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.

Area Command Meeting Area 1

07 Jan 2012 3 Comments

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

So as promised I went to the area command meeting for area 1 at Kucera Middle School on Buena Vista Ave in Las Colinas. In attendance were Chief Farrar (former Captain) Captain Deanda (former Lt), Lt Thompson, Sgt Hardin, Sgt Wilson, Det Quiniones (former SCAT member) Code officer Dave Hernadez and Judy Roberts. There were represenitives from Code enforcement, Redevelopment Agency, Public Works, Waste management, City Manager.

It began like the original area command meetings. Different people from various deptartments came up and gave us a update from thier department. Most was doom and gloom so if you came in depressed you probably weren’t lifted up when you left.

To the Left is the new Chief of Police Chief Farrar. He is a former Captain with Rialto PD.

Below is a break down of the diffrent presenters at the Area Command Meeting and what they had to say or not say:

Steven Jaraminllo Redevelopment Agency – RDA’s in Ca lost thier fight against Govener Jerry “Moonbeam” Brown in eliminating these agencies in Ca city’s. So as of Feburary 1st 2012 there will no longer be an RDA here in Rialto. Rialto’s RDA does alot including:

The City of Rialto has a variety of industrial and commercial development opportunities, from small in-fill development sites to large development sites for retail power centers, as well as existing shopping centers that need to be repositioned to take advantage of shifting demographic trends in the region. Rialto also has several vacant in-fill sites along Foothill Blvd., commercial corners, as well as unique specialty retailing opportunities in the downtown Central Business District (“CBD”). Rialto’s downtown is currently undergoing a renaissance following the completion of a $2.8 million streetscape improvement project and assistance from the Agency’s seismic and facade grant program.

http://www.ci.rialto.ca.us/redevelopment_800.php

So why is this important to Rialto Residents, first we dont have anyone in our local goverment pushing to bring positive development to our city. It seems to be that if left alone with business development here, city council would just add more liqour stores and indoor swapmeets. We have more indoor swapmeets that most other cities in the Inland Empire. REAL development didnt begin until the RDA took over and started making things happen. It was councils idea to put a moritorium om development along the new 210 freeway. So while Rancho, Fontana, Highland and Redlands too advatage of the new freeway we just sat back and watched.

What do we loose? Who knows about the In & Out on Riverside and 210 freeway thats in Limbo. Rember the reason we shut down the Airport? It was for the new Target mass shopping Center that too is in Limbo. The only project that is still a small possibility is the Pepper extension to the 210 freeway.

Questions can be directed to Steven at 909-879-1145 or click contacts from thier website listed above.

Mike Story City Manager – Mike Story is the new city manager and has worked for the city of Rialto for 20 years. I grew up with Mike’s kids and our families attended the same church for alot of years. Mike has been throw into the fire and has been left to make choices other has been to weak to make themselves. Mr. Story’s report was full of DOOM and GLOOM. According to him there are no positives here in Rilato. He said “the city must live within it means” and “I will try and do the same with less but I cant do more with less”. His report included the following:

In Limbo – In & Out, Target Shopping Center.

In Question Pepper/210 freeway extension.

May have to FIRE SALE properties RDA bought to re-sell to developers to bring business to Rialto.

10 depts consolitated into 5 depts, Layoffs.

Reductions in street sweeping and tree trimming.

See Mike Strories Monthly Report at:

http://www.ci.rialto.ca.us/documents/downloads/December_2011__2_.pdf

Amy with waste management – Amy has been at most Area command meeting and gives us info on free dump days and where you can take haserdus waste, electronic wates and donated items. Every free dump day (one a quarter) the Salvation Army is at city hall parking lot taking your donated items and give a tax recipt in return. Also they have special sponsorships they do for non-profit organizations. This months is Fly Doctors of Mercy. They will be taking useable medical equipment like Wheel Chairs, Walkers, Canes, Prostetics, Hearing Aids and Eye Glasses. they take these items to impoverished countries and preform free medical care. The free Dump day for the first quarter is January 28th. Also they will be taking 9 tires per address for free disposal on the weekends of January 13-14 and January 27-28 at the Public Works Yard at 335 W Rialto Ave.

Michelle Aguirie Public Works Admin Assist – Mrs. Aguirie spoke about the near completion of the Fregusen Park Remodel. This park remodel cost 6 million dollars. She was asked alot of questions about street repairs and extensions and had no real awnsers her key phrase was “I don’t Know”. She was asked about Linden From Casmilia to Summit the street is all torn up and in bad repair. Mrs. Aguirie also feilded a question about the massive graffitti on the businesses along the north side of the 10 freeway espcially between Riversid and Cedar, no awnser but well let you know what she finally says. We will be taking pictures and reporting on these 2 questions to see what we can drive out of officals.

Det Anthony Quinonez Personal Property Crimes – Det Quinonez gave us good tips to help us stay safe and protect our properties. I have pictures of the slides he presented. If you have the time make one of the upcomming command meetings just for this presentation. The only thing I don’t agree with is his reliance on the Nieghborhood Watch Program? Our NW progam wasn’t there for Flores Park residents who wanted to included new and inovative ways keep one step ahead of criminals and empower residents. Things like Liason with Protection One, using technology and using our volenteers in new and inovative ways. He isnt a bad guy but he is comming into a situation blind.

Here are the pics of the presentation:

The Exit of one Chief Ushers the Entry of Another

15 Dec 2011 Leave a comment

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

People I give you the end of one and the beginning of another.

Police Chief Mark Kling will no longer be the chief of police in the city of Rialto.

Chief Kling was a good Chief but in Rialto it’s not hard to do when you see some of the leadership we have resided under over the last 15 years.

I at one time was the Chiefs biggest advocate, when he removed community policing and chased good people into early retirement I was left to pause is this man really who he claims to be?

Chief Kling did his best, but it wasnt enough we needed more.

Will Capitan Farrar be able to fill these shoes? Can he bring TRUE community policing back to Rialto? What are his plans for the future? Are the other 2 Lt’s spots ever going to be filled? Can we still count on Rialto PD being there when we need them?

Only Time will tell, maybe we should ask I’m running for office Baca Jr he is all over this SB Sun Article, do your job baca get out of the lime light.

SB Sun Article Below:

After 5 1/2 years, Police Chief Mark Kling is calling it quits.The veteran police official, with a doctorate in public administration, is going to teach at the undergraduate and graduate level at Riverside’s California Baptist University, retiring from police work after more than 30 years.Kling, 54, said he will be revamping the university’s criminal justice program, will teach within the program and also will teach public administration and political science.”I came here to do a job and I have done that job and it is time to move on,” said Kling, who for six months this year wore the hat of both police chief and city administrator.

His last day as police chief will be Dec. 29.

Kling said he will be replaced by Tony Farrar, who has been employed by the Rialto Police Department for 22 years. During the last five years, he served as captain with the responsibility for the department’s field operations.

Farrar holds a master’s degree in the administration of justice and an MBA.

Kling said that he took no additional salary while serving as interim city administrator, an action that saved the city considerable money.

“It was my way of giving back to the community for their support,” Kling said in an interview Tuesday.

When Kling arrived in Rialto, he walked into a demoralized Police Department that had been slated for elimination a few months before.

A large community outcry kept policing in Rialto under local control instead of under contract with the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.

During his tenure, Kling transformed the department, giving it tools to increase productivity and restoring its pride, said City Council member Joe Baca Jr.

“He brought back the gang unit, brought injunctions against gangs and took many other actions that had never been done in this city,” Baca said.

Kling’s tenure, however, was blemished by an embarrassing sex scandal in 2010 when a female employee at a Rialto strip club alleged she and an on-duty officer had sex three times at the Rialto Police Benefit Association’s union hall.

Prior to those allegations becoming public, Kling began installing vehicle locators on all police cars, to allow supervisors to pinpoint where officers are during their shift.

That process was completed in mid-2010.

Earlier this year, a Rialto police officer and an Orange County defense attorney were arrested by FBI agents on bribery charges.

Baca said Kling took swift action against those whose conduct fell short of the department’s standards.

“Chief Kling took personal responsibility for mishaps within the department. He didn’t try to hide anything….One of the things you can’t do as a leader is control what the troops do,” Baca said in an interview Wednesday.

Kling said that his leadership style includes “moving a lot of people out of organizations that probably should have never been there.”

As city administrator, Kling fired a contract employee at the Rialto Municipal Airport after he found documents suggesting financial irregularities there.

“Kling really trained his support staff to become leaders,” Baca said.

By grooming Farrar, he saved Rialto a significant amount of money because the city didn’t have to hire a headhunter to find its next police chief, Baca said.

Kling said he pushed department members to pursue educational opportunities “at every level.”

Studies show there is a correlation between the education level of a police department and how it treats its community, Kling said.

“I have no doubt in my mind that Tony Farrar is the best candidate for police chief, not just here, but anywhere,” Kling said.

VIP Grand Opening at Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlor

14 Dec 2011 Leave a comment

by rialto-now in Ca, City of Rialto, Family, Family Sports, Farrell’s Honors Our Military, Farrell’s Resturant, Fun, Holidays, Military, Rancho Cucamonga, Terra Vista Shopping Center, youth

Ok everyone sorry I have been scooped by every other blogger that went to the Grand Opening but I think we might have a prospective they didn’t. I wasn’t able to attend this event due to a full card of work http://www.facebook.com/pages/Davids-Marketing/156816741049580 . The following review was done by a very talented person watch out for this young lady she is going places and making her mark.

Lauren Mastalski runs her own blog called http://insomniaticthoughts.tumblr.com/

Laurens blog is extremely successful and has tons of advertising requests. What is most impressive is she donates all the money to charity.

Lauren and her sister were tasked with attending this event and reporting back, and here it is:

Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlour Review

On December 6th, 2011, Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlour hosted their VIP event as part of their grand opening for their new location in Rancho Cucamonga, California.

The environment at Farrell’s was very upbeat and exciting with tons of employee jingles, horns, urgent siren ice cream delivery and music.

The employees’ generosity also made it a very enjoyable and memorable experience.

The food was delicious, if you’re looking for a tasty vegetarian treat you must try the Bruschetta balsamic Pizza!

As for their desserts, they were absolutely extravagant and they carry an extensive list of sweets to choose from.

Farrell’s offers great deserts for large families or parties too, such as, “The Hot Fudge Volcano” which consists of 30 different scoops of ice cream! Myself and a guest went to the VIP event and ordered 2 drinks, 2 entrees, and two desserts; our bill came out to $53 after tip. I highly recommend Farrell’s to families and friends looking to have an exciting time but this is not the place for a romantic date.

FARRELLS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

09 Dec 2011 Leave a comment

by rialto-now in Ca, City of Rialto, Family, Family Sports, Farrell’s Honors Our Military, Farrell’s Resturant, Fun, Holidays, Rancho Cucamonga, Terra Vista Shopping Center, youth

HEAR YE’ Hear YE’!!!!!

We are excited to announce the GRAND OPENING of our Rancho Cucamonga location! Tomorrow, Friday, December 9th at 11:00 am, be there to witness Farrell’s triumphant return to the Inland Empire!

Seating will be a first come, first serve basis. We will start taking reservations tomorrow morning at 11:00 am for parties beginning December 26th of 8 or more. Farrell’s will begin offering party packages beginning in January 2012.

We look forward to seeing you tomorrow!

To contact us by phone, please call 909-989-8777

Rancho Cucamonga location:
10742 Foothill Blvd.
Terra Vista Town Center Shopping Center
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730

We’ll be open 11am – 11pm Monday – Sunday for at least the next couple of weeks.

Farrell’s Honors Our Military

07 Dec 2011 Leave a comment

by rialto-now in Ca, Family, Farrell’s Honors Our Military, Farrell’s Resturant, Fun, Holidays, Military, Terra Vista Shopping Center, youth Tags: Farrell’s Honors Our Military, Farrell’s IceCream

Farrell’s Honors Our Military On The 70th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor With An Appreciation Event Who: 400 Active U.S. Service Members and Veterans at Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlour Restaurant

What: The soon-to-open Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlour Restaurant in Rancho Cucamonga is honoring 400 local active military, veterans and their families today from 6:00pm to 9:00pm providing free dinners, ice cream, event souvenirs and appreciation songs as America remembers the 70th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. Farrell’s has teamed up with the non-profit organizations Heroes and Patriots and A Million Thanks to bring the military personal to this event and is raising much needed funds for these groups during its pre-opening celebrations. Each military member will receive a package of 500 thank you letters from the A Million Thanks organization collected from grateful Americans from all over the United States. Patriotic thank you songs will also be performed.

When: Wednesday December 7, 2011 from 6pm – 9pm. Prime time for media will be 6:15pm – 7:15pm.

Where: Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlour 10742 Foothill Blvd., Rancho Cucamonga (Haven and Foothill Blvd)

Visuals: 100,000 thank you letters in packages of 500 will be distributed. Four hundred active military (many in uniform) and World War II and Vietnam Veterans participating.

Interviews: Michael Fleming, CEO, Paul Kramer President, Farrell’s Restaurants Bill Snell, President, Heroes and Patriots organization Shauna Fleming, President, A Million Thanks.org Active U.S. Service Members and Veterans

Websites: Farrell’s – www.FarrellsUSA.com Heroes And Patriots – www.heroesandpatriots.net A Million Thanks – www.aMillionThanks.org

Holiday Flyers

06 Dec 2011 Leave a comment

by rialto-now in Budget, Family, Fun, Holidays, Public Safety, Rialto Fire, youth

Hello everyone,

Were putting up a couple of flyers for you to look over use and enjoy. First one is a guide from the San Bernardino County Fire Dept. They have put out useful tips to keep everyone’s Xmas happy & safe. Click the link and see what you knew and didn’t know, if you see one or more that you didn’t know comment with it for a chance to win a holiday gift surprise!!!!!!!!

HOLIDAY_DECORATING_flyer.2011

The one below is a flyer from the Redlands Police Departments toy drive.

Toy_Flyer_2011

Reaction to Tragedy

28 Nov 2011 6 Comments

by rialto-now in Family, Fontana PD, Holidays, Layoffs, Public Safety, Sierra Lakes Parkway, Taxes, Uncategorized, youth

Hello everyone, I from time to time cover topics outside of Rialto. My goal is and always will be to cover the ins and outs of Rialto but we all travel outside of our city to shop work and live.

At 6:05 November 27, 2011 My family and I were on our way to get gas at the Costco on sierra lakes parkway. As I made my left turn from sierra to the parkway traffic came to a screeching halt. My first thought was people were still out like crazy shopping and the lights were backing up, I was wrong and the truth was much worse than I expected.

A young man and his friends were running across the parkway and one was struck by a green Honda civic with so much force the windshield was totally caved in. Most people just drove on by a few stopped I was one of the few.

I safely pulled my car to the side and had my wife put on the flashers. I called 911 and rushed to the scene to assist the others that had stopped. One lady was down with the teen talking to dispatchers others were trying to get the young mans friends to remain calm, he was breathing but very bloody and not responding to our voices. As I turn as my back was to the intersection I see motorists nearly running us down screaming profanities and honking angrily, REALLY!!!!!!!

The first woman on scene was with the teen I turned my attention to giving the best information to the fire dispatcher that I could so that they could come as prepared as possible. While doing this I directed traffic to keep everyone safe. Once the first Fontana Police officer arrived on scene I left him with the victim and shut down anymore traffic coming down that side of the parkway. One person cussed and mad because he needed to get into the lowes shopping center and didn’t like to be inconvinced, REALLY!!!!!!!!! Wait till its him or someone he loves and cares for lying in the road fighting for their lives, his tone will change.

The people who stopped to help were people of faith because they took the friends aside and began praying with them it was nice to see.

People POLICE, FIRE & AMR don’t run code 3 (lights and sirens) for a lunch break their on their way to a serious call get out of their way……….. Pull to the right, if that’s not safe just stop they will go around you.

I was prepared for this because I do it daily on the job and have had tons of first responder training, but I still found myself unprepared. I have no first aid kit in my car, no gloves, no flashlight and neither did anyone there some of those people helping the teen have his blood on them not safe, I was directing traffic with no reflective clothing no flashlight not safe. I will learn from this and stock both cars with whats nessicary for an emergency, listing the following:

First Aide kit – Nothing to fancy but one with gloves and a CPR mask bare minimum.

Flashlight – LED flashlights last a long time on their batteries and have long-lasting lenses good for something you don’t need everyday.

Reflective Vest – Thier not expensive and can make helping someone out safer for you and them.

Take a First Aide Course – Red Cross offers a program that is inexpensive and informative it will help you understand what emergency dispatchers are asking you and prepare you for the most common emergencies.

Vetrans Day 11-11-11

11 Nov 2011 2 Comments

by rialto-now in Family, Fun, Holidays, Layoffs, Military, Protest, Uncategorized, youth

Today we honor our vetrans past & current. What do we do to acctually honor our vets?

Do we know how many of them have bodies and minds that are forever changed because of thier service to this country?

Did you know that Military personel must pay out of state tuition if the choose to begin thier college carrer before leaving the military and returning to thier home?

Did you know that every base that has been closed within the Inland Empire has become a waste land and no crime and poverty reside there?

So how can we show these Vets that we havent forgoten? How can we show our respect?

If you see a vet or current military person in line pay it forward and pay for thier meal. Have your kids make cards for the vets and take them down to the Vetrans Hospital. Take the time to listen to a Vet and let them know you still care. Take care of the flag that many died and bled for. Don’t allow it to get torn, don’t leave it out at night and display it properly.

Here are some of the Vets in my life:

Happy Vetrans Day to all who served our country and a special thxs to the following:Sgt York – Army
Cpl Rick York – Marines
Sgt Robert Jaurigue – Marines
E4 Specialist Mike Phillips – Army
Robert Muir – Airborne
2nd Lt Daniel Phillips – Army

If I missed you please add yourself.

These men and all the other service men/women signed up to defend this country and it constitution. They allowed themselves to be put in harms way if need be to protect the only and last thing that makes America great. That is our FREEDOM.

All gave some, some gave all. Freedom isnt really FREE.

Here are a few more photos to honor our vets today.

Assembly Member Carter News Letter

08 Nov 2011 Leave a comment

by rialto-now in City of Rialto, Family, Family Sports, Fun, Holidays, Military, Public Safety, Rialto Fire, rialto unified school district, Taxes, youth

Carter
November 2011 E-Newsletter

Shortly before Thanksgiving 2009,
Assembly Member Carter and Community Action Partnership Executive Director
Patricia Nickols packed Thanksgiving food boxes for families in need at St.
Paul’s African Methodist Episcopal Church in San Bernardino. Assembly Member
Carter encourages everyone to volunteer in the community to make this
Thanksgiving holiday a meaningful one.

Dear Friends,

The Thanksgiving holiday is a
time to gather with friends and family to reflect upon what we care about most
and what we are most thankful for. I am thankful for the veterans and the men
and women currently serving in the Armed Forces, many of whom are overseas and
away from their families. We honor their sacrifices.

I encourage you to volunteer
in your community to make this holiday a meaningful one. Make it a priority to
donate funds, food or your time to nonprofit and community organizations that
are serving those in need. You alone can make a positive impact in the lives of
those around you.

Here is a list of local
organizations to get you started so that you may be able to assist as the
holiday season approaches.

Frazee Community
Center
1140 West Mill Street
San Bernardino, CA 92401
(909)
889-4424
Hutton Community
Center
660 Colton Avenue
Colton, CA 92324
(909) 370-6168
Mountain View Community
Church
8833 Palmetto Avenue
Fontana, CA 92335
(909) 357-9377
Loveland Jubilee
Pantry
1436 North Ayala Drive, Suite G
Rialto, CA 92376
(909)
873-2710

Best wishes for a happy and
healthy Thanksgiving.

Sincerely,

Wilmer Amina
Carter
Assembly Member, District 62

Protect your
Children from Harm

November is Child Safety and
Protection month. Here are a few tips to keep your children safe during this
holiday season:

Be cautious of choking
hazards – coins, marbles, keys, jewelry, paper clips, water bottle tops, safety
pins, removable rubber tips on doorstops, jeweled decorations on children’s
clothing, crayons and hard, round foods.
Injuries from hot liquids
are the leading cause of nonfatal burns. Use anti-scalding devices for faucets
and showerheads to help prevent burns.
Install child-proof locks on
anything and everything that can open. This is especially important on medicine
and kitchen cabinets.
Use carbon monoxide alarms
near sleeping areas and test smoke alarms to make sure they are in good working
order.

Remember to keep a list of
all emergency numbers on your refrigerator or other easily accessible area. For
a list of local resources in your county, please visit http://www.sbcounty.gov/dph/documents/cah_community_resources.pdf.

Legislative Wrap-up:
Assembly Member Carter’s Key Bills Signed into Law

A number of Assembly Member
Carter’ bills were signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown, all centering around
her policy priority issues, which include education, jobs and economic
development, public safety and health.

Assembly Bill 230 is a joint
effort with the students of San Bernardino Middle College High School. This bill
exempts a middle college high school student from being assigned a
“low-enrollment priority” by a community college. This will give the students in
these programs increased access to California Community College (CCC) courses
and expand their opportunities to complete the middle college high school
program.

The Governor also signed
Assembly Bill 316, a crucial piece of legislation to help combat the rise of
metal theft in the district and across the state. The bill provides that a
person who steals copper materials including wire, cable, and piping, exceeding
$950 in value, is guilty of grand theft and will be punishable by a fine,
imprisonment or both.

Assembly Bills 221 and 892
streamline processes and provide flexibility for both housing and transportation
projects. This helps jobs and shovel-ready projects to move forward. AB 221
allows the Department of Housing and Community Development to use bond funds for
the Emergency Housing Assistance Program (EHAP) and the Supportive Housing
Program. AB 892 allows Caltrans to continue the federal National Environmental
Policy Act (NEPA) by waiving sovereign immunity for certain programs resulting
in eliminating one layer of government review and allowing projects and jobs to
begin in a timely manner.

Assembly Bill 1077 supports
growth and economic development around Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park
while also providing protection to this unique historical and cultural
resource.

Assembly Member Carter is
pleased that the Governor saw the merit and importance of these measures, and
signed them into law. For more information on Assembly Member Carter’s
legislative package, please visit her website at www.assembly.ca.gov/a62.

If you have a bill idea,
Assembly Member Carter would love to hear about it. Please email her at assemblymember.carter@assembly.ca.gov.

Back Row, from left: Craig Scott, San
Bernardino Police Department; Matt Ballinger, Fontana Police Department; Pastor
Owusu Hodari, San Bernardino County Public Defender; Joe Martinez, Rialto Fire
Department; Jim Eason, San Bernardino County Fire Department; Assembly Member
Wilmer Amina Carter; Jon Montgomery, San Bernardino County Fire Department;
George Alaniz, San Bernardino County Probation Department; Richard Dewberry, San
Bernardino Police Department; Eugene Chavez, San Bernardino County Probation
Department; Linda Bourke, Rialto Police Department; John Lapioli, San Bernardino
County Sheriff’s Department; Louis Johnson, Fontana Police Department; Dr.
Mannie L. Brodie, San Bernardino County Public Defender; front row, Joyce
Roberts, Colton Police Department; Yuriana Nava, Colton Police Department; Greta
Hodges, Rialto Police Department; Cecilia Chavez, Fontana Police Department; and
Paul Dennert, California Highway Patrol.

Assembly Member
Carter Honors Public Safety Volunteers

Assembly Member Carter hosted
her third annual awards program to honor volunteers in public safety agencies on
October 28 at the Inland Regional Conference Center in San Bernardino. She was
joined by San Bernardino County Sheriff Rod Hoops, San Bernardino Police Chief
Robert Handy, County Fire Chief Mark Hartwig, Fontana Police Chief Rod Jones,
Colton Police Chief Steve Ward and other officials.

The volunteer honorees have
given thousands of hours in service to their communities through the Sheriff’s
Department, the Public Defender and Probation Departments, Police Explorers,
County Fire Department, the California Highway Patrol, and the Colton, Rialto,
Fontana and San Bernardino Police Departments.

Assembly Member Carter says,
“Those individuals who offer their time and talents to their communities are
truly our unsung heroes. Too often, we forget to stop and acknowledge the great
contributions volunteers make to the fabric and character of our communities. I
want to publicly thank and recognize these heroes.”

Assembly Member Carter, THINK Together
student Cheyenne Young; and Chantal Anderson, Principal of Bemis Elementary
School in the Rialto Unified School District

National Lights on
Afterschool at Bemis Elementary

Assembly Member Carter
visited THINK Together’s extended learning time program at Bemis Elementary in
the Rialto Unified School District (RUSD) on October 19. Her visit was tied to
National Lights On Afterschool, an initiative of the National Afterschool
Alliance. Lights On Afterschool is held annually to bring visibility to the
importance of after-school programs in providing safe, supervised learning
environments for school-aged children. The THINK Together model is unique in the
state, providing a structured, academically-oriented program which includes
homework help, academically-oriented activities, structured physical education
activities/nutrition instruction, as well as leadership and team-building
activities. THINK Together serves about 3,000 students in 32 schools in the 62nd
Assembly District. Learn more at www.THINKTogether.org.

From left, honorees Cheryl Brown,
Laura B. Goodly, Brenda Odell, National Council of Negro Women Inland Empire
Section President Lois J. Carson; Keynote Speaker and TV newswoman Beverly
White, Assembly Member Carter; Geraldine Foxall-Kater; Beverly Powell; and
Melody Anye Riley attend the National Council of Negro Women Bethune Recognition
Luncheon at the Inland Empire Regional Conference Center in San
Bernardino.

Former Carter Staff
Honored at NCNW Luncheon

Assembly Member Carter
presented the Community Award to Eldred Marshall, former Carter legislative
staffer and talented musician. Ms. Carter called Marshall a genius who began
playing the piano at age six. He recently received a Master of Music degree and
is working on a Masters of Organ degree. The award was presented at the 32nd
Annual National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) Mary J. McLeod Bethune Recognition
Luncheon on October 29, 2011 in San Bernardino.

Each year a different NCNW
Section hosts the event in commemoration of Mary McLeod Bethune, the
organization’s founder and the Inland Empire section hosted this year. The
keynote speaker was Beverly White, KNBC newscaster. She offered an inspiring
message about the life of Henrietta Lacks, the woman whose cancer cells have
been mass marketed for research worldwide and about EPA Administrator Lisa P.
Jackson.

Raise Awareness of
Alzheimer’s Disease

Today, in the United States,
there are an estimated 5.4 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease
with more than 580,000 in California. According to the Alzheimer’s Association,
this figure will rise to 678,446 by 2015, and 1,100,000 by 2030. The warning
signs of Alzheimer’s disease are often dismissed as side effects of normal
aging. If you or someone you know is experiencing memory loss or changes in
behavior or thinking skills, it’s time to learn the facts. Early detection,
diagnosis and intervention are vital because they provide the best opportunities
for treatment, support and planning for the future. To learn about the 10 signs
of Alzheimer’s disease or for more information on Alzheimer’s disease, please
visit http://www.alz.org/californiasouthland/

Commending Native
Americans for their Contributions

Millions of Americans will
commemorate the contributions that Native Americans have made to our country,
our state and our society during Native American Heritage Month in November. The
beautiful culture and heritage of many nations are ingrained in the names of our
communities, rivers, lakes, cities, streets and food.

Assembly Member Carter honors
the legacy of American Indians for their contributions to our rich history.
Among the Native Americans to receive the United States Medal of Honor for their
heroism are: First Lieutenant Jack C. Montgomery and Second Lieutenant Ernest
Childers, both United States Army, 45th Infantry Division during WWII. Also,
John Bennett Herrington is a former NASA astronaut who flew on the STS-113
Endeavour, the sixteenth shuttle mission.

Assembly Member Carter
commends the many Native Americans who continue to make our communities stronger
by serving as community college board members, police officers, teachers,
doctors, firefighters, civic leaders, military service men and women and public
servants.

Recognize the
Seriousness of Diabetes

During National Diabetes
Month, take a moment to recognize just how many people are affected by this
disease. According to the American Diabetes Association, a person is diagnosed
with diabetes every 17 seconds and diabetes remains as the leading cause of
heart attack and stroke.

From 1999 to 2008, the
highest number of deaths due to diabetes was among San Bernardino County
residents who lived in postal zip code 92335, which is in the 62nd
District.

Learn more about diabetes on
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at www.cdc.gov. Another resource is the American Diabetes
Association’s Center for Information and Community Support at 1-800-342-2383 or
visit the website www.diabetes.org. Let’s take an active role to stay as healthy
as possible!

Assembly Member Carter’s intern Alicia
Barrett is from Ontario and is currently an undergraduate student at the
University of California, Irvine. Her academic interests center on Political
Science and Women’s Studies. While interning for Assembly Member Carter, Alicia
hopes to gain insight into the policy issues that affect constituents. Her
future plans include a career in public policy or government.

Ellison Ma is Assembly Member Carter’s
newest intern in her Capitol Office. Originally from San Francisco, Ellison is
currently in his third year at UC Davis in the fall, majoring in Political
Science. He plans to pursue graduate studies in public policy.

Levi Swindell of Elk Grove is a
graduate from Virginia Military Institute, where he majored in history and
attended on a football scholarship. He was honored to march with the VMI corps
of cadets in the President Barack Obama Inauguration Parade. Levi plans on
obtaining a master’s degree to work in federal law enforcement or Homeland
Security.

Carter in the
Community

From left, Assembly Member Carter,
Assembly Member Sandr� R. Swanson (AD 16) seated; Senator Curren Price, Chair of
the Legislative Black Caucus, and Assembly Member Steven Bradford (AD 51), at
the Legislative Black Caucus Leadership Symposium on October 15th.

Assembly Member Carter joins the
sponsors and children who participated in the Grand Opening of The Leaven
Tutoring Center at Quail Ridge apartment complex in Rialto. From left, back row,
Ricardo Lorenzo and Khalid Alwan, Directors, Oracle Communities Corporation and
owners of Quail Ridge; Mark Lillis, Executive Director, The Leaven and Assembly
Member Carter. This photo was taken by W. Jordan Bennett.

Assembly Member Carter presents the
co-chairs of the Inland Empire Disabilities Collaborative with a resolution
recognizing their service and the five-year anniversary of the Collaborative.
From left, Ann Kasper and Bill Nessel, co-chairs, Inland Empire Disabilities
Collaborative; Assembly Member Carter and Carol Fitzgibbons, Executive Director,
Inland Regional Center; Lisa Hayes, Manager, Senior and Disability Services,
Molina Health Care; and Ben Jauregui, Disability Program Manager, Inland Empire
Health Plan (IEHP).

From left, Barbara Ward, Deputy
Secretary, Women and Minority Veterans; Assembly Member Carter; Senator Gloria
Negrete-McLeod; and Tina Lifford, motivational speaker at CalVet Women Veterans
Conference, “Enhancing Inner Beauty, Inner Strength,” at the DoubleTree Hotel in
Ontario on October 7.

At the George E. Brown, Jr. Elementary
School Groundbreaking on October 21 were: from left, San Bernardino Unified
School Board Member Danny Tillman, Mrs. Marta Brown, Assembly Member Carter,
Senator Gloria Negrete McLeod, and San Bernardino Unified Assistant
Superintendent of Facilities and Operations John Peukert (in back). The
elementary school is the newest in the San Bernardino Unified School District,
located at 25th & Highland Ave., adjacent to Arrow View Middle
School.

On Saturday evening, October 22 at the
National Orange Show Valencia Room, Assembly Member Carter received the 2011
Distinguished Benefactor Award from the San Bernardino County Safety Employee’s
Benefit Association (SEBA) at an event to benefit the SEBA Charity Fund. SEBA
represents 3200 San Bernardino County Deputy Sheriff’s, District Attorney
Investigators, Welfare Fraud Investigators and Probation Corrections Officers.
From left, Assembly Member Carter and Safety Employee’s Benefit Association
President Laren Leichliter. The main sponsoring organizations were: SEBA, San
Manuel Band of Mission Indians, Tommy and Maria Ramos, James and Rowena
Ramos.

The NAACP Freedom Fund Dinner on
October 27 at the San Bernardino Hilton Hotel, recognized health educators.
Assembly Member Carter was presented with the Healthy Living Advocate Pioneer
Award by Cheryl Brown, President of the NAACP San Bernardino Branch.

Assembly Member Carter presents
certificates to representatives of The NAACP, the Inland Empire Concerned
African American Churches and Time for Change to acknowledge the organizations’
ninth annual health fair on October 22. From left, Kim Carter, Time for Change;
Beverly Jones Wright, NAACP; Assembly Member Carter and Veatrice Jews,
IECAAC.

At the Inland Empire Concerned African
American Churches 9th Annual Health Festival, Assembly Member Carter
demonstrates a unique stationary bike which includes a blender powered by
peddling and allows the rider to make a smoothie.