Rex Gutierrez
We just want Rex and Janet to know that Rex remains in our prayers. We hope 2011 is better for the Gutierrez family and justice will be served.
iePolitics: Not forgotten by us
12
Yearly Archives: 2010
iePolitics: 2010: A year of deceit
As 2010 comes to a close, we can’t help but feel it was a year of disappointment in relationship to the County’s corruption scandal and much of that disappointment was based on deception. We feel misled by those out to protect themselves at the expense of others. Here are a few of things we were told that turned out just the opposite.
- Credible candidate would run and be funded against Mike Ramos.
- There would a press conference right after the June primary in relationship to a package turned over to federal authorities. The package was said to have been compiled by private investigators for Jeff Burum showing District Attorney to be guilty of one solid felony.
- Search warrants would be served on the District Attorney by the feds.
- Steve Cooley would easily be elected as Attorney General and would review corruption cases.
- Paul Biane would be re-elected. Continue reading
iePolitics: So who is going to be arrested next?
Editor: You have to read down to the very end of this article to see that Ramos claims there may be more arrests in 2011.
Corruption probes cast wide net
Investigators pursue cases across county
Posted: 12/30/2010 05:47:55 PM PST
Updated: 12/30/2010 06:49:15 PM PST
The past year has been fraught with scandal in San Bernardino County as state and local prosecutors charged two former county officials in a sweeping corruption complaint related to a $102million land dispute and convicted a third former county official on charges of fraud, theft and conspiracy.Also in 2010, federal investigators raided the county’s Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in Colton and Upland City Hall in what appear to be unrelated investigations.
iePolitics: Nothing to do with politics . . .
But I love to see Boxers playing in the snow: BoxerLife Well as long as they are not named Doreen or Barbara. Anyway, this is a group I’ve been involved with for almost 14 years.
SBSun: SB County: The year in review
Editor: I don’t even know where to begin on this one. Ovitt pays Burt Southard, who is already getting a county retirement, $55,000 a year to write this crap.
Supervisors Chairman Gary C. Ovitt
Posted: 12/29/2010 05:46:30 PM PST
The County of San Bernardino is an amazingly diverse public service organization that touches and enriches many lives. We provide prenatal care, pediatric care, and preschool services through Head Start. Grade school and high school students study at our libraries and learn at our museum. We intervene when children are abused, and when they are teenagers we help them find summer jobs.
You can get married at the Recorder’s Office, and we can help you buy your first home.
iePolitics: No Mitzelfelt
Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt
As I have written just a time or two in the past week, the last two weeks have been quite enlightening. We here at iePolitics have previously supported Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt for chairman of the board. The election will take place on January 11, 2011.
Now that we have had some up close dealings with the good supervisor, we can no longer support him. When a supervisor and his chief of staff are scared to death of the county administrative officer, there is no chance whatsoever of adequate leadership.
Mitzelfelt and David Zook have proven they have no backbone and no integrity. Placing them in the chairmanship would be a great disservice to the public.
Mountain News: Mountain Supervisors’ Budgets Differ
By Glenn Barr
|
||
|
|
The two county supervisors who represent the San Bernardino Mountains are at opposite financial poles, operating the costliest and most frugal office budgets among the five board members, according to figures released by the county.
Supervisor Neil Derry, who for the past two years has represented the third district, including the area from Twin Peaks to Green Valley Lake, has a staff budget of $1.526 million per year, said county Public Information Officer David Wert.
Derry’s payroll, reflecting both salaries and benefits paid to his 12 employees, is the highest of the five supervisors.
At the other end of the spectrum is Second District Supervisor Janice Rutherford, sworn in on Dec. 6 to replace two-term incumbent Paul Biane.
Wert’s figures show Rutherford’s eight employees earning a total of $936,897 a year, including benefits, or $596,914 less than Derry’s staff.
Nor is Rutherford’s budget likely to increase any time soon. “There are no plans to hire any additional staff members,” Scott Vanhorne, Rutherford’s press secretary, told this newspaper.
INTEREST KINDLED
Interest in how much local-government officials are paid was kindled last July with reports that officials in Bell, a working-class suburb of Los Angeles, were paying themselves huge salaries.
Eight officials of Bell-where one person in six lives below the poverty line-have been arrested and charged with multiple felonies in a sweeping corruption case.
iePolitics: The church of satan
Yesterday, I got into a conversation with someone regarding San Francisco and mentioned that it is the home to the Church of satan. Today’s comment about Devilreaux got me to wondering if it still exists so I looked it up.
Here is what I found: Wikipedia
Scroll down and look at the statements, sins, and rules and tell me they don’t remind you of many on the Fifth Floor. Amazing.
VVDP: Leaving the cheese unguarded
December 29, 2010 9:02 AM
We published the other day a list of local public employees who have secured buyouts from their organizations on their way out the door, prompted by the latest, Oro grande School District Superintendent Kim Moore’s pocketing $326,000 as part of his being released from a four-year contract with the district. He was in the first year of that contract.
On the list was Marilou Ryder, given $350,000 when she resigned as Victor Valley Union High School District superintendent; William Pattison, who got $100,000 when he left the Town of Apple Valley as finance director; Mark Uffer, given about $274,000 after being fired as San Bernardino County Administrative Officer; Julian Weaver, fired in 2008 as VVUHSD superintendent, who got $230,000 as a parting sop; and Greg Lundeen, given $124,500-plus when he retired early from VVUHSD as superintendent.
The list didn’t include Hesperia Unified School District’s Hank Richardson, who left that district as superintendent in 2007, but kept his salary of $163,000 a year, plus $10,000 a year, until 2009. That worked out to about $350,000.
To read the rest of this article, click here.
iePolitics: How the Ristow case will resolve
We are going to start our New Year’s predictions early because we are hearing a bit of chatter. And the chatter is that Mike Ramos is on the offensive.
The key to the Ristow case is the up-to-now confidential affidavits signed by five women who were involved with Ramos. Making those affidavits public will take Ramos down and he knows it.
So far none of the predictions about his demise have come true. The BOS has only seen a report that basically puts all the blame on Ristow. Mark Kirk , Andrew Lamberto, and Ruth Stringer made sure the truth did not come out.
iePolitics: So how did BOS staff salaries get so high?
Someone asked that question on the post below. It’s all about transparency. You see, it used to be that BOS staffs consisted of the classifications of Field Representative, which I believe was a Step 56 (33.26 an hour today), and Secretary to the Board, which I believe was a Step 44 (24.82 an hour today).
When I worked there, “chief of staff” did not exist but each supervisor had a de facto chief of staff who I believe got something like ten percent above Field Rep. (It’s possible the chiefs were classified as Admin. Analysts but I don’t think so.) I believe secretaries got the C benefits. Field Reps may have received B benefits but I don’t remember for sure. There was no D benefits back then.
(I’m sure someone out there still has an Exempt Compensation Plan from the 1990′s that can give us the exact numbers.)
iePolitics: Let them eat cake – Part Two
Larry Enriquez
Despite attempts by the County Administrative Office to lead us astray, we have confirmed that a fireplace has in fact been installed in the Fifth Floor office of Larry Enriquez, chief of staff to Supervisor Gary Ovitt. We have submitted a California Public Records Act request to determine how much was paid to Facilities Management to install this fireplace and whether or not a fireplace positioned on an interior wall meets code enforcement standards. We will let you know when and if we get a direct answer rather than an another attempt at cover up.
iePolitics: Mitzelfelt in meltdown
First District Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt
I’d like to say iePolitics is the cause, but the real final straw was this article in today’s Daily Press: Caldwell eyes new public office
iePolitics: Adelanto Boys and Girls Club/Sheriff’s Department Informants
Wow, have I ever received a response on my original post regarding issues relative to the Adelanto Boys and Girls Club. One thing keeps popping up but I have no verifiable information. I think some of my Sheriff’s Department informants may be able to shed some light, if you will please.
Apparently, the Adelanto Charter School rented space at the Adelanto Boys and Girls Club but gave up the space because the club had a lot of parolees hanging around drinking alcohol. I do not see how such a thing could happen and not at some point be reported to law enforcement.
iePolitics: Some awesome pics from Supervisor Derry’s Facebook page
From Supervisor Neil Derry’s Facebook page, this is what Highway 330 is looking like these days:
Highway 330
Highway 330
Highway 330
Supervisor Derry: Supervisor Derry Praises Emergency Response Efforts in Highland
Supervisor Neil Derry
SAN BERNARDINO, CA – In what has been the most significant flooding in the City of Highland’s history and generated national news coverage, Supervisor Derry expressed his gratefulness and gratitude for the more than 1,500 first responders and relief personnel that worked throughout the holiday to assist the residents.
“The flooding turned many lives upside down and replaced a season of joy and happiness with fear and uncertainty. These workers are to be commended for answering the call of service and working tirelessly throughout the holiday to help victims of the flooding,” Supervisor Derry stated. “They gave the best Christmas gift that anyone could ever ask for and that is knowing that you have somebody there when you need them most.”
This area of Southern California is vulnerable to a wide array of natural disasters. Be it earthquakes, fires or floods, the people of this community as well as our neighbors in the region have shown time and time again that they will stand up and be counted when they are needed.
iePolitics: Twelve days down, 898 to go
While some of the John Does are glad Rex Gutierrez took his punishment without narc’ing them off and other corruption defendants believe he “deserved” it, we here at iePolitics refuse to forget him the way his former associates have. Rex is currently incarcerated at West Valley Detention Center awaiting for room at state prison.
iePolitics: Hmm . . . very interesting
This picture of David Zook:
David Zook
was found here: Zook
I happen to be very familiar with network marketing, multi-level marketing, and various other schemes that come out of Salt Lake City/Provo and have been so for a couple of decades now. If you ever receive an invitation through the mail to attend a seminar at a hotel on making money and you trace the company back to its origins, likely it will be based out of Utah.
I’ve been involved in quite a few in my lifetime, mostly when I was young and stupid. If you get in early, there is some money to be made. But mostly they are Ponzi schemes or close to it and those that prosper are those that own the companies (or are hidden partners).
iePolitics: It must be nice to live in Utah and earn a paycheck from San Bernardino County
David Zook
First District Chief of Staff David Zook is a resident of Salt Lake City, Utah. His wife and children live there full time and he commutes from there to serve as Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt’s right-hand man.
Zook is the highest paid Chief of Staff. At $242,403, he earns over $25,711 (more than the annual salary of some county employees) more than the next highest paid chief. We guess he needs it for all that commuting.
InlandPolitics: S.B. County to ask employees for concessions
Monday, December 27, 2010 – 10:00 a.m.
The arrival of 2011 brings with it a new round of budget problems for San Bernardino County officials.
The annual question of layoffs or ? is coming to an employee union near you.
County unions will once again be asked by the county to go to their memberships and extract concessions in an effort to avert layoffs.
Layoffs being a remedy the county seems to view as a bogeyman in a dark closet.
However this time around the questions employees are to face will most likely be much simpler.
iePolitics: I guess we might as not bother having an election
I happened to notice a new press release posted today on the San Bernardino County website. The release is dated December 22 but it was not posted today. Its purpose is to announce a special election for the 17th Senate District being vacated by George Runner, who won a seat on the State Board of Equalization this past November.
iePolitics: Jeff Burum and Brad Mitzelfelt; Gary Ovitt
Got a tip this morning regarding a community center (?) that was built here in the high desert, funded by the county for a large sum of taxpayers money, because Jeff sat on the board of directors and Brad couldn’t say no as Brad is afraid of Jeff. Can anyone give me additional information?
iePolitics: Update on Committee to Defeat Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt
First District Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt
We have heard back from two mainstream high desert politicos who are extremely interested in helping the cause. That is promising to say the least. We will be talking/meeting right after the first of the year and may already have some funding. We plan to contact additional politicos over the next few weeks.
If you are interested in being a part of the group to defeat Supervisor Mitzelfelt, please email me at iepolitics2010@gmail.com.
iePolitics: Adelanto Boys and Girls Club
Traci Dean’s comment on another story reminded me about a story I had planned on researching and writing about 100 days ago. I was given information similar to what she is claiming from a very reliable source. In trying to make peace with David Zook and Brad Mitzelfelt, I held off on the story for a few days and then totally forgot all about it until today.
What I have been told is that Mitzelfelt has sent about $600,000 their way and the money is being used as a slush fund to pay family members of the directors. I was told there is a lot of abuse.
In all fairness, Zook told me he would go with me out there and I could examine the books. Somehow, I don’t exactly think that offer still stands. Besides, he chastised me for wanting to harm one of the only children’s programs in the area. I’m all for helping kids but not for lining the pockets of political friends with taxpayer money.
Politico: Let states go bankrupt
California put $10 billion in revenue anticipation notes on the market in November — yet was only able to sell $6 billion worth. | AP Photo Close
By GROVER G. NORQUIST & PATRICK GLEASON | 12/24/10 8:52 AM EST Updated: 12/24/10 9:48 AM EST
After two years of bailouts, “stimulus” spending, TARP and earmarks, the country took a deep breath and is now beginning a discussion about the unsustainable trajectory of federal expenditures and the reforms necessary to right the country’s fiscal ship.
This is all good and healthy. However, Washington is not the only place with an overspending problem. We are now starting to see greater attention being paid to the dire financial straits of state governments — which pose just as grave a threat to the country.
Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1210/46777.html#ixzz19GqAe3hz
iePolitics: BOS Salaries
Bill Tuck Jr. asked for the salaries for the Second District. Here are the salary and benefit packages for all of the board staff. This list does not include John Richardson, Mary O’Toole, Mark Kirk, Bob Page, and the other analyst whose name I forget from the Fourth District whose positions were transferred to the County Administrative Office budget. That equals at least another million dollars.
For those who would like to download the spreadsheets from the county, here there are: 2010-11 Board Staff (all)
First District:
Chief of Staff – $242.403; District Director – $145,082; Executive Secretary – $102,078; Executive Secretary III – $52,003; Field Rep – $127,524; Field Rep – $141,564; Field Rep – $139,143; Special Assistant – $166,978 (Employee Reimbursed by Joint Powers Authority – $110,206); Special Projects Coordinator – $43,070; Community Service Liaison – $3,472; Community Service Liaison – $5667; Community Service Liaison – $5532; Community Service Liaison – $5667; Community Service Liaison – $5667
Second District:
Chief of Staff – $187,883; Deputy Chief of Staff – $184,166; Executive Secretary – $91,089; Field Representative – $144,409; Field Representative – $128,965; Field Representative – $128,965 Special Projects Coordinator – $56,026 (Contract terminates June 30, 2011); Special Projects Coordinator – $15,394 (Contract terminates June 30, 2011)
iePolitics: Mayorship gone to his head?
Ryan McEachron
C’mon Grand Jury! We don’t have time for this. No. Really, the city of Victorville has better things to do then answer to the Grand Jury, the Security and Exchange Commission, and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Just ask newly elected Victorville Mayor, Ryan McEachron. (See Daily Press story.)
I suspect we now have two grandstanders sitting on the Victorville City Council. The next two years are going to be fun watching Ryan McEachron and Angela Valles trying to outdo one another for the most headlines.
iePolitics: Merry Christmas
From iePolitics to all the little people, MERRY CHRISTMAS. Thank you for your support all year long.
iePolitics: From the pulpit to the fifth floor
Larry Enriquez
We were recently told that no one would believe that San Bernardino County Chairman of the Board Gary Ovitt is corrupt. We would disagree.
Once Ovitt’s first chief of staff, Mark Kirk, was transferred to the County Administrative Office after being named as an unindicted co-conspirator in the Colonies scandal, Ovitt named his best friend and pastor, Larry Enriquez, as his new chief of staff.
iePolitics: Potential Opponents
We have taken a bit of criticism for suggesting possible opponents for Supervisors Mitzelfelt, Derry and Gonzales. Those who pride themselves in their astute political analysis have been quick to point out where we are wrong. What few are considering is the effect redistricting will have on the 2012 elections.
Politicians are politicians, meaning their political careers are foremost in their minds. Many could never earn what they earn if they had to work a real job. Getting re-elected so they can maintain their power and lifestyle is all that is important. Continue reading
iePolitics: What do Sharon and John Doe No. 1 have in common?
Yep, it’s true: “we are all in the same boat.” It’s 22 degrees at my house too . . . on the inside.
iePolitics: A committee to defeat Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt
Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt
We posted a list of possible opponents for Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt a few days ago, and other than Rita Vogler, I’m not sure any of them will run. I realize the primary is 18 months away, but when we are talking about a supervisor who will likely spend well over $1 million to get re-elected, we are not talking about a lot of time. And Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt needs to be DEFEATED not re-elected.
I have written many things, both positive and negative, about Brad. In my 36-year history in the First District, he is hardly the worse supervisor we have had. But he is becoming more and more like one that stands out in my mind because she was the First District supervisor when I worked on the fifth floor—Marcia Turoci.
iePolitics: Who is gonna do Josie in?
Here is a list of potential opponents for Josie:
- Wilmer Amina Carter
- Joe Baca, Jr.
- James Ramos (possibly due to redistricting)
- John Longville
- Robert Armenta
iePolitics: While we are laying off fire fighters and cops
The sludge-to-energy boondoggle is getting all the more interesting as I interview those directly involved in the technology. I had planned to post a second Examiner article today but I am waiting on some California Public Record Act requests to verify certain information.
This is truly a scandal where we have to think kickbacks are involved. As I read the contracts EnerTech convinced these entities to sign, we have to wonder if all municipal attorneys are as incompetent as San Bernardino County Counsel.
iePolitics: Public offices or private kingdoms?
I am sure you all know there is a reason behind my request and a reason behind the denial other than what is stated. We’re making a series of public record requests that we will share with you soon.
So, do you think government offices should be open to the public or private?
Subject: RE: Board Offices
From: “Wert, David (CAO)”
Wed, Dec 22, 2010 10:23
To: Sharon@iepolitics.com
For the BOS offices you would need the consent of each office. For the CAO side you would need my consent, which I would not grant. These are private work areas that contain employees’ personal effects, such as family photos, and confidential documents.
Sent: Wednesday, December 22, 2010 2:00 PM
To: Wert, David (CAO)
Subject: Board Offices
David,
I would like to photograph the interior of the BOS offices, including their Chiefs of Staffs, on the Fifth Floor and perhaps their district offices. Also, the offices on the CAO side. What do I need to do to set that up?
iePolitics: Has Barb found religion?
Barb Stanton
It seems Barb Stanton has seen the light. Anyone who ever listened to her radio show for more than five minutes knows that she could not get through three sentences in a row without finding some way to blame former-Assessor Bill Postmus for something . . . anything . . . extrovert. There is no one she made more vile, vicious and often iniquitous comments about.
That was then. This is now . . . now that she has become a Apple Valley Town mayor pro tem. She has seen the light.
SBSun: Ramos named to transition team for AG-elect Harris
Editor’s Note: It seems we have been misled once again.
Posted: 12/22/2010 02:01:33 PM PST
District Attorney Michael A. Ramos was named to the transition team for state Attorney General elect Kamala Harris, his office announced today.
Ramos was appointed to co-chair the committee on Gangs, Gun Crimes and Organized Crime, which is one of eleven “Smart on Crime” Committees that will help Harris transition into the office.
iePolitics: More on Mitzelfelt staffer Bob Smith
Bob Smith
This is a letter we received a while back:
Enjoyed your article on Bob Smith. Attached is a Letter of Demand sent to Bob Smith, President of YCSD siting Brown Act violations, his misconduct, taking control of all projects, trying to illegally and unethically remove a Fire Chief and Firefighters using bullying tactics of having a uniform Sheriff Lt on site to intimidate and attempt to threaten arrests of citizens, and tried to meet with volunteer staff behind closed door with Sheriff present and deny them representation at the meeting(Civil Rights Violations). Now he is spear heading a campaign with his band of misfits to be voted into YCSD. He has used threat tactic to citizen of potential arrest, he provided the Desert Dispatch with false information pertaining to the Yermo Fire Dept, and is in collusion with the County Supervisors office. I have sent certified copies of this Demand letter to all the appropriate depts without response. According to the Brown Act, the YCSD need to respond to allegations of its violation, that is specific to Bob Smith, Scott Walker(candidate), and Jeff Burner(candidate), both incumbents, as his band of incompetent misfits. Bob Smith has created a Thugocracy in Yermo and likes to play dirty if he is questioned or challenged and is notorious for not responding to community concerns and likes to take credit for all accomplishments(see letter). If I can provide you with additional info please feel free to contact me. A campaign is starting ealy next week to move forward with a Recall against Bob Smith. He is a junk yard bully and our community does not need his style of gestapo tactics and diregard ofr others. Bob simply does not play well with other.
Seems he has the same MO everywhere he goes.
iePolitics: Possible opponents for Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt
Supervisors Brad Mitzelfelt
We are developing a list of potential opponents for Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt. Here are the names we have come with so far:
- Bill Jensen—Former Hesperia City Councilman and Tea Party leader
- Angela Valles—Victorville City Councilwoman
- Rick Roelle—Apple Valley Town Councilman and Sheriff’s lieutenant
- Bob Smith—Mitzelfelt staffer , Yermo CSD chairman, and retired Sheriff’s detective
- Paul Cook—Assemblyman and retired Colonel
- Scott Nassif—Apple Valley Town Councilman
- Ryan McEachron—Victorville City Councilman
- Mike Rothschild—Victorville City Councilman
- Barb Stanton—Apple Valley Town Councilwoman and talk show host
- Rita Vogler—Former Hesperia City Councilwoman
- Kim Cox—Mojave Water Agency Director and Helendale CSD manager
- Joe Brady—Real estate broker
- Jim Bagly—Former Twentynine Palms Councilman
- Denny Nowicki Jr.—Former Mitzelfelt staffer and National Guard captain currently serving in Iraq
iePolitics: Is Mark Kirk the last John Doe Standing?
Mark Kirk
All of the corruption figures and John Does are now off of the Fifth Floor and elsewhere in the county—except for John Doe No. 4, that is. Bill Postmus, defendant; Jim Erwin, defendant; Greg Eyler, defendant; Rex Gutierrez, prisoner; and Paul Biane, John Doe No. 5 are all gone. Somehow Mark Kirk has avoided arrest and prosecution so far. But we hear the investigation is far from over.
iePolitics: Looks like the John Does could be in lots of trouble
I heard last week that the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s office was claiming that the investigation into the Colonies Partners and the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors could go on for another two years and that more arrests are expected. My first response was that the statute of limitations has expired and didn’t think much more of it.
Today I had lunch with a top-notch criminal defense attorney who is well known to this blog. I got a lesson in statute of limitations.
iePolitics: Traci Dean and others
I have been trying to take the time to contact you but life seems to happen. However, when I saw the comment by Phelan Patriot today regarding what was said to them by First District Chief of Staff David Zook, I had to take the time to write a post. Zook has made the exact same comment to me on several occasions.
I was not kidding about the blackmail and quid pro quo I have experienced with the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors. It seems few on the Fifth Floor realize they are P U B L I C S E R V A N T S. That means you do what is right for the public because it is the right thing to do, not because they give you campaign money or write nice things about you.
iePolitics: Environmental Criminals
The story below represents the politically correct version. I would really appreciate it if you would read it as that gets me paid. However, iePolitics does not like being politically correct so you will be getting the not-so-politically correct version here.
When I was researching the proposed compost site in Hinkley, I came across this story but did not comprehend the magnitude of fraud involved. I also did not realize that that fraud involved entities other than the city of San Bernardino.
Examiner.com: Is another Wall Street company bleeding taxpayers for its own gains?
This is the first in a series of articles detailing local governments’ failed and costly attempts to deal with one byproduct of wastewater treatment plants–biosolids. SlurryCarb, the sludge-to-energy technology in question, has already cost taxpayers in Los Angeles, Riverside, Orange and San Bernardino counties hundreds of millions of dollars without creating a single BTU of usable energy. But that has not stopped politicos from investing millions more in tax dollars into the failed process. We will examine the politics behind this questionable environmental technology.
As contracts with EnerTech, the company behind the most recent attempt at implementing the technology, are being reviewed, government officials are considering throwing more taxpayer money at the project with no guarantee the technology will ever be developed. In our cash-strapped state where municipalities are terminating employees and demanding union concessions, some are raising questions as to the impetus behind their thought process.
In 1989, the California State Legislature passed AB 939, which created the California Integrated Waste Management Board and set up waste diversion goals for all cities and counties in the state. This bill mandated that local jurisdictions meet solid waste diversion goals of 25 percent by 1995 and 50 percent by 2000. Now almost 21 years later some jurisdictions have yet to meet these goals and face possible sanction.
To read the rest of this story, click here.
iePolitics: Is this Brad’s next opponent? (Has the populist uprising just begun?)
Angela Valles
Valles calls for citizen watchdog group
Councilwoman to assemble advisory team to scrutinize city practices, finances
December 18, 2010 2:00 PM
:
Victor Valley residents interested in joining the watchdog group should send contact information and a resume to Angela.Valles@hotmail.com.
Victor Valley residents interested in joining the watchdog group should send contact information and a resume to Angela.Valles@hotmail.com.
VICTORVILLE • Newly seated Councilwoman Angela Valles is asking for volunteers to form a citizen’s watchdog advisory committee to help her navigate “the maze of red tape and political smoke screens” that she believes have driven Victorville into trouble and “kept the truth” from taxpayers.
iePolitics: How the Public Defender situation was allowed to happen
I’m told that County Administrative Officer Greg Devereaux witnessed something this past week that caught even him off guard. As we reported earlier, Public Defender employees were called into a 5 p.m. meeting on December 14 where Devereaux announced the termination of Public Defender Doreen Boxer and the demise of her lieutenants, Lauri Ferguson and Martin Dante. He also announced the appointment of Phyllis Morris as interim Public Defender. Employees stood and jubilantly clapped and cheered at the news.
Obviously, Boxer, Ferguson and Dante, were despotic managers who ran amok. To effect such emotion out of most of a department’s staff, however, takes more than bad managers. In a system where there are checks and balances, four years of illegal personnel actions and a hostile work environment simply should have never happened. But it did.
iePolitics: Hesperia Fire
Change may be in the air for the city of Hesperia. It seems one or more council members is looking at the contract with San Bernardino County Fire Department as a way to cut the General Fund budget. Hesperia expects to be over $1 million in the hole. The California Department of Forestry (CalFire) apparently can provide equivalent service for approximately $900,000 less than is currently being spent.
iePolitics: Meeting with Mitzelfelt – Quid pro quo
First District Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt
Sometimes I really wonder why things work out the way they do. Several months ago Chief of Staff David Zook and I got into it over an article I had written about First District Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt. The article referenced comments Mitzelfelt made to the Daily Press regarding the local economy. It seemed like Brad was totally out of touch with the economic reality in the Victor Valley and I chalked his comments up to medication he was taking for his badly broken arm/shoulder. In the end I agreed to take the article down.
That exchange, which got pretty nasty, ended up in more discussion between David and me. I took issue with the fact that they have been so hateful toward me but then expect me to write positive articles about them and censor the negative items some of our readers submit, such as on their employee Bob Smith and Havasu Lake issues.
VVDP: Judge denies plea agreement in puppy thrower case
Editor: Good for Judge Tomberlin!
December 17, 2010 3:49 PM
VICTORVILLE • A judge struck down a plea agreement that could have put a Hesperia man who threw his 3-month-old puppy at a moving train on probation.
Justin Joost, 27, appeared for sentencing at Victorville Superior Court on Friday. But Judge John Tomberlin decided not to uphold a plea agreement entered in November.
“The court is not willing to grant probation in this case,” Tomberlin said.
SBSun: San Bernardino County district attorney attends meeting with Gov.-elect Jerry Brown
Editor’s Note: This certainly makes us wonder what we have been led to believe about Ramos. We also hear that he is going to continue in his position to the California Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board under Governor-elect Brown. Makes us wonder.
Posted: 12/16/2010 07:22:55 PM PST
San Bernardino County District Attorney Michael A. Ramos was among a statewide contingent of law enforcement officials who met with Gov.-elect Jerry Brown this week to discuss major issues.Among the items discussed, Ramos said he was concerned about a future loss of revenue from the sun-setting Vehicle License Fund, state prison realignment discussions and the state budget. The meeting occurred Monday at Brown’s office in Sacramento.