New Info on Our Police Department

04 Feb 2012 Leave a comment

by rialto-now in Budget, Ca, City of Rialto, davidsMarketing, Family, Family Sports, Flores Park, Layoffs, Nieghborhood Watch, Public Safety, Rialto Police Department, SWAT, The Circle Vision Quest, youth

Rialto Police Department

This year is an exciting year for us. We have a new Chief in town! Chief William “Tony” A. Farrar has been with Rialto Police Department for over 25 years.

We are excited to continue moving forward with our department’s mission with Chief Farrar leading the way. Chief Farrar has great plans for our department to include the use of the most modern police methodologies and technology, which will support our efforts to make the City of Rialto a safer place not only for the citizens but also for those who visit our city.

To help Chief Farrar realize his goals, Chief Farrar has made several new promotions.

We are pleased to introduce to you his Command Staff:

Captain Randy De Anda,

Lieutenant Kathy Thompson, Lieutenant Dean Hardin, and Lieutenant Andrew Karol.

Along with Command Staff, Chief Farrar has made additional promotions within the following ranks.

Our newly promoted sergeants are as follows:

Sergeant Josh Lindsay, Sergeant Paul Stella, Sergeant Johnny Partida, Sergeant Chris Hice, and Sergeant Robert Smith.

Our newly promoted corporals are:

Corporal Rory Scalf, Corporal James Mills, Corporal James Massey, and Corporal Carl Jones.

We are confident with our newly promoted staff and our existing staff that we will continue to do our very best in providing professional and ethical service to the citizens of Rialto. Our mission is to ensure our officers are fair and equitable when enforcing the laws and encouraging community participation.

******Post Taken from the RPD facebook Page***************

http://www.facebook.com/RialtoPD

Carter High School Swim Team Fundraiser

28 Jan 2012 Leave a comment

by rialto-now in Uncategorized

Carter Aquatics are doing a “Goodwill” Fundraiser. Information fliers are attached.

Attached is a flier to forward to friends, family and neighbors. Also attached is a list of acceptable items which is a good ‘tickler’ to give people ideas. If you would please send this to all your contacts, we would greatly appreciate it. All they need to do is drop their items off at Carter High School on Saturday, Feb. 4th.

ALSO

BE AWARE THE NEW ITEMS OF CHOICE FOR STEALING ARE WOOD CHIPPERS, LEAF BLOWERS AND WEED WHACKERS.

LAST NIGHT, DURING THE NIGHT, A GREEN, “WRLL” (WESTERN REGIONAL LITTLE LEAGUE) WOOD CHIPPER WAS STOLEN

FROM THE 600 BLOCK OF SOUTH CACTUS.

IF YOU SEE IT OR SOMEONE TRIES TO SELL IT TO YOU. PLEASE REPORT IT TO THE POLICE IMMEDIATELY

820-2550.

THANKS FOR SUPPORTING CARTER’S AQUATIC TEAM !!!!

FILL THE TRUCK AT CARTER HIGH SCHOOL ON SAT. FEB. 4^TH

^{8:00 AM TO 2:00 PM}

Carter Aquatics Booster Club is hosting a Goodwill Collection Drive. Please donate items in good condition to help raise funds to support our Swim/Polo Teams AND get your closets cleaned out at the same time.

LIST OF ACCEPTABLE ITEMS:

Antiques and Collectibles	Furniture (tables, chairs, dressers)
Area rugs	Frames (with/without artwork
Artwork (with/without frames)	Giftware & knick knacks
Audio & visual equipment	Glassware
Bed frames, head & footboards	Hand tools & small power tools
Bedspreads, blankets & liners	Holidaydecorations
Bicycles & wheeled toys	Jewelry
Books (novels ONLY) child & adult	Lamps (with/without shades)
CDs, DVDs, records & videos	Office furniture & supplies
Clothing, shoes, purses, belts, hats	Radios, stereos, electronics
Computers & accessories	Small appliances
Cookware, dishware & utensils	Sofa / couches / davenports
Crafts (original packaging)	Sporting goods & sleeping bags
Curtains	Televisions (except console T.V.s)
Electronic equipment (working or not)	VCRs & DVRs

For more information, please call Rebecca Morris at (909) 356-9259 or Cindy Lepore at (909) 519-4388

The End of Redevelopment

25 Jan 2012 Leave a comment

by rialto-now in Budget, Ca, City of Rialto, Currupt, davidsMarketing, Family, Flores Park, Fun, Holidays, In & Out, Layoffs, Lazy, Nieghborhood Watch, Protest, Public Safety, RDA, Rialto Fire, Rialto Police Department, rialto unified school district, RUSD, SWAT, Taxes, The Circle Vision Quest, youth

The End of Redevelopment

The Rialto Redevelopment Agency will close its doors on February 1, 2012 along with all

other redevelopment agencies in the State of California. The elimination of redevelopment

will mean the end to the City’s most powerful economic development tool, as well as the

death to several major infrastructure and affordable housing projects that would have

ultimately created thousands of new jobs for the community. The termination of the

Agency will also result in the demise of many existing loan and grant programs that helped

revitalize and improve older commercial and residential properties in the City.

When Governor Brown took office in January, 2011 he proposed to abolish redevelopment

to help resolve California’s $25 billion budget deficit. After months of legislative wrangling,

a compromise was reached with the enactment of two bills: ABX1 26 and ABX1 27. The

first bill, (ABX1 26), eliminated redevelopment agencies statewide, while the second bill

(ABX1 27) authorized reinstatement by each agency upon the agreement to make certain

“voluntary” payments for the benefit of the State. Following the passage of ABX1 26 and

ABX1 27, the California Redevelopment Association (CRA), League of California Cites

(League), and several independent cities filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of

the two laws. CRA and the League argued that the two budget bills violated Proposition

1A (2004), Proposition 22 (2010), and the California Constitution.

On December 29, 2011, the California State Supreme Court handed down its decision that

ABX1 26, which eliminated redevelopment agencies statewide, was a constitutional

exercise of the Legislature’s authority. The Court opined that if the Legislature had the

right to create redevelopment, then it also had the right to eliminate redevelopment

agencies. The Court opined that ABX1 27 – which would have allowed agencies to

reactivate if they made “voluntary” payments to the State – was unconstitutional. The

Court indicated that the payment was not voluntary and therefore violated Proposition 22.

The Court also rejected the argument that the two bills were inseparably linked.

Although many legislators have indicated support for new legislation to continue some of

the basic goals of redevelopment, such as affordable housing, infrastructure and job

creation, it is unlikely that the Legislature will approve any such legislation prior to

February 1, 2012, the date upon which the Agency will cease to exist.

In accordance with the Court’s ruling, the Rialto Redevelopment Agency will be dissolved

on February 1, 2012. A Successor Agency will be created to provide basic administrative

support in the dissolution process. A seven member Oversight Board, which will be

controlled by County of San Bernardino and various School District appointees, will

oversee the payment of all existing obligations, the liquidation of all current assets of the

Agency, and disposition of all proceeds and unencumbered funds to various state taxing

entities. For additional information on the dissolution of the Agency and the creation of the

Successor Agency, please contact John Dutrey at (909) 879-1151.

Cameras where their needed

25 Jan 2012 Leave a comment

by rialto-now in Budget, Ca, City of Rialto, davidsMarketing, Family, Family Sports, Flores Park, Fun, Holidays, Lazy, Nieghborhood Watch, Public Safety, RDA, Rialto Police Department, rialto unified school district, RUSD, SWAT, The Circle Vision Quest, youth

There is a park in the city of Rialto where the community has made so much progress it unbelievable. Their homes were broken into almost daily, drugs ran rampant, walls and park was littered with tagging sexual predators living all over, felon group homes out of control, renters properties in total dis-repair and much more.

After some strong residents moved into the area noticed the problems and saw an easy solution force the brass at Rialto PD see what is going on and making them fix it.

With the help of Lts Crispin and Burkholder and various other Cpls and special officers graffiti is hard to find, sexual predators are all but gone, home breakings reduced by 60%, properties on the mend youth, group homes under control & drugs still a problem but getting better. Heck this area got rid of 2 felons when they were arrested by LAPD for the beating of Brian Stow at dodger stadium.

The progress has stalled because there was a communication breakdown between the community and the city/police. Mayor and council don’t care and police are in a flux over massive retirements and trying to fill empty spots.

Flores Park now has cameras that are monitored 24 hours a day. Now when you see something wrong at this park dispatchers can have a visual idea of whats going on and follow the activity and suspects and direct officers right to the problem.

Some people are calling this program big brother run amuck. But anyone who has been a victim of any crime and have the police tell you there isnt enough proof to move forward even though we know who did it will embrace this program.

The first three were Frisbee Park, Rialto Park and Jerry Eaves Park. Flores Park has them as well as Ferguson Park in Las colonias that just received a multi million dollar upgrade.

At the Area Command Meeting for area 1 in Rialto a resident expressed concerns that Birdsal park across from Carter High School was seeing a rise in criminal activity, drug use and gang activity. Former police chief Mark Kling said in an interview “Those are three of our more challenging parks because of the way the parks are laid out,” said police Chief Mark Kling. “Officers can drive down the street and not see what’s in the park.” The cameras will provide real-time images of the parks and give officers a “play-by-play” of criminal activity there, Kling said. Well apparently police can’t see into birdsal hopefully this park is next on the list for cameras.

To see the primary article written on this program click http://www.healthtechzone.com/news/2010/03/30/4701773.htm

Is there a doctor on SWAT………..yep.

17 Jan 2012 Leave a comment

by rialto-now in ARMC, Budget, Ca, City of Rialto, davidsMarketing, Dr. Michael Neeki, Family, Flores Park, Military, Nieghborhood Watch, Public Safety, Rialto Police Department, SWAT, The Circle Vision Quest, Uncategorized, youth

Is there a doctor on the SWAT team call? If you’re talking about Rialto police department SWAT there is NOW.

**Taken from the San Bernardino Sun**

Dr. Michael Neeki has been a Iranian Army Corporal fighting Iraqi invaders, and seen first-hand the effects of mustard gas on people. He got close enough to the action to be hit by shrapnel from a 60mm mortar.

He was beaten and tortured in several Iranian prisons, before being smuggled out of the country.

Now, Dr. Michael Neeki, an emergency room physician at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center, is on the front lines again.

**Taken from the San Bernardino Sun**

Years ago a former city council wanted to outsource our Public safety to the San Bernardino County sheriffs Dept. With everything that Rialto PD has implemented I’m sure glad that threat was made but never enacted.

Prior to the SBSO outsource movement Rialto PD had some serious issues and a horrible reputation with the public. After the threat was quelled the department stepped up and hired a quality Chief (Kling) and began allowing community policing to change the face of public safety here in Rialto.

I’m glad to see Chief Farrar seems to be continuing down the same positive path of his predecessor, I see the addition of this doctor on top of the normal EMS personnel that respond in SWAT situation as a way to help our SWAT officers in the case one is injured or someone in the community allowing the SWAT officers to do their job and not worry about things that they aren’t well versed in.

I would love to welcome Dr. Michael Neeki to our city and police department.

New Chief New Vision

12 Jan 2012 1 Comment

by rialto-now in Uncategorized

New Rialto police chief stresses education, technology as key to future success

Jim Steinberg, The (San Bernardino County) Sun

Posted: 01/08/2012 06:03:55 AM PST

Tony Farrar, newly appointed police chief for the Rialto Police Department, works at his desk. (Micah Escamilla/Correspondent)

RIALTO — At 51, Rialto Police Chief William “Tony” Farrar believes he has many things to learn.A police officer for 29 years, Farrar this year replaced Rialto Police Chief Mark Kling, who left the department to become a university professor.

Farrar was previously a captain on the Rialto police department, responsible for field operations.

“I’m honored and humbled to get this opportunity to lead this department,” Farrar said in a recent interview.

Farrar is pursuing a masters degree from Cambridge University’s Institute of Criminology in England. Once that is achieved, he plans to pursue a doctorate from the same institution.

Former longtime Redlands Police Chief Jim Bueermann, now doing research

Tony Farrar, newly appointed police chief for the Rialto Police Department, has his portrait taken on Thursday in Rialto. (Micah Escamilla/Correspondent)

as an executive fellow at the National Institute of Justice, the research, development and evaluation agency of the U.S. Department of Justice, called Farrar “one of the new breed of police chiefs, looking at research to see what is effective to control crime and disorder.”

Bueermann said the program Farrar has chosen is the world leader for taking research findings and translating that knowledge into the day-to-day policing environment.

“Increasingly, police chiefs are going to have to find more effective – and ultimately less expensive ways – to keep their communities safe. And Tony is in a position to bring that knowledge to the people of Rialto,” Bueermann said.

Bueermann said that Farrar is likely to become the first police chief from the United States to earn a master’s degree from the prestigious program.

Launching into his first year as police chief, Farrar said he plans to focus on three areas:

Technology.

Volunteerism.

Community relations.

Farrar called technology a “force multiplier” essential in this era of municipal downsizing.

Among the technological edges coming soon are the completion of a project to install cameras in all of Rialto’s city parks, which will be monitored 24 hours-a-day.

Although the project is not yet complete, it has already yielded felony arrests, he said.

Another is the implementation of the Omega Dashboard Project, which will enable officers in the field to access crime statistics and view maps showing areas where specific crimes are occurring.

“We are not sitting there waiting for technology to come to us. We are actively looking for things that could help us,” he said.

Another way to stretch the department’s resources is to build on the already enthusiastic and hard-working volunteers that help the department in areas that include record keeping, dispatch and citizens’ patrol.

The community relations thrust will build on the effective area command meetings, which brings police, city officials, and, at times officials from other agencies, to various Rialto neighborhoods.

There will also be a wave of test taking for new lieutenants, sergeants and corporals. Additionally, many officers will be receiving new assignments, he said.

Former Lt. Randy DeAnda has been promoted to Captain and will take over most of Farrar’s former duties as director of field operations, he said.

“It’s going to be an exciting time, people are going to advance and get new assignments,” he said.

Farrar is going to be pushing continuing education for everyone in his department.

And in the process, pursue “evidenced-based policing” – tactics and programs with proven effectiveness.

He praised the hard work from his 102-member department, which has shed about 15 sworn officer positions during recent difficult budget years.

In reaching his job as police chief, Farrar said he credits the mentoring he received from many law enforcement leaders, including Bueermann and Kling as well as former Fontana police chiefs Frank Scialdone and Larry Clark.

During the interview, Farrar wanted to stress his new educational pursuits, not discuss his past accomplishments, which include a bachelors degree in political science and two masters degrees, one in the administration of justice; the other an MBA.

Farrar said that the past doesn’t count and he wants his officers to push for continuing educational opportunities in the future to increase their understanding of their job and environment where they work.

Redlands Find Unexpected money

12 Jan 2012 Leave a comment

by rialto-now in Budget, Ca, davidsMarketing, Family, Family Sports, Fun, Holidays, Layoffs, Nieghborhood Watch, Public Safety, The Circle Vision Quest, Uncategorized, youth

City manager finds extra funds

Molly Davis, Staff Writer

Posted: 01/11/2012 03:52:31 PM PST

REDLANDS – Sometimes it pays to check under the sofa cushions for hidden change. In the case of the city of Redlands, it paid for City Manager Enrique Martinez to check city departments for excess funds, to the tune of about $1.6 million.Martinez explained Wednesday that an auditor’s report of the 2010-11 fiscal year agreed with staff’s findings of more revenues than expenditures for the year. The difference was an extra $1,650,993 for the city’s general fund.

“We want taxpayers to know we’re trying to save every nickel and dime,” Martinez said.

An overview of the report found about $100,000 in sales taxes, $90,000 in property taxes, and $200,000 in Department of Motor Vehicles taxes.

By streamlining some operations, the city was also able to save. About $55,000 was saved by making the street cleaning billing system more efficient, Martinez said.

Fee collections also accounted for savings. A waste import fee brought the city about $103,000, and fees collected from the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System were about $159,000.

Martinez also found that utility companies were not being properly charged for encroachment permits.

“We found that private companies were not getting individual permits,” every time they would need to cut streets to access services, he said. Instead, utility companies like cable, gas and electric, would get one permit a year.

By charging per permit, the city received about $164,000. The city manager is also looking at ways to go after money for permits not pulled for the past couple of years.

Transfers from different funding sources were also added to the revenues. Approximately $80,000 and $274,000 came from various enterprise funds and by “tightening our belts” in certain departments, Martinez said.

The city also received final payment from a federal grant from 1994, for about $150,000.

When it comes to using that money, Martinez will make a recommendation to the Redlands City Council in February. The council will have final approval.

When it comes to his recommendations, Martinez said he would like to see $250,000 go to pay off a loan borrowed from the city’s reserves, plus an extra $150,000 for the reserves, $200,000 to the city’s liability fund, $200,000 to the city’s groves, and $126,000 each to the open space fund and park development fund.

After that, Martinez said he’d like to see the rest used to replace 12 of the city’s SUVs for more fuel-efficient vehicles, which would save about $18,500 per vehicle over its lifespan. In addition, he’s hoping to purchase four new police cars.

Then $198,489 would be allotted for residential street improvements. The streets would be chosen through the city’s pavement management system.

Martinez noted that Measure I provides significant funding for additional street paving, and that the residential improvements would help streets that may not benefit from Measure I.

He did caution that about 70 percent of these additional funds come from one-time revenues, and could not be expected year after year.

“I want people to know that we’re looking under every rock to get the most out of public resources,” he said. “The trend is to look at everything, and question everything.”

Reach Molly via email, or call her at 909-793-3221.

RUSD Borrowing on Broken promieses

11 Jan 2012 Leave a comment

by rialto-now in Budget, Ca, City of Rialto, Currupt, davidsMarketing, Family, Family Sports, Flores Park, Layoffs, Lazy, Nieghborhood Watch, rialto unified school district, RUSD, Sr., Taxes, The Circle Vision Quest, Uncategorized, youth

When the housing market took a dive it effected budgets Local to Nationwide since homes were not worth what everyone thought tax amounts declined and work forces shrinked and the dominos began to fall.

Then Gov. Arnold (AKA The Govenator) came up with a creative way to show a more balanced budget than he really had. What he would do is defer payments that go to K-12 education, meaning if they thought they were going to get money in August it really ment December then the January money is pushed and so on. Why did this help the Governor? He could show more money on the books that wasnt his to use and for-go cuts that needed to be made.

So since Arnold was a Republican Governor one would assume that Democrat Gov Brown (AKA MoonBeem) would stop using these tactics, Right? Nope he is still deferring payments to our schools.

So how are School Districts dealing with the loss in funds. Layoffs, closing schools, furloughs, pay cuts & eliminating services. Oh, some even most are BORROWING money till the deferment comes. The best part is when the Governor both Arnold and Brown make cuts, those deferments aren’t what they were supposed to be leaving schools holding money notes they weren’t expecting. The current superintendent (Dr. Harold L. Cebrun, Sr. Pictured Left ) has lots of experience with these types of loans. Loans like these were the same type that helped him tank the Compton Unified School District and hand it over to state control read about that story here http://articles.latimes.com/1993-07-10/news/mn-11806_1_compton-unified-school-district .

Tonight 7 pm at Dollahan elementary 1060 W Eitwanda Ave Rialto Ca the board is going to be asked to borrow more money.

Early 2011 RUSD School Board approved borrowing 30 million to get to the next deferment. Tonight they will be asked to add 10 Million to that total!!!!!! With the hopes of getting a low-interest rate of 2%. Who’s money do they think their spending anyway? This doesn’t save any teaching jobs or support staff. What this does do is cement us in a bad spot and give us the opportunity to be taken over by the state. What is Dr Cebrun thinking? I thought we got rid of Edna?

Below is the very line item from the agenda for tonight’s meeting on this very subject. The governor is going to make more cuts he has to, anyone really want to be on the hook for loans we know we can’t pay back? RUSD is banking on 53 million deferment coming in July to pay this back they have 18 months. But if they do that where is the money going to come from to pay the bills after July? More borrowing?

8. Adopt Resolution No. 11-12-38 authorizing the borrowing of an additional $10

million in funds for fiscal year 2011-2012 and the issuance and sale of one

or more series of 2011-2012 Tax Revenue Anticipation Notes (TRAN) totaling

$40 million to allow the District to meet cash flow needs.

(Ref. J 8.1-6)

RUSD is still giving raises to certain people. 200 Classified and Certified staff this summer will be given pink slips and there is no guarantee we will have the money to bring them back.

Go to the meeting tonight, call their offices, email them do what you can to send a message to remember who they work for and who’s money they are spending.

superintendents office number is:

909-820-7700 ext 2124

email at hcebrun@rialto.k12.ca.us

Rialto In & Out

07 Jan 2012 Leave a comment

by rialto-now in Budget, Ca, City of Rialto, Currupt, davidsMarketing, Family, Flores Park, Fun, In & Out, Layoffs, Lazy, Nieghborhood Watch, Protest, Public Safety, RDA, The Circle Vision Quest, Uncategorized, youth

Where of where has our In & Out gone, oh where oh where will it be.

Will we ever see this sign in Rialto??????

From the looks of things it’s not going to happen at least not in Rialto. With the end of Rialtos Redevelopment Agency as of February 1st Rialto has lost its advocate to attract new and interesting businesses. City council has the Indoor swap meet and Liquor stores firmly cemented here.

For ages our council memebers have failed to sell Rialto, and now one wants us to elect him to Amina Carters Assembly Seat. (Pictured on the Left)

Come 2-1-2012 who is going to advocate for Rialto and bring in businesses that can draw tax revenue and have us shopping HERE.

A lot of them are up for re-election this year and we need to send the message we want to see forward progress not same old same old. Mr. Story the city Administrator made a comment at the Area 1 Command meeting that he can’t do more with less just try and remain the same.

The only problem with that statement is if we don’t attract new business and try and bring in tax base support we will never see a better Rialto. In this economy with a rocky residential climate you cant and its not fair to try and do everything on the backs of residents.

Fergusen Park

07 Jan 2012 2 Comments

by rialto-now in Budget, Ca, City of Rialto, davidsMarketing, Family, Family Sports, Flores Park, Fun, Layoffs, Nieghborhood Watch, Protest, Public Safety, Rialto Fire, rialto unified school district, RUSD, Taxes, The Circle Vision Quest, youth

Fergusson Park in Rialto Gets $6 Million Upgrade

Fergusson Park is one of nine city parks in Rialto. Besides the new amenities the developed eight acres of the park include an existing basketball court, a quarter-mile walking track, a picnic area, two tennis courts, horseshoe pits, a tot playground, and a softball field. The new restroom building will add to one serving the eight acres already developed.

Rialto, CA (PRWEB) October 9, 2010

A $6 million upgrade, including two new football fields, begins at Alec Fergusson Park on Oct. 11.

The city of Rialto intends to complete this upgrade in October 2011. Fergusson Park is at 2395 W. Sunrise, near West Casa Grande Avenue and North Alder Street.

“We will be more than doubling the usable area of Fergusson Park,” said Recreation and Community Services Director Larry Thornburg. “Eight acres of this 18-acre park were previously developed. This project develops the remaining 10 acres.”

Besides the football fields, new amenities for Fergusson Park include a skateboard area, playground, picnic areas, additional parking lot, an additional basketball court, and a snack bar/restroom building.

Rialto contractor Robert Clapper Construction submitted the successful bid for this project.

“We at R.C. Construction are very excited at the opportunity to provide construction services for our ‘home town’ here in the City of Rialto,” said Company President Robert Clapper. “Our corporate headquarters are located less then a mile from the park so that gives us a great chance to pay special attention to the project. We hope residents will enjoy this park for years to come.”

Funds for this park are from a $6.3 million community improvement bond the Rialto Redevelopment Agency obtained in 2008.

Fergusson Park is one of nine city parks in Rialto. Besides the new amenities the developed eight acres of the park include an existing basketball court, a quarter-mile walking track, a picnic area, two tennis courts, horseshoe pits, a tot playground, and a softball field. The new restroom building will add to one serving the eight acres already developed.

The other Rialto City Parks are:

Andreson Park features a playground, walking track, three large picnic shelters and a basketball court. Andreson Park, 726 S. Lilac: Features here include a quarter-mile walking track, a basketball court, playground equipment for small children and three large picnic shelters.

Youth baseball lovers of all ages will enjoy the amenities at Bud Bender Park in Rialto. Photo by Chris Sloan Bud Bender Park, 300 N. Lilac Ave., which has Little League and Pony League baseball fields, and a T-Ball field. It also has a picnic area.

Roger Birdsall Park, 2611 N. Linden Ave., has two Little League ball fields and one for T-Ball. It also offers a picnic area and a children’s playground.

Jerry Eaves Park, 1485 N. Ayala Ave., has 15 soccer fields, three large picnic shelters and several smaller picnic areas, and a children’s playground.

Flores Park includes a children’s playground, picnic area and walking track. Photo by Chris Sloan Flores Park, 1020 W. Etiwanda Ave., has a picnic area, children’s playground and a quarter-mile walking track.

Frisbie Park includes three Little League and two girls’ softball fields, as well as picnic areas, playground equipment and basketball courts.

Frisbie Park, 19901 N. Acacia Ave., has three Little League fields and three girl’s softball fields, picnic areas, playground equipment and basketball courts.

Margaret Todd Park, 201 N. Willow St., has a skate park for skateboarding and roller-skating, picnic areas and open space.

Rialto City Park includes baseball fields, a football field, picnic areas and playground equipment. Rialto City Park, 130 E. San Bernardino Ave., has one football field, one Pony League field and one Little League field. It also has picnic areas, playground equipment and an outdoor stage.

Although the City of Rialto is located in the middle of one of the nation’s fastest growing regions, it has retained a small town atmosphere and similar quality of life. Rialto is an ethnically diverse and progressive community, which boasts several unique community assets including its own police and fire departments, a city-owned racquet and fitness center, performing arts theater, a community center and senior center. Rialto is near mountains, beaches, deserts and other recreational areas.

Rialto’s housing mix and home costs are some of the most affordable in the southern California region. First-time homebuyers find Rialto more affordable than almost any other comparable community in the region. Executives and those seeking high-end homes also find they can purchase much more home for their money in Rialto. This lower cost of living in Rialto also translates into more discretionary income for residents, thus benefiting retailers and service providers.

For more information about Rialto, Calif. go to http://www.ci.rialto.ca.us or call (909) 820-2525.