Sunnyside Needs A Conversation On Both Problems And Solutions

May 31, 2011 by 2 Comments

Sunnyside needs to have a meaningful conversation about both problems and solutions.  By Sunnyside, I mean everyone in the community.  By community, I mean Sunnyside, Outlook, Mabton, and other nearby areas that may or may not be in the city limits.  By everyone, I mean all of us.

What I am about to suggest can be implemented in a multitude of ways, by any number of churches and organizations.  Yes, I mentioned churches, and I will come back to that in a moment.

In a recent post, I mentioned some things I have heard in the community about why we have a gang problem that is so disruptive to our quality of life in Sunnyside.  The series of “I blame” statements have really ticked off some people, that would just rather not have that kind of conversation.  You know the type of person I am talking about here, they might be a family member saying something like:

“It’s really not proper for us to discuss your uncle’s alcohol problem.”

They will say this to you after your critical statement, immediately following your uncle’s arrest for DUI for the eighth time.

Much like families and individuals need to admit when alcoholism is a problem, we as a community need to come together to find solutions to our gang problem.  Ignoring the issue, or not wanting to discuss it will not help the situation.

“Blaming” people or organizations will not solve the problem, but we need to understand different perspectives to help us all work together.  All of the “blame” statements I listed, have been things people have said to me since I moved here.  There are more that I did not list, and I am sure you have heard enough to fill entire books yourself.

I met an acquaintance of mine for coffee recently, and he shared with me an idea for churches to implement a mentoring program to help with youth.  He said that he believes the median age of Sunnyside residents is 25.  This means we need to engage this youthful population in more substantial ways than we are doing now.

Personally, I like his idea.  I am aware of some conversation taking place between the City Manager and Council Members about the feasibility of starting Boys and Girls Clubs here, or having Big Brothers Big Sisters programs in Sunnyside.

“Big Brothers Big Sisters is proven by independent research to improve children’s odds for succeeding in school, behaving nonviolently, avoiding drugs and alcohol, and breaking negative cycles.” Source: Big Brothers Big Sisters

I am in favor of all of these types of approaches.

There is no silver bullet that will solve what is a deeply entrenched problem that exists in a culture that has allowed it to grow.

News coverage of late has reported on suppression plan ideas from the Sunnyside Police Department.  These are critical in eliminating the really bad offenders from the City.  However, there is more that will need to be done by others outside of the law enforcement community.

If mentoring programs can help some of our youth, I am all for them.  Let’s continue that conversation in Sunnyside.  Let’s talk about some concrete steps we can take to stop the violence, while engaging those that are in the age group where they are most susceptible to falling into the destructive lifestyle of a gang member.

This should not be something we put off on government, although local government may be in a position to help facilitate some of the efforts.  We need churches to engage the youth directly, and in a meaningful way.  We need businesses and individuals to support these efforts, financially, and through volunteering.

To defeat the enemy, we need the entire community involved.  The police department’s gang elimination strategy recognizes that other agencies and organizations need to help in this effort.

Let’s all have a meaningful conversation about it.  We can not ignore the problem, and expect things to improve.

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Filed under Sunnyside Council, Sunnyside Crime Issues, Traditional Values, Uncategorized Tagged with , , , , , , , ,

Divided Council Votes To Approve Anti-Gang Resolution

May 24, 2011 by 1 Comment

An MS-13 suspect bearing gang tattoos is handc...

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Last night, the Sunnyside City Council voted to approve a resolution of support for the police department’s Gang Elimination Strategy.

After about one hour of citizen comments, tremendously in favor of supporting the police department, and some back and forth by Council Members, a resolution of support for the Gang Elimination Strategy of the police department finally got its up or down vote.

By a vote of 4-3, the council narrowly approved adding the actual Gang Elimination Strategy documents as an appendage to the resolution.  Council Members Mike Farmer, Nick Paulakis, Don Vlieger, and Tom Gehlen voted to approve the amendment to the resolution.

Mayor Jim Restucci, along with Council Members Pablo Garcia and Theresa Hancock opposed the Gang Elimination Strategy documents, with none offering any better alternative.

Mayor Restucci said it was not necessary to include the actual documents.

Pablo Garcia was concerned about the “process” in which the Council was voting, but did not give any specifics other than to say he did not believe there was a “consensus” of Council Members before the meeting.

Theresa Hancock was opposed to calling criminal gang members committing gun crime and murder the “enemy.”  She also did not like the idea of police officers advising business owners that they have active gang members (as defined by state statute) on their payroll.

After the vote to add the supporting documents, the Council then voted to approve the resolution 5-2.  After initially voting against it, Mayor Restucci switched his vote on the final resolution by voting for it.

Filed under Sunnyside Council, Sunnyside Crime Issues, Uncategorized Tagged with , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Speakers At Republican Club Address Bird Bombs and Gangs

May 13, 2011 by 7 Comments

Grandview Police Chief David Charvet speaking to Sunnyside Republican Club

The Sunnyside Republican Club heard Grandview Police Chief David Charvet and Sunnyside Council Member Don Vlieger address political and law enforcement issues ranging from controlling birds in area orchards, to controlling nuisance behaviors of gangs.

Chief Charvet spoke to the issue of “Bird Bombs” which has been the subject of some recent media coverage.  Local orchards use these and other devices to scare away birds from their fruit trees.  ”Bird Bangers” is another name for them.  Charvet said that propane powered noise makers are another method commonly used.

The bird bombs have been in the news because agents of the federal government have started enforcing regulations that require background checks and other controls related to their usage.  Charvet said as a law enforcement officer, he has never responded to a situation where these devices are used in a crime, and personally did not see the need for these new regulations.

He pointed out that other similar explosives are available, without these regulatory controls, in the form of flare guns, shotgun blanks, and even regular shotgun ammunition loads.  Charvet also pointed out that background checks are not required to purchase rifle or pistol ammunition either.

A "Bird Bomb" explosive noise maker subject to new federal enforcement and regulations.

I asked if explosives by model rocket hobbyists were subject to these type of restrictions, and again Charvet said they were not.  Some other comments in the room expressed concern about the government spending its resources enforcing these types of regulations, while public safety is being jeopardized by dangerous criminal gangs in our area.

While speaking, Chief Charvet passed around “Bird Bomb” explosive charges for the audience to see and handle.  Charvet said he had absolutely no concerns about anyone being harmed by handling the small explosives, which are little larger than a firecracker.

Following Chief Charvet’s presentation, Sunnyside Council Member Don Vlieger addressed the topic of gangs in our community.

Don Vlieger said that he did not distinguish between “wannabe” gang members and “actual” gang members.  He compared it to someone who steals a TV from a person’s home.  ”Are they a burglar or not?”, he asked.

Vlieger said that if they are committing acts of a gang member, then are a gang member.  However, Vlieger did say that there are different levels of gang involvement.

Drawing from his background in gang prevention while a deputy for the Los Angeles County Sheriff, and his experience working with school districts as a gang prevention officer and nationally travelled seminar speaker on this topic, Vlieger spoke of the hundreds of troubled kids he has counseled.

His counseling experience covers both Washington and California.

“Poverty does not cause gangs.  Most people in poverty are not in gangs” said Vlieger.

He continued, “A nest does not produce eggs, although it might provide an environment where they can be nurtered.”

Vlieger said that some kids think it is “fun” to be in a gang, adding that mainstream middle class values can not be used to relate to this alternative culture.

“Going to jail for some of these kids means that they have better food, better healthcare, and that they will be surrounded by friends they already know.  Most of us in this room would not have friends there, and would not be a good time for us,” said Vlieger.

Speaking of the Sunnyside Police Department’s proposed Gang Elimination Plan, Vlieger said “The police have a plan to deny sanctuary and support to gangs.”  He said that to be successful, the city must create pressure while also providing opportunity.  With police providing suppression efforts and increasing the pressure on gang members, they will have more incentive to seek help from Sunnyside’s Promise, he said.

Council Member Don Vlieger addresses the Sunnyside Republican Club while Council Member Theresa Hancock sits nearby.

A question was asked about why the Sunnyside Council was not strongly supporting the plan proposed by police.  Sunnyside Council Member Theresa Hancock, who was also in the audience, spoke up and said she is opposed to the idea of notifying employers if they had gang members on their payroll.

“While they are at work, they are not committing crimes”, said Hancock.

Vlieger countered, “If an employer has a child molester or an Al Qaeda member at their business, they have a right to know that.  The same is true for gang members.  We would be negligent if we did not tell them.”

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Filed under Constitutional Issues, Economy, Freedom Issues, Sunnyside Council, Sunnyside Crime Issues, Uncategorized, Yakima County Republicans Tagged with , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

City Hall Soap Opera Results In Lawsuit

June 4, 2010 by Leave a comment

Former Council Member Carol Stone Named In Lawsuit Against The City Of Sunnyside

The continuing fallout from the soap opera at Sunnyside City Hall has resulted in at least one lawsuit being filed in Yakima County Superior Court.  The City of Sunnyside, and Carol Stone personally, are defendants.  In the case of Carol Stone, her OUT OF SCOPE activities as a former Council Member will now be reviewed by the judicial system.

Legal action began in 2009, but was generally not reported by the local newspapers.  Now a lawsuit is pending, and the city’s legal firm and insurance company are responding.  At issue is a contract dispute, and also Carol Stone’s abuse of her position, interference with the former City Manager and city staff, and contributing to an alleged hostile work environment at City Hall.  The City Council has refused to hear the results of investigations into the alleged hostile work environment, despite two independent investigations being conducted.  The city’s insurance company began one investigation, the other was conducted through a contract with the city’s legal firm.

For those that responded to Carol Stone’s fundraising for her personal checking account (promoted by the Sunnyside Lion’s Club with the help of the Daily Sun News), keep in mind that Stone’s personal funds may instead be used to pay for legal fees as a result of her unethical behavior while previously serving as a City Council Member.

In an April 15, 2009 letter to former City Manager Eric Swansen (illegally fired under the last City Council), former City Attorney Mark Kunkler (who resigned in protest due to the unethical and illegal activities of Council Members), and former Council Member Carol Stone (who desperately tried to cling to her position through a failed recount of ballots), attorney for Allen Dosch (Plaintiff in the lawsuit) stated:

“It has come to light, without refute, that, in fact, Ms. Stone approached several department heads of the City and private individuals and specifically told them “not to do business with Allen Dosch”, or any of his businesses, specifically Precision AG….”

“My client has suffered significant damage to his reputation as a business owner, damage to his business, and severe emotional distress as a result of these statements.”

In 2009, a $1 million damage claim against the City was lodged by Dosch’s attorney.  In addition to the April 15, 2009 letter to Carol Stone, Dosch’s attorney also sent letters on July 1, 2009, and again on October 7, 2009.  In each instance, Carol Stone ignored attempts by Mr. Dosch and his attorney to resolve the dispute.

A lawsuit is now in Yakima County Superior Court, filed on April 16, 2010, by Allen Dosch, Elite Towing & Recovery, LLC., Sunnyside Towing, Inc., and Precision AG, Inc., as plaintiffs against the CITY OF SUNNYSIDE, and CAROL STONE.  The case number is 10-2-01153-5.  On behalf of Carrie Stone-Arroyo (who has requested additional research be conducted by this blog, and is also the daughter of Carol Stone), I would like to take a moment to thank the Research Division of this blog for providing this information.

During Carol Stone’s tenure on the City Council, she and her colleagues presided over a leadership “implosion” (as the Daily Sun News put it) at Sunnyside City Hall.  While Stone is no longer on the Council, there are longer-lasting effects of the damage that she and the prior City Council wrought on the employees and citizens of this community.  This is just the latest lawsuit, and more may follow.

Additional information:

Dosch’s 2009 Damage Claim Filed With The City Of Sunnyside dosch_claim_file_061609

Filed under 2009 Election, Sunnyside Council, Uncategorized Tagged with , , , , , , , , , ,

City Hall Soap Opera Continues

June 3, 2010 by 1 Comment

Former Council Member’s Pattern Of Abusing Positions Continues In Community

The soap opera at City Hall continues on, in a saga which area newspapers are not covering very much.  Rest easy though, this blog’s Research Division is on the case, and is providing all the necessary information that we need to know.

This week we will get up to speed on how former Council Member Carol Stone’s OUT OF SCOPE activities are causing a hangover for the city’s attorney firm, and the city’s insurance company, which are now having to respond in court.

There has been a pattern of abusive and unethical behavior among Sunnyside’s City Hall power brokers, with Carol Stone being intimately involved.  While she lost her desperate bid to cling to power, by throwing down the “Benjamins” at the county auditor’s office, to have a hand recount of ballots performed; the end result was that the recount reinforced the voters’ desire to remove her from office.

Any potential City Manager that comes to Sunnyside will be entering a minefield that has already claimed the working lives of multiple City Managers, and senior city staff.  For the sake of the City, it is important for this story be covered.  Some of the key players in this scandal are still at work at City Hall.

The latest question of ethics regarding Carol Stone, involves her abusing her position as the Sunnyside Lion’s Club President, in order to raise funds for her personal checking account.  With assistance from the Daily Sun News, which promoted her fundraiser in an anonymously authored article, club members attempted to raise $91,000 for Carol Stone’s personal bills.

While I am not opposed to local charity groups raising funds to help out those in need, Carol Stone does not qualify for this kind of assistance.  How many other people has the Lion’s Club raised funds for that own not one, but two houses?  Isn’t this the same club that failed to raise $5,000 for July 4th fireworks last year?

Compliments of BLOGSUNNYSIDE RESEARCH DIVISION

In 2009 financial statements filed with the Public Disclosure Commission of Washington, Carol Stone reported owning the residence at 909 South 11th Street, and also 1208 Kearney Ave.  Both properties are in Sunnyside.  Each property shows an assessed value of “D”, on the form.  Thanks to the hard work of our Research Division, we can also tell you, dear reader, a dollar range of what these two properties are worth; based on Carol Stone’s own documentation.

BLOGSUNNYSIDE RESEARCH DIVISION DOCUMENT

The highlighted dollar code shows that each property is worth between $40,000 to $99,999.

The combined value of these two properties are an astounding $80,000 to $199,998!

How many other people with upwards of $200,000 of real estate holdings has the Lion’s Club had fundraisers for?  How many of those were President of the club?

Carol Stone’s daughter, Carrie Stone-Arroyo has criticized this blog for not doing enough research.  Out of sensitivity to her concerns, more information will be forthcoming.  However, on Carol Stone’s financial statements, she did not report any rental income, despite owning two houses.  Perhaps Carol Stone’s daughter could enlighten us as to why, but then, she vowed not to make any more postings to this “awful, negative” blog.

Unethical behavior is typically not confronted at Sunnyside City Hall.  It is time to seek a higher standard.  Although Carol Stone is no longer in elected office, her prior actions as a Council Member are receiving scrutiny in Yakima County Superior Court.  A detailed post on this court case is coming soon.

When we are dealing with people like this, it is often part of a larger pattern of behavior.  The unethical abuse of the Lion’s Club position, for personal gain, is just the latest example of larger character issues which have had a negative impact on employees at City Hall.

Additional Information:

Carol Stone’s 2009 Financial Affairs Statement Filed With PDC of Washington:

StoneCarol2009

Filed under 2009 Election, Sunnyside Budget Issues, Sunnyside Council, Uncategorized Tagged with , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Theresa Hancock’s Yard Sign Mistake

September 26, 2009 by Leave a comment

Theresa Hancock is putting out yard signs for her re-election effort.  I am doing the same thing as part of my campaign against her.  This is how our representative form of government works.  We each will promote our ideas, and the voters will make a decision at election time.

We are fortunate to live in a small town, and regardless of who wins, we will still be neighbors.  I would like for us to be friends also.  Having said that, I will do my best to get elected, and then let the chips fall where they may.  Politics is politics, and should not be confused with personal issues.  As such, I have every expectation that we will remain on good terms after the election is concluded.

There is no "

There is no "Position 1" on the 2009 ballot.

The reason I bring this up, is because I have been receiving multiple phone calls and e-mails regarding Ms. Hancock’s improper campaign signs.  As candidates, our signs are regulated by state authorities, and must include certain information.

Ms. Hancock’s signs advertise that she is running for “Position 1″ on the City Council, the position that she currently holds.  This is not correct.  There is no “Position 1″ on the 2009 ballot.  Sunnyside has newly created districts, so it should properly say “District 1″.

For my supporters that are asking me for my opinion, I would like to say that while her signs do not appear to be legally or technically correct, this should be treated as an honest mistake.  Yes, it is a bit of a blunder for a Council Member who was directly involved in creating the districts we now have in the City, but it is not something that I think will mislead any of our local citizens too terribly much.

Some have suggested that I make a formal complaint to election regulators over this; I will not do so.  Further, I wish to publicly ask that my supporters not get distracted with this level of minutia.  I consider Theresa Hancock to be a woman of integrity, who has done her best to serve the citizens of this community.

At this time, I would also like to ask that the local media refrain from making this an issue for publication.  Some of our local journalists like to try and smear, or disparage, the character of candidates when they do something that is not 100% correct.

It is my belief that it is a time for change on the City Council, and that we can do better.  For those that want to bring back the police officer positions that have been cut under this Council, and for those that want to bring back parks and recreation, then vote for me, Jason Raines.

We deserve better government.

Filed under 2009 Election, Sunnyside Council, Uncategorized Tagged with , , , , , , , ,

Update: Mayor Garcia, Councilman Hernandez File Their Paperwork With PDC

May 12, 2009 by Leave a comment

Sunnyside Mayor Garcia and Council Member Hernandez have now filed their Personal Financial Affairs Statements with the Public Disclosure Commission of Washington.  The two officials missed the annual April 15th deadline, but have gotten the situation corrected according to staff at the PDC.

Elected officials, as well as certain appointed officials, are required to file these statements every year.  Stemming from a voter initiative passed in 1972, the statements are available for public review upon request made to the PDC.

The philosophy behind it is that by making sources of income, creditors, and investments known, that the public will have officials who conduct business in the public interest, not for private gain.

The other five members of the City Council had already filed their statements for 2009.

Filed under Sunnyside Council, Uncategorized Tagged with , , , , , , ,

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