Tehachapi News

The "good ole boy" network has never disappeared.   Politicians and government workers at nearly every level get tremendous benefits, both health care and pension, along with a nice salary.  Why wouldn't they provide a great job to a friend?  And honestly, when did that city, state or federal boss man care if their friend was qualified? 

This policy begins in small towns like Tehachapi and moves right up the line.  Remember the bozo Bush put in charge of FEMA?  And the near idiot currently in charge of the Justice Department?  And Gonzo then hired his little friend Monica who had an education but whose experience was working at (I forgot exactly) something like Dunkin Donuts.  Shame, shame, shame.  Does Bush care?  Does Caudle care?  Does Grimes care?  Absolutely not.  They have their network in place and they are all happy and busy scratching each other's back.

Shane and Jim and Curly too - remember these issues and remember the outrage and anger it generates.  Run for city positions - I sure wish I could vote because I absolutely would (I'm outside the city limits).  I may not agree with everything you all say, but I usually respect your point of view. 

A simply stated flyer, with the particulars of friends hired in city positions, positions created specifically for friends, etc. could be distributed at the city meetings.  They are very effective.  And they could be handed out in front of Albertsons.  A kind of:  TEHACHAPI RESIDENTS:  DID YOU KNOW?  list of grievances.  If someone has a printer, a black ink cartridge runs about $25.00 and a ream of paper about $4.00.  For less than $30.00 you can hand out 500 flyers.  If that cost and time is split between 3 or 4 individuals, it is a cheep way to get information out. 

I would donate an hour of my time to sit in front of Albertsons some Friday evening.  Let's do something other than write on this site.  I get antsy just reading, reading and writing. 

Does the City Council know where we get this information? Do they think we read the newspaper site every day for this info?

Well let me tell you how. City employees call us. They let us know whats going on. WHY? Because they are not happy and can't say anything about it themselves. What does that tell you as a city tax payer? It should tell you that what is going on looks bad from both sides.

I was told today that Caudle wanted to sneak this one by us. He has made sure that the job requirements only fit his friend. They will not even advertise for this new job. I can't believe he thought he could get away with this. Does he and the Council think we are that dumb?

Hooking up the homeboys. I thought this old school, small town crap went away along time ago.

Friend of Caudle needs part-time job, Caudle starts fire department makes friend chief, townspeople pitch a fit, friend is out of a  fire chief job, Caudle and friend are sad, Caudle makes new job for friend, both are happy, city council members get voted out, Caudle is out a job and so is his friend, town is sad because they are out so much money.

I will call for a re-call of every council person that votes yes on this.

Take a look at this! I was just going to post this.  City Council be advised, there are to many disgruntled city employees and to many of us watching what you do. You will no longer be able to slip stuff by us.

Open questions for the City Council,

1) What will this  Emergency Services Coordinator/Training Supervisor do?

2) Does the City need this position?

3) Can't the Police Chief do this as part of his job?

4) Who and what will he supervise?

5) Who will be trained by this person?

6)Will this position be advertised, and will there be a real testing process for this job?

7) Can't we use this funding for something more useful? Like a police detective or a volunteer fire department, or maybe more firefighters?

8) Will there be a public debate on the need for this position?

Oh, I am so there!  I've got a few questions that need clarifying.....Not that I expect them to be answered or anything.

*7.The City budget for the fiscal year 2007/2008 currently allows for two (2) landscaper positions and two (2) officer positions.  After examining personnel needs, Staff recommends modifying the budget to allow for one (1) Lead Landscape Maintenance Worker position and one (1) Landscape Maintenance Worker position and two (2) Senior Officer positions.  At this time City Staff also recommends adding an Emergency Operations and Safety Coordinator to the 2007/2008 budget - MODIFY EXISTING BUDGET TO ALLOW FOR THE ADDITION OF TWO SENIOR OFFICER POSITIONS AND THE REMOVAL OF TWO OFFICER POSITIONS, ADDITION OF ONE LEAD LANDSCAPER POSITION AND REMOVAL OF ONE LANDSCAPER POSITION, AND ADDITION OF ONE PART-TIME EMERGENCY OPERATIONS AND SAFETY COORDINATOR

 *8.Approval of  job descriptions for a Lead Landscape Maintenance Worker, Landscape Maintenance Worker, and part-time Emergency Services Coordinator/Training Supervisor - APPROVE JOB DESCRIPTIONS
ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER REPORTS

Curly, you would be a refreshing and welcome addition to the City Council and I hope you toss your hat (bonnet?) in the ring.

And, just to let you know how much I pay attention to what you, and others, have had to say to me, at the appropriate time I will introduce the concerns of both the UPS and PEPSI drivers have had to say about their parking problems at the Que Pasa driveways. And yes, if the best and surest way of solving this problem is to do it "one parking lot at a time", then THAT'S what I'll do.

Jim Richards

MY THANKS TO CURLY AND SHANE

For your reasoned and thoughtful comments. I tend to agree with both of you and would just add that I can only sit through just so many presentations at the Council meetings before I get weary and leave. I think these meetings should wrap up in an hour and yet I sat through one where a person spent fifteen minutes petitioning for a residential variance so she could keep her pet pig. The next speaker also droned on for another 15 minutes petitioning for a variance for his business sign at the corner of Tucker and Valley.

Grimes used to tell speakers that they must keep their remarks to a maximum of 3 minutes. Now, he just lets them run on and on and keep repeating themselves and wasting our time.

Curly, I have lots of issues to mention and will try to cover them all at some point in time but I don’t want to be thought of as the “Gadfly” who tries to admonish the Council at every meeting. I am only doing the best I can.

And Shane, I try to make my comments in the public forum at the meetings so everyone can hear them and they become a part of the record. I have found that many times people who have had a private telephonic conversation on a one to one basis have later been known to deny that any such conversation ever took place. It’s not unheard of.

I also see that Stan Beckham is taking a bit of flack here on the blog and also from his fellow Council members. I hope he doesn’t get discouraged as a result and lose his “fire in the belly.” Remember, there are 4 of “them” and only one of “him”. We need him, and others who will stand up to the Old Guard.

Like Shane, I have not made a definitive decision about running next year but am watching things closely and I ask for your patience, support, and understanding. I have no relatives to propose for any City jobs and my friends are all well positioned in their own fields so that lets them out also. The job of the City Council member is to represent the voters of the City and be aware and concerned for the people of the greater Tehachapi area because the Council’s decisions affect us all.

Jim Richards

Thank you for the nice post. I am not officially in the race by the way. I will make my decision around the 1st of the year.

  As for the EOC thing, I know one of the many County Firefighters that work and live in the City who would be more then willing to be a "Local Representative" during an emergency or disaster.

 I have not been to a City Council meeting in the last 4 months. I have addressed the City Council on six occasions during the last two years. Just because Jim or myself doesn't make a statement during every meeting does not indicate we are not involved. I can't speak for Jim, but I have the cell phone numbers of most of the City Council members and I do call them often. As for making statements at a City Council meeting, they are that, " a statement". The Council very rarely acts upon or makes any acknowledgment of what the public has to say, during the meeting. If I have a disagreement with what the City is doing I normally make a phone call. The only time I address the Council with a statement or question is to make that question or statement public record. I find I get more done in person or on the phone then at a meeting.

As for my ability to lead or navigate my way threw the bureaucracy, that has to be seen. I feel I have what it takes to do the job. I lead and deal with bureaucracy every day with my employment. I don't know what happened to Stan but I do know he is out numbered by other council members that want to continue with what they have been doing.

Once again thank you for all the nice things said so far.

Dwight Eisenhower said, "You do not lead by hitting people over the head - that's assault, not leadership."

What makes me say Hummm is this. Now that the City Fire Department is gone, Caudle and Grimes started a new department called EOC. (Emergency Operations Center) They are putting this in the old fire station and they are once again hiring their old friend as EOC Manager! This is the same guy that was the Fire Chief of the City Fire Department..

You have got to be freakin' kidding me!  They are willing to make up a new position for this guy just so he can keep his city paycheck!!  How nice that yet again people who are MORE qualified can't apply for the job. It's good to have friends in high places especially in Tehachapi! Doesn't the city have to approve this new position by the city council? Won't they have to approve the job description for this new position??

Are you sure this is true? This seems just so blatantly obvious to me. I would think SOMEONE would be worried about looking foolish here.  How can they seriously think that they'll be able to justify paying someone who won't do ANYTHING, but train ONCE a year and command IF there EVER is a natural disaster.  Besides we have the KCFD available to do this already. If I'm not mistaken with the county we'll have a Battalion Chief doing this job, you know someone who has experience commanding more than a hand full of prisoners or firefighters!!!