June 16, 2009
Commerce Faces $2-3 Million Deficit
The city is facing a projected $2-3 million dollar deficit that has prompted the Council cutting programs and services ranging from the $70,000 annual Las Vegas Industrial Trip to hours of part-time staff that provide them.
The deficit was initially projected at $1.9 million based on decreases in city revenue attributed to a fall in revenue at the Commerce Casino, as well as a number of businesses leaving the city. To make matters worse the State is also making a play for two sources of funding all of the cities to balance their budget, which has a $24.2 billion dollar deficit.
These two sources of funding the state is considering are the gasoline sales tax, which is typically used for infrastructure projects like streets and roads and the “borrowing” of each city’s share of sales tax. In Commerce that translates to $250,000 from the gas tax and for the “loan” that the state is considering taking, which depending on who you talk to ranges somewhere between $500,000 and $800,000 potentially bringing the deficit somewhere between $2.15 and $3 million dollars.
In the one bit of good news in this budget process, Governor Schwarzenegger stated on June 12 that at the advisement of members of the legislature he was backing off of the sales tax loan because cities are already struggling and facing tough choices such as cuts in programs, services and staff. The end result remains to be seen as the State's budget debacle drags on.
Here in Commerce the council has thus far made approximately $1 million in cuts. To close the rest of the gap the city has asked employees to concede the 3.5% cost of living pay increase they are due to receive on July 1 based on their current contract, which expires June 30, 2010. This cost of living is equivalent to just over $1 million.
Interestingly, this issue is the first to have brought the Council together and working collectively in some time. It might be overly optimistic to say that this indicates a new trend, but we can always hope. Where they go from here remains to be seen. Stay tuned.
Editor’s Note: In the interest of full disclosure, I have laid out the basics on the cost of living adjustment that the city has asked employees to concede, but will not go into detail or editorializing on this issue at this time due to the fact that I am a full-time employee of the city.
Jason Stinnett
###
March 24, 2009
Baca Del Rio, Leon and Fierro Certified as Winners, Romero Wants a Recount
Following the certification of the final results of the Commerce City Council Election at the March 17 Council Meeting, candidate Randy "Sax" Romero has requested a hand recount of the ballots that will take place this Thursday, March 26 at Commerce City Hall.
The results which were ratified by the City Council showed a change in order but not in winners with Tina Baca Del Rio coming in with the most votes at 783, followed by Lilia "Lela" Leon with 757 and Robert C. Fierro with 740.
The victory vindicates Baca Del Rio who soundly defeated this election's smear campaign engineered by Councilmember Hugo Argumedo, which could have easily passed for the sequel to his misguided and heavily funded recall that ousted her from office last December.
Romero, who openly campaigned with Argumedo's hand picked candidates Leon and Jaime Valencia, is now pinning his desire for elected office on hopes that a recount will make up the ground on the 16 additional votes he needs to pass Fierro for the third City Council seat.
Given that the election results have already been certified it's not entirely clear how this will play out. Nevertheless, based on the small number of ballots cast it is unlikely to change the results, according to a political consultant familiar with recount processes.
Either way this last gasp desperation move probably isn't a surprise to some voters who were dismayed by Romero's campaign tactics in this election. His early stated intentions to run a clean, independent campaign took a change of heart and direction when he joined with the Leon/Valencia team who were chiefly responsible for the multitude of dirty campaign mailers distributed in this election cycle.
The recount is estimated to cost $1,000 that Romero is responsible for paying.
Stay tuned.
###
March 9, 2009
Leon, Baca Del Rio and Fierro Re-Elected to City Council
All Ballots Have Been Counted - Results Still Unofficial Pending Hand Count
Results:
Lela "Lilia" Leon 757
Tina Baca Del Rio 742
Robert C. Fierro 693
Randy Romero 674
Jaime Valencia 664
The remaining results will be posted later along with commentary regarding absentee ballots provisional ballots and what to expect in the coming months.
###
March 5, 2009
Baca Del Rio, Fierro and Leon Leading in Early Returns
Last Ballots to be Counted Monday
Early returns show former Mayor Tina Baca Del Rio leading with 700 votes, followed by Robert C. Fierro with 655, while Mayor Pro Tem Lela Leon's 625 votes giver her a slim 9 vote lead over candidate Randy Romero's 616. Everyone else finished to far back to be of consequence for any of the 3 seats. For the actual numbers visit the city's website by clicking here.
According to city staff there are 239 ballots left to be counted. Seventy of those ballots are absentees (10 pulled at random from the ballots from each of Commerce's seven polling precincts), 59 are absentee ballots turned in at the polls on the day of the elections, while the remaining 110 are provisional ballots, which are issued to voters who did not receive or spoiled their absentee ballot, or voters who voted at the wrong polling place, etc.
We will post an update on Monday when the final results become available.
###
February 27, 2009
Savecommerce.org Voter Guide for Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Dear Commerce Voters,
We will cast our ballots on Tuesday, March 3 for the Commerce City Council. To help you navigate the junk mailers that have filled your mailbox, savecommerce.org is providing you with this election guide that gives our recommendations for City Council, as well as giving you important background information on the 10 candidates running in this election.
Savecommerce.org recommends you ignore the misleading literature circulating through the community. It takes a lot of money to circulate these hit pieces that focus on falsified issues like city cars, cell phones and vacations. These hit pieces have two things in common, the first being that they’re either outright lies or small bits of information taken out of context. The second is that the people behind them are too cowardly to put their names on it. One thing is clear...current Mayor Hugo Argumedo's fingerprints are all over them.
Keep in mind that all 5 members approved the policies and compensation in place. These attacks are designed to deflect attention from what the city’s real issues are. Our top issues are improving the local economy to provide jobs, addressing environmental issues to protect the community’s health and maintaining Commerce’s great programs and services.
When you get right down to it, our low crime rate and top notch city services are possibly some of the best city services in the United States. These services provide a quality of life that is hard to beat in Los Angeles County. Don’t fall into the trap of voting based on lies printed on anonymous fliers.
Savecommerce.org endorses Tina Baca Del Rio and Robert C. Fierro for Commerce City Council
Tina Baca Del Rio
Tina Baca Del Rio began her community involvement as an environmental activist who helped found East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice. East Yard is a Commerce based non-profit organization that lobbies on issues related to environmental quality and public health.
As a mayor and councilmember Baca Del Rio has led the way on numerous issues including reducing pollution, beautifying the city’s residential and industrial areas, fixing Commerce’s streets and roads and establishing strong programs for our youth including Motivating the Teen Spirit. She was also instrumental in bringing a new Business-to-Business Costco to Commerce that will bring approximately 200 jobs to the city and provide the community with an opportunity to shop locally.
Baca Del Rio, like her running mate Robert C. Fierro was backed by current Mayor Hugo Argumedo when they were elected in 2005. After being elected both wisely distanced themselves from Argumedo’s unethical politicking.
She has worked closely with Fierro and Councilmember Joe Aguilar to make positive strides for the entire community. Baca Del Rio has stated her strong opposition to the proposed Vernon Power Plant and Wal-Mart.
Baca Del Rio is running with Fierro. Together they have received key endorsements from Commerce Councilmember Joe Aguilar, the Commerce Industrial Council Political Action Committee, the American Federation of State, Country and Municipal Employees, the City of Commerce Employee’s Association and the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor.
Robert C. Fierro
Robert C. Fierro was first elected in 2005 with his running mate Tina Baca Del Rio. Fierro has a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice/Sociology from Cal State LA.
As Mayor in 2007, Fierro, working in tandem with Del Rio led the way on filling key management positions and changing the tone of City Hall to focus on productivity instead of politics.
Fierro’s tenure as mayor also included reconnecting with the industrial community, revitalizing a relationship that had been neglected for far too long by previous City Council members. He established the Mayor’s Industrial Relations Committee to maintain dialogue and address concerns with the business community that provides the majority of the city’s budget.
Like Baca Del Rio, he has worked closely with Councilmember Joe Aguilar to make positive strides for the entire community and approved the new Business-to-Business Costco. Fierro has also publicly stated his opposition to the proposed Vernon Power Plant and Wal-Mart.
Fierro is running with Baca Del Rio and together they have received key endorsements from Commerce Councilmember Joe Aguilar, the Commerce Industrial Council Political Action Committee, the American Federation of State, Country and Municipal Employees, the City of Commerce Employee’s Association and the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor.
Worthy of Consideration for Your Third Vote
Jose S. Acero
Jose S. Acero is a veteran of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and has a Bachelor's Degree in Administration of Justice from Cal State LA. While he lacks experience as an elected official, Acero impressed at the City Council Candidate’s Forum held by the Commerce Industrial Council.
His statements displayed great concern for his city and were critical of the negative political tactics our community has suffered from in recent elections. Acero has been a frequent presence at city events and participates in many city programs with his family.
Rosa Zambrano
Rosa Zambrano is a member of East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice and a former Planning Commissioner. Zambrano also impressed at the Candidate’s Forum. She displayed a strong grasp of city issues and knowledge of how government works on the local level. In particular, she responded to a statement by another candidate that showed off the redevelopment knowledge she gained as a planning commissioner. While Zambrano is sometimes off the mark on some issues, her passion and concern for the community is very clear.
Not Worthy to Hold Office
Diana Santiago Bagne
Diana Santiago Bagne is the president of the Model City Democratic Club. Bagne attempted to pull back her paper work after filing to run for office in this election. She has not actively campaigned other than one mailer. Her husband Roger Bagne is a resident with business interests locally, which include the failed proposed bio-diesel project, which would have hurt local air quality by releasing harmful Nitrous Oxide emissions . Her election would likely be marred by Mr. Bagne’s business ventures.
Jesus Cervantes
In July of 2004 Jesus Cervantes sold his home to Ken Roberts, a business associate of Ismael Mayans, owner of Mayans Development. On the same day he took ownership of a new home built by Mayans Development in a transaction with Ken Roberts acting as an intermediary. In doing so, because of his supporting votes on projects given to Mayans Development, this real estate action violated the State of California Political Reform Act of 1974. The LA County DA’s Office opened an investigation on Cervantes based on these allegations, DA Complaint #04-0903.
Art Gonzalez
A 12 year resident of Commerce, Art Gonzalez was a backer of last year’s recall and like other recall backers has failed to adequately corroborate the allegations they’ve made. At the Candidate’s Forum he stated he believes that members of the City Council should be transparent in their actions and available to the public, a notion that we here at savecommerce.org strongly believes in, his associations with Leon, Argumedo and Bagne bring his credibility into question.
Lilia Lela Leon
Lilia, formerly known as Lela, Leon, is a consummate opportunist. Leon has run for City Council more times than you can count on one hand, failing each time with one exception, the 1998 recall of Ray “Gordy” Cisneros and current Mayor Hugo A. Argumedo. After helping get Argumedo recalled, in the ensuing 10 years she has become Argumedo's pawn/supporter and pursued his political agenda to seize control of the Commerce City Council by any means necessary, including a recall that cost taxpayers close to $50,000.
This election is particularly important to Leon’s future since she is now at retirement age. Having only served a partial term of 3 years in her first recalled council seat, she needs two more years to become vested as a city employee of retirement age. This would guarantee her lifetime medical coverage from the city, which has been estimated to be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars or more.
Leon is running with Randy “Sax” Romero and Jaime Valencia.
Leon’s accomplishment include
Voting in favor of a $1,200 raise for herself and the members of the City Council in February after less than 2 months in office. Thankfully, Councilmembers Fierro and Aguilar led the way in shooting it down.
Showed her opposition to voter education by leading a vote against televising a candidate’s forum citing the $1,000 cost to the taxpayers. She also alleged that the Industrial Council's efforts were biased despite the forum being moderated by non-partisan League of Women Voters. More than 75% of cities in LA County televise Candidate Forums.
Getting fired from the Rio Hondo Boys and Girls Club and then suing them. The Club serves youth in the region, including kids from Commerce.
Being a paid supporter (opportunism) of the Rail Cycle trash project that was defeated by strong opposition from Commerce residents. The project would have brought at least 4,200 tons of trash to Commerce from 22 other cities daily.
Proposed shutting down the city's Marksmanship Range which would have eliminated a facility used for training by numerous local law enforcement agencies and a number of city jobs.
While Leon hasn't done anything illegal that savecommerce.org is aware of, her close affiliation with Hugo Argumedo, as well as her frequently displayed lack of ethics and judgment makes her unfit to sit on the City Council.
Randy “Sax” Romero
Randy Romero has misled a number of residents and organizations in the community. He stated to a number of people that he was running independently, yet his name began appearing on literature with Leon and her running mate, candidate Jaime Valencia.
He stated to one group that although he was running independently, his name might appear on the literature of other candidates and that he had no control over that. This raises an important question: If he has no control over how his name is used by others and simply lets people co-opt his reputation, then what kind of elected official would he make?
Additionally, Romero who is a former Parks and Recreation Commissioner displayed an alarming lack of knowledge on city issues at the Candidate’s Forum.
Jaime Valencia
Jaime Valencia lacks experience and communication skills. While Valencia’s intentions may be good, his fundamental lack of ability to grasp issues related to local government would be a frightening prospect for this community.
During the recall, this writer had a discussion with Valencia in which I asked him if he had proof of wrongdoing by Councilmember Robert Fierro and then Mayor Tina Baca Del Rio. He replied that he did. I then asked if him that if he had it, how come he wasn’t showing it to Commerce residents. His reply, “I can’t. I was sworn to secrecy.”
At the Candidate’s Forum Valencia had difficulty addressing the audience, instead reading from a piece of paper. He showed not even an inkling of how local government works. His plan for improving the city focused on bringing night clubs to Commerce and relying on President Obama’s stimulus package.
### END ###
Friday, February 20, 2009, 12:35 p.m.
Modern Commerce Politics: A Brief History
The City of Commerce has had more than its share of political fiascos in the 49 years since our founders incorporated The Model City. Rather than rehash much of what’s in the Commerce History book (available at your local library), the following will provide a brief summary of what has transpired politically since the early 1990’s and bring you up to date in February 2009. It is our hope this information will give readers a clear picture of how the politics have evolved and brought us to where we are today and more importantly, the effect they have on our community.
Where Do We Stand Today? Recalls and Political Agendas
Commerce was recently blind sided by its second recall election in less than 10 years. The November 9, 2008 special Recall election has divided a community that appears to have little reason to fight amongst itself given the city’s services which are among the best in the State, if not the Country.
The recall took place approximately 4 months prior to the regular election we have coming up in just over a week from now on Tuesday, March 3. If there was only 4 months to go, why then was there a recall?
The reasons cited for it have adapted and changed to suit the political agenda of one man and his political allies. That man is Commerce’s current mayor, Hugo A. Argumedo. Allegations of abuse of free cars, city cell phones and lavish trips by Councilmember Robert C. Fierro and now deposed Mayor Tina Baca Del Rio were cast about in snide remarks at public meetings, as well as on expensive, colorful print mailers that filled Commerce mailboxes to overflowing.
- The Car Policy - While people may have varying opinions on whether the vehicle policy was a good thing or a bad thing, there was nothing illegal about it. Baca Del Rio and Fierro were criticized for the policy despite the fact that it was approved by a 5-0 vote of the entire City Council, including Argumedo, the recall’s major proponent.
The Cell Phone Abuse - The city’s cell phone policy lacks the potential for abuse since city cell phones are on the same plan that has a flat rate regardless of use.
Lavish Trips - As for the lavish trip accusations, a political attack made at the February 17 Commerce City Council Meeting by Argumedo and Mayor Pro Tem Lela Leon suggested that a trip made by Baca Del Rio, a former councilmember with then City Administrator Tom Sykes to Seattle, Washington, was unnecessary and abusive, i.e., a lavish recreational trip rather than what it was: a trip made to conduct official city business.
The two elected officials and the City Administrator met with decision makers from Costco to discuss bringing a store to the City of Commerce, a project which came to fruition during Fierro and Baca Del Rio’s first term in office.
Despite that Argumedo and Leon attempted to mislead the public, stating the trip was merely to tour a business-to-business Costco to see what it looked like, saying the trip was unnecessary and should have been avoided by taking a tour of one of the business to business stores in Southern California locations.
Leon, who previously served a partial council term (won in the 98’ recall in which Argumedo lost his seat) attempted to go one step further by asking a series of puzzling questions in an attempt to credit herself with bringing the project to Commerce. City staff’s response to the questions revealed the following facts:
The zoning changes to the area for commercial use went back more than 10 years preceding Leon's time on the council, the documentation reflecting a Costco went back to 2002, and the project “began in earnest in 2006.”
The fact: Leon wasn’t even on the City Council in 2002, having only served from 1998 until 2001.
Ultimately, Baca Del Rio was recalled by 35 votes while Fierro beat the recall by 18 votes. Now we are charged with voting in the March 3, 2009 regular election. The recall was a battle for this community’s future…this election will decide the war.
From the 1990’s up until about 2005 Commerce has lost top managers, seen political appointments, watched city streets and facilities deteriorate while understaffed programs and services struggled or stagnated, all reducing quality of life for our residents.
Since 2005 when Baca Del Rio and Fierro took office joined by Joe Aguilar in March of 2007, Commerce has entered a new era where we have seen the opposite: Management positions filled with skilled, educated professionals. We've seen streets repaired and repaved. We've seen custodians hired to keep city facilities clean for the public, and we've seen implementation of drug awareness, health and beautification programs that work.
All of this great progress is on the verge of coming to a grinding halt because of dirty politics fueled by half-baked allegations and outright lies. As one former city employee who grew up in East LA put it, “Commerce isn’t so bad as a point on the map. It’s actually pretty nice. Commerce’s problem is the politics that hangs around the neck of the city like a lead albatross.”
How Did We Get Here?
Hugo Argumedo moved to Commerce sometime in the early to mid 1990’s with a sealed juvenile record without any history of public service. Backed by his half-brother Hector Chacon of the Montebello Unified School District Board and then Council Members Jesus Cervantes and Sylvia Munoz, Argumedo was elected in a special election on November 5, 1996 to fill the unexpired term of an honorable man and council member Ruben C. Batres, who sadly, died while in office.
Argumedo’s classic carpetbagger story looked to be off to a great start until he began taking money from and voting on contracts to people like Attorney Fernando Villa and his law firm Alvarado, Smith and Villa, which had zero municipal law experience. The 10 year old move is eerily similar to the one Argumedo’s current majority of Leon and Councilmember Rosalina Lopez made in January of this year, hiring W. Anthony Willoughby who is a criminal lawyer with less than a year of municipal law experience. Not the kind of experience one would look for in a doctor if you needed brain surgery.
Argumedo was recalled in May of 1998 for reasons described below in an excerpt from a 1999 story by LA Times Staff Writer Paul Chavez in the now defunct LA Times local paper “Our Times”:
“Once hired, the firm racked up about $200,000 in legal bills in two months, in a city that previously had annual legal bills of around $300,000. The relatively large bills eventually led to Villa’s replacement…The bill also became one of the key issues in a recall campaign that ended in a May 1998 special election that cost Argumedo and Cisneros their seats on the City Council.”
The city ultimately sued Villa’s firm for overbilling an estimated $249,840 and settled for an undisclosed amount.
Argumedo was re-elected in 1999. In the ensuing decade he has continued to conduct himself in a disgraceful manner, making and breaking alliances with dubious past and present members of the City Council, former city administrators like Tom Sykes and rookie city attorneys with six figure incomes and shady reputations.
He has shaken down at least two businesses for money and contributions that savecommerce.org is aware of first hand. He continues voicing unsubstantiated attacks on council members and residents alike, without cause, misleading the community, launching costly recalls and hiring rookie city attorneys to represent the city’s multi-million dollar interests.
The Truth
The truth is that the vast majority of the negative political attacks in the City of Commerce are in some way connected to Argumedo. In addition to his past transgressions described above consider the following:
- Argumedo initially ran for his first full term with alleged child molester Ray “Gordy” Cisneros who failed to get re-elected after his city laptop was used to access pornographic websites. News of the incident sparked a former resident to accuse Cisneros of sexually abusing him as a minor.
- Argumedo led the charge to hire former City Attorney Eduardo Olivo and less than a year later criticized him when Olivo refused to advance his political agenda. He succeeded in firing him this year with the support of Councilmember’s Leon and Lopez after the recall delivered him a working majority.
- Argumedo led the recall against Baca Del Rio and Fierro who helped elect in 2005, showing a pattern of support followed by cutthroat attacks when individuals don’t follow his orders or political agenda.
- Argumedo drove out top management employees like Ira Gwin, Justin McCarthy and Tom Bachman who likely tired of his aggressive tactics and disregard for their education and expertise. They all went on to be very successful in other cities.
Where Do We Go From Here?
There are a lot of people in Commerce who love this community dearly and without question. People like our surviving city founders Val Bassett, Amelia Bristow, Eva Long and Lucy Maese. Following in their footsteps are younger generations of residents and community leaders who, although their support of some issues can be questioned, their love for the City of Commerce cannot. Residents like Mary Guerrero, Ed Miles, Rosa Zambrano and the late Alfonso Gonzalez.
Loving our community for what’s great about it and being grateful for the great programs and services that we have are things we can all agree on. It’s the things we can’t agree on where we need to learn and grow together as a community.
We are almost 50 years old as a city and it’s time for our community to grow up.
We must stop picking sides based on who we grew up with, who we supported in the last election, or who appointed us to a Commission.
We must educate ourselves to see through the lies to see what the truth is.
We must vote our conscience to select the very best, most honorable council members we can to lead our community.
Until that happens we will continue to be divided.
All of the people who support savecommerce.org in spirit, contributions and ideas encourage you to take advantage of your right to choose the leaders of our city by voting on Tuesday, March 3.
"We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory, stretching from every battlefield and patriot grave to every living heart and hearthstone all over this broad land, will yet swell the chorus of the Union, when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature."
-Abraham Lincoln from his First Inaugural Address on March 4, 1861
Consider this: Together we can stop the corruption.
With Heavy Heart and Infinite Hope,
Jason Scott Stinnett
Commerce Resident
###
February 17, 2009
Go to the Candidate’s Forum Lela Leon Doesn’t Want You to See
Eight of the 10 candidates running in the City Council Municipal Election next month have confirmed they will attend the Commerce City Council Candidates Forum being held tomorrow at Steven’s Steak and Sea Food House, 5332 Steven’s Place, Commerce. Doors open at 5 p.m. and the Forum will start at 6 p.m. sharp.
Mayor Pro Tem Lela Lilia Leon, Mayor Hugo Argumedo and Council Member Rosalina Lopez voted against the Forum being televised on the city’s cable television channel although the cost would have been $1,000 or less.
Leon and Argumedo have characterized the event as biased to favor former Mayor Tina Baca Del Rio and former mayor/current council member Robert C. Fierro despite the fact that it is being moderated by the non-partisan League of Women Voters. The League of Women Voters has a sterling reputation as a non-partisan voter education group in local, state and federal elections.
Leon, along with 3 other candidates from the Recall election that are also running in the current election (Diane Bagne, Art Gonzalez and Jaime Valencia) signed a letter dated September 25, 2008 criticizing the forum. The letter stated that the televising of the previous forum (For the Recall election) was “a blatant misuse of public funds” and falsely claimed that the Industrial Council financially contributed to Fierro and Del Rio’s campaign.
The wild allegations made by Argumedo and Leon come despite the fact that Leon and Argumedo hypocritically backed last November’s $45,000 Recall election only 4 months prior to the March 3 regular election. It seems Argumedo feels $45,000 in taxpayer dollars spent to deliver a council seat into the opportunistic hands of Leon is a better investment than $1,000 to educate Commerce voters.
Check savecommerce.org in the coming days for updates, as well as a voter guide for the coming election. Please sign our guestbook (left side of this page) and email any questions, suggestions or comments to savecommerce.org@live.com.
Editor's Note: Lilia Leon has run for City Council numerous times (at least 5 that we can remember going back to 1995 when she still went by Lela) and was elected only in two recall elections. These dubious honors came in the 1998 recall, in which she supported the recall of Hugo Argumedo and last November's 2008 recall in which she was supported by Argumedo.
Leon was also a paid supporter of the doomed Rail Cycle project in the mid 1990's that received widespread criticism from residents because of it's negative environmental impacts.
February 8, 2009
According to a report from the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) dated July 31, 2008 Mayor Hugo Argumedo is responsible for 14 violations of the State of Californai Political Reform Act, including failure to disclose the occupation and employer information for sixteen contributors of $100 or more totaling $7,700, for the reporting period February 18, 2007 through June 30, 2007, in violation of Government Code section 84211, subdivision (f).
Argumedo has repeatedly criticized former Mayor Tina Baca Del Rio for not filing her paperwork.
February 4, 2009
With less than two months in office during which she’s sold herself as a champion of defending taxpayer dollars, Mayor Pro Tem Lela ‘Lilia’ Leon voted to pay herself and other council members a $106.26 per month raise at the February 3, 2009 Commerce City Council Meeting.
Leon and Councilmember Rosalina Lopez voted yes on the item. Councilmembers Robert C. Fierro and Joe Aguilar voted no, putting Mayor Hugo Argumedo in a precarious position.
Faced with the tie breaking vote Argumedo appeared to lose his nerve and abstained from voting. Argumdeo not only threw his political allies under the proverbial bus, but according to Robert’s Rules of Order,“The phrase "abstention vote" is an oxymoron, an abstention being a refusal to vote. An abstention is not a vote.”
Fierro had a different take. “I heard at the last council meeting that this item is traditional. We’re going through the worst economic crisis I think anybody has ever seen… that I’ve seen in (my) 37 years… A lot of residents are having trouble making ends meet. I just don’t see accepting 106 dollars and so many cents not because it’s not traditional, but because I feel it’s inappropriate,” said Fierro referencing the troubled economy.
Leon attempted to exercise damage control, reversing her position stating she “agreed with the vote” in light of the economy. For his part Argumedo went on to say that the raise “wasn’t a big deal.” Argumedo’s statement came despite having contributed money and vocal support to a special recall election that cost the city a projected $45,000 and that was based on alleged abuse of taxpayer money for city vehicles, cell phones and even Quizno’s sandwiches.
Later, Leon launched unprovoked attacks on both Aguilar and Fierro. “Had it not been for the Recall, Aguilar would still be taking $500 a month, which over 3 years is more than $21,000.” In contrast to Leon’s statements, the car policy existed for months instead of 3 years. Assuming her inaccurate statement was true, her math was still off the mark by nearly $3,000. Let's wish her luck saving taxpayer dollars and balancing the city's budget.
In an unsubstantiated attack on Fierro, Leon said his “Taking a free car” equated to $25,000 or more in costs to the city. According to a source familiar with the issue, no member of the City Council, including Fierro, had ownership of a city vehicle (i.e., a free car) and monthly costs to the city amounted to approximately $120 a month equating to less than $1,500 annually.
Argumedo closed the meeting with a declarative statement. “This is no way to run a business. No way to run a city. We need to continue to balance the budget and protect programs and services. ” The question that begs to be asked of Leon and Argumdo is this: How do $45,000 recall elections and City Council salary increases protect programs and services?
###
Vote NO on The Recall
It's been over three years since my last post on this website. I've kept the web address in case it was ever going to be needed again and unfortunately, Councilmember Hugo Argumedo is at it again so Savecommerce.org is back.
This time Argumedo is up to his political shenanigans with some new cohorts and some old, having launched a recall against Mayor Tina Baca Del Rio and Councilmember Robert C. Fierro.
The recall is being supported and financed by people that are not part of this community, including former Commerce City Administrator Tom Sykes who was asked to leave the city more than 2 years ago because of his poor management of the City's operations. A large percentage of the funding is coming from Argumedo's Planning Commissioner Roger Bagne. While Bagne is a resident, he has a business relationship with the individual who wants to bring a polluting bio-diesel company into Commerce. His wife is a candidate in the election.
The allegations being made by Argumedo and his cronies are without basis. There are two real big problems here. The first is the claims of "corruption bankrupting the city." The city has $15 million in reserves and a budget that is in better shape than any city in the State. Second, this forced special election is costing the city a projected $50,000 for the LA County Clerk to conduct when the regular election is less than 4 months away in March.
Why would Argumedo force a recall election with only months to go? Because the odds of unseating Del Rio and Fierro in a regular election are near impossible. Argumedo knows it's his only shot at reestablishing his corrupt control of the Commerce City Council It's kind of like bowling with the bumpers up...it's a lot easier to hit something.
The bottom line is this, the city has moved forward under the leadership of Tina Del Rio, Robert Fierro and Joe Aguilar. Argumedo and his political agenda threatens that progress. It's time for it to end. Vote NO on the Recall.
Perhaps with the exception of the casino scandal of the 1980’s, never has there been a time when politicians have given the city such a huge black eye. With a three seat election looming, City Hall is rife with conflicts of interest and corruption, prompting investigations by the LA County DA’s Office and the FBI’s Public Integrity Units. This corruption represents a drain on resources that would be better used to sustain and improve the city's programs and services.
Savecommerce.org is a non-profit Website that was established with the goal of promoting greater voter education and participation in City of Commerce elections. Based on the issues and the dirty politicking that has occurred in this election we are making the following recommendations:
Savecommerce.org strongly recommends that residents do not vote for Ray “Gordy” Cisneros or Jesus Cervantes based on their actions in office.
Savecommerce.org recommends:
Below is a voter guide that highlights information about the candidates in the Tuesday, March 8 election:
Carl Baker:
Baker is the only candidate not connected to any Commerce political regime. A ten-year resident with little or no campaign contributions has fully funded his grassroots campaign. Baker has stated he is unhappy with what he has seen from the City Council and wants to restore honor and integrity to the city. Baker is running with Randy “Sax” Romero.
Art Chacon:
Brother of Mayor Pro-tem Hugo Argumedo and MUSD School Board Member Hector Chacon.
Councilmember Ray “Gordy” Cisneros:
Elected 1997
May 19, 1998: Recalled with Councilman Hugo Argumedo for threatening city employees and hiring a law firm that had contributed funds to both his and Argumedo’s campaigns. The firm, Alvarado, Smith and Villa had no municipal law experience whatsoever. An independent audit revealed the firm had bilked the city for over $800,000 in less than a year. The issue was settled out of court for an undisclosed sum.
March 2001: reelected with former Councilman Jesus Cervantes (ousted in 99) who was in favor of recalling both Cisneros and Argumedo in 1998.
2003: Was the authorizing signature on expense reports generated by Councilmember Nancy Ramos’ spending. Ramos is under investigation by the LA County DA and FBI’s Public Integrity Divisions for misuse of public funds.
March 2004: Cisneros becomes mayor.
June 2004: A city issued laptop computer is confiscated from Cisneros after staff determined it was used in multiple attempts to access pornographic Internet websites. Cisneros initially denied the allegations. Security records proved that his security code was the only one used to enter City Hall on a date one of the attempts occurred. Cisneros then stated he accepted full responsibility before blaming the incidents on his nephew.
July 22, 2004: Councilmembers Lopez, Argumedo and Ramos vote to remove Cisneros as mayor based on the Internet pornography incident. Councilmember Cervantes abstains from the vote.
August 2004: 29-year-old former resident Tomas Lopez accuses Cisneros of molesting him when he was 14-years-old. Cisneros threatened to sue Lopez, a threat that never materialized. Savecommerce.org has learned from sources close to the investigation that the District Attorney’s Office did not file charges because the Statute of Limitations for criminal prosecution had expired. The investigation included at least one other adult Commerce resident that alleged Cisneros victimized him as a child.
2004: In a published news report in Wave Community Newspapers, Cisneros detailed an encounter in which Lopez struck him with a golf club, approximately 5 years after the molestation incident. Cisneros never filed a criminal complaint against Lopez.
Councilmember Jesus Cervantes:
Elected 1994
1998: Joins the effort to recall Argumedo and Cisneros.
1999: Loses reelection bid.
2001: Elected to City Council in unison with Ray “Gordy” Cisneros who he worked against in the 1998 recall.
2003: Former mayor Sylvia Munoz alleges at a council meeting that Cervantes is involved in a potential conflict of interest in by making a deal with Mayans Development for a new home.
July 22, 2004: Cervantes sells his home to Ken Roberts, a business associate of Ismael Mayans, owner of Mayans Development. On the same day he takes ownership of a new home built by Mayans Development in a transaction with Ken Roberts acting as an intermediary. Although savecommerce.org cannot verify the legal status of the transaction without legal counsel, there is no doubt Cervantes violated the State of California’s Conflict of Interests laws.
December 2004: Joins the company of Councilmember Nancy Ramos when the LA County DA’s Office opens an investigation on Cervantes based on corruption and conflict of interest allegations. DA Complaint #04-0903.
Tina Del Rio:
An environmental activist active with East Yard Communities, a non-profit organization that lobbies for environmental issues. Del Rio has lobbied in the State capitol on environmental issues that affect Commerce. Del Rio is running with Robert Fierro.
Robert Fierro:
Fierro is a lifelong Commerce resident and a former city employee who teaches for the LA Unified School District. He is running with Tina Del Rio.
Lela Leon:
Leon is a former mayor and councilmember, as well as a member of numerous civic/service organizations.
Mayor Rosalina Lopez:
Elected in1997, Lopez is the only current member of the City Council who has displayed the high level of honesty and integrity required of an elected official. A resident for over 40-years, Lopez is active at Commerce’s Saint Marcellinus Church.
Randy “Sax” Romero:
A longtime resident who has been an activist on the city’s fire services issue. He is the only candidate in this election being endorsed by the LA County Fire Department. A former supporter of Cisneros and Argumedo, Romero broke away from them when they threatened him for opposing the failed Montebello Fire Contract.
Inquiries from all Commerce residents are welcomed and encouraged. Please visit Savecommerce.org to stay up to date on events that affect your city.
Sincerely,
Jason Stinnett
Editor
Email: savecommerce.org@live.com
Phone: (562) 207-8485
As editor of savecommerce.org I would like to state very clearly that this website has no affiliation whatsoever with eyeoncorruption.com as that website falsely claims. Although some of the information available on eyeoncorruption.com is legitimate, much of it is unverified based on my research and review of public records.
Savecommerce.org refuses to be affiliated with a website that appears to have been established for someone's political agenda. It appears, based on statements on the site, that it is being used by Commerce City Councilman Hugo Argumedo and printer Angel Gonzalez to further their agendas and legitimize their questionable political backgrounds. Savecommerce.org will make a formal request that we be removed as an affiliate of eyeoncorruption.com immediately.
December 1, 2004
The amount owed to the City of Commerce is not completely clear. According to sources inside City Hall, Councilmember Nancy Ramos owes the City between $5,000 and $6,000.
Based on the audit's record of cash advances, Ramos owes at least $4,258.89 to the city, including $820 in cash advances received from the Finance Department in 2001 and 2002, priot to her abrupt retirement in late 2002.
###
Lawn signs are now available to post in your yard and spread the word about savecommerce.org, a source of information independent of and unaffiliated with any councilmember or candidate.
The idea is to make sure the people who care enough about Commerce to do their civic duty by voting, get facts about elected officialsbefore they hit the voting booth in the March 1, 2005 City Council election.
To get a lawn sign or learn what else you can do to help clean up the corruption on the Commerce City Council, email savecommerce.org@live.com or call (562) 207-8485.
###
Nancy Ramos, City of Commerce Councilmember
Status:
No formal charges have been filed.
Rap Sheet:
Accused of misuse of public funds, having utilized her city credit card to charge approximately $16,000 on various expenditures since being elected to office in March 2003. Also accused of conflict of interest after charging a $1,991 vacation at the Bellagio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas to her city credit card. The amount was reimbursed by the Commerce Casino. Elected officials who receive gifts of more than $340 are guilty of violatng the Political Reform Act of 1974 under the regulations of the Fair Political Practices Commission.
On Thursday, September 2, the Los Angeles Times reported that Councilwoman Nancy Ramos claimed she was offered a trip by officials from the Commerce Casino.
She charged the $1,991 vacation at the Bellagio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas to her city credit card in violation of the city's credit card policy. Had Ramos not charged the Vegas trip to the city credit card, no public record of the trip would have been recorded. According to the story, a city official was told that the bill was paid for by the Commerce Casino.
In the article, Ramos said her only mistake was the pace at which she had taken her receipts to City Hall, "It was my bad. If I would've turned in all my receipts, I wouldn't be in this mess." The statement failed to address the Fair Political Practices Commission statutes that bar local elected officials from accepting gifts of over $340 from anyone who is not a family member.
Ramos claimed that she was offered the trip by people from the Commerce Casino who she said told her they needed her to get some rest after lobbying for Proposition 68 in Washington D.C. The measure, which will be voted on in November could allow slot machines in card clubs, including the Commerce Casino, a move that would have a significant impact on city revenue.
While on the D.C. trip, Ramos claimed she was lobbying on behalf of the city. She charged a meal for $156.68 at the St. Gregory Restaurant on March 15 and incurred a $2,044.62 charge at the St. Gregory Luxury Hotel and Suites on March 18. The city currently has a $60,000 contract with the law firm of Commerce City Attorney Francisco Leal to provide lobbying services for the city on card club and gaming issues.
To read the LA Times story click here. You may have to register on the LA Times website to view the article. Savecommerce.org encourages all residents to attend or watch the September 7 Commerce City Council Meeting on Commerce Cable Channel 12 .
###
"I did not use the city credit card for those expenditures," said Councilmember Nancy Ramos at the August 2 Commerce City Council Meeting, in response to public comments alleging misuse of her city credit card.
Contradicting Ramos' statement is a charge for $1,991.24 under her cardholder number listed on the City of Commerce April 2004 I.M.P.A.C. Detail Invoice and Address Page report, obtained via a public records request.
Ramos' use of the city credit card constitutes a violation of the city's credit card policy for city officials and employees. The policy states the city credit card will be restricted to approved travel or business meeting uses, which include airline and hotel reservations, meals and transportation. It further states that the credit card shall not be used for personal items, securing cash advances or entertainment expenses.
The following month's (May 2004) I.M.P.A.C. report shows a reversal of the charges in two payments, the first for $1,413.24, which was processed on May 7 and the second in the amount of $578 processed on May 10. Savecommerce.org has received indications regarding who is responsible for the payments, but has not yet received formal verification. Payment by any individual or organization other than a family member would constitute a violation of the Political Reform Act of 1974.
The Political Reform Act of 1974 is a law that prohibits state and local officials from receiving gifts totaling more than $340 in a calendar year. For more information on the Political Reform Act, visit the Fair Political Practices Commission at http://www.fppc.ca.gov/index.html?id=31.
Ramos' transcribed statement from the August 2 meeting is printed below:
"I just wanted to respond since we're being into the facts here and i think it's very, very important as Mrs. Zambrano said, to get all the facts. When I made the statement that I made last council meeting, and I said that the city council had taken the action against me, and that I am being audited, I think that it's very critical that everyone get the facts. It's funny to me...it's ironic that people would come to that podium and make those statements about "get the facts." And I'm sure that you probably by now all have it in your hands. I did not use the city credit card for those expenditures so if you're going to get the facts and your going to pass out things, make sure that you pass out the real facts, because as I have said, I'll step up to the plate and accept my responsibility, but I'm certainly not going to let anybody distort what the true facts are. All those documents are public record. You don't just come in and get the documents and sort them out as you choose and then pass them out. If you're going to tell a story, tell the whole story or hold off until you can get the facts of everything because to do that is so detrimental to everybody in this community. There's been a lot of things that are said here tonight that are so ugly, they are so ugly, but I'll go back to, if you're going to come that podium and you're going to make the statement about fact, then you better be factual or you'll lose your credibility otherwise. I did not use the credit card for the things that Rosa Zambrano went to that podium. She should have circulated the rest of the paperwork that went with that bill. As I've said, I'm open to anybody, and the city has public records that you can come and pull, but I will not sit here and allow somebody to mislead the people. I'm not in any way trying to hide or anything else, but don't mislead the people...l don't pit one side against the other or try to detract from one and I won't be party to that. I'm not minimizing anything, but I will not be a party to that, to come in here and sling mud one side to the other just to distract from issues. Everyone has a right to go to that podium, but you better make sure that when you say it's fact that it's all the facts. Simply leaving pieces of it out doesn't make it truth."
###
Following an earlier statement by city Library Commissioner Caroline Borunda (see below) on August 6, a second resident, Abelardo Rodriguez, came forward during public comment at the August 17 Commerce City Council Meeting stating that Commerce Councilmember Ray "Gordy" Cisneros harassed a teenage Tomas Lopez. Lopez, now 29, has accused Cisneros of sexually abusing him when he was 14-years-old.
A portion of his transcribed public comments are below (posted 08/25/04):
"I used to live on Cowlin Street about two houses away from Tommy back in 1988-89. This is true. I saw Mr. Cisneros stop on the sidewalk in front of my house. He stopped Tommy. At first I didn't think anything of it. It happened again. After that I asked Tommy what was going on. Well, Tommy was about 14-years-old at that time and I asked him what was going on, and he said, "He wants to F me." Tommy told me that his grandfather told Gordy to stay away. About the third or fourth time, I saw Mr. Cisneros in front of my house stopping Tommy, it looked like he was pleading with him, you know, doing this (Displays hands palms out at sides near waist level in a pleading manner) and Tommy was doing that (Displays hands in front palms out at shoulder level in a stopping motion). After that, I asked Tommy what happened this time and he goes, "He's upset because I told him that he's supposed to stay away." Well after that, maybe another time or two, Gordy did stay away, but out of sight. I saw him hiding around the corner of the house, just looking into the yard where Tommy used to live, like he was just trying to hide from somebody. I saw this. I will take a lie detector test for this. I'm not making that up. Nobody told me to say that and if you want to take a lie detector test let's go for it. I'm not saying that you did anything to him, all I'm saying is what i saw."
To read the Commerce Comet story on this meeting, go to http://www.egpnews.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=browse&id=3&pageid=37 or simply click here.
Additionally, copies of the the August 17 Commerce City Council meeting are available in VHS and DVD format from the Commerce Public Library System. For more information, you may contact the Commerce Public Library at (323) 722-6660. Copies are also available for purchase from the City of Commerce Cable Division for $10. Savecommerce.org operates independently and is not affiliated with the City of Commerce. This information in this article and on this webiste is provided as a public service to Commerce residents.
###
Today's top local story from Hoy, one of the nation's fastest growing Spanish-language daily newspapers, reported on the allegations of sexual abuse against Councilmember Ray "Gordy" Cisneros made by 29-year-old former Commerce resident Tomas Lopez. To read the full story go to the Hoy website at http://www.holahoy.com/busqueda/hoy_news_lib.jsp?Query=Cisneros or simply click here.
###
Tomas Lopez, the 29-year-old former Commerce resident who recently accused Councilmember Ray "Gordy" Cisneros of sexually abusing him as a minor, made a public statement at the August 17 Meeting, restating his accusations, responding to Cisneros' statements and challenging him to take a lie detector test.
His statement was as follows:
My name is Tomas Lopez. I reside at 917 Vincent Way, Las Vegas, Nevada, 89145. Honorable Mayor and City Council, I am here tonight to talk about the letter I had read into the record at the last city council meeting. Everything I said in that letter is true. Councilmember Ray Gordy Cisneros sexually abused me when I was a child.
You were a 40 year old man seeking the companionship of a child. You should not have been taking me to play miniature golf. You should not have been sleeping over my house. I was 14. You have a son. The one you don't talk about. You should have been taking him to play miniature golf. Why haven't you seen him?
Then there's what you've told people. I've read your statements Gordy. You've told people that I was a troubled youth. Troubled youth are often the most vulnerable to sexual predators. Ask any social worker or psychologist. You denied doing anything wrong. You are lying. You told the newspaper that I'm trying to get back at you for throwing me off of the Youth Advisory Committee 15 years ago. Again, you're lying. Would I be here years later saying what I'm saying because I was thrown off a committee? The truth is I resigned under advisement from Robert Chavez, the city employee who was in charge of the Youth Advisory Committee. You were thrown off of the Traffic Commission. There's a big difference between resigning and being removed.
You've told people in the community that I'm a lowlife and a druggie from Las Vegas. I am not those things. What I am is a product of Commerce. I am proud of what I have accomplished. I have four happy, healthy children and a beautiful wife. I have a great job that allows me to take care of them. What have you accomplished? You live in a garage and you haven't worked an honest day in years.
I've tried to run and hide from the past but I'm tired of running. What you did still haunts me. That's why I've decided to come forward. This community deserves to know the truth so they can decide whether or not they want a pedophile to be a member of the City Council.
You've denied what you did to me. You also denied using a city computer to access pornographic websites. If you were taking full responsibility for that like you stated, why would you say it was a member of your family? I don't believe the only children you had in your office were related to you.
You've also threatened to take legal action. You're trying victimize me all over again with threats. Interestingly enough, after my letter was read at the last meeting, I received a threatening phone call. The person on the other end of the phone said, "If you come to Commerce you're not leaving." Threats don't work anymore, I'm still here. I'm not afraid and I'm not going anywhere.
I am here to tell the truth. What I am not here for is the politics. My presence here has nothing to do with who is running for city council. I've been the skeleton in Gordy's closet that people have whispered about for years. That's not the case anymore. I'm here for two reasons. The first is to do what I can to stop Gordy from hurting anymore children. The other thing I want is closure. Closure, not revenge.
Everything I am saying is true. If you are as innocent as you say you are take a lie detector test. If you can pass that maybe people will have a reason to believe you. I don't believe you will. I believe I am not the only one you have abused and that I was not the last. If there are other victims I encourage you to come forward and join me in taking action against Gordy so he doesn't do this to anyone else.
###
According to a statement made by Councilmember Nancy Ramos at a Special Meeting of the Commerce City Council in late July, a council majority has suspended her city credit card privileges and launched an audit to investigate the matter.
An internal city memo obtained via a public records request revealed details regarding Ramos's spending. The memo reads as follows:
March 16, 2004
MEMO TO: Vilko Domic, Director of Finance
MEMO FROM: Teresa Dellarosa, Finance
SUBJECT: Outstanding Expenses-Nancy Ramos
I am requesting assistance with monies owed the City of Commerce by Nancy Ramos.
As of today, I have approximately $4,200.00 in trip expense reports which remain outstanding. This includes one cash advance of $130.00.
I understand there is an additional $5,966.00 in outstanding credit card charges for which we have not been supplied with documentation.
Total outstanding as of today is $10,166.00. Anything you can do would be helpful.
Thanks,
Terri D.
###
Commerce Library Commissioner Caroline Borunda stated that Socorro M. Lopez, the late grandmother of Tomas Lopez told her before she died in 1997 that Commerce Councilmember Ray "Gordy" Cisneros had abused her grandson Tomas Lopez. The information was printed in an article titled, "Heated Debate Surrounding Commerce Councilmember’s Conduct Continues," which was printed in the Thursday, August 6 edition of "The Commerce Comet," a weekly newspaper published by Eastern Group Publications.
In a letter read into the record of the meeting during public comment at the August 2, Commerce City Council Meeting, the 29-year-old Lopez accused Councilmember Cisneros of molesting him when he was 14-years-old.
The paragraph below displayed in italics was printed in the Commerce Comet story as follows:
Carolyne Borunda, a resident of Commerce, told EGP that López’ grandmother confessed to her before her death that her grandson had been abused by Cisneros. “That lady was my friend for more than 20 years, and before she died, she told me that,” said Borunda.
###
 |
