Hello Rialto so you thought the elections were over right?
Wrong we still have an open council seat!!!!!!!
Ok so maybe the thought of more election pandering doesn’t excite you, if that’s the case this is right up your alley.
The city council has chosen to make an appointment verses spending money on an election. They gave candidates 3 days to get their letters of interest into the city clerk’s office (Friday 5pm) and now they have the task of choosing one of these people to fill the vacant seat for the remainder of the term (1.5 years).
Rumors are already circling that the 3 seated council members have already made up their minds? Is it simply rumor? Or is there something it?
There is no way to know what another person is thinking until you ask them to put it to writing. Here is the Interview from Ed Scott enjoy.
Ed Scott is seeking the open council seat
*What are your thoughts on how the local elections played out for citizens of Rialto?
I am happy with the two Councilmembers who were voted in. Obviously I am disappointed voters didn’t do more research on the Mayoral candidates as I feel the outcome would of been different. Having said that I am in full support of our new Mayor and wish her the best.
*In what ways will you try and remain a part of the work to make a better Rialto now that you’re no longer on the Council?
For 23 years I’ve been active in this community and will continue to do so in any way I can. I may run again sometime down the road.
*Are you seeking the appointed seat left vacant by your opponent for Mayor Deborah Robertson?
Yes I am I feel I would be a good asset to the new Council especially in business development and perchlorate.
*How do you thing this spot should be filled?
The Council should review applicants and pick a person qualified.
*What is the value of having it done now verses waiting till June in a special election?
We need leadership, there are major financial issues facing this city and a person with knowledge of these issues would be helpful.
*Can you explain the importance of having an odd number of people voting?
You certainly don’t want tied votes and if the council cannot come up with a consensus then a 3 – 2 votes is helpful. In a perfect situation if staff and the council are doing their homework a unanimous vote should take place. Voting on issues is not about one’s personal agenda it’s about what is good and right for the community.
*What was your greatest accomplishment & failure as a council member?
I think my hard work to bring new businesses into our community was important. i.e. Coco’s, Wal-Mart, Target, In & Out multiple distribution centers bringing job to Rialto and my work in bringing the perchlorate law suit to an end. But my greatest pleasure was when I could help a resident of small business with a problem and could leave them with the feeling that an elected official cared about them. There is no better feeling. As far as failures I don’t really look at anything that way. Would I have of done something’s different yes, hind sight is always important.
*There is talk of putting Measure “V” on the ballot again any thoughts on this? Why in your opinion did it fail in November?
It failed because people didn’t understand why the City was doing it and we let big oil companies come into our city and flat out lie to our residents. I worked for big oil companies for over twenty years and I tried to warn the city how ruthless they can be but my concerns fell on deaf ears.
*What in your opinion is the greatest hurdle in the community’s path between now and the next election?
Having enough money to keep the City solvent and at the same time maintain our necessary levels of service for public safety.
*Veolia will be the operator of both the Water and Waste Water for Rialto for the next 30 years, what are your thoughts on this? Can they handle both with minimal errors? Did you have a choice you wish was there instead?
Yes I am confident they can handle it my choice to run the water department was West Valley it just didn’t happen
*As a small business owner what can Rialto do to make this an attractive home for our local small businesses?
Make the permitting and government interaction easier. The City needs to understand that when a small business loses business because of safety concerns or because government is difficult to do business with it is devastating. Most small business people are not rich people they are hardworking residents.
*Residents of the country club area came out to the Coffee with the Chief in December commenting on the way the Golf Course has become a mess and attracts criminals and the wild life is moving in as well. What was done wrong there in your opinion?
The golf course was losing 20,000 a month the owners had a right to close it. The residents should have worked with the owners instead of suing them. No one won in that situation but lawyers. The best thing now is to support the new development at the golf course so it can be reopened and become prosperous.
rialtonow 