It is difficult to imagine that a major national newspaper, the Los Angeles Times, would characterize one of Los Angeles’ neighbors as, “… a criminal enterprise posing as a city government.” That is how this December 27 Los Angeles Times editorial referred to nearby Vernon, California.
So corrupt is Vernon’s city government believed to be that one California lawmaker has proposed legislation to have the state unincorporate the city. In an earlier editorial on December 13, the Los Angeles Times disagreed with such a harsh action even while acknowledging the newspaper, “… dislike[s] the idea of city functionaries raiding public coffers to become millionaires.”
Well, then why didn’t the Vernon residents just vote the plunderers out? That is pretty well explained in these quotes from a New Jersey newspaper article .
Jaime Regalado, director of the Edmund G. “Pat” Brown Institute of Public Affairs at California State University, Los Angeles, said of the Vernon city council, “They essentially have lifetime gigs. Elections don’t seem to be fair, very few of the residents, few as they are, bother to vote and the elections are not competitive anyway because the electoral base seems to be almost owned by those in power.”
Four years ago, when a group of outsiders arrived in the city, registered to vote and attempted to run for office, Vernon officials declared the one residence they moved into a fire hazard and evicted them.
As the editorials and news articles reveal, a corrupt city is what results when private individuals are allowed to exploit state laws for personal gain.
Yep, I believe this area is corrupt and this session will show us how corrupt the entire state is. (Like we didn’t know already) Now, I am waiting for those folks that nab those high profile corrupt areas to get their mitts into this area. I like to think there is an undercover investigation that we don’t know about. It’s bound to happen – Idaho has flown under the radar for too long. They should start with the Idaho State Tax Commission and work their way through that rat’s nest. It will be one of the biggest exposures in history – that is why it’s taking so long. There was a reason our legislators would not pass simple disclosure laws (like almost all states in the union) and folks like Kate Kelly decided to move on.
Comment by Stebbijo — December 27, 2010 @ 8:03 am
Stebbijo,
The Idaho State Police crime statistics for 2009 strongly suggest there really is no corruption in Idaho. Look at this excerpt from the 2009 Crime Report. Wow! Only two bribery arrests by Idaho’s finest in 2009! There’s two ways to interpret that. First, there is no bribery in Idaho. Second, the bribery of Idaho’s public officials is being underreported, underinvestigated, and underprosecuted.
Call me crazy, but I’m betting it’s the latter. My observation seems to be borne out by comments attributed to state Senator Chuck Winder (R-Boise) in this IdahoReporter.com article by Jay Patrick.
Winder laments lost revenue from the illegal use of untaxed diesel fuel, and he wants legislation to stop it. (Cue the audio of righteous indignation and harrumphing.) But then he goes on to say he doesn’t want the Idaho State Police to enforce the law, because, ““We don’t want to put law enforcement officers in situations where they’re confronting the public.” His action and comment should help people understand exactly why criminal behavior in Idaho goes underreported, underinvestigated, and underprosecuted. Citizens need to be very concerned when legislators pass laws without any corresponding enforcement. Unenforceable laws make empty-suit legislators puff with pride and look good to the folks in their districts, but they do nothing to protect the public.
Comment by Bill — December 27, 2010 @ 8:28 am
Bill, one can only hope. I am surprized that your home has not been declared a fire hazard, yet. Court doesn’t even work in this state – you are more proof of that. Get the evidence and what happens? The judge lets them sue you so they can try to dismiss it. Unbelievable. Judges can do whatever they want in this state, and they know it. What Judge Hosack did was absurd! He should have also let you intervene. But, once you know – you know.
Comment by Stebbijo — December 27, 2010 @ 9:37 am