Fiscalini Field deal set aside; Johnson defends Delmann Heights Park

I think that Rikke is in denial or is just not being honest. I wouldn't want to hang out at Delman Heights Park even if I could carry a gun legally. Atleast at Perris Hill Park you have the Police gun range, which causes Officers to be in the area more frequently than they would be at Delman Heights Park. Perris Hill Park is also on a more traveled street. To be quite honest, the city of San Bernardino doesn't have any nice, safe parks. They only seem safe if you have lived in the area for awhile and you are now conditioned to your surroundings.

"Realistic," do you happen to keep your head shaved?

Realistic said it all. The parks are worn out and grass bare with locked or vandalized restrooms. The more important thing the city and Mr Johnson needs to look at is that most city citizens have the PERCEPTION that the parks in this city are NOT SAFE. That's all it takes to have people not want to go there. I personally do not believe any of our parks are safe expect maybe some of the small ones in Verdemont, the rest have homeless and rough looking young people loitering about. They are down right scary to even drive by. So get a clue Mr Johnson and get out of the denial mode, that's the problem with City hall and most of the council.

Realistic said it all. The parks are worn out and grass bare with locked or vandalized restrooms. The more important thing the city and Mr Johnson needs to look at is that most city citizens have the PERCEPTION that the parks in this city are NOT SAFE. That's all it takes to have people not want to go there. I personally do not believe any of our parks are safe expect maybe some of the small ones in Verdemont, the rest have homeless and rough looking young people loitering about. They are down right scary to even drive by. So get a clue Mr Johnson and get out of the denial mode, that's the problem with City hall and most of the council.

Realistic said it all. The parks are worn out and grass bare with locked or vandalized restrooms. The more important thing the city and Mr Johnson needs to look at is that most city citizens have the PERCEPTION that the parks in this city are NOT SAFE. That's all it takes to have people not want to go there. I personally do not believe any of our parks are safe expect maybe some of the small ones in Verdemont, the rest have homeless and rough looking young people loitering about. They are down right scary to even drive by. So get a clue Mr Johnson and get out of the denial mode, that's the problem with City hall and most of the council.

"The parks on the Westside are very good, and if they don't want to use the parks in our city, they can find another city," Johnson said.

ARE YOU KIDDING? Our government at work in San Bernardino! Well Mr Van JOhnson, that's just what the citizens are doing, finding another city to live in. Pretty soon you will only have illegals and welfare recipients left.

YOU SHOULD BE THROWN OUT OF OFFICE BY YOUR WARD WITH THAT ATTITUDE.

When I read the article the first thing I thought was "Rikke is delusional" - then I read the comments here and thought about Anonymous' statement regarding Realistic's comments, and my own thoughts. I am not racist - and that is what I took from Anonymous' comment.....but there is no way I would let my child play ball at Delmann Heights Park - these games and practices sometimes run into twilight hours. Rikke sat at a council meeting less than a month ago bemoaning the fact that someone broke into the rec center there before the cameras were installed.
The fact is that few places in San Bernardino are safe after dark.....especially any of the parks. It's a simple fact.

Serenah -
Your scenario is based on assumptions that generally aren't practical in this city - and are not exclusive to any geographic portion of this city.

You are assuming that "Daddy" is going to give a sh*t when you show up at his door with Junior in tow, assuming that Junior hasn't run off or knifed you. You are assuming that "Daddy" is still around - if he ever was. Mommy is most likely off doing her own thing, not worrying about what trouble Junior is in.

If Mommy and Daddy aren't going to parent Junior that is their problem - I'm not going to, and society shouldn't have to either. It's the 21st century and Mommy needs to figure out that she doesn't want to be a mother and take care of it before conception.

I do not care to waste my time or tax dollars on parenting or babysitting these generational welfare recepients. Welfare was created as a stop-gap measure for people in need - not these "baby mamas" that populate the Maury Povich show for free DNA testing.

As for the parks (and everything else) - if the city leaders would wake up and fire the current department heads - you know the ones that are generating all of the lawsuits - and hire compentent management then the parks, potholes, lights, trees, you fill in the blank, would not look like cr*p.

Our tax dollars are being wasted on Operation Phoenix block parties, lawsuits, and the Police Department's promotion before retirement scheme. Once we have these things under control we can look at "politically correct" methods of trying to save the "misguided" youth of this city. Until then the police dragging Junior to Juvie Hall is the best we can do. Supress them into submission (or better behavior).

Serenah,

I agree that we should be helping those less fortunate then ourselves. We should have programs that help those that need a second start and stop hating because of class. We need to help our neighbors, not try to run them out.

But do you realize that, in my opinion, the very Mayoral administration you continue to harp on holds these same values and is trying to accomplish just that.

Honestly, the post by "wondering" could easily have come from McCammack, Penman or Derry. McCammack repeatedly has said it is not the City's job to help the homeless or provide, as she calls it, "free babysitting" to those she deems not worthy. Penman wrote an official letter telling a resident that had been displaced because of a fire that if he didn't like what the City was doing "he should go back to Mexico." All three hold those views and don't support any programs that have a "social" aspect to them. You should really know who you are championing and who you are dissing. Please don't respond back with name calling...I am truly in belief of the same values as you and want you to see the entire picture. Those people don't want to help our residents, they want to run them out and just keep those that look like them: white, middle upper class, and republican. Listen to what they say, read the minutes from past Council Meetings, you'll see for yourself.

Why doesn't Rikke Van Johnson contact the SB baseball league members to find out exactly what the issue is with the Westside parks. Then he can address specific issues rather than making a vague response that the Westside parks are "very good". With some real dialogue, he might be able to take some action to address the concerns rather than telling them to go to another city. Work together rather than taking the rejection personally and acting like a 5 year old.

Besides the field at the Little League headquaters, Fiscalini is the best field in the city for baseball so why wouldn't the city leagues want to fight to stay there? Cal State has plenty of room to create a baseball field to their own specifications and needs.

I'm not racist or against down and out people. But I am against people that do not take responsibility for themselves. People that continue to have children they cannot afford to raise (I could only afford two even tho I would have liked more) and put their hands out for more "help". These are not only blacks, but all races. The reason I mention illegals is because I believe if they all went home, then their 12 million jobs would have to be given to Americans. That would fix the unemployment rate wouldn't it? Right now illegals are modern day slaves. We pay them almost nothing because we can. How is that moral or right? If they went home, then employers would have to pay more for the same jobs. The south said they couldn't afford to keep their economy going if slavery wasn't doing their dirty jobs, but, hey, they adjusted and actually started paying people. We will adjust too. Sure it will cost more to have our lawns mowed, but the people doing it will make more money to live on. I"m sorry that the illegals chose to break our laws and come here. It sucks to be them. But the law is the law and it's lawbreakers that are bringing our community down. I'm sorry for their kids that don't fit in because of language and culture and that they turn to gangs, but sorry doesn't fit things.

Rikke's remarks are ethnocentric, a trait most of us have. Unfortunate that he blurted out his comments in the manner he did.

Agree with Red County Mom's point.

I've done the single mom thing but because I went to college and had marketable job skills I was not afforded the opportunity to sit at home with my kid.
I am a firm believer in the old adage "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime. "
There are lots of social programs run by reputable organizations that have been around forever that can address the need for social programs in the City of San Bernardino. Our city government should not be involved in this - leave it to the chartiable 'professionals'.
If the city would get out of the social program business and focus on the city infrustructure we could lure more homewoners who would bolster the neighborhoods overwhelmed with foreclosures - adding to the city's coffers with much needed property tax revenue.
Anyone that has lived in San Bernardino will eventually run across the government funded stay-at-home moms; I've witnessed one at the nail salon - children running out of control everywhere, she's on the phone arguing that she is going to spend the money on a weave, and he'd better send money if he wants his kids to eat. I live near others; they don't watch their kids - they are smoking weed on the front lawn.
At some point they have to be responsible for themselves and their children.
I've volunteered with organizations that help the less fortunate; after being subjected their expectations of "gimme, gimme, gimme" I've altered my view of how social programs should work. When they stand-up and show that they want to work toward bettering themselves I will be the first person there to help them but until they do that I do not believe that we can help them - until they want to help themselves.

To Serenah,
Oh please, break out the violins!!

That attitude is exactly what is wrong with this city! You have so many court records to sift through BECAUSE there are SO many BAD PARENTS in this city!! Trust me, I am in no way a proponent of Operation Phoenix. I am the first one to say it should be dumped, however I am so sick and tired of hearing how every family here is a "victim" of the city or society as a whole. What is the alternative to the horrible "checking" on families? Just ignore the possibility that children are being abused? Instead of standing on your soap box, why don't you go on a ride-along with a cop and see the squalor that some of these children live in? Since you don't trust the SBPD, try riding along with any other agency that comes across these situations on a daily basis? Cockroach-infested, filthy trash-ridden places these poor kids call "home" while mommy has her 2 inch nails done at the salon down the street and daddy is off just "chillin" with his "boys" or (more commonly) in prison or simply "unknown".

For a while there I actually thought that some of your posts made sense until you threw it all down the toilet with your "bleeding-heart rhetoric". Take off your rose-colored glasses and take a real good look at the demise of what was once a fine city. The root of the problem in this city is that it is currently being run by a mayor who has the same "let's help our brothers and sisters" attitude that you have!

The Police Dept. has far better things to do than worry about "alternative style" teens. That's just pure hogwash. This city is so ridden with shootings, stabbings and violence at any given time of the day, that those non-conformist teens you speak of don't even raise an eyebrow in this town. Give it a rest.

I must say that I absolutely do agree with you on the state of the so-called "non-profits". Something needs to be done to monitor and police these rackets. Part of the answer? Quit giving to "non-profits" unless you are certain that the money is going to whatever cause they are claiming to assist.

Serenah,

I have read your rants on this blog so many times but never commented on any of them until today. Your "it takes a village" comments on illegal immigrants and welfare recipients prompted me to write.

"Hire one to clean my yard?" No need to since my yard is clean enough, thanks. It's called pride in ownership. And would I be ready at a moment's notice for Department of Children's Services to come to my home unexpectedly? I certainly believe so. All they would find is a clean but modest home stocked with nutritious food and kids who may not have all the latest material gadgets that they would like but certianly have everything they need.

As for welfare recipients, you are fooling yourself to believe that a good number are dishonest, which in turns hurts those who really need it. I see women pulling as much as $300 using the EBT card and the next thing I know they are buying lottery tickets, junk food, cigarettes and beer! And this is not an occassional occurrence, I've seen it more times than I can count living in San Bernardino. I believe the commenter who saw the woman paying for her weave with welfare money and letting her kids go hungry, I wouldn't dream of having my hair done if it meant my kids wouldn't have food. I have never accepted handouts from the government despite the fact that my family lives in a one-income household. I can already hear people wondering: "Well why don't both parents work?" Stop for a moment and think whether perhaps I was "downsized" or that I do part-time seasonal work when I can. Either way, I clip coupons, keep an eye out for sales and stretch my family's food budget so we can have enough money to pay utility bills and for my spouse to buy gas to go to work while I take care of the home and kids. And we do without the things that we might like but don't really need. I carefully account for every hard-earned penny trying to care for my family so pardon me for nto having enough to "give away to others" who CHOOSE not to work or to come here ILLEGALLY. If these illegals choose to come here knowing the risks and not follow the rules, how is that my problem to solve? The point is, THEY ARE IN THE POSIION THEY ARE IN NOW AS A RESULT OF THE CHOICES THEY'VE MADE, the same with the people who are on welfare. I too, am in the position I am in as a result of choices I've made, the difference is, I am holding myself accountable for my actions and not looking to the government to bail me out.

I am no fan of "Soft-On-Crime" Morris and will be happy to sign a recall petition but I doubt he will be re-elcted if he runs again. As far as Operation Phoenix goes, it is and always has been a joke as far as I can see, I don't appreciate my taxpayer money funding block parties for one small area while crime remains rampant in the rest of the city. It's not only ineffective, it has allowed inept leaders to run amok, molest children, and let more than a few snakes in the door. But as far the "sale of children" goes, you are the only person I have ever heard referring to anything like that and your rants sound extremely angry and personal and I have to wonder why. OP has plenty of problems and should be shut down but not because children have "been sold."

You claim to be writing a book too, on all that is happening in this city. I certainly hope it gets published as I would be interested to read it and see what publishing house is willing to publish it with some of the claims you have made. No doubt you have the proof to back up all of these allegations but if so, why hasn't the Sun been eager to run a story about all this human trafficking in our city?? I'm a daily reader of the paper and this blog so I would think such a huge story would get major play in The Sun if it's true. Robert Rogers is a good thorough reporter so I believe if your story had merit he would do all in his power to write it. So why hasn't it run?

Lastly, I agree with the anonymous person who thought you might start name-calling. I've read some of the inappropriate comments you've made in ealrier postings, even going so far as to refer to the size another commenters' gentalia simpy because they disagreed with you. So I am not surprised someone would think you'd do it again. Not only was that highly innappropriate and immature, it had absolutely nothing to do with the issue at hand and the serious discourse takign place. It turned me and I'm sure other readers off from whatever point you were trying to make and in turn, reduces your credibility.

So go ahead. Do your worst.

To Jenara:

BRAVO, BRAVO!! Couldn't have said it better!!!

Serenah,

It's funny that you criticize people for judging others, something you do yourself when someone disagrees with you. You don't know me personally so to say I have no tolerance for people who are "different from me" is simply innaccurate. The truth is, I have no tolerance for people who break the law and defraud the welfare system.

In my own words: "As for welfare recipients, you are fooling yourself to believe that a good number are dishonest, which in turns hurts those who really need it." I meant to write "aren't dishonest." This means obviously there are those who need it and the people who defraud the system hurt those people who depend on it by doing so. My grandmother was one of those people, she was forced to go on welfare after my grandfather died unexpectedly and she was left with seven children to raise alone. But once my mother and her sisters were old enough to work, (junior high age,) she and my aunts cleaned houses for a living and got off the welfare system after two years.

I won't be phoning someone I know only from the Internet as I prefer to limit my contact to the discourse on this blog but if you have the proof that Operation Phoenix is linked to human trafficking as you say you do, then post the link to the videos. I'd be interested to see them. But I have to wonder, why hasn't the Sun jumped on this story if you have incontrovertible proof?

Despite the fact that you deem someone as less than deserving of respect due to their not having: "a single patriotic bone in their body and was only interested in suppressing the truth," that person still has the right to comment. As for name-calling, I stand by my statement that crass insults are not only unnecessary but they serve no real purpose and are typically the refuge of the less-than-intelligent. And we are all intelligent people here, are we not?

I leave you with the following quote that is attributed to French humanist Evelyn Beatrice Hall, while writing under a pseudonym: "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it."
Hall's inspiration was the philosopher Voltaire who himself expressed the same: "Think for yourselves and let others enjoy the privilege to do so, too."

To Serenah:

Every tax paying citizen is footing the bill for your so-called "Needy". The problem is that they keep "needing" more and more!

Why don't you open up a "Serenah's House for the Needy" and get these "Will Work for Food" losers off of every busy street corner, off-ramp and on-ramp?? I am sick and tired of being panhandled by the "Needy" at every store and parking lot in this city. My wife was nearly accosted while simply shopping at the local market in town. We now shop in another nearby city that doesn't have panhandlers roaming at every corner. Charity begins at home. This City needs to take care of it's businesses, without them the City is doomed. The homeless, transients and panhandlers scare customers from doing business in this city and therefore the City's revenue suffers. When the revenue stops, the city is unable to help anyone, including your precious "needy". Very simple.

Serenah.

Ah yes, nothing incites true patriotism like someone making a rude comment on the size of someone'se else's gentalia. Honestly, you seem more concerned that I called you out on that innappropriate behavior than you are in responding to my questions.

You trumpet your right to comment and act as defender of the "downtrodden." I agree. If you read the last few lines of my earlier post, I made this clear. What you conveniently seem to forget is that others have the right to comment as well, EVEN IF THEIR VIEWS ARE DIFFERENT FROM YOURS. And as I said earlier, name-calling is juvenile and a waste of time and reduces credibility. I did, however, get a laugh when you demanded an apology from me for expressing my opinion when you refuse to apologize for disrespecting someone else who also has every right to comment. I have nothing to apologize for.

Best of luck with your book, I hope whatever publishing house is lucky enough to receive it troubleshoots it properly. Otherwise, you might be looking at a libel suit.

In all of your responses to me, you said nothing related at all to the human trafficking you say is going on or convinced me that is is even happening. Nothing. I also thought it was odd that someone would have to be "screened" before they watch a video. You say you are an advocate who works 60-plus hours but you spend so much time commenting on this blog, how do you find the time?

If its a real story then the paper would cover it, I fully trust Robert Rogers is such a thorough and honest reporter I truly believe he would never "look the other way." So I question why they haven't run a major story like this when your proof is supposedly so ironclad.

I've enjoyed our debate but as for investigating your theories I'll have to decline as I have little interest or time to do so. I guess I am not as skilled at time management as you seem to be with you 60-plus work hours and saving the downtrodden. As it is, I am already running behind schedule due to our discussion. I have other priorities that leave me with limited free time, children to raise, a relationship with my husband, a home to care for and am in the middle of a job search. And as for calling the paper on your behalf or researching your allegations, it isn't my responsibility to get a story you are pushing to run in the paper.

Needless to say, I will not be taking up your cause.

Jenara:
Why aren't you tending to your household, instead of playing on the Internet all day? WOW! So, maybe CPS should come see your kids, right?

WOW, & right during the hours kids come home from school needing snacks and help with homework....OOOOOOOOO!

To Serenah,

If it is a story, I hope it gets covered. I will promise you this, I'll try to find the story you are referring to but it will have to be another time. And if I am "full of hot air" because I won't take up your cause, so be it.

To Anonymous,

Learn your math. A couple of hours is not "all day." I go on the Internet to read this blog and to manage my finances, which is technically "tending to my household." Thanks for being so concerned about my family! Have a great day!

Serenah,

Infuriating? Just because someone makes an unflattering comment about me on the Internet? Hardly. Someone anonymously attacking me personally in a way that doesn't even make sense does not make my comments any less true or reduce my credibility in any way. If you believe you are doing the right thing, by all means continue. But do not expect others to always share your views.

To Serenah:

You claim to be patriotic right? Patriotism begins by adhering to our laws right? Panhandling is a crime right? Therefore these "downtrodden" that are panhandling are criminals right? Don't you get it? When a city is so ridden with hobos and panhandlers, it scares away business!! Joe Consumer and his family will go elsewhere to do business if he/she perceives the area as undesirable. When that happens, over time, a city becomes exactly what San Bernardino has become - an urban ghetto!! A healthy city can assist it's "impoverished" much more effectively than a city that can't even keep it's business revenue. Therefore, we need to clean up the streets of these beggars so that more consumers will do business in this city. What part do you not understand?

To Serenah,

I'm sorry but your "attacks" on Jenara make me laugh. I can't believe that you are so juvenile and naive!! No wonder no one actually takes you seriously!!

A crime is a crime is a crime............

No one's IP address is visible to anyone except the blog adminnistrator, especially on this type of blog.

aaaa

Anon
That depends on a lot of factors.

I'm not too worried about it.

I understand your criticism of nonprofits, because there are some really bad ones out there that are scamming the system. People that give money should look into the nonprofit before doing so. That's why I never give cash to those out front of the grocery store that I have never heard of. Yes, they can buy a cadillac when a economy car will do because they don't have a real board, just friends that ok everything. But this blog is about our city and what it is doing, not all the dishonest nonprofits. IT's called "SBNOW", remember? Everytime a new mayor comes into this town, it's time to redecorate their office and buy new furniture. Does anyone remember how Morris made a big deal about a Prias (not sure of spelling) for his city car? Well less than a year into it, he traded it for a full size SUV. Funny, the paper didn't print that. The Sun is the only organization in this city powerful enough to actually make a difference in this town. Dig deep and write the expose! Uncover the coruption and lies. If you look, I guarentee they will be there. I hope when the article being worked on the Fire Department tells it like it is. If not, well then we are sunk. When doing research for the piece, ask someone in the Fire Dept about a sceme to put a second story on a Fire station by Paying Firemen OVERTIME! If they deny it, dig deeper because it is happening. Corruption, cronyism and crooked Unions run this town.

The city parks are in need of help. It doesn't really matter what part of the city you are in. The department is grossly underfunded but in light of the events of the past few months I still wonder what the department is doing to improve our parks and recreation programs. The brochure they hand out is out of date and no wonder there really are few activities to choose from. A few years back the sports programs were active and pretty much year long. Try calling the department and ask what they offer, basketball for 4 to 7 year olds. That's it. And what about Operation Phoenix. After the the Mike Miller story broke we heard from Curtis Brown. What has been done at the Phoenix Centers since that feel good article? We need a follow up. Have services improved are safeguards in place? Are kids even participating in the program? Since most of the Operation Phoenix employees were let go by Kevin Hawkins has he replaced those employees? Let's hear about the changes he made and what he's done since July when it all fell apart. And what about Fiscalini and CSUSB? They were to make improvements but at what cost to the citizens of San Bernardino? Do groups that use Fiscalini pay a fee for that use? Does it equal the amount that CSUSB wanted to pay? And why is the scoreboard and press box in such disrepair? Why hasn't it been addressed before. People don't want to pay fees to use services when they don't see their money at work. You have to pay a fee to guarantee use of a picnic shelter. Who wants to pay when the area is dirty, trash cans full and overflowing and then be told not only do you have to pay a fee you have to haul away your own trash and they charge you a damage and cleanup deposit. In the state the parks are in how do they know if I caused the damage or someone in the middle of the night? That department needs help, City Manager on duty or not. Someone needs to intervene and fast.

Check out the Mayor's car...he does not have a City SUV...sorry Serenah but you can check it out with the City for yourself..

It has been WIDELY publicized that the Mayor drives a burgundy Prius - it's gas efficient.....it has been mentioned in lots of newspaper articles (too many in my opinion, I don't care if he is green.....just like Neil and his solar panels).

Parks has no money for maintenance or programs. Why have another program like OP when you can't maintain the parks and rec program?????????? Or the rec centers or the city buildings for that matter.

To Serenah,

Instead of turning every story on this blog into a story that you want to "uncover", why don't you collaborate with Mr. Rogers or Mr. Andrews to start your own story on the injustices that you continue to speak of?

Journalism 101 will tell you to "stick to the story" and don't go off on other subjects. Concerned citizens come here to voice their opinions on the story in the subject line, not about your rantings of SUVs or the DCFS. Quit turning every story into your story. Since you have such a "blockbuster" of a story, I am sure that the SUN would love to post it here or even on the front page, right?

To Mr. Rogers or Mr. Andrews,

Can you please explain to us, your avid readers, WHY you have not run Serenah's Blockbuster story? Why have you not given her a headline here? Can you PLEASE run it so that she quits turning every story on this blog into "Serenah's Story"?

Please clear this up for us, we would all like to know.

To Mr. Andrews,

Can you please elaborate more on what the "talks" were about regarding Fiscalini Field? What issues did either side have regarding Cal State using it as their home field? Were Councilman Van Johnson's remarks a consideration as to why they will be putting this off until a possible later date?

My apologies, I keep referring to Mr Edwards as Mr Andrews!! My mistake. Sorry.

Mr. Marrs,

The city (particularly Parks and Rec chief Kevin Hawkins) and Cal State were in negotiations to use Fiscalini as the Coyotes' home field.

Cal State currently uses Arrowhead Credit Union Park. The Fiscalini deal would have allowed Cal State to use the field for 10 years in exchange for a $17,500 annual lease payment and several improvements to the stadium, such as a new outfield fence and rebuilding the press box.

The deal would have made Cal State the primary user of the stadium. Ballplayers from San Bernardino Adult Baseball and Pony Baseball objected to the possibility of losing Fiscalini. Basically, they said they wanted the city to ensure that if Cal State can have Fiscalini, the university would accomodate the recreational leagues.

The recreational leagues did not want to use Delmann Heights, citing potential crime on the Westside. Hawkins' view was that having more activity at Delmann would be good for the Westside park.

The deal first went to the City Council in early August, but the council held off a decision after the rec leagues registered their objections. Cal State atheletic director Kevin Hatcher said last week that the delay prevented him from scheduling fall scrimmages this year so the deal was set aside.

The possibility remains that Cal State and the city could pursue a similar for the 2009-10 school year.

So many people on this blog criticize public officials. But I ask this, are you any of you willing to run for office and be constantly be subjected to this type of daily scrutiny?

The only person commenting on this blog - aside from present city council people - who has had the onions to actually put his money where his mouth is and run for office is Joseph Turner.

At least he tried to do something instead of just whining on a blog.

Serennah, all I can say, is that I directly relate to the corruption within adoption and child protection, even though I live in the UK.

Tony Blair, in a moment of utter madness, became enamoured with Clinton's Child Protection policies, and instigated a copy cat version in the UK.

He introduced central government finance, as a means of promoting adoption, and cash always corrupts a system. Local authorities began "snatching" babies within 10 minutes of birth, mothers began to flee the UK, utter pandemonium broke out.

Earlier this year, we had Blair's adoption targets/funds from Government revoked due to mass outcry. But the corruption by child professionals continues as they operate in total secrecy - this is unacceptable in any democracy, and I find it even harder to comprehend that this policy started in America.

So, as of Sept 2008, we asked for the Council of Europe to launch an Inquiry into why mothers are fleeing the UK, due to be being persecuted by child protection. Our social workers are making up false claims of mental health problems, Low IQ, Dyslexia, eating disorders and the ubiquitous Münchhausen's Syndrome by Proxy to take babies at birth. At the moment, Swedish and Irish doctors are finding that there is nothing wrong with the mothers being persecuted out of the UK - hence Europe is stepping in to the fight.

If we break through, we'll be back with the blueprint to help those parents in the US, fight their appalling system.

We too have massive issues with active paedophiles, just google for "jersey care home scandal". Just so you know what happened next, I laugh as I say this, a law suit was issued, in the High Court in London, against Jack Straw, our Minister of Justice and our Lord Chancellor for not maintaining the rule of law, and allowing paedophiles to take control of children's homes.

European Convention overrules UK law, so we're fighting with the ECHR, the High Court and the Council of Europe.

I understand, recognise and have empathy with the gagging of parents, we suffer it too. It has to be broken. Social workers and police offers must be made accountable for what they do.

The Times have recently backed us, with a week long campaign against the Secret Courts, so I hear you, and I understand the corruption of officials that you find, as it's standard in any closed or secret court system.

The Times and all forms of media publicity will help you get the message through.

Keep fighting. as when Europe dismantles Blair's adoption policies, that will form the basis for dismantling the rampant corruption in the US secret courts.

Many families groups campaign together under an umbrella organisation, that brings together mothers, fathers and grandparents to fight malpractice by social workers.
And we're supporting you all the way.
Keep researching, writing and campaigning. When this issue blows, and it will within the next 5 years, the public will not believe what social workers, child protection, police, local officers have done to hide the truth, and they will be so angry.

Serenah,

Here's some links to the Times Campaign - the UK suffers exactly the same as the lies, perjury, gagging orders, arrogance from US child protection.

Camilla Cavendish - The Times
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/camilla_cavendish/article4271773.ece

The stories began to pour in. People left messages on my answering machine saying that the system was rotten but that they dared not speak out, because they had managed to get their children back. Some had taken a sick child to hospital, only to be accused of physical abuse. Some had been accused of “emotional abuse”, a category that has no definition in British law but which has jumped 50 per cent in the past tenyears as a reason for taking children into care. Quite a number had complained about their local authority, for letting them down over special-needs education, for example, only to find themselves in turn accused of neglect. One woman in Sheffield sobbed that her two autistic sons had been robbed of their mother, as well as the care they needed, because she was accused of making up their symptoms.

You might want to contact the US Times, as Camilla has started a precedent, that due to enormous success in the UK, the US might want to emulate.

Good Luck. We'll be supporting you from the UK.

test

I really wish that the comments on here would be related to the subject. If the continuous bickering goes on between certain people I think that a lot of people will not continue to read the blog and miss out on some good information. Can we all be adults and not turn this forum into personal responses to each posted comment?

I wish people would stay on track here and quit going off on rants. I am an anonymous poster because I fear the current City Hall manangement. I know how vindictive they are and have watched as they systematicly get rid of people that question their authority. So I will remain anonymous and hope that the Sun has the integrety to keep our info confidential. Please assure us of that?

I feel exactly the same way, I'd like to stay on track in these forums. But every time I log on to read about Fiscalini Field or Billdt or Mayor Morris someone inevitably turns the conversation to something about DFCS - even when the story posted has to do with a park! It is very frustrating. I used to read this blog every day but certain people keep going on rants that have absolutely nothing to do with the story posted and turn this blog into their own personal soap box. Before I know it the whole thing has blown up into personal vendettas or multiple entries saying the exact same thing over and over, which is just rude. Is there a way to put someone's comments on ignore so that I don't have to see them and I can read only the comments that have to do with the matter at hand? Is there a blog webmaster or editor I can lodge a complaint with?

I appreciate the fact the Sun has created this wonderful blog and the reporters keep it updated quite well. I'd hate to miss out on hearing constructive thoughts of others but if this type of thing keeps occurring, I will not be reading this blog anymore.

This blog is not about you. That's why it's called SB NOW.

Mr. Rogers or Mr. Edwards,

Is there a blog moderator or someone who can help keep the conversation pertinent to the topic posted and keep people from posting the same comments multiple times? I don't understand why someone would post the same comment over and over. If not, is there someone I can complain to about this? It doesn't seem like the other Sun blogs have this problem, just SB Now.

Andrew and I will never reveal anyone's name if they wish to remain anonymous.

We don't burn sources/readers.

Thank you,

Robert Rogers

Generally, we prefer not to censor anyone.

Thank you,

Robert Rogers

Robert,

I do enjoy your blog I guess I'll have to stop reading since it is getting bogged down in certain people's personal nonsense. I only have a limited time to read the paper, even online, and don't have the time to wade through all of the nonsense when I am trying to keep abreast of serious issues.

Thanks for the reply.

To Susan Purtee,

I'm so delighted to read what you've said. Once people start to talk honestly about the system, innate corruption, how social workers misled the police, we realise how corrupt the system is.

A UK care home, on average recieves fees of £2,500 per child, per week, that's $5,000 dollars a week. That's FOUR times the price of Eton, an elite boarding school.
So send the children to boarding school, rather than a care home, which depending on the length of care will receive £1 - £2 MILLION STERLING of central Government funding per child, or up to $4 million. It's more lucrative than oil, hence the problems with corruption.

We found that when "The Times" began to campaign against child protection, so many social workers began to speak out.

These are some of the things, similar to what you've just said, that Directors of Social Services were reporting to "The Times".
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/camilla_cavendish/article4346958.ece

Bill McKittrick, a social worker for 35 years and director of Bristol Social Services for ten, wrote to say that openness is a moral imperative in care proceedings where, he tells me, “lawyers get rich, social workers check and check, but children and parents get lost”. He says that “groupthink” can easily take hold. “The more people involved in a decision, the more dangerous the decisions are.” But he still thinks that mature professionals would get a better press if they gave their side of the story, being honest about the uncertainties involved in decisions, rather than trotting out the mantra of “never apologise, never explain”.

http://143.252.148.161/tol/comment/columnists/camilla_cavendish/article4288255.ece
I wrote yesterday about my gradual realisation that the child protection system is a sort of secret state. Many social workers, psychiatrists and judges are doing their best to help families. But given their power to tear families apart, the lack of accountability is astonishing.

Until this case I had tended to be sceptical about the claims that the Government’s targets for adoption were leading to miscarriages of justice. I still feel that ministers were right to want to speed up adoption and to release more children more quickly from the hell of care. But I have now started to take more seriously the argument that these targets have created a perverse incentive for local authorities to take more babies into care. Babies are, after all, more attractive to prospective adopters than older children and therefore an easy way to reach those targets. In Janie and John’s case, you do have to wonder why the authorities have rushed to take away a healthy baby, when they did not take away a disabled one.

Janie’s case seems to me to make a strong argument for introducing juries. Why is a burglar facing six months in jail allowed to ask for a jury trial, but a mother facing the irretrievable loss of her only child is not? Mistakes will always be made when the ordinary, imperfect citizen is judged by the imperfect and powerful. Personally, I would rather face 12 men good and true.

So Serenah - we hear you about secrecy, corruption, and the now clear need to make social workers, police and judges accountable for what they do.

This is as true for Operation Phoenix, the UK, Canada, and Australia. Most countries are waiting for the UK to be be the first to break through, but we aim to pull everyone else with us - and that includes you Serenah.

Eat This posted this on Topix regarding The Meridiens - it fits.....

ARGH!!!! What the hell? Is this what you resort to in San Bernardino now? You don't know how to fix the problem, so you tear it down?

Is this a plan to GRAB MORE GOVENRMENT MONEY BY QUICKLY "RELOCATING" PEOPLE INTO FORECLOSED HOMES THAT YOU DEEM SECTION 8?

YOU ARE MAKING IT CLEAR TO THE CRIMINALS AND THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE NO RESPECT FOR ANYTHING THAT IF THEY TREAT EVERYTHING AS DISPOSABLE AND THEN COMPLAIN, YOU WILL REWARD THEM WITH MONEY AND A NEW PLACE TO LIVE AND REPEAT THE DISPOSABLE ATTITUDE ....AND THEN THE CITY WILL REPEAT THE IDIOT MOVE OF REWARDING THEM, YET AGAIN.

MY HOUSE NEEDS WORK. CAN I COMPLAIN TO YOU AND GET A NEW HOUSE?? HELL NO, I HAVE TO WORK MY **** OFF AND GET IT MYSELF AND UNTIL I CAN AFFORD TO FIX OR CHANGE ANYTHING I MUST EARN THE MONEY, MYSELF!

How bout you call this plan:
"CRIME PAYS"

HERE'S AN IDEA:

HOW BOUT THE PEOPLE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD LOOK AT THEIR KIDS AND FELLOW FAMILY MEMBERS AND HAVE A LITTLE CHAT ABOUT HOW THEY ARE RUINING THE NEIGHBORHOOD WITH CRIME AND GRAFFITTI. DUH!

IF THEY WOULD ALL STEP OUTSIDE, CLEAN UP THE TRASH AND HAVE RESPECT FOR AT LEAST THE PLACE THEY LIVE, MAYBE, JUST MAYBE, THINGS WILL IMPROVE.

TOP TEN THINGS RIKKI CAN TEACH:
1. TAKE THE TRASH TO THE DUMPSTER AT LEAST THREE TIMES PER WEEK, MAYBE MORE; AND PUT IT IN THE DUMPSTER, NOT NEXT TO THE DUMPSTER SO COCKROACHES WILL NOT COME LIVE IN YOUR HOME.

2. WHEN YOU SMOKE, USE AN ASHTRAY INSTEAD OF THE GROUND OR THE CARPET.

3. CLEAN YOUR BATHROOM SO THE MOLD DOES NOT START GROWING AND TURN TO BLACK MOLD AND THEN CAUSE DAMAGE TO YOUR HOME.

4. EXPLAIN TO YOUR KIDS THAT GRAFFITTI CLEANUP IS TAKING MONEY OUT OF THE SYSTEM THAT COULD HELP FAMLIES IN NEED. IT'S LIKE YOU ARE TAKING FOOD AND MILK AWAY FROM THE BABIES.

5. DRESSING IN GANG ATTIRE AND ACTING LIKE A GANG BANGER JUST TO BE COOL WILL GET YOU NO RESPECT OR A GOOD JOB IN THE REAL WORLD.

6. STOP CRYING, "HELP ME", START CHANTING, "I CAN DO IT, I AM SMART, I WILL NOT LET THE POLITICIANS KEEP ME DOWN SO THEY CAN GET MORE MONEY."

7. I WILL MAKE MY KIDS GO TO SCHOOL AND BE BETTER THAN ME.

8. IF I CANNOT AFFORD IT, I WILL NOT BUY IT ON CREDIT AND I WILL NOT STEAL IT, I WILL BE AN HONORABLE PERSON. A ROLE MODEL FOR MY KIDS.

9. I WILL STOP LISTENING AND SURROUNDING MYSELF WITH NEGATIVE INFLUENCES THAT ARE LAZY AND THINK THAT I AM NO BETTER THAN THEM.

10. I WILL STOP ACTING LIKE THE WORLD IS AGAINST ME. IT'S NOT. I HAVE BEEN AGAINST THE WORLD.

AND ONE MORE FOR THE ROAD:

11. WHEN DID I BECOME A SUBJECT OF THE POLITICIANS AND WHEN DID I START LETTING THEM "TAKE CARE OF ME AND RUN MY LIFE AND KNOW ALL OF MY PERSONAL IFORMATION? I AM NOT ANYONES SUBJECT, I AM AN INDIVIDUAL. WHY DO THE POLITICIANS THINK I AM SO STUPID THAT I CANNOT RUN MY OWN LIFE? WHEN DID I GIVE UP AND GIVE IN?"

This isn't about bringing business to the area. If the PONY Baseball league is using Ficsalini Field, that is a lot more important than letting Cal State take it over - we need to keep access open for organizations that are providing youth diversion.
While it would be nice to have Cal State finance some of the needed upgrades, keeping the children of this city busy doing worth-while pursuits and out of trouble should be the number one priority. Also, keep these kids playing near their homes, not all the way over on the westside (I disagree with Rikke about the viability of making these kids travel for their games and his nasty little comment was unwarranted even if his feelings were hurt.) We keep hearing the Mayor talk about how important programs for kids area - it seems that the only programs that are considered important by city departments are the programs that Mayor Morris created!
I am not as worried about the adult league - adults can drive to where a field is available.
Can't something be worked out so Cal State and PONY baseball use the field during the same season?

Eric Marrs:
Are you somehow related to Ms. Rodriguez here? http://www.facescal.org/boardofdirectors.html
I did a google on you, too & it popped up that she was your WIFE.
No wonder you jump down the throat of someone looking at local charities that get involved with DCFS...You're INVOLVED, you little prick!
http://www.facescal.org/services.html

To Anonymous,

WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT??? I don't know what that page is that you posted and I DON"T HAVE ANY RELATIONSHIP WITH ANY "MS. RODRIGUEZ". You are out of your mind and really reaching far.

The bottom line is this Serenah (or anonymous or whoever you want to post as), you are continually going off topic and I, along with many others on this blog, are tired of your ranting and raving on something other than the subject at hand. PLEASE read the heading and stick to those issues. Not everything is a result of OP or SUVs or DCFS.

Look, I even tried to get Mr. Rogers and Mr. Edwards to give you a platform here. Why haven't they thus far?? Hmmmm, I wonder why. Let's try it again:

PLEASE MR. EDWARDS OR MR. ROGERS, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE GIVE SERENAH A SUBJECT LINE OF HER OWN SO THAT WE CAN LEARN ALL ABOUT THESE HORRIBLE INJUSTICES THAT SHE HAS UNCOVERED!! INQUIRING MINDS WANT TO KNOW!!

GREAT POST ANON. Right on! Are you listening Mr Van Johnson???

Eric & Molly,

First of all I enjoy my electronic media and I do appreciate both of your concerns for the cities use of parks. Eric I read your multiple blogs, you seem to have a genuine passion for our great town. As a second generation resident I must inform you both that this Fiscalini debate is a complete farce.

The adult league that I have played in for years and yes, I do have a son like many of our players in a Pony or Little League program. The simple fact is the City was getting 25k a year from the CSUSB for the use of Arrowhead Stadium. While the Adult Program was season after season creating additional revenue to the city year around and multiple youth groups were able to play makes the existing agreement better for the cities bottom line period.

In regards to the improvements you were concerned about Molly, why hasn't anything been done for the last three years? Lets ask the college. They have used the field for practice and were suppose to provide $18,000 dollars worth of services to the facility. They have done very little for the last three years regarding these "magical services" and yet, they practice over 300 hours a year at Fiscalini. Where are the scoreboard, foul pole, press box and numerous other repairs and improvements that should have been done by the University during 2005,2006 or 2007? Gee, lets add this up 18,000 x 3 = $54,000 Seems like most of the needed improvements would have already been completed if Cal State would have lived up to their existing agreement.

After realizing that they could continue to sell the city on improvements, Our State Funded University decided to swoop in and take total control over a City Park for pennies on the dollar. More math $25k plus 18K (existing agreement) minus 17K & some more promises (new agreement) equals $26k net loss to the city. Oh, I almost forgot about all the many improvements that will be made to the park. Well I invite all of you to go see what $54k bought you John Q Tax Payer. I wish all of my future business dealings had the same net gain as the Coyotes almost accomplished in this new steal from the city oops mean deal with the city.

What does the over 250 residents in our 18 team league bring to the city??? In simple participation of players, plus families and friends who shop, eat and by gas more than any college weekend series between two teams. These tax dollars are monies the City would loose almost 46 weeks out of the year every Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Oh yeah, the other side of the coin, A college baseball game. I do not know if you have ever been to a Coyote game, I have multiple times. You are talking about less than a 100 fans a game. We get that for some of our games and everyone has a cooler or cups and bags from local business. At a college game they would take the parking, gate fee and concessions and funnel every dollar back into the university.

In closing, if the University really wanted to make those improvements they could have with the $18,000 a year in services they were suppose to provided at Fiscalini in exchange for use of the field. It's nothing more than a Trojan Horse of promises that they already had a chance to complete in 2005,2006,2007 and did not. What no one new a carpenter or electrician until 2008??? In these times I do not think we can afford to let this happen. Any of our Council Members that objectively evaluates this scheme should conclude that it is a loose, loose, loose for the city, its residents and its youth programs. I can only hope and pray that Councilman Johnson finds another city to play in when it comes to our money.

To BaseballDad,

Wow, thank you for that information. I have never been to a college baseball game and had no idea that there was such poor attendance. I have been to many college football games and had imagined that the attendance would be comparable. My mistake.

Furthermore, what you are saying makes a lot of sense. However, why wasn't Cal State made to meet their end of the contract? Also, and forgive me for being ignorant regarding this issue, does your adult league have to pay fees or any monies for the use of Fiscalini? Is there a way that both, the University and the Adult League could possibly share the use of the field?

The adult league pays fees to a company in Riverside that runs all of the adult "city" leagues. Why it was contracted out would be a good question to ask and why isn't the city running the league themselves? I suspect it will come down to being underfunded and lack of proper staffing. This company gives the city a percentage of the fees but what that money is used for is beyond me. It obviously hasn't been used to keep the fields up anywhere in the city.

I am involved in a league and there is someone in recreation that the company in Riverside talks to when there are immediate issues but I think those issues are handled by the parks department. Which we keep hearing is underfunded and understaffed. And things are not addressed in a timely manner.

What is the agreement between Major League Softball the company out of Riverside and the Parks and Recreation Department? Is there a clause that states the MLS has to clean up the field after each use? If there is the company and the leagues are doing a poor job of it. But then, if there was an agreement in place with CSUSB for practice and games in exchange for monetary compensation and Fiscalini is still in the same state of disrepair, who is responsible for that? If Cal State and MLS both pay fees where does that money go and how is it used? And why aren't improvements that were promised by Cal State completed?

Do Little Leagues pay a fee for using the fields? When my kids were involved we paid fees to the league and the league had concession stands which brought in a lot of money. And I don't believe they paid any fees to the city. That could have changed over the past few years, but in looking at our parks and fields they only are looking worse and not better.

How can the City Council make decisions if they don't know all the answers and whose responsible for giving those answers? If it's Park and Recreation then someone needs to hold them responsible for providing correct and provable information and answer the tough questions. But the tough questions need to be asked.

Is there anyone in Park and Recreation that have answers?

To Eric Marrs,

I applaud you for attmepting to stay on topic, I also believe that some people here are desperate for attention any way they can get it, whether positive or negative. It's pretty clear the Sun people aren't going to step in to stop it so the best you can do is not sully your hands with their foolishness.

As for whomever supposedly Googled you and then chose to use profanity about you, they are obviously not interested in getting their facts straight or using proper language. It's no different from a bully trying to run the schoolyard.

It's funny when I Googled someone on this blog and revealed what I saw I was called "creepy" and threatened with a pitbull. Hilarious but all the same it's just nonsense from small people who feel powerful on the Internet. Just put it in perspective like I do, outside of this blog and the Internet, generally attention-seekers have no real power so they make as much noise as possible to make sur eno one forgets they exist.

Sad really.

To Eric,

You may find the following information interesting and it may open your eyes as to why it's futile to debate with some people here.

Speaking from a clinical sense, it's quite possible that anyone who seeks an inordinate amount of attention in a public forum such as this one suffers from a mental disorder known as Narcissistic Personality Disorder. Some traits displayed here by certain people are commonly associated with NPD, specifically narcissistic delusions and grandiose fantasies.

A common symptom of pathological narcissism, or NPD, are grandiose fantasies usually megalomaniac delusions of grandeur, that form a key aspect of the narcissist's personality. These delusions are generally not commensurate or proportionate with his or her actual accomplishments. Such narcissists entertain self-delusional fantasies that they believe will make them famous, powerful, influential, or superior sometime in the future. The frustrated narcissist holds himself answerable only to an ambiguous higher authority or notion such as God, science, their country or future generations.

The narcissist also feels a sense of omniscience and may pretend to know more than he or she actually does and may also feign authority or superiority, possibly even quote from non-existent sources. Typically, he or she will often lie to avoid exposure.

The narcissist is also in constant need of admiration, approval, applause or attention also known as the Narcissistic Supply. Without these things, the person suffering from NPD becomes subject to violent mood swings, rage attacks or becomes aggressive and "acts out." That is why when the pathological narcissist reacts with rage when challenged or confronted with disagreement or opposition as it threatens his or her world of make-believe.

Sound like anyone we know?

Eric:

Sorry for the delayed response.

You ask a great question about Cal State not being made to meet their end of the contract. The contract existed, the improvements did not happen. Only the Director of Parks and Recreation knows why CSUSB was not held accountable.

Anonymous answered part of the question regarding the adult leagues. We pay fees to a contract program administrator known as MLS and they pay a portion back of our fees back to the city.

I occasionally speak with the staff person MLS calls "Program Coordinator". He claims that their contract is overseen and evaluated by someone in the recreation department and their field maintenance responsibilities are defined in the contract (which was approved by City Council). This guy says that what MLS is doing at Fiscalini actually exceeds what is required in the contract with respect to field maintenance and the city staff responsible for managing the contract agree.

It still goes back to a give away program to the University as the city will lose the $25K at Arrowhead for games, the 18K they should be getting in maintenance and improvements at Fiscalini for practices and another 10K for the adult fees that are paid back to the city. They give all this up to get $17,500.00 and a bunch of promises that were already broken? It all smells very fishy.

Ms. Angels:

I simply made an observation based on behaviors I witnessed here. In no way did I single out an individual by name. If you feel my diagnosis described you or struck a nerve, perhaps you should examine the reasons why you feel that way.