BOS 3 UPDATE: Candidate Neil Derry's Hypocrisy And Doublespeak Exposed
Posted by: Red Writer | 05/03/2008 8:38 PM
San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors candidate Neil Derry's hypocrisy in his effort to oust popular incumbent Supervisor Dennis Hansberger has entered into the realm of the absurd. A recent mass mailing from the supervisorial hopeful (described here) blasts alleged ethical lapses in both the supervisor Derry wishes to replace as well as current news surrounding the Office of the County Assessor.
In issuing the campaign mailer referenced above, Neil Derry becomes the first - and so far, only - candidate for the Third District to begin a negative mail campaign against an opponent.
What makes Neil Derry's attack piece unique is the rank hypocrisy he displays in it by highlighting the recent news surrounding County Assessor Postmus' office.
Although it is premature to speculate on the nature of the county district attorney's office inquiry into the assessor's office, it should not go unnoticed that Dennis Hansberger was the lone supervisor to NOT endorse Bill Postmus' candidacy for assessor back in 2006.
Neil Derry has ties to Bill Postmus and his political machine. Neil Derry's first campaign consultant was MPR Strategies - a political consulting firm that area media have identified as being closely associated with Assessor Postmus. A top advisor to Derry's campaign is Jim Erwin who served as a chief lieutenant to the current occupant in the Assessor's Office. Erwin's background includes that of being a principal functionary in the politicallly powerful county deputy sheriff's union - where Erwin showered Postmus with campaign funds.
Neil Derry's biggest campaign donor for his supervisorial campaign is the Sheriff's Employee's Benefit Association (SEBA), the union representing county law enforcement personnel. Its head is controversial union boss Bill Abernathie.
Abernathie's name has surfaced on several internet weblogs in recent days due to his past. In 1988, Derry's most significant donor was involved in a sex scandal in which he was arrested and tried for sexual battery and forcible rape. Abernathie would be acquitted on allcharges yet the lurid details of the incident remain as archived news.
Neil Derry promises ethics reform, but issues the first (and misleading) negative hit piece on his opponent. He blasts his opponent on alleged ethical lapses, but associates himself with political operatives that may be at the heart of a criminal inquiry.
Doublespeak and hypocrisy the Neil Derry way.
Hmmmm. I don't think Hansberger being fined $6,000 by the FPPC is "alleged". Seems pretty clear to anyone with a brain. And voting on his girlfriends contracts, $18 million worth? Notice how "Red Writer" left those "alleged" issues out?
And all of these investigations on Hansberger's watch, just as Hlawek and Mays were too. Nope, sounds like fair game for a reprint of news headlines. Corruption still does abound in San Bernardino County, and Hansberger is part and parcel.
Dennis Hansberger has been a great leader in our community for many years and this is coming from someone who has resided in his District since his first run many years ago.
Derry and his people are all not respected out here and known to be shady. Plus Derry is just running off of everything Hansberger has already been working on and pledges to continue working on...
What has Hansberger done?
There's still corruption, his Chief of Staff resigned, he can't really name any accomplishments other than getting a few dollars for nickel and dime projects here and there.
$18 million for his girlfirend and her pay almost doubles!!!!
Give me a break.........
You people need to get real. Hansberger isn't getting re-elected. You know it and so does everyone else. Well, except Hansberger.
Yeah, hi... hmmm.... let's see here... Derry's campaign manager,Jim Erwin, is known for his corruption and shadiness out here. Not to mention he had an affair out here with another County employee- then he helps her try to win her LAWSUIT against the County- YOUR TAXPAYING MONEY... look's like Derry sure knows how to choose the most ethical people to run his campaign. Doesn't this speak volumes of his characters to you folks? WAKE UP!!!
has certain bloggers forgot that Erwin left the Assessor's office on his own valition? Why? Because he did not want to be associated with Postmus any longer...I think that says a lot for the man. I would not be surprised to learn that Erwin was the catalyst for the DA investigation.
Mr Erwin didn't leave by personal choice. He was the cause of many problems between the Board of Supes and the Assessor's Office, and was eventually asked to resign. True, erwin would probably have resigned regardless, but not because he wished to hold some moral high ground. He's just as troublesome as Postmus or Aleman or any of the others.
It says alot that Dennis employs one of the biggest "Dirty Tricksters" in the County (Jim Rissmiller). Because of this and his own shady deals Dennis' chickens are finally coming home to roost.