Posts Tagged ‘steve adams’

CITY OF RIVERSIDE: DID COUNCIL MISS THE COOKING CLASS ON HOW TO FLAMBÈ THE BOOKS?

Posted: March 22, 2016 in Uncategorized
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THE KEY IS TEMPERATURE AND GOOD QUALITY CALVADOS..

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

But City Manager John Russo, stated in the PE that he thinks the problem in not malfeasance, but outdated systems of practices…well alrighty now, should his answer be taken at face value or seriously?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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

VOTE MORENO FOR RIVERSIDE MAYOR 2016!

TMC, RATED RIVERSIDE’S REGIONAL COUNTIES MOST, “NEGATIVE,” “RAUNCHY,” “LOW CLASS,” “VISIONS OF GRANDEUR,” “FULL OF B.S.,” “IGNORANT,” “MISGUIDED,” “BULLYISH,” “FILTHY,” “SICK,” “PERVERTED,” “DEFAMATORY,” “STUPID,” “PATHETIC,” “DESPICABLE,” “DISAPPOINTING,” “BELOW THE BELT,” “A NEW LOW,” “SHOCKING,” “OFFENSIVE,” “OBNOXIOUS,” “INAPPROPRIATE,” “HURTFUL,” “MEAN SPIRITED,” “DISTASTEFUL,” “EMBARRASSING,” HORIFFIC,” “SLANDEROUS” “FIT TO BE VIEWED FROM THE REAR” AND MEZZSPELLED, “MISSPELLED” AND “OPINIONATED” BLOG SITE!  YES WE ADMIT WE OUR ALL OF THAT AND MORE, WHICH IN CURRENT TERMS IS KNOWN AS “UNPOLITICALLY CORRECT.”  TEMPORARILY BLOCKED BY THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE AT PUBLIC ACCESS SITES WITHIN THE CITY, THEN UNBLOCKED.  I GUESS YOU CANNOT DO THAT ACCORDING TO THE ACLU.  RATED ONE TWO ONE STAR OUT OF FIVE IN TERMS OF COMMUNITY APPROVAL RATINGS..  … AGAIN, THANK YOU COMMUNITY OF RIVERSIDE AND THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE EMPLOYEE’S FOR YOUR SUPPORT!  CONTACT US:  thirtymilescorruption@hotmail.com

 

CITY OF RIVERSIDE: WHO’S THE GIRL WITH THE CURLY HAIR?

Posted: March 8, 2016 in Uncategorized
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How did these 4 people turn Vivian Moreno into the most written about and talked about Citizen in the history of Riverside and how did she became the NUMBER ONE Viable Candidate for Mayor.

Over the last 7 years Vivian Moreno has uncovered and exposed many of the unexplained dark secrets at City Hall.  In this story Vivian Moreno will explain how much of this happened, and why we are in unsustainable debt.  All her work for the City of Riverside was determined by these 3 men and the girl with the curly hair over cocktails…… Vote Vivian Moreno for Mayor 2016

The City of Riverside was in the hands of reckless unqualified people that took advantage of the taxpayer DAILY.  Life in Riverside has a way of coming full circle. Last Sunday I had a visit from a fairly new friend of mine. I have known her for about 3 years. We were discussing my bid for Mayor and out of nowhere she tells me this fascinating story about Brad Hudson, Steve Adams, Tom Desantis and the girl with the curly hair.  I knew my friend was a bartender but never in my wildest dreams did I know she was the bartender for these three high level executives and their really good friend with the curly hair.  She was the bartender at the Citrus City Grille, the watering hole for the “Riverside Elite and Special interest” or whatever you want to call them.  These people were nothing more than a tightly organized, determined group with shared ideas and attitudes who attempted to influence public policy and change, over cocktails… and who paid for those cocktails?  We did, the taxpayer!

The story goes that these three high level executives at the City of Riverside, Brad, Tom, and Steve were frequent guests at the Citrus City Grille, almost daily according to the bartender.  “Their bar tabs were always so high,” she said, “our Martinis cost $14.00.”   “They were so drunk I don’t know how they got home!”  But their was one thing that seemed to capture her curiosity, “Who was the girl with the curly hair?” she asked.  “She was always there.”

My friend had one question for me, “ How is it that they can get in their cars and drive drunk and no one else can?”  I told her because they all belonged to a private club.  These men were also drunk on their own Power Trip.

They were at this bar so many times in 2009, that in 2014 “the girl with the curly hair” was in Laughlin, Nevada and ran into the same bartender.  The two women recognized each other, exchanged pleasantries and memories. (By the way the girl with the curly hair is still an employee at the City of Riverside. I will leave it at that).

So how does this story overlap with me, Vivian Moreno, BioKorium Skin Care and Day Spa, and 3615 Main Street?  Early 2009 the owners of Citrus City Grille were looking for a new location. You guessed it! 3615 Main Street.  The City of Riverside would buy the building for $4.4 million dollars from the workman’s comp fund and set up their buddies and their favorite bar in our location. What a deal Citrus City Grille was going to get from the taxpayer 1/2 million in tenant improvements and a hefty amount for working capital.  All on the tax payer and all for their favorite bar.  Also this deal was all done through Redevelopment, which is a very important part of this story.

In August or September of 2009 the deal was done, the City had purchased the building, the “three amigos” were still holding their frat parties courtesy of the taxpayers at the Grille.  The one thing left to do was to get rid of BioKorium and me.  I knew the city wanted us out because the owners of the Grille came in and told us that 3615 Main Street would be their new location and the city would take very good care of them, and indeed that was the plan.   RIVERSIDE FRAT BOY MEMBERS…….Brad Hudson, Tom Desantis, Greg Priamos, Steve Adams, and Rusty Bailey.

As a downtown business owner for 11 years, I knew nothing about the politics of Riverside… nothing….I didn’t know any of the executives at City Hall.  This experience was about to throw me into the world of Riverside politics and would change the face, policy and many employees of the city of Riverside forever.  I was determined to uncover what really happened to us and in the process I uncovered many of the dark secrets that were holding the Citizens of Riverside hostage to the unscrupulous deeds and political favors that were bestowed on a select few.

We had been at the 3615 location for 11 years, our landlords were the Freeman Co., we had paid almost a million dollars in rent to them over that time. They were the best downtown landlords.  It was a wonderful experience and opportunity. When the City took over the building, it was confusing and complicated. For the first couple of months we didn’t know what was going on.  All I knew was that something was wrong and it was time for us to go.

So what ended up happening?  The Citrus City Grille faded away in Riverside owing a lot of money to the Riverside Plaza, they have one restaurant left in Corona, Brad left and went to Sacramento. Was he pushed out of Sacramento like some suspect? and now he is in Laguna, Steve Adams ran for Congress and lost they say he is now working for the County of Riverside.  If this is true, this is just another political favor, Tom Desantis left because of an uncomfortable situation involving the girl with the curly hair and an alleged incident in the parking lot.  He is now Assistant City Manager for the City of Moreno Valley. Running that city into the ground.  What a train wreck!  The girl with the curly hair is still employed at the City of Riverside and is climbing the ladder of success.  3615 Main Street sat empty for 6 years. What happened to me? Vivian Moreno…. We left 3615 Main Street June 30th 2010 and now I am a Candidate for Riverside Mayor 2016, I found my passion for politics and became a very successful tax advocate for all the citizens in the City of Riverside.

In 2015-2016, 3615 Main Street is finally full of life again.  It houses the Salon of John Michaels. We couldn’t be happier.

Last Wednesday night I had attended a LANA meeting. This is a neighborhood group meeting for La Sierra.  I wanted to hear about our new City Managers  2 YEAR BUDGET Road Show.  At that meeting City Manager Russo mentioned we would have to sell off some city owned properties. He very specifically mentioned 3615 Main Street. He stated that 3615 would go up for sale next week and 2 million dollars of the proceeds would be spent on Chow Alley, the new pet project (more government entertainment) for the City. If the City truly was fiscally responsible, all the proceeds from the sale of this building should go right to the workman’s compensation fund, where they took this money from in the first place.  The money should not be used for more Government Owned Restaurants!  Why? Because they do a terrible job.

As I was sitting there I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. OH NO here we go again! What is going to happen to all the new businesses in the downtown building that developers were salivating over? A new plan for Main Street is on the way, 165 new high density apartments are in the planning stages right now.  The property around this development is being assembled by the cities favorite developers. Will these new businesses like John Michaels at 3615 be included in the future of Main Street or will they be replaced by Corner Bakery?

The City Council and the Executive Staff haven’t learned anything…

These Invoices show that they went out to breakfast lunch and dinner regularly on the taxpayer, I have hundreds of invoices. What you will notice is that only the Credit Card receipt were turned in for payment. These invoices were paid without any itemized statements. So common sense will tell you they were buying cocktails.  This is totally against city policy. Finance didn’t care that is just the way business was run. Finance was run by: Paul Sundeen, Bret Mason, and Scott Catlett; 2 of these men are gone. Paul Sundeen retired and Scott Catlett went to Yorba Linda.  UPDATE 3/11/16:  Mr. Mason has left the building…all 3 of our financial wizards are no longer employed with the city of Riverside.  Looks like new Assistant City Manager, Marianna Marysheva-Martinez, has seen enough.

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CLICK ON IMAGE TO VIEW DOCUMENT

Include the e-mails between John Russo and Dvonne Pitruzzello, start read from bottom to top on both.  These are the emails that Dvonne asked the question to Russo whether the City owned this property or not.

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CLICK ON IMAGE TO VIEW EMAIL TRAIL

 

TMC, RATED RIVERSIDE’S REGIONAL COUNTIES MOST, “NEGATIVE,” “RAUNCHY,” “LOW CLASS,” “VISIONS OF GRANDEUR,” “FULL OF B.S.,” “IGNORANT,” “MISGUIDED,” “BULLYISH,” “FILTHY,” “SICK,” “PERVERTED,” “DEFAMATORY,” “STUPID,” “PATHETIC,” “DESPICABLE,” “DISAPPOINTING,” “BELOW THE BELT,” “A NEW LOW,” “SHOCKING,” “OFFENSIVE,” “OBNOXIOUS,” “INAPPROPRIATE,” “HURTFUL,” “MEAN SPIRITED,” “DISTASTEFUL,” “EMBARRASSING,” HORIFFIC,” “SLANDEROUS” “FIT TO BE VIEWED FROM THE REAR” AND MEZZSPELLED, “MISSPELLED” AND “OPINIONATED” BLOG SITE!  YES WE ADMIT WE OUR ALL OF THAT AND MORE, WHICH IN CURRENT TERMS IS KNOWN AS “UNPOLITICALLY CORRECT.”  TEMPORARILY BLOCKED BY THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE AT PUBLIC ACCESS SITES WITHIN THE CITY, THEN UNBLOCKED.  I GUESS YOU CANNOT DO THAT ACCORDING TO THE ACLU.  RATED ONE TWO ONE STAR OUT OF FIVE IN TERMS OF COMMUNITY APPROVAL RATINGS..  … AGAIN, THANK YOU COMMUNITY OF RIVERSIDE AND THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE EMPLOYEE’S FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

CITY OF RIVERSIDE: HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE AND WELCOME 2016 FROM THE TMC FAMILY! AND CONGRATULATIONS TO MARILYN WHITNEY: INFLUENTIAL CITIZENS VIC AWARD.

Posted: December 31, 2015 in Uncategorized
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The VIC awards are given to those “Very Important Citizens” that demonstrate outstanding involvement in the political process for all who live in the City of Riverside. These are citizens that are willing to take on the political process for the betterment of us all and dedicated to making the City of Riverside a quality city for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

These are the people fighting the causes that are changing the process, future, and structure at City Hall.  Through the selfless effort of many, these people have made significant change in the fabric we all call home.  These are the people who make the effort to attend city council meetings on Tuesday and are not afraid to speak up.  They do it without a retirement package, paycheck, or a car allowance.

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This year the award goes to Marilyn Whitney, for being one of the most influential citizens who has made change for the betterment of her community. In lieu of being called crazy and misinformed she kept the fight and shined the light on a housing development that would have been built on improperly cleaned, contaminated land. This development is called AG Park.

Marilyn has been instrumental in bringing the AG Park issue to City Council. Also, getting the media source KTLA involved and interested in the issues of AG Park. Marilyn last year was new to council meetings but has brought a lot to the table since then. She made sure that thee AG Park issue didn’t go away, in doing so, she changed helped change how the City of Riverside has done business with developer buddies such as Chuck Cox. During this year, Marilyn received a letter from Developer Chuck Cox’s lawyers to “Cease and Desist,” as to stop her first amendment right of free speech with reference to public comment at City Council. This was a back fireing blow to developer Mr. Cox., because later in the year the light of exposure brought to the forefront the true reality of this cover up.  Thsi was a someone has done someone wrong type scenario, and it came to light.

She created the AG Park Family, and exposed the misdoings of the Department of Toxic Substance Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), developer Chuck Cox and former scumbag Ward 7 Councilman Steve Adams. With her efforts, the Center for Community Action and Environmental Justice (CCAEJ) Director Penny Newman took notice, then the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) took notice, now there are investigations being forwarded on the Congressional level.  The community of Riverside expects accountability for those individuals and entities involved, and we believe we will see it 2016.  From all of us at the TMC Family, we Congratulate and Thank-you, and simply say Well Done….

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.

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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: THE DEATH OF REDEVELOPMENT : THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE STATE IN THE BLOODY AFTERMATH..

Posted: April 24, 2012 in Uncategorized
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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While the City scrambles, TMC’s truth squad, oops, that’s the City’s tag line, has been blogging, reporting and speaking at Council Meetings as to why the Council should not have passed certain loans.  In addition, how passing these loans will come back to hurt the tax paying constituents.   The states silver bullet of termination appeared to be the only answer.  Now 10% of those Enforceable Obligations submitted to the State Finance Department were rejected for not following state guidelines.  Enforceable Obligations are legal contracts which declare that one person or agency owes another.  The question being asked is were these filing discrepancies inadvertainly overlooked by our protector of citizens, City Attorney Gregory Priamos?  And even their hired hand, Best, Best & Krieger?  Could these discrepancies possibly be considered faulty legal advice?  The City of Riverside shot back at the State Finance Department with the following letter.  According to the latest Press Enterprise the City Manager Scott Barber is defending some of the debt.

CLICK THIS LINK TO VIEW FULL DOCUMENT

In the response letter sent back to the State Finance Department by City Manager Scott Barber, he then agreed with the State on the following two items which could not be considered Enforceable Obligations.  But shouldn’t the City’s legal council, Riverside City Attorney Gregory Priamos, have been able to clear this question of what is enforceable and what is not?

Page 1, Line Item 38: Grant agreement between City and Housing Authority  $60,000,000.00                                     Page 2, Line Item 13: LM LS Targets of Opportunity-La Sierra/ Arlanza            $1,085,749.17

A total of $61,085,749.17 which is due to hit our General Fund.

What is really disturbing in the letter is that Mr. Barber states there are three items of concern that can give way to a rate payer lawsuit.  This in response if the State is unable to accept the debt, it will go to Riverside residents in the form of higher utility rates.  But in doing so, these would in essence be a violation of proposition 218.  These are Page 1, Line Item 29 ($4,329,897.60), Page 1, Line Item 30 ($328,039.22) and Page1, Line Item 32 ($4,793,600.00).   Which amounts to $9,451,536.85.

Self Appointed Citizen Auditor, Vivian Moreno, emailed the following letter to Vicki Hightower of the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office indicating our frustration with the use of local resources.  The letter was also read to the Council and Mayor at the April 25, 2012 public comment section in council chambers.

CLICK LINK TO VIEW DOCUMENT

The rejections came from California State Department of Finance to the tune of nearly $159 million in projects and debts from Riverside’s former redevelopment agency, potentially leaving the city’s general fund responsible for the amount lost.  Did City management commit fraud when submitting inaccurate information to the State of California for responsibility of payment?  What role if any did the law firm Best, Best and Krieger have in this?  Or is the responsible party ultimately the decision makers, the deciders, the Council and the Mayor?

         

CLICK THIS LINK TO VIEW THE COMPLETE DOCUMENT.

Above is the letter sent to Vanessa Kirks, Fiscal Manager for the City of Riverside dated April 13, 2012 from Mark Hill, Program Budget Manager for the California State Finance Department detailing the states rejections.  What was also found, was that the California Department of Finance sent 55 cities this letter out of over 400 cities with one or more items rejected.

CLICK THIS LINK TO VIEW THE CORRESPONDING DRAFT ROPS SUBMITTED TO THE CALIFORNIA STATE FINANCE DEPARTMENT BY THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE.  POINTS HIGHLIGHTED IN YELLOW ARE THE REJECTIONS DETAILED BY THE STATES LETTER.

What people need to know about the relationship between the Redevelopment Agency and the City of Riverside, is that Redevelopment Agency is a state agency.  The agency board is made up of your own city council, mayor and employees of the city’s development department. The City and Redevelopment are one in the same, they just change hats.  Ultimately, they are responsible for all actions and decisions.

The state then mandated that local oversight boards or succesor agencies be created to organize and dissolve the assets, debts and other obligations of the former Redevelopment Agency.  Loveridge stated, “The irony of this is that the state set up these local oversight boards but (the Department of Finance) is setting the rules of the game”.  True mayor, but did some of your oversight board actually know some of these loans were wrong? While others may have not?  Or were you steered inaccurate legal advice?  Also Mayor, when you met with the initial oversight board didn’t you set some rules of the game?  It appears that Mayor Ron Loveridge and County Supervisor John Tavaglione appointed each other for Chair and Vice Chair of the Board.  Conflict of interest?  Or just two peas in the pod?  Not to mention, it appears that John Tavaglione is covering all bets by endorsing three mayoral candidates, which are running against each other.  Former Councilman Ed Adkison, Councilman Mike Gardner and Councilman William “Rusty” Bailey.  But would these endorsements have have anything to do with John Tavaglione running for Congress?  Or further, even Richard Roth, Esq., oops General Richard Roth, Esq.,  who does quite a bit of legal work for the city, such as the current Sgt. Valmont Graham case regarding racial discrimmination issues and a proposed settlement offer in todays city council agenda.  Even though they are both endorsed by Mayor Ron Loveridge, is this a conflict of interest?  Or just bad, bad business?  Even Nick Tavaglione endorses General Richard Roth.  Possibly some relation to John Tavaglione?   “Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive”  This is pretty bad legal situation for our city and someone needs to be disbarred, but the city which continues to exist in a clouded stupor and may not have the gumption to know the difference.  For example, there are City loans made to the redevelopment agency, if not repaid, could be a future hit to the $214 million general fund. The problem is our general fund will not be able to sustain the additional debt load, we our are currently in a deficit as it is.  Will this mean layoffs? Program cuts? Department cuts etc. etc.?  More utility hikes?

If you were to read the California Department of Finance Question & Answer, which appears our city management did not, it states what is acceptable and what is not.  The state even has Question & Answer on Enforceable Obligatons as follows:

CLICK THIS LINK TO VEW FULL VERSION.

The Oversight Board or Succesor Agency, with John Tavaglione and Mayor Ron Loveridge on the sidelines appeared to approve all the obligations for the former RDA and thought they could pull the rug over on the State Finance Department.  The City and the Oversight Board sent the state a list of obligations they said were allowed and should be paid under the 2011 law that dissolved redevelopment agencies.  The Oversight Board in itself was filled with conflicts of interest, and they obviously acted accordingly and expectably.  The state then enforced its own pre-released guidelines, and rejected particular line items accordingly.  State officials disagreed with a number of items on the list, including construction contracts for the new downtown fire station, Municipal Auditorium and Doty-Trust Park, as well as a disputed amount of loans from the city to the redevelopment agency and nearly $18 million from bonds issued in 2007 that the state says should not be spent.  The City of Riverside took offense, and threatened litigation, well Gregory did, possibly by default.

In response to the State Finance Department rejection letter, City Manager Scott Barber will now send the state a response letter early this week, while Mayor Ron Loveridge will follow up with a trip in person to Sacramento.  This will turn into a grand event by having his lobbying group, the League of Cities, behind him?

City Attorney Gregory Priamos stated, “We’re confident that by continuing to engage in a serious dialogue with the Department of Finance that we’re going to solve these issues without the need for litigation.”

But to even think that the city attorney would threaten the state with costly taxpayer litigation without considering the guidelines the state implemented,  would be considered political suicide.  Especially in a time when the city has less of a revenue stream, but not the city attorney’s office it seems.  But of course, this is an office which operates without transperancy and without the duty to divulge expenses to the public, of which the public are entitled to.  Many constituents in the City of Riverside are telling TMC that they are questioning Greg Priamos’s abilities and practices, which do not appear to be truly protective of our local constituents interest.

According to the letter sent to the City of Riverside by the State of California Finance Department the state says no to approximately 10% of the submissions, while the City of Riverside of course, as we are now aware, threatens litigation.  What the State is saying is that Enforceable Obligations (EO),  of which the State cites HSC section 34171 (d) , declares in part that Enforceable Obligations do not include any 1. Agreements, 2. Contracts or 3. Arrangements with City (that created the Redevelopment Agency), and especially the Redevelopment Agency itself.  So it appears that the City and the Redevelopment Agency entered into multiple loan agreements.  The law appears to be very clear, I’m not sure what part Gregory, our City Attorney and Best, Best & Krieger didn’t quite get?  I know that they are both sharp cookies and it would appear to me that they wouldn’t allow the city to submit erroneous paperwork purposely.  But what do I know, I’m only a common citizen..

But let’s go a little further down.  The State considers the following not EO’s.  You cannot make inter agency loans and that’s what the TMC truth team has been trying to tell the Mayor and the City Council.  Did the city’s lobbying group The League of California Cities say this was legal.? Did the Greater Riverside Chamber say it was legal?  Did our City Attorney Gregory Priamos say it was legal.  Did Best Best & Krieger, the City’s hired law firm, say it was legal?

There were loans between RDA and the City totaling $41.3 million.  There was a cooperative and an agreement between RDA and the City totaling $61.2 million.  There was a loan between RDA and the City Housing Authority totaling $1 million.  So far $103.4 million total

Then there was an unused revolving line of credit for $19.9 million.  Again it remained unused, but the City still tried to push this through for payment regardless.  The State said no, it’s not EO’s. New total is $123.3 million.

There are contracts with the city with other entities, not RDA, that the City tried to pass to the state as a Redevelopment issue for $19.9 million.  It said no, these are not EO’s. New total, $143.2 million.

There was various expenditures with no expenditure contracts, similar to how the City handles business with BB&K, with no contracts.  The state said no, this amounted to $15.4 million. New total, $158.6 million.

So for now, the City of Riverside claims victim status, blaming the state for themselves over extending the city’s finances.  We all know that the City is in denial, they will never admit fault, and will not take a bit of responsibility for their past voting record as they should.  Continuing to blame the State Finance Department for themselves incurring our $2 billion in Redevelopment debt, and of course, the constituents of this city will ultimately be responsible for the debt.  We must also not forget those who were in charge at the time of these occurrences, such as Former Chief Financial Officer/ Assistant City Manager/ Treasurer Paul Sundeen.

The truth of the matter is that the city can only ‘cry wolf’ a limited amount of times, before the residents of this community realize what they have done.  But in all fareness we must allow the city’s newly formed “truth squad” to respond to this conundrum, and we will wait to hear from them.

Interum Public Works Director, Tom Boyd is now named Public Works Director.

It is now time time to ask the Public Works Director the question the constituents have been waiting to ask, with regards to bids, contracts, change orders and accountability of which he has taken part of .

UPDATE: 06/01/2012: STATE FINANCE DEPARTMENT SEND LETTER OF APPROVAL TO CITY OF RIVERSIDE ALLOWING COVERAGE OF $26 MILLION OF THE ORIGINAL $156 MILLION ORIGINALLY REJECTED.  CURRENTLY, APPROXIMATELY $133 MILLION IS UNACCEPTABLE TO THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA AND REMAINS A DEBT OF THE CITY.

WHAT WOULD JOE ISUZU HAVE TO SAY ABOUT ALL THIS?

UPDATE:04/23/2012: CITY HALL SCUFFLE? Info has been brought to TMC that Councilman Chris Mac Arthur’s aid Chuck Condor was allegedly involved in a scuffle with another individual at City Hall.  Condor has been called on the carpet of City Hall for making derogatory remarks such as calling woman commenters “bitches” and “idiots.”  This was done in plain sight of others at city meetings.  Is Condor out of control?  Or is this an accepted part of City Hall culture?  TMC has been told Chuck Condor is now on administrative leave, ‘paid leave’?  That we do not know.  Is Chuck Condor going to lawyer up?

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

TMC NEWS FLASH: CALIFORNIA STATE CONTROLLER JOHN CHIANG SENDS AUDITING TEAM TO OCCUPY CITY HALL!….LEGALLY!!

Posted: February 28, 2012 in Uncategorized
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LATE NIGHTS (8:30pm, 2/29/2012) FOR CITY STAFF AT CITY HALL, WITH LIGHTS A BLAZING ON EVERY FLOOR..

WHILE THE CITY SCRAMBLES FOR DAMAGE CONTROL, THE CALIFORNIA STATE CONTROLLER, JOHN CHIANG, WILL BE SENDING THEIR AUDITING TEAM TO THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE TO INVESTIGATE CITY FINANCES.  THEY WILL BE ARRIVING MONDAY MARCH 5, 2012 AND STAY TILL MARCH 16, 2012 AND BE WORKING ON THE FOURTH FLOOR CITY HALL, PUBLIC WORKS, INTERUM DIRECTOR TOM BOYD’S DEPARTMENT.  PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR SIOBHAN FOSTER ABRUPTLY LEFT HER DEPARTMENT JUST MONTHS AGO FOR A POSITION WITH THE CITY OF PASADENA, UNDER PASADENA CITY MANAGER MICHAEL BECK (FORMER ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER FOR THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE).

FRIDAY 2ND, IN WHAT IS AN UNUSUAL MOVE, THE WHOLE FINANCE COMMITTEE WAS PULLED FROM THEIR OFFICES TO ATTEND A CONFERENCE.  A POSSIBLE BRIEFING ON HOW TO RESPOND TO AUDITOR QUESTIONS?

ALSO, FRIDAY, A CITY EMPLOYEE RECEIVED A FAVORABLE RULING ON AN EMPLOYEMENT RELATED CASE.  THE JUDGE HAD DETERMINED THAT THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE HAD FALSIFIED DOCUMENTS.

AS SELF APPOINTED AUDITOR VIVIAN MORENO ANNOUNCED THE COMING OF THE CALIFORNIA STATE CONTROLLER, COUNCIL MEMBER STEVE ADAMS AND THE MAYOR SURROUNDED CITY MANAGER SCOTT BARBER AND CITY ATTORNEY GREG PRIAMOS AT THE END OF THE COUNCIL MEETING.  THEY APPREARED TO BE PERPLEXED.  DID THE CITY MANAGER AND STAFF FAIL TO INFORM THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL??  OR WERE THEY SURPRISED THAT TMC KNEW BEFORE THEY DID?  TMC HAS BEEN REQUESTING THE COUNCIL AND MAYOR TO BRING IN THE STATE CONTROLLER TO AUDIT THE BOOKS, WE EVEN ASKED MIKE GARDNER AND RUSTY BAILEY WHEN THEY WERE RUNNING FOR CITY COUNCIL.  NOW BOTH ARE CURRENTLY RUNNING FOR MAYOR, HOW WILL THIS EFFECT THEIR CAMPAIGN?  WILL THEY ALL BE HIDING BEHIND THE COMPUTER WHEN THE CONTROLLER COMES ASKING QUESTIONS?  NOW WHAT?  SOMETIMES CITY COUNCIL TUESDAY IS JUST TO MUCH FUN!

IN GOD WE TRUST, ALL OTHERS WE AUDIT..

STAY TUNED, MORE ON THE SPECIFICS TO COME…

THE EXAMINER’S, BILL SHEER’S LATEST ARTICLE DESCRIBES RIVERSIDE’S WOMAN ACTIVIST, SOMETIMES CALLED KOOKS OR CRAZY, BUT STAND FOR THE BASIC RIGHTS OF THE COMMUNITY, AND DEMAND ANSWERS FROM THE REPRESENTATIVES WHEN NECESSARY..

UPDATE:02/28/2012: WELL HALLELUJAH!  THE STATE CONTROLLER IS FINALLY COMMING TO OCCUPY CITY HALL MARCH 5TH.   SELF APPOINTED AUDITOR VIVIAN MORENO MADE THE ANNOUNCEMENT AT TUESDAY’S CITY COUNCIL DURING PUBLIC SPEEKING.  SHE ALSO ASKED THE QUESTION IF FORMER CITY MANAGER TOM DESANTIS WAS LET GO BY THE CITY BECAUSE OF SOMETHING THAT HAPPENED IN A CITY PARKING LOT?  ALSO MADE KNOWN, WAS DESANTIS’S EXORBITANT EXPENSES MADE TOWARD THE TAX PAYER TO THE EXTENT OF A MILLION DOLLARS OVER SEVERAL YEARS..  AND REGARDING FORMER BRAD HUDSON, ” IT TOOK SACRAMENTO APPROXIMATELY SIX MONTHS TO FIGURE HE WAS A LITTLE OVER THE TOP, AND TODAY YOU THINK HE DIDN’T OVER SPENT ANYTHING”.    IN THE FIVE YEARS THAT HUDSON WAS CITY MANAGER, WE SPENT ALMOST A MILLION DOLLARS, A MILLION DOLLARS REGARDING COUNCIL AND STAFF LUNCH EXPENSE ACCOUNTS.  SHE WENT ON TO SAY, “IF WE NEED THE MONEY FOR THE LIBRARY, STOP GOING OUT TO LUNCH”… 

THERE WAS MUCH PRESS REGARDING FORMER CITY MANAGER BRAD HUDSON LEAVING THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE.   MAYORAL CANDIDATE WILLIAM “RUSTY” BAILEY, CURRENT COUNCILMAN, MADE THE STATEMENT BEFORE HE LEFT RIVERSIDE, THAT HE, HUDSON, WAS A “MORAL COMPASS”.

THEN COUNCILWOMAN NANCY HART BLURTED OUT A POSSIBLE BOND MEASURE FOR THE DOWNTOWN LIBRARY.  CONSIDERING THE REDEVELOPMENT DEBACLE THAT THE LIBRARY WAS UNDER FOR RENOVATION.. 

SHE WAS QUICKLY SQUASHED BY MAYOR LOVERIDGE AS IF THIS WAS AN ISSUE NOT TO BE PUBLICLY EXPOSED…THE MAYOR QUITELY STATED, “THAT’S LATER IN THE YEAR”.   COUNCILWOMAN HART ALSO MENTION THAT SHE KNOWS PEOPLE ARE FLEEING FROM CALIFORNIA, BUT DOESN’T THINK THAT THERE ARE AS MANY PEOPLE LEAVING CALIFORNIA DUE TO THE ECONOMY AS WE THINK..  BUT SHE FEELS THAT IT NECESSARY TO REACH OUT AND TOUCH SOMEONE TO COME TO RIVERSIDE.. AND THAT WE HAVE A GREAT SURPLUS IN REGARDS TO CITY MONIES..  AND ONWARD TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT..

COUNCILMAN STEVE ADAMS STATES THAT THEIR ARE A FEW THINGS THAT WE NEED TO BE AWARE OF REGARDING THE RENAISSANCE. 

FIRST, JUST A BRIEF LITTLE HISTORY LESSON, THE RENAISSANCE WAS TO TAKE THIS CITY THAT WAS NOT DESIREABLE, TO MAKE IT THE MOST THE DESIRABLE CITY IN CALIFORNIA..NOT ONLY HAVE WE’VE DONE THAT, BUT WE HAVE MADE IT THE CITY THAT IS MOST CAPABLE TO BRING JOBS AND RETAIL TO THIS CITY…   “OK, WHERE IS IT”?  THIS IS WHAT MANY IN THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE ARE SECRETLY ASKING.. “WHERE IS IT”?  AND WHY SHOULD RESIDENTS BE AFRAID OF ASKING THESE QUESTIONS?  IS THE TRUE REALITY OF CITY COUNCIL, THE REALITY OF AN ILLUSIONARY AND DETACHED PREMISE?

 UPDATE: 03/01/2012: CITY OF STOCKTON, CALIFORNIA ON THE BRINK OF BANKRUPTCY, COULD BE LARGEST CITY TO FILE.  ACCORDING TO BLOOMBERG THE CITY CAN’T EVEN PAY THEIR BONDS.   STOCKTON’S COUNCIL WILL BE ASKED TO REDUCE THE CURRENT BUDGET BY $15 MILLION BECAUSE OF NEWLY UNCOVERED ACCOUNTING ERRORS AND MISMANAGEMENT THAT HAVE LEFT THE CITY ALMOST BROKE, ACCORDING TO CITY MANAGER BOB DEIS.

TMC, RATED RIVERSIDE’S MOST “SLANDEROUS” AND MEZZSPELLED, “MISSPELLED” AND “OPINIONATED” BLOG SITE!   TMC IS NOW EXCLUSIVELY ON FILE WITH THE COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE’S DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE, AND PROSSIBLY POSSIBLY ON FILE WITH THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE’S POTENTIAL SLAPP SUIT LIST…  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 

CITY OF RIVERSIDE: TMC CONTINUES TO REQUEST A FORENSIC AUDIT OF THE CURRENT CITY HALL BOOKS!

Posted: December 12, 2011 in Uncategorized
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Now that City Manager Scott Barber has been chosen, City Council will be voting on his base pay  of $280,500.00. (Item #33).  What will the new year bring? More of the same? Hopefully he’s familar with municipal financing and can have greater imput with the Chief Financial Officer Paul Sundeen.  Regardless, the citizens of the City of Riverside deserve more, and one way to began the New Year 2012 would be to call for a forensic audit of the city hall books.  This will assure balanced numbers and clear possible discrepancies of the general ledger books.

Why they try, I don’t even know, but the city will consider another franchise license for another ambulance service.  Of course it will be shot down, after the usual city theatre.  Alpha Ambulance just doesn’t have a chance for a fair consideration.  Months ago, Mission Ambulance was also denied a franchise license, the monopoly game continues. Denials may continue, and the friendship with AMR’s Peter Hubbard (Riverside Police Commisioner Ret.) with the Fire Chief Steve Earley, City Attorney Greg Priamos and many of the City Council such as Steve Adams.  Does this friendly love fest insinuate conflict of interest?  (Item #4).

UPDATE:12/13/2011: WHAT A SURPRISE!  CITY COUNCILS VOTES TO DENY FRANCHISE LICENSE TO ALPHA AMBULANCE BY A VOTE OF SIX TO ONE.   APPARENTLY ALPHA AMBULANCE’S PRESENTATION WAS DONE DURING PUBLIC COMMENT, INSTEAD OF THE CITY PROVIDING A SET PRESENTATION TIME.  WHY WOULD AMBULANCE EXPEND THE EFFORT.  BUT WHAT WE DO HAVE IS A PATTERN OF DENIALS WHICH MAY INFER A VIOLATION OF ANTITRUST LAWS.  BUT FOR THE TIME BEING THE CITY HAS THE EDGE, AND AS CHARLEY SHEEN SAYS, “WINNING”.

11:25 PM on 12/12/2011 PE story Riverside: City’s ambulance service may exceed authority.

The City Council has allowed their friend Mr. AMR to cloud their judgement on doing what is right. If you recall several months ago, Mission Ambulance proved their is an absolute need for another provider, and they were denied. If you read previous articles you’ll see how absolutely crazy this story is: 1) Mr. AMR is best friends with the City Attorney 2) Mr. AMR does give the council members a lot of money for their campaigns. 3) Mr. AMR is best friends with the Fire Chief 4) Mr. AMR does give the Fire Department 1.4mm 5) This is a Pay-to-Play city 6) No cities do not have the right to limit non-emergency transportation 7) Yes it is a conflict of interest that the Fire Chief is best friends with Mr. AMR, receives 1.4mm, and is responsible for denying applications. 8) Yes it is a violation of the Federal Anti-Kickback statue. Receives money in exchange for exclusivity is by definition a violation of the act. 9) AMR doesn’t care because the fines they’d have to pay on the violation is pennies compared to what they make in the City. 10) Yes it is true that AMR receives 40% of amount billed. What receiving 40% of $5,000 isn’t enough? Besides, it is the County’s responsibility to create a contract that is a win-win. It is NOT the City’s responsibility to take on that burden. So, just to clarify your comment Mr. Bigdawg86, the citizens and patients that receive healthcare in the City of Riverside are responsible for the other 60% that AMR cannot collect in all other cities??? C’mon…Really? 11) So does the City Attorney, Mr. AMR’s goooooood friend, know more about the EMS laws than the State EMS agency? The answer is no, he only knows what Mr. AMR tells him, and that goes for the rest of the council as well. All you have to do is listen to them, they are saying what Mr. AMR tells them say, oh ya and that also comes with a check from AMR, Mr. AMR, or EMS Corp. There are many ways to hide campaign contributions and they seem to be the best at it. 12) Does anyone else see this scandal is the size of Bell??? If you really get down and dirty and look at true numbers, you’ll see a HUGE story here.  – Commenter named “Come On…Really” on PE.

Councilman Paul Davis recommends the council authorization of $18,400.00 for obligatory promisses made to outside programs.  Paul opted out of using $50,000.00 specifically appropriated for a Council Assistant, and instead thought he could spend as he pleased for the community.  This wasn’ so.  The drama begun when former city manager Brad Hudson stated he could do that, but then retracted, and said he couldn’t without council approval. This incidently includes $8,000.00 to go to Paul’s wife May for the yearly Lunar Fest.  (item 34a).

The City of Riverside continues to terrorize the residents with more amendments to rules.  At some point, the City of Riverside needs to inform the community that they belong to Homeowners Association without voting rights. (Item 36).

Another change order, and would think Tom Boyd’s Public Works Department would finally get it right.  Yes, and this time it’s for $1,680,051.75… or is this a game the contractor plays with the city in order to get more money?  More delays more money? This is the fourth grade seperation project, you would think Tom would get the kinks out by the experience of the prior three and save the taxpayer some money by now.  But this is the same Tom Boyd who paved a residential street, then shortly later had to dig it up and repave it at taxpayer expense.  If he worked for the private sector wouldn’t he get fired? Because if this was the private sector, he would have lossed huge amounts of private sector money and be directly accountable for. (Item 52).

WHO WILL BE HIDING BEHIND THE COMPUTER NEXT WHEN THE AUDITOR COMES ASKING QUESTIONS? CHECK BACK WEEKLY…THAT IS, EVERY CITY COUNCIL TUESDAY! WE’LL EVEN PROVIDE THE DIRECT LINK SO YOU CAN CHECK THE CURRENT CITY COUNCIL AGENDA. CALL YOUR LOCAL ELECTED COUNCIL PERSON AND THE MAYOR AND REQUEST THAT A FORENSIC AUDIT BE DONE BY STATE CONTROLLER JOHN CHIANG OF THE CITY HALL BOOKS. 

HAVE THERE BEEN MORE PROCEDURAL GLITCHES OR RED FLAGS THAT HAVE RECEIVED THE ATTENTION OF INTERUM CITY MANAGER SCOTT BARBER THAT HAVE YET TO BE MENTION SINCE HUDSON SKIPPED TOWN?    TMC RECOMMENDS THAT SCOTT WITH THE HELP OF THE REST OF CITY COUNCIL REQUEST A FORENSIC AUDIT!  IT’S EASY, I EVEN LOOKED UP THE NUMBER FOR YOU, 916-445-2636, ASK FOR JOHN.  BY THE WAY, HE’S EXPECTING YOUR CALL…  IF THERE IS NOTHING TO HIDE, THE NUMBERS WILL ALWAYS COME UP RIGHT! 

KEEP CONNECTED WITH TMC, RATED RIVERSIDE’S MOST “SLANDEROUS” AND MEZZSPELLED, “MISSPELLED” AND “OPINIONATED” BLOG SITE!   TMC IS NOW EXCLUSIVELY ON FILE WITH THE COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE’S DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE, AND THAT’S ALL WE’RE GOING TO SAY ABOUT THAT ONE… 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!  THIRTYMILESCORRUPTION@HOTMAIL.COM

CITY OF RIVERSIDE: OCCUPY RIVERSIDE MARCH ON POLICE BRUTALITY..

Posted: November 11, 2011 in Uncategorized
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OCCUPY RIVERSIDE MARCHED IN PROTEST OF POLICE BRUTALITY IN FRONT OF THE RPD ORANGE STREET STATION.  STORIES OF PHYSICAL ABUSE BEHIND THE DOORS OF THE RPD PROCESSING CENTER ARE TOLD.  ALL ELEVEN ARRESTED WERE EVALUATED FOR INJURIES AT LOCAL HOSPITALS AFTER THEIR RELEASE.  FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS PREPARATION SEEN, A WEEK AFTER CITY OF RIVERSIDE LEADERS CALL FOR REMOVAL OF OCCUPIER TENT CITY BY RPD SWAT.  IT APPEARS THAT THE CALL WAS DONE TO CLEAR MAIN STREET FOR THIS FESTIVE OCCASION, BUT WILL THEIR BE A FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS THIS NOVEMBER 25, 2011, WITH CHRISTMAS SONGS OF PEACE ON EARTH AND GOODWILL TO ALL, OR A FESTIVAL OF RIGHTS? 

AND WE CURRENTLY HAVE AN EERIE SYMBOLIC CAGE OF DANGER, DO NOT ENTER, AROUND THE STATUE OF MARTIN LUTHER KING WALKING TOWARD RIVERSIDE CITY HALL WITH A LEGENDARY QUOTE BEHIND HIM….

FREE SPEECH QUOTE FROM BEN FRANKLIN IN FRONT OF RIVERSIDE CITY HALL.  THIS SIGN WAS DONE THREE TIMES BECAUSE FORMER CITY MANAGER BRAD HUDSON DIDN’T LIKE THE SEAMS.  OF COURSE, AT TAXPAYER EXPENSE… WHAT WE NEED TO REMEMBER IS THAT WE COULD HAVE FED THOSE WHO NEEDED TO BE FED IN THE COMMUNITY FOR SIX MONTHS, AS OPPOSE TO SOMEONE’S PERSONAL VISION AT TAXPAYERS EXPENSE…

THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE LOVES IT’S RULES, WE HAVE RULES ON PARKING, RULES ON WHAT YOU CAN DO ON THE MALL, WE EVEN HAVE RULES ON WHAT CAN BE DONE ON RPD GRASS…

WITNESSED BY THOSE AROUND, THE LIGHT WAS RED, NOT SURE WHY, BUT RPD VEHICLE HITS THE GAS, THIS WAS RPD VEHICLE NUMBER 3927.  WHILE OCCUPIER CROSSES THE STREET. WELCOME TO RIVERSIDE AND THE UPCOMING FESTIVAL OF RIGHTS, FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS THIS NOVEMBER 25, 2011.  THE QUESTION IS, WILL WE HAVE MORE CANDY CANES THROWN OR RPD BATONS THROWN?

I was walking down Main Street and saw the heavily closed off islands of grass with newly applied manure, a tree and a sign.  Which then reminded me  of a quote by Thomas Jefferson,  “The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is its natural manure.”  Are many of our forefathers quotes coming back to remind and warn us that we as individuals must take responsibility for the course that government has taken?

 

UPDATE:11/12/2011: FROM RIVERSIDE COP WATCH BLOG, FIVE BEFORE MIDNIGHT,  FORMER STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL BILL LOCKYER’S ADVISERS WROTE THESIS ABOUT THE RIVERSIDE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND IT’S STIPULATED JUDGEMENT.

“GOMEZ THESIS ON RIVERSIDE POLICE DEPARTMENT 2008“

DAY’S REMEMBERED AND YEARS PAST…

UNKNOWINGLY PUSHING THE ENVELOPE, KEEP CONNECTED WITH TMC, RATED RIVERSIDE’S MOST “SLANDEROUS” AND MEZZSPELLED, “MISSPELLED” AND “OPINIONATED” BLOG SITE!   TMC IS NOW EXCLUSIVELY ON FILE WITH THE COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE’S DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE, AND PROSSIBLY POSSIBLY ON FILE WITH THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE’S POTENTIAL SLAPP SUIT LIST…  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!   THIRTYMILESCORRUPTION@HOTMAIL.COM

CITY OF RIVERSIDE: THE LORD’S DAY: A GOOD DAY TO DRESS UP AND BUST UP AMERICAN OCCUPIERS IN THE ALL AMERICAN CITY?

Posted: November 6, 2011 in Uncategorized
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Somehow the City Fathers and Mother, have done something right.  Whatever it is, we are finally seeing growing amount of visitors in Downtown Riverside.  They are shopping, eating at local restaurants etc.  Antonious Pizza owner Teresa Andrawis said protesters have given her business a little boost.  They are called Occupy Riverside.  But today,  the Lord’s Day, the City of Riverside, under the leadership of Chief Sergio Diaz decided it was a good day to end, what many consider a legal and lawful constitutional right to assemble.  TMC was also told that the Occupy Riverside’s permit is still active, but we were also told some weeks back by an Occupyer that they would be there till Saturday, November 5, 2011.   Therefore, the question remains.  Regardless, SWAT dressed up in full tactical gear, glocks locked and loaded, and onward went Emerald City’s finest to disrupt and arrest the occupying Americans participating in a legal assembly.  Why the disruption?  Is it possible the city feared the repercussions of Oakland?  Eleven arrested, tents disasembled and removed, but who’s to argue with a .45?  Riverside PE, how come your not reporting this?  Hopefully you didn’t receive that infamous lecture from the Chief on responsible reporting? OK, I was just joking..  Then there was the infamous bottle of soda that started it all, as stated by City of Riverside’s Chief Sergio Diaz himself, according to the PE.  So then there would be broken glass?  Protestors stated it wasn’t a bottle of soda, as the Chief indicates, it was a full can of soda.  LA Times reports that allegedly a full can of soda was thrown at the officers.  Another report stated a plastic bottle of water and a full can of soda was pelted.  These have now been labeled lethal weapons in Emerald City or The All American City 1998.  Many have said, “lethal weapons!”  Yes, but this is River City USA.  You haven’t seen nothing yet, just wait till the police reports come out.  But after all was said and done, the lightning and thunder then came to the City of Riverside…. and some began to ponder if this was an angry response from a higher source above, after all it was the Lord’s Day?

UPDATE: 11/07/2011: ACCORDING TO A REPORT BY CBS, THE ELEVEN PROTESTERS ARRESTED WERE CHARGED WITH ASSAULT WITH A DEADLY WEAPON, ASSAULT ON A POLICE OFFICER AND RESISTING ARREST ACCORDING TO JOHN CARPENTER OF THE RIVERSIDE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

UPDATE: TMC takes that back, thanks PE,  RIVERSIDE PRESS ENTERPRISE POST STORY. , THE LOS ANGELES TIMES REPORT , STRICT RULES IMPLEMENTED BY CITY OF RIVERSIDE FOR OCCUPYERS AS REPORTED BY NBC , CHIEF SERGIO DIAZ INTERVIEW WITH NBC,  THE LOMA LINDA PATCH , CBS COVERAGE REPORT , KTLA LOS ANGELES REPORT.

YOUTUBE VIDEO LINKS OF THE SWAT RAID: VIDEO ONE , VIDEO TWO , VIDEO THREE , VIDEO FOUR , VIDEO FIVE  (TWO INCIDENCES OF RPD THROWING WOMEN TO THE GROUND, ONE THROWN WHILE HANDCUFFED HITS CONCRETE FACE FIRST), VIDEO SIX .

Occupier visually disturbed by officers hand on his shoulder, while he repeatedly ask him to remove as he does not have his permission to do so.

Occupier pleads with black police officer not hurt her friends in the chain.

Armed RPD confront two woman in the chain first…

I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies.  If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around [the banks] will deprive the people of all property until their children wake-up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered.  The issuing power should be taken from the banks and restored to the people, to whom it properly belongs.                        – Thomas Jefferson [1802], 3rd President of the United States.

“Once a government is committed to the principle of silencing the voice of opposition, it has only one way to go, and that is down the path of increasingly repressive measures, until it becomes a source of terror to all its citizens and creates a country where everyone lives in fear.”
                      — Harry S. Truman,[August 8,1950] 33rd President of the United States.

UPDATE: SOME HAVE CONSIDER IT STRANGE THAT ON OCTOBER 11, 2011, THE RIVERSIDE CHIEF OF POLICE, SERGIO DIAZ,  WALKED MAIN STREET UNKNOWNINGLY IN A SUIT, IN COGNITO, ALLEGEDLY ACCUSING CERTAIN RIVERSIDE OCCUPIERS OF BEING DRUG DEALERS… 

UPDATE: 10/08/2011: ALLEGEDELY, DO WE NEED TO GET THE OCCUPIERS OUT BEFORE THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS, THE DAY AFTER THANKGIVING?  WILL WE FIND A MORE AGRESSIVE APPROACH THEN WHAT WAS SEEN SUNDAY?  THEN PLACING THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE ON THE MAP WITH GREECE, OAKLAND AND NEW YORK?

UPDATE: 11/08/2011: PROTESTER AT TODAYS RIVERSIDE CITY HALL STATES THAT RIVERSIDE POLICE FALSIFIED THE CLAIM AND CHARGE OF THE INFAMOUS BOTTLE OF WATER.  THE PROTESTOR STATED HE WAS THE ONE THAT THROUGH THE PLASTIC BOTTLE OF WATER.  HE WAS PART OF HOLDING THE LINE, DRANK FROM HIS BOTTLE OF WATER, TOSSED IT TO HIS FRIEND TO REFILL, FRIEND THROUGH BACK THE BOTTLE.  WITH ALL THE PHONE CAMERAS, CAMERAS AND VIDEO RECORDERS, NO BOTTLE USED AS A PROJECTILE WAS FILMED OR SEEN AS CLAIMED BY POLICE CHIEF SERGIO DIAZ.

ANOTHER STATED WHO WAS LOST HIS JOB TWO WEEKS AGO, “NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES YOU ARREST, OR BEAT ME, THE PROBLEM IS JUST NOT GOING TO GO AWAY”.

ANOTHER STATED, NEWS AGENCIES  SUCH AS CNN AND THE NEW YORK TIMES WERE ASKING HER IF POLICE BRUTALITY WAS A REGULAR THING?” OCCURRENCE IN THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE

ANOTER STATED CHARGED WITH RESISTING ARREST, WHILE BEING PINNED UNDER A COLLAPSED CANOPY.

KAREN RENFROE GIVE THE COUNCIL A LECTURE ON FREEDOM AND LIBERTY, GETS A STANDING OVATION.

SOMEONE IN THE BACK OF THE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS CREATED A STIR, INTERRUPTING A SPEAKER AT THE PODIUM, AND HAD TO BE CORRECTED BY MAYOR LOVERIDGE.  IT APPEARS THAT THE MAYOR KNOWS HIM BY NAME.  HE WAS IDENTIFIED AS SALVADOR SANTANA, A LOCAL RIVERSIDE BLOGGER OF THE TRUTH PUBLICATION.  COUNCILMEN STEVE ADAMS, MIKE GARDNER AND CHRISTOPHER MACARTHUR ARE PAYING SUPPORTERS OF THIS SITE ACCORDING TO CITY 460 DOCUMENTS. 

         

THE SITE CLAIMS THAT THE LAST PAYMENT COUNCILMAN STEVE ADAMS MADE TO THIS SITE FOR CAMPAIGN ADVERTISING PURPOSES WAS IN THE AMOUNT OF $440.00, BUT NOT IN ANYWAY INDICATED ON ANY 460 DOCUMENT FORM. 

ACCORDING TO THE PUBLICATION, FORMER COUNCILMAN FRANK SCHIAVONE APPEARS TO ALSO HAVE MADE A CALL OF SUPPORT TO THIS PUBLICATION.  INTERESTING DERROGATORY COMMENTS TOWARDS WOMEN ON THIS SITE FROM SUPPORTERS.  SITE SUPPORTER COUNCILMAN MIKE GARDNER SHOWN WITH FORMER COUNCILMAN ED ADKINSON, NOW ALSO RUNNING FOR MAYOR. 

UPDATE: 11/09/2011: REPORTS OF COMPLAINTS FROM OCCUPIERS ARE COMING IN NAMING OFFICERS ANGOLA AND MUNIZ.  WHAT HAPPENED BEHIND CLOSED DOORS OF THE POLICE PROCESSING CENTER.  PROFESSIONALITY IN QUESTION AND THE TREATMENT OF THE WOMEN.   OTHER SOURCES STATING THE TWO WERE ALLEGEDLY FIRED AT ONE POINT, THEN REHIRED DUE TO ALLEGATIONS OF EVIDENCE PLANTING AND TAMPERING.  MANY ARE ASKING WHO ARE THE REAL CRIMINALS. ONE OF THE FEMALE OCCUPIERS WHO WAS NOT PART OF THE CHAIN, SAID SHE WAS PICKED OUT BY AN OFFICER FOR WHAT SHE APPARENTLY SAID TO HIM. THE OFFICER THAN TOLD HER SHE WAS BEING ARRESTED FOR ASSAULTING HIM.  WHAT HAPPENS WITHIN THE UNDERWORLD OF THE RIVERSIDE POLICE PROCESSING CENTER CANNOT BE WITNESSED BY CIVILIANS.  WE HAVE TO REMEMBER THE CITY COUNCIL AND MAYOR ARE THE DECISION MAKERS OF WHAT OCCURS IN THE CITY, THEY ARE THE LEADERS, THE POLICE ARE ONLY THEIR FOOT SOLDIERS WHO FOLLOW THEIR ORDERS UNDER THE COMMAND OF CHIEF OF POLICE SERGIO DIAZ.   KEEP CONNECTED MORE TO COME.

KEEP CONNECTED WITH TMC, RATED RIVERSIDE’S MOST “SLANDEROUS” AND MEZZSPELLED, “MISSPELLED” AND “OPINIONATED” BLOG SITE!   TMC IS NOW EXCLUSIVELY ON FILE WITH THE COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE’S DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE,  AND PROBABLY ON FILE WITH THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE AND THE RIVERSIDE POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR WHAT EVER REASON, AND THAT’S ALL WE’RE GOING TO SAY ABOUT THAT ONE… AGAIN, THANK-YOU COMMUNITY OF RIVERSIDE AND THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE EMPLOYEE’S, COMMENTS ALWAYS WELCOMED, ESPECIALLY SPELL CHECKERS!  EMAIL ANONYMOUSLY WITH YOUR DIRT!  THIRTYMILESCORRUPTION@HOTMAIL.COM

CITY OF RIVERSIDE: THE RED LIGHT SCAM, COUNCIL MAYHEM ON THE STREETS OF RIVERSIDE?

Posted: October 24, 2011 in Uncategorized
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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MAYOR!  YOU TAKING A PICTURE DOESN’T  COUNT AS A CITATION.  WHO TURNED THE TRAFFIC LIGHTS ALL GREEN?  STEVE WAS THAT YOU?  NOW LOOK WHAT HAPPENED!  IS THAT RUSS IN THAT BLACK CAR? GREG WE HAVE A POSSIBLE PENDING LITIGATION AGAIN.  GARDNER DID YOU FIX THAT CAMERA YET?

Red-light cameras are designed to take a picture of a car’s license plate if the driver runs a red light. These cameras are popping up in city after city as officials theorize that if drivers know they’re being watched, they’ll be less likely to run the lights. But do they work? Or is it just another way to increase city revenue from traffic tickets?  Well, according to study after study, rather than improving motorist safety, red-light cameras significantly increase crashes and therefore, raise insurance premiums. In fact, the only studies that have shown any benefit to red-light cameras were either done by the IIHS ( Insurance Institute for Highway Safety).  The IIHS, funded by automobile insurance companies, is the leading advocate for red-light cameras since insurance companies can profit from red-light cameras by way of higher premiums due to increased crashes and citations.  Biased studies, absolutely!  The most recent study revealing the truth about the cameras was done by researchers at the University of South Florida College of Public Health.  “The rigorous studies clearly show red-light cameras don’t work,” said lead author Barbara Langland-Orban, professor and chair of health policy and management at the USF College of Public Health.   “Instead, they increase crashes and injuries as drivers attempt to abruptly stop at intersections.”  Comprehensive studies from North Carolina, studies from Virginia,   and studies from Ontario  have all reported cameras are associated with increases in crashes. The study by the Virginia Transportation Research Council also found that cameras were linked to increased crash costs. The only studies that conclude cameras reduced crashes or injuries contained “major research design flaws,” such as incomplete data or inadequate analyses, and were always conducted by researchers with links to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Apparently, the findings have been known for some time. A 2001 paper by the Office of the Majority Leader of the U.S. House of Representatives reported that red-light cameras are “a hidden tax levied on motorists.” The report came to the same conclusions that all of the other valid studies have, that red-light cameras are associated with increased crashes and that the timings at yellow lights are often set too short to increase tickets for red-light running. That’s right, the state actually tampers with the yellow light settings to make them shorter, and more likely to turn red as you’re driving through them. In fact, six U.S. cities have been found guilty of shortening the yellow light cycles below what is allowed by law on intersections equipped with cameras meant to catch red-light runners. Those local governments have completely ignored the safety benefit of increasing the yellow light time and decided instead to utilize red-light cameras, shorten the yellow light duration, and collect the profits instead. The cities in question include Union City, CA, Dallas and Lubbock, TX, Nashville and Chattanooga, TN, and Springfield, MO, according to Motorists.org, which collected information from reports from around the country. This isn’t the first time traffic cameras have been questioned as to their effectiveness in preventing accidents. In one case, the local government was forced to issue refunds by more than $1 million to motorists who were issued tickets for running red lights.  Some have even gone to the extent of questioning the constitutionality of it all.  Others are stating that every American Citizen has the right to face their accuser, and not an innanimate object such as a red light camera.  Others are stating they are unenforceable because they are impropery served, therefore can be legally ignored.  Others recommend to completely avoid them using side streets, since some of these intersections have become accident pits.

CITY OF RIVERSIDE DOCUMENTS AND STATISTICS AS PROVIDED BY HIGHWAYROBBERY.COM

AND A LIST OF ALL CAMERA TOWNS INCLUDING THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE 

Apparently, the findings have been known for some time. A 2001 paper by the Office of the Majority Leader of the U.S. House of Representatives reported that red-light cameras are “a hidden tax levied on motorists.” The report came to the same conclusions that all of the other valid studies have come to, that red-light cameras are associated with increased crashes and that the timings at yellow lights are often set too short to increase tickets for red-light running. That’s right, the state actually tampers with the yellow light settings to make them shorter, and more likely to turn red as you’re driving through them. In fact, six U.S. cities have been found guilty of shortening the yellow light cycles below what is allowed by law on intersections equipped with cameras meant to catch red-light runners. Those local governments have completely ignored the safety benefit of increasing the yellow light time and decided instead to utilize red-light cameras, shorten the yellow light duration, and collect the profits instead. The cities in question include Union City, CA, Dallas and Lubbock, TX, Nashville and Chattanooga, TN, and Springfield, MO, according to Motorists.org, which collected information
from reports from around the country. This isn’t the first time traffic cameras have been questioned as to their effectiveness in preventing accidents. In one case, the local government was forced to issue refunds by more than $1 million to motorists who were issued tickets for running red lights.

Then there are the snitch tickets, sent out by the police in an effort to fool the registered owner into identifying the actual driver of the car.   The truth about traffic cameras is that the real motivation behind the programs is revenue, not safety.  For this reason, the systems are often rigged to guarantee a large yield of tickets. In Fairfax County, at the intersection of U.S. 50 and Fair Ridge Drive, the yellow light was shortened just three days after the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors signed a contract to implement red-light cameras in October 1999.  When the longer yellow time was restored in
2001, violations decreased by 90 percent.  In 2007, the Virginia Department of Transportation documented a 29 percent increase in accidents and a 19 percent increase in injuries at red-light camera intersections. This is because drivers slam on their brakes or speed up to try to avoid getting a camera ticket, thus causing more accidents. If Virginia lawmakers are really interested in safety rather than revenue, they will follow Georgia’s lead and lengthen yellow lights and ditch their traffic cameras.

I have never personally received a red light ticket by the camera but I think it does more harm than good. There is one in Riverside off Arlington and Indiana street that caused an accident as the flash was too bright and caused the driver to have a seizure and she was hit and she died as a result. Also there are other crimes the city or county can spend it’s money on besides a camera to catch and ticket drivers who run red lights.  – Nicole Lewis, Commenter on the PE

KEEP CONNECTED WITH TMC, RATED RIVERSIDE’S MOST “SLANDEROUS” AND MEZZSPELLED, “MISSPELLED” AND “OPINIONATED” BLOG SITE!   TMC IS NOW EXCLUSIVELY ON FILE WITH THE COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE’S DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE, AND THAT’S ALL WE’RE GOING TO SAY ABOUT THAT ONE… 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!  THIRTYMILESCORRUPTION@HOTMAIL.COM

UPDATE: 10/25/2011: 1:00 pm CITY COUNCILS SESSION DURING PUBLIC COMMENT SESSION: THE QUESTION OF MANIPULATION OF THE TIMING OF THOSE CAMERA’S COME UP MICHAEL ARCT STATES THERE IS NO STANDARDS, LEGAL MINIMUMS FOR A LEFT HAND TURN IS 3.0 SECONDS.  COMMON SENSE TO LEGALLY MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN SAFELY IT TAKES 3.6 SECONDS, WHICH YOU WILL FIND AT THE INTERSECTION OF TYLER AND W. BOUND 91, RUNNED BY CAL TRANS.  IF YOU GO TO VAN BUREN AND INDIANA RUNNED BY THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE, A LEFT HAND TURN IS 3.0 SECONDS.  ALSO ASKED IF COUNCILMAN STEVE ADAMS WILL ABSTAIN FROM THIS VOTE SINCE HIS BROTHER, RON ADAMS REVIEWS RED CAMERA PHOTO VIOLATIONS FOR THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE.  TMC FOUND RON ADAMS NAME ON THE CITY MANAGER’S DISCRETIONARY FUND FOR CONTRACTS UNDER $50,000.00 FROM FISCAL YEARS 2008/2009 AND 2009/2010, ATTACHMENT “C”.  DURING EVENING SESSION PRESENTATION, 67% OF THE THE RED LIGHT CAMERA PHOTO’S ARE THROWN OUT, THUS REENFORCING THE PREMISS OF AN INNANIMATE OBJECT BEING MORE INACCURATE THAN PREVIOUSLY PERCEIVED.  MORE SO, WHEN DRIVERS APPROACH A RED LIGHT INTERSECTION, THEY BECOME MORE FOCUSED ON THE LIGHT AND THE CAMERA, THUS THEIR ATTENTION OFF THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF THEM, AS WELL AS BICYLCLIST AND PEDESTRIANS.  THIS BRINGING TO THE FOREFRONT A SAFETY ISSUE NOT ADDRESSED.

UPDATE:10/25/2011: 9:00pm: COUNCIL APPROVES REDLIGHT CONTRACT 5/2. WITH NO VOTES BY COUNCILMAN PAUL DAVIS AND CHRIS MAC ARTHUR.  STILL FOR THE MOST PART THIS DECISION REFLECTS HOW REGRESSIVE OF A CITY WE ARE AS OPPOSED TO BEING PROGRESSIVE.  THE KOO-LAID KEEPS FLOWING, AND COUNCILMAN STEVE ADAMS DIDN’T ABSTAIN FROM THIS VOTE, EVEN THOUGH HIS BROTHER RON ADAMS, BENEFITS.  THIS IS NOT ABOUT RUNNING A RED LIGHT BECAUSE NO ONE THINKS WITH INTENT TO RUN A RED LIGHT.  IF YOU ARE IN THE LEFT HAND LANE TO MAKE A LEFT TURN YOU ARE AT THE MERCY OF THE LIGHT ON THAT TURN.  MORE VIOLATIONS ARE MADE WITH LEFT HAND TURNS, DUE DIRECTLY TO THE TIMING, NOT BECAUSE OF THE DRIVERS INTENT TO RUN A RED LIGHT.  THE COUNCIL DOESN’T REALIZE THE EXCESSIVENESS OF THE THE $500.00 FINE, SOME CALL IT HIGHWAY ROBBERY OR POLICING FOR PROFIT.  STUDIES HAVE SHOW THAT RED LIGHT CAMERA TOWNS HAVE DETERED VISITORS ALTOGETHER.  NOT TO MENTION, PARKING CITATIONS.  BUT WHAT DOES THE COMMUNITY EXPECT WITH THIS COUNCIL, THEY DIDN’T LISTEN TO US WHEN WE EXPRESSED OUR OPINION REGARDING AMERICAN MEDICAL RESPONSE.  OTHERS SAY SOME COUNCIL MEMBERS HAVE OBLIGATORY REASONS FOR THEIR DECISIONS.  IN PAST YEARS THE CITY WOULD JUST SPEND, SPEND, SPEND; NOW THEY ARE FINING, FINING, FINING, TO MAKE UP THE DIFFERENCE OF MONETARY WAIST WASTE. 

UPDATE:10/26/2011: Allegations by city employee insiders indicate that there are city employees who have had red light infractions and are removed.  One was actually promoted up the ranks.  Many in the community are asking the questions of double standards.  While Councilman Mike Gardner feels if you run a red light you should pay the excessive $500.00 fine.  The questions the community is asking, are there different rules for council people, city executives and employees compared to the community?  Well, the dirt keeps coming in!  Employee insiders are also alleging that Former Councilman Frank Schiavone and girlfriend whom have had dozens of infractions, just get them removed.  It appears that the infractions allegedly go to the city and Councilman’s Steve Adams brother, Ron Adams who works at city hall, and are then  removed from further action.

UPDATE: 12/11/2011: EVEN CITIES SUCH AS PHARR, TEXAS HAS DECIDED TO REMOVE RED LIGHT CAMERAS, AND HAVE FOUND THEIR IS  NO DICERNABLE SAFETY BENEFIT.  WHAT MAKES THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE FEEL THEIR IS?  IS IT THE SAME AS THE STREETSWEEPERS GOING DOWN THE WOODSTREETS FOLLOWED BY CITATION VEHICLES AS WOODSTREET RESIDENTS HAVE INDICATED, FOR NO OTHER REASON BUT TO ISSUE CITATIONS.  COUCILMAN MIKE GARDNER CONTINUES TO TURN A BLIND EYE ON REALITY, AND CONTINUES TO SUPPORT A SILENT EAR ON THE COMMUNITY.  EVEN PHARR CHIEF OF POLICE RUBEN VILLESCAS AGREES, WHILE OUR CHIEF OF POLICE SERGIO DIAZ CONTINUES TO SUPPORT “STATUS QUO”.  CHIEF OF POLICE RUBEN VILLESCAS STATES, ” FEW, IF ANY, ACCIDENTS ARE FOR RUNNING A RED LIGHT”.  THERE IS NO DOUBT, THAT THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE NEEDS REAL LEADERSHIP, WHICH STANDS TO PROTECT OUR COMMUNITY AT LARGE, AND THEIR IS NO REASON WHY MANY IN THE COMMUNITY SHOULD BE INTIMIDATED BY THE LEADERSHIP THAT EXIST.

EVEN REDLANDS AND LOMA LINDA REMOVED RED LIGHT CAMERAS.  REDFLEX, THE AUSTRALIAN BASE COMPANY, DENIED LOMA LINDA REQUEST TO REMOVE THEM.  IT APPEARS THE CITY REMOVED THEM THEMSELVES.  BUT MANY CITIES ARE FINDING OUT WHAT KIND OF CUSTOMER SERVICE THEY HAVE.

UPDATE: 03/28/2012: RED LIGHT CAMERAS WILL END THIS WEEK IN LA, TICKETS WIPED CLEAN.  COUNCILMAN MITCH ENGLANDER STATES RED LIGHT PROGRAM WAS FLAWED FROM THE BEGINNING.  FINES WERE EXCESSIVE.  A CBS INVESTIGATION FOUND THAT ACCIDENTS WENT UP AFTER THE RED LIGHT PROGRAM WAS IMPLEMENTED.

CALL COUNCILMAN MIKE GARDNER AND LET YOUR VIEW BE KNOWN:  951-826-5991 (office), 951-941-7084 (cell), email:  mgardner@riversideca.gov

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