Posts Tagged ‘City Coucilmant Paul Davis’

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The RAINCROSS Group Debate, Why won’t they air the debate video……. Because Vivian Moreno was the breakout candidate and Paul Davis was the aggressor…and their golden boy, Bailey, well……. 

The RAINCROSS Group’s golden boy, Mayor William Rusty Bailey, LOST the 2016 Charter Debate and now they are refusing to air it because of his failed performance.  I had a front row seat, Paul Davis took the right jab for the one-two comb punch then I took the straight-shot right to the truth.  

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Who are the people that call themselves the RAINCROSS Group?

RAINCROSS Group Mission Statement:  Behind every great city is a team of leaders that executes the vision and many followers who support the leader’s work. RAINCROSS strives to address the accountability mechanisms that make sure the leadership is on the right course. Our organizations strive to offer sound strategic support and oversight to keep our city on the right path.  Governance, which includes recruiting and development of new leaders on boards and commissions, monitoring systems and signaling mechanisms of transparency, and identifying critical quality of life to sustain higher standard of living.  Focusing on good governance ensures the success of leadership visions and the long term success of Riverside.

Listen I have watched this group lie, control, and try to manipulate the message of our corrupt government.  They have been in the drivers seat for the last 25 years, well then, they drove us right off the fiscal cliff.  We are in the worst fiscal condition in the history of Riverside, and according to their statement these people claim to have put us there.  This group is comprised of only those who claim to be the leaders, and those who are their followers. To belong to this group, you have to be invited.  People who think like this, is exactly what is wrong with this city.

I was looking forward to this debate because my message was the message that would expose the leadership of the RAINCROSS Group to the real truth about the city.  I knew that their elitist mentality couldn’t handle it.  It was going to be fun! Tuesday morning May 3rd I woke up early to get prepared for the debate at Charter Communication. This was the debate that was sponsored by the RAINCROSS Group, Charter Communications and the Press Enterprise.  I was ready and excited to attend. This debate would be televised in order to have a good account of the 2016 Mayorial candidates. We were all told to be there at 9 A.M. The debate started at 10 A.M.  I was there early and was ready to go.  I was greeted by some members of the RAINCROSS Group, Charter staff, and a Greater Riverside Chamber Staff member.  We were all instructed to wait in a conference room where they had a lovely breakfast spread.  Paul, Sally, Nancy, and myself were there on time. We all enjoyed pleasantries prior to the debate. There was no Bailey. His entourage gets there 15 minutes before we start, and he finally strolls in 10 minutes before the main event.

I have to ask, was Bailey’s staff there on City time campaigning for him?  Paul Davis’ staff was not there.  I asked about it later, and Paul’s camp said they were on city time, and it would appear to be a conflict if they attended the debate.  Again there are two sets of rules for Bailey and all others, and in his life he needs an entourage.

The actual debate started at about 10:20 A.M., we are on.  I was a bit nervous, but I knew the facts and issues surrounding the city really well, so I was ready to take on Paul and Rusty. When we were all finished, I was satisfied with my performance, as I’m sure Mr. Davis was with his. After the actual filming was done, moderator Brad Pomerance acknowledged each candidate.  Sally was first, he said “ Good Job,” then Paul, he said “ Good Job,” then Rusty, he winked at Rusty, then said  “Good job,” then it was Nancy, he said “ Good Job.”……. Now I am waiting for my hand shake and “Good Job,” instead!!!!!! Mr. Pomerance grabs my hand and stated very loudly for all to hear, “I like you, I really like you.”…. I WON!

Following the debate, I left after all was finished.  It was told to me later that Mr. Pomerance entered the room, and made a comment to the guests that were still there, that he was surprised with the performance of Vivian Moreno. The story goes that Gary Christmas from the RAINCROSS group mumbles something and then brushes me off…. OK Mr. Christmas, I brushed you and your RAINCROSS Group off a long time ago when you were the Measure A (the water measure) lying spokes person for your so called civic minded group.

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The Candidates were all told that the debate video would start airing Monday, May 9th.  After the 9th there was no airing, I e-mailed Brad Pomerance and he stated it would air Wednesday or Thursday of that week. Those days past, still no video! Today is Sunday May 15th, still  No Video Airing…..

Not airing this debate is offensive to the voters of Riverside and to all the candidates who participated in this forum. The RAINCROSS Group is part of the Special Interest problem in this city. Just look at their membership. This clearly demonstrates that they are trying to suppress and control the message, again. This debate was sponsored by the RAINCROSS Group, Charter Communications and the Press Enterprise.  Are they all involved in suppressing this message?

Just a quick note: Thirty Miles believes that Bailey will be running for John Tavaglione’s County Board of Supervisors seat in two years. Bailey is a career politician, Riversiders need to put him out of his misery.  VOTE ANYBODY BUT BAILEY!

What is also interesting is that Mayoral Candidate Vivian Moreno has a Mayoral Facebook site; but only Davis, Bailey and Melendez were listed as linked.

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Just for the record, Paul and Bailey, Do you know who is taking the “Vivian Moreno for Mayor” signs and replacing them with yours?  This is what the sign looks like.
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Don’t Forget to Vote Vivian Moreno for Riverside Mayor 2016!

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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THE KEY IS TEMPERATURE AND GOOD QUALITY CALVADOS..

I found this recent story released by the Press Enterprise to be quite amusing.  For the record, TMC, Vivian Moreno, Dvonne Pitruzzello, Mary Shelton and many others had been talking about the over spending at City Hall for years.  We started investigating when the Finance Department was under the direction of the accounting legend,  former CFO Paul Sundeen. The Master of Manipulating the books. He would come to city council to tell the council and mayor how great our credit rating was. We were so disgusted, we knew otherwise, all you had to do was read their documents and follow the money.  What is quite sidesplitting in the PE article is that some council members were puzzled by how the city went from a budget that appeared balance in June 2015, to a deficit estimated at $8 million in February 2016 (we believe the deficit is more like $19-25 million).  The response that hit the jugular was that one council member asked the question whether officials had manipulated the numbers.

But City Manager John Russo, stated in the PE that he thinks the problem in not malfeasance, but outdated systems of practices…well alrighty now, should his answer be taken at face value or seriously?  But he goes on to say, “I don’t think there was malicious intent there; I think the attitude was, ‘This is the way we’ve always done it.'”  He went on to say, “They won’t be doing it that way anymore.” Mr. Russo don’t we pay you to know?  Maybe we should hire another consultant to find out for sure?  OH, we can’t afford it!

I have to say that there is only one way which comes to accounting practices, and that is the right way, it’s called BEST PRACTICES.  But, I ask the question, as myself with a science background.  There are many statistical applications that can be utilized to receive a favorable or desired result.  Is this what happened?

What is more disparaging is that the City will not comment on the reasons for Mason’s departure, which leaves a bad taste in my mouth, because what they are doing is not being upfront with the facts and being transparent. I thought Mr. Russo was all about transparency?   We the taxpayer, the CEO, the Employer, needs to know what is going on with our company…our City!

Mr. Russo again sugar coats everything and will hold no one accountable for the misdeeds that occurred in our city.  He has so far found that the City officials did not follow policy in the City Attorneys Office or Finance Department.  Former City Attorney Greg Priamos paid his friends by issuing no contracts and therefore was no accountability.  Russo has now dismantled the Finance Department for what is believed,  as “cooking the books.”  Brent Mason, Michael Gomez and Scott Catlett are GONE!  I think Human Resources is next.  I’m sure all the Department heads are looking for new jobs.

Thirty Miles of Corruption started receiving the news of Brent’s departure about a month ago from an anonymous source who sometimes appears to be wholly inadequate…  Vivian Moreno was at the RRR neighborhood meeting March 7th, she asked John Russo very specifically if Brent Mason was leaving and are we headed for BANKRUPTCY?  He stated “He could not respond to personal issues, but the Finance Department is wholly inadequate for an organization I am in charge of.”   As far as the bankruptcy issue he would not really elaborate but basically said “no!”  Do I believe him? NO!

When Councilmember Mike Gardner states “There’s always this magic pot of gold that appears,” common sense will tell there is no pot of gold, there is no magic money, and there is no money tree. The Councilmembers were so stupid they actually believed there was a pot of gold?   Now you have Assistant City Manager Marianna stating the imbalances were disguised?  We do not live in the Emerald Green Land of OZ either.  We live in Riverside.  They were STEALING from Riverside Public Utilities.  The City always spent way more than what was budgeted.  It was a ticking time bomb..

THERE IS NO MAGIC MONEY….. why do I say that?  The City of Riverside magically found 10 million dollars to pay off our Prop 218 lawsuit.  The $10 million was to be paid from the General Fund back to the Water Fund.  The creative finance people seemingly found the money?  More pots of gold?  Or is this the straw that breaks the camels back.  I suggest all you really smart council people check to see how legal that was, to take the magic money the way you approved it.  Let me give you a very simple explanation, we tax retail, “YES!”  We tax wholesale, “NO!”  Council approved a wholesale tax… “STUPID!”  Again, there is no Magic Money…..there was no real payment from the general fund of $10 million.  You had electric pay water.  Let me explain that to you even easier. You had the Electric Ratepayer pay the Water Ratepayer.

Paul Davis stated they were ‘cooking the books’… Mike Gardner believes there was no wrong doing, Mike Gardner also believes in pots of gold… Who do you believe?  The Council is ultimately responsible for the disguising, cooking, and lying about the true financial position of the city.

City Manager John Russo stated the Finance Department was wholly inadequate.  Mr. Russo, we think Former Mayor Ron Loveridge, Cindy Roth, Brad Hudson, Scott Barber, Michael Beck, Paul Sundeen, Scott Catlett, Brent Mason, Tom Desantis, Belinda Graham, Deanna Larson, Mayor Rusty Bailey, Chris MacArthur, Mike Gardner, Steve Adams, Andy Melendrez, Paul Davis, Jim Perry, Nancy Hart, and all the special interest groups and citizens that supported and benefited from all the wild spending, were wholly inadequate and responsible for the current financial mess we are in.

Council member mike Gardner sums it up by stating ” The old way has hurt the city.”

The Old way hasn’t hurt the City Mr. Gardner….. The Mayor and Council did….. and you did!

UPDATE: 03.21.2016: CITY OF RIVERSIDE NAMES SCOTT MILLER NEW INTERIM FINANCE DIRECTOR.

UPDATE: 04.18.2016: FORMER CITY OF RIVERSIDE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER BRENT MASON CHOSEN TO BE CFO FOR THE CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO.

 

VOTE MORENO FOR RIVERSIDE MAYOR 2016!

TMC, RATED RIVERSIDE’S REGIONAL COUNTIES MOST, “NEGATIVE,” “RAUNCHY,” “LOW CLASS,” “VISIONS OF GRANDEUR,” “FULL OF B.S.,” “IGNORANT,” “MISGUIDED,” “BULLYISH,” “FILTHY,” “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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DID THIS EMAIL FROM CHIEF OF STAFF MAUREEN KANE INFER THAT THE MAYOR’S OFFICE WAS INTERFERING WITH THE CODE OF ETHICS & CONDUCT REVIEW PROCESS?(CLICK IMAGE TO ENLARGE)
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Council members admittedly stated that the Code of Ethics & Conduct hearing process is broken.  A meeting to address this very problem is scheduled for next month.  Though in todays hearing, the adjudicating body admitted a broken system which needs repairs, they still decided not to postpone the process as suggested by public commentators. They decided to continue regardless of the process being broken or flawed.  Therefore, was this panel also guilty of violating the code of ethics, knowingly deciding to progress through this broken process anyway?  Keith Nelson, who was chosen to hear Hunter’s first case admitted the system is broken.  What we are now hearing is that the hearing process was more than flawed, it appears to have been designed to reach a favorable outcome.
The basis of this Code of Ethics & Conduct complaint filed by former and fired City employee, Jason Hunter, against the adjudicating chair, Justin Scott Coe was based on five points:
1) Scott-Coe says he was just following orders: he recieved a protocol and followed it. He is therefore excused from independent thought I guess, according to him.  The fact that the Adjudicating Body never received Jason Hunter’s pre-hearing objections and motions that were previously filed with the Clerk.  When Mr. Hunter took notice of this deviation by the City Clerks Office, he personally gave him copies at the first hearing.  Just this process described didn’t appear to provoke any questioning by Mr. Coe.
2) As described in Hunter’s complaint, the City Clerk, contrary to what was agreed to in the first hearing, supplied the Adjudicating Body with the city’s version of the evidence requested by the Adjudicating Body, not what was actually submitted by him!  Hunter was supposed to supply this information and did prior to 2nd hearing to the Clerk.  Scott-Coe then quashed all Hunter’s attempts to introduce this evidence at the 2nd hearing.
3) At the end of the Hunter hearing, Scott-Coe mentioned in front of several witnesses, that he met with City Attorney Gregory Priamos prior to the hearing!  Keith Nelson, former deputy City Attorney Raychele Sterling and Hunter all heard him mention Priamos’ name.  What motive does Nelson have to lie?  Regardless, all these communications should’ve been made public, or at the very least shared with the other Adjudicating Body members, prior to the hearing.
4) Perhaps the most damning thing revealed in Coe’s letter (email above): What is the Mayor doing coordinating the adjudicating body’s activities after-the-fact?  It seems from the Kane letter, Bailey was involved in: a) The decision to not rescheduled the appeal (thus ensuring Councilman Davis could not be present for deliberations) despite Hunter’s request to do so, b) The decision to separate the Adjudicating Body’s presentation from Hunter’s appeal (totally inappropriate), and c) The fact that this proposed meeting with the Adjudicating Body never took place, and hence the presentation to Council never took place.
5) Lastly, you gotta love the irony that Coe would be involved in a decision whereby he questions the training qualifications of the Human Resource Board in conducting quasi-judicial hearings, but Coe doesn’t admit he had no training to do exactly the same….despite the fact that the City Attorney’s office offers this precise training to commissions as the CPRC (Community Police Review Commission).
Again, the City of Riverside, at taxpayer expense, hired the impeccable, local favorite attorney, Doug Smith to represent Justin Scott-Coe.  Again at Friday’s 23rd, 2014 hearing, stated that Hunters willingness to resolve this issue with Coe gave the impression through Hunter’s emails that the request were “threatening!”  Nice Dougy Baby!  When Smith attempted to bad mouth Keith J. Nelson, PhD at the hearing, he interrupted and stated to Smith, “don’t put words in my mouth.”  Again a list of inaccuracies continue by this outside legal taxpayer hired gun.  In a letter, Nelson actually called Smith a “liar” in how he explained, or should I say, didn’t explain to Council, that the Code of Ethics and Complaint process was flawed.  As with former City Attorney Greg Priamos, furnishing “bad” legal advice, we ask the same question with Attorney Doug Smith!  He is just milking the taxpayers again for the benefit of City Hierarchy?  As with most law firms hired by the City of Riverside, the biggest, BB&K, have questionable and nefarious ethical track records.
Did the City of Riverside violate the Brown Act by not posting the hearing on the City’s within a 72 hours?  According to Jason Hunter they did according to the following email, not once but possibly twicel..
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TINA ENGLISH REVISITED: IS SHE QUALIFIED FOR THE JOB OF DEPUTY PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR/ENGINEER?
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CHRISTINA AKA TINA ENGLISH
According to the City of Riverside’s description of the requirement for this position, did she skew the system?  How did this happen?  Through the grapevine one qualified engineer is leaving the City of Riverside as a result of this.  Tina English has be purported to be the “god daughter” of Former Riverside City Manager Brad Hudson, who inadvertently skipped town when he was asked if he was having an affair with..
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 Assistant City Manager Belinda Graham.
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The following is quite remarkable..
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So is the City of Riverside in violation of the “Nepotism” clause of the City Charter by hiring family members as Tina English?  A position we believe is only held with a “Dance Degree?”  She started with the position of Assistant Development Director for Redevelopment under Hudson, then became a engineering genius when she moved on over to Public Works.
The requirements for this position are as follows:
1. Must Review and Sign Engineering Drawings.
2. Must Supervise, coordinate , the surveying, mapping, plan check, contract, administration, construction inspection, and industrial waste inspection activities.
3. Make complex engineering calculations and to prepare engineering plans and specifications.
4. In terms of Education, must have the equivalency of Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in Civil Engineering.
5. In terms of the Experience Level:  A range of seven to ten years of progressively responsible supervisory and administrative public works engineering experience.
6. The necessary special requirement was the possession of a Certificate as a Professional Civil Engineer in the State of California.
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Of course, we find Tom Boyd’s..but Tina English..she doesn’t have a Certificate as a Professional Civil Engineer in the State of California.  Unfortunately this is the problem, we have unqualified people placed in the positions of which should be qualified.  Don’t you as tax payers think that there is something wrong?   If so, you should display your dissent?  Isn’t time that you begin to listen to those that the city has labeled as haters?
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DADDY MAYOR              SON JEREMY
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 TMC, RATED RIVERSIDE’S MOST “SLANDEROUS” AND MEZZSPELLED, “MISSPELLED” AND “OPINIONATED” BLOG SITE!  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..  TMC IS NOW EXCLUSIVLY EXCLUSIVELY ON FILE WITH THE COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE’S DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE (WE BELIEVE THIS WILL END SOON, SINCE THE FOCUS IS NOW ON THE IMPROPRIETIES OF MR. “Z”, WE TRIED TO TELL YOU, BUT NOBODY LISTENED), AND DON’T FORGET WE ARE PROSSIBLY POSSIBLY ON FILE WITH THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE’S POTENTIAL SLAPP SUIT LIST… A STRATEGIC LEGAL MANEUVER THAT CAN BE DONE ONLY IN RIVERSIDE WITHOUT A CONTRACT, WE WILL HAVE TO ASK GREGORY ABOUT THAT ONE ( OUR PEOPLE WILL HAVE TO CONTACT HIS PEOPLE)… AGAIN, THANK-YOU COMMUNITY OF RIVERSIDE AND THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE EMPLOYEE’S FOR YOUR SUPPORT!   COMMENTS ALWAYS WELCOMED, ESPECIALLY SPELL CHECKERS!  WE JUST CAN’T SPELL!  EMAIL ANONYMOUSLY WITH YOUR DIRT BY CONTACTING US AT:   THIRTYMILESCORRUPTION@HOTMAIL.COM

I came across this settlement case when looking into the Lanzillo Incident few weeks ago, and it was quite enlightening.  How many times has a settlement lawsuit occurred whereby a councilman such as Steve Adam’s has allegedly had a part in interfering with a process such as police promotions, in which of course, he should not be interefering with.  The question is, why would he feel a need to be part of the process to begin with?  At the last City Council meeting, former City of Riverside Deputy Attorney Raychele Sterling stated that City Attorney Greg Priamos expressed that Councilman Steve Adams was a “huge liability”.  It certainly appears that Councilman Steve Adams in the following law suit has costed the taxpayer not $1.00, not $500,000.00, but $750,000.00 and more in incidental court cost according to the law firm of Lackie, Dammeier & McGill.

POLICE ASSOCIATION LEADERS SETTLE RETALIATION LAWSUIT

By: Russell Perry & Michael McGill

On the eve of trial, the City of Riverside settled a contentious lawsuit brought by two of its lieutenants–Darryl Hurt and Tim Bacon–brought against the City, its now retired Chief of Police, a City Manager, an Assistant City Manager, and two City Council members.  The lawsuit alleged retaliation based on the lieutenants’ political activities on behalf of the Riverside Police Administrators Association [“RPAA”], the union for police management employees.

In 2006, Lieutenant Hurt became President of the RPAA and was vocal about the City violating numerous provisions of the union contract, including the City’s surreptitious attempt to convert various positions to “at will” status.  Hurt was responsible for coordinating litigation against the City challenging its actions and spoke out in opposition at various City Council meetings.  Of course, Lieutenant Hurt did not stand alone in his opposition to the various issues that confronted the RPAA.  In 2006, Lieutenant Tim Bacon was a vocal and active member of the RPAA.  He gathered a wide range of community support at City Council meetings to oppose the implementation of the “at will” employment contracts.  Furthermore, Lieutenant Bacon was Chairman of the Political Action Committee [“PAC”] for the RPAA and endorsed a candidate for City Council that eventually lost an election against a current City Councilman.

In addition to their union activities, Lieutenants Hurt and Bacon also reported what they believed to be unlawful activities of Police Chief Russ Leach, City Manager Brad Hudson, and Assistant City Manager Tom Desantis to the California Attorney General related to the issuance of concealed weapons to the city managers, as well as unauthorized cold platting of city vehicles.  Lieutenants Hurt and Bacon believed that their outspoken criticism of City Hall, City Council, and the reporting of the alleged illegal activity angered the city managers and city councilman. Unfortunately, these protected activities ended up coming back to haunt Lieutenant Hurt and Bacon when they later tested for Captain.

In November 2007, both lieutenants participated in the promotional process for Captain. Naturally, their combined extensive training and fifty six plus years of collective law enforcement experience led to a high ranking following the oral interview. Despite their excellent qualifications as senior lieutenants, they were passed up for promotion allegedly based on their political activities.

During the discovery phase, numerous depositions were taken and provided startling insight into the manner in which promotions occur within the City of Riverside.  A former Deputy Chief testified that Chief Russ Leach was told by City Manager Brad Hudson and Assistant City Manager Tom Desantis that Lieutenants Hurt and Bacon would never be considered for promotion because of their union activities. In fact, the candidate that was ultimately selected for promotion over Hurt and Bacon by Chief Leach was specifically approved by the city managers after an unusual vetting process.

Before the official announcement of the captain promotion was released, Councilman Steve Adams met with the promotional candidate at a restaurant, intentionally selected outside the city limits to avoid the appearance of impropriety [presumably due to the timing of the gathering]. This meeting was allegedly needed to resolved personal differences between Councilman Steve Adams and the candidate. Amazingly the only apparent issue that has to be resolved is whether or not the candidate actually campaigned against Steve Adams during a prior election—like Hurt and Bacon did.  Once Steve Adams accepted the candidate’s plea that he did not campaign against him, all the personal differences were resolved. City Councilman Adams told City Manager Hudson the next day that the meeting went well and coincidentally, the official announcement of the promotion of that candidate followed shortly thereafter. By the terms of the City Charter, members of the City Council are not supposed to be involved in the promotional process.

After they were passed over for promotion, Lieutenants Hurt and Bacon notified the Chief of Police of their intent to file a lawsuit. This act had immediate consequences as they were both suddenly transferred to an undesirable assignment for seasoned lieutenants, specifically the watch commander position.

The City’s assertion that the Lieutenants Hurt and Bacon were not promoted because they never made it to the top three choices for captain was going to be exposed as a sham at trial. They had compelling evidence that they were not going to be promoted because they previously engaged in protected activities. The circumstances surrounding the promotion of the other lieutenant only after the secret meeting outside the city limits, the testimony of Deputy Chief that both candidates were not going to be considered for promotion to captain, and the total lack of credibility of the former Chief of Police were going to show otherwise.

A few weeks before the case was set to go to trial in April 2010, the City came to its senses and met the plaintiffs’ settlement demand.  The terms of the settlement were released to the public by the City Attorney’s Office and include the following: In exchange for dismissal of both lawsuits against all defendants, Lieutenants Hurt and Bacon agreed to be placed on administrative leave until they were eligible for retirement [July 2010 for Lieutenant Bacon and January 2011 for Lieutenant Hurt]. Both lieutenants will receive back pay at the captain rate from the date they were passed up for promotion in January 2008 until their retirement. The City will ensure that both lieutenants will receive top step captain pay for the twelve months prior to retirement. Furthermore, the City agreed to purchase additional PERS service time so that both lieutenants could retire at the maximum, thirty years of service. Finally, Lieutenant Bacon will receive payment of $300,000 and Lieutenant Bacon will receive payment of $250,000.  The City further agreed to pay the Lieutenants’ legal fees and costs.  In total, the Lieutenants will receive a combined cash settlement totaling approximately $750,000, not to mention retirement at top step captain—positions they would have had absent the retaliation by the Defendants.  We did not even consider the cost the City spent to defend this case, which I’m sure goes well into the six digit range.

Mr. Warmth he is not, Mr. Sensitivity he is not, so why should we even give him the benefit of doubt when it comes to leadership?  When in essence his leadership is not for the benefit of his constituents.  What about the damage to City vehicles and cold plates?  What about the story of Lt. Meredyth Meredith and the alleged interference with her promotional process to Captain?  According to a deposition of former Chief of Police Russell Leach, he was preparing to promote then Lt. Meredith to captain when former Assistant Manager Tom DeSantis called him and put a stop to it.  Leach then stated, “And I found out Steve Adams marched into the meeting with…Hudson and Desantis and told them emphatically she shouldn’t be promoted.”  So what would be the reasoning behind Adams not wanting Lt. Meredith to be promoted?  Why would it matter at all what he says to begin with, wouldn’t he be violating Section 407 of City Charter, Intereference in Administrative Service, by that behavior?  So the big question we at TMC are asking, are certain people in leadership positions within the City of Riverside setting the taxpayer up for more costly liability?  We know “Mr. Liability” is..

UPDATE: 09/17/2012: EXCESSIVE WATER RATES?  WE TOLD YOU SO….ARE THEIR PROPOSITION 218 AN PROPOSITION 26 VIOLATIONS NOT BEING ADDRESSED?  A NEW REPORT IN THE PRESS ENTERPRISE ON THE HIGH COST OF WATER DUE TO THE TIERED SCAM…WE’RE SAYING IT BUT THEY ARE NOT.  OTHER TMC LINKS ON WATER: CITY OF RIVERSIDE: EXCESSIVE WATER TAXATION? AND CITY OF RIVERSIDE: UNDERWATER AND SHOCKED BY HIDDEN UTILITY TAXES? AND OF COURSE: CITY OF RIVERSIDE: THREE TIERS FOR WATER! I’LL DRINK TO….SECOND THOUGHT CAN’T AFFORD TO…   AND IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN ELECTRICITY RATES: HIDDEN TAXES ON YOUR ELECTRIC UTILITY RATE$!

UPDATE: 09/18/2012: CITY COUNCIL TUESDAY! The redistricting issue was debated and voted at Tuesday’s City Council Meeting on September 24, 2012.  The map that was accepted was as follows:

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Councilman Chris Mac Arthur’s legislative aid Charles Condor who was canvassing the his neighborhood for signatures to remain within his Ward 4, appeared to get his request.  The “deciders” cut “Chuckie Land” right down the middle, with Chuckie’s home address remaining in Councilman’s Paul Davis Ward 4, and the other half going to Councilman’s Andy Melendrez’s Ward 2.  Others rumored that Condor wanted to remain in Ward 4 in order to run against Davis next election cycle.  Now Condor has been quoted as saying he has no intention to run Ward 4 Council in the next election.  Chuckie Land in the first image should be all pink because it is actually in Councilman’s Paul Davis’s Ward 4.  It’s green in the photo because one of the redistricting map choices was that it would be redistricted to Councilman Andy Melendrez’s Ward 2, hence the second image which was accepted by council.

                                 

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Now the “Chamber Queen”, Cindy Roth, with all the controversy, did not get that piece of Ward 2, the Market Place of which TMC coined “Cindy Land”, to be moved to Councilman’s Mike Gardner’s Ward 1.

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Again, I must emphasize, that redistricting is not about ’business’ it’s about ‘population’.  If there is any inference of ‘gerrymandering’ that will be left for the state to investigate.  Redistricting, again, is based on a strict criteria, formulated to prevent political favoritism and gerrymandering.

Another change, was that Ward 1 was moved from Blaine to the Streets of Linden and University within the Andy Melendrez’s Ward 2.  Proponents, such as Christina Duran were not happy with that change.  Though, we must remember, what appeared to be of greater concern to the community of Ward 2 was the Market Place, which was of course, retained within Councilman’s Andy Melendrez’s Ward 2.  Regardless, public speaker Christina Duran made it known to Council that she would file a letter of objection to this change.  A letter of objection allows the decision in question to legally be brought up at a later time if deemed necessary due to inconsistencies, otherwise the decision could be considered final.

Again the act of redistricting is based on a set criteria which independently produces several redistricting map choices for council to vote on.  Changing those boundaries for the benefit of a few, known as gerrymandering, would be violating this set criteria, therefore would be left for investigation by the state.  The points made above were many of the ones which were seemed to be brought to the forefront of importance, otherwise movement and slight district changes overall were left unchallenged.

UPDATE: 09/20/2012: GANGNAM STYLE MEETS “RIVER CITY STYLE”? OR EVEN “THE LOVERIDGE STYLE” AS COINED BY ALICIA ROBINSON OF THE PE?  WOULD THIS HELP OUR SISTER CITY?  CAN IT HELP RIVERSIDE WITH NOTORIETY?  NEW POSTING ON THE PE BY ALICIA ROBINSON..

    

UPDATE: 09/26/2012: QUESTIONS ARISE ON THE FATALITY OF ISABEL PABLO STRUCK BY AN RPD VEHICLE.  Police Officer Boulerice’s initial statement was that he was looking at his computer before the collision.. but Greg Matthews, (paid by the City of Riverside to assess the actual circumstances of the fatality, in favor of the city, I would imagine), said the short amount of time Boulerice needed to stop indicated that he was not distracted… Well alrighty, I heard that one by the common people, or should I say the taxypayer.

    

Matthews said Pablo was not visible to Boulerice long enough for him to stop in time, even if he had not been driving 5 mph over the posted 35 mph speed limit.  We all know the dangers of going 40 mph and taking a second or two not looking at the road.  It only takes a second of distraction.  We’ve been told this time and time again, but now, is there a double standard now involved?

Trained police officers can text, use their cell, utilize their computer and the City can effectively argue that the officer was not distracted?  I know a thousand local taxpaying civilians that would like to hire that guy..  BUMP, Oppps, O’my god…what did I do??  Laws? What laws? What are they there for?  According to RPD, there Press Release suggest that Isabel Pablo was jaywalking.. by walking outside the crosswalk.  She was even given a toxicology test, the results have yet to be reported by the Chief.  In one instance to mitigate going over the speed limit, Chief Diaz states that Boulerice would not have been able to stop even if he were driving the posted 35 mph, police said at the meeting.

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Accordingly the following image from the PE shows where Pablo was when she was hit (red tear drop).  Also in the image are the lines of visual compromise to the police officer driving (red lines) which made it difficult to see Pablo.  Also notice that where Pablo was hit (second image), was the area or distance between one vehicle lane.  It is also important to notice the layout of the blocks in relation to the streets.

         

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The next series of images begins with image 1, approximately one block away from where Pablo was hit.  Image 2, is approximately at half the distance, with noticeable pedestrian crossing clearly painted on the street.  Image 3, is approxiamately a quarter of the distance.  In all images you can judge for yourself it their was any visual impairment.  Also consider the speed of the vehicle in excess of the speed limit, and driving while on the vehicle lap top.  The police officer also mentions a vehicle parked to the right curb also causing visual impairment (Image four).  Click images to enlarge.  According to the PE a southbound motorist who saw Pablo on the curb, nodded to Pablo that she could cross, but then honked his horn when he saw the police car approach at a speed that indicated Boulerice did not see Pablo.  I’m assuming that what he meant by honking the horn was that he was traveling in a speed in excess of what appeared to normal.  You the citizen be the judge..

        

IMAGE ONE                            IMAGE TWO                         IMAGE THREE                       IMAGE FOUR

Three other views beginning approximately one quarter of the way to impact.  Keep in mind the view especially in image three.  Also consider as indicated by the PE, the landscaping, medians and planters were installed in a $1.1 million project in 1999 that was designed to slow vehicle traffic and make Madison more pedestrian friendly.  Image four is of Image Two with a parked truck.

        

IMAGE ONE                            IMAGE TWO                       IMAGE THREE                        IMAGE FOUR

Could speed and distraction been a factor?

To make his point, Chief Sergio Diaz said there have been 23 fatal vehicle vs. pedestrian collisions in Riverside since 2007. In 15 cases, the pedestrian was at fault; in five cases, the driver was at fault but was not charged; in three cases, the driver was at fault — two charged with felony DUI and one charged with misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter.  I’m not sure what Chief Sergio’s Diaz’s point was, but maybe it was to mitigate the collision somehow, but regardless, violations occurred.  If you wanted transperancy, one would want to look at the video dash cam for the purpose of seeing the police officer’s view from the police vehicle.  Chief Diaz doesn’t see it that way, he stated at a community meeting that he would attempt to prevent the police car’s dashboard video from going public, that he had no interest in satisfying anyone’s “macabre curiosity.”  “Macabre Curiosity”?  First Riversidian’s who asked questions regarding police procedures, were labeled as those who are “eating cheetos in their underwear”.  Now the question arises again, whereby the community would like to view all the evidence, especially the dash video.  Those who would like to see the dash video are now labeled as deviant, with a “macabre curiosity”.  Again many in the community are questioning the decisions and remarks of the Chief, especially now that he appears to be interfering with public records and how he skews issues of importance.

TMC INVESTIGATES WITH THEIR OWN VERSION AS SEEN ABOVE, WITH NO COST TO THE TAXPAYER.  WITHOUT THE COMMUNITY WORKING WITH POLICE HAND IN HAND, WE CANNOT HAVE A SAFE COMMUNITY.  TRUST NEEDS TO BE BROUGHT BACK, EVEN IF IT MEANS A NEW CHIEF.   WHAT! ANOTHER CHANGE ORDER FOR THE FOX PERFORMANCE PLAZA FOR $2.5 MILLION.  BUT GET THIS! STAFF ALREADY SPENT IT WITHOUT CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL.  OF COURSE THIS HAS CITY MANAGER SCOTT BARBER’S NAME ALL OVER THIS.  AT ONE POINT DURING COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS, COUNCILMAN STEVE ADAMS ASKED IF THE MONEY HAD ALREADY BEEN SPENT AND THE CONSTRUCTION ALREADY DONE?  CITY MANAGER SCOTT BARBER ANSWERED “YES’… THIS WAS ITEM #15 ON THE CITY COUNCIL AGENDA FOR TUESDAY 09.25.2012.  TAXPAYERS ARE ASKING WHO’S IN CHARGE?  BUT DID COUNCILMAN STEVE ADAMS, CITY MANAGER SCOTT BARBER AND THE CITY ATTORNEY GREG PRIAMOS ALREADY KNEW ABOUT THIS BEFORE HAND?  THE REASON WE ASK THIS AS WELL AS OTHER IN THE COMMUNITY IS BECAUSE IT IS NOT UNCOMMON TO SEE COUNCILMAN STEVE ADAMS WITH CITY MANAGER SCOTT BARBER AT SUCH LOCAL HANGOUTS AS MAZZ.  ALSO SEEN WITH ADAMS IS CITY ATTORNEY GREG PRIAMOS.  THREE PEAS IN A POD?  WAS THIS WHOLE EVENT POSSIBLY EVEN ORCHESTRATED?  WHAT ARE THE LEGAL REPERCUSSIONS BEHIND THIS DECISION?  KNOWING THE RULES OF CONDUCT, WHY WOULD CITY MANAGER SCOTT BARBER VIOLATE THEM?

                   

    SCOTT BARBER                        STEVE ADAMS                    GREG PRIAMOS

    

SHOULD THE CHIEF OF POLICE, CITY ATTORNEY AND CITY MANAGER POSITIONS BE ELECTED POSITIONS?  WE WELCOME YOUR COMMENTS..  AND YOU KNOW BY NOW HOW MUCH TMC LOVE’S THE DIRT, EMAIL YOU DIRT!  NOT LITERALLY… INCIDENTALLY, IF YOU HAVE EXTRA DIRT..MAIL IT TO CITY HALL!   CITY HALL NEEDS YOUR DIRT IN ORDER TO COMPLETE TEQUESQUITE PARK..AT THE RATE OF 1,800 TRUCKLOADS…  THIS WITH A COST OF $200,000.00 TO THE TAXPAYER.  $200K DIVIDED BY OUR POPULATION OF 300,000.00 COMES OUT TO $0.666 PER RESIDENT.  WE  WILL LET YOU KNOW OF ANOTHER INCIDENT WHERE THE 666 NUMBER COMES UP REGARDING EL TEQUESQUITE PARK, OF COURSE, RESERVED ONLY FOR THOSE 666 ENTHUSIAST..

Self Appointed Citizen Auditor Vivian Moreno question the documentation for Tequesquite Park which states that the six fire stations are equal to the $4 million.  “That can’t possibly be right, these six stations have to be worth over $50 million”!  ”If you divide $4 million by the 6 fire stations you get $666,666.66.  Your telling me that a fire station is only worth $666,666.66″?

UPDATE: 10/01/2012: ITEM # 19 ON CITY COUNCIL AGENDA FOR 10/02/2012: GINA AIREY CONSULTING TO BE CONTRACTED FOR “SEIZING OUR DESTINTY TWO”? AT A COST TO THE TAXPAYER OF $210,365.00?   Yes Folks, there is a Method in the Magic in order to initiatate Seizing Our Destiny Two..

    

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Methods & Magic: How to  Jumpstart a Focused Plan that Delivers Results… and Saves You Time! –This is a  day-long workshop to prepare for self-directed strategic planning, designed for  volunteers and smaller organizations. “Methods and Magic” is also available as a  workbook for all those City Council who need a helping hand with vision.

CLICK LINK TO VIEW FULL DOCUMENT

The last time we had anything with the term “Magic”, was when Former City Manager Brad Hudson requested an outside investigation to the allegations of favoritism of himself, so he hired Rancho Cucamonga-based law firm Cihigoyenetche Grossberg Clouse  at a cost to the taxpayer of $150,000.00 to do the investigation which ultimately took a month.  Of course, in this investigative process they forgot to interview the other party which originally made the claims of impropriaties.  This is the same in Councilman Paul Davis’s case, whereby former RPD Lt. Jeff Callopy also forgot to take a statement, from non other than, Councilman Paul Davis, and was still able to determine wrong doing by the councilman.  Well, go figure.  But it gets stranger, one of the partners of the law firm Brad Hudson retained to investigate the email claims, specifically, Scott J Grossberg Esq.,  is also a motivational speaker who specializes in magic,  and is the author of three critically acclaimed and bestselling books, “The Vitruvian Square: A Handbook of Divination Discoveries,” “The Masks of Tarot,” and “Bauta: Betraying the Face of Illusion,” in addition to his oracle/divination cards, “The Deck of Shadows.”

This partner specializes in magic, thought-reading, and divination (Tarot, oracle cards, palmistry, astrology, and numerology).  I guess my question to the City of Riverside is, why do continue to focus on “magic” for the answers to the City of Riverside’s future?  What is their obsession with “magic”?  In their eyes, would “magic” be what is necessary to take the City that one step beyond?

UPDATE: 10/02/2012: CITY COUNCIL VOTES TO CONTINUE REDLIGHT CAMERAS, REGARDLESS OF WHAT THE PUBLIC AT LARGE HAD TO SAY…AND WHAT THEY SAID WAS TAKE THEM OUT!  THE VOTE:  ADAMS-YEA, HART-YEA, GARDNER-YEA, DAVIS-NAY, MAC ARTHUR-NAY, MELENDREZ-NAY, MAYOR PRO TEMP AND MAYORAL CANDIDATE, AKA “INDEPENDENT VOICE”  MADE THE DECIDING VOTE WITH AND ASTOUNDING YEA..  WHAT DOES AUSTRALIAN BASE REDLFLEX HAVE ON THESE INDIVIDUAL WHO VOTED IN FAVOR OF IT?

I heard 18 people speak against the cameras tonight and two in favor of keeping them. All agreed the fines are unreasonable, even Steve Adams. Outwardly he says he supports community opinion and supported alternative methods to improve traffic safety. An excess of 11,000 tickets at Arlington and Indiana shouts loud and clear that public works is not doing an effective job of improving traffic safety here. Warren Buffet recently invested in red light cameras as reported by some council members (Mac Arther and Davis).   – Mark Porter, Commenter on the PE

The proverbial saying: put your money where your mouth is, comes to mind. If the city’s position is that the red light cameras result in safer intersections then where are the substantiating facts? if a case cannot be made that the red light cameras are producing a safer traffic environment (presumably the reason for their existence, according to the city) then we must ask: Why are they there?  -dontsurfsaltcreekmiddles, Commenter on the PE

UPDATE: 10/04/2012: CITY COUNCIL WEEK SEPTEMBER 26, 2012.  CITY MANAGER’S SCOTT BARBERS EXPLANATION TO THE  SPENDING OF $2.5 MILLION WITHOUT CITY COUNCIL KNOWLEDGE OR APPROVAL.

First of all let me say that, if we didn’t proceed with the MOU, (Memorandum Of Understanding is a document describing a bilateral or multilateral agreement between parties),  this change order would be another $500,000.00 or $600,000.00 on top of what you are seeing right now cause that would have been the cost to rebuild the building that had no purpose or no use, (The Press Bindery).  Which seems to me to be would be a waste of money.  So I appreciate  and recognize that we would be writing a wrong, and we are going to do something really good with the money.

Second of all, there was some management decisions made during the course of construction, that should have been discussed with the council.  I fully understand and appreciate the depth and weight of those decisions that were made.  And you have my guarantee as your city manager …uggh, that we have a big convention center construction under way….  You have staff’s commitment that we will bring to you items as they come up, because when their’s construction, there are unforeseen things that happen, it just always happens with construction..   and there were some additional cost that were management decisions, and….that’s not the kind of thing that is going to happen again…  So, I appreciate your thoughtful consideration of this,  and you have my guarantee as your city manager that we will not be making management decisions to make changes on projects without discussing them with you…

City Councilman Paul Davis: Final question, has this work already been done?  And it’s kind of asking permission after the fact?

Barber: Most of the work been completed…(therefore the $2.5 million has been spent without City Council approval)..

Upcoming, another alleged hired retaliatory investigative hit job by former RPD Lt. Jeff Callopy against a Public Works employee?

RIVERSIDE FORGOTTEN….MAIN STREET, CIRCA 1900

JUST FOR LAUGHS….EL TEQUESQUITE PARK: MIDNIGHT DIRT REMOVAL:  WE JUST RAN OVER THAT PURPLE PIPE, WAS THAT ANYTHING IMPORTANT?

TMC, RATED RIVERSIDE’S MOST “SLANDEROUS” AND MEZZSPELLED, “MISSPELLED” AND “OPINIONATED” BLOG SITE!  TEMPORARILY BLOCKED BY THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE AT PUBLIC ACCESS SITES WITHIN THE CITY, THEN UNBLOCKED.  I GUESS YOU CANNOT DO THAT ACCORDING TO ACLU.  RATED ONE TWO ONE STAR OUT OF FIVE IN TERMS OF COMMUNITY APPROVAL RATINGS..  TMC IS NOW EXCLUSIVELY ON FILE WITH THE COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE’S DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE, AND PROSSIBLY POSSIBLY ON FILE WITH THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE’S POTENTIAL SLAPP SUIT LIST… WE WILL HAVE TO ASK GREGORY ABOUT THAT ONE ( OUR PEOPLE WILL HAVE TO CONTACT HIS PEOPLE)… AGAIN, THANK-YOU COMMUNITY OF RIVERSIDE AND THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE EMPLOYEE’S FOR YOUR SUPPORT!   COMMENTS ALWAYS WELCOMED, ESPECIALLY SPELL CHECKERS!  EMAIL ANONYMOUSLY WITH YOUR DIRT OR FOR CONTACT!   THIRTYMILESCORRUPTION@HOTMAIL.COM