April 2010 Archives

Whittier Councilman Owen Newcomer Tuesday made another pitch to get the City Council to consider making the development of a dog park a priority. And he was again rebuffed.

But some people were watching, including Whittier resident Tom Abercrombie, who came to the council meeting to make his own pitch, seeking changes in the proposed Sprout Farmers Market plan.

Here's Abercrombie's opening line: "I'm not really opposed to the project. I'm not going to propose this as a dog park and I'm not going to turn this into dog and pony show."
The council later approved the market and also rebuffed Abercrombie's request to move the loading dock from the east side of the store.

With the election over, it's time for Whittier City Council to get back to business. And judging by the weight of the agenda packet, they've got a hefty meeting. The packet itself weighs six pounds.

The hottest issue figures to be the appeal of the proposed Sprouts, 15801 Whittier Blvd., Whittier. But at 198 pages, the longest report is for the Housing and Urban Development five-year consolidated plan. That's the plan to show how the city will spend $1.5 million of federal money. With carry-over funds from last year, the city has $2.3 million. The money is beings pent on home improvement, graffiti removal and some public improvements. The entire plan is available at City Hall, the library and on the city's Web site, www.cityofwhittier.org.

Another item of interest is the approval of leases with Clearwire for cell towers at Founders, Lee Owens, Palm and Penn parks. A $513,983 contract to build a number of bus stops throughout the city also is on the agenda. The council also will be asked to award a $877,339 contract with Bernard Builders to provide landscaping for the civic center as part of construction of the new police station.

The final campaign finance reports in the April 13 Whittier City Council race were turned in Friday to the City Clerk's Office by all four candidates, including challenger Alex Morales, a former board member for the Whittier Union High School District.

Morales had turned in an incomplete report last week, listing only a $9,495 loan from himself and overall expenses. Based on information from these filings, Morales has spent $20,507, including $9,041 owed to Ralph Pacheco, a Whittier Union High School District board member. The money paid for providing literature and mailings on behalf of Morales.
He also has raised a total of $24,278.

His statement also showed him receiving $2,000 each from Flewelling and Moody, a Pasadena architectural firm that did some work for the Whittier Union High School District, and Ron Reese of Long Beach, his campaign treasurer.

He also received $1,000 each from Diran Depanian and John Miller, and John Tegtmeyer of Depanian, Miller and Tegtmeyer, an architectural firm that has done work with Whittier Union High School District.

Morales also was given $250 from Mario Padilla of Whittier, $100 from Hyunah Suh of Gardena, $100 each from Jake Alarid, Raul Almeda, Daniel Duran, Gloria Lopez-Franco, Robin Mooring, Judy Prather and Jesus Ramirez, all from Whittier; and numerous smaller contributions.

Of note was a $99 contribution from Leighton Anderson, a Whittier Union High School District board member, $50 from Montebello Councilman Frank Gomez,

FRED HAWTHORNE
The final report from challenger Fred Hawthorne shows him raising an additional $4,099 for a total of $12,524 and spending an additional $1,155 for a total of $9,533. He received $3,000 from A Rodriguez of Button Willow, and $1,000 from Norman Carter, who owns two McDonald's franchises in Whittier.

BOB HENDERSON
Councilman Bob Henderson's final report shows him receiving an additional $2,000 from the California Real Estate Political Action Committee, spending no money during the last week and a half, showing total contributions of $13,610 and spending of $10,484.

GREG NORDBAK
Councilman Greg Nordbak's final statement shows him receiving an additional $5,950 for a total of $19,873 and spending an additional $1,215 for a total of $10,900.
He received $4,000 from the California Real Estate Political Action Committee, $1,000 from Century 21 All Stars of Pico Rivera, $500 from Sage Restaurant, $300 from Forepolitics of Long Beach, and $150 from Catherine Nordbak of La Mirada, his aunt.

In Tuesday's story on campaign finance reports, we didn't have the space to list all of the contributions, in particular the smaller ones. But there were a couple of names that stood out, not from a conflict of interest perspective, but they were just let's say noteworthy.

For example, La Habra Heights Mayor Howard Vipperman gave Councilman Bob Henderson $250. Does that mean that Henderson will return the favor next year when Vipperman is expected to seek re-election> The answer is probably yes.

And then there was the $200 contribution from Bill Dauber of Brea, who lists himself as an instructor with Los Angeles Community College. He also is a former Whittier Daily News reporter.

David Warner, a Whittier periodontist and husband of Councilwoman Cathy Warner gave $250 each to Councilmen Bob Henderson and Greg Nordbak. Councilman Owen Newcomer gave $250 to Henderson.

Here's a list of the other contributors. None are listed from challenger Alex Morales because as of late Tuesday afternoon he had failed to turn in his statements listing individual contributions. Those with no information next to their name are Whittier residents.

Fred Hawthorne
Rocky Holman of Cincinnati, Ohio, $500
Doug Kellog, $250
Martin Salazar, $200
Trashman Inc., $200
Gwen and Mahlon Woirhaye, $200
Andrea Wong, $200
Bonnie Wong, $200
Curtis Bonner of Rohnert Park, $100
Robert Canales, $100
Katherine Inouye of Rosemead, $100
Roy and Janis McKee, $100
Ed Ortiz, $100
Neha Veghasia of Los Angeles, $100

Bob Henderson
John Lee, Fuji Grill restaurant owner, $300
Virginia Ball, $200
Allan Nakken, president of the Friendly Hills Property Owner Association, $200
Henri Pellissier, $200
Theodore Saulino, $200
John H. Smith IV, $200
David James Fretz, $150
Robert Settlage, $150
Donald Bishop, $100
Gary Curtis, $100
Patricia Flack, $100
Stephen Flanders, $100
Marshall Greer, $100
Patrick Hart, $100
Jane Hendrixson of La Habra, $100
Robert Gene Henke, $100
Mary Jones, $100
Karen Koos, administrator at Rio Hondo College, $100
G. Lescsak, $100
Kenneth Metzger, $100
Lilyan Neal, $100
William Pate Jr, $100
Epifanio Peinado, administrator with The Whole Child, $100
Ronald Ridout, broker with the Cornerstone Realty, $100
Douglas Rowan, $100
Jerry Sarchet, $100
Theodore Saulino, $200
Larry Scher, $100
Kenneth Schoor, owner of El Monte RV in Santa Fe Springs
Harry Stone, $100
Herbert Sussman, $100
Michael Tacconi, $100
Mahlon Woirhaye, $100

Greg Nordbak
Ray Cornman, $250
Raymond Cornman, $250
Jim and Karen Shepard, $250
Tauer Marketing, $250
Morrie and Fran Adnoff, $200
Robert and Virginia Ball, $200
Greg Braaksma, $100
Corey Ford, $100
Maxine and Michael Gimbel, $100
Michael and Carolyn Horan of La Habra, $100
David Johnson, $100
Mike Longo, $100
Rick Lopez, $100
David and Linda McCarty, $100
Selma Minerd, $100
Greg and Pam Polito, $100
Frank Ramirez, $100
Doug Rowan, $100
Fred Taylor, $100