Pico Rivera Ca Government Officials

O.J. Simpson and Erik Menendez have them. So why not a Pico Rivera councilwoman? Councilwoman Helen O'Hara has set up a legal defense fund to fight three misdemeanor charges--battery, petty theft and vandalism--stemming from disputes with her constituents. The councilwoman hopes to raise $5,000 to $7,000 to fight the charges, which she calls "total fabrications." Every little bit helps.

Councilwoman Helen Jo O'Hara pleaded not guilty Thursday to one felony count of misusing public funds. O'Hara, 36, allegedly received $1,550 in July 1997 to cover expenses for travel to conferences, said Assistant City Manager Ann Negendank. When she failed to attend the conferences, the O'Hara was asked to return the money, Negendank said. O'Hara gave the money back in October 1997, Negendank said.

For Pico Rivera City Councilwoman Helen O'Hara, this has been a season of bad news. She's faced a recall petition, a misdemeanor battery charge and then two more charges of vandalism and theft. But the freshman councilwoman has finally won a round. A count of recall petitions has found insufficient signatures to force O'Hara into an election, reports City Clerk Christine Schaefer. "This is just one more monkey off my back," O'Hara said Tuesday as she prepared for her Aug.

City officials are formally demanding that Councilwoman Helen O'Hara account for $1,550 in city funds given to her for two July conferences she did not attend. O'Hara was to have attended a League of California Cities meeting in Monterey and a sister city conference in Michigan. "To date, she has not accounted for the expenses," said City Manager Dennis Courtemarche. "I have reminded her in writing of her responsibilities, which means you account for your expenses in 30 days."

True story: A Pico Rivera councilwoman was charged with battery after she grabbed a sheaf of papers out of a constituent's hand. Margaret Rios, 76, was seated in the City Council chambers June 5, holding papers that belonged to Councilwoman Helen O'Hara. O'Hara, 33, spied them in Rios' hand and snatched them back. The district attorney's office filed the misdemeanor battery complaint Wednesday, alleging that Rios' arm was bent back in the struggle, causing a mild sprain.

Pico Rivera Mayor Garth G. Gardner and City Council members John G. Chavez, Gil De La Rosa and Beatrice Proo are the targets of a recall accusing them of "gross neglect of fiscal responsibility" and "gross abuse of elected authority." Chavez said the city's finances have been hurt because of dwindling state and federal funds flowing into the city, but he defended the council's handling of the problem. To force a special election, proponents must collect about 4,750 signatures by Feb. 29.

City officials are formally demanding that Councilwoman Helen O'Hara account for $1,550 in city funds given to her for two July conferences she did not attend. O'Hara was to have attended a League of California Cities meeting in Monterey and a sister city conference in Michigan. "To date, she has not accounted for the expenses," said City Manager Dennis Courtemarche. "I have reminded her in writing of her responsibilities, which means you account for your expenses in 30 days."

The most interesting and intense politics in the Southland these days are the politics of the defense business. Politicians are moving into action because of the possibility that the Cold War's end will mean cutbacks in defense plants from Long Beach to Palmdale. If peace has a price, a good part of it will be paid by city council members whose constituencies include unemployed defense workers.

Trouble follows some people, but it seems to be dogging Pico Rivera Councilwoman Helen O'Hara lately. When last we heard from the councilwoman, she was facing a recall effort and had been charged with misdemeanor battery on an elderly constituent. O'Hara, admittedly, yanked some papers from the woman's hand in council chambers.

County elections officials are reviewing recall petitions against three Pico Rivera council members. Workers must verify a minimum of 4,799 signatures against each of the council members--Gil De La Rosa, Beatrice Proo and Mayor John Chavez--to qualify the recalls for the city's consolidated elections in March. Last week, a group of residents accusing the three officials of "gross abuse of elected authority," handed over more than 6,000 signatures against each member to the city clerk's office.

County elections officials are reviewing recall petitions against three Pico Rivera council members. Workers must verify a minimum of 4,799 signatures against each of the council members--Gil De La Rosa, Beatrice Proo and Mayor John Chavez--to qualify the recalls for the city's consolidated elections in March. Last week, a group of residents accusing the three officials of "gross abuse of elected authority," handed over more than 6,000 signatures against each member to the city clerk's office.

Pico Rivera's water board has decided it gave itself too much credit. Concerns that Pico Water District board members were abusing their district-issued credit cards recently prompted the board to snip the privilege once and for all. "[Board members] felt that the expenditures on the credit cards were running a little bit too high," said district General Manager Joseph Dermody.

Pico Rivera Mayor Garth G. Gardner and City Council members John G. Chavez, Gil De La Rosa and Beatrice Proo are the targets of a recall accusing them of "gross neglect of fiscal responsibility" and "gross abuse of elected authority." Chavez said the city's finances have been hurt because of dwindling state and federal funds flowing into the city, but he defended the council's handling of the problem. To force a special election, proponents must collect about 4,750 signatures by Feb. 29.

For Pico Rivera City Councilwoman Helen O'Hara, this has been a season of bad news. She's faced a recall petition, a misdemeanor battery charge and then two more charges of vandalism and theft. But the freshman councilwoman has finally won a round. A count of recall petitions has found insufficient signatures to force O'Hara into an election, reports City Clerk Christine Schaefer. "This is just one more monkey off my back," O'Hara said Tuesday as she prepared for her Aug.

O.J. Simpson and Erik Menendez have them. So why not a Pico Rivera councilwoman? Councilwoman Helen O'Hara has set up a legal defense fund to fight three misdemeanor charges--battery, petty theft and vandalism--stemming from disputes with her constituents. The councilwoman hopes to raise $5,000 to $7,000 to fight the charges, which she calls "total fabrications." Every little bit helps.

Trouble follows some people, but it seems to be dogging Pico Rivera Councilwoman Helen O'Hara lately. When last we heard from the councilwoman, she was facing a recall effort and had been charged with misdemeanor battery on an elderly constituent. O'Hara, admittedly, yanked some papers from the woman's hand in council chambers.

Councilwoman Helen Jo O'Hara pleaded not guilty Thursday to one felony count of misusing public funds. O'Hara, 36, allegedly received $1,550 in July 1997 to cover expenses for travel to conferences, said Assistant City Manager Ann Negendank. When she failed to attend the conferences, the O'Hara was asked to return the money, Negendank said. O'Hara gave the money back in October 1997, Negendank said.

Pico Rivera's water board has decided it gave itself too much credit. Concerns that Pico Water District board members were abusing their district-issued credit cards recently prompted the board to snip the privilege once and for all. "[Board members] felt that the expenditures on the credit cards were running a little bit too high," said district General Manager Joseph Dermody.

True story: A Pico Rivera councilwoman was charged with battery after she grabbed a sheaf of papers out of a constituent's hand. Margaret Rios, 76, was seated in the City Council chambers June 5, holding papers that belonged to Councilwoman Helen O'Hara. O'Hara, 33, spied them in Rios' hand and snatched them back. The district attorney's office filed the misdemeanor battery complaint Wednesday, alleging that Rios' arm was bent back in the struggle, causing a mild sprain.

The most interesting and intense politics in the Southland these days are the politics of the defense business. Politicians are moving into action because of the possibility that the Cold War's end will mean cutbacks in defense plants from Long Beach to Palmdale. If peace has a price, a good part of it will be paid by city council members whose constituencies include unemployed defense workers.