La Habra Heights Water District candidates disagree over perks,...

They're not just talking about water in the race for this city's water district Board of Directors.

[StephenBlagden]

A few clarifications and additions.

The Board members were not reimbursed for the drinks, they had "meetings" at expensive restaurants, and charged the meals and drinks to the Water District. Some spouses of Board members also came to the dinners and had their meals and drinks paid for by the District's customers.

It is not only the alcohol that is an issue, but the judgement used in ordering filet mignon, swordfish, prime rib, and expensive brand name alcohol knowing it was going to be charged to Water District customers; as well as bringing spouses along to eat at public expense.

When I put in the public records request for dinner expenses charged or reimbursed, I expected to see maybe pizza and tacos, not high priced meals and imbibing.

Why was it necessary to have "meetings" at local restaurants like El Cholo and Lascaris, again charging food and drink to the Water District customers?
Couldn't the meetings have been held up the street at the Water District Office like a regular meeting?

It appears a couple of these dinners may have been associated with conferences, but again raises the question of appropriateness of the level of spending and menu choices at public expense.

Also of concern, these "meetings" were not noticed as required by the Brown Act, which prohibits gatherings of a majority of members without public notice, and an opportunity for the public to comment and observe.

Members of the public may have learned something had they stood in the corner, unable to participate in the feasting underway at public expense.

A question not yet answered; Did board members receive their $100 stipend for any of these "meetings"?

Dinner and drink receipts, and other reimbursements can be seen at :
www.LaHabraHeights.net

Decide for yourself if this is how you want elected officials to spend your dollars.

[Volunteer]

"The race between three-term incumbent Brad Cooke, appointed incumbent Jeffrey Heintz and challenger George Edwards also is focused on perks, such as board compensation and whether the district should have reimbursed board members for business meals that included alcoholic beverages. Cooke and Heintz say the liquor issue was a mistake."
.
.
A mistake? They “accidentally”-- on multiple occasions -- turned in the receipts and requests for reimbursement? Then they “accidentally” cashed the checks? And Mr. Heintz, as treasurer for the Improvement Association “accidentally” signed financial reports “misstating” its claimed tax exempt status? Apparently, for three years in a row.

Why elect someone who is prone to making financial mistakes when entrusted with positions of responsibility?

A real fiscal conservative who really believed that he was elected to represent the people would never have even considered charging such extravagant meals to the people he was supposed to be serving.

The troubling part of “Liquorgate” is not what these guys ate or drank or even the amount of money involved. It is the complete contempt that these people have shown for the citizens and ratepayers whom they are supposed to be representing.

[Hypocrites]

At the Oct 8 council meeting, Mayor Vipperman refused to sign his name to a letter Stan Carroll was asking for. He quipped something like; I am not going to afix my name to something I do not want to do.(Stamping his feet like a child temper tantrum). But, on Saturday, I received a "hit" mailer from the Vipperman's, hitting on any alternative rebuttals for the campaign on the water district. While I believe it is absolutely poor taste for a Mayor (and his wife Mayor) to promote a candidate (s), it also raises questions of conflicts of interest. People should beware. The Vipperman's flier was actually a "hit" piece. Yet they also condone "hit" pieces. It is just another example of bad behavior. The same 10/8 council meeting allowed a resident to talk for 4.5 minutes, yet they denied Norm Zezula the same amount of time. Is that an unfair "hit"? I believe so. People should really understand who is going to get their favorites elected in the Water Board. Get involved, ask questions, question aurthority; i.e. the arrogant Mayor and his wife. What are their motives? Control? Absolute power? What about that saying power corrupts and absolute power absolutely corrupts. The mayor and his wife mayor seem to think the water board can spend as much money as they want on fine dining. I say it is a "fat" perk. I say thank you to Mr. and Mrs. Mayor...you just swayed my vote to NOT for Heintz and Cook.

[LHH Voter]

Hypocrites wrote:

At the Oct 8 council meeting, Mayor Vipperman refused to sign his name to a letter Stan Carroll was asking for. He quipped something like; I am not going to afix my name to something I do not want to do.(Stamping his feet like a child temper tantrum). But, on Saturday, I received a "hit" mailer from the Vipperman's, hitting on any alternative rebuttals for the campaign on the water district. While I believe it is absolutely poor taste for a Mayor (and his wife Mayor) to promote a candidate (s), it also raises questions of conflicts of interest. People should beware. The Vipperman's flier was actually a "hit" piece. Yet they also condone "hit" pieces. It is just another example of bad behavior. The same 10/8 council meeting allowed a resident to talk for 4.5 minutes, yet they denied Norm Zezula the same amount of time. Is that an unfair "hit"? I believe so. People should really understand who is going to get their favorites elected in the Water Board. Get involved, ask questions, question aurthority; i.e. the arrogant Mayor and his wife. What are their motives? Control? Absolute power? What about that saying power corrupts and absolute power absolutely corrupts. The mayor and his wife mayor seem to think the water board can spend as much money as they want on fine dining. I say it is a "fat" perk. I say thank you to Mr. and Mrs. Mayor...you just swayed my vote to NOT for Heintz and Cook.

Thank you for pointing out the obvious.Every voter should ask and ask again before simply voting a "recommendation" from anyone.

[Time for Change]

I got the Vipperman's hit piece too. These 2 joker's are something else. Who do they think they are? NO on Cook and Heintz for sure. A big NO on the gangsters Vipperman's when they run for re-election. Get them out and let's be done with them!!!!!! They say they are nice, no way.

[iVote]

Time for Change wrote:

I got the Vipperman's hit piece too. These 2 joker's are something else. Who do they think they are? NO on Cook and Heintz for sure. A big NO on the gangsters Vipperman's when they run for re-election. Get them out and let's be done with them!!!!!! They say they are nice, no way.

Why wait for re-election. Everyone should stop complaining and just recall them now. Stop the damage.

[Time for Change]

iVote wrote:

<quoted text>Why wait for re-election. Everyone should stop complaining and just recall them now. Stop the damage.

Then in that case, a campaign needs to be take place on fund raising for the recall. Very expensive. That is the problem. I will donate $100.