Politics, Government and Business in Southern California's Inland Empire
BY IMRAN GHORI
STAFF WRITER
ighori@pe.com
Published: 16 February 2012 07:39 PM
San Bernardino County supervisors are spending $2.9 million of their discretionary funds this budgetary quarter, providing money for projects such as a community center in Muscoy and the formation of a county arts council.
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.
County supes to approve $2.63 million for SVL fire station
January 23, 2012 4:57 PM
Natasha Lindstrom, Staff Writer
SAN BERNARDINO • Two weeks after slashing their own benefits, San Bernardino County’s supervisors Tuesday will consider extending the compensation cuts to all county elected offices.
By Joe Nelson, The (San Bernardino County) Sun
Posted: 01/23/2012 03:05:32 PM PST
Two San Bernardino County supervisors are requesting that benefits for all county elected officials, not just the Board of Supervisors, be reduced to be in line with elected officials in other counties.
Supervisors Neil Derry and Janice Rutherford are pushing for the ordinance, which comes less than two weeks after the board approved a similar ordinance that reduced total compensation for future supervisors by roughly $48,000 annually.
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: 21 January 2012 05:49 PM
After slashing their own benefits earlier this month, San Bernardino County supervisors on Tuesday will start taking aim at extra compensation for other county-wide elected officials.
The board will vote on a proposal by Supervisors Janice Rutherford and Neil Derry to direct the county administrative and counsel offices to prepare an ordinance that would cut benefit packages for the assessor-recorder, auditor/controller/treasurer-tax collector, district attorney and sheriff. If a majority of supervisors agree, the ordinance will return to the board at a future meeting for a vote.
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.
Monday, January 9, 2012 – 10:00 a.m.
Last Modified: Monday, January 9, 2012 – 11.24 a.m.
According to the Z107.7 website in Morongo Basin, Assemblyman Paul Cook (R-Yucca Valley) has dropped his bid for a seat on the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors.
The radio station apparently let the cat out of the bag early.
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 IMRAN GHORI
STAFF WRITER
ighori@pe.com
Published: 13 December 2011 08:54 PM
An ethics advisory group formed by San Bernardino County Supervisor Janice Rutherford is proposing a package of reforms that include campaign contribution limits, policing lobbyists and prohibiting supervisors’ staff from working on their political campaigns.
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.
Monday, December 12, 2011 – 09:45 a.m.
The writing is on the wall, or should we say on the agenda, in the budget standoff at the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors.
First District Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt has been blocking the approval of first quarter budget adjustments affecting millions of dollars in funding.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Created: 12/11/2011 08:25:53 PM PST
Campaign-finance limits and tougher penalties for violating them are on a list of reforms submitted to San Bernardino County supervisors by an ethics advisory group formed by Supervisor Janice Rutherford.
Rutherford, who campaigned on a platform of governmental reform amid continuing corruption scandals in the county, said she will begin working on reform ordinances – targeted at people in county office and people who aspire to it – next month.
They will be presented to the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday.
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.
December 07, 2011 9:00 AM
Natasha Lindstrom, Staff Writer
SAN BERNARDINO • Tensions flared at Tuesday’s meeting of the San Bernardino County Supervisors, when 1st District Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt stuck by his decision to reject a quarterly budget adjustment and fellow supervisors accused him of being fiscally “irresponsible.”
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.
BY IMRAN GHORI
STAFF WRITER
ighori@pe.com
Published: 14 November 2011 08:14 PM
San Bernardino County supervisors will consider a proposal today to cut their own benefits by 20 percent, rolling back compensation that came under criticism from the civil grand jury.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Created: 11/13/2011 02:44:14 PM PST
San Bernardino County Supervisor Janice Rutherford is proposing a 20 percent cut to supervisor’s benefits, bringing their total compensation to a level comparable to supervisors in Riverside, Orange and San Diego counties.
Sunday, November 13, 2011 – 02:00 p.m.
San Bernardino County Second District Supervisor Janice Rutherford is set to unveil a proposal to cut the compensation package of herself and her colleagues by some 20% on Tuesday.
Saturday, November 5, 2011 – 12:01 p.m.
What a shocker!
The “L” word finally emerged in San Bernardino County government last month.
Friday, October 21, 2011
The California Attorney General’s Office’s filing of charges against Third District San Bernardino County supervisor Neil Derry six months ago has opened up a can of legal and political worms that is likely to complicate the future political landscape for not only Attorney General Kamala Harris, but San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos and at least two of Derry’s colleagues on the board of supervisors.
Rutherford
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 10/11/2011 07:00:22 PM PDT
A potentially illegal campaign contribution to San Bernardino County Supervisor Janice Rutherford has prompted her to require all donors to her campaign to acknowledge that the money they are contributing is their own.
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.
Cook
Thursday, September 29, 2011 – 10:30 a.m.
State Assemblyman Paul Cook (R-Yucca Valley) has thrown his hat into the ring for San Bernardino County Supervisor.
Cook joins incumbent supervisor Neil Derry and San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Chairman James Ramos to make a current field of three.
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: 09/28/2011 06:48:04 PM PDT
A proposal for campaign finance reform in San Bernardino County has raised the eyebrows of government ethics advocates and experts, who question its reliance on the state to enforce campaign finance limits.
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.
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 09/26/2011 06:05:23 PM PDT
The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors today is expected to take its first step in having an ordinance drafted that would establish campaign-contribution limits for candidates seeking elected office in the county.
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.
Saturday, September 10, 2011 – 01:35 p.m.
Republished from Sunday, September 4, 2011
InlandPolitics.com has learned that a contribution to the campaign of San Bernardino County Second District Supervisor Janice Rutherford may be the focus of an investigation by the California Fair Political Practices Commission and possibly the San Bernardino County District Attorney.
Rutherford
Monday, August 29, 2011 – 07:00 a.m.
San Bernardino County Second District Supervisor Janice Rutherford has been on a roll lately.
Rutherford has been trying to operate from a political and ethics reform stance since her election last year.
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.
Rutherford
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Created: 08/23/2011 09:53:25 PM PDT
A policy prohibiting the naming of San Bernardino County buildings after elected officials until they’ve been retired from the political arena for at least three years was approved unanimously Tuesday by the Board of Supervisors.
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.
Gonzales
Sunday, August 14, 2011 – 09:10 a.m.
Once again the village idiot, San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors Chair Josie Gonzales, has put her foot in her mouth.
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.
By Jesse B. Gill Staff Writer
Posted: 08/04/2011 06:12:58 PM PDT
The transportation planning agency for San Bernardino County has new leadership this week as the board of directors named a temporary executive director and announced the election of a new board president.
County Supervisor Janice Rutherford
Thursday, August 4, 2011
S. E. Williams
Staff Writer
When Janice Rutherford was elected Second District Supervisor last year, voters looked with renewed hope toward a future of clean government. Most were fed-up with the scandals and fraud that have plagued the county for nearly a generation.
The election, once again, gave voters a chance to elect new representation. Although this made voters hopeful—history in San Bernardino County has also taught them to be diligent and remain watchful.
As a result, when Rutherford approached the county’s Chief Administrative Officer Greg Devereaux and asked about the infamous “1,200 Acres” of undeveloped, surplus county flood control property in Rancho Cucamonga, alarm bells sounded and a weary constituency questioned, why?
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