Let’s dispense with the Acronym issue first.
__________________________________________________________________
Our fearless leaders at JCW require a verifiable DOD/NSA/CSS background.
The end result? The use of acronyms is a disease for us around here with the assumption that you know what they mean. We’ve recently been asked to develop a cheat sheet for readers
Please remind us of our disease by utilizing our private message window and ask us to spell out acronyms as we’ve used them when you don’t understand their use.
(DOD=Department of Defense)(NSA=National Security Agency)(CSS=Central Security Service)
___________________________________________________________________
Rumors: Stephen Nash was first consideration for re-arranging Titanic’s deck chairs as future sidekick to Ron Overholt of the AOC. The AOC was outbid by San Bernardino and the criminals at the politburo are upset at his departure.
Rumors: Next in line for Executive Director of the AOC is that train wreck we know here as “Tonto”.
Having screwed a similar IT project in Alameda County prior to his departure to the AOC, he is alleged to be the perfect choice to carry the CCMS (California Case Management System) flag for the next 5 or so billion dollars. Even though we all believe Mr. Overholt should hit the road, the rumor is he will be promoted, placing the AOC further down the rabbit hole with regards to trust in branch leadership.
A clue for Tani – If they are located in the non-redeemable portion of digital purgatory, they need to resign or be fired. This includes Mr. Ron Overholt.
Judicial Council Watcher 
Wendy Darling
July 1, 2011
Direct quotes from the judges’ comments to the Chief Justice’s survey:
“The entire top level management at the AOC needs to be fired.”
“In addition to Mr. Vickrey, she (the Chief Justice) should ask for all executive managers to resign. If the current team reflects her views, we are in worse shape than we imagined.”
“Consider the retirements of Vickrey and Calabro to be gifts from God, and immediately accept the resignations of Ron Overholt and Jody Patel.”
Now comes the rumored response: promote Ron Overholt.
In other words, another “inappropriate response.”
Long live the ACJ.
Wendy Darling
July 1, 2011
Published today, Friday, July 1, from The Recorder, the on-line publication of CalLaw, by Cheryl Miller:
Capital Accounts: Et Tu, Steinberg? Chief’s Law School Pal Took Knife to Budget
Cheryl Miller
http://www.law.com/jsp/ca/PubArticleCA.jsp?id=1202499237819&Capital_Accounts_Et_Tu_Steinberg_Chiefs_Law_School_Pal_Took_Knife_to_Budget&slreturn=1&hbxlogin=1
Miller’s article is subscription access, so maybe someone out there with subscription access could share with the rest of us a brief synopsis of the Miller’s article.
As for Steinberg, he may be the Chief Justice’s friend, but he’s no political idiot.
Long live the ACJ.
Wendy Darling
July 1, 2011
Also from Cheryl Miller today, Friday, July 1, published on Legal Pad, the on-line legal blog of The Recorder and CalLaw:
Budget woes leave Case Management System vulnerable to cuts
Cheryl Miller
http://legalpad.typepad.com/
Long live the ACJ.
Judicial Council Watcher
July 1, 2011
So… if they carried through with this plan to fund CCMS with a 125 million dollars, doesn’t this money usually come out of the trial court budgets? Would this be on top of 350 million in cuts to those same courts?
Mark Moore – Why on earth would you need to spend 125 million dollars on an application that is complete? Maybe because you are lying about its completion or is this to pay for all of the staff and managers and consultants you hired?
sharonkramer
July 1, 2011
Inappropriate emergency response:
CIRCULATING ORDER MEMORANDUM TO THE JUDICIAL COUNCIL
June 17, 2011 Distinguished Service Award: Thc Richard D. Huffman Justice for Children and Families Award “To honor members of the judiciary and others for outstanding contributions to improving access to and the quality of justice for children and families.” For their exceptional commitment and success in this regard, it is recommended that Justice Richard D. Huffman and Administrative Director William C. Vickrey be approved as joint recipients of the award in its inaugural year.
The council has presented Distinguished Service Awards for the past 17 years. California Rules of Court, Rule 10.5(h) states that the council may act between council meetings on urgent matters if the Chief Justice or the Administrative Director approves.
This award was proposed and supported by a group of Judicial Council members, including Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye and Judges James E. Herman, Ira R. Kaufman, Winifred Younge Smith, Kenneth K. So, Sharon J. Waters, and Erica R. Yew.[sic, new CJP member]. The award honors Justice Huffman’s exceptional service as a member of the council and his outstanding commitment to improving outcomes for families and children in the court systcm.
As the inaugural recipients of the award, Justice Huffman and Mr. Vickrey will set a standard of excellence for all future recipients.
Click to access 20110624co1102.pdf
Judicial Council Watcher
July 1, 2011
…. a standard of excellence matched only by catholic priests. Oh, the irony.
Michael Paul
July 1, 2011
They have no shame. They are constantly creating awards, recognition and honors that they bestow upon themselves in times of crisis. I have witnessed “You’ve got to be kidding me” for too many years.
JusticeCalifornia
July 1, 2011
Someone suggested this to me today, as a new and improved handle for minimimi
RB2
Can anyone venture a guess as to the meaning?
SF Whistle
July 1, 2011
I think I can guess—
When I see RB… I am reminded of Shakespeare’s line from Romeo and Juliet—
Something about …..”A ____ by any other name would smell as sweet”….
May the reign of our “new Rose Bird”—-be a short one…
As I recall the first RB did not listen well either….
JusticeCalifornia
July 1, 2011
yup, Rose Bird Two. Not to compare ideologies, but rather increasingly likely outcomes.
Wendy Darling
July 2, 2011
“In addition to Mr. Vickrey, she (the Chief Justice) should ask for all executive managers to resign. If the current team reflects her views, we are in worse shape than we imagined.”
“As the inaugural recipients of the award, Justice Huffman and Mr. Vickrey will set a standard of excellence for all future recipients.”
Well, apparently the current “team” does indeed reflect the views of the Chief Justice, and with Huffman and Vickrey now annointed as the “new standard of excellence” for the judicial branch, we really are in worse shape than we imagined.
It won’t even be surprising when the Chief Justice announces Overholt’s appointment as Vickrey’s replacement.
Long live the ACJ.
sharonkramer
July 2, 2011
Perhaps Justice Richard Huffman desired this legacy award to keep pace of judicial stature with fellow Fourth District Division One Appellate Court Justice, Judith McConnell, who is also the distinguished Chair of the Ca Commission on Judicial Performance. McConnell already possesses a similar award in her name listed among her lifetime accomplishments.
I.e., Keeping up with the Jonesers (of pomp).
“The Lawyers Club Fund for Justice is our charitable foundation arm that serves to reach out to the San Diego Community, in particular to serve ‘at-risk’ women and children. In 1997, the Lawyers Club created a charitable fund at the San Diego Foundation to extend our reach into the San Diego community. The Fund was initially named ‘The Lawyers Club’s Judith McConnell Foundation Fund.’ Subsequently, in recognition of judicial canons, then Superior Court Judge McConnell requested that the name of the fund be changed to the ‘Lawyers Club of San Diego Fund For Justice.”
http://www.lawyersclubsandiego.com/displaycommon.cfm?an=6
Click to access 20110624co1102.pdf
JCW, the difference between this situation and pediphile priests is that California citizens are not able to make the Pope no longer the Pope. RB2
SF Whistle
July 2, 2011
Mrs Kramer–
You’re correct—WE–in our capacity as voters can demand that our cocktail waitress listens to us…————–RB2———-
I have in earlier posts questioned the experience of the chief…..I believe I finally came up with a better personal understanding…
It strikes me that cocktail waitresses typically work in darkened rooms—-she has great experience at taking orders–and giving change….
Rose Bird 2—-“RB2” needs to go—-She has already managed to put the largest judicial branch in the western world into a huge mess. Our new CJ had the opportunity to take apart the excess of King George…instead she has made it abundantly clear that rather than restore services to the trial courts and democratize the JC—she deepened the circle of loyalist lackies / sycophants that George surrounded himself with…
Rose Bird 2 has made it clear that her her cocktail waitress skills have taught her that she needs to add staff at the AOC—give ’em all pay raises (comp their drinks)—-at the same time she requires courts to whack staff and reduce services…
Long live the ACJ and may RB2 be a short-timer….
Wendy Darling
July 2, 2011
So, JCW … what does it take to recall a Chief Justice of the California judicial branch? Inquiring minds want to know …
Long live the ACJ.
Judicial Council Watcher
July 2, 2011
807,000* registered voter signatures to get a recall on the ballot, followed by a vote in a general election from what I understand.
*based upon the current required amount of qualifying signatures.
SF Whistle
July 2, 2011
San Francisco Presiding Judge Katherine Feinstein informed the press just last week—
“Justice will be on hiatus….”
I do not find Feinstein’s comments clever or even slightly humorous….
San Francisco is laying off over 200 employees out of 484 and turning out the lights in 25 of 63 court rooms….
It sure seems like 200 former court employees would be excellent at gathering qualified signatures???
RB2 is plowing forward with CCMS—while Statewide we learn that “Justice will be on hiatus”
RB2 is hiring more employees at AOC—giving pay raises….it’s time to put her on the ballot—
Judicial Council Watcher
July 2, 2011
Oh, there will be far more than 200 signature gatherers and I am sure every one of them wouldn’t mind standing outside a courthouse gathering signatures FOR FREE as opposed to paid signature gatherers, which is where most all of the costs of an initiative are. In our strategy meetings, we figured that Article 6 could also be re-written to require democracy on the council, limit the scope of the AOC and terminate cottage industries, sprouting up around the judicial branch’s operations and the one thing that judges would not like very much -the establishment of an elected office of the inspector general to investigate, manage and prosecute whistleblower complaints. While this would take multiple petitions to be signed, it would turn the current state of affairs on its ear and clean this mess up the fastest way, since mini-mimi isn’t about to rock the boat.
SF Whistle
July 2, 2011
How about an initiative on Judicial Immunity and one that creates a CJP that is not managed by RB2?—-Can a broader initiative that contains a “Reform Package” be circulated?—-
Judicial Council Watcher
July 2, 2011
That’s what the elected IG does – supplement’s the CJP process. The problem we have with Jail for judges is paying 75+ people 179K per year – and other things. This could be accomplished with far less people earning far less money, like a bakers dozen earning 100K. The CJP would be obligated to prosecute any case brought to them by the IG.
SF Whistle
July 2, 2011
JCW–
Reflecting upon your mention of FREE signature gatherers I am reminded of my Danish Grandfather and his story about a Ham-and-Egg breakfast–
1. The chicken is invested—
2. The hog is committed—
Regardless—the table is set—
Yes–I believe there are so many pissed-off outraged people…former court employees, disillusioned remaining court employees (forced to lie and break laws they thought the courts were intended to uphold)–litigants, attorneys—-ALL poised and ready to gather signatures, walk precincts, hang signs….do “gotv”…etc…
Also—the same pissed-off, outraged group prepared to pay others to gather qualified signatures—pay for billboards, pay for a TV–radio buy—bumperstrips, yard signs..etc…
I have been an initiative proponent—I understand the process…
It makes me NO-NEVERMIND—how we gather 807,000 signatures—paid…unpaid…invested or committed—-
LET’S GO—WHILE THERE IS SOMETHING LEFT TO SALVAGE—
sharonkramer
July 2, 2011
“San Francisco Presiding Judge Katherine Feinstein informed the press just last week—
‘Justice will be on hiatus….” Why is she using future tense? Shouldn’t it be, “has been, is now and will continue to be”?
Can anything be done about nepotism in this state? 1 of 2 US Senators representing CA; 1 of 6 CA Presiding Justices; 1 of 19 UC Regents all in one family – mother, father, daughter – influencing CA gov’t at the same time. Its no wonder Tani won’t buck the system if she wants her career to stay alive. However, it has come to the point that she needs to buck or get bucked. How long do you anticipate before the recall campaign is launched, if I may ask?
Judicial Council Watcher
July 2, 2011
Now you know why George doesn’t like the same initiative process that got his ass into office.
SF Whistle
July 2, 2011
JCW–
I agree that the J4J initiative leaves room for improvement—I like your “IG” approach as an elected office–economy would be achieved eliminating the worthless CJP—Their website currently documents they have opened 1 (ONE) case this year….
I suspect that RB2 would tell us that she would be happy to put together a new committee to investigate–and that an IG would be an “insult” to the branch….
justicecalifornia
July 2, 2011
As a member of the state bar and 12-year court critic, I can honestly say I have never seen top leadership go to such extreme lengths as it is going now to desperately stall, coordinate,and try to maintain control. RB2 is on a clear collision course with the legislators, executive oversight, trial courts and judicial organizations. Clearly this collision is preferable to the alternative, which is new blood and transparency. What grim stories do the records from big ron’s reign reveal? How bad is it?
JusticeCalifornia
July 2, 2011
I urge RB2-in-the-making to rethink what she has done and is doing:
It isn’t worth it. You, the branch you were elected to lead, your political allies, your family and friends that supported you, are ALL being disgraced by your actions.
Cut bait, explain yourself if you care to, apologize, and lead. Or, if you cannot (for whatever reason) GET OUT.
YOU ARE TAKING DOWN THE BRANCH, AND HARMING THE PUBLIC.
mrs.kramer
July 2, 2011
K. Have been thinking about this while partaking in the spirits over the holiday that celebrates our freedom of speech and independants. As a woman and mother of two daughters, there is something that really sticks in my crawl about Tani . I have worked really hard on behalf of my daughters to assure that gender does not enter into a debate of what is right or wrong so that my daughters do not have to deal with that kind of prejucial BS to be heard. Tani sunk to a new low when she publicly played the offended (faux) feminist card the day before a bill was to be heard that impacts the lives of many. On behalf of my daughters, and females everywhere, I just simply cannot put up with such a slap in the face by one who would betray her sisters to get what she, personally wants. If she wants to act like that, then I say, Whoop that Trick. She needs to Go!
mrs.kramer
July 2, 2011
K. Have been thinking about this while partaking in spirits to celebrate independants and freedom of speech for all in America. There is something that really sticks in my crawl about Tani. I am the mother of two daughters. Over the years, I have worked really hard to assure that my daughters could be heard based on the merits on their words, without gender coming to play before they are heard. I am DEEPLY offended that Tani played the faux feminist care to the media the day before a bill effecting the lives of many was to be heard. Forgive me for my directness on the matter, but if she wants to misapply the advances females have made to support her own personal agenda, then I say we need to whoop this trick before she does more damage to our society and the credibility of females everywhere. RB2!!!
Judicial Council Watcher
July 3, 2011
Careful, BWI’s can get you banned at JCW. Double vision, double posts.
(BWI=blogging while intoxicated)
You win the award for the most risque tune yet.
(note to JCW VJ’s: not a license to race to the bottom with “too short”)
JusticeCalifornia
July 3, 2011
What a video to wake up to on Sunday morning.
That reminds me. . .
Well over a year ago, someone sent me a video, and dared me to post it on AOC Watcher– the thought being that, while Kim Turner and her ilk likely don’t pole dance (and we wouldn’t want them to), they certainly aim to please.
I didn’t post the video then, and won’t post it now.
But I will tell you what it is. “Money Bag Swag”, the official video, by Acktup.
sharonkramer
July 3, 2011
Yes, BWI is not a good thing. (I still think the song applies). .
sharonkramer
July 3, 2011
I should clarify that last post, meaing whooped by a recall out of office. RB2.
courtflea
July 4, 2011
Not that distinguished service awards mean anything anymore after they started awarding them to all AOC Directors…. BUT an award in honor of Huffman AND Bill V?? I think I am going to hurl!!! One thing is for sure after the initial gut cleansing reaction, the new CJ is already exceeds the “standards” of the award, but then again so would Snooky or Bernie Madoff.