Friday at noon, San Bernardino County Assessor Bill Postmus officially resigned and vacated his elected office.
It is a significant milestone, if not likely the end of a once-promising political career.
Some of you may have been curious as to why I have been silent on the ongoing controversies involving Bill as well as his indicted former top assistant, Adam Aleman. This is only fair considering the fact that Bill and I worked together for many years before he moved on to the Assessor’s Office.
Frankly, I should let you know that I haven’t talked to my old friend for quite some time, for a variety of good reasons. One of these reasons was the fact that the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors is the only board in the state with the authority to remove a county elected official. It involves a quasi-judicial process, which required me to maintain a significant degree of impartiality.
I have no idea where the ongoing investigations involving Mr. Postmus will now lead. It is, however, a shame that the good things Bill accomplished in office will be necessarily overshadowed for some time by his actual, alleged and perceived misconduct.
Under our representative form of government, elected officials have profound and sacred responsibilities – to the oath we take to uphold our laws, to our democracy, and to our own integrity and service.
Our most important responsibility is to the taxpayer who has bestowed this great responsibility on us. We have an obligation to work on the people’s behalf in an honest and forthright manner.
Bill Postmus ultimately failed in those responsibilities.
I am disappointed beyond words that Mr. Postmus has tarnished the reputation of San Bernardino County. A series of irresponsible decisions, in his capacity as assessor and in his personal life, embarrassed himself and every resident who calls San Bernardino County home.
The actions of one man cast a cloud over all 18,000 County employees who come to work every day and take great pride and satisfaction in providing important and necessary services to the public.
I am relieved, though, that Bill decided to step down as county Assessor so that we may put this episode behind us and focus on the serious challenges we have before us.
Most of the recommendations made for the Assessor’s office last year by the Grand Jury, to ensure that senior staff is qualified and that political activities are absolutely segregated from the public’s work, have been implemented. It is important to note that it has always been illegal to engage in political activities from within a government office, and the County has moved to improve the safeguards to prevent violations.
My colleagues and I were well on our way in the removal process as set forth in the County Charter when Bill finally decided to spare the taxpayers the expense of a full removal proceeding, litigation and potentially a costly recall election.
It is also important to note that the District Attorney’s investigations of Mr. Postmus and his office continue.
One positive outcome of this is proof that the internal county system worked in uncovering inappropriate and possibly illegal activities by one of our elected officials. It was our Grand Jury, our District Attorney and the Board of Supervisors who took action to clean our own house.
I am saddened that Bill apparently continues to wrestle with the drug addiction. I hope that with the help of family, friends and faith he can overcome this problem and move on with his life.
I know from personal observation that the Assessor’s inappropriate behavior was of a recent nature and did not occur when he was county supervisor.
I am honored and humbled by the opportunity the voters have given me to serve and to help restore some of the lost trust in our county government.
And finally, I want you and the people of San Bernardino County to know that I will continue to be vigilant in demanding and enforcing the highest ethical and moral standards from all county elected officials and employees.
Note: The following URL leads to my latest official statement on this topic, at the end of which are links to all of my previous official statements on this topic: http://www.sbcounty.gov/Mitzelfelt/newsroom/ViewPressRelease.aspx?DocID=380.
February 14th, 2009 at 12:00 am
BS Brad
February 14th, 2009 at 12:00 am
Brad old boy, you really did not need to say anything and should have kept quiet. This is the sort of thing that you discuss discreetly with you constituents not with the world. Who cares that you were “fooled” by Wild Bill?
February 15th, 2009 at 12:00 am
Brad, you don’t owe an explanation, you did no wrong, but this post does not inform us. It doesn’t tell us exactly what wrongs Postmus committed and why he should have resigned. I am sorry this all happened, but I am still shaking my head about it with little understanding.
February 15th, 2009 at 12:00 am
NOT BS, Ed.