Mayor Pro Tem Don Bankhead Considers Using Public Funds to Bailout Opera



Public Funds


Mayor Pro Tem Don Bankhead seeks to use Redevelopment Agency funds, originally set aside for combating blight and providing low-income housing, to prop up the Fullerton Civic Light Opera (FCLO).

In an article penned by Eric Marchese of FullertonStories.com, Bankhead indicated he is “…investigating the use of Redevelopment Agency funding to assist the Duncans and FCLO.”

What would prompt this Republican and self-proclaimed conservative council member with more than 22 years of elected service under his belt to conclude a necessity for a taxpayer bailout of the FCLO?

Bankhead was quoted as saying, “It would be a blow, a terrible loss, to the city if [the Duncans] can’t figure out some way of saving [the company].” 

And therefore taxpayers must somehow bailout this private endeavor?? 



Infrastructure lying in ruin from continuous neglect.



What about the public employees who have taken significant cuts in pay (and service hours) to help shore up the financial debacle created by a city council with their collective heads in the sand?  Should the Redevelopment Agency also bail out these other departments and public employees? 

The short answer: NO!  Before the Redevelopment Agency existed taxpayer funds were meant to go toward all of our public services from engineering and education to public safety.  But after the Redevelopment Agency was created and expanded, taxpayer funds were redirected to combat blight and fund low-income housing.  Meanwhile, our infrastructure lays in ruin from continuous neglect and habitual misappropriation of public funds. 

If we use Redevelopment Agency funds to bail out the FCLO we will have effectively robbed all of our public agencies so that a select few can be entertained. 

I cannot think of a more egregious abuse of public funds except perhaps spending $6-million to move a McDonald’s restaurant 200 feet or borrowing $29-million to evict low-income families. 

Does the recall effort begin now or do taxpayers wait for further damage to be done at their expense?

Land Surveyor Leads Riotous Demonstration

Thanks to my friend, Justin Pallamary, PLS, for forwarding this to me!

The California Constitution: Did you know it says...?

CALIFORNIA CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE 1  DECLARATION OF RIGHTS


SECTION 1.  All people are by nature free and independent and have inalienable rights.  Among these are enjoying and defending life and liberty, acquiring, possessing, and protecting property, and pursuing and obtaining safety, happiness, and privacy.

The California Constitution: Did you know it says...

CALIFORNIA CONSTITUTION
PREAMBLE
We, the People of the State of California, grateful to Almighty God for our freedom, in order to secure and perpetuate its blessings, do establish this Constitution.

Changes On the Horizon

I'm looking at implementing a new format for this blog.  Stay tuned and let me know what you think.

Also, http://www.gregsebourn.com/ will be getting some new content.  Look for an announcement their as well in the weeks to come.

Homeless Shelter Coming To A Neighborhood Near You

The Orange County Register announced that Fullerton Interfaith has received a $1-million grant from California taxpayers to help ease homelessness in Fullerton. The article, which bears the humorous and pessimistic title "Grant could help homeless families", is short and simplistic. That is, the article doesn't say much about where the shelter will go or any of the particulars which were likely written into the grant.

A quick online search for real property assets in the name of Fullerton Interfaith yielded adjoining addresses on Amerige at Richman.


Southwest corner of Amerige at Richman, in Fullerton, California. 

 Since the article states that the property to be used is "vacant land", it is unclear if this is the same site as pictured here on the left. 

It is quite possible that Fullerton Interfaith has acquired other property recently which has not shown up in the database I used. 

The grant funding comes from Proposition 1C (2006) funding.  Prop 1C was part of a massive taxpayer's credit card scheme (see Props 1B-1E from 2006) designed to borrow $37.3 BILLION! 

The State borrowed the money and now you voters can see where it has taken them: into the State of Financial Ruin. 

The Sick-mas Season

Santa brought me a tall bottle NyQuil and I immediately put it to good use!  As terrible as it was to spend the past several days in bed and missing out on the festivities with my family and friends, I am so glad that, despite a little cold, my family is healthy.  My children had a great time and were showered with gifts and love from aunts, uncles, grandma, and grandpa.  All are safe and well.  What more can any father ask for Christmas?