Coffee with the Chief was held at Coffee Nuttz at 8am.

Chief Farrar talking with the attedees

Rialto pd staff in attendace Chief Farrar, Captain DeAnda and Lt. Karol and Volenteer Cordinator Judy Roberts.

Captain DeAnda and Lt. Karol and Volenteer Cordinator Judy Roberts

Chief Farrar began with showing off the new Ford Taurus police units.

Coffee with the Chief

Local area residents and leaders come together to learn and diologe about Police services in the city of Rialto.

Tuesday November 13, 2012

8:00 to 9:00 am

Coffee Nutzz, 119 E. Foothill

“Coffee with the Chief” offers resident’s an opportunity to personally meet their Police Chief and other representatives in a casual setting. At “Coffee with the Chief” community members will learn about the police department, special projects, and other related events. Please join Chief Tony Farrar for “Coffee with the Chief”.

Member: Edgar Montes
email: emontes@rialto.k12.ca.us

We would like to introduce Mr. Edgar Montes to those of you in Rialto that may not know him. Mr. Montes is one of our School Board Members here in Rialto. I have had the privilege of speaking and interacting with Mr. Montes over the last 2 years and have found him to be someone that cares for the children and the community. Mr. Montes has made it his job to stand in the GAP for our schools and children. Something else less involved people may not know is the riff that exists between the City Government and the Rialto Unified School Board and no one knows why this is, it’s like the Hatfield’s and Mac Coys. Mr. Montes has begun slowly interacting in various city functions and answering questions in reference to Rialto Unified School District when he can. You can find Mr. Montes attending Coffee With The Chief, Area Command Meetings, Rialto’s Farmers Market & the occasional City Council meeting.

He is an honest and open Board Member and works as a peace maker when the situation allows. One thing with Mr. Montes that I have come to experience is you wont ever agree 100% on everything but with Mr. Montes you know where he stands, and in the end its on the side of our kids and schools. Don’t be afraid of disagreeing with Mr. Montes because that won’t hurt or hinder the relationship but make it stronger and give it a solid foundation on where everyone stands.

I would like to thank Mr. Montes for his time answering our questions:

RIALTO NOW – Tell us a little about yourself were you raised here in Rialto? What’s your story?

EDGAR MONTES – I was born in the summer of 1979 in Upland, CA. I have lived in Rialto since 1988. At that time I attended Maple Elementary in Fontana, my parent’s house although it was within Rialto city limits was actually within the FUSD boundaries. Much like today were Rialto Unified School District boundaries cut into parts of Fontana, Colton, San Bernardino and Lytle Creek. I attended Alder Middle School and A.B. Miller High School also in Fontana. So although I attended public school in Fontana, I was indeed raised in Rialto.

RIALTO NOW – What was the driving force behind your desire to run for School Board for RUSD?

EDGAR MONTES – My wife and I bought our home in Rialto in 2002. With 20 years left on our 30 year mortgage we have no plans of leaving Rialto anytime soon. I love my community. I grew up here and have seen first-hand the ups and downs and all the good and bad about our tiny 4 miles wide 8 miles long city.

Going to school in Fontana and having friends and family all through-out the Inland Empire I saw many similarities in some of our public schools. For example; the loss of public school funding over the years, and how that loss of funding and mismanagement of public tax-payer’s dollars affects kids from “socially-economically-challenged” backgrounds. The switch from Junior High Schools to Middle Schools and with that the loss of Junior High Sports teams. Arts and music programs cut or reduced. Increased focus on test scores. Decreased focus on the development of “the basics”like reading and writing, math and science. Above all as a parent and a product of our public schools, I understand the many challenges parents, students, and schools face in these tough economic times.

RIALTO NOW – Have you ever run for any elected office in the past?

EDGAR MONTES – No. I was elected in November of 2010. It was my first time running for elected office, but not the first time I ran for something. In High School at Fontana A.B. Miller High, I ran for A.S.B. President my senior year and won. I also ran for school site council at A.B. Miller after graduating from there and was also elected.

RIALTO NOW – What is your background in regards to education?

EDGAR MONTES – As far as my college education goes, I have put that on hold for now. With 11 year old twin boys, a 3 month old baby boy, a small family-owned business to run, and a democratically elected position as a Rialto school board member, I want to wait a little before going back to school. I am the kind of person that if I will not be able to commit myself 100% to something, than I won’t even bother wasting anybody’s time. I was attending San Bernardino Valley College and the University of Phoenix Ontario Campus before that at the time I ran and got elected to the school board.

It’s important for me to point out that I have been criticized by some as a college student on the public school board for not being a college graduate. Some people have even gone as far to criticize me for the community college I was attending. For example at a time when our school district was laying-off many teachers and cutting programs for students because of the loss of funding, I took a stand against the wasteful spending of $70,000 (public tax-dollars) to send 30 school district employees and two school board members to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania for a supposed “one week leadership training.”My fellow school board colleague Michael Ridgway said “there is nothing like this locally. If you want a Harvard education, you go to Harvard. You don’t go to (San Bernardino) Valley College. These are world-class presenters. Education is expensive. The only thing I have found more expensive than education is ignorance.” My response to him was this “I have also met my share of “educated fools” and that I don’t undermine anyone or judge anyone by their level of education or where they went to school.”

The San Bernardino Sun Newspaper wrote an article about the issue of the Gettysburg trip and even wrote an editorial supporting my stance on the issue. What matters most to me on a school board or any elected office is “common sense.”

RIALTO NOW – With school district budgets getting slashed every year what are your ideas on still offering a quality education?

EDGAR MONTES – I believe that even with the loss of revenue for public schools it is still possible to give a quality education to ALL students. I am a strong supporter of grant writing, I asked for grant writers for our school district on a contingency contract, meaning they would only get paid a percentage if they got us grants. Unfortunately, at the recommendation of our superintendent the board opted to go with a grant writing company that charged $5,000 per month for six months that did not produce any grants. I also am a strong supporter of partnering with local businesses in the community. If we reach-out to the local businesses in our school district, they can help us by donating to our schools, sponsoring our students, and working with us to build bridges not burn them. I also believe the city of Rialto would be a great partner in the education of our students. There was a time when our school district and city worked together on many things and you and I both know that is no longer the case. But I remain optimistic and will continue to push for rebuilding that relationship, because what is good for our city is good for our parents and students and what is good for our parents and students is good for our communities.

RIALTO NOW – How important are sports programs and the arts to you within the confines of public education?

EDGAR MONTES – I am a strong supporter of sports programs and arts, and I can say that because you can find me and my sons at school games, art competitions, and at school district talent shows. Many children don’t know they have a gift or special talent for something and it’s important that we help all students find what interests them, what drives them and tie that into their education. Some kids are great leaders, others make awesome drawings. I saw a student from Rialto High School free-style spoken word poetry, powerful and moving.

RIALTO NOW – The current school of thought is to prepare every student to enter college. Do you agree with the thought that every student should and can go to college?

EDGAR MONTES – I believe that every child should be given support, guidance, and encouragement to go to college. The sad reality is that only about 15% of high school graduates actually go. Many people know that if you constantly, repeatedly tell a child that they will “never amount to anything” most likely, not always, but most likely they won’t. And vice versa, if you constantly and repeatedly tell a child that “they can and will be successful in life and do something great”, most likely they will.

RIALTO NOW – As someone who studied education, I know that not every student is college bound, yet through our Regional Occupational Programs we can prepare those students to be successful in the work force. What value do you place on RUSD and its Regional Occupational Program?

EDGAR MONTES – I place a very high value on any ROP at any school district. Preparing students for the workforce is critical to any family and community as a whole. ROP is a great way to give students the resources and skills needed for many vocational careers. Aside from the ROP offered to students at the high schools like ROP Jr. Navy and ROP Jr. Marines, etc., through our Adult ROP high school graduates and adults can enroll in our Adult Education Program. Through our Adult School we offer Career Technical Courses like Word Processing/Keyboarding, and Intro to Computers. In adult ROP students can take specialized courses like Office Operations and Technology, Business Technology Lab, Pharmacy Technician, and Pharmacy Clerk. I not only want to continue these much needed programs, but would to like secure funding to expand them.

RIALTO NOW – What is the biggest factor that can help ensure quality teaching? Is certification a measure of quality?

EDGAR MONTES – I think certification is good, but I don’t think it’s the best way to measure quality teaching. I think quality teaching can be measured by pro-activeness, the ability to adapt to new technology and the ever changing times. Most Hispanics/Latinos/Chicanos have native-indigenous roots, and we use many metaphors when speaking. There is a saying in Spanish I would like to share with you. Here it goes “La vaca que da leche, de lejos se ve” which is difficult to translate but I will try, “the cow that gives milk, you can see from far away.” School principals, parents, and students know quality teaching when they see it.

RIALTO NOW – One of the jobs you have listed on Face book is an education advocate, can you explain what this is.

EDGAR MONTES – An Education Advocate is anyone involved in advocating for student’s education in any way. I have advocated for students education since my sophomore year in high school when me and a group of students organized a student walk-out to protest awful treatment of students, unfair discipline practices, and a hostile learning environment to name a few. Regardless of what anyone says, that walk-out brought many changes to Fontana A.B. Miller High School that by my senior year our high school was award the “California Distinguished School Award.” Did I mention I was elected A.S.B. President that year? As an education advocate I have advocated for students and parents all across the Inland Empire from Big Bear to Perris, and for everything from unfair suspensions/expulsions to speaking at public board meetings. As an education advocate I also attend rallies organized by activist, school employee unions, and community organizations against the state budget cuts to education. Now I am an education advocate for parents, students, and employees as a member of the Rialto school board.

RIALTO NOW – I have had many friends in the city of Rialto remark on the state of your special education programs here in Rialto Unified School District. The biggest complaints are that this department seems to miss the mark more and more frequently. Are you aware of this issue, and if so what are some steps to fixing this?

EDGAR MONTES – The problems of Special Ed in our district are something I became aware of when I was running for school board in 2010. I witnessed parents and students along with Special Education advocates speak at school board meetings many times. Their complaints and their concerns regarding Special Ed were never responded to or addressed. After I got elected I took on the problems head on, I’ve been fighting for the children of Special Ed and their Parents ever since.

For the record let me first say that there are many good-hearted employees working in Special Ed. Many employees of Special Ed give 110% of themselves to the students and need full support of the RUSD leadership starting with the board of education first, and the superintendent second. Without the full support of RUSD leadership how is Special Ed staff supposed to help the students and parents. Recently a group of about 40 parents and members of the community held a protest in front of the school district office; it came out in the Sun Newspaper back in May I believe. I am only 1 vote on a board of 5. I can only keep speaking up and hope that we get some new board members that will “truly” listen to parents, staff and the community, otherwise nothing is going to change.

One of the arguments made by Dr. James Wallace former Assistant Superintendent Deputy Chief of Staff, then Assistant Superintendent of Student Services which oversaw Special Education, now Assistant Superintendent Deputy Chief of Staff again, is that RUSD spends the most amount of money compared to neighboring school districts. Whether or not that is true, the question is how much of the revenue spent by RUSD for Special Ed has actually trickled down to students and the classrooms? For example, how much money has RUSD spent on attorney’s fees for fighting parents and Special Ed advocates instead of giving the students the services they deserve. I believe in accountability, where is it? We can’t blame the Special Ed teachers, Speech Therapist, Psychologist, or any one from our Special Ed department. We need to hold accountable those at the top.

RIALTO NOW – How can our readers reach you to get more information?

EDGAR MONTES – I can be reached anytime 909-202-2485 or emontes@rialto.k12.ca.us

The Democrat-on-Democrat contest in San Bernardino County’s 47th Assembly District is awash in independent money from charter school supporters, teachers unions and a group of tribes with casinos, among others, spending more than $1.1 million since mid-September.

Rialto Councilman Joe Baca Jr. is running against Cheryl Brown, a Rialto businesswoman and an aide to Assemblywoman Wilmer Amina Carter, D-Rialto.

More than $753,000 of the independent expenditures has gone to support Brown or oppose Baca and $403,000 has gone to support Baca or oppose Brown through the weekend.

The main groups pushing Brown’s election are the Sacramento-based California Tribal Business Alliance political action committee ($480,000), the San Rafael-based Parents and Teachers for Putting Students First ($228,000), and the California Black Political Action Committee ($34,000.)

The main organizations behind Baca are the California Teachers Association ($163,000), the Alliance to Get California Working PAC ($119,463) and the Golden State Leadership Fund PAC ($67,000).

The parents and teachers group gets its money from StudentsFirst, the Sacramento-based group led by former Washington D.C. schools chancellor Michelle Rhee, who clashed repeatedly with the DC teachers union. In addition, the tribal business alliance has received $100,000 from the California Charter Schools Association.

In the case of the pro-Baca Jr. IE’s, the Golden Leadership Fund’s biggest donor is the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians near San Bernardino. The Alliance to Get California Working PAC has a variety of donors, including the private prison company CCA.

By: Jim Miller

LYTLE CREEK – There’s a man on the ground cradling a long rifle with a fat barrel topped with a hulking telescopic sight.

When the trigger is pulled, the mild crack doesn’t hurt the ears – even without ear protection shooters customarily wear.

And the gun didn’t even quiver slightly from recoil.

Both these characteristics don’t seem right for the powerful .30-caliber round just fired.

But this isn’t Lytle Creek’s public gun range, Lytle Creek Firing Line, at the top of the road. Nor is it the private West End Gun Club down below.

Well hidden from the public – with no signs announcing its existence – is the Fontana Police Department’s firing range.

This day is a training day for the recently

SWAT teams practice the correct way to enter a hallway during their training. ((Rachel Luna / Staff Photographer))

formed Inland Regional SWAT team, which combines the Special Weapons and Tactics forces of three area police departments: Fontana, Colton and Rialto.

The rifle, fired by a SWAT officer, has a $1,300 suppressor – illegal for civilians to own – which muffles sound and helps to tame recoil.

That huge telescopic sight can magnify a target 14 times and has grooves to attach a night vision device.

In an era of ever-tightening budgets, the consolidation of the three specialized units forms a single group with big numbers, diverse skills and great equipment, officers assigned to Inland Regional SWAT say.

“It’s half the money and twice the protection,” Fontana Lt. Obie Rodriguez, who heads Inland SWAT team, said in-between bursts of distant machine gun fire.

“We have been able to reduce staffing each department contributes to SWAT, yet increased the team,” Rodriguez said.

The effort has created unity.

“The team has come together so easily because members have a similar mindset and dedication,” said Sgt. Jim Jolliff, assistant tactical supervisor with Inland SWAT and a 21-year veteran of Colton’s SWAT team.

For Fontana, the merger has meant that 30 officers assigned to SWAT has become 16 – yet the combined force is 39.

Training demands are another burden SWAT programs place on their department, Rodriguez said.

The state of California mandates that SWAT teams practice core skills 20 hours per month.

During those periods, officers are pulled from their routine functions, be they patrol, traffic, detective, narcotics or some other area of police service.

Since the merger in July, Rodriguez and other officers say they have been pleased with the merger and what it’s brought – a chance to learn from other’s expertise.

In one scenario, a team of officers practices building entry techniques in the “live fire shoot house” which was built several years ago by Fontana SWAT officers in their off-duty time.

Entering the shoot house, holding a pistol – not a short-barreled machine gun like the other officers, is Dr. Michael Neeki, an emergency room physician at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in Colton.

Neeki has been a member of the Rialto SWAT team for several years and with the merger, became the team doctor for Inland SWAT.

“The team benefits and so does the public,” Rodriguez said – because Neeki brings the most current lifesaving technologies to every call.

And he’s upgrading the skills of the team’s medics.

Each department in Inland SWAT had their own armored vehicle.

But in a worst-case situation, one vehicle could only accommodate a few team members from their respective department.

Being able to muster three vehicles to a scene gives protection to just about everybody, Rodriguez said.

“Many times, seeing a force like that show up is about all we need to do,” said Sgt. Jim Burton, an 11-year veteran of Fontana SWAT.

Since its formation, the team has been called up for 11 barricade situations, two high-risk arrest warrants and its negotiations have been summoned for one suicide attempt, Rodriguez said.

Most voter guides begin with the BIG TIME regional elections then work down to the local stuff, if you haven’t noticed were a little different.

Also be advised “NONE OF THESE ENDORSEMENTS HAVE COME AT ANY FINACIAL GAIN TO THIS BLOG OR ANYONE DIRECTLY CONECTED TO THIS BLOG”

We put out feelers to people running in local elections to obtain the information they feel you should know about them but we have nothing more to gain that passing along our advice and opinion to people on this monster election. We get our reward from having knowledgeable readers that are energized and ready to cast their ballots.

We are taking a diffrent stance on this election. To often our School Board Members think that they dont have to answer to the community. That ends now right here, every canidate was given the oportunity to answer a series of questions and here is what we got:

Mirna Ruiz

I have a resident of Rialto for the last 14 years. I grew up and was raised in Hollywood.

The driving force that made me run for School Board for RUSD are my children.

I have two kids with special needs. I have experienced limitations that have been given to

my children and other children with special needs. I have experienced how children with special needs

are ignored, isolated and discriminated . I have also seen it in regular education classes.

I have experienced how teachers want to help children and are limited to do so in fear of retaliation.

I have experienced how due to wasteful spending students are not given the proper education they deserve.

We have to make sure that all staff have the proper training, that way teachers do not get burned out and overwhelmed

with not knowing how to teach and help students.

I again know for a fact some teachers have asked for help and have been denied the help or training.
I have never run for office before. I was told that I am new to politics and I agree, however

I am not new to the issues parents in special ed. go through. Not new to problems the community has,

Not new to being affected with the financial problems we are having.

I do believe that sports programs and the arts are very important also. As I mentioned before if we

stop all the wasteful spending sports programs can happen.

Also by improving communication between the city and school district some programs can happen.

I know that parents, students and community members want changes to be made, they have the power

to make those changes by voting on November 6,2012.

I can be reached at mruizddh@aol.com I have been having issues with my campaign email.

Thank you for your time

Sincerely,

Mirna Ruiz

Joe Ayala

#1 Born in Upland Ca.

Lived in Rialto about 10 years

Married 39 years

3 daughters and 10 grand kids

#2 Helping people at all levels

My wife and I are both retired teachers and we wanted to continue to help

out.

#3 I’m running for my second term as RUSD Trustee

#4 HS teacher 34 years

#5 Teach to the level of the child and not the test

#6 Very important ! They keep our kids from dropping out and helps them to find

their passions.

# 7 Finding “balance” and “timing” in one’s life can also pay off with big

benefits later on in life. Finding ways to nurture a

child when they are not ready can be as good if not better than pushing a

child to go to college who is not ready!

#8 What’s missing with many of our ROP classes is an infusion of how to use

what they learned to become entrepreneurs.

#9 We need to empower our parents first. Secondly, they need to learn the

parameters of what can and can’t be done.

This is all comes together after building trust first. Perhaps this needs

to be our the first priority!

#10. Quality teaching comes from caring teachers. It comes from caring

administrators. It also comes from receptive students

and supportive parents. It’s like a 3 legged stool… remove one of the

legs it simply will not hold up!

#11. A house divided will not stand. I too thought that this position was not

required but with 28,000 kids and 3000 staff it’s

a great service to have someone coordinate many of the events that help

our school district look good to others. Too

much at stake during uncertain times.

#12. Just have them call me and make sure they leave a clear message. I promise

to call them back!

-Joe Ayala (909) 234-2884

Joe Martinez

Mr. Joe Martinez claims he used my interview questions for a template for his website, he sent the following:

Sorry about the link sent from my cell. It should read www.joemartinez.org which forwards to www.joema.net. either link will get you there. I used.many of your questions as a template.

Edgar Montes is not up for re-election but he felt it important to let you know what he thinks on the issues before the community.

If your looking for direction on who would make a good choice for school board his brain would be a good one to pick.

Mr. Edgar Montes

Thank you for taking the time to have this interview conducted. I will not change anything when its posted I’ll just make adjustments for spelling and grammar. This interview is to give the Residents and Readers a better prospective of those working in public service. Feel free to remove any question you don’t want to answer.

* Tell us a little about yourself were you raised here in Rialto? What’s your story?

I was born in the summer of 1979 in Upland, CA. I have lived in Rialto since 1988. At that time I attended Maple Elementary in Fontana, my parent’s house although it was within Rialto city limits was actually within the FUSD boundaries. Much like today were Rialto Unified School District boundaries cut into parts of Fontana, Colton, San Bernardino and Lytle Creek. I attended Alder Middle School and A.B. Miller High School also in Fontana. So although I attended public school in Fontana, I was indeed raised in Rialto.

* What was the driving force behind your desire to run for School Board for RUSD?

My wife and I bought our home in Rialto in 2002. With 20 years left on our 30 year mortgage we have no plans of leaving Rialto anytime soon. I love my community. I grew up here and have seen first-hand the ups and downs and all the good and bad about our tiny 4 miles wide 8 miles long city.

* Have you ever run for any elected office in the past?

No. I was elected in November of 2010. It was my first time running for elected office, but not the first time I ran for something. In High School at Fontana A.B. Miller High, I ran for A.S.B. President my senior year and won. I also ran for school site council at A.B. Miller after graduating from there and was also elected.

* What is your background in regards to education?

As far as my college education goes, I have put that on hold for now. With 11 year old twin boys, a 3 month old baby boy, a small family-owned business to run, and a democratically elected position as a Rialto school board member, I want to wait a little before going back to school. I am the kind of person that if I will not be able to commit myself 100% to something, than I won’t even bother wasting anybody’s time. I was attending San Bernardino Valley College and the University of Phoenix Ontario Campus before that at the time I ran and got elected to the school board.

* With school district budgets getting slashed every year what are your ideas on still offering a quality education?

I believe that even with the loss of revenue for public schools it is still possible to give a quality education to ALL students. I am a strong supporter of grant writing, I asked for grant writers for our school district on a contingency contract, meaning they would only get paid a percentage if they got us grants. Unfortunately, at the recommendation of our superintendent the board opted to go with a grant writing company that charged $5,000 per month for six months that did not produce any grants. I also am a strong supporter of partnering with local businesses in the community. If we reach-out to the local businesses in our school district, they can help us by donating to our schools, sponsoring our students, and working with us to build bridges not burn them. I also believe the city of Rialto would be a great partner in the education of our students. There was a time when our school district and city worked together on many things and you and I both know that is no longer the case. But I remain optimistic and will continue to push for rebuilding that relationship, because what is good for our city is good for our parents and students and what is good for our parents and students is good for our communities.

* How important are sports programs and the arts to you within the confines of public education?

I am a strong supporter of sports programs and arts, and I can say that because you can find me and my sons at school games, art competitions, and at school district talent shows. Many children don’t know they have a gift or special talent for something and it’s important that we help all students find what interests them, what drives them and tie that into their education. Some kids are great leaders, others make awesome drawings. I saw a student from Rialto High School free-style spoken word poetry, powerful and moving.

* The current school of thought is to prepare every student to enter college. Do you agree with the thought that every student should and can go to college?

I believe that every child should be given support, guidance, and encouragement to go to college. The sad reality is that only about 15% of high school graduates actually go. Many people know that if you constantly, repeatedly tell a child that they will “never amount to anything” most likely, not always, but most likely they won’t. And vice versa, if you constantly and repeatedly tell a child that “they can and will be successful in life and do something great”, most likely they will.

* As someone who studied education, I know that not every student is college bound, yet through our Regional Occupational Programs we can prepare those students to be successful in the work force. What value do you place on RUSD and its Regional Occupational Program?

I place a very high value on any ROP at any school district. Preparing students for the workforce is critical to any family and community as a whole. ROP is a great way to give students the resources and skills needed for many vocational careers. Aside from the ROP offered to students at the high schools like ROP Jr. Navy and ROP Jr. Marines, etc., through our Adult ROP high school graduates and adults can enroll in our Adult Education Program. Through our Adult School we offer Career Technical Courses like Word Processing/Keyboarding, and Intro to Computers. In adult ROP students can take specialized courses like Office Operations and Technology, Business Technology Lab, Pharmacy Technician, and Pharmacy Clerk. I not only want to continue these much needed programs, but would to like secure funding to expand them.

* What is the biggest factor that can help ensure quality teaching? Is certification a measure of quality?

I think certification is good, but I don’t think it’s the best way to measure quality teaching. I think quality teaching can be measured by pro-activeness, the ability to adapt to new technology and the ever changing times. Most Hispanics/Latinos/Chicanos have native-indigenous roots, and we use many metaphors when speaking. There is a saying in Spanish I would like to share with you. Here it goes “La vaca que da leche, de lejos se ve” which is difficult to translate but I will try, “the cow that gives milk, you can see from far away.” School principals, parents, and students know quality teaching when they see it.

* One of the jobs you have listed on Facebook is an education advocate, can you explain what this is.

An Education Advocate is anyone involved in advocating for student’s education in any way. I have advocated for students education since my sophomore year in high school when me and a group of students organized a student walk-out to protest awful treatment of students, unfair discipline practices, and a hostile learning environment to name a few. Regardless of what anyone says, that walk-out brought many changes to Fontana A.B. Miller High School that by my senior year our high school was award the “California Distinguished School Award.” Did I mention I was elected A.S.B. President that year? As an education advocate I have advocated for students and parents all across the Inland Empire from Big Bear to Perris, and for everything from unfair suspensions/expulsions to speaking at public board meetings. As an education advocate I also attend rallies organized by activist, school employee unions, and community organizations against the state budget cuts to education. Now I am an education advocate for parents, students, and employees as a member of the Rialto school board.

* How can our readers reach you to get more information?

I can be reached anytime 909-202-2485 or emontes@rialto.k12.ca.us

* I have had many friends in the city of Rialto remark on the state of your special education programs here in Rialto Unified School District. The biggest complaints are that this department seems to miss the mark more and more frequently. Are you aware of this issue, and if so what are some steps to fixing this?

The problems of Special Ed in our district is something I became aware of when I was running for school board in 2010. I witnessed parents and students along with Special Education advocates speak at school board meetings many times. Their complaints and their concerns regarding Special Ed were never responded to or addressed. After I got elected I took on the problems head on, I’ve been fighting for the children of Special Ed and their Parents ever since.

For the record let me first say that there are many good-hearted employees working in Special Ed. Many employees of Special Ed give 110% of themselves to the students and need full support of the RUSD leadership starting with the board of education first, and the superintendent second. Without the full support of RUSD leadership how are Special Ed staff supposed to help the students and parents. Recently a group of about 40 parents and members of the community held a protest in front of the school district office, it came out in the Sun Newspaper back in May I believe. I am only 1 vote on a board of 5. I can only keep speaking up and hope that we get some new board members that will “truly” listen to parents, staff and the community, otherwise nothing is going to change.

One of the arguments made by Dr. James Wallace former Assistant Superintendent Deputy Chief of Staff, then Assistant Superintendent of Student Services which oversaw Special Education, now Assistant Superintendent Deputy Chief of Staff again, is that RUSD spends the most amount of money compared to neighboring school districts. Whether or not that is true, the question is how much of the revenue spent by RUSD for Special Ed has actually trickled down to students and the classrooms? For example, how much money has RUSD spent on attorneys fees for fighting parents and Special Ed advocates instead of giving the students the services they deserve. I believe in accountability, where is it? We can’t blame the Special Ed teachers, Speech Therapist, Psychologist, or any one from our Special Ed department. We need to hold accountable those at the top.

Sbsun article on more failed Rialto city administrators games coupled with the false idea that green technology will ever create REAL JOBS.

Wouldn’t it be nice to know whos idea this was?

EnerTech energy plant in Rialto closes

Josh Dulaney, Staff Writersbsun.com

Posted: 11/01/2012 12:57:02 AM PDT

RIALTO – A renewable energy plant once touted as a cutting-edge facility that would bring jobs and revenue to the city has closed.Atlanta-based EnerTech Environmental Inc. will no longer turn biosolids into a coal substitute at a landfill on the south edge of town.

Geoff Berman, a vice president of Los Angeles-based Development Specialists Inc., which is working with EnerTech on a liquidation process, said the company closed Oct. 5.

“We have not determined what the process is going to be for the liquidation of the plant,” Berman said.

EnerTech made a splashy debut in June 2009 when officials with the company and city showed off the $160 million plant.

At full capacity, the plant was supposed to generate more than 60,000 tons of renewable fuel annually that would offset more than 80,000 tons of greenhouse emissions.

EnerTech on its now-shuttered website said the project created more than 20 short- term construction jobs and operation of the plant would carry more than 20 “ongoing positions.”

The company’s partners included the city as well as the Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County, San Bernardino Municipal Water Department, the city of Riverside and the Orange County Sanitation District.

But the plant at 503 E. Santa Ana Ave. never gained traction. The facility was shut down temporarily last October so improvements could be made.

Plant officials said at the time that larger pollution-control devices needed to be added so that production could increase while keeping emissions negligible.

They also said the project had engineering calculations that didn’t work out in the plant’s real-world chemistry.

The Orange County Sanitation District earlier this year ended its contract with EnerTech, saying the company was in default of a 2006 agreement, based on EnerTech’s “failure to complete the Interim Technical Plan by the deadline of June 11, 2012.”

The sanitation district then directed staff to stop all shipments of biosolids to EnerTech’s plant here.

In an agenda report, James D. Ruth, the general manager of the sanitation district, said since the start-up of EnerTech’s facility in Rialto, it “has only processed one-third of its contractual commitment due to technical problems.”

Ruth also said EnerTech faced multiple issues with the new equipment and needed more time for testing.

He went on to say that “After almost four years of operation and fixes, EnerTech has not been able to demonstrate that this technology is reliable in the short or long term.”

When the plant made its debut, officials here projected that utility and property taxes from the facility, a share of EnerTech’s sales, and fees charged to contracted cities and counties would net the city about $8 million over 20 years.

“At this point, I think whatever we projected isn’t going to materialize,” said Robb Steel, assistant to the city administrator and development services director.

Steel said the city has had casual inquiries from prospective users of the plant. Rialto is in talks with Berman over its future.

“It could include an auction or a sale to a turn-key buyer,” Berman said.

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Prop 34 – We vote NO

Repeals death penalty as maximum punishment for persons found guilty of murder and replaces it with life imprisonment without possibility of parole. Applies retroactively to persons already sentenced to death. Requires persons found guilty of murder to work while in prison, with their wages to be applied to any victim restitution fines or orders against them. We need to shorten the appeals process which leads to all the money spent on the whole death penalty system. Don’t be fooled by the argument that sentencing someone to death causes big taxpayer bills. These prisoners made a decision to kill another person, but not just kill them but in such a way that it led the Jury to impose the death penalty. Scott Peterson murdered his wife and child can we bring back his victims and get their vote? Force the State and Federal Government to hire more attorneys qualified to represent these prisoners in their appeals process. Texas has a death penalty where people actually get their end punishment and the DC sniper was put to death after 6 years. It’s not that it’s impossible it’s that we elect the biggest idiots to enforce rules and laws in California.

Proposition 36: VOTE NO

Revises three strikes law to impose life sentence only when new felony conviction is serious or violent. Authorizes re-sentencing for offenders currently serving life sentences if third strike conviction was not serious or violent and judge determines sentence does not pose unreasonable risk to public safety. The 3 Strikes Law works fine. It has to be a factor in lowered crime rates. This idea that the third strike has to be a serious or violent one will cost lives, or at the least, serious injury. If you know you have 2 strikes and decide to still commit crimes you show a lack of ability to control yourself and must be helped by life in prison. You want to know what this one will look like, just use the recent prison realignment as a bench mark. Putting these men and women back on the street will give crime a rise and stress our already taxed Public Safety Officials.

Most voter guides begin with the BIG TIME regional elections then work down to the local stuff, if you haven’t noticed were a little different.

http://www.yesprop32.com

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We put out feelers to people running in local elections to obtain the information they feel you should know about them but we have nothing more to gain that passing along our advice and opinion to people on this monster election. We get our reward from having a knowledgeable readers that are energized and ready to cast their ballots.

Prop 32 – We vote YES

http://www.yesprop32.com/press/releases/222?_c=10yyb372hopx57v

Does anyone remember the story earlier this year about the male teacher that had been putting seamen on cookies then feeding them to children at the elementary school he taught at? Well someone in the district caught him they tried to fire him they couldn’t they had to offer him a $$$ settlement to retire, yes we are paying this pervert very well to await his day in court. Someone brought forth legislation to make it easier to fire teachers that had abused our kids; the CTA used their influence in Sacramento to kill this bill in committee. This means your child’s teacher thinks that keeping a child molester/abuser employed is more important than your child’s safety. Prop 32 fixes the $300 plus Million dollar influence these unions have on our Legislators by not allowing the unions to take dues money from teachers and apply it to whatever they see fit, they have to ask first. You want your voice back just vote yes.

http://www.yesprop32.com/press/releases/187?_c=10yyb372hopx57v

Tomorrow we will be the death penalty and three strikes props

What is measure “V”? Its an increase on the business license tax for those businesses that use Rialto as a base to produce and deliver petroleum products through California. What a perfect time to place yet another tax or restriction on fuel providers and refiners. I say this because California has seen gas prices sky rocket almost 60 cents in one week. In Rialto according to Gas Buddy prices in Rialto range from $4.53 to $4.67 a gallon. So much like the water deal this is another opportunity for the City of Rialto to pile on the bad news to the local residents.

Read their propaganda that has been removed from the city website:

Measure V on November 6, 2012 Ballot

As we enter into a second century of progress, the City of Rialto is committed to providing its residents with a safe, healthy and prosperous place to live, work, and play. The City has made every effort to provide the level of services you need and have come to expect in our community. These efforts have been affected greatly by the downturn in the economy which has reduced City revenues from property and sales taxes, and most recently, the legislature’s decision to eliminate Redevelopment Agencies.

All of this has resulted in a reduction of more than $8 million dollars in City revenues over the past six (6) years. We have responded by reducing the number of City employees, cutting salaries, using funds in our reserve and reducing City services. As we evaluate the projected 2013/2014 budget, we cannot continue to rely on funds in our reserve and will be forced to cut additional services.

So, what is the answer? On August 8, 2012, the City Council unanimously authorized placing a measure on the November 2012 ballot to replace lost tax revenues. Measure V, if approved by Rialto voters, would increase the business license tax for those specific few businesses that use Rialto as a base to produce and deliver petroleum products throughout California.

The business license tax will not be increased for any other businesses, including gasoline service stations. Because it represents a new source of revenue to replace those that have been lost, Measure V has been placed on the ballot for residents of Rialto to vote on.

Additional information will be available over the next few months. If there are questions that the community might have, please contact the City Administrator’s office at (909) 820-2689, or by email at administration@rialtoca.gov.

When has anything happened to petroleum providers that we haven’t felt it in our own pockets? My favorite quote is every time a squirrel farts in the desert gas prices go up. I have heard from those inside the city that it won’t effect gas prices & that it will but only by a few pennies. During the summer you pay 50 cents more a gallon for the “Summer” blend and then add all the extra taxes that California already imposes it adds up to 84 cents a gallon, this is before any of the actual costs are ever factored in.

So lets say Measure “V” adds another 3 cents per gallon, your 84 cents turns into 87 cents and an 11 gallon tank that is 33 cents per tank not allot until you factor in the 100% water rates increase, the high jacking of our ability to lose the UUT, poor management of park safety and cleanliness & poor use of resources. Did you know the city has a lady responsible for writing grants that doesn’t write grants?

Also more and more families here in Rialto are finding themselves living paycheck to paycheck. What makes the city think they have free access into our pocket books?

NBC did a story on local gas prices and why we should expect for them to stay high:

California gas prices eased fractionally Wednesday after five days of staggering increases that saw prices closing in on $5 a gallon, but a Chevron refinery closure through the rest of the year might put a crimp in plans to reduce pump pain.

During the five-day price surges, gas went up about 50 cents a gallon.

The average price of regular Wednesday was less than $4.67 a gallon, down a half-cent from Tuesday, but it’s still the highest price in the nation, the AAA Daily Fuel Gauge Report said.

The highest average price in the state was $4.75 in the San Luis Obispo, Atascadero and Paso Robles area. San Francisco’s price was just over $4.73 a gallon, followed by San Diego at $4.71 and the Los Angeles area at $4.70.

State officials predicted prices would fall after Gov. Jerry Brown ordered early production of a winter fuel blend to replace costlier summer blends.

The spike in prices was driven by refinery disruptions, including a fire and a power outage, and corrosion problems in a critical pipeline, analysts said.

Many motorists and some lawmakers believe fraud might be more likely than a supply problem so there have been calls for Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice to investigate.

Brown moved to stunt the spike by ordering the California Air Resources Board to allow “winter-blend” gasoline to be sold in the state earlier than usual to increase supply. To reduce air pollution, California law requires that gas stations during warmer months use a special blend of fuel that is not widely available.

Early conversion was last needed in 2005 when supplies dwindled because of refinery disruptions caused by Hurricane Katrina.

California usually converts to the gas on Oct. 31. The fuel evaporates in heat more quickly than summer-blends, so sends more pollutants into the environment, especially in warm weather.

Air pollution regulators said they don’t expect the state’s air quality to suffer because of the early start, but the conversion could increase supply by 8 percent to 10 percent, the governor’s office said.

One of the disruptions to the state’s gasoline inventory occurred in August when fire forced the shutdown of the Chevron refinery in Richmond. Chevron said Tuesday the plant will remain closed through the end of the year.

Source: Socal Refinery Closure Could Keep Prices High | NBC 7 San Diego

So we can expect to see gas prices remain high according to this story, why would we ever vote to further burden ourselves with costs we cant afford.

As you will see in the pictures I took of the mailer that was sent out it looks like its a fire safety tax. Why are fire fighters in uniform and standing in front of city vehicles stumping for a measure? Isn’t it illegal to use city resources and paid staff to promote a proposition?

So what I get from this mailer is that if we don’t vote to further raise taxes on industries that can pass along this tax right back on us.

Plus our local leaders are not blind they know that fuel producers and transporters will just pass this tax onto us. So looks like city council is
asking us to pass a tax on ourselves but hiding it by saying its on someone else.

Plus let’s not forget what George Harris with city staff pointed out when Southwest Airlines decided to purchase fuel outside of Rialto the city lost $150 thousand dollars in tax revenue. Did they see the writing on the wall? How many other companies will decide its better to move operations rather than play fee and tax increase games with our city.

Remember the city must remain but we can make bad choices to force companies to move their operations. Just ask San Bernardino their toxic business climate has chased away IEHP and Starbucks new juice provider to Rancho Cucamonga. We don’t have to file for bankruptcy to become a toxic place for business.

When voting this November 6th remember how much it now costs to fill up your gas tank, how much more you can afford to spend & don’t forget these faces below. Each one wants you to give them a promotion or extend their stay as our local elected leader:

Joe Baca Jr wants you to give him another bite at the State apple by electing him to Assembly seat that Amina Carter is vacating. He can’t fit her shoes and he failed once why would we think he can do any better the second time around. Mr. Baca took credit for being part of our effort to remove the failed graffiti contractor when I never once ever heard him make a peep over the poor service. No Mr. I love parks even let parks like Flores Park and Birdsall fall to the wayside and become havens for drugs, graffiti and elicit sex. If you haven’t paid into his campaign he could care less about you, just like his father.

Ed Scott the person that still wants American Water parts of the major failed water deal that will force many Rialto residents to choose food for their families or pay their water bill. Dead lawns and delinquent water bills are in Rialto’s future thanks to this man. Ed Scott wants to be your MAYOR YIKES. Police and Fire have to back this man for if they don’t there is a looming fear of what he will do to their depts. and jobs. Some have called him your everyday elected official and that alone is enough to have me running for the hills away from a career elected official, not a true difference maker.

rialtonow

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Tuesday November 13, 2012

8:00 to 9:00 am

Coffee Nutzz, 119 E. Foothill

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