Time, Talent, Temperament & Other Thoughts

Time

My opponent clearly believes in his ability to lead this union, as do some of you. But where’s the record? What has he done for you in the past? What tells you that this is more than a high risk gamble?

Moreover, what makes you think he has the time for union problems now he has been transferred to the lead position in the Central DA gang unit? Cheryl Kersey had a superhuman work ethic, and she was swamped by her deadly serious caseload without being the head of a union!

I, on the other hand, have run this union. I have the sort of position that lends itself to time shifting to meet on union issues. I also have the work ethic that permits me to meet with Doreen Boxer one day, and a frightened young union member late that night.

Talent

I have constantly sought out the talent in all three units to work on Union issues: the finest and most aggressive lawyers to serve as union representatives, a C.P.A. to serve as union Treasurer, good lawyers from the DA, the PD, and Child Support to serve as negotiating team members. I do not know if Mr. Epstein will be able to draw a similar array of talent to his administration, given the brusque manner in which he has previously treated them.

Temperament

I have also listened to these people because I do not have all the answers. I have also heard. I have considered proposals from all quarters, including Fontana. Despite what my opponent wants you think, I have solicited information from all. As a board, we have reached consensus on most issues. Indeed, even though my opponent wants you to think we are fractured, I can only remember one vote that was not unanimous.

My opponent has also raised other issues. Here's what I think about them.


Student Loan Forgiveness

I see Student Loan Forgiveness as something more than a public defender issue. I see it as an issue for all our lawyers.

I ran up $110, 000 in student loans because I chose to go to a private, Jesuit law school. I paid for that decision between 1984 and 2005. I understand what it is like to try to pay off loans on a public attorney’s salary. (And I can tell you, paying them off on a salary much smaller than any you now take home.)

I am always alert to the opportunity for student loan forgiveness, whether it is through the federal government, the state government, or the County’s government.

In July 2007, with DDA Kurt Rowley’s help, I wrote United States Senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer in support of the federal John Justice student loan forgiveness bill.

In September 2008, I met with PD Doreen Boxer and discussed student loan forgiveness through the County for union attorneys.

But, as always, these proposals are subject to funding. Where’s the money going to come from, especially here in an economic downturn? When things are better, and they will be, a student loan forgiveness program will be at the forefront of my administration’s concerns.

Prior Contract Lawyers

I understand that deputies who were previously contract lawyers have concerns regarding how their “time” with the County is measured.

In Spring 2007, the sitting Board listened to DPD Rick Smolin express them. That Board asked Smolin to gather more information and report back in June 2007 with the information they needed to act. Had we gotten that information, the Board probably would have asked our lawyer to do an analysis.

He did not, for various reasons, return until April 2008. I told Mr. Smolin then that the Board would get to it after a new contract was settled for the entire membership. I do not believe that the issue is “closed.” I will resolve it during a second term.

Picking and Choosing By-laws to follow

My opponent drills me for failing to follow this or that by-law. I just wish he knew the term he was elected to serve. When he tells you that he was elected in January 2008, as he does in his letter introducing his blog, his lack of attention to detail is obvious: he was elected in November 2007 for a term that began on December 1, 2007. (By law 3.03(a))

Quite clearly, my opponent wants to pick and choose what by-laws he will follow and those he won’t.

If I am elected to a second term, the Board and I will run the association in accord with the by laws former President Geoff Goss and present PAC chairman Jim Secord set up. I expect that we will solicit a parliamentarian to assure that this happens.