“Accountability”
Glendale’s
Watchdog
|
|
Our condolences to the Ginger
Bremberg family and friends
|
|
Vanguard
Weekly
News Vol III
Week of November 4,
2007
City of Glendale, CA Edition
www.vanguardians.org
|
|
HEADLINES
Moses Came
to Glendale
BREAKING NEWS!
Burbank Compares
Better
The four
stages of Vanguardians "First they ignore you, then they laugh at you,
then they fight you, then you win."
Mahatma
Gandhi describing the stages of establishment
resistance to a winning strategy of nonviolent activism
When WE
are complacent THEY win!
Vanguard was delivered to City Staff last week.
THIS JUST IN:
VANGUARDIANS filed complaint with FPPC over improper voting by members
of City Council Read
the complaint, click here.
THIS JUST IN: Nancy Hunt-Coffey, Glendale
Library Director leaves after a 20 year run to head up the Beverly Hills Library. Last day is November 21. Another
woman manager leaves the City, none of whom have been replaced by women. Where
is the Women’s Commission?
THIS JUST IN: Former Glendale resident Herbert Molano filed a
response against EIRs for Verdugo Partners and City Center II (hotel) prolonging time for new
parks and libraries and indicated to City that he will be filing an appeal on
the DSP. Molano’s co-plaintiff, Conquest Student Housing, is being charged by USC under
Federal RICO charges. [Racketeer Influenced and
Corrupt Organizations Act] Even though Developer INTRACORP is working in
the DSP area, it was not included in the EIR, a move that may be based on law
firm conflict. More
THIS JUST IN: ABC’s Desperate Housewives
demonstrates the intricacies of neighborhood associations like those in Glendale. Check 10-28-07 episode.
Next
week – A comparison between a Council member and Nunez y Carona
More on the $100K Club
|
YE
12/31
|
Employees
|
Total $$
|
Biggest
Increase
|
Job Title
|
|
2001
|
194
|
$21,752,464
|
|
|
|
2006
|
457
|
$57,110,621
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$99,172
|
Fire Capt
|
Breaking
News
Burbank is technology conscious unlike its neighbor to the East, Glendale. Burbank uses Google, a tried and
true method to provide information to the public. Google Maps and Google Transit. Maps
show the development
in Burbank while Transit shows the bus routes and schedules. Glendale spent about $360,000 for a
NextBus system that is not working properly and was to have been used by the GFD for vehicle tracking. The
gullible City Council bought it but they have not followed up.
Only when WE are vigilant are THEY accountable!
If you have issues with the
City and you fear retaliation or intimidation, bring them to Vanguardians and
we’ll share them with the appropriate department assuring your anonymity.
City Council
Criteria:
Responsiveness to the community, knowledge and understanding of the issues,
placing the needs of the public before the needs of the special interests
including city employee associations and attentiveness and accountability. Weaver & Quintero absent
|
|
Weekly Council Scorecard
Giving money and power to government is like
giving whiskey and car keys to teenagers’ P.J.O’Rourke
Fire Department
Click
here to read a dialogue between Bruce Philpott and the fire fighters union.
A government that robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the
support of Paul. - George Bernard Shaw
HEADLINES
See commentary
Vanguard is published
independently by Vanguardians,
Advocating for Accountability– Our vision is
to live in a community where all people, regardless of geography, background or
economic status, can enjoy accountability, integrity, effectiveness and
responsiveness from our elected officials and each of the city's departments,
through grass roots involvement, engagement and advocacy.
CONTENTS:
You may agree or disagree with the views below. Feel free to
comment on them.
It is a
shame that the developers in downtown Glendale feel they have to pay money as
homage to elected officials for the opportunity to make huge financial
investments in Glendale, an estimated $1,000,000,000. These
developers are putting their investment dollars in Glendale to create a better quality of life
while providing the money to pay the bloated payrolls that the Council has
approved. One Council member received in one payment $17,500! The largest
amount ever paid to a Council member and nary an outcry from the public.
Sources requesting anonymity indicated that the contributor was badgered for
the money. The developers are facing costly delays in their projects thus
denying the public of Art Fees, Impact Fees and Tax Increment Financing for
parks and libraries. These developers will be funding more downtown art and
green space, while paying their way to the benefit of the public. So,
developers, just say, ‘No’ when it comes time for another contribution that, by
the way will start in less than a year.
Vanguardians
training of speakers before the City Council and other legislative bodies
encourages them to place their emphasis on issues and processes instead of
personalities. They are encouraged to state their opinions and base them on
facts; to state the issues and request a specific resolution. Each speaker
speaks on City Business on issues so important there is a place on the agenda,
Oral Communications, for them to speak. It would provide a modicum of decorum
if those on the dais would pay attention by sitting, listening and note taking
rather than sending and receiving messages on their Blackberries, wandering
about, whispering to their neighbors and not paying attention to the City’s
business
Moses and
the Law: Moses came down from Mt. Sacramento on Tuesday evening accompanied by
the Grim Reaper, the Ultimate Justice. They stopped in Orange County to bring the law there first taking
only 5 years instead of the legendary 40 years. When the bringers of the law
visited the City Council, the Grim Reaper handed each of the three tablets to
Moses who explained each and every one:
q The Political Reform Act,
q
The
Brown Act and
q The California Public Records Act
The Grim Reaper reminded everyone that enforcement agencies,
like the FBI, don’t wander for 40 years. They will close a case in 4 to 5
years. For those unaware of the happenings in conservative Orange County you can read
An
excellent LA Times editorial about indicted Sheriff Carona It speaks to money laundering, mail
fraud, witness intimidation, adultery, religion, and the use of public property
for private gain something being investigated in Glendale where one Council member has been
the target of complaints filed with several agencies and yet the public seems
to approve of his shenanigans. Now that the public is aware of Assembly
Speaker Fabian Nuñez use of a small charity as a conduit to funnel almost
$300,000 from companies and organizations with business in the Capitol to
events that helped him politically, will that change in days to come as the
public views the Dreaming of Roses lack of accountability?
Another Council member shared his frustration
with the City bureaucracy and his colleagues and the local media pilloried him.
Where is the high moral standard of Glendale? Has it been cast aside in a battle
of cultures?
Integrity starts with the individual
TAKE ACTION – GET INVOLVED – BE
INFORMED -- READ VANGUARD
Mortgage Company breathing down your
neck for late or no payments?
We can help.
No equity – No problem. Call today to
discuss your options.
The sooner you call, the greater the
options. Call Today 818 694 0588
|
Announcements – Letters – Calls -- Calendar -- Articles – OP-ED
Letters & Email
ED – Letters published do not necessarily express the
opinion of Vanguardians, this publication, the organization or Barry Allen.
Names are used only when requested. Letters will not be published that have no
signature and/or are hate oriented,
.RE Moses visits City Council: The
content was great; the only disappointment was that John Drayman seemed to
make “light” of it. Those are three critical matters [Political Reform Act,
The Brown Act and the California Public Records Act] (as per this mornings
L.A. Times, the Corona matter is really going to explode, the “special deal”
for the Valley on water shows favoritism run amuck, and you see municipal
waste and malfeasance on just about every page/article. About the only
ray of hope was Bill Bogard, the Pasadena mayor who defined municipal
government for what it really is, rejecting a plea to condemn the Chinese
entry in the Rose Parade, stating, “Pasadena does not have a foreign policy”.
Our “form over substance” city council could learn something from this.
Keep up the good work.
P.S.
We have a bet; I say that was Richard [Espiritu] with the weed whacker, she
says it was Pauline [Field]. Which is right? CJW Answer:
Neither
An open letter to the City Manager and the City Attorney:
While going through my stack of information, I found the
Interdepartmental Communication from Police Lieutenant M.W. Distaso to Edith
Fuentes dated June 4,
1999 regarding Anoush’s Conditional Use Permit #
7577. It states, “The CUP shall remain in effect as long as no change is
made to the size or character of the premises, and that management and
ownership is in the name of Elias Gomez. Upon any major change as
specified above, the permit shall expire.”
According to the Decision of the Neighborhood Services
Administrator dated August
19, 2005, Violation 5 is “Operating a banquet hall and
illegally expanding the use/building without obtaining new Conditional Use
Permit and city approval.”
It is my understanding there have been three “major
changes” that have occurred under CUP 7577:
# 1 – The USE of the original CUP was a full-service
restaurant; Anoush is operating as a banquet hall.
# 2 – The owner of Anoush has illegally expanded the
building (numerous additions).
# 3 – I believe the current owner is Vrej Sarkisisan, not
Elias Gomez.
Finally, on the letter dated August 19, 2005, it
states “Enforcement related to violations # 5-7 is currently suspended pending
approval & construction of new building. Once existing building is
demolished, violations 5-7 will be permanently eliminated. Such
suspension will be revoked unless an application for development is filed and
approved with the Permit Services Section by October 20, 2005.”
That was over two years ago. Mr. Sarkissian never
submitted a complete application – why wasn’t action taken? Why do
private citizens have to constantly badger the City to do its job? Why
is Mr. Sarkissian still operating today when his Conditional Use Permit should
have been revoked? RJ
MORE: I am under the impression the City
is not going to prosecute the owner for violating the terms of the Anoush
Conditional Use Permit – rather, I believe the City will grant the variances
the owner will be requesting and the City will allow a banquet hall (two
actually) to be built in a zone that strictly prohibits banquet halls. I
am very disappointed that Edith Fuentes was notified by the Glendale Police
Department in 1999 that Anoush was violating their CUP and did nothing.
8 years later, they’re still operating with estimated revenue of $1.5 million
annually. What other business do you know of that is afforded this kind
of favoritism? HF
I was denied a copy of the
water & rate packet that was made available to the GWP Commissioners.
In particular I wanted to see if more funds were allocated for recycle water
implementation. CG [ED – Use the California Public Record Request Form
available through Vanguardians.]
That Herbert Molano is something
else. He is going to cost the City millions this time in legal fees and lost
revenue. He wanted a small developer to add a bench so people could sit while
they waited for a ride. He hasn’t done that on his property. I found out that
he has property within walking distance of his proposed City Park, giving him a reason to want a
park there. Obviously he never read the Long Range planning report. We want small
parks where the grannies and tots can play not a big park where gangs can
congregate. JH
CALLS
Drayman deserved more than a ‘C’
last week for his ‘sock puppet’ remark. RS
Dr. Espiritu certainly did a
changeup on Tuesday by sharing with us the progress that has been made in
sidewalk issues. Thanking City employees for their efforts goes a long way.
Even though two former Mayors have spoken against his methods the rest of us
support his success because we all benefit. JB
Articles
City manager spat leads to
recall effort 10/28/2007 - LANCASTER - After
months of controversy and several meetings drawing standing-room-only crowds,
a grass-roots group has launched a recall drive against three City Council
members accused of trying to fire the city manager
LINKS Click here for Vanguard Archives
by Hal Weber Open
Government Guide See www.vanguardians.org for more
Check
Zip Code Demographics
CALENDAR
Monday, November 5th at 7 PM The
Glendale Homeowners Coordinating Council will hold their November meeting at
the First Congregational
Church of Glendale, 2001 Canada
Boulevard, at Wabasso. This month's
featured speakers will be Mr. Scott Howard, Glendale City Attorney
and
Interim Fire Chief Don Biggs, Glendale Fire
Department. Guests are cordially welcome. No admission charge. Ample parking.
Refreshments will be served. For more information, please call 242-7334, or
626-300-4990.
Monday, November 5
Glendale Water
& Power Commission – 4:00 pm, City
Council Chambers, City Hall, 613 E. Broadway, Glendale.
548-2107
Tuesday, November 6
2:30 pm, City
Council Chambers, City Hall, Glendale Housing
Authority – Glendale Redevelopment Agency
6:00 pm Glendale City
Council –, City Council Chambers, City Hall, 613 E. Broadway, Glendale.
548-4844
Wednesday, November 7
Zoning Administrator’s Hearing – 9:30 am, Municipal Services Building, Room
105, 633 E. Broadway, Glendale.
548-2140
Parks, Recreation & Community Services Commission – 3:30 pm, City Council Chambers, City
Hall, 613 E. Broadway, Glendale.
548-2000
Thursday, November 8
Design Review Board #1 –1:00 pm, Municipal Services Building, Room
105,633 E. Broadway, Glendale.
548-2140
Saturday, November 10 – 1:00 pm, Grand Opening of Adams Square Mini Park, Adams
Square. 548-2000
Monday, November 12
City Offices Closed – Veteran’s
Day Federal Holiday
Don’t trade in that running car
or truck -- gift it to Vanguardians in exchange for a letter to the tax
guy (IRS) based on book value. Offer good in California and Oregon. For more, email
info@vanguardians.org or call 818 243 1502
|
|
Open
Government
City refuses
to provide disaster preparedness plan stating that, “the public interest in
non-disclosure clearly outweighs the public interest in disclosure.” The City
indicated they were afraid the plans would fall in the hands of terrorists.
Remember the City’s response when you don’t know what school to go when a
disaster hits. Our sources tell us, there is no plan. Los Angeles City
and County provide these documents. They are not worried about distinguishing
a legitimate request from that of a ‘terrorist’.
City also refuses to provide ADA site surveys saying they are in planning, yet our
sources tell us the surveys are complete and have been turned over to City
Attorney.
City Attorney has not filed forms with Secretary of
State indicating lobbying activities; they also have no record of providing
space for the Employees Credit Union or the space for the GFFA. Your tax
dollars at work.
Vanguard
The
Future of Glendale is an online presentation -- certain to get your juices
flowing about our favorite City.
VANGUARDIANS
Please make checks payable to “VANGUARDIANS”
Mail to: POB 11202 Glendale, CA 91226
If
contributing by Credit Card call 818 243 1502
Checks are best -- the bank
doesn’t discount them
Contributions are tax deductible – Rev. Proc.
92-85, 1992-42 I.R.B. 32 -- You will receive a receipt for income tax purposes
Email Vanguard1@charter.net
to subscribe to the Weekly News on issues that impact Glendale.
Annual subscription for email $50, by
US Mail $75, Newsstand $2 per issue. The media
with a voice; the organization that gets results you want; we encourage and
support your advocacy, involvement and engagement with government.
© 2007
Vanguard is intended for personal use by recipient and forwarding without
change to recipient’s personal email list. Vanguardians is in legal formation
as a 501C3 charitable non-profit corporation under Rev. Proc. 92-85, 1992-42
I.R.B. 32. Contributions are tax deductible. To ensure you continue receiving Vanguard, please add our email addresses vanguard1@charter.net, vanguard1@charterinternet.com
and ba@fieldworks.net - to your
address book or Internet Service Provider safe list. Annual subscription for
email $50, by US Mail $75, Newsstand $2 per issue. Copyrighted materials
used with permission.
Humor
|
|
City Council and Staff at CIP Study Sessions
|
|
