Talk to Us West Covina: Recent Episodes
Steve Bennett
Talk to Us West Covina is a podcast about what’s occurring in and around West Covina. We focus on subjects that matter to you – our listeners. The topics we cover are those that are impacting each of us that live in the eastern San Gabriel Valley. Our guests are Residents, Community Leaders, Business Owners, and Politicians – ones that are shaping our community today…and tomorrow. If you would like to be a guest on Talk to Us West Covina or you might know of someone who would be a great guest, please let us know by sending us an email at talktouswc@gmail.com.
In this very special episode of Talk To Us West Covina we sat down with members of the board at the famous Ramona Bowl in Hemet, CA. The Ramona Bowl and the Ramona Outdoor Pageant and Play are the oldest in California. This play was inspired by the writings of Helen Hunt Jackson back in the 1800's.
Helen Hunt Jackson was also famous for fighting for the California Native American Tribes that were being mistreated. She petitioned Congress and wrote books on the atrocities that were taking place.
This play is the results of her writings and her legacy. Since 2023 is the 100 Year Anniversary of the play and the Centennial of the City of West Covina, we felt this would be great for the residents to learn more about a hidden gem we have here in Southern California.
Please take the time in April or May to visit this landmark and historical play. Tickets are not very expensive and you will be treated to a wonderful afternoon and an even more wonderful play.
For more information please visit their website at:
www.ramonabowl.com
Talk to Us West Covina:
Website: www.talktouswc.com
Email: talktouswc@gmail.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/talktouswc
In this episode, we sat down with TJ Campbell of the NAACP San Gabriel Valley Chapter. TJ is the outgoing President of the chapter and prior to his last few days/weeks he sat down with us to talk about the NAACP and his other projects. During his tenure with the NAACP he has served in various capacities and for the last few years as the President. While he is moving past the President role, he is quick to let everyone know he will continue to be very involved in the organization.
TJ was a student athlete in high school and through college where he played basketball at a collegiate level. He returned to his alma mater to be a coach and to help mentor our youth in their basketball futures where one of the teams he coached won the CIF Championship.
One of the programs that TJ has helped organize and lead is the “Local BSI” program where he is mentoring the community on how to economic stability in a community and how to shop at locally owned business to help the community in development.
We also talked about the upcoming Dr. Martin Luther King celebration where the local chapter partners with the City of West Covina to hold one of the largest celebrations in the San Gabriel Valley. This will happen on Monday, January 16, 2023 between 11:00am-2:00pm. It is a “Day of Service” and the entire community is invited to attend. The location is the civic center for the City of West Covina.
You can learn more at:
www.sgvnaacp.net
Talk to Us West Covina:
Website: www.talktouswc.com
Email: talktouswc@gmail.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/talktouswc
2022 Candidate Series - West Covina City Treasurer
Candidate: Sue Augino
City: West Covina
Election Date: November 8, 2022
Email: saugino@aol.com
In this episode of Talk to Us West Covina we sat down with SUE AUGINO, a candidate for the West Covina City Treasurer this November.
This special “Candidate Series” was produced by interviewing each candidate separately. In addition, all candidates were asked the same questions, regarding the same topics such as what the roles and responsibilities of the City Treasurer entail and also their positions regarding on-going deficit spending by the City, the proposed Municipal Health Department, and the city budget.
None of the candidates were provided any questions in advance of their interview.
While all candidates were contacted to participate and make their positions known, some declined. (Listed below)
We commend the candidates that were interviewed and shared with the residents of West Covina their thoughts about what’s ailing our City and how to change that.
The Candidate Series is great way to get to know the candidates.
NOTE: For the "Candidate Series" we have added "Chapter Markers" for each topic discussed. Please feel free to use these to jump to specific questions and topics.
Non-participating candidates listed here
City Treasurer:
- Colleen Rozatti (Incumbent)
- Marsha Solorio
Talk to Us West Covina:
Website: www.talktouswc.com
Email: talktouswc@gmail.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/talktouswc
2022 Candidate Series - West Covina City Council
Candidate: Ollie Cantos
District: District 4
City: West Covina
Election Date: November 8, 2022
Phone: (202) 744-0547
Website: www.olliecantos.comEmail: olliecantos@icloud.com
In this episode of Talk to Us West Covina we sat down with OLLIE CANTOS who is a candidate for the West Covina City Council, District 4 this November.
This special "Candidate Series" was produced with some specific criteria so that all candidates were presented with the same/similar questions to a list of possible topics they were presented with prior to the recording. None of the candidates were able to listen to any other candidates interview or preview of the questions asked.
We attempted to have each candidate on the podcast but some either did not get back to us at all or due to schedule conflicts we could not set a recording time. Those candidates that did not record an interview are listed here.
District 2:
- Letty Lopez (Incumbent)
District 4:
- Yara Wolff
District 5:
- Richard Reyes
- Ramod Sotoodeh
- Tony Wu (Incumbent)
Please do not forget to listen to all of the candidate series interviews.
2022 Candidate Series - West Covina City Council
Candidate: Daniel Luna
District: District 4
City: West Covina
Election Date: November 8, 2022
Phone: (626) 410-7509
Website: www.danielluna4westcovina.comEmail: dluna4westcovina@gmail.com
In this episode of Talk to Us West Covina we sat down with DANIEL LUNA who is a candidate for the West Covina City Council, District 4 this November.
This special "Candidate Series" was produced with some specific criteria so that all candidates were presented with the same/similar questions to a list of possible topics they were presented with prior to the recording. None of the candidates were able to listen to any other candidates interview or preview of the questions asked.
We attempted to have each candidate on the podcast but some either did not get back to us at all or due to schedule conflicts we could not set a recording time. Those candidates that did not record an interview are listed here.
District 2:
- Letty Lopez (Incumbent)
District 4:
- Yara Wolff
District 5:
- Richard Reyes
- Ramod Sotoodeh
- Tony Wu (Incumbent)
Please do not forget to listen to all of the candidate series interviews.
2022 Candidate Series - West Covina City Council
Candidate: Fred Sykes
District: District 5
City: West Covina
Election Date: November 8, 2022
Phone: (626) 806-4272
Website: www.fredricksykes.comEmail: fredricksykes@fredricksykes.com
In this episode of Talk to Us West Covina we sat down with FRED SYKES who is a candidate for the West Covina City Council, District 5 this November.
This special "Candidate Series" was produced with some specific criteria so that all candidates were presented with the same/similar questions to a list of possible topics they were presented with prior to the recording. None of the candidates were able to listen to any other candidates interview or preview of the questions asked.
We attempted to have each candidate on the podcast but some either did not get back to us at all or due to schedule conflicts we could not set a recording time. Those candidates that did not record an interview are listed here.
District 2:
- Letty Lopez (Incumbent)
District 4:
- Yara Wolff
District 5:
- Richard Reyes
- Ramod Sotoodeh
- Tony Wu (Incumbent)
Please do not forget to listen to all of the candidate series interviews.
In this episode we sat down with West Covina’s Chief of Police, Richard Bell. Now three years into his tenure leading the West Covina Police Department, Chief Bell covered a wide range of topics during his interview, topics that are of keen interest to all residents.
For example, Chief Bell discussed recent trends in crime in our city – trends that both confirm and contradict widely held perceptions. Other topics we covered included the increasing use of license plate recognition cameras by the WCPD and changes to policies for permits to carry concealed weapons. Those policies are being changed now, the result of a ruling by the Supreme Court just months ago.
Chief Bell also shares with us his personal history including his time as a running back in the NFL and, post professional football ascending the ranks of law enforcement. Chief Bell is a humble, thoughtful, and experienced leader that takes enormous pride in our police department and the residents they serve. Get to know, Police Chief Richard Bell, on this episode of Talk to Us West Covina.
Richard Bell - Pittsburgh Steelers (1990) NFL Touchdown Video (Click Link):
https://steelersdepot.com/2018/06/one-hit-wonders-richard-bell-turns-the-dial-up-to-11/
Learn more about the West Covina Police Department at www.wcpd.org
In this episode, we sat down with Peter Arellano of Peter’s El Loco here in West Covina. El Loco has been serving Mexican food fast for several decades. It is located at the corner of Glendora Avenue and West Covina Parkway (437 S. Glendora Ave, West Covina, CA 91790). www.peterselloco.com
During our conversation we covered the menu items that make this restaurant so popular. Everything from the World Famous El Loco Burrito to his Hard Shell Tacos. They serve a very wide variety of dishes, including hamburgers, sandwiches and salads.
The building itself is a bit of a historical artifact in the City of West Covina, and has been home to several previous businesses before El loco opened several decades ago. The building still retains the charm of its 1950’s design today.
An interesting fun fact was that this very building was featured in the 1990’s movie “Good Burger” starting Kenan Thompson and Sinbad and filmed right here in West Covina. It is the story of two rival hamburger shops competing for the same customers. While it did not win any Oscar’s, it is a fun and light-hearted movie to watch.
Peter is such a nice guy and a great member of this community with his dedication and support of so many local programs and non-profit groups. Everyone should stop by and try his food and shake his hand if they have a chance.
We sat down with Brian Tabatabai who is a current member of the West Covina City Council to discuss the current events at the city. Brian was very willing to talk about anything and no subject was off limits for him. We covered the 2022-2023 Budget Process, the West Covina Health Department, Athens Trash, and many other topics.
Brian is a regular guy as he points out that wanted to get involved in his community. He talks about his background and his reasons for putting his name on the ballot in November 2022. It is a great insight into one of the people who guides the city.
I recommend that you take the time to listen and so you will know the current state of affairs at the City of West Covina.
NOTE: This episode was recorded prior to the budget process being finalized and before a couple of topics have been heard at the city council meetings. I would recommend that you review the last couple city council meetings to get up to speed on what happened after this interview.
Today we sat down with Joe Gardner, a retired police officer and resident of West Covina, to talk about homelessness. He provides his first hand experiences combined with keen thoughts and insights into the homeless situation, which today is impacting us all more than ever.
Joe’s work with the homeless spans decades and stretches back to his work as a beat officer and subsequently to his assignment on the Homeless Outreach Program of the Santa Monica Police Department. In our conversation Joe covers both the causes of homelessness as well as current and proposed solutions from elected officials and civic leaders.
We also cover the history of government run mental health treatment and the legislation and court cases that substantially impact how we deal with mental health and homelessness today.
Joe shares his time, knowledge and expertise widely, including with the Union Rescue Mission in Los Angeles. He focus in on creating and sustaining solutions that help the homeless successfully transition to stable living conditions. Joe discusses options such as tiny homes, treatment centers, temporary living centers, and much more.
This conversation was enlightening for me as the host and I think it will be equally so for any listener. You’ll find few people better versed in the matter of homelessness – its history, the present, what works, and what doesn’t – than Joe Gardener.
In this episode of Talk to Us West Covina, we speak with Brian Jobst. Brian is a long time resident of the City of West Covina and co-founder of Livable West Covina (www.livablewestcovina.org), an organization dedicated to making our city and surrounding communities a better place to live.
Brian recently published a book about the BKK Landfill that is located in the City of West Covina. It’s California’s largest toxic hazardous waste dump. He traces the history of the land, which was initially to be a housing development for over 20,000 people along with a park, golf course, and cemetery, but instead became one of our State’s most infamous landfills.
While the landfill has been closed since 1996, Brian explains all that’s being done daily to keep the landfill and surrounding land safe. He discusses the future of the landfill, which now includes a staggering $870 million price tag for cleaning it up.
Brian also shares his thoughts on the city of West Covina’s attempts to develop a massive hotel at the site, the project dubbed by the residents, as the “Landfill Hotel”.
His insight into and knowledge of this landfill – from history to the present – is unparalleled as he holds the listeners’ attention on a subject that turns out, to be anything but dull.
Free Book Download "History of the BKK Landfill "The Cracked Colander"
In this episode, we talk with Joey Mancuso, the owner of Anna's Pizza in West Covina. Anna's Pizza has been serving locals for over 40 years and is currently located at The Lakes Entertainment Center next to the Edwards Theater (1240 Lakes Dr. West Covina, CA 91790). www.annaspizza.com
Joey’s personality – and some remarkable pizza – have resulted in loyal customers and countless friends. Joey’s social media posts and videos have become widely anticipated and those, along with events like Pizza Bingo, Pub Crawls, and Coffee & Cars have created a brand with a fierce following in the east San Gabriel Valley.
In this podcast we take a deep dive into the history of Anna’s Pizza and family recipes that remain staples of their menu today. Joey takes us through the struggles of running a business through a pandemic and what it took to survive, and then flourish. He also shares the struggles that continue now as Joey and other local business owners’ deal with crime, homeless, and graffiti. Joey explains what they’re doing to ensure the area continues to progress and thrive.
This episode covers a lot of ground in a 75 minute conversation. You’ll understand why Anna’s Pizza is a go-to spot for so many and how one business owner has made such a difference.