And the beat goes on...
The 5th District Court of Appeals has shot down the latest claim by former Sheriff Carl Sparks in his on-going battle to get compensated for his legal fees, in the now infamous struggle with the County over the nearly-forgotten premium pay lawsuit.
The court ruled that Sparks' attorney didn't file the paperwork in the proper order.
First, you file the claim, then you file the lawsuit.
His attorney disputes the ruling, and said it didn't matter, he has another petition that he hopes will bring the case from the 5th District court back to Kern County sometime this year.
I've forgotten what round this is, in a battle of hometown heavyweights.
Lest we forget, this entire fiasco began in November 2004 with the County wanting to recoup about $26,000 in overtime that they contend Sparks approved without the proper authority.
To date, Sparks estimates that his legal fees have reached about $350,000.
He says the County has spent more than that (since they went after the Commanders to begin with).
So for roughly $750,000, we will get to relish in another courtroom battle this year (and probably another after that) until someone cries "Uncle".
Which is not too far from the truth.
Sparks' attorney compared this trial to a book, which tells the story of a case that lasts for decades and is passed down from generation to generation.
He apparently has a sibling that might be going to law school and talked jokingly about passing the case onto her at some point down the road.
Is it possible that neither side in this dispute will finally blink and end this ridiculous posturing, or (more likely) will the costs just keep piling up until the debt becomes part of the County's annual budget?!
Now, remember, it's Sheriff Sparks who's still pushing the issue. The County has long since dropped this debate and is now only fighting to avoid getting stuck with the bill.
No dine and dash here!!
Nope, someone will end up paying.
Let's hope we're not the ones stuck in the kitchen washing the dishes.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Friday, April 24, 2009
On Fire Luncheon
Hats off to Bakersfield City and Kern County Firefighters!!
The Outback Steakhouse was overrun by firefighters and restaurant employees serving up more than 200 lunches, all to benefit the new Ronald McDonald House at Memorial Hospital.
Men and women (mostly women) flooded into the central Bakersfield restaurant to plunk down $25 each for lunch, then dug deep for nearly a thousand dollars in tips.
All told, the fundraising event pulled in well over five thousand dollars.
Some firefighters were out of their element, while others showed some skills they attained before they ever picked up a hose. All in all, the customers were appreciative of the effort to benefit the families of children who are staying at the hospital.
There was one request for the next On Fire Lunch: single firefighters only, wearing muscle t-shirts and suspenders.
Ladies please, it's for the children... (plus there might be a health code issue :)
The Outback Steakhouse was overrun by firefighters and restaurant employees serving up more than 200 lunches, all to benefit the new Ronald McDonald House at Memorial Hospital.
Men and women (mostly women) flooded into the central Bakersfield restaurant to plunk down $25 each for lunch, then dug deep for nearly a thousand dollars in tips.
All told, the fundraising event pulled in well over five thousand dollars.
Some firefighters were out of their element, while others showed some skills they attained before they ever picked up a hose. All in all, the customers were appreciative of the effort to benefit the families of children who are staying at the hospital.
There was one request for the next On Fire Lunch: single firefighters only, wearing muscle t-shirts and suspenders.
Ladies please, it's for the children... (plus there might be a health code issue :)
While Supplies Last...
I told the person in the drive-thru that "I can take the heat".
She told me they were out until tomorrow.
Out?!
I wasn't given a timetable when I heard about this free promotion, but to be honest, the whole thing made me a little uncomfortable. I was brought up to believe when you get something for free, there are strings attached.
It's the same feeling I've been getting watching the whole bailout mess unfold. Billions upon billions of dollars doled out with occasional oversight, just enough to make us believe that someone is REALLY watching.
Maybe someone is, a little closer, than when this entire cash carnival began, but I think there are many people involved in this exchange of taxpayer funds, that don't feel the slightest bit uneasy about accepting our money.
It was recently revealed that the 700 billion dollar pot had about 100 billion left in it. Those in charge weren't very worried, because they were expecting about 25 billion to be paid back soon.
Exactly when will the check be postmarked?
G.M. took another two billion dollars today, as Chrysler is reportedly on the verge of collapse after it was carried by the taxpayers for a couple months.
How many other financial institutions will be following suit? Officials reiterate that anyone who received the bailout dollars were aware they would have to pay it back at some point.
Really?!
What if they can't? Will they continue on while the supply lasts, then shut the doors?!
The government might do what I did, spend a little more on what they didn't want (original chicken sandwich) and wait for tomorrow.
She told me they were out until tomorrow.
Out?!
I wasn't given a timetable when I heard about this free promotion, but to be honest, the whole thing made me a little uncomfortable. I was brought up to believe when you get something for free, there are strings attached.
It's the same feeling I've been getting watching the whole bailout mess unfold. Billions upon billions of dollars doled out with occasional oversight, just enough to make us believe that someone is REALLY watching.
Maybe someone is, a little closer, than when this entire cash carnival began, but I think there are many people involved in this exchange of taxpayer funds, that don't feel the slightest bit uneasy about accepting our money.
It was recently revealed that the 700 billion dollar pot had about 100 billion left in it. Those in charge weren't very worried, because they were expecting about 25 billion to be paid back soon.
Exactly when will the check be postmarked?
G.M. took another two billion dollars today, as Chrysler is reportedly on the verge of collapse after it was carried by the taxpayers for a couple months.
How many other financial institutions will be following suit? Officials reiterate that anyone who received the bailout dollars were aware they would have to pay it back at some point.
Really?!
What if they can't? Will they continue on while the supply lasts, then shut the doors?!
The government might do what I did, spend a little more on what they didn't want (original chicken sandwich) and wait for tomorrow.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Model For All Americans
President Barack Obama called it a "model for all Americans."
He was speaking of the "courage" shown by American freighter Captain Richard Phillips, at a time when many Americans in the business sector are showing a lack of character.
His unselfish and heroic actions not only saved his crew, but maybe this country's overall image in the international community. At least for the moment.
Before we get sidetracked on a rant about the nation's economy, I'll stick with the situation in the Indian Ocean.
The shooting of three Somali pirates by NAVY seals (one shot each, at night and in choppy water) has now forced the U.S. to deal with a problem that has plagued that region for years. The pirates do NOT operate in the Caribbean, but off the coast of Somali, as they have for more than a century. Considered a nuisance by some might be the reason no one has ever thought about taking them on until now.
Yes, I understand the political ramifications of the region, but the fact we took a stand (even if our hand was forced) I'm glad it was the U.S. not backing down to a terrorist in a pirate's costume.
I give the President a little bit of credit, after all he did give the green light to the Navy, in the event the situation escalated.
But let's not forget the crew of the freighter that fought to re-take the ship, and the Captain offering himself as a hostage to avoid a blood bath.
If that situation had never occurred, we could be negotiating with the pirates right now as the ship and it's crew sat in a Somali port along with hundreds of other hostages and ships.
The pirates are threatening to retaliate. Maybe they will, maybe they won't. The President has called for an international solution to piracy on the high sea's.
Thanks to a couple of crack shots from the US Navy, we will finally get the chance to explore it.
He was speaking of the "courage" shown by American freighter Captain Richard Phillips, at a time when many Americans in the business sector are showing a lack of character.
His unselfish and heroic actions not only saved his crew, but maybe this country's overall image in the international community. At least for the moment.
Before we get sidetracked on a rant about the nation's economy, I'll stick with the situation in the Indian Ocean.
The shooting of three Somali pirates by NAVY seals (one shot each, at night and in choppy water) has now forced the U.S. to deal with a problem that has plagued that region for years. The pirates do NOT operate in the Caribbean, but off the coast of Somali, as they have for more than a century. Considered a nuisance by some might be the reason no one has ever thought about taking them on until now.
Yes, I understand the political ramifications of the region, but the fact we took a stand (even if our hand was forced) I'm glad it was the U.S. not backing down to a terrorist in a pirate's costume.
I give the President a little bit of credit, after all he did give the green light to the Navy, in the event the situation escalated.
But let's not forget the crew of the freighter that fought to re-take the ship, and the Captain offering himself as a hostage to avoid a blood bath.
If that situation had never occurred, we could be negotiating with the pirates right now as the ship and it's crew sat in a Somali port along with hundreds of other hostages and ships.
The pirates are threatening to retaliate. Maybe they will, maybe they won't. The President has called for an international solution to piracy on the high sea's.
Thanks to a couple of crack shots from the US Navy, we will finally get the chance to explore it.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
