OPINION |
Late breaking news: The state Attorney General has launched an investigation of the Monterey County Deputy Sheriffs Association.
By Royal Calkins
If you needed additional proof that politics is about opportunity as much as anything else, consider this letter that went out to members of the Monterey County Deputy Sheriffs Association nearly four years ago:
Like all law enforcement officers in the state of California, we have taken an oath called, ‘The Peace Officer’s Code of Ethics.” And as Deputies, we take this oath seriously and hold it near to our hearts. Steve Bernal is no different.
As law enforcement officers, we remember that our “fundamental duty is to serve mankind.” We promised to “keep our private lives unsullied as an example to all.” We swore to “enforce the law courteously and appropriately without fear or favor.” And most importantly, we “recognized the badge…as a symbol of public faith.”
With over 15 years of service at the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office, Steve Bernal is highly decorated. Throughout his career, he has worked in all three stations to include Monterey, Salinas, and King City. He has also worked at the Monterey County Jail, Jail Transportation, and Bailiff Units. With his well-rounded experience, Steve Bernal knows what it will take to keep you safe!
Steve Bernal has put together a comprehensive 10-year plan for the Sheriff’s Office. This 10-year plan has been reviewed by numerous DSA members to include: Commanders, Sergeants, and Deputies. Even former Sheriffs agree Steve Bernal’s plan makes sense and is what the Sheriff’s Office needs.
The members of the Deputy Sheriffs’ Association have No-Confidence in Sheriff Miller’s ability to effectively lead the Sheriff’s Office. We are in dire need of a leader. A leader with morals, integrity, and ethics, a leader we believe in and a leader (words obscured).
Join with us and all four former living Monterey County Sheriffs, Bud Cook, Norm Hicks, Gordon Sonne and Mike Kanalakis and the Peace Officers’ Research Association of California in endorsing Steve Bernal, a Sheriff we can all be proud of.
Stay Safe!
If you have guessed who wrote that, you’re probably right. Scott Davis, the former DSA board member, current sheriff’s deputy and Salinas City Council member who is running against Bernal in the June election.
Speaking of odd
It’s been six long weeks since Voice started bringing you the story of Carmel City Attorney Glen Mozingo’s inflated resume’.
Sure, everyone pumps a little hype into their accomplishments when they’re applying for a job. Working in the mailroom might become “Managed key communications tasks.” But Mozingo appears to have touted education he never received and memberships he never held, and to have listed functions that he apparently never performed, such as acting as “special counsel” to the late Los Angeles police chief, Daryl Gates, for eight years.
I say it appears that way because Mozingo won’t address those issues – making him an exceedingly rare creature, someone who has nothing to say when his credentials are publicly challenged – and because his employer, the Carmel City Council, seems unconcerned about whether the city’s chief legal officer can be taken seriously if his background is ever subject to official scrutiny in court or elsewhere.
One of their constituents, Jeff Baron, brought up the sensitive topic at a council meeting a week ago, suggesting that the city’s elected leadership might feel an obligation to clear the air. Some outside investigation could be just the ticket, he suggested to stony silence from Mayor Steve Dallas and the rest.
Later, Councilman Bobby Richards did tell others that the issue will be addressed at some point. Here’s hoping it’s before the next elections.
Speaking of elections
After voters in the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District approved a $100 million bond issue eight years ago, the state Legislature declared that school districts could no longer accept pro-bond measure campaign contributions from bonding houses, bond counsels and the like and then hire those companies if the bond measure passed. Numerous bond firms contributed heavily to that Measure K campaign in 2010 and some of them later received multi-million dollar contracts. It was common practice here and everywhere else.
With the rules changed, the bond boys aren’t contributing to MPUSD’s current Measure I campaign, which would lead to a $230 million bond to be repaid by taxpayers, but architectural firms, construction companies and various school suppliers are signing and sending in sizable checks.
Perhaps some of you readers could join me in writing a note to self, a reminder to check back when the school districts starts deciding who will install those new roofs or those new heating systems. I’m hoping that those decisions will be made based solely on price and quality, not appreciation.
SUPPORT NONPROFIT JOURNALISM
Construction firms are selected for school projects through public bidding, with the district legally required to take the lowest qualified bid. Professional services are not subject to low bid requirements because quality and experience matter as much as the price for those services. You wouldn’t want to use the cheapest doctor or lawyer, and the same for architects.