Open Forum: What’s going on in your city?

Posted on July 11, 2008 by mngiadmin

El Monte Councilman Art Barrios called this week, asking why I wasn’t at the pancake breakfast last Friday. Um, because I had the day off and would much prefer to spend my free time at the beach.

But he didn’t care about me: He wanted to know why the Tribune only writes negative stories about El Monte. It’s a common complaint we get. Barrios was right, we didn’t cover it. But we also didn’t cover the dozens of other Fourth of July events in the 31 cities in the San Gabriel Valley. There’s just not enough space.

But in honor of Barrios, how about we spend some positive attention to what is going on in your cities this weekend.

OPEN FORUM: What will you be doing in the SGV this weekend? 

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  • El Monte resident

    Jennifer:
    I agree with Mr. Barrios, the tribune should’ve sent someone to the El Monte pancake breakfast. Channel 2/9 news thought that the event was memorable enough to cover. It is not everyday that a resident in the San Gabriel Valley gets awarded medals for his honorable service in the military. Congresswoman Hilda Solis was at the El Monte Pancake breakfast to present the medals to Mr. Art Lopez III, an American hero.

    I appreciate your coverage of what is happening in politics at the various city halls, but in this instance I didn’t think your flip response to Mr. Barrios’ call was necessary. I am also troubled by the fact that the SGV Tribune seems to print stories on weekends & holidays that appear to have been written earlier in the week. There is no current local news. In fact it appears that the entire newspaper for weekends and holidays were put together in the prior week, and except for the folks in subscriber services, the paper is shut down on the weekends.

  • Anonymous

    Nice to know how REALLY feel about the city Jeniffer. Hope you got a nice sunburn at the beach to go with that pasty complexation of yours. You’ve revealed yourself for what you are.

  • Anonymous

    I THINK THIS SAYS ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT JENIFFER McLAME:

    By Jennifer McLain on July 11, 2008 6:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | ShareThis
    El Monte Councilman Art Barrios called this week, asking why I wasn’t at the pancake breakfast last Friday. Um, because I had the day off and would much prefer to spend my free time at the beach.

    But he didn’t care about me: He wanted to know why the Tribune only writes negative stories about El Monte. It’s a common complaint we get. Barrios was right, we didn’t cover it. But we also didn’t cover the dozens of other Fourth of July events in the 31 cities in the San Gabriel Valley. There’s just not enough space.

    But in honor of Barrios, how about we spend some positive attention to what is going on in your cities this weekend.

    I GUESS WE NOT SO IMPORATNT TO HER UNLESS IT CAN SELL NEWSPAPERS OR POP-UP ADDS.

  • Senior from South El Monte, Ca

    The City of South El Monte offers lunch at the South El Monte Senior Center. It is open from 10 am until
    2 pm. Seniors can donate $2 if they wish or what ever. No reservations are needed. It is on a first come first serve seating arrangement. Tables are called by numbers. It is a home cooked meal prepared by Vicente the cook and his wonderful staff.
    There is a big pooltable room for the gents. The ladies play mexican lottery, cards, read, knit, visit with one another, watch tv or listen to a gentlemen that plays beautiful melodies on the piano. The entire center has central air conditioning. It is a nice place to eat, cool off and relax. We are fortunate to have our saturday lunch program. Mayor Figueroa joins us for lunch and informs us of what the city has planned for the months activities. I look forward to these saturdays as does my wife and our friends from all over the San Gabriel Valley. It is the best place to be if you are a senior and are looking for a cooling off place to be for the summer. Join us on Central and Santa Anita. You will love it.

  • BENice

    Chill people. Add some syrup to your days. Go enjoy the free concerts offered by the cities around here this weekend. You will miss Jennifer when she moves on to greener pastures and greater adventures rather than keeping you amused and informed.

  • Anonymous2

    Anonymous revealed him self too, “pasty complexation” [sic]. Racism is a two way street. If you want it to end, start with yourself.

  • El Monte resident

    Well said Anonymous2. Anonymous states that Jennifer revealed herself, but I think his statement was far more revealing.

    I do wish the Tribune would print good things about good people, like Art Lopez. Our city will always be able to provide fodder for the blog as long as we keep following the advice of the EMPD and put their selections in office. What other city has the town drunk for mayor, and a council person who retired from the city, as did her husband, and has a daughter currently employed by the city and a future son-in-law that is a EMPD officer?

  • BREAKING NEWS

    HEADLINE: McLAIN ON HONORING MILITARY VETS: “I PREFER TO SPEND FREE TIME AT THE BEACH”

  • Anonymous

    How will we spend our time in the SGV? Bashing mclain for having a personal life.

  • The Taxpayer

    I don’t blame the news paper of showing up, although its a very good cause. Just look, we have a Mayor who hangs up on the news paper when a story hits the headlines I myself would not want our Mayor showing up at anything anymore he’s a disgrace. Same goes with 3 concilmembers just spend the Taxpayers money in Rancho Bernardo comming up.

  • Anonymouslikeyou

    well as for my weekend.. i will be home enjoying not working myself to death.. doing the job of 2 or 3 people.. See.. I work for the City of Baldwin Park.. yeah.. the infamous Baldwin Park.. who recently offered the Sworn officers a HEFTY raise.. 7% & 9% and while all the non-sworn and other hardworking proffesionals who are part of the fabulous city got a measly. 2.5% wow.. thanks for using the pathetic excuse that other cities like El Monte are broke and cities in the state are going bankrupt.. we work hard.. we PINCH pennies we help to preserve the general fund… and we get screwed.. I can hear management now…. keep doing your 50-60 hr work weeks.. and MAYBE next year you will get something.. oh wait.. we got stuck with a 2 year contract.. Thanks BP.. for taking care of your own..

  • Weekend in Temple City

    This weekend? I’m going to be reading the Tribune, hoping for an article about Temple City City Manager Charlie Martin’s second car accident while on work time.

  • So. El Monte Couple

    Well I spent my weekend at home. I made myself a huge pitcher of ice tea and sorted out my bills. I paid those that I could afford to at this time and sent a little to the rest. Got ten dollars in gas. Use to be worth twenty. Checked out the Dollar Tree and the 99 Cent store for more deals. I did go to the So. El Monte Senior Center. It was worth it. My husbanbd and I will be returning next saturday. We met the mayor. She was very nice and invited us to attend the concerts in the park for thursday at 6 pm. We are definately going to that.Cleaned out my car and washed it. Watered my grass and plants. Washed some clothes and made a very nice cold chicken salad for supper. Spent the rest of the evening cooling off in my front patio and had some more iced tea with lemon. That was my saturday.

  • oh my goodness

    got to hand it to Baldwin Park for working their slave employees to death and then the council takes the credit while paying them peanuts (sorry police)… It also sounds like BP is freezing positions though they don’t spin it that way. The cake goes to El Monte because it sounds like some folks might eventually be laid off.

    In terms of Ms. McLain’s failure to cover a veteran’s event, I think its half her fault and half of the Tribune’s fault. Why??? Since Ms.McLain is not a high caliber reporter, you would not expect her to be on the scene to report a feel good story but she should of pitched the story to the editor to cover it. On the other hand, since the Tribune cannot attact good reporters they should of figured out that Mc Lain was not going to cover this story so she could go to the beach on her day off.

    Oh yes, to the person who said McLain is going to missed when she moves to greener pastures because of her amusing stories. Since when are her stories amusing? I find them dull and slanted. I hope McLain finds those greener pastures sooner than later.

  • ” El Monte Taxpayer “

    Ms. McLains’s: Keep up the good work and it was about time that somebody like you would keep us informed about the Reality of Politicians especialy in our City, they do not want anybody to remove their mask…And for those that complain about you not working weekends, ask them if they are willing to pay you overtime or keep Quiet….We were waiting for a person like you who cover both sides of the story…

  • From El Monte

    Jennifer,
    Please keep reporting the dirty politics and special treatment enjoyed by the City Hall abusers. If it wasn’t for you, the out of the loop residents would not know what is going on over at City Hall. Thanks, for keeping us informed.

  • http://www.saveourcommunity.us Todd K.

    If this question were posed somewhat earlier in the day, I’d have mentioned Rosemead’s Concert in the Park. Friday was the first of four this summer. Information’s on the city’s website, http://www.cityofrosemead.org

    My wife and I went to the concert. We also brought one of our telescopes to do the sidewalk astronomy thing, showing about forty area residents close-up views of our moon and the planet Jupiter.

    The next Rosemead Concerts in the Park are on July 25, August 8 and August 22. All are at Rosemead Park, north of Mission and a little east of Rosemead Blvd, and start at 7pm.

    On August 8, weather-permitting, we’ll be doing the sidewalk astronomy thing, again. We’ll probably set up just west of Encinitas, a bit north of Rose St. Both the moon and Jupiter will be well-placed that evening.

  • Anonymous Blogger

    Jennifer your day off is your day off. Someone else from the Tribune should of covered this event on
    Mr. Art Lopez. He is a very old man who continues to do much for the veterans and our troops over seas. He deserved to be recognized. It is never too late. Simply contact Congresswoman Solis and get the information on this great hero. I am sure that they can send you a photo and a bio. on this Vietnam Veteran. Better yet call and interview him yourself. His family, his community and Mr. Lopez will be very happy. Make it happen. It is worth reporting about. We do need a good heart story once in awhile. Really we do.

  • Anonymouse

    Jen, I agree with the previous post. Don’t worry about these idiots who have nothing but negative things to say about you reporters. For people who seem to hate you so much, they sure spend a lot of time on your website posting comments on every blog. Maybe they’re secretly in love with you but don’t know how to express themselves, kinda like a little boy who chases the girl he likes with a worm on a stick. Anyway, thanks for airing out the local dirty laundry and keep up the good work!

  • B.P. Council

    The Baldwin Park City Council brings home roughly $40,000.00 per year!

  • b p resident

    wow. i am in the wrong line of work. tell me more. how are they paid so much money? they are over paid. they are not worth it.

  • Anonymous

    McLame, why do you go on your own blog and call yourself “Anonymouse”?

    I don’t think the boys are secretly in love with you as much as you are secretly into S&M.

  • Anonymouse

    Hey douchebag, I’m not Jennifer. Nice try, though. I’ll let you go now so you can continue with your douchebaggery. Ya douche.

  • Anonymous

    Is that the word of day or something?

  • Anonymouse

    Emphasis through repetition

  • Anonymous

    “well as for my weekend.. i will be home enjoying not working myself to death.. doing the job of 2 or 3 people.. See.. I work for the City of Baldwin Park.. yeah.. the infamous Baldwin Park.. who recently offered the Sworn officers a HEFTY raise.. 7% & 9% and while all the non-sworn and other hardworking proffesionals who are part of the fabulous city got a measly. 2.5%”

    So, you get a 2.5% raise each year for the next two years, irrespective of how good (or bad) you do your job? You get an automatic raise?

    Unless your superiors are caning you every on the hour, it sounds like you have a better deal than most other hardworking professionals.

  • A SGV resident

    To Anonymous

    Who pissed in your shoe this morning????

  • B.P. Council

    They get $600.00 for being on the council per month + $1,200.00 per month for being on the Community Development Commission (while all other commission members only receive $50.00) + $75.00 cel phone reimbursement + $300.00 car allowance + roughly $1,400.00 cash-in-leiu for medical coverage.

  • Anonymous

    To Anonymouse:

    “Emphasis through repitition” eh? Sounds distrubingly Orwellian. “We have always been at war with Oceania. We have always been at war with Oceania. War is peace. War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Freedom is slavery.”

  • Mom ans Pops from South El Monte,Ca

    Thursdays at community center in South El Monte is for me and my family. The city pool is open for a very low cost. Food vendors sell great food. We always purchase ice cold strawberry lemonade or ice tea from the SEM Patriotic Committee. The mayor makes gallons of it and it tastes great. Sister City from Michochan sell the best home made meat, chicken, potato and bean fried tacos with cabbage, grated cheese and a home made secret mexicam salsa…yummy. The concerts in the park are the best,starting at 6pm to 9pm. They are free and open to the public. The dates and groups are July 17 Sonora Dinamita, July 31 Soto, Aug.7 Sangria, Aug 21 Mariachi Continental, and Sept.4 Tierra. We also attend the saturday lunch program for seniors. It is open from 10am to 2pm. Donation is $2 dollars. Good home made food. See you all there.