Politics, Government and Business in Southern California's Inland Empire
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 02/01/2012 02:01:30 PM PST
The labor union representing roughly 11,000 San Bernardino County employees announced Wednesday it will support another union’s effort to reduce county supervisors’ jobs to part-time.
BY IMRAN GHORI
STAFF WRITER
ighori@pe.com
Published: 31 January 2012 11:22 PM
An influential union that is backing a proposed ballot measure to reduce San Bernardino County supervisors’ positions to part-time has more than a half-million dollars in its political action committee fund, according to campaign finance reports released this week.
Executive Editor Frank Pine
Created: 01/28/2012 06:06:04 AM PST
San Bernardino County’s Board of Supervisors asked county lawyers last week to draft language for a ballot measure that would give voters the final say on increases to pension benefits for public employees.
Supervisors Janice Rutherford, Gary Ovitt and Josie Gonzales voted yea with supervisors Brad Mitzelfelt and Neil Derry voting nay.
Executive Editor Frank Pine
Posted: 01/28/2012 05:38:39 PM PST
San Bernardino County’s Board of Supervisors asked county lawyers last week to draft language for a ballot measure that would give voters the final say on increases to pension benefits for public employees.
Supervisors Janice Rutherford, Gary Ovitt and Josie Gonzales voted yea with supervisors Brad Mitzelfelt and Neil Derry voting nay.
Friday, January 27, 2012 – 09:45 a.m.
Well we finally have it.
San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors Chair Josie Gonzales admits she’s in it for the dough.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 01/25/2012 04:21:42 PM PST
A proposed initiative to make county supervisors’ jobs part-time would spell doom for residents desiring a stronger presence of government in their communities, San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Josie Gonzales said Wednesday.
Safety union announces push for part-time supervisors
January 25, 2012 10:31 AM
Natasha Lindstrom, Staff Writer
SAN BERNARDINO • On a split vote Tuesday morning, the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors directed staff to draft a ballot measure that would require voter approval for any future pension increases for county employees.
A few hours later, the county Safety Employees’ Benefit Association announced it was funding an effort to reduce the Board of Supervisors to part-time status.
Joe Nelson, The (San Bernardino County) Sun
Posted: 01/23/2012 03:05:32 PM PST
The president of San Bernardino County’s most powerful labor union announced Tuesday it is bankrolling an initiative to reduce county supervisors’ jobs to part-time status.
BY IMRAN GHORI
STAFF WRITER
ighori@pe.com
Published: 24 January 2012 07:08 PM
San Bernardino County supervisors moved forward Tuesday with a proposal to require voter approval of future pension increases but face opposition from employee unions who quickly announced plans for a competing measure aimed at supervisors.
The board agreed to have county staff draft a ballot measure requiring voter approval before retirement benefits for county employees, legislative officers and elected officials could be increased. But final approval is not assured with supervisors split 3-2 on whether to consider the proposal.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 01/23/2012 03:37:18 PM PST
The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors is poised to direct county administrators to draft a ballot measure that would require voter approval for any proposed increases to county employee retirement benefits.
BY IMRAN GHORI
STAFF WRITER
ighori@pe.com
Published: 20 January 2012 10:26 PM
Future retirement benefit increases for San Bernardino County employees could be decided by voters under a proposal that will go before the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday.
BY IMRAN GHORI
STAFF WRITER
ighori@pe.com
Published: 11 January 2012 06:59 AM
San Bernardino County supervisors rolled back their own health and retirement benefits Tuesday, approving a proposal to reduce their compensation by about 18 percent.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012 – 11:25 a.m.
The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors, while adopting cuts to their own benefits package, wouldn’t go near a proposal by Third District Supervisor Neil Derry to have the cuts apply to all of the county’s elected officials on Tuesday morning.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012 – 08:30 a.m.
The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors will consider slashing their own lavish benefits package Tuesday morning.
A benefits package unmatched anywhere in the state and possibly country.
By Mark Gutglueck
Friday, January 6, 2012
Questions continue to dog the second highest ranking member of the county auditor-controller/treasurer-tax collector’s office with regard to the role he and a political action committee he controlled played in illegally passing through and laundering money for those convicted of or charged with participation in a bribery and extortion conspiracy.
Joe Nelson, The (San Bernardino County) Sun
Created: 12/21/2011 10:31:20 AM PST
A union representing San Bernardino County public- safety employees has agreed to labor terms proposed by an arbitrator in June that averts 14 percent pay and benefits cuts to certain employees, the county announced Wednesday.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011 – 11:15 a.m.
You gotta love it!
San Bernardino County has announced the location of its always much anticipated State of the County event to be held in February 2012.
Sunday, December 18, 2011 – 10:50 a.m.
The San Bernardino County Safety Employees’ Benefit Association (SEBA) should reconsider and accept a contract offer from county supervisors.
A contract affecting the union’s Specialized Peace Officer Unit representing Probation Corrections Officers, and Welfare Fraud and Coroner Investigators.
Why?
BY IMRAN GHORI
STAFF WRITER
ighori@pe.com
Published: 16 December 2011 09:49 PM
A union representing San Bernardino County public safety employees will vote again on a previously rejected contract as it faces a possible 14 percent pay and benefit cut.
BY IMRAN GHORI
STAFF WRITER
ighori@pe.com
Published: 14 December 2011 06:19 PM
San Bernardino County is planning to impose a 14 percent pay and benefit cut on some public safety employees if they don’t agree to a proposal the union had previously rejected.
By Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 12/13/2011 06:59:46 PM PST
A group of San Bernardino County public safety employees, including probation officers and district attorney’s investigators, face a 14 percent cut in pay and benefits unless they agree to a previous proposal by the county.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011 – 12:01 p.m.
Last Modified: Tuesday, December 13, 2011 – 01:45 p.m.
You gotta hand it to those crack San Bernardino County lawyers.
Based upon recommendations from CEO Greg Devereaux and, according to him, county attorneys, the Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 to impose a 14% pay cut to Probation Corrections Officers, Coroner Investigators and Welfare Fraud Investigators.
The classifications make up the Specialized Peace Officer Unit represented by the San Bernardino County Safety Employees Benefit Association (SEBA).
Tuesday, December 13, 2011 – 09:25 a.m.
The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors appear to be on collision course with the San Bernardino County Safety Employees Benefit Association (SEBA).
On Tuesday, a majority of county supervisors intend to reject the advisory award by a neutral arbitrator and impose a one-year contract on Probation Corrections Officer, Coroner Investigator and Welfare Fraud Investigator members in the Specialized Peace Officer Unit represented by SEBA.
An illegal act under the expired agreement.
By Josh Dulaney, The (San Bernardino County) Sun
Posted: 12/12/2011 06:05:49 PM PST
The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors today will consider cutting salary and benefits for a group of probation correction officers, a move officials say will result in $3.6million savings annually.
Sunday, December 11, 2011 – 09:45 a.m.
The San Bernardno County Board of Supervisors is set to impose a hefty pay cut on the Specialized Peace Officers Unit. A represented by the San Bernardino County Safety Employees’ Benefit Association (SEBA).
A cut of 14%.
BY IMRAN GHORI
STAFF WRITER
ighori@pe.com
Published: 10 December 2011 05:36 PM
Arrowhead Regional Medical Center won’t be joining other hospitals in banning smoking on its grounds, at least for now.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 12/07/2011 06:13:57 PM PST
Colleagues of San Bernardino County Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt are accusing him of holding the county’s budget hostage because he is not getting the additional funding for his district that he wants.
BY IMRAN GHORI
STAFF WRITER
ighori@pe.com
Published: 06 December 2011 07:32 PM
San Bernardino County remains unable to pay some of its bills after a second straight meeting where supervisors failed to reach agreement on budget adjustments.
Sunday, December 4, 2011 – 12:30 p.m.
Now San Bernardino County supervisors want to cut their benefits package again.
They shouldn’t think twice about.
The benefits package afforded the county’s elected officials is the richest in the state, and can be adjusted by a mere majority vote of the supervisors.
The San Bernardino County Sentinel
Published Friday, November 18, 2011
San Bernardino County this week renewed its contract with the controversial Sacramento-based lobbying firm Platinum Advisors, extending the arrangement for the firm to provide legislative advocacy for three years.
Friday, November 18, 2011 – 10:00 a.m.
Sometimes you have to count to four.
At least if you want to pass appropriation adjustments through the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors.
Yes, the apple cart was been turned over at Tranquility Base this week, when first quarter budget adjustments failed to make it through the board.
Joe Nelson, The (San Bernardino County) Sun
Created: 11/15/2011 07:13:37 PM PST
San Bernardino County supervisors are looking to cut the benefits a supervisor can receive by 20 percent.
On Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors directed the County Administrative Office to prepare an ordinance that would do just that.
BY IMRAN GHORI
STAFF WRITER
ighori@pe.com
Published: 15 November 2011 06:40 PM
San Bernardino County supervisors clashed Tuesday over how to split funds that help supplement their staffing costs.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 11/12/2011 06:12:51 AM PST
The ways money flowed to candidates and political action committees and alleged acts of blackmail are detailed in search warrants in San Bernardino County’s $102 million legal settlement with Rancho Cucamonga developer Colonies Partners LP in November 2006.
The warrants, released last week, also describe what led authorities to suspect a county supervisor’s former chief of staff of criminal activity before he became a witness for the prosecution.
BY IMRAN GHORI
STAFF WRITER
ighori@pe.com
Published: 08 November 2011 10:05 AM
Search warrants released as part of a San Bernardino County corruption case detail how the four-year investigation grew from reports of political gifts to allegations of a far-reaching conspiracy involving several top county officials and a prominent developer.
Joe Nelson, The (San Bernardino County) Sun
Created: 11/07/2011 06:53:01 PM PST
The remaining search warrants served in a sweeping corruption probe involving a legal settlement between the county and a Rancho Cucamonga developer were released Monday.
Saturday, November 5, 2011 – 12:01 p.m.
What a shocker!
The “L” word finally emerged in San Bernardino County government last month.
Supervisor Gary Ovitt
Canan Tasci, Staff Writer
Created: 10/19/2011 06:33:01 PM PDT
CHINO HILLS – This city has gained the attention of the Public Utilities Commission.
Members of the commission, including its president and a board member, recently visited the city to inspect the construction of 200-foot high-voltage power lines by Southern California Edison.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011 – 10:00 a.m.
It’s been no secret that someone has wanted San Bernardino County Supervisors Neil Derry and Brad Mitzelfelt gone.
Now it’s crystal clear.
Friday, October 7, 2011 – 10:00 a.m.
The civil trial of a lawsuit filed by former county executive Mark Uffer against San Bernardino County has been continued at the request of both parties.
BY IMRAN GHORI
STAFF WRITER
ighori@pe.com
Published: 04 October 2011 08:48 PM
San Bernardino County Chief Executive Officer Greg Devereaux is facing fallout over remarks two supervisors say mischaracterize their opposition to his budget plan.
BY IMRAN GHORI
STAFF WRITER
ighori@pe.com
Published: 03 October 2011 09:55 PM
San Bernardino County supervisors need to be willing to stand up to employee unions to solve a $134 million budget gap the county will face over the next five years, Chief Executive Officer Greg Devereaux said Monday.
Monday, October 3, 2011 – 05;30 a.m.
You’ve gotta hand it to the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors for their campaign finance reform proposals.
The biggest idea is a cap on contributions to the candidates or officials themselves.
10:40 PM PDT on Wednesday, September 28, 2011
BY IMRAN GHORI
STAFF WRITER
ighori@pe.com
Despite court setbacks, a proposed open-air sludge composting facility near the high desert town of Hinkley has once again won approval from the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors.
On Tuesday, the board voted 3-1, with Supervisor Neil Derry absent and Chairwoman Josie Gonzales opposed, to certify the Nursery Products environmental report for the third time.
The Nursery Products project was first approved by the board in 2007, but a Superior Court judge ordered the county to overturn its approval after finding part of the original environmental impact report was flawed.
Supervisors certified the project study again last year after conducting additional environmental reports.
In April, a judge found the report still inadequate.
The sole remaining issue ordered by the court was a water study showing the project would have a proper supply, said Jim Squire, a planning consultant for the county. A water study by a county hydrologist making those findings was part of the board approval.
To read entire story, click here.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Created: 09/27/2011 12:42:57 PM PDT
A proposal to limit how much money groups can give to candidates seeking county elected office was unanimously approved Tuesday by the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors.
The vote gives staff the go-ahead to prepare an ordinance placing a cap on campaign contributions.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Created: 09/27/2011 07:15:14 PM PDT
The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved a $27.6 million plan for the Probation Department to begin monitoring and providing services to low-level parolees beginning Saturday.
Rutherford
Saturday, September 17, 2011 – 11:00 a.m.
Now allegations emerge on back door deal proposals over San Bernardino County redistricting.
It never ends.
By Neil Nisperos Staff Writer
Created: 09/16/2011 03:44:42 PM PDT
Amid accusations of behind-the-scenes dealings, the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors on Friday approved a redistricting plan that keeps mountain communities split into two districts and moves Barstow into the same district as Redlands.
Joe Nelson, The (San Bernardino County) Sun
Created: 09/12/2011 02:21:30 PM PDT
From our archive: Grand Jury questions management practices at San Bernardino airport
San Bernardino County supervisors apparently agree with the Grand Jury that their benefits are excessive but disagree that a conflict was created when the Treasurer-Tax Collector’s and Auditor-Controller’s offices were merged in 2010.
Thursday, August 25, 2011 – 10:00 a.m.
Three measures filed by the newly-formed Committee to Reform San Bernardino County Government, in an effort to reform San Bernardino County government, are apparently being viewed as partially flawed by county lawyers.
Sunday, August 21, 2011 – 09:15 a.m.
Last Modified: Sunday, August 21, 2011 – 11:25 a.m.
A part-time San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors?
It’s highly unlikely. But you never know.
William R. Snaer
Created: 08/13/2011 07:07:11 AM PDT
Political philosophers call it the Principle of Subsidiarity, the idea that tasks of governing should be managed by the lowest level of government possible. This approach is best because the decision-makers are closest to the people and are most responsive to their concerns. City and county governments listen to voters more closely than the federal government.
Cassie MacDuff
10:00 PM PDT on Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Cassie MacDuff
Over 25 years of covering government, I am still amazed when elected officials make decisions that fly in the face of overwhelming public opinion.
Last month, the Redlands City Council did it, voting 3-1 to sell a historic packinghouse to a developer who wants to demolish it, despite scores of residents pleading in person, by letter and by email to save it.
Rutherford
Wednesday, August 10, 2011 – 10:30 a.m.
Let them eat cake!
That was the response by three San Bernardino County supervisors during a redistricting meeting on Tuesday.
S.B. County: Supervisors’ favored remapping option puts more of those communities among two districts.
10:00 PM PDT on Tuesday, August 9, 2011
By IMRAN GHORI
The Press-Enterprise
A divided San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday selected a draft map of new political boundaries that will move more of the San Bernardino Mountains into the 2nd District.
Monday, August 8, 2011 – 02:25 p.m.
The latest disclosure filings by San Bernardino County’s public employee unions reflects a continued build-up of political action money from last years levels.
Posted: Thursday, August 4, 2011 9:52 am
Mountain residents have yet another opportunity to travel down to the Covington Chambers at the county government center to make their voices heard on the supervisorial redistricting process.
Settlement talks heat up after trip
Created: 08/06/2011 09:42:20 PM PDT
In September 2005, then-San Bernardino County Supervisor Bill Postmus returned from a trip to China insistent the county settle a land-rights lawsuit with a Rancho Cucamonga developer that spanned more than three years.
Bill Postmus
Supervisor focused on support for settlement
Mike Cruz and Joe Nelson, Staff Writers
Posted: 08/03/2011 09:17:44 PM PDT
A move to expedite a settlement with Rancho Cucamonga developer Colonies Partners LP in 2006 backfired on Bill Postmus, the chairman of the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors at the time.
Agency fixes up foreclosed homes
Andrew Edwards, Staff Writer
Posted: 07/30/2011 07:11:33 AM PDT
San Bernardino County has terminated its financial relationship with the Inland Empire Economic Recovery Corp., an entity the county government subsidized during the worst of the recession to rehabilitate foreclosed homes.
Supervisor Gary Ovitt
Supervisor says Kirk didn’t control his office
Sandra Emerson, Staff Writer
Created: 07/26/2011 05:28:51 PM PDT
Grand Jury testimony released Friday does not accurately portray who was in charge in the county’s 4th District, according to Supervisor Gary Ovitt.
10:00 PM PDT on Monday, July 25, 2011
By IMRAN GHORI
The Press-Enterprise
In fall 2005, then-San Bernardino County Supervisor Bill Postmus returned from a trip to China a changed man.
Grand Jury papers reveal tensions
Mike Cruz and Sandra Emerson, Staff Writers
Created: 07/25/2011 08:23:19 PM PDT
In San Bernardino County’s 4th District, the chief of staff ran the show, according to Grand Jury testimony released last week.
Selection detailed to Grand Jury
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Created: 07/24/2011 09:11:11 PM PDT
Despite objections from San Bernardino County attorneys, Rancho Cucamonga developer Jeff Burum and two county supervisors negotiated who would mediate a legal settlement over a land rights dispute that netted the developer $102 million, according to Grand Jury testimony.
11:58 PM PDT on Friday, July 22, 2011
By DUANE W. GANG and IMRAN GHORI
The Press-Enterprise
In the summer of 2006, Bill Postmus was running in a close race for San Bernardino County assessor while dealing with a worsening methamphetamine addiction and hiding the fact that he was gay.
11:57 PM PDT on Friday, July 22, 2011
By BEN GOAD
The Press-Enterprise
On the day San Bernardino County’s board of supervisors voted to give his development company a $102 million settlement, Jeff Burum placed no fewer than six calls to Mark Kirk, then the top aide to Supervisor Gary Ovitt, investigators found.
11:24 PM PDT on Friday, July 22, 2011
By DUG BEGLEY
The Press-Enterprise
Over the objections of every lawyer who ever handled the Colonies case for San Bernardino County, Supervisors Bill Postmus and Paul Biane pushed for a settlement even though they lacked any legal basis, court documents show.
CONSPIRACY THEORY
In 2,500 pages, 45 witnesses detail the scandal
Joe Nelson, Mike Cruz and Sandra Emerson, Staff Writers
Created: 07/22/2011 07:48:56 PM PDT
Promises of continuing financial support versus the prospect of political ruin were key factors for at least two of the three county supervisors who approved a controversial $102 million settlement with developer Colonies Partners LP in 2006, according to testimony before the county’s grand jury earlier this year.
10:00 PM PDT on Wednesday, July 20, 2011
By IMRAN GHORI
The Press-Enterprise
San Bernardino County supervisors struggled to reach agreement Wednesday at their third workshop in as many months to discuss new boundary lines for the county’s five supervisorial districts.
By James Rufus Koren Staff Writer
Created: 06/24/2011 08:49:32 PM PDT
Upland leaders have told the county Board of Supervisors that they don’t want their city cut in half when the county draws new supervisorial districts.
Preliminary maps recently presented to the board show Upland split down 13th and 14th streets.
By James Rufus Koren Staff Writer
Posted: 06/16/2011 06:05:39 PM PDT
SAN BERNARDINO – County supervisors on Thursday went through a proposed county budget, one that calls for $3.8 billion in spending – about $91 million less than the 2010-11 budget.
10:00 PM PDT on Thursday, June 16, 2011
By IMRAN GHORI
The Press-Enterprise
San Bernardino County supervisors delayed adoption of a budget Thursday, saying they need more time to review the proposed $3.8 billion plan, which includes cuts and layoffs.
10:00 PM PDT on Wednesday, June 15, 2011
By BRIAN ROKOS
The Press-Enterprise
San Bernardino County residents can make suggestions for new boundaries for the five Board of Supervisors districts at a meeting Friday or by going online.
The meeting is at 2 p.m. in the Covington Chambers of the county government center, 385 N. Arrowhead Ave., San Bernardino.
By Joe Nelson
Posted: 06/14/2011 12:22:00 PM PDT
Mark Kirk, the county’s Director of Governmental Relations and a defendant in a criminal probe into the county’s settlement with Rancho Cucamonga developer Colonies Partners LP, has resigned.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011 – 10:30 a.m.
One has to wonder why there is such a disconnect in the way San Bernardino and Riverside County governments conduct business respectively.
Riverside County seems to be able to maintain a sense of order and cohesiveness.
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