tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68493691303411230462024-03-13T04:53:23.027-07:00Watching West CovinaA new look at the goings on at City Hall in West Covina. Many things fall through the cracks and remain unnoticed; I'm the guy standing underneath the sidewalks catching what falls through.West Covina Watcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05381855396082716182noreply@blogger.comBlogger79125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6849369130341123046.post-18205496996139177292009-06-12T09:24:00.000-07:002009-06-12T10:16:29.638-07:00I think I'm covering the wrong city!The LA County District Attorney's Public Integrity Division has been busy in the good ol' San Gabriel Valley this week.<br /><br />First, three city officials in Temple City (well, two officials and one official wannabe) <a href="http://www.sgvtribune.com/rds_search/ci_12563106?IADID=Search-www.sgvtribune.com-www.sgvtribune.com">were indicted on bribery and perjury</a>, and then yesterday, the DA's office raided the home of <a href="http://www.sgvtribune.com/ci_12575053?source=rss_viewed">La Puente Mayor Louie Lujan and is campaign treasurer.</a><br /><br />I said it before and I'll say it again: Investigations are great hit-piece fodder, so when Lujan runs for City Council in November, he's probably going to have a tough time getting re-elected, much less win the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/reqs.php#/pages/Democrat-Louie-Lujan-for-Assembly-2010/101030840718?sid=8f4ce8d68147c49bab0a3c12fb090fb4&ref=search">Democratic Primary for the 57th Assembly District</a> next year. I always believe that one is innocent until proven guilty, but this guy has a pretty sketchy record, dating back to his first days on the City Council. First, he spent enormous amounts of taxpayer money on fancy meals in fancy restaurants, then his in-laws and his wife were <a href="http://www.smdp.com/pdf/080302.pdf">busted for voting twice in his election in 2001</a><br /><br />Like I said, though, I'll reserve judgment, except to say my mother always told me to never trust a man whose name is an <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alliteration">alliteration.</a>West Covina Watcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05381855396082716182noreply@blogger.com69tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6849369130341123046.post-44255275905651651612009-05-22T12:17:00.000-07:002009-05-22T12:21:08.216-07:00Dirty Deeds Done... Well, Just DirtyWith the new baby on the way, I think I need to find a bigger place. But first, I have to unload the one I have. Anyone can tell you it's a buyers' market; anyone who reads, anyway. Now, if only there was a way for me to sell this house for more than I actually paid for it in this market. <br /><br />Hmm, I suppose I can "sell" it to myself for more than I paid for it, and that way the next sucker who buys it will think he/she's getting a discount when I knock the price down. Brilliant, but legal? I don't know. Maybe I should ask the <a href="http://www.sgvtribune.com/ci_12425803">Wiz Kids at West Covina City Hall.</a><br /><br />For those of you just tuning in, this is the latest to fall through the cracks, and boy what a doozy. Once again, the city is entering into an agreement with Pacific Development/TELACU Industries to build more senior housing. The city will dole out $8.6 million to build the 65-unit affordable senior housing complex with its partnership with Pacific/TELACU. Now, if that name is familiar, it should be. They built a similar development right next to the property in question, and it was developed by <a href="http://www.watchourcities2005.4t.com/">Thomas Corley and Hank Attina.</a><br /><br />Now, if the name Hank Attina rings a bell, that should, too. He is bestest friends foreverest with West Covina City Attorney Arnold Alvarez-Glasman. They're such good friends, Good Ol' Arnie represented his good buddy in court when he <a href="http://westcovinawatcher.blogspot.com/2008/03/oooh-you-make-me-live_26.html">got popped for a DUI.</a><br /><br />But that's not even the meatiest part of this bone. Turns out Bill McIntyre (the same one who employs Mike Touhey as a consultant. What a happy coincidence) sold the property to an LLC called Home LLC for <span style="font-weight:bold;">$3.67 million in May 2007</span>. Then, Home LLC turned around and sold it to JV Home for <span style="font-weight:bold;">$4.4 million in July 2008.</span><br /><br />I know what you're wondering. You're wondering how, just how, can the price jump that much when the rest of the market was in the shitter? Easy: Home LLC and JV Home is RUN OUT OF THE SAME ADDRESS! I shit you not. How can that even be legal?<br /><br />And how can it be legal for the City Council to commit so much money to a property without appraising it first? Man, there should be a law against that.<br /><br />Wait... there is: It's called <a href="http://law.onecle.com/california/government/7267.1.html">California Government Code 7267.1.</a><br /><br />In it, it states: "(a) The public entity shall make every reasonable effort to<br />acquire expeditiously real property by negotiation.<br /> (b) Real property shall be appraised before the initiation of<br />negotiations, and the owner, or the owner's designated<br />representative, shall be given an opportunity to accompany the<br />appraiser during his or her inspection of the property. However, the<br />public entity may prescribe a procedure to waive the appraisal in<br />cases involving the acquisition by sale or donation of property <span style="font-weight:bold;">with<br />a low fair market value. </span><br /><br />Low fair market value, eh? Does $3.6 million on a piece of empty 1.08 acre-land sound like low market value? <a href="http://www.westcovina.org/council/agenra/060613m.html">Well, I seem to remember back in 2006, the city sold BKK land to Mike Touhey-client developer Charles Co. for $1.8 million.</a> It was 2.8 net acres, and back then, the Staff urged the council that we were getting paid top dollar for that property.<br /><br />But you know, that was two years ago. Things have certainly changed since then, right? <a href="http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-search/West-Covina_CA/type-land?ofbm=2">So let's see what we got goin' on now.<br /></a><br /><br />According to the official site of the National Association of Realtors, I can buy <span style="font-weight:bold;">2.2 acres</span> of land, in West Covina, for a mere <span style="font-weight:bold;">$1.1 million</span>. Does anyone remember how many acres that Workman land has? That's right, kids, 1.08 acres. And just for shits and giggles, let's see how much $3.5 million could buy me in the San Gabriel Valley.<br /><br />What, what's this? I could buy about 2.5 acres in nearby Industry. That's about twice what the size of the Workman lot.<br /><br />Look, I'm a guy who knows how to navigate Google. That's it. The City Staff is loaded with experts, attorneys, economists, etc. and they STILL couldn't see the city was getting bent over? Maybe if <a href="http://westcovinawatcher.blogspot.com/2009/05/are-you-serious.html">Chris Chung spent more time actually doing his job and less time calling people racists</a>, he would have picked up on this. This thing passed 5-0! It was on the consent calendar, for crying out loud.<br /><br />Then, on Thursday, seeing the error of his ways, Mayor Hernandez called a meeting, hoping to overturn the decision. But alas, he was the only one at the party. None of the other four showed up. Well, I'm sure their excuses are good, but the fact that those excuses are worth about $9 million in taxpayer money is hard for me to believe at this point.<br /><br />I'll make a public plea that someone who has more than a laptop and a lot of spite take this under consideration. Where's the Public Integrity in this? Now, if only there was, oh, I don't know, some sort of legal body who actually monitors these types of things...West Covina Watcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05381855396082716182noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6849369130341123046.post-39483174609646120372009-05-20T10:04:00.001-07:002009-05-20T10:09:51.001-07:00Chu Wins!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9YXXjbC_4q0/ShQ4JrufbRI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/yHZuoML9dxg/s1600-h/chu.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9YXXjbC_4q0/ShQ4JrufbRI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/yHZuoML9dxg/s400/chu.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337953197348580626" /></a><br /><br />Judy Chu won the Congressional seat left by Labor Sec. Hilda Solis. Congratulations, Dr. Chu. I'm so glad someone who actually LIVES in the SGV will be representing it.<br /><br />Hey, didn't that guy in the back of this picture used to work for the Tribune? <a href="http://westcovinawatcher.blogspot.com/2008/06/bye-fred.html">He used to cover West Covina.<br /></a>West Covina Watcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05381855396082716182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6849369130341123046.post-49777926661005766252009-05-18T12:47:00.000-07:002009-05-18T13:10:32.121-07:00Are you serious?Before I go on with today's rant, I have this to say:<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />GO DODGERS!!!! </span><br /><br />Now I'm not gonna say the "W.S." word for fear of jinxing it, but I will say that while my heart broke into a million pieces with the news of <a href="http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-manny-hgc15-2009may15,0,5088726.story">Manny</a>, It was mended by a young man by the name of <a href="http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/dodgerthoughts/2009/05/juan-pierre-allstar.html">Juan Pierre</a> who has made it a little easier to "Think Blue."<br /><br />Now, on to the rant.<br /><br />Community Development Director Chris Chung finally filed a lawsuit against Mayor Roger Hernandez, about four years after the alleged incident he's complaining about. Now, Hernandez is a <a href="http://www.insidesocal.com/sgvgov/2009/05/chung-sues-west-covina.html">racist</a> against Chung because he is Asian.<br /><br />Sigh. Seriously?<br /><br />Wait... Isn't Hernandez backing Judy Chu over Gil Cedillo for the Congress seat?<br />And wasn't Hernandez John Tran's campaign manager so that Tran would become the first Asian American on the Rosemead City Council? <br /><br />And, wait, ummm, weren't Hernandez and Tran lifelong friends? I could have sworn I read a few years back that they've been friends dating back to childhood. <br /><br />So....Roger Hernandez has a thing against Asians? Look, this is what I think: I think Chris Chung has no case so he has to fabricate ongoing harassment to get some cha-ching out of the city, and the other four will give it to him because they want it to hold over their colleague. What I'd like to see is a fair trial. I think that's what the people deserve: a neutral third party. As they have proven in the past, the City Council cannot be trusted. They tried and failed numerous times to "get" Hernandez. It's obvious they cannot be objective.<br /><br />That's all for today, except:<br />Judy Chu for Congress!<br />Vote tomorrow!!<br />Send a message: No carpetbaggers allowed in the SGV.West Covina Watcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05381855396082716182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6849369130341123046.post-91046104084522321932009-04-13T12:16:00.000-07:002009-04-13T12:33:57.045-07:00One Bill Gil is on a spending roll and other thoughtsIt's not enough that Sen. Gil Cedillo is running for a Congressional seat in a district that he doesn't even live in, but the fact that he's <a href="http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-cedillo11-2009apr11,0,6221266.story">spending this kind of money is</a> ... Dude. I don't even know how to explain it!<br /><br />And I shouldn't. I'm not the one spending campaign money on lavish meals and trips. Isn't a campaign war chest supposed to be spent on, oh I don't know, CAMPAIGNING?! This guy wants Hilda Solis' seat? He's not even in her league. This makes me want to publicly endorse Dr. Judy Chu! So there you have it. I join the ranks of a TON of other people who actually live in the Congressional district. Go Chu!<br /><br />In other West Covina news, it looks like nearly 7,000 signatures collected by a group of people who probably put the rest of their lives on hold for a few months, passed the LA County Registrar's test and whether West Covina will have council districts will be on a ballot coming soon. Wow, letting the people decide, that's gotta piss some people off. I'm not one of them, though. I'm glad that West Covina is getting with the real and understanding that the people who live south of the freeway have a completely separate set of priorities than people who live north of it.<br /><br />AND rumor has it that Steve Herfert it gonna run for Assembly as a *drumroll please** DEMOCRAT!!!! AGAIN!!! That guy changes political parties the way my wife changes shoes; the way Drew Barrymore changes boyfriends; the way Steve Herfert changes political parties!<br /><br />This isn't unprecedented, though. He did it before in <a href="http://www.smartvoter.org/2000/03/07/ca/state/race/casen29/">2000 when his bitter rival, Richard Melendez was running</a>. Now, Roger Hernandez is running and I'm guessing the plan for The Mad Scientist is to siphon votes from him because he hates him so much. But will it work this time? Will people see through his ruse? I think so, considering the guy only becomes a Democrat when he runs for Assembly. <br /><br />Is there a way to see when exactly Mr. Herfert became a Democrat this time? If so, let me know so I could do some homework myself.<br /><br />Have a grrrrrrrrreat day!West Covina Watcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05381855396082716182noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6849369130341123046.post-54445822746551175402009-03-23T13:56:00.000-07:002009-03-23T14:05:58.149-07:00Should I? Should I not?Hey Folks, <br /><br />Watcher here, asking my readers a question. Apparently, this little blog could. I have been approached to sell advertising on this space to a company called Wikimetro, who I believe has clients who may be interested in advertising.<br /><br />The only issue I have with this is if they pay me, I have to reveal my identity, and part of my allure, I'm sure, is people reading from time to time, trying to figure out who I am. So far, I've been accused of being an elderly couple, a young woman, and/or city employee. I like to keep my readers guessing, but with a third baby on the way, a little extra cash wouldn't hurt.<br /><br />Let me know what you think, or if you have any personal experience with Wikimetro.<br /><br />Thanks, guys and I'll be posting more often again soon.West Covina Watcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05381855396082716182noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6849369130341123046.post-76676663913190577472009-03-11T17:11:00.000-07:002009-03-11T17:19:00.338-07:00Where have you been, Watcher?Honestly... ALL OVER THE PLACE!<br /><br />I can write about how more than 7,000 West Covinians want council districts.<br /><br />I can write about that. I will, eventually, but the wife and I have a new adventure on hand: another kid.<br /><br />Yeah, I know. Overpopulation and blah blah, but this pregnancy is a little more delicate than the others because she's a little bit older so, essentially, I've been waiting on her hand and foot. Not that I mind. I've just been preoccupied with the other kiddies, and maybe -- just possibly -- going through a bit of what they call "Midlife Crisis." I'm not very old at all, but THREE kids? That's been on my mind a lot lately, and the fact that my company is cutting costs everywhere, and being the HR guy is NOT the most popular position to be in in these tough times.<br /><br />So, when things get a little more settled, I will write then. Sorry for the delay, folks. Oh, and one more thing: I will no longer post on Leftovers, due to the fact some douche is saying asinine things in my name. FYI: The "West Covina Watcher" on that blog is a copycat and is NOT, I repeat, NOT ME.West Covina Watcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05381855396082716182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6849369130341123046.post-67680674646013073112009-02-03T14:17:00.001-08:002009-02-03T14:47:36.199-08:00NEWSFLASH: All 5 Councilmembers agree on something<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9YXXjbC_4q0/SYjDTWBx0OI/AAAAAAAAAIA/26U5PpzOUSQ/s1600-h/JudyDodgerStadium_560.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9YXXjbC_4q0/SYjDTWBx0OI/AAAAAAAAAIA/26U5PpzOUSQ/s400/JudyDodgerStadium_560.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298699698699358434" /></a><br />And that something is ....<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.judychu.net/endorsements.htm">Judy Chu for Congress!</a><br /><br />Why? Probably because she was once an assemblymember, the other only serious candidate is <a href="http://www.insidesocal.com/sgvgov/2009/01/some-local-pols-support-cedill.html#comments">State Sen. "One Bill" Gil Cedillo</a>, who is, frankly, a carpetbagger. His current district includes Los Angeles, Alhambra, Maywood, San Marino, Vernon, and South Pasadena. How far west are those from West Covina, Covina and Baldwin Park? Some say the seat is tailor-made for him. Some believe the seat should go to a Latino, but what would probably be a better idea is a Latino who actually LIVES in the San Gabriel Valley and hasn't spent his/her entire career on a school or water board. While both are important posts to have, I don't think it trains you well for the rigors of Congress. Municipal or State elected officials would probably fair better in the Beltway.<br /><br />Judy Chu is from Monterey Park. She was on City Council, in the Assembly and now the State Board of Equilization.<br /><br />Funny thing, though... <br /><br />Baldwin Park Mayor Manuel Lozano and Irwindale Councilman Larry Burrola are endorsing both candidates. <br /><br />WTF?<br /><br />What's the point of offering an endorsement when you're endorsing both candidates. That's just dumb, a purely wussy move because it's obvious they don't want to piss anyone off.<br /><br />Another thing our five illustrious leaders probably agree on?<br /><br /><blockquote><span style="font-weight:bold;">We're all f*&@ed!</span></blockquote><br /><br />According to the guy who should be the suing the feds and state for making his life a living hell, Finance Director Thomas Bachman, "The sales tax shortfall and other revenue decreases will increase the current year General Fund deficit to almost $3.9 million." Man, that's a lot of scratch.<br /><br />How do we close that gap? Anyone? Well, we're spending $1.3 million annually on Big League Nightmare, but it's here and there's not much we can do about that. Can a city take donations? How about **drumroll, please**<br /><br />A REALITY SHOW!!<br /><br />Yes, yes, yes! Man, that would be awesome. If people are willing to watch a couple of morons raise 18 damn kids, I'm sure people would watch five morons* raise $3.9 million in deficits. I would totally watch it. And they should have a camera in closed session, too. I'm sure it can be edited to leave out sensitive information, but the camera can catch all the drama. Maybe the crew can instigate a fight between Hernandez and Herfert! <br /><br />Oh, and one of those confession cams for the staff. To think the juicy things they would tell America. I'm salivating just thinking about it.<br /><br />What about you, readers? What would you like to see on this TV show?<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">*No, Mrs. Sanderson, I'm not calling you a moron, I just couldn't think of better wordplay.</span>West Covina Watcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05381855396082716182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6849369130341123046.post-22688533467321651242009-01-21T14:50:00.001-08:002009-01-21T15:41:05.075-08:00I *heart* Little Manila (and you should, too)I like to pretend I'm a foodie. I can't cook, but I love to eat (as my previous posts indicate).<br /><br />But you know who can cook? Mrs. Watcher.<br /><br />I often tell her the moment I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her was when she cooked for me a nice spicy shrimp and beef dish. We had been dating for about six months before she cooked for me, and when she did, I knew that if I didn't make a move someone else better looking, richer and smarter would nab her. Luckily I thought that, 'cuz guys better looking, richer and smarter than me are about a dime a dozen.<br /><br />Anyway, when she gets in a rather culinary mood, she ventures to Little Manila in West Covina to stock up at <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/seafood-city-supermarket-west-covina">Seafood City</a>. I was reminded of her ritual when I read <a href="http://www.sgvtribune.com/ci_11492167?source=rss_viewed">this</a> in the Tribune.<br /><br />Little Manila, which is what us West Covinians call it, is always bustling. We have the Filipino McDonalds (<a href="http://www.jollibee.com.ph/">Jollibee</a>) and <a href="http://www.goldilocks-usa.com/">Goldilocks</a> bakery (if you've never had an <span style="font-weight:bold;">Ube cake</span>, you haven't lived). <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9YXXjbC_4q0/SXer4b4uoMI/AAAAAAAAAH0/MXrEYMVCV8A/s1600-h/cakes-ubecake.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 220px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9YXXjbC_4q0/SXer4b4uoMI/AAAAAAAAAH0/MXrEYMVCV8A/s400/cakes-ubecake.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5293888873044025538" /></a><br /><br />And as an interesting side note, I heard a LONG time ago that the owners of Seafood City and <a href="http://www.islandpacificmarket.com/">Island Pacific Supermarket</a>, directly across the street, have had a decades-long rivalry stemming from the Old Country. I don't know how true that is, but it would be interesting to find out.<br /><br />Another interesting side note: Officer Chiles Way (off of Amar) is named for West Covina Police Officer Charles Chiles, <a href="http://articles.latimes.com/2000/mar/25/local/me-12482">who died in a plane crash </a>in 2000.<br /><br />I know most of my readers come to this site to see my latest ramblings about city hall, but honestly, there's a lot more to West Covina than those five knuckleheads sitting on the City Council. I don't know what happened at the meeting last night because, you know, the whole "meetings taken off the air" thing. So, drop me a line about what happened!<br /><br />With that being said, go to Little Manila. Go to <a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz/bamboo-bistro-west-covina">Bamboo Bistro</a> and have some karaoke with your pork sisig or <a href="http://www.maxschicken.com/">Max of Manila's </a>world famous fried chicken. And please, for the love of God, have some Ube. Tell them the Watcher sent you. (that won't get you anything free or extra, I just think that's something you say)West Covina Watcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05381855396082716182noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6849369130341123046.post-11566010206285806462009-01-08T09:54:00.000-08:002009-01-08T10:18:22.402-08:00Teenage Girl Attacked in West Covina<a href="http://www.sgvtribune.com/ci_11402532?source=rss_viewed">This horrible incident</a> shocked a neighborhood today. <br /><br />A young girl, walking in her own neighborhood, was attacked and sexually assaulted outside at 6 a.m.<br /><br />From one reader: <span style="font-style:italic;">"I'm sure you have heard already about the young woman who was<br />assaulted in our neighborhood. The area where she was attacked is<br />about 2 blocks from where we live. The residents have been asking for<br />better police presence forever but we never get anywhere."</span><br /><br />The attacker is described as being about 5-foot-8, medium build with spikey hair. Police say he was Hispanic, but judging the fact that both <a href="http://www.imdb.com/media/rm3123550208/nm0005355">Carlton from "The Fresh Prince of Bel Air,"</a> and <a href="http://www.imdb.com/media/rm4033517312/nm0000139">Cameron Diaz</a> are both Hispanic, that's not really helping me out.<br /><br />If you know ANYTHING, call the West Covina Police Department at <span style="font-weight:bold;">(626) 939-8557</span>, or the anonymous tip line at <span style="font-weight:bold;">(626) 939-8557. </span>West Covina Watcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05381855396082716182noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6849369130341123046.post-69985748043492166372009-01-07T09:12:00.000-08:002009-01-07T10:19:22.331-08:00Walk outs! Better Than "Gossip Girl" (with less hot chicks)So, instead of sitting there and completing what has been called time and time and time again a "business meeting," Steve "The Mad Scientist" Herfert, Sherri "I'll Do Anything Steve Tells Me To" Lane, and Shelley "I Like You But You're Wrong" Sanderson <a href="http://www.insidesocal.com/sgvgov/2009/01/drama-in-west-covina.html">walked out while Mayor Roger Hernandez's thoughts as to why the city should have councilmanic districts.</a><br /><br />God forbid that a representative from each part of the city be on the city council, instead of having four out of five members live in one neighborhood, which happens to be the neighborhood with the most money. So far, these four knuckleheads approved seven houses to be on two lots, two-story condos smack-dab in the middle of a single-family home neighborhood, practically spit on a guy trying to GIVE the cash-strapped city money, and well, let's not forget the whole trying-to-sell-a-park-to-condo-developers thing.<br /><br />Meanwhile, the parks in their neighborhood, like Cortez and Maverick, are the crown jewels of the city. Well, there's BLD, too, but you actually have to pay to get into that one. And, well, it costs $1.3 million a year.<br /><br />I wasn't there, so I don't know the extent of the "drama," but I know Hernandez is a pit bull who doesn't pull punches. The thing about Hernandez, though, is he does it out in the open. His adversaries do it behind closed doors, or use taxpayer money to do it. Most recently, <a href="http://www.insidesocal.com/sgvgov/2008/12/fppc-rejects-claim-by-herfert.html">Herfert complained to the Fair Political Practices Commission </a>that Hernandez acted inappropriately when he suggested Chris Chung and Sue Williams take their matters to court, and if the courts find in favor of them, he'll pay the tab himself. Huh? Did I hear that right? Herfert is COMPLAINING about that?<br /><br />I guess my reaction was similar to that of the FPPC because they sent the complaint back to him with a big "Eff You" on top of it.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">SPEAKING OF SUE WILLIAMS</span><br /><br />I finally got my hands on a copy of that complaint myself, and it was funnier than an episode of "Curb Your Enthusiasm." First, this woman CLAIMS that Hernandez "instructed" Trib reporter and Leftover Lady Jennifer McLain to print Williams' name in a story.<br /><br />Really? A woman who basically single-handedly brought down a corrupt water board member and launched a couple of DA investigations with her stories let a council member "instruct" her to do anything? Oh, and this reporter and Hernandez were "text messaging" each other throughout an entire meeting? I believe that phone records track text messaging, and judging by the fact Ms. McLain still has her job leads me to believe that this claim is a fallacy.<br /><br />Secondly, she's upset her name was in the paper. In case you didn't know, Williams' job title is <span style="font-weight:bold;">PUBLIC</span> Information Officer. Somehow, it seems she thinks it means otherwise. All Hernandez really did is say "Hey, look. We have a $2 million deficit and we can't afford the things created in better times, like the PIO position." Based on that, Ms. Williams says her hair is falling out, she has heart palpitations and, get this, "SEVERE RUNS!" LOL! A woman is "embarrassed" that her name is associated with budget cuts, but she's not embarrassed to tell the world that she lives on the shitter? <br /><br />All of her complaints against Hernandez are basically third-person garbage that really has nothing to do with him at all, so good luck with that, lady.<br /><br />Please, council, I implore you to let this one get to court because I would love to see this complaint played out live. <br /><br />Did I mention that Williams retained the same attorney as <a href="http://westcovinawatcher.blogspot.com/2008/11/america-made-good-choice-when-it-chose.html">Chris Chung</a>? I think THAT'S interesting, and frankly, very telling. Especially since these two complaints and Herfert's FPPC complaint came after Herfert threatened to come after Hernandez.<br /><br />Look, it's no secret I'm a fan of Hernandez. But you know what? A lot of people are. There are a few out there who want to take him down, but apparently, the voters disagreed with them. I like the fact that he fights for what the people want, and I like the fact he isn't afraid to piss off all the right people. That's what the greatest leaders of our time did. Will he be a great leader? Only time will tell. Until then, he has my support, because a guy who could barely scrape together a war chest in the last election, get totally bombarded with a negative media blitz in the days leading up to the election, and still manages to get public support is a guy who I think listens to the will of the people, and isn't afraid to do it.<br /><br />And I also like the fact that he doesn't live in South Hills.West Covina Watcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05381855396082716182noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6849369130341123046.post-40494885632992229942008-12-04T12:08:00.000-08:002008-12-04T12:18:28.758-08:00I'm all kinds of confusedOn Tuesday night, the City Council voted <a href="http://www.sgvtribune.com/ci_11134356">3-1 to let the towing contract go out to bid. </a>I'm all for the bidding process, but apparently, the towers, Royal Coaches, were offering to put ADDITIONAL money in the city coffers -- an additional $120,000 annually.<br /><br />Wait, let us rewind for second. The council gave <a href="http://westcovinawatcher.blogspot.com/2008/08/remember-when-athens-wasnt-garbage.html">Athens (trash) a very nice extension </a>with no bids and it didn't have half the public support Royal Coaches did. Plus, Athens didn't offer $120,000 additional dollars to the city coffers, except it's just taking money from taxpayers and basically doing less work.<br /><br />Can someone please tell me what the thinking was here? I'm all for being fair, but if the Royal Coaches contract is going out for bid, I argue EVERY SINGLE contract in the city (including Athens) should also go out for bid when their time is up.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Fair's fair.</span><br /><br />Plus, I got some news that my girl, Shelley wasn't there Tuesday. She's missed a few meetings these past few months, which is not at all like her. I hope everything's OK with you, Mrs. Sanderson. <br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">(Maybe, though, she's the only smart one in the bunch and is gearing up NOT to run in the 2009 election. I wouldn't sit on that council if you paid me.)</span>West Covina Watcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05381855396082716182noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6849369130341123046.post-22422005036549028182008-11-26T11:23:00.000-08:002008-11-26T11:24:55.258-08:00Gobble, Gobble!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9YXXjbC_4q0/SS2if27MW1I/AAAAAAAAAHs/HD9p-nAJHWk/s1600-h/bush-turkey-mad.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 313px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9YXXjbC_4q0/SS2if27MW1I/AAAAAAAAAHs/HD9p-nAJHWk/s400/bush-turkey-mad.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273049406924151634" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Have a great Thanksgiving holiday.</span>West Covina Watcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05381855396082716182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6849369130341123046.post-34069334977349078372008-11-20T09:04:00.000-08:002008-11-20T09:30:10.604-08:00Surrender to a higher powerLook, I'm no expert, but when your two biggest controversies as councilmember allegedly involve alcohol, it's time to surrender. It's time to get help.<br /><br />I'm not referring to West Covina, by the way, but a neighbor, El Monte, and it's mayor Ernie Gutierrez. Earlier this year, residents charged that Mayor Gutierrez <a href="http://www.insidesocal.com/sgvgov/2008/11/el-montes-personal-life-in-new.html">showed up to a city function drunk</a> and the mayor was cursing incessantly while groping his mistress. He denies all charges, of course.<br /><br />Now, it looks like booze got him in trouble again. He was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence, and it looks like someone <a href="http://www.insidesocal.com/sgvgov/2008/11/update-on-el-monte-mayor-arres.html">poured some beer on his head</a>, or something like that.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">1. We admitted we were powerless against alcohol, that our lives became unmanageable</span><br />When you know you have an important city function to attend to as mayor representing your city, and you still can't step away from the bottle, it's likely you have a problem. When your drinking has become a hot topic in the city you represent, all over the blogosphere, it's time to admit you need help.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">2. Came to believe that power, greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity</span><br />Don't think of that Power is God just now. More hiccups like this and it looks like the voters will be that Power, oust you from office, and from there you can pick up the pieces of your life.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood him</span><br />That really isn't a bad idea <br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves</span><br />Well, it looks like you have to look at all of it, not just the drinking, but the mistress, the partying you most likely to at taxpayer-funded conventions and conferences. I hear those things are worse than an end-of-the-semester kegger at a frat house. <br /><br />Oh, there's more. Exactly 8 more, but I don't want to give it all away now because that's a journey you'll have to take without the aid of the internets.<br /><br />Go. Get help.West Covina Watcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05381855396082716182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6849369130341123046.post-91868500870655588622008-11-19T09:09:00.000-08:002008-11-19T09:25:57.838-08:00Congratulations, MayorRoger Hernandez is now the <a href="http://www.sgvtribune.com/ci_11020348?source=rss_viewed">youngest mayor to serve the city of West Covina.</a><br /><br />Congratulations.<br /><br />Well, I am incredibly sorry I was unable to attend, but was my mailbox filled to the brim this morning.<br /><br />Among some of the emails reads:<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">"You should have been there. I hate to admit how many of these things I've been to, and this is the first time I've ever seen such enthusiasm by the people in the audience."<br /><br />"There was like, a standing ovation. People doing the Arsenio Hall 'woo, woo, woo' thing."<br /><br />"The party after was awesome. You should have seen Herb Redholtz! If Steve Herfert knew his loyal minion was having such a blast at his sworn enemy's party, he'd pull him off the Planning Commission so fast his head would spin."<br /><br />"It was a great, positive evening, and I only hope it's an indicator of what kind of leader we will have in City Hall."<br /></span><br />"This appointment was a long-time coming, and I'm so glad Herfert the Hater wasn't there to ruin the moment."<br /><br />Thanks, readers. It looks like I didn't have to write much of anything.<br /><br />I will say this, though: I think, Mayor, you're going to do a great job. While the position is mostly ceremonial, it is also your responsibility to chair the meetings and to be fair. If I were in your position, I'd want to take revenge out on everybody. But from what I hear, your eloquent speech hinted that your leadership is going to be one of teamwork through a year of what is probably going to be very tough.West Covina Watcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05381855396082716182noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6849369130341123046.post-42496513077692929562008-11-18T11:19:00.001-08:002008-11-18T11:43:44.942-08:00Don't F with Da Police!It looks like taking a baton from a WCPD Officer will <a href="http://www.sgvtribune.com/ci_11005644?source=rss_viewed">get you dead</a>. As it should. <br /><br />What are you, crazy? Probably. It's unfortunate, but it seems to me that the man killed at the Target near Big League Dreams was probably extremely mentally ill. When you're an officer on the beat, your first priority is to protect yourself and the people around you. You don't really have time to assess someone's mental capabilities, especially when you're being attacked.<br /><br />With that being said, I strongly recommend people do what they can to help those with mental illnesses. People like <a href="http://www.latimes.com/news/local/photography/la-me-lopez-skidrow-nathaniel-series,0,4154532.special">Anthony Ayers</a>, a classically trained musician who had to drop out of Julliard and sleep on the streets because the voices in his head wouldn't stop.<br /><br />I'm also reminded of <a href="http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-homeless13-2008oct13,0,5382004.story">John Robert Graham</a>, who lived on the streets of Downtown Los Angeles because he, too, couldn't come to terms with his mental illness. A person, or people, didn't see him as human, and lit him on fire. He burned to death.<br /><br />I remember John from the days I used to take the bus EVERYWHERE, stopping at Mid-Wilshire to get something to eat. I saw him almost everyday, piercing blue eyes beaming through a jungle of a wild beard, dreadlocks and dirt. He never asked me for money, but I'd occasionally hand some over.<br /><br />That's why I think it's important for people to recognize how devastating mental illness is, and to also find ways to help those suffering from it. I encourage everyone to go to the <a href="http://www.nami.org/">National Association of Mental Illness</a> website and educate yourself on the diseases that could be a lot closer than you think.<br /><br />Now....<br /><br />Tonight's the night Mayor Pro Tem Hernandez is to be Mayor after being skipped over twice before 'cause he couldn't make nice with his colleagues and they made up some bullshit excuse to keep him from the gavel. Will they do it again tonight? I guess we'll see, though I doubt they will. I'm hearing from several readers that doing so would be a huge embarrassment to them because they gave him his WORD they wouldn't do it again. I'm on pins and needles. All I know is that if it does happen, I want to go to <span style="font-style:italic;">THAT </span>party. Oughta be fun!West Covina Watcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05381855396082716182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6849369130341123046.post-91246735330344525772008-11-12T10:22:00.000-08:002008-11-12T10:39:48.288-08:00Haters gotta hate....I know Jersey City is a long way away from West Covina, but I was absolutely shocked when I read about <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/news/us_world/2008/11/09/2008-11-09_councilman_vows_to_quit_alcohol_after_pu.html">this.</a><br /><br />In internets talk "OMFG" does not even come close to how I was feeling when I read about it. Apparently, I'm not the only one. The Ladies over at <a href="http://www.insidesocal.com/sgvgov/2008/11/councilman-pees-on-crowd.html">Leftovers</a> also found it quite interesting.<br /><br />I think my favorite part of this entire post is that Jennifer McLain states, "At least our council members don't do this," and someone else posted "Well, at least not literally." Later, there was an R. Kelly reference and I effing lost it. <br /><br />See, it made me a little proud. Sometimes people just drink far too much Haterade in the morning and unleash on the internets, especially the Leftovers blog, and now on mine. That's fine with me. I welcome it. But I was starting to think the people of West Covina and the greater San Gabriel Valley area had lost their senses of humor. Good, witty humor, not just calling someone a fag and hoping it sticks.<br /><br />So, I will definitely have some more posts about other bodily functions soon enough. Just keep tight. In the meantime, enjoy this video, and when you do, think of <a href="http://www.cityofjerseycity.com/citycouncil.aspx?id=1220">Steve Lipski:</a><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/quIFnIclxKA&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/quIFnIclxKA&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>West Covina Watcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05381855396082716182noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6849369130341123046.post-9284439400500761292008-11-06T10:17:00.000-08:002008-11-06T15:46:38.785-08:00From the grassroots: Get Out the Truth!America made a good choice when it chose President-Elect Barack Obama to lead them.<br /><br />What was so impressive about Obama’s campaign is that is started on the ground. Five years ago, no one outside of Chicago knew the name “Barack Obama,” much less knew how to pronounce it. With his strong community-organizing skills and the wonders of the Internets, Barack Obama is a household name that will go down in history, and not just because he is this nation’s first black president, but because I strongly believe he will be the FDR of our time (minus the Japanese internment camps), and will take this country out of our Depression while giving millions of Americans hope.<br /><br />Now, I bet you’re wondering why I’m bringing this up on a blog mostly devoted to West Covina politics. Well, I see a similar groundswell of a grassroots movement shaping up in our fair city. Will it hit the heights of our President-Elect? One could only hope. <br /><br />This groundswell is shaping up on a side of the city that has historically been ignored: The Southside. Residents there tended not to pay attention to their local politics unless something piqued their interest, be it the BKK Landfill or the fate of Shadow Oak Park (which is almost done, by the way, you have to go see it if you haven’t.) <br /><br />However, after the BKK Landfill thing got won by the residents in the ’90s, they went back to their own lives and continued to ignore their city politics, and basically voted people in because their names were familiar. After the Shadow Oak Park debacle, however, the residents didn’t stop there. This group, <a href="http://www.webs-plus.com/html/ccwc_home.html">Concerned Citizens for a Better West Covina</a>, is gaining steam, and not just on the south side.<br /><br />According to some people who have been e-mailing me since I started this blog, about 100 people showed up at the City Council meeting on Tuesday night. While I was watching this historic election come to a close, they were there. The Concerned Citizens helped organize a push to overturn a decision by the council that would require residents who park on the streets overnight to pay for a permit. <br />While all the council members voted for it initially, the turnout at City Hall changed their minds. <br /><br />This is the fourth case in which these Concerned Citizens showed us all that we can beat City Hall and our voice does matter. First, instead of condos, the lower portion of Shadow Oak Park is now an actual park. Secondly, despite a horrific blitz of negative mailers and dirty political tricks, Roger Hernandez was re-elected to the City Council. Third, a community full of beautiful single-family homes will remain so despite a push to build a two-story condo complex by the Faction of Four’s most generous donor, and now, we can park on the streets in our neighborhoods without paying a dime.<br /><br />As one member of this awesome team wrote to me yesterday, “Last night showed that the residents can make a difference, they just need to make their views known. When the residents show up at Council meetings, send e-mails, and call, they have to listen.”<br /><br />I think that Nov. 4 should also show us that Rovian politics are officially dead, so I call for the end of the reviled “hit pieces” that come to our mailboxes every election season. I call for the destruction of the fictional “West Covina Senior Citizens Taxpayers Association,” and I call for an end to half-witted, disgusting, waste-of-taxpayer money “investigations” and lame attempts to oust good people out of office. <br /><br /> <span style="font-weight:bold;"> OFF TO ANOTHER SUBJECT</span><br /><br />Yes, I’m talking to you <a href="http://www.insidesocal.com/mt/mt-search.cgi?search=chris+chung&IncludeBlogs=211">Christopher Chung</a>. Answering questions at a council meeting IS YOUR JOB – calling it harassment is an embarrassment to this city, and an embarrassment to Community Development Commission directors everywhere. You said in your complaint that being “grilled,” or being asked simple questions, which is how I saw it, embarrassed you and would hurt your future employment prospects elsewhere. Well, how does it help your future employment prospects if you’re suing your employer for ASKING YOU QUESTIONS? Good luck with that, buddy. But I don't have to wish you luck, do I? It's already in the bag. You have the unwavering support of the City Attorney, and probably the council majority, to probably put the cash in your hand before you can be proven to be a big, fat liar in front of a judge or jury. <br /><br />Now, why do I think Mr. Chung is lying? Several reasons.<br />A. He is an old friend of <a href="http://westcovinawatcher.blogspot.com/2008/03/oooh-you-make-me-live_26.html">Arnold Alvarez-Glasman</a> and that guy is probably the dirtiest City Attorney in the history of the world.<br /><br />B. He filed the claim based on a report from an investigator who has a history of manipulating the truth to fit his clients' needs. For instance, the investigator -- Ed McErlain -- in 2004 investigated a former <a href="http://cache.zoominfo.com/CachedPage/?archive_id=0&page_id=714451881&page_url=%2f%2fwww.pcc-courieronline.com%2fnews%2f060304%2ffired.html&page_last_updated=6%2f9%2f2004+10%3a28%3a49+PM&firstName=Ed&lastName=McErlain">janitor at Pasadena City College who was fired after being injured</a>. According to the school's award-winning newspaper, McErlain's "conclusion depends on selective use of the evidence."<br /><br />C. He has no qualms giving gifts to council members, as is proven by their conflict-of-interest records.<br /><br />D. This "claim" is filed over 2 years after the "incident," just a few weeks before Roger Hernandez is to be mayor, and <span style="font-weight:bold;">TWO WEEKS</span> after Steve Herfert, according to an e-mail to City Manager Andrew Pasmant and Police Chief Frank Wills, told Hernandez: "We're gonna come after your ass," "If not us, someone else will, " and "We are gonna sue your ass." <br /><br />and finally, <br /><br />E. Chris Chung's initial complaint was filed less than two months before Hernandez's re-election, even though the alleged incident occurred a year-and-a-half earlier.<br /><br />I think any judge worth his salt will throw this case out, but how much you guys wanna bet it's gonna be "settled" before then?West Covina Watcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05381855396082716182noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6849369130341123046.post-91770043161917270872008-11-05T09:24:00.001-08:002008-11-05T09:30:15.503-08:00Congratulations, America!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9YXXjbC_4q0/SRHYG5ttymI/AAAAAAAAAHk/Y87Dp-1CQMU/s1600-h/barack3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 299px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9YXXjbC_4q0/SRHYG5ttymI/AAAAAAAAAHk/Y87Dp-1CQMU/s400/barack3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265227052456200802" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">You made the right choice.<br /><br />You chose hope over fear.<br /><br />You chose civility over discourtesy.<br /><br />You chose mind over matter.<br /><br />You chose Barack Obama.</span>West Covina Watcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05381855396082716182noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6849369130341123046.post-17774639865000757142008-11-04T09:10:00.000-08:002008-11-04T09:15:24.228-08:00A message from Shelley<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9YXXjbC_4q0/SRCDJ6XtwTI/AAAAAAAAAHU/SwLeXjinE3w/s1600-h/sanderson.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 140px; height: 153px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9YXXjbC_4q0/SRCDJ6XtwTI/AAAAAAAAAHU/SwLeXjinE3w/s400/sanderson.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264852170706895154" /></a><br />To be perfectly honest, readers, I haven't logged on to the blog in a few days. When I posted my last message about voting, I noticed I had a message underneath my post about Shelley Sanderson, by Shelley Sanderson. <br /><br />Obviously upset with the Tribune, she decided to post her letter here, and because I'm stoked that she did it here and you all know how much I like her (even though I constantly disagree with her) I'm going to post it again.<br /><br />Take it away, Shelley:<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">(Written and submitted to the Tribune)<br />This letter is in response to an October 13, 2008 article, entitled, " Woman pleads to `disturbing' councilwoman". The article was unfortunately incomplete. My comments at that time had to be limited and perhaps misinterpreted. The caution and limitation was due to the fact there is additional and anticipated criminal/civil cases beyond the telephone stalking conviction against the individual who has been harassing me.<br /><br />I have been advised that I can offer the following statement.<br /><br />The individual that had been harassing me threatened me over the telephone calling nine times in one day and later posted a false defamatory video claiming it was me. This same individual has a prior Felony Conviction and that fact made me even more concerned for my family and our safety.<br /><br />She wrongfully claimed that I was involved in this vile Internet posting. She was trying to defame my reputation as a City Council Member and further hurt my family. Her actions may bring additional charges. I do have a current restraining order against her.<br /><br />I want to make it absolutely clear that I had nothing to do with the making of that video. The image shown was not me. In fact, I had no idea it existed until I was so informed by the Police Department.<br /><br />I take this type of slanderous behavior very seriously and will do what it takes to seek justice.<br /><br />Shelley Sanderson<br />West Covina City Council</span>West Covina Watcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05381855396082716182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6849369130341123046.post-27831020706031882252008-11-04T09:06:00.000-08:002008-11-04T09:09:46.892-08:00VOTE!!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9YXXjbC_4q0/SRCByZy7l9I/AAAAAAAAAHM/m72RUu1xmSo/s1600-h/uncle_sam_pointing_finger.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 298px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_9YXXjbC_4q0/SRCByZy7l9I/AAAAAAAAAHM/m72RUu1xmSo/s400/uncle_sam_pointing_finger.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264850667314059218" /></a><br /><br />Today's it. It's time to put on your rubber boots and head to the polls (if you haven't sent in your vote already)<br /><br />I already did it myself and I every time I vote I feel like I accomplished something great that day, almost to the point where I can go home, sleep away the rest of the day and still feel accomplished.<br /><br />But I won't.<br /><br />GO VOTE!!!!!!!!West Covina Watcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05381855396082716182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6849369130341123046.post-26456583448142048172008-10-29T14:10:00.001-07:002008-10-29T14:19:12.717-07:00You Won't Like Me When I'm AngryI am absolutely sick to death of opening up the paper and reading things like <a href="http://www.sgvtribune.com/ci_10842146">this.</a><br /><br />What year is it again? This is 2008, goddammit and I'm so bloody sick of people who want to act like the Civil Rights Movement never happened. It is not OK, not OK, not OK. It's vile. It's disgusting. And to think that I live so close to it makes me sick to my stomach!!<br /><br />You watch footage of people coming out of McCain/Palin rallies calling Obama the N-word, "Terrorist," putting on Obama stickers on stuffed monkeys, and people around the country lose their goddamn minds!<br /><br />This is sickening and I'm so tired of it.<br /><br />I don't even know where to start or end, or what to say next. This whole thing has just depressed me. Here we are, on the precipice of history, and things like this occur.West Covina Watcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05381855396082716182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6849369130341123046.post-28935347714010449732008-10-24T15:50:00.000-07:002008-10-24T15:56:48.699-07:00I know it's not WeCo, but...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9YXXjbC_4q0/SQJSlNhTqBI/AAAAAAAAAHE/vTJmO5bA0Hg/s1600-h/mccainpalin3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 336px; height: 229px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9YXXjbC_4q0/SQJSlNhTqBI/AAAAAAAAAHE/vTJmO5bA0Hg/s400/mccainpalin3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260858113960159250" /></a><br />After hearing that Sarah Palins duds cost $150,000 (paid for not by her, but by unsuspecting Republicans hoping their money went into ads, mailers, strategists, etc.), I thought nothing the McCain-Palin camp would shock me. Then... I read <a href="http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/10/24/pains-makeup-stylist-fetches-highest-salary-in-2-week-period/">this</a>.<br /><br />I'd be SO PISSED if I were a Republican. Since I'm not, I think it's effing HILARIOUS! What's even more hilarious is she wants us to think she's an all-around, gosh-darn-it, folksy, middle class hockey mom.<br /><br />My wife is a middle class soccer mom and she buys her duds at H&M and Target, Macy's if she's feeling especially dangerous.West Covina Watcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05381855396082716182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6849369130341123046.post-89624425378801408162008-10-24T13:21:00.000-07:002008-10-24T14:01:16.890-07:00OMG!Before I go into the diatribe about what the heck I found in my inbox, I'm just going to say I had a fantastic vacation -- family, foliage, football and Philly Cheeseteaks! Though it's nice to visit back East, I'm glad to be home. Man, those Phillies fans are outta control! I wore my LA Dodger cap and you'd think I was a serial rapist who targets deaf mutes!<br /><br />Anyway... let's get on with it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9YXXjbC_4q0/SQI3h-cIWXI/AAAAAAAAAG8/29Gf4GAq89g/s1600-h/sanderson.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 140px; height: 153px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9YXXjbC_4q0/SQI3h-cIWXI/AAAAAAAAAG8/29Gf4GAq89g/s400/sanderson.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260828371558357362" /></a><a href="http://www.insidesocal.com/sgvgov/2008/10/why.html">Shelley Sanderson in a sex tape</a>?!?! WTF???? You know, I made it a point to leave alone the Internets when I want on vacation. Actually, it was my wife who kind of gave me this silly little ultimatum, "If you type in 'www' into anything on this vacation, I'm going to dress you up in Dodger Blue and handcuff you to the Broad Street Line." I will NEVER forgive her.<br /><br />Seriously, my jaw couldn't hit the ground any harder. In case you missed it, or were too lazy to click on the above link, some woman named <a href="http://www.myspace.com/charlyndalamb">Charlynda Lamb</a> was busted for "stalking" my girl, Shelley. Apparently, this Lamb woman posted a sex tape that purportedly shows Shelley doin' some naughty stuff and then making threatening phone calls to the councilwoman.<br /><br />I'm going to play if it's true:<br /><br />If it's true ... Why would anyone with political aspirations be so stupid?<br />If it's true ... Why would anyone with four kids, some of whom are probably old enough to use the Internets, be so stupid?<br />If it's true ... Why did I find out about this AFTER it was taken DOWN from the Internets???<br />If it's true ... All she needs is a DUI arrest and we have our own little celebrity!<br /><br />Good god! Now, according to the story, the police say it was not Mrs. Sanderson on the tape, even though Mrs. Sanderson didn't really deny it herself.<br /><br />Now, because I don't know if it's her or not, I'm just going to go ahead and assume it's not. Still, why would this Charlynda Lamb be stalking Mrs. Sanderson? The woman doesn't even live near West Covina, even though Mrs. Sanderson recalls meeting her -- though she doesn't know where or when, which I find a little odd. If someone was threatening me, I'd wrack my brain trying to figure it out so I can start connecting some dots. But that's just me.<br /><br />And seriously, google this woman's name and you'll see she calls herself a <a href="http://charlyndalamb.com/modeling.html">"model." </a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9YXXjbC_4q0/SQIz6jkaPwI/AAAAAAAAAG0/ns0Z-NH1SBQ/s1600-h/Easter_167-325x509.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 255px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_9YXXjbC_4q0/SQIz6jkaPwI/AAAAAAAAAG0/ns0Z-NH1SBQ/s400/Easter_167-325x509.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260824395795545858" /></a><br /><br />OK, then. I had myself, sent Ms. Lamb an email, hoping to get a clue as to "Why?" If she writes back, I'll be sure to let you know about it. And, if you happen to know where this tape is, please let me know so I could settle this nonsense ONCE AND FOR ALL!<br /><br />Thanks, readers. It's so good to be back.West Covina Watcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05381855396082716182noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6849369130341123046.post-9059745210791262522008-10-09T16:37:00.001-07:002008-10-09T16:41:16.431-07:00Vacay!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9YXXjbC_4q0/SO6WiXteZjI/AAAAAAAAAGs/wcnyJwAeAFM/s1600-h/foliage.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_9YXXjbC_4q0/SO6WiXteZjI/AAAAAAAAAGs/wcnyJwAeAFM/s400/foliage.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255303332412417586" /></a><br /><br /><br />Hey, Watcher Readers!<br /><br />I'm going on vacation for two bliss-filled weeks starting at 5 p.m. today. <br /><br />Along with shutting off the cell, I promised myself not to look at any screens-- TV, computer, Blackberry, etc. so please hold off on your emails, and don't get offended if I don't reply in a timely manner. I'm outta here!West Covina Watcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05381855396082716182noreply@blogger.com0