Russel Sliva | rialtonow

National Night Out in Rialto & the Inland Empire

09 Aug 2015 Leave a comment

Well if you were unaware National Night Out the nationwide event to snuff out crime and to foster positive relationships between the community and Law Enforcement was on August 4th. Many cities locally took part in this years event but not as many as years past.

Rialto, Fontana, Grand Terrace, & San Bernardino all had National Night Out festival events this year. Cities like Riverside & Upland encouraged their communities to hold individual block parties and public safety personnel traveled from event to event.

On the large festival side Rialto came out as a top performer with the amount of items offered all in one area. Two of the biggest draws every year are the rides in police cars (no handcuffs required) and the Gourmet Food Trucks secured by Market Solution Services.

Probably the best music all night was the live music preformed by All Star National Anthem Performer Alexa Capelli who not only sang the National Anthem see it here but also preformed some awesome music for the crowd (see her performances on our Youtube Channel). Once she began to sing the crowd came up to the stage Leslie Parks of Rialto said “I have never heard such a powerful voice in my life” and little Stephanie Ramirez age 8 said “one day I want to be as pretty as her and sing just like her”.

Other awesome live performers brought by Lil Saint Productions were Elizabeth R Estrella and Christian Rapper Carl Fontaine. Rialto Police appear to spare no expense in putting this event together. We heard that the planning meeting was a all hands on deck type of feel.

Close on Rialto’s heels was the Lydo Apartments & ATAP After School Program that held the only large National Night Out program in San Bernardino August 4th. The San Bernardino program offered a lot of what Rialto offered and promised to step it up and put San Bernardino on the map.

Other large events were in Grand Terrace, Montclair and Fontana. Fontana held their event at Fontana Park in the area known as Summit. They had vendors, food and Mc Gruff the Crime Dog. Kids got to get there face painted and take pictures with police officer and many different vehicles. See a great photo from Edward Ornelas below.

Held on August 8th was the National Night Out event in Perris Ca. Perris Mayor Daryl Busch said residents will gain a new appreciation for law enforcement and public safety at National Night Out.

“It is a great, and I want to emphasize great, outreach effort on the part of our public safety folks to show all the varied aspects of their jobs,” Busch said. “Most people only see police on motorcycles or in patrol cars, but this event provide the chance to view the full spectrum of services they provide to our community.”

Perris officials we’re on hand to accept a plaque for their continuing support of law enforcement and public safety. The day’s activities included static displays, food and drink vendors, as well as games and jumpers for children. Taken from http://www.cityofperris.org/news/2015_stories/08-04-15_national-night-out.html

There were cities that went with the smaller block parties but Riverside had over 20 block parties going on all over the city. Upland also went the block party route and Councilwoman Carol Timm posted on Facebook pictures of her and public safety officials going from block party to block party.

Some remarked that it is vital that Upland gets in and around the community as the Pro Drug Lobby is currently working to attack the Ordnance that Upland has to ban Medical Marijuana shops in the city of Upland.

No matter what city your in one thing is true we need to stop fighting our Public Safety officers and we need to collaborate together to help make everyone’s life more enjoyable.

Video by rialto-now

Last City Council Meeting of 2014

07 Dec 2014 Leave a comment

by rialto-now in Ca, City of Rialto, Community Coalition, Deborah Robertson, Ed Scott, Inland Empire, Lillie Houston, Public Safety, Rialto, Rialto, Rialto Fire, Rialto Police Department, Russel Sliva, Shawn O'Connell, yap, youth

Well 2014 came and went pretty quick. It was a year that was full of tasty tid bits that promise to carry over into 2015 and beyond.

Tuesday’s meeting will include the following:

Swearing in of a new council member – Ed Scott

Presentations from the following groups:

1. International Association of Chiefs of Police/Motorola Webber- Seavey Award for Quality in Law Enforcement-Police Chief Tony Farrar

2. Presentation-Rialto Firefighters Breast Cancer Awareness Donations and Impact-Fire Captain Matt Blanco

3. Presentation-Rialto Community Coalition-Michael Townsend

(This presentation will be a update on the Rialto Community Coalition’s highly successful #Sober Skater event)

www,facebook.com/rialtocoalition

4. Resolution Recognizing Retirement-Rialto Board President

Joanne T. Gilbert-Mayor Deborah Robertson

The tab items include Easements, Grant writing, Sale of land approval for a Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf and Approving the next year of the Security Guard Contract.

Rialto Community Coalition brings #SoberSkater Event to Rialto Teens

14 Nov 2014 Leave a comment

by rialto-now in and the unincorporated communities of Bloomington and Muscoy, Ca, Chief Mat Fratus, City of Rialto, Colton, Community Coalition, Crime, davidsMarketing, Ferguson Park, Flores Park, Flores Park Neighborhood Watch, Fontana, Food Trucks, Grand Terrace, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Davids-Marketing/156816741049580, IE Gourmet Food Trucks, Inland Empire, Josef (Joe) Britt, joseph williams, Lynn Hirtz, Nieghborhood Watch, Public Safety, Rancho Cucamonga, Rialto, Rialto, Rialto Fire, Rialto Parks, Rialto Police Department, rialto unified school district, RUSD, Russel Sliva, San Bernardino, Shawn O'Connell, yap, youth Tags: Coalition Facebook Page, david phillips, Micheal Townsend, Rialto, Rialto Community Coalition

In an effort to help promote healthy lifestyles in Rialto for area teens, the Rialto Community Coalition will be holding a Substance Abuse Prevention Event at the Skate Park on Willow Avenue next to the Johnson Center on November 24, 2014 from 1PM – 4PM.

For more information visit the Coalition Facebook Page www.facebook.com/RialtoCoalition or call (909) 423-0312 and ask for Micheal Townsend

For more information visit the Coalition Facebook Page http://www.facebook.com/RialtoCoalition or call (909) 423-0312 and ask for Micheal Townsend

“Meeting teens where they are is vital to successful prevention methods,” said David Phillips a Rialto Community Coalition member. Many times we see Skateboarders as bad kids or trouble makers but once you get to know them and learn more about skateboarding you can see all the talent and potential that lies within”. As the Neighborhood Watch Captain of the Flores Park Group and being involved in many different other community groups, I understand that it is vital to reach out to our youth, especially starting with the skateboarders. There was a stretch where the skate parks were having issues with drugs and gangs. The key to safety was getting adults in the community to invest in a safe atmosphere for teens to skateboard. It takes more that money it takes personal time”.

The Rialto Community Coalition hopes to add to the success of their other public forum at Eisenhower High School called “Don’t Go There” where they used exhibits, media, and a powerful presentation from Ray Lozano to highlight the dangers of using drugs and alcohol. At the upcoming #SoberSkater event, participants will be asked to sign a pledge that states that they choose to be a Sober Skater. Also, the planning committee chose the name #SoberSkater to help attract teenagers on social media using hashtags since this is the way teens interact and seek out information on social media sites.

Michael Townsend, a Prevention Specialist with Central Valley Prevention Program, had this to say about the #SoberSkater event:

“The best way to prevent underage drinking and drug use is to identify the target population, develop ways to reach them, and increase enforcement during high risk times. By hosting the #SoberSkater event, the Rialto Community Coalition is doing exactly that. They have identified Thanksgiving break as a high risk time for underage drinking and drug use and they have identified skaters as their target population. In addition, they are working closely with the Rialto Police Department regarding their enforcement efforts. The Rialto Community Coalition members realize that having youth, who have made a commitment to sobriety, speaking directly to other youth, is a very effective method of getting their message out. So the coalition has engaged youth in this campaign to reduce social hosting.”

The event will include a semi-pro skateboard team called NAI (New Age Intelligence), gourmet food trucks, live music, vendors, and resource providers. There will also be a best trick contest. For more information, visit their Facebook event page at the link below.

https://m.facebook.com/events/1499911183628266?id=1499911183628266&_rdr

What do you know about the Rialto Rails to Trails

11 Nov 2014 3 Comments

by rialto-now in Budget, Burglury, Ca, City of Rialto, Crime, Currupt, Ed palmer, Ed Scott, Edgar Montes, Fontana, Joe Baca Jr, Josef (Joe) Britt, Mike Story, Public Safety, Rialto, Rialto, Rialto Parks, Rialto Police Department, rialto unified school district, RUSD, Russel Sliva, Shawn O'Connell, Uncategorized Tags: rail trail project, Rails to Trails, Rancho Cucamonga, San Bernardino Associated Governments, San Bernardino County, trail corridor

The Rails to Trails program is explained by americantails.org as the following:

Rancho Cucamonga as the lead agency, together with San Bernardino Associated Governments and surrounding cities, is developing a multi-purpose trail along the Pacific Electric Railway line. The trail links five cities across the west end of San Bernardino County, and connects to a 7-mile rail trail project in eastern Los Angeles County, creating a 21-mile east-west trail corridor. The trail is a source of great civic pride in Rancho Cucamonga, and is credited with improving health, the environment, and the local economy; increasing real estate values along the trail corridor; providing links between the trail and mass transit systems (Metrolink, bus); and promoting historic preservation through connections to historic landmarks and historical sign displays.

( Above is taken from an article. The entire article can be found at http://www.americantrails.org/resources/benefits/SanBernardinoHC08.html )

As stated in the excerpt from the article Rancho Cucamonga is the lead agency in the area with the oldest portion of trail and the most expansive. Rancho also does something else very well they maintian and keep the trail as safe as possible. Can Rialto create a safe place for residents to excersise? I have been bringing this up for the last few years as the City has taken grant money to get this project started and completed. Last time I brought this up to the Police Chief and his command staff at coffee with the cheif in October I was told that the area where the trail will go is much safer than it used to be. So I was interested in this was it safer? Also if it is safer how much safer is it? We went to Crimemapping.com to see how it laid out for the last two months and this is what we saw:

Now I’m not sure what you call safe but 245 crimes in just a 2 month span does not look very safe. Also most of these crimes are violent types of crimes assults, robberies stolen vehicles. So Since Rancho Cucamonga is the case study and the reason we are undertaking this endevor lets look at a simular section of trail and the area once again using http://www.crimemapping.com what does it look like?

It looks very, very diffrent same time period same type of area where the trail dumps off into the next city 47 crimes in two months. This is why when people want to workout they go to this trail its safe.

Now the next disturbing trend on this project is that this public trail will be the first to have access gates to our schools. Yes the public and children will be able to slip onto campus through an approved back door. I spoke to Russel Silva who was an unsuccessful candidate for RUSD School Board and he shared my same concerns about access gates on the trail. Speaking to School Board Member Edgar Montes he was in favor of the gates and didn’t see a major security issue?

Finally are we creating a fee path for criminals to further and easier victimize our community? Before the area had trash weeds and uneven ground making it more difficult to traverse. Now we are going to give criminals clear free access to homes back yards, ability to go from one city to the next and remain off the beaten path, easier access to schools and a new area to tag and sell drugs at.

Don’t believe me are you still buying the load of garbage we have been fed by those at city hall that agree with this project? Right now the walls of the construction site have large graffiti tags from one end to another. The construction crews see it everyday and don’t do anything, Mike Story has been advised 4 times by me (David Phillips) personally and I have called the graffiti hotline twice on this spot. I even spoke directly to the graffiti removal person over the phone and alerted him to the issue and nothing has been done. Here are some pictures of the tags from Cedar behind Rialto Middle School.

Rialto Police Department has said they will re-staff the bike patrol unit but this has happened before and the unit keeps getting shut down its almost the first thing to go. What we have here is a lot of people ignoring the issues to feed some self serving political agenda. Here are a list of the issues one more time:

Cost – The City Council would like for you to take their line that its grant money and not your money being spent on this project. That is untrue grant money is your money just in a different form. Also general fund money is being spent on this project now. We are paying people salaries to oversee and manage the work being done and this trail will need maintenance and repairs. Rialto does not have a strong suit maintaining public facilities.
Safety – Don’t let anyone fool you the areas that this trail will extend to are not nice areas. You would not sell your home and move into the area most of us wouldn’t even drive through. On top of that we are going to give additional access to two schools and further stretch safety measures. Not to mention this is prime drug trafficking area and it appears that the people tasked with completing the project cold care less about what the area looks like.

Since the city has been so dead set on this project no matter what issues people bring to their attention we need to make sure they deliver on what they promised. It’s time for campaign promise’s to be real life promise’s

Final Rialto Candidate Forum Today

27 Oct 2014 Leave a comment

by rialto-now in Ca, city attorney, City of Rialto, Community Coalition, Crime, Currupt, Deborah Robertson, Ed Scott, In & Out, Inland Empire, Joe Baca Jr, Josef (Joe) Britt, Lillie Houston, Lynn Hirtz, Public Safety, RDA, Rialto, Rialto, Rialto Fire, Rialto Parks, Rialto Police Department, rialto unified school district, RUSD, Russel Sliva, SB Sun, SCAT, Shawn O'Connell, SWAT, Taxes, Veolia, Water, wwwstoprialtowaterratehikes.com, youth Tags: candidate forum, City Council, Rialto Unified School Board, seats

The final candidate forum of the 2014 election year is today and will only highlight two of the may areas up for grabs on November 4th. The two areas that will be covered are City Council ( two seats open out of four candidates ) and Rialto Unified School Board ( two seats open with six people for the seats ). One interesting portion of this event is it appears Ed Scott will poke his head out and finally speak publicly on the race which he has primarily done through private fundraisers and mailers & signs. It will be nice to see a majority of the candidates out together and we can hear their view points at the same time. The event is at the Rialto Senior Center on South Riverside Ave. See flyer below for more info.

Rialto School Board Q&A with Russel Silva

27 Oct 2014 Leave a comment

by rialto-now in Ca, Crime, Flores Park, Flores Park Neighborhood Watch, Inland Empire, Rialto, rialto unified school district, RUSD, Russel Sliva, SB Sun, Teachers Union, Water, youth Tags: Flores Park Neighborhood Watch, High School, Rialto Middle School, Rialto Unified School District, RUSD Board, Werner Elementary

Welcome to our third RUSD Board member Q&A out of six candidates. Russel Silva carry’s the very coveted endorsement of the Flores Park Neighborhood Watch. He also is a smart person that has offered some great responses. On thing that stands out to us here is the issue of opening up the rails to trails project to schools Werner Elementary and Rialto Middle School. Their is no safety plan in place by either the city or school district but the school district is moving forward anyway. Enjoy the read.

Where did you grow up?

I was born and raised in Hollister, CA. a small agricultural community. I moved to Ontario, CA in 1982 and then I bought a house in Rialto in April 1984, where I live today.

What High School did you graduate from?

Graduated from San Benito Joint Union High School, Class of 1973. It was the only high school in San Benito County at the time.

Did you attend College? If so where did you attend and what was your major?

Went to several junior colleges; West Valley in Saratoga, CA; Chaffee and San Bernardino Valley. My interests have mostly been towards engineering. No degree.

What is your current career field? How did you find yourself picking that career?

My love is civil engineering. From the time I started working for the Engineering Department in Hollister I was hooked. Surveying, designing, drafting, inspection are just some of the duties I had. But the best fun was seeing the jobs I worked on come to life; housing tracts, shopping centers, industrial buildings, city infrastructure. As a kid growing up I never understood all the behind the scene stuff that makes a city function, or for that matter any successful organization. I guess engineering was in my blood.

How has your work life prepared you for the Rialto Unified School Board?

I have worked all my adult life so the majority of my education is a result of my ‘hands on’ experience. Having worked 24 years in the public sector and with my current job as Capital Projects Coordinator I manages bids, establish and write RFP’s and contracts for consultants and contractors, act as a project manager, and handle payment processing and change orders for the project assigned me. Every project has a budget and it I my job to make sure I stay on budget. I scrutinize all payments for accuracy and work progress, as well as all change orders to make sure that extra work does exceed the 10% public contract threshold. I rarely have contracts that exceed the 10%.

What do you see as the top three issues at Rialto Unified School District?

Of course 1) student education and performance, 2) better fiscal control and accountability, 3) student safety, including on campus bullying.

What are your thoughts on Common Core?

The basic concept of the Common Core is great as it is trying to give every child nation wide the same opportunity to succeed and graduate with the same educational skills. The down falls; 1) I think it was thrown at us too fast. Teachers were not given ample time or training to unwrap this new program and present it to the students. 2) the textbooks and technology to make CC successful are behind. 3) because the way the system is set up to be taught, many teaches are handcuffed. What I mean is teachers all have their own style of teaching, but CC doesn’t allow for that. Sometimes teachers need to add that extra pop to grab the students attention. All in all I think it is a good system, but I wish it allowed a little more flexibility for the teachers. The District needs to provide more training as well.

With the new funding program programs like ROP are now in jeopardy of being lost. What are your thoughts on eliminating categorical funding and putting these programs in jeopardy?

Eliminating categorical funding for ROP, especially in lower income communities, jeopardizes the opportunity for some of our student to succeed. Face it, there are students out there that are not wired for college. By eliminating ROP you eliminate those students from having an opportunity to step into the working class right out of high school and become a productive citizen. Case in point, I would not be where I am today without the technical skill sets I received in high school.

The city of Rialto is moving forward with their rails to trails program. Some at city hall are pushing the school district to create additional access points at schools like Rialto Middle and Werner Elementary so students can access the school from the trail. What are your thoughts on this as it creates another access point for people that don’t belong on campus?

Bad idea. Creating an access from an unmonitored, unsupervised community trail that is used not just by the average biker or walker or fitness trainer but criminals, pedifiles, child molesters, drug users and pushers is only asking for major trouble. At Warner Elementary that access gate would be 230 feet away from the nearest building and security camera. The District would have to station security to that gate every time it is in use to make sure the students are safe; and that costs money. If they use the security cameras by the time an insident is noticed and security is alerted, the incident is over and someone could be hurt. Cooperative agreement with agencies is common practice, but not at the cost of the life of a student.

Would you support working with people in the community to help Offer College and employment support to our young people as they enter the 21^st century job market?

Absolutely! I love the idea of the Middle College for those students driven to achieve higher education. But I am also open to creating an internship program that will enable students to get hands on training in a field of their choosing with local agencies and business.

One big problem with our school board now is the pattern of abstaining from voting on issues leaving issues unresolved, what are your thoughts on this practice?

I think the bigger problem is that I don’t think the School Board is fully informed about many of the issues that they are asked to vote on. This leaves them having questions and discussions that lead to leaving issues unresolved. Administration works for the Board and part of their job is to keep the Board fully informed on all critical issues and contracts which I see not happening today. Many of the discussions the Board has in the open forum could have been answered with better communication from staff to the Board.