Volunteer s Come Together f or Community Clean-up

By Dr G (Dr Luis S González), community writer

Last Saturday, volunteers from both Colton and Grand Terrace joined forces to cleanup the busy La Cadena corridor For the third year, Dr G, Council Member and Mayor Mr Bill Hussey led a group of volunteers from both cities who wanted to make a difference in our community

The target area was a stretch of land along So La Cadena Dr , east side, which borders both Colton and Grand Terrace This area is a great choice for a collaborative effort because of its location and the fact that it’s used by both cities Additionally, traffic from nearby cities use this corridor for making deliveries, commuting, transporting, and everything else “It a busy thoroughfare, and with this much traffic, the trash builds up,” says Rodney Spencer, one of the volunteers

When clean-up day began, two teams were created which started at each end of the span between Litton Ave and Barton Road The 6:00am starting time was a good choice as there was less traffic, and the cooler weather provided excellent working conditions Of course, there was plenty of water, gloves and sanitizer for the crew, in addition to masks for those who wanted the added protection With bags, safety vests, and lots of sweat the community clean-up project was completed in about two hours and yielded about 4550 bags of trash “This was an excellent activity that brought both communities together ” exclaimed Mayor Hussey One of the regular volunteers, Norma Gallardo also commented, “I like helping the community,” and added, “This kind of activity makes the streets look better ”

The CITY TALK clean-up efforts over the years have continued to evolve, and this annual project, is an excellent example of residents collaborating together with elected officials to help make a difference The idea for this collaboration came up three years ago when Dr G approached Mr Hussey to discuss the possibility of a community activity Both elected officials felt that the cleanup project was a great choice as it not only involves both communities, but benefits them as well As a result, the corridor looks nice

Local residents are also happy with this community effort, and have contacted both DrG and Mr Hussey voicing their approval Tish Baden, a nearby resident commented, “The project was a good one because it contributed to the beautification of the cities, and demonstrated that coming together makes both communities better ”

No matter how you look at this project, it’s a win-win-win-win situation Colton participates, Grand Terrace participates, the drivers have a clean street path, and the residents benefit by having a cleaned-up area near their homes Hopefully, this collaboration idea will continue and possibly catch on, but for now, “it’s always nice to have clean streets and pathways,” said resident Christina Perris

For more information about CITY TALK, various community groups, Colton history, the trash clean-up project, the G-Team, prayer list, history briefs, Veteran Spotlight, Church Spotlight, Business Spotlight, U S Flag Watch, neighborhood meetings, community projects and events, or the online live-stream programs, contact Dr G @ 909-213-3730 Questions and comments are al-

Rialto City Council Making Claims and Refuting Allegations Over Contr over sial War ehouse Appr oval Neighboring Frisbie Par k

By Manny Sandoval

The City of Rialto has become a battleground over a contentious warehouse project approved by the City Council in a narrow 3-2 vote on April 25th

The proposed warehouse, planned for the intersection of Pepper Avenue and the 210 freeway, is an area initially zoned for retail, commercial, and housing

However, the contentious approval has ignited allegations of conflict of interest, health hazards, and misuse of zoning laws

The voices from the City Council are echoing across the community with increasing intensity as the drama unfolds

Councilmember Joe Baca is leading the opposition, arguing that the warehouse will create hazardous health conditions in the area, particularly concerning the recently renovated and neighboring Frisbie Park, and increase the city's maintenance cost due to the wear and tear from increased trucking "After city staff investigated all aspects of the industrial project, our planning commission recommended against it and said it's not in the best interest of the City of Rialto," Baca said

Baca further criticizes Mayor Pro Tem Andy Carrizales and Planning Commissioner John Peukert for participating in the vote, citing potential conflicts of interest due to their close residential proximity to the proposed warehouse, claiming that Carrizales has a stake in ownership in the home he currently lives in He also questions the project's economic benefit: "We don't know how many employees, tenants, or if it will even bring jobs "

The situation took a turn when Baca challenged the legality of the vote "Rafael secured money for a certain organization out of Rancho Cucamonga, and Andy voted with a conflict of interest It would have been a 2-2 vote if one had recused themselves," he asserted

Defending his position, Carrizales dismissed Baca's allegations as being politically motivated "Joe Baca is stirring up false allegations just to grow his own personal political influence This is all about Joe Baca's personal advancements after the last 10 years of failed, embarrassing, and disastrous campaign runs," Carrizales retorted

He continued, "I sought legal advice regarding the vote on the Pepper Avenue warehouse, and I have no conflict of interest voting on that project My mother-in-law owns the property my family and I live in Therefore, I have no conflict of interest or financial interest I believe Baca is upset because the developer didn't give him a donation to the Joe Baca Foundation! The foundation that was paying all of his family members until they were exposed; now that's a financial conflict of interest! I've told Baca if he believes that I am breaking the law or have some financial gain from this project to report me to the FPPC "

Mayor Deborah Robertson also voiced her opposition, sharing Baca's concerns about the warehouse's potential environmental and community impact "I am opposed to projects that will affect our community's quality of life," Robertson stated She also critiqued developer and applicant Tim Howard's attempt to amend the community's previously adopted plans for the area

In a further complication, Robertson disclosed that Howard had proposed millions of dollars in donations to the Rialto Unified School District (RUSD), The National Latina Business Women's Association Inland Empire Chapter, and the Rialto Police Department (RPD) She suggested this was a strategic move to buy approval for the controversial project, asserting, "This community benefit thing has become a joke "

She ended the call by stating, "I want to be clear, I am not opposed to industrial development, but I am opposed to projects that will affect our community's quality of life in multiple ways "

Despite these claims, Councilmember Rafael Trujillo argued that the donations would significantly benefit the community "I have no financial benefit or conflict of interest My community stands to win, and I stand with working families The National Latina Business Women's Association Inland Empire Chapter is a strong organization of women doing great things in the community Why would any of my colleagues on the Rialto City Council target women of color who have shown through their hard work to be the backbone of the thriving local business community?" Trujillo questioned

He continued by saying that he supports several organizations working across the community "In this case, the Executive Director is from Rialto and has numerous stories of accomplishments that were highlighted during Women's History Month at the Rialto City Council Meeting This organization provides contract procurement and training for women of color, a space where micro business owners can grow, take their businesses out of their home, and establish contracts with public agencies "

While this conflict has taken the city by storm, and the council seemingly wants to do right by the community in their own way, two things are certain: 1 ) Another warehouse is coming, and 2 ) We're stronger when we’re together and on the same page

Community News

Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) is proud to be Certified™ by Great Place To Work® for the third year in a row The prestigious award is based entirely on what current team members say about their experience working at IEHP This year, 92% of employees said IEHP is a Great Place To Work® – 35 points higher than the average U S company

Great Place To Work® is the global authority on workplace culture, employee experience and leadership behaviors proven to deliver market-leading revenue, employee retention and increased innovation

“At IEHP, our team members are at the heart of everything we do,” said IEHP’s Chief Executive Officer Jarrod McNaughton “Their effort and engagement are what makes us truly a Great Place to Work We will continue to strive for excellence and ensure that IEHP remains a place where all people feel valued, supported and empowered to achieve their full potential ”

IEHP’s mission is to “heal and inspire the human spirit,” and its team members are vital to that mission, serving

1 6 million members residing in Riverside and San Bernardino counties Life at IEHP includes a wide range of benefits and resources for employees to assist with health and wellness and job growth, including on-site or remote fitness classes, a computer lab, on-site partner agencies connecting people with vital social services and career coaching

Of IEHP’s 3,184 employees, 90% completed the survey that covered a variety of workplace quality-related experiences, including pride in the organization’s impact on the community, its reputation within areas served and the level of camaraderie created within the company Highlights from the survey showed:

• 96% feel good about ways the organization contributes to its community

• 95% report having special and unique company benefits

• 94% are proud to tell others their place of employment

"Great Place To Work® Certification is a highly coveted achievement that requires consistent and intentional dedication to the overall employee experience," says Sarah

Lewis-Kulin, vice president of global recognition at Great Place To Work® She emphasizes that certification is the sole official recognition earned by the realtime feedback of employees regarding their company culture “By successfully earning this recognition, it is evident that IEHP stands out as one of the top companies to work for, providing a great workplace environment for its employees ”

Later this year, IEHP will know if the organization made the list of the Top 100 Best Workplaces in Healthcare for a second year in a row

According to Great Place To Work research, job seekers are 4 5 times more likely to find a great boss at a Certified great workplace Additionally, employees at Certified workplaces are 93% more likely to look forward to coming to work, and are twice as likely to be paid fairly, earn a fair share of the company’s profits and have a fair chance at promotion

WE’RE HIRING!

Looking to grow your career at a company that puts its people first? Visit our careers page at https://careers iehp org

By The Red Brennan Group

In a May 25th ruling, the 4th District Court of Appeal (4DCA) ruled San Bernardino County Measure K valid in every major aspect

Measure K, an effort to reform both compensation and term limits for San Bernardino County elected supervisors, was overwhelmingly approved by county voters in November of 2020 The measure proposed a single fouryear term, along with setting elected supervisors’ compensation on par with the county’s median household income

The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors ignored this clear message from voters Rather than aggressively implementing the voters’ will, the board circled the wagons and sued the county’s Clerk of the Board in order to halt implementation of Measure K and ward off the voters’ intent

While San Bernardino County Superior Court Judge Ronald Alvarez agreed with the Board of Supervisors, the 4DCA was having none of it Justice P J Ramirez’s opinion:

• Upheld the voters’ right to establish a single, four-year term

• Upheld the voters’ right to establish compensation limits for elected supervisors via initiative

• Ruled Measure K was valid as of December 18th, 2020

• Orders the lower court to ensure certification and filing

of Measure K

The appeal court also ruled that AB 428, a bill designed and sponsored by Assemblyman Chad Mayes to torpedo Measure K via state law, does not apply to charter counties AB428 altered state law to ensure voters could set no less than two, four-year term limits for county supervisors Despite being approved by Governor Gavin Newsom, Justice Ramirez’s ruling limits AB428 to general counties only San Bernardino County is a charter county and is therefore exempt from AB428

In a statement released Monday The Red Brennan Group, a local non-profit dedicated to “Big-Hearted Communities and Small Government” said “It has been our privilege to support Measure K’s sponsor Nadia Renner While this ruling solidifies San Bernardino County voters’ right to initiative, the status of real political reform in the county remains clouded because of Measure D This measure was placed on the 2022 ballot by the five sitting supervisors and was specifically designed to target Measure K Every aspect of the county supervisors’ initiative was designed to trick county voters Presented to voters as tax reform,

Measure D instead guaranteed continually increasing compensation for county supervisors, reset the baseline for the current supervisors allowing them to serve an additional 12 years if reelected, and overturned the voterapproved Measure K The supervisors partnered with local developers, public unions, and a variety of other special interest groups to spend over $1 2 million to pass Measure D Despite being labeled as “The most despicable, deceptive campaign we’ve seen in a long time,” by the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, the immense amount of money invested by the county political elite successfully carried the deception and Measure D was approved by the voters ”

The Red Brennan Group spokesmen went on to say

“Our organization has challenged Measure D on the basis that it was intended to mislead county voters While the trial court ruled against us, we trust the Appeal Court will be as equally clear-eyed when considering Measure D as they were with Measure K The California Constitution states

‘All political power is inherent in the people Government is instituted for their protection, security, and benefit, and they have the right to alter or reform it when the public good may require ’

For far too long the county ruling class has misused and abused both the legal and political process to stymie real reform of government County voters must hold local government accountable and ensure the political class acquiesces to voter-approved reform ”

For more information please visit https://redbrennan org/court-agrees-with-sanbernardino-county-voters