“Banning White House” finally shut down

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10/13/11 – For almost a full year, the now infamous “Banning White House” has been operating as a commercial

facility in a residential zoning. They were able to do so mainly because Mayor Barbara Hanna has been using her office to aid and abet  the “Banning White House” in their illegal quest to do business without a business license and without paying any business taxes to the City of Banning. For about a year, the City never enforced the law – until now : on September 29, the City finally served the owners of the “Banning White House” with a “Notice of Violation”.

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Mayor Hanna’s Protection Racket finally crumbles

According to City documents, Hanna’s “hands down favorite place in Banning” (source) is about to close : beginning January 2012,  the “Banning White House” will have to cease their commercial operations for good.

Public pressure, several articles by this website as well as a commendable inquiry by Council member Debbie Franklin (view story) left the City with no choice but to take action. Now, one full year after operations had started, the City has finally found the “Banning  White House” to be in violation. They have drafted a settlement agreement that the owner of the property, Dale Thomas,  signed on October 6.

The fully negotiated settlement agreement can be viewed here. It allows the “Banning White House” to hold 4 more events before finally being shut down come January 2012. The agreement has gone before the City Council  for final approval.

This story goes to show, that given enough public pressure, even slick politicians like Mayor Barbara Hanna can be stopped in abusing their elected office for the benefit of select special interests.

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“Banning White House” now listed for sale

Simultaneously with the defeat handed to Hanna and the “Banning White House”, the owners have put the property up for sale . Asking price : $ 850,000, (view listing here). Neighbors of the “Banning White House”, can finally look forward to having their neighborhood restored after all.

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