iePolitics: A pit bull isn’t born vicious
If one investigates a pit bull that attacks, it is usually easy to pinpoint a reason. Something precipitated it. And the same is true with people.
I’ve got a few people on the Fifth Floor upset with me these days. I’ve been told that I should not expect help when I keep taking jabs.
County administrators have brought the pit bull out in a few people of late. I would say the two most prominent are Jim Erwin and me. Let’s put my situation aside for a moment and look at Jim’s.
We are told regularly that the Fifth Floor doesn’t like our blogs. But which came first—the blogs or the torment? The answer is the torment.
Categories: Board of Supervisors, Jim Erwin, San Bernardino County Tags: torment
iePolitics: Brady issues in the District Attorney’s office
We have been saying all along that there are some “issues” with the District Attorney’s investigation in the corruption scandal. Now we have proof.
For those not familiar with Brady, here is an excerpt from a previous post:
There is a case entitled Brady v. Maryland, 373 U.S. 83 (1963). The Wikipedia entry reads (emphasis added):
. . . in which the prosecution had withheld from the criminal defendant certain evidence. The defendant challenged his conviction, arguing it had been contrary to the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution.
Maryland prosecuted Brady and a companion, Boblit, for murder. Brady admitted being involved in the murder, but claimed Boblit had done the actual killing. The prosecution had withheld a written statement by Boblit confessing that he had performed the act of killing by himself. The Maryland Court of Appeal had affirmed the conviction and remanded the case for a retrial only of the question of punishment. Read more…
Categories: District Attorney, Mike Ramos Tags: bob schreiber, brady, bud randles
iePolitics: Racism and the Sharks
iePolitics is hearing something may break soon regarding the Barstow police officer arrested for racial slurs and we hear it has something to do with the Sharks, the gang of San Bernardino County sheriff’s deputies from Victorville, who terrorized certain members of the community. These deputy sheriffs went so far as to have sharks tattooed on their ankles. I don’t remember now which SBSD executive got a bit upset about this but it seems to me Hoops ran interference for the group.
Categories: Sheriff's Department Tags:
iePolitics: The enemy of my enemy is my friend
San Bernardino County never ceases to amaze me. As I wrote about a couple of days ago, I received notice from my attorney that Uffer’s attorney wants to depo me. The county REALLY wants my cooperation in this matter whether they know it or not. So, what do they do?
Categories: Andrew Lamberto, Board of Supervisors, San Bernardino County Tags: bitch
iePolitics: Another abusive TAD supervisor
This one was stupid too as she posted it all on Facebook on county time. Here is the file: TAD02 I’m too tired to write out the story but I think the .pdf file is self-explanatory. I’ve asked for one more document and will post if I get it. I believe the EEOC is investigating. The matter was swept under the rug by the county.
Categories: Transitional Assistance Department Tags: james locurto, tad
iePolitics: Employees run amuck at Workforce Development
Well we see that nothing has changed under County Administrative Officer Greg Devereaux or his new Economic Development Agency chief. We have written extensively over the years about the problems with lax accounting and falsified statistics with job developers and job placement specialists.
Not long ago the positions were all reclassified, with some employees being given large raises. That has done little to promote productivity or integrity. Very high-placed sources tell us that, if anything, things have gotten worse.
Categories: Board of Supervisors, San Bernardino County Tags: economic development, Greg Devereaux, linda haugan, nancy swanson, sandy harmsen
iePolitics: A depo notice from Uffer
My morning started out just great! I received an email from my attorney that former County Administrative Officer Mark Uffer wants to depo me in his lawsuit against the county. I have to say that made my day. It’s been a long time since I laughed that hard.
Now, the real kicker in all of this is that the county has hired the exact same attorney to fight Uffer’s lawsuit as they have hired to fight one of my suits against the county. Yet, the county has to provide me with legal representation in the Uffer suit. This attorney actually had the gall to tell my attorney that he didn’t see a conflict if on one hand he is trying to pound me into the ground and on the other hand he is trying to get my cooperation in protecting the county from Uffer.
Categories: Board of Supervisors, Mark Uffer, San Bernardino County Tags: mark uffer
iePolitics: Did Matt Brown receive a bribe today to keep quiet before the election?
I know that I am not the only one that thinks the county of San Bernardino sunk to a new low today. The decision to pay off former Second District Chief of Staff Matt Brown is a slap in the face to all county employees who must face a real hostile work environment each and every day because they do not have the money for an attorney and the county refuses to conduct a legitimate investigation. County Administrative Officer Greg Devereaux and our Board of Supervisors should be ashamed of themselves.
Of course, this payoff begs the question of Why? Well, the answer is easy. A mistake by the District Attorney’s office has alerted corruption defendants to the fact that Brown was involved in attempting to get his boss, Second District Supervisor Paul Biane, on tape in an undercover operation. It would be highly detrimental to Supervisor Paul Biane’s re-election chances to have his former Chief of Staff tell what he knows before November 2.
Categories: Board of Supervisors, Brad Mitzelfelt, Gary Ovitt, Josie Gonzales, Matt Brown, Neil Derry, Paul Biane, Ruth Stringer, San Bernardino County Tags: Board of Supervisors, Greg Devereaux, matt brown, paul biane, Ruth Stringer
iePolitics: A question for non-law enforcement readers
So we’ve got the cops on here taking us to task for pointing out things such as law enforcement officers committing DUI, hit-and run, assault under the color of authority, domestic violence, theft, etc. They seem to think we are tarnishing their reputation by publishing such information.
Categories: Sheriff's Department Tags: criminal behavior by cops, Sheriff's Department
InlandPolitics: S.B County: Senior Republicans level stinging criticism at Ramos
- Written by Senor Blogger
- Posted August 30, 2010 at 9:09 am
Ramos with Attorney General Jerry Brown
Sunday, August 29, 2010 – 11:50 pm
San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos, the architect of a corruption probe against various current and former San Bernardino County officials, has now become the recipient of criticism from senior republicans.
One elected official is even is asserting that prosecutions brought by Ramos may in fact be politically motivated.
U.S. Representative Jerry Lewis (R-Redlands) and incoming minority leader, State Senator Bob Dutton (R-Rancho Cucamonga), in recent interviews published in Monday’s Press-Enterprise “Political Notebook” render some ominous criticism of Ramos.
The following is an excerpt from the column related to Ramos.
Inland Rep. Jerry Lewis, R-Redlands, said last week that the ongoing corruption scandals in San Bernardino County have not affected his work in Washington.
Categories: Bill Postmus, Jerry Brown, Jim Erwin, Mark Uffer, San Bernardino County Tags: Jerry Brown, Mike Ramos
iePolitics: Tips
I did not realize until yesterday that when I changed out my Blackberry a few weeks ago my voicemail was not properly set up. I started to think about it yesterday because several people called who would normally leave messages and didn’t. Or so I thought. It was the icon that wasn’t working properly.
So, I found 50 or so voicemails that have been there for weeks. I went through them all and there were two that I could not make out enough except to know someone was trying to pass along information to me regarding the Public Defender’s office. If you would try again, I would appreciate it.
Categories: Public Defender, San Bernardino County, Sheriff's Department Tags: Public Defender, sheriff, tips
InlandPolitics: Uffer new chief executive at Colorado River Medical Center
- Written by Administrator
- Posted August 27, 2010 at 9:59 pm
Uffer
Yes it’s true.
Sources tell InlandPolitics.com that former San Bernardino County administrative officer Mark H. Uffer is now the incoming CEO of Colorado River Medical Center in Needles.
Terms of Uffer’s new position are cloudy, but sources say Uffer is seeking some type of “Per Diem” compensation until November 1, 2010 when his severance package with San Bernardino County ends.
Categories: Mark Uffer, San Bernardino County Tags: hospital, mark uffer, needles
InlandPolitics: The Insider: Was Jerry Brown lied to?
- Written by The Insider
- Posted August 29, 2010 at 2:46 pm
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?
Categories: Adam Aleman, Bill Postmus, Board of Supervisors, District Attorney, Jeff Burum, Jerry Brown, Jim Erwin, Mark Kirk, Mike Ramos, San Bernardino County Tags: bill postmus, dan richards, Jeff Burum, Jerry Brown, Jim Erwin, Mark Kirk, Mike Ramos, patrick o'reilly, paul biane
iePolitics: A comment about Supervisor Derry
The comment below was written on the blog today. I decided to address the comment as a separate entry.
I am sure that you are funnelling these issues to Supv Derry since he has frequented this blog in the past. However, the way you have treated him during these past few months is not condusive to him wanting to return. I would be surprised if he bothers to take the time.
As to the specifics of this issue, why do you believe Supv. Derry is the responsible party when the BOS has placed that duty squarely on the CAO? It would seem prudent to direct these departmental issues to the CAO, and if one or more Supv. still follows this blog and is interested in the case, then they or the new unit in the CAO’s office can follow-up.
Let me respond. I do not expect Neil to return to the blog ever nor do I care. As far as I am concerned, Neil has become one of the problems, just like the other four; not the solution. However, I know anything addressed to anyone on the Fifth Floor will be read by staff up there, so I will continue to address him this way. He doesn’t respond to emails so there is no point in trying that means.
Categories: Board of Supervisors, Brad Mitzelfelt, Gary Ovitt, Greg Devereaux, Josie Gonzales, Neil Derry, Paul Biane, San Bernardino County Tags: Greg Devereaux, Neil Derry
iePolitics: Where’s Lucy?
We hear that San Bernardino County Transitional Assistance Department (TAD) Deputy Director (?) Lucy Gigena has resigned. Correct me if I’m wrong, but wasn’t her appointment from ESP district manager to TAD deputy director recent?
I remember we previously discussed her affinity for sharing her sex life with her staff. It pales in comparison to the other district manager we have featured several times who is known by her staff as the “C—” because she likes to tell her staff which orifice her boyfriend/husband inserted himself into during any given interlude the night before.
Categories: Andrew Lamberto, Human Services System, San Bernardino County, Transitional Assistance Department Tags: andrew lamberto, hss, lucy gigena, sexual harassment, tad
Senor Blogger: Deputy misbehaving No. 2
This second story is about a deputy that had a problem with sticky fingers. Things kept coming up missing at the station and it this certain deputy was always there.
A sting operation was set up and he was sent to a call where there was some money that no one claimed. Well that money was placed there by the Sheriff’s department to see what he would do with it. I guess he did not know how to handle this situation so he took the money home with him and never tagged it as evidence.
Categories: Sheriff's Department Tags: sheriff
Senor Blogger: Deputy misbehaving No. 1
This story involves a deputy that was assigned to SED/SWAT. Unlike the supervisor assigned to this division, this guy really was a Navy Seal. Seems like there are several stories about this guy and his anger problems.
One day he was traveling to Victorville in his county-issued unmarked unit. He felt that he needed to get there in a hurry and was traveling pretty fast in the fast lane. Another driver would not get out of his way and he got upset.
Categories: Sheriff's Department Tags: Sheriff's Department
Senor Blogger: Another Perez story
Sergeant Gina Perez was working patrol one evening as a watch commander. There is another sergeant at the Victorville Station that adores his pit bull. He has a picture of him and his pit bull on his desk . . . embarrassing (only to Senor Blogger). Perez’s deputies respond to a call and were attacked by a pit bull. They ended up shooting the dog because it was biting them and other subjects within the neighborhood.
Categories: Sheriff's Department Tags: Rod Hoops, Sheriff's Department
iePolitics: So Brad, we thought we would help advertise your appearance
That’s right Supervisor Mitzelfelt. Since you are going to be on the radio tomorrow, iePolitics thought we would make sure more than Barb’s regular 25 listeners tuned in. Barb says a lot of things about you, especially on her internet show. It will be interesting to see if she is brave enough to say those things directly to you. I thought I would share some of the things she has claimed on her shows with you so that you would have a heads up. But first, let me share the video she made of you, Bill and Tad with all of our readers. It hasn’t had a lot of views yet and I want to help y’all change that. Here it is:
Here is a list of claims she has made about you. You should have plenty of time to practice your answers.
Categories: Bill Postmus, Board of Supervisors, Brad Mitzelfelt Tags: bill postmus, Brad Mitzelfelt, homosexual
iePolitics: More about stupid TAD supervisors
Linda Haugan
We received confirmation from a fifth TAD office today that the original email that was sent out banning fans and radios stated that it was because they had exceeded their electricity allotment. There was nothing about fire hazards or electrical strips. Supervisors have been told that fans and radios will be allowed but not to spread the word. So, let your employees get sick from the heat and smell and don’t say anything unless they beg.
Categories: Andrew Lamberto, Greg Devereaux, Human Services System, San Bernardino County Tags: bitch
iePolitics: Speaking of stupid supervisors
Supervisor Derry,
No, that title is not in reference to you. I was asked to pass this along in reference to your question a few weeks ago regarding SBPEA and the County of San Bernardino.
It seems Andrew Lamberto/Linda Haugan/Bob Blough are at it again. Remember that email I sent to you and George that you both ignored regarding PID Chief Virginia Lugo, et al., using C-IV to run all employees to see if they have ever been on a welfare case of any kind? Well sometimes illegal activities backfire.
Categories: Andrew Lamberto, Board of Supervisors, Bob Blough, Brad Mitzelfelt, Gary Ovitt, Josie Gonzales, Neil Derry, Paul Biane, San Bernardino County, San Bernardino Public Employees Association, Transitional Assistance Department Tags: bob bloug, linda haugan, Neil Derry, virginia lugo
iePolitics: More on TAD electricity and fans
Linda Haugan
We had one of the Marie wannabees, oops I mean TAD supervisors or above—you know the ones with the brown noses and really high foreheads—get on here and claim that the fan and radio ban was due to Risk Management and power strips being overloaded. They think they are scoring brownie points with Linda Haugan by calling us stupid and uninformed. The problem is, to get points, one must identify oneself, but like most uneducated TAD supervisors, they are too stupid to figure that out. And they are too stupid to realize their explanation is . . . stupid.
Categories: Human Services System, San Bernardino County Tags: bitch
iePolitics: Would Mark Uffer make a good administrator for Needles Hospital?
Imagine this scenario: I’m sitting at Starbucks having tea with one of the persons named in Mark Uffer’s lawsuit against the county. My phone rings and an unfamiliar number is displayed. Something makes me answer the phone. I am asked if I believe Mark Uffer would make a good administrator for Needles Hospital. My companion starts laughing hysterically.
It seems that Uffer has applied for the position. There is a county employee in Needles who is pushing very hard to hire Mark and he is the only candidate to apply so far. A background check is being completed. In the process, someone finds a copy of the lawsuit Uffer has filed against the county and prints it out. They read the very last page, which was an email from me and my parting shot to him where I called him a liar.
Categories: Mark Uffer, San Bernardino County Tags: mark uffer
iePolitics: What would you have done?
Almost two years ago I was approached by what turned out to be a panhandler in a Victorville parking lot one evening. She was a middle-aged woman, dressed nicely, with a lengthy story to tell of breaking down on the freeway, walking to a nearby motel, and needing $9 and change so that her and her children could stay overnight until someone could get up the hill to rescue her. She said the CHP had told her if they slept in the vehicle overnight, the Department of Children’s Services would be notified to take the children. She said that the motel owner is threatening to kick them out if she didn’t come up with the money that evening.
Categories: Sheriff's Department Tags: pandhandling, Sheriff's Department
iePolitics: The power of the internet
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.
Categories: In the News, Jeff Burum, Jim Erwin, Mike Ramos, Rex Gutierrez Tags: fall of newspapers, Jeff Burum, Jim Erwin, Mike Ramos, rex gutierrez
iePolitics: Another Fifth Floor arrest . . . or two?
That is the rumor. To be more exact, the rumor is that Mark Kirk will be arrested for time card fraud before the Rex Gutierrez case gets underway in a few weeks. We are also hearing Paul Biane’s arrest is imminent.
These rumors can almost always be traced back to our favorite yellow singing Canary, Confidential Informant No. 1, Mr. Max Factor himself, Adam Aleman. It seems that every time Mikey has to face bad news he deflects with disinformation through Adam.
Categories: Mark Kirk, Mike Ramos, Paul Biane, San Bernardino County Tags: Jerry Brown, Mark Kirk, Mike Ramos, paul biane
iePolitics: OMG, Doreen Boxer could be in a heck of a lot of trouble
Not from the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors because we know they don’t have backbone to do anything. Nope. This time it could be from the State Bar of California, as in losing a Bar card.
Yes, this is a teazer. I can’t write much more yet. I have an excellent source on this one, but if anyone at the Public Defender’s office knows what I’m talking about and would like to send the document to me, I can be reached at PO Box 2722, Apple Valley, California 92307. I believe the actual document was authored by Lauri Ferguson.
I will post more just as soon as I’m allowed to.
Categories: Doreen Boxer, Public Defender, San Bernardino County Tags: Doreen Boxer, lauri ferguson
iePolitics: Can you resend the emails?
I’ve lost two emails on Sheriff’s Department misdeeds. Can you please resend them?
The first is on the deputy, out of Victorville I believe, who beat the crap out of a relative of a CHP officer. There is more to the story but I can’t remember it. I believe it happened in the Cajon Pass and I believe this deputy was allowed to stay on patrol.
The second is the deputy who was caught with sticky fingers. Unlike Captain Gray, he was charged with a felony. Only difference is this deputy stole only hundreds of dollars, not thousands. I believe he was fired but I’m not sure.
Categories: Rod Hoops, Sheriff's Department Tags: Rod Hoops, Sheriff's Department
iePolitics: So that’s how it works in the Sheriff’s Department
There was a female deputy assigned to Rancho. After getting off of probation she went to patrol for a short period of time and, when they figured out that she did not know what she was doing, but she was cute, they assigned her to be a School Resource Officer.
After a few years they noticed that she still “cute” so they thought they should get her out of a patrol station because she really does not know what she is doing and send her to the academy as a training officer. You know to be a training officer you must look good in your uniform etc.
Categories: Rod Hoops, San Bernardino County, Sheriff's Department Tags: Sheriff's Department
iePolitics: Sheriff Hoops steps in
Seems like San Bernardino County Sheriff Rod Hoops took matters into his own hands regarding the Narc in Palm Springs who beat up his tweaker girlfriend. Hoops made a few calls the rumors are and last week the Riverside District Attorney’s Office refused to file charges on the narcotics officer. The reason that was given: mutual combat. So, instead of dropping charges against the dick, why weren’t charges filed against both? How amazing!
Categories: Neil Derry, Rod Hoops, San Bernardino County, Sheriff's Department Tags: Neil Derry, Rod Hoops, Sheriff's Department
Whited: Sergeant Gina Perez: One hot mess after another…
We all know some Sergeant’s were never meant to be a sergeant; however those will probably never promote either. How does one like Gina Perez get to a job like this? 4 years as a “street cop” deputy working Victorville, then sent to the academy teaching “boots” how to “do their job” then thrust into Homicide where she told me it was, “all about my paper,” and now a screwball of a Sergeant conducting “Admins” without knowing what she is doing…least we mention all the policy, POBR, law enforcement code of ethics- violations she has done over the past 14 months.
Gina Perez you are incompetent, you have no integrity, no honor, and I have seen better leadership at a Boy Scout meeting. The county is losing money keeping her in this position.
Categories: Rod Hoops, Sheriff's Department Tags: gina perez, Sheriff's Department
Senor Blogger: Hypocracy in the Sheriff’s Department too
Recently we have all been reading about problems within the Sheriff’s Department. Although the majority of these issues are not major problems some of them are.
When a person becomes a Peace Officer they take an oath which is known as the “Law Enforcement Code of Ethics”. In that code is a line that states “Honest in thought and deed in both my personnel and official life, I will be exemplary in obeying the laws of the land and the regulations of my Department”.
Categories: Board of Supervisors, Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training, Rod Hoops, San Bernardino County, Sheriff's Department Tags: post, sheriff's office
iePolitics: Marijuana and Cocaine use by those on the Fifth Floor
Pure Peruvian Cocaine
Hypocrite is defined by Webster as:
1 : a person who puts on a false appearance of virtue or religion
2 : a person who acts in contradiction to his or her stated beliefs or feelings
In case anyone hasn’t noticed, we have a hypocrite or two or three on the fifth floor of the County Government Center. We have been reminded of that several times during the past couple of years.
Categories: Board of Supervisors, Brad Mitzelfelt, Gary Ovitt, Josie Gonzales, Mike Ramos, Neil Derry, Paul Biane, San Bernardino County Tags: Board of Supervisors, cocaine, marijuana, Mike Ramos
iePolitics: More ethics from Larry Walker
This came in a couple of days ago from the Auditor/Controller/Tax Collector’s office:
I.T. department at ACR says lets do some training.Enrolls one person in a virtual class for Windows training. Sounds good so far, save money on traveling, etc…Then tells 4 other people to go to the training and act like the one person enrolled.So now we have 4 people going to training and only paying for 1 person. I guess that is great if you are ACR. Saved money. Not so great if you are the training company. Lost money. Lost several thousand dollars of money.I don’t know why management would think this is OK to steal from the training company.This is going on right now…till Friday….
Categories: Auditor-Controller/Recorder, San Bernardino County Tags: fraud, Larry Walker
iePolitics: Any truth to the MDLR rumor?
I do not want to hear that another felon has been promoted into a high level county position because “he paid the money back.” Tell me it’s not true. Please.
Categories: San Bernardino County Tags: mdlr
iePolitics: Integrity questioned
The concept I am writing about is hardly new to iePolitics. What is new is that I am going to relate it specifically to the discussions we have been having about morality in the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.
I will ask a question I have asked more than once on this blog. If a man (or woman) is willing to break the most important covenant given to him by God, then why should we expect any higher degree of integrity or morality on lesser issues? The covenant of which I write is, of course, that of marriage.
Categories: Rod Hoops, Sheriff's Department Tags: floyd tidwell, gary penrod, Rod Hoops, sheriff
iePolitics: Violating civil rights
Some have told us that it does not matter how San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos goes about getting convictions against the corruption figures, as long as they are convicted. For some reason there are those who do not have an issue with the district attorney breaking the law to gain a conviction.
As more investigation is being done and discovery trickling in at a snail’s pace, we are learning just how far Ramos will go. No law is safe from Mikey.
Categories: Adam Aleman, Bill Postmus, District Attorney, Mike Ramos, San Bernardino County Tags: adam aleman, bill postmus, david lewis, extortion, homosexuality, Mike Ramos
iePolitics: Let them eat cake
Linda Haugan
An edict has been issued. The peasants are no longer allowed to have fans or radios at their desks. It costs too much in electricity.
Categories: Board of Supervisors, Brad Mitzelfelt, Gary Ovitt, Human Services System, Josie Gonzales, Neil Derry, Paul Biane, Transitional Assistance Department Tags: bitch
iePolitics: More Sheriff’s Department hanky panky
We have been taken to task here at iePolitics for trashing the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department. Of course, we are not the ones who drive drunk, beat their spouses, use illegal drugs on the job, get involved in hit and runs, steal money, etc., but it is still our fault for making the Sheriff’s Department look bad. You have to understand that we do not write these stories to make them look bad; we write them to inform the public how their tax dollars are being wasted, how civilians are being put in danger by those sworn to serve and protect them, and how law enforcement officers exercise a different standard when one of their own breaks the law versus when a citizen breaks the law.
Today’s entry humorously refers to “hanky panky.” It is not humorous at all. Such on-the-job relationships are dangerous in more ways than one; sometimes deadly as the last story will show. Here are our latest entries.
Categories: Sheriff's Department Tags: sex with subordinate's wife, Sheriff's Department
iePolitics: County looking at Blackberry lawsuits in the future?
NPR: Using Your BlackBerry Off-Hours Could Be Overtime
Can’t put your BlackBerry down? Your boss may come to dread that if you’re working while you’re off the clock. A police sergeant in Chicago is suing the city. He says he’s due plenty of overtime back pay because he logged in on his BlackBerry to continue working even though his shift was over.
Go to any office, any coffee shop, ride a train or take a bus and you see them — people’s eyes glued to those tiny devices in their hands getting rid of e-mails or taking care of some other work.
“I have a BlackBerry and I have an iPhone,” says Catherine Merritt, who works at Ketchum Public Relations. She say her iPhone is personal; the BlackBerry is for work.
“Definitely it’s a little bit of a crackberry,” she says, with a laugh.
Categories: San Bernardino County Tags: blackberry, lawsuit, overtime
iePolitics: Our demise will come from within
A constant them on this blog is the blatant violation of rights guaranteed to us by the Constitution of the United States that we witness in this county. I am asked often why I stand up for former Assessor Bill Postmus and former Assistant Assessor Jim Erwin.
Something many of our readers seem to forget is that I stood up for both prior to ever knowing either one. And the answer to the question as to why is simple. I believe that the constitutional rights of every individual accused in the corruption scandal have been trampled over.
Many of you feel strongly that all of the corruption figures are guilty so, therefore, District Attorney Mike Ramos and Attorney General Jerry Brown are within their purview to do anything necessary to gain a conviction. And it is that thinking that is driving the United States of America into the ground.
Categories: Bill Postmus, Jim Erwin, Mike Ramos Tags: barrack obama, bill postmus, constitution, due process, Jim Erwin, Mike Ramos
iePolitics: The master manipulator
Today someone shared some history with me regarding former Assessor Bill Postmus’ drug addiction that provided one more piece of the puzzle. It has been confirmed with several of the participants.
Postmus’ attempts at rehabilitation have been written about extensively. I do not know the statistic for permanently successful rehabilitation, but I know it is very low. Few people go into rehab once and never have an issue again.
Bill’s first or second attempt occurred after a huge fight with Jim Erwin where the two got into a screaming match over Bill’s addiction. At that point Bob Smith basically forced Bill to pack and transported him to the Pine Ridge Treatment Center in Lucerne Valley.
Categories: Adam Aleman, Bill Postmus, Board of Supervisors, Jim Erwin Tags: adam aleman, bill postmus, bob smith, drug rehab, Jim Erwin, lucerene valley, pine ridge
Categories: Bill Postmus, District Attorney, Jerry Brown, Mike Ramos Tags: bill postmus, Jerry Brown, lewis cope, melissa mandel, Mike Ramos
iePolitics: Postmus update
Since I can tell from the blog hits and searches, everyone thinks I have the inside track on what is going with Bill. Unfortunately, I can’t get Bill to call me. I’ve tried everything including emailing his sister. She doesn’t know me. She asked who I was, and then didn’t respond further. I don’t blame her under the circumstances. None of the others have heard from him either.
I received notice from the system that Bill was released late this afternoon. That should mean they did not find anything in his vehicle. From what I’ve been told, there is not sufficient justification to search his home, but we also know that Judge Rouse will sign anything.
Categories: Bill Postmus Tags: bill postmus
iePolitics: Postmus arrested again
Former San Bernardino County Assessor Bill Postmus was arrested in court this morning as he was waiting for his one of his corruption cases to be called. A sheriff’s deputy escorted Postmus and his attorney to the back of the courtroom and he did not return. He was transported to West Valley Detention Center on a charge of being under the influence.
Categories: Bill Postmus, San Bernardino County Tags: bill postmus
iePolitics: So Supervisor Derry, you’re a chicken – I thought you were a Marine!
You chickened out huh? You know what I mean! That’s okay. Public airing of county issues is probably best anyway.
So, you did not provide me with an answer regarding the four bargaining units in SEBA. Of course, we all know the answer already. And that answer shows my original premise was correct. The county did in fact tell the unions how the vote would be conducted and what the outcome would be. This wasn’t simply Bob Blough mouthing off, but an agreement between the county and the unions.
You can’t blame that on the unions. Greg Devereaux and the Board of Supervisors are clearly at fault here. You have an obligation when you know that the unions are not conducting elections lawfully to step in. I’ve told you that; Jim has told you that. But because you liked the outcome and you know a legal election would not have the same outcome, you chose to look the other way. And that makes you as crooked as the rest.
Categories: Board of Supervisors, Greg Devereaux, Neil Derry, Safety Employees Benefit Association, San Bernardino County, San Bernardino Public Employees Association Tags: Greg Devereaux, Neil Derry, sbpea, scott ryan, seba
iePolitics: Ruthie got to be in court this morning
San Bernardino County’s County Counsel and chief legal beagle of many years got to make a court appearance this morning. Finally. I’m paraphrasing here a bit, but I believe her involvement this morning was limited to, “Ruth Stringer on behalf of San Bernardino County, your Honor.” Wow, she should be proud. She’s moving up to the level of big-time attorneys. Way to go Ruthie!
Categories: Ruth Stringer Tags: fbi, john gotti, louis cope, Ruth Stringer
iePolitics: Am I wrong?
There has been debate recently about exposing cover ups within the Sheriff’s Department of wrongdoing and criminal acts by members of the department. I would like to address some specific issues and see what all of you have to say about them.
I think the first question would be, Should a law enforcement officer be held to a higher standard than an employee of any other department or business when it comes to committing a crime? By that I mean for example, if an officer is caught driving drunk, using drugs, or beating a significant other, should he/she be allowed to continue in their position like nothing happened until the matter works it way through the courts, and then only if there is a conviction, does he/she face action on the job?
Categories: Sheriff's Department Tags:
iePolitics: A brief timeline of the litigation between the county and the SBCPAA
I thought I had sat on this too long, but today’s decision by the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors to appeal the attorneys fees judgment makes this relevant again. What you read below is what was sent to me anonymously. Here it is:
DDA Grover Merritt was elected president of SBCPAA in November 2006. DA Sharon Caldwell was then the senior labor representative. (Neither one is a shrinking violet, and Mr. Merritt, as you know, has a special appreciation of the County civil service process.)
Categories: Doreen Boxer, San Bernardino County Tags: Doreen Boxer, judge michael smith, lauri ferguson
iePolitics: Raspberries to Mitzelfelt
This was going to be a much meaner post—I mean comparing anyone to Josie is pretty mean, isn’t it? But, then I remembered one of Brad’s field representatives, Jessie Flores, did a big favor for me week before last, and I decided I should be a little nicer. So, here goes the “nice” version of this post.
Brad, what the heck were you thinking? We expect these kind of stupid decisions out of Josie because she is stupid ,and out of Paul because he is usually drunk, but we expect a tempered, well-reasoned decision out of you. Today we did not get it.