On May 28th we learned something about our least favorite fee in the city that should have your blood boiling. For the last 4 to 5 year you have been paying and ever increasing tax on your monthly trash bill. This TAX was added to deal with Rialto’s streets that are deteriorating much faster than Rialto officials can keep up at least that is what we were told.
On May 28th we found out that streets that are in poor repair will not be fixed with the Trash Fund money, only newer streets will get any work done from the Trash Tax. There is a promise that they will seek out a way to do something for those residents but they say that as we head for Bankruptcy!
Activists told the city council and the residents that the city would find ways of putting this money back into their own pockets and moving street maintenance money around to other pet projects. The last honest Councilman caught his colleagues playing games with this money shortly after it was approved.
Councilman O’Connell was interviewed by Sun reporter Leslie Parrilla and said:
“We gave the impression that we were going to use that money to help improve the roads,” O’Connell said.
The increased rates for the city’s solid waste collection, recycling and disposal service rates were passed to help maintain Rialto’s deteriorating roads. But after the fees started being collected, the roughly $1.2 million normally budgeted annually for road improvements dropped to $600,000 this year, instead of increasing with money from the new fee.
“It seemed to me the citizens got it right when they said, ‘be careful, they’re going to take advantage of it,’ ” by moving money around, O’Connell said.
The plan was to decrease the Trash Tax and fix the roads with Measure U. Well a year later Councilman O’Connell passed away unexpectedly and since then here are all the things Measure U is targeted to cover:
Millions in behind street maintenance.
Reduce the now PERMANENT Utility Users Tax by 25%.
Cover our $150 Million Dollars of Unfunded Liabilities.
Provide for more cops.
Provide more money for Recreation Programs.
The only problem with these promises is that even with best case scenario is that the tax would bring in $15 Million a year. As of today there is less than $10 Million in an escrow account while the tank farms sue us. It looks so grim that the Mayor and Ed Scott are publicly talking about settling for way less than expected just to get something.
While that goes on Burrtec spends thousands of dollars on campaigns for elected officials that act as rubber stamps for their programs and agendas. While Burrtec is holding a fundraising party for the Mayor they got:
Rialto residents to pay for the damage thier trucks do to the road.
A 10 year contract that never expires because it renews for another 10 years each year and we have to give them 10 years notice if we want out of the contract.
They got $1.3 Million back in their pockets that was supposed to go to create a community garden for the North End of the city.
We now are forced to pay burrtec through our property tax bills so we can’t see the many times they raise our rates.
So the only question is, are you mad yet? Don’t forget gas goes up 5.6 cents a gallon on Monday July 1st for more on that story click here!
Eloise Reyes has been your assembly member for about two years now and nothing has changed, right?
Wrong. She has made this area more divisive and polarized than ever before. One major change may not look so bad on the surface, but it is now affecting Moreno Valley.
Under former Assembly Member Cheryl Brown Rialto had a strong young man acting as our liaison with the Assembly Member’s office. I can tell you as someone who had issues with connecting to the Unemployment Office Cheryl Brown’s staff helped a lot more than the current staff. Before Eloise won the election we had Josue Castillo as our Rialto liaison. Josue lived in Rialto and really made you feel like they cared, even if you were not aligned politically.
Now we have Daniel Peeden, a progressive Democrat who gives you the feeling he is trying to intimidate you rather than help you. He spends his time pushing a very strong progressive agenda and it doesn’t feel like he cares who the Assembly Member cuts down or steps on along the way. If you’re not a progressive you have no worth to him. He spends his time attacking our County Supervisor Josie Gonzales (a Democrat) on warehouse projects in the Bloomington Area, yet has given a pass to the City of Rialto as they dump warehouses right on top of long established neighborhoods and eating up prime real estate in Rialto.
This has been going on for 2 years and it is getting old, but this isn’t the reason we penned this post. This isn’t a political attack on Eloise to unseat her because she is running unopposed.
This post exists to call attention to Public Officials being held accountable for acting like children and feeding an angry mob.
Daniel is a twin (Darrell Peeden); his twin was seeking an open seat on the Moreno Valley Unified School Board. Darrell and Daniel Peeden posed with another person with an F Trump sign! Now we can love or hate the president if we want, but if you A) represent a community on behalf of an Assembly Member maybe you should have a little more tact on how you publicly share your disdain, and B) if you’re running for school board maybe you shouldn’t be using profanity publicly because you’re representing Students, Parents and Staff. You are supposed to be an example to them.
Why is Eloise Reyes getting attached to this post? She condones this behavior and celebrates it. As you see in the photo below her staff are given kudos for working hard on ignoring constituents that don’t align with her politically and shoving through a very progressive plan of action. Remember that this seat has been Democrat forever but never with a person or staff so dedicated to whipping the assembly district into a frenzy.
Reports are that no call from the assembly member has gone out to remove this photo from social media and Darrell Peeden was appointed to fill a vacant seat on the Moreno Valley Unified School District without an election of THE PEOPLE!
Normal everyday people are already so full of hate, shouldn’t our elected officials and their staff be required to use just a little bit of thought when creating social content?
One of the biggest issues when it come to increased taxes on fuel in California is the waste and miss management of those precious tax dollars. We knew that 40% of the current Gas, Registration and skyrocketing Diesel Fuel fees were not going to go to any type of road improvement but we thought the governor would start with some road projects right? Heck with a petition drive to repeal the tax well on its way to a 2019 ballot box near you that would have made sense right? Nope they seem Hell Bent on spending what money has already been collected on people who don’t even pay the tax!!!! Leading the leftist charge to force people who drive to pay for others transportation is the City of Rialto and Mayor Deborah Robertson.
The city that has made National News with a Failed Public/Private partnership with Veoilia, made National Headlines as Junior Councilman Trujillo tied to label the small city a sanctuary city and now as they approach bankruptcy over pension obligations and failed tax measures they are doubling down on bad ideas by spending $200k of SB1 funds on public trails rather than on crumbling roads in serious need of repair in a city that can’t afford to fix them.
Mayor Robertson seems to have her eyes elsewhere since she spends more time in San Diego, Sacramento and Washington D.C. than she does in the very city she ran for mayor in. As you can see in the story below Mayor Robertson seems to care little about the miles of damaged roads that run through her city. She also still ignores how her safe routes to school program is falling flat on its face. As she try’s to get kids to walk to school local schools she forgets that she is asking these families to walk past drug houses and areas full of gang members.
Mayor Robertson is currently on yet another full on battle against her local police officers which leaves her with few advocates within the department. Also Mayor Robertson has created massive divides among her office and the local school district administration. The cross walk she is pictured in (above) was a PR stunt and the cross walk was only fabricated to look that way for her photo ops. This once again proves she has no concern for the community only her future political advancement.
City of Rialto Using SB 1 Funds for its Active Transportation Plan
February 7, 2018
For many residents without cars in the City of Rialto, public transportation serves as the lifeline to employment and educational opportunities.
However, Rialto severely lacks the infrastructure that can help residents, particularly those who are low-income, get to the transit station and to jobs and school.
The city’s efforts to remedy its transportation infrastructure issues are now accelerating thanks to some much needed funding. The city just received $200,000 in SB1 funding to create an Active Transportation Plan, which comes directly on the heels of a grant to support Safe Routes to Schools.
Currently, there are only 1.5 miles of shared use paths, and just over 10 miles of bike paths. Most of the bike lanes are narrow and located on wide roadways with high speed limits. Because of this, many bicyclists choose to use sidewalks instead, upsetting many pedestrians.
Neighborhoods on the north side of town currently face the greatest challenges. This gap effectively prevents these residents from accessing Metrolink, which provides service to employment opportunities in other communities.
“Many individuals in Rialto face limited employment options based on the transportation choices available to them”, says Mayor Deborah Robertson. “Planning a holistic active transportation network will provide access to economic opportunities for residents without cars, and will increase public transit options by providing first-and last-mile connections on foot and by bicycle.”
Without clear solutions, the situation for residents will likely worsen. As Rialto continues to grow, most new housing is anticipated to occur in the northern neighborhoods. By creating an Active Transportation Plan, the city hopes to address deficiencies and identify additional bicycle and walking improvements in all areas of the city.
The city has experienced great success implementing its new Safe Routes to School Program. Along with efforts to host a walking school bus event at six schools, the city just recently enhanced the crosswalk in front of Myers Elementary to support a healthy and safe way for students to get to school.
So as California Democrats wage war on Donald Trump and gas powered cars they seem to forget who they promised to protect, the poor and the little guy. The party that claims to be for the little guy has a bill that promises to stick it to you every single day.
Earlier this year actually all in one week a bill was drafted that would raise gas prices and vehicle regisration was pushed through the State Assembly and Senate then the Gov. jumped up and signed it right away. This tax like so many others was sold as the savior to our states broken roads yet all it was nothing more than yet another way for Democrats to pad their pockets and payoff campaign contributors. The bill was co-authored by Senator Jim Beall (D-San Jose) and Assembly Member Jim L. Frazier Jr. (D-Discovery Bay) so you may be asking why would we lay this on Assembly Member Eloise Reyes front step? Well there are plenty of reasons:
For eight years former Assembly Member Cheryl Brown refused to vote for a bill that spent money on things other than roads even though the tax led people to believe that was the purpose.
Former Assembly Member Cheryl Brown saw that a tax like this hurt the hard working people of her district.
Former Assembly Member Cheryl Brown knew that there would be effects that people would not realize until it was too late. One of those would be the increased cost of delivering goods to stores.
Eloise Reyes told people who worked on her campaign that she voted yes on this bill because the Gov. threatened to take away future money if she didn’t.
One of the largest reasons for this tax is the assault of any car in California. Democrats are working hard to force you out of your car and into mass transit. They are creating yet another class war where poor and middle class wont have access to cars but the rich elite will.
Under Senate Bill No. 1, the gasoline tax will increase by 12 cents, from 18 cents to 30 cents per gallon, the excise tax on diesel fuel will rise 20 cents, to 36 cents per gallon; the sales tax on diesel will also go up by 4 percent, to 9.75 percent.
As part of the legislation, motorists will also have to pay an annual vehicle fee, though that doesn’t take effect until Jan. 1, 2018. The fees range from $25 for cars worth less than $5,000 to $175 for those valued at more than $60,000.
Additionally, a $100 annual fee on electric vehicles will be imposed on owners in lieu of gas taxes beginning on July 1, 2020.
Earlier this month in Riverside, Gov. Jerry Brown, at lectern, speaks in favor of the gas tax increase with Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Paramount), left of Brown, and state Senate leader Kevin de Leon (D-Los Angeles), right of Brown. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times)
None of this money will go to expanding any freeways, 40 percent will go to mass transit (Gov. Brown’s Bullet Train to Nowhere) and parks (not transportation related). Millions of dollars in tax money did go out in the form of payoffs to legislators to buy their votes some as close as Riverside County. So local Assembly members are so poor at their job and weak under pressure that they blindly vote or allow themselves to be bullied by Gov. Brown.
Isn’t it time we have someone represent us that will stand in the GAP for us and not cower at Gov. Brown?
Make sure you fill up your gas tank before Novemeber 1st because after that the cost of taking kids to school, going to work, running errands and visiting family will cost you more and more.
I saw this photo because Mr. Torres tagged Assemblywoman Reyes and Community College Board Member Frank Reyes in the photo, since I am connected to them on Facebook I saw the post as well. Mr. Torres decided used his original photo with the kids faces in plain view (we covered the kids faces to allow them some dignity) In full disclosure the above statement was a portion of scripture that Mr. Torres was taking from the bible to show how Christians hate immigrants. I am still confused to what his meaning is sadly that is not my biggest problem.
My issue is with the use of a photo where Mr. Torres seems to be reading to school children on Dr. Seuss’s Birthday and adding the portion of scripture that says to KILL THE BABY BOYS!!!!!!! When I asked if he thought THIS Photo was the appropriate photo to use in this given situation and that the parents may be upset to see their kids photos used in this way Mr. Torres said the following:
“Good points all David. I have regularly been asked to participate in our public schools on everything from gang intervention to read across America. There is a crisis being created and it is affecting these and millions of children’s lives. While your points are well taken, I don’t see where you offer any solution or support for their cause or situation. I would rather be accused of politics than withdraw and do nothing because someone disagrees with me. History and the almighty will judge us all. I hope that I am found to be on his side with his sheep than in the wrong with the goats. Respectfully.”
The argument over what our kids are exposed to in California Public Schools has regained center stage with the Election of Donald Trump & majority control in Washington DC with the republican party. These two actions have seemed to send Liberal Californians into a frenzy. For decades in California our kids have been bombarded with the left wing ideas of right and wrong. Parents complain but their words fall on deaf ears because of the control the Democrat party has here.
Now we have photos from a day where literacy is the focus of the day and we take that photo and use it with a verse in the bible that refers to killing male children? Then you ask the person creating the post if this was the best choice of photo and he goes off into a mindless rant? I’m sorry but did I miss something?
On our city council update we left you hanging because TAB 7 was pushed off until the next council meeting so that it could be addressed at the Water Workshop tonight. Veolia apparently took on a contract they can’t deliver.
TAB 7 from the last council meeting is Veolia was required to provide 4000 meters at a cost of $460,000 water meters, but because they failed to check the contract they only want to provide 1600 meters at a cost of $390.000 why can Veolia pick and choose what part of the contract they can follow? Do the residents have the option of when to pay their bills?
What is this contract and what is this workshop for tonight? Veolia agreed to take over water and waste water services for the next 30 years and were tasked with conducting a major infrastructure overhaul of the city’s water delivery system and waste water removal system. They have already and will continue to levy major rate increases on Rialto Water customers and they have paid $40 million dollars to the city of Rialto for this utility take over. What they did is take your money and make excuses for being behind by 1-2 years on many projects because they claim that American Water (the cities first choice for a water servicer) wrote a bad contract that can’t be delivered on the originally agreed terms.
Veolia isn’t new to Rialto they have been around working with our waste water services for years. So they can’t claim ignorance to how Rialto is structured or set up. There are two major issues with the delay one is Rialto Water Services customers are already one full year into a four year rate increase schedule. Two if this process is delayed too long the interest rates on the loan that was taken out to make the capital improvements will eat into the money needed to afford these projects. Back in June at the first workshop Veolia upper management was asked by Councilman O’Connell in the meeting if they would cover this gap if the situation arose and they said NO.
Back at the first Water Workshop in June the city council found out that Veolia has been hiding behind a lame excuse of we didn’t write this contract. The community’s response to that is you signed it before reading it? What Veolia saw was an opportunity to take the rate payers for a ride and leave us with no other recourse. This contract was written in a way that city hall has thrown its hands in the air saying were stuck!!!!!!!
Anyone watching the news and all the problems with Los Angeles’s DWP is having with blown water lines knows that’s not where we want to be. The problem is everyone is acting like they are powerless to make Veolia do their job. Ironically a week after the first water workshop in June the city experienced a sewer back up that spilled into the streets. What is more irritating is that the Capital Improvement Projects not being completed and the massive rate increases is not the end of the problems with Veolia. Here is a short list:
Water meters are not being read they are being estimated. This means you are not likely to see any change in your water bill even though you’re cutting back on water usage.
Horrible customer service. Veolia doesn’t seem to have a customer service supervisor Monday thru Friday because when they mess up your bill you have to wait weeks to receive a call back if you receive one at all.
Lagging on processing payments. Veolia is slow to check the collection bin at the city of Rialto Civic Center and processes payments very slowly; you will get a late fee.
Horrible water pressure. Since Veolia has taken over Rialto Water Services customers have noticed a major drop in water pressure.
Now is the time to get involved and engage. This is an election year and was in the thick of it. Now is the time to demand action and we have some resources for you.
You can Send us a Letter to the Editor to be published here to rialtonow@gmail.com
You can email Leslie Parrilla with the San Bernardino Sun at leslie.parrilla@langnews.com
With yet another coffee with the chief coming and going I thought it would be nice to highlight what was talked about at the August meeting at Coffee Nutz.
Twenty four people attended the event and we had people from all walks of life and various organizations that serve various purposes for the community.
In attendance (of note) were Linda Chapman Humans Relations Commission, Michael Townsend from the Department of Mental Health, Phyllis and John Hangman from Friends of the Rialto K-9’s, Joe Britt Park and Rec commissioner, Andy Carzales Rialto Beatification Commission. As well as Captain Randy Deanda and Chief Farrar from Rialto PD & two raido personalities from Q104.7 were doing a live remote in the parking lot and decided to join us.
Chief Farrar began by thanking everyone for coming. He then began talking about the extreme success of Rialto’s National Night Out event on August sixth. Chief Farrar stated they had just over five thousand people come out to this years event two thousand more than last year. He commented on how well the event went and that it was the best National Night Out event the city or county had ever put on. He said there was room for improvement but that overall the event was top notch. The highlight was for the people who hung around to see the police helicopter lift off from the event. Chief Farrar asked the people in attendance what they thought could be improved for next years event.
The next topic of conversation were the upcoming Area Command meetings. These meetings offer the community, city and police department a opportunity to connect and dialogue. Various city departments come out and give you the information you need to easily live here in the city. For info on the meeting dates, times and locations just look for the link on the right hand side of our page.
The topic of the AB 109 Early Release program came up due to the courts ordering Governor Brown to release another ten thousand inmates. Chief Farrar told the community that Rialto PD has been working to stay one step ahead of the criminals. These ways include an full time probation officer that works at Rialto PD, using electronic advances to track criminals, applying for more grants and working with other local agencies.
The last topic spoke to who our Police Chief really is it spoke to his heart. Chief Farrar spoke about a strong passion to reach our youth. Not just the good kids that have normal nuclear families that don’t have negative contact with the police but all youth especially the under privileged youth that shy away from telling police officials their true fears and concerns. This desire chief Farrar has isn’t a fishing expedition to lock up more criminals but a true heart felt desire to show the entire community that his department truly cares. What was awesome is everyone there bought right in and began talking out the idea of how to involve our youth. This is where Annette Pulido the promotions person from Q104.7 spoke up and offered to assist the city and police department with this and other outreach opportunities.
One thing that is missing is a constant presence by School District Official. Every single meeting there are constant questions about our children’s safety. This is just an observation by me but it seems Rialto Unified really doesn’t care how we feel about school safety or our children’s safety. It is sad because Edgar Montes has attended a few times but beyond that nobody. Rialto Unified has a School Safety Department and their office can’t send down one official to listen and log the long list of issues the community has with school safety.
Here is what else is awesome when I brought up the response some of our readers had to the time of the meetings and how morning meeting during the week excludes a portion of the community. Chief Farrar said lets make it happen so all you that commented on the time of the meetings here you go.
There is a lot going on in Rialto and everyone is working hard towards making this a community to be proud of. But it takes everyone working towards the same goal. So ask yourself what are you doing to help make this city a better place and can you do more?
Assemblymember Cheryl R. Brown (D-San Bernardino) has been appointed by Speaker John A. Pérez (D-Los Angeles) to the following Standing Committees for the 2013-2014 Legislative Session: Rules; Housing and Community Development; Arts, Entertainment, Sports, Tourism, and Internet Media; Veterans Affairs; and Aging and Long-Term Care.
“I’m excited about the work that I’m going to be doing in Sacramento for the 47th Assembly District,” said Assemblymember Brown. “I’m pleased to be appointed to the Committee on Rules, which oversees all incoming bills and other fiscal and personnel business of the Legislature.”
“I’m also excited to be appointed to the Housing and Community Development Committee. My background as an urban planner will aid me as I work to ensure that our communities have access to affordable housing and that we’re utilizing our community development tools for economic growth.”
“My appointment to the Committee on Arts, Entertainment, Sports, Tourism, and Internet Media will allow me to build on my experience in this area, especially tourism and internet media. In addition, I will look for new ways to promote economic growth through entertainment, arts, sports, and tourism.”
“I feel especially gratified to be appointed to the committee on Veterans Affairs. I feel that veterans are very important. I appreciate their service and the sacrifices they’ve made to keep our nation free. We should honor and treat them with respect. There should be no homeless veterans.”
“I’m proud to be a strong voice for seniors and help with issues affecting aging and long-term care. As a member of the Committee on Aging and Long-Term Care, I look forward to sharing my ideas and personal experience in long-term care and having a positive impact. I want to thank Speaker Pérez for assigning me to these important committees.”
Assemblymember Brown represents the 47th Assembly District, which includes San Bernardino, Rialto, Colton, Bloomington, Fontana, Muscoy, and Grand Terrace. Assemblywoman Brown was elected on November 6, 2012.
Rialto police Cpl. Cameron Nelson shops for Christmas presents with brothers Nicholas and Kristian Mingl for the Police Department’s second annual Shop With a Cop event. Nicholas might have been disappointed that he didn’t get a sleigh ride but he did get a much brighter holiday. (Melissa Pinion-Whitt Staff)
Apparently Corporal Nelson of the Rialto Police Department was at the Chevron gas station last week when he observed a group of kids with their mother struggling to pay for some items at the front counter. Observing this, Corporal Nelson whipped out his own funds and purchased the items for the mother and her kids. It appears the Chevron manager was so impressed he posted the surveillance video of Corporal Nelson’s actions on “You Tube.” Very impressive.
I have come to find this Cpl a hard working caring man. If you have a community group, youth group or any other Rialto group you would like to have him out to please email him at Cnelson@rialtopd.com
Rialto police Cpl. Cameron Nelson shops for Christmas presents with brothers Nicholas and Kristian Mingl for the Police Department’s second annual Shop With a Cop event. Nicholas might have been disappointed that he didn’t get a sleigh ride but he did get a much brighter holiday. (Melissa Pinion-Whitt Staff
RIALTO – The lights and siren on Rialto police Cpl. Cameron Nelson’s patrol car left 5-year-old Nicholas Mingl doubting it had anything to do with Christmas.
“This ain’t a Santa sleigh,” the Rialto boy said.
But thanks to Rialto police officers who took needy children on a Christmas shopping spree Wednesday, the boy’s outlook on the police and the holidays grew brighter.
Law enforcement and fire agencies around the Inland Empire have been holding gift-giveaways for disadvantaged families the last few weeks. Many police departments participated in Shop With a Cop-style events, using donations to take children to stores for presents.
“These kids would not have a Christmas if it wasn’t for this,” said Karen Huerta, Nicholas’ grandmother.
Rialto police took 14 children to Walmart in Rialto, buying each child $50 in presents and another $40 for their parents or guardians. Families filled out applications and were selected by officers based on need.
“Hopefully it gives them a better outlook on police officers – that we’re not just enforcers,” Nelson said.
The Kiwanis Club, Rialto’s Police Officer Benefit Association and other donors pitched in for the gift money.
Rialto Officer Cheri Schaffer walked the aisles with 6-year-old Julina Castro, who picked a few dolls and some clothes off the shelves. She also used some of her $50 to buy her mother a present.
“It makes you feel good to come out with the kids and see their faces light up,” Schaffer said.
San Bernardino police used a different method to select children for their Shop With a Cop event. Police detectives picked children who were victims in physical abuse cases.
Detectives, along with officers in uniform, accompanied nine children ranging from 5 to about 12-years-old, for a shopping spree. The department received $1,500 in donations from the Walmart Foundation.
“It lets them know that your case is done, but we didn’t forget you,” said police Lt. Paul Williams.
In Redlands, police took 27 children to Target, where they bought $1,800 in presents through police and community donations.
Other agencies may not call their events “Shop With a Cop,” but it’s the same concept.
Fontana police, who call their shopping spree “Heroes and Helpers” took 50 children shopping at Target on Dec. 15. They were selected by school district officials who recognized the children had a need for holiday help.
But it wasn’t just police officers who took children on shopping sprees.
Colton firefighters, along with the Colton Unified School District and Walmart donated money so 50 needy children could each receive $100 Christmas presents.
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