LOCAL FAMILIES/FRIENDS HARMED BY 3-COUNCIL MAJORITY

20081018_112005_SV19-TRASH1
Originally uploaded by Stop Athens

The San Gabriel Valley Tribune (and Whittier Daily News) lead with this story showing how much damage Vasquez, Urteaga, and Salazar are doing to Montebello.

This isn't just about the residents being overcharged...they are.

This isn't just about corruption on our city council...it is.

This is also about real people...our friends and neighbors...being put out of business because three council members sold us out.

TRASH TRADITIONS
Armenians' ties to trash hauling are deep-rooted
By Amanda Baumfeld, Staff Writer
Published: 10/19/2008

MONTEBELLO - For a portion of the Armenian community, trash hauling is a serious family business with deep roots in the past.

Most of the city's independent haulers took over rubbish and trash yards that their ancestors started when they migrated to the city more than 100 years ago.

Their roots and their ties to family and employees run deep.

Many of these men and women attended Montebello High School. They attend church in the city, eat at local restaurants. And, most importantly, they pick up trash....
(read full article)

URTEAGA'S FELONY CONVICTION HITS THE NEWS

Urteaga admits to wrongdoing in San Gabriel Valley Tribune, and justifies the behavior as a youthful indiscretion.

SORRY, BUT STEALING MONEY AND FORGING CHECKS IS ABOUT CHARACTER AND YOU DON'T HAVE ANY MR. URTEAGA!

He also fails to acknowledge the harm he's done to Montebello and its residents. This guy just doesn't get it.

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San Gabriel Valley Tribune

Montebello trash fight reveals councilman's criminal record

By Amanda Baumfeld, Staff Writer
Article Launched: 10/15/2008 10:12:15 PM PDT

• PDF: Urteaga court documents

MONTEBELLO - A fight over a trash contract turned to mud slinging when a group opposed to the plan put materials from a City Councilman's criminal record on the Internet.

In 1998, Councilman Robert Urteaga pleaded no contest to grand theft of personal property totalling $30,000, according to court documents...

Thank you SGVT!

www.stopathens.com has made it to the Leftovers from City Hall blog.

In turn, we must point out that Leftovers from City Hall is a terrific site you need to bookmark if you haven't yet.

The San Gabriel Valley is a spider's web of connections among politicians and their special interest friends. Leftovers from City Hall helps shine light into this "network of corruption" and gives you an insiders peek at what's going on.

We've been a big fan.

SGVT Article: Montebello Postpones Trash Decision

The San Gabriel Valley Tribune Reports on the "spit-in-the-face of residents" council meeting held this past Wednesday.

Highlights:

• Rosie Vasquez seconds a motion before Salazar gets to utter the words (the deal was made)




• Athens representative lies about their wonderful MRF and their services while the SVGTribune article is passed around telling of the $18M lawsuit against Athens by AQMD for numerous health, safety and odor violations




• Athens brings employees to meeting, take all the seats, and force real Montebello Residents to sit in the hallway (smart move)

Montebello postpones trash decision

By Amanda Baumfeld, Staff Writer
October 10, 2008

(Watchara Phomicinda / Staff Photographer)

MONTEBELLO - In front of hundreds of protesting residents, the City Council on Wednesday postponed a decision to let voters decide who takes out the trash in Montebello's commercial areas.