(San Bernardino) – When the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors voted to settle a wrongful termination lawsuit filed by former County Administrative Officer Mark Uffer for $650,000 this past week, three county supervisors maintained their original position in relation to their votes for Uffer’s termination for no cause. Supervisors Josie Gonzales, Neil Derry, and Brad Mitzelfelt did not waiver from their original vote. When Uffer was terminated on November 17, 2009, on a 3-2 vote, Supervisors Josie Gonzales and then-Supervisor Paul Biane adamantly opposed terminating the county’s top administrator. Uffer’s firing was orchestrated by the three county supervisors: Derry, Mitzelfelt, and Gary Ovitt. To read the rest of the story, click here.
by AdministratorI have very mixed feelings about today’s settlement between former County Administrative Officer Mark Uffer and the county of San Bernardino. It is pretty well documented that Mark and I had issues and it is equally documented that I have a great deal of disdain for the Board of Supervisors and several department heads. I would have liked to have seen this case go to trial so that the county’s dirty laundry could be aired in public for once instead of hidden by ridiculous interpretations of obscure rules and contempt for the public and those laws that are supposed to protect taxpayers. However, I think we all knew it would never happen for those very reasons.
by Administrator(San Bernardino) – In closed session this morning, the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors agreed to settle a whistleblower lawsuit brought by former County Administrative Officer Mark Uffer in May 2010. Jury trial was scheduled to commence on April 2, 2012. The vote to settle was 3-2. Chairman Josie Gonzales, who is said to have been pushing for a settlement, along with Supervisor Gary Ovitt and Supervisor Janice Rutherford voted in favor of the agreement. Supervisors Brad Mitzelfelt and Neil Derry voted against it. To read the rest of the story, click here.
by AdministratorWhen the Board of Supervisors decided on firing Mark Uffer most observers thought he would just move on. Most people felt that the public humiliation generated as retaliation by certain members of the Board and their staff members was enough Not so quick. Most educated and experienced managers would heed the advice of lawyers and human resource staff and keep their comments to themselves.
by AdministratorCounty Employees have had enough of the Board of Supervisors and their total lack of caring about the rank and file staff. Every day these employees are on the front lines trying to provide services to the residents of the County. Current leadership has absolutely no clue as to what goes on in the daily life of a County employee. Many employees disliked the former CAO but at the same time many knew that he understood what they did each day.
by AdministratorAs Mark Uffer’s case against the County of San Bernardino moves to trial on February 27, we can expect to hear information that will once again show all of use what a dysfunctional Board of Supervisors looks like. One can only wonder what anyone on the Board of Supervisors or Greg Devereaux is thinking. The County was keenly aware that it was likely to lose the Elizabeth Sanchez case and settled it. There were fireworks there that would have made Board members and their staff uncomfortable. Once the County fired Uffer it was likely he would team up with Sanchez. Now here we are with less than a month to go, $900,000 later, and explosions coming soon. One would think that with three members of the Board are up for election that they really can’t afford the negative publicity that is coming. Oh sure, Brad is running for Congress so he won’t be around and will once again think his Teflon coating has saved his reputation. Not so quick Brad!
by Administrator