When is the Culver City Senior Center administration going to be fair and honor the civil rights of seniors by providing a hearing before an unbiased judge--not staffers who make a complaint--and the ability of a senior who is accused of wrongdoing to cross-examine witnesses against him or her as guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution before punishing these seniors for challenging this corrupt and biased system?
When these problems were reported to City Manager John Nachbar, Nachbar said that he “trusts” his directors, administrators and staff that they would not create falsehoods on reports that the City makes about “dissident” seniors. Not only allowing fabrications to be made on reports but not allowing any appeals as well--even though the City’s school system does so for kids.
We are not talking about violent offences. Instead, we're talking about petty problems, such as sharing birthday cake during lunch time or giving extra food to people who are hungry.
The disastrous culture at the Center is so pervasive that seniors are now afraid to speak up when they hear of wrong-doing by staff for fear that they, too, may be targeted.
Besides the intimidation, everything is kept super-secret. It is so secret that a senior cannot even see the written complaint against him or her. The City claims attorney/client privilege even through there are no lawyers involved.
It is ironic that posted all over the Center are signs that proclaim the facility is a “non-bullying zone.” Apparently, though, it only applies to the seniors but not the staff.
To those of you who read this and think that these problems should be investigated, please email City Manager Nachbar, john.nachbar@culvercity.org, after the investigation is completed.
CalPERS Earnings Improve
California’s largest public employee pension fund saw an upturn in profits generated from its investments in the last year, officials report, an increase that offered some improvement to its long-term financial stability.
Leaders of the California Public Employees’ Retirement System, or CalPERS, reported preliminary numbers showing an 8.6 percent net return on its investments for the 12-month period that ended in June. That is a higher rate of return than the pension fund expects to earn over the coming decades but not necessarily reflective of a change of its long-term challenges.
“While it’s important to note the portfolio’s performance at the 12-month mark, I can’t emphasize enough that we are long-term investors,” Ted Elipoulos, CalPERS chief investment officer, said in a statement. "We will pay pensions for decades, so we invest for a performance that will sustain the fund for decades.”
CalPERS expects a seven-percent annual return on its investment over the next 30 years, an estimate that was lowered in late 2016 over concerns that more optimistic expectations could leave employers--state local governments--on the hook for billions of dollars in unbudgeted payments. Even so, that change raised the required government contributions. Local government officials across the state said this year that they remain worried about having to cut services as a result of the higher costs.
Pension fund officials said the system is now projected to have 71 percent of the assets it needs to pay existing public employee retirement obligations. That is a slightly higher estimate than one issued last year, but critics still say the pension system still will be too reliant on taxpayer dollars.
Vote Center Survey
Los Angeles City Clerk Holly L. Wolcott has announced that the Los Angeles County Registrar/County Clerk is seeking the public’s input regarding the placement of "vote centers" through a survey conducted by the Vote Center Placement Project.
In 2020, the county will be eligible to implement the changes that were signed into law last year. The measure allows counties to change from precinct-based polling places to voting centers. Voters would then be able to vote ay any voting center in the city or county.
The City Clerk is encouraging Angelenos to express their preferences through the Vote Center Survey, http://www.vsap.lavote.net.
More information can be obtained by calling the L.A. City Clerk's Election Division, (213) 978-0444, or toll free at (888) 873-1000.
For those who missed an article, all my commentaries can be found at http://www.culvercityobserver.com.
Reader Comments(2)
grathy writes:
Dear Culver City Observer: I've been a volunteer at the Culver City Senior Center for over 14 years as their Karaoke DJ on Tuesdays. We have a wide spectrum of personalities who come the center, and sometimes it's difficult for all factions to get along. I commend the staff for doing what must be done to make the center enjoyable to all.
08/07/2018, 2:40 pm
Daniel writes:
Basic rules of behavior, whether it's at a Senior Center, Day Camp, Adult Sports league game, After School Program are subject to rules of conduct. Not a court of law. That's not done anywhere in any municipality. Costly, inefficient, poor use of limited resources. Here is an idea. Behave yourself. Being the retired Director. All suspensions from the Center were justified due to improper behavior, unacceptable actions towards other seniors and staff and failure to follow basic rules.
08/07/2018, 9:51 am