Council, cont. from front square foot distribution center. According to the city once the cen- ter is built it will provide 300 per- manent jobs to the city. Councilmembers expressed ex- citement over the prospect of jobs. “This is a good thing for Rialto and I am in full support of this,” said Councilmember Joe Baca Jr. Mayor Pro Tem Ed Scott also said he was in support of the project. Councilmember Deborah Robert- son said she was in support of the project but also wanted the com- pany to create a job center or cen- tral location for residents to apply for the jobs. Councilmember Ed Palmer said he believes it will create a trickle down affect and help the city’s en- tire economy. “Anytime we can bring 300 jobs to Rialto, that’s a good day,” said Palmer. In other good news, the city is also moving forward with the pro- posed In-N-Out Burger on the cor- ner of Riverside Ave. and Easton. There will be three retail stores there including the highly antici- pated In-N-Out. The project has not received final approval from In-N-Out, but it is expected so the city is moving forward on faith. “I know it is a risk we are taking but I know it is a risk that we need to take,” said Palmer. The council also began dis- cussing what was the end of a long struggle. The city is now close to receiving a settlement from the re- sponsible parties for the perchlo- rate contamination in Rialto water. The city is setting up a methodol- ogy to refund every resident who paid the perchlorate surcharge with their water bill. The entire settlement including the cost of the three treatment plants is $160 million. The funds will begin to be distributed to res- idents in November. “It’s been a long time coming,” said Scott. Page A2 • September 27, 2012 • Inland Empire Community Newspapers • Rialto Record Election, cont. from front and retail businesses with tax in- centives. He says he does not compromise when it comes to residents. Former teacher and current psy- chologist, June D. Hayes is also running for city council. She is a long time residnet and respected utilities commissioner. She feels that she is finally ready and has done her research of what it takes to be on the council. Hayes is mak- ing fiscal responsibility one of her top priorities of the city. She also plans to make water more clean and affordable, as well as to ensure that the environment of Rialto is a safe one. Her concern about the city is the budget. She believes that the community is the city's biggest asset. "We still have that small town mentality where everyone cares for one another,” said Hayes. Shawn P. O' Connell is a retired police sergeant from Rialto Police Department. He believes in giving back to the community and mak- ing a difference, which is why he decided to run for council. If elected his top priorities are to im- plement an open government pol- icy, increase fiscal responsibility and to provide the citizens of the city with the support that they need. His concern is that the city will have difficulty navigating the budget within the next few years due to the economy's future; how- ever, he believes that the people of the community are the city’s great- est asset. “If we rally the people on a cer- tain cause, anything is possible,” O’ Connell said. Attorney Ed Palmer is up for re- election for city council. He has served the past four years on the council and believes that it takes more than a couple of years to im- plement every plan. He will ensure that unfinished tasks get com- pleted. His top priorities are to in- crease public safety, create more jobs and to clean up the commu- nity. In agreement with his oppo- nents, he feels that the biggest challenge of the city is the budget and trying to avoid bankruptcy, but that the city has great employ- ees and residents that can help to steer the city in the right direction. “Every candidate has their own agenda and can bring something different to the city,” Palmer said. “I can bring the insight that I have as a successful businessman to the city by helping in negotiating and creating contracts, as well as other business matters.” Sarmad (Sam) Syed has been a Rialto resident for the majority of his life attending Rialto schools since elementary school. He has decided to run for city council be- cause he wants to see the city change through unity. “I feel that we can be a first class city,” said Syed. He is one of the youngest candi- dates at 33 years old but believes his experience working with power utility companies, on the Rialto Utility Commission and time spent in the community gives him a good perspective. He says he always wanted to help the com- munity and has been involved through his children’s activities and the commission. He believes the city’s strengths include the diversity of cultures and also hard working staff. His hope for the city is that it will strengthen its infrastructure to in- crease the number of businesses and homes in the city. Rafael Trujillo is an active com- munity member and congressional representative. He is the vice pres- ident of the Elm Park Community Association and a Rialto parks commissioner. In those roles he has worked with the police to re- duce crime in his community. He says he wants to bring jobs to the city and make the city safer. His goals are to strengthen the neighborhood watches and com- munity policing efforts and also provide more things for youth and seniors to do. He believes the de- parture of Grace Vargas and pos- sible departure of Councilmember Joe Baca Jr. to the state will leave a void in leadership that he can fill. He says he knows how politics works at the local, state and fed- eral levels, which will be helpful in an atmosphere where getting funds for the city is a competitive process. “I want a city where everyone feels proud to live in Rialto,” said Trujillo. He also believes the city is in a good location for economic devel- opment, especially around the 10 and 210 freeways where retail and food establishments can bring business and tax revenue to the city. For more information about the council candidates including con- tact information visit the city of Rialto website or their respective campaign websites and facebook pages. The election is November 6. A nsh Bhagat, a high school junior, has topped the college courses that he took at UC Riverside as a freshman and sophomore in summer ses- sions. Summer session courses are 5 -6 weeks of intense courses which covers the whole years syl- labus. He has taken chemistry college course as a sophomore and psy- chology as a freshman in high school and has topped both of this classes, with a 4.0 GPA and A+ in this classes at UC Riverside. Ansh Bhagat has a 4.0 GPA throughout high school and middle school and he also earned Princi- pals Honor roll all throughout mid- dle school. He is also a recipient of first place in solo math pre algebra at MESA Southern California Re- gional Competition and a recipient of USAA Scholarship. As a Soph- omore, he has also got a perfect score in Algebra 2 in l0th grade and on the science test in 8th grade on California Standards Tests . IECN PHOTO NAIMA FORD The Rialto Fire Department hosted a pinning ceremony at the Rialto City Council. Pictured here is Brian Hart being pinned by his daughter. He was promoted to Battalion Chief. IECN PHOTO NAIMA FORD The city has been behind in recognizing employees for ten years of service, so many were recognized at the city council meeting. IECN PHOTO COURTESY RIALTO NETWORK The City of Rialto, Rialto Kiwanis Club and Cathedral of Praise co- hosted a Job and Resource Fair for residents on September 19. Over 900 people attended to apply for full-time and part-time posi- tions. Rialto job fair is a success High school student excels in UCR courses RR PG.2 9-27-12_Layout 2 9/26/12 10:55 AM Page 1