July 2009 Archives

Latin musicians Santos Rodriguez y su Compania Suave are scheduled to perform Sunday during the Smart Farmer's Market event at Placita Park.

The new farmer's market launched July 5. The hours have been moved up because of summer hear, event founder Rita Arias said.

The new hours are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday. Placita Park is at 685 Mount Vernon Avenue. There is no charge for admission.

By Andrew Edwards
Staff Writer
SAN BERNARDINO -- Despite contrary claims by the city attorney, the lawyer for an organization seeking to establish a homeless shelter writes in a letter to top city officials that its members never complained of a conflict of interest on the part of the mayor.

"While HPC (Human Potential Consultants) expects that the mayor and his staff will conduct themselves with due regard, at no point has HPC issued allegations of any kind against the mayor or his staff," reads the start of the letter's concluding paragraph.

"Rather it has always been, and remains, HPC's goal to collaborate with the city to pursue the mutually beneficial goal of housing the city's homeless population," the letter continues.

The accusations and arguments between Mayor Pat Morris and City Attorney James F. Penman are being made when the City Council faces decision that would be touchy even if City Hall was the friendliest place in town.

The council has to decide where HPC can locate their homeless shelter, and officials say that under state law, nowhere is not an option. Officials say HPC's clients could include some homeless who are also parolees.

The council is scheduled to discuss the shelter issue -- and almost certainly delve into the surrounding controversy -- during Monday's meeting.

On the question of whether HPC ever accused Morris of having a conflict of interest, HPC's letter -- dated Thursday and signed by Los Angeles-based attorney Lauren Nevitt -- appears to directly contradict Penman's recent statements.

Penman has asserted in city memos and interviews that HPC complained that Morris had a potential conflict of interest relating to HPC's application to set up a homeless shelter in a business park in the 200 block of West Orange Show Lane.

Penman claimed that HPC complained against the mayor Tuesday. He wrote in a memo that HPC alleged Morris interfered with their efforts to establish a shelter near a location where Morris' daughter, Kathleen Willis, wanted to set up her own business, Inland Empire Gymnastics Academy.

The following day, Morris responded that under law, he could not have a conflict because his 43-year-old daughter is not a dependent child. The mayor also stated that instead of interfering with HPC's project, he asked his daughter to look elsewhere to locate her gymnastics business.
Friday, the Mayor's Office issued a statement claiming that HPC's letter catches Penman in an act of outright deception.

"Sadly, City Attorney Penman fabricated a lie in his continuing attempt to attack me and to silence me from protecting our businesses owners from the City Attorney's poor decisions. HPC wrote a letter yesterday that exposed Penman as a liar," the statement begins.

Penman did not change his position after reading HPC's letter, which he said actually supports his own statements.

Although HPC's letter disavows any allegations against Morris, it also affirms that HPC brought concerns to Penman's office. The letter reports that HPC staffers went to Penman's office on July 20 after obtaining an email -- purportedly written by Willis and circulated among area real estate agents -- that HPC staffers perceived as a potential threat to their project.

Penman said he recalled that HPC contacted his office on July 21 and that HPC did not need to file formal complaint, since their concerns and the email are enough to warrant an investigation.

"The City Attorney's office, notwithstanding the letter from HPC, has received a telephonic complaint from HPC, followed up by a fax from them," Penman said.

The email, released by Penman's office, is not dated and signed only by "Katie." The message reports that Katie was "urgently" told by the Mayor's Office of HPC's interest in property at an "Orange Tree Lane location."

The message, which could be subject to differing interpretations, communicates that the recipient "can pass this on to the other agent and property owner. Maybe it will even 'light a fire under them.'"

Willis could not be reached for comment.

Penman said he conferred Thursday with the San Bernardino County District Attorney's and California Attorney General's offices. District Attorney's spokeswoman Susan Mickey confirmed that Penman spoke with Assistant District Attorney Dennis Christy.

Penman said that in contrast to San Bernardino County government -- where he said a "see no evil" culture prevails -- he is quick to investigate reports of potential wrongdoing.

"If the mayor or the public wants a city attorney who's not going to act on something like this, then they are going to have to elect a city attorney who is someone other than me," Penman said.

Seventh Ward Councilwoman Wendy McCammack said she shares Penman's concerns. Even if Morris had no conflict of interest under the law, McCammack said communications between the Mayor's Office and Morris' daughter before the shelter issue was on the council's July 20 agenda should have prompted Morris to recuse himself from those discussions.

"An ethical person would recuse themselves even if there was the appearance of a conflict," she said.

Although Penman and McCammack both said a recusal on Morris' part would have prevented the current controversy from erupting, mayoral chief of staff Jim Morris contended that had the mayor done so under "an abundance of caution," Penman would still make allegations against the mayor.

Other councilmembers, Dennis Baxter, Fred Shorett and Rikke Van Johnson, strongly disagreed with Penman's take on the situation.

"It's all a matter to me of bad politics being perpetrated by the city attorney," Johnson said. "Unfortunately, we're wasting a lot of city resources trying to get through this mess."

The policy issue that's set to be discussed by the council Monday is whether the council will adopt an urgency ordinance establishing where HPC can locate a shelter. Aside from current controversies, the Orange Show Lane location does not seem to be a workable option as officials say the business park's rules prevent homeless from staying overnight.

City staffers are asking the council to delay a decision for two weeks while they prepare a new law that would allow HPC to set up a shelter in the 600 block of South Waterman Avenue.

Jim Morris criticized Penman for asking the council to discuss the shelter issue on an urgency basis, which he said does not provide for enough notice to other property owners. Penman said the urgency is justified because the city is not in compliance with state law requiring cities to set aside space for shelters.

A little more than one week remains for potential candidates to pull papers to run for San Bernardino city offices in the November elections. The deadline is Aug. 7.

The Mayor's seat, as well as council seats for the First, Second and Fourth wards are up for grabs.

SB Now and The Sun will present more detailed stories on the campaign after candidates are officially on the ballot and campaigns begin in earnest. Here is a list of who has pulled papers so far:

- Mayor:

Pat Morris, incumbent
Sir Isaac Lindsay,
Rick Avila (also ran in 2005 campaign)

- First Ward City Council:

Esther Estrada, incumbent

- Second Ward City Council:

Dennis Baxter, incumbent
Sebastian Sanchez
Alex Avila

Fourth Ward City Council

Fred Shorett, incumbent
Joe Arnett (also ran in March Special Election)

Additionally, this reporter received a press release Thursday afternoon from political consultant Chris Jones announcing that Jason Desjardins plans to run for the Second Ward seat. Desjardins has been in the news recently as an opponent of the proposal to establish a city-run tow yard.

Jones is also working on Arnett's council campaign.

A note: Calls for an investigation are not new in San Bernardino politics.

The article posted below deals with City Attorney James F. Penman's insistence that Mayor Pat Morris be investigated for an alleged conflict of interest.

Penman himself was the subject of an election year investigation more than three years ago. He was ultimately cleared of wrongdoing in the matter.

In 2006, The Sun just happened to receive an anonymous complaint to the California Bar against Penman just days before the runoff election in the mayoral contest between Penman and then Judge Pat Morris, who won.

This newspaper did not rush to report on the complaint on the basis that it was by all appearances an episode of election-time gamesmanship. After the election, The Sun reported that the complaint was filed in December by then-Mayor Judith Valles, who supported Morris in that campaign.

San Bernardino is about to enter another mayoral campaign and Morris is seeking reelection. Penman has said repeatedly that he will not seek the mayor's post this time around, but the two officials often tangle at the dais, especially when legal matters are up for discussion. Morris is a former Superior Court judge.

This reporter asked Penman why he shouldn't assume that San Bernardino politics being what it is, he shouldn't assume that this episode isn't another round of gamesmanship.

His response:

"Unlike the allegation from Mayor Valles, the (new) allegation came from HPC," he said.

"That's why we need an investigation," he added.

HPC stands for Human Potential Consultants, an organization that has proposed a homeless shelter. Penman claims in two memos that HPC has alleged Morris has improperly intervened in their efforts.

The news article follows below. One almost wonders if future developments on the Sixth Floor will include a contest to determine who can punch harder.

By Andrew Edwards
Staff Writer

SAN BERNARDINO -- In a pair of memos, City Attorney James F. Penman calls for an investigation to see if his political rival, Mayor Pat Morris,has a conflict of interest relating to a proposed homeless shelter.

The Mayor's Office replies that the messages are nothing more than political spectacle designed to distract attention from the process by which the proposed homeless shelter is being considered.

In his memos, Penman writes that Human Potential Consultants, the Carson-based organization that has proposed the shelter, has alleged that Morris interfered in their attempt to establish a shelter in San Bernardino.

Penman reports that Human Potential Consultants has alleged that Morris improperly involved himself into the process because the Mayor's daughter has looked into doing business at a business park near the intersection of West Orange Show Lane and Arrowhead Avenue. The business park is one location under consideration for the proposed homeless shelter.

The City Attorney writes in his first memo, dated Tuesday, that if a conflict of interest exists, such a violation could result in civil and criminal penalties, the mayor's removal from office.

"The mayor should recuse himself and his office from all further involvement in this project until the allegations of HPC can be investigated," Penman wrote in Tuesday's memo.

It's rare for city attorneys to use such strong assertions when warning other public officials about potential conflicts of interest. Penman said Wednesday it's also rare for an organization with business before City Hall to accuse a San Bernardino official of interfering on behalf of a family member.

HPC could not be reached for comment Wednesday to discuss their reported allegations.
Morris responded with his own memo Wednesday. In his missive, Morris writes that he asked his daughter, Kathleen Willis, 43, to forego plans to locate her gymnastics school at an Orange Show Lane business park where the proposed shelter could also be established.

Willis was out of town Wednesday and unable to comment, a woman who answered the phone at her business, Inland Empire Gymnastics Academy, said.

Morris further writes California's conflict of interest laws do not apply to the situation because his daughter is not a dependent child. The mayor contended that the real issue is not the alleged conflict of interest but the public process.

During the July 20 City Council meeting, the agenda included a request to approve an urgency ordinance that would have allowed HPC to create a shelter in the 200 block of West Orange Show Lane. The request was signed by both Development Services Director Valerie Ross and Penman.

The council chose to put off a decision on proposed ordinance until its Aug. 3 meeting.
Morris and Third Ward Councilman Tobin Brinker said they were concerned that the urgency process did not provide notice for neighboring business owners to register their concerns regarding the proposal. Both Penman's and Morris' memos report that the shelter would serve parolees.

"We need to basically put this out with a process, a legal process that gives appropriate notice," Morris said in an interview.

Brinker said a shelter at the business park could discourage commerce there.

The City Council has previously rejected HPC's attempt to establish a shelter at a church site on North Sierra Way because that location is near a facility that serves domestic violence victims.

HPC has appealed that decision and according to the July 20 request for council action on the urgency ordinance, would withdraw its appeal if given a permit to develop a shelter on Orange Show Lane.

This was supposed to post a couple days ago, but I let the article get stuck in blog limbo.

Since publication of the article in Thursday's edition of The Sun, eastside resident Rebecca Arneson wrote to me in an email that she and her neighbors plan to protest the redevelopment plan a second time this Saturday.

"Every Saturday we plan to march out on the streets at the same time we did last Saturday in hopes to let our voices be heard," she wrote.

Arneson also repeated neighbors' contention that Code Enforcement has

By Andrew Edwards
Staff Writer

SAN BERNARDINO -- A major redevelopment project, recently approved to take place in an eastside neighborhood has thus far elicited stronger emotions than other projects in neighboring cities that rely upon the same federal funding source.

Within the San Bernardino Valley, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has given millions to San Bernardino, Rialto and Fontana -- not too mention many other municipalities nationwide -- to fight the after effects of the foreclosures through what's called the Neighborhood Stabilization Program.

The program provides local governments with money to purchase and rehabilitate foreclosed and abandoned properties. Although the execution of this program has so far been a fairly straightforward process in Fontana and Rialto, San Bernardino's experience has been much more volatile.

San Bernardino officials working on Neighborhood Stabilization plans have zeroed on an area near what was once known as the Arden Guthries, a cluster of eastside apartments reputed as one of the San Bernardino's most crime-plagued neighborhoods before dozens of four-plexes were razed in recent years.

The issue of redevelopment work there has aroused heated debate among San Bernardino's politicos - the redevelopment plan passed by a single council vote -- and protest on a hot Saturday evening. Residents of the neighborhood where San Bernardino officials plan major redevelopment work walked around their apartments while carrying signs Saturday to signal their opposition to any plans that would require them to move.

The law requires that anyone forced to move receives financial assistance, but area residents said Saturday that they are worried about whether they will receive enough money to move and if they will be able to find a decent place to live.

"We weren't prepared for this. There was nothing saved," said Tia Smith, a 31-year-old resident of a 19th Street apartment.

Protesting residents also said they objected to the characterization of their neighborhood as an epicenter of crime and said they would rather have the city engage in more effective code enforcement to force irresponsible landlords to care for properties.

One the other side of the coin, one young man who did not want to be named Saturday said life in his neighborhood is "beyond crazy."

Smith said it was difficult to move in 2007 after she was relocated from an Arden Guthrie apartment. She said she also experienced financial difficulty when she was laid off from her job at Starwood Vacations.

Starwood shut down its San Bernardino operations last November.

Prior to Saturday's protest, San Bernardino Economic Development Agency officials distributed a letter to project area residents on Sunrise Lane and 19th Street saying that the EDA would not force tenants out of their apartments and that people would be given opportunities to rent refurbished or newly-built apartments.

San Bernardino Mayor Pat Morris and EDA officials say that area is one of the city's most troubled zones, and is ripe for redevelopment activity intended to reduce crime and blight.
"You do the surgery on the cancer," Morris said Wednesday.

Official numbers show that 356 serious crimes were reported in the area from January 2007 through March 2009. There were 453 Code Enforcement actions over the same time period.
San Bernardino received about $8.4 million in Neighborhood Stabilization dollars.

The city's plan calls for 25 area four-plexes to be acquired by a nonprofit and rehabilitated as low-income housing. The concept also calls for the demolition of neighboring four-plexes to make way for single-family homes and senior housing.

In addition to federal dollars, which can only be used to purchase abandoned or foreclosed properties, San Bernardino's plan also sets aside $2 million in Economic Development Agency dollars for acquisitions and demolitions of properties that have not been foreclosed.

Nearby, Fontana and Rialto officials have launched plans to use grant dollars to repair foreclosed properties across their respective towns in efforts intended to make the properties attractive to future homeowners and to preserve neighboring property values.

The federal government has given Fontana nearly $6 million in Neighborhood Stabilization funding and Fontana deputy city manager David Edgar said officials plan to spend the money primarily to acquire, rehabilitate and resell the city's most dilapidated single-family houses.
"It's a citywide approach, although we are keeping an eye on selected neighborhoods in central and south Fontana," Edgar said.

As of Wednesday, Fontana officials have purchased 5 homes and could eventually purchase 15 to 20 homes, then using sale revenues to repeat the process with other properties.

In Rialto, which was awarded about $5.5 million, economic development director Robb Steel said officials are purchasing both homes and apartments. Earlier this month, Rialto's City Council approved the $170,000 purchase of a foreclosed four-plex on West Jackson Street.
Steel said Rialto has had previous success in rehabilitating a neighborhood, citing the conversion of the once-feared Willow-Winchester area into the Citrus Grove apartment community.

"We cleared up the neighborhood significantly," Steel said.

This is an extended version of the article about a Minuteman Project event that ran on A-4 in today's edition of The Sun. This version includes comment from the Mexican Consulate.

By Andrew Edwards
Staff Writer
SAN BERNARDINO -- A dozen members of the Minuteman Project visited the downtown offices of United States and Mexican officials Wednesday while speaking against what they consider to be the policy failures that led to the recent killing of an American border agent.

"Today's event is a solemn procession in honor of border agent Robert Rosas," said Raymond Herrera, national rally spokesman for the anti-illegal immigration Minuteman Project.

Rosas, a U.S. Border Patrol agent Robert Rosas was shot to death July 23 in San Diego County. Mexican authorities have announced that the primary suspect in the shooting and other men have been taken into custody.

Speaking outside of Sen. Barbara Boxer's field office in San Bernardino -- a frequent spot of Minuteman Project protests -- Herrera likened Rosas' death to that of a soldier on a battlefield. He said he was outraged that he hasn't seen a public statement from Boxer nor President Obama that reflects upon Rosas' death.

A Boxer spokesman wrote in an email that the senator preferred to make private comments to Rosas' family.

"Senator Boxer expressed her condolences privately in a letter to the family of Agent Rosas," said Zachary Coile wrote. "She felt it was the appropriate thing to do in the wake of this terrible killing."

After going inside Boxer's office to deliver their views to one of the senator's staffers, Herrera and other protestors proceeded to the downtown Mexican Consulate for a brief meeting with political and public affairs consul Federico Bass.

"We certainly regret the death of Agent Rosas. It was a tragic death under any circumstances and these types of incidents should not happen between our countries," Bass said in a post-meeting interview.

Bass, who called the meeting "an exchange of opinions and points of view of which we do not agree," also said Mexico would be willing to extradite Rosas' suspected killer for prosecution. However, the Mexican government would insist that the death penalty not be imposed after any conviction.

Rep. Joe Baca's office reported Tuesday that the city will receive $5.4 million from the U.S. Justice Department to hire police officers.

Within San Bernardino County, Chino, Colton, Ontario, Redlands and Rialto were also awarded funds, according to the Justice Department. The money can be used to keep officers on a city police force for three years, and then cities are on the hook to pay the new cops' salaries.

"In three years, with hopefully the economic recovery underway, revenue from sales tax and especially Measure Z, would pick up that funding," Mayoral Chief of Staff Jim Morris said.

Morris said San Bernardino will be able to use the grant to hire 16 officers.

San Bernardino had asked for more than $6 million to fill 22 Police Department positions that have been allowed to go unfilled as a result of budget cuts.

Janet Chaney, entertainment director for San Bernardino Farmers Fair and Market Night, said Tuesday's event will feature guest appearances by a baby zebra and other animals.

The menagerie, according to Chaney, is set to include a wallaby, pigs, parrots, llamas and other animals as part of Market Night's second annual "Critter Carnival."

The animals are scheduled to be on display from 6 p.m. to dusk, Junior University's production of "Aladdin" is set to begin at 8:15 p.m.

Market Night is at Perris Hill Park on Tuesday nights.

The office of Rep. Jerry Lewis, R-Redlands, reports Friday that an appropriations bill containing funding for the proposed Verdemont Community Center passed the House of Representatives.

The bill, which funds the federal departments of Transportation and Housing and Urban Development, allocates $500,000 for the proposed community center. The legislation must still be considered by the Senate.

"I am pleased that my colleagues have agreed to provide community development dollars for a project that will provide vital needs to a growing and underserved area in North San Bernardino," Lewis said in a statement. "The city is designing a community center that can become a focal point for these new neighborhoods, and a model for energy-efficient public buildings."

Despite his praise for the community center funding, Lewis voted against the bill, according to a government Web site.

One of the latest semi-news stories spawned by America's fascination with social networking has video where the Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger offers to help solve the state's budget problems by using his celebrity status to increase the value of surplus state vehicles by autographing the vehicles before they are auctioned off.

But instead of the governator's unusual proposal, most of the chatter dwells on the huge knife that the governor holds, glances at, and then places to the side before beginning his spiel.

Given Schwarzenegger's history in movies, one has to wonder what his motivation was.

Andrew Edwards, Staff Writer

SAN BERNARDINO - The question of whether the city will begin to store impounded vehicles as part of a plan to balance its budget remains undecided after the council's Ways and Means Committee decided Wednesday to wait to get more information on the idea.

City officials say the establishment of a tow yard is not envisioned as a profit-making enterprise, but would allow the city to charge fees for impounded vehicles that could be used to pay for existing city expenses. Those opposed to the plan say the proposal amounts to an attempt by the city to balance its books by taking business away from San Bernardino's private towing companies.

"We just do not feel that any - any - department should be earning revenue on the backs of our businesses," San Bernardino Area Chamber of Commerce executive director Judi Penman said while addressing the committee.

The committee's three members, Councilmen Chas Kelley, Dennis Baxter and Tobin Brinker, received the business plan for the proposal shortly before the meeting began. Baxter had questions about the proposal's financial plan and Brinker wanted to hear testimony from an official from another city, he suggested Colton, which already has a tow yard.

The issue is slated to return to the committee Aug. 5.

The Police Department's business plan reports the tow yard could generate nearly $2.2 million in revenue during the first month of 2010. The yard is projected to begin operations at the start of
that year. Start-up and operation expenses, and a decline in franchise fee collections from the city's six towing contractors are projected to be higher than that number. The yard is expected to lose nearly $21,000 over the first six months of its operation.

In response from a question from Baxter as to when the program would start to make money, Finance Director Barbara Pachon said the objective is to move city costs from the General Fund to the tow yard's own budget.

Pachon said the tow yard would allow for about $700,000 in city expenses currently charged to the General Fund to be charged against the tow yard's revenue stream.

"There is still savings in this program to the General Fund," Pachon said.

In San Bernardino, there are six towing companies that have contracts with the city to tow and store vehicles. According to the reports providing to the committee, members of those firms have told officials that they earn about 45 percent of their income from storage fees charged to people recovering their vehicles.

Police officials report that they have sought to minimize the affect on tow companies by changing the city's franchise fee to a 10 percent charge on firms' business instead of the current monthly fee of $6,473. The city would also allow private companies to store some vehicles, including those that are hauled away from crash scenes. Vehicles impounded for legal reasons such as a six-month lapse in registration or driving without a license would be locked up in the city yard.

The tow yard is but one uncertainty in the efforts to draft a budget for the fiscal year that began July 1. The city entered the budget process expecting to face a $4.8 million deficit, and could lose an additional $5 to $6 million if California legislators agree to a proposal to borrow funds from local governments to balance the state's budget.

City Manager Charles McNeely said after Wednesday's meeting that he is still proposing to borrow about $5 million from the San Bernardino Economic Development Agency if that money is needed to balance the city's budget.

If the council ultimately chooses not to create a city-run tow yard, McNeely said city officials would have to figure out about $400,000 worth of additional budget cuts or use the city's scarce reserves to stay in the black.

Inland Center Mall announced Thursday morning that women's retailer Forever 21 will become the shopping center's next anchor store.

Forever 21 is set to occupy the the currently vacant retail space that was previously set to be taken up by a new Mervyn's. Those plans went awry when Mervyn's liquidated last year.

Inland Center reports that the incoming anchor store is expected to be open in time for the holiday shopping season. The addition of Forever 21 would give the mall three anchor stores, with Macy's and Sears being the other two.

There is still an anchor store vacancy at Inland Center at the former Gottshalk's location. Gottschalk's has also liquidated.

This item was posted earlier this morning on The Sun's Web site by breaking news reporter Melissa Pinion-Whitt"

Thieves stole several thousand dollars in electronic equipment from San Bernardino's Operation Phoenix Center, forcing the facility to close temporarily.

But police were able to capture several suspects and found the stolen property. Officers said the site is expected to reopen shortly.

Police received reports of four burglaries at the center in the 1600 block of North Sierra Way between July 16 and 20.

Officers on Tuesday arrested the last of five teen suspects. Nearly all of the stolen items were recovered.

City Hall and Kaiser Permanente Community Benefit Program announced Wednesday that the latter will donate $20,000 to keep city pools in operation.

"The grant will enable the swimming pools at Rueben Campos and Hernandez to stay open for the balance of the swim season, which ends August 29, 2009,." reads the city's announcement. "In addition, the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department will be able to open the pool at Mill Park, from July 20th through August 29th, 2009. The grant also provides for limited free swimming lessons at Ruben Campos and Hernandez pools."

City Manager Charles McNeely reports that the new budget deal recommended by Sacramento's Big 5 would cost $5-6 million to the city and San Bernardino Economic Development Agency Budgets.

California's current budget proposal would take/borrow/raid (do your own spin here) billions from local governments from Calexico to Crescent City and points in between. The state would balance its budget by using $1.7 billion in local property tax and sales tax revenues through the state's Prop. 1A formula, $1 billion municipalities' share of gas tax dollars and $1.7 billion from redevelopment agencies' funds for low-income housing projects.

"According to state lawmakers, funds loans from municipalities must be paid back, with interest, in three years. But local leaders say they need the money now, having endured their own excruciating budget cuts triggered by steep declines in local sales tax receipts, the decline in housing values and escalating foreclosure rates," reads a release from McNeely's office.

Computers were stolen from the central area Operation Phoenix center during a weekend break-in, Operation Phoenix coordinator Kent Paxton said.

Paxton said four or five computers and other property was ripped off from the center, which is intended to provide children a place to play and study. He said there were actually two break-ins, one on Thursday when the alarm scared the thief (or thieves) off and another over the weekend when the thefts occurred.

He ventured that the burglary could have been retaliation for recent police and code enforcement sweeps in the area, as well as activity by the city's graffiti abatement crew.

"It could be random, although I doubt that," Paxton said.

It's possible that a suspect or suspects could have already be arrested. Police spokesman Lt. Dan Keil said he didn't immediately have detailed information on the case but it's his understanding that as of Tuesday night, the investigation was closed.

The central area Operation Phoenix center is at First Church of the Nazarene at 1605 North Sierra Way. The center serves a 20-block area north of downtown that Mayor Pat Morris and other city officials identified as one of San Bernardino's most crime-ridden areas when the program was launched in 2006.

"It's still the most challenged area in the city," Paxton said. "We've made some progress, but it's still a challenge."

Paxton said that during the month of June, there were 1,457 visits to the center.

A 4 to 3 vote clears the way for City Manager Charles McNeely to hire a communications manager and other positions as part of move to reorganize his office.

Council members Dennis Baxter, Tobin Brinker, Fred Shorett and Rikke Van Johnson voted in favor of the city manager's plan. Council members Esther Estrada, Chas Kelley and Wendy McCammack voted against the move.

The council was unanimous however, in a related vote to set the salary for the currently vacant assistant city manager's position and create a senior administrative analyst position. Whoever is hired to the latter job will be responsible for writing up grant proposals and other "complicated staff work."

Council members cast their votes Monday night.

The job description for the newly-approved communications manager's position establishes that whoever gets that job will be responsible for communicating city policy with the media, business community and others. The staffer will also be responsible for working with employees in other city departments to develop a marketing plan for San Bernardino.

The communications manager's lucrative compensation package and the fact that the city's Personnel Committee had recommended against creating the communications manager's position both figured in Monday's debate.

The future communications manager is slated to earn a pay package worth $8,850 to $10,757 per month. McNeely pointed out that the compensation package for this position, as well as that for the assistant city manager's job and senior administrative analyst's position, will not draw on San Bernardino's stressed general fund.

However, Estrada said she thinks creating the position still sends the wrong message to city employees who have been laid off in recent cost-cutting moves.

"It's a little hard for me to consider this request in light of the fact that we had to lay off people, furlough people ... have City Hall closed on Friday," she said.

Brinker said the city should invest in hiring an employee dedicated to speaking on behalf of the city.

"I know it is a lot of money, but in the long term, the benefits will be there," he said.

The Personnel Committee consists of the very council members who previously voted against the creation of the communication manager's committee. Kelley and McCammack objected to having the issue taken to the full council after their votes, while McNeely said he respected their opinions but thought the full council should have a say.

McNeely also said a citywide spokesperson would be better able to handle PR duties than the heads of city departments, who were hired to for skills specific to their departments rather than communications.

San Bernardino's City Charter establishes that the mayor is officials the city's spokesperson. City Attorney James F. Penman said he didn't think the creation of the comminications manager's position was illegal, but that the proper way to place this duty within the City Manager's Office would be through a voter approved charter amendment.

McNeely said having hiring a city spokesperson work for his office, as opposed to the elected mayor, would depoliticize the job.

A proposal to create a city-run storage yard for towed vehicles is set to be discussed when the city's Ways and Means Committee meets Wednesday afternoon.

The proposal has been included in the city's preliminary budget and that document reports that the city could take in $680,000 in net revenue if the tow yard opens Jan. 1, 2010.

Local tow company owners oppose the plan. Industry members have said that they need storage fees for their businesses to survive.

There's also concern as to the city using a tow yard to bolster its finances. California law prohibits cities from making a profit on towing operations, although it is legal for local governments to recoup the costs of towing and storing towed vehicles.

The Ways and Means Committee is scheduled to meet at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday on the Fourth Floor of City Hall, 300 North D Street.

Here is a revised version of the previous post that has been updated to include quotes and some additional information.

An ambitious and controversial plan to redevelop a cluster of eastside apartments that some officials say are home to a host of troubles got the go-ahead Monday night.

The City Council, acting in its role to oversee the San Bernardino Economic Development Agency, voted 4 - 3 to OK a redevelopment plan that calls for the rehabilitation of several four-plex apartment buildings that have been foreclosed or abandoned.

Buildings that cannot be refurbished are set to be demolished and rebuilt.

Council members Dennis Baxter, Tobin Brinker, Fred Shorett and Rikke Van Johnson voted for the plan. Council members Esther Estrada, Chas Kelley and Wendy McCammack voted "no."

The council cast their votes after lengthy debate that included comments from about two dozen speakers, shouts from the audience, raised voices on the dais and a break to get news on the brush fire that burned during the meeting on Little Mountain.

The vote was a narrow victory for Mayor Pat Morris, who strongly favored the redevelopment plan which is set to focus on eastside apartments on Sunrise Way and 19th Street. The neighborhood in question is just southwest of the place once known as the "Arden Guthries."

The mayor called the vote said the vote was a major step in "a long and difficult battle to redeem this community."

Morris and EDA officials consider the plan a tool to bring life back to a troubled neighborhood, however, McCammack contended that the plan's immediate focus on apartments misses out on an opportunity to promote home ownership within the city.

Additionally, Estrada and Kelley said the funds could be better put to use if spread around the city.

Estrada said the EDA could spend the money to "bulldoze the crap" along a distressed stretch of Base Line while building senior housing in a place where new development may stimulate the commercial economy. She suggested E Street as an example of a place where business may benefit from such a booster shot.

The Arden Guthries, near the site of the new project, were another group of distressed apartments where redevelopment officials have already pushed the reset buttion. Several apartments that comprised the Arden Guthries have already been demolished in a previous redevelopment effort that was intended to reduce crime and clear way for commercial development along Highland Avenue.

Plans call for a Home Depot store to eventually go up in the location.

"This project is still in our plans but I don't have much to confirm beyond that besides that it is a few years out and needs to go through approvals," Home Depot spokeswoman Kathryn Gallagher wrote in an email.

The new project is set to take advantage of about $8.4 million in federal dollars provided through Washngton D.C.'s Neighborhood Stabilization Program, which is intended to help the city deal with problems created by recent foreclosures.

But Uncle Sam's money also comes with a mandate that one-quarter of the funds be used to provide housing for low-income individuals.

The low-income requirement marked a dividing line for the issue. Although EDA housing director Carey Jenkins noted that the plan will reduce the number of apartments in the neighborhood, some of the speakers said that setting aside units for low income people amounts to an invitation to crime.

Another point of contention was the question of how shady the neighborhood really is. Jenkins showed photographs of dilapidated structures and observed that one building in the area recently burned down. He said that was the very building where he was recently quoted as saying he wouldn't be surprised if the building burnt down before it could be acquired.

However, several speakers who identified themselves as area residents objected to the characterization of their homes as a dangerous place, and that they considered the colloquial designation of the neighborhood as "Little Africa" to be an insult. Speakers also opined that the problems that do exist in their neighborhood are to blame on irresponsible landlords and lax code enforcement efforts.

Another concern for residents is whether they will be forced to leave their apartments as redevelopment moves forward.

"Where are we supposed to go?," an audience member called out after the vote.

"We're human beings just like you," was another cry.

The council's vote also follows the EDA's recommendation to work with a San Clemente-based nonprofit to acquire, fix-up and manage rehabilitated apartments for low-income tenants.

That nonprofit, San Clemente-based Mary Erickson Community Housing, promised to screen future tenants and Morris and other proponents have said the organization would provide a shield against absentee slumlords.

Susan McDevitt, Mary Erickson's executive director, acknowledged after the vote that an unspecified number of current tenants will likely have to move. She said the law requires those people to receive assistance and that it could be possible for them to return to the area if they pass tenant screenings.

McDevitt said Tuesday that residents of 32 four plexes may be relocated as part of redevelopment work. Her nonprofit will be required to provide assistance to anyone forced to find a new place to live.

"It's a very strict process. We just don't dump them out on the street," she said.

City Attorney James F. Penman - who prefaced his remarks by digging up a set of old jury instructions that identified his office as a policy-making position - said he is not confident that the nonprofit will be more successful in managing the area than other property owners that sought to run the Arden Guthries when things in that area were much worse.

Proponents of the redevelopment plan have said that if local government does not act, absentee landlords will swoop in and buy properties on the cheap. Penman said the city could respond to that problem without redevelopment by threatening to begin eminent domain proceedings.

With the council's vote on the books, McDevitt said she expects to close the first acquisition in early August.

An ambitious and controversial plan to redevelop a cluster of eastside apartments that some officials say are home to a host of troubles got the go-ahead Monday night.

The City Council, acting in its role to oversee the San Bernardino Economic Development Agency, voted 4 - 3 to OK a redevelopment plan that calls for the rehabilitation of several four-plex apartment buildings that have been foreclosed or abandoned.

Council members Dennis Baxter, Tobin Brinker, Fred Shorett and Rikke Van Johnson voted for the plan. Council members Esther Estrada, Chas Kelley and Wendy McCammack voted "no."

The council cast their votes after lengthy debate that included comments from about two dozen speakers, shouts from the audience, raised voices on the dais and a break to get news on the brush fire that burned during the meeting on Little Mountain.

The vote was a narrow victory for Mayor Pat Morris, who strongly favored the redevelopment plan which is set to focus on eastside apartments on Sunrise Way and 19th Street. The neighborhood in question is just southwest of the place once known as the "Arden Guthries."

Morris and EDA officials consider the plan a tool to bring life back to a troubled neighborhood, however, McCammack contended that the plan's immediate focus on apartments misses out on an opportunity to promote home ownership within the city.

The Arden Guthries were another group of distressed apartments where redevelopment officials have already pushed the reset buttion. Several apartments that comprised the Arden Guthries have already been demolished in a previous redevelopment effort that was intended to reduce crime and clear way for commercial development along Highland Avenue. Plans call for a Home Depot store to eventually go up in the location.

The new project is set to take advantage of about $8.4 million in federal dollars provided through Washngton D.C.'s Neighborhood Stabilization Program, which is intended to help the city deal with problems created by recent foreclosures.

But Uncle Sam's money also comes with a mandate that one-quarter of the funds be used to provide housing for low-income individuals.

The low-income requirement marked a dividing line for the issue. Although EDA housing director Carey Jenkins noted that the plan will reduce the number of apartments in the neighborhood, some of the speakers said that setting aside units for low income people amounts to an invitation to crime.

Another point of contention was the question of how shady the neighborhood really is. Jenkins showed photographs of dilapidated structures and observed that one building in the area recently burned down. He said that was the very building where he was recently quoted as saying he wouldn't be surprised if the building burnt down before it could be acquired.

However, several speakers who identified themselves as area residents objected to the characterization of their homes as a dangerous place, and that they considered the colloquial designation of the neighborhood as "Little Africa" to be an insult.

Another concern for residents is whether they will be forced to leave their apartments as redevelopment moves forward.

The EDA recommended that the council approve a deal to work with a San
Clemente-based nonprofit to acquire, fix-up and manage rehabilitated apartments for low-income tenants.

That nonprofit, San Clemente-based Mary Erickson Community Housing, promised to screen future tenants and Morris and other proponents have said the organization would provide a shield against absentee slumlords.

Susan McDevitt, Mary Erickson's executive director, acknowledged after the vote that an unspecified number of current tenants will likely have to move. She said the law requires those people to receive assistance and that it could be possible for them to return to the area if they pass tenant screenings.

City Attorney James F. Penman - who prefaced his remarks by digging up a set of old jury instructions that identified his office as a policy-making position - said he is not confident that the nonprofit will be more successful in managing the area than other property owners that sought to run the Arden Guthries when things in that area were much worse.

By Andrew Edwards
Staff Writer
SAN BERNARDINO -- Election season begins today as the nomination period for the Nov. 3 election opens.

The Mayor's Office and council seats for the city's First, Second and Fourth Wards are up for a vote. The nomination period is set to close on Aug. 7.

Mayor Pat Morris is seeking a second term in office and has already filed papers announcing his intention to run.

"What I hope the election portends is a discussion of what is best for our city," Morris said. "I hope this is not an election that is dominated by special interests."

Morris won his term by defeating City Attorney James F. Penman in a 2006 runoff election. Penman has said multiple times that he will not challenge Morris this year.

The mayor faces at least one opponent who said he plans to drop by the City Clerk's office today to formally begin his campaign. Sir Isaac Lindsay, who said he runs a Loma Linda-based security firm, plans to enter the fray.

"I'm about employment," Lindsay said. "If you give people jobs, they are not going to go out and rob anybody," Lindsay said.

The First Ward, which includes much of the city's downtown and southwestern area, is currently represented by Esther Estrada. The Second Ward, which includes the neighborhoods that surround Perris Hill Park, is represented by Dennis Baxter.

Like Morris, Baxter has already filed preliminary papers for his reelection campaign. Baxter said Friday that he considers his experiencing going through four budget cycles to be an advantage for his candidacy.

"This is no time for on the job training," he said.

The race to represent the northeastern neighborhoods of San Bernardino's Fourth Ward is so far the most competitive campaign of the year. Fred Shorett, who in March one a Special Election to fill the final months of former councilman Neil Derry's term is being challenged by Joe Arnett, cq who took second place in March.

Arnett launched his campaign Thursday outside City Hall with former Shorett supporters. Arnett is making an issue of Shorett's decision not to support a plan to reverse fire department budget cuts.

"As a councilman, I will absolutely put public safety first," Arnett said Thursday after accusing Shorett of reneging on a campaign pledge to support the Fire Department.

In regards to the Fire budget issue, a majority of the council decided not to restore money to the Fire Department.

No firefighters were laid off, but the cuts allowed a dozen firefighting positions to go unfilled, including eight jobs that had been filled by firefighters working overtime shifts. Eliminating the positions resulted in some engine companies being staffed by three firefighters instead of four.

Shorett said Friday that he didn't change his views, and will run on pro-business and pro-public safety platform.

"I'm trying to be fiscally responsible and provide services to the public," Shorett said.

SB Now is taking a week off. Sources say the blog is possibly hiking the Appalachian Trail.*

In the meantime, here are some questions to ponder:

1. If President Obama visits Russia, but an entertainer who hasn't had a hit song in several years dies, does anyone care?

2. What would happen if taxpayers decide to send California government their own IOUs?

3. Will the recession solve the obesity crisis?

4. Who is more quotable, former President George W. Bush or Vice President Joe Biden?

*Nobody actually said this.

By Andrew Edwards
Staff Writer
SAN BERNARDINO -- A troubled cluster of apartments on the city's eastside is at the focus of new redevelopment proposal, but there is disagreement among some of the city's top officials as to whether the plan is a bold way to repair a broken neighborhood or a flawed concept that will fail to reduce crime and blight.

The plan would employ about $8.4 in funds provided through the federal government's Neighborhood Stabilization Program. The funding is intended to help San Bernardino and other cities cope with the recent wave of foreclosures.

San Bernardino officials have zeroed in on a neighborhood where abandoned and foreclosed apartments sit in the middle of a zone said to be a quagmire of drugs and crime, while also being home to a pair of schools.

The divide between policymakers is whether the current plan will lift the area out of its troubles or merely spend a lot of money and effort while leaving the neighborhood's weaknesses in place.
Mayor Pat Morris and Economic Development Agency staffers say the federal dollars provide an opportunity to bring order to a chaotic neighborhood.

"We looked for the most crime-ridden, degraded areas of our city where we could have the most impacts," Morris said.

That area would be a few blocks along 19th Street and Sunrise Way, parallel streets that lie just southwest of the empty land where the notorious Arden Guthries once stood.

EDA statistics show that 356 serious crimes were reported in the area from January 2007 through March 2009. There were 453 Code Enforcement actions over the same time period.
San Bernardino officials have earlier ordered the demolition of the forty-odd apartment complexes that made up the Arden Guthries in an effort to wipe the neighborhood's slate clean and make way for commercial development. The land is now vacant.

But the eradication of the Arden Guthries was not the end of blight in the neighborhood. Some of the four-plexes on Sunrise, for example, exist only as abandoned husks.

In one such building, no barrier prevents trespassing. Gaping holes have been smashed into the drywall and debris covers the floors.

EDA housing director Carey Jenkins said the vandalism is presumably the work of drug addicts scavenging copper wiring to trade for the quick cash that fuels their habits.

"I will not be surprised if this is burned down by some kind of illicit activity before we get our hands on it," Jenkins said.

One quarter of the properties in the neighborhood are abandoned, Jenkins said, a condition he said is symptomatic of "complete failure of a community."

But one Sunrise Lane resident, a woman who did not want to give her real name, said it was about three years ago when Sunrise life was truly rough.

"It's very quiet. Family oriented," she said of her street's current conditions. "It used to be wild over here, yes."

Under the federal government's conditions of the grant, one quarter of the money must be used to finance housing for people earning half of the area median income. In San Bernardino, that amounts to annual incomes of about $19,000.

The redevelopment plan under current consideration addresses that mandate by calling for 25 of the four-plexes to be acquired by a nonprofit and rehabilitated by a nonprofit as low income housing. The concept also calls for the demolition of neighboring four-plexes to make way for single-family homes and senior housing.

The provision for low-income housing has some city officials leery of the proposal. Both City Attorney James F. Penman and Seventh Ward Councilwoman Wendy McCammack, don't like the idea of 100 apartments being set aside for low income earners.

EDA staffers had asked for the City Council to greenlight the redevelopment plan on Monday, but Penman succeeded in gaining the council's OK to wait two weeks while city lawyers examined the paperwork.

"The greater issue is the concentration of those low-income families in a high-crime area," Penman said in an interview.

Penman concludes that the low-income requirements amount to little more than an open door for parolees to settle in any rehabilitates apartments. The end result, he predicts, will be increased strain on city programs and a neighborhood populated by people with similar problems as those who have already raised cain around Sunrise and 19th.

McCammack, whose ward includes the Sunrise and 19th areas, has similar concerns. She wants redevelopment efforts to support senior housing or the development of owner-occupied residences. Like Penman, she sees a cluster of low-income apartments as a potential crime magnet.

"We would be making a big mistake, and I think we would be destabilizing an already unstable neighborhood," she said.

Jenkins said EDA staffers propose to use the funds to rehabilitate apartments because Washington, D.C.'s low-income mandate means the money could only be used to to subsidize a dozen or so owner occupied homes, as opposed to 100 apartments.

Because the plan also calls for the eventual demolition of 46 four-plexes to make way for senior and owner-occupied housing, he said the proposal will significantly reduce the number of low-income apartments along Sunrise and 19th.

Jenkins and Morris also said management services provided by Mary Erickson Community Housing, a San Clemente-based nonprofit, will result in a safer neighborhood and more responsible tenants than has been the case when absentee landlords dominated the neighborhood.

"We'll attract good families because of this," Morris said.

Mary Erickson's executive director, Susan McDevitt, said her organization would be able to screen prospective tenants to keep troublemakers away.

Time presents another issue. The plan's proponents say the alternative to doing nothing is to leave the neighborhood at the mercy of absentee landlords, who may swoop in to purchase properties before a decision is made.

"They're sold once again to unregulated investors who are more concerned with cash flow than the community," McDevitt said.

The council's next opportunity to debate the issue is the meeting scheduled for July 20.

City Manager Charles McNeely and Police Chief Keith Kilmer are scheduled to meet the public at a Tuesday meeting hosted by Seventh Ward Councilwoman Wendy McCammack.

McNeely and Kilmer both joined the city June 1.

The meeting is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.Tuesday at Crossroads Christian Fellowship, which is at the crossing of 30th Street and Waterman Avenue.

The filing period for candidates seeking office in the Nov. 3 election begins on Monday, according to the San Bernardino County Registrar of Voters.

In San Bernardino, the Mayor's Office, as well council seats for the First, Second and Fourth wards are up for a vote.

Mayor Pat Morris has already declared that he will seek reelection. The Fourth Ward campaign could also be an interesting race, as Joe Arnett - who took second place to incumbent Fred Shorett in the Special Election that was held in March - is set to formally announce his campaign at noon today.

Arnett has snagged some of Shorett's former supporters, including the firefighters union. The fire union took umbrage when Shorett and a majority of the council took action this spring to maintain budget cuts that eliminated 12 firefighting positions. No firefighters lost their jobs because of the cuts, but eight of those positions were filled by firefighters working overtime shifts.

The cuts resulted in some fire engine companies being staffed with three firefighters instead of four, which fire fighters said compromised public safety. Fire Chief Michael Conrad has said the Fire Department can adequately respond to fires.

We're planning a weekender to look on this issue in greater detail ...

By Andrew Edwards
Staff Writer
SAN BERNARDINO -- A redevelopment plan that would include the rehabilitation of a cluster of eastside apartments is on hold after the City Attorney asked for more time to review the paperwork.

"I think we can do it in less than two weeks. We need at least one week," City Attorney James F. Penman said Monday night during a City Council meeting.

The council voted 4-3 Monday night to grant Penman's request and put the issue on hold for two weeks.

San Bernardino Economic Development Agency officials had proposed to hire a San Clemente-based nonprofit to assist in the use of a federal grant intended to help the city cope with social problems posed by foreclosed properties.

The redevelopment proposal would employ part of $8.4 million provided through the federal Neighborhood Stabilization Program to redevelop 25 eastside lots that are currently the site four-plex apartments.

The plan also includes concepts for the future development of single-family homes and senior housing, and money could also be used to demolish properties.

Federal law requires that one quarter of the grant be spent on housing programs for people earning one-half or less of the area median income. In San Bernardino, that would mean people earning $19,000 or less per year.

Aside from his assertion that city lawyers need time to analyze technical aspects of the plan, Penman argued that low-income requirements would bring a throng of troubled individuals to the area.

"One hundred new units in that area is going to have a substantial impact on the crime rate," he said.

The EDA proposed to hire Mary Erickson Community Housing, a San Clemente-based to purchase and rehabilitate abandoned or foreclosed-upon apartment buildings.

The apartments are on East 19th Street and Sunrise Lane, southeast of the area once known as the "Arden Guthries."

Several apartments at the Arden Guthries, which had a reputation as a crime-plagued neighborhood, have been demolished in a separate redevelopment effort.

Although Penman insisted that the proposed deal was not yet ready for council approval, Tim Sabo, who serves as legal counsel for the San Bernardino Economic Development Agency, said Monday that it was his opinion that the plan was ready for approval.

Interim EDA chief Emil Marzullo said if the council waits too long to approve the purchase of the properties, absentee speculators will swoop in.

"If we don't pull the trigger, someone else will," Marzullo said.

Jumping Jack Flash, a Rolling Stones tribute band, is scheduled to be open Cal State San Bernardino's summer concert series.

The band is set to take to the stage at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the campus' Lower Commons Plaza.

More information at Cal State's Web site.

As an aside, there's an ongoing debate in The Sun's newsroom as to whether "Sticky Fingers" or "Exile on Main Street" is the superior Stones album.

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Recently-elected councilman Fred Shorett is going to have some competition in his effort to win a full term.

Joe Arnett, who took second place to Shorett in a Special Election that was held in March, is scheduled to make a formal announcement on Thursday that he will challenge Shorett in November. He has already picked up endorsements from people who supported Shorett in the previous election.

"March's election was a mile marker in the real race," Arnett said by telephone Monday.

Monday, Arnett's campaign dispatched a press release stating that he is set to make a "major political announcement" Thursday outside City Hall.

Shorett represents the city's northeastern neighborhoods in the Fourth Ward. He succeeded Neil Derry, who left the council after winning a seat on the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors.

In March, Shorett won by a large margin after running with the support of a number of San Bernardino's political players, including the firefighters' union and politicians who often disagree with each other, such as Mayor Pat Morris and Seventh Ward Councilwoman Wendy McCammack.

But now, Shorett's decision not to support other council members' attempts to restore funding to the Fire Department has cost him some political support.

Shorett said he was not surprised by the news, and said he will again campaign on a platform to make San Bernardino government more business friendly and business minded.

"That's the only thing that's going to save this city and cities around the country," Shorett said.

Fifth Ward Councilman Chas Kelley led efforts in April and May to restore funding to a dozen firefighting positions. No firefighters were laid off when the council cut funding for the positions in February, but the cuts meant that some fire engines are now staffed with three firefighters instead of four crew members.

The council never actually voted on Kelley's proposal, which was defeated twice through procedural methods. Other council members said the cash-strapped city cannot afford to pay for the positions, which were vacant and filled by firefighters working overtime shifts.

Some say it's dangerous to have three firefighters on an engine because three-person crews generally have to wait for backup before entering a burning building. Fire Chief Michael Conrad said at the time that three-firefighter engine companies can adequately provide rescue services.

Kelley supported Shorett in the special election but now supports Arnett. The fire union has also changed sides.

"We were just disappointed in regards to some of Fred's issues in regards to public safety," fire union president Scott Moss said.

By Andrew Edwards
Staff Writer

SAN BERNARDINO -- Rev. Patrick S. Guillen pushed a school bus "off a cliff" on Thursday.

So did Moises Escalante. And they weren't the only ones.

"Today we are gathered here together to say the governor is driving California off a cliff," said Guillen, who is also executive director of Libreria del Pueblo, which teaches English language and citizenship courses.

The figurative bus of state was represented not only by words but toy plastic school busses that Guillen, Escalante and others pushed from tables set up outside City Hall.

About a dozen others, including children, stood joined Guillen and Escalante in protesting California's budget deadlock. The protesters, organized by the left-leaning California Partnership, called for increased taxes on oil companies and tobacco to offset potential budget cuts to social services.

"Isn't that just common sense, that we tax the big corporations? Not only for good health, but to give life to others," Escalante asked.

Protester Victoria Pelayo of San Bernardino said while others gathered that she stands to lose $1,400 in In-Home Health Services payments that she needs to care for her bed-ridden sister-in-law.

"How come (Gov.) Arnold (Schwarzenegger) isn't taxing from the rich and giving to the poor? That's what he should be doing," Pelayo said.

Conservatives would likely disagree with the California Partnership's policy choices, but there's probably no disputing that the state is in extreme financial trouble. The state Controller is expected to start issuing interest-bearing IOUs for some state obligations Tuesday.

A ground-breaking for the Speicher Skate Park is scheduled to be held Saturday.

Sun colleague Debbie Pfeiffer-Trunell informs me that the park is being built with built with $500,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds, $100,000 in donations from the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians and $98,000 in funding directed from Third District Supervisor Neil Derry.

The bill for the event advertises pro skaters are scheduled to be in attendance. The event is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. Saturday at Speicher Memorial Park, 1535 North Arden Street.

The Los Angeles Times has an interactive feature that gives readers a chance to fill a $24 billion deficit for California government.

The billions can be saved, or generated, only by cutting popular programs like K-14 education or big, fat tax increases. In other words, there's no way it can be done without making a lot of people angry.

City Manager Charles McNeely writes in an email that a credit agreement between City Hall and the San Bernardino Economic Development Agency has not yet been drawn up.

"No, an agreement has not been drawn up at this point. Staff recommendation was to move forward with the adoption of the budget and finalize the terms of the agreement between the City and EDA during the next few weeks," McNeely wrote. "At this point I am told that it will take several weeks to complete this before it is presented to the City Council after which I am hoping we can move forward with the budget adoption."

The EDA is officially separate from the city and has its own budget. McNeely has proposed that the city balance its budget by borrowing up to $5.4 million from the EDA. City Attorney James F. Penman said during a budget workshop Monday that his office needs more time to review the credit proposals to determine if it conforms with California law. The council did not adopt the budget Monday, postponing that decision to an undetermined date later this month.

In a memo written to the the Mayor and CIty Council dated June 26, McNeely wrote that he expected to draw $2.4 million that would be repaid this year and that the credit agreement would include options for two one-year extensions.

Penman has said one of his concerns is that the extensions could be contrary to state law requiring the money to be repaid in a single year. He has also said that he has not seen any tentative agreement between the EDA and City Hall for a line of credit and first learned of details regarding the proposal morning of Monday's budget meeting.