Sales of previously occupied homes dip 2.2 percent despite help from federal tax credits

Alan Zibel, AP Real Estate Writer, On Tuesday June 22, 2010, 3:38 pm EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The housing market may be on the verge of taking another plunge that could weaken the broader economic recovery.

Sales of previously occupied homes dipped in May, even though buyers could receive government tax credits. And nearly a third of sales in May were from foreclosures or other distressed properties. That means home prices could soon be heading down after stabilizing over the past year.

Read the rest of this entry »

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Rancho Cucamonga city councilman Rex Gutierrez testified today in his own defense.

Attorney Jim Reiss questioned Gutierrez about his background, namely his work history. In addition to his background history Gutierrez went over the process by which the city of Rancho Cucamonga and National CORE partner up. Defense attorney Reiss questioned Gutierrez about his lengthy relationship with developer Jeff Burum, that began around 1992. Throughout this relationship Burum and himself would keep in contact on a consistent basis, Gutierrez said.

Read the rest of this entry »

Rancho Cucamonga City Councilman and former Assessor employee Rex Gutierrez has taken the stand in his own defense this morning.

Gutierrez faces four felony counts related to allegations of time card fraud and a conspiracy to give him employment.

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

As last nights vote count and election process by the San Bernardino Pubic Employees Association (SBPEA) is called further into question, a few details need to be clarified.

First, it is appropriate for a labor union to conduct membership-wide votes for matters related to the general business of the organization. The types of matters I’m referring to include, but is not limited to, election of officers, by-law amendments, and dues increases.

Read the rest of this entry »

Brown

By SAMANTHA YOUNG, Associated Press Writer

Tuesday, June 22, 2010 at 12:32 a.m.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — When he takes to the campaign trail, Jerry Brown is fond of reminding voters that he shunned the governor’s mansion in Sacramento in favor of a rented apartment during his first tour in the executive office and lived in a downtown loft in Oakland while he was mayor of the crime-ridden city.

The stories are part of a campaign narrative of frugality. The Democratic nominee wants voters to remember that when they consider whether to send him back to the governor’s office as California faces a $19 billion budget deficit, an unemployment rate above 12 percent and a continuing foreclosure crisis.

What California voters do not hear is Brown boasting about his latest home.

Read the rest of this entry »

Monday, June 21, 2010

The latest murmurings coming out the San Bernardino County Government Center say newly appointed county administrative officer Greg Devereaux has his hands full on multiple levels.

On the finance front, fires are burning everywhere, with new blazes erupting on a routine basis. Most due to the incompetence of his predecessor Mark Uffer.

If anyone can right this ship Devereaux can.

Read the rest of this entry »

www.iepolitics.com

Written by Administrator
June 21st, 2010 at 5:02 pm

Four things belong to a judge: to hear courteously, to answer wisely, to consider soberly, and to decide impartially.

˜Socrates˜

In the first three parts we examined the District Attorney’s Office, the Conflict Panel, and the Public Defender’s Office. It is now time to turn our attention to the Superior Court bench.

Read the rest of this entry »

You have got to be kidding?

Just when you thought you had seen it all, something else happens. Within hours of the vote count this evening by the San Bernardino Public Employees Association (SBPEA) ratifying a modification to the collective bargaining agreement with the County of San Bernardino, word is quickly spreading that the vote may now be in question.

Read the rest of this entry »

Monday, June 21, 2010

This mornings events at the trial of Rancho Cucamonga City councilman and former Assessor employee Rex Gutierrez had the atmosphere of watching paint dry, until the lead District Attorney investigator on the case was questioned by defense attorney Jim Reiss.

Gutierrez is charged with four felonies related to alleged time card fraud and prosecution claims that his hiring by former Assessor Bill Postmus was a conspiracy orchestrated by Rancho Cucamonga developer Jeff Burum.

Read the rest of this entry »

Gutierrez

10:00 PM PDT on Monday, June 21, 2010

By IMRAN GHORI
The Press-Enterprise

Rancho Cucamonga Councilman Rex Gutierrez and developer Jeff Burum exchanged seven phone calls while the City Council was hearing pitches from rival developers hoping to build on a 1,200-acre parcel, a district attorney’s investigator testified Monday.

Schyler Beaty, a senior investigator, said telephone records show the calls took place March 2, 2009. They occurred between presentations from different companies presenting plans for the highly sought-after surplus San Bernardino County land located in Rancho Cucamonga.

Read the rest of this entry »

Doreen Boxer

Mike Cruz, Staff Writer
Posted: 06/21/2010 08:15:46 PM PDT

Editor’s note: Part two of a two-part look at San Bernardino County’s justice system.

SAN BERNARDINO – Proposed budget cuts in the Public Defender’s Office for fiscal year 2010-11 could mean that criminal cases take longer to make their way through the justice system in San Bernardino County.

The office recently publicized that it was eliminating 39 positions, 30 of which were already vacant. Most had been unfilled for more than a year, and one was empty for almost three years, explained Public Defender Doreen Boxer.

Read the rest of this entry »

Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 06/21/2010 06:55:33 PM PDT

Three days after his job at the San Bernardino County Assessor’s Office was eliminated, Rancho Cucamonga Councilman Rex Gutierrez asked developer Jeff Burum to persuade then-Assessor Bill Postmus to extend his pay until he found another job.

State and local prosecutors on Monday introduced as evidence in Gutierrez’s trial an e-mail the councilman sent to Burum on Oct. 10, 2008 – three days after the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors eliminated Gutierrez’s position as intergovernmental relations officer at the Assessor’s Office.

Read the rest of this entry »

Marquez

Councilwoman says it needs reform
Andrew Edwards, Staff Writer
Posted: 06/21/2010 04:40:51 PM PDT

SAN BERNARDINO – City Charter reform came close to dropping off the City Council’s to do list, but Councilwoman Virginia Marquez said during Monday’s council meeting that she wants to make sure the issue returns to agenda.

“I believe some critical streamlining and critical efficiencies can only be realized by amending our City Charter,” Marquez said.

Read the rest of this entry »

City plans to cut services; a deficit remains
Jesse B. Gill, Staff Writer
Posted: 06/21/2010 08:15:47 PM PDT

REDLANDS – The City Council voted 4-1 Monday to pass a unbalanced budget for the 2010-11 fiscal year.

The plan cuts the General Fund deficit from $8.9 million to $877,500. Mayor Pat Gilbreath was the lone dissenter.

Read the rest of this entry »

Chantal M. Lovell, Staff Writer
Posted: 06/21/2010 08:16:53 PM PDT

REDLANDS – Board members will likely pass Redlands Unified School District’s budget for the coming fiscal year at tonight’s meeting – even though the state budget remains in limbo.

Board President Neal Waner said creating a budget without knowing the final state numbers is a difficult task.

Read the rest of this entry »

June 21, 2010 6:22 PM
Natasha Lindstrom

Tim Donnelly’s narrow victory in claiming the Republican nomination in the 59th Assembly District surprised nearly everyone — including Donnelly and his backers.

The Twin Peaks small businessman admits that just three months ago, he knew next to nothing about running a campaign.

Read the rest of this entry »

Political newbie, Minuteman Tim Donnelly ‘humbled’ by Republican win
June 21, 2010 5:59 PM
Natasha Lindstrom

You probably never heard of Tim Donnelly a few months ago, but if you saw his blue-and-gold campaign signs scattered across the High Desert, you have a good idea of the issues that get him fired up.

The Twin Peaks small businessman’s signs clearly stated, “Patriot, Not Politician,” and featured the anti-illegal immigration Minuteman group logo, a founding-father-type figure clutching a rifle and casting a watchful eye off into the distance.

Read the rest of this entry »

Sen. Bob Dutton

Sen. Bob Dutton
Posted: 06/21/2010 07:18:14 PM PDT

As California’s budget negotiations continue in Sacramento, I am reminded of the children’s book “If You Give A Pig A Pancake.”

In the book a pig is given a pancake. Once given the pancake the pig then wants some syrup. Once the pig gets the syrup it gets all sticky and wants a bath. As this entitlement story continues the pig actually expects the pancake, syrup and all sorts of other entitlements.

Read the rest of this entry »

Capitol Alert
The latest on California politics and government
June 21, 2010

Senate Democrats on Monday unveiled their plan to give counties greater control of state programs, potentially shedding $3 billion to $4 billion in ongoing costs to the state budget.

Many of the programs are already delivered by counties but paid for through state coffers. Senate Democrats see their changes as a more appropriate “realignment” of services and costs over the next four years.

Read the rest of this entry »

Published June 21st, 2010

With nine days left in the month, state budget writers are waiting to see if June revenue projections hit their mark.

In his revised budget in May, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger estimated more than $5.5 billion in income tax receipts and $2.1 billion in bank and corporation tax payments for June.

Read the rest of this entry »

June 21st, 2010, 3:39 pm · posted by Jennifer Muir

A new, hybrid pension plan for county employees is still tied up at the Internal Revenue Service, and county staff is asking for more money to resolve the issue.

Under the two-tiered plan, current employees were supposed to be able to choose whether to keep their old benefits, or select a hybrid plan that features a reduced pension but also a defined contribution component, similar to a 401(k).

Read the rest of this entry »