Politics, Government & Business in California's Inland Empire
Questions have began to surface surrounding the Upland City Council approval of a thirty-acre residential development bordering the popular Cable Airport.
The August 28, 2006 approval of Upland Crossings came against fierce opposition to the Monte Vista Avenue development proposed by Lewis Operating Companies. The council gave its approval while disregarding noise and safety concerns created by the airport.
Lancaster
Senator Bob Huff has announced his endorsement of San Gabriel Valley Republican Businessman Chris Lancaster to succeed Assemblyman Anthony Adams in the 59th District.
“I am proud to endorse Chris Lancaster for State Assembly,” said Senator Huff. “Chris believes as I do that for California to thrive we need pro-growth policies that reward job creators and increase jobs. He also shares my view that California needs fewer government regulations, not more restrictions on our businesses.”
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger dropped the hammer on San Bernardino County’s budget last Friday, with what is referred to as the “May Revision” to the upcoming budget for the fiscal year commencing on July 1.
The Governor is slamming local governments by transferring responsibility for many social services onto the backs of counties.
This was the first shoe to drop.
10:00 PM PDT on Sunday, May 16, 2010
By PAUL LAROCCO
The Press-Enterprise
Fifteen months after he was appointed sheriff, Rod Hoops is seeking his first elected term on a platform of deep experience and fiscal prudence.
His two opponents, however, are attempting to cast his 31 years rising through the ranks of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department as one of an insider unable to bring needed change.
11:02 PM PDT on Sunday, May 16, 2010
By JOHN ASBURY
The Press-Enterprise
The winner of the race for Riverside County sheriff will be faced with shepherding the state’s second-largest sheriff’s department through a budget crisis that could lead to staff cuts.
Incumbent Sheriff Stanley Sniff is facing retired Chief Deputy Frank Robles in the June 8 election.
COUNTY SUPERVISOR: Among the touchiest issues for the two candidates is pensions.
10:00 PM PDT on Sunday, May 16, 2010
By DUANE W. GANG
The Press-Enterprise
The race to succeed the late Roy Wilson on the Riverside County Board of Supervisors features two law-enforcement veterans who largely agree that job creation is the only long-term solution to the county’s budget woes.
Supervisor John Benoit, appointed to the post last year, is seeking a full four-year term representing the 4th District, which includes the Coachella Valley and stretches to the Arizona border.
Posted: 05/16/2010 08:23:14 PM PDT
SAN BERNARDINO — The City Council could discuss a variety of tax proposals during its Monday meeting.
The council’s meeting agenda contains an item to “discuss and take action concerning revenue enhancement options.” There is no additional backup information attached to the online version of the agenda.
Jeff Belmont
Posted: 05/16/2010 05:52:36 PM PDT
The shocking murder of 9-month-old Baby Wyatt has received national attention, and has brought to light the troubling reality that bad decisions by some judges can lead to tragedy. It is the duty of all family court judges to prioritize children’s safety. When judges fail to uphold that responsibility, voters have the right to remove those judges from the bench.
As elected officials, judges can and should be held accountable by voters when they fail to do their job. As Judge Robert Lemkau has failed to protect children or prioritize their safety, as shown by his bad judgment in Baby Wyatt’s murder case, voters should cast their ballots to remove him on June 8.
Bond’s future murky
Rebecca Kimitch, Staff Writer
Created: 05/16/2010 09:47:40 PM PDT
Although Rep. Grace Napolitano supports an $11 billion bond intended to remedy the state’s water woes, she doesn’t think a majority of Californians agree with her.
Napolitano, who heads the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water and Power, said last week she thinks the water bond going before voters in November will fail.
By Andrew Edwards, Staff Writer
Posted: 05/16/2010 09:38:00 PM PDT
The results of the June primary are not yet on the books, but both sides, in what could be be blockbuster campaign over the legalization of marijuana, are already preparing for November.
“Can we win this? Can we win this?” marijuana advocate Lanny Swerdlow asked those who attended a Wednesday night meeting for legalization supporters.
Debbie Pfeiffer Trunnell, Staff Writer
Posted: 05/16/2010 09:52:21 PM PDT
Hundreds of public school teachers in the San Bernardino area received final layoff notices in the mail this weekend.
While school boards scrambled to save as many jobs as possible, the current economic climate forced some districts to lay off more teachers than they did at this time last year.
Josh Dulaney, Staff Writer
Posted: 05/16/2010 09:44:47 PM PDT
FONTANA – It took two seconds for the city to send $33.5 million to Sacramento on Monday.
With a personal identification number and a keystroke, Lisa Strong, management services director and deputy city treasurer, wired the city’s share of the $2.1 billion in local redevelopment agency money state lawmakers say they need to balance California’s budget.
Brown
Capitol and California
Published: Monday, May. 17, 2010 – 12:00 am | Page 3A
Jerry Brown, the Democratic attorney general who served two terms as governor three decades ago and now wants another shot at the job, returns today to the scene of one of his political crimes – in a manner of speaking.
Brown’s campaign says he will speak at a rally at the University of California’s Santa Barbara campus on its scenic “lagoon lawn.”
By Ed Mendel
It’s no surprise that eight of the nine investments worth $4.8 billion cited in a state lawsuit this month were in Leon Black’s Apollo funds, previously known to have paid a former CalPERS board member more than $40 million in “placement agent” fees.
But the chairman of the other fund mentioned in the lawsuit is Gerald Parsky, a good government figure who has chaired commissions on pensions and tax reform for Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Berkeley dream dims
Josh Dulaney, Staff Writer
Posted: 05/16/2010 09:44:47 PM PDT
FONTANA – Gladys Castro has all the numbers needed to get into UC Berkeley – except one.
Although the 17-year-old Kaiser High School senior carries a 4.09 grade-point average and has been accepted to the university, she cannot apply for government loans because she’s an illegal immigrant and doesn’t have a Social Security number.