Posts Tagged ‘city attorney gary geuss’

CITY OF RIVERSIDE: GARY G GEUSS WILL YOU PLEASE GO NOW!

Posted: October 22, 2020 in City of Riverside
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The time has come,
The time is now.
Just go, go, go!
I don’t care how.

You can go by foot.
You can go by cow.
Gary G. Geuss,
will you please go now!

June 11, 2019: Hunter catches City Attorney Geuss red-handed.  Our Council’s response?  He might be a crook, but he’s our crook!

While we appreciate his tenacity and optimism, we at TMC are often amused at the efforts of City watchdog Jason Hunter over the past decade.  In this instance, our guess is he thought he would bring overwhelming evidence that our City Attorney committed forgery in the execution of the John Russo contract back in February of 2018, leading to the Council summarily investigating the allegation, and then firing Geuss within months.  After all, they fired his comrade, the Talented Mr. Russo, seven weeks into a seven-year contract in April of 2018 based upon the evidence he brought forward at the time of misappropriation of funds and other hanky-panky…or at least that’s the cover story for why former Ward 1 City Councilman Mike Gardner and former Ward 7 City Councilman Steve Adams flipped their votes on “I can’t believe they just fired me” Russo.  But instead, the taxpayers are still paying Mr. Geuss’ salary and benefits (and his accumulating pension) while he’s been out on administrative leave for what seems to have been an eternity now.

Alas, we at TMC have no such misconceptions as to why a majority of our ethically-challenged Old City Council – Gardner (lost miserably in his re-election bid), Melendrez, Soubirous (ran for the hills), Conder, MacArthur (hiding out in the Greenbelt), Perry, and Adams (hopefully retired forever in 2 weeks) – never moved a finger to bring accountability to crooked executives: the fear of being exposed themselves.  Even Mayor Bailey – hightailing it off the dais in a couple weeks to build his dreams of a homeless industrial complex right here in Riverside – didn’t really care about the contents of the Russo contract when he vetoed it: it was a power struggle detailed in high definition here on TMC (another huge event the Press Enterprise was scooped on and never really understood).  Once you fall down the rabbit hole of Riverside County, you can rest assure that all previous concepts of reality cease to exist: the illusion of legitimacy is what we’re left with…kind of like a Dr. Seuss children’s book.

 

Bosom buddies Melendrez and Soubirous seen high-fiving over costing the taxpayers nearly a million dollars in legal fees over the Russo contract, which was later determined to be invalid.  Good job Thing 1 and Thing 2!

Exhibit 1A and 1B of Hunter’s argument (see if you can spot the difference):

Oh where or where did our little Mayor Bailey go?  Oh where oh where can he be?

Hunter astutely points out that the contract the City Council passed on February 6, 2018, is not the same contract that was executed on February 7th.  How?  The Mayor’s signature block was erased in the interim.  He next quotes from the City Charter regarding contracts and how only the Mayor (attested to by the Clerk) can sign them on behalf of the City, unless otherwise specifically designated by the Council.  He then presents the vote of the Council from February 6th.

          

click above to enlarge – City Charter on contracts & official minutes from February 6, 2018

Now we at TMC didn’t do much higher learnin’, but it seems kind of obvious to us that the City Council designated both the Mayor (Bailey) and Mayor Pro Tem (MacArthur) at the time to both sign Russo’s contract in order for it to be considered executed and payable from the City treasury.  The motion passed 5-2  (as seen in the image above) with Gardner and Adams later justifying their vote by saying they only jumped on board the Russo bandwagon because they wanted to discourage the Mayor from vetoing it.  Good strategy boys!

Mike Gardner, as the Grinch.  Would you vote for the Grinch for Western Municipal Water Board this November? 

TMC: History Channel buffs already know Russo began cashing out the extra provisions of his new contract within hours of it being signed, including his subsidized mortgage (waaaay below market interest rates) and a one-time $50,000 bonus, taken in the form of a vacation cash-out, etc.  Using our keen powers of logical thinking (and watching Hunter’s presentation 13 times) we’re pretty certain that when the Council voted specifically that TWO signatures were needed and the contract was funded with only one, hanky-panky [cough: fraud] has occurred.

It pays to the the Riverside City Manager: 2-day turnaround time between contract “execution” and money in-the-bank! Someone call the Guinness Book of Records!

WHODUNIT!?  Well, Hunter sinks the knife with the next documents he shares with the Council: transmittal sheets between the City Attorney’s Office and the Clerk Office.

Three Little Pigs?  $675,000 buys a lot of straw for a house, doesn’t it Mr. Russo?  Geuss’ house purportedly is made of sticks.

These transmittal sheets show the legal opinion of our City Attorney’s office during the approval process of the three Charter Officers contracts, the last time they had been extended.  Hunter notes, out of the three transmittal sheets, only Russo’s has two timestamps, one of them the day AFTER the contract had already been approved.  He points out what was changed: the word “Mayor” is scrawled out in the comments section as to who HAS to execute the contract.  And whose name is on this transmittal sheet?  Yes, dear readers, our current City Attorney’s, Gary G. Geuss.  In fact, checking the video from the night of the contract’s passage (and subsequent veto attempt), Geuss lets us know exactly what he’s going to do as far as changing his legal opinion after-the-fact:

I would indicate that the contract signed by myself and by Mr. Russo be forwarded to the [Mayor] Pro Tem for his signature and the City Clerk for her attestation.  And that is the only thing that is required to make this contract a legal and binding contract.”

Veto limited to legislature matters?  Well let’s remove the appropriations resolutions then!

 

The Cat-in-the-Hat Knows a Lot About That: Russo and MacArthur coordinating their possible criminal defense via text message.  TMC’s bet: Co-Conspirators Geuss, Russo, and MacArthur are going to see the “light”.

So where are we now and where do we go from here?  According to Geuss’ whine/complaint against the City (see below), almost A YEAR after Hunter brought damning evidence of forgery and named Geuss as the perpetrator, the new City Council (sworn in last December) finally put Geuss on administrative leave to investigate his claims.  In the interim, Riverside Superior Court ruled against the City in determining the Russo contract was invalid, as Mayor Bailey had the right to veto the extra provisions in the new contract, even though the resolution appropriating those provisions was never brought forward as it should’ve been.

Geuss’ complaint against the City after being put on administrative leave over 4 months ago.  Who withheld that necessary resolution we’ve circled?  Why it was none other than Geuss (and chief crony Kristi Smith) himself!!!  Funny he doesn’t mention that part!

Legal Malpractice?  Proof of intent to defraud the public?

As Russo informs us in his text above, the District Attorney’s Office, led by Mike Hestrin already reviewed the evidence once…and did nothing.  Would a referral for criminal prosecution this time by the full City Council lead to charges finally being filed?  Our prediction?  Not likely.

     

We need Superman, not Clark Kent: will the real Mike Hestrin please stand up?

From the Judicial Council of California … “To prove that the defendant is guilty of [forgery], the People must prove that: 1) the defendant falsely made/altered/forged/counterfeited a document (e.g. contract) AND 2) when the defendant did that act, he intended to defraud.”  So Geuss alters a contract, knowing he doesn’t have the authority to do so; and in doing so, it’s relied upon to be funded from the public treasury?  Sure seems like forgery to us…and every other human being we’ve asked (granted, TMC only has 4 friends  associates colleagues ok, we admit we called 4 random people from the phone book – yes, we are so old we still use the phone book).

Former Councilman MacArthur arriving at City Hall to sign Russo’s contract in the wee hours of the morning on February 7, 2018.  TMC says: at least he had the dignity to put on a suit when he was sleeping on the dais for 12 years.

 

Looks like prison food to us.

How the Grinch Stole Our Water Starring Mike Gardner? (a teaser for another day’s story)

 

TMC, RATED RIVERSIDE REGIONAL COUNTIES MOST EVERYTHING, A.K.A “THIRTY MILES OF CR-P,” “LATINO WHITE SUPREMACIST SITE,” “SITE IS A JOKE,” “RACIST,” “SCANDALOUS,” “NEGATIVE,” “WARPED,” “RAUNCHY,” “LOW CLASS,” “VISIONS OF GRANDEUR,” “FULL OF B.S.,” “REPREHENSIBLE,” “IGNORANT,” “MISGUIDED,” “BULLYISH,” “INDECENT,” “REPUGNANT,””IMMORAL,” “FILTHY,” “VILE,” “SICK,” “PERVERTED,” “DEFAMATORY,” “STUPID,” “PATHETIC,” “DESPICABLE,” “DISAPPOINTING,” “BELOW THE BELT,” “A NEW LOW,” “SHOCKING,” “OFFENSIVE,” “OBNOXIOUS,” “INAPPROPRIATE,” “HURTFUL,” “MEAN SPIRITED,” “DISTASTEFUL,” “EMBARRASSING,” HORRIFFIC,” “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 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

CITY OF RIVERSIDE: COUNCILWOMAN PLASCENCIA: RIVERSIDE’S NEW SOCIAL JUSTICE WARRIOR QUEEN?

Posted: February 8, 2020 in Uncategorized
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The community asked us, and we at TMC brought it forward.  Do you approve of partisan politics infiltrating our local city and community issues?  Tell us below in the comments section.

        

CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE

VOTE NO ON MEASURE “A” SCHOOL BOND. HERE IS THE DEBATE: RRR MEETING, JANUARY 13, 2020:

At last months RRR (Residents for Responsible Representation) meeting, supporters of Measure A (Riverside Community College District School Facility Bond) led by Attorney Virginia Blumenthal, debated those against, led by local taxpayer advocate, Jason Hunter.  Measure A is scheduled for a public vote on March 3, 2020, and advocates (of course) for the tried-and-true bleeding heart formula of fixing crumbling infrastructure, helping vets, improving safety, and upgrading technology.

The taxpayer recently approved a similar school bond known as Measure O (RUSD), which stipulated it was also for badly needed school repairs.  Money is now being diverted from this measure to build new schools, while older schools still remain rundown.  Measure Z (city sales tax), also passed by local voters in 2016, told us our money was needed for vital services and public safety.  Apparently, that meant a new downtown library and paying pensions.  They say the third time’s a charm: will Riverside County voters finally wake up to these bait & switches?

CITY COUNCIL MEETING: 02.04.2020: JASON HUNTER QUESTIONS A NEW CHANGE TO THE DESTRUCTION OF CITY DOCUMENTS:

On February 4, 2020 City Council Meeting, Tax Advocate questioned the intention of Item #29, “Record Retention Schedule Revisions” or the destruction of Public Records. This revision was recommended by in part by our beloved (sic) City Attorney, Gary Geuss.  Funny thing is, nowhere in the report does it mention what’s actually being destroyed.  Did the Fab 4 of freshmen Councilmembers, or any of the rest of the Council actually ask what was changed regarding this policy before approving it?  Nope.

   

CLICK ON ABOVE IMAGE TO ENLARGE

Questions arose after the firing of City Manager John Russo, when it was noted that the Mayor’s signature block was removed by City Attorney Gary Geuss on Russo’s contract.  What were the City Manager and City Attorney doing behind the scenes for their own benefit?  Is City Attorney Gary Geuss attempting to hide his tracks regarding these alleged misdoings after he leaves the City?

TMC, RATED RIVERSIDE REGIONAL COUNTIES MOST EVERYTHING, A.K.A “THIRTY MILES OF CR-P,” “SITE IS A JOKE,” “SCANDALOUS,” “NEGATIVE,” “WARPED,” “RAUNCHY,” “LOW CLASS,” “VISIONS OF GRANDEUR,” “FULL OF B.S.,” “REPREHENSIBLE,” “IGNORANT,” “MISGUIDED,” “BULLYISH,” “INDECENT,” “REPUGNANT,””IMMORAL,” “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 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

CITY OF ‘REEFER’SIDE: THE CHEECH PROJECT: ‘STILL SMOKIN’ OR ‘UP IN SMOKE’?

Posted: March 22, 2018 in Uncategorized
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WILL THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE BE SNIFFING THE GREEN WITH THE SUCCESS OF “THE CHEECH”?

UPDATE: 03.27.2018: PRESS ENTERPRISE: RIVERSIDE CITY COUNCIL EYES BAN ON MARIJUANA BUSINESSES: The City’s hypocrisy has no end. You bring in the Cheech Project idea with open arms and completely discount what and who the person is known for all at the same time. ‘Reefer’ side could be the center of the ‘pot’ revolution! First you have the Cheech Project, then all you need now is the ‘grass’ for the city coffers to be ‘loaded’ with ‘green.’ The ‘grass’ is really greener on the other side this time. Another missed opportunity or too big a bag of an opportunity?  Interesting enough, the City of Riverside has enough money to launch a new Office of Homeless Solutions consisting of a team made up of Assistant City Manager Alex Nguyen and 12 other people.  Sorry guys when you come to ‘Reefer’ side you can only carry an ounce if the ordinance passes, not a bag you both can walk in.

Given the financial straits the City finds itself in these days, Riverside residents are appropriately beginning to ask, “How much is ‘the Cheech’ (short for Chicharrón) project going to cost us?”  Back in February 2017, the Discovery Cube project was scrapped, leaving options open again for the aged downtown Library.  Why did the Cube’s backers decide to leave?  According to a later staff report, it was, “economically not feasible at this time,” …we’d add, “without further public subsidies.”

And while the public continued to openly state their displeasure with a $30, $40 $43 million new Jetsons library concept, as opposed to more cost-consciously renovating the old one, our Council continued to push forward to rid the Mission Inn of unsightly homeless people with the aid of City Manager John Russo.  And the answer our resident rockstar came back with, after hashing through several other options supposedly, was the Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art, Culture, and Industry, which would serve as a home for Marin’s private pussycat Chicano art collection and provide space for temporary exhibitions, classes and lectures.

But will we be seeing blurred lines if the Riverside Art Museum, leading the fundraiser efforts for “the Cheech,” project, doesn’t hit their extended deadline to raise a total of $3 million by May 2018 – a condition set by our City Council needed to continue progress towards making the Cheech a stoned-cold reality?  Problem is, even if they do, does the public really know what the final numbers are to rehabilitate the old library (a certifiable roach motel), or how much dough they’re committed to for the ongoing operation and maintenance of the joint?  Will those costs and others continue to chronically rise like has been the pattern with the new library?  Will the Cheech project eventually go ‘Up In Smoke’, and the idea of an avant-garde art center be just another one of Russo’s ‘Nice Dreams’ for the ole’ River City, made without any consideration that ‘Things Are Tough All Over’ for everyone who doesn’t have a government job?

Taking a “the grass is always greener,” perspective, the Cheech could also be an extension of the City of Riverside, and the center of the pot revolution.  Bringing untold millions in local taxes, the residents could finally see those buds trees trimmed, pot holes filled and homeless housed in gold-tiled apartments; and those pesky exorbitant public employee pensions would turn out to be just figments of our smoke-filled minds.  Oh, the irony!

According to “High Times” Cheech has been enlisted by the State of California to help register pot businesses.  Revenue for much needed services is what Riverside needs to keep this town ‘Still Smokin’ in the market place!

But what’s the straight dope?  We at TMC are committed to weeding through the real facts and figures for our readers.  Let’s start with the makeup of that initial $3 million startup money.  Well, $2 million will be raised by private pledges and contributions, while $1 million will come from the State in a form of a grant.  As many have pointed out, that $1 million from the State is still public money, even if it’s not money from the City general fund.  So yes, Riverside taxpayers are already on the hook alongside fellow Californians.

One thing Riverside taxpayers will be solely responsible for is the ongoing operations – cush jobs provided for Riverside Art Museum employees under contract from the City – and maintenance of the Cheech Project.  The total costs are estimated to come in between between $750,000 and $925,000 annually, to be partially recovered by a $1-2 admission fee.  Math never being our expertise we admit, we still figure “the Cheech” needs about 3,000 visitors daily to break even.  To be blunt: ain’t gonna happen.  Further, $100,000 was already approved out of our general fund last year by the Council for architectural services.

‘‘THE CHEECH’ MOU, MAY 16, 2017

Back to those pesky start-up capital costs.  A recent article in the Press Enterprise stated that the total cost of renovating and re-configuring the old library into the Cheech, which maxed out at  $7 million a year ago, now could reach as high as $10 million…hmmm, where have we seen this pattern before?  And it’s certainly evident that it’s been a long hard struggle to reach that $3 million mark to begin with.  And if that bogey is hit, where will the additional $7 million come from?  More I.O.U.’s?  Yes, the plan is to continue to raise that money (private, public, whomever still has a pot to piss in) and create an endowment for ongoing expenses on top of that.

CITY OF RIVERSIDE NEW FISCAL HAWK, MAYOR WILLIAM “RUSTY” BAILEY

At City Council on February 23, 2018, Mayor Bailey grilled presenters of the Cheech regarding how much money they had in hand towards the $3 million goal. $80K was the answer, with the balance in pledges (I.O.U.’s), totaling $1.7 million plus the impending State grant of $1 million, most likely derived from Assemblyman Jose Medina’s support to pass Governor Jerry Brown’s new gas tax.  We remind folks that when the library was being looked at for renovation, the cost was in the neighborhood of $20 million.  Will Cheech, or any of his vast array of high-net-worth friends, consider investing in Riverside and his project?  Or might the plug be pulled on the Cheech due to the chance that taxpayers may be asked to foot the bill on an unpaid ‘two finger bag’?  And if that possibility remains, should we reconsider building a new library all-together?  Or, will the Council simply start extending deadlines and take the money from its residents and businesses find financially more creative ways of accommodating the Cheech rather than admit they are on ‘doobie’ us grounds?  It would seem that to continue on this road would only make the taxpayers see ‘acapulco red.’

Well according to Russo, even if the project does not transpire, the City of Riverside still has to spend the ganja to repair the 1960’s library’s roof, heating, air conditioning system and elevator, estimated at $1.5 million.  His hope is that others will pay for that instead of local taxpayers (as long as we’re willing to fork over $40 million for a new library and subsidize the ongoing operations and maintenance at the Cheech.)

DONATE: FOR THE RIVERSIDE ART MUSEUM PROPOSED CHEECH MARIN CENTER FOR CHICANO ART, CULTURE AND INDUSTRY. 

FILE UNDER “PUTTING THE CART BEFORE THE HORSE”: One would think that it would be more appropriate to honor someone when a project has been completed, such as the ‘grand opening’ or ‘ribbon cutting,’ not while they haven’t even completed raising the first round of start-up funds!  And yet Riverside City Manager John Russo has been named “Public Partner of the Year” by the Inland Empire Economic Partnership for his leadership on the development of the Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art, Culture and Industry in downtown Riverside.  Is the ‘Mutual Admiration Society of Riverside,’ (MASOR) in ‘high’ gear, or what?  Good job John Russo City of Riverside Minister of Propaganda Spokehole Phil Pitchford!

Riverside City Manager John Russo Honored for Nurturing Cheech Marin Center…wow

Cheech, you are absolutely driving okay, especially when you doling out a possible revenue stream for the City of Riverside.  You can be rest assured that the Riverside Police Department under Chief Sergio Diaz will be ‘highly’ motivated that you will reach your destination safely.  Why?  Because we do have two sets of rules in River City.

HOW DID THE WHOLE APPROACH TAKE PLACE BETWEEN CHEECH AND RUSSO WITH REFERENCE TO DISPLAYING HIS ART IN OUR MUSEUM?   Well according to O.C. Weekly, while in Riverside last year (2017) for the second iteration of “Papel Chicano Dos: Works on Paper From the Collection of Cheech Marin,” which featured 65 artworks by 24 established and early career artists, the actor/collector was randomly approached by John Russo, the city manager, with a proposition. “He told me how perfect it would be for Riverside, which is 51 percent Chicano, and the Inland Empire at-large, which is 52 percent Chicano, to open a museum for my art,” says Cheech. “At first, I had no idea what he was talking about. I was like, ‘What? You want me to buy a museum? I don’t know if I can do that.’ And [Russo] said, ‘No! We want to give you a museum to house your collection.’

AT THE MARCH 13, 2018 FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING: COUNCILMAN MIKE SOUBIROUS REFERENCED THE OLD DOWNTOWN LIBRARY AND IT’S REPAIR ISSUES, BUT HE ALSO STATES THAT THE DOWNTOWN LIBRARY IS A DANGER ZONE FOR CHILDREN AND EMPLOYEES, BECAUSE OF A PEDOPHILE PROBLEM.  Now that a serious public safety statement has been made, what will this retired Commander for the Highway Patrol request our local police department to do in order to combat this problem?

RIVERSIDE TOURISM BUREAU’S NEXT CREATIVE ADVERTISEMENT

IT SEEMS CHEECH ALSO HAS A FINE COLLECTION OF PUSSYCATS RIVERSIDERS MAY WANT TO INSPECT!  MAYBE WE CAN CONVERT THE OLD FIRESTATION FOR THIS NEW CHEECH VENUE!

TMC, RATED RIVERSIDE REGIONAL COUNTY’S MOST, “SCANDALOUS,” “NEGATIVE,” “WARPED,” “RAUNCHY,” “LOW CLASS,” “VISIONS OF GRANDEUR,” “FULL OF B.S.,” “REPREHENSIBLE,” “IGNORANT,” “MISGUIDED,” “BULLYISH,” “INDECENT,” “REPUGNANT,””IMMORAL,” “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 “POLITICALLY INCORRECT.” 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 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

CITY OF RIVERSIDE: ‘CLUELESS’ COUNCIL INVESTIGATION INTO MAYOR’S OFFICE REQUEST DISAPPEARS, BUT NOT BEFORE TMC SOLVES THE CASE!

Posted: March 19, 2018 in Uncategorized
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At the tail end of the March 7, 2018, Riverside City Council meeting, Ward 2 Councilman Andy Melendrez requested an investigation into Mayor Bailey’s Office to determine if confidential materials related to the Mayor’s right to veto a contract of a City officer (i.e. the City Manager) were released to the public without Council authorization.

QUIET, UNASSUMING, NICE GUY ANDY ABOUT TO SINK THE KNIFE INTO MAYOR BAILEY?

Skip forward to this week and we learn that item has been mysteriously removed from the upcoming City Council agenda.  Was it delayed because of the conflict-of-interest with Riverside City Attorney Gary Geuss, as identified in fine detail as part of Mayor Bailey’s writ of mandate filed just over a week ago?  Was there a scheduling conflict on behalf of one of the key parties?  Or, like the free-riding Press Enterprise as of late, is the City of Riverside simply waiting for TMC to publish the results of its investigation saving taxpayers gobs of money (if you believe the latter, we have a library to sell you)?  Well, we won’t disappoint then (i.e. keep reading)!

 

                          

INVESTIGATION ON AGENDA                                                  REVISED AGENDA

But first let’s take a look at the Bailey writ, and the fact that our City Attorney obtained a legal opinion from outside, supposedly-independent counsel, Michael Colantuono, in order to justify quashing the Mayor’s veto.  The writ states that the Colantuono opinion is beneficial to the City Attorney because the Charter provides that the City Manager, City Clerk and City Attorney, “serve at the pleasure of the Council.”  And if Mayor Bailey can’t veto City Manager Russo’s contract, then you can bet he wouldn’t be able to veto City Attorney Geuss’ either.  And since Geuss chose the outside counsel himself, he might’ve just chosen someone he knew beforehand might be sympathetic to his cause.  And hence the conflict.

And why might Mr. Colantuono’s judgment regarding this particular issue be perceived as just a tad bit biased?  Well, maybe it’s the fact that he serves as a contracted City Attorney himself up in the Bay Area!

CLICK TO ENLARGE: THE GOVERNMENT ATTORNEY’S CLUB

In the alternative, Geuss could’ve just provided the City Council with a list of attorneys capable of handling this work and said, “I’m out.  Have at it boys.”  But, stealing a line from Jason Hunter, “the unofficial slogan of the City of Riverside is that there’s no conflict-of-interest that’s too big that we can’t ignore,” instead he inserted himself right into the middle of controversial decision in which he has a financial interest…and that we predict ladies and gentlemen is going to lead to trouble down the line…right here in the ole’ River City.

MAYOR RUSTY BAILEY LAWSUIT AGAINST THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE

And whom exactly was Geuss going to pick as the investigator?  Well, well, well, if it wasn’t the Space Cowboy himself, Steve Miller, of Hanson Bridgett LLP, whom the City Council had previously flown down (like an eagle) from the Bay Area at the suggestion of Geuss to conduct an internal audit of the past practices for the payment of City legal expenses during the salad days of former City Attorney Greg Priamos.  If you remember correctly, The Joker was feathering the nests of his compatriots in the legal community to the tune of $19.4 million during his last 5 years in office, despite having a full-time staff of highly-paid attorneys in-house persecuting whistleblowers, providing bogus legal opinions, playing golf, ripping off ratepayers.  Hanson Bridgett grabbed $75,000 off the taxpayers for informing us, well, the record-keeping could’ve been better, and best practices weren’t always followed, but there’s nothing to see here folks!   How about “The data is admittedly messy.”  And “Abracadabra!” Priamos was free to infest the County as current County Counsel unbesmirched by his dirty deeds at the City.  Did we mention Steve Miller is also a contracted City Attorney up in the Bay Area.  Hoo-hoo-hoo, go on, take the money and run!

CLICK TO ENLARGE: THE GOVERNMENT ATTORNEY’S CLUB

Once again, TMC will save the day (and $10-$25K of the taxpayers’ moola) on this one: THE MAYOR DID IT…in the new Library…by throwing a Wrench into Team Russo’s plans.  And below, we provide for everyone to see: the Mayor leaked the Attorney/Client-protected outside legal opinion of Michael Colantuono to anyone he thought could lend a revolver, lead pipe, rope, knife, candlestick, hand.

 

                

BAILEY VIOLATES ATT/CLIENT PRIVILEGE (1)                BAILEY VIOLATES ATT/CLIENT PRIVILEGE (2)

Did Mayor Bailey misrepresent his ability to hire Rutan and Tucker on behalf of the City?  Probably.  All one needs to do is read between the lines of this Press Enterprise story from February 20, 2018:

The statement also rejects the idea that anyone but the city attorney “be permitted to obtain counsel at taxpayers’ expense.”

Before announcing his veto of Russo’s contract, Bailey received a letter from attorney Philip Kohn of Rutan & Tucker to back his opinion that — despite City Attorney Gary Geuss’ position — the charter allows the mayor to veto a contract with the city manager.

Kohn wrote to Bailey on Feb. 9 that he had been told the city charter doesn’t allow the mayor to hire legal counsel without the City Council’s consent. To avoid any conflict, Kohn wrote, he would not charge the city for any of the services he provided or provide any further legal advice on the matter.

UPDATE 3/26/18: RUTAN & TUCKER USED AS A SUCKER?  BELOW IS THE LETTER DATED FEBRUARY 9, 2018, SENT TO MAYOR BAILEY AFTER REALIZING THEIR FIRM WAS PUT IN A PRECARIOUS POSITION POSITION BY THE MAYOR.  Lawyer Philip Kohn states that his firm will not be providing any further legal opinions or assistance on the veto matter since the Riverside City Charter does not authorize the Mayor to hire outside legal counsel without approval or consent from City Council.  After realizing that their firm had a conflict-of-interest with the City itself, for whom they provide lucrative outside counsel work, they indicate the Mayor’s legal advice was at ‘no charge’…so as to not muddle up their taxpayer gravy train.

RUTAN TUCKER FEBRUARY 9TH LETTER TO MAYOR

Did Mayor Bailey consider allowing a proxy to file a lawsuit on his behalf while he sat in closed session, and based upon his record, leaked out more confidential information in order to benefit himself politically?  You betcha.  Just look in the “Rusty Files.”

And you know what, Andy Melendrez?  Nobody cares.  Nobody cares because – intentionally or not, William “Beetle Bailey,” through his entirely selfish (John Russo is a meanie…wahhh!!!), unethical actions is going to end up cleaning the Riverside Swamp of profiteer-bureaucrats/wannabe-politicians, and we’re just fine with that.  We’ll deal with Beetle later.

NOTHING BUT CLEAR SKIES FOR MAYOR “BEETLE BAILEY” AHEAD

And in an ironic twist not lost on Riverside corruption historians, a central figure in the Soubirous-Davis witchhunt of just 3-1/2 years ago accused of leaking information to the Press Enterprise at the time, will be outed soon as the, “man behind the scenes,” organizing his own kangaroo court on our dime…but that story about that Councilman (codenamed: M.S.) is for another day.  In the meantime, enjoy the Peoples’ Councilman, good guy-turned bad guy-turned good guy again, Ward 4 Councilman Chuck Conder…and the circle of life continues.

VIDEO FROM THE INLAND EMPIRE NEWSWIRE: RIVERSIDE COUNCILMAN CHUCK CONDER GIVES SOME INSIGHT INTO THE GOING ON’S AT CITY HALL.  

Councilman Chuck Conder says it stinks at City Hall! Outlandish city contracts and ridiculous utility rate hikes are ripping off the citizenry!! It’s time for people to “let their voice be heard,” he says in a passionate speech last Monday.  The city manager lavish new contract comes on the heels of a proposed average 3% hike in electricity and 4.5% hike in water that will begin July 1, 2018, and continue for 5 years, with 1/5 of the hike consisting of new taxes, to cover budget shortfalls for infrastructure projects we are sold told.  Add to that the city’s $600 million pension liability debt, and ever-increasing taxes to pay for it, and it begs the question: should the city manager be paid 25% more from the public purse and businesses and residents feel the pinch of a higher-cost-of-living and less government services?  These financial decisions have one councilman, Chuck Conder, concerned.

When Moreno Valley activist and local radio host Roy Bleckert asked Conder what can be done, Conder delivered a passionate speech stating, “You need to take back your government…They’re laughing at us… They’re saying ‘got away with this one…with that one.’ We as a people have got to get our voice back! If you can give up three minutes in front of the city council, great. If you can’t, send an e-comment, write. Let your voice be heard.”

BLAST FROM THE PAST: 02.23.2016: Local community activist Kevin Dawson skewers City Council regarding the failure to address outside legal counsel without contracts and the budget deficit! Ignored by Council, ignored by the City Attorney Greg Priamos and ignored by head of the Finance Committee Councilwoman and current Budget Engagement Commissioner (sigh) Nancy Hart…. Dawson was right all along!

DEDICATED TO OUR CITY EMPLOYEES AND THE PARTNERSHIP COMPENSATION MODEL

TMC, RATED RIVERSIDE REGIONAL COUNTY’S MOST, “SCANDALOUS,” “NEGATIVE,” “WARPED,” “RAUNCHY,” “LOW CLASS,” “VISIONS OF GRANDEUR,” “FULL OF B.S.,” “REPREHENSIBLE,” “IGNORANT,” “MISGUIDED,” “BULLYISH,” “INDECENT,” “REPUGNANT,””IMMORAL,” “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 “POLITICALLY INCORRECT.” 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 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

CITY OF RIVERSIDE: FOUR KIND OF LIES: LIES, DAMNED LIES, STATISTICS & CITY ATTORNEY OPINIONS…

Posted: March 14, 2018 in Uncategorized
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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…AND CITY ATTORNEY OPINIONS! – JASON HUNTER

IT’S SIMPLY JUST ANOTHER DAY IN PARADISE….

TMC has long-believed that the modern-day role of City Attorneys in corrupt Southern California governments has been to provide legal cover for City Councils who wish to steal from the general public.  No better case study could we find than the current one, where it appears City Attorney Gary Geuss gives biased, shoddy legal opinions to thwart Mayor William “Rusty” Bailey’s veto powers in order to ram through his and his buddy, City Manager John Russo’s, gold-plated contracts.

Last Tuesday, local resident Jason Hunter rode in on a white horse to save Team Bailey by systematically laying waste to the City’s $1 million legal team of Russo and Geuss’ excuses as to why certain parts of their contracts are valid by explaining why an appropriations measure (in this case a resolution called the Master Fringe Benefits and Salary Plan) MUST coincide or precede a spending measure (in this case their contracts).  He called for the dynamic duo to return their ill-gotten gains or follow the City’s long-standing processes and laws and bring forward the appropriations measure by resolution (with Mayor Bailey waiting in the wings with his veto we presume).

WE DON’T NEED NO STINKIN’ RESOLUTIONS!

WHO SAYS YOU CAN’T TAKE ON CITY HALL?

In the above video Hunter continues to disassemble the two executives case for keeping their booty, by explaining how apparently, the section of our City Charter the Russo/Geuss team calls (in an email by cannon fodder proxy, HR Director Stephanie Holloman) out as excluding the 3 Charter Officers contracts from coverage under the Master Fringe Benefits and Salary Plan actually states that the 3 Charter Officers contracts are covered under the Master Fringe Benefits and Salary Plan.  Fresh out of Bill Clinton cigars, instead we give the legal wordsmithing by the Russo/Geuss (with an assist from new kid on the block Michael Colantuono?) team here this year’s first annual “TMC Hudson/Priamos-memorial bullpoop award,” for self-service masquerading as public service.  We will ask Chamber Queen Cindy Roth whether we can present the award at the Chamber’s Mayors’s State of the City address next year if we can find an extra $50 to buy a seat at the mutual admiration society’s premier event.

Hunter then proceeds to produce the resolutions that accompanied Geuss’ own contract from 2015 and even Laguna Woods’ hustler former City Manager Brad Hudson original contract from 2005, both indicating that the spending authority (complete with the Mayor’s signature) must be created BEFORE/AS employment contracts can be/are signed.  Apparently, our current City Manager/Attorney duo think they’re special because it’s been widely acknowledged by 5 (Sleepy, Grumpy, Dopey, Happy, and Bashful) of the 7 dwarfs on the Council that, “you’d have to be an idiot not to keep them here.”  We’ll let you decide which dwarf is whom (between Gardner, Melendrez, Soubirous, MacArthur, and Adams)…and whom the real idiots are.

2/6/18: WARD 5 CITY COUNCILMAN CHRIS MACARTHUR IMPLIES WE’D BE IDIOTS NOT TO APPROVE THE CITY MANAGER’S $450,000+ CONTRACT

2/6/18: WARD 7 CITY COUNCILMAN STATES, “WE’RE DOUBLE-DATING FRIENDS,” IN OBVIOUS CONFLICT-OF-INTEREST…AND MENTIONS COUNCIL ONCE-AGAIN VIOLATES THE BROWN ACT BY AGREEING TO OPEN CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS EARLY IN 2015 WITHOUT INFORMING THE PUBLIC

And then Hunter brings down the hammer of truth: if the spending resolutions amending the Master Fringe Benefits and Salary Plan, which HAVE to be approved by our elected City Council, don’t apply to our 3 Charter Officers at Team Russo contends, how was the Master Fringe Benefits and Salary Plan amended anyway? It’s a classic Catch-22.  Only real question left is, “whodunit?” and we’ll get to that shortly for our not-captive audience.

You see dear readers, we know a little sumptin’ sumptin’ about how this game works from an operational standpoint that Messieurs Russo/Geuss from their high-fallutin’ places on the dais may not – Payroll doesn’t print those government checks without checking the Master Fringe Benefits and Salary Plan first.  And who maintains/revises/amends that plan?  Well, according to our Municipal Code, Human Resources Director Stephanie Holloman does! …as approved by City Manager Russo.  And so it appears, in order to get paid their loot, Mr. Russo approved his and Geuss’ checks, while Geuss provided the legal cover for this shady business.  And so far our City Council, led by love/star-struck pinheads using emotion-based decision-making and in the case of Ward 7 Councilman Steve Adams, hot dinner dates, has done nothing to stop this monkey business…all designed to thwart the Mayor’s Charter-protected veto power and to pillage the taxpayer.

Yup, there’s gonna be trouble all-right, right here in the Ole’ River City.  And TMC will be right here with our popcorn reporting on the real stories the Press Enterprise doesn’t print anymore.

ADDENDUM 3/14/18: We noticed below, in the email response to Jason Hunter, Human Resources Director Stephanie Holloman attempts to sidetrack him by slightly changing the wording.  She changed Chapter 2.32.030, where it says “City offices.”  It should say “City officers.”  Very sneaky Ms. Holloman, but we don’t miss a beat at TMC.

Stephanie states this in the email:  2.32.030 – The basic monthly salary plan for City offices and employees shall be established by resolution of the City Council.

Riverside Municipal Code states this:  2.32.030 – The basic monthly salary plan for City officers and employees shall be established by resolution of the City Council.

HUMAN RESOURCES RESPONSE TO HUNTER EMAIL

                    

BRADHUDSONRESOLUTION2005                               GARYGEUSSRESOLUTION2015

 

                         

ART VII CITY CHARTER                                            PERSONNEL SYSTEM

SALARY SCHEDULE WITH REVISED, NON-AUTHORIZED NUMBERS 2017

In what appears to be red meat for the lions, Hunter also discusses the possibility that City Manager John Russo gave himself a 4% raise on January 1st, 2018, when his contract wasn’t passed until February 6th.  Click to view City Manager John Russo’s pay stubs.  You will see that in December 2017 his hourly rate is $151.21; once the new year began in January 2018 his hourly rate shot up to $157.26!  That’s a 4% increase!  This was done without Council passing the contract!  You’ll find that in February 2018 it was decreased to an hourly rate of $155.75, which Council passed at the 3% increase.

We hear this might be a “clerical error,” but what if it’s part of an ongoing pattern?  It appears that Russo gave himself a $28,000 raise in Oakland as the elected City Attorney.  Who signed his time card?!  The political in-fighting continues and the dirty laundry continues to be exposed … mostly their skivvies.

CLICK TO VIEW RUSSO PAYSTUBS 2017-2018

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Jason Hunter was the keynote speaker for a full house again at the RRR (Residents getting Reprehensible for Responsible Representation) meeting on Monday, March 12, 2018.  This community group must be doing something right since their Councilmembers, Jim Perry and Steve Adams, refuse to attend, especially if Mr. Hunter is allowed to tell the truth speak about topics of their constituents’ concern.  Shout out to Sharon Mateja for inviting Sneezy and Sleepy them anyway!

BUDGET CRUNCHES, 25% EMPLOYEE RAISES, MAYOR VETOS AND LAWSUITS….OH MY!

THE ABOVE VIDEO IS FROM THE QUESTION ANSWER SECTION OF THE R.R.R. MEETING FROM THE RESIDENTS TO JASON HUNTER.

CITY OF RIVERSIDE:02.06.2018: Councilman Mike Soubirous tells the public what Los Angeles thinks of us folks here in Riverside. Are we just a bunch of hillbilly’s with not a heap of book learning?  We at TMC can do all that fancy ciphering without using our fingers.

THIS IS FOR JOHN ZAVESKY FROM THE WOOD STREETS, WHO SENT THIS IN.  IT LOOKS TO ME THAT RIVERSIDE WOOD STREET NEIGHBORS ARE GETTING RESTLESS ON CITY ISSUES!  NOWS (NEIGHBORS OF THE WOOD STREETS) WHERE ART THOU?  YOU ARE MISSING THE BOAT JUST ABOUT NOWS… THE HEAT IN THE KITCHEN COULDN’T BE HOTTER!

TMC, RATED RIVERSIDE REGIONAL COUNTY’S MOST, “SCANDALOUS,” “NEGATIVE,” “WARPED,” “RAUNCHY,” “LOW CLASS,” “VISIONS OF GRANDEUR,” “FULL OF B.S.,” “REPREHENSIBLE,” “IGNORANT,” “MISGUIDED,” “BULLYISH,” “INDECENT,” “REPUGNANT,””IMMORAL,” “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 “POLITICALLY INCORRECT.” 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 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

EXCLUSIVE: CITY OF RIVERSIDE: THE RUSTY FILES….HOW MANY WIVES?

Posted: March 12, 2018 in Uncategorized
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Love my enemies, bless those who curse me, pray for their salvation.  – Book of Mayor William “Rusty” Bailey, circa at exactly February 12, 2018, 8:27am

THE RUSTY FILES: [queue eerie music] We present a few of the personal notes reflecting on a cornucopia of thoughts the Mayor wrote to himself for future reference as he brooded over the Russo/Geuss/Soubirous/Melendrez/MacArthur-led coup just days before.  In others words, “Did anyone get the license plate of that truck?”

      

CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE JUST A SMIDGEN OF THE RUSTY FILES

Well, the City of Riverside doesn’t have any trouble, someone once said.  Well, we’ll just have to create some, another exclaimed!  See, we at TMC remember waaaaaaay back in 2016, shortly after City Attorney Gary Geuss came on board, back when the hotshot former L.A. litigator dreamt of a hostile takeover of the some of the elected Riverside County District Attorney’s duties.  Of course, it was all about efficiency in the court system.  “Hah!” we said, and thankfully, so did the voters.

A VIEW INTO THE ALTERNATE UNIVERSE IF MEASURE A, THE RIVERSIDE CITY PROSECUTOR MEASURES WOULD’VE PASSED

Well according to the Rusty Files, Russo manipulated Geuss to test the waters against D.A. Mike Hestrin and whatever other power structures there were in Riverside County at the time, including seventy-billion-time re-elected former D.A. Grover Trask.  He is a troublemaker.

Moreover, the Rusty Files reveal Russo loves to create controversy, then come in and save the day.  And he loves to get credit for easy wins…such as Measure-Z, the Library, Museum and the Budget.  Rusty asks the question, “Is there a pattern here?” He is a front-runner.

He refers to other city’s where Russo was in the middle of conflict, then left when the going got tough.  He goes on to say that John loves to fight, argue and purposely create opposition just for the sport of toying with them.  He is a manipulator.

Does Russo do what he says he will do?  It appears according to the Mayor, that Russo cannot be counted on.  He says one thing, and does another.  He cannot be trusted.

Then our sweet, beloved, squeaky clean homegrown Mayor drops the bombshell, “How many wives?”  Is it a metaphor for how Russo treats the cities and the public who have paid for his ever-expanding waistline, or should we take this at its literal meaning and infer more?  Does City Manager John Russo have commitment problems?  He is disloyal.

What else lurks in the depths of the Rusty Files?  As a teaser for future TMC posts we’ll leave this at the door: it turns out Cindy Roth, the Chamber Queen and long-time ally of Mayor Rusty Bailey is not a bit amused by being cut from the General Fund gravy train by City Manager John Russo.  Her husband, Senator Roth, who profited as well from the legal gravy train provided by our fair city for many a year, is rumored to have helped the Mayor with his veto defense arguments.  A real State Senator vs. a wannabe State Assemblyman: it’s on like Donkey Kong!

CLICK ABOVE TO ENLARGE PIC

MIKE FINE’S MESSAGE:

Rusty refers to Mike Fine’s message, and to print it out so that the Council will read it.  Mike Fine, former deputy superintendent for RUSD and member of the Riverside Budget Engagement Commission (quickly becoming our favorite citizen-led commission of all-time), apparently had a bit to say about Measure Z monies being spent to fill the pockets of Mr. Russo.  And we have those Facebook messages for your viewing pleasure, including a little tiff with Councilman Andy Melendrez, where Fine takes the Ward 2 Councilman to school.  Some excerpts:

I volunteered to sit on the city’s budget commission as a way to give back to my hometown. I recently spent eight hours over two nights listening to the departments express their plans and needs. There was no mention of a hefty raise and home loan for the city manager. It wasn’t listed as a need. How do I do the job the city has asked me to do as a volunteer who has expertise in governmental budgeting when not all the information was shared? While I can still make a recommendation to the council regarding budget matters, what’s the point when the council acts recklessly in the midst of the budget process? 

My point is simple. The city has many needs -many more than resources will cover. At a time when you will have to consider cuts in services and programs you sent the wrong message to the residents, employees and partners of the city. City vendors are being asked to reduce their prices by 10% at the same time the council is awarding senior management raises and an unwarranted home loan.

You will recall that the city sold voters on a sales tax increase to support police and fire. But now, under the city manager’s direction, they are proposing cuts – to budgets, not taxes!

This is an issue of leadership – more precisely, a lack of leadership.

According to Fine the City is full of contradictions and flouts the perception of transparency but in reality has none.  Sounds to us like Mr. Fine has been listening to longtime city critic advocate Jason Hunter, who coincidentally tells us something B-I-G is coming (we can’t wait).

                        

CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE THE FINE COMMENTARY

RUSTY FILES FOR TRIAL:  In a sign of the times Mayor William “Rusty” Bailey filed suit against the City of Riverside on Friday March 9, 2018, with reference to the veto issue , and the batshit, no self-serving contradictory legal opinion expressed by City Attorney Gary Geuss.  According to the City of Riverside’s Salary Regulations Section 2.32.030 the salary plan states, “The basic monthly compensation plan for City officers and employees shall be established by resolution of the City Council.”

We believe there has been malfeasance playing out within the confines of City Hall by the fact that current contracts for both Geuss and Russo accompanied no such ‘resolution.’  For years dear readers, every new contract that included new & improved terms for fatcat bureaucrats included a resolution which authorized the spending on behalf of the City; then all of a sudden, poof, it disappeared.

Why?  Well, our lying eyes have seen the in-fighting that has recently taken place between the Mayor’s Office and the City Manager’s Office, with Council taking sides, and believe this to be the cause.  We therefore presuppose that this omittance was done to strategically counter Bailey’s impeding veto.  See folks, according to City Charter, Rusty can legally veto a ‘resolution.’  Without the ‘resolution’ in the contract, technically, Rusty’s veto might not be valid.  This was orchestrated by design.  But it appears our Mayor is not in the mood to take any prisoners this time.

          

CLICK THIS LINK TO VIEW BAILEY’S FULL LAW SUIT

UPDATE: 03.12.2018: PRESS ENTERPRISE: RIVERSIDE MAYOR SUES HIS OWN CITY IN BATTLE OVER ‘EXPENSIVE’ CITY MANAGER’S CONTRACT

UPDATE: 03.12.2018: LOS ANGELES DAILY NEWS: NEW RETIREES IN GARDENA, PASADENA AND RIVERSIDE MAKE OVER $200,000 PENSIONS

UPDATE: 03.12.2018: PRESS ENTERPRISE: SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA’S AVERAGE PAY HIKE? $2 A WEEK

The Ides of February 2018 came and went.  The day of the veto, Rusty Bailey probably felt a bit like Caesar did when his Council Buddies were waiting for him at the Council Forum on that cold Tuesday afternoon…

TMC, RATED RIVERSIDE REGIONAL COUNTY’S MOST, “SCANDALOUS,” “NEGATIVE,” “WARPED,” “RAUNCHY,” “LOW CLASS,” “VISIONS OF GRANDEUR,” “FULL OF B.S.,” “REPREHENSIBLE,” “IGNORANT,” “MISGUIDED,” “BULLYISH,” “INDECENT,” “REPUGNANT,””IMMORAL,” “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 “POLITICALLY INCORRECT.” 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 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

EXCLUSIVE: CITY OF RIVERSIDE: GEUSS & RUSSO CONTRACTS NULL & VOID! COLLUSION TO DEFRAUD THE PUBLIC?

Posted: March 6, 2018 in Uncategorized
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NOT-SO-FAST ON THOSE SHINY NEW CONTRACTS!

Local resident Jason Hunter exposes the truth about the newly-signed gold-plated contracts of both City Manager John Russo and City Attorney Gary Geuss.  Turns out the current contracts were not accompanied by an amendment to a resolution called the Master Fringe Benefits and Salary Plan, signed by the Mayor as required by City’s Municipal Code (local law).  That particular resolution grants authority to the Council to pay certain salaries and benefits to certain positions.  And the jury at TMC believes the omittance of this document to be intentional given other recent employee deals.  But what the heck do we know!?

When both Russo and Geuss were initially employed, this particular resolution was included within the agenda packet that contained their contracts.  Three years later it magically disappears.  Hunter states the two ramifications of what’s been perpetrated: 1) the contracts terms negotiated outside the authority of the resolution are invalid (and the monies need to be returned immediately to the City’s treasury) and 2) upon re-introduction of the resolution, the Mayor has the right to veto the terms, as he does all resolutions under Section 413 of the City Charter.

                       

Who would have known?  We could extrapolate that City Attorney Gary Geuss, City Manager John Russo and even Human Resources Director Stephanie Holloman would have known.  Incidentally, Holloman and Geuss we hear know each other from their employment with the City/Port of Los Angeles.  Perhaps even Councilman Chris MacArthur could have known given how he eagerly tried to override Mayor Bailey’s veto by signing Russo’s contract as Mayor Pro-Tem.  Maybe even Councilman Jim Perry, who signed Geuss’ deal, was in on the scheme.

        

Who also should have 100% with-out-doubt-known is City Clerk Colleen J. Nicol. Her 30% raise over the past 2-1/2 years must have affected her emotional decision-making not to alert Mayor Bailey. She is either afraid of Russo and Geuss, or she’s simply a master at playing the game (and consequently cruising into retirement at your expense). In our experience, Colleen doesn’t miss a piece of paper at City Hall…what we’d call a pro’s pro…so what’s up?  Whatever the reason, you can be sure TMC will find out!

                         

  JOHN RUSSO FULL MEMO/RESOLUTION                    GARY GEUSS FULL MEMO/RESOLUTION

 

 

                                   

CITY CHARTER                              FRINGE BENEFITS                     SALARY REGULATIONS

Let’s not forget this quote from City Manager John Russo, “…as a child of immigrants with a scholarship Yale degree, and a top ten law school that I have to beg you to do and preserve what we all busted our tails to do to make this city move.”  “But I assure you, I might be here in two years, and whether you extend my contract or not I’m not going to have any trouble getting a job.  But if we vote no tonight, I cannot make any assurances to you about keeping this team together, that’s the reality that’s your choice!”  More famous words for us Riverside Hillbilly’s is, “You can’t afford to have this team break up!”  So what did Russo really mean?  “I’m am so brilliant I’m going to screw Mayor Bailey and the taxpayer out of millions of dollars and they are so stupid they won’t even notice, and my cronies and I can live our much-deserved lavish lifestyles free of interference from the unwashed masses.  Let them eat cake!”  Our bet is the only cake we’ll be eating, John, will be at your going away party.

RIVERSIDE’S CONTRACT-GATE: ONE QUESTION REMAINS

UPDATE: REQUEST FOR INVESTIGATION INTO MAYOR BAILEY’S OFFICE:  At the March 7, 2018, Riverside City Council meeting, Councilman Andy Melendrez requests an investigation into Mayor Bailey’s Office to determine if confidential materials related to the Mayor’s right to veto a contract of a City officer were released without Council authorization to the public.  Rumor has it this request involves the Mayor’s Office releasing the Colantuono Legal Opinion (and hence violating the City’s Attorney/Client privilege) prior to it becoming a public document a few weeks ago.  What? He’s requesting the formation of Special Counsel for this inquiry?  Does he think the City of Riverside river water is full of the same rats found in the swamps of Washington D.C.?  Shouldn’t have Andy requested Special Counsel to investigate the contract fraud Mr. Hunter speaks of instead?

As an aside we love how Andy is so nice and polite in this video right before he inserts the dagger of righteousness into the Mayor’s Office.  All of sudden, after all these years, Andy wants “transparency,” into the dirty deeds done dirt cheap within the confines of City Hall.  How marvelous!  Andy should have just called TMC: we’ve already done the investigation for free!  But alas, that’s for another day dear readers…

TMC, RATED RIVERSIDE REGIONAL COUNTY’S MOST, “SCANDALOUS,” “NEGATIVE,” “WARPED,” “RAUNCHY,” “LOW CLASS,” “VISIONS OF GRANDEUR,” “FULL OF B.S.,” “REPREHENSIBLE,” “IGNORANT,” “MISGUIDED,” “BULLYISH,” “INDECENT,” “REPUGNANT,””IMMORAL,” “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 “POLITICALLY INCORRECT.” 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 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

CITY OF RIVERSIDE: CITY ATTORNEY GARY GEUSS RELEASES THE COLANTUONO VETO OPINION

Posted: February 21, 2018 in Uncategorized
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Snakes on a Dais, Maybe TMC was right all along!

UPDATE: 02.22.2018: At last night’s City Council meeting, a statement was read regarding Council support of City Attorney Gary Geuss’s legal opinion against the Mayor’s veto power of executive staff contracts, supported by Attorney Michael Colantuono’s original legal opinion.  Colantuono will prepare an additional written statement for the unwashed masses (us) stating something to that effect within 7 days.

STATEMENT FROM THE COUNCIL: 

“By Majority vote, The Council supports the City Attorney as the sole legal authority under the Charter and we reject any suggestion that any other charter officer or elected official be permitted to obtain counsel at taxpayer’s expense. The majority of the City Council, excluding Councilmember Conder and Councilmember Perry, (Councilmember Adams was absent) reaffirms the statements of the City Attorney, during the February 6, 2018 Council Meeting, that the sole remedy for the Mayor, is to file a writ with the Superior Court. The Charter is plain, that the three Charter Officers report to, work for and take direction from The Council, not the Mayor. No one can have two bosses and work efficiently. We have asked outside Counsel to prepare a written version of his advice, suitable to be shared with the public within 7 days.”

ATTORNEY MICHAEL COLANTUONO RETAINED BY THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE AND WHO’S LEGAL OPINION OVER RODE MAYOR BAILEY’S VETO COMES INTO QUESTION.  We find in the following a monetary contribution to John Russo in 2006 when he was running for Assembly for $125.00 and a ‘payment in kind’ for $1,375.38.

Yep, I gave him a couple of bucks and some time, so what’s the big deal?  You have a problem with that?

What was that ‘non-monetary’ contribution of $1,374.38 to Russo’s Campaign?  Sandwiches? Legal Advice?  WE ALSO HAVE RIVERSIDE’S  LAW FIRM BEST, BEST & KRIEGER WHO APPARENTLY WERE CONTRIBUTORS OF $2,000.00 TO JOHN RUSSO’S 2006 ASSEMBLY CAMPAIGN!  MORE TO COME…

        

CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE

UPDATE: FEBRUARY 20, 2018: PRESS ENTERPRISE:  SPLIT RIVERSIDE CITY COUNCIL STANDS BY VIEW THAT MAYOR CAN’T VETO CITY MANAGER’S CONTRACT

Is TMC becoming relevant when it comes to sources for Press Enterprise articles?  That’s okay.. will you at least pay us the freelance rate?  Oop’s here it is in all it’s glory.. the Colantuono legal opinion on Mayor Bailey’s veto power. Colantuono cites City Charter Section 600 and Section 700.  His legal interpretation is that the Mayor cannot veto a Council decision on the employment of a charter officer.

                    

CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE OR CLICK THIS LINK FOR THE PDF VERSION

Councilman Mike Gardner, Ward 1,  said during the meeting that the veto issue was distracting the city from important business.  Love when I hear this..it couldn’t be the important business of the taxpaying residents having to deal with pot holes, uncut trees, drug houses, prostitution, shoot outs, burglaries, threats to neighbors, mail theft, theft in general, car break in’s, home break in’s,  inundation of homeless into our neighborhoods, etc. etc..

Will Mike Gardner’s unpopular votes in favor of Russo’s contract and against the Mayor’s power to veto sink his chances at County Board of Supervisors?  Magic 8-ball says…definitely maybe.

The question remains, what happens if the courts uphold Mayor Bailey’s Veto?  Will the Russo’s contract be rescinded? If it is, how those who pushed against Bailey fare in the future?  Those such as the City Council, City Attorney Gary Geuss and those that are subcontracted with the taxpayer’s monies to support a ‘legal opinion,’ such as the ‘high priced’ lawyer Michael Colantuono…. which incidentally, an attorney the Moreno’s went against in care of the taxpayers and won.  Let’s give credit where credit’s due…

According to the Press Enterprise, When Council members responded with their thoughts and some additional questions at Tuesday’s City Council, Geuss said city officials should not reply because neither Russo’s contract nor the veto was on the agenda. The state’s public meeting law, the Brown Act, limits what topics the council may discuss without putting it on the agenda in advance.  Because the Council neeeeeeeeever violates the Brown Act….laughing out loud.  Really Geuss?

Our Mayor, the proverbial hero, fighting for truth, justice and Riversidian way, preparing to dive from the seventh floor of City Hall to fight evil and protect the wallets and pocketbooks his people.

TMC, RATED RIVERSIDE REGIONAL COUNTIES MOST, “SCANDALOUS,” “NEGATIVE,” “WARPED,” “RAUNCHY,” “LOW CLASS,” “VISIONS OF GRANDEUR,” “FULL OF B.S.,” “REPREHENSIBLE,” “IGNORANT,” “MISGUIDED,” “BULLYISH,” “INDECENT,” “REPUGNANT,””IMMORAL,” “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 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

EXCLUSIVE: CONTROVERSIAL RUTAN & TUCKER LEGAL OPINION ON MAYOR BAILEY’S VETO.

Posted: February 17, 2018 in Uncategorized
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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.

Of course, TMC must remind our readers that the reeeeeeal issue here is that when hustling Brad Hudson was City Manager he gave then Mayor Loveridge everything he ever wanted, including full access to staff.  Ditto ex-City Manager Scott Barber. John Russo came along and cut that access off from the Mayor’s office cold turkey.

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!

UPDATE: FEBRUARY 17, 2018: PRESS ENTERPRISE: YEARS BEFORE VETOING RIVERSIDE CITY MANAGER’S CONTRACT, MAYOR VOTED FOR SIMILAR DEAL.

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

CITY OF RIVERSIDE: EXPLOSIVE BAILEY VETO! THE IDES OF FEBRUARY?

Posted: February 7, 2018 in Uncategorized
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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

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