June 2009 Archives
Summer youth programs began this week at the Recreation facility and
at Vernon Middle School. The two programs offered are:
Summer Camp Montclair, a structured day camp program
held at the Recreation facility for children in grades 1-8.
The program runs for 8 weeks and is held Monday through
Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Activities include games, field
trips, arts and crafts, special events, swimming, sports, and
movies. A two-week session costs $125; additional fee
plans are available for other attendance preferences.
The program is limited to 40 kids.
Montclair Summer Playground, a "drop-in" camp program
held at Vernon Middle School for children in grades 1-8.
This program runs for 8 weeks, Monday through Friday,
from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Activities include sports, arts and
crafts, table games, field trips, and special events. The cost
is $10 per week, plus an additional $10 start-up fee that
includes a camp T-shirt. Field trips are available for an
additional fee.
Registration for both programs is ongoing throughout the summer.
Summer Camp Montclair sign-up are taken at the Recreation facility and
Montclair Summer Playground are taken at Vernon Middle School.
Information: (909) 626-8571.
At Monday's budget meeting, City Council members voted to suspend their benefits to help balance the budget.
Bill Ruh, John Dutrey and Carolyn Raft voted for the suspension, Mayor Paul Eaton abstained and Leonard Paulitz was absent.
The cost-cutting measure amounts to $9,000 a year, which is about 20 pecent of their pay.
"If everyone else is taking a cut, the council should lead by example," Ruh said.
Hot Dog on a Stick in Montclair Plaza will host Free Hot Dog Day.
Started in 2006 as a celebration of Hot Dog on a Stick's 60th Anniversary, Free Hot Dog Day quickly become a well-received event and a customer appreciation promotion.
The company gives away approximately 50,000 free Hot Dogs on a Stick during the event each year.
Visit Hot Dog on a Stick at the Montclair Plaza from 5 to 8 p.m. June 15 at 5060 E. Montclair Plaza Lane, Montclair.
Limit one hot dog per person.
Senior Fire Inspector Richard Rivera began this week informing residents and those within Montclair's sphere of influence that fireworks of any type are illegal in the city.
Flyers stating the dangers of fireworks and the fact that they are illegal in Montclair and could result in a $500 fine were distributed to 10,000 residents through the sewer and trash billing system.
They were also handed distributed at all elementary schools within the City.
Also providing illegal fireworks information, metal signs have been strategically placed throughout the City; magnetic signs have been placed on Fire and Police vehicles; and banners have been secured to Fire apparatus.
During the final days prior to the 4th of July, Fire Department personnel will distribute the flyers to residents in the southern portion of the City.
On the evening of the holiday, on-duty Fire suppression crews and Police Officers will enforce the Zero Tolerance Fireworks Program through patrol.
County officials have agreed to transfer $500,000 to be used for the Mission Boulevard Corridor Improvement Project.
Montclair staff was notified last week by the offices of San Bernardino County Supervisor Gary Ovitt, department of community development and housing.
The office has agreed to transfe $500,000 of Community Development Block Grant funding from the fourth district to the city for use on the construction of phases 8 and 9 of the Improvement Project, which covers the area between Ada and Benson Avenues.
The funding will be available for release in late August, which is consistent with the expected time-frame for awarding a contract for the project.
As part of the agency's celebration of "Dump the Pump" Day, Omnitrans and its partners will offer members of the community free rides and a chance to win prizes including a $200 Ontario Mills shopping spree on June 18.
The event was designed by the American Public Transportation Association to encourage people to ride public transportation to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, conserve gasoline and save money.
Free ride coupons will be available in The Sun and Inland Valley Daily Bulletin newspapers on June 14 or can be downloaded at www.omnitrans.org.
The coupons will be good for a day pass on June 18
The special "Don't Be a Carbon Bigfoot!" event will be held on the north side of Ontario Mills Mall from 10 a.m. to noon, at 1 Mills Circle, Ontario.
Hot Dog on a Stick in Montclair Plaza will host Free Hot Dog Day.
Started in 2006 as a celebration of Hot Dog on a Stick's 60th Anniversary, Free Hot Dog Day quickly become a well-received event and a customer appreciation promotion.
The company gives away approximately 50,000 free Hot Dogs on a Stick during the event each year.
Visit Hot Dog on a Stick at the Montclair Plaza from 5 to 8 p.m. June 15 at 5060 E. Montclair Plaza Lane, Montclair.
Limit one hot dog per person.
Officers Rob Pipersky and Gloria Perez assisted the Union Pacific Police Department in a Crossing Accident Reduction Enforcement program to help reduce the number of accidents and bring about public awareness at railroad crossings.
Pipersky and Perez and the law enforcement agency of the Union Pacific Railroad met Thursday.
Although the crossing at Ramona Avenue and State Street is closed for construction, the crossing at Monte Vista Avenue remains very busy.
Rain and lightning on Thursday made conditions at the crossing locations a bit hazardous as more than 50 contacts were made, resulting in 44 citations issued during a four-hour period.
Members of the Montclair Fire Fighters Association participated in the Muscular Dystrophy Association's 2009 "Fill-the-Boot" fundraiser raising more than $4,200.
Participants were stationed at Central Avenue and Moreno Street to collect funds for the cause over a two-day period, May 29 and 30.
This amount will either fund 42 support group sessions, send five children to MDA summer camp, provide 21 initial diagnostic work-ups at an MDA clinic, or sponsor 50 minutes of MDA research.
MDA is a voluntary health agency aimed at conquering neuromuscular diseases that affect more than one million Americans.
The agency is currently funding a clinical trial involving Ataluren, a drug that restores dystrophin, which is a protein that helps keep muscle cells intact.
Montclair Fire Fighters Association donated $501, and the Montclair Police Officers Association donated $100 to the Quest Rally cause.
In its 13th year Quest Rally caravan visited Fire Station No. 1 on Monday.
The Quest Rally is sponsored by the nonprofit Firefighters Quest for Burn Survivors and is managed by firefighters and civilians who volunteer their services and are dedicated to assisting those that have been affected by burn injuries.
The caravan consists of several fire agencies that travel to fire stations throughout Southern California to raise funds for burn survivors.
The caravan is escorted by elite California Highway Patrol units.
Donations will be distributed to local burn centers and foundations, as well as burn survivors and their families.
San Bernardino Associated Goverments board members unanimously voted and elected Montclair Mayor Paul Eaton board president, replacing County Supervisor Gary Ovitt.
Mayor Eaton served the past year as SANBAG vice president. His term as president will be from July 2009 to July 2010.
Eaton was elected on June 2.
The city's After-School Program and the Reeder Heritage Foundation present their exhibit, "Coming to Montclair Story Night," at an opening reception on Thursday.
The program included a presentation by Anthea Hartig, Ph.D., a scholar who grew up in the area.
It also included an overview of the Reeder family, and students shared their family histories through a display of photography and narrative writings.
Beginning February, After-School Program students from Lehigh and Kingsley elementary schools participated in a project where they each learned about their family heritage through technical photography and narrative writings.
The program, called "Discovering Montclair's History & Future," is a partnership between the City of Montclair and the Reeder Heritage Foundation.
The exhibit will be on display at City Hall 5111 Benito St., Montclair through the end of the month.
The Online to College Program held its annual graduation ceremony in the Council Chambers for Montclair High School graduating seniors.
The June 2 celebration recognized students for their participation in the program from fifth grade through the completion of high school.
Students who complete the program and graduate from Montclair High School are awarded two years of paid tuition to Chaffey College.
Many proud family members attended the event as a show of support to the students who were awarded their OTC diploma by representatives from Ontario-Montclair School District and Chaffey College.
The event also included a presentation by members of the Montclair Associated Students for Success (MASS), a club comprised of past OTC graduates who serve as mentors and promoters of the OTC Program and help organize the graduation ceremony.
The Police Officers Association on Thursday capitulated to the city's request to cut $690,000 in pay and benefits to avoid police officer layoffs.
For the second time this week, city officials and union representatives met Thursday to renegotiate its current contract for reductions in pay and benefits.
The contract doesn't expire until next June.
"An agreement is eminent, and I feel good about the discussion we had today," City Manager Lee McDougal said.
Earlier this week, the Police Department was asked to reduce its budget by $690,000 or face having six officers laid off, McDougal said.
Last week, the union voted not to renegotiate its contract with the city.
On Tuesday, Deborah Camou, president of the Montclair Police Officers Association, said while the Police Department takes great pride in working for Montclair, the union did not feel it was in a position to reenegotiate its contract.
A news release faxed to the Daily Bulletin late Wednesday evening said, "In the spirit of cooperation during these difficult times, the (Montclair Police Officers Association) proposed voluntary changes in their current contract, including decrease in salary and benefits."
While there is no definite agreement as of yet, the city should expect to see a potential savings, Camou said.
"We had an informal meeting, and similar to other agencies in the area we would defer our salary increase and agreed to some of the things they offered to propose," she said.
"The MPOA also made recommendations for cuts in police costs that would further impact the financial situation," according to the news release.
"In total, the MPOA presented the city with cuts in police costs that would allow the city of Montclair to see a budget savings of $784,000. This is 12 percent more than required to avoid layoffs."
For the second time this week, city officials and union representatives met Thursday to renegotiate its current contract for reductions in pay and benefits.
The contract doesn't expire until next June.
"An agreement is eminent, and I feel good about the discussion we had today," City Manager Lee McDougal said.
Earlier this week, the Police Department was asked to reduce its budget by $690,000 or face having six officers laid off, McDougal said.
Last week, the union voted not to renegotiate its contract with the city.
On Tuesday, Deborah Camou, president of the Montclair Police Officers Association, said while the Police Department takes great pride in working for Montclair, the union did not feel it was in a position to reenegotiate its contract.
A news release faxed to the Daily Bulletin late Wednesday evening said, "In the spirit of cooperation during these difficult times, the (Montclair Police Officers Association) proposed voluntary changes in their current contract, including decrease in salary and benefits."
While there is no definite agreement as of yet, the city should expect to see a potential savings, Camou said.
"We had an informal meeting, and similar to other agencies in the area we would defer our salary increase and agreed to some of the things they offered to propose," she said.
"The MPOA also made recommendations for cuts in police costs that would further impact the financial situation," according to the news release.
"In total, the MPOA presented the city with cuts in police costs that would allow the city of Montclair to see a budget savings of $784,000. This is 12 percent more than required to avoid layoffs."
The Police Department has to reduce its budget by $690,000 or face having six officers laid off, according to the city manager.
Although the city has implemented hiring freezes, furlough hours and asked employees to take a decrease in pay to help balance the budget, additional cuts to law enforcement need to be made, City Manager Lee McDougal said.
City officials are asking the police union to renegotiate its current contract - which doesn't expire until next June - for reductions in pay and benefits, said Deborah Camou, president of the Montclair Police Association.
The union voted last week not to open its contract.
"The Police Department takes great pride in working for Montclair, and their hard work shows in the product they provide, and we support the city of Montclair during these tough times, but we do not feel we're in a position to open our contract," Camou said.
"We believe the city is focusing too much on resolving their financial crisis with employee cuts because it's an easy way to address it."
Camou also said if the city increased its utility-user tax, it would generate additional money for the city.
The City Council made a commitment to residents to reduce the tax and eventually eliminate it, McDougal said.
If the union doesn't renegotiate its contract, the only viable option is layoffs, he said.
"They're saying cut elsewhere or raise taxes, don't cut us. I feel raising taxes on residents is not fair," McDougal said. "We've cut everywhere else. Every other department has been cut."
In January, law enforcement will receive a 1 percent pay increase and an increase in medical insurance. The city is asking the police union to waive this, the city manager said.
"The chief, deputy chief and two lieutenants have agreed to take up to a 9 percent pay decrease," he said, "and all the managers in the city from me on down have agreed to take a decrease in compensation."
Montclair has the highest number of police officers per 1,000 residents in the area, McDougal said.
Upland, Rialto, Claremont, Chino and Pomona have fewer officers per 1,000 residents than Montclair's 1.7 officers per 1,000.
In July, Montclair police officers received a raise on average of 12 percent while other city employees had a flat $1,700 increase, McDougal said.
The Montclair Police Department is the lowest paid in the Inland Empire, Camou said.
"We're about 25 percent below the average pay in benefit and hourly paid and that seems to be the general figure of all our city employees," she said.
Although the city has implemented hiring freezes, furlough hours and asked employees to take a decrease in pay to help balance the budget, additional cuts to law enforcement need to be made, City Manager Lee McDougal said.
City officials are asking the police union to renegotiate its current contract - which doesn't expire until next June - for reductions in pay and benefits, said Deborah Camou, president of the Montclair Police Association.
The union voted last week not to open its contract.
"The Police Department takes great pride in working for Montclair, and their hard work shows in the product they provide, and we support the city of Montclair during these tough times, but we do not feel we're in a position to open our contract," Camou said.
"We believe the city is focusing too much on resolving their financial crisis with employee cuts because it's an easy way to address it."
Camou also said if the city increased its utility-user tax, it would generate additional money for the city.
The City Council made a commitment to residents to reduce the tax and eventually eliminate it, McDougal said.
If the union doesn't renegotiate its contract, the only viable option is layoffs, he said.
"They're saying cut elsewhere or raise taxes, don't cut us. I feel raising taxes on residents is not fair," McDougal said. "We've cut everywhere else. Every other department has been cut."
In January, law enforcement will receive a 1 percent pay increase and an increase in medical insurance. The city is asking the police union to waive this, the city manager said.
"The chief, deputy chief and two lieutenants have agreed to take up to a 9 percent pay decrease," he said, "and all the managers in the city from me on down have agreed to take a decrease in compensation."
Montclair has the highest number of police officers per 1,000 residents in the area, McDougal said.
Upland, Rialto, Claremont, Chino and Pomona have fewer officers per 1,000 residents than Montclair's 1.7 officers per 1,000.
In July, Montclair police officers received a raise on average of 12 percent while other city employees had a flat $1,700 increase, McDougal said.
The Montclair Police Department is the lowest paid in the Inland Empire, Camou said.
"We're about 25 percent below the average pay in benefit and hourly paid and that seems to be the general figure of all our city employees," she said.
