Could someone on the City Council please explain why my tax dollars are going to support "ethnic hustling" divisive organizations that constantly perpetuate victim hood among illegals and the people that support them? We already have organizations that help "citizens" with job training and family services!!
I am really getting sick of the p.c. b.s. These organizations in no way support assimilation! Instead they perpetuate the we owe them everything myth.

I agree with Councilmen Muri and Bush regarding withholding funding Centro Latino, but I also agree with Councilmen Farrell and Goings that all the groups should be scrutinized equally.
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$4.8 million is a chunk of change and I'm curious as to who in the County is currently responsible for doing fiscal and performance audits on these groups.
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If these were Federal or State funds the County Council was allocating, careful monitoring of the provider agencies would be required. Just because we're a Home Rule County doesn't mean we should be less prudent.

I agree with both sides. My well-detailed complaint, and request for a "looking into" of a specific local non-profit who receives tax-dollar support every year since it's founding, went unanswered by our council and executive. The only correspondence I received regarding was a defensive, untruthful letter from one of the non-profit's directors.

I know that two of our councilmembers served on the board - one replaced the other. One did nothing, not even acjnowledge my "complaint" and the other called to say he'd keep his eyes and ears open during the first year of his service, and then make recommendations if he spots anything unusual.

So much for trying.

It's interesting that Mr. Goings opposed the provision since, before the election, he was considering joining Centro Latino's board.

-To start, the organization claims that it is a Latino base organization, not true. The organization claims to serve the Latino community but in reality over 70% +or- of its clients ARE NOT LATINOS. (Truly I believe the actual percentage is higher than 70%) -One of its biggest contracts comes from the TACOMA PIERCE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT, and truthfully as a tax payer you would rather not have the HEALTH DEPARTMENT involved with an organization such as Centro Latino. There is documentation available that shows that this contract funds Centro with over $200,000 on a year to year basis, the funding comes from the city, state, and others, requested by the HEALTH DEPARTMENT to assist Centro in serving the Latino community but in reality over 90%+or- of the clients are not Latinos. -The longest tenure employee is the Financial Director (Lisa Carrillo) and the longest tenure Board members are (David Artis and David Almonte) some of the names in question…coincidence? I truly don’t think so! The organization must benefit from having Lisa Carrillo as the Financial Director. Ask her husband if he has not benefited from a few checks from Centro Latino. Truly that must be against the policies and procedures. -Has anyone bothered to ask why the Board rehired Kate Smith? Centro was in shambles before and will continue to be with her there. Was she not part of the Julio Quan era and Sergio Hernandez? From my understanding she was still on the books while working else where and as incestuous the organization seems to be, it should make you wonder about the things she’s hiding. Centro Latino Incestuous example: Patricia Chase the next Chair of the Board completed her internship at Centro Latino under the Supervision of Sue Schaefer who accepted Patricia’s application for Board membership. Hmm, what might of happen to the bylaws and its procedures? Why does Centro Latinos board and management team keep turning away from its bylaws and policies? -The question is, how much have they truly stolen from the Latino Community? Just because you include two Spanish words and the Latino word on your documents, does not make you a Latino base organization. Funding allotted to this organization must be stopped! -tax payer

Thanks miguel79. I sure wish more people would blow some Pierce County whistles - real LOUD and CLEAR!

Just so you all know Centro Latino is the only organization really making a difference in Pierce County. They offer Free services to the whole county, free lead testing for children, free tutors and everything else you may possibly need. Obviously this director was let go for a very good reason and I'm glad that Centro Latino took action and decided to preserve their good name. I hope all of you can see that the ex-director is going down and wants to take everybody down with her. I agree that every funder should know where their money is goeing, but please listen to all the families that Centro Latino has helped and you will see how this organization is one in a million.

I agree with Butterfly123.

To be honest the ranting of Miguel79 sounds more like the attitude of a fired ex director as opposed to a concerned taxpayer. It’s sad to think that being unable to obtain what had been expected (a complete shutdown of all things Centro); he has resorted to posting cynical comments, sending mass emails to clutter my inbox with nonsense, and now thoughts of starting a website to “boycott” Centro Latino. Its unfortunate the amount of energy Mr. Miguel79 is putting into all this negativity. Maybe Centro Latino needs some work in setting in motion better hiring practices. Maybe they should consider a mental evaluation as part of the hiring process to ensure they keep crazy ones like that one away. I think they fell in love w/ an Immigration Attorney and a woman that seemed to have passion for the Latino Community. How about we ask how awfully apparent it is that she did lack all the qualities of a sound leader. Centro Latino may be keeping quiet for now, but I am sure lot’s more about this ex director will soon come to light.

Centro Latinos Incest Continues:

As a tax payer it is my right to inform the public of Centro Latinos wrong doings, it’s highly important for the Latinos and funders of Pierce County to understand what Centro Latino has done and is doing. This is not meant as a personal attack, but apparently some of my readers have taken it a step further and have chosen to attack a being that is only doing what we all should do and that is “to do the right thing”. Or maybe it’s just a reader that has some sort of connection with Centro Latino, either way, thank you for boosting our egos and informing us that Centro Latino has much more to hide if they choose to go personal versus “actual acts”.

The allegations listed on the court documents are not personal but truthful facts and acts that the board has committed.

Public notice: Wendell Brown as we all know is part of Centro Latinos board, but what most don’t know is that he’s David Almontes father-in-law. Wow! The incest never seems to stop…The importance of this information is a click away (copy and paste):
http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19970703&slug=2547716
Please view the attached link above, which will direct you to the headline:
Councilman Arrested In Prostitution Sting -- Pierce County Lawmaker Says It Was A Misunderstanding

Truly these are not the type of leaders we need in our community. Yes, there’s more to the story but my intention is for you to know how far one will go to cover up the truth. If Centro Latino has people that have been in question in the past on their board, what makes you think that they have nothing to hide now. As a Latino these are not the people we want representing the Latinos of Pierce County, the City of Lakewood and Tacoma should start rethinking of their allotted monies to this incestuous organization.

The community and partnering organizations are fed up with Centro Latino, and this is not new news. For as long as I’ve been in the business the word of Centro’s misconduct has been on the lips and minds of all. The only true ties that Centro has now are its political scandal board members, its incest and the monies that agencies have tied up with contracts.

Did you know? Betsy Rodriguez Ps and Joseph M. Diaz (Centro Latinos Attorney) are two of the attorneys representing Centro Latino and both have also served on the Board. Coincidence?

It’s come to our attention that several LATINO members of the community tried to attend the board meeting on the 13th, only to be turned away. The question would be, why, but that’s quite simple to understand. We know that board meetings are not open to the public, but I myself have attended meeting in the past.

Why close your doors now? What other fraudulent activities are you doing now to hide the truth?

Tax payer

I agree with whteguy38, miguel79 is psycho probably the ex-director trying to bring everybody down with her. I have to say that she is an embarassment to the latin community and hopefully she realizes that honesty and good ethics are some practices that make a good leader. I wish she wood comment about the affair she was having with one of her employees. News travels fast. Miguel79 get a grip and find a job that you like and practice good ethics so people can respect you.