Monday, May 29, 2006

Legislators Hold Key in Judge Shortage (Daily Bulletin 052906) State Lawmakers have to act for hiring to begin..

Let's hope they don't hold on to that key to much longer!! We need these Judges in Chambers and in their courtrooms to hear Cases. The courts in San Bernardino are over Crowded and need some relief, so I hope the relief comes in the form of more Judges soon,

BSRancher

Legislators hold key in judge shortage
State lawmakers have to act for hiring to begin

By Edward Barrera, Staff Writer

Legislators hold the key to easing the chronic shortage of judges in the Inland Empire.

San Bernardino County officials said that they need about 60 more judges, and Riverside County officials said they need nearly as many.

The situation became so acute this year that Riverside County actually stopped hearing certain civil cases because of a backlog of criminal cases, which have strict time limits. The suspension was eventually lifted.

So state legislation that would result in the hiring of 50 judges a year for the next three years is being closely watched.

"We have a crying need for judgeships and court facilities,'' said San Bernardino County Presiding Judge Larry Allen. "No one disputes the need, but sometimes the Legislature seems to be distracted by other legislation. In meantime we struggle on with the judgeships we have now.''

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger set aside $5.5 million to start hiring 50 new judges with a condition that the Legislature pass the bill to enact the hiring.

"We are still supporting the hiring of 50 new judges a year and the first installment is $5.5 million,'' said H.D. Palmer, a spokesman for the Department of Finance. "We recognize the need, but the amount of judges and how they are allocated is a function of the Legislature.''

Last year, state Sen. Joe Dunn, D-Garden Grove, introduced SB 56, which will approve the hiring of 150 new judges with 42 allocated for San Bernardino and Riverside counties. He is now battling suggestions to cut that number for the first year to 20 judges. The hirings would begin in 2007 if the legislation is approved.

"The Senate and Assembly are working on the budget, and their conclusion is that judgeships have a good chance for being funded this year,'' said Jim Evans, a spokesman for Dunn.

While funding for the new judgeships appears promising, Allen said money for building new court facilities still is nonexistent.

Early state bond proposals that included court construction were eventually dropped with the main focus now being infrastructure and building more schools and affordable housing.

"It's unfortunate that there is no money in the bonds for facilities,'' Allen said. "We will probably get some leased space, but on a permanent basis, there will have to be some type of fee increase or separate bond.''

Dunn's legislation is expected to be nailed down by June 30 when a state budget needs to be approved.

Edward Barrera can be reached by e-mail at edward.barrera@dailybulletin.com or by phone at (909) 483-9356.

County at "full" employment...Daily Press May, 20, 06, Inland Empire's Rate is lower then CA. @ 4.8% & US @ 4.5 %...

As of May 21'st the I.E. was at 'ful' Employment, I thought that was great information, since they keep saying that everything under President Bush is falling apart, this shows it is not. have a read....

BSRancher

County at ‘full’ employment

Inland Empire’s rate is lower than California, at 4.8 percent, and the United States, at 4.5 percent


By TATIANA PROPHET / Staff Writer

SAN BERNARDINO — The April unemployment rate was 4.3 percent in San Bernardino county, a level reached only twice in the last 23 years — both times over the holiday shopping season.

“This is the lowest April going back certainly beyond 1983, and I have a suspicion, going back to the late 1960s,” said John Husing, a Redlandsbased economist. “This is full employment.”

Full employment, Husing said, means that those who are jobless fall into two categories: the transitionally unemployed, or those who are temporarily between jobs, and those who have a difficult time working because of lack of skills, problems with speaking or reading, or a drug or criminal history.

Each group makes up about 2 percent of the labor force, meaning they total 4 percent. In times past, these groups have made up between 4 percent and 6 percent, Husing said.

“When you have a very low unemployment rate, you have very few people who’ve just dropped out,” he said. “Most people are looking.”

Nearly full employment is easy to spot in the High Desert, where hiring is brisk.

“The service sector is exploding,” said Husing, referring to the Victor Valley. “That’s everything from your lawyer to your CPA to your tax preparer, hair salon, bartenders. All of the service sector grows along with the population.”

David Fishman, vice president of Victorville-based executive recruitment firm ICR Inc., said cement and construction industries are very strong right now.

“I think we’re running at full steam across the board right now,” he said. “When it comes to clerical staffing, it’s probably the strongest it’s been, due to the influx of businesses here needing more professional people.”

The Inland Empire’s rate of 4.3 percent is lower than California, at 4.8 percent, and the United States, at 4.5 percent, showing the health of the local economy.

That translates to good news for commuters, said Husing. Now is the time for a resident of the Inland Empire who commutes to Los Angeles to find a job five minutes from home.

“You can quit the really long commutes,” Husing said. “And that’s because employers are desperate. If you go into a restaurant or drive through an industrial area, you’re going to see help wanted signs in practically every window right now.”

In the High Desert, people who want to shorten their commute might still have to go to Ontario or Rancho Cucamonga, Husing said, unless they work in a field that is especially in demand.

Friday, May 26, 2006

Immigration Resolution Gets Zero (0) GOP Support (Press Enterprise May 23, 2006) State Assembly offers its Ideas to Congress and White House..

Immigration Resolution Gets Zero (0) GOP Support (Press Enterprise May 23, 2006) State Assembly offers its Ideas to Congress and White House..
This is the band wagon that the GOP should be jumping on and doing everything in their power to see to it that a comprehensive Immigration Law, + Reform to Gain Citizenship = Strong Support down the line. Poo Poo'ing this now is where they will loose support down the road!!

I hope the GOP Wakes up before it is to late!!


BSRancher

Immigration resolution gets zero GOP support



IMMIGRATION: State Assembly offers its ideas to Congress and the White House.

10:00 PM PDT on Monday, May 22, 2006

By JIM MILLER
The Press-Enterprise

State Assembly members representing the Inland area were split Monday on a resolution calling on Congress and the White House to "take a comprehensive, bipartisan, and well-reasoned approach" to overhauling the country's immigration system.

The measure called on U.S. lawmakers to reject any proposal that "criminalizes" illegal immigration and to support legislation that encourages citizenship.

Monday's resolution passed the Assembly, 43-27, with no Republican support.

Proponents included Assemblyman Joe Baca Jr., D-Rialto, and Assemblywoman Gloria Negrete McLeod, D-Chino.

Opposing it were Inland lawmakers John J. Benoit, R-Palm Desert; Bill Emmerson, R-Redlands; Ray Haynes, R-Murrieta; and Todd Spitzer, R-Orange.

Assemblyman Russ Bogh, R-Beaumont, was absent.

Assemblywoman Bonnie Garcia, R-Cathedral City, abstained. Sixty percent of the residents of her border-area district are Latino, based on 2000 census data. But Garcia called Monday's resolution "mean-spirited" toward Congress and the White House.

"I don't think we need to editorialize in these resolutions," she said. Reach Jim Miller at (916) 445-9973

Anaheim Official Questions NFL Bid (LA Times 052306)

First the "Los Angeles Angeles of Aneheim" stole the City of Los Angeles's Own Name to promote their Major Legue Base Ball Team. A Base Ball Team that just won the World Series not to long ago if I recall correctly!!

This is Bothersome and I will tell you why!! They are located in the County of Orange. Mind you the "OC" is a Evening Soap that is about the Brats that live in Orange County and how they are so much better then any one else that lives in Los Angeles County, or San Bernardino County. These are the Bordering Counties, however they want to steal the Los Angeles's Name because the Teams new owner feels that Los Angleles is more appealing then that of his own City Aneheim.
I think that if this is true that the "Orange County Angels of Aneheim, or the Aneheim Angels of Orange County, Home of the Magic Kingdom, that would have been better for them, but they had to take the name bestowed upon the true Los Angeles Team, the Dodgers.

Finally the NFL who has been trying to get us a team for Years finds a way to Expand or get us a team and then Aneheim City Council members are against it because it doesn't fill their pockets some way..I say they got Disney Land, Knotts Berry Farm, Aneheim Angeles, Mighty Ducks of Aneheim (who by the way are compleatly happy with their Aneheim Identity), and the Clippers' OH, sorry they fled to Los Angeles. Sorry.

Aneheim has enough stuff to worry about, so much so that they have to rely on Mutual Aid from Neiboring City's such as Santa Ana's Mounted Patrol for added security during the play off games and World Series games. So, they are not hurting for a fan base!!

BSRancher...

Anaheim Official Questions NFL Bid

A second councilman says the land may be worth more to the city than its proposed price. Two 'no' votes would scuttle a stadium deal.
By Dave McKibben, Times Staff Writer
May 23, 2006


A second Anaheim council member has said he has doubts about a proposed land sale to the National Football League, a development that could undermine the city's attempt to lure a professional football franchise.

Anaheim Councilman Bob Hernandez said he might join colleague Harry Sidhu in opposing the sale of 50 acres in the Platinum Triangle for $53 million — a price Sidhu has criticized as being below market rate and a bad deal for taxpayers.

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The league would have the option of putting up a stadium as part of a sports and entertainment complex.

Under the city charter, four of the five council members would need to approve the sale of the city-owned property.

"The big question in my mind is what is the true value of that land?" Hernandez said. "I don't have a problem selling it at a slight discount. But I don't want to give it away. I'm not convinced yet it's necessarily the best deal we can get."

Anaheim Mayor Curt Pringle, a stadium supporter, said he was not worried about Hernandez's uncertainty, adding that the city hadn't formally presented its offer to the NFL.

"I don't think any member of the council has decided how they'll vote," he said. "But we think there is sufficient direction by council to support our negotiating points."

Anaheim has presented itself to the NFL as a good business partner with a streamlined approval process of five city council members. Los Angeles' bid includes several layers of bureaucracy — a nine-member Coliseum Commission and state, county and federal agencies.

But so far, Anaheim's bid has been complicated by politics. Sidhu has emerged as a potential challenger to Pringle in the fall mayoral election, with the proposed land sale to the NFL as a campaign issue.

Sidhu said Monday he was not concerned that he and Hernandez were damaging Anaheim's chances at landing an NFL team.

"If the minority is not in favor of this land deal," Sidhu said, "it'll send a strong message to the NFL. We do not like subsidies. This is the taxpayers' money."

The Los Angeles City Council last week unanimously approved plans to remodel the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in an attempt to lure an NFL team. League owners are meeting in Denver this week to consider whether to move forward with Anaheim or the Coliseum. Anaheim officials have given the NFL a May 31 deadline to choose their site or they will begin talking to developers about building retail and entertainment projects on the site next to Angel Stadium.

Anaheim city attorney Jack White said the city expected to present its final proposal to the NFL soon. White said the city would include more offers than the land proposal, though complete details of the pitch to the league had not been released.

President Orders National Guard Troops to Back Up the Border Patrol...

President Bush did the right thing by sending Back up to the Border Patrol that has worked with nothing but Voulenteer's Backing them up for the last year. The Minute Men Really are owed a Huge peice of Graditued for their Tireless work that they performed out there watching that Border and Reporting the Illigal Immigrants as they crossed the Border. They really should be owed our graditued and a great big THANK YOU!! I am glad that what they did was paid off in the sending of the National Guard to back up the Border Patrol, and now we hopefully will can and should see them at work, however we will not see a decline in the amount of Illegal Immigrants here in the country that are working without paying taxes, sending what they would have paid in their Taxes back home to their family so they can live on that. And what they are getting paid is barely soem thign to write home about, but that gives their Family some food, Clothing, etc etc... Same as if they were over here, but they are not. Those dollars are being spent over in a country that trades in the US Dollar as fast as they trade in their own Peso.

Let's just hope that the Bill that the Senate passed today will start to put a bandaid on the huge gushing wound we have at our Southern Border, and we will see. God Willing that no terror ists will be able to kill us.

BSRancher...


WASHINGTON – President Bush ordered up to 6,000 National Guard troops to reinforce the U.S.-Mexico border against illegal immigrants and called for a “rational middle ground” on citizenship for millions of men and women already in the country illegally.
“We do not yet have full control of the border and I am determined to change that," Bush said on prime-time television Monday night.

Under his new plan, as many as 6,000 National Guard troops would be dispatched to states along the Mexico border to provide intelligence and surveillance support to Border Patrol agents. The Border Patrol would still remain responsible for catching and detaining illegal immigrants.

"The United States is not going to militarize the southern border,” he said.

The deployment of National Guards to strengthen the border was one of “five clear objectives” emphasized during Bush’s speech.

Other suggestions included the creation of a temporary worker program to reduce the numbers of people trying to sneak across the border illegally, and the development of a tamper-proof identification card that would make it easier for employers to identify illegal workers.

The president also made more explicit remarks on possible citizenship for illegal aliens already residing in the country, showing an effort to appeal to moderates and business owners who favor liberalized immigration laws.

“We must face the reality that millions of illegal immigrants are already here,” he said. "Some in this country argue that the solution is to deport every illegal immigrant, and that any proposal short of this amounts to amnesty. I disagree.

"It is neither wise nor realistic to round up millions of people, many with deep roots in the United States, and send them across the border. There is a rational middle ground between granting an automatic path to citizenship for every illegal immigrant, and a program of mass deportation."

Some conservative Christians criticized Bush for trying to take the middle ground in the immigration debate.

“It was a classic head-bob to the right followed by a dash to the left,” said Steven T. Voigt, executive director of the Foundations of Law PAC, a lobbying group that promotes Judeo-Christian, conservative candidates for office. “The President outlined what would be an entirely ineffective plan to secure the border and then all but endorsed the wayward Senate plan for mass amnesty.”

Meanwhile, pro-immigration Christians welcomed Bush’s emphasis on the need for immigration reform, but criticized him for failing to address the issue in a more humane and compassionate way.

“The real solution to the immigration crisis lies in a comprehensive approach to the problem,” said Bishop Gerald R. Barnes of San Bernardino, California, Chairman of the Bishops' Committee on Migration. “This approach must include a long-term strategy to address the root causes of flight, such as combating poverty in sending countries.”

Bishop Barnes also cautiously disapproved the plan to dispatch the National Guard, saying “there has not been an adequate public discussion about its implications, especially for the treatment of migrants.”

According to the president’s speech, National Guard troops would mostly serve two-week stints before rotating out of assignment. Deployment of troops is set to begin in June.

Current Properties Listed for Eminent Domain...Check it out...San Bernardino, Grand Terrace, and Riverside counties

These are but some of the Properties that have been placed up on Eminent Domain by the local and County Supervisors, take a look. I hope one day your property is not on here..Your home taken away, simply because it is of their opinion that your house is "blight"...

Grand Terrace, California In 1979, the entire city of Grand Terrace was declared blighted. City officials are now taking advantage of this outdated designation in order to build a shopping center and a Lowe’s Home Improvement Warehouse on top of 16 acres of privately owned, residential land. All property owners on the site have sold except for Jo Stringfield, who worries that the Kelo decision will empower city officials to seize her home.

Ontario, California – The city has begun eminent domain proceedings against four property owners on Euclid Avenue to acquire the land for a residential development and park. In addition to the six businesses that will be forced out, the city is negotiating with three other property owners who will likely be condemned as well if they do not want to move.

San Bernardino, California – In August 2004, the City Council voted to reinstate the power of eminent domain over 433 acres of homes in the Uptown and Central City neighborhoods for possible future private development.

Riverside, California – In July 2005, the city council brought in Thrifty Oil Company to build a downtown, four-story medical building with restaurants and retail establishments. The only problem is that neither the City nor Thrifty owns the land for the proposed commercial project. The man who does own the property is an orthopedic surgeon who has already started construction on an office building of his own. City officials are still considering taking his redeveloped office building by eminent domain and handing it over to Thrifty—citing the need for development as justification for the taking.

Riverside, California – Hyrosen Properties, which owns a 13-acre strip mall at Adams Street and Highway 91, is competing with California Baptist University to redevelop its own property. Hyrosen wants to remodel the center without any financial assistance from the city, while Cal Baptist has proposed a $110 million project of shops, restaurants, offices, and a hotel, that could require millions in redevelopment funds. Hyrosen may face condemnation – for the eighth time since it built the plaza in 1967 – if the city chooses Cal Baptist’s proposal.

Rubidoux, California – Constance Clemmons is resisting the sale of her spacious home of 35 years on 1 1⁄2-acres for the Emerald Meadows Ranch development of homes and commercial space. The Riverside County Planning Commission approved the project in August, despite pleas from property owners to spare their homes. Eight homeowners originally resisted selling their properties, but now only three remain in negotiations.

BSRancher...

Press Release March 3, 2006, Voice United, Rialto Police.


I hope that they have done an independant Investigation into this matter and found out who was at fault for not forwarding this onto the Register of Voters for San Bernardino County so that they could place this on the Ballot. That way the citizens of Rialto could Proudly Vote for Saving their Police Department without the Strong Arm Method that the City Administrator and City Attorney has placed upon the city. Now if I was the Mayor, or Assistant to the Mayor I would be advising her to get the City Administrator out of this chair and out into the world of Unemployment, also I would send the city Attorney Packing as well. Anyone that would go before the Judge with such a "Winable" Case (As Attorney Owens said in the council chambers) he should also be let go and made to collect unemployment. See, they did not represent the best intrest of the city, all they did was force Good Police Officers to Flee Rialto Police Department for other Departments that Pay better Officer the 3% @ 50 Retirement Plan, and probably have a slower work schedule, since they have more officers per capita..then Rialto currently does due to the fact they chased Quality People away. A Sgt. With over 25 years had to make the hard decision to move on to another department to get the better Retirment and also better pay, and benefit of having a job that was not going to be contracted out with the possiblility that he might be hired by the contracting agency that was coming into take over.

Lucky for Rialto and the People of Rialto that Stood By the Police Department, I bet that Ed, Mrs, Robertson, Mrs. Hanson, and Sampson didn't have any idea that there was going to be such a scampering to save the Police Department. A Department that has been, How was it put by the City Administrator and Ed Scott, OOOH YES!! "Corrupt, since 1993 on to present day" CORRUPT, with no proof just sat up there at there little table and said all this hateful stuff. I am glad that we are putting this all behind us. Because who knows what could happen down the road if people remember the things that were said. Well, take care this has been another exciting narrative by,

BSRancher



FOR IMMEDIATE PRESS RELEASE
March 3, 2006
Contact:
Shawn O’Connell
admin@VoiceUnited.com


Press Release

Regarding:
Petition on police in Rialto rejected


I. Facts:

a) 7,793 signatures were collected by the Rialto citizen group Voice United between December
2005 & January of this year for a ballot initiative requiring the city council to let the voters
decide the fate of the Rialto police department.

b) An independent petition management company with over 18 yrs experience did the following:
1) Individually checked all 7,793 signatures by comparing their information
against the SB County of Register Voters database.

2) 5,665 were individually verified as registered voters & were submitted to
City Clerk Barbara McGee

3) The rest of the signatures were deemed invalid due to some of the following reasons
(repeat signatures, lived in another city, incorrect or incomplete addresses , etc).
We basically did City Clerk Barbara McGee’s job for her


II. Allegations:
(According to Sun Newspaper article dated March 3, 2006)

a) by City Councilmember
Ed Scott:
- “(Ed Scott) thinks widespread fraud, identity theft or signature solicitation under
false pretenses may have occurred.” In a letter to District Attorney
Michael A. Ramos dated 2/28/06, Scott called for an investigation into possible
improprieties.

b) by Asst City Administrator
Kirby Warner
- "I can't imagine what they did wrong to get that number of invalid signatures. You
have to wonder," said Warner. Warner also said it was equally surprising when what
was initially billed as 7,700 signatures was determined by McGee to be 5,655.


III.
Voice United’s response:

We stand by the validity of these signatures & are completely confident they will be accepted when these issues are brought in front of a court of law. We will be moving forward to do so immediately.

We are shocked by the allegations made by Council Member Ed Scott & Asst City Manager Kirby Warner against the integrity of the Rialto citizens making up the group Voice United. We request that both individuals provide to the media & too an independent investigative unit, the basis for their allegations. We will hold both accountable under the law for any future accusations. We are concerned that Ed Scott apparently had prior knowledge of Barbara McGee’s findings at least two full days before it was released to the public (according to his letter to the DA dated 2/28/06, when information was released on 3/2/06). Barbara McGee is supposed to work for the citizens of Rialto & not the city council.

We look forward to an independent investigation into this matter & will provide complete disclosure to those who wish. Instead of the local DA’s office investigating these allegations, we request that federal officials be brought in to investigate this & other related matters immediately. Again, we stand by the signatures & look forward to complete exoneration. It is impossible for the city council & the city clerk to silence the voice of the people. They can continue to delay a vote by the people, but they won’t be able to do so forever.

Cut in Firefighting Capabilities in Forests is Unwise...(Daily Bulletin May 25, 2006).

I am happy that the Daily Bulletin has taken itself up on the fight that I have undertaken as well to save the current amount of Firefighters that the San Bernardino Forest Service has. I understand that they are looking at the fact that they have a super great Mutual Aid contract with all the counties and citys in the State of California and well, all Fifty states when you get right down to it. But it is much cheaper to pay your own Man Power to put out a fire then it is to use mutual aid.

Here is why, when you call for mutual aid you get their Fire Fighters and their Equipment. The Forestery is responsable to keep their equipment servicable and putting out fires. They pay the saleries for the Fire Fighters and the Rent/Lease for the use of the Equipment, raising the cost of each fire. Just those Super Scoopers from Canada are about a Million Dollars a Day that they are in use for a Fire, now if they Break down, well the Forest Service is Responsable for the repair and Lord pray it doesn't happen but if they crash, then the San Bernardino Forest Service is responsable for their Life Insurance for on Duty Death, or their Medical Costs if they are injured, that goes for all crews that are working on any peice of equipment...Let me be the first to tell you that Worker's Compensation is a real sad way to go out, I did it sad way to go out.

Well that is another story. But anyway. They should think twice about letting guys go when we havent even figured what kind of fire Season we are having . Once you let them go they are gone and there not coming back. Let them get paid now and be on the clock and they will be cheaper in the long run when and if there is a fire!!

BSRancher

Cut in firefighting capabilities in forests is unwise



As Southern California temperatures rise to somewhere north of unbearable, with the start of the region’s infamous fire season just around the corner, a federal plan to reduce the state’s firefighting attack capabilities by up to 50 percent in some places is dumbfounding.

In San Bernardino County, home to one of the most urbanized – and most dangerous – mountain forests in the nation, with approximately 100,000 residents and $7 billion in assessed property values, it means a reduction from 25 staffed engines last year to 15 engines this year. On weekends, there will be 20 engines available, although fires don’t generally work on a schedule.

And although the aviation resources and hotshot-crew staffing capabilities for forest areas will remain comparable to last year’s levels, the drastic reduction in manpower, leading to fewer fire engines at the ready, will only aggravate the threats posed in the event of a wildfire.

And that threat is expected to be high.

‘‘There are still millions of dead trees in this forest,” said Gene Zimmerman, former supervisor of the San Bernardino National Forest. ‘‘Most of the communities are hilltop, with one way in and one way out. . . . This is not a forest to cut spending on.”

We echo Zimmerman’s sentiments. An excessively rainy winter means abundant grasses this spring, which will dry out quickly in the summer months.

The disastrous fires of 2003 should act as a pertinent reminder of how dangerous and out of control wildfires can become, as well as a convincing argument on why we cannot afford to cut firefighting resources in the face of danger.

Police News: County Court Clerk is Arrested on Embezzlement Charges..(Fontana Herald May 25, 2006).

The Police did a great Job in the apprehension of a County Clerk that was lifting some of the County's money for herself. That is not a good thing. I am Proud that they caught this Alleged Felon in Theft of lots and lots of money!!

Police news: County court clerk is arrested on embezzlement charges

A Fontana woman who worked as a San Bernardino County court clerk was arrested on May 16 and charged with four counts of embezzlement, officials said.

Lourdes Soto, 33, was booked at the West Valley Detention Center where she is being held on $250,000 bail after being arrested by the San Bernardino County District Attorney's Public Integrity Unit and officers from the Fontana Police Department, officials said.

An investigation found that Soto had allegedly received cash payments from a number of people and then kept the cash for her own use, officials said. Officials added they believe Soto had allegedly stolen more than $3,200.

The investigation also said Soto would complete documentation on the alleged payments, which was then placed in court files, indicating that the person making the payment had qualified to have the fees waived, even when he or she had in actuality not been, officials said.

In other news:

----- Officer is not charged in non-fatal shooting


Criminal charges will not be filed against a Fontana police officer who shot a 34-year-old Rialto man in the chest just after 7 p.m. on Dec. 30, district attorney officials said.

Investigators found that officer Raul Fileto, a five-year veteran of the force, shot the suspect, Jose Rodriguez, "in the lawful exercise of the rights of self defense and the defense of others."

Rodriguez was taken to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center after the shooting and was later released, police officials said earlier this year.

Rodriguez was shot by Fileto following a search for drugs at a house, police officials said.

"As (officers) were searching, the suspect arrived," said Sgt. William Megenney, the department's public information officer following the shooting. "He walked toward the front door and was carrying a gun. The officers identified themselves and ordered him to drop the gun. Instead, he raised it and (Fileto) fired two rounds at the suspect."

After being released from the hospital, Rodriguez was booked at West Valley Detention Center for attempted homicide on a peace officer with additional charges possibly pending as the search of the residence yielded several weapons, a smoke grenade and narcotics.

----- Fontana man charged with child molestation

The Fontana Police Department has arrested a Fontana man who allegedly molested two children, police officials said.

Everardo Perez Flores, 34, was arrested on May 17 after officers were notified he allegedly fondled one of his victims and committed various sexual acts upon the second victim, police officials said.

Flores, who personally knew the victims, was booked at West Valley Detention Center. Bail was set at $500,000, police officials said.

----- Man opens car door, grabs woman's purse

A man reached into a car and snatched a Fontana woman's purse as she was trying to leave Blockbuster Video on Summit Avenue just before 9:30 p.m. on May 19, police officials said.

The suspect and the victim struggled over the purse, but the woman gave up control when she was jabbed with a hard object in her ribs that she thought was a gun, police officials said.

The suspect then ran away through the parking lot, police officials said.

The suspect was described as being in his mid 20s, standing 5 feet, 10 inches tall, weighing 150 pounds and wearing a black hooded sweater with black sunglasses, police officials said.

----- Man is punched and robbed by assailants

A 19-year-old Rialto man suffered a bruise under his right eye after being punched on Sunday just after 3 a.m. when he refused to give a ride to two unknown men, police officials said.

The victim was treated at the scene and released, police officials said.

The victim was sitting in his car in the 18200 block of Foothill Boulevard when two men asked him for a ride. The victim got out of his car after telling them no when one of the suspects punched him in the face and stole his wallet and car keys before fleeing in an unknown direction, police officials said.

The first suspect was described as being between the ages of 18 and 25, standing 5 feet, 8 inches tall, weighing 160 pounds with black hair and brown eyes and wearing a blue muscle shirt and black shorts, police officials said.

The second suspect was also described as being between 18 and 25, standing 5 feet, 9 inches tall, weighing 150 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes and wearing a dark T-shirt and white shorts, police officials said.

----- Four drivers arrested for DUI at checkpoint

A DUI checkpoint held by Fontana P.D. late Saturday night and early Sunday morning on Sierra Avenue between Merrill and Randall avenues caught four drivers for driving under the influence of alcohol, police officials said.

As more than 1,300 vehicles passed through the checkpoint, one person was arrested for possession of narcotics and two were taken into custody for outstanding warrants, police officials said.

In addition, 76 vehicles were impounded for various reasons, including driving without a license and expired registration, while 89 citations were issued for a variety of violations, police officials said.

"The checkpoint was a huge success," said Sgt. Obie Rodriguez. "We will not tolerate drunk driving in our community and these enforcement campaigns help get that message out."

Fontana P.D. plans on conducting at least seven more DUI checkpoints during 2006 throughout the city, police officials said.

----- Woman is assaulted at store during robbery

A 55-year-old Victorville woman suffered a cut, swelling and bleeding to her nose during a robbery of Joint Venture in the 8600 block of Juniper Avenue around 2 p.m. on Monday, police officials said.

The woman was treated at the scene and released, police officials said.

Two men entered the store and demanded the woman, who was the clerk, give them money. One of the suspects grabbed the woman by the back of the head and slammed it into the counter, police officials said.

He then pointed a silver revolver at her, demanding money. The woman opened the register and the suspects took an unknown amount of cash, fleeing on foot from the store westbound on Valencia Avenue, police officials said.

The armed suspect was described as being between the ages of 20 and 25, standing between 5 feet, 8 inches and 5 feet 11 inches, weighing 180 pounds with black hair and wearing a black shirt, shorts and a hat, police officials said.

The second suspect was described as being between 18 and 20 years old, also standing between 5 feet, 8 inches and 5 feet 11 inches with a thin build and black hair and wearing a gray sweatshirt with a rapper image on the back, police officials said.


Vicente Fox Speaks to State Legislature (Assoc. Press May, 25, 2006).

It seems that this is the Bill that Vicente Fox wanted the whole time. Well if that is the case I am wondering what the catch is and where is the loop hole and how much trouble is this going to get us in. See This bill is supposed to make it harder to enter the counrtry, however the country who's Citizens cross over most and violate the Law most seems to be all in favor of the Bill leads me to think that there is a written loop hole!! I am wondering what that is???

I just hope the Current Presedent knows what he is getting into. I know that the bill is great since it addresses the Border with the stronger fencing, stronger presents at the wall/Fence/Country lines. Then they can not cross Illegaly however they will cross how we are not sure, they will probably use the trunk in the Honda Pickup, or the Nely cut floors in the Dodge Van when the seats are all folded up there is a storage place they can fit into.

But they will find away that they will get in and it will be a small percentatge that wil us e the wall. We need to aprehend and send back as fast as we can if not hold them in a camp simular to that of what we have in Cuba, and they will be held for a month and then they will go back to their country and that is it. They serve time for their running away.

We will see what happens in the House when the Bill goes over there...

Just way to much to speculate at this time!!
BSRancher....

Vicente Fox Speaks to State Legislature

Calls Immigration Bill historic

AP

- Mexican President Vicente Fox on Thursday called the U.S. Senate's vote on immigration policy a "monumental step forward" that marks a historic moment in the relationship between his country and the United States.




"It is a moment that millions of families have been hoping for. This is the moment that millions of people have been working for," he told a joint session of the California Legislature. "Today's historic vote is a monumental step forward, but we recognize that there is more debate ahead."

Fox addressed the Legislature hours after the Senate approved sweeping reforms that include tighter border security and a path to citizenship for many of the estimated 11 million to 12 million immigrants in the country illegally.

Fox was scheduled to meet privately afterward with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, their first meeting since the movie star became governor. Schwarzenegger said he would stress Mexico's responsibility for illegal immigration, while also touching on environmental and other issues of common interest.

California is the last stop on Fox's three-state visit to the western U.S., following appearances in Utah and Washington. In Seattle, Fox said Mexico does not support illegal migration and must expand economic growth so its citizens do not feel leaving the country is a financial necessity.

"Managing migration can be done, and can be done with a purpose and can be done to the betterment of the people involved in it," Fox said in a speech to the private Rainier Club in downtown Seattle.

The timing of the visit - as the Senate approved far-reaching immigration reforms - is awkward for the Mexican president, who has urged Congress to take a softer approach.

The bill passed Thursday would build a triple-layer border fence along 370 miles and add U.S. Border Patrol agents, while giving millions of illegal immigrants a means of earning citizenship. A bill previously passed in the House has no citizenship provision and makes it a felony to be in the U.S. illegally.

Fox opposes President Bush's recent decision to call on governors to send 6,000 National Guard troops to the southern border to back up the Border Patrol.

"Mexico believes that it will take more than just enforcement or building walls to truly solve the challenges caused by the immigration phenomenon," Fox said in his California speech.

Schwarzenegger has raised questions about Bush's plan to send National Guard troops to the border, although on Wednesday he said he was prepared to go along with it as long as the deployment is temporary.

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson pledged his support for Bush's National Guard plan Thursday, after expressing concerns earlier about the cost, the duration of the mission and whether troops would spread too thinly.

"We must protect our borders, and New Mexico is a team player," Richardson said.

By late summer 200 of the state's National Guard troops will be helping the Border Patrol, in addition to the 68 guardsmen already stationed along the border, Richardson said.

Fox told California lawmakers that the destinies of Mexico and the U.S. are linked despite the challenges posed by illegal immigration.

"Let us work together as neighbors, as friends, as family," he said.

Several California GOP lawmakers were critical of the Mexican president's visit. About half a dozen Republicans said they would boycott his speech; others circulated yellow buttons with the words "No Mas" - no more - to wear to Fox's address.

A spokesman for Assembly Republican leader George Plescia said several members were unhappy that Fox had declined an invitation to meet with them. Fox met with Democratic Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez before his speech.

The illegal immigration issue has been a political land mine in California for a decade.

California has more illegal immigrants than any other state - 2.4 million according to a 2004 study by the Pew Hispanic Center. They work predominantly on farms, in construction and in the service industry, from hotels to restaurants.

Immigrants also are a major source of income to Mexico. Mexicans living in the United States sent home about $20 billion last year. And Latin American immigrants in California, the majority of whom are Mexican, send more money home than from any other state, more than $9.6 billion in 2004.

In addition, Mexico is the state's No. 1 trading partner, bringing in almost $18 billion in California exports last year. California's exports to Mexico directly or indirectly support 177,000 jobs, according to Schwarzenegger's office.

US Senate Passes Immigration Bill (Assoc. Press 052506)...

I really thought that this was going to have problems passing the Senate, now it is off to the House to see if we can get it passed there. Please this is the only legislation. It is weak at best, but it does get the Border Patrol some well needed Help with the National Guard, and I hope that this will be a start to fill the Border Patrol with a whole bunch or much larger personnel then what they have at present. They need more and more man power it is obvious...Please Write your representatives today, urge his support in this bill!!

BSRancher

U.S. Senate Passes Immigration Bill

AP

- Legislation to secure U.S. borders and offer millions of illegal immigrants access to the American dream cleared the Senate on Thursday, a rare election-year reach across party lines and a triumph for President Bush.

The 62-36 vote cleared the way for arduous summertime compromise talks with the House on its version that focuses on border enforcement - with no guarantee of success.

"Why not say to those undocumented workers who are working the jobs that the rest of us refuse, come out from the shadows," said Arizona Republican John McCain, a key architect of the bill.

The legislation includes money to better secure the borders, provide a new guest worker program and give an eventual shot at citizenship to many of the estimated 11 million to 12 million immigrants in the country illegally.

The bill "strengthens our security and reflects our humanity," said Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., McCain's partner in Senate compromise. "It is intended to keep out those who would harm us and welcome those who contribute to our country."

Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., and the Democratic leader, Harry Reid of Nevada, both sided with supporters, a reflection of the bipartisan backing for a bill that was months in the drafting and survived several near-death experiences.

Conservative critics attacked the legislation to the end after trying unsuccessfully to pull it apart with amendments.

"This bill will not secure our borders," said Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., one of the most persistent critics. "This is amnesty," added David Vitter, R-La., who tried last week to strip out provisions relating to citizenship.

Not so, said Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., chairman of the Judiciary Committee, in a rebuttal to weeks of debate. "They have to pay a fine. They have to undergo a criminal background check. They have to pay back taxes, they have to learn English and they have to go to the back of the line," he said, referring to illegal immigrants who would apply for citizenship.

Still, Sessions, Vitter, John Cornyn of Texas and others echoed a view widely held among House Republicans, many of whom have vigorously denounced the Senate bill as well as Bush's call for a "comprehensive approach" to the issue.

That portended difficult compromise talks in the shadow of midterm elections, at a time when Bush's poll ratings are low, congressional Republicans are concerned and Democrats are increasingly optimistic about their chances in November.

For now, supporters of the Senate bill said they intended to savor their victory. Peppered with questions about the compromise talks ahead, Sen. Mel Martinez, R-Fla., said, "I'm going to celebrate here."

The House bill, which passed on a largely party-line vote last year, is generally limited to border enforcement. It would make all illegal immigrants subject to felony charges and it contains no provision for either a new temporary worker program or citizenship for men, women and children in the country unlawfully.

In contrast, the Senate bill would mark the most far-reaching changes in immigration law in two decades. Built on compromise after painstaking compromise, it was designed to appeal to conservatives and others seeking tougher border enforcement; business interests eager for a steady supply of legal, low-wage labor; unions seeking enhanced protections for migrants who often toil in seasonal work the fields and Hispanics who are on the cusp of greater political power and determined to win a change in legal status for millions of illegal immigrants.

That last group - Hispanics - comprises the fastest growing segment of the electorate, and millions made their feelings clear in street demonstrations denouncing the House measure and calling for passage of a broader measure.

Bush played a prominent role in the run-up to passage. An Oval Office speech last week made explicit his support for the Senate's overall approach. A later trip to Arizona was designed to reassure conservatives about his commitment to stanching illegal immigration.

In more than a week of debate, the Senate made a series of changes in the legislation. Still, the key pillars were preserved when opponents failed to knock out the guest worker program or the citizenship provisions. A new program for 1.5 million temporary agricultural workers also survived.

To secure the borders, the measure calls for the hiring of an additional 1,000 new Border Patrol agents this year and 14,000 by 2011, and backs Bush's plan for a short-term deployment of National Guard troops to states along the Mexican Border. The bill calls for new surveillance equipment as well as the construction of 370 miles of triple-layered fencing and 500 miles of vehicle barriers.

The new guest worker program would admit 200,000 individuals a year. Once here, they would be permitted for the first time to petition on their own for a green card that confers legal permanent residency, a provision designed to reduce the potential for exploitation by employers.

A separate new program, a compromise between growers and unions, envisions admission of an estimated 1.5 million immigrant farm workers who may also apply for permanent residency.

Even supporters of the bill conceded the three-tiered program related to illegal immigrants was complicated.

Those in the country unlawfully for five years or more would be permitted to remain, continue working and eventually apply for citizenship. They would be required to pay at least $3,250 in fines and fees, settle any back taxes and learn English.

Illegal immigrants in the country for more than two years but less than five would be required to travel to a point of entry before re-entering the United States legally and beginning a lengthy process of seeking citizenship. They would be subject to the same fines, fees and other requirements as the longer-term immigrants.

An immigrant in the country illegally for less than two years would be required to leave with no guarantee of return.

A new electronic system for employee verification is designed to hold employers accountable for hiring decisions. It provides for maximum fines of $20,000 for each worker and possible jail time for repeat offenders.

A separate controversy erupted over a call to make English the national language. Supporters said it would leave all current rights in place. Detractors argued it could undermine an executive order that mandates assistance to individuals who receive services such as health care yet lack proficiency in English.

Wednesday, May 24, 2006

Ex-Deputy's Hearing Planned for Aug. 22, 2006 (Press Enterprise 052306) TAPED SHOOTING: Evidence will be weighed to determine if Webb should be Tried.

The Information that I gained regarding this Deputy is that he was not an aggressive person. From the information that I have received is that he was a Good Deputy and worked very well with no complaints at his job there in Chino Hills. All the information that we are getting about Webb is that he was a terrible person that shot an Off Duty Airmen who was the passenger in a Car that he was in Persuit of. Most persuits have criminals that have guns or they are running from the Law for a good reason Not just a nut behind the wheel encounter where he is Drunk. Drunks usually drive slower, the more alert ones which are the more dangerous ones drive fast.

There are those drunks that are the combonation Drunks that Drink and they Chip some speed or Meth. But they are high on top of being drunk. Very awake drunk is a very dangerous drunk. Webb has no Idea what he has in that car when he starts his pursuit!! Just remember that.

Well, On the other hand there has to be more to the story then just Webb Saying, "Get Up!"

The Suspect/Passenger says, " I am one of you!? I am a an Airmen On leave One of You?! Get up? I am one of you, it's in my wallet?"....

This exchange goes on for a while however short on the tape, but then Webb says get up, when the suspect reaches either under his torso, or at his waist to get his wallet or what We don't know because he was shot! That is what I saw on that video. I would love to have a look at it again , but I don't know where to get my hands on it. Anyway. Webb is on an Up Hill, possibly a Free Style Ropeless Rock Climb!!

BSRancher...

Ex-officer's hearing planned for Aug. 22

TAPED SHOOTING: Evidence will be weighed to determine if Webb should be tried.

10:00 PM PDT on Tuesday, May 23, 2006

By JOHN F. BERRY
The Press-Enterprise

SAN BERNARDINO - The case against Ivory J. Webb Jr. will be heard in August when the former San Bernardino County sheriff's deputy returns to a downtown San Bernardino courtroom for a preliminary hearing.

Webb, charged in the Jan. 29 shooting and wounding of an unarmed U.S. Air Force security officer in Chino, appeared briefly in court Tuesday while San Bernardino County Superior Court Judge Michael Smith set Aug. 22 for the preliminary hearing to determine if enough evidence exists for a trial.

Deputy District Attorney Lewis Cope said outside the courtroom that he is unsure if he will put Senior Airman Elio Carrion on the stand.

"He's a very focused individual," Cope said. "He's working very hard to get better."

Carrion, 22, is recovering from bullets fired point-blank into his chest, left shoulder and left leg.

His attorney, Luis Carrillo, said Tuesday that his client is on medical leave and uses a walker but wants to eventually return to duty.

Webb, 45, has pleaded not guilty to one count of attempted voluntary manslaughter as well as the sentencing enhancements of wrongful use of a firearm and inflicting great bodily injury. He faces more than 18 years in prison if convicted.

Webb is the first peace officer in San Bernardino County to be charged in connection with an on-duty shooting.

A videotape of the shooting, played repeatedly on television nationwide, shows Webb firing three rounds into Carrion after he apparently told Carrion to "get up."

"There's a lot more to the whole tape than just a two-minute sound bite," Webb's defense attorney, Michael Schwartz, said outside the courtroom. "I hope the jurors will be objective."

Schwartz said the tape might help his case. He declined to elaborate.

Cope said he recently received audio and visual enhancements from the FBI, which is also investigating the case for possible civil-rights violations. He declined to give details.

Cope and Schwartz said a plea agreement has not been discussed.

Carrion was the passenger in a Corvette whose driver was leading police on a chase at speeds exceeding 100 mph when it crashed into a wall in a Chino residential neighborhood in January. The shooting took place afterward.

The car's driver, Luis Fernando Escobedo, 21, was charged with recklessly evading an officer and two counts related to driving under the influence of alcohol. He is scheduled to appear in court Friday.

Reach John F. Berry at (909) 806-3058 or jberry@PE.com

Tuesday, May 23, 2006

Anaheim Official Questions NFL Bid (LA Times 052306) A Second Council Member has doubts about a proposed land sale to the NFL!!!

Anaheim should not get the team, they have their own Baseball team and they are not proud of them, instead of calling them the Anaheim Angels. or the Orange County Anaheim Angels. they went one step further, by using the neighboring Counties Name Los Angeles Angeles of Anaheim, I cannot figure this out. The owner said that it was a money thing, that they figure that they will make more money by adding the neighboring County's name of Los Angeles Angels and leave the Orange County At home. Well maybe since they changed their name that might be why they are so far below 500!!!...

They let the Real Los Angeles Team beat them in the Freeway series that is or was a first had never been done in the Angels 43 year career! that they lost the whole series to the Dodgers. the real Los Angeles Team I might add.

Now you have one of the Greedy City Council Members trying to muscle in on the NFL Deal and taken it away because why, his feeling s will be hurt if there are not more McDonald's build int hat area instead?

LOO~~OOSER

BSRancher

Anaheim Official Questions NFL Bid

A second councilman says the land may be worth more to the city than its proposed price. Two 'no' votes would scuttle a stadium deal.
By Dave McKibben, Times Staff Writer
May 23, 2006


A second Anaheim council member has said he has doubts about a proposed land sale to the National Football League, a development that could undermine the city's attempt to lure a professional football franchise.

Anaheim Councilman Bob Hernandez said he might join colleague Harry Sidhu in opposing the sale of 50 acres in the Platinum Triangle for $53 million — a price Sidhu has criticized as being below market rate and a bad deal for taxpayers.
The league would have the option of putting up a stadium as part of a sports and entertainment complex.

Under the city charter, four of the five council members would need to approve the sale of the city-owned property.

"The big question in my mind is what is the true value of that land?" Hernandez said. "I don't have a problem selling it at a slight discount. But I don't want to give it away. I'm not convinced yet it's necessarily the best deal we can get."

Anaheim Mayor Curt Pringle, a stadium supporter, said he was not worried about Hernandez's uncertainty, adding that the city hadn't formally presented its offer to the NFL.

"I don't think any member of the council has decided how they'll vote," he said. "But we think there is sufficient direction by council to support our negotiating points."

Anaheim has presented itself to the NFL as a good business partner with a streamlined approval process of five city council members. Los Angeles' bid includes several layers of bureaucracy — a nine-member Coliseum Commission and state, county and federal agencies.

But so far, Anaheim's bid has been complicated by politics. Sidhu has emerged as a potential challenger to Pringle in the fall mayoral election, with the proposed land sale to the NFL as a campaign issue.

Sidhu said Monday he was not concerned that he and Hernandez were damaging Anaheim's chances at landing an NFL team.

"If the minority is not in favor of this land deal," Sidhu said, "it'll send a strong message to the NFL. We do not like subsidies. This is the taxpayers' money."

The Los Angeles City Council last week unanimously approved plans to remodel the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in an attempt to lure an NFL team. League owners are meeting in Denver this week to consider whether to move forward with Anaheim or the Coliseum. Anaheim officials have given the NFL a May 31 deadline to choose their site or they will begin talking to developers about building retail and entertainment projects on the site next to Angel Stadium.

Anaheim city attorney Jack White said the city expected to present its final proposal to the NFL soon. White said the city would include more offers than the land proposal, though complete details of the pitch to the league had not been released.

Miller Helped Free Land (RIALTO AIRPORT) for a Buisness Partner (The Hill, March 30, 2006, The Newspaper for and aboutCongress)

The land discussed in this article was about the Rialto Airport. Miller is a Congressmen for another District and he came in and did a favor for a friend & Business man (Owner of the Development Agency that is Developing the Site). "Working" Joe Baca didn't do anything or have much to do with this until Miller needed help with the red tape and then they held hands to get hit done.
Garcia I have been told is happy having purchased a great deal of land around the airport knowing that this deal was underway. (Inside Trading??). I know it doesn't apply since this is not stocks.

BSRancher

March 30, 2006

Miller helped free land for a business partner

Rep. Gary Miller (R-Calif.) pushed for a provision in last year’s transportation bill that allowed the city of Rialto, Calif., to shut down its airport.

By doing so, he paved the way for his business partner, Lewis Operating Corp., one of his top campaign contributors, to buy the land from the city and make plans to build Renaissance, a community consisting of 2,500 homes, parks and 80 acres of retail space on the former airport property and adjacent land.

Normally, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has sole authority to close airports.

“This is the first time … an airport has been closed through the legislative process,” said FAA spokesman Hank Price. “We follow Congress’s direction.”

Miller’s relationship with Lewis Operating and its president of Southern California operations, Richard Lewis, dates back more than three decades, to Miller’s years as a developer of planned communities. He founded G. Miller Development Co. in his early 20s, and he and Lewis were competitors, Miller said.

Miller, 57, went on to be elected to the Diamond Bar City Council, the mayor’s office, the California Assembly and Congress, beating scandal-scarred Republican Rep. Jay Kim in 1998. Just months earlier, Kim and his wife had pleaded guilty to accepting and concealing $230,000 in illegal campaign contributions.

Miller said he prides himself on his efforts to disclose his campaign contributions fully. He said he sees nothing wrong with his work to close Rialto’s airport, even though it freed land that his business partner wanted to develop.

“I’ve known Richard Lewis for 30 years,” he said. “Richard’s son and my daughter went to high school together. If knowing somebody is bad, I guess that’s bad.”

Miller denied that his actions created a conflict of interest.

“There was no quid pro quo,” he said.

But Theis Finlev, a policy advocate for Common Cause, argues that members of Congress must go out of their way to avoid using their offices to benefit private business partners directly, especially if they also are major campaign contributors.

“Even if it’s legal, it’s horribly unseemly,” Finlev said about Miller’s work to shut down the airport. “It’s not something that inspires confidence in the political process, and should not happen.”

This election cycle, employees of Lewis Operating including Richard Lewis and several Lewis family members have donated a combined $8,100 to Miller’s campaign, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, making the company his top contributor.

Employees of Lewis Operating and members of the Lewis family have donated $19,300 to Miller’s campaign committee since 1998.

Lewis Operating is also a member of the National Association of Home Builders, Miller’s No. 1 contributor since he was elected. The group has donated $44,000 to Miller’s campaign committee since 1998.

ACROSS DISTRICT LINES

Rialto tried for years to close the airport, arguing that it was underused and losing money.

In August 2004, the City Council passed an amendment giving the city the exclusive right to negotiate with Lewis and its partner, Hillwood Development Corp., to purchase and develop the airport land if it should become available. The council approved the prospective sale eight months later.

But finalizing that transaction would have to wait until the city could find a way to close the airport, and the transportation bill provided it last year.

The price tag for the 450 acres of airport land will likely be tens of millions of dollars, but the purchase is still in the appraisal stage, according to Rob Steel, Rialto’s redevelopment director.

“We have entered into contracts of sale with Lewis-Hillwood Rialto,” Steel confirmed.

When it is sold, it will be at fair market value, which the appraiser will determine, a requirement that Miller included in his version of the provision and was in the final bill.

Lewis and Hillwood, founded and chaired by Ross Perot Jr., formed Lewis-Hillwood Rialto LLC when they became interested in the project. There is no way to know how much money the two companies would make on the deal. Lewis Operating and Hillwood officials declined to comment for the story.

Rialto is not in Miller’s district but in that of nearby Rep. Joe Baca (D-Calif.). Miller said Baca backed his efforts to shut down the airport. Baca did not respond to requests for comment.

Other development companies besides Lewis-Hillwood tried to offer bids for the development but were told by a Rialto City Council member that Hillwood’s strong ties to Washington could help the city find a way to shut down the airport. The company was already working with the FAA on developing San Bernardino airport 8.5 miles to the east, and the city thought that relationship could help influence the FAA’s decision.

According to minutes from Aug. 9, 2004, City Councilman Joseph Sampson reminded other members that “based upon knowledge of Hillwood Corp. they do have extremely close ties in Washington, which provides them with inroads on what a final outcome may be in regards to how they might treat the airport.”

FAA OBJECTIONS

But the FAA did not support closing Rialto airport. Since 1984, the city has taken out $15 million in federal government loans to improve the airport. Traditionally, the FAA opposes closing an airport when it has invested in it until it earns a return on the investment.

The provision in the transportation bill requires Rialto to pay back the federal government 90 percent of any unpaid portion of the federal loans it had taken out.

In an interview, Miller said he is not responsible for the final airport language in the bill because Senate conferees struck his provision from the measure. Working with Rep. Jim Oberstar (Minn.), the ranking Democrat on the transportation panel, Appropriations Committee Chairman Jerry Lewis (R-Calif.) managed to insert his own language closing the airport into the final bill.

Rep. Lewis’s provision relocates airport business and equipment to San Bernardino Airport, in his district.

John Scofield, a spokesman for Rep. Lewis, said there are many good reasons for closing Rialto airport, noting that both the city and the county want it closed.

“There are a lot of airports in the area, such as the San Bernardino National Airport and the Redlands airport, which are both better facilities,” he said. “Because of the Santa Ana winds, the [Rialto airport] is only open half of the time anyway.”

Rep. Lewis is not related to anyone at Lewis Operating Corp.

Miller, the only California Republican on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and a senior member of the Highways, Transit and Pipelines Subcommittee, said he helped push for the inclusion of Rep. Lewis’s provision in the final version of the measure.

Employees of Lewis Operating and other members of the Lewis family also have donated $19,900 to Baca this election cycle, making the company his top contributor as well. Rep. Lewis has received $3,000 since 2000.

Before Lewis Operating joined with Hillwood on the Rialto project, Miller had not received any campaign contributions from Hillwood employees. But after Miller started working on language in the transportation bill, John Magness, senior vice president of Hillwood Investments, cut him a check for $500 dated May 12, 2005, according to Federal Election Commission records.

“I guess they were saying thank you. … I guess that’s what that was,” Miller said.

He said that the city of Rialto chose Lewis Operating, one of the largest real-estate developers in Southern California, for the airport job on its own.

He could not recall, however, when he discovered that Lewis Operating was seeking the airport property. Rialto contacted him about shutting down the airport because he had done business with the city years earlier before becoming a congressman, he said.

He was asked to help because Rialto’s efforts to convince the FAA to shut down the airport had failed.

“The FAA doesn’t want anything closed,” Miller said. “I don’t think the FAA has ever closed an airport. It’s like pulling teeth to get them to close an airport.”

He also said he does not see how he benefited from any of his business dealings with Lewis Operating Corp.

A CONTROVERSIAL PAST

Watchdog groups have criticized a number of land deals between Lewis Operating and Miller, as well as his role in helping secure other provisions in last year’s $286.5 billion transportation transportation bill.

As first reported by the Los Angeles Newspaper Group, Miller helped secure $1.28 million in the bill for street improvements in front of a planned housing and retail center that he co-owned with Lewis Operating in his district.

Lewis-Diamond Bar LLC, a company formed to buy the land, is the developer. Miller owns $1 million-$5 million of the company. The other partner is Lewis Operating Corp.

The same year, Miller took out a promissory note from a subsidiary of Lewis Operating Corp., Lewis Investments, for $1 million to $5 million, according to his 2004 financial disclosure records.

The Los Angeles Newspaper Group also ran a critical story about a real-estate deal involving Miller, Lewis Operating and the Southern California city of Fontana.

In July 2005, Fontana’s redevelopment agency spent $5 million to buy land from Miller without notifying the public, an apparent violation of state open-meeting laws.

Miller said that he was outraged about it and that he has since demanded that the city insert a written pledge in the sales contract to make public the sale of the last parcel he owns to the city .

Some six months earlier, Miller had bought the same land from Lewis Operating. He said he did so to avoid tax penalties on profit from a land sale to Monrovia, another Southern California city, two years before.

That profit is estimated at $10 million, according to Miller’s 2003 financial disclosure record and knowledgeable sources.

He said he only made $50,000 on the sale to Fontana, barely enough to cover taxes and real-estate transaction fees.

“I needed to find property, and that property was available,” he said.

Jonathan Allen contributed to this report.

Immigration Resolution Gets Zero (0) GOP Support (Press Enterprise May 23, 2006) State Assembly offers its Ideas to Congress and White House..

We need some comprehensive Immigration Bills passed, what is being passed right now is not to really be considered hard lined Immigration reform or even Immigration changes. There is still no more man power that effects the Border Patrol. Our Nations President Started to come close when he gave the Border Patrol some Help from the National Guard, however they are limited as to what kind of help they can give. That means that they are there in show only. That being said, the news reported yesterday that they are reporting seeing a 28% reduction in Illegal Immigrant crossing at the border, then they did previously to President Bush Posting the National Guard to "Watch" The Border for Illegal Crossing. What the National Guard has done basically has taken over for the Minute Men, but they cost the government a whole lot more money for doing the same work.

So, unless they can do the same work as the Border Patrol Officer, they are a waist of Money. The National Guard Most Likely think that this is the most easiest Posting that they have ever had since joining the guard!! I feel the same, but it was not costing the Federal Budget Anything to have the Minute Men do the same Job that the national Guard are doing for a whole lot more money. And they are doing less, then they were before with their regular duties. I guess what I am trying to say here is that the Federal Government needs to double or even quadruple the manpower of the Border Patrol. Then they have to make an effort to close off the border with a fence, if it is not a fence then it is barbed wire, or razor wire roles, that are used in war, to stop troops movement from crossing a line. The person that is trying to enter the United States Illegally will get all cut up and, well chances are that they will not try again. I know that they are cut up because we have the Guard to pick them up, then they are dropped off and later they are in the country the next day shopping at K-Mart, walking out in front of any of the many Home Depot's to get work!! Granted they do work and some do really good work!! Some work harder then I have seen most anyone work a shovel before, but then you Give them a regular paycheck and benefits and they are just as lazy as an American citizen. So it doesn't matter where you are in life, just what your situation is in life. If you are down and out, with no citizenship, and you are looking for work because any minute you might be thrown out of the Country, you work hard to get any and all the money you can. If they have children either theirs or borrowed then they work from there with the children to stay in the country. Sad but true!!

Reform the Laws. Don't make it an automatic Citizen if your parents are not a citizen then they cannot just become a citizen. They must apply for a Green card or Legal rights to be here. The parents have to must get a work visa, and they must have the job before getting the Visa. It also is not an automatic citizenship for marriage either, just like being born here. If you get married then you must be married for two years. The married partner will have to commute between the country to visit their husband/wife and visa/versa...This is a loop hole that needs to be plugged, like having a child here. Just because they have children here in the states makes it a baby boomer nightmare for mothers. There was a news report about a home in Korea town, Los Angeles. They were allowing pregnant girls pay them to have their babies at that house. They claim that the girls having the children are family members when they are asked. Yet if you run the address in googol it comes up a place for such an activity. A birthing house so they can have their children here in the USA and their Children are Instantly US Citizens. That has to change as well. The Citizenship for freshly born children has to change, especially for children that are born to non natural citizen mothers. They will get pregnant just to have a child here and then once they get their natural citizen of a child they file for citizenship right away as well, to stay here with their children. To raise them as their children want to be raised. Yet when these Children get to kindergarten or first grade they cannot even speak English at all!! It is not fair to the Students in the class and the teacher or the Student that doesn't speak English!!

Finally, Work Visa's can be used as a tool to get permanent or more permenent application to the USA for longer term visa's or for a permanent status here in the USA. That is what the Work Visa was originally started for.

Anyway...REFORM IS WHAT IS NEEDED... MORE THEN ANYTHING!!

ONCE AGAIN, NO MORE CITIZENSHIP GRANTED DUE TO MARRIAGE. NO MORE CITIZENSHIP GRANTED TO THOSE THAT ARE BORN HERE TO ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS OR VISITING NON AMERICANS.. THE PERSON THAT WAS BORN HERE CAN GET A WORK VISA GRANTED AND CAN LATER, MAKE APPLICATIONS TO GET THEIR STATUS CHANGED, HOWEVER, THEY CANNOT BE USED BY THE PARENTS TO GET THEIR PAPERS. IF YOU GET MARRIED TO A ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT, YOU CANNOT EVEN START TO APPLY FOR CITIZENSHIP FOR TWO TO THREE YEARS FROM THE DATE OF MARRIAGE. It is the mistakes of a few, that makes it difficult for the many today. .. You cannot apply for a work visa from here you have to apply for work visas while at your own country not ours.

good luck..Hope they all pass...Or around about like that..I still hope they give the Border Patrol at least four times the men they are working with now!! Then they can let the national Guard go, allow the Minute men to do their job again because they were better at it then the National Guard face it..Okay enough of my ranting...Good day..Thanks for reading my whoas..

BSRancher...

Immigration resolution gets zero GOP support

IMMIGRATION: State Assembly offers its ideas to Congress and the White House.

10:00 PM PDT on Monday, May 22, 2006

By JIM MILLER
The Press-Enterprise

State Assembly members representing the Inland area were split Monday on a resolution calling on Congress and the White House to "take a comprehensive, bipartisan, and well-reasoned approach" to overhauling the country's immigration system.

The measure called on U.S. lawmakers to reject any proposal that "criminalizes" illegal immigration and to support legislation that encourages citizenship.

Monday's resolution passed the Assembly, 43-27, with no Republican support.

Proponents included Assemblyman Joe Baca Jr., D-Rialto, and Assemblywoman Gloria Negrete McLeod, D-Chino.

Opposing it were Inland lawmakers John J. Benoit, R-Palm Desert; Bill Emmerson, R-Redlands; Ray Haynes, R-Murrieta; and Todd Spitzer, R-Orange.

Assemblyman Russ Bogh, R-Beaumont, was absent.

Assemblywoman Bonnie Garcia, R-Cathedral City, abstained. Sixty percent of the residents of her border-area district are Latino, based on 2000 census data. But Garcia called Monday's resolution "mean-spirited" toward Congress and the White House.

"I don't think we need to editorialize in these resolutions," she said. Reach Jim Miller at (916) 445-9973

Fwd: Assessor Goes Too Far With Tax Reduction Gambit... May 17, 2006 Daily


I was wondering how far is to far when it comes to a "Tax Reduction"? Anything whether it is a Gambit or a Straight Tax Reduction is still to me a Tax Reduction, no matter what or how it is said....That or I should say This was why, I gave my vote to Mr. Williamson when it was all said and done. I know that there was one better candidate out there and he works for Williamson and his name was still in the hat as far as whether or not he could have been voted for, but I felt that if I was going to vote for someone it was going to be for the two names that were the closest to being elected. That was Postmus and Williamson. Dam, if Postmus won. But that is what we have election's for. The most people elected Postmus for District one County Supervisor too. I would stay in the supervisor job, myself, but that is just me. I feel that the Supervisor job is a higher, more prestigious job then the County Assessor, Again that is just me!!

Take care and remember to vote again in the next upcoming elections...

BSRancher...

Assessor goes too far with tax reduction gambit



Publicity stunt or not, San Bernardino County Assessor Don WilliamsonÂ’s belligerent attempt to buck the system and hand out tax breaks on his own clearly is a breach of duties. And it should not be tolerated.

Williamson wants to give 70,000 San Bernardino County property owners a reduction in their property tax valuations under Proposition 8, which would lead to a subsequent reduction in taxes.

Williamson says itÂ’s his duty as elected assessor to protect property owners. And heÂ’s relying on a 20-year-old letter from the state Board of Equalization, which he says justifies his action.

Problem is, neither the Board of Equalization nor county counsel backs him up. In fact, Board of Equalization Chief Counsel Kristine Cazadd says the 1986 advisory letter in no way gives Williamson the authority to act on his own. And if he does, the board likely would audit the county’s assessments – and seek a court injunction.
Running for re-election to a fourth term, Williamson said Monday he was bound and determined to carry through with his ‘‘constitutional duty’’ and deliver on those tax breaks.

County Administrative Officer Mark Uffer, on the other hand, is ready to pull out all the stops to block WilliamsonÂ’s maverick move, down to barring the AssessorÂ’s Office from altering the records in its computer database.

‘‘This isn’t about low taxes,’’ Uffer said. ‘‘It borders on an illegal act of malfeasance.’’

Uffer is exactly right.

If Williamson were allowed to carry out his scheme, the property owners in question would receive an average deduction of $30,000 in assessed property value.

But the lowered tax valuations would shortchange the county tax rolls – by about $20 million.

It would mean a tremendous loss to county schools, and other tax-funded services – all because Williamson sees fit to pull a cheesy election-year gimmick.

Uffer needs to do more than block it. Williamson deserves a county reprimand, even if it plays into the hands of his chief opponent, Bill Postmus. Postmus is chairman of the Board of Supervisors.

Still, Uffer, who is doing the right thing by seeking to block Williamson at every turn, should not carry through on his childish threat to hold back on a long-planned staffing increase for the AssessorÂ’s Office. That wouldnÂ’t be fair to taxpayers, whom the office serves. And it certainly doesnÂ’t show mature leadership on the part of the countyÂ’s top administrator.

Then again, WilliamsonÂ’s bid to act on a ploy only he thinks is legal isnÂ’t productive either. It makes you wonder if Williamson really is qualified to serve as assessor.

Disagree? WeÂ’d like to hear from you. Write us at letters@dailybulletin.com.




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Our Future Depends on That French Fry Smell?? (May 22, 2006 Daily Bulletin).

This is going to be great. I cannot wait to sign up. let my truck be on of the guinea pigs and allow it to be one of the older engines to switch over to the new fuel and I will see if there is a power loss or if there is any change in the engine performance at all..

BSRancher

Our future depends on that french fry smell
By Michelle Groh-Gordy, DriveTime

It’s a murky gray-brown stew of noxious fumes, and every year in May I look up into the sky and dream about moving to a place where the air isn’t so thick that you need a knife to cut through it.

Usually I am looking at the rancid air of San Bernardino County, the county with the worst ozone air pollution in the United States, as I drive down the freeway in my vehicle, which is adding to the problem.

There is hope on our smog-covered horizon, however, and it comes in the form of a marriage between a past enemy of the clean air cause and a current enemy of the palates of children – diesel vehicles and soybeans.

The product that may be the savior of the very air we breathe is called biodiesel. It is one of the cleanest fuels in existence, it is already available, and we don’t have to depend on our neighbors overseas dredging up the liquefied remains of long-dead microorganisms to get it.

Older diesel vehicles are infamous for emitting highly toxic soot particles that have been linked to increased death rates and lung diseases such as asthma and lung cancer. At present, most new diesel cars and light-duty trucks manufactured in and after 2004 do not meet strict California vehicle standards and cannot be sold in California.

Now, diesel vehicles and their fuel sources are getting extreme makeovers. New, cleaner diesel vehicles that will meet California standards are expected to be available well in advance of the 2009 model year, when more stringent standards take effect. A better, cleaner diesel fuel will also be required nationwide by next month, further reducing emissions from diesel vehicles already on the road.

But the future of our respiratory tracts may depend on our use of biodiesel, an exciting fuel alternative for diesel vehicles made from vegetable oils or animal fats. Biodiesel can be used in any diesel vehicle with little or no modification required, can be pumped and stored from the same service station facilities that currently provide gasoline, is biodegradable and nontoxic and, most important, is made completely from renewable resources.

Even better? In addition to reducing net carbon dioxide emissions by 78 percent, as compared to petroleum diesel, biodiesel also comes with the added perk of making your car smell like french fries when it’s running.

Though biodiesel’s current cost is comparable to that of regular diesel, increased supply and demand will undoubtedly lower the price substantially over time.

Biodiesel has already met all the exacting standards of all concerned organizations, including the Environmental Protection Agency, the California Air Resources Board, the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Department of Transportation.

If California, the world’s fifth-largest economy and home to some 24 million motor vehicles, starts the ball rolling, the rest of America will surely not be far behind.

Should legislators take a firm stand and force the hand of automobile manufacturers and fuel companies – requiring them to offer an increasing quantity of diesel vehicles and biodiesel fuel and a decreasing quantity of gasoline and gasoline-fueled vehicles – it won’t be long before we’ll all be able to inhale sweet, clean air.

Perhaps someday, my grandchildren will look at me with dazed curiosity when I tell them of a time when the air was so brown and thick you could not see the mountains less than five miles from my home. Or that there was a time when we were so dependent on foreign oil, our very economy was threatened by our insatiable thirst for it.

And then they will ask me, with all sincerity, how I could have ever once dreamed of leaving a place as beautiful as this.

Michelle Groh-Gordy is a longtime traffic school instructor and the owner of InterActive! Traffic School Online (http://www.trafficinteractive.com) . Send questions to drivetime@dailybulletin.com or write to DriveTime c/o The Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, PO Box 4000, Ontario, CA 91761. Some reader questions will be answered in the paper on the last Monday of every month.