By Sandra Emerson, Staff Writer
Created: 05/02/2012 04:00:20 PM PDT

RANCHO CUCAMONGA – The city has been forced to let go nearly 20 employees due to the elimination of millions of dollars in redevelopment funding.

About 9 full-time positions and 10 to 11 part-time positions that were funded with redevelopment money were cut.

Three employees were hired for other positions with the city, City Manager John Gillison said.

“It was all related to redevelopment, so they were all reductions as a result of the loss of redevelopment from the governor’s legislation that happened earlier this year,” Gillison said.

Gov. Jerry Brown in June signed two bills that would eliminate redevelopment agencies and give cities an option to pay the state an annual fee in order to continue their agency.

The California Redevelopment Association and the League of California Cities filed a petition with the state Supreme Court arguing that the laws were unconstitutional.

The court ruled Dec. 30 that eliminating redevelopment is constitutional, but that offering cities an option to pay to continue their agency is not. As result, redevelopment agencies across the state were dissolved on Feb. 1.

To read entire story, click here.

Former Rancho Cucamonga Councilman Rex Gutierrez returned home Thursday after serving his prison term. A jury found him guilty in October 2010 of felony charges of conspiracy, grand theft and presenting a false claim to a public office. (Jennifer Cappuccio Maher/Staff Photographer)

Wendy Leung, Staff Writer
Created: 04/21/2012 07:07:01 AM PDT

RANCHO CUCAMONGA – Fifteen months in prison have hardly changed Rex Gutierrez.

The former councilman does not look older, thinner or more defeated.

His sense of humor, quirky sensibility and panache for flashy ties have not gone away.

“I’m still here,” Gutierrez said. “I’m still standing.”

In his first interview since his return from state prison, Gutierrez, 52, maintained his innocence despite a jury finding him guilty in October 2010 of felony charges of conspiracy, grand theft and presenting a false claim to a public office.

Prosecutors had proved to the jury that Gutierrez had received a position at the San Bernardino County Assessor’s Office as a favor to an influential developer and had produced very little work as the intergovernmental relations officer.

The case was one chapter in an ongoing corruption investigation by the offices of San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos and the state Attorney General’s Office.

“They had to make an example out of me. Ramos had to make this thing a war and get as many notches in his belt as possible,” Gutierrez said.

“After spending millions and millions, I don’t know what Ramos will come up with. I don’t know if he’ll get anything out of this whole scandal.

“Because why? Because it’s not his money. It’s the people’s money he’s throwing away.”

Ramos replied in a statement, “It is my obligation as district attorney to prosecute those individuals and officials who violate the law and the public trust. I am very proud of the ethical and professional manner in which the Gutierrez case was prosecuted by our Public Integrity Unit and attorney general partners. The result in this case will hopefully serve to deter future violations of the public trust.”

Following the sentencing of Gutierrez, the D.A.’s office charged developer Jeff Burum, former county Supervisor Paul Biane, former Assistant Assessor Jim Erwin and Supervisor Gary Ovitt’s former chief of staff Mark Kirk on charges of conspiracy, bribery and other charges surrounding a landmark $102 million settlement on the Upland Colonies development.

The four charged in the Colonies investigation have pleaded not guilty and the corruption case is currently winding through the court system.

“If I become the only scapegoat in this whole supposed county scandal, I will be very disappointed,” Gutierrez said. “So far, I’ve been the only person to pay the price.”

The price was about half of his two-year and eight-month sentence.

Some of that was served at the Sierra Conservation Center in Jamestown, a minimum-security facility where Gutierrez was trained to fight wildland fires.

Gutierrez found his assignment ironic considering his past conflicts with the city’s fire union.

To read entire story, click here.

Andrew Edwards, Staff Writer
Created: 04/14/2012 07:09:23 AM PDT

RANCHO CUCAMONGA – The first renters at the Lewis Group of Cos. “Santa Barbara” apartments have begun to move in, and the developers plan on building upon the coastal city’s name to create a new brand of upscale apartments.

“If this is successful, in a few years you’ll be reading about the Santa Barbara apartments in Chino Hills,” said Randall Lewis, the development group’s executive vice president.

And maybe two or three other California cities, Lewis said.

The Santa Barbara apartments in Rancho Cucamonga are a 192-unit development within Terra Vista, the Lewis Group’s 1,340-acre development that includes more than 8,000 homes and apartments in addition to many commercial buildings.

Lewis Group designed the Santa Barbara apartments in a Spanish colonial style evocative of the Central Coast and the development’s namesake city. Red-tile roofs sit atop three-story white buildings adorned in places with tilework and wrought iron that from the outside, resemble the buildings of early California.

On the inside, each unit at Santa Barbara opens to a first-floor entryway with stairs leading to a second-story kitchen and living room. Each unit has three floors, and the master bedrooms are on top.

Lewis Group’s bet on the Santa Barbara complex is part of recent trend of developers favoring apartments and condos over new houses. Although the past year was the slowest ever in California in terms of new building permits for new single-family homes, permits for multi-family construction jumped 33 percent in California.

Up and down the state, permitting officials approved 26,000 permits for apartments and condos last year, compared with permits for about 21,400 permits for new homes, according to the California Building Industry Association.

To read entire story, click here.

RANCHO CUCAMONGA – Former Councilman Rex Gutierrez, who served half of his two years and eight months sentence in state prison, has been released and has moved back to the community.

Gutierrez, 52, was found guilty in December 2010 on four felony counts of grand theft and conspiracy to commit a crime and filing a fraudulent claim. The crimes occurred while he worked as the intergovernmental relations officer for the San Bernardino County Assessor’s Office.

The former councilman was released March 7, said Kenneth Ford, spokesman for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s parole division in Diamond Bar.

Under AB 109, Gov. Jerry Brown’s Public Safety Realignment bill, Gutierrez is under the supervision of San Bernardino County Probation Department.

Gutierrez served approximately one year and three months. He was most recently serving time at the Sierra Conservation Center in Jamestown, a facility where inmates are trained fire-fighting techniques and can be dispatched to fight wildfires.

Calls made to Gutierrez’s home have not been returned.

To read entire story, click here.

RANCHO CUCAMONGA – Councilman Sam Spagnolo, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer in December, is recovering this week from a successful surgery. Spagnolo, 70, said he plans to attend the next City Council meeting on March 7.

“I’m actually getting cabin fever,” said Spagnolo. “The main thing is I’m cancer-free and I’m very happy about that.”

Because of his surgery and recovery, Spagnolo has missed a number of city events including the mayor’s State of the City address and the grand opening of the Hellman Avenue Fire Station. A former firefighter, Spagnolo was disappointed to miss the grand opening, which took place on Feb. 8, the day of his surgery.

“As long as I’ve been around, it’s been a dream to have that station,” Spagnolo said.

Doctors conducted a robot-assisted prostate surgery on Spagnolo in Los Angeles, a two-hour procedure that is less invasive than typical open surgery. The good news is Spagnolo’s cancer did not spread to other areas.

But last week, there was a relapse in the road to recovery. Spagnolo started having spasms in his bladder and was rushed to the emergency room. He is now on medication and feeling much better.

Spagnolo said he routinely visits his doctor and gets blood work done every six months.

To read entire story, click here.

RANCHO CUCAMONGA – As Ontario steps up efforts to gain autonomy of L.A./Ontario International Airport, leaders from neighboring Rancho Cucamonga are joining a growing number of agencies calling for local control.

“If ONT were to close, this whole Inland Valley would have to go to L.A. Imagine the increase of traffic and unpleasantness,” Rancho Cucamonga Councilwoman Diane Williams said. “That airport is one of the most important central hubs of our region. The whole Inland Empire benefits from that airport.”

The City Council has directed its city manager to open up dialogue with the neighboring city and find out how Rancho Cucamonga can play a bigger role in helping the struggling airport regain its footing.

Operated by Los Angeles World Airports, ONT has been hemorrhaging passengers since its height in 2007. This year, the airport will see 2.7 million fewer passengers than 2007 and the number of flights for the first six months will drop 8 percent compared to the same period last year.

The Ontario City Council contends local or regional control will help turn around the airport but LAWA believes outside forces like a limping economy is to blame.

On Tuesday, Ontario leaders unveiled a public relations effort to save the airport.

Anchored by a website and social media presence, the campaign calls on the public to contact the Los Angeles mayor and City Council on the matter.

“We don’t see the downward spiral to reverse,” Ontario Councilman Alan Wapner said about the precipitous drop in ridership. “Without prompt intervention and local control, my prediction is the airport will not survive in the next two or three years.”

Among the gloomiest forecast comes from the Federal Aviation Administration, which predicts 6.1 million ONT passengers in 2035. If that were to come true, it would mean ridership 25 years from now would mirror numbers 10 years ago.

To read entire story, click here.

By Wendy Leung, Staff Writer
Created: 01/13/2012 03:41:57 PM PST

RANCHO CUCAMONGA – Clearly frustrated about the loss of its redevelopment agency, the City Council is contemplating the new year without much of the funding slated for capital improvement and economic development.

Many city goals will retreat to the proverbial back burner while other projects may never come to fruition. Without a redevelopment agency, the planned overpass on Etiwanda Avenue at the Metrolink rail crossing is nixed. If bond funding cannot be restored, projects that are halfway complete, like the Hellman Avenue storm drain project and Foothill Boulevard widening, will remain in infrastructure purgatory.

Despite the gloomy outlook, Mayor Dennis Michael is trying to look on the bright side.

“There’s going to be great things in 2012,” Michael said. “I look forward to 2012.”

At a special meeting Wednesday at the Victoria Gardens Cultural Center, staff members outlined a number of projects that will survive. Among them is an ambitious plan to equip certain areas of the city with high-tech security cameras for the Sheriff’s Department.

Capt. Mike Newcombe showed a series of surveillance camera footage borrowed from Redlands, a city equipped with more than 120 similar cameras. City Council watched scenes showing drug use, shooting, tagging and other crimes caught on camera.

“This will not only help with nuisance crimes, it’ll help with quality of life,” said Newcombe, who serves as the city’s police chief. “This will help our city be even safer.”

The plan is to install 10 cameras initially at Victoria Gardens next year.

“We have a higher volume of people at Victoria Gardens than anywhere else in the city,” said City Manager John Gillison. “It’s our crown jewel in more ways than one and we want people to feel as safe as possible there.”

The first phase of the camera project will cost about $280,000. The bulk of the cost will come from federal grant money although some general fund money could be used.

“Down the road, the goal could be to have 100 to 150 cameras,” Newcombe said.

Also new at the Sheriff’s Department is the establishment of a probation compliance team.

“The team will go out eight to 10 hours a day doing compliance checks so people on parole know we’re going to be keeping tabs on them,” Newcombe said.

This program comes on the heels of the public safety realignment signed by Gov. Jerry Brown, which requires low-level inmates released from state prison on parole to report to county probation officers.

“Just like the state doesn’t care about raiding local budgets, they don’t really care if they’re letting out dangerous criminals,” Gillison said.

If city leaders sound peeved, they are.

In an effort to balance the state’s massive budget deficit, Brown proposed the elimination of California redevelopment agencies. On the eve of the New Year holiday, the state Supreme Court upheld the move.

To read entire story, click here.

NBA Champion James Worthy asks Quran Clayton, 3, of Rancho Cucamonga what he wants for Christmas Saturday during the 4th Annual Colonies Holiday Miracles event at the Colonies Crossroads shopping center in Upland. (James Carbone/Correspondent)

Mike Cruz, Staff Writer
Created: 12/17/2011 04:54:29 PM PST

UPLAND – More than 100 children from low-income families were treated to a $200 shopping spree and much more as part of the 4th Annual Colonies Holiday Miracles event at the Colonies Crossroads Shopping Center.

Hundreds of volunteers and community members braved blustery winds and chilly early-morning temperatures Saturday to brighten the Christmas holiday for the children and their families.

Each child was given the $200 shopping spree at Kohl’s and Dicks Sporting Goods – which really amounted to between $240-250 thanks to discounts offered by the retailers. They also received breakfast, took pictures with Santa Claus, and were given a full holiday dinner from Albertsons.

An additional 100 families also received a holiday meals that were sponsored by Upland-based developer Colonies Partners.

Rancho Cucamonga resident Debbie Amaya brought her daughter Desiree, 10, and 9-year-old son, Daniel, to the event and enjoyed seeing the community come together for families during the holidays.

“I think it’s a priviledge and a blessing that the kids were able to come out here,” Amaya said.

Santa arrived on an Upland Fire truck to a round cheers. Firefighters and police officers from several local departments accompanied the children and volunteers as they shopped.

With big shopping bags in hand, the children and their adult volunteers left the stores with wide smiles. Seventeen-year-old Sarina Garcia, of Alta Loma, said she enjoyed shopping for clothes with Upland firefighter John Hurt.

The children who participated in the event are from the non-profit Hope Through Housing Foundation, which was created by non-profit affordable housing developer National Community Renaissance (National CORE) to provide services to children and senior citizens.

Each child was chosen based on family need and income.

To read entire story, click here.

Former Rancho Cucamonga City Councilman Rex Gutierrez, at left, received a 2 year, 8 month prison sentence, while Former Assessor taxpayer Advocate Greg Advocate, on the right, received 4 months of home detention. Both men were accused of virtually the same offenses.

Saturday, December 10, 2011 – 09:00 a.m.

Speaking of no  justice.

Friday’s plea deal between the  San Bernardino County District Attorney’s office and defendant Gregory Eyler depicts a stark reality when prosecutions turn political in nature.

The move avoids a jury trial originally set for January 30, 2012.

Two cases originating out of misconduct under former Assessor Bill Postmus end with wildly different outcomes.

A testament to abuse of the system.

Eyler, was allowed to plead guilty to one misdemeanor county of filing a false claim. He will serve 120-days in monitored home detention and also serve 1-year probation.

Another former Assessor employee, Rex Gutierrez, was convicted at a jury trial and sentenced to a prison term of 2-years and 8-months.

Both men were charged with essentially the same offenses. Those being grand theft and filing a false claim.

Gutierrez, who is still in state prison, resigned from the Rancho Cucamonga City Council upon his conviction.

The settlement with Eyler alleviates the necessity of Postmus having to testify as a witness for the prosecution  at trial.

The only remaining cases where Postmus’ testimony is needed are that of High-Desert developer John Defazio and the Colonies conspiracy case.

Defazio, who has refused all plea offers, has a preliminary hearing scheduled for January 26, 2012 to cross-examine witnesses.

Wendy Leung, Staff Writer
Created: 10/03/2011 04:34:48 PM PDT

RANCHO CUCAMONGA – City leaders are considering possible changes to an ordinance passed in August that requires groups holding a protest or rally on public streets to first apply for a permit.

A group, primarily members of a local tea party chapter, has voiced opposition to the permit process, staging a small rally on Foothill Boulevard and speaking out at City Council meetings against it. The new ordinance requires organizers of rallies with more than 75 people that take place on a major street to obtain a permit.

Jean Ensley-Rositter of the Inland Valley Patriots said the ordinance is unconstitutional and called on the City Council to repeal the ordinance, which was approved unanimously on Aug. 17.

“You basically have to ask permission before it happens,” she said. “This is walking a very fine line of encroaching on our personal freedoms.”

Last month, seven people including Ensley-Rositter met with San Bernardino County sheriff’s Capt. Mike Newcombe about relaxing some of the provisions in the ordinance. They discussed having the permit be required for rallies with 100 or more people instead of 75, allowing larger specifications for flag poles and signs, and other issues.

Newcombe said he’ll take these suggestions to the city manager and present them to the City Council for possible revisions. He did not give a timeline as to when this will appear on the City Council agenda.

“Everything brought to me was worth a discussion,” Newcombe said. “I wasn’t uncomfortable with anything.”

To read entire story, click here.

Rizzo

Wendy Leung, Staff Writer
Created: 09/05/2011 07:03:08 AM PDT

The former Bell city manager, who was once employed in Rancho Cucamonga, will receive drastically reduced pension benefits after the California Public Employees Retirement System slashed the payouts of top-paid officials.

The move means Rancho Cucamonga’s share of Robert Rizzo’s pension is also significantly reduced.

Rizzo, along with seven other former Bell officials, faces corruption charges for conspiring to inflate each other’s salaries to astronomical figures.

When news broke of the salary scandal last year, Rizzo was earning a salary of nearly $800,000 with a total compensation of nearly $1.5 million.

At the time, estimates of his CalPERS benefits totaled $650,000 annually. But Rizzo is now set to receive almost $52,000 after the state retirement board reviewed his and other government officials’ pensions.

“We took a close look at the pay that he received in Bell and concluded that most of the pay would not qualify and would not be included in the calculation of his pension benefits,” said Edward Fong, spokesman for CalPERS.

CalPERS decided just $7,100 of Rizzo’s monthly salary should be factored in the calculation of his benefits.

“It’s almost like what goes around comes around,” said Rancho Cucamonga Mayor Dennis Michael. “He was living very high on the hog at the expense of the public whether it was Rancho or Bell. I’m pleased to see what has occurred. Hopefully it gives the public a little faith in government.”

To read entire story, click here.

RANCHO CUCAMONGA – About 20 people showed up Friday to voice opposition to a new ordinance requiring organizers of rallies, protests and picket lines to get a city permit six days before the event.

Activists who gathered at the corner of Foothill and Day Creek boulevards Friday ran the political gamut from tea party members to Democrats, Republicans and Libertarians.

Jeane Ensley-Rositter of Rialto is an organizer for the Inland Valley Patriots, a local chapter of the tea party. Ensley-Rositter said the six-day waiting period does not allow concerned residents to immediately assemble and express their opinion publicly about a political or world event.

“The problem is it does not allow you to address issues in a
Residents and members of political parties protest a new city ordinance. (Jennifer Cappuccio Maher/Staff Photographer)
timely manner,” she explained.

The ordinance stipulates that starting Sept. 16, organizers planning to hold rallies and protests in this city will need to obtain a permit. Organizers will need to give six days of notice when gatherings of 75 people or more are to take place along streets such as Foothill Boulevard, Base Line Road and 11 other major streets in the city.

The permitting process will apply to demonstrations, picket lines, rallies, motorcades and processions. Funeral processions will be exempt.

During an earlier interview, Mayor Dennis Michael said the process is not meant to hinder protests.

However, that is exactly what Friday’s protesters believe may happen.

To read entire story, click here.

Wendy Leung, Staff Writer
Created: 08/25/2011 03:05:18 PM PDT

RANCHO CUCAMONGA — Activists who oppose the city’s new permitting process for protests will respond Friday with a protest of their own at Foothill and Day Creek boulevards.

Organizers across the political spectrum – from a chapter of the tea party to a local Democratic club — will meet at 5 p.m. to speak out against a city ordinance approved last week.

“We’re all speaking out about our right to assemble,” said Jean Ensley-Rositter of the Inland Valley Patriots, a local chapter of the tea party.

The ordinance stipulates that starting Sept. 16, organizers planning to hold rallies and protests in this city will need to obtain a permit. Organizers will need to give six days of notice when gatherings of 75 people or more take place along streets such as Foothill Boulevard, Base Line Road and 11 other major streets in the city.

City Attorney Jim Markman said the new ordinance is strictly concerned with traffic safety.

“There’s no abridgement of a right here,” Markman said. “It’s just an attempt by the police to get notice.”

According to law enforcement officials, large scale protests in recent years have led to the consideration of such an ordinance. San Bernardino County sheriff’s Capt. Mike Newcombe said without prior notice of such gatherings, officers are left “scrambling at the last minute.”

To read entire story, click here.

Wendy Leung, Staff Writer
Created: 08/09/2011 09:33:38 PM PDT

RANCHO CUCAMONGA – A new fire station, groundbreaking on a veterans project and the completion of the Pacific Electric Trail are on the city’s horizon. But city officials are hitting pause on a number of projects because the future of California redevelopment agencies are uncertain.

On Monday, the City Council held a semiannual team-building session at the Frontier Project and got updated on accomplishments, ongoing projects and future goals.

“There’s quite a few projects that are done, quite a few that are very close to being done,” Assistant City Manager John Gillison said. “By the time we have another team-building in January, we’ll look back at 2011 and see that a lot of stuff happened.”

Hellman Fire Station, which is designed to battle wildland fires and relieve the workload of Amethyst Fire Station, is expected to finish in December.

“It’s coming along nicely,” Fire Chief Mike Bell said. “We’re looking to get in there by the end of the year and have an official grand opening after the first of the year.”

Design work is under way for the Freedom Courtyard, an area in Central Park dedicated to honoring veterans. The city expects to break ground next spring.

But a number of projects are on hold because of the state’s budget crisis. In June, as a measure to balance the massive budget shortfall, Gov. Jerry Brown and the Legislature ordered municipalities to dissolve their redevelopment agencies unless they pay a collective $1.7 billion.

Last week, the City Council authorized the remittance of $35.5 million in two years to Sacramento in order for the redevelopment agency to continue.

Deputy City Manager Linda Daniels called the money “extortion payment.”

The city has joined the League of California Cities and the California Redevelopment Association in a lawsuit against the governor. On Monday, the state Supreme Court will issue a decision on whether to issue a stay and prevent the redevelopment law from going into effect.

To read entire story, click here.

County Supervisor Janice Rutherford

Thursday, August 4, 2011
S. E. Williams
Staff Writer

When Janice Rutherford was elected Second District Supervisor last year, voters looked with renewed hope toward a future of clean government. Most were fed-up with the scandals and fraud that have plagued the county for nearly a generation.

The election, once again, gave voters a chance to elect new representation. Although this made voters hopeful—history in San Bernardino County has also taught them to be diligent and remain watchful.

As a result, when Rutherford approached the county’s Chief Administrative Officer Greg Devereaux and asked about the infamous “1,200 Acres” of undeveloped, surplus county flood control property in Rancho Cucamonga, alarm bells sounded and a weary constituency questioned, why?

With all of the problems pressing down on San Bernardino County, why did Rutherford choose to address this issue at this time?

In an exclusive interview with The Alpenhorn News, Rutherfords’s Communications Director Scott Vanhorne quickly asserted that there was nothing nefarious here. He stated that she [Rutherford] wanted a report on the “1,200 Acres” in order to, “know what the county has done and where it stands.” He added, “Because it was such a controversial issue, she just wanted to be aware of it.”

Vanhorne was defensive in his response and accused the reporter of reacting to blogs and asking questions that were accusatory in tone. However, as someone with media experience, Vanhorne should be aware of the role newspapers must play in a democratic society—most readers expect the media to act as a proxy for the public. They believe that it is a reporter’s job to ask probing, penetrating questions of elected officials—to dig for the facts.

On another level, Vanhorn was correct. It is exactly because this property has been embroiled in such highly visible controversy that some have questioned Rutherford’s sudden interest in it.

Rutherford has been in office less than eight months, the county’s economic outlook remains grim and voters are consumed with the impacts of high unemployment, a depressed housing market, and the combined austerity measures of cut-backs and lay-offs that have impinged upon constituency services across the board and touched everything from teachers to sheriffs. In addition, there is anxiety about the pending outcome of the county’s redistricting efforts.

In recent years, the saga of the “1,200 Acres” in Rancho Cucamonga has been covered extensively by the media; it was focused on in the Hueston Report that investigated corruption in the County Assessor’s Office; it was highlighted by the 2008-09 Grand Jury; included in the Colonies investigation; and, played a role in the felony conviction of Rancho City Councilman Rex Guitierrez.

Rutherford’s biography highlights a career that has afforded her opportunities to experience first-hand the mechanics of politics in relationship to real estate development. That experience includes the Fontana Planning Commission, and a term as its Chairperson; three terms as a member of the Fontana City Council; Fontana’s Mayor Pro-Tem between 2002 and 2004; and, Chair of the Fontana Redevelopment Agency.

And yet, despite the availability of information on this property that remains in the public domain and Rutherford’s experience relative to development, Vanhorne insisted that Rutherford was “Just looking at the county’s overall land policy and what would we do with the land.”

When asked about Ruthrford’s relationship with the Lewis family; the fact that the Lewis’ were in partnership with Burum to develop the property; and, the fact that Rutherford has received significant campaign contributions from the Lewis family of companies, Vanhorne responded, “I have never looked at her campaign information. I don’t know what goes on in her head.”

The 1,200 acres in question qre located near Los Osos High School in the foothills of Rancho Cucamonga. Its boundaries include Milliken Avenue and the Day Creek Channel. It is the last piece of undeveloped open space in the city.

Just a few short years ago, development of this land was imminent. But that was before it was put on the table as a bargaining chip during negotiations in the Colonies Scandal—it was ultimately withdrawn in favor of a $102 million settlement.

It was before the same 1,200 acres of land appeared to be part of what the grand jury saw as a potential sweetheart deal that ultimately added to the conspiracy case against Guiterrez. He was ultimately convicted on felony charges of grand theft and conspiracy related to his position at the Assessor’s Office and his relationship with Colonies developer Jeff Burum.

Today, the “1,200 Acres” in question still belong to the county’s Flood Control District and must be purchased by the county before it can be sold to a developer. But, back in 2008-09, the sale of this land had gained significant momentum.

At the time, rather than disposing of the property through auction, an agreement was struck between the Board of Supervisors and the Rancho Cucamonga City Council to have developers bid for its development; the council would identify the top two contenders and the board would make the final determination. But when the case of Rancho City Councilman Guiterrez broke wide open as a result of the Hueston Report, the grand jury recommended that the process be halted. This was largely due to the relationship between Guiterrez and Burum, who was a key member of the Rancho Alliance Investors, one of the five development firms competing for the project opportunity and viewed as the front runner in the process.

In 2009, an article entitled Concerned, connected, controversial: Jeff Burum has shaken up San Bernardino politics, housing, appeared in the April 17 edition of The Press-Enterprise. In the report, Randall Lewis of the Lewis Group of Companies said that he had tapped Burum to join him and others in the formation of an alliance (Rancho Alliance Investors) to compete for the right to develop the “1,200 Acres”. Like Burum’s development companies, the Lewis Group of Companies is one of the largest developers in the area. At times, the Burum and Lewis companies worked in cooperation; at times, in competition.

The Rancho Alliance Investors, in addition to the Lewis Group of Companies and Burum’s Diversified Pacific, also included Young Homes and Shea Homes, O’Reilly Public Relations (the owner Patrick O’Reilly was indicted by the grand jury in the Colonies scheme) and California Strategies, Jim Brulte’s consulting company. In addition to The Rancho Alliance, five other companies participated in the bid process.

The fact that Burum is now criminally compromised and facing felony charges does not detract from the lucrative potential still afforded by the future development of the “1,200 Acres”. Once the county makes a decision to move forward on the issue, The Rancho Alliance or the Lewis Group independently or in some other partnership configuration may once again be in competition for the development opportunity. This brings readers back to the initial question—with the housing still in shambles, why did Rutherford raise the issue to Devereaux?

To read entire story, click here.

Rancho Cucamonga and Upland are among the cities joining a vast number of municipalities and ethnic groups disappointed at the current maps released by the Citizens Redistricting Commission.

The maps, which are being updated this week ahead of the commission’s Thursday meeting, split Rancho Cucamonga into two Senate districts and put Upland in Senate and Assembly districts with Los Angeles County cities.

An earlier draft of the congressional map had also split Chino Hills and Redlands into two districts but the current revision keeps both cities whole.

According to the most recent draft of state Senate district maps, a northwest portion of Rancho Cucamonga – primarily west of Haven Avenue and north of Lemon Avenue – is in a separate district from the rest of the city. The northwest corner comprises about 22,000 residents, about one-eighth of the city’s population.

“We’re basically perplexed the commission had taken a northwest corner and put it up to Los Angeles County with communities as far as 50 miles away,” Rancho Cucamonga Councilman Sam Spagnolo said. “We share no common bond with them.”

Last week, Spagnolo spoke to the commission at a Sacramento meeting, urging its members to keep the city whole. He said the residents in the northwest corner would not have a voice with policies at the state level.

The commission on Thursday will meet on the details of new map revisions scheduled to be released today. The 14-member commission is expected to have an initial vote on the maps on July 29 before giving final approval Aug. 15.

In 2008, voters passed Proposition 11, which took the responsibility of redrawing legislative districts from state legislators and give it to a citizens commission. The commission is bounded by a number of laws including population requirements and the Voting Rights Act when crafting new boundaries.

Peter Yao, a former Claremont mayor and a member of the redistricting commission, said the Voting Rights Act states that a district with a minority group as a majority can not be redrawn so as to disenfranchise or dilute the power of the minority vote.

In the case of the Inland Valley, Fontana, Pomona, Montclair and Ontario are cities with predominantly Latino populations. They are known as Section 2 districts, meaning they cannot be split up and lumped in with cities that do not have a significant minority population.

“So you have a few cities in the north including Rancho Cucamonga and Upland in the San Bernardino County that are isolated from the Section 2 districts because they don’t have a high enough Latino population,” Yao said.

The Voting Rights Act coupled with requirements for each district to have a certain number of residents are the reasons why some cities are split while others are included in districts of a different county.

Upland City Manager Stephen Dunn said he does not mind that the city shares a district with Claremont and the Pomona Valley. However, the current map puts Upland in a district that stretches across the San Gabriel Valley including the foothill communities of Sierra Madre and Altadena.

To read entire story, click here.

Rutherford

Sunday, July 17, 2011 – 11:00 a.m.

The plot thickens regarding a piece of prime San Bernardino County-owned real estate this Sunday morning.

Sources say The Lewis Group of Companies is quietly letting it be known they would like to see select pieces of a 1,200 acre parcel of flood-control real estate put up for sale, even in a down market.

A move that would screw over county taxpayers while at the same time make the land available to the Lewis on the cheap.

The Lewis Companies has engaged Second District Supervisor Janice Rutherford to do their bidding to get the parcel in play once again.

The only problem is Rutherford, who is not known for common sense, tried to play the idea publicly with the local newspapers.

The result? Questions, questions, and more questions.

Talk about putting something on the radar screen!

The not-so-bright public move likely put the land matter, already the focus of one local probe, also on the scope of state and federal investigators.

Anyways, it’s doubtful Rutherford’s colleagues will be warm to her actions on the issue, unless Supervisor Josie Gonzales, another Lewis puppet, can find two other board members gullible enough to put the land up for sale.

A transaction requiring a four-fifths vote.

On another front, sources say Rutherford may have her own serious legal issue to deal with shortly.

We’ll soon know for sure.

ONTARIO – Officials from several Inland Empire citiessupport an anticipated lawsuit seeking to overturn two new laws to limit or eliminate redevelopment funding.

Unless Assembly Bill 1×26 and 1×27 are overturned, local jobs and vital transportation and infrastructure projects are at risk, mayors from Ontario, Montclair, Fontana and Rancho Cucamonga said during Thursday’s press conference held at the redevelopment- funded City Center Senior Apartments.

The League of California Cities and the California Redevelopment Association plan to challenge the bills in court.

“At a time when California is still in the grips of the recession, it is simply outrageous and irresponsible that the Legislature and the governor would eliminate one of the only tools cities have to create jobs and stimulate our local economies,” Rancho Cucamonga Mayor Dennis Michael said. “This action … is intended to maliciously punish cities for obtaining (Proposition 22) protection and the public’s support.”

Last November, voters passed Proposition 22 which prevents the state from dipping into local redevelopment funds. To help balance the budget, the Legislature passed A.B. 1×26 and 27 “in blatant violation of will of the voters.”

“I’m praying for the legislators because only God can help them for what they’ve done,” Fontana Mayor Acquanetta Warren said.

If carried out, A.B. 1×26 would shut down all redevelopment agencies. An alternate proposal, A.B. 1×27, is unattainable according to Michael, because some of the cities will not be able to pay an upfront $1.7 billion “ransom” required of redevelopment agencies to continue to operate, and an additional $400 million each following year.

Reducing redevelopment dollars is sure to have an impact on the local economy, officials said.

The city of Upland gets roughly $2.8 million in redevelopment funds, according to Councilman Ken Willis. If A.B. 1×27 is enforced, the city would have to pay $5 million up front, followed by a $600,000 yearly assessment.

Rancho Cucamonga’s share would be $27 million up front followed by $6 million in lost revenue each year.

Ontario nets $55 million in redevelopment funds and would have to pay $18 million up front, followed by $4 million yearly.

Fontana rakes in about $100 million, and will be required to pay $32 million up front, followed by another $7 million each year.

Ontario Mayor Paul Leon said growing up, he and his brothers held odd jobs and pitched in to help pay for the family’s bills, and would then get back a small allowance from their mother.

“It would have been considered a crime if my mother had turned around and said, `You know what, I can’t give you your allowance because I am mismanaging the funds of our home,” Leon said. “Nobody would accept this kind of treatment in the family and we shouldn’t accept that kind of treatment from the state legislators when they cannot manage their own money and they continue to raid local pockets to make up what they mismanaged.

To read entire story, click here.

Tuesday, July 12, 2011 – 01:15 p.m.

County insiders are privately puzzled and concerned over new discussions regarding the disposition of a large parcel of county-owned land.

New discussions, which some county officials believe, are being spurred by an Upland developer.

A dialogue that has people concerned.

The recently published story in the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin involving a 1,200-acre parcel of county flood control real estate, located within the Rancho Cucamonga sphere of influence, reads more like a conversation than a news story.

Janice Rutherford

A conversation between Second District Supervisor Janice Rutherford and development executive Randall Lewis.

Lewis is Chief Executive Officer of Upland-based Lewis Group of Companies.

Sources say Lewis has once again set his sights on the piece of prime real estate.

But instead of taking it all at once, Lewis is suggesting the county may want to piece it off.

A process making it possibly less desirable to competitors like mega-builder Toll Brothers.

Toll Brothers, was among six entities actively pursuing the master developer and entitlement agreements in 2010, when the county terminated the development process after a member of the Rancho Cucamonga was convicted on an unrelated matter and the development proposal process fell under scrutiny by the county district attorney.

Randall Lewis

Lewis entered into the partnership Rancho Alliance to compete for the 1,200-cares. Rancho Alliance included several companies including Diversified Pacific owned by Jeffrey Burum, Shea Homes, and Young Homes.

District Attorney investigators questioned the proposed entitlement award and Rancho Alliance’s activities.

During the probe into activity surrounding the 1,200-acres, investigators took great detail in focusing their sights solely on Burum, while shielding Lewis from any scrutiny.

The probe is believed to still be active.

However, county insiders have become alarmed that efforts may be made to put the property back in play.

Especially at a time when the property in question has lost a significant portion of its market value.

Rutherford hasn’t been in office eight months. Yet her efforts in this matter and her closeness to The Lewis Group of Companies, as a political ally, is raising eyebrows.

Rutherford says she just wants a plan for the land use.

Will anyone really buy her reasoning?

The answer is doubtful.

R.C. council approves pact for new city manager
By Wendy Leung Staff Writer
Created: 07/07/2011 09:28:42 PM PDT

RANCHO CUCAMONGA – In a unanimous vote, the City Council approved a new city manager contract, clearing the way for Assistant City Manager John Gillison to lead the day-to-day affairs of City Hall starting Sept. 1.

Gillison, 43, will become the new city manager following the retirement of Jack Lam, who served as city manager for 22 years.

Gillison will receive an annual salary of $262,568 with a benefits package worth $67,440.

At the City Council meeting on Wednesday, Mayor Dennis Michael called Gillison a “financial genius” and said his skills were “second to none.”

When Lam announced his retirement last month and recommended Gillison as his replacement, Michael said he took Lam’s advice to heart.

“His recommendation to our council was absolutely emphatic – that this is the finest person who’s `way smarter than I am,’ and we think Jack Lam is pretty darn smart,” Michael said. “Jack Lam, I know for a fact, loves this city and would never leave this city if he wasn’t leaving it in good hands.”

Councilman Chuck Buquet said Gillison’s ability to represent the city in labor negotiations coupled with his experience as city manager for Sierra Madre help make him a top candidate.

“I’m very impressed with his exceptional management skills and his professional demeanor,” Buquet said.

During the public portion period of the meeting, resident Bill Hanlon chastised the council for promoting from within instead of opening a recruitment process.

“You were elected to get the very best city manager for our city,” Hanlon told the council. “Without comparison acquired from a job hunt, many feel you four have failed in the performance of your duty.”

Last month, the City Council voted 4-1 to promote Gillison and directed the city attorney to begin contract negotiations. Councilman Bill Alexander voted no.

To read entire story, click here.

R.C.’s new city managers to receive less than Lam
Wendy Leung, Staff Writer
Created: 07/05/2011 05:05:28 PM PDT

RANCHO CUCAMONGA – The City Council is expected to approve the contract of the incoming city manager at its regular meeting tonight.

If approved, Assistant City Manager John Gillison will receive an annual compensation package of $262,568, with a benefits package worth $67,440.

Gillison is expected to replace City Manager Jack Lam on Sept. 1. Lam, who is retiring after serving as city manager for 22 years, earns $333,808 annually, with a benefits package worth $84,422.

Last week, Gillison and City Attorney Jim Markman finalized contract negotiations. When factoring in deferred compensation, the city is expected to save $93,560 a year with the new city manager contract.

“I think it’s a lot of money,” said Councilman Bill Alexander about Gillison’s contract. “But unfortunately there are too many opportunities for people to take jobs in other communities. You don’t want to lose good people. I believe the council did a satisfactory job of keeping (the salary) at this level. It’s certainly less than what we had before.”

Last month, the City Council voted 4-1, with Alexander dissenting, to promote Gillison.

Gillison’s contract lists a number of offenses that equate to grounds of termination including conviction of a crime and falsification of any city report or record. The contract also stipulates that Gillison could be fired without cause with only a simple majority vote, or three of five City Council votes. Under Lam’s employment agreement, a super-majority, or four of five votes, is needed to terminate his contract.

To read entire story, click here.

Rutherford

Monday, July 4, 2011 – 08:30 p.m.
Last Modified: Tuesday, July 5, 2011 – 10:00 p.m.

An unexpected shoe dropped over the weekend related to the county corruption investigation.

And I mean unexpected!

An article published in Saturdays edition of the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin newspaper reports that San Bernardino County Second District Supervisor Janice Rutherford is asking chief executive officer Greg Devereaux on how to proceed with identifying the best use for a 1,200-acre parcel of land encompassing the area around Los Osos High School in the unincorporated area adjacent to the City of Rancho Cucamonga.

A controversial piece of land owned by the San Bernardino County Flood Control District and tied to the District Attorney’s probe of alleged political wrongdoing in San Bernardino County government.

As a matter of fact, it’s the most lucrative piece of undeveloped real estate in the West Valley region of the county.

And guess who shows up being quoted in the story?

None other than Randall Lewis, president of The Lewis Group of Companies and heavy supporter of Rutherford during her stint on the Fontana City Council and also in her race to unseat former County Supervisor Paul Biane.

What’s puzzling here?

Why would Rutherford bring up the issue of the 1,200 acre parcel during the prosecution of the People v. Paul Biane, et al. case involving a $102 million settlement between the County of San Bernardino and Colonies Partners L.P.

A case charging Colonies co-managing partner Jeffrey Burum.

A case where the 1,200 acre parcel is alleged to have been a part of the dialogue during the Colonies settlement negotiations.

One of the entities seeking to win control over the development of the 1,200 acres was Rancho Alliance.

A group comprising The Lewis Group of Companies, Diversified Pacific, and Young Homes among others.

Diversified Pacific is a real estate development company owned by Jeffrey Burum and his partner Matt Jordan.

It’s well-known that initially, Randall Lewis didn’t want Burum’s Diversified Pacific having any cut of the development of the aforementioned 1,200 acres.

But later, Lewis embraced and encouraged Burum’s involvement.

The Lewis company and its executives was neck deep in behind-the-scenes politics related to the parcel.

It is also well-known that the Lewis family, maybe with the exception of the late David Lewis, hated Burum and wanted to do any and everything possible to hurt him and set him and his investors back.

But they needed his public presentation skills, and thus Burum was able to secure an interest in the investment group.

Sources say painstaking efforts have been undertaken to keep The Lewis Group of Companies from appearing in the District Attorney investigation.

And I mean painstaking!

Now Rutherford appears to be ‘altruistically’ angling the 1,200 acres solely towards the Lewis’ hands.

It’s suspected the Lewis name will eventually rear its head in the ongoing criminal prosecution of Burum and others. It’s highly likely that brothers, Randall and Richard Lewis, will be called as witnesses at trial.

As a matter of fact, one can probably bank on it actually happening.

So, once again, the question is why would this matter come up now?

Stay tuned……….

Plans on hold for R.C. land mired in scandal
Wendy Leung, Staff Writer
Created: 07/02/2011 07:07:16 AM PDT

Two years ago, wheels were in motion to develop a prime piece of Rancho Cucamonga real estate. City and San Bernardino County leaders were getting ready to select a developer to turn 1,200 acres of former flood control property into a planned community of suburban homes, parks and sports fields.

The project was eventually shelved when controversy began to brew over the county Assessor’s Office and former Councilman Rex Gutierrez’s role in that scandal.

Today, Gutierrez is in prison, a supervisor faces criminal charges and a big question mark looms over 1,200 acres of coveted land.

With the real estate market in flux and political corruption lingering, nobody seems to be in a hurry to act on the stalled project.
1,200 acres of undeveloped land located north of Los Osos High School is seen from a vantage point atop a flood control dam in Rancho Cucamonga. Most of the land is in unincorporated areas, but is likely the city will annex it once it’s developed. (File Photo)

“I haven’t heard of any discussions about the 1,200 acres project, nor do I care one way or another whether the county moves one way or another,” said Mayor Dennis Michael. “I’m not interested in any discussions. As far as I’m concerned, it can be open space during this downturn in the economy.”

Supervisor Janice Rutherford, who was not on the Board of Supervisors in 2009 when the county took preliminary steps to develop the land, has asked county Chief Executive Officer Greg Devereaux to outline options for a county policy on the land.

“I’ve been thinking a lot about that land and the future for it,” Rutherford said. “But in my mind, there’s no rush for anything. The downtrend of the market gives us a chance to be very thoughtful of what we do.”

Rutherford said the report is not a high priority but she would like to have a policy in place by the end of the year.

County spokesman David Wert said there is no timeline for the report. Wert said staff members are conducting a number of studies on several pieces of property and among them is the 1,200 acres.

Situated north of Los Osos High School and bounded by Milliken Avenue and the Day Creek Channel, the 1,200 acres of foothills land is the last piece of open space in a city with build-out on the horizon.

Portions of this rocky hillside terrain falls within Rancho Cucamonga city limits but most of it is unincorporated land within the city’s sphere of influence. It is assumed that once it is developed, the city will annex the property.

Currently, Hanson Aggregates operates a rock quarry at the core of the property. The company has an agreement with the county to cease operation in 2013.

As early as 2005, the land was used as a bargaining chip in settlement talks between county leaders and Colonies Partners. The dispute – now subject of a criminal case against Colonies developer Jeff Burum, former Supervisor Paul Biane and two others – was over flood control easements in the Upland development.

County supervisors eventually reached a $102 million settlement with Colonies Partners. The 1,200 acres was not part of the deal.

In 2008, city and county officials opened up a request for qualification process, essentially seeking interested developers for the project.

The city and county had reached an agreement that would allow the City Council to select two developers from a pool of applicants and for the county to make the final pick. At the time, among the developers interested was Rancho Alliance, a group that consisted of Burum and the Lewises, the prominent family of developers with roots in the Inland Valley.

But a month before the city was expected to make its recommendations, accusations that Gutierrez played a role in the Assessor’s Office scandal surfaced, leading to a civil lawsuit against him. Because the county was suing Gutierrez, Biane shelved the project.

Gutierrez was later convicted of criminal charges regarding his misconduct at the Assessor’s Office. He is currently serving a sentence of two years and eight months.

With Gutierrez out of office and a new 2nd District supervisor in place, it may seem like time to revive plans for the 1,200 acres. But a depressed housing market and lingering political baggage have stalled action.

The county has yet to purchase the land from its Flood Control District, which it needs to do prior to selling the land to a developer. Even if county leaders were ready to buy, the entitlement process could take at least five years.

Randall Lewis of the Lewis Group of Companies said county leaders could treat the land as several pieces of property, with the land closest to neighboring homes allocated to single-family residences on large lots and the flatter portions of the land saved for a medium-density development.

To read entire story, click here.

Lower rate will apply to new employees after July 4
By Wendy Leung Staff Writer
Created: 06/16/2011 08:54:45 PM PDT

RANCHO CUCAMONGA – The City Council has adopted a two-tier retirement benefits formula that will affect future City Hall employees.

Starting July 4, employees hired by the city will receive a retirement benefits formula of 2 percent at age 55, compared to the current formula of 2.5 percent at 55.

Under the current formula, employees who retire at 55 years old will receive a pension that equals the worker’s highest salary multiplied by 2.5 percent, multiplied by the number of years worked.

Under the formula for new employees, those who retire at 55 will receive a pension that equals the average of the employee’s highest salary in three consecutive years, multiplied by 2 percent multiplied by number of years worked.

“Over the long term, this will save us hundreds of thousands of dollars,” Assistant City Manager John Gillison said. “But to give you an exact number … that depends on how fast people retire. It’s not like we’re going on a hiring spree this year.”

To read entire story, click here.

Kurth

Tuesday, June 14, 2011 – 11:15 a.m.

The Medical Board of California has revoked the license of former Rancho Cucamonga Mayor Don Kurth.

Last month Kurth through his attorney stipulated to a suspension of his license pending and administrative hearing.

Kurth did not contest findings by the medical board that he among other offenses, failed to supervise physician assistants under his employment at Alta Loma Medical Group.

To view related records click here.

Lower rate to apply to new employees
Wendy Leung, Staff Writer
Created: 06/12/2011 09:32:15 PM PDT

RANCHO CUCAMONGA – The City Council has adopted a two-tier retirement benefits formula that will affect future City Hall employees.

Starting July 4, employees hired by the city will receive a retirement benefits formula of 2 percent at age 55, compared to the current formula of 2.5 percent at 55.

Under the current formula, employees who retire at 55 years old will receive a pension that equals the worker’s highest salary multiplied by 2.5 percent, multiplied by the number of years worked.

Under the formula for new employees, those who retire at 55 will receive a pension that equals the average of the employee’s highest salary in three consecutive years, multiplied by 2 percent multiplied by number of years worked.

“Over the long term, this will save us hundreds of thousands of dollars,” Assistant City Manager John Gillison said. “But to give you an exact number … that depends on how fast people retire. It’s not like we’re going on a hiring spree this year.”

The city expects 20 percent to 40 percent of the work force to turn over in the next five years.

“Everybody is doing what they can to reduce costs in general and personnel costs is a significant part of the budget,” Gillison said. “Whatever can be done, cities are looking to do it.”

To read entire story, click here.

Lam

Staff Report
Created: 06/09/2011 09:31:46 PM PDT

RANCHO CUCAMONGA – City Manager Jack Lam announced Thursday that he will retire Aug. 31 after 32 years with the city.

Lam has been city manager for 22 years.

He was hired in 1979 as the city’s first community development director. He was appointed city manager in 1989, according to the release.

Lam praised city leadership when reached Thursday night.

“Rancho Cucamonga is an outstanding city,” he said. “The city is in great hands. They have a tremendous council.

“It’s been an honor and a privilege to serve the city.”

His plans for retirement? “Everything my wife wants me to do.”

Mayor Dennis Michael credits Lam’s conservative fiscal policies for the city’s positive financial condition.

To read entire story, click here.

Wendy Leung, Staff Writer
Created: 06/01/2011 09:11:22 PM PDT

RANCHO CUCAMONGA – The city has weaned itself from using reserves to balance its budget, thanks to a slight uptick in revenue and adjustments to the so-called “new normal.”

City Manager Jack Lam told the City Council at a budget workshop last week that the city has achieved a “soft landing,” a budgetary approach that combines cutbacks and use of reserves without major disruptions to services.

“We believe this is a significant milestone in this three-year trek through the economic doldrums,” Lam said.

On June 9, the council is expected to approve a $94.5 million budget – which includes the library and fire district funds – at a special meeting.

The 2011-12 fiscal budget shows about a

2 percent increase from the previous year.

The city’s General Fund revenues – consisting of sales tax, property tax, vehicular licence fees and other fees – inched up, an indication that after about four years of revenue decline, the bottom has been reached.

Lam told the council that the city should expect to wallow in this bottom for a few years.

In the past three years, the city has tapped into its rainy-day funds to balance the budget.

Last year, the city took almost $950,000 from reserves to make up for the revenue shortfall.

Mayor Dennis Michael said the council set a goal this year to not touch the reserves.

“The reason for that is if we can get away from depending on reserves, we can start growing our organization as it needs to grow,” Michael said.

The city has $13.7 million in reserve.

Like other municipalities up and down the state, Rancho Cucamonga has been hit hard by the recession and take-aways from Sacramento. But core services such as public safety, libraries, community centers have not been significantly affected.

To read entire story, click here.

Michael

Mayor L. Dennis Michael
Created: 05/28/2011 10:17:46 PM PDT

Any Rancho Cucamonga resident knows full well what an incredible city we have, surrounded by natural beauty, access to a variety of transportation, a healthy business climate, top-notch education and located in one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas.

While we are proud of our long and vibrant history, we’re looking forward to our future and want to ensure that Rancho Cucamonga continues to be a thriving community.

That is why I am so concerned by Gov. Jerry Brown’s proposal to eliminate redevelopment as part of his state budget.

Redevelopment, in Rancho Cucamonga and throughout California, is our best jobs creation tool, the strongest program we have to spur economic development. I can speak with experience about the difference this tool has made in our city. It’s helped protect our residents and our visitors, educate our students and contributes to the quality of life that inspires people to put down roots here.

Redevelopment helped fund many flood control and street improvements that contribute to the public safety and growth of our community. Not only do these projects protect life and property, they remove barriers to economic development and create jobs.

For example the Hermosa Flood Control Channel, built with redevelopment funds, removed flooding hazards for more than 130 acres of land. This enabled private investment to build more than 2,000,000 square feet of commercial and industrial buildings, which in turn created
hundreds of full-time jobs.

The recently completed Haven Avenue Railroad Grade Separation has provided traffic relief for commuters and local businesses as well as increased traffic safety. Residents, commuters and local businesses can breathe a bit easier now too: more than 2.5 tons of carbon dioxide emissions from idling vehicles waiting for rail traffic to pass have been eliminated annually, thus promoting cleaner air and a healthier environment.

The Redevelopment Agency has also contributed to the construction of our two libraries, providing life-long learning opportunities to residents. The libraries for many years have helped to enrich our children’s education by partnering with our local school districts to provide year-round curriculum support. Our libraries also provide important training and business resources for employees and employers to be successful. Our local city leaders and legislators in Sacramento should be commended for their support of these projects.

To read entire story, click here.

Kurth

Tuesday, May 24, 2011 – 12:55 p.m.
Last Modified: Tuesday, May 24, 2011 – 06:18 p.m.

The Medical Board of California through an enforcement action by the State Attorney General has suspended the medical license of former Rancho Cucamonga Mayor and Assembly candidate Don Kurth.

The Attorney General, in a 46-page accusation and 9-page interim order of suspension levels ten causes of action against Kurth, doing business as Alta Loma Medical Group Urgent Care, for essentially failing to supervise medical staff, primarily physician assistants, in their administration of treatment in his medical practice.

The investigation appears to have started in 2008 and likely would involve medi-cal and medicare fraud, since procedures were likely billed as being performed by a physician.

The causes of action are as follows;

1.  Aiding and abetting the unlicensed practice of medicine.

2.  Unlicensed practice of medicine

3.  Gross Negligence

4.  Repeated negligent acts

5.  Incompetence

6.  Dishonesty or Corruption

7.  False records related to the practice of medicine

8.  Violation of State and Federal laws regulating dangerous drugs or controlled substances

9.  Failure to maintain adequate or accurate medical records

10. Failure to provide medical records

To view the accusation and interim order of suspension, click here.

A hearing to be held by the Office of Administrative Hearings will determine the final outcome of the matter. Kurth entering into a stipulated suspension will probably mean his medical license will be subject to revocation.

Kurth served two years on the Rancho Cucamonga City Council and four years as Mayor.

Kurth also unsuccessfully ran for the 63rd State Assembly District last year.

Information at www.iepolitics.com contributed to this story.