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President's Message
May 2010
Budget/Negotiations Update
The County and SEBA negotiating teams have met several times over the last month. We have not been able to give you any specific information through SEBA NEWS FLASHES because proposals were still being discussed. The following is a recap of the meetings for the month of April:
April 5th - Mike Eagleson and I met with the new County CAO Greg Devereaux to discuss the current economic situation of the County. Layoffs were discussed for any bargaining group not willing to assist in reducing the budget deficit.
April 13th - County and SEBA negotiation teams met. The County gave a figure of $16,517,472 or the equivalent of all raises due to SEBA members in July of this year as the amount needed from us to assist the County with the budget deficit.
April 21st - County and SEBA negotiation teams met. SEBA presented a proposal for consideration. The negotiating team believed the offer was reasonable under the current economic conditions. The proposal was scheduled to be placed on the Board of Supervisors agenda for review on April 27th. The CAO had the proposal removed from the agenda and asked for a meeting with me on the same day. The negotiations meeting was canceled and rescheduled for May 3rd.
April 27th - Mike Eagleson and I met with Mr. Devereaux. He expressed his appreciation for our endeavors to come up with a solution that would be acceptable to both the County and SEBA members. He asked for an additional concession to further assist with the budget deficit. He was told his request would be brought back to the negotiating team for consideration.
May 3rd - County and SEBA negotiation teams met. The County team was informed SEBA was not willing to consider any additional concessions other than what had been proposed on April 21st. The County negotiating team accepted the proposal.
The proposal will be presented to the full SEBA Board of Directors on May 5th for consideration. If the Board approves of the proposal, it will be viewed by the County Board of Supervisors on May 11th. If the Board accepts the proposal, information meetings for SEBA members will commence on that same day. Ballots are tentatively scheduled to be mailed out to all SEBA members on May 21st, with a return date of June 14th. Remember, the SEBA membership makes the final decision about accepting concessions or taking the raises that were negotiated for in 2009.
Please remember there are many variable components involved in this entire process which might cause the dates to be changed. I will continue to keep you informed as we progress through these trying times for both sides.
12 Hour Patrol Schedules
The Office of the Sheriff and SEBA has agreed to implement a pilot program consisting of 12 hour shifts for patrol personnel. The schedules would be very similar to the 12 hour shifts already being worked by patrol Sergeants at various stations throughout the County.
Barstow and Twin Peaks will be the two test stations for the program. Each will have a different variation of the 12 hour schedule. The start date for the program is May 22, 2010. The duration of the temporary work schedule will be 120 days which includes an evaluation period at the end of the program to determine the benefits of implementing a 12 hour work schedule for patrol operations.
SEBA is working with the department to find ways of reducing operation costs, and this is one possible solution which could assist with the upcoming projected budget deficit in fiscal year 2010-2011. I will continue to keep you updated as the program progresses.
Debbie Chisholm Memorial Foundation Wish
In the early part of 2008, Raul Guzman joined Explorer Post #513 from the Fontana station. This was the beginning of his dream to become a Law Enforcement Officer. A short eight months later, Raul was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma, bone cancer. Because of the illness, Raul was unable to continue as an Explorer Scout.
Raul suffered through several surgeries and was eventually told he was in remission. Due to his physical limitations, Raul realized he would no longer be able to reach his goal of becoming a Deputy Sheriff. Fortunately for Raul, he was introduced to Corky Bell, the administrator for the Debbie Chisholm Memorial Foundation (DCMF). Corky and the Foundation have worked with Loma Linda University Children's Hospital since 1994 granting wishes to sick children.
Raul's wish was to be sworn in as a "Special Deputy for a Day," by Sheriff Rod Hoops. Sheriff Hoops readily agreed to do this and became involved in making Raul's day fun-filled and exciting. On April 27, 2010, Raul and his family were ushered into Sheriff Hoop's office, where he was sworn in while wearing a complete Deputy Sheriff uniform supplied by DCMF. Raul's next stop was the range where he experienced firsthand live fire and dynamic entry demonstrations by the Sheriff's SWAT and Arson/Bomb Details. Raul hollered the traditional "Fire in the Hole" and pushed the button to detonate an explosive charge placed inside of a vehicle. His next stop was EVOC where he was able to practice his driving skills in one of the driving simulators.
A quick helicopter ride from the range to the West Foothill Station (Fontana Station for us old dinosaurs) where he was greeted by family, friends, and Department personnel from many stations throughout the Department, for a messy bar-b-que with all the trimmings. I had the privilege of presenting this brave young man with a Deputy Sheriff badge encased in Lucite in honor of his Special Deputy for a Day experience.
SEBA and DCMF have been partners for the last 10 years, granting wishes to children suffering from major sicknesses. DCMF has granted over 400 wishes and provided gifts to another 2,000 children at the Loma Linda University Children's Hospital. This is one of those experiences that make the job worth it.
And as always, last but not least, "Stay safe out there."
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