Politics & Government

City Continues Controversial Funding

The city is funding two organizations again this year that raised the eyebrows of residents last year.

The city agreed to fund two organizations this year after being criticized for funding them last year.

The and raised the eyebrows of some residents when they got grants worth several thousand dollars earlier this year. They were both approved for $5,000 grants this year.

The city gave out 13 grants, amounting to $60,000. To see a list of the grants and their recipients, click on the PDF file to the right.

Find out what's happening in Temeculawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

City funds councilwoman's employer

Last year, when the approved funding for the Boys & Girls Club, it caused a resident to report it to the Fair Political Practices Commission, which opened an investigation.

Find out what's happening in Temeculawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The city this year gave $5,000 to the organization, which has a council member, Maryann Edwards, as its president and CEO.

The organization provides low-cost child care and supplemental education, such as tutoring, for needy families.

In the last four years, the city consistently awarded grants to the organization, though they were small. Then, when the councilwoman became president, the amount of grants awarded jumped more than 12 fold from the previous year.

To read about the jump in funding, .

The council approved the money because the organization deserves it, Edwards said in previous interviews.

The club offers two childcare services: all day and after school. The all-day service picks children up from their homes, takes them to school, picks them up again and takes them to the club, where they get help with their homework and take part in other activities, according to John Whann, the director of operations. This costs $300 a month, though needy families pay only $150.

The after-school program provides no transportation, but costs only $20 per year, he said.

Also, the city is working with the organization to run a new gymnasium, which is planned for Pujol Street in Old Town. To read about the project, .

The city gave more to the organization in the years before the economy went bad -- and Edwards became the president --she said in an interview today.

Temecula has a 20-year relationship with the organization, Edwards said.

The city donated land for its second location, built its first location and agreed to fund the gymnasium, all before she was president, she said.

The Fair Political Practices Commission opened an investigation on the grants when a local resident reported it, which he said was a conflict of interest. The accusation were shown to have no foundation. To read the result of the investigation, .

Edwards recused herself this year from all votes affecting the organization's grant.

The organization also holds numerous events outside the clubhouse walls, such as a recent talent show. To see a photo gallery of the event,

The grants are much needed in this sluggish economy, because donations are down and the demand for services is up, Whann said. To read about the organization's struggles, .

City funds anti-abortion group

The city also granted $5,000 to Birth Choice, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to prevent women from getting abortions.

"The mission of Birth Choice of Temecula is to foster a Christ-like view of human life and sexuality by offering hope and compassionate help, thus enabling positive, life-affirming choices," reads the organization's mission statement.

To visit the organizations website, click here.

The city was criticized for giving public funds to a partisan cause while declining to fund less partisan organizations, such as high school programs and . To read about the controversy, .

Alisha Wilkins, a representative of Planned Parenthood during a 2008 City Council meeting, urged members to withhold funds, because Birth Choice spreads inaccurate information about reproductive health, she said.

To read about what happened during that meeting, click here.

The organization performs other functions, such as giving free care to woman who choose to carry their child to term, and they give out free clothing, diapers, formula and other necessities,  said Jennifer Cartell, the president of Birth Choice of Temecula.

The vast majority of the organization's money goes to this function, Cartell said.

Many residents support the grants the organization received in previous years. After being criticized by Planned Parenthood, several residents spoke to the council in support of the organization.

Editor's note: This story was modified from its original version. More detail was added from an interview with Councilwoman Maryann Edwards at 6:20 p.m.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here