We are less than two months away from Campaign Season 2011. More important, the big fights will come in about one year. That's why I thought it important pull up this old Press-Enterprise article (below). The thing that Dan Lee couldn't say (and keep his job) was that the $300,000 that Ieedo put into the front organzation. "Moreno Valley Taxpayers Association," was used in one of the most ugly and legally questionable smear campaigns since Carl Rove. It is estimated that only $10,000 were actually used to unseat White and 30,000 to unseat West who had stood up to the "developer" and "Israeli Ex. Pat." Ieedo Benzeevi in public session. The rest was easily channeled to other campaigns to skirt Campaign Finance laws and then the majority back to Benzeevi who probably got the tax write off anyway. Further, it is rumoured that Ieedo Benzeevi is on a "Home Land Security" watch list. Hmmmm!
For those that don't remember Carl Rove, the brain (God knows Bush needed one) and executioner for the George W. Bushees run for the RNC nomination for the Presidency in 2000. Rove who dodged Vietnam, thus the name "Chicken Hawk" accused an actual veteran, John McCain of being dishonest and dishonorable in serving his country (Remember the "Sift Boat" Veterans ad?). Utter bullshit and the prelude for Bushes entire presidency. McCain of course was a Vietnam Vet who spent many years as a POW, tortured regularly by his captors, and who came home via a prisoner exchange.
On the local Moreno Valley Front:
Beware conflicts of interest among newcomers, departing Moreno Valley councilman says
MORENO VALLEY - A departing city councilman expressed concern Tuesday about the influence that development ()and real estate interests might have on the council in light of this month's election.
Charles White , who was defeated in his re-election bid Nov. 4, noted that developer (and Israeli Ex. Pat.) Iddo Benzeevi and real estate broker Jerry Stephens donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to the Moreno Valley Taxpayers Association. The group, which is headed by city Planning Commissioner Michael Geller, campaigned strongly against White and Councilman Frank West.
"Because of developer and real estate broker relationships with the planning commissioner and council (and now the school board), I am concerned that money has taken control of our city," White said at the end of Tuesday's council meeting. "I believe conflicts of interest do exist."
Conflicts of interest, illegal campaign financing, threats and arson... the list of accusations goes on. I want to know is it true the now nearly bankrupt developer and Israeli Ex. Pat., Iddo Benzeevi is on a Homeland Security Watch List? Really? More will be revealed this time next year. I predict a surprisingly well-funded resurrection of the MPA a racist organization that never really went away and of course Vickie E. Baca or one of her (31 known alias.)
The background story continues below
"I think we can be collectively proud of what we have been able to accomplish together over the past 12 years," Flickinger said after White spoke.
The Moreno Valley Taxpayers Association sent out a barrage of mailers to voters before the election, saying White and West had failed to stop crime and traffic from increasing.
The councilmen said they were targeted because White had opposed naming eastern Moreno Valley "Rancho Belago" -- which Benzeevi had supported -- and West opposed Benzeevi's plans to build distribution centers there.
Geller said White was merely bitter about being defeated. The planning commissioner also disputed the notion that Benzeevi and Stephens might have undue influence at City Hall with the election of two new council members.
"Ultimately Jesse and Robin are going to make their own decisions," Geller said by phone Wednesday. "Anyone who thinks otherwise hasn't talked with them."
During the campaign, Hastings and Molina said they would act independently of Geller, Benzeevi and Stephens.
Geller, who is also a local attorney, also said he does not have any conflicts of interest. He said he personally has never taken any money from Benzeevi and does not take a salary from the taxpayers association. Geller added that he abstains from voting when Stephens' projects come before the planning commission, because he has done legal work for Stephens.
Benzeevi said he had the highest respect and admiration for White's dedicated service to the city and expressed hope that the councilman would continue to remain involved in the community. "I wish him all the best," the developer said by phone. He declined to respond further to White's comments about his potential influence at City Hall. Stephens did not return a phone call seeking comment Wednesday.
White also brought up the issue of Molina's campaign signs, which said, "Elect Jesse Molina, He's One of Us." He said he thought that was a reference to Molina's Latino background.
"I thought, 'What would have been the reaction if my signs had read, 'Vote Right, Vote White'?" White said. "We do not need racism in our city elections ... Hopefully, we have seen the last of it."
Molina, White's successor, attended Tuesday's council meeting and said the "He's One of Us" slogan was not meant to imply anything racial. It was meant to convey that he was part of the working class, he said.
"It's sad to think people felt that way," Molina said after the meeting. "I wish he could have taken it another way."
"I thought, 'What would have been the reaction if my signs had read, 'Vote Right, Vote White'?" White said. "We do not need racism in our city elections ... Hopefully, we have seen the last of it."
Molina, White's successor, attended Tuesday's council meeting and said the "He's One of Us" slogan was not meant to imply anything racial. It was meant to convey that he was part of the working class, he said.
"It's sad to think people felt that way," Molina said after the meeting. "I wish he could have taken it another way."
Meanwhile, candidate Mike Rios, who finished second in the 3rd District behind Hastings and ahead of West, told the council that he plans to remain active in city issues, vowing to fight proposals to build warehouses in eastern Moreno Valley and "special interests" like Benzeevi and Stephens, and starting his own city watchdog organization.
"Mike Rios is not going away, so get used to my face, because I'm not leaving," Rios said. "I will not rest until I give this city back to the people of Moreno Valley ... This is Round One. I've still got 11 rounds to go, and I will take that championship belt from Iddo Benzeevi."
Benzeevi said he appreciated everyone's participation in community affairs.
West did not make any departing remarks at the end of the meeting.
Benzeevi said he appreciated everyone's participation in community affairs.
West did not make any departing remarks at the end of the meeting.
"(White) did a very dramatic and moving statement that should stand alone," he said afterward.
Reach Dan Lee at 951-763-3457 or dlee@PE.com
Reach Dan Lee at 951-763-3457 or dlee@PE.com
The prospects for healthcare reform may be chillier than DC weather, but Democrats in the House and Senate are turning their attention to another warmer but still significant national issue: the increasing number of runaway and throwaway youth who are being forced into prostitution. In response to the growing concerns that desperate, runaway teens will be forced into prostitution in a sluggish economy, Congress is pushing several bills to improve how runaway kids are tracked by the police, fund crucial social services, and prevent teens from being caught in sex trafficking. Here's the gist of what the new legislation is trying to accomplish:
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