April 2009 Archives

Food pantry at the San Gabriel Unified School District will be evicted to make way for a fitness center, Amanda Baumfeld reports.

Of the 10 local San Gabriel Valley cities that are members of the National League of Cities, only Claremont, Duarte and Baldwin Park participate in the organization's free prescription drug discount plan. Read more.

No West Covina employee, including those in public safety, will be immune from job losses. Read more.

Local travel agencies are reporting a slowdown in trips to Mexico because of fears from the swine flu. Read more.

Azusa library staff tosses out 600 books. Read more.

This week, I'm working on a story about pension costs among our local cities. During an interivew with Edward Fong of the California Public Employees' Retirement System, he mentioned that fire fighters and police officers up and down the state don't contribute, and therefore aren't eligible, to receive Social Security.

This explains why pension plans are typically more generous for fire fighters and police officers than non-sworn employees, Fong said. Another group of public employees exempt from Social Security is teachers, Fong said.

Candidates for the 32nd Congressional seat keep trucking along, even though Judy Chu and Gil Cedillo appear to have gotten a lot of media attention over the past few weeks.

Covina resident and former Covina Councilman Dave Truax, who is running for the 32nd Congressional seat, is hosting a meet and greet "dessert reception" from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the home of Steve and Donna Cayson, 1524 E. Algrove Street in Covina.

Tonight, candidate Teresa Hernandez, a West Covina native, will have an event from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the South El Monte restaurant, Cielito Lindo, 1612 N. Santa Anita Ave. Among those in attendance will be Sen. Bob Huff, Covina Mayor Walt Allen and Rosemead Mayor Margaret Clark.

The coroner is investigating whether the death of a 45-year-old man from La Mirada, who died April 22 at Coast Plaza Doctor's Hospital in Norwalk, is due to swine flu. Via LA Observed. 

Meanwhile, local cities and schools are taking precautionary measures against the flu, Amanda Baumfeld reports.

Temple City enacts a moratorium on pot dispensaries. Read more.

Temple City will start televising its meetings, and will also push up the public comment period to the beginning of the meeting. Read more.

Here's this week's installment of Leftovers from City Hall column:

Leftovers from City Hall: Local politicians show interest in 2010 Assembly race

The June 2010 primaries are still far out, but a few local pols have already thrown their names in as potential candidates for the 57th Assembly District race.

La Puente Mayor Louie Lujan, West Covina Mayor Roger Hernandez and West Covina Councilman Steve Herfert have all filed statements of an intent to run for the seat, according to documents filed with the California Secretary of State.

Assemblyman Ed Hernandez - who lives in West Covina and has an optometry office in La Puente - currently holds the seat.

Herfert and Roger Hernandez could not be reached for comment Friday.

Lujan said he decided to file the intent after supporters and colleagues around him encouraged him to run.

"I'm interested but I haven't made my mind up yet," Lujan said, adding that if Ed Hernandez were to run again, Lujan would drop his bid.

"I thoroughly enjoy public service," he said. "If I have the opportunity to serve the public on a different level, I'd be honored to do so."

Baldwin Park mayor's name cleared

Mayor Manuel Lozano is off the hook on a 2007 all expense-paid trip he took to China - at least for now.

The District Attorney's office has concluded its probe and found that Lozano did not have to report his trip on his statement of economic interests because the Chinese government paid for it - not a local businessman like Council critic Greg Tuttle alleged.

The California Fair Political Practices Commission is still doing its own investigation.
Tuttle isn't too happy about the DA's decision, and criticized them for relying only on witness statements for proof.

"The DA dropped the ball ... Unless I do everything except file the charges and put them in the courtroom, then they don't want to mess with it," he said.

Lozano called Tuttle a "congenital liar" and said he's consulting with attorneys about suing Tuttle for defamation of character.

"He has a major axe to grind," Lozano said. "Tuttle will go on any little thing and he runs with it ... He needs to know he will be held accountable."

Lozano also said he knew all along the Chinese government foot the bill - even though Lozano said in previous interviews that a Rowland Heights bank paid for the trip.

"I guess I just didn't explain myself," he said.

Tuttle said he has no hidden agenda, his complaint was all about Lozano's travel to China and nothing more.

Pleitez staffer offends West Covina council

A campaign staffer for Emanuel Pleitez got a bit of a tongue lashing from West Covina council members last week after he used an emotional discussion about potential employee layoffs as a campaign pitch for Pleitez, who is running for the 32nd Congressional seat.

JC Stiassni spoke on behalf of Pleitez during the public comment portion of a meeting, following the testimony of employees who were upset over a proposal by Mayor Roger Hernandez to protect only public safety employees from layoffs.

That's where Stiassni came in with a story about Emanuel's own plights growing up. Councilman Mike Touhey wasn't amused. He lambasted the staffer for wasting public comment time, and said it was insensitive for Stiassni to use that time to campaign.

Pleitez's Press Secretary Emily Dulcan said speaking at public meetings is a campaign strategy. But in hindsight, she said, it probably wasn't the best timing.

"I want to express my apologies for the insensitivity that may have been portrayed," Duncan said. "In no way did we mean to offend the participants."

At last week's city council meeting, about 10 West Covina city employees expressed their angst after seeing an item placed on the agenda to protect the jobs and contracts of public safety employees.

Problem is that the item, put on the agenda by Mayor Roger Hernandez, didn't make any mention of the non-sworn employees -- and it is their contracts who are up in June. Public safety employees' contracts aren't up until 2010.

Hernandez said that he only put the item on there because "95 percent" of the comments he heard from employees fearing their jobs came from public safety, and he later said that he would have no problem adding non-public safety employees to his resolution.

The whole thing was sparked after City Manager Andrew Pasmant held informal discussions with city employees to discuss ways employes and departments could account for savings as the city expects to face a $9 million deficit. 

In the end, the council voted down Hernandez's resolution, and also accused him of being devisive and politicizing the issue.

The voter registration deadline for the consolidated and special May 19 election is on May 4, according to the Los Angeles County Registrar.

President of the Center for Governmental Studies Robert Stern called for more restrictions in a story written by Rebecca Kimitch that shows Sen. Gil Cedillo's staffers have used a loophole in campaign finance laws that allows Cedillo to buy gifts with campaign donations.

Cedillo is running for the 32nd Congressional seat.

From the story:

Cedillo and key members of his legislative staff annually exchange gifts during the holidays, staff members have said. But while the staff members pay for their gifts to the state senator themselves, Cedillo uses contributions from donors to buy his staff members' gifts.

According to public records, Cedillo has spent nearly $15,000 of campaign contributions over the past six years at Banana Republic, Nordstrom, Bloomingdales, Ann Taylor and a handful of other high-end retail stores.

Cedillo said all of the purchases were gifts for his legislative and political staff, as well as other lawmakers.

Daniel Savage, Cedillo's chief of staff, said he has regularly received gifts from Cedillo - a shirt and tie every year for Christmas. Savage, who has known Cedillo for decades, said he reciprocates with the same.

"(Cedillo) is using his campaign funds as a supplement to his income," said Robert Stern, president of the nonprofit Center for Governmental Studies and former general counsel for the Fair Political Practices Commission. "When I give gifts, exchange gifts, it's out of my own pocket... The staffer has to use personal funds for his gift to (Cedillo)."

Read more.

Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis will be returning to her alma mater on Saturday --- La Puente High School --- to talk to community members about education and her accomplishments.

Solis is the first Hispanic Labor Secretary and the first Latina cabinet member of any presidential administration. She also has deep roots in the SGV, as a graduate of local secondary schools and colleges.

It should be a big turnout. Wonder if any of the dozen people running for her former Congressional seat will be there?

Residents in Bradbury, Duarte, El Monte, Irwindale, Monrovia, Rosemead, San Gabriel, San Marino, Temple City and some Los Angeles unincorporated areas are being hit with a 56 percent water rate hike. Read more.

As some cities struggle to get their tagging under control, West Covina has been combating it with volunteer Glenn Kennedy, the police department and the hired clean-up company. Read more.

San Gabriel Valley's only pot dispensary closes up shop after a judge granted a temporary restraining order. Read more.

Montebello OKs metal recycling plant in an industrial area. Read more.

Newly appointed Labor Secretary Hilda Solis will come back home at 2 p.m. on Saturday and give a talk at La Puente High School titled, "Pathways to Success: Achieving Goals through Education." Solis was the first in her family to go to college and attend Cal Poly Pomona. Read more.

 Baldwin Park Mayor Manny Lozano cleared by District Attorney's office, which investigated a 2007 trip taken by Lozano to China.  Read more.

The money might be spent, but one of state Sen. Gil Cedillo's political rivals wants him to give it back.

Rafael Nadal, who, like Cedillo, is a candidate for the 32nd Congressional district, is asking Cedillo to donate to the homeless and needy the $125,000 in campaign contributions the LA Times reported the senator spent on lavish hotels, meals and shopping trips.

Nadal is the parliamentarian for the Chicano Latino caucus of the California Democratic Party, and an Army veteran who has championed the cause of homeless veterans.

Nadal wrote Cedillo:

I am writing to you to request that you donate the amount of money that you spent on luxuries as reported in the Los Angeles Times (April 11, 2009) , money given to you by campaign donors. I request that you donate the same amount to food banks, shelters, churches, senior citizens, homeless women and children, and homeless veterans.

As a State Senator you reported spending $125,000 in a lavish lifestyle proper of the rich and famous. Your expenses only compare to those of Fabian Nuñez, the former Speaker of the California Legislature. Let's see, according to the Times you spent $1,203 for dinner in the Patina, the haute cuisine restaurant at the Walt Disney Concert Hall. You spent $5,705 at the Standard, the rooftop bar of the downtown hotel. Your expenses include $7,022 at Nordstrom; $3,483 at Banana Republic; $1,418 at Ann Taylor; $498 at Bloomingdale's; $450 at Crate & Barrel; and $375 at Macy's.

At a time of a painful economic crisis in California, I cannot believe that you would relish in such luxuries. While people are losing their homes, children go without eating, and senior citizens have to choose between buying medications or paying their rents. This is an outrage, Mr. Cedillo, shame on you, you must give the money to charities.

On top of living a lavish lifestyle, now you voted to raise taxes that affect senior citizens, when they are barely able to keep their homes, where is your compassion, Mr. Cedillo? have you lost your moral compass?. You are not worthy to serve in the U.S. Congress.
Cedillo claims that his expenditures are "ethical", but a time where there are hundreds of homeless people in your District, I have to call your expenditures as immoral.

I just finished writing up this story. There's much more meat to it, but I was limited on space. This week's Leftovers column will have more ....

BALDWIN PARK -- A criminal probe of Mayor Manuel Lozano following his 2007 all expense-paid trip to China concluded the mayor broke no laws, authorities said Thursday.

Deputy district attorneys with the DA's Public Integrity Division began the probe in September. They had received a complaint that Lozano took the all-expenses paid trip, but never claimed it on his statement of economic interests.

In a letter dated April 13, Deputy District Attorney Juliet Schmidt said that Lozano's trip was paid for by the Chinese government, and did not need to be reported.

"As I said from the beginning, I had not done anything wrong and if I needed to amend my forms I would do it," Lozano said Thursday. "I wasn't worried about anything. I hadn't committed any crime."

Local businessman Greg Tuttle, who said the review stemmed from a separate grievance he filed last year with the California Fair Political Practices Commission, said he was disappointed with the decision.

Tuttle had alleged the trip was paid for by a local businessman.

"(The DA) asked everyone that went on the trip if the Chinese government paid for it," Tuttle said. "But they failed to do the one thing: (show) the Chinese government paid for it."

Tuttle said he would continue to pursue the matter with the FPPC, which is still actively investigating the case, according to Executive Director Roman Porter
.
Lozano previously said the trip was paid for by a bank in Rowland Heights.

But on Thursday, he said he knew all along it was paid for by the government, and simply had not clarified his statements before.

According to Schmidt's letter, because witnesses confirmed Lozano gave speeches during the trip, he did not need to report it on his statements.

This press release from the Gil Cedillo campaign touts his endorsements from the mayors of both Baldwin Park and Irwindale. This after the Cedillo campaign dissed endorsements.

Here's the gist:

El Monte, CA - Baldwin Park Mayor Manuel Lozano and Irwindale Mayor Larry Burrola have retracted their duel endorsements in the race for California's 32nd Congressional District to throw their full support behind Senator Gil Cedillo

"The race to succeed Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis is too important
not to make a clear choice. After weighting the field of candidates
carefully, I have decided to pull my endorsement from Board of Equalization member
Judy Chu and throw my full weight behind State Senator Gil Cedillo," said
Mayor Burrola. "He is clearly the most qualified candidate to represent the
working and middle class families of the San Gabriel Valley."

"Senator Gil Cedillo's is one of California's top crime fighters and
a key advocate in the Legislature for improving our schools," said Mayor
Lozano. "In Congress, Gil Cedillo will be a voice for the issues that matter most
to Baldwin Park and I am proud to endorse him"

A staffer working on the campaign for a "26-year-old idealist from East LA" got a bit of a tongue lashing by West Covina council members on Tuesday after he used an emotional discussion about potential employee layoffs as a campaign pitch for Emanuel Pleitez, who is running for the 32nd Congressional seat.

JC Stiassni spoke on behalf of Pleitez during the public comment portion of a meeting. His comments were sandwiched in with comments by employees who were upset with a resolution that was proposed by Mayor Roger Hernandez to protect public safety employees from layoffs. His resolution did not offer the protection to non-public safety employees, and it was the non-sworn officers who spoke in fear of losing their jobs.

Then comes Stiassni, wanting to tell a story about Emanuel. Wasting the public comment time to campaign didn't sit well with Councilman Mike Touhey, who was especailly vocal about how insensitive it was for Stiassni to use this time to campaign.

Press Secretary Emily Dulcan said that speaking at public meetings is one of the several political strategies that they have taken on in getting the word out about Pleitez. But in hindisght, she said, it probably wasn't the best time to bring it up.

"On behalf of the campaign I want to express my apologies for the insensitivity that may have been portrayed," Duncan said. "In no way did we mean to offend the participants."

I was wondering just how Sen. Gil Cedillo would be combating Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's endorsement of Board of Equalization Chairwoman Judy Chu.

And then I got a press release from Cedillo's media reps reminding us that it is the voters, not endorsements, that will decide the winner of the 32nd Congressional eat, left open after Hilda Solis took the job as Obama's labor secretary.

This release follows a press conference today where Villaraigosa formally announced his endorsement of Chu. The photo to the left was taken at the 108th annual Golden Dragon Parade.

The Cedillo press release goes on:

It was Gil Cedillo, Supervisor Gloria Molina and Senator Gloria Romero who stood up to Villaraigosa and the other L.A. politicians and said there would be no Proposition R unless the San Gabriel Valley got its fair share of the proceeds. The efforts of Senator Cedillo and his allies were successful and thanks to them, there are 1.8 billion dollars allocated to local transportation projects that benefit San Gabriel Valley families.

Gil Cedillo is a proven leader who has taken on those big money special interests for years to help workers get better wages and benefits. He took care of the people of the San Gabriel Valley when Antonio Villaraigosa and the L.A. powerbrokers wanted to take their tax dollars and literally send it down a hole under Wilshire Boulevard.

By standing beside Antonio Villaraigosa today, Judy Chu has shown that she will cozy up to the entrenched political interests, the C-E-Os and wealthy campaign contributors and take care of their interests in Congress instead of putting the hard working families of the San Gabriel Valley first."

West Covina City Council met last night, and among the items on the agenda was a request by Councilman Steve Herfert to discuss Mayor Roger Hernandez's recent inquiry about being quoted in city press releases.

As Councilwoman Shelley Sanderson explained it, this was not intended to be an attack or "gotcha Roger" moment. It was just an attempt to clarify the city's policy, she said. She added that the reason Hernandez had not been included in any of the recent press releases was because there have not been any grand openings of businesses since he's been mayor, and all of the times former Mayor Sherri Lane had been quoted was on grand opening stories.

Here's the email exchange between Hernandez and Freeland about the issue:

From: Mayor Roger Hernández
Sent: Friday, April 17, 2009 5:41 PM
To: Chris Freeland
Cc: Mike Touhey; Shelley Sanderson; Sherri Lane; Andrew Pasmant; Sandy Galvez; Thomas Bachman
Subject: Re: Press Releases

Chris,

Thank you for your quick response and research. I may not have been clear when conversing with you and inquiring about the inclusion of a Mayor's quotes in press releases. My request was not that the Mayor be quoted in every press release. Rather, my request was to be informed as to whether it is practice to refrain from including a quote from the Mayor in ANY press release issued by the City. It seemed odd that after several months as Mayor, I had not been asked to contribute quotes and have, indeed, not been quoted in a single press release since the commencement of my term. I do recall that previous Mayors had been quoted. As I shared with you, I am not seeking to be treated better or be given any privileges not afforded to others. I sincerely hope you did not leave with that impression. I only want to be treated equally, and certainly no worse. However, thank you for answering my question and confirming that the Mayor is quoted in, at least, some press releases. I think it is best to continue that practice, and for staff to continue to use their judgment in determining when quotes are appropriate. As spokesman for the City, you can understand that I am eager to participate in the same way that other Mayors have done in the past. I do look forward to assisting the City in the preparation of future press releases. Please let me know how and when I can assist.

Sincerely,

RH

Roger Hernández
Mayor
City of West Covina

________________________________
From: Chris Freeland
To: Mayor Roger Hernández
Cc: Mike Touhey; Shelley Sanderson; Sherri Lane; Andrew Pasmant; Sandy Galvez; Thomas Bachman
Sent: Wed Apr 15 18:13:09 2009
Subject: Press Releases

Dear Mayor Hernandez,

The other day you requested that City staff include quotes from you in each of the press releases that are generated by the City. As I mentioned to you, past practice has been to include quotes from the Mayor in some, but not all the press releases. For example press releases that promoted a grand opening included a quote and other significant programs and projects had a quote from the Mayor. We have not historically included a quote from the Mayor in every press release that is generated, for example the canceling of an event, invite to attend certain City activities, etc. After further discussions, to include a quote from the Mayor in every press release would be a change in the past practice that would be something for the City Council to review for the possible development of a clear policy for City staff to follow.

Chris Freeland

Deputy City Manager
City of West Covina

1444 W Garvey Ave South, West Covina, CA 91790
(626) 939-8402 direct | (626) 939-8406 fax

www.westcovina.org

It hasn't been very long since Jeff Stewart took over the Rosemead interim city manager position --- and he's already got one foot out the door.

Stewart is in negotiations with the city of Los Alamitos for a permanent city manager position there, which means Rosemead could be out of a CM really soon.

Stewart took over after Oliver Chi resigned earlier this month, and city officials said they had hoped to keep Stewart on permanently.

"Though our desire was to have him full-time in our city, we knew there was possibility he would be leaving us," Councilman Steven Ly said. "Our goal was we needed to have a quick change in direction of the city to acknowledge the voters' desires ... If (Stewart) does end up leaving, I'm sure we will begin our search process sooner rather than later."

The city will hold two study sessions to review the Montebello Hills Specific Plan and associated Draft Environmental Impact Report.

The first session will be dedicated to the Montebello Hills Specific Plan and the Second Study Session will be dedicated to the Draft Environmental Impact Report.

Cook Hill Properties LLC submitted the Montebello Hills Specific Plan December 2007 to build 1,200 residential homes, a series of trails and a public park on a portion of 480 acres of open space.

Cook Hill is a development consultant for Plains Exploration & Production Co., which owns the property.

The study sessions will provide the public with the opportunity to comment on the proposed project and content of the Draft EIR.

Staff will accept written comments and public testimony during both Study Sessions. All comments will be included in the appropriate administrative records.

The first meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 28. The second meeting will be held on Thursday, May 7. Both meetings will run from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at City Hall, 1600 Beverly Boulevard.

For more information, call (323) 887-1477.

Judy Chu grabbed an endorsement from Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, according to a press release. There will be an event tomorrow formally announcing the endorsement.

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa to Officially Endorse Judy Chu for Congress

Mayor to be Joined by San Gabriel Valley Elected Officials at Special Press Event

EL SERENO - The Mayor of Los Angeles, Antonio Villaraigosa, will be joined by his counterparts from Azusa, West Covina, South El Monte, Duarte and scores of other San Gabriel Valley elected officials on Wednesday as he officially announces his endorsement of Judy Chu in the race for the 32nd Congressional District seat recently vacated by Labor Secretary Hilda Solis.

The event, which will include just a fraction of the more than 75 elected officials from the San Gabriel Valley who have already endorsed Judy Chu, will feature statements from Mayor Villaraigosa and other mayors and mayors pro tem from the San Gabriel Valley

Covina-Valley Unified School District voted to close two schools, Covina and Valencia elementaries, because of budget cuts and declining enrollment. Read here.

New council majority, new guidlines. The Rosemead City Council looks for middle groud as it rethinks the city's building heights, parking requirements and density laws. Read here.

The California Democratic Party endorses Board of Equalization Chairwoman Judy Chu, who is running for the 32nd Congressional seat.

The Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District is going to consider yanking Bill Robinson on Tuesday from his appointed post on the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California after he questioned whether the labor unions are immune from budget cuts.

In the meantime, Irwindale City Manager Robert Griego said that he will meet with the police officers union and managers union on Wednesday to inform them of possible ways to control cost measures such as controlling overtime, modifcation to different benefit programs, and modifying things like tuition reimbursement to reduce operating costs.

Diamond Bar is celebrating its 20th birthday, and during that time, politicians have been playing hard-ball, Bethania Palma Markus reports.

Former Councilwoman Eileen Ansari, who served on the council from 1993 to 2001, has first-hand experience, as do many who have run for City Council.

"They were saying I went to Pakistan and went to meet with al Qaeda," she said of a City Council election she lost eight yeas ago. "They go after people's kids. They go after everything."

West Covina City Council is meeting tomorrow. Among the topics on the agenda:

1. The city is considering raising sewer fees 63 cents a month per household, which could generate $200,000. The money could only be used for sewer maintenance and operation.
As public works director Shannon Yauchzee said, 63 cents "isn't bad."

2. The council will give direction on Tuesday regarding the Fred Sykes and Co. proposal to divide the city into voting districts. The county recently OK'd the signatures signed on a petition. There are enough signatures to qualify for a general election, but they failed to meet their goal to get enough signatures for a special election.

3. Good news for street paving: The council will vote on $1.3 million worth of street improvement projects.

4. Councilman Steve Herfert has requested that the council discuss Mayor Roger Hernandez's request to be quoted in all city issued publications.

For college kids and marijuana enthusiasts around the country, 420 is a very important day. And if you need a dispensary to go to, here's the local spot. But since it doesn't have any permits, it likely won't be around for much longer.

So, Cedillo's people were the first to send out a press release stating how much has been raised so far in fundraising. He's at $568,000.

Then, Emanuel Pleitez announced that he has raised $152,777.

And that latest to send her information was Judy Chu, who raised $770,167.

Here's some of Chu's press release:

The breadth and strength of Judy Chu's campaign for Congress was demonstrated again today as candidates reported their first fundraising numbers for this May 19 special election.

In the first three months of 2009, Judy Chu collected an impressive $770,167, over $200,000 more than her nearest rival, State Senator Gil Cedillo.

Judy Chu, Vice-Chair of the California State Board of Equalization, reported a strong $577,609 cash-on-hand figure at the end of the period.

From Pleitez's press release:

LOS ANGELES - Today the Emanuel Pleitez Campaign for Congress announced that it has raised $152,777 in campaign contributions through the first quarter of 2009. That surprisingly large figure, coupled with a ground force of 25 full-time volunteers engaged in technology, finance, communications and grassroots outreach efforts, places the 32nd District candidate squarely in the middle of a three-way race for the vacant Congressional seat.

"Our field and fundraising efforts have exceeded expectations, and we have proven that we are contenders in this race," said Pleitez. "But the financial reports only tell part of the story of my campaign. We've got 25 full-time volunteers who are donating their time to this effort, and it's impossible to calculate their value. Not only are they giving us their expertise, they're also contributing their enthusiasm for the political process and their determination to bring new leadership to the 32nd District."

"I've heard from countless voters that they are tired of politics as usual, and they are ready for new leadership. We have the most robust team on the ground talking to voters every day, and that's what is going to secure our victory in this campaign," Pleitez said.

And here's a portion of Cedillo's press release:

State Senator Gil Cedillo today reported having raised $568,000 in the first quarter of 2009, with over $441,000 cash on hand.  Cedillo officially entered the race for the vacant 32^nd Congressional District in late January, giving him just over two months to raise money prior to the first fundraising disclosure deadline.  The FEC quarter one deadline was on Tuesday, March 31^st and the reports are made public today.

 

The Cedillo campaign has publicly stated an ambitious goal of raising $750,000 prior to the May 19^th Special Primary Election.  The strong quarter one fundraising numbers mean the campaign has already raised 75% of the desired budget.

So it seems everyone is still buzzing about this Los Angeles story documenting $125,000 in campaign money Sen. Gil Cedillo has used for shopping sprees, lavish hotels and gourmet food.

The Times' Hector Tobar followed up with his own take on the story and the Latino politico circle Monday.

Our own Rebecca Kimitch is working on a story as well.

Of course, why does the San Gabriel Valley care? Because Cedillo is going up against a host of other candidates for the 32nd Congressional District seat. He's considered by many political analysts as the only other "real" powerhouse candidate, aside from State Board of Equalization head Judy Chu.

What do you think? Will this hurt his chances?

There was a great story in the paper yesterday looking at the 32nd Congressional race, written by Rebecca Kimitch.

What I found particularly interesting is that Monterey Park Councilwoman Betty Tom Chu is throwing her name in the hat. I wonder how badly that will pull the vote away from Judy Chu, who is the Board of Equalization Chairwoman. Judy Chu's consultant called the move by Betty Tom Chu, who will drop the "Tom" on the ballot, as a dirty trick.

Tom Chu said she is running to represent Monterey Park at the federal level. As a side note, Judy Chu is a Monterey Park resident and started her political career by serving on the Garvey School District and then on the Monterey Park City Council.

Kimitch also mentions Sen. Gil Cedillo's spending, which the L.A. Times details.

So Monday's closed session meeting to "CONSIDER PUBLIC EMPLOYEE DISCIPLINE/DISMISSAL/RELEASE" had nothing to do with City Attorney James Casso, city officials tell me.

Apparently, an employee who was "released not too long ago after a long history of reprimands," made an appeal to the City Council to get his job back, Mayor Louie Lujan said.

It didn't work.

"It had nothing to do with any department heads or any management staff," Lujan said. "It's someone within the Parks and Rec Department ... Someone in the capacity of like a groundskeeper."

Meanwhile, Casso's job could be on the line.

The city is seeking out proposals for legal services, but it has nothing to do with the employee evaluation the Council did last week on Casso, Lujan said.

Apparently during that closed session evaluation last month, the Council decided on a 3-2 vote to seek out proposals from other firms -- something the city hasn't done since Casso came on board in 2001.

"We owe it to our residents to allow the market to show us what is out there," Lujan said. "We can take whatever action is necessary as result of what was discussed in the review process."

Lujan said Casso was amicable about the process, and the move is in no way a reflection of Casso's performance. Instead, it has to do with a recommendation made to the city by Management Partners -- the firm hired to go over processes at City Hall.

So is Casso on the outs? Not necessarily.

"All options are going to be laid on the table and we're gonna weigh each option and determine which option is the best one for the city," Lujan said.

Jennifer McLain reports today that the "Jardin de Roca" or "Garden of Rocks" city has been offering subsidized medical and vision coverage to residents for 30 years. The price tag: $1.

The plan cost the city $1.1 million last year.

In many cases, the coverage is better than what some residents get from employers, said City Manager Robert Griego.

Residents in the 2008-09 fiscal year paid $3 for a 34-day supply of generic medication. The $3 refills were unlimited.

Glasses frames less than $55 were free. So were lenses. And for a $25 deductible, a resident could get contact lenses.

"Our program should be the last resort," Griego said. "Unfortunately, residents are turning to this program first."

In Rosemead, the price of change comes with a $330,000 price tag.

Oliver Chi, who served as city manager for two years, was dismissed Tuesday from the city's top executive position and is expected to be replaced temporarily by Jeffrey Stewart, a former Rosemead city employee and former city manager of El Segundo.

Chi's severance package comes just two years after Andrew Lazzaretto received a nearly $250,000 paycheck after the council fired him. But such severance packages are not unusual for city managers. At least, not any more.

About 20 years ago, very few city managers had contracts, said Bill Garrett, executive director of the California City Management Foundation. The theory behind not having contracts was because city managers worked at the will of the council the council should decide when the city manager should leave.

"As time when on, it became apparent that there really needed to be some protection from just an arbitrary firing without any compensation," Garret said. T

oday, nearly all California city managers have contracts, and the primary reason is for the severance package.

California state law limits the amount of severance package to no more than 18 months, which is what Chi and Lazzaretto negotiated. "I would suggest that it is typical these days for city manager contracts to have from nine to 12 months," Garret said, "because it probably takes about that time to get a new job." *

***************

Diamond Bar got a $20 million settlement this week from Industry over Ed Roski's proposed NFL stadium and entertainment complex.

Under the agreement, which rules out a lawsuit from Diamond Bar, the city will receive more than $20 million to deal with traffic, noise and light effects from the stadium, Bethania Palma Markus reported.

But Industry still has two more outstanding lawsuits to deal with: one filed by the city of Walnut and the most recent suit filed another filed by a Walnut citizen group. T

he group, Citizens for Communities Preservation Inc., said it wanted to make sure there was a lawsuit just in case the recall effort targeting Walnut Councilman Joaquin Lim, Councilwoman Nancy Tragarz and Mayor Mary Su is successful.

And still no word on what team -- or teams -- could be coming to Industry.

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It's hard to paint a rosy picture when unemployment and deficits in area cities are the highest they've been in years, but new Covina Mayor Walt Allen tried his best to have a positive outlook when he delivered the state of the city address Wednesday.

"All in all, I am extremely optimistic about Covina's future, and I have no doubt that we will be able to enhance the quality of life in Covina," he said.

Among the city's goals over the next three years are to improve and promote customer service, enhance financial stability and improve and expand parks, library and recreation services.

Allen highlighted some of the city's accomplishments over the past year, including a balanced budget, the ability to stave off the closure of departments and layoffs and getting voter approval to extend the user's utility tax.

I just spotted this on the agenda for a special meeting in La Puente on Monday:

THE CITY COUNCIL WILL ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 54957(e) TO CONSIDER PUBLIC EMPLOYEE DISCIPLINE/DISMISSAL/RELEASE

 

Looks like someone is getting the boot.

Last month the City Council met in closed session to do a performance evaluation on City Attorney James Casso. 

When it was all over, Casso announced that the Council gave staff direction on a 3-2 vote. He did not say what that "direction" was, but obviously it had something to do with Casso's evaluation. Descending votes came from Council members John solis and Lola Storing. Could Casso be the one on the outs?

Covina officials held a meeting earlier today to discuss the appointment of a full-time city manager. Nothing was finalized, though Mayor Walter Allen said he hoped to "come to a conclusion by Monday or Tuesday."

"We're still in deliberation," he said. "We had a positive meeting today on this issue and we hope to have something as early as the beginning of this coming week."

The position is temporarily being filled by former Pasadena City Manager Cynthia Kurtz.

The L.A. Times tackles a story about the number of Brown Act violations investigated by the District Attorney's office, which receives dozens of complaints a year from constiuents across Los Angeles county. The Brown Act is the state's open meeting law.

Among the cities mentioned in the story is Walnut, which was threatened with litigation for a closed door meeting in which, "Mayor Joaquin Lim was said to have led a council discussion and polled his colleagues about opposing construction of an NFL stadium in the neighboring city of Industry," according to the Times article.

But as Terry Francke points out in the story, it is very difficult to see criminal charges come from Brown Act violations.

But criminal charges are nearly impossible to bring, said Terry Francke, a lawyer and author of a guide to the state's open meetings law. Prosecutors must show that an official intentionally violated the law, a difficult standard to meet in court, he said.

"The idea of a letter, firing a shot across the offender's bow, is a very good one," Francke said.

As reporters, we frequently receive news tips from people alerting us of a possible Brown Act violation, such as when a majority of council members allegedly make a decision before an item ever appears on the agenda. But even proving that is especially difficult since elected officials can simply say, "No, I did not violate the Brown Act."

Assemblyman Anthony Adams served with recall papers. Read more.

Updated story on the resingation of Rosemead City Manager Oliver Chi. Read more.

Higher than normal number of candidates gearing up for Monrovia election. Read more.

Yesterday I did an interview with actor Tony Shalhoub who stars as Monk in the USA Network television show of the same name since they were filming parts of an episode in downtown Covina. While we got some quotes from Tony Shalhoub into the newspaper, I thought I would post some more of the interview here since it was a rare opportunity to take 15-20 minutes to talk to the award winning character actor.

A producer for the show said they didn't know when the episode they were filming in downtown Covina would air because the show isn't serialized so the show order won't be determined yet, but they start airing in July. "You'll just have to watch" he said. But he did say he had a feeling this would be one of the stronger episodes, so it may be early in the season.

Here are the quotes from Shalhoub:

On it being the Monk's eighth and final season:

"I have a feeling it's going to be our best season. I am not just saying that."

On what he will take with him after the show is finished:

"I think I have become a little more observant in the way Monk is so focused on the smallest details. When I am examining something, I seem to have more patience for it."

On being a character actor and the rise of character driven shows on television:

"It adds diversity and variety to television. It is more fun to do a character than to be just a mouth piece."

"There are some (television shows) that are about the headlines, or the story ... or the high tech as opposed to being about the odd or in our case funny characters. And that is thing thing, all the characters on Monk are slightly off."

On Monk's popularity:

"Is he charming? I don't know. It's not my job to make him charming. That is more the writing and the trappings of the show. And at times he isn't charming. He can be self-centered and insensitive to other people's problems."

On playing the same role for 8 years (One of my favorite quotes from the interview):

"There is a danger it can become less interesting. But the writers have done a good job of changing it up. They have written in good contradictions. People are complicated and contradictory. It makes it more well rounded, more human. I always get kind of ... sort of taken a back when I hear 'my character wouldn't do that.' In life, we do things that aren't really predictable. There are moments where we are more adventurous and more careless than other (moments)."

On what people can expect in the final season:

"The writers are determined to solve (Monk's wife's murder) case for sure. That will release Monk somewhat, give him some closure then. It will be a part of his recovery. A cure, maybe not 100 percent. They will also probably figure out a way to get him reinstated into the police force."

Aside from the nearly $330,000 severance package, Rebecca Kimitch said that former Rosemead City Manager will also keep his city car: a 2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited.

Redistricting plan to appear on West Covina's November ballot. Read more.

Diamond Bar gets $20 million settlement deal from Industry over the proposed NFL stadium. Read more.

Aurora Charter Oak Hospital in Covina won't expand after all, Covina City Council voted Tuesday night.

Still no word yet on who the new Covina City Manager will be.

Looks like my head was up my rear afterall, as one of our readers noted.

Oliver Chi got a nearly $330,000 severance package, and the council will offer Jeffrey Stewart, a former Rosemead employee and former city manager of El Segundo, as interim city manager, Rebecca Kimitch reports.

This takes the tally up to nearly $600,000 that the council has paid out over the past two years in severance packages to its fired city managers. Andy Lazzarretto got a nearly $262,000 severance package when he was fired in 2007.

But is the price worth it to fire another city manager? Absolutely, Councilwoman Margaret Clark said.

Asked if that price was worth terminating Chi, Clark said, "yes, to get a new direction, yes."

Voters following the race to replace Hilda Solis and represent the 32nd Congressional District mark your calendars - the East San Gabriel Valley League of Women Voters is planning a candidates' forum May 6, from 6:30 to 9 p.m.

The event will be crowded - all 12 candidates are invited.

It will be held at the Baldwin Park Community Center, 4100 Baldwin Park Blvd.

The Covina City Council tonight is meeting Tuesday night with Aurora Charter Oak Hospital to discuss the possible expansion. Resident Brad Tombow is expecting a heavy turnout at the meeting on Tuesday.

"Oh, it's going to be packed. I guarantee you it will be standing room only," Tombow said Monday.

Also out of Covina, there will be the State of the City address on Wednesday at 7 a.m. Here is the info about the State of the City, which will be at Brunsiwck Covina Bowl. Read more.

They just don't waste any time in Rosemead when it comes to firing people, now do they?

During a special meeting on Tuesday, the City Council will vote to "release a public employee," and then immediately after, will consider "Public Employee Appointment: Title - City Manager/Interim City Manager."

So, I guess that means City Manager Oliver Chi will soon be out of a job. We can only wonder how long it will be before the staff that Chi hired will be out of jobs, too.

Here's the agenda.

Any guesses about who the interim will be?

Just speculating, but I wouldn't be surprised if we see the return of Willdan.Former longtime Rosemead City Manager Frank Tripepi is now the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Financial Services division of Willdan, a company that was on Rosemead's payroll for many, many years.

Tripepi is now serving as interim city manager in La Puente.

Insiders, what do you know?

No one ever said being a local elected was easy. And if you ask Baldwin Park Mayor Manuel Lozano, he'll tell you the proof is in the hair.

During the city's annual State of the City address on Friday, Lozano joked that when he was first appointed to the Planning Commission in 1992, he had a fuller head of locks.
"I used to have a lot more," he said. "So I don't know if being a politician is bad for your hair."

Regardless, some might argue it's worth it considering the strides Baldwin Park has made in the last year -- and even prior to that.

The budget has a surplus, crime is down 29 percent since 2005 and millions of dollars in capitol improvement projects are in the pipeline, Lozano said.

"It's times like these that test cities and times like these that make us stand up," Lozano said. "In difficult times, government must be strong enough for those who are hurting."

Longtime Baldwin Park resident Nadine Galindo summed up the address in one sentence: "I just wanted to go out the doors and yell, 'I'm so excited to live in Baldwin Park!'"

More to come about the address in tomorrow's paper.

It wouldn't be a week in news with the latest tidbit out of the 32nd Congressional District race.

Officials from Gil Cedillo's camp announced Friday that Los Angeles Police Chief William Bratton is endorsing the senator in the race for Hilda Solis' former seat.

Cedillo has also been endorsed by Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca.

The running tab so far for the race: Cedillo, financial analyst Emanuel Pleitez, state Board of Equalization head Judy Chu, West Covina resident Jim Hetzel, Covina resident David Truax and restaurateur Theresa Hernandez.

The official deadline to enter the race is Monday.

I've been out of the blogging game for what feels like forever now, mainly because I was out of the office for a week and a half.

My first day back was last Wednesday and I spent the remainder of the week playing catch up and covering crime stories.

But I'm back now, and back to work.

Today's front page story: Tax hikes across the state take effect beginning today, so if you're looking to buy a new car, expect a hefty sales tax payment along with it.

And no, it's not an April Fool's joke. Just ask business reporter Ryan Carter.