Stolen Money

21 Feb 2012 1 Comment

by rialto-now in American Cancer Society, ARMC, Budget, Ca, Cancer, City of Rialto, Currupt, davidsMarketing, Dr. Harold L. Cebrun, Dr. Michael Neeki, Family, Family Sports, Farrell’s Honors Our Military, Farrell’s Resturant, Flores Park, Fontana PD, Fun, Holidays, In & Out, Layoffs, Lazy, Military, Nieghborhood Watch, Protest, Public Safety, Rancho Cucamonga, RDA, Rialto Fire, Rialto Police Department, rialto unified school district, RUSD, Sierra Lakes Parkway, Sr., SWAT, Taxes, Terra Vista Shopping Center, The Circle Vision Quest, Uncategorized, youth

Below is the link to the story that soured this post:

http://www.newsday.com/news/nation/calif-lawmakers-switch-days-to-collect-payments-1.3538968

The link above is to an associated press story about the continued waste of money that our legislators are guilty of almost daily. The go to Sacramento only to ensure that they will make their per diem, on that cost tax payers 65,000 TAX DOLLARS. That means 65,000 less to help fix the budget problems, but the have once again lined their pockets without any regard for the voters concerns.

You know the old saying how do you know when an elected official is lieing? When their lips are moving.

Seems about right, because when its election time they will tell you why they are in Sacramento the people (lie). I’m sorry to say that democrats and Republicans are both just as bad. They are not in Sacramento for your voice they are there to line their pockets and live off the government forever. How long are we going to let these people continue to take advantage of us and destroy our cites, state & country. 5th district supervisor Josie Gonzales actually told the sun in an interview in reference to pension reform and the San Bernardino County employee union putting out a petition to make San Bernardino County supervisors a part-time job, that she had financial obligations that must be met and if the board became part-time she would step down. REALLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So why are you there Mrs Gonzales?

Below are some other articles where CA is hurt and hemorrhaging and could use every penny we can find.

Employee losses due to loss of RDA’s and tight budgets:

http://www.sbsun.com/news/ci_20006550

“Rialto and Highland, for example, have found ways to keep their former Redevelopment Agency employees on the payroll, officials said.”

Mass Teacher layoffs due to 22 million dollar budget cuts:

http://www.sbsun.com/news/ci_20001266

“In a best-case scenario, reduced funding from the state will force the district to cut its 2012-2013 budget by roughly $22 million, which would mean roughly 162 employees, including teachers and administrators, would receive layoff notices before the annual March 15 notification deadline. ”

Redevelopment dollars gone without a solution:

http://www.sbsun.com/news/ci_19998785

“You hear a lot of stories about California redevelopment agencies being abused to advance the agenda of the downtown elite, but more often than not, CRAs are used for their expressed purpose, which is to address blight, serve underrepresented communities, and maybe, more importantly than anything else, provide affordable housing in regions where there isn’t enough.”

This one cracks me up, they say that their was abuse and misuse? What about what lawmakers do daily?????????

People stand up and take action before its to late. Look for lawmakers that will fight their voters convictions not their own and fight it through even if it will make relection harder.

City Administrators Monthly Update Feb 2012

16 Feb 2012 Leave a comment

by rialto-now in Budget, Ca, City of Rialto, davidsMarketing, Family, Family Sports, Flores Park, Fun, Holidays, In & Out, Layoffs, Lazy, Military, Nieghborhood Watch, Protest, Public Safety, RDA, Rialto Fire, Rialto Police Department, rialto unified school district, RUSD, SWAT, Taxes, Terra Vista Shopping Center, The Circle Vision Quest, Uncategorized, youth

City Clerk/Rialto Network

The State of Women

The 6^th Annual “The State of Women” event is scheduled for Saturday, March 3 from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., located at the Rialto Senior Center, 1411 S. Riverside Avenue. Keynote Speaker is B. Darcel Lee, Executive Director of the California Black Health Network. Our local legislators will be on hand for Q&A. The event is free with vendor booths, morning refreshments, and a light lunch will be provided. Seating is limited. Please RSVP to the City Clerk’s office at (909) 820-2519 or mrodriguez@rialtoca.gov.

Passport Day in the USA

If you are planning to travel outside of the United States plan on joining the City Clerk’s office during Passport Day in the USA, Saturday, March 10. You can apply for your passport and learn more about travel requirements. And, if you process your passport that day, you’ll get a free hot dog! So, join us on March 10 to prepare for your upcoming travel. For more information contact (909) 820-2519 or visit the City website at www.rialtoca.gov/cityclerk_passports.php.

Administrative & Community Services

Finance Division

The Finance Division is working with the Redevelopment Agency to wind down the operations of the Rialto Redevelopment Agency.

Finance will also be working to complete the midyear analysis based on the activities through December 2011. The final result and budget update will be presented at the March 13, 2012 City Council meeting.

The 2010/11 Redevelopment Agency Financial Statements have been received and are available on the City’s Website at www.rialtoca.gov.

Recreation Division

The Rialto Recreation Winter/Spring 2012 Brochure is now available! You may have already received your brochure in the mail at home. Please take a look at what we have to offer and sign up for a class today! The brochure can also be viewed at our website www.RialtoRec.com.

Police Department

Department Promotions

Please join me in congratulating the Rialto Police Department’s newest command staff members and supervisors: Lieutenant’s – Dean Hardin and Andy Karol; Sergeant’s – Josh Lindsay, Paul Stella, Johnny Partida, Chris Hice and Robert Smith; and Corporal’s – Rory Scalf, James Mills, James Massey and Carl Jones.

Department Strategic Plan

With new staff in place, YOUR Police Department will begin working hard to develop an organizational strategic plan. We will be working closely with City leaders, community members, local business, and faith based organizations to help us fight crime in our community. Please join us at the Area Command Meetings to find out how you can help. For more information visit the Police Department website at www.rialtopd.com.

Rialto PD e-Desk

The e-Desk kiosk is a user friendly data terminal used to develop a more efficient method of handling citizen traffic inside police stations. The kiosk acts as an assistant to desk officers during high-traffic hours; allowing citizens with general inquiries to get the answers they need while allowing the desk officers to focus on higher priority cases. Some of the capabilities are: citizen generated non-offense reports, submitting anonymous crime tips, requesting vacation watch, leaving messages for officers/detectives, making payments for report requests and other related fees through use of a credit card/debit card, access to the Police Departments website, and other related information.

Cop-Book – Connecting police officers with each other and the communities they serve and protect.

For too long, local police departments have relied on email, outdated systems, or word of mouth to identify experts and relevant content in local and regional areas. Data is trapped across systems, people’s minds, or languishing in archives – making it almost impossible to get work done. Separated by both time and distance, limited interaction between officers on the beat slows the decision-making process between the officers in the field and headquarters.

Cop-Book is a secure collaboration environment that unshackles users from the narrow confines of email, telephone conference calls, endless meetings, and departmental bottlenecks – and puts them into an interactive online community where they can securely harness the collective intelligence and work of their peers in real time.

City-Sourced App – Coming Soon

City-Sourced is a real time mobile civic engagement platform. City-Sourced provides a simple and intuitive platform empowering residents to identify civic issues (public safety, quality of life, environmental issues, etc.) and report them to City Hall for quick resolution; an opportunity for government to use technology to save time and money plus improve accountability to those they govern, and a positive, collaborative platform for real action.

NIXLE- Community Notification and Information

The Rialto Police Department is proud to announce the incorporation of NIXLE to enhance communications within our community. NIXLE is a free service that allows community members to receive trusted, up-to-the-minute neighborhood information. You choose the information that you want to receive from urgent public safety information to less time sensitive community information. You can receive this information over your cell phone, by text message, or by email. Sign up at www.NIXLE.com.

Fire Department

Homeland Security Grant

The Rialto Fire Department has been awarded $26,627 through a grant from the Department of Homeland Security. These grant funds were provided for the advancement of interoperable communication systems that are used during emergency operations. The Fire Department will use these funds to purchase communication devices that fit inside a firefighter’s Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) face piece. Because the SCBA face piece forms an airtight seal around the firefighter’s mouth and face, it is difficult to achieve clear verbal communication over a radio or face-to-face. Because these devices are located inside the masks, and because they are connected directly to the firefighter’s radio, all verbal communications are clear and audible to other rescue workers. This greatly improves efficiency and safety for our firefighters.

Recruitment and Retention of Diversity Workshop

On February 2^nd & 3^rd, the City ofRialto sent a five-member team of key stakeholders to participate in a workshop focusing on recruiting and retaining diversity in the Fire Department. The workshop was sponsored by Fire 20/20, a non-profit organization, and was be held inAnaheimCA. The two-day workshop presented an overview of strategies, tactics, and practical aids that Fire Departments can use to more effectively recruit and retain a qualified, diverse, inclusive, and safety-conscious workforce that respects and represents the communities they serve. They also developed a framework for strategies that supports retention, enrolls the community as recruitment partners, and maximizes the effectiveness of outreach campaigns.

TheRialtoteam members included CouncilwomanDeborah Robertson; George Harris, Director of Administrative and Community Services;Nash Briones, Rialto Firefighters Local 3688 President;Cindy Balderas, Human Resource Manager; and Mat Fratus, Fire Chief. They joined similar teams fromLos AngelesCity,SacramentoCity,Pasadena,Alhambra,Novato,Glendale, andOrangeCounty.

Promotions

The Fire Department is very pleased to announce the promotions of four personnel to key positions within the Fire Department. Congratulations to the following:

James Bender Fire Captain
- DeWayne Frederick Engineer
- John Heffelfinger Engineer
- Thomas Stephenson Engineer

Each of these individuals has demonstrated the highest level of commitment and competency throughout the testing and evaluation process.

Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Training

Rialto Fire Department is pleased to provide Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training to the residents of the City of Rialto who are sixteen years of age and older. The CERT program educates community members about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area, and trains them in basic disaster response skills such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. Using the training learned in the classroom and during exercises, CERT members can assist when professional responders are not immediately available to help others in their neighborhood or workplace following a major emergency event. CERT members also are encouraged to support emergency response agencies by taking a more active role in emergency preparedness projects in their community.

The next CERT classes will be held in March on the following dates and times:

Thursdays, March 1 and 8, 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Saturdays, March 3 and 10, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

The classes will be held at Rialto Fire Station 204 (3288 North Alder Avenue). To sign up, e-mail your name and phone number to RialtoCERT@gmail.com or call (909) 421-4964. There is no charge for the twenty-hour training. Participants will receive a CERT Participant Manual, CERT Backpack, CERT Helmet and CERT Safety-vest (provided by the Homeland Security Grant Program). For more information, contact Battalion Chief Frank Bekkerat (909) 820-2501 or on the internet at www.rialtoca.gov/cert.html.

Development Services Department

State of California Dissolves Redevelopment Agency

On February 1, 2012 the Redevelopment Agency of the City ofRialtoceased operations as a result of the California Supreme Court’s decision to uphold AB1X 26, which dissolved redevelopment agencies statewide. The City ofRialtohas elected to serve as the successor agency, which will have the commission of completing contracted obligations and then liquidating all assets for disposition to various taxing jurisdictions. The Successor Agency will be governed by an independent Oversight Board, subject to further review by theCountyAuditor-Controllerand the State ofCalifornia. The housing functions of the former Redevelopment Agency were assumed by the Rialto Housing Authority on February 1, 2012.

The Redevelopment Agency of the City ofRialtowas established in 1979 to alleviate blighting conditions and facilitate economic development and housing. Since 2004, over $150 million has been invested in public infrastructure, economic development, and affordable housing projects. Key projects funded by the Redevelopment Agency included the Riverside Avenue/I-10 Interchange ($30 million); Pepper Avenue Extension ($13 million); Fergusson Park Improvement ($6.3 million); Library Expansion ($1 million); New Fire Station 202 ($5.9 million); West Jackson Neighborhood Revitalization ($8 million); and TELACU #2 and 3 Senior Housing projects ($5.9 million).

All Redevelopment Agency programs and projects, except those that are subject to binding contracts, have been terminated. The housing programs formerly funded by the Agency, including home rehabilitation programs, may resume in the future, subject to funding. The State Senate recently approved SB 654 which would allow the Rialto Housing Authority to keep all remaining affordable housing funds of the former Redevelopment Agency for use in creating or improving the housing stock. This cash infusion is a one-time event, and when the cash has been exhausted the programs will once again cease.

The Redevelopment Agency office at131 S. Riverside Avenuewill operate for a short while to help wind down the affairs of the former Agency. The former staff of the Agency will be assimilated into the Development Services Department of the City.

City Council Rescinds Purchase and Sale Agreement with Agency for Airport

On January 24, 2012 the City Council authorized the City Attorney to notify the Redevelopment Agency of the City ofRialtothat the purchase and sale agreement between the parties would be rescinded due to the Agency’s inability to perform its obligations. Under the purchase and sale agreement, the Agency was obligated to pay the City upwards of $32 million when the last parcel of land was sold pursuant to the Contract of Sale with Lewis-Hillwood Rialto LLC. Because the state has dissolved the Redevelopment Agency, the Agency will be unable to perform its obligations to the City. As a result, the City ofRialtoexpects to reclaim title of theRialtoMunicipalAirport. Effective February 1, 2012 the Airport resumed operations as a City enterprise.

Target Freezer Distribution Center Commences Grading

Construction is underway on the 450,000 square foot freezer distribution center for Target Stores at Renaissance Parkway andLaurel Avenue. Completion is scheduled for the summer of 2013. Street improvements forAlder Avenue, Renaissance Parkway andLaurel Avenueinclude curb, gutter, sidewalks, streetlights and street widening (paving). In addition, a new traffic signal will be installed at Renaissance Parkway andLaurel Avenue. Street construction will begin onAlder Avenueand Renaissance Parkway. Lane closures may occur any time during construction.Laurel Avenuewill be closed to through traffic at Renaissance Parkway for construction ofLaurel Avenue. Further information of theLaurel Avenueclosure will be provided as construction progresses. Please adhere to all construction safety notices and speed limits during construction.

County of San Bernardino Commences Street/Landscape Improvements on Alder Avenue

Construction of street and landscape improvements at the entry to theCountyLandfillis underway. The project is funded and administered by theCountyofSan Bernardinoand the City ofRialto. Street Improvements forAlder AvenueandCasmalia Avenueinclude curb, gutter, sidewalks, streetlights and street widening (paving). In addition, the Alder/Casmalia intersection will be widened on the northwest corner. Lane closures onAlder AvenueandCasmalia Avenuemay occur at any time. In addition, landscaping is being installed alongCasmalia AvenueandAlder Avenue. Please adhere to all construction safety notices and speed limits during construction.

Under Armour Occupies Warehouse in Prologis 210 Industrial Park

Under Armour announced that they secured a long term lease on a 1.2 million square foot warehouse distribution facility at the ProLogis I-210 industrial park. City staff met with representatives from Under Armour recently to discuss how to expedite permit issuance for tenant improvements. Under Armour indicated that it would begin operations this year in approximately 400,000 square feet then ultimately expand into the entire 1.2 million square foot facility over the next few years. This site will become Under Armour’s West Coast Distribution facility.

Under Armour, headquartered inBaltimore,Maryland, founded in 1996 by formerUniversityofMarylandfootball player Kevin Plank, is a multi-billion dollar company that supplies a wide range of sportswear and casual sports-oriented apparel focusing on hi-tech sportswear to keep athletes cool, dry and light throughout the course of a game, practice or workout.

Revised Lytle Creek Environmental Impact Report to be Released for Public Comment

The Planning Division is scheduled to release the revision to the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) for the Lytle Creek Ranch Project in February 2012. The Lytle Creek Ranch community is comprised of 2,447 acres of land, divided into four distinct neighborhoods and 103 planning areas. Approximately 694 acres within the Specific Plan area are located within theRialtoCitylimits and 1,753 acres within the Specific Plan area are located within unincorporatedSan Bernardino. The neighborhoods are described as follows:

Neighborhood I includes approximately 417 acres of land. A portion of this land (“Sycamore Flats East” and “Sycamore Flats West”) is located within the boundaries of the 3,400 acre Glen Helen Specific Plan (CountyofSan Bernardino). The remaining land in Neighborhood I includes acreage located within the boundaries of the Lytle Creek North Planned Development (CountyofSan Bernardino).

Neighborhood II includes an adult golf course community on approximately 802 acres and includes the entire 221-acre El Rancho Verde Specific Plan area.

Neighborhood III is located south of the I-15 will include a mix of single-family detached and attached homes, as well as Village Center Commercial development on approximately 969 acres.

Neighborhood IV includes multi-family residential and Village Center Commercial development on approximately 259 acres located north of the I-15.

On August 26, 2010, a lawsuit (Endangered Habitats League; Save Lytle Creek Wash v. City of Rialto) was filed challenging the previously certified EIR for Lytle Creek. On September 30, 2011 Superior Court Judge Frank Gafkowski issued a Tentative Ruling which deemed certain sections of the previously certified EIR deficient. The Tentative Ruling was finalized by a Writ of Mandate and a Judgment issued by the Court on October 7, 2011. To satisfy the Court requirements, the City will prepare additional analysis for the EIR including revisions to the Green House Gas Emissions Analysis, the Traffic Impact Analysis and the project alternatives section of the Draft Environmental Impact Report.

The Developer will host a community meeting at 5:30 PM on Thursday, February 16, 2012 atHughbanksElementary School, Multi-Purpose Room,2241 North Apple Avenue,Rialto,CA92377. The community meeting will be one of several opportunities to comment on the revisions to the DEIR for the project. The meeting will feature “go-at-your-own-pace” stations staffed by the applicant’s team to answer questions about the project. City staff will also be present to receive public comments regarding the revised portion of the DEIR.

Code Enforcement Accolades for Burrtec Support
Code Enforcement Officers often come into contact with homes that have an abundance of trash and debris in and around the property. Usually, the tenants or owners who have neglected the problem can take care of it themselves. But on occasion we run into people who are overwhelmed and have little or no support including the elderly, the sick, and families under financial distress. As an alternative to citing the resident with fines they cannot afford, we offer an option that not only eliminates the nuisance but also creates stronger relationships with our citizens. The City ofRialto graciously offers a courtesy trash bin to our residents when it is deemed necessary and the violations are deemed detrimental to public health and safety. That’s where Burrtec Waste Industries have been extremely helpful.

For the last 5 years, Burrtec has helped Rialto Code Enforcement Officers whenever assistance is needed. Sometimes only a small 3 cubic yard bin eliminates the nuisance but often a 40 foot bin is needed to remove the extraordinary amount of debris. Burrtec has allowed the Code Enforcement officers to quickly assist our residents in a “time of need.” The City ofRialtoextends its gratitude to Burrtec Waste Industries who make it possible to assist disadvantaged residents while improving the quality of life for the citizens ofRialto.

Public Works Department

Facility Maintenance Division

The Facility Maintenance Division has been assisting the Police Department with the installation of surveillance cameras at all City parks in an effort to reduce issues with vandalism.

Fire Station No. 202

Fire Station No. 202 is currently under construction with an anticipated completion in late March. Delay was due to SCE transformer pad issues. The work remaining is the final painting, the concrete pavement and all finishing touches. The installation of the new traffic signal onRiverside Avenuein front of the new Fire Station 202 is scheduled to begin in February.

FY 2011/2012 Curb, Gutter & Sidewalk Program

As part of the department’s annual program, the next Curb, Gutter and Sidewalk project for FY 2011/2012 is currently in the design phase.

FY 2011/2012 Overlay Program

As part of the department’s annual program, the next Overlay project for FY 2011/2012 is currently in the design phase.

Fergusson Park Improvements Project

Construction of the Fergusson Park Improvements is scheduled to be completed by the end of February. The park improvements included two lighted football fields with bleachers, a basketball court, skate park, and a new concession building in addition to other park amenities.

Pacific Electric Inland Empire Trail (Rails to Trails) Project from Maple to Cactus Avenue

The “Rails to Trails” project is in the final stage of design. Public Works staff is reviewing the final design Plans and Specifications. It’s anticipated that the project will go out to bid for construction in the coming month. The project includes construction of an eleven (11) foot concrete trail along with landscape betweenMaple AvenueandCactus Avenue.

Trickleside Alley Improvements

The Trickleside Alley Improvements at the downtown area is in the design phase. Public Works staff is reviewing the 50% Plans and Specifications. The design is schedule to be completed by the end of April 2012. The alley improvements include replacement of the water main and reconstruction of the alley pavement.

Solid Waste Management News

On January 28, 2012 Solid Waste held the free dump day for the first quarter of 2012. They also served 191 residents at the Household Hazardous Waste site. Below is a list of the stats from those events:

Free Dump Day:

572 tires were collected from residents or picked up by our crews in alleys and fields throughout the City.
9.25 tons of illegally dumped debris was cleaned up by our crews in alleys and fields.
Cal Mirco Recycling assisted 217 residents by taking 186 CRT’s (TV’s/monitors) and 5,925 pounds of other electronic items at the drop off site in the Civic Center south parking lot.

Household Hazardous Waste:

780 gallons of used motor oil
9 pallets of paint
9 drums of misc. poisons and other toxic liquids
Approx. 50 auto batteries.

In addition to the above items, residents brought a box-truck load of usable items that was collected by the Salvation Army.

Liga International – The Flying Doctors of Mercy:

The special collection for January received 4 truckloads of usable medical equipment fromRialto residents which will be used to aide residents in rural locations inMexico.

Free Dump Day Voucher

Due to the closure of the Mid Valley Landfill on the January 28^th Free Dump Day as a result of high winds, the City of Rialto will be issuing Free Dump Vouchers to Rialto residents. The voucher will be good for the disposal of one free load at the Mid Valley Landfill and will be valid through Wednesday, February 29th. Residents that are interested can come to the City Administrator’s office at City Hall,150 S. Palm Avenue, or to the Waste Management office at246 S. Willow Avenue to pick up a voucher. Proof of residency must be provided at the time of obtaining a voucher. For further information please call (909) 421-7221.

GANG INJUNCTION

10 Feb 2012 Leave a comment

by rialto-now in ARMC, Budget, Ca, City of Rialto, davidsMarketing, Family, Flores Park, Fontana PD, Layoffs, Military, Nieghborhood Watch, Protest, Public Safety, Rialto Fire, Rialto Police Department, rialto unified school district, RUSD, SWAT, The Circle Vision Quest, youth

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release Contact: Grace B. Parsons

Deputy District Attorney

Office: (909) 891-3584

Date: February 9, 2012

JUDGE GRANTS PERMANENT GANG INJUNCTION IN RIALTO

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. – Teams of law enforcement officers from the District Attorney’s Bureau of Investigation and the Rialto Police Department served copies of a permanent gang injunction order today to 19 members of the Rialto-based Hustla Squad Clicc criminal gang.

On Oct. 14, 2011, the Honorable Judge David Cohn of the Superior Court of San Bernardino granted the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s request for a Permanent Injunction against the Hustla Squad Clicc criminal street gang. The permanent injunction replaces the court’s previous, preliminary injunction, which was issued on Sept. 8, 2011.

The terms of the permanent injunction are the same as those in the preliminary injunction. Such gang injunction suits are civil in nature, premised on the legal theory that gang activities constitute a public nuisance. The Hustla Squad Clicc criminal street gang has plagued the citizens of Rialto since 2005. Its members have committed numerous crimes, ranging from armed robberies and grand thefts to drug dealing, burglary, and murder.

The terms of the injunction prohibit Huslta Squad Clicc gang members from various activities within the Safety Zone, including associating with one another in public, obstructing the free passage of others, possessing weapons or drugs, graffiti, and the display of gang signs, attire, or tattoos. The Safety Zone is just over four square miles, and is bounded by sections of Merrill Avenue, Sycamore Avenue, Cactus Avenue, Rialto Avenue, Maple Avenue, Etiwanda Avenue, and Easton Street (see attached map).

“As the elected district attorney of this county, I refuse to sit back and let these local terrorists try to claim our streets and intimidate our citizens,” said District Attorney Michael A. Ramos. “It should be painfully obvious by now to these gangsters that we are coming after them, and we’re coming hard.”

The End of Redevelopment

25 Jan 2012 Leave a comment

by rialto-now in Budget, Ca, City of Rialto, Currupt, davidsMarketing, Family, Flores Park, Fun, Holidays, In & Out, Layoffs, Lazy, Nieghborhood Watch, Protest, Public Safety, RDA, Rialto Fire, Rialto Police Department, rialto unified school district, RUSD, SWAT, Taxes, The Circle Vision Quest, youth

The End of Redevelopment

The Rialto Redevelopment Agency will close its doors on February 1, 2012 along with all

other redevelopment agencies in the State of California. The elimination of redevelopment

will mean the end to the City’s most powerful economic development tool, as well as the

death to several major infrastructure and affordable housing projects that would have

ultimately created thousands of new jobs for the community. The termination of the

Agency will also result in the demise of many existing loan and grant programs that helped

revitalize and improve older commercial and residential properties in the City.

When Governor Brown took office in January, 2011 he proposed to abolish redevelopment

to help resolve California’s $25 billion budget deficit. After months of legislative wrangling,

a compromise was reached with the enactment of two bills: ABX1 26 and ABX1 27. The

first bill, (ABX1 26), eliminated redevelopment agencies statewide, while the second bill

(ABX1 27) authorized reinstatement by each agency upon the agreement to make certain

“voluntary” payments for the benefit of the State. Following the passage of ABX1 26 and

ABX1 27, the California Redevelopment Association (CRA), League of California Cites

(League), and several independent cities filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of

the two laws. CRA and the League argued that the two budget bills violated Proposition

1A (2004), Proposition 22 (2010), and the California Constitution.

On December 29, 2011, the California State Supreme Court handed down its decision that

ABX1 26, which eliminated redevelopment agencies statewide, was a constitutional

exercise of the Legislature’s authority. The Court opined that if the Legislature had the

right to create redevelopment, then it also had the right to eliminate redevelopment

agencies. The Court opined that ABX1 27 – which would have allowed agencies to

reactivate if they made “voluntary” payments to the State – was unconstitutional. The

Court indicated that the payment was not voluntary and therefore violated Proposition 22.

The Court also rejected the argument that the two bills were inseparably linked.

Although many legislators have indicated support for new legislation to continue some of

the basic goals of redevelopment, such as affordable housing, infrastructure and job

creation, it is unlikely that the Legislature will approve any such legislation prior to

February 1, 2012, the date upon which the Agency will cease to exist.

In accordance with the Court’s ruling, the Rialto Redevelopment Agency will be dissolved

on February 1, 2012. A Successor Agency will be created to provide basic administrative

support in the dissolution process. A seven member Oversight Board, which will be

controlled by County of San Bernardino and various School District appointees, will

oversee the payment of all existing obligations, the liquidation of all current assets of the

Agency, and disposition of all proceeds and unencumbered funds to various state taxing

entities. For additional information on the dissolution of the Agency and the creation of the

Successor Agency, please contact John Dutrey at (909) 879-1151.

Rialto In & Out

07 Jan 2012 Leave a comment

by rialto-now in Budget, Ca, City of Rialto, Currupt, davidsMarketing, Family, Flores Park, Fun, In & Out, Layoffs, Lazy, Nieghborhood Watch, Protest, Public Safety, RDA, The Circle Vision Quest, Uncategorized, youth

Where of where has our In & Out gone, oh where oh where will it be.

Will we ever see this sign in Rialto??????

From the looks of things it’s not going to happen at least not in Rialto. With the end of Rialtos Redevelopment Agency as of February 1st Rialto has lost its advocate to attract new and interesting businesses. City council has the Indoor swap meet and Liquor stores firmly cemented here.

For ages our council memebers have failed to sell Rialto, and now one wants us to elect him to Amina Carters Assembly Seat. (Pictured on the Left)

Come 2-1-2012 who is going to advocate for Rialto and bring in businesses that can draw tax revenue and have us shopping HERE.

A lot of them are up for re-election this year and we need to send the message we want to see forward progress not same old same old. Mr. Story the city Administrator made a comment at the Area 1 Command meeting that he can’t do more with less just try and remain the same.

The only problem with that statement is if we don’t attract new business and try and bring in tax base support we will never see a better Rialto. In this economy with a rocky residential climate you cant and its not fair to try and do everything on the backs of residents.

Fergusen Park

07 Jan 2012 2 Comments

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

Fergusson Park in Rialto Gets $6 Million Upgrade

Fergusson Park is one of nine city parks in Rialto. Besides the new amenities the developed eight acres of the park include an existing basketball court, a quarter-mile walking track, a picnic area, two tennis courts, horseshoe pits, a tot playground, and a softball field. The new restroom building will add to one serving the eight acres already developed.

Rialto, CA (PRWEB) October 9, 2010

A $6 million upgrade, including two new football fields, begins at Alec Fergusson Park on Oct. 11.

The city of Rialto intends to complete this upgrade in October 2011. Fergusson Park is at 2395 W. Sunrise, near West Casa Grande Avenue and North Alder Street.

“We will be more than doubling the usable area of Fergusson Park,” said Recreation and Community Services Director Larry Thornburg. “Eight acres of this 18-acre park were previously developed. This project develops the remaining 10 acres.”

Besides the football fields, new amenities for Fergusson Park include a skateboard area, playground, picnic areas, additional parking lot, an additional basketball court, and a snack bar/restroom building.

Rialto contractor Robert Clapper Construction submitted the successful bid for this project.

“We at R.C. Construction are very excited at the opportunity to provide construction services for our ‘home town’ here in the City of Rialto,” said Company President Robert Clapper. “Our corporate headquarters are located less then a mile from the park so that gives us a great chance to pay special attention to the project. We hope residents will enjoy this park for years to come.”

Funds for this park are from a $6.3 million community improvement bond the Rialto Redevelopment Agency obtained in 2008.

Fergusson Park is one of nine city parks in Rialto. Besides the new amenities the developed eight acres of the park include an existing basketball court, a quarter-mile walking track, a picnic area, two tennis courts, horseshoe pits, a tot playground, and a softball field. The new restroom building will add to one serving the eight acres already developed.

The other Rialto City Parks are:

Andreson Park features a playground, walking track, three large picnic shelters and a basketball court. Andreson Park, 726 S. Lilac: Features here include a quarter-mile walking track, a basketball court, playground equipment for small children and three large picnic shelters.

Youth baseball lovers of all ages will enjoy the amenities at Bud Bender Park in Rialto. Photo by Chris Sloan Bud Bender Park, 300 N. Lilac Ave., which has Little League and Pony League baseball fields, and a T-Ball field. It also has a picnic area.

Roger Birdsall Park, 2611 N. Linden Ave., has two Little League ball fields and one for T-Ball. It also offers a picnic area and a children’s playground.

Jerry Eaves Park, 1485 N. Ayala Ave., has 15 soccer fields, three large picnic shelters and several smaller picnic areas, and a children’s playground.

Flores Park includes a children’s playground, picnic area and walking track. Photo by Chris Sloan Flores Park, 1020 W. Etiwanda Ave., has a picnic area, children’s playground and a quarter-mile walking track.

Frisbie Park includes three Little League and two girls’ softball fields, as well as picnic areas, playground equipment and basketball courts.

Frisbie Park, 19901 N. Acacia Ave., has three Little League fields and three girl’s softball fields, picnic areas, playground equipment and basketball courts.

Margaret Todd Park, 201 N. Willow St., has a skate park for skateboarding and roller-skating, picnic areas and open space.

Rialto City Park includes baseball fields, a football field, picnic areas and playground equipment. Rialto City Park, 130 E. San Bernardino Ave., has one football field, one Pony League field and one Little League field. It also has picnic areas, playground equipment and an outdoor stage.

Although the City of Rialto is located in the middle of one of the nation’s fastest growing regions, it has retained a small town atmosphere and similar quality of life. Rialto is an ethnically diverse and progressive community, which boasts several unique community assets including its own police and fire departments, a city-owned racquet and fitness center, performing arts theater, a community center and senior center. Rialto is near mountains, beaches, deserts and other recreational areas.

Rialto’s housing mix and home costs are some of the most affordable in the southern California region. First-time homebuyers find Rialto more affordable than almost any other comparable community in the region. Executives and those seeking high-end homes also find they can purchase much more home for their money in Rialto. This lower cost of living in Rialto also translates into more discretionary income for residents, thus benefiting retailers and service providers.

For more information about Rialto, Calif. go to http://www.ci.rialto.ca.us or call (909) 820-2525.

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.

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.

The latest on Rialto Fire Dept and the City of Rialto

29 Sep 2011 1 Comment

by rialto-now in Budget, City of Rialto, Family, Layoffs, Protest, Public Safety, Rialto Fire, Taxes

First off my question to our council:

Now in my opinion I don’t believe that we can afford any layoffs, especially
with the new fire station still not completed. Layoffs are going to force
overtime a lot of overtime and I vividly remember Mr Scott bocking at the amount
of overtime the fire dept had last year in comparison to PD. Keep working with
the fire fighters, don’t try to show your strength through ultimatums and fear
tactics.

Finally I wasn’t at the last council meeting but I would have come un glued
if I had to hear people comparing what a fire fighter makes a year, How much
money should one make when they put their lives on the line daily for complete
strangers?

Why dosent the 8% Utility Tax go for public safety anymore?

I await your comments, nothing will be taken out of context I only seek
honest open dialogue.

*****************************************************************************

What I found out is sad and makes me wish I was at the last council meeting and not fighting crowds at work.

First off according to a source from inside the Fire Dept. there were a lot of friends of Ed Scott at the council meeting. These people got up and were saying that fire fighters make 300 K a year and implying that we could do better to cut their salaries and get rid of some. Now I know this is hard for some of you to understand if you have never been in harm’s way, but let me tell you it takes a special person stand firm and charge forward in the face of danger. Yes I know they knew what they were getting into when they signed up for the job but even so they do what most of us don’t want to and some of us are incapable. It takes the courage of a bear to rush into a fire to save a life heck it takes balls just to get within 50 feet. My friends and I were somewhat ambulance chasers in our youth, the last time we did it was to a house engulfed in flames from the opposite side of the street with the windows up the heat was intense and scary, I would never want the job of rushing into that mess to save other homes, lives or one of their own.

Ok so not every call is a fire, ok. How much of a strong stomach and clear mind would you need to care for an accident victim that was just thrown from a moving vehical? How would you react to the job of being the one responsible for caring for a gun shot victim, that is a cop that later died, what kind of resolve does that require?

We can talk about how to find creative ways to keep fire fighters working, but I refuse to allow people to try to put a price on how much a man or woman is worth that is willing to risk their own lives just to save a stranger.

Now to the Utility Tax. We pay 8% on our utilities every month which is supposed to go to Fire and Police, that was a selling point they think they don’t have to adhere to. Now let me be out front I voted no on this for 2 reasons. 1 not everyone had to pay it senior citizens were exempt, don’t they use the same services we do? 2 I knew this was going to happen where we found out that it didn’t go to public safety and we would be here in a hole trying to lay off public safety officers.

More to come visit the Facebook page to get up to the date info:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rialto-Residents-for-Rialto-Fire-Department/145275045567795