GLASMAN'S DEFENSE:  on January 29, Glasman alleges to have received legal advice form Strumwasser & Woocher law firm during a phone conversation. Glasman claims that Strumwasser & Woocher agrees with his legal analysis authorizing a 2 person quorum. Glasman cited an opinion which is no longer valid Nesbitt v. Bolz (1939) 13 Cal.2d.677.

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MONTEBELLO VOICES OPPOSITION:  Our attorney immediately contacted the Strumwasser & Woocher law firm, they responded, " we have not been retained by the City for these purposes nor been authorized to communicate with anybody about this issue on behalf of the the city". This is not a simple mistake on Glasman's behalf, it is a lie! THE LAW IS CLEAR. Price v. Tennant Community Services Dist., 194 Cal.App.3d 491 (Cal.App.1987) distinguishes Nesbitt,  holding unambiguously that a quorum of a five-member body is always three, without regard to vacancies.  In addition, the Opinion of Kamala Harris, Attorney General from December 28, 2011 states, "The Council may not define its quorum as less than a simple majority of the Council's full statutory membership". 

With the resignation of Council Member David Torres (D4) and the unavailability of Mayor Sal Melendez, (D3) 

NO QUORUM WAS REACHED.

                                                                                                                    

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ALERT: Potential Brown Act Violations During the Recall Process of District 5

Georgina Tamayo (D1), Scarlet Peralta (D2), and Rick Alonzo (D5) share the same campaign manager and mentor, Christina Cortez (former mayor). Scarlet Peralta endorsed Rick Alonzo in 2022 and donated thousands to his District 5 campaign.

On April 26, 2024, just days before the "Residents Supporting the Recall of Councilmember Angie Jimenez" PAC officially registered, Rick Alonzo circulated a text message to residents asking for support in the appointment  for District 5. Multiple sources have confirmed that recall meetings were held at Christina Cortez's residence, where she was present during the meetings. However, the meetings and recall were run by Julian Cepeda Castro, who is her best friend’s son. Cepeda is a paid consultant for Georgina Tamayo (D1), Scarlet Peralta (D2), and former Councilmember David Torres (D4) and has received $TENS of THOUSANDS $ from these 3 council members. Cepeda does not reside in Montebello; he lives in Whittier and holds a commissioner position there. He also serves on the Democratic Assembly District 56.

In November 2024, Christina Cortez visited Bill Paolisso, a District 5 resident who had expressed interest in the appointment to District 5. Bill claims that Christina urged him to step aside in favor of Rick Alonzo’s appointment. After Bill refused, Christina asserted that he "did not have the votes." It is important to note that Christina and Bill have been friends for over a decade. Bill also ran for city council in 2015 and remains heavily involved in District 5. In December 2024, during the Montebello reorganization, Christina Cortez was seen parading Rick Alonzo around to other officials to gather support.

District 5 has been exploited once again. Those in power misled and manipulated the residents of District 5, who were unaware that the deal with Rick Alonzo was already set in motion.

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WHY IT MATTERS:

• The two Council member rushed the appointment to deny the VOTERS their RIGHT to vote.

• City Council denied special elections and instead spent $750,000 of tax payer money for a dog park.

• They are wasting millions of taxpayer's monies on lawsuits and illegal termination settlements.

• A recent California State auditor's report showed numerous conflict of interests naming Montebello a High Risk City!

• The council gave themselves the "super majority" and that is too much power. Making them beholden to their donors and their campaign manager.