Category Archives: Neil Derry

Examiner.com: Board of Supervisors declares war on police union; pays off with concessions

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Editor’s Note:  As always, we appreciate your clicks, comments, suggestions, etc.

(San Bernardino) – Last week the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 to impose more than 14 percent in cuts on members of the Specialized Peace Officers Unit of the San Bernardino County Safety Employees Benefit Association (SEBA), the union representing sworn peace officers.  Supervisors Neil Derry and Brad Mitzelfelt voted against the measure.  Today, 73.5 percent of the unit’s membership voted to accept the arbitrator’s award they had previously rejected, thus avoiding the deep cuts.

“We’re proud of the Specialized Peace Officers for choosing the terms of their employment rather than settling for an imposed solution,” said Board of Supervisors Chair Josie Gonzales. “These public safety professionals have joined a growing number of county employee groups who have recognized the current economic realities and agreed to terms that will help avoid layoffs and allow the county to continue to provide an acceptable level of service.”  Supervisor Gonzales is one of the three county supervisors who voted in favor of imposing the cuts and who is under federal scrutiny in two FBI raids.

To read the rest of the story, click here.

iePolitics: Is the BOS really this corrupt?

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Take a look at Items 4 and 5 on the agenda for Tuesday.  First off is Janice Rutherford’s proposal to cut BOS benefits by 20 percent.  You think that is in response to our initiative.  What she isn’t explaining is that she is proposing to do this ordinance rather than charter amendment.  What that means is that the BOS can turn around and give themselves a raise anytime they please and we can’t prevent it.  That is how their benefit packages got so high to begin with.  And more often than not, they hide it in some unrelated board item to throw us all off.

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iePolitics: What do Mark Uffer, Jeff Burum, Sharon Gilbert, and the Public Attorney’s Association have in common?

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Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.

˜Albert Einstein˜

Well, the short answer is that someone (people) with the ability to approve spending large sums of taxpayer money to settle personal vendetta did so.  Or it could be that half-assed attorneys gave half-assed legal advice for the purpose of building up billable hours?

Today, I obtained two bits of information.  First, I now have a copy of the Judge Alvarez’s ruling on the county’s motion for summary judgment in Uffer v. County of San Bernardino.  Read it here:  UfferMSJ

Once you read it, then answer the following questions:

  1. The county of San Bernardino paid not one, not two, not three, but four attorneys to appear at this hearing to argue the county’s case.  This included flying one in from Oakland because apparently the other three were not quite competent enough.  Is this a good use of taxpayer money?
  2. According to a response I received on a CPRA request I received today, the cost of attorneys so far in this case is $782,452.20, not including uninvoiced/unpaid fees already encumbered.  I hear the real total is over $1 million.  Would you say the county is getting its money’s worth?

I also submitted a CPRA request for the case against the Public Attorneys Association.  The county lost that case big time and then lost again when the PAA asked for legal fees.  The county appealed the judge’s decision in granting the PAA attorneys fees for filing a frivolous case against the PAA.  Rather than just paying up, it appealed to the Fourth District Court of Appeal.  How much as this cost taxpayers so far in attorney’s fees?  So far it has cost $92,055.00.

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The Sentinel: Derry Prosecution Has Grave Import For Mitzelfelt, Rutherford

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The California Attorney General’s Office’s filing of charges against Third District San Bernardino County supervisor Neil Derry six months ago has opened up a can of legal and political worms that is likely to complicate the future political landscape for not only Attorney General Kamala Harris, but San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos and at least two of Derry’s colleagues on the board of supervisors.
At issue is the discrepancy in the standard applied toward Derry and supervisors Brad Mitzelfelt and Janice Rutherford, who, like Derry, solicited political campaign contributions from individuals or companies reluctant to be identified as donors who then provided money through a third party to launder the political money.  While Derry was prosecuted for having gotten caught up in this circumstance, Mitzelfelt and Rutherford so far have avoided being criminally charged. Nevertheless, the apparent double standard being applied to them by state and local prosecutors and the publicity attending this disparity has come to be widely perceived as a matter of political favoritism and selective prosecution that implicates all involved in the corruption that in recent years has become synonymous with San Bernardino County governance.
This spring, San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos detailed one of his office’s investigators, Hollis Randles, to look into the circumstances pertaining to a $5,000 donation to Derry’s successful 2008 election campaign for supervisor that originated with Arnold Stubblefield, the owner and developer of the Highland Town Shop. Randles interviewed Derry, Stubblefield and several others involved in or knowledgeable about Derry’s receipt of that money. The district attorney’s office did not file a case against Derry and instead turned the matter over to the California attorney general’s office.
To read the rest of the story, click here.

iePolitics: Earth to Neil!

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Supervisor Derry,

I just received your press release regarding fingerprinting of Foodstamp recipients in San Bernardino County.  Although I agree that Foodstamp (and honestly all welfare recipients) should be fingerprinted, you are NEVER going to do anything about welfare fraud in this county unless you first rid this county of Linda Haugen and Nancy Swanson.

I know you don’t want to hear it, but welfare fraud cannot be caught if workers are disciplined for making fraud referrals.  I know from first-hand experience.  I also know from first-hand experience that county welfare statistics are falsified by said Haugen and Swanson.  Larry Walker wanted to bring in external auditors to audit the department when we provided hard-core proof but the CAO put a stop to it.  With the falsified statistics, the county gets more welfare funding which makes for more money that can be wasted on big screen TVs and the like and a bigger empire which means a promotion for those at the top.

Continue reading →

iePolitics: CAO and BOS declare war on cops

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For those who did not notice the county’s proposal for a new contract with SEBA, here are the county’s proposals:

This correspondence shall serve as the County’s written request to commence negotiations and the following shall constitute the County’s written proposals:

1. Benefit Plan: Eliminate Benefit Plan contributions and replace with Medical Premium Subsidy. Clarify/amend language to conform to County policy, practice, plan documents and/or applicable law and regulations as appropriate.

2. Other benefit provisions such as Dependant Care Assistance Plan, Flexible Spending Account, Life Insurance, Merit Advancements, Reemployment, Retirement Medical Trust, etc:  Clarify/amend language to conform to County policy, practice, plan documents and/or applicable law and regulations as appropriate.

Continue reading →

Alpenhorn News: Citizens’ committee puts county elected officials on notice

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S. E. Williams
Staff Writer

A group of concerned citizens have joined forces to qualify three initiatives for the 2012 ballot that puts San Bernardino County elected officials on notice that voters are “fed up”.
Critics now wonder whether Second District Supervisor Janice Rutherford’s proposal introduced last week to limit the amount of money special interest groups, corporations and others can donate to candidates seeking county elective offices was just a thinly veiled attempt to pre-empt the efforts of these community activists who seek stronger restrictions on local politicians.
In an exclusive interview with The Alpenhorn News, a spokesperson for the citizen’s group identified as The Committee to Reform San Bernardino County Government pointed out that the initiative offered by the community is much stronger than what Rutherford proposed. “Our proposal goes a lot further,” she said and continued, “It takes out contributions from both corporations and unions.”

Examiner.com: County Executive Officer takes shots at BOS members; Supervisor Derry fires back

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Editor’s Note: As always Naomi and I appreciate the clicks, likes and comments on the Examiner.com site.

Supervisor Neil Derry

(SAN BERNARDINO) While delivering an address to the Fontana Rotary Club on Monday, county of San Bernardino County Executive Officer Greg Devereaux took shots at two of the five members of the county’s board of supervisors over the budget process. According to a report published today in the Press Enterprise, Devereaux praised Chairwoman Josie Gonzales and Supervisors Janice Rutherford and Gary Ovitt. He omitted Supervisors Neil Derry and Brad Mitzelfelt.

The budget was approved on a 3-1 vote. Supervisor Mitzelfelt voted against the budget in part because it made significant cuts to public safety. Supervisor Derry refrained from voting due to legal issues at the time.

To read the rest of the article, click here.

iePolitics: Thank you Supervisor Derry; when is Bradley going to serve constituents?

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This morning I saw on Facebook that all telephone and data services were down in Wrightwood.  It just so happened that was a very important piece of information for me today.  And how did I learn of this situation?  Not from the First District supervisor who happens to live in Wrightwood and whose wife is a PIO for County Fire, the agency who issued the alert.  I learned it from a post on Supervisor Derry’s Facebook page.

Our very own supervisor did not give a crap about his constituents and neither did the County of San Bernardino which also has a Facebook page.  Here is the latest post from Bradley (yes Brad, even though you blocked me I can still see your Facebook page):

Brad Mitzelfelt attended the event Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt 5th Annual Golf Classic.

Yesterday at 8:00am
Spring Valley Lake Country Club, Victorville

iePolitics: Cook to announce candidacy for Third District

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Assemblyman Paul Cook

Assemblyman Paul Cook will announce his candidacy for the Third District seat on the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors tomorrow.  iePolitics will post the press release when it is received.

Cook will be the third major candidate for the position.  Incumbent Neil Derry is running for re-election.  San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Chairman and casino boss James Ramos has also declared in what has already become a contentious race.

Examiner.com: Attitudes of elected officials make the difference with animal control issues

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Editor’s Note:  This is one of those articles that is very important to me personally.  I would really appreciate the clicks and likes.  Thank you.

Lazerus, Rose, Rose and Job

I suppose finding the similarities between San Bernardino County and the city of Rancho Mirage would be easier than listing the differences as the list would be much shorter.  There are the obvious differences, such as San Bernardino County is a “county” and Rancho Mirage is a “city.”  One is big; one is small.  One is known for its affluence while the other is known for its welfare rolls. However, in the world of animal care and rescue, none of these things is what set these two governments apart.  The important difference is not size or money; it’s attitude.

Yesterday I had occasion to contact Rancho Mirage Mayor Dana Hobart to request a comment from him for an article I am writing about an unrelated issue.  As I tried to track down his email address, one thing stood out on the Rancho Mirage website and that was an icon that included a picture of a young, white Boxer.

To read the rest of this story, click here.

BOS staff salaries, ballot titles, summaries

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I finally have all the information up on www.ReformSBCounty.com.  It should be noted that I have been requesting the revised salary figures for BOS staff since August 3, and the CAO’s office WILL NOT give me the information.  So much for the Sunshine Ordinance.  The county is as obstructionist as ever.  We might as well have Ruthie back.

Examiner.com: “California’s Most Corrupt County” forgets 9-11

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Editor’s Note:  This is shameful but certainly indicative of how much contempt some of our BOS members have for the public and their own employees.  I remember that some of our own fire fighters and law enforcement personnel went to New York to help with the rescue and recovery  effort.  It is really a slap in the face to those employees as well as county residents who lost their lives or the lives of a loved one.  This BOS is selfish and arrogant.  If it doesn’t mean a campaign contribution, then you can go to hell.  What has happened to our county government?

If anyone happens to be around the County Government Center today, will you snap a photo of the flagpole and send it to me?  I like to know if they at least flew the flag today.

(SAN BERNARDINO) – It seems that San Bernardino County officials are too embroiled in county corruption investigations to take a moment out of their day to remember the tragedies of September 11, 2001.  No county-sponsored ceremonies whatsoever are scheduled for the day.

A search of the front page of www.sbcounty.gov, the county’s official website, offers no indication that the Board of Supervisors has acknowledged the significance of those tragic events ten years ago.  A further search of the most recent Board of Supervisors agenda does not include reference to any proclamations or resolutions honoring those who are being remembered by the rest of the nation today.

Neither the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, Josie Gonzales, or the County Executive Officer, Greg Devereaux, has issued a public statement reprinted on the county’s website regarding the significance of this day in American history. Additionally, other than mentioning several 9-11 events sponsored by other entities, none of the five members of the Board of Supervisors has any offered a message commemorating the day on their individual county websites.  With the exception of Third District Supervisor Neil Derry, none of the members of the board show any indication on their websites that they will be attending 9-11 functions.

To read the rest of the story, click here.

Examiner.com: County initiatives to lower board of supervisors’ salaries/benefits move forward

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Editor’s Note:  Please click on this one.  Like if you have a Facebook account.  Comment if you are not afraid of the Board of Supervisors.  Thank you.  And Naomi thanks you  too!

(SAN BERNARDINO) – Proponents of three initiatives to bring reforms to corruption-ridden San Bernardino County have announced that, after a delay by the county’s legal representatives in providing the ballot titles and ballot statements for each of the three proposals, they are ready to move forward with collecting signatures.   The Committee to Reform San Bernardino County Government hopes to have the petitions to professional signature gatherers by week’s end.

San Bernardino County is one of only 14 charter counties in California.  As such, county residents can place initiatives on the ballot that, if approved, cannot be legally overruled or changed by its governing body.  In the remaining 44 counties, the boards of supervisors can enact salary and benefit ordinances without voter approval and that are only subject to referendum.  A county charter amendment, as this group is proposing, can only be enacted or changed by a majority vote of the residents.

iePolitics: Oh Jim!

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If there is something I have learned in the past year, it is how to get Jim Erwin to react.  He is so predictable once you know his triggers.

First, mention he is going to prison and surely there will be a spat of comments on his blog and mine calling me a kook, nutblog, and all the rest.   I’ve been told that in reality the comments come from his son and his wife, Karen.  Whatever.  I couldn’t care less. It’s not my husband or father going to prison for a long time.  And believe me, if Mike Ramos gets no one else, he will not stop until the steel doors close behind Jim.  I am not even remotely suggesting that is right or just; I’m simply stating a fact.

Continue reading →

Examiner.com:

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Editor’s Note: As usual, I appreciate your clicks and “likes.” Thank you.

Supervisor Neil Derry

(SAN BERNARDINO) – San Bernardino County Third District Supervisor Neil Derry earned two impressive endorsements in recent days in his fight to keep his seat on the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors. He is being challenged by San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Tribal Chairman and casino boss James Ramos.

Today, the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association announced its support for Derry. “The Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association Political Action Committee endorses Neil Derry for reelection to the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors,” declared HJTA Committee spokesman Kris Vosburgh.

“The Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association is California’s largest and most influential taxpayer advocacy group. They have been fighting to protect the rights of taxpayers for over three decades,” stated Derry. “I am honored to be one of the very first elected officials in California to earn their coveted endorsement for the June 2012 election.”

To read the rest of the article, click here.

iePolitics: A few more things about the Colonies scandal – update

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I added the op-ed piece below by Paul Mahoney because it points out several things the newspapers seem to be overlooking on purpose.  It, along with several other recent articles, reminded me of some things I had totally forgotten about.

I have defended Judge Christopher Warner many times on this blog.  As I have written before, I was his first secretary when he was appointed to the bench.  Although it is certainly possible to be corrupted in a system that is so inherently corrupt, I find that hard to believe in this instance.  I guess that is why I found the Sun stories attacking Judge Warner and Justice Panelli so offensive.  I simply do not believe that either of them did what the District Attorney’s office, Attorney General, and Dennis Wagner are accusing them of doing.

That brings me to Dennis Wagner.  And I shall preface the rest of this post by saying that what I am about to describe is based on conversations with Jim Erwin and Mark Kirk at the time.  Both have lied to me in the past and may have been lying during this episode but this is what they led me to believe.

Continue reading →

iePolitics: Time To Cut Out The Cancer At ARMC

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As a child growing up with a mother who prescribed to old-fashioned thoughts about medical care, I was always told never to allow doctors to operate on cancer because exposing cancer cells to air would cause them to grow exponentially.  Of course, today we know how to use surgery to cure an otherwise fatal tumor.

Several years ago all of Southern California watched the crisis at the Los Angeles County-run King-Drew Medical Center.  If history can predict the future, we have a similar, fatal cancer growing at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC) that needs to be excised fully and quickly.

The residents of San Bernardino County are being led to believe that the current investigations and accusations at San Bernardino County’s only county-run hospital are routine and relatively minor.  We keep hearing that they are part of the “learning process.”  ARMC has been in business for over 10 years and San Bernardino county has operated a hospital for decades before that.  If the county hasn’t learned how to run a hospital by now, I’m not sure it ever will. Continue reading →

Examiner.com: Group to circulate petition to reduce supervisor pay, cap contributions

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[SAN BERNARDINO]: The Committee to Reform San Bernardino County Government is a grassroots group whose mission it is to bring about much-needed oversight of elected officials on behalf of the citizens of corruption-ridden San Bernardino County.  The county has been plagued with scandals since the 1990s, and numerous county officials have faced state and federal charges and is known as “California’s Most Corrupt County.”  Three initiatives have been written that will allow voters to change the county’s charter so that elected officials cannot gain financial benefits without voter approval and will provide additional “transparency” county officials claim they desire.

The proposed reforms include making members of the Board of Supervisors part time and reducing their pay to reflect the hours of service they provide to the public; capping campaign contributions; and for all San Bernardino County new hires, changing the pension system to a 401(k)-style retirement benefit.  The reforms mirror many of those already in place or being made elsewhere in California’s 58 counties.

To read the rest of the story, click here.

iePolitics: Blog Advisory

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The big announcement I have been hinting at since early this year is finally upon us.  It is scheduled for Monday at 11 a.m.  Press releases will be going out at that time and an Examiner article will post to the blog.  If I should drop dead between now and then, there is a backup plan so that it all still happens with or without me.

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iePolitics: Hey BOS, did you like the gift today?

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Or did your Legal Beagle on Ice not bother to tell you?  Well, I think this is as good as any time for a trip down memory lane.

You do remember my crystal ball, don’t you?  It was pretty darn accurate, wasn’t it?

Now, I know some of you are not the most intelligent people in the whole world.  And I have heard bits and pieces about how you just don’t think this is right–damn that bitch with the blog!!!  But what have you done to prevent such a thing from happening?

Continue reading →

iePolitics: So do you believe it?

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I’m referring to the article below about the Tea Party being less popular than atheists and Muslims.  I don’t.

Anyone who reads this blog knows I am not a big fan of the Tea Party and that is a direct result of Tim Donnelly and what I witnessed during his campaign.  A few other Tea Partiers, such as Barb Stanton, has led me to believe it is a party of flakes.

However, in my heart and in reality, I know most Tea Partiers are really good people who believe in causes similar to causes I believe in.  The actions of a few are not indicative of the movement as a whole.  And I think that sets me apart from the likes of a majority of the politicos I know.

Continue reading →

Examiner.com: Recall effort gearing up against county supervisor over redistricting

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(SAN BERNARDINO) – A firestorm of a magnitude not seen in recent years is gaining more momentum in the San Bernardino County mountain resorts just east of Los Angeles.  But this firestorm does not require the aid of county fire or any other fire suppression agency.

Mountain residents are angry, really angry, over the insistence by one member of the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors, Janice Rutherford, that the mountain communities be split even greater due to her desire to redistrict the community of Lake Arrowhead into her district.  And now efforts to recall the first-term supervisor appear to be underway.

Lake Arrowhead has one of the highest medium family incomes in the county.  It’s a Republican-leaning community and a community that is politically active.  But Lake Arrowhead residents are not alone in their concerns about having Rutherford as their supervisor or dividing the mountain.

Continue reading on Examiner.com Recall effort gearing up against county supervisor over redistricting – Los Angeles Political Buzz | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/political-buzz-in-los-angeles/recall-effort-gearning-up-against-county-supervisor-over-redistricting#ixzz1VF0d57IE

Examiner.com: Brown Act violation concerns raised over race to obtain campaign donors

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(SAN BERNARDINO) -  Less than 24 hours after the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors held its fourth public meeting to consider several redistricting maps, concerns have been raised that three of the board members may have committed Brown Act violations.  The board voted 3-2 on Tuesday to concentrate on a single redistricting map despite an outpouring of protests by residents.

Several weeks ago rumors surfaced that newly elected Second District Supervisor Janice Rutherford was pushing to move the mountain community of Lake Arrowhead into her supervisorial district.  The area is among the wealthiest and conservative in the county.  About two weeks ago rumors continued that Rutherford had secured the votes of Supervisors Josie Gonzales and Gary Ovitt and that the new map was a “done deal” prior to any vote or public input.

Continue reading on Examiner.com Brown Act violation concerns raised over race to gain campaign donors – Los Angeles Political Buzz | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/political-buzz-in-los-angeles/brown-act-violation-concerns-raised-over-race-to-gain-campaign-donors#ixzz1Ug6sx4ZT

iePolitics: If it means anything at all, it is still too little, too late

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Well we hear that San Bernardino County Transitional Deputy Director Michael de la Rosa got passed over for the Assistant Director position, a job everyone thought was created just for him.  Now this may very well have something to do with the documentation I was sent.  I haven’t been able to get it scanned in, but will.

Anyway, the winner of the Linda Haugen brown-nosing contest this time around is no other than Diana Alexander.  ESP employees know her as the PERC manager or by her moniker “teeth.”  She is known best for her ass kissing abilities and her phony sickenly sweet disposition.  She was also a favorite of Mark Uffer, which says a lot.  I’m told Diana started her career as an Eligibility Worker for TAD, so I guess we should have seen this coming.

Continue reading →

iePolitics: From a reader . . .

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The following was posted as the first online comment to the “We’re for political prosecutions” editorial.  Within 4 hours it was removed by The Sun.
=======================================

Clearly, The Editor has decided to believe a convicted felon, Bill Postmus, who negotiated a deal with the District Attorney to obtain more favorable treatment in exchange for dismissal of numerous counts.  One of those counts was conspiracy to accept a bribe.  If he was willing to accept a bribe once, would he not accept dismissal of charges in exchange for false testimony?

Simply put, the primary witness of the Derry prosecution is highly impeachable on any witness stand.

Continue reading →

Examiner.com: County supervisors challenge fire tax signed by governor

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SAN BERNARDINO – Today, San Bernardino County Third District Supervisor Neil Derry urged the Board of Supervisors to authorize legal counsel to investigate and pursue legal remedies against the state in response to the recent passage and signing of Assembly Bill X1-29 by Governor Jerry Brown. The bill imposed a “fee” of $150 per inhabitable structure on all parcels within the “State Responsibility Area” under the guise of funding fire prevention programs.  Supervisors voted 4-0 to authorize the action.

Derry believes this bill is an illegal tax and comes in the wake of the state’s announcement that it would also no longer fund the air supertanker program used to fight wildfires through air drops.  He feels this maneuver is a stealth tax that explicitly circumvents the intent of the people of California when they resoundingly passed Proposition 26 in November 2010.

Continue reading on Examiner.com County supervisors challenge fire tax signed by governor – Los Angeles Political Buzz | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/political-buzz-in-los-angeles/county-supervisors-challenge-fire-tax-law-signed-by-governor#ixzz1RwG5gZVH

iePolitics: More on personal vendetta by the Board of Supervisors

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I submitted a California Public Records Act request last month regarding the legal bill to fight former Human Resources director Elizabeth Sanchez in her suit against the county after she was terminated.  Those who remember know it had to do with personal vendetta by then-Supervisors Dennis Hansberger and County Administrative Officer Mark Uffer.  Former County Counsel Ruth Stringer, who aligned herself with those two against other supervisors, kept the battle going all the way to the California Supreme Court.  After all, she had an unlimited supply of taxpayer money to fund the vendetta.

Several weeks ago it was announced that the county settled for $200,000.  According to David Wert, the county’s legal bill for this vendetta so far is $358,355.  I have asked him if that is the total amount, or simply what has been paid out so far.

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iePolitics: An interview with Mayor pro tem Russ Blewett

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Russ Blewett

I mentioned last week that I had a chance to have lunch with Hesperia Mayor pro tem Russ Blewett this past Friday.  I will be writing an Examiner article regarding the interview.  But there are those things, along with my personal impression, that really don’t belong in that article but are of interest to iePolitics readers.  So here is a mini-article.

Russ is extremely supportive of two people I don’t have much use for:  Greg Devereaux and Brad Mitzelfelt.  That, of course, made the conversation with Russ all the more interesting, and I really mean that.

Russ really defends many of Devereaux’s actions, to which I say, “I will believe it when I see it.”  But it was also clear that Russ will stand up to Devereaux in no uncertain terms unlike the five supervisors we have now that are afraid of him.

Continue reading →

iePolitics: So Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt makes $308,600 a year?

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Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt

That is certainly what this editorial suggests.  And the supes wonder why rank and file are not so keen on the idea of giving up raises, paying more for medical benefits, and contributing more towards their retirement.

Seriously, the current five members of the Board of Supervisors are the greediest bunch of bastards I think have ever resided on the Fifth Floor.  I suspect that not only county employees and the press are tired of their largesse, but the public as a whole is too.

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iePolitics: Volunteers needed

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Tomorrow another group of volunteers will be speaking before the Board of Supervisors during the public comments section.  The topic will be the Devore Shelter.  We would appreciate any volunteers who would be willing to go as moral support and/or speak.  The group plans to make its presence felt at the Board of Supervisors every meeting until the BOS acts.

If you can be there please let us know.

iePolitics: Blog status

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Below are two Examiner articles I would really appreciate you reading and subscribing, etc.  I will be getting more up in the next week but don’t expect much more from the blog.

I expect to be out of commission for the next week or so blog-wise but will try to get to the library as often as possible.  Bill will moderate comments as he can but expect lengthy delays.

Continue reading →

iePolitics: A comment from County Fire

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I have been asked for over a year to keep this story quiet.  I have written bits and pieces of it on the blog but out of respect for Pat and Dan, I have not done more.  However, this comment appeared a few minutes ago:

Additionally, it was Henry who also used his “write a check” threat to keep an ongoing affair between fire marshal Peter Brierty and fire department supervisor Tina Sutera a secret.  It was Sutera who leaked the trailer incident to get the heat off herself and Brierty and then later claimed whistleblower retaliation as news of the affair spread and fire officials and employees from around the state came out in support of Dennen and Wurl.  Some say that what Henry, Brierty and Sutera did was actual blackmail of Dennen and Wurl.

Why was nothing ever done about this? I never heard anything about this. Has this been confirmed?

 

Continue reading →

iePolitics: Attn: SEBA and Devore Shelter rescuers

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I keep hearing about all the threats from County Administrative Officer Greg Devereaux to impose whatever he damn well pleases if everyone doesn’t go along with HIS game plan.   You need to remember that Devereaux does not have the final say.  It must be approved by the Board of Supervisors.

Remember the phrase “Count to three.”  That phrase becomes especially important next year because three supervisors are up for re-election.   This is not the time to piss off firefighters, cops, or animal rights groups, all three of which can have tremendous political clout if they so choose, as has been proven in the past.

Continue reading →

iePolitics: So exactly how does Andrew Lamberto and staff determine that there is no basis for an EEO complaint . . .

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And then be forced by the Department of Fair Employment and Housing to remedy said complaint or face a lawsuit?  That is exactly the trend.  Or in some cases, the BOS is approving or will have to approve a settlement resulting from management’s behavior that Lamberto has deemed appropriate.

The BOS still has not figured out that citizens and employees alike are fed up with their entitlement and outspend them attitude.  They are in for a rude awakening.  Remember that crystal ball  . . ..

iePolitics: Chris Jones’ client issued interim order of suspension

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Seems unethical people stick together:  kurth2

I have the complaint by the Attorney General’s office, but at 48 pages, it is too large to download to the blog.  If anyone would like it, email me and I will send it to you.

It seems that having Chris Jones as your campaign consultant is a sure bet for losing an election and getting into trouble.  Just ask Paul Biane, Neil Derry, and now Don Kurth.  Neil, time to find a new campaign consultant before it gets any worse.

 

iePolitics: Full-scale attack on Chris Jones

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It used to be that I would post campaign items on any of Chris Jones’ clients when he sent them to me.  But then he took on Chris Lancaster, Paul Biane and Don Kurth and my candidates of choice were Anthony Riley, Janice Rutherford and Mike Morrell.  Chris and his little blonde helper got ugly and personal, and not only attacked the candidates, but attacked me.  And I was equally determined his clients would lose. Of course, I was only one voice and one vote but there were some big names behind the scenes also determined to defeat anyone Chris Jones represented.  He had a very bad June and November 2010.

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iePolitics: Mutual admiration society

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Jim actually sorta complimented me today and even referred to us as iepolitics.com instead of his usual nutblog.com.   What’s funny about that was I had already planned to write a story about his lack of political correctness in his story about our useless Board of Supervisors.  Here is the link.

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iePolitics: Did Josie really come up with these on her own?

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If only I had a brain

As simple-minded as Josie’s proposed reforms are, it is hard to believe she came up with them on her own. They have Greg Devereaux written all over them.

Let’s take a look at them:

1) Direct the county chief executive Greg Devereaux to research and provide recommendations requiring standardized contracts for supervisor staff and regular work performance evaluations consistent with other county employees

So who benefits by standardized contracts?  Devereaux.  But the rest of the recommendation is interesting. Typically, county work performance evaluations consists of up to eight categories, an overall score, and verification of step increase, sick leave usage, and car insurance.  What would a BOS employee work performance evaluation look like?  Here are some suggestions:

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iePolitics: Are layoffs around the corner?

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From what we are hearing neither SEBA or SBPEA plans to play ball with County Administrative Officer Greg Devereaux and his plan for employees to pay their seven percent of retirement. And that means County Fire and exempt don’t have to play either because their agreements were tied to everyone else doing the same thing.  We hear plans for layoffs at the Sheriff’s Department are already being made.  And we suspect the same is true for the rest of the county.  Geez, it is only six weeks until the end of the fiscal year.  Is the Fifth Floor really this inept?

iePolitics: Conspiracy theory No. 2

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In reality this is not a conspiracy theory at all, but since I cannot provide the proof of this theory at this time due to the confidentiality of the issues, it will appear to be a conspiracy theory to most.  Let me explain.

The charges against San Bernardino County Third District Supervisor Neil Derry were expected by many close to the corruption investigation. The timing was not.

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iePolitics: Ramos formally announces candidacy for Third District Race

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James Ramos

San Manuel Tribal Chairman James Ramos formally announced his bid for Third District Supervisor, the seat currently held by Supervisor Neil Derry.  One of the interesting things about this announcement is the list of supporters he has already garnered.  Those supporting his candidacy include city of San Bernardino mayor Pat Morris; city of Redlands mayor Pete Aguilar; city of San Bernardino city councilman Fred Shorett; city of Highland mayor pro tem Penny Lilburn; city of Yucaipa mayor Dick Riddell; city of Yucaipa councilwoman Denise Hoyt; President of San Bernardino Community College District Board of Trustees Carleton W. Lockwood Jr.; former Assemblyman Russ Bogh; and  Senator Bill Emmerson.

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iePolitics: One more animal post for today and then back to politics

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For the long-term, one thing that can help clean up Devore and the other county shelters is a mandatory spay and neuter ordinance.  Situations such as with Tilly, today’s featured dog, can be prevented.  There will always be irresponsible and lawless people, but most will abide by the law.  It will take time and education though.

Last year, Supervisor Neil Derry sponsored and got passed, with Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt’s help, a mandatory spay and neuter ordinance for pit bulls.  It was a good start, but I am among many who do not favor breed-specific legislation.  The law should be no respecter of breed.

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iePolitics: Ramos announces run for Third District; campaign consultant has some interesting ties

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James Ramos

As we suggested might happen back in December, San Manuel Tribal Chairman James Ramos is announcing his bid to unseat San Bernardino County Third District Supervisor Neil Derry.  I was personally yelled at by Jim Erwin back then for even suggesting this might happen.  But as anyone who is not emotionally involved with the Third District race knows, the writing was on the wall.  Ramos has been gearing up for this for a long time.

Ramos has plenty of baggage.  He also has plenty of loot and could outspend all his competition 5-1 if he chose to do so. I suspect Derry will not be the only other candidate.  Remember, I have a really good crystal ball.

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