07 May 2014 Leave a comment
Don’t miss out on a opportunity to ask our congressional canidates real questions about what they plan to do for us? How will they change the culture politics in Washington by properly representing our district? I will be there will you?
https://www.facebook.com/events/863224203703998/?ref_dashboard_filter=upcoming
01 Apr 2014 Leave a comment
Signs are 15 inches high and 22 inches wide, double sided, glossy and weather proof on metal stakes.
Cities in the district include: Upland, Rancho Cucamonga, Fontana, San Bernardino, Highland, Redlands, Loma Linda, Grand Terrace and Rialto)
30 Jan 2014 Leave a comment
in Andy Carrizales, Burglury, Ca, Chief Mat Fratus, city attorney, City of Rialto, Crime, davidsMarketing, Flores Park Neighborhood Watch, Inland Empire, Mike Story, paramedic ambulances, Public Safety, Rialto, Rialto, Rialto Fire, Rialto Parks, Rialto Police Department, rialto unified school district, RUSD, SCAT, Street Crime Attack Team, SWAT, Uncategorized, youth Tags: Andy Karol, Area Command, police department, Rialto Police
Well last Thursday the people of area’s 1&2 were treated to the first Area Command meeting of 2014. One thing that is clear that this is one of the regularly scheduled public venues that gets a little bit better each and every time. One component recently added to these meetings are the police department education meetings. The first one I remember is last year they had the staff from dispatch come out and educate the community on what dispatch does, why dispatch operates the way it does & how you can help the dispatcher answer your call as quickly as possible.
This year the special presentation is on our Investigative Unit how it operates, who makes up the staff, what their prospective duties are and some frequently asked questions that everyone found interesting and helpful. Even Area Command Leader Lt Karol gave everyone useful tips to help minimize your vulnerability to identity theft. We were presented with information from the following people:
The Area Command meetings are a vital tool in empowering the Rialto community to take a proactive role in helping make Rialto a great place to live, work & play. The information given at these meetings goes well beyond the presentations its extended to the wealth of information in the manner of the many flyers and printed materials available as well as the ability to talk 1-1 with people that help you with any given situation, problem or question.
If you missed this meeting your in luck there is another one coming up on Monday February 3rd at Calvary Chapel Rialto on the corner of Merrill and Cedar at 7pm. This meeting is geared towards the lower half of the city areas 3 & 4 (everything south of foothill) but anyone is welcome to come. Here are some flyers for your reference:
01 Dec 2013 Leave a comment
in Uncategorized Tags: Black Friday, Rialto, Wal-mart officials
I don’t know about the rest of you but I had no desire to spend my thanksgiving energies on black Friday brick and mortar sales. Unless you are one of the more than 5 thousand that converged on the Rialto Wal-mart black Friday sale. This blog has time and time again warned the community and our local government on relying on Wal-mart to provide quality service and an appropriate level of security. Rialto has never been a retail hub so our city is less than experienced with the issues that mass retail brings.
Rialto police vehicles sit outside the Rialto Walmart Thursday night after fights occurred at the store. Police said there were three fights shortly after 7 p.m. at the store at 1610 S. Riverside Ave., two of which were inside over merchandise and the third outside that caused injury to an officer. Will Lester – Staff Photographer
So when 5 thousand plus people were lined up and waiting for the Black Friday deals on Thanksgiving night Wal-mart officials made a major cardinal sin by deviating from their original goal of opening at 8pm. People in line said that was when the tension began. Lori Woods of Fontana said “When the line started moving earlier than expected people started pushing and cutting, no one was watching or keeping the peace until police arrived”.
The San Bernardino Sun reported another woman made a similar statement. “We were fine waiting and didn’t feel scared until the fight broke out,” said Marta Vargas of Rialto. “The police jumped in quickly and took care of the problem.” This man reported the fights “We saw a man and a woman fighting inside over a flat screen TV,” said Jamal Jones, 56, of Rialto. “This is my first Black Friday and my last. The crowds are pushy and people are downright rude.”
Wal-mart officials would like for you to believe that they care and have things under control with this statement they released to the media. “The fight at the Rialto store was an unfortunate and isolated incident to an otherwise very safe event,” corporate spokeswoman Betsy Harden said. “Providing our customers with the best and safest shopping experience is always our top priority.”
Sadly though You Tube and National media tells a different story of Wal-mart store all over the country failing to offer appropriate levels of security and protection. Many mall and mass shopping centers that do offer appropriate levels of security and safety rarely have incidents and they don’t raise to the level of multiple brawls. Even Lisa Ann Walter on KFI AM 640 has a weekly segment on the epic fails that follow the popular discount retailer Wal-mart.
So one Wal-mart incident took a dozen police officers (overtime) two agencies helicopter coverage ($$$$$) a police officer with a broken wrist (off work with pay and reduced what this officer can do with his family).
So join me in thanking Wal-mart for once again failing to offer any real level of security or safety. Also don’t forget your city is going to allow the same people the right to open an even bigger Super Wal-mart as well as add a Target Store in the near future.
On a even less the fortunate note it seems the most dangerous city in the Inland Empire can call the Highland Wal-mart a San Bernardino victory as stated here in the SB Sun article:
Not every city had issues though, San Bernardino police said they haven’t experienced any problems with Walmart stores on Black Friday the past four years.
“Our partnership and coordination with Wal-mart has truly prevented a lot of the problems that you’ve seen elsewhere,” said San Bernardino police Sgt. Travis Walker.
27 Oct 2013 Leave a comment
in City of Rialto, Crime, Currupt, davidsMarketing, Inland Empire, Josie Gonzales, Public Safety, Rialto, Rialto Fire, Rialto Police Department, SCAT, Uncategorized, youth Tags: city of rialto, Michael Townsend, Rialto Community Coalition, rialto police department, Synthetic Drugs
Hello Rialto Now readers. A year or so ago the city of Rialto revised its prior Municipal Code that would assist the Police in combatting the Sale of Synthetic Drugs like “SPICE” & “BATHSALTS”. Prior laws were seen to have no teeth because they focused on the chemical compound. This was frustrating to law makers and police because the criminals making this drug would simply change the chemical compound ever so slightly making the law unaplicable.
What Rialto did was go after the MARKETING of these drugs. Thus making even having it for sale in your business illegal. So once Rialto Police Department began to educate the Smoke Shops and Liquor Stores on the new law they saw very little of the product. Last year a Eisenhower High School student was given some “SPICE” and nearly went into cardiac arrest while his friends tried to slip him by the classroom teacher. After this incident Rialto Police SCAT team preformed undercover buys and places known to sell the product and issued 2 warnings.
These warnings were not adhered to and three businesses were found to still be selling “SPICE” to your children. Rialto PD levied fines and confiscated their product. I they are found to still be selling these narcotics they can have their business license revoked and they would be shut down.
Since then, other local communities have reviewed and adopted similar ordinances. This is a big deal because our State and Federal Legislator refuse to deal with this issue and make it a ACTUAL CRIME. The Rialto Community Coalition has been a catalyst in pushing this Municipal Code forward and helping make it a success. Michael Townsend with Mental Health Systems is the facilitator of the Rialto Community Coalition. Mr. Townsend said of the “SPICE” Ordnance:
Rialto’s revised synthetic drug ordinance addresses the way criminals so cleverly attempt to maneuver around federal and state laws. Though chemists have developed different chemical compounds that will have the same effect as the outlawed chemical compounds in order to skirt the law, Rialto has had the foresight to address the problem by focusing on the marketing aspect of synthetic drug sales. It’s shameful that our youth are targeted and are often susceptible to the ploys of ruthless individuals motivated purely by money and without regard to the health and welfare of others. Policy makers in Rialto deserve our applause for taking leadership to protect our youth. Michael A. Townsend, Central Valley Prevention Program
Below you will find a link to the story ABC 7 did with one of the shop owners as well as the Press Release that the SB Sheriffs Dept. put out on the shop visits. Listen to this shop owner tell you that he is more interested in making quick money at the expense of you child’s life and health.
http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/local/inland_empire&id=9299139
Below you will find Cpl. Cameron Nelson explains the spice ordnance.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDbQRyhLL1g
BUSINESS OWNERS WARNED SALE OF SYNTHETIC DRUGS IS ILLEGAL
Members of a designated Sheriff’s Department task force, aimed at the eradication of dangerous synthetic drugs, will serve warning letters to area businesses advising them the sales of “bath salts” or “spice” – as they are commonly called – will not be permitted in the county. Deputies will be delivering letters Wednesday, October 23, to area smoke shops and liquor stores in an effort to educate business owners of the legal ramifications of selling synthetic drugs. The letters will outline state law banning the sale of synthetic drugs and give the owners an opportunity to dispose of the specified product in a safe and legal fashion. Businesses served on Wednesday will have the opportunity to voluntarily submit any “spice” or “bath salts” they may be selling and avoid criminal prosecution. “Some business owners may not understand exactly what they are selling,” Sheriff John McMahon said. “We want to educate them on the law and the dangers of synthetic drugs so they do not put the residents of this county – or their business – in jeopardy.” “Spice” and “bath salts” – also known as “designer drugs” – have been scientifically formulated to create the same effects of more common drugs, such as marijuana, methamphetamine or PCP. But these “fake” substances are not detected on standard drug tests because they are a synthetic imitation. For this reason, abuse tends to run rampant in the military and other professions in which drug testing is a common occurrence. The Sheriff’s Department has worked closely with various residents involved in local coalitions throughout the County who are concerned about the covert effect synthetic drugs have had on their community. These dedicated community members have been a driving force in garnering awareness of this problem and opening law enforcement’s eyes to the extent of possible sales in the county, McMahon said. Spice is a mixture of herbs sprayed with the synthetic chemicals that is usually smoked. Bath salts are synthetic chemicals in a powder or crystal form that are usually snorted or injected. These highly addictive, synthetic drugs are marketed as potpourri, decorative sand, shoe deodorizers or glass cleaner; however they have nothing in common with the products they are advertised to be. They are packaged using bright colors and cartoon characters in an obvious ploy to attract children. “These drugs are affecting two segments of the population who deserve the most protection: our children and the brave men and women who serve in our country’s armed forces,” McMahon said. One of the most common effects of these drugs is homicidal and suicidal tendencies, making them extremely dangerous for law enforcement officials who are called to respond to those who may be under the influence of spice or bath salts. The effects of these synthetic, or “designer” drugs, range greatly because there is no prescribed dosage on any of the packages. Users have been known to suffer cardiac arrest, brain seizures, tremors, and excited delirium. Others have extraordinary strength, similar to the effects associated with the use of PCP, making the Taser and other force options ineffective. While producers of bath salts promise a euphoric high, similar to cocaine or methamphetamine, the psychotic results of the synthetic drugs are far more severe and addictive.
For more information contact: Jodi Miller, PIO (909)387-3599 or Lolita Harper, Deputy at (909)387-0633. For IMMEDIATE information please e-mail: jmiller@sbcsd.org or lharper@sbcsd.org
John McMahon, Sheriff-Coroner San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department
27 Oct 2013 Leave a comment
in City of Rialto, Coffee Nutz, davidsMarketing, Inland Empire, Mike Story, Public Safety, Rialto, Rialto Fire, Rialto Parks, Rialto Police Department, Uncategorized, youth Tags: Calvary Chapel Rialto, city of rialto, Halloween, Halloween Carnivals, Halloween Celebrations, Halloween Hijinks, Haunted House, Lighthouse Church, Rialto, Sunrise Church, Sunrise Church Rialto
Halloween is not what it used to be and every year it changes more and more. Rialto has really grown into itself over the years and so has its Halloween Celebrations. Halloween has gone from trick-or-treating and house parties to Halloween Carnivals and Harvest Celebrations galore. From churches to parks and your good ole trick-or-treating there is no shortage of places for kids and adults alike to secure some good ole candy.
Fall Fest – Sunrise Church Rialto http://www.sunrisechurch.org/fall-fest
Sunday, October 27, 2013
4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Free school supplies to the first 1,000 elementary students!
Events:
Prizes!
Music!
Free Rock Wall!
Free Zip Line!
Free Games!
Free Activities!
Food Vendors!
Fire Department!
K9 Unit & Swat Team – Demonstrations!
For more info, call 909-875-5566!
Halloween Hi Jinks – City of Rialto http://rialtoca.gov/documents/downloads/Halloween_Hi-_Jinks_Flyer(1).pdf
Haunted Fire House – Rialto Fire https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=676418532377682&set=pb.119010618118479.-2207520000.1382461228.&type=3&theater
Hallelujah Festival – Calvary Chapel Rialto http://www.ccrialto.com/#!untitled/zoom/c21kz/imageoyc
Harvest Fest 2013 – Lighthouse Church http://inlandlighthouse.com/page.php?TYPE=EVENT&ID=2527
25 Aug 2013 Leave a comment
in City of Rialto, Flores Park, Inland Empire, Nieghborhood Watch, Public Safety, Rialto, Rialto, Rialto Police Department, SCAT, Shawn O'Connell, Street Crime Attack Team, SWAT, Uncategorized
We have received reports that Rialto Police Department SCAT team conducted a sweep of local businesses known to sell synthetic drugs like SPICE & BATHSALTS.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mil_VdTabk Cpl. Nelson Rialto PD gives overview of what spice is.
A Press Release from Rialto Police Department has now come out.
What we do know that we can release is this week at Eisenhower High School a package of the Synthetic Form of Marijuana called SPICE was found in a classroom. Pictured below is the brand of Synthetic Marijuana that was found this week in a classroom on the campus of Eisenhower High School. The three businesses that were found in possession of the banned substance for sale all were right next to Eisenhower High School. There have been talks in the community that banning these types of stores within a comfortable radius of our schools.
Found in a Eisenhower classroom this week
Last year a young male almost went into cardiac arrest after consuming the Synthetic Marijuana on campus. If not for the quick response of his teacher and campus security the outcome would have had a horrible ending.
School officials and staff have yet to comment on this issue for the drug being found once again on their campus.
24 Aug 2013 Leave a comment
in American Water, Barbara A. McGee, Budget, Ca, city attorney, City of Rialto, Currupt, Deborah Robertson, Ed palmer, Inland Empire, Jimmy Gutierrez, Joe Baca Jr, Mike Story, Rialto, Rialto, Shawn O'Connell, Uncategorized, Water, wwwstoprialtowaterratehikes.com Tags: government
Jimmy Gutierrez is our current city attorney in the city of Rialto. According to reports from City Hall he has operated over the last 5 years on a $600,000 a year for his base salary. What is worse is he nickel and dimes the city for every little thing he does raising the rate we pay him every year more and more.
This year with some fresh blood in the council many contracts have come under review and put back out to bid. The thought process according to Mike Story is to make sure we are getting the best bang for our buck. The city of Rialto has made changes to many contracts saving the city and the community thousands of dollars. From the contract security services, to street sweeping and technology services the fat is being cut and the city is looking to streamline services. City attorney Jimmy Gutierrez’s contract ended in June 2013. So what do we do?
Under the guise of cutting fat city council formed a committee to look at ways of reducing attorney costs for Rialto. What the Sub committee came up with was a temporary extension of City Attorney services with Jimmy Gutierrez. This was done so that the city could develop an RFP and bid out services for Attorney costs for the city. Another task was writing Jimmy Gutierrez’s extension while reducing costs. City staff reported as well as Councilwoman Lynn Hirtz over the phone that it was difficult to get Jimmy Gutierrez to make concessions on his pay to help the city further save money. It wasn’t until right before the July 23rd Council meeting that Jimmy Gutierrez reluctantly agreed to a compensation adjustment.
Joe Baca Jr. said at the July 23rd council meeting that the communities biggest issue was with the city attorney is the cost. Is that really the greatest concern of the community? I remember most recently that Jimmy Gutierrez along with City Clerk McGee gave city council direction to ignore the fact that the Rialto residents received enough signatures to remove the toxic water deal that is already hurting Rialto residents. Or how about the Super Wal-Mart that is set to increase crime and create more business blight that our city can’t or refuses to take action on. Councilman Baca seems to miss the fact that it appears our attorney has been doing his best to rip off the community under the guise of business as usual. Jimmy Gutierrez has also been arrested in suspicion of driving under the influence and was allowed to plead no contest and avoid any real consequences. Also lets not forget Jimmy Gutierrez is also the city attorney for 3 other cites.
We had the opportunity to speak with some of the players involved in this meeting:
I reached out to City Administrator Mike Story and asked who wrote this contract? It was developed by Councilman Joe Baca Jr. & Lynn Hirtz who are the subcommittee of the council looking at the contract along with Jimmy Gutierrez. So Jimmy Gutierrez and the subcommittee wrote it? Jimmy Gutierrez prepared the contract at the direction of the subcommittee. After several attempts by the subcommittee to get Jimmy Gutierrez to make their recommended changes including a reduction in fees, the subcommittee directed me (Mike Story) to make the changes they requested.
I reached out to Lynn Hirtz and she said that she only voted for the temporary contract with Jimmy Gutierrez because she felt obligated to. Councilwoman Hirtz stated over the phone that she felt obligated to vote with Councilman Joe Baca Jr. in reference to an amendment that was brought up by Councilman O’connell. Councilman O’connell brought up a very important “what if” Jimmy Gutierrez does go over the 160 hour limit each month. So mayor Deborah Robertson made a amendment that if Jimmy Gutierrez does go over the 160 limit anything over that would have to be approved by the council PRIOR to going over the limit. So due to the fact that the subcommittee that she was a part of brought this forward Lynn Hirtz & Joe Baca Jr moved and seconded the motion. She never thought of a situation where Jimmy Gutierrez would go over the 160 hours he was allotted by the temporary extension so she wasn’t sure why it was even an issue. Lynn Hirtz said she wasn’t a fan of the extension but went along with Joe Baca Jr. who was the biggest proponent of the city attorney extension. Lynn Hirtz also commented that Jimmy Gutierrez was upset that he would no longer be able to “ITEMIZE” for extra costs the gimmick he has exploited to bump up his compensation over the years.
Shawn O’Connell said July 23rd meeting I approved the contract the way it was written was never vetted by an attorney I instructed our city attorney to spend no more than 160 hours. This contract offers no way to control his ability to charge more and put the citizens at further liability which was what I was trying to convey on July 23rd. Mayor Robertson’s motion which I voted for instructed Jimmy Gutierrez to inform Mike Story before he went over the allotted 160 hours, My fear is this isn’t the way its going to work out.
The second issue is with the time line for releasing the RFP and beginning to look for other options for our city attorney. The proposed timeline for releasing the RFP begins releasing on October 1st. Mayor Pro-tem Ed Palmer asked why were we waiting until the bitter end to release the RFP. Mayor Pro-Tem said that if we run into issues like we did with security contract where there is a bump in the road. The issues was with the original RFP release schedule it would leave us without attorney services the first 14 days of January. Joe Baca Jr. refuses to look at the fact that Jimmy Gutierrez is out as our city attorney. Councilman O’Connell & Mayor Pro-Tem Palmer want to keep us from keeping someone on as our attorney that will act as a disgruntle employee.
What was most frustrating was that even though Lynn Hirtz saw an issue with the late releasing of the RFP she voted for it out of pressure to do so by Mayor Robertson & Councilman Baca Jr. because she was on the subcommittee. When I asked her over the phone about it she said she wanted to vote with Councilman O’Connell and Mayor Pro-Tem Palmer but she felt obligated to vote with her subcommittee co-member. I asked her if she thought Jimmy Gutierrez was going to mail it in these last months and try and collect as much money as possible. She said she never thought about that but since I brought it up she was so worried I was right and she may have made a poor decision.
I spoke to Councilman O’Connell prior to posting this story. Councilman O’Connell stated that the city attorney has yet to sign this contract offering the council and COMMUNITY the unique opportunity to revisit the contract and make the appropriate changes. The ACTIONABLE item is TAB 6 on the upcoming council meeting this Augsut 27th meeting at 6 pm.
So the question is do you agree with Councilman Joe Baca Jr. is the amount of the contract the ONLY issue you have with the city attorney contract? If it is do you believe that Jimmy Gutierrez waiting until the last moment to reluctantly agree to a reduction in fees then not sign the contract after a month does that sound like someone that is willing to work on price? Why does Councilman Joe Baca Jr. appear to run to Jimmy Gutierrez’s defense at every turn? What does that relationship pay the Baca family back? Where is the value for such a vigorous defense? Councilman O’Connell is right we have a unique opportunity here.
Watch the council meeting for yourself these tab items are at the end
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W9QcQ26VvwQ
Jimmy Gutierrez can charge $225 an hour for attorney services and $75 an hour for paralegal services.
24 Aug 2013 Leave a comment
in Uncategorized Tags: eisenhower high school
Going on right now until 9 am Sunday 24 straight hours
Relay for Life of Rialto
Relay for Life of Rialto
Eisenhower High School
August 24-25, 2013
9:00 AM Saturday – 9:00 AM Sunday
Imagine a World with more BIRTHDAYS!
Survivor Registration Opens: 7:00 AM
Survivor Ceremony: 9:00 AM
Luminaria Ceremony: 8:00 PM
Closing Fight Back! Ceremony: 8:00 AM
For more information, please contact Delynda Kobbe, Event Chair (909) 816-3364, relaykobbe@sbcglobal.net
To Form a Team: Kathleen Holm-Team Development Chair (909) 644-1902, kiholm@dslextreme.com
For cancer information, please call the 24-hour hotline: 1-800-ACS-2345.
"The Circle Vison Quest" by Eugene Panis
rialtonow 