Saturday, March 13, 2010
Time: 12:30pm – 9:00pm
Location:KiwiFrost
Street:
11920 Foothill Blvd., No. 140
Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Description
Ms. Lam the owner and inventor of KiwiFrost yogurt has endorsed Paul Schrader for Sheriff. She has invited my supporters to stop by on March 13th, Saturday between 12:30 PM and 9:00 PM to purchase some yogurt. A portion of all sells that day will go to our campaign. You must tell her that Paul Schrader sent you, for us to receive money from your purchase. Enjoy and I will be there throughout the day.
Paul talked to people around the county regarding Carry Conceal Weapon’s permits (CCW). This video #53 contains information regarding issues with CCW’s in San Bernardino County.
My name is Paul Schrader, and I am running for the position of Sheriff-Coroner of San Bernardino County. My campaign is based on what we call the Fresh Start Initiative. My goal is to bring a Fresh Start to San Bernardino County that the citizens can be proud of, participate in, and see concrete, forward-looking solutions to the problems we face.
Community Responsibility- A Sheriff’s Department that accepts its responsibility to the community, and works with the community to improve
conditions for all.
The other day I was in Chino Hills. I was talking with a guy by the name of John. He said he would like to see the Department executives reaching out to the community, finding out what needs and concerns they have. He said when he has tried to reach anyone of any rank, he is directed to a patrol deputy. He is frustrated.
While in Victor Valley I talked to Helen. She had a few of her friends with her. She said she wanted a group to help bring the Department and community together. She said the Department said she could volunteer. She tried to call the Sheriff’s Office and was redirected to a patrol deputy. She does not want to be a volunteer, she would love to be part of a community group that could partner with the Department. She is frustrated.
I hear this throughout the county. Deputies are being utilized to answer questions that should go through Department executives. Our deputies are trying to provide law enforcement services and need tools to do the job even better.
I will have community groups in every area of the county. We will meet and work together, ensuring they are getting service needed in their area. I will be available to citizens. This is being done in Departments all over the State.
Below is District Attorney Mike Ramos’ campaign kickoff. Note the only member of the Board of Supervisors who attended this huge gathering of supporters here in the high desert. Although now edited out of the video, the supervisor had glowing remarks for our district attorney.
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. (more…)
The article below as well as the three-part series over at www.inlandpolitics.com scratch only the surface of medical atrocity and abuse at San Bernardino County’s only county-run hospital, Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC). Unfortunately, I was very ill and unable to make the meeting with the good doctor and Jim as I would have liked have shared a few of my own war stories from my year of working at the facility and my few days as a patient to see if I could gain a better understanding of why the situation has become so dire. (more…)
Everyone keeps asking how to help. There is one BIG thing every one of you can do to help, not only me, but everyone in this county who has been abused by the system and that is this. On June 1, 2010 vote for Paul Schrader for Sheriff, Scott Markovich for Second District Supervisor, any opponent of Gary Ovitt’s, and any opponent of Mike Ramos. These bastards need to be kicked out of office!
I am sick to death of the Sheriff’s Department telling me they are trying to help when they have been one of the biggest contributors to my problems. HOOPS NEEDS TO GO! We need a sheriff in there with some integrity.
And we need a Chairman of the Board of Supervisors also with some integrity, including in their chief of staff. If the only way to get rid of Mark Kirk is to get rid of Gary Ovitt, so be it.
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. (more…)
Update: I have Ronald’s e-mail address and will be looking fowards to sharing his press releases and maybe a future interview with him shortly.
Looking at the candidate filing status reports from the San Bernardino County Registrar of Voters makes me puzzled at some of the people who put their hat in the ring for the June Primary. Who are these individuals?
For one, I am glad Supervisor Ovitt has a challenger. However it took me a bit of detective work to figure out who is Ronald Wall. Ronald Wall is a Democratic Party activist, but what is Ronald Wall also good for? I know that San Bernardino County needs to be cleaned up, but how will Ronald Wall clean up San Bernardino County government and represent the fourth district effectively?
In the 32nd State Senate District, the Republican Party has an announced challenger and he is yet another dark horse candidate. Who is Michael T. Bryant from Ontario, California? He used to have his email address listed, but it was taken down when I tried to ask about his candidacy. I don’t want to end up knocking on his doorstep asking for details about his campaign since he did not leave a phone number, web site or e-mail address.
It would be appreciated for future canidates to have at least a public address even from a place such as hotmail or yahoo so people could offer their support or ask a few questions so they would be informed voters.
If you are any of these individuals feel free to leave a reply on this post, or better yet get in contact with the administration here for an account where you can post your press releases and speeches on how you can make our communities better.
Talk about a group of individuals that just won’t learn. You’re not going to win these cases so why keep feeding Ruth’s flame? If you dumped Ruth and Hueston, you might be able to hire a seasoned litigator who could mete sage legal advice instead of telling you what you want to hear. (more…)
San Bernardino County currently sports one of the highest, if not the highest plea bargain rates in the state.
A not so flattering statistic to say the least.
Ramos
Over the last several years county supervisors have gave additional millions in budget funding to District Attorney Mike Ramos. The result. More plea bargains with criminal defendants.
Several months ago stories ran here and on iePolitics.com exposing substantial political contributions to Ramos by two attorneys who control the San Bernardino County criminal defense conflict panel. (more…)
A major allegation contained in the recent announcement of charges in the “windshield crack-like” corruption investigation into San Bernardino County government by District Attorney Mike Ramos and Attorney General Edmund “Jerry” Brown has some interesting twists.
Ramos earlier this week announced a series of reforms necessary to put the power of the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors in check. (more…)
Hi-Desert Republican Women, Federated welcomed San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools Gary Thomas, Ed.D., as their guest speaker today at the monthly membership meeting. Of course this means that Thomas is a good Republican!
Thomas discussed both the successes and failures with the county’s sch0ol system. San Bernardino County has a lot to be proud of including an on-going commitment to public/private/community-based partnerships to enhance their ability to provide services and education to our county’s youth. (more…)
So our illustrious San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos is concerned about expenses paid by former Assessor Bill Postmus out of Postmus’ campaign war chest—not exactly new news. And also not new news is the fact that what is good for the goose is not necessarily good for the gander—pun totally intended—here in San Bernardino County. (more…)
The most recent arrests of former San Bernardino County Assessor William “Bill” Postmus and former Chief of Staff to Supervisor Neil Derry, James Erwin, highlights yet again the disparity in treatment by San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos when compared with other jurisdictions. Ramos clearly is attempting to attempting to “punish” those who are political adversaries upfront as he knows the cases against them are weak and convictions are unlikely.
Take a look at the difference between the Postmus/Erwin case and the case of the four San Jacinto City Councilmen who were recently indicted in Riverside County. The disparity is glaring. (more…)
This is a good illustration of the difference between my perspective and that of the incumbent auditor / controller. I believe that government is the problem and not the solution. Private industry is more efficient, serves the people better and in most circumstances is far superior for improving people’s lives and creating wealth. As you can see in the article (from the Daily Press) below, Larry Walker seems to indicate bigger government is the solution.
APPLE VALLEY • The man responsible for investing San Bernardino County’s revenue had some advice for people looking for a heads up on what’s driving the economy these days.
“The question is what’s the government going to do, it’s not what the market is going to do,” said Larry Walker, the county’s Auditor/Controller-Recorder. (more…)
This came from the Sheriff’s Department and we have lots of fans within that department so maybe someone can verify or clarify this story:
Here’s another one for you to look at. I do not know for a fact but I have received this information from a reliable source that the maintance supervisor at Sheriff’s headquarters made between $170.000.00 and $200,000.00 last year. He oversee’s approximately 5 employees and he was given a county vehicle as a take home car. They would place one maintance worker on call in case the heater or air conditioner would stop working or some chief’s office did not get dusted right and pay that worker on call pay. The supervisor would then be placed on a call back status in case he needed to come into the office to supervisor that employee. That means that he would receive his pay 24 hours per day 7 days a week. Someone would have to wonder what dirt this guy had on the upper brass to receive this type of treatment. Sometimes it is helpful to open those doors late at night you never know what you will find lurking behind them.
You could still save yourself if you actually told the truth to someone with a FEDERAL badge. If, as Sharon says, you were coerced and threatened, it would be Ramos and Moonbeam who would be facing RICO charges.
I hear from mutual friends that you are starting to get scared, and scared you should be. I know I could pass a polygraph if I had to over what I’ve reported as you having said to me and I also know I’m not the only one you’ve said it to.
As angry as I am for what your lies have done to people I know and care about, I have always felt sorry for you, but mostly for your parents. You have put your family through hell. (more…)
For those who are interested, here are San Bernardino County Auditor/Controller-Treasurer/Tax Collector Larry Walker’s Form 460s showing his campaign contributors and his expenditures.
Walker Larry (Auditor Controller-Recorder 2010)-460-July312008 The most interest thing on this one is that Larry spend almost a third of his cash on hand to “reimburse for Angel’s baseball.” What the heck does that mean? They are calling it “office expenses.” I know how it looks.
Walker Larry (Auditor Controller-Recorder 2010)-460-Feb182009 Well he filed this one late and blamed it on his treasurer. Seems like a lot of his contributions comes from unions and $3000 from Lewis Co. He also spends a lot of money of flowers. I wonder who got the flowers? Inquiring minds want to know. (more…)
The term “idiot” and San Bernardino County Supervisor Josie Gonzales remain synonymous.
San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos and Attorney General Jerry Brown made sensational corruption allegations last week as an intro to their respective election campaigns.
Allegations that must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. (more…)
We hear our favorite Yellow Singing Canary is getting a wee bit nervous. Seems he is calling his old friends to get someone, anyone, to back him on his trail of deceit. From what iePolitics hears so far, his “friends” don’t want to spend time as roomies with him and Bubba so they are politely declining. I bet in the end, Mr. Aleman is the only one of the currently accused who does jail time, “currently” being the key word.
We are hearing more charges are quite possible, just not of those District Attorney Mike Ramos is currently looking at. We will post more info as it becomes available.
I received the following email a little while ago:
Can you tell me what ever has happened to the case involving over 20 Deputies getting college credits when they did not attend the classes. It seems to just have gone away. This is serious because of the lying these people did and the amount of money they have taken from the County.
I asked our resident expert, AntiCorruptionUnit, as he is the one who broke this story, and here is his response:
Yes the case died a quiet death thanks to Sheriff Hoops. Captain Bart Gray is now retired. His wife was demoted from her position in the training division and sent back to the jail.
Just another cover up by the Sheriff’s Department. No prosecution if forthcoming in this matter.
So where is our crime-fighting District Attorney? Oh yeah, political opps with Moonbeam.
In an extraordinarily surprising move, it appears that the four remaining members of the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors were not affected by the emotional, pious pleadings of Josie “I wish I had a brain” Gonzales and rejected her ideas about investigating and suing themselves. They claim it is “Premature.”
Hmm . . . they didn’t think that a year ago when they sued those involved in the corruption scandal before there was one ounce of proof of wrongdoing. Here we are a year later and there is still no proof—not a single conviction. So what’s the difference? (more…)
I received an email the other day that asked some questions about Supervisor Neil Derry in reference to a building about to be leased by the county. If the sender of this email will send me their email address, I will forward Supervisor Derry’s response. In trying to keep the email address confidential I even deleted it from my files. (more…)
It seems the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors needs some help doing the right thing. They need YOUR help.
The Board of Supervisors has been covering for District Attorney Mike Ramos for months because they are TERRIFIED of being charged and arrested for issues relating to the Colonies settlement, Fair Political Practices Commission violations, and other items. No matter how one feels about the Colonies settlement, it is clear that we have a District Attorney who has lied to the public and abused his office in other areas not directly related to the current corruption scandal.
The Board of Supervisors can and should waive the right to confidentiality and release all information in connection with Ramos’ misdeeds. The public has the right to know in order to make an informed decision at election time. To put this in perspective, how many of you who voted for Bill Postmus for Assessor would have done so if you had known he had been two rehab twice during his stint on the Board of Supervisors? Well, it’s no different with Ramos. Mike has an addiction too. And he has lied to the pubic as well. It’s time the board come clean on Mike Ramos.
Here is how to do it. Click on www.gmail.com. On the right-hand side, click on “Create an Account” and go through the process of setting up a new email account. It only takes a few minutes. Once it is set up, sign into it and hit the “compose” button in the top left-hand corner.
Copy and paste the following email addresses into the “To” section.
In the “Subject” line insert: “Release the Background Information on Mike Ramos”
In the body, insert: “Please release all information from closed session in regards to the Mike Ramos sexual harassment investigation. You have the right to waive confidentiality and we have the right to know.”
Note: Of course I’m recommending the use of a Gmail account because they are anonymous. I recommend remaining anonymous. However, for those with a lot of backbone, by all means use your regular email. FYI, the addresses I provided go directly to the supervisors’ Blackberrys, so be respectful.
For those who are willing, I’d appreciate a cc or bcc at info@iepolitics.com
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. (more…)
Aren’t all of you tired of being held hostage by an out-of-control District Attorney who uses his prosecutorial powers to threaten and intimidate you when you know you’ve done nothing wrong? Now it looks like he is going to try to extort a larger allocation to his budget so he can waste more money on political persecution.
It’s time to take your authority and power back. Grow a pair!! Seriously. (more…)
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.
iePolitics has learned from a reliable source that our favorite yellow singing Canary has been told by the District Attorney’s office that he will never have to be on the witness stand and offer up testimony against is former boss, colleagues and subordinates. It’s hard to say if this is what he is really being told or is just what he is telling those around him.
I wonder what Adam Aleman will do when he is served with his first subpoena? Will it be the shock it seems it will be? What will be especially interesting is the fact that Adam has told those around him the same story he told me, i.e., he only repeated rumors; he had no first-hand knowledge of anything; the investigators intimidated him, etc. Does he understand the concept of witness impeachment? Wonder what that will do to his plea bargain?
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. (more…)
In iePolitics’ always-continuing quest to assist San Bernardino County administrators in balancing their budget, we have happened upon an obvious cost-cutting measure. We know that District Attorney Mike Ramos and Public Defender Doreen Boxer have already joined . . . um . . . forces, in a Biblical sense of course, so the next step only makes sense. It’s time to consolidate the two departments and allow District Attorney Ramos to have the final decision over all criminal proceedings in San Bernardino County.
“We can’t do that,” you say. Why not? Conflicts of interest do not seem to be of concern to anyone. Take for example, one of the most recent campaign contributions to Ramos of $10,000. That contribution brings the total to $83000 that the law affiliation of conflict panel attorneys James Spring and Earl Carter have given to Ramos since 2004 to support his re-election. This equates to 15 to 20 percent of all campaign contributions received in that same period. The conflict panel attorneys are Ramos’ single largest contributor. (more…)
One can only imagine the discussion during the special closed-door San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday, February 16, 2010, called by Supervisor Josie Gonzales. I wonder which of the four remaining supervisors will be blessed with the duty of having to explain to Gonzales the identities of John Does 4 and 5. At least it will be entertaining for the others.
So Josie, since you seem to think the Board of Supervisors needs to investigate itself, where do you propose to start? Do you realize that all four of the remaining supervisors and a number of their support staff “profitted” from the Colonies settlement in one way or another. So, do you believe that the other four supervisors should place themselves on Administrative Leave and let you run the show? (more…)
(2) Falsely and maliciously to indict another for any crime, or to procure another to be charged or arrested for any crime.
(3) Falsely to move or maintain any suit, action, or proceeding.
(4) To cheat and defraud any person of any property, by any means which are in themselves criminal, or to obtain money or property by false pretenses or by false promises with fraudulent intent not to perform those promises.
(5) To commit any act injurious to the public health, to public morals, or to pervert or obstruct justice, or the due administration of the laws.
(6) To commit any crime against the person of the President or Vice President of the United States, the Governor of any state or territory, any United States justice or judge, or the secretary of any of the executive departments of the United States. They are punishable as follows: (more…)
As previously reported, the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors (BOS) is only meeting this year 27 out of 52 weeks, which proves we could do just fine with a part-time Board of Supervisors. Besides for the usual 12 “dark” weeks due to regular holidays, the BOS has found an additional 13 holidays to celebrate to justify their additional “darkness.”
Next Tuesday is “Do a Grouch a Favor Day,” which is an appropriate reason to be dark. Unfortunately, San Bernardino County District Attorney Michael Ramos has gotten in the way with his corruption scandal implicating two of five sitting board members. Fifth District Supervisor Josie Gonzales has called for an emergency closed session meeting on Tuesday in an email that read:
Due to the shocking new allegations of a far-reaching criminal conspiracy contained in the Postmus-Erwin complaint released today, I ask that an emergency closed session meeting of the Board of Supervisors be scheduled. The members of the board must be apprised of our legal options and give direction expeditiously.
Ya know, next time Moonbeam is in town, Josie needs to join him and Ramos on the podium. They would make a great three-some.
Of course, the Board of Supervisors didn’t listen to iePolitics and get rid of County Counsel Ruth Stringer when they had the chance. Now they have to get their legal advice from her. They might all just as well attend dressed in orange jumpsuits.
Since we now all know that former San Bernardino Assistant Assessor and proverbial yellow Canary Adam Aleman’s word can be taken as gospel truth, why wasn’t former California Senator Jim Brulte arrested also? He wasn’t even named as a John Doe. (Nothing personal Jim! However, Erwin has had no luck getting the number for the off-shore account from Aleman so maybe you can give it a try.)
Aleman told investigators that both Jim Brulte and Jim Erwin received one percent of the Colonies Settlement as a kickback, which equates to $1.o2 million each.
It seems we have different standards of proof and believability depending on whether one is friend or foe of San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos.
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. (more…)
Yesterday’s new conference with San Bernardino County District Attorney Michael “sexual predator” Ramos and California Attorney General Jerry “Moonbeam” Brown seemed to include a lot of hyperbole and leave out a few facts. In one of the latter political whore’s best effort at grandstanding, Brown stated,
What is significant here is the most appalling corruption case in decades, certainly in the history of San Bernardino County and maybe California itself. Individuals corrupted public office and were able to grab more than $100 million of the taxpayers’ money through this scheme.
There is one very big problem with this statement. The county had lost twice in court already. It was strongly suggested to the county by the trial court judge that it attempt to reach a settlement. The Colonies asked for $300 million and the county settled for $102 million. That settlement was negotiated with the help of a mediator who just happened to be a retired California Supreme Court Justice.
Jim has a copy of the last page of the agreement and a bio of the justice on his blog. To read Jim’s entry, click here.
This post could have just as easily been entitled, “I told you so again” but honestly I am very saddened by today’s news regarding John Does 1 through 5 as described in the Jim Erwin/Bill Postmus arrest affidavit. I was writing a message to Mark Kirk when I remembered a comment I made in my first “Blood Stains” post which read (emphasis added):
The elected leaders in this county have blood stains on their hands, not from touching the hand of the crucified Christ, but from playing with the Devil and destroying the innocent, the poor and the weak. They have not used their power and authority with wisdom, grace, or benevolence, but rather with selfishness, abusiveness, intolerance, indifference and mean-spiritedness.
Doing what is right can sometimes be painful, but will never be as painful as being brought to one’s knees by an angry God who gave in abundance only to see it unappreciated and abused. Everyone on the Fifth Floor has been given an abundance; some would say an overabundance. One day many of them may wake up to find it gone and their power gone too. Then it will be they who ask for grace and mercy. Maybe if they are lucky we will have replaced them with leaders with integrity who show them more grace and mercy than the current leadership has shown us. (more…)
I’m afraid I’ve been very busy today moving so I learned of the arrests last this morning and didn’t have an internet connection. As of a short time ago Bill Postmus has made bail. I’m told they are trying to get Jim out today too.
I’m told the rumor is true that Bill did have meth in his possession at the time of his arrest, which will likely be the only legitimate charge in all of this.
I know both have their detractors but this bail is ridiculous. See my previous article on the subject: Eighth Amendment
Anyone of us could find ourselves the object of a district attorney’s or law enforcement officer’s wrath. As I keeping saying, an out-of-control district attorney is more dangerous to a free society than any criminal he prosecutes.
I’m sure that is what the reporter who called me a little while ago regarding Former Assessor Bill Postmus’ and Former Assistant Assessor Jim Erwin’s early morning arrests was thinking. Well, yes, as a matter of fact I do believe this is just another attempt by a desperate district attorney to be re-elected and a governor-wannabe-again feeling the pressure from Meg Whitman.
Ramos will do anything to deflect from his own misdeeds. And time will prove these charges are as trumped up as the last ones.
One thing comes to mind here and that is something Postmus keeps telling me. He claims this whole corruption scandal is the result of Mike Ramos wanting to get at Jeff Burum. He thought Erwin would roll on Jeff the first time. If anything, their friendship seems stronger. I expect today’s event to strengthen it even more. (more…)
First off, First District Chief of Staff David Zook called me today to set the record straight. He says he never received my messages and I will give him the benefit of the doubt. He also said they purposely leave appointees in expired terms expired. That being said, here is another email I received from a Havasu Lake resident:
Dear Sharon,
Please refer to the 2-9-10 BOS consent calender #2 (f) reappointment of Mike Aleksich to the Havasu Lake M.A.C (g) reappointment of Terry Gardner to the Havasu Lake M.A.C.
First District has decided to go ahead with these appointments even though we are still awaiting the disclosure of the documents (Minutes from the M.A.C. and it subcommittees as well as any appointment books, phone logs and correspondence) requested on 5-26-09 and subsequently obfuscated by Karen Chamberlain, unappointed M.A.C. secretary and wife of triple felon and M.A.C. chairman Gary Chamberlain.
The obfuscation of these documents from all who have asked for them, Robert Eland from first district and Daniel Hauter from the county councils office, fits nicely into the pattern and practice of bald faced corruption here in San Bernardino County.
The proposed reappointment of individuals with dirty hands to our corruption plagued M.A.C. without the disclosure of the documents in question should be tabled until disclosure has occurred and the public has had a chance to comment. How can the BOS make an informed decision as to the appointees record without the minutes?
In the past Tim Millington (Special Districts) actually had to drive out here and seize a box of records from Karen to compel compliance with an earlier Records Request! And Brad maintained her in the position of Secretary!
This situation is all too familiar; it’s negligent. At no time in the past ten years has Brad (nor his predecessor and mentor Bill Postmus) ever taken the time to attend even one of our M.A.C. meetings which are held under the auspices of the First District Supervisors Office!
Now Brad wants to double dip the disrespect with the imposition of these two corrupt cronies!
It is important to note that this is a Bill Postmus Legacy issue, Bill Having first appointed both of the cronies in question, Terry Gardner sitting on the M.A.C. without appointment from 2005-2010.
Common sense would preclude anyone involved with the corrupt M.A.C. or Bill Postmus from serious consideration for appointment to represent the town of Havasu Lake.
No M.A.C. is much safer than a corrupt M.A.C. unable or unwilling to behave in a responsible manner. A quarterly visit from the Supervisor would more than suffice to replace our M.A.C.
Thank You
P.S. Even with the two proposed appointments our M.A.C. still lacks a quorum!
In fairness to former First District Supervisor Bill Postmus, he swears to me he attended at least one Havasu Lake MAC meeting. And David Zook seems like he wants to resolve this issue. He indicated that the only individuals at this point who have applied for the positions are the incumbents. I guess we will see what happens.
This rumor has been floating around for a while, but I finally talked to someone who has some first-hand knowledge of the claims. I have often questioned why a San Bernardino County Transitional Assistance Department (TAD) Employment Services Manager, who was investigated, demoted and transferred for racial discrimination, sexual harassment, hostile work environment and utter incompetence, would face a second demotion and transfer for new charges a couple years later. Any other employee would be fired the second time around if not the first. (more…)
There is a long list of San Bernardino County Superior Court judges who are up for election this year. Here is a link to all positions up for election in this county: Offices up for Election 2010 2-1-2010 We have learned this past year that our bench has some good judges and then there are some not-so-good judges. For that matter, one has to wonder how some of them ever got through law school or passed the Bar. (more…)
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
˜Eighth Amendment, Constitution of the United States˜
Today’s hearing in which Michael Jackson’s doctor, Conrad Murray, entered a plea of not guilty to involuntary manslaughter charges and bail was set at $75,000, three times the usual bail for an involuntary manslaughter charge, begs a comparison to San Bernardino County’s own high-profile prosecutions. Those, of course, are the Jim Erwin and Bill Postmus criminal cases. (more…)
I always laugh at those who can’t wait to tell me that the blog is “insignificant.” Early Saturday morning I received a text message from First District Chief of Staff David Zook saying he was told I mentioned he was not returning my messages. Then at 12:45 a.m. this morning I receive an email from County Spin Doctor (just kidding David!) David Wert advising me that he was working “late” to be sure he got in his 40 hours this week and was trying to get an answer for me. For those who think no one cares what we write on the blog, I always find these types of communication interesting.
They all dis our blogs, but they sure do read them!
So much of what we call management consists in making it difficult for people to work.
Peter Drucker
Interesting changes are being made in San Bernardino County’s Transitional Assistance Department’s (TAD) management structure. Unless Assistant Administrative Officer Linda Haugen and TAD Director Nancy Swanson are even more stupid than we already know, they have to be very nervous about the new head honcho in town, County Administrative Officer (CAO) Greg Devereaux. Linda Haugen was able to . . . um “charm” . . . her way out of trouble with former CAO Mark Uffer but those who have worked with Devereaux say he cannot be “persuaded” by the same means. We know that neither Linda nor Nancy are capable of producing anything resembling a well-thought-out and intelligent work product, so they have a lot to worry about.
Before being devoured by TAD, the Jobs and Employment Services Department (JESD) was considered one of the best departments to work for in the county. Employment Services Specialist positions were highly sought after. The department was known for treating its employees and the public very well. It had a positive work environment for employees and did an awesome job of helping the less fortunate in our community. (more…)
It looks like The Sun newspaper is feeling a little self-conscious these days.
Editor Frank Pine, the subject of much criticism on this blog over the past several months for his rose-colored glasses when it comes to his newspapers non-reporting of stories for which they have facts in hand is trying to defend his actions.
Are Pine’s rose-colored glasses the problem? Or is there an agenda?
It sure hurts when questions like this become focused on a local newspaper. (more…)
