Espino, Ate Vi, ER Ejercito, Biazon must step down - Comelec

Gov. Espino submitted his SOCE last June 10.
 Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. (left) shows documents
duly certified by the Comelec Provincial Office in Dagupan City that he
submitted his statement of election contributions and expenditures
(SOCE) last June 10 at 3:40 p.m.  contrary to the
announcement of Comelec Chairman Sixto Brillantes that the Governor,
along with 400 local officials, including 20 congressmen, failed to submit
his SOCE. With the Governor is Provincial Administrator
Rafael Howard F. Baraan(right). (PIO Photo by Meinard Sadim)

At least 20 representatives and more than 400 elected local officials will have to step down from their posts until they fully comply with the law on the filing of the Statement of Contributions and Expenditures (SOCE).

Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Sixto Brillantes said that under the poll body’s agreement with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), these elected officials are not allowed to assume office until they have fully complied with the SOCE requirements.

“Late na nga kami eh, it’s already December and we have to come out with this listing kasi matatagal nang nakaupo ang mga ito. Nag assume ng June 30 pero dapat di nagpayagang mag assume ito kasi wala pa silang Statement of Contributions and Expenditures na validly submitted,” Brillantes said.

Aside from the 20 representatives, other officials who have to step down from their posts include 4 governors, 1 vice governor, 26 mayors, 35 vice mayors, 278 councilors, 11 provincial board members, and 48 city board members.

Included in the list are former president and now Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Muntinlupa Congressman Rodolfo Biazon, Ilocos Sur Governor Ryan Luis Singson, Pangasinan Governor Amado Espino Jr., Batangas Governor Vilma Santos, and Laguna Governor ER Ejercito who is also facing a disqualification case for overspending.

Brillantes said if there are no successors, the position will be vacant temporarily until the requirements will be completed.

“In the meantime...where there is no succession, there will be a temporary vacancy. Kagaya sa Congressman walang succession yan eh. There will be a temporary vacancy in the position. Kung governor ang hindi nagfile, edi yung vice-governor will act in the meantime until compliances are made.”

In a tweet this morning, Comelec Spokesperson James Jimenez said no deadline has been set for these elected officials to submit their proper SOCEs but they will have to vacate their posts until they do so.

Meanwhile, Senate President Pro-Tempore Ralph G. Recto, husband of Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos, said in a statement that the Comelec officer of Batangas was also surprised with Santos’ alleged failure to comply with the poll body’s requirements.

“Governor Vi filed on June 6, earlier than the deadline, using the Comelec prescribed form. We followed all laws, rules and regulations. We have a certificate of compliance dated June 6 from Comelec Batangas that we complied,” Senator Recto said in a statement.

He added that they have reviewed their documents and did not see any flaw. “We reviewed just now all the documents we filed and we do not see any mistakes. If there are any mistakes, the Comelec should have informed us so that we can rectify any error, if there’s any.”

Mayor Balolong's Revelation to Me

By MORTZ C. ORTIGOZA

Even in Mindanao last week, friends asked me about the well publicized drama brought by the acrimonious arrest of the National Bureau of Investigation on Urbiztondo, Pangasinan Mayor Ernesto Balolong.
“Grabe naman iyong mayor niyo sa Pangasinan ang daming armas doon sa bahay niya,” one of them told me.
“Paano niya gagamitin iyong kadaming high powered na baril na iyon unless he is a gun enthusiast?” a retired police colonel who was once assigned in Pangasinan posed to me at social media Facebook. He saw the pictures in my blog on  the cache of firearms and of Balolong vehemently protesting his arrest as he was handcuffed, dragged, and pushed like a scoundrel by the NBI agents into their van.

Urbiztondo Mayor Ernesto Balalong resisted the handcuffed

of the operatives of the National Bureau of Investigation.

"Ano ang ground niyo na hulihin ako. Lahat ng baril ko

may licensiya,"he protested to NBI-NCR Regional
 Director Vicente De Guzman (not seen on the
photo).

Just this morning media man Harold Barcelona called me here in Davao City that Balolong has just called a press conference attended by national newspapers and regional TV networks.
“Ya, that was what I advised to kuya Rudy (Mandapat, Balolong’s de facto “little mayor” who was former San Carlos City’s savvy bursar) to immediately call a press conference upon the arrival of the hizzoner to rectify any misconceptions about him brought about by the charges and the arrest,” I said.
Balolong was my room mate
I told folks in Davao City and Cotabato that I was a roommate of Balolong two years ago at the five- star Water Front Hotel in Cebu City when we, together with some mayors in Pangasinan like former Mayors Leoncio “Janggit” S Saldivar and Lito Peralta, attended a national hog summit.
Despite the “warlord” and toughie mentality painted by his political detractors, I found Balolong soft spoken and down-to-earth in Cebu.

PANGASINAN MAYORS IN CEBU CITY: From left Mayor Balolong of
 Urbiztondo,former MayorJangit Zaldivar of San Nicolas, Mortz,
former Mayor Peralta of Balunggao

(I don’t know about this trait in his turf the rambunctious town of Urbiztondo).
“Mortz, ikot tayo sa city mamayang gabi,” he whispered to me after I told him how progressive Cebu compared to cities in Northern Luzon.
But we were not able to have our tour and bar hopping because a congressman and a senator told us to stay in the hotel as we would be treated with some exciting things that befit visitors like mayors whenever they attend a national confab far away from their political turf.
The following morning Balolong gave me the excess Johnny Walkers, J & B, Hennessey Cognac, and other expensive liquors still in their boxes but whose contents have been slightly consumed in the Bacchanalian Feast the night before sponsored by some powers that be.
“Sa iyo na lahat iyan, “ he told me as if insinuating that he has a load of the intoxicating stuff in his “kingdom” Urbiztondo.
When we landed in Manila he told me that I go with him and not ride the air-conditioned bus in nearby Pasay City as his police escorts in his Toyota Land Cruiser from Pangasinan were already outside.
“Hatid na kita sa Dagupan,” the good hearted mayor told me.
“Huwag na mayor, ibaba niyo na lang ako sa Tarlac City at doon na ako mag-aabang ng aircon bus para hindi ko na kayo mas-itorbo sa biyahe ninyo pauwing Urbiztondo,” I begged.
Balolong’s Revelation
What I relished about the mayor was when we were traversing Manila to Dau, Pampanga (where we ate our late dinner composed of the famous Kapampangan’s delicacy’s sizzling sisig) was when he told me his life story.
“Kuwentuhan kita Mortz ng buhay ko,” he told me as we passed EDSA Boulevard in Manila.
The 5’4” 50-something local chief executive narrated that he was a son of a public school teacher who wanted him to emulate his father’s profession.
“Ayaw ko talagang maging guro. Nakita ko kung gaano ka hirap ang buhay ng teacher.”
To avoid being sent to a college in Pangasinan to take up education, he stowed away in Manila and worked as a labourer in a construction company so he could fend for himself and pay his tuition for a commerce degree.
“I took advanced ROTC (Reserved Officer’s Training Course) and when I graduated I was employed at a construction company as a supervisor of its security,” he told me in Filipino.

The Aquino Connection
He said his employer was the husband of Senator Tessie Aquino Oreta and his immediate boss at the office was Noynoy Aquino – the present president of the country and the son of then incumbent Philippine President Cory.
He said he left the Oreta firm after he learned the craft from a neighbour in Manila on how to make high-end window grills.
“Kumita ako sa negosyo ko na iyon that I bought lands full of mango trees in Urbiztondo.”
That grill business became a spark-plug for his mammoth hog raising venture (where he became a major supplier of pork in the humongous province if not in the region) and political career by defeating Mayor Bernardo Arambulo -  a well-entrenched formidable politico in the town.

Meeting Senator Noynoy Aquino
His election for the top political post in Urbiztondo became an avenue for meeting again his former boss at the Oreta office when he was a struggling security officer.
“Hearing iyon ng redistricting (congressional apportionment) na ni proposed ni (then) Congressman (Victor) Agbayani. Kasama ako sa mga mayors na dinala ni Governor (Amado T. Espino) sa Senado”.
When then Senator Benigno Aquino III saw him there he was surprised and quipped: “O Ernie, bakit ka nandito?”
“Ay sir, kasi mayor na ako ng Urbiztondo, Pangasinan,” the typically shy Balolong scratched his head.
The president gave him his personal number of his mobile phone and told him that Balsy and Biel would be visiting him in his house soon in Urbiztondo to map out how he could contribute to the senator’s plan to run for the presidency in 2010 election.
“Ito iyong number ni president. Hindi ito alam nila governor at mga pulitiko sa Pangasinan,” as he searched in his cellular phone the number of President Aquino for me see and give credence to what he narrated.

Aquino won as President
When Aquino won the presidency, former Urdaneta City mayor and congressman and present Taiwan de facto ambassador the Capri ciggie smoking Amadito Perez called him. Cristino L. Naguiat, Jr. (Perez’s son in law who was appointed by his Ateneo best friend and classmate President Aquino as Philippine Amusement Gaming Corporation chief executive officer) wanted to see him for the release of the two mini vans President Aquino promised Balolong.
“Sir, pupunta po ako doon pero dapat kasama si Rudy Mandapat, consultant ko,” Balolong told Perez.
Perez acceded by calling Naguiat that Balolong and a companion were coming.

Two month suspension
When Balolong, through the advice of Mandapat, negotiated for the ordinance on the P52.4 million loan of the town from the Philippine National Bank in 2012 despite the absence of the written approval of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (provincial board), the board suspended him for two months.
In his appeal to Malacanang, his lawyers used the argument of Mandapat that the money released by the PNB was legal despite the absence of the imprimatur from the board.
“Ito nakalagay sa Section 56 (d) ng Local Government Code that if no action has been taken by the sangguniang panlalalwigan within thirty (30) days after its submission of such an ordinance or resolution, the same shall be presumed consistent with law and therefore valid, “ I remembered the Marlboro Red chomping Mandapat showing to me the Local Government Code he mastered like the palm of his hand.
Just a few weeks after Balolong’s counsel sent his appeal to the Office of the President (OP), the latter reversed it and told the board that Balolong be reinstated as mayor.
Many were surprised by the comeuppance and reproach by the OP to the honourable members of the August Chamber in Pangasinan.
I was not. I suspected Balolong has probably dialled that very important phone number he showed me when we were inside his Sports Utility Vehicle.
In the 2013 polls I saw Balolong donning the yellow signature collared shirt of the Liberal Party – the same shirt he wore when he was dragged by the NBI at the van – and “go for broke” against gubernatorial re-electionist Amado T. Espino by supporting gubernatorial challenger Hernani Braganza in a black propaganda-driven election. Aquino and Secretary Mar Roxas of the Department of the Interior and Local Government muzzled Espino but, with sheer chutzpah, still wiggled himself to more than half-a-million votes lead victory — thanks to his well-oiled political juggernaut.
As what Mayor Balolong said at GMA-7 Balitang Amianan (I saw on Face Book when  I was still cooling my heels in M'lang , Cotabato Province with bigwigs like Maguindanao Governor Toto Mangudadatu 602nd Brigade Brig. General Ademar Tomaro (PMA'82), former Province of Cotabato Governor and 2016 congressional shoo-in Manny Pinol, M'lang Mayor Lito Pinol, to name a few), the NBI agents asked apology on the embarrassment,  rough treatment, and the filing of resisting arrest they gave the mayor when he protested for his handcuffing for all TV viewers to see and hear: “Boss, ano ang kasalanan ko? May mga licensiya naman lahat ng mga baril ko!”
He said how can they implicate him for the killings of three individuals when the NBI knows scientifically that ballistic examination of the slugs in their possession could not incriminate him. by comparing them to the grooves of his 20 plus guns.
He said the cases the NBI filled at the Municipal Trial Court that acts as prosecutorial body in Urbiztondo were haphazardly filed and insinuated that they too would be dismissed.
He said he would not file a counter case against the NBI operatives' strongman tactics that humiliated him, soiled his position, and threatened fellow mayors in other parts of the country that NBI can act like SS Troopers in hauling them to the van like pigs.

Here’s my poser before I end this article: Why the “Mea-Culpa (Apology) from the NBI?
Has somebody called Justice Secretary Leila de Lima or NBI Director Medardo de Lemos (OIC) and told them that the one they hurled to the calaboose was not an ordinary next door mayor, but used to be the trusted officer of the highest leader of the land?
(Send comments or reactions to totomortz@yahoo.com)

Thai Government Extends Scholarship Invitation to Government Officials and Functionaries

 LINGAYEN---Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. has extended the scholarship invitation of Thailand International Development Cooperation Agency (TICA) to all municipal and city mayors and all chiefs and heads of office in the province.

Pangasinan Governor Amado T. Espino (center) in a huddle

            In a letter circular, the governor urged all concerned to endorse their nominees to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Regional Office in San Fernando City, La Union.

            The invitation was sent by DILG Corazon P. Guray through Gov. Espino requesting for nominees to the Thailand agency’s scholarship program for local government officials and functionaries.

            Interested parties may submit his/her personal data sheet, certified copies of transcript of records, service record, endorsement from local chief executive, endorsement from DILG regional director, statement of present actual duties and responsibilities that should be relevant to the course signed by the immediate superior, written consent of spouse if married and other pertinent documents to the DILG-Central Local Government Scholarship Secretariat at 8F Agustin Building, F. Ortigas, Jr. (formerly Emerald Avenue) Ortigas Center, Pasig City.

            TICA application forms can be obtained from the DILG-CLGSC Secretariat Office.

            For the program arrangement, TICA will provide an economy class electronic ticket to each participant, a living allowance of 500baht (US$17) to cover meals, local transportation and other personal daily expenses.

            Accommodation will be arranged by the Royal Thai government and all participants will stay at the same place. It is suggested that the participants should bring pocket money to cover the expenses before the allowance is paid.

            Moreover, the DILG said that medical treatment will be provided in case of illness and the Royal Thai Government will also provide transportation for the authorized field trips undertaken as part of the course. (PIO/Angeline D. Villanueva)

NEW AND RE-ELECTED VILLAGE BRASS TAKES OATH BEFORE SPEAKER JDV

DAGUPAN CITY – The 31 newly elected and re-elected punong barangays and the 217 barangay kagawads here were formally sworn into office by former House Speaker Jose C. De Venecia Jr. in a ceremony held at the People’s Astrodome last November 30.

Witnessing the occasion were Mayor Belen T. Fernandez, who delivered her welcome remarks; Congresswoman Georgina P. De Venecia, as the guest of honor and speaker; some members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod – Councilors Jeslito C. Seen, Alipio Serafin D. Fernandez, Marvin D. Fabia, Jose Netu M. Tamayo, Alvin T. Coquia and Guillermo P. Vallejos; some department heads led by City Administrator Farah Marie G. Decano and former city mayor Alipio F. Fernandez Jr.

The mayor formally welcomed the new set of barangay officials in the city to the fold of BalonDagupan.

“Election is over. Whatever divided our barangays is now water under the bridge. It is now time to forge unity so that we achieve the vision we all want our beloved city to be. This is what preciselyBalon Dagupan stands for. Bridging the communities, bringing the government closer to our people,” said Fernandez.

She disclosed that the bridge built by the former speaker will be a living symbol of her trust of bridging the gap between the rich and the poor, of forging unity in the city and of bringing the services to the people.

“We are using this bridge as our iconic symbol because of its importance to the future of our growth stretching from Lucao all the way to the Bonuan area. This in honor of the person who made this strategic project possible which all Dagupeños can be proud of, speaker Joe De Venecia,” explained Fernandez.

The mayor announced that her regular consultation in the barangay will push through and that the barangay’s share in the real property tax is now available at her office.

Fernandez also encouraged the barangay officials to use their P100 fund in resolving the waste problem in their respective area.

She is also giving each barangay money for the Belen making contest in the barangays.

“Ang mananalo ay tatanggap ng P100,000. Ang second prize ay P70,000 at ang third prize ay P20,000. Ang awarding ay gaganapin during the barangay night” conluded Fernandez. 

PD Chan Strongly Denies He Interceded for Murder Witness

by Mortz C. Ortigoza

LINGAYEN – The Police Provincial Director of Pangasinan vehemently denied the accusation of Jestin Aquino, 17, that he interceded for the meeting of the latter with some political candidates in the May 2013 election so he can implicate Pangasinan Governor Amado T. Espino and others as mastermind in the murder of a mayor.

Pangasinan Police Provincial Director
Sr. Supt. Marlou C. Chan

Senior Superintendent Marlou C. Chan incessantly declared to reporters that in his entire life he did not meet Aquino.

“I never had the opportunity in any instances na maka-usap, maka-salimuha, makita, makilala itong bata. Never in my entire life nagkaroon kami ng ugnayan”.

Chan vigorously denied that he even accompanied the boy to President Benigno Aquino III and Secretary Mar Roxas of the Department of Interior Local Government when the duo visited Pangasinan so they can hear how the minor would accuse Governor Espino, Congressman Jesus Celeste (1^st District, Pangasinan) Zambales Governor Hermogenes Ebdane, his father Jaime, a controversial newspaperman, colluded in the killing of Mayor Ruperto Martinez of Infanta, Pangasinan.

“Hindi totoo po iyan.Hindi po natin personalidad iyan. Hindi kami nagkita noong bata noong  pag dating ni presidente dito sa Pangasinan. Wala hong pagkakata-on na pinakilala ho natin si Jestin sa mga personalities na ito,” he stressed.

The mayor was felled by two bullets in December 15 last year at the neck and the head by motorcycle riders in tandem as he was being interviewed by a TV reporter in a phone-patch at his residence in Barangay Cato, Infanta.

                                MEA CULPA

Jestin Aquino (right), the National Bureau of Investigation’s
star witness in a murder complaint filed against Pangasinan
 Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. (center) and Congressman
 Jesus Celeste (left) asked for forgiveness and told the
governor he was forced by the governor’s political rivals to
implicate him and Celeste in the murder of Infanta Mayor
 Ruperto Martinez December of last year. Aquino met
for the first time the two political leaders in an undisclosed
 place in Pangasinan early dawn today after he escaped
from police custody in Camp Crame the other night.

Aquino reappeared in a press conference in November 28 this year in a hotel here where in a 180-degree turned around fashion accused Chan, losing gubernatorial, congressional, and mayoral candidates Hernani Braganza, Lawyer Bodie Pulido, and Manuel Tolentino, respectively, whom he accused to conspire in incriminating Espino, Celeste, and Ebdane.

He said he escaped from his Special Action Force watchmen at the national police headquarter in Quezon City after he induced them to get drunk from the liquor he bought for them.

Aquino has been receiving allowances from the Witness Protection Program of the Department of Justice (DOJ).

The minor declared that the late mayor opposed the plan of Espino et. al to explore the mining site of the town because of the “itim na bato (nickel).

In a transmittal letter to the DOJ by the then National Bureau of Investigation Director Nonnatus Rojas, the department gave credence to the testimony of the minor who allegedly overheard his father discussed with Celeste and Espino the plan to kill Martinez.

The witness said they hatched the dastardly act at the El Pescador Beach Resort in Bolinao, Pangasinan.

"It was there that witness... heard Governor Espino saying that Mayor Martinez should be killed in order to prevent the latter to implicate them with respect to the nickel.' He also heard the congressman replied that they should not worry since they have someone who will kill Mayor Martinez," the transmittal letter read.

Celeste called the case "ridiculous" since he even helped Martinez's family to find justice.

Minor Aquino, who executed his affidavit before representatives of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), said he also have information on the murders of Councilor Jovencia Gasmin of San Juan village in Alcala town and Councilor Nato Sabangan of Bayambang, Pangasinan

Chan said that it was during the watch of then Provincial Director Mariano Luis Versoza, Jr. that the police apprehended the alleged hired guns Ricardo “Kardo” Legarda and Richard Manuel a day after the assassination of Martinez.

“So iyong pagpa-file ng kaso is unilateral investigation solidly undertaken by the NBI. Ang PNP Pangasinan is wala ho silang kinalaman doon sa pagpa-file ng kaso”.

On the turnaround of Star Witness “God really works in mysterious ways,” – Gov. Espino

Lingayen- - -“It was a relief. My family was relieved. God really works in mysterious ways.”

Governor Amado T. Espino (right)

This was expressed by Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. in his statement on December 2 after the members of the media sought his reaction after the lone witness in the murder case of Infanta mayor Ruperto Martinez’s murder recanted his first affidavit that implicated the governor, Pangasinan 1^st District Rep. Jesus “Boying” Celeste, Zambales Gov. Hermogenes Ebdane and his own father, Jaime Aquino last year.

Jestin Aquino, the 17-year old witness, surfaced before members of the media on November 28 and revealed that his earlier testimony submitted to the National Bureau of Investigation was purely scripted and dictated by lawyer he identified as Atty. Bodie Pulido, a losing congressional bet of the Liberal Party in the province’s first district. 

Aquino narrated to the media that Pulido was assisted by a losing LP gubernatorial bet Hernani Braganza, Police Provincial Director Sr. Supt. Marlou Chan and Manny Tolentino, a losing mayoral LP bet in Alcala.

Gov. Espino said that the boy appeared to be sincere when he asked for forgiveness last November 27 in an undisclosed place after escaping from his detention cell in Camp Crame two days earlier.

“The first thing I did after meeting with the boy is to see my mother in Manila who became ill after what happened. I told her about the development and although she can’t open her eyes nor speak, I felt her emotion when she tightly held my hand,” the governor stated.

The provincial chief executive told the media that he is leaving the matters in the care of his legal counsel and hope that justice will soon be served as regards the case.

“If I were to be asked, I think Pulido must be disbarred for not upholding to his duty as a lawyer. This is too much, my name was put to vain but I forgive the young boy and I thank him for speaking the truth,” he stressed.

Further, the governor appealed to all Pangasinense especially the youth not to imitate what the politicians did.

“Maruming pulitiko na ang pinairal nila pero tao na ang nagsalita noong eleksyon nararapat lang na pakinggan natin sila.  It will now be the word of a 17- year old boy against the four,” Gov. Espino said. (PIO/Ruby R. Bernardino)

In a bid to make a new world record Elected officials in 77 villages support 'Malangsi Fishtival 2014'

By Janice Hidalgo
 BAYAMBANG -- Newly-elected barangay officials from all 77 villages here signed a "manifesto" of unconditional support for the upcoming holding of Malangsi Fishtival in this town's bid to snatch Guinness Book of World Records for "longest barbeque ".

The municipality's effort aims to establish a 7.7-kilometer long barbeque to break hopefully, the 6.2-kilometer feat which Turkey had established to grab the title which the Guinness put on record in 2010. The 7.7-kilometer grill has been scheduled by Mayor Ricardo Camacho to take place along the national road stretch in at least eight barangays to highlight the celebration of Bayambang's 400th founding anniversary as a town, on April 5 next year.

According to Camacho, the grill starts in Wawa and extends to barangays Telbang Buayaen, Poblacion Zone III,Zone V,Tamaro, Tambac, Nalsian Norte and Nalsian Sur. Freshwater fish species like catfish, mudfish, "tilapia" and "gurami" will be broiled during the world-record breaking feat. Mechanics and related activities of the grilling have yet to be announced though by the organizers of the event.

The Malangsi Fishtival, aside from being a promising annual event, is also fast-becoming a popular affair. Mayor Camacho initiated the launching of the festival in 2009 with the aim of promoting livelihood for his constituents who are then encouraged to produce the best tasting "buro" and mouth-watering recipes they could make out of this town's catfish and mudfish.

Meanwhile, Governor Amado T. Espino, Jr. officiated the mass oath-taking of the newly-elected officials from all 77 barangays here. The ceremony took place in front of the municipal hall here in the morning of Friday, November 29. Rogelio Dumalanta of Batancaoa, outgoing Association of Barangay Councils (ABC) president, led the ceremonial signing of the "manifesto".

Other events that took place subsequently included the unveiling of the Emilio Aguinaldo monument as well as the signing of the sisterhood ties between Kawit, Cavite and Bayambang.

The Aguinaldo monument was installed in front of the municipal hall. It was earlier scheduled on November 12 this year. Kawit Mayor Reynaldo "Tik" Aguinaldo along with Sangguniang Bayan (SB) members headed by Paul Abaya signed the sisterhood ties with Bayambang Mayor Ricardo Camacho and SB members led by Vice Mayor Mylvin Junio.

Governor Espino lauded the efforts of the Bayambang local government unit (LGU) for enhancing historical values of this town and paving the way for its inclusion in the country's map of tourism, thus, helping the townspeople and making Bayambang as among Pangasinan's best places to live, work and raise a family.