Politics, Government & Business in California's Inland Empire
Observations on California and its politics
By Dan Walters
dwalters@sacbee.com
May 02, 2017 – 5:10 PM
Throughout California, local government and school district officials are writing new budgets and confronting rapidly rising costs of pensions.
Joseph Tanfani
April 21, 2017, 8:33 a.m.
Reporting from Washington—
The Justice Department on Friday fired an opening shot in the Trump administration’s crackdown on so-called sanctuary cities, sending letters to nine jurisdictions asking for proof that they are cooperating with immigration enforcement, and indicating they are at risk of losing federal grants.
Ed Mendel
April 17, 2016
In another ruling allowing pension cuts, an appeals court last week overturned a state labor board ruling that a voter-approved San Diego pension reform was invalid because the city declined to bargain the issue with labor unions.
By Monica Solano and Shea Johnson, Staff Writers
Posted: Apr 15, 2017 at 4:32 PM
Updated: Apr 15, 2017 at 4:32 PM
VICTORVILLE — Nearing six months on the dais, neophyte Councilwoman Blanca Gomez first had to upend an incumbent’s re-election bid. But now her election maybe inadvertently threatens another overturn: the recent run of decorum between city leaders.
By Jeff Horseman | jhorseman@scng.com | The Press-Enterprise
April 12, 2017 at 7:12 pm
The continued lack of a fifth Riverside County supervisor has caused cancellation of a board meeting.
By Jeff Horseman | jhorseman@scng.com | The Press-Enterprise
Published: April 10, 2017 at 2:47 pm |
Updated: April 11, 2017 at 10:13 am
Cutting 11 jobs and changing the staffing mix on fire engines are two ideas Riverside County supervisors will consider as they try to close an $11.9 million shortfall in the Fire Department’s budget for next fiscal year.
By Richard K. De Atley, The Press-Enterprise
Posted: 04/06/17 – 2:06 PM PDT |
SAN BERNARDINO >> A veteran San Bernardino County attorney who had opposed the $102 million settlement with Colonies Partners LP in 2006 told a defense attorney Thursday in court that he had changed his mind by 2009 and thought it was “objectively reasonable.”
By Ryan Hagen, The Sun
Posted: 03/29/17 – 10:55 PM PDT |
SAN BERNARDINO >> Two high-ranked city officials have announced that they’re leaving City Hall.
March 25, 2017
The City of San Bernardino has problems. The city, despite having exited bankruptcy, remains broke. The police department is undermanned and underfunded. Increased pension obligations to CalPERS threatens to consume any additional revenue to the department and the city.
By Monica Solano, Staff Writer
Posted: Mar 23, 2017 at 3:43 PM
Updated: Mar 23, 2017 at 3:47 PM
VICTORVILLE — Forty-eight hours after a City Council meeting that featured threats of legal action, heated arguments on the dais and the request for more law enforcement to help maintain order, city officials didn’t mince words in offering their reactions.
By Rene Ray De La Cruz, Staff Writer
Posted: Mar 23, 2017 at 3:28 PM
Updated: Mar 23, 2017 at 4:44 PM
HESPERIA — Mayor Paul Russ said he doesn’t remember much of last week after a medical emergency put him into a coma and a local hospital.
By Ryan Hagen, The Sun
Posted: 03/08/17 – 12:19 PM PST |
SAN BERNARDINO >> San Bernardino City Manager Mark Scott’s public interview Wednesday to be city manager of Reno, Nevada, didn’t take long, opening with his endorsement of the other candidate.
Capitol Alert
By Adam Ashton
aashton@sacbee.com
March 7, 2017 – 4:41 PM
For the second time in four months, CalPERS is preparing to slash benefits for a group of retirees whose former employer stopped cutting checks to fund their pensions.
By David Allen, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
Posted: 02/25/17 – 3:51 PM PST |
In Ontario, the normally routine process of naming people to city committees last week took on elements of — ooooh — intrigue.
By Ryan Hagen, The Sun
Posted: 02/23/17 – 5:47 PM PST |
SAN BERNARDINO >> Three alleged victims of police beatings whose judgments would be reduced by 99 percent under the terms of the bankruptcy plan approved by U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Meredith Jury have filed notice that they will appeal that ruling.
By Alicia Robinson / Staff Writer
Published: Feb. 16, 2017 – Updated: 10:34 p.m.
Hearings on ethics complaints filed against Riverside’s mayor and four councilmen have been postponed indefinitely while the city prepares materials for the hearing board.
By Jim Steinberg, San Bernardino Sun
Posted: 02/05/17 – 11:09 AM PST |
FONTANA >> For about eight years, a revised plan for 964 acres in North Fontana has been winding through public meetings, workshops, and appearances before the planning commission and city council.
By Joe Nelson, The Sun
Posted: 02/05/17 – 3:41 PM PST |
San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors Chairman Robert Lovingood presented a plan for regional economic growth including the fast-tracking of development projects, bolstering funding for public safety, increasing infrastructure, and expanding technical training.
By Jim Christie | San Francisco
U.S. | Fri Jan 27, 2017 | 6:36pm EST
San Bernardino, California, won final court approval on Friday for its financial restructuring plan, clearing the way for the city to wrap up the bankruptcy case it launched more than four years ago when its leaders learned it was facing insolvency.
By Ryan Hagen, The Sun
Posted: 01/21/17 – 3:25 PM PST |
SAN BERNARDINO >> Plans are on track for City Hall to be vacated by April, as all employees move out of a building determined to be a substantial earthquake risk.
The Public Eye
By Brad Branan
bbranan@sacbee.com
January 21, 2017 – 1:17 PM
In South Lake Tahoe, roads are crumbling, and the city is struggling to find ways to repair years of damage caused by harsh weather and snowplows. Orangevale residents worry that fire crews won’t arrive quickly enough in an emergency after their local fire station was closed during the recession.
By David Downey, The Press-Enterprise
Posted: 01/19/17 – 12:15 PM PST |
San Bernardino County’s chief executive, who is credited with stabilizing county government finances, announced Thursday he plans to retire by the end of June.
By Ed Mendel
Monday, January 17, 2017
State payments to CalPERS next fiscal year are expected to total $6 billion, nearly double the $3.2 billion paid six years ago before a wave of employer rate increases.
By Dan Walters
dwalters@sacbee.com
January 2, 2017 – 12:01 AM
It’s very rare, but always welcome, when reality intrudes on political decision making.
Maura Dolan
December 30, 2016
A government agency’s legal bills for a case that has been resolved are generally public record, a divided California Supreme Court ruled Thursday.
By John Myers
Dec. 21, 2016
In the four years since California’s largest pension fund recalibrated its investment projections, the annual contribution from state and local governments — in effect, the money paid by taxpayers — has slowly been on the rise.
By Dale Kasler
Business & Real Estate
dkasler@sacbee.com
December 20, 2016 – 5:17 PM
The cost of that government pension is about to go up again, for California taxpayers as well as some public employees.
By Jeff Horseman / Staff Writer
Published: Dec. 14, 2016 – Updated: 9:21 p.m.
Change in Riverside County government comes at a price – almost $21 million, to be precise.
By Jeff Horseman / Staff Writer
Published: Dec. 12, 2016
Updated: Dec. 13, 2016 – 6:59 a.m.
In a nod to Riverside County’s ongoing financial challenges, a proposal before the county Board of Supervisors would have supervisors defer any pay raise they’re due to receive until 2019.
Saturday, December 10, 2016 – 10:30 a.m.
One would hope that several local Inland Empire governments are feeling stupid and duped these days.
But maybe they don’t care.
By Jeff Horseman / Staff Writer
Published: Dec. 7, 2016
Updated: Dec. 8, 2016 – 4:47 p.m.
Riverside County Supervisor Marion Ashley wants his peers to defer the automatic pay raises they received over the summer to show empathy with union employees, who also are being asked to forgo raises.
By Ryan Hagen, The Sun
Posted: 12/07/16 – 6:46 PM PST |
SAN BERNARDINO >> A day after the city emerged from its 53-month bankruptcy, city officials marked the “watershed moment” with a detailed statement on what they’ve done since filing for bankruptcy and their plans for the future.
By David Allen, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
Posted: 12/08/16 – 4:15 PM PST |
ONTARIO >> With local control of Ontario International Airport comes a paycheck.
Paloma Esquivel
December 6, 2016
After four long, painful years, San Bernardino will soon emerge from bankruptcy.
By Joe Nelson, The Sun
Posted: 12/06/16 – 10:34 AM PST |
San Bernardino County Supervisor Curt Hagman announced Tuesday he has appointed his deputy chief of staff, Yekaterina “Katherine” Kolcheva, to serve as his new chief of staff.
By Susan Abram, Los Angeles Daily News
Posted: 12/05/16 – 8:28 PM PST |
Two newly elected Los Angeles County supervisors brought historic changes to local politics Monday when they became part of a supermajority of women to serve on the largest local governmental body in the nation.
By Joe Nelson, The Sun
Posted: 11/30/16 – 4:58 PM PST |
San Bernardino County Supervisor Curt Hagman has fired his chief of staff, Mike Spence, after Spence was charged with driving under the influence of drugs and admitted to battling drug and alcohol addictions for more than 20 years.
By Suzanne Hurt, The Press-Enterprise
Posted: 11/28/16 – 1:12 PM PST |
SAN BERNARDINO >> Survivors pleaded to San Bernardino County supervisors Monday for more help in their efforts to heal a year after the Dec. 2 terrorist attack in San Bernardino.
By Ed Mendel
November 28, 2016
The state Supreme Court last week agreed to hear an appeal of a groundbreaking ruling that allows cuts in the pensions earned by current state and local government workers, including judges.
By Jeff Horseman / Staff Writer
Published: Nov. 23, 2016
Updated: Nov. 24, 2016 2:51 p.m.
Biopsy results show that Riverside County Supervisor John Benoit has advanced pancreatic cancer, the supervisor’s office announced Wednesday evening, Nov. 23.
By Suzanne Hurt, The Press-Enterprise
Posted: 11/23/16 – 10:21 PM PST |
Another person has come forward about medication denials for survivors of the Dec. 2 San Bernardino terrorist attack — this time, the husband of a San Bernardino County employee shot in the face.
By Ryan Hagen, The Sun
Posted: 11/22/16 – 11:09 PM PST |
SAN BERNARDINO >> City employees are one step closer to completely moving out of City Hall, removing a substantial earthquake risk but also leaving another downtown landmark vacant.
By Suzanne Hurt, The Press-Enterprise
Posted: 11/19/16 – 6:06 PM PST |
SAN BERNARDINO >> Survivors of the Dec. 2 terrorist attack in San Bernardino say they’re being cut off from anti-depressants, anti-anxiety medication and counseling shortly before the one-year anniversary — making an already traumatic time even more distressing.
By Dan Walters
dwalters@sacbee.com
November 14, 2016 – 12:01 AM
State Sen. Bob Hertzberg puts it succinctly, albeit accurately: “58 counties in California are accidents of history.”
Adam Elmahrek and Hailey Branson-Potts
November 9, 2016
Janice Hahn and Kathryn Barger were elected Tuesday night to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, marking the election of a female majority and a continued leftward shift for the influential panel.
Dan Weikel
November 1, 2016
After years of litigation and negotiation, Ontario officials assumed ownership of LA/Ontario International Airport from Los Angeles on Tuesday.
By Joe Nelson, The Sun
Posted: 11/01/16 – 9:18 PM PDT |
The race for First District San Bernardino County supervisor sees incumbent Robert Lovingood going up against Angela Valles, a former Victorville councilwoman and Victor Valley Community College District trustee.
By Susan Abram, Los Angeles Daily News
Posted: 11/01/16 – 1:37 PM PDT |
A long-awaited civilian oversight commission to push reforms within the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department was approved by the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, two years after it was formally proposed.
Monday, October 31, 2016 – 08:30 a.m.
Say what?
Questions are swirling over the alleged outside business interests of a high-ranking San Bernardino County Sheriff’s official.
Adam Elmahrek
October 29, 2016
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors secretly launched a public corruption investigation of its former Chief Executive William T Fujioka shortly after his retirement two years ago, examining his role in real estate dealings, a multimillion-dollar emergency communications project and other county business, according to a document obtained by The Times and officials familiar with the probe.
Joseph Turner
Friday, October 28, 2016 – 11:16 a.m.
The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors hired Greg Devereaux to be the County CEO in January of 2010.
He currently earns approximately $600,000 a year.
In 2015 he earned $549,803 in total compensation. But this figure does not take into account the 7% raise that Supervisor Robert Lovingood gave him in 2016. You can view the executive compensation plan here.
In 2011, his total compensation was $491,565 a year.
But, how did county residents do during the same time period? Read the rest of this entry »
Joseph Turner
Monday, October 24, 2016 – 9:03 p.m.
In Part 1 of this expose, I “copy and pasted” the public information request and answers by the county concerning the employment contract of political lobbyist Fred Aguiar (view here).
Now I am going to copy and paste the second public information request submitted on September 30, 2016. The answers were provided on October 7.
Read the answers carefully and note them. I did. Read the rest of this entry »
Joseph Turner
Monday, October 24, 2016 – 9:01 a.m.
This weekend I received a tip from a frustrated voter about how San Bernardino County is refusing to release documents that he believes are damaging to Supervisor Robert Lovingood’s campaign.
Last month, he submitted two public information requests seeking information about the employment details and job duties of Fred Aguiar — the controversial lobbyist earning $122,000 a year while working 300 miles away from home in Paso Robles. Oh yeah. He also works just 18 hours a week…maybe.
He was hired by Supervisor Lovingood in January in what many believe was strictly a move to politically benefit his campaign, including to help with fundraising. Read the rest of this entry »
By Joe Nelson, The Sun
Posted: 10/21/16 – 10:43 PM PDT |
SAN BERNARDINO >> James Ramos, chairman of the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors, is making some rather unconventional changes to his staff, while his colleague, Supervisor Janice Rutherford, is picking up his former chief of staff.
By Stephanie K. Baer, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
Posted: 10/20/16 – 9:35 AM PDT |
WEST COVINA >> Councilman Mike Spence pleaded not guilty to driving under the influence of a drug Thursday morning.
Joseph Turner
Thursday, October 20, 2016 – 9:28 a.m.
Corruption and political graft in San Bernardino County continues unabated.
Did you know that Supervisor Robert Lovingood gave a campaign donor and Sacramento lobbyist who lives 300 miles away a cushy part-time job that pays more than $122,000 a year?
Need proof? Ok.
Joseph Turner
Thursday, October 20, 2016 – 1:44 a.m.
A gigantic bomb was dropped on First District Supervisor “Do-Nothing” Bob Lovingood late Tuesday morning when his challenger, Angela Valles, informed district voters that unvetted Syrian refugees have been secretly dumped in the High Desert community of Victorville.
It doesn’t take a degree in political science to know that the High Desert folk aren’t going to be too excited at the news.
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to tell you that the timing of this news comes at a disastrous time for the Lovingood campaign. Read the rest of this entry »
By Joe Nelson, The Sun
Posted: 10/14/16 – 4:30 PM PDT |
West Covina Councilman Mike Spence has battled alcoholism and drug abuse for more than 20 years, he said during a recent interview when confronted about a DUI he pleaded guilty to in 1998.
By Ryan Hagen, San Bernardino Sun
Posted: 10/14/16 – 7:38 PM PDT |
RIVERSIDE >> The city of San Bernardino entered the final stage of its bankruptcy case Friday in U.S. Bankruptcy Court, with a confirmation hearing the city and its thousands of creditors have awaited for more than four years.
By Ryan Hagen, The Sun
Posted: 10/13/16 – 9:34 PM PDT |
SAN BERNARDINO >> Current and former leaders clashed Thursday in a televised debate over whether replacing the city charter would help or hinder economic development, corruption and the future of the city.
Thursday, October 13, 2016 – 09:00 a.m.
San Bernardino County hiring am outside law firm to represent it in an unfolding scandal involving multiple child deaths has thrown gas on the fire.
By Joe Nelson, The Sun
Posted: 10/10/16 – 4:08 PM PDT |
Linda Haugen, assistant executive officer of the San Bernardino County Department of Human Services, is retiring after 35 years with the county.
By Ed Mendel
October 10, 2016
Three appeals court justices, citing the alarming view of critics that unaffordable public pensions are headed for the financial cliff, looked for a new way to allow a change in direction and found one.
Friday, October 7, 2016 – 09:15 a.m.
A nearly month-long trial involving alleged workplace retaliation against three current and former San Bernardino County Sheriff’s deputies has been finally handed to a jury.
By Richard K. De Atley, The Press-Enterprise
Posted: 10/06/16 – 9:21 PM PDT |
ONTARIO >> Fitch Ratings reported Thursday its assessment of $52.2 million in fixed-rate bonds for Ontario International Airport Authority, setting them at an A-minus rating with a “stable” outlook.
By Joe Nelson, The Sun
Posted: 10/04/16 – 10:51 PM PDT |
The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved a contract with Enron prosecutor John C. Hueston to assess the county’s child welfare services system amid an investigation by the state Attorney General’s Office.
By Liset Márquez, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
Posted: 10/03/16 – 4:25 PM PDT |
ONTARIO >> They say timing is everything.
When the Ontario International Airport Authority issues bonds Nov. 1 — the same day it formally takes over control of LA/Ontario International Airport — there could be some savings for future operations.
By Joe Nelson and Stephanie Baer / Staff Writers
Published: Sept. 30, 2016 – 7:12 p.m.
West Covina Councilman Mike Spence said Wednesday he has no intention of resigning from his elected position following a drug-related car crash in June causing him serious injuries.
Wednesday, September 28, 2016 – 10:50 p.m.
Mike Spence, chief of staff to San Bernardino County Fourth District Supervisor Curt Hagman, has been charged with misdemeanor driving under the influence.
By Alicia Robinson / Staff Writer
Published: Sept. 23, 2016
Updated: Sept. 26, 2016 – 7:53 a.m.
Downtown Riverside’s sparse silhouette has been dominated by a few boxy, nondescript towers, two domes and Mount Rubidoux.
By Ali Tadayon, The Press-Enterprise
Posted: 09/25/16 – 6:31 PM PDT |
SAN BERNARDINO >> A bill that would ensure first responders to the Dec. 2 terrorist attack in San Bernardino get fully reimbursed for the cost of their response was vetoed Sunday by Gov. Jerry Brown.
By Ryan Hagen, The Sun
Posted: 09/23/16 – 10:40 PM PDT |
SAN BERNARDINO >> At least two sets of debates are planned at City Hall, after the City Council overruled City Manager Mark Scott’s decision not to allow any debates.
By: Ramona Schindelheim
Posted: Sep 09 2015 – 09:16PM PDT
Updated: Sep 09 2015 – 10:43PM PDT
(SAN BERNARDINO, CA) – A family of five young siblings is suing the San Bernardino County Department of Children and Family Services and a foster care agency contracted by the CFS, alleging the two youngest members of the family were sexually abused in a foster care home in Victorville over three years.
John Myers
Sept. 20, 2016 – 2:47 p.m.
The retiring forecaster for California’s largest public employee pension fund offered some final advice on Tuesday: State and local governments should be required to pay more into the system as soon as next year.
By Beatriz Valenzuela, San Bernardino Sun
Posted: 09/19/16 – 6:35 PM PDT | U
SAN BERNARDINO >> A San Bernardino County sheriff’s lieutenant testified during a civil whistleblower-retaliation trial Monday he tried to quash a “petty citations war” between two High Desert sheriff’s stations.
By Ryan Hagen, The Sun
Posted: 09/18/16 – 1:11 PM PDT |
SAN BERNARDINO >> City Manager Mark Scott informed the City Council Friday that he would not allow any of the usual election forums or local election broadcasts unless a majority of the council members voted to reverse his decision.
Saturday, September 17, 2016 – 11:00 a.m.
A new article published Saturday in the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin is a clear-cut example of just much San Bernardino County officials believe they dance to the beat of their own drum.
By Kristina Hernandez, Redlands Daily Facts
Posted: 09/16/16 – 7:34 PM PDT |
HIGHLAND >> Three public interest groups on Thursday filed a lawsuit against the city of Highland over its approval of the controversial Harmony housing project.
By Ryan Hagen, The Sun
Posted: 09/15/16 – 11:22 PM PDT |
SAN BERNARDINO >> The proposed new city charter was cast as the way to end decades of destructive political infighting or a surrendering of self-government Thursday in a debate between the campaigns for and against changing the city’s governing document.
By Dan Walters
dwalters@sacbee.com
September 11, 2016 – 4:00 AM
The “unfunded liabilities” of state and local pension funds are California’s biggest unresolved political issue – at least in financial terms.
By Joe Nelson, The Sun
Posted: 09/09/16 – 12:25 PM PDT |
SAN BERNARDINO >> Prosecutors and defense attorneys in San Bernardino County’s biggest public corruption case announced Friday that after years of legal wrangling, they are ready to begin trial.
Wednesday, September 7, 2016 – 08:30 a.m.
Make no mistake. First District San Bernardino County Supervisor Robert Lovingood will likely be shown the door in November.
By Ryan Hagen, The Sun
Posted: 09/04/16 – 4:12 PM PDT |
SAN BERNARDINO >> Labor Day begins the big campaigns for and against the ballot measure to replace the city’s charter — essentially a constitution that, if changed, could either finally free city officials to fix the city and increase voter participation or could throw away the city’s heritage and citizen protections, depending on who’s arguing.
But most people haven’t heard either argument.
By Ryan Hagen, The Sun
Posted: 08/30/16 – 9:36 AM PDT |
SAN BERNARDINO >> A committee opposed to the ballot measure that would change the city charter asked Monday that City Clerk Gigi Hanna recuse herself and her employees from any decisions related to that measure.
John Myers
Aug. 29, 2016 – 5:47 p.m.
State lawmakers rejected a plan on Monday to place limits on individual campaign donations for city and county offices, races where in some California communities there are no restrictions on the size of a legal donation.