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.

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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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Funding For Police, Community Center On Council Agenda

March 13, 2011 by Leave a comment

Among the items the Sunnyside City Council will consider at its Monday night meeting are funding for the police department and community center.  The city council has already voted to hire a crime analyst, and two additional police officers for a gang task force.  In addition, the council has voted to support activities at the community center.

Following approval of these actions, Council will be considering a budget amendment.  The meeting agenda follows:

CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING AGENDA

401 Homer Street, Sunnyside, Washington

MONDAY LAW & JUSTICE CENTER

March 14, 2011 6:30 PM

CALL TO ORDER – ROLL CALL

INVOCATION – MIKE HUGHES

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

PROCLAMATION – NATIONAL YOUTH VIOLENCE PREVENTION WEEK

Proclamation

1. UNSCHEDULED APPEARANCES BY CITIZENS

(Note – Citizens are advised that they must limit their remarks to the Council to three (3) minutes and that items presented may be referred by the Council to staff for review and/or additional information for presentation to the Council at a future Council meeting.)

2. CONSENT AGENDA:

A. Minutes

B. Claim Vouchers:

Approve claim vouchers 73556 through 73660 and wire transfer No. 110302 for the period ending March 8, 2011 in the amount of $538,228.28.

Item 2B

C. Yakima Valley Office of Emergency Management

Approve resolution adopting the 2010 Comprehensive Emergency Management Program as the Official Emergency Response Plan for the City of Sunnyside.

Item 2C

3. ACTIVE AGENDA:

A. Miss Sunnyside Court Presentation

B. Open Public Hearing – MBM Annexation Notice Published – Daily Sun News, March 4, 2011

Receive public comment and consider action regarding an ordinance annexing certain property to the City of Sunnyside, amending Comprehensive Plan, and zoning said property.

Item 3B

C. 2011/2012 Biennial Budget Amendment No. 1

Consider an ordinance amending the 2011/2012 Biennial Budget as a result of unanticipated transfers and expenditures of various funds, and fixing a time when the same shall be effective.

Item 3C

D. Fire Station Architect

Review information and consider staff recommendation of hiring MJ Neal and Associates as the architect for the design of the fire station.

Item 3D

E. Professional Engineering Services (Pacific Groundwater Group)

Consider resolution approving and ratifying Amendment No. 12 for professional engineering services with Pacific Groundwater Group/HDR Engineering.

Item 3E

4. ITEMS FROM COUNCIL MEMBERS:

A. Reports from Council Subcommittees:

1) Finance and Administrative Services – Vlieger (3); Garcia (5); Gehlen (7)

2) Public Safety – Farmer (2); Vlieger (3); Garcia (5)

3) Public Works – Farmer (2); Paulakis (4); Gehlen (7)

B. Other reports, announcements, and/or questions by Council.

C. Upcoming Council Meetings:

1) Workshop Meeting – Monday, April 4, 2011 at 6:30 p.m.

2) Regular Meeting – Monday, April 11, 2011 at 6:30 p.m.

5. ITEMS FROM CITY MANAGER:

A. Schedule Council Retreat

B. Municipal Utility Rate Study – Selection of Contractor

C. Environmental Assessment – Selection of Contractor

D. Police Department – Request for Qualifications

6. EXECUTIVE SESSION:

Discuss possible real estate acquisition per RCW 42.30.110(b) 15 minutes.

7. ADJOURN

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Bridges Was Asked To Resign In Sunnyside Salary Scandal

March 7, 2011 by 2 Comments

Sunnyside’s former Interim City Manager Jim Bridges (who has now resumed his position as Public Works Director) was asked to resign by City Manager Mark Gervasi following allegations that he improperly gave city employees raises in pay without seeking the approval of the City Council first.  This is according to lawyer John S. Ziobro, who is now representing Jim Bridges.  Through a public records request, a copy of this letter has been obtained that confirms Bridges was asked to resign.  The letter was sent from Ziobro on December 14, 2010 to City Manager Mark Gervasi, and to Scott Beyer, an attorney with the legal firm that represents the City of Sunnyside.

 

Bridges' lawyer says his client was asked to resign in a letter to the City Manager of Sunnyside.

In the letter, Ziobro states that his client, Jim Bridges, was offered three months of severance if he would resign.  Ziobro also alleges that the Mayor, Jim Restucci, had suggested that a criminal investigation into the questionable pay raises could be postponed.  Ziobro claims that the City Council is improperly trying to influence the City Manager, and that Mr. Gervasi does not have any concerns about Mr. Bridges’ performance.

According to Ziobro, Mr. Bridges did not resign, but was informed afterwards that the City Council was forming a Special Investigative Committee on Pay Practices.  John Ziobro is also the lawyer that represented Mr. Bridges’ mistress, Jaime Alba, in her past lawsuit against the city.  In that case, which was settled for $150,000 while Bridges served as Interim City Manager, Bridges admitted his affair, but denied that he had violated any professional standards of conduct.

Coincidently, John Ziobro has also acted as a legal representative to a third City of Sunnyside employee, City Clerk Deborah Estrada; sending letters on her behalf, and making voluminous public records requests for both Ms. Estrada, and now Mr. Bridges.  This blog has requested a copy of the records request Ziobro filed for Mr. Bridges.  In yet another coincidence, City Clerk Deborah Estrada is also handling the fulfillment of the public records request filed by Mr. Ziobro for Mr. Bridges.

In his letter, Ziobro singles out City Council Member Don Vlieger for harsh criticism.  It should be noted that Mr. Vlieger was the first member of the City Council to ask for the missing salary schedule that is historically provided during budget deliberations.  During the last budget cycle, city staff only provided total budget figures for each department.  They did not itemize the salary and benefits being paid to each employee, as has been done in the past, and previously published in the Daily Sun News.

Bridges and his lawyer also argue that the City of Sunnyside is paying him a higher salary than he could make elsewhere, and that he would not be likely to be able to secure similar employment with another organization.  They threaten to file a lawsuit against the city if he is terminated.  Ziobro also asks that the investigation into potentially illegal or criminal pay raises be stopped.

The Sunnyside City Council, following a suggestion from City Manager Mark Gervasi, has hired a Seattle-based employment coach at a cost of about $5,000, to look into the matter and report back on whether the raises were authorized by Council.

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Bad News For The Bad Guys

February 15, 2011 by 1 Comment

COUNCIL VOTES 4-2 TO STRENGTHEN POLICE DEPARTMENT

Surenos affiliated gangs are among those causing problems in Sunnyside. (Kennewick Police Department Photo)

Last night, another large crowd turned out to support the recommendations of the Public Safety Committee. The City Council adjusted its agenda to make discussion of adding a Crime Analyst position the first item of the meeting. However, before debate on that topic began, the Council received public comment from citizens gathered during the dinner hour of Valentine’s Day. All of those that rose to speak at the microphone supported both a Crime Analyst and also additional police officers for the City of Sunnyside.  All members of the Council were present, with the exception of Theresa Hancock, who had asked for an excused absence at a previous meeting.

A large crowd turned out on Valentine's Day evening to ask the City Council to make public safety a priority.

The City Council unanimously approved the recommendation of the police department to hire a full time Crime Analyst.  The cities of Kennewick, Pasco, Richland, Yakima, and Spokane have a full time Crime Analyst to name a few.  Last week Kim Hathaway of the Kennewick Police Department came and shared how she uses computer software to analyze and predict crime patterns.  The council was sold on the idea.

Another large crowd turns out to urge the City Council to take action to increase public safety.

Following this, a motion was made to proceed with hiring two additional police officers.  The intent of hiring these new officers is for the police department to have a dedicated apprehension team to arrest bad guys.  They would not be distracted with responding to traffic collisions, for example, while following up leads on wanted individuals.  At various times this concept has been referred to as a “Gang Task Force” or “Gang Suppression Unit”.

Pablo Garcia objected to the motion, saying that the Council should wait to take action for the City Manager and Finance Director to come back with ever more information.  Last week, the Finance Director stated that the money was in the current budget to hire the officers.  Council Member Don Vlieger pointed out that the current time is a good one to seek lateral hires from other departments (some of which are downsizing) and that the city needs to proceed on this now.

The Finance Director put it in writing for the council this week that the funds are there to make the hires.  Still, Garcia persisted in the need to kick the can down the road and wait for more information.  Council Member Mike Farmer said he saw no reason to wait.  Council Member Tom Gehlen said he saw no need to discuss this issue at this time, and that the Council could wait until later to take action.

The council took a vote, with Mayor Jim Restucci, Deputy Mayor Paulakis, Council Member Don Vlieger, and Council Member Mike Farmer voting to hire the officers.  Pablo Garcia and Tom Gehlen voted against the motion.  Following the vote, the audience members broke out in applause.

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Mayor Apologizes To Councilman

February 12, 2011 by 2 Comments

Mayor Restucci Apologizes To Councilman Vlieger

On February 8th, Mayor Jim Restucci made a public apology to Council Member Don Vlieger in an interview televised on the local NBC affiliate.  The apology came shortly after this blog published a post that was critical of some comments made by the Mayor at last Monday’s workshop meeting.

A blog reader was kind enough to Email me information related to the story that aired on the local news.  As I do not generally watch much television, I was unaware of the interview.  The local TV news typically does not send anyone to cover City Council meetings, so I was not actively looking for the story.

I appreciate the Mayor showing some class in making his apology.  Although we do not agree on issues from time to time, I have found that he is generally responsive to his constituents.  In addition, he is good at responding to questions from reporters and is usually available to answer questions from this blog.

It appears that the friction that heated up to a near boiling point at the workshop meeting has now been abated.  However, the seriousness of the issues confronting the city has not.  The City Council will be meeting Monday, February 14, 2011 at 6:30 PM.  Please attend this meeting, and let the Council know by your presence, that you consider crime a serious enough issue to warrant immediate action.

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Mayor Insulting A Man’s Professional Experience Is Uncalled For

February 8, 2011 by 4 Comments

Last night, at a Sunnyside City Council workshop, Mayor Restucci rudely belittled the work experience of a Council Member.  It happened during a discussion about recommendations from the Public Safety Committee to the City Council.  Pablo Garcia questioned the proposal to hire additional police officers.  Don Vlieger chimed in, and mentioned that he had seven years of experience in law enforcement working specifically with gang suppression.  Mr. Vlieger said that we need to strengthen the suppression side of enforcement at this time.

In this exchange, Mr. Vlieger argues for making suppression a bigger part of enforcement in Sunnyside, followed by the Mayor belittling his experience.

Mayor Restucci interjected and said “and when was that, about twenty years ago?”  Mr. Vlieger replied in the affirmative, and then Mr. Restucci sneered: “Well, I want to hear from our police chief.”

Listen to this clip which runs just under two minutes:

Mr. Vlieger was the subject of a Los Angeles Times newspaper story on May 11, 1989, entititled: ‘Deputy Don’ is the first to be assigned to full-time anti-gang counseling and policing duties on campuses of the ABC Unified School District.  A link to this article is at the bottom of this post.

I bring this up to point out that even though it might have been a few years ago, Mr. Vlieger was a pioneer in using both prevention and suppression in fighting gangs.  Mr. Restucci’s claim to fame is that he has voted to cut police officers, and prevention, while spending $500,000 of  money, not in the budget, for city attorneys in a single year.  His misguided attempt to belittle Mr. Vlieger is out of line for what the City Council calls a “workshop” that is meant to facilitate discussion of issues.

While Mr. Restucci may feel that the Sunnyside Police Department does not need more officers, he should not be denigrating the relevant work experience of one of his colleagues.  That was out of line, and I told the Mayor the same following the meeting.  He replied saying, “I am the Mayor, I chair the meetings, and I didn’t think we needed to hear any more from him.”

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Public Safety Driving City Council Agenda

February 4, 2011 by 3 Comments

This past Monday, the Sunnyside City Council held a special meeting to discuss public safety.  A large crowd turned out, prompting the council to break with its usual rules of not allowing public comment outside of regular meetings.

(From L-R) Council Member Mike Farmer, Deputy Mayor Nick Paulakis, Mayor Jim Restucci, Council Member Theresa Hancock. (Photo Courtesy of Bruce Ricks)

 Public safety will again be on the agenda when the Council meets for a workshop this coming Monday, February 7 at 6:30 PM.  This time the city has posted the agenda for the council meeting online.  Despite the failure to do this for this past Monday’s meeting, a large crowd still showed up to hear the discussion.  Most of the seats were full, as evidenced by these photos submitted to this blog by a member of the audience.

The Special Meeting On Public Safety Drew a Big Crowd (Photo Courtesy of Bruce Ricks)

 The Council was briefed on recommendations from the Subcommittee on Pubic Safety, which recommends the following actions items:

  • Hire a Crime Analyst
  • Fill the city’s vacant IT Position so law enforcement will have support for its information systems and technology
  • Create a Gang Task Force within the Sunnyside Police Department
  • Annexation of Problem Properties (some gang activity is just outside the city limits, and beyond the reach of our code enforcement officer)
  • Purchase Additional Automatic License Plate Readers
  • Dedicate City Attorney time to assisting law enforcement on gang related issues
  • Review space needs at Law and Justice Center to ensure adequate office space for new personnel

Facing Forward With Backs To Audience, Police Chief Radder and Deputy Chief Schenck Brief Council (Photo Courtesy of Bruce Ricks)

 The gang suppression strategy devised by the Council’s Subcommittee on Public Safety will require an investment of significant resources in order to be effective.  Escalating violence, which increasingly includes guns, must be met with a strong law enforcement response.  The proposed strategy of the public safety committee needs to be approved in full, or it may be unworkable.  It is important for the City Council to followup these discussions and workshops with some action.

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Don Padelford Easily Takes PCO Seat Of Theresa Hancock

August 18, 2010 by 2 Comments

In the Sunnyside Precinct #1708, retired farmer Don Padelford took the Precinct Committee Officer position for the Republican Party.  The seat is currently held by City Councilmember Theresa Hancock, but she did not file as a candidate to retain the post.

With the initial count published by the County Auditor last night, Padelford was garnering over 95% of the vote.  Padelford has been in the news in recent years for being critical of Sunnyside City Hall.  After being annexed into the city, his property was not given a zoning designation.  Later, the Council decided to give him a different zoning than what he had asked for.  Padelford filed a lawsuit against the city, which will possibly be settled by having the Port of Sunnyside bailout the city.  The Port of Sunnyside has offered to purchase Padelford’s land for $1.3 million if he agrees to drop his lawsuit against the city.

Theresa Hancock has never been elected as a Precinct Committee Officer, but was appointed to fill a vacancy earlier this year.

After the certification of election results, newly elected PCO’s will take office on December 1st, for a two-year term.

Here are results of Sunnyside area PCO races:

#1701 Don Vlieger, Republican PCO with over 90% of the vote

#1703 J.R. Hale, Republican PCO with 95% of the vote

#1705 Mike Farmer, Republican PCO with over 95% of the vote

#1706 Jason R. Raines, Republican PCO with 56.93%; Thomas Peterson, Democrat PCO with 43.07%

#1708 Don Padelford, Republican PCO with over 95% of the vote

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Congressman Doc Hastings Speaks At Sunnyside Memorial Day Service

May 31, 2010 by Leave a comment

Washington’s 4th District Congressman, Doc Hastings (R), was the keynote speaker at today’s Memorial Day service, held at the cemetary in Sunnyside.

Congressman Doc Hastings Speaks At Memorial Day Service

“We owe these veterans a debt we can never truly repay…”

Hastings noted that Memorial Day was first observed to honor those that gave their lives during the Civil War, and continues to this day.  He also mentioned that over 4,000 service members have died in the current conflicts that the country is engaged in.

State Senator Jim Honeyford (R-Sunnyside), State Representative Bruce Chandler (R-Granger), Sunnyside Mayor Jim Restucci,  and Council Members Nick Paulakis and Don Vlieger attended the service.

Sunnyside Fire Chief Aaron Markham was present, as were a large crowd of veterans, family members, and other citizens.

Filed under Freedom Issues, Republican Party, Sunnyside Council, Traditional Values, Uncategorized, Yakima County Republicans Tagged with , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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