State Senate Election Meet and Greet

Hello Rialto Now readers. So now that the elections are over we can now put that climate aside for a while, right?

Nope we have a state senate seat open here in rialto and other surrounding areas. Norma Torres is running against the Mayor of Ontario Paul Leon for our state senate seat. I asked each of them one question via Facebook. What role should our state senator play in helping the communities they serve work to combat graffiti that harms our communities. Norma Torres had no response but Randall Ceniceros did kind of respond on her behalf.

Paul Leon said that he thinks that the state senator needs to be more connected with the issues plaguing the communities they are representing. He was open to helping local cities combat crime and graffiti in a effort to make the Quality of Life for the community as high as possible.

Norma Torres Never responded but Randall Ceniceros said he would ask me and get back to me. That answer never came and that was asked in February.

So as I post the Meet and Greet info for Mrs. Torres I urge Rialto residents to attend and bend her ear to what YOU care about. Our state legislator both assembly and senate are greedy, power hungry people that through their actions have no real concern for the PEOPLE THEY REPRESENT. Make them listen or not get elected.

The picture provided below was provided by Joe Britt.

Torres Meet and Greert

Seeds Of Hope Sponsors a Job Fair

Coming this May is another Job Fair to help the under and un-employed.

Bring your resumes and sharp dressed clothes and come out and meet with employers that are looking for employees.

VFW Post 8737

2018 West Foothill Blvd

San Bernardino, CA 92410

From 9am to 1pm

Click this link for the event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/141621622686524/

Employers and Community Resources we still have space open please email Davidsmarketing@aol.com for the vendor info packet.

Join Assembly member Cheryl Brown, Supervisor Josie Gonzales and employers like Child Care Careers.

Assemblymember Cheryl R. Brown to Honor Women From the 47th District

Assemblymember Cheryl R. Brown to Honor Women From the 47th District

SAN BERNARDINO – Assemblymember Cheryl R. Brown (D-San Bernardino) will host her 1st Annual Breaking the Glass Ceiling Awards Reception on Friday, April 26 at the Vanir Tower in San Bernardino.  During the event, Assemblymember Brown will honor a number of key women leaders throughout the 47th Assembly District who have broken down barriers to help create opportunities for other women.

This year’s honorees  are all women who have broken the proverbial ceiling; they include Mayor Deborah Robertson, City of Rialto; Mayor Sarah Zamora, City of Colton; Councilmember Darcy McNaboe, City of Grand Terrace; and Mrs. Lisha Smith, deputy executive officer of the Legislative and Public Affairs Office at the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD).

Our Mayor is being honored at this event

Our Mayor is being honored at this event

Mayor Deborah Robertson broke the glass ceiling when she was elected as the first African American and woman mayor of Rialto on November 4, 2012. Prior to her successful election, Mayor Robertson served on the Rialto City Council for twelve years. She’s active in various community organizations and is the past deputy district director of external affairs for the California Department of Transportation, Los Angeles and Ventura counties. She retired from the State of California after 20 years, where she oversaw a budget of nearly $4 million.

Mayor of the City of Colton

Mayor of the City of Colton

Mayor Sarah Zamora broke the glass ceiling when she was appointed in August 2011 to serve as mayor for the remaining term vacated by her late husband and former mayor, David R. Zamora. Mayor Zamora represents the City of Colton as a member on several local and regional agencies, boards and committees, and is an avid supporter of business retention; community programs and events that benefit families and the elderly. Prior to her appointment, she was elected in 2000 to serve as a Colton City Councilmember.

Councilmember city of Grand Terrace

Councilmember city of Grand Terrace

Councilmember Darcy McNaboe was elected to the Grand Terrace City Council in 2010 and re-elected in 2012. Councilmember McNaboe broke the glass ceiling when she spearheaded an inclusive veterans memorial called the “Veterans Wall of Freedom” in Grand Terrace.  As principal and founder of Village Enterprises, she provides assistance to business owners as they manage development and growth. She also works with clients to design and implement action plans. Prior to her consulting firm, she spent over 20 years working for small technology and manufacturing companies. She was founder and principal of a small product design and manufacturing business in Riverside.

Mrs. Lisha Smith initially broke the glass ceiling when she became the deputy chief of staff to San Bernardino County Supervisor Josie Gonzales, 5th District. She shattered the glass ceiling once again when she became the deputy executive officer (DEO) of the Legislative and Public Affairs Office at AQMD in October 2012. As DEO, Mrs. Smith directs the agency’s public outreach and education programs, small business assistance, local government and environmental justice programs, as well as its state and federal legislative activities.

For more information, contact (909) 381-3238.

Brown_057_edit

Assemblymember Cheryl R. Brown represents the 47th Assembly District, which includes Colton, Fontana, Grand Terrace, Rialto, San Bernardino, and the unincorporated communities of Bloomington and Muscoy.

 

Website of Assemblymember Cheryl R. Brown: http://www.asmdc.org/members/a47/.

Assemblymember Cheryl R. Brown Wins Assembly Approval for Bill to Protect Financing for Manufactured Homeowners

Assemblymember Cheryl R. Brown Wins Assembly Approval for Bill to Protect Financing for Manufactured Homeowners

 

A bill that seeks to protect access to financing for manufactured homeowners, AB 379, passed out of the Assembly Floor with a bi-partisan vote of 75 to 0 and is headed to the Senate.
Manufactured homes (i.e. mobile homes), unlike traditional homes, must be built on a permanent chassis and have the ability to move to different locations. This creates an issue of whether manufactured homes are considered chattel (i.e. personal property such as a car) or real property (i.e. unmovable property such as a building). For most lenders, manufactured homes are considered chattel, which can limit financing options for homeowners.
Currently, companies that offer financing for manufactured homes maintain a security interest until the home is paid off. Without this protection, consumers would have few, if any financial options. AB 379 would allow a manufactured home to be “converted” into real property, ultimately protecting financing options for consumers purchasing a manufactured home.
AB 379 was inspired by a recent court case, Vieira Enterprises v. City of East Palo Alto. Vieira Enterprises filed a lawsuit against its property owner for failing to pay fees associated with the delivery and installation of two manufactured homes on real property. The Court of Appeals ruled in opposition of Vieira Enterprises, citing that the company had no security interest in the homes because the homes were considered real property. This ruling allowed the borrower to forgo paying the balance of the home. Further, the ruling discouraged lending efforts to consumers interested in purchasing manufactured homes.
By allowing manufactured homes to be converted into real property, AB 379 removes the legal ambiguity that resulted from the Vieira case and helps ensure that loans to consumers who purchase manufactured homes will continue to occur.
“The goal of this bill is to protect consumers and clear up any confusion that exists between whether a manufactured home is considered real property or personal property,” said Assemblymember Brown. “I believe consumers should have access to reliable financing and I’m proud that my colleagues supported me by passing this bill.”

 

Assemblymember Cheryl R. Brown represents the 47th Assembly District, which includes Colton, Fontana, Grand Terrace, Rialto, San Bernardino, and the unincorporated communities of Bloomington and Muscoy.

 

Website of Assemblymember Cheryl R. Brown: http://www.asmdc.org/members/a47/.

Tax Day Freebies 2013

taxes

TAX DAY IS COMING, TAX DAY IS COMING!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nobody likes tax day it carrys a nasty stigma that forces people to cringe. Plus with the sudden mad dash to raise taxes its even worse. Well there is a saying around my family it always tastes better when its free and I guess alot of businesses are willing to hand out alot of FREE.

Here is a list of the various free items courtesy of Neil Sevedra with The Fork Report on KFI. Also Facebook users check out www.facebook.com/InlandDeals and get access to local deals at brick and mortar stores and online specials.

Cinnabon: These guys are continuing their yearly tradition of offering two free Cinnabon bites to anyone who walks through their doors from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on April 15, no purchase necessary. You can find more details (and RSVP if you feel like it) on their https://www.facebook.com/events/497116730349346.

Tax Day Freebies 2013

Tax Day Freebies 2013

Boston Market:  You can get a “Big Rib-bate” (groan), as Boston market will be celebrating the launch of their St. Louis-style BBQ ribs by selling two ribs meals for just $10.40. Each meal includes a quarter rack of ribs with mashed potatoes and gravy, corn, and homemade cornbread. And if you can’t make it in this Tuesday, you can enter to win some free ribs, and get $1-off coupon, by visiting http://bostonmarket.com/ourFood/index.jsp?page=ribsirs .

Tax Day Freebies 2013

Tax Day Freebies 2013

Chick-fil-A: This one’s pretty simple: Make a purchase on Tax Day, come back with your receipt in May, and get a full refund. Call ahead, though, because not all locations are participating, and redemption dates vary.

Great American Cookies: Drop by and get a free birthday cake cookie, no questions asked. 2103 E Montclair Plaza Ln  Montclair, CA 91763
(909) 621-6274

Sonic: All drinks and slushies will be selling for half off, all day long.

Tax Day Freebies 2013

Tax Day Freebies 2013

Arby’s: http://coupon.arbys.com/AprilArbysTaxday04152013/, and you’ll get a free value-sized order of curly fries or potato cakes.

Tax Day Freebies 2013

Tax Day Freebies 2013

Panda Express: This is a big one: On Wednesday, April 17, if you print out http://www.pandaexpress.com/coupon/full/Free-SST-Coupon?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Posts&utm_campaign=Samurai%2BSurf%2B%26%2BTurf (or show it to them on your mobile phone), you’ll get a free order of Samurai Surf & Turf.

Tax Day Freebies 2013

Tax Day Freebies 2013

Bruegger’s Bagels: Get this coupon through their https://www.facebook.com/Brueggers/app_238652839613146, and you’ll get 13 bagels and two tubs of cream cheese for $10.49.

Temecula

39584 Winchester Road     Temecula, California 92590     951-506-5860

AMC Theaters: You’ll get a free small popcorn from April 12th through the 15th if you print out http://www.amctheatres.com/offers/tax-day-pr.

Tax Day Freebies 2013

Tax Day Freebies 2013

Chili’s: If you purchase an adult entrée between April  16 and 18, you can score a free appetizer or dessert if you show them http://campaign.chilis.com/taxday2012/.

Tax Day Freebies 2013

Tax Day Freebies 2013

City Council Meeting Tonight

City_of_Rialto_Seal_rdax_175x173

Tonight is the City of Rialto’s Council Meeting. Below I have highlighted some of the items that will be on the Agenda Tonight.

We have 3 proclomations ranging from Public Safety to Earth Day.

PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS

Proclamation – National Public Safety Telecommunications Week.

Proclamation – Jazz Appreciation Month.

Proclamation – Earth Day.

This is on the Consent Calendar under Miscellaneous:

D.3 is spending another $5 Thousand to use full time referees verses part time referees becuase of a shortage of the part time staff. With unemployment still at all time highs why are we finding it hard to pay part time refs? Are we looking at all or are we simply taking the easy way out? www.facebook.com/InlandEmpireJobSeekers has about 10 job fairs listed in the Inland Empire I’m sure Rialto can find some part time refs there.

D.3

Request City Council to increase KCALS Officials Purchase Order 2013-0212

amount from $14,900.00 to $20,400.00 for KCALS Officials.

Looks like we will see some more work on how Elected Officals are paid for travel that always sounds good.

D.8

Request City Council to adopt Resolution No. 6247 revising Policy on

Reimbursement of Expenses of Elected Officials.

Now onto the Tab Items:

Rialto Fire

Tab 2 is a Grant that will allow us better staffing within our Fire Department. I am extremly happy with the Public Safety effort in Rialto to protect us while finding other sources of paying for that safety.

TAB 2

Request City Council to adopt Resolution No. 6240, 6241, and 6242,

Ratifying Acceptance of the FY 2012 Staffing for Adequate Fire and

Emergency Response (S.A.F.E. R.) grant from the Department of Homeland

Security (DHS)/Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in the

amount of $2,856,816.

http://www.ci.rialto.ca.us/documents/downloads/Regulare_Meeting_Agenda_4-9-2013.pdf

I think its vital that we show up to every single council meeting we possibly can. I have been MIA for the last 2 months but I try to watch them at home or on the internet. We must watch what is said and done becuase in the end we are the ones paying for the councils desicions.

in&out

One thing that I saw last meeting (via the Web) was how grossly we under estimated the costs of the In & Out Project. That project is now going to cost the city another $$600K+ because they under estimated the cost of the freeway sign and forgot to add in the cost of the Rod Iron Fence and Under Water Catch Basin for the project.

I want an In & Out but not at the cost of the taxpayers. I wish the city would have went to the leaders at the City of Highland Ca and learned how to build a In & Out without draining tax dollars.

Ben & Jerry’s Free Cone Day

Today is FREE Cone Day @benandjerrys in Celebration of their 35th Anniversary. Keep Eating!!

Ben and Jerrys

Closest one to Rialto is at Victoria Gardens next to California Pizza Kitchen

April Coffee With The Chief

coffee

Image

City Council and Travel Spending

Ok first of all I am so glad that I can watch council meetings via the internet that already happened. I was told to watch last week’s council meeting by a few select individuals and I was like ok, whatever the agenda was light a couple issues I wish I could speak on but all in all light.

 

Then I watched the meeting and boy was I surprised! First of all finally council members are pulling that horrid Consent Calendar apart and showing it for what it is a place to dump crazy spending. I was told to watch for the re-emergence of money being spent on an outside company to bring back Measure “V” that was pulled by Council Member Joe Baca Jr. The item read as follows:

 

Request City Council to approve a Professional Services Agreement

 

with USI Consulting for development and implementation of an

 

alternative strategy to a ballot measure to increase fuel tax revenues

 

from petroleum storage facilities in the City of Rialto in an amount not to

 

exceed $47,500.

 

We will get back to this in a minute.

 

You see Councilman Shawn O’Connell pulled a warrant for City Clerk Barbara McGee to be paid for her trip to Washington D.C. She apparently went to the Convention of Mayors with Mayor Deborah Robertson a three day event and stayed for the Inauguration of President Obama.

 

First of all we just gave them another 5 years on the Utility Tax and they all pledged publicly and privately that they would do 2 things:

1. Be Financially responsible with the tax money we give them.

2. Work on a way to break away from the need for this money anymore without reducing the city services.

 

I think Councilman O’Connell has some good points. He should be able to ask the City Clerk what she did while on this trip and the City Clerk should answer him. What I have learned in life when people act evasive or give you the silent treatment there is an issue there. Apparently Barbara McGee still refuses to tell us the people what she did in Washington.

 

I will take Councilman O’Connell’s question a step further. What value did her trip have to the city of Rialto and the tax payers that pay those taxes? City Administrator Mike Story made 2 statements. One was that he approved the City Clerk to extend her stay in Washington D.C. beyond the time of the Mayors Conference. Two that he would do it again.

 

Its my opinion that the Mayors conference is merely a way for mayors to insert themselves into National Policy. Also why would the city pay our elected officials to attend the Inauguration of President Obama? What value did this trip bring for Rialto?

 

Furthermore any further travel that taxpayers are paying for I think it would be good to report back to us what value there was for the citizens. IE I went to the International Shopping Center Convention and these following businesses were interested in doing business with Rialto.

 

Now to D4 we are paying a company to use their contacts to get to talk to the operators of the Tank Farms is a waste of money. The city did such a good job with Measure “W” why not use that same hard work and spirit of community to work out something with these operators.

 

Finally I would call on Mayor Robertson and whoever else goes with her to the International Council of Shopping Centers Convention to report back to us what value the Convention was to the City.

 

http://rialto.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=2&clip_id=331

Rialto’s Job Fair a Success

Rialto Job Fair a Success

 

On March 27th 2013 Rialto held its first job fair of 2013 after holding one late in 2012 both were at the Cathedral of Praise Church on the Corner of Riverside Ave & Valley Blvd. The one in 2012 was ok but it was filled with schools looking for students, agencies like American Water with fake job openings (locally) and temp agencies. These are all good (except for the fake job openings) when people are not severely desperate for work. Schools mean more debt and temp agencies are not full time regular work.

Rialto Job Fair grid1

A total of 517 job seekers and people were standing in line 10 minutes until 8 a.m. (started at 10 a.m.) and people were still coming after it was over at 1 p.m.  There is a need in our community & together we can make a difference. The Cathedral of Praise volunteers; City of Rialto volunteers (including the HR Manager); San Bernardino Valley College Occupational Advancement Department volunteers; and the Director for the Applied Technologies Training, Economic Development and Corporate Training Division (San Bernardino Community College District) also one volunteer from San Bernardino Valley College Workability department  .

This most recent job fair that was partnered by City of Rialto Human Resources and San Bernardino Valley College was one of the best job fairs I have been to in 3 years. It was full of diverse, interesting and quality employers looking for employees. These were not just jobs to get you through the basic bills, these were jobs you could work and retire from.

We were at the job fair and we spoke to employers. Here are a few of the many choices you had to choose from:

  1. Forest Home http://www.foresthome.org/aboutfh/employment/ A local Mountain Camp founded by Henrietta Mears. They offer all types of camp options and an extensive list of job openings both professional and entry level.
  2. Manheim http://www.manheim.com/careers/?WT.svl=m_footer_careers A local Auto Auction company offering a wide range of opportunities in the automotive field from back and front office work to hands on interaction with the Vehicles themselves Manheim presented a company willing to hire those quality people looking for a career.
  3. Child Care Careers www.childcarecareers.net This is a temp agency for the Child Care industry. They handle job openings at the State (school districts), Federal (head start) and private Early Childhood Education centers. Kirsten from Child Care Careers told me they had a massive order for staff incoming and were looking at doing a mass hire.

Rialto Job Fair grid2

You also had Law Enforcement agencies like San Bernardino County Sheriff, Riverside County Sheriff, Fontana Police, Rialto Police & San Bernardino County Probation. Other public safety or security companies were Rialto Fire Department, Securitas, First Defense & Allied Barton. There were temp staffing agencies a couple schools and Avon & Mary Kay but overall it was well planned, few empty spaces and very well attended.

Rialto Job Fair12

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