Special Coverage on SEC Comments (Warning: Slow Loading…)

1. 
   

   unionman575
   

   July 20, 2012

   378 comments! Keep it going!

   Reply
2. 
   

   unionman575
   

   July 20, 2012

   You must read Judge Kent Hamlin’s response in full. Standing Ovation.

   “There is not a single project, booklet, computer system or service connected to the AOC that is more important than, or on equal footing with, ensuring that the public maintains full access to California’s courts.”

   😉

   Reply
3. 
   

   courtflea
   

   July 20, 2012

   All I can say is Yowza to some of these comments!! Love to see our judges manning up and speaking their mind and telling it like it is. I am glad to see some Court Execs responding too. I am looking forward to seeing what we get this weekend (prediction more lickspittles)!!! Do you think Bill V or Ron “Cuckles” O or Jody “the dragon lady” will respond? Stay tuned to the JCW!!

   Reply
4. 
   

   unionman575
   

   July 20, 2012

   Judicial Council Meets to Allocate Funding to Trial CourtsPrint for release

   Contact: Leanne Kozak, 916-263-2838

   July 20, 2012 Judicial Council Meets to Allocate Funding to Trial Courts

   Public meeting scheduled Friday, July 27, 2012

   SAN FRANCISCO—The Judicial Council will meet July 27, 2012 to discuss budget allocations to the trial courts for 2012-13 fiscal year. The meeting will be held from 10:00 a.m.to 3:00 p.m. in the Judicial Council Conference Center, Hiram Johnson State Office Building, Third Floor, Ronald M. George State Office Complex, 455 Golden Gate Avenue, San Francisco.

   The judicial branch faces $544 million in cuts this coming fiscal year, with the trial courts having to absorb $285 million in cuts, primarily through the use of their reserve funds. More information on budget impacts can be found here. A live audiocast will be on the California Courts website. The agenda for the meeting is posted online.

   Reply
5. 
   

   unionman575
   

   July 20, 2012

   As we all continue to sift the wheat from the chaff in these dire times for our branch, here is an item of possible interest…

   TRIAL COURT PAYMENT REPORT
   Reporting Period: January 1, 2012 through June 30, 2012

   Here is a LINK TO A LIST of ALL contracts and contractors for every court

   😉

   Reply
• 
  

  unionman575
  

  July 20, 2012

  It’s 488 pages…Enjoy!

  😉

  Reply
6. 
   

   Martha Plat
   

   July 21, 2012

   jcw
   a word of advice: if you want to be taken seriously you might consider toning down the racist and sexist comments. in my opinion it discredits everything you say. maybe you think the Archie bunker thing works since racism is no longer a problem in California, but you are beginning to appear ignorant

   Reply
• 
  

  Judicial Council Watcher
  

  July 21, 2012

  Good luck finding a racist or sexist comment. Perhaps you could illustrate just one.

  Reply
• 
  

  Judicial Council Watcher
  

  July 21, 2012

  Yup, just what I thought.
• 
  

  Judicial Council Watcher
  

  July 21, 2012

  Oh wait, I remember you! Yes, you’re the one who does “drive bys” believing that somehow you are impacting either our credibility or the wild popularity of this site with your meritless, off-the-wall accusations. Welcome back, you were missed. How many different versions of your name will I permit to post this time?

  Reply
• 
  

  Martha Plat
  

  July 21, 2012

  you honestly don’t see how referring to an Asian American female as a dragon lady could be construed as a tad offensive? How denying that the California judicial system is biased because we aren’t in Mississippi might rub people the wrong way? The barmaid references? I am probably being a hysterical female but I imagine Calderon would think I am attractive and that should be taken as a compliment.
• 
  

  Judicial Council Watcher
  

  July 21, 2012

  In your first reference – we don’t own the words of our posters and Jyodiben’s screaming at employees is legendary. I’m gathering all of that flame throwing from her mouth represented something to someone.

  The premise of Harbin-Forte’s comments are a RED HERRING so that certain people who are not satisfied with the result can request a whole other year do-over of the entire SEC process because as you’re implying and as Harbin-Forte implied the judges that produced this report must have been a bunch of racists to come to such a result, when the result does nothing to diversity or access to justice.

  Keeping the court doors open would serve diversity and access to justice better than a do-over of the SEC report. Harbin-Forte is from Mississippi and moved to California.

  Most people would probably come to the conclusion that you’re reaching and making quite a stretch. I’ll let them speak with their post ratings.
• 
  

  JusticeCalifornia
  

  July 21, 2012

  Metropolitan News:

  “Early Career
  After graduating in 1984, Cantil-Sakauye worked briefly as a cocktail waitress and as a blackjack dealer with former law school roommate Cynthia Couglin at a Harrah’s casino while waiting for the results of the bar exam. Couglin, now a Sacramento attorney, notes with a laugh that “what they wear up there now is quite different that what we used to wear,” as the new outfits are much “more revealing.”

  Pacific Citizen:

  “A graduate of the University of California, Davis law school, Cantil-Sakauye has been a judge since 1990 and has served as a prosecutor and aide to former Gov. George Deukmejian, but she credits an earlier job with helping her develop the ability to quickly and accurately assess situations — a waitress job at a Sacramento restaurant. “I’m a pretty good waitress,” she said with a laugh. “I worked at night in college so I organized my time and I became really efficient with making coffee with one hand and filling water pitchers with another.” During her first year in law school, Cantil-Sakauye also worked as blackjack dealer at the Harrah’s in Lake Tahoe, and while waiting for her bar exam results, she cocktailed at a local bar.”

  Legal Pad:

  “Restoring SAL would be an impressive feat, especially with the governor signaling that the budget is likely to include more spending cuts next year. But Cantil-Sakauye didn’t appear fazed Saturday when she referenced her past as a blackjack dealer in preparing for the fight ahead. “I always note the wager,” she said, “but I wait and watch for the tell.”.

  Uh huh. And I wonder what the brutal budget cuts, the SEC report and the overwhelming reaction of the judges to that report is telling our gambling barmaid — who, by the way, makes no bones about how her gambling barmaid past is influencing her present. And you can’t tell me, Martha Plat, that Sakauye didn’t use her “feminine charms” to get good tips. I have no problem with that. She exploited her assets. But as a female legal professional, I do have a problem with that same gambling barmaid turning around and complaining about being called nice and pretty as a political ploy to get her way. Or hiding behind a powerful man she went to school with to get her way.

  Just my opinion.
• 
  

  Wendy Darling
  

  July 21, 2012

  AOC directors, assistant directors, senior managers, etc., can refer to gay line staff employees as “little f*gg*ts” (fill in the vowels). African American line staff employees by descriptive terms that can’t even be mentioned, and women employees as “b*tch*s” (again, fill in the vowels), and AOC administration couldn’t care less. Those that dare to report this conduct, or make the mistake of fliing a complaint, are met with full force, brutal, retaliation, and the only action the Judicial Council and the Office of the Chief Justice takes is to turn a blind eye, giving tacit approval to both the misconduct and the punishment of those that dare to report it. The credibility problem is with the administration at 455 Golden Gate Avenue, not here at JCW.

  And Jody Patel screaming at people is both well known and legendary. Even people who work for/under her call her the Dragon Lady.

  Once again, the hypocrisy is astonishing.

  Long live the ACJ.
• 
  

  unionman575
  

  July 21, 2012

  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troll_(Internet)

  Reply
• 
  

  Edith Bunker
  

  July 25, 2012

  “…since racism is no longer a problem in California..” Clearly you are not a minority…and you ARE ignorant if you believe that. It will always be a problem but that is not the issue of importance. It’s the future of the judiciary at stake. Focus, Plat, focus.

  Reply
7. 
   

   Martha Plat
   

   July 21, 2012

   by the way, I was invited to leave the site by union man if I recall . I also have a life and don’t always have time to engage, but tonight I can chalk it up to insomnia

   Reply
• 
  

  Martha Plat
  

  July 21, 2012

  jcw
  but do you understand why calling her a dragon lady is offensive? I am by no means standing up for her actions but maybe you could figure out a different name to call her that is racially and sexually nuetral.

  I truly don’t know how to help you understand the importance of judge harbin forte’s comments. there is a time I wouldn’t have understood her ideas and would have thought she was reaching as well. I just didn’t get it. After reading some great books about it and having some life experiences a ceil

  Reply
• 
  

  Martha Plat
  

  July 21, 2012

  crap computer problems are the other reason for the drive bys. unfortunately I have neither the fortitude or grace to explain it so all it cando is point it out. I am aware many people will feel I am reaching but some of you will get it and hopefully temper your comments. I am writing this for them. I know you are responsible for all the comments posted jcw, but you set the tone and if you could identify it you could stop it.
• 
  

  I'm off the horse
  

  July 21, 2012

  What are you trying to say that we who post here don’t have a life? We’d ALL have better lives if we could trust those that have power to make decisions to do the right thing. If they were acting in the best interests of the public and employees, there would be no reason for JCW to exist now would there? As far as being offensive well it’s coming from being frustrated at the status quo and the hesitancy to change it. To me, your focus is a little myopic. Get down off of your high horse for a minute and take a few giant steps backward and try to take in the whole picture. A branch of government is imploding. The people at the top are suffering a with a serious case of hubris to the detriment of so many that they can’t hear the cries of the people they were set up to serve as well as outside observers. The mainstream media won’t cover it enough so the public is unaware and won’t be aware until they go to file their small claims and find out they can’t in some counties. They’ll go to file their documents and wait in long lines or find the door shut. And all that you care to comment about is offending the Asian chief. I’m Asian, it doesn’t bother me in the grand scheme of things because I care more about my co-workers and the judges I work for, and the integrity of the judicial system. To me, that comes first before anything else. It’s more important to me that the bad things that go on in the judicial system get exposed and dealt with. If I have to read some off color comments along the way, so be it. Things need to improve or we all going to pay, including you Plat. We need all the comments and participation we can. Keep it coming y’all.

  Reply
• 
  

  unionman575
  

  July 21, 2012

  We will keep it coming.

  😉
8. 
   

   Martha Plat
   

   July 21, 2012

   ok now I am being obsessive meant to say you are not responsible for others comments

   Reply
• 
  

  Judicial Council Watcher
  

  July 21, 2012

  Speaking in the capacity of site moderator: Your observations are noted. Given that this is the tiniest site on the internet that we moderate out of more than two dozen, one with more than 100,000 regular posters, we learned a really long time ago that peer pressure and the views of others does a far better job of setting a tone than a ‘police action’ by our moderation team. Thank you for recognizing that we’re not responsible for what our posters post.

  Reply
• 
  

  Martha Plat
  

  July 21, 2012

  jcw
  fair enough. I get it.

  justice California
  I tried to think of a male equivalent to help you understand why referring to her past job and using her femine wiles may be offensive but there ARE NO male equivalents which is part of the point. Years ago when Madeline Albright was first appointed I took a clas where we has to review media reports of her visits to other countries to see how many of the referenced what she was wearing. it was shocking I have never seen a report mention what a male was wearing. things are much better now because people called the press out on it . I am just trying to bring.
  signing off now
• 
  

  JusticeCalifornia
  

  July 21, 2012

  John Boehner comes to mind.
  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/al-eisele/john-boehner-the-gops-fri_b_16607.html

  Ronald Reagan’s movie-star credentials helped him become president.

  And how about CA’s own bodybuilding action star Governor Arnold?

  Or Willie Brown’s famous penchant for Brioni suits and Wilkes Bashford?

  Cantil Sakauye made a living exploiting her looks. Again, so what? However. . . .I will say it again.
  Capitalizing on physical appearance on the one hand, and disingenuously crying foul for political reasons when they are noticed is quite another. Can you imagine any one of the men mentioned above complaining about being called “nice and attractive”? What a joke.
• 
  

  unionman575
  

  July 21, 2012

  Reply
• 
  

  unionman575
  

  July 21, 2012

  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obsessive%E2%80%93compulsive_disorder

  Reply
9. 
   

   L.A. Observer
   

   July 21, 2012

   It surprises me that our CJ, who promotes herself as “the first Asian-American second woman Chief Justice” could not see how she failed the diversity test in putting together her own committee. We obviously need to educate our leadership better and keep the AOC at full strength for this reason alone.

   Reply
10. 
    

    Judicial Council Watcher
    

    July 21, 2012

    Taken From Above:

    Hon. Robert Tafoya, Superior Court of Kern County

    JCW: Now here is some real meat and potatoes talk about fairness, diversity and access to justice. Standing Ovation!

    “The county of Fresno has closed all of its regional courts to save money. The county of Tulare has closed some of its regional courts to save money. This is of great concern to me because it is clear that many folks of limited means will be denied access to the courts. For example, asking a single mother of three who has to make a mandatory appearance to address a failure to appear for a charge of driving without a license can become an insurmountable challenge for her. If she lacks the funds for transportation, to travel say 100 miles round trip from home to the court in the county seat, or for child care, her problems only escalate.

    The unemployment rate in Delano, where I preside, borders at 30%. Given the regular increases in fees and assessments that are attached to fines it appears the least able are being asked to absorb more of the burden to address the state’s deficit woes. The needs of the litigants must come first. I have been happy with the services provided by the AOC in the past. However, in these difficult times, it is important that all Californians, rich and poor, have equal access to the law.”

    Reply
• 
  

  unionman575
  

  July 21, 2012

  JCW – Actions speak louder than words. The Fresno Court and just about every other court in CA is dying!

  We need change now!

  Reply
• 
  

  Emma Peal
  

  July 25, 2012

  I was just sent this by a fellow court worker from Van Nuys CA
  From Judge Dohi is public comment on the AOC.

  For those of you who don’t know him, Judge Dohi is on the bench here in Van Nuys.  I received this from Niki Murry over the weekend.
  Another public comment from one of our LASC judges.
   
  _________________________________________________________________________________________________________
   
   
  PUBLIC COMMENT OF JUDGE DOHI
  Forgive the testiness of this response. I’m suffering from survey fatigue. I’ve been asked for my opinion about AOC governance by the Strategic Evaluation Committee, by the California Judges Association, by my own court (twice), and now by the E&P Committee. I wonder why I bother answering. Over the past couple of years, I’ve seen survey answers critical of the AOC diluted with bogus “push” questions (as was the case with the 2011 CJA survey), distorted by court leaders (which is what almost happened to the recent Trial Court Presiding Judges Advisory Committee vote), or flat-out disregarded (which is what happened to the overwhelmingly negative comments about CCMS from the large-county trial court IT experts surveyed by the Bureau of State Audits in 2011). And I’ve seen just about everything that comes from the Alliance of California Judges get dismissed out of hand, even though the ACJ speaks for more than 400 of us. But I’m afraid that if I don’t send in a response to this latest call for input, my silence will somehow get tallied as a vote for the status quo or for “slow reform.”
   
  I’m voting against the status quo. I’m voting against “slow reform.” I’m urging the rapid adoption of every recommendation in the SEC report, especially the first four.
   
  The sad, obvious truth is that the AOC has captured the institution it was meant to serve, with catastrophic results. The centralization of judicial administration, far from bringing us the vast economies of scale its architects promised, has instead yoked the entire branch to a series of disastrous policies which have drained our coffers and sapped our credibility with the other branches of government. CCMS—a half-billion-dollar folly, flawed in its conception, garbled in its design, botched in its execution—is only the most conspicuous example. By failing to provide any meaningful oversight and literally letting the AOC set its agenda, the Judicial Council allowed the AOC to mushroom into the mega- bureaucracy it is today: an agency which features needless scholars in residence and lawyers telecommuting from overseas; which has a house media organ that wastes money on pro-AOC news stories and steadfastly ignores dissenting voices; which stonewalls any attempt at reform; which lobbies the Legislature against positions supported by many, if not most, of the state’s bench officers; which can’t even give us a ballpark figure as to how many people it employs. Bringing the AOC to heel is Job One—which is exactly what the SEC report says in Recommendations 4-1 and 4-2.
   
  Other commenters have pointed to the good works of the Education Division/CJER to justify a go-slow approach to AOC reform. A lot of dedicated people work for CJER. I use their materials all the time. But our court just laid off its juvenile traffic referees. Those bench officers handled 77,000 citations last year. (Alexandra Zavis and Ashley Powers, “An L.A. County court for young offenders closes,” Los Angeles Times, June 14, 2012.) We’ve cut back on court reporters for many civil proceedings, which means that poorer litigants are at a serious disadvantage when it comes to appealing adverse rulings. If we could have saved some of those jobs on the front lines by redirecting AOC funding, even funding for judicial education, we should have done it. Hearing cases is our business. Support functions, including judicial education, simply have to take a back seat to line operations.
   
  So here we are: hamstrung in the performance of our duties by budget constraints; hemorrhaging talented clerks, referees, and reporters; deeply divided among ourselves; and politically enfeebled by our stubborn refusal to heed calls for reform, even when forcefully delivered by the Legislature with a blunt axe to our budget. A group of well- regarded judges has given us an incisive, insightful, and comprehensive blueprint for reform, a blueprint a year in the making and commissioned by the Chief Justice herself. We can embrace this report. We can send a message to the Legislature and to the public that we own up to the mistakes of the past and that we commit ourselves to making drastic changes. Or we can dither. We can ignore our own advice. If we don’t wholeheartedly adopt the SEC recommendations—and soon—we are taping a giant “Kick Me Harder” sign to our backs and dancing directly in front of the Legislature’s shod right foot. More to the point, we are not doing right by the people we serve. In the words of Elvis Presley: A little less conversation, a little more action, please.
   
  Thanks for the opportunity to be heard.
   
  GREGORY DOHI
  JUDGE OF THE SUPERIOR COURT 
  LOS ANGELES SUPERIOR COURT
  =
   
  Niki

  Reply
11. 
    

    Institutionalized
    

    July 21, 2012

    Michelle McKay Mcoy, I’m soooo proud of you. When you come to my division, I will fall at your feet and work tirelessly to be your support staff. You have guts and I know what it took for you to do that. I can’t imagine what they are going to do to you for speaking up. People here at JCW, you can’t imagine how powerful it is for this judge to act alone in this county. I’ve been embarrassed to say the least about how my county has been sucking up to the JC/AOC and anyone else who will get them what they want. We’re getting a new courthouse to prove it. Not all of our judges are kiss ups and Judge McCoy is proof. Many of the employees are pretty disgusted with what goes on especially knowing that our fellow employees in other counties are suffereing.

    All comments with standing ovations….ditto with steriods!

    Sometimes I feel like that guy in that song by Suicidal Tendencies “Institutionalized”

    Imagine the JC/AOC as the parents.

    “I’m not crazy…you’re the one that’s crazy. You’re driving me crazy!”

    Reply
• 
  

  Judicial Council Watcher
  

  July 22, 2012

  One could not help but notice the “let’s not bite the hand that feeds us” gutless response of Judge Richard Loftus both on behalf of himself and his court. Judge Michelle McKay McCoy’s response was refreshing to see from a “Borg Managed Court”. As much as we would like to see other judges from other borg-managed courts (see avxm.com for further details) submit a comment, we can understand yet not excuse the hesitancy in doing so.

  As we’ve said before the brave people rejecting the status quo are the true leadership of this branch and some day soon you will be able to demonstrate that by electing them.

  Reply
• 
  

  Guest
  

  July 22, 2012

  Court leadership in Santa Clara is an oxymoron. They are so focused on kissing up that they don’t dare look down at the employees. Yamasaki spends more on this clothes and hair then he pays employees. But when you are the highest paid court employee in the state you can afford to look good for the AOC. He and the judges in Santa Clara are an embarrassment
• 
  

  wearyant
  

  July 22, 2012

  I agree with JCW’s analysis of the McCoy and Loftus comments. Hear, hear, Hon. McKay-McCoy! Loved reading your comments! Hon. Loftus — well, ho-hum. Disappointing, but understandable and sad.

  And, Guest, I am unfamiliar with Santa Clara on the whole. How ’bout a picture of this Yamasaki character? I want to check out the hairdo. heh heh.
12. 
    

    wearyant
    

    July 21, 2012

    I hope the following is not entirely off-topic, but I see definite parallels here other than state versus national. Courts closing, not available to the public, budget irregularities, ten years’ worth of shenanigans …

    http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/state&id=8743943&rss=rss-kgo-article-8743943

    Reply
• 
  

  disgusted
  

  July 21, 2012

  Ant, I see definite parallels there. Every rock should be turned over at the AOC also, but I’d bet (if I were a gambling barmaid) they’ll have beaten us to it.

  Reply
• 
  

  JusticeCalifornia
  

  July 21, 2012

  Agreed.
• 
  

  unionman575
  

  July 21, 2012

  “This discovery uncovers the ultimate betrayal of public trust,” Evans said in a statement. “If one department can hoard $54 million for 12 years, who else is playing the same tricks of deceit and thievery?”

  Ant, you can bet the state will look at all kinds of fund account balances now, including judicial branch account fund balances AGAIN. The accounting has been intentiionally convoluted for years as we all know.

  The Death Star will need a new money man fast to “fix” this one.

  I see the train a coming!

  😉

  Reply
• 
  

  Wendy Darling
  

  July 21, 2012

  The announcement of secret assets of public money “sparked outrage from state lawmakers, including Democratic Sen. Noreen Evans of Santa Rosa.” “This discovery uncovers the ultimate betrayal of public trust,” Evans said in a statement. “If one department can hoard $54 million for 12 years, who else is playing the same tricks of deceit and thievery?”

  Who else is playing tricks of deceit and thievery, you ask Senator Evans? Why judicial branch administration and the AOC, Senator. You know, the very people you have been protecting and defending, while they were engaging in the same tricks of deceit and thievery right under your very nose, and then you turned around and continued to protect and defend them some more.

  Senator Evans’ “outrage” over tricks of deceit and thievery is a bit hard to swallow, given her loyalty and defense of judicial branch administration in the face of such deceit and thievery ten times greater than that of Department of Parks and Recreation.

  Again, the hypocrisy is just astonishing.

  Long live the ACJ.
• 
  

  wearyant
  

  July 21, 2012

  Disgusted, Unionman575 and Wendy Darling, I’m appreciative ya’ll saw it too. But I’m redfaced! I was all eyes for Darrell Steinberg’s input and totally missed Noreen Evans’ golden ditty! Wow! What irony. She’s got to see the parallel too and perhaps is going for “a better defense is a good offense”? Hahaha Her comments were a laugh riot! I’m gonna keep my eye on her and others to see if they distance themselves from the embarrassing associations now. Here’s something golden from the Parks Department communication director:

  ” … we have our eye on the prize, which is always to make sure state parks stay open and accessible to Californians.”

  That’s it for me. The courts should always — ALWAYS — remain open to all Californians. And even more so now that our population is burgeoning and lawsuits continue unabated, criminal and civil! And rGeorgie, you know better than most that our judges are not paid by the hour! They are NOT worried about their paychecks. The damn well know they are answerable to the public.

  So — when will the investigation begin? 🙂

  Reply
• 
  

  disgusted
  

  July 21, 2012

  Ant, et al.,
  Emory said, “We hope it gets corrected and it never happens again in the future, but we have our eye on the prize, which is always to make sure state parks stay open and accessible to Californians.” Emory is the communications director.

  But Cantil-Sakauye didn’t appear fazed Saturday when she referenced her past as a blackjack dealer in preparing for the fight ahead. “I always note the wager,” she said, “but I wait and watch for the tell.”

  Laird, Emory, Tani…………………………………………….
• 
  

  disgusted
  

  July 21, 2012

  oops, I left out Patel.
• 
  

  wearyant
  

  July 26, 2012

  http://blogs.sacbee.com/the_state_worker/2012/07/column-extra-read-the-california-department-of-finances-plan-to-audit-parks.html

  The above is for your info. I wish we could get the attorney general or the department of finance or the state controller interested in auditing the JC/AOC!

  Reply
13. 
    

    courtflea
    

    July 21, 2012

    Hi Martha, I made the comment that JODY Patel was the dragon lady not the CJ. Maybe someone else did. Just for the record regarding my comment, Ms Patel is of Indian (as in India) desent. she is a woman as well so I used the term lady. Would dragon person be more acceptable for either person? Believe me I have seen dragon ladies of all nationalities! Dragon lady is merely a term of art 🙂

    Reply
14. 
    

    courtflea
    

    July 21, 2012

    Martha I can think of a few “male” terms that are much worse than dragon lady. d-head, c-sucker, c-choker, etc,. etc. many too offensive to post here. Sorry JCW I had to say some to make a point.
    Besides, mens clothes are boring (ok except maybe Willie B or Alice Cooper or that guy on Fashion Police, white shoes and no socks oh my!), so why would the press report on that? I think folks that are in the public eye should get over it and expect scrutiny as part of the job description, male or female.

    Oh that Unionman, isn’t he just sooooo mean!!!

    Reply
• 
  

  One Who Knows
  

  July 21, 2012

  Martha Plat and other JCW Readers – I too am sensitive about terms that could be construed as derogatory to a specific group of people whether it be gender, ethnicity, age or anything else. Early in my career, I was advised by a much older, wiser and far more successful person that it is always best to use a generic derisive – one that could be fitting to all and could be applied broadly. The term is “asshole”. Universally applicable and when used to refer to a person’s behavior we all know what it means and isn’t derogatory about gender or anything else. Of course many would say that name calling is just bad form – true. But, we all do it at times. And the use of “asshole” may just be a tad more PC than other name calling. That’s my two cents on the issue….

  Reply
• 
  

  Judicial Council Watcher
  

  July 21, 2012

  JCW Moderator: I think it’s important for our readers to understand that we acknowledge and own the responsibility of moderating this site for the peaceful enjoyment of others.

  Most Others.

  Some people laugh at material others post, some are offended by what others post. We prefer to exercise the role of a benevolent dictator that encourages free speech.

  Democracy happens here when a poll is posted.We don’t moderate by the brute force of it being OUR opinion as to what is appropriate as you are the community.

  You’re the people that decides what is appropriate and in that sense, it is individual democracy at work. You’re invited to police the site yourselves and contact us if you believe something is inappropriate – and many of you have and can attest that we took appropriate, respectful action.

  We’ll make every effort to consult with our posters if we believe there’s a problem This is the internet, not a ballroom dance and one might learn to develop thicker skin before coming out to play. Yes, we admit we see a bit more crudeness than suits our personal tastes ( sometimes even from our own writers) but that does not deter us from keeping our proverbial eye on the prize of AOC regime change and judicial council democratization.
• 
  

  unionman575
  

  July 22, 2012

  JCW IMHO you are correct:

  “This is the internet, not a ballroom dance and one might learn to develop thicker skin before coming out to play. ”

  😉
15. 
    

    Wendy Darling
    

    July 21, 2012

    I would add to the “must read” list of SEC comments those of the Hon. Runston Maino.

    Long live the ACJ.

    Reply
16. 
    

    courtflea
    

    July 21, 2012

    Ok the world is just getting too PC for me when we have to use the term asshole to be gender or nationality neutral. Professionally, i would never use any derogatory term towards anyone of course it is bad form and not to mention a cheap shot. Personally, on my own time in an open forum such as a blog, yeah, that changes things.It is another is to be like that elected male official and remark on the CJ’s attractiveness in a business setting.
    My advice to folks that are that sensitive, don’t read blogs, listen to rock or country music, listen to talk radio, see a live comic show or leave your plastic bubble. The life is tough out there, you may get hurt. I guess my skin is a bit thicker than some to worry about name calling on a blog.I enjoy a bit of comic relief and the opportunity to vent frustrations.

    Reply
• 
  

  JusticeCalifornia
  

  July 21, 2012

  The interesting thing is that calling someone who traded on her looks pretty was SELECTIVELY politically offensive. Proving it was all a red-herring tactic. . . .

  Sacramento Bee Capitol Alert:

  “It’s not the first time Cantil-Sakauye has been publicly praised for more than her judicial acumen. According to a Sacramento Lawyer magazine account of Cantil-Sakauye’s February investiture celebration, former Third Appellate District Justice Arthur Scotland said Cantil-Sakauye was “a lot smarter” and “a lot better looking” than California’s first chief justice.”

  And say hey– how about Ron Robie’s statement that he is “impressed by the chief justice’s ability to speak without notes in complete sentences”? That’s a pretty low bar for a lawyer, let alone a judge, let alone a chief justice. . .

  Like so much in top leadership, the focus has been on spin, not substance.

  Reply
• 
  

  unionman575
  

  July 21, 2012

  http://ask.metafilter.com/196297/Can-a-hypersensitive-person-grow-a-thick-skin

  Reply
17. 
    

    unionman575
    

    July 21, 2012

    Other Postemployment Benefits: Prefunding
    Policy and Qualified Irrevocable Trusts

    Effective Date
    July 27, 2012

    Contact
    The “Couch Man” 😉
    Kenneth R. Couch, 415-865-4271
    kenneth.couch@jud.ca.gov

    Reply
• 
  

  unionman575
  

  July 21, 2012

  AKA “Sofa Man” 😉

  Reply
18. 
    

    Fred Stetson
    

    July 21, 2012

    Dear Mr. “JCW”,

    While it is nice to have an opposite opinion. There it is, we disagree. Your reference to Iraq & Afganistan repulses me. My service there was exemplary and under extreme conditions. I was not there to provide facility management, rather to rapidly build and deploy support staff for four police academies, hence your reference is so far off base and tells me how out of touch you really are. You don’t know me, you don’t know how many times I ran my head up against a brick wall, you don’t know my core philosphy.

    I came to the AOC and believed in the premises of SB1732, which mandates responsibility for facility management to the AOC….Yes, I strongly believe in partnering with the courts in delivery & management….however, I do not agree with total autonomy of the courts to perform 58 different ways of funding & management. That was the way it was with the counties running things, and they neglected our courts. The funding allocatioins for the AOC are not much better with defferred maintenance growing astonomically. Look at the condition reports! Instead of demonizing the people who are sincere in providing services, and submit a suggestion, or two.

    My experience is what it is…my philosphy is what it is. Yelling about unlicensed contractors has no bearing on the folks at the AOC, they did that themselves and one prevailed already, while the other is in settlement negotiations from my understanding today. It has no bearing today. A jury spoke. I don’t necessarily agree with the verdict, but it is what it is. I would have preferred to see a middle of the road settlement. How much did that lawsuit cost the taxpayers?

    Once again, this is my first post here, and will be my last. Evidently your teams emails mean nothing towards extending respec t and trust. I made my SEC comments…that is my right. IF you don’t like them, then submit a counter statement. Don’t trash me, my career, or my service to the AOC. I gave it my all..it cost me in stress and extreme anquish as I fought hard to get others to understand. I don’t need any more monday night quarterbacks, I have enough of them in my own head.

    Your comments above rattled me more than I could ever have expected. Once again, people hiding behind anonyminity (sp?) tossing out barbs and innuendos. Thank you for allowing me to express myself this one and only time. I don’t know how long I have, however I won’t be here much longer. I will be glad to rid myself of this continuous concern for the courts, which I still can’t shake off. If everyone would wortk together and stop this grandstanding. Pull up your sleeves, get down to the nitty gritty and develop a custom program that enables rather than hinders. Be proacctive! There is absolutely no reason the courts and the AOC could not be patrtnrs in ensuring the courthouses are safe, accessible, reliable, and efficient. That is a tall order as the state of the buildings is not going to change easily. Priorities and funding have to match….so deffered issues do not catch you with the vengence it can. Look at the power outage at 455 Golden Gate, years ago..A direct result of poor preventive maintenace program.

    Goodbye..I do apologize for my tone, it is not my nature, but you did insult me with that reference I seen here on this BLOG. Oh btw, a CF is what I see when people fail to partner and resolve problems instead of bitching about them. I always said, if you come to me with a problem, you better have a idea or two on how to remediate the issue. Otherwise, you are simply complaining. Thank you again.

    Oh yeah, I would be honored if you would put me back in your “pergatory”, I did not simply retire, I became disabled by cancer and retired. Not because of you or anyone here, or anything I did. You make it look like I left for other reasons and counted as fodder. Time for me to get rid of all my computers, i can’t stand how you nall feel this is the way to work out problems. get your hands dirty and come up with substantial suggestions, with facts to support the value fo the proposal. Standing there yelling about, will leave you standing there yelling about it, and you’ll be no closer to an end goal than you started. God Bless you all!

    Reply
• 
  

  Wendy Darling
  

  July 21, 2012

  Fred Stetson said: “i can’t stand how you nall feel this is the way to work out problems. get your hands dirty and come up with substantial suggestions, with facts to support the value fo the proposal.”

  Many tried to do this internally at the AOC. And then we watched them get slaughtered, figuritively speaking, one by one, for trying to do so, especially in the AOC’s HR Division. It doesn’t do any good to take this approach if the other side isn’t willing to listen, and take responsibility, much less then punish someone for coming forward.

  And the AOC and the trial courts will never be “partners” as long as the AOC, and judicial branch administration, keep saying one thing but doing another, and lying.

  Long live the ACJ.

  Reply
• 
  

  JusticeCalifornia
  

  July 21, 2012

  Thank you Wendy.

  I daresay most of those seriously involved in the present revolution have a damning record of “the problem” (whatever that might be), and an equally damning record of their detailed reports of “the problem” and attempts to “work out the problem” all the way up through the traditional chain of branch command.

  That is why at this point we can confidently ask for neutral and even criminal investigations of top leadership’s actions and omissions. And why some of us have absolutely no respect for top leadership.

  Can you spell C-0-R-R-U-P-T-I-O-N? And R-I-C-O?
• 
  

  Judicial Council Watcher
  

  July 21, 2012

  🙂 “Drive-bys” …

  Iraq? Afghanistan? Cost plus, no-bid contracting just like the AOC does? Really? Pinch me!

  I would imagine it speaks volumes to our readers. You were the Senior Manager spearheading the statewide effort to maintain courthouses according to my extensive notes.

  So when did you become aware that the two contractors working for you from the Oregon Border to the Mexican border were unlicensed and working in every court building in California?

  Moreover, what did you do about it when you found out? Urge more of the same? Excuse their thoughtlessness? Extend their contracts while filing suit against them?

  Do ya think that might have had an influence in how a jury (or anyone else for that matter) would have viewed the matter?

  The average juror:
  “You’re alleging that they’re unlicensed, yet you kept on using and paying them and now you want your money back ? Sounds like government run amok to me.”

  quarterback that for awhile.
  ________________________________________________

  If you wish to discuss or even for us to publish your proposed solutions for the courts, we’ve placed you in contact with our M&O engineer / journalist to assist you in doing so.

  That does not preclude other engineers who are familiar with or working in the court system from commenting, especially those that work for or consult with us and may have worked for 15 years doing stellar work before your idea pulled a body with a pulse off the street to fill the task. Suggestions were offered in our critique.

  And how many times did you use state money to have a third party train your contractors to do their J O B ? I can go on and on but our readers have read it ad nauseum.

  Reply
• 
  

  unionman575
  

  July 21, 2012

  Reply
• 
  

  unionman575
  

  July 21, 2012

  There ya go Fred!

  😉
• 
  

  unionman575
  

  July 22, 2012

  Here’s a substantial suggestion: Unload every current AOC Director and Asst. Director now…time to start over.

  Reply
19. 
    

    Been There
    

    July 21, 2012

    Thank you Tina Burkhart!

    Reply
20. 
    

    courtflea
    

    July 21, 2012

    Oh Fred, so many of us have gotten our hands dirty, given suggestions until we were blue in the face. If you only knew. But thank you so much for your service to our country.

    Reply
• 
  

  unionman575
  

  July 21, 2012

  Flea I thanked him with the trash truck above –that’s where all of our input went …. for many years. Fuck him!

  Reply
• 
  

  Fred Stetson
  

  July 22, 2012

  This note sums it all up. Thank you…FUCK me is right.
• 
  

  Michael Paul
  

  July 22, 2012

  Mr. Stetson,

  I’m sorry to hear about your terminal illness. Nonetheless. whose idea was it to continue to use the unlicensed contractors? You were the senior manager in charge of the facilities management unit and to most readers it would appear that you alone owned that decision. If not, assist us in getting to the bottom of this because some dumbass cost the California courts enough money to keep court doors open all over the state and / or cure many of your deferred maintenance issues.

  As far as ideas: I presented a boatload of them to you. Some accepted (like the call center system I deployed to the CSC) and some rejected (stop using unlicensed contractors, ARRA money for building management systems are just to name a few.)

  I know from personal experience of working aside the facilities management unit as your primary technology engineer working with the courts directly that much of the sentiment reflected by trial court employees here is only the tip of the iceberg of how they really feel. Most fear coming forward out of fear of reprisal from the almighty AOC.

  A good friend of mine – Jon Wintermeyer delivered a courtroom for about 120 grand whereas your contractor indicated it would cost 750 grand. What gives? When he wanted to do the same thing a second time, you prohibited him from doing so, pushing through your 750 grand contractor to build a second courtroom. Mr. Wintermeyer was run out of CCC at the behest of the AOC because he was righteously complaining about the use of unlicensed, unqualified contractors that were overcharging the courts. The courts lost a very valuable, conscientious employee when they lost Mr. Wintermeyer and you know that to be true because before he was canned, you tried to hire him away from ccc.

  All of this adds up to tragedy of epic proportions, least of which is that you end up wearing the hat of the bad guy because it appears you may have been the decision maker. If not, then you owe it to yourself and to the California court system to come clean if it was not your responsibility and place the blame where it rightfully belongs.
• 
  

  Former AOCer
  

  July 22, 2012

  What honor you have. The man is dying of cancer. All your big talk, years of working with people and all you can come up with is F him. Words to make any mother proud. Fine, disagree with him, but to curse a dying man? That’s an action without honor or heart (get me the bucket), regardless of whether you agree with him or his actions.

  I certainly agree with so many of the posts here. The AOC became hell on earth for me. I agree with the majority that feel the courts should have autonomy.

  When I spent time in the various courts, the majority of the people were hard-working, dedicated employees. Most of those employees work under conditions that others have no clue about. Some clerks are spit at, sworn at, and verbally abused. The security at some of the courts was lacking and put employees at risk. When something was done to change a bad condition at the court, it wasn’t for the employees, but for upper management and judges or avoid paying a workers’ comp claim.

  This blog speaks about the AOC, some of the upper management at the courts were no better.

  Kool-Aid was poured so many people drank it. I’m happy I had the sense to open my eyes, and leave. And that is what a person does when they can’t take any more garbage. I prefer not to trash former co-workers because they believe in what they do or what they did. It serves no purpose, in my opinion.

  I think this blog is terrific, don’t get me wrong. I think that it would have been enough to agree to disagree with Fred Stetson, while pointing out indisputable facts. Again, it just seems wrong to curse a dying man. And Karma is a bitch.
• 
  

  Michael Paul
  

  July 22, 2012

  Hi former AOC’er, I agree that the fuck you lacks tact but defense of Unionman, many other people here weren’t aware of the challenges Mr. Stetson currently faces, which is why I chose to better define that challenge. I respect Mr. Stetson but I sincerely hope he answers some tough questions with frank answers.
21. 
    

    JusticeCalifornia
    

    July 22, 2012

    I don’t know Fred but wish him well in his battle with his illness.

    Reply
• 
  

  wearyant
  

  July 22, 2012

  I concur, JusticeCalifornia. I also believe that working for the AOC weakened his immune system. That’s one big, sick organization with the sickos at the top.

  Reply
• 
  

  unionman575
  

  July 22, 2012

  We are dying in the trial courts through mass layoffs.
• 
  

  Former AOCer
  

  July 22, 2012

  Michael Paul-Just my opinion, but I think the only people that can answer tough questions with honest answers are people like Bill V, Ron O, the former and current CJs. You worked at the AOC, you know that the AOC is a highly political organization. Solutions that made a whole lot of sense, never meant squat to those in power.

  Examples: Riverside County and the water tank that would have saved tons of money in the long run. But those in power wouldn’t step back and do what made sense to so many because admitting a mistake is verboten. In my years at the AOC, I never heard one good word from people in IT (those that have a solid technical background) about CCMS. Finally, enough attention was brought to it and at least it’s stopped for now.

  Courthouse after courthouse was and will be built without the amount of thought that needs to be given to the maintenance that will be required to maintain those courthouses. Continued construction doesn’t seem to make sense, but those in power can justify anything that benefits them.

  I hope for success to the courts and the people who work in them. Not enough is done for them to make their working environment as nice as it is on the 8th Floor.

  Thanks to all the brave people here.

  Reply
• 
  

  unionman575
  

  July 22, 2012

  Those folks have not been held to answer legally, for massive fraud, waste and mismangement AOCer. I am glad that you did see the light so to speak.

  😉
• 
  

  Michael Paul
  

  July 22, 2012

  Ahh yes, I am intimately familiar with the chilled water tank and the subsequent building management system I assisted in deploying at Larson Justice Center.

  An explanation is in order for readers: Larson Justice Center prior to AOC takeover used a chilled water tank that stored water at 39 degrees and produced that water in the middle of the night when electricity prices were low. During the day, that chilled water kept the building comfortable because there was tons of cheap chilled water. This was necessary out in the desert where it gets to be 120 degrees in the summer.

  The AOC attorneys in their infinite wisdom saw the word “tank” freaked out and wanted no part of it. As a result, the building changed hands along with the chiller plant – but not the tank. As a result, the AOC now pays to chill water mid-day when electricity is unreliable at best and expensive as all hell. If there is the slightest blip in operations or a power outage, the thermal envelope of the building quickly renders the chillers useless and courts are closed for the day when courtroom temperatures exceed 90 degrees.

  Those were some bitter cards dealt FMU and it was on that project that I learned that ABM or American Building Maintenance was doing ALL of the contracting without a license as a subcontractor to Jacobs Engineering Group – also without a license. Together they did business as “Team Jacobs”.
• 
  

  Former AOCer
  

  July 22, 2012

  Unionman-yes, I know that there has been no accountability. There is no denying that.
• 
  

  Michael Paul
  

  July 22, 2012

  Hi former AOC’er, there’s one thing I didn’t address. Bill Vickrey is the judicial branch’s Ken Lay, Ron O is the judicial branch’s Jeffrey Skilling and Stephen Nash was their Jeffrey Fastow. They used Enron like it was a roadmap and I doubt we will hear anything from any of them unless and until they’re indicted. However, Mr. Stetson possesses a ten million candlepower spotlight and all I am asking, all I am doing is PLEADING with him is to turn the damn thing on and part the clouds over his name.
• 
  

  Wendy Darling
  

  July 22, 2012

  If Mr. Stetson would like to part the clouds over his name, and in the end be a hero to the California Judicial Branch and the public, all he needs to do is draft a declaration telling the truth about what went on at the AOC during Mr. Stetson’s watch, sign it under penalty of perjury, have it notarized, and submit it to the California Attorney General, the Assembly Committee on Accountability and Administrative Review, the local office of the FBI, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Department of Justice.

  Long live the ACJ.
• 
  

  Michael Paul
  

  July 22, 2012

  Does anyone know if Larson Justice Center ever got fixed to cool reliably or is the AOC still in a state of denial?
22. 
    

    courtflea
    

    July 22, 2012

    Well in my experience the AOC nothing, important or not, got approved by anyone but Bill V himself.That is why projects and decisions sometimes took months or even years to complete or be approved. that is why it makes me want to barf up when I hear that changes at the top are completed in repsonse to the SEC report. After many years of Bill V’s dictitorial reign, organizational culture like that does not change overnight.Heck, he’s still there!!

    Reply
• 
  

  unionman575
  

  July 22, 2012

  “organizational culture like that does not change overnight”

  Oh so true Flea.

  Reply
• 
  

  Former AOCer
  

  July 23, 2012

  @Michael Paul – Regarding Larson, I don’t think so. I could follow up with a common friend if you’d like.

  Reply
23. 
    

    Peppermint Pattie
    

    July 22, 2012

    I knew all I ever needed to know about Fred Stetson when he protected Nick Cimino, thereby sanctioning Cimino’s deviant conduct towards women in the workplace at the AOC.

    Reply
• 
  

  unionman575
  

  July 23, 2012

  I say give him a break..everyone else here sure does. I give him my best wishes in his hour of need…and that’s from the heart.

  Just remember everyone else here has let the past go with regard to this individual.

  You should too.

  Reply
• 
  

  Judicial Council Watcher
  

  July 23, 2012

  Thanks Unionman. The fact of the matter is until Michael Paul outlined his situation, no one here in the JCW community online knew about Mr. Stetson’s condition.

  It was an honest mistake and that is why one of our moderators deleted a personal attack (against you).

  The sentiment and frustration you expressed is unfortunately commonplace for those who have had to work with FMU and some of their contractors.

  Edited to correct the above in parenthesis and add: If you’re believing that you are seeing an inconsistency in moderation vis-a-vis personal attacks ala peppermint patty, regrettably our evidence shows these events took place.
• 
  

  Fred Stetson
  

  July 24, 2012

  Wow….wow, wow! Now I am accused of sanctioning behavior that is unsuitable. What are you smoking….I am the one who turned this situation over to HR, who conducted an investigation (be it good, bad, or indifferent from your perspective). It is protected information and you cannot judge the outcome from your chair, nor can you accuse me of being anything close to sanctioning. Wow…this is a low blow and not worthy of another minute of my time!

  JCW: this is exactly what I was talking about…trash talk…

  Reply
• 
  

  JusticeCalifornia
  

  July 24, 2012

  Mr. Stetson, with all due respect, this blog is called Judicial Council Watcher, and it picked up where AOC Watcher left off. The blogs were clearly designed to shed light on and ultimately help eliminate the arrogance, bullying, waste and mismanagement in top leadership, which has brought the branch to its knees.

  You retired because you were ill. Michael Paul was fired. Jack Urquhart was forced to leave. Paula Negley was harassed beyond belief before being fired. All three had reported waste, irregularities and/or misconduct in the branch and all three suffered retaliation. They publicized what happened to them at great personal cost. This same branch dynamic (it’s called retaliation) has been experienced by those up and down and inside and outside the branch who have dared to criticize corrupt branch “leadership” members, procedures and practices. And you know what? Payback’s a bitch. People got mad as hell, and decided they were not going to take it anymore. So here we are. Smack dab in the middle of a revolution.

  Pretty much everyone on this blog has documentation of very bad behavior by the CJ/JC/AOC over the last decade or two. We don’t have to make up stories—there are far too many documented real life travesties/tragedies to have to fictionalize.

  So if you think you are going to get sympathy here, you will for your illness, but not because YOU think what you have done (whatever that might or might not be) is defensible. I don’t know whether it is or is not, but frankly, in the grand scheme of things, and given the devastation I have personally witnessed, I really don’t care. I am far more concerned that Paula Negley had to put up with the Fuentes/ Couch machinations, and their insulting, cruel garbage, and is now paying attorney’s fees for calling them out. I am far more concerned that the AOC CFCC is pushing “recommending mediation” in the family courts over the extraordinarily vocal objection of the public. These “recommending mediators” of varying backgrounds perform drive by 1-hour custody evaluations that are ruining entire families, no—actually an entire GENERATION OF FAMILIES- and to add insult to injury, the public is paying millions for AOC OGC hacks to a) defend recommending mediation incompetence/negligence, and b) help cover up the incompetence/negligence by advising the destruction of child custody evidence in the middle of a state audit and ongoing custody proceedings. I am also way more concerned about the life-altering trauma inflicted upon parents and children throughout this state by the CFCC’s implementation of the Access to Visitation Grant Program — which implementation facilitates relegating good-enough parents to supervised visitation with their children — than I am about your view of what you did or your view of what you think is “trash talk”.

  You, Mr. Stetson, got paid, you retired, and I’m pretty sure you have a nice retirement package. If you are wrestling with your conscience now, or your feelings are hurt, that’s rather mild compared to what others have gone through. I really and truly don’t mean to be unkind, but we are dealing with a branch meltdown of epic proporitions.
• 
  

  Judicial Council Watcher
  

  July 24, 2012

  Fred, sometimes it is better to leave things hanging with a question mark than to encourage us to remove all doubt.

  You see Fred, the file that was left on Paula Negley’s desk (intentionally) was the Cimino file and this particular incident. She turned it over to her attorney and in discovery, they exchanged papers. One of the sets of papers exchanged was the Cimino file in all of its gory detail.

  The AOC utilized the turnover of this file to her private attorney in discovery as a breach of confidentiality and promptly fired her over it.

  Then the AOC’s office of General Counsel then tossed you under the bus. You’re encouraged to go on PACER and look for yourself. (Federal Docket # 10-16551)

  That so-called confidential file and all of its gory detail was published on PACER by the Administrative Office of the Courts (unredacted and multiple times- both in the district case and in the appellate case). It is probably published on this site somewhere (search for Negley using the magnifying glass in the upper righthand corner.)

  The bottom line is the file states that you took no action against Mr. Cimino. Meanwhile the victim was told that the matter has been taken care of.
• 
  

  Paula J. Negley
  

  July 24, 2012

  As reflected in the public record, filed in the Federal District Court by the AOC itself, the memo to Nick Cimino, informing him that he would receive no discipline for engaging in sexual misconduct in the workplace, was issued to Cimino by Fred Stetson.

  This is a matter of public record, by the AOC’s own doing.
• 
  

  JusticeCalifornia
  

  July 24, 2012

  Documentation, like the payback it ultimately supports, is a bitch.
• 
  

  Michael Paul
  

  July 24, 2012

  Mr.Stetson,

  I’ll interpret your non-comment on all of the other issues brought by JCW and myself as tantamount to pleading the 5th. I’m guessing everyone else will too. Sad.
• 
  

  JusticeCalifornia
  

  July 24, 2012

  And I guess that’s enough said, unless Mr. Stetson prefers to further engage.
24. 
    

    Wendy Darling
    

    July 22, 2012

    SEC comments from the Hon. J. Stephen Czuleger:

    When everyone tells you that you are dead, you need to lie down.

    The AOC is not dead but it may very well cause the demise of the Judiciary in California. For many years now the unbridled, poorly scripted and unrestrained actions and growth of the AOC have acted as a drain on the finances and, more importantly, credibility of the entire Judicial Branch of this state. The SEC Report confirms without question that which many of us have been saying (and ignored) for far too long. The report and all of its recommendations must be implemented with all deliberate speed. Failure to do so risks consequences far beyond the current fiscal crises. The AOC as it exists today is an existential threat to this state’s judiciary.

    I have been a judge for over 24 years. I have been a member of the Judicial Council, served on many of its committees, and served as the Presiding Judge of the Los Angeles Superior Court. I have spent countless hours visiting the Capitol on behalf of the courts and taught CJER classes. During those years and in my many capacities, I have had opportunity to see the AOC grow, change for the worse, and, in the end diminish not enhance the finest courts in the country in far too many ways.

    The SEC Report is accurate and documents all that is wrong with the AOC and by implication the Judicial Council. It implicates the Judicial Council because the Judicial Council has failed in its obligation to oversee the AOC. In the end, the responsibility for all that is wrong with the AOC today rests on the Judicial Council. That body failed to act when it should have done so.

    But now the Judicial Council has the opportunity to address its earlier failures. Failure to act in a timely manner now is unforgivable because it condemns the Branch to many more years of turmoil, derision and ineffectiveness. In other words, this is a turning point for the entire Branch. If the Judicial Council fails to act responsibly, they condone all that the SEC Report condemns.

    While I was on the Council, I served on the Executive and Planning Committee. During that time, much that is wrong with the AOC was done in the name of the Judicial Council. As a single example (and there are many more), I recall how staff from the AOC presented budget material for our committee’s action. The action requested was to redesignate fund balances to certain projects. I asked if that money was going to be spent on those projects but was told no it would not be. I was told it would, however, take the money off the books and make it appear encumbered when it truly was not. I half jokingly stated, “Well isn’t this what Enron did and was indicted over?” Another member of the council, quite seriously replied, “No, we’re government and don’t have to act like private industry.” My point was obviously lost on the group and the AOC staffer then turned up her nose at my comment and committee quickly proceeded to move the money off the books and into designated funds making the funds appear unavailable. It was quite apparent to me the intent was to hide the funds from the Legislature and others. This type of obfuscation was a regular pattern during my term on the Council. I am afraid it may be continuing to this day.

    I tell this story to demonstrate a direct example of how the AOC has acted in a less than forthright manner. This is consistent with everything contained in the SEC Report. More importantly, I share this story to point out that it is the Judicial Council that allowed improprieties occur. We now all share the responsibility that the errors of the past created. Acting on this report will not bring back the half of a billion dollars lost to CCMS or bring new money from the Legislature. It will, however, help to repair the Judiciary’s lost credibility.

    Do not ignore the report, water it down, delay it, criticize it or minimize it in any way. It may not be perfect, but it is the perfect solution to begin long overdue corrections needed
    for the Branch to right itself. Stop taking endless comments. Stop special interest groups from picking at it. Stop the bureaucracy from attempting to rescue itself. Do the right thing. Implement it and do it now. Do not let the opportunity pass. The alternative would be a tragedy for the Branch. It is time for the AOC to lie down.

    And FYI to Judge Czuleger: You are correct in your concern that the type of “obfuscation” of moving money “off the books and into designated funds” in order to make the funds appear “unavailable” and that the intent was to hide the funds from the Legislature and others. You are also correct that this regular pattern of obfuscation continues to this day.

    For those of you in the State Legislature, and the Office of the Attorney General, that read JCW: are you paying attention? What does it take for there to be an independent investigation into this intentional “obfuscation” of public funds by judicial branch administration and the AOC? You finally saw the light with the California Department of Parks and Recreation. When are you going to see the light and INVESTIGATE the same behavior at 455 Golden Gate Avenue, which involves public funds of at least 10 times the scale? When, if ever, are those responsible within the Judicial Council and the AOC going to be held accountable and responsible? By doing nothing, the State Legislature and the Attorney General’s office is, in effect, with one hand, condoning this very behavior at 455 Golden Gate Avenue, while condemning it with the other as to the Department of Parks and Recreation.

    When is someone, anyone, in a position of authority and responsibilty going to actually do something about this?

    Long live the ACJ.

    Reply
• 
  

  Judicial Council Watcher
  

  July 22, 2012

  I’m sure that people who have followed this site and our various comparisons of AOC management to Enron management now have a much better sense of how real that comparison truly is.

  https://judicialcouncilwatcher.wordpress.com/2010/12/27/the-aoc-enron-and-stanley-milgram/

  Reply
• 
  

  wearyant
  

  July 22, 2012

  Disgusted: your attempt is appreciated! 🙂
• 
  

  disgusted
  

  July 22, 2012

  javascript:emoticon(‘:bangwall:’)

  Reply
• 
  

  disgusted
  

  July 22, 2012

  nevermind
• 
  

  Judicial Council Watcher
  

  July 22, 2012

  We can appreciate the sentiment even though javascript doesn’t work here.Do you mind if we replace a head-banging against a wall video and delete this and the nevermind post for you?
• 
  

  Wendy Darling
  

  July 22, 2012

  Head banging against a wall — a sentiment shared by many.

  Long live the ACJ.
• 
  

  unionman575
  

  July 22, 2012

  “And FYI to Judge Czuleger: You are correct in your concern that the type of “obfuscation” of moving money “off the books and into designated funds” in order to make the funds appear “unavailable” and that the intent was to hide the funds from the Legislature and others. You are also correct that this regular pattern of obfuscation continues to this day.”

  That sounds like Steve Nash. He’ll be back soon. Watch.

  Reply
25. 
    

    unionman575
    

    July 22, 2012

    http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-court-cuts-20120723,0,5323284.story
    In Fresno County, justice is squeezed as rural courthouses close
    The closing this summer of Fresno County’s seven rural outposts of justice will result in longer waits for a wide range of services. Layoffs will add to the state’s unemployment rolls.

    Reply
26. 
    

    Judicial Council Watcher
    

    July 23, 2012

    Good Morning California! Another glorious day has arrived and with it we anticipate another avalanche of comments. Please note that we’re continuing the difficult task of reviewing every comment to highlight what we believe is the best of those comments. Frankly, we’re having difficulty keeping up.

    We’re doing this so that concerned parties in the legislature and the Governors office that read us regularly can get a better sense of how the judiciary is attempting to heal thyself.

    We hope that if this weeks Judicial Council meeting turns out to be another Muppet show where dead fish continue to not get it, that some fast track legislation will take the wind out of the sails of this irresponsible body.

    Reply
• 
  

  Alan Ernesto Phillips
  

  July 23, 2012

  YES!!

  After a sleepless night, and before I watched the sun rise this glorious morning in Shasta County, I watched my youngest daughter sleeping with a peaceful smile on her beautiful face. It made me cry with hope and promise to know there are truer heroes in the ACJ, JCW, and those brave whistle-blowers who dare to speak out for a better California, its citizenry and awakening children.

  Stopping the trickle-down dysfunction of the AOC/JC/CJ to some of our local courts, I now believe the thrust will usher in a return to greater local services, better treatment of those workers who exemplify great service, and hopefully begin a thoughtful, surgical restoration of public confidence…

  Thank you all – this is meaningful, genuine stewardship while the anointed “stewards” are scurrying about for self-protection.

  http://www.youtube.com/user/althepal55?feature=guide

  Today is Day 500…

  Reply
• 
  

  unionman575
  

  July 23, 2012

  I’m divorced and I am all heart BUT…I don’t want to hear about your particular case here amymore on this site . Please refer folks to your site for updates. Thanks for understadingn and have a blessed evening. I will keep a kind thought for you.
• 
  

  Judicial Council Watcher
  

  July 23, 2012

  JCW Moderator: Hi Unionman, while we normally might agree with your premise, Mr. Phillips is a respected, recognized journalist and has assisted us in casting our message far and wide and is mostly abiding by our about and privacy statement regarding unrelated litigation.

  Additionally Mr. Phillips is a victim of jumpin’ Jack Halpin ergo the AOC’s assigned judges program so in our minds, his case is somewhat related to the AOC. Most attorneys we’ve consulted with believe Mr. Phillips is a victim of his activism and that if he had a fair hearing in front of an impartial judge, he would at minimum be able to see his daughter unsupervised regularly.
• 
  

  unionman575
  

  July 23, 2012

  Then I will look forward to updates as they here on JCW occur as he is a victim of Jack.

  I understand completely. Point taken.
27. 
    

    courtflea
    

    July 23, 2012

    Reply
• 
  

  unionman575
  

  July 23, 2012

  IMHO That could be construed as vulgar..

  ;).

  Reply
28. 
    

    courtflea
    

    July 23, 2012

    “the fish rots at the head” 🙂

    Reply
• 
  

  unionman575
  

  July 23, 2012

  Ah now I get it Flea – the context escaped me for a momnet.

  Nice!

  Reply
29. 
    

    Wendy Darling
    

    July 23, 2012

    Published today, Monday, July 23, from The Metropolitan News Enterprise:

    Judiciary’s Credibility at Stake in AOC Reform—Czuleger

    By a MetNews Staff Writer

    A former Los Angeles Superior Court presiding judge and Judicial Council member has joined the growing chorus of judges calling for rapid implementation of the recommendations of the Strategic Evaluation Committee.

    Judge J. Stephen Czuleger provided the MetNews Friday with a copy of comments he has submitted to the council’s Executive and Planning Committee.

    The committee, on which Czuleger once served and which is now chaired by Fourth District Court of Appeal Justice Douglas Miller, has been charged by Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye with the task of reviewing the recommendations of the SEC, whose severe criticisms of the Administrative Office of the Courts were made public more than a month ago.

    Yesterday was the deadline set by the committee for submitting comments on the report. At last count, nearly 200 individuals and organizations had submitted comments, and Courthouse News Service reported last week that they were running about 90 percent in favor of the committee’s recommendations and opposed to any delay.

    A minority of commenters argued for a go-slow approach tied to the appointment of a new administrative director, as the council searches for a permanent replacement for the recently retired William Vickrey.

    Czuleger said in his comments that “the unbridled, poorly scripted and unrestrained actions and growth of the AOC have acted as a drain on the finances and, more importantly, credibility of the entire Judicial Branch of this state,” and that the SEC report reflecs what he and others have been saying “for far too long.”

    He urged that the report be implemented in full “with all deliberate speed.” He called the AOC as presently structured “an existential threat to this state’s judiciary.”

    In 24 years on the bench, he elaborated, he has seen the administrative arm of the judicial branch “grow, change for the worse, and, in the end diminish not enhance the finest courts in the country in far too many ways.”

    He criticized the council for its past failure to oversee the AOC, saying there is now an opportunity to do that, rather than “condemn[ ] the Branch to many more years of turmoil, derision and ineffectiveness.”

    He cited an incident from his time on the Executive and Planning Committee when it was asked to redesignate fund balances for projects. He said he was surprised to be told that the money would not actually be spent according to those designations, but would instead be made to “appear encumbered when it truly was not.”

    When he “half jokingly” asked “Well isn’t this what Enron did and was indicted over?”, the reply was :No, we’re government and don’t have to act like private industry.”

    He commented:

    “My point was obviously lost on the group and the AOC staffer then turned up her nose at my comment and committee quickly proceeded to move the money off the books and into designated funds making the funds appear unavailable. It was quite apparent to me the intent was to hide the funds from the Legislature and others. This type of obfuscation was a regular pattern during my term on the Council. I am afraid it may be continuing to this day.”

    He urged that the council “not ignore the [SEC] report, water it down, delay it, criticize it or minimize it in any way.”

    Also providing comments Friday was Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Randolph Hammock, who joined Czuleger, other judges of the court, and the court itself in support of the report.

    Hammock wrote:

    “Will Rogers once said: ‘When you find yourself in a hole, quit digging.’ While I recognize and applaud the efforts of the AOC and the Judicial Council in their sincere attempts to improve our state’s judicial system, it is painfully clear by the SEC Report that these attempts, in considerable part, have been misguided and/or ineffective. Clearly, reform is needed. It simply stretches one’s credulity to suggest otherwise.”

    The council, he said, should “adopt each and every recommendation made in the SEC Report” instead “attempting to dig [its] way out of this hole.”

    In related news, the Alliance for California Judges, which urged its members late last week to get their comments in by the deadline lest their silence be taken as acquiescence, emailed a link to a Wednesday news report by Sacramento television station KCRA.

    The report dealt with the disclosure by the SEC that an AOC staff attorney, while designated as working in San Francisco, actually telecommutes from Switzerland, while others have worked from Minnesota and Maryland. Those arrangements, the SEC said, were approved by Vickrey even though they violated AOC policy against taking such measures in order to prevent positions from becoming vacant.

    The arrangements, the committee said, “demonstrate not only a deficient service orientation to the courts but also a seeming arrogance or lack of sensitivity in the eyes of many budget-strapped courts that cannot afford the luxury of such arrangements.”

    KCRA said the Swiss-based lawyer, who is being paid nearly $10,000 monthly, is due back in California in April of next year.

    The segment included an interview in which Sacramento Superior Court Judge Maryanne Gilliard, an alliance director, said it was “outrageous that this insular, unaccountable bureaucracy has been empowered to such an extent that we’re allowing lawyers to telecommute from Switzerland.”

    The reporter noted that the AOC declined to provide a spokesperson to speak on camera, but referred to the chief justice’s remarks upon releasing the SEC report, in which she said he hoped the recommendations would “help yield change for the better.”

    _______________________________

    Comments of Judge J. Stephen Czuleger on the SEC Report

    When everyone tells you that you are dead, you need to lie down.

    The AOC is not dead but it may very well cause the demise of the Judiciary in California. For many years now the unbridled, poorly scripted and unrestrained actions and growth of the AOC have acted as a drain on the finances and, more importantly, credibility of the entire Judicial Branch of this state. The SEC Report confirms without question that which many of us have been saying (and ignored) for far too long. The report and all of its recommendations must be implemented with all deliberate speed. Failure to do so risks consequences far beyond the current fiscal crises. The AOC as it exists today is an existential threat to this state’s judiciary.

    I have been a judge for over 24 years. I have been a member of the Judicial Council, served on many of its committees, and served as the Presiding Judge of the Los Angeles Superior Court. I have spent countless hours visiting the Capitol on behalf of the courts and taught CJER classes. During those years and in my many capacities, I have had opportunity to see the AOC grow, change for the worse, and, in the end diminish not enhance the finest courts in the country in far too many ways.

    The SEC Report is accurate and documents all that is wrong with the AOC and by implication the Judicial Council. It implicates the Judicial Council because the Judicial Council has failed in its obligation to oversee the AOC. In the end, the responsibility for all that is wrong with the AOC today rests on the Judicial Council. That body failed to act when it should have done so.

    But now the Judicial Council has the opportunity to address its earlier failures. Failure to act in a timely manner now is unforgivable because it condemns the Branch to many more years of turmoil, derision and ineffectiveness. In other words, this is a turning point for the entire Branch. If the Judicial Council fails to act responsibly, they condone all that the SEC Report condemns.

    While I was on the Council, I served on the Executive and Planning Committee. During that time, much that is wrong with the AOC was done in the name of the Judicial Council. As a single example (and there are many more), I recall how staff from the AOC presented budget material for our committee’s action. The action requested was to redesignate fund balances to certain projects. I asked if that money was going to be spent on those projects but was told no it would not be. I was told it would, however, take the money off the books and make it appear encumbered when it truly was not. I half jokingly stated, “Well isn’t this what Enron did and was indicted over?” Another member of the council, quite seriously replied, “No, we’re government and don’t have to act like private industry.” My point was obviously lost on the group and the AOC staffer then turned up her nose at my comment and committee quickly proceeded to move the money off the books and into designated funds making the funds appear unavailable. It was quite apparent to me the intent was to hide the funds from the Legislature and others. This type of obfuscation was a regular pattern during my term on the Council. I am afraid it may be continuing to this day.

    I tell this story to demonstrate a direct example of how the AOC has acted in a less than forthright manner. This is consistent with everything contained in the SEC Report. More importantly, I share this story to point out that it is the Judicial Council that allowed improprieties occur. We now all share the responsibility that the errors of the past created. Acting on this report will not bring back the half of a billion dollars lost to CCMS or bring new money from the Legislature. It will, however, help to repair the Judiciary’s lost credibility.

    Do not ignore the report, water it down, delay it, criticize it or minimize it in any way. It may not be perfect, but it is the perfect solution to begin long overdue corrections needed for the Branch to right itself. Stop taking endless comments. Stop special interest groups from picking at it. Stop the bureaucracy from attempting to rescue itself. Do the right thing. Implement it and do it now. Do not let the opportunity pass. The alternative would be a tragedy for the Branch. It is time for the AOC to lie down.

    ********************************************************************************************

    Long live Judge Czuleger. And long live the ACJ.

    Reply
30. 
    

    Wendy Darling
    

    July 23, 2012

    Also published today, Monday, July 23, from The Recorder, the on-line publication of CalLaw, by Cheryl Miller:

    Capital Accounts: Cantil-Sakauye Gets Earful from Fed-Up Judges
    By Cheryl Miller

    SACRAMENTO — When a report highly critical of the Administrative Office of the Court’s growing size, questionable management and creeping mission was released in May, Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye invited the public to share its thoughts on the Strategic Evaluation Committee’s 100-plus recommendations.

    Full article is subscription access only: http://www.law.com/jsp/ca/PubArticleCA.jsp?id=1202563902667&Capital_Accounts_CantilSakauye_Gets_Earful_from_FedUp_Judges&slreturn=20120623134034

    Long live the ACJ.

    Reply
31. 
    

    Nathaniel Woodhull
    

    July 23, 2012

    I saw this article from the National Center for State Courts (NCSC) today. Maybe this is the future of CCMS???????
    =======================

    NCSC to develop case management system for Nigeria.
    In June NCSC hosted a delegation of six Nigerian Justices and one Judicial Council staff member to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to work together to develop a new Case Management System. The project’s goal is to develop IT policy recommendations for all courts in Nigeria. Under contract with the judiciary of Nigeria, NCSC will design and implement a new case management system, and provide training. The system intially will be piloted in 10 Nigerian courts. Following the pilot, NCSC will oversee training to ensure the Nigerian Judicial Council and its staff can continue to implement the case management software in new courts

    Reply
• 
  

  Wendy Darling
  

  July 23, 2012

  Maybe they’ll use Deloitte for the contractor-developer, you know, given Deloitte’s track record of success with case management systems.

  Good to hear from you, General Woodhull.

  Long live the ACJ.

  Reply
• 
  

  disgusted
  

  July 23, 2012

  I think it’s the AOC trying to salvage CCMS.
• 
  

  Judicial Council Watcher
  

  July 23, 2012

  Hahahahaha! IT policy = morse code. They probably saw the writing on the wall in California and needed someone even more corrupt to sponsor them.

  Reply
• 
  

  Been There
  

  July 23, 2012

  General Woodhull, is the article stating that a California Judicial Council member signed the MOU to partner on a CMS for the Nigerian courts? I wonder who it was? And why would the Nigerian courts want anything to do with CCMS, particularly when they can buy a working system off the shelf?

  Reply
• 
  

  Nathaniel Woodhull
  

  July 23, 2012

  I think what cinched the deal was when the Nigerian representatives told the AOC administrators that they were related to out of power Nigerian royalty. If the AOC entered into this contract and agreed to pay $100 Million to the Nigerians, the Nigerians in turn would pay the AOC $500 Million to help bail things out once the Nigerians regained power in their country.

  Wait…I’ve heard this before..(Nigerian 4-1-9 scam), but according to the management at the AOC, this deal is strictly legit. NCSC is willing to underwrite the whole deal…

  (I hope that all of you understand, as Foghorn Leghorn would say; “It’s a joke son, I say it’s a joke. But I’d still like to believe that the NCSC and AOC higher-ups would still fall for it.)
• 
  

  Been There
  

  July 23, 2012

  Good one, General! You must venture forth from your undisclosed location more often! I always enjoy reading your posts.

  Reply
• 
  

  unionman575
  

  July 23, 2012

  hmm..Nigeria?

  Reply
32. 
    

    courtflea
    

    July 23, 2012

    Hey, home come the AOC has not updated the comments section to allow comments from the weekend to be reviewed by the public??? I sure would like to see/know the remainder of the comments and how many were received. Either way, I am sure the JC and the AOC will say that it was a small number considering the number of Judges, CEOs, staff, the public, etc. in the state/world.

    PS isn’t Nigeria where all of those phising scams come from? 🙂

    Reply
• 
  

  Curious
  

  July 24, 2012

  They are up there. They have just moved SEC to “past public comments”.
  Hunt around and you can find it.

  Ditto on Judge Fisher’s comment, and all the other great ones. Wonderful stuff up there.

  Reply
• 
  

  Judicial Council Watcher
  

  July 24, 2012

  http://www.courts.ca.gov/18441.htm
33. 
    

    wearyant
    

    July 23, 2012

    Good lord. The United States could neutralize their enemies, foreign and domestic, by sending Deloitte contractors to them and suggesting they “build” CCMS into their infrastructure. What a wonderful idea! I suppose that’s why the AOC “top dogs” jumped into a jet a couple years ago and flew to Washington DC on that errand re CCMS. And here I thought it was to scrape up some federal dollars because they had blown all the money already! Shame on me! The top dogs went there in our national interest! It was all so altruistic!

    Hahahaha! Oh, where’s that bucket?

    Reply
• 
  

  Been There
  

  July 23, 2012

  Thank God, Ant, that the steak, lobster, grey goose boondoggle to DC failed to produce any more $$$ for Deloitte and all the bottom feeders living off CCMS. And I just have to wonder if these high living AOC VIPs flew first class. And just think those very same VIPs are still working at the AOC (although they claim to have retired). And that is another boondoggle — paying four people to staff the Vickrey/Overholt slots at the AOC.

  I hope the Legislative and Executive branch people who visit this site take note. Nothing has changed. The same irresponsible wastrels are still running the store, despite what the CJ wants you to think.

  Reply
• 
  

  wearyant
  

  July 23, 2012

  Hi Been There! I’m sure the faux VIPs went first class. It’s what they live for. I hope someone who knows chimes in, but I’d bet my bottom dollar they went deluxe all the way. That’s their attitude. Their arrogance knows no bounds. They wouldn’t be caught dead in Coach. It’s difficult enough for them to rub elbows with our judges.

  Reply
34. 
    

    courtflea
    

    July 23, 2012

    well the AOc finally updated the last comments. hey the guy that made this video commented. It may have been posted here before. Note the guy looks like M. Roddy

    Reply
35. 
    

    courtflea
    

    July 23, 2012

    Reply
• 
  

  wearyant
  

  July 23, 2012

  Hey, Flea! The guy looks like bill V, doesn’t he? Maybe in his younger days?

  Reply
• 
  

  unionman575
  

  July 23, 2012

  😉

  Reply
36. 
    

    wearyant
    

    July 23, 2012

    Very well said by a Sacto courtroom clerk: “The public funds spent on the top heavy AOC will be better spent on the judicial system that actually serves the public.”

    Bravo!

    Recall Tani!

    Long live the ACJ!

    Implement the SEC recommendations NOW!

    Reply
37. 
    

    unionman575
    

    July 23, 2012

    Michael the Larson building is still a mess.

    Reply
38. 
    

    unionman575
    

    July 23, 2012

    It is time for a complete tear down and rebuild of the AOC. Sorry Directors and Asst. Directors it is time for you all to go out the door now.

    Reply
• 
  

  Wendy Darling
  

  July 23, 2012

  Thumbs up on the complete tear down of the AOC. On the “rebuild” of the AOC — not so much.

  Long live the ACJ.

  Reply
• 
  

  unionman575
  

  July 23, 2012

  I blame the managment NOT the line workers at the AOC.

  However Wendy I think you will get your wish with the AOC getting wiped out top to bottom and hundereds laid off before this is over. It’s harsh, but I can see your point beyond a doubt Wendy.

  I feel sorry for the workers that are going to lose their jobs (even at the Death Star).
39. 
    

    Barbara
    

    July 23, 2012

    OK, there have been some lay offs at the AOC but none of the bums have been removed, actually some of them got better positions (that is for the next time).
    There is one among them that really stands out: Denise Friday. She has been with the AOC for 25 years and… she is doing what? Well, she makes everybody around her miserable, and …she is unable to answer a simple financial question and… she is one of the highest paid employees(!!!). She is so toxic that no one will have anything to do with her. She even had a TV set in her office because there was so little for her to do. 😦 According to her watching Ricki Lake was work related. Yes!!! Also, she is a supervisor in the Finance Unit but… she has a Political Science degree. How this is possible? Do you think I am joking. Think again. I am not.

    Reply
• 
  

  Judicial Council Watcher
  

  July 23, 2012

  That is the benefit of knowing what you know Barbara. Keep your trap shut about what you know and they will promote you. We look forward to next time – and welcome to Judicial Council Watcher!

  Reply
• 
  

  Res Ipsa Loquitor
  

  July 23, 2012

  Denise Friday was one of only three Afro-American Analysts in my day. There weren’t all that many African-American support staff members either. Latinos? Also grossly underrepresented given the demographics of the San Francisco Bay Area. I worked with her and I always thought that her behavior masked rage. Yes she is well paid, but I think being a “token”makes her angry, and she turns that anger on her co-workers and also uses that anger to get whatever she can from the AOC in the way of pay. Maybe she feels they use her to better their “statistics”, so she uses them.

  Pretty? No. Nice? No. But I do not think being one of the few African-Americans at the AOC is a walk in the park.

  Just my opinion . . . .

  Reply
40. 
    

    courtflea
    

    July 23, 2012

    Maybe Ant, but to me it looks like Roddy, red hair and moustache. I love the comment “just put the money in the bag”.
    Unionman just get your head outta the gutter 🙂

    Reply
41. 
    

    JusticeCalifornia
    

    July 23, 2012

    Not all comments have been posted on the SEC comment website. Interesting.

    Reply
• 
  

  Judicial Council Watcher
  

  July 23, 2012

  Honestly, we can’t keep up with our review of them with the comments coming in as fast as they are. Additionally, we’re piggybacked (er leeching off of ) the difficult work of the AOC’s web developers who must first convert each comment into a .pdf before posting it. There was a flood of comments and last we looked, they were still posting after 5PM. We’re willing to cut them a break BUT if you haven’t submitted a comment, you should consider the deadline moot and submit one.

  Reply
42. 
    

    Wendy Darling
    

    July 23, 2012

    The Hon. Tia Fisher is my hero. The very embodiment of what a judge is supposed to be, and a reminder, a hope, of what the California Judicial Branch may yet be again. Long may she serve on the bench.

    Long live Judge Fisher. And long live the ACJ.

    Reply
• 
  

  wearyant
  

  July 23, 2012

  I agree, Wendy Darling. I just read the Hon. Tia Fisher’s comments and agree with every word. I even remember some of the sad events of which she speaks. I’m grateful she took the time to comment.

  Reply
43. 
    

    JusticeCalifornia
    

    July 23, 2012

    IMHO, the NCSC has lost its credibility, having been a major architect/enabler/cheerleader /well-paid whore orchestrating and supporting the downfall of the largest judiciary in the Western World (CA), and also having been the trainer and top mafia-worthy “cleaner” for some of CA’s most corrupt branch members. Kim Turner is one of my personal favorite NCSC embarrassments/trained branch whores. Oops, I guess the use of the word “whore” is politically incorrect, but like “asshole” we all know what it means, whether it applies to a man or woman.

    IMHO, the NCSC should refund all the money CA branch has paid to it, apologize, fold up its tent, get the heck out of CA, and consult with some good lawyers about possible future lawsuits it may face, and whether or not it is, in fact, operating as a legitimate non-profit. LOL.

    And finally, IMHO, with respect to the rest of the world, the NCSC should mind its own bees-wax, before it embarrasses this nation more than it already has.

    Reply
• 
  

  JusticeCalifornia
  

  July 23, 2012

  Sorry that was supposed to be a reply to General Woodhull’s newsflash about the NCSC perhaps exporting CCMS to Nigeria (LOL, woe to Nigeria), not an interruption of the flow about SEC comments.

  Reply
• 
  

  wearyant
  

  July 23, 2012

  JusticeCalifornia, re: the word “whore,” if the shoe with the spiked heel fits …

  😉

  Reply
• 
  

  unionman575
  

  July 23, 2012

  Ant you have hushmail.
• 
  

  wearyant
  

  July 24, 2012

  Now Unionman has hushmail.
• 
  

  unionman575
  

  July 23, 2012

  I agree 100% with you Justice about NCSC.

  Reply
• 
  

  wearyant
  

  July 24, 2012

  Whut!? NCSC claims to be non-profit? Oh, the GALL! The California judicial branch could sure use the one mil that I’ve read here that they’ve been getting from the AOC! Can we get the money back?!
• 
  

  Wendy Darling
  

  July 24, 2012

  “Can we get the money back?” Ummm, good luck with that. They, like the AOC, have a unique interpretation of “non-profit.”

  Long live the ACJ.
44. 
    

    courtflea
    

    July 23, 2012

    Sorry Res, oh Denise Friday…don’t even get me going. I am sure I will be branded a racist at the very least a KKK member at the worst. that woman, oh pleeze, she has been a piece of work and toxic forever. If I had to name someone for using their race as a trump card she is it.Well there was another gal there just as usless her name was Zuniga or something like that. Everyone was always tippie toeing around these two. And no, neither is are the only two persons of color at the AOC. There are many asians, african americans, hispanics, etc. Not to mention GLTG folks. I have known so many non “white” and GLTG folks at the AOC that are wonderful in support and top positions. Denise is just a woman taking advantage of her race and her gender. I’ll never forget when she was planning her wedding and trying to decide what type of BMW to buy. Her office door was closed for weeks. Don’t dare knock.Management was afraid. What can I say? Denise was despised by most everyone. Don’t shoot the messenger. This flea has seen so much, you can’t even imagine. Well maybe you can.
    Besides if she had it that bad, why has she not sued, quit or become a whistle blower ? hummm.

    Reply
45. 
    

    courtflea
    

    July 23, 2012

    hey, what is IMHO? did I miss something.

    Reply
• 
  

  Wendy Darling
  

  July 23, 2012

  IMHO = in my humble opinion.

  Reply
46. 
    

    Wendy Darling
    

    July 23, 2012

    “Patriotism is easy to understand in America; it means looking out for yourself by looking out for your country.” — Calvin Coolidge

    The same can be said about the administration of the California Judicial Branch.

    Long live the ACJ.

    Reply
• 
  

  wearyant
  

  July 23, 2012

  Yes, Flea, Judge Fisher is definitely a keeper! We’re all part of her fan club. I like the way she thinks. What a great judge!

  Reply
47. 
    

    courtflea
    

    July 23, 2012

    Thanks Wendy.
    OMG Judge Fisher. She needs to be elected to JCW’s hall of fame. She needs to be the spokesperson for the judges of the state.
    I love love love Justice O’Leary but her remarks that many of the judges comments were a “battle cry” and not very judicious really kinda made me mad. What the heck else do you expect when the rights of judges and democracy has been removed from the branch?!
    You go Judge Fisher we will follow you to the ends of the earth for the good of the branch.
    It will be interesting to see how the JC/AOC shoot down her obvious outstanding historical research of the AOC/JC.

    Reply
• 
  

  Wendy Darling
  

  July 23, 2012

  I second the nomination of Judge Tia Fisher to the JCW Hall of Fame. All in favor, say “aye.”

  And Flea, the only history that the Office of the Chief Justice, the AOC, and current Judicial Branch administration knows or understands is “revisionist history.” It’s their own, modern-day, version of Manifest Destiny, genocide of the branch and all that goes with it.

  Long live the ACJ.

  Reply
• 
  

  Judicial Council Watcher
  

  July 23, 2012

  Judge Fisher has done an incredible job over the past few years. She’s a real leader and we expect to hear much more from her in the future. If you haven’t done so recently, feel free to scan the comments above. As we review the comments, we’re commenting on them. Of particular interest we found that we’d like to highlight those of Judges Earl, Taylor, Somers and Vicencia. Worth reading interestingly enough, is Jon Streeter.

  Reply
• 
  

  Wendy Darling
  

  July 24, 2012

  Having read his comments, I have a newfound respect for Jon Streeter.

  Long live the ACJ.
48. 
    

    Wendy Darling
    

    July 24, 2012

    Speaking of revisionist history . . . it’s a miracle: Assemblywoman Mary Hayashi now says tumor not related to shoplifting rap.

    http://www.sacbee.com/2012/07/24/4653537/the-buzz-assemblywoman-mary-hayashi.html

    Long live the ACJ.

    Reply
• 
  

  wearyant
  

  July 24, 2012

  The tumor is not related? What is, then? Greed? The greed that permeates the upper echelon of the AOC, the cancer that must be rooted out? As I say, greedy people are scary people. Taking the high road or caring about ethics means nothing to them. Their greed affects all their decisions. Dedicated line workers should stay; greedy management should be shown the door.

  Reply
49. 
    

    Judicial Council Watcher
    

    July 24, 2012

    Good morning California! We noticed that this page is ginormous and is beginning to load slower and slower. Please be patient. We anticipate moving on from this page towards the end of the week but we felt it was important to have a central repository than a bunch of individual posts that referenced back to the SEC comments. Honestly? We don’t think anyone expected such an overwhelming response.

    If anyone has any additional information about the Justice Epstein’s reply to Justice Millers email that we commented on above, please share that with us.

    Reply
• 
  

  Jimmy
  

  July 24, 2012

  I don’t have any personal knowledge concerning communications between Justice Miller and Justice Epstein, but it is clear if you read the comments of those urging the Judicial Council not to follow the recommendations of the SEC, that a template of sorts has been helpfully provided to potential commentators. The template bears striking similarity to those that are provided to presiding judges and court executive officers by the AOC to rail against potential budget cuts or other legislative action. It is right out of the AOC play book! Obviously Justice Epstein did not take the bait. Both Justice Scotland, in his preliminary report, and Judge Wachob, in his presentation to the Judicial Council, discussed the fact that the SEC sent surveys to the State Bar, local bar associations and the specialty bar. Interestingly, no real responses were generated from those “stakeholders” until the SEC report was released and public comment was sought . . .

  As a side note, I wonder how many of the 270+ staff who have left the AOC (based on the news release issued today) were actually the unauthorized positions mentioned in the SEC report? How many departed due to the alleged demise of CCMS? How many of those that left were line staff as opposed to managers and directors? The news release was silent as to those questions.

  Reply
• 
  

  Judicial Council Watcher
  

  July 24, 2012

  We have loyal AOC line staff reporting that all that is happening is a phantom reorg amounting to re-arranging deck chairs and getting rid of low level employees. The directors, assistant directors senior managers and managers are simply managing less people. Most of the 270+ staff is a phantom number consisting of unfilled positions that were eliminated. It is a famously notorious bureaucratic trick. Put positions on the books that you don’t need so you can later say that you eliminated them. Some people are seeing the writing on the wall and are getting out any way they can, preferably with another job. The AOC has only eliminated about 36 actual jobs.
50. 
    

    lobstahsmaht
    

    July 24, 2012

    JC: I’m surprised that you removed my remark. I thought you claimed you didn’t do this.

    Reply
• 
  

  Judicial Council Watcher
  

  July 24, 2012

  JCW Moderator: You have e-mail.

  Reply
51. 
    

    courtflea
    

    July 24, 2012

    Doh! How could I forget Wendy! I recall AOC staff that supported working groups and committees like the Presiding Judges and CEO’s were directed to have the minutes of the meetings reflect what management wanted, NOT what actually occured in the meeting. Speaking of meetings, I did love that the judge tossed ‘Carverizing” in her comments.

    Reply
52. 
    

    JusticeCalifornia
    

    July 24, 2012

    The CA Courts are, as far as I can tell, now putting up about 5 or 6 SEC comments a day. Selectively and not in date order — those submitted on time are being subordinated to those submitted later. Very interesting. Timing is everything, and right now the AOC media is controlling the delivery of the public comment message in a most deliberate way.

    Reply
• 
  

  Judicial Council Watcher
  

  July 24, 2012

  We know of comments that were filed on time as well that never made it to publication. What gives web team? I can’t give you the benefit of the doubt when comments aren’t published.

  Reply
• 
  

  Jimmy
  

  July 25, 2012

  Agree with you, JCW, I know several people who posted and e-mailed comments about the SEC report that never made it onto the site.
53. 
    

    The OBT
    

    July 24, 2012

    Yes Justice you are right. The comments received during the designated time period ran about 95% in favor of the SEC report. It is quite clear that the ” insiders” at the JC and AOC have gone out and worked to obtain support for their position by invoking all the interest groups that have bought into the JC/AOC Kool Aid . The remarkable thing is that the approach to obstruct the SEC recommendations is to further divide the branch. The theme they use is that the AOC’s work is responsible for improving access to the courts, creating innovative and cutting edge courts and for promoting “diversity” of judges. All this is flawed. The JC/AOC is primarily responsible for denying access to the courts through court closures. As others have pointed out the AOC has nothing to do with appointing anyone to the bench. We need to democratize the JC and recall the CJ.

    Reply
54. 
    

    Fred Stetson
    

    July 25, 2012

    To All,

    I guess in the end, I am the fool who believed that following the rules works in the end. I am not going to engage everyone here. I can’t openly comment on personnel matters, however will agree I signed a document prepared by HR, and followed thier recommendations. If that offends anyone, I am sorry, That i nshow it all went down. Yes, I was his manager and I had to sign the document. It doesn’t mean I did it without serious discussions. If you read anything from me, you should note it was a serious letter and not dismissive of the issue itself. Again, I am not being silent MP, I am tired…I don’t know why I even came here and tried to be serious. I am an old fool with passion in my heart for the judiciary, who thought the was a sense of reason remaining. Forgive me for diving in, no one here is going to listen anyway, and goodbye. I will not be visiting this site again. Good wishes to all…seriously.

    Reply
• 
  

  Judicial Council Watcher
  

  July 25, 2012

  Thank You Mr. Stetson. That took guts.

  Reply
• 
  

  Res Ipsa Loquitor
  

  July 25, 2012

  Thank you, Mr. Stetson. As JCW has already said, it took genuine courage to post the truth. I hope you will use your passion for the judicial system in this State to continue to post.

  Reply
55. 
    

    Judicial Council Watcher
    

    July 25, 2012

    At some point yesterday, Judicial Council Watcher crested 10,000 comments and currently sits at 10,026 comments.

    On behalf of Judicial Council Watcher & our sponsors, we wish to sincerely thank each and every participant for the sunlight they brought with them to this site. Sunlight is the best of disinfectants when you’re dealing with corruption. Thanks to each and every one of you.

    Reply
• 
  

  Wendy Darling
  

  July 25, 2012

  We couldn’t have done it, or continue doing it, without you JCW.

  Long live the Judicial Council Watcher. And long live the ACJ.

  Reply
56. 
    

    Jon Wintermeyer
    

    July 25, 2012

    Thank you Fred and I am sorry to hear about your health. As one who you did ask to consider positions at the AOC that I chose not to apply for, it was my choice to stay local in my county and not spend my days travelling Northern CA and commuting into San Francisco.

    I also reported reported to my management the wasteful spending and inferior work that was performed by the AOC’s hired firm known as Team Jacobs. You and I has some discussions following my comments at the semi-annual reviews of both the AOC FMU and Team Jacobs.

    I remember the first pre-transfer meeting when Fred, Nick and James McCrea promised the Contra Costa Courts that they would provide us with service equal to or better than what we were receiving from our County GSD staff. That promise was never completed.

    That was why I became a member of the ” NOT INVITED ” club in the fall of 2009 to any further AOC review meetings where open comments of the Court authorized representatives would heard by the other attending courts and the AOC management staff. CEO Kiri Torre removed me from that role and then fired my DEO that would go with me to her and file our monthly report of complaints and issues. I was told not under any circustances was I to engage in conversation with any AOC staff about any subject unless it was a meeting that I was authorised to be at. You know I was never again allowed inside the 455 building.

    Then when I still would not remain quiet and made the mistake of thinking I could talk to a former PJ that I worked with for over two years and tell him that no action was being taken on my reports by my management, Judge Maddock told me over a three month period not to be concerned that everything would be corrected in time.

    I was then placed on Admin leave and shortly thereafter released from my “At Will ” Director’s position. Those same Bench Officers that congratulated me and my staff for all of our accomplishments and good work all stood silently by and let CEO Torre make it happen to satisfy her good buddys in the AOC.

    Reply
• 
  

  Wendy Darling
  

  July 25, 2012

  Sadly, Jon Wintermeyer, yours is not an unfamilar story, and is a story shared by many here. The personal carnage left in the wake of the AOC’s retaliation tactics is now well known. Even sadder, is that the Office of the Chief Justice and the Judicial Council allows it to happen, and that it continues to this very day.

  So many believed “that following the rules works in the end.” Thanks to the Office of the Chief Justice, the Judicial Council, and the AOC, that belief has been destroyed. There is no experience, or personal pain, that is comparable for being punished for telling the truth, and doing the right thing, especially when those that are punishing you for doing so represent the very branch of state goverment that is charged with the responsibility of upholding those very values.

  No integrity. No crediblity. No ethics. Less than truthful. Punishing people for telling the truth and doing the right thing, What a great reputation for the administration of the California Judicial Branch. And the saddest part of all is that they are all just so proud of themselves.

  Long live the ACJ.

  Reply
• 
  

  Fred Stetson
  

  July 25, 2012

  Tank you Jon, I always valued your opinion. We did not alway agree but we both knew the service being provided by EMCOR was shamefully inadequate. When Jacobs was called in to relieve them, we faired a little better but not what I wanted from my team there. A combination of issues making the outcome far less than I liked. As you know I took those review meetings very seriously. I wish you all the best, as well. it is to my chargrin that you did not join the team and make it be what it could have been. I will not make excuses for the failures, and simultaneously I do not take credit for the great things accomplished. I can only hope everyone will realize our work there was severely hindered by inadequate funding (via CFP) and the conditions of the buildings trnsferred to us statewide were sorely in need of the basics firsty and modernization efforts where required. Larson is a great example of how our attempts to remediate a deficient HVAC control & capacity, were trumped by a very expensive project to modernize the control system and the never-ending smoke damper/evacution system. MP treid his best there, along with Dennis Leung. Both of whom provided me a good case to pursue with our efforts, and I relunctantly blessed thier efforts. Fact remains, the building systems are lacking capacity and straining the system will not do it good. I only hope that with a renewed outlook the team will reengage the county to tap the chilled water reserve. I am afraid they will still be presenting unrealistic fees, makihng it unfeasible again. All that said, I do hope they engage while I remian pessimistic. MP, you’ll remember all of our discussions about putting in systems as required that would by attrition allow our energy and buildng engineers have immediate tracking and corrective power. I never got to see that take place, and is one of my bigger regrets..

  Again thank you for5 your kind wishes.

  Reply
• 
  

  Judicial Council Watcher
  

  July 25, 2012

  After the receipt of an avalanche of information in the past 48 hours regarding Larson Justice Center, we’re going to be composing a detailed report on Larson Justice Center in the coming days. If you work there or if your name happens to be Robert Perkins you probably won’t want to miss this.

  A hint: Larson Justice Centers entire system is in manual bypass because a parade of contractors all proposed expensive, failed solutions. The fire / life safety system is lit up like a Christmas tree and non-functional and the court does not even know it.

  The primary controls contractor that has been maintaining Larson has also been maintaining Riverside County until they were fired by the county for the same exact problems Larson is having.
• 
  

  anonymous
  

  July 25, 2012

  Once again, a more reliable source is delivering more critical fire/life safety information to court employees than the AOC does.

  Shame on you AOC.
• 
  

  Wendy Darling
  

  July 25, 2012

  At this point, the situation with the Larson Justice Center comes as no surprise. SNAFU, as usual, and to be expected.

  Long live the ACJ.
• 
  

  Wendy Darling
  

  July 25, 2012

  You are wished well, Mr. Stetson, and prayers go out to you. And thank you for caring about the California Judicial Branch.

  You are welcome here anytime.

  Long live the ACJ.
57. 
    

    Commercial IT
    

    July 25, 2012

    So now people have brought the AOC to its knees, so to speak. Fine. Celebrate for minute if you want but our court system is in trouble. It’s time to bury all hatchets and get going on solutions. Any court clerks or former court clerks out there who would like to do something POSITIVE to help? If so, contact me privately.

    Reply
• 
  

  Judicial Council Watcher
  

  July 25, 2012

  Commercial IT – One thing at a time. I’m sure most of us don’t want to revisit the issue of court case management systems when any court can pick up the phone and buy sustain, e-court or any other number of products. No one has brought the AOC to its knees. People have commented and I believe that JC leadership and AOC leadership will will continue their focus on the diversity and access to justice smokescreen they produced…..

  Even though we have thoroughly outed that effort, watch and learn. More creedence will be given to the State Bar / AOC template responses because the Ministry of Truth composed them and has built their whole strategy around them.

  Nothing has been accomplished other than everyone knowing there is serious management and governance issues that need to be addressed. Your timing is bad.

  Reply
• 
  

  Commercial IT
  

  July 25, 2012

  Sustain, e-court, and other OTS products aren’t going to work. That’s one thing the AOC had right. Timing is good, not bad. Are we just going to sit back and watch the court system collapse financially?
58. 
    

    sunlight
    

    July 25, 2012

    Having only posted once before here, let me be so bold to change the subject for a short minute. I am a court employee and have been involved in educating the legislature and anyone who will listen about this AOC topic for going on four years as a partner with my labor union. In those early meetings, we were met with befuddled looks and quizzical expressions as CCMS was explained in elementary detail. It is satisfying to see all of these comments here. Many have suffered at the hands of this organization. I’m afraid to celebrate too soon, but the light at the end of the tunnel is beginning to come into view! My appreciation for everyone’s tireless efforts.

    Reply
• 
  

  Wendy Darling
  

  July 25, 2012

  And appreciation right back to you, Sunlight, for your efforts as well. As has been said before, it’s all of us together, or none of us at all.

  Long live the ACJ.

  Reply
• 
  

  Judicial Council Watcher
  

  July 25, 2012

  We like sunlight, sunlight and hope you’ll post more. Invite friends and coworkers!

  Reply
• 
  

  Judicial Council Watcher
  

  July 26, 2012

  Please note that we have continued to review and either highlight or comment on all of the existing SEC report comments. It’s a daunting task.

  It is important to note that nearly every entity responding with a State Bar / AOC Template response is reliant upon AOC funding for their existence.

  Additionally, we are very poor transcribers for JC meetings. If anyone is willing to accurately transcribe the entire JC meeting this Friday for post, we would be EXTREMELY APPRECIATIVE.

  Contact us for details.
• 
  

  wearyant
  

  July 26, 2012

  JCW: you have hushmail.

1. Judicial Council Watcher’s Prominent Commentator JusticeCalifornia On Colorful Employment Background of California Supreme Court Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakayue (TLR Note: Below Re: George Deukmejian’s Babysitter; Judicial Council’s Ma →
   July 21st, 2012 → 3:48 pm

   […] https://judicialcouncilwatcher.wordpress.com/2012/07/20/jcw-special-coverage-o… […]

2. 2012 – Riding High – A Year of Success « Judicial Council Watcher →
   December 27th, 2012 → 9:12 am

   […] In July we learned that all the people supposedly laid off were actually fired with cause and told that if they want to be able to collect unemployment, they better sign a non-disclosure agreement and the AOC will convert the terminations to layoffs. Most everyone took the deal. July would also bring news that the nationwide manhunt for a new executive director would result in a centralization proponent and insider being appointed from a tiny northern California court. Now that’s change you can believe in! Not. July would also bring an endless summer of SEC comments from judges statewide with a vast majority endorsing full implementation and not the selective implementation that is going on now. Over 500 people weighed in and were largely ignored by the central politburo.  […]

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