County To Pay $1.3 Million In Legal Fees
COUNTY TO PAY LEGAL FEES
In a press release today the Association of Orange County Deputy Sheriffs (AOCDS) announced today that they have reached a mediated settlement with the County of Orange regarding reimbursement of legal fees they expended defending themselves against the County's recently failed lawsuit that challenged the constitutionality of their "3% at 50" retirement benefit that was negotiated in 2001.
$1.3 MILLION FOR MOORLACH'S FOLLY
You may recall that County Supervisor John Moorlach - a Costa Mesa resident and strong advocate for the current path the Costa Mesa City Council is taking to shed city government of public employees by outsourcing - was the prime mover of this ill-fated legal adventure. The County will pay AOCDS $1.3 million in settlement of the legal costs and fees expended by the Association in defense of the lawsuit, which was originally filed in 2008. The settlement agreement was mediated by the Honorable Howard B. Wiener, a retired Justice of the California Court of Appeal.
CASE HISTORY
In February of 2009, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Helen Bendix dismissed the County's lawsuit, ruling that their arguments lacked merit to warrant a trial. The County of Orange appealed that decision to the Second Appellate District of the California Court of Appeal, which unanimously affirmed the lower court's decision. The County was also unsuccessful in its effort to appeal to the California Supreme Court, which unanimously denied the County's petition for review.
TIME TO MOVE FORWARD
Quoted in the press release, AOCDS President Tom Dominguez, although satisfied
with the agreement, stated, "No one is ever completely satisfied with the final outcome in such matters. The courts have ruled, however, and with this agreement, we consider the matter officially closed. It is now time for the AOCDS and the County of Orange to move forward and direct our time, resources, and energy to doing what we do best: providing the most efficient and highest quality public safety services possible for the residents of Orange County."
WILL COSTA MESA LEADERS LEARN FROM THIS?
I find myself wondering if our "union-busting" city council will learn anything from this situation. I'm guessing not, especially since they've turned the spending of legal fees into an art form. No, I think they will probably just keep on spending our tax dollars at stratospheric rates to some of the most expensive lawyers available to try to pound the employee associations into submission.
In a press release today the Association of Orange County Deputy Sheriffs (AOCDS) announced today that they have reached a mediated settlement with the County of Orange regarding reimbursement of legal fees they expended defending themselves against the County's recently failed lawsuit that challenged the constitutionality of their "3% at 50" retirement benefit that was negotiated in 2001.$1.3 MILLION FOR MOORLACH'S FOLLY
You may recall that County Supervisor John Moorlach - a Costa Mesa resident and strong advocate for the current path the Costa Mesa City Council is taking to shed city government of public employees by outsourcing - was the prime mover of this ill-fated legal adventure. The County will pay AOCDS $1.3 million in settlement of the legal costs and fees expended by the Association in defense of the lawsuit, which was originally filed in 2008. The settlement agreement was mediated by the Honorable Howard B. Wiener, a retired Justice of the California Court of Appeal.
CASE HISTORY
In February of 2009, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Helen Bendix dismissed the County's lawsuit, ruling that their arguments lacked merit to warrant a trial. The County of Orange appealed that decision to the Second Appellate District of the California Court of Appeal, which unanimously affirmed the lower court's decision. The County was also unsuccessful in its effort to appeal to the California Supreme Court, which unanimously denied the County's petition for review.TIME TO MOVE FORWARD
Quoted in the press release, AOCDS President Tom Dominguez, although satisfied
with the agreement, stated, "No one is ever completely satisfied with the final outcome in such matters. The courts have ruled, however, and with this agreement, we consider the matter officially closed. It is now time for the AOCDS and the County of Orange to move forward and direct our time, resources, and energy to doing what we do best: providing the most efficient and highest quality public safety services possible for the residents of Orange County."WILL COSTA MESA LEADERS LEARN FROM THIS?
I find myself wondering if our "union-busting" city council will learn anything from this situation. I'm guessing not, especially since they've turned the spending of legal fees into an art form. No, I think they will probably just keep on spending our tax dollars at stratospheric rates to some of the most expensive lawyers available to try to pound the employee associations into submission.Labels: John Moorlach, Orange County Sheriffs
posted by The Pot Stirrer at 10/05/2011 11:08:00 AM
19 Comments:
Well said Geoff! Anyone who has been paying attention to whats going on in our city can see that this council is trying to do the same thing that Moorlach tried to do with sheriff deputies.
Those in the know, understand that because Moorlach failed, OCGOP sent pigheimer with another illegal scam of outsourcing employees. No employees, no pensions. Too bad they didn't see such an uphill fight! The employees of Costa Mesa are still employed today because of Nick Beradino and the union. Without the representation from OCEA, they would have all been fired on sept 17.
I'm glad that a well respected judge saw right through the city's evil plan and granted the protective injunction.
Costa Mesa's reckless and heartless actions has and still is costing us dearly. To the tune of wasting $1,000 an HOUR in legal fees folks! Not to mention $3,000 A WEEK on lobdell, soon to be $184,000 a year lobdell when the city hires both him and Joyce, making it 2 unnecessary positions at $184,000 a pop. Add another $684,000 a year for a whole new 5th floor crew of YesMen to assist in their illegal outsourcing scam!
The councilmen make me sick!
They won't learn from Moorlach, they will continue breaking laws. Up next is the privatization of our local parks that was given to is by a federal deed which specifically prohibits what they're trying to do. The list goes on and on.
You get a failed real estate developer on council, he's going to try and get his buddies to make some money. He'll also try and sell our beloved fairgrounds.
Welcome to Costa Mesa LLC folks, the most transparent and corrupt City since Bell!
moorlach was correct. it was a gift of public monies and it required a public vote. judge was wrong but what else is new.
Um, let's see. If I want to go into a negotiation , against real pros of the union. Would I take the likes of Geoff West, or a Moorlach or Righeimer?
This game gets played out over a long period of time. What is perceived as a win is only of the proverbial battle.
The numbers some float around are a pimple on the number of the savings we need to achieve to structurally change budget allocations.
If I spend $1,000 and it winds up saving me $100,000. Geoff West comments on the $1,000 spent.
Bringing Geoff West , the Pot Stinker, to a negotiation is like bringing a big stinky old dart to a gun fight.
It wasn't one judge that decided this way, it was every judge that reviewed the case. It was unanimous at every level. That means Moorlach was wrong and arrogant to the tune of $1.3 million plus the millions more paid for his lawyers.
I guess the OCGOP strategy of beat it down their throats doesn't work against educated people.
Pot Stinker. That's funny.
You know what bugs me about the Pot Belly is that he is so quick to criticize some, but turns a complete blind eye to the lunatic fringe.
Watching last night was painful watching and waiting for Sandy Genis and Robin Lafler to have their names called, disrupt their school girl chat, and wait while they parade down the aisle to the podium to say pretty much the same thing, over and over again.
But Geoff West is silent. As long as you are a fellow critic, you can call the elected & appointed any names you want.
Pretty weak.
Yet again there are those who just can't express an opinion or their point-of-view without slamming Geoff. HE’S JUST SHARING…
If you, from either side, would start focusing on the obscure and not the obvious, and attempt to stretch your minds (for some, your minds reached that limit quite quickly) and see using public means/funds; putting an end to trade unions and assuage the power they hold over Fed, State and Local governments; the justification.
All the GOP and CM Council are doing is looking for a crack; a flaw in the foundation. They hit a wall, they look for a door. The door is locked, they bring in a smith. If he needs help, they give him the best… Now substitute the GOP with Union and read it again.
Why such hate? Moreover, why the surprise? Any person of average intelligence should understand this simple truth: When any group whose supposition is “The end justifies the means” and is financed with “OPM” (other people’s money); this will be the outcome.
I don't think the Costa Mesa Council will learn from this. However, what the council has been doing is far worse than just costing us money. They are making poor long term decisions that aren't making our quality of life any better. I'd much rather have someone that balances the budget without all of the BS Riggy has given us.
Great Job of reporting Geoff. Looks like the truth really hurts the Haters and Bigots where it counts...
Moorlach was told numerous times that he would lose these lawsuits. EACH time, he disregarded the solid advise and spent MILLIONS of taxpayer dollars for his own folly. This last 1.3 million was just the fees for the OTHER side....
Looks like he is an attention whore and needs his name in the spotlight AGAIN!
Thank you for your efforts.
I do find it funny that so few people comment on the "other" local Blog....I often wonder if "Those are our opinions..." are just voices is someones head talking to him....
OC Longhair, you still need a haircut.
Rest assured that as long as Geoff West attacks others and allow attacks by others, I will converse on the attack with the Pot Stinker, Pot Belly, Jerry Springer, or whatever else I feel like.
I believe Geoff has and could once again add value to the discussion. Look at something like Corona del Mar Today. Now that has real community value in informing residents and business. This place is just a venting of anger, in dwindling numbers I might add. Try as they might, the council hating critics in opposition to hello have dwindling numbers.
As long as Geoff allows Greg Ridge to disparage, then claim “who, me?”, for Geoff to not call him out on it, or Geoff’s comments, or the pictures comparing elected & appointed, or ones with one head up the ass of another, or comments like Pigheimer, etc, to go unedited … we will be here.
I think a former poster gave a great example of Geoff’s myopic views. Sandy & Robin speak on every item, largely the same comments. They wait to be called and parade down the aisle, while we all wait. How completely rude. But as long as they do so to hate on the council, West gives them a pass. I think that is ridiculous, and I aim to point it out.
You would think these ruling would have set a precedent for what's happening in CM. Righeimer is trying to say he's defending the city, but he's only defending himself and his 3 cohorts with the cities money.
This blog appears to be a collection of irate old men with nothing better to do than complain. Cant make these wackos happy. They write about wanting more laws and more government intervention then complain there's too much government!
I hope your intentions are good but, you guys have the worst way of going about them.
Of no Value,
Thank you for your kind words. ;-)
I don't even try to compare this blog to Corona Del Mar Today. Amy Senk is a REAL newsperson - highly trained with years of REAL news gathering and writing experience. She does a GREAT job providing her readers with stuff that's important for them to know in that little nook of the world. Because she's so good both the Register AND the Daily Pilot pick up her stuff every week.
I'm disappointed you don't like what you read here - it obviously causes you much angst. I suggest you simply stop reading and further "diminish" the headcount here.
Geoff,
I'm with your critics.
Who do you think you are?
How dare you take such an interest in the city and publish information day after day?
If you really cared, you'd simply copy what Lobdell writes and try to get this important info to as many folks as possible.
The Riggmarshal is waiting for you to NAME YOUR OWN PRICE! JUST LIKE PRICELINE AND EVERYONE ELSE!
Sample Bid:
Dear Esteemed Riggmarshal,Emperor of Costa Mesa,
I, Geoff West want to sell out like everyone else. Just give me a lousy $2500. a week (500 less than Lobdell who has pictures of Lenin in his garage)and I'll stop publishing Bubbling Cauldron. Oh, and I'll need 10K for my favorite charity.
How can we do that when we're cut off by others because they do not like what we post of Facebooks wall posts for Repair Costa Mesa because it's being targeted by
a-holes in the county itself, the local unemployment rate is 14 percent here and there is no job creation, I look everyday and there are no businesses hiring I am behind on my rent and have no money to pay my bills with and there is nowhere to go to get any relief, Republican Eric Cantor of Ohio just blocked the jobs bill that Obama wants passed and the republicans keep saying no to jobs when they are recieving millions in tax reliefs and breaks for thier corporate lifestyles and in November Mayor Pro Tem Jim Righeimer is fixing to let go another 213 city union workers because he hates the union bosses and thier workers that fix his cars in his city on a daily basis and then you wonder why they want to strike because you're picking on the working man and his family. The very people that he helped hire.
Obama's jobs bill? I have one word for you: Solyndra.
Fixing to let go 213 employees? nope, OCFA will take 100, and the notices were only letting people know that their positions were being considered for outsourcing - AS REQUIRED BY THE UNION CONTRACT.
Could it be that Saint Berardino put that clause in there knowing that it would wreak this kind of havoc? Could it be that he is using the employees to score political points? Could it be that he is playing chicken with nothing to lose? His $208,000 salary is safe even if every represented employee in Costa Mesa is laid off.
But hey, lets all pile on the Council. It is easier than dealing with the truth.
Loved this quote from today's Pilot story on TeWinkle Park and Big League Schemes:
"For all the community to get together and sit in a room — OK, let's face it. There's not going to be anything there," Righeimer said. "It just won't happen. That's a given, if everybody shows up and looks at each other because there's nobody there that wants to solve the problem or figures how to solve the problem or knows how to solve the problem."
Apparently, Riggy is the only one capable of solving our problems. What a pompous, arrogant egomaniac.
I'm always impressed to the accuracy of some when choosing their URL/Name.
Of No Value... S P O T On! The ability you have, using over 200 words and absolutely none being of any value is truly amazing. In a peculiar and distorted way, this could be viewed as “having a talent” or “demonstrating a gift"; maybe it’s just an IQ struggling to reach 100.
For clarity… devoid of Geoff's blog, you would:
1. Have nowhere to say whatever it is you feel like saying.
2. Only receive one dimensional information.
3. Have no devise or venue when venting is imperative.
4. Necessitate an alternative where you, yourself and yours could gather.
5. Require a new focal point in which to aspire.
ONV… your aim is askew and you seldom hit your target; in archery this is known as “a sin” or “sinning”. Sooooo… Sinner repent, for your redemption draweth nigh.
... and what's the obsession with haircuts? Bald may be beautiful, but long hair is divine.
Although I find myself in good company with many who comment here...I never have been accused of being an 'irate old man'. I find this is the best way to get other people's opinions and to keep the conversation going.
Thanks again Geoff for allowing me to state my opinion ;)
Kim Marie,
Trust me - on your worst day NOBODY would ever confuse you with an "irate old man". :-) ;-)
You and your views are welcome here anytime.
Post a Comment
<< Home