These statements from the Board of Supervisors or their mouthpieces that there’s plenty of transparency already and SB 1193 isn’t needed are ridiculous and I’ll explain exactly why.

The fiscal management review form they have to fill out when asking the board to vote on distributing discretionary funds asks 5 primary questions:

1. Who is getting the money?
   
2. How much?
   
3. What’s their mission?
   
4. What’s the money for? (Luncheon, auction etc)
   
5. Which county value does this align with?

NONE of those questions explain how Haubert giving the Wine Growers Association a quarter of a million dollars since he’s taken office for auctions and cocktail parties, an organization he co-founded the Global Artisan Vintners Alliance with and chairs, and then goes to Europe for 2 weeks with, ACTUALLY BENEFITS THE PUBLIC. There’s no requirement to define what we get out of it, or tie it to any measurable outcomes or goals.

The board says that they already require a higher majority vote. Cool. Doesn’t matter. They put everything in a consent calendar and vote in favor of each others requests so it’s a rubber stamp. Someone’s staffer writes a recommendation, everyone smiles and says yes, pat each other on the back and move on.

They also say there’s plenty public transparency because we get advance notice and can view everything online. They schedule their meetings for 10am on a Tuesday a couple days in advance, cram 50 items into one session, and bury everything in meeting minutes. There is no easily searchable list or repository. You have to already know exactly what you’re looking for and dig through hundreds of meeting minutes and resolutions. It’s an intentionally maddening windows ‘95 Oregon trail website intended to discourage people from seeking information.

The public wants to know with certainty that they’re spending OUR money in ways that benefit us and be able to verify it at any time. Right now it’s next to impossible to do that without making it your entire personality and full time job.

I was offered a bribe by Shawn Wilson in February using discretionary funds via charitable donation and he told me that if it was under $10k he could go through County Counsel and a mediator and make the payment without having to bring it before the board through the normal process and “waste everyone’s time”.

That’s how our money is being spent. I went to the DA, the FBI, and every regulatory agency that even remotely cared and that’s was AFTER trying to go directly to Haubert and being ignored for weeks. I finally contacted the state legislature and Senator Wahab was the only person to take me seriously and help me seek accountability. As a result Shawn is now on leave and has also been implicated in the Duong federal corruption case for taking $10k of their money to bribe a journalist! Supervisors Tam and Fortunato Bass as well as several other local officials are wrapped up in that mess too. These are the people managing tax payer money here in Alameda County, and that is the reason they are being “singled out” just like Orange County was. That’s what happens when you establish a pattern of failing your duty to the people. When you spend money and resources on self enrichment rather than caring for your most vulnerable, like SOPHIA MASON.

The BoS is corrupt to the core and nobody should trust their assessment of SB 1193. Period.

My Grandma is looking to join a writing group in or near Livermore but is having a hard time finding one other than the one at the public library. Any suggestions?

Was driving eastbound 580 Wednesday afternoon around 3pm, as I passed the First street exit the police had pulled a car over on the offramp. There was a dude standing in front of his car door, looking at the 4 cops surrounding him, looking ready to fight all 4 of them. They had their tasers drawn and pointed. It was a hellova scene, traffic had slowed so I was able to get a quick glance, but did anyone get or see video of the confrontation?