Ramos

InlandPolitics has learned the County of San Bernardino has formally rejected a $1.5 million claim filed by employee Cheryl Ristow, who has now secured a local west-end attorney to initiate civil litigation against District Attorney Mike Ramos and the county.

Ristow, an investigative technician with Ramos’ office who carried out an eighteen month-long affair with the District Attorney alleges in the claim that she was targeted by Ramos and his management team after news of their past relationship was highlighted in a local news publication in May 2009.

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Two candidates are set to challenge Sheriff-Coroner-Public Administrator Rod Hoops in June.

San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Deputy Mark Averbeck and Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy Paul Schrader have both officially filed nomination forms, meaning their names will appear on the ballot with Hoops.

While the two challengers lack the necessary resources to mount any significant challenge to Hoops, it never hurts any incumbent to have been elected in a contested race.

Neil Derry

Supervisor Neil Derry
Posted: 03/09/2010 07:32:21 PM PST

These are indeed troubled times for San Bernardino County.

Again.

Recently, former county officials were arrested and there are clear indications that a multitude of investigations may well lead to more arrests, more exposures of misdeeds, and sadly, continued confirmation to residents here and those elsewhere that this county remains the Wild West.

I ran for supervisor to take on these tough issues. I believe we should dig deeply into these scandals. That is why the voters of the 3rd District elected me.

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Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 03/09/2010 06:41:43 PM PST

A Barstow attorney of more than 20 years announced Tuesday he will seek the seat held by San Bernardino County District Attorney Michael A. Ramos in the June primary.

Bob Conaway, who in previous years made unsuccessful runs for Congress, county supervisor and the Barstow Community College District, said Tuesday that he is “irritated with (Ramos’s) holier-than-thou attitude,” and believes Ramos is every bit as much of the problem as some of the current and former county officials his office is currently investigating.

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InlandPolitics has learned Fontana City Councilwoman Janice Rutherford has opened a campaign committee with the California Secretary of State and will challenge Second District Supervisor Paul Biane in June.

As of this evening only Dennis Labadie and Peter Markovich have returned their nomination papers to the Registrar of Voters.

Paying for pensions

Josh Dulaney, Staff Writer
Posted: 03/09/2010 08:51:12 PM PST

RIALTO – The city will spend between $60,000 and $70,000 to find out if residents want to reinstate a property tax to pay for enhanced public employee pensions.

The council in a 4-0 vote on Tuesday night approved a resolution calling for an advisory measure to be added to the statewide June 8 primary election, to gauge public interest in a proposed tax of roughly 15 cents per $100 of assessed valuation on properties in order to pay into the Public Employee Retirement System.

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11:08 PM PST on Tuesday, March 9, 2010

By DARRELL R. SANTSCHI
The Press-Enterprise

GRAND TERRACE – City Councilman Jim Miller abruptly announced his resignation Tuesday night, admitting at a Grand Terrace council meeting that he should not have voted to approve payments of city funds to his wife’s newspaper.

Miller, 61, said at the meeting that his resignation will be effective today and promised that his wife, Margie, who owns the weekly newspaper Grand Terrace City News, will return to the city about $18,000 that she was paid for running legal advertisements for the city from Oct. 26, 2006, to Aug. 12, 2008.

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PolitiCal

March 9, 2010 | 3:04 pm

Just months after California lawmakers had their pay and benefits cut 18%, the head of a state panel that sets salaries proposed Tuesday that elected officials lose an additional 10% in response to the state’s continuing economic crisis.

The proposal to reduce pay, living expenses and health insurance payments by 10% was made by Charles Murray, chairman of the state’s Citizens Compensation Commission. The panel, which is appointed by the governor, is scheduled to meet April 22 in Burbank to consider the new pay cuts, which also affect lawmakers’ car allowance, health benefits and per diem.

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By Connie Llanos Staff Writer
Posted: 03/09/2010 08:33:51 PM PST

Los Angeles Unified officials said Tuesday they expect to lay off at least 6,300 workers this summer if employee unions cannot agree to deep concessions, including a 10 percent pay cut and 12 furlough days over the next two years.

The massive layoffs are needed to close LAUSD’s budget gap estimated at $640 million for the 2010-11 school year.

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James Rufus Koren, Staff Writer
Posted: 03/09/2010 06:31:39 PM PST

A day after seven San Bernardino schools were named as being among the worst in the state, parents and schools officials defended the campuses against withering criticism from critics who say the district needs a shakeup.

Six elementary schools and Pacific High School were named Monday as being among the 188 worst schools in California, based on student achievement. County school board member Gil Navarro said the San Bernardino City Unified School District has for too long settled for incremental improvement.

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