Citing a $2.6 million budget shortfall, the Apple Valley Town Council unanimously approved reductions in employee compensation and benefits last week. However, that only produces $455,000 in savings and Town Manager Doug Robertson is hinting at cuts in services to make up the rest.
Category Archives: Commentary
More transparency needed (Valles)
What is so fascinating is that in 2018 it is so easy and relatively painless for local governments to be transparent and accountable to the taxpayers. For example, take my recent investigation into the expense reports and credit card statements of each Apple Valley Council member.
‘Groundhog Day’ in Apple Valley (Valles)
Some Review readers may recall the 1993 comedy Groundhog Day
featuring legendary comedian Bill Murray. Murray plays a weatherman assigned to cover the annual Groundhog Day event in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.
Can you hear me now? (Valles)
Boeing
Barb Stanton loves to fly on the taxpayers’ dime. Since the beginning of 2015, it appears she has flown on at least 21 trips at a cost of approximately $7,500 on airfare and related fees.
Letter: Frivolous EIR (Carloni)
I read with interest with the article Town clears hurdle with ruling
by Matthew Cabe, February 23, 2018. I have also read the actual California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) decision issued by Judge Donald Alvarez. Apparently, the mayor and others at the Town have not. The mayor says, I had complete confidence that the town staff and attorney had properly prepared the documents back in 2015,
which statement is utterly ridiculous in view the Judge’s express statement in his written decision that The Court will not consider Petitioner’s (Liberty) arguments directed to whether the EIR [Environmental Impact Report] complied with CEQA.
The actual decision did not address the documents and their deficiencies, at all. The decision had nothing to do — zero — with the proper preparation of documents.
Letter: A critical look at critical needs
Apple Valley incorporated in 1988. Our privately-held water company, on the other hand, has provided us water since 1945. And while Apple Valley has its share of problems, no knowledgeable person can honestly say that water delivery, water quality, or water prices are among them.
Continue readingJunk the junkets (Valles)
Over the last few weeks, I have been examining the credit card statements of our Town Council members. And in the upcoming weeks, I am going to share with you some of the things that have caught my eye.
Comments to the Town Council
After reviewing the recent state auditor report on the City of Maywood, I would remind the Town Council you are not insulated from personal liability when you fail properly to exercise your fiduciary duties.
Concerned citizens have pointed out numerous problems, errors, omissions, and failures in various financial reports, which nevertheless have gained unanimous council approval with neither discussion nor correction.
Letter: Oversimplified? (Bell)
Two frequent Apple Valley proponents for transparency from our inept Town Council failed to mention that Pat Orr is one of the prime supporters; the insiders who are responsible for their continued re-election. As to the organization chart, prior to the hiring of the new Town Manager, the entire job descriptions of the total unnecessary upper-level layer of assistant managers was rewritten so as to justify the positions they hold but to also give some of them huge raises in salary.
Apple Valley’s treasurer situation (Valles)
There has been a recent dust-up regarding who should appoint the town treasurer.