10:00 PM PDT on Friday, October 23, 2009
By ERIN WALDNER
The Press-Enterprise
Banning city officials and community art leaders have confirmed they've been called before the Riverside County civil grand jury.
"Yes, a subcommittee of the grand jury contacted the city of Banning and asked for some information regarding the Redevelopment Agency and they are interviewing some people," Mayor Bob Botts said in a statement. "The city is working with the grand jury and has provided all of the information requested."
The grand jury operates behind closed doors and Botts said he could not discuss the matter further until the inquiry is completed.
Carol Newkirk, executive director of the Banning Cultural Alliance, said she testified before the grand jury earlier this week.
The nonprofit Cultural Alliance receives funding from the Community Redevelopment Agency, a city agency.
Newkirk and Karen Clavelot, president of the lliance, said the organization has provided the grand jury committee with everything it has requested. Newkirk said this includes legal and financial documents.
"We have absolutely no concerns," Clavelot said.
She added, "We can account for all of the money we've gotten from the city."
The grand jury primarily serves as a civil grand jury, performing oversight functions, according to its Web site. It investigated the Beaumont-Cherry Valley Water District in 2007. Its final report included the grand jury's findings and recommendations to the district for improving operations.
The Banning Cultural Alliance is on the agenda for Tuesday's Community Redevelopment Agency meeting. The agenda says the redevelopment agency, which is the Banning City Council, will hear a presentation from the alliance "regarding their activities and progress with downtown art initiatives, cultural activities and downtown revitalization efforts" for fiscal year 2008-09.
The meeting is at 4:30 p.m. at the Banning Civic Center Council Chambers, 99 E. Ramsey St.
Reach Erin Waldner at 951-763-3473 or ewaldner@PE.com
http://www.pe.com/localnews/rivcounty/stories/PE_News_Local_E_egrandjury24.4712a41.html
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