I had asked for budget information for each district of the Board of Supervisors. I didn’t get exactly what I needed but didn’t want what I did get to go to waste. For those who would like to see the overall picture of what each supervisor spends on his/her district, it can be viewed here: 2009-10 District Budgets
For some reason, no one seems to get the fact that as an exempt employee, Rex Gutierrez only had to work the number of hours required by his supervisor. He would be paid for 40 hours no matter what. The exempt Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) states:
Hours of Work
Employees shall be required to work such hours as necesssary to carry out the duties of their position as designated by the appointing authority, and such hours may be varied so long as the work requirements and efficient operations of the County are assured.
The best term for it is blackmail. Anyone who has read the blog for a while knows about the methods San Bernardino County Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC) Medical Director Dr. Dev GnanaDev uses to control the Board of Supervisors. He does whatever it takes to assure he always has at least three votes on the Board of Supervisors. Whether it is campaign contributions or free medical care, Dr. GnanaDev secures his position and controls the voting habits of the Board of Supervisors.
But Dr. GnanaDev is not the only employee at ARMC where less than ethical means are used to control others. I witnessed it first-hand when I worked at ARMC for a year.
I know now that I was sent to work at ARMC by Mark Uffer so I could be watched. The problem with that is that the person who was assigned to watch me had more skeletons in his closet than just about anyone I have worked with in thirty years of county employment. That person was Fred Mendoza, PMQ/Insurance Verification Department Manager.
This past week San Bernardino County Deputy District Attorney John Goritz and state of California Deputy Attorney General Melissa Mandel unveiled their “conspiracy theory” in the trial of former Assessor’s Office employee Rex Gutierrez. In addition to having worked for the county, Gutierrez also is an elected member of the city of Rancho Cucamonga City Council. Gutierrez is accused of conducting city of Rancho Cucamonga business on county time.
For argument’s sake, let’s say that Gutierrez was not a salaried employee, but an hourly employee. So this question was raised: Is it illegal to do work for one government agency on the time clock of another if there is no personal gain? There are a considerable number of current and past elected officials in this county who hold/held other government jobs while serving in their elected positions:
MIKE RAMOS – SB COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY/REDLANDS SCHOOL BOARD
I’m sure I’m missing quite a few.
I took a peek at the new Organizational Chart that goes into effect on June 30, 2010 for the county of San Bernardino: OrganizationalChart. Several things stood out.
First, it looks like County Administrative Officer Greg Devereaux undid all the completely stupid and self-serving changes former County Administrative Officer Mark Uffer made last year. No more empire building for Ufferites.
Second, unless I missed it, which is possible, this reorganization did not go before the Board of Supervisors for approval. I know when I worked for the Deputy Administrator for EPWA, one of the last projects we worked on was a large-scale county reorganization that took Architecture and Engineering and another important division that I can’t remember now away from Marie Alonzo and made a number of other changes including eliminating our own jobs. I know that had to go before the Board of Supervisors for approval as has other county reorganizations since so I wonder: Is this Devereaux’s way of showing who is boss? Continue reading
You can usually tell a newspaper and their agenda when you contrast and compare stories by two reporters for two different newspapers, who are sitting in the same room.
This is part two in a series covering the disparity in reporting by The Sun / Inland Valley Daily Bulletin Newspaper. The papers are a part of the Los Angeles News Group, which is a subsidiary of MediaNews Group. Continue reading
The administration of President Barack Obama has been continuously stressing that it wants to keep Americans in their homes.
After all, the U.S. Federal Reserve System is giving the money center banks including Wells Fargo, virtually free money so the same banks can turnaround and lend it back to the U.S. Treasury keeping the interest paid by the same Treasury as profit. Isn’t it great? Borrow money from taxpayers at an interest rate of 0.00%-0.25% and then lend it back to taxpayers at a substantially higher interest rate. A practice known as making money on the spread.
Why modify mortgages when you can force the borrowers out of their homes and use taxpayer money to cushion the loss?
Now along comes Wells Fargo Bank.
A bank that is a major California mortgage lender with a large Inland Empire presence. Continue reading
Anyone who listens to John and Ken on the Los Angeles-based radio station KFI 640 may be left with the impression that all environmentally friendly ideas are costly, with little or no positive effect on the environment. From depletion of the ozone and global warming to Cap and Trade and diesel emissions, environmental concerns are controversial and often seem to be based on less-than-sound scientific data and hypothesis. The environmental do-gooders force upon us an extensive array of rules and regulations with little concern for economic consequences or our ability to implement stringent standards without readily available technology or yet-to-be-made scientific discovery.
Most people do not realize how much we are impacted by environmental regulatory agencies. One of the most powerful in southern California is the South Coast Air Quality Management District, which is not only charged with regulating smoke stacks at the factories of high-polluting industries and the emissions from our automobiles, but also involves itself in almost every aspect of our daily lives, from the cost of our dry cleaning to our romantic interludes (think a cozy dinner at a nice restaurant or cuddling up in front of the fire place on a cool evening). Continue reading
While meandering around Hinkley, Lenwood and Helendale, I noticed this guy (or girl) on the side of the road. He wanted all the attention he could get. Didn’t mind a truckload of Boxers barking at him like maniacs at all.
Speak of being bent over. Go ask San Bernardino County Public Attorneys Association members.
This attorneys group primarily represents county prosecutors and defense attorneys. Continue reading
One thing is certain. San Bernardino County is in need of a competent economist.
They certainly don’t have one now.
The county’s long-term reluctance to take preemptive steps at dealing with budget impacts is alarming. The turmoil with its employee unions severely complicates matters.
The County Economic Development Agency has one economist on staff, but he isn’t really known for forecasting trends. Our so-called local “Inland Empire” economist John Husing is basically a paid cheerleader for local governments. Husing was talking up the area economy in 2006 and 2007, while woefully failing to see the housing market falling into the toilet. Continue reading
You can usually tell a newspaper and their agenda when you contrast and compare stories by two reporters for two different newspapers, who are sitting in the same room.
The two newspapers in this case? The San Bernardino Sun/Inland Valley Daily Bulletin and the Riverside Press Enterprise.
The subject? The corruption trial of former Assessor employee and Rancho Cucamonga Councilman Rex Gutierrez.
The reporters? Joe Nelson for The Sun and Richard K. De Atley for the Press Enterprise. Continue reading
It seems things did not improve much for the prosecution this afternoon in the Rex Gutierrez trial. San Bernardino County Deputy District Attorney John Goritz continued with his monotonous presentation of the People’s case. Goritz attempted to advance his “conspiracy” theory even though no one is charged with conspiracy. For that matter, the main “conspirator” isn’t charged with anything. Continue reading
The morning session of the Rex Gutierrez corruption trial proved to be boring. There is not much to report at all. Mostly, technical payroll information was reviewed.
This afternoon thing may pick up a bit. On tap are Rancho Cucamonga Councilmen Spagnolo and Michaels are expected to testify. We shall have an update later in the day.
I have a prediction. In my crystal ball I see the future, the near future. And in that near future San Bernardino County Medical Director Dr. Dev GnanaDev and San Bernardino County Administrative Officer Greg Devereaux will be the most loathed two men on the planet by members of the Board of Supervisors and their entire staffs. You see, Dr. GnanaDev and Arrowhead Regional Medical Center director Patrick Petre convinced CAO Greg Devereaux to sell out the members of the Board of Supervisors. Seem far fetched? You ain’t seen nothing yet! Continue reading
Various versions of this question are popping up on inland empire blogs. If this question was being posed by SBPEA members I would not waste the keystrokes because there is not even one pair of testicles among the 17,000 members. However, you guys have shown some backbone and I’m proud of you. So, let me give you a little insight. But I’m prefacing this with it is 10:30 at night, I am only vaguely familiar with your Memorandum of Understanding, and it has been a very long time since I read either the San Bernardino County Labor Relations Ordinance or Government Code Section 3500 et seq. I cannot remember off of the top of my head if SEBA is covered under the Meyers-Milias-Brown Act or not, but I have little doubt if I’m wrong here, Erwin will let me know in the morning.
This is the way I see it. SEBA is not the problem. SEBA leadership IS the problem. While Jim was president, he built a powerhouse union because he was more interested in building a powerhouse union than in becoming a lieutenant. SEBA’s focus has changed and as I already said, that is a leadership problem, not a union problem. There are a number of ways to address the problem.
The most drastic is, of course, decertifying SEBA, and forming a new union or joining another union. First, the County Labor Relations Ordinance was changed a few years ago by the Board of Supervisors (think lots of campaign donations by SBPEA and SEBA management) to make it nearly impossible to decertify a union. Second, you only have a 30-day window to make this happen. I suspect that window is not far off (360 days prior to the expiration of your contract). I would not even bother to try except as a last resort. Continue reading
Back during those few months in 2008 when I was part of the dark side, ET Snell and I would talk a lot by phone about local politics. He often related it to his life from childhood through adulthood. He talked about the abuse he suffered at the hands of his father and all the time he spent institutionalized from an early ago.
ET has a love/hate relationship with law enforcement. By this time he had become “friends” with Al Vogler. Continue reading
Here is the verbatim text message Confidential Informant No. 1, our favorite yellow singing Canary, “persona au gratin” Adam Aleman sent this afternoon from cell phone number (909) x3x-2xx6 to his former boss Bill Postmus: Continue reading
This commentary will be for those members of SEBA who need to know the Legal Defense Fund of Peace Officers Research Association of California are still dragging their feet on helping members out. At least around here.
Seems they cannot handle a members problem with any speed or efficiency without the member raising hell to get his or her problem handled.
Seems a former member of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department discovered on his own, that an attorney assigned to him recently, quit or was fired from his law firm. In fact the lawyer had left at least 2 months earlier and only when the member inquired upon his own, did he discover the problem. Continue reading
As I mentioned earlier, this morning consisted of the Confidential Informant No 1, our favorite yellow singing Canary, “persona au gratin” Adam Aleman show. He was it for today’s first act. He got just a little taste of what is to come later in the trial when everyone is brought back to impeach him. From what I hear, his seat got a bit hot today. Observers say the jury looked disgusted with him, and as with yesterday, seemed bored with Deputy District Attorney Goritz.
For the second act, Harlow Cameron was flown in from his retirement home. I’m told he qualified almost every answer to the irritation of both the defense and the prosecution.
Ted Lehrer, Joshua White and Sally Hill also testified this afternoon. Some of their testimony helped the prosecution and some of it helped the defense. The jury continued to look bored and seemed to wonder why they were there. Continue reading
I’ve stayed away from the blog all day because I needed to take a few thousand deep breaths before I wrote this post. Neil, of all of the supervisors you are the one that has had my and my readers’ most continuous support. Sure, there have been a few bumps in the road along the way, but overall, you have not seen our venom like the other four supervisors and your predecessor have. That is coming really close to changing.
For the record, I have spoken with George, who I consider to be a good friend, about all of this and mostly feel like I’ve been beating my head against the wall. I know there are those who have spoken directly to you and are feeling a bit the same way. What the heck has happened to you and Third District and all the promise you once showed?
Neil, I thought you were a Marine. Geez, you have got to grow some balls. This milk toast version is not very appealing. We need some leadership not yet another castrated supervisor incapable of doing the right thing. Continue reading
Long-time readers of the blog know that I am a ultra-conservative Reagan Republican except when it comes to animals and the environment where I morph into tree-hugging liberal wacko. So when I was first told about a project here in the desert that had just been approved by the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors but was being met with a great deal of resistance by local environmental activists, I immediately thought this was going to be yet another project achieved through payola of local politicians by big-time developers and the like. Poor Supervisor Mitzelfelt was on the verge of getting ripped a new one on the blog for his callous attitude about the environment.
However, another supporter of the project asked me to take a closer look and read the research before reaching any conclusions. I have read hundreds of pages of material on the project. As it turns out, the project is a win-win-win situation for the citizens of the high desert and even more so for our environment. It will even save the taxpayers money in the long run. I am going to be writing a several-part series about all that I discovered. The first entry will be posted in a couple of days.
So why would our local “environmentalists” be so hostile about the project? Well that answer became apparent with some background checks and a look at 700s/460s. It seems our “environmentalists” are the ones with ties to developers and the competition hundreds of miles away. Also seems some payola has been involved, not in getting the project approved, but instead, in attempting to keep this much-needed project out of the desert. We will provide all the details over the next few weeks, but for now, take a look at the video. You too, keep an open mind as we discuss the science involved as well as the benefits for our local environment, our cities and county, and our residents. This really is a win-win-win situation for everyone but big developers looking to add thousands of new homes in the Silver Lakes area. Brad, you did good on this one!
Poor little Tweety Bird found out what it is like to be questioned by someone who wants him to tell the truth rather than lies to fit their own political agenda. The morning started with Goritz putting the jury to sleep with his softball questioning. Then the real fun started with cross examination by defense attorney Jim Reiss. We are sure the Canary had to change his Depends during the lunch break as he was made to look like the liar he is. Not only that, but his employment history, or lack thereof, his educational background, or lack thereof, his supervisor experience, or lack thereof, his qualifications to become Assistant Assessor at $120,000 a year, or lack thereof, his ability to be truthful, or lack thereof, his ability to accurately document, or lack thereof all became focal points during this morning’s trial.
It did not appear the Canary was done with his testimony for today. On tap for later today are Harlow Cameron, Ted Lehrer and Josh White.
Grand Terrace Councilwoman Bea Cortes, who has become a figure of some controversy in recent months, this week filed for and was granted a restraining order against one of her constituents. The incident that precipitated the filing grew out of an apparent misunderstanding on the councilwoman’s part or otherwise her belief that a citizen’s disapproval of the way in which she has conducted herself in office constituted a threat to her safety and well being.
The Sentinel has learned that on June 1, Cortes was seated at the bar at JB’s Bar and Grill. That evening, seated across the bar was another Grand Terrace resident, Kay Moore, who resides with her husband, Steve, in the 23000 block of Westwood Avenue. Kay Moore, who was familiar with who Cortes was and her position with the city, remarked upon Cortes’ presence to another patron. Moore made further note of her disagreement with Cortes’ politics. Continue reading
I’m going to preface this by saying I am fine. I AM NOT the least bit suicidal. However, Hartford Insurance and San Bernardino County Human Resources are trying their damndest to change that. Hartford is once again screwing with me and I know Andrew Lamberto is a part of it. I’m turning everything over to my attorneys because I can’t deal with them, but if anything should happen to me, Hartford and the County need to be sued on my family’s behalf. Again, I AM FINE, but if I have to deal with these asses I won’t be.
I am hearing one horror story after another about Hartford Insurance. They are the WORST insurance company I have ever dealt with. They are the biggest bunch of lying bastards. I just hate them with a passion as I do Human Resources. Anyway, the only reason for this post is to be sure my wishes are known if anything should ever happen.
In the Inland Empire there is always an interesting political dynamic afoot.
This one is a beauty.
Sources tell InlandPolitics that San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos, a Republican, has embarked on an effort to fulfill a commitment he made to Democratic candidate for Governor Edmund “Jerry” Brown.
The commitment? Form a group of local influential Inland Empire Republicans to support Brown in the November showdown with GOP nominee Meg Whitman. Something that would be interesting to say the least, but highly improbable. Continue reading
The largest bargaining unit for the San Bernardino County Safety Employees’ Benefit Association (SEBA) overwhelmingly rejected a proposal negotiated by union leadership to cancel a series of wage increases over the next two years in an effort to assist in balancing a $90 million deficit.
By a roughly three to one margin, the Safety Unit representing Sheriff’s Deputies and District Attorney Investigators, rejected the modification proposal. The smaller Specialized Peace Officer Unit also rejected by approximately a two to one margin. Continue reading
I tried to find a graphic of a Canary with lipstick, but couldn’t find one. So you’re stuck with the same old graphic.
This afternoon was all Canary. I’m told his nerves calmed a bit. And the Deputy Attorney General took over questioning. I hear she is much better at it than Goritz.
The jury was dismissed early so that arguments could be made regarding admitting hearsay evidence. Rouse ruled that hearsay evidence can be admitted. I suspect that will be a double-edged sword. Allowing the hearsay evidence of a felon convicted of perjury and whose fate depends on his testimony likely provides the defense with a very strong case upon appeal in case of a guilty verdict. At the same time, there are so many witnesses scheduled to offer testimony to impeach Canary, that whatever he has to say may not mean much. Continue reading
I’m feeling very pissy right at this moment because I got kicked out of the courtroom. I was told I’m on the witness list. How the heck can I be on the witness list? I have not been subpoenaed nor have I been interviewed by EITHER side. So when were they planning to interview or subpoena me? After the “not guilty” verdict is read so I can say, “I told you so.”
Aluminum foil aside, I know they have no intention of calling me as a witness. They never have. They just want me out of the courtroom so when little Adam and little Andrew testify.
The Sun has already posted a story about testimony this morning, so if you want the nitty gritty, go read that. Here is my version that you will never read in any newspaper.
I wonder if the canary knows I’m sitting 20 feet away from him.
Late last week it was announced that Assistant Fire Chief Dan Wurl was named to replace retiring Fire Chief Pat Dennen. And with that announcement came the stories and with the stories came the re-hash of last year’s trailer incident. So the newspaper blogs were busy with derogatory remarks about both Dan and Pat. And that’s a problem.
You see, the story that Mark Uffer and Andrew Lamberto told to the Board of Supervisors and the media wasn’t exactly the truth. As a matter of fact it was a huge cover up for their own lies and empire building. Those two tried to destroy Pat and Dan for their own financial rewards. And Mark and Andrew covered for a few others who were greasing hands of certain politicians. Continue reading
So is our illustrious San Bernardino Board of Supervisors up to stupid again? We hope not. But we won’t know for sure until Tuesday’s meeting. BOS agenda item No. 16 has left us scratching our heads. This board item approves new,2-year contracts with all of the various medical providers for Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC), with the exception of the Anesthesia contract, which is extended six months.
ARMC has been under investigation almost continuously since the final quarter of 2009 for a variety of reasons including malpractice, patient abuse, billing issues, and violations of state regulations. All three levels of government, federal, state and county, have been involved in these investigations and they have not been completed. The situation at ARMC remains so dire that it could lose its Medi-Cal and Medicare funding which in turn could lead to the hospital being shut down.
Special Agents from the California Department of Justice are currently investigating possible criminal misconduct at ARMC. It is rumored that it has to do with, among other things, the medical care received by Supervisors Biane and Gonzales and former County Administrative Officer Mark Uffer and his family and friends. That makes sense because otherwise it would be the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s office investigating. However that agency has very close personal ties with all involved and that is why it appears the investigation has been turned over from the District Attorney to the Attorney General.
There has been a battle going on at ARMC for months now. Those doctors who are tired of the mismanagement and despotic rule by ARMC Medical Director Dr. Dev GnanaDev have started speaking out. And at least one has paid a price for doing so, that being the doctor in charge of Anesthesia, which is why his group’s contract is being extended rather than receiving a new 2-year contract like all others at the facility. Dr. GnanaDev wants to replace him with one of his own but there is too much heat to do so right now.
The new series of contracts has one change and that is there is a separate contract for Dr. GnanaDev as medical director and one for Dr. GnanaDev for patient care. However, the conflicts of interest still exist: Continue reading
Editor’s Note: This is a mailing list I ended up on I suspect due to the post I wrote about Chris Lancaster. For the record, in addition to ET, Al Vogler, and Barb Stanton, Assembly District 59 candidates Chris Lancaster, Ken Hunter and Tim Donnelly all participated in one aspect or another of the very bigoted campaign against Anthony Riley and/or Corey Calaycay. I’ve got the emails to prove it in case they try to deny it. Anyway, I really don’t hate Mormons. I have always had a lot of respect for them. But I had a huge issue with both Chris Lancaster, who is a Mormon, and Tim Donnelly, who I don’t believe is Mormon, preaching God and then participating in such hateful work.
June 11, 2010 619-592-2008
Statement by Fred Karger, founder of Californians Against Hate, re Guilty Finding by the California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) Against the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon Church) Case #08-735
SACRAMENTO, CA – Today the FPPC, in an unprecedented ruling against the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, found the Salt Lake City based Church guilty on 13 counts of late campaign reporting. The Mormon Church was fined $5538 in an agreement worked out ending the 19 month long investigation. The Church was the primary backer of California’s Proposition 8, which ended gay marriage in California two years ago. The Mormon Church initially admitted to spending only $2078 to pass Prop 8. When I filed my sworn complaint on November 13, 2008, they instantly attacked me. Continue reading
So, you are trying to tell me that your bigoted, hate-filled tirades against public officials and candidates alike were all your own idea and Al Vogler and Barb Stanton have nothing to do with it? The three of you were a part of stalking candidates, including their families and young children, and making outrageous claims.
So ET and Al, is it true you two are having a homosexual affair? That is what we are hearing. We hear that once you two were discovered together, you went on this rampage against anyone you thought might expose you. Inquiring minds want to know.
Al, your daughter gets on here and claims that all elected official have to do is “come clean” about their sexual preference. Well Al, I think it is time you come clean. If members of the Board of Supervisors have to tell you what they do behind closed doors, then it is only fitting and proper that you tell us what you and Rita or you and ET do behind closed doors, don’t you think?
You don’t like it when the tables are turned on you, do you? Give it some time, Al. You, Barb and ET have gone too far this time around. Your time is coming. And we don’t stoop to the unethical and illegal behavior that the three of you do. Truth will prevail, sooner than you think.
And here is a screen shot from YOUR website ET to prove your affiliation with Barb: Continue reading
I did receive thank you emails from other candidates, but what has surprised me a bit, is the fact that some of the biggest users and abusers of this blog have not even sent an “FU” for all the free advertisement they received. However, we are not going to be deterred from doing it all again.
Starting immediately, anyone who is running for any public office anywhere in the state of California is welcome to their own account to post campaign information, articles, fundraiser information, etc. Party affiliation does not matter. You can email me at sharon@iepolitics.com with your information. It may take me a day or two to set it up. Continue reading
It was a nice surprise to go to my mailbox tonight and find a thank you note from Mike Morrell. It’s probably the third such note I have received from him since he started his campaign. From the beginning I have been so impressed with Mike and the way in which he conducts his life. I am very happy that he won the Republican primary for the 63rd Assembly District. I know he will make a great Assemblyman. Continue reading
Editor’s Note: This is one of those stories that sounds more like an aluminum foil gathering’s conspiracy theory . . . that is until one examines it more closely. Once one looks at all that are involved in this shut-down—from political donations and support of certain city officeholders to business beneficiaries of such an enforcement—it starts to sound like a much more viable theory. In a few weeks after the FBI and IRS have made more of their investigation public, we’ll ask Senor Blogger to give us some specifics of who is donating to whom and who has political debts to be paid.
Could there be a “karaoke connection” to this week’s FBI/IRS raids in Upland?
Curious and coincidental it may seem—and it may be entirely coincidental—but just this past January, code enforcement officers unexpectedly descended on a number of nightlife establishments in Upland’s neighboring city of Rancho Cucamonga to kindly “inform” them that, according to Rancho Cucamonga municipal code, live entertainment, including amateur karaoke singers, requires a special entertainment license.
Although many readers may ponder why one would spend their evenings listening to terrible amateur singers belt out poorly performed tunes, karaoke nights at Rancho Cucamonga bars prove popular for owners and customers alike . . . Continue reading
I strayed from my usual policy of not reprinting mainstream media articles a couple of times. The article about the South Carolina Senate race is amusing and it lets us know that “only in San Bernardino County” is not always true.
I reprinted the article just below this one from Fox News because it picks up on something I wrote about back in February—and was ridiculed greatly for writing about. As with much of what we have written about Jeff Burum, Bill Postmus, Jim Erwin, Mike Ramos, et al., . . . all in good time, all in good time.
By Christian Whiton
Published June 09, 2010
In Tuesday’s California primary elections, the state bucked the trend elsewhere where conservative candidates have been ascendant. The two big GOP nomination races, for governor and U.S. senator, were won easily by Meg Whitman and Carly Fiorina. They both trounced more conservative rivals in elections marked by surprisingly low turnout in this year of the tea party. The primary reason: money.
Whitman flooded a primary opponent who sought to reduce California’s sky-high taxes on businesses and individuals. She committed an estimated $71 million of her own funds. Fiorina, who spent at estimated $5 million of a personal fortune, amassed 57 percent of the vote and easily defeated conservative state Assemblyman Chuck DeVore, a west coast version of Florida’s Marco Rubio, and fiscally conservative former Congressman Tom Campbell. Continue reading
Alvin Greene never gave a speech during his campaign to become South Carolina’s Democratic nominee for Senate. He didn’t start a website or hire consultants or plant lawn signs. There’s $114 in his campaign bank account, he says, and the only check he ever wrote from it was to cover his filing fee.
The Washington Post
MARY ANN CHASTAIN / AP
Alvin Greene holds his own personal copy of his campaign flier in his South Carolina Senate race.
MANNING, S.C. — Alvin Greene never gave a speech during his campaign to become South Carolina’s Democratic nominee for Senate. He didn’t start a website or hire consultants or plant lawn signs. There’s $114 in his campaign bank account, he says, and the only check he ever wrote from it was to cover his filing fee.
During a three-hour interview, the unemployed military veteran could not name a single thing he’d done to campaign for political office. Yet more than 100,000 South Carolinians voted for Greene on Tuesday, handing him nearly 60 percent of the vote tally and a resounding victory over Vic Rawl, a well-known former judge who has served four terms in the state Legislature.
“I’m the Democratic Party nominee,” Greene said at his father’s rural home in central South Carolina. “The people of South Carolina have spoken. We have to be pro-South Carolina.” Continue reading
This morning, as soon as it was announced that the FBI was serving search warrants in the West End portion of our county, the rumor mill was given a jump start. Was Jeff Burum about to be arrested? Or Mark Kirk? Or Paul Biane? Or Mike Ramos?
As we all quickly found out, the answer was “none of the above.” So the question became, “Who is being investigated?” It didn’t take long before Upland Mayor John “JP” Pomierski became the focal point. And that is where things fall apart. Continue reading
Our favorite yellow singing Canary, Confidential Informant No. 1, “persona au gratin,” one half of the Hansel and Gretel team has spoken again. He just can’t stay away from us, constantly taunting those he thinks are going down with him—not sure which one he is anxious to share a jail cell with.
First we find out now he is a spokeshole for the District Attorney. He says Jeff Burum is really “pissing off” poor Mikey by suggesting he will exercise his Constitutional rights I guess. I suppose Mikey thinks everyone should plead to crimes they didn’t commit so that Mikey can get elected to higher office. Continue reading
Readers on the San Bernardino Sun blogs are speculating that today’s search warrants involve Jeff Burum and Colonies Partners. That is not the case. The subject of the search warrants appears to be Upland Mayor John “JP” Pomierski. The search warrants were served on City Hall and his home. They were also served on two additional locations but those locations do not involve Burum or Colonies Partners.
As expected once Tuesday’s primary was concluded, an FBI task force moved in to serve search warrants on at least four locations in San Bernardino County. This morning’s raid included Upland City Hall, which was sealed off while agents from the FBI and IRS completed their search.
According to Los Angeles-based radio station KFI, their sources confirmed this is an FBI-initiated investigation related to the on-going San Bernardino County corruption investigation. This is separate from San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos’ ongoing investigation.
It was announced today that San Bernardino County First District Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt and Third District Supervisor Neil Derry co-sponsored an ordinance to require all pit bull type dogs over the age of four months, not part of a breeding program, to be altered and all pit bulls to be licensed whether they are breed stock or not. It is legislation long past due in this county. My only complaint is that it is breed specific and doesn’t apply to all dogs residing in the unincorporated area of San Bernardino County.
I have asked Mitzelfelt’s chief of staff for a copy of the ordinance as I cannot find it online. I want to see the specifics. I assume the impetus for this ordinance has been two recent deaths of small children from pit bull attacks. However, there are many other reasons why mandatory spay and neuter is good policy. Here are just a few: Continue reading
I have to hand it to Al Vogler, Barb Stanton, ET Snell and their handful of supporters. Yesterday’s primary marked the second major election in a row where this small, but vocal, group has managed to take out a well-financed candidate they do not like. Two years ago they focused on Hesperia City Council candidate Mark Kirk, handing him a third-place finish. This year their objective was to keep Anthony Riley out of the state Assembly. And they succeeded.
We hear that Al and company now have their sights set on First District Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt. In the afterglow of their most recent accomplishment, today Al has apparently been bragging about his past success with Postmus, Kirk and Riley and future plans for Mitzelfelt. One must remember that Supervisor Mitzelfelt handed Rita Vogler, Al’s wife and Hesperia City Council member, a humiliating loss in the June 2008 primary, so this has the potential to become even more personal. Continue reading
According to the Registrar of Voters in San Bernardino and Los Angeles counties, there are still over 200,000 ballots to count. It will be interesting to see if that alters the results in any way.
I just wanted to publicly congratulate Sheriff Rod Hoops on his victory. I don’t think there has been anywhere else where there has been more criticism of Sheriff Hoops than here at iePolitics. I was not going to censor contributors nor will I do so in the future.
That being said, as the campaign progressed I have to admit I softened a bit. Part of it I’m sure is the fact that time heals. And part of it is a couple of emails between Sheriff Hoops and me. Continue reading
I will be posting the email in its entirety soon. It’s a tedious process that I don’t have time for now. I do want to make a few points however.
I had three main reasons for starting this thread.
First, hostile work environment is a serious problem in San Bernardino County. This email is hardly atypical of how those of a minority (sex, race, religion, sexual preference, economic status) are treated in the workplace. Rather, it is quite common and those that complain are usually the ones that are punished. Continue reading
Someone asked if revealing Don Kurth’s background isn’t mudslinging and therefore unethical. This is how I would answer that question about any candidate.
Anyone who applies for a job goes through a background check. The potential employer is allowed to review the results of that background check and determine based on those results if the applicant is suited to be hired.
In the case of an elected official, we the public, are the employers. We have the right to know what is in all candidates’ backgrounds before we elect them to public office. EVERYONE has skeletons in their closet and it is up to us to decide which skeletons we can live with in our elected representatives and which ones we cannot live with.
In the modern political world, well-financed candidates have checks (there is a term for it I’m still too sleepy to remember) run on themselves and their opponents to determine what can be used against them and to find ammunition against their opponents. One of the biggest mistakes candidates make is to try to hide their deficiencies or lie about them when found out. Continue reading