by rialto-now in Ca, Centurion Security Patrol, City of Rialto, davidsMarketing, Ed palmer, Ed Scott, Edgar Montes, Family, Family Sports, Flores Park, Fun, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Davids-Marketing/156816741049580, Inland Empire, Joe Baca Jr, Mike Story, Nieghborhood Watch, Public Safety, Rialto Fire, Rialto Police Department, rialto unified school district, RUSD, SCAT, Small Business, Street Crime Attack Team, SWAT, youth Tags: Rialto pd

Watch Santa come in from the sky on a helicopter.

Flores Park Neighborhood Watch Meeting

11 Dec 2012 Leave a comment

by rialto-now in Burglury, Ca, Centurion Security Patrol, City of Rialto, Crime, Family, Family Sports, Flores Park, Inland Empire, Mike Story, Nieghborhood Watch, Public Safety, Rialto, Rialto Fire, Rialto Police Department, rialto unified school district, RUSD, SCAT, Shawn O'Connell, Street Crime Attack Team, SWAT, youth Tags: community liason, neighborhood watch programs, utility users tax

We will be meeting this Saturday at firestation 203 on Ayala Ave for a Neighborhood Watch Meeting

Join the event on Facebook @ http://www.facebook.com/events/474866402555996/

We will be discussing the following:

Crime

Importance of the UUT (Utility Users Tax)

Holiday Safety

Looking for additional leadership

Special Guests in attendance:

Cpl Rob Muir – Current and long standing Rialto PD Liason for Flores Park Neighborhood Watch

Community Liason Officer Cameron Nelson – In a new position within Rialto PD in an effort to bring the community and PD closer and help residents with interior problems. Also he will have a holiday Safety Presentation.

Lt Andy Karol – New Area Commander for Area 1 great leader and he is a strong supporter of the community and Neighborhood Watch Programs

Councilman Elect Shawn O’Connell – Great new addition to the city council and strong supporter of the Neighborhood Watch Program

Since the Meeting will be at the firestation we would invite residents to bring a new unwrapped toy to the meeting for the “SPARK OF LOVE TOY DRIVE”

Please invite your freinds and family even if they dont live in the flores park area all are welcome.

David Phillips

NW Captain

Flores Park Area

Perchlorate Settlement News

10 Dec 2012 Leave a comment

by rialto-now in American Cancer Society, Budget, Ca, Cancer, City of Rialto, Ed Scott, Family, Flores Park, Inland Empire, perchlorate, perchlorate cleanup settlements, Rialto, Uncategorized, Water Tags: city documents, climate, ed scott, environment, science, water basin

In response to this article below by Ryan Hagen I reached out to now former Councilman Ed Scott that has been the lead person for Rialto on the perchlorate cleanup settlements. Here is his email statement on this issue:

The settlement announced by the US EPA is important for several reasons not discussed in the Sun Newspaper. The 50 million announced is just part of the overall settlement. This settlement will bring 4.7 million directly to Rialto along with the $500,000 in the PSI settlement and end the appeals against the County. Rialto settlement bring another 4 million In total this brings 9.2 million dollars which will used by Rialto to refund perchlorate surcharges to Rialto’s water users who have been bay the surcharge for the last 10 years. For my household for example this would mean up to an $879.00 refund to my family. Additionally with this settlement in December the City Council will be able to end the perchlorate surcharge on your water bill.

More importantly this will bring a clean up of our water basin to be paid for by responsible parties. The combination of the County clean up system and the Emhart system will cost the parties over 110 million dollars.

This is a huge victory for Rialto and its residents as the council member who has dedicated a great deal of my time on these settlements I thank the Council for having the faith in me to accomplish these settlements. Their persistence and courage is something the residents should be proud of.

As I say good bye to the City Council and its residents I Am proud to be able to say we are done with the perchlorate litigation.

Ed Scott

Mayor Pro Tem

What came out in the Sun Newspaper today has the possibility to be troubling due to the current fears over revenues in a city struggling to remain afloat. Here are the apparent comments from city staff according to the SUN:

According to city documents, the elimination of the surcharge will reduce the scheduled Jan. 1 monthly water rate from $46.59 to $35.54, for the “typical single family residence.”

The surcharge elimination will cut revenues by roughly $892,000 for the remainder of fiscal 2012-13, according to city staff.

Whatever the case NOW is the time to get involved in the issues plaguing our city, the time of sitting idly by not getting involved are gone. If Rialto is REALLY your home and you want to see it succeed YOU must get involved. There are many ways to get involved if you don’t know how contact us here by emailing rialtonw@aol.com and we will help you plug in.

EPA, companies reach agreement over contaminated water at Rialto Superfund site

Ryan Hagen, Staff Writersbsun.com

Posted: 12/05/2012 12:23:18 PM PST

RIALTO – Nine companies and the Defense Department have agreed to pay about $50million to clean 160 acres of contaminated water, a milestone in a lawsuit with decades-long roots.The Environmental Protection Agency, one of the parties in the suit to clean the B.F. Goodrich Superfund Site, announced Wednesday that it had made an agreement with Emhart Industries, Pyro Spectaculars and others it considers responsible for perchlorate and trichloroethylene that caused the closure of drinking wells in Rialto and Colton.

“We now have a commitment from companies to fund the cleanup and the companies – the parties – rather than the residents of Rialto or Colton or the federal government are paying for cleanup work at the site,” said Wayne Praskins, the EPA’s project manager for the site. “It also helps ensure a safe, dependable supply of drinking water for residents in the area.”

The agreement, filed Tuesday, gives responsibility for the first portion of cleanup to Emhart Industries, which bought a company that reportedly released perchlorate – a chemical that may disrupt the thyroid’s ability to produce hormones needed for normal growth – as it manufactured flares and other pyrotechnics during the 1950s at the Rialto site.

Emhart and other settling parties – the Defense Department and more than six companies – will pay whatever that costs, estimated at $43million. Rialto and Colton will split $8million, with Rialto getting slightly more, according to attorney Danielle Sakai of Best Best & Krieger in Riverside, who represents Colton in the suit.

That will cover 30 years of designing, building and operating groundwater wells, treatment systems and other equipment that will first stop the spread of perchlorate and trichloroethylene – TCE, an industrial cleaning solvent that may damage the nervous system, liver and lungs if ingested or breathed, according to the agreement.

“The cleanup will probably continue for decades because the science of groundwater is once pollutants get into the groundwater, it takes a long time to get them out,” Praskins said. “Once the cleanup facilities are built and start operating, at that point we will have stopped any further spread.

“That’s our short-term goal. The goal is to clean it up to the point that water can be used at some point in the future without having to clean it further.”

Rialto and Colton, which had sued the companies in 2004, joined the agreement and called it a large victory that would lead to others.

“This is a long, hard fight that was all about getting clean drinking water for Colton residents,” said Sakai. “This is something that has been going on for a long time, and we’re pleased that we’re working our way toward a resolution.”

The agreement follows another in March that requires payment of a combined $4.3million to the EPA by Pyro Spectaculars Inc. and other companies.

The EPA initially listed five parties – Emhart, PSI, Ken Thompson Inc., Chung Ming Wong and B.F. Goodrich – as responsible for decades of potentially hazardous waste dumped at the site when it made it eligible for federal funding by adding it to the EPA National Priorities List in 2009.

B.F. Goodrich is the largest company that still has not made an agreement, but negotiations are in the “details” phase and should be finalized within months, Praskins said.

ryan.hagen@inlandnewspapers.com, 909-386-3916, @sbcitynow

Coffee with the Chief Rialto PD

07 Dec 2012 Leave a comment

by rialto-now in Andy Carrizales, Assemblymember-Elect Cheryl Brown, Burglury, Ca, Centurion Security Patrol, City of Rialto, davidsMarketing, Dr. Michael Neeki, Edgar Montes, Inland Empire, Josef (Joe) Britt, Josie Gonzales, Mike Story, Nieghborhood Watch, Party, Public Safety, Rialto Police Department, SCAT, Shawn O'Connell, Street Crime Attack Team, SWAT, youth Tags: baseline, carrows, coffee, willow

Coffee with the Chief will be at Carrows on the Corner of Baseline and Willow 12-11-12

Carter Boys Winner at Tournament

06 Dec 2012 Leave a comment

by rialto-now in City of Rialto, Edgar Montes, Rialto, rialto unified school district, RUSD

Carter boys soccer wins Oak Hills Tournament

Posted on December 2, 2012 by Pete Marshall

Although Kaiser’s CIF-SS football title was the big news Saturday, Carter’s boys soccer team won the Oak Hills Tournament, beating Lake Elsinore Lakeside 2-1 on in thrilling fashion with a goal in the final seconds by Ruben Gonzalez.

Here’s a photo of the celebration, courtesy of coach Dario Navarro.

Swearing in & Reception Ceremony City of Rialto

06 Dec 2012 Leave a comment

by rialto-now in Andy Carrizales, Assemblymember-Elect Cheryl Brown, Budget, Ca, City of Rialto, davidsMarketing, Deborah Robertson, Ed palmer, Family, Family Sports, Flores Park, Inland Empire, Party, Rialto, rialto unified school district, Shawn O'Connell, www.careervisionbyjamie.com, youth Tags: entertainment

Below is a invitation from the newest member of Rialto’s City Council Shawn O’Connell. If you can’t make the reception and meeting watch the council meeting its somthing I know you will enjoy.

Councilman Elect Shawn O’Connell

Good morning,
I just wanted to extend an invitation to my swearing in ceremony that will take place on December 11, 2012.

Reception (food/drink);

When: Dec 11, 2012 4-6pm

Where: Rialto Library

251 W 1st St

Rialto, 92376

Swearing In;

When: Dec 11, 2012 6pm

Where: Rialto City Council

150 S Palm Ave

Rialto, 92376

(Note: walking distance from Library. Both events are open to the public).

If you are available, I would love to share this moment with you.

Sincerely,

Shawn O’Connell

Press Release from Rialto Water Services (WasteWater)

05 Dec 2012 Leave a comment

by rialto-now in Bad Commerce, Budget, Ca, Cancer, City of Rialto, Currupt, Inland Empire, June Hayes, Megan Matson, Mike Story, mmatson@t-rockcap.com, Rialto, Sheet Metal Workers Union, Sonia Axter, SOSRialtoWater@gmail.com, Table Rock Capital, Ullico, Uncategorized, wwwstoprialtowaterratehikes.com Tags: climate, environment, transportation, water

Rialto Water Services selects Veolia Water

to upgrade and operate City of Rialto’s water, wastewater services

Partnership will focus on updating City’s infrastructure and adding efficiencies

RIALTO, Calif., December 3, 2012 – Rialto Water Services has selected Veolia Water West Operating Services (Veolia) to improve, operate and maintain the City’s water and wastewater services.

Under a public-private concession agreement signed between the City and RWS in March of 2012, RWS will manage the Veolia contract and oversee a $41 million capital improvements program improving the cost efficiency, compliance, water quality, and reliability of the City’s wastewater and water systems for the 30-year life of the concession. The capital improvements program produces 445 construction jobs, and all affected City employees have accepted jobs at Veolia.

The RWS concession refinances the City’s aging water and wastewater systems, and provides the capital necessary to fix and replace water and sewer lines, develop necessary new infrastructure and seismic upgrades, improve cost efficiencies, and provide lease payments back to the City supporting additional economic development and jobs locally. Rialto retains full ownership of the water and wastewater systems, control and ownership of the water supply and water rights, and transparent public authority over all rate setting.

For RWS, Veolia was a natural choice as Operator, considering Veolia’s 40-year history in California and 9 years providing environmental services and employment to Rialto residents as operator of the City’s wastewater plant and collection system.

Neighboring West Valley Water District will take an expanded leadership role on the City’s water supply side, heading up the perchlorate remediation to ensure the continued safety of the water supply, and expansion of the City’s water capacity. West Valley will continue to serve the balance of Rialto’s residents, and to innovate with the City on the 2013 debut of the nation’s first bioremediation plant approved for drinking water.

“The RWS partnership ensures that the City’s water and wastewater infrastructure is upgraded and run in the most cost-efficient manner, while also laying the groundwork for new economic development,” says City Administrator Mike Story. “We’ve worked with Veolia for years in the community, and with West Valley on water supply and treatment, and this arrangement allows for both continuity and improvement in the water resource and wastewater service, and assures us that the total commitment to the residents of the City of Rialto is met.”

Under the contract, Veolia Water will operate and manage (O&M) a sewer collection system consisting of more than 260 miles of pipeline, six lift stations, and a wastewater treatment plant currently operating at approximately eight million gallons per day. Veolia Water will also provide O&M services for the City’s water system, with a total user population estimated to be approximately 50,000. The water system includes five water reservoirs, distribution, eight groundwater wells, and related pumping infrastructure.

“We’ve worked with Rialto for almost 10 years and have established a relationship of trust that supports the community’s economic vitality,” said Laurent Auguste, president and CEO, Veolia Water Americas. “Rialto is taking the right step in restoring and improving its infrastructure, and we’re excited for the opportunity to help them through our new and expanded role.”

The financial backing and structuring of Rialto’s groundbreaking public-private concession was provided by San Francisco-based Table Rock Capital, led by Peter Luchetti. RWS is jointly owned with an affiliate of the labor-owned financial services company, Ullico Inc.

“With the loss of redevelopment financing, creative partnerships such as these are increasingly critical to communities who want to restore infrastructure, gain efficiencies, and get a competitive edge when it comes to creating jobs and economic growth,” said Luchetti.

Story praised all of the partners in the deal: “Table Rock has worked hard to back and structure this and get it right for Rialto, and we’re glad to see Veolia stepping in to take a supportive, expanded role in our community. Then the expertise West Valley brings to the City to manage the perchlorate remediation and ensure our water quality and supply is invaluable.”

###

Contact:

Steve Lambert, The 20/20 Network for Veolia/RWS, 909.841.7527, steve@the2020network.com

Mike Story, City of Rialto, 909.820.2525, mstory@rialtoca.gov

Megan Matson, Table Rock Capital, 415.497.2320, mmatson@t-rockcap.com

Sonia Axter, Ullico, 917.293.6754, saxter@ullico.com

Deborah Robertson & the Utility Users Tax

02 Dec 2012 4 Comments

by rialto-now in Bad Commerce, Budget, Ca, City of Rialto, Currupt, davidsMarketing, Deborah Robertson, Ed palmer, Ed Scott, Family, Grace Vargas, Inland Empire, Joe Baca Jr, Layoffs, Lazy, Protest, Public Safety, Rialto Fire, Rialto Police Department, SCAT, Street Crime Attack Team, SWAT, Uncategorized, youth

So on Tuesdays Council Meeting we had some serious shenanigans going on.

Pshing our police into the brink of disaster

Pushing our police into the brink of disaster

Council Woman Robertson had made statements prior to Tuesdays meeting that she was demanding that Rialto PD pay their full 9% pension costs or she would be the one to vote no on placing the extension of the UUT on the march ballot. So what did the Police do? They did what was in the best interest of the citizens and agreed to pay their full pensions.

So since she got what she wanted the she voted yes, right? Nope she clearly wanted more. She still voted no citing that she wants the police to do more.

After her no vote the council went straight into another closed session. While in the closed session Rialto Police Benefit Association President Richard Royce debunked the notion the police offer was anything more than their way of helping the city and Community and had no conditions as stated by George Harris with city staff. When asked what more does she want Royce said he had no idea.

Our police have given massive concessions over the years from loosing uniform allowances, cost if living, pay reduction and now paying their full retirement.

So after closed session they decided to go with our wishy washy city attorney Jimmy Gutierrez new interpretation of the law regarding just when this vote must happen. For the longest time they have said this vote must be done by the end of November. Jimmy stated that it’s his offices interpretation that they have until December 8th. Why it changed is indicative of what we saw Tuesday.

First off we saw council woman Robertson and city attorney Gutierrez having a dozen side conversations.

Second we saw council woman Robertson bring up the opportunity to delay this vote prior to rejecting it with her no vote.

So now they postponed the vote or finalizing the vote till Monday it leads us to ask what more does she want? Whatever it was she got it and its big, so big no one will speak if it. Not even off record!

The good part is in a message from Deborah Robertson she has been satisfied with the pound of flesh and blood she let from our police to vote with the fellow council members on Monday.

Here is what she said to me:

The changes have already been resolved. RPBA met with me and we appear to be good on my end and they indicated they are good as well. It was a good meeting!

These are 2 text messages she sent to me.

Everyone watch this council meeting Monday and let’s see if she finally lets the residents have a say.

Also check back Wednesday to hear how Deborah Robertson and George Harris plan to raise your trash bill……..