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9/1/18 – The swamp is doubling down, and they’re doing so by insulting everyone’s intelligence: Mayor George Moyer, Art Welch and Debbie Franklin, those longtime gatekeepers of Banning’s corruption, have signed a joint statement, in which they declare that despite a total of 3 Grand Jury investigations, no corruption has ever existed in Banning (view statement).

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The statement reads: “3 Grand Jury reports initiated by Councilman Don Peterson found NO mismanagement nor corruption, nor criminal or illegal activity by the City”.

Say what? Just how stupid do they think the people of Banning are? Quite stupid, it seems.

The statement was made in conjunction with their unconditional support of ballot Measure P, an initiative which asks for voter approval of a tax to be added to Banning’s Electric Utility bills. (view Measure P). While everyone knows that taxing yourself is rarely a good idea, “tax-and-spend” councilmembers Moyer, Welch and Franklin are desperately trying to convince you otherwise.

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WARNING: THE FOLLOWING MAY BE HAZARDOUS TO YOUR HEALTH, AS IT MAY MAKE YOUR BLOOD BOIL!

Now let’s examine the facts:

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1. Banning is the only city in California to have received 3 Grand Jury investigations (2010, 2016, 2018) in less than a decade. The Grand Jury will not get involved and issue a report, unless malfeasance is discovered. So if there really was “nothing to see here”, why are there 3 Grand Jury reports on Banning? No corruption?

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2. Councilman Don Peterson did NOT initiate all 3 Grand Jury reports. At the time of the first (2010) Grand Jury report, Peterson did not even live in Banning. Until 2012 his place of residence was La Mirada.

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3. 2010 Grand Jury Report

The 2010 report (view) found that the Banning Cultural Alliance received $162,000 from the City as compensation for fictitious services. During their investigation, the Grand Jury discovered that none of these services were ever performed. This finding, all and by itself, shows that backdoor dealings and therefore corruption exist in Banning. A legitimate city would never pay for services that nobody renders.

In fact, this was a covert scheme to funnel money to friends of the city council. In 2005, Councilman Bob Botts had founded the non-profit Cultural Alliance, together with his campaign treasurer, Charlene Sakurai.

Shortly thereafter, it was none other than Art Welch who authorized the first $250,000 payment to the brand new organization. Ultimately over 1.3 million taxpayer dollars were funneled into this shady organization, under the pretense of “revitalizing downtown”, but with virtually nothing to show for in return.

The corrupt intent of the city is evidenced by the council’s subsequent refusal to demand a return of the $162,000, as it was recommended by the Grand Jury. Instead, in complete defiance of the Grand Jury, the council authorized an additional 6-figure dollar amount to be transferred to the Cultural Alliance. No corruption?

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4. 2016 Grand Jury Report

The 2016 Grand Jury report (view) exposed how friends of the council at the Banning Chamber of Commerce were given over $ 45,000 in free utilities. It also pointed out the unethical and illegal Banning practice of undocumented “handshake agreements”. Only $15,000 were ultimately recovered from the Chamber of Commerce. Ratepayers of the Banning utility were left stuck with the remaining $30,000. No corruption?

Again, it was Art Welch who was instrumental in this malfeasance. During the time in question, Welch morphed from President of the Chamber, into its Board member and finally into its “Agent for Service of Process”.

Simultaneously, as a councilmember, Welch looked the other way and never prevented the utilities from being given away, despite the fact that he was entrusted with oversight over the Banning Utility as a councilmember.

No dereliction of duty? No ethical violations? No wrongdoing? No shady dealings? No conflict of interest? No Corruption?

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.5. 2018 Grand Jury Report

The 2018 Grand Jury report (view) found that the City of Banning performed brush clearing services for a large car dealership, again via handshake agreement and without a written contract.

And again, it was Art Welch, who was at the center of this scandal as well. Welch had received campaign contributions from the dealership before arranging what was likely meant to be a freebie.

Only 9 months prior, Welch had signed a response to the 2016 Grand Jury report, promising that the City would immediately abandon their practice of entering into undocumented handshake agreements. But then it did exactly that. No corruption?

Despite such severe ethics violations, Welch was protected from censure. During the censure proceedings held a few months ago, George Moyer, Debbie Franklin and Daniela Andrade all showed their ugly faces: they created what can only be viewed as a “protection racket” for Welch: without any discussion whatsoever all three of them made sure that councilman Peterson’s motion to censure Welch would die for lack of a second. Their sinister plot succeeded and Welch got away with it – again. No corruption?

The same Grand Jury report also pointed out that the City of Banning gave the same dealership an absolutely unprecedented 28-year sales tax break.

Moyer, Welch and Franklin all had received prior campaign donations from present or former owners of the dealership. No corruption?

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CONCLUSION

You don’t have to be a “conspiracy theorist” to figure out what is going on in Banning. George Moyer, Art Welch and Debbie Franklin, these incorrigible swamp creatures, are doubling down. They try to tell you that there is no corruption – nothing to see here! Is your blood boiling yet?

Fortunately for Banning, Moyer and Franklin will leave the council come December 2018. Moyer terms out, while Franklin has decided not to run again. This leaves us with Art Welch, this prototype of Banning filth, for another two years.

Will Sun Lakes residents finally have enough of having their intelligence insulted by these pathetic liars? Will they finally wake up and recall Art Welch, this corrupt, good-for-nothing drunk?

Sun Lakes, please make Banning a better place: get rid of all your Moyers and recall Art Welch. Do it now! All of Banning will forever be grateful!

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