10:49 PM PDT on Wednesday, July 28, 2010

By DAVID OLSON and BEN GOAD
The Press-Enterprise

The sharply divergent reactions that Inland residents had to a federal judge’s ruling Wednesday blocking full enforcement of Arizona’s tough anti-illegal-immigration law mirrored the outrage and joy expressed nationwide.

Lake Elsinore Mayor Melissa Melendez blasted the decision. “If that’s what they’ve done, and they’ve usurped the authority of the state of Arizona, then I am completely ashamed and appalled at what they are doing,” Melendez said.

Read the rest of this entry »

10:00 PM PDT on Monday, July 26, 2010

By IMRAN GHORI
The Press-Enterrise

San Bernardino County is no longer revealing its litigation costs in its civil lawsuit against former county officials accused of corruption.

County officials say they’re doing so to protect their legal strategy and that state law allows them to keep information about litigation records confidential until the matter is resolved.

Read the rest of this entry »

10:00 PM PDT on Monday, July 26, 2010

By JIM MILLER
Sacramento Bureau

SACRAMENTO – Several Inland governments, businesses and other groups have rallied behind a recently introduced state bill meant to preserve millions in revenue for the agency in charge of redeveloping the former Norton Air Force Base.

The support comes even though some of the agencies would stand to get more money if current law was left alone.

Read the rest of this entry »

July 26, 2010 3:52 PM
Brooke Edwards

VICTORVILLE • One of the top forensic auditing firms in the country now has its own temporary office at City Hall, as an investigation into Victorville’s finances by the San Bernardino County Grand Jury moves forward.

The grand jury first began probing Victorville in spring 2009, interviewing a slew of city officials regarding troubled finances, reported handshake deals and more.

Read the rest of this entry »

Monday, July 26, 2010 – 09:07 am
Updated: Monday, JUly 26, 2010 – 12:50 pm

A story in this mornings Sun and Inland Valley Daily Bulletin newspapers regarding San Bernardino County’s group health benefits contract with HealthNet Inc. depicts a very short-sighted situation.

While the focus of the story is the decision of having more than 10,000 county employees plus dependents losing the ability to use local pharmacies and its impact, there are larger issues of limited availability to the employees.

Read the rest of this entry »

San Bernardino County

Workers won’t be able to use small pharmacies
Jim Steinberg, Staff Writer
Created: 07/25/2010 08:06:05 PM PDT

The issue is the right of consumer choice vs. saving money.

It’s about supporting local businesses or shrinking expenses.

And independent pharmacy owners across San Bernardino County are hopping mad.

Read the rest of this entry »

Liset Marquez, Staff Writer
Created: 07/25/2010 07:03:13 AM PDT

ONTARIO – It’s official: The City Council has agreed to recognize the Ovitt family by naming the public library in its honor.

The exact wording of the dedication will be determined at a future meeting.

Read the rest of this entry »

Paul Biane

Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 07/24/2010 09:55:39 PM PDT

RANCHO CUCAMONGA – Paul Biane plucked a cabernet grape from a vine at his family’s winery and pinched the grape between his fingers to expose a green seed inside.

When the seeds are brown in color and the sugar content high, the grapes are ready to harvest, he explained.

The winery’s blended table wine hasn’t been produced commercially for some time, but the 46-year-old San Bernardino County supervisor talks of expanding operations and selling the wine again after he’s done with politics.

Read the rest of this entry »

Saturday, July 24, 2010 – 05:00 pm

From District Attorney investigators recently pulling time card records of at least one current high-profile County Government Center employee, to pre-election day cover-ups, to intrigue surrounding the Public Defender’s office disqualifying itself in the conspiracy case involving former Assessor Bill Postmus, things are about to start stirring in San Bernardino County political and legal circles.

Much is happening these days.

Read the rest of this entry »

Friday, July 23, 2010 – 03:47 pm
Updated: Saturday, July 24, 2010 – 09:25 am

Sources tell InlandPolitics that San Bernardino County has taken attorney-client privilege to a new level.

In San Bernardino County only, the amount of taxpayer money spent on outside counsel is privileged.

Read the rest of this entry »

Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 07/23/2010 05:57:50 PM PDT

SAN BERNARDIN0 – In a motion seeking dismissal of state charges of extortion and bribery against former San Bernardino County assistant assessor Jim Erwin, Erwin’s attorney claims state and county prosecutors have failed to clearly state the charges, thereby thwarting Erwin’s ability to properly defend himself.

Criminal defense attorney Rajan R. Maline on Friday filed the motion in San Bernardino Superior Court, in which he also alleges that the three-year statute of limitations has expired for the offenses in which both Erwin and former county Assessor Bill Postmus stand accused.

Read the rest of this entry »

James Rufus Koren, Staff Writer
Posted: 07/23/2010 06:17:54 PM PDT

Democrats in San Bernardino County elected new party leaders Thursday night, but rather than uniting in the months before November’s elections, the leadership fight highlighted fissures in the local organization.

Ron Wall of Ontario was elected chairman of the county’s Democratic Central Committee, beating former party vice chairman Mark Alvarez. Alvarez also lost in a bid for first vice chairman, as did candidate Leticia Garcia.

Read the rest of this entry »

Trend in the Region
Property Values Dip for Second Year
Friday, July 23, 2010

By Rich Saskal

ALAMEDA, Calif. — Assessed property values in California are likely to decline for the second year running, according to a Bond Buyer review of data from the state’s larger counties.

Even though the state’s tax assessment system has the effect of muting the volatility of property assessments, 11 of the state’s 12 largest counties experienced a decline in their property tax roll this year.

Read the rest of this entry »

July 22, 2010 5:38 PM
Natasha Lindstrom

SAN BERNARDINO • Two months after San Bernardino County placed him on paid leave amid harassment allegations, the 2nd District’s former top aide has taken a new county position as an assistant recorder.

Matt Brown, previously chief of staff to 2nd District Supervisor Paul Biane, was put on administrative leave in early May, days after Brown sent his boss a letter alleging he was being threatened and retaliated against for cooperating with a corruption investigation. The environment was so hostile, Brown wrote in the letter, that it led to him seeking medical help.

Read the rest of this entry »

10:00 PM PDT on Wednesday, July 21, 2010

By IMRAN GHORI
The Press-Enterprise

A former top aide to San Bernardino County Supervisor Paul Biane who has been out on paid leave for two months is taking a new position as assistant recorder.

Larry Walker, the county’s auditor/controller/recorder/treasurer/tax collector, announced in a memo to his staff Tuesday that Matt Brown, until recently Biane’s long-time chief of staff, had joined his office.

Read the rest of this entry »

Cost-saving measure

47 to shift to county’s jails
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 07/21/2010 08:03:25 PM PDT

Come July 31, 47 sheriff’s deputies from stations across San Bernardino County will be transferring from their respective stations to the county’s four detention centers to eliminate about $8 million in overtime at the jails.

To make up for the loss, another 44 deputies will be transferring from their respective stations to backfill the vacancies left at the other stations from the deputies transferring to the jails.

Read the rest of this entry »

Mike Cruz, Staff Writer
Posted: 07/21/2010 06:06:11 PM PDT

Prosecutors may present some of their evidence of malfeasance by two former top officials in the county Assessor’s Office at a hearing next month, a judge ruled Wednesday.

Former Assessor Bill Postmus and Gregory Eyler, former taxpayer advocate, were scheduled for a preliminary hearing Aug. 12 during their appearances in San Bernardino Superior Court.

Read the rest of this entry »

Brad Mitzelfelt

July 21, 2010 5:00 PM
By Brad Mitzelfelt, First District Supervisor

Economic development and environmental stewardship can exist side-by-side.

Perhaps the most obvious example is the push for renewable energy. San Bernardino County is the epicenter of this emerging and important industry because the sun shines bright and long here, especially in the Mojave Desert.

Read the rest of this entry »

By Mike Cruz
Created: 07/21/2010 04:07:19 PM PDT

A Superior Court judge has recalled an arrest warrant against former county taxpayer advocate Gregory Eyler, who missed a court appearance this morning because he had overslept, his lawyer said.

Eyler appeared about 3:10 p.m. in San Bernardino Superior Court, court personnel confirmed. Judge Michael Dest resumed Eyler’s bail bond and withdrew a $200,000 warrant for the defendant’s arrest, lawyer Stan Hodge said.

Read the rest of this entry »

By Mike Cruz
Posted: 07/21/2010 10:51:29 AM PDT

A Superior Court judge issued a bench warrant for Gregory Eyler and ordered his bail bond forfeited this morning when the former county taxpayer advocate failed to appear for a scheduled hearing.

Eyler and former Assessor Bill Postmus were both scheduled to appear before Judge Michael Dest at 8:30 a.m. in San Bernardino Superior Court. Both are charged in a case stemming from the county’s investigation into alleged malfeasance in the Assessor’s Office.

Read the rest of this entry »

Wednesday, July 21, 2010 – 07:42 am

The other San Bernardino County budget shoe dropped yesterday in an op-ed by County Administrative Officer Greg Devereaux published in The Sun / Inland Valley Daily Bulletin newspapers.

The last paragraph sends the key message:

Read the rest of this entry »

Tuesday, July 20, 2010 – 02:57 pm
Updated: Tuesday, July 20, 2010 – 06:07 pm
Last Update: Tuesday, July 20, 2010 – 08:02 pm

Well, well, well………Can you say ouch?

Matt Brown, now former chief of staff to Second District Supervisor Paul Biane is now being called Assistant Recorder. Even though county human resources classification database lists no such position title.

Brown would appear to be assuming the assistant department head position previously held by Elizabeth “Betsy” Starbuck, who was fired last Friday.

Read the rest of this entry »

James Rufus Koren, Staff Writer
Created: 07/20/2010 05:39:24 PM PDT

San Bernardino County leaders are applauding a new law that will allow the county to have more than one grand jury, but it’s not clear if or when the law might be used.

The law, signed last week by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, gives the county’s presiding judge the ability to create a second civil grand jury that would be able to investigate government entities in the county.

Read the rest of this entry »

Devereaux

Gregory C. Devereaux
Created: 07/19/2010 07:29:13 PM PDT

On June 28, the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors approved a balanced budget for the fiscal year that began on July1. With the help of employee-approved salary deferrals, the use of reserves to create ongoing funding, and departmental budget reductions, the board was able to close an $89.4 million shortfall. The new budget eliminates 529 county positions, 85 of them currently filled.

As difficult as it might have been to balance this year’s budget, even greater fiscal challenges lie ahead. Due to a continuing decline in property tax revenues as well as increased costs, $133 million in deficits are projected for the next four years, including a $48 million deficit for the fiscal year that begins less than 12 short months from now.

Read the rest of this entry »

Derry

Parties can’t be held on county property
James Rufus Koren, Staff Writer
Posted: 07/20/2010 08:32:03 PM PDT

Rave organizers can scratch Calico Ghost Town and Glen Helen Regional Park off their lists of potential venues as San Bernardino County leaders on Tuesday said county-owned facilities cannot be used for rave parties.

In a memo sent Tuesday, county Chief Administrative Officer Greg Devereaux said existing county policies barring events that create “unreasonable security, utility, custodial or other operational problems” mean raves cannot be held at county owned facilities.

Read the rest of this entry »

Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 07/20/2010 06:53:24 PM PDT

A federal judge on Tuesday dismissed a $100 million lawsuit filed against the county by a Fontana recycling plant owner who alleges the county has held his operating permit hostage for three years.

U.S. District Court Judge Virginia A. Phillips dismissed the case, with prejudice, after ruling the case did not belong in federal court and denying petitioner Michael Mendonca’s request to transfer the case to San Bernardino Superior Court.

Read the rest of this entry »

Ramos

Almost six months ago, on two seperate occasions, local private criminal attorney’s personally approached San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos with a complaint.

What was done about the complaints to Ramos? Nothing.

Why? The complaint involved supporters of the District Attorney.

Read the rest of this entry »

Lori Consalvo, Staff Writer
Created: 07/18/2010 02:16:01 PM PDT

RANCHO CUCAMONGA – A search warrant was served at a bail bond business after sheriff’s deputies received word that bail agents were violating solicitation rules.

San Bernardino County sheriff’s detectives and investigators from the Department of Insurance served a search warrant Thursday at Bail Hotline Bail Bonds, 8821 Etiwanda Ave.

Read the rest of this entry »

Some car pool lanes would be switched
Mediha Fejzagic DiMartino, Staff Writer
Posted: 07/18/2010 09:15:59 AM PDT

For Ruben Alvarez one of the perks of having kids is being able to cruise in the carpool lane.

But if a San Bernardino County transportation planning agency follows through with its plan to ease traffic congestion on local freeways, Alvarez’ free ride in the diamond lane may soon be over.

Read the rest of this entry »

Group aims to leverage growing Hispanic clout
James Rufus Koren, Staff Writer
Created: 07/17/2010 07:14:46 AM PDT

Hoping to harness the clout of the Inland Empire’s burgeoning Latino community, a new political action committee is mounting a push to increase the number of Latinos elected to local school boards, city councils, water boards, special districts and other posts.

The Latino Caucus of the Inland Empire aims to boost Latino voter turnout and back candidates who support issues important to Latinos.

Read the rest of this entry »

It looks as though Assistant Auditor-Controller-Treasurer-Tax Collector Elizabeth “Betsy” Starbuck has been dismissed.

Sources inside the office are saying Starbuck has abruptly departed under unknown circumstances.

Read the rest of this entry »

10:00 PM PDT on Friday, July 16, 2010

By IMRAN GHORI and DUANE W. GANG
The Press-Enterprise

San Bernardino County pays the highest car allowance of any Southern California county and provides it to the most employees, according to a survey released this week.

The $1,123-a-month stipend, provided to officials and staff members who use their own vehicles instead of county-owned cars, is almost twice as much as in other nearby counties.

Read the rest of this entry »

District Attorney Mike Ramos

The San Bernardino County Sentinel
Friday, July 16, 2010

Former sheriff Gary Penrod accumulated compromising information and materials pertaining to district attorney Mike Ramos which was then utilized to blackmail Ramos and head off an incipient effort by the district attorney’s office to file criminal charges against Penrod pertaining to a host of criminal acts the sheriff was himself involved in.

Read the rest of this entry »

10:00 PM PDT on Thursday, July 15, 2010

By KIMBERLY PIERCEALL
The Press-Enterprise

When San Bernardino International Airport offered incentives to the first four airlines that brought a schedule of flights with them, none wanted to be the first when they could be the third or fourth instead, said airport executive director Don Rogers.

Having offered up to $1 million annually for two years plus $500,000 in marketing and startup costs since September and not getting any takers, airport officials decided to make their offer more exclusive.

Read the rest of this entry »

A county union has moved to recover legal costs from San Bernardino County after the judge hearing a lawsuit filed by the county encouraged them to do so.

A lawsuit filed against the San Bernardino County Public Attorney’s Association by the County, at the recommendation of County Counsel Ruth Stringer and Public Defender Doreen Boxer, was dismissed a few months ago.

At that time the judge in the case, Christopher Warner, expressed his displeasure at the county for bringing such a ridiculous action.

Read the rest of this entry »

July 14, 2010 2:57 PM
Natasha Lindstrom

ADELANTO • San Bernardino County supervisors on Tuesday approved agreements that help secure $100 million from the state to triple the capacity of Adelanto Detention Center.

Clinching the $100 million hinged on the county’s commitment to sell 20 acres near the Apple Valley Juvenile Detention Facility for the construction of a state prison reentry facility.

Read the rest of this entry »

San Bernardino County officials have taken a new approach at inquiries into costs associated with civil litigation related to alleged time card fraud in the Assessors operation under Bill Postmus.

The new approach? We’re not going to tell you.

Yes, that’s right. An official request for an updated legal cost figure was met with the following response. The cost of taxpayer-sponsored litigation is now confidential!

Read the rest of this entry »

Almost two years ago I argued with a chief or staff or two as to why it would be wrong and unethical for the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors to bypass Fifth District Supervisor Josie Gonzales and give the vice-chairmanship to newcomer First District Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt. Josie had paid her dues; it was her turn in the rotation; and it would look bad, not only because she was the only minority and woman on the board, but also because the corruption scandal was just heating up and no one really knew at that time if Mitzelfelt would be dragged into it as Postmus’ chief of staff. We wrote a number of articles chastising the board for even considering not electing her to the position she earned.

Read the rest of this entry »

10:00 PM PDT on Tuesday, July 13, 2010

The Press-Enterprise

The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors approved the hiring of a new chief of staff for Board Chairman Gary Ovitt on Tuesday.

Larry Enriquez replaces Mark Kirk as Ovitt’s top aide. Kirk moved over to the county administrative staff as part of a board projects team created this month.

Read the rest of this entry »

Jesse B. Gill, Staff Writer
Posted: 07/13/2010 04:59:08 PM PDT

The county Board of Supervisors voted on Tuesday on a resolution that could mean a new tax for property owners to support the operation of street lights in the unincorporated “doughnut hole” area.

The community facilities district would levy a tax to each property owner in the area, based on the size of their parcels and how many street lights they require, said Pam Vandervoort, regional manager for the county’s special district department.

Read the rest of this entry »

Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 07/13/2010 07:13:11 PM PDT

The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday rejected an appeal attempting to block construction of a 27-acre solar plant in the High Desert community of Newberry Springs.

The county Planning Commission approved the project on April 22, and Newberry Springs residents James and Ramona Doles, who live across the street from where the solar plant will be built, subsequently appealed the decision.

Read the rest of this entry »

Environmental report goes to judge
July 13, 2010 4:53 PM
By Jessica Cejnar, staff writer

SAN BERNARDINO • Nursery Products won approval from the county a second time to build a sewage sludge composting facility about eight miles west of Hinkley.

Three members of the San Bernardino Board of Supervisors approved Nursery Products’ conditional use permit Tuesday. Fifth District Supervisor Josie Gonzales dissented. Fourth District Supervisor Gary Ovitt was absent.

Read the rest of this entry »

10:00 PM PDT on Monday, July 12, 2010

By IMRAN GHORI
The Press-Enterprise

A proposal for an open-air sludge composting facility near the High Desert community of Hinkley that has raised objections from residents will go back before the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors Tuesday.

The board approved the project in 2007 but after opponents sued a Superior Court judge found that part of the original environmental impact report was inadequate and overturned that approval. Nursery Products, the proponent of the project, is again seeking approval of the 80-acre plant on 160 acres near Highway 58, eight miles west of Hinkley.

Read the rest of this entry »

Reporter Joe Nelson
Sun / Daily Bulletin

Monday, July 12, 2010 – 10:45 am
Last Updated: Monday, July 12, 2010 – 12:08 pm

One thing is obvious these days. Investigative reporting by local newspapers is long gone.

More and more local newspaper reporters are becoming increasingly pliable to ignoring facts when it suits them. A prime example today is a one-sided story in the Barstow Desert Dispatch related to action by the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors on the Nursery Products LLC – Hawes Composting Facility near Hinkley.

Read the rest of this entry »

www.iepolitics.com

Written by Administrator
July 12th, 2010 at 9:00 am

It is said that the love of money is the root of all evil and human behavior certainly suggests that the adoration of the almighty greenback brings about the demise of many a man. When we come across a panhandler on the street, some of us will throw change his way while others will look in the opposite direction, assuming he is trying to mislead us and get something for nothing.

The same goes for charities and non-profits. Some of us take the good works they tout at face value while others look at all who ask for money with skepticism.

Read the rest of this entry »

July 11, 2010 8:34 AM
By Jessica Cejnar, staff writer

HINKLEY • A citizens group opposing a proposed sewage sludge composting facility near Hinkley will go before the Board of Supervisors Tuesday in an effort to get the conditional use permit for the project revoked.

This is the second time Nursery Products’ Hinkley project has gone before the Board of Supervisors. County staff is recommending the Board approve the project’s conditional use permit, saying the benefits outweigh the potential impacts. The county initially approved of the facility in 2007.

Read the rest of this entry »

The ongoing saga involving San Bernardino County supervisor Paul Biane and his apparently former chief of staff Matt Brown just keeps getting better and better.

During our last update we informed you that Brown was reportedly balking at taking a position in the Auditor-Controller-Treasurer-Tax Collector’s office.

Sources at the time were telling InlandPolitics.com Brown wanted his legal bills paid for by the county.

Now we have learned of a new request.

Read the rest of this entry »

www.iepolitics.com

Written by Administrator
July 10th, 2010 at 11:06 pm

It doesn’t seem to matter if we are discussing Jeff Burum, the Lewis Family, or any other of a number of successful, wealthy businessmen in our community, they are all “corrupt.” I don’t mean that they are really, truly corrupt, but they are “corrupt” in the minds of the less successful. The common thought seems to be that if one has money, then one has no integrity. Our community doesn’t allow for making an “honest” hundred million or so. Hard work, sacrifice, intellect, college education, and just plain good old-fashioned luck can all be damned. If one is successful, then one must be a crook.

Read the rest of this entry »

www.iepolitics.com

Written by La Cochita
July 9th, 2010 at 5:35 pm

David Ellis is the founder of the Dave Ellis Group and Delta Partners, LLC, a full-service government relations and public affairs firm located in Orange County, California. He is San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos’ campaign consultant and political advisor.

Not long after Sam Clauder’s arrest on child porn charges, Ellis was at an event where he was overheard saying, “I think we have Clauder right where we want him,” referring to Clauder’s arrest and incarceration. Remember, Sam Clauder was a Democratic operative and vocal opponent of Mike Ramos and other San Bernardino County Republicans.

Read the rest of this entry »

Moonbeam and Robin

Batman: “Haven’t you noticed how we always escape the vicious ensnarements of our enemies?”
Robin: “Yeah, because we’re smarter than they are!”
Batman: “I like to think it’s because our hearts are pure.”

Riddle me this readers: What were they thinking?

Read the rest of this entry »

John “JP” Pomierski

Cloud over Upland

Mayor’s future is on the line
Sandra Emerson, Staff Writer
Created: 07/10/2010 07:08:31 AM PDT

UPLAND – Mayor John “JP” Pomierski was elected by Upland voters to save the city from the verge of bankruptcy.

The citizens trusted his abilities as an Upland businessman to lead them to the financial stability the city enjoys now, 10 years later.

But his own business dealings have come under scrutiny by federal investigators. A June 10 raid by FBI and IRS agents on Pomierski’s home, City Hall and two local businesses has left residents questioning the integrity of the mayor who helped pull the city out of its fiscal darkness, and wondering what his future might be.

Read the rest of this entry »

Rutherford

Point of View

Councilwoman Janice Rutherford
Posted: 07/08/2010 07:57:07 PM PDT

Congratulations to the San Bernardino County Grand Jury for uncovering massive increases in the portion of the county budget that county elected officials are spending on taxpayer-financed aides, analysts and public relations advisers.

The Grand Jury learned that the county Board of Supervisors is using taxpayer dollars for the bloated “Fifth Floor,” totaling a stunning $65 million in 2010 alone.

Read the rest of this entry »

San Bernardino County may have identified a source for potentially significant savings.

Significant as in $2 million per year, according to sources. A nice amount especially in light of budget constraints.

Read the rest of this entry »

Point of View

Richard Grenell
Created: 07/08/2010 07:52:54 PM PDT

In the aftermath of the announcement that District Attorney Mike Ramos’ team failed miserably to prove that Rex Gutierrez participated in a conspiracy or lied on his time card, there was one little-noticed comment that stood out.

Assistant District Attorney Jim Hackleman, Mike Ramos’ appointed hatchet man, accidentally confirmed a suspicion many San Bernardino County residents had suspected for many months. Hackleman was asked by the media if the DA’s Office would seek a re-trial of their failed and costly conspiracy case and his comments were very telling. Hackleman proved just who was driving this wild political investigation when he said, “We’re going to sit down with our partners in the Attorney General’s office and will thoroughly review and refine our case with them.”

Read the rest of this entry »

Rex Gutierrez

08:44 AM PDT on Thursday, July 8, 2010

By IMRAN GHORI
The Press-Enterprise

Former San Bernardino County assessor’s official Rex Gutierrez will be retried starting Aug. 30 on corruption charges.

Superior Court Judge Duke Rouse scheduled the new trial at a brief hearing Wednesday. A pre-trial conference will be held Aug 6.

Read the rest of this entry »

James Rufus Koren, Staff Writer
Posted: 07/08/2010 04:45:18 PM PDT

More than 200 city council, school board and special district seats in San Bernardino County are up for election in November, and locals interested in running for those seats can begin filing candidate paperwork Monday.

The filing deadline is Friday, Aug. 6.

Read the rest of this entry »

July 08, 2010 3:47 PM
From Staff Reports

SAN BERNARDINO • Calling for less politics and more checks and balances in the San Bernardino County schools office, some education officials are considering getting rid of voters’ direct say over who fills the county schools chief post.

On Monday, the county Board of Education is set to discuss the process to change the County Superintendent of Schools position from an elected role to an appointed one.

Read the rest of this entry »

Boxer

Widely covered in numerous stories at iepolitics.com is the dissension within the San Bernardino County Public Defenders Office.

Clearly, various personnel and managerial miscues in recent months has cast a spotlight on the department. A department with such great responsibility to criminal defendants must perform at an optimum level. The Public Defender must garner trust and also possess the skill necessary to maintain client confidence in their legal counsel.

Read the rest of this entry »

Gutierrez

A new trial date has been set for Rancho Cucamonga City Councilman and former Assessor employee Rex Gutierrez.

During a status conference yesterday, Superior Court Judge Duke Rouse set a pre-trial hearing for August 6th and a new jury trial for August 30th.

Read the rest of this entry »

I would have missed this gem over the weekend, but a photo in a Sounthern California newspaper was the tip off.

This past weekend San Bernardino County District Attorney Michael Ramos rotated into the Presidency of the California District Attorneys Association (CDAA).

Yes, now the CDAA is stuck with this man as their leader.

Read the rest of this entry »

Tuesday, July 6, 2010 – 09:30 pm

Wait just a minute!

One thing is for certain. The David Lewis calamity has disappeared way too conveniently.

Questions need to be asked. Official questions. The kind of questions asked by the U.S. Department of Justice. They are already here, and if they aren’t already engaged on this, they should be. It’s clear no agency in this county can be trusted.

Read the rest of this entry »

Ramos

While Rancho Cucamonga City Councilman and former San Bernardino County Assessor’s Office Inter-Governmental Affairs Officer Rex Gutierrez was allegedly doing city work on county time and county work on city time, what was our favorite San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos doing?

Well he had his own version of “inter-governmental affairs” on his mind. Yep, that’s right. He was busy with affairs for sure. You know the kind-fornication, copulation, making whoopee-not with the wife he tells these women he is divorcing, but with his subordinates.

Read the rest of this entry »

www.iepolitics.com

Written by Administrator
July 6th, 2010 at 1:28 am

In writing this series about corruption at San Bernardino County’s only county-operated hospital, Arrowhead Regional Medical Center (ARMC), there was one thing I could never understand about the situation and that is why does ARMC contract out over $28 million in services every other year but is not required to go through the RFP process even though many of these contracts are for a million dollars or more, well above the statutory limit for no-bid contracts. So I asked an expert and here is his answer:

Read the rest of this entry »

10:00 PM PDT on Monday, July 5, 2010

Cassie MacDuff

San Bernardino County administrator Greg Devereaux continues to put his imprint on the county government.

Devereaux announced last week that he’ll move at least nine Board of Supervisors staff members under his office, where they will serve the supervisors but report to him.

Read the rest of this entry »

From a competitor in Kern County, to a middle-man operative, the cast involved in a coordinated effort to prevent a High Desert composting facility from opening is interesting.

The facility to be operated by Nursery Products, LLC is located eight miles west of Hinkley, California, and it’s causing quiet a stir in the High Desert.

Read the rest of this entry »

Greg Devereaux

Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 07/03/2010 07:10:35 AM PDT

San Bernardino County’s nearly 19,000 employees have accrued $152 million in vacation and sick time, holiday pay and administrative leave – an unfunded liability that will need addressing to keep the budget on track in coming years, officials say.

The problem is not the accrual, considered a standard process in many counties and municipalities, but the fact that the county has not funded the accrued time in past years, County Administrative Officer Greg Devereaux said.

Read the rest of this entry »

Gutierrez

Jurors’ remarks provide encouragement
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 07/03/2010 09:50:18 PM PDT

Prosecutors say they are not deterred by their failure to convict Rancho Cucamonga Councilman Rex Gutierrez and are convinced they’ll do better the second time around.

Assistant District Attorney Jim Hackleman said prosecutors had a chance to talk to jurors following the mistrial that was declared Wednesday in the two-week trial of Gutierrez, 50, who is charged with two felony counts of grand theft and one felony count of filing a false claim.

Read the rest of this entry »

Ramos

InlandPolitics.com has learned that five more women have come forward against San Bernardino County District Attorney Michael Ramos.

Additional details will be forthcoming during the next 72 hours.

11:17 PM PDT on Friday, July 2, 2010

By JACK KATZANEK
The Press-Enterprise

The rehabilitation of Inland Southern California’s ailing economy is not going fast enough for many of its financially strapped citizens, and some are concerned conditions may be getting worse.

But economists caution that recovering from such a steep recession was bound to include landmines that would make it appear at times as if there was no recovery happening at all.

Read the rest of this entry »

10:00 PM PDT on Friday, July 2, 2010

By DUANE W. GANG
The Press-Enterprise

The Inland region’s property values are showing signs of stabilizing as the assessors in Riverside and San Bernardino counties reported smaller declines this year.

Riverside County’s tax rolls declined 4.25 percent, far less than the 10.5 percent drop in 2009, Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder Larry Ward reported this week.

Read the rest of this entry »

10:00 PM PDT on Friday, July 2, 2010

San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos began his year-long term as president of the California District Attorneys’ Association Thursday.

The group, whose membership is made up of district attorneys across the state, meets in Monterey this weekend for its semi-annual conference.

Read the rest of this entry »

Ramos

Sources inside the San Bernardino County’s District Attorney and County Administrative Offices are quietly confirming the cost of DA Mike Ramos’ alleged corruption investigations involving multiple individuals has exceeded $5 million.

A huge taxpayer price tag for Ramos’ reelection showcase and political vendetta.

Read the rest of this entry »

www.iepolitics.com

Written by Administrator
July 1st, 2010 at 4:56 pm

As I read various blog comments and accounts of Rancho Cucamonga City Councilman and former San Bernardino County Assessor employee Rex Gutierrez’ corruption trial and non-verdict, I realize the magnitude of what happened Wednesday is lost on most. Let me explain.

The District Attorney pulled out all stops to keep this case from going to trial any sooner than necessary due to his re-election campaign and fear certain information might come out during the trial. Gutierrez refused to waive time further. The District Attorney used every procedural delay available and the trial did not commence until the last possible moment. The District Attorney was hoping a smoking gun would materialize but it never did. The District Attorney’s hand was forced.

Read the rest of this entry »

10:00 PM PDT on Thursday, July 1, 2010

By IMRAN GHORI
The Press-Enterprise

San Bernardino County prosecutors didn’t have any second thoughts about retrying a corruption case that ended in a mistrial, a district attorney’s official said Thursday.

Prosecutors made the announcement only minutes after Superior Court Judge Duke Rouse declared a mistrial in the criminal case against Rancho Cucamonga Councilman Rex Gutierrez. The state attorney general’s office, co-prosecuting the case, joined a statement supporting the decision.

Read the rest of this entry »

Andrew Edwards, Staff Writer
Posted: 07/01/2010 05:35:07 PM PDT

Many San Bernardino County homeowners may be able to expect lower property tax bills, but declines in the assessment roll could signal further money problems for local governments.

“The county continues to suffer from the decline of the real estate market and it’s something that the county has to budget for and deal with,” county spokesman David Wert said.

Read the rest of this entry »

July 01, 2010 5:22 PM
From Staff Reports

SAN BERNARDINO • Victor Valley property values plummeted faster than every other city in San Bernardino County over the past year, according to the annual property assessment roll signed this week by Assessor Dennis Draeger.

County-wide, property values saw a 4.5 percent decline compared to 2009-10, the assessor reported. The county’s roll of 819,827 parcels is now valued at $162.8 billion.

Read the rest of this entry »

Rex Gutierrez

Wendy Leung, Staff Writer
Created: 07/01/2010 04:37:59 PM PDT

RANCHO CUCAMONGA – Feeling optimistic and vindicated, Councilman Rex Gutierrez on Thursday announced he will seek re-election to the City Council in November.

A San Bernardino Superior Court jury on Wednesday failed to reach a verdict on Gutierrez’s criminal trial, leading Judge Duke Rouse to declare a mistrial. The outcome spelled relief for the embattled councilman, who was confident enough to announce his wish to remain on the City Council.

Read the rest of this entry »

District Attorney Mike Ramos / Attorney General Jerry Brown

.

Thursday, July 1, 2010 – 10:00 a.m.

Once thing is for certain.

San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos drawing Attorney General Jerry Brown into his crusade against his political enemies was a smart move.

Even though Defendant Jim Erwin pushed him into it.

Read the rest of this entry »

Gutierrez

10:21 PM PDT on Wednesday, June 30, 2010

By IMRAN GHORI
The Press-Enterprise

A San Bernardino County Superior Court judge declared a mistrial Wednesday in the criminal corruption case against Rancho Cucamonga Councilman Rex Gutierrez after a jury deadlocked on a verdict.

In a brief comment as he left the courtroom, Deputy District Attorney John Goritz said the office plans to retry Gutierrez.

Read the rest of this entry »

10:00 PM PDT on Wednesday, June 30, 2010

By JEFF HORSEMAN
The Press-Enterprise

The staffs working directly for the five San Bernardino County supervisors have almost doubled since 2003, costing millions of dollars, coming not from the general fund but from the board’s discretionary accounts, a report released Wednesday states.

An annual report by the county grand jury said that money should be in the general fund to cover the county’s budget shortfall, which stood at $89.1 million prior to Monday’s passage of a 2010-11 spending plan.

Read the rest of this entry »

Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Created: 06/30/2010 09:20:01 PM PDT

During the last fiscal year, San Bernardino County supervisors used $2.6million earmarked for special projects and programs in their districts to fund additional staffing in their offices, the Grand Jury has found.

Since 1999, each county supervisor has been allocated discretionary funds to fund special projects and programs benefitting their communities. The amount each supervisor has received since 2005 ranges from $400,000 to $750,000, according to the 2009-2010 Grand Jury report released Wednesday.

Read the rest of this entry »

June 30, 2010 5:49 PM

SAN BERNARDINO • Judge Duke D. Rouse declared a mistrial Wednesday in the corruption case of Rancho Cucamonga Councilman Rex Gutierrez, who’s accused of defrauding taxpayers while working in the San Bernardino County Assessor’s office under Bill Postmus.

Prosecutors argued Gutierrez, 50, worked on Rancho Cucamonga matters on county time and filed false time cards during his 22 months as intergovernmental relations officer in the Assessor’s office. He faced two felony counts of grand theft of more than $400 and one felony count of filing a false claim.

Read the rest of this entry »

Andrew Edwards, Staff Writer
Posted: 06/30/2010 05:28:41 PM PDT

Inland Empire residents continue to rate the area as a good place to live, although economic decline and distrust of politicians weigh heavily on their minds, a new survey reports.

“The ratings of the counties’ economies just tanked, as did their personal finances,” said Barbara Sirotnik of the Institute of Applied Research at Cal State San Bernardino.

Read the rest of this entry »

Aleman

Breaking news here. The jury in the Rex Gutierrez trial didn’t believe key prosecution witness Adam Aleman.

Wow, no kidding.

Read the rest of this entry »

Gutierrez

Joe Nelson and Mike Cruz, Staff Writers
Posted: 06/30/2010 04:06:38 PM PDT

A mistrial has been declared in the trial of Rancho Cucamonga Councilman Rex Gutierrez.

The 11-woman, one-man jury voted 7-5 and 8-4 in favor of convictions on Gutierrez’s two felony charges of grand theft and 9-3 in favor of conviction on one felony count of filing a false claim.

Jurors began deliberations on Monday.

Read the rest of this entry »

The jury in the trial of Rancho Cucamonga city councilman and former Assessor employee Rex Gutierrez announced it was at an impasse Wednesday afternoon.

Superior Court Judge Duke D. Rouse declared a mistrial and sent the jury home after being informed a unanimous verdict could not be reached.

The jury, consisting of 11 women and 1 man, could not reach a verdict on any of the felony charges, consisting of two counts of grand theft and one count of filing a false claim.

Read the rest of this entry »

Sources tell InlandPolitics.com that Matt Brown, chief of staff for county supervisor Paul Biane has been offered a position with Auditor-Controller-Treasurer-Tax Collector Larry Walker.

But it seems Brown is balking at taking the job.

Read the rest of this entry »

The jury in the Rex Gutierrez case will commence their third day of deliberations at 9:30 a.m.

Expect a verdict if there is going to be one. After today the probability of a mistrial increases.

Stay tuned.

James Rufus Koren, Staff Writer
Posted: 06/29/2010 06:07:17 PM PDT

San Bernardino County’s West Valley juvenile hall will close early next year and the county Probation Department could lose as many as 39 officers as it seeks to cut $10.2 million from its budget.

West Valley Juvenile Detention and Assessment Center in Rancho Cucamonga will close in March, seven probation-corrections officers will be laid off next month and 32 more officers could lose their jobs by the end of the year, Chief Probation Officer Michelle Scray said Tuesday.

Read the rest of this entry »

Another interesting aspect of today’s deliberations in the Rex Gutierrez trial was the request for testimony read-back by the jury.

The jury requested the court reporter read-back testimony of the defendant.

Read the rest of this entry »

***This post was updated and revised late Tuesday night after the receipt of clarification on the jury’s inquiry. A completely different line of inquiry occurred than that originally published***

The jury deliberating the fate of Rancho Cucamonga city councilman and former Assessor employee Rex Gutierrez ended its first full day of deliberations with no verdict and a couple questions for the court and attorneys.

Read the rest of this entry »

Cortes

www.iepolitics.com

Written by Administrator
June 29th, 2010 at 7:56 pm

Here is the order:  Councilperson Cortes v. Moore Note:  There are two separate files when you open the document.  The first is the application and the second is the order.

A couple of things are noteworthy.  First, the order is for 100 yards and includes city hall, city functions, etc.  The defendant is a resident of  Grand Terrace and this order basically denies her right to participate in city government or even pay her trash bill in person.  If this order is made permanent, she would not be allowed to attend a 4th of July event if the city is sponsoring one, or a Christmas pageant, or a parade.

Read the rest of this entry »

Jury deliberations to determine the fate of Rancho Cucamonga city councilman and former Assessor employee Rex Gutierrez has reconvened.

Gutierrez faces three felony charges related to alleged time card fraud during his employment under former Assessor Bill Postmus.

Rex Gutierrez

10:27 PM PDT on Monday, June 28, 2010

By IMRAN GHORI
The Press-Enterprise

The first case to go to trial in a corruption investigation against five San Bernardino County officials went to the jury Monday.

In his closing arguments before a packed courtroom, defense attorney James Reiss called his client Rex Gutierrez a pawn in prosecutors’ attempts to go after an influential developer.

Read the rest of this entry »

Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 06/28/2010 08:25:01 PM PDT

Rancho Cucamonga Councilman Rex Gutierrez, while employed at the San Bernardino County Assessor’s Office, honestly documented his activities, deceived no one and became a political pawn in a corruption probe by state and local prosecutors, his attorney argued Monday.

During an emphatic closing argument in San Bernardino Superior Court, defense attorney James Reiss decried prosecutors’ allegations that Gutierrez conspired with Rancho Cucamonga developer Jeff Burum and former Assessor Bill Postmus in taking a job at the county office while performing work in his capacity as a councilman.

Read the rest of this entry »

10:00 PM PDT on Monday, June 28, 2010

By IMRAN GHORI
The Press-Enterprise

The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors approved a $3.8 billion budget Monday that calls for deep cuts in almost all departments, including layoffs in the probation, public defender and planning offices.

The spending plan for the 2010-11 fiscal year eliminates 529 positions, 85 of which are filled. The general fund, which makes up $2.2 billion of the budget, is down $89 million from the previous year while funds allocated to specific programs are up $191 million, County Administrative Officer Greg Devereaux said.

Read the rest of this entry »

James Rufus Koren and Joe Nelson, Staff Writers
Posted: 06/28/2010 06:23:41 PM PDT

San Bernardino County’s budget for the new fiscal year calls for cutting hundreds of county jobs and holding off on raises for many county employees.

County leaders approved the 2010-11 spending plan Monday. The new fiscal year begins July 1.

The $3.8 billion spending plan calls for cutting 529 county positions. County leaders acknowledged the budget included “painful decisions” but said it will help the county remain on solid financial ground into the future.

Read the rest of this entry »

The administration of justice is the firmest pillar of government.

~George Washington~

www.iepolitics.com

Written by Administrator
June 28th, 2010 at 10:14 pm

I intended for the final installment in this series to profile the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department. But how many times can I write about the incestuous relationships between District Attorney Mike Ramos, Conflict Panel attorneys, Public Defender Doreen Boxer and judges—relationships that often should be prohibited by conflict laws if not their own sense of integrity and morality? Unfortunately, as we know “integrity and morality” are not important qualities to many of these individuals.

Read the rest of this entry »

It was the defense’s turn this morning in San Bernardino County Superior Court in the trial of Rancho Cucamonga city councilman and former Assessor employee Rex Gutierrez.

Gutierrez is facing three felony counts related to alleged time card fraud while working for Assessor Bill Postmus.

Read the rest of this entry »

Sunday, June 27, 2010 – 11:27 a.m.

San Bernardino County is set to adopt its 2010-11 budget next year and the revenue assumption appears to be significantly better than originally thought.

Currently the county projects combined annual operating deficits totaling $222.1 million dollars through the 2014-15 fiscal years. A bright estimate considering current conditions.

Read the rest of this entry »

Sunday, June 27, 2010 – 10:16 a.m.

Now that the dust has settled over the hoop-la with the San Bernardino County union concession votes, we can see what is slated to occur at Monday’s special Board of Supervisors meeting, where the 2010-11 budget is scheduled to be approved.

The pain to be felt by sworn sheriff and district attorney employees who rejected proposed contract concessions? The deletion of vacant budgeted positions and a reduction in overtime.

Read the rest of this entry »

County alleges fraud in Assessor’s Office
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 06/27/2010 07:02:50 AM PDT

As the trial of Rancho Cucamonga Councilman Rex Gutierrez comes to a close this week, a civil lawsuit against the defendant and four other former executive staff at the county Assessor’s Office lingers on.

The county filed the lawsuit on May 12, 2009, the same day a county-commissioned investigative report detailing alleged misconduct in the Assessor’s Office under the reign of Assessor Bill Postmus was released to the public.

Read the rest of this entry »

Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 06/27/2010 09:52:30 PM PDT

After seven days of testimony, the trial of Rancho Cucamonga Councilman Rex Gutierrez approached its end Thursday with prosecutor John Goritz delivering his closing argument.

Defense attorney James Reiss delivers his closing argument today in San Bernardino Superior Court.

Read the rest of this entry »

June 27, 2010 10:46 AM
DAVID KECK, Special to the Daily Press

Despite the economic downturn San Bernardino County’s population grew by 24,684 people from 2007 to 2009, according to preliminary estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The county’s population was 2,017,673 as of July 1, 2009.

Read the rest of this entry »

Pat Dennen

Sunday, June 27, 2010 – 10:14 a.m.

Retired San Bernardino County Fire Chief Pat Dennen has been appointed Deputy Fire Chief of Operations for the California Emergency Management Agency (Cal EMA).

Cal EMA Fire and Rescue is responsible for management of the day to day operations of the State’s Fire and Rescue Mutual Aid System which has at its disposal a fleet of 129 Cal EMA engines, 12 Cal EMA water tenders, 13 Cal EMA swift water units, 6 Cal EMA communication/ support units and more than 1,000 local government fire engines that can be deployed statewide during major fire sieges and disasters.

Congratulations Pat……

City is looking to trim benefit for future hires
Andrew Edwards, Staff Writer
Posted: 06/26/2010 10:03:17 PM PDT

SAN BERNARDINO – City Hall’s long-range plan to halt growing deficits includes negotiations aimed at whittling away at the retirement benefits that could be owed to future employees.

City employees’ contracts expire at or before the end of this year, and the city’s weakened financial position could be a premise for difficult bargaining sessions.

Read the rest of this entry »

By PE Politics
on June 25, 2010 11:00 AM

San Bernardino County has certified the results of the June 8 election.

Riverside County has finished counting all of the ballots that were in its possession on Election Day.

Read the rest of this entry »

04:06 PM PDT on Friday, June 25, 2010

By KIMBERLY PIERCEALL

Arrowhead Credit Union has been seized by the National Credit Union Administration, according to the regulatory agency.

NCUA spokesman John McKechnie said the credit union’s branches would continue conducting normal operations and deposits up to $250,000 were insured.

Read the rest of this entry »

Gutierrez

10:00 PM PDT on Thursday, June 24, 2010

By IMRAN GHORI
The Press-Enterprise

Rancho Cucamonga Councilman Rex Gutierrez defrauded San Bernardino County taxpayers as part of a “culture of corruption” at the assessor’s office, a prosecutor charged Thursday in his closing argument.

Deputy District Attorney John Goritz told the jury there was overwhelming evidence of a conspiracy that allowed Gutierrez to get his position as intergovernmental relations officer at the assessor’s office through a political favor yet avoid any discipline for failing to do much work.

Read the rest of this entry »

Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Created: 06/24/2010 07:30:48 PM PDT

Rancho Cucamonga Councilman Rex Gutierrez knowingly falsified time records and was paid for hours not worked in the county Assessor’s Office, and should therefore be convicted of grand theft, a prosecutor said Thursday in San Bernardino Superior Court.

“The evidence shows, well beyond a reasonable doubt, that the defendant lied on his time cards and didn’t show up for work regularly,” prosecutor John Goritz said during his closing argument Thursday in Gutierrez’s trial. “You can decide this case based on that alone.”

Read the rest of this entry »

City found cash to cover Sheriff’s union raises but will see a 10-percent drop in coverage due to vacant deputy positions.
June 24, 2010 8:05 PM
BROOKE EDWARDS, STAFF WRITER

VICTORVILLE • The city is no longer considering dropping nine deputies for the coming year, however seven deputy positions currently vacant will not be restored in the upcoming budget.

The city council was expected to vote during the budget workshop coming up Tuesday on whether to move one sergeant, one detective and seven deputies out of Victorville.

Read the rest of this entry »

June 24, 2010 1:45 PM
Natasha Lindstrom

SAN BERNARDINO • As arguments wrap up in the first jury trial in a far-reaching county corruption probe, a judge on Thursday dropped one of four felony counts against an executive staff member of former San Bernardino County Assessor Bill Postmus.

Defendant Rex Gutierrez, also a Rancho Cucamonga councilman, is accused of defrauding taxpayers by working on personal or Rancho Cucamonga matters on county time and falsifying time cards, during his service as intergovernmental relations officer under Postmus.

Read the rest of this entry »

www.iepolitics.com

Written by Administrator
June 24th, 2010 at 10:00 am

Closing arguments began this afternoon in the case involving Rancho Cucamonga city councilman and former Assessor employee Rex Gutierrez.

Gutierrez is now charged with only three felonies related to his employment under former Assessor Bill Postmus, after Superior Court Judge Duke D. Rouse acquitted him of Embezzlement by a Public Officer, count number three of the complaint. The Embezzlement charge dismissal is a blow to the prosecution. The embezzlement charge is what is referred to as a “general intent” crime with a lower threshold to prove guilt.

Read the rest of this entry »

This morning Superior Court Judge Duke D. Rouse dismissed one felony count against Rancho Cuamonga City Councilman and former Assessor employee Rex Gutierrez,

During preparation of jury instructions defense attorney Jim Reiss made a motion to dismiss count three of the complaint for Embezzlement by a Public Officer (Penal Code Section 424). Reiss argued Gutierrez’s duties and responsibilities did not subject him to penalty under the law.

Read the rest of this entry »

Gutierrez

Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 06/23/2010 06:42:31 PM PDT

Defense attorney James Reiss rested his case Wednesday in San Bernardino Superior court following testimony from four character witnesses in the trial of Rancho Cucamonga Councilman Rex Gutierrez.

Each of the character witnesses described the Gutierrez as an “honest man.”

Read the rest of this entry »

10:00 PM PDT on Wednesday, June 23, 2010

By IMRAN GHORI
The Press-Enterprise

A San Bernardino County prosecutor hammered at the credibility of Rancho Cucamonga Councilman Rex Gutierrez on Wednesday as the former county assessor’s official continued his second day on the witness stand.

The testimony came as the prosecution and defense called their last witnesses in the sixth day of the corruption trial. Closing arguments are scheduled for today.

Read the rest of this entry »

San Bernardino International Airport still has no carrier deal.

10:21 PM PDT on Wednesday, June 23, 2010

By KIMBERLY PIERCEALL
The Press-Enterprise

San Bernardino International Airport expects to operate at a loss of about $4.9 million when its fiscal year starts July 1, according to the budget approved Wednesday.

That’s also assuming an airline would bring in $2.5 million in revenue. So far, no airline has chosen to land at the airport despite the terminal being essentially complete.

Read the rest of this entry »

Wednesday, June 23, 2020 – 3:45 P.M.

Testimony in the trial of Rex Gutierrez ended this afternoon following the conclusion of Gutierrez’s testimony and that of four character witnesses for the defense and two rebuttal witnesses for the prosecution.

Deputy Attorney General Melissa Mandel finally entered the picture. Mandel cross-examined at least two of the four character witnesses. Mandel’s demeanor came across less than hospitable considering the witnesses had nothing to do with the situation.

Read the rest of this entry »

Wednesday, June 23, 2010 – 1:25 P.M.

This morning it was more of the same at the trial of Rancho Cucamonga city councilman and former Assessor employee Rex Gutierrez. Things picked up right where they left off.

Gutierrez took the witness stand again and was subjected to further berating by Deputy District Attorney John Goritz. Goritz can’t help but raise his voice.

Read the rest of this entry »

InlandPolitics.com is still piecing together information still being received related to the contract vote by the San Bernardino Public Employees Association (SBPEA).

It’s seems to be boiling down to the money. The unions money!

Read the rest of this entry »

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

At Tuesday’s meeting, San Bernardino County supervisors took item #52 off calendar.

The item was a no-bid six-month contract with John Husing of Economics and Politics, Inc. in the amount of $6,000 for economic consulting services.

Read the rest of this entry »

Rex Gutierrez

10:00 PM PDT on Tuesday, June 22, 2010

By IMRAN GHORI
The Press-Enterprise

Rancho Cucamonga Councilman Rex Gutierrez denied allegations Tuesday that his former job at the San Bernardino County assessor’s office was a sham.

On the fifth day of testimony in his corruption trial, the defendant countered other witnesses who said he got the job as an intergovernmental relations officer as a favor through influential Rancho Cucamonga developer Jeff Burum, and that he did little actual work.

Read the rest of this entry »

Rex Gutierrez

Gutierrez rejects Burum link to job
Joe Nelson, Staff Writer
Posted: 06/22/2010 08:08:23 PM PDT

Rancho Cucamonga Councilman Rex Gutierrez took the witness stand Tuesday in his own defense, denying allegations that his nearly two-year employment in the San Bernardino County Assessor’s Office was political in nature and influenced by developer Jeff Burum.

Defense attorney James Reiss began presenting his case Tuesday in San Bernardino Superior Court in the trial of Gutierrez, 50, who is charged with felony grand theft, misappropriation of public funds and filing a false claim.

Read the rest of this entry »

Michael J. Sorba, Staff Writer
Created: 06/22/2010 04:49:13 PM PDT

County employees represented by the San Bernardino Public Employees Association have agreed to benefits concessions that will reduce a projected $89.4 million deficit in fiscal year 2010-11 by $13 million.

The union also agreed to $42 million in salary concessions that will provide savings to state and federally funded portions of the county’s budget, said county spokesman David Wert.

Read the rest of this entry »

James Rufus Koren, Staff Writer
Created: 06/22/2010 05:02:48 PM PDT

Pit bull owners in San Bernardino County’s unincorporated areas will soon have to have their dogs spayed or neutered or face county fines.

The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday gave initial approval to an ordinance requiring all pit bulls and “pit bull-type dogs” be spayed or neutered. Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt authored the ordinance, which he said aims to cut down on the number of pit bulls in county animal shelters and on the number of pit-bull attacks.

Read the rest of this entry »

June 22, 2010 4:11 PM
Natasha Lindstrom

SAN BERNARDINO • In a move bringing some relief to officials scrambling to balance the San Bernardino County budget, the county’s largest employees union has agreed to concessions that will save at least $13 million.

The San Bernardino Public Employees Association, representing more than 16,000 employees, narrowly approved the proposed deal, with just under 51 percent of members voting in favor of eliminating scheduled 6-percent salary hikes.

Read the rest of this entry »

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Rancho Cucamonga city councilman Rex Gutierrez testified today in his own defense.

Attorney Jim Reiss questioned Gutierrez about his background, namely his work history. In addition to his background history Gutierrez went over the process by which the city of Rancho Cucamonga and National CORE partner up. Defense attorney Reiss questioned Gutierrez about his lengthy relationship with developer Jeff Burum, that began around 1992. Throughout this relationship Burum and himself would keep in contact on a consistent basis, Gutierrez said.

Read the rest of this entry »

Rancho Cucamonga City Councilman and former Assessor employee Rex Gutierrez has taken the stand in his own defense this morning.

Gutierrez faces four felony counts related to allegations of time card fraud and a conspiracy to give him employment.

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

As last nights vote count and election process by the San Bernardino Pubic Employees Association (SBPEA) is called further into question, a few details need to be clarified.

First, it is appropriate for a labor union to conduct membership-wide votes for matters related to the general business of the organization. The types of matters I’m referring to include, but is not limited to, election of officers, by-law amendments, and dues increases.

Read the rest of this entry »

Monday, June 21, 2010

The latest murmurings coming out the San Bernardino County Government Center say newly appointed county administrative officer Greg Devereaux has his hands full on multiple levels.

On the finance front, fires are burning everywhere, with new blazes erupting on a routine basis. Most due to the incompetence of his predecessor Mark Uffer.

If anyone can right this ship Devereaux can.

Read the rest of this entry »

www.iepolitics.com

Written by Administrator
June 21st, 2010 at 5:02 pm

Four things belong to a judge: to hear courteously, to answer wisely, to consider soberly, and to decide impartially.

˜Socrates˜

In the first three parts we examined the District Attorney’s Office, the Conflict Panel, and the Public Defender’s Office. It is now time to turn our attention to the Superior Court bench.

Read the rest of this entry »

You have got to be kidding?

Just when you thought you had seen it all, something else happens. Within hours of the vote count this evening by the San Bernardino Public Employees Association (SBPEA) ratifying a modification to the collective bargaining agreement with the County of San Bernardino, word is quickly spreading that the vote may now be in question.

Read the rest of this entry »

Monday, June 21, 2010

This mornings events at the trial of Rancho Cucamonga City councilman and former Assessor employee Rex Gutierrez had the atmosphere of watching paint dry, until the lead District Attorney investigator on the case was questioned by defense attorney Jim Reiss.

Gutierrez is charged with four felonies related to alleged time card fraud and prosecution claims that his hiring by former Assessor Bill Postmus was a conspiracy orchestrated by Rancho Cucamonga developer Jeff Burum.

Read the rest of this entry »

Gutierrez

10:00 PM PDT on Monday, June 21, 2010

By IMRAN GHORI
The Press-Enterprise

Rancho Cucamonga Councilman Rex Gutierrez and developer Jeff Burum exchanged seven phone calls while the City Council was hearing pitches from rival developers hoping to build on a 1,200-acre parcel, a district attorney’s investigator testified Monday.

Schyler Beaty, a senior investigator, said telephone records show the calls took place March 2, 2009. They occurred between presentations from different companies presenting plans for the highly sought-after surplus San Bernardino County land located in Rancho Cucamonga.

Read the rest of this entry »