Ryan Hagen, Staff Writer
Posted: 05/06/2013 05:07:10 PM PDT
YUCCA VALLEY — A recall is under way against two recently re-elected members of the Town Council who opponents charge have not been accountable to the town’s 20,000 residents.
Notices of intent to circulate a recall petition were served April 30 to George Huntington and Robert Lombardo, giving them until today to respond in writing before signature-gathering begins.
“The bottom line is they’re not paying any attention to Yucca Valley,” said Ron Cohen, a spokesman for a recall committee he said now consists of 25 people. “They seem to be guided by the town manager, so there’s something wrong with this relationship. ”
No illegal activities are alleged, but the notices say both failed to exercise their fiduciary and ethical responsibilities, giving six examples for Huntington and five for Lombardo.
Four of those examples apply to both council members – and to others not targeted by the recall – including increasing the town manager’s compensation to nearly $300,000.
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“increasing the town manager’s compensation to nearly $300,000.”
“Town Manager Mark Nuaimi’s base salary remains $190,000, but according to meeting minutes, a revised contract approved in February increased his deferred compensation payments, paid leave and unused vacation pay by $13,461 for a total compensation of $293,339.”
Is Nuaimi’s high salary and compensation in proportion to the size, economic health, and development goals of this small city …OR… did Jane Un’s Yucca Valley CPA, Alec Illis, manage to get his hands on these funny numbers- totaling Nuaimis’ HIGH COMPENSATION?
“Public outrage has forced cities to moderate salaries considered above the norm.”
National Salary Data
Salary $43,837 – $147,949
Bonus $0.00 – $18,383
Profit Sharing $1,474 – $2,056
Commission $1,200 – $24,490
Total Pay $42,877 – $155,067
“But we’re interested in people that will actually represent the citizens and listen to the citizens. ”
>>> BUT it sounds like the current council, indeed, has the citizen’s and town’s LONG TERM best interest in mind.
Lombardo wrote: “I truly believe that my decisions have helped to start much-needed projects, keep amenities that make Yucca Valley a great place, and all while taking great care to remain fiscally responsible.”
Yucca Valley is a magnet to many because it offers peace and quite.
It’s time this town has the light shun on it and it’s people- but in a positive way. The bullying and competition for the upper hand on both sides must stop and “political disagreements” discussed over coffee WITHOUT THE INFLUENCE OF THOSE NOT LIVING IN YUCCA VALLEY.
If they all plan to stay in Yucca Valley, then all should work together with one vision for Yucca Valley… that of Norman J. Essig.
Wikipedia,
“Norman J. Essig was a key player in the late 1950s in working toward establishing Yucca Valley as a place for entertainment celebrities to come and live in privacy.”
EXCEPT, these days, it’s not only the celebrities seeking that PRIVACY, PEACE AND QUITE…Yucca Valley should capitalize on that need.
$300,000 for Nuami??? No way. That area is so poor. That must be wrong. If it’s right. Fire his ass. Sounds like the City of Bell….