42 yr North Mtb resident Profile

Montebello, CA

Why can't mexicans speak English ????????

When it comes to Russians and Armenians, I beg to give you a slight correction. Not all those who came to the USA learned more than the most rudimentary English. I can attest to my own great-grandparents , 4 of which I knew, who were all born in various parts of the Russian Empire, and none of them spoke more than barely passible English. I could only barely understand them. It was only the second, third... generations who spoke good English. I can also say that many, many Armenians who also came here didn't learn much English, either, especially those who lived in the Lincoln and Boyle Heights area. Those Armenians and Russians who emigrated in more recent times and live in the Hollywood area seem to have been more motivated to learn English, and in a year seem to be fairly fluent, but often I wonder if they understand what they are saying. When I speak to them in Russian, they often say different things than what they say in English, because of their more limited English vocabulary. In short, learning English doesn't seem, to me, to be any less or more in Mexican families than in my own European and Asian family. All our groups seem to tend to live in areas where English was and is a secondary language.  (Yesterday | post #588)

Montebello, CA

After FBI Raid, Senator Returns to Sacramento

Oops, my above posting was actually from 2010, not 2011.  (Saturday | post #25)

Montebello, CA

After FBI Raid, Senator Returns to Sacramento

Gee Whiz, to do something unusual here, like actually discuss the topic, I bring up a posting I did back in 2011. It's like deja vu all over again. The topic at the time was Charles' support for weakening CEQA regulations that he trumpeted immediately after Tom was apparently driven from the Montebello Planning Commission, possibly by allegations of conflict of interest. I excised the CEQA comments and left the rest. ------------------ ------------------ ----------- April 6, 2011 Is it a coincidence that Charles Calderon's brother, State Senator Ron Calderon just appeared in a picture (in the Montebello Chamber's bi-monthly publication, the Spotlight) with the vice-president and PR spokesman of Cook-Hill Properties, LLC, the very company that is trying to put condos in the Montebello Hills? It sure is funny how members of the politically powerful Calderon Clan keep turning up in positions of power relating to this proposed condo development. Charles and Ron's other brother, Tom Calderon is a well paid "consultant " for the Central Basin Water District, and the San Gabriel Valley Water Company, both of which stand to benefit economically by providing water to the proposed project. As if this situation wasn't tangled enough, in the past former mayor Rosie Vasquez, who's husband Ed is Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Central Basin Water District, appointed none other than TOM Calderon as Chairperson of the City of Montebello's Planning Commission. This is the commission that will rule on the proposed Montebello Hills project. Isn't there a conflict of interest somewhere in this morass? Do ya think? Happily, when the voters elected to retire mayor Vasquez, Tom Calderon automatically lost his perch on the planning commission. Is it just another odd coincidence, that shortly after Tom Calderon loses his position of power over the proposed Montebello Hills development, his brother Assemblyman Charles seeks to undermine environmental protections affecting the Montebello Hills and other proposed projects? Also, coincidentally, brother Ron and Cook-Hill properties executives share a photo opportunity? Does all this mean that the Calderon brothers have decided to undermine the will of Montebello voters who resoundingly elected 5 councilmembers who don't like this proposed project?  (Saturday | post #24)

Montebello, CA

Central Basin Targeted by Subpoenas Concerning TOM CALDER...

Gee, whiz. I found this post in my old postings from April 6, 2010. Maybe the FBI saw it? I wonder if the relationship between the Calderons and the would-be developer might also be investigated? ------------------ ------------- April 6, 2010 Is it a coincidence that Charles Calderon's brother, State Senaor Ron Calderon just appeared in a picture (in the Montebello Chamber's bi-monthly publication, the Spotlight) with the vice-president and PR spokesman of Cook-Hill Properties, LLC, the very company that is trying to put condos in the Montebello Hills? It sure is fully how members of the politically powerful Calderon Clan keep turning up in positions of power relating to this proposed condo development. Charles and Ron's other brother, Tom Calderon is a well paid "consultant " for the Central Basin Water District, and the San Gabriel Valley Water Company, both of which stand to benefit economically by providing water to the proposed project. As if this situation wasn't tangled enough, in the past former mayor Rosie Vasquez, who's husband Ed is Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Central Basin Water District, appointed none other than TOM Calderon as Chairperson of the City of Montebello's Planning Commission. This is the commission that will rule on the proposed Montebello Hills project. Isn't there a conflict of interest somewhere in this morass? Do ya think? Happily, when the voters elected to retire mayor Vasquez, Tom Calderon automatically lost his perch on the planning commission. Is it just another odd coincidence, that shortly after Tom Calderon loses his position of power over the proposed Montebello Hills development, his brother Assemblyman Charles seeks to undermine environmental protections affecting the Montebello Hills and other proposed projects? Also, coincidentally, brother Ron and Cook-Hill properties executives share a photo opportunity? Does all this mean that the Calderon brothers have decided to undermine the will of Montebello voters who resoundingly elected 5 councilmembers who don't like this proposed project?  (Saturday | post #1)

Montebello, CA

FBI Reportedly Investigating TOM CALDERON'S Water Contrac...

I have only heard Montebello described as being in the Rio Hondo Basin (or Wash), the Whittier Narrows, and East Los Angeles. The LA basin has no firm geographic boundaries that I am aware of, but is more a political area, and thus generally includes the San Fernando Valley, the San Gabriel Valley, and everything from the mountains to the sea to Pomona.  (Thursday Jun 13 | post #4)

Montebello, CA

After FBI Raid, Senator Returns to Sacramento

I wish the trolls would at least have something to say about anything related to this story, but wishing for relevant dialogue from trolls is probably unrealistic.  (Wednesday Jun 12 | post #11)

Montebello, CA

FBI raids California Sen. RON CALDERON'S office

According to a story published in the Tuesday, June 4 WDN, but NOT accessible at this time on the internet, State Senator RON CALDERON has recently filed papers declaring his intention to run for State Controller.  (Tuesday Jun 4 | post #1)

Montebello, CA

Montebello Parks

Please check out the city's Parks & Rec website shown above. There are a bunch of good programs and I would recommend you check them out for yourself rather than paying attention to anonymous and unsubstantiated criticism. Later in the summer, there may be the Concerts in the Park series. It is not very well publicized, and you have to keep your eyes open to the city's website to find out about it, probably at the end of July to August, but they may happen at other times.  (Sunday Jun 2 | post #10)

Montebello, CA

How Safe is it to Live on Top of 300 Oil Wells?

I, too, would like to see some precedent. Unfortunately, as far as I can determine, this would be the first time this has ever been contemplated. How about looking at other housing developments built on fewer than 300 wells, or on similarly oil contaminated soil, and multiplying the effects an appropriate amount?  (Thursday May 30 | post #3)

Montebello, CA

How Safe is it to Live on Top of 300 Oil Wells?

A Newport Beach developer for a Houston, Texas oil company wants to build 1200 (mostly) condos on Montebello's last open space. Is there anyone who really thinks that is safe?  (Saturday May 25 | post #1)

Montebello, CA

New Montebello police chief selected

Anyone who wants to can start their own thread, possibly with a specific topic, can do so on this site in the Montebello Forum. Check your date, I don't know what Stop MPD Corruption is talking about either, so maybe he will let us all know, someday.  (Saturday May 25 | post #90)

Montebello, CA

Montebello Parks

Montebello should, by Federal recommendation standards, have about 10 acres of parkland per thousand residents. It has only about 1.6. The last remaining open space in Montebello is that Montebello Hills. Because of 100 or so years of oil production and pollution, 300 or so oil wells on the site, and the continued oil production on the land, that is the only reasonable use for that land is open space parkland. The current owner wants to build 1200 condos there instead. Thankfully, there is a threatened bird that has made the Montebello Hills the most important nesting ground in the area, and the Environmental Impact Report was sloppy and innacurate, so the condos are now on hold. You should come to any city council meeting and voice your desire to have more parkland than condos. Go to Grant Rea and see how the cars park for blocks around, even though Grant Rea Park has about 400 parking spaces. Also, you can go to saveourmontebelloh ills.com to see more detailed information provided by the developers of the proposed project that they tried to hide in 5000+ pages of their proposal, but Montebello residents were able to find and expose.  (Saturday May 25 | post #6)

Montebello, CA

Montebello Parks

Grant Rea park has some staff there on weekends. There is also a small waterpark there. The city is in bad financial straits, but it was worse. The current and immediate past councils have been working to try to fix the terrible financial wreckage left by the Vasquez council majority that came close to forcing the city into receivership, according to many independent audits.  (Saturday May 25 | post #5)

Montebello, CA

Montebello Parks

Check out the cvityy's website. Here is the Parks & Rec listings. The events can be found on the left side. http://www.cityofm ontebello.com/dept s/parks/default.as p  (Thursday May 23 | post #3)

Montebello, CA

Man Who Died in Montebello Police Custody Identified

In my opinion, it would cause problems for students, teachers, and administrators to reveal his school location. Those who need to know know where it is.  (Wednesday May 22 | post #4)