As the Calendar moved to October 1st Rialto proved that things are not well for the Inland Empire city. Reports came from those close to city hall that city manager Rod Foster has decided to retire from his job in Rialto with just being on the job for a little over one year.
The tension was there since the city manager became aware of possible conflict of interest issues with CDBG funds given to the mayors daughters organization. City Manager Rod Foster said the special audit, which will be conducted by the Riverside accounting firm Teaman, Ramirez & Smith, will examine federal grant funding received by all community-based organizations and nonprofits, not just Bethune Center.
Tensions have continued as Rod Foster has worked to try and deal with the $150 million in unfunded liabilities that Rialto is obligated to pay, as well as balance a budget that was on the brink of bankruptcy. Constant battling with the Mayor and trying to right the financial ship of the city while reports come out that Mayor Robertson has been fighting Rod Foster for trying to make things right. Another part to the frustration of the City Manager is the backlash the audits findings caused.
According to those close to city hall the audit of the Bethune Center-NCNW has been a source of concern for the City Manager. Supporters from that community have made it hard for him to do his job and that coupled with the barriers from elected officials his health has begun to deteriorate.
Rialto now is a city run by an all interim cast, Not one single department head is run someone looking to work long term leading Rialto:
- City Administrator is now interim Stephan Erlandson
- Public Works interim director Michael Tahan (Former developer and Fontana Councilman)
- City Engineer interim Savat Khamphou
- City Attorney interim Eric Vail
- Community Services interim Sean Grayson
- Rialto Fire acting Brian Park
- Community Development acting Manager Karen Peterson
- Building & Safety interim Justin Edson
The question is why can’t we keep good people and why are the elected officials driving away all of the talented people here?
rialtonow 
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