tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13209058.post112457055083170601..comments2023-10-18T06:22:24.290-07:00Comments on Mojave Monitor: Bush favors to mad cowmen lead to BLM suicideDaniel R. Patterson, Editorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07774786197579622798noreply@blogger.comBlogger84125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13209058.post-81145958133145313292009-01-31T14:28:00.000-08:002009-01-31T14:28:00.000-08:00This is an update for anyone who still checks this...This is an update for anyone who still checks this site. There is a petition to release the full Dept. of Interior report with testimony. The full report is still being "redacted" after 3 years. See http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/JusticeforMarleneBraun<BR/><BR/>In addition, the Draft RMP for the Carrizo Plain National Monument is available on the BLM Bakersfield site for review and comment.Kathyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09171700939348970718noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13209058.post-67821621112868937132007-06-10T07:28:00.000-07:002007-06-10T07:28:00.000-07:00Is it widely known that Huntsinger has only a BS d...Is it widely known that Huntsinger has only a BS degree in biology from Humboldt. How does this qualify him to be natural resources science coordinator of BLM? Since the natural resources committee of congress is about to meet soon, it might be nice for them to know what kind of hacks BLM hires to establish policy.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13209058.post-70795207480181043702006-12-09T06:29:00.000-08:002006-12-09T06:29:00.000-08:00Committee revives Carrizo talks
David Sneed
dsneed...Committee revives Carrizo talks<br />David Sneed<br />dsneed@thetribunenews.com<br />A dormant resource advisory committee will meet Jan. 27 to discuss management of the Carrizo Plain National Monument.<br /><br />It will be the first meeting of the group since it unraveled in 2005 over disagreements about appropriate levels of grazing within the 250,000-acre monument in southeastern San Luis Obispo County.<br /><br />The nine-member advisory group will hold a daylong meeting starting at 10 a.m. at the Carrisa Elementary School on Highway 58 near Soda Lake Road. A public comment period will be held from 3 to 4 p.m.<br /><br />The monument is home to an abundance of rare and endangered plants and animals. Former manager Marlene Braun committed suicide in May 2005 citing disagreement over grazing issues with her Bureau of Land Management boss Ron Huntsinger.<br /><br /><br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />The agency has reappointed the advisory panel and is resuming efforts to complete a resource management plan. For more information, call Johna Hurl at (661) 391-6093.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13209058.post-1951541167612637392006-12-06T06:23:00.000-08:002006-12-06T06:23:00.000-08:00See this story: http://www.sanluisobispo.com/mld/s...See this story: http://www.sanluisobispo.com/mld/sanluisobispo/16154056.htm?template=contentModules/printstory.jsp<br /><br />New hopes for action at Carrizo Plain arise<br />San Luis Obispo Tribune<br />By David Whitney<br />dwhitney@thetribunenews.com Posted on Sun, Dec. 03, 2006 <br /><br />Huntsinger is leaving Bakersfield to work under the science coordinator's office in DC. The RMP is back on the schedule of the advisory committee and things are not looking as bleak!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13209058.post-1154132551692194392006-07-28T17:22:00.000-07:002006-07-28T17:22:00.000-07:00U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Land M...U.S. Department of the Interior <BR/> Bureau of Land Management<BR/>News Release<BR/><BR/>For Release: July 26, 2006 CA-SO-06-11<BR/>Contact: John Dearing (916) 978-4622 or Dave Christy (916) 985-4474 <BR/><BR/><BR/>Carrizo Plain National Monument Planning to Resume<BR/><BR/>With the recent appointment of the new Carrizo Plain National Monument Advisory Committee, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is ready to resume work with the public on a draft resource management plan (RMP) to guide the monumentâ?Ts future, according to BLM State Director Mike Pool.<BR/><BR/>The committee, a nine-member panel appointed by the Secretary of the Interior, will advise BLM on development of the plan, said Pool. â?oWeâ?Tre very pleased to have the new committee in place and we look forward to their help in crafting a land use plan that both recognizes the special values that led to the monumentâ?Ts designation and provides for an appropriate level of public use and enjoyment.â?<BR/><BR/>BLM has decided to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) to support the plan, based on â?opublic requests and our interest in expanding public involvement in the planning process,â? he said.<BR/><BR/>In cooperation with the committee, the BLM and its monument managing partners, The Nature Conservancy and the California Department of Fish and Game, will be conducting additional public scoping meetings later this fall to gather input on issues to be addressed in the draft RMP and EIS, expected to be ready for public review and comment sometime in 2007. Prior scoping comments received will also be addressed to ensure the documents are responsive to all public issues and concerns.<BR/><BR/>The Carrizo Plain, the largest undeveloped remnant of the once vast San Joaquin Valley ecosystem, was designated a national monument in 2001 in recognition of its special resource values, including threatened and endangered species such as the San Joaquin kit fox, giant kangaroo rat, and blunt-nosed leopard lizard. It also contains nationally significant geological features, such as one of the best exposed examples of the 10-million year old San Andreas Fault, as well as one of the most significant cultural sites in California at Painted Rock. In the spring, the Plain exhibits a lavish wildflower display of goldfields, purple owls, lupine, and the rare California jewelflower.<BR/><BR/>Carrizo Plain Advisory Committee members are: Ellen Cypher, PhD, plant ecologist and research ecologist, Bakersfield; Neil Havlik, PhD, natural resources manager, San Luis Obispo; Raymond Hatch, former mayor, Taft; Michael Khus-Zarate, an educator and member of the Carrizo Plain Native American Advisory Council, Fresno; Dale Kuhnle, rancher, Santa Margarita; Jim Patterson, San Luis Obispo County supervisor, Atascadero; Robert Pavlik, environmental planner, San Luis Obispo; Carl Twisselman, rancher and member of the BLM Central California Resource Advisory Council, McKittrick; and Raymond Watson, Kern County supervisor, Bakersfield. <BR/><BR/>Further information on the Carrizo Plain can be obtained from BLMâ?Ts Bakersfield Field Office, 3801 Pegasus Dr., Bakersfield, Calif., 93308 or (661) 391-6000.<BR/>-BLM-<BR/>California State Office, 2800 Cottage Way, Sacramento, CA 95825Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13209058.post-1153604202406605342006-07-22T14:36:00.000-07:002006-07-22T14:36:00.000-07:00There are new grazing regs affecting the Carrizo....There are new grazing regs affecting the Carrizo. See BLM's July Newsbytes. Nothing seems to change for the better.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13209058.post-1151930118543467582006-07-03T05:35:00.000-07:002006-07-03T05:35:00.000-07:00Another of Marlene's birthdays has gone by, and st...Another of Marlene's birthdays has gone by, and still no answers...at least public ones...C'mon, BLM!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13209058.post-1149691650181072202006-06-07T07:47:00.000-07:002006-06-07T07:47:00.000-07:00For a followup story on Marlene's case, see the Sa...For a followup story on Marlene's case, see the San Luis Obispo New Times, June 1, 2006 at this link:<BR/>http://www.newtimes-slo.com/index.php?p=showarticle&id=1788<BR/><BR/>Basically, the government is stalling. Write to the Secretary of the Interior:<BR/><BR/>Hon. Dirk Kempthorne<BR/>Department of the Interior<BR/>1849 C Street, NW<BR/>Washington, DC 20240<BR/><BR/>Thanks.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13209058.post-1148567846176936572006-05-25T07:37:00.000-07:002006-05-25T07:37:00.000-07:00We need to get mobilized on workplace bullying "He...We need to get mobilized on workplace bullying "Healthy Workplace" legislation. These are some tips:<BR/>Locate both California District and Capitol office information from their websites. Telephone the offices before emailing. If you dont live in Calif. then find out what your state is doing, who your reps are.<BR/><BR/>Members of the either the Assembly Labor or Judiciary committees would make ideal authors of the bill. Here are their names and phone numbers at both their District and Sacramento offices. Call today and tell them you want AB 1582 resurrected in the 2006-07 session. <BR/>Assembly Labor Committee members <BR/><BR/>Member Name -- (Party, District #), District office city, office phone <BR/><BR/>Paul Koretz (D-42), Chair, West Hollywood, 310-652-4242 / (916) 319-2042<BR/>[Koretz was author of original bill in 2003 and who dropped the bill in 2004 without a hearing]<BR/>Gloria Negrete McLeod (D-61) Montclair, 909-621-7483 / (916) 319-2061<BR/>[She was co-author of original bill in 2003.]<BR/>Gene Mullin (D-19), Vice-chair -- 650-341-4319 / (916) 319-2019<BR/>John Laird (D-27) Santa Cruz (831-425-1503) Seaside (831-384-1980)/ (916) 319-2027<BR/>Loni Hancock (D-14) Berkeley, 510-540-3660 / (916) 319-2014<BR/>Judy Chu (D-49) Monterey Park (323-981-3426) El Monte (626-450-6116) / (916) 319-2049<BR/>Shirley Horton (R-78) San Diego, 619-234-7878 / (916) 319-2078<BR/>Guy Houston (R- 15) Brentwood (925-513-8558) Livermore (925-606-4990) / (916) 319-2015 <BR/><BR/>Assembly Committee on the Judiciary <BR/><BR/>Ellen Corbett, Chair (D-18) San Leandro, 510-6140181 / (916) 319-2018<BR/>Tom Harman, Vice Chair (R-67) Huntington Beach, 714-843-4966 / (916) 319-2067<BR/>Patricia Bates (R-73) Oceanside (760-757-8084) Laguna Niguel (949-495-0730) / (916) 319-2073<BR/>John Dutra (D-20) Fremont, 510-440-9030 / (916) 319-2020<BR/>Loni Hancock (D-14) Berkeley, 510-540-3660 / (916) 319-2014<BR/>Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-35) Santa Barbara (805-654-1649) Ventura (805-648-9943) / (916) 319-2035<BR/>John Laird (D-27) Santa Cruz (831-425-1503) Seaside (831-384-1980)/ (916) 319-2027<BR/>John Longville (D-62) San Bernardino, 909-388-1413 / (916) 319-2062<BR/>Cindy Montanez (D-39) Mission Hills, 818-838-3939 / (916) 319-2039<BR/>Robert Pacheco (R-60) City of Industry, 626-839-2000 / (916) 319-2060<BR/>Todd Spitzer (R-71) Orange, 714-998-0980 / (916) 319-2071<BR/>Darrell Steinberg (D-9) Sacramento, 916-324-4676 / (916) 319-2009<BR/>Juan Vargas (D-79) Chula Vista, 619-409-7979 / (916) 319-2079<BR/><BR/><BR/><BR/>Scheduling appointments to make your case:<BR/><BR/> <BR/><BR/>Schedule appointments<BR/>Instead of saying that you are seeking someone to sponsor the bill, initially simply say that you would like to schedule an “information session”<BR/>Keep your focus narrow and to a few simple points<BR/>Research the legislator’s biography and past voting record on your issue, and explain how supporting you will further their goals, and will not be perceived as a shift in their platform<BR/>Leave simply stated written material, stating your view, and also the opposing view, with your counter remarks to those with opposing viewpoints<BR/>Optimally, you should have 3-4 people in your group at the appointment (one person is not as strong and too many simply make the legislator focus on “getting through the meeting” amicably, instead of really discussing the issues)<BR/>Match the people in the room to the person being lobbied<BR/>Always have a constituent of the legislator present at the meeting<BR/>If possible, have someone at he meeting who shares common history with the legislator (i.e. if the legislator is an ex-teacher, the presence of someone in education is beneficial)<BR/><BR/><BR/>Finding a legislator to sponsor a bill:<BR/><BR/> <BR/><BR/>If you can find a legislator who has a firm personal belief in what your bill represents, this is optimum<BR/>Try to find a sponsor that will “own” you legislation, making yours one of the 12 bills that they believe must pass. (This is best realized if the legislator or a family member of theirs has been affected by the issue raised in your proposed bill).<BR/>You can call a legislator’s office and simply ask if the legislator has in the past supported legislation of this kind; if not, go on to someone else<BR/>If the legislator or their family member (especially a spouse or child) has been affected by the issue you represent, you have the strongest chance for support<BR/>Always make a case for how your legislation will in no way conflict with the legislators agenda/platform, and how in fact it further supports it<BR/>Emphasize to the legislator what’s in it for them to support your legislation<BR/>In addition to stating your case, give the legislator in writing what the opposition may say, and how the opposition can be successfully counter argued<BR/>Accept that politically some legislators may not be able to sponsor your bill, but may still be able to simply vote favorably for it, and that some simply will not support it<BR/><BR/><BR/>Rallying support for the legislation:<BR/><BR/> <BR/><BR/>Offer that if the legislator can offer their expertise to amend and improve the legislation, that this help is valued and appreciated (When they their add ideas they become stakeholders and therefore “own” the legislation and become much stronger proponents of it)<BR/>Gain support of people representing bodies of people where possible (i.e. unions, associations or organizations) <BR/>Realize that individuals can only heavily influence is they are a spouse or major financial contributor<BR/>Realize that grassroots letters from constituents are very effective<BR/>Know that media can be used to support your legislation (Don’t forget that when you attempt to gain media coverage, your information must be sent two places: 1) to the news division, and, 2) to the editorial division<BR/><BR/><BR/>Advocacy Skills:<BR/><BR/> <BR/><BR/>Know that the goal of advocacy is to affect the legislative process<BR/>Know that you are asking legislators to either reinforce their stance (easy) or to change their stance (difficult)<BR/>Know that if you fail on your first attempt that raising the issue again, and again, can win on a subsequent attempt<BR/>Tell legislators how their support of the legislation helps them to achieve their agenda (That it supports their platform, provides gains in constituent support, leaves a legacy of voting for an issue that they can be proud of in retirement)<BR/>Try to anticipate questions you might be asked and rehearse your point, counterpoint, response skills<BR/>Go beyond the talking points by knowing your material and by reading the bill<BR/>“Inoculate” the legislator to attacks they may get by supporting you, by telling them the arguments that can be made against your proposed legislation and how the legislator can counter argue for you<BR/>If you have many points, stick to just the three strongest ones<BR/>Written materials should be left behind<BR/>Written materials should state your case simply, can be humorous, or can be a dramatic statement, that includes a visual, and should memorable<BR/>Never mistake polite listening for agreement or endorsement<BR/>After a meeting, access its chemistry, and if you should either continue your efforts with the legislator, or move on to someone else<BR/>Never debrief in the hallways, elevator, restroom, or anywhere near where the actual meeting took place (You can never tell who may be overhearing you)<BR/>If you are unsure of what a legislator said, call their office for clarification (They will appreciate being given the opportunity to clarify, rather than be misquoted)<BR/>Always follow up every step of the process with thank you letters and emails (so few do this)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13209058.post-1148349333719686582006-05-22T18:55:00.000-07:002006-05-22T18:55:00.000-07:00So what is the status of the EEO investigation on ...So what is the status of the EEO investigation on the women in Redding and then I heard there was another EEO investigation that was just settled with the former BLM CA National Monument manager for the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains. We had heard she was detailed to the CA BLM State office...what was the outcome of her case...anyone know?<BR/><BR/>What's up with the investigation report into Marlene Braun's death? <BR/><BR/>We as taxpayers have the right to know, otherwise I guess we will have to hear it from the media.<BR/><BR/>ThanksAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13209058.post-1147306467849249642006-05-10T17:14:00.000-07:002006-05-10T17:14:00.000-07:00There are women in the BLM Redding Office who are ...There are women in the BLM Redding Office who are designated whistleblowers. There is an impending investigation from Department of Interior Office of Inspector General, Office of Special Counsel and EEO. The tension is high in the Redding Office and the male managers are acting inappropriately with the women. EEO complaints have been filed. The women have been retaliated against on an almost daily basis by the Field Office Mgr., Asst. Field Mgr. and their supervisors. <BR/>The women have claims of misappropriation of fire monies along with other whistleblower claims. There were at least two controversial fires that drew negative public attention – homes and property destroyed. BLM admitted their error in starting the 1999 Lowden fire due to untrained and unqualified personnel. Among other claims, the 2004 French fire rehab monies have been used fraudulently by the above-managers. <BR/><BR/>Additionally, there are still men making decisions about burning and doing controlled burns that do not even have Red card qualifications and are not following proper procedures. This could result in another fire like the 1999 Lowden fire which was started by BLM error and burned homes. One of the whistleblowers was recently fired by the BLM CA Associate State Director, the Redding Field Office manager and her supervisor because they are alleging that she is not qualified in her fire position due to not passing a pack test. She had 18 years in Federal Government service and only 8 years left to retire. One woman, during her recent performance evaluation was physically and verbally intimidated by her supervisor. The CA State Office is doing nothing to stop this behavior. <BR/><BR/><BR/>I think those women are brave and the public should know about the waste, fraud and abuse of the tax payer money that was earmarked to go to fire rehab and that unqualified employees and the unprofessional behaviors that resulted in the BLM fire that burned homes are still happening and there is a public safety risk. The local Redding, California community and the overall California community will be needlessly, but rightly so, concerned or frightened for their safety. <BR/><BR/><BR/>Fire season is starting soon and something must be done with the managers in the BLM Redding, California Office as well as some officials in the BLM CA State Director’s office to alleviate the safety problem and the retaliation matter. The BLM CA State office has been covering up for the BLM Redding manager’s and supervisors. It’s time to bring ethics back into the office which is much needed in the BLM CA. <BR/><BR/><BR/>If the CA BLM State Office hasn't listened to the Redding women and their were originally 6 complainants and now down to three (Quid Pro Quo?), then one can only assume they never listened to Marlene Braun in Bakersfield. Something is very wrong with the way the BLM CA State office handles the No Fear Act Zero Tolerance Policy as well as Sexual Harassment Zero Tolerance Policy. They seem to cover-up for their managers who are doing the wrong-doing and could care less about the other employees.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13209058.post-1146913082439136022006-05-06T03:58:00.000-07:002006-05-06T03:58:00.000-07:00I saw the bakersfield paper which i read online an...I saw the bakersfield paper which i read online and there was an amazing memorial to Marlene, a lot of signatures of people who are not going to forget what a beautiful place she and her staff made the carrizo. Here's the site if you want to sign the guestbook which is with the memoral<BR/>http://www.legacy.com/bakersfield/Guestbook.asp?Page=Guestbook&PersonID=17624308Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13209058.post-1146667004968268322006-05-03T07:36:00.000-07:002006-05-03T07:36:00.000-07:00In regards to your question, the FBI investigates ...In regards to your question, the FBI investigates a wide variety of economic crimes. We are usually tipped off to these cases by citizens, victims of criminal activity and from concerned people inside the various industries we investigate. Some major categories of white collar crime include:<BR/><BR/>Public Corruption -- Voters deserve politicians and public servants who are honest and spend public money wisely. When there is wrongdoing, however, the FBI will work to convict those who have broken trust with our citizens.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13209058.post-1146536808698892202006-05-01T19:26:00.000-07:002006-05-01T19:26:00.000-07:00There are women in the BLM Redding Office who are ...There are women in the BLM Redding Office who are designated whistleblowers. There is an impending investigation from Department of Interior Office of Inspector General, Office of Special Counsel and EEO. The tension is high in the Redding Office and the male managers are acting inappropriately with the women. EEO complaints have been filed. The women have been retaliated against on an almost daily basis by the Field Office Mgr., Asst. Field Mgr. and their supervisors. <BR/> The women have claims of misappropriation of fire monies along with other whistleblower claims. There were at least two controversial fires that drew negative public attention – homes and property destroyed. BLM admitted their error in starting the 1999 Lowden fire due to untrained and unqualified personnel. Among other claims, the 2004 French fire rehab monies have been used fraudulently by the above-managers. <BR/> Additionally, there are still men making decisions about burning and doing controlled burns that do not even have Red card qualifications and are not following proper procedures. This could result in another fire like the 1999 Lowden fire which was started by BLM error and burned homes. One of the whistleblowers was recently fired by the BLM CA Associate State Director, the Redding Field Office manager and her supervisor because they are alleging that she is not qualified in her fire position due to not passing a pack test. She had 18 years in Federal Government service and only 8 years left to retire. One woman, during her recent performance evaluation was physically and verbally intimidated by her supervisor. The CA State Office is doing nothing to stop this behavior. <BR/> <BR/>I think those women are brave and the public should know about the waste, fraud and abuse of the tax payer money that was earmarked to go to fire rehab and that unqualified employees and the unprofessional behaviors that resulted in the BLM fire that burned homes are still happening and there is a public safety risk. The local Redding, California community and the overall California community will be needlessly, but rightly so, concerned or frightened for their safety.<BR/> <BR/> Fire season is starting soon and something must be done with the managers in the BLM Redding, California Office as well as some officials in the BLM CA State Director’s office to alleviate the safety problem and the retaliation matter. The BLM CA State office has been covering up for the BLM Redding manager’s and supervisors. It’s time to bring ethics back into the office which is much needed in the BLM CA.<BR/> <BR/>If the CA BLM State Office hasn't listened to the Redding women and their were originally 6 complainants and now down to three (Quid Pro Quo?), then one can only assume they never listened to Marlene Braun in Bakersfield. Something is very wrong with the way the BLM CA State office handles the No Fear Act Zero Tolerance Policy as well as Sexual Harassment Zero Tolerance Policy. They seem to cover-up for their managers who are doing the wrong-doing and could care less about the other employees.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13209058.post-1146159432775962152006-04-27T10:37:00.000-07:002006-04-27T10:37:00.000-07:00It is time that there is a resolusion to this case...It is time that there is a resolusion to this case. The Carrizo has been under constant attack since Marlene's death and while I hear TNC isn't doing business with Ron, its hard to assume that his hand isn't in it somehow. The feds owe us an explanation and some action in a positive direction. It isn't just about protecting Marlenes reputation which is still important but protecting employees and the environment. This is a complicated case that involves more than just personnell issues.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13209058.post-1146048893658504162006-04-26T03:54:00.000-07:002006-04-26T03:54:00.000-07:00I just looked at the Outpost 291 and saw that ther...I just looked at the Outpost 291 and saw that there is still no resolution, no report, no release of information or anything on Marlene's death,and it will be nearly a year soon. This just seems incredible to me. When this first came out in the los angeles paper I thought maybe it was just between Marlene and her boss but I dont think so now. It seem to go up the chain. How far up the chain do people have to go to get an answer? If you work in a company, you try to go to somebody who isnt connected to your boss but is high up. But is Bush or Cheney going to act on this? Will the new Sec. of the Interior or will Kathleen Clarke? My heart goes out to Marlene's friends and to her family and especially to her mom.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13209058.post-1145809351054986822006-04-23T09:22:00.000-07:002006-04-23T09:22:00.000-07:00This was in the Billings Outpost this morning refe...This was in the Billings Outpost this morning referring to one of the supervisors in the BLM Redding field office who has been writing in the blogs. It seems that someone responded to him. The supervisor goes under the name of "KF"<BR/>http://www.billingsnews.com/story?storyid=17959&issue=280<BR/><BR/>Re: another problem<BR/>by One of the "whiners" at 2006/04/22 20:30:31 GMT-6 <BR/>Kelly, <BR/>It has taken me a while to respond to you because I was not sure how to go about it. Yes we knew it was you all this time. You know for someone who likes to quote the facts you should get yours straight. The Redding issue has not gone away and even now you and the others are being watched by people a lot bigger than work in that office. You may have thought you and the others got away with it but " those who steal from the people must pay back to the PEOPLE" I hope you still feel that the side you chose was the right one when your jail cell is next to your "good buddy". Good luck with your paranoia now. Marlene's death will never be in vain if it brings the corruption in the California BLM out in the open. AND BELIEVE ME IT WILL!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13209058.post-1143687767137421242006-03-29T19:02:00.000-08:002006-03-29T19:02:00.000-08:00March 22, 2006"Because It Was the Right Thing to D...March 22, 2006<BR/>"Because It Was the Right Thing to Do"<BR/>I keep thinking over and over to myself, "I don't get it, I just don't get it!" Here I am a single female, 5'5" and I don't pack a gun, yet I work with Special Agents and LE Rangers who do and the one's with all the seniority and/or are strong and/or stand a towering 6'10" and even they are afraid to speak out about the corruption in the Department of Interior within their own offices as well as the office of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Law Enforcement (LE) in National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) and the Bureau of Land Management Director's Office of Law Enforcement Service (OLES) in Washington, DC. They are afraid to say anything, yet asked me to be their voice, what am I suppose to do? How do I handle this? I am just "one", do they think I can change anything or make a difference....I am just "one". I am just "one" and continue to hear the "voices" of many. <BR/>Let's see, we have four in Arizona, two in Nevada, and more in California than I can count on my toes and fingers. These are law enforcement personnel including agents who have confided in me, they put their faith in me, they tell me what they know, what they have seen. They say it's because I am not afraid and have already been retaliated against and my name is known all over. "I am the brave one" some say, other's say, "Don't ever question the twins, if they say it's wrong, it's wrong, if they say it's right, it's right." Maybe it's an honor that Stace and I are well liked and respected, but sometimes I wonder if having high morals and ethics are worth it? Do we play by the rules? Yes! Are we perfect? No. Yet, why do I feel so compelled to help them out? <BR/> Well, maybe it's because I have been abused verbally, retaliated against for disclosing wrong doing, bullied, harassed, one gal was terminated, have I heard it all? Yep! I was afraid once, I coward in the corner shaking, I cried, I experienced every thought and emotion....and then I got to "the breaking point"....no one ever told me about that one! That's the point where you either fall or climb up the mountain and over it. I chose to climb the mountain. It hasn't been easy and I swing on my rope every other day just to take a break and look down to see how far I have climbed. The top is not very far away....I have to keep climbing. Let me tell you what I see right now as I swing from my rope; I look down and I see a wonderful, smart, funny, spunky, outgoing, well educated, talented female fire fighter who is respected and well loved by her peers, family and friends, she has been bullied, abused, retaliated against and now terminated from the Federal government for doing what she thought was, "the right thing to do". She is now sad, angry, depressed; she doesn't know what she is going to do to support her family without a job. She never thought this would ever happen to her after 18 years of government service. <BR/>I just took several more steps climbing this mountain watching her! <BR/><BR/>Now I see a lot of what appears to be shiny objects on several small scurrying life forms a long way down below me. It appears as if it is an ant colony and their Queen has left the building so to speak. They are dysfunctional because they have no leader. They remind me of the agents and rangers who no longer have faith in their own law enforcement leaders. There is no trust amongst any of them and they are seeking to find a new Queen, someone who can nurture them back into the organization that they were once happy in, an organization of leaders whom they trusted, an organization that believed their mission statement to be 100% followed and true.<BR/>I am getting stronger for the next steps ahead just watching them. I wonder if they can see me. They should follow my path. <BR/>As I swing out a little more I can see a medium size box. In it are several pieces of furniture, some are made of glass (breakable), some are made of plastic (can bend a little bit), and some are made of steel (unbreakable, ya can't even bend it), it looks like a remodeling project going on and the project manager isn't building the office with the correct architectural plans. Its chaotic, a lot of project manager's giving off tasks, but the workers are leaving the construction site and walking off the job so fast that there appears to be more chiefs and not enough Indians and it is very dysfunctional. A lot of cheating, stealing, and yelling going on. This is a bad place to be. Someone needs to come in and take over and get it organized and rebuild because it looks like the roof just now caved in.<BR/>This appears to be the office in which I work in; Thank God I have my rope tied to me because when I get to the top of the mountain......I'm gonna cut it off! <BR/>I look down and I see my parents, there's my dad, "hi dad", oh I see my mom there too, "hi mom". They are such loving parents, 60 years together and they still sit next to each other watching TV day and night together. I see my dad, a WWII Hero, both of them instilled with working and going after want you want. They never gave any of us children a dime, we had to earn it. I am glad they brought us up that way. We never took advantage of anything and I have learned to appreciate things. Before I started climbing the mountain my dad gave me the best talk. He told me of the war he was in and within that war there were many battles, battles he lost and battles he won, but he never lost focus of the War and that's what we have to do, "never lose focus of the War" My therapist told me that as well and these are two men in my life that I have the utmost respect for.<BR/> I often wonder throughout my life what my purpose is in this life. I don't think I have much time, but this is the conclusion I came up with. Maybe I am single for a reason with no kids; maybe climbing this mountain will make some sort of difference after all. Maybe when I get to the top I will be able to yell loud enough that people all over will hear what I have to say. Someone down there has to listen, there has to be a lesson taught through all of this, people will need to be removed, people will need to be suspended, there has got to be a major lesson taught and learned from all of this. A point needs to be made, a big one. No one is above the law! The only thing I have to lose over this is my job, because I will not lose my dignity, my values, my morals, and my character. I will still have my loving friends and family. I love the people I work with; I don't want to quit my job because of some dysfunctional greedy people. Ethics need to be restored. Someone wrote something on the internet and it really hit home to me, they said that as public servants, we are "we the people” are working "for the people" and "for the people" pay us as "we the people" or is it the other way around?<BR/>I have heard project managers in that box down there say, "I hope Traci gets a settlement and quits" and "I want her out of here" (meaning me), another gal who said something, "Because it was just the right thing to do!" I am no environmentalist, I am not very religious, but I was raised with old fashion family values with morals and ethics that will never be taken away from me. Someone once told me, "Go for the Gold"; I asked them what they meant. I explained to them that money is not going to solve the problems, it's the principle and lessons need to be learned. They said to me, "lessons will be learned if a lot of money is taken away from their budget because they did wrong doing to you." That made sense, but that's not what our War is about. So I have been on Air Force One and Air Force Two, I have sat with the President and the First Lady, alone. I have sat next to famous people and politicians, but you know what, they put their pants on just like we do. No one intimidates me. I would give anything to stand before Congress and the Senate and speak from my heart without a planned speech. What is happening in our offices are wrong, what is happening within the Department of Interior (DOI) Law Enforcement program officials is wrong, corruption is wrong, having no faith in your Supervisor's, Manager's, and Directors, is just down right sad!<BR/> I hope they hear me and I hope they listen! Why? "Because it's just the right thing to do!"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13209058.post-1142702267788274682006-03-18T09:17:00.000-08:002006-03-18T09:17:00.000-08:00Don, it is true that one of the complainants in Re...Don, it is true that one of the complainants in Redding was terminated. It was clearly in retaliation for filing an EEO and Whistleblower disclosure. The management in the BLM CA State Office is protecting the field office managers state wide and could care less about the employees. Several Department of Interior employees on the West coast and other Western States are filing a Class complaint. It will be in the news.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13209058.post-1141915140385503122006-03-09T06:39:00.000-08:002006-03-09T06:39:00.000-08:00I have heard from friends of mine that a woman who...I have heard from friends of mine that a woman who was one of the complaintents in the EEO case in Redding BLM has actually been fired. Also that more firings are likely. What is going on in California BLM? I hear rumors about indictments for some of the middle managers but not the bosses. I don't know if these are true, but I wish the press would look into this.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13209058.post-1141581660578657622006-03-05T10:01:00.000-08:002006-03-05T10:01:00.000-08:00Response to BLM in So Caby Lesa Donnelly at 2006/0...Response to BLM in So Ca<BR/>by Lesa Donnelly at 2006/03/04 20:39:14 US/Mountain <BR/>Hello ladies. Thank you for your support. Fear of retaliation is healthy. It is your survival instincts kicking in. It is much easier to survive reprisal when there is support from coworkers. I see that you tried calling. My internet phone line is not working and until I get SBC in to look at it I've been using my phone line to get on the internet. When that occurs callers will either get a constant ring or a busy signal. Sorry about that. Try again. My voice mail goes to my home and is confidential. My email is the same. Your names and information will be kept completely confidential. <BR/><BR/>I am getting quite a few calls from BLM women in CA. I'm thinking that it might be ripe for a CA class action complaint similar to Donnelly v. Veneman/Donnelly v. Glickman in the Forest Service in CA. For those who fear coming forward at this time, we can speak with you confidentially to gather information. Women who retired, were fired or quit the BLM recently can join a class action. If you don't have an active EEO complaint you would still be considered a class member. When I filed the Donnelly Class there were approx. 2,500 FS women working in CA. When the judge certified the class, he certified it on behalf of 6,000 women in CA. That is because it included women who quit, retired and were fired. It also included temporary employees. <BR/><BR/><BR/>For those who may feel more comfortable speaking with a BLM employee instead of me or prior to speaking with me, I suggest calling or emailing these two women. <BR/><BR/>Traci Hallstrom <BR/><BR/>phone: 530-241-1676 <BR/><BR/>email: swisBeagle@snowcrest.net <BR/><BR/>web: www.swisBeagle.com <BR/><BR/>and/or <BR/><BR/>Andrea Carter <BR/><BR/>phone: 530-347-4524 <BR/><BR/>email: littlebrat29@yahoo.com <BR/><BR/><BR/>Traci and Andrea have alot of information to share. We are working together on BLM issues of discrimination, HWE and reprisal. There is truly strength in unity. We look forward to working with other BLM women and men.....lesa <BR/> <BR/>BLM CA State Office EEO<BR/>by Local News at 2006/03/04 20:56:02 US/Mountain <BR/>It's too bad BLM employees throughout California do not know the real reason why one of the EEO specialist retired recently and why the EEO Manager is retiring in April of 2006. <BR/><BR/><BR/>Women in BLM<BR/>by SafeTNut at 2006/03/05 05:50:48 US/Mountain <BR/>Everything you read about Lesa Donnelly is true. She had a major case that she won and she is an advocate for the employees. You have to check about legal confidentiality. A firm like Donnelly and Donnelly will certainly keep your info confidential, but what you need to know is whether it can be subpoenaed. An attorney's files can't. There is absolute privilege. Lesa Donnelly is on the up and up. It is good to check though. <BR/><BR/>You should join your union. A union gains strength from its members. I am a long time union rep and before some new blood joined it was a pretty hopeless group. If you join, make sure you get involved! Don't just join and expect that whoever is there now is going to take care of you. Work with the union. <BR/><BR/><BR/>It is awful to know this is going on throughout BLM's California offices. People win more EEO cases than they lose if they persist. You might have to appeal. That's a fact though. If you have a complaint that has merit, your chances are good, yet it can suck you dry for a while. Have courage!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13209058.post-1141569354455008292006-03-05T06:35:00.000-08:002006-03-05T06:35:00.000-08:00For people in the San Luis Obispo area, there is c...For people in the San Luis Obispo area, there is conference in March on the environment. It says by invitation only but it looks like if you call the number you can get invited. There is a short dedication to Marlene Braun at the start of the conference and then an interesting program on wildlife, marine issues, etc.<BR/><BR/>www.ecoslo.org/press/ecosummit5Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13209058.post-1141401102584699912006-03-03T07:51:00.000-08:002006-03-03T07:51:00.000-08:00Hello,There are several of us ladies down here who...Hello,<BR/><BR/>There are several of us ladies down here who work for the Bureau and we have been reading these blogs and it is disgusting what we hear you all are involved in. We support you and were wondering if it is true that one of you was terminated? We heard it was because you failed a test or something, but isn't it really about retaliation? We have the same thing going on in two of our offices and we are afraid to speak up because we would then be subjected to retaliation and fear, more so than we already are. We are even afraid to join the Union. <BR/><BR/>My co-worker friend and I called Ms. Donnelly for advice and her phone kept ringing so we didn't leave a message. Is she really on the employees side or is this another plot from state office management? <BR/>We are afraid to email her. Our questions to you are; can we contact you or if we emailed Ms. Donnelly would our names be kept confidential? Is there anyway we can join you in your case without our names being disclosed or can you fight for all women in BLM who have and are subjected to discrimination, bullying etc.? Can women who retired from the BLM recently join in your case as well?<BR/><BR/>Word travels fast in the BLM and we think that what you are doing having the courage to stand up against management and fight for our rights is outstanding.<BR/><BR/>We don't know if you can talk to us or not or repond on the blog thing so if you can, great if not, can we communicate through Ms. Donnelly without anyone knowing our names?<BR/><BR/>You all have alot of support and I hope you win and make a difference.<BR/><BR/>God Bless all of youAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13209058.post-1141271263869733842006-03-01T19:47:00.000-08:002006-03-01T19:47:00.000-08:00Second post on duplicate news articleby lesa donne...Second post on duplicate news article<BR/>by lesa donnelly at 2006/03/01 15:02:53 US/Mountain <BR/>I posted this on the other article blog, so I'm adding it to this site too. A friend recently sent me The Billings Outpost article on Marlene Braun. She wanted me to see the responses to the article. I first heard about Ms. Braun's situation and suicide last summer when someone sent me the LA Times article. Ms. Braun's tragedy is not an isolated incident. Employees who do not "go along to get along" while working for the federal government will receive harsh treatment in the form of bullying, intimidation and adverse personnel actions. Ms. Braun's supervisor used these tactics against her to get her to "behave" and to retaliate when she did not. <BR/><BR/>There is an insidious method of shutting down employees who raise allegations of harassment, discrimination, reprisal, whistleblower, etc. Management uses conduct and performance to terrorize employees. It usually works because the employee is trumped up with false allegations and is often terminated. Or the employee loses his/her physical and/or mental health and can no longer cope with the job. I've seen employees with 15 years in federal service just quit the job. I've seen employees become physically incapacitated, become deeply depressed and anxious, go into mental hospitals, attempt suicide, get divorced, lose children to Child Protective Services, go into unrecoverable debt, and lose their homes - all because of the impacts of working in a hostile environment. <BR/><BR/><BR/>I worked for the USDA for 25 years. I filed a class action lawsuit, "Donnelly v. Glickman" and "Donnelly v. Veneman" against the Forest Service in 1995. Website searches will provide info on the lawsuit and the many interviews in newspaper articles. I won certification of the lawsuit on behalf of 6000 female employees in California. A settlement resulted. The entire ordeal lasted from October, 1993 through January, 2006. Because I was the lead class agent in the lawsuit the agency went after me with every resource they had. Prior to 1994 I had never had a conduct or performance problem and, in fact, had received numerous cash awards. After I filed the lawsuit I was investigated 3 times, accused of being violent, given unacceptable performance ratings, received letters of reprimand (too many to count), 2 suspensions, Leave Without Pay, AWOL, had my duties removed, had my job abolished 3 times, was placed on leave restriction etc. I had my phone tapped, was stalked by Forest Service Law Enforcement Officers while off work, received threatening phone calls and had my home broken into twice that I knew of. Coworkers that I had known for years were afraid to speak with me because management would grill them about our discussions. Some employees were told to spy on me. The agency did a background investigation on me. Management came into my office and took pictures of everything in it and all the pictures/jokes that I had on the walls. I was harassed about taking time off for my father's funeral. I could go on and on about what the USDA & Forest Service management did to me from 1993 through 2002. I had approximately 50 EEO complaints filed. <BR/><BR/><BR/>I fought them and won. <BR/><BR/><BR/>Not only that, I represented other employees who filed EEO complaints. I mentored with my attorney and learned the ins and outs of employment law. I left the agency in 2002 with a large settlement. Since I had been representing employees since 1994 (on government time)I started a business with my brother - Donnelly & Donnelly Alternative Dispute Resolutions. We've represented hundreds of employees in the EEO process from informal through hearing. We've represented employees at MSPB. I've done hundreds of mediations and settled many complainants. I read one response that said there was no where to go and no one to turn to. If anyone out there needs help, CALL ME! My number is 530-365-3456 (Anderson, CA. just south of Redding). Government managers want EEO complainants to think they are isolated, alone and have no recourse. It is a way of shutting down complaints and complainants. I currently represent some employees who work for the Interior. I've represented BLM employees in the past. If you know anyone who needs EEO help or just needs to talk to someone who has been through it, give them my number. It is important that we support the employees who are going through the nightmare of workplace bullying, harassment or any type of hostile environment. As Marlene Braun has shown, some employees very lives depend upon it. <BR/><BR/><BR/>Lesa L. Donnelly <BR/><BR/> <BR/>Response to the Greg Aumann Post<BR/>by lesa donnelly at 2006/03/01 15:22:16 US/Mountain <BR/>Since my post I've received contacts from quite a few folks out there. Everything is confidential and no one will know who has contacted me. I am glad to be of assistance. Again, my phone number is 530-365-3456 and my email is lesa@snowcrest.net <BR/>My spam blocker is on high so please put something regarding BLM or DOI in the subject line so I don't miss the message. I may have missed one, so if I don't respond to you, try again. <BR/><BR/><BR/>Regarding the post from the alleged Greg Aumann...I do not believe it was from him. I've received no contacts from anyone claiming to be him. I think that someone posted the comment to try to scare people away from contacting me. Please be assured that I will not speak with any investigator, employee or member of the public regarding Ms. Braun or any other situation I am aware of. Confidentiality is the utmost importance in civil rights or workplace matters. I take it as seriously as if it were atty-client privledge. I admire all of you out there who are trying to fight discrimination and harassment in the workplace. We all must support each other. Martin Luther King, Jr. said that when one of us is oppressed we are all oppressed. When one of us rises, we all rise. Keep fighting The Good Fight. <BR/><BR/>LesaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13209058.post-1141178627671552592006-02-28T18:03:00.000-08:002006-02-28T18:03:00.000-08:00The Greg Aumann who IS employed with the Departmen...The Greg Aumann who IS employed with the Department of Interior, Bureau of Land Management Bakersfield Office as a Special Agent is not participating in ANY INVESTIGATIONS into Ms. Braun's death nor is he investigating any other BLM Field Office in California. <BR/><BR/>1) There could be another person named Greg Aumann who is a private investigator hired by the family of Ms. Braun, however that is unlikely to have the same name.<BR/><BR/>2) There could be someone spreading false information to "stir the pot" so to speak.<BR/><BR/>3) There could be someone protraying to be Agent Aumann from the BLM.<BR/><BR/>THE FACT IS: Agent Morrow with the Department of Interior, Office of Inspector General in Washington DC IS the Official Lead Investigator into Ms. Brauns death. If you have information to share regarding Ms. Braun's death or other Field Office issues, you only need to speak with Agent Morrow and he can be reached at 202-208-6261. <BR/><BR/>Your information and identity will be kept confidential.<BR/><BR/>Thank youAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com