Posts Tagged ‘city of riverside’

CITY OF RIVERSIDE: THE PAUL DAVIS COMPLAINT: TO HEATED OF AN ISSUE FOR A FIRE EXTINGUISHER TO PUT OUT?

Posted: August 28, 2012 in Uncategorized
Tags: , , , , , ,
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Tuesday’s City Council begain with the rattle, then the strike and finally the discharge of venom by City Attorney Gregory Priamos by reading a complaint laid out against Councilman Paul Davis by a Fire Inspector.  Was this premature?  It wasn’t to long ago that a deposition by former Chief Russell Leach was release prematurely by Priamos, and the case was still active and ongoing, and in this case Bailey came out looking disfigured.   Today, Priamos released a bombshell against City Councilman Paul Davis regarding a complaint issued by a female fire inspector.  This stemmed from a June 12th, 2012 incident at the food truck festival regarding fire hydrants.  Davis and his wife were organizers of this event.  According to Councilman Davis a female fire inspector percieved that he was ‘loud’ and ‘disruptive’, therefore the complaint, and according to the Press Enterprise, felt she was ‘disrespected’.  Disrespected possibly because Councilman Davis called Chief Earley in front of her?  Now, anyone who has worked in the private sector knows, if you reach a wall with one person, you ask for the next person in charge.  This isn’t ‘disrespectful’, this is ‘expected’ and ‘acceptable’.  She also made mention that he was ‘rude’ and ‘interfered with her work’.  Then this incident evolved into a ‘discrimination’ and ‘harassment’ complaint.  According to Priamos the ‘discrimination’ and ‘harassment’ complaint was investigated by the City and it was determined to be ‘founded’ against Davis.  Therefore, it happened as indicated.  ‘Discrimination’ and ‘harassment’ accusations are serious.  So, could the perception of the chain events be a misunderstanding which now became a ‘harassment’ and ‘discrimination’ complaint?  Now, we all know about ‘harassment’ and ‘discrimination’ complaints because we have seen enough of these lawsuits filed against the City by employees.  The City, it appears forgot one thing, according to Davis he was never ‘interviewed’.  So how did this get by the good city attorney many are asking?  Well, were not sure.  But Priamos did hire a friend, former RPD Lt. Jeff Collopy, Internal Affairs Bureau, to do the “independent investigative work” on this complaint, except he forgot to ‘interview’ Councilman Davis regarding his side of the story.  “Independent”, we as you can see, Collopy was far from that.  According to a posting by Alicia Robinson of the Press Enterprise, former Lt. Jeff Collopy charged the City/ taxpayer $85/ hour for 10 hours of investigative work for a total of $850.00.

Sidenote: Is this really about Councilman Davis forcing Priamos to be transparent?  Two weeks ago, Tueseday August 14, 2012, at city council closed session, Priamos was asked to produce his personal reimbursement schedule for public record, and was given 72 hours.

This carried forward to Councilman Bailey acting as Mayor Pro-Tem, also known as “Independent voice of Riverside”.  “The City Council does not condone the actions of Councilman Davis, founded through a complaint and interview by a city employee and investigated by a private detective,” Bailey said.  “The City Council will continue to call out for behavior expected of a public official serving the residents of Riverside.”

Well okay, but we know Bailey has a few skeletons in his closet that can be called out for behavior expected of a public official serving the residents of Riverside.  Let’s not forget Councilman Steve Adam’s sliding by complaints, or the citizens complaint against Adams files by six members of the La Sierra/ Arlanza Neighborhood Aliance that was dismissed by former City Manager Brad Hudson.  Again, did Bailey know Davis never gave his side of the story in what is called an ‘interview’?

Davis went on to say.  However, I do want to add something to this, this unfounded or finding of the complaint now that it has been read out of my arrangement has not been completed.  And I’m hoping that we can.  I have not been ‘interviewed’ officially, for them to say that it was ‘founded’, I do have ‘cause on that’.  But to that person I’m very sorry, and that should be a public statement to her.  What was just read was not what I’m comfortable with.

We know the Councilman Davis and Councilman Adams have had their spirited disagreements, but for some reason it seemed that Councilman Steve Adams was egging Councilman Davis on by the following statement.  “Are you feeling that you weren’t handled appropriately?”  …….Nope, we can handled it now, you just made the statement, Adams said.  Would you like to call for an independent investigation? So that you make sure that your rights are upheld, Adams continued.  “Steve!”, Davis answered, “the information that we discussed was that it was in position that it should have been handle.  Now a statement comes out that says that in fact it was ‘founded.’”  “That is the report that was given”, Steve said…  Davis then said, “that my understanding is that one piece of this is not ‘founded’.”  The mayor then intervened as stated that the conclusion of the report was that it was ‘founded.’

Davis went on to say that “I have great difficulty with what was just read by city attorney’s office that was not discussed.”

Even Councilman Mike Gardner layed in his two cents with all the trivial remaining sense he had, and said, “as far as the council is concerned, it’s now done”.

It appears that there were parts that complaint that were ambiguously discussed behind closed doors, then an occurrence unbeknownst to him happened.  The complaint was ‘founded’.  Not a simple complaint now, it now evolved to a ‘harassment’ and ‘discrimination’ complaint.  In TMC’s opinion the lines of separation are evident, and the damage of an unaligned railroad apparent.

“The damage is done,” Davis said.

As a kids game, when you are no longer wanted as part of the pack, the bullying happens and is becomes apparent.. for whatever reason..the munimob has spoken..you can’t question it, it just is…

It appears that there were parts that complaint that were ambiguously discussed behind closed doors by ‘the City’, then an occurrence unbeknownst to him happened.  The complaint was ‘founded’.  Not a simple complaint now, it now evolved to a ‘harassment’ and ‘discrimination’ complaint.

We understand now that not even an interview of the incident was given to Councilman Davis, it appears to be a complete violation of procedure, as many are weighing in.  It’s no secret to many of Councilman’s Davis’s relationship with Priamos, and even with other councilman, such Steve Adam’s, who also put his two cents worth on the issue.  Now it’s also not uncommon to see Priamos with Adams at a local watering hole such as Mazz at the Riverside Plaza.  But others are asking now is this retaliation toward a tape of Priamos released last week at City Council, which of course the tape had nothing to do with Councilman Davis, but simply a breach within his own office.  At City Council, former Deputy Attorney Raychelle Sterling weighed in toward Councilman Mike Gardner that Priamos would call him an ‘idiot’ at staff meetings. “ I don’t know why you support the city attorney.”  We found he also called Councilman Bailey an ‘idiot’, as well.  She went further to state that Councilman Adams is a liability to the city.

So why is Priamos acting this way?  We go back in time and ask the questions on certain incidents.  The episode and complaint against former Councilman Dom Betro yelling inappropriatly and making threatening comments on Main Street at Kevin Dawson and his daughter, what did Priamos say then? Nothing..  What about the Valmont Graham discrimination case? Where Councilman Bailey may have had a part in Officer Graham not getting promoted, due to a percieved perception.  Now costing the taxpayer extrodinary litigation expenses because of a misunderstanding?  It’s been perceived that Priamos protects those he has relationships with, and others he doesn’t.  Even though he says he serves at the pleasure of the council, a different turn of event occurs behind the close doors of the Priamos office.  Many at this time are beginning to think, doesn’t the City Attorney represents and protects the needs of the community against liabilities?  Well think again, there is a whole other set of dynamics that don’t include the taxpayer, the employer.  Possibly as some have said, a whole other culture has developed at City Hall.  Viewing the incident, we know that Councilman Davis has been the sole person to vote for another ambulance company entering the boundaries of the City, such as Mission Ambulance. Could we say that the complaint by the fire inspector suspicious?  It was filed solely based on perception? Perception than now became harassment and discrimination.  Perception sure has exploded.  Let’s also not forget Priamos friendship with Peter Hubbard who runs AMR (American Medical Response).  The following is a transcribed letter of the original,  written by Priamos to the law firm representing Mission Ambulance, and telling them they cannot send a representative to City Council in order to lobby for them.

CLICK IMAGE TO VIEW LETTER

Let’s take it a step further, his friendship with Councilman Steve Adams.  We have witnesses who seen them together at one of their favorite watering holes, the Salted Pig.  Okay, now I’m beginning to think is this whole episode politically motivated?  We forgot to say that Councilman Davis also spoke with Fire Chief Steve Earley, who state he could not comment on the complaint.

Fire Chief Earley is also a friend of AMR’s Peter Hubbard.  There has been some talk around town that Peter Hubbard (AMR) hosted Tim Stack (President of the Riverside City Firefighter Union) and Wendy Stack’s wedding reception at Peter Hubbard’s home.  We shouldn’t be surprised, after all, this is River City and screwing is king…

Of course, you know there is more to come… stayed tuned for another episode of “As Riverside Turns Your Stomach”.

“Elected officials aren’t typically involved in such investigations”… yes, that’s right. The difference here is that the staff is completely out of  control, and have repeatedly demonstrated a complete disregard for the citizens they serve. When people complain about “out of control government” this is what they’re complaining about. The staff does what they want, when they want without regard to their elected officials. Totally unacceptable. We need stronger and  better oversight on the council.   -Jim Stewart, Commenter on the PE

Yes, let’s have the city pay to block off some streets for a food truck festival and then not allow the food trucks we invited to the city to sell their food. Good for Davis for getting upset at that kind of nonsense. I was at a separate event with food trucks and the county inspectors were waiting at the gates of the event like rabid dogs. Using selective enforcement to single out and shut down businesses is one of the reasons why this state is in the mess it is in.  -John Rockwell, Commenter on the PE

Let’s start a forum of stories about fire inspectors being rude.  – Sharon Marshall, Commenter on the PE

So the city hires private investigators to handle complaints involving elected officials. Good! Now perhaps they can investigate the ones who allegedly  violated the city charter by interfering in the police department’s promotional process.   – Mary Shelton, Commenter on the PE

But this complaint is politically motivated, plain and simple – Paul questions the kickback given by AMR to the fire chief, and then this happens. It’s ridiculous.  – Jim Stewart, Commenter on the PE

If I were mayor pro tem, and was running for that very office, I might have used the “Face Time” for more strategic issues facing our city, and not bickering over an issue which has yet to be resolved.  – Ron Woodbury, Commenter on the PE

UPDATE: 08/29/2012: A REPORT FROM THE PRESS ENTERPRISE IS STATING THAT COUNCILMAN DAVIS’S COMPLAINT HAS BEEN RESOLVED.  NOW THAT THE DUST HAS SEEMED TO SETTLE, WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FROM CITY ATTORNEY PRIAMOS’S NEXT PERFORMANCE EVALUATION?

JUST FOR LAUGHS PERSPECTIVE..

RIVERSIDE FORGOTTEN…RIVERSIDE MAIN STREET MALL, CIRCA 1966

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.  PROUDLY RATED ONE STAR (POSSIBLY DOWN TO ZERO FROM OUR LAST ACCOUNTS) 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 FOR GOOD REASON, AND PROSSIBLY POSSIBLY ON FILE WITH THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE’S POTENTIAL SLAPP SUIT LIST, FOR GOOD REASON… 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 SPHALL SPELL CHECKERS!  EMAIL ANONYMOUSLY WITH YOUR DIRT OR CONTACT US BY THE FOLLOWING EMAIL ADDRESS! CONTRIBUTORS WILL ALWAYS BE PROTECTED… YES, WE EXPECT THE JAIL TIME FOR THAT ONE…  THIRTYMILESCORRUPTION@HOTMAIL.COM

CITY OF RIVERSIDE: TO MOODY TO FITCH? OR WILL POOR BE THE STANDARD IN THE RATING SYSTEM IN CALIFORNIA MUNICIPALITIES?

Posted: August 23, 2012 in Uncategorized
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According to Moodys, the nations largest issuer of municipal bonds, they are asking the question, is bankruptcy becoming a popular strategic choice for municipalities in order to deal with debt?  Well they think so and and in response they will begin a wide-ranging review of municipal finances in the nation’s most populous state because as they see it, there is a growing threat of municipal insolvency.  It is there contention that it expects more municipal bankruptcies and bond defaults.  Recently, Stockton, San Bernardino, Mammoth Lakes have filed and now the possibility of Compton in the coming month.  According to Moodys there will be more to come.  The fact that their are more bankruptcy filings and bond defaults among California cities reflects an increased risk to bondholders as investors.  These risk become the red flags which brings Moody’s focus of attention and an obligation to investors.  As bankruptcy becomes a tool for cashed strapped cities, this requires Moody’s to reassess the financial position of all cities in California.  Within a year the City of Riverside’s bond rating has decreased from an average of AAA rating  to AA /A rating.  Mind you this is still considered good, but the fact remains, it visually appears to be of concern.

                                                                             

     CLICK THIS LINK TO VIEW INVESTOR INFO           CLICK LINK TO VIEW CITY’S BOND RATING EXPLANATION

A decrease in bond rating to the investment community is a statement that there has been an appreciable increase in risk.  Therefore, in many ways it is of concern, because a lower bond rating can mean the difference of getting a better percentage rate on borrowing, especially in times when municipalities are struggling due to lower tax revenue streams.  Even if it was a 0.5% increase, it would cost more money to borrow.  The other concern is “How will the debt be paid off?”  Considering the fact that there will be lower tax revenues on the horizon.

If you look at the example of the US, losing its prestine AAA rating down to a not so prestine AA rating, it really matters.  It is a very loud statement that there has been an appreciable increase in the risk – which might still be tiny, but it exists – that the US might one day struggle to pay back all it owes.  In theory there will be a financial cost for the US government and US citizens, whose debt is priced off the interest rate paid by the government.  Perhaps an additional half of a percentage point on interest rates.  According to US Bank JP Morgan, over time, this could amount to an additional $100 billion of interest costs for the US economy.

As a result investors are beginning to wonder if cities are using bankruptcy as tool for their debt?  It was noted that some municipalities were considering bankruptcy as a new strategy to address budget deficits and avoid obligations to bondholders.  This in essence would be disastrous to the investment community.

According to Chris McKenzie, executive director of the League of California Cities, also considered a lobbying entity for cities, said, “Moody’s has an obligation to review changing circumstances, but we just suggest that their assessment of the framework and ground activities is perhaps exaggerated”.   Of course if you’re a paid lobbying group for cities, what else would you say?

If you take the City of Riverside for example, and look at their monthly financials.  May for example, and compare ratings in 2011 to 2012.  One will find a downgrade from AAA to AA / A.  Don’t get me wrong it’s still a good rating, but why the downgrade?  Are we borrowing more? Are we incurring more debt?  According to the City of Riverside’s Office of Economic Development we are continuing to do well in lieu of distressed economy.

CLICK IMAGE TO VIEW

But can this be due to the fact that the City of Riverside has a continous revenue stream from our utilities, and the utilities we own?  Would we consider this a false sense of security for current ratings if utilities were accessed or used inappropriately?

                                         

MONTHYL FINANCIALS MAY 2011                MONTHLY FINANCIAL MAY 2012

In Moody’s report, more than 10 percent of California cities have declared fiscal crises, with most troubled areas lying inland in the middle of the state and east of the Los Angeles area.  The report also noted the potential for ratings downgrades to cities, counties, school districts throughout the state.  I would imagine a downgrade as I indicated in the City of Riverside’s may be of concern and therefore a red flag of interest.  Important to note, since January 2012, the City of Riverside is now using IDC Financial Publishing, Inc. for their Certificate of Deposit ratings, instead of the “A” rating system.  It’s based on their unique CAMEL system.

OOPS! NOPE…NOT THIS FOLKS, BUT THIS…CLICK THIS LINK

According to them these Certificates of Deposit are rated “superior”, but really the banking institutions issuing these CD”s are rated ‘superior’.  I may consider these a bit deceptive by the City.   In other words, as opposed to rating the certificates of deposit, securities or investments by such institutions such as Moody’s, Fitch or Standar & Poors, IDC Publishing rates the institution or bank.  IDC Financial Publishing, Inc. explanation of their rating system is as follows.

CLICK THIS LINK TO VIEW DOCUMENT

The Fitch rating system for banking institutes are explained on their site.

How did we get to the point of Cities filing for bankruptcy?  The state of the economy for one thing, uncontained government spending, unsustainable employee contracts, the loss of jobs, loss of industry, the cost of doing business.  No jobs paying their mortgage becomes an issue.  The loss of their homes.  Homes in terms of taxes don’t produce income for municipalities, in terms of property taxes, utility taxes; people don’t spend therefore less sales taxes.

One commenter on the Business Insider laid blame toward State Government, others have blamed foreign laborers, perhaps the truth of the matter that there is truth to both perspectives.

This has nothing to do with  foreign labor. It has to do with the abuse from government workers. Municipalities, counties and the State of California have made promises of  multi-million dollar pensions + benefits to its employees.  Partly because CA  lawmakers are in bed with the Unions or are too afraid of them. Either way, the  public sector union has forced the hand over the last 30 years and no one has  had the balls to say enough is enough. Almost 60 cents on the tax dollar  goes to pay for salaries + benefits + pensions. In any normal corporation, that  would have sent red flags to cut down on payroll expenses but not in the State  of CA. After all it’s other people’s money, right ?    -You reap what you sow, commenter on the Business Insider, August 17, 2012

UPDATE:08/25/2012:  IS CHUCK CONDER, ASSISTANT COUNCIL AIDE TO COUNCILMAN CHRIS MAC ARTHUR, THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE’S NEW JOE BIDEN?

Conder, an Airforce Veteran himself, responded to a City delegation headed in part by Councilman Paul Davis to explore a sister city relationship with Can Tho, Vietnam.  The Press Enterprise states it was unclear to whom Conder was referring to, but made the statement as a City Staff Member, “These socialist nuts”.  But of course, the obvious talk is about the people Vietnam.   Local Riversidian’s are just calling it another Biden moment for Chuck.  Councilman Chris Mac Arthur was quick to bring damage control to the situation by stating, “I think Chuck was speaking as a veteran to other veterans, certainly not in his role as a legislative field representative”.  The question is, was he on City payroll during the time in question.  Regardless, he is a public person and anything he does or says would over shadow the defense of being a private person.

Councilman Paul Davis responded to the comments as “completely innappropriate”.

Conder has had his behavior questioned over the year.  One was when he was canvassing his neigborhood in Councilman Paul Davis’s Ward 4 on a redistricting issue.  The rumour was that he wanted to remain in neighborhood to run against Davis in the next election.  Another incident was allegedly a physical altercation at City Hall.  Other’s have witnessed Conder referring to  women who spoke publicly at City Council as “idiots” and “bitches”.    Councilman Chris Mac Arthur certainly knew of this Biden moment.  Back in July 27, 2010 Chuck commented regarding the vendetta the Press Enterprise had against City Hall,  and the office of City Manager Brad Hudson.  We are all aware of the what the cost of his legacy will have on the taxpayer in the coming years.  The following is a small excerpt into the mind of Councilman Chris Mac Arthur’s Administrative Aide Chuck Conder.

Stop blasting city brass

The Press-Enterprise’s vendetta targeting Riverside City Hall, and especially the city manager’s office, has become an embarrassment to the newspaper and the city’s good name (“City manager up for review,” July 27). It is time for this to stop.

Have mistakes been made? Probably. Were corrective actions taken? Absolutely!

City Manager Brad Hudson and the city’s leadership team are doing a magnificent job leading Riverside through tough, nearly unprecedented, economic times. Our city is building and growing while maintaining a balanced budget and healthy financial reserve. Celebrate — don’t desecrate — their remarkable accomplishments.

Charles E. Conder III

08/25/2012: ONE DOG SHOT DEAD, ONE MURDERER WHO GOT AWAY..  CONFLICTING STORIES FROM RPD REGARDING THE KILLING OF A FAMILIES PET DOG.

According to Sharon Gonzales an officer told them that the dog was shot through a gate because officers needed to get into the yard to access a suspects house.  Well, ok… Whereby, Lt. Toussaint stated that the officer was actually in the backyard, and shot the charging dog to protect himself.   This is not the first time pets were shot dead by RPD, residents are asking the question, if a police officer needs to access homeowners yards our we to expect more of the same toward our pets?  A sort of mercy killing for the greater good?  What if there are small children in the back yard?  Regardless, a multitude of comments transpired on this topic in the Press Enterprise.  Currently no response from Chief Sergio Diaz, but as in the Bailey Laptop Caper, we are sure he is on it!

I’M ON IT, AGAIN! AFTER THIS ONE DRUMSTICK..

UPDATE:08/28/2012: MORE INVASIONS OF PRIVACY EXPECTED BY THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE.  According to Councilman Mike Gardner, on the City’s New Neighborhood Networking site, the City of Riverside has contracted with the Department of Animal Services to canvass neighborhoods, going door to door, investigating if residents are harboring unlicensed dogs or cats.  Gardner states that the vast majority of vicious and aggressive dog calls that occure in the City are for unlicensed and unaltered dogs.  Therefore, I would suspect that once they are licensed, that behavior should cease.  Questions? Call Coucilman Mike Gardner’s office  951-826-5242. 

CLICK IMAGE TO VIEW LETTER

UPDATE: 08/29/2012: CITY COUNCIL TUESDAY: FORMER CITY OF RIVERSIDE DEPUTY CITY ATTORNEY RAYCHELLE STERLING STATED THAT NBC HAS ACCEPTED TO DO A SERIES OF STORIES OF THE CONTAMINATED PCB SITE AG (AGRICULTURAL) PARK REGARDING THE FALSE INFORMATION THAT WAS SUBMITTED BY THE CITY TO SUCH DEPARTMENT AS THE EPA, AND THE CITY’S USE OF NON PROTECTED EMPLOYEES TO CLEAN THIS SITE.. MORE TO COME!

JUST FOR LAUGHS…

RIVERSIDE FORGOTTEN…THE PEACE TOWER, MT. RUIDOUX, CIRCA 1935

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.  PROUDLY RATED ONE STAR (POSSIBLY DOWN TO ZERO FROM OUR LAST ACCOUNTS) 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 FOR GOOD REASON, AND PROSSIBLY POSSIBLY ON FILE WITH THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE’S POTENTIAL SLAPP SUIT LIST, FOR GOOD REASON… 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 SPHALL SPELL CHECKERS!  EMAIL ANONYMOUSLY WITH YOUR DIRT OR CONTACT US BY THE FOLLOWING EMAIL ADDRESS! CONTRIBUTORS WILL ALWAYS BE PROTECTED… YES, WE EXPECT THE JAIL TIME FOR THAT ONE…  THIRTYMILESCORRUPTION@HOTMAIL.COM

TMC HERO OF THE MONTH: WE SALUTE CITY OF BELL POLICE SERGEANT JAMES CORCORAN

Posted: August 20, 2012 in Uncategorized
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Normally, TMC would post each month someone who took great risk to do the right thing.  Doing the right thing shouldn’t have to be a risk.  But I hope this story gives courage to those employees and officers of the law who work hard to do the right thing for the citizens of Riverside.  Sergeant James Corcoron served as a Bell officer for 19 years.  Corcoran said that then Bell Chief of Police Randy Adams was angered when he went to him with allegations of voter fraud, unlawful vehicle seizures and illegal selling of building permits.

At one point the Chief wanted to know if Corcoran had taken his information to the FBI.  The truth of the matter is that Corcoran already did.  Corcoran stated that instead of the Chief investigating, he retaliated against him.  In 2009, Corcoran said that he and two other officers went to the District Attorney’s Office to try to persuade the office to investigate city officials.  And we certainly know how this goes in Riverside with our District Attorney, sound familiar?  We had a similar experience when we dealt with our District Attorney here in Riverside, and we wrote about this in our posting of the “Triangle of Influence”.  The Chief placed Corcoran on administrative leave in January 2010, that was a striking similar situation which occurred recently in the PU department with five employees.  We think because of the AG Park investigation with the EPA.

To Sergeant James Corcoran we wish you the best and hope more will follow your example of integrity.  Chief Adams was eventially removed from office after the L.A. Times expose revealed enormous salaries that top officials in the City of Bell were earning (well excuse the pun of the term earning).  Eight former City of Bell leaders were arrested on corruption charges, the chief was not.  Four council members, City Manager, Assistant City Manager.  For people who don’t think the Mayor’s office is signifant or does not have any decision making power…..well,  the Mayor and the Vice Mayor were also arrested on corruption charges.  Something for our Riverside City Council to ponder.

We are happy to say that Sergeant James Corcoran will receive his job back as patrolman once there is a opening position.  Food for thought, US District Judge Dickran Tevrizian, said the City of Bell could have lost in excess of $3 million if the case had gone to trial, due to Corcoran’s whistleblower lawsuit for reporting city corruption.  But instead decided to recieve $400,000.00 and reinstatement to the force.  Again, something for our Riverside City Council and the Mayor for some of the outragious settlements and judgements that are a actual cost to the taxpayer, thanks again to the exceptional legal advice of our City Attorney Gregory Priamos.

Since then, Chief Randy Adams filed two law suits against the City of Bell and former Interum City Manager Pedro Carrillo regarding issues of severance pay.   Interum City Manager Pedro Carillo is seen here with State Controller John Chiang.

UPDATE: 08/22/2012: SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE JOHN VINEYARD SAYS CITY OF RIVERSIDE CAN’T BAN MEDICAL MARIJUANA CLINICS!

Commenter on the PE, Daniel Kippycash · Riverside, California So let me understand some SIMPLE facts. The voters of CA approved MMJ sales in the state. The state set up criteria for these businesses to operate and run. So the city elected officials have taken it on their own, against the voters decision, to BAN tax paying business and employers within the city. A city with millions of square feet of empty commercial real estate! NOW they are spending millions to try and defend their actions, try and alter the voter approved rights when they can’t even keep services open and other key people employed due to budget issues. City Businesses = LOSS. Police Expense to City= LOSS. Legal Expense to City = LOSS. Real Estate Owners = LOSS. Tax Revenue to City & State = LOSS. Utility gains for Riverside= LOSS. Corporate Insurance = LOSS. Added Unemployment = LOSS. True Patient Safe Access = LOSS…. Police Unions = GAIN. Legal Representation = GAIN. Court Costs = GAIN. DRUG CARTEL INCREASED BUSINESS = GAIN. People in this world the one thing that CAN NOT be wrong are numbers! Who is advising the city council? POLICE UNIONS and LEGAL FIRMS. Hummmmm interesting isn’t it? BUT Has the Press Enterprise or anybody in the press ever asked them why they have not sat down with the MMJ Community to work TOGETHER to find a plan that all can operate under together? NO NO NO. Come on it doesn’t matter what side of this issue you sit on. If the voters approved a measure then how do you explain the city and police acting outside the LAW? If the people really had the facts in front of them about what is being done they would be sick. What is even worse is that the press is NOT doing any true journalism on this topic. Sound bites, police lies about the situation and in the end it all adds up to only a few receiving any benefits from these efforts…….POLICE UNIONS, PRISON UNIONS and LAW FIRMS! Follow the money people. Speak out.

Yes it’s not a perfect world, unfortunately, Federal law supersedes State law, State law conflicts with Federal law, which mean local municipalities can call upon the Federal Goverment to enforce the illegality of Marijuana.  According to the Federal Government, marijuana is considered a ‘Class One Drug’, no medical use..  In the State of California, Marijuana use is legal with restrictions, but remember still ‘illegal’ under Federal Law, therefore one can be arrested for illegal use and sale of marijuana according to Federal Laws. Even back in 2006 the adoption of a zoning law to prohibit the establishment of Riverside County came into play.  There certainly would be a shift in the money paradigm if marijuana was made legal by the Federal Government.  We certainly have documented evidence of this with alcohol prohibition in the 1920’s and 1930’s.

CLICK THIS LINK TO VIEW DOCUMENT

UPDATE: 09/07/2012: REPUBLICAN VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE PAUL RYAN STATES THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHOULDN’T INTERFERE WITH STATES, SUCH AS CALIFORNIA, THAT HAVE LEGALIZED MARIJUANA!

JUST FOR LAUGHS..

RIVERSIDE FORGOTTEN..

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.  PROUDLY RATED ONE STAR (POSSIBLY DOWN TO ZERO FROM OUR LAST ACCOUNTS) 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 FOR GOOD REASON, AND PROSSIBLY POSSIBLY ON FILE WITH THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE’S POTENTIAL SLAPP SUIT LIST, FOR GOOD REASON… 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 SPHALL SPELL CHECKERS!  EMAIL ANONYMOUSLY WITH YOUR DIRT OR CONTACT US BY THE FOLLOWING EMAIL ADDRESS! CONTRIBUTORS WILL ALWAYS BE PROTECTED… YES, WE EXPECT THE JAIL TIME FOR THAT ONE…  THIRTYMILESCORRUPTION@HOTMAIL.COM

CITY OF RIVERSIDE: REDISTRICTING: DIVYING UP THE PROFITS OF PROSPECTS…

Posted: August 16, 2012 in Uncategorized
Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,
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Redistricting is the process of drawing new electoral district boundaries in order to equalize district populations, and that’s that.  It’s not about business preferences or to insure a candidates political election.  The overall purpose of redistricting is to review districts and where necessary redraw districts in order to address any changes in population concentration.  Anything other than this would be considered gerrymandering.  Gerrymandering, of course, would the act of that attempts to establish a political advantage for a particular party or group by manipulating geographic boundaries to create partisan or incumbent-protected districts.  Gerrymandering may also be used to hinder a particular demographic, such as a political, racial, linguistic, religious, or class group.  A considerable amount to consider.Unfortunately, the grey lines of redistricting interpretation has escalated into a cornucopia of questionable delineations when it comes to the final district maps.  Some of the Principle Rules of Redistricting are as follows:

1. Compactness-districts shall be drawn to encourage geographical compactness such that nearby areas of population are not bypassed for more distant population.

2. Contiguity-The geographic integrity of any city, county, city and county, local neighborhood, or local community of interest shall be respected.

3. Community Interest-A community of interest is a contiguous population which shares common social and economic interests that should be included within a single district for purposes of its effective and fair representation.

4. Protection of Incumbents and Achieving Political Goals- The place of residence of any incumbent or political candidate shall not be considered in the creation of a map. Districts shall not be drawn for the purpose of favoring or discriminating against an incumbent, political candidate, or political party.

One such incident of questionable activity came up when legislative aide to Ward 5 Councilman Chris Mac Arthur, Chuck Conder questioned the possible move of his residence from Ward 4, represented by Councilman Paul Davis.

Has Mr. Conder been on a mission canvassing neighborhoods, allegedly in what some are saying ‘gerrymandering mode’ in hopes to swing a district to their benefit in the next council election?  But Mr. Conder was the same person who allegedly was involved in an altercation at city hall, to take it a step further, has blatantly called City Council Public Speakers ‘idiots’, ‘ bitches’ and even taken photographs for record purposes.  I suppose for Councilman Chris Mac Arthur’s reference file.  One would think that this would be enough for firing.  Nope, this is Riverside, we are old school, and some political families are deep rooted in more ways than one, a way that some say is responsible for how the City is currently runned.

But nothing surprises me these day when you view Moreno Valley School Board Member Mike Rios, (incidently who would want this person around or representing your children? But evidently they keep voting for him!).  This is one man who has been charged with attempted murder, pandering, rape and pimping of underage girls, a wife who has been deported for illegally being in the country and drug transporting.…a great resume and now running for City Council of Moreno Valley, which I just believe did not make the application deadline.  Should we call it sociopathic behavior?

What constitutes a resume for a position as City Council these day’s?  Would it be the same that constitutes a resume for City Council in the City of Riverside?  Could we say it would be much more than a ‘housekeeping’ background?   I would imagine one should at least be able to read the city’s financial books as a start.  But changing the page, how about those who have taken the oath of office to complete the office that they campaigned for, then inadvertently decide to change course to pursue another political office?  Councilman Andy Melendrez, William “Rusty” Bailey and Mike Gardner, decided to run for Mayor without completing their obligatory oath to represent the constituents that they asked to elect them.  Councilman Mike Gardner on record states at a City Council debate at Cal Baptist University in 2011,  that he has “no intention to run for Mayor”.  Soon as he wins the election for Ward 1 City Council, he decides to run.  The same with William “ Rusty” Bailey, who on the eve of his reelection wining decides he may also just run for mayor.  Is there something in Riverside water, besides hexavalent chromium that is causing these indecisive brain damaging responses from local leadership?

As you can see, Chuck Conder’s residence is in Ward 4, which is actually in the pink in color (according to the map)  because it reflects Councilman’s Paul Davis’s area, and is currently in the Canyon Crest neighborhood of which is in question.   The recommendation is that residential portion be shifted to Ward 2.  Conder said Thursday that he and a neighbor circulated a petition, which he created after hearing Ward 2 Councilman Andy Melendrez’s impassioned plea not to split the Eastside.  “When Andy talked about (how) contiguous neighborhoods should be respected and you ought to keep neighborhoods together and not split them, that’s what was going to happen to us,”  neigborhood Conder said.  Well it wasn’t really going to happen that way.  First, if you look at where Chuck resides, we just called it Chuckie Land for the point of argument.

Keep in mind Chuckie’s neighborhood lines (the broad red lines) are made up of Ward 4, Ward 3 and Ward 2 residences.  Even if one wanted to change Chuck’s residence to Ward 3, it would still remain within the boundaries of the neighborhood lines (large red lines), therefore not breaching the contiguous argument he attempted to make.  The ward boundary line is indicated by the dark blue line on the map.  Therefore the question of why the petition, as many are asking?  Not to make this more confusing, Chuck Conder currently resides in Councilman Paul Davis’s Ward 4.  The rumour is he wants to stay in Ward 4 so he can run against current Councilman Paul Davis in the 2013 election.  Chuckie currently stated on record he has no plans to run against current Councilman Paul Davis in the next election.  So why the effort?  Can we assume that their is some underlying agenda?  We’ve heard in the past the those in politics may somtimes portray a position of having no underlying meaning, but why do it?  Is their a concealed agenda for Adkison’s , Bailey’s , Melendrez and Gardner’s efforts to pursue the Mayor’s seat?  All have been Councilman, and all want to be Mayor…and the later three have discount their obligation to the constituents to fulfill their electoral term.

But is it also possible for those in City Council to negotiate amongst themselves pieces of their district within closed doors to insure their reelection?  Is it also possible for someone to canvass district neighborhoods for signatures in order to play musical chairs with district neighborhoods in order to allegedly benefit themselves and possibly a political agenda in the next council election?  Or a letter from the Greater Riverside Chamber President, Cindy Roth, to recommend the move of one area of Ward 2 to Ward 1?

I don’t know what really happened to decency in government, or if it ever existed, but what about our fourth branch of government?  I always thought the responsible party would be our local paper, the Press Enterprise, so why does this publication feel the need to confine opinion in the way that it does?  Opionion good or bad molds peoples opinions.  People should not have to be protected by opionion, people can certainly be the judge of that.  Relevant stories regarding the City don’t always seem to make to print.  Is it because, maybe they are so tied with the city that a true investigative story of relevance may never come to fruition.  Is it possible such non print occurrences may be due to accepting special electrical rates with the City?

CLICK THIS LINK TO VIEW PRESS ENTERPRISE CONTRACT WITH THE CITY.

Would this then obligate the PE to turn some stories down?  But in the politically correct world we live in, it must seemingly be acceptable.  There was a time when part of our checks and balances in government was the press.  The presss was considered the fourth part of government, notwithstanding the judicial, executive and legislative, something went a rye when one piece failed to step up to the plate of protecting the taxpaying people.

Let’s also remember the City of Riverside owns it’s Public Utilities, and electricity can be purchased from next to nothing, allowing the City to make astronomical profits.

-THE BAILEY LAPTOP CAPER-

As Joe Friday would say “Only the facts”.  The facts are, quite confusing… We have a teenager with an attitude, no back up (not muscle, but computer lingo for data protection),  a dog that is a barker not a biter (I’m a lover not a fighter scenario) but still allowed the intruder to breach the premises, home was not ransacked, there was the feeling of being violated (which I can understand), no crystal or china was taken (did anyone care about this when they were a teenager?), emotionally disturbing face book postings (I assume nothing was password protected).  A confrontation with the hacker online, and in this virtual world a chase ensued, eventually pressing him to leave this synthetic social playground.

JUST THE FACTS!

Neighbors saw the teen casing homes but did nothing, except for one individual who confronted him, and his response was, “I’m now going to lunch”.   But according to the PE, Chief Diaz is on it, couldn’t comment on it due the ongoing investigation.

I’M ON IT..

Months back, Diaz was praised on his work on the apprehension of the fifty cent bandit, as we have posted on TMC.  A perplexing set of circumstances,  eventually leading to questions such as why did this individual actually spent the time to go on to his facebook site to post embarrising comments which were by all standards “juvenile”, (which I would and could not expect anything less from a teen).  Did this teen know Councilman Bailey?  Could he have been a former or current student of his??

No password, that was easy…Facebook, who is this guy? Let’s have some fun..

Many questions abound in this perplexing enigma, but thank god for the chief to hopefully bust this caper wide open.  And it appears they did.  Again the story reported by the PE still appears missing pieces of puzzle to make this story whole.  The Press Enterprise states police was investigating an unrelated burgalary, when they happened to visit this teen’s home and spoke to the guardian.  Shortly after, the guardian and teen met with detectives and surrendered the property.  Now it appears to me that quite possible Bailey knew the teen, and/or the teen knew Bailey.  In the real world this doesn’t happen.  I’ve had property stolen as well as other residents in our neighborhood, and RPD response to the property stolen, is that it may never be retrieved or found.  Needless to say, the laptop and all the other stolen items were found, good for Bailey.  Other suggestions from emails to help Bailey,  were using and online back up system such as Carbonite,  to protect against stolen or lost lap top computers Lo Jack for Lap tops is recommended.  Once a computer is turned by a robbery suspect, the laptop can be located within hours.  Then simply a home alarm system.

This goes to reason, as police are not always at our disposal, as one wood street retired police officer had stated, RPD is not always responsive.  This was one resident who walks his dog, and was accosted by three individuals on Ramona.  Which he was able to hold back with the use of pepper spray.  Now he walks his dog armed.  He was asked, If residents should learn how to use arms for protection, his answer was yes.  As trying times continue people will become more desperate, and individuals will need to be able to protect their properties and most importantly their families.  Local gun classes and pepper spray classes can be found by calling any gun store.  Until then, we can only wait to hear a response from the Chief himself on this laptop caper, which it appears their was a break in the story.  A great surprise for residents who never receive this quick of a response from RPD.  Regardless, as many residents agree, quite a bit of hoop la of stories for a lap top by PE, where other stories of importance are only mired into the depths and darkness below the camouflage of political quicksand.

Well, the culprit was arrested in this lap top caper.  Officer Manning said police were investigating an unrelated burglary when they visited the teenager’s home (I would imagine inadvertainly) and spoke with his guardian. Shortly after that, the guardian and the juvenile, who is 17, “met with detectives and surrendered property taken in the burglary at Councilman Bailey’s house.  The juvenile admitted participation in the burglary,” Officer Manning said.  Police believe the teenager is involved with at least half a dozen other burglaries. Manning said they assume others are involved because of the types of items that were taken. Manning said the teen has no prior criminal record, but he declined to release any identifying details because of the suspect’s age.  Bailey could not immediately be reached for comment (Well alrighty now).  A neighbor told Bailey he had seen a male teenager peering into homes, apparently casing them, but it’s not yet known whether that was the same person police arrested.  Whatever the vague cirmcumstances, we are glad Bailey has retrieved his famed lap top.  We only hope that he would now fight so that this type of efficient police work can be attained by all citizens.  In the East Side, currently RPD is still seeking clues to the June 30th murder of Ashanti Hassan and the January 26th murder of Gregory Ball.

-UNION MAYHEM IN SAN BERNARDINO: NOW THE MAYOR’S FAULT?-

It’s hard not bring up the blame of government officials without bringing up the unions.  This is of course not a one sided issue.  Public/Government Officials and Unions who negotiated unsustainable pension plans as well as salaries.  Executive Government Officials who had City Council give their blessing for their high salaries and pension, beyond the standard of the private sector.  There are two aspects here to consider.

It appears the Mayor is already being shaked down in a intimidation tactic to vote a certain way.  This would not happen if people In the communities would educate themselves in city politics and attend city council meetings and voice their opinion, otherwise what you get is out side organizations which may not have the community’s best interest at heart, because what is at stake is their interest which may be union emphasized.  Government should be representative of the people, not those who’s interest lies within a particular group or organization of a few.  This in essence can only breach the health and safety of the community as a whole.  As a whole the community must pay for it in higher taxes.  And that is would substantiate a breach of public trust by those who took an oath to protect and represent their constituents, rather than their obligations to their contributors.   Well, this will continue to become and ongoing conundrum brought to the forefront of many municipalities.  More cities in the next few years will file for bankruptcy, Compton, CA may be next..with many more to follow.  Salaries and pensions that go beyond what is found by the standard of the private sector, cannot be legitimately justified. In the private sector salaries are based on the value or service produced, in public service, nothing is produced.  Salaries are simply justified based on taxpayer monies available in some sort of revenue stream that ends up becoming some sort of illusion of value.  Unsustainable pensions: many feel these union pension contracts were negotiated not in the best interest of the taxpayer.  Therefore a breach of trust and consequently should legally be deemed null and void.

-HEXAVALENT CHROMIUM IN RIVERSIDE, ARE WE THIRD UP ON THE LIST?-

Alark Hard Chrome was a chrome plating shop in the 1970’s located at 2777 Main Street.  Soil and groundwater at this sit were contaminated with chromium as a result of spills, discharges and drips of plating solutions on the premises.

This site was added to the EPA’s National Priorities List (NPL), commonly called the Superfund Site here in Riverside.  Even though there are many hot spots of contamination in and around Riverside, the EPA has set their sights on this one and continue to monitor levels of Chromium-6 also known as Hexavalent Chromium, a known carcinogen when found in drinking water.  Hexavalent Chromium was made famous in the Erin Brockovich movie of ground water contamination in Hinkely, CA.  All of the City of Riverside’s water come from ground water wells.  The Environmental Protection Agency will continue to monitor the Alark site, ground zero for the known dumping of this contaminate.  The EPA will continue to follow it’s path, or technically it’s plume, to known drinking wells.  The City of Riverside has said that our water is safe.

Our understanding of regulatory guidelines is that neither the State of Federal Government limit Hexavalent Chromium in water, but both regulate total chromium instead.  The Federal Government has a cap of 100 ug/L (100 parts per billion) for total chromium and the State of California limits total chromium in drinking water to 50 ug/L (50 part per billion).  In 2001, the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) conducted ground water samplings.  In one well (MW-7), the ground water sample contained 17,300 ug/L (17,300 parts per billion) hexavalent chromium exceeding the States maximum acceptable level of 50 ug/L (50 parts per billion).  As we understand, there are new methods to detect specifically the carcinogenic Chromium-6 (Hexavalent Chromium) in ground water.

The question which has not been quite answered, is has the plume hit the drinking water aquafiers to the extent of concerned levels?  According to Riverside Public Utilites water quality report of 2011, hexavalent chromium ranged from 1.9 parts per billion to 2.7 parts per billion, all in acceptable levels for drinking water.  So how much Hexavalent Chromium is necessary for someone to come down with cancer?  At this time the answer is unknown.  The EWG (Environmental Working Group), initiated by Erin Brockovich, is now pushing to reduce California’s hexavalent chromium limit down to 0.06 parts per billion.  In this scenario, making a case of levels of hexavalent chromium contaminant in water in relation to cases of related cancer, won’t be necessary.  Therefore, if she is successful, Los Angeles, San Jose, Sacramento and Riverside would be targets of her litigation team.  If the State levels of hexavalent chromium were to drop to 0.06 part per billion, the City of Riverside would be third on the list on the top five chromium contaminated cities.

THE ALARK SITE (FIRST TWO PICS), AND ANOTHER AREA OF CONCERN, THE NEW FAIRLY NEW DEVELOPMENT CLOSE TO ALARK ON TWOGOOD LANE (THIRD PIC).

         

-COUNCIL INTERFERENCE ON THE PROMOTION PROCESS? 35-0..SGT. VALMONT GRAHAM CALLS FOUL!

On one hand, Riverside Chief of Police Sergio Diaz states that his promotion decisions are not guided by racial bias, and he wants to dispel the image that the city “is a soft touch” for disgruntled employees by litigating their suits.  Even though the Chief refrained directly about this case, he certainly appears to infer that those bringing up these issues of discrimination are disgruntled employees.  Sgt. Valmont Graham has served the citizens of the City of Riverside for an outstanding 25 years.  Allegedly, Sgt. Valmont Graham has been passed over 35 times during his employment with the City.  It would personally be an insult to refer an officer of the law, of this caliber,(of course I’m not talking about the illegal gun sale to the former City Manager Brad Hudson by the President of the RPD Union),  as a ‘disgruntled employee’.  So why the pattern of retaliation?  Now keep in mind that the Chief was hired by former City Manager Brad Hudson, who left town in whisk to take a lower paying job for the County of Sacramento when his discretionary spending came into question.  But it’s no secret, retaliation has costed the taxpayer a mint in legal fees, and further the settlement via a court judgement.  Sgt. Valmont Graham’s original complaint is as follows:

COMPLAINT OF 07-19-2011

TMC wrote a story, City of Riverside See’s Skin Color as Problematic?  The Press Enterprise story that Sgt. Valmont Graham was passed over for promotion because he was “black”.  A highly respected black judge, Jaqueline Jackson was assigned to hear this case, but was then asked by Richard D. Roth, contract attorney for the City of Riverside, to be removed.  As an attorney, how effective will he be in defense of the City, when more than likely he will settle this case out of court.  Roth is also running for California State Senate and is endorse by those in the City such as Mayor Ron Loveridge.  By the way Mr. Roth’s wife, Cindy Roth, is President of the Greater Riverside Chamber of Commerce, also supported and financed to promote certain City events such as the “Festival of Lights”.

The question that seems to be returning to the forefront is, “are Council interfereing with the Police promotion process?”  Back in May 2011, Councilman Steve Adams, also a former police officer, was brought to the forefront with allegations that he interefered with the promotion process of police officers, specifically Lts. Darryl Hurt and Tim Bacon.  Even then, Adams emphatically denied any interference, though the taxpayer shelled out $550,000 to settle the case out of court.  Well, all I could say, if we shelled out that amount of green backs, the two officers must have had a good case.  It certainly appears to be a repeating pattern of this allegation of intereference with Adams, comes complete with a corresponding pattern of denial as well.  Was it a corruptible surprise that a ‘special panel’ found no ethics violations by Adams?  Even Retired Deputy Chief Pete Esquievel came to the rescue of Adams by telling the panel that he made it clear to the two officers that it was not a condition of the officers promotion. But approximately a year before, Esquievel came forward with a complaint against the police department in other matters as you will find in this tort claim.  This tort claim also followed Police Officer Neely Nakamura’s complaints against the Riverside Police Department in her tort claim.  The distrubing claim by Nakamura against the Riverside Police Department was that she was illegall held, seized and searched, kidnapped and held without reason, do in part to her alleged sexual relationship with Deputy Chief Pete Esquievel.

                                                                  

CLICK LINK TO VIEW ESQUIEVEL DOCUMENT             CLICK LINK TO VIEW NAKMURA DOCUMENT

In the case of Lt. Meredyth Meredith, the then Chief Russell Leach said he was preparing to promote her to captain.  Then Assistant City Manager Tom DeSantis called Leach to put a stop to this.  Leach found out later that Adams marched into a meeting with then City Manager Hudsion and DeSantis, and emphatically told them she should not be promoted.  Of course, you guessed it, that was denied by Adams again.  By the terms of the City Charter, members of the City Council are not supposed to be involved in the promotional process.  Therefore, a violation of the City Charter would tell us that this would be job for the District Attorney.  Well, we all know that will never be investigated, and if it is the complaint would be unfounded.

    

According to a deposition release by City Attorney Gregory Priamos of former Chief of Police Russell Leach, he states that complaints made by current Councilman and Mayoral Candidate William “Rusty” Bailey may have hindered Valmont Graham from being promoted.  In addition, we find it interesting that a deposition of an ongoing case is released by our City Attorney.  Was there some in fighting between Priamos and Bailey?  According to then Assistant Manager Tom DeSantis, Bailey was embarassed or sleighted by what Graham had said, and was furious to the point of expressing his anger to city management.  Did Bailey’s act hinder the well deserved promotion of this black officer?  Others mentioned that at the meeting Graham talked about police issues and answered questions from the audience.  One question was not a police related, but Graham felt it was more in line of a Council question.  He then handed the mike over to Bailey to answer.  Was Bailey taken off guard because of the question, maybe he could not answer?  In any case it appears he was embarrassed, then furious, not sure in what order.  Then the focus was on Sgt. Valmont Graham.  Was this simply a misunderstanding?  A misunderstanding which has cost a vast amount of taxpayer monies and resources?

If there was some words of advice, what would Sergeant Joe Friday say to Councilman Steve Adam’s?CLICK THIS LINK TO VIEW CLIP

JUST FOR LAUGHS….

RIVERSIDE FORGOTTENRIVERSIDE PLAZA 1960’s, RIVERSIDE, CA

         

THE ALFRED M. LEWIS GROCERY STORE, RIVERSIDE, CA, SEPTEMBER 18, 1940, ON 10TH AND MAIN. (COURTESY OF THE UC RIVERSIDE, SPECIAL COLLECTIONS AND ARCHIVES).

CITY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE, THE PRIAMOS TAPE, COMING SOON..

UPDATE: 0818/2012: CITY ATTORNEY GREGORY PRIMOS BARS MISSION AMBULANCE LAWYER FROM LOBBYING CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS TO CHANGE THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE’S AMBULANCE POLICY.  THIS IS ONE CITY OFFICE THAT NEVER CEASES TO AMAZE ME..  WHAT?  DON’T TELL ME…AMR’S PETER HUBBARD AND GREGORY PRIMOS ARE ALLEGEDLY GOOD FRIENDS?  I WOULD NEVE HAVE SEEN THAT COMING..

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.  PROUDLY RATED ONE STAR (POSSIBLY DOWN TO ZERO FROM OUR LAST ACCOUNTS) 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 FOR GOOD REASON, AND PROSSIBLY POSSIBLY ON FILE WITH THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE’S POTENTIAL SLAPP SUIT LIST, FOR GOOD REASON… 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 SPHALL SPELL CHECKERS!  EMAIL ANONYMOUSLY WITH YOUR DIRT OR CONTACT US BY THE FOLLOWING EMAIL ADDRESS! CONTRIBUTORS WILL ALWAYS BE PROTECTED… YES, WE EXPECT THE JAIL TIME FOR THAT ONE…  THIRTYMILESCORRUPTION@HOTMAIL.COM 

CITY OF RIVERSIDE: THE ISSUE OF REDISTRICTING: CHESS GAME, SLAMDUNK OR LANDGRAB?

Posted: July 24, 2012 in Uncategorized
Tags: , , , , , , , ,
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NO PROPERTY SHOULD BENEFIT, AT THE EXPENSE OF OTHERS..

Last weeks lively debate in one instant went as follows.

I believe that’s the way it needs to be handled again, Councilman Melendrez said.  It should be referred to Governmental Affairs, that three council members should participate plus the community.  Gardner is not part of the Governmental Affairs but I would invite him to participate.. and be an active participant.

After Melendrez stated his position he received a standing ovation…TMC believes that if Counilman Melendrez had shown this type of leadership before, he could have been in the Mayor’s runoff, now the constituents have no choice.

OTHER COUNCIL HIGHLIGHTS…

Mayor Ron: I must repeat that the need for Conflict resolution is best done as a committee as a whole.

Councilman Melendrez:  Mayor, it didn’t work the last time, that’s why I am here.

Councilman Davis:  I have to openly admit that it was a mistake!   It’s about process, and the process was not followed properly.  This is not about businesses but about residential desires. You look at the business desires compared to the residential desires. It’s hard to weigh.  In this case it’s about the residential desires.  I would like to make a motion, I respectfully disagree with you Mayor.  Things are not done the same way they were 20 to 30 years ago (making these comment toward the mayor) things are done differently, we are wired in a wireless world and we need to respect that…that we move forward, rather than do things the old way, because a lot of the times they just don’t work anymore.  If the Governmental Committee would allow a substitution of Councilman Gardner.  That would be my motion that we take no action and postpone 60 days..and I hoping to see a second ( a motion which Melendrez solidifies later, but the Mayor thinks it already happened).

It should be vetted between Gardner (Ward 1) and Melendrez (Ward 2).  The rest of us five have no dog in the show here.  This is about ward 1 and ward 2 they should get together.  In other words  it’s about Melendrez and Gardner.

Davis offered stepping down from his Governmental Affairs position and allowing Ward 1 Mike Gardner to take his position in order that he can work with Melendrez at that level.  We need to see what the residents would like to see, and taking into consideration the businesses as well.  Taking the item 20 to the full council for a vote.  Basically the two can come back with their findings and bring them to council so that council can make a better decision.

Councilman Gardner: This has been a much bigger issue than I thought it was. And for that I apologize..  There were things here that I did not see.  I thought this would be relatively simple ( the issue of redistricting) and relatively not controversial.   There were things here that I did not see, but incidently agrees with the mayor about dealing it as a whole…and…and…and..(continues to ramble).. an interruption by Councilman Melendrez while Gardner speaks and Melendrez says,  I will second Pauls motion..Mayor replies..I thought you did, but Melendrez actually did not.

Gardner says he wouldn’t offer a second but proposes to put this off for 60days..council to hold more meetings to talk…I think the community has spoken in more than one way.

Councilman Melendrez: Remember I’m a member of the Downtown Partnership, a committee member, the downtown partnership said they had it in the works since 2002, They didn’t invite the councilman member until 2010.. I’m also a member of the Chamber Commerce, and get along with both the downtown partnership and the chamber, and supportive of the chamber,  except when I think they are inaccurate.  I think redistricting is here about community, not business.   I strongly believe that.  And when I look at what we as council, here to propose.   We have ten items listed,  I’m going to read four of them.  We have ten items listed, I’m going to read four.  Maintain Continutiy of existing wards to the extent possible, draw wards that are compact and continuous , use natural geographical boundaries to the extent possible, maintain cohesive neighborhood and community interest to the extent possible.   I went through all ten and it said nothing about business.  There is nothing here that says listen to what businesses have to say and route business around them.. So TMC ask,  how does Cindy Roth by pass these guidelines and convince the Council to break them?

TMC’s research came up with a interesting article on redistricting and a little know term called “gerrymandering”.  The article is called, Redistricting Now, Analysis of Ways to Prevent Gerrymandering.  But a question to ponder, is ‘gerrymandering’ actually occurring in the City Riverside?  Gerrymandering is a process and practice that attempts to establish a poltical advantage for a particular party or group by manipulating geographic boundries to create partisan or incumbent protected districts.  Another reference point would be Article 21 of the California State Constitution regarding Redistricting.

Also the following talks about the masterplan for the Riverside Market Place, never mentions the East Side, talks about the area as being the Downtown Market Place.

It’s always good to hear from Councilman Adams. When he talks to the people..I want to thank everybody here to night, it’s a great demonstration of democracy.   I work for the people of ward 7, and looking toward the crowd..says ”you are our bosses”.   he went on to say…and this is why Riverside is the greatest city in the state.  Finally and emphatically said..  I started to think, is this one of those “say what you mean and mean what you say moment”?

Brian Hawley, Vice Chair of the Greater Riverside Chamber.  The chamber represents the interest of its members, this includes of several members in the Market Place who pay dues as if they already were. We believe a unified downtown benefits the entire city.

Self Appointed Citizen Auditor, Vivian Moreno:  As I looked at redistricting, I went and read the information on your web site and the first thing that popped out to me was ‘equalizing the population count for each ward’.  How do you get into a controversy over a business division line out of that statement? What a waste of time.  I stand before some intelligent people, I’m sure, and I  don’t understand the difference between population and business?  This vote should have been a “slam dunk”, and for what purpose are we here?  Synergy for business?  Thats what you all said last week.  What happens to synergy for the people?  That’s your argument

Just because the chamber queen comes before you with her letter in hand, and her lovely little speech, you change the direction and the ultimate purpose of redistricting.  Really? Let’s just change ward one into Cindy Land.  Andy Melendrez made a good argument that the Arlington Business District is in two wards.  So your argument about making it one program, doesn’t fly.   The actual natural boundaries is the freeway (91 freeway) , not the railroad tracks Councilman Gardner… Just because the Downtown area is not very successful and their business district is (Market Place), you want to take it over.  Insignificant?  Well if it is so insignificant, than why are we doing it?

David Mudge said we market our offices and area as if it is Downtown.  Leasing office space in Downtown is doing extremely well for us.  If I marketed office space to someone in Orange County, as it was not Downtown, it wouldn’t get much attraction. One of the big attractions is feeling that they are downtown.

Tom Schultz said, one of Webster’s definitions of ‘rape’ is an outrageous violation.  I consider this a rape of the East Side by the Chamber of Commerce.

Item #7:  In 2003 the City issues a series of COP’s (Certificates Of Participation) bonds to fund a succession of municipal projects.  In doing so the central piece of city government was placed as collateral, City Hall, along with the new Lincoln Avenue Police Station, The Airport Fire station, Parking Garages 1,2 and 3 and some land known as The Corporation Yard.

         

It also appears that The Convention Center, The Downtown Library and some land called The Airport Clear Zone were also released from the 2003 COP’s when financing was being assembled for the new Convention Center.

         

In the new transaction, the financing involved will still require the property known as Riverside City Hall and the new Lincoln Avenue Police Station to remain as collateral.  As TMC understands public buildings used as collateral, the structure is not what is considered, it is the value of the land.  This is item #7 being brought to City Council this Tuesday July 24, 2012, Be There!  Don’t forget to comment on our blog site.

    

Item #13, another $100,000.00 to Entrepreneurial Hospitality Corporation (EHC) to include a New Riverside Sport Commission for Public Relations and Advertising within the Riverside Convention and Visitors Bureau?  And who are they?  Opps, related to The Mission Inn’s only Duane Roberts?  In these trying economic times, do we really need to spend money we don’t have?  What about our City bill board which struts above the 91 freeway?  Have we forgotten to be innovative and frugal?

    

 What am hearing about the Mission Inn Museum?  How about being taxpayer paid rent to Mr. Robert’s, or is it Mrs. Robert’s these days?  The Redevelopment Agency of The City Of Riverside entered into lease agreement with Duane Roberts Historic Mission Inn for a pre-paid amount of $1,255,873.00 to December 23,2022.  The Redevelopment Agency of The City Of Riverside also has the optional subleasing right, which it used to sublease to the Mission Inn Foundation, a non-profit organization, initiated by the City of Riverside.

                                                   

CLICK THIS LINK TO VIEW FULL FIRST CONTRACT     CLICK THIS LINK TO VIEW FULL SECOND CONTRACT

In this sublease, the Mission Inn Foundation pays no rent to the Redevelopment Agency of The City of Riverside.  The argument in the lease is that it has already been paid for by The Redevelopment Agency. Is this a gift of public funds to the ‘burrito king’ Duane Roberts?  Well the 100K voted through by City Council.  Mayor Pre-Temp William “Rusty” Bailey even appeared to be giddy on the dais.  Was he feeling the illusional power of the Mayor?

Item #23, Marcy Library now considered surplus property and to be sold as such?  Fair market value in these times would be considered close to a ‘fire sale’, a few years back.  But not long ago it was in negotiations to be transformed into the new “Lucky Geek Greek Restaurant”.  TMC artist rendering of what could have been…you can just smell the burgers cooking in the new kitchen situated in what was the government section of the library.

Item#12 July 10, 2012 city council approves what I call a tax by voter neglect without voter approval. The City of Riverside will assess a levy on property owners for Landscaping and Maintenance for Riverswalk in the La Sierra area.  Each property owner will have to pay $225.73 in the 2012/2013 year.

         

By the way, the cities favorite son Albert A. Webb and Associates were appointed to assess the district, of course.

UPDATE: 08/01/2012: SAN BERNARDINO, CA FILES FOR BANKRUPTCY WITH OVER $1 BILLION IN DEBT.  THIS IS A CITY OF 210,000 OWING A $1 BILLION, THAT’S APPROXIMATELY $4,761.91 PER PERSON.  WITH THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE TOTAL AGGREGATE DEBT $4.4 BILLION AND A CITY OF 300,000 THAT’S APPROXIAMATELY $14,677.00 PER INDIVIDUAL.  ANOTHER ARTICLE STATES THE THE CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO WAS PUSHED INTO AN EARLY BANKRUPTCY DUE TO THE NON PAYMENT OF THREE SEPARATE JUDGEMENTS AGAINST POLICE OFFICERS.

UPDATE: 08/06/2012:  WHAT IS IT WITH THE CITY’S NEW BUZZ WORD “THE FAB FIVE” THAT HAS LABELED A PARTICULAR GROUP OF PUBLIC SPEAKERS AT WEEKLY CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS?  MORE TO COME..

UPDATE: 08/09/2012: REUTERS SAYS SAN BERNARDINO’S BANKRUPTCY MAY START A TREND FOR CALIFORNIA CITIES.  THE UPSWING IN BANKRUPTCY FILINGS COULD SIGNIFY A LACK OF ABILITY, BUT A LACK OF WILLINGNESS TO PAY DEBT SERVICE AT THE EXPENSE OF OF OTHER FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS.  YES, “YOU HAVE TO PAY THE RENT”! AS ONE COUNCILMAN RUSTY BAILEY TOLD ONE DOWNTOWN MERCHANT.  YES INDEED…OTHERS ARE BLAMING UNSUSTAINABLE PENSIONS.  AS MANY FEEL THESE UNION PENSION CONTRACTS WERE NEGOTIATED NOT IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE TAXPAYER.  THEREFORE A BREACH OF TRUST AND CONSEQUENTLY SHOULD LEGALLY BE DEEMED NULL AND VOID.  ONE INTERESTING CONCEPT.. 

WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THE 1977 ALL AMERICAN CITY RECIPIENT KNOWN AS THE CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO? WHO’S NEXT? RUMOUR IS THE CITY OF COMPTON CALIFORNIA.  BUT JUST AS BELL, MONTEBELLO, HERCULES, STOCKTON AND CITY OF RIVERSIDE…

THE CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO ALSO WAS THE RECEPIENT OF THE CERTIFICATE OF ACHIEVMENT FOR EXCELLENCE IN FINANCIAL REPORTING IN 2010 BY THE GOVERNMENT FINANCE OFFICERS ASSICIATION.  I GUESS THE QUESTION IS, DO THESE AWARDS ACTUALLY MEAN ANYTHING?  WE RECENTLY AS A CITY WERE AWARDED MOST “INTELLIGENT COMMUNITY OF THE YEAR 2012”, BY AN ORGANIZATION THAT CALLS THEMSELVES THE INTELLIGENT COMMUNITY FORUM.  I WONDER WHAT WAS THE DECIDING POINT WAS?  RUMOR IS WE HAD THEM WITH RESIDENTS EATING CHEETOS IN THEIR UNDERWEAR..

UPDATE: 08/10/2012: COUNCILMAN/MAYORAL CANDIDATE RUSTY BAILEY, COUNCILMAN STEVE ADAMS, FORMER ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER TOM DESANTIS AND FORMER CITY MANAGER BRAD HUDSON INTERFERED WITH THE POLICE PROMOTION PROCESS?  ACCORDING TO THE PE, “BAILEY WAS FURIOUS”!  WAS RUSTY BAILEY IN ANY WAY INSTRUMENTAL IN INTERFERING WITH THE PROMOTION PROCESS OF LT. VALMONT GRAHAM?  HOW LONG CAN COUNCILMAN STEVE ADAMS DEFLECT THE INEVITABLE?

UPDATE:08/15/2012: OUR SOURCES HAVE STATED THAT COUNCILMAN ANDY MELENDREZ HAS EXPERIENCED A HEART ATTACK, AND IS IN INTENSIVE CARE.  TO WHAT SEVERITY, WE DO NOT KNOW. 

WHATEVER THE CONDITION, WE WISH COUNCILMAN ANDY MELENDREZ A SPEEDY RECOVERY.

JUST FOR LAUGHS…

RIVERSIDE FORGOTTEN..MAGNOLIA AVENUE, RIVERSIDE, CA (CIRCA 1903)

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.  PROUDLY RATED ONE STAR (POSSIBLY DOWN TO ZERO FROM OUR LAST ACCOUNTS) 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 FOR GOOD REASON, AND PROSSIBLY POSSIBLY ON FILE WITH THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE’S POTENTIAL SLAPP SUIT LIST, FOR GOOD REASON… 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 SPHALL SPELL CHECKERS!  EMAIL ANONYMOUSLY WITH YOUR DIRT OR CONTACT US BY THE FOLLOWING EMAIL ADDRESS! CONTRIBUTORS WILL ALWAYS BE PROTECTED… YES, WE EXPECT THE JAIL TIME FOR THAT ONE…  THIRTYMILESCORRUPTION@HOTMAIL.COM 

BOMBSHELL! FORMER DEPUTY CITY ATTORNEY RAYCHELE STERLING: CALL ME, I WILL REPRESENT YOU NO CHARGE! AND REDISTRICTING HYJNX FOR CINDY’S MARKETPLACE?

Posted: July 9, 2012 in Uncategorized
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At the June 26th City Council Meeting former deputy city attorney Raychele Sterling gave kudos to Councilman Paul Davis for calling City Attorney Gregory Priamos “out on his lies”  the prior week…it was nice to see that somebody would actually do that.

She went on to say that I’m here to talk about Employee issues, which appear to be on going.  People seem to be completely out of their minds, creating so much liability for you (referring to city management).  As I have said, over and over again, this stems not from personnel issue, but is a policy issue.  You continue to have employees sue you, you continue to have employees file claims, then your management comes back and says, geee.. maybe we should continue to retaliate against them because this will be great for our law suit and I’m sure the jury would really appreciate that. Well you might as well just add a couple more zeros to the check we have to pay out!  Well it not changing..and you have to change because the law suits will continue to come..

She went on to say, that if Tom Boyd, Public Works Director, calls any special meetings, or you believe he is harassing you, or retaliating against you, or if he writes a work performance evaluation that you don’t agree with..I want you to give me call, my number is 951-203-9952.  I will be happy to represent you pro bono, no charge!  Because this is going to stop!  TMC learned that a city employee who filed a civil lawsuit against the city a little more than a month ago was being set up for an administrative hearing with one day notice.  This was with Public Works Director Tom Boyd along with the usual suspects.  When Sterling contacted them, and said she would be representing this employee, the administrative hearing was called off, and business as usual was stopped for the moment.

She went on to talk about her grandparents who are absolutely disgusted with the council, with respect to her 87 year old grandmother who she said, “I never heard a cuss word come out of her mouth”.  Her grandmother said, ” you go there (to city council meetings) and they might as well give you the finger”.

“We have no government here”, Sterling said,  “you give all your power to Scott, your city manager, and you don’t monitor anything that he is doing, and he makes you end up looking like asses a lot of the times, and that’s really unfortunate, especially for people running for mayor.  You don’t want to be associated with that Rusty.  You said Jesus Christ is your inspiration.  I can’t ever think of an situation where Jesus Christ would ever under any circumstances permit employees to be just tortured the way that they are here at the City, and you have an obligation, not only as a Councilman and a Christian to make sure that stops immediately”

Public speaker Paul Chavez spoke prior to Sterling regarding an issue that occurred the prior week concerning workshop highlighting redistricting.  Mr. Chavez was surprised and disappointed in what the council did.  He said, “usually when you have a workshop, you don’t take a vote, because it is a workshop……you don’t make that type of a decision, you can have a concept of which way you want to go, or a direction of where you want to go, but you don’t make a decision”.  He went on to say that a vote was taken.. “I don’t know if it is legal or not… that’s why you have a city attorney”, (referencing City Attorney Gregory Priamos).   “The point that was very disturbing, was that the chamber (referencing the Greater Riverside Chamber of Commerce presided by CEO/ President Cindy Roth), came in and made a proposal.  I attended some of the other meetings for redistricting and nothing was mentioned.  Up to the last minute it was a ‘workshop’, you were all here (referencing the council), and you heard everybody talking about different things of what they like and disliked.”

“The chamber came in and told you that they wanted the ‘Market Place’”, (a district located in Councilman Andy Melendrez’s Ward).  And you said (the present council without Concilman Andy Melendrez present) “that’s a good idea, let’s all take it”!  Chavez said “the one that wasn’t spoken to was Mr. Melendrez (Councilman Melendrez), he was taken off guard.  That was very good planning for the chamber, and you guys all went for it.  It makes me very disappointed in all of you.  Also, it shows that those who are running for mayor, what kind of person are you? (I’d imagine Chavez was referring to Councilman “Rusty” Bailey who claims to be an independent voice for Riverside).   Is that what we want as citizens,  you don’t listen to us.. that’s the way I say.  I had a friend that was there and I asked him if you were going to the city council, he said no , what for?  They just look at you,  they let you talk but they don’t really hear you or acknowledge what you saying . So if this continues on you may have a lawsuit on your bench again, just as it has happened before and they have won, and we as taxpayer have to pay for that.  I wish you would reconsider when this comes up again, and stand for the people, not for the chamber, or our you guys bought out”?

While others in the community are calling this a “land grab” or “underhanded”, Dan Berstein explained this bit of shenanigans in the following blog posting, Eastside to Riverside: We Wuz Robbed!  Even PE’s Alicia Robinson had something to say in her blog posting Redistricting Riverside: Carving Up The Eastside.  TMC has spoken about this time and time again about what appears to be an incestuous relationship between the Chamber and the City of Riverside.  Cindy Roth who is president/CEO of the Greater Riverside Chamber, incidently her husband Richard Roth who has a position on the chamber, who also does work legal work for the City of Riverside and is runnig for State Senate and has the endorsement of the Mayor Ron Loveridge..  The residents and constituents of Riverside are disgusted and apathetic, and feel they have no recourse to make change as should appropriately be done by elected officials who flip flop on issues and do not listen to the real needs of the community.  Some have even used religion as a backdrop, and throwing citizen concerns through the back door..

I guess the question is for Councilpeople, anything Cindy wants, Cindy gets?  What would give Cindy Roth that much prominence?  Is it such a big deal to take the Marketplace and integrate it with the Downtown?  Why would they consider doing this in the first place?  Is it because it’s technically part of the East Side, and that has a negative connotation with many?  If we christened the East Side Marketplace as now part of Downtown, would the perceived visual perceptions change and now not be associated with the current perceptions of that nasty East Side?  Will the “East Side” now be just known as “the other side of the tracks”?  But Riverside Chamber’s, President/CEO, Cindy Roth wanted it that way, and the council thought it was a good idea.  Anything Cindy wants, Cindy gets?  For whatever reason it was done, what can I say, even independent voice of the people Rusty Bailey thought it was a good idea.  But Roth’s connections with the cities who’s who are appearing to be very clear.

Even her husband Richard Roth currently running for State Senate has clear ties with the City of Riverside by doing legal work for them.  Not to mention, he is part of the Board of Directors for the Riverside Chamber.  But now presented as the new improved and patriotic General Richard Roth for Senate.  Roth in conjunction with former Riverside Councilman Dom Betro had at a luncheon meeting with Democratic Senate Candidate Steve Clute, who was asked to step down from his running position….something for the community to think about regarding the generalisimo hardballing the Senate position…

Voilà, Now a Marketable Item for the Political Marketplace…

Richard Roth’s endorsements for senate are compelling, beginning with our Mayor Ron Loveridge and Jack Clark of Best,Best & Krieger, (doesn’t the City just hand over treasure chests of money for overpriced legal work to the Krieger)?   The Press Enterprise endorses Richard Roth!  Now let’s look at Cindy Roth’s Riverside Chamber Board of Directors.  Ahh, Peter Hubbard of American Medical Response, this is getting interesting…and it also appears that The Press Enterprise’s very own Ron Redfern is on Cindy’s Board of Directors for the Greater Riverside Chamber.   Richard Roth who had his ties to Republicans, now running as a Democrat, is all of sudden the next best thing to sliced smoked ham.  But can the smoke flavor of this latest innovation lose its taste over time?  Any way you slice it everyone appears to be incestuously connected in more ways than one?

But what is the big deal?  there only businesses?  Well, you already know how business friendly the City of Riverside can be, just take a stroll down the Main Street Mall.

TMC ARTIST RENDERING OF WHAT THE NEW MARKETPLACE MAY LOOK LIKE.

UPDATE: 07/10/2012: CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO FILES FOR BANKRUPTCY PROTECTION.  HOW WILL THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE’S FINANCIAL ISSUES PLAY OUT?  MAMMOTH LAKES, CA JUST FILED FOR BANKRUPTCY LAST WEEK BECAUSE IT COULD NOT AFFORD TO PAY OUT $43 MILLION DOLLAR JUDGEMENT WON BY A DEVELOPER.  IS THE CITY OF  CUDAHY NEXT?

THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE NAMED THE ‘MOST INTELLIGENT CITY’, PRIMARILY DUE TO TECHNOLOGY.  HIGH TECH SURADO SOFTWARE COMPANY NOW DEFUNCT, AFTER RECEIVING $350,000.00 OF PUBLIC FUNDS (THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE’S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OFFICE GAVE $300,000.00 AND THE COUNTY’S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AGENCY GAVE THEM $50,000.00), BUT OWING EMPLOYEES IN EXCESS OF $250,000.00.   CITY OF RIVERSIDE NOT SO INTELLIGENT? WILL THIS BE THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE’S SOLYNDRA?

IT WAS TO LATE FOR SOME COUNCIL MEMBERS AND STAFF TO HIT THE TOWN DRINKING AT THE USUAL WATERING HOLES AS THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING WENT ON BEYOND THE 12 MIDNIGHT HOUR.

THE REDISTRICTING ISSUE VOTED BY CITY COUNCIL 6-0 TO TAKE THIS ISSUE TO GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS.  CRITICISM OF THE COUNCIL CAME UNDERFIRE WEEKS AGO WHEN RIVERSIDE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CEO/PRESIDENT CINDY ROTH MADE THE SUGGESTION THAT ‘THE MARKETPLACE’ (PART OF COUNCILMAN ANDY MELENDREZ’S WARD 2) BE PART OF DOWNTOWN (WARD 1 COUNCILMAN MIKE GARDNER’S DISTRICT).  WHILE A PACKED HOUSE OF RESIDENT AND BUSINESS OWNERS FILLED COUNCIL CHAMBER, THE MAJORITY SPOKE AGAINST THE MOVE.  PUBLIC SPEAKER, CHRISTINA DURAN EVEN SUBMITTED AND PLACED COUNCIL ON NOTICE WITH AN OBJECTION LETTER.  THOSE IN FAVOR WERE THE DOWNTOWN PARTNERSHIP AND OF COURSE, THE GREATER RIVERSIDE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, BOTH WHO RECEIVE CITY TAXPAYER MONIES FOR THEIR ENDEAVORS.  COUNCILMAN MELENDREZ COMMENTED ON THE TRUE PURPOSE OF RESDRICTING.  REDISTRICTING IS ABOUT POPULATION, AND NOWHERE IT IS TO BE USED TO FAVOR BUSINESSES.  FOR THE MOMENT, ‘THE CINDY LAND’ DEBACLE REMAINS ON HOLD.

THE ISSUE OF FUNDING FOR THE PURPLE PIPE REMAINS IN LIMBO FOR THE MOMENT, WHILE A PACKED HOUSE SPOKE AGAINST IT.  PUBLIC SPEAKER SCOTT SIMPSON PROVIDED AND PLACED THE CITY ON NOTICE WITH AN OBJECTION LETTER.  SIMPSON WENT BEYOND THE 3 MINUTES WHICH TRIGGERED RONNY’S BOUNCERS (RPD) TO ESCORT HIM FROM THE PODIUM.  AS SIMPSON MOVED AWAY FROM THE PODIUM AND BACK TO HIS SEAT, HE CONTINUED TO READ HIS OBJECTION.  THAT WAS A SIGHT TO SEE.. FOR THAT, TMC SHOUTS OUT, A ‘THAT A BOY’!  THE CITIZENS ARE NOT GOING TO TAKE IT ANYMORE…

TMC HAS OBTAINED SCOTT SIMPSON’S OBJECTION LETTER TO THE PURPLE PIPE WHICH WAS PRESENTED AT CITY COUNCIL.

CLICK THIS LINK TO VIEW FULL OBJECTION LETTER

QUESTIONS AROSE IF RECLAIMED WATER IS SAFE FOR PLANTS, AND IF PEOPLE AND CHILDREN ARE SAFE ON THE GROUNDS WHERE IT IS USED.  RIVERSIDE CITRUS GROWERS ALREADY MADE THEIR CASE THAT IT CANNOT BE USED FOR CITRUS.  ON SAFETY AND CEQA GUIDELINES (CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT), THE CITY SAID THEY WERE ABLE TO ‘BY PASS’ CEQA.  LEAVING QUESTIONS OF HOW CAN THE ISSUE OF THE SAFETY OF RECLAIMED WATER BYPASS CEQA?

THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE RED LIGHT CAMERA STAY, AFTER MAYOR BREAKS 3-3 COUNCIL TIE (COUNCILMAN MELENDREZ, MAC ARTHUR AND DAVIS VOTE AGAINST THEIR CONTINUED USE) WITH MAYOR LOVERIDGE BRINGING IN THE DECIDING VOTE TO FURTHER STUDY THE ISSUE OF MAKING IT COST EFFECTIVE.  COUNCILMAN STEVE ADAMS LOBBIES IN FAVOR OF CAMERAS, AND USES EXAMPLES OF SAFETY AND DEATHS, AND AS ADAMS SAYS..’BODIES’.  MANY CITIES ALTOGETHER HAVE DISMANTLED RED LIGHT CAMERAS DUE TO COST, SAFETY  ISSUES AND THE USE OF COMPANY PSUEDO STATISTICS DEMONSTRATING THAT THEY MAKE A DIFFERENCE.  COUNCILMAN ADAMS HAS BEEN AT THE BRUNT OF CRITICISM REGARDING ISSUES OF NEPOTISM DUE HIS BROTHER RON ADAMS HIRED AS A RED LIGHT CAMERA PHOTO EXPERT.

WATER RESPONSES FROM CITY COUNCIL COMING SOON!

UPDATE: 07/13/2012: CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION LAUNCHED AGAINST THE CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO REGARDING ALLEGATIONS OF FALSIFICATION OF DOCUMENTS.  OUR THE RAINCROSS BELLS RINGING? THE SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT AND THE DA’S OFFICE ARE INVESTIGATING THE ALLEGATIONS OF CRIMINAL ACTIVITY IN THE CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO.  SAN BERNARDINO CITY ATTORNEY JAME PENMAN SAID HE HAD BEEN PRESENTED DOCUMENTS WHICH HAVE BEEN ALLEGEDLY BEEN FALSIFIED WHICH MASKED THE CITY’S DEFICIT FOR 13 (LUCKY NUMBER) OF THE PAST 16 YEARS.

FACEBOOK ONLY? THE PRESS ENTERPRISE HAS EXPRESSED THEIR DESIRE TO THE COMMENT SECTION TO PRIMARILY USE FACEBOOK.  WORKING TO CURVE UNDESIRABLE COMMENTS AND PREVENT ANONYMOUS COMMENTERS SPEAKING  WHILE EATING CHEETOS IN THEIR UNDERWEAR, WELL, AGAIN, AS MANY HAVE SAID, THIS IS RIVERSIDE..  BUT MANY ARE ASKING, IS THIS A PLOY FROM THE DOUBLE DIPPING CHIEF OF POLICE?  ARE WE TO NOW EXPECT PERFECTLY EXPRESSED OPINIONS AS EXPECTED IN A PERFECTLY POLITICALLY CORRECT NEWSPAPER?  BUT NOW THE CHIEF CAN MONITOR AND PERFECTLY SEE THE FACES..  BUT I GUESS FOR POLICE WORK, ‘WE TIP’ ANONYMOUS HOTLINE IS ACCEPTABLE?

“I want to live in a society that people can voice unpopular opinions because I know as result of that a society grows and matures,”   – Hugh Hefner

THE CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO: BID RIGGING?  POLICE INVESTIGATE..  WEREN’T CLAIMS OF BID FAVORITISM BROUGHT UP IN THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE?

UPDATE: 07/17/2012:  WILL RON BRING THE LOVE ON HOME TO BILL BAILEY?  THE MAYOR’S ENDORSEMENT FOR THE MAYOR’S CANDIDANCY..WHO WILL IT BE?  THE GIGGLES OF EXCITEMENT ARE APPEARING TO OCCUR ON MAYOR CANDIDATE’S BAILEY’S FACEBOOK PAGE, AS HE EXPRESSES A SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT TO BE RELEASED IN THE NEXT 48 HOURS REGARDING A SIGNIFICANT ENDORSEMENT…

UPDATE: 07/17/2012: 12 NOON: MAYOR RON SENDS THE LOVE HOME BY ENDORSING WILLIAM “RUSTY” BAILEY FOR MAYOR…

UPDATE: 07/19/2012: WHAT ISSUE WILL MAYORAL CANDIDATE ED ADKISON CALL  HIS OPPONENT WILLIAM “RUSTY” BAILEY ON?  ADKISON PLANS TO PRESENT THESE ISSUES IN A PRESS CONFERENCE THURSDAY 07/19/2012 AT 11:00AM IN FRONT OF CITY HALL.

     

AT TODAYS PRESS CONFERENCE, ADKISON PRESENTED HIS BANCRUPTCY PREVENTION PLAN AND SIGNED A PLEDGE TO DO SO.  HE CHALLENGED RUSTY TO DO THE SAME.  THIS PLAN IS NEEDED, WITH A REJECTIONS FROM THE STATE FINANCE DEPARTMENT IN EXCESS OF $90 MILLION AND A NEW 218 LAW SUIT, THE GENERAL FUND WILL BE HIT HARD, CUTS NEED TO BE MADE STARTING WITH THE MAYOR’S OFFICE!  IS THERE MORE SALICIOUS INFORMATION COMING DOWN THE PIPELINE WITH REGARDS TO OPPONENT WILLIAM “RUSTY” BAILEY?

WAS ATTORNEY FOR THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE AND GENERALISIMO RICHARD ROTH’S OFFER TO SERGENT VALMONT GRAHAM OF A PROMOTION TO LIEUTENANT AND $25,000.00 TURNED DOWN?  LOW BALLING IS A COMMON PRACTICE THE CITY TAKES ON TO MESS WITH THE OTHER ATTORNEY. 

THE GAMES ARE ON AND THE NEGOTIATIONS HAVE YET TO BE SETTLED.

RIVERSIDE FORGOTTEN…MAIN STREET, LOOKING FROM CURRENT CITY HALL (CIRCA 1930)

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.  PROUDLY RATED ONE STAR (POSSIBLY DOWN TO ZERO FROM OUR LAST ACCOUNTS) 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 FOR GOOD REASON, AND PROSSIBLY POSSIBLY ON FILE WITH THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE’S POTENTIAL SLAPP SUIT LIST, FOR GOOD REASON… 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 SPHALL SPELL CHECKERS!  EMAIL ANONYMOUSLY WITH YOUR DIRT OR CONTACT US BY THE FOLLOWING EMAIL ADDRESS! CONTRIBUTORS WILL ALWAYS BE PROTECTED… YES, WE EXPECT THE JAIL TIME FOR THAT ONE…  THIRTYMILESCORRUPTION@HOTMAIL.COM 

CITY OF RIVERSIDE: THE GOOD, BAD & THE UGLY OF THE TRAILER BILL…MOSTLY UGLY..

Posted: July 9, 2012 in Uncategorized
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At the June 26th, 2012 City Council Meeting City Manager Scott Barber responded to the new passing of the ‘Trailer Bill” or as it is known AB 1484, enacted as a result to clarify and define language of Redevelopments inter-agency transfers and possibly padding the ROPS (Recognized Obligation Payment Schedule).   Barber inititated his comment by stating, ” I was going to say that I thought ‘The Trailer Bill’ was the good, bad and the ugly, you may have remembered that western movie, but spending more time reading through it,  I just think it’s all ugly.”  The California League of cities have come out with opposition for a less amended bill, that is there recommendation..  There are some concerns we should have in the budget trailer bill, one of them is a threat to local finances.  Now our understanding in first reading the bill made us think perhaps there would be some good for us with regards to our outstanding inter-agency loans, the ones that had been reconfirmed by our oversight board and sent to the Department of Finance.   It did appear that there would language in here for repayment of these loans.  However, the conditions which appear in the current version of the trailer bill, although they say ‘repayment’, the conditions that they create make ‘repayment’ very unlikely without exhausting other debts and then growth in tax increment to other taxing entities.  That does not look very favorable.  The trailer bill as it is written really takes the away the power and authority from the oversight board and really make their actions really meaniless.  It transfer a great deal of authority to the State Department of Finance.  It changes the department of finance role to where they have a huge amount of authority over county and cities regarding our finances. They have the ability to impose fines for what they consider non compliance on ROPS, and they have the ability to transfer sales tax and property taxes where they don’t believe successor agencies or oversite board have not acted appropriately.  I think in general we our better off right now, than we would be with the trailer bill as drafted, if it was adopted.

Greg fires back and states that the State Department of Finance is getting to much power, and will even get $22 million for legal council to take on the cities and the redevelopment agencies , which I would say is close to the amount he pays out to BB&K for overpriced legal advice?  Wouldn’t you say?  Under this trailer bill we will never receive a 100% repayment for ROPS.  Well maybe the City was not doing things right to begin with, as was padding the ROPS along with other cities.  Of course you’re not going to receive 100% repayment.  But didn’t we start out with $259 million in the original ROPS submission, but $21 million remaining in ROPS limbo.  The trailer bill was meant to stop these padded submission and bring in some surgical clarity and prevent city attorney’s from taking up the state’s time while arguing their case.  Priamos than referred to a legsislative analyist from where their response to the Trailer Bill was a word of caution as opposed to an endorsement. Greg in his convoluted way continued to make no sense at council and spinned in a draconian way every response made.  Primos’s take on the $10,000 per day fine for not turning your ROPS on time, was draconian… well, now the city knows how the constituents have felt with ‘draconian’ code enforcement fines that Priamos’s city attorney’s office have been enforcing toward the constituents of the the City of Riverside, as well as the ‘draconian’ ticket violation for street sweeping when the constituent already  pay for it.  Those Council people whe represent those wards such as Councilman Mike Gardner have addressed these issues as well in a ‘draconian way’.   We must then consider Priamo’s refusal to respond to public records request regarding his departments expenses when directed toward Best, Best & Krieger…’draconian’.  Why is he protecting Best, Best & Krieger?   According to Priamos, the overall evaluation of the Trailer Bill, it’s ‘draconian’!

Councilman Andy Melendrez asked the question if cities can actually file for bankruptcy?  Priamos stated, “yes, cities can file for bankrupticies”.  That was largely done to address the concerns of the unions (possibly for unsustainable union contracts which were not negotiated in the best interest of the ‘people’ as TMC understands).   Barber even said that we spoke with our lobbyist (I’m assuming the League of California Cities), to this passing of this legislation, and said, don’t expect changes.  Incidently, can the city afford to continue to hire a lobbyist?   Davis says “it is unfortunate, not a great way to run a business”?  Did he misspoke? Barber states that we spoke to our lobbyist this afternoon, don’t expect changes of this thing (the legislation) it is  going to be past.  Councilman and Mayor Pro Tempt, Paul Davis responded to this passing of the this trailer bill legislation, “It’s really unfortunate, it’s a great way to run a business”?   Really Paul..remember this is all about Redevelopment abuse and all need to take responsibility for it, but that never happen with our city or other cities at the local level.  Unfortunately , the State saw it differently with respect that local municipalities abused their power, and in response, have intervened with an ‘iron fist’ of authority, for even at local level, local arrogance and displays of entitlements has shown the need for the State’s drastic actions and as labeled by some city execs, ‘draconian ’.

The Trailor bill validates every thing that Vivian Moreno, Dvonne Pitruzzello and Raychelle Sterling has been saying for 2 years.  They were 100% right.  So I guess that makes them really smart!  TMC would imagine that this would conincide with the cities new award, of the ‘The Most Intelligent City”.  Again, City management will try to portray them as if they had no idea what they were talking about.

RIVERSIDE FORGOTTEN…CHINA TOWN FROM MT. RUBIDOUX.  BROCKTON AVENUE RUNS LEFT TO RIGHT, WHERE IT INTERSECTS WITH TEQUESQUITE AVENUE. (CIRCA 1912)

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.  PROUDLY RATED ONE STAR (POSSIBLY DOWN TO ZERO FROM OUR LAST ACCOUNTS) 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 FOR GOOD REASON, AND PROSSIBLY POSSIBLY ON FILE WITH THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE’S POTENTIAL SLAPP SUIT LIST, FOR GOOD REASON… 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 SPHALL SPELL CHECKERS!  EMAIL ANONYMOUSLY WITH YOUR DIRT OR CONTACT US BY THE FOLLOWING EMAIL ADDRESS! CONTRIBUTORS WILL ALWAYS BE PROTECTED… YES, WE EXPECT THE JAIL TIME FOR THAT ONE…  THIRTYMILESCORRUPTION@HOTMAIL.COM 

CITY OF RIVERSIDE: BARBER BLOG REBUTTLE: LETTER OF DETERMINATION BY DISTRICT ATTORNEY REGARDING ALLEGATIONS MADE BY MORENO, PITRUZZELLO AND FIGUEROA

Posted: June 1, 2012 in Uncategorized
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April 23, 2012 I wrote this email letter to the DA’s office to Vicki Hightower, Chief Deputy District Attorney, Special Prosecution Section, addressing concerns and frustrations.

Four days later, this letter of determination along with an article by City Manager Scott Barber was posted on Scott Barber’s Blog Site.  This letter was sent to Mary Figueroa, as opposed to myself directly, and is dated March 29, 2012.

         

CLICK THIS LINK TO VIEW FULL DOCUMENT IN PDF FORMAT

SCOTT BARBER’S POSTING: IT APPEARS THAT THE FOLLOWING POSTING HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM BARBER’S BLOG SITE, BUT HERE IT IS IN IT’S ENTIRETY.

Letter of determination by the District Attorney regarding allegations made by Moreno, Pitruzzello and Figueroa

By sbarber | Published April 27, 2012

DA Letter

If you have been attending or watching recent City Council meetings, then you probably have heard statements from a group of citizens alleging a variety of inappropriate actions, such as favoritism towards a local developer, unauthorized spending by our former City Manager, loans from the sewer fund to the Redevelopment Agency (I blogged about this earlier today), and funds used to demolish property for the “Raincross” development. Yesterday, the City received a copy of the determination letter from the District Attorney’s Office, along with a list of the individuals who presented the information to the DA (see the title of this blog for that list), regarding these allegations. I am pleased to share the letter with you (click on the DA Letter link to read) and to let you know that the DA concluded that no criminal acts occurred as a result of the City’s actions.

SELF APPOINTED CITIZEN AUDITOR, VIVIAN MORENO RESPONDED AS FOLLOWS:

  1. Vivian Moreno

Posted April 27, 2012 at 2:43 pm | Permalink

Your comment is awaiting moderation.

Are you for real? it’s on. Are you guys really serious that you put this in writing? This letter will be sent to the Attorney General and the State Controller and let’s see what they have to say. the city spinners are at it again and now they have the DA in their pocket. Wait till the feds see this. Scott, the city is in big enough trouble as it is and you are going to try and challenge us. Go for it!!! If you are really transparent, post this. You might actually get someone to read your blog, because we are going to post our response. This took the DA a year to respond? Get a grip.

__________________

One can see that if citizens have concerns locally with city officials in violation of the city charter, where do they take their concerns for investigation, if not District Attorney Paul Zellerbach’s office?  Any guesses?

This is the problem and the following scenario is reflective of this, as noted in Mary Shelton’s blog five before midnight, how do you investigate an official and have him sponsor a fundraiser at the same time?  This is why investigations of politicians conduct can’t be local.

Again, the determination of our concerns was assessed by a one time meeting and never followed through appropriately with a secondary or tertiary meeting.  Or in our estimation never investigated appropriately to the satisfaction of our community and individual concerns, of which was expected by this department.

First, Vicki Hightower, had our contact information on file, it’s quite paradoxical that she asked that the letter be forwarded, since there was no contact information. She does have our email, and further, the DA’s office has been quite adept at collecting and filing our articles regarding TMC postings.  We consider the DA’s office quite resourceful at attaining this information if necessary.  So, I’d like to address this question, the primary reason are group of concerned citizens contacted and met with District Attorney Paul Zellerbach, was the issue of Connie Leach, whereby  the contracts and issues of concern will come out shortly.  The items listed in the letter coincidently received by Mr. Barber, were discussed, but not the primary reason for contacting the DA.  By the way, I’d like to take this time to thank Mr. Barber for giving me top billing in his posting title.  You may observe, the issue of Connie Leach is not mentioned in this letter.  The meeting took place in confidence, and we were unaware of the possible collaborations between city officials and the district attorney’s office thereafter the breach. But questions arose regarding the associations between the DA, the City and The Grand Jury, not only when you view campaign support, but there close association within the working environment.  What’s quite interesting was the file of TMC articles the DA’s office had in their possession and their request to know who were the writers.  The cards appeared to change before our eyes.  Were we being the ones investigated?

Who would be the the enforcement agency regards to city charter violations , if not the DA’s office?  According to the letter, in many instances they are washing their hands of any responsibility.  It is our understanding and the accepted standard in other cities that the DA’s office is responsible for enforcing any violations of the City Charter etc.

Item #1: Loans from Sewer Funds used to fund Redevelopment Agency Projects:

Response by the DA’s office regarding sewer funds:

Riverside Municipal Code is as follows:

CLICK THIS LINK TO VIEW FULL SEWER CODE CHAPTER 14.04 IN PDF FORMAT

Sewer Fund Loans; not sure why the DA’s office is playing symantics with us, but the ordinance is very clear, it states exactly what these funds should be used for.  It appears that the DA’s argument remains toward the premise that ‘nothing in the ordinance specifically prohibits the specified loans’.  Bingo, that is also correct, there argument is that ‘nothing specifically states you can’t’.  A DA diversion?  But again the ordinance is very clear on what the funds should be used for.  It states that such revenue (sewer) shall not be used for the acquisition or construction of new street sewers or lateral as distinquished from the main trunk, interceptor or outfall sewers.  So therefore, why would monies from the sewer fund be transferred from a local City fund to a State Agency (RDA) in what is know as an ‘inter-agency” loan.  When RDA is reflective of an agency of new construction, and the ordinance states this money cannot be used for new construction.  The DA’s office went on to say that if there was such a provision, it still would not be a crime for the District Attorney’s office to address, because it would be a violation of the City ordinance.  So who would be the appropriate source of contact for this concern?  We have been told it is the DA’s office.  We wouldn’t think for a moment that it could be the City.  Whereby the city would investigate themselves on this violations.  So the question remains..  Again, the DA’s office did not address the concern clearly, except to say that if there was not an ordinance saying you could not make a loan from the Sewer Fund., and of course this is also correct.  There is none.  But they didn’t consider the ordinance at its’ direct face value?  In doing so, do ordinances, provisions and laws truly mean anything at all?

A loan from the Sewer fund to RDA, would be consider an ‘inter-agency’ loan.  Even then would have to serve a sewer purpose.  Again the DA diverts attention from his office to allow the City Manager Scott Barber to state no criminal actions occurred within the auspices of the DA’s office.  Though, the DA states, if there was an ordinance, which there is, it would a ‘violation of the city ordinance’.  So who enforces violations of city ordinances?  Please Mr.DA, you know exactly what the intended meaning of this charter ordinance meant?

Item #2: City Manager Discretionary Spending

Response by the DA’s office regarding former City Manager Brad Hudson’s discretionary spending.

Former City Manager Brad Hudson’s total discretionary spending as indicated below.

Brad Hudson’s discretionary spending.  City Manager Scott Barber addressed this issue in a posting.  I also responded.

Ability to  enter into contracts up to $50,000.00 is available to City Manager, not all department heads.  Contractual agreements up to $50,000.oo without council approval was entered in after the firing of former City Manager George Carvahlos.  Mr. Carvahlos was a true Riversidian and was against much of what the current council wanted.  Which included Ed Adkison, Frank Schiavone, Steve Adams and Mayor Ron Loveridge.  Hudson was brought in and the contractual agreement clause was raised from $25,000.00 to $50,000.00.  Fifty thousand is alot of money, and again their were no guidelines which encompassed the proper spending of that amount to prevent spending abuses.  One could spend $50,000.00 daily, or one could spend incremental amounts in what is known as bid splitting.  Again Mr. Zellerbach, we are talking about apples and oranges when comparing the City Manager’s discretionary spending for fiscal year 2009/2010 is $299,685.00 when compared with Parks and Recreation of $2,000,000.00.  Our public records for City Manager’s discretionary spending  for fiscal year 2009/ 2010 for contracts under $50,000.00 comes out to $29,554,005.19.  You also state that the 2009/2010 discretionary spending under $50,000.00 is $299,685.00.  You are off by $29,254,320.19… I don’t think you are seeing the complete spending picture, these are contracts under $50,000.00 approved under City Manager’s or Department Heads authority.  The City Manager is ultimately responsible for all spending even over the Department Heads authority.  Therefore, the amount in oversight by the City Manager is $29,254,320.19.

Item #3: Favoritism to Mark Rubin (developer)

Response by DA’s office regarding favoritism by the City of Riverside toward developer Mark Rubin.

Dennis Morgan (aka. Larry the Liquidator) of IPA, which is the contracted property management company for all the City of Riverside’s properties.  Why does he also manage properties of Developer Mark Rubin, to what was mentioned at a land use committee meeting of in the neighborhood of 15,000 sq. ft.  Mark Rubin is a property developer for the city, one of the properties is the vacant and unfinished Raincross Promenade project.”  They even exchanged accolades at a Land Use Committee meeting in which they acknowledge themselves as “compadres”, in my estimation, as a figure of speech in regards to their close ties.  We have several witnessed who will attest that this occurred at a land use committee meeting.  But I guess it is not pertinent enough for the DA to address this issue on a constructive basis that would allow pertinent information to evolve..

The last statement Barber makes, “the DA concluded that no criminal acts occurred as a result of the City’s actions”.  According to the DA’s office in reference to property transfers they do address the fact that the City of Riverside did violate the law, and this concern should be forwarded to the State Attorney General. What is important to notice is that there is no criminal action to warrant action by his office.  That does not mean a serious criminal violation hasn’t occurred, it only means that the DA’s office is not the appropriate entity to handle it.  For example, the City of Riverside has created a resolution which does not allow Marijuana dispensaries within the City, even though at the State level it is legal, at the Federal level it is illegal.  The city can now stop the dispensary and cite them for violations, but they cannot take their property.  The Feds can.  Therefore a different office of government and must be called by the city to do just that.  This would be the Department of Justice.  The taking of property is known as ‘asset forfeiture.’

Again the DA states if this allegation occurred in (b) it would be a violation of RDA guidelines, not the DA’s responsibility.  If it isn’t there responsibility, isn’t it there responsibility to direct us to the appropriate office that could address our concerns?

Favoritism by the City toward Mark Rubin cannot be documented, that is true.  I agree with the DA’s office, this would be a hard nut to crack without solid evidence, such as bribery. But is it plausible to connect favoritism to the definition of nepotism?  Nepotism occurs in the city, but never addressed.  We have an instance such former councilman and mayoral candidate Ed Adkison at the Friday Morning Club Janet Goeskie Senior Center on February 23, 2012 stating that the City’s relationship with Connie Leach was ‘nepotism’.  Adkison was on the council during the Connie Leach allegations.  We also had councilman Steve Adams brother reviewing red light camera tickets.

Do you think if a Councilman received a ticket violation would they fulfill their obligation to pay it?  Or would it be surprisingly cleared from the system?  According to the DA, favoritism in their office must indicate documented bribery, otherwise it is out of the DA’s scope of practice. No documentation indicates bribery between the City of Riverside and developer Mark Rubin.

Item #4: Raincross property:

Response by the DA’s office regarding the demolition of the Swiss Inn, a Raincross property.

In the DA’s response, it shows the address to be 3120 Main Street, whereby it should read 3210 Main Street.  Our records show that the developer Mark Rubin owned the property when the City paid Dakeno demolition for the work on Mark Rubin’s property.   City acquired the property initially, transferred back to Mark Rubin, then flipped it back to the city.  The city did pay for demolition by Dakeno on the Swiss Inn property owned by developer Mark Rubin.  The City of Riverside paid for demolition according to the document which stated payment from the discretionary fund account on 03/06/2007, and Mark Rubin, developer, was still in posession of the property until 05/22/2008 when it was transferred to RDA.  According to the title company, the owner, Enrique Martinez transferred title on 11/09/2006

    

CLICK THIS LINK TO VIEW DAKENO DEMOLITION DOCUMENT IN PDF FORMAT

The following document shows that payment of $44,770.00 as indicated in the notation in the above document from former City Manager Brad Hudson’s discretionary fund.

CLICK IMAGE TO SEE FULL DOCUMENT

The above document is on page 231 of former City Manager Brad Hudson’s discretionary sprending account for the amount $44,770.00 indicated in the above notion referring to Fund 476 University Corridor/ Sycamore Canyon Capital Project paid to Dakeno Demolition.

Click this link to view 2005-06, 2006-07, and 2007-08 City Manager Brad Hudson Discretionary Fund

TIMELINE OF EVENTS

06/01/2005: BRAD HUDSON ENTERS INTO CITY MANAGER POSTION

06/07/2005: RDA MEMORANDUM COMMENCE NEGOTIATION W/ RAINCROSS PARTNERS 136 LP & RIVER REGIONAL

08/00/2005: CITY HOME PARTNERS AGREEMENT HAS PURCH/SELL AGREEMENT WITH MARQUEZ $1.67 MIL

-the Swiss Inn, house 42 Developmentally Disabled and 10 Live In Employees

-this purchase activates affordable housing redevelopment clause

-City Home Partners is connected to Raincross Partners 136 LP

-Raincross Partners is connected to Mark Rubin

-River Regional is connected to Mark Rubin

-An upset Marquez believes RDA is purchasing his property, and finds out later the Developer is purchasing it.

-Actual sale doesn’t record until 11/09/2006 with Mark Rubin’s name all over it.

09/13/2005: DDA RIVER REGIONAL PROPERTIES LLC- mentions affordable housing

09/19/2006: Redevelopment memorandum-item #11, Resolution of necessity to acquire 1st to 3rd   properties-approved by city council, no resolution document exists, therefore no land acquisition should have taken place or developer (Rubin) was required to put into escrow monies to acquire property, pay for demolition, clearance, and relocation fees.  5.4 million dollar sewer transfer took place to pay for relocation, clearance, and demolition fees, deposited into escrow fund.  5.4 million sewer inter-fund transfer occurs according to council report but the sewer fund is not the loan of record, the worker’s comp and the electric fund are the receivable loan until August, 09 Money is not moved from the sewer-fund until August of 2009.  Money is posted to sewer fund June 30, 2009.  Why would an employee fraudulently back-date the postings of the sewer fund?

10/04/2005: DDA RAINCROSS PARTNERS 136 LP (CHUCK,RUBIN) -included affordable housing comprehensive plan

08/06/2006: CITY SURVEYS SWISS INN PROPERTY FOR PURCHASE

08/17/2006: GRANT DEED SIGNED FROM ENRIQUE MARQUEZ TO REGIONAL PROPERTIES INC. (MARK RUBIN)

09/06/2006: MARK RUBIN-REGIONAL PROPERTIES INC. TAKE OVER ESCROW

09/19/2006: RAINCROSS PARTNERS 136 LP TERMINATES THE ENTIRE DDA WITH AFFORDABLE HOUSING

09/19/2006: DDA AMENDMENT FOR RIVER REGIONAL FOR 256 UNITS.  IN A CITY EMAIL MARK RUBIN TAKES OVER ESCROW.  HE WILL CLOSE THE ESCROW AND FLIP PARCELS  TO THE AGENCY.

11/07/2006: CITY EMAIL STATES MARK RUBIN IS OKAY WITH HOLDING ON TO THE SWISS INN FOR NOW

11/09/2006: GRANT DEED RECORDED FROM ENRIQUE MARQUEZ TO REGIONAL PROPERTIES INC. (MARK RUBIN)

02/08/2007: PERMIT ISSUED: CITY DEMOS MARK RUBIN’S PROPERTY SWISS INN,   $44,700.00  as stated on permit.

03/06/2007: CITY OF RIVERSIDE PAY’S DAKENO DEMOLITION $44,700.00 VIA FUND 476 UNIVERSITY CORRIDOR/ SYCAMORE CANYON CAPITAL PROJECT.

07/16/2008: GRANT DEED TRANSFER/SELLS  (FLIPS IT) FROM REGIONAL PROPERTIES INC. (MARK RUBIN) TO RDA.

03/08/2011 – GRANT DEED TRANSFER FROM RDA (BRAD HUDSON) TO CITY OF RIVERSIDE

                                             

CLICK THIS LINK TO VIEW COMPLETE DOCUMENT        CLICK THIS LINK TO VIEW EMAIL CORRESPONDENCE

Item #5: Transfer of Redevelopment Agency (RDA) real property to the City.

Response by the DA’s office regarding the issue of illegally transferring Redevelopment properties back to the City.

OK Scott, did we miss the part of the transfer of 149 properties from the Redevelopment Agency back to the City before the June deadline?  We brought this to City Council a year ago, and was discounted.  Even you City Attorney must have missed this one, or even your $400 per hour Best, Best & Krieger outside legal help missed this one.  This was a violation by the city that the DA addressed, but was not addressed or mentioned on your blog appropriately in detail by you.  Knowingly that a violation had occurred, is it not in the DA’s position to forward this to be investigated by the State Attorney General?

                                                 

CLICK THIS LINK TO VIEW PROPERTY TRANSFERS       CLICK THIS LINK TO VIEW 2ND VERSION OF PROPERTY TRANSFERS

Regarding Connie Leach, former Chief of Police Russell Leach’s wife.  TMC will post our concerns and allegations that the DA’s office and the Riverside Grand Jury to our knowledge, considered baseless, or without merit.  But questions still remain regarding the use of Police Asset Forfeiture funds in payment to Connie Leach, while her husband Police Chief Russell Leach was in charge.  Our position will posted.

What we find is that the DA’s office is not the appropriate office to address our concerns and allegations.  Though, when asked who would handle violations of charter at the City level, we were directed to the DA’s office.  But all local entities were exhausted, we went to the appropriate entities at the State and Federal levels.  Yes this is all true, Scott is right, no criminal actions at the DA level, and I’m sure no criminal actions at the City level, because as you would also find, that the City Attorney, Gregory Priamos would call this baseless.  Some may say that this is a system created by a few, to work for a few.  But I believe there continues to be something wrong with this picture. Something that reflects a triage of influence by these entities. Creating a difficult arena for local residents to address their concern without some sort of retribution, slanderously or financially, or what some in the city say, ‘client control’ tactics.  And that is my opinion. It may be right, it may be wrong but we will continue to investigate and learn the language of municipal politics..  Final word, we do appreciate City Manager Scott Barbers dialogue.

But we have to remember the DA’s office never addressed the issue of federal cold plates, illegal gun sales, illegal badges, fillegal law enforcement/emergency lights, fraudulently and illegally applying for concealed weapons permit with a false address, overlooking DUI’s and ticket fixing.  If this was anyone other than those in the office, such as the common citizen, we’d be in jail, and people have one to jail.   Of course, these violations would not be handled by the DA’s office, which is actually true…but again …who would?  And if they were responsible for oversight of these violations, would they actually mitigate them?  And would they contact or forward these issues to the proper legal authority?

Is there a triangle of influence connecting the City, DA and Grand Jury?  Is there a quadrangle of influence connecting the City, DA, Grand Jury and Judges?  Is there actually a pentagonal angle of influence which would involve the State?   Pentagonal in the sense that what do citizens do when they have utilized all resources without any reasonable response?  We have addressed this pressing issue in a TMC article.  These would include the City Attorney’s Office, the District Attorney’s Office, the Grand Jury, the Superior Court Judges, and now possibly the State?  Are only hope is those offices outside the State.  Such as the IRS, Security and Exchange Commission, the Department of Justice, the FBI etc.

What do you do as a concerned citizen when the majority of the City Council is tied in with the Distric Attorney Paul Zellerbach?

CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO VIEW THE PIC.

Some public servants have said to bring such issues to the forefront is to ‘political’.  Even if the issues are right, they will not act on it, therefore leaving a conclusion that is vague and clandestine.  Therefore giving reason that the public is not important.  It then appears that one completely discounts the oath that was taken to serve, and placing their own interest as primary, superseding the public interest.  This is what most people in the community feel and are angry about.  Further, voters don’t vote because they feel it does’nt really matter..and in many ways they are right.  But they need to get involve at a different level.  I do feel at some levels that this letter was ‘orchestrated’ and ‘designed’ in many way by one or more political elements within city to divert and mitigate the actual concerns of the public as simply having no merit.  Further, to strategically label us as uninformed individuals.  This would only safeguard their political compulsory obligations to maintain their positions, supporting constituents and of course the ‘status quo atmosphere of illusionary stability’.  Another aspect to remember is that the DA’s office did not take upon themselves to even investigate our allegations.  They made their opinion simply on our one time meeting and the information we submitted that needed further investigation by his office, which was not done.  A step further, their opinion may have allegedly been made after contact with the city, further breaching our confidence as concerned citizens.  Many of these issues, according to District Attorney Paul Zellerbach’s Office, simply must be forwarded to the State Attorney’s Office, of course, we assume, the appropriate office to deal with these issues. City violations of the City Charter, as we understand, are to be directed toward the DA’s office.  But what we are told by the DA, “was it illegal or just bad business”?  Our we to accept as concerned citizens that bad business is an acceptable premise for city business?  City business that doesn’t have a public or constituent benefit?  When does bad business cross the line?  When does it cross the line into the gray line of illegal?  Our these departments of oversight really there to be good fiscal stewards of the people in which they took an oath to protect and serve?  If you view the premise of this blog article, this is more of a hit piece against Vivian Moreno, Dvonne Pritruzzello and Mary Figueroa by DA Paul Zellerbach and Riverside City Manager Scott Barber to discredit their concerns or mitigate their allegations? Can we call it collusion?  Regardless, what can I say, ‘This is Riverside’.

Again, our concerns were originally with Connie Leach, and TMC will be posting our findings in “Hush Money II” that were suddenly rejected by the Riverside Grand Jury, without fully investigating each respondent and fully evaluating the documents submitted and requested from the City of Riverside.  The Grand Jury had requested asset forefeiture records from the City of Riverside and failed to continue their interview process in order to fully complete their investigation.  Instead, decided to relieve themselves of their duty to act on citizens concerns by acting not to act.  Was the result allegedly orchestrated or meticulously created by design in order to mitigate any unintended repercussions?

Considering the DA’s TMC article file (kinda reminds me of Hoovers FBI files), considering the questions that were asked, in turn, were we actually the ones being interviewed?  Was this a last ditch effort in their process to protect the family?  Were we actually dancing around the issues?…  and a final question, what is your connection with local Attorney Virginia Blumenthal ingrained on your ribbon above the tutu?  and how many are truly ingrained within the family called ‘Riverside’?

PERDITION

UPDATE: 06/16/2012: Pravda Press Enterprise continues it’s art of molding popular public opinion?  Does our Chief Sergio Diaz have a starring role?  PE leading the way to absolutely no comments?

WHAT’S WRONG PE? CAN’T HANDLE THE TRUTH ABOUT OBAMA & ILLEGALS STEALING AMERICAN JOBS? WHY YOU SENSORING ALL THE COMMENTS THAT ARE TRUE. WE ARE IN AMERICA ( OR I THOUGHT ) WE HAVE FREEDOM OF SPEECH SO LET OUR OPINIONS BE KNOWN!!   – obama hater, commenter on the Press Enterprise possibly prior to being censored..

Once again, PE proves only certain opinions are acceptable here.  Good job, airjackie and kensew, you have achieved media sactioned thinking.  – censordefier, Commenter on the Press Enterprise

or

are commenters actually the ones censoring?

The problem with this comment section is there is no moderator. If a reader doesn’t like your comment, they report it as abuse and it’s collapsed. It’s supposed to be reviewed by a moderator but the PE has gutted it’s staff to generate profits so your comment will never be read and reinstated. In this case, it’s the illegal alien supporters collapsing the comments they oppose. Notice it’s only people who oppose the president’s stupid move that have been collapsed and the pro stupid move remain. Test it yourself. Report one of them and they’re comment will disappear as well. Terrible setup here.  – crymeariver, commenter on the PE

Other commenters make a case in point that comments with the highest approval ratings are being deleted or removed, especially when the comments don’t violate their guidelines..

UPDATE: 06/16/2012: REDLIGHT CAMERAS IN THE NEWS AGAIN:  Press Enterprise Alicia Robinson new posting on her blog regarding the issue of redlight cameras.

TMC had our own comments regarding redlight cameras as revenue enhancers over safety issues.  While Councilman Paul Davis voted against the renewal contract back in 2011, Councilman Andy Melendrez voted for it, Councilwoman Nany Hart voted for it, Chris MacArthur voted for it, Councilman Steve Adams must have voted for it to keep his keep his redlight camera reviewer brother Ron Adams working, Mayoral Candidate/ current Councilman  William “Rusty” Bailey and Independent Voice for Riverside voted for it, even “I have no such plans to run for mayor”, of course, mayoral candidate and current Councilman Mike Gardner voted for it.  And voted for it as a safety issue, as opposed to a revenue enhancer, and discounting studies countering the psuedo statistics they were provided.

But to now lose $1,154,000.00 in anticipated revenue projections according to City Manager Scott Barbers proposed budget?  The question remained that it was a bad deal last year when the proposal to renew the contract went in front of Council.  Councilman Paul Davis saw through it and didn’t vote for it, the rest did, and now how will they vote this time?  Vote for renewal, is a vote to continue hard earned taxpayer money down the toilet.

UPDATE: 06/18/2012: CITY OF RIVERSIDE TO REMOVE RED LIGHT CAMERAS!  COST CONSIDERED A FACTOR IN THE DECISION FOR THEIR REMOVAL.. 

UPDATE: 06/17/2012: ARE REDLIGHT CAMERA COMPANIES, SUCH AS AMERICAN TRAFFIC SYSTEMS BANKROLLING COUNTERSUITS AGAINST VOTER BACKED INITIATIVES TO REMOVE REDLIGHT CAMERAS?  Recently a story was leased in the Press Enterprise regarding the City of Murrieta and a voter backed initiative to remove redlight cameras.  Former council candidate and former chairman of Murrieta’s Public Safety and Traffic Commission Steve Flynn, in conjunction with the law firm Bell, McAndrews & Hiltachk counter sued.  Steve Flynn skewed the issues when interviewed by KFI’s John and Ken Show.  Listen to this interview in it’s entirely by clicking this link.  At the end of the interview on this show,  John Kobylt stated toward Steve Flynn, “You have zero credibility”!  Questions arose on who is bankrolling these counter suits against citizen voter initiatives.  Mr. Flynn didn’t know who was financially backing the Murrieta suit, although his name is on it.  But appears that in other states that these counter suits are occurring, the redlight camera companies as American Traffic Systems are bankrolling them.

Steve Flynn

When Ken Champou asked Flynn asked, “Why can’t people vote to get rid of them”?  Flynn responded referring to the people, “they were misinformed”.

UPDATE: 06/17/2012: SACRAMENTO BEE: EDITORIAL: TIME FOR CALIFORNIA TO PUT AN END TO ‘DOUBLE DIPPING’?  Case in hand, editorial mentions former Riverside City Manager and current Sacramento County Executive Officer Brad Hudson.  Currently, it appears that ‘double dipping’ is a public sector phenomenon, whereby some government workers can retire as early as age 50, receive a CalPERS pension check and get another government job.  You better believe this would never occur in the private sector, because you are dealing with company money, and it is watched carefully.  In the public sector where taxpayer money funds salaries and pensions, it may appear to some government representatives guarding the till as ‘funny money’.

          

According to the editorial this type of activity show a failure, a failure to recruit and groom entry level and midlevel people to replace aging baby boomers.  Currently, if a retiree recieves a pension and a government salary, it appears that retiree no longer contributes to the pension system, therefore placing a strain on an already strained public pension system.   But if one transfers from a different local which has their own pension program, to new local with their own, this scenerio wouldn’t apply.  So it ask the question, “Should California do what New York does”?  Retired government workers under 65 who return to public employment cannot receive pension payments if eartnings reach beyond $30,000.00.  Questions arose when current Riverside Police Chief Sergio Diaz retired from the Los Angeles Police Department, as Deputy Chief at 55 years of age in March 31, 2010, to begin his new job of Riverside Police Chief July 1, 2010.  Diaz was hired by former City Manager Brad Hudson, and in unison with former Assistant City Manager Tom Desantis.

UPDATE: 06/18/2012: YELLOW BRICK ROAD TO EMERALD CITY?

 

I told you a thousand times, Chief Diaz say’s you need a permit for the costumes or the next time you’ll be arrested…

The City of Riverside has been labeled the ‘All American City’ in 1998, and christened the first ‘Emerald City’ in 2009, all we need now is the ‘Yellow Brick Road’?  The City of Redland’s has it’s ‘Orange Blossom Trail’ ( which in my opinion should have fittingly been in Riverside), the City of Indianapolis has it’s ‘Cultural Trail’, so why not?  Let’s build a yellow brick road.

                       

CLICK THIS LINK TO VIEW THE FULL PROPOSAL

Passed on last week’s consent calendar is the creation of the signature ‘Yellow Brick Trail’, linking UC Riverside to ‘Emerald City’, of course, to our wonderfully blighted Downtown Riverside.

 UPDATE:06/18/2012: THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR EMILIO RAMIEREZ HAS MUCH TO SAY ON THE REDEVELOPMENT BUG-A-BOO…

According to the Press Enterprise the biggest concerns are the loans the city made to the redevelopment agency.  Ramirez said they were legal when they were done, which was long before the 2011 bill that ended redevelopment existed.  State officials have cited the law’s section that says loans between the city and redevelopment agency are not “enforceable obligations.”  In other words, ‘not legal’..  Ramirez goes on to say that at the June 16 meeting what started out as $158 million in questionable Enforeable Obligations by the State, that $60 million of that was unknowingly added as a ‘book keeping line item’.  This $60 million with 2 other similar items which add up to what he is calling ‘ the $80 million mistake’, which the State says are not payable.  This would appear to mean that the taxpayer is responsible for this $80 million???  and the ‘Ramirez Spin’ continues, if it shouldn’t have been there to begin with, it was never there?

UPDATE: 06/19/2012: NOW IF ANYONE WHO LIVES IN THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE KNOWS, IF THEY WERE TO TURN PLANS OR ATTEMPTED TO CHANGE THEIR WOODSTREET HOME, OR JUST DO IT ANYWAY,  WOULDN’T WE HAVE THE WRATH OF CODE ENFORCEMENT ON THE RESIDENT?  THEN HAVING TO RATIONALIZE WITH COMMADANT PRIAMOS OR EXPERIENCE SEVERE FINES?  SO HOW DOES THIS HAPPEN AT ALL?  OH, THESE ARE THE NEW RENDERINGS SUBMITTED FOR THE DOWNTOWN LIBRARY, AMONG OTHERS SUBMITTED TO THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE.  NOT SURE AT THIS TIME, WHAT ARCHITECT SUBMITTED THEM OR HOW MUCH TAXPAYER MONEY WAS PAID, BUT CERTAINLY FLOWS WITH THE EARLY CALIFORNIA REVIVAL? AROUND DOWNTOWN? OR DOES IT?  BUT CLICK THIS LINK TO UNDERSTAND THE HISTORICAL AND ARCHITECTURAL BACKGROUND OF THE DOWNTOWN LIBRARY.

Press Enterprise Dan Berstein has their take on this Architectural (or animal ?) rendering, and Alicia Robinson talks about the new library design, please don’t throw stones..

 JUST FOR LAUGH’S

Will the remnants of the mayor continue to pull the strings?

Ugggh…Call Public Works and tell them we will need another change order!

Now, for an update of how commenters feel about the current immigration issue in the Press Enterprise…….well okay, how bout page 5? 6? 7? hmmm….well we’ll have to just check back later. 

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.  PROUDLY RATED ONE STAR (POSSIBLY DOWN TO ZERO FROM OUR LAST ACCOUNTS) 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 FOR GOOD REASON, AND PROSSIBLY POSSIBLY ON FILE WITH THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE’S POTENTIAL SLAPP SUIT LIST, FOR GOOD REASON… 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 SPHALL SPELL CHECKERS!  EMAIL ANONYMOUSLY WITH YOUR DIRT OR CONTACT US BY THE FOLLOWING EMAIL ADDRESS! CONTRIBUTORS WILL ALWAYS BE PROTECTED… YES, WE EXPECT THE JAIL TIME FOR THAT ONE…  THIRTYMILESCORRUPTION@HOTMAIL.COM 

CITY OF RIVERSIDE: OFF THEY GO….THE MAYORS RACE 2012! … RUNOFF THIS NOVEMBER 2012 BETWEEN BAILEY AND ADKISON!

Posted: May 30, 2012 in Uncategorized
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17

CITY OF RIVERSIDE MAYORS RACE: FINAL TALLY: 96/96 100% AS OF 1:30AM 06/06/2012.  COUNCILMAN WILLIAM “RUSTY” BAILEY WINS TOP POSITION OF THIS MAYORS ELECTION  THE MAYORS POSITION, WHILE FORMER COUNCILMAN ED ADKISON CLOSES AT SECOND, CURRENT COUNCILMAN MIKE GARDNER AT THIRD, AND COUNCILMAN ANDY MELENDREZ AT FOURTH!  THAT MEANS THERE WILL BE A RUNOFF THIS NOVEMBER BETWEEN CURRENT COUNCILMAN WILLIAM “RUSTY” BAILEY AND FORMER COUNCILMAN ED ADKISON.

  1. RUSTY BAILEY                      7,800    32.30%
  2. ED ADKISON                         6,561     27.17%
  3. MIKE GARDNER                  4,118      17.05%
  4. ANDY MELENDREZ             3,389      14.03%
  5. DVONNE PITRUZZELLO       900          3.73%
  6. AURORA CHAVEZ                  846         3.50%
  7. PETER BENAVIDEZ               533        2.21%

         TOTAL                                   24,147         100%

Of all the candidates for mayor, only Dvonne Pitruzzello has demonstrated the heart of a reformer and the courage to take on the political establishment, therefore she gets my vote. It also helps that she hasn’t sent me one of those stupid mailers.  – Bill Scherer, Riverside Conservative Examiner

UPDATE:02/20/2012: AURORA CHAVEZ HAS JUST ENTERED THE MAYOR’S RACE.

UPDATE:02/16/2012: RUMOR HAS IT THAT FORMER MAYOR TERRY FRIZELL AND ANOTHER FORMER COUNCILMAN CHUCK BEATTY MAY BE ENTERING THE MAYOR’S RACE!  IT GOING TO BE AN EXCITING RACE! STAY TUNED.    A new entry to the Mayor’s race is 27 year old Bryan D. Pelkowski.

SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS:

FORMER COUNCILMAN ED ADKISON WILL BE SPEAKING AT THE FRIDAY MORNING CLUB FEBRUARY 24, 2012, AT THE JANET GOESKE SENIOR CENTER, ROOM D, 5257 SIERRA ST. (AT THE CORNER OF STREETER), RIVERSIDE, CA FROM 10:00AM TO 11:30AM. http://edadkison.com http://www.facebook.com/ed.adkison http://www.michaelwilliamscompany.org/documents/ed_adkison.html

DVONNE PITRUZZELLO A FORMER CANDIDATE FOR CITY COUNCIL WILL BE SPEAKING AT THE FRIDAY MORNING CLUB MARCH 23, 2012, AT THE JANET GOESKE SENIOR CENTER, ROOM D, 5257 SIERRA ST. (AT THE CORNER OF STREETER), RIVERSIDE, CA FROM 10:00AM TO 11:30AM.

WARD 2 CITY COUNCILMAN ANDY MELENDREZ WILL BE SPEAKING AT THE FRIDAY MORNING CLUB MARCH 30, 2012, AT THE JANET GOESKE SENIOR CENTER, ROOM D, 5257 SIERRA ST. (AT THE CORNER OF STREETER), RIVERSIDE, CA FROM 10:00AM TO 11:30AM. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Andy-Melendrez-for-Mayor-of-Riverside-2012/166645973391187 

WARD 3 WILLIAM “RUSTY” BAILEY WILL BE SPEAKING AT THE FRIDAY MORNING CLUB APRIL 6, 2012, AT THE JANET GOESKE SENIOR CENTER, ROOM D, 5257 SIERRA ST. (AT THE CORNER OF STREETER), RIVERSIDE, CA FROM 10:00AM TO 11:30AM.  http://www.rustybailey.com

PETER BENAVIDEZ, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF BLINDNESS SUPPORT SERVICES, WILL BE SPEAKING AT THE FRIDAY MORNING CLUB APRIL 13, 2012, AT THE JANET GOESKE SENIOR CENTER, ROOM D, 5257 SIERRA ST. (AT THE CORNER OF STREETER), RIVERSIDE, CA FROM 10:00AM TO 11:30AM.   http://www.pe.com/local-news/riverside-county/riverside/riverside-headlines-index/20120128-riverside-sixth-candidate-enters-mayors-race.ece

TMC WOULD LIKE ALL THOSE WHO PARTICIPATED IN “VOTE FOR MAYOR 012” STRAW POLL ABOVE.  AS OF 06/06/2012 AT 12 MIDNIGHT, TMC CONGRATULATES COUNCILMAN MIKE GARDNER AT 118 VOTES!

CAMPAIGN MONEY RAISED FOR THE MAYOR’S RACE

Ed Adkison $128,000.00

William “Rusty” Bailey  $57,000.00

Andy Melendrez $16,000.00

Mike Gardner $19,500.00

Dvonne Pitruzzello $1,000.00

TMC ENDORSES DVONNE PITRUZZELLO FOR CITY OF RIVERSIDE MAYOR

STEVE CLUTE ASK FOR YOUR VOTE ON JUNE 5TH FOR THE OFFICE OF STATE SENATE!

BOB BUSTER ASK FOR YOUR VOTE FOR RIVERSIDE COUNTY SUPERVISOR ON JUNE 5TH

TMC THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT, KEEP CONNECTED WITH TMC…

MEMORIAL DAY: IN MEMORY OF THOSE WHO MADE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE..

Posted: May 26, 2012 in Uncategorized
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0

“We come, not to mourn our dead soldiers, but to praise them”.  – Francis A. Walker

To those who died securing peace and freedom; To those who served in conflict to protect our land, and sacrificed their dreams of the day to preserve the hope of our nation keeping America the land of the free for over two centuries we owe our thanks and our honor. It is important to not only recognize their service but to respect their devotion to duty and to ensure that the purpose for which they fought will never be forgotten.

From the soldiers who fought bravely during the American Revolution to the men and women of today’s Armed Forces, America’s fighting forces, have responded bravely to this nation’s call to duty. Both on the battlefield and in their assurance of readiness, members of the nation’s military remain bound to their duty.  For more than 200 years, America’s Armed Forces have been the surest  guarantee that Freedom will continue to ring across this land …

Our prayers go out this Memorial Day to one of Riverside’s finest, RPD Officer Ryan Bonaminio and to his family.  Ryan went out to doing the right thing, the right thing was to maintain the safety and security of our community, and that he did.

After high school, Ryan joined the United States Army. He completed his Army Basic training and Military Police training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. Ryan served two tours in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was a military police officer with the 314th Military Police and his assignments included serving in Umm Qasr, Kuwait City, Bagdad, and Mosuc. He also served in the 282nd Base Support Battalion in Hohenfels, Germany. Officer Bonaminio served with honor and distinction. He was highly praised by his peers and superiors. He earned several medals including the Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Army Reserve Mobilization Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Army Reserve Overseas Training Ribbon, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, and Expert Qualification Badge- 9mm pistol.

Ryan transitioned from military service to law enforcement with the Riverside Police Department on July 7, 2006. He continued his commitment to the US Army Reserves. According to his US Army Military Police Reserve Sergeant Tamara Colosimo, “Ryan has always done what is morally right. He has integrity in everything that he does. Ryan would make a great police officer.”

Riverside Police Department Chief of Police Sergio Diaz stated, “Officer Ryan Bonaminio’s tragic death is a reminder to all of us in the law enforcement family that the supreme sacrifice of our service is also a cost borne by our loved ones, our families, and our community”.

THE PRESS ENTERPRISE’S DAN BERSTEIN’S ARTICLE ON MEMORIAL DAY.

Homage to fallen heroes is not an invention of our days. History beams with examples how various nations in various ages have honored their patriot dead. It was a custom established by the laws of Athens that the obsequies of those who had fallen for their country in battle should be performed in the most public and solemn manner. The bones of the slain were gathered on the plains or mountains, and were brought in solemn procession to the city. There, in tents, they were guarded in state, and received the votive offerings of friends and relatives, such as flowers, weapons, and precious ornaments, which were brought as tributes of affection and evidence of the proper appreciation of their services. … Where such a custom existed, it is not to be marveled at that patriotism and love of country burned in every Grecian breast with a flame which a thousand years of oppression and tyranny were unable to crush out. … Can we be surprised that in such hearts the memory of Thermopylae and Marathon was always fresh? And shall we, the freest of all nations, in our paradise of liberty feel less patriotic fire in our breasts … ? Shall we neglect the graves of those who sacrificed their lives to defend the palladium of our liberty, to perpetuate our national unity, and shield our rights forever? … This Memorial Day, on which we decorate their graves with the tokens of love and affection, is no idle ceremony with us, to pass away an hour; but it brings back to our minds in all their vividness the fearful conflicts of that terrible war in which they fell as victims. … Let us , then, all unite in the solemn feelings of the hour, and tender with our flowers the warmest sympathies of our souls! Let us revive our patriotism and love of country by this act, and strengthen our loyalty by the example of the noble dead around us….    – Major General John Logan, On May 30, 1870, Delivered upon the occasion of the Decoration of Union Soldiers’ Graves at the National Cemetery, Arlington, VA

UPDATE: 06/06/12: CALIFORNIA JURY URGES DEATH FOR OFFICER’S KILLER…”HE’S NOT IN THE DIRT YET,” THE SLAIN OFFICER’S FATHER, JOE BONAMINIO, SAID LATER AT A NEWS CONFERENCE OUTSIDE THE COURT.

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