Recently in Meeting place Category

I wonder if "Rancho Cucamonga" will be uttered on television Sunday during the Super Bowl.

This year's big game has two local connections -- Patrick Chung of the New England Patriots and Terrell Thomas of the New York Giants. Both are from Rancho Cuamonga High School, as mentioned in sports editor Louis Brewster's column this week. Too bad Thomas is injured.

On Wednesday, Mayor Dennis Michael commended the talents of the local athletes.

"I for one am going for the New York Giants," Michael said.

"I'm for the Patriots," Spagnolo said.

"What's the over-under?" wondered Councilman Chuck Buquet.

Again, a council divided.

City Hall staff members recently took down the signs, flags and other adornment hung on a street pole bearing the military banner of Ronnie Pallares. The items were placed there by family and friends to memorialize Pallares, the 19-year-old Army combat engineer who died in Afghanistan in 2010. Since his death, the Haven Avenue street pole has been adorned with flowers, Christmas lights and other sentimental items. The picture at right shows the pole before the items were taken away.

Although Pallares' mother, Brenda Pallares, does not object to the city's actions, Pallares' uncle, grandmother and other relatives are hurt and upset.

On Wednesday, City Council gadfly Jim Moffatt blasted the city for removing the items, which have since been returned to the family.

"He gave his life for the country," Moffatt said. "I don't see any reason for that not to be up."

Moffatt suggested the sentimental decorations remain until the Freedom Courtyard is built. Freedom Courtyard is a planned veterans memorial at Central Park. Construction for the project is expected to begin this summer.

Public Works Services Director Bill Wittkopf said it's a matter of public safety, particularly if the items spill out into the sidewalk or are blown away by high winds. He said memorials can typically be up for no longer than 30 to 45 days.

"The city does not mean any disrespect," Wittkopf said.

Pallares' uncle, Vince Pallares, did not address the council but shouted to Wittkopf from the audience, "If your son dies, I'll give you 30 days to mourn."

Later during the meeting, Councilman Bill Alexander said he would like staff to identify a place in the city where families can go and mourn or honor military personnel until the Freedom Courtyard is built.

"We owe it to those people who served the military, particularly those who paid the ultimate sacrifice," Alexander said. "We can't put a time frame on how long people grieve."

"I don't disagree," said Mayor Dennis Michael and directed the city manager to locate such a site.

Aaron Sandusky, owner of Upland's G3 Holistic, will speak to the Rancho Cucamonga Rotary Club at noon on Feb. 7 at the Etiwanda Gardens.

Medical marijuana cooperative G3 Holistic has been battling to remain open in Upland. The city has been fighting the cooperative, claiming such a business violates its zoning ordinance. Last week, a superior court judge ruled in favor of the dispensary because the case is under review by the state supreme court.     

This week's City Council meeting was adjourned in memory of Vera Alice Arthur. The retired fire inspector died on Jan. 8 from cancer.

"She was one of the sweetest woman you could run across," said Mayor Dennis Michael. "Never do I recall ... did she ever come to work without the most positive attitude."

Vera worked for the fire district from 1975 to 1991, starting as a secretary and eventually becoming fire inspector and investigator. As secretary before the age of computers, Vera would transcribe field notes and type them into reports without ever using white-out. She was 74 years old.

Today is marathon meeting today. From now until about 4 p.m., the City Council and department heads will be talking about the demise of the redevelopment agency, how to work better as a team, what's in store for 2012 and economic/political issues beyond Rancho Cucamonga.

It's lonely here. Like always, I am the only non-City Hall person here listening. Where's gadfly John Lyons?

I'll be here by myself typing my observations all day. You can follow me on Twitter.


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Tomorrow, the City Council will work on consensus building at 8:30 a.m. during a special meeting at Victoria Gardens Cultural Center. This meeting takes place twice a year and is led by consultant Bill Mathis.

After lunch, there will be a discussion on 2012 goals and the future of the redevelopment agency. The city is expected to name itself a successor agency after a state supreme court ruled to abolish redevelopment agencies in California.

The first meeting of the year for Rancho Cucamonga Woman's Club will be on Jan. 11 at the Alta Laguna Mobile Home Park clubhouse, 10210 Base Line Road. Cucamonga Valley Water District board member Kathy Tiegs, who was named Woman of the Year by Assemblyman Mike Morrell, will be guest speaker. Lunch is $8. To RSVP, call Diane at 909-941-7822.

The woman's club meets on the second Wednesday from September through May.