Ice Burg Sighted in GT...
GrandPaTerrace advises the reader to Read the following Sun Telegram Article with a few things in mind.
ONE: Former City Manager Tom Schwab admitted to Covering up Criminal Investigation halting the results of that investigation from being advanced to proper legal resolution. THAT IS A CRIME.
TWO: Party to the above Crime is the Sheriff Department who negotiates contracts with the City of Grand Terrace.
THREE: The Law was Broken... the Courts were not allowed to provide the resolution of the Violation. Tom Schwab appointed himself Jury and Judge and the appointment was canonized by the Sheriff Morris. This is not how our government should work. It is in fact Criminal.
Remember the Watergate break in... it was the Cover Up that did them all in, not the crime its self.
Now, on to Acting City Manager Steve Berry's side of the coin.
He now complains that this was in the past and that there were not charges and it is unfair that these issues be brought to light and used against him. Here are the admissions he has made.
One: He did violate the Courts Order in the use of Community Service Labor Trustees.
Two: He provided false information on Government Records to the County Court/Jail.
Three: He offered Schwab Tinting on Schwab's Home... This is a crime in its self...
Now here is an added bit of Reality. Past predicts the Future...
Tom Schwab is implicated in the use of Labor and Tinting scandal much earlier than he is admitting to. Opening an account with a supplier, and having the tinting go on the public building did not come from actions or approvals only done by Steve Berry. Others were involved in the actions before the tinting was done. Who approved the account with the materials supplier? Who authorized the modification to the building by adding the tint. This is the stage of the criminal activity called collusion, or conspiracy to commit a crime, prior to the criminal act. So if Steve Berry wants to clear the air around him some he may disclose who gave the added help and authorizations for the tinting to proceed. He did not act alone.
Tom Schwab Hired Steve Berry:
Steve Berry was repeatedly put in the situation where he was taking "Contributions" for City Party activity, and the "Contributions" came from Developers and Contracted Service Suppliers who had projects or contracts pending decision by the Planning Commission or City Council
Steve Berry was sold a city car by Tom Schwab without proper management practices and records required for the sale or transfer or disposal of public property.
These were the "Professionals" hired to "Manage the City"... City Council Members are not "Professionals"... and must rely on the conduct, knowledge and ethics of the "Professional" they hire. Neither Schwab or Berry should be hired.
Schwab's exit with pay should be resented by everyone in the city as just an additional bit of evidence of his excessive self importance, ego and since of entitlement. He has a car and a house that was given to him as a result of his employment in addition to the income of his contract, all his medical care and all. He has been paid well to add 177,000.00 exit pay is an obscenity. He can only partially repair his reputation if he signs that check and return it to the Grand Terrace General Fund.
Schwab and Berry have been putting Ice Burgs in the water for years... With the City of Grand Terrace taking on the water from them poking holes in the Good Ship Grand Terrace, they have lived well above the local economic standard and abused their professional obligations and now admitted to crimes.
It will take a Very Skilled Professional to Find and Repair all the Damage these two have done, and avoid the results of their filling the sea of our journey with huge Debt Obligations and problems in the Redevelopment Agency that will attach themselves to the City of Grand Terrace as the Co-signer of that Debt.
The FBI or the DA or AG's Office should take the case of GRAND TERRACE Cover Up and Embezzlement and have it go to the Court System, including all parties to the action, including planning stage, actual crime and the cover up. This is just an ice burg we can see, there is more ice under the surface.
Former Grand Terrace city manager admits
he covered up embezzlement investigation in 2003
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 06/29/2009 07:19:02 PM PDT
GRAND TERRACE - Former City Manager Tom Schwab says he covered up a potential scandal in 2003 by quashing a criminal investigation against then assistant city manager Steve Berry, who was suspected of embezzling city funds and filing false records.
Schwab said he declined to pursue criminal charges against Berry and work release inmate John Carranza in January 2003 because he wanted to avoid embarrassment to the city. Furthermore, he said, the investigation occurred during the 2002 municipal election.
"We have never had even one hint of scandal in our city's history, and to have our assistant city manager charged with embezzlement and falsification of documents, which is what they were recommending we charge him with, would have embarrassed the city," said Schwab. "I basically asked the sheriff's department not to pursue it. As it turns out, I think it was a mistake."
According to sheriff's reports, Berry was suspected of having Carranza and employees from his window tinting business tint the windows of city buildings and Berry's personal vehicle in 2002 for profit when Carranza was supposed to be performing community service.
Berry, however, said Carranza did not profit from his work for the city and did not tint the windows of his car. He said he offered to pay one of Carranza's employees to tint his car windows separately from the work being done for the city, but wound up getting the job done at a San Bernardino auto repair shop after Carranza's employee broke one of his windows.
Berry said he did not inform the Sheriff's Department, which administers the inmate work release program from the Glen Helen Rehabilitation Center, of what he and Carranza were doing.
"It was something we were doing internally. This was a painful lesson, and I learned not to repeat it," Berry said in an interview last week.
Investigation
A criminal investigation was launched in November 2002 when city officials suspected Carranza had been purchasing excess window tinting materials and tools on an open purchase order to benefit his window tinting business, Schwab said.
Berry was also suspected of defrauding the county by relaxing Carranza's work schedule and falsely marking his attendance sheets to indicate he had shown up for work on days he hadn't.
Berry said Carranza, who had been doing landscaping work for the city as part of his work release, learned the city was looking to have its windows tinted and offered to do the job at cost. He said Carranza complained that his talents were being wasted and that tinting the city's windows would better serve himself and the city.
Berry said he took Carranza up on the offer.
A purchase order account was opened in the city's name at a wholesale window tint company in Anaheim, where Carranza would travel to pick up supplies for the job.
Berry said he relaxed Carranza's work schedule because Carranza needed the flexibility in his schedule to do the job.
City maintenance worker Ruben Montano told sheriff's Detective Robert Morris in November 2002 that Carranza repeatedly failed to show up for work, but Berry falsely documented that Carranza had been showing up for work, according to one of Morris's reports.
Montano told Morris that other work release inmates had complained that Carranza had bragged to them that "he was being paid for his work in Grand Terrace."
Carranza told Morris he didn't profit one penny from his work for the city, and that he did it because he was a "nice person."
Carranza couldn't be reached for comment for this story.
In a Nov. 12, 2002 interview, Sandi Ah Sue, director of the city's child care center, told Morris that Berry had advised her that Carranza was going to tint the windows of the child care center, but Berry did not disclose Carranza was a work release inmate.
Carranza told Ah Sue that "he had tinted the windows in Tom Schwab's house and had tinted the windows on Berry's vehicle," according to Morris's reports.
Schwab said Carranza never tinted the windows of his home. He said an offer was made, but was declined.
In January 2003, Morris had county prosecutor Gary Bailey review the evidence to see what charges, if any, were warranted against Berry and Carranza. Morris did not provide the names of Berry and Carranza to Bailey, just the case information.
Bailey determined the evidence warranted charges of embezzlement, offering false instrument for record and corruption of record for Berry and a charge of receiving stolen property for Carranza.
Despite the evidence, Schwab, acting on behalf of the city, declined to pursue criminal charges, and the case was noted in Morris's report as "cleared by exceptional means."
Schwab said he never informed the City Council at the time of the investigation.
"I would imagine the City Council may have insisted that I fire (Berry) if the thing came to light, and I didn't want that to happen," Schwab said.
Schwab said his inclination at the time was to fire Berry, but Berry seemed genuinely remorseful and pleaded with him for a second chance.
City Councilwoman Lee Ann Garcia, who was mayor in 2003, did not return repeated telephone calls seeking comment.
Political feud
Berry, who Schwab hired in September 2001, has been running the city since Schwab suffered a brain ailment - a subdural hematoma - in June 2008. Berry is now vying for a permanent appointment to the city manager's position.
But Schwab said he has fully recovered from his ailment and wants his old job back. He is accusing Berry of underhandedly maneuvering for the city manager's job while he was holed up in the hospital and at home.
"I found that Steve severely lacks a sense of ethics and integrity," said Schwab. "And I guess it should have been clear to me after he had done that, that he really doesn't have an ethical boundary that he's not willing to cross."
Berry says Schwab is being vindictive and indecisive, and has already negotiated an exit package with the city, which includes $177,000 in severance pay in addition to his retirement package.
"The ink isn't even dry on his $177,000 payout, and he's now decided to come clean about a mistake he made eight years ago," Berry said.
Berry believes the recent unearthing of the 7-year-old sheriff's investigation is an obvious attempt at assassinating his character. He said the alleged incidents that occurred in 2002 were a terrible mistake and a learning experience.
"I think the sheriff's report is not evidence of guilt. They do not determine guilt or innocence, the District Attorney makes that determination," Berry said.
Last year, Schwab doubted whether he could serve full time as city manager. In November, he told Berry he supported his bid for city manager. A month later, Berry moved into Schwab's office.
In December, Schwab entered into a six-month contract with the city as a part-time consultant for the city's 2009-10 budget.
In January, Schwab had a change of heart, and asked Berry to wait until his contract ended before taking over the city manager's position.
Schwab's contract with the city ends today.
But Schwab would rather continue his role as city manager, a position he held since 1989. The city has encouraged him to apply for the position and join a pool of candidates, including Berry, in a recruitment process now under way.
"What can I tell them in an hour interview that my 20 years of experience (as city manager) hasn't already shown?" Schwab said.
The deadline for filing applications is Aug. 17. Interviews will take place shortly thereafter, and the city should announce who its permanent city manager will be sometime in the fall, city attorney John Harper said.
If Berry isn't appointed permanent city manager, he may not have an old job to return to. He eliminated the assistant city manager job in order to balance the city's 2009-2010 budget.
Schwab, however, said that can be reversed.
"The City Council can reinstate that position just as quickly as they eliminated it," he said.
Meanwhile, Berry said he has to relive a 7-year-old nightmare he wishes would have stayed buried. He worries it will cost him his job and his reputation, and questions why it had to come to pass.
"I was never even charged. There is nothing in my employee file on it," said Berry. "I believe his (Schwab's) true motivation is to damage my reputation."
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
More Government Restrictions at a Cost to GT
The City Council Approved a Staff Recommended Plant to have a Program of Parking Permits on a limited part of DeBerry. The Cost of the permit will be 50.00 for 2 years and 7.50 per placard.
Why is the City Council and City becoming involved in the Parking of Cars on Public Right of ways? Well....
Apparently the people living in the Crest Apartments prefer to park on DeBerry rather than park in their Car Parks or Garages provided by their Apartment. In addition, they may have more cars or visitors than spaces to park inside the complex. Understandingly it may take 3 cars and 3 working individuals to pay rents in Grand Terrace, and that the complex is less than easy to park a large SUV in a garage or space.
So folks who are also known as members of the "PUBLIC" park on the street for their convince. Well, home owners across the street think that the "Public" space is for their Private use and have requested the City Limit Overnight Parking to Home Owners ONLY... So the permits and Placard will be assigned to a particular curb space. This makes the "Overnight" Parking to be used by Residents of the Home or their Visitors ONLY... thus making the "PUBLIC" to "Limited Public" or "Sort of Private". The plan does not stop day time parking... unless I missed something. All those parents picking up kids from school can still BOTHER the Home Owners "RIGHT" to use the Parking in front of their homes.
So where is the problem. The problem is taking PUBLIC Space and Restricting the Use of Public Property for The Benefit of a Select Preferred Minority. The Problem is that Parking Permits and use of overnight Parking on the Street will or can be used all over GT as a way to collect fees and income for the city's cash flow.
Perhaps if GT had better connections to Public Transportation links to Metro Link or Early Commuter Bus Services to LA or Orange County fewer cars would be needed at the Crest Apartments. Or even better if rents were closer to what can be supported by a single income there would not be the need for multiple cars. IF the City of GT Code had required more parking on the site of the Crest there would be larger spaces and more places to park those cars. BUT,,,, no... this was not required.... why?
So BOOOOO for the Parking Fees / Stickers and Placks... BOOOO for GT Residents who claim RIGHTS to the PUBLIC SPACE infront of their homes... to park their excessive number of cars and deny the same practice to others. You have increased Government intrusion into our collective lives one more time, one more way... BOOOO
Why is the City Council and City becoming involved in the Parking of Cars on Public Right of ways? Well....
Apparently the people living in the Crest Apartments prefer to park on DeBerry rather than park in their Car Parks or Garages provided by their Apartment. In addition, they may have more cars or visitors than spaces to park inside the complex. Understandingly it may take 3 cars and 3 working individuals to pay rents in Grand Terrace, and that the complex is less than easy to park a large SUV in a garage or space.
So folks who are also known as members of the "PUBLIC" park on the street for their convince. Well, home owners across the street think that the "Public" space is for their Private use and have requested the City Limit Overnight Parking to Home Owners ONLY... So the permits and Placard will be assigned to a particular curb space. This makes the "Overnight" Parking to be used by Residents of the Home or their Visitors ONLY... thus making the "PUBLIC" to "Limited Public" or "Sort of Private". The plan does not stop day time parking... unless I missed something. All those parents picking up kids from school can still BOTHER the Home Owners "RIGHT" to use the Parking in front of their homes.
So where is the problem. The problem is taking PUBLIC Space and Restricting the Use of Public Property for The Benefit of a Select Preferred Minority. The Problem is that Parking Permits and use of overnight Parking on the Street will or can be used all over GT as a way to collect fees and income for the city's cash flow.
Perhaps if GT had better connections to Public Transportation links to Metro Link or Early Commuter Bus Services to LA or Orange County fewer cars would be needed at the Crest Apartments. Or even better if rents were closer to what can be supported by a single income there would not be the need for multiple cars. IF the City of GT Code had required more parking on the site of the Crest there would be larger spaces and more places to park those cars. BUT,,,, no... this was not required.... why?
So BOOOOO for the Parking Fees / Stickers and Placks... BOOOO for GT Residents who claim RIGHTS to the PUBLIC SPACE infront of their homes... to park their excessive number of cars and deny the same practice to others. You have increased Government intrusion into our collective lives one more time, one more way... BOOOO
Friday, June 19, 2009
Senior Center Opens...Soon...
GRAND TERRACE - The city's new 7,000-square-foot senior center opens Monday surrounded by a seniors apartment complex, community garden and a meditation-oriented park to be completed this summer.
40 of the 120 apartments are now occupied.
40 of the 120 apartments are now occupied.
Questions on GT DAY
From the Email Inbox:
Read the GT Blog this morning about the parade.
Am thinking, but didn't the city place the new group into a tight fit?
I do not think there is sufficient time in which to advertise it.
Thank our local officials for using up all the lead (advertising) time then. I am sure they have a host of excuses for doing such.
Paww adds information: GRAND TERRACE COMMUNITY DAY
The Grand Terrace Community Day Event will be held at Richard Rollins Park September 12 th 2009.
The Lions Club will host a car show
The Sheriffs Department : Health and Safety Fair
Local Churches : Kid Zone
Fire Department : Equipment Display
Other Vendors and Organizations will also participate.
If you would like to help in anyway, money, time, display, and activity or demonstration or donation of some kind.
Please call or contact any of the following:
Shad and Raina Boal (909) 825 54o5 Please no calls after 9 PM
Angie Reynolds allaboutrkids@sbcglobal.net
Barrie Owens bowens@cityofgrandterrace.org
As far as the City burning up the Pre Event Advertizing time so be it. That Advertizing was redundent and costly. If the event is for Grand Terrace Citizens and residents the local paper goes to every house. There is no need for larger advertizing effort. The City's past effort was a way to make GT look better for Developers and businesses to buy into their Redevelopment Projects. Bringing in Bands and Shows quite frankly were flash intended to blind the the citizens and developers so they could not see what was real.
The revised Grand Terrace Days, and most likely the Revised Holloween Haunt will be by Grand Terrace and for Grand Terrace. That is a good thing.
Read the GT Blog this morning about the parade.
Am thinking, but didn't the city place the new group into a tight fit?
I do not think there is sufficient time in which to advertise it.
Thank our local officials for using up all the lead (advertising) time then. I am sure they have a host of excuses for doing such.
Paww adds information: GRAND TERRACE COMMUNITY DAY
The Grand Terrace Community Day Event will be held at Richard Rollins Park September 12 th 2009.
The Lions Club will host a car show
The Sheriffs Department : Health and Safety Fair
Local Churches : Kid Zone
Fire Department : Equipment Display
Other Vendors and Organizations will also participate.
If you would like to help in anyway, money, time, display, and activity or demonstration or donation of some kind.
Please call or contact any of the following:
Shad and Raina Boal (909) 825 54o5 Please no calls after 9 PM
Angie Reynolds allaboutrkids@sbcglobal.net
Barrie Owens bowens@cityofgrandterrace.org
As far as the City burning up the Pre Event Advertizing time so be it. That Advertizing was redundent and costly. If the event is for Grand Terrace Citizens and residents the local paper goes to every house. There is no need for larger advertizing effort. The City's past effort was a way to make GT look better for Developers and businesses to buy into their Redevelopment Projects. Bringing in Bands and Shows quite frankly were flash intended to blind the the citizens and developers so they could not see what was real.
The revised Grand Terrace Days, and most likely the Revised Holloween Haunt will be by Grand Terrace and for Grand Terrace. That is a good thing.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Citizens Take Over Grand Terrace Days!!
Grand Terrace Days will be On.
Citizens and Local Businesses will organize the Grand Terrace Days. I would predict that it will be without the aid of Contributions from Developers who needed plans approved during the same time they "Donated" in the past. It will be a GT Days of Local Effort and Local Support.
Lets hope the fathers who were in Peter Pan, show off their Pirate-tood... how great if the children came and did a song or dance or participated in a show of some sort on GT Days... not a full show, just a song or two...
The Talent of GT should be front and center. Games can be rewarded with a simple prize no great big trophy, perhaps a coupon for a local business.
Hats of to you GT... your pulling away from the grips of Fake Grander and Grandiose Greed of the past City Management.
Citizens and Local Businesses will organize the Grand Terrace Days. I would predict that it will be without the aid of Contributions from Developers who needed plans approved during the same time they "Donated" in the past. It will be a GT Days of Local Effort and Local Support.
Lets hope the fathers who were in Peter Pan, show off their Pirate-tood... how great if the children came and did a song or dance or participated in a show of some sort on GT Days... not a full show, just a song or two...
The Talent of GT should be front and center. Games can be rewarded with a simple prize no great big trophy, perhaps a coupon for a local business.
Hats of to you GT... your pulling away from the grips of Fake Grander and Grandiose Greed of the past City Management.
Planning Commission Meeting Agenda Quick Look
Planning Comm. Meeting for June 18th.
The G.T. Planning Commission will be meeting again on evening of June 18th, at City hall. Essentially are only two items to be talked about. First (and the biggest).
A review as to complaints before the GT Planning Comission as to "what happened" on some earlier controversial items, and actions taken (or not) on them. Much of these topics were taken into account during last year and the era of an Updated General Plan.
If residents of GT do not like what is going on, now is the time to say so. One matter for discussion on same subject is about enticing businesses to occupy vacant buildings within town. Especially those up and down Barton Road.
Even if down the road you are thinking of some item in the past which happened (or not), then speak up.
Rules have changed since then.
This looks to be lengthy part of the evening, and many topics once reported here are to be discussed and reported upon. Iffn' you want to know, what happened to....
Second...An alteration to the front of couple businesses on to Barton Road at the "Food Coniption" plaza. The pizza joint and another one wish to install new signs, and this has to be taken before the P.C. on Thursday. Nothing real controversial here. But is best to speak out at what you see and the variances you hear, or forever hold your peace
The G.T. Planning Commission will be meeting again on evening of June 18th, at City hall. Essentially are only two items to be talked about. First (and the biggest).
A review as to complaints before the GT Planning Comission as to "what happened" on some earlier controversial items, and actions taken (or not) on them. Much of these topics were taken into account during last year and the era of an Updated General Plan.
If residents of GT do not like what is going on, now is the time to say so. One matter for discussion on same subject is about enticing businesses to occupy vacant buildings within town. Especially those up and down Barton Road.
Even if down the road you are thinking of some item in the past which happened (or not), then speak up.
Rules have changed since then.
This looks to be lengthy part of the evening, and many topics once reported here are to be discussed and reported upon. Iffn' you want to know, what happened to....
Second...An alteration to the front of couple businesses on to Barton Road at the "Food Coniption" plaza. The pizza joint and another one wish to install new signs, and this has to be taken before the P.C. on Thursday. Nothing real controversial here. But is best to speak out at what you see and the variances you hear, or forever hold your peace
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Agenda Flaw WARNING>>>>>>
The next City Council Meeting has an Agenda Item that has raised concern from many readers it says
Discussion by Council...
It is important that the Discussion be done in public that is clear. BUT, with no other clarification as to what is to be the topic than Commercial Development... the Public is not served sufficient notice to be able to respond to any issues or proposed decisions of the City Council.
Thus, the City Council should defer this Discussion until it is listed on the agenda and supporting documents are available to the public for preview online prior to the meeting.
Good luck Grand Terrace,,, it looks like the Council is hunkering in and going to try to hide the facts from the Citizens again...
Discussion by Council...
It is important that the Discussion be done in public that is clear. BUT, with no other clarification as to what is to be the topic than Commercial Development... the Public is not served sufficient notice to be able to respond to any issues or proposed decisions of the City Council.
Thus, the City Council should defer this Discussion until it is listed on the agenda and supporting documents are available to the public for preview online prior to the meeting.
Good luck Grand Terrace,,, it looks like the Council is hunkering in and going to try to hide the facts from the Citizens again...
Robbing Peter to Pay Schwab?
Grand Terrace city manager suggests eliminating assistant's job
10:00 PM PDT on Monday, June 15, 2009
By DARRELL R. SANTSCHIThe Press-Enterprise
Acting Grand Terrace City Manager Steve Berry, who had been assistant city manager before taking over his current post last year, now wants to do away with his old job to cut spending.
Berry, who was appointed acting manager when former City Manager Tom Schwab took a medical leave last year, is asking the Grand Terrace City Council to eliminate the $124,000-a-year assistant city manager's job for the city of 12,000 people.
"We had to balance the budget," Berry said by phone. "There is really no city I know of our size that has a city manager, an assistant to the city manager and an assistant city manager. Highland doesn't. Loma Linda doesn't. Redlands doesn't."
Doing away with the position would close the last $32,000 hole in a $5.3 million operating budget that was $812,000 out of balance two months ago, he said. Since then, the city decided to charge a larger share of its expenses to the city-wide redevelopment agency, and pay of city workers was frozen, benefits were cut and five people were laid off.
The city's budget took a $177,000 hit to pay retirement benefits for Schwab, who had been on medical leave since June 2008, announced he wanted his job back and then decided last month that he would retire June 30.
By eliminating the assistant city manager position, Berry acknowledged that he may be out of a job when the council chooses a new city manager this fall.
"I am putting my neck out there," he said, "but I am willing to compete with anybody for this job."
If he doesn't get the job, Berry said, "There are a lot of other cities that are looking for city managers. They're all around.
"Just the crisis management in the last year and a half and reorganizing government" make him a good candidate, he said.
Grand Terrace Mayor Maryetta Ferre said others at City Hall agree with Berry's recommendation.
"It certainly is a way to balance our budget this year," she said by phone. "We have gone a year without an assistant city manager.
"If times become better for us in another year," Ferre said, "we may very well re-establish that position."
Reach Darrell R. Santschi at 951-368-9484 or dsantschi@PE.com
Gramp has to NOTE:
Mayor Ferre thinks that paying for Assistant City Manager, at a cost of 100 per citizen for the services yet, it is pointed out that other cities of the size or even larger have no such positions. Loma Linda has a lot more going on at the city level. Loma Linda has Programs for Children, Seniors and YOUTH... in addition they have an economic base.
We don't need a City Manager or a Assistant City Manager. We need a clerk that will handle a few contracts.
Mr. Schwabs Retirement should not cost additional budget expense for the city. Retirements are paid into a fund and are provided for over the term of the contract. It should not be a budget item of 177,000.00 there is something wrong with this...
Mr. Schwab should not be getting any more than what has already been paid into a retirement for him from his own prior contributions into that fund. He does not earn a golden hand shake of a full years income in addition to that... NO... He is lucky to have not been removed with cause and suffering the loss of all income and retirement. He and Berry have been bad for the city if not criminal in the conduct of their contractual obligations. The City Council is just ashamed to have this be known to the public. Like the folks in DC who knew torture was being used... and now don't want it known to the public they knew all along.
In addition. the shifting of City Expenses onto the Redevelopment Agency is a problem the City of Grand Terrace had muddled the funds in the past. This should set alarms off at the higher levels of Government. You see, the liability and funds from the Redevelopment Agency are not to be used for City Operational Funds. Redevelopment Agency Funds are very specific to their use and when there is a loan made to encourage the use of the funds or gain funding support for a project the CITY acts as a CoSigner to the liability for the RDA the RDA is not the CoSigner for the City.
So there is some interesting game playing here.... and not a real balance to the budget.
Debt is Debt... money in and money out needs to be stated in real not fiction terms...
It is time to have a real audit and let the PUBLIC KNOW WHERE the money is, and where it has been going for the past 20 years.
10:00 PM PDT on Monday, June 15, 2009
By DARRELL R. SANTSCHIThe Press-Enterprise
Acting Grand Terrace City Manager Steve Berry, who had been assistant city manager before taking over his current post last year, now wants to do away with his old job to cut spending.
Berry, who was appointed acting manager when former City Manager Tom Schwab took a medical leave last year, is asking the Grand Terrace City Council to eliminate the $124,000-a-year assistant city manager's job for the city of 12,000 people.
"We had to balance the budget," Berry said by phone. "There is really no city I know of our size that has a city manager, an assistant to the city manager and an assistant city manager. Highland doesn't. Loma Linda doesn't. Redlands doesn't."
Doing away with the position would close the last $32,000 hole in a $5.3 million operating budget that was $812,000 out of balance two months ago, he said. Since then, the city decided to charge a larger share of its expenses to the city-wide redevelopment agency, and pay of city workers was frozen, benefits were cut and five people were laid off.
The city's budget took a $177,000 hit to pay retirement benefits for Schwab, who had been on medical leave since June 2008, announced he wanted his job back and then decided last month that he would retire June 30.
By eliminating the assistant city manager position, Berry acknowledged that he may be out of a job when the council chooses a new city manager this fall.
"I am putting my neck out there," he said, "but I am willing to compete with anybody for this job."
If he doesn't get the job, Berry said, "There are a lot of other cities that are looking for city managers. They're all around.
"Just the crisis management in the last year and a half and reorganizing government" make him a good candidate, he said.
Grand Terrace Mayor Maryetta Ferre said others at City Hall agree with Berry's recommendation.
"It certainly is a way to balance our budget this year," she said by phone. "We have gone a year without an assistant city manager.
"If times become better for us in another year," Ferre said, "we may very well re-establish that position."
Reach Darrell R. Santschi at 951-368-9484 or dsantschi@PE.com
Gramp has to NOTE:
Mayor Ferre thinks that paying for Assistant City Manager, at a cost of 100 per citizen for the services yet, it is pointed out that other cities of the size or even larger have no such positions. Loma Linda has a lot more going on at the city level. Loma Linda has Programs for Children, Seniors and YOUTH... in addition they have an economic base.
We don't need a City Manager or a Assistant City Manager. We need a clerk that will handle a few contracts.
Mr. Schwabs Retirement should not cost additional budget expense for the city. Retirements are paid into a fund and are provided for over the term of the contract. It should not be a budget item of 177,000.00 there is something wrong with this...
Mr. Schwab should not be getting any more than what has already been paid into a retirement for him from his own prior contributions into that fund. He does not earn a golden hand shake of a full years income in addition to that... NO... He is lucky to have not been removed with cause and suffering the loss of all income and retirement. He and Berry have been bad for the city if not criminal in the conduct of their contractual obligations. The City Council is just ashamed to have this be known to the public. Like the folks in DC who knew torture was being used... and now don't want it known to the public they knew all along.
In addition. the shifting of City Expenses onto the Redevelopment Agency is a problem the City of Grand Terrace had muddled the funds in the past. This should set alarms off at the higher levels of Government. You see, the liability and funds from the Redevelopment Agency are not to be used for City Operational Funds. Redevelopment Agency Funds are very specific to their use and when there is a loan made to encourage the use of the funds or gain funding support for a project the CITY acts as a CoSigner to the liability for the RDA the RDA is not the CoSigner for the City.
So there is some interesting game playing here.... and not a real balance to the budget.
Debt is Debt... money in and money out needs to be stated in real not fiction terms...
It is time to have a real audit and let the PUBLIC KNOW WHERE the money is, and where it has been going for the past 20 years.
Monday, June 15, 2009
What is GT's Stress Test?
Is Grand Terrace Solvent?
If the Redevelopment Agency Debt is not paid by the sale of Redevelopment Agency Property will the Cost to the City of Grand Terrace run us in to the Bankruptcy Courts?
Do we have assurance that we can cover operational costs and the RDA Debt payments. IF not GT is legally insolvent and should file for Chapter 11 reorganization. The Reorganization could void or amend retirement obligations, and contract and eliminate or ease some of the debt burden while allowing the city to remain a city.
The other option may be to end the status of being a city. This would shift the obligations for law enforcement and services back to the County and State. Because we actually just act as a clearing house for most of these services we would be saving the taxpayers by elimination of the middle man and at least save the cost of the additional level of administration called Grand Terrace City Hall.
When the City Council votes on the budget, they had better be dealing with the real facts and not some grand fiction about development paying off and the RDA being able to capture the Cash out of the property it bought at a premium.
Sales tax collection is not the basis of a sustainable economy. Ever increasing property values is not a sustainable economy... and the City Council has been feeding off of a trough of fictional funding called DEBT and High Hopes. They were lead to this state by Tom Schwab and Steve Berry, and now Tom wants to collect full retirement...
Nope, the city should file a Chapter 11 and Tom should find his retirement down sized to the point of the folks who have lost their homes, income and retirements as a result of his participation in leading the city and state into this abyss. All politicians, and City Managers or "Professionals" should feel the pain of the economics they were taking advantage of and promoting, They should not be like the Wall Street people who got great retirements, and payouts with TARP Funds.
When CEO's get millions and the Labor are asked to take pay cuts and suffer job loss, the burden of the failure is placed upon the feet of the wrong actors. The City Manager is the CEO of the City. Grand Terrace should not participate in the CEO Payout of the Schwab retirement while it has debt to pay. He burdened us and that bad work should not be rewarded with a retirement payout.
It is time the top feels the pain, and joins the back of the bread line for a few scraps. Has the City Council offered to help any of the 120 families who are in or facing forclosure this month?
If the Redevelopment Agency Debt is not paid by the sale of Redevelopment Agency Property will the Cost to the City of Grand Terrace run us in to the Bankruptcy Courts?
Do we have assurance that we can cover operational costs and the RDA Debt payments. IF not GT is legally insolvent and should file for Chapter 11 reorganization. The Reorganization could void or amend retirement obligations, and contract and eliminate or ease some of the debt burden while allowing the city to remain a city.
The other option may be to end the status of being a city. This would shift the obligations for law enforcement and services back to the County and State. Because we actually just act as a clearing house for most of these services we would be saving the taxpayers by elimination of the middle man and at least save the cost of the additional level of administration called Grand Terrace City Hall.
When the City Council votes on the budget, they had better be dealing with the real facts and not some grand fiction about development paying off and the RDA being able to capture the Cash out of the property it bought at a premium.
Sales tax collection is not the basis of a sustainable economy. Ever increasing property values is not a sustainable economy... and the City Council has been feeding off of a trough of fictional funding called DEBT and High Hopes. They were lead to this state by Tom Schwab and Steve Berry, and now Tom wants to collect full retirement...
Nope, the city should file a Chapter 11 and Tom should find his retirement down sized to the point of the folks who have lost their homes, income and retirements as a result of his participation in leading the city and state into this abyss. All politicians, and City Managers or "Professionals" should feel the pain of the economics they were taking advantage of and promoting, They should not be like the Wall Street people who got great retirements, and payouts with TARP Funds.
When CEO's get millions and the Labor are asked to take pay cuts and suffer job loss, the burden of the failure is placed upon the feet of the wrong actors. The City Manager is the CEO of the City. Grand Terrace should not participate in the CEO Payout of the Schwab retirement while it has debt to pay. He burdened us and that bad work should not be rewarded with a retirement payout.
It is time the top feels the pain, and joins the back of the bread line for a few scraps. Has the City Council offered to help any of the 120 families who are in or facing forclosure this month?
Friday, June 12, 2009
Grand Terrace Road NEEDS Repair.
Gramps:
Not long ago in 2008 the Riverside Water Company repaired its water treatment and pumping station near the corner of Grand Terrace Rd and Vivienda. This would have been a great opportunity to have the road fixed as required by City Ordinance.
Further South on Grand Terrace Road in the direction of Barton Road, the road is in desperate need of repair. This was put on the back burner because the Redevelopment Agency had an understanding with Doug Jacobsen that he would buy the N W corner of Barton and Grand Terrace Rd and make a mobile home park as replacement for the Mobile Home community he uprooted on Michigan St.
Jacobsen did not build the replacement moderate / low income housing element nor did he repair the road that would have been part of the deal and fees for that development.
Expecting those fees to come in, Grand Terrace Road was put on the low funding priority while neighborhoods with 500,000.00 homes (now 200,000.00 homes) were painted black or resurfaced to look good for real estate value.
Well, what is the value of not causing an accident or injury due to neglect of road maintenance?
Is this once again an example of how the City is planning to Rezone that area so the folks living there get no services until some developer comes in and makes nice with the city?
It looks like the City wants to get rid of the Mobile Home Park and all the homes in that area so it can be developed or redeveloped into "Better Use"... This attitude may be part of the reason they let the road get to the point of breaking up and having pot holes sufficient to cause increased risk to the citizens of Grand Terrace and any driver who uses that road.
Not long ago in 2008 the Riverside Water Company repaired its water treatment and pumping station near the corner of Grand Terrace Rd and Vivienda. This would have been a great opportunity to have the road fixed as required by City Ordinance.
Further South on Grand Terrace Road in the direction of Barton Road, the road is in desperate need of repair. This was put on the back burner because the Redevelopment Agency had an understanding with Doug Jacobsen that he would buy the N W corner of Barton and Grand Terrace Rd and make a mobile home park as replacement for the Mobile Home community he uprooted on Michigan St.
Jacobsen did not build the replacement moderate / low income housing element nor did he repair the road that would have been part of the deal and fees for that development.
Expecting those fees to come in, Grand Terrace Road was put on the low funding priority while neighborhoods with 500,000.00 homes (now 200,000.00 homes) were painted black or resurfaced to look good for real estate value.
Well, what is the value of not causing an accident or injury due to neglect of road maintenance?
Is this once again an example of how the City is planning to Rezone that area so the folks living there get no services until some developer comes in and makes nice with the city?
It looks like the City wants to get rid of the Mobile Home Park and all the homes in that area so it can be developed or redeveloped into "Better Use"... This attitude may be part of the reason they let the road get to the point of breaking up and having pot holes sufficient to cause increased risk to the citizens of Grand Terrace and any driver who uses that road.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
City Council Getting Closer...
Grand Terrace may eliminate assistant city manager position
Stephen Wall, Staff Writer
Posted: 06/10/2009 05:35:44 PM PDT
GRAND TERRACE - The City Council agreed Tuesday to move forward with a proposal to eliminate the assistant city manager position to help balance the 2009-2010 budget.
Unless he is hired as city manager, Assistant City Manager Steve Berry will be out of a job.
Berry came up with the budget-balancing plan in consultation with Finance Director Bernie Simon and former City Manager Tom Schwab.
Berry was named acting city manager in August, two months after Schwab was hospitalized with a subdural hematoma, a brain injury that nearly killed the 51-year-old resident.
Eliminating the $124,000-a-year assistant city manager position, along with other cuts, will produce a $57,829 surplus for the fiscal year starting July 1.
"This is the only way we can balance the budget," Berry said. "We have cut from the bottom. We need to look at cutting from the top."
Berry, a 46-year-old Riverside resident, said he will apply for the city manager job. The council is accepting applications for the position through Aug. 17 and is expected to make a decision around Oct. 1.
"I'm going to compete with whomever applies for the job. May the best person win," Berry said.
Mayor Maryetta Ferre said there are many cities the size of Grand Terrace that don't have an assistant city manager.
Ferre said Berry isn't assured of getting the city manager's job.
"I want to make it perfectly clear that it is level playing field," she said. "Everybody who applies will be considered."
Councilman Walt Stanckiewitz agreed.
"I don't think anyone is saying it's Steve's job," he said. "We're investing the money in doing the search and advertising the position. If he gets it, it will be because he's the best qualified."
The council is expected to adopt the budget June 23.
Paww adds:
I hope the City Clerk and or City Manager's Secretary apply for the City Manager Job and ask for a modest increase in their woman's pay which will save additional money for the city the City will still run like clock work without the Grandiose Back Room Deal Making, half baked contracts and side deals...
Steve Berry should look for work some where else... He has shamed the City of Grand Terrace enough. The budget he submitted first did not have the cut at the top... he continues to think of his own pocket first. He should go... and be glad if he is able to leave town without being in the back of a squad car with silver bracelets on his wrists.
Stephen Wall, Staff Writer
Posted: 06/10/2009 05:35:44 PM PDT
GRAND TERRACE - The City Council agreed Tuesday to move forward with a proposal to eliminate the assistant city manager position to help balance the 2009-2010 budget.
Unless he is hired as city manager, Assistant City Manager Steve Berry will be out of a job.
Berry came up with the budget-balancing plan in consultation with Finance Director Bernie Simon and former City Manager Tom Schwab.
Berry was named acting city manager in August, two months after Schwab was hospitalized with a subdural hematoma, a brain injury that nearly killed the 51-year-old resident.
Eliminating the $124,000-a-year assistant city manager position, along with other cuts, will produce a $57,829 surplus for the fiscal year starting July 1.
"This is the only way we can balance the budget," Berry said. "We have cut from the bottom. We need to look at cutting from the top."
Berry, a 46-year-old Riverside resident, said he will apply for the city manager job. The council is accepting applications for the position through Aug. 17 and is expected to make a decision around Oct. 1.
"I'm going to compete with whomever applies for the job. May the best person win," Berry said.
Mayor Maryetta Ferre said there are many cities the size of Grand Terrace that don't have an assistant city manager.
Ferre said Berry isn't assured of getting the city manager's job.
"I want to make it perfectly clear that it is level playing field," she said. "Everybody who applies will be considered."
Councilman Walt Stanckiewitz agreed.
"I don't think anyone is saying it's Steve's job," he said. "We're investing the money in doing the search and advertising the position. If he gets it, it will be because he's the best qualified."
The council is expected to adopt the budget June 23.
Paww adds:
I hope the City Clerk and or City Manager's Secretary apply for the City Manager Job and ask for a modest increase in their woman's pay which will save additional money for the city the City will still run like clock work without the Grandiose Back Room Deal Making, half baked contracts and side deals...
Steve Berry should look for work some where else... He has shamed the City of Grand Terrace enough. The budget he submitted first did not have the cut at the top... he continues to think of his own pocket first. He should go... and be glad if he is able to leave town without being in the back of a squad car with silver bracelets on his wrists.
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
Dumb Criminal... Welcome Mat Not Out..
Deputies: Near-overdose for Southern California man who eats drug bag while fleeing arrest
Associated Press
Posted: 06/09/2009 07:50:13 AM PDT
Updated: 06/09/2009 07:50:14 AM PDT
HESPERIA — Authorities say a 56-year-old man nearly overdosed when he ate a bag of methamphetamine as sheriff's deputies chased him in Hesperia.
Raymond Albert faces arraignment today on a charge of obstructing and resisting an executive officer, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department Web site.
Authorities say on Sunday Albert was stopped and patted down by deputies who found a bag of methamphetamine, then he grabbed the drugs and ran. They say Albert shoved the bag into his mouth as officers caught up with him. Authorities say the bag apparently opened in his stomach and Albert had to be rushed to a hospital in Colton. Albert is being held on $50,000 bail. A deputy reached todaydid not know if he had hired an attorney.
Gramps must add.
In Grand Terrace and other communities empty foreclosed homes bring with them an increase in criminal activity. Those of you who have a empty house next to you... need to keep alert and do the Good Neighbor act if and when someone moves in. Get to know them and watch for activity that would indicate a drug outlet or cooking or grow house.
The City of GT could follow the idea of Colton requiring all empty homes and properties to pay a fee to the city. Banks are not watering or mowing lawns of empty houses. Even if the money is not made available, there is good reason to keep the empty house mowed and watered... It makes your house look better, controls the spread of weeds, vermin and bugs. Who knows there may even be a orange or lemon tree needing to be picked and if you don't need the fruit a shelter does.
It is time to help neighbors stay in their homes. It is time to take care of the homes that are empty and awaiting to have their prices lowered to a point of affordability. There are over 100 homes in GT that are in or facing Forclosure, and only about 30 Home Sales have been completed this year. So one can assume there are 70 or so homes Empty in GT. 270 people have been forced to leave because of economic hardship. 70 of these are most likely children.
Associated Press
Posted: 06/09/2009 07:50:13 AM PDT
Updated: 06/09/2009 07:50:14 AM PDT
HESPERIA — Authorities say a 56-year-old man nearly overdosed when he ate a bag of methamphetamine as sheriff's deputies chased him in Hesperia.
Raymond Albert faces arraignment today on a charge of obstructing and resisting an executive officer, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department Web site.
Authorities say on Sunday Albert was stopped and patted down by deputies who found a bag of methamphetamine, then he grabbed the drugs and ran. They say Albert shoved the bag into his mouth as officers caught up with him. Authorities say the bag apparently opened in his stomach and Albert had to be rushed to a hospital in Colton. Albert is being held on $50,000 bail. A deputy reached todaydid not know if he had hired an attorney.
Gramps must add.
In Grand Terrace and other communities empty foreclosed homes bring with them an increase in criminal activity. Those of you who have a empty house next to you... need to keep alert and do the Good Neighbor act if and when someone moves in. Get to know them and watch for activity that would indicate a drug outlet or cooking or grow house.
The City of GT could follow the idea of Colton requiring all empty homes and properties to pay a fee to the city. Banks are not watering or mowing lawns of empty houses. Even if the money is not made available, there is good reason to keep the empty house mowed and watered... It makes your house look better, controls the spread of weeds, vermin and bugs. Who knows there may even be a orange or lemon tree needing to be picked and if you don't need the fruit a shelter does.
It is time to help neighbors stay in their homes. It is time to take care of the homes that are empty and awaiting to have their prices lowered to a point of affordability. There are over 100 homes in GT that are in or facing Forclosure, and only about 30 Home Sales have been completed this year. So one can assume there are 70 or so homes Empty in GT. 270 people have been forced to leave because of economic hardship. 70 of these are most likely children.
Monday, June 08, 2009
Tell all your friends: GT Community Players Wants YOU
From the Email InBox:
Please let folks here in Grand Terrace know that we now have a Community Theatre group. We will be conducting a second round of auditions at the City Hall Community Room (across the lobby from the library) at 10 am on Saturday, June 13th.
For more information, go to http://www.gtcommunityplayers.com/ or e-mail http://us.mc331.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=gtcommunityplayers@yahoo.com .
Thank you !
Lori Williams
Grand Terrace Community Players
Please let folks here in Grand Terrace know that we now have a Community Theatre group. We will be conducting a second round of auditions at the City Hall Community Room (across the lobby from the library) at 10 am on Saturday, June 13th.
For more information, go to http://www.gtcommunityplayers.com/ or e-mail http://us.mc331.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=gtcommunityplayers@yahoo.com .
Thank you !
Lori Williams
Grand Terrace Community Players
Auditions are scheduled for Saturday,
June 6th in the Community Room at City Hall,
located at 22795 Barton Rd, Grand Terrace, CA,
from 12pm to 5pm.
Please bring own accompaniment (CD preferred).
Audition forms are available on the above website, under forms (see menu on right).
If you have a talent you want to share with Grand Terrace and the Inland Empire, come to the audition !!
If you have a talent you want to share with Grand Terrace and the Inland Empire, come to the audition !!
We are looking for talented folks of ALL AGES !!
The Showcase performances will be held at
Terrace Hills Middle School, 22579 De Berry Street, in Grand Terrace
(corner of De Berry and Mt Vernon),
on July 17th & 18th at 7 pm and a matinee on July 19th at 2 pm.
Help spread the word :
GRAND TERRACE NOW HAS COMMUNITY THEATRE !!!
GRAND TERRACE NOW HAS COMMUNITY THEATRE !!!
Wednesday, June 03, 2009
CFBH (Senior Housing) Cutting Corners?
To: grandterracenews@yahoo.com
Date: Wednesday, June 3, 2009, 9:38 AM
Planning Comm. meeting is coming up in a few days.
The developer of your favorite parcel (AKA the Senior Center) is saying NO to installation of a concrete block wall along south and west boundaries. Claims the wall will hurt natural flows of rainwater.
Instead is proposing to install a steel fence. That is supposed to allow flows on through. Noise too. A fence is not a sound wall also.
Gramp Adds:
The "Natural Flow" of water will be though a steel fence and into the back yards of people on Barton Road... It is not "Natural" when it is coming off of a Roof and Paved Parking Lot. In addition the lowest part of the field already has block wall along the S/W boarder of the property so this claim does not ring true. What I hear is the Contractor who had a no bid contract with the city is trying to cut costs. What I hear is an increased amount of noise for those folks who do not have a block wall and will now have a 2 story Neighbor with Air Conditioners. What I hear is a follow on law suit against the City and the Contractor if the Block Wall is not built as it was included as part of the Mitigation of the Environmental Impact of building the High Density Apartments in a Low Density Area.
Remember this is the "Good Neighbor" who refused to address the concerns of the neighboring properties until Judge Wade ordered a Real Environmental Impact Study, which then cause design changes, including the Block Wall as part of the mitigation. This is the Good Neighbor who could contribute to Grand Terrace Days Slush Fund when it had actions before the Planning Commission and City Council. Nope, the Fence should be built and to the specifications as approved and required by the Environmental Impact Study and the Mitigation Plan approved by the Court.
The Building Run Off and Parking Lot Run Off should be caught and cleaned and used to water the park. OR a Drain to a IMPROVED STREET DRAIN SYSTEM ..... Remember this was one of the issues raised in the Court Case... and we were assured, the road and drainage would be no problem due to the parks design...
IF the Contractor is allowed to build a fence other than a block wall then like road fees the city should collect the cost of the block wall as a Environmental Mitigation Fee and put the fence in as a PUBLIC WORKS Project. Perhaps Steve Berry knows a Convict doing Court Ordered Public Service that installs Block Walls and he can get a deal on the job?
Date: Wednesday, June 3, 2009, 9:38 AM
Planning Comm. meeting is coming up in a few days.
The developer of your favorite parcel (AKA the Senior Center) is saying NO to installation of a concrete block wall along south and west boundaries. Claims the wall will hurt natural flows of rainwater.
Instead is proposing to install a steel fence. That is supposed to allow flows on through. Noise too. A fence is not a sound wall also.
Gramp Adds:
The "Natural Flow" of water will be though a steel fence and into the back yards of people on Barton Road... It is not "Natural" when it is coming off of a Roof and Paved Parking Lot. In addition the lowest part of the field already has block wall along the S/W boarder of the property so this claim does not ring true. What I hear is the Contractor who had a no bid contract with the city is trying to cut costs. What I hear is an increased amount of noise for those folks who do not have a block wall and will now have a 2 story Neighbor with Air Conditioners. What I hear is a follow on law suit against the City and the Contractor if the Block Wall is not built as it was included as part of the Mitigation of the Environmental Impact of building the High Density Apartments in a Low Density Area.
Remember this is the "Good Neighbor" who refused to address the concerns of the neighboring properties until Judge Wade ordered a Real Environmental Impact Study, which then cause design changes, including the Block Wall as part of the mitigation. This is the Good Neighbor who could contribute to Grand Terrace Days Slush Fund when it had actions before the Planning Commission and City Council. Nope, the Fence should be built and to the specifications as approved and required by the Environmental Impact Study and the Mitigation Plan approved by the Court.
The Building Run Off and Parking Lot Run Off should be caught and cleaned and used to water the park. OR a Drain to a IMPROVED STREET DRAIN SYSTEM ..... Remember this was one of the issues raised in the Court Case... and we were assured, the road and drainage would be no problem due to the parks design...
IF the Contractor is allowed to build a fence other than a block wall then like road fees the city should collect the cost of the block wall as a Environmental Mitigation Fee and put the fence in as a PUBLIC WORKS Project. Perhaps Steve Berry knows a Convict doing Court Ordered Public Service that installs Block Walls and he can get a deal on the job?
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