From the get-a-clue files
We’re getting word that the pfearless leader of the pfacilities management unit, he who diverted his divisions resources from actually fixing courtrooms to developing flow and ganntt charts and new policies and procedures that would assist them to do less with even less on their way to a baby baldridge quality award has recently launched a new initiative.
Instead of having those boring monthly meetings via webex or telephones or utilizing any number of videoconferencing suites installed in every appellate court and every major AOC office, Mr. Pfab has another one of those better ideas – and this time it’s not just flatulence.
While Judicial Council committee members are barred from travel to attend committee meetings in person in an effort to save money, it is all window dressing as there is no such prohibitions being placed upon the AOC!
With all of that downsizing in AOC’s Burbank offices (by the way, did anyone ever recover the dedication plaque for the Sheila Calabro rent-a-conference center?) and all of that savings that was derived from downsizing that office, it appears that Jerry Pfab has plenty of mad money left.
Just none to replace your roof, Hayward Hall of Justice.
In fact, in these trying economic times with thousands of court employees being laid off and hundreds of courtrooms being closed, it is alleged that on March 21st Mr. Pfab dug deep into trial court funds to sponsor a junket to beautiful San Diego so that he could hold a meeting with his statewide staff and AOC’s prime maintenance contractors (who were also permitted to expense the event to the AOC) at the San Diego Hall of Justice.
To demonstrate that the AOC doesn’t pick favorites, April’s meeting junket will travel to beautiful Santa Barbara by-the-coast, complete with guided tours of the courts and all of the amenities of hotel rooms, rental cars and airfare paid for out of the same funds that would normally keep your courtrooms lights working. Apparently our constant battering of this unit has created a morale problem which only AOC paid mini-vacations to destination spots can cure.
It appears that these meeting junkets, which cost the taxpayers over 20 grand apiece are our fault and we’re dutifully hanging our heads in shame.
Judicial Council Watcher 
R. Campomadera
April 10, 2013
Another one-fingered salute from the AOC to the trial courts and the staff who have lost their jobs. Nice “optics”…Nero had nothing on you guys.
courtflea
April 10, 2013
you can bet there won’t be any junkets to Barstow or Bakersfield 🙂
MaxRebo5
April 10, 2013
I’m used to that one fingered salute at this point. The folks in AOC “leadership” may love fancy drinks, fine dining, and nice hotels in the CA coast but it still does not change the fact that they are low class morally or ethically. It is shameful.
R. Campomadera
April 10, 2013
MaxRebo5, you are right that the current leadership’s behavior is shameful. That’s definitely the word for it. The honest, hardworking judges and staff of California’s trial courts, not to mention the people of California as a whole, deserve better. They won’t get it with the current bunch of clowns, however. Mediocrity breeds mediocrity and the “Mediocritites” (I don’t think that’s a real word, but you get the idea) are firmly in control and are not about to let loose of their power and perks.
Until there is wholesale change at the top, we will continue to see these gross and sickening examples of incompetence, graft, and corruption. My only hope is that they will continue to think they are beyond the reach of any corrective action and will carry on with business as usual.
If I’m right about this, at some point they inevitably will make such a mess of things, that change will be forced upon them. I look forward to that day.
Wendy Darling
April 10, 2013
Yesterday it was Grey Goose martinis, caviar, and lobster dinners on the public dime. Today, its AOC complimentary mini-vacations to destination spots paid for with public funds. Demonstrating yet again that the more things “change” at 455 Golden Gate Avenue, the more things just really stay the same.
Still serving themselves to the detriment of all Californians.
Long live the ACJ.
unionman575
April 10, 2013
Perhaps they were “Drinking and Thinking” while on these all expenses paid working vacations.
Here ya go Death Star:
R. Campomadera
April 10, 2013
Drinkin’ and thinkin’, alright…drinkin’ in the good life, paid for by the taxpayin’ chumps of the State of California, who don’t know any better, and thinkin’ how sweet it is…it just don’ get any better than that, ya’all.
Agent 99
April 10, 2013
How can they resist those fabulous beaches? San Diego and Santa Barbara are for honeymooners and AOC partiers, like Richard from San Diego. Max can’t handle alcohol, but Justice H,I call him Richard, loves his Grey Goose Martinis. He starting pouting this afternoon when he found out from JCW that he wasn’t invited to Pfab’s San Diego event. (He didn’t get an invite,)Turns out that Phabulous, that’s his AKA, had to check out the rent on Richard’s office space without the media catching on. In a rush, gotta go pick up Max’s shoe phone from the repair shop. Next time, can I talk about my girlfriend Jody and how she managed to get Mr. Jahr to help her get a new title and a big raise? Those mean girls like Jody and Tani sure do know how to work it. Catch you later.
wearyant
April 10, 2013
Agent 99, you mean pfabulous beaches, don’t you? 🙂 And speaking of shoehorns, it’s gonna take a big one to get these blood-sucking douche-bags outta Santa Barbara once they see the lovely airport there. There is a lot of tar on the beaches, though. Hope they ruin their expensive shoes walking the beaches. I wish the taxpayers could send them on a one-way junket to the moon. That would be a good money-saving measure.
AOC Tracker
April 10, 2013
Ninety-Nine, you’re on to something. At a recent Judicial Council meeting, the OCCM folks used the Council as cover for an illegal practice that they continue to engage in. They’ve been using Trial Court Trust Fund (TCTF) money to pay rent. With the budget trailer bill language that implemented 1208, the Alliance Judge’s legislation intended to ensure that trial court operation money go directly to the trial courts for operational expenses, it is a violation of law to knowingly misappropriate money for purposes other than for which specifically appropriated which in the case of the budget bill language, mandates that TCTF money be used for trial court operations. The OCCM, without any Judicial Council challenge or even discussion,, predictably obtained a unanimous Judicial Council vote of approval to continue using TCTF money for rental payments that statewide amount to tens of millions annually. AOC staff snuck this under the radar screen and obtained Judicial Council authorization to continue this illegal practice. Meanwhile, the AOC pushes ever onward stealing from the taxpayers without even a license. Like stealing, the misappropriation of public funds is a crime.
Lando
April 10, 2013
With Skype and instant messaging one has to wonder why the Judicial Council and AOC waste so much valuable taxpayer dollars on any travel , hotels, meals etc. The answer of course is that the “insiders” at 455 Golden Gate all love their power. Appearing from the Court of Appeal in Sacramento or Riverside over the internet can’t compare to the privileges one comes to expect in the cherry wooded crystal laden Malcom Lucas Boardroom found in the William C Vickrey Conference center , located within the Ronald M George complex of state buildings. And besides, who would ever see the Art and Justice display if you could only appear by Skype ?
MISS LANA LANE
April 11, 2013
Nothing has changed at the AOC except for awhile they were very careful about travel and meals being expensed to the AOC. But with all of the layoffs and other things going on some in command will always try and sneak some travel in. I mean didn’t they have a worker from Budget go on a Mexican vacation then claim he was working there and charged time to the AOC? Just saying.
Lando
April 11, 2013
Well good morning everyone . It is the start of a whole new day and the “insiders” at 455 Golden Gate are busy planning new ways to waste our taxpayer dollars. I sure hope if the legislature restores any money to the branch that those funds go directly to the trial courts so that the Judicial Council/AOC can’t divert them for their own purposes. CCMS, Long Beach and now this latest fiasco in San Diego prove as Wendy says” the more things change the more they stay the same.” This Friday applications for the Judicial Council must be submitted. My guess is that no ACJ Board member will be ” selected” further proving Wendy’s point.
dasani.waters@outlook.com
April 11, 2013
For those of you who actually believe Skype is a business class utility, and can be easily deployed are just as naive as the people you criticize. As for hard-working judges, yes there are SOME, but many of them exploit or believe they’re better than the same court system they serve at the behest of TAX payers. You’re all a bunch of hypocritical whiners who would better serve tax payer time by actually focusing on your own jobs.
Michael Paul
April 13, 2013
Hi dasani waters. Skype isn’t a business class utility but it permits people to meet over distances at very low costs. Sure you may not want a dozen skype users on the court network but I think the point being made is that there are less expensive alternatives to flying everyone in to San Diego or Santa Barbara to do a dog and pony show and have a meeting on the taxpayer dime.
As far as being a hypocritical whiner who would better serve taxpayer time by actually focusing on my own job? I did that and I watched millions get unlawfully paid to unlicensed contractors. So now I better serve the taxpayers by being one of the principals involved in the multimedia campaign that has the Judicial Council under a continuous spotlight.
In more direct terms, I am serving the taxpayer by focusing on my own job.
But thank you for your comment. 🙂
Agent 99
April 11, 2013
Whoa, Dasani Waters, chill out. This thread isn’t about whether judges work hard, or not. You sound a tad like those AOC management types I’ve heard about who think trial court judges need to be dominated and controlled.
Dasani Waters
April 11, 2013
You want me to chill out? Ha! Read the posts. Ignorance is knowing only the information you’re given.
Judicial Council Watcher
April 12, 2013
I’ll go with the AOC management type Agent 99
JusticeCalifornia
April 13, 2013
“Ignorance is knowing only the information you’re given.”
Interesting point, seeing as how “top leadership” has a long history of withholding information, dodging information requests, creating and providing misinformation, failing to keep records, and encouraging the destruction of documents and evidence.
In other words, thereby purposefully endeavoring to keep state auditors, the Governor, budget committees, the public, the press and members of all three branches in ignorance.
But for the ACJ, AOC Watcher, JCW, certain other members of the press, whistleblowers, and determined others who have documented and reported at their own expense, “top leadership” would still be spending billions on CCMS and $25,000,000 one courtroom courthouses.
JusticeCalifornia
April 13, 2013
One more thing. If it is true that AOC members think it is necessary to meet in person at pretty locations to do their jobs, why they are allowing telecommuting?
unionman575
April 13, 2013
Click to access 68106-imperial-calexico-20130411.pdf
The Superior Court of California
County of Imperial
April 12, 2013
NOTICE OF COURT CLOSURE
ON THE IMMINENT CLOSURE OF THE
CALEXICO BRANCH COURT
unionman575
April 13, 2013
Click to access 68106-imperial-jail-court-20130411.pdf
The Superior Court of California
County of Imperial
April 12, 2013
NOTICE OF CHANGE IN COURT LOCATION
ON THE IMMINENT CLOSURE OF THE JAIL COURT AND CESSATION OF CLERK’S SERVICES, WITH TRANSFER OF OPERATIONS TO THE BRAWLEY COURTHOUSE
unionman575
April 13, 2013
The Superior Court of California
County of Imperial
April 12, 2013
NOTICE OF CHANGE IN COURT LOCATION
ON THE IMMINENT CLOSURE OF THE JUVENILE COURT AND CESSATION OF CLERK’S SERVICES, WITH TRANSFER OF OPERATIONS TO THE EL CENTRO COURTHOUSE
unionman575
April 13, 2013
And now an Update from Steve Nash…
Click to access 68106-san-bernardino-20130412.pdf
Superior Court of California, County of San Bernardino
PUBLIC NOTICE
PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 68106
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DATE: April 12, 2013
NOTICE OF OPERATION OF ONE COURTROOM IN BARSTOW COURT, REDUCTION IN CLERK’S OFFICE HOURS OF OPERATION AND REASSIGNMENT OF CASES
The Superior Court of California, County of San Bernardino, previously noticed its intention to close all courtrooms in the Barstow District and reassign the cases pending in the Barstow District, effective May 6, 2013. Following the announcement of that closure, the Judicial Council of California distributed unused monies from a statewide 2% reserve to courts throughout the state. Of this amount, the Superior Court of California, County of San Bernardino, is scheduled to receive one-time, only, funding of approximately $1.2 million. These funds will allow the Court to maintain operation of the Barstow District on a temporary basis.
There are presently four (4) courtrooms in operation in the Barstow District.
Effective May 6, 2013, one (1) courtroom in Barstow will operate Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of each week through June 21, 2014, barring any unforeseen additional reductions in court funding. The remaining three (3) courtrooms in the Barstow District will be closed, effective May 6, 2013.
The clerk’s office of the Barstow District is presently open 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except court holidays.
Effective May 6, 2013, the public service hours for the clerk’s office of the Barstow District will be 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of each week, except court holidays, through June 21, 2014, barring any unforeseen additional reductions in court funding.
A drop box is provided to receive documents during the court hours/days the clerk’s office is closed. Public Notice April 12, 2013
Effective May 6, 2013, the following case types, presently heard in the Barstow District, will continue to be filed and heard in the Barstow District:
•Traffic infractions
•Non-traffic infractions (e.g. code enforcement, fish and game, etc.)
•Landlord-tenant (unlawful detainer)
•Small claims
•Domestic violence restraining orders
•Civil harassment restraining orders
•Name change petitions
•Petitions for the return of firearms
All other civil unlimited and limited cases, excluding small claims cases, landlord-tenant (unlawful detainer) cases, domestic violence restraining orders, civil harassment restraining orders, name change petitions and petitions for the return of firearms, presently heard in the Barstow District will be filed and heard in the San Bernardino District – Civil Division, located at 303 West Third Street, San Bernardino, CA, 92415, effective May 6, 2013.
Effective May 6, 2013, all guardianships matters presently heard in the Barstow District will be filed and heard in the San Bernardino District – Criminal, Family Law, Traffic and Probate Division, located at 351 North Arrowhead Avenue, San Bernardino, CA 92415.
Effective May 6, 2013, the following case types, presently heard in the Barstow District, will be filed and heard in the Victorville District, located at 14455 Civic Drive, Victorville, CA 92392.
•Felonies
•Misdemeanors
•Family law
•Adoptions
Parties with existing cases set for hearing on or after May 6, 2013 will be notified by mail of the department to which their case has been reassigned.
The Superior Court of California, County of San Bernardino, projects a significant deficit after June 21, 2014; and, therefore, the Court will not be able to continue to operate Barstow after that date absent additional funding. During the next 15 months, court leaders will continue to partner with city and county officials and work with state, judicial, legislative and executive branch leaders to identify funding solutions sufficient to maintain appropriate levels of operation for all San Bernardino communities on an ongoing basis.
This notice has been posted on the Court’s website http://www.sb-court.org.
# # #
You will need a helicopter to get to SB court folks!
😉