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Military Imposters: Walnut Considers a Ban on Fake Military Uniforms

If you have a fondness for dressing up in some type of military outfit, then you might want to avoid the city of Walnut in the future, as officials are considering an ordinance that would make it illegal to wear a fake military uniform or insignia on public property. If caught, under the terms of the proposed law, offenders could be arrested and charged with a misdemeanor. The ordinance would bar anyone who hasn’t served from wearing such a uniform of the U.S. Government.

City Councilman Tom King is a chief proponent of the law and he has criticized those who dress up in fake military garb, especially those who have not served and yet have taken part in 9/11 ceremonies. The Valley Tribune reports:

“King was returning from his weekend service in the California military reserve when he saw a 50-year-old man wearing ribbons from World War II and the Spanish American War at Creekside Park and taking part in the ceremony for ‘9/11 heroes.’ He said the real heroes - either first responders or members of the military - should be honored at such ceremonies.”

It’s worth noting that several months ago in Temple City, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office found an immigration scam that utilized fake military uniforms. A Chinese national preyed on around 100 Chinese nationals as part of an immigration scam that charged recruits between $300 and $450, along with renewal fees of $120 each year. Recruits were lured in with the promise of a path to citizenship, despite the unit being entirely phony. The military uniforms and documents that recruits were provided were described as looking “official.” The unit must have looked professional enough, as it even appeared at one point in a parade in Monterey Park.

Actor to Address Temecula City Council; Seeks Permission to Hold Benefit Concert for Veteran

The actor Gary Sinise is perhaps best known as Lt. Dan from the movie “Forest Gump,” but the celebrity has also made quite a name for himself as an advocate for veterans, which is why Sinise will appear before Temecula’s City Council this week to ask permission to hold a benefit concert on the steps of City Hall on behalf of a wounded veteran named Cpl. Juan Dominguez. The veteran suffered injuries in Afghanistan and the concert would support the construction of a home for Dominguez.

In a press release, the actor commented, “I’m deeply honored to have the opportunity to address the Temecula City Council. I see our concert as a tangible way to recognize the heroism, sacrifice and determination Juan has displayed as he attempts to move past his injuries. I firmly believe our concerts will go a long way towards helping build a home for Juan that will allow him to lead a more independent and fulfilling life with his 9-year-old daughter Victoria.”

Dominguez is a native of New Mexico, but has chosen to make Temecula his new home, which led Temecula Mayor Chuck Washington to comment that “He sees Temecula as a great place to live; he's impressed with the school system and the safety of the community.” The North County Times reports:

“Mayor Washington said Friday that foundation officials decided to stage the concert in front of the Civic Center after seeing pictures of the Steve Miller concert that was held there in September. ‘They were very impressed,’ he said.”

If the council grants its permission (as it surely will), then the concert is slated for March 1st and tickets will go on sale at the Old Town Temecula Community Theater, with prices ranging from $35 to $150.

Millionaires Tax Campaign Says Fund Local Services by Taxing a Kardashian

Last week it was announced that Governor Brown’s campaign to raise taxes was rolling in the dough, with $1.2 million collected in two weeks. You’ll recall that Brown wants to pass a ballot measure that would raise $7 billion annually for five years. While the campaign’s early contributions certainly grabbed plenty of notice, a rival tax plan has come up with another way to make headlines: The Courage Campaign and the California Federation of Teachers have apparently figured out that if you really want attention, then nowadays it seems -- for some inexplicable reason -- all you have to do is throw a Kardashian in the mix (logic is no help when trying to find a rationale for the fame of the omnipresent clan known as the Kardashians. If you haven’t heard of them, then count yourself blessed).

This rival tax plan to the governor’s proposal is being called the “Millionaires Tax of 2012” and it’s using “celebrity” Kim Kardashian’s name (or more aptly, hatred for her) to generate support for its cause. This tax would raise $6 billion annually by raising income tax 3% on those who earn $1 to $2 million; in addition, it would raise the rate by 5% on those who earn over $2 million. The campaign contends that a higher tax rate on wealthy Californians could help fund schools and local services. To drum up support for the millionaire’s tax, the Courage Campaign has made a video called “Tax Kim” that claims she made more than $12 million in 2010, but she only pays one percentage point more in state income taxes than a middle-class Californian.

The video’s subtitle reads: “That's not OK, especially when budget cuts are decimating schools and critical programs for children and the elderly. Don't you think she could pay a little more?” More info on the campaign can be seen here.

View the video here:

Holding up the ‘Keep Out’ Signs: Health Nuts in Loma Linda Riled over McDonald’s Vote

Residents in the city of Loma Linda have made it clear that they don’t take too kindly to strangers in these parts—that is, strangers being defined as fast food restaurants that jeopardize the healthy lifestyle strongly cultivated by locals.

Caught in the middle is the city council. Budget woes and difficulty attracting big businesses have made life difficult for officials who have worked hard to attract new development, so when the council recently approved the city’s first McDonald’s, many residents didn’t hide their displeasure. Residents clearly feel a sense of civic pride about being healthy and there are many vegetarians in the city. Notably, Loma Linda residents typically have very long life-spans, especially in comparison to many cities, such as nearby San Bernardino.

It’s not clear how strong the blowback to the McDonald’s vote will play out, but many residents have already suggested running with a ballot measure to ban all fast food in the city. Some residents see the invasion of McDonalds as a threat to the city’s status as a “Blue Zone,” which is worldwide recognition of the longevity of locals.

The Contra Costa Times reports on the council’s decision:

“’We're not approving a McDonald's - we're approving a business that any restaurant could occupy,’ Mayor Rhodes Rigsby said, noting the city had strict guidelines for development and the applicant had followed them. ‘Nobody wants to have to go through all of these steps and then at the final step find out this is a capricious government.’”

Event the New York Times has given the city coverage, which can be seen here.

Life Off the Grid: Displaced Americans Find a Home in Desolate Desert Known as Slab City

Life off the grid takes on a new meaning in the stretch of desert land known as “Slab City.” There are no municipal services, no streetlights, no water or sewage service, no rent and no fees, but it is home to several hundreds of people who have left their lives behind to take up residence in what could aptly be described as a shantytown. The effects of the recession are partially to blame as one reason people move to this desolate area, as they simply can’t afford to go elsewhere and Slab City provides a community of sorts. Tents, trailers, aging mobile homes and other ad hoc dwellings are dispersed over 600 acres and while US Postal Service won’t deliver, there is internet and cell phone service available. The LA Times points out:

“To the west is Niland (population 1,100) and the Salton Sea. To the east is the Coachella Canal (ripe with catfish) and the Chocolate Mountain Aerial Gunnery Range used by the Navy. During World War II, the Slab City site was Camp Dunlap, a Marine artillery training base. But ownership of the acreage passed to the state in the 1950s. Even when it had money, the state government never showed much interest in Slab City. A plan to sell the site to a San Diego developer in the 1990s fell through; so did an idea by Imperial County to turn it into an RV camping ground.”

Local law enforcement in Imperial County has indicated that the tent city doesn’t require much attention and that people who live in the region just want to be unencumbered by the trappings of modern life and make due with the little they have.

CBS News filed the following report:

Costa Mesa Community and City Officials Come Together to Save Beloved Snoopy Tradition

Holiday traditions have a way of brightening the season’s celebrations, and in the city of Costa Mesa, the community rallied together to help save a treasured city tradition: The "Snoopy House" holiday display. Usually the long-time display is at the home of Linda and Jim Jordan, however, a foreclosure put the popular tradition in jeopardy, as Wells Fargo permanently locked the couple out of their home.

In response, local residents, businesses, council members, city employees and the Jordan family joined together to keep the 45-year holiday tradition alive. The "Save the Snoopy House" Facebook page and Twitter account mobilized local residents and volunteers so that the display could be put together in just one weekend and it has a new location: City Hall. The Daily Pilot reports that Jim Jordan commented, “This has been right out of a Frank Capra movie and I'm in 'It's a Wonderful Life.’”

Tom Hatch, the CEO of Costa Mesa, wrote an article inviting the community to see the annual display and describes the work that went behind its setup this year. Hatch wrote:

“The city, backed by a strong council endorsement, offered the City Hall lawn as an alternative site. […] Donations of time, supplies and money started to pour into City Hall. City staff happily filled in wherever needed. We want City Hall to be the perfect setting for the Peanuts characters, so we got a lighting company that specializes in rock concerts to use the mid-century modern white beams on the front of City Hall as a canvas and give the community a spectacular light show. The Costa Mesa Conference and Visitor Bureau agreed to pick up the cost.

Until New Year's Eve, the display will be lit up every night at City Hall (or should we say Snoopy Hall).

A Rock ‘N’ Roll Mayoral Recap: City’s Video for Outgoing Artesia Mayor

If you’re going to hang up your spurs, then you better go out in style, which makes the selection of Jefferson Starship’s song “We Built This City” pretty rock 'n’ roll (that is, if it were 1980) for a video the City of Artesia put together to recap Victor Manalo’s time in the mayor’s seat. We can’t recall seeing any similar videos created as a “year-in-review” for a mayor and the video may be so cheesy we’re craving mac n’ cheese, but kudos to the outgoing mayor for his accomplishments from the past year:

Awkward Family Photos: Mayor’s Strange Christmas Card Goes Viral

If we were to hold a holiday contest for best Christmas card, here at CityNews we might just have to award one particular mayor 1st prize. If you think this holiday season is about all that sentimental, mushy crap like harmony and peace, then you’re wrong, because deep down we all know that nothing says Christmas like the chilly reminder of impending death. San Juan Mayor Jorge Santini gets it.

That’s why the Puerto Rican official chose to pose in his Christmas card with a stuffed leopard murdering a fear-stricken antelope. The image is sure to remind you of do-or-die holiday shopping at jam-packed malls, as it’s survival of the fittest if you want that last parking spot or toy. The mayor appears smiling with his family in a series of photos featuring dead animals, but the antelope-jaguar offering is our favorite because it comes with the following caption (in Spanish): “May this Christmas illuminate your dreams.” We’re pretty sure after seeing the mayor’s card we can only dream that we won’t die at the hands (or should we say rabid mandibles) of some jungle beast.

The mayor’s card has now gone viral and the photo has even landed him a spot on the infamous site “Awkward Family Photos.” While the mayor may not have been expecting all the attention (he claims the cards were to promote the San Juan Wildlife Museum), the Christmas cards may leave his political opponents shaking in their boots.

Dead Tree Walking: Poway’s Order to Chop Down Heritage Tree Hits a Nerve for Locals

An order from the Poway City Council to have a 150 to 300-year-old tree chopped down has touched a nerve for some local residents. The tree is being sent to the gallows due to its rotting condition, which has created public safety concerns because there are fears its large branches could fall and hurt someone. Notably, the Kent Sycamore is one of the region’s oldest trees and it was just 10 years ago that the city designated it as a “heritage tree” due to its longevity and majestic stature. 

While the majority of the tree lies on city property, about one-third of it falls under the territory of a local homeowner named Fred Zuill, who has pleaded with the council to spare the tree’s life. However, an arborist has already informed the council the tree cannot be saved from its rotting state. Zuill blames the city for developing the area around the tree years ago without thinking of the impact to the tree.

The city council expressed regret that the tree would have to come down but noted that public safety had to come first. Councilman Dave Grosch commented, “I feel sorry for the tree. The tree is the victim.” It is hoped that any wood salvaged from the tree can be put to good use.

San Fernando’s Public Enemy #1: Residents Lash Out at Mayor over Affair; To Resign?

Here at CityNews we won’t deprive you of what we know you all want: more coverage of the scandal in San Fernando. The city has now been called “Bell with sex” thanks to the series of scandals that are playing out at City Hall. We relayed recently that Mayor Mario Hernandez announced in front of the council he was having an affair with fellow council member Maribel de la Torre while his wife was sitting in the front row. While the mayor already got his chance to unload, this week’s council meeting unsurprisingly allowed the fury of local residents to be on full display. Hernandez was met with calls for his resignation and harsh criticism, as residents lambasted his lack of decency, honesty, and worthiness as a local official. The council chambers were packed, and of course, the city now has the full attention of the media so plenty of cameras were on hand.

And now there’s a new twist to share. Mayor Hernandez is claiming that the local newspaper the San Fernando Sun is trying to ignite controversy because the publication is owned by Sev Aszkenazy, and Hernandez argues the developer has not gotten his way on projects so he is adding fuel to the city’s raging fires with salacious and extensive coverage. The soap opera continues with this key detail: the mayor’s estranged wife is the sister of Aszkenazy’s wife. The paper’s coverage has already called on the mayor to resign.

While Hernandez criticized the Sun, he still acknowledged that San Fernando has some major issues on its plate; namely another scandal involving a council woman’s affair with a police department sergeants as well as reports that the police chief is on leave for having sex with a much younger cadet. The LA Times reports the following about the problems the mayor is facing personally: “Hernandez's bankruptcy papers, filed in June, show that he owes more than $440,000 to a trust overseen by Aszkenazy's wife. Court papers show he is now making just $600 a month — his council stipend.”

Despite the verbal lashing that the mayor endured for the length of the meeting, Hernandez indicated he had no plans to call it quits. The mayor commented, “The personal issues that I addressed affect my family, including my children. This is a difficult time for me and my family. I continue my dedication to do my job, in the weeks and months ahead."

And while Hernandez claimed that he had never been anything but honest, his statement was met with a sarcastic “yeah, right” from audience members.