![]() “My community depends on its public safety and the stability of its police department. When the Baldwin Park City Council approved Taylor’s employment contract, Mayor Manuel Lozano said having Taylor serve a year as chief of police would hopefully bring some stability to the city’s police force and give the council more time to evaluate candidates within and outside the department.īetween November 2016 and November 2017, four different police chiefs served the city of Baldwin Park.īaldwin Park Councilwoman Monica Garcia approved the contract, also saying it was to bring stability to the department at a reduced cost to the city. “It seems to me like it was all collusion,” said Araiza, 73. He continues to monitor the agency, and called the situation with Taylor and Tafoya “shady.” Twenty of those years were spent serving as the district’s general manager and 10 as assistant manager. He said the allegations surfaced after the November general election when he was re-elected and Crowther and Taylor were elected to the board, unseating incumbents Linda Gonzalez and Robert Bourland.Ī change in board members and voting blocs, said Young, typically means a shift in management.Īnthony “Butch” Araiza worked for the Water District from 1963 until June 2015. “I know of no policies that that particular vote violated,” Young said.Ĭontroversy surrounding Taylor’s and Tafoya’s employment contracts underscores a shakeup at the West Valley Water District involving the recent termination and suspensions of its entire executive staff amid allegations of improper spending, unethical hiring practices and violations of state and federal labor laws, all of which Young denies. 7 nomination and vote for Tafoya’s law firm, Tafoya & Garcia LLP, did not violate any district conflict of interest or ethics policies. Since that time, I’m very satisfied with their work and coming up to speed with the district,” said Young, who was elected to the water board in 2013 and re-elected in November. “I felt, as president of the board, that it was wise to retain counsel that we are familiar with. Neither Taylor nor Tafoya returned repeated telephone calls and emails seeking comment. The remaining directors have served less than five years on the board, and two of its newest directors - Taylor and Kyle Crowther - were elected to the board in November. ![]() “It sounds to me like the old phrase, ‘quid pro quo,'” said Don Olinger, who at age 90 is the longest-serving member on the West Valley Water District’s board of directors. Some say Taylor and Tafoya clearly benefitted from each other’s actions, and that it was inappropriate. Taylor had previously served as the city’s police chief for nearly three years before the City Council voted 3-2 to fire him in September 2016. ![]() Tafoya helped negotiate Taylor’s contract, which Taylor wrote himself, city officials said. It also ensures his pension will increase by $25,000. The contract ensures Taylor cannot be fired unless he commits a felony offense and that he receive no annual performance evaluation. 15, Tafoya recommended that the City Council approve Taylor’s one-year police chief contract, which was approved on a 3-2 vote. ![]() 7 as a new board director for the West Valley Water District in Rialto, Baldwin Park Police Chief Michael Taylor’s first action was nominating Baldwin Park City Attorney Robert Tafoya to serve as the district’s new general counsel. The contract was approved on a 4-1 vote with board director Don Olinger voting no. ![]()
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