off his new $327 thousand/year salary (up from $240k/year just 4 years ago…my-oh-my, aren’t we gracious?), on top of his already-lavish benefit package, he is looking for these non-standard terms in his new deal from the City (aka, us):
He wants us to pay his State Bar dues (though he’s not employed as the City Attorney).
He wants us to provide a 15-year subsidized mortgage on his $675,000 house. So have we become Bank of Riverside?
He wants us to provide him with a 15-year term $700,000.00 life insurance policy. John’s lavish and carefree lifestyle makes life insurance unaffordable?
He wants us to grant him a one-time 7 week vacation bonus. A payola signing bonus laundered as a vacation bonus for assisting Council in securing higher rates and taxes?
He wants us to allow him to have a teaching job on the side. Apparently, he needs to supplement his income and/or network towards his next career opportunity and/or needs intellectual stimulation away from our brain-dead Council.
Of course he also gets:
Fully paid medical, dental and optical for him and his family.
A $500 monthly car allowance.
The biggest laugh is in the City Council Memorandum that states there is “no net cost compared to the current contract provisions” in the new contract…despite all the net costs to his current contract provisions, prepared and approved by his own staff of course. I guess P.T. Barnum said it best, “There’s a sucker born every minute.” Russo seems set to test that theory on at least 4 members of our Council.
CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE
It’s 1 for us, and 1 for him … and 1 for us, and 19 for him. And so who is John Russo reeeeally to the general public? Friend, foe or simply just the taxman…collecting revenue to live the high life himself? Then you got to ask, “What’s with the Hemingway beard?” TMC just wants you to know it’s aging you.
Will the Real Russo please stand up, show your colors and take off your make-up … while we ask the Bad News Council to find some rocks under their belt and tell you to go pound sand.
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
I guess the story starts here at conception, but was the notion of the children a last minute decision, or a quick romp of nefarious ideas in the back of a 57 Chevy? Collusion, schemes and dirty deals has plagued the City of Moreno Valley for decades as residents have seen. The above three seemingly were meant to be, but are the obvious example of lobbying, scandals and corruption associated with political campaign contributions.
1.) Either Michele Dawson had enough and could no longer keep up with the job and wanted out. We also believe that she was in on the deal/bribe to have herself fired.
3.) OR……The fix was in by the collusion of all; Baca, Gutierrez, Cabrera, DeSantis and Dawson. DeSantis will do what it takes and it may suit Baca’s style, with her two whipping boys in her hip pocket. Dawson is an anomaly, caught up in a job whereby her qualifications were much to be desired. The fact remains that DeSantis has been running the show behind the scenes. DeSantis many times took the podium over Dawson at Council, driving the question as to “Who is really running the store?” Was it time for Dawson to move on? With her contract up next year in 2018, why didn’t they allow that contract to expire, let her go before this years ending and pay the rest of the contract? Instead they renewed her contract in September 2017 till 2020. So Dawson is terminated, prior to having her contract renewed and prior to receiving favorable work related reviews. Was this calculated? Was this in the fix as a gift to keep the silence, and of course, with taxpayer monies? Now the two threesome, Baca, Gutierrez, Cabrera and DeSantis, Benzeevi, Villaraigosa? Of course, in reality sense, you all no this wouldn’t happen, but was it their intention? Was it Baca’s intention?
The citizens of Moreno Valley always seem to get the raw end of the deal, paying over inflated salaries to under qualified City Managers. But the City Manager job wasn’t a bad gig for ‘dog catcher,’ Dawson.
The apparent corruption in MoVal appears to be getting more difficult to cover up. The city has been taken over by special influential interests that are undermining the true political process of the people, (IDDO). We see this with Councilwoman Victoria Baca’s inherent position in dismantling the ‘Sunshine Act.‘ You can’t control your agenda if you have to be transparent. There is a reason why Baca would like to do away with allowing the people of Moreno Valley to see council agendas and policies 12 days in advance, as to oppose to 72 hours. It will now take a council majority vote, which would be the Three Amigos, in order for items to placed on the agenda. The pattern arises as to why anyone who so called represents people would want to be less transparent, What our they hiding? What will they receive in return? Bottom line how can anything get done with transparency!
What does transparency do for the community? It insures accountability and truth. Without, you have the conspiracy theories began, the gray areas between truth and fiction. Is Victoria Baca now the Inland Empire Campaign Manager for Antonio Villaraigosa’s Governership as some eluded to? Is Mayor Yxstian Gutierrez and Councilman Ulises Cabrera related as Cousins as some have indicated?
As far as TMC understands the dire situation that is taking Moreno Valley down boils down to this. Michelle, Tom, Baca and her boys are the fools that will own the further destruction of Moreno Valley. These people are incapable or unqualified to run the City, with the economic potential of this city decimated. Desantas deserves Baca and Baca Deserves Desantas. Tom, you go from BRUNI to BACA REALLY ! Its all down hill from here.
As seen on TMC, newly christened City Manager of Moreno Valley, Tom DeSantis has a questionable past with the City of Riverside and how he handled city business, but it didn’t start there it goes back to the City of San Bernardino. TMC has the following stories:
August 16, 2017 Gubernatorial candidate Antonio Villaraigosa will speak alongside Moreno Valley Mayor Yxstian Alberto Gutierrez at the State of the City address. Villaraigosa was someone who took the California Bar four times and failed all four times; he preached to the Los Angeles Mexican Community that “we clean your toilets!,” but turned the City of Los Angeles into just that, “A Toilet.” Tickets for the luncheon are $40 per person, it appears to leave the rift raft out, which would be the taxpayers of the City of Moreno Valley. We questioned the fact that an event held for the public, become a political and illegal side show. Leaving the community out because no one would pay the $40 dollars. We had a similar situation on our neck of the woods, and you bet, we put a stop to that pompous elite and self entitled.
Iddo Benzeevi’s company, Highland Fairview, gave $58,400 – the maximum allowed by law in the 2018 election cycle – to Villaraigosa’s gubernatorial campaign on Dec. 1, 2017 state campaign finance records show. The Moreno Valley City Council approved the World Logistics Center in 2015. It faces legal challenges from environmentalists, who fear the project will worsen already-poor air quality. Critics also argue the project will clog local roads with truck traffic. Benzeevi and city officials defend the project’s environmental analysis and say the World Logistics Center will generate $2.5 billion annually in economic activity and support 20,000 jobs. Of course, Baca and her boys were all in for the long hall. Air quality and the children didn’t seem to come out as an issue. Villaraigosa, a former Los Angeles mayor and Assembly speaker, praised the project at Moreno Valley’s State of the City Address in August. Well of course he did… Villaraigosa, once a property owner in MoVal stated, “I know how important it is to moving goods in this region,” he said at the time.
Moreno Valley politics is a disaster. The three clowns running the City… Baca, Gutierrez and Cabrera are a visual reflection of what now represents the City of Moreno Valley. The Inland Empire is watching these fools up the hill from Riverside in what is apparently being coined the Mo Val Ghetto Banana Republic. The one thing I can say is the level of corruption in the City of Riverside is much more sophisticated. But really the citizens of Mo Val you deserve better, much better.
I guess the real issue was the fix already in by the MoVal Three, or was the fix on a greater scale that included all? Even MVGordie felt there was something fishy about the cascade of events which led to the these three attaining their elected position, hence power. Now we have the MoVal Three Vote, Three-Zero all the way! MVGordie called it the “Revitalization of the Moreno Valley 3-0 Club.” Is it me or I’m just seeing the invention of the perfect storm, perfect political storm that is: A possible Governor Antonio Villar, Councilwoman Victoria Baca, Mayor Yxstian Gutierrez, Developer Iso Benzeevi and now City Manager Tom DeSantis? There are individuals who simply have no true leadership skills and must rig the system in order that it works in their favor.
Street Justice continues with the renaming of ‘Theodore Street’ to ‘World Logistics Parkway’ by The Three Amigos. Quid Pro Quo continues, again is MoVal losing a bit a history to history yet written? Is “The World Logistics Center” the figment of ones imagination, an idea that will never transpire. Is what will transpire the rezoning of land, only to be resold at a higher profit by Highland Fairvew? Will The Three Amigos unsuspectingly be part of that plan?
MAYOR VILLARAIGOSA CRASH PAD AND INVESTMENT PROPERTY IN MORENO VALLEY 2014, HIS INEPTNESS IN AS L.A. MAYOR CARRIED OVER TO HIS INEPTNESS IN PROPERTY MANAGEMENT.
IS THERE ANOTHER SIDE TO HIGLAND FAIRVIEW’S IDO BENZEEVI AND HIS PLAN FOR MORENO VALLEY. HIS SUCCESSES AND FAILURES; OR SIMPLY HIS ART AT SUBLIMINAL SEDUCTION? OR OUR WE DEALING WITH AN EXTRAORDINARY CONFIDENCE MAN?
Building warehousing in Moreno Valley even on the scale of the World Logistics Center isn’t the issue at heart. It’s that a company like Highland Fairview and its owner are not credible at all in the area of development or construction. It’s in effect a fly-by-night group which purchases land cheaply and rezones it in the hope of selling or leasing to other parties in the long term. Neither really has much of any track record of building at all despite being active under one corporate name for over three decades or another.
Is it true that Iddo and his medical doctor brother Benny recently formed a company who tried to redevelop and manage Tulare’s Regional Medical Center and also the Southern Inyo hospital? Both are now bankrupt, contracts ended, one closed, is it true that the Healthcare Conglomerate Associates or HCCA as depicted in this video is under criminal investigation by the Tulare County District Attorney’s office at present for issues such as financial malfeasance and grand theft of equipment? Just asking!
TMC thought we had it bad in the City of Riverside, but the City of Moreno Valley beat us by a long shot.
BLAST FROM THE PAST: JUNE 12, 2013: PRESS ENTERPRISE: WHERE DOES VICTORIA BACA’S LOYALTY LIE? TAXPAYER OR FORMER EMPLOYER?
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
LET’S REMEMBER, TMC TOLD YOU THIS WOULD OCCUR BACK IN 2017.., OUR LIBERAL FRIENDS CAN ATTEST TO THAT! THEY WOULD NEVER BELIEVE IT, BUT IT HAPPENED, WE TOLD THEM THE STOCK MARKET WOULD EXPLODE UNDER A TRUMP PRESIDENCY AND IT DID!
IG
Javier Moreno
TMC: Thirty Miles of Corruption 