2008

Latest News From Councilmember Tom King

11-16-08  My Blackberry PDA has failed and I will not be able to respond to emails until approximatly 11-21-08.  Please leave messages with Joyce Wright at 909 595-7543 until further notice.

11-12-08  Richard Saretsky and Michael Brown were unanimously confirmed by the City Council as my appointments to the NFL Task Force.  Richard is a long time community activist and has served as a Parks and Recreation Commissioner and a respected former Planning Commissioner.   Michael is the pending president of the San Gabriel Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce and has numerous awards for his involvment in the City and the business community for many years.

In the politically charged atmosphere of the NFL Stadium it is completely inappropriate that some disparaging comments were made by other task force members regarding the appointment of Mr. Brown.  According to their objections,  Mr. Brown has made comments somewhere (not dislosed) supporting the NFL project.  Mr. Brown is entitled to his opinions and I am extremely pleased he volunteered to serve.  His resume was the most impressive that I reviewed.  These criticisims are shameful.

As elected officials, and appointed Commissioners and members of City Committees it is imperative that members respect the opinion of all other members, regardless of their personal views or opinion.  These officials represent all of our community with a diversity of opinion.  For any governmental function to be successful, it must be perceived as completely fair.

There is a concept of government called "tyranny of the majority". It was frequently seen in socialistic or communist countries .  In it, the persons with the perceived majority view looked out for and made decisions for and without regard for those with the minority view.  That is called totalitarianism.  It is a concept that is undemocratic and completely not acceptable in American government.

If I ascertain that Mr. Brown or any others are not treated with respect or dignity, I will not hesitate to move to have any task force member removed from the position they are priviledged to hold.

10-30-08  Tom King was re-appointed to the Public Safety Committee of the League of California Cities.  This policy committee advises the combined membership of all city governments in California as to positions to take relative to legislation on law enforcement issues.  The bipartisan positions taken by League committees are very influential with state policy makers on proposed legislation affecting cities.

An example of a flawed law effectively opposed by the committee was one requiring police officers who arrest a drunk driver take the suspect to a hospital to receive psychological couseling prior to booking.  This procedure would cost cities millions of dollars in unecessary hospital fees and would take a police vehicle out of service for several hours simply for taking a drunk driver off the street.

10-22-08  The City Council approved the final design of the Meadowpass Road Project.  The roadway will be a divided highway, with an equestrian and hiking trail on the west and a sidewalk on the east.  Part of the the existing creek wil be relocated slightly west and restored to a natural riparian habitat under supervision of the San Gabriel Valley Mountains and Rivers Conservancy.  An inspection of the existing creek found that it had been previously moved by ditching, and that the creek was in the final stages of decline.  The bed of the river was choked with non-native vegatation and willow roots which were stagnating the natural flow.

10-15-08  The Walnut City Council again voted to oppose the NFL stadium in the City of Industry. The Council withdrew previous motions which had been alleged to be non conforming to the Brown Act.  Council member King recused himself from the motions due to a conflict of interest. The Council also voted to establish a ten member semi-formal citizens task force to deal with stadium issues.   The Council tabled a request by the mayor to impose a moratorium on all road widenings, hotels, bars and nightclubs.  The City attorney advised since no such projects are proposed, there exists no emergency to justify the action.  In addition, cancelling of future  street improvements could create a liability for the City.

10-13-08  I have asked City Staff to publish a City Attorney opinion dated 9-19-08 and place it on the City of Walnut website.  The opinion consists of several questions posed by Council Member Mary Su regarding the NFL project.  When the document is released after a public records request by any citizen, I will post a link to it here. 

10-12-08  A law firm representing Majestic Realty has written the City Council of Walnut demanding the withdrawal of certain motions made by Mayor Lim regarding the NFL stadium.  The firm is alleging violations of the Ralph M. Brown Act, and lack of due process in formation of his motions.  This firm threatens litigation if the alleged defective motions by Mayor Lim are not cured or corrected.  The demand has been responded to by the City Attorney.

Richard McKee, of Californians Aware has also filed a new complaint against the City of Walnut regarding harrassment of individuals who wished to testify regarding the NFL Stadium project.  Californians Aware has a track record of litigating against City Councils which limit free speech or open access to government.  The complainant has been answered by the City Attorney.

Unfortunately, the collision of various groups over the NFL stadium is likely to get only more nasty as time goes on.  One group is genuinely concerned that the NFL Stadium is going to ruin the community.  A second group wants the Stadium and looks to capitalize in business or recreational opportunities.  A third group simply does not care.  A fourth group only hopes to politically gain from what appears to be an indecisive City Council and will use any means to accomplish their goals.

In my view, the latter group has quickly taken advantage of the unfortunate failure of the City Council to simply enforce Roberts Rules of Order in conducting the meeting.  The allowance of applause, catcalls, and even profanities against speakers could have a potential high legal cost for the City Council, and easily cause the City Council to re-vote the issues again. 

Staff and the City Attorney have tried to advise the City Council the appropriate procedures, only to be thrown under the bus and blamed for the alleged resulting improprieties.  That is the very worst kind of leadership and will devastate staff's morale.  We are fortunate to have the best staff in the San Gabriel Valley and are a training ground for city governments thoughout Southern California.

Despite likely lawsuits, legal fees, and elections that will undoubtedly come to pass, only the following factual information below will have any affect on whether the NFL stadium will be approved by the City of Industry:

10-11-08 This is the final week for citizens to comment to the City of Industry on the proposed NFL Stadium project.   Below are the instructions from the City of Walnut web site on how to comment on the SEIR:

"PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE EIR

The deadline to submit your written comments to City of Industry is on or before October 17, 2008.

Anyone wishing to comment should do so, in writing, to Mr. Mike Kissell, Planning Director, 15651 East Stafford Street, City of Industry, CA 91744, or email him at mkissell@cityofindustry.org

Please also provide the City of Walnut a copy of the written comments you submit to the City of Industry.

GUIDELINES FOR COMMENTING ON EIRs

The public review period is an important part of the EIR process, during which the public is invited to comment on the potential impacts of any such proposed project. The lead agency is then required to provide responses to the comments submitted and incorporate them into the Final EIR.

Following are simple guidelines aimed at assisting you in preparing effective comments that can potentially effect change in a proposed project:

When preparing your written communication, keep in mind that opinions or close-ended comments are not addressed. For example, a comment like “I don’t like this project,” is likely to result in a response of “Comment Noted” or “Not Applicable.”

Comments should be written in a manner that calls for responses. For example, your comments should:

-Clearly state your name and the title of the proposed project your comment is addressing;

-Identify the section of the EIR your comment is responding to;

-Phrase your comment in a clear and concise fashion, that includes your reasons for agreeing or disagreeing with the section; and

-Where possible, provide reasons or examples and offer recommendations or alternatives. "

The City of Walnut has made available a copy of the SEIR report at www.ci.walnut.ca.us.

The lead agency in this project is the City of Industry.  Comments and protests for or against the project to the City of Walnut will not be considered by the City of Industry.  The City of Walnut will have a detailed, and comprehensive response to the SEIR to the City of Industry.  The City of Walnut has also taken a formal stand opposing the NFL Stadium in Industry.  That stand is advisory and has no legal authority to stop the project.

10-10-08  Richard McKee, former President of the First Ammendment Coalition, a free speech activist, has filed another request for Brown Act Cure or Correction relating to Mayor Lim's NFL stadium resolutions.  Mayor Lim has stated McKee's demands are politically motivated by a non-resident.  

10-10-08  Passions often run high during contentious City Council meetings.  Unfortunately, the last few City Council meetings have caused a small minority of citizens to complain that catcalls, and comments from the audience have limited their right of free speech.  

It is important that all persons have a right to make comments without threats or intimidation even if only perceived by a minority.   I have requested that future Council meetings return to following Roberts Rules of Order which have traditionally governed the meetings.  The allowance of these perceived transgressions, true or false, could have unfortunate civil or legal consequences.

10-9-08  After attending a Meals On Wheels Board meeting in the City of Industry, I stopped by the Industry City Hall to see if anyone had protested for the continuance of the City of Industry SEIR during their just concluded City Council meeting.   Industry Staff advised me that no one had showed up to protest, and the matter was not agendized for discussion.  Therefore the SEIR review process for the Industry Stadium will not be be extended. 

Regarding Meals on Wheels...  This all volunteer agency is always in need of regular drivers, substitute drivers, and even volunteer Board Members to serve the many aged needy persons who are alone in our community.  If you would like to volunteer for any position, please contact Walnut resident Aurora Scott at 626-333-4570.  Please leave a message if she is out.  Needy elderly people are neither conservative or progressive, they are just hungry.

10-7-08  In response to allegations that the Walnut City Council violated the Ralph M. Brown Act, I have requested that all closed sessions be tape recorded and a copy given to the city clerk for safekeeping.  The purpose of this is to make all members accountable for their actions while in closed session.

10-5-08  Richard McKee, former President of the First Ammendment Coalition, a free speech activist, has filed a request for Brown Act Cure or Correction relating to Mayor Lim's NFL stadium resolutions on September 24.  McKee alleges that the resolutions were not noticed or agendized, and deprived the public the opportunity to speak on the issue.

Violations of the Ralph M. Brown act are actionable as both criminal and civil matters.  The prevailing party in a Brown Act action is entitled to an award of legal fees. 

9-24-08  The Walnut City Council voted 4-0 to adopt a resolution opposing the proposed City of Industry NFL stadium.  The City Attorney has advised the Council the resolution is advisory in nature and has no legal jurisdiction.  The resolution will be simply be answered "comments noted." by the City of Industry in the Suplemental Environmental Impact Report (SEIR).

The valid way to have a legal effect on the project is to comment on the issues such as traffic, air pollution and other effects in the SEIR process to the City of Industry.  Industry must address those comments depending on how technical in nature the comments are. 

The City will share the cost of a consultant to address those issues with the City of Diamond Bar.  The City of Walnut will also seek to compel the City of Industry to extend the SEIR process to allow more time for investigation and comments. The City has good legal precedent to gain the extension.  Comments formulated by the consultant will have to be addressed as part of the SEIR process. 

I was personally advised by the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) to abstain from discussion, and not be in the room when the vote was taken due to my investment in a nearby property.  The investment was made several years ago prior to the original Grand Crossing Project even being proposed.   Four years ago, I recused myself from commenting on the earlier project for the very same reason.  I became aware of the stadium project only a couple of months ago.

The Public Integrity Unit of the Los Angeles County District Attorney agressively prosecutes any City Council member for violating the public trust by failing to recuse themselves from a conflict of interest.  A recent case occurred in nearby Pomona. 

Council members who could potentially make financial gain as a result of a resolution are required by law to recuse themselves from the issue before discussion.  

 9-19-08  Character is what we do when no one is watching.  The Ralph M. Brown Act is the open government act of California.  It requires posted agendas 72 hours before an item is discussed.   Actions taken in closed session must match the agenda posted.   Use of a closed meeting to poll, or discuss other issues not on the agenda in private before a regular scheduled public meeting violates the democratic process.  The Los Angeles County District Attorney has warned the City Council of Walnut to more carefully adhere to the principals of the Ralph M. Brown Act.  In my opinion, those principals have been not recently been adhered to. 

9-16-08  Always be sceptical of anonymous emails from made up names or organizations. The Internet is famous for broadcasting false information and political spin, A mass email is being circulated advising Walnut citizens to write to the Walnut City Council requesting that a hospital be built instead of the NFL stadium in the City of Industry.

The purpose of this site is to give factual information. According to a City Attorney opinion, Walnut does not have any jurisdiction, whatsoever, in the NFL stadium issue, nor does it have the legal authority to stop it.  The City of Industry has a private proposal to build a clinic, not a hospital as part of the NFL stadium project.  Writing this request to the City of Walnut will not influence the City of Industry in any way.  All comments regarding the NFL stadium need to be addressed primarily to the City of Industry. Information on how to do this is at: http://ci.walnut.ca.us/upload/nfl_eir.PDF

I have long worked with other representatives from the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments to try to bring a trauma center to the eastern San Gabriel Valley. The next meeting on this subject is on Thursday, September 18th.  There is no private interest at this time to do so, and the County Hospital system is in disaray, as evidenced by the closure of Martin Luther King Trauma Center in South Central Los Angeles.

9-12-08  The request by the Cities of Walnut and Diamond Bar for additional time to make comments on the Supplemental Environmental Impact Report (SEIR) for the proposed NFL stadium in Industry has been denied.  The 45 day comment period will stay in effect.  The SEIR is a supplement to an already approved Environmental Impact Report for the Grand Crossing Project.

9-11-08  A memorial service was held today at Calvary Chapel in Diamond Bar for Walnut Station Deputy Jim Gilmartin who passed away on August 29th.  Council member Tom King represented the Cities of Walnut and Diamond Bar which have been served by this outstanding individual.  When Jim was undergoing chemotherapy for his illness, several deputies had also shorn their hair in buzz cut haircuts to show their solidarity for Jim.  Jim was suffering from brain cancer.

Jim was an extremely compassionate deputy who gave money to people to get them on their feet, and provided a Christmas tree to a local family in financial need.  He also provided a bicycle for the little girl in the same family.

Despite a reoccurance of his illness, he obtained the permission of Captain David Halm and Sheriff Lee Baca to return to the streets to patrol duties in Walnut, just a few months before his death.

Jim was a giant of a man and represented the finest traditions of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.  Deputy Jim Gilmartin is survived by his wife of 12 years, Sabrina; son Kyle, 12; daughter Emily.  Kyle hopes to be a deputy sheriff when he grows up, just like his dad.

9-10-08  A bid has been accepted to start an accelerated rebuilding of the intersection of Grand Avenue and Amar Road.  This $2.5 million dollar project will be a complete rebuild of the intersection.  Construction will start October 1, to have the smallest impact on traffic because of MTSAC classes.  Construction will be around the clock to shorten the time of impact for this project.

Traffic wait times are anticipated to improve by up to 17 seconds at this intersection, which is the busiest in Walnut.  The Redflex camera system has also continued to cause a steep decline in traffic violations at this intersection.  It will be re-installed during the expansion of the intersection.

9-9-08  A presentation by Majestic Realty was agendized and scheduled for the September 10th Walnut City Council meeting to inform residents of the NFL stadium project.  The presentation has been unexpectedly cancelled by Mayor Joaquin Lim.  

9-5-08  If you have been following the progress of the Meadowpass Road Project you will see that we have been asking for the assistance of the San Gabriel Valley Mountains and Rivers Conservancy to become involved in the restoration of Lemon Creek.  This has at last occurred. 

The Conservancy agreed to be involved in advising the City of Walnut in restoring the riparian habitat of the creek which is in a extremely degraded condition due to human impact on the environment.  The creek will he restored to a condition which existed before human habitation introduced non native plant material into the creek.  This is good news for Walnut and good news for the neighbors adjoining the creek.

9-3-08  Today the City of Industry released their latest environmental report for the proposed NFL Stadium in the City of Industry (www.losangelesfootballstadium.com) , on Grand Avenue, next to the former Diamond Bar Honda site.  This project will have a significant impact on traffic circulation on Grand Avenue.   The review period is 45 days.  It is imperative that anyone wishing to comment regarding the effect of the project and potential mitigation to the impacts comment to the City of Industry Planning Commission.  They are the lead agency in the EIR and will make the sole determination if the project is constructed.  Info on this process can be found at:  http://ci.walnut.ca.us/upload/nfl_eir.PDF

At the present time, no community in the San Gabriel Valley has come out in opposition to this project.  While there is likely considerable concern in Walnut for the traffic impact, a much larger commercial development of the parcel has already been approved by the City of Industry then the proposed stadium.

Many folks will not be happy about the stadium, and the City of Walnut has no legal options to stop this project, as we lack jurisdiction.

Some have questioned why the City does not lead a fight as we did in the occurence of the MIRF (materials recovery facility), a proposed potentially unhealthy development we blocked years ago.  At that time the City of Walnut had the support of health experts, local communities such as Diamond Bar and Pomona, as well as the support of politicians of both parties in State government.  We do not have that support or regional concern at this time.

The City deserves mitigation to offset the traffic impact of this project.  Political spinning of the project will not impact it's construction.  We need to constructively address the impacts in the best possible manner.

8-18-08 The City of Industry has proposed raising the output of the street lights on Valley Boulevard, the length of the street in Walnut.  Under the proposal, Industry would spend $250 per light standard in the City of Walnut to upgrade the lights, and Walnut would pay an additiona $0.49 per light, per month in electricity costs.  The raising of the light output would match that which wil soon exist on the Industry side of Valley Boulevard.  At the present time, Valley Boulevard is LA County and each curb is the the City boundary for Walnut and Industry.  Plans are to annex the new improvements to Valley Boulevard to the City of Walnut some time in the future.

Shortly after hostilities commenced on the war on terror, Councilmember King requested that City Hall fly flags of the various military services until our service men and women come home.  We have adopted various units of the military and provided support for troops stationed overseas.  King also proposed banners be erected on various city street lights honoring al service members.  This process has now been copied by dozens of communities all over Southern California.

The banners have been up so long they need replacing.  Commencing on September 2nd, 112 banners proudly honoring our service members will be replaced with new ones, which will feature larger lettering to better honor individual service members.

8-17-08  A nearly sixty acre site west of the Walnut Sheriff Station and the City Maintenance facility is in escrow. The parcels are believed to have sold in the neighborhood of eighteen million dollars.  The offshore developer who is attempting to purchase the project has proposed building a Mariott, Hilton, or similar upscale hotel.

The site presently consists of three lots, and the majority of the property is currently a hillside zoned to be residential.  The property on Valley Boulevard west of the hill is commercial.  The developer has tenatively stated he wishes to donate the majority of the local hillside land as open space in exchange for building up to a seven story hotel.  The proposed development would use the hillside as a buffer to the hotel development which would be right on Valley Boulevard.

This is problematic for the developer because the height restriction in Walnut is 35 feet and two stories.  Staff, the Planning Commission and the community will have to wrestle with alternative of grading the hill into a residential community, or having the hill as a buffer between the commercial development being proposed. The project would call for a "specific plan" and is certain to cause much public interest.  The property will likely not remain undeveloped much longer in any event.  Under current zoning, the land will not be open space.

The developer claims that the project will project up to a million dollars a year to the City of Walnut in bed tax revenues.  Apparently the developer also is anticipating the development of the football stadium in the City of Industry.  Rooms during football season could go for as much as six hundred and fifty dollars a night. The Ctiy of Walnut has a ten percent bed tax on the books.

Another company is also seeking to build another hotel at the corner of La Puente Road and Grand Avenue.  The cost of that project is unknown.

8-4-08  Council members Tragarz and King attended an informational presentation by Majestic Realty Company regarding the proposed NFL stadium being considered on the boundary of the City of Diamond Bar and the City of Industry.

All Walnut City Council members have been invited to attend similar briefings.  These meetings will be individual presentations and not formal City Council meetings to comply with the Ralph M. Brown Act on open meetings.  The presentations are similar to those made to officials of the NFL by Majestic Realty.

According to John Semcken, who is spearheading the project, the proposal includes three milllion square feet of entertainment, retail, commercial and stadium development.  The stadium will be built into a hillside west of the former Diamond Bar Honda site and the parking area will be on the eastern side of Grand Avenue at the 57 freeway.  The investment in the project is well over half a billion dollars.

The project wil have a considerable effect to future traffic on Grand Avenue during the forty or so events that will be held in the stadium.  In addtion to the stadium, a "City Walk" type project similar to Universal City is envisioned along with a NFL affiliated museum.

Majestic Realty has already leased the land for the stadium for a proposed Grand Crossing project.  According to Mr. Semcken the stadium will produce less traffic than the already approved Grand Crossing project.

Semcken was the person who developed the Staples Center in Los Angeles for Majestic Realty.  He stated that Majestic will be holding meetings in nearby cities to express concerns and ask questions about the project.  The project is highlighted on www.losangelesfootballstadium.com. The City of Diamond Bar has made a copy of the supplemental environmental impact report available at https://www.ci.diamond-bar.ca.us/Index.aspx?page=771.

The agency with jurisdiction over the project is the City of Industry.  The City of Walnut will be asking for input on mitigation of the effects of this project. Majestic Realty is the company which developed the Village shopping center at Grand Avenue and Valley Boulevard in both the City of Walnut and the City of Industry.

The NFL offered a franchise to the City of Los Angeles if the City would build a new stadium.  The City of Los Angeles could not obtain the support for public financing to build a new stadium as both the Coliseum and Pasadena Rose Bowl are not compatible with NFL requirements.  Majestic Realty has offered to fund the stadium and purchase a team outright.

7-23-08  Recently, a group of concerned residents approached the City Council asking their support opposing the installation of five 285 foot radio transmission towers near the intersection of San Gabriel Valley Drive and Grand Amar in the unincorporated area east of Walnut.  These towers create a hazard for helicopters and fixed wing aircraft used to fight wildfires in this portion of the City.

The City of Walnut has sent a resolution to the Federal Communications Commission, the Los Angeles Regional Planning Commission and Supervisors Antonovich and Molina strongly protesting these proposed towers.  Staff has been directed to monitor the development of this project and the City will take any feasible actions to provent this hazardous construction project from moving forward. 

The City of Walnut has added an additional sheriff's patrol vehicle to to patrol the streets of Walnut.  While crime is again down in Walnut, the promotion and transfer of Sgt. Brad Gray has resulted in a realocation of resources to add another car.  This unit wll be assigned to regular patrol, specific crime problems and traffic enforcement.

It is significant to note that in times of economic downturn, Walnut is continuing to put money away for a rainy day and is increasing law enforcement services.

6-25-08  The Walnut City Council approved the EIR for the Meadowpass Road Project.  Part of the approval is to reduce the roadway status to an important local street from an important secondary street.  The roadway will be two lanes with an extended right of way to assist in preservation of the creek bed.  This will require an ammendment to the General Plan, which will be initiated at the Planning Commission.

The intent is to preserve as much of the natural stream bed as well as improve emergency access to all adjacent neighborhoods.

The opponents and proponents of the EIR both made passionate arguments.  Their demeanor was respectful and spirited.  The City Council decision was 5-0.  Some of the opponents have obtained legal counsel, and have promised to initiate litigation.  A total of three attorneys spoke objecting to the EIR process. Their objections will be answered by the City Attorney.

6-23-08  Council Member Tom King flew to Sacramento today to speak in support of SB 1350 (Cedillo, 22nd District).  The trip was requested by Mayor Pro Tem Barbara Messina of Alhambra who also serves on the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments Transporation Committee with Tom King.  Assemblymember Mike Eng, of Monterey Park requested suppport of the bill.  Twenty nine of thirty one city governements in the San Gabriel Valley supported the completion of the 710 freeway.

After an early defeat, and with bi-partisan support from Assemblymember Bob Huff of Diamond Bar, the State Assembly moved SB 1370 out of committee, 10-2.  This bill is for a public/private partnership and authority to build the missing link of the 710 Freeway underground without damaging heritage homes in South Pasadena.  The bill has a long road ahead in both houses and needs to be signed by the governor.  It may be one of the most important transportation issues in the San Gabriel Valley. This issue has been controversial for 50 years, and has been mired in litigation since 1973.  It now appears that process is beginning  to move forward with private money to complete this missing link.

The actions by members of both the Assembly and State Senate in moving this bill foreward was a remarkable and long overdue bit of statesmanship.

6-19-08  I hate to waste news space and editorialize here but some folks are still willing to say anything to win their argument.  When someone puts out false or fake information I have no problem answering back. A former council member and his wife have written one of their famous paid "open letters".  This politician has a long track record of sending unflaterring letters to the editor, and is now taking paid ads out since his unflamatory letters now tend to be ignored.

The bottom line in his fraudulent letter is a claim that the City Council wants to modify the general plan and make a major housing development.  The claim is strangely ironic because he was strongly supported in his political career by the Home Building Industry and was a strong critic of me for slowing the Walnut Hills Development until BKK was safe for our residents.  The allegation is purposely contrived and completely fraudulent.  In fact, if the roadway is not constructed, likely more homes will be constructed than is now permitted.

The letter also criticizes the City for not updating the General Plan.  He conveniently left out of the "open letter" that he failed to update the General Plan during his brief stay on the Council, and I made it one of my priorities to do so.  A General Plan review has been going on for some time, and many folks have discussed what they want for the future of Walnut at family festival and workshop meetings.

These type of politicians are prepared to say or do anything that undermine their opposition.  It is unfortunate, and most people are really getting tired of this kind of nonsense.  Establishing  Walnut's first campaign reform, adopting a City code of ethics, and putting contracts out to bid really upsets some of these politicians. 

The involved politician paid thousands of fines for failng to timely disclose campaign expenditures totaling $43,794.91, in violation of Government Code  Section 84211; and failed to disclose campaign contributions totaling $83,646.78, in violation of Government Code Section 84211 (7 counts). resulting in a $14,000 fine.  To my knowledge, no one in local politics in this town has ever been subject to such a severe fine for violating the California Government Code.  Violations of the Government Codes are misdemeanors.  What a way to end a lackluster political career! 

I really have no issue when someone takes a different view on an issue and respect people who voice their opinions.  But faking an issue or fabricating my position is not defensible.

6-17-08  I had a call from a resident who asked me about acquiring the parcels around Meadowpass as a park.  It would take funding from the San Gabriel Rivers and Mountains Conservancy, the Nature Conservancy or another such organization.  It would not be in the best interest of City finances to spend the many millions of dollars that it would required to do so.  That does not mean it will not or could not happen, but it is not foreseable at the present time.

The two landowners who own the largest parcels of vacant property are only interested in putting in homes, and they are not interested in paying for the road.  They have also been embroiled in business controversy for many years.

The resident who read this website thought that I wanted a four lane stark roadway with no divider or parking.  That is one alternative I do not want to see.   I envision making this area scenic, with parking, equestrian and hiking trails, and landscaping.  The entire creek needs to be unpiped and reverted to riparian or natural conditions.   I cannot really finalize my views until until I hear the public speak, and hear the staff report.  I do not have any reservations at this time that the road needs to be completed in some fashion.

The trafffic on Walnut Canyon Road, Sunset Bluff Road, and Peach Blossom needs to be redirected to Meadowpass road as envisioned before some one else is killed. These roads were never designed to carry the traffic they are experiencing. 

One week before a young man was killed on Walnut Canyon Road, my daughter Laura was before the Walnut City Council asking them to do something to slow traffic down.  She asked for a stop sign at Peach Blossom and Walnut Canyon Road.  She was ignored.  The young man was killed one week later when he ran a motorcyle into a cement pilar after losing control.  She went back to the City Council and said "Now I know you will do the right thing."  They put the stop sign in.

I can speak from personal experience after being hit as a pedestrian by a car in the same neighborhood.  I spent several months in the hospital and went through six months of therapy to learn to walk again.  With out going into the details, it was a life changing event for me.   I cannot sit back and let it happen to someone else without doing something to stop it from happening again and again. That would be unethical and immoral.  Incidentally, I spent twenty to twenty five minutes on the ground waiting for an ambulance because Meadowpass was not connected and the ambulance could not find my street. 

6-12-08  The City of Walnut General Plan has established Meadowpass Road as an important secondary street in the City of Walnut since 1979. The failure of the City of Walnut to implement this planned roadway has resulted in a re-direction of traffic to adjacent neighborhoods with streets not designed to carry the volume of traffic that would normally be diverted to Meadowpass Road. The development of roadways, neighborhoods and traffic elements must comply with the General Plan of an Incorporated City.

Meadowpass Road is a four lane, lighted, and signalized secondary roadway. Substantial traffic is being diverted to adjacent streets which are undersized, without lane markings, and with street lighting only at intersections. At least one fatality has occurred on these adjacent streets. Substantial property damage has been incurred by residents, overturned vehicles and an attempt to mitigate these accidents with speed bumps has failed to prevent traffic accidents.

The development of the Belgate, Timberline, Marlborough Ridge, Innsbrook and other neighborhoods was permitted based on the access provided General Plan of Walnut. Further deterioration of the intersections of Valley Boulevard and Lemon Avenue, and Amar Road and Grand Avenue to a rating of "F" within the next year is predicted by the EIR if this road is not completed. Residents of these neighborhoods as well as Collegewood are being deprived of rapid response of emergency services including service of the Sheriff, County Fire Department and Paramedics.

While I have not made a pre-determination in the EIR, I believe the further delay of this project puts the City at great liability in not following the General Plan. 

The opponents of Meadowpass road are distributing a flyer alleging that the Meadowpass Road project will add 2000 cars to Fuerte Drive, 1000 cars to Walnut Canyon Road and 4000 cars to Pierre Road.  This is absolutely refuted in the EIR.  In fact, the biggest effect of the project will be shifting vehicles from Walnut Canyon Road to Meadowpass. 

The only section of Walnut Canyon Road that will see any appreciable increase in traffic is the last eastern section.  That is because no cars can leave Marlborough Ridge homes via Meadowpass Road.  When the road opens, mostly only local traffic will leave and enter that section.  The impact is minimal. School and commuter traffic which totally clogs Fuerte, Walnut Canyon, Sunset Bluff and Peach Blosson will shift to Meadowpass Road as designed in the General Plan.

The flyer also alleges that the Lemon Creek will be dried up.  This is a reckless misrepresentation of the truth.  The Creek will be restored and enhanced to make it a scenic part of the City.  It would appear that some people are willing to say anything to get their way.

A few pro-Meadowpass Road residents have attempted to post flyers and pass them out refuting the claims of the Meadowpass opponents, but they are destroyed withing a short time of delivery.  That is a very sad comment about this issue.

Signs are being posted on residents yards, some without permission urging folks to attend a meeting to stop the Meadowpass connection. The opponents have lined private property on Walnut Canyon road without permission of the owners of the property.

Traffic is the major concern of Walnut residents. 

The City Council will take public testimony, and determine if additional information exists which is not in the EIR.  If the EIR is adopted, then the Council will make a decision which of several options to follow in constructing the roadway.  I do not believe the Council has the legal or moral authority to not build the roadway unless there is new evidence presented at the meeting to the contrary. 

6-10-08  The review period for the Meadowpass Road EIR has closed.  Residents can still send their opinions for or against the project to dfox@ci.walnut.ca.us.  Residents can also email their council members but usually those comments do not enter into the public record.  A 'CC to Mr. Fox ensures that it does.

On June 25th at 7:00 PM there will likely be a lively exchange of opinions of various members of the public, and the City Council must make a ruling that is consistent with the general plan of the City. 

State law requires cities to adopt a comprehensive general plan to govern the physical development of the city. The general plan must contain seven mandatory elements relating to land use, circulation, housing, conservation, open space, noise and safety.  The elements of a city’s general plan must be internally consistent. All city actions must also be consistent with the general plan by law.

What is difficult for some folks to completely understand is that the option of building Meadowpass Road was decided many years ago.  The development of Marlborough Ridge, Belgate, Landaluce, Hunter's Hill and several other neighborhoods was permitted that the assumption that Meadowpass Road was to be completed.  In fact, several of the developers of the adjoining neighborhoods contributed to the building of Meadowpass except the small segments that are yet completed.

While understandably some residents who will be affected by the traffic are genuinely upset, unless extremely serious or clearly compelling environmental issues are identified, the roadway must be completed in accordance with the General Plan.  That is the law.

While I have always favored the road be completed, I will be bound by any compelling information presented at this meeting.

When you take a walk, check out the dozens of new trees and first class improvements to the baseball fields in the park.  Our laser leveled baseball fields at Snow Creek and Creekside Parks are rated the tops in California.  Teams come from all over the State to compete in Pony League tournament games in Walnut.

If you are lucky you will see one of three great egrets that fish Snow Creek for crawdad.

If you live on the west side, take a stroll through Lemon Creek Park and see the improvements we have made with the assistance of the San Gabriel Rivers and Mountains Conservancy.

While you are there, take along a bag and pick up any trash that might have ended up in the stream.  If you see damage to the hiking and equestrian trails or grafitti call City Hall at (909) 595-7543 or make an on line request on the City website at www.ci.walnut.ca.us.

The city has 26 miles of hiking and equestrian trails.  19 miles are exclusively maintained by the City.  The County of Los Angeles maintains the remainder.  It is important when a trail is in need of repair or a hazardous condition exists that residents let the City know to avoid an accident.

4-14-08 The Meadowpass Road project has been delayed again.  The City Council voted to extend the review period of the Meadowpass Road project.  Both City staff and the City Attorney recommended not to do so.  I was the lone vote opposing this action.

The Walnut General Plan specifically calls for opening this obstructed roadway, and creating a scenic area.  If the Council stalls this project, then the private owners of this land will likely move forward to place homes in the area and this open space area may be obliterated.  Two thousand notices were mailed out to Walnut residences.  The only people who showed up at the Council meeting were a handful of local residents who are directly affected by the opening.  In my view, the majority of Walnut residents already expect this road to be completed.

The affected opponents to the project felt that they needed more time to read the report, hire their own experts, and one suggested we mail the 1500 page report to every resident.

A City Council puts a community in jeopardy when it fails to follow the adpoted General Plan which is the blueprint for the community.

Some critics of the roadway have suggested that I am not environmentally sensitive to the issues of the roadway.  My response is that I authored the policy on preserving open space, wrote the oak and walnut preservation ordinance, and negotiated the aquisition of the largest open space obtained in the City of Walnut.

As City Council members, we are morally and legally bound by a set of policies and principles to work for the public good. Preferential considerations or requests by individuals or groups of citizens are expressly prohibited by the City Code of Ethics.

Our decisions are to be based on merit, and community needs. Our decisions are not to be influenced by victory celebrations or political contributions received from residents of a particular neighborhood directly involved in a decision.

We are not drilling for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

We are simply completing an important secondary street in the master plan of the community which has been designated as needed since the General Plan was adopted in 1978. Entire neighborhoods were constructed with the expressed promise and defined need for this important roadway.

Neighborhoods like Belgate who use Country Hollow, or Marlborough Ridge (particularly those living on Walnut Canyon Road, Sunset Bluff and Peach Blossom) streets have been awaiting this promised street opening since building the homes in 1988.

My two daughters took a bus to kindergarten or first grade because this street was not opened. Now one is married and they both graduated from college. That’s twenty years.

The delaying tactics used by the small group of opponents against this street has been one of the most costly wastes of taxpayer dollars in the history of Walnut.

Last year alone, we lost a $300000 plus grant to restore Lemon Creek simply because we failed to adopt an easily implemented mitigated negative declaration.

The small amount of road remaining to be built covers a drain pipe, not a stream. There are no homes facing the remaining segment of street.

Three weeks ago, the Pomona Fairgrounds tore up a nearly equivalent amount of asphalt and did an off road event. They have now replaced it with new asphalt.

This road initially was going to cost around a quarter million dollars. Every day it is stalled, increases its cost and the costs to hundreds of Walnut residents who have to add an additional four miles in driving each time they pick up or take their kids to school.

The folks who bought the six homes on Meadowpass Road will see an increase in traffic on their road. That is a fact. It was also a fact disclosed to them when they bought their homes. We cannot deprive the rest of our Walnut resident’s access to emergency services and a higher quality of life.

When I ran for City Council two years ago, I was honest and open in saying this road should be completed. I was easily the highest vote getter. It would appear that we hid the ball from the voters this past election. If we delay or do not move forward on this project, we do worse. We outright defraud them.

The uncompleted segments are simply an illegal dumpsite, and have even had medical waste dumped there. We can beautify it to make it look more attractive than the Snow Creek Area on Grand Avenue.

When finished, the improvements will greatly enhance Walnut’s quality of life.

Sometimes it is tough making decisions that will make a few people unhappy. That comes with the territory. But I have heard every one of the Council members promise that they support Walnut’s General Plan and will preserve and promote open space. This project does both.

More delay of this project is unacceptable and breaks that promise.

The San Gabriel Mountains and Rivers Conservancy can help provide a compromise solution that preserves the natural urban environment, and allows access to emergency services to the neighborhoods adjoining this area.  Hopefully they will become involved and preserve this area.

4-08-08  Tom King attended a birthday celebration honoring Senator Bob Margett who is soon to retire as Walnut's State Senator in the 29th District.  The event was held at the Chandelier Room of the Turf Club at the Santa Anita Racetrack.  In attendence were Edward Rollins, a frequent political commentator on CNN and Fox News Channel.  Rollins was the Director of the Office of Political Affairs for President Ronald Reagan, and managed his re-election campaign.  Also in attendance was Senate Minority Leader Dave Cogdill.

4-30-08  Tom King announced today that Ernie Quejado will be the his new Parks and Recreation Commissioner for the City of Walnut.  Ernie is an engineer for the Boeing Corporation C-17 program and brings years of volunteer experience in leading the Calamba-Walnut Sister City program.  This was the first sister city program that was cost-neutral to the City of Walnut, and is self supporting.   Ernie is a regular volunteer at Walnut events and is active in the Walnut Family Festival.

4-26-08 Margie and Tom King are pleased to announce that their daughter,  Laura Lee King wed William McDonald III at St. Denis Catholic Church in Diamond Bar.  Bill is a deputy sheriff with the Riverside County Sheriff's Office.

4-15-08 Tom King traveled to Sacramento, California to testify in the California State Assembly on behalf of AB 1888 which establishes uniform criterion for "Heritage" schools in California.  

The bill is modeled after Walnut Ordinance 25-26.6 which was written by Council Member King to standardize child protection for tutoring and other child related business in the City of Walnut.

4-14-08  It's Official!  Nancy Rene Tragarz won Tom Sykes' seat on the Walnut City Council.  The vote difference was 1170 for Nancy Renee Tragarz versus 1123 for Mayor Tom Sykes.

4-10-08  At long last the Meadowpass Road extension Environmental Impact Report has been released.  The comment period ends on May 26, 2008.  The public hearing is scheduled to be on June 11, 2008.  The extension has been planned since 1978 and is in the General Plan as a proposed secondary street in the City of Walnut.

4-8-08  Preliminary election totals show that Tony Cartagena and Joaquin Lim have retained their seats on the Council.  Nancy Renee Tragarz is leading Mayor Tom Sykes by thirty-nine votes. Final results will be announced on Monday, April 14th.  There are approximately three hundred absentee and provisional ballots left to verify signatures and count. 

If Nancy Renee Tragarz wins the contest, then I will have an appointment to make to the Parks and Recreation Commission.  If you are interested, call Joyce Wright at (909) 595-7543 for an application.  I am not interested in a "political appointee".  I don't care who you support on the council.  If you have the desire to serve the community on the Commission, please turn in an application.  Participation of an active Commission ensures that Walnut's parks remain the best in the San Gabriel Valley.

Congratulations are in order to all of the above mentioned candidates for running a clean, non controversial election.  Walnut will be well served by any of the above candidates.  

3-18-08 On a personal note, my father Mervin Paul King passed away.  My brother Terry gave his eulogy.  Then I gave a tribute to him from a police officer's point of view, since we were both former LAPD officers.