Last night’s February 6, 2018, City Council Meeting was a barn burner worthy of an episode of Game of Thrones. City Manager John Russo’s 7-year, $2+ million contract came up for review by our Council…2-1/2 years early we must add. After a bit of faux deliberation, it was passed 5-2 by our doting Council. Mayor William Rusty Bailey then exercised the nuclear option and for the first time in 24 years, a Mayor’s veto was used to quash the passing of the contract.
The bees in the hive then became agitated, and the coup-detat was on. Wannabe Caesar Bailey was not going down without a fight and a royal rumble commenced. Out of the ring he threw Councilman after Councilman, eventually even ousting et tu brute City Attorney Gary Geuss.
While the Council is in favor of the contract and touting the narrative of a bad political move for Rusty, we at TMC believe their fairy tale is untrue…like all fairy tales. TMC is receiving responses that the public is overwhelmingly supporting Rusty (well maybe not Rusty per se, but defending sound fiscal policy and our City Charter). We believe it is the four Councilmembers (sans recently-appointed Councilman Adams) that should be worried about their seats instead.
What is more amazing by the Council’s display of arrogance is that they never mention the taxpayers during their entire defense of Russo’s largess. It was all about them, and that’s what the public is seeing. And perception dear boys is sometimes reality. And the perception is that City Manager Russo is simply greedy and out-of-touch with the members of the public he purportedly serves. Good job Councilman Chuck Condor and Councilman Jim Perry. Especially good job Mayor Bailey: you spoke for the unheard.
Without risk there is no reward! TMC loves a good fight more than just about anything (short of a good sex scandal). It’s on! More to come soon…
TMC sends a call-out to the good folks of Alameda and Oakland! Send us your Russo’s war stories and his history in dealing with authority figures elsewhere. Tigers don’t change their stripes. We want to hear from you!
TMC, RATED RIVERSIDE’S REGIONAL COUNTIES MOST, “NEGATIVE,” “RAUNCHY,” “LOW CLASS,” “VISIONS OF GRANDEUR,” “FULL OF B.S.,” “REPREHENSIBLE,” “IGNORANT,” “MISGUIDED,” “BULLYISH,” “FILTHY,” “VILE,” “SICK,” “PERVERTED,” “DEFAMATORY,” “STUPID,” “PATHETIC,” “DESPICABLE,” “DISAPPOINTING,” “BELOW THE BELT,” “A NEW LOW,” “SHOCKING,” “OFFENSIVE,” “OBNOXIOUS,” “INAPPROPRIATE,” “HURTFUL,” “MEAN SPIRITED,” “DISTASTEFUL,” “EMBARRASSING,” HORIFFIC,” “SLANDEROUS” “FIT TO BE VIEWED FROM THE REAR” AND MEZZSPELLED, “MISSPELLED” AND “OPINIONATED” BLOG SITE! YES WE ADMIT WE OUR ALL OF THAT AND MORE, WHICH IN CURRENT TERMS IS KNOWN AS “UNPOLITICALLY CORRECT.” TEMPORARILY BLOCKED BY THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE AT PUBLIC ACCESS SITES WITHIN THE CITY, THEN UNBLOCKED. I GUESS YOU CANNOT DO THAT ACCORDING TO THE ACLU. RATED ONE TWO ONE STAR OUT OF FIVE IN TERMS OF COMMUNITY APPROVAL RATINGS.. … AGAIN, THANK YOU COMMUNITY OF RIVERSIDE AND THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE EMPLOYEE’S FOR YOUR SUPPORT! CONTACT US: thirtymilescorruption@hotmail.com
THE KEY IS TEMPERATURE AND GOOD QUALITY CALVADOS..
I found this recent story released by the Press Enterprise to be quite amusing. For the record, TMC, Vivian Moreno, Dvonne Pitruzzello, Mary Shelton and many others had been talking about the over spending at City Hall for years. We started investigating when the Finance Department was under the direction of the accounting legend, former CFO Paul Sundeen. The Master of Manipulating the books. He would come to city council to tell the council and mayor how great our credit rating was. We were so disgusted, we knew otherwise, all you had to do was read their documents and follow the money. What is quite sidesplitting in the PE article is that some council members were puzzled by how the city went from a budget that appeared balance in June 2015, to a deficit estimated at $8 million in February 2016 (we believe the deficit is more like $19-25 million). The response that hit the jugular was that one council member asked the question whether officials had manipulated the numbers.
But City Manager John Russo, stated in the PE that he thinks the problem in not malfeasance, but outdated systems of practices…well alrighty now, should his answer be taken at face value or seriously? But he goes on to say, “I don’t think there was malicious intent there; I think the attitude was, ‘This is the way we’ve always done it.'” He went on to say, “They won’t be doing it that way anymore.” Mr. Russo don’t we pay you to know? Maybe we should hire another consultant to find out for sure? OH, we can’t afford it!
I have to say that there is only one way which comes to accounting practices, and that is the right way, it’s called BEST PRACTICES. But, I ask the question, as myself with a science background. There are many statistical applications that can be utilized to receive a favorable or desired result. Is this what happened?
What is more disparaging is that the City will not comment on the reasons for Mason’s departure, which leaves a bad taste in my mouth, because what they are doing is not being upfront with the facts and being transparent. I thought Mr. Russo was all about transparency? We the taxpayer, the CEO, the Employer, needs to know what is going on with our company…our City!
Mr. Russo again sugar coats everything and will hold no one accountable for the misdeeds that occurred in our city. He has so far found that the City officials did not follow policy in the City Attorneys Office or Finance Department. Former City Attorney Greg Priamos paid his friends by issuing no contracts and therefore was no accountability. Russo has now dismantled the Finance Department for what is believed, as “cooking the books.” Brent Mason, Michael Gomez and Scott Catlett are GONE! I think Human Resources is next. I’m sure all the Department heads are looking for new jobs.
Thirty Miles of Corruption started receiving the news of Brent’s departure about a month ago from an anonymous source who sometimes appears to be wholly inadequate… Vivian Moreno was at the RRR neighborhood meeting March 7th, she asked John Russo very specifically if Brent Mason was leaving and are we headed for BANKRUPTCY? He stated “He could not respond to personal issues, but the Finance Department is wholly inadequate for an organization I am in charge of.” As far as the bankruptcy issue he would not really elaborate but basically said “no!” Do I believe him? NO!
When Councilmember Mike Gardner states “There’s always this magic pot of gold that appears,” common sense will tell there is no pot of gold, there is no magic money, and there is no money tree. The Councilmembers were so stupid they actually believed there was a pot of gold? Now you have Assistant City Manager Marianna stating the imbalances were disguised? We do not live in the Emerald Green Land of OZ either. We live in Riverside. They were STEALING from Riverside Public Utilities. The City always spent way more than what was budgeted. It was a ticking time bomb..
THERE IS NO MAGIC MONEY….. why do I say that? The City of Riverside magically found 10 million dollars to pay off our Prop 218 lawsuit. The $10 million was to be paid from the General Fund back to the Water Fund. The creative finance people seemingly found the money? More pots of gold? Or is this the straw that breaks the camels back. I suggest all you really smart council people check to see how legal that was, to take the magic money the way you approved it. Let me give you a very simple explanation, we tax retail, “YES!” We tax wholesale, “NO!” Council approved a wholesale tax… “STUPID!” Again, there is no Magic Money…..there was no real payment from the general fund of $10 million. You had electric pay water. Let me explain that to you even easier. You had the Electric Ratepayer pay the Water Ratepayer.
Paul Davis stated they were ‘cooking the books’… Mike Gardner believes there was no wrong doing, Mike Gardner also believes in pots of gold… Who do you believe? The Council is ultimately responsible for the disguising, cooking, and lying about the true financial position of the city.
City Manager John Russo stated the Finance Department was wholly inadequate. Mr. Russo, we think Former Mayor Ron Loveridge, Cindy Roth, Brad Hudson, Scott Barber, Michael Beck, Paul Sundeen, Scott Catlett, Brent Mason, Tom Desantis, Belinda Graham, Deanna Larson, Mayor Rusty Bailey, Chris MacArthur, Mike Gardner, Steve Adams, Andy Melendrez, Paul Davis, Jim Perry, Nancy Hart, and all the special interest groups and citizens that supported and benefited from all the wild spending, were wholly inadequate and responsible for the current financial mess we are in.
Council member mike Gardner sums it up by stating ” The old way has hurt the city.”
The Old way hasn’t hurt the City Mr. Gardner….. The Mayor and Council did….. and you did!
TMC, RATED RIVERSIDE’S REGIONAL COUNTIES MOST, “NEGATIVE,” “RAUNCHY,” “LOW CLASS,” “VISIONS OF GRANDEUR,” “FULL OF B.S.,” “IGNORANT,” “MISGUIDED,” “BULLYISH,” “FILTHY,” “SICK,” “PERVERTED,” “DEFAMATORY,” “STUPID,” “PATHETIC,” “DESPICABLE,” “DISAPPOINTING,” “BELOW THE BELT,” “A NEW LOW,” “SHOCKING,” “OFFENSIVE,” “OBNOXIOUS,” “INAPPROPRIATE,” “HURTFUL,” “MEAN SPIRITED,” “DISTASTEFUL,” “EMBARRASSING,” HORIFFIC,” “SLANDEROUS” “FIT TO BE VIEWED FROM THE REAR” AND MEZZSPELLED, “MISSPELLED” AND “OPINIONATED” BLOG SITE! YES WE ADMIT WE OUR ALL OF THAT AND MORE, WHICH IN CURRENT TERMS IS KNOWN AS “UNPOLITICALLY CORRECT.” TEMPORARILY BLOCKED BY THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE AT PUBLIC ACCESS SITES WITHIN THE CITY, THEN UNBLOCKED. I GUESS YOU CANNOT DO THAT ACCORDING TO THE ACLU. RATED ONETWO ONE STAR OUT OF FIVE IN TERMS OF COMMUNITY APPROVAL RATINGS.. … AGAIN, THANK YOU COMMUNITY OF RIVERSIDE AND THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE EMPLOYEE’S FOR YOUR SUPPORT! CONTACT US: thirtymilescorruption@hotmail.com
Las Vegas Developer Terry Manley may be behind another challenge of Measure L…. Is Councilmember John Burnard and his long time friend Laura Densmore waiting on the sidelines wanting Campaign contributions and equestrian trails at the expense of the public? Will John sell out the taxpaying public and his constituents for Horse Trails?
I see this as political suicide for council member John Burnard. He has only been a council member for a short period of time and has made some critical mistakes. Common sense “dumb” mistakes , for example, asking the city Manager’s office to lift the stop work order on Ag park so Cox Construction can put the Jurupa road through. Did Burnard realize that the land is so toxic it could or has made people very sick and any one working on the property could possibly DIE! Also Supporting his long time friend former Council member Laura Densmore and local Attorney Virginia Blumenthal on the re- hashing of old wounds , another proposed development on the Protected Lands of La Sierra Hills. I personally cannot believe Virginia is supporting this issue or even involved in this fiasco. Going down this rocky road will be a fiasco and I’m sure will turn out vile. There has got to be some reason she is involved? IT makes NO sense…. The public and many of John’s supporters are definitely turning on him, feeling the pain of that rusty knife in their back.
On Wednesday, November 4th Council member Burnard conducted a meeting in Ward 7 concerning the La Sierra River Ranch and Hills. The majority of Riverside citizens have been fighting to protect this land for 38 years. The land protecting initiatives were known as Measure C and Proposition R, and now Measure L will challenge it. The fight for this land has been on the ballot at least 8 times since 1977. Last night’s meeting was to introduce a new development plan and attempt to get the public behind it by the guise of public input. There were approximately 100 people there. Any time 100 people show up to a community meeting, the issue is HOT…… It was a barn burner of an event.
The Passion or should I say distain for this new plan was indisputable. The distrust still remains high for the Las Vegas developer, the wounds are still fresh from the last recent fight at the ballot box with Measure L. The meeting started out with Laura, Ken and Virginia trying to convince the audience that they reached out to the developer to down size the project from 1900 homes to 725 homes and to include the equestrian trails John Burnard and Laura Densmore so desperately want. Virginia stated that she campaigned hard against Measure L and she knew the issue would keep coming up. Virginia stated she believed it would be better if the public, or her little group of 3 community folks, had control over the project. She also stated there was no monetary gain for her support of this new plan.
The public then gets to weigh in, a woman from Norco expresses concern about the traffic. Other’s asked why does the city feel the need to develop every inch of the green belt. We are sick of the deceit. One said, “City should buy the land.” One asked, “Where’s the developer ? “SAVE THE HILLS?” He (developer) lied and misrepresented Measure L. This Man cannot be trusted, it’s a matter of principal.” Another, “Where are you going to build the post office, fire and police station, and grocery store?” Another, “No walking trails, no commercial area. Aren’t we in a drought, where’s the extra water coming from?” Former Interim Councilman and Riverside Planning Director, Ken Gutierrez attempted to answer most of the questions, but the mumbo jumbo that came from his mouth was enough for most to see the deception. It was a “Cluster Fox Trot!”
CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE
There was only one supporter in the audience, can you guess who that was. Frank Coral AKA Union. “Change is hard but change is good.” “We don’t go to Murrieta and tell them how to run their city”. “Norco shouldn’t tell us how to run ours.” Maybe Frank didn’t get the memo from City manager, John Russo’s office stating we need to be a regional city and we should be respectful to our neighbors. As a matter of fact I was at Murrieta’s City council meeting Tuesday night changing their public decorum policy.
The most shocking moment of the evening came when someone from the audience stated. “ Why wasn’t Sharon Mateja invited to be on the new committee.” INTERESTING……
Who is Sharon? Sharon has made a commitment and investment to her community and our city, she spends countless hours preparing information and getting speakers for the Residents for Responsible Representation (RRR) community group. When The La Sierra Hills lands were being challenged last year she was opposed and worked tirelesssly along with Laura Densmore and John Burnard to defeat Measure L . Sharon and others believed the lands would be challenged again and they wanted to be prepared. Sharon reached out to Laura to get a new committee started, Laura told Sharon she wasn’t ready to start a new committee yet. Sharon reached out a second time to Laura, Laura told Sharon she had already started a new committee. Sharon asked to be on the new committee and Laura told her NO! “NO we don’t want you on the new Committee.” They also left Mary Humboldt and Bob Buster out.
You have to ask yourself why this little self appointed group of 3 Ken, Laura and Virginia didn’t want Sharon to be on this new committee? How did they decide that they would take the reins and negotiate in favor of the community with the developer? ARE THESE 3 PEOPLE KIDDING? Now they have created distrust, suspicion and contempt, not only for the new proposed project but for the new little committee. Developers need to be lobbied in order to come to invest in ones City. A self appointed community group, who strategically left those out that were not supportive, bring the issue of development to the community they claim to represent. See the picture folks. Also showing their faces was Councilman Jim Perry and Assistant City Manager Alex Nguyen, both who simply observed and said nothing.
The fact that last night’s meeting was “hosted” by Council member Burnard to help the developer, Terry Manley, “work” with “the community” was of concern to those of us who’ve been through these kinds of battles between residents and their so-called “representatives.” Even more notable was that only political insiders — like Laura Pearson Densmore, Virginia Blumenthal and Ken Gutierrez — were on the self-appointed ad hoc committee to “negotiate” with the developer. Then the bombshell of the evening came when it was revealed that Ms. Pearson Densmore had intentionally and studiously avoided including other members of the NO on L committee as former County Supervisor Bob Buster, Mary Humboldt and Dr. Sharon Mateja D.D.S, in the new committee working with the developer. – Letitia Pepper, commenter on the PE.
MEASURE C AND MEASURE/PROPOSITION R:
CLICK ON IMAGE TO VIEW MEASURE C
CLICK IMAGE TO VIEW MEASURE/PROPOSITION R
BLAST FROM THE PAST, EVEN IF IT WAS LAST YEAR:
If you recall, the last time this issue came to the forefront, Las Vegas developer Terry Manley was involved, but so was local favorite, Chuck Cox and billionaire associate from Santa Barbara Bill Davis under the auspices of the New West Company.
Also, former Councilwoman Nancy Hart, former Mayor Ron Loveridge and BB&K attorney George Reyes was involved. This whole arrangement was closely connected with the City of Riverside.
TMC, RATED RIVERSIDE’S REGIONAL COUNTIES MOST, “NEGATIVE,” “RAUNCHY,” “LOW CLASS,” “VISIONS OF GRANDEUR,” “FULL OF B.S.,” “IGNORANT,” “MISGUIDED,” “BULLYISH,” “FILTHY,” “SICK,” “PERVERTED,” “STUPID,” “PATHETIC,” “DESPICABLE,” “DISAPPOINTING,” “BELOW THE BELT,” “A NEW LOW,” “SHOCKING,” “OFFENSIVE,” “INAPPROPRIATE,” “HURTFUL,” “MEAN SPIRITED,” “DISTASTEFUL,” “EMBARRASSING,” HORIFFIC,” “SLANDEROUS” “FIT TO BE VIEWED FROM THE REAR” AND MEZZSPELLED, “MISSPELLED” AND “OPINIONATED” BLOG SITE! TEMPORARILY BLOCKED BY THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE AT PUBLIC ACCESS SITES WITHIN THE CITY, THEN UNBLOCKED. I GUESS YOU CANNOT DO THAT ACCORDING TO THE ACLU. RATED ONETWO ONE STAR OUT OF FIVE IN TERMS OF COMMUNITY APPROVAL RATINGS.. TMC IS NOW EXCLUSIVLY EXCLUSIVELY ON FILE WITH THE COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE’S DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE (WE BELIEVE THIS WILL END SOON, SINCE THE FOCUS IS NOW ON THE IMPROPRIETIES OF MR. “Z”. WE TRIED TO TELL YOU, BUT NOBODY LISTENED), AND DON’T FORGET WE ARE PROSSIBLY POSSIBLY ON FILE WITH THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE’S POTENTIAL SLAPP SUIT LIST… A STRATEGIC LEGAL MANEUVER THAT CAN BE DONE ONLY IN RIVERSIDE WITHOUT A CONTRACT… AGAIN, THANK YOU COMMUNITY OF RIVERSIDE AND THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE EMPLOYEE’S FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
Councilman Paul Davis made the call to State Controller John Chiang’s office in order to initiate an audit this past Wednesday morning. At City Council this past Tuesday, questions just seemed to abound in the audience, and when the answers to questions just seemed not to be right, it just generated more questions. The more questions that were asked specifically two Council member Davis and Soubirous, just seem to cause blow back by City personnel. But why? In July 2009 the rate for a single family dwelling was $14.94. By July 2014, the rate was to be $28.55 + CPI (Consumer Price Index). That evidently was not enough to cover increasing debt by a utility the public owns, and should actually get a divident in my eyes. But who was running the store? Because since it was not enough, Public Works had to pose an increase beyond $28.55 + CPI. Councilman Mac Arthur motioned to pass the increase to $30.98 this July 2014, a $2.43 jump. Many in the audience at City Council called out for a “recall.” From 2009 to 2018 the sewer rate will jumped $16.04…quite remarkable! Why did this happen? Answers didn’t seem to fit logically into the template of rationality and the audience knew it..
The answers that were given was that CSD’s (Community Service Districst), such as the Jurupa Valley, Edgemont, Rubidoux and Highgrove were not paying their fair share. The Sewer equipment needed to be upgraded because some of it went back as far as 1940. Also, the recession, population growth rates, Federal requirement and as Councilman Adams suggested a “miscalculation.” Of course, the one we know, is debt service from all the bonds taken out against the sewer. Bonds that should have been used for the very sewer upgrade they are asking for.
The most significant points Council members Soubirous and Davis inquired about, how did the City of Riverside reach this pinnacle point of desperation? In other words, how did it all happen? Residents pay a sewer fee in order to maintain, repair and replace sewer related items. If the fees were adequate over the years, maybe more than adequate, that the City borrowed/loaned/advanced monies to other City projects etc. etc., in the midst, did they inadvertently leave are sewer system to the back burner? Therefore, are these rate hikes really necessary? It seems to me, that someone was negligent at overseeing the property of the public.
While Councilman Gardner attempted to say that maybe we won’t need an audit, because we have CSD (Community Service Districts) revenue, reclamation water sales, rate hikes and more bond sales… Councilman Mac Arthur said nothing was done for many years, but motions for rate hike increase, does Mayor Bailey motion to second? Rate hikes are necessary in order for bond sales to occur. Both Gardner and Mac Arthur did not address Davis’s comment of bringing John Chiangs office for an audit of the sewer accounts.
The Membrane Bioreactor is it really necessary? The reclaimed water as a result is looked at as a commodity and a revenue source! Therefore, shouldn’t the residents receive a divident or a lower sewer rate as a result of this? Isn’t a Membrane Bioreactor indicative of being part of a City’s Purple Pipe Program? This is another question which we hope the State Controllers Office will have an answer for. What are we paying for? Did the City of Riverside sneak in the purple pipe project into the sewer master plan to get around Proposition 218 formalities? If this is the case will the City of Riverside be set up for another Proposition 218 violation? I’m certainly beginning to feel as many in the community feel, that there “corruption” within the City of Riverside.
Remember, we are a City which owns are own public utilities, we own are water rights, we own the sewer. So why should we pay for the purple pipe apparatus, whereby reclaimed will be sold at a profit and the taxpayer won’t directly benefit?
Secondly, what appeared to be quite discerning, was when Davis questioned what appeared to be discrepancies in posting of accounting entries. Whereby the post entry date was done first then the input date was done later, whereby it should be vise versa. Further, there were several months between the entries which didn’t appear to comply with normal standard accounting. According to Davis there was a significant number of backdated entries, not just one or two. CFO Bret Mason explained it was a practice of closing the books for the fiscal year. Fired former Construction Contracts Administer, Sean Gill brought this issue questioning how the city does contracts. TMC did a story on this whereby checks were made fromFederal CDBG funds before expiration of those funds, then placed in a desk until they were needed. Below is a document which appears to be post dated.
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“The city fired me when I tried to make people aware of their corruption. Its been going on for years. Brad Hudson, Siobhan Foster and Tom Boyd all deserve to be fired for their corruption along with half of the city council. People think Bell is corrupt, I hope they keep digging into the City of Riverside.” Sean Gill, commented in the Press Enterprise back in May of 2011.
At a finance committee meeting on Wednesday May 14, 2014, Councilman Paul Davis asked the question at to why the staff seems to always go nuts every time we ask a question? This is probably very telling. Staff is not use to being ask relevant questions in TMC’s eyes and may construe this behavior indicative with interfering with city staffs work or creating a hostile work environment.. Thus, we now see two councilman who ask tough questions and are now being investigated. Who are the suspects at the crux of this investigation? Councilman Soubirous asked at this meeting that a Workshop Committee be formed, for the record, to look into a forensic audit by the State Controllers office. Again, the appearance of this idea made everyone nervous. If everything is on the up and up, why should anyone be nervous?
Residents in their district and all over the City of Riverside are calling the Councilman Heroes! This is a big deal, National News Agencies are being contacted, and are keeping a close eye on the City of Riverside. The majority or the residents will back up the forces of good which will challenge the forces that exist in the City of Riverside. Many residents simply feel intimidated to challenge the forces of the City of Riverside, as many feel they will be targeted by Code Enforcement indirectly for frivolous charges, which will cost individual residents financially to much to fight. That’s how the City wins. More to come on this.
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. NOW TAGGED LOCAL BLOGGERS OR LOCAL MEDIA? RATED ONETWO ONE STAR OUT OF FIVE IN TERMS OF COMMUNITY APPROVAL RATINGS.. TMC IS NOW EXCLUSIVELY ON FILE WITH ZELLERBACH’S DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE, AND PROSSIBLY POSSIBLY ON FILE WITH THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE’S POTENTIAL SLAPP SUIT LIST… WE WILL HAVE TO ASK GREGORY ABOUT THAT ONE ( OUR PEOPLE WILL HAVE TO CONTACT HIS PEOPLE)… AGAIN, THANK-YOU COMMUNITY OF RIVERSIDE AND THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE EMPLOYEE’S FOR YOUR SUPPORT! COMMENTS ALWAYS WELCOMED, ESPECIALLY SPELL CHECKERS! EMAIL ANONYMOUSLY WITH YOUR DIRT OR FOR CONTACT! THIRTYMILESCORRUPTION@HOTMAIL.COM
COUNCILMAN MIKE SOUBIROUS, WARD 3 COUNCILMAN PAUL DAVIS, WARD 4
Tonight’s explosive Council meeting regarding the rate increases to residents, ended with questions regarding bonds, loans, advances and debt service to the taxpayer. The new rate hikes were passed by Council, to replace the old. According to Councilman Davis, this rate hike will be a 302% increase since the year 2008. Councilman Davis also made a motion to bring California State Controller John Chiang do to a forensic audit of the sewer. Councilman Soubirous asked for same, but to include water and electric. If we are to increase the rates we need to bring trust back to the community by having a independent entity evaluate the taxpayer’s books over the years. Davis questioned CFO Brent Mason regarding posting dates and why some entries were backdated. The rest of Council and Mayor Bailey were visually disturbed and shaken by this call. TMC was right, the ones who went for the rate increase were, Councilman Mike Gardner, Chris Mac Arthur, Steve Adams and Jim Perry. When Councilman Jim Perry asked for a seperation of the issues, between the rate increases and forensic audit, the audience asked for a recall! The audience was shocked at Perry’s position not to support the issue of a forensic audit, but he called for a workshop on it. Councilman Soubirous and Davis can call the State Controller directly requesting an audit without the approval of council or a workshop! Councilman Andy Melendrez was absent from council, was he glad he was? What does this mean for the City of Riverside? The end of corruption? What is the Council afraid of finding? A Swiss Bank Account? It is evident that Davis and Soubirous find the atmosphere in the City of Riverside necessary to ask the State Controller to come in and bring closure for the taxpayer. What is the nervousness of those council people who are against this. Colusion? Why wouldn’t they see this as a win, win situation for the taxpayer? Especially newcomer, Councilman Jim Perry? Why would he attempt to divert attention to a prominent and relative issue somewhere else? Did they get to him? Coucilman Chris Mac Arthur asked the question to the City Attorney if it was proper to request the services of John Chiang’s office. It was obvious that City Attorney Greg Priamos did not want an audit, when he told council that they should take CFO Mason’s word that the books are in order, but left to their discretion if an outside auditing should be requested. This in lieu of a letter by an Code of Ethics Adjudicating Body Member, Keith Nelson, Ph.D, calling a local City of Riverside hired attorney Doug Smith a liar, and questioning the unscrupulous behavior of City Attorney Greg Priamos! Why would anybody rely on the word of our City Attorney Greg Priamos, he has a track record of misinforming council.
STATE CONTROLLER, JOHN CHIANG
FROM THE DESK OF SCOTT SIMPSON: SCOTT RESPONDS TO RIVERSIDE’S SEWER RATE HIKES:
Scott Simpson was former Chief of Enforcement for the California EPA Department of Toxic Substances Control, and also worked for the Department of Food and Agriculture in their Environmental Hazards Assessment Program specializing in ground water contamination:
Some times what the city does not tell you is most important to the decision to raise the sewer rates.
1. Hudson changed the financing stategy for sewer capital improvements away from voter approval of municipal bonds or property assessments or special taxes. These would show up on your property tax billing. We are still paying off capital improvement bonds from pre-Hudson era on our property tax bill. Bonds in general are a 30 year repayment obligation. Hudson took away your right to vote No on ever increasing debt which is what is driving these outrageous sewer rate increases.
2. Remember last night, staff kept saying the sixteen year period of no rate increases was pre-Hudson and bonds were financed differently. The truth is the operation and maintenance of the waste water facillity doesn’t out pace the cost of living. Especiallysince we experienced a recession that left 25% of our homes and businesses empty and thus not Flushing. This is the real reason they kept saying they have less waste water to treat along with less customer revenue.
3. California courts have ruled that rates fees and charges for sewer sevices supplied to the land are only for the purpose of recovering the annual cost of operation and maintenance. The rates are to be set annually utilizing the accounting records of the prior fiscal year. The courts said, this is the true Variable cost of the sewer service.
4. California courts also say that Fixed costs and Capital improvement cost and infrastructure replacement costs are not to be included in the sewer rates, fees and charges. They (fixed costs) must be a separate charge on the bill. They have also emphasized that capital costs are only lawfully recovered by voter approved municipal bonds, voter approved property assessments and/or voter approved special taxes. All of which will be collected on your property tax bill. The court specifically prohibited the inclusion of debt service in rates, fees and charges.
5. The courts also said that all customers pay the same rate for the same service to their property. This includes tax-exempt educational customers and all governmental agencies recieving the service.
6. The courts have also ruled that You as the indiviual property owner/renter recieving sewer services provided by a municipality can only be charged rates, fees and charges that do not exceed the actual (variable) cost of providing the service to your property. This means the city must individually determine the (variable) cost of the service you impose upon them.
7. Finally, our courts have ruled that when a municipality enters into a new instrument of debt of any kind, this act automatically creates a new demand for new tax revenue which must be approved by the voters before the debt is entered into.
– Scott Simpson
WAS FORMER CITY MANAGER BRAD HUDSON TO BLAME FOR THE SEWER WOES?
It is appearing that much of the problems that the City of Riverside is experiencing may be due to former City Manager Brad Hudson. When Brad was City Manager for the City of Riverside TMC asked for a forensic audit of the taxpayer utility books, but he just would hide behind the computer, as our City Attorney Greg Priamos currently does.
All this activity was in lieu of both Councilman Davis and Councilman Soubirous being investigated for complaints, of which we are not really sure of. We don’t know who the accusers are and why the complaints were filed. We know that Councilman and Congressional Candidate Steve Adams signed both contracts with the same law first to initiate the investigation. Incidently, these contracts were signed at the the City Manager’s cap of $49,000.00, anything over $50,000.00 must go to council for approval. Are we looking at the origins of a conspiracy?
We do know that there has been friction with these two council members with the Chief of Police Sergio Diaz, City Manager Scott Barber, City Attorney Greg Priamos and possibly some of the Council members, when pertinent questions were asked and not answered to the desires of the council.
Former City Manager Brad Hudson hired City Manager Scott Barber and Chief of Police Sergio Diaz. Councilman Steve Adams and Mayor William “Rusty” Bailey were supporters of Hudson.
HERE’S ONE FOR RIVERSIDE POLICE CHIEF SERGIO DIAZ, WHO WE FIND THREATENING LOCAL ELECTS AND POLITICAL CANDIDATES! There are many instances of outburst and threats by this individual who formerly worked for the Los Angeles Police Department. Questions abound on his qualification, not only by TMC but by the residents of the City of Riverside which have not been addressed by those at City Hall.
TMC did a story back in June 2011 regarding Costa Mesa Police Chief Steven Stavely with his impressions of City Council.
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. NOW TAGGED LOCAL BLOGGERS OR LOCAL MEDIA? RATED ONETWO ONE STAR OUT OF FIVE IN TERMS OF COMMUNITY APPROVAL RATINGS.. TMC IS NOW EXCLUSIVELY ON FILE WITH ZELLERBACH’S DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE, AND PROSSIBLY POSSIBLY ON FILE WITH THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE’S POTENTIAL SLAPP SUIT LIST… WE WILL HAVE TO ASK GREGORY ABOUT THAT ONE ( OUR PEOPLE WILL HAVE TO CONTACT HIS PEOPLE)… AGAIN, THANK-YOU COMMUNITY OF RIVERSIDE AND THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE EMPLOYEE’S FOR YOUR SUPPORT! COMMENTS ALWAYS WELCOMED, ESPECIALLY SPELL CHECKERS! EMAIL ANONYMOUSLY WITH YOUR DIRT OR FOR CONTACT! THIRTYMILESCORRUPTION@HOTMAIL.COM
Now a second complaint alleging violation of City Charter 407 came in, this time it’s against Councilman Paul Davis. Less than a week ago, a complaint came against Councilman Mike Soubirous. It seems that the powers that be continue in their attempt to get back to a 7-0 team player vote. We are assuming that the $16,000.00 Team Motivator/Psychologist isn’t working. It’s clear by the information provided, that Davis was targeted at least on two facts, the work performance of the City Manager Scott Barber and what Davis said in testimony in the Raychele Sterling Case, which may not have made the City Attorney Greg Priamos look so good.
COUNCILMAN PAUL DAVIS
When you view the overall pictorial of both Councilman, you cannot rule out a conspiratorial aspect by some of the usual suspects. Just weeks ago Chief Financial Officer Brent Mason presented to City Council and spoke on how we will have a budget shortfall. They continue to frivously spend tax payer monies in an effort to support their enormous egos and defend there inadvertent liabilities. We must also ask the question, who are the players and what could they have to lose.
Just in September of 2012, City Manager Scott Barber decided to take his City Manager hat off and play Council by authorizing a change order of $2.5 million without council authority for the Fox Performance Plaza. He brought the issue to Council and basically appeared they would rubber stamp the idea, after-the-fact. Had this type of shenanigans been done before by the prior City Manager? The City Manager’s discretionary spending cap is at $50,000.00, anything over that amount must go to council. Certainly violated the Charter Amendment. What made Barber think that he had the authority to act as an elect and ferret it out without them? A complaint should have been filed against him with Human Resources, and Council should have fired him immediately.
Though the Supreme Court stated that “a special edition created and sent to would-be voters, specifically because of the upcoming election,” is improper campaign activity. I guess Priamos does what is necessary for the greater good of those who feed off city revenues.
In both the Davis and Soubirous case, the PE reports that all emails have been requested in which referenced Barbers “employment status.” This is telling; what happened between these two council people and the City Manager? Another question, could it have been the connection between families which include Councilman Mac Arthur, Mayor Bailey and Albert Webb, of Webb Engineering? Webb contracts were brought in the Raychele Sterling Case.
We certainly would now have to consider if these city employees filed they’re complaints on the they’re own volition, or did they have encouragement, or were they promised promotion? Plausible denial by some of the usual suspects may give us more thought to a theoretical conspiracy in this matter.
Is it because Woody and Paul sing the same tune and dance the same steps? DA Mr. “Z” obviously is enjoying himself! Maybe we have something here folks, the dance styling”s of Woody & Paul…
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. NOW TAGGED LOCAL BLOGGERS OR LOCAL MEDIA? RATED ONETWO ONE STAR OUT OF FIVE IN TERMS OF COMMUNITY APPROVAL RATINGS.. TMC IS NOW EXCLUSIVELY ON FILE WITH ZELLERBACH’S DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE, AND PROSSIBLY POSSIBLY ON FILE WITH THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE’S POTENTIAL SLAPP SUIT LIST… WE WILL HAVE TO ASK GREGORY ABOUT THAT ONE ( OUR PEOPLE WILL HAVE TO CONTACT HIS PEOPLE)… AGAIN, THANK-YOU COMMUNITY OF RIVERSIDE AND THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE EMPLOYEE’S FOR YOUR SUPPORT! COMMENTS ALWAYS WELCOMED, ESPECIALLY SPELL CHECKERS! EMAIL ANONYMOUSLY WITH YOUR DIRT OR FOR CONTACT! THIRTYMILESCORRUPTION@HOTMAIL.COM
jehunter51
