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The votes are in. Those in favor doubled those opposed. Next stop: The mining battle goes to court. See you all tomorrow.
The Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office of Public Integrity said an investigation into the misuse of public funds by Duarte officials regarding an Azusa referendum remains open.
Furthermore, Head Deputy District Attorney for the department, David Demerjian, said he doesn't expect any decisions on the case prior to the special election based on the referendum in question which is scheduled for Tuesday.
Azusa Mayor Diane Chagnon alleged in a complaint filed with the district attorney's office in November that Duarte hired a public relations firm to help with a referendum campaign in Azusa and illegally discussed certain items in closed session.
Officials in Duarte rebuked the claims and submitted hundreds of documents to the attorney's office in response.
Email: daniel.tedford@sgvn.com | Twitter: @dgtedford @sgvtribune | Facebook: SGVTribune
Another long weekend has passed us by and in its wake we are left with a new year, the knowledge that we are back to those grueling five day schedules, and that you probably spent most of the weekend hungover and therefore didn't want to stare at a computer screen reading stores.
With that knowledge, I offer you a recap of what you missed.
While war rages for U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan and plagues them after their return home, the men and women who served feel the rest of the country has lost interest.
On a recent Saturday night, while cruising the city in his patrol car, El Monte police Lt. Chuck Carlson said he hasn't noticed an increase in crime or gang activity because of the decrease in proactive policing. Nor has the recession - which is largely to blame for El Monte's city budget woes - sparked an increase in crime, as hard economic times often do.
While it's not uncommon for a Little League team or a service club to partner with a restaurant to raise money, politicians in Azusa are pioneering a new use for the practice.
Email: daniel.tedford@sgvn.com | Twitter: @dgtedford @sgvtribune | Facebook: SGVTribune
It was brought to my attention (Thanks, commenter David) that after reporting on this blog the Canyon City Alliance did not list Vulcan Materials as part of its coalition on its website, it has now been changed.
This also comes following a letter from the Fair Political Practices Commission that outlines an investigation into the group for alleged violations of the Political Reform Act. The group has been accused by an anti-mining group for not clearly listing its sole donor, Vulcan Materials Co., on campaign material.
Canyon City Alliance officials said they did not plan to change any material because they believed to be in compliance.
The website change must have been some sort of exception...
Email: daniel.tedford@sgvn.com | Twitter: @dgtedford @sgvtribune | Facebook: SGVTribune
I reported in today's newspaper about a Fair Political Practices Commission investigation into "potential issues" regarding campaign literature from the Canyon City Alliance.
The first thing I want to discuss is the assertion by Azusans Against Mining Expansion that the FPPC found violations the CCA was guilty of violating the Political Reform Act.
Is that claim true? To my best knowledge and understanding, that answer is: undetermined.
Let me explain.
The FPPC's letter is highly ambiguous regarding any violation. In the second paragraph it states:
In our investigation of this allegation, we have identified several potential issues that may be violations of the Act
The key words in this sentence are "potential" and "may be." If you are citing someone for a violation, you don't leverage your claim by adding crutch words like potential and may be. That suggests there is room for error, interpretation or argument. I think that is what we have hear.
That is demonstrated by the claims of a violation over the 410 committee statement paperwork. That potential violation was already taken back by the FPPC after speaking with Vulcan, according to FPPC spokesman Roman Porter. A new letter was issued without that allegation and Porter said the CCA was previously in compliance regarding the 410, prior to the original FPPC letter being drafted. If this letter was citing steadfast violations, the FPPC wouldn't have changed its tune on one of the "violations" in just a few days.
When I asked Porter what this letter meant, he declined to speak about an open investigation. The fact this is an open investigation directly implies that CCA has not be found in violation. If this was a done deal, Porter would speak freely about the investigation, the violations, and all the documents related to that would be posted on the FPPC website. Maybe they will in the next couple days, but right now, that just isn't the case. It is very possible that by the end of the week, Vulcan is fined. It is possible this all will be taken back. The point I am making is that none of this is solidified yet.
For now, Porter said this was a "cease and desist" letter, but wouldn't comment on any actual violations due to the open investigatation. Whether or not anything needs to be stopped or changed, is still a matter of debate. I think we will have our answer soon, but the fact is, we don't have it yet.
QUICK UPDATE: I did go to the Canyon City Alliance website and found it curious that in the "Who We Are" section, it lists "Yes on A, Canyon City Alliance is a coalition including the Azusa Chamber of Commerce, the Azusa Police Officers' Association, community leaders and local residents."
Where's Vulcan?
Item number two.
There has often been the argument that if the development agreement doesn't nullify the entire conditional use permit for Vulcan's mining plan amendment, why are they fighting to support the referendum election?
Jeri Vogel said just as much to me yesterday.
"If Yes on A gets rid of all the money they have to pay the city of Azusa, then why do they plan to fight that unless they plan on making a whole lot more money later on?" she said.
To her credit, I think it is an easy conclusion to assume. I wondered just the same myself when the referendum was first proposed. In fact, that same thing happened in Rosemead with its Wal-Mart referendum. When the people came forward to the City Council to ask them to take back the development agreement, Wal-Mart stepped forward and said sounds like an awesome idea. Guess what? The city lost the money and Wal-Mart kept its use permit.
So the question arises, why is Vulcan promoting Measure A?
For Vulcan this situation is a lose-lose. Fight for Measure A and you get accusations like Vogel's (which aren't without merit).
Yet, if they fought against Measure A, they would make themselves an easy target to be cast as the greedy mining company out to squeeze whatever they can out of the community, including tricking the people into giving them a mining plan without Vulcan giving anything back (except its regular tax rate) to the city.
I posed the question to Vogel.
"That is kind of a hard one. They are in a lose-lose position as far as that goes," she agreed. " I still think they are going to make a whole lot more money on the other side."
For Vulcan, it was an easy choice, especially since they made a promise to the city they would defend against any referendum.
"The city can't campaign in favor of it, but we can and we said we would," Vulcan spokeswoman Peg Casey said. "The development agreement requires that if there was a challenge, that Vulcan would defend against that action. It is perfectly appropriate that we defend and support Measure A."
Email: daniel.tedford@sgvn.com | Twitter: @dgtedford @sgvtribune | Facebook: SGVTribune
Note: I changed the headline because when I have the opportunity to make an 80s pop music reference, I take it.
Common blog commenter "David" responded to a recent post about Duarte possibly trying to turn a fire at a Vulcan Materials facility into a political affair.
As a response to that post, David said "Pot meet Kettle" implying that, for my part, I was guilty of the very thing I was writing about. In response, I left the following comment that I thought would make for some good discussion:
I expected this response and I can't say it isn't wholly unwarranted. I conferred with several colleagues and outside friends wondering if I was being critical. The resounding answer was no.
But that is outside of the point I want to make in response. I think that argument - media fans the political fire just as much as politicians - is circular reasoning.
If we lived in fear of that criticism and chose to ignore stories to avoid adding to the fervor, how would we ever write about politics? Any story that is in any way critical or shows a politician in a negative light could be criticized (and often is) as a media creation meant to urge feuds and feed turmoil.
Just because we write about politics doesn't make us political. When we write about political turmoil, that doesn't make us tumultuous. If I report on a political argument, I am not being argumentative. So, if I write about one entity turning an apolitical incident into a political one, I don't believe I am guilty by association.
Think of the slippery slope of your comment outside the context of the media. If you go and talk to your friends about this story, are you inciting or sensationalizing the episode? Or merely making an objective statement about something you witnessed?
Obviously, it can't be ignored that writing about something naturally raises a situation to a different level of awareness. What I try to decide is if something is worthy (information that is pertinent/necessary/interesting to the people) of giving it the added attention. I felt this situation warranted the post and I believe I was fair in reporting it.
I will also admit that there are reporters and media outlets who do use their abilities for evil and pour gas on the fire or push something to be more than it is. It is a fine line that we walk. Every time I report on something, I weigh its newsworthiness, run a check list of pros and cons, consider the consequences, who this would be important to and why. For a blog post, this passed the test.
Email: daniel.tedford@sgvn.com | Twitter: @dgtedford @sgvtribune | Facebook: SGVTribune
Duarte officials are trying to throw some coals on a fire at a Vulcan Materials Co. facility last week.
I can't say I am surprised. When has an opportunity ever been lost in politics?
More to the point, after a fire broke out at a plant run by Vulcan last week, Duarte jumped at the opportunity for some bad press for the company.
On Duarte's city website, the city issued a press release regarding the incident entitled "Fire erupts at Vulcan Materials plant."
Duarte immediately notified AQMD of the fire, according to the release. The release goes on to discuss air quality briefly before tacking on a picture.
Did the fire warrant a reaction from Duarte? Duarte residents would resoundingly say yes, while Vulcan officials and mining plan proponents would probably argue this was politically motivated.
I understand the excitement about the incident. When I first heard there was a fire at Vulcan, I immediately realized the implications and the possibilities arising from any incident at one of the company's plants.
The company is the middle of a political battle in Azusa where they are trying to get a development agreement passed for a new mining plan amendment for the Azusa Rock Quarry. A referendum election is scheduled for Jan. 25.
Duarte has opposed the mining plan and is challenging it in court.
If this had been a serious fire, there would have been political implications and opponents of the plan would be armed with additional ammunition.
But, alas, it was not to be. The fire was small, the affect minimal, and it went relatively unnoticed to most people.
But Duarte posted a story on its home page in somewhat of an alarming fashion. Should the city have informed its residents? Yes. I mean, we wrote about it. It would be kind of hypocritical to say no.
But does it smell of political motivations? (besides the burning rubber smell) Of course, which somewhat taints the action all together.
Fires happen in cities, often times at businesses, and without the help of the fire department or local residents, we may never know about them. Cities aren't often in the business of writing press releases when a roofer starts a small tar fire or a restaurant has a minor kitchen fire.
When Duarte decides to write a story on this subject, one assumes it is with a purpose beyond reporting the news.
It's to provide a spark.
Email: daniel.tedford@sgvn.com | Twitter: @dgtedford @sgvtribune | Facebook: SGVTribune
The Tribune had an editorial meeting with members of the Canyon City Alliance and Azusa council members Robert Gonzales and Uriel Macias today.
After listening to their pitch, an interesting comment came about during discussions about Measure A and the Azusa Rock Quarry mining project.
It is and has been the position of the majority of the City Council, Azusa, and the CCA that a no vote on Measure A would only nullify Vulcan Materials Co.'s amended mining plan's development agreement, but that its use permit would stand. Essentially, the mining would be allowed to continue but many of the benefits negotiated by the city with Vulcan Materials would be lost (a fact that remains questionable).
Now, of course that all comes with the caveat that legal challenges - and you can be sure there would be one - could argue the CUP and development agreement are tied together and upon success in a legal challenge, they both could go down.
But barring that hypothetical, the question was posed what would stop Azusa from negotiating a new development agreement connected to the project if this one is rejected?
The answer, in short, was nothing, according to Macias.
The long answer was no one knows what will happen during a no vote. Litigation? New deal? It is all something of an unknown, Macias said.
"With (Measure A) we know whats going to happen," if it is passed, Macias said. "With a no, we don't know. (Supporting Measure A) is us taking control of our own destiny."
But to me, that said that, barring a legal victory to the contrary, a no vote on Measure A could lead to the city renegotiating new benefits with Vulcan. Whether or not Vulcan will listen, is certainly a question. And the company would then be put in the position of having a significant amount of leverage.
UPDATE: Azusa Councilman Keith Hanks phoned me and reminded me that there is a one year "cooling off" period following a referendum of a council action. So if a new deal were to be struck, it would have to be done in 2012.
UPDATE TWO: Macias called and had this statement regarding the potential for future negotiations:
"We have done that already. We told them no when they wanted to expand to 270 acres and the first time in May when we negated it and went back to the negotiating table. We have in fact already done that."
On a related note, I asked Canyon City Alliance officials if they would be donating to candidates in the City Council election. President Liz Ramirez said those discussions have not taken place with board members. Chamber of Commerce board member Mercedes Castro said that after Jan. 26 (the referendum special election is Jan. 25) the group intends to disband.
UPDATE: (I really hope this is the last one, I have received more phone calls on this post than any other.) Castro called me and told me she misspoke when saying the CCA would disband following the referendum election. The group will still exist, but may close its offices, she said.
Macias then jumped in and said he would not accept any money from Canyon City Alliance.
It is well known that Vulcan is a member of the CCA, contributes services and is the major source of funding for the group.
(An earlier version of this story identified Mercedes Castro as the Chamber of Commerce President. Castro is the former president.)
Email: daniel.tedford@sgvn.com | Twitter: @dgtedford @sgvtribune | Facebook: SGVTribune
There will be more on this in tomorrow's newspaper, but Duarte has submitted a rebuttal to claims the council misused public funds by hiring a public relations firm to help with the Azusa referendum effort.
Duarte sent a large packet of documents to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office whose Public Integrity Division is investigating the allegations submitted by former Azusa Mayor Diane Chagnon.
Duarte believes those documents will exonerate them from the charges.
According to a statement from the city:
"The documents submitted by Duarte to the District Attorney confirm the work performed by the firm was not related to the referendum but rather to inform Azusa residents about the adverse environmental impacts the Vulcan mining expansion project would have and to encourage residents to attend the Azusa City Council's public hearings on the project on May 17, 2010 and July 6, 2010. Englander Knabe & Allen completed all of its work for Duarte prior to the July 6, 2010 decision by the Azusa City Council to approve the Vulcan project and therefore prior to the referendum effort undertaken by Azusa residents."
Duarte officials have said they believe this is a political ploy by Chagnon - a member of Canyon City Alliance - to cast doubt on the referendum and attack Duarte.
The Canyon City Alliance is a group of individuals who support the new mining plan and advocate in favor of Measure A. Vulcan Materials Co. is part of the organization and is the main financial supporter for the group.
There is nothing new to report regarding applications for the Azusa City Council. The list of potential candidates remains the same with Jorge Rosales, Peggy Martinez, Paul Naccachian, Madelyn Payne and incumbents Urial Macias and Angel Carrillo.
The news, for now, may be the lack of a competitor for Mayor Joe Rocha. Rocha ran unopposed two years ago and appears to be close to doing the same this election cycle.
This only lends credence to no one believes they can beat Rocha in an election.
Often known as a "people's" councilman, Rocha is known for his generous nature. He knows everyone, reaches out to those in need, and will often visit the homes of those he thinks could use a friend.
Not only that, but he often has a populist touch to his voting habits. Take the Vulcan mining issue for example. Rocha was the sole no vote on the issue that faced intense scrutiny and was lambasted by neighboring Duarte officials and residents, as well as many Azusa residents.
Whether that was the popular vote among Azusa residents remains to be seen. What we do know is that Rocha may have become such an entrenched character of the council, that no one appears ready to take him on in an election.
Especially, in this election where there seems to be an opportunity - somewhat - for a challenger. A major issue is before the city (Vulcan mining) which a candidate has the opportunity to distinguish themselves on. In addition, a jumbled field follows any of those vying for an open council position. There are six council candidates campaigning for two spots, which includes a battle against the incumbents holding the positions now. This thought had to cross someone's mind: Would I rather have a one vs. one, winner take all fight or a knock down, bare knuckle, wrestle mania match with five other candidates (maybe more) where other challengers could siphon votes from me and give the incumbents an edge?
Yet, no one appears to want to take that risk against Rocha.
It begs the question: Is he untouchable?
Email: daniel.tedford@sgvn.com | Twitter: @dgtedford @sgvtribune | Facebook: SGVTribune
If you were a bit confused at Azusa's council meeting last night when the council, already having voted on a going with a special election for the Azusa Rock Quarry referendum, decided to vote again, I can clear that up.
During the break after the initial vote, I asked Mayor Joe Rocha why he had voted no on the original motion.
Was it because he disagreed with the date? The special election versus the March municipal election date? DId he prefer voting to rescind the development agreement as a council?
None of the above. Rocha was surprised at the question and realized he made a mistake. He then asked they could re-vote so he could be on record as voting in favor of the referendum's special election.
In the end, it was unanimous.
While researching this story comparing a referendum in Azusa of Vulcan Materials Co.'s new amended mining plan versus Rosemead residents earlier failed attempt to stop a Wal-Mart in the city, there were some other interesting parallels that I stumbled across.
Community groups filed lawsuits against the Wal-Mart projects' environmental impact report for being incomplete, much like Duarte's lawsuit against the Azusa Rock Quarry plan's EIR, claiming it is insufficient.
A judge agreed that Wal-mart's EIR was incomplete, but the ruling only stalled the project.
What I found most interesting was the Rosemead council came under fire for having an emergency vote to grant Wal-Mart a certificate of occupancy, something opponents said violated the Ralph M. Brown Act's open meeting laws.
Azusa is facing similar claims after an urgency vote to reconsider the mining plan. The council had originally voted against it, but later voted to bring it back for a second vote at a council meeting without putting the item on the agenda. Duarte's lawsuit includes alleging Azusa violated the Brown Act.
In Rosemead, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office faulted the council, but did not demand corrective action because the Wal-Mart was already built and open.
Will Azusa's council face the same fate? And, if so, what are the potential implications?
Email: daniel.tedford@sgvn.com | Twitter: @dgtedford @sgvtribune | Facebook: SGVTribune
Before we get into week-in-review, I want to take this time to put Chargers' fans on blast.
I am not a Raiders fan by any means, nor am I am Charger's hater. In fact, nine times out of ten, I root for the Bolts over those norther demons. But this weekend all I heard from Chargers' fans was disrespect and comments about how Sunday's game was nothing more than a practice game. I can't say how happy it makes me when someone talks trash, takes a team lightly, and makes ludacris claims only to have them get beat. Best thing that happens in sports. You know that movie 'Little Giants'? Underdogs win sometimes, that is why they even have the word underdog. Let that be a lesson to those San Diegans who thought they had a stats padding day set up for them.
Here is the weekend news you missed, but should know about.
In Azusa, the potential affects of a Azusa Rock Quarry mining referendum are still being debated. Two attorney's involved in a Rosemead Wal-Mart referendum (one for and one against) take a look at the implications in Azusa.
I got a press release from Elizabeth Ramirez yesterday announcing that Canyon City Alliance had hired a one Elizabeth Ramirez. Weird, same name! I wonder if the other Elizabeth Ramirez even knows that!
OK, OK. I know they are the same person. Mostly because Elizabeth Ramirez said they were.
Anyhoo, since I haven't really talked about them yet, the Canyon City Alliance is a group of businesses, police, and community members who support the newly approved Azusa Rock Quarry mining plan.
Ramirez will be the executive director of the group that also boasts Azusa Chamber of Commerce executive board member Mercedes Castro as president.
Here is the press release:
Elizabeth Ramirez Hired to Lead Canyon City Alliance
Longtime Azusa Resident to Serve as Alliance Executive Director
October 6, 2010 (AZUSA, CA) - The Canyon City Alliance has announced the hiring of Elizabeth
Ramirez as the organization's Executive Director. Ramirez will be responsible for day‐to‐day
operations of the Canyon City Alliance and will coordinate all community activities related to
the Alliance's support for the City's recent approval of the Azusa Rock project.
"We are excited and fortunate to have Elizabeth leading the Canyon City Alliance. As a lifelong
resident of Azusa, she will provide outstanding leadership to our organization. Throughout her
involvement with numerous Azusa non‐profit organizations, she has earned the respect of our
community and we look forward to her joining our team" said Mercedes Castro, President of
the Canyon City Alliance.
The Canyon City Alliance was founded by business, law enforcement and community leaders to
help promote a vibrant business climate in the City of Azusa and throughout the San Gabriel
Valley. The City of Azusa is home to nearly 50,000 residents and will soon be celebrating the
opening of a new Target department store, construction of a Metro Gold Line Station near
downtown, as well as the recently approved requirement to restore Azusa's hillsides.
"I am excited to be joining a group of such dedicated residents and community leaders.
Working together, the Canyon City Alliance will be able to help promote the programs, activities
and quality of life projects that are critical to Azusa residents and the San Gabriel Valley," said
Elizabeth Ramirez.
I hope you like sequels.
Round two of Vulcan Materials Co.'s Azusa Rock Quarry mining plan is about to begin after a referendum against the project qualified for the ballot Monday. (I would say let's get ready to rumble, but I don't want Michael Buffer to sue me. Besides, let's get ready to rock has a solid pun to go with it. So...)
Let's get ready to rock....again!
All your favorite characters will be back including Richard Deem and Xilonin Cruz-Gonzalez from Save Our Canyon, Conal McNamara and Fran Delach from Azusa's city staff, and you can expect City Manager Darrell George, Mayor Margaret Finlay and public relations specialist Mary Barrow from Duarte to all make a cameo appearance.
Some new stars will also be appearing, including Peg Casey who has taken on the spokesperson role for Vulcan Materials, replacing Todd Priest (who is still working on the project with his firm Curt Pringle and Associates) and Paul Naccachian, former Azusa council candidate, and leader of the referendum proponent's group Azusans Against Mining Expansion.
This battle should be hotly contested. Unlike the council review and vote, the political implications of a referendum throw a few logs on the fire.
If the referendum is put on the March election ballot, it will coincide with the council elections. In addition, the sheer weight of money and political campaigns are sure to amp up the political rhetoric volume throughout Azusa.
Also, in a battle that has mostly been contested from Duarte residents, it will be very interesting to see how Azusa residents will see this project.
Here. We. Go.
I haven't heard anything from the Azusa city clerk's office this morning, but the deadline for the county to respond on the Azusa Rock Quarry referendum effort is today.
Members of the political action group Azusans Against Mining Expansion submitted 2,532 signatures to the city clerk's office. They needed 1,650 registered voter signatures to qualify the referendum.
The referendum would then head to the ballot either next March during the council elections, or during a special election. Its intention is to repeal Vulcan Materials Co.'s development agreement with the city over its recently amended Azusa Rock Quarry mining plan.
The Los Angeles County Registrar's Office deadline to respond for the confirmation of qualified signatures is today, but what time they will hand them over to Azusa is not known.
We will have something posted on the website the first we hear of it.
UPDATE: County told me the signatures have been reviewed and are now being looked at by the division manager and assistant registrar. It will then go to the County Clerk for final review before the results are given to the city either today or tomorrow.
She declined to give the preliminary results of the count.
Email: daniel.tedford@sgvn.com | Twitter: @dgtedford @sgvtribune | Facebook: SGVTribune
Here is a quick look at the cost of Azusa's environmental impact report for the recently approved Azusa Rock Quarry project.
A recent survey shows SGV school districts pay superintendents an average of $185,000 annually.
Advocates against police checkpoints say a new video shows an illegal checkpoint run by the Baldwin Park Police Department. A local expert agrees.
And look, someone won $150,000 from a winning lottery ticket sold in Covina. Who's happy for him/her? That's right, nobody because we are all bitter we didn't win that cash (and it was SO close!)
Email: daniel.tedford@sgvn.com | Twitter: @dgtedford @sgvtribune | Facebook: SGVTribune
Vulcan Materials Co. will host an open access day to Fish Canyon on Saturday, officials said.
The mining company will provide shuttles for access through its Azusa Rock Quarry mining site to reach the Fish Canyon Trail located just behind the site.
There will be free parking at Vulcan's site for those who wish to attend. The three mile hike leads to the Fish Canyon Falls, noted as one of the most breathtaking waterfalls in the San Gabriel Valley.
Access starts at 7 a.m. with shuttles running to the beginning of the trail until noon. All hikers must return to the site by 3 p.m.
Vulcan's site is at the north end of Encanto Parkway, off Foothill Boulevard, in Azusa.
Azusa Unified School Board Member Xilonin Cruz-Gonzalez is being fined by the Fair Political Practices Commission for failing to report campaign funds, according to a statement from the commission.
Cruz-Gonzalez, a current school board member, did not meet the deadline for a semi-annual campaign statement for the period between Jan. 1, 2008 and June 30, 2008, according to the statement.
The proposed fine for the failure is $400, according to the FPPC.
In addition to her work as a board member, Cruz-Gonzalez is a well-known anti-mining advocate in the community that has championed an effort to turn down a recent mining plan for the Azusa Rock Quarry.
She has often spoken out regarding the project, but has always said that her role as a board member is separate to her work advocating against the mining project.
UPDATE: Since there was a lot of discussion regarding this post, I did a quick follow up.
Sent a request to the county recorder's office regarding campaign statements for school board members during the same period Cruz-Gonzalez was fined for not turning in the statements.
Here are the dates each member turned in the statements, according to the county.
Xilonin Cruz-Gonzalez 470 Statement 04/28/2010
Barbara Dickerson 460 Statement 07/31/2008
Rosemary Garcia 470 Statement 08/20/2008
John Burke Hamilton 470 Statement 08/18/2008
Ilean M. Ochoa 470 Statement 08/19/2008
UPDATE THE SEQUEL: Got some more information from the county.
The deadline for turning in the statement was indeed July 31 (kudos to David mentioning that below, as I forgot). Following failure to meet the deadline, the county sends a notice to each person that allows an additional 10 days to turn in the statement. If there is no response from that notice, a second specific notice is sent to each person that allows for an additional 15 days to file.
"If they don't respond after that notice, then we refer them to the FPPC," said Josefina Arvizu, who works for the Campaign Finance Disclosure Section of the county registrar's office. "After we send it to FPPC, that is out of our hands."
Too much with the headline? I thought so too.
Anyway... If you are involved in the referendum issue in Azusa regarding Vulcan Materials' mining project, you are probably aware of the most recent fundraising snafu.
If you aren't, here is the short recap: Azusans Against Mining Expansion planned a fundraiser for the referendum effort at the Azusa American Legion.
Upon public notice (including a brief in the Tribune) of the event, the legion people got spooked because they feared people thought they were endorsing the referendum effort. Despite another public announcement (another brief in the Tribune) which stated the legion was a neutral party, the event was still canceled.
On the surface, the episode seems to border on the absurd while it sits in the realm of over reaction. Most people know that American Legions, VFWs and other community groups with event halls often rent out those spaces as a way to make a quick buck. In this case, the American Legion was more a location than an entity.
So why the fuss?
For the American Legion officials to react in such a way means their decision became controversial. The question is, how?
Was it public outcry? Possible.
The issue is contentious and the legion is a public facility meant for military personnel of varied political affiliations in Azusa. Maybe they had some angry residents make an issue out of it.
But that's unlikely.
While the Azusa Rock Quarry is controversial, most of the public outcry has been against the project with support coming at a more tempered tone and often from public officials or pockets of community members.
What is more likely is pressure from public officials. City Council, staff, business partners, Azusa business officials, someone with clout came forward upset with the legion's decision to host the event. That pressure spawned the political issue and thus the event's cancellation. Is that true? As of yet, I have nothing to suggest it is besides a whisper here and a grumbling there. But it seems like the most likely reason.
UPDATE: Spoke with councilman Uriel Macias, who has had his own events at the Legion and is a commissioned officer in the U.S. Navy, and he said he knew nothing about the issues with the Legion and AAME except what he read in the paper.
He said he heard rumors that he called the legion to pressure them out of the event, but called that assertion "ridiculous."
Email: daniel.tedford@sgvn.com | Twitter: @dgtedford @sgvtribune | Facebook: SGVTribune
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