ONTARIO – The City of Ontario is facing trying times and I am honored to have been chosen by the residents to represent them on the dais. I raised my two daughters here and am proud to call Ontario home, but the main reason I desired to be a Councilman is because a lot has changed since we moved here 20 years ago.
Both violent and property crime is up – like it is across California and San Bernardino County – our businesses are struggling, and our children are having a difficult time finding quality jobs once they graduate. These represent the status quo and the reason that my experience as a seasoned law enforcement veteran will be an invaluable tool in helping move the city forward.
After speaking with residents from across the city over the past year and a half, I have compiled a comprehensive list of issues that need to be resolved. During my first term, I am going to do everything in my power to take care of the entire list; however, I will outline the first three here:
Revitalizing Downtown – A city’s downtown area should be its crown-jewel. It should be a place that attracts residents to not only conduct business, but also to relax and build the sense of community. Ontario’s downtown has become plagued by increased crime and loss of jobs. Where there were thriving businesses in downtown Ontario, it’s more common now to see empty storefronts and our police stopping suspicious people.
We need forward thinking on the Council and I look forward to working with the residents of Ontario, as well as my colleagues on the Council, to attract new developments and businesses to downtown. I will fight to make sure we have a downtown worthy of Ontario’s residents.
Promoting Ontario Airport – After a long and arduous fight we finally won control of Ontario International Airport (ONT). Local control is exactly what the airport needed and what the residents of Ontario wanted. Now we need to look to the future and to making ONT the busiest and best airport in Southern California.
To do this, we must incentivize the carriers to create more flights in and out of ONT. I look forward to working with the newly formed Ontario International Airport Authority to analyze the fees being paid by passengers and carriers in hopes of reducing them. It’s simple economics – when you give companies or individuals more money, they will spend it, which invigorates the regional economy further.
Create Youth Programs – Our youth are our future and we’ve been failing them. Youth unemployment and underemployment is disastrously too high and our kids aren’t learning the skills they need to achieve success once they graduate. It’s up to us to make sure they have a quality education and that there are real jobs waiting for them.
I will work with local businesses to set-up privately funded programs that benefit our youth before and after school. Specifically, providing subsidized or free sports and technical programs for underprivileged youth in our community. Growing up, I learned invaluable lessons from playing team sports – it’s one of the main reasons I have had a successful career in law enforcement.
We need leaders who are going to put the safety and needs of those they represent first. I will do whatever is necessary to improve the lives of Ontario’s residents over the next four years. Together we will be a force for change in Ontario.
Councilman Ruben Valencia is a 28-year veteran of law enforcement in Southern California. He was recently elected to the Ontario City Council, coming in first place, and has lived in Ontario for over 20 years.
Last year went so well that our plan is to make it a regular thing. So now we want to know who is that person in 2016.
This year were changing things up a little bit, here is how the process will go:
Email the person you wish to nominate to rialtosnow@gmail.com include their name and a why your nominating them (deadline is December 31st at midnight).
Each name will be added to a online poll on our website.
The people with the top three votes will be highlighted the last week on January.
Last years winners were Councilman Shawn O’Connell, Former Police Chief Fararr and Vibe Fitness Owner Gino Garcia. All three men qualify if anyone chooses to nominate them.
So if you know someone that made Rialto great or worked hard on the greater communities behalf be sure to nominate them so we can give them the recognition that they are due.
ME201 was first on scene and crews made quick work of an attic fire on the 100 block of S. Acacia Ave in Rialto this morning.
One family was displaced and one firefighter was transported to a local hospital with a minor injury. Cause of the fire is under investigation.
Thank you San Bernardino County Fire Engine 229 for the assist. #rialtofirefighters #rialtofire #atticfire #ME201 #SleeplessKnights
This story was taken from the Rialto Fire Facebook page like their page for all the updates.
This election meant a lot more to people than who would make the hard decisions on behalf of our city or even the presidential election. This was an election that would show if Rialto moving forward or falling backward.
Many saw the last four years under the leadership of Councilman Shawn O’Connell as a breath of fresh air, never did the community have such a strong voice in city hall. Now that has clearly come to an end as money and influence drove the results of this years elections with a bulk of Ed Scott’s Candidates winning on November 8th. Now Ed Scott and Deborah Robertson can travel on the taxpayers dime, verbally abuse employees and contractors and further use the cities general fund as their own personal slush fund.
One of the greatest concerns is the election of appointed Director Rafael Trujillo, re-election of Mayor Deborah Robertson and City Clerk Barbara McGee.
Rafael Trujillo who was appointed to the West Valley Water Board two years ago to fill a vacancy lost the opportunity to be elected to the board. Once Director Olinger left the water board Rafael was once again appointed to the water board in the summer of 2016. With the passing of Councilman O’Connell and Councilman Ed Palmer choosing to run for Mayor instead of his City Council seat Rafael lost all passion working for the people of the West Valley Water District and put in for Rialto City Council. Rafael proved that he is purely looking out for himself and is not passionate about working for anybody outside of his own personal interests. Rafael also has serious problems following the Brown Act when he was on the West Valley Water Board and he clearly has not learned his lesson as he had a robo call for his campaign come out of City Hall.
Newly elected Rialto mayor Deborah Robertson sits down for an interview at her home in Rialto on Friday, Nov. 9, 2012. Robertson made history this November election with becoming Rialto’s first black mayor. (Rachel Luna / Staff Photographer)
Mayor Deborah Robertson disappointed a lot of the people that supported her into office four years ago with a long list of putting her own interests before those of the city, abusing taxpayer money with questionable travel practices, creating a realm of political favor when it came to appointing commissioners and only allowing her inner circle access to helping Rialto residents, bringing Councilman Ed Scott back into city hall, misusing general fund money, calling our police names and throwing employees under the bus to save her own political skin.
Barbara McGee has been our City Clerk since 1997!!!!!!! She is in total lockstep with the Mayor in all of her bad ideas. Mrs McGee also has had issues in how she treats staff and a couple years ago made an almost $100,000 mistake with Rialto Network funds forcing City Council to use General Fund money to repay PEG funds that Mrs McGee improperly spent. Mrs McGee has locked many groups out of working within the confines of her Healthy Rialto program that caters to a select few during a time where many Rialto residents are working and not allowed to participate.
June Hayes is a person that is so firmly attached to Ed Scott that he even funded her entire campaign. We know this because Linday Fretter and Junes Hayes campaign signs went up at the same time by the same people and when Ed Killgore the incumbent June Hayes was running against questioned June Hayes about outright lies in her campaign mailers she was clueless that mailers had gone out from her campaign. June Hayes has already used her seat as a Utility Commissioner to travel the country on the taxpayer dime and has made herself great friends with many special intrests with no clear boundaries. Now she actually has a seat on a Municipal Water Board.
To add insult to injury the only candidate that had any hope of doing some good in Rialto Andy Carrizales has been witnessed making statements that his campaign promises were only there to get him elected. The one that has upset residents to most was a statement claiming he has no real intention of working to repair Rialto city streets. We spoke to Andy Carrizales and he denied ever making any statement about going back on campaign promises. He told us that he was one of the first people hitting the streets for his run for city council and the residents put potholes and street repairs on his agenda because that was the one issue that rose to the top almost every time. “I went out and hit the streets and had a pad of paper and a pen and wrote down the residents concerns potholes came out on top”
Our last hope out of this election is that newly elected Assembly Member Eloise Reyes will do what Cheryl Brown stopped doing and speak to the people. Rialto needs someone like Eloise Reyes to stand up against the flood of warehouses that Mayor Robertson and Ed Scott are burying us in. Truck traffic and pollution are taking over well established neighborhoods and the Mayor and Council could care less. The people of Rialto are also looking for Eloise Reyes to help them bring opportunities to create an art hub in Rialto where local talent like Wet Paint Larry can launch off here putting Rialto on a national map and showing Rialto youth that they can do something great.
Many are ALREADY making the prediction that this is the point where Rialto begins a very sharp decline.
Today word went out that Robo Calls from the number 820-2525 went out from Congressman Pete Aguilar telling Rialto Voters to vote for Rafael Trujillo for Rialto City Council. Nothing surprises us anymore the level of corruption that Mayor Robertson allows to go on at City Hall. She had ticket sales going on at city hall for the Jazz Fest that claimed a $90,000 loss to Rialto General Fund and the missuse of city accounts costing the Rialto General Fund $10,000.
Congressman Pete Aguilar is not new to playing games and not playing by the rules, his campaign has gotten so bad that signs have sprouted up this year refering to Pete as a AguLIAR. Pete Aguilar’s campaign has been at the heart of many police reports on claims of stealing or destroying Paul Chabot’s campaign signs.
Rafael Trujillo may think he needs all the help he can get since he has ran for many offices and NEVER won. He tried to bully his way into a city council seat when Mayor Robertson vacated her seat and was appointed to the West Valley Water Board only to once again loose in the election. He was recently re-appointed this summer and now he is ready to jump ship for a chance at City Council.
Think of this photo and the one above as you look to either man for leadership. Both care more for their special interest ties than they do the people.
Our team has been getting bombarded with emails and Facebook posts looking for information on who to vote for in the upcoming election. So were putting out our guide to tell you who we think is the best candidate for the Rialto Region. We are covering Rialto and a few surrounding cities since our reader footprint has grown so much. Please don’t let a bad candidate keep you from voting if you don’t like someone running for office just skip that section and move on to the next. Also remember that your local leader will have a greater effect on your life than someone who runs on a larger scale.
United States Senator – Kamala Harris/ Neither choice is great but Kamala Harris just seems more level headed.
Congressional District 8 – Paul Cook/ Mr Cook has served in this seat for a while and has done a fair job representing the people of his district.
Congressional District 31 – Paul Chabot/ Mr Chabot has worked hard for the region to make sure working families can thrive and survive. Mr Chabot also has an innovative idea to bring a Joint Forces Base to San Bernardino which would be a grand shot in the arm for that once great city. Also with National Safety such a big concern Paul Chabot has the experience working in the military to keep the IE safe.
Congressional District 35 – Norma Torres/ Even though we don’t always agree with Congresswoman Torres she has proven that she will listen and speak to the people. Mrs. Torres is one of those congressional members that wont shy away from talking to community members and she holds more events for the community than any other current congressional member. Her opponent Tyler Fishella doesn’t live here or even know the issues of the region. Three times we had interviews set up with him and he canceled each time Mrs Torres has never denied anyone the pleasure of a conversation.
State Assembly District 40 – Marc Stienorth/ Marc Stienorth has an opponent in Abigail Medina and this woman is beyond dangerous. She has time and time again ignored the Brown Act has a San Bernardino City School Board Member and spearheaded allowing students of the San Bernardino School District to bring Marijuana, Knives and fight on campus and be able to avoid the normal consequences that come along with these types of crimes. Instead of the School Police issuing a citation the student will get a slap on the wrist and be sent on their way.
State Assembly District 47 – Eloise Reyes/ Incumbent Cheryl Brown voted one way on raising gas prices then voted differently when big environmental organizations applied preasure. Cheryl Brown ignored my local schools request to have her out and cheryl brown went out of her way to attack residents that question her and call them names at political events. Cheryl Brown is a big part of the problem when it comes to blocking worthy causes from access to helping people. She only allows people access to the people when they fall into political favor. We need leaders that stand for their morals and actually listen to the people. Eloise sits on a local CAG group and has had some heated arguments but after its said and done she can still act like respectful person.
San Bernardino Community College District Board Member Area 1 – Paul Rasso/ Mr Rasso is a dedicated community leader that has already dedicated years to developing our future leaders. Paul Rasso works hard and would be a breath of fresh air on the college board.
Rasso, 50, an Office Machine Technician for the Colton Joint Unified School District currently serves as chairman of both Colton’s Parks and Recreation Commission and the Community Coalition for Change. He expressed confidence in helping to bridge gaps between the district’s two colleges (San Bernardino Valley and Crafton Hills) and employers, as well as ensure quality education and support services for students.
“I want to be able to close the gap to help these students,” said Rasso. “These kids can have a familiar face that can help them find the right resources. We should not just tell our kids, ‘Go to college and do this, and this.’ We should be able to tell them, ‘We can help you.”
Fontana Unified School Board – Lorena Corona & Mars Serna/ You get two votes here and we have seen Mars Serna do some good and we hope he can shake the stink of some of the ugly people backing his campaign and do some good things for Fontana Schools.
Rialto Unified School Board – Joe Martinez and Nancy O’Kelly/ On this one you get 3 votes these two incumbents are a good choice.
Chaffey Joint Union High School District – Matthew Munson
Fontana City Council – JESUS “JESSE” SANDOVAL & LYDIA SALAZAR-WIBERT/ These two incumbents have been working hard for the people of Fontana. They both have stood up to the heavy hand of the Mayor of Fontana and now even though Lydia allowed the Mayor to use her family to re elected two years ago the Mayor is now turning on Lydia. Don’t fall for the lies Vote to keep these two incumbents working for fontana.
Grand Terrace City Council – Brian L. Reinarz
Ontario City Council – Richard Roybal & Ruben Valencia
Rancho Cucamonga City Council – Curtis PITTS ( Vote Only for Him)
Redlands City Council – Ken Hunter (only vote for Ken)
Rialto Mayor – Edward Palmer
Rialto City Council – David Phillips & Joe Britt
Rialto City Clerk – Ana Gonzalez
Upland Mayor – Glenn Bozar
Upland City Council – Dan Morgan
Board of Directors Division 1, San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District – Ed Killgore
Board of Directors Division 2, San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District – Randall Cenciros
Proposition 51 – NO/ If you approve this $9 billion dollar the total projected cost will be $17.5 Billion when it is all said and done.
Proposition 52 – NO/ Obama Care hospital tax.
Proposition 53 – YES/ Requires voter approval for bonds over 2 billion dollars.
Proposition 54 – YES/ Leaders must post a bill 72 hours before voting on it opening them up to voter review.
Proposition 55 YES/ Fund our schools
Proposition 56 – YES/ Keep kids from smoking cigarettes.
Proposition 57 – NO/ Further reduces sentences of inmates and release more felons into our neighborhoods.
Proposition 58 – NO/ They are using teaching english as a way to force kids to be bilingual.
Proposition 59 – NO/ This is a government ploy to restrict FREE SPEECH.
Proposition 60 – YES/ Anything that will help get rid of the adult film industry.
Proposition 61 – NO/ Will increase drug prices on Veterans and millions of Californians.
Proposition 62 – NO/ Without the death penalty there will not be an ultimate price for the worst of the worst.
Proposition 63 – NO/ Just say no to background checks on ammo that will push more ammo sales underground.
Proposition 64 – NO/ Just Say No to recreational drug use in California. Each home can have 6 pot plants and kids will be marketed to on TV bad for California bad for families.
Proposition 65 – NO/ Money will go right into special interests pockets.
Proposition 66 – YES/ Speeds up the death penalty process.
Proposition 67 – NO/ Take back control of what type of bag you use.
Etiwanda School District Measure Measure I
City of San Bernardino Measures Measure L – NO/ The framers of this charter change have thrown in a couple of good things to take your eyes away from all the bad like removing your right to vote for your City Clerk. The backers of this Measure are John Longville and Chris Mann two men that have been caught more than once looking at their own best interests and shutting up the community. John Longville seen in the video below.
City of San Bernardino Measure N – NO/ San Bernardino doesn’t need anymore drugs.
City of San Bernardino Measure O – NO/ San Bernardino doesn’t need anymore drugs.
City of San Bernardino Measure P – NO/ San Bernardino doesn’t need anymore drugs.
City of Upland Measure Measure U – NO/ Will flood Upland with harmful drugs that will be sold by the strip club owner in Upland.
On Wednesday October 5th we brought you the story of the Werner Elementary safety issues.
That same evening the parents and community came out to speak to the Rialto Traffic Commission on the issues with speeding & safety in front of their school. Listed on the Commission agenda was the anticipated attendance of current Rialto Mayor Deborah Robertson the parents and community were hoping to get to speak to her publicly. Well once again the Mayor was a No Show and only represented an empty seat.
Jasmine Avila carried the group with a prepared statement that pointed out the mayors history with transportation and her campaign promise to make Rialto a safe place to live work and play. The group now calls on Mayor Robertson to turn words into actions and help make the front of their school a safe place for our kids.
The group has heard from the mayor already stating that any solution would not work because of where Rialto Unified School District decided to place this school even though the city was not in favor of the location. Two parents from the group also addressed the Commissioners one explaining how the parents are choosing to solve the problem of traffic.
The parents and the community they have rallied to their side are sticking to the issue that something needs to be done. After the meeting Mr. David Phillips a community member and local advocate running for city council was able to introduce the group to City Administrator Mike Story who told the group that they are going to meet down at the school in the coming week with all parties to see what can be done to make the street safer for students. Mike Story said that the meeting will consist of Public Works Director Robert Eiezenbiez, Rialto Police Sgt, RUSD top leadership and others to see first hand what is going on and how they can come to a solution.
During the Commission meeting the Chair Dennis Barton told the group that traffic signals must be warranted via rules that the city and state are bound to. We didn’t get to ask Mr. Barton if the short traffic signals on foothill and Baseline were held against those same standards?
In the midst of an election year the amount of ducking and hiding that is going on is way out of character leaving one to believe if the Mayor still wants to be Rialto’s Mayor? Then enters Councilman Ed Scott who wants you to forget that the area the schools are in were once zoned for commercial purposes would need to be re-zoned before RUSD could build a school there.
“I was extremely concerned when the school district decided to build schools there, because it’s on a major industrial-type street. I think the school district should have done some better planning than put a school there,” he said. “I agree, it’s something that needs to be looked at, and the school district needs to participate in it, since it’s something they decided to do. … Whenever you build a school, you have to think about the children that you’re educating and make sure they’re in a safe situation.” Councilman Ed Scott
The problem is IF the mayor and councilman Ed Scott were so against this school being built why did they approve the land re-zoning? Well it is because our leaders refuse to make the hard decisions that may not be popular but necessary. Because not allowing the school to be built would not have been popular and the Mayor and Ed Scott are only interested in the popular vote.
The Rialto Police Benefit Association has recently released endorsements for the 2016 Presidential Election year.
From what we have heard is Rialto Police Benefit Association has endorsed Ed Palmer for the office of Rialto Mayor over current Mayor Deborah Robertson. Also in the race for City Council the Rialto Police Benefit Association has chosen to only endorse one candidate for the two open City Council seats. The winner of the sole endorsement is candidate Lynn Hirtz a two time councilwoman looking to once again win a seat on Rialto’s City Council along with eight other Rialto Residents.
The Resident to challenge long time City Clerk Barbara McGee also secured an endorsement for her run for City Clerk. Ana Gonzales released a statement on her facebook page today hailing the endorsement of this public safety agency:
“Great news everyone! We have more endorsements! First of all I want to thank our Rialto Police Benefit Association and our awesome RialtoProfessional Firefighters Local 3688 for endorsing our campaign! I am so honored and thankful to all of you! I am determined to bring our community residents, law enforcement, and firefighters together, to support each other and work in unity to create a safe Rialto for everyone. Thank you Police and Fire!!!”
Another candidate to secure the endorsement of the Rialto Police Benefit Association is Paul Chabot who is looking for a rematch of two years ago when he lost a very close race to the current Congressman Pete Aguilar representing the 31st Congressional District. Pete Aguilar has had a ruff time selling himself to voters who are looking for safety after he called for tougher gun control in an interview on Waterman Ave just hours after Inland Valley SWAT officers killed the San Bernardino Terrorists. In a state with the toughest gun control laws people were looking for something that Congressman Aguilar just couldn’t give his constituents. In a statement from the Chabot campaign the following was released:
“Today, Paul Chabot announced the endorsement of the Rialto Police Benefit Association. which represents 137 sworn and non sworn members.
President of the Rialto Police Officers Association, Richard Royce, released the following statement, ” Our membership recognizes your leadership and voted to support your campaign. The RPBA offers this endorsement with respect and appreciation for your continued support for the Rialto Police Benefit Association and its members.”
Chabot stated, “I am thankful to the men and women of the Rialto Police Department for their support of my candidacy. We need more cops in Congress who can speak to the challenges and dangers of the job. Violent crime is rampant throughout the Congressional 31st district and I pledge to make public safety a top priority of our Nation.”
Chabot is endorsed by numerous police organizations and leaders from around the region, state and country.”
Former Councilman Shawn O’Connell would be proud of these endorsements. He was a great fan of Paul Chabot and worked hard with all three candidates to make Rialto a better place to live.
Lynn Hirtz has invited other local candidates looking for Rialto voters vote on November 8th to join her at parks all over the city of Rialto. By getting out and talking to the people the voters will get the best chance to see who is the right choice for Rialto. Below are a list of the events each even will go from 5 to 6:30 pm:
October 11th – Rialto City Park
October 13th – Flores Park*
October 20th – Fergusson Park*
October 25th – Bud Bender Park
October 27th – Birdsall Park*
The events that have the * show the events that Paul Chabot a candidate for Congress will also be on hand to speak to the community.
rialtonow 