Archive for November, 2017
COLLEGE TOWN COMETH FORTH
Posted by Joe Imbriano in Fullerton politics on November 27, 2017
One of the last retail stores anchoring College Plaze is leaving. Goodwill will be closing its doors and the 99 cent store will be gone by late next year. A source to the Fullerton informer recently told us that the City of Fullerton is in secret dealing with developers to rezone the parcel and place Low Income Section 8 Housing on the southeast corner of Chapman Avenue and State College Blvd. replacing a much needed in place Shopping Center. 
This is a shopping center made up of stores such as Big Lots, Round Table Pizza, 99 Cents Store, Thailandia Restaurant and the Goodwill Store along with many others. It is one of four corners that makes up most of the shopping areas in that part of town. Yet the city elders apparently simply do not care what are the needs of our citizens. You know the ones that already live here and pay the taxes and their salaries. All the council members seem to care about is their desperate attempt to look for short term fixes for our financial woes, which will make our financial condition worse in the long run and were caused in very large part by very poor decisions by past and current city councils.
We now know that at least two of these stores will not be continuing. Big Lots will be closing this January 2018 and the Goodwill Store will be closing in April 2018. Does the owner or owners of that shopping center know something or have assurances from members of the City of Fullerton government that is related to these imminent store closures? If there are no plans to replace these stores with other retail tenants, we would have our answer.
Retail space is in very short supply throughout the city but is even in shorter supply in that neighborhood. Last year the city itself reported that only 6%of the real estate in Fullerton is either retail, commercial or industrial. This is way below average for any city in Orange County and it is not a healthy balance of properties as far as our tax base is concerned. Residential property costs the city much more than commercial properties in service required by the city. Therefore, a low commercial percentage of properties is not good for the long term financial health of our city. A cities financial health in large part depends on a good mix between residential and commercial/industrial properties. Everything the city council and the city planning department has tried to accomplish will further reduce the commercial/industrial base in the city, while increasing residential mostly high density, high-rise apartments and/or condos.
another back room deal is in the works
This article is based on an anonymous tip so I can’t vouch that it is accurate. However, past anonymous tips sent to the Fullerton Informer have overwhelmingly turned out to be true. Based on their desperate need for an infusion of quick cash, it makes sense that the city would be looking to rezoning retail space to housing, ignoring the long term negative consequences to our tax base and net revenue collections (remember College Town that would have replaced the current stores on the north side of Chapman Avenue and added housing for nearly 14,000 students, faculty and staff
The idea is to provide low income housing, yet the city will add almost 6 or 12 million dollars to the development cost (assuming 500 or 1,000 units) by adding the Park and Recreation Department Fee of $11,700 per unit (of any size). If providing low cost housing is the goal, should not the city be reducing normal costs for its building not adding to it extremely high “fees” known by its more appropriate term “a tax”. Based on the building of 500 units this will bring in a one-time only windfall of $5,850,000 ($11,700 X 500). Based on the building of 1,000 units this will bring in a one-time windfall of $11,700,000 ($11,700 X 1,000).
Please remember that the city several years ago tried to ram through both the DCCSP (The Downtown Core and Corridor Special Plan), College Town and then the DCCSP Lite Plan. All going down to defeat with only the College Town Project getting a lot of negative feedback from the public. We here at the Fullerton Informer were steadfast in letting the good people of Fullerton know about all three of the above boondoggles.
Six million or 12 million going supposedly to the Parks and Recreation Department, which is already wasting millions on substandard stairs and a bridge to nowhere at Hillcrest Park. Yet in fact the city needs more than 100 million dollars to help fix our dilapidated roads that have been virtually ignored by numerous Fullerton City Councils for decades. A citizen brought large pieces of our broken streets to city hall to show our city council members but they want the money I believe for salaries and pensions not for us. Remember money is fungible so that it can be easily diverted to be used for whatever purpose the city leaders select. Salaries and benefits now consume approximately 80% of our general funds. This excludes the hundreds of millions of dollars of unfunded pension and retiree health care liabilities we as taxpayers are still on the hook for.
Where do you think that $100 million or more needed for decades for our Fullerton roads actually ended up?
What we do know for sure is that our neighboring cities all had and spent those dollars for their roads. It should make you wonder about those running our city both past and present!
Air Combat USA files a $500 million dollar lawsuit against the Fullerton airport manager and the City of Fullerton by Barry Levinson.
Posted by Joe Imbriano in Fullerton politics, FULLERTON PRAVDA on November 27, 2017
Barry Levinson
WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON OVER AT THE FULLERTON AIRPORT?
Here is the lawsuit:
Complaint_FAC_Exhibit_All
At the November 21, 2017 Fullerton Council meeting, Mike Blackstone, Joe Imbriano and myself spoke about the lawsuit and things related to it. Unfortunately both Mayor Bruce Whitaker and Council member Jennifer Fitzgerald behaved rudely and disrespectfully to the speakers.
Mike Blackstone, Barry Levinson and Joe Imbriano speak at the 11-21-17 Fullerton City council meeting as Air Combat USA filed a $500 million dollar lawsuit against the Fullerton airport manager, and the City of Fullerton alleging breach of contract and more.
While both Mr. Blackstone and myself were speaking on this subject during public comments, Council member Jennifer Fitzgerald saw fit to smirk and laugh throughout our presentations from the dais. What kind of an arrogant, contemptuous individual behaves in such a manner while representing the good people of Fullerton? Obviously the answer is one Jennifer Fitzgerald.
Next, Mayor Whitaker added to his many previous sins by not being truthful while both Mr. Blackstone and myself had the floor to speak to them. I spoke about the fact that Mike Blackstone of Air Combat USA, Inc., who between himself and his father spent the last 38 years being a tenant at the Fullerton Municipal Airport, met with Bruce Whitaker about the failure of the city to provide him a new lease for his business. When Mr. Blackstone did not receive any follow-up from our Mayor, he decided to attend the last Talk Around the Town that our Mayor holds monthly. You know the one that is advertised that the Mayor will answer the public’s questions about any matter concerning our city. Well Mayor Whitaker would not acknowledge Mr. Blackstone during his question and answer period although he had his hand up throughout that part of the event. So after being I believe intentionally ignored by our Mayor, he waited to the very end to approach the Mayor just to have a minute of two of his time. Mayor Whitaker brushed him off stating he had to leave immediately.
So what did Mayor Whitaker rudely do while I was speaking, he continuously shook his head “No” and mouthed words denying my comments. These poor excuses for elected representatives demand from us that we be respectful and follow their self-imposed rules but when it suits them they throw all the rules out the window.
Of course, the remainder of the city council ignored our comments as well. That would be Doug Chaffee, Greg Sebourn and Jesus Silva. I believe that all five council members know or at least at this time should know that the city has breached its contract with Mike Blackstone of Air Combat USA. And what do these corrupt moral midgets (and I am not referring to their height) do, they along with our new City Manager have placed an agenda item for the very next council meeting to change (I suspect expand) the zoning for the Fullerton Municipal Airport for one of the main antagonists against Air Combat USA who wants to take over their space at the airport. I am referring to a relatively new business at the Fullerton Municipal Airport, called Hanger 21 owned by La Habra Reserve Officer Robert Sims who works as a Reserve Officer in the Narcotics Unit of the La Habra Police Department.
Rob Sims
Finally, since Mr. Blackstone reached out to Joe Imbriano and myself prior to filing his lawsuit against the city, I can state unequivocally that his case not only has merit but that he has the documented proof I believe necessary to prove his case before a judge or a jury.
I report, you decide-Barry Levinson
Thanksgiving Day! What It Means To Me! By Barry Levinson
Posted by Joe Imbriano in The Way on November 22, 2017
Barry Levinson
Well, tomorrow will be another Thanksgiving Day to celebrate and enjoy. At my stage of life, there have been many such days. But now considered a senior citizen by most with a 12-year-old son, it makes me want to reflect on this very special day of national celebration.
May I suggest if you have not done so in a while or maybe ever to tell your children how very special they are, how much they are loved and how much hope and faith you as parents have in them.
Wishing family and friends a happy, healthy and blessed Thanksgiving Day.
MUST WATCH: THIS IS THE MOST TRUTH YOU WILL EVER SEE IN 3 MIN. SUBSCRIBE TO THE FULLERTON INFORMER.
Posted by Joe Imbriano in The twighlight's last gleaming on November 2, 2017
https://youtu.be/sxM7tsGoU10
MUST WATCH: THIS IS THE MOST TRUTH YOU WILL EVER SEE IN 3 MIN. SUBSCRIBE TO THE FULLERTON INFORMER.
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