Another Shoe Drops For San Bernardino Mayor John Valdivia

10 Sep 2020 Leave a comment

Many of the allegations that Mayor John Valdivia made to staff in his office were substantiated in a recent investigation. Articles written by the San Bernardino Sun downplayed the bombshell report but many out in the public are wondering why he has not stepped down as San Bernardino Mayor!

San Bernardino Mayor John Valdivia made unsolicited and graphic sexual comments to a former city employee last year and repeatedly berated subordinates in private and public settings, an independent investigator has found.

The city’s top elected official also told a former employee in January that he is “always receiving gifts and not reporting them,” according to Los Angeles attorney Carla Barboza, with whom the city contracted in February to investigate sexual harassment and hostile workplace claims against Valdivia.

Released Tuesday, Sept. 8, executive summaries of the months-long probe substantiate certain allegations brought forward by former city employees Mirna Cisneros, Karen Cervantes and Jackie Aboud.

Seventeen witnesses were interviewed, however, and documents were reviewed as Barboza set out to determine whether it was more likely than not that the allegations were true.

As such, she found Valdivia repeatedly subjected Cisneros, in particular, to lewd and suggestive sexual comments in person and through text messages.

The investigation, which cost San Bernardino $68,000, confirmed Cisneros’ claim that in December, Valdivia bragged about being offered a private jet and how he would “work something out where he does not have to claim it on his forms,” referring to documents elected officials must file when they receive gifts.

A witness confirmed Valdivia went on to tell Cisneros: “There is always a way to get around everything.”

Through interviews, Barboza corroborated Cisneros’ claim that in January Valdivia told her and other staffers not to eat at a dinner recognizing San Bernardino commissioners. The investigation also confirmed that the mayor told Cisneros and others present that the dinner was all about “the John Valdivia show.”

A witness backed Cisneros’ claim that earlier this year Valdivia asked her to be vague when processing a reimbursement to the San Bernardino International Airport for a meeting. He also requested Cisneros not “name names” of whom he met with.

Valdivia told Cisneros a day later that he “always” receives gifts and fails to report them, according to Barboza.

For a copy of the report click here

Read the full story here

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Trailers for homeless with coronavirus symptoms set up at Glen Helen Regional Park Looks Like a Scam

17 Apr 2020 Leave a comment

by rialto-now in #CA31st, Ana Gonzales, and the unincorporated communities of Bloomington and Muscoy, Andy Carrizales, Aquenetta warren, Assembly Woman Eloise Reyes, Budget, Ca, Colton, Congressman Pete Aguilar, Corona Virus, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Deborah Robertson, Ed Scott, Fontana, Grand Terrace, Henry Nickel, Inland Empire, Joe Baca Jr, Josef (Joe) Britt, Rialto, San Bernardino

About 20 trailers set up at Glen Helen Regional Park will play a key role in slowing the novel coronavirus spread among the local homeless population and community.

The trailers, purchased by the state, arrived Thursday, April 9, at the park near the Cajon Pass in San Bernardino County. They will house homeless individuals and families who have tested positive for COVID-19 or are suspected to have the illness.

“When our medical experts give us their very best educated medical advice, that advice applies to everyone equally,” Supervisor Josie Gonzales said referring to the guidance from public health. “We must not discriminate because the virus does not discriminate.”

The trailers are part of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s $150 million emergency funding package to shelter homeless people during the coronavirus pandemic. Fifteen trailers were set up this week at Riverside Municipal Airport for the same purpose.

The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department’s Homeless Outreach and Proactive Enforcement, or H.O.P.E. team, has placed 26 people — some with families — in a hotel on Hospitality Lane in San Bernardino, county spokesman David Wert said.

The move has drawn the ire of San Bernardino city officials who say they were not consulted during the planning process.

Councilman Henry Nickel called the relocation of out-of-town homeless people to a city already overburdened by the population “negligent” and “irresponsible.” Even before the coronavirus pandemic swept the region, San Bernardino was stretched thin on resources for the city’s most vulnerable, he said.

In a phone interview, Nickel said city leaders still are unclear how the county plans to transition the homeless individuals out of the hotels; provide security at the facility; ensure the population doesn’t “migrate into our community”; and what impact the temporary move will have on residents’ long-term health and safety.

“It’s unacceptable,” Nickel said. “What the county has done is just unconscionable. The fact they never notified the city before engaging in this decision, to me, shows bad faith.

“We cannot trust the county in terms of their homeless operations if this is the behavior they’re going to engage in.”

For The Full Story Click Here

Henry Nickel looks for voters to elect him to California Assembly

29 Oct 2018 Leave a comment

Henry Nickel a San Bernardino Councilman is asking for voters to elect him the the California State Assembly on November 6th. Henry Nickel is looking to replace Republican Assemblyman Marc Stienorth who has decided not to run for reelection.

Henry Nickel claims that the reason that we are so heavily taxed in this state is because of the lack of checks and balances in our governmental structure. One party has complete control and power and that party seems Hell bent on raising every tax known to man and creating some new ones along the way.

Henry Nickel calls out one proposition that will hit local residents the hardest and that is Prop 6 the Gas Tax Repeal measure. It has been calculated that people who live in the Inland Empire will spend an additional $800 per year on top of what the Democrats claim it will cost taxpayers. This is due to the amount of time Inland residents spend commuting to work.

Henry Nickel has some experience in dealing with budgets and hard times as you can see in the video below:

 

Video by rialto-now

Comic Con Comes to the Inland Empire

20 Mar 2017 Leave a comment

 

For tickets to the Ontario event go to http://vor.us/99c4c

COMIC CON REVOLUTION COMES TO

THE ONTARIO CONVENTION CENTER

 

Ontario and the Inland Empire Get Their Very Own Comic Con at

The Ontario Convention Center in Ontario California Saturday May 13, 2017

 

Ontario, California March 8, 2017 – The Ontario Convention Center located at 2000 E Convention Center Way, Ontario, California will be the home of Comic Con Revolution.  The Inaugural 1-day event at the Ontario Convention Center will be held on Saturday, May 13, 2017.  The show brings Heroes, Villains, Princesses, Pirates, Aliens and so much more to the Inland Empire.

Comic Con Revolution is an event for long time comic collectors as well as first timers and families who want to experience the excitement.  Hardcore fans will recognize many of the names on the guest list while families and first time comic convention attendees will quickly see what makes these events so much fun.

Attending comic cons can be expensive – we want to make it affordable.  Comic Con Revolution offers a variety of pricing options so that the entire family can enjoy the experience.  Adult tickets are $25, teen tickets (13-17 years-old) are $15 and kids 12 and under are free with the purchase of an adult ticket.  One adult ticket allows for up to two free children’s ticket.

For tickets to the Ontario event go to http://vor.us/99c4c

“We are very excited to bring an authentic comic con experience to the City of Ontario and the Inland Empire community as a whole,“ said Atomic Crush Events co-founder Mike Scigliano.  He added, “The team behind Comic Con Revolution is working overtime to bring you an amazing experience.  Come join the revolution!”

“We are thrilled to welcome Atomic Crush Events to the Ontario Convention Center” said Michael Krouse, President and CEO, of Ontario Convention Center.   “Finally our very own Comic Con!  We know visitors to this event will be in for a treat with the planned program, exhibitors, and camaraderie of fellow collectors.”

Comic Con Revolution, a family friendly environment, will feature a full day of programming and events which includes panels featuring screenwriter Doug Jung who wrote the scripts for movies including Star Trek Beyond.  Other panels include creating comics, creator & comic spotlights, cosplay panels, kid’s panels, and capped off with a Cosplay Contest.  Our show floor will feature exhibitors & vendors who sell movie memorabilia, toys, t-shirts as well as full guest list of top industry talent.

For tickets to the Ontario event go to http://vor.us/99c4c

Guests currently scheduled to appear include Karl Altstaetter (Mirror), Tim Bradstreet (Marvel Comics Covers), Sandy King Carpenter (Producer Ghosts of Mars, Vampires), Matthew Clark (Injustice: Ground Zero), Mike Collins (ABC’s of Halloween), Neo Edmund (Clan of the Vein), Joshua Hale Fialkov (The Life After), Derek Fridolfs (Li’l Gothams), Joel Gomez (La Muerta), Steven Gordon (X-Men Evolution Animated Series), Travis Hanson (Life of the Party), Ray-Anthony Height (Midnight Tiger), Doug Jung (Screenwriter Star Trek Beyond, God Particle, Scalped), Scott Koblish (Deadpool), Mike Kunkel (Herobear), Hope Larson (Batgirl), Livesay (Dr. Strange), Scott Lobdell (Red Hood & the Outlaws), Pamela Lovas (Regular Show), Raychul Moore (Cosplayer & Gamer), Todd Nauck (Spider-Man), Whilce Portacio (Comic Legend), Livio Ramondelli (Transformers), Paolo Rivera (Hellboy and the B.P.R.D.: 1953), Patrick Scullin (Super Siblings), Beth Sotelo (Grump), Cat Staggs (Wonder Woman), Art Thibert (Superman), Gus Vazquez (Big Hero Six),  Vivid Vidka (Cosplayer), Dave Wagner (Dot Problems) and Tommy Walker (Actor on Netflix’s Daredevil) .  Additional announcements will be made as guests continue to confirm and support the show.

For tickets to the Ontario event go to http://vor.us/99c4c

Video by rialto-now

San Bernardino Police Fail To Pursue Violent Animal Abuser Caught On Video

19 Oct 2015 Leave a comment

WARNING GRAPHIC VIDEO

A male and female subject were seen on Surveillance Video arguing on October 12th at about 12:40 pm then the male took his anger out on an innocent victim a small dog on a leash he was walking. Below is the statement we were given by the main witness on the incident:

“So our office is on 9th and Preston in San Bernardino across from the recycling center, we always get homeless people and what not roaming around and arguing. Yesterday there was a guy screaming outside our door. As we looked at the window my employees and I watched this guy take the leash of the dog bundle it up and swing the dog in the air and slam it against the fence. We all ran outside and one of my guys chased the guy down the street but couldn’t catch him. The lady was in tears and very upset with what happened. We took the lady to her grandmothers house on Golden ave and 27th. I called SBPD to report animal cruelty and they tried to come up with every excuse why they couldn’t come out until I kept telling them I have it on video I know where the woman is. I told the dispatcher I can get one of their I.D.’s from the recycling center they just came from. So all she could say was OK. Well will get someone out as soon as possible but nobody ever arrived! Then the dispatcher calls after 11pm at night asking if we still need their assistance!”

According to the witness the whole thing started because the female apparently caught her boyfriend looking at another girl and when he was confronted this was his reaction. We asked the witness if this was the normal response of San Bernardino Police she said:

“Yes any time you call them they NEVER show up. That intersection is infamous for car accident, they refuse to come out unless someone is seriously injured.”

So it appears that San Bernardino Police failed to see what everyone else has seen:

  1. This male has some serious anger issues.
  2. No matter how mad you get abusing an animal is not OK.
  3. That there may be a larger issue with Animal Abuse going without proper investigation.
  4. That evil is thriving in San Bernardino because everyone is more worried about paying special vendors than dealing with the issues at hand.

With the election of School Board Members and City Council Members coming up in a few weeks it is vital to make sure people that have the communities best interest in mind are placed in the seats that make final decisions. Now you may be asking why are we writing about this on Rialto Now? Well San Bernardino is our next door neighbor and if you think that the bad guys will be comfortable just tearing apart San Bernardino you are sadly mistaken.

Video by rialto-now

What do you think about San Bernardino & their progress out of Bankruptcy?

14 Sep 2015 Leave a comment

On Friday Cassie Mac Duff a reporter for the Press Enterprise penned an article on the apparent signs of San Bernardino on a upward rebound. A lot was talked about in the article but a lot was conveniently left out or avoided. In Cassie Mac Duff’s defense interviewing elected officials is beyond difficult because many of them are very corrupt and want to control the article or go off the record every 10 seconds. So if you want to get statements from them that they wont deny later you must play but a bad set of rules. My biggest beef with this article is the Liberal way the writer and Mayor of San Bernardino talk about economic progress.

Here is what they call progress:

  • New Superior Court high-rise
  • Transit Center and
  • New health clinic nearing completion.

Two of these things are government buildings built with TAX DOLLARS not hubs for economic growth. The New Health Clinic is an extension of Loma Linda University health and if we don’t keep pumping Billions of TAX DOLLARS into peoples pockets this massive clinic will be nothing more than an empty building.

Probably the only thing I agree with in this article is the cities creation of a monthly Food Truck Festival and the city staffer that is responsible for spearheading this effort is Brenda Leggitt and her team. They listen to the public and do their best to bring the best trucks to the city of San Bernardino.

Here is info from the Press Enterprise article on the food truck event:

“The food truck craze has also hit San Bernardino. The third Thursday of each month, the City Hall parking lot is roped off for a Food Fest, with food trucks and live bands. Even with the summer heat, the event attracts 2,500 to 2,600 people, not just office workers from the surrounding government buildings, but families now, Mayor Carey Davis told me on Friday. The monthly event has grown from five trucks to nine, Davis said, featuring gourmet grilled cheese, chicken and waffles, barbecue, salads and, of course, cupcakes. I stopped by last month and saw people lined up at every truck.”

I guess Mayor Davis believes that people who rife the bus and can’t afford cars can afford to eat out all the time because they left some land vacant for lunch spots and retail development. In that area you have the Old Carousel Mall & adjoining smaller retail pads that are vacant ghost towns and the Inland Center Mall just south of there that still has issues securing retail tenants.

 

“Omnitrans, the bus agency, left two acres vacant next to the transit center for commercial development such as lunch spots and retail shops. Those are needed. Downtown San Bernardino doesn’t have a lot of options apart from a McDonald’s, a Starbucks and a HoneyBaked Ham (which makes a terrific ham-and-cheese, by the way).”

So the newspaper article and Mayor Davis want you to believe that the area around the transit center is void of food options. So I guess the Mayor forgot about the Taco Bell, Del Taco, Chinese Food Resturant & of course the In & Out that was moved up the street to make room for the 215 freeway extension? In & Out should be irate that they were left out of consideration given how popular they are. This area is full of homeless people, homeless people don’t shop for food they beg for it so who is going to patronize these businesses?

 

What is a major part of San Bernardino’s demise is the rampant crime and drug use that thrives within the city. Three to four times a week someone is violently attacked, San Bernardino’s lax stance on Marijuana has allowed other drugs to come back into popularity including Meth and San Bernardino is the go to place for harmful toxic drug fests with no regard to the public safety. Also it looks like San Bernardino opened up a Airport to never fly planes out of it. Look below the Mayor touts an aircraft dismantler as a sign of progress San Bernardino International Airport. I don’t know about you but my idea of progress and a International Airport is I don’t know maybe Commercial Flights?

“He also told me there’s also a new business at San Bernardino International Airport (the former Norton Air Force Base), an aircraft dismantler. The airport will host an air show Oct. 17, Davis said. I’m glad San Bernardino’s bankruptcy (declared in 2012 and still pending in court) didn’t bring everything to a screeching halt in the city. That’s not to say everything is peachy, either. The city is embroiled in a dispute with its auditors over delays completing crucial reviews. The firm blames the city manager’s office; the city manager’s office blames the auditors. The City Council is considering a lawsuit.”

The last paragraph above eludes to more issues with getting a plan to remove themselves from Bankruptcy. What is funny is the reason they are in this position is because of the mismanagement of funds and constant fighting among those in city hall. This November there is a lot of chances for change and its up to residents to step up and as Joe Britt used to say on his Radio Show “Use the mighty power of the pen”.

http://www.pe.com/articles/city-779969-san-bernardino.html

Video by rialto-now

Adult Marijuana Use Attributed To A Rise In Youth Use

11 Sep 2015 Leave a comment

by rialto-now in Barbara A. McGee, Ca, City of Rialto, Colton, Community Coalition, Congressman Pete Aguilar, Crime, David Goldstein, Deborah Robertson, Ed palmer, Ed Scott, Edgar Montes, Edward J. Carrillo, Flores Park, Flores Park Neighborhood Watch, Fontana, Grand Terrace, hardy brown II, Henry Nickel, Inland Empire, James Ramos, Janice Rutherford, Joe Baca Jr, Josef (Joe) Britt, joseph williams, Josie Gonzales, Marijuana, Medical Marijuana, Public Safety, Rancho Cucamonga, Redlands PD, Rialto, Rialto, Rialto Fire, Rialto Parks, Rialto Police Department, San Bernardino, San Bernardino Police, SCAT, Shawn O'Connell, SWAT, The Fellas, youth

Michael_Botticelli

Below is a message from the Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy to local prevention providers. This data and reports further confirm what prevention providers have been warning ever since the lie of Medical Marijuana began to take shape youth use is on the way up. One area where prevention providers have been looking to get to is kids in Elementary and they have been getting resistance due to the thought that these kids are to young to be involved in drug use. This study show a major increase in drug use among youth 12 and older meaning kids in 6th grade are being introduced to drugs.

Another thing that the data shows is a driving force behind an increase in youth use is the widespread use in adults. This matches what the Rialto Community Coalition found in February during their Strategic Planning Session was that one of the biggest reasons youth use drugs especially Marijuana is because  of the lax attitude from adults. The investigative reports from David Goldstein on medical marijuana dispensary’s acting as a hub to get Marijuana to youth should be an eye opening period for parents.

We need to support local organizations that are taking this issue seriously and local candidates that value youth health over money from the Pro Drug Legalization Lobby. On of these organizations is the Rialto Community Coalition that meets the first Tuesday of the month from 6-7:30pm at Fire Station 202 at 1700 North Riverside Ave. Another group working locally and more regionally is Inland Empire Youth 4 Today a local network of prevention providers and business owners looking for innovative ways to engage and grow tomorrows leaders.

Today, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) released the latest National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) report which shows progress in reducing some forms of substance use – especially among adolescents.  Substance use levels in many areas, however have remained relatively constant.

SAMHSA issued the 2014 NSDUH report on mental and substance use disorders as part of the kick off for the 26th annual observance of National Recovery Month.  Recovery Month broadens public awareness to the fact that behavioral health is essential to health, prevention works, treatment for substance use and mental disorders is effective, and people can and do recover from these disorders.

With regard to substance use, the report found some areas of progress, particularly among adolescents.  For example, the percentage of adolescents aged 12 to 17 who were current (past month) tobacco users declined by roughly half from 15.2 percent in 2002 to 7.0 percent in 2014. Similarly, the level of adolescents engaged in past month illegal alcohol use dropped from 17.6 percent to 11.5 percent over the same period.  The level of current nonmedical users of prescription pain relievers decreased from 3.2 percent in 2002 to 1.9 percent in 2014 among adolescents aged 12 to 17.

Marijuana continues to be the most commonly used illicit drug. In 2014, roughly 8.4 percent of Americans age 12 and older were current users of marijuana – up from 7.5 percent in 2013. Marijuana use is especially growing among those aged 26 and older – from 5.6 percent in 2013 to 6.6 percent in 2014.  The percentage of adolescents who were current marijuana users in 2014 (7.4 percent) was similar to recent years.

Although the survey shows nonmedical pain reliever use continues to be the second most common type of illicit drug use, the percentage of people aged 12 or older in 2014 who were current nonmedical users of pain relievers (1.6 percent) was lower than in most years since 2002, and about the same as in 2013.  However, current heroin use increased from 0.1 percent of the population age 12 and older in 2013 to 0.2 in 2014.

Overall, the use of illicit drugs – including marijuana – among Americans aged 12 and older increased from 9.4 percent in 2013 to 10.2 percent in 2014. This was driven particularly by the increase in adult marijuana use.

The data released today show some signs of progress, including lower levels of nonmedical prescription drug use and teen alcohol and tobacco use; however, we still have significant challenges to address.  We know that evidence-based prevention efforts are the most effective way to reduce drug use and to support the roughly 90 percent of American youth who do not use illicit drugs.

This Administration will continue to expand community-based efforts to prevent drug use, pursue ‘smart on crime’ approaches to drug enforcement, increase access to treatment, work to reduce overdose deaths, and support the millions of Americans in recovery.

Sincerely,

Michael P. Botticelli, Director
Office of National Drug Control Policy

Local Marijuana Proponent Lies About Facts From San Bernardino Pot Shop Raid

20 Aug 2015 1 Comment

It is not new news to talk about the downward spiral of the city of San Bernardino. What is scary is once the flood waters of filth and evil spill over the boarders of the bankrupt city will Rialto be affected by the overflow?

On Friday August 14th San Bernardino Police SWAT served a search warrant on an illegal Marijuana Pot Shop in the 3200 N block of “E” street in San Bernardino. Within the Pot Shop the police found a Felon in possession of a firearm with the serial number filed off, Marijuana and Cocaine in the amount consistent with sales.

Sunday on the I Love San Bernardino radio talk show on KCAA AM 1050 show host Robert Porter had Councilman Henry Nickel on the show and asked a pro drug legalization advocate Elmo Green Meds to come in and ask the councilman a question on San Bernardino’s stance on banning Medical Marijuana shops within the city limits. Councilman Nickel admitted that there were many Marijuana Pot Shops advertising on the drug dealer website Weed Maps and that maybe was an indication that the ordnance needed to be changed to regulation verses banning the shops. When Co Host Danny Alcaraz brought up the raid on August 14th Elmo Green Meds made it seem like the gun found on the location was found on a licensed security guard and the Cocaine found was not a big deal because it was probably personal use.

Here is what Mr. Green Meds and Robert Porter failed to do get the facts:

  1. According to Lt. Travis Walker the firearm was found on a felon and the serial number was filed off.
  2. According to Lt. Rich Lawhead the amount of Cocaine found in the shop was consistent with sales not personal use.
  3. This Pot Shop was 1/4 of a mile or 1320 feet from Marshall Elementary School on “G” street and less than a mile away from two churches and one charter school.
Map showing the Pot Shop area that was raided Friday

Map showing the Pot Shop area that was raided Friday

As we saw back in February of 2015 an illegal Marijuana shop was set up on Rialto Ave right on the border of Rialto & San Bernardino. We found out about this shop only after a gun battle took place killing one person inside the Pot Shop. The same time of year David Goldstein published a video report of Marijuana getting into kids hands in broad daylight in a city that had regulations on Medical Marijuana. How does Mr. Green Meds think that the bankrupt city of San Bernardino can do any better a job watching Pot Shops under “legal” regulations? See the CBS Channel 2 Story below:

http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2015/02/25/only-on-2-investigation-reveals-medical-marijuana-is-getting-into-school-kids-hands/

At a Area Command Meeting for Area’s 1&2 in the city of Rialto Officer Nick Partcher part of Rialto Police SCAT team the team responsible for gang, alcohol & drug enforcement said that Marijuana use is now just as big a problem with local youth as Alcohol use. So it looks like the only way we can keep Rialto safe is by engaging with the system, talking to our friends and family that live in San Bernardino and leveraging Federal & State Legislators to help keep drug use out of our communities.

Below are references to news stories we used to create this story:

http://www.sbsun.com/general-news/20150814/san-bernardino-swat-officers-raid-medical-marijuana-dispensary

http://ktla.com/2015/08/17/woman-23-arrested-in-connection-with-shootout-at-marijuana-dispensary-in-san-bernardino/

Video by rialto-now