We’re guessing the ACJ isn’t privy to internal AOC Users – All email but if they were, they might be asking themselves…. what gives? Why is it that the Judicial Council and the AOC is doing one thing and saying another?
Our response to such a question would be: In light of the continued re-arranging of titanic’s deck chairs within the management ranks of the AOC, you were expecting something different? You were expecting change? Transparency? Accountability? That’s tantamount to asking all of the dons in a mafia crime family to step down permanently and voluntarily and give up a life of crime. It ain’t gonna happen voluntarily.
On a more positive note congratulations are in order for retired judge Charles “Chuck” Horan whose tireless work and steady, deliberate communications helped bring attention to some of the most serious issues the branch faces. Metropolitan News-Enterprise has named judge Horan one of their MetNews persons of the year for calling it like he saw it on CCMS.
Oct. 9, 2012
Dear Members and Others,
The fallout continues over the disparate treatment by branch leaders of legitimate Alliance information requests. We attach articles on the subject from the Daily Journal and the Los Angeles based Metropolitan News.
While branch staff and leaders may complain that Alliance requests are voluminous and complex, you should know that obtaining from the AOC and Judicial Council what should be readily available information is akin to a breech birth.
For instance, the Alliance requested the name of the staff member who drafted the trailer bill which would have eliminated the right of local courts to select their presiding judges. That simple request was referred to council member Justice Harry Hull who simply declared that staff did nothing inappropriate. As judges we know when an answer is non-responsive and we recognize an opinion without a foundation. Our branch leaders continue to withhold this pertinent information while hoping the issue simply goes away.
Promises of a new spirit of transparency and accountability ring hollow when judges are denied the ability to determine whether scarce public resources are being spent prudently and whether subordinate staffers are being adequately supervised. The request eliciting information that might have answered these inquiries was neither burdensome nor “intimidating.”
The difficulties in obtaining basic information encountered by the Alliance of California Judges, the State Auditor and the Chief Justice’s SEC all bear witness to the fact that accountability and transparency cannot occur while an insular unelected group control the dissemination of public records and information. This behavior again underscores the need for democratization of the Judicial Council.
Directors, Alliance of California Judges
10/5/2012
Judges group and judicial branch fight over information
And now a few conflicting messages from Mr. Jahr that tell a different story….
From: Jahr, Steven
Sent: Tuesday, October 09, 2012 9:20 AM
To: AOC Users-All
Subject: Message to All Employees
AOC Colleagues:
I am honored to begin my service today as Administrative Director of the Courts and join with you in the essential work of the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) to improve the administration of justice in California.
Since the announcement of my appointment in August, the past two months have afforded me the opportunity to participate in the Judicial Council process to consider recommendations for a realignment of the AOC. I appreciate the thoughtful input and hard work of everyone involved in moving the organization forward in the direction set by the council. While not without challenges, I believe this period of transformation for the AOC will enable us to improve the services we provide to those we serve, as well as the daily environment in which we do our work.
In the coming weeks, I will be meeting with directors and staff in San Francisco, Sacramento, and Burbank to learn more about the programs and services you provide—the scope of which is impressive. Together with Jody, Curt Child, and Curt Soderlund in their roles as division chiefs, we will hold regular meetings with your directors who now comprise the renamed Management Council. Next week, we will meet with all directors, managers, and supervisors to discuss management priorities and expectations. Judge Kenneth So, vice-chair of the council’s Executive and Planning Committee also will participate in the program to share the council’s perspective. Information on our discussions will be shared with you following the meeting.
As for my office location, I expect to divide my time between AOC headquarters in San Francisco and the Sacramento office on a weekly basis. My presence in Sacramento will facilitate the manner in which I can most effectively address budget and legislative issues that are critical to the judicial branch at this juncture. The division chiefs also will divide their time between both offices.
It is important to me to establish open, well-organized communication on a number of different levels within the agency to ensure both that direction is clear and that feedback from those doing the work in each of the offices comes back to the Executive Office, so that we are providing the services necessary to the council and the courts.
Beyond our AOC world, with the goal of reinforcing the Chief’s message of transformation and open communication in the branch, this morning I sent a branchwide message underscoring the priority for me and for the AOC to effectively support the council, strengthen partnerships with the courts, and improve services to all customers and stakeholders. I believe that the changes the AOC has already made and will continue to make in the coming months will broaden confidence in the effectiveness and efficiency of the organization in fulfilling its statewide responsibilities. A copy of that message is attached.
As the staff agency to the Judicial Council, the Administrative Office of the Courts is an integral part of the judicial branch infrastructure. The AOC and its employees have made a remarkable contribution to California’s court system—establishing and implementing groundbreaking programs and delivering exceptional service in so many areas. I look forward to working with you to build on our successes, address current challenges, and break new ground in the future to benefit the courts and the public we serve.
Judge Steven Jahr
Administrative Director of the Courts
Steven Jahr
Administrative Director of the Courts
Judicial Council of California – Administrative Office of the Courts
455 Golden Gate Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94102-3688
415-865-4278, 916-643-7025, Fax 415-865-4244, steven.jahr@jud.ca.gov
“Serving the courts for the benefit of all Californians”
—————————————————————————————-
You’ll note the use of a Sacramento number. According to information supplied to us, Mr. Jahr does not reside in Shasta county, he resides in Sacramento proper and works out Sacramento primarily.
—————————————————————————————
October 9, 2012
Justices, Judges, Subordinate Judicial Officers, and Administrators of the California Courts:
It is my privilege to officially assume my duties as Administrative Director of the Courts for California. While I am no longer a member of the bench, I carry forward with me the values of that office and 22 years of experience in how our courts operate so that they can provide access to justice. I would like to express my commitment to supporting you in this critically important work in service to the public.
The orientation process in which I have engaged during the past two months before officially assuming my new role has afforded me the opportunity to speak with many individuals inside and outside of the judicial branch on the vital issue of how we ensure equal access to justice for the people of California. The vision of our Chief Justice, the strong leadership of the Judicial Council, the informed participation of justices, judges, and court administrators up and down the state, and the hard work and professionalism of court employees and employees of the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) has been both energizing and inspiring. It is with this sense of optimism and confidence that I begin my service.
The Chief Justice and the Judicial Council have given me a clear mandate. As Administrative Director of the Courts, my responsibility is to implement council policy to improve the statewide administration of justice and strengthen public trust and confidence in California’s justice system. For the judicial branch, the principal focus in this regard continues to be achieving budget stability to keep courts open and maintain access to justice in this difficult fiscal environment. At a different level, following a valuable assessment of the AOC initiated by the Chief Justice, an organizational realignment is under way, at the council’s direction, to improve services and operations and promote transparency and accountability.
As a branch of government we face significant challenges. Equally significant, however, is our demonstrated ability to meet these challenges head on, find a path forward, and build momentum around new opportunities to benefit the public we serve. I look forward to working with you as we move ahead.
Steven Jahr
Administrative Director of the Courts
—————————————————————————————-
His vision of transparency and accountability apparently is to pick up the phone and call justice Hull when he needs some cover and would rather not respond to a public information inquiry.
That’s a fine way to begin your (lip) service mr. Jahr.
Related articles
- Bureaucrats continue to stonewall judges with new tactics (judicialcouncilwatcher.wordpress.com)
- Judges Continue to Call for Reform (judicialcouncilwatcher.wordpress.com)
- OK so WHAT is a Jack Halpin Award? – Updated! (judicialcouncilwatcher.wordpress.com)
- Transparency? AOC? Think again. – AOC to pay justices to attend Monterey conference? (judicialcouncilwatcher.wordpress.com)
unionman575
October 10, 2012
Keep up the good work, ACJ, JCW and everyone here.
Robert Turner
October 10, 2012
Nice work ACJ and JCW. I loved this line from Steven Jahr, “The Chief Justice and the Judicial Council have given me a clear mandate.” No surprise there. Every judge on the judicial council was appointed to their spot on the council by one person…. the Chief. The reason council members are telling you (Jahr) the exact same thing as the Chief is because that’s their primary role. They watch the Chief, learn the Chief’s position, and follow along which is pretty much the problem with the JC membership and court administrators as a field.
Where are the voices of dissent within this so called policy making body? Where are the counter ideas and debates about the best way to proceed like you find in every city council in CA? Those voices don’t exist on the council. They get maybe 5 minutes during the “public comment” period. Only “rebel” judges in the ACJ have voices of dissent and they are not being encouraged to speak out. Instead they are being silenced as much as possible and forced to seek information through the freedom of information act. Shame on the new Chief for continuing this disgraceful charade of a “council” making policy. Here she is a minority herself and should know better given the struggles of minorities in the United States to have a voice in voting, in employment, and in education, yet she does not support the democatization of the CA judicial council. Why is that?
Wendy Darling
October 10, 2012
FYI to any who might find it of interest: Requests for Information sent to the AOC, the Office of the Chief Justice, and the Judicial Council are routed through/directed to . . . Laura Ringdon. Yes, that Laura Ringdon. Her new assignment as “Gatekeeper” after being reassigned out of the Executive Office.
Long live the ACJ.
unionman575
October 10, 2012
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/laura-rigdon/4/2b8/98a
Been There
October 10, 2012
“You’ll note the use of a Sacramento number. According to information supplied to us, Mr. Jahr does not reside in Shasta county, he resides in Sacramento proper and works out Sacramento primarily.”
Oh, great to know Mr. Jahr will be joining the ranks of AOC telecommuters. Does anyone really think Mr Jahr is REALLY acting in any sort of a lead capacity?
As for the lovely Ms. Rigdon acting as Gatekeeper, I am confident she will continue to render the same level of customer service for which she is well known throughout the AOC.
Wendy, BTW, how did our Gatekeeper, Ms. Rigdon get a promotion to Court Services Analyst? Or was this a reward for services rendered? I don’t think she meets the MQs.
Wendy Darling
October 10, 2012
The only MQ that really matters is being able to be untruthful by omission or commission. Also, a lack of ethics or integrity, and blind loyalty to the Team George way is highly desirable.
Long live the ACJ.
Posthaste
October 10, 2012
whats a mq?
Judicial Council Watcher
October 11, 2012
MQ= Minimum Qualifications.
Been There
October 10, 2012
Did she even graduate from high school? An Asst. Director told me that Laura went to some secretarial school, got a job at B of A and was brought over with Pat Yerian — And that Laura was hired because they needed a minority in the Executive Office. But then that Asst. Director disliked Laura, so maybe the information was not totally reliable.
Michael Paul
October 10, 2012
Speaking of flying monkeys, there is a list of people I could come up with that shouldn’t come near any PIR. (Public Information Request) Towards the top of this list you would find this name.
Been There
October 11, 2012
Laura Rigdon had a way of “losing” memos, faxes, letters etc sent to Vickrey. Her solution was never to look for them; she would simply demand the memo or letter be reprinted, or the fax resent. My friends at OGA were particularly incensed by what they considered her sloth, because almost everything they sent had to be resent and resent. Was she in the least way apologetic, or helpful, or even interested in your difficulty in getting required info to the Executive Office? Hell no!
Been There
October 11, 2012
Given Laura Rigdon’s past performance and reputation, appointing her as the Gatekeeper for Information Requests is clearly an “inside joke” at 455 Golden Gate. There was probably quite a giggle festival among the top brass with this appointment. They are sticking it to us big time. But is anyone surprised?
Wendy Darling
October 11, 2012
Speaking of inside jokes of whom the AOC appoints as Gatekeepers for Information Requests, especially from the ACJ, assisting Ms. Ringdon in information gatekeeper activities is none other than AOC Assistant Director Ken Couch, and Felizia Nava Kardon.
Long live the ACJ.
courtflea
October 10, 2012
Ok i am totally going to get in trouble for this but the AOC is afraid of minorities. That is why more than likely she was promoted. Look at Denise Friday and Zuniga whatshername. Those two did absolutely nothing and got promoted. And attitude! geeze. They totally fit the bad sterotype for the minority lifer public employee. I know, but the truth hurts.
Been There
October 10, 2012
I don’t think Zuniga still works at the AOC, but please correct me if I am wrong. It is a mixed bag for minorities at the AOC IMHO.
Michael Paul
October 10, 2012
The AOC phone directory- Look up any current employee or consultant you want.
unionman575
October 11, 2012
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/denise-friday/12/980/77
JusticeCalifornia
October 10, 2012
Ayanna Cage used to be the designated blockade to AOC info.
I do believe she left.
Smart girl. Perhaps she wanted a credible future.
unionman575
October 11, 2012
Ayannna Cage left for this: new opportunity:
http://us.linkedin.com/pub/dir/?first=Ayanna+&last=Cage+&search=Search&searchType=fps
Robert Turner
October 10, 2012
My fellow bloggers here on JCW, this is a little off topic but hopefully the theme should be inspiring. Our top american cyclists (Lance Armstrong and George Hincapie) lied, cheated, and even carried the American flag proudly as they did it for a decade.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/cycling/2012/10/10/lance-armstrong-george-hincapie/1625719/
So keep questioning those in charge. The top administrators and Chief are not unlike the top cyclists I once admired. They will never admit to their mistakes and only brutal and overwhelming evidence against them will result in a change. It may feel lonely now but all of us “rebels” will be on the right side of history.
Judicial Council Watcher
October 10, 2012
Puts a new spin on things….
Robert Turner
October 10, 2012
That was awesome JCW!
JusticeCalifornia
October 10, 2012
And where is the longtime assigned judges guy, Brad Campbell, on this list? He knows where the bodies are buried. I tried to e-mail him recently about Shasta County’s 18-plus year “temporarily” assigned “retired” judge Jack Halpin, and the e-mail got bounced back to me. LOL.
And Ann Springgate– where is she? She, Ayanna and Brad were the big blockades to assigned judge info last year. . . ..
I do believe the cj/jc/aoc are on the run. They are getting rid of those who know. Or those who know are running for their lives.
LOL.
Wendy Darling
October 10, 2012
It’s time to abandon ship when the rats start running for the lifeboats.
Long live the ACJ.
unionman575
October 11, 2012
Ann Springate was let go in May:
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/ann-springgate/56/499/271
unionman575
October 11, 2012
JusticeCalifornia
October 10, 2012
Good thing we have Mr. Jahr firmly implanted in the AOC. He has personal knowledge about the longtime Shasta County abuse of the assigned judges program and he has nowhere to run. Is that a bullseye I see on his forehead? I think so.
Sorry, in reviewing the current AOC list Michael Paul posted, I am kind of enjoying seeing the rats who have covered for abuse of this program run for cover.
JusticeCalifornia
October 10, 2012
Damn, it’s interesting to have the cj and aoc director in your sights, in the direct legal line of fire for violating the CA constitution. . . . .or? Let’s see.
courtflea
October 10, 2012
wow weird to review the AOC phone list. Only a few I can count on one hand that i know. The turn over continues obviously at the AOC, the worlds worst place to work. The ones I do know and they are the good ones, I can’t believe how they manage to hang in there.
That aside, the names of some of these “sub” divisions are amazing/stupid/hallarious. check it out
anna
October 13, 2012
Just who the f&*^ are “customers and stakeholders”??? There is no “need” for the AOC or the JC. What crap. You’ve got AOC employees writing opinions,[which are suppose to done only by judges or their legal clerks] striking pleadings, and court files without any court orders, and creating “secret” files, what the hell is going on.
This is getting worse, not better.