Ramos

Wednesday, May 23, 2012 – 09:30 a.m.

It sure looks as if San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Tribal Member and San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors candidate James Ramos’ campaign is pulling out all the stops in the final days running up to the June 5 primary.

Ramos is seeking to unseat Supervisor Neil Derry in the three-way contest.

Defense Department employee Jim Bagley is the third candidate.

Polls, in both Derry and Ramos camps, indicate Ramos may be in for some level of embarrassment in two weeks.

What level remains to be seen.

But weak support for Ramos in the low thirty-percent area won’t cut it in any way.

One thing is for sure. Ramos will be the first candidate, since bill former Assessor Bill Postmus, to spend upwards of $1 million in a primary contest, place second, and possibly face a runoff at best.

Postmus was successful in his bid.

But Ramos has many demographic factors working against him.

The largest of which is partisan party registration.

Ramos has been frantically trying to appeal to republican voters to throw Derry out.

A move that’s not working.

First. Republican registration dwarfs democrat by large 13% in the Third District.

Second. Ramos’ preferential tax treatment, because of his soverign tribal status, pisses people off.

Third. Ramos has no clue as to what a county supervisor does.

The latest sign of desperation in Ramos land?

Ramos had a information tent at Cal State – San Bernardino on Tuesday.

Not that there are really any votes to garner at the college campus. But I guess it makes for a good waste of time.

The message from the likely-paid Ramos representatives?

Neil Derry is a convicted felon!

Yep! That was the big message being conveyed to class go-er’s.

Desperate times do require desperate measures.

Neil Derry

Point of View

Supervisor Neil Derry
Posted: 05/22/2012 02:44:33 PM PDT

The people of San Bernardino County are tired of being unemployed or underemployed. They are tired of feeling like they just can’t get ahead. And they are tired of feeling like nothing is ever going to change.

There is a limit to what a county government can do to improve an economy that is subject to state, national and global pressures. But that doesn’t absolve us from working hard to make a positive impact in areas where we can make a difference.

The seeds of economic recovery and sustained vibrancy begin to sprout when communities evaluate their strengths and weakness, assess the landscape for opportunities, and leverage available assets and resources to maximize growth and create jobs.

Understanding who we are as a community is essential to developing a strategy to achieve economic renewal. Communities that competently take inventory of these factors possess the confidence and patience to chart the long-term course to achieve these objectives.

The county of San Bernardino is preparing to embark upon this journey.

Our economic development agency recently entered into a collaborative partnership with Loma Linda University that we believe will mark the beginning of a multi-decade development of a biotech and life science industry complex. Loma Linda University owns many patents and innovations as a result of its vaunted research programs and decades of innovative practices and applications. To date, the value of these incredibly marketable assets has not been fully extracted.

Through our ability to apply for special tax credits from the federal government under the New Market Tax Credit fund, we believe we can entice firms to relocate or establish themselves here and facilitate the introduction of these intellectual assets owned by the university to the marketplace. These tax credits are designed to promote investment in low-income communities by permitting individual and corporate investors to receive the tax credit spread out over seven years in exchange for making equity investments through a community development entity controlled by the county. Areas surrounding LLU qualify under this program. Investors receive a 39 percent credit against the original investment amount. Obviously, this is an enticing carrot given to investors that engage in a very high-risk investment with a long-term horizon.

To read entire story, click here.

Supervisor Neil Derry left. San Manuel Tribal Member James Ramos right.

Election 2012

Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 05/19/2012 06:01:36 PM PDT

Things don’t appear to be slowing down one bit in the contentious race for San Bernardino County’s 3rd District supervisorial seat in the June 5 primary election.

Outspoken incumbent Neil Derry has sharply criticized one of his two opponents, former San Manuel tribal Chairman James Ramos, saying Ramos doesn’t have the political background to serve a constituency of roughly 407,000 people.

Jim Bagley, a former Twentynine Palms councilman and three-time mayor, is the third candidate in the primary race.

The geographically diverse district includes parts of the San Bernardino Valley, the San Bernardino Mountains and the High Desert. Redistricting based on new Census figures has expanded the district to include the Morongo Basin and the cities of Twentynine Palms and Barstow.

Derry doesn’t believe Ramos, whom he calls a “liberal Democrat,” is a good fit in a district with a heavy conservative base.

“If you don’t have the right message and the right background, it doesn’t matter how much you spend. I fit the district well. Mr. Ramos does not,” Derry said. “Ramos has no municipal government experience.

“His only experience is being chairman of the San Manual Band of Mission Indians and serving on the (San Bernardino Community College District) board, and that’s it. He has no land use experience.”

Ramos’ camp has criticized Derry, saying Derry has not led by example and arguing he campaigned for supervisor in 2008 on a platform of government transparency and ethics, but was charged by the state Attorney General’s Office last year with three felonies for allegedly laundering a $5,000 campaign contribution from a Highland developer.

Derry pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor for failing to report the contribution and prosecutors dropped the felonies, allowing Derry to retain his seat on the Board of Supervisors.

Derry denies doing anything wrong, and said he pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor to put the matter behind him so he could get back to serving the citizens he represents.

Ramos announced his candidacy for supervisor the day after prosecutors announced that Derry had been charged.

“I believe if the voters want to stop the corruption in San Bernardino County, they’re going to have to start choosing people who are basically ethical in their very nature, and that is James Ramos,” said Betsy Starbuck, Ramos’ campaign manager and the county’s former assistant auditor-controller-recorder.

Mudslinging aside, Ramos’ wealth from income generated by San Manuel Indian Bingo & Casino has allowed him to spend generously on his campaign, which makes the 3rd District supervisorial race unique.

To read entire story, click here.

Outgoing Congressman Jerry Lewis (R-Redlands) left. Former San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Chairman James Ramos right.

Friday, May 18, 2012 – 10:00 a.m.

The sauce pan is simmering in the race for San Bernardino County Third District Supervisor.

The three-way race consisting of Supervisor Neil Derry, Former Twenty-Nine Palms City Councilman Jim Bagley and Former San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Chairman James Ramos is heating up heading into the home stretch to the June 5th primary.

If no candidate receives fifty percent, the top two contenders will face a November runoff.

Four years ago Congressman Jerry Lewis (R-Redlands), District Attorney Michael Ramos and then-Sheriff Gary Penrod all recorded radio spots and automated dialer messages supporting Supervisor Dennis Hansberger, a republican.

The result? Hansberger lost to Derry, who is also a republican.

Lewis was reportedly bitter over his friend Hansberger’s loss and has been privately disparaging Derry, non-stop, since his election to the board.

Well it looks as if Third District voters are being treated to more of the same.

However this time the support is being bestowed upon Ramos, a lifelong democrat.

Automated dialer calls with a message from, the republican-in-name-only, Lewis have started peppering republican voters.

Somehow someone, likely Lewis, must feel he has sway with voters.

An arrogant assumption to make.

But it appears republicans are growing irritated as they learn Lewis is backing a democrat.

As many voters can recall. This is the same Jerry Lewis who;

• Spent his entire campaign war chest defending himself from an FBI probe into earmarks and influence peddling.
• Couldn’t regain the chairmanship of the Appropriations Committee after republicans took control of the U.S. House of Representatives in 2010.
• Led the charge in accelerating the growth in U.S. debt, by way of out of control spending under his previous appropriations chairmanship.
• Is retiring because of uncertainty surrounding his reelection potential.

And now Lewis is trying to shove a democrat down the throats of republicans.

The House leadership must be glad to see this guy leave.

But you never know. Lewis may be looking for a job at the casino.

Another bottle of scotch sounds more appropriate right about now.

Friday, May 18, 2012 – 09:45 a.m.

San Bernardino County Third District Supervisor Neil Derry has received the endorsement of the Barstow Police Officers Association in his reelection bid.

Derry is being challenged by Former San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Chairman James Ramos and Defense Department Employee Jim Bagley.

Recent altering of supervisorial boundaries placed Barstow inside the Third District.

The election is June 5.

Monday, May 7, 2012 – 10:00 a.m.

Out of the three hotly-contested races in San Bernardino County, the contest for Third District supervisor appears to be full battle mode.

The sign crew for Former San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Chairman James Ramos’ campaign was clearly expressing their unhappyness and frustration over the weekend.

So much for Ramos’ take the high road campaign.

The graffiti and tearing down of signs of County Supervisor Neil Derry was on full display.

Sunday, May 6, 2012 – 10:30 a.m

Ramos struggles through final candidate forum.

Former San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Chairman and San Bernardino County Board of Supe’s candidate James Ramos showed up for the final candidate forum held at Copper Mountain College on Friday night.

Nothing changed.

The conversation was basically between County Supervisor Neil Derry and Former TwentyNine Palms City Councilman and Defense Department employee Jim Bagley.

With all due respect, the can’t we all get along and come together answer to every question is getting old for Ramos.

A county supervisor can’t function by way of reading from a notepad.

To get a flavor for Ramos’ command of the issues, click this link and select county supervisor forum: http://www.channel6bigbear.com .

The link is to a candidate forum sponsored by the Big Bear Democratic Club.

Last week, Ramos ditched a, previously committed to, live on-the-air event on KBHR-FM 93.3.

The key words in the last sentence being on-the-air.

Derry and Bagley did show up.

House of cards about to fall for San Bernardino

The financial house of cards is about to fall for the city of San Bernardino.

That is, now that the piggy bank known as redevelopment money has been turned off.

For years, San Bernardino has been using its economic and redevelopment agencies to augment its general fund operations.

Now that the music has stopped, it’ll be interesting to see just how much the California Department of Finance forces the city to repay.

Expect the city to start leveraging it’s city-owned water department and discuss converting its refuse operation into a franchise.

Three tax measures likely headed to California ballot in November

It looks like three differing tax propositions will be headed to the November ballot in California.

With three measures to consider, voters will likely reject them all.

The measure backed by Governor Jerry Brown, at this point, is polling in the low 50% range.

National debt finally exceeds Gross Domestic Product (GDP)

The U.S. debt is now 101% of the country’s total annual output of goods and services.

As the number climbs the likelihood of a debt default increases.

Expect the percentage to accelerate as deficit spending continues unchecked.

Keep in mind this is the U.S. national debt and does not include state and municipal obligations.

Michel Nolan, Staff Writer
Posted: 05/05/2012 07:10:57 AM PDT

BIG BEAR LAKE – Here’s what’s new at the zoo.

The latest development in the Moonridge Animal Park’s relocation project is an artist’s nearly complete 3D scale model of the new wolf enclosure.

Third District Supervisor Neil Derry has spearheaded the effort to push the relocation along.

“This should be a very nice project,” Derry said. “A Disney artist is working on the project model.”

The model unveiling is set for 3 to 4 p.m. May 21 at the Big Bear Parks and Rec office, 41220 Park Ave., Big Bear Lake.

The zoo’s new site is a 10.4-acre parcel in the Moonridge area of Big Bear Lake.

“The property was purchased at a cost of $2.1million – a steal in that area. The new site is near utilities and needs minimal grading,” Derry said. “We’ll develop 7.5 acres for the zoo, and the rest will be a riperian area.”

Plans for a beer garden are also in the works.

An environmental report should be completed by August, Derry said.

“The best-case scenario would be to have a possible grand opening one year after that – August 2013,” he said.

The project is in the Initial Study review process.

To read entire story, click here.

Saturday, May 5, 2012 – 06:00 p.m.

You gotta love San Bernardino County politics.

The letter to the editor by San Bernardino attorneys Philip Kassel and Sanford Kassel, printed below, says it all.

The two stellar supporters of Former San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Chairman James Ramos, when slamming Third District Supervisor Neil Derry, neglected to mention their firm represented former County Administrative Officer Mark H. Uffer in his $15 million lawsuit against San Bernardino County for wrongful termination.

Recently, on a 4-1 vote, county supervisors, with the execption of Derry, voted to pay Sanford Kassel and his client a cool $650,000.

Maybe Ramos has promised to vote in favor of their clients regardless of merit.

Afterall, Ramos, in his few campaign appearances, says he wants to go-along, get-along with the other supervisors.

Here’s the lawyer’s well-reasoned letter:

Ramos right choice

In determining who should be elected in the 3rd Supervisory District race, the public has a clear and easy choice to make.

James Ramos, a candidate in this race, is a well-known San Bernardino businessman who serves on a large number of different boards and community organizations. He is a member of the San Bernardino Community College Board of Trustees, and also serves on the state Board of Education, a very prestigious position.

James Ramos is also instrumental in leading San Manuel families in many philanthropic endeavors that significantly benefit the County of San Bernardino. Never in the history of San Bernardino County has anyone been as generous as Mr. Ramos and the San Manuel families he represents in supporting projects for San Bernardino County and the state of California.

The San Manuel business operations employ more than 3,500 people, and are one of the county’s biggest employers. In addition, Mr. Ramos owns and operates personal business in San Bernardino. Mr Ramos is well qualified to serve on the Board of Supervisors. He has completed his college education and received an MBA degree from the University of Redlands.

Mr. Derry, the present supervisor, has no business background. The San Bernardino Superior Court has even agreed that he is not a businessman. In a recent newspaper article, Mr. Derry is quoted as saying, “My goal is to be honest and open on how I make money.” How he handled his money received as political donations

To read entire letter, click here.

State Senator Bob Dutton left. Former San Manuel Tribal Chairman James Ramos right.

Saturday, May 5, 2012 – 10:15 a.m.

State Senator Bob Dutton’s support of Former San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Chairman James Ramos was front and center Thursday night.

Dutton attended a Redlands Tea Party Patriots event held at Mill Creek Cattle Company Restaurant in Mentone.

Ramos is trying to unseat San Bernardino County Third District Supervisor Neil Derry, who is a staunch republican.

However Dutton, who publicly conceded his endorsement of Ramos, a life-long democrat, conjured up a new spin.

Rather than saying he endorsed Ramos because Derry endorsed his opponent, Congressman Gary Miller. Dutton says his wife, Andrea, is Ramos’ cousin.

It didn’t work with the rather large audience in attendance.

Dutton is being heavily outspent by Miller and should never have entered the contest.

Miller will likely face-off against Mayor Pete Aguilar (D-Redlands) in November.

It’s interesting that party disloyalty is an issue ths year.

James Ramos, former chairman of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, with San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos, Wednesday evening at a campaign fundraiser at the National Orange Show Events Center in San Bernardino, Calif., May 2, 2012. (Redlands-Loma Linda Patch photo by Guy McCarthy.)

By Guy McCarthy
May 2, 2012

The campaign for James Ramos, candidate for county supervisor in the Third District that includes Redlands and Loma Linda, released part of a letter Wednesday from the Fair Political Practices Commission stating his disclosure of economic interests are appropriate.

Ramos supporters said the FPPC’s enforcement division chief “today dismissed a frivolous complaint from a Neil Derry supporter that alleged improper reporting of Form 700 disclosure forms.”

A press release from Ramos’ campaign quoted part of the letter from Gary Winuk:

“This letter concerns the Fair Political Practices Commission’s Enforcement Division’s review of your complaint alleging James Ramos’ inaccurate completion of his Statements of Economic Interests.

“After review by staff, it was determined that because his Statements of Economic Interests were filed for several agencies, they appropriately reflect the different disclosure requirements attached to each position he holds, which leads to a difference in the levels of disclosure on each statement.”

The portion of Winuck’s letter released by Ramos’ campaign did not mention current Third District Supervisor Neil Derry, who is running for re-election against Ramos.

“This is the type of political gaming voters have come to expect from Neil Derry,” Ramos campaign spokesman Andre Levesque said in a prepared statement. “We knew all along these reports were a desperate attempt by Neil Derry to divert attention from Derry’s criminal past.”

Reached Wednesday evening, Derry said the FPPC did not dig deep enough.

To read entire story, click here.

Wednesday, May 2, 2012 – 01:45 p.m.

A May surprise has popped up in the race to decide who will represent San Bernardino County’s Third Supervisorial District.

Mail from the San Bernardino County Public Attorneys Association started showing up in District voter mailboxes Tuesday.

A surprise to many who thought the group, which represents Deputy District Attorneys, Deputy Public Defenders and Child Support Attorneys, was staying out of the race.

Who is the mail supporting?

The answer is County Supervisor Neil Derry.

Derry, who is being challenged by Former San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Chairman James Ramos and Department of Defense employee James Bagley, received the support of the Association four years ago, when he ousted five-term incumbent Dennis Hansberger.

To view the campaign brochure, click here: SBCPAA – Derry Mailer

It’s unknown as to what level of assistance the Attorney’s group has committed.

Prior to the Attorneys Association weighing in, Derry had already garnered the support of he San Bernardino Police Officer’s Association. San Bernardino City Firefighter’s, San Bernardino County Professional Firefighter’s, Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, California Republican Assembly and the San Bernardino County Republican Party.

Former San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Chairman James Ramos

Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 04/30/2012 05:26:19 PM PDT

View: Complaint

A complaint has been filed against San Bernardino County supervisor candidate and former San Manuel tribal chairman James Ramos, alleging that he failed to report his income and real property interests on state campaign disclosure forms.

The complaint, dated April 3 and received by the state Fair Political Practices Commission on April 12, alleges that Ramos failed to report on his form 700 Statement of Economic Interest a house he owns in Big Bear Lake and shares of stock in Pfizer Inc., a pharmaceutical company, and General Electric Co.

Ramos is also alleged to have failed to report his income as former chairman of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians while serving on the San Bernardino Community College District’s board of trustees. In addition, he is alleged to have not reported any income from his monthly tribal stipend, any ownership interest in the tribe’s affiliated holdings and any income or losses from his businesses, Yum Yum Restaurant and Pepito’s Restaurant, both in San Bernardino.

The FPPC typically decides within 14 days of receiving a complaint if it will investigate. As of Monday, a decision had not yet been made, said Tara Stock, legislative coordinator for the FPPC.

Ramos’ attorney Diane Fishburn said Monday that she has submitted a response to the complaint and that the FPPC should reach its decision by the end of the week.

Ramos has served on the college district’s board of trustees since 2005. He was appointed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2008 to the state Native American Heritage Commission, and also serves on the state Board of Education.

He said he has always abided by the letter of the law when filing his 700 forms.

“We have been totally compliant with the law. I’m confident we did everything correctly,” Ramos said, adding that his attorney vets the forms before they are filed to ensure full disclosure. “This is just another way for my opponent to throw something out there to see if anything sticks.”

Ramos is vying for the county’s 3rd District supervisorial seat held since 2008 by Neil Derry, who says Ramos is subject to the same reporting requirements as everyone else.

“The 700 form is a very clear document, and it states very clearly what needs to be reported,” Derry. said. “I think the public deserves to know where politicians derive their income.”

To read entire story, click here.

Friday, April 27, 2012 – 11:00 a.m.

It looks like Supervisor Neil Derry is hard at work cultivating votes.

It’s no secret that San Bernardino County’s Third Supervisorial District is fertile ground filled with conservative republicans, decline-to-state and independent voters.

The recent realignment of district boundaries has made the territory even more conservative.

And Derry is plowing the field. Taking every advantage.

Here’s Derry’s latest mailer to republican voters: Derry Campaign – Republican Compare and Contrast

This latest mailer started landing in the mailboxes of Redlands and Mountain republicans on Thursday.

Derry’s primary challenger, former San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Chairman James Ramos, a lifelong democrat with liberal views, was cajoled into running in a district where all the spending in the world won’t suffice.

Between all of Ramos’ endorsements by people and groups mostly pandering to the gaming tribe’s wealth, and the casino cash at his disposal, one would think Derry’s defeat is a slam dunk.

Former Supervisor Dennis Hansberger was shown the door four years ago primarily because he fell into the comfort zone of doing pretty much nothing for his constituents.

Hansberger was politically unbeatable when stood up for what was right, and in many cases he opposed and fought his colleagues. However, when he joined the status quo, things changed for the worse.

But even with his lapses, Hansberger lost to Derry by a narrow margin.

Derry, on the other hand, has been devoted to representing his district.

And from what I understand, even Derry’s detractors aren’t really arguing this point.

I recently took some time to look at Ramos’ endorser’s. They’re pretty much identical to Hansberger’s from four years ago. People who carry hard feeling over Derry beating the five-term supervisor.

The only exception though is the plethora of public safety individuals desirous for casino employment after retirement or trying to curry favor with an elected-sheriff, politicos seeking money, or business owners hoping to secure or continue doing business with Ramos’ wealthy tribe.

But there’s nothing wrong with any of it.

It’s no different than working on a campaign in the hope of getting a staff job.

It’s just the way politics works.

A post on this subject will come later on. And rest assured you won’t want to miss it.

In the end, demographics, along with Derry’s stealth fundraising efforts, will likely play large in this race.

Ramos has only his ego and his friends to blame for talking him into this election.

Derry

Friday, April 27, 2012 – 08:50 a.m.

San Bernardino County Third District Supervisor Neil Derry picked up another important endorsement, in his quest for a second term, Thursday evening.

Derry has been endorsed by the San Bernardino County Republican Party.

Derry competed with former TwentyNine Palms City Councilman Jim Bagley for the endorsement.

The GOP node is extremely beneficial to Derry who’s district has a thirteen point republican registration advantage.

Derry is being strongly challenged by former San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Chairman and College Board Trustee James Ramos.

Ramos is a staunch life-long democrat.

County Supervisor Neil Derry left. Tribal Member James Ramos right.

Thursday, April 26, 2012 – 09:00 a.m.

The former leader of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians has dropped his clean campaign pledge in his quest to unseat San Bernardino County Third District Supervisor Neil Derry.

Candidate James Ramos is telling mountain constituents he’s ended his desire to run a clean issue-oriented campaign and instead has went negative against Derry.

Ramos says since Derry hit him first, he will respond in kind.

Derry slammed Ramos in a campaign mailer to permanent absentee voters last week on the fact Ramos has taken more than $592,000 from tribal gaming interests to fund his campaign.

Ramos returned the favor a few days later by attacking Derry for pleading guilty to a misdemeanor campaign finance reporting violation.

District voters should expect to be on the receiving end of several entertaining mailers from both campaigns in the coming days.

Ramos’ he started it first excuse is funny though.

No ice cream after dinner kids.

Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 04/24/2012 06:12:19 PM PDT

The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday rejected a proposal to discourage the hiring of illegal immigrants by requiring restaurants to inform customers if they use the federal E-Verify system.

Supervisor Neil Derry proposed amending the county health code to require restaurants to add a green or red overlay to their letter-grading window placards. A green overlay would indicate the restaurant uses the E-Verify system. A red overlay would mean a restaurant does not use the system.

E-Verify is a voluntary Internet-based program that compares data from employment eligibility forms to information on file with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration.

Derry’s proposal was aimed at circumventing a state law passed last year, AB 1236, which prohibits counties and cities from mandating that businesses screen for illegal immigrants.

Derry said a large number of illegal immigrants work in the food service industry and have not been subjected to the proper health screenings and vaccinations that legal immigrants have.

Citing 2010 statistics from the Centers for Disease Control, Derry said the tuberculosis rate for immigrants was 11 times greater than among U.S. citizens, and that immigrants were also more likely to carry other infectious diseases such as pertussis, H1N1 and hepatitis.

The proposal triggered outcry from immigrant rights advocates and restaurant owners, who said the measure was discriminatory, would create more government interference and would be damaging to local businesses.

Restaurateur Raymond Moon said he and his wife own several restaurants in the county and follow the letter of the law in filing their employment eligibility forms, but they choose not to use the E-Verify system.

“How one person can take E-Verify and meld it into the food grading system is apples and oranges,” Moon said. “It’s another cost to the county . . . and it’s also a bit discriminatory.”

Sara Sadhwani, strategy director with the California Immigrant Policy Center in Los Angeles, said E-Verify is a terribly flawed system, so much so that both the federal and state government do not make it a mandatory requirement for businesses.

In 2010, the Associated Press reported that the online tool wrongly clears illegal workers about 54 percent of the time. The revelation was made when research company Westat evaluated the E-Verify system for the Homeland Security Department. Westat concluded that E-Verify missed so many illegal workers mainly because it couldn’t detect identity fraud.

Sadhwani said Derry’s proposal would do nothing but create new costs and more red tape for businesses.

To read entire story, click here.

Gonzales

Tuesday, April 24, 2012 – 12:15 p.m.
Last Modified: Tuesday, April 24, 2012 – 03:00 p.m.

In a Romper Room fashion, an embarrassing display of incompetence decended on the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors meeting just before noon on Tuesday.

Neither Chairperson Josie Gonzales nor County Counsel Jean-Rene Basle knew Robert’s Rules of Order or their own procedures regarding the conduct of voting among the boards members.

Gonzales is of no surprise. But Basle, a licensed and practicing attorney, is a another story.

Apparently, neither of the two was familiar with the procedure of a member moving an item for discussion and then voting against it.

The procedure is meant to preserve the board members right to bring their agenda item back for reconsideration as a member of the prevailing “no” side.

An amazing display of incompetence.

Gonzales has only been chair for almost fifteen months.

But who’s counting?

The debacle started when two items regarding ordinances proposed by Supervisors Brad Mitzelfelt and Neil Derry, one affecting Off-Highway Vehicles, and the other, incorporating E-Verify requirements into the restaurant grading system, respectively, initially passed on the consent calendar by a 3-2 vote.

Supervisors Gary Ovitt and Gonzales verbally casted votes in opposition.

Gonzales, after realizing what had just happened and in her typical buffoonery-style approach, began giving Supervisor Janice Rutherford, here former colleague on the Fontana City Council, the evil eye while she pulled both items from the consent calendar to conduct a re-vote.

A move Basle advised as legally permissible. Basle told Gonzales she could do whatever she wanted as chairperson.

Amazingly, Rutherford, who Gonzales routinely manipulates, after voting in the affirmative, voted no.

A re-vote taken without a motion for reconsideration.

However it’s Rutherford, who has to run for reelection in the conservative Second District, not Gonzales.

But at a likely reduced annual compensation of $60,000 that a supe will likely earn starting in 2014, Rutherford may have other plans and doesn’t care.

Readers are encouraged to view the meeting video at www.sbcounty.gov/bos. Please view the entire meeting due to the fact the circus later reignited during another procedural meltdown.

Only in San Bernardino County does a banana republic thrive.

Both Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy would be proud.

San Bernardino County Supervisor Neil Derry has proposed an E-Verify requirement that circumvents the state law preventing it use. (File Photo/2012)

BY IMRAN GHORI
STAFF WRITER
ighori@pe.com

Published: 23 April 2012 06:12 PM

Restaurants in San Bernardino County would be required to inform customers if they perform immigration background checks on their employees under a proposal that will go before the Board of Supervisors Tuesday.

Supervisor Neil Derry is proposing to amend the county’s restaurant grading ordinance so that placards would be color-coded to indicate whether an establishment uses E-Verify, a federal database to check a person’s immigration status.

The placards — which display an A, B, or C grade indicating how well the restaurant passed its health inspection — would include a green background for those that screen their employees and a red background for those that don’t, he said.

Derry said the proposal is intended to circumvent a new state law that forbids cities and counties from requiring businesses to conduct mandatory immigration checks of their employees. Proponents of the legislation called the requirements costly and burdensome to businesses while critics have questioned the reliability of E-Verify.

Derry disparaged the state law supporters as “a bunch of left-wing nuts in Sacramento who don’t care about following the law.”

Last fall, Derry had proposed a wider-reaching proposal that would have required those who apply for food handler cards through the county public health department to also have their immigration status checked. He later withdrew that proposal because of questions whether it would be legal under the law that took effect in January.

To read entire story, click here.

Michele Derry
Posted: 04/22/2012 07:04:10 AM PDT

I have stood by long enough while my husband is misrepresented by James Ramos and his gambling special interests. Enough is enough.

How can James Ramos, as a tribal chairman of a sovereign nation who receives over $200,000 a month as a tribal member through gambling profits, represent the interests of the average citizen of San Bernardino County?

Mr. Ramos doesn’t have to pay state taxes on his San Manuel tribal income. He doesn’t have to pay property taxes on his mansion.

How can he speak for us when he doesn’t have to follow the same laws or pay the same taxes that we do?

As Mr. Ramos uses his gambling casino wealth and power to try and buy this election, I have to wonder, do people really think he will represent them?

I bought my house across from the casino just before the expansion project was unveiled, and I know first-hand how the tribe treats the average citizen. I will never forget how the tribe’s consultant said on record, at the public hearing in front of the media, that a sound wall would be built on Lynwood. He then sat down next to me and described in detail what the sound wall would look like. I later found that no such wall was proposed. And it was never built.

I didn’t know Neil at that time. I met him after I became active in fighting the casino impacts. Neil was the only one who had the courage to stand up to these big casino interests. Everyone else hid and refused to listen to residents’ concerns – the mayor, then-county Supervisor Hansberger, and the various state and federal officials I contacted.

To read entire column, click here.

Ryan Carter, Staff Writer
Posted: 04/22/2012 04:07:38 PM PDT

A proposal designed to identify restaurants that screen employees for their immigration status will go in front of the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, its author said.

Supervisor Neil Derry’s measure would amend the county’s restaurant letter-grading system as a way to identify businesses that use the federal E-Verify system.

Right now the E-Verify system works with the Internet, allowing an employer to voluntarily determine the eligibility of a new employee to work in the United States, according to the U.S. government.

Under what Derry plans to bring to his colleagues on the board, the county’s restaurant-letter-grading system would be amended such that food businesses using E-Verify would receive a green-colored overlay on their grade placard – the kind you see in restaurant windows. Those that don’t would receive a red-colored background overlay.

The amendment to the county code is important for economic and health reasons, Derry said.

“We have a huge unemployment rate among young people,” Derry said. “Most incremental jobs for young people are in the food industry, whether it be the people that bus the tables, people that wash the dishes…but these jobs are few and far between because they are being taken by people who aren’t here legally.”

A second motivator is public health, said Derry, who represents the county’s 3rd District and its roughly 385,000 residents.

People without legal status in the country haven’t been through the same tests and vaccinations that legal immigrants have been through in order to live and work in the U.S, he said.

And that makes customers’ health “vulnerable to numerous communicable diseases more commonly found in people born outside this country,” Derry said.

Derry cited Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data from 2010 showing that the tuberculosis rate among foreign-born persons in the United States was 11 times greater than among U.S.-born persons and reported an infection rate of 3.6 per 100,000.

“The reasons for it is primarily because of TB rates among people who are primarily immigrants,” Derry said.

The same report cited by Derry, however, also said that while foreign-born and ethnic minorities were disproportionately affected by TB, the rates that Derry cited were the lowest on record since 1953, when such rates began to be documented.

Among foreign-born persons in the United States, the number and rate of TB cases declined in 2010, the report says, and its authors note that “substantial and consistent gains in the reduction of TB incidence have been realized.”

To read entire story, click here.

Despite the advantages of incumbency, challengers are raking in more funds than the candidates they oppose in two High Desert races.

Both Big Bear Lake Mayor Bill Jahn, who is seeking to defeat Assemblyman Tim Donnelly in the new 33rd Assembly District, and James Ramos, who stepped down from his post as Chairman of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Monday and continues to campaign against incumbent 3rd District Supervisor Neil Derry, have significant cash advantages over their rivals.

Jahn and Ramos have both tapped their personal funds for their campaigns. Ramos loaned his campaign $50,000 shortly after entering the race in June 2011, then kicked in another $50,000 in December. Jahn, meanwhile, has lent $140,000 since entering the race in February.

Jahn now has nearly $73,000 more cash than Donnelly’s campaign, according to Secretary of State records.

Donnelly’s campaign manager, Asher Burke, said Donnelly’s drop in fundraising was a result of his campaign to repeal the Dream Act, which distracted him from his reelection campaign.

Burke said Donnelly planned to ramp up fundraising efforts in the month and a half until the primary election.

Donnelly “put his entire life on hold” for the repeal measure, Burke said.

In the first quarter of 2012, Ramos raised $20,466 more than Derry.

Derry, reached by phone, said he was not worried.

“My opponent can spend as much money as he wants,” Derry said. “It’s not going to make much of a difference.”

Derry said that despite Ramos’ wealth, the race would likely be less pricey than when he was first elected four years ago.

“There’s less money out there today to raise because the economy’s in the toilet,” Derry said. “The building industry’s almost nonexistent today and it’s been a tough time for a lot of businesspeople — unless you own a casino.”

Ramos spokesperson Andre Levesque said the campaign’s endorsements, not just fundraising, reflected that sentiment in the district had turned against Derry.

“It’s no secret that Neil Derry has a troubled record on the Board of Supervisors,” Levesque said.

Jahn’s largest donation came from Jay Obernolte, Big Bear Lake Mayor Pro Tem and head of Farsight Studios, a Big Bear Lake-based video game development company, who gave the legal maximum of $3,900. Assemblyman Paul Cook, R-Yucca Valley, also kicked in $2,000 from his 2010 campaign fund. Cook is running to represent the High Desert in the 8th Congressional District.

Jahn could not be reached for comment Thursday.

The newly redrawn 3rd Supervisorial District includes Barstow and sprawls to the southeast to include Yucca Valley, Twentynine Palms, Yucaipa, Highland, Redlands, Loma Linda, parts of Grand Terrace and Colton, and the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms.

The 33rd Assembly District includes Barstow, the Victor Valley and the High Desert.

By the numbers

Assemblyman Tim Donnelly
Contributions received in 2012: $32,800
Cash on hand: $26,621.76

Big Bear Lake Mayor Bill Jahn
Contributions received in 2012: $41,459
Cash on hand: $99,338.33 (loaned campaign $140,000)

Former San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Chairman James Ramos
Contributions received in 2012: $64,633
Cash on hand: $435,281.57 (loaned campaign $100,000)

Supervisor Neil Derry
Contributions received in 2012: $44,167
Cash on hand: $101,448.54

Friday, April 20, 2012 – 02:15 p.m.

San Bernardino County Third District Supervisor Neil Derry picked up another large endorsement Thursday night.

The conservative California Republican Assembly (CRA) has officially voted to endorse the first-term supervisor.

Republican registration currently dwarfs that of democrat party affiliation by 13%.

Derry is being challenged by former San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Chairman James Ramos, a life-long democrat, and former TwentyNine Palms City Councilman James Bagley, a republican.

Ramos

Thursday, April 19, 2012 – 10:15 a.m.

The former chairman of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians has some bumps in the road ahead in his quest for a seat on the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors, according to sources.

James Ramos, who is challenging Third District Supervisor Neil Derry, is about to feel the baggage from underneath the train, all courtesy of his voting record on the San Bernardino Community College District Board of Trustees, where he currently serves as an elected member.

According to official minutes, Ramos is apparently playing a part in a board policy to pay its elected members for meetings they don’t even show up for.

Even himself.

The meeting stipend currently sits at $400 per meeting.

An amount that’s a pittance for a man like Ramos who earns in excess of $1.5 million per year from his Indian Gambling casino.

The practice smells of arrogance.

Especially when its public education money being spent.

Another little tidbit involves sending college students in buses to attend protests in Sacramento.

Yes, Ramos voted with his colleagues to pay for buses to ship students to the State Capitol to engage in protests.

Like we’ve said here before.

One can’t make this stuff up!

April 14, 2012 12:00 PM

Natasha Lindstrom, Staff Writer

Just as seven candidates campaign for San Bernardino County 1st District Supervisor, union groups are lobbying for a ballot measure that would slash the pay, perks and staffing budgets of the county’s five supervisors.

The San Bernardino County Elected Officials Pay Reduction Act, dubbed the “Part-time Supervisor” initiative, is a proposed charter amendment that would reduce compensation for supervisors from an average of $271,000 to $60,000 annually, and cut their budgets from a total of $6 million to $250,000 per office. Wrightwood resident Kieran “Red” Brennan, a former grand jury member, authored the measure and San Bernardino County Safety Employees Benefit Association President Laren Leichliter spearheaded its petition drive.

The measure has qualified for the November ballot. However, since the measure qualified after candidates for the 1st, 3rd and 5th districts pulled papers for the June primary, county spokesman David Wert said state law seems to prohibit the compensation changes from impacting whoever takes those positions in December. Instead, they would take effect for the next full term starting in 2016.

The pay reductions also likely couldn’t impact the supervisors who are currently in office, Wert said, though the county is still studying the issue. For the 2nd and 4th districts, the pay cuts would then take effect following the next election in 2014.

The ballot initiative already caused one 1st District candidate to drop out of the race, with Mark Shoup citing potential conflicts with that part-time position and his full-time work as a deputy public defender.

The Daily Press asked the seven candidates still vying for 1st District Supervisor in the June 5 election to weigh in on the ballot measure. Here’s what they had to say:

“This initiative is a poison pill by county employee union bosses who want to transfer power from elected representatives to a select group of unelected employees, which equates to taxation without representation. Two people cannot effectively serve the 1st District, which includes 84 percent of the county’s unincorporated residents. I am not running because I need a job, rather to do a job.” — Russell E. Blewett, Hesperia mayor

•

“We’re a country of laws and process. If the people want part-time supervisors, through legal process, then it should be so. The county will become like many of our cities where the city councils are part-time and the city managers have a large role in the operations of the city. The roles of the supervisors and CEO must be defined.” — Bret Henry, San Bernardino County Fire captain from Victorville

•

“I support the measure, which will cut the pay of county supervisors from $150,000 to $60,000 a year and reduce the board’s annual operating budget by $4.5 million. This is a first step in a larger effort to reform and improve our county, sending a message to voters that business-as-usual is over — giving a shot in the arm for efforts to restore trust in county government.” — Robert Lovingood, Apple Valley resident and president of ICR Staffing Services

•

“I support the measure because it will create positive change regardless of whether or not voters approve its passage. The measure raises some very valid points and spotlights needed change in the structure of the board.

“Regardless of its outcome, I’ll be available to constituents full-time. By working together, we have the opportunity to become the model that others follow.” — Michael Orme, businessman from Oak Hills

•

“I support this measure because when politics becomes a career it opens the door to corruption and influence from special interests. A true public servant is just that, ‘a public servant.’ The measure will effectively weed out those who want to serve themselves rather than serve the residents of this county. I hope other governmental bodies use this as an example.” — Rick Roelle, Apple Valley councilman

•

“My concern is a lack of staff sufficient to handle addressing taxpayer concerns or injustices. Whether it is at a county level or the DMV, it is imperative that we have elected representation, which will stand up and respond to our needs when it is necessary. Supervisors’ salary is excessive. I will serve at the will of the people.” — Bob Smith, retired sheriff’s deputy of Helendale

•

“I support the (measure). In the worst economy since the Great Depression, our leaders need to lead the way in conserving money. We have made cuts to much needed programs (public safety, education, transportation and senior services) and adjusted county employees’ compensation, but the elected officials haven’t adjusted their compensation. Leaders need to lead in all areas and recognize the need for the reduction.” — Jermaine Wright, Adelanto School District trustee

For the latest updates in local political news, follow us on Twitter @DPPolitics.

City editor Brooke Edwards Staggs contributed to this report. Natasha Lindstrom may be reached at (760) 951-6232 or at NLindstrom@VVDailyPress.com.

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County Supervisor Josie Gonzales left. Albert Einstein right.

Monday, April 9, 2012 – 09:30 a.m.

San Bernardino County Supervisor Josie Gonzales an Einstein?

It does sound kind of a laughable depiction of someone routinely identified with a fence post.

Apparently, a local businessman, who shall remain unnamed, recently met with Board of Supervisors candidate James Ramos.

Ramos, the outgoing chairman of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, was seeking this businessman’s endorsement and support.

But, Ramos, a challenger to Third District Supervisor Neil Derry this coming June, wasn’t successful in his endeavour.

The appraisal give by the businessman is somewhat hilarious, but also sad.

Sad for who?

How about county taxpayers!

The businessman’s comment was on the line of, if one was to place Gonzales (a Ramos supporter) and Ramos in the same room, Gonzales would look like Albert Einstein.

A story on Gonzales in todays Press-Enterprise newspaper is a prime example of her buffoonery.

From left to right. San Manuel Tribal Chairman James Ramos, County Supervisor Neil Derry and Former TwentyNine Palms City Councilman Jim Bagley.

Wednesday, April 4, 2012 – 09:30 a.m.

All three candidates seeking to represent San Bernardino County’s Third Supervisorial District appeared at a forum sponsored by the Big Bear Democratic Club Monday night.

Yes, all three!

The candidates, County Supervisor Neil Derry, San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Chairman James Ramos and Former TwentyNine Palms City Councilman Jim Bagley showed up to answer questions.

All three men were surprisingly well spoken.

But that’s where it ends.

Bagley pretty much told the filled room he was ready to hit the ground running when elected.

Really? Wouldn’t campaign money help?

Bagley’s lack of campaign funds is most likely an issue for his hitting the ground running, if elected.

Derry, who exhibited a solid command of the issues, gave well informed impromptu answers.

Obviously an advantage of being an incumbent well versed on current issues.

Ramos seemed to be using talking points from his supporter, Supervisor Josie Gonzales’, playbook.

Ramos told onlookers the board needed to get along and work together. He further went on to say he wanted to spend more of the county general fund discretionary money on social services.

A move that would cut public safety budgets.

Translated, that statement means let’s go back to the old days of you scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours.

Actually, Ramos was reading from notes on a crib sheet.

Yes, it’s true.

If you will remember, Ramos had to use a prepared speech to announce his run for office last spring. He actually couldn’t tell supporters why he wanted to run without reading it from a piece of paper.

After last night, it appears nothing has changed.

Ramos told the group the Board of Supervisors needed to come together and get along to help solve problems in the community.

In other words, Derry is rocking the boat.

His answers to questions were pretty much generalized.

Nearly every response to an issue was “We need to get together and take a look at that.”

With that kind of canned response, Ramos should have just scratched some notes on the back of his hand.

It would have saved himself some embarrassment.

Some attendees at the event described Ramos as portraying himself as the big man on campus. Meaning he’s clearly full of himself.

I guess wealth does that to some people.

All in all, the event was pretty much subtle and professional.

Tuesday, April 3, 2012 – 09:30 a.m.

It’s usually a good idea not to pound on one candidate too often.

It can give the wrong perception.

But sometimes events happen that need to be covered.

Once again, it’s the campaign of San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Chairman James Ramos.

Ramos is running to try an unseat San Bernardino County Third District Supervisor Neil Derry. This election contest, which can’t seem to come fast enough, will occur on June 5.

This latest stunt engineered by the Ramos camp relates to campaign signage.

Ramos, in his limited campaign appearances, always tells people he wants to be one with the earth and is a big nature lover.

You know, heritage, roots, bird songs, etc…..etc…..

But in this case he seems to be taking it a little too far.

Sprouting up in mountain communities within the San Bernardino National Forest are large Ramos campaign signs.

You know signs really wouldn’t be a big deal except for the fact they’re nailed to trees.

That’s right! Rocket Scientist campaign workers are pounding nails into live trees.

Something that depicts a campaign either lacking commonsense or coming un-hinged.

It’s also something that’s against the law.

It would appear the Ramos camp can expect a phone call and a probable citation from either the U.S. Forestry Service or California Department of Forestry in the near future.

On another sour note, it seems Derry supporters residing near the San Manuel Reservation have been receiving some unwanted attention after placing campaign signs in their front yards.

The unwanted attention has been in the form of cars being egged or, get this, having salad dressing poured on them.

Speaking of ugly campaigns….

Annabel Valencia, 21, of Redlands, greets an Akita dog that she seeks to adopt from the Devore Animal Shelter. (Gabriel Luis Acosta/Staff Photographer)

Jim Steinberg, Staff Writer
Posted: 03/31/2012 02:33:02 PM PDT

Photo Gallery: Animal Services Commission proposed

SAN BERNARDINO – Animal rights advocates applauded last week’s decision by the Board of Supervisors to direct the county’s administrative office to perform a feasibility study to create a framework to establish an Animal Service’s Commission.

At the very least, the decision, some say, opens a channel between those advocates and the county’s animal control officials, some of whom have come under scrutiny in the recent past over concerns about how animals are being treated at the county’s Devore animal shelter.

“This is huge. I am excited. This is the first time they admitted that maybe they should look at this,” said Christine Haslet, a registered nurse from San Diego, who was one of the animal rights advocates who supported the measure.

The county’s Devore animal shelter has obtained a reputation over the years as being a place where animals are “captured and killed,” said San Bernardino County Supervisor Neil Derry, the Third District supervisor who brought the issues before the board.

Back in 2010, some animal rights advocates alleged that shelter officials have refused to let groups donate blankets and sweaters to help keep the animals warm during the winter. At the time, shelter officials said animals were not freezing, and in fact carefully looked after and monitored.

And despite the ire of animal rights groups, San Bernardino County officials have said the Devore shelter, which recently underwent an $825,000 remodel, exceeds state standards and that the groups have used scare tactics to ramp up financial support and shut down the facility because it euthanizes animals.

The supervisors didn’t lean to one side or the other in their vote on Tuesday.

But rather, they approved a study to look into a commission that would offer some increased oversight and connection to the public.

Derry suggested that the commission be made up of a citizen representative from each of the five supervisorial districts as well as an independent veterinarian representative and a representative from the Department of Public Health’s Animal Care and Control Division.

“I have been hearing complaints about the county’s animal care facilities since I took office in 2008,” Derry said in an interview. “The commission will provide a forum for the public to provide comments and present ideas to address this outgoing issue in the county.”

He didn’t promise a panacea.

“Although the Animal Services Commission may not resolve all of the county’s ongoing issues with animal shelters, it will increase transparency and public interaction and provide an opportunity for the county to shine as we move one step closer to solving this problem,” Derry said.

The proposal would also include a sunset clause, which would decommission the agency unless it is reauthorized by the board in five years.

To read entire story, click here.

BY IMRAN GHORI
STAFF WRITER
ighori@pe.com

Published: 28 March 2012 05:38 PM

San Bernardino County supervisors are looking into creating an animal services commission that will provide citizen oversight of the department that has been criticized by animal rights activists.

The Board of Supervisors agreed Tuesday to direct staff to conduct a feasibility study of a commission and report back at a future meeting. The vote was 3-1 with Board Chairwoman Josie Gonzales abstaining and Supervisor Gary Ovitt absent.

Supervisor Neil Derry, who proposed the commission, said he believed the commission would allow for critics to enter into a dialogue with the animal care and control division and work on potential solutions.

“The one thing it’s going to do is provide a forum,” he said. “I think there’s been so much discontent but there hasn’t been an opportunity for them to bring these issues forward.”

The division has been criticized from animal rights activists over practices at its Devore shelter with several at the meeting backing the commission proposal. They said its euthanization rate is too high and that the division does not do enough to work with animal rescue volunteers.

“I do believe this commission is one step towards solving the problem,” said Tamara Cross, a San Diego attorney. “We don’t feel like we have a voice. No one is listening.”

To read entire story, click here.