Local HOME Breaking iPhone Apps Weather Traffic Obituaries Community Crosswords Comics Health Event Local L.A. Now Politics Crime Education O.C. Westside Neighborhoods Environment Obituaries Hot List U.S. Politics Now Top of the Ticket Science & Environment Obituaries Religion World Afghanistan & Pakistan Africa Asia Europe Iran Iraq Latin America Mexico Under Siege Middle East Business Money & Co. Technology Personal Finance Small Business Company Town Jobs Real Estate Cars Sports Lakers Clippers Dodgers Angels NFL Ducks/Kings USC UCLA Soccer High Schools Scores/Stats Entertainment Movies Television Music Celebrity Arts & Culture Company Town Calendar Envelope Books Hot List Health Booster Shots Fitness & Nutrition Medicine Mental Health Healthcare Reform Breast Cancer Hospitals Living Home Food Image Books Parenting Hot List Brand X Magazine Your Scene Cars Travel California Hawaii Mexico Las Vegas Europe Asia Australia Travel & Deal Blog Destinations Opinion Editorials Op-Ed Letters Endorsements Opinion L.A. More Corrections Readers' Rep Photos Video Blogs Data Desk Comics Puzzles & Games Community Mobile Site Subscribe/Manage Account Print Ads Place an Ad LAT Store Jobs Cars Real Estate Rentals More Classifieds In the News: Debra Wong Yang Robert Rizzo Roy Halladay no-hitter SoCal weather State Budget Attorney general pushes for court-appointed monitor in Bell But even if the city agrees, huge problems remain. Without a functioning City Council, 'running a city ... is virtually impossible,' says one expert. 1 2 next | single page 
Lorenzo S. Velez, the only Bell City Council member not charged with a crime, was the only one who showed up for Monday night’s council meeting. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times / October 4, 2010) Share Related 
No quorum 
No-shows force Bell to cancel meeting 
Former Bell official Rizzo will again try to post bail Stories Bell residents to deliver recall petitions to county registrar Bell crackdowns hand statewide candidates a chance to shine Bell doubled public service taxes and funneled $1 million to Rizzo, audit finds See more stories » X Photos: Eight arrested, arraigned in scandal By Hector Becerra, Jeff Gottlieb and Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times October 6, 2010 
E-mail 
Print 
Text Size la-me-bell-20101006 Lorenzo Velez stepped onto the Bell City Council dais Monday night and took his seat as the crowd cheered and applauded the only council member not charged with a crime — and the only one who showed up for the council meeting.Councilman Luis Artiga had resigned earlier in the day. Councilman George Mirabal remains in jail. And Mayor Oscar Hernandez and Councilwoman Teresa Jacobo — both charged with felonies in the public corruption case that has enveloped the city — didn't attend the meeting, saying they were ill.
That left Velez, the only council member who never received the inflated salaries paid to other top Bell officials and the only one untainted by the city's scandals. But while the image of the lone, honest sheriff plays well in movies of the Old West, a single working councilman in a scandal-rocked city can't do much. And for now, experts say, neither can Bell.
Get breaking news alerts delivered to your mobile phone. Text BREAKING to 52669.
The small, working-class city of roughly 40,000 southeast of downtown Los Angeles has been in governmental chaos ever since July, when The Times disclosed that its city administrator, Robert Rizzo, and other top officials were being paid salaries higher than any other municipal officials in the state. But in recent days, with Rizzo in jail, the municipal credit rating sinking and the City Council unable to meet for lack of a quorum, Bell's problems have deepened.
In a letter obtained Tuesday by The Times, Atty. Gen. Jerry Brown asked the city to agree to a court-appointed monitor who would have "complete and unfettered access to all matters relating to the City."
The proposed monitor would have authority to investigate "fraud, dishonesty, incompetence, misconduct, mismanagement, or any irregularity" in city government and would be able to interview any city official or employee, according to the letter, which Brown e-mailed to city officials Sept. 30. If the city agrees to the monitor, the letter implied, the attorney general's office would drop its proposal to turn city government over to an appointed receiver.
A monitor could be installed more quickly than a receiver, "and the need to protect the people in Bell was paramount," said Brown's spokesman, Jim Finefrock. The attorney general's office has given the city until Friday to agree to the monitor or else it will continue its push for a receiver.
Pedro Carrillo, Bell's interim chief administrative officer, said he flew to Sacramento recently and met for several hours with officials from the attorney general's office. "We will work diligently with all agencies to fix the errors and mistakes of the previous administration," he said.
But the monitor would not have the authority to run city agencies or set policy. For that, a working City Council is required. And to achieve that goal, legal experts say, Bell has limited options — all of them problematic.
"Running a city without a City Council is virtually impossible," said Ventura City Manager Rick Cole, a longtime writer on Southern California cities.
Legally, Carrillo, as city administrator, can pay city bills up to $50,000, according to an audit by state Controller John Chiang that was released last month. Amounts greater than $50,000 have to be approved by the council. Also, amendments or approval of resolutions, ordinances and changes to city policies would be put on hold until a quorum is available.
Many Bell residents have called on the remaining three City Council members facing criminal charges — Mirabal, Hernandez and Jacobo — to follow Artiga's lead and resign. But if that happens, three months probably would be required until a special election could be held to replace them.
Likewise, the effort to recall most council members also could force an election, but again, months off.
"I tell people, when asking for resignations be careful what you wish for because there are no good options," said Assemblyman Hector De La Torre (D-South Gate), who represents Bell. "In the meantime, the city is almost paralyzed like we saw last night."
The alternatives to waiting for a new election are largely untested and some may not be legal. The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors recently backed the idea of a receiver, who would oversee the city's affairs, possibly with the power to veto the City Council or make decisions in its place if there is no quorum.
Velez said he is opposed to receivership, but would go along with it if that's what citizens demand.
"What people don't understand is that they think we're still going to participate in the handling of the day-to-day business," Velez said. "That's not so. The receiver is going to take over all of the administrative operations and I fear that the city will lose its identity."
But Patrick Whitnell, general counsel for the League of California Cities, said he has never heard of a city going into receivership, nor could he find any laws that would allow such a step.
The desert mobile home shantytown of Duroville, located on an Indian reservation in Riverside County, was placed into receivership, but Duroville was not an incorporated city with elected council members. Still, Mark Adams, who was the receiver for the shantytown, said the case in Bell seems extreme.
1 2 next | single page Copyright © 2010, Los Angeles Times
E-mail Print 
Digg 
Twitter 
Facebook 
Read This Later Comments (8)Add / View comments | Discussion FAQ etsnell at 10:59 AM October 06, 2010 Pullen infected teeth or removing the cancer is painful but necessary to heel. Brown has the best lawyers around and anything is better than what we have. Pull there covers and please indicte. Cassio/Carillo/Valdez/Guiterez
No one has a crystal ball and Bell well obviously be the first town in recievorship with a sitting council . We are in unchartered waters but this is better than what we had. The sleeping monster has been awakened from there siesta and will settle for only the truth. Drop the axe jerry it is time to sleigh the Monster. Enough stalling enough corruption enough is enough. Bell residents have endured but Bell residents are coming together and well endure after all they are proud and good family orientated God fearing people.
ET Snell
x=clown community activist
victorthevoter at 8:56 AM October 06, 2010So Velez is afraid the City of Bell is going to loose its identity?
I say the people want Bell to get an identity make-over. In fact, I think Bell residents want an EXTREME MAKEOVER AND RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY.
Why is it that everyone with a political and/or fiscal interest (current or future) is afraid of receivership.
Why is that everyone with a political and/or fiscal interest is more afraid of impartial experts coming in and cleaning up than incompetent insiders continuing to soil the people's house.
So Velez prefers Carrillo, who's connections to Rizzo and Cole are unquestionable but his professional qualifications are still unknown, running the place instead of an impartial, respected & trustworthy city manager?
So Velez is comfortable taking legal advice from a lawyer who did bidding for Vignali and whose firm did bond work for Bell?
Velez should not worrying about Bell's identity and start worrying about Bell's bottom line and future.
And the people of Bell need to remember that Velez was handpicked by Rizzo too.
Bell deserves better and bolder leadership for the $600 dollars they pay Velez.
victorthevoter at 8:37 AM October 06, 2010De La Torre's wrong!
The community's "not stuck on anger."
"THE COMMUNITY'S STUCK ON UPROOTING CORRUPTION, CROOKS & CRONIES," but De La Torre can't tell the difference.
The entire City of Bell complex is engulfed in political & fiscal flames & De La Torre's walking around with a gardening hose.
The same guy who wanted voters to believe he can stand up to the insurance companies can't stand up to these ruffians & call for receivership.
De La Torre's comments out of touch, & they're condescending & paternalistic.
The community isn't angry, they want Carrillo out because he's connected to Cole, Rizzo and others.
Carrillo's not trusted & you can't govern when you're not trusted. (I learned that in middle school - the one De La Torre didn't teach at.)
The community isn't angry, they want Casso out because he was handpicked by the Council, in spite of the fact his law firm did bond work for the City of Bell, and in spite of the fact that nobody else was interviewed. CASSO'S APPOINTMENT WAS AN INSIDE JOB - AND THE POA AND BASTA TACITLY SIGNED OFF.
The community isn't angry. They want new, impartial and qualified people brought in, not a bunch of connected cronieS, hacks and flacks playing musical chairs.
The community's not angry, & they're not dumb either.
Comments are filtered for language and registration is required. The Times makes no guarantee of comments' factual accuracy. Readers may report inappropriate comments by clicking the Report Abuse link. Here are the full legal terms you agree to by using this comment form. .rightrailbox { border: 2px solid rgb(188, 185, 185); padding: 4px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 12px; width: 310px; }.rightrailbox h4.headline { font-size: 22px; text-transform: none; margin: 4px 0 4px 4px; font-weight: none !important;}.rightrailbox p { font-size:14px; margin: 6px 4px 4px 3px;}#rail #stockquotes div.module{ border: 2px solid #BCB9B9; padding: 6px; }#stockquotes #markets #datetime { width: 307px; font-style: italic; font-size: 11px; padding-bottom: 4px; }#stockquotes #markets #indu { width: 305px; }#stockquotes #markets #indu .company+.last { font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; }#stockquotes #markets #indu .posChange { font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; }#stockquotes #markets #indu .negChange { font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; }#stockquotes #markets #comp { width: 305px; }#stockquotes #markets #comp .company+.last { font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; }#stockquotes #markets #comp .posChange { font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; }#stockquotes #markets #comp .negChange { font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; }#stockquotes #markets #spx { width: 305px; }#stockquotes #markets #spx .company+.last { font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; }#stockquotes #markets #spx .posChange { font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; }#stockquotes #markets #spx .negChange { font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; }#stockquotes #quote form { width: 304px; padding-left: 15px; }#rail #stockquotes #quote, .narrow #stockquotes #quote { width: 304px; background-color: #ffffff; border: 0px; }#rail #stockquotes .company, .narrow #stockquotes .company { font-size: 13px; }#rail #stockquotes #quote-label, .narrow #stockquotes #quote-label { font-size: 12px; }#stockquotes { border: 2px solid #ddd; padding-left: 6px; padding-right: 6px; text-align: center; padding-top: 10px; }.feed-module-special { margin-top: 10px; padding: 8px; width: 180px !important; }#feed-top { background-color: #ffffff; position: relative; bottom: 14px; right: 14px; z-index:100; padding-bottom: 8px; }#feed-hed { font-size: 20px; }#feed-sub { font-size: 12px; font-style: italic; position: relative; left: 10px; text-transform: none; }#main_background { height: 573px; border: 1px solid #000000; width: 335px; font-size: 11px; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 30px; }#cube_background { } #main_background img { width: 27px; height: 27px; border: 0px; padding: 2px; }input#search_where { color:#666; margin-right:3px; padding:4px 4px 3px 4px; width:208px; font-size:10px; margin-bottom: 6px; }input#search_what { color:#666; margin-right:3px; padding:4px 4px 3px 4px; width:208px; font-size:10px; }#dates div { font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; border: 1px solid #000; float: left; width: 20px; padding: 5px; margin-right: 11px; text-align: center; height: 20px; }#dates div a:hover { padding: 5px; color: #fff; background-color: #000; font-size: 16px; border: 1px solid #000; float: left; width: 20px; margin-right: 11px; text-align: center; height: 20px; position: relative; bottom: 6px; right: 6px; text-decoration: none; }.goButton { text-transform:uppercase; font-size:10px; padding:3px 2px 2px 2px; }.font11 { font-size:11px; } .font12 { font-size:12px; } .font13 { font-size:13px; } .font15 { font-size:15px; } .font14 { font-size:14px; }.font16 { font-size:16px; }.font17 { font-size:17px; }.font18 { font-size:18px; }.font20 { font-size:20px; }.font22 { font-size:22px; }.font21 { font-size:21px; }.what_where { text-transform:uppercase; font-size:11px; }.example { font-size:11px; }
Crimes reported for six months ending : VIOLENT CRIMES PROPERTY CRIMES Advertisement .latest-article { width: 334px; border-right: 1px solid #979797; border-left: 1px solid #979797; margin-bottom: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding: 3px; margin-top: -2px; }//ul.feedMasherList li { }//.mviewed li { font-color: red; }.feedMasherList li { font-size: 15px; }//.feedMasherList li { font-size: 16px; width: 296px; position: relative; top: 0px; #left: 4px; left: 7px; margin-top: 4px; }//.feedMasherList li a { font-size: 13px; }//.mviewed .publishDate { visibility: hidden; }//.memailed .publishDate { visibility: hidden; }#most-viewed-title {font-size: 13px; font-family:"Times New Roman",Georgia,Serif ;padding-right: 8px; padding-left: 2px; border-right: 1px solid #000000;}#most-emailed-title {font-size: 13px; font-family:"Times New Roman",Georgia,Serif; padding-left: 10px;padding-right: 8px; }ul.feedMasherList span { display: inline; }.memailed, .mviewed { margin-left: -1px; margin-top: -14px; }.mviewed .feedMasherList li a { font-size: 15px; }.memailed .feedMasherList li a { font-size: 15px; }.feedSourcetitle { color: #9F9F9F; font-size: 11px; font-style: italic; }.featurePromo noHeadlineBGImage mviewed for1 .feedMasherList li a { font-size: 13px; }ul.tabModule li { padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; text-align: center; }ul.tabModule li:hover { text-decoration: none; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; text-align: center; }.latest-article ul.feedMasherList li a { font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; }.latest-article ul.feedMasherList span { font-size: 12px; display: inline; color: #9f9f9f; font-weight: normal; }.latest-article .rssHeader { display: none; }.latest-article ul { margin-left: 6px; }.latest-body { border-left: 1px solid #979595; border-right: 1px solid #979595; }.latest-header { background-image:url("http://www.latimes.com/media/alternatethumbnails/blurb/2009-10/49851075-14114117.jpg"); background-repeat: no-repeat; color: #ffffff; font-weight: bold; font-size: 20px; padding: 6px; width: 336px; } .latest-footer { background-image:url("http://www.latimes.com/media/thumbnails/blurb/2009-10/49851075-14114117.jpg"); background-repeat:no-repeat;color: #ffffff; font-weight: bold; padding: 1px 4px 4px 0px; text-align: right; margin-top: -30px; } #latest-big { font-size: 18px; text-transform: uppercase; width: 336px; }#latest-small { font-size: 12px; text-transform: uppercase; padding-bottom: 2px; font-weight: normal; }The Latest | news as it happens 
Baseball card collection in search of its owner - The Fabulous Forum 10/06/2010, 7:35 p.m. Lisa Rinna and Harry Hamlin get a little lip service from an etiquette expert - Ministry of Gossip 10/06/2010, 7:25 p.m. L.A. police commissioner's role questioned in domestic abuse case - L.A. Now 10/06/2010, 6:34 p.m. Theater review: 'La Victima' at the Los Angeles Theatre Center - Culture Monster 10/06/2010, 6:31 p.m. California condor population hits 100 - Greenspace 10/06/2010, 6:12 p.m. 
RSS »
Twitter »
Facebook »
NEW iPhone app »Mobile »
Events »
Kindle »
Sub-scribe »
E-Edition »
News-letters »
Receive news alerts on your mobile phone.Mobile Phone (required)
BREAKING - Breaking news alerts
ENTERTAINMENT - Hollywood news and buzz
OFFERS & DEALS - Coupons, sales and specials
SPORTS - Alerts and scores
BUSINESS - Market numbers and trends
Most Viewed Most Commented New England trades Randy Moss to Minnesota for third-round draft pick Whittier hopes to profit from oil from land preserved with taxpayer funds An unfortunate state of college football resides in New Mexico Phillies' Roy Halladay throws no-hitter in 4-0 playoff victory over Reds Obama awards Medal of Honor to Green Beret who died in Afghanistan Report critical of government response to gulf oil spill U.S. apologizes to Pakistan for NATO attack that led to shutdown of key border crossing into Afghanistan FTC targets environmental claims in ads, packaging Justices appear set to limit funeral protests A noisy workplace doubles the risk of heart disease
Housekeeper issue casts Whitman as hypocrite (250 comments) Concerned citizen helps free kidnapped Fresno girl (211 comments) 199 L.A. County workers made at least $250,000 last year (173 comments) Donations to Whitman undercut her no-special-interests claim (166 comments) Marijuana's health effects (148 comments) U.S. jobs continue to flow overseas (131 comments) Boxer for U.S. Senate (119 comments) Latinos not enthusiastic but likely to vote Democratic, survey says (112 comments) Grasping for a shred of hope as the reality of poverty sets in (111 comments) Proposition 19 backer is committed to his cause (95 comments) Vegas' Future »
Smartphones are already making the Strip easier to negotiate for visitors, and more innovations are on the way. Upload your Vegas photos The Find: Dat Thanh »
The 4-month-old restaurant's spring rolls compare favorably to Brodard's. Photos 
Enjoy more stories like this for only $1 a week. Click here to order The Times. 
Home of the Week: Encino "Entourage" house 
Who was that mustachioed Mexican giant? 
Oklahoma National Stock Yards turn 100 
For parents of war dead, the combat doesn't end 
Brookledge, Hancock Park's magical home More spotlights... Horoscopes LATMG Media Kit Events About Us Site Map Contact Us | Help 
Coastline Pilot Daily Pilot Huntington Beach Independent Valley Sun Burbank Leader News Press KTLA Hoy Brand X LA, Los Angeles Times Magazine ZAP2it Baltimore Sun Chicago Tribune Daily Press Hartford Courant Los Angeles Times Orlando Sentinel Sun Sentinel The Morning Call 
No comments:
Post a Comment