Kelley speaks to Los Padrinos issue
Several commenters have made their case today on SB Now that Fifth Ward Councilman Chas Kelley's reason for supporting a city takeover of graffiti abatement stems to his beef with Los Padrinos Youth Services over trees that were planted - and died - in the area around where E Street becomes Kendall Drive, near Castaway Restaurant.
"If anyone's saying it's about trees, that's bunk," Kelley said.
The scuttlebutt among those who think Kelley has something personal against Los Padrinos seems to be based on the idea that Kelley wanted trees planted near the restaurant and when the landscaping failed to thrive, decided to have Los Padrinos run out of town.
Los Padrinos has contracted with San Bernardino for several years to remove graffiti around town. The organization's tool kit includes a water sprayer and Kelley and Los Padrinos director Max Alonso both said that cleanup crews for a time were tasked with watering the new landscaping. The events happened back in 2007, Alonso said.
Kelley's account of the story is that since Los Padrinos could not legally stop their trucks on the curvy road near the trees to water the plants, the trees could not be watered and died.
"Unfortunately, the trees died. I was disappointed but it wasn't Los Padrinos' fault," he said.
Alonso remembered things differently. Although he did not accuse Kelley of wanting to take away Los Padrinos' contract because of the trees, he said that he has not been on friendly terms with Kelley since the trees died..
On the broader issue of Los Padrinos' contract, Kelley said the reason he and others wanted city staffers to take over graffiti abatement is for quality control reasons. Kelley said he was dissatisfied with Los Padrinos' record keeping and although a city-run program will cost more, he echoed interim Code Enforcement chief Wayne Harp's assessment that San Bernardino will create a "Cadillac" program.
For example, Kelley said, city staffers who are set to begin working in January are expected to repaint entire walls that have been vandalized, rather than do patch up work with colors that may not match surrounding paint.
He further argued against the notion he sought to kill Los Padrinos' contract out of spite because two other council members and Mayor Pat Morris (breaking a 3-3 tie) also cast votes on Nov. 3 to make graffiti abatement a city-run operation.
"If this was just a Chas Kelley thing it would have crashed and burned," he said.
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Andrew Edwards. E-mail Andrew here.
Okay, so Chaz Kelly says it's not that Los Padrinos ticked him off and we're just supposed to take him at his word that his personal problems with Los Padrinos didn't come into play? What was he doing spending city money on his personal stuff, anyways? Why did he not excuse himself when it came time to discuss this matter? He lead the charging attack on Los Padrinos. He's just the mayor's pet weasel... Nasty little giggle-monster!
I KNEW he'd respond to our calling him on things. He thinks it's good maintenance, but it shows guilt. If he were so good at maintaining the people, he should've never done what he did.
I'll tell you another story about him and Los Padrinos. Consider for a moment the fragility of the Los Padrinos kids who are told that they can leave the world of gangs and drugs if they choose to just stand up and take their places in society. They are told that nobody is better than them just because of where they come from or the color of their skin. They are built up by being paid for their work and the positive interaction between important people in the community and themselves.
Los Padrinos were working at the races one day. They were promised hamburgers for lunch and when it came time for them to get their burgers, Chaz Kelly acted like he didn't owe them anything. So, what's that all about? "I'm white and important and you're not so I don't have to give what was promised to you!" type of attitude?
I asked Chaz Kelly about some white collar crime issues I saw in City Hall and said that I feel that the RICO Act would apply. He replied that the RICO Act could only be applied to mobsters and other low-lifes. Apparently, he feels that people in office are immune from criminal or civil prosecution. REALLY, Mr. Kelly? You think you're SOOOOOO important?
Bottom line: Chaz Kelly had a personal problem with Los Padrinos and lead a charge against them at a city council meeting. He wasted a LOT of the city's money on a bunk project that he was told wouldn't thrive. If he doesn't blame Los Padrinos, then he's accepting the fact that he should've listened to them? GOOD! Then pay the money you wasted back to the city! Or are you too important, Mr. Kelly?
I think I've seen Chaz Kelly's wife (not sure), but she looked pretty. I do not approve of being rude to her (for the record). It's not about her. It's about Chaz and his greed and lack of morals. God bless them both with wisdom and heart. May he change his ways and become a better person.