Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Maxwell, Stevens and CalPERS Benefits

Two of the principals named in the performance bond insurance claim seeking damages to replenish the raided county treasury are drawing nearly $4,000 to $5,000 a month in retirement benefits, according to public records.

Mike Maxwell, retired chief administrative officer of Modoc County, received a gross monthly benefit of $3,349.54 from Jan. 9, 2009 to March 31, 2011, according to the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS).

Judith Stevens, retired county auditor, received a gross monthly pension benefit of $4,675.38 for the same period, according to records obtained by the Modoc County Daily News under the California Public Records Act.

Both Maxwell and Stevens, among others, are named in the insurance claim as two of the top county officials most likely responsible for the treasury misappropriation of $20 million.

Alice Marrs, named as a lesser party to the misappropriation, has a lifetime monthly benefit of $1,217.65, according to the CalPERS records.

Former Supervisors Dan Macsay, Dave Bradshaw and Mike Dunn, all listed in the performance bond claim, are not currently receiving monthly retirement benefits from CalPERS.

-- Ray A. March

Monday, July 4, 2011

America the Beautiful

O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!

America! America!
God shed His grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!
Overlaid pictures representing America
O beautiful for pilgrim feet
Whose stern impassion'd stress
A thoroughfare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness.

America! America!
God mend thine ev'ry flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law.

O beautiful for heroes prov'd
In liberating strife,
Who more than self their country loved,
And mercy more than life.

America! America!
May God thy gold refine
Till all success be nobleness,
And ev'ry gain divine.

O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears.

America! America!
God shed His grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea.