Tag Archives: Jeff Burum

SBGrapevine: Editorial: Time for the US Department of Justice to Step in: Compelled to Deceive – Part Three

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Adam Aleman

www.sbgrapevine.com

Are you listening US Attorney?  San Bernardino County is in crisis.  It is a crisis that mocks our justice system; one that distorts the truth; and one where integrity is a forgotten.  Bringing about justice is no longer the highest priority of our county prosecutors; winning at any and all cost  is their goal—a goal that has little to do integrity, truth or . . . justice.

There are many lesser-known stories of justice gone awry in our county. Ours  starts with a little-known manager at the local Outback Steakhouse who went on to make headlines.  His name is familiar to all of us.  It is Adam Aleman.

Aleman caught the attention of then-Supervisor Bill Postmus many years ago.  He eventually left Outback Steakhouse to become a member of Postmus’ Board of Supervisors staff.

Continue reading →

SBGrapevine: Editorial: Now is the time for the US Department of Justice to step in – Part One

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District Attorney Mike Ramos

www.sbgrapevine.com

Are you listening United States Attorney?  San Bernardino County is in crisis.  Oh yes, we have financial problems like every other jurisdiction but we will get through them in due time.  Our crisis is a much more serious threat to our citizenry.  It is a crisis of ethics, of safety, and of fear.

Our crisis undermines the feeling of security and well being of law-abiding citizens.  It mocks those who gave their blood to protect the Constitution of the United States.  It is as evil a crisis as any American community can face.

Our crisis centers around the political aspirations of our district attorney who uses his powers, not just to prosecute criminals, but to persecute political enemies.  Justice no longer equates with truth but rather revenge.

California Government Code Section 26500 defines  the district attorney as the chief law enforcement officer in the county.  It is one of only four positions in any county that is required by the California Constitution to be elected.  The others are sheriff, assessor and members of the governing body.

The California District Attorneys Association defines the ethical duties of prosecutors as follows:

Continue reading →

InlandPolitics: The Insider: Was Jerry Brown lied to?

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  • Written by The Insider
  • Posted August 29, 2010 at 2:46 pm

www.inlandpolitics.com

Sunday, August 29, 2010 – 2:40 pm

It’s finally crunch time in the multi-year corruption probe launched by San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos.

And one has to wonder what Ramos told Attorney General Jerry Brown in regards to his evidence?

There’s a bigger question starting to be asked by some close to the investigation.

Was Brown lied to?

Continue reading →

iePolitics: The power of the internet

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This video was posted by a friend on my Facebook page yesterday.  I had to take a look.

Watching the video reminded me of a story I have been going to write for a while.  Here is an average, almost geeky, regional cover band, and in two months this video has topped six million hits.  It’s entertaining, no doubt—awesome and funny at the same time.  But that is not the point.  The point is that 20 years ago, this would still be a regional cover band—one that no one had ever heard about, much less seen.   But the internet has changed the way information is delivered to us.

Continue reading →

iePolitics: Gosh, I Take a Few Days Away from the Blog and . . .

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I have to admit I cringed when I saw the story on Joe Tuner.  I think very highly of Joe.  He’s been accused over the years of some things that haven’t necessarily been accurate, but accurate or not, he has tried very hard to clean up his reputation.  And he has done a good job.   Mostly, it is gonna just take time.

I think the story tonight illustrates perfectly one of the points in Jason Whited’s piece last week.  Because of technology, especially the Internet, past mistakes are not nearly as easily forgotten.  Mistakes in the last five years and on into eternity could come back to haunt us for a lifetime.

Continue reading →

iePolitics: Corruption on the Fifth Floor and Elsewhere – Everyone Wants to Blame the Rich Guy

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It doesn’t seem to matter if we are discussing Jeff Burum, the Lewis Family, or any other of a number of successful, wealthy businessmen in our community, they are all “corrupt.”  I don’t mean that they are really, truly corrupt, but they are “corrupt” in the minds of the less successful.  The common thought seems to be that if one has money, then one has no integrity.  Our community doesn’t allow for making an “honest” hundred million or so.  Hard work, sacrifice, intellect, college education, and just plain good old-fashioned luck can all be damned.  If one is successful, then one must be a crook.

I’m sure there is a term for this mentality, and with our current corruption scandal, that mentality has become very frustrating.  Otherwise intelligent people seem to be more interested in finding blame than finding truth.  The fact that so many have bought into Batman and Robin’s conspiracy theory is proof that logic and critical thinking have given way to hysteria and enjoyment in the fact that someone with power may be taken out, not for wrongdoing, but because they have power and wealth.  I suppose the weak hope to bask in the demise of the powerful.

Continue reading →

SBSun: Chicago-style politics comes to county

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Editor’s Note:  Just remember we said it first, third and fifth!  (Fox said it second and Erwin fourth.)  And we were ridiculed for saying it.

Richard Grenell
Posted: 07/08/2010 07:57:06 PM PDT

In the aftermath of the announcement that District Attorney Mike Ramos’ team failed miserably to prove that Rex Gutierrez participated in a conspiracy or lied on his time card, there was one little-noticed comment that stood out.Assistant District Attorney Jim Hackleman, Mike Ramos’ appointed hatchet man, accidentally confirmed a suspicion many San Bernardino County residents had suspected for many months. Hackleman was asked by the media if the DA’s Office would seek a re-trial of their failed and costly conspiracy case and his comments were very telling. Hackleman proved just who was driving this wild political investigation when he said, “We’re going to sit down with our partners in the Attorney General’s office and will thoroughly review and refine our case with them.”

Continue reading →

InlandPolitics Commentary: The Rex Gutierrez trial – Day 5

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  • Written by Administrator2
  • Posted June 22, 2010 at 7:14 pm

www.inlandpolitics.com

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Rancho Cucamonga city councilman Rex Gutierrez testified today in his own defense.

Attorney Jim Reiss questioned Gutierrez about his background, namely his work history. In addition to his background history Gutierrez went over the process by which the city of Rancho Cucamonga and National CORE partner up. Defense attorney Reiss questioned Gutierrez about his lengthy relationship with developer Jeff Burum, that began around 1992. Throughout this relationship Burum and himself would keep in contact on a consistent basis, Gutierrez said.

Gutierrez testified that he and Burum have communicated roughly every other day for years. Continue reading →

InlandPolitics: Is Gutierrez collateral damage from DA pursuit of developer?

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  • Written by Administrator
  • Posted June 21, 2010 at 2:05 pm

www.inlandpolitics.com

This mornings events at the trial of Rancho Cucamonga City councilman and former Assessor employee Rex Gutierrez had the atmosphere of watching paint dry, until the lead District Attorney investigator on the case was questioned by defense attorney Jim Reiss.

Gutierrez is charged with four felonies related to alleged time card fraud and prosecution claims that his hiring by former Assessor Bill Postmus was a conspiracy orchestrated by Rancho Cucamonga developer Jeff Burum.

Some of the interesting highlights from this morning include;

Investigator and designated case officer Schyler Beaty testified that an examination of phone records found over 300 phone calls between Gutierrez and Burum during Gutierrez’s tenure at the Assessor’s office. A period of more than 18 months.

When Beaty was asked by Reiss if he had conducted an analysis of call activity between Gutierrez and Burum prior to Gutierrez’s employment at the Assessor’s office, Beaty said no. Continue reading →

iePolitics: This and That

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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.

Fox News: California Primary Bucks the Trend

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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 →

iePolitics: The Canary Sings Again

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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 →

InlandPolitics: The Gutierrez prosecution – further analysis

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  • Written bySenor Blogger
  • Posted June 8, 2010 at 1:33 pm

Yesterday’s pre-trial court hearing in the case against Rancho Cucamonga City Councilman and former Assessor’s employee Rex Gutierrez was interesting to say the least.

Between Friday and Monday’s proceedings you would have thought it was two different cases.

Friday’s hearing was to determine readiness for trial and whether or not developer Jeff Burum would take the stand.

On Friday Superior Court Judge Duke Rouse set the trial process in motion and denied a Motion to Quash a subpoena issued to Burum. Rouse also told prosecutors he didn’t see any evidence in the preliminary hearing transcripts or in a Motion to Allow Hearsay Testimony of Co-Conspirator Adam Aleman that met the threshold of proof as to any conspiracy between Burum, former Assessor Bill Postmus, and Gutierrez to effect Gutierrez’s hiring with the understanding Gutierrez would perform no work for the county, but instead do Burum’s bidding in Rancho Cucamonga business. Continue reading →

iePolitics: Motion Denied

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Today San Bernardino Superior Court Judge Duke Rouse denied without prejudice the People’s motion to allow hearsay into evidence in the trial of Rex Gutierrez.  Gutierrez, who is charged with two counts of grand theft, one count of embezzlement, and one count of presenting a false claim.  At the last moment, the People attempted to claim that Rancho Cucamonga businessman Jeff Burum conspired with former Assessor Bill Postmus to hire Gutierrez so that Burum would have him available to him.  None of this was brought up during the preliminary hearing but instead appears to be a ploy to save this prosecution.  However, neither Postmus, Gutierrez or Burum have been charged with this “conspiracy.” Continue reading →

iePolitics: More ARMC Cover Up

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Sometimes I really wonder who is the worst lawyer, District Attorney Mike Ramos or County Counsel Ruth Stringer.  From Ramos we have learned that the Constitution of the United States is not applicable in San Bernardino County, at least not in connection with political enemies.   And County Counsel Ruth Stringer has taught us that copulation involving public resources is covered by the “deliberative process” and therefore not subject to review, not that we wanted to review the copulation, only the expenditures attached thereto.

Now we find our two legal beagles are at it again.  Well, not with each other we hope, but in consort of sorts, with those at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC) who wish to cover for the misdeeds of members of the Board of Supervisors, the county’s Medical Director Dr. Dev GnanaDev,  ARMC Chief Executive Officer Patrick Petre, and a handful of doctors and other ARMC employees. Continue reading →

iePolitics: Erwin, Postmus, Burum and Me

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Hey Sharon! Everyone knows your fanning the flames for ther Erwin/Burum campaign with Colonies dollars. Will be interesting when they start pulling you in as a witness/co-defendant. Watch out! Interesting how you became a slant-specialist for Erwin only after he approached you after his arrest, as well as Postmus. The reason Erwin, Burum and Postmus use you is because they see an easily manipulated, vulnerable and psychologically imbalanced person who can be their puppet. You have no idea the hole you’ve dug for yourself, lady. Funner times lie ahead for you. Watch your back! These people are very, very dangerous.

From:  iePolitics:  John Doe No. 5

It has been a while since I have addressed such a comment, and I’m bored writing about Arrowhead Regional Medical Center and the Sheriff’s Department, so I thought I would respond.  It seems some people are either dense or can’t read.

Some of you seem to have forgotten my March 19, 2009, column entitled, “Mark your calendars:  Today is the day Mike Ramos ended his political career.”  It is something I believed then and it is something I believe in even more strongly today. Continue reading →

iePolitics: Corruption Defendant Got A Taste of Justice in San Bernardino County

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I like “I told you so’s” even to my friends.  Former San Bernardino County Assessor Bill Postmus got an “I told you so” from me yesterday.

Up until yesterday, Superior Court Judge Micheal Dest seemed to be doing the “right thing” during the hearings for the corruption defendants, at least in comparison to Judge Duke Rouse, who has been doing anything but the “right thing.”  But I spent two years working for the little man and tried to tell Bill and Jim that Dest would do what is best for Dest politically. Continue reading →

iePolitics: Moonbeam’s Colonies Debacle Tied to Whitman?

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iePolitics has learned from a well-placed West-End source that the February 10, 2010, incoherent spectacle produced by San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos and California Attorney General Jerry “Moonbeam” Brown, charging former Assessor Bill Postmus and former Assistant Assessor Jim Erwin with multiple felonies, including bribery and embezzlement, may have had a much more far-reaching purpose.  And that “purpose” has to do with one unnamed, but very identifiable, John Doe; John Doe No. 1, i.e., Jeff Burum, to be exact.

The underlying scheme of Ramos’ recent interest in “cleaning up corruption in San Bernardino County” is oft-discussed by political insiders.  His crusade came about only after his power base took a major hit due to the defeat of political crony and powerbroker, San Bernardino County Third District Supervisor Dennis Hansberger, by dark horse candidate Neil Derry. Continue reading →

iePolitics: Rumors and Bets

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These days when my political-type friends and I are talking on the phone, the subject of phone taps always comes up.  When I’m talking with Bill or Jim, for example, I assume the district attorney’s office has their phones tapped and can hear everything I say.  So, since there is always a supply of 7-in-1 and Bordetella in my refrigerator, I always remind Bill that if he’s at my house he can find the clean syringes there.  And when talking with Jim, I make it a point of giving him the account number Adam passed along to me for that off-shore account with the $1.02 million in it from Colonies settlement.  The three of us are getting our passports ready for the big day. Continue reading →

InlandPolitics Commentary: A battle of Good vs. Evil

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  • Written by Administrator
  • Posted February 15, 2010 at 12:09 pm

This last week’s developments involving the filing of charges against two former county officials, the naming of five “un-named” co-conspirators, and the reputation destruction of others referred to in a complaint and accompanying arrest affidavit has commenced a chain of events that will reverberate in San Bernardino County for years.

The charges and accusations come with less than one week before the filing period for the June primary election officially opens. District Attorney Mike Ramos is seeking re-election and California Attorney General Jerry Brown is running for Governor.

After the conclusion of a live press conference District Attorney Mike Ramos made it clear to reporters they could deduce who the “un-charged” or “un-named” parties were by carefully reading the criminal complaint. Figuring out the names wasn’t the least bit difficult. Ramos’ venom was evident. He spoke of personal attacks on himself and his family and concerns over his budget being cut.

Former Assessor and County Supervisor Bill Postmus, who already posted $110,000 bail was re-arrested and forced to post an additional $250,000. Former Assistant Assessor Jim Erwin, who had already posted $220,000 bail was also re-arrested and required to post an additional $380,000.

Neither Postmus nor Erwin had ever been late to any court appearance.

The “un-named” individuals are Jeff Burum, co-managing partner, Colonies Partners, Dan Richards, co-managing partner, Colonies Partners, Patrick O’Reilly, CEO, O’Reilly Public Relations, Paul Biane, second district supervisor, and Mark Kirk, chief of staff to fourth district supervisor Gary Ovitt. Continue reading →

iePolitics: Not enough arrests for Ramos’ political career?

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Sources close to the investigation have revealed that San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos wanted to have arrest warrants issued for all five John Does at the same time that warrants were issued for former Assessor Bill Postmus and former Assistant Assessor Jim Erwin.  It was Attorney General Jerry Brown who crushed Ramos’ plan to arrest Colonies Partners Jeff Burum and Dan Richards, consultant Patrick O’Reilly, Fourth District Chief of Staff Mark Kirk and Second District Supervisor Paul Biane.  It was also Brown who insisted that they not be personally named in the complaint.

InlandPolitics: Letter to Jeff Burum

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I meant to post this earlier today, but ran out of computer time.  This reminds me of one of the very first conversations Mark Kirk and I had in 2008.  I chastised him for accepting contributions from Colonies.  He told me that Jeff does more for other people in a week than most do in a year.  He said that Jeff is very charitable.  I know he helped me when I needed it most. I’m glad to see his peers are supporting him.
  • Written by Administrator
  • Posted February 12, 2010 at 7:28 pm

*** The following letter was forwarded to InlandPolitics with a request to publish after 6:00 P.M. this evening***

.

February 12, 2010

Dear Jeff,

We write this letter to ask you to cease your passive stance towards District Attorney Michael Ramos.

News of the unwarranted attack on your reputation and credibility, and that of your friends and supporters has reached many of us in the last forty-eight hours.

You have been a respected member of your community for years. You have been unselfish in helping your community and neighbors. You built your business from nothing and have come so far to have it all destroyed by this man.

We commend your passion in devoting countless hours of your life to assist those less fortunate in life by contributing back to not just your community, but areas throughout the United States.

You have so many friends and supporters from around the country who stand ready to help you address what has been forced upon you.

It is the understanding of many of us that District Attorney Ramos actually looked you in the eye and assured you that no evidence of any wrongdoing had ever been found against you. It is also our understanding that a Mr. David Ellis, a representative for the District Attorney informed you that a clearance letter directed at you was forthcoming.

Apparently, this was all just an elaborate ruse. Continue reading →

InlandPolitics: Is dirty politics behind District Attorney actions? – Part 2

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  • Written by Blogger
  • Posted February 12, 2010 at 9:23 am

In this article we will take a close look at the destroy-at-all-cost targeting of San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos and his Orange County-based political consultant David Ellis, owner of Delta Partners, LLC.

One thing is for certain. It’s becoming increasingly obvious Ramos’ agenda in his falsely-proclaimed never-ending quest to rid San Bernardino County of political corruption, and it definitely isn’t about fighting crime.

That agenda being, neutralize the county’s west-end political power base.

In our last article we discussed the Ramos/Ellis back-stabbing of two politicos. The two being Deputy District Attorney and former Ontario City Councilman Jason Anderson, a now former friend and client of Ellis and perceived threat to Ramos, and Patrick O’Reilly, CEO of Riverside-based O’Reilly Public Relations, and now former friend of Ellis. Continue reading →

InlandPolitics: Is dirty politics behind District Attorney actions?

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  • Written by Blogger
  • Posted February 5, 2010 at 12:22 pm

One has to admit the political buzz in San Bernardino County is non-stop.

Many reverberations have crossed the transom regarding District Attorney Michael A. Ramos’ motivation for his politically charged actions over the past 18 months.

Some motivations that have surfaced of late have gained credibility.

While Ramos is employing the “I’m fighting political corruption” mantra in limited public appearances throughout the county, other issues have arisen that involve not only Ramos, but his Orange County-based consultant David Ellis, owner of Delta Partners, LLC.

It becomes really slimy and underhanded from here.

While Ramos is mostly known for his interest in having serial extramarital affairs, drunkenness, and an affinity for golf, he also worries about his political future. With his past, who wouldn’t.

Ellis on the other hand cares about three things and three things only. Those being Franklin, Grant, and Jackson!

He’ll sell anyone down the river for a buck.

Let’s talk about a couple targets of the Ramos/Ellis tag team. Continue reading →

iePolitics: Jeff Burum . . . Jeff Burum . . . and more Jeff Burum

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I sent a text to Jim Erwin this morning after reading the Sun story on former Assessor’s Office employee Rex Gutierrez’ preliminary hearing yesterday, basically saying that I hope when this whole scandal is over, Jeff Burum sues the heck out of the Sun, Adam Aleman, and Mike Ramos.  Tonight I read the Press Enterprise story and am adding that paper to the list.

I wrote in my “Black Helicopters” post on the last blog about my almost two-hour conversation with Adam Aleman a few months ago where he claimed that District Attorney investigators intimidated and tricked him into saying things about the entire cast of characters in the corruption scandal, including Jeff Burum.  He completely denied presenting any of the information to District Attorney investigators as hard, cold facts and stated that much of it was rumor he expected them to check out and not act on until verified. Continue reading →

iePolitics: The Corruption Scandal Is About To Get Ugly

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Former San Bernardino County Assessor’s Office Intergovernmental Affairs Director Rex Gutierrez appeared in court today for preliminary hearing on charges of embezzlement and grand theft relating to time card fraud. His case was bound over for trial starting in about 60 days.

Among the witnesses was San Bernardino County Human Resources Director Andrew Lamberto, who testified that Gutierrez’s work hours were determined by his immediate supervisor, former Assistant Assessor Adam Aleman.   Aleman has already plead guilty to four felonies in connection with the scandal, including presenting a false claim, in exchange for his testimony against the remaining defendants.

Lamberto’s assertion appears to be in direct conflict with state law, which does not restrict a salaried employee’s work schedule except for sick leave and vacation time.  The county’s position has been that Exempt employees, such as Gutierrez, defendant Greg Eyler, and all the staff members for the Board of Supervisors (BOS), County Counsel, and the County Administrative Office are in fact salaried employees who are not required to work a set number of hours.  This sudden switch in policy described at today’s hearing by Lamberto will likely result in not only a much more intensive grilling of Lamberto at trial, but also subpoenas being issued to the five Chiefs of Staff to the Board of Supervisors as well as those in the County Administrative Office and County Counsel to explain the disparate treatment of employees covered under the same Memorandum of Understanding and the same California Labor Codes. Continue reading →

iePolitics: “The Colonies: Everything Evil Comes Out Of Those People”

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“Jeff Burum:  A Traitor to our Constitution;” “Dirty, filthy, stinking, crappy politics;” “Greedy Money Hogs;” “Dirty Pigs” were all expressions I just heard within 60 seconds of tuning in to my least-favorite radio show as a description of Jeff Burum and his businesses.  This is exactly what I was writing about yesterday in the “The Dennis Hansberger Connection.” Continue reading →

iePolitics: The Dennis Hansberger Connection

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For almost a year the question has been asked repeatedly, “Why would San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos take on the likes of Jim Erwin?”  It’s especially puzzling for several reasons.

First, Mike is a poltroon.  He utilizes his paltry supply of testosterone to satisfy his overactive libido.  None is left to be a man in any other way.  He is emasculated.  He is not capable of going to battle because he believes in the righteousness of an issue.  To suggest he is attempting to “clean up corruption” is ludicrous, especially coming from one of the most corrupt district attorneys in the entire country.

Second, Mike and Jim were at least casual friends at one point and certainly political allies.  As president of the Safety Employees Benefit Association (SEBA), Jim helped Mike and his political friends in their campaigns for elected office.  A SEBA endorsement is substantial in this county and to potentially alienate such a powerful force could be political suicide. Continue reading →

iePolitics: Where is the leadership in San Bernardino County?

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As San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors Chairman Gary Ovitt’s first year of service as chairman comes to a close, it is a good time to examine what this Board has accomplished in the past year.  By all accounts, we have a Board of Supervisors that is in constant turmoil, unable to complete only the most routine of tasks.

Year 2009 began with promise.  Former Chairman Paul Biane completed his lackluster stint as Chairman with a corruption scandal hanging over his head that neutered him to the point of complete ineffectiveness.  His successor, Gary Ovitt, was expected to bring a breath of fresh air.  Although not known personally for strong leadership skills, Ovitt, unlike Biane, was known for high moral standards.  Through his chief of staff, Mark Kirk, Ovitt was expected to accomplish much. Continue reading →

iePolitics: Where does right end and wrong begin?

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I was chatting with a friend a few weeks ago and he was riled up over Mark Kirk.  He commented that he wanted to make Kirk feel pain.  He wasn’t talking about physical pain, but the emotional pain he was feeling and which he blames on Kirk.  I had a very hard time understanding how one could hate that much.  I even talked to Mark about it because I couldn’t fathom what Mark could have done to bring about that much animosity from another human.

Here we are just a few short weeks later and I feel the same way.  I confessed to my therapist in my group today and I didn’t get taken 5150 so I know can now safely admit this here, but a week ago today I was so distaught at what Mark had done that for the first time since my problem with the suicidal thoughts started on October 8, 2008, I made the only totally serious attempt.  I started with ten Trazadon, followed by five Tramadol fifteen minutes later and then rotated with five pills every fifteen minutes for several hours.

I was so sick of Mark discounting my feelings I just wanted to show him how much he hurt me, not that he would give a crap, but ones mind is not thinking coherently when this is going on.  I remember with each group of five pills I was convinced they would be the ones that would finally knock me out.  I kept wondering when I was going to die and was getting really mad that it didn’t happen. Continue reading →

iePolitics: The Truth

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There is one especially nice thing about Jim and I having separate blogs and that is I can write about anything I want to write about without grief from Postmus, Stout, Erwin, Derry or Burum for writing about the “personal” stuff.  This is one of those “personal” posts that makes those guys cringe but I don’t have to worry about it because they will never see it as they are busy with their own blog.  I’ve been inundated with questions so I’m going to take a few minutes to explain all that has happened to bring about two separate blogs.

Back in October after I was laid off from work I had a bit of a meltdown.  Under normal circumstances I would have taken the action with stride but 2009 was anything but a normal year for me.  For the first time in a couple of decades, not having a county paycheck to rely upon was financially devastating for me.  I have always had multiple sources of income including my businesses, savings earnings, rental income and second/third jobs.  But 2009 was the year of financial hell and the layoff caught me off guard and unprepared.  On top of that, not only did they lay me off, they also messed with my final paycheck, shorting me a lot of money.  Thus the meltdown. Continue reading →