Same story in El Monte
El Monte's budget situation is nothing new. During the 2006-07 fiscal year, it was facing a $6 million deficit. And here's what they did to make up for that, according to a story written in 2006:
New El Monte budget cuts more than 30 jobs
Pasadena Star-News (CA) - November 29, 2006
Author/Byline: Christina L. Esparza Staff Writer
Section: News
EL MONTE - More than 30 positions in the city will be eliminated, including 12 in the Police Department, after the City Council approved a budget that erased a multimillion dollar deficit.
Most of the positions being eliminated are either vacant or will be due to attrition, said Clara Wong, the city's finance director.
"We're trying everything and doing everything not to lay anyone off," Councilman Juventino "J" Gomez said Wednesday. "That's the last thing I want to do - hand somebody a pink slip."
Although no one will be laid off in the Police Department, officers will be moved around and one of its most successful specialized teams will be eliminated.
Unanimously adopted Monday night nearly five months after the fiscal year deadline, the budget eliminates a projected $6.1 million gap for the 2006-07 fiscal year.
The specialized team that got the ax is the July 4th Enforcement Team, which has a successful track record of confiscating tons of illegal fireworks yearly and responding to illegal firework calls.
Now, regular patrol officers will handle firework-related calls.
Voters in June rejected Measure P, a property owners' tax that would have funded public safety. Although more than 60percent of the voters approved it, the measure needed 66.6 percent.
While supporters of the measure had said a fire station would likely close and 31 police officers might be laid off, fee increases, shallow cuts and other changes kept that from happening.
Instead of closing a station, some equipment was moved to a nearby station in another city and the Los Angeles County Fire Department reduced the cost for a fire inspector.
That move saved $305,000, according to city records. However, it also increases response time from a little more than four minutes to five- to eight-minutes.
Although the 2006-07 budget is balanced, more increases are on the horizon, and officials project another $6 million deficit by 2010 unless changes are made.
"Every year, we're spending more than what we're taking in," said Councilwoman Pat Wallach. "We need to start running the city like we do our homes."
Councilwoman Emily Ishigaki said the city is not bringing in enough revenue and called on developers to stop "dragging their feet."
"It's very frustrating to the council members, but not only to the council members, but to the community," Ishigaki said. "What the heck? Let's get our grocery store."
Sound familiar?
That is one well-written, well-researched news story. Wow! The talent is breathtaking. Whatever happened to that reporter? She was pretty cute, too.
Wait! they will try to ram a measure A B C down the taxpayers pocket books in a few months watch.
Wait! they will try to ram a measure A B C down the taxpayers pocket books in a few months watch.
Do we detect a pattern here? Last 3 years of deficit spending. Emily's solution is not to cut spending, it is to raise more revenue. The failure of measure P should have sent a message to the council, but I guess they missed it.
Measure P was on the ballot about 2 years ago; not this past June as your article states.
Read the date on the story. It's from 2006.
Are Gomez and Ishigaki aware of what they are saying. Thanks to them people will loose their jobs at city hall. By spending the cities money, that was not avaliable, families will go without food, and a place to live. Once the new developments come in, they will find a way to spend that money too. They will never get out of this deep well. They need to do some serious money management. Especially at the mayor and city council level.
Hey, Commish, that's my blog. Why don't you comment on it instead of linking?!
Ishigaki and Gomez should be held accountable. They are the ones that will make the pink slips possible for the poor employees. Where will their meals come from? How will their other needs get met? Same on you both for being ill-responbible. You two are totally out of controll. Get some money management classes.
Wasn't the budget just approved unamimously WITHOUT layoffs?
Someone should inform Councilmember Ishigaki that groceries are not taxed (no revenue for the City) except for prepared meals. I guess you could make the argument that a successful grocery store leads to other successful retail tenants in the same center, but that is a stretch.
COUNCILWOMAN ISHIGAKI-KNOW NOT... DOESN'T KNOW ABOUT SALES TAX AT ALL. SHE IS NOT THE BRIGHTEST PENNY OF THE FIVE BY A LONG STREACH.
IS IT TRUE THAT THE CITY OF EL MONTE HAS A TEN PAGE MEMO ON THE "BLOG" REGARDING TO THE TRIBUNE?
WAS IT PREPARED BY THE CITY ATTORNEY CLARKE MOSELEY/ WHAT DID IT COST THE CITY? PUT THAT ON ANOTHER "NO BRAINER EXPENSE" WHAT IS THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL AFRAID OF??? NEXT THING YOU KNOW, THE CITY ATTORNEY WILL BE ASKING, NO TELLING THE TRIBUNE TO GIVE UP THE NAMES OF THOSE THAT DARE TO B L O G !!! CAN YOU BELIEVE THIS B.S.???
STREACH?!? OH YA. YOU SURE ARE BRIGHTER THAN THE REST OF US.
P.S.: "Caps Lock" is on the left side of your keyboard. In case you didn't know.
THE VISION IS NOT WHAT IS USE TO BE. SO I WILL USE WHAT I PLEASE. THANK YOU...VERY MUCH.
Dear Blogger: Do you patrol this website at all hours of the day? (Yes, yes, yes, I know it's your right and no one has the right to tell you how to spend your time etc. etc.) But does that not seem a bit obsessive. Why don't you come to a city coucnil meeitng instead tell everyone what is on your mind. i can assure you that you will not be harmed in any way. You seem to be very passionate and that is not a bad thing. But going to a meeting and speaking in front of everyone might be a better outlet for your feelings and beliefs. Try it. You might have a knack for it. God Bless.
MY VISION IS NOT WHAT IT USE TO BE. AGE...IT IS A BEAR.
SOME DAY YOU WILL S E E WHAT I MEAN.
Thank you for the invite. I prefer it this way. You don't know what it is to mess with "them." They don't like it one bit. This way I am safe and can express my concerns. That is important to me.
My work hours vary. So I blog when time permits.
Let's all do our job and keep an eye on city hall.
The "Pen is mighter than the sword."
Politicians and personality issues aside, what sort of policy priorities would you like to see the city make (for example what sort of spending priorities would you like to see? and what sort spending do you think the city should scale back on?) Now I know this might be a tough one, but what policy initiatives has the city done that you like? or at least think was done well? I'm sorry for playing 20 questions, i just think people need to understand what people WANT from government as much as they need to know want people don't like. I do appreciate you passion; many other people could care less about how their local government operates. I commend for that.
"To Blogger said:
I'm sorry for playing 20 questions, i just think people need to understand what people WANT from government as much as they need to know want people don't like."
How about sharing your thought with us? Let's hear what YOU WANT from government.
Honesty first and foremost. No one if perfect, including myself. We do tend to put politicans on a higher level. We trust them to make decisions that will help improve the quality of like for all of us. They come into office in a humble state of mind and then believe that the world revolves around them. Once elected they change. They don't have to lie to us about the cities finances. Good, bad or indifferent they should "tell it like it is." They do owe us the truth, no matter what. Over spending money shows very poor judgement on their part. Telling us lies makes it even worst. There isn't any financial mess that can not be fixed. All five elected officials must share the blame equally. But more impotantly they all must work together to resolve the issue, no matter what. Blaming one another and everyone else, shows that they don't know how to take charge or embrace responsibility at all. Making them seem insecure and part of the problem. The truth is always best. Lies always surface and mistrust replaces trust. Lies kill their credibility all together. Honesty is best.ALWAYS
Well put BLOGGER, true power is ultimately built upon TRUST and REMAINING WORTHY of the people's trust. It seems like a number of people get into politics with the best of intentions until they run into the reality of money. Money forces you compromise in unhealthy (as opposed to reasonable) ways which ultimately begets more unhealthy compromise until you eventually loose sight or even belief in the very things you hoped to achieve in the first place. Staying in office becomes an end unto itself. It's really sad. I do think that if more people showed at meetings, people might actually get a council more responsive to their desires and spending priorities. I've seen the council switch gears on certain issues when enough people complain - maybe not out of true concern but at the very least out of a basic desire for poitical survival. I guess that's why I've been harping on this "people should show at council meetings" thing. You don't necessarily need to trash anyone but simply being there and in numbers helps them get the message. Like I said before BLOGGER, I appreciate you passion and you obvious desire to see the city be a better place. I think that is a nice thing and I think you are a nice person. Take care.
THE BLOGGER:
Unless the residents are able to view council meetings in person, via the internet, or on a cable news channel they don't really know what is happening. There was a time because of class schedules that I had to depend on the newspaper to print what was happening in El Monte. Rarely does the paper tell you exactly who voted on what. Times have changed, I no longer have class on Tuesdays and I have the internet. I now know what passes the council unanimously and who the "ayes and nays" were when it isn't unanimous. My votes are now based on where the candidates stand on issues, not on who is supporting them. Ernie no longer gets my vote and in the next election, I know who I am NOT voting for and I'm still unsure about the other. I don't feel it is fair to lump them all together, when votes to spend are usually passed with a 3 to 2 vote.
They don't need to be all lumped together. But unfortunetly the apple does not fall far from the tree in this case. Gutierrez has got to go, that is a given, as does Ishigaki. She brings nothing to the table whats so ever. She is a big disappointment.
New young councilmembers would be best for El Monte.
Wipe the slate clean and start over. It would be in the best interest of El Monte.
Yes I agree, but theres a catch to getting younger concilmembers is EMPD is already looking for there canidates I know of two so far.
I'm, sure they will be young hispanics. Probably coming from a school board or involved in another city. One or two of the young hispanic professional club that was formed in El Monte and backed by the El Monte Police Dept., am I correct? Either way, I am sure that they would do a much better job than Gutierrez, Ishigaki and Barrios. Gomez and Wallach can hold their own. They are the wiser of the five. Whom ever it is I plan to back them. We must get EL Monte back to what it once was. We need respectable, knowledgeable,committed individuals who can take the heat, tell the truth, and NOT go over and beond the cities fiscal budget. TIME FOR A DRASTIC AND PERMANET CHANGE. TIME FOR YOUNGER, SMARTER, EDUCATED LEADERS.
To EL MONTE RESIDENT:
Be careful who is backing the younger, smarter, educated. They are not necessarily leaders just because they are put in leadership positions. Some may be puppets, just like what we have now. Also watch carefully who is backing "J".
I am not pleased that the budget was passed 5-0. The usual 3-2 on spending issues would've been more acceptable.
Guitierrez, Wallach, Gomez, Barrios, and Ishigaki should be replaced. They have messed up as a group! Not one individual can run the city. They are all puppets to their friends, family members, special interest groups, campaign funders and to the people that wine and dine them. Unfortunately, we are in a time when politicians have no sense of duty. They have so much power and they use it for their personal gain and not to improve the city. Citizens we need to be proactive and stop expecting other people to decide for us.
As for the blogger that does not want to go to the meetings... your not missing much. Though at time it can be comical. Especially that stupid Frank M. goes and talks out of his ass. He makes no sense. Dam free loader expects taxpayers to pay for all of his expenses.
I think they have ALL had to make very difficult decisions. Ahhhh to be an Anonymous blogger who can Monday morning quarterback everything but never have to come up with solutions to anything. What a great life. I do urge people in the community to start coming to meetings. They should also never miss a chance to tell the city council what sort of spending priorities they favor and which they do not. GUESS WHAT THEY WILL LIKELY LISTEN. If a development project comes up that YOU have problems with I hope lots of people show up and voice their opinions. PEOPLE you can't complain if you are too apathetic to even make a meeting. You know you have the time. Stop making excuses. This blog is not a substitute for being an active participant in democracy. This blog is the equivalent of of twinkie. Tastes good but in the end doesn't nourish or make your life better. GET OFF THE COUCH AND GET INVOLVED.
For your information we already have 4 puppets in our city council group and the only exception is Pat Wallach..Also the Elite group is warming up Planning Commissioner Norma Macias and also the ex chairperson of meassure "P" Andre Quintero and both are already trained as Puppets, so the voters will decide next election if they want to continue the trend of more puppets equal more taxes to give raises to the group that helps them get elected....