Sharon Wolff1
Member since Jan 16, 2010
Recent Comments
Re: “‘Bad Optics’ Hang Over Auditor-Controller Contract”
The fact that KPD has ignored the standard process for a contract is incredibly significant if anyone cares about ethics here. There is a clearly documented process and standard templates for county contracts and there is the letter of intent that is to be used if services are needed quickly and the contract will take time to get through the process. This is standard county business for contract development and what KPD did here is absolutely in violation of the county rules and processes...thereby making it ripe for fraud potential.
She paid the invoices out immediately without a signed contract or letter of intent in place? She promptly created vendor numbers in the fiscal system for this specific payout...ask any county department fiscal staff what it takes to get KPD to provide a vendor number (or anything else) to them.
The simple logistics of what KPD did with this specific contract should be questioned - get a copy of the county P&P's on contract development and the approval process and compare.
Re: “'Opportunities for Fraud'”
Making serious allegations of wrongdoing without bringing a single piece of paper to help back up a single thing she said? What kind of an auditor doesn't know to have the documentation to back up their "findings?" I am afraid that the immaturity and lack of managerial skills that have been on display by the A-C is harming the community.
I have made serious allegations of wrongdoing in the Superior Court Probate Division with a local prominent attorney who is having Alzheimer's patients sign legal papers she draws up to hand over custody of themselves and their estates to her clients. The difference is that I provide the documentation to validate the claim - available at http://www.riodelltimes.com/Court/BarbaraC…
Re: “Power and Control”
I wish I could be surprised any more by what goes on around here. Nepotism and cronyism is the rule of the game here for years now. They protect their own at all costs. If you want a good read, check out the investigative report into public works that found felony level embezzlement of public resources (http://www.riodelltimes.com/FreedomofInfor…). Notice how many witnesses were interviewed and knew all about it. Worst kept secret in town. The well-known activities involved many more people than just the public works director but was covered up by city hall, including the police chief and his brother in law no doubt.
Re: “Taking on City Hall”
It is up to every citizen to participate in their government; democracry relies on this. Whether or not there is a better option for the water tank is a fairly basic question that should be clearly answered before going forward. It shouldn't take court actions to get the answer. It isn't uncommon for the municipalities to stonewall public information requests, almost as a threat to their authority. Buring your opponent in paper is also a common technique used as a delay tactic when you are forced to turn over information.
The Rio Dell wastewater treatment plant project is a perfect example of not fully considering all options right off the bat rather than just the new plant that they already wanted. After spending thousands of dollars on studies by Winzler & Kelly and holding numerous public meetings, the city has reversed course on the project entirely. Rather than put the wastewater treatment plant at the old Eel River Sawmill site, as the city has been planning for years now, and after annexing the area specifically for this project, the city decided they will improve the existing site which will save millions (they will still dishcarge the treated effluent on the Mozzetti property in Metropolitan). The very few citizens that have attended meetings over the years have been asking why we didn't just improve the existing plant (which everyone agrees is in terrible condition) and the city has always said that it wasn't feasible. The city had high aspirations for grant money that hasn't all come through as planned. At the last city council meeting, the council reversed direction completely due to cost (the new plant was projected to cost $16.7 million). Improving the existing site is an appropriate option for repairing the plant but that decision could have been made years ago. The Fortuna City Council needs to re-consider every possible option in consideration of the current economy and determine what is in the best interests of the citizens. The council is charged with making these hard decisions based on what is best overall and should be able to clearly explain why it is the best possible choice. It is a shame that more individuals don't ask these types of questions and participate in their local government.
Re: “‘Bad Optics’ Hang Over Auditor-Controller Contract”
Facts still matter to some folks around here https://soundcloud.com/riodelltimes/karen-…