Archive for the ‘Bill Postmus’ Category
Only because I know I’ll make a liar out of myself if I don’t qualify it as I will end up arguing with someone over my views. I guess my bottom line is this. I am now at the point of not caring if Bill Postmus resigns or not. I have stated repeatedly that I am against the BOS initiating their own investigation and removing Bill from office for many reasons such as:
11:58 AM Wed, Jan 07, 2009 An early picture of the local 2010 election in San Bernardino County is starting to emerge. One day after embattled Assessor Bill Postmus told supervisors he won’t seek re-election, Sheriff Gary Penrod is set to announce today at 3:30 p.m. that he is retiring early, before his term expires in 2010.
6:31 AM Wed, Jan 07, 2009 An Inland business owner faces a $1,600 state fine for failing to file reports detailing his campaign donations to a host of local and state candidates. Mark Bertone of Upland is owner and president of Madole & Associates, Inc., a civil engineering firm. He became a major donor and failed to timely file campaign statements disclosing $58,375 in contributions from 2006-2008, according to the state Fair Political Practices Commission.
Posted: 01/07/2009 08:31:07 PM PST Well, good for Assessor Bill Postmus. He finally showed up at a San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday, about five months after the supervisors asked him to come and respond to a critical grand jury report.
Lauren McSherry, Staff Writer After months of attempting to evade public scrutiny, county Assessor Bill Postmus addressed the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday and admitted to allegations of substance abuse. He said he would not seek re-election. The San Bernardino County supervisors had called upon Postmus numerous times to come before them and answer questions stemming from allegations of a methamphetamine addiction and using his elected office to conduct partisan politics.
Well, what an event-filled day! It’s taken forever tonight for me to update the blog. And on that subject, if there is anyone out there who would like to volunteer to help with the blog, i.e., adding newspaper stories and/or writing original pieces, let me know and I’ll set up an account for you. Right now I especially need help perusing the newspapers for interesting stories and my schedule is such that I’m having a hard time keeping up. “From a blogger” or original posts are always welcome. I received a very nice email today from Senator John Benoit’s Communications Director Darin Schemmer asking if I would like to be added to their press release list. Of course my answer was “yes.” I’m only just starting to add Riverside County politics to the blog and it would be nice to have a better relationship with their elected leaders than I have with San Bernardino County’s where I have to beg and use fake email addresses and names just to get a hold of their information for the blog. So thank you Darin and Senator Benoit.
Brad issued a statement regarding Bill, which I read a little while ago. But now using my Mac I cannot even open it or link to it. So here is the link to Brad’s site for now for those who want to read it. I’ve sent a text to my Mac expert hoping he can give me some help so I can download it or link to it directly. My Mac expert has responded. Someone let me know if this link works on your non-Mac computer: attachment-3ashx Brad’s is the only official statement I’ve seen so far. From what I understand Bill let Supervisor Ovitt know yesterday that he intended to make this statement during the public comment section. Too bad someone didn’t forewarn ET as I’m sure he is kicking himself all over for not being in attendance. But for Bill’s sake I’m glad he wasn’t. I know this had to be one of the most difficult public statements he has ever made and I just hope he was being truthful.
Sorry but I don’t have the software on this computer to post the actual press release so you’re getting it plain text format. I was surprised but very glad to see Bill did this. I think combined with Gary Ovitt becoming chairman of the Board of Supervisors today that perhaps we are on the verge of seeing some real ethics reform in this county. I also know that Bill’s public acknowledgment of his problem suggests he really is cleaning up his act. I truly hope he is successful. I received the news and then minutes later the press release. We had just stopped training for lunch and were sitting around talking. I excused myself saying that I had to go blog this and not a single employee had a clue who Bill was or what I was talking about. It’s a great example of why these things occur and are allowed to go on in the first place. I wish more citizens took interest in their government. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Communications Office County Assessor Bill Postmus Addresses Board of Supervisors SAN BERNARDINO – San Bernardino County Assessor Bill Postmus today addressed the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors. Postmus spoke to the members of the county’s governing body in response to their invitation related to recent developments in the Office of County Assessor. During the Board of Supervisors’ public comment period, Assessor Postmus delivered the following statement: PLEASE CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY STATEMENT OF SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY ASSESSOR BILL POSTMUS TO THE SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, January 6, 2009: Good morning Mr. Chair and honourable members of the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors. After much consideration and reflection, I have chosen to avail myself of the Board of Supervisors’ invitation to address some of the persistent questions that the Board has raised regarding my tenure as County Assessor. I would also like to take this opportunity to address the voters of San Bernardino County who entrusted the Assessor’s Office to me and to frankly discuss my future as a duly elected public servant.
I don’t remember the story at the bottom although it must have appeared on my old blog. I can tell you that the claims made in that story by the county differ greatly from what my inside sources have told me including that Bill and Adam got into an argument over Eyler’s time cards because Adam denied the time Eyler was in school and Bill overruled him and paid him for that time. By Lauren McSherry on January 2, 2009 4:26 PM It’s looks like come Tuesday two top administrative staffers in the Assessor’s Office could be out of jobs. The Board of Supervisors is scheduled to vote Tuesday on terminating the positions held by Greg Eyler and Ted Lehrer. Some of you may be familiar with Eyler. The Sun published a story about him after the grand jury report was released over the summer. (The story is pasted below.)
By Wendy Leung on December 23, 2008 5:28 PM
Rex Gutierrez will start his new job with the county as an economic development specialist on Jan. 5. The councilman was let go as the intergovernmental relations officer in Bill Postmus’ office following a grand jury report released in June accusing the assesor of misconduct. Postmus is now part of a criminal investigation by the district attorney and faces pressure by county supervisors to resign. Gutierrez was supposed to leave his post in the assessor’s office in September but managed to stay on until his new job starts at the Economic Development Agency. He will work on business retention and help steer county resources to struggling businesses.
Mike Richman, a political consultant caught up in the controversy surrounding embattled San Bernardino County Assessor Bill Postmus, has a new gig. Richman is now the chief of staff to Michelle Steel on the state Board of Equalization. Steel’s district includes Riverside County and nearly all of San Bernardino County. Richman, 24, earns $122,424 a year in the new post, which he took over Nov. 1.
Is it just me or does it sound like they’ve already made up their minds? It sounds like they have no interest in facts, only in removing him. Hiring of special prosecutor part of larger strategy The board’s decision this week to pursue hiring a prosecutor to gather evidence of misconduct by Assessor Bill Postmus is seen as one of a number of strategies to remove the elected official from office and improve the county’s image.
Well, we’re getting very close to Christmas and not a word from our Chairman wishing employees a happy and safe holiday season. Although I’m sure he has at some point, I cannot remember a single instance in his two years as chairman where Paul Biane has ever communicated with employees. Since his reign will be over in 18 days, I guess we should not expect more. This is indicative of his lack of respect for his position and for the employees of this organization he leads.
Here are the links to the Sun, DP and the PE stories. I’m re-writing parts of this post as the original was written in a hurry on my lunch break and I rambled a bit. I’ll start off by saying I understand why the BOS made this decision. Politically, they had to because the public wants something done and does not understand that it is the public’s duty to remove Bill, not the Board of Supervisors’. A recall was attempted that went nowhere. Everyone wants someone else to take responsibility. Politics is playing a much larger role in this decision that any other single factor. When asked some months ago if the BOS had grounds to remove Bill, County Counsel Ruth Stringer opined that they did not. What has changed since that time? Although I did not get to hear the discussion today, none of the newspaper outlets are reporting anything startling or new in this situation so I can only assume the anonymous, unverified accusations of meth abuse is what makes the situation worth spending $1,000,000 on. But really it is being spent to satisfy the demands for action by voters because the voters will not exercise the rights and responsibilities they have for allowing this situation to begin with and for not dealing with it now.
Posted: 12/04/2008 08:32:03 PM PST Grateful for support Now that most of the remaining votes have been counted, and our nation has celebrated Thanksgiving, it is time to reflect on my wonderful experience as the Democratic nominee in the 41st Congressional District. I am humbled and inspired by the countless unselfish acts of my campaign volunteers, donors, friends, family and voters. My wife and I thank you from the bottom of our hearts.
Things will be changing on Monday in San Bernardino County. Supervisor-elect Neil Derry will be sworn in as Third District Supervisor. Gary Ovitt will become Chairman of the Board of Supervisors. I’ve heard various rumors about who will be Vice Chairman and I don’t know what has been decided, although I’m sure by now the backroom deal has been made.
I got to tell you, I’m sick of listening to people whine about Bill Postmus. Everyone wants someone else to do something about him. How about taking the one appropriate action we have available at this time–recall? Oops, I forgot that’s been tried but how many of the whiners were too afraid to sign the petition? As I said, everyone wants someone else to do something, which is why we have the mess we have. County’s future at risk With all the controversy surrounding San Bernardino County Assessor Bill Postmus, why is he still employed? Anyone else involved with similar accusations against them would have been terminated by now. Why isn’t the Board of Supervisors doing anything about this, or why is it taking so long if they are?
Mike Cruz, Staff Writer Lawyers in the political corruption case against former Assistant Assessor Adam Aleman received more evidence Wednesday. Aleman, wearing jeans and a blue golf shirt, stood next to his lawyer, Grover Porter, during proceedings before Judge John Martin in San Bernardino Superior Court.
By Lauren McSherry on November 14, 2008 1:08 PM San Bernardino County Assessor Bill Postmus announced today that he has selected Dennis Draeger, 58, to serve as assistant assessor. Draeger will fill the vacancy left by Assistant Assessor for Operations Harlow Cameron, who has retired after 35 years of service.
10:00 PM PST on Monday, November 10, 2008 CASSIE MACDUFF San Bernardino County Assessor Bill Postmus continues to accuse his former colleagues on the Board of Supervisors of engaging in political theater, when they just want to ask legitimate questions about the conduct of his office. After he returned from a three-month medical leave last month, the supes renewed their request that he publicly respond to last summer’s Grand Jury report about political activity conducted in his office on public time and equipment.
09:44 PM PST on Monday, November 3, 2008 By ZEKE MINAYA PDF: Read the proposed censure letter against San Bernardino County Assessor Bill Postmus:Censure Special Section: San Bernardino Co. Assessors Probe A strongly worded rebuke to San Bernardino County Assessor Bill Postmus, calling him “arrogant and defiant” in his refusal to publicly address allegations of political corruption and drug addiction, was released Monday by San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors Chairman Paul Biane. The supervisors will vote today on presenting the letter of censure to Postmus and possibly, Biane said, begin formulating plans to unseat the assessor. The two-page letter was written in Biane’s office. In one passage the letter condemns Postmus, saying he is evading “the clear duty you have to the public and the Board of Supervisors to candidly and publicly address the very disturbing questions surrounding you, from the Grand Jury findings of unprofessional and unethical activities in your office to the allegations of prescription drug abuse and methamphetamine use contained in various mainstream news media accounts.”
By Marjie Lundstrom VENTURA – Never mind polls and pundits. If you want to know who’s going to become our 44th president Tuesday, ask the voters of Ventura County. These people are on a roll. Amazingly, this Southern California county northwest of Los Angeles has voted for the winner in every presidential race since 1920, except one. Ventura County voters dropped the ball in 1976, when they backed President Gerald Ford instead of Jimmy Carter.
Otherwise, the county of about 830,000 residents has nailed it 21 times, beginning with Warren G. Harding’s victory in 1920. It is one of the only counties in California to consistently reflect the nation’s presidential preference.
Considering all the calls for Bill’s head on a platter by the public, I was a little surprised to see the comments on this article over on the Sun’s site. There suddenly seems to be a lot more animosity towards Paul. It makes one wish anonymous comments not be allowed as one has to wonder the source. By George Watson, Metro Editor Tensions between San Bernardino County’s Board of Supervisors and Assessor Bill Postmus continue to rise. Board Chairman Paul Biane plans to ask his colleagues Tuesday to censure Postmus for refusing to come before them and answer questions about an investigation of the Assessor’s Office and allegations that Postmus is a drug addict. A censure does not have any enforceable action; instead, it is essentially an admonishment. |
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