Disqus - Latest Comments for tamanend

Re: http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/community/ci_16826710

tamanend — Sat, 11 Dec 2010 12:11:11 -0000

The article said 49 officers participated in a raid where only one person arrested possessed any drugs. The other "arrestees" had warrants and one had "paraphernalia". Oh, and here's a shocker they found two underage people inside.

One can go to any bar in Santa Cruz and find at least one person in possession of something illegal at any given time.

Nice effort officers but "where's the beef"? What exaclty are "related" arrests for teh past six monthew all ovewr town? Or, could this be some headline grabbing innuendo by Capt - wanna be chief - Steve Clark? Hmmm.

Re: GilroyDispatch.com | Residents: Police should give warnings, not fines, for minor infractions

tamanend — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 20:39:11 -0000

I think in the case of Corvette's that officers probably take pity on the drivers mid life crisis, loss of hair, and erectile issues.

Re: HollisterFreelance.com | A revival to the downtown rally?

tamanend — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 11:31:44 -0000

The Top Hatters are a Hells Angels affiliate. The Angels use stooges like the Top Hatters, Ghost Mountain Riders, and other clubs that are not 1%ers in order to avoid RICO. BTW, law enforcement agencies in North America and Europe consider the HA a criminal organization.

Their overt sexism, racism, use of violence, drugs, and weapons make them deeply anti-social in my book, regardless of their protestations of innocence. Even cursory research into the Angels show a long history of criminal convictions in the US and overseas.

Wearing matching clothing and joining gangs is anything but a display of individualism. Its where cowards and the deeply insecure hide behind a carefully cultivated image of violence and intimidation.

Finally, their treatment of women is disgusting.

Re: HollisterFreelance.com | A revival to the downtown rally?

tamanend — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 11:12:17 -0000

How about Laughlin?

Re: GilroyDispatch.com | Gavilan College Educational Foundation executive director resigns

tamanend — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 00:05:41 -0000

If collecting over $90,000 in salary for raising funds (while you're losing money), misappropriating $170,000 in dedicated funds, and billing your employer for over $25,000 in travel expenses isn't a crime - it should be.

The sex offenses aside, Ken Berry is not a very good fundraiser.

Re: GilroyDispatch.com | Gav board still supports foundation

tamanend — Wed, 05 May 2010 19:47:17 -0000

The $270,000 may be a refund to the Garcia's for their donation toward the construction of a football stadium. Kinsella killed the stadium so they wanted their money back.

Ken Berry had misapporpriated the money, probably in the hopes he could raise more. When fundraising dried up because he is almost totally incapable of raising money the foundation had to answer for the missing funds.

The Foundations 2002 tax returns which are the first returns after its founding show a fund balance of $424,197.00 The Garcia donation is there.

The balance after Gavilan refunds the Garcia's will be near zero.

Re: GilroyDispatch.com | Five Morgan Hill students sent home for wearing American flag T-shirts

tamanend — Wed, 05 May 2010 19:11:47 -0000

They were making the point that while Cinco De Mayo is a day of national pride in Mexico - this is still the United States. If that's incedendiary its because of the Mexican immigrants or the previous writers assertion that we should all be less American on Mexican national holidays.

Come to think of it thats a good idea. Lets renounce our Christianity and cover our churches and crucifixes on Muslim and Jewish holy days and ask that they do the same on Christmas and Easter.

Why is it that the only people who are allowed to be offended are immigrants or people who perceive themselves to be ethnic or religious minorities?

The Live Oak principal should apologize.

Re: GilroyDispatch.com | Gav board still supports foundation

tamanend — Tue, 04 May 2010 02:49:46 -0000

The Freelance is reporting the City of Hollister wants to raise Gavilans rent at the airport. $270,000 would have covered that...

http://www.freelancenews.co...

Re: GilroyDispatch.com | Gav board still supports foundation

tamanend — Tue, 04 May 2010 02:32:12 -0000

Joe Keeler was already a board member of the foundation during this entire debacle. Now he will be in charge of monitoring its finances? What was he doing up to this point?

Why have we not heard from Ken Berry, the executive director? He was well paid both for his time and apparently his travel expenses in that rile. Perhaps he has some answers.

According to today's department head meeting, Kinsella is just plain lying when he says services to students aren't affected. Gavilan is over-enrolled by 300 ftes and facing a $700,000 deficit for Spring 11. In addition he has cancelled Winter inter-session for Winter 11. Sounds like cuts to me.

Re: GilroyDispatch.com | Financial mess at college foundation

tamanend — Sun, 02 May 2010 11:04:13 -0000

There is more here than is being reported. Ken Berry has failed utterly to significantly increase giving via the Foundation he administers. The Foundation may boast that since its creation they have raised 1.4 million dollars - in reality - the Foundation merely acts as a funnel for donations. More simply, generous members have been giving money to Gavilan for years and now the Foundation takes credit for it.

Ken Berry has drawn a salary close to $100,000 at times, and in one tax return the foundation lists his travel expenses at approximately $27,000!

Due to his conviction and his status as a 290 registrant, his relationship with the Gavilan staff and faculty is so toxic that he no longer maintains an office on campus but can be found hanging around the athletic department for most women's sporting events keeping score. Where else would a convicted sex offender be?

So, now Gavilan, which has been depleting its reserves to maintain programming is on the hook for $270,000. The Gavilan board may not have known this was coming but certainly the Foundation board, of which, President Steve Kinsella is a member had to have some idea that the coffers were empty.

I understand that the Foundation had stopped paying its bills some time ago and at least one sport trophy company in town had stopped doing business with them. Where was Athletic Director Ron Hannon in all of this?

Who was minding the shop when the Foundation went into the red to the tune of a quarter of a million dollars?

Re: HollisterFreelance.com | Suspect arrested in San Juan shooting

tamanend — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 10:21:05 -0000

Nice job Tony

Re: HollisterFreelance.com | Breaking down the donors in local races

tamanend — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 02:57:35 -0000

Should Aramark, a county contractor who provides meals to San Benito County Jail be making political donations to a current county employee - Pat Turturici?

Re: HollisterFreelance.com | Accused child killer's attorney claims incompetence

tamanend — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 00:02:59 -0000

The legal standard for competency is very low. I've heard it said if you can tell the difference between a grapefruit and a judge you're competent.

This is nothing more than due diligence by her lawyer.

She knew which end of the gun to point and fire at her defenseless child. She's competent.

Re: HollisterFreelance.com | Letters: Rodrigues' father reacts to sentence

tamanend — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 01:13:42 -0000

Isn't it possible that the 12 members of the jury were able to understand that the evidence was limited to the victims statements and some witness and 911 tape corroboration? They reached their verdict based on that testimony and clearly gave it serious consideration.

As for pre-trial publicity and the denial of a change of venue, I think that Mikes supporters are overestimating how "informed" most San Benito County residents are. Thousands of new residents have come to the county in the last ten years and have no idea about Mikes long and checkered history. Its the old timers who are trapped in their own self important and inbred thinking.

I know Mike. I know his strengths and his weaknesses. On some days he have the people of San Benito County good service but those days are over-shadowed by a self indulgent and selfish lifestyle that left many lives in ruins and children who deserved better, fatherless. I don't know if he is a rapist but the jury thought so.

Im sure that Ron is angry about his sons conviction and sentence. Its a natural reaction for a father but, it doesn't make him right.

Re: HollisterFreelance.com | Rodrigues faces minimum of 60 years in state prison

tamanend — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:43:57 -0000

An ex-cop with a rape jacket? This won't be good in the joint. God have mercy on him.

Re: HollisterFreelance.com | Gang guru 'getting to know the partners'

tamanend — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 08:28:58 -0000

The California Police Activities League? According to Charity Navigator only about half of the money raised for at risk kids through this charity actually gets spent on programming. The rest goes to overhead and yes, more fundraising. The executive director claims a salary of 103,000/yr. I appreciate that Al was a volunteer treasurer but lets hope we get better than 50 cents on the dollar from him.

http://www.charitynavigator...

Re: HollisterFreelance.com | RODRIGUES FOUND GUILTY

tamanend — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 17:15:16 -0000

"South county" affairs? All I ever see down there is cattle and tarantula's... Oh, and that crazy lady near New Idria...

Re: HollisterFreelance.com | Rodrigues' father calls case a 'frame-up'

tamanend — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 01:46:53 -0000

Hey Ron (and Mike). Locating "old" witnesses is called corroboration not a frame up. I guess these are the women you couldn't buy off or get to before court. So, of course, they must be lying...

A peace officers uniform is a public trust and not, an instrument of coercion to be used against unsuspecting women. The line between consent and coercion has been blurred by your shameful use of your position. How many children have your fathered and walked way from? Would they even recognize you?

You may beat the rap tomorrow but you and your daddy know who you are.

Re: HollisterFreelance.com | Bail lowered for suspects in home invasion case

tamanend — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 11:35:01 -0000

The officers are not being charged because they were defending themselves (and the suspect who was in custody in Giddings path) from being run down by the fleeing Gidding. A car is a weapon and is capable of deadly consequences.

Gidding is charged with felony Assault on a Peace Officer. His attempted murder charges were dropped because the DA was unable to prove that Gidding formed the intent to kill anybody "before" trying to run them down. Assault on a Peace Officer (a felony in this case) is the appropriate charge.

Re: HollisterFreelance.com | Arrests made in MH Safeway purse snatchings

tamanend — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 01:42:32 -0000

they dont give a damn about security. they just pass on the cost of theft to the customers

Re: HollisterFreelance.com | Attempted murder charge dropped for accused home invader

tamanend — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 23:20:01 -0000

"He doesn't know why". Are you serious? Nine year olds use that excuse.

Sounds like you're a good friend but not a very objective one.

Re: HollisterFreelance.com | Attempted murder charge dropped for accused home invader

tamanend — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 20:03:16 -0000

As an adult, parent, and a veteran I hold him to a higher standard. He CHOSE to squander his future. No one did that for him.

Re: HollisterFreelance.com | Attempted murder charge dropped for accused home invader

tamanend — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 00:55:59 -0000

What about the people he robbed and zip tied up?

Re: HollisterFreelance.com | Cop car, restaurant building damaged in alleged DUI wreck

tamanend — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 15:44:35 -0000

Operating the red light and siren is only required "when reasonably necessary". It is not required merely when an officer exceeds the posted speed limit or commits any other violation while attempting to respond to an emergency call or catch a violator.

According to the OPD policy you posted the action the deputy was engaged in is not a pursuit. Attempting to catch a violator is not a pursuit. Officers exceed the speed limit everyday attempting to catch violators and do so without activating their emergency lights and sirens. The question is are other motorists required to yield to them when they do so. The answer is no, until they activate their emergency lights.

Further, whether or not the deputy in question had his emergency light on or not, the other motorist is required to stop and not enter traffic (in this case 4th St. ) until it is safe to do so.

OPD's definition of a pursuit follows: A Vehicle Pursuit is an event involving one or more law
enforcement officers attempting to apprehend a subject operating a
motor vehicle while the subject is trying to avoid arrest by using
high speed driving or other evasive tactics. A failure to yield does
not constitute a pursuit unless the driver's actions demonstrate the
above factor.

Re: HollisterFreelance.com | Cop car, restaurant building damaged in alleged DUI wreck

tamanend — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 15:34:33 -0000

There is no 15 mph over the posted speed limit, limit placed on emergency vehicles.

21055. The driver of an authorized emergency vehicle is exempt from Chapter 2 (commencing with Section 21350), Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 21650), Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 21800), Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 21950), Chapter 6 (commencing with 22100), Chapter 7 (commencing with Section 22348), Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 22450), Chapter 9 (commencing with Section 22500), and Chapter 10 (commencing with Section 22650) of this division, and Article 3 (commencing with Section 38305) and Article 4 (commencing with Section 38312) of Chapter 5 of Division 16.5, under all of the following conditions:
(a) If the vehicle is being driven in response to an emergency call or while engaged in rescue operations or is being used in the immediate pursuit of an actual or suspected violator of the law or is responding to, but not returning from, a fire alarm, except that fire department vehicles are exempt whether directly responding to an emergency call or operated from one place to another as rendered desirable or necessary by reason of an emergency call and operated to the scene of the emergency or operated from one fire station to another or to some other location by reason of the emergency call.

(b) If the driver of the vehicle sounds a siren as may be reasonably necessary and the vehicle displays a lighted red lamp visible from the front as a warning to other drivers and pedestrians.

A siren shall not be sounded by an authorized emergency vehicle except when required under this section.