It looks like Irwindale is losing two city executives to retirement.

Along with City Manager Robert Griego, Police Chief Sol Benudiz will turn in his badge. Benudiz spent his career in this city of 1,400 people.

Technically, Benudiz's last day is Dec. 31, but he will continue on as an full-time interim chief until the city can find his permanent replacement.

It will be three years in September since Benudiz first took the reigns as head of the Police Department.

He said his decision to leave has nothing to do with a recently completed study looking at the possibility of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department providing policing services to Irwindale.

The council received the first phase of that report last week, but did not vote to continue with the second phase of the study.

Benudiz said he doesn't have another job lined up, but is looking forward to future opportunities in government or the private sector.

"I have relatively young children and I'm relatively young and I don't own an RV," he said. "The traditional retirement model of jumping in an RV and traveling doesn't really apply."

Meanwhile, the city has begun the recruitment process for a new city manager. Griego's last day is Nov. 30 - just two years shy of what would have been the end of his four-year contract.

Ever drive through a neighborhood and notice homes that are painted lime green, bright purple or even pastel pink?

There are a few in West Covina, and Planning Commissioner Robert Sotelo doesn't like it.

At a meeting earlier this month, Sotelo asked city staff members to research what officials can do to regulate the colors homeowners use to paint their digs, Ben Baeder reported.

There aren't a whole lot of towns out there that do this, but that doesn't mean it hasn't happened.

In 2003, officials in Lauderhill, Fla. forced the owner of a purple home to repaint it - this time with colors in compliance with city's guidelines.

Former Pico Rivera Mayor Gracie Gallegos was praised last month for her service to the city, and her decision to resign her post in order to spend more time with her family.

Now, some can't help but wonder if a 2007 felony fraud conviction had anything to do with the resignation.

Bethania Palma reported that Gallegos was convicted of felony auto insurance fraud in August of 2007, just five months after being elected to the City Council.

The conviction stemmed from a $3,173 check she cashed earlier that year from the car insurance company where she worked as part of a fraudulent claim.

While her legal troubles may have been a secret to many of her constituents, they weren't necessarily a secret at City Hall.

City Manager Chuck Fuentes - who worked on Gallego's campaign - said Gallegos told him of the allegations before her August conviction, but he didn't tell the other council members because of "confidentiality laws."

Gallegos said her decision to resign had nothing to do with the felony conviction. Yet, now some are questioning whether she should have even been allowed to serve.

City officials maintain despite her rap sheet, her time on the council was all legal.

tania.chatila@sgvn.com

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