Rialto Now Story Leads To Changes At City Hall & Coverage By Local Media

“Don’t ever let anyone tell you that your voice isn’t powerful” says editor David Phillips of the Internet site loosely named in the San Bernardino Sun article printed Sunday morning by Jim Stienberg. Mr Phillips and his staff worked hard over the last part of 2016 and early 2017 to highlight some major issues effecting Rialto residents, business owners and taxpayers.

First was the planned secret meeting of the first Rialto sanctuary city committee by Raza Rialto and Councilman Rafael Trujillo which thanks to Mr Phillips and his staff was stopped dead in its tracks with some unexpected help from right wing advocates for following the rule of law.

Second was the travel of two elected officials and two high ranking police officers to Washington DC at a cost of over $17 thousand dollars. This request was once again buried in the consent calander where at times over 50 items will be approved with one simple vote. Not only did our story rack up thousands of hits and readers but the mayor and council were forced to address the travel and explain themselves. On top of that a follow up story by Jim Stienberg of the San Bernardino Sun was written to further highlight to the local community what is happening with this travel.

Our questions Tuesday led to an admission by Mayor Robertson that even though she was staying in Washington for the 20th she would not be going to the inauguration. Now according to the San Bernardino Sun article she is coming home EARLY!!!!!

We started this blog  five years ago as a response to the lack of reporting from the bigger media who’s job it is to report on what is going on in the Rialto region. We started our 1st year with only 1,000 views to an average of 5,000 views a month. Our articles have been used in other publications and we’re the first place many news publications go to for information. Much like Jim Stienberg’s article we are the vehicle for making sure that our leaders do not veer to far off course and keep Rialto and the surrounding region moving forward.

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Mayor Robertson not a Fan of Trump but wants Taxpayers to pay for her to watch Trump Inauguration

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Request City Council to approve travel and training request for Police Chief Randy De Anda and Lieutenant Paul Stella to accompany Mayor Deborah Robertson as security detail during the United States Conference of Mayors Winter Meeting in Washington, DC, January 17-19, and the Presidential Inauguration on January 20, 2017.

The above image is an image pulled Tuesdays City Council Meeting Agenda Consent Calander from Mayor Deborah Robertson’s Re-election twitter account. As you can see the Mayor wasn’t a fan of President Elect Trump. As you see in the text above the Mayor is telling you that she wants a protective detail to go watch a Inauguration of a candidate she didn’t like. Looking at the Chart provided with the agenda there is no allocation for Chief Deanda or Lt Stella yet there is a base amount for the Mayor to attend the Mayors Conference by her self. We know that Councilman Ed Scott was given his ticket to the Inauguration by Congressman Pete Aguliar but who is picking up the travel and stay for Councilman Scott on this trip:

US Conference of Mayors – Winter Meeting Washington, DC January Mayor $3,200.00 estimate per person

Legislative Meetings (various) Washington, DC Per Year Mayor & 1 Council $5,000.00 estimate per person

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So were paying $7,397.04 for the Chief and an Lt, plus a minimum of $3,200 for the Mayor and another $5,000 for Council Member Scott for a minimum of $15,597.04!!!!!!

Mayor Robertson used the Republican Nominee Trump as a way to hurt people running for election here locally. Here are a few of the examples:

  • Candidates that were republican or had a more conservative leaning Mayor Robertson used this to turn people away from them. She was heard routinely saying those trumpsters are going to take away everything.
  • Mayor Robertson poisoned voters minds when they were considering candidates like her opponent Ed Palmer, City Council Candidate David Phillips and Congressional Candidate Paul Chabot. It was so bad that it was routine for a public event for a Mayor Robertson supporters trying to shut down these candidates when they tried to speak.
  • Mayor Robertson not only hurt Republican candidates but committed democrats who failed to fall in line with her tactics or policies.
  • Lynn Hirtz – Democrat running for city council was tied to Donald Trump by Mayor Robertson.
  • Ana Gonzalez – Bernie Sanders Democrat supporting Hilary was tied to Donald Trump by Mayor Robertson.
  • Joe Britt – Running for City Council was tied to Donald Trump by Mayor Robertson.
  • Ed Killgore – Democrat running for reelection to the water board was tied to Donald Trump by Mayor Robertson.

If the Mayor is so upset over the Election of President Donald Trump why does she have to go and why are the taxpayers paying for it? Mayor Robertson even had former Assembly Member Cheryl Brown calling out people who challenged Mayor Robertson at Democrat meetings as trumpsters that needed to be stopped. What makes matters worse is Mayor Robertson is the Mayor of Rialto a struggling working class city. Our people are hard working but a majority of our families are still struggling or just getting by. Most of our ids will never stay in a $400 a night hotel room, eat lavish meals and fly all over the country. The sad reality is that less than 50% of Rialto youth will never even go on a field trip and when they do it is to s neighboring city that offers more than Rialto.

Reach out to your leaders and let them know that Rialto needs to bring travel costs under control and leave Chief Deanda and Lt Stella home so that they can do their jobs.

Mayor Deborah Robertson
twitter.com/MayorDRobertson
Mayor Pro Tem Joe Baca Jr.
twitter.com/JoeBacaJr
City Council Member Ed Scott
City Council Member Rafael Trujillo
City Council Member Andy Carrizales
twitter.com/Andy4Rialto

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Thousands of Dollars Wasted on Travel for Mayors Private Security Detail

For years Rialto public leaders have used your tax dollars to go on lavish trips all over the nation. The situation got so bad that an audit 4 years ago led Councilman O’Connell to ask the Council to approve measures that would bring travel spending under control. These changes were short lived as Mayor Robertson has allowed commisoners to travel on the tax payers dime and now the city council has a $99,000 travel budget for the year.

Our Mayor has used the Mayors Conference to use your tax dollars to spend time taking selfies with Presedent Obama in the distant background and eating rich food and staying in 4 star accomidations. All of these are luxuries that the people of Rialto will never get the chance to enjoy. Mayor robertson was questioned for bringing City Clerk McGee with her to lavish travel destinations with no clear reason for the City Clerk to atend.

Now Mayor Robertson is making good on a campaign promise, reports are that if she won she would be taking Cheif Randy Deanda to Washington DC with her. Well we found out how this abuse of tax dollars would bare out. Mayor Robertson is taking Cheif Deanda and Lt. Paul Stella with her to Washington DC has her own personal Security Detail!!!!!!! 

Lets break down these travel requests that total more than $7,000!!!!!!

  • Where in the budget are they pulling this money?
  • Why are we paying for 4 seperate cab fare’s when they are supposed to be security detail?
  • How much is the overtime going to cost with these two not being home doing their duties?

    We spoke to current Mayors, Council Members and Former Elected leaders and nobody has heard of ever brining their own security detail to any travel. In addition those attending the Trump Swearing in are not brining in their own security they are relying on the Washigton DC city, county and federal law enforcement officers to keep everyone safe.

    Residents already on edge after freshman Councilman Rafael Trujillo tried to start Rialto down the road of becoming a Sanctuary City are wondering what is happening to their city. One resident said “when will our council and mayor just do what is right for us” and another said “if Mayor Robertson couldn’t have her raise she will get her money one way or another”. 

    On top of this $7,000 travel bill for security Mayor Robertson is spending $3,200 minimum on this trip. It is unclear if the taxpayers are paying for Councilman Ed Scott’s travel as well. Unless someone comes to their senses this will be approved on Tuesday January 10th 2017 at 6pm. 

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    Welcome Medic Engine 205

    Please welcome Rialto’s newest addition to our fleet, Medic Engine 205 (ME205)!! This has been decades in the making and she’s finally in service at Fire Station 201 until a temporary station is built in mid 2017. It will be staffed with a Captain, Engineer and Firefighter/Medic. This new engine will provide an enhanced service to the south end of Rialto. #rialto #rialtofd #rialtofire #engine205 #local3688 #rialtofirefighters #rialtofirefighters3688 #station205

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    New Laws for 2017 in California

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    With a New Year also comes with a flood of new laws. These laws are normally meant to protect you but they normally just make our beautiful state a place we just can’t afford to live in.

    You will be beyond surprised at the time our legislators wasted last year in any of the laws that were formed and created. The reason that our state is in the shape it is can be laid at the feet of these crazy laws.

    • At companies with 26 or more employees, the minimum wage will increase from $10 an hour to $10.50.
    • Employers are prohibited from paying women less than male colleagues based on prior salary. Workers in “substantially similar” jobs but of different race or ethnicity will also need to be paid equal wages.
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    • Employers won’t be allowed to ask a job applicant to disclose information about an arrest, detention or court case — if it happened while the person was younger than 18.
    • Children younger than 2 must sit in rear-facing car seats.
    • Those convicted of driving under the influence must install a device in their cars that would ensure they are sober before they can start the ignition.
    • The state’s ban on texting while driving expands to include other distractions, such as searching for “Pokemon Go” characters.
    • Once a gray area for motorcyclists, new rules will be established by the California Highway Patrol for how fast they can drive when riding between cars along the lane line.
    • Companies including Uber and Lyft can no longer hire drivers who are registered sex offenders, have been convicted of violent felonies or have had a DUI conviction within the last seven years.
    • Drivers for companies like Uber and Lyft can’t have a blood alcohol content of 0.04% or more.
    • Charter bus drivers must provide written or video instructions to passengers on how to use the vehicle’s safety equipment and emergency exits.
    • School districts must improve bus driver training to avoid students being left alone on buses and must notify the Department of Motor Vehicles if students are left behind.
    • There will be new protections against foreclosure for surviving spouses who own their home but are not listed on the mortgage.
    • A program providing electric-car rebates will now only be available to those making $150,000 a year or less.
    • To help the state’s housing crisis, it will be easier for California homeownersto construct additional small units on their properties, whether in their garages or as freestanding second structures.
    • The cost for lead-acid batteries like those used to start cars and trucks will increase to help pay for cleaning up contaminated sites like the former Exide battery plant in Los Angeles County. Consumers will see the new $1 fee starting in April.
    • Inspired by the sexual assault allegations against comedian Bill Cosby, California eliminated statutes of limitations for rape and some other sex crimes. That means if a crime happens after Dec. 31, 2016, the victim can report it at any point in the future and see it prosecuted; previous law generally limited prosecution to within 10 years.
    • In response to outrage over the six-month sentence for sexual assault given to former Stanford student Brock Turner, prison time will be mandatory for those convicted of assault in which the victim was unconscious or not capable of giving consent because of intoxication.
    • County prosecutors can pursue felony charges against people caught with the most common date-rape drugs and who also have demonstrated the intent to commit a sexual assault.
    • Convicted sex offenders involved in Internet-related crimes must report their email addresses, user names and other Internet identifiers to police.
    • It will be tougher for law enforcement to seize someone’s cash, cars or property. A criminal conviction is now required before the police can permanently take from a suspect any assets valued under $40,000.
    • A ban is imposed on publishing the addresses of domestic violence victims
    • A ban is in place on possession of a synthetic drug called “spice.” The first offense would be an infraction; the second or third offense would be a misdemeanor.
    • Children can no longer be charged with prostitution, given the high incidence of human trafficking of people younger than 18. Adults who perform or solicit prostitution would not face mandatory minimum sentences.
    • It is now a crime to use ransomware, malware or intrusive software injected into a computer or network to hold data hostage until money is paid.
    • Public schools can now expel students for bullying through video or sexting. State education officials will be required to publish information on sexual cyber bullying online and encourage schools to teach students about sexting.
    • People will no longer be able to buy semi-automatic rifles that have a bullet button allowing removal of the ammunition magazine, commonly used in mass shootings. Those that have such weapons will have to register them with the state.
    • People who falsely report a firearm is lost or stolen would face a misdemeanor charge, and would face a 10-year ban on owning a firearm upon conviction.
    • Licenses to carry a concealed weapon will no longer vary from county to county. State justice department officials will create a uniform license.
    • Law enforcement officers and concealed-weapon permit holders who leave firearms in cars are now required to lock them in a safe box or in the trunk.
    • Bathrooms in public buildings with a single toilet must be designated as all-gender, open to anyone. The law will take effect March 1.
    • The state can’t fund or require public employees to travel to states believed to discriminate against lesbians, gays, bisexual or transgender people.
    • Smoking or use of electronic cigarettes within 250 feet of any Little League baseball game or other youth sports event is now illegal.
    • Beauty salons and barbershops can now offer patrons a free beer or glass of wine.
    • Denim is now the state’s official fabric to recognize its role in California history.
    • Every autographed collectible sold in California must come with a certificate that verifies it’s not a forgery, under a bill backed by famed “Star Wars” actor Mark Hamill.
    • Click here for a free guest pass  https://ufcgym.com/ontario/get-a-guest-pass

      Click here for a free guest pass https://ufcgym.com/ontario/get-a-guest-pass

    • Patients who go to their insurance’s in-network hospital, lab or other health facility will not face surprise, larger charges if the doctor or health worker treating them is not in the network.
    • California businesses and public agencies are authorized to have on hand medicine designed to combat severe, emergency allergic reactions.
    • Women can pick up an entire year’s worth of birth control pills at once, and health plans must cover the cost.
    • To counter a spike in opioid overdose deaths, prescribers must check a state database to see whether their patients also have received drugs from other physicians.
    • Terminally ill Californians will have the “right to try” experimental drugs that do not yet have full federal approval for clinical trials.
    • Want to save an animal trapped in a car in heat or cold? As long as you call authorities first, you won’t be held legally liable for breaking into the car.
    • Dog kennels and pet hotels must check on animals once a day and provide elevated platforms in cat enclosures.
    • A dog seized from criminal fighting rings will no longer automatically be labeled “vicious” — which leads to it being euthanized. Instead, each dog will be evaluated to see whether it can be rehabilitated to safely re-enter society or be placed in a sanctuary.
    • Carbon monoxide gas chambers are banned in animal shelters for euthanizing animals.
    • Orca breeding and performance programs, like the one formerly run by SeaWorld theme parks, will be outlawed starting in June.
    • Felons serving sentences in county jails will be able to vote in California elections as part of an effort to speed their transition back into society.
    • Voters can now legally take a selfie with their completed ballot.
    • Voters are permitted to legally hand off their sealed ballot to anyone to mail or deliver in person.
    • More cities and counties can offer public financing of political campaigns.
    • City councils and county boards of supervisors are required to publicly announce pay and benefit increases for government executives before they are approved by a vote.

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    5th grade student gives hope again for Christmas

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    Tyler Nguyen is keeping the true spirit of Christmas and his annual toy drive alive and well again this year as this awesome young Simpson Elementary student looks to help those in need this year with his own toy drive. With the assistance of his family and the Rialto Fire Department this young man is reaching out to those kids that may not receive anything this holiday season. It’s not only the kids he is helping but those parents that would love to buy toys for their kids but must choose food and bills as money is tight.

    You can read the story we did on Tyler last year to learn how this all began for this awesome young man.

    Young Rialto Resident Shows The True Spirit Of Christmas

    Here is what Rialto Fire had to say about Tyler on their Facebook Page:

    “Meet Tyler. Tyler is a 5th grade student at Simpson Elementary in Rialto. After a successful toy drive of his own last year, Tyler and his family once again showed their generosity and spirit of giving. They hosted a Christmas Party/Toy Drive for Spark of Love. They have already filled two boxes and plan on collecting more before Christmas! They also treated Rialto Firefighters, family and friends to a wonderful homemade Christmas dinner. Thank you Tyler and family for your humble spirit and community service!”

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    Rialto Street Artist Opens His Own Retail Shop This Weekend

    Larry “Wet Paint Larry” Jones is a Rialto resident and former tagger who turned defacing public property into a painting and clothing line called “Sloppy Parlor”. Wet Paint Larry told us that he looked at his life of tagging and saw no upside “I couldn’t claim my art on a wall that didn’t belong to me. I couldn’t get anything but silent props from others breaking the law, when I was given the opportunity to paint my art on school walls (Morgan Elementary) that I found my next hustle”. Wet Paint Larry a self described urban entrepreneur always looking for his next “side hustle”

    Wet Paint Larry was doing his art on the side while working with the homeless in San Bernardino. Larry was one of the many people that fell victim to massive cuts to city funded programs. Larry looked to his faith in God and saw this as a way to make a serious run at selling his clothing line and going into business for himself. Now Larry isn’t going into this blind as Schools, Small Businesses and even Cities have paid Larry to paint various locations. On top of that Larry has been blessed to have Dollar Deals on the corner of Sycamore and Foothill stocking his hats, shirts and other various art items.

    So needless to say Wet Paint Larry is just as excited for this Saturday as his fans are as he will have his first ever Art Show and Pop Up Shop:

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    “Can’t wait to have a Pizza Party photo shoot in the new store 💛🍕! #foreclosureartshow Pop shop this Saturday come check out the spot it’s so fire 160 s riverside ave Rialto CA 92376 we in the alley … 🙏 #sloppyparlour#wetpaintlarry #toetakeover #toebizz #blessedup it’s Lit”

    For those of you that are not familiar with this location Larry will be set up in the back of Shift 6 Apparel arrive early as this is going to be a can’t miss event that because of the winds last weekend will now have the Rialto Christmas Parade to compete with.

    Larry is a great artist and great role model if your buying a gift for a teenager or young adult this will be a great way to mark off a gift and make someones day.

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    Rialto Fire Joins Forces With County To Battle Blaze

    ME201 was first on scene and crews made quick work of an attic fire on the 100 block of S. Acacia Ave in Rialto this morning. 

    One family was displaced and one firefighter was transported to a local hospital with a minor injury. Cause of the fire is under investigation. 

    Thank you San Bernardino County Fire Engine 229 for the assist. #rialtofirefighters #rialtofire #atticfire #ME201 #SleeplessKnights 
    This story was taken from the Rialto Fire Facebook page like their page for all the updates.

    https://www.facebook.com/rialtofirefighters3688/

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    Young Visionaries Youth Leadership Academy Gives Needy Families Hope & Food This Thanksgiving

    Young Visionaries Youth Leadership Academy held their annual Thanksgiving Food Giveaway last weekend to help needy families who may not have a Thanksgiving dinner. Young Visionaries led by CEO Terrance Stone worked with Community Action Partnership. City of Rialto, Rialto Middle School, Walmart and a whole host of community resources to put on this event Saturday. The event is more than just a food giveaway it is a full event with Vendor Booths, a mechanical bull and live music.

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    During the holiday months, the need for emergency assistance to families tends to increase. It is with the community support through donations and volunteer time that we make possible 500 Holiday boxes of groceries to fight hunger during Thanksgiving.
    The Holiday Food Drive begins September 15 and runs through November 12. The donation of 500 turkeys by the Walmart in Fontana really helped make this day possible. CEO Terrance Stone did a Facebook Live Video that you can see here picking up the turkeys to give to the families in need.
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    This list of items people donated were:
    Suggested Thanksgiving Food Basket Donation list. The Following list are the food items that will be
    included in a Holiday Food Basket. Please plan on a family size of at least 4:
    •  CANS OF GRAVY
    •  CANS OF CRANBERRY SAUCE
    •  CANS OF CHICKEN BROTH
    •  PACKAGES OF STUFFING MIX
    •  PACKAGES OF RICE
    •  BOXES OF MAC’N’CHEESE
    •  BOXES OF INSTANT MASHED POTATOES
    •  PACKAGES OF CORN BREAD/CAKES
    •  CANS OF BEANS
    •  CANS OF CORN
    •  CANS OF FRUITS
    •  CANS OF MIXED VEGETABLES

    It is events like this that do two things. Remind those of us that have enough food to eat to be thankful for what we have and the need that still exists in the Inland Empire. A big thanks goes out to these awesome community partners that work hard to bring happiness to the live of those in need.

    For more info on how you can help go to http://yvyla-ie.org/site/

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    Local Elected Officials Want To Increase Their Own Pay While Residents Are Busy Planning For Thanksgiving

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    Well the corruption that comes along with electing the wrong people normally comes after the new people are sworn in but not in Rialto apperently and not with this rag tag crew of Council Members and Mayor. On Tab 5 of the Rialto City Council agenda for the November 22nd meeting city council members will be giving themselves a raise of $713.11. Currently Our city council makes $918 a month plus medical, dental and vision benefits will be making $1,631.11 the Mayor is by the ordance required to make 150% more than city council so Mayor Robertson will be giving herself a raise from $1,377 to $2,446.66 and increase of $1,069.66 who also gets medical, dental and vision benefits.

    The language that gives them this power is listed on the cit council agenda and pasted below:

    WHEREAS, the Rialto Municipal Code at Sections 2.12.030 provides that the Mayor receives compensation based on one-hundred fifty percent of the compensation paid to the council members;

    The Rialto Municipal Code, at Section 2.12.040, entitled “Council Members,” shall be amended in its entirety to read as follows, with the revised language displayed in redline format: “Under the California Government Code Section 36516(c), each member of the city council (including the Mayor) shall receive compensation in the amount of one thousand six hundred thirty-one dollars and eleven cents ($1,631.11) per month.”

    We spoke to City Administrator Mike Story and he cleared up a lot of things for us:

    1. The City Administrator asks City Council at every regular election cycle if the elected body would like to add a pay increase for city council to the agenda, every 2 years.
    2. Last time this was done was 2008 and according to Mr. Story the increase was approved.
    3. Mayor Robertson, Ed Scott & Joe Baca Jr. all approved of having the pay increase on tonight’s agenda.
    4. The decision must be made tonight the incoming council members CANNOT vote on the pay increase.

    We talked to a few people about this raise and they were not at all happy about it:

    “The city dumps us into a bad water deal, leaves us with torn up streets and taxes us on our trash but they want raises no way” Amber

    “Until we give our employees an increase in pay we should not even be thinking about council raises” Councilman Ed Palmer

    “We don’t have money for K9 training, we backed out of the Regional Helicopter Program and cut our hiring more public works people but we have money for Council raises?” Javier

    “I never looked at what the compensation for city council was the pay wasn’t my motivation for running. I don’t think that city council pay should be increased and if I was allowed to vote on this item I would vote no.” Andy Carrizales Councilman Elect

    “We should have a county measure to restrict cities in our counties from raising their pay arbitrary.” Matthew

    One thing that everyone wondered was why would Rafael Trujillo leave a higher paying position as a Water Board Director with West Valley Water? Now we know it’s because he will be walking into a massive pay increase which he was aware of since he is highly tied to Mayor Robertson, Council Member Ed Scott and Council Member Joe Baca Jr.

    Join your fellow community members in telling the Mayor that there will be no raises until some promises are filled https://www.facebook.com/events/907011846096289/

     

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