D 07 26 13 by Hews Media Group-Los Cerritos Community Newspaper

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DOWNEY 2013 LA Press Club Award Winner for Best Investigative Newspaper in Los Angeles.

Serving Downey and surrounding communities • Published every Friday • July 26, 2013 • Volume 1, No. 8 • DowneyCommunityNews.com

Robber Flies Off With ‘Flock Of Seagulls’ Musical Gear From Downey Hotel Parking Lot City Expresses Condolences EQUIPMENT AND TRUCK WAS on Passing of Battalion FOUND IN SANTE FE SPRINGS TWO DAYS LATER. Chief Brian Wolf

By Randy Economy

For members of the popular 80’s rock band “Flock of Seagulls” this past weekend turned out to be a bad trip while playing two live performances at a trendy Bellflower night club. Someone drove off with more than $70,000 worth of musical instruments, and “priceless” recording demos that were locked inside of the group’s deluxe touring car in a hotel parking lot in Downey late Saturday night. Joe Rodriguez, Lead Guitar player for Flock of Seagulls told Hews Media Group-

See STOLEN page 7

Downey News Service

A Flock of Seagulls, in a 2003 reunion photo, learned that the group’s stolen equipment van has been found, but it was empty. (Mark Shenley)

Central Basin Directors Form Committee to ‘Evaluate’ Newly Hired General Manager By Randy Economy and Brian Hews When former Central Basin Municipal Water District Interim Chief Operating Officer Chuck Fuentes notified Pacifica Services, Inc. President and CEO Ernie Camacho that the CBMWD would no longer accept invoices submitted that did not included detailed explanations of work performed, Camacho eagerly agreed to comply. Based on those findings, Fuentes notified Camacho that he intended to bid out the agency’s engineering services and that he had instructed Assistant to the General Manager Ron Beilke to review millions in past billings to determine how the struggling water district had spent upwards of $5 million in fees. Camacho’s second response was not as congenial as the first. Within days of Fuentes’s meeting with Camacho, both he and Beilke were

With profound sadness and deep regret, the City of Downey wishes to express its sincere condolences to the family and friends of Battalion Chief Brian Wolf, who passed away on Sunday, July 21. Downey Fire Department Battalion Chief, Brian Wolf, passed unexpectedly at his home while recuperating from cancer treatment. Battalion Chief Wolf was diagnosed with melanoma skin cancer in June 2011. He was 44 years old. “It is a very sad time

fired by the CBMWD’s new majority, which included James Roybal and Leticia Vasquez, both of whom had accepted in excess of $50,000 in political campaign donations from Pacifica, Camacho, and his affiliates, which included MLJ Properties. MLJ properties initials represent Camacho’s three grown children Michael, Lauren and Jeffery. After the firings, Water Resources Manager Dave H i l l was appointed to replace Fuentes. Hill cancelled the audit of Pacifica’s billings and all efforts to re-bid the CBMWD’s engineering services. Documents show that Hill had been the sole CBMWD employee who approved Pacifica’s previous invoices. According to CBMWD Director Art Chacon, Hill possessed no formal training in construction or engineering and was not qualified to perform such duties.

See WATER page 9

See WOLF page 8

CITY WATCH Transparency in Our Local Government

ot in Cerritos. Old Guard Cerritos elected officials have had a long and well-documented history of extravagancy coupled with loose fiscal management. Whether it be lavish trips and $65 halibut dinners or getting paid for trip mileage while receiving a $500 monthly car allowance, Cerritos residents often find themselves in the dark on what council is spending. Recently, Hews Media Group-Community News was shocked to find out that, when presented a public records request for emails written by Cerritos city council on a certain subject, council members were using, and have been using, their own private emails and personal cell phones to conduct city business. Even more shocking, the City does not keep the emails therefore all communications are not subject to a public records request. That’s right. All email communications by Cerritos publicly elected officials are not subject to a public records request. The California's Public Records Act is clear. Any city business, regardless of de-

vice or method of transmission, is public record. Except in Cerritos, and other corrupt cities such as San Diego. HMG-CN asked for and received personal emails related to the Assessor Noguez story, which showed massive property reductions and led to the arrest of the Assessor and three others. HMG-CN asked for and received personal emails related to Rick Caruso property reductions at the Americana, which showed Caruso taking a massive tax reduction check that belonged to Nordstroms. HMG-CN asked for and received personal emails related to Wendy Greuel, which showed Ms. Greuel campaigning during regular buisness hours. Greuel even said that, “I mixed up my personal and business emails.” Yet Cerritos tells HMG-CN that they do not keep any city council emails because they all use their private email accounts. Talk about the fox guarding the

See CERRITOS page 8

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STOLEN

Continued from page 1 Community Newspaper in an a phone interview on Tuesday that the group was in performing at “That 80’s Bar” for two days this past weekend to anxious fans who have followed them for the past three decades around the globe. Rodriguez along with popular lead singer Mike Score and other members of the band were staying at the Comfort Inn at 9438 Firestone Boulevard over this past weekend where the theft took place. “We had gotten done with our show over in Bellflower and returned back to the Comfort Inn where we were staying. We had stopped to get something to eat and went back to the hotel, at after 1 a.m.,” Rodriguez said.

“By 3 a.m. I was asleep, and Mike (Score) woke me up at 9 a.m. and asked me if I had moved the vehicle with all of our gear,” Rodriguez said. When the two went down stairs they had realized that the vehicle had been taken, “and we started to panic.” Rodriguez said they had parked the long stretch style car in a handicapped spot at the Comfort Inn, with permission from hotel management. Rodriguez and Score asked a Clerk working at the hotel front desk if they could check the security camera, and when they did, they captured a man walking up to the car at 2:16 am, get inside, and drive off onto Firestone Boulevard. “It was a sick feeling, and we do not believe that this was a random robbery. Someone planned this in our opinion,” Rodriguez told HMG-CN on Tuesday. “No doubt that we were being fol-

JULY 26, 2013

lowed. This was planned. We played the New Wave Bar in the past three or four more times, and never had any problems,” Rodriguez said. Members of the Downey Police Department are investigating the crime, and Rodriguez and Score have taken to social media to get the word out about their plight. Score is planning on leaving back to Scotland in a couple of days, but now those plans are up in the air. Rodriguez said that at least four to five custom made guitars were taken, a drum set, electronic gear, Score’s pricy wardrobe, and encrypted files from a new solo album. “We need our fans and our friends and the police here in Downey to help us find the person or persons who planned this robbery,” Rodriguez. The video of the theft is posted below.

Rodriguez and Score and other members of Flock of Seagulls took a cell phone video from the hotel’s security cameras and have posted it on You Tube.

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medic certification in 1996. He promoted to Fire Engineer in 2001, and in 2003, was assigned to the Fire Prevention Bureau. Wolf promoted to Fire Captain in 2005 and served as a department training officer. In 2012, he promoted to Battalion Chief assigned to the “C” platoon. In 1990, Wolf was recognized for his heroic rescue actions during the PACE Police Officer shootings and was named the 2002 Masonic Lodge Firefighter of the

WOLF

Continued from page 1 for our City, as we have lost one of our own, one of Downey’s finest. I had the privilege, just as many others, to have known Chief Wolf and he was a true gentleman. He was a special man in a class by himself and I was proud to have called him a friend.

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Downey Firefighters for our entire adult lives. I will truly miss him, not only as a fellow Chief Officer, but my dear friend,” stated Fire Chief Lonnie Croom. As a general contractor off-duty, Wolf’s construction knowledge and skills developed him into a talented member of the department’s Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team. He was also certified as a Hazardous Materials Specialist with the California

Battalion Chief Brian Wolf, second from left, welcoming 9 new fireman. Year, 2005 Metropolitan Lodge Firefighter of the Year, & 2008 American Legion Firefighter of the Year. He remained actively involved with the Fire Explorer program throughout his career. He received his B.A. degree in Fire Science from Columbia Southern where he was currently working towards a Master’s Degree in Fire Administration. “Brian was one of the most talented, dedicated and loyal Firefighters to have ever worn the Downey Fire Department uniform. I am grateful to have known Brian his entire life and to have served with him as

To the entire Wolf family, please know that we hold you all in our thoughts and prayers, and hope you soon find peace and comfort in your hearts,” said Mayor Mario A. Guerra. Battalion Chief Wolf grew up in Downey, graduating from Warren High School in 1987. While in high school, he joined the Downey Fire Department’s Explorer Program. After high school, he attended the Rio Hondo Fire Academy and was hired by the Downey Fire Department in 1989. For seven years, Battalion Chief Wolf served as a Firefighter until earning Para-

State Training Institute. He leaves behind his wife April, daughter McKenzie, and son Logan. Battalion Chief Brian Wolf will be remembered for his love for the Fire service and his “can-do” attitude. “The Downey City family is mourning the passing of Battalion Chief Brian Wolf and we extend our deepest condolences to the Wolf family during this difficult time. We have lost a true hero in our community and he will be deeply missed by everyone,” said City Manager Gilbert A. Livas.

CERRITOS

Continued from page 1 hen house. Are they exempt from the California's Public Records Act? Absolutely not. Elected Assessor Noguez’ was not. Niether was Caruso’s or Greuel’s. But the Cerritos council acts like they are exempt. This use of personal email accounts by Cerritos city council to conduct city business should raise some very serious concerns. HMG-CN calls for the council to pass a formal policy forbidding the use of personal email accounts for city business. Furthermore, the policy should state that any and all past communication including databases, spreadsheets, calendar entries, appointments, and notes which reside in part or in whole on any City computer or any other electronic system or equipment should be made public. What could be their objection? HMG-CN also calls on the residents of Cerritos to get involved and voice your opinion at the next city council meeting. It is either that or allow council to travel to meaningless meetings. The current Cerritos policy is not a simple technical violation of complex legal requirements but a widespread and concerted effort to prevent Cerritos residents from having access to basic government dealings. Fundamentally failing to fulfill even basic government duties, the Cerritos council have engaged in a systematic program to hide records from the public. It is your choice Cerritos city council, full transparency or not. My bet is… Not in Cerritos.

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WATER

Continued from page 1 Hill was subsequently replaced by Tony Perez. With the recent revelations reported by HMG-CN that CBMWD had made Pacifica the benefactor of 8 consecutive no-bid contract extensions over the course of 5 years earning the Pasadena firm nearly $5 million in fees, Perez suspended the services of Pacifica. Now, similar to when Fuente and Bielke started digging into Pacifica, that same majority is trying to fire Perez. Perez determined that the 8th amendment effective June 25, 2012 provided no additional board approved funding and that since November 2012, Pacifica was being paid for work that the elected board had not voted to fund. Subsequently, Perez, a licensed civil engineer, discovered that work allegedly performed by Camacho’s firm from November 2012 to June 2013 could cost the financially struggling water agency an additional $1 million.

According to sources familiar with Pacifica and the CBMWD, that is when the process to attempt to fire Perez started. Perez came to the CBMWD on a 5-0 vote two months ago with impressive credentials. Now, according to sources, he is facing an orchestrated attempt by Pacifica backed CBMWD Directors to terminate him. CBMWD Director Phil Hawkins told HMG-CN that President James Roybal and Vice President Bob Apodaca recently formed an ad-hoc committee to “determine” a process to evaluate the performance of the General Manager. Sources at CBMWD say Roybal and Apodaca are both seeking to terminate Perez. But they are weary of the fact that if they do not establish a “process”, they will draw too much scrutiny and face more potential lawsuits. Director Chacon was furious. “This is ridiculous, he’s been on the job for less than 90 days and they already feel the need to conduct performance reviews on the guy? In my opinion, this is what was to be expected when he gave Pacifica the boot.”

JULY 26, 2013

SOUTHEAST

JAPANESE SCHOOL & COMMUNITY CENTER

CULTURAL FESTIVAL & ONDO

50TH ANNIVERSARY

Cultural Festival Schedule

Saturday, July 27

• Karate Demonstration • Hawaiian Delites (Outdoors) • Minyo (Outdoors) • Kendo Demonstration (Gym) • Karaoke Show (Outdoors) • Bingo Games (Gym) • Judo Demonstration (Dojo) • Hikari Taiko, Soran Bushi • Ondo Dancing

Sunday, July 28

Downey National Parents of the Year Downey Mayor Guerra stands next to Tami Shilling and, far right, Ted Shilling. The two were honored as National Parents of the Year at Tuesday’s council meeting.

SAT, JULY 27 3-10pm SUN, JULY 28 2-8pm

• E Mele Hana (Outdoors) • Gakuen Students (Outdoors) • Classical Japanese Dance • Hawaiian Show • Karaoke Show (Outdoors) • Bingo Games (Gym) • Hikari Taiko, Soran Bushi • Ondo Dancing • Raffle Drawing

• Cultural Arts Display • Boutique Sale • Plant Sale • Carnival Games • Japanese National Museum Display • Raffle Prizes • and Great Food!

SOUTHEAST JAPANESE SCHOOL & COMMUNITY CENTER 14615 GRIDLEY ROAD, NORWALK, CA 90650 • 562-863-5996 Scan QR Code for Map

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