April 2007 June 2007 March 2009 Jan/Feb 2009
Volume 2, Volume 4 Number Issue 3 1 64
The Only lOcal newspaper fOr MOnTebellOans by MOnTebellOans
URTEAGA’S FELONY URTEAGA’S FELONYSay 12,000 Signatures
2009 Montebello News, LLC. ©2007
CONVICTION SHOCKS CITY Residents question how Urteaga can remain on Council with Grand Theft Felony Conviction and Five Counts of Check Forgery.
against Urteaga in 1998 alleging he committed the crimes during a 19 month period. Investigated by the Los Angeles Police Department’s Financial Crimes Division, Urteaga was charged with one count of violating Penal Code 487(a) Grand Theft for stealing $30,000 and five counts of violating Penal Code 470(a) Check Forgery. In an October 2008 article appearing in the Montebello Comet, Urteaga admitted he stole from a friend See page 8 See URTEAGA,
By Christopher Robles Montebello residents react first with disbelief, then shock, then anger, when told that their newest council member is a convicted felon. From donut shops to hair salons, at city functions and after church, the hot topic is Councilman Robert Urteaga’s grand theft conviction and check forgery indictments. According to documents obtained by the Montebello News, the Los Angeles County District Attorney filed six felony complaints
Referendum onControversial Controversial Referendum on Trash ContractGoes GoestotoCourt Court Trash Contract Council Members Vasquez, Urteaga, and Salazar Ignore Public Pleas to Vote on Trash Issue, Leaving it in Judge’s Hands
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Trash issue moves to the courts.
Premature Taylor Ranch Demolition Embarrasses City
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Trash issue moves to the courts.
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its lifetime, now relies on the decision of one judge to evaluate the claims from Athens’s attorneys that the petition was flawed, and those of the Referendum proponents who believe that the council majority acted improperly and not within the law. Residents began the Referendum in response to the decision of only three See page 6 See TRASH,
Montebello Community News™ News ™ Montebello Community P.o. Box E. 1433, Montebello, Ca Ste 90640C277 5280 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90022
With over 6,000 signatures collected for a Referendum asking for voters to decide the Athens trash contract, council members Rosie Vasquez, Robert Urteaga, and Kathy Salazar refused to place the issue on the ballot, citing a lawsuit filed just two days earlier by Athens Services. The fight over the exclusive 15-year contract worth nearly $150 million over
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EDITORIAL
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Montebello Community News
Montebello Community news™ Montebello News, LLC.
We welcome letters, photos, press releases, and contributing items; however, we cannot guarantee publication or return.
Montebello News™ is P.O. Box 1433, published CA monthly Montebello, 90640 by Montebello News, LLC. Contents of this newspaper may not be reproduced Christopher without the writtenRobles permission Publisher and Editor of the publisher. (323)285-4713 482-1731 (323) montebellonews@gmail.com © 2007 Montebello News, LLC. Kathy Salazar Managing Editor Gabriel Moreno Design/Layout Steve Stokes Photo Editor
If all printers were Montebello News, LLC. determined not Montebello Community News Montebello News to print anything 5280 E. Beverly P.O. BoxBlvd., 1433,Ste C277 Angeles, CA 90640 90022 Montebello, CA tillLos they were sure (323)285-4713 482-1731 (323) it montebellonews@gmail.com would offend nobody, there Publisher shall not be liable for errors or damages for would be very errors in advertising except up to the actual cost of little space printed. occupied by the item Denise Hagopian Community Page Editor
Is this the State of Our City? We hold our elected officials to higher standards because we give them positions of leadership and power. If someone steps forward, asking for our vote, and tells us that they have what it takes to protect us in our homes, protect our finances, and protect the good of the community, we make a judgment in an election and select who we believe, at that time, can be trusted with our government.
year trash contract to a major political contributor without an open bidding process, but they went further and took the extreme step of stopping the public from voting on the contract by preventing a Referendum from going on the ballot.
contracts. Vasquez, Urteaga, and Salazar used the Fire Issue to launch their political careers and end those of their rivals because it worked to their advantage.
Vasquez and Salazar are Vasquez, Urteaga, and hypocrites because they Salazar REFUSED TO LET THE changed their position for PEOPLE VOTE on the Trash political expediency. Issue, rejecting over 6,000 signatures on a Referendum Urteaga is simply a liar. petition that was certified He never lived in Montebello, But when that person by the Los Angeles County never signed the Fire is found to have lied, they Registrar because it wasn’t petition, never championed rightfully get the brunt of to their advantage. the issue, and only took our anger and the label of credit to get himself elected. HYPOCRITE. During their campaigns Vasquez, Urteaga, and There is no one more Such is the case with Salazar rallied behind the cry untrustworthy than a council members Rosie of “Let the People Vote” for hypocrite, especially a Vasquez, Robert Urteaga and the Fire Initiative and used it politician who betrays our Kathy Salazar. to take over our city council trust. in 2007. They promised It was offensive enough change towards an open It is time to hold Vasquez, that Vasquez, Urteaga and government, transparency, Urteaga, and Salazar Salazar gave an exclusive, 15 and open bidding of accountable for their actions.
appearing in error. Montebello News, LLC. Benjamin Franklin reserves the right to approve or reject any and (1706-1790) all copy and assumes no responsibility American journalist, for errors not of its making. publisher, author, This newspaper cannot be philanthropist, abolitionist, responsible for the return of unsolicited news public servant,releases scientist, or photographs. diplomat, and inventor We welcome letters, photos, press releases, and contributing items; however, we cannot guarantee publication or return. Montebello News, LLC.
5280 E. Beverly P.O. BoxBlvd., 1433,Ste C277 Montebello, Los Angeles, CA CA 90640 90022 Contents of this newspaper may not be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher. © 20079 Montebello News, LLC.
If all printers were determined not to print anything till they were sure it would offend nobody, there would be very little printed. Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) American journalist, publisher, author, philanthropist, abolitionist, public servant, scientist, diplomat, and inventor
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Premature Taylor Ranch Demolition Embarrasses City Without council authorization or public input, city staff authorized the demolition of the historic Taylor Ranch house in December. Calls rang out to City Hall, council members, and the local media from upset residents who questioned the city’s motives in demolishing the site without public notice. “I can’t believe they are going to tear it down,” remarked Yolanda Wilson to the San Gabriel Valley Tribune, “They didn’t even tell the residents.” Wilson, a former city commissioner, pulled over while driving past Taylor Ranch to find out what was happening. Councilman Bill Molinari received several calls prompting him to personally visit the site to investigate. “I’m concerned there was no public notice,” Molinari said. The council was never informed by staff that the demolition was scheduled, and it was never discussed at a council meeting. Records show that Taylor Ranch was scheduled for discussion at the July 9 council meeting, but was never discussed. Although the site was previously condemned, many residents had expressed concerns over the future of the building and the site at council meetings for over a year. The demolition was temporarily halted to “sort out the confusion,” but the damage to the historic building was done. It was unclear whether artifacts were properly removed prior to demolition or were thrown away with the debris. The confusion occurred when city staff unilaterally acted on a contract to demolish Taylor Ranch without council approval. The
Now you see it…now you don’t. City Demolishes Historic Taylor Ranch Without Public Input.
LARGEST SMART & FINAL OPENS: EXTRA Community News Service
“I can’t believe they are going to tear it down. They didn’t even tell the residents.”
What do you do with a 35,000 square foot supermarket? Open a Smart & Final Extra store, the largest in the chain’s history. The Montebello site that once housed Lucky Store and most recently Albertsons before it moved up the street, is now home to the flagship store in Smart -Yolanda Wilson, Montebello resident & Final’s fleet of 184 locations found throughout the Western States and Mexico. council had recently given discussion. However, the No official investigation This “Extra” store feaCity Administrator Rich- $8,800 contract with Nigh- into the matter was ever tures larger produce selecard Torres authorization swonger Construction Inc. initiated, and the demoli- tions, including Hispanic to approve contracts up to was signed by a City Build- tion continued the follow- and Asian items, expand$25,000 without council ing Official and not Torres. ing week. See page 4
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EXTRA: LARGEST SMART & FINAL OPENS continued from page 3 ed frozen and deli sections “and a lot more sizes that would appeal to typical household retail consumers,” said company spokesman Randall Oliver. The Montebello location also features the chain’s first health and beauty and baby care sections while still providing the traditional business products that built Smart & Final’s reputation. “We saw an opportunity to enhance the ability of the stores to serve the weekly shopping needs of household consumers while at the same time trying to make the stores better for business customers by consolidating bulk items that are most frequently purchased into a single section along the stores’ back walls,” Oliver said, “and af-
Extra stores are in former drug store locations, noted Oliver. The non-member warehouse store chain plans to open more Smart & Final Extra stores this year in L.A. County and the San Francisco Bay Area. Founded in 1871 in downtown Los Angeles, Smart & Final Inc. operates non-membership warehouse stores for food and foodservice supplies in California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona, Nevada, Idaho and northern Mexico. For more information, visit the company’s website at www.smartandfinal. com. The Montebello Smart & Smart & Final executives and Montebello store manager Maria Serrano receive Final Extra is located at 855 recognition from then-Mayor William Molinari at the Smart & Final Extra grand opening. North Wilcox. Store hours are Monday through Friday ter less than two months, Commerce based early August 2008 as it from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., Satthe initial group of [Extra] Smart & Final began open- relocated existing stores, urdays from 7 a.m. to 10 stores are performing ex- ing stores of 25,000 to which averaged 17,000 p.m., and Sundays from 8 tremely well.” 35,000 square feet in square feet. Most of the a.m. to 9 p.m.
Hello Kitty Fan Club Easter Week Party Heavenly Choice invites you to join our new Hello Kitty Fan Club during our Easter Week kick-Off Celebration Saturday, April 4th through Friday, April 10th from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily. Meet other Kitty lovers, nibble on snacks and enjoy our special activity. Our Week activity schedule starts Friday, Saturday & Sunday, April 3rd, 4th and 5th with making a Hello Kitty Bracelet to wear with your favorite Easter Outfit; Monday, Tuesday & Wednes-
day, April 6th,7th and 8th you can create your own Kitty Theme Easter Basket; Thurs & Fri April 9 & 10 you can design your own Chocolate Egg. Join us one day or every day, all events are Free. Win prizes and have fun. Make it a special day with your child or grandchild. Heavenly Choice Plaza 534 N. Montebello Blvd. For further details call (323) 728-2728.
Garage Sale Dates 2009 June 5, 6, & 7 September 4, 5, & 6 December 4, 5 & 6
Montebello Community News
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CALENDAR
MARCH 2009 Arts education month in california Music in our schools month National month
middle
level
education
National nutrition month National social work month National women’s history month Red cross month 2 Read Across America Day 2-6 National School Breakfast Week– “Power Up With School Breakfast” 2-6 Newspapers in Education Week 2-6 Week of the School Administrator (California Education Code 44015.1) 5 Black American Day (California Education Code Section 37221) 7 California Conservation, Bird, and Arbor Day 8 International Women’s Day 9-13 California Adult Education Week 11 Montebello City Council Meeting Montebello City Hall (2nd & 4th Wednesdays) 14 Montebello High School Pancake Breakfast 7:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Fundraiser for Volleyball Program Tickets Only $5.00
14 Betty Boop Champagne Brunch 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Heavenly Choice Plaza 323 728-2728 Meet Betty Boop Collectors from all. Food, Fun Prizes 15-21 National Agriculture Week 15-21 Week
National Poison Prevention
17 St. Patrick’s Day 21 International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination 21 Spring Stories and Art Activities A fun family event to celebrate the beginning of spring. 2:00 p.m. Montebello Public Library, 1550 W. Beverly Blvd. (323) 722-6551 21 A Flower Arrangement Workshop Mari Prasad will demonstrate the principles of Japanese Ikebana (flower arrangement). Bring along a vase and a floral frog to create a flower arrangement to take home. Since materials are limited, please sign up at the information desk of the Montebello Library. 2:00 p.m. Montebello Public Library, 1550 W. Beverly Blvd. (323) 722-6551 22 Car & Motorcycle Show 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Don Bosco Tech High School 24 Live World Music and Dance Lessons! Middle Eastern Rhythms and Melodies Professional Musicians and Dancers Perform and Explain the Cultural and Historic Background of Middle Eastern Music and Dance. 6:00 p.m. (Tuesday)
Montebello Public Library, 1550 W. Beverly Blvd. (323) 722-6551
12-18 National Environmental Education Week
25 Montebello City Council Meeting Montebello City Hall (2nd & 4th Wednesdays)
12-18 National Library Week – “Worlds connect @ your library”
28 The Last Days of the Dinosaurs: How Dinosaurs Lived and Died Richard Wade presents a great factfilled show that is a must-see for dinosaur lovers. 2:00 p.m. Montebello Public Library, 1550 W. Beverly Blvd. (323) 722-6551 31 Cesar Chavez Day (California Education Code Section 37220.5)
APRIL 2009 MATHEMATICS AWARENESS MONTH 1 Chamber Business Expo (Wed) 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Quiet Cannon 1-7 Labor History Week (California) 2 International Children’s Book Day 6 California Poppy Day (California) 6-10 Spring Recess – Montebello Unified School District 7 World Health Day 8 Montebello City Council Meeting Montebello City Hall (2nd & 4th Wednesdays) 12 Easter Sunday
15 Tax Day 19-25 Public School Volunteer Week 19-25 Week of the Young Child 20-26 National TV-Turnoff Week 21 John Muir Day (California) 21 Holocaust Remembrance Day 22 Earth Day 22 Administrative Professionals Day 22 Montebello City Council Meeting Montebello City Hall (2nd & 4th Wednesdays) 23 Armenian Memorial Services & Candlelight Vigil 8:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m. Armenian Genocide Memorial Monument Montebello Golf Course 24-26 Miraculous Medal Annual 3 Day Carnival & Bazaar (Fri, Sat, Sun) 11:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m. Miraculous Medal Church 25 Choir Concert Don Bosco Technical High School 25 Montebello High School Prom 7p.m. - Midnight Long Beach Hyatt
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Trash continued from 1 council members to amend the 46 year contract with Athens Services without a competitive bidding process. “When the City came out to clean my sewer line, they said it would take a few months. When I asked why, they said it had to go to bid. Now why is the City putting a few hundred dollars out to bid, but not a $150 million dollar contract?” asked resident Jacqueline Carr at a recent council meeting. Cities such as Santa Monica and La Mirada engaged in a yearlong process including community input in developing the request for proposal, numerous public hearings, and reviewing proposals from trash haulers. In La Mirada’s case, contact with any council member by any proposed vendor was grounds for losing the bid. In both instances, Athens Services complied with the competitive process and submitted bids lower than Montebello’s 2008 monthly rate of $24.11. Since 1993, the residential trash rate has steadily increased from $12.00 per month to $24.11 with the largest increases occurring the year before council elections. In comparison, Cerritos is currently paying $14.40 per month for trash services. Downy residents pay $11.88 per month which is less than the rate Montebello paid 15 years ago. Neither city contracts with Athens for trash services.
COUNCIL MAJORITY SIDES WITH ATHENS
In record time, Referendum proponents returned the signatures to the City Clerk, and the Los Angeles County Registrar of Voters confirmed nearly double the necessary signatures to qualify the Referendum for an election. However, at the October 8, 2008 Council meeting, Vasquez, Urteaga, and Salazar rejected the community’s wishes and deferred action to Athens’ lawsuit seeking to prevent a vote. To many attending the October 8th meeting, it seemed that the council majority’s actions were orchestrated. When Councilwoman Saucedo made a motion to call for a special election, Salazar immediately said “I have a substitute motion.” But before Salazar could fully state her motion, Vasquez interrupted by saying, “I second that motion” resulting in laughter and cries of “fix” and “violation” from the audience. Ultimately, Salazar’s motion to reject the Referendum passed 3-2 with Saucedo-Rodriguez and Molinari the only dissenters. Ironically, Vasquez and Salazar were both proponents of the 2006 Fire Initiative that another 3council majority blocked from the voters. The 2006 council majority ignored the over 5,000 signatures and threw out the Initiative on a technicality. Salazar subsequently filed a lawsuit against the city, and ran a successful 2007 campaign for City Council with the slogan “Let the People Vote.” Urteaga was not part of the Initiative drive because he wasn’t a resident or voter in Montebello, but he too ran on the issue “Let the People Vote.”
Avoid costly penalties for late tax filing By Jason Alderman Be forewarned: Income tax season is upon us. Procrastination is probably never a good thing, but when it comes to the IRS, it can be downright expensive. To help keep you on track, I’ve compiled a few suggestions that can save you last-minute grief – and money: Meet IRS deadlines. Make sure you postmark or electronically file your 2008 tax return by no later than April 15; otherwise, you may incur a late-filing penalty that’s generally 5 percent of taxes owed, per partial or full month, plus interest. As long as you meet the filing deadline – even if only to request an extension – the monthly penalty drops to 0.5 percent, plus interest. Contact the IRS ahead of time if you won’t be able to pay your taxes on time; they may even waive the penalties, depending on your circumstances. Call 800829-1040 or visit www.irs.gov for more information. Quarterly tax filers. If you file quarterly estimated taxes (as many retirees and self-employed people do), April 15 is also the deadline to make your first quarter 2009 estimated tax payment, even if you don’t file a 2008 return until later in the year. Know tax code changes. As usual, there are numerous changes to the tax code for 2008. Visit the “1040 Central” section on the IRS Website (www.irs.gov/individuals) to learn more. A few highlights of the changes for 2008:
of deducting state and local income taxes; the educator’s above-the-line deduction for up to $250 in expenses; and the above-the-line deduction for up to $4,000 in qualified college tuition and fees. Ask for help. If calculating your own taxes is too confusing or time-consuming, consider hiring a professional. A sharp preparer could save you a bundle by finding hidden credits or deductions. If cost is an issue, several free options available to seniors, military and low- and middle-income taxpayers: * The IRS sponsors the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE). Search “Free Tax Preparation” on the IRS website for information. * AARP volunteers provide free tax preparation to lowand middle-income taxpayers, particularly those over age 60 (www.aarp.org/money/ taxaide.) * Military personnel and their families worldwide can get free assistance through a program overseen by the Armed Forces Tax Council and offered through VITA. Check with your base for details.
Avoid common mistakes. People in a rush often fill in incorrect, illegible or incomplete identification information, forget to sign and date the return, don’t attach needed documentation and supplemental forms or make math errors. Doublecheck everything. And finally, do yourself a favor and start organizing your * People who don’t itemize deductions can now add up to 2009 paperwork now so you $500 ($1,000 for couples filing won’t have to scramble next spring. Visa’s free personal jointly) in property taxes paid financial management site, to their standard deduction Practical Money Skills for Life, amount. features an interactive, down* For 2008 and 2009, loadable tool called My Budget people over 70 ½ can donate up to $100,000 from their IRAs Planner to help you categorize and track income and expensto charity without first having es (www.practicalmoneyskills. to declare the distribution as taxable income. This is particu- com/mybudget). larly advantageous for those who don’t itemize deductions. Jason Alderman directs Visa’s * Several other taxpayer financial education programs. benefits that had expired have To sign up for a free monthly been reinstated for 2008 and personal finance e-Newslet2009, including: the option to ter, go to www.practicalmodeduct state sales tax instead neyskills.com/newsletter.
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Molina Announces American Cancer Society Brings Fight Against County to Hire Cancer to Montebello Independent for Life Overseer for Health Relay Coming April 25 to Schurr Department Monitor to Recommend Steps for Improving Accountability, Governance LOS ANGELES—Los Angeles County Supervisor Gloria Molina has announced that the county will hire an independent entity to provide oversight of the Department of Health Services (DHS) and its key functions. At a meeting of the Board of Supervisors, Molina and her colleagues authorized the county’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to release a Request for Qualifications to identify this contractor who will be charged with this task and will make recommendations to the board on how to improve the accountability, reliability, and governance of DHS. “Independence is key for whomever we hire so that they have no incentive to sugarcoat anything,” Molina said. “We must bring accountability to our health department. I cannot and will not compromise the truth. I am troubled that often we are not given the whole story by DHS, whether it is about Livescan information, nurse competency testing, or the status of Martin Luther KingHarbor Hospital. It was our lack of full knowledge on these and other matters—and there are many other examples—that brought us to this point today. This should not be seen as an indictment of our current health department leadership
but rather as a necessary tool for them and for the Board of Supervisors who are the governing body of this department.” As part of Molina’s motion, the board specified that any proposals submitted for this position: -Should recommend and prioritize specific key departments and/or functions within DHS which are considered to be the most critical to be included in the analysis; -Should include a justification of why those departments and/or functions were selected as a priority; -Should list key team members who will work on the study and provide background describing each team member’s qualifications; -Should articulate why the entity is uniquely qualified to investigate, analyze, or verify the accuracy of issues or areas of concern as directed by the board on an as-needed basis. All proposals will be presented to the CEO for review, evaluation, and final recommendation to the board. Once this person or organization is selected, the supervisors will provide instruction and directives to them on any area of concern that they wish to be investigated, analyzed, or solved.
High School
One in three people will be diagnosed with cancer during their lifetime. “One day. One night. One community. One Fight,” is how the American Cancer Society describes their annual signature event, Relay For Life, that “symbolizes the hope that people lost to cancer will never be forgotten, that those who face the disease have support, and that one day can-
who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against a disease that takes too much,” says the American Cancer Society. Relay For Life is an overnight event beginning Saturday, April 25th at 9 a.m. and runs through Sunday, April 26th at 9 p.m. Teams of people will camp out at cer will be eliminated.” Schurr High School and As in years past, Schurr take turns walking or runHigh School will play host ning around the track. “By to Montebello’s part of this participating, you honor national event that “brings cancer survivors, pay tribmore than 3.5 million peo- ute to the lives we’ve lost ple from 4,900 commu- to the disease, and raise nities across the country money to help fight cancer together each year to cel- here in your community,” ebrate the lives of those says the Society.
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FELON: Urteaga on Hotseat continued from 1 to pay off a gambling debt. While at UCLA, Urteaga engaged in “gambling as a means to make extra money, got in over his head and started losing, so he made bigger bets,” said the article. “I took money that didn’t belong to me,” Urteaga said. Under a plea bargain, the District Attorney’s office dropped the check forgery counts. Urteaga was found guilty of grand theft and was placed on probation through November 2002.
HIDING HIS PAST
Urteaga’s record never surfaced during his 2007 campaign for City Council. Not until he angered residents over his decision to give Athens Services an exclusive, non-competitive, 15-year trash-hauling contract, did his criminal past surface. “When I ran for office, I knew eventually someone would dig into my background and dig this up,” Urteaga said to the San Gabriel Valley Tribune. “I just don’t think that this incident happening 10 years ago is a true reflection of who Robert Urteaga is.” But residents disagree, accusing Urteaga of continued dishonesty because he intentionally withheld information about his felony conviction from voters, accepted campaign contributions from special interests, and pushed through the Athens contract without an open competitive process. Urteaga’s detractors also call attention to his campaign for Council. They accuse Urteaga of lying to the voters in an October 2007 campaign mailer in which he claimed to be “a long time voter in Montebello.” Los Angeles County Registrar records show that Urteaga never previously registered in Montebello until days before he announced his candidacy. “He really has no ethics in politics or in business,” said Aron Petrosian, a local trash hauler, to the Comet. “Politically it doesn’t look good…he swept it under the carpet and hoped no one would see it.” Residents are asking how a convicted felon, could get elected to City Council and continue to keep his seat. California State Law only prevents felons serving in prison or on parole from voting or running for office. However a new “Felony Disqualification” law went into effect last year to close a loophole in the law that allowed individuals convicted of various crimes involving corruption and fraud to hold political office. This new law prohibits persons with a felony conviction for bribery, perjury, forgery, embezzlement of public funds, conflict of interest, or voter fraud from holding public office. However, felony convictions for
“He really has no ethics in politics or in business.” Aron Petrosian grand theft, as Urteaga has, are excluded. Had the District Attorney fully prosecuted and convicted Urteaga on the five check forgery counts, he would be ineligible to hold elected office today.
tebello City Council. But Urteaga never divulged his felony conviction to the public or those who endorsed him. Among those mislead by Urteaga was Councilman Bill Molinari. “I asked him if there was ‘anything I should know about’ before endorsing him…he replied that there was nothing. When his conviction came to light, Urteaga had unprecedented sup- it certainly contradicts that. He put port from elected officials outside of me and others in an embarrassing Montebello, labor unions, and some position.” Molinari has since relocal officials in his 2007 bid for Mon- scinded his endorsement.
LOSING SUPPORT
In scathing letters to Urteaga, both the Teamsters Joint Council 42 and the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO officially rescinded their endorsements. However, Montebello’s new Police Chief, Dan Weast, who endorsed Urteaga’s campaign when he was president of the Montebello Police Officers’ Association, has refused to comment on Urteaga’s conviction to local papers. Urteaga led the charge to appoint Weast Chief of Police despite other candidates that were ranked higher.