The Barb Stanton Show: November 2010

Friday, November 19, 2010

Bell Citizens Demand Firing of Interim CAO

BASTA Leadership Demands Interim CAO Pedro Carrillo be Terminated,

His Replacement Must Include the Community’s Input

Over the last several months the office of the State Controller’s John Chiang has been conducting an extensive audit of Bell’s finances during the Robert Rizzo Regime. Yesterday his audit brought into question $710,459 of state and federal expenditures made between July 2008 and August 2010. The report states that these payments “were made without a valid contract or were outside the scope of the contract. In addition none of the goods or services was procured through competitive bids.”

These companies included Great Western Park and Playground ($199,528), MBH Architects & SMS Architects ($180,368), Medina Construction ($56,854), D&J Engineering ($99,882), Graffiti Protective Coating, Inc ($99,542), Relia-Tech ($74,285). Additionally the controller’s report found that these type of issues also existed with $220,000 in payments to the current Interim CAO’s firm Urban & Associates, Inc. The audit points to the fact that neither the city staff, nor the interim CAO have provided any records that these contracts were generated in an ethical manner.

BASTA leadership is very disturbed by these findings as they raise serious questions about conflict of interest, favoritism, and ties to the Rizzo Regime by current interim CAO Pedro Carrillo. Moreover, the community and BASTA have clearly been asking for full disclosure from Mr. Carrillo as to the scope of his involvement with Robert Rizzo. His failure to self-disclose shows his disregards for the community needs.

BASTA acknowledges that Mr. Carrillo has worked hard to meet almost all of our demands to rid the city of individuals and practices connected to the Rizzo regime, but the latest revelation raises serious concerns and further fuels mistrust of Mr. Carrillo. Without trust, good governance cannot be achieved. Moreover, we feel that the only way to build trust between the residents of Bell and city officials is through change, thus BASTA demands the termination of Mr. Carrillo as interim CAO and anyone else connected to the Rizzo regime.

BASTA also demands that the current council work to appoint a qualified city manager in an open and transparent process that includes the community’s input. BASTA demands that the new city manager have no connection to past or current councilmembers or administrators, and should have extensive experience as a city manager as opposed to a political appointee. Moreover a committee of community members should immediately be created to help select the new interim city manager. The candidate selected needs to establish open and transparent communication.

BASTA will not stand for anything less than Bell city officials following due process and using a code of best practices to make appointments and grant contracts.

All BASTA representatives are unpaid volunteers. BASTA remains committed to financial transparency and believes is it crucial to leave the ugly, divisive politics of the Rizzo regime behind. That only worked to divide us, not make us a strong, vibrant city capable of local control. We invite anyone who has a difference of opinion with us to sit down with us and discuss it. We remain committed to doing all in our power to Take Back Bell.

BASTA welcomes our community and others interested in reviewing our demands for transparency to visit our website at BASTA4bell.com

BASTA is a coalition of Bell residents, the Bell Police Officer’s Association and AFSCME Council 36 who are committed to restoring ethical and honest governance to the City of Bell.

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

THANK YOU APPLE VALLEY

Election night party...food...fun...and hope for the future!

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Anti-incumbent ripples felt locally

San Bernardino Sun Newspaper
Michael J. Sorba and Ryan Hagen, Staff Writers
Posted: 11/03/2010

Anti-incumbent sentiments that reverberated across the nation on Election Day weren't as strong locally, but still present as mayors and city council members in several cities across the region were unseated by challengers.

Budget deficits, high utility bills and joblessness weighed on the minds of voters as they headed to the polls Tuesday to decide on what course is best for their respective cities.

Adelanto

Mayor Charley Glasper was defeated by Councilwoman Cari Thomas by nearly six percentage points.

Steve Baisden, a warehouse manager and former councilman, and Charles S. Valvo, a retired aerospace coordinator, both garnered significantly more votes than incumbent councilmen Trinidad Perez and Gene M. Piehe.

Higher water rates that took effect July 1 resulted in some residents paying two to three more for water, which may have been a reason some voters decided to ouster incumbents.

Apple Valley

Winning candidates took opposing sides on a golf course that stood at the center of the campaign for Apple Valley Town Council, according to Barb Stanton, the new mayor pro tempore. She is one of two fresh faces on the council.

High water rates were another focus of the election, Stanton said.

The city is locked in a court battle over water rights for a golf course in the city, which Stanton said cost the city almost $4 million in upkeep over the past 20 months.

"In my candidacy,I ran on the platform that government should get out of private industry," Stanton said.

Despite some disagreement over the role the town should have in the golf course, Stanton said she looked forward to working with Curt Emick and Scott Nassif.

Victorville

Debt combined with steep cuts to law enforcement cost incumbent JoAnn Almond her seat as challengers Jim Kennedy and Angela Valles gained entrance to the council.

Councilman Terry Caldwell dropped out of the race before the election.

"We definitely need to stop the hemorrhage at the city, the wasteful spending," said Valles, director of finances for Victor Valley Waste Reclamation and president of the board at Victor Valley College. "Right now there's a lot of unnecessary things that the citizens are spending money on (through taxes), while they're cutting public safety to balance the budget."

The city has eight unfilled officer positions and cut paramedics despite its high crime, Valles said.

Kennedy said he would like to fill those positions, too, but assurances from Captain Cliff Reynolds, the city's top law enforcement officer, convinced him the city would be better off paying down its debt before filling the positions.

Nassif, Emick, Stanton lead A.V. Council race

Barb accepting flowers from a well wisher at election night party.

November 02, 2010 9:36 PM
Brooke Edwards
Apple Valley Town Council (Three seats):

APPLE VALLEY • Incumbent Scott Nassif and challengers Curt Emick and Barbara “Barb” Stanton were leading the race for three open seats on Apple Valley’s Town Council, according to preliminary results released by the San Bernardino County Registrar of Voters late Tuesday night.

Nassif, who owns a string of Napa Auto Parts stores across the Victor Valley, had garnered 19.08 percent of the semi-official vote. Though just 2.08 percent of precincts were reporting as of 11:30 p.m., he said he was encouraged.

“My platform, my position has been the same ever since I got involved in politics,” Nassif said, believing that consistency has helped him gain residents’ confidence in his third run for a council seat. “My position has always been to try to retain Apple Valley’s character and heritage and what makes Apple Valley Apple Valley, but also look at what it is going to take to move forward and embrace the future and keep Apple Valley prosperous so we don’t fall behind.”

Emick, a pharmacy owner, had 16.93 percent of the vote.

“I’m pleasantly surprised,” Emick said of the early results.

Emick said he believes exposure played a large role in helping him garner so many votes, trailing Nassif for the most money spent during the campaign on mailers, signs and more.

Stanton, a talk show host, was in place to snag the third open seat with 15.97 percent of the vote. (STANTON FINISHED IN SECOND PLACE - EMICK IN THIRD)

Incumbent Bob Sagona trailed in fourth with 14.99 percent in his bid for a fourth term on the council, while Mayor Peter Allan posted 13.73 percent of the vote in his run for a second term.

Challenger Timothy Stewart Sr. had 7.6 percent of the vote, Richard “Tony” Contratto had 6.10 percent and Clint Air had 5.6 percent.

These standings reflect only absentee ballot votes and the first round of polling place results, with updated numbers due from the Registrar early Wednesday morning.

Brooke Edwards may be reached at (760) 955-5358 or at bedwards@VVDailyPress.com.

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The Mojave Cross has been torn down again!

Taliban Video of Captive Soldier Pfc. Bowe Bergdahl - Family Pleads for His Release

The family of Pfc. Bowe Bergdahl speaks out. Bergdahl was captured in eastern Afghanistan in June and his location is undetermined. The family is pleading for the release of their son, and urging him to "stay strong." Lt. Col. Tim Marsano of the Idaho National Guard issued a statement Friday from the family of Pfc. Bowe Bergdahl, a U.S. airborne infantryman who was taken by the Afghan Taliban in Paktika province. In their statement, the family is urging the captors "to let our only son come home." And to their son, the family says, "We love you and we believe in you. Stay strong." Bergdahl, is the only known American serviceman in captivity. Marsano met with the family Friday morning at their home outside Hailey, Idaho.

INTERESTING FROM HIGHLAND COMMUNITY NEWS

Newspapers, public must take more responsibility for election of public officials

By Charles Roberts, Editor, Highland Community News

“They didn’t become scalawags the day they were elected,” said San Bernardino County Supervisor Josie Gonzales as she addressed the Democratic Luncheon Club Friday.

Speaking of elected officials, she advised, “Look at how they treat their families, their neighbors.”

She said questionable candidates should be culled out well before the election, and blamed the electorate for putting crooks into office.

“You are the beneficiaries of bad government,” she said. “And you are the beneficiaries of good government.”

She also took a swipe at County Supervisor Neil Derry for his choice of staff members, but added that supervisors have control over staff member choices, and her job is to work with everyone to get things done for the good of her constituents.

“I will work with anyone to deliver the services you need,” she said.

It’s worked well for her. She is now in the sixth month of her second term, and “so far, everything I put forward has been accepted.”

Noting that District Attorney Michael Ramos has not completed the investigation of former Assessor Bill Postmus, Gonzales said she asked Ramos point blank if he (Ramos) had been involved in anything illegal or extramarital, and he assured her he had not.

She urged him not to defraud and “do not bend to pressure.

She said she has continued to support Ramos, and still does until she is proved wrong in her trust.

She had high praise for County Administrative Officer Mark Uffer (“a good man, says it like it is”) and economic consultant John Husing (“honest, straight shooter”).

On the subject of the Grand Jury, she said one year is too short a term for members, and they should be given more power.

On campaign contributions, she said she works to be transparent, and criticized shadow committees that operate just inside the boundaries of the law and take little or no responsibility for questionable mailers and other mudslinging activities, and urged better investigation of political activities.

“There was a time when newspapers did that, but they have fallen by the wayside,” she observed. “Where are the reporters who have the tools and the right (to investigate)?”

Still, she sees no need for an ethics commission, calling it “baby sitting in disguise.”

While agreeing that ethics should be taught in school, she said adults should know what is right and wrong and do what is right.

From FlashReport

IT'S NOT ABOUT YOU, ANTHONY ADAMS

Jon Coupal, President, Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association

June 15, 2009

[Publisher's Note: As part of an ongoing effort to bring original, thoughtful commentary to you here at the FlashReport, I am pleased to present this column from Jon Coupal. Coupal is the President of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association - Flash]

If you are new to the FlashReport, please check out the main site and the acclaimed FlashReport Weblog on California politics.

A great line from Carly Simon’s You’re So Vain is “you probably think this song is about you.” Well, if you are reading this, Anthony Adams, rest assured that this column is not about you. It is about reasonable taxpayer expectations.

Some brief history: Anthony Adams is the Assemblyman who represents parts of Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties who, along with two others in the Assembly, broke ranks with GOP colleagues to provide the votes needed to approve a $12 billion tax increase in February. That increase was part of a package that included putting Proposition 1A on the ballot which would have dealt taxpayers another $16 billion blow.

Since casting votes which inflicted irreparable harm to already overburdened taxpayers, Adams has taken the position that those votes were actually courageous because they prevented California from “going off a cliff.” For the record, there are those who describe Adam’s actions in more colorful and less flattering language.

Adams is a first term legislator who was elected to office by ordinary folks who work hard to look after their families, keep a roof over their heads and put food on the table, while at the same time generously paying high taxes to support others who cannot, or will not, support themselves. In this economy, many of these same voters now have a new challenge – holding on to their jobs and homes. So, after Adams voted to increase taxes that were already the highest in the nation, it is no surprise that many of his constituents now support an effort to remove him via recall. They cannot, they say, afford to take the chance that Adams will remain in office long enough to cast any more of his “courageous” votes.

Now in survival mode, Adams has abandoned his base of working taxpayers and sought the protection of the governor and the financial support of the “tuxedo class” to preserve his office.

Some argue that any recall of legislators who violated their written pledges to voters is a waste of time and money. What’s the point anyway when Adams can be challenged in the primary election just 12 months away? Is the recall effort just an over the top response by reactionaries seeking revenge, or is there a legitimate basis for resort to this tool of direct democracy?

First, it would be difficult to argue that Adam’s own actions would not provide substantial grounds for immediate dismissal from a private sector job. His foremost transgressions would clearly constitute “job fraud,” which is described as “fraudulent or deceptive activity or representation on the part of an employee…toward an employer.” There can be little debate that Adams misrepresented his views to his employer – voters – prior to the election.

Want proof? A mailer Adams sent out asking for votes states “I will oppose any attempt to raise taxes.” Additionally, Adams signed the following, “I Anthony Adams, pledge to the taxpayers of the 59th Assembly District of the State of California and to all the people of this state, that I will oppose and vote against any and all efforts to increase taxes.”

And there is absolutely no evidence that enhanced interrogation techniques were used to compel Adams to make these declarations. The principal of “no new taxes” was clearly represented by Adams as a core belief and commitment and was presented to the public as a reason to elect him to office.

And that is what distinguishes his situation from all the Democrats who voted for the tax increases. That is precisely the behavior we expect from the majority party. And we are aware of no Democrat legislator in California who has signed the no tax pledge.

Some argue that all Republicans who voted for the tax increases should be recalled. While there is some merit behind that position, the other Republicans who voted for the “grand deal” either did not sign the pledge or are termed out of office. Adams situation, when taken as a whole, is different: A first termer who is now equally strident about defending his anti-taxpayer vote as he was strident about being a defender of taxpayer interests before the election.

There is another reason why the current Adams recall is wholly justified: Those Californians who do not live off the public dime want to make sure that those legislators who claim to represent the interests of taxpayers will continue to do so. Every member of the California Legislature is now constantly being pressured to save this or that program by the conga line of special interests now testifying in budget committees. Quite frankly, those who pay the bills don’t have time to travel to Sacramento to engage in this mindless dance. Recalling a legislator who stabbed us in the back is a good way to remind other legislators that there are certain acts which are unforgivable and punishable by the political death penalty known as recall.
_______________________________________________

The mission statement of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Assocation reads:

The Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association is dedicated to the protection of Proposition 13 and the advancement of taxpayers' rights including the right to limited taxation, the right to vote on tax increases and the right of economical, equitable and efficient use of taxpayer dollars.

Accomplished taxpayer advocate and prominent attorney Jon Coupal, as President of the HJTA, heads up an organization that plays a critical role here in the Golden State . Beginning with the passage of Proposition 13 in 1978, the HJTA has consistently been the lead organization looking out for the rights of California taxpayers. In literally EVERY major battle that occurs in Sacramento, where the forces of irresponsible government growth are trying to figure out another scheme to raise taxes or fees to redistribute taxpayer funds to the latest 'must fund' program, Jon and the HJTA are there to ask the tough questions, and to wave a big stick. You see, the HJTA doesn't just talk the talk. Whether leading efforts to get their many, many grassroots members to lobby their elected officials, going to court to fight illegal tax increases, or marshaling resources to take tax-protection measures to the electorate, HJTA has been there. But not just on a statewide level, but also at the local level -- fighting against local bond measures and fee-increase schemes that seek to unduly and unfairly burden taxpayers.

MITZELFELT SAYS, "I DID NOT ATTEND FUNDRAISER"

Thank you to Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt who clarified his association with Assemblyman Anthony Adams and Adams recent fundraiser which featured the Governor.

San Bernardino County Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt clarified the information on a printed invitation which is shown below this article. The invitation stated that the supervisor was on the Host Committee and in support of Assemblyman Anthony Adams fund raising activities.

In a phone call today the Supervisor stated, “I did not agree to be on the Host Committee.”

Mitzelfelt went on to say that the original event he was involved in was a fundraiser in Victorville with Steve Poizner as guest speaker. Mitzelfelt said, “I had agreed to be on the Host Committee. Post that event it changed to the governor event. Adams used me on the host committee without permission.”

“I would have preferred to be asked again,” Mitzelfelt stated. “I did not go to the event. Anthony is my friend but I did not agree with his vote on the budget.”

Mitzelfelt mentioned the recalls that have been filed against 59^th District Assemblyman Anthony Adams, “The recall is between him and the voters. I think this is an unfortunate situation, but we will just have to see how it goes.”

This bogus information was posted on Victorville's Website....thousands of jobs?

Victorville, CA - The City’s recently approved $568 million budget reflects funding for essential city services such as police and fire, as well as continued investment in job development.

According to City Manager Jon Roberts, the City currently invests in economic development to bring jobs and new services to Victorville.

Through the City’s efforts, thousands of manufacturing and logistics jobs have been created in town and at Southern California Logistics Airport (SCLA), as well as countless retail and service related jobs throughout the High Desert.

Last year, Newell-Rubbermaid opened its distribution center at SCLA creating some 150 jobs. This month Dr Pepper Snapple is set to begin construction on its west coast distribution facility creating 200 new jobs.

In addition to the creation of new jobs, the City’s investment into infrastructure has increased the City’s ability to offer new services such as paramedic service, crime reduction programs, and new road projects . This year the City will complete construction of a new park and fire station at Eucalyptus and Topaz.

“In these tough economic times, the City is reinvesting taxpayer dollars back into the economy,” said Roberts. “All of our economic development efforts come down to one simple concept, job creation.”

It is hard to understand the direction Victorville is going in. So far the majority of jobs created have been low paying and substandard. I certainly don't see the thousands of jobs that are mentioned in this article that was posted on their website.

A message to the City: 'You can fool some of the people...aw you know where I'm going with this one'
By the way: retail sales are down 15% in Victorville and up 35% in Apple Valley. Oh, Hesperia reports an 8% increase.....Barb

Army Staff Sgt. Salvadore Giunta to receive Medal Of Honor

Giunta was serving as a rifle team leader with Company B, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment when an insurgent ambush split his squad into two groups on Oct. 25, 2007, in the Korengal Valley in Afghanistan, the White House said in a news release. Giunta went above and beyond the call of duty when he exposed himself to enemy fire to pull a fellow soldier back to cover, the White House said. He engaged the enemy again when he saw two insurgents carrying away a wounded soldier, Sgt. Joshua C. Brennan, 22, of McFarland, Wis. Giunta killed one insurgent and wounded the other before tending to Brennan, who died the next day. "His courage and leadership while under extreme enemy fire were integral to his platoon's ability to defeat an enemy ambush and recover a fellow American soldier from enemy hands," the White House said.

IMMIGRATION IN 1907

Theodore Roosevelt's ideas on Immigrants and being an AMERICAN in 1907. 'In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the person's becoming in every facet an American, and nothing but an American...There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn't an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag... We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language...And we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people.' -Theodore Roosevelt 1907

Senator Dave Cox Looses Prostate Cancer Battle

Former state senator and Republican leader Dave Cox who was known for his humor said...

"When you go out to lunch today, drink whiskey," Cox once advised Democrats on the Assembly floor. "So constituents will think you're drunk and not just stupid."

No Replacement for Stolen Mojave Cross

May 21, 2010

Has the Mojave Cross have been removed for good?

A cross replacing the original at the Mojave Desert war memorial has been declared illegal and taken down.

The U.S. Supreme Court recently ruled that the 9th Circuit overstepped its bounds when it ruled the cross must be removed. Since then, the memorial had remained covered with a plywood box until it was stolen on May 9.

Linda Slater, public information officer with the Mojave National Preserve, said the cross that mysteriously appeared last week was unauthorized.

"The main reason that we can't put a replacement cross up or allow one to be put up," she said, "is because we are under court order to not display a cross on Sunrise Rock."

Kelly Shackelford, president and CEO of Liberty Institute, said his team will work to convince the Justice Department to replace the cross.

"That's not a proper act to take," he said. "Our veterans deserve more than that, and that memorial needs to be put back up."

An anonymous donation means there is a $125,000 reward posted for tips leading to the conviction of whoever stole the cross that served as a memorial to Americans who served during World War I.

A decorated military veteran offered $100,000 for the reward, said Kelly Shackelford, chief counsel for Liberty Institute. That figure was added to the previous $25,000 offer.

The cross stood at Sunrise Rock, which is about 15 miles south of the 15 Freeway along Cima Road in the Mojave National Preserve.

Apple Valley Man says Boycott those that Boycott

The following cities have chosen to boycott the state of Arizona because of their willingness to take a stand against illegal immigrants and drug and human trafficing. I am starting a campaign to boycott these cities and the products produced therein. The cities are:

Seattle, Washington

Los Angeles, California

San Francisco, California

Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Berkeley, California

El Paso, Texas

Austin, Texas

Boston, Massachusetts

St. Paul, Minnesota

Boulder, Colorado

West Hollywood (?), California (Who cares?)

San Diego, California

Please pass this to all your email friends and ask them to stop using products from these cities and if you, or they, have any travel plans to these cities, to please change them. It is blatently obvious that these cities have no regard for the rule of law and need to be taught a lesson. Let's see how THEY like being on the receiving end of a boycott.

Jim

Minuteman Project stays active!

THE MARINE

THE MARINE

We all came together,
Both young and old
To fight for our freedom,
To stand and be bold.

In the midst of all evil,
We stand our ground,
And we protect our country
From all terror around.

Peace and not war,
Is what some people say.
But I'll give my life,
So you can live the American way.

I give you the right
To talk of your peace.
To stand in your groups,
and protest in our streets.

But still I fight on,
I don't bitch, I don't whine.
I'm just one of the people
Who is doing your time.

I'm harder than nails,
Stronger than any machine.
I'm the immortal soldier,
I'm a U.S. MARINE!

So stand in my shoes,
And leave from your home.
Fight for the people who hate you,
With the protests they've shown.
Fight for the stranger,
Fight for the young.
So they all may have,
The greatest freedom you've won

Fight for the sick,
Fight for the poor
Fight for the cripple,
Who lives next door.

But when your time comes,
Do what I've done.
For if you stand up for freedom,
You'll stand when the fight's done

By: Corporal Aaron M. Gilbert , US Marine Corps
USS SAIPAN, PERSIAN GULF

SOLDIER BEING COMFORTED

This statue currently stands ouside the Iraqi palace, now home to the 4th Infantry division. It will eventually be shipped home and put in the memorial museum in Fort Hood, Tx. The statue was created by an Iraqi artist named Kalat, who for years was forced by Saddam Hussein to make the many hundreds of bronze busts of Saddam that dotted Baghdad. Kalat was so grateful for the Americans liberation of his country. He melted 3 of the heads of the fallen Saddam and made the statue as a memorial to the American soldiers and their fallen warriors. Kalat worked on this memorial night and day for several months. To the left of the kneeling soldier is a small Iraqi girl giving the soldier comfort as he mourns the loss of his comrade in arms.

HAS CALIFORNIA SEIZED YOUR BANK ACCOUNT?

The state of California can and will seize unclaimed-property such as: cash, stocks, safe-deposit boxes and other property if there has been no activity within three years. It once had been a 15-year period.

Attempts to contact the owners has been minimal, if at all and the state has prospered. Approximately $736 million is expected in the unclaimed-property program this fiscal year, with a net of $442 million after owners claim seized property.

Banks or property holders must turn property over to the state, or pay a fine, if there has been no contact from the owners in three years.

This program has yielded $5.3 billion to the state for years by limiting its attempts to find the owners of apparently abandoned accounts.

Unclaimed wages or salaries saw changes also,the time was shortened from three years to one and in 2003, the state stopped paying interest on property claimed by owners.

One of the notices that the controller's staff is looking forward to sending will go to the relatives of a World War II hero, Jackson Charles Pharris, whose Medal of Honor and Navy Cross were seized from a safe-deposit box.

Here's the address, check it and see if you or a relative may have some $ coming your way: sco.ca.gov/col/ucp/ this address is to the State Controller John Chiang's site and will take you directly to the page where you will locate the information .