Politics, Government and Business in Southern California's Inland Empire
Ryan Hagen, Staff Writer
Posted: 06/17/2013 07:56:09 PM PDT
The City Council voted Monday to expand its contract with the firm that audited the city in the years before it filed for bankruptcy and also audited San Bernardino International Airport, despite the firm drawing criticism for both those jobs.
Ryan Hagen, Staff Writer
Posted: 06/16/2013 05:27:47 PM PDT
SAN BERNARDINO – City Clerk Gigi Hanna has sent a cease-and-desist letter to the political action committee responsible for a petition opposing the recall of Hanna and other elected officials.
By Dan Walters
dwalters@sacbee.com
Published: Monday, Jun. 17, 2013 – 12:00 am | Page 3A
California’s monthly report on jobs and unemployment includes a county-by-county breakdown, providing graphic evidence of the state’s bifurcated recovery from the worst recession since the Great Depression.
Sunday, June 16, 2013 – 10:00 a.m.
The twists and turns in San Bernardino city politics is always very entertaining, to say the least.
All of the the machinations are fascinating.
By Ryan Hagen, Staff Writer
Posted: 06/13/2013 07:07:25 PM PDT
SAN BERNARDINO – Officials targeted by a recall effort and their allies are increasingly making one specific charge: that it is all about taking control of the city’s water resources for the personal gain of the developers behind the recall.
June 13, 2013; 06:22 PM
San Bernardino City Clerk Gigi Hanna has told organizers of a recall effort that thousands of signatures collected against some of the targeted elected officials will be thrown out and the organizers will have to start over again.
To read story by Imran Ghori in The Press Enterprise, click here.
Ryan Hagen, Staff Writer
Posted: 06/12/2013 02:07:47 PM PDT
SAN BERNARDINO >> City Clerk Gigi Hanna on Wednesday invalidated any signatures asking for a recall election that were gathered before the joint publication of the notice of intention to circulate a recall petition, statement of reasons for the recall and the targeted official’s response.
San Bernardino County Sun
Posted: 06/12/2013 07:13:06 PM PDT
Save San Bernardino is holding a roundtable discussion from 6 to 8 Thursday night at the New Hope Family Life Center, 1505 W. Highland Ave., San Bernardino.
Ryan Carter, Staff Writer
Posted: 06/05/2013 10:16:33 PM PDT
Document: Read the complaint
San Bernardino’s former chief financial officer for the city’s now defunct redevelopment agency has filed a lawsuit against the city, alleging that she was fired in an attempt to thwart her reporting of alleged corruption at City Hall.
By Ryan Hagen
ryan.hagen@ inlandnewspapers.com @sbcitynow on Twitter
Posted: 06/05/2013 08:06:25 PM PDT
Special Section: San Bernardino
RIVERSIDE– A federal bankruptcy judge took several steps Wednesday to accelerate San Bernardino’s bankruptcy case, with a decision on whether the city’s eligible for bankruptcy possible this summer.
By Ryan Hagen Staff Writer
Posted: 06/06/2013 07:53:19 AM PDT
SAN BERNARDINO – Defying an order from the City Council, City Clerk Gigi Hanna said she will officiate the recall efforts against nine other elected officials despite also being the target of a recall.
Ryan Hagen, Staff Writer
Posted: 06/04/2013 08:07:46 PM PDT
SAN BERNARDINO — The city’s largest creditor is again questioning the city’s good faith — and therefore its eligibility for bankruptcy protection — as the California Public Employee Retirement System and the city head into bankruptcy court Wednesday.
Ryan Hagen, Staff Writer
Posted: 06/04/2013 07:59:27 PM PDT
SAN BERNARDINO — An election to decide whether to recall 10 elected officials would cost an additional $222,000 if combined with the city’s regular November election, according to the county Registrar of Voters.
Ryan Hagen, Staff Writer
Posted: 06/04/2013 04:53:07 PM PDT
SAN BERNARDINO — In an attempt to increase public involvement, City Council meetings will start an hour later, at 4 p.m.
Monday’s decision was the so-called final reading — coming after two successive meetings where council members first agreed to put the item on their agenda, then approved it at a first reading — which is often just a formality. But this time, three council members changed their votes, nearly stopping the change.
By Ryan Hagen
Posted: 06/03/2013 01:19:40 PM PDT
SAN BERNARDINO – City Council meetings here differ from most others in a few ways: they decide policies related to the city’s ongoing bankruptcy case, they have relatively few residents present, and they start hours before most people get off work.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 05/25/2013 05:29:02 PM PDT
San Bernardino International Airport officials will travel to Atlanta early next month to meet with five commercial airlines and discuss their interest in operating at the airport, A.J. Wilson, the airport’s interim executive director, said Friday.
By Ryan Hagen
ryan.hagen@ inlandnewspapers.com @sbcitynow on Twitter
Posted: 05/23/2013 07:28:06 PM PDT
SAN BERNARDINO — If the City Council thought it took care of the conflict of interest inherent in having officials targeted by a recall campaign handle that same recall by asking the county to take over, it might not be so simple.
May 23, 2013; 04:35 PM
Organizers of a recall campaign to oust most San Bernardino city elected leaders began collecting signatures this week even as officials remained uncertain over who would oversee the process.
To read story by Imran Ghori in The Press Enterprise, click here.
Mark Anderson, Staff Writer
Sacramento Business Journal
May 22, 2013, 3:00am PDT
The California Public Employees’ Retirement System is asking federal bankruptcy courts to disqualify a law firm from participating in the municipal bankruptcy proceedings of San Bernardino and Stockton because the firm allegedly hired attorneys away from a firm that was representing the pension fund giant.
Ryan Hagen, Staff Writer
Posted: 05/20/2013 08:33:53 PM PDT
SAN BERNARDINO – It seems that no one wants to administer the attempts to recall nearly all of the city’s elected officials.
The dais was nearly empty Monday night as the city council asked the county registrar of voters to handle any further questions related to the recall efforts.
Ryan Hagen, Staff Writer
Posted: 05/19/2013 05:44:48 PM PDT
SAN BERNARDINO — After delivering the legally required notice that he intended to start a recall petition against the city clerk, Rey Dandy Lachica got a letter saying the notice had been rejected – by the City Clerk’s Office.
Friday, May 17, 2013 – 11:30 a.m.
Well it’s finally started!
Local newspapers trying to create distance from San Bernardino mayor Pat Morris and company.
Ryan Hagen, Staff Writer
Posted: 05/13/2013 10:44:19 AM PDT
SAN BERNARDINO — City Clerk Gigi Hanna was served Monday with notice of an intent to circulate a recall petition against her, bringing to 10 the number of San Bernardino elected officials targeted by recalls.
May 10, 2013; 04:19 PM
A critical billboard targeting five San Bernardino city officials that had already generated controversy over its message has now led to accusations of censorship and political pressure.
To read column by Imran Ghori and Jim Miller in The Press Enterprise, click here.
Ryan Hagen, Staff Writer
Posted: 05/10/2013 12:19:06 PM PDT
San Bernardino’s human resources division manager has resigned, and her last day will be May 23, she said.
Ryan Hagen, Staff Writer
Posted: 05/09/2013 01:39:03 PM PDT
Years of levying but not collecting fines on medical marijuana dispensaries and fielding impatient calls from neighbors upset the shops stay open are rapidly ending now that the California Supreme Court says cities may ban them, San Bernardino officials say.
By Dale Kasler
dkasler@sacbee.com
Published: Thursday, May. 9, 2013 – 12:00 am | Page 7B
CalPERS says the insolvent city of San Bernardino has enough money to pay its past-due bill to the giant pension fund.
Ryan Hagen, Staff Writer
Posted: 05/07/2013 07:06:07 PM PDT
The city’s financial situation is clearer and many disagreements about what documents to share have been resolved, San Bernardino’s attorney and those objecting to its bankruptcy eligibility said Tuesday in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Riverside.
Again.
Ryan Hagen, Staff Writer
Posted: 05/07/2013 01:04:37 PM PDT
The billboard “congratulating” Mayor Pat Morris and four members of the City Council for making San Bernardino the nation’s “worst-run city” has been moved to the corner of Highland Avenue and Medical Center Drive, but the police union responsible for putting it up say they’re standing by their message.
Ryan Hagen, Staff Writer
Posted: 05/06/2013 10:40:16 PM PDT
The group behind a campaign to recall nine elected city officials says eight have been served with the required notice and accuses the remaining councilwoman of hiding and even denying her identity to avoid being served.
Monday, May 6, 2013 – 12:30 p.m.
Bankrupt San Bernardino, California degenerated into the realm of a three-ring political circus last week, with the announcement by a citizens group that they intend to recall all of the city’s elected officials, with the exception of the City Clerk and City Treasurer.
By Ed Mendel
Monday, May 6, 2013
Bankrupt San Bernardino’s new budget restarts CalPERS payments in July after skipping about $13 million in payments this fiscal year. But the next step in the city plan, getting CalPERS to refinance the unpaid bill, is a no-go at this point.
By Ryan Hagen, Staff Writer
Posted: 05/02/2013 04:18:21 PM PDT
SAN BERNARDINO — A group trying to recall the city’s top nine elected officials drew about 50 people for a news conference Thursday explaining why they think the city needs all new leaders.
Ryan Hagen, Staff Writer
Posted: 05/01/2013 10:25:06 AM PDT
Special Section: San Bernardino
SAN BERNARDINO — A group of business owners and residents is submitting notices to the mayor, city attorney and City Council with a clear message: You’ve failed, and we plan to throw you out of office.
Ryan Hagen, Staff Writer
Posted: 04/30/2013 06:15:26 PM PDT
SAN BERNARDINO — The police union has put up a billboard at a busy intersection congratulating Mayor Pat Morris and four council members, but those elected officials don’t take it as a compliment – or the truth.
Point of View
San Bernardino is making progress against bankruptcy
Posted: 04/28/2013 08:00:12 AM PDT
For the past seven years, the City Attorney’s Office, along with the council members from the Seventh and Fifth wards, have been the most vocal critics and opponents of the direction in which San Bernardino was moving. On Aug. 23, 2010, our office predicted the city would go bankrupt if the pending budget was adopted. Those same two council members agreed.
Route 66 Rendezvous loss another fiscal crisis black eye
Ryan Hagen, Staff Writer
Posted: 04/27/2013 06:22:32 PM PDT
The announcement that San Bernardino’s signature Route 66 Rendezvous – or at least the essentials that made it a local mainstay – was leaving for Ontario struck many San Bernardino residents as sad but almost inevitable.
It’s not that Ontario didn’t have the resources to do a good job, many said. Far from it.
By Joe Nelson
joe.nelson@ inlandnewspapers.com @SBCountyNow on Twitter
Posted: 04/25/2013 07:28:25 PM PDT
The San Bernardino International Airport Authority has authorized a request for qualifications from companies interested in providing marketing services to the airport.
By Ryan Hagen
ryan.hagen@ inlandnewspapers.com @sbcitynow on Twitter
Posted: 04/24/2013 06:55:45 PM PDT
SAN BERNARDINO — A second outsider to City Hall announced his candidacy for mayor on Wednesday, one with two mayoral campaigns already under his belt.
Ryan Hagen, Staff Writer
Posted: 04/22/2013 08:56:31 PM PDT
SAN BERNARDINO — The city passed a “survival budget” Monday evening that continues to defer millions of dollars it owes, with frequent and substantial changes expected later.
Ryan Hagen, Staff Writer
Posted: 04/16/2013 12:01:15 AM PDT
SAN BERNARDINO — There’s a lot more clarity, but still a scarcity of good news, the city’s financial consultant said Monday as he presented a proposed budget to the City Council.
Ryan Hagen, Staff Writer
Posted: 04/14/2013 05:23:00 PM PDT
SAN BERNARDINO — An 11-page framework for spending, which lawyers challenging the city’s bankruptcy eligibility have often said lacks critical details and explanations, has been replaced by a proposed 75-page line-item budget the City Council will study Monday.
Ryan Hagen, Staff Writer
Posted: 04/09/2013 05:56:46 PM PDT
Special Section: San Bernardino
RIVERSIDE — Nearly a year after filing for an emergency bankruptcy instead of passing a budget on time, the city will present a fiscal plan Monday that restarts payments to the country’s largest pension fund – payments it’s controversially skipped since August – its bankruptcy attorney said in court Tuesday.
Ryan Hagen, Staff Writer
Posted: 04/08/2013 02:21:16 PM PDT
View: Resignation Letter
Special Section: San Bernardino
With a scathing resignation letter, Interim Fire Chief Paul Drasil has quit a job he says was made impossible by cuts to management and by resistance from both the City Council and the firefighters union.
By Ryan Hagen
ryan.hagen@ inlandnewspapers.com @sbcitynow on Twitter
Posted: 04/04/2013 08:22:48 PM PDT
Special Section: San Bernardino
RIVERSIDE — Three labor unions’ attempt to sue San Bernardino over pay-cutting contracts the city imposed on them made little progress in bankruptcy court Thursday, but a judge seemed inclined to side mostly with the city on related procedural steps.
Ryan Hagen, Staff Writer
Posted: 04/01/2013 12:57:24 PM PDT
Stockton became the largest city in the nation to be approved for bankruptcy protection on Monday, a ruling that some say could spark a rush of cities across California to file for bankruptcy protection.
Ryan Hagen, Staff Writer
Posted: 04/02/2013 12:51:47 AM PDT
The then-head of San Bernardino’s Economic Development Agency signed a six-year, $11-million agreement with a local company without the knowledge or approval of elected officials, City Attorney James F. Penman said during Monday’s City Council meeting.
Sunday, March 31, 2013 – 11:15 a.m.
Last Modified: Monday, April 1, 2013 – 08:00 a.m.
Could it be an attempt at brainwashing the public for maybe the twentieth time!
Maybe the term “deceiving” is more appropriate.
Ryan Hagen, Staff Writer
Posted: 03/31/2013 07:21:07 PM PDT
SAN BERNARDINO — The city might take months to comply with the state’s order to transfer $108 million worth of property from a city-controlled nonprofit as city officials investigate potential pitfalls of the move – while unpaid taxes, interest and penalties keep adding to the millions the city already owes.
Ryan Hagen, Staff Writer
Posted: 03/27/2013 01:06:14 PM PDT
San Bernardino is suing the state to prevent the Department of Finance from carrying through with a threat to withhold more than $15 million in taxes to make up for low- and moderate-income housing funds the city allegedly owes.
Michel Nolan, Staff Writer
Posted: 03/27/2013 11:24:53 AM PDT
SAN BERNARDINO — Continuing the domino effect of the city’s insolvency, the California Welcome Center Inland Empire and San Bernardino Convention & Visitors Bureau are closing their doors, citing lack of funds.
Andrew Edwards, Staff Writer
Posted: 03/26/2013 12:44:55 PM PDT
Bios: Scot Spencer | Felice Luciano
Photo Gallery: D.A. files charges against Scot Spencer
View: Scot Spencer investigative report | Criminal complaint | Statement from 5th District Supervisor Josie Gonzales | 2010-11 Grand Jury report
Timeline: SBIA and Scot Spencer
Related stories: Grand Jury questions management practices at SBIA | Former SBIA developer Scot Spencer charged with $1.75 million fraud
Monday, March 25, 2013 – 09:00 a.m.
Bankrupt San Bernardino, California is in need of a serious makeover.
Poor demographics, a high crime rate, financial mismanagement, greed, combined with a dysfunctional city government has crushed the city of more than 200,000-plus residents.
March 23, 2013; 11:49 PM
Former congresswoman Mary Bono Mack has a new job.
As former Press-Enterprise D.C. bureau chief Ben Goad first reported last week, the longtime Inland politician has signed on as a senior vice president in the Washington office of FaegreBD Consulting, a lobbying firm.
To read entire column in The Press Enterprise, click here.
Ryan Hagen, Staff Writer
Posted: 03/23/2013 06:48:17 PM PDT
Updated: 03/24/2013 12:54:01 AM PDT
SAN BERNARDINO – Sewer maintenance worker Stephen Johns’ coworkers and supervisor weren’t surprised when he told them he was interviewing for another job, or that management, morale and pay were all higher in a city that wasn’t struggling through a bankruptcy proceeding.
After all, they’ve seen 285 fellow employees – nearly one out of four – leave since July, when they say the City Council’s decision to file for bankruptcy protection turned a steady trickle away from an understaffed and unhappy workforce into a panicked flood.
March 20, 2013; 05:21 PM
The man whose vision reshaped downtown San Bernardino with a new mall and City Hall in the late 1960s and early ’70s has died.
Warner Hodgdon, who headed the city’s redevelopment agency from 1967 to 1975, died Wednesday, March 20, after several weeks of declining health, his family said. He was 80.
To read story by Cassie MacDuff in The Press Enterprise, click here.
Ryan Hagen
Posted: 03/20/2013 08:21:06 PM PDT
Warner Hodgdon, a descendent of San Bernardino Valley pioneers who was responsible for rebuilding much of the core of San Bernardino in the 1960s and ’70s and was heavily involved in development for decades after, died Wednesday. He was 80.
By William Cutting
Wednesday, March 20, 2013 – 12:10 p.m.
The City of San Bernardino, fairly and unfairly, is the subject of much comparison when it comes to analyzing how other cities do things in the region. Much maligned with the recent bankruptcy issues and plagued by rampant crime, poverty and a deteriorated economy, it is the easy punchline.
Wednesday, March 20, 2013 – 09:00 a.m.
Last Modified: Wednesday, March 20, 2013 – 05:00 p.m.
An extremely talented businessman, and dear friend, Warner Hodgdon passed away early Monday morning at Reche Canyon Rehabilitation and Health Care Center in Colton.
He was 80.
Ryan Hagen, Staff Writer
Posted: 03/19/2013 03:28:11 PM PDT
SAN BERNARDINO – The community development director has announced her resignation, ending a tenure credited with bringing efficiency and more than $1 billion in building valuation to the city and leaving another high-level vacancy.
Ryan Hagen, Staff Writer
Posted: 03/18/2013 09:15:27 PM PDT
SAN BERNARDINO – The city’s plan to preserve properties from its defunct Economic Development Agency may have it on the hook for $2.9 million, according to a memo from City Attorney James F. Penman.
Monday, March 18, 2013 – 09:00 a.m.
We’re definitely confused!
Back in 2011 former local Assemblyman Brett Granlund, a lobbyist with the Sacramento-based firm Platinum Advisors was attempting to convey to anyone that woould listen, at the time, that he had retired.
Posted on | March 17, 2013 |
San Bernardino City Attorney Jim Penman’s deadline for state officials to promise not to collect $15.2 million in former redevelopment funds appears to have elapsed with no response.
To read post by Imran Ghori in The Press Enterprise, click here.
Posted: 03/16/2013 07:04:27 PM PDT
Warner Hodgdon, real estate developer, civic leader, entrepreneur and descendant of a pioneer San Bernardino family, is seriously ill, his son, Aaron, said late Saturday, denying an earlier report in the day that his father had died.
Ryan Hagen, Staff Writer
Posted: 03/14/2013 09:31:50 PM PDT
SAN BERNARDINO — The City Council on Thursday delayed deciding whether to accept $108 million in assets from a city “”controlled nonprofit that had been used to shield the properties from the state’s requirement that cities sell off properties under their control.
Ryan Hagen
Posted: 03/13/2013 09:34:08 PM PDT
The city-controlled corporation used to hold $108 million in assets that officials wanted to continue controlling when Gov. Jerry Brown disbanded the state’s redevelopment agency voted Wednesday to give up those assets, as the state controller’s office demanded last week.
March 11, 2013; 09:19 PM
The state Department of Finance is warning that it could dock some of San Bernardino’s future tax proceeds if the city does not hand over $15.2 million in former redevelopment funds — a dispute that could cause the city to become the first in California to face costly post-redevelopment penalties.
To read story by Imran Ghori and Jim Miller in The Press Enterprise, click here.
Ryan Hagen, Staff Writer
Posted: 03/09/2013 05:33:25 PM PST
SAN BERNARDINO – In the years before the city found itself unable to pay for basic expenses, city officials repeatedly spent hundreds of taxpayer dollars on conferences and meals for a few employees.
Ryan Hagen, Staff Writer
Posted: 03/08/2013 04:39:11 PM PST
Related stories: San Bernardino landmarks face uncertain future under redevelopment shuffle | State says San Bernardino mishandled over $500M | State controller: San Bernardino’s transfer of funds not valid
View: City Attorney Jim Penman’s letter | San Bernardino EDA asset transfer review report
Special section: San Bernardino
Josh Dulaney, Staff Writer
Posted: 03/07/2013 04:41:59 PM PST
SAN BERNARDINO — The future of several landmark properties seen as the key to economic development downtown remains in question after state Controller John Chiang rejected the city’s effort to move $108million from its shuttered Redevelopment Agency to the nonprofit San Bernardino Economic Development Corp.
By Ryan Hagen, Staff Writer
Posted: 03/06/2013 11:13:27 AM PST
PDF: San Bernardino EDA asset transfer review report
Special section: San Bernardino
State Controller John Chiang on Wednesday rejected San Bernardino’s last-ditch gambit to transfer $108million from its defunct Redevelopment Agency to a group composed largely of city officials to avoid losing the money when the state abolished redevelopment agencies.
March 05, 2013; 06:42 PM
San Bernardino city officials are looking at making more than $1 million in additional budget cuts because of automatic pay increases for fire and safety employees required under the city charter.
To read story by Imran Ghori in The Press Enterprise, click here.
Ryan Hagen, Staff Writer
Posted: 03/04/2013 07:54:10 PM PST
SAN BERNARDINO – Nearly $1 million in salary increases for police officers and firefighters were approved Monday as required by the city’s charter, despite protests that the money couldn’t be spared in a city struggling through bankruptcy court.
Michel Nolan, Staff Writer
Posted: 03/02/2013 05:31:01 PM PST
SAN BERNARDINO – City commissioners felt the love Saturday morning at an appreciation breakfast hosted by 5th Ward City Council member Chas Kelley.
Ryan Hagen, Staff Writer
Posted: 02/26/2013 06:11:18 PM PST
SAN BERNARDINO – In a resignation letter that effectively served as his last words as finance director, Jason Simpson gave San Bernardino a stark warning.
Get the city’s finances in order or fail.
| S | M | T | W | T | F | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| « May | ||||||
| 1 | ||||||
| 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
| 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 |
| 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 |
| 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 |
| 30 | ||||||
| |