On December 5, 2023, the city council voted to raise their pay to $500,000 per term, equating to $125,000 annually or $380 per hour.

They also received:

• A 265% pay increase, resulting in a new stipend of $2,027 (previous $765 x 265% = $2,027).
• Department head benefits, including retirement, medical coverage, or $300 in cash, deferred compensation of $300, and more.
  
• An increased annual expense account of $5,000.
  

From January 2024 to June 2024, the council worked a total of 32 hours, averaging approximately 5 hours and 20 minutes per month. Assuming additional time for meetings, preparation, public events, etc., brings their total hours worked over the last 6 months to approximately 100 hours, their compensation calculates to about $122 per hour, excluding benefits.

Listen to the presentation and the rationale provided. Prepare to laugh.  For instance, they state it makes it easier for individuals with lower incomes or fixed incomes to pursue running for office, disregarding the $10,000 to $20,000 (or more) required to finance a campaign.

"Prior to planning this event, ...tasked with being diverse and inclusive for all cultural, racial, religious, and ethnic groups within West Covina and had already brought Chinese Dragon Dancers, Folklorico Performers, Filipino-American and Latin groups into the event".  No Native American Groups were invited.

​Councilmember Diaz Results

​Keep Our Neighborhoods Safe

FAILED

1. $1,000,000 spent:​The city has allocated over $1,000,000 towards legal fees, consultants, and staff hours for the purported transformation of its health care services. Currently, there is no clear explanation to the public regarding what this transformation entails, how it will be achieved, its financial implications, or where the funding will originate.
   
2. $60 to $90 million start-up cost: Councilmember Brian Tabatabai referenced a report from San Dimas, suggesting that establishing a health department could require between $60 million to $90 million. Supporters of the plan claimed it would serve the San Gabriel Valley, mentioning several supportive cities. However, none of these cities have officially endorsed or contributed to the department's planning efforts.  The public overwhelmingly opposes it.​
   
3. Urban Planning Company Hired, Not Healthcare Experts: The city has engaged an urban planning and development firm to oversee the establishment of its health department, despite the firm lacking any prior experience in healthcare-related projects. This decision parallels hiring a family physician to design and construct a bridge over the Colorado River.
   
4. No Plan, No Analysis, No Idea: In May 2021 the City applied to the California Department of Health to open a health department.  They have not released the estimated cost of the department.  Now, council members assert that without definitive regulations from the State of California governing the establishment of such a department, they cannot estimate its cost. Consequently, the city has begun investing in a service without understanding its financial implications, and without conducting any studies or analyses to determine the basic cost of a standard health department, let alone one aimed at "revolutionizing" healthcare delivery.
   

6. Falsely Claims Adding Police​​

​Councilmember Diaz Results

​Beautify Our Community

FAILED

What She Did 2020 to Present​​

​The city has earmarked $228,000 for a Chamber of Commerce that is managed and financed solely by the city, without community input. Our community has a group, Greater West Covina Business Association that advocates and promotes West Covina business interests.  Rather than collaborating with an established, self-sustaining, independent organization, they squander taxpayer money by creating an unnecessary organization run by the city.

Cities themselves typically do not start Chambers of Commerce. Chambers of Commerce are usually initiated by local businesses, entrepreneurs, and community leaders who recognize the need for a unified voice to advocate for business interests, promote economic development, and foster networking opportunities within a specific geographic area.

However, cities and local governments often work closely with Chambers of Commerce once they are established. They may provide support through partnerships, funding for economic development initiatives, collaboration on community events, and advocacy on behalf of businesses at the local, state, and federal levels.

In some cases, cities may encourage the formation of a Chamber of Commerce by facilitating initial meetings, providing guidance on legal and administrative processes, or offering resources such as meeting spaces or administrative support. However, the primary impetus and organization of a Chamber typically come from private sector stakeholders rather than the municipal government itself.

Ultimately, Chambers of Commerce operate independently as nonprofit organizations and serve as a valuable resource for businesses in the community they represent. They play a vital role in promoting local economic growth, advocating for business-friendly policies, and enhancing the overall business environment.

The city seems to be playing a bit of a game with terminology. Despite the fact that the term "Chamber of Commerce" cannot legally be used, as the city would be required to pay the State of California tens of thousands, official documents and a meeting held on July 16, 2024 (link to follow) refer to the new organization by this name. However, Council Member Tony Wu and the city manager are both denying the use of the term.

Rosario "Ginger Elliott" Diaz and William "Wild Bill" Elliott Comments

3. Meal and Health Care Funding Cut for Roof Repair

Certainly, she will offer photo opportunities of parks being cleaned, emphasizing the importance of maintaining their cleanliness.

However, this upkeep often does not occur at parks or streets.

3. Recruit More White Families in Name of Diversity​

8. City Homeless - What Did She Do?​​

​“This is like I’m having my Quinceanera, and you are coming into my party to take it over. This is the 100th anniversary and I want to keep this positive. I don’t think the people need to know about this past. We are celebrating when this City was incorporated.” 

The staff knows how I felt so why would you move forward with something so controversial.  Is this controversial?

"The City of West Covina acknowledges the indigenous peoples as the original caretakers of the lands that we now reside on. We acknowledge that the City of West Covina is located on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territories of the Gabrielino Shoshone Tongva Kizh nations. We not only recognize the importance of acknowledging our ancestral history of the City, but to acknowledge that the indigenous communities still thrive here till this day. While the history might be painful and violent to recall, it is not only necessary, but vital, to acknowledge this history, so history will not repeat itself."

In this Facebook posting, Councilmember Diaz's husband attack various community members as White Racists, Dead White Racists, one minority and one Jewish person​ as "Wanting to be white.'

2. City Council 265% Pay Increase and More

​At the City Council Meeting on February 21, 2023 residents speak out against Mayor Diaz conduct excluding the original settlers in the area from a celebration of our city which including most, if not all, of those who came later.  Diaz refused to apologize as she felt she did nothing wrong.

​

Listen to some of the 33 speakers coming out on this insult to members of our community.

​

​Start around 1:20:00

4. Residents Speak Out About Conduct at City Event

9. $228,000 for West Covina Chamber of Commerce​​

The True Rosario Diaz, aka Ginger Elliott

"​...West Covina should reach out to young white families, try to bring them into the city so we don’t become so homogenous that – like other cities surrounding us..."

He does say he was "speaking with someone".  Is that someone Councilmember Diaz?

​May 3, 2022 at about the 25 minute mark.

​7. ​Happy Indigenous Peoples Day with Senator Warren Picture

​Councilmember Diaz and her husband will deny the existence of the comments listed below or will attribute them to deep fakes.  They will attack me, my family or others in an attempt to falsely discredit. Links to emails, news reports, social media posts, council videos, and other documents are included.

CANDIDATE DIAZ 2020 vs COUNCILMEMBER DIAZ 2020 to Now​  

​10. ​Calling DREAMERS Cockroaches

No ARPA funds allocated to small business.  Tried to create a Business Improvement District for Glendora Ave
to force businesses to pay for their own police protection and public area maintenance.

Diaz's husband, from time to time, speaking out about local restaurants at council meetings is not supporting small business, especially when those businesses are in La Puente and Glendora - See Public Comments on 7/02/2024.

Please be aware that $228,000 of your tax dollars are earmarked to initiate a "Chamber of Commerce," which will be under city control.
Typically, such groups are formed voluntarily by the business community, not mandated by city authorities.
Moreover, the city already has an operational organization called the "Greater West Covina Business Association."

Renaming Glendora Ave area to "Historic Downtown West Covina" does not support business.

Supporting small business includes installing signage and working to improve the area, not having a City Plan that demolishes the area replacing it with two- and three-story condos and multi-use buildings.

5. No Covid Money Used for Residents or Small Businesses​​

​9. ​​Native American Group "Taking Over" Event

1. Campaign Emphasizes Hispanic Roots - I don't feel as they do

Tells voter not to contact her.  General unhinged comments about community members, her hard work, will not respond to people, talks about campaign signs, generally dismissive of anyone who disagrees with her.

What exactly does she mean?
Spending $1.5 million on planting plants and decorative lights along Azusa, most of which don't even work.

Graffiti and Homeless Encampments in our Parks and along our Streets.

Is that what she considers 'beautifying' our city?

The funding was allocated from ARPA as a jobs training program. Interestingly, not a single person hired was from West Covina.

​Councilmember Diaz Results

​Support our Local Mom and Pop Shops

FAILED

4. West Covina SportsPlex Losing Millions

When the City Council decided to assume control of the West Covina SportsPlex, Tony Wu predicted it would become a "gold mine" for West Covina. The council argued they possessed the necessary expertise to manage the facility, a sentiment supported by Rosario Diaz.

The takeover was prompted by Big League Dreams (BLD) falling $134,000 behind on payments to the city. This financial issue was not unique to West Covina, but all BLD locations. After BLD Corporation sold due to financial problems, the new ownership and management pledged to settle the overdue amount and undertake all necessary maintenance to restore the facility to standard. Despite attempts at negotiation, the city proceeded with its takeover.

As a result, the city incurred a loss of $300,000 to $500,000 in fees and tax revenue. Additionally, the city had to cover $25,000 per month for maintaining the surrounding land, as well as all utilities and full facility maintenance.

To date, the exact expenditures on the facility remain unknown due to incomplete records of staff time spent on maintenance and management.

Currently, the SportsPlex is considered a city facility rather than a park. Public access is restricted, similar to that of city hall.

​In the last three years the city has lost:

• $1,200,000 in fees and taxes ($400k per year)
  
• $900,000 in additional maintenance
  
• $1,100,00 maintenance and repairs (minimum, estimated)

​Total $3,200,000 and increasing daily​​

At the May 7, 2024 Council meeting, funds originally designated for senior meal programs and community health programs under ARPA (Covid) and Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) were reallocated to repair the roof at Cortez Park Center. Typically, roof repairs and replacements are covered by the general fund through Capital Improvement Programs (CIP). However, on this occasion, rather than assessing the broader community needs such as medical care or food programs to enhance community health, the council opted to cut funding to those programs.

​6. ​Appearance of Acting City Manager

"It's unfortunate that it's 2024 and now we're going to remove the encampments, because I guess it's really bothered some people and now, we're going to hide them behind closed doors in a hotel", Diaz said.  "That's the way I see it.  It's like putting a bandage on a hemorrhage." 

After serving 3.5 years on the City Council, there have been no solutions, just inaction. There is a call for accountability as Diaz consistently votes for excessive spending, neglects to seek cost estimates for a Health Department, and prioritizes funding for West Covina without addressing the issues faced by the homeless or residents.

As discussed during the council meeting, West Covina adopted a homeless plan back in 2018 but has failed to take any action to mitigate the problem, except to ask for a report in March 2021.

"...I guess I'm suppose to vote for Hispanics, even though I don't feel as they do..."

​

Family picture without her husband, William Elliott.  Why?

​Councilmember Diaz Results

​Clean Our Streets and Parks

FAILED

No new police officers added in four years. Police response times have increased, if they respond at all. Crime, graffiti, and gang activity have risen.
Flashing stop signs are not improving safety.

She and her supporters will cite a flawed study to claim that our city is safe. However, if we accept this report, we must ask why there has been such a dramatic increase in crime. As a leader, if you take credit for any decrease in crime, you must also take responsibility for the significant rise and decline in safety in West Covina.

What She Said in 2020​​

​DON'T BE FOOLED AGAIN

Updated 11/02/2024

Diaz, along with fellow council members, persist in manipulating the officer count through semantics. Diaz and others emphasize the city's ongoing "hiring" of new officers, falsely implying an increase in overall numbers. In reality, they are merely replacing officers. As shown in the following chart, the city not only fails to reach the authorized level of officers but also falls short of increasing their number.

     Fiscal Year    Authorized       Hired/Working        
     2020/2021          99           87 (Per FBI CDE)

     2021/2022        100*         97 (Per FBI CDE)
     2022/2023        102           95 (Per FBI CDE)

     2023/2024        102           96 (Per WCPD)

     2024/2025        102           96 (Per WCPD)

* During the budget process, supported by Diaz, the council reversed cuts through a program known as 10/10/10. This initiative aimed to restore 10 "new" officers, 10 "new" code enforcement personnel, and 10 "new" maintenance positions. By the end of the 2020/2021 fiscal year, the city had initially authorized 99 positions, reduced this to 90, and then implemented the 10/10/10 Program to claim an addition of 10 "new" officers. However, starting with 99 positions, reducing by 9, and adding back 10 results in a net increase of only 1 "new" officer which has never been hired.

At City Council Meeting on April 3, 2018 angry Bill Elliott referred to DREAMERS as "Cockroaches"

and a drain on taxpayers.  

BEAUTIFYING OUR COMMUNITY

Flashing Stop Signs:  How does one arrive at the conclusion that "flashing stop signs" enhance the community's appearance? This reveals her thought process—suggesting that if the stop signs weren’t aesthetically pleasing, she might have opposed their installation.

Cameron Park Restrooms Upgrade: This project has been part of the Capital Improvement Plans for several years. The essential work at Cameron Park involves developing an empty lot that was purchased six years ago. If credit is to be claimed for this upgrade, then the same accountability should apply to the Shadow Oak Lower-Level Restroom, which the city failed to connect to the sewer system.

ENHANCED PUBLIC SAFETY

This claim is misleading. Although the city has authorized 100 to 102 police officers, it has failed to hire more than 96. When the authorized number of officers isn’t fully funded, it’s difficult to credibly claim that you are enhancing or supporting public safety.

​
SUPPORTED LOCAL BUSINESSES
Let’s address this claim once and for all. The city received nearly $20 million from the American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA), with one of the top priorities being support for small businesses and residents. However, the city allocated no funds to either small businesses or residents. Instead, a significant portion of this funding was diverted to deferred maintenance, which not only breaches the intent of the program but also may well violate legal guidelines resulting in the city paying back much, if not all, of the money.

INCREASED COMMUNITY RESOURCES

It is disrespectful to the voters for a city council member to take credit for programs initiated by the Community Services Department staff, or to claim long-standing programs like basketball as their own.

CONCLUSION

After nearly four years in office, the current officeholder highlights plants, tree lights, restrooms, and stop signs as major accomplishments, while overlooking the numerous pressing issues affecting our community. We face multi-million-dollar deficits, inadequate police protection leading to unanswered calls, mortgaging our streets to cover overspending, ARPA funds not used for small businesses and residents, neglected road repairs, homelessness, and pervasive graffiti. We cannot address these issues if our "leaders" refuse to acknowledge their existence.

When you receive your ballot, carefully review the current candidate’s claims. Pay attention to any feel-good statements, clichés, and slogans that lack substance from another candidate, and compare them with my proven track record of active community involvement, addressing crucial issues, and my commitment to protecting you and your family.

I am the candidate our city needs at this pivotal moment. I am dedicated to representing your interests, advancing our city’s progress, and ensuring that my service in office benefits the community.​

While William "Wild Bill" Elliott may have the right to express himself, Rosario Diaz's tacit acceptance, demonstrated by her silence and occasional smile during these outbursts, implies complicity or endorsement of such behavior. This silence from Rosario Diaz sends a troubling message to the public, suggesting either a tolerance for misconduct or agreement with it. Such attitudes are unacceptable, particularly in a context where individuals of all racial backgrounds, ethnicities, national origins, religious beliefs, genders, sexual orientations, and physical abilities should feel empowered to approach their elected representatives without fear of intimidation or reprisal.

12. Want to be White or Are White Racists

Text sent to local Native American Leader

Elliott stated the Acting City Manager should get the City Manager job because of her " ...youth, likeability, long dark hair, smile, white teeth mmmmmm. Could be".

See March 19, 2024 at 1:30:00 to listen to all comments.

Rosario "Ginger Elliott" Diaz - Her Votes

11. Email to Voter - Do Not Call Me and More

When You Have Nothing to Offer - You Mislead the Voters

1. West Covina Health Department

​​West Covina Beautiful 100th Anniversary, City of West Covina

​

"She looked like a female version of the Michelin Man, wrapped in a dingy dish towel, long in the tooth, tired & weary.  Judge for yourself".

Posted on Facebook: West Covina Today, Feb 25, 2023

​5. ​​Native American Prayer "Controversial"?

Rosario "Ginger Elliott" Diaz     

                          William "Wild Bill" Elliott

7. Traffic Intersection Safety Study

Galstar Park

2. Insulting City Treasurer - Appearance​

On January 17, 2021, a request (Item 31) was submitted for the traffic engineer to conduct a safety study of all intersections. Yet, in November 2023, three fatalities tragically occurred at the Amar/Westport intersection. This intersection had been acknowledged as dangerous for several years, but no study or improvement initiative had begun there. The only safety measure undertaken by the city was the installation of flashing stop signs.

The city contends that they lack the funds to implement further safety measures. Refer to SportsPlex, WC Health, and WC Chamber of Commerce for more information and funding.

​​8. Inclusive Event, Fails to Include Native Americans

West Covina received over $19 million from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) but allocated no funds to assist residents and small businesses, despite the Act's goals to 

• Fight the pandemic and support families and businesses struggling with its public health and economic impacts
• Maintain vital public services, even amid declines in revenue resulting from the crisis
• Build a strong, resilient, and equitable recovery by making investments that support long-term growth and opportunity

Instead, the city directed funds to West Covina Health and deferred maintenance (maybe not allowed). When questioned about the absence of support for families and businesses, the City Manager cited restrictions within the Act, despite the city's prior statement not reflecting such limitations.