July 2010 Archives
It is e-mail day here at Leftovers. Here is another one, but this time it is from the head of a Glendora department, one of the people affected (some opponents might say benefiting) by a new salary schedule and style of merit increase for city department heads that I reported in Friday's newspaper.
The letter is from Library Director Robin Weed-Brown, who is the only department head who has received her max amount of merit increases under her previous agreement, and would now be eligible under the new plan for another round of increases.
Here is her letter, printed in full, unedited.
Re: Glendora Pay Hikes
I love Glendora and the job I have as their Library Director and department head. The Glendora community welcomed me with open arms 10 years ago and I have never looked back. Working for them and being part of their lives has enriched my life in ways I could not have anticipated. I am a professional librarian by passion, not by pay check.
My name was mentioned in your article on pay hikes on July 30 and I feel it is important to clarify points as they apply to me. I was hired as a civil service employee, and am not on contract as the other department heads are. The contract department heads have their salaries and benefits individually negotiated when hired and then adjusted annually thereafter.
I reached the top of my position's established 5-step pay scale many years ago. Since then I have received cost-of-living increases when given to all city employees and one adjustment based on a 'compensation & classification' study done city-wide. I have not received a raise in several years. My vacation time is allocated based on years of service, as are all civil service employees.
The salary and benefit schedule approved by City Council on Tuesday July 27 was truly a step towards improved transparency in local government. Mr. Jeffers should be applauded for recommending it. Raises for department heads, however, should have been put on hold last year and this year in solidarity with other city employees who have taken cuts, in my opinion. Not that anyone asked.
Robin Weed-Brown, Director
Glendora Public Library
Check out letters from angry readers on this same subject here.
Email: daniel.tedford@sgvn.com | Twitter: @dgtedford @sgvtribune | Facebook: SGVTribune
A lot of people aren't happy about Glendora's recent decision to change the way it does merit increases for its department heads.
While the city believes the new plan adds transparency while forcing department heads to "excel" rather to just perform satisfactory work to get a raise, many people are writing in complaining about how the city is doing its department heads a favor.
Here are some of the e-mails I have been getting today on the subject.
(e-mails are unedited)
"I believe that all of the directors are at step one of the new salary schedule and will be eligible for increases this fiscal year as their anniversary dates come up. If you look at their old salaries (published on the website- Google "Glendora Salaries") most were hired by contract at a flat salary without any merit steps. All of these were placed on step one of the new schedule which makes them eligible for merit increases as they come up for annual review this year." - Leonard (redacted)
"We live in Glendora, We think that the city of Glendora is criminal in what they are doing to increase the managers salaries and then lay off five employees???? What is wrong with these people?? I don't care where the money is coming from. These five people should be reinstated now.....I am truly ashamed of our leaders..." - Edward and Gail (redacted)
"Not only did they lay off employees they are also making the other employees take furlough days and are making them pay their own pers. Why should the rich get to line their pockets while the lower men have to suffer and struggle to pay their bills and feed their families. I think it is very distasteful that they would approve this and just weeks before giving sob stories about how hard it was to lay off employees. There is something just so WRONG about the whole thing." - Diana
PS - I would love to do a reader e-mails post once a week, but I get so very few e-mails from people who express their opinions on things I write about. If you do send me an e-mail on anything on this blog or anything written by me in the Tribune, I may want to use it in the future. You were warned.
Email: daniel.tedford@sgvn.com | Twitter: @dgtedford @sgvtribune | Facebook: SGVTribune
Congresswoman Judy Chu will speak at a fundraising event to support a referendum effort against an Azusa mining plan.
The potluck picnic fundraiser will be at 3 p.m. Saturday at the Duarte Historical Museum, 751 Encanto Parkway.
Chu has been an opponent of the mining plan after she heard numerous outcries from Duarte officials and residents at various meetings.
She has since condemned the plan and the documents surrounding it. The congresswoman represents both Azusa and Duarte.
Funds raised the event will support the referendum effort. Officials with the campaign have said they need the money to pay for copying costs and legal fees.
With its approved plan, Vulcan swapped its east 80 acres originally permitted for mining for 80 acres on the western end of its property near Duarte.
Email: daniel.tedford@sgvn.com | Twitter: @dgtedford @sgvtribune | Facebook: SGVTribune
In tomorrow's paper there will be a story about a new salary schedule for department heads in Glendora.
The issue has become something of a controversy, in part because the city is in the midst of heated negotiations with its employee's association (which is none to happy with this plan) and also because of Bell.
Anything with the words "city" "employee" "salaries" is going to be heavily scrutinized right now, which makes it harder to decipher if an idea is good or not. People are going to hear the word "raise" concerning a city employee and automatically jump out of their seat. Talk about themselves getting a raise at their 9-5, and it would be a different story.
I am not saying Glendora's plan is either good or bad, innovative or not. But in times like these, sometimes the assessment of issues is better under objective eyes than reactionary emotions.
As for the plan, you can decide for yourself when you read about it in tomorrow's newspaper. Here is a glimpse.
GLENDORA -- The City Council unanimously approved a pay raise schedule for department heads to increase transparency and incentives for those positions.
The plan sets up a method and schedule for raises for eight city department heads: community services director, deputy city manager, finance director, library director, planning director, police chief, public works director and city clerk.
Previously, raises for department heads were at the discretion of the city manager and could be done without the public's knowledge, City Manager Chris Jeffers said.
"I have felt uneasy with that much potential leeway," Jeffers said. "I am trying to bring some transparency ... and this was all started before Bell."
City employee salaries have been under scrutiny in the wake of the pay scandal in Bell, where it was found that the city manager was making close to $800,000, and others were receiving salaries far above the average for their positions.
But opponents of Glendora's new salary schedule believe the plan is a way for the city to ensure higher salaries for department heads while the city has laid off employees.
Email: daniel.tedford@sgvn.com | Twitter: @dgtedford @sgvtribune | Facebook: SGVTribune
Rep. Gary Miller tweeted a bubble graphic today regarding the new health care plan.
The graphic comes across daunting and it is evident Miller meant it as a critique of the plan.
But, is this how proponents of the plan would represent the health care overhaul? Probably not.
If you look down at the right hand bottom corner of the graphic, in small letters (why so small? you would think they would want to take credit for their hard work) there is attribution for the creation of the graphic to Republican Congressman Kevin Brady and Sen. Sam Brownback.
Also included in the mess are various health care websites and internet portals and how they connect from the Secretary of Health and Human Services to various campaigns. A bit redundant, I think, and it definitely adds to the garbled mess presented. What campaign doesn't have a website? Can we just assume that information? Do these items need their own bubble and traceable line?
Here is Miller's tweet and a link to the graphic.
"@RepGaryMiller: Welcome to ObamaCare: http://tinyurl.com/2uuvks5"
Email: daniel.tedford@sgvn.com | Twitter: @dgtedford @sgvtribune | Facebook: SGVTribune
In the wake of a judge blocking all the important parts of Arizona's immigration law SB 1070, here is some reaction from local group and politicians regarding border security and immigration issues.
The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles issued a statement following the court's decision on the law.
"Today's preliminary injunction is a significant partial victory for immigrants, Arizonans, and any American who believes in the protection of freedom, liberty, and equality. Judge Bolton has sent a clear and strong message that sections of the law are at minimum questionable and should not go into effect on July 29. The injunction of the most egregious sections of SB1070 bolsters our argument all along that this law is unconstitutional We will continue to apply political, economic, and legal pressure on Arizona and claim final victory until the law is erased from the books and just and humane immigration reform is advanced in Congress."
In the Tribune's story on the decision, Rep. David Dreier was critical of the decision.
"Enhanced cooperation between federal and local authorities is critical to effective immigration enforcement. Instead of filing lawsuits, the federal government should be focused on enforcing our immigration laws."
Rep. Adam Schiff had this to say:
"We can't have 50 different states enacting 50 different (immigration) policies. The court as a legal matter properly concluded the law at least in part would have violated federal enforcement of immigration policies. It was a reasonable decision."
Rep,. Gary Miller, in a statement, says more money is needed to support the judicial system in the southwestern states after the House passed emergency supplemental funds for border security.
"During the last several years, stepped up enforcement and prosecution efforts in Southwest border jurisdictions have resulted in a significant increase in the number of drug, immigration, and weapons cases being filed in courts along the border ... Without additional resources, a bottleneck in the judicial system will occur because the courts will lack the resources necessary to process the additional criminal cases brought by the Department of Justice."
Email: daniel.tedford@sgvn.com | Twitter: @dgtedford @sgvtribune | Facebook: SGVTribune
Celebrity attorney Gloria Allred is going hungry.
Allred, who has represented alleged Tiger Woods' mistress Rachel Uchitel
and Moe the Chimp's owners St. James and LaDonna Davis, as well as being heavily critical of Octomom Nadya Suleman, is going on a hunger strike to put a focus on the Equal Rights Amendment.
So, while Allred may not have her meals, she sure is getting her filling of media attention - again.
As a side note, I hope I don't melt down the Internets with this post that includes tags/keywords for Moe the Chimp, a Tiger Woods mistress, Octomom and Gloria Allred. Hat trick!
Oh, and not to forget equal rights for women.
Here is Allred's statement:
Attorney Gloria Allred announced today that she has begun a 90 meal solid food fast to draw attention to the need to pass the Equal Rights Amendment, a proposed amendment to the U.S. Constitution which would provide a constitutional guarantee of equal rights for women.
The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) was first proposed by Alice Paul in 1923. Although it was previously introduced into Congress, passed by the U.S. Senate and House of Representative and sent to the states in 1972 for ratification, a time limit was placed on the Amendment and ultimately it was not ratified by enough states before the time limit expired in 1979 or within the time later extended by Congress to 1982. (35 states ratified and 3 more were needed.)
The ERA has since been reintroduced into Congress (HJ.Res.61) but is still in the process of gathering co-sponsors.
Ms. Allred's 90 meal hunger strike fast, in which she will give up solid food for 30 days, will end on August 26, 2010, Women's Equality Day. That day marks the 90th anniversary of women's winning the right to vote in the U.S. by the addition of the 19th Amendment suffrage to the U.S. Constitution.
Email: daniel.tedford@sgvn.com | Twitter: @dgtedford @sgvtribune | Facebook: SGVTribune
This just in, a U.S. District Judge has blocked all the important parts of Arizona's immigration law.
This, most assuredly, isn't the end of this fight that may end up in the Supreme Court.
Will this end Los Angeles County's boycott of Arizona?
The story from the Associated Press is below:
PHOENIX - A judge has blocked the most controversial sections of Arizona's new immigration law from taking effect Thursday, handing a major legal victory to opponents of the crackdown.
The law will still take effect Thursday, but without many of the provisions that angered opponents - including sections that required officers to check a person's immigration status while enforcing other laws. The judge also put on hold a part of the law that required immigrants to carry their papers at all times, and made it illegal for undocumented workers to solicit employment in public places.
U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton put those controversial sections on hold until the courts resolve the issues.
Opponents say the law will lead to racial profiling and is trumped by federal immigration law.
Read more: http://www.sgvtribune.com/ci_15621503#ixzz0v01HAJWe
Email: daniel.tedford@sgvn.com | Twitter: @dgtedford @sgvtribune | Facebook: SGVTribune
I don't have any new perspective or rich commentary on the subject, but when I hear about this sort of thing it drives me crazy.
A man, doing his usual garage sale shopping, bought a box of pictures for $45. They turned out to be worth $200 million when experts agreed they were some lost photos taken by Ansel Adams.
I go to garage sales and I am ecstatic if I find a warn down piece of furniture I can maybe turn into something usable. But $200 million photos for $45. I would hate to be the guy that sold them, but luck isn't for the foolish.
Oh! And there is a local connection, Ansel Adams taught in Pasadena and possibly stored the photos there, so says an expert in CNN's story.
"Photography expert Patrick Alt, who helped confirm the authenticity of the negatives, suspects Adams carried them to use in a photography class he was teaching in Pasadena, California, in the early 1940s."
Email: daniel.tedford@sgvn.com | Twitter: @dgtedford @sgvtribune | Facebook: SGVTribune
For some cities, things seem to be getting worse before they get better.
Faced with declining revenues, it appears South El Monte must make some substantial cuts to city services and public safety. Some $400,000 in layoffs is the recommended action.
Mixed in with that is the possibility of asking voters to approve a sales tax increase.
The way forward will be discussed at Tuesday's city council meeting.
Email: daniel.tedford@sgvn.com | Twitter: @dgtedford @sgvtribune | Facebook: SGVTribune
Yogi was just a petty thief compared to this Colorado bear.
On Friday in Denver, a bear searching for a snack ended up going for a joy ride in a teenager's 2008 Toyota Corolla.
Once the car came to an abrupt stop, the bear was trapped inside and tore apart the car. Officials were able to open a door of the car from a distance using a rope and the bear returned to the wild.
Despite the excursion, the bear may want to get a few extra hours of experience behind the wheel before he applies for his driving test.
Email: daniel.tedford@sgvn.com | Twitter: @dgtedford @sgvtribune | Facebook: SGVTribune
I am not sure what news could overtake the bittersweet emotions of the Angels losing three out of four to the Rangers, moving to seven games out of first place, and trading 8-year Angel veteran Joe Saunders while getting a great pitcher (and hometown hero?) Dan Haren from the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Haren went to Bishop Amat High School and owns a home in West Covina, so in a way, he heads home by being traded to the Angels and can become something of a hometown favorite with them.
And in a similar twist of fate, Saunders is traded to Arizona where he owns a home in Phoenix. If that is solace to Saunders who fell just short of tears when speaking to reporters is unknown.
As for the remainder of the weekend news from the Tribune, look no further than the links below. (Actually, if you browse the website for a bit you will find many tales of lore and city road construction projects. These are just some highlights.)
As for the week ahead, special council meeting in Azusa tonight at 6:30 pm. at the Azusa Light and Water Conference Room, 729 N. Azusa Ave., will discuss purchasing a new police vehicle and a new contract with the Azusa Chamber of Commerce.
Glendora's council meeting at 7 p.m. on Tuesday at City Hall, 116 E. Foothill Blvd., will look at, among other items, fees for city services.
Also Tuesday, San Dimas City Council will consider a request for the Five Cities 10K run on Nov. 6.
Email: daniel.tedford@sgvn.com | Twitter: @dgtedford @sgvtribune | Facebook: SGVTribune
For those of you familiar with the ongoing issue of the Azusa Rock Quarry, the plan from Vulcan Materials Co., and the battle between Azusa and Duarte, you are familiar with Vulcan spokesman Todd Priest, who is with the public relations firm Curt Pringle and Associates.
Well ... I learned today that while Priest and his crew will remain as part of the team working for Vulcan, a new spokeswoman has taken over as the voice of the company from here on out.
Peg Casey, an employee with Vulcan, will be the one answering questions through the litigation process.
I spoke with Casey today following up on Duarte's decision to pursue litigation. She has worked with Vulcan for 16 years and has been involved with the Azusa Rock Quarry project since 2003. Here what she had to say and more about the impending lawsuit in tomorrow's newspaper.
Email: daniel.tedford@sgvn.com | Twitter: @dgtedford @sgvtribune | Facebook: SGVTribune
Lost in the wave of Shirley Sherrod, BP, financial regulation, SB1070, health care, and the overwhelming intelligence structure is this little thing called net neutrality.
Now, for many people (specifically many tech industry folk or just those who are concerned with internet freedom) net neutrality isn't something that should be lost in the shuffle. Advocates argue it is necessary to prevent the government or an Internet service provider from blocking certain sites (i.e. information).
Regarding the subject, Techdirt has a great post about the debate a new bill called the Freedom of Consumer Choice Act.
It would appear that many of the bills proponents have seen major campaign contributions from communications giant AT&T. Interesting...
Email: daniel.tedford@sgvn.com | Twitter: @dgtedford @sgvtribune | Facebook: SGVTribune
Just when you thought it was over there is breaking news the Duarte City Council has unanimously decided to pursue litigation against Vulcan and Azusa over the recently approved Azusa Rock Quarry mining project.
OK, you didn't really think it was over did you?
This is really only breaking news because it happened last night at a closed session council meeting. In truth, this probably surprises no one. Not me, not Duarte (the vote was unanimous), not Azusa, and not Vulcan.
Azusa has said all along they anticipated litigation, Vulcan and Azusa agreed in the development agreement that Vulcan would pay to fight any legal challenge, and Duarte has that $700,000 Fight Against Vulcan Expansion fund.
Plus, when Duarte, Vulcan and Azusa failed to reach a settlement deal earlier this year, if the project was approved what other outcome was there?
Now we will get to see what Duarte's legal arguments will be. My guess is they will argue about the flaws in the environmental impact report, their believed contradictions in the development agreement, and the lack of a full evaluation and consideration of alternative project options including mining both sides of the canyon without cutting down any ridge lines.
Add in the potential for two Brown Act violations by Azusa, including the fact the original vote to reconsider the project was originally not on the council agenda.
Azusa (via Vulcan's lawyers) will have to defend those allegations and its review of the project in court.
How does this affect mining for now? Duarte can seek an injunction that would prevent operations until the legal challenges end. The court would have to approve any injunction.
Email: daniel.tedford@sgvn.com | Twitter: @dgtedford @sgvtribune | Facebook: SGVTribune
Every now and then there is a story that everyone should be aware of: Washington Post's Top Secret America, the Shirley Sherrod debacle, and Virginia goats hanging out on an IHOP billboard.
OK, maybe you aren't aware of the goats, but you should be.
The reporting is superb. No bias or editorializing, great interviews, lets the people tell the story. The reporter doesn't put himself into the story despite knowing full well this good be the one, the story that puts him on the road to glory ... or at least a waffle with strawberries.
The man in the story says the goats like the shade of the billboard and the goats are cautious about safety. But hey, maybe goats like IHOP.
Without further ado, here are the goats on a billboard via the blog site The Awl.
Email: daniel.tedford@sgvn.com | Twitter: @dgtedford @sgvtribune | Facebook: SGVTribune
The reporting staff here at the Tribune came together like the A Team ... no wait ... The Justice League (way more fitting) to check in on local cities to see what the City Managers and City Councils are making in the wake of news reports about the city of Bell's City Manager making something like $800,000.
Here is the rundown. (Note: most of us had this information on hand as we regularly check on these things. In cases we didn't, the city handed over the information readily)
Glendora City Manager Chris Jeffers makes $201,816 annually.
La Verne's (soon to be retired) City Manager Martin Lomeli makes $194,580 annually. (Side note: La Verne City Council just passed an ordinance for City Manager pay with $160,600 as the base pay with $195,000 at the peak)
San Dimas City Manager Blaine Michaelis makes $196,452 a year.
Azusa City Manager Fran Delach is paid $212,483 annually. (He got a 5 percent raise at the beginning of this year)
Rosemead City Manager Jeffrey Allred gets $175,000 a year.
El Monte City Manager Rene Bobadilla makes $170,000 a year.
South El Monte City Manager Tony Ybarra takes in $120,000 a year.
Covina's Daryl Parrish's annual salary is $199,500.
West Covina's Andrew Pasmant gets $223,656 a year. (UPDATE: Councilman Mike Touhey called to tell me that Pasmant took the equivalent of a 5-percent pay cut on his deferred comp. That saves the city about $11,000, Touhey said.)
Walnut's Rob Wishner is paid $196,650 a year.
La Puente's Josi Kenline gets $160,000 a year.
Industry City Manager Kevin Radecki takes in $158,133 a year.
Diamond Bar's James DeStefano's salary is about $194,000 a year.
Baldwin Park's Chief Executive Officer made $152,000 a year in 2006, up to $800 a month in lodging, $1,200 a month in health and dental - reimbursed in cash if not all spent - and $300 a month in vehicle expenses or a city car.
As for City Council stipends, San Dimas councilmen make $620 a month while Mayor Curt Morris earns $830 a month.
In La Verne, the city council brings in $519 a month and is entitled to the same benefits as executive management employees. Council woman Robin Carder and Mayor Don Kendrick waived those benefits. In addition, the redevelopment agency pays $30 per meeting. City Clerk Evelyn Clark said they meet about four time per year.
Glendora council members bring in $700 a month.
Email: daniel.tedford@sgvn.com | Twitter: @dgtedford @sgvtribune | Facebook: SGVTribune
Since my story ran today about WWII veteran Carl Harstine's flags being stolen - twice - I have probably received at least seven e-mails and phone calls from people eager to replace the lost flags. And that was probably in my first hour of work today.
Pretty soon, Carl may have more flags than he knows what to do with.
As for the story, it has some people really fired up, including one person's comment that flag thieves should get a 10-year prison sentence.
While the justice system usually bases the severity of a theft on its monetary value (flags about $40 each, poles about $60 in this circumstance) it is unlikely the perpetrators would face much more than your basic burglary charges.
But the "feeling" that something more has been stolen stems from our intrinsic sentiment that adds emotional value to the American Flag.
Where does that value come from? What does the flag mean to you? Can you trace those feelings to a specific moment, meaning, person or ideal? Tell me about it in the comments below or via twitter @dgtedford.
Also, don't forget about another veterans related story in the Tribune today about a financial firm offering a special consulting program.
Email: daniel.tedford@sgvn.com | Twitter: @dgtedford @sgvtribune | Facebook: SGVTribune
The economy is saved! The new Target being constructed in Azusa is now accepting applications for jobs.
OK, so maybe the economy still has a long way to go, but for those in need of work you can now apply for future jobs at the Target in Azusa. The city posted a link to the stores job site this weekend and you can apply for jobs with the company via its website.
Email: daniel.tedford@sgvn.com | Twitter: @dgtedford @sgvtribune | Facebook: SGVTribune
I hope everyone enjoyed their heat-wave filled weekends.
In case you were out enjoying your life, here is your weekend roundup so you can get the news and be an informed member of society and all that.
There is this whopper of a story where Glendora teen bartered his way to a Porsche after starting with a cell phone. (I know, I'm awestruck too. And jealous. Mostly jealous.)
Email: daniel.tedford@sgvn.com | Twitter: @dgtedford @sgvtribune | Facebook: SGVTribune
I came across this video of Argentine President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner talking about same sex marriage via the Washington Note blog the other day (NOTE: The video is subtitled). Argentina's government was debating the merits of a marriage equality bill this week. On Thursday, the country became the first Latin American country to legalize gay marriage.
The blog's writer, Steve Clemons, said the speech was "one of the most eloquent and compelling defenses of same sex marriage equality that I have heard from a head of state."
Now, while this particular battle over marriage is from another country and isn't exactly local news, it parallels what America, and specifically, California has had to discuss regarding marriage.
Prop. 8 was one of the most controversial issues to be on a ballot in years when California voters voted in favor of making marriage between a man and a woman. Since then, there have been various legal battles and the issue is far from settled.
What do you think of the video? Does it make you think differently about the issue? Did you think it was a good argument no matter what your position is? What about her points regarding the "tone" of debate? Do you think she was right or wrong when she talks about the types of arguments being made that she believes are inappropriate?
Email: daniel.tedford@sgvn.com | Twitter: @dgtedford @sgvtribune | Facebook: SGVTribune
Wow.
I have no idea what is going on in Montebello, but some intriguing stuff went down Wednesday night.
MONTEBELLO - Interim City Administrator Randy Narramore and new Police Chief Ken Rulon left their posts with the city Wednesday night.
Narramore was appointed in December to run the city after former Administrator Richard Torres retired. He also served as interim police chief after former Chief Dan Weast left in January under pressure from the City Council.
Rulon was hired this week to replace Narramore as police chief and began his duties on Tuesday.
Narramore declined to comment Thursday, deferring to City Attorney Arnold Alvarez-Glasman, and Rulon didn't return phone calls seeking comment.
Email: daniel.tedford@sgvn.com | Twitter: @dgtedford @sgvtribune | Facebook: SGVTribune
Got this e-mail Albertsons about a Glendora store director Kathy McClard.
Apparently she received the honor of being named one of the "Top Women in Grocery" by industry trade magazine "Progressive Grocer."
She received the nomination through her leadership and influence, according to the news release.
I don't mean to take away from McClard's accomplishments - I am sure she is proud of the acknowledgment and her hard work - but I had no idea this kind of stuff existed.
Here is an excerpt from the release.
FULLERTON, CA (July 13, 2010) - ALBERTSONS/SUPERVALU announced today that Glendora ALBERTSONS Store Director, Kathy McClard was named to Progressive Grocer's fourth annual "Top Women in Grocery" listing for her outstanding efforts, involvement, leadership and success in the supermarket industry.
McClard is one of seven women to represent SUPERVALU, ALBERTSONS parent company, on this year's distinguished list. She was honored in the Store Manager category. Progressive Grocer is a leading grocery industry trade magazine. All of its honorees were profiled in their June 2010 issue.
Email: daniel.tedford@sgvn.com | Twitter: @dgtedford @sgvtribune | Facebook: SGVTribune
The city of Azusa's website posted a link to the Tribune's editorial on the Vulcan Materials Co's Azusa Rock Quarry mining proposal decision.
This, to my recollection, is the first time the city has ever linked to a story written by this newspaper regarding the subject (the city of Duarte, on the other hand, has links to nearly every story written on the subject).
Being that the council passed the proposal and that the editorial is mostly in favor of the plan, it doesn't seem coincidental that the city posted the link on its homepage.
This got me thinking. How important are newspaper editorial's in formalizing your opinions on an issue?
All newspapers write them, politicians often use them in campaigns, and major newspapers like the New York Times can cause considerable controversy or conversation with its editorials.
Do editorials affect your opinions? Do you read newspaper editorials or take them seriously?
Note: Reporters, such as myself, don't write newspaper editorials and have no input on what they favor/disfavor, and we wouldn't want to have any. The opinions expressed in editorials are those of the paper's editorial board.
Email: daniel.tedford@sgvn.com | Twitter: @dgtedford @sgvtribune | Facebook: SGVTribune
Considering this is the LEFTOVERS from City Hall blog, I figured it might be appropriate to post the full interview I did with Diamond Bar man Harry Soo, a national barbecue champion.
The story ran online and in the paper Tuesday, but due to space constraints, it didn't run in full. Here is there full length interview. Happy grilling!
Harry Soo, a Diamond Bar resident who runs Slap Yo' Daddy BBQ, recently won their fifth grand championship of the year on July 3 in Stockton.
Soo and his company have rapidly become one of the most prodigious barbecue competitors nationwide. Soo is now teaching a barbecue class once a month to reveal some of his secrets and tips to prime barbecue.
Soo took the time to answer a few questions regarding barbecuing, give some tips and talk about some of his favorite things to cook.
What is the most common mistake people make when using the barbecue?
Most common beginner mistake is doing too much. One of my barbecue wisdom sayings is 'less is more.' That is, less rub, less smoke, less sauce, and less add-ons. For example, beginners very often over smoke their barbecue.
For beginners, what are some of the first things you recommend? What meat or recipes should they start with?
A very tasty and forgiving meat to start your barbecue journey is chicken. It's inexpensive and easy to prepare. Make a simple rub with something salty like kosher salt, something sweet like sugar, something with color like chili and paprika, and some spices. Sprinkle on your chicken pieces and put skin side up into a 275 degree oven or charcoal smoker or gas grill. Do not touch it and let it cook until internal temperature is 175 degrees. Brush on your favorite barbecue sauce, let set for 10 minutes, remove and enjoy.
On your web site, you say grilling and barbecuing are not the same thing. What's the difference?
Grilling is cooking directly over high heat, usually over 300 degrees. BBQ is cooking indirectly with lower heat, less than 300 degrees. Both are good depending on the meat you are cooking. Grilling is good for meat that is tender. In technical terms, tender meat contains strands of protein called collagen that are loose, examples include chicken and fish. Conversely, low and slow barbecue is good for meat that is not tender, which is attributable to very tightly coiled strands of collagen. Examples include pork ribs and beef brisket. Low heat for long periods will loosen the chewy collagen and transform the meat into a tender delicious state called gelatin.
Understanding this little bit of food science will put you on the right path to creating moist and tender barbecue.
If you were trying to convince someone to become more of a barbecue user, what would you tell them?
Simple, have them taste properly smoked low and slow authentic American barbecue. Once you have tasted good barbecue, you'll never go back to the steam grilled barbecue you find in those chain barbecue stores. No names mentioned but they rhyme with Rome. Barbecue is the only true authentic American food. We stole everything else -- the pizza, hotdog, hamburger, noodles, etc. -- from other countries. No other culture in the world cooks meat low and slow for up to 12 hours above ground. The Hawaiians cook for long periods too but it's below ground. Barbecue was borne out of necessity when the plantation owners would give the workers less cuts of meat and the workers learned to start a fire and cook it low and slow so supper would be ready when they returned home after sunset. I've had many folks sample my barbecue pork and they literally fall into a stupor called 'hog heaven' because the mini explosion of flavor in their mouth is like a symphony that evokes intense visceral emotion from the combination of smoke, meat, rub, sauce, and all the messy goodness.
One of the problems I always run into while barbecuing is flare-ups on the grill, how should I handle that and what can I do to prevent it?
Have a spray bottle with water and spritz the meat to put out the flare up. Also, you can move the meat to a cooler spot on your grill.
What is your favorite thing to barbecue?
Rib tips. They come from the top portion of a pork sparerib. When a sparerib is trimmed into a St. Louis rib, the top portion of the sparerib is removed. That piece is called the rib tip. More barbecue restaurants will have rib tips if you ask for them. There is no better eating barbecue than rib tips.
What makes cooking on the barbecue more enjoyable, and taste better, than other means?
Barbecue is just honest food. If cooked properly, it's amazingly delicious stuff. Pair it with some classic sides and you've got a plateful of authentic American food ala apple pie. The smoke, char, rub, sauce, and tender meat is a universally loved. That's why grilling and barbecue is found in every culture in the world. Meat plus smoke plus rib equals happiness.
What do you prefer in the age-old debate -- gas or charcoal grill?
Both are good if you know what you are doing. As I always say, it's the pitmaster, it's not the pit. We've proven that simple point while cooking on the competition circuit with a pair of Webers we bought off Amazon for $200 each and have beaten many teams countless of times who are brandishing $30,000 custom pits.
For more information or to register for one of Soo's classes, visit www.slapyodaddybbq.com.
Email: daniel.tedford@sgvn.com | Twitter: @dgtedford @sgvtribune | Facebook: SGVTribune
I was going to write a cheeky post about how South El Monte was going to discuss some foul smelling news at their meeting tonight, not too mention a sewer fee increase.
The foul smell was going to be about the budget, except... it isn't so bad.
So much for being clever.
Anyway, here is a clip and a link to our update. More to come in Thursday's paper.
And for those of you interested in more interesting sewers than South El Monte's, there is always this.
SOUTH EL MONTE - The city council will discuss tonight the city's budget for the 2010-2011 budget year and whether to charge residents a new sewer fee to help replace the aging sewer system.The city was facing an estimated $414,000 shortfall between predicted revenues and expenditures for the new budget year. City staff has recommended cuts to make up for the deficit.
Email: daniel.tedford@sgvn.com | Twitter: @dgtedford @sgvtribune | Facebook: SGVTribune
About two weeks ago at an event with some of his supporters and friends, Mayor Joe Rocha announced he will seek reelection in March.
Rocha said he normally announces his campaign before the political season hits full throttle because he runs a "grass roots campaign." He needs early word of mouth in order to be competitive because he won't ask for political contributions, he said.
"It makes me uncomfortable in these economic times to ask people for money for signs," Rocha said to me in a phone conversation today.
He said he will run on his record and use friends around town to ask others to support his campaign.
He hasn't heard of anyone running against him (neither have I) and it wouldn't be surprising if he was once again unopposed. Rocha is regarded by many in the community as being someone who votes with his heart as much as his mind. He is actively involved in the community and a vocal advocate for the needy and veterans.
He is also accessible. I have heard numerous stories from people calling on Rocha or him visiting people at their homes (without him trying to draw attention to it) to help with a problem or offer some counseling.
Those efforts have made him many friends in the community that would make it difficult for a challenger to run against him.
In addition, he was the only council person to vote against the Vulcan Materials Co.'s Azusa Rock Quarry mining proposal. How that would play out in an election is yet to be seen.
Besides Vulcan, major topics in the next election would be getting a grocery store, downtown development and bringing a quality hotel to Azusa, Rocha said.
Rocha was first elected Mayor in 2007 when he defeated incumbent Diane Chagnon, leaving behind his council seat.
He then ran unopposed in 2009 for his first reelection campaign.
Email: daniel.tedford@sgvn.com | Twitter: @dgtedford @sgvtribune | Facebook: SGVTribune
For those of you busy watching the World Cup over the weekend, I got your local news for you right here.
How the free environmental pass to the Industry Stadium is affecting others.
As for what's to come this week, San Dimas and Glendora both have city council meetings tomorrow.
On Glendora's agenda is a request to change the City Clerk's administrative assistant position to Deputy City Clerk and increasing the position's salary by about $11,000 a year. The city hopes this can help to innovate and better services from the department.
The San Dimas City Council and Planning Commission are having a joint meeting to discuss the ongoing City Hall renovation project and the potential NJD Project Development in the northern foothills.
Two final items of note. Congratulations to my all time favorite baseball player Tim Salmon. Salmon, who has the most career home runs at 299 without ever appearing in an All-Star game, was the MVP of the All-Star Celebrity Softball Game in Anaheim Sunday.
Secondly, for your viewing pleasure and to stay fresh on Internet lingo, this is so double rainbow.
Email: daniel.tedford@sgvn.com | Twitter: @dgtedford @sgvtribune | Facebook: SGVTribune
We reported yesterday that long time La Verne City Manager Martin Lomeli was packing away the briefcase and moving on. The 23 year City Manager is retiring next month and will be replaced by Assistant City Manager Bob Russi.
In a day in age when City Managers last at one city about as long as star athletes do with one team, (Lebron reference #1) it is absolutely unheard of to have a City Manager retire after spending 23 years at his post, not to mention 30 years with the city as an employee as Lomeli has done.
He left the post gracefully, and humbly without making a big tada about it (that's #2) using a written statement to the city and a replacement groomed and ready to go.
Just as a comparison. Chris Jeffers in Glendora started in 2007, before that he was with Monterey Park.
Fran Delach, Azusa's City Manager, has been with them for five years. Before that he was the City Manager in Covina for six years.
Blaine Michaelis in San Dimas has had a long tenure with the city at 10 years.
Covina's City Manager Daryl Parish started there in 2009, before that he was City Manager of Colton for 8 years.
El Monte fired their City Manager not long ago and is now being helmed by Rene Bobadilla. Rosemead is breaking in a new City Manager. La Puente and Monterey Park ... well, you get the idea.
Suffice it to say, it speaks to Lomeli's work with La Verne that he lasted as long as he did. Also, it says something about loyalty for a guy who, various city officials say, was renowned across the state as one of the best at his business. We all know that it is hard for some people when they are considered to be one of the best to not be consumed by ego (trifecta!).
Also, you got to respect the fact he didn't make the decision during a one hour TV special. (All right, I'm done.)
Email: daniel.tedford@sgvn.com | Twitter: @dgtedford @sgvtribune | Facebook: SGVTribune
Like many others, I have lost some sleep because of the Azusa Rock Quarry mining proposal controversy in Azusa.
My loss of sleep is more of the I had to work until the wee hours of the morning due to a late council meeting variety rather than the "soul searching" Mayor Joe Rocha was speaking of last night, but, nonetheless, it has been a long ride for everyone involved for a myriad of reasons.
Anyway, despite the final decision being handed down last night giving approval to Vulcan's plan to shift its operations to the west, everyone should already know - this fight is far from over.
Duarte has contended for a long time that they would fight this in court. That decision will come soon.
Then there is the potential referendum from Save Our Canyon.
So, while everyone is feeling the hangover from last night's/this morning's decision, recover soon because there is more where that came from.
A preview of tomorrow's story.
AZUSA - In a decision that many council members said would define their careers representing the city, a new Azusa Rock Quarry mining proposal passed 4-1 Wednesday morning.After nearly six hours of discussion ended just after midnight Wednesday, the Azusa council reversed an earlier decision and decided to allow mining to go west into Van Tassel Ridge in exchange for an overall better looking hillside, officials said.
"This council is going to be chiseling its name in stone for a project that we are going to have to live with," councilman Keith Hanks said at the meeting. "We are going to own this one way or the other."
The proposal also takes mining further away from Azusa's Mountain Cove community, spares Fish Ridge, adds millions of dollars in revenue to the city, and forces Vulcan to reshape previous mining benches into smaller benches the city hopes will improve an eyesore.
Mayor Joe Rocha, the lone dissenting vote, said he was "heartbroken" by the decision to cut down Van Tassel Ridge.
"Once that ridge is gone, it is gone forever," he said. "We will have to preserve it in pictures."
Email: daniel.tedford@sgvn.com | Twitter: @dgtedford @sgvtribune | Facebook: SGVTribune
In a detailed letter thrashing Azusa's supposed new and improved Azusa Rock Quarry mining plan (facing the City Council tonight for round two) Duarte officials offered a mining plan of their own called the Good Neighbor Plan.
Being that the major disadvantages to the plan is the reduction in mining, and as thus in profit for a major corporation, betting odds say Vulcan has as good a chance of accepting Duarte's plans as there is Lebron goes to the Clippers.
The council will ponder staff's newly negotiated terms tonight at 7:30 p.m., as well as Duarte's questions regarding the freshly inked amendments.
Email: daniel.tedford@sgvn.com | Twitter: @dgtedford @sgvtribune | Facebook: SGVTribune
El Monte is hiring. And apparently a higher education doesn't mean a higher salary.
The city is hiring a city council liaison, who will largely do public relations for the city. The post requires an AA Degree or 60 units from an accredited college and pays a monthly salary of $5,437 to $6,609, meaning $65,244 to $79,308 a year.
There is one caveat - applicants will be required to obtain a bachelor's degree "within a reasonable amount of time."
For those who are not interested going that extra step, the city is also hiring a volunteer coordinator who only needs the AA degree for a monthly salary of $3,888 to $4,666, or $46,656 to $55,992 a year.
Meanwhile, a masters degree is needed for the post of program specialist II, who will coordinate senior services in the city. The salary for that post is a mere $4,336 to $5,271 a month, or up to $63,252 a year. That's less than the lowest end of the city council liaison.
In case you're interested in employment, you can find more details at:
http://www.ci.el-monte.ca.us/citygov/humanres/hrmain.html
The Azusa city staff report for Vulcan Materials Co.'s Azusa Rock Quarry mining plan was released late Thursday and includes a series of changes.
The plan is up for reconsideration and a public hearing on the proposal is scheduled for Tuesday night.
A story will follow this weekend, but check out the staff report for yourself.
Expect a long meeting Tuesday following the long weekend. Have a safe and happy Independence Day. See some of you, I'm sure, at the council meeting Tuesday.
Email: daniel.tedford@sgvn.com | Twitter: @dgtedford @sgvtribune | Facebook: SGVTribune
Being conflicted out isn't an unusual thing (or issue) for La Verne's council members. Councilwomen Donna Redman Nasmyth and Robin Carder both work at the University of La Verne and are conflicted out of votes concerning the school.
Mayor Don Kendrick has a business in La Verne and can be conflicted out of votes that concern property near to his offices, and Johnson has a business in the city as well that puts him in the same situation.
Not to mention, there was that court battle concerning Johnson's potential conflicts of interest. He was found not guilty. The property that has now conflicted him out of the redevelopment agency was also part of the case against Johnson in 2007.
This time, Johnson opted to step down (he was actually required) from his position to avoid any conflict.
Council members often serve as the city's redevelopment agency as well, but in this case, La Verne will be one of the few cities with someone other than a council member on the agency.
Email: daniel.tedford@sgvn.com | Twitter: @dgtedford @sgvtribune | Facebook: SGVTribune
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