HomeMy WebLinkAboutJoanne Bates - General Public Comment- Observations and questions 10-07-2020_RedactedFrom:Cheryl Weeks on behalf of Council
To:Public Comments
Cc:Genoveva Rocha
Subject:RE: Observations and questions
Date:Wednesday, October 7, 2020 10:04:46 AM
From: Joanne Bates
Sent: Tuesday, October 6, 2020 6:22 PM
To: Eric McBride (Assistant Chief of Police); Jennifer Kohrell; Council; MayorsEvents; Mayor John Valdivia
Subject: Observations and questions This is to all of you, with specific thoughts to PD, council, and mayor.
First, to the SBPD. We had a positive experience on Sunday night with regard to
police response to some un-neighborly neighbors. At 5 p.m. on a Sunday, suddenly
our house began shaking and almost deafening noise erupted from a house behind
us. A mariachi band had set up, and was just warming up. This went on for several
hours. During this time, we made calls to dispatch, allowing the dispatcher to fully
appreciate what we were experiencing (minus the ground rumbling). Eventually,
officers made contact with the residents and gave a warning. The disruption
stopped. These fine officers then came to our house to notify us that the contact and
warning had been made. A short time later, the loud noise resumed, only moreso.
Another call to dispatch, another timely response from these officers. We were
informed later that a citation had been issued with a fine for $1000.
I suppose you might be asking why would we object to people having a
party/celebration. We don't object to this, it's great that families/friends are able to
gather for a happy time. Lucky them! However, when the peace of the
neighborhood is disturbed to the point of not being able to conduct a conversation in
nearby homes, the inconsideration has to be addressed.
In some of the contacts we made with dispatch, reference was made to a form which
we were to sign, and something like a citizens' arrest (not sure of the exact action)
would be made. It never was our intention for any arrest to be made. Only for the
disturbance of the peace and disruption of quality of life to be addressed by the
proper entity, namely the police department. This is the same intention when
reporting transients camping on public and private property. The purpose of
reporting these issues is to enforce codes, ordinances, and laws, by the proper
authorities, to deal with those on the streets with the resources that are available.
Not to have the person arrested, Lt.Kohrell.
Another issue I wish PD would address is that of speeders. Arrowhead Ave. north
of 30th St. is a prime example. It is common for cars and motorcycles to drive at
least 60 mph between 34th St. and Thompson Place. That's just the everyday
traffic, but then we also have the street racers with their little race cars. We need to
have speed limits enforced throughout the city.
To the city council - we used to enjoy driving around the city, to run errands, shop,
or just get out of the house for a while. That stopped many years ago. Do any of you
ever drive around this city? My understanding is that you are required to reside in
the ward you were elected to represent, so you should at least be familiar with your
area. Do you not see all the blight in San Bernardino? It's everywhere! Where does
one begin to give examples of this? Here are a few FYI -
- large vacant office buildings, some vandalized, boarded up, graffiti-covered,
transient-occupied;
- homes and apartment complexes in disrepair, unmaintained, littered with
unimaginable debris;
- homes with no landscaping, unmaintained yards;
- homes with multiple vehicles parked on the property in varying stages of
assembly;
- houses that burned years ago, with damaged structure still remaining (36th &
Arrowhead, Edgerton & Skylark, 40th & Acre, to name a couple in my area);
- transients setting up camp on city streets (Waterman Ave., Baseline, 40th St., etc.),
and in front of and behind businesses, and in every park, with shopping carts,
strollers, tarps, bikes, and even tents;
- abandoned businesses that remain blights and invite transients (Highland &
Lincoln, 9th & Waterman, Highland & Mt. View, to name a few).
You can't go anywhere in San Bernardino without seeing this, you can't miss it.
How can you be a representative of this city, and of your constituents, and not do
everything in your power to deal with these scenarios?
Any new development that happens here seems only to be the building of mini-
markets, fast food drive-thrus, car washes, and what seems to be your all-time
favorite - the massive concrete boxes. How can you continue to allow this to
happen? Why don't you have a cohesive development plan? If there is one, why is
there no development of quality housing and quality retail in all sectors of the city?
Look what Redlands did/is doing with the areas around Citrus Plaza and their
downtown. Look what Fontana has done with housing developments and
senior housing. Look at Rialto, with all the new businesses along the 210 and a
respectable downtown.
Another issue that you as a council seem oblivious to is the neglect of city
responsibilities, such as sidewalk repair, tree maintenance (dead and dying trees
everywhere), litter and trash lining our streets, and illegal dumping. Why do you
ignore these issues?
The big elephant in the room is the mayor who keeps his post, at least at council
meetings, acting as mayor. Why have you not, as the supposed leadership of San
Bernardino, done anything, issued any kind of statement, or addressed the mayor's
behavior in any way? I've been told by some of you that about the only thing you
can do is to censure him. Well, do it! By remaining silent about this, it only
increases his arrogance.
To you, mayor - why are you still calling yourself mayor, John? Are you even still
living in San Bernardino? How can you make excuses for your actions and
behavior towards staff? The claims that have been filed should have caused some
embarrassment and remorse, and a desire to become a better and more deserving
representative of this city, or step down.
Some of your background seems to be at odds with your actions since you became
mayor. Apparently, there was some seminary training. John, I know you remember
where you and I met, you have mentioned it every time we've crossed paths in the
years since then. In addition, there are our mutual friends, through whom we met.
How does all of that turn into the person we are seeing now?
It makes me sad. Sad for you, for your family, for our city, for me.
I ask you to look into your conscience and do what is right, whatever that may be,
regardless of how that impacts your future in politics.
Before the last city council meeting, I was so close to writing a public comment and
sending it to my council member to read, regarding many of the issues I have laid
out here. Imagine my surprise when, during that meeting, my council member was
cut off from reading another resident's public comment, and my relief that I hadn't
gotten around to sending a comment to be read. I can only hope that that type of
game-playing never happens again.
Who knows, maybe I'll get around to submit a public comment to my council
member for tomorrow's meeting, and see what happens?
For what it's worth . . .
Joanne Bates
7th ward resident