Recall Proponents Submit Over 4,500 Signatures

Lynwood, CA - Recall proponents submitted over 4,500 signatures today to recall Louis Byrd, and Fernando Pedroza, who have recently been charged with misappropriating over $100,000 dollars each. The recall signatures also include Leticia Vazquez and Alfreddie Johnson.

Lynwood Case Shows Need for Local Vigilance

Lynwood, CA - Barnstablepatriot.com critiques the Lynwood case, and highlights need for local vigilance.

Read story here.

Byrd, Pedroza, and Three Former Councilmembers Charged with Misappropriating More than $100,000 in Taxpayer Money

Lynwood, CA - Current Mayor Louis Byrd, and Mayor Pro Tem Fernando Pedroza are chaged with misuse of public funds. Some of the charges include trips, and in the case of Pedroza, a session with exotic dancers.

Former Councilmembers Armando Rea, Arturo Reyes, and Ricardo Sanchez will also be prosecuted. If convicted, they face 6 years in state prison.

Read press release by DA

Los Angeles Times

CBS2

N. Enrique Martinez Declines to comment on charges

Read La Opinion

View arrest details (from Sheriff's website)

Report Clears Enrique Martinez

Lynwood, CA - Local newspaper reports that a report made public by the City clears former City Manager, making Pedroza's accussations of embezzlement false.

Read story here.

Redlands Hires Martinez as City Manager

Lynwood, CA - The City of Redlands has hired N. Enrique Martinez, who's on administrative leave in Lynwood as city manager.

Read story here.

Recall Proponents Exceed 2,000 Signature Threshold

Lynwood, CA – Hoyinternet.com reports that recall proponents have exceeded the 2,000 signature threshold. Proponents intent to collect 5,000 signatures.

Read story here.

Beltran and Leal have made a small fortune representing scandal-plagued cities

Lynwood, CA - Story in LA Weekly discusses Arnoldo Beltran and Francisco Leal's reputation for being influential advisers to many small cities plagued with corruption.

Read story here.

Planning Commission Chair Victor Gomez Lies About Residency

Lynwood, CA – Victor Gomez, currently the chair for the Planning Commission, and appointed by current Mayor Pro Tem Fernando Pedroza, has deceived Lynwood residents and fellow commissioners in believing he lives in Lynwood. Public records show that Gomez sold his house in Lynwood on October 2006. Instead of resigning as chair of the Planning Commissioner, Gomez has continued to affirm residency at 10929 Wright Road.

Each commissioner must follow the following codes

1) Must be resident of the City – not holding a position for which the City pays compensation

2) Commissioner maybe removed at any time by the Mayor without cause

4) Three (3) absences within a twelve (12) month period shall constitute a vacating of the position.


View public record.

Fire at City Clerk's Office

Lynwood, CA – Firefighters rushed to City Hall the afternoon of Thursday, February 22, 2007 to extinguish a fire that erupted at the City Clerk’s Office. City workers were evacuated as a preventive measure.

Color Matching Not Important for Lynwood Crews

Lynwood, CA - Color matching is not important for City crews when covering graffitti.

California Governor Criticizes Plaza Mexico

Lynwood, CA - California Governor, who started his campaign, amongst others, with council member Leticia Vasquez, and School Board member Maria Lopez in Lynwood, criticized Plaza Mexico to illustrate his point about immigrants lack of assimilation.

At one point, to illustrate immigrants’ lack of assimilation, he described a shopping mall in Lynwood called Plaza Mexico.

“Literally I felt I was in Mexico City,” he said. “Everyone only spoke Spanish, every shop was in Spanish, every sign was in Spanish. They create a Mexico within California.”

Read Story Here.

Montebello City Council Selects Beltran As City Attorney

Lynwood, CA - The Montebello City Council voted 3-2 to hire Lynwood's City Attorney Arnoldo Beltran as their City Attorney.

Read Story Here.

Recall Led by Residents

Lynwood, CA - Local newspaper reports that the recall effort is headed by 30 volunteers. Recall proponents must gather 3,418 signatures for each member.


Read story here.

City Manager Placed on Administrative Leave

Lynwood, CA - The Lynwood City Council placed City Manager N. Enrique Martinez on a 30 day paid leave.

Taking Homes for Lynwood Promenade May be Illegal

Lynwood, CA - Los Angeles Times article indicates Lynwood was wrong to consider a redevelopment plan with a football stadium, and that it may be illegal to take private property for reasons of economic development .

Read story from the LATimes.

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City Manager to be Discussed in Closed Session

Lynwood, CA – During the council meeting held January 2, 2007, two people allegedly tied to Imperial Partners, inc asked for the City Manager’s resignation. On a move that many consider an attempt to disarm opponents of the Lynwood Promenade, the Lynwood City Council has placed the position of City Manager in the agenda for the next council meeting which will be held January 16, 2006. Historically, when the position of City Manager has been placed in closed session agenda, a new City Manager is appointed.

It is alleged that Byrd, Johnson, and Pedroza want to fire Martinez because of his inability to move [their] projects forward. Critics argue that a new City Manager, more attuned to the new majority will move the Lynwood Promenade, and other projects onward.

See agenda here.

Economic Difference of Imperial Partners Project Questioned

Lynwood, CA - Joel Kotkin, author and commetator on urban issues is
quoted in the Los Angeles Times as questioning the economic difference
of Imperial Partner's proposal because the sport is seasonal. Kotkin
also admonishes that the project is an "awful big big development for a
small town".


Read story in the Los Angeles Times.

Requires subscription.

Caroon submitted by "monero"

City's Response to Lynwood Promenade, LLC

Lynwood, CA - Click here to view City's response to Lynwood Promenade LLC.

Mailer Alleges Superintendent Resignation

Lynwood, CA - An underground mailer was sent to Lynwood residents alleging that the Superintendent has submitted his resignation. This mailer marks the beginning of 2007 campaign.