SbGrapevine

Monthly Archives: September 2010

Editorial: When will the BOS learn its lesson? – Part One
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Editorial: When will the BOS learn its lesson? – Part One

Emasculated.  Impotent.  Ineffectual. Powerless. Debilitated.  Cowardly.  Weak. Anyone of these adjectives is an appropriate descriptor of the current five members of the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors individually and as a not-so-well functioning governing board.  Never was it so obvious as it was on Tuesday. More than a year and a half ago many astute observers began to realize the Board of Supervisors had a problem.  Several high-ranking staffers, including County Counsel Ruth Stringer, . . .

Lewis Wants to Bring Back Earmarks: 2012 Primary Challenge?
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Lewis Wants to Bring Back Earmarks: 2012 Primary Challenge?

Congressman Jerry Lewis’ $30,000 House Appropriations Committee Portrait “The Minority Maker,” as the Wall Street Journal dubbed him in a 2006 story, has been a controversial figure in San Bernardino County since his election to the House of Representatives in 1978.  From the affair with his secretary whom he eventually married after divorcing his wife to an ongoing federal probe, this moderate politician in conservative clothing has done more to run up the national debt . . .

Curt Hagman: Republican Leader and/or Fourth District Supervisor?
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Curt Hagman: Republican Leader and/or Fourth District Supervisor?

Assemblyman Curt Hagman, a Republican representing the 60th Assembly  District, was elected to his first term in 2008.  The district covers a total of 13 cities within San Bernardino, Los Angeles, and Orange counties. As a freshman assemblyman, Hagman has enjoyed unusual success, which he credits to his communication skills and leadership abilities.  The ability to get along with Republicans and Democrats alike has helped him gain respect as evidenced by his selection as Assistant . . .

Editorial: “Corruption on Steriods”
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Editorial: “Corruption on Steriods”

Today’s arrest of Robert Rizzo and seven others in the city of  Bell scandal made for a happy day for all citizens who are frustrated and sickened by the corruption that permeates every level of government.  The arrests also highlight what can be done when citizens join forces and let their voices be heard, combined with having elected an experienced prosecutor dedicated to the pursuit of justice. The Bell scandal has more than one San . . .

Jerry Lewis: The Minority Maker Expose
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Jerry Lewis: The Minority Maker Expose

The first in a multi-part series discussing the follies of Congressman Jerry Lewis during his 32-year tenure as the 41st District’s representative in the House of Representatives will begin on Friday, September 24, 2010.  Part Two will be published the following Wednesday. The Wall Street Journal gave Congressman Lewis the title of “Minority Maker” in 2006.  He earned that title due to his roll as chairman of the powerful House Appropriations Committee when Republicans raised . . .

Brad Mitzelfelt: The Rise to Power (Road to the Chairmanship?)
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Brad Mitzelfelt: The Rise to Power (Road to the Chairmanship?)

At over 17,000 square miles, San Bernardino County First District Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt holds the distinction of being the local elected official for an area larger than nine states.  His First District is the largest county district in the lower 48 states.  The fact that that there are only seven incorporated cities with relatively small spheres of influence within that expanse only increases the enormity of the job. Mitzelfelt began his life in public service . . .

State Board of Equalization and Tony Strickland – Part Three
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State Board of Equalization and Tony Strickland – Part Three

This is the third part of a four-part series highlighting 2010 races that will affect the California State Board of Equalization (BOE), the entity that oversees state tax policy and collections of more than $50 billion a year.  Senator Tony Strickland is the Republican nominee for State Controller.  The State Controller is the ex-officio member of the BOE, sits on the State Franchise Tax Board, CalPERS, CalSTRS and 72 other boards and commissions. The State . . .

Neil Derry’s Report Card
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Neil Derry’s Report Card

It looks like San Bernardino County Third District Supervisor Neil Derry may have hit another bump on the road to ethics reform in a county riddled for several decades with behavior by its top leaders ranging from ethical lapses to openly criminal acts.  Derry defeated incumbent Dennis Hansberger in the June 2008 primary in what was a contentious and expensive campaign, running on a platform of ethics reform. Since taking office 21 months ago, Derry . . .

Editorial: The Two Faces of Mike Ramos
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Editorial: The Two Faces of Mike Ramos

Last week a reader pointed out to us the front page of San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos’ website.  It was updated on August 27, 2010 with this statement: 8/27/2010 District Attorney Reform Proposals For nearly seven years the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office, through its Public Integrity Unit, has been a constant observer of city, county, school and district governmental operations through the review, evaluation and investigation of over 500 complaints. For . . .

State Board of Equalization and George Runner – Part Two
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State Board of Equalization and George Runner – Part Two

This is the second part of a four-part series highlighting California’s State Board of Equalization (BOE). As we mentioned in Part One, the BOE is the body that sets tax policy for the state. It oversees collection of more than $50 billion a year. It consists of four districts with each board member representing approximately eight million residents. The county of San Bernardino is divided in such a way that it includes two taxation districts. . . .

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