US, Strike Three! “Field of Dreams,” Corruption and Toxic Landfills
Play Ball! Welcome to West Covina, California for the Little League National Championship! It’s the bottom of the ninth. Bases loaded, 3 balls, 2 strikes. Score: 9-9. Alright, kid, you’re up. No pressure.
Nikki, up to bat, turned to the stadium seats above the dugout and looked straight at her Father. In that split second, her mind raced back to when she was three and her father tried placing a ball in her hand. Nikki’s tiny hand, unable to hold the ball dropped it. And again her Father placed it in her hand. He did this almost daily until Nikki finally grasped the ball – two weeks shy from her Fourth Birthday. Nikki has been playing baseball ever since.
Playing for Major League Baseball (MLB) is just about every kid’s dream in Little League. But the game is competitive. And time consuming as Moms and Dads will tell you, making sure their kids go to practice and attend dozens of local games and national championships.
Political Corruption and Officers “Missing in Action”?
So what does West Covina City Hall and Big League Dreams Sports Complex have in Common? Political Corruption and BKK Landfill.
The San Gabriel Valley Tribune reporting, from 2018-2021, points to commissioners interfering “with a police internal affairs investigation to protect an officer.” Investigation involved Chief Marc Taylor, who in the end was fired.
In fact, “Retired assistant police Chief Paul LaCommare spoke in support of Taylor and asked Johnson to call upon the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office to investigate the city for political corruption.” When it comes to local politics, one need not look far for motive – $. “Chief Taylor was forced to make unpopular, tough decisions to meet budget mandates.”
Important to keep in mind that like other cities, West Covina is facing a shortage of police officers. According to a February 11, 2021 article in the San Gabriel Valley Tribunes, “The police department reported 99 officers working in the department in 2018 and 2019. The number dropped to 90 because of retirements and police officers taking jobs in departments in other cities or law enforcement agencies, officials said.”
Speaking on the proposal for a police satellite station, “West Covina police Cmdr. Mark Dettor also supported the idea. “What we face is having the manpower to staff it,” he said. “That’s always been the challenge.”
Chief Richard Bell agreed. “We do need more officers,” Bell said. But he said given the budget concerns of the city, he would make do with the 90 officers…” City Manager David Carmany admits, “I have a city of 104,000 people. I’d like to have at least 104 officers.” Need funding?
Increase in police quotas one possible solution. Officers play ‘hide and seek’ for drivers? Citations averaging $300 a pop are sure to bring in revenue. It appears that what doesn’t kill you will cite you, even if innocent. Meantime, with fewer officers, is the city safe?
BKK Landfill and “Hypocracy”- What Hides Beneath US Politics
West Covina’s history includes reports of City Council creating the BKK landfill back in 1963. Over two decades later, a 1986 landmark case reportedly resulted in a $43 billion settlement involving BKK and hundreds of residents whose previous complaints of odors led to the subsequent discovery of toxic chemicals.
So what did the City do with the landfill? Apparently, like other problems they let it sit, figuring people would forget. They simply waited for the “right time.”
A San Gabriel Valley Newspaper reported in 2017 “Big League Dreams’ grand-opening is scheduled Oct.27. The complex includes six baseball fields surrounded by small-scale replicas of famous stadiums for youth baseball leagues, as well as volleyball courts, an indoor soccer pavilion, a playground and family restaurants.”
City’s explanation? “West Covina residents no longer have to suffer with the embarrassment of living alongside a landfill. Now we can say we live next to an amazing landmark!”
WTF? Are you’re kidding? Fuck embarrassment. How about the danger of living alongside the goddamn thing! Sure gives a new meaning to “cover up.”
No surprise, the State Auditor in 2020 ranked West Covina in 9th place. Moreover, the city is reportedly, “the subject of a state audit to be released in December, is already taking steps to address its poor fiscal health, which is largely due to pension obligations, City Manager David Carmany said.”
To be fair, West Covina is not the only city in the State to deal with budget issues, toxins and corruption. Hell, one can find these problems across the nation. So, it begs the question, why is Washington “Hypocracy” denying Ukraine entry to NATO’s “Democracy” on account of the country’s reported corruption? US, best to deal with your own toxic problems.
Ultimately, Ukraine’s East/West division will resemble that of Korea’s North/South. US, given the upcoming US elections, you may wish not to overlook the increasing division of your Red and Blue States. But keep in mind the Purple States are up for grabs!
West Covina, It’s the “Bottom of the Ninth” and Your Best Player Strikes Out!
In a visit to the city of West Covina last year, I came face to face with a Police Officer. Unfortunately, he made the mistake of pulling me over and wrongly citing me. Smiling, I said I’d see him in court.
NOT surprisingly, on the date of the trial Judge called the Officer but he was a no show. MIA or playing “hide & seek”? Case dismissed!
Officer Dettor, how’s that for a curve ball? Sir, you’ve been served! Striiiiiiiiiiiiiiike Three! 🙂
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