Saturday, August 8, 2015
Windcrest Mayor and Council Candidates
Currently three citizens have filed for positions on our City Council. Election day is approaching fast. Get out and vote.
Frank Archuleta for Mayor
Matt Vandenberg for Council Place 5
www.mattforwindcrest.com
Kim Wright for Council Place 4
Saturday, December 20, 2014
Rafael Castillo, City Manager in Street Fight
Windcrest stoops to a new low. Last Saturday, City Manager, Rafael Castillo and a Windcrest Citizen came to blows, right in front of Windcrest City Hall, of all places, under the Christmas Tree!
Citizens indicate Rafael Castillo initiated a conversation with the Citizen about an unknown subject and during the conversation an exchange of blows ensued and the fight was on! Very unprofessional conduct for a City Manager! The investigation (assuming there is one) report has not been released to date.
Rafael Castillo should be seeking a position elsewhere for such behavior, but after all this is Windcrest. Rafael is no stranger to resignations in lieu of discharge so stay tuned for further developments.
Meanwhile, consider bringing a body guard if you plan on visiting Windcrest City Hall, Rafael is still employed.
Citizens indicate Rafael Castillo initiated a conversation with the Citizen about an unknown subject and during the conversation an exchange of blows ensued and the fight was on! Very unprofessional conduct for a City Manager! The investigation (assuming there is one) report has not been released to date.
Rafael Castillo should be seeking a position elsewhere for such behavior, but after all this is Windcrest. Rafael is no stranger to resignations in lieu of discharge so stay tuned for further developments.
Meanwhile, consider bringing a body guard if you plan on visiting Windcrest City Hall, Rafael is still employed.
Saturday, November 1, 2014
Tangled Web of Deceit
Have a look at the City budget expenditures. Search for Ms Rebecca Cedillo, she is being paid every month for over a year @ $2750 per month. She is a contractor, and her contract says 20 HOURS PER MONTH MAX. Notice it does not say 20 hours, only a Max of 20 hours. wow.
She is being paid out of City funds, yet listed as reporting to the WEDC Director. The Finance Director briefed council when her contract was extended that there was $24,000 already in the contractor line so no problem. Would you find it Strange to know that that account still has $24,000 available, Why, that can't be correct! Yes it is, NOTHING spend this year to date from that sub code. Don't be fooled by all the hot air about this administration being an open and transparent administration? The real proof is already in the books and easily accessed. Look at the Check Register listing, she is there. But that does not show which account the money was charged, it just show the amount and date paid etc.
That's because the expenses are being HIDDEN by paying this contractor from the Special Legal Fees account. That way the books will never show a Contractor working and costing Windcrest $49,000 since being hired.
The "Special Legal Fees" is what I would call a "Slush" fund. Charge whatever you want to that account, no one will ever know.
Not only does the current council condone this, they participated when they renewed her contract, which is going on 19 months at $2750. You will not see her often about city hall. The City Manager, Rafael Castillo is also involved as he dictates to the Finance Director as to which account to charge these expenses.
This is NOT the only INAPPROPRIATE charge made to special legal fees, there is another smoking gun for later.
This CM is lost, this job is over his head for sure. Of course he maybe getting coaching, but that is speculation.
She is being paid out of City funds, yet listed as reporting to the WEDC Director. The Finance Director briefed council when her contract was extended that there was $24,000 already in the contractor line so no problem. Would you find it Strange to know that that account still has $24,000 available, Why, that can't be correct! Yes it is, NOTHING spend this year to date from that sub code. Don't be fooled by all the hot air about this administration being an open and transparent administration? The real proof is already in the books and easily accessed. Look at the Check Register listing, she is there. But that does not show which account the money was charged, it just show the amount and date paid etc.
That's because the expenses are being HIDDEN by paying this contractor from the Special Legal Fees account. That way the books will never show a Contractor working and costing Windcrest $49,000 since being hired.
The "Special Legal Fees" is what I would call a "Slush" fund. Charge whatever you want to that account, no one will ever know.
Not only does the current council condone this, they participated when they renewed her contract, which is going on 19 months at $2750. You will not see her often about city hall. The City Manager, Rafael Castillo is also involved as he dictates to the Finance Director as to which account to charge these expenses.
This is NOT the only INAPPROPRIATE charge made to special legal fees, there is another smoking gun for later.
It's time for a Changing of the Guard. These shameful practices must be stopped and even replacing the CM with a competent CM.
This CM is lost, this job is over his head for sure. Of course he maybe getting coaching, but that is speculation.
Tuesday, October 7, 2014
Follow up, $600 for Water NOT $300 per Mayor!!
Someone asked Council about the $600 for services and below is a response from Pam Dodson. Seems those 2 invoices were for Water to fill the Pond.
So why not be open and transparent as they profess? Simply say "Water", not services.
Oh yea, maybe because the Mayor stated very loudly during council that they had purchased an additional acre foot of water from the Golf Course for $200, Rafael corrected him that he thought it was $250, then Mayor then said Well $300 for 1 acre foot.
Take this for what it's worth, but the books are being prepared to shore up their stories.
As Paul Harvey use to say, "Now you have the rest of the Story". Good Day.
From Pam Dodson
To: xxxxxx
I am glad to see that before you post something on your facebook page, you verify its accuracy. You might want to post an accurate comment to the blog you received this from.
Those items you mentioned were payments to the golf club for the purchasing of water so we could refill the Takas Park pond. As you are well aware, the water district would not allow us to use city water.
Thank you for your inquiry,
Pamela Dodson
Monday, October 6, 2014
Windcrest Golf Course Free Meals?
This administration paid the Windcrest Golf Course $600 for "Services" No description at all in the purchase orders, or the Invoices, could this be a tab for meals. We have this occurring in Windcrest right under the noses of the current City Council. Jake Jacobi, Jim Shelton and Pam Dodson are currently on council and simply smile and profess they are open and transparent, probably while having free services on the tax payers expense at the Golf Course.
The Public Works Dept submits Purchase Order for good or services.
Order No 14-498 requests states
"March Service" for $300. (That's it, no other description)
Vendor: Windcrest Golf Course
The Windcrest Golf Course Invoice states:
Item: Misc
Description : blank except for Sales Tax Total: $300.00
Submitting a purchase order simply with the word "Services" is pretty lame. This purchase order would not get far in my world.
What Services? Daily Lunch specials for the Council and Mayor maybe? Maybe free rounds of Golf (with cart) for City Hall. Who knows. What do you think?
OK, you say someone made a mistake. Right. Lets try that again
Purchase Order 14-499
"April Service" $300.00 (same as before, heck it worked before...dah)
Vendor: Windcrest Golf Course
Windcrest Golf Course Invoice states"
Item Misc..$300
Both Invoices were Paid! That should speak volumes about this administration. This really smells too, because the Golf Course must be in on the ruse. Why can't they just be honest? Detail what the Service was for pete sake. The Golf Course manager should know better too,
We should not be paying for Free meals at the Golf Course.
The Public Works Dept submits Purchase Order for good or services.
Order No 14-498 requests states
"March Service" for $300. (That's it, no other description)
Vendor: Windcrest Golf Course
The Windcrest Golf Course Invoice states:
Item: Misc
Description : blank except for Sales Tax Total: $300.00
Submitting a purchase order simply with the word "Services" is pretty lame. This purchase order would not get far in my world.
What Services? Daily Lunch specials for the Council and Mayor maybe? Maybe free rounds of Golf (with cart) for City Hall. Who knows. What do you think?
OK, you say someone made a mistake. Right. Lets try that again
Purchase Order 14-499
"April Service" $300.00 (same as before, heck it worked before...dah)
Vendor: Windcrest Golf Course
Windcrest Golf Course Invoice states"
Item Misc..$300
Both Invoices were Paid! That should speak volumes about this administration. This really smells too, because the Golf Course must be in on the ruse. Why can't they just be honest? Detail what the Service was for pete sake. The Golf Course manager should know better too,
We should not be paying for Free meals at the Golf Course.
Vote for Dan Reese, Henry Moncada and Mike Scott to straighten this mess out before it gets really bad.
Thursday, October 31, 2013
Where is the Budget?
The Windcrest leadership must believe the Citizens of Windcrest do NOT need to see the budget. The FY2013-14 budget was approved back in September. Tomorrow is Nov 1 and the new adopted budget is still not available. One has to assume the numbers do not match or something else is amiss. The proposed budget had WEDC some $102,000 over budget. The City Manager is responsible for presenting a Balanced budget to council. Did Rafael Castillo, City Manager, even look at the numbers? Why did Mr. Castillo forward to council a budget with one department projected to spend $102,000 more than expected revenue?
Recently in another blog the author suggested 'Fuzzy Math", well, maybe he hit on something.
During Oct 21st council meeting Mayor Alan Baxter told citizens there was only one employee with a severance package. Folks, there are TWO with Severance packages. Rafael Castillo has a severance package worth 4 Months salary and benefits plus $5,000 for mortgage "Closing Costs" if he purchases a home in Windcrest. Then Robert Colunga has a severance package worth 4 months salary. These severance packages are included in their Professional Service Agreements on file at city hall.
You gotta wonder, if there are two severance packages and Mayor Baxter says there is only one, what else is he not revealing? Sounds a bit like "I'll tell you what you NEED to know."
Together these packages approach $100,000 but don't worry, these numbers are NOT included in the budget. The $100,000 is surely a liability and previous budgets have had severance dollars listed in the budget. Look at the budget line item for Termination Payout.
Recently in another blog the author suggested 'Fuzzy Math", well, maybe he hit on something.
During Oct 21st council meeting Mayor Alan Baxter told citizens there was only one employee with a severance package. Folks, there are TWO with Severance packages. Rafael Castillo has a severance package worth 4 Months salary and benefits plus $5,000 for mortgage "Closing Costs" if he purchases a home in Windcrest. Then Robert Colunga has a severance package worth 4 months salary. These severance packages are included in their Professional Service Agreements on file at city hall.
You gotta wonder, if there are two severance packages and Mayor Baxter says there is only one, what else is he not revealing? Sounds a bit like "I'll tell you what you NEED to know."
Together these packages approach $100,000 but don't worry, these numbers are NOT included in the budget. The $100,000 is surely a liability and previous budgets have had severance dollars listed in the budget. Look at the budget line item for Termination Payout.
Monday, October 7, 2013
Windcrest Fire Chief Resigns!!!
Dan Reese, Windcrest Fire Chief, resigned as the Windcrest Fire Chief. Several citizens recently addressed City Council asking they consider a pay increase for the Fire Chief, saying the Fire Chief deserved better than minimum wage. The mayor and council ignored the citizens' comments and approved a final 2013-14 budget with the Fire Chief position funded at minimum wage.
The FY 2013-14 proposed budget shows the title as Volunteer Fire Chief. In all previous budget years, the title has been Fire Chief, NOT Volunteer Fire Chief.
Meanwhile the City is on schedule to spend over $300,000 on pond upgrades. That pond, by the way, receives its main source of water from run-off from Crestway Drive. You gotta ask! Where are their Priorities?
Chief Reese is a well respected, exceptionally capable professional Fire fighter and EMT. The loss of Chief Reese is a great loss to the Citizens of Windcrest.
The title of this Blog" "Windcrest Needs New Leadership" says it ALL. Refusing to pay the Windcrest Fire Chief above minimum wage should put all doubts to rest, Windcrest Definitely Needs New Leadership.
The FY 2013-14 proposed budget shows the title as Volunteer Fire Chief. In all previous budget years, the title has been Fire Chief, NOT Volunteer Fire Chief.
Meanwhile the City is on schedule to spend over $300,000 on pond upgrades. That pond, by the way, receives its main source of water from run-off from Crestway Drive. You gotta ask! Where are their Priorities?
Chief Reese is a well respected, exceptionally capable professional Fire fighter and EMT. The loss of Chief Reese is a great loss to the Citizens of Windcrest.
The title of this Blog" "Windcrest Needs New Leadership" says it ALL. Refusing to pay the Windcrest Fire Chief above minimum wage should put all doubts to rest, Windcrest Definitely Needs New Leadership.
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