Opinion and Commentary By Donna Westfall – March 26, 2026
Not a day goes by that I don’t think about the culture of fraud in our City. It’s really frustrating to know that up until now nothing has been done. BUT, finally things seem to be changing.
What am I talking about? In this case it’s the $50 million that City Manager, Eric Wier states we need to repair the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP). Don’t forget he says we also need to increase water and sewer rates. Who’s going to pay for all that? He says, grants on the $50 million and ratepayers on the water/sewer rate increases.
I have another possible option. It goes back to discovering that in 2017, in the the City of Beaumont, 6 out of 7 officials were convicted by Riverside County District Attorney, Michael Hestrin of conflicts of interest, embezzlement, fraud and more going back almost 2 decades. They were imprisoned and made to pay restitution.
Another possible option is to create an Ad Hoc Citizen Oversight Committee that includes both the City and the County because the entire population on sewer is affected.
To get you started, watch my public comment at the March 24th Board of Supervisors meeting. It begins right away and ends at 10:29. Just turn it off.
What types of things may come out at an Ad Hoc meeting? Here’s just four:
1. Was the one and only bid on the WWTP fixed?
2. Was former Public Works Director, Jim Barnts in conflict of interest since his real estate projects were within 2 miles of city limits?
3. Was he influential in delaying the increase in sewer connection fees because it would affect his developments?
4. Were all the change orders justified or just a means to bilk the public?
There are dozens and dozens of questions that need answers.
“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” – George Santayana
Will history repeat itself with this upcoming $50 million expenditure?
Wouldn’t you like to know if all the millions of dollars spent and rate increases were justified and spent properly? Perhaps you’d also like to demand a Ad Hoc Citizen Oversight Committee be created.
