Assemblymember Cheryl R. Brown Speaks About Honoring a Legacy that Continues to Inspires

18 Mar 2013 Leave a comment

by rialto-now in and the unincorporated communities of Bloomington and Muscoy, Assemblymember-Elect Cheryl Brown, Colton, Fontana, Grand Terrace, Rialto, San Bernardino, youth Tags: , , , , ,

Assemblymember Cheryl R. Brown Speaks About Honoring a Legacy that Continues to Inspires

brown

Photo caption: (L to R back) Twillea Evans-Carthen, manager, Human Resources Programs & Employment, CSUSB (receiving the certificate for honoree Lois Carson),  Dr. Milton Clark, dean, Undergraduate Studies, CSUSB, Walter Hawkins, former director of research policy and analysis, CSUSB, Sam Fellows, former adjunct professor, CSUSB, the Honorable Wilmer Amina Carter, ret., State Legislature,  Dr. Jean Peacock, associate dean, College of Social & Behavioral Sciences, CSUSB, Assemblymember Cheryl R. Brown, 47 District, and Dr. Mildred Henry, CEO of the San Bernardino Pal Center at the Pioneer Breakfast in the Santos Manuel Student Union on Friday, March 8.

Photo by Robert A. Whitehead/CSUSB

SAN BERNARDINO -Assemblymember Cheryl R. Brown (D-San Bernardino) delivered the keynote address at the inaugural Pioneer Breakfast hosted by the Black Faculty, Staff and Student Association at California State University, San Bernardino. The event was held Friday, March 5 at the Santos Manuel Student Union and celebrated pioneering African Americans from the Inland Empire that have made and continue to make significant contributions to the community.

 

The 2013 honorees were: The Honorable Wilmer Amina Carter, retired, California State Legislature; Walter Hawkins, a founding member of the Black Faculty, Staff and Student Association and retired director of research policy and analysis at Cal State San Bernardino’s department of undergraduate studies; Dr. Jean Peacock, an alumna, founding member of the Black Faculty, Staff and Student Association and professor of psychology and former assistant dean in the university’s College of Social and Behavioral Sciences; Dr. Mildred Henry, the first African American to become a tenured professor at the university’s College of Education and now a professor emeritus; Lois Carson, a member of the university’s first graduating class in 1967; Sam Fellows, alumnus and adjunct professor, who holds a master’s degree in education and social work from the university; and Dr. Milton Clark, an alumnus and the first Black associate professor of English at the university, who is currently the university’s associate vice president for undergraduate studies and was recently named the university’s first chief diversity officer.

 

During her address she spoke about the pioneering firsts and sacrifices that were made by each of the honorees on behalf of the Black faculty, staff and student population. During the late 1970s, these individuals set the tone for equality in terms of hiring, retention and promotion within the Black faculty at Cal State San Bernardino.  Among their primary duties was to promote diversity within the university.

 

As a group, they sought to increase Black student recruitment and improve Black student graduation rates. They also engaged the community, specifically the Black community and worked together to improve campus policies that would eventually benefit Black student recruitment.

 

“I was honored to be a part of this special event. I enjoyed talking about my friends and the tremendous impact they’ve made in the community, state and for some, the nation. This special recognition was well deserved,” said Assemblymember Brown.

 

Following her address, she acknowledged the upcoming Class of 2013 graduates and assured them that she’s working very hard to address their needs by creating an environment for job growth.

 

She spoke about her introduction of AB 285, a bill to improve the quality of life for residents in the 47th Assembly District and throughout the state by promoting small business growth, which will translate to job creation within some of the state’s highest unemployment areas. AB 285 was the first bill that she introduced during the 2013-2014 legislative session, signifying the importance of jobs in the district.

 

Contact (909) 381-3238 for more information.

Assemblymember Cheryl R. Brown represents the 47th Assembly District, which includes Colton, Fontana, Grand Terrace, Rialto, San Bernardino, and the unincorporated communities of Bloomington and Muscoy.

 

Website of Assemblymember Cheryl R. Brown: http://www.asmdc.org/members/a47/.

Assemblymember Cheryl R. Brown Voices Small Business Concerns during JEDE Committee Hearing

10 Feb 2013 Leave a comment

by rialto-now in and the unincorporated communities of Bloomington and Muscoy, Assemblymember-Elect Cheryl Brown, Budget, Ca, Centurion Security Patrol, City of Rialto, Coffee Nutz, Colton, davidsMarketing, DOVE CHOCOLATE DISCOVERIES Chocolatier, Farrell’s Resturant, Fontana, Food Trucks, Frank Montes, Grand Terrace, IE Gourmet Food Trucks, In & Out, Inland Empire, Rialto, San Bernardino, www.careervisionbyjamie.com, youth Tags: , , ,

Assemblymember Cheryl R. Brown Voices Small Business Concerns during JEDE Committee Hearing

Assemblymember Cheryl R. Brown (D-San Bernardino) voices small business concerns during JEDE Committee Hearing.

Assemblymember Cheryl R. Brown (D-San Bernardino) voices small business concerns during JEDE Committee Hearing.

SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Cheryl R. Brown (D-San Bernardino) joined committee members for a hearing of the Jobs and Economic Development & the Economy (JEDE) Committee on Tuesday, February 5. JEDE is the policy committee in the State Assembly responsible for reviewing policies and legislation related to small business development, international trade and other economic development related issues.

 

The JEDE Committee includes Assemblymember Jose Medina, chair, Assemblymember Travis Allen, vice-chair, and Assemblymembers Tom Daly, Paul Fong, Steve Fox, Ben Hueso, Eric Linder, Melissa A. Melendrez, and V. Manuel Pérez. Assemblymember Ken Cooley also joined the members of the JEDE Committee for the hearing.

 

JEDE is currently tackling the state’s economy and unemployment figures by seeking job creation opportunities. During the hearing, Assemblymember Brown spoke about the importance of supporting small businesses and jobs in the Inland Empire and she indicated there are impediments to businesses.

 

“I’m glad I had the opportunity to voice concerns on behalf of the small business community in the 47th District during the hearing. Supporting small business is so important to me because small businesses provide a majority of jobs in our district. Small businesses are hurting right now and many of them are closing their doors. We need to help our small businesses by updating and streamlining some of the state’s regulatory processes,” said Assemblymember Brown.

 

Assemblymember Brown said she plans to support the JEDE Committee as they look for ways to improve our state’s economy.

 

For more information, contact (909) 381-3238.

 

 

Assemblymember Cheryl R. Brown represents the 47th Assembly District, which includes Colton, Fontana, Grand Terrace, Rialto, San Bernardino, and the unincorporated communities of Bloomington and Muscoy.

 

Website of Assemblymember Cheryl R. Brown:http://www.asmdc.org/members/a47/

“SPOTLIGHT” with Ed Scott on the Elections & the Open Council Seat

15 Jan 2013 Leave a comment

by rialto-now in Budget, Ca, City of Rialto, davidsMarketing, Deborah Robertson, Ed palmer, Ed Scott, Inland Empire, Joe Baca Jr, Nieghborhood Watch, Rialto, Shawn O'Connell, Target, Uncategorized, Water, wwwstoprialtowaterratehikes.com Tags: , , ,

Hello Rialto so you thought the elections were over right?

Wrong we still have an open council seat!!!!!!!

Ok so maybe the thought of more election pandering doesn’t excite you, if that’s the case this is right up your alley.

The city council has chosen to make an appointment verses spending money on an election. They gave candidates 3 days to get their letters of interest into the city clerk’s office (Friday 5pm) and now they have the task of choosing one of these people to fill the vacant seat for the remainder of the term (1.5 years).

Rumors are already circling that the 3 seated council members have already made up their minds? Is it simply rumor? Or is there something it?

There is no way to know what another person is thinking until you ask them to put it to writing. Here is the Interview from Ed Scott enjoy.

Ed Scott is seeking the open council seat

Ed Scott is seeking the open council seat

*What are your thoughts on how the local elections played out for citizens of Rialto?

I am happy with the two Councilmembers who were voted in. Obviously I am disappointed voters didn’t do more research on the Mayoral candidates as I feel the outcome would of been different. Having said that I am in full support of our new Mayor and wish her the best.

*In what ways will you try and remain a part of the work to make a better Rialto now that you’re no longer on the Council?

For 23 years I’ve been active in this community and will continue to do so in any way I can. I may run again sometime down the road.

*Are you seeking the appointed seat left vacant by your opponent for Mayor Deborah Robertson?

Yes I am I feel I would be a good asset to the new Council especially in business development and perchlorate.

*How do you thing this spot should be filled?

The Council should review applicants and pick a person qualified.

*What is the value of having it done now verses waiting till June in a special election?

We need leadership, there are major financial issues facing this city and a person with knowledge of these issues would be helpful.

*Can you explain the importance of having an odd number of people voting?

You certainly don’t want tied votes and if the council cannot come up with a consensus then a 3 – 2 votes is helpful. In a perfect situation if staff and the council are doing their homework a unanimous vote should take place. Voting on issues is not about one’s personal agenda it’s about what is good and right for the community.

*What was your greatest accomplishment & failure as a council member?

I think my hard work to bring new businesses into our community was important. i.e. Coco’s, Wal-Mart, Target, In & Out multiple distribution centers bringing job to Rialto and my work in bringing the perchlorate law suit to an end. But my greatest pleasure was when I could help a resident of small business with a problem and could leave them with the feeling that an elected official cared about them. There is no better feeling. As far as failures I don’t really look at anything that way. Would I have of done something’s different yes, hind sight is always important.

*There is talk of putting Measure “V” on the ballot again any thoughts on this? Why in your opinion did it fail in November?

It failed because people didn’t understand why the City was doing it and we let big oil companies come into our city and flat out lie to our residents. I worked for big oil companies for over twenty years and I tried to warn the city how ruthless they can be but my concerns fell on deaf ears.

*What in your opinion is the greatest hurdle in the community’s path between now and the next election?

Having enough money to keep the City solvent and at the same time maintain our necessary levels of service for public safety.

*Veolia will be the operator of both the Water and Waste Water for Rialto for the next 30 years, what are your thoughts on this? Can they handle both with minimal errors? Did you have a choice you wish was there instead?

Yes I am confident they can handle it my choice to run the water department was West Valley it just didn’t happen

*As a small business owner what can Rialto do to make this an attractive home for our local small businesses?

Make the permitting and government interaction easier. The City needs to understand that when a small business loses business because of safety concerns or because government is difficult to do business with it is devastating. Most small business people are not rich people they are hardworking residents.

*Residents of the country club area came out to the Coffee with the Chief in December commenting on the way the Golf Course has become a mess and attracts criminals and the wild life is moving in as well. What was done wrong there in your opinion?

The golf course was losing 20,000 a month the owners had a right to close it. The residents should have worked with the owners instead of suing them. No one won in that situation but lawyers. The best thing now is to support the new development at the golf course so it can be reopened and become prosperous.

Statement of Assemblymember Cheryl R. Brown on Governor Brown’s 2013-2014 Proposed Budget

13 Jan 2013 Leave a comment

by rialto-now in Assemblymember-Elect Cheryl Brown, Budget, Ca Tags: , , , ,

Statement of Assemblymember Cheryl R. Brown on Governor Brown’s 2013-2014 Proposed Budget

SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Cheryl R. Brown (D-San Bernardino) issued the following statement today after the release of Governor Brown’s 2013 – 2014 proposed budget:

“The Governor’s budget gives us a blueprint for fiscal responsibility and provides more funding and local control to K-12 and community colleges where the students will reap the benefits. In keeping with the Affordable Health Care Act, the budget also sets a framework for health care reform while paying down our debt. I look forward to working with my colleagues as we move forward in the budget process.”

 

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Assemblymember Cheryl R. Brown represents the 47th Assembly District, which includes Colton, Fontana, Grand Terrace, Rialto, San Bernardino, and the unincorporated communities of Bloomington and Muscoy.

Perchlorate Settlement News

10 Dec 2012 Leave a comment

by rialto-now in American Cancer Society, Budget, Ca, Cancer, City of Rialto, Ed Scott, Family, Flores Park, Inland Empire, perchlorate, perchlorate cleanup settlements, Rialto, Uncategorized, Water Tags: , , , , ,

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

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

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

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

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

Ed Scott

Mayor Pro Tem

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

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

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

Read more: http://www.sbsun.com/ci_22160115/rialto-new-city-council-ready-roll-perchlorate-surcharge#ixzz2Eg3hJGKz

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

 

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

Ryan Hagen, Staff Writersbsun.com

Posted:   12/05/2012 12:23:18 PM PST

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Read more: http://www.sbsun.com/ci_22130014/more-than-50-million-settlement-reached-contamination-superfun.html#ixzz2EIrqAg6x

Press Release from Rialto Water Services (WasteWater)

05 Dec 2012 Leave a comment

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

 

 

Rialto Water Services selects Veolia Water

 

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

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

 

 

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Contact:

 

 

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

EnerTech energy plant in Rialto closes

02 Nov 2012 Leave a comment

by rialto-now in Uncategorized Tags: , , , , ,

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

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.

Read more: http://www.sbsun.com/ci_21902660/enertech-energy-plant-rialto-closes#ixzz2B22E2pvw