Managers and analysts put their necks on the line, and went public with their concerns about the health of the City, and how City Manager Bill Rawlings is affecting it. Councilmember Tony Lima looks on in the background. Artesia, California - A powerful scene unfolded earlier last week.   On October 5, almost every Artesia city employee attended a special council meeting and risked their livelihoods to publicly express their concerns about how City Manager Bill Rawlings is detrimentally affecting the health of the City. The purpose of the special council meeting was Rawlings' performance evaluation. Three council members - Rene Trevino, Melissa Ramoso, and Ali Sajjad Taj, thanked the managers and supervisors for their words, but Councilmember Monica Manalo defended Rawlings in a public statement.  The meeting ended with the City Attorney Hongdao Nguyen reporting 'No Reportable Action.'  The following week, Rawlings still went to the office at least once, and reta...

Artesia Employees, represented by AFSCME Local 1520, and a newly formed Managers union, declared that they have 'no confidence' in City Manager Bill Rawlings and essentially state that he is 'unfit for office.' Because they are all taking action with concerted union activity, they are protected state law. Want to unionize? Start here first.

Artesia, California - While the walls crumble around disgruntled City Manager Bill Rawlings, he is lashing out, but embattled employees catch a glimpse of blue sky. As lawsuits, unionizing efforts, investigations, and general mistrust mire three councilmembers' attempts to cover up several serious allegations against Rawlings, he is directing a subordinate to fire or attempt to fire employees for whistle blowing and for engaging in protected union activity, both of which are protected under state law. Despite this, employees are galvanized by outcries of support from residents, businesses, and outside agencies who are monitoring the situation. One Employee Fired Already An HR Manager, who was involved in unionizing efforts, was fired over a week ago.  The official reason: "services no longer needed". This particular HR Manager had glowing reviews for years, up until he bravely reported several serious allegations of harassment and misconduct involving the City Manager.  ...

  Artesia, California - Mayor Rene Trevino has heard the outcry from Artesia employees and managers about working conditions and horror stories under City Manager William "Bill" Rawlings. Union President Andrew Perry approached the City Council at the last council meeting, letting them know about a newly forming managers union. Perry asked for their support. Mayor Rene Trevino gave it. Afterwards, President Perry tells the Eye on Pioneer, "When Mayor Trevino first ran for council, I had reservations. I regret that now. I see him for what he truly is. He's independent. He's honest. He is his own man, and he speaks from his heart and out of principle." Perry said, "This is the rare type of person whom we want to see in public office.  In the future he and I may disagree on something, but at the end of the day you can't help but respect him because he wears his heart on his sleeve. This shows that he has true character. On behalf of the employees, and...

  California's State Auditor has a "High Risk" program that catalogues cities which are considered high risk for financial reasons. By the standards set by the State Auditor, Artesia would very likely be considered 'high risk', but the City seems to be off the State of California's radar for a very strange reason: no data. According to the California State Auditor, cities are considered ' high risk ' if their financial reports suggest that a City is having problems paying bills, has a low general reserve, or has some other financial issue that affects the lawful operation of a City.  The data gathered in this High Risk Program are received from financial reports submitted by cities every year, in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). But, what happens if a City doesn't submit an annual report, and hasn't done so in years?  The last time the City of Artesia submitted an annual financial report was for fiscal year 2016-...

  Eye on Pioneer's Andrew Perry interviews progressive Congressional candidate Elizabeth Moreira about her platform, the challenges, and why she's running for California's 38th Congressional District.

  Artesia, California - Union President Andrew Perry  confronted the Artesia City Council during the public comments segment of the regular City Council meeting. Union President Andrew Perry (Artesia Local 1520 - AFSCME) confronts the City Council during the public comments segment of the regular City Council meeting. In particular, Mr. Perry addresses the votes of three councilmembers who sought to prevent future reports against the practices of City Manager Bill Rawlings, by removing a clause from a policy that made it easier for employees to report. Several employees had already given reports about their experiences with the City Manager using this policy. This is the public comment in its entirety: Mayor and City Council, my name is Andrew Perry, and I’m an employee of the City and President of AFSCME Local 1520 - our employee union. In November 2020, the City Council adopted a policy which essentially opened up another avenue for employees to report workplace bul...