iePolitics: Mike Ramos Raising Money For His Legal Defense Fund?

That is the only logical excuse we can come up in reference to the fundraiser being held on May 20, 2010.  Among others, it is being sponsored by the San Bernardino Public Employees Association.  But this late in the primary and with the campaign war chest he already has, there is no reason for this fundraiser.  It’s kind of a bizarre fundraiser, don’t you think?

So we have to think Mikey is raising money for the various cases being filed against him, Cheryl Ristow’s being the first one we expect.  But remember she is not the only one.  So does his retained law firm, Greshem, Savage, Nolan and Tilden, handle criminal defense cases in federal court?  Maybe by the next reporting period we will know who he has retained.  Aren’t all of you county employees glad your union is spending money to help Mikey with his defense?  Check out his 460 if you don’t believe me.

iePolitics: SBPEA up to their old tricks again?

I received an email this morning stating that a member of the Board of Directors of the San Bernardino Public Employees Association is claiming that there will be no voting on a change in contract.  Rather, whatever the survey results are is what will happen. Continue reading

InlandPolitics Commentary: Just when you thought you’d seen it all

  • Written by Administrator
  • Posted April 21, 2010 at 9:03 am

This morning I had a chance to read in detail an eight-page document titled “2010 Deficit Mitigation Survey” published by the San Bernardino Public Employees Association (SBPEA) and disseminated to its affected county membership.

My impression? You’ve go to be kidding. Continue reading

iePolitics: I Don’t Know What to Call This Post

I considered calling it “Baffling with BS,” or “Ramblings of an Imbecile,” or “Donating Fifty Grand to Screw Us Over,” or “This Bologna Sure Makes My Head Hurt,” or any other number of appropriate titles.  “Amazing” might have been the most appropriate except nothing coming from Bob “Chicken Man” Blough amazes me any longer.  I will start an analysis tomorrow after a few aspirin.  For now, I’d like to hear every one’s initial opinions of what SBPEA is trying to do to you this time around.

 

  Continue reading

InlandPolitics Commentary: Public employee unions should consider layoffs – Part Two

  • Written by Administrator
  • Posted April 16, 2010 at 8:21 am

I had the opportunity to spend some time yesterday discussing the current San Bernardino County’s budget situation and was able to obtain some feedback on the thinking behind what is happening, and to further explain my point that not reducing the county workforce now, will cause greater pain later.

Let’s face it. Signs of the current economic downturn were visible as early as 2006. I brought up the potential collapse in real estate prices and the effect on the county while working at the Assessor’s office then. I was laughed at by many at the government center.

No one is laughing now. Continue reading

iePolitics: How SBPEA is Spending Your Dues This Campaign Cycle

02/10/2010 GARY OVITT FOR SUPERVISOR 2010 COMMITTEE COUNTY SUPERVISOR 4 SUPPORT MONETARY $50,000.00
01/13/2010 ALBERTO TORRICO FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL ATTORNEY GENERAL SUPPORT MONETARY $12,900.00
02/23/2010 UNITED PUBLIC EMPLOYEES POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE SUPPORT MONETARY $5,750.00
04/30/2009 COMMITTEE TO ELECT GARY OVITT SUPERVISOR COUNTY SUPERVISOR 4 SUPPORT MONETARY $5,000.00
04/30/2009 PAUL BIANE FOR SUPERVISOR COUNTY SUPERVISOR 2 SUPPORT MONETARY $5,000.00
01/11/2010 COMMITTEE TO ELECT GARY THOMAS COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT 2010 OTHER SUPPORT MONETARY $5,000.00
11/01/2009 FRIENDS OF DON NEELY FOR RE-ELECT OTHER SUPPORT NON-MONETARY $4,290.60
10/21/2009 POMONA POLICE OFFICERS’ ASSOCIATION SUPPORT MONETARY $4,000.00
10/27/2009 COMMITTEE TO ELECT ROD HOOPS SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY SHERIFF-CORONER SHERIFF-CORONER SUPPORT MONETARY $4,000.00
04/30/2009 FRIENDS OF BILL EMMERSON FOR SENATE 2012 STATE SENATOR 31 SUPPORT MONETARY $3,900.00
09/22/2009 FRIENDS OF BILL EMMERSON FOR SENATE 2012 STATE SENATOR 31 SUPPORT MONETARY $3,900.00
01/13/2010 TORRES FOR ASSEMBLY 2010 STATE ASSEMBLY PERSON 61 SUPPORT MONETARY $3,900.00
02/26/2009 MIKE FEUER FOR ASSEMBLY 2010 STATE ASSEMBLY PERSON SUPPORT MONETARY $3,600.00
08/11/2009 FRIENDS OF JIM PENMAN CITY ATTORNEY SUPPORT MONETARY $3,000.00
02/26/2009 COMMITTEE TO ELECT GARY OVITT SUPERVISOR COUNTY SUPERVISOR 4 SUPPORT MONETARY $2,500.00
02/27/2009 JOSIE GONZALES FOR SUPERVISOR COUNTY SUPERVISOR 5 SUPPORT MONETARY $2,500.00
03/02/2009 CITIZENS & FRIENDS OF ACQUANETTA WARREN CITY COUNCIL MEMBER SUPPORT MONETARY $2,500.00
10/07/2009 JASON G. DESJARDINS FOR 2ND WARD 2009 CITY COUNCIL MEMBER 2nd SUPPORT MONETARY $2,500.00
11/03/2009 RE-ELECT ESTHER ESTRADA TO THE CITY COUNCIL 2009 CITY COUNCIL MEMBER 1st SUPPORT MONETARY $2,500.00
02/02/2010 GARY OVITT FOR SUPERVISOR 2010 COMMITTEE COUNTY SUPERVISOR 4 SUPPORT MONETARY $2,500.00
02/02/2010 JOSIE GONZALES FOR SUPERVISOR 2012 COUNTY SUPERVISOR 5 SUPPORT MONETARY $2,500.00
04/30/2009 FRIENDS OF MIKE RAMOS DISTRICT ATTORNEY SUPPORT MONETARY $1,700.00
10/20/2009 SENATOR BOB DUTTON FOR ASSEMBLY 2012 STATE ASSEMBLY PERSON 63 SUPPORT MONETARY $1,600.00
11/12/2009 COMMITTEE TO ELECT GARY THOMAS COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT 2010 OTHER SUPPORT MONETARY $1,500.00
02/26/2009 FRIENDS OF JAMES RAMOS COMMUNITY COLLEGE BOARD SUPPORT MONETARY $1,000.00
11/16/2009 ALBERTO TORRICO FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL ATTORNEY GENERAL SUPPORT MONETARY $1,000.00
02/25/2010 FRIENDS OF JOE BACA JR. CITY COUNCIL MEMBER SUPPORT MONETARY $1,000.00
03/16/2010 COMMITTEE TO RE-ELECT JAMES RAMOS SB COMMUNITY COLLEGE DIST. COMMUNITY COLLEGE BOARD SUPPORT MONETARY $1,000.00
03/16/2010 FRIENDS OF BILL EMMERSON FOR SENATE 2010 STATE SENATOR 37 SUPPORT MONETARY $1,000.00
09/22/2009 ACQUANETTA WARREN FOR ASSEMBLY 2010 STATE ASSEMBLY PERSON 63 SUPPORT MONETARY $500.00
11/01/2009 FRIENDS OF DON NEELY FOR RE-ELECT OTHER SUPPORT NON-MONETARY $313.60
11/18/2009 ADAMS FOR ASSEMBLY 2010 STATE ASSEMBLY PERSON 59 SUPPORT MONETARY $300.00
04/30/2009 GARAMENDI FOR GOVERNOR 2010 GOVERNOR SUPPORT MONETARY $280.00
08/20/2009 COMMITTEE TO ELECT GARY THOMAS COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT 2010 OTHER SUPPORT MONETARY $198.00

iePolitics: We told you so!!!

Seems that the county can no longer afford subsidizing families while taking away health insurance from employees.  We hear that the county has proposed returning to flexible benefits dollars in lieu of the medical premium subsidy, which was Mark Uffer’s and Bob “Chicken Man” Blough’s brilliant plan to conquer and divide the membership so they would have more control.  Continue reading

iePolitics: Layoffs and TAP and TAD

If there are any employees who actually believe there will be no layoffs, I have some oceanfront property in Arizona to sell you.  Former county administrative officer Mark Uffer has left a mess behind so much so that some are starting to feel sorry for his replacement Greg Devereaux and the almost impossible mess he has to clean up.

This fiscal year it will not be a matter of layoffs OR giving up our raises.  It will either be both or massive layoffs.  Let’s see how Bob Blough explains this one away.  But that is not the real point of this post.

 

Continue reading

iePolitics: About SEBA Part 1

SEBA stands for San Bernardino County Safety Employee Benefit Association.

For those of you that are happy with their level of service and representation over the years and those running the organization at this time, I respect that position if that is in fact how you feel.

However what I have seen from personal contact and discussion with more than a couple members, there might be a bigger problem that many of you are not aware of. Issues that could be harmful to your future.  Continue reading

iePolitics: Blog Issue, News Flash for Lamberto

For those who have offered Sharon help time and time again on a given number of issues, I thank you sincerely.

I have offered $100 bucks towards the total cost of getting her internet access 24/7 up and running so our comments come onto the blog immediatley, instead of around 10:00am everyday or whenever Sharon has access to her site.

I’ll even drive a technician out to her house at Fort Apache if that is what it takes to get her up and running, all she has to do is tell me when and where. Sharon says she has something in the works, if not let us know Sharon. Continue reading

iePolitics: A Thought Neil Derry

A thought Mr. Derry for you and the rest of the Board of Supervisors.

With your stance on eithics and transperancy you and your fellow BOS members might wish to consider this.

There have been many stories here and in the papers in recent month about cost cutting measures budget shortfalls and on and on.

The CAO just announced that 500 managers would forgo pay raises etc. Continue reading

InlandPolitics: S.B. County budget plan currently rests on employees, unions

  • Written by Administrator
  • Posted February 8, 2010 at 12:11 pm

San Bernardino County announced last Friday that it was delaying a planned budget workshop for another month.

For a county that has been asleep at the switch in closing an estimated budget shortfall of $90 million-plus in its upcoming fiscal year is anyone surprised?

Neighboring Riverside, Orange, Los Angeles, and San Diego Counties have at least been continually taking budget reduction steps in an effort to keep their respective situations manageable. Continue reading

iePolitics: SBPEA General Manager Playing Both Sides

San Bernardino County Budget Whiz Extraordinaire Dean Arabatzis is claiming that if county employees once again agree to forgo their raises this year (that is last year’s raise and this year’s raise), layoffs will not be necessary.  We all suspect smoke and mirrors.  It will be interesting to see if that projection remains the same once newly-hired County Administrative Officer Greg Devereaux starts to work officially. Continue reading