1-16-06 Updated 1-18-06 with Post Data D.A. Quietly Prosecutes Ex-Councilman Edward Escareno on 12-20-05 for "GRAND THEFT" According to the Los Angeles Superior Court's website, Edward Escareno, former Huntington Park Mayor and ex-councilman, was convicted on 12-20-05 in Los Angeles Superior Court on one count of "GRAND THEFT", a "Felony". 12-27-05 The Con Artists in City Council Friends Are Really Well Protected. 12-5-05 Updated 12-6-05 with Post Data Honor Among Thieves - Part 2 Depriving The Public of Honest Services. George Cole's fingers in Huntington Park's cookie jar of politics and city contracts. 10-24-05 Honor Among Thieves - Part 1 Depriving The Public of Honest Services. 9-19-05 Post AB 11 How AB 11 will hit local elected officials in the pocket book. 9-8-05 Assembly Bill 11 (AKA "AB 11") Becomes California Law The Governor signed Assembly Bill Number 11 (AB 11) on September 6, 2005 to become California law. AB 11 closes a loophole and puts a cap on extreme salary abuse by elected officials who create "commissions" for to circumventing State mandated limits on their base salaries. Huntington Park's elected officials were listed in the bill as having one of the highest salaries of all California local cities, thus crystallizing the argument and need for passage of the bill. 8-31-05 Council Member John Noguez Gives Pinnochio A Run For His Money Juan "John" Noguez managed to convince his willing council colleagues and the public back in September 2004 that campaign limits was needed to stop the undue influence campaign contributors have on elected officials. Noguez told the Wave Newspaper "the aim is to prevent a company or group from trying to influence a candidate or an election with large donation." Then, after the 2005 elections (and before his 2007 reelection) he manages to convince them that campaign limits law really is not needed after all. 8-22-05 Huntington Park city council officially opposed AB 11 with 4-1 vote in January 2005 The editor makes some uncomfortable observations on the repealing of the 7 month-old campaign limits ordinance. Is the State Attorney General watching council member John Noguez's deft sleight of hand and questionable use of the city mechanisms and tools for creating new city ordinances for personal political gain?Current salary for council's Redevelopment Commission work is $1,950 for about 30 minutes of meeting time per month; it would drop to $150. A whopping 97% decrease. 8-04-05 Excessive Salaries of Huntington Park Council Members On November 30, 2004, WatchOurCity.com reported on the excessive Redevelopment Commission salaries paid to council members in Huntington Park. Six days later, on December 6, 2004, Assemblyman De La Torre announces his proposed Assembly Bill 11. Then on January 18, 2005, City Council publicly votes 4-1 to opposed De La Torre's bill. Later, on June 29, 2005, an L.A. Times report on salaries of local elected officials mentions Huntington Park which merits special recognition and is listed as having the highest paid Community Development Commission (CDC) salaries of all local cities. 6-8-05 The Editor of WatchOurCity.com Is On Vacation This time off gives elected officials a breather so that they may think nobody is watching them. Perhaps they can sneak in a pay raise, hire a new attorney in close door session without competing bids, or give another $30,000 in free public cash to their buddies to put on another 1-day fiesta. Yours in service, The Editor, WatchOurCity.com |
WatchOurCity.com is dedicated to advocating in the
public interest for non-partisan community democracy, civic
participation and envisions new politics where citizens are
actively engaged in the process of monitoring the actions of city
government officials and their use of Public Funds.
WatchOurCity.com was founded in the City of
Huntington Park, California, by a local group of civic-minded
concerned individuals and organizations to promote and maintain a
more ethical and healthy balance between local government and
community. Residents have come to expect transparency,
accountability, participation, and a level of service from our
elected officials that holds the line on costs.
public interest for non-partisan community democracy, civic
participation and envisions new politics where citizens are
actively engaged in the process of monitoring the actions of city
government officials and their use of Public Funds.
WatchOurCity.com was founded in the City of
Huntington Park, California, by a local group of civic-minded
concerned individuals and organizations to promote and maintain a
more ethical and healthy balance between local government and
community. Residents have come to expect transparency,
accountability, participation, and a level of service from our
elected officials that holds the line on costs.
WatchOurCity.com's goal is to foster open and
transparent municipal administration operations and elections in
Huntington Park which can be closely examined by all residents.
"Transparency and accountability" in "public administration
are enhanced by strong public scrutiny based on solid legal
provisions for access to information"*.
Our hope is that these efforts strengthen civic capacity and
contribute in meeting the high expectations of public trust
bestowed on Huntington Park's elected officials by the residents,
businesses and civic groups in this city.
*www.oecdwash.org
transparent municipal administration operations and elections in
Huntington Park which can be closely examined by all residents.
"Transparency and accountability" in "public administration
are enhanced by strong public scrutiny based on solid legal
provisions for access to information"*.
Our hope is that these efforts strengthen civic capacity and
contribute in meeting the high expectations of public trust
bestowed on Huntington Park's elected officials by the residents,
businesses and civic groups in this city.
*www.oecdwash.org
WatchOurCity.com
Will Celebrate
Its 2nd Anniversary
On March 13, 2006
Will Celebrate
Its 2nd Anniversary
On March 13, 2006
| "Herod's Law" A political satire film from Mexico (2000). “The story chronicles the corruption of Juan Vargas, a tiny little peon in the PRI machine” "Set in the late 1940s in the remote, thoroughly backwards village of San Pedro de los Saguaros, the film focuses on Vargas, a petty politician who had the dubious honor of being appointed town mayor after his predecessor was decapitated for corruption by an angry mob." The Mexican Government tried to ban the movie. "Politicians who are less than erudite are more likely to use crude methods to cling to power" |
WatchOurCity.com
Music (click to enter)
Music (click to enter)
| Music Credits: 1. "Pacific Boulevard" 2. "Gage & Pacific" 3. "Slauson" 4. "Miles" 5. "Randolph Rail Road" 6. "AB 11" 7. "Closed Session" These are original musical arrangements composed by the Editor of WatchOurCity.com. Arranged using Music Maker Software by www.Magix.com. Copyrights are to be respected. Some of you have asked about downloading or even buying WatchOurCity.com's original theme music. Well, it's not for sale. If only the same were true for elected officials here. |
| Coming Soon: "Florence Avenue" |
Copyright © 2006 WatchOurCity.com All rights reserved
WatchOurCity.com
In The Public Interest
Click To See More Reports (PAGE 2)
In The Public Interest
Click To See More Reports (PAGE 2)
| WatchOurCity.com has been viewed 121,120 times since the site was launched on March 13, 2004 |
| "Carson … Compton … South Gate … and now Lynwood." Los Angeles Times, 9-20-05 Corruption in Southeast L.A. County Cities And Now Huntington Park! Ex-Mayor Edward Escareno is convicted in L.A. Superior Court for "Grand Theft" on 12-20-05. (see full report) |
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From the editor