Is City Manager Takata running Banning into the ground ?
Is City Manager Takata running Banning into the ground ?
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9/16/13 – A key component in the success of any City lies in its appearance and the way it is kept. Many Banning residents have complained that the City lacks proper maintenance and upkeep, executes extremely poor planning and does not effectively enforce City code.
We took a tour of Banning to see for ourselves, and here is what we found :
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“Proud History – Prosperous Tomorrow” ? This is how the City of Banning greets its visitors and citizens, as they exit the Freeway on the East Side : the “Welcome” sign on East Ramsey Street is obstructed by weeds, along with more weeds growing wild in the curb.
This image symbolizes how much City staff cares about the public appearance of Banning.
Responsible : City manager Andrew Takata , Public Works Director Duane Burk
Evidence of years of neglect : 15 ft high weeds engulf the “Banning City Limits” sign on East Ramsey Street. The block foundation is fragmented.
Responsible : City manager Andrew Takata , Public Works Director Duane Burk
This is how the City takes care of its side walks – a result of many months of neglect. Location : Almond Way. Public works director Duane Burk does not have to look at this eyesore every day – he lives in Yucaipa.
Responsible : City manager Andrew Takata , Public Works Director Duane Burk
A Third World Country – or Banning ?
Recently installed concrete sidewalk and street light on Hargrave Street. A typical example for the City’s lack of planning and for poor execution of construction: the sidewalk pavement is interrupted, old asphalt is left in place (in front) and the lamp post and mailboxes do their best to obstruct the passage – not just for wheelchairs.
What a mess !
Responsible : City manager Andrew Takata , Public Works Director Duane Burk
More examples of botched construction in East Banning.
Clockwise from top left : 1400 block Almond Way, corner Hoffer & Cherry, 1300 block Almond Way (2x)
Responsible : City manager Andrew Takata , Public Works Director Duane Burk
Still convinced that City manager Takata and his staff are doing a good job maintaining Banning ?
Read on …
For months on end, this broken toilet has been laying on a vacant lot on Ramsey Street, alongside a broken sign and weeds growing in the background. Planning Director Zai Abu Bakar oversees code enforcement . But Bakar does not have to look at this every day – she lives in Chino and has no investment in Banning.
Responsible : City manager Andrew Takata and Planning Director Zai Abu Bakar
Trash piling up on Gilman street. Why doesn’t the City clean this up ? – Responsible : City manager Andrew Takata and Planning Director Zai Abu Bakar
Here we have a sofa dumped near Repplier and Hargrave . It’s been there for months.
Responsible : City manager Andrew Takata and Planning Director Zai Abu Bakar
- Clockwise from top left : a mattress on Gilman, a burned down house engulfed in weeds on Hargrave, an overgrown lot, full of trash, on Cherry and an abandoned house on Hargrave
Responsible : City manager Andrew Takata and Planning Director Zai Abu Bakar
Back on East Ramsey Street – more trash and an abandoned shopping cart
Responsible : City manager Andrew Takata and Planning Director Zai Abu Bakar
Takata says the City has no money for code enforcement, but drives around in this $ 50,000 SUV, paid for by the taxpayer
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MORE QUESTIONING, LESS COMMENDING NEEDED BY CITY COUNCIL
When it comes to accountability issues in the City of Banning, City manager Andrew Takata has failed miserably. Takata overpaid a cleanup contractor during the oil spill by $ 1.3M (story) – yet only a couple of Council members have an issue with this.
Another accountability issue is take-home cars. Takata is not the only one driving around in a City owned car at taxpayer expense. He allows a total of 16 of his favorite Staff members to do the same (story).
Ed Miller and Don Peterson have made it clear that they are unhappy with the way Takata runs the City
So far, there are only two Council members who have publicly scrutinized Takata and his Staff : Council member Ed Miller and Don Peterson. Miller has made it clear that he did not appreciate the last minute choices that the public was given during the Housing Element vote.Peterson then went even further and was the only one who voted against the entire proposal.
Miller has pointed out that he feels that Staff looks at the Council as a nuisance. Peterson, who spearheaded the issue of take-home cars, feels that Takata is wasting money right and left. No doubt, both of these two Council members feel strongly that the City needs better management.
At this time, all Council members need to raise the bar for what is expected from the City manager and Staff. Until this happens, don’t count on anything changing in City Hall anytime soon.
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CONCLUSION
Is City manager Takata running Banning into the ground ?
In light of the pictures posted in this article, the answer becomes painfully obvious. May we suggest that Takata put his take-home car to good use, and take a thorough tour of Banning. Maybe he will come back enlightened.
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