Berardino Calls for Street Recall

August 28, 2007 Uncategorized 8

This morning at a 10:00 AM Press Conference Nick Berardino, General Manager of the Orange County Employee’s Association called for a non-partisan effort to Recall Treasurer/Tax Collector Chriss Street.  H/T to Matt Cunningham over at RedCounty/OCBlog for doing his usual good work and recording the festivities for all to see.

Here is Nick’s statement.  There is also some good coverage here and here from Peggy Lowe over at the Orange County Register’s Total Buzz. Even Larry Gilbert at Orange Juice, moron that he is got into the act and covered the press conference here. I have to admit a certain level of disgust at Larry’s comments and moronic analysis, but I’m linking to them anyway.

Statement of Nick Berardino
General Manager
Orange County Employees Association
August 28, 2007

There are occasions when the interests of those who normally find themselves on the opposite side of issues suddenly coincide. Such an occasion has presented itself over the past weeks and months here in Orange County. Therefore, today the Orange County Employees Association is calling on all proponents of good government in Orange County to establish a joint Committee for the Recall of Chriss Street as Orange County Treasurer-Tax Collector.

OCEA makes this appeal to begin the recall of Chriss Street in a completely non-partisan manner.  We are calling on the Democratic, Republican, and Libertarian Parties of Orange County, all Orange County elected officials, the Lincoln Club of Orange County, the New Majority, labor, and all others who believe, as we do, that integrity in government wears no party label, and that the residents of Orange County deserve and demand public servants whose personal conduct in and out of office is beyond reproach.  We will be relying on such people and organizations to work with us to establish, manage, and execute the recall effort.

Calling for the recall of an elected official is no small matter. OCEA recognizes the seriousness of taking this action. OCEA has never in its history called for or supported the recall of an elected official, and it does so now with great reluctance.

Unfortunately, OCEA now believes that Chriss Street’s ability to properly and effectively fulfill his duties as the elected Treasurer-Tax Collector of our County has been irreparably damaged.

As of today, it has been reported that Mr. Street is or has been the subject of recent investigations by:

• the U.S. Attorney’s Office
• the Orange County District Attorney
• the Department of Labor, and
• the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation

He has now been accused of engaging in bidding irregularities since assuming office.

Mr. Street claims that these are merely accusations and investigations. We would simply respond that the number and seriousness of the accusations and investigations against him have now escalated to the point that the trust and confidence voters placed in him cannot be regained, and that he cannot effectively carry out the obligations of his office.

OCEA previously called on Mr. Street to resign and that call has been echoed throughout the County since it was made. It would still be in everyone’s best interest, including Mr. Street’s, if he would take that action. But if Mr. Street refuses to act in the best interests of the residents Orange County, OCEA calls on all proponents of good government, regardless of their political affiliation, to establish a committee to recall Chriss Street as Orange County Treasurer-Tax Collector.

Orange County Employees Association
830 N. Ross St.
Santa Ana, CA 92701
www.oceamember.org
Phone – (714) 835-3355
Fax – (714) 835-7654
nberardino@oceamember.org

8 Comments

  1. Chris:

    Obviously you view government through a philosophical lens than Larry Gilbert. But he is anything but a moron, and calling him such is completely uncalled for. Larry would certainly never do such to you. He is an intelligent conservative whose posts are remarkably void of personal rancor.

  2. I saw Larry speak during the Measure M campaign and am inclined to agree with Prevatt on this one.
    Larry came off as an angry, self-righteous guy who was not willing to listen to alternative viewpoints.
    Just one person’s observation.

  3. Publius,

    For once I agree with Matt. Larry is no moron. He is passionate about the issues he cares about, but that does not make him a moron.

    And if he can’t tolerate other views, then blogging at the Orange Juice must be driving him nuts! LOL

  5. Matt & Art,

    I read the definition of moron as an idiot, or idiotic. I find trying to compare the matter of a call for a recall of Chris Street to Gray Davis, Nativo Lopez, and even Robert Citron to be idiotic. There is no relationship at all between them. Further, tht allegations against Citron, as I recall, was that he was making risky investments, not that he was leveraging the entire investment fund to make risky investments. The problem for Citron was the leveraging, not what he invested in.

    So based upon my understanging of the definition of moron, in the matter of Larry’s post; he’s a moron.

    I will yield that he may not always be a moron.

    And I’m glad that I could contribute something towards bringing Matt and Art together again.:)

  6. Chris-

    Moron is a pretty offensive term. And unnecessary. Larry’s posts–while often long and hard starbord, are pretty civil personally. Publius may be right about the Measure M campaign–I thought Larry was going to morph into Col. Kurtz during that campaign–but generally he’s pretty nice.

    An intelligent person can utter stupid remarks. We all do. A suggestion: revise and extend your remarks by deleting any reference to larry as a moron and characterize his analysis as moronic or stupid or whatever you deem best.

  8. Chris. Your inabilty see the parallel between Nativo Lopez and Chris Street surely surprises me. Part of the Treasurer debate relates to his endeavors outside of his public office and his being investigated by Federal Agencies. The issue that concerns me the most is the questionable contract award. The same applies to Nativo and Hermandad. Perhaps the following stories from the Register and one from Google will refresh your memory.
    ————————————————————————————————–
    Orange County Register, Thursday, March 24, 2005

    Nativo Lopez revisited

    Anyone who still wonders why Santa Ana voters overwhelmingly dumped political activist Nativo Lopez from the school board in 2003 ought to pay attention to the Register’s Wednesday article explaining how a “consultant who got [a] no-bid contract from [the] Santa Ana school board gave $105,509 to [a] group linked to board member” Lopez.

    As the Register reported, the contractor, Del Terra, was defended by Mr. Lopez and his allies when school officials complained about the contractor’s inaction with regard to the school construction program.

    Del Terra’s contributions to Citizens in Action, the community group Lopez founded, kept the organization afloat. The group also rented space to other Lopez-affliliated organizations – at a large financial loss over a five-year period.

    Mr. Lopez was controversial not only for his agenda, which promoted bilingual education and left-wing ethnic politics, but for the questionable financial dealings of his immigrant-rights group, Hermandad Mexicana Nacional. The federal government dropped a lawsuit against Hermandad, but Citizens in Action “paid $639,000 to settle claims that it hid Hermandad assets from federal seizure,” the Register reported.

    Mr. Lopez has commented little since his electoral come-uppance two years ago.

    We hope this recent article remains fresh in the public’s mind should he ever try to bring his divisive racial politics back for an encore.
    ————————————————————————————————
    LOPEZ IS PRESIDENT of the Mexican American Political Association and a leading force behind Hermandad Mexicana Nacional (Mexican National Brotherhood), a tax-exempt non-profit formed to aid undocumented workers which nevertheless dabbles in partisan affairs–so much so that it’s been the subject of an election-fraud investigation.Until last year, “Nativo” (his real first name is Larry) was a Democrat. Then he switched to the Green party to join the Nader-Camejo presidential juggernaut. Lopez’s own brush with elected office was even more calamitous. Elected a decade ago to a seat on the Santa Ana school board of trustees, Lopez was recalled by residents of Orange County (just months before Gray Davis met the same fate) for his refusal to comply with California’s Proposition 227, which ended bilingual education in public schools. The recall vote wasn’t close: Lopez lost by a 40-point margin. He said he wanted to make Spanish California’s primary language; he was rejected in every precinct of the most Spanish-speaking city in America.
    —————————————————————————————————
    Chris. Is it your position that anyone who questions partisan favoritism is an idiot? If so have at me. Did you speak out, at any time, in opposition to Nativo? If not, why not? Be consistent if you wish to have any credibility.
    Thanks to all those who defended the poor choice of words to characterize me. And thank you Chris for making the changes. Larry G

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