Sources first
We start with City, County, state, federal, court, grant, contract, ordinance, resolution, and official video records. News reporting may add context, but it doesn’t replace the underlying record.
How this work is published
Check the claim. Open the source.
These are the standards A Better Banning uses to summarize records, label analysis, correct mistakes, and keep civic research separate from official City business.
Purpose
Help you see the record for yourself.
ABB explains public decisions in plain language and links the original record whenever possible. A summary doesn’t replace the full agenda, contract, ordinance, video, or report.
Clear labels
Official record identifies the source. ABB summary explains what we read. Unresolved question shows what’s missing. Policy proposal describes a recommendation, not an official decision.
What verified means
We record the title, issuing agency, date, page, and direct link when available. A verification date means ABB opened the source that day, not that the City updated it that day.
Missing records
If we can’t find something, we say not located, not yet posted, or posting status unclear. We don’t say a record doesn’t exist, was concealed, or was withheld without enough evidence.
Public corrections
When a reliable source changes a material fact, we correct the text and update the date. Send the source, page number, and a short explanation so we can review it.
Request a correction ↗Who publishes
Marco Santana and Chris Castorena steward the current chapter and are City Council candidates. The committees paying for this website are listed in the footer. ABB is independent of the City and doesn’t conduct official City business.
The test
Can a neighbor check the source?
A page should say what happened, why it matters, who decided, what the documents say, what’s disputed, what’s missing, what happens next, and how to take part.
Open the public record guide ↗