Voice of the People: Your Local Government by Doug Wilson - City News Group, Inc.

Community Calendar

FEBRUARY
S M T W T F S
01 02 03 04 05 06 07
08 09 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
View Events
Submit Events
directory

Voice of the People: Your Local Government

By Doug Wilson, Grand Terrace Resident
March 19, 2014 at 01:39pm. Views: 25

Common sense tells us that it is necessary to know the nature of an organization before trust can be placed in it. If you want to get a feel for how local government is supposed to function, the Grand Terrace Municipal Code and the California Government Code are good places to start. In a General Law City like Grand Terrace, nothing really expensive gets done without a quorum vote by the City Council. California Government Code Title 4 vests local government in a City Council, in addition to its City Clerk, City Treasurer, and subordinate officers or employees. The members of the Council are free to say or do almost anything that pleases them for their $300.00 a month short of conferring with each other in advance of a public hearing on matters pertaining to civil welfare. Of course, Council Members and Staff are subject to the identical legal and ethical standards and repercussions as any private citizen. Contrary to popular opinion, there is no such thing as a “take-charge, buck-stops-here” Hollywood dictator of a Mayor in a General Law City. Elected or not, Government Code Section 34903 makes the mayor just another council member with a few more administrative duties. Somebody has to run the meetings. The City Manager is the person who really wields the day-to-day scepter of power in the City. Municipal Code Section 2.08 grants the Council the authority to appoint a qualified professional. From there no single member of the Council can tell the City Manager what to do. The City Manager hires and fires, enforces law, controls employees, manages spending, oversees assets, and even re-organizes government for peak effectiveness, efficiency and economy. Don’t take my word for it. Knowledge takes the mystery out of what appears to most people to be a predatory system. Faith doesn't have to imply blind obedience or hopeless participation. Right should always be capable of standing the test of asking “why”? It is your right to trust how your government functions before you cast your vote this November.

Related Articles

Photo Courtesy of: CalKIDS

By Vanessa Vizard, Contributing Writer

February 24, 2026 at 01:48pm. Views: 124

An event staff member assists an attendee at the CalKIDS check-in table, helping her register and sharing information as community resources are made available.

Photo Courtesy of: City of Moreno Valley

By William Cortez, Community Writer

February 10, 2026 at 03:03pm. Views: 487

A job seeker speaks with a representative at a Business & Employment Resource Center (BERC) booth during a career fair, where employers share information and resources with attendees in a bright indoor venue.

Photo Courtesy of: ChatGPT (AI-generated)

By Ruby Stephenson, Contributing Writer

February 24, 2026 at 01:48pm. Views: 151

AI-rendered image: Community members, families, and children gather outside the boarded entrance of Moreno Valley Mall, where signs posted on the doors read “Mall Closed,” illustrating the impact of a temporary shutdown on local residents.

Photo Courtesy of: TME Photography by Titan Mom Elvira

By Titan Mom Elvira, Community Writer

February 24, 2026 at 01:48pm. Views: 131

CSHS Athlete of the Week: Abubacarr Saidy

Photo Courtesy of: Elci Photography

By Stella Pierce, Community Writer

February 24, 2026 at 01:48pm. Views: 187

“Chuck” William Cecil and his wife, Beverly Cecil, stand proudly with Johan Gallo, Grand Terrace Cars & Coffee's coordinator, as they are recognized for their long-standing dedication and support of Grand Terrace Cars & Coffee

Photo Courtesy of: Congressman Pete Aguilar

By Carl M. Dameron, Contributing Writer

February 24, 2026 at 01:48pm. Views: 130

House Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar represents the 33rd Congressional District of California. He is the keynote speaker at The Democratic Luncheon Club of San Bernardino’s 32nd Annual Banquet and Installation of Officers.

Photo Courtesy of: City of San Bernardino, Instagram: IE Voice

By Ruby Stephenson, Contributing Writer

February 24, 2026 at 01:50pm. Views: 267

A bright red and gold dragon costume weaves through a crowd of smiling adults and children at an outdoor festival, as performers lean down to interact with attendees during a lively dragon dance.

Photo Courtesy of: Designed by Freepik

By Charmaine Mislang, Community Writer

February 24, 2026 at 01:48pm. Views: 197

Two students stand in a library, looking down at an open book together, with shelves of books visible in the background.
Over the past year, Redlands Unified has relied on Administrative Regulation 1312.2 – Complaints Concerning Instructional Materials, a policy adopted by the Board of Education on Aug. 19, 2025, to guide how concerns about library and instructional materials are reviewed.

Photo Courtesy of: VA Loma Linda

By Stephen K. Robinson, Contributing Writer

February 24, 2026 at 01:49pm. Views: 195

Exterior view of the Jerry L. Pettis Memorial Veterans Medical Center, a large beige multi-story building with blue window accents. Three flagpoles displaying the American flag and military service flags stand in front of the entrance, surrounded by landscaped grass, rocks, and a small water feature.

Photo Courtesy of: Youtube: SBS Probation

By William Cortez, Contributing Writer

February 24, 2026 at 01:49pm. Views: 191

An indoor workshop scene shows teaching artists, M. Ahofi and J. Lee of PMHU, seated and playing guitar and cello, while others observe in the background. The photo is depicted with a blue, on-screen banner reading, “Mapping Progress: Project: Music Heals Us.”

Photo Courtesy of: ChatGPT (AI-generated)

By Tracy Calentti, Contributing Writer

February 24, 2026 at 01:49pm. Views: 192

An AI-rendered image showing a person wearing a hood and gloves removing a property tax payment envelope from a blue mail drop box during low light conditions.

Photo Courtesy of: Jsmithwikigt, Wikipedia

By Charmaine Mislang, Community Writer

February 24, 2026 at 01:49pm. Views: 191

City of Grand Terrace images from top, left to right - Grand Terrace City Hall, Blue Mountain Trail, Northeast City Entrance, Historical Plaque, Veterans Wall of Freedom.

--> -->