Meeting place: February 2012 Archives

The Inland Valley Democratic Club will have an endorsement meeting for the upcoming elections for the 31st and 35th congressional districts. The group -- which serves Rancho Cucamonga, Montclair, Upland and Ontario -- will meet 7 p.m. Tuesday at Lions Center East, 9161 Base Line Road.

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.