1. West Covina Health Department

The West Covina Health Department should halt all activities related to its establishment. The city has failed to accurately estimate the costs involved in this initiative. Other cities considering similar health departments have found the costs to be prohibitively high. For instance, San Dimas estimated startup costs ranging from $60 to $90 million. Meanwhile, cities like Pasadena, which already have health departments, are reducing services or cutting other programs due to budget shortfalls.

Councilmember Rosario Diaz not only endorses the creation of a redundant new health department but also declines to request cost estimates, specify expected services or sources of revenue.

Misrepresentations over the Health Department continues. Over the past couple of years, the city has claimed it couldn't provide a cost estimate because it hadn't received final rules from the state. However, they conveniently overlooked that they decided to initiate the West Covina Health Department before contacting the state and assured the public it would be operational within a year "revolutionizing" the delivery of health care.  Effective management and leadership would have necessitated determining the costs before committing to establishing the health department. While updating cost estimates may be challenging, failing to initially investigate costs constitutes malfeasance and detrimentally affects every aspect of our community.

To make matters worse, the state recently declared that, under the existing regulations, it's impossible to fund a new health department. This is in stark contrast to statements made by the city and the health director since 2021, who had claimed that funding was available but never disclosed its source.

It's high time to put an end to this financial drain and distraction for our staff.   https://www.westcovinaneighbors.org/general-5-2

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​2. Public Safety

The city has the capacity to increase its police force by 20 to 25 officers. Currently, nearly $7,000,000 annually is spent on public safety overtime. By reallocating $4,100,000, the department can significantly boost patrol officer numbers, effectively doubling the presence on our streets to 14 or 15 officers per shift. This increase will lead to quicker response times, improved call handling, enhanced traffic law enforcement, and greater community presence, thereby increasing overall safety.

Additionally, the city can expand its fire personnel by 12 members at a cost of $2,100,000. This increase is vital for city protection and faster response to emergency calls, particularly medical emergencies which constitute over 80% of calls handled by the WCFD.

The total projected cost for these enhancements is $6,300,000, with provisions made for emergency overtime.

3. West Covina Sportsplex

Since assuming operations of the Sportsplex, the city has experienced a revenue decline of $400,000 annually. This loss in revenue previously funded additional city services, while the city now incurs an additional $300,000 per year for landscaping costs, alongside full responsibility for facility upkeep and maintenance. Estimated costs since late 2020 have exceeded $3,000,000, excluding necessary major repairs for plumbing and sewer systems.

We must promptly reach out to Big League Dreams to initiate negotiations for their return, or alternatively, issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) to gauge interest in operating this facility.

4. Reverse City Council 265% Pay & Benefit Raise - Over $100,000 Per 4-Year Term

In November 2023, the city council voted to increase their monthly pay from $765 to $2027, citing excessive workload and inadequate compensation. They also granted themselves benefits equivalent to those of department heads, including retirement, medical benefits, and deferred compensation. Each council member accepted these responsibilities knowing the associated pay and duties. If they were unaware of the demands of the office, resignation would have been more appropriate than nearly tripling their pay plus benefits.

The council granted themselves a $60,000 stipend increase, $14,000 in deferred compensation, $14,000 in lieu of medical insurance, and a $16,000 expense boost covering dinners, travel, and other expenses.

As a personal commitment, I will donate the pay increase to various charities and will not accept the increased in benefits. Local nonprofits are invited to request funds, and during each Council Comments session, I will publicly announce the recipients of these donations.

5. Financial Mismanagement and Excessive Spending

Despite facing recurring multi-million-dollar deficits, estimated around $6,000,000 annually, the city's financial health remains precarious. Councilmember Diaz consistently votes in favor of expenditures that strain our budget, neglecting fundamental financial oversight.

She supports funding for a health department without a clear cost estimate, slashes budgets for essential programs aiding our community's disadvantaged, such as using Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Covid relief funds totaling $1,100,000 for roof repairs at the Senior Center, calling it a public health benefit.  The installation of UV light air filters, costing a few thousand dollars, doesn't justify stealing over $1 million from food and health programs. Additionally, she greenlights city sponsorship of programs benefiting supporters' friends and family, with expenditures reaching hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Notably, Diaz prioritizes funding for non-essential programs while neglecting critical community needs that enhance public safety and save lives, such as more police services.  This approach to decision-making has placed West Covina at 469th out of 483 cities in terms of financial strength.

With 44 years of experience in accounting, finance, and technology, spanning small local firms to large multinational corporations, I bring a unique perspective to the council. I am adept at navigating diverse cultures and backgrounds, enabling me to effectively tackle the significant financial challenges confronting our city, cutting through distractions to focus on crucial issues and the ability to solve.

6. BKK Landfill Development

This landfill consists of two areas: one for household waste and the other housing one of the largest toxic waste facilities in the country.

My family and I have had many years of involvement with BKK, being residents close to the facility.  We were some of the first members of RACCOON (Residents Against Continued Contamination of Our Neighborhood) fighting for the cleanup of the facility.

The city has proposed several plans to develop the land surrounding the toxic waste facility. However, they have not addressed the urgent issues at the site, including leaking toxic materials, escaping methane gas, a damaged landfill closing cap, and a compromised spill basin. These problems need immediate attention, not future promises, as our community has been grappling with a health and environmental crisis for years. We must prioritize our community's health and safety right now. 

​​7. Homeless - Pathway Project (Added 9/7/2024)

The residents of our city were presented with two contrasting perspectives on the Pathway Project, where political ideology seemed to overshadow finding a viable solution. Current city leadership has made it challenging to fully grasp the project's parameters, making it difficult for us to make an informed decision. While there is consensus on the need to assist those seeking help, this alone is not enough. Many homeless individuals face severe health and addiction issues and lack the skills needed for self-sufficiency. Without addressing these additional needs, any program risks failing those it intends to support.

8. Relationship with Other Governmental Organizations (Added 9/7/2024)

Our city has struggled to build relationships with other levels of government, which has hindered our ability to secure support for local projects. At the local level, our focus should be solely on community needs, regardless of party affiliation or personal opinions held by representatives at the county, state, or national levels. Establishing effective working relationships is crucial. Neighboring communities have successfully obtained funding for their projects due to these collaborative connections. Unfortunately, due to personal and political conflicts, our city has at times neglected to apply for such support, ultimately harming our community.

9. Streets and Transportation (Added 9/7/2024)

The use of highway and road funds in our city is inefficient. Often, funds are allocated around election time to make streets look appealing, rather than addressing crucial, long-term repairs needed for lasting infrastructure. The city tends to focus on cosmetic improvements to heavily traveled roads or affluent neighborhoods, aiming to boost appearances rather than enhancing the actual quality of the streets.

Moreover, we lack a cohesive transportation plan. The city frequently sells highway funds to other cities at a loss of 25 cents on the dollar to support other operations. Efforts to develop transportation plans are often poorly conceived, receive minimal community engagement, and are bogged down by excessive administrative red tape, making them ineffective.

The presence of transportation services from other cities within our community, instead of locally managed services, is a clear indication that our current programs are not functioning as intended.

​10. Environment of Trust and Respect - Residents, Employees, and Vendors

It's crucial that every resident, employee, and vendor feels secure in their interactions with the government. They deserve to be treated fairly and respectfully, which is currently not the case.

The city has incurred substantial expenses in legal fees and faced significant financial losses due to legal judgments. The situation has become so dire that millions of dollars originally allocated for capital improvement projects (building maintenance, road repair, park upgrades) had to be redirected to cover legal costs.

These challenges stem directly from the behavior exhibited by the city council and others in leadership positions. When those at the helm tolerate or engage in a hostile work environment, the city not only loses millions of dollars but also faces an increasing number of lawsuits.

Diaz has allowed a family member to intimidate and harass employees and residents. Furthermore, as Mayor, Diaz has disrespected the residents of the city. Her husband threatened to sue after the city attorney demanded his compliance with the law.  He also disrupted council meetings; when the Mayor and Chief of Police asked him to leave, he refused.

This hostile atmosphere must be transformed.  To govern effectively, others must feel comfortable expressing their opinions without fear of retaliation.  The only way to improve this dire situation is by electing new leadership.

While differing opinions are natural and wanted, it is never acceptable to criticize or interfere with another person’s family, friends, or employment.

​11. Require Council and Staff to Provide Regular Reports on the Activities

A recent controversy emerged in the city over the proposed homeless center in West Covina. Based on social media posts, comments at council meetings, discussions with local business owners, and reviews of other agency communications, it appears that the city was aware of the homeless center proposal as early as January 2024. However, the city council representatives involved with these groups did not disclose the impending establishment of this center in West Covina.

It has come to light that at least one council member deliberately withheld this information from the public, possibly for political gain and to discredit another council member.

This lack of transparency and political maneuvering has strained the relationships between council members and the public, ultimately to the detriment of the residents.

It is imperative that each council member and staff members involved in these boards, councils, and committees diligently report on their activities to ensure transparency and keep the public well-informed.  I will provide updates on my activities and scrutinize public records of others if they neglect to report.

12. Trust in Leadership

Trust in our government is crucial for our way of life. When our leaders and officials resort to half-truths, misdirection, withholding information, and outright lies, it erodes trust in government. This lack of trust complicates governance, where mutual trust is essential. They engage in these tactics perhaps because it's the easier path, lacking the courage or personal integrity to confront issues directly. Many speak of personal accountability while manipulating facts and truth.

I strive to uphold a high standard of integrity. I've learned from my parents and mentors that integrity is one of the few things in life we can fully control and that others cannot take away from us. My passion, honesty, and direct approach may come across as strong, but my intention has always been to benefit others and our community, not benefit myself. I don't engage in word games, so what you see is what you get, without any misleading impressions. I'm committed to ending business as usual during my tenure on the council.

13. Why Hide? - Who Is Councilmember Diaz?  Rosario Elliott?  Ginger Elliott?

Councilmember Diaz presented herself one way during her campaign, creating a false narrative. For instance, she went by the name Ginger Elliott for years but reverted to her childhood name to emphasize her heritage, which she had previously ignored for decades.

For 25 years, my actions in the city have been thoroughly documented, whether good, bad, or indifferent. I am known for my straightforward personality. Even critics acknowledge that I prioritize the city's welfare over any agenda that benefits myself.

14. Misleading the Public - Balanced Budget is Meaningless.  Why?

Our councilmember talks about maintaining a balanced budget. By state law, the city must indeed present a balanced budget. However, she fails to mention that a balanced budget does not guarantee accuracy or control over spending. For example, this year's budget initially appeared balanced. Yet, on the first day of the fiscal year, the city amended the budget by $2.7 million, revealing a deficit. This "balanced" budget did not allocate funds for pending pay and benefit increases, expected to rise by at least the rate of inflation, adding another $3 million in expenses unaccounted for this year. This oversight totals a $5.7 million deficit, which contradicts the notion of a "balanced" budget.

It is long overdue for the council to engage in a candid discussion with our residents regarding our financial situation. Our city ranks as the 14th poorest financially managed city in California, with nearly 470 cities faring better. When we resort to mortgaging our streets for operational funds, divert money meant for feeding the hungry to cover expenses, and employ accounting maneuvers to "balance" the budget, it's clear we face significant financial challenges.​​​

​Candidates running for city council often distributed mailers and flyers filled with generic, vague statements. They would express support for initiatives like Public Safety, Beautifying West Covina, and Keeping West Covina Safe - statements that are hard to disagree with. However, they rarely outlined specific plans for achieving these goals.

I offer a different approach. As I seek your vote for Council Member in District 3 this November 5th, I have clearly outlined the challenges our city faces and, most importantly, detailed how I intend to address them.

Next time you get a campaign mailer or have a candidate visit your door with feel-good promises and a friendly smile, ask them: "What does that actually mean?" or "How do you plan to achieve these goals?" If they're already on the council, ask: "What have you truly accomplished during your term?" Be prepared for clichés, vague answers, or mentions of new projects like flashing stop signs or plantings on Azusa or balanced budgets which mean nothing when compared to record deficits.

It is also crucial to discern whether these statements are heartfelt convictions or merely politically tested phrases aimed at gaining votes. Ask whether candidates have discussed these issues at council meetings or on social media. Without a genuine record of action, caution is advised, as we have been deceived by empty promises in the past.

Please support my candidacy so that I can represent your voice on the city council and ensure that we move away from business as usual.

The Issues.  The Solutions.  

​See Added Marked 9/7/2024  

Table of Contents

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1.  West Covina Health

2.  Public Safety

3.  West Covina SportsPlex

4.  Council 265% Increase

5.  Financial Mismanagement

6.  BKK Deveopment

7.  Pathway   Added 9/7/2024

8.  Government  Added 9/7/2024

9.  Streets  Added 9/7/2024

10. Environment of Trust

​11. Council/Staff Reporting

12. Leadership Trust

13. Why Hide

​14. Misleading the Public​