Election District 5 - Pomona, Phillips Ranch, Westmont

I wanted to put up a little post about the current election happening for City Council in District 5. I just want to tell residents of the area, to simply Vote For Tim Saunders. Why? Because this is the ONLY person in the council who is 100% for the people of his district and the city. This is the kind of person you want to represent you, he truly is a people's person and does what is best for everyone. He isn't like some current people who run around town feeling that they deserve 'entitlement'.

Unfortunately, The 2 people running against Tim Saunders (Jorge Grajeda & Ginna Escobar), will only make Pomona into the mess it was with Norma Torres. And we all know what happens in cities like Bell, CA. You should have heard them speak at the forum, you would have laughed your ass off.

Do not buy their lies to get your vote. I do not want to sit here and tell you the things I am aware of these particular candidates. Do your research and connect the dots, it's pretty simple.

Generally, I don't get all involved with local elections and stuff, because it is all political bureaucratic crap. But when I see a good person, truly one who isn't in it for the self-interest and 'entitlement' like many others, I say something. It's a rare thing.

People of District 5, Tim Saunders is rare gem you get once in a blue moon, just like George Hunter would have been a truly great Mayor if it wasn't for the dirty politics and tactics of 'certain' people. These are the same people behind some of these candidates.

And now I'm off to a nice cup of coffee and dreaming for a better Pomona... (while I still live here)


Endorsed by Pomona PD

McDonald's Set To Raise Prices

Cheap and unhealthy food that more and more are eating in this economy is now going to cost you more. It's pretty much a done deal...

"The firm said it expected commodity costs to rise up to 3 percent in 2011. The price hikes are expected in Europe and the United States, but the firm did not release details.

"We'll actively look at opportunities and with some optimism the economy will get stronger next year and we'll get price increases," Chief Financial Officer Peter Bensen said."

I'm lovin' it! Wait, not anymore 'cause I can't afford it.

Source: UPI.com

Strange Photo

Jerry Schatzberg’s 1966 portrait of the Rolling Stones; from left, Brian Jones, Keith Richards, Mick Jagger, Charlie Watts and Bill Wyman (seated).

Reminder

Just in case you've forgotten who's responsible for the mess we're in...

Unemployed? We're Not Interested.

Ah, the heck with the unemployed. We're obviously useless because we would otherwise be working, right? People who are thinking like this come with special places in hell for them.

The best people are already working! Right, we left our jobs because we were bad employees... no, most of us have been laid off. I personally was one of the last after 10 rounds of layoffs from 2001-2008. It went from 148 employees to currently 19 in those years. But to morons like this, probably 'compassionate conservatives', they're not understanding the real reason for this.

The number of Americans who have been out of a job for a year or longer has reached a record 4.4 million, roughly equal to the population of Louisiana, according to the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics report. The grim numbers may partially be attributed to the fact that employers are still openly discriminating against the unemployed--especially the longterm unemployed-- when deciding who to hire.

Read the HuffPost story here.

Nothin' On You... LOL

Magandang Umaga! The Bungal Boys are here! This really cracked me up. These 2 will definitely be something out there in the Philippines. Their missing bicuspids expression will crack you up.

Political Funnies

U.S. Most Overworked Developed Nation Worldwide

Not surprised at all, especially these days. Those lucky enough to still have jobs often find themselves doing the work of 3 or more people by themselves. I see it at home with the wife working more than 40 hours a week, sometimes up to 60, yet being paid for only 40. Oh, and vacation? Not possible, even though it's there, because even 1 day off will lead to a pile of backlogged work.

* At least 134 countries have laws setting the maximum length of the work week; the U.S. does not.

* In the U.S., 85.8 percent of males and 66.5 percent of females work more than 40 hours per week

* There is not a federal law requiring paid sick days in the United States.

* In every country included except Canada and Japan (and the U.S., which averages 13 days/per year), workers get at least 20 paid vacation days. In France and Finland, they get 30 – an entire month off, paid, every year.

Read the whole story over at: 20somethingfinance.com

Hip Hop Don't Stop... The 101 Freeway

"A self-described hardcore hip-hop group from Orange County caused havoc on the southbound 101 freeway near Sunset Boulevard Tuesday morning when they began performing atop its truck... witnesses reported the group was performing on top of a truck while blocking three lanes of the freeway."

What idiots. At least for the drivers and the fine they will probably face. But as with other stupid things that lead to fame (Palin for example), in time they might become famous due to this incident.

The OC Register has the full details.

$25 Fine For Leaving Your Car Unlocked

Does this sound crazy or what? A small town in Philly is considering fining you for leaving your car unlocked in public. Seriously. First time's a warning perhaps, but after that, they'll lock it for ya and leave ya with a $25 citation.

$25 for locking your car? I'd rather valet for $7...

Here's the story from NBCPhiladelphia.com

Bad And Good Day

Well, I received the 'call' from my prospective employer and it looks like I did not get the job. At least they had the decency to tell me why and who they chose. It was between me and another candidate in the end, so that was a good thing. So that's the bad part of the day.

The good is that the Dow Jones hit 11,000 today. To those who know the stock market, its been a few months since that number has been heard, and after the summer that's a good thing. Maybe its due to the elections...

Anyways, have a great weekend everyone. I'm a bag of mixed emotions right now.

Tea Party Circus

A Lil' Politics On Measure SS

Not too happy about this measure on the ballot for Pomona. First off, back in March, a total of 321 preliminary layoff notices were issued to certificated employees. Then in May, the number had been reduced to 209.

More than 200 employees, including administrators as well as certificated and classified personnel, signed up for the early retirement incentive during that time. I don't have all the info, but it looks like alot of hard work was done.

"The district's $330.7 million budget includes a number of separate funds such as for child development and adult education.

The general fund -- totaling $225.1 million -- made up the largest part of the budget. The general funds pays for employee salaries and benefits as well as needs such as books, supplies and operating services.

Of the $225.1 million, about $90.5 million are restricted funds that can only be used for certain purposes such as special education or kindergarten to third grade class size reduction.

Salary negotiations allowed the district to save about $5.2 million.

Layoffs saved the district about $4 million, according to district budget information."

That last line, LAYOFFS SAVED THE DISTRICT ABOUT $4 MILLION, is my point. Not to mention the salary negotiations which also saved about $5.2 Million.

What does MEASURE SS cost? Here ya go...

The parcel tax would be $96/year for single-family residential properties and would last for four years. During the four years, it would generate about $4 million/year for the district. Multi-family properties with two to four units would pay $192 a year. Properties with 5 or more units would pay $480/year.

I am a property owner, and like many, am tired of paying such high yearly taxes to the county every year. Sure, $96 doesn't sound like much, but if we already laid off teachers and supposedly saved all this money, why are they trying to milk us for more money once again? I am in support for alot of things, but right now money is tight and this is something the state cannot even afford. In fact, the state told Pomona and other cities, go back home and tax your citizens if you want the money.

We also previously passed the MEASURE PS 2 years ago, which got us for $60 for every $100,000 of assessed value on our properties. And 2 years later, here we go again.

I applaud Jason Rothman and Andrew Wong for voting against it. It's just not a good time to be taxing people right now. In better times, it might be possible.

Anyways, a little politics blabbering on my part, it's my blog and I'm probably wrong, but the coffee was great this morning!

The New City Hall

I'm trying to imagine what my great grandfather had seen working in Los Angeles during the 20s & 30s. Did it look this clean? This looks like a bragging postcard for L.A.'s tourism or modernization times of the late 20s. Wait, wasn't there a depression right after it was built?

'Scamming Grandmas' In Pomona

That doesn't sound right does it? Let me rephrase, Grandma's are being scammed across the area. Actually, Pomona Police say this is happening all over the Inland Empire. I still say Pomona is the 'gateway', including Claremont, to the Inland Empire. We are L.A. County and not S.B County. So technically, we're like a toll booth without the fee. Pomona also hosts the L.A. COUNTY FAIR, not the I.E. or S.B. COUNTY FAIR.

Yes, I'm going off topic, ranting pointless quibble. Anyways, the reason I am posting this info is because I have a 'grandma' neighbor who lives by herself and I know many of you do too. I think the darn lady is becoming one of those 'hoarders' from TV. There I go once again, off topic. I'm loving it.

In fact, my Pomona adjacent neighbors of Claremont should also take note, since such a large segment of the population for your city is retirees and 'grandmas', this definitely will apply to you as well. Now get off my lawn!


In "Grandma Scams," seniors typically receive phone calls from individuals claiming to be a relative in distress and in immediate need of money. Detectives say the caller will pose as a grandchild by disguising their voice then use various stories to appeal for funds.

Pomona Police say the callers may say they're on vacation, but have lost their wallet and need money to come home. Another scam is the caller might claim to be in jail or involved in an accident and need money to pay for legal or medical fees, police said. The caller will then try to convince the victim to send or wire money to a phony bail bondsman, attorney, or other third party to pay for their expenses.

Here: ABC 7 has more story with information & numbers.