TMC: Thirty Miles of Corruption

Tuesday’s City Council begain with the rattle, then the strike and finally the discharge of venom by City Attorney Gregory Priamos by reading a complaint laid out against Councilman Paul Davis by a Fire Inspector.  Was this premature?  It wasn’t to long ago that a deposition by former Chief Russell Leach was release prematurely by Priamos, and the case was still active and ongoing, and in this case Bailey came out looking disfigured.   Today, Priamos released a bombshell against City Councilman Paul Davis regarding a complaint issued by a female fire inspector.  This stemmed from a June 12^th, 2012 incident at the food truck festival regarding fire hydrants.  Davis and his wife were organizers of this event.  According to Councilman Davis a female fire inspector percieved that he was ‘loud’ and ‘disruptive’, therefore the complaint, and according to the Press Enterprise, felt she was ‘disrespected’.  Disrespected possibly because Councilman Davis called Chief Earley in front of her?  Now, anyone who has worked in the private sector knows, if you reach a wall with one person, you ask for the next person in charge.  This isn’t ‘disrespectful’, this is ‘expected’ and ‘acceptable’.  She also made mention that he was ‘rude’ and ‘interfered with her work’.  Then this incident evolved into a ‘discrimination’ and ‘harassment’ complaint.  According to Priamos the ‘discrimination’ and ‘harassment’ complaint was investigated by the City and it was determined to be ‘founded’ against Davis.  Therefore, it happened as indicated.  ‘Discrimination’ and ‘harassment’ accusations are serious.  So, could the perception of the chain events be a misunderstanding which now became a ‘harassment’ and ‘discrimination’ complaint?  Now, we all know about ‘harassment’ and ‘discrimination’ complaints because we have seen enough of these lawsuits filed against the City by employees.  The City, it appears forgot one thing, according to Davis he was never ‘interviewed’.  So how did this get by the good city attorney many are asking?  Well, were not sure.  But Priamos did hire a friend, former RPD Lt. Jeff Collopy, Internal Affairs Bureau, to do the “independent investigative work” on this complaint, except he forgot to ‘interview’ Councilman Davis regarding his side of the story.  “Independent”, we as you can see, Collopy was far from that.  According to a posting by Alicia Robinson of the Press Enterprise, former Lt. Jeff Collopy charged the City/ taxpayer $85/ hour for 10 hours of investigative work for a total of $850.00.

Sidenote: Is this really about Councilman Davis forcing Priamos to be transparent?  Two weeks ago, Tueseday August 14, 2012, at city council closed session, Priamos was asked to produce his personal reimbursement schedule for public record, and was given 72 hours.

This carried forward to Councilman Bailey acting as Mayor Pro-Tem, also known as “Independent voice of Riverside”.  “The City Council does not condone the actions of Councilman Davis, founded through a complaint and interview by a city employee and investigated by a private detective,” Bailey said.  “The City Council will continue to call out for behavior expected of a public official serving the residents of Riverside.”

Well okay, but we know Bailey has a few skeletons in his closet that can be called out for behavior expected of a public official serving the residents of Riverside.  Let’s not forget Councilman Steve Adam’s sliding by complaints, or the citizens complaint against Adams files by six members of the La Sierra/ Arlanza Neighborhood Aliance that was dismissed by former City Manager Brad Hudson.  Again, did Bailey know Davis never gave his side of the story in what is called an ‘interview’?

Davis went on to say.  However, I do want to add something to this, this unfounded or finding of the complaint now that it has been read out of my arrangement has not been completed.  And I’m hoping that we can.  I have not been ‘interviewed’ officially, for them to say that it was ‘founded’, I do have ‘cause on that’.  But to that person I’m very sorry, and that should be a public statement to her.  What was just read was not what I’m comfortable with.

We know the Councilman Davis and Councilman Adams have had their spirited disagreements, but for some reason it seemed that Councilman Steve Adams was egging Councilman Davis on by the following statement.  “Are you feeling that you weren’t handled appropriately?”  …….Nope, we can handled it now, you just made the statement, Adams said.  Would you like to call for an independent investigation? So that you make sure that your rights are upheld, Adams continued.  “Steve!”, Davis answered, “the information that we discussed was that it was in position that it should have been handle.  Now a statement comes out that says that in fact it was ‘founded.’”  “That is the report that was given”, Steve said…  Davis then said, “that my understanding is that one piece of this is not ‘founded’.”  The mayor then intervened as stated that the conclusion of the report was that it was ‘founded.’

Davis went on to say that “I have great difficulty with what was just read by city attorney’s office that was not discussed.”

Even Councilman Mike Gardner layed in his two cents with all the trivial remaining sense he had, and said, “as far as the council is concerned, it’s now done”.

It appears that there were parts that complaint that were ambiguously discussed behind closed doors, then an occurrence unbeknownst to him happened.  The complaint was ‘founded’.  Not a simple complaint now, it now evolved to a ‘harassment’ and ‘discrimination’ complaint.  In TMC’s opinion the lines of separation are evident, and the damage of an unaligned railroad apparent.

“The damage is done,” Davis said.

As a kids game, when you are no longer wanted as part of the pack, the bullying happens and is becomes apparent.. for whatever reason..the munimob has spoken..you can’t question it, it just is…

It appears that there were parts that complaint that were ambiguously discussed behind closed doors by ‘the City’, then an occurrence unbeknownst to him happened.  The complaint was ‘founded’.  Not a simple complaint now, it now evolved to a ‘harassment’ and ‘discrimination’ complaint.

We understand now that not even an interview of the incident was given to Councilman Davis, it appears to be a complete violation of procedure, as many are weighing in.  It’s no secret to many of Councilman’s Davis’s relationship with Priamos, and even with other councilman, such Steve Adam’s, who also put his two cents worth on the issue.  Now it’s also not uncommon to see Priamos with Adams at a local watering hole such as Mazz at the Riverside Plaza.  But others are asking now is this retaliation toward a tape of Priamos released last week at City Council, which of course the tape had nothing to do with Councilman Davis, but simply a breach within his own office.  At City Council, former Deputy Attorney Raychelle Sterling weighed in toward Councilman Mike Gardner that Priamos would call him an ‘idiot’ at staff meetings. “ I don’t know why you support the city attorney.”  We found he also called Councilman Bailey an ‘idiot’, as well.  She went further to state that Councilman Adams is a liability to the city.

So why is Priamos acting this way?  We go back in time and ask the questions on certain incidents.  The episode and complaint against former Councilman Dom Betro yelling inappropriatly and making threatening comments on Main Street at Kevin Dawson and his daughter, what did Priamos say then? Nothing..  What about the Valmont Graham discrimination case? Where Councilman Bailey may have had a part in Officer Graham not getting promoted, due to a percieved perception.  Now costing the taxpayer extrodinary litigation expenses because of a misunderstanding?  It’s been perceived that Priamos protects those he has relationships with, and others he doesn’t.  Even though he says he serves at the pleasure of the council, a different turn of event occurs behind the close doors of the Priamos office.  Many at this time are beginning to think, doesn’t the City Attorney represents and protects the needs of the community against liabilities?  Well think again, there is a whole other set of dynamics that don’t include the taxpayer, the employer.  Possibly as some have said, a whole other culture has developed at City Hall.  Viewing the incident, we know that Councilman Davis has been the sole person to vote for another ambulance company entering the boundaries of the City, such as Mission Ambulance. Could we say that the complaint by the fire inspector suspicious?  It was filed solely based on perception? Perception than now became harassment and discrimination.  Perception sure has exploded.  Let’s also not forget Priamos friendship with Peter Hubbard who runs AMR (American Medical Response).  The following is a transcribed letter of the original,  written by Priamos to the law firm representing Mission Ambulance, and telling them they cannot send a representative to City Council in order to lobby for them.

CLICK IMAGE TO VIEW LETTER

Let’s take it a step further, his friendship with Councilman Steve Adams.  We have witnesses who seen them together at one of their favorite watering holes, the Salted Pig.  Okay, now I’m beginning to think is this whole episode politically motivated?  We forgot to say that Councilman Davis also spoke with Fire Chief Steve Earley, who state he could not comment on the complaint.

Fire Chief Earley is also a friend of AMR’s Peter Hubbard.  There has been some talk around town that Peter Hubbard (AMR) hosted Tim Stack (President of the Riverside City Firefighter Union) and Wendy Stack’s wedding reception at Peter Hubbard’s home.  We shouldn’t be surprised, after all, this is River City and screwing is king…

Of course, you know there is more to come… stayed tuned for another episode of “As Riverside Turns Your Stomach”.

“Elected officials aren’t typically involved in such investigations”… yes, that’s right. The difference here is that the staff is completely out of  control, and have repeatedly demonstrated a complete disregard for the citizens they serve. When people complain about “out of control government” this is what they’re complaining about. The staff does what they want, when they want without regard to their elected officials. Totally unacceptable. We need stronger and  better oversight on the council.   -Jim Stewart, Commenter on the PE

Yes, let’s have the city pay to block off some streets for a food truck festival and then not allow the food trucks we invited to the city to sell their food. Good for Davis for getting upset at that kind of nonsense. I was at a separate event with food trucks and the county inspectors were waiting at the gates of the event like rabid dogs. Using selective enforcement to single out and shut down businesses is one of the reasons why this state is in the mess it is in.  -John Rockwell, Commenter on the PE

Let’s start a forum of stories about fire inspectors being rude.  – Sharon Marshall, Commenter on the PE

So the city hires private investigators to handle complaints involving elected officials. Good! Now perhaps they can investigate the ones who allegedly  violated the city charter by interfering in the police department’s promotional process.   – Mary Shelton, Commenter on the PE

But this complaint is politically motivated, plain and simple – Paul questions the kickback given by AMR to the fire chief, and then this happens. It’s ridiculous.  – Jim Stewart, Commenter on the PE

If I were mayor pro tem, and was running for that very office, I might have used the “Face Time” for more strategic issues facing our city, and not bickering over an issue which has yet to be resolved.  – Ron Woodbury, Commenter on the PE

UPDATE: 08/29/2012: A REPORT FROM THE PRESS ENTERPRISE IS STATING THAT COUNCILMAN DAVIS’S COMPLAINT HAS BEEN RESOLVED.  NOW THAT THE DUST HAS SEEMED TO SETTLE, WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FROM CITY ATTORNEY PRIAMOS’S NEXT PERFORMANCE EVALUATION?

JUST FOR LAUGHS PERSPECTIVE..

RIVERSIDE FORGOTTEN…RIVERSIDE MAIN STREET MALL, CIRCA 1966

TMC, RATED RIVERSIDE’S MOST “SLANDEROUS” AND MEZZSPELLED, “MISSPELLED” AND “OPINIONATED” BLOG SITE!  TEMPORARILY BLOCKED BY THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE AT PUBLIC ACCESS SITES WITHIN THE CITY, THEN UNBLOCKED.  I GUESS YOU CANNOT DO THAT ACCORDING TO ACLU.  PROUDLY RATED ONE STAR (POSSIBLY DOWN TO ZERO FROM OUR LAST ACCOUNTS) OUT OF FIVE IN TERMS OF COMMUNITY APPROVAL RATINGS..  TMC IS NOW EXCLUSIVELY ON FILE WITH THE COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE’S DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE FOR GOOD REASON, AND PROSSIBLY POSSIBLY ON FILE WITH THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE’S POTENTIAL SLAPP SUIT LIST, FOR GOOD REASON… WE WILL HAVE TO ASK GREGORY ABOUT THAT ONE ( OUR PEOPLE WILL HAVE TO CONTACT HIS PEOPLE)… AGAIN, THANK-YOU COMMUNITY OF RIVERSIDE AND THE CITY OF RIVERSIDE EMPLOYEE’S FOR YOUR SUPPORT!   COMMENTS ALWAYS WELCOMED, ESPECIALLY SPHALL SPELL CHECKERS!  EMAIL ANONYMOUSLY WITH YOUR DIRT OR CONTACT US BY THE FOLLOWING EMAIL ADDRESS! CONTRIBUTORS WILL ALWAYS BE PROTECTED… YES, WE EXPECT THE JAIL TIME FOR THAT ONE…  THIRTYMILESCORRUPTION@HOTMAIL.COM