Friday, November 30, 2012 – 08:30 a.m.
Last Modified: Friday, November 30, 2012 – 09:40 a.m.
Last Tuesday’s events at a regular meeting of the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors was the first opportunity to shed light on a glaring issue facing county leaders, newly-elected Third District Supervisor James C. Ramos, and voters.
The issue being Ramos’ ability to effectively serve his constituents in an on-going capacity.
Ramos, who doesn’t formally assume his duties until December 3, pretty much stepped in it last Tuesday when he inserted himself into a public hearing over an appeal of a county planning commission decision to approve a proposed radio broadcast tower site owned by Spanish-language radio company Lazer Broadcasting.
A proceeding where county supervisors act as hearing officers in an quasi-judicial proceeding.
The aforementioned appeal in question was denied by county supervisors on a 4-0 vote.
However, there are three glaring issues emerging for Ramos from this escapade.
First, the lawyer representing opponents of the radio tower, Redlands-based attorney John Mirau, submitted an unsigned letter purportedly authored by Ramos. The letter says Ramos is opposed to the tower in its current location and asked his future colleagues to continue the hearing until he takes office.
The problem?
First, according to Ramos, he had nothing to do with the letter, which calls Mirau’s credibility onto the carpet. Secondly, Ramos told Chair Josie Gonzales, in a telephone call during the hearing, that he in fact did oppose the project, in its current proposed location, and requested the hearing be continued.
The issue here? Ramos’ statement to Gonzales indicates he had prejudged the project prior to the hearing, and thus conflicted himself on the matter. Ramos’ incoming chief of staff, Phil Paule, who was present at the hearing, reportedly looked like a deer in the headlights, when the matter erupted.
To view the letter, click here: Phony Ramos Letter
Another issue here? According to Lazer Broadcasting’s Internet website, Ramos’ Tribe, the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, contracts for advertising with Lazer Broadcasting, and in addition the Tribe also advertises with Lazer competitor Liberman Broadcasting.
The matter now exposes the need for the San Manuel’s to publicly disclose a list of its outstanding contracts, in order for taxpayers to evaluate Ramos’ conflicts. In addition, the situation places a tremendous burden on the county, Ramos’ staff, and even Ramos himself, to avoid legal trouble.
And lastly, Mirau is aligned with Redlands political interests, who backed Ramos’ election campaign. This fiasco, especially when taking the phony letter into account, appears to be a case of Ramos’ backers taking liberty’s and attempting to run him.
The question here for Ramos? Is this how it’s going to be going forward? In other words, who will be in-charge? Ramos or the Redlands political crowd?
Ramos could have run for State Assembly, State Senate, U.S. Congress, U.S. Senate, or even moved to Riverside County and ran for the Board of Supervisors there, without any problems at all. Instead Ramos chose the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors.
The one and only governmental body incompatible with his Tribal membership and his material financial conflicts of interest.
The 12 contracts between the county and the San Manuel’s, which include the Tribe paying the county $3 million per year for non-competitively bid services, is another issue.
“Ramos told Chair Josie Gonzales, in a telephone call during hearing, that he in fact did oppose the project and wanted the hearing continued…” Oh…yeah, HE just FORGOT about it…oops”
Ramos, just remember your BOSS’S rules:
== “Never tell anybody outside the family what you’re thinking again.”
== “One hand washes the other. Both hands wash the face.”
“Ramos’ incoming chief of staff, Phil Paule, reportedly looked like a deer in the headlights, when the matter erupted.”
=== HMMM, I hate to say this again, but …”Mr. Paule is walking onto a stage FOREIGN to him, with actors who speak a different language, …TWILIGHT ZONE…“Help I’m steppin’ into the twilight zone This is a madhouse…”
“The matter now exposes the need for the San Manuel’s to publicly disclose a list of its outstanding contracts, in order to evaluate Ramos’ conflicts. In addition, the situation places a tremendous burden on the county, Ramos’ staff and Ramos himself to avoid legal trouble.”
== A TANGLED WEB this blog saw a mile away and warned about …BUT THEN AGAIN, IT ALL FELL ON DEAF EARS!
“John Mirau, submitted an unsigned letter purportedly authored by Ramos,…”
“And lastly, Miraus is aligned with Redlands political interests, who backed Ramos’ election campaign. ”
Dedicated to MR. JOHN MIRAU:
Queen,”Death On Two Legs”
You suck my blood like a leech
You break the law and you preach
Screw my brain till it hurts
You’ve taken all my money
And you want more
Misguided old mule with your pig headed rules
With your narrow minded cronies
Who are fools of the first division
Death on two legs
Is your conscience all right
Does it plague you at night’
Do you feel good feel good…
You talk like a big business tycoon
You’re just a hot air balloon
So no one gives you a damn
You’re just an overgrown schoolboy
Let me tan your hide
A dog with disease
You’re the king of the ‘sleaze’
Put your money where your mouth is
Mister know-all
Was the fin on your back
Part of the deal’ (shark)
Death on two legs …