TThhee COLTON COURIERWeeklyIECN Weekly.com .com Vol 139, NO. 27 Features, Lifestyle & News You Can Use! December 16, 2010 Lifelong resident THISWEEK In loving memory of Ray Abril Jr. passes at 56 Colton,” Ray was born on June 5, 1932, in the home his father Ray Abril Sr. built on N. Street and where Ray Jr. and Hortensia raised their six children and lived to know 19 grandchildren and most of their now 29 great grandchil- dren, eight of whom where born in 2010. Ray attended what is now Wilson Elementary School and graduated from Colton High School in 1950 ALR Chapter 777 and went on to serve in the Navy. Veterans For most of his professional life Toy Drive Ray was a steelworker but also went on to work for the San A13 Bernardino County Coroner. Publicly, what he will most be remembered for however, are his Colton firefighters 28 years of service on the Colton take students on Joint Unified School District Board, and for being a man who shopping spree RANDY MOSS spoke his mind and earned a lot of AUG. 30, 1954 - DEC. 2, 2010 A3 genuine love and respect across political lines. ifelong Colton resident, Prompted to get involved when Randy Moss, died peaceful- Devore animal his eldest son encountered some Lly on Dec. 2, 2010, at difficulties at Colton High School, Arrowhead Regional Medical. shelter under Ray became very passionate about Randy graduated from Colton High intense scrutiny ensuring that not just his own chil- School in 1972 and worked for dren but that all students received Canyon Ridge Construction A6 RAY ABRIL JR. the best education possible. Company in Colton. JUNE 5, 1932 – DECEMBER 14, 2010 Thus began a long journey of ser- He is survived by his grandmother A beloved father, grandfather and mentor, Ray will be deeply vice that in 2009 merited the nam- Leslie Goldrick, brother Mark Moss missed by his community. ing of the Grand Terrace High and sister Kelley Karanz. School campus after him, the Ray A memorial service held in By Cynthia Mendoza ly. Abril Jr. Educational Complex. Randy’s honor will take place on On Tuesday, Dec. 14 at 12:20 “He gave all six of his children Dec. 17, 2010, from 12 p.m. - 3 p.m. n every generation or two, a.m., Ray Abril Jr., passed away and some of his grandchildren at the VFW Post 6476, located at or even three, there is one due to illness related complica- their high school diplomas,” said 1789 N. 8th St. Private interment at life that stands above the tions. He was 78. He was preceded his daughter Melinda Medina. “He Montecito Cemetery. I in death by his wife of what would rest and makes an indelible, wanted to ensure we got the best He will be deeply missed by his irreplaceable mark in the lives have been 55 years of marriage in education.” family and friends. of all who know them, and Ray 2010, Hortensia, who passed away Some of the community’s well- Abril Jr. was this man both in in September 2008. City contends Known as “the godfather of Ray, Musical talents the community and in his fami- cont. on next page no action taken to showcased during fundraiser Colton High clinches first CIF Title win in 32 years lay off employees A5 42-41 win last week to earn a trip to the title game. Colton (11-3) came into the game INSIDE knowing they would need to keep ONE SECTION, 28 PAGES Rancho Verde’s talented offense off the field and Tyler Ervin helped Classifieds A15 accomplish that with his 42 carries Hollywood Gossip A13 for 168 yards. Horoscope A14 After a 7-3 lead before half time the Mustangs tried to rally in the Legal Notices A16 second half but quarterback Travis s is well known, the City Champion was intercepted twice Library column A12 of Colton has severe and by safety Hastens Roberts and Movie Showtimes A14 long term fiscal issues that linebacker Devan Hussey. A need to be resolved soon, including Opinion A4 Thanks to Ervin’s rushing and a a real budget shortfall in excess of Service Dir. A10-11 stellar defensive performance, the $5 million for the fiscal year begin- Yellowjackets beat the undefeated Sports A28 ning July 1, 2011. To this end, the Mustangs 17-7 to win the southern City has been meeting in good faith HOW TO REACH US section CIF title. HOW TO REACH US for many months with its various For new CHS Colton High Inland Empire employee unions to discuss new Football Coach Mike Bray, the win Community Newspapers salary and benefit terms needed to was amazing and a testament to help resolve these issues. Office: (909) 381-9898 the team’s hard work all year. IECN PHOTO COURTESY COLTON HIGH SCHOOL The City Council respects its Fax: (909) 384-0406 “I’m coming off my high,” he Congratulations, Colton Yellowjackets! On Friday, Dec. 10, the employee rights and believes it is Editorial: [email protected] said on Tuesday night about the Colton High Yellowjackets won their first CIF title in 32 years. They important that these negotiations Advertising: [email protected] elation and joy at winning such a occur confidentially between it and beat the Rancho Verde Mustangs (Moreno Valley) 17-7. prestigious title. “It was awesome FREE CLASSIFIED ADS the unions. Therefore, the City to watch.” SELL YOUR CAR AT ANY game was 17-7 against Rancho Council will not respond in like By Cynthia Mendoza & Bray credits strong team and PRICE Verde High Mustangs from fashion by conducting its negotia- , OR ANY ONE Richard Dawson coaching staff loyalty to making Moreno Valley. tions through the media or its web- ITEM $150 OR LESS FOR this win possible. Colton finished third in the San site. 4 WEEKS FREE! olton was busting at the As a first year coach, there was Andreas League behind Cajon and The City does believe that its citi- Call our FREE ad hot seams in celebration on uncertainty about how well the San Gorgonio but they really zens deserve accurate information, line at (909) 381-9898 Friday, Dec. 10 as team would do, if players would C “turned it on” in the playoffs beat- however, and therefore provides ext. 13 Colton High School won its first transfer to other schools or coach- ing Colony, Palm Springs and this statement to correct some of the CIF Championship in 32 years, ing staff accept other job offers. Deadline redeeming an early season defeat misinformation that has been circu- and at a home game, no less. is Monday to rival Cajon by squeaking out a at 4 p.m. The final score in an intense Champions, cont. on next page Statement, cont. on next page Page A2 • December 16, 2010 • Inland Empire Community Newspapers • Colton Courier Statement cal problems. The CPOA has in- Jennie Richter, beloved grandma, passes at 95 stead offered short-term deferrals lated. of some benefits, which fall far ENNIE LOUISE First, neither the prior nor the short of meeting the City’s signifi- RICHTER, 95, of Colton, newly elected City Council has cant budget shortfall. Moreover, JCA, passed away peacefully taken any action to lay off employ- the value of these deferrals and Thursday, Dec. 9, 2010, at Ply- ees in 2011. The budget referred to concessions has to some extent mouth Village in Redlands, CA, as authorizing layoffs was a con- been greatly exaggerated. Thus, of natural causes. She was born in tingent budget approved in June of the CPOA’s latest proposal neither Plattsmouth, Nebraska to Fred and 2010 as a possible scenario for ad- represents the $1M in concessions Anna Rice. dressing the loss of Utility User that they claim, nor does it come She was very community Tax revenue. Its passage - on a 4 to close to the percentage of reduc- minded, being involved in the 3 vote, with 2 of the current coun- tions that are needed to save jobs Women’s Club and Chamber of cil members voting no – did not and protect the City’s finances. Commerce, went to countless mandate its implementation. “Pushing the problem into the fu- dances, and was wonderfully hos- “The current City Council has not ture is not a solution”, said Mayor pitable to anyone and everyone provided any direction to imple- Zamora, “and we need to act now who entered her “PINK” La Ca- ment the contingent budget or im- with real solutions to protect our dena home. Every holiday spent plement layoffs”, said newly residents and the financial integrity there was always met with beauti- elected Mayor David Zamora. “We of our City.” ful decorations, inside and out. are 100% committed to avoiding Third, the following factual cor- Her most well know Christmas layoffs and maintaining public rections are provided with respect decoration was a back room filled safety service levels if at all possi- to the City Manager’s employment with an intricately detailed Christ- ble”, continued Mayor Zamora, agreement: mas village consisting of cotton “and, as Mayor, I believe I speak • The City Manager has not re- clouds hanging from the ceiling, for the entire City Council when I ceived any increase in wages or frozen lakes made of mirrors with say that we will not take any action benefits since he was hired more ice-skaters skating, and houses which will compromise the safety than 1 year ago. that lit up. Families and entire of our residents and businesses. • While the City Manager would grade school classes would come We recognize that there are no easy have been entitled to a cost of liv- to her house to see her village.