West Covina clocks miles on taxpayer cars

City Manager Andy Pasmant last year clocked in 14,414 miles on his 2005 Cadillac STS, bought for him for city use with tax dollars at $24,500, city finance records show.

[Anonymous]

No wonder West Covina is going broke. Chung is taking advantage in his position as city manager. His contract would of not included a car. That is his MOU. The council would of had to approve it. He could of used his own car. But he took advantage of his position. He should of been given a economic car, not a Crown Victoria. He knows better. Expensive insurance and gas. He should be terminated. That is best for the city.

[Council Attendee]

The 2003 Crown Victoria is a former Police Car it wasn't purchased for Chris Chung. The 2003 has over 100,000 miles on it, so I would rather Chung drive a used Police Car then purchgase a new car like Mayor Roger Hernandez, especially if the city has budget problems. I believe the city is self insured but gas is what gas cost. He could just take the auto allowance of $300. monthly like the other Dept. Heads. Chung is the Community Development Director, not the City Manager!

[Lauren]

lol.

nice, mcclain.

I get fire and police chiefs needing good cars, maybe some special security features, and maybe another nice car or two for the city for something special to be lent out, but everyone else should get along just fine with what's in the city yard, no?

[Bingo Bob]

When government issues cars, expense accounts, huge salaries, unreasonable benefits and many, many other perks it is criminal.

Governments have, for years now, been telling us that it is acceptable to issue these perks because it is common in private sector. If it were to be a company providing the perks it would be acceptable. The money isn't taken by force from customers.

The reason it is not acceptable for government is that these are given at the expense of those whom the money is taken by force. The government has a duty to safe guard the funds it collects at the barrel of a gun or the threat of imprisonment.

[jdw]

It's TOO LATE to do anything about West Covina. According to the article, it's in the contract. What do you expect though? You all have a bunch of monkeys that's running your government. Do you really expect, given the choice, government employees are going to exercise prudence? I've read some comments from WC residents, especially from seniors, that really think that spending and borrowing is good. So by the same logic, why not give these city employees second and third cars? Why stop at senior housing? Don't freeze new spending and borrowing...no, no, no, don't do that. Keep spending and borrowing and raise taxes, yeah, that's the ticket. Bye the way, California has AT LEAST a $26 Billion shortfall; do you think all the tickets given out these days is really for safety? And guess who's next...that's right boys and girls...your cities. Way to use your brain West Covina, your reputation proceeds you.

[To Hernandez Supporters]

Let's all remember that Mayor Hernandez has an expense account, travel allowance, car allowance, medical allowance, education allowance, and has other expenses paid for him, as do all the council members.

Let's remember that Mayor Hernandez voted for a pay increase from $800 per month to over $2,000 per month. He voted against recinding the increase.

When will Hernandez speak up and tell the public that he no longer wants all these allowances. Also, anyone who thinks it is cheaper to give a car allowance is nuts. A car allowance will run more than the current cost. I have run the numbers, since I have worked for companies that give either. I took the car allowance.

Maybe, Hernandez can work out a special deal with a local car dealership to sell the City cars that one year later than can sell for more than paid.

[To Hernandez Supporters]

What city commission will Hernandez appoint Jennifer McClain too when she stops covering the City of West Covina? The reporter who covered West Covina sits on a City Commission, appointed by Hernandez and she gave favorable coverage to him just like Jennifer.

[no free lunch]

$24500 for the Cadillac is a good deal. New they cost over $40k

[Another taxpayer]

Is that correct? Over $2000.00 compensation for a West Covina city council members. What justfies that? Its a Part time postiion for crying out loud. The other cities pay half of that, OR LESS.

This reminds me of former Compton Mayor Omar Bradley who wanted to get paid $60,000 a year for his P/T gig in the 90's.(another loser). In terms of cuts for West Covina, thats the first thing i'd cut on the list. What a "rip off" to West Covina taxpayers. It should be a flat stipend only; no medical, no education incentives, nothing more.

[To Hernandez Supporters]

A few years ago they raised the amount to $2,000, but shortly thereafter reduced it. Councilmember Hernandez voted for the pay increase and voted against reversing it. It was reversed.

Mayor Hernandez avails himself to every single perk one can have as a councilmember. He has had tuition paid by the city - the first such member of the council to charge the taxpayers for education.

He goes to every Hispanic elected official organization conference in the country, but never goes to a conference that may actually benefit the city.

Go to a council meeting and ask Mayor Hernandez to release all his expense reports, reimbursements, and pay detials.

[Hernandez is a crook]

Let's all remember that Mayor Hernandez has an expense account, travel allowance, car allowance, medical allowance, education allowance, and has other expenses paid for him, as do all the council members.

Let's remember that Mayor Hernandez voted for a pay increase from $800 per month to over $2,000 per month. He voted against recinding the increase.

When will Hernandez speak up and tell the public that he no longer wants all these allowances. Also, anyone who thinks it is cheaper to give a car allowance is nuts. A car allowance will run more than the current cost. I have run the numbers, since I have worked for companies that give either. I took the car allowance.

Maybe, Hernandez can work out a special deal with a local car dealership to sell the City cars that one year later than can sell for more than paid.

[Lauren]

Hm. Well. I don't pay for my own school or benefits, either. So that must make me a crook!

[Lauren]

To Hernandez Supporters wrote:

What city commission will Hernandez appoint Jennifer McClain too when she stops covering the City of West Covina? The reporter who covered West Covina sits on a City Commission, appointed by Hernandez and she gave favorable coverage to him just like Jennifer.

LOL Jennifer has given Hernandez some of the WORST coverage. This is probably the first article I've seen where the content of Hernandez's position hasn't been overshadowed by everyone else's insistence on emphasizing every aspect of his "temper". She once put to print Chung's claim of "Self-induced diabeties" that were "caused" by Hernandez without providing any sort of medical credence to such a claim within the article.

Welcome to the dark side, McClain.

[Lauren]

To Hernandez Supporters wrote:

A
He goes to every Hispanic elected official organization conference in the country, but never goes to a conference that may actually benefit the city.

Well

50% of West Covina IS Hispanic.

[Looking Glass]

Hm. Well. I don't pay for my own school or benefits, either. So that must make me a crook!

Nah, just a big MOOCH!

[herb redholtz]

This is another non-story about West Covina on the front page of the Tribune, above the fold, no less. This is news? Last week Hernandez was on the front page, pic and all, for calling a special City Council meeting, for which he knew he had no quorom, to reverse a council decision that he voted FOR, again. Car allowances are part of the budget.. They are approved during the process. They are voted on by the council. Just like the pay raises that Hernandez voted for. Hernandez attends several conferences a year at City expense. These are learning experiences that he feels are part of his job. These car allowances that are part of the contracts and MOUs that these dept. heads are entitled too. Hernandez cannot have it both ways. This is another attempt by the writer to make Hernandez look good, and make Chung, who is suing the City because of Hernandez's alleged action, look bad. Surely, there must be some real news to put on the front page.

[Hernandez is a crook]

Hernandez has abused people and harassed women. What a jerk.

Now he is trying to hide his misuse of public funds by blaming others. Hernandez, you are a joke young man.

[Lauren]

Laila wrote:

What does that have to do with anything? The other 50% must be white trash, like u<quoted text>

My father makes 6 figures and I attend one of the top public Universities in the state.

Suck it.

[Lauren]

Hernandez is a crook wrote:

Hernandez has abused people and harassed women. What a jerk.
Now he is trying to hide his misuse of public funds by blaming others. Hernandez, you are a joke young man.

LOL

You're stupid.

[tax payer]

Why cant they buy thier own cars and put gas in it just like most taxpayers do to get to work..