"County Officials Try to Duck Testifying in Collins Case" by News Blog

 Unfortunately, more ankle surgery, been out of the loop. Ask yourself one simple question, "why are the County officials trying to duck taking the stand in Collins Preliminary Hearing"? Did anyone reading this article take the time to read Collins Civil suit that a visiting Judge threw out? The answers to why these four miscreants do not want to testify are clearly elaborated. I will also add Curtis Weeks, who seems to have lost his County protections when he signed his sweetheart deal with the County. My son has reviewed the transcript of this hearing and Mr. Collins lawyer has brilliantly set the County up for a major fall (perjury and obstruction of justice charges), not to mention conspiracy and collusion, when they get called to the stand to swear under oath. 
 Weeks: he swore to the DA and FPPC that he had no knowledge of Collins activities in his interviews with the DA and swore that he was informed in June, 2010. The DA investigator admitted this testimony into evidence at the hearing; Weeks is now on record. Seems Mr. Weeks, perhaps out of guilt, called Lyndel Melton, and left him a message, which Collins attempted to play for the visiting Judge who told him no, that has Weeks admitting he knew everything from the start and told the truth to Karen Getman, of the Remcho firm. He will have a fun time explaining this one on the stand.
 McKee: Our County Counsel swears in his answers to the DA and FPPC that he had no knowledge of Collins RMC activities until the stories broke in the papers, and yet his own privilege logs, phone calls and e-mails show that he participated in a review of Collins legal 1090 opinion issued by Downey Brand on June 3-4, 2010. Can  you say Perjury?
 Grant: Irv Grant is just hapless, the DA investigator basically buried him. He is on tape giving Collins advice, in the Board room regarding his RMC vote recusals, and yet he swears to the DA and FPPC that he has no knowledge until April, 2011. His explanation is that he does not recall any of these communications. I am being kind with hapless.
 Calcagno: Lou is also among the County legions claiming complete memory loss as to Collins RMC activities. Here are the facts laid out in Court; phone records between Lou, Collins and Weeks in early 2010; 161 e-mail communications between Calcagno and Remcho during Collins "independent investigation"; and Calcagno leaked the Remcho report 8 days early to the press. The DA investigator laid Calcagno's head on a silver platter. 
 Gowin: The architect of many of Calcagno's communications and most likely to be Calcagno's fall guy at the end, Calcagno's "gosh I had no idea Henry was doing this", defense. And by the way, the famous attorney representing all of the County guys on criminal aspects for themselves, who is picking up that tab. He is the same guy who defended Barry Bonds, probably $900\hour, do you think the taxpayers are paying that bill?

 Went over my limit, had to scale back previous comment. 
 Calcagno: Lou was given the courtesy, by the DA, of reviewing Collins criminal charges, along with an assistant County Counsel and allowed to comment. This was 3 weeks before Collins attorney was even apprised there would be criminal charges. I think Mr. Calcagno will be asked, on the stand, under oath to explain why he was working with the DA as a sitting Supervisor, to prosecute Collins. Is that in the job description of a Monterey County Supervisor? The DA involvement spun out of the Remcho report, which it appears Calcagno co-authored. Is that also in his official job duties?
 Potter: Another case of complete amnesia, and yet the phone and e-mail records for Potter show 8 different meetings between Collins, Weeks and Potter in March April and May of 2010. I wonder what Potter will attempt to explain to the Court what the purpose of these meetings may have been? Seems Mr. McKee worked on a contract for Weeks, at Potter's direction, to resign as GM of the Water Agency and manage the Regional Project for the County. The contract has been admitted into evidence and yet none of the Supervisors had any knowledge of said contract or CollinsWeeks? I find it interesting that Collins name actually never appears in the finished contract. The date of the contract was early 2010, and yet collective amnesia once again pervades and no Supervisor or senior staff recalls any of these discussions? I am sure it is infectious "IrvGrantitis". 
 Hopefully, Potter will be an ex-Supervisor when Collins finally gets to present his evidence in November. Potter will then have to pay for his own criminal defense attorney, perhaps Nadar will loan him the $20K back he gave him to kill his lawsuit. I have cast my ballot for DelPiero, I am not an active supporter, but I will take knowledgable and bombastic over devious and dishonest any day of the week.

Hey, oldguy49...OMG...You have hit the nail on the head ...Thank you.. soooooo much....

 Thanks for the support Granny, I have been reviewing the hearing transcript (bit of a lie, actually my son is) and it just keeps getting better. 
 Do you realize that the meeting in Curtis Weeks office on January 11, 2010 wherein Collins was offered a contract by RMC never happened according to testimony from Weeks and verified by the DA investigator. Meeting never took place. Seems a serious number of items related to Mr. Weeks, such as his calendar have been misplaced by the County, which they deem means it was never there. Sounds completely plausible to me, no e-mails, or phone records related to Collins at all for the entire year of 2010. 
 Unfortunately for Mr. Weeks, there is witness testimony, per Collins attorney, that the meeting did take place, and that troublesome tape recording to Melton by Weeks. Alas, for Mr. Weeks. 
 Seems Weeks also has been infected by that highly infectious IrvGrantitis (in English can't remember sh..). I am certain he will be reminded of a few of these pesky facts in the hearing.

 As I said earlier, this just keeps getting better. While my son is keeping busy with pages of reading I decided to look into Judge Roger Randall, that mysterious figure who dismissed Collins Civil case. I simply typed in "Judge Roger Randall, Monterey County issues", and whose name pops up, DAVID POTTER. Needless to say, this peeked my interest, you can not make this stuff up. 
Now before I get too far afield, let me say, my son has told me Randall is a highly respected retired Judge from Kern County, whose specialty is water issues; not surprising in Kern County. My issue is not with Judge Randall, at least directly. Some questions:

Collins shows up in Judge Villareal's courtroom the day of his hearing, and is the only one of 16 cases moved from Villareal. Why?
Randall is a Civil Judge and yet he theoretically reviewed the entire criminal file over the lunch hour and determined Collins did not have enought evidence to proceed? Why?
Collins has yet to even have a chance to put any of his witnesses or testimony on the record. How did the Judge determine his evidence was insufficient? Why?
Collins turned in 116 pages of contracts, e-mails, phone logs, public records and had the Weeks tape which the Judge refused to hear. Why?

Per Charles McKee, in public comment after the Collins shafting, this was about 1st Amendment rights of the Supervisors. Really? Back to Potter, Roger Randall heads up the Seaside Basin Water Master and routinely meets with Dave Potter, one of seven people he appointed to the Water Master Board. Potter was one of the people Collins was suing, is there not a slight conflict of interest that should have at least been disclosed? Was Collins taken advantage of because of his Pro-Se status at the time? Good Lord, the Feds are going to have a field day with this one, hope the $900hour attorney is not too busy, these guys are going to need him.

Hey, olguy49...I think you have it pretty well summed up as far l as this Judge is concerned...I've heard that he still is in charge of the Watermaster Board that meets on a regular basis, and that Potter is still on that Board....Doesn't that smack of a conflict of interest to you as far as his making a ruling for the County...And I would even go so far as to say something like, in my opinion, judicial misconduct....What a pity for someone who has enjoyed such a fine reputation that your son has referenced....

 I read the Squid this morning, must admit I am not much of a fan, but I do believe the Weekly is finally getting it. Collins, and his attorney, have very deftly laid out a County conspiracy claim and the facts are presenting themselves. The following has made itself transparent after a review of the Court transcript. The County has steadfastly refused any meaningful data being transmitted, to the defense, under the guise of "privilege" and yet the defense (Collins) has managed to piece together a very condemning set of data through the County privilege logs and phone records. The County personnel have no desire to try and explain any of these record discrepencies on the stand, so now, a lawyer with 40 years of criminal experience has somehow inappropriately filled out their subpaena requests. Calcagno, McKee, Grant and Gowin are now claiming they do not have to honor the subpaena's due to these irregularities. I would think if these guys had nothing to hide they would be chomping at the bit to testify.
 Interestingly, Weeks, by signing a seperation Agreement with the County is not being protected by them under the same guise as the County officials. He is compelled to testify and as the Squid pointed out this morning, he has problems. 
 My final thought on this topic is the attorney's involved. I have never thought much of this profession (sorry, son) but this group gives even this group a bad name. I have read their collective e-mails, DA investigator testimony as to what they said individually to the DA and FPPC and Collins filing. This is as cowardly a butt covering group as I have ever witnessed. 
 Lowrey says he thinks there might be a conflict, but says it is not his problem and tells Grant. Grant suffers from "Irvgrantitis" and even though there is compelling data to the contrary he can not remember any conversations with anyone on anything. Marc Fogelman testifies that he spoke to Dan Carroll about the issue in early January, 2010, but they both think it is "Irv's issue", and of course we know Irv has "Irvgrantitis" so we can not hold him accountable. Then in June, 2010, the whole issue comes to light again, because apparently Irv "Irvgrantitis" has not done anything yet, and they hold meetings over two  days, including McKee and Grant, who both now have "Irvgrantitis", even though their e-mails and phone records say otherwise, and the best this group of 8 attorneys can come up with is Collins should have gotten a 9th opinion, from someone else, other than them. If you think I am cynical or making this up, read the record.

 And now to our own beloved 5th District Supervisor Dave Potter. I must admit I am a bit puzzled as to why Collins has not served a subpaena on Potter, perhaps coming. Here is the data entered on the Court record regarding Dave by the DA and her investigator.
 Dave claims to have "Irvgrantitis" regarding any knowledge of Collins RMC activities until April, 2011, and yet he met with Collins and Weeks 8 times during March, April and May of 2010. These discussions included CollinsWeeks, (per Potter) wherein Dave instructed Weeks to have McKee look at Weeks contract, which is in evidence, dated early 2010. Potter is to have us believe that during these 8 meetings RMC, the Regional Project, the Coastal Commission or any other of these topics were ever discussed. The purpose of Weeks contract (remember it is in evidence) was to have Weeks manage the Regional Project for the County and resign as a County employee. Weeks met with the entire BOS to discuss his new contract in closed session, (in March, 2010)and yet, per the DA investigator, this never happened. We now have a case of "infectious communicable community Irvgrantitis", the most virulent strain.
 Why is any of this important, besides pathetic humor? The decision making body in this case is the BOS, not the ADVISORY Board. The BOS is claiming that the Water Purchase Agreement is tainted and that is why they pulled away from the Regional Project. If they were fully aware of Collins working relationship with RMC, and approved said contract, they are lying, and their votes were not tainted in any way by Collins. Further, if they knowingly lied to protect their own political hides, they have harmed him conspiratorily and commited a Federal crime. Now you may begin to see why getting on the stand and facing Mike Lawrence, who has a boatload of evidence may not be in their best interest.

Hey oldguy49...To me an apt description of these guys is "evil incarnate"..They purposefully plotted to destroy the project and in the process, destroy the man, and blame the demise on, Steve..And I don't know why to this day....In the final analysis, Steve's truth will be told. And their unlawful deeds will be exposed...They should have to pay dearly for their conspiratorial. deceitful, plan..As far as I'm concerned,and in my opinion, they should all be thrown in jail....

 My son read the transcript of this sham of a Preliminary Hearing. I can not believe Collins was not allowed the ability to present an "Affirmative Defense". Young man, I hope you and your legal counsel have finally reached the conclusion that you can not receive justice in Monterey County. In my son's opinion you need to do three things immediately:

Press the Federal Investigative Agencies to investigate conspiracy and corruption charges, you have a tremendous case;
File a Federal lawsuit, involving multiple Federal questions so that this bunch can not claim privilege and they get to visit a Federal Grand Jury;
Ask the Internal Revenue Service for a ruling on the Ocean Mist Farms contracts and employee versus independent contractor status. Seems to me you were an employee, in fact, and Ocean Mist has serious motive to avoid penalties and prosecution by siding with the County after being on your side for a year and a half. I read their original testimony and it differs greatly from the here-say entered by the DA at your Preliminary Hearing.

 Regarding point #3 above, I thought some research might be interesting and lend credence as to the motive of Ocean Mist Farms mysteriously changing their tune. I went to the IRS website and typed in employee versus independent contractor. Some interesting things, first the sole responsibility for accurate definition rests with the employer. There are three (3) common law tests and a 20 question rule. Lets see how Ocean Mist does on the test:

COMMON LAW: 1. Behavioral: Does the company have the right to control what he does and when he does it? Per Mr. Collins contract, submitted by the DA, Mr. Collins may only work for Ocean Mist Farms unless specific permission to engage with another client is given by Mr. Boutonnet. Mr. Collins was contractually required by Ocean Mist Farms to clear the RMC contract with him, before accepting, which according to Mr. Boutonnet's admitted interview with the DA, he did, and Mr. Boutonnet approved. 2. Financial: Are the business aspects of the workers job controlled by the payer? (per IRS regs, these include things like how is the worker paid, whether expenses are reimbursed, who provides tools, supplies, etc.) Per Mr. Collins contract, submitted as evidence by the DA, Collins was paid a fixed fee of $6,250 per month, with no reporting requirement, for the first 4 years, and then 25 hours per week thereafter, was provided an office at the Ocean Mist Farms facility, computers and supplies all supplied by Ocean Mist Farms and all expenses reimbursed, including his personal auto. Per IRS Reg., regarding pay basis: "If a worker is paid on an hourly, weekly, or monthly basis, the IRS will consider it a sign the worker is an employee. An independent contractor is generally paid by the job, project, assignment, etc., or recoeves a commission or similar fee". 3. Type of Relationship: Are there written contracts or employee type benefits (i.e. pension plan, insurance, vacation pay, etc)? Will the relationship continue and is the work performed a key aspect of the business? Per Mr. Collins contract, admitted as evidence by the DA, all of Collins employee benefits were to continue and be paid solely by Ocean Mist Farms. Per the contract Mr. Collins was the only person qualified in the organization "to perform these key functions" for the company. Did Ocean Mist Farms file an SS-8 form in 2002 with the IRS to determine a proper classification for Mr. Collins? Apparently not. Per Collins attorney, Mr. Lawrence, the invoices in question to Ocean Mist Farms were not initially required and only when the auditors questioned whether Collins was an employee was he required to submit invoices, and yet he continued to be paid a fixed fee, for 9 12 years. The DA spent $2M of tax payer money reviewing invoices that were photocopied from month to month to allow Ocean Mist Farms to continue to claim Collins was an independent contractor. Good luck with that one with the Federal IRS criminal investigators.

 Regarding Ocean Mist Farms, after my son reviewed the DA evidence filings, the following is very interesting:

The DA interviewed Mr. Boutonnet twice in 2011 and he said the following things, according to filings by both the DA and Mr. Lawrence. a) "confirms that there were no invoices required for the first 4 years of the contract and that Collins is on retainer. He was then paid hours per week"; b) "Steve was provided an office and all expenses and benefits paid and continued"; c) "Steve and I were to meet yearly and discuss any changes to the contract. We never did that. I can not remember when Steve was asked to provide invoices and any lapse in invoicing or meet and confer provisions were Ocean Mist Farms fault"; d) Jim Schwefel, attorney, Ocean Mist Farms adds "there was an ever-green clause in the contracts". e) Boutonnet adds "I may never have required Steve to account for his time"; f) "Ocean Mist Farms, did not, and does not support the filing of these charges against Steve. If I had my way this would all just go away and I feel Ocean Mist Farms is a victim, and the DA is using "us" to get at Steve". The news, of course, did not report that Mr. Boutonnet apparently changed his story on certain facts in an "untaped" conversation with the DA. How convenient for them, and this is the testimony given as hear-say by the DA investigator. Mr. Lawrence has no way to verify the truthfullness of the DA investigator without calling Boutonnet to the stand, and we all know that did not happen. This is all available to the public and press if they simply want to look, would you please do so. Mr. Collins, the IRS website lists the San Francisco fraud hot line number, please call it!!!!!!!

Hey, oldguy49..I find your research about Ocean Mist very compelling...With all of the information you have provided , it is obvious that the only way Steve Collins is going to have his truth be told is by going to the Feds, and the internal revenue Service by extension, I guess...He certainly won't find justice in the Courts in Monterey County...I'm sure he is well aware of that fact.....

 My guess is, you are correct, Granny. There are simply to many "coincendences" in this case for my taste. I can almost understand, although not condone, the DA managing to get Calcagno off the stand in a Preliminary Hearing, but Melton, Heitzman, Weeks, all people that could cooroberate Collins story? Boutonnet theoretically changes his story the day before he is supposed to testify in an "unrecorded" conversation with the DA and Collins is not allowed to call Boutonnet to the stand? Did Collins attorney not work out an Affirmative Defense agreement with the DA and Court before he issues a subpoena to these witnesses? The Court of Appeals is going to have a field day with this one, but the functional questions remain, why is Collins not being given an opportunity to defend himself?
 If I were Collins I would welcome the opportunity to sit in front of 12 peers and have Calcagno explain his misdeeds; McKee explain why none of the internal County documents that show him knowledgeable of Collins RMC contract contradict his public assertions; calling Grant to the stand is pointless, but necessary, he is so confused by his own testimony that he would be best just claiming the 5th; Weeks explaining why he explained in a taped message to Melton that the County knew all along about Collins contract and blessed it and yet he has lied and played along; and Boutonnet trying to explain why he was in Collins camp for a year and a half and abruptly changed his tune the day before he was to testify. Both the DA and Collins attorney referred to "skeltons" at Ocean Mist in their closing arguments, I wonder????
 The District Attorney's entire case in the Prelim was based on hear-say testimony by the DA investigator, so-and-so said this, etc. That is not admissable in a trial, so the above referenced folks should be required to testify. The entire grand theft malarky is based on intense review of invoices that were designed to placate Ocean Mist's auditors and "make Collins look less like an employee". As Mike Lawrence pointed out in his closing argument, in many cases they are exact duplicates, photocopies, of the prior month. The DA investigator did not notice this? She was examining an elephant with a microscope.
 Assuming the Internal Revenue Service agrees with my son's assertion that Collins is an employee on retainer, the DA has a serious problem. Ocean Mist has escaped hundreds of thousands of dollars in costs by misclassifying Collins and the IRS will take that seriously. Mr. Collins, discuss the "whistleblower" provisions with your attorney, could be quite enlightening.

Nice Editorial in the Pine Cone this morning from Joe Livernois.

Hi, oldguy49,,,Yes I did enjoy Joe's perspective...And to think those Supervisors will have to swallow the blame for a failed water project???...Tsk..Tsk... After the feds get through with them, the truth will out I would think....

WoW, I have read Collins's posting in mails and he absolutely nails the bastards. I am pleased to say my comments above are fairly accurate. Thank goodness my son can read, and with comprehension. What I really appreciate is the actual evidence Collins is attaching to his mails. Keep hitting the lying miscreants, young man.

 Oh Happy Day, wait until Calcagno, Potter, Salinas, McKee, Weeks, Grant, et al start receiving subpoena's from the Feds and Attorney General. Here come the pleas of 5th Amendment Rights. This is going to be so much fun, watching these rats try to scurry from the sunlight. My advice, Mr. Collins, hit them and hit them again.

 Everything in its own good time, Collins' new attorney's filed a 995 Motion this morning, a motion to Dismiss all Charges, that will be heard by a different Judge. My son is salivating over the opportunity to read the detail filings. The predictions from above are slowly coming to fruition (my son's) and the County will be back to testifying. 
 The rumors of the Federal investigation are rampant and a California DOJ complaint has been filed, as well as an additional FPPC complaint (big deal). The County's conspiracy and fraud in this case are about to be exposed and it could not happen to a nicer bunch of folks. Can you say "I plead the 5th?".
 I can hear the BOS now, "we had no knowledge, Weeks, Grant and McKee lied to us, we are innocent victims". Even "Infectious Pernicious Irvgrantitis" will not be a defense here. This case will be rapidly moved to the Attorney General, with the DA being recused, and all hell is going to break loose, should be entertaining.

Hi, oldguy49....I can hardly wait for this whole thing to start to play out and for justice to be served and for these bad boys to get what is coming to them if that ever happens...Soooo evil....But the truth will be known, hopefully...Mr Bert will take care of these cases of "Infectious Pernicious Irvgrantitis"...

 I have been wondering why Collins is all of a sudden so quiet, now my son confirms the Federal investigation and the 995 Filing will set this case on its ear. Burt has probably pulled in Collins reins, pity, it was very informative. I am also sure, (my son is anyway), that the information is better presented in front of a Federal Grand Jury in San Jose rather than to Collins audience.

Hi, oldguy49..Sounds about right...Want to call you attention to the filing that Mike Lawrence, Steve previous attorney, made to Judge Butler regarding the special fund that the BOS had set up for the DA's office to use for the Steve Collin's case...Very illegal, I am told..The Judge ignored this...Google: Hobbs Act: extortion by Force 2404 Under Color of Official Right... The FBI should come down hard on the DA's office if they prove this to be true, and in my opinion, there are some people in this County that should not be practicing law....What a shame....And it's all public money, yours and mine that they have used so wontedly...

 Thanks, Granny, my son has educated me on the Hobbs Act, good call. Collins, in one of his mails referred to a "Special Liability Fund" set up in September, 2011, to deal with expenses relating to him. I will look up the filing you are referring to, but essentially you are saying the County BOS paid the DA's bills to go after Collins? The DA did not spend $2M+ of their own budget to pursue this case? This is way out of my league, but I will pass the info on to my son, just common sense tells me there is something seriously wrong with this scenario.

 All of a sudden, very silent from all parties, seems County has put a huge cone of silence on this. Who knows........

 FINALLY, My son received a copy of a most extraordinary e-mail from Collins to several hundred of his closest friends, and the County has to be positively livid. The e-mail went out late yesterday afternoon, after Collins Court appearance. Take a look at my December 6, 2012 mails from above. Seems Collins had a window of opportunity to represent himself for a few days in Court because the Judge fired his attorney, most likely for being effective. He took advantage of it and made a statement for the record. In short, it was incredibly effective.
 Per my son, the statements he made had to have been drafted by a constitutional lawyer, because they were spot on for a challenge at the 6th District, which he most certainly will win on a 995 challenge and there goes the DA case.
 Here they are summarized:

He announces that "due to a temporary void of representation, I am representing myself". This gives him status in the Court and they must recognize his statement on the record, which then makes it available to you and me.
He uses all of the right legal definitions of his relationship with the Burt Law Firm and makes it clear Burt did not withdraw, the Judge terminated him, "for a perceived timing issue". He then requests, due to "detrimental issues to my defense", which is a Civil Rights violation, he requests Burt be reinstated. BOOM
He then admonishes the Court for a violation of his rights by not allowing any witnesses or evidence of his be put on the record, and the County has "refused every single meaningful evidentiary item under the guise of "privilege" or "confidentiality". The Rules of Discovery argument just became an issue with the 6th District.
"At no time did Ocean Mist Farms desire to file or pursue any charges against me". There goes the intent element of theft.
He then drops the bomb we have been waiting for, the State and Federal investigations "against two sitting Supervisors and several senior staff for fraud, conspiracy and corruption". A number of individuals have been deposed by the investigators and provided compelling evidence. My son knows personally of three. The Judge terminating Burt temporarily may be the gift to Collins that keeps on giving.

Hi, oldguy49...Once again, you are spot on...I, too am on Steve's mailing list and read with interest what he had the opportunity to tell the Court...He has been pooped on by this Court and County and DA's office for well over a year waiting for a time to tell his truth, and now the Feds are very interested in finding out the truth as well...As you put it soooooooo elequently..BOOM..."Hell hath no fury like two women scorned"...And you can throw into that mix the BOS as well...I'm sure they are trying desperately to try and find out who the feds have talked to...Let the games begin...

Hi, oldguy49...Had something else for you to ponder..In as much as the DA's office was so instrumental in putting the screws to Collins and effectively killing the Regional Project, word on the street has it that Stephanie Hulsey plans to run for Flippos job when he retires...She spent four full days of blather telling the Court what a scumbag Collins was without letting him refute a thing or present any evidence of his own, thanks to the Judge..Now, what would it do to her political career if the #995, if it ever gets unsealed by the Judge, if the case is taken away from Hulsey??? Her showcase case would be right out the window wouldn't it?? Oh, wisk away a tear....

Hi, oldguy49...While I'm on my soapbox, another idea just crossed my mind...Remember a long, long time ago when the FPPC asked the DA's office to conduct a criminal "investigation" regarding what rumor had it were some sitting Supervisors, McKee, Grant and Weeks??? The Herald always throws Collins into the mix, but he supposedly supplied them, (FPPC) all the info they requested, so go figure on that one...Well, don't you WONDER how long it takes the DA's office to conduct an "investigation" and if they will ever find any of those people guilty of anything....Maybe the FBI will, including the DA's office...The plot thickens...

 Granny, I swear you can not make this stuff up. I just read a story herein where Jason Burnett thinks it would be lovely if the Salinas Valley let the Peninsula buy some reservoir water after an interconnecting pipeline is built, between the two reservoirs, effectively increasing held supply. Really!!! The Salinas Valley just stuck a dagger in the Cal Am suite of projects (rightfully so, we were crapping on their water rights) and the Deep Water project is an utter fantasy. I have a better chance of playing centerfield for the Giants than Cal Am does of pulling water out of the Salinas Valley.
 I am so disgusted by the obvious assault on Collins legal and Civil Rights I could just vomit. This has turned into a complete comedy of errors. There is not a doubt in mind, although I obviously have no way to prove this, that Burt is still very much in the picture and wrote that Statement by Collins for the Court.
 The County is funding the DA to the tune of $2M to $3M to crucify a guy, and you have to ask yourself, why? Again, look at the December 6 comments, Boutonnet admits any invoice errors were the fault of Ocean Mist, they did not rely on invoices to pay him his monthly salary, hell, Boutonnet claims he never LOOKED at the invoices or contracts until the DA contacted him, in August, 2011. The invoices could have said Collins was auditioning for the part of Peter Pan in a production in Borneo, and it would not have mattered. He was paid a monthly stipend; what part of that is difficult for the DA to understand????
 Wait, I have had a vision, an epiphany, this is politics!!!!! You kill a $400M project, you better have a fall guy, and when you are in close proximity to the rabid source of "Infectious Pernicious Irvgrantitis" any loss of sanity, or common sense is possible.

Hi, oldguy49...If the Peninsula even begin to entertain a thought about drawing ONE drop of water of water out of these reservoirs, they are out of their cotton picking minds..The AG industry, nor the City of Salinas for that matter, will NEVER let that happen....period...It must be desperation time..And here sits a totally permitted project for the water that is needed...Go figure....As to the comment about the comment to the Court, sounds like a Burt endeavor doesn't it??..The Judge is trying desperately to find someone, anyone other than , Burt , to defend this case in the next 4 to 6 weeks..Bonkers time in Judgeville....Just furious at Burt..Wants him OUT of the picture....No Attorney wants the job..Another whisk away of the tear...

 I just saw Collins last mail, 2 year Anniversary. Points 6 & 7 stunned me, Masters tickets, Sharks hockey games, none declared on Form 700's? I read the article in the Herald today regarding Form 700 filings of all 5 Sups and Potter claims a $40 bundt cake from Margaret Robbins, a Christmas box of chocolates, etc., but center ice hockey tickets at a 2011 Sharks game and a dinner with he and his wife with an engineering firm go unreported? What to Sharks center ice hockey tickets cost? Did anyone ask Heitzman, who paid his own way what this game cost? Where is Curtis Weeks disclosure? Weeks an all expense paid trip to Augusta national in 2011 paid for by the County's Washington DC lobbyist?
 I repeat myself, you can not friggin make this stuff up!!!!!! By the way, how do you make a $40 Bundt cake?????

Hi,. oldguy49..That's some Bundt cake...Sources tell me the Feds have talked to the lobbyist who set up the trip to the Masters and he really has his shorts in a tighty whitey, now...Oh whisk away another tear....Darn these high and mighty folks who don't feel compelled to disclose these goodies on their 700s...Do you think the DA's office that was asked by the FPPC to investigate Dave Potter has even bothered to find any of this??? Some investigation..And even if they found it, I doubt seriously that they would do anything about it..What do you think????

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County Officials Try to Duck Testifying in Collins Case

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