Today’s arrest of Robert Rizzo and seven others in the city of Bell scandal made for a happy day for all citizens who are frustrated and sickened by the corruption that permeates every level of government. The arrests also highlight what can be done when citizens join forces and let their voices be heard, combined with having elected an experienced prosecutor dedicated to the pursuit of justice. The Bell scandal has more than one San . . .
The first in a multi-part series discussing the follies of Congressman Jerry Lewis during his 32-year tenure as the 41st District’s representative in the House of Representatives will begin on Friday, September 24, 2010. Part Two will be published the following Wednesday. The Wall Street Journal gave Congressman Lewis the title of “Minority Maker” in 2006. He earned that title due to his roll as chairman of the powerful House Appropriations Committee when Republicans raised . . .
At over 17,000 square miles, San Bernardino County First District Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt holds the distinction of being the local elected official for an area larger than nine states. His First District is the largest county district in the lower 48 states. The fact that that there are only seven incorporated cities with relatively small spheres of influence within that expanse only increases the enormity of the job. Mitzelfelt began his life in public service . . .
This is the third part of a four-part series highlighting 2010 races that will affect the California State Board of Equalization (BOE), the entity that oversees state tax policy and collections of more than $50 billion a year. Senator Tony Strickland is the Republican nominee for State Controller. The State Controller is the ex-officio member of the BOE, sits on the State Franchise Tax Board, CalPERS, CalSTRS and 72 other boards and commissions. The State . . .
It looks like San Bernardino County Third District Supervisor Neil Derry may have hit another bump on the road to ethics reform in a county riddled for several decades with behavior by its top leaders ranging from ethical lapses to openly criminal acts. Derry defeated incumbent Dennis Hansberger in the June 2008 primary in what was a contentious and expensive campaign, running on a platform of ethics reform. Since taking office 21 months ago, Derry . . .
Last week a reader pointed out to us the front page of San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos’ website. It was updated on August 27, 2010 with this statement: 8/27/2010 District Attorney Reform Proposals For nearly seven years the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office, through its Public Integrity Unit, has been a constant observer of city, county, school and district governmental operations through the review, evaluation and investigation of over 500 complaints. For . . .
This is the second part of a four-part series highlighting California’s State Board of Equalization (BOE). As we mentioned in Part One, the BOE is the body that sets tax policy for the state. It oversees collection of more than $50 billion a year. It consists of four districts with each board member representing approximately eight million residents. The county of San Bernardino is divided in such a way that it includes two taxation districts. . . .
In the world of politics, Fontana city councilwoman Acquanetta Warren is an exception to the rule. She is an African-American woman who happens to also be a Republican and an elected officeholder. If “Acqui,” as her friends know her, wins election as Fontana mayor on November 2, she will hold the distinction of being mayor of the largest city in the United States headed by an African-American Republican. Warren is seeking election as Fontana Mayor . . .
Upland businessman Mike Morrell soon will be enjoying a new and challenging role in life. After coming out on top in a seven-candidate battle for the Republican nomination for the 63rd Assembly District, Mike is cruising to a November win in a traditionally Republican seat. Throughout the primary, Morrell remained true to his belief system despite a vicious attack from another candidate. He ran a positive, clean campaign that embraced all that the Republican Party . . .
In 1879 an amendment to the Constitution of California created the State Board of Equalization (BOE) to ensure that property tax assessments, California’s main source of funding at the time, were uniform across all counties in the state. The impetus behind its creation was that county tax assessors, in order to remain popular with their constituency, were known to undervalue property. As new taxes were added in the 1930s, the BOE’s areas of authority grew . . .
