OC Blog News Roundup -- April 30, 2006

Today's top stories and commentary from behind the Orange Curtain:

OCR in HB: Sewage leak restricts beaches.

OCR on What to expect from the boycott.  In part,

Santa Ana police plan to be on tactical alert Monday with a contingent of officers at the station. More officers could be called in and placed on standby if needed. The department will also rely on mutual aid from the county if required, said Sgt. Lorenzo Carrillo...

Jon Fleischman, Orange County sheriff's spokesman, said the department, which services 12 cities and unincorporated communities, has no special plans but is constantly assessing the situation. The department will stay flexible and may be called upon by other police agencies in the county, he said...

OCR: Activists urge Latinos to boycott.  Larry Lopez slimes up the front page.

OCR's Bunis: Reporter takes a journey into an immigration hot spot.

OCR editorial dismayed by CA Senate Boycott Resolution-- how about OUTRAGED: What's the point of the boycott?

It needs to be said, and a front page, so OCR's Greenhut lays it down: Great Park heist is now complete.  His lead,

The most amazing heists are the ones that take place in broad daylight, with everyone watching but no one paying attention.  That’s what happened last week in Irvine, and even though county officials know about it, none of them has uttered a peep in protest.  For those who missed it – and it was easy to miss, given the general lack of discussion – three Irvine City Council members walked off with the Orange County Great Park. They quietly passed a resolution late Tuesday night that turns the Great Park Corp. Board of Directors into a meaningless advisory board, then gives all financial control to the city of Irvine.

LAT with more on Placentia: Wounded Placentia Dreams On.

LAT's Parsons on Sheriff Photogenic: Carona's Party Isn't Just the GOP.  In part,

"The stories that have run have caused some concern by some members," says party chairman Scott Baugh, "but the prevailing sentiment is that the sheriff has done a great job and much of what is out there is the product of people who are disgruntled by situations that have occurred in the past." 

...We all know the GOP would have a field day if Carona were a Democrat, but Baugh notes, properly, that nothing has been proved against Carona. The GOP central committee isn't an investigative arm, he says, adding: "So, we're letting these things play themselves out. More often than not, it's much ado about nothing."  To his credit, Baugh wasn't the least defensive in discussing Carona. If members thought the worst things said about Carona were true, he says, the sheriff probably wouldn't get the endorsement.  "We support incumbent Republicans, as a general rule," Baugh says. "That's what we're doing. That's not to say there wasn't some controversy and debate [before endorsing Carona]…. I think the body is giving him the benefit of the doubt and believe he's the best man for the job."

Comments

[Carona's Chum]

Mike Carona's chum, Larry "Nativo" Lopez,
got his mug front and center on the OC Register in favor of the illegal alien boycott.

Carona, who twice endorsed Lopez, must be very proud to see his friend get the media attention for such a newsworthy story of American patriotism.

Vote for Mike Carona - Mexico's Sheriff!

GUNS AND BADGES

If you compare the list of donors to Carona's campaign with the list of PSRs, (those non-sworn members of the Sheriff's Reserve Division, who carry badges), you'll see the same names on both lists.

Up until about a year ago every application for PSR automatically came with a CCW application, whether they asked for it or not. Badges and guns for a group of campaign donating civilians who attended a week-end bus tour of Sheriff's department facilities.

Sorry Scott, Republicans, and Democrats for that matter, aren't buying it.

As you say, "nothing PROVED against him," but between this misuse of his position with PSRs, photos of him swearing in crime associates inside bars with drinks in their hands and women wearing his uniform in hotel rooms, we would like to think we could rely on your ethical leadership to make the right decision for the party instead of for your friend.

FROM CARONA CHRONICLES

How come Carona's own organized crime unit couldn't put a case on Rizzolo? Oh yeah...that wouldn't be smart career-wise. How come the OC Weekly did a better job of investigating Rizzolo/Carona than his own investigators. Oh...yeah, I already answered that question.

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green to blue
4/30/2006 8:48:44 AM

poster 8:39
I don't think they have an organized crime unit anymore, they all went to counter-terrorism. Even if they did I doubt they would be doing cases involving Carona...that would be up to the DA. But since that is a corrupt department as well I suspect the AG's office would have to step in. But obviously that haven't bothered either.

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Public Bystander
4/30/2006 9:56:47 AM

Ditto to posts 8:39 and "green to blue"!!!!

Without the Weekly, the OC would be in deep trouble... no one would have any clue about the corruptions in the Sheriff and DA agencies -- that are elected by the people to enforce laws EQUALLY, without conflicts of interest or political spins. What a joke -- still wondering how the DA has escaped public scrutiny in the last months -- we all know that the Sheriff and DA are connected by the same legal and political advisor!

Organized crime in the OC cannot be investigated by the Sheriff or DA -- afterall, political contributions continue to come in from organized crime members..... it is better to play the hero in the public's eyes and move into the counter-terrorism image..

I used to like Carona but now have changed my opinion of him. Nevermind the published scandals and mistakes, I am concerned over the internal issues of the Department.

The problem is Carona is not a true leader of the Department. You not only take credit for the good things your Deputies do, but you also take the blame for the bad things they may do. If he continues to push blame unto his Deputies, he will loose their support even more.

Carona swearing in mobsters in a bar!! Apparently this is acceptable behavior in the OC. Thank you Capt Martin for at least standing up for ethical behavior. Remember, Matt Holder doesn't know squat about police work, nor does he care. He is simply Mike Carona's parking lot VALET!!

PSR/SUPERVISOR Lou Correa !!!

Scott & Lou,

How can we Republicans successfully keep our county politics in line when men like you are undermining our efforts? Stop subordinating our party principles to your personal desires and agenda.

Lou, turn in you Sheriff's Reserve Badge. It is a conflict of interest. You should have been recusing yourself from many items on the agenda.

Scott, be the leader WE need. Step up and stop hiding behind "nothing proved" and "benefit of the doubt." Carona is transparent and will soon be revealed beyond a doubt.

[justice]

Geez, Timmy, that was a blizzard of cut and paste.

Yeah, Scott, get off that "nothing proved" stance- where do you think you are, America or something?

Geez Justice, I wrote a comment above and was advised by someone else who read it first, neither of us being "Timmy."

Whew, thank God this is America or something and we can express ourselves freely.

The problem here is innuendo of impropriety does not resonate with voters! Gates sailed through 24 years of it w/o a hiccup. And some of the allegations against Gates make Carona look like an altar boy!

I think the truly informed campaign watchers are keeping an eye on Carona's reactions to these "relevations." If he starts top panic, it would be an indication he's worried. But I think his most astute handlers are telling him to not lose sleep over that which has been alleged to date.

I don't think that Carona has even started to campaign, has he? If he hasn't, he ain't worried about the primary.

I don't think Hunt has a prayer. It seems Hunt has more skeletons than does Carona. Keep an eye on Martin. He could be victorious should he get the nod from the Lincoln Club!

How come "Timmy" gets balmed for anything not pro Carona?

[Come on Scotty!]

Your nose is growing Scotty!

Baugh says it's much to do about nothing and,"...the sheriff has done a great job and much of what is out there is the product of people who are disgruntled by situations that have occurred in the past."

Yes Scott, we are disgruntled and yes it is because of situations that have occurred in the past and the recent past and also the present and indications are there is more to come.

We have man in the top cop position of the county who has lost the respect and cooperation of other City Police Department Chiefs, lost his own department's endorsement to his opponent from within and is now blaming another one of his own for a mistake that doesn't fit his current political image, (the RSM immigrant maid).

So please stop saying, "..sentiment is that the Sheriff has done a great job.." You must be reading Polbolsky's poll - another badge carrying member of the Sheriff's Reserves. By the way, do you carrying a badge too Scott?

FROM CARONA CHRONICLES

4/30/2006 1:17:28 PM

I have lived my whole life in Orange County and I have worked for the Orange County Sheriff's Dept. for over 20 years. The Dept. is the laughing stock of the county and the Republican Party is a joke.

These Carona haters are nothing more than smokescreens and innuendo. They allege malfeasance and mismanagement around every corner.

The sheriff hasn't been charged with ANYTHING. A lawsuit by a disgruntled former employee hasn't resulted in ANYTHING and a continual attempt by his political opponents to assassinate his character hasn't given them the support they believed would come their way.

The reason for this lack of suport? Simple. They are amateurs. They provide nothing of substance to the voters. They have garnered very little support within the law enforcement comuunity and they don't have a message that resonates.

So what's left to do. Simple. Attack with a barrage of negative stories. Lie, mistate, twist facts. Blame the Sheriff for everything and claim the positives happened in spite of him.

So far, its not working and time is running out!

[I should have had a V-8]

Jon Fleischman, Orange County sheriff's spokesman, said the department, which services 12 cities and unincorporated communities, has no special plans but is constantly assessing the situation. The department will stay flexible and may be called upon by other police agencies in the county, he said...

Wait, I thought Fleischman was the spokesman for that rich guy running for Congress in San Diego

[Why is this smiling?]

Scott Baugh's smiling. That should be sending up red flags to anyone with the sense God gave a lemon.

2:59
Yes you're right you found us out, the pictures were faked: Carona never took a picture with Rizzolo or accepted money from him, Carona never swore in PSRs as reserves in a bar while in uniform, Raymond Yi was never a PSR or Carona's karate master and he never pointed a gun at anyone, a PSR's gun wasn't found in a felon's house, Freddy Glusman never used his badge to curry any favors and never had to resign in disgrace after he tried to use the badge to win an argument, Freddy doesn't really run a resturant in Vegas that caters to mobsters, Carona didn't really hire Jaramillo or Haidl against advice of experts, Grabbard never illegally donated money to Carona's campaign, gave bribes to Jaramillo or benefitted form using department resources, Carona's personal chairty never lost is tax-exempt status because of inappropriate activity and was never forced to close, Carona really remembers the name of the fourth donor to his multi-million $ charity.....and Carona has always made good decisions and has always told the truth, Carona never used Samantha Runnion to further his political career. Carona doens not have a team of body guards and is not known as Brave heart, Carona is a great leader and example to all of law enforcement in California, no wait the whole country.

RIGHT it's all smoke screens and innuendo...AND there's an Easter Bunny, Santa Claus, and Tooth Fairy too....you must be Fleishman...give it up you goof, Carona is an abject failure, disgrace and a charletan...he's a snake oil salesman "FEGITABOUDET"

To 6:00 - great post~

The only thing missing from Carona's resume is a guest spot on "the Sopranos"!

Thank goodness the OC Weekly is on this -- everyone else seems to be ignoring reality.

To the Orange County GOP leaders: clean house, or the voters will do it for you.

Carona's only chance at keeping more embarassing information from coming out is to drop out of the race. You would think he would want to save his family from further frustration and stress. But a leopard can't change his spots and I don't think Carona can place his family above his own political career. It's too bad, because if he wins he'll have to leave office in disgrace when he gets indicted or the the smell of all the lawsuits and junk he got into comes to the surface.

THE PROBLEM WITH CARONA IS THAT ALL OF THIS STARTED WHEN HE DECIDED TO RUN FOR SHERIFF. HE SURROUNDED HIMSELF WITH A CADRE OF MISCREANTS TO DO HIS
DIRTY WORK AND BIDDING SO HE COULD ALWAYS POINT TO SOMEONE ELSE. WHILE
DRAPING HIMSELF IN THE FLAG OF CHRISTIANITY AND FAMILY VALUES HE HAS
REPEATEDLY ASSOCIATED HIMSELF WITH PEOPLE THAT ARE IN DIRECT CONFLICT
WITH "THE MORAL VALUES" HE ESPOUSES.

WE JUST FOUND OUT THAT ONE OF HIS EARLY CONTRIBUTORS AND CAMPAIGN
MANAGERS HAD BEEN ARRESTED FOUR TIMES. THE FIRST ARREST WAS FOR ARMED ROBBERY AND RAPE AND THERE WERE THREE OTHER ARRESTS. CARONA NOT ONLY SUPPORTED THIS GUY BUT ENABLED HIM TO BECOME PROFESSIONALLY LICENSED.

JARAMILLO IS TERRIFIED AND SO ARE OTHERS THAT ARE ON HIS COMPUTER ALL THIS INFORMATION WILL COME TO LIGHT! EVEN THE MOST ARDENT Of SUPPORTERS WOULD HAVE TO CHANGE DIRECTION.

As I watch from the ouside looking in, I am increasingly thankful for being medically disqualified from employment with OCSD.
I am sorry for my friend (#1895) and all the others who proudly and honorably serve in green.
Carona~ stand aside and allow someone else to come in and return the honor to the uniform and department that once boasted of being the best in the nation.

6:00 PM Poster,

Great synopsis.

[Bird ain't sung his last tune]

Keep your eye on George Jaramillo...He ain't done tellin all he knows...He's from the barrio school of eye for an eye and Corona is too smug...George will launch on his old brother Mike before this is done...

08:15 Poster,

So be it, we all reap what we sow.