POLITICAL LIFE & SPORTS OPINION THE WEEKLY BEAT ARTS & CULTURE STRAIT ON Eagle golfer makes Historic Russian Larry Bowles knows Internal flight to Whittier Paramount plane landing where the bodies communica- gets paid are buried tion failures while best and delay budget brightest leave adoption Soboba youth visit California the mile-high city A2 B1 B2 C1 C5 D1 Thursday, July 20, 2017 VOL XVI EDITION 29 www.thevalleychronicle.com 50 cents (including tax) Death at Ai Spa – CPRA update ■ MELISSA DIAZ release even a redacted police was not able to obtain even HERNANDEZ report? a redacted police report, the REPORTER The Valley Chronicle re- Hemet Police Department quested the police report disclosed the existence of a The death of a retired water multiple times for the inci- coroner’s report on Oct. 11, department employee inside dent which occurred on Feb. 2016 in its response to our a local massage parlor has 4, 2016 at 301 E. Florida Ave., Sept 28, 2016 CPRA. The raised more questions that only to have it denied. It was death occurred in February it has answered. The Hemet one of many requests made 2016 and the name of the Police Department has yet through the California Pub- man was not released until to release even a redacted lic Records Act (CPRA). The this request. version of the police report newspaper has filed a lawsuit The response states the to the public – adding to the against the City of Hemet for following: “Please note this lengthy list of denied public failing to release public records current CPRA appears to be record requests. The Valley regarding the expenditure of a duplicate of a previous re- Chronicle has, however, re- taxpayer money in the defense quest which the department ceived the Coroner’s Packet of Dep. Chief Charles “Rob” received from you on July 12, from the coroner and the fire Webb in the wrongful death 2016. Accordingly, we will incident report from Hemet lawsuit filed by the family of provide you with the follow- Fire Department. Why does Anthony Norman. the city persist in refusing to Although the newspaper 4SEE AI SPA ON A-3 Photo by Mary Ann Morris/The Valley Chronicle The information provided by the city has only led to more questions – questions that remain unan- Ai Spa timeline by Mary Ann Morris/Editor swered. The refusal to provide further information on behalf of the city is concerning. The massage parlor advertised on backpage.com, a known site for sex trafficking. If AMR responded faster, Feb. 4, 2016 – 301 E. Florida Ave, Ste. E, Hemet would the man’s life have been saved? What caused the response time lag from AMR? 2:10 p.m. 2:16 p.m. 2:19 p.m. 2:37 p.m. 2:43:24 p.m. 2:43:44 p.m. 3:26 p.m. 4:02 p.m. 7:06 p.m. 10:32 p.m. 10:46 p.m. 11:10 p.m. HFD & AMR HFD Engine 2 HPD dispatched Paramedic AMR arrives on AMR cleared Scene is cleared Coroner notified Coroner called HPD personnel Coroner re- Coroner arrives dispatched to arrives at Ai Spa. to Ai Spa – pronounces scene (33 min- and released (20 by HFD – last by Purcell to and asked when called coroner’s sponds from the on scene and Ai Spa unresponsive unresponsive utes after being seconds after unit cleared report suspi- scene would be office and said Perris station meets with male in massage male dead. dispatched) arrival) cious death. released. Purcell they were ready Purcell. room. (Why 90-minute said massage to process scene lag from time employee spoke and body. of death to only Mandarin notification of Chinese and was coroner?) – said waiting for an search warrant RSO deputy to was being ob- translate. Purcell tained and would said two to three Photo by Mary Ann Morris notify coroner more hours be- when scene was fore scene would cleared for ar- be released. City of Hemet rival. (No search warrant was ever City of Hemet facebook/hemetpolicedeparftment City of Hemet www.amr.net obtained). Former MSJC professor agrees to Councilwoman calls the CoH’s $5,000 fine and mandatory college investments into question course in lieu of racist remarks ■ KYLE SELBY ■ MELISSA DIAZ HERNANDEZ for a few years – like you [City was the creation of an ad-hoc REPORTER REPORTER Manager Alex Meyerhoff] to committee consisting of Mayor bring us maybe three different Linda Krupa, Councilwoman In February, an Airbnb host – Ever since Councilwoman Karlee professional investors that have Karlee Meyer, the finance direc- and former Mt. San Jacinto Col- Meyer has taken her seat at the gone over our portfolio and can tor [formerly Jessica Hurst; ad- lege professor – cancelled on an dais, she has contested the city’s speak on them. ministrative services consultant Asian-American guest just minutes investment portfolio, stating mul- “I would like this to be part of Joy Canfield is now in this role] before she made it to her Running tiple times that the city’s return the work study, especially as we and City Treasurer Judith Olt- Springs destination, followed by a should be higher. As recently as are budgeting,” she continued. man. No professional investors slew of anti-Asian remarks. Photos by Kyle Selby/The Valley Chronicle the June 27 Hemet City Council “I have been told that we can get were present. Now, according to officials with Mt. San Jacinto College ESL instructor meeting during the discussion of more money and have less risk. Krupa suggested an ad-hoc the California Department of Fair wrote “One word says it all. Asian,” to an future agenda items, Meyer made If we need another $100,000 or committee after admitting that Employment and Housing (DFEH), Asian-American guest as she abruptly yet another comment. two, it would be well worth it.” some things needed to be re- Tami Barker Sutter has agreed to pay canceled her vacation reservations in “On the investment work A work study was held on July worked. City Attorney Eric Vail a $5,000 fine in damages for racial Running Springs, California. study,” began Meyer, “I would – 11 prior to the regularly scheduled commented that council may discrimination and must attend a besides the fact that we need to council meeting to discuss the want to create a standing com- college course in Asian-American Dyne Suh six months ago. Suh, a improve our investment policy city’s investment portfolio. The studies. 25-year-old law student in River- because we have not done that result of the half-hour meeting 4SEE COH INVESTMENTS ON A-6 “One word says it all. Asian,” wrote Barker in a message exchange with 4SEE AIRBNB ON A-3 CITY OF HEMET PORTFOLIO SUMMARY Investments Book Value Certificates of Deposit $743,000.00 Managed Pool Accounts $20,474,234.76 Passbook/Checking $11,288,939.13 Accounts Local Government $13,635,992.83 Bonds Medium Term Notes $8,038,724.05 Federal Agency Issues - $5,693,000.00 Coupon Negotiable CDs $5,477,000.00 Total $65,350,890.77 Data from City of Hemet This chart summarizes how the City of Hemet invests its money. A2 POLITICAL July 20 - 26, 2017 www.thevalleychronicle.com Internal communication failures delay budget adoption Incomplete Strategic Plan creates friction within council ■ MELISSA DIAZ en more information than Mayor Linda Krupa and CoH HERNANDEZ I asked for.” Meyerhoff stated that the REPORTER Meyer reiterated her strategic planning meeting strategic frustration with Meyer- will happen in August, af- Certain Hemet developments A heated budget debate at hoff, stating “you let our ter the anticipated budget planning the dais revealed frustra- department heads sit out adoption. Krupa com- will continue to pay special tions over the city’s inter- there and listen to what we mented that a consultant meetings nal communication issues, wanted. Were they asked should be hired to lead the public safety tax resulting in postponement for them [financial data] session. However, Perciful since 2011 of the adoption of the FY or were they not?” and Meyer both objected, ■ MELISSA DIAZ of a special tax for the 2017-18 budget. Obtain- The City Council Agenda asking why we should hire ■ MELISSA DIAZ HERNANDEZ following developments: ing departmental numbers item 23 states: “Continu- someone when city leader- HERNANDEZ REPORTER Frey Peppertree, McSwee- has proved challenging as ing Resolution for Fiscal ship knows the city more REPORTER ny Farms, Stetson Ranch, several council members Year 2016-17 or Budget than a consultant? The Hemet City Council The Enclave, Willowalk, have requested numbers Resolution for Fiscal Year Krupa stated that the city Jan 29-30, 2011, Simp- unanimously renewed a Autumn Ridge, Provence, for several weeks. 2017-18 - City Manager has tried having the city son Park Meeting fa- 2005 Resolution July 11, Centex Homes, Emerson Councilwoman Kar- Meyerhoff manager complete this task cility which authorizes the levy Ranch, Tres Cerritos, Vil- lee Meyer very candidly a. Adopt a continuing in the past and it has not Attendees: Jim Fore- of a special tax in Commu- la de Madrid and Rancho expressed her frustration resolution for items adopt- worked out, after stating, man, Linda Krupa, Larry nity Facilities District No. Diamante. about not receiving the ed in the Fiscal Year 2016- “We may not need a con- Smith, Robert Youssef, 2005-1 for public safety. The base year special tax financial data. “I received 17 Budget, the Measure U sultant to tell us what to do Jerry Franchville The agenda item was not was set at $269 per devel- your [City Manager Alex Allocation for Fiscal Year but I definitely suggest a Synopsis: Then-City pulled for comment or oped single-family resi- Meyerhoff] email today 2017-18, and the costs of facilitator.” She mentioned Manager Brian Nakamu- questions by anyone from dence, $217 per developed with some encumbrances the new Memorandums that she knew some people ra addressed goal setting the public, multi-fami- on there.