$300,000 and the Trend is Downward!

Well, usually the first week of a New Year is a time of fresh air and new ideas. But as we've seen over the last few days, not only is it more of the same, but it's like a never ending visit of the Ghost of Christmas Past. It's dark, gloomy, and smells.

You see, illegally fired APD officer Russell Perea was ordered by a district court judge for reinstatement into APD and repayment of backpay. That finally happened and Officer Perea was paid over $150,000 by the city and is in the process of being reinstated into APD. Our Eyes tell us that the city has argued that Perea is not qualified to be a police officer any more because he hasn't kept up with training. But of course it was the city's fault that Perea was unable to keep up with training. 

That's a fun game the current leadership likes to play: we're gonna violate your rights but don't blame us if you don't like it.

(Funny how the city likes to micro-analyze and promote such requirements and regulations when its to their benefit; but what do they do when such little details are against them and show guilt? That's a little Eye hint about something coming down the line...)

So while Perea gets a nice check, almost the same day there's bizarre story about the city cutting yet another six-figure check because of what's described as a "secret arrest" stemming from a SWAT activation. Of course the money paid isn't so much because of the actions of the officers but the seeming deception and tampering of records by the city.

What, the city "loses" records?!?!?!?

Since the all-monied Alcade, RJ Berry, boasts about his CAO's effectiveness, we at the Eye think Perry's 2014 salary should be offset by what we all just paid Perea. That would leave Perry with about $33,000 in income for the year and seems about right for his "service" to the city. Oh wait, since Perry has his fingers involved in legal matters facing the city, he should also be on the hook for the $150,000 paid out in the secret arrest case.

Mr. Perry, please cut us a check for $117,000 by the end of the month please as you have no credit.

Folks, at the risk of pointing out the obvious, we're going to draw your attention to a painful truth. Every since Jim Baca was mayor, things have steadily gotten worse. And while many will hate this comment, it seems Mr. Baca's administration was the high point of the city's administration in the last 15 years. (Yes yes, we can hear the "Anybody but Baca" comments already). You see, Mr. Baca had a highly skilled and very professional CAO when he had Lawrence Rael as his top administrator. Mr. Baca also made it not about him, but about the institution. Then we entered the political era with Marty Chavez as mayor. While Dr. Perlman was effective as CAO, Mr. Adams was fairly limited and let's be real, both really worked angles for themselves (Adams took home over $103,000 in 2013). Perlman did his, hush hush out of country work, and Adams feathered his nest. And it was all about keeping Marty looking like a dignitary.

Then came Berry and we are now immersed in the era of cronyism. What else do you call it when $150,000 checks are routinely cut because of BAD decision made by personnel who give themselves raises or are promoted....? Jobs for friends here, contracts for friends there, is the way of Berry. And as Berry hands pieces of his pie out to all of his political hacks, we, the citizens, are left holding the bag.