Monthly Archives: February 2009

El Monte police offer up 10 percent pay cuts

Posted on by
41

News of layoffs within the El Monte Police Department is traveling fast.

I’ve already spotted coverage of a protest at City Hall Tuesday night on two news stations, and our own Rebecca Kimitch is working on an in-depth story on the issue for tomorrow’s paper.

In the meanwhile, here’s the news we have so far: We’ve been reporting for some time now that El Monte police fear they could lose as many as 17 officers if the city can’t figure out another way to reduce the budget and deal with a growing multi-million dollar deficit.

Last night, the El Monte Police Officers Association asked instead that the city cut police salaries by 10 percent to avoid layoffs.

Apparently, the deal is being discussed. Layoffs, pay raises and hiring freezes at police departments is always a touchy issue, with law enforcement agencies often arguing that low benefits and a reduced force can lead to decreased public safety.

What do you think? Should the city layoff officers, or will a 10 percent pay cut suffice?

La Puente city manager position in limbo

Posted on by
Reply

10745-lapuenteseal.jpg

So it looks like the city manager search in La Puente is really on hold, since interim city manager Frank Tripepi is going to stay on with the city through the end of the fiscal year.

Mayor Louie Lujan said the post is still open, but the city hasn’t received anymore applications since the first round of applications came in a few months back.

There are two finalists who are still technically in the running for the job (a third dropped out in the middle of the process). But since Tripepi is staying on, everyone is sort of waiting.

“The plan is to run through the budgeted amount through the fiscal year, and when we are approaching the amount we have budgeted for Frank, a couple of months before that I plan on holding a series of special meetings to determine what the council wants to do,” Lujan said.

Because of the way things have been running at City Hall since Tripepi came on, Lujan said there is no concern about not having a permanent, full-time city manager on board.

Hanks as the new Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Chairman?

Posted on by
2

While Keith Hanks is running for reelection this March on the Azusa City Council, he is also hoping for another election in the coming weeks.

Hanks sits on the board for the Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension that is now chaired by La Verne Mayor Jon Blickenstaff. Blickenstaff is leaving the La Verne council at the end of his term this year.

When the board is restructured, Hanks has his fingers crossed in hopes of becoming the new chair, or at least the vice chair, told me today (Wednesday).

I can’t say I would blame the board for the decision. Hanks has a firm grasp on engineering and transportation issues. The man just gets excited about things like this and you always want that out of a representative.

In terms of engineering, I would probably be described as a novice and I would take that as a compliment.

But when Hanks, who works in the public works department for the city of Los Angeles and focuses on sewer systems, was explaining to me different parts of how sewers work, not only was it interesting, but I understood.

It takes someone who really knows what they are talking about to not only taking something like how sewers work and make it interesting, but to also allow a Lehman like myself to understand the basics of some complex issues.

The question of lobbyists

Posted on by
1

Now that Barack Obama’s stimulus plan has been signed into law, we may be seeing more and more cities signing on — or reinstating — contracts with lobbyists.

La Puente is one example: they recently approved a contract with Joe A. Gonsalves and Son for lobbying services through the end of the fiscal year at $3,000 a month. Officials say the service will help ensure La Puente’s stake in stimulus money.

Joe A. Gonsalves and Son is one of the biggest lobbying firms in California, with a long list of San Gabriel Valley clients including, Irwindale, Industry, Diamond Bar, Glendora, Arcadia, the South Coast Air Quality Management District and the San Gabriel Valley Water Association. They also represent the Willdan Group of Companies, parent company of Willdan Financial Services — of which La Puente interim city manager Frank Tripepi is CEO and president.

This story I wrote for Tuesday’s paper basically breaks down the debate on lobbyists: some argue they are a waste of money, while others argue lobbyists do work that local legislators can’t always do.

Obviously, some SGV cities see the need because their paying big bucks for the service. For example, in 2005, state records show Industry paid $52,000 to Joe A. Gonsalves and Son, and Irwindale paid $57,200.

Salazar and Urteaga on the outs?

Posted on by
2

That’s what a group of Montebello residents are hoping for. They recently filed recall papers against the two City Council members — Kathy Salazar and Robert Urteaga — based on a laundry list of grievances.

For Salazar, there’s allegations of money laundering, ethical misconduct and supporting special interests.

For Urteaga, there’s allegations of lying to the public and also supporting special interests.
Amanda Baumfeld wrote a story in today’s paper detailing the recall effort and a DA review into Salazar.

Recall supporters will be out at a rally today at 4:30 p.m. in front of City Hall, 1600 Beverly Blvd.

Rumors of Azusa’s Target demise have been greatly exaggerated, councilman says

Posted on by
Reply

Just got done talking to Councilman Keith Hanks and got the 411 on the new Azusa Target.

Word on the street was the development was suddenly in doubt, possibly on its way to being scratched. Most of the sources on this aren’t exactly trustworthy, but the fear exists and has been perpetrated nonetheless.

Hanks informed me, as City Manager Fran Delach did the same at last night’s council meeting, that the project’s start date has been delayed. But at the same time, the completion date and opening date remains the same, Hanks said.

“We hoped to close escrow the first of the year, but then the economy melted down,” Hanks said.

It was probably Target just taking necessary precautions and waiting a bit longer on the economy before pushing the project forward, Hanks said. Even with that, he had no fears of the project coming to fruition.

Hagman saves couple from burning car

Posted on by
1

It’s a good thing Assemblyman Curt Hagman, R-Chino Hills, didn’t have to sleep in the state Capitol last night, like he and other lawmakers did on Valentine’s day in their failed effort to put together a budget.

The former Chino Hills councilman was at his Sacramento apartment Monday night when he heard a crash outside and ran downstairs to find a car had crashed into a parked truck. He saved the driver, later found to be drunk, and his passenger before the car exploded.

Read about it here:

Azusa looks to support Highway 39 construction

Posted on by
Reply

Looking over Azusa’s city council meeting agenda, and they plan on voting to support the Highway 39 Caltrans construction project I wrote about here.

The process for a project is still in its early stages. Caltrans is hopeful they can get the project done by 2013.

Also, the city is voting to approve the purchases of two more properties in a neighborhood in its efforts to create a low-income housing project.

I previously wrote about that project here. Besides the purchase of two more properties, it appears they are still negotiating for at least one more that is listed on the agenda.

Residents don’t seem pleased about the housing project, but do admit the neighborhood could use some fixing up.

Who knew it was illegal?

Posted on by
8

So I got an e-mail on Thursday from a friend for Carlos Illingworth who intends to run for the Montebello Unified School District Board of Education.

The e-mail was an invitation to attend “Carlos Illingworth’s Poker Tournament Campaign Fundraiser.” It was sent from Jessica Mihal, who said she is IIllingworth’s friend.

Then on Friday (the next day) I got this e-mail from Mihal saying the tournament is canceled:

“Who knew – but apparently it is not legal to have a gambling tournament as a political fundraiser… 🙁 “

Illingworth may want to rethink who he puts in-charge of his political fundraisers.

DJ Caruso: Buddies with Spielberg, famous movie director, and … little league president?

Posted on by
Reply

This isn’t politics, but I couldn’t resist writing about it.

It was pretty cool, not to mentioned surprising, when I happened to call a famous, and somewhat well known, movie director when calling various little leagues for this story.

When I first looked at Pasadena Southwestern’s little league website, I saw the presidents name and thought it looked familiar: D.J. Caruso.

I, by own definition, consider myself a movie buff. I haven’t been as involved in recent years, but it wasn’t too long ago that I could tell you the best movies to see from American, Korean, Polish and French filmmakers.

So, when I noticed a name that was familiar, I did what any sane person would do – I Googled it. When Caruso’s name came up as the director of Eagle Eye, Disturbia – and most notably for me – The Salton Sea, I was skeptical. What are the odds that a president of a local little league was also a director of films that have grossed more than $100 million.

I talked it over with fellow Tribune reporter Rebecca Kimitch and we both agreed the scenario was unlikely. But still, I promised I would ask.

During the interview about his little league program, I decided I wasn’t sure if I wanted to ask. The guy probably gets that all the time and I didn’t want to annoy him.

But I went through with it, although somewhat backhanded. I asked what he did for a living, and then he responded, without much pressure but with a laugh “I actually direct movies.”

My voice jolted.

“I knew it!”

This is a man who is buddies with Steven Spielberg, has directed Val Kilmer, Shia Lebouf and “The Shield” and I just happened to talk to him for a story about local little leagues hitting hard times. Crazy coincidence.

He said he gets that all that time. In fact, sometimes people come up to him and say “You know, you have the same name as a movie director.” And not knowing they are one in the same, Caruso just lets them carry on. “Ya, I get that all the time,” he says.

When I asked him how he ended up the president of the board for Pasadena Southwestern, I expected…well I didn’t know what to expect but I half expected it to be something elaborate or out of the ordinary.

Instead, it was very similar to any dad or mom’s story. He has five kids, all going through the little league at one time or another and he had helped out as a coach or volunteer over the years.

One year, he took a board position looking over the maintenance of the fields, something he said he was interested in.

This year they asked him to be president and since he is in-between movies, he decided to do it. He felt grateful to the league for all they had done for his family and wanted to give back.

Sometimes this job has some pretty cool surprises.