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News
Mud flies among supervisors
By Colin Rigley
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Posted: Friday, July 11, 2008 10:17 AM CDT
Supervisor Tom Tryon claims Brown Act violations. Enterprise file photo
Charges and counter charges continue to fly in the wake of a Calaveras County Grand Jury report that condemned alleged mismanagement in the county’s Community Development Agency.
On Tuesday, Supervisor Tom Tryon released a letter he had sent to the grand jury accusing three of his colleagues of Brown Act violations, conspiring to force the resignation of former county administrative officer Tom Mitchell, making decisions without the input of other county supervisors, and, on the part of Supervisor Russ Thomas, religious prejudice. He also revealed what he called “rampant speculation” about an alleged romantic link between one supervisor, Bill Claudino, and CDA Director Stephanie Moreno.
All three supervisors Tryon accused of misdeeds deny his allegations, as does Moreno. In interviews this week, they referred to Tryon as spoiled, a lunatic and paranoid.
“To be honest with you I’m actually disgusted,” Claudino said of the alleged affair. “I’m embarrassed for the CDA director and I am personally insulted. Rampant speculation? That is the most cowardly accusation I’ve had the privilege to see in some time.”
“It’s absolutely not true,” Moreno said.
On Tuesday, Supervisor Tom Tryon released a letter he had sent to the grand jury accusing three of his colleagues of Brown Act violations, conspiring to force the resignation of former county administrative officer Tom Mitchell, making decisions without the input of other county supervisors, and, on the part of Supervisor Russ Thomas, religious prejudice. He also revealed what he called “rampant speculation” about an alleged romantic link between one supervisor, Bill Claudino, and CDA Director Stephanie Moreno.
All three supervisors Tryon accused of misdeeds deny his allegations, as does Moreno. In interviews this week, they referred to Tryon as spoiled, a lunatic and paranoid.
“To be honest with you I’m actually disgusted,” Claudino said of the alleged affair. “I’m embarrassed for the CDA director and I am personally insulted. Rampant speculation? That is the most cowardly accusation I’ve had the privilege to see in some time.”
“It’s absolutely not true,” Moreno said.
“Obviously (the grand jury) found no traction with this and in desperation (Tryon) keeps trying to do this and it’s like the rantings of a child,” Claudino said. “He’s having a temper tantrum.”
Tryon said he was disappointed that the grand jury report did not include some of the other claims in his letter to the jury. The lack of that response, he added, prompted him to release the letter to the public.
“I thought, you know, rather than go through this whole thing about Tom’s (Tryon) culpability and what Tom said to the grand jury, I thought I’m just going to release the damn thing and be rid of it,” he said.
Tryon said he was disappointed that the grand jury report did not include some of the other claims in his letter to the jury. The lack of that response, he added, prompted him to release the letter to the public.
“I thought, you know, rather than go through this whole thing about Tom’s (Tryon) culpability and what Tom said to the grand jury, I thought I’m just going to release the damn thing and be rid of it,” he said.
“I have no first-hand knowledge of anything, but I have knowledge that these issues are affecting the ability of county government. But somebody needs to look into them and clear the air.”
Tryon’s decision to make public his letter to the grand jury has been called a political maneuver by the three supervisors now defending themselves from what they call emotionally charged rumors with no basis of fact.
“Tom Tryon has shown a willingness to share his paranoid fantasies with the whole world,” Supervisor Steve Wilensky said. “He has insulted the religion of one of his fellow members, he’s insulted the work history of myself and has substituted his clouded ideology for real fact.”
Tryon claimed that Claudino met privately with Mitchell and threatened that he had three votes on the board (himself, Wilensky and Supervisor Russ Thomas) to have Mitchell fired, one of several claims that the three supervisors had committed Brown Act violations by meeting privately without Tryon or Supervisor Merita Callaway.
As a result of the meeting, Tyron claims, Mitchell resigned from office in order to “avoid the stigma of being fired.”
“If the meeting...between chairman Claudino and CAO Tom Mitchell had not occurred, Tom Mitchell would not have announced his intention to resign,” Tryon states in the letter.
Tryon’s decision to make public his letter to the grand jury has been called a political maneuver by the three supervisors now defending themselves from what they call emotionally charged rumors with no basis of fact.
“Tom Tryon has shown a willingness to share his paranoid fantasies with the whole world,” Supervisor Steve Wilensky said. “He has insulted the religion of one of his fellow members, he’s insulted the work history of myself and has substituted his clouded ideology for real fact.”
Tryon claimed that Claudino met privately with Mitchell and threatened that he had three votes on the board (himself, Wilensky and Supervisor Russ Thomas) to have Mitchell fired, one of several claims that the three supervisors had committed Brown Act violations by meeting privately without Tryon or Supervisor Merita Callaway.
As a result of the meeting, Tyron claims, Mitchell resigned from office in order to “avoid the stigma of being fired.”
“If the meeting...between chairman Claudino and CAO Tom Mitchell had not occurred, Tom Mitchell would not have announced his intention to resign,” Tryon states in the letter.
Claudino admitted there was a meeting, but said he asked to meet with Mitchell to discuss his own concern’s with the CAO’s job performance.
He denied conspiring with Wilensky and Thomas before the meeting.
“I did not ask (Mitchell) to quit,” Claudino said, adding, “I don’t believe for a moment that any board member, past or present, has not discussed an issue with a CAO or department head. The decision for him to leave was entirely his.”
Tryon claimed that Mitchell was afraid of being fired if he “asserted control” over Moreno, who only responded to Claudino, Wilensky and Thomas.
He denied conspiring with Wilensky and Thomas before the meeting.
“I did not ask (Mitchell) to quit,” Claudino said, adding, “I don’t believe for a moment that any board member, past or present, has not discussed an issue with a CAO or department head. The decision for him to leave was entirely his.”
Tryon claimed that Mitchell was afraid of being fired if he “asserted control” over Moreno, who only responded to Claudino, Wilensky and Thomas.
All three supervisors have denied giving preferential treatment to Moreno and stated that they meet regularly with Moreno due to the central role the Community Development Agency plays in Calaveras County.
“I have met with the CDA staff and director on projects in my district, (which are) normal activities for all supervisors,” Claudino said. “There’s not one supervisor who has not been in that office to do that.”
“I have met with the CDA staff and director on projects in my district, (which are) normal activities for all supervisors,” Claudino said. “There’s not one supervisor who has not been in that office to do that.”
Tryon alleged that Thomas had discussions at prayer meetings in which he described Mitchell as “not Christian enough.”
Thomas laughed at the claim and said, “There is no basis of fact in that.”
Thomas laughed at the claim and said, “There is no basis of fact in that.”
Wilensky is specifically accused of using his background as a labor negotiator to interfere with Calaveras labor negotiations. Tryon further alleges that Wilensky used his leverage with labor unions to stop investigations of employee complaints filed against Moreno. Wilensky denied Tyron’s claims and said they “lacked veracity.”
“This stuff has been reviewed (by the grand jury),” Wilensky said. “We’ve had a grand inquisition over the last many months and there’s just no basis of this kind of stuff except for (Tryon’s) concept of politics, which I find to be very disappointing.”
“This stuff has been reviewed (by the grand jury),” Wilensky said. “We’ve had a grand inquisition over the last many months and there’s just no basis of this kind of stuff except for (Tryon’s) concept of politics, which I find to be very disappointing.”
Tryon also claims that Claudino, Wilensky and Thomas helped protect former public works director Rob Houghton, who is alleged to have created “personnel turmoil” in the department. He also claims that his colleagues bent to Houghton’s “demand letter” in order that he would stay on longer; Houghton later resigned.
Claudino said Houghton was prepared to resign months before he did, but due to his “stellar technical skills” he was convinced to stay on and continue work on “very complicated projects.”
Claudino said Houghton was prepared to resign months before he did, but due to his “stellar technical skills” he was convinced to stay on and continue work on “very complicated projects.”
Shortly after Houghton’s resignation, Tryon voted in favor of a $100,000 county contract with Houghton’s new private business, VERAS Resources.
Responding to the letter, Claudino, Wilensky and Thomas all said they felt personally attacked by Tryon.
“This is so personal and so juvenile,” Claudino said. “It’s the ravings of a lunatic.”
Responding to the letter, Claudino, Wilensky and Thomas all said they felt personally attacked by Tryon.
“This is so personal and so juvenile,” Claudino said. “It’s the ravings of a lunatic.”
“This might be a point in time where no matter what we do, we will not be able to do the right thing,” Thomas said, and Tryon is “grasping at straws.”
“It would appear that we have a supervisor...who is acting as if none of the problems in this county have anything to do with its history and that all the problems were created by three first-term supervisors,” Wilensky said. “I find that to have no credibility and no historic truth.”
Contact Colin Rigley at crigley@calaverasenterprise.com.
“It would appear that we have a supervisor...who is acting as if none of the problems in this county have anything to do with its history and that all the problems were created by three first-term supervisors,” Wilensky said. “I find that to have no credibility and no historic truth.”
Contact Colin Rigley at crigley@calaverasenterprise.com.
Comment (8 comment(s))
Penny wrote on Jul 11, 2008 11:53 AM:
" County history could contribute somewhat... but 3 first time supes and a under qualified CDA director that all want to reinvent the wheel have created this turmoil. "
Concerned Citizen wrote on Jul 11, 2008 11:56 AM:
" I have to say that although I think that Tryon should NOT be re-elected to The Board, he has brought to light the issues that INFEST the Community Development Department as well as the Director being investigated. I just WISH he would look at ALL departments as well. Such as employees that have been investigated for SEXUAL HARRASMENT & NOTHING was DONE!!!!!
Let's start with the elected officials that think they can treat staff as their servants & do NOTHING about it when complaints are filed!!!!!!! OR Francine Osborn who has NO CLUE how to act in the BEST INTEREST of the employees, unless you are one of her little puppets.
Tryon does NOT even enjoy the meetings, so if you want entertainment you can see him do nothing other than sigh, or rock back & forth in his chair, when something is not of interest to him.
He reminds me of being nothing short of an immature child throwing a BABY fit when he does not get his way.
In regards to the Grand Jury Report it is EVIDENT that Moreno has done nothing, but stir the pot with the stick she has been given by Wilensky, Claudino, & Thomas. "
Let's start with the elected officials that think they can treat staff as their servants & do NOTHING about it when complaints are filed!!!!!!! OR Francine Osborn who has NO CLUE how to act in the BEST INTEREST of the employees, unless you are one of her little puppets.
Tryon does NOT even enjoy the meetings, so if you want entertainment you can see him do nothing other than sigh, or rock back & forth in his chair, when something is not of interest to him.
He reminds me of being nothing short of an immature child throwing a BABY fit when he does not get his way.
In regards to the Grand Jury Report it is EVIDENT that Moreno has done nothing, but stir the pot with the stick she has been given by Wilensky, Claudino, & Thomas. "
Erin wrote on Jul 11, 2008 12:31 PM:
" Hey, this is odd! Last week the GJ report was flawed, subjective and written by inept fools. This week they are used to defend Wilensky and Claudino's position! Which is it? And why do these Sueprvisors persist in using the newspaper as their personal mouthpiece. At least Tyron does his bidding during the board meetings and in front of the public. "
TNF wrote on Jul 11, 2008 1:49 PM:
" GET RID OF THEM ALL AND WIPE THE SLATE CLEAN!!!!!!!! "
kt wrote on Jul 11, 2008 1:57 PM:
" Supervisors..... GROW UP! Stop name calling like grade school children! "
Doug Stombaugh wrote on Jul 12, 2008 6:08 PM:
" First government corruption and now SEX AND RELIGION, this would make a great TV drama. When government officials resort to attacking someone’s personal and moral credibility, that's a sign of desperation. It resembles a political maneuver. Is Mr. Tryon desperate? Desperation is sad state of government. I wonder who pulled that string? I wonder who's project is being looked at, just a little to closely? I am sure more will be revealed. "
Outsider wrote on Jul 13, 2008 6:57 PM:
" I don't understand how Tryon could complain about Wilensky, Claudino and Thomas not getting rid of Houghton sooner, but subsequently vote to re-hire him at nearly double the cost to the county. Where is the logic in that? "
jake wallace wrote on Jul 14, 2008 7:26 AM:
" Tryon advances a litany of complaints to the grand jury with no firsthand knowledge of the allegations.
Frustrated over the GJ's inaction,
Tryon, and apparently in a desperate state of mind, decides to release his accusations.
Why doesn't Tryon just wrap an anchor around himself and jump in Melones? Tryon's conduct is the political equivalent.
Why would Tryon have access to the GJ when ordinary citizen's complaints don't, and who behind the GJ's curtains were pulling the strings, Judge John Martin, County Council, Jim Jones, DA Jeff Tuttle?
Martin, Tuttle and Jones, are as troubled as Tryon.
The GJ simple can't/won't function in the public's interest.
Tryon does have firsthand knowledge
of many issues, that the GJ's string puller's don't want investigated.
Ray Waller, and the building department's free for all and systemic building code violations.
How many homes are slipping-off there foundations, have faulty wiring, plumbing, septic systems?
The apparent suicide of a former building department inspector that had 10-years of illegal build documentation. Public corruption allegations against a host of county officials.
Waller and Tryon have splintered the criminal enterprise, and the house of cards is on the verge of collapsing.
Wouldn't you want to believe that Tryon would protect the interest of kid's
over these weak allegations?
Meritta Calloway is speechless, her conduct, defenseless. "
Frustrated over the GJ's inaction,
Tryon, and apparently in a desperate state of mind, decides to release his accusations.
Why doesn't Tryon just wrap an anchor around himself and jump in Melones? Tryon's conduct is the political equivalent.
Why would Tryon have access to the GJ when ordinary citizen's complaints don't, and who behind the GJ's curtains were pulling the strings, Judge John Martin, County Council, Jim Jones, DA Jeff Tuttle?
Martin, Tuttle and Jones, are as troubled as Tryon.
The GJ simple can't/won't function in the public's interest.
Tryon does have firsthand knowledge
of many issues, that the GJ's string puller's don't want investigated.
Ray Waller, and the building department's free for all and systemic building code violations.
How many homes are slipping-off there foundations, have faulty wiring, plumbing, septic systems?
The apparent suicide of a former building department inspector that had 10-years of illegal build documentation. Public corruption allegations against a host of county officials.
Waller and Tryon have splintered the criminal enterprise, and the house of cards is on the verge of collapsing.
Wouldn't you want to believe that Tryon would protect the interest of kid's
over these weak allegations?
Meritta Calloway is speechless, her conduct, defenseless. "
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