May 2 Fundraiser Re-Elect John Valdivia 2015

RESIDENTIAL DUMP DAY

Thankful to a partnership with Burrtec Waste and Republic Services, residents in the 3rd ward will test pilot a residential initiative to see the interest in direct mail outreach, and determine the effectiveness of the private partnership with waste haulers directly. It cuts the middle man out (city government) along with the excuses the City gives in not being able to put on a successful event. Thank you Burrtec and Republic!

8AM-12PM on Saturday, April 6, 2013 . . .3rd ward residents must have a coupon and bring their ID . . .see limitations/exceptions on the coupon sent to your home. . . Dump locations are also provided on coupon.

EDUCATOR’S SPRING CLEAN UP – Lytle Creek Park, San Bernardino (2 blks north of Mill Street, on “K” St)

In nearly 1 year, I have called for 3 park clean ups with special focus and attention to Lytle Creek Park. There have been substantial quality of life improvements at Lytle Creek Park since March 2012, and I have purposely sought out volunteers to commit to Lytle Creek. The sprawling 17 acres of parkland space, along with Community Center that provides meals to Senior Citizens, tutoring to after – school children, is consistently needing improvements.

Come out on Saturday, April 6, 2013 to lend a hand at Lytle Creek Park. Coffee pours at 7:30am; work and special park project cleanup begins from 8am-12pm.

Many families in our nation, and even, San Bernardino are facing a crisis in the home. There is a parental absence of epidemic portions. Further, it has been suggested by research and studies, that the absence of a father in the home and providing the care and nurture for his children, has even greater deleterious effects.

I wholeheartedly stand behind families and children in our city. Unashamedly, I will continue to advocate on their behalf and stand in unity with their commitment to protect children and raise a family in San Bernardino. What we need is more valiant and courageous men in our city to be committed dads, committed caregivers, and dedicated to providing for their families.

Statement of Councilman John Valdivia advocating for families and constituents:

“In an effort to advocate for a 3rd Ward constituent and protect the safety of his two small children, I wrote a correspondence on city letterhead to a local court.

I subsequently learned that city letterhead should not have been used for such a constituent correspondence. As a new Councilmember, I was unaware of the restrictions about using city letterhead in advocating for constituents.

As 3rd Ward Councilman I will continue working to fight for local residents and to protect the safety of our children and families. Moving forward, I will take corrective action to ensure that proper letterhead is used in all future constituent-related correspondences.”

**I have made two attempts to attend conferences and continuing learning courses to better understand the role of a councilman and both have been denied or restricted by council action in full session. Additionally, city administrators pilfered the 3rd Ward conference fund by $18,000, in September 2012, that was set aside for these expressed purposed [conferences, learning/education seminars, travel on behalf of city business, etc] ). Within the past few days I have actively sought out scholarships, namely, http://www.cllcipp.org/index.html and initiated contact with CLLC Institute for Public Policy, so that, in spite of these fiscal challenges and overt attempts to curtail my attendance at learning events, I can better represent 3rd ward families and residents.

Faced with the uncertain and dismal plight of how are city is currently structured and the plan moving forward, I am disheartened and unsatisfied with the tonight’s plan presented before the [city] council by city hall professionals. There are no positive outcomes with tonight’s plan for our residents and families who–for long periods of time–have tolerated chronic budgetary mishaps, inconsistent and myopic vision-casting and dismal leadership.

I have consistently supported a transparent, candid dialogue between our residents, business-leaders, and city management/administrators, and, yes, our public employees. I am uncomfortable with what I believe are futile proposals placed before our council and the perennial issues our city faces.

For these reasons, I have never been in favor, nor have supported the bankruptcy route for our city. In the course of events leading to BK, I have consistently weighed the facts and have concluded the options presented before [city] council. Ultimately, I have made explicit and continued overtures that we MUST include discussion and entertain the public’s input at EVERY level along the way.

Sensing the failure to accommodate the public’s comments, I can only conclude that the politicians at city hall are concerned about their own interests and have no interest in hearing from the general public and concede residents thought and input.

Residents and businesses long for a cohesive and united front on addressing core quality of life issues that, for years, have been on the back-burner. Our city must be focused and attentive on the needs of residents. Years of deferred maintenance on public improvement projects, such as street/asphalt repairs, sidewalk repairs and curb replacement, along with the defunding of park maintenance have crippled the image of our city.  Residents and families in our city deserve the respect and our ear as we include them throughout these important deliberations on the future of our city. At this most critical juncture, our city must be mindful of the greater need to restore a commitment to safety and prioritize its budget with that in mind.

During the course of discussions on the plan ahead, I will continue to suggest, as I have been, that we institute a ZERO-based budget and prioritize off a collective agreement to restore a commitment to a safe community for the well-being of our residents and businesses.

City Manager–Yes,  I have heard . . our famed city manager Andrea will be leaving soon. In my short experience with her, most meetings were pleasant and professional and for that I give her respect. However, for the most part, nothing was ever followed up and she rarely, returned my phone calls, listened to my chronic suggestions that we should involve the public all the while in BK, and didn’t see her as a true leader. Sorry, just did not see it. We hired a bunch of consultants–which for the life of me–have not brought value to me, my 3rd ward residents or frankly overt positive change all with a huge price tag.  I gave her the benefit of the doubt on June 1, 2012 when I agreed to hire Urban Futures but later on the “re-ups” did not find value in outside agencies assisting in our plight. So to this day I have consistently voted not to fund more outside consultants–that’s her job if indeed she is dubbed the pro from insiders and our local media. BTW (by the way it would be safe to say most peers on the council have experienced no returned phone calls and unanswered emails from Miller–so I can’t say I’m the lone ranger in this)

Keep looking for more as I promise to update every 2 weeks with rants, observations, and my happenings as city councilman for San Bernardino.

“Well, Mayor I listen to residents and not clocks.”

One of the many new challenges I face, as a newly elected, are the procedures & protocol of City Hall. While I can surely appreciate, and, yes, even honor and respect most of them, I was quickly reminded of one that our Mayor felt it necessary to remind me of the time limits during “COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS.” Council announcements is a block of time, of no more than 3 minutes in the Mayor’s mind, where councilmembers are to provide announcements to their constituents. Frankly, many of our existing coucilmembers use this time, and waste taxpayer’s time, by glad-handing and patting each other on the back, rather than providing useful information for residents. I have adopted the mentality that during this segment, this councilman will communicate to residents in the 3rd Ward of my meetings, accomplishments and the projects being completed. I am very careful to use my words carefully, and I plan accordingly with this in mind.

What the Mayor didn’t realize was that I was very aware of the time limits agreed to and placed upon during that council workshop, sometime near the time our newly installed city manager came to town. In fact, I was there throughout the entire process. It went something like this: we need have time limits placed upon council microphones in the name of respect, civility and a professional tone in the presence of our public.

And the council agreed to it, at least the majority, with certain members of the minority defecting and even feeling vilified for voting against the censure and time cap on elected officials.

So now back to the meeting on April 2. Mayor Morris decided to publicly inform me that I had gone over the agreed upon time limit. My response was short and simple . . . “Well, Mayor I listen to residents and not clocks.” I drew a line in the sand for residents! Residents sill come first in this councilman’s viewpoint. I am firmly committed to residents and their concerns, desires, and will continually advocate, speak and boldy press the issue for residents, businesses, young familes, and the citizenry of the 3rd Ward. Unashamedly, uninhibited, and until I have fully communicated to and for the better of our residents. Regardless of clocks, alarm bells, and baseless time limits or constraints. If we squander countless minutes on glad-handing and rubber stamping, then those present during my COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS can incorporate civility, along with patience, while I conclude my remarks.

Activities will include:

• Planting
• Weeding
• Painting
• Repairs
• Refuse collection & bagging
• Graffiti Removal

Neighborhoods that are cleaner benefit everyone. The more people who participate, the more we will be able to accomplish. Volunteers will be provided with a program T-shirt on the event day.

Interested? 

Call John & personally let him know you will be attending (909) 496-5240

Valdivia_John@sbcity.org

Over and over, I remind residents that I represent their needs and concerns. While I certainly have personal, philosophical, and financial underpinnings that allow for  the expression, and reflected upon, a character-based matrix on decision-making, I ultimately am challenged to answer these questions, that although subtle and muted, are ever present:

1. What is best for our residents?

2. Is this what city government was established for? Does these budget items reflect upon our focus, our priority, our objective as a city?

3. Immediate need OR a plan to study, to develop, foster and cultivate and thoroughly think it through?

4. Do these initiatives plan for and allocate the neccesary finances for outcome based (apparent, obvious , & intentional) solutions specific to a positive growth pattern? Are they sustainably permanent or haphazardly temporary and ill-thought?

5.  How would residents, young families and businesses in our 3rd ward spend these monies?

6. Should this program be eliminated and considered a non-essential?  Why/why not? Is there duplication?

7. Is now the time to plan for alternatives? How can we eliminate and re-allocate?

8. Good to know versus need to know with an action-oriented definitive plan?

9. At the core, is this how I want my city investing in my future? the future for my children . . grandchildren?

In preparation for Monday’s council meeting (March 19, 2012), these are readily on my mind. Along with the other questions I mark up in my 1,000 page plus binder that was delivered by staff, I remain steadfast and mindful to deliver & vote in tandem with decisions that are best for residents.

For a view of our council agenda, please visit: http://www.ci.san-bernardino.ca.us/cityhall/city_clerk/agenda_web_portal.asp

The day was filled with ceremony; I received countless calls from friends, supporters, & colleagues who were immensely happy of my achievment of a personal goal. But I kept telling folks throughout the day, even my wife Bethany, that although it was a special day, in the sense of new opportunities, it really was just  another day. Frankly, much of the ceremony could have been shortened because at the end of the day, I’m here to represent the interests of the 3rd Ward.

The fact remains that when the public audience has to tolerate pomp & ceremony, along with awards & special recognition, it really negates the very purpose government was intended for. So while I understand, that there will be days of rememberances, celebratory moments, and individuals to show our appreciation, do understand that I’m committed to conducting the affairs and business of residents as a first priority.

So . . . off and running I go . . committed to representing residents in San Bernardino.   To a great 4 years !