Covina's newest problem

Is it just me, or does it sound like Covina has got some serious set of issues? Recently, the Tribune has reported that Covina declared a fiscal crisis, a city-driven utility tax will be going in front of voters again - only this time without an argument opposing the measure -- and three top executives recently left the city. Now, Amanda Baumfeld is reporting that the city could pay another $35,000 in consultant fees to help come up with a contract between the city and the police officer's union.

And just where will the money be coming from? City Manager Paul Philips told Baumfeld, "We don't have the money but we'll take it from reserves."

When police union representative attributed the departure of department heads to mis-management of the city, the city manager had this response:

"I don't have any real response to that," Philips said in an interview Monday.

But if there's one thing the city does have is an ice cream truck that plays Kenny G.