Joe Arnett

The FBI is investigating fraud, bribery and money laundering, to mention just a few of the alleged charges, which still loom.

Instead Mayor Morris, the head of both agencies that oversee the development of the airport and the puppet master controlling Councilmen Shorett and Van Johnson, is an apologist for Spencer and his criminal past. They had full knowledge of Mr. Spencer's FAA ban and his past bankruptcy filings, where he was involved in previous aviation projects, which were plagued by the same corruption issues San Bernardino now faces.

San Bernardino taxpayers can kiss their money goodbye.

I understand giving someone a second chance. However, I wouldn't have done it with millions of taxpayer dollars on the line, potentially thousands of new jobs at stake, and San Bernardino's hope for revitalization.

It's irresponsible of elected leadership to take this type of cavalier attitude and relaxed oversight when so much rests on their decisions. The FBI doesn't raid your business if there isn't justifiable cause.

What ever happened to elected leaders' leadership? It can make one assume they simply do not care about resident taxpayers, and the things that concern us. This is why we should recall Morris, Shorett and Van Johnson!

JOE ARNETT
San Bernardino

• Joe Arnett

  Matt B.: "ingorant" is not a word. I hold a master degree and venture to say I am more learned on the subject that you. I don't just flap my jaws, and I have skin in the game as you mention. You are correct, the city doesn't own the airport, but both boards overseeing the development have San Bernardino's Mayor at the head. I guess it is not illegal to hire convicts, but Morris' actions have not delivered positive results. Actions have consequences.
  
  John R.: It's your right to discount the seriousness of the charges on its face because of the 'alleged' nature. I do not. However, regardless of the alledged nature, the facts remain. The city of Highland lost a $10 million dollar grant to widen 5th street from the 210 to Del Rosa because the DOT doesn't believe "the project" will meet its intended goal, costing our communities 300...See More

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   · December 21 at 4:52pm

   

   
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  Steve Desrochers ·  Top Commenter · Police Officer at San Bernardino Police Department

  Matt, you're being rude. It really doesn't matter that the "funds" come out of the cities General Fund. What matters is that the money is controlled by the boards overseeing the development of the airport. I believe the funds are pooled from the cities that make up the board and is spent only with the boards approval. 
  
  The point I think Mr. Arnett is making is that Shorett, Van Johnson and Morris represented the voters of San Bernardino when Spencer was hired, or at some critical point in the process. They had full knowledge of his "record" and the fact that he had been banned by the FAA, prior to hiring him. Good judgement is one important factor that the voters expect when they elect a representative, isn't it? 
  
  There was no good judgement exercised by any member of the boards that voted to hire Spencer, and its likely that ...See More

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   · December 21 at 8:36am

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    Draymond Crawford · San bernardino valley college

    Well Steve, your points are valid, but did this same citizen stand up against the special election that the Mayor wanted a few months ago? and how much would a recall effort cost the city if enough sig could be mustered? Are we just justifing what special groups want or truly looking out for the welfare of the city and the bottom line. Mr. Shorett is up for election next and the voters for that ward can make their voices heard, and Rikkie has already stated he will not seek another term. So does it best serve to keep the antics of left vs right for it will not undo anything that has occured already. The voters in the 3rd ward had their say and went a different direction, so why not let the process work the way it was intended without creating more cost for the city.

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     · December 21 at 10:54am

     

     
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    Steve Desrochers ·  Top Commenter · Police Officer at San Bernardino Police Department

    Draymond Crawford- I can't say for sure, but i'm almost certain that Mr. Arnett did, in fact stand against the "special election" (waste of taxpayer $$$) that was proposed, probably both of them. I do not know the costs for a special election, but i'm guessing it might amount to less than what was donated to Mr. Spencer, with the approval of the boards.
    
    For me, looking out for the welfare of the City is of primary importance and we should all band together for that purpose. 
    
    Shorett is up for consideration again...in 2 more years...and there's no telling what might transpire in that amount of time. No telling how much revenue might be poured out of the taxpayer trough on "great" programs that allow the wheels of the city to sink further into the mud. "For the good of the city" might be the cry, but will it (in the long run) wo...See More

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     · December 21 at 2:24pm

     

     

   
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  Matt Bailey · San Bernardino, California

  Why does San Bernardino have so many angry, old, ingorant, and uneducated folks who are always flapping their jaws in the wind without knowing the first bit about what they are talking about? It's almost like they are anxious to show the world how stupid they are. And this guy wants to run for City Council again? Yup the name of the airport has the word San Bernardino in it..but the city does not own it. The Airport is not paid for from the City of San Bernardino General Fund..and then the Sun further propagates it by printing it..Recalls do have to actually involve the city.

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   · December 20 at 9:10pm

   

   
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  John Roberts · Mt. San Jacinto College

  Well there are at least three words you wrote that made sense: "the alleged charges." In the good ole US of A, which includes San Bernardino, all are presumed innocent until proven guilty, in a court of law. Something else you wrote was that "The FBI doesn't raid your business if there isn't justifiable cause." Not always. Could be even the possibility of fraud not even a probability. Yes they raided the home of Spencer, and even at least one family member. 
  
  But not of the home or office of the Mayor of San Bernardino, Pat Morris. If they had evidence, they could have sure as heck gotten a search warrant. Penman said to several people that he was going to start a recall of Morris and Shorett in January. Now Rikke Van Johnson has been added to the list. Why not throw in Virginia Marquez for good measure? Just couldn't wait to start the ball rolling downhill before 2012. Can you imagine the the potential for election fraud if Amelia Sanchez Lopez is the City Clerk? Merry Christmas to all. And to all a dang nightmare. God save San Bernardino.

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   · December 21 at 1:27am