Last Week Plus A Note From Allen Huggins
MEMORABLE!
Well, the past week was certainly one for the books!
FIRST, MY ANNIVERSARY!
Last Monday I celebrated my 46th wedding anniversary, which turned out to be the high point of the week by far, HERE.
CRAPPY CONTRACT
Then, on Tuesday, the Costa Mesa General Employees (CMCEA) was sucker-punched with an offensive contract offer, which we wrote about HERE and again, with the text of the offer, HERE.
STAFFERS PLACED ON LEAVE
That same afternoon, just before the City Council meeting began, Public Affairs Manager Dan Joyce and his assistant, Christine Cordon, were placed on administrative leave, HERE.
POLICE RECRUITMENT
Then the Daily Pilot published an excellent article outlining the difficulties the Costa Mesa Police Department has been having recruiting new officers, HERE, which I wrote about HERE.
MOVING BOXES
And, finally, on Friday around noon a group of men were seen removing carts full of files, computers and other stuff from City Hall to the Costa Mesa Police Department headquarters, HERE.
JUST A LITTLE TENSE, YOU SAY?
Word has it today, Monday, that things were particularly tense around City Hall today. Gee, I can't understand why! ;-)
A VIEW FROM THE TRENCHES
In my post about the Police Recruitment I asked for responses from police officers. So far, nothing. However, today recently retired Captain Allen Huggins posted a multi-paragraph comment on the Daily Pilot article. I wrote to him for his permission to reproduce it here because it provides us with a special perspective of a man who served our community with pride and distinction for 27 years and was here through the beginnings of these difficult times. Here is his comment just as he wrote it:
Allen Huggins · Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
I have refrained from commenting on the inner workings of the City and the Police Department for many months since I retired. To be honest, I didn’t want to subject my family to the mudslinging that is all too common in Costa Mesa today. With that said, and in my opinion, the latest comments from Righeimer and Mensinger are misleading and I think the record needs to at least be accurate.
There is a significant issue with attracting quality personnel to the Department, and there has been shortly since the Righeimer and Mensinger were elected and appointed, respectfully. The Department has also been experiencing an exodus that is unprecedented. While there are a variety of reasons, it would be unreasonable to believe there isn’t a connection between the tenor the City Council has set, under the tutelage of the current majority, and the personnel difficulties the Police Department has been and is facing.
To provide some basic background, I have been a life-long Republican, and I recently retired after over 27 years of service to the City. I also am a realist and recognize that the economic issues have necessitated changes in the salaries and benefit packages. It is not the changes in the salaries and benefits that is causing such a huge exodus of experienced personnel and the lack of quality lateral officers and applicants, it is the rhetoric filled comments by members of the City Council that many times are lacking the veracity expected of elected officials. The employees are not the enemy of the City or the people who live, work and play in Costa Mesa. They are, for the most part, dedicated, hard working people who are doing what they were hired to do. Rhetoric calling them “union thugs” and worst is uncalled for and unproductive.
In my former life, I had direct knowledge of the quality of people who were applying to be officers. While there were some good applicants, there were many more that had too many questions to hire in a position of a police officer, which requires significant community trust. The hiring standards are and were not too high, as alleged. If anything, the standards were relaxed as much as is reasonable. I don’t believe that the Police Department should ever deviate from insisting that integrity, honesty and proper values be a cornerstone of what makes up a new officer. The rigors of the job can be challenging enough, even with the proper cornerstone. Does the Costa Mesa community really want the police department to reduce the standards of the police officers it hires?
As I indicated previously, the economic environment dictates that all expenditures be reviewed, including salary and benefit packages. What isn’t necessary is the rhetoric the City Council majority likes to inject into discussions. Other cities, like Newport Beach for example, have been able to accomplish salary savings without all the “union thug” accusations and demeaning, unproductive comments. The frequent accusations accomplish nothing but resentment. Now I know that the Council majority will say they like the employees and they are good people, but that is not how they treat them. Watch closely what they do.
Costa Mesa used to be a place of destination. It may be again, in the future, but it is not one today. Facts are facts and the significant exodus of police officers is just a glimpse of the personnel issues facing the City. With the cost to hire and train a new officer well into the six figures, doesn’t it make sense to figure out the “why” and fix the problem?
The community doesn’t need divisive leadership; they need leadership with integrity so they can begin to once again make Costa Mesa a place of destination. One important trait that all good leaders know is to have the integrity to admit what they don’t know, and to reach out for assistance from those who do. While I don’t know how to be a successful developer, and freely admit that, I do know what good city leadership looks like, and what it doesn’t look like, and it doesn’t look like the current majority is providing. The Costa Mesa community deserves better than they have been receiving.
I’m not bitter, nor did I leave on any terms but my own. In fact, I was truly honored to serve the Costa Mesa community for most of my adult life. I want the best for the community and City departments. In my opinion, the various misstatements from the Council majority are beneath what the people of Costa Mesa deserve.
Thanks to Huggins for his comments. Much appreciated.
GRIPES INSTEAD OF CAKE!
So, with only one meeting this week - the Charter Committee meeting on Wednesday, at which Tea Party Tom Pollitt will probably whine again about not being able to pray - it's almost like a vacation. In fact, if it wasn't for that meeting my sweet and very patient wife would be taking me out to dinner for my birthday. Instead, I'll spend three hours listening to gripes about the way the government runs and watch folks being facilitated.
Well, the past week was certainly one for the books!
Last Monday I celebrated my 46th wedding anniversary, which turned out to be the high point of the week by far, HERE.
CRAPPY CONTRACT
Then, on Tuesday, the Costa Mesa General Employees (CMCEA) was sucker-punched with an offensive contract offer, which we wrote about HERE and again, with the text of the offer, HERE.STAFFERS PLACED ON LEAVE
That same afternoon, just before the City Council meeting began, Public Affairs Manager Dan Joyce and his assistant, Christine Cordon, were placed on administrative leave, HERE.
POLICE RECRUITMENTThen the Daily Pilot published an excellent article outlining the difficulties the Costa Mesa Police Department has been having recruiting new officers, HERE, which I wrote about HERE.
MOVING BOXES
And, finally, on Friday around noon a group of men were seen removing carts full of files, computers and other stuff from City Hall to the Costa Mesa Police Department headquarters, HERE.JUST A LITTLE TENSE, YOU SAY?Word has it today, Monday, that things were particularly tense around City Hall today. Gee, I can't understand why! ;-)
A VIEW FROM THE TRENCHES
In my post about the Police Recruitment I asked for responses from police officers. So far, nothing. However, today recently retired Captain Allen Huggins posted a multi-paragraph comment on the Daily Pilot article. I wrote to him for his permission to reproduce it here because it provides us with a special perspective of a man who served our community with pride and distinction for 27 years and was here through the beginnings of these difficult times. Here is his comment just as he wrote it:Allen Huggins · Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
I have refrained from commenting on the inner workings of the City and the Police Department for many months since I retired. To be honest, I didn’t want to subject my family to the mudslinging that is all too common in Costa Mesa today. With that said, and in my opinion, the latest comments from Righeimer and Mensinger are misleading and I think the record needs to at least be accurate.
There is a significant issue with attracting quality personnel to the Department, and there has been shortly since the Righeimer and Mensinger were elected and appointed, respectfully. The Department has also been experiencing an exodus that is unprecedented. While there are a variety of reasons, it would be unreasonable to believe there isn’t a connection between the tenor the City Council has set, under the tutelage of the current majority, and the personnel difficulties the Police Department has been and is facing.
To provide some basic background, I have been a life-long Republican, and I recently retired after over 27 years of service to the City. I also am a realist and recognize that the economic issues have necessitated changes in the salaries and benefit packages. It is not the changes in the salaries and benefits that is causing such a huge exodus of experienced personnel and the lack of quality lateral officers and applicants, it is the rhetoric filled comments by members of the City Council that many times are lacking the veracity expected of elected officials. The employees are not the enemy of the City or the people who live, work and play in Costa Mesa. They are, for the most part, dedicated, hard working people who are doing what they were hired to do. Rhetoric calling them “union thugs” and worst is uncalled for and unproductive.
In my former life, I had direct knowledge of the quality of people who were applying to be officers. While there were some good applicants, there were many more that had too many questions to hire in a position of a police officer, which requires significant community trust. The hiring standards are and were not too high, as alleged. If anything, the standards were relaxed as much as is reasonable. I don’t believe that the Police Department should ever deviate from insisting that integrity, honesty and proper values be a cornerstone of what makes up a new officer. The rigors of the job can be challenging enough, even with the proper cornerstone. Does the Costa Mesa community really want the police department to reduce the standards of the police officers it hires?
As I indicated previously, the economic environment dictates that all expenditures be reviewed, including salary and benefit packages. What isn’t necessary is the rhetoric the City Council majority likes to inject into discussions. Other cities, like Newport Beach for example, have been able to accomplish salary savings without all the “union thug” accusations and demeaning, unproductive comments. The frequent accusations accomplish nothing but resentment. Now I know that the Council majority will say they like the employees and they are good people, but that is not how they treat them. Watch closely what they do.
Costa Mesa used to be a place of destination. It may be again, in the future, but it is not one today. Facts are facts and the significant exodus of police officers is just a glimpse of the personnel issues facing the City. With the cost to hire and train a new officer well into the six figures, doesn’t it make sense to figure out the “why” and fix the problem?
The community doesn’t need divisive leadership; they need leadership with integrity so they can begin to once again make Costa Mesa a place of destination. One important trait that all good leaders know is to have the integrity to admit what they don’t know, and to reach out for assistance from those who do. While I don’t know how to be a successful developer, and freely admit that, I do know what good city leadership looks like, and what it doesn’t look like, and it doesn’t look like the current majority is providing. The Costa Mesa community deserves better than they have been receiving.
I’m not bitter, nor did I leave on any terms but my own. In fact, I was truly honored to serve the Costa Mesa community for most of my adult life. I want the best for the community and City departments. In my opinion, the various misstatements from the Council majority are beneath what the people of Costa Mesa deserve.
Thanks to Huggins for his comments. Much appreciated.
So, with only one meeting this week - the Charter Committee meeting on Wednesday, at which Tea Party Tom Pollitt will probably whine again about not being able to pray - it's almost like a vacation. In fact, if it wasn't for that meeting my sweet and very patient wife would be taking me out to dinner for my birthday. Instead, I'll spend three hours listening to gripes about the way the government runs and watch folks being facilitated.
Labels: Allen Huggins, Charter Committee, Christine Cordon, CMCEA, Dan Joyce
posted by The Pot Stirrer at 8/12/2013 11:27:00 PM
48 Comments:
Screw that meeting Geoff. Go to dinner with your wife! There is more to life than this screwed up city.
and then there are different opinions than the retired cops'. but they won't write to Jeff in fear of retaliation from other cops. let the disenchanted leave and bring in grateful employees.
Who you gonna believe- Huggins who wore a real badge, or someone who flashed a phony one?
Yo Mr. West,
What about Das Riggy's "charm offensive" from December of last year, just after the election?
It lasted all of about 10 days before his real persona popped back out..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqlkWORazKw
Wow. Ofc. Huggins offers a very open and candid view of what goes on in this city. Its very sad. I feel bad for this city. We have the finest police force there is, and the finest fire department there is, and this council, through petty vindictiveness, revenge, or whatever it is, will and has, ruin this city. He's right when he says it used to be destination spot. People used to fight to buy homes here. Now they just laugh and joke about Riggy's diet coke receipt.
The stuff going on this week is shameful. Riggy will not allow any sort of release of information. Won't give the press any story, which in itself is a story.
RICK FRANCIS, WHERE IS THAT STATEMENT YOU PROMISED?
If he thinks this is going to go away, he's wrong. It isn't.
Its sickening. Where are the bids for the 60th party? I could answer that, but I will wait to see what is happening.
Who got all the money for the entertainment, food and liquor? I could answer that, but I'll wait to see if Riggy does.
It looks like the opponents of this city council had better get their helmets on for some hardball.
The idiots in the city council will dispatch their drones to discount Huggins just like Staveley.
Facts no longer matter in Costa Mesa. The PD is on life support and will succumb when the next 15 retire without quality replacements.
Gazsi, what will you do?
Mr. Huggins, than why won't your friends at the Costa Mesa Police Department negotiate a fair contract like the great guys at the Fire Department did. You guys are causing this. Step up like the fire firefighters did. Otherwise, you just sound pathetic. Times have changed. Fire gets it. Why doesn't PD?????
We heard the same nonsense from Vic Bakkila before the 2010 election--I'm a die-hard Reagan Republican, but Righeimer is evil because he wants to reform local pensions.
So sick of the grocery store politics--I'm a Republican when it fits me-- I like guns and the death penalty--but when it comes out of my own pocket--through reasonable pension reform-- I'm against it. Guys like Vic and Huggins are just hypocrites. They don't want to reform a system that is lining their pockets at our expense. There is nothing to thank these guys for. They are GREEDY.
If you guys want a laugh read Dennis Popp's responses to Charles Mooney's Daily Pilot commentary.
Mr. Popp in his first comment says one of the more recently ridiculous claims(and there have been a lot lately) as he says the city council has NO SAY in awarding contracts.
I am dumbfounded at the level of the complete falsity of this comment. Let's see.
Just recently council approved a contract for GS4 to take over jail services. There is a long laundry list of council awarding contracts. It's their job for Christ sakes.
Even more recently at the last meeting they approved a contract with CivilSource engineering firm of Irvine for traffic mitigation designs.
Also recently the city council approved the architect contract for the lobbies of city hall and PD.
Then Mr. Arrogant Popp has the audacity to say Mr. Mooney's commentary is based on flawed logic. Seriously this guy has either gone blind where it comes to council or mental.
First things first: Geoff, you and the missus are one good looking bride and groom! No debate there.
Clearly, there is an investigation and, when it's all good and ready for a statement, we will get one. But we will get one and it will speak volumes. Game changer.
Captain Huggins is to be commended for calling it like it is post-retirement. I feel bad for those who have lost value on their property. I feel bad for the death of verified facts in Costa Mesa, too. At the same time, my helmet is on for hardball.
Finally, don't know if you read the staff report for the charter meeting on Wednesday. The report is a complete regurgitation of Our Mayor's position on prevailing wage and contracting. Money quote from Ernesto: The Current Contracting Process Works Well.
So why did they try to change it in Measure V? And why are they trying to change it now?
Finally, those are unverified savings from paying non-prevailing wage. They are totally made up and based on a fantasy from the Harbor Community Center in Oceanside, a building that was never actually built.
"Union Thugs" seems like an appropriate label for the way the union acted in setting up Righeimer and attempting to set up Monahan.
Popp's scrawlings are almost unreadable.
The Newport bosses need to step up and get Lame Swaim back writing their propaganda.
If the claims regarding losing so many officers via retirement are true, I would like to hear from city hall how this personnel shortage will be addressed. Will the PD offer nothing more than patrol services? Will the city have to pay one of our neighboring cities for the privilege of using their police assets to augment our own during the interim? What would the cost be for this type of arrangement?
I have heard enough times that officers earn too much. What I want to hear now is how this council will address this projected shortage. I am less than optimistic that the current recruitment efforts will cover this inevitability. I want to know in advance what plan B is.
Is it true that Rig and Mennsy have canceled their vacations so they can better micromanage and more closely control the situation at city hall?
God help the employees and the residents! This is not the way it is supposed to be.
just contract with the sheriff's department. many sheriff's would rather patrol costa mesa than some gang ridden hell hole they are in now.
"Da boot"- yeah, Dana Point, Mission Viejo, Alison Viejo, San Clemente, Yorba Linda, Lake Forest, Laguna Niguel, San Juan big bad "gang ridden hell holes." I'll give you stanton, but with a square mileage of less than 3.5 sq. miles and a population less than 40k it's barely a footnote in the Sheriff's patrol area. But I must say I agree, bring in the sheriff's department. Current officers at CMPD would stay on the streets in new uniforms. That's how the sheriff's work when they absorb a new city. See San Clemente and Stanton for further.
Wait a minute. There was a story that involved in a former chief working working with some in high ranking pd positions. They ratted out the former police chief in an attempt to create a leadership void and then fill it with a bunch of insiders?
who did leak that the former chief was using a company gas card?
Isn't Captain an unprotected class where they union can't protect you? I think they call it an at will position? isn't that where you promote people, give them enough rope to hang themselves and then get rid of bad apples?
Do we know who that might have happened to? Are there any others on that path? Were any others involved in the failed mutiny that are still left?
Off the record do many cops think baldy was a jerk and needed to go?
Righeimler and the red headed step child never liked Huggins. In fact, the two of them used to march into Staveley's office unannounced and demand that he be fired. Of course Staveley knew that neither of them had the authority to make such demands and in return told them to pound sand.
Vic greedy? LOL that's a good one! Vic has done much more for the residents of this city than you could even begin to duplicate. Nice try though!
good, bring the sheriffs and Bill Hunt would be tremendous too.
sounds like the council actions must be good, they hit a nerve apparently judging from the comments.. Good job boyz.
What dealings, if any, did Fisler have with Dan Joyce?
I concur with the other commenters about bringing in the Sheriff's department. Now, what would that cost the city? I have attended/ watched enough council meetings to have heard that all of these employees make about the same, county wide. The SD won't give their services away for free. So, I would presume that mark-up would be involved. Not to mention those pesky lawyers would be involved in order to defend the city from an associated legal action of some sort. They never do anything pro bono. I guess what I am getting at is all of these supposed cost saving measures won't save us anything at all...
Heart for Costa Mesa wrote:
"Is it true that Rig and Mennsy have canceled their vacations so they can better micromanage and more closely control the situation at city hall?"
Vacation implies a break from full-time work. Is that the case with these two?
If they did cancel a trip, it's more likely because they're running scared and need to stay in town.
Is it just coincidental that Joyce gets escorted out while everyone waits for the accounting for the city money spent for the 60th Celebration? Maybe some people want to get attention off what was spent and who it was spent with..
Hmmmmm....
"Yeah, let's make up more lies about the cops! That'll keep them off the money trail! Stay in town til this blows over!"
What does Joyce know and when did he know it? Do he and Cordon know anything that could be politically embarrassing to any council members?
If so, let's make sure they get a severance and good references..
Don't forget- We have a big charter push ahead! More failure equals no promotion for Jimbo!
"need to know":
it's not Fisler who dealt with Joyce. Fisler is the good guy from the water district.
It was Mike Schaefer from Sanitary District who dealt with Joyce.
***SECURITY TAPES SHOW CULPRIT IN CITY HALL !!***
City officials reviewed security tapes of city hall looking for suspicious activity and found a giggling lady walking two dogs through the lobby. Since dogs are not allowed it was referred to PD. Turns out is was councilmember Sandra Genis just taking her dogs on a stroll. Received and filed, too afraid to tell her rules.
Commenter:
"it's not Fisler who dealt with Joyce. Fisler is the good guy from the water district.
It was Mike Schaefer from Sanitary District who dealt with Joyce."
Maybe Schaefer had dealings with Joyce on the 60th, but that's not what we're looking at.. We want to know specifically about any and all dealings Joyce may have had with Fisler in the last 12 months regarding ALL city business.
Any truth to the rumor that CHP investigators recently arrived in Costa Mesa?
I don't think the citizens of Costa Mesa would be happy if the city decided to go green - Sheriff. They will not respond to half of the things we do. Don't believe me, talk with the other cities they provide support to about service and even response times. It's not pretty. With our rising crime rates and the highest number of parolees/probationers in Orange Conty (more being released into our City at an alarming rate) along with tthe over 100 KNOWN recovery homes - I'm afraid the city would implode and become a haven for criminals.
FYI- everyday, I am contacting more and more out of town (transplanted) homeless/probationary/parole individuals.
My, my, look at all the boys in blue running on about internal, non-public info. Where is your outrage at anonymity now, Pot Stirrer?
The sheriff's would be an awful idea.
Who is telling lies about the cops?
If you do not want to be labeled thugs, don't post personal attacks and BS "facts" about goings-on at CMPD, which you know can never be verified and are probably unauthorized, all over local blogs. It is obvious, from the comments being made by some here, that they work at CMPD.
Not a bright showing, boys and girls.
"Sherlock" (LOL)::It was Schaefer who had meetings and worked things with Joyce, not Fisler who never has even talked to or met Joyce. sounds like a Robin has been chirping lies again. Slander is expen$ive. Suggest you make a PR request for emails from all parties you suspect and see what you find and throw Schaefer, the actual perp, in the records request as well. hint: check insurance policies issued during that time.
Peace officer,
Please get back to work and be thankful you have a good job with excellent pay. We like you as peace officers but despise you when you and other boys in blue stir up our city during times of contract negotiation.
Don't tell us negotiations don't start until next year.
It is on
police contract negotiations started and don't feed the trolls.....Don't you fellas believe in COIN? Your council dudes shoulda called it what it really means to you and your guys....S-COIN...Selective Community Openness in Negotiations. You don't support the right of the community to know what is happening in their organization?
"...negotiations started": please, for your own sake fact check yourself. Police negotiations will not start until around this time next year. The general employees are currently in negotiations. The facts are what they are and are verifiable.
Again with the "it is on"? This is not some contest to win. Why do you feel the need to display such a haughty and prideful demeanor? “pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Better to be lowly in spirit and among the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud.” Proverbs 16:18-19.
No one has ever "stirred up the city" during negotiations. It's just not a fact. I submit that you view next years negotiations as some type of comeuppance. There's some anger or something deeply rooted in you beyond what you believe to be affordable or sustainable. Your contempt shows through in your posts. I don't judge you for that, but pray that you find peace.
The overall "savings" shown in the report Mike H. puts forth due to paying something other than prevailing wage is 6.703%.
Shit, that's less than we pay in state sales tax.
It's also vaporware -- a straw man put up by Councilperson Righeimer to promote a self-serving, greed-based agenda that he hopes will catapult him to great political fame and fortune.
In my opinion, there is a 6.703% chance of this happening. He should compare this probability to the current notoriety and favorable press achieved by Whitey Bulger through various shenanigans in and out of court, legal and illegal -- that's more like 93.297%.
Perhaps we should consider Whitey for mayor next time around. Being in prison, he would be unable to cause anywhere near as much havoc as the current incumbent.
I can't believe they call themselves Republicans,
Keep hiding behind your badge, leaking things, then telling all of us how the new applicants don't have what it takes to join you in the ranks.
Maybe that is true, maybe they would actually live up to the standards we all hold cops to, as opposed to whispering in the dark.
Cops are the good guys, what are you?....Are you principled or not? Transparency and openness are principles. Selectiveness in these ideas are not. It is nothing more than a political tactic. Also, there is nothing about the qualifications, or lack thereof, that Chief Gaszi didn't attest to in his comments to the Daily Pilot for their article. So, why is it ok for the Chief to comment? But not anyone else?
Nobody seems to want to stick to facts. @ "good guys" what are you talking about? I haven't seen anything "leaked" by officers. Everything up for debate was clearly stated in the DP article.
It's not a subjective thing that the current pool of applicants is sorely lacking in the basic qualifications. It's objective and measured against the requirements set forth in Ca. Govt. Code section 1031. That code sets the standard for age, citizenship, criminal history, pre employment background, psych and medical screening. The minimums are what they are. Either the candidates met the requirements as set forth or they don't. It's not a political ploy or gamesmanship.
The chief spoke of the challenges, many sources in the article spoke of the challenges. Former Captain Huggins opined on the challenges. In every case you guys attempt to discredit the experts and substitute your own reality. This has turned into a 3 ring circus. It was never like this before and the common denominator is Righeimer. It's that simple.
Virgil,
Enough with the BS. The article stated that over half are in the screening phae or waiting to be screened. The others were wannabes who didn't meet the basics.
This blog is riddled with all kinds of allegations and stories about goings-on in City Hall and CMPD.
This blog also contained posts with details about applicants who didn't make the cut.
None attributed, none verifiable and from the nature of the comments all from people in the cop shop, or people they know.
Either you are supposed to talk about things you see and learn on duty, or you aren't. If not, why are they being posted here? Hardly a principled action from somebody who is supposed to be held to a higher standard, wouldn't you agree?
Dear Virgil,
We have had an out of control PD way before Riggy. What a convenient excuse.
City councils come and go. Are you really trying to get us to believe that public safety who says they are all about safety places how they feel above safety?
I guarantee you that public safety puts pay above safety. Otherwise how do you explain those that left? How would you explain how they try to win elections? How they try and attack candidates that want to address pay? How they support candidates who will roll over because we all want to be "safe"
You push back on us, challenge our pay? Screw you then we are out of here for somewhere where they will pay us what we ask and ask no questions.
See how that logic proves that it is pay over safety?
News for you there Virgil is that in private sector we all have bosses we like and some we don't in our career. We do not run to a blog to vent. We get the job done and go home to our families.
Get back to work and hug your family. Be thankful you have a job.
C'mon Virg-
Either you're for transparency or you're not, right? Heck Edward Snowden runs out and blabs insider info and Tea Party types from coast to coast hail him as a hero. Was he right? Right motive, wrong execution.
There's very little in the law enforcement world that's classified. If it is and it got shared, whoever shared it is wrong. I have never seen that here. Have things been said here that clearly show the writers have some behind the scenes knowledge? Yup. Doesn't mean they can't speak it as long as it is not classified. It's not wrong to say that candidates were dq'ed because of "xyz." With the caveat that the candidates are not listed by name or other identifying information.
Bottom line? You want open government, your government employees are giving you that. I guess you only want it open enough to suit your agenda though.
Virgil wrote:
"..In every case you guys attempt to discredit the experts and substitute your own reality. This has turned into a 3 ring circus. It was never like this before and the common denominator is Righeimer."
Yep. I'll take the greenest CMPD officer over Riggy or Mensy any day when it comes to character.
Abierto,
So the cops who went running to the press with lies about Riggy's actions at the traffic stop were just promoting open government?
I love the coyness on display here. No way anyone can verify anything you say, and there have been doozies posted here, including details about closed session labor negotiations, conversations between police chiefs and council members (Chief, is that you?), etc.
But officer discipline? HELL NO to openness, right?
If you've got nothing to hide, back up your statements with an identity.
So many questions, you sound as unintelligible as Dennis Popp. Are you? IF not, sorry for the insult.
Hey Geoff, Are you familiar with the Meyers-Milias-Brown Act? This is government code Section 3500-3511. Here is the link to he law. http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/displaycode?section=gov&group=03001-04000&file=3500-3511. It basically spells out the collective bargaining process along with "good faith" negotiations. From what I have read it seems many of the changes Righeimer is proposing on the general employees is in violation of the act. When you have time (it is kind of long) read through it and see what you think.
So what's the status of Dan Joyce and Christine Cordon? Geoff, any new news or are they tryinf to sweep this under the rug? Will we ever know where and how our tax dollars were spent?
It appears as long as there is an investigation into a "personnel matter" the city isnt required to be transparent about possible misuse of public funds. How is this right?
Still waiting for them to "craft" a response - Rick Francis word from last week. Seems odd to take more than a week to make a simple acknowledgement of the facts and tell the community that it's a "personnel" matter, so don't expect to hear anything until it's sorted out. That's why we pay Bill Lobdell the big bucks, isn't it?
Thx geoff...hope you have a great bday dinner tonight!
Lobdell... (sigh).... another huge waste of taxpayer money. Where's the crafted spin Lobdell?
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