Politics, Government and Business in Southern California's Inland Empire
Sandra Emerson, Staff Writer
Created: 05/22/2012 12:15:41 PM PDT
UPLAND – Planning commissioner and real estate broker Bill Velto has announced his intention to run for City Council in November.
Velto, vice president and managing broker for Tarbell Realtors, is seeking to fill a council seat that will be left vacant when Councilman Ken Willis retires at the end of his term.
Sandra Emerson, Staff Writer
Created: 05/17/2012 07:23:12 PM PDT
UPLAND – The City Council has been updated on the condition of the city’s budget and will meet next week to decide where to make cuts.
City Manager Stephen Dunn presented the council with an update on the city’s fiscal condition during a special meeting on Wednesday, asking it to set its priorities so staff could find a way to absorb $3.4 million in obligated expenses.
Sandra Emerson, Staff Writer
Created: 05/11/2012 02:53:23 PM PDT
UPLAND – As the city pieces together its 2012-13 fiscal year budget, it is faced with negotiations with employee groups and ever-increasing pension costs.
In 2011, numerous city employees earned more than $100,000 in compensation, including 26 out of 205 non-safety employees, 36 out of 42 fire personnel and 51 out of 85 police employees.
Sandra Emerson, Staff Writer
Created: 05/03/2012 08:54:13 AM PDT
Anthony Orlando Sanchez pleaded guilty Thursday in federal court in Riverside, admitting to conspiracy to commit bribery.
Sanchez, 36, was charged with acting as a conduit between an Upland business and former Mayor John Pomierski. Pomierski pleaded guilty last week in the bribery case.
Sunday, April 29, 2012 – 09:30 a.m.
Here’s some interesting factoids from across the financial and political transom:
First Quarter GDP Revised Lower
First quarter Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was revised lower last week to 2.2%. The revised number was mainly supported by strong auto sales. A component that may not be sustainable looking ahead.
Why? Consumer spending has been outpacing non-existent wage growth.
Sandra Emerson, Staff Writer
Created: 04/28/2012 07:19:08 PM PDT
UPLAND – Former Upland Mayor John Pomierski’s admission to accepting a $5,000 bribe from an Upland business does not worry city officials from a legal standpoint.
Pomierski pleaded guilty Thursday in U.S. District Court in Riverside to accepting a bribe from the owners of Chronic Cantina restaurant as part of a plea agreement.
Thursday, April 26, 2012 – 11:45 a.m.
Former Upland Mayor John “J.P.” Pomierski entered into a plea agreement before Federal Judge Virginia Philips in U.S. District Court in Riverside on Thursday morning.
The plea agreement stems from charges related to influence peddling.
Sandra Emerson, Staff Writer
Created: 04/24/2012 12:32:42 PM PDT
UPLAND – The City Council on Monday approved a contract with a Chino-based law firm Gutierrez, Fierro & Erickson to provide interim legal services while the city seeks a permanent firm to serve as city attorney.
Sandra Emerson
Created: 04/18/2012 10:46:34 AM PDT
UPLAND – Mayor Ray Musser has thrown his hat in the ring for the city’s mayoral race in November.
Musser was appointed as mayor in February after serving on the City Council since 1998.
Sandra Emerson, Staff Writer
Created: 04/17/2012 05:46:09 PM PDT
UPLAND – The city will be going out to bid for a new city attorney contract.
The City Council recently agreed to begin the search for a new city attorney contract due to increasing legal costs.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012 – 10:55 a.m.
Is there a plea deal in the long-running Upland corruption case against former Upland Mayor John “J.P.” Pomierski?
Sandra Emerson, Staff Writer
Created: 04/04/2012 04:19:12 PM PDT
A federal court judge in Riverside is considering a request to postpone former Upland Mayor John Pomierski’s trial for the third time.
Sandra Emerson, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
Created: 03/27/2012 11:53:49 AM PDT
UPLAND — The Colonies Crossroads shopping center in northeast in the city is about to get bigger.
Construction has started on the next phase of the center at Campus Avenue and 19th Street and some major retailers are already set to move in.
Sandra Emerson, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
Created: 03/27/2012 11:35:48 AM PDT
UPLAND – The City Council on Monday approved a board of directors for the San Antonio Water Co. just in the nick of time.
Council members narrowly approved a seven-member board, which will be voted on April 3 at San Antonio’s annual stockholders meeting.
By Sandra Emerson, Staff Writer
Created: 03/21/2012 05:28:44 PM PDT
UPLAND – The City Council has yet to approve the San Antonio Water Co. Board of Directors and its annual stockholders meeting is quickly approaching.
Two San Antonio Heights residents have voiced their concern over the way the slate was chosen and requested their community members pick their representation.
Upland currently names all of the members to the board.
By Sandra Emerson, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
Created: 03/21/2012 11:10:42 AM PDT
UPLAND – The City Council took no action on the city attorney’s contract during a special closed session meeting on Tuesday.
Sandra Emerson, Staff Writer
Created: 03/13/2012 09:01:46 AM PDT
UPLAND – Council members approved amendments to the city’s 2011-12 fiscal year budget at their meeting Monday night.
The midyear budget update included a $1.2 million increase in general fund revenues and a $774,450 increase in expenditures.
No cuts were deemed necessary.
By Sandra Emerson, Staff Writer
Created: 03/05/2012 04:57:15 PM PST
UPLAND – The Upland Unified school board adopted a resolution last week to notify 23 certificated and classified management employees that they may be laid off, reassigned or have their work hours reduced.
Sherri Black, assistant superintendent of human resources, said she has yet to determine if there will be any layoffs of classified employees.
Andrew Edwards, Staff Writer
Posted: 03/05/2012 02:28:28 PM PST
The latest development in the fight over medical marijuana could sharply limit cities’ power to prohibit marijuana dispensaries.
A recent opinion, from the division of the state’s Fourth District Court of Appeals that meets in Santa Ana, holds that since California law provides for dispensaries, cities cannot ban them by declaring them to be a public nuisance.
Monday, March 5, 2012 – 10:30 a.m.
The recent attempt by the city of Upland to wrest control of its ever burgeoning legal costs has fallen flat.
Bad news for a city facing mounting financial troubles.
Sandra Emerson, Staff Writer
Created: 03/04/2012 01:57:06 PM PST
UPLAND – The city’s Legal Sub-Committee will be meeting with city attorneys to review billing guidelines to mitigate continuously increasing legal fees.
The City Council discussed the city’s legal costs last week during a closed session meeting and decided to have the subcommittee meet with City Attorney William Curley and law firm, Richards Watson & Gershon.
Sandra Emerson, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
Created: 02/28/2012 08:41:42 AM PST
UPLAND — The City Council on Monday night postponed a decision to place an initiative on the November ballot that would change the appointment of the city’s mayoral position from a general election vote to a rotating system among council members.
Sandra Emerson, Staff Writer
Created: 02/27/2012 05:05:15 PM PST
Compensation for sworn police and fire personnel in 2011
(does not include benefits)
UPLAND – In 2011, 87 fire and police personnel made more than $100,000 in compensation, totaling more than $11 million.
That’s 68.5 percent of the city’s public-safety employees.
Sandra Emerson, Staff Writer
Created: 02/25/2012 11:08:34 PM PST
UPLAND – The City Council tonight will evaluate its contract with the city attorney as concerns over rising legal costs grow more serious.
The evaluation of Los Angeles-based law firm Richards Watson & Gershon will review ways for the city to gain control over the exploding costs for legal services, which are mostly paid out of the general fund, said City Manager Stephen Dunn.
UPLAND, CA– Upland City Councilman Gino L. Filippi announced today his intention to run for Mayor in the upcoming November 2012 election.
By Mark Bertone
February 21, 2012
I am very concerned about the financial health of our City. The State of California has robbed our City of our RDA funds. These funds were set aside to fund infrastructure improvements, fund City staff, fund the expansion of much needed Senior housing and to provide programs in the community. We have lost hundreds of thousands of dollars investing in one local business downtown, Christophe’s. We are facing labor contract renewals in the coming future. We have pension obligations that are most likely underfunded. I enjoy the fact that my City has it’s own police and fire departments. I enjoy the fact that our City provides an extensive choice of recreational and senior programs for those who live in Upland. Friends, the choices our leaders have made in the past and the current spending trends frighten me. I’m afraid that these things I enjoy about Upland will soon be gone without immediate change.
Sandra Emerson, Staff Writer
Created: 02/15/2012 04:11:47 PM PST
UPLAND – Mayor Ray Musser has decided to give more thought to who will sit on the San Antonio Water Co. board of directors.
Sandra Emerson, Staff Writer
Created: 01/28/2012 06:06:01 AM PST
UPLAND – The City Council has not made a formal request for the League of California Cities’ assistance in the medical marijuana case pending in the state Supreme Court, but some inquiries have been made.
Sunday, January 22, 2012 – 09:30 p.m.
Upland’s finance are heading in the wrong direction fast.
One major factor?
Legal fees!
Sandra Emerson, Staff Writer
Created: 01/21/2012 05:12:56 PM PST
UPLAND – The city may expect another budget deficit in the next fiscal year, with expenditures continuing to grow more quickly than revenues, according to estimates by City Manager Stephen Dunn.
Dunn outlined several of the city’s challenges in 2012 during a special City Council meeting Saturday at the Carnegie Library.
By Sandra Emerson, Staff Writer
Created: 01/19/2012 03:50:38 PM PST
RANCHO CUCAMONGA – G3 Holistic in Upland will be able to remain open.
A West Valley Superior Court judge ruled in favor of the medical marijuana cooperative because the case is under review by the California Supreme Court.
BY RICHARD K. De ATLEY
STAFF WRITER
rdeatley@pe.com
Published: 18 January 2012 03:51 PM
The California Supreme Court will review a city of Riverside medical marijuana case in which a lower court ruled that cities and counties have the right to ban dispensaries.
Local governments throughout the state have used that decision, issued in November by the Fourth District Court of Appeal, to shut down medical marijuana clinics within their boundaries.
By Sandra Emerson, Staff Writer
Created: 01/18/2012 03:55:17 PM PST
UPLAND – The California Supreme Court decided on Wednesday to review an appeal filed by an Upland medical marijuana cooperative.
Counsel representing G3 Holistic in Upland filed the appeal in December following a decision in November by the Fourth District Appellate Court in Riverside siding with the city’s ban on medical marijuana dispensaries through its zoning code.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012 – 06:00 p.m.
So much for that plea deal way back when!
Anthony Orlando Sanchez, 36, plead not guilty to extortion and bribery charges this afternoon in U.S. District Court in Riverside.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012 – 4:00 p.m.
The attempt by the City of Upland to shutter a medical marijuana co-op fell flat last week.
Sunday, January 5, 2012 – 11:30 p.m.
A federal fugitive tied to the corruption case involving former Upland Mayor John “J.P.” Pomierski was taken into custody Sunday afternoon.
Sandra Emerson, Staff Writer
Created: 01/06/2012 03:35:10 PM PST
UPLAND – G3 Holistic will remain open, for now.
West Valley Superior Court Judge Barry Plotkin on Friday postponed his decision on whether or not the co-op can remain open until the California Supreme Court decides whether to review G3′s appeal.
Wes Woods II and Sandra Emerson, Staff writers
Created: 01/05/2012 03:34:25 PM PST
UPLAND – A week later: It’s still open.
Medical marijuana collective G3 Holistics Inc. continues to be open for business, but it may not be so for long.
Wes Woods II and Sandra Emerson, Staff writers
Created: 01/04/2012 09:44:49 AM PST
UPLAND – Medical marijuana collective G3 Holistics Inc. remains open for business.
The collective at Suite F4 at 1710 W. Foothill Blvd. reopened at Friday afternoon, said Aaron Sandusky, president of G3 Holistics, and is keeping regular hours of 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
Sandra Emerson, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
Created: 01/03/2012 11:44:27 AM PST
UPLAND – Former City Manager Robb Quincey must resolve his disputes with the city through arbitration.
The city recently rejected a claim filed by Quincey in November seeking unlimited damages as a result of his termination in May.
Sandra Emerson, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
Created: 12/30/2011 12:17:57 PM PST
UPLAND – The city experienced a number of controversies in 2011 and will continue to deal with some of the legal ramifications in 2012.
Former Mayor John Pomierski’s federal trial is set for April, which may occur during the city election when the mayor’s seat and a council seat is up for re-election.
Sandra Emerson, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
Created: 12/27/2011 10:24:01 AM PST
UPLAND – Former Police Chief Steve Adams is no longer being accused of extortion by operators of a closed restaurant.
Adams was dismissed from Chronic Cantina’s civil case against the city earlier this month.
Sandra Emerson, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
Created: 12/27/2011 10:12:57 AM PST
UPLAND — Aaron Sandusky has found another way to fill his time while his medical marijuana cooperative is no longer open for business.
Sandusky, president of G3 Holistic in Upland, has gone on a speaking circuit at various clubs and groups in the community.
Sandra Emerson, Staff Writer
Created: 12/22/2011 06:24:24 PM PST
Special Section: Upland Watch
UPLAND – Former Mayor John Pomierski may file a lawsuit against the city for refusing to represent him in a civil suit filed by the former Chronic Cantina restaurant and bar.
A claim was filed with the city this week by Pomierski’s civil attorney, Robert Schauer, demanding the city represent Pomierski or face a lawsuit seeking attorney’s fees and other damages.
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.
Sandra Emerson, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
Created: 12/06/2011 12:05:33 PM PST
UPLAND – An Upland contractor who was named in an 11-count indictment along with former Mayor John Pomierski has pleaded guilty to two of the four counts against him.
Sandra Emerson, Staff Writer
Created: 12/03/2011 10:18:05 PM PST
UPLAND – Displaced patients from the now-closed G3 Holistic cooperative still have a place in town to go for their medical marijuana.
Upland Hidden Garden is open and serving patients with valid medical marijuana cards, despite an appellate court decision last month ruling in favor of the city’s ordinance banning dispensaries.
By Mark Gutglueck
Friday, December 2, 2011
Federal prosecutors have horned in on an unprecedented number of high profile political corruption cases that would otherwise be handled by the district attorney’s office in San Bernardino County. In some matters, the U.S. Attorney’s Office has wrested from district attorney Mike Ramos prosecutorial authority or has opened with the FBI parallel investigations into issues Ramos or the San Bernardino County Grand Jury have delved into without reaching a successful conclusion. In at least three matters, federal prosecutors and investigators have taken on probes or investigations of elected officials or political donors with whom Ramos was politically aligned.
Staff Reports
Created: 11/13/2011 06:03:40 AM PST
The Upland City Council will hold its first meeting on Monday since fired city manager Robb Quincey filed a claim seeking “unlimited” damages related to his dismissal.
The council is expected to hear about the claim in closed session prior to its 7 p.m. meeting.
By John Hoeffel, Los Angeles Times
November 11, 2011
In a decision that could have immediate fallout for medical marijuana dispensaries, a state appeals court has ruled that California law allows cities and counties to ban the stores.
Wes Woods II and Sandra Emerson, Staff Writers
Created: 11/09/2011 06:58:49 PM PST
RIVERSIDE – The banning of the G3 Holistic marijuana collective by Upland and other cities was upheld by an appellate court Wednesday. A judgment from the Fourth District Court of Appeals determined that Upland’s banning of the collective did not contradict Proposition 215, the 1996 law that approved medical marijuana in the state, nor Senate Bill 420, which details the amount of marijuana a person can possess for medical purposes.
By Wes Woods II, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
Created: 11/02/2011 02:55:01 PM PDT
RIVERSIDE – The 4th District Court of Appeal has 90 days to render a decision in a case involving the city of Upland’s ban of a medical marijuana dispensary operated by G3 Holistics.
The 4th District Court of Appeal heard arguments on Riverside and Upland prohibitions
BY RICHARD K. DE ATLEY
STAFF WRITER
rdeatley@pe.com
Published: 02 November 2011 08:29 PM
A state appellate court panel heard arguments Wednesday on whether Riverside and Upland can issue citywide bans on medical marijuana dispensaries.
Sandra Emerson, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
Created: 11/02/2011 11:45:09 AM PDT
Read: Quincey Claim
UPLAND – Former City Manager Robb Quincey has filed a notice of claim with the city over his termination.
Quincey, who was terminated in May by the City Council, is seeking unlimited damages, accusing the city of breaching his employment contract, wrongful termination and violating labor codes.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011 – 04:00 p.m.
Former Upland City Manager Robb Qunicey has filed a legal claim against the city of Upland regarding his ouster earlier this year.
Ryan Hagen, Staff Writer
Created: 11/01/2011 07:36:14 PM PDT
Federal agents on Tuesday raided an Upland location and five others associated with Aaron Sandusky, whom they believe are illegally selling marijuana to the general public.
Sandra Emerson, Staff Writer
Created: 10/31/2011 09:24:41 AM PDT
UPLAND – The process by which the City Council sends items to its advisory committee is far from being resolved.
Monday, October 31, 2011 – 10:45 a.m.
Just as the San Bernardino County Employees Retirement Association (SBCERA) ends two no-bid sweetheart contracts with two politically-connected consultants, two more no-bid contracts involving the same consultants emerge.
Thomas returns to water board
Filippi questions ethics of ex-councilman from Upland
Sandra Emerson, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
Created: 10/30/2011 09:45:44 PM PDT
UPLAND – A former councilman’s appointment to a water agency board was narrowly approved last week by the City Council.
Sandra Emerson, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
Created: 10/27/2011 11:26:41 AM PDT
UPLAND — An item regarding the process by which the council refers items to it’s advisory committee may not have been on Monday’s agenda, but is far from being resolved.
Mike Cruz and Joe Nelson, Staff Writers
Posted: 10/24/2011 02:55:29 PM PDT
A judge on Monday declined to bar more than 2,700 pages of Grand Jury transcripts in a criminal corruption probe from being used in a civil case involving San Bernardino County and three other public entities.
BY IMRAN GHORI
STAFF WRITER
ighori@pe.com
Published: 24 October 2011 12:23 PM
A San Bernardino County Superior Court judge ruled Monday that he will not prevent about 2,700 pages of grand jury testimony in a corruption case from being used in a related civil case.
Sandra Emerson, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
Created: 10/18/2011 08:24:32 AM PDT
UPLAND – Density and potential traffic from a proposed development in north Upland had residents and planning commissioners concerned during a workshop Monday at the Carnegie Building.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 10/14/2011 05:11:31 PM PDT
San Bernardino County’s transportation planning agency, the city of Upland and Caltrans are fighting the county over the use of grand jury transcripts from the Colonies corruption investigation in a pending indemnity lawsuit.
Sandra Emerson, Staff Writer
Created: 10/14/2011 05:22:32 PM PDT
UPLAND – The City Council and Planning Commission will hold a workshop on Monday to discuss a proposed housing development near the Colonies Crossroads shopping center.
Sandra Emerson, Staff Writer
Created: 10/14/2011 05:14:36 PM PDT
UPLAND – The City Council may revisit the way items are referred to its advisory committee.
Sandra Emerson, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
Created: 10/10/2011 12:01:45 PM PDT
UPLAND – City officials are reviewing a complaint of fire personnel misconduct that was emailed to them by a mysterious accuser.
By Sandra Emerson, Staff Writer
Created: 10/05/2011 10:52:44 AM PDT
UPLAND — A new defendant has been added to the indictment of former Mayor John Pomierski and Upland contractor John Hennes.
Sandra Emerson, Staff Writer
Created: 09/29/2011 02:33:16 PM PDT
UPLAND – The city’s Fire Department is facing some changes in personnel.
Fire Chief Michael Antonucci is retiring today, but will remain on the payroll for a while longer to help manage the department, which could face the potential of three fire captains retiring as well as a temporary loss of a fire captain due to injury.
By Sandra Emerson Staff Writer
Created: 09/27/2011 01:58:38 PM PDT
UPLAND – The city has two new top officials who aim to help the city move past recent allegations of corruption stemming out of the city.
Sunday, September 25, 2011 – 11:30 a.m.
It was only a matter of time before federal officials descended onto the debacle involving the redevelopment of the former Norton Air Force Base.
4 investigations in less than year
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 09/24/2011 07:10:43 PM PDT
The federal raid at San Bernardino International Airport on Wednesday marked the fourth FBI investigation in San Bernardino County in the last year, leaving some public officials wondering when the next shoe will drop.
Sandra Emerson, Staff Writer
Created: 09/24/2011 07:12:48 PM PDT
UPLAND – The city’s newest City Council member will be taking her seat at the dais Monday.
Debbie Stone, a funeral director at Stone Funeral Home, will be sworn into office during a special meeting at 5 p.m. at City Hall.
Sandra Emerson, Staff Writer
Created: 09/23/2011 05:29:36 PM PDT
UPLAND – A former City Council candidate is continuing to keep an eye on City Hall.
Maureen Sundstrom, an attorney, has filed a complaint with the Public Integrity Unit of the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office accusing the City Council of violating the Brown Act during its Sept. 12 meeting regarding two agenda items.
Mendenhall
Will Bigham, Staff Writer
Created: 09/19/2011 12:26:22 PM PDT
UPLAND – Jeff Mendenhall, a 29-year veteran of the city’s Police Department, has been formally appointed as police chief, City Manager Stephen Dunn announced Monday.
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