BajaNomad

Chula Vista Deputy Mayor Says "Mexico is Safe"

Gypsy Jan - 8-11-2011 at 01:17 PM

From the San Diego Reader: http://tinyurl.com/3zmpgoy

"Chula Vista Deputy Mayor Rudy Ramirez says the public's perception that Mexico is unsafe is not supported by real crime statistics. In a July 18 press release, Ramirez reported on a recent meeting with mayors from cities throughout Baja and the Southern California. One of the key topics during the meeting was the false perception that many have in regards to life in Mexico.

"A key topic of discussion was that the perception of the insecurity of the region is not supported by statistics regarding public safety," reads the press release.

At the binational meeting, mayors and elected officials requested that California Governor Jerry Brown enact laws to expedite border crossing.

"Local government officials agreed that the status quo of long border wait times and travel restrictions is no longer acceptable. We must work to ensure border security but not sacrifice efficiency," stated Ramirez.

One initiative that gained support at the meeting was a law that would require only a valid California drivers license to enter into the United States.

The mayors also supported working together to "promote economic development" and tourism."

alofrisco - 8-11-2011 at 03:03 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Gypsy Jan
From the San Diego Reader: http://tinyurl.com/3zmpgoy

"Chula Vista Deputy Mayor Rudy Ramirez says the public's perception that Mexico is unsafe is not supported by real crime statistics. In a July 18 press release, Ramirez reported on a recent meeting with mayors from cities throughout Baja and the Southern California. One of the key topics during the meeting was the false perception that many have in regards to life in Mexico.

"A key topic of discussion was that the perception of the insecurity of the region is not supported by statistics regarding public safety," reads the press release.

At the binational meeting, mayors and elected officials requested that California Governor Jerry Brown enact laws to expedite border crossing.

"Local government officials agreed that the status quo of long border wait times and travel restrictions is no longer acceptable. We must work to ensure border security but not sacrifice efficiency," stated Ramirez.

One initiative that gained support at the meeting was a law that would require only a valid California drivers license to enter into the United States.

The mayors also supported working together to "promote economic development" and tourism."


Good old Rudy Ramirez. He's a real stand-up kind of guy.

http://www.10news.com/news/26861038/detail.html
Quote:
CHULA VISTA, Calif. -- A former Chula Vista City Council aide is suing the city for wrongful termination. Shari Watson was Deputy Mayor Rudy Ramirez's aide for two years before she was fired last September. "Shari Watson was a very devoted employee for the city of Chula Vista," said her attorney Josh Gruenberg.

Last September, a check was directed to Ramirez's office from Cox Communications for $2,400. A lawsuit filed in State Superior Court said the check was written to the "City of Chula Vista/International Friendship Games," an annual event hosted by Ramirez. The lawsuit documents said Watson was concerned because the cable company already made a $1,000 donation. Watson wanted to make sure there wasn't a clerical error.

"She was very conscientious, wanted to make sure the city did the right thing with regard to the money it received," Gruenberg said.

According to the lawsuit, Ramirez ordered Watson to deposit the check without checking. The documents quoted a phone conversation between Watson and Ramirez.

According to the documents, Watson told Ramirez: "I'm not comfortable doing this. You are asking me to do something I think is unethical."

Ramirez terminated her immediately, and Watson, a single mother, is still unemployed.

"Rudy Ramirez lost his temper with her and decided to terminate her because she was taking precautions," said Gruenberg.


[url]http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2009/dec/04/cv-councilman-was-driver-deadly-accident/[/url
Quote:
Chula Vista City Councilman Rudy Ramirez was the driver in a Thursday morning accident that left a 58-year-old Dulzura man dead, Ramirez and the California Highway Patrol said.

Ramirez was driving east on state Route 94 in Dulzura on his way to his metal factory in Tecate when his pickup struck and killed Thomas Edwin Klopfstein about 7 a.m.

"It's a horrific tragedy," Ramirez said. "It's hard to talk about."

Ramirez was not cited. A California Highway Patrol spokesman said it could be several weeks before its investigation is completed.

Ramirez said the sun was shining in his eyes as he negotiated a turn approaching Community Building Road. Authorities said Klopfstein was attempting to cross the highway when he was struck.

"There is a sweeping turn to the left in the area he was on," CHP Officer Brian Pennings said.

Ramirez said he and his family are devastated.

"You play the moment over in your head about 100 times a day and you get this sinking feeling in your stomach," he said fighting back tears. ŠI think about my daughter and how she might feel about this.

Klopfstein lived alone in a mobile home. Attempts to locate family members were unsuccessful.

Woooosh - 8-11-2011 at 03:29 PM

Rudy also forgot to mention very few Mayors attended that TJ conference because they all felt it was too dangerous to go.