The San Bernardino County Republican Central Committee (SBGOP) has been in disarray for some time. In four short years, county party registration has gone from 30,000 in the red to 30,000 in the blue. In other words, the Democrats gained 60,000 voters more than Republicans did. Robert Rego became SBGOP chairman in 2008. He paralyzed any effort at voter gains. Fundraising has also been at an all-time low under his watch. To read the rest of the story, click here.
by AdministratorElections not only affect the quality of life for the human residents of this great nation, but also for our four-legged companions. Electing pro-animal welfare candidates is the only way to assure laws are in place that protect animals and punish animal abusers. In 2008, San Bernardino County Third District residents elected Neil Derry to represent them on the board of supervisors. Derry has been the only animal welfare advocate on the board in recent memory. He introduced a mandatory spay and neuter ordinance early in his term. More recently he pushed through an animal oversight commission to address concerns with San Bernardino County Animal Control policies and procedures. On Nov. 6, 2012, Third District voters chose to replace Derry with James Ramos, the former chairman of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians. Derry’s departure leaves the animals of San Bernardino County without an advocate. To read the rest of the story, click here.
by AdministratorSan Bernardino County Third District Supervisor Neil Derry has been a breath of fresh air on the Board of Supervisors these past four years. Few elected leaders have faced the hostility and undermining of their efforts at reform and transparency by their colleagues that Derry has. Despite an ugly working environment where even the chairman of the board has openly berated him, Derry continues to persevere, putting the residents of his district first. Derry had to deal with an out-of-control district attorney, Mike Ramos, who used his prosecutorial powers in an attempt to take Derry out of the running so that his own hand-selected candidate, James Ramos, could assume the seat. It should be noted that Mike Ramos had two, not one, similar complaints to the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) that resulted in a simple warning and a small fine, not the multiple felonies he tried to pin on Derry. To read the rest of the story, click here.
by AdministratorAdmin: For those who don’t know, Kieran Brennan is the original proponent of Measure R. Kieran Brennan Posted: 10/29/2012 06:34:47 PM PDT On Nov. 6 voters have a choice between two local initiatives to cap the pay of the members of the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors. Only one of those measures provides real reform that will save taxpayers millions of dollars. That initiative is Measure R. Measure R is the only local ballot measure that was initiated and supported by a grassroots coalition of average citizens: Democrats and Republicans; tea party patriots and employee union members; animal welfare volunteers and hunting enthusiasts; and community activists and citizens seeking elected office for the first time. It is also the only local measure that more than 73,000 county residents signed to qualify for the ballot. As the original proponent of the “Elected Officials Pay Reduction Act,” now known as Measure R, I can tell you we have put forth a proposal that scares entrenched and unethical elected officials. Measure R not only reduces the pay and benefit packages of board members from a high of $308,000 to $60,000 a year, it requires that the board meet at least twice a month and it reduces staffing across the districts from $6 million to $1.5 million a year. To read the rest of the story, click here.
by AdministratorInformational fliers regarding the new State Fire Prevention Fee are in the mail to 20,000 county residents. The California Legislature approved the controversial fee last year. Rural homeowners started receiving bills for the few weeks ago. The fee is in addition to taxes residents already pay for fire protection services. Third District Supervisor Neil Derry, who is leading the local charge against what Republicans call an “illegal tax,” requested the flyers be sent. “For many of my constituents this fee will come as an unwelcome surprise and it’s important that they are given vital information regarding this fee and the appeal options available,” said Supervisor Derry in a press release issued today. To read the rest of the story, click here.
by AdministratorExaminer today started giving us our stats in comparison to other Examiners. They are based on page views. There are something like 85,000 Examiners. I was happy to learn that at the local level — Palm Springs — my animal welfare column and my government column are ranked No. 2 and No. 4 respectively. Bill has already made it to No. 5 for San Bernardino and Riverside.
by AdministratorWell the Orduno case did not go today. Why did it get continued? Because the arbitrator decided to go to the World Series instead. In the meantime, while he’s enjoying the game, the deputy is trying to figure out how to put food on his table. Remember, he was found not guilty in a court of law.
by AdministratorToday there have been 16 hits on Examiner articles. That equals .08. The blog will not survive on this.
by AdministratorThe first appointment to the newly created Animal Services Commission for the County of San Bernardino is official. Michelle Guthmiller, a resident of San Bernardino and Supervisor Neil Derry’s choice for the commission, was confirmed by the Board of Supervisors at their regular meeting on Tuesday and becomes the inaugural appointment to the oversight board. Derry pushed through the creation of the commission after numerous complaints about the infamous Devore Animal Shelter, the county’s main detention and euthanizing facility. Accusations of animal abuse, improper euthanizing procedures and other animal brutality by county employees have been rampant for years. To read the rest of the story, click here.
by AdministratorSan Bernardino County Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Josie Gonzales voted against creation of an animal oversight commission during the July 10, 2012 board meeting. It passed 4-1 and will be on calendar for its second reading during the July 24, 2012 meeting. Gonzales has been a long-term opponent of shelter reform and the no-kill model. She has gone so far as to defend a 25 percent adoption rate which means most animals brought in to the shelter alive leave dead in barrels headed for the rendering plant. To read the rest of the story, click here.
by AdministratorOn March 27, 2012, animal activists converged on the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors to support creation of an animal services oversight commission. The commission is being proposed by Third District Supervisor Neil Derry and seemingly opposed by Chairwoman Josie Gonzales. Gonzales used her “chairwoman’s discretion” to move the item to the very end of the calendar. Activists had to sit through a few public hearings before they were allowed to speak to what was a consent item. This situation, however, proved to be enlightening. To read the rest of the story, click here.
by AdministratorI haven’t featured one of these in a long time:
by AdministratorIf you don’t understand the title of this story, you will have to go to Supervisor Neil Derry’s Facebook page and scroll down a bit. That being said, I am proud to have my new “Re-Elect Neil Derry” sign in my yard. It’s too bad all the beautiful stars in the clear desert sky don’t show up in the background.
by AdministratorAt more than 20,000 square miles, San Bernardino County is the largest county in the contiguous United States. County residents are represented at the local level by one of five county supervisors. The Third District supervisor represents an area stretching from Highland, Redlands and Yucaipa to Twenty-nine Palms and Barstow. It is the second largest geographical district in the county. In 2008, Neil Derry challenged an entrenched incumbent to win election as the third district supervisor. As a U.S. Marine who served in Operation Desert Storm, Supervisor Derry says the secret to his upset 2008 campaign victory was “shoe leather and hard work.” To read the rest of this story, click here.
by Administrator(San Bernardino) – Congressman Gary Miller (R-42) announced his endorsement of San Bernardino County Third District Supervisor Neil Derry. His is the latest in a series of heavy hitters making endorsements in county supervisor races. “I am proud to endorse the re-election of San Bernardino County Supervisor Neil Derry, said Congressman Miller. “He is an honest, responsive and effective representative for the residents of District 3.” “Neil shares my strong opposition to higher taxes and wasteful government bureaucracy,” continued Miller. “As Supervisor, Neil is working to make San Bernardino County more business friendly by reducing costly government regulations, protecting local jobs and helping 3rd District communities attract new employers.” To read the rest of the story, click here.
by Administrator(San Bernardino) – San Bernardino County Third District Supervisor Neil Derry came out swinging this past week with a political mailer that pulls no punches. Starting this early in the campaign season, weeks before the filing period opens, signals a very expensive race that insiders say will far exceed seven figures between the two major candidates. In Derry’s first mailer, he capitalized on James Ramos alleged checkered past as a casino boss and rumored Mexican Mafia member. Ramos is the chairman of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, whose casino is located in the Third District above the city of Highland and he is Derry’s most significant opponent. To read the rest of the story, click here.
by AdministratorI had a bit of an odd occurence yesterday. On Wednesday I went to the library to get some work done on the blogs and websites and, lo and behold, all of my blogs and websites had been completely blocked on library computers. I called GoDaddy, which verified that everything was okay and checked all of my sites from two different servers to be sure. I called several friends who check from Blackberrys, iPhones, and regular PCs. Everything was fine. I refreshed numerous times on the library computer and then several hours later switched to a different computer. I still kept getting messages that my sites could not be accessed on library computers.
by Administrator