Rodolfo Garcia

We strongly object to The Times' statement (Metro Digest, Jan. 22) that the successful recent Bell Gardens recall campaign "was largely funded by absentee landlords." The implication intended by the line is even more disturbing. We are each candidates for the City Council positions in the March 10 election. (Two of us are renters; only one is a landlord.) We have been active in the Bell Gardens No Rezoning Committee, which was formed to protest the city's removal of low-cost rental housing, and other abusive conduct of the City Council.

An investigation is under way in Bell Gardens to determine if some members of the City Council live outside of town. Spurred by allegations that Councilmen George T. Deitch and Rodolfo (Rudy) Garcia do not live in the city, the Bell Gardens council unanimously decided to hire a private investigator.

City Councilman Rodolfo (Rudy) Garcia has come under fire for soliciting and receiving nearly $1,500 in personal loans from city officials in the past year. Garcia borrowed nearly $1,000 from City Manager William Vasquez, whom the councilman later cast a vote to fire, in an apparent violation of state law. Garcia also borrowed $150 from Assistant City Manager Lawrence Salazar, who was later fired, and $300 from Councilman George Deitch.

City Councilman Rodolfo (Rudy) Garcia has come under fire for soliciting and receiving nearly $1,500 in personal loans from city officials in the past year. Garcia borrowed nearly $1,000 from City Manager William Vasquez, whom the councilman later cast a vote to fire, in an apparent violation of state law. Garcia also borrowed $150 from Assistant City Manager Lawrence Salazar, who was later fired, and $300 from Councilman George Deitch.

Less than a year ago the victorious new City Council members of Bell Gardens--ordinary folks who overnight became more potent than they had ever dreamed--confidently pushed through a throng of well-wishers. The winners in a historic landslide election the week before were surrounded by proud members of the Latino political Establishment--state senators and assembly members who had never heard of Frank B. Duran, Josefina Macias, Rodolfo Garcia or George T. Deitch before the election.

An investigation is under way in Bell Gardens to determine if some members of the City Council live outside of town. Spurred by allegations that Councilmen George T. Deitch and Rodolfo (Rudy) Garcia do not live in the city, the Bell Gardens council unanimously decided to hire a private investigator.

A foundation run by a Bell Gardens city councilman was promised thousands of dollars in donations by a card club operator shortly before the councilman voted to allow the club to lease city property next to the club, documents show. In mid-July, George G. Hardie, general manager of the Bicycle Club casino, promised in writing to contribute $1,000 a month to the Willie C. Velasquez Center, which is headed by Councilman Rodolfo (Rudy) Garcia.

A military task force has recommended court-martial proceedings for mutiny and other charges against at least 45 junior officers in last month's alleged coup attempt, Philippine officials said. If found guilty, the soldiers could face life imprisonment. Lt. Gen. Rodolfo Garcia told reporters that the officers include the mutineers' five alleged ringleaders.

A cousin of slain Los Angeles disc jockey Rodolfo Garcia Cortez surrendered to police at the San Ysidro border crossing near San Diego and was booked for investigation of murder, police said. Gustavo Garcia, 22, had been Cortez's roommate since February. Cortez, a popular announcer for Spanish-language radio station KWKW, was found stabbed to death near the Los Angeles Convention Center on April 28.

Less than a year ago the victorious new City Council members of Bell Gardens--ordinary folks who overnight became more potent than they had ever dreamed--confidently pushed through a throng of well-wishers. The winners in a historic landslide election the week before were surrounded by proud members of the Latino political Establishment--state senators and assembly members who had never heard of Frank B. Duran, Josefina Macias, Rodolfo Garcia or George T. Deitch before the election.

A foundation run by a Bell Gardens city councilman was promised thousands of dollars in donations by a card club operator shortly before the councilman voted to allow the club to lease city property next to the club, documents show. In mid-July, George G. Hardie, general manager of the Bicycle Club casino, promised in writing to contribute $1,000 a month to the Willie C. Velasquez Center, which is headed by Councilman Rodolfo (Rudy) Garcia.

We strongly object to The Times' statement (Metro Digest, Jan. 22) that the successful recent Bell Gardens recall campaign "was largely funded by absentee landlords." The implication intended by the line is even more disturbing. We are each candidates for the City Council positions in the March 10 election. (Two of us are renters; only one is a landlord.) We have been active in the Bell Gardens No Rezoning Committee, which was formed to protest the city's removal of low-cost rental housing, and other abusive conduct of the City Council.