Message From Pomona PD Officer's Assoc

Dear Neighbor,

The Pomona City Council is attempting to go behind our backs and shut down the Pomona Police Department. On April 1st the City Council unexpectedly proposed eliminating our local police force and bringing in the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department - even after telling the police department that no such plans were in the works.

Thankfully, when faced with an overwhelming crowd, the City Council chose to postpone their vote on the matter until April 19th.

Pomona’s Police Department is vital to the safety of our families and our businesses. We need our own police force -- not a sheriff’s department responsible for unincorporated areas, other contract cities, courthouses, and county jail facilities.

Before the next meeting this coming Monday, April 19th, please let the Pomona City Council and City Manager know that you won’t be blindsided by their dirty tricks.

Call City Hall at (909) 620-2311, or if busy call (909) 620-2042.
Please also email your City Council Members below.
Mayor Elliot Rothman: elliot_rothman@ci.pomona.ca.us
City Manager Linda Lowry: linda_lowry@ci.pomona.ca.us
Councilwoman Danielle Soto: danielle_soto@ci.pomona.ca.us
Councilman Freddie Rodriguez: freddie_rodriguez@ci.pomona.ca.us
Councilwoman Cristina Carrizosa: cristina_carrizosa@ci.pomona.ca.us
Councilwoman Paula Lantz: paula_lantz@ci.pomona.ca.us
Councilman Tim Saunders: tim_saunders@ci.pomona.ca.us
Councilman Stephen Atchley: stephen_atchley@ci.pomona.ca.us

Show your support for the Pomona Police Department and attend a rally prior to the City Council meeting on Monday, April 19th, 6:30 PM at the Pomona City Council Chambers (at City Hall). Call your own Pomona Police Officers' Association at (909) 392-8982 for more information and to make sure we keep you informed on this critical situation.

Your own Pomona Police thank you for your interest and support!

Paid for by the Pomona Police Officers’ Association
2822 Metropolitan Place
Pomona, CA 91767-1854

Join the fight to protect Pomona’s Police Department today!
Email pomonapoa@aol.com for more information.

I assume that the PAID FOR line was on a printed version of this notice. I received it as an email from several sources. John Clifford

The "H" word for 2009

I originally wrote this back in January, but it was relegated to the draft folder. Now with the discussion of dumping the city's police force for the LAC sheriff, I figured it was timely to flick the dust off.


If you happen to occasionally engage in some P-town gossip at the water cooler (assuming you're still employed), feel free to spread the news that 2009 marked only the third time since 1985 that Pomona's homicide total was seventeen or less. The 2009 count is unofficial, but wow, congrats to the Pomona PD, the city administration, and most importantly the residents of Pomona.


I took a bit of a hiatus on the map building during the second half of the year, but fortunately our trusted friends working at the San Gabriel Vally Tribune aren't too good at geography and have included Pomona and Claremont in their SGV homicide map.

Well, I apparently took so long the SGV map is no more, so if you're a picture person, the LA Times may be your only choice.

Pomona and the internet?

Anyone out there have insight into how to access the city of Pomona's website? Did the city forget to pay its bill or have we reached the point that the city's checks are starting to bounce?

It's probably a transient problem and will be working perfectly before I receive any replies, but it's been down for about 8 hours today.

Thanks in advance.

Council to Study Cuts to Public Safety

This post is in response to Anonymous' comment in the previous post.

First off, the headline I chose might be a little misleading. The study is to find ways to cut COSTS for public safety. Agenda item 13 (lucky number?) on Monday's council agenda calls for a study of the costs of the Fire Department AND the potential for getting rid of our local police department and contracting with County Sheriff.

Is this really about looking at Fire? Given that the LA County Firefighters have never seen a decrease AND they are the largest contributors to council candidates, I doubt it. This is about getting rid of the Pomona PD. This is something that has been brewing for a long time. In speaking of the dismantling of Pomona PD and hiring of LA County Sherrif, one Councilperson even told community groups that this was a "Done Deal."

The last time there was a Charter Review and subsequent changes, the citizens determined that such a change has to be confirmed by a vote of the people, not a city council decision.
According to our city charter:

Sec. 706.  City Police Department/Chief of Police.

(b)   Within the departments established, police services as required by law shall be performed by Pomona City Police Department employees. The City may not contract for primary police services with the County of Los Angeles or other police agencies without a vote of the City's electorate. The City may contract for ancillary police-related services without a vote of the electorate. (emphasis added)

Is this the reason that the city council has decided not to appoint a Charter Review Commission and to be COMPLETELY OUT OF COMPLIANCE with the city charter? Are they afraid that a citizen commission would disagree with them? Under the City Charter:

"Article XVII.  Charter Commission

"Sec. 1701.  Charter Commission.

Beginning in January of the year 2010, and in January of every tenth year thereafter, the Council shall appoint a Commission to consider and propose amendments to the existing Charter. No later than twelve (12) months from each inception, the Commission shall submit its proposals to the City Clerk for placement on the ballot at the next scheduled election."

Note that there is NO wiggle room in this section. The Council shall in January 2010 appoint a Commission. However they have not done so and it is NOT on the agenda for April 5. So we're now 4 month late--WHY? According to the definitions in the charter itself"

"Sec. 1501.  Definitions. 

(a)   "Shall" is mandatory and "may" is permissive."

 So the council is not following the law (the charter is the supreme law governing the city).

There is no legitimate reason for this delay.  The council and staff have known for over 10 years that this was coming up. They've had adequate time to comply with the requirements of the LAW.

According to the original opinion of the city attorney. The council could have named itself as the commission. However, since the council already has (and has always had) the right to amend the charter (submitting it to the voters), why would the framers of section 1701 have even have put this as a requirement? I believe that it is clear that the intention of the framers was that this should be a CITIZEN's commission, NOT the city council.

Unfortunately, I will be out of town for this meeting, but will be following it closely. Let's see what the council is trying to do. Will they follow our laws or will they try and pull something over on us?

Disclosure: I have applied to be on the Charter Review Commission so have been following its progress closely.

Some PUSD news

For my blogging return, I thought I'd start with a cut-and-paste from a Pomona Unified email. My condolences to the families and friends.


PUSD family bids sad and fond farewell to two long-time teachers

A death in the family is always difficult, but two in one weekend is almost unbearable. Staff, students, and parents were stunned to learn of the deaths of two long-time teachers Mar. 27 and 28. Decker Elementary teacher Greg Shaw (left) passed away unexpectedly, and Garey High Athletic Director George Perry (right) and his wife, Clara, died the next day in a car accident. Both men were generously praised for their genuine care and concern for our students and for their colleagues. The memorial service for Mr. Shaw is scheduled for Fri., April 9, at 3:00 p.m., Messiah Lutheran Church, 4861 Liverpool Street, Yorba Linda. The memorial service for George and Clara Perry will take place Sat., May 1, from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., at Mountain Meadows Golf Course, 1875 Fairplex Drive, Pomona.

Please support your local Pomona schools and those individuals who dedicate their lives to the education of our youth.

Free Help For Old Homes

Pomona Heritage
Old Home Restoration Workshop

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Saturday, April 3

FREE Old Home Restoration Workshop Saturday, April 4, 2009 9:00 am to 4:00 pm Trinity United Methodist Church 676 N. Gibbs, Pomona, CA. FREE  Scheduled Workshops May Include: Window Repair · Window Replacement · Pomona City Codes · Faux Painting · Foundations · Historic Lighting · California Native Plants · Drought Tolerant Gardening · Historic Hardware · Paint Stripping · Plumbing Repair · And More Learn About Pomona Heritage's $5000 Restoration Grants Program For more information visit: www.pomonaheritage.org

I Don't Think We're in Kansas Anymore!

Friends of the Pomona Fox Family Film Day!

Sunday, March 28

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Friends of the Pomona Fox, in association with the Pomona Fox Theater, is pleased to announce the first film program at the Pomona Fox Theater. We will be screening the classic 1939 film, The Wizard of Oz, starring Judy Garland, Ray Bolger, Jack Haley, Bert Lahr, and Frank Morgan. Directed by Victor Fleming, Oz is one of the best loved films of all time. Doors will open at 12:30 with tours of the theater available to early attendees and the film will screen at 2:00 pm. Price: Adults $2.00          Children 12 and under: $1.00 Time: Doors open / Tours 12:30          Films screen 2:00 pm More information? http://www.pomonafox.org Your favorite movie munchies will also be available with fresh-popped popcorn, a selection of fountain soft drinks, and delicious candy. For the adults, there will be beer, wine, and other bar items, as well as hot food available from THE DRINK restaurant/bar located just off the lobby next to the theater's entrance (and yes, you can eat and drink inside the theater). Have your photo taken with Dorothy and her friends! We'll have life-size cutouts of the Oz characters should you desire a souvenir photo. Why Not Make a Full Day of It? Prior to attending the Oz Screening, enjoy a Sunday Brunch at THE DRINK restaurant in the national register historic Pomona Fox Theater. Brunch is an all-you-can-eat make-it-yourself Pancake bar with all the toppings. Also included is your favorite champagne beverages.

the h-word in p-town

It's been ages since Our Ed has posted his Pomona homicide report -- or indeed posted anything at all. I notice that the LAT has gotten back on the bike (they had a homicide report long ago, didn't they?) and has started up an interactive homicide map.

I realized this when reading the sad story of a girl who was killed at Olive and Glenroy when two guys pulled up in a car, asked if she and her friend were affiliated with a gang, and then shot them when they said no. "Olive and Glenroy" was colored and highlighted, so I clicked through, and lo and behold, there was an interactive homicide map.

And you know what it told me? It told me that there have been 21 homicides since Jan. 1, 2007 within two miles of that intersection. Which is all fine and dandy until you realize that there have been FORTY within two miles of Towne and Columbia.

That's right, people -- us District 4 "rich white people" (as Cristina Carrizosa once called us) are some bad-ass muthafuckas. You'd better be in it to win it if you gonna mess with the Craftsman Crips, because we will take a brotha DOWN. Statistics don't lie: We are twice as murderous as Dictrict 2, and don't you forget it.

Council Meeting Tonight

Tonight is another city council meeting. The agenda can be found here.

First up will be two proclamations. The first will declare April 2010 as "Sexual Assault Awareness Day." The second will declare Feb. 26, 2010 as "Richard Barker Day" (I always love how timely the proclamations can be). Richard Barker is a Pomona philanthropist and historian who presented a display on the citrus industry in early Pomona at Western U on Feb. 26.

With that important business out of the way, the council will next move to comments from themselves, the city manager and the public.


After that is the consent agenda. These are items which don't have to be discussed and can be just voted on en mass. They include:

• Finalizing the Pomona Valley Hospital Specific Plan
• Ordering an engineering report on street lighting and landscaping in the special assessment district (Phillips Ranch)
• Authorizing staff to apply for grants for recycling
• Approval of $125,000 for consulting services for the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System program
• A $38,040 contract with for the sweeping of the Vehicle Parking District parking lots downtown
• A resolution authorizing the receiving of local sales tax records and allowing certain city officials access to them
• A resolution amending the 2009-10 operating budget
• A resolution in support of the Local Taxpayer Public Safety and Transportation Act of 2010

Then it's on to old business.

• First up is an update on an application by Premiere Medical Transportation to operate emergency medical transportation vehicles in Pomona in a non-emergency capacity
• An appeal of the Planning Commission's denial of a second one-year CUP for a condominium project at 92 Rio Rancho Road.
• Consideration of options for enforcement of temporary signage (banners) violations citywide
• Proposed ordinance requiring a permit to use inflatable recreational structures (bounce houses) in city parks
• Designation of Paula Lantz as delegate to So Cal Association of Governments (SCAG) genearl assembly
• Then public benefit expenditures:
• $400 to support bus transportation to/from recreation activities
• $100 to Vejar School for purchase of school spirit T-shirts for students
• $650 to Community Wellness Partnership of Pomona for mailing of Care Packages to Pomona Veterans
• $700 to Pomona Heritage for expenses associated with the Old Home Restoration Workshop

The only public hearing this evening is on a resolution approving the city housign authority's 2010-2015 annual plan.

Interestingly, Item 11 was pulled prior to posting (according to the agenda currently on-line) but I seem to recall seeing it early and I could have sworn that this was to be regarding the formation of the Charter Review Commission. The last time the charter was amended (about 12 years ago), a provision was added Article XVII. Sec. 1701, which required that "Beginning in January of the year 2010, and in January of every tenth year thereafter, the Council shall appoint a Commission to consider and propose amendments to the existing Charter. No later than twelve (12) months from each inception, the Commission shall submit its proposals to the City Clerk for placement on the ballot at the next scheduled election."

The Charter Review Commission should have been APPOINTED in January (the council could have started taking applications any time previous to that in order to accomplish this). Here we are now in mid-March and not only has there been no appointments, but it's now not even on the agenda. The council only opened applications in January, then extended it to mid-February and still can't seem to create a commission.

I reading the item prior to it being pulled from the agenda, the city attorney had suggested that the council could constitute itself as the Charter Review Commission. HUH? There are currently three ways to amend the charter. The Council can do it through their regular process, the public can do it via initiative (collecting signatures to get it on the ballot), and the Charter Review Commission. If the council can already change the charter then why would they need to be constituted as a separate commission? I somehow doubt that was the intent of the framers of that section of the charter. Is the current council afraid of what a citizen committee might put on the ballot? According to the way that I read the charter section quoted above, whatever the commission decides on WILL be placed on the ballot. There is no provision for review by the council, just by the city clerk to ensure that it is in keeping with the requirements of election law.


Disclaimer: I have applied to serve on the Charter Review Commission. So, I've been following this with a great deal of interest.

Aladin Jr. Groupon

Although I love the daily-deals available at groupon.com, I rarely purchase them because the vendors are too far away for my homebody self.

But today! Oh yes today! The groupon for the IE is for Pomona's very own Aladdin Jr. $10 for $25 worth of grub. What a steal! The deal "tipped" before 9AM, so you're assured the price if you buy into the deal anytime before midnight.

yay, you, LAT

This screenshot is from the LAT website at 6:04pm.

Am I the only person who has a problem with it? Maybe I'm too sensitive; maybe it's unreasonable to ask the international desk to know the difference between Chile and Argentina, much less the difference between Concepción and Santiago. That's my problem -- I'm just too pedantic.

TOPomona CHEF

My name is Meg, and I am a reality-tv addict.

I don't watch 'em all, but I watch enough to qualify -- Project Runway, Shear Genius, Kitchen Nightmares, Hell's Kitchen, Real World (a story for another day), and the best of the lot, Top Chef.

Lo and behold, Top Chef is coming to Pomona! Ilan Hall, the cute-but-goofy winner of Season 2, is going to be giving a cooking demonstration at Cal Poly, and then serving a three course meal, all for the low, low price of $40. Alas, I can't go -- we'll be driving back from a trip to deep snow -- but you can. And if you do, please take notes and let us know all about it!

Hm... If Top Chef can come to Pomona, why not Real World? There's some great real estate downtown; they could posh it up, the roommates could move in, and they could embarrass themselves at Characters, the Drink, dba, and Acerogami. Quick, someone call MTV!

'nuff said

Courtesy of Jill Carroll, photographer to the royals:

Curley's Key Shop to the Rescue

Pride in Garfield Park is having internet troubles, so I'm posting this heartwarming story of Pomona Triumphant in her behalf.

A friend asked recently for a recommendation of a "key guy." We suggested Curley's Key Shop at 306 E Monterey Ave, here in P-town. The friend dropped me an e-mail this evening to rave about her very positive experience at Curley's. To summarize the review, she said, "Your key guy rocks!"

I asked her to describe the nature of her need; here's what she said:

We bought a used car. It came with key and the automagic-door-unlocky-thingy.

The key worked in the ignition but none of the doors. The
unlocky-thingy worked on the doors (which is why I didn't notice the
problem with the key until we got home).

A Claremont vendor hemmed and hawed and gave me a hard time for buying a used car. Said it probably went to a chop shop and gave me lots of horror stories about other things that might be wrong with the car.

Curley's took the door apart, made a new key and it worked. Then they
made more keys!

Plus they were pleasant and didn't try to make me feel like an idiot.

I heart Curley's. I heart Pomona.

So there you have it. Another vote of confidence for Curley's Key Shop.

movie mayhem

A friend who lives on the 200 block of Columbia called me this morning to ask whom to call about inconsiderate asshole movie crews. Actually, the word he used was "right fuckers."

The neighbors did receive warning, including notice that they needed to move their cars by 8am. So my friend had a guy banging on his door *yelling* at him about his car at 5:40am. That's the way to start a great day!

It's also garbage day, and the garbage truck came by in a hurry, throwing all the recycling, yard waste, and trash together, so that it will all end up in the landfill.

Then the movie crew heaved the bins into yards to get them out of the way, crushing plants and in some cases throwing them against the sides of houses.

Overall, my friend reports that they are being completely inconsiderate in every possible way, and that when he tried to talk to them, they told him that he was should be grateful they were there.

His question is, whom does he contact to complain? I suggested emailing our city council rep and phoning the mayor's office. Any other suggestions?

saturday night fever

We're gonna be at Art Walk tonight -- will we see you there? It's the place to be, especially as Bunny Gunner has a new show opening tonight.

I know you read the MetroPomona blog, but go over and contribute some reasons to love P-Town -- they'll never get to 909 reasons without your help.

This afternoon I met a friend for lunch at Shalizar, the new Persian restaurant at Foothill and Towne Center that replaced the old Persian restaurant, Falcon's Nest. Maybe it was what we ordered, but the food was better than the time K. and I tried Falcon's Nest.

The two of us split an eggplant starter that I can't remember the name of (not baba ganoush), and I had a bowl of Ash-Reshteh (noodle soup). My pal had a chicken stew of some kind I can't recall -- maybe fesenjan? Anyway, everything was very tasty.

Please complete the Community Needs Survey

If you haven't already done so, please pLeAsE PLEASE complete the city's Community Needs Survey. Not sure why your responses matter? Check out my elevator speech at the PomonaWatch blog.

Opera_tunities

The Repertory Opera Company, Pomona's own resident opera company, has announced their upcoming performances.

A Valentine to the Community
Serenades of Love

Repertory Opera Company presents an elegantly romantic afternoon with extravagant desserts and a concert of beloved melodies on Sunday, February 14 at 2 pm at St Paul’s Episcopal Church in Pomona, located at 242 E. Alvarado Street, Pomona, CA  91767.

ROC's gifted singers will soothe you with melodies of Puccini, Mozart, Brahms and many others.  Bring your partner or bring a whole table of friends and enjoy decadent desserts and beautiful music.

Tickets are $30 for coffee, tea, desserts and concert.

Reservations are required.  For reservations or more information, call (909) 230-4949.  Seating is limited. 

 

Upcoming events -

Repertory Opera Company will be performing
   La Traviata , Saturday, March 13 & 24 at 2pm 
   Carmen, Saturday, June 12, 19 and 26 at 2pm

At First Christian Church of Pomona, 
1571 N. Park Ave

Looking for a place to watch the big game?

If you're looking for a fun place to watch the Super Bowl, consider the Finish Line or Honolulu Harry's.

The Finish Line is a big ol' sports bar connected to an OTB joint on the grounds of the Pomona Fairplex. The Finish Line boasts many large screens, reasonable beverage prices, and hearty bar fare. I called to inquire about tomorrow's specials, but nobody picked up. 2201 N. White Ave, Pomona.

Honolulu Harry's is located on Central, just north of the 60. This tiki joint's retro flare and excellent food and drink specials are sure to satisfy. 1/2 price appetizers and $3 well drinks during the game. 12206 Central, Chino.

step right up!

I know that 99.9% of M-M-M-My Pomona's readership also checks out the Metro Pomona blog (99.5% of them before coming here), but for that fraction of folks who doesn't, head over there now and take their poll.

Do it for me.