Editor's Note: This column is reprinted from the April issue of the Modoc Independent News

Barb's Wire

      Phoebe Prince is on my mind. Phoebe made the news last week when she hung herself after enduring three months of bullying and harassment by her classmates. The 15-year-old pretty Irish girl who recently immigrated to this country was ridiculed because she was new, because she dated a senior football player and because she was pretty.  Several of her classmates are now being charged with a variety of crimes, including statutory rape, criminal harassment, civil rights violations and stalking.   
     
     These are 15-year-old kids I‘m talking about. They say kids learn behaviors at home, good or bad. An abused child becomes an abuser, a bullied child becomes a bully. At home, reinforced by blustering bullies on TV news day after day cruel bullying looses its edge, it’s taken for granted by adults, accepted as the norm. You could say it’s subliminal. How many nights of Glenn Beck viewing does it take to make a bully?
   
     Where will it end?
  
     After the passage of the health care bill angry citizens spit on congressmen and broke their windows. A gas line was severed at the home of a congressman’s brother, death threats were made. Our president has been called a Nazi. Yesterday someone posted a physical threat on this blog against the editor.
  
     Sarah Palin urged Tea Parytiers, “Don't Retreat, Instead — RELOAD!” She singled out 20 House Democrats who voted for the health care bill as targets on her website using a map with cross-hair gun sights on their districts; a political tactic with a clear message. 
  
     Politics is a mirror of our society, reflecting a population fired up and given permission by its leaders to bully, and resort to violence.
  
     Where will it end? Bullying and violence will beget more, and while Phoebe Prince’s death cannot be directly linked to the negativity and prejudice we see today, it cannot be denied that we give permission to our children to berate and belittle, when we say, “that‘s the way we do it here,” consequences be damned.

-- Barbara March

Editor Threatened Over Rudometkin Coverage

An anonymous person coming to the defense of Rick Rudometkin, Modoc County chief administrative officer, today issued a threat against the editor of the Modoc Daily News Blog if his coverage continues.
   
In a comment posted April 8 and aimed at Ray A. March, the writer said in part:

“Take your shots at the BOS because they have earned it, but rest assured if you continue to bad mouth Mr. Rudometkin I will be happy to meet you anywhere and kick your self righteous butt.”

Barbara March, publisher of the Modoc Independent News, which also owns the Daily News Blog, said the newspaper does not take such threats lightly.

"It's a sorry state of Modoc when coverage of the most important issue to ever hit this county is subject to threats,” March said. “Such threats, whether idle or not, are taken seriously by us and they only serve to make us more aware that something is wrong in Modoc that needs investigation.”

Rudometkin did not respond by late Friday to the Modoc Independent News’ e-mail requests for comments.

The entire blog entry can be found under “Editorial -- Following the Rudometkin-BOS Trail,” posted April 5. The anonymous writer who posted April 8 at 7:47 p.m., was responding to a time line revealing the Modoc County Board of Supervisors' inadequate procedures in hiring Rudoemtkin as chief administrative officer.

Candidates’ Night Dates

Dates for political candidates nights in contested races have been announced.

April 26 -- Adin Community Hall from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

April 28 -- Alturas, Brass Rail from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

April 29 -- Newell Elementary from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

May 2 -- Cedarville Senior Citizens Center, 6:30 p.m.

Candidates’ nights at Adin and Newell will consist of those seeking election to auditor, district attorney, sheriff and Fifth District supervisor. In Alturas candidates will be for the offices of auditor, district attorney, sheriff and Alturas city council.

In Cedarville candidates are First District supervisor, auditor, district attorney and sheriff.

The evenings will be hosted by the Modoc County Farm Bureau with the exception of Cedarville, which will be conducted by the Surprise Valley Chamber of Commerce.

For the evenings hosted by the Farm Bureau, each candidate will be given a maximum of five minutes for an introductory statement. Following opening remarks, written questions will be submitted to the moderator from the audience. After the question and answer session, the program will conclude with two-minute closing statements from the candidates.

(Paid Political Advertisement)

BOS Hiring Practices Questioned

CFAC Returns With Sweeping Request

In response to Modoc County’s failure to produce any records substantiating the qualifications of its CAO Rick Rudometkin, the California First Amendment Coalition (CFAC) has countered with a comprehensive request to the Board of Supervisors and its legal counsel, John Kenny.
   
After receiving a cursory summary of Rudometkin’s duties in his previous position as Streets Manager in Dana Point, the CFAC has complied a list of documents that is intended to leave no stone unturned.

In this second go-round CFAC, through its attorney Judy Alexander, has asked for documents prepared by the county and also by Avery & Associates, the firm used by Modoc County to recruit eligible candidates for the chief administrator position.

CFAC’s sweeping list of requested documents includes; a job description for the CAO position, documents “stating or reflecting the expertise, experience, education, performance attributes and operational style of the ideal CAO candidate,” “any formal search announcement seeking applications,” “all documents concerning Rick Rudometkin…in the process of considering (him) as Director of Transportation and Public Works,” “all documents concerning Rick Rudometkin…in the process of considering (him) for, and hiring him as, permanent CAO,” and several documents prepared by Avery & Associates in relation to Mark Charlton, and Rick Rudometkin.

Charlton, recruited by Avery along with two other finalists, was hired by the Board of Supervisors in late 2008. In less than a year he resigned when the board failed to give him a vote of confidence and stand accountable for the misappropriation of an estimated $20 million from the county treasury -- a misappropriation Charlton exposed.

The purpose of the document request, as outlined by CFAC attorney Judy Alexander in a letter dated April 6, is to “obtain copies of records that outline, reflect and/or describe the procedures followed, factors considered, and documents considered by the Board in hiring Mark Charlton as CAO, Rick Rudometkin as Director of Transportation and Public Works for the County, Mr. Rudometkin as interim CAO, and Mr. Rudometkin as permanent CAO.”

By California law, the county has 10 days -- or by April 16 -- in which to respond to the CFAC request.

Political Candidates Advisory

We will not accept unpaid political statements from candidates or endorsements from their supporters on the Modoc Independent Daily News Blog. 

We will posting statements from the candidates related to specific questions. If candidates or their supporters have a bonafide comment to make related to a posted article, that comment will be reviewed and considered for publication by the editors. Candidates wishing to purchase advertising space on this site or in the Modoc Independent News print edition may contact us at (530) 279-2099.

-- The Editors

Questions for the Candidate

Editor's Note: As a service to the voters of Modoc County, we will be publishing comments from candidates over the next two months. We are tailoring appropriate questions to each race. 

Our question to the candidates for Modoc County Sheriff was, "The Sheriff’s Department is facing the largest budget challenge within Modoc County departments for 2010 - 2011. Nearly $400,000 must be cut or generated in new income to offset the reduction. If elected, how would you manage the Sheriff’s Department budget without eliminating or cutting essential services to the community?"

All three candidates responses are below, in alphabetical order. 

Stacy Callaghan

First of all, the new incoming Modoc County Sheriff will already have the 2010-2011 budget in place, as  the current board of supervisors will have approved the budget for Modoc County Sheriff, Mark Gentry.

I am aware that Mark Gentry is currently attempting to move the budget of dispatch services from the general fund to funding under the Office of Emergency Services.  This move could save the general fund approximately $350,000.  This move may provide the Sheriff's Office the ability to continue to provide other vital services such as patrol.

The new Sheriff will have to continue to seek grant funding and maintain current grant funding.  This, however, is a risky proposition because of the fact that grant funding can stop due to the state of California's and the Federal Government's economic status. As your Modoc County Sheriff, I will continue to search for and maintain current grant funding.  I will be a voice in Sacramento so that Modoc County can obtain the necessary funding to provide quality law enforcement. 

I will decrease some of the Modoc County Sheriff's Office supervisor positions.  The elimination of some of the supervisor positions will also save money for the general fund.  The services that the Modoc County Sheriff's Office provides will become more efficient by staggering patrol work shifts. We can provide patrol services for longer periods of time throughout the day and into the early hours of the morning by staggering shifts. 

Also, the Modoc County Sheriff, Undersheriff and Sergeants will have to be more than administrators.  The Sheriff, Undersheriff and Sergeants will have to handle calls, assist other deputies and be teachers.  The Sheriff and the Undersheriff need to insure that the employees that will still be in place after the tenure of the Sheriff will be able to continue a high level of quality law enforcement services.

Gary Palmer

At this time, I have already started to make the changes needed for the Budget cuts of 2010-2011. 

We are currently preparing to move the Dispatch Center from the Sheriff's Office budget to Office of Emergency Services.  This will allow for approximately $360,000.00 to be cut from the General Fund and will also allow Grant Funding to be used for salaries and training.  This will also prevent additional layoffs and maintain the proper level of service to the public.

Mike Poindexter

The budget you are asking me to manage will already be in place, should I be fortunate enough to emerge as the victor in this election. We will be over half way through the 2010/2011 fiscal year when the results of this election process take effect. Since I do not currently work for the Sheriff’s Office, I will have absolutely no say in the current budgeting process.  I would need to have a fiscal plan prepared for the 2011/2012 fiscal year.         
    
The current economic situation of Modoc County has a major impact on how the Sheriff’s Department deals with criminal activity and community safety. Typically crime goes up during these difficult economic times.  Layoffs should be the absolute last possible option. Any cuts in staffing levels not only have an adverse affect on the Sheriff's Office, but will affect and/or eliminate essential services to the community in the area of public safety, basic community,  and local merchant support.
    
I have many ideas and strategies, currently being researched for possible implementation. Of course, all ideas and strategies will have to go through proper channels such as; Unions, County Ordinances, BOS and most importantly your Sheriff’s Office team. Some could be implemented immediately, others we may have to wade into. I believe all will add or save dollars and increase services;     

 Forensically analyze existing budget line item by line item.

Diligently pursue Grants and outside sources of Public Safety Funding.

A complete restructuring of the Department, Laying a new foundation to address; “top heavy issues,"  establish a proper chain of command, fairness, consistency, checks and balances and increase morale.

Better utilize existing resources. Sound, responsible and accountable management.

I have already established relationships with other agencies, law enforcement, fire and medical in order to share resources, trainings, information, etc. Collaboration and cohesive relationships provide our citizens with the best possible service and utilize every tax dollar to its fullest.

I will implement already proven and tested Sheriff’s service programs.  I have established  partnerships with other agencies who will lend their management teams and already established SOP’s to help get our programs up and running without reinventing the wheel.   
    

Editorial

Following the Rudometkin-BOS Trail

We have been asked in comments made to the Modoc Daily News Blog and in e-mails to us, “Why pick on Rick Rudometkin, he’s only the messenger.”

We believe the Board of Supervisors, in a naive effort to impress the State Contoller’s Office and potential bond buyers, gave Rudometkin the nod so they can say they have a CAO in place. As demonstrated by the timeline below, it appears Rudometkin is CAO in name only, in other words, merely a figurehead.

For clarification, we have nothing personal against Rudometkin, he is only a part of the equation when it comes to the Modoc County Board of Supervisors’ total lack of professional fiscal responsibility.

One
The Board of Supervisors, in appointing Rudometkin the county’s chief administrative officer made no apparent efforts to hire a qualified candidate for the job.

Two
Rudometkin, ambitious but totally unqualified for the head administrative job of the county, took the opportunity the board handed him. Some would say, “Why not, the money’s good?”

Three
County legal counsel admitted to the California First Amendment Coalition that there are no documents on file validating Rudometkins’s qualifications for the chief administrator’s job.

Four
Supervisor Dan Macsay , in the process of rationalizing Rudometkin‘s hiring, said it is the board’s intention to move Rudometkin back to his job as director of the public works department when the financial crisis has passed.

We offer the following timeline in support of our premise that the Board of Supervisors has been dysfunctional -- and continues to be remiss -- in its abilities to handle the finances of the county and in being accountable for the misappropriation of $20 million from the treasury.

August 2003 - Nov. 2007
Rudometkin is streets manager and public works inspector, reporting to the City of Dana Point’s director of public works.


Nov. 2007 to present
Rudometkin holds the position of Modoc County director of public works.

September 2008
Rudometkin reportedly applies for CAO position after Mike Maxwell retires, but is passed over by at least three other candidates, one of whom is Mark Charlton. Rudometkin is not a final-round candidate. As of April 5, 2010, messages left with Rudometkin’s office for his comments on this were not returned.

Oct. 23, 2009   
Rudometkin submits Agenda Item Request for: Consideration/Action, Personnel Matter, Closed Session in which he states under the heading “Contract Renewals,” “As of Dec. 3, 2009, the Employment Contracts in place for the Director of Transportation/Public Works need to be discussed and renewed.” Meeting date requested: Nov. 10. There is no mention of this in the Nov 10 minutes of the Board of Supervisors.

Oct. 27, 2009
Closed session “Personnel Exception - Evaluation of Performance, Mark Charlton,” is continued to Nov. 3.

Nov. 3, 2009
Closed session “Personnel Exception - Evaluation of Performance, Walt Beck & Mark Charlton.” Both Beck and Charlton turn in letters of resignation. Beck’s last day to be Nov. 30, Charlton’s last day to be Dec. 4. Charlton resigns after failing to receive a vote of confidence for his plan to regain financial stability for the county -- a plan that would require the supervisors to stand accountable for the misappropriation of an estimated $20 million from the treasury.

Nov. 10, 2009
A last minute “emergency” item is added to the board’s agenda. Walt Beck asks the board to appoint an interim CAO. Standing at Beck’s side is Rudometkin, who has hurriedly penciled his salary terms onto his existing contract, among other conditions, if the board appoints him interim CAO. Copies of the contract are reportedly made and inserted into the supervisors’ packets just as the meeting begins. According to the clerk of the board, the supervisors did not receive any documentation on Rudometkin’s qualifications in advance of the board’s meeting. During Beck’s prepared statement, Patricia Cantrall, sitting as chair, professes ignorance of who the candidates are for interim CAO. Rudometkin is standing at Beck’s side during the entire episode. There is no discussion by board members as to Rudometkin’s qualifications, but on the motion of Dan Macsay, they vote unanimously to appoint him interim CAO.

Nov. 10, 2009
The afternoon of his appointment, reportedly saying he was working at the direction of the board, Rudometkin hands Mark Charlton his final check and fires Paul Jessup, Charlton’s front office assistant.

Nov. 22, ‘09
By this date, Rudometkin is avoiding requests from the Modoc Independent News for an interview.

Nov. 24, ‘09
At the Board of Supervisors meeting Rudometkin stresses the need for “transparency,” but has not agreed to an interview with the Modoc Independent News.

Dec. 1, ‘09
At the Board of Supervisors meeting Rudometkin reports, “We’re building a team, working on objectives. I might make a report every week, or maybe not.” He did not.

Dec. 8, ‘09
A week later Rudometkin complains at the board meeting that, “The CAO’s office needs to know what’s going on,” implying that there is a lack of communication between he and county department heads.

By Dec. 20. ‘09
Modoc Independent News editorializes: Rudometkin has effectively put a lid on all information coming voluntarily from the county, unless it is screened through the Incident Command System team, which he heads.

Jan. 12, ‘10
Rudometkin tells the Board of Supervisors he intends to disband or reform the ICS team, but by April 5 he has taken no public action in that direction. Modoc Independent News reports that ICS team is in shambles.

Feb. 9, ‘10
By a 3-2 vote the Board of Supervisors narrowly appoints Rudometkin permanent CAO without any discussion by the majority vote as to his qualifications. Crabtree and Bullock vote against Rudometkin, both supervisors saying Rudometkin has not demonstrated any ability to handle the job in the three months he was interim CAO.

Feb. 22, ‘10
By this date, Crabtree says he still has not heard anything from Rudometkin as to his plans for pulling the county out of its financial crisis.

March 3, ‘10
The California First Amendment Coalition (CFAC) sends a letter to county officials and Rudometkin requesting his personnel files documenting his background for the CAO job.

March 11, ‘10
Legal counsel John Kenny responds by letter to CFAC that there are no such files, but Rudometkin is willing to come up with a resume in another six days, on March 17.

March 17, ‘10
Rudometkin provides Modoc Independent News with his job background files, but nothing on his qualifications to hold the CAO position with the county.

To Date
CFAC is non-committal on what it intends to do next.

-- Ray and Barbara March

RAP CAMP ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS
   

It’s time for students to sign up for the 19^th annual Resources and People (RAP) Camp held the week of June 13 at Camp Esther Applegate at Lake of the Woods in Southern Oregon.

Activities include cowboy poetry at a local ranch, a field trip to Crater Lake, tour of a fish hatchery, an astronomy talk and tribal storytelling around the campfire.
   
Since its inception in 1992, RAP Camp has provided over 900 kids an opportunity to take part in natural resource workshops, outdoor recreation activities, educational field trips, career fair and other fun activities like a talent show.

The curriculum instills knowledge of fire ecology, wildlife, forestry, fisheries, archeology, range, wetlands and botany. Camp activities engage students in outdoor pursuits such as hiking, birding, swimming and canoeing.

Applications are now being accepted from students between the ages of 13-18 from rural and urban areas in California, Oregon and Washington. Thanks to contributions from federal, state, county and private organizations the registration fee is only a $150. Financial aid is available. Applications are due April 27 and can be downloaded from the Web at: www.rapcamp.org.

The camp is sponsored by the Fremont-Winema , Rogue River-Siskiyou, Mendocino, Sierra National Forests; Bureau of Land Management Lakeview, Medford, Roseburg, Spokane Districts; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; National Parks Service; Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife; Oregon Department of Forestry; Jackson, West Multnomah, Klamath Soil and Water Conservation Districts; The Nature Conservancy; Klamath Basin Rangeland Trust; Klamath County Cattlewomen, Oregon State University Extension Service, T.E.A.C.H., Inc. (Training, Employment, and Community Help) and with contributions from over a dozen other organizations.

For additional information about RAP Camp and the application process, please contact Shirley Kerns at (541) 883-6716 or skerns@fs.fed.us or Akimi King at (541) 885-2515 or akimi_king@fws.gov.

WE ARE FIELDS BEFORE EACH OTHER
—St. Thomas Aquinas

How is it they live for eons in such harmony—
the billions of stars—

when most men can barely go a minute
without declaring war in their mind against someone they know.

There are wars where no one marches with a flag,
though that does not keep casualties
from mounting.

Our hearts irrigate this earth.
We are fields before
each other.

How can we live in harmony?
First we need to
know

we are all madly in love
with the same
God.