Post Scripts

by Jack Lee

When the Chico City Council seemingly couldn’t get a straight answer from their finance director, Jennifer Hennesey, three of the seven councilors, Mark Sorensen, Bob Evan and Scott Gruendl had suspicions something was amiss with our city revenues.   The other four had their blinders on and refused to see what caused concerns for Gruendl, Evans and Sorensen.      

That was over 20 months ago and since then, Hennessy has abruptly left for another finance position far away from Chico, and the city manager, Dave Burkland has retired.   Two of the four counselors did not seek re-election and two remain… Mary Goloff and Ann Schwab. 

What should be noted is, Mark Sorensen (shown left) was the only counselor to take the bold and unprecedented action of going straight to the Grand Jury with his suspicions about the city’s solvency.  

When the facts started to come out we learned the city was coming up short over $20 million.  As it stands,  this is the single worst financial scandal in Chico’s history. 

Today we have new city administrator, a new assistant city administrator and a new finance officer to deal with the mess that Hennesey and Burkland left behind.    Mayor Ann Schwab, one of those who steadfastly refused to see the problem and had the temerity to assure the public that all was well, completed her term as mayor and  now continues on the city council and so does Mary Goloff who has been elected Mayor to replace the outgoing Schwab, an odd turn of events to say the least. 

I think it would be an injustice if Councilman Sorensen were not officially recognized by the City for his courage and integrity.    He took a considerable political risk by going to the Grand Jury and the citizens of Chico owe him a huge debt of thanks.   I imagine Mayor Goloff would sooner this all just be forgotten, but if she has an ounce of honor left, she should set aside her bruised ego and immediately initiate an official recognition for Counselor Sorensen.  He deserves it and besides it’s not often we have a reason to say something nice about an elected official!

REPLY FROM MARK:

Thanks Jack, but really no courage was involved on my part. Just trying to do my job. Given the circumstances, the Grand Jury was a good step.

Even aside from the deficit spending, I wont go into all of the details here and now, but a great many things simply did not add up. Financially and otherwise.

The timing of my first letter to the GJ was 11 months into my term, after we had a quarterly “financial update” on Nov 1st 2011. I was so profoundly bothered by many aspects of that Council meeting and events leading up to it, that Friday I started writing. By Sunday I had 22 pages covering several very detailed examples, with hundreds of pages of referenced documents detailing serious concerns. Yes, it was another relaxing weekend as a Council member

On Tuesday Nov 8, I hand delivered copies of the letter and attachments.

I can’t go into details of the many communications with the Grand Jury since that time. But I sincerely hope that their work on this topic continues. I suspect that it will.

Unfortunately the original letter is so intertwined with “personnel issues” that I would have to redact it. I’ve thought about releasing it to the public because it absolutely nails what was going on at the time. I might even post some segments here on Post Scripts.

There were other efforts to bring in outside help. For one, I was so worried about the financial condition of the city that I was also in the process of putting together a request for intervention to the State Controllers office in June 2012, but held off as it appeared that we were on track to hire a new “outside” City Manager.

Meanwhile, in June 2012 the city passed another deficit spending budget. It is interesting to watch last year’s budget approval….Requires Internet Explorer..Fast Forward to time index 6:19 ….
http://chico-ca.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=2&clip_id=311&meta_id=27187

Unfortunately, I learned how slowly things happen in the public sector, not because of the people, but because of the situations… I could detail, but don’t want to do so without expansive detail to avoid being misconstrued.

Brian Nakamura walked into quite a mess. A mess financially and otherwise. Certain dysfunctional components within the city worked very hard to discourage and undermine Brian. But he stayed calm and resolute, and systematically worked through the challenges. The financial challenges alone were massive. Brian Nakamura is the courageous one.

I also looking very forward to things yet to come. I believe that in the coming months more information will come to describe how the city came so close to the brink of insolvency. ….. All, as we try to save the city from insolvency in the near term. It seems that few people appreciate how very delicate our predicament is.

As for Toby’s question “where did the $20 million go?”. My opinion is that rather than truly balance budgets (EG: actual revenues vs expenses) that the focus was on three primary goals.
1) Maintain pay levels
2) Maintain benefits
3) Maintain positions.

Go ahead and try that in your personal finances, or in your business. It does not work.

It seems that one facet of the Modus Operandi was to spread payroll and benefits and other cost allocations around to places that still contained dough.

Unfortunately, in this city that seems so very enamored with the concept of “sustainability”, the financial actions were not sustainable. Not even freekin’ close.

As for Toby’s other points…. ahhhhh…… re-read the above…. it aint over, yet.

But the best news of all, is that I fully expect to leave my City Government, of my little home town, in far better shape than when I got here. That is what true conservatives do. We absolutely will work through the current challenges and land on the other side much wiser and stronger.

Note from PS: And this is why Councilman Sorensen rates number 1 in my book of favorite politicians…anywhere!!! If we had a few hundred more like him in high places across this country and in the White House think of the possibilities! Well, just be thankful we have him on the city council. He’s doing a fantastic job, despite the resistance he gets from our liberals on the council and elsewhere.

Posted by Tina

Someone’s having a bit of fun with the old hopey changey poster from the 2008 election. The artist doesn’t mind this new rendition since the original was a rip off from an AP photo. IBD has the story and quotes from original artist, Shepard Fairey:

“I originally supported Obama vigorously because his proclaimed policy positions aligned with my beliefs.

“I have never been an unconditional Obama supporter or cheerleader, so I’m pleased to see people subvert my Obama images as a way to critique him and demonstrate the wide gap between some of his promises and actions……

“I agree that Obama needs to be called out on an NSA program that over-reaches to the extreme and shouldn’t be secret.”

How’s that hope and change working out for America?

by Jack Lee

Is it ever justifiable to undermine one of our civil liberties in the name of security?     The fact that some people would even think that it’s okay is disturbing.   Why so?   Because all rights are inextricably linked and you can’t compromise or undermine one without compromising the others.  

If you follow the legislation coming out of Sacramento in the last few years then you are aware of a concerted effort by a small block of determined liberals, known as the gun-grabbers.  They try to pass every sort of wacky, good for nothing, restrictive gun legislation their imaginations will allow.   At the same time they are trying to justify this dangerous radicalism under the pretext of your personal security.  

“If it only saves one life”  is their new mantra.   Can you imagine what kind of country we would have today if that was the litmus test used by our founders?  What rights might we enjoy without risk?   That leftist rhetoric is meant to justify taking away some freedom and this is the first thing to happen in the wake of any tragic event involving a firearm.   Liberals know this is a great time to sidestep logic and exploit our emotions.   Most recently we saw this baloney come from Barack Obama and Joe Biden over the crazy guy at Sand Hook.  Biden said,  “As the president said, if your actions result in only saving one life, they’re worth taking.  But, I’m convinced we can affect the well-being of millions of Americans and take thousands of people out of harm’s way if we act responsibly.”  In other words, [responsible] would be a nation-wide gun ban on anything our dear federal authorities deemed appropriate, starting with those so-called [Assault Weapons].   Hey, we tried it already Joe! 

The “saving a life” canard is just blatant hypocrisy designed to play on our emotions.   Emotions manipulate voters in ways that logic and facts can’t.    It’s disturbing that this false argument has been so effective on so many!   Good luck America…we’re going to need it! 

by Jack

 The duly elected Mohamed Morsi representing the Muslim Brotherhood didn’t understand the concept of checks and balances very well nor the freedoms associated with a true democracy.  

His first mistake was to give himself more power than the new Constitution allowed in order to limit dissent and impose censorship.  Then he tried to force his own brand of Islamic fundamentalism into government.   Morsi was soon accused of being a puppet for Muhammad Badi who heads up the Muslim Brotherhood.  Morsi’s religious ferver annoyed liberals and secularists who saw their first opportunity for a voice in government fading away.  Despite the complaints, Morsi showed no signs of being open to building a consensus.      

Egypt’s democracy got off to a bad start with Morsi, so the people’s demand for a do-over is understandable, although its not a decision to be taken lightly.  This is a dangerous course that could lead to anarchy or civil war, but the majority of Egyptians were willing to risk it.   Morsi was too steeped in Muslim fundamentalism and this got in the way of preserving those new freedoms from the last revolution two years ago.  

Morsi’s cabinet of technocrats totally blew it with their economic policies.   Morsi had imposed an austerity campaign and that didn’t go over well.  Unemployment was high, incomes were down, commodities prices surged and tourism dropped to near zero.    Tourism represents a major portion of Egypt’s economy and Morsi’s policies brought that industry to a halt.    This is what spelled the end for the Morsi government.  Even though he was legitimately elected, his policies proved too threatening to Egypt’s newly founded democracy.  This is why millions of people took to the streets and demanded he leave office.   

Currently a Supreme Court Justice is serving as the interim president pending a new election.   Let’s hope this do-over leads to better results than the last one. 

As a side note, President Obama backed Morsi and totally misinterpreted the popularity of the radical Muslim Brotherhood.   It was an unwise choice, but our connections with the Egyptian military remains strong and that may well salvage our relationship and minimize Obama’s blunder. 

 PS  It’s interesting to note that at the time of his ouster Morsi had a much higher approval rating than the legislators in Sacramento. 

Posted by Tina

Tomorrow we celebrate and recall the sacrifices our founders made to ensure the people could forever be free. The Fourth of July would indeed be just another day under the Queen of England were it not for the determined men who put everything on the line to secure freedom. Decades later, in places like Gettysberg and Vicksberg citizens once again were compelled by their principles to sacrifice everything in the name of freedom and preservation of our United States. An account of the mettle of some of these men was penned in a book, “Every Man Did His Duty,” reviewed in the small hometown paper, The Mankato Free Press; Quoting the author, Wayne Jorgenson:

“There was a mystique to the Minnesota men — the character they had compared to what I call the ‘city boys’ out east. The ones who came out here in the 1860s, they were farming, logging, surviving, shooting guns. All these pioneering traits made them stronger and better soldiers.”

Inspired by an inherent longing to be free, the same pioneering traits of the Minnesota men have been the backbone and strength of our country since its beginning. This spirit is evident in the men and women who serve in our military. It is evident in ordinary citizens as they go about responsibly and productively ordering their own lives. It is evident in the entrepreneurial spirit that drives innovation and opportunity and that has created a better standard of living for all of our citizens and in the world. Freedom’s power and value are greater than any possession. Tomorrow we give thanks and celebrate this great patriotic gift.

As we hang our flags and join with family and friends to show the pride we feel in being American this week, let us also remind ourselves of the sacrifices our citizens continue to make to ensure that freedom remains our continuing blessing. We can find an example of that original pioneering spirit in the life of a young veteran recovering from injuries he received while serving in Afghanistan. U.S. veteran Sgt Travis Mills, a quadruple amputee, is a man with a passion for life. (video)

May God bless Lee and his family and may God continue to bless the United States of America. I am indeed both humbled and proud.

http://www.nranews.com/ginny/video/apps-california-s-universal-registration-scheme

Posted by Tina

A new study by a former electric car enthusiast suggests what we have sensed all along: “Electric cars are among the environmentally dirtiest transportation options”. The opinion is based on a broad study comparing gas driven cars to electric driven cars over the entire life of each:

Writing in the journal IEEE Spectrum, researcher Ozzie Zehner says electric cars lead to hidden environmental and health damages and are likely more harmful than gasoline cars and other transportation options.

Electric cars merely shift negative impacts from one place to another, he wrote, and “most electric-car assessments analyze only the charging of the car. This is an important factor indeed. But a more rigorous analysis would consider the environmental impacts over the vehicle’s entire life cycle, from its construction through its operation and on to its eventual retirement at the junkyard.”

Will this good idea go the way of the Edsel? Collectors take note.

Maybe the hydrogen car will fair better. They’re already being produced for the general public…in South Korea:

The first hydrogen-powered car set for mass production rolled off the assembly line this week in South Korea. The vehicle, an SUV by Hyundai called the ix35 Fuel Cell, creates only water in its exhaust.

Unfortunately the sticker price ranges from $50-$100K and won’t be available in the US. Europe, ahead of the curve, has already begun to install hydrogen fueling stations. However smart this will turn out to be for them unless they change their ways economically the new option won’t do much to clean up the air. Who can afford the sticker price without a job?

America isn’t any better off. Under the leadership of Barack Obama we are stuck in an unfriendly business environment that discourages entrepreneurs and investors and stifles strong growth. We are also becoming a nation of poor people suffering under high unemployment, wages that continue to fall, and prices for necessary goods and services going up, up, up. On July 1st California added a 3.5 cent a gallon gasoline tax…so our budgets just took another hit. Healthcare and healthcare insurance costs will increase dramatically next year under Obamacare. Ugh…we’re walking in sludge and losing the battle to keep up!

Wake up Americans…both the environment, and the people, would be much better off in a free market environment…but don’t expect the Obama, most Democrats, and Republican Rhino’s to give us the relief we need any time soon.

by Jack

It’s been suggested that the defense for Zimmerman might as well rest as soon as the prosecution is done presenting their case.   So far every key witness and the evidence presented corroborates what Zimmerman said to police, and if he was telling the truth, then there’s no case!  There never was a case!   Even the police officers who interviewed him said he sounded credible.   If this is all the prosecution has, then there’s no case and likely no hint of racism either, except for the carefully protected media omissions of Martin’s racist language and his aggressive conduct.  I see racism there, but apparently the media missed it. 

We’ve seen how the evidence supports that Zimmerman was in fact being beaten, that Martin was on top and that Martin was shot… one time. 

Presumably if one was in a bigoted rage and determined to let the black guy have it, he would have pulled the trigger more than once just to be sure that Martin was dead.   As for the screaming for help and who was doing it, who would have the best reason to be screaming?  Would it be the guy on the bottom being beaten or the guy doing the beating?   Martin’s parents want us to believe it was him.  Zimmerman repeatedly said he was in fear of his life as he was being beaten and smothered by Martin who said, “You’re going to die tonight” and that he screamed for help.  

Where’s the proof of racism as the motive for the shooting?  I don’t see it.  However, I see a motive for the beating.   Martin said he was going after this “M.F. creepy cracker.”    We could write pages on the finer points, but no matter what you thought going in by now you have to admit this is one weak case.  It’s certainly the weakest I’ve ever seen, and I’ve seen a lot of them!

Who or what compelled this case to go to trial if there was no probable cause to believe a homicide was committed?   Was this a result of racist protesters putting pressure on the system?  Was it Obama making his proclamation that if he had a son he would look just like Trayvon?  Was it Eric Holder who saw this as racism and was determined to finally make a racism case?   I think we deserve know, because at this point the prosecution looks downright foolish.  It looks like this trial was a  waste of the taxpers money and worse, that it was a blatant attempt to persecute Zimmerman because he was white and Martin was black and appeasement was seen as the expedient thing to do.  

by Drew Zahn

If a company wants to label its product “Made in the USA,” it had better beware of selling it in California, which may allow people to sue the company for using the label.

While the other 49 states adhere to federal standards allowing a product to carry the “Made in the USA” label if it is substantially manufactured in the U.S., California alone requires a product be 100-percent American made. Not a pin, not a screw can be made anywhere else.

Far from protecting American manufacturers and consumers, however, even the Made in USA Foundation is warning California’s law is placing a chilling effect on American companies everywhere.

“In our new global economy it is virtually impossible to manufacture a high-tech product 100-percent in the USA,” explained Joel Joseph, chairman of the Made in the USA Foundation, in support of a California Assembly bill that would amend the law and bring the state into line with federal guidelines.

“The fact that California is the only state in the nation to have such rigid standards is a barrier to business,” added California Assemblyman Brian Jones, R-Santee, sponsor of the bill, AB 890, which was blocked in committee June 25 but has been granted reconsideration. “The inconsistency in law has resulted in difficulties for manufacturers because products legally labeled as ‘Made in America’ in the other 49 states can’t legally be sold here. This places the retailer and manufacturer at risk, and increases costs to separately label products for sale in California.”

After a similar bill was passed unanimously in the California Assembly last year, only to be killed by three Democrats in a State Senate committee, California manufacturer Mag Instrument Inc. – manufacturer of the popular Maglite flashlight – released a statement explaining how California’s current law effectively discourages companies anywhere from using the “Made in the USA” label.

“Unless they want to undertake the expense and risk of having one package for the other 49 states and a special package just for California, American manufacturers have no choice but to produce a 50-state package that complies with California’s unreasonably strict standard, under which it is almost never permissible for a product of any complexity to affix a ‘Made in USA’ label,” the company said. “This can mean foregoing the right to lawfully mark its product ‘Made in USA’ in the other 49 states.”

Discover how you can actually help U.S. businesses, jobs and buy American at the new American Made Store!

“It’s another example of the state legislature making it as difficult as possible to do business in California,” argued Tony Maglica, founder and owner of Mag Instrument Inc. “We now have another example why this state is such a terrible place to operate a business. … There are some state legislators who just don’t understand the realities of manufacturing in the age of the global supply chain. Some parts and materials you just can’t get domestically.”

“As law it makes no sense,” Jones said. “It’s a barnacle on the side of manufacturing in California.”

But laws hampering American businesses are not unique to California, notes Joseph Farah, co-founder of WND and a new project called American Made Stores.

“Joblessness and dysfunctional government go hand in hand,” said Farah. “Washington hasn’t done a single thing to improve the economic climate in America in years. So it’s time for Americans to act collectively to help each other.”

That’s the concept behind his American Made Stores, a partnership between WND and REKO, WND’s heralded online shopping fulfillment company – the one noted for its top-notch customer service at the WND Superstore.

The company was founded with this mission: “To rebirth American manufacturing while educating Americans about the importance of a strong and vibrant U.S.-based manufacturing economy by offering a unique, convenient, cost-saving and fun shopping experience for those wishing to find American-made products in one place. By rewarding companies who employ Americans working in factories on American soil, you can direct your purchasing power in a way that will not only benefit you and your family, but stimulate a manufacturing renaissance that will benefit your descendants and your country.”

Farah said it’s “a simple fact that American jobs requires American manufacturing.”

“You can’t expect one without the other,” he said. “Government places no value on American manufacturing. In fact, it does everything in its power to hinder the creation of manufacturing jobs and to place roadblocks in the paths of companies that would like to make things and sell things in America. American Made Stores, however, is about empowering Americans to support American manufacturing and to keep and create jobs right here at home.”

In addition to making it easy to find U.S.-made products of superior quality and with excellent pricing, which is no easy task in most stores today, goods in American Made Stores are graded and sorted by the percentage of American content and a manufacturers’ certification standard ensures against false claims. Through customer feedback, testimonials and ratings systems, American Made Stores can provide you with up-to-date consumer reports on American-made goods.