Predictably, Mickadeit attacks the BOT

     Wow. It didn’t take long for Fuentes admirer Frank Mickadeit to attack the board (and me?!) for its decision tonight to appoint retiring administrator Jim Wright as the late Tom Fuentes’ replacement on the board: Fuentes' family stung by college board.
     Mickadeit asserts that the board’s deciding, three days after Tom’s death, to proceed with the process of replacing him, was a “stunning affront”:

Tom Fuentes had been dead just 72 hours before the long-fractured community college board on which he sat decided to appoint a replacement. ¶ It seemed like a rather stunning affront to the Fuentes family.

     Was that an affront? The board needed to make a decision whether to appoint or not. They made that decision that night. The only alternative available to the board would have been to schedule a special meeting at a later date—or to wait until next month’s meeting. As trustee Prendergast pointed out (at last month’s meeting), the board was already assembled; why not make that decision now?
     Please note that, during the May meeting, the board did not decide on Tom’s replacement. No, they decided to pursue a replacement. The charge that the board “decided to replace Tom only thee days after his death” sounds appalling only if one erroneously supposes that they replaced Tom that night. They didn’t. (In philosophers' lingo, Team Fuentes was committing the fallacy of equivocation.)
     Some would say that it should have been obvious to the trustees that the right decision was to leave the question of Fuentes’ replacement to the voters in November.
     But we live in a political world—a world in which people play hardball and exploit advantages when they have them. That’s certainly how the game of politics was played by Mr. Fuentes. I have no idea what went on in Nancy Padberg’s mind at the May meeting (I haven't communicated with her; I have made no inquiries about her reflections), but it seem to me that, if the board had decided to take no action and to leave the matter of replacing Tom to the November election, that would almost guarantee the election of someone like Jolene Fuentes, should she choose to run. How do you compete with the noble widow, determined to carry her husband’s torch? –And in a heavily Republican area in which the name "Fuentes" means "Republican"?
     (And let’s face it: there are plenty of reasonable people who will tell you that Tom Fuentes was the worst thing that ever happened to this board. The man played hardball, and fairness was not among his concerns. I respect any fear a trustee might have that the presence of another Fuentes on the board would be a return to that kind of ugly and divisive hardball.)
     It is true, of course, that any appointee will also acquire the “incumbent” advantage. But the selection of the appointee can be made fairly, honestly, objectively. Even though I believe that Mrs. Fuentes did an admirable job tonight making her case for her application, I cannot see how any reasonable person could judge her to be the superior candidate when compared to James Wright. He has had tremendous experience in the community college system. She’s had virtually none.
     Near as I can figure, today, the board made the only reasonable decision, faced with these two candidates.

     Mickadeit clouds the issue with his talk of the “anguish” of TJ and Jolene. He does not object, he says, to the choice the board made; rather, “it was the manner in which the board went about it, and the dismissive, disrespectful way it treated Jolene Fuentes and her and Tom’s odest son, T.J., both of whom expressed their anguish to the board on Monday only to receive stone-cold silence or indifference from the majority.”
     Both Jolene and TJ expressed the view, a respectable one, that the question of Tom’s replacement ought to be left to voters. Does anyone really suppose that they are “anguished” that others might suppose otherwise? Does Jolene suppose that, since she was Tom’s wife (and TJ was Tom’s son), ipso facto their preference in this matter ought to be honored? That would be an absurd position.
     Mickadeit launches into some revisionist history:

The board on which Tom Fuentes was elected to serve 12 years ago was almost completely dominated by trustees whom Fuentes believed catered to the faculty union.

     Really? The board that Tom joined in 2000 included Don Wagner and Nancy Padberg, two arch-conservatives with a record of expressed hostility to unions. It also included John Williams, the fellow that Tom supported to the bitter end in his efforts to become (and to keep the position of) OC Public Administrator/Guardian. (Admittedly, Williams did actively court the union.) And it included Dave Lang, who has never been viewed positively by the faculty union. Does that sound like a board "almost completely dominated" by trustees who catered to the faculty union? In truth, the only trustees who could be described as pro-faculty (in 2000) were Marcia Milchiker and perhaps Williams, two Republicans.
     According to Mickadeit’s clueless revisionism,

Fuentes and a few other conservatives he helped get elected [who would they be?] believed the faculty was generally paid enough, and tried to divert more revenue to other areas. ¶ This ignited a war between the conservative wing of the board and the faculty-backed wing, a war that has ebbed and flowed over the years but has never disappeared.

El Toro Rd. c. 1970

     Who exactly comprised this so-called “faculty-backed” wing of the board? For many years, what the faculty wanted more than anything was the firing of the odious Raghu Mathur, Chancellor. And the board didn’t get around to doing that until Mathur finally pissed off Don Wagner one too many times back in 2009 (or thereabouts). The faculty finally got what it wanted, but only because Wagner could not abide Mathur. As usual, the faculty’s wishes had little to do with the board’s actions.
     Those who have observed the board over the years understand, of course, that a war between two factions did indeed ignite at one point. It was quite dramatic. It was ignited by Don Wagner’s refusal to continue to support Raghu Mathur as chancellor. That "war" had nothing to do with faculty salaries.
     According to Mickadeit’s revisionism, I am an activist in support of the pro-faculty—high salaries—position. In fact, I have never advocated higher salaries, despite fifteen years of writing Dissent (my old newsletter) and Dissent the Blog. I have, however, been attacked for my failure to put “faculty salaries” on my list of issues.

* * *

     I’ve gotta go. More, I suppose, tomorrow.

P.S.: check out the comments to Mickadeit's column

June meeting of the SOCCCD BOT, live and direct!

     (See Tere's Board Meeting Highlights)
     Well, it's 6:01, and the meeting is about to start. Here we go.
     Nancy: Back from closed session. First: correction of record of last meeting....

     ACTIONS taken in closed session: Prendergast reports: 5/0 vote approved Linda Fontanilla VP Student Services, IVC. (She's from Cuesta College, SLO)
     Meldau does invocation: moment of silence to reflect on service of nurses.
     Pledge of allegiance.

Recognition: Roquemore explains an award Bill Hewitt got re (from?) FACC. So it's another case of honoring a person for getting honored about something else. Bill reminisces about 1985 at IVC. "There was nothing there," until Bill arrived, evidently. "I had a ball." Why? Because of the leadership and the board. "Thank you." PHOTO OP. 

Recognition: Burnett presents Sandy Marzilli(?) Did a phenomenal job for Emeritus. She's getting a plaque. She speaks. "[Emeritus has] been my second family." Thanks everyone for their support. "Saddleback is a hard habit to break," she says. PHOTO OP. 

Recognition: Burnett again blathering about John [Polikaitis? Greek Lithuanian name]. John is retiring as night custodian. Retiring this week at age of 94. Was with LA City Fire for 30 years. During WWII, he fought in the Battle of the Bulge! B hands him a Saddleback College certificate. He speaks. "I really enjoyed the college. I came here thinking of two years, became 33 years. Really enjoyed it, thank you." PHOTO OP 

Recognition: Burnett again. Dr. Jim Wright, esteemed Dean of M, S, and E. Burnett hands him a plaque. It's been a very wonderful evening, he says. Thanks to everyone, especially faculty. "This has been a wonderful second career." It's going to be hard not having to come to work. Thanks his wife--they've been married for 44 "wonderful years." Applause. PHOTO OP.

Public comments: Mickey M. Wants to thank board for changes that apply to transfer. I support changes in leadership or organization (?) at Saddleback College--in transfer area.

Board reports:

Bill Jay: I worked for Jim Wright, and he worked for me. And we're still friends! Earlier, the BOT voted him to fill board vacancy. 

Frank Meldau: congrats to Dr. Wright. 

TJ Prendergast: Congrats... 

Nancy Padberg: Congrats... 

Dave Lang: echoes congrats of fellow trustees 

Student trustee Park: no report.

Chancellor's report [Poertner]: On May 30 a large group held retreat, something about district-wide strategic plan. First goal, should be focus on district-wide culture of "mutual respect and collaboration." (A part of one's brain dies with each iteration.) Another retreat, identifying major barriers, etc. Legislative update: we've advocated three bills for veterans. All bills passed the Assembly, headed to Senate.
     Board requests for reports? None.
     No discussion item.
     6.1, 6.2, 6.3 advanced. Environmental matters. EIR. Facilities master plans.
Opens public hearing. Any public comments or testimony? Nobody wishes to speak.
Consultant comes up. RGB Planning guy. Jeremy something. Blah, blah, blah.
     Public hearing now closed, says Nancy P.

     Now, the consent calendar (i.e., bunch of stuff to be adopted/passed wholesale). Lang pulls a handful. They unanimously approve the rest of the consent calendar. (Milchiker absent.)
     5.9: Lang: next time, include earlier iterations of the mission statements, IVC, ATEP (show the changes). Otherwise all in favor. Passes.

     5.13: Lang: we accepted this fossil collection as gift, and now we have to pay $100,00 to get rid of it! Peebles responds: the collection is at ATEP. Two cargo containers. Excavated in Irvine in 96. Faculty of IVC participated on the dig. Staff wanted to keep this stuff. Turns out that the amount was more than staff could take care of. Dixie Bullock considered possibility of transferring back to County of Orange, but County already had more than it could deal with. Since then, CSUF has started taking care of County collection (of rocks and fossils and shit). To curate this stuff, funds required. This $100K a "beginning fee" to house this stuff. They'll deal with it forever after that. If we keep this stuff, we'd be obliged to work with it, show it, put it under glass. Fitzsimmons: we do have a policy on gifts and donations. There is a process in place for vetting gifts. Prendergast: to be clear: we pay this 100K or we spend more than that to build something to show it ourselves? Peebles affirms. The thing get approved.

     5.16: Lang: bids for removal of hazardous waste. Blah, blah, blah. Approved.

     5.18: Lang: Five Year Construction Plan. Projected student growth, declined. I guess the point is that we didn't grow as much as we thought we would, and this affects eligibility for money from the state. Lang: what was the reason for decline in enrollment? Brandye comes up: the state uses models to project enrollments ( one approach is called "triage"). Over-projected. Projected is higher than reality, and that works in our favor (except when they change methodology). A bit bewildering. Approved.

     6.4 The budget. SOCCCD FY 2012-2013 TENTATIVE BUDGET. Approve?

Fitzsimmons: identifies team. Groundbreaking year. Planning and budget. Blah, blah, blah (you know how this stuff gets). The final budget will arrive in August (for approval).

$549.4 million; 196 unrestricted general fund. 16 restricted GF. Other: 337.5

Taxes: flat. Fee revenues will go up 20% (conservative). Increase in tuition. (Our funding is a proportion of local property taxes: basic aid)
(I'm not taking many notes here, cuz they wouldn't mean much. You know me and fiscal issues.)
Total available for basic aid $74 million. Hope that means something to you out there.
She keeps saying we did this or that "to be conservative." So that sounds good, I guess.
State categorical funding .95 of last year's final budget.
I like her, I do, but I do wish she'd stop.
How will the state situation impact us?
Speculated that two further districts will join basic aid this year. All very dicey, I guess.
More impact on state categorical funds. (negative)
Any trustee questions?

Lang: To Burnett. Scheduled maintenance: IVC was putting greater percentage to maintenance, even though a newer campus. What's up with that? Lang: colleges must make appropriate maintenance, not relying on Basic Aid.

Burnett: biggest issue with Saddleback College, maybe whole district. Blah, blah, blah.
Tentative budget approved.

If I were you, I'd stop reading HERE. Really, I'm only thinking of your best interests.

     6.5: Saddleback and IVC student government tentative budget. Alvarez introduces student government kid. Eric Bremen(?) "Conservative and practical budget." Blah, blah, blah. I'm dyin'.
     The kid's hair is impossibly black. He insists on going on, explaining this and that, and he'd better finish quick. Shows charts, graphs. He's killin' me with this goddam stuff. The trustees barely pay attention. They're dyin' too. Meldau does best job seeming conscious. I'm impressed. He's my new role model.
     The kid keeps staring down at his paper, reading relentlessly. He looks up mechanically every few seconds. Pretty good I guess, but I'm beginning to hate him anyway. C'mon kid. He's slick, I guess. Who knows. He's got a nice blue shirt with black/silver tie. He's practically a stick, so thin. 
     Speaking of sticks, the trustees are dead now, I think. Jay is obscured by a piece of paper: he'd be the first to go.
     Prendergrast is sinking into his chair. The student trustee looks like a mannequin leaning against a corner of Macy's, motionless, perfect. Prendergast is stabbing himself in the cheek. Good idea. The kid is lost, says he has jumped "ahead of myself." No one cares. Please be done, kid with hair. Please?
     In truth, he seems like a perfectly nice and smart kid. But that mouth is relentless. That 94-year-old guy is only five feet from 'im. Doesn't this kid realize that he's probably killing that old man? That old guy is staring into space, as if thinking: "I've been through so much shit in the last 90 years; this shit shall pass too. This is kidstuff."
     He just said "in conclusion"!!!!!! Yes!
     ANY QUESTIONS? OF COURSE NOT.
     They approve the damned thing.

     Now the IVC kids. They are more kid-like. Uh-oh. And Helen Locke seems to be in charge of 'em. A recipe for disaster.
     There's a technical snafu. They're all staring at the screen while some tech guy tweaks dials.
     The male kid speaks. Goes through the usual hellos. Good God. Our student government president could not join us, he says, "because of his personal issues." --Yeah, he really said that. I hear laughter. Maybe just in my head.
     They continue. Blah, blah, blah. --OK, this kid isn't nearly as good as the last one, but his hair is just as black. The little girl, too. Really black, great hair. They do go on. My God.
     It isn't really that bad, but it's the context, you know. Prendergast is holding up his head with his hand. His face seems to be seeping through his fingers and onto the floor. Bill Jay seems to be taking notes, which is impressive, but surely a dastardly illusion and no more. Meldau is the most dignified. Boy, he's good! Looks like he's paying attention--but wait! Now he's sticking his finger in his mouth, gouging himself. I understand, I do. Must....maintain....consciousness.....
     Nancy is maintaining the face of seriousness, but not interest. No eye-rolling tonight. She's being good.
     The kid now says, "Our next program..." Nobody is listening. I bet even he isn't listening. Helen gives me a disapproving glance. I straighten up. The old guy is fingering his bouquet of flowers. I do believe he's weathering this horror better than anybody in the room. So that's interesting: maybe if you get really old, you can take just about anything. Just gotta make it to 94.... But maybe he's only breathing, like a lizard. That's the secret, then. Minimal operation; near death.

My Favorite McLendon

     This kid continues to read his prepared meandering remarks. The little girl next to him looks supremely uncomfortable. She seems worried, but I think that's just a young kid look of some kind. Who knows what these whippersnappers are thinking about. If she's smart, she ain't thinking about this stupid budget.
     They're flashing numbers on the screen, and this inspires Prendergast to spin in his chair.
     GOOD GOD, THEY'RE DONE! NO QUESTIONS. SMART.
     They approve the dang thing. Helen smiles. These kids get applause and wander joylessly to their chairs. Who knows what goes on in their heads?

6.6 is about software from hell. Approved.
6.7 Board Policy revision. TRUSTEES DO NOT HAVE QUESTIONS, DO NOT WISH TO SPEAK. THEY VOTE. yes yes yes
6.8 More policies for review and study.
. . .
     They just keep it up. You've gotta give 'em credit. This is brutal. I'd rather collect lint from people's pockets and form the pile into a fine bird's nest. Or stuff it down my throat as an attempt at suicide.
     Now they're on 6.15. Don't ask me about the stuff in between. Bugay seems to be explaining that this item represents lots of dialogue and stuff and you'd better pass it. It does pass.

     Now at 7.1 Report on Speakers. Good Lord.
7.2: basic aid. No changes from last month.
7.3 Facilities plan....
7.4 Financial status report.
7.5 blah blah blah

     Next comes reports from groups. C'mon, that can't be worth hearing.
     Bob C is speaking. I love Bob, I do, but I can't take any more of this. Bob is saying something important. I wonder what it is. I don't care. I'm outta here.
     DAMN. I can't leave. I've got my laptop attached to a chord which is attached to something poking out of the floor seven feet to port. I ain't gonna crawl over there and undo this thing. Not now. Good God.
     Claire C is now speaking. Sounds good. I wonder what it is? It is all too horrible.
     IVC Academic Senate Prez speaks. The Senate is "in repose" in the summer, she says. She's impressed that the Saddleback faculty are so dang busy in the summer. Down at IVC, it's like a rule: don't do anything. Don't answer the phone. Keep away. Not that Kathy says any of that. This is the thing about Kathy: she's got stuff to say, and she insists on saying it. OK, she's done. Whew!
     Now Peebles. A sad job, explaining ATEPery. It's like a report on the further decline of, say, the Grand Canyon or the surface of the moon. No, it's like reporting on the rotting of an old peach in your refrigerator. No, it's like--he's done!
     Oh, it's Glenn. His head bobs a bit as he chirps. He says pleasant things, Mr. Chirpy. Now he's singing the praises of the Chancellor. (He's messing up Gary's strategy of being invisible tonight. Gary is manifestly perturbed. It's exactly as though he is being insulted mostl foully.) He congrats Gary for good vibes or something.
     There's some kind of technical snafu which makes it sound as though Glenn is sharing the mike with a piece of wood slowly being twisted in two. Glenn is oblivious. The audience is in a coma. The wood is torn in half, hideously, screeching.
     Now Burnett: blah, blah, and blah. He says "divorce" instead of "diverse." Why not? He's pretty chirpy, too, but in a more aggressive fashion. Glenn is like a breath of empty air. Burnett is like a slug of goo, right in the face. The man is going on. Good Lord. He's still going. He looks sweaty and uncomfortable. Now he explains that he'll start his vacation "in three and a half minutes."

     Blah, blah, blah. Please go now, early.
     Bugay: his mouth is moving. Is he saying something? Probably. Seems very nice. "STRS has changed how they do business," he declares. This will mean X6!4-b-=842h9, he says. I dunno. He's done.
     Fitz: very earnest, but I've heard enough from you lady. (I do like her, really.) She's very pleasant. You don't actually have to listen. It's a chirpy vibe.
     Classified senate.... blah blah blah
     Blah blah blah (somebody new) blah blah blah blah blah .........
     We're finally down at the student end of the table--the absolute end. Just once I'd like to see one of these kids say something worth saying. "I got nothing" would be good. Mr. Dark Hair is brief. Then IVC gal: she's "actually Vice President," not the Prez, who has personal issues. Seems smart. That was not evident previously. Good Lord, girl, finish up.
     Thanks thanks thanks.
     Nancy says: adjourn in honor of former trustee Fuentes. That won't undo what you've done, lady.
     That's it.

Special "trustee replacement" board meeting, live and direct! (CONTROVERSY, WRIGHT GETS NOD)

3:05: Just got here. Two people made public comments. Saw the first guy, now it's Bob Cosgrove, who is speaking in favor of Jim Wright's application. He's his usual direct and to the point self.
     Now we're turning to interviews of applicants.

     First up: JOLENE FUENTES. (Evidently, we're waiting for Jolene Fuentes to join us.)
     Trustee Dave Lang asks: will the other applicant be in the room for the interview? Yep.
     ...Still waiting for Jolene. Sounds like a country song: "My wallet's mighty lean as I sit waitin' for Jolene..."
     --Nancy Padberg explains how Marcia Milchhiker will participate from afar, I think. Via telephone, it seems.
     Lang asks: this special arrangement for Marcia Milchiker--this hasn't been afforded to trustees in the past.
     Nancy: sure it has, bean-boy. Shut up.

     3:12: "Miss Fuentes" has arrived.
     Nancy explains how this will work. "We'll now start your interview." It is timed. 1st Trustee Jay will ask question #1 (these questions have been available for weeks on the district website):
Jay: He speaks: "familiarize us with your background. Have you worked in any school or community college." -- Padberg interrupts, tells Jay to stop winging it and just read the goddam question. Jolene jokes: she's ready for anything.
Jay again: he reads the darned question. Blah blah blah. Describe experience in financial management, etc.

Michelle Fuentes

Jolene: is member of Lake Forest homeowners association, has had leadership positions ... $3.1 million budget. Pennies compared to yours, I know. (She is reading her prepared answer.) Also I'm the President of another homeowners' association. Bottom line: work without debt. That's my philosophy. (Sounds like a well-crafted answer.) Need to avoid cuts in the classroom, she says.
Meldau: #2: What is the role of special interest groups? How to respond to community member who asks you to take up his concern?
Jolene: listen to everyone, consider all ideas. Need to work on one interest group: students. (Slick!) What's best for constituents and students. Fairness is paramount.
Pendergast #3: If you are appointed, what will be your style working with others? Give evidence from previous work experience.
Jolene: I enjoy partnerships. I listen. In most groups, I've been elected to leadership positions. I'm interested in doing the right thing. (She's reading, of course.) I don't have an agenda. Not a teacher, a lawyer, janitor(?) ...

(Evidently, the trustees are scoring. Scribbling away.)

Wright

Padberg: needs of typical students?
Jolene: provides a long list, ending with "good parking" (a joke). She seems to read well, good eye contact. Short answer. She seems accustomed to being before groups. Not easily rattled.
Lang #5: what role have you played in the SOCCCD? [I think that was the question. Not sure.]
Jolene: was the a wife of trustee, so saw first hand programs, how the colleges help the community. Was on a foundation board. (Essentially a slick, well-prepared answer.) Was even judge at IVC's daffy "astounding inventions." I would use my contacts and friends to further (the interests of the colleges)....
Student trustee Park: #6: your philosophy of comprehensive community college?
Jolene: all inclusive services.... consistent with mission. Goes through list: ... academic, basic skills, technical, fine arts, etc. (Jokes: have I missed anything?) (Another slick answer, Perfectly decent. But she does read from a prepared statement, though she reads well.)
Padberg #7: anything you'd like to add?
Jolene: I was a community college student in Mesa College. My children have taken courses at SOCCCD colleges. I have a sense of the pulse of what the community is looking for. Responsiveness, responsibility. I believe I can provide this. (She pauses for some time. Odd. Then continues:) voters told us in June, by defeating change in Public Administrator [!!] to an appointment, that they'd rather elect than have someone appointed. I wasn't here last month when you made your decision about an appointment with regard to replacing Tom. The board should find a way to use elections, if that's available (in her opinion). That's what your "former colleague" would want. (Oooh.)
Padberg? That it? (She seems surprised.)
Jolene: That's it. (She seems confident.)
     Jolene gets up, removes her glasses, walks soberly up the middle. She joins her son TJ, sitting in back. They remain in the room.

Board Prez Nancy P

Nancy: 2nd applicant, Dr. JAMES WRIGHT. "Would you come forward?"
Nancy: welcomes Wright. Interview will be timed. Can use full fifteen minutes. Questions before you. The board will decide on appointee afterwards. Etc.

Question 1 (Jay): Again, asks, experience in financial management?
Wright: Thanks the board. "I'm honored." (Starts with his experience in financial management.) In last 30+ years, was responsible for..... (He says exactly what one would expect. Pretty dry but earnest and impressive. Eventually gets to his Air Force experiences. Responsible for a budget of over $8 million on last job there. Also ran a lab, spending $14 million budget.)
     They eventually declassified the nature of the "mission." (He seems to be less anchored to his notes.) "Wise and prudent use of all public resources." (He cranks up the charisma a bit. Seems to really mean it, whatever he's saying.)

AGAIN, PRETTY SHORT ANSWERS, AS WITH JOLENE.

Meldau #2: Role of special interest groups?
Wright: as a member of BOT, you have rules, responsibilities. Would encourage groups to come forward. We'll listen to them. We need to share what we learn with other board members. We need to determine whether any of these concerns relate to our misison, etc. (A good answer, well- composed. He reads most of this. A short, strong statement.)
Prendergast (#3): What will be your style of work, working with others?
Wright: Discusses teamwork. Believes in open dialogue. I'll be new, so I'll listen at first. But will express my own views. I understand faculty concerns, but also the perspective of administration. (Lists committees he's worked on. Pretty impressive list, covers much ground. He's obviously very richly, widely experienced. He reveals that he is knowledgeable about issues in the CC system.) In the 1980s, was asked to put together a team of high school students--chemistry Olympics. In Germany. We brought in the best students in the U.S. Ran the program for three years. Very involved in that and in Boy Scouts (Assistant District Commissioner, merit badge counselor, etc.) Local church. Did much working with other people. (Pretty impressive. Not afraid to list his virtues and accomplishments. Very to the point.) "Outstanding" career in the U.S. Air Force. Have been a team player. Can do same here.
Padberg (#4): nature and needs of our students.
Wright: we need to focus on students. Students need to complete the degrees, certificates. (Shows that he is knowledgeable about these larger issues. A soft-spoken guy, but serious. Gets to the point. I won't go into the details here; you can imagine.) "Greater efficiency." Students need to take remedial courses. Need to focus on basic math and English instruction. [Nancy: you need to watch your time, dude.] A lot will be required of us to meet these goals.
Lang (#5): how use the position to positively impact the community?
Wright: again lists experience, offices, roles. Mentored students. Thorough knowledge of district, college operation. "I have the experience and enthusiasm to make a positive contributions.") Short and sweet.)
Student trustee Park (#6): philosophy of comprehensive cc?
Wright: high quality courses, programs. Meeting student objectives, degrees, employment. (Sometimes gets hung up a bit while reading his prepared stuff. But very solid. Says just what you'd think he'd say; knows the issues, the buzz words, terminology.) We cannot be all things to all people.
Padberg, final question (#7): anything you'd like to add?
Wright: I have the experience. I've done all these things, been a team player. I'm thoughtful, care about people, etc. Desire to excel. Students need to learn how to study. They need a plan, to organize. They need to make a commitment. [That all sounds on target.]
     He's got some "Be's" on his wall or something at home: Be positive, be cheerful, be complimentary, be non-condemning. [Padberg winced at that last one.]
Nancy: Is that it?

Next a 15 minute break to gather up "our scores." It's 3:49. Come back at 3:55.

TJ Fuentes

     It's 4:00. Things could get started soon. My sense of how things have gone: very well for both applicants, I think. Neither would be an absurd choice, Wright would likely be an uncommonly propitious choice--with regard to knowledge, experience, being a known quantity as a "team player" and such. Smart, earnest, experienced guy.
     Jolene actually seemed perfectly reasonable, and I could detect no negatives, aside from the fact that she has virtually no experience in school or community college affairs. But she has had some experience, it seems, working with others in organizations. She certainly has an interesting presence as a person. Strong person, it seems. No apologies. Here I am, take it or leave it.
     I would be very surprised if JOLENE got the nod. Don't know where those votes would come from. Lang will vote for her, I think, because he sold his soul at the crossroads years ago, and that dead chicken had an F written on it. If he does and she isn't chosen, he'll likely make some comment about how wonderful she is.
     But what do I know.
     Bill Hewitt is up there jawin' with the trustees.
     Just looked at the back of the room. I see FRANK MICKADEIT there. (He's the OC Register columnist who seemed to be a Fuentes sychophant.) Jolene seems to have stepped out again. Maybe she's got a bladder the size of a pea. Dunno. Nothing's happening here, for some reason. It's 4:08. Sheesh. (I think I see FUENTES' DAUGHTER as well.)
     Burnett, and Roquemmore, and Peebles, and Fitzsimmons are crowded together in the center of the room, gossiping. They seem to be enjoying themselves.
     Any bets out there? I think it's gonna be 5 to 1 in favor of Wright. If it's Wright, well that's likely great news for the future of the SOCCCD. If it's JOLENE, well then, at least I've got a great story!
     I expected Jolene to come across as nicer. I just assumed that, Tom being the

     4:13 They've restarted. Waiting for Trustee Jay, evidently. Where's Bill?
     Nancy's announcement: There was some miscommunication from district to candidates about questions to be asked. They were told would be same questions as on applications. Because of this miscommunication, we'll have to reinterview the applicants!
     Nancy now explains to Jay, who just wandered in: miscommunication. So will have to redo interviews! This decision made based on attorney advice. Go through again but with questions on application.

TJ Fuentes makes public remark.

TJ: I'm the son of Tom and Jolene. Just wanted to say, very disheartened by decision of board to appoint an interim trustee.  [Nancy asks him to repeat his slam] Just 3 days after he passed, made announcement. As son and former student would like to make the statement that the people should vote. Not appointment.
Nancy: the people will vote. Will be an election in November. Asks, does everyone understand what we're doing.
Dave makes comment: I was adamantly opposed to appointment. We are close to the election. Not had a funeral yet, and already started process (last meeting). Precipitous, disrespectful action (three days after his death). We have two candidates. Either one, would be honored and privleged to serve with. But any candidate would be advantaged and tainted by this appointment. And one applicant (Wright, evidently), if appointed, wouldn't even begin serving until June(?)--he must've said "July"--(owing to retirement just occurred). So he makes plea not to do this. The incumbent advantage is the issue. The electorate strongly values right to elect officials. A majority of the board is acting in a way that slants in favor of appointee. Thanks all members for "hopefully reconsidering."
Padberg: the board has decided. Lang tries to interrupt, she cuts him off, yelling into the mike, asking that Jolene come forward yet again.
     There's some dialogue, and Jolene indicates that she would rather go second this time. That's OK with Wright.

So Wright comes up. The first question is asked. (Board Prez Nancy Padberg now asks all questions.)
Wright: gives the same sort of answer. Goes through list of things he's done, committees he's been on.
#2: other activities
Wright: Veterans memorial, scholarships, chemistry events, etc. A very long list. I won't bore you will details. Adds "and local church group."
#3: why do you want to be a member?
Wright: team player, blah, blah, blah.
#4: basic purpose of CA ccs
Wright: provide quality lower division...... Blah, blah, blah. This second round seems strictly pro forma.
--I'll wait until the end of this nonsense.

     It's 4:27, and it's been pretty wild. The first round of interviews (of two applicants) now being redone owing to some "miscommunication" about the nature of the questions. Weren't the same as questions on app. Something like that.
     Lang pipes up with plea to reconsider this whole course: appointing a replacement. That replacement would have the strong INCUMBENT ADVANTAGE come November. Not right. Should leave this matter to the voters in November. Then Tom's son TJ comes up to make the same plea. During her remarks, JOLENE also suggested that she would not have made the decision to appoint. Leave it to the voters; that's what TOM would have done.

     4:29: now JOLENE comes forward for the rest of this absurd excercise. Evidently, the trustees are now "rescoring". That is, scoring this round. Student trustee has questions about what they're doing. Nancy tries to explain.

Ron Caspers the friendly ghost

#1: ever participated in activities...
Jolene: I've always been involved. Served at "several levels" in public education. She seems even better prepared for these questions than for the last round! Perhaps, then, she is the one who got the wrong idea in the "miscommunication," and this is her chance to shine. Dunno.
She seems very well prepared.

#2:
Jolene: again speaks about homeowners group. She's reading her answer, which is slick, well-written. She does a good job speaking, eye-contact, etc. She seems at times to give exactly the same answers as before. Her little asides seem effective.

#3:
Jolene: again, does a good job. Seems highly prepared. Reads her answers, but reads well. Sings the praises of CCs. Their importance. Came to realize impact of CCs with Tom's dozen years on this board. Professors, I learned, worked diligently, not only teaching, but mentoring students. Our last child graduated from high school this year. He'll likely be going to one of these CCs. I have no agenda. I want to cultivate the community's growth.

#4: basic purpose of CC
Jolene: skilled workforce, etc.

#5: role of trustees
Jolene: set policy.... Oversee hiring.... Adopt strategic planning. Working with other trustees.

#6: relationship between BOT and administration
Jolene: should be based on trust, mutual communication. Proper channels. Open communications between BOT members is important.

#7: strengths of the SOCCCD?
Jolene: three campuses offer wide..... high transfer rates. Commitment to basic education, etc. commendable. Utilizing basic aid is "fiscally sound." Greatest strength: good people. Good administrators, teachers, staff, students. SOCCCD colleges successfully prepare students.

#8: areas most needing improvement.
Jolene: comments I encounter are generally positive. Parking and class availability come up, but that comes up everywhere. I will be careful listener, learn at first. "Our clients are constantly changing." We should ask them what they want.

#9: Is anyone in your family employed with the district?
No.

#10: three people to contact. (1) Marian Bergesen, (2) Tony Rackaucas (OC DA), Pat Bates (one of the supes)
"Wish you well on your deliberations."

Nancy declares another 15 minute break.

5:09 we're back. Tally of points per questions

1st round:
Fuentes: 145.5 points,
Wright: 187

Second round:
Fuentes: 218
Wright: 267

Grand total: 367.5 for FUENTES,  454 for WRIGHT.

     Student advisory vote: did not go into tally.
     Now open, says Nancy, for any comments.

Lang: I'd like to motion, not appoint either, let the voters decide in the November election.

     Any second? None.
     Anyone else?

Meldau: I'd like to move that we appoint Dr. Jim Wright, effective July 1, 2012.
Jay seconds.
     Any comments? None.
     Vote: Roll call vote (electronic not working)

yes, no (Lang), yes, Milch: yes, yes, yes, student trustee: abstain.

So that's 5/1. (Abstention counts as yes vote, but student vote doesn't count)

5 to 1 in favor of James Wright.

Nancy: Congratulations. Thank you Mrs. Fuentes for applying. Meeting adjourned.
     I see the Fuentes group in back. They look grim. Mickadeit is still with 'em. We can expect a column in the OC Reg tonight or tomorrow morning. Won't be positive.

Caspers was an "able public servant" and "a human being." Anything else? Tom Fuentes counted heads at the service.

From the "Trustee Tom Fuentes files" [Fuentes got his start working for corrupt OC supervisor Caspers; Caspers' chief crony was the corrupt Fred Harber]:

     I unearthed an old Times article (“Caspers Eulogized as Uncommon Man in Political Arena,” Jul 16, 1974) that describes a memorial service for the “missing” supervisor Ronald W. Caspers and his two sons. It was held at “St. Michaels and All Angels Episcopal Church” “in the hills above Corona del Mar.”
     According to the article, the eulogy was performed by personal friend Rev. G. William Grady, who described Caspers as “an uncommon man”:

     “He was not an average man,” Mr. Grady said, “but in his election to the Board of Supervisors, he found the true love of his life. His reelection in June placed him totally in public service.”
     Mr. Grady also reminder [sic] those attending that Caspers’ battle to obtain the 5,500-acre Starr-Viejo Ranch as a county regional park was typical of his love for the outdoors.
     “He wanted to share the bounties of life with everyone,” he said. “He was an outstanding student, a successful businessman, a loving son, husband and father, an able public servant and, above all, a human being.
     Tom Fuentes, Caspers’ chief executive assistant, estimated that 500 persons crowded the chapel, stood along the walls or listened outside to the memorial service.

     Oddly, “None of Caspers’ fellow supervisors was on hand” – though “all sent aides to the service….”

* * *

     I also dug up a Times piece (“Services Scheduled for Fred D. Harber,” Jul 19, 1974) announcing memorial services for Fred Harber, the political consultant upon whom “Dick and Doc” (Richard O’Neill and Dr. Louis Cella)—the crafty duo who, with campaign contributions, virtually controlled OC government at the time—relied.
     He too was missing after the apparent sinking of his yacht the “Shooting Star” in mid-June. None of the bodies of the ten passengers was ever found.
     The article mentions that, beyond serving as mayor of Buena Park and City Manager of Cypress, “Harber also developed the first shopping center in Buena Park as well as apartment complexes.” He served as consultant or manager of campaigns for Ralph Clark, Jerry Patterson, Jess Unruh, and various others.
     He was, of course, a close associate of Ron Caspers.
     He hailed from Seminole, Oklahoma.

What a guy from Oklahoma sounds like

TJ. Special BOT meeting today at 3:00

     Of all people, OC Register food columnist Barbara Venezia wrote about Tom Fuentes’ son TJ a couple of days ago: Venezia: TJ Fuentes a chip off the old block.
     Venezia met the kid on her cooking show (At Home on the Range) with John Crean twenty years ago. Crean and the elder Fuentes were pals.

REMINDER: there'll be a special board meeting today at 3:00 p.m.:

     It appears that TJ's mother, Jolene, will be one of two applicants to be interviewed. The other is Jim Wright, Saddleback administrator (now retired).

1954: "Shooting Star" was Caspers' second boating tragedy. The first was also a doozy

The entire “Fuentes/Shooting Star” saga can be found here.

     As you know, I have occasionally noted the high incidence of violent death in the unfolding Caspers/Cella/Harber saga—a lurid fabric into which the young Tom Fuentes was thoroughly woven. The “Shooting Star” disaster and the murder of Arlene Hoffman are but two extraordinary examples. There are several others.
     Here’s one that I haven't mentioned.
     We know that Ronald Caspers perished when the “Shooting Star” went down off the coast of Baja in 1974. But, as it turns out, that was not the first odd boating disaster that involved Caspers. The first occurred nearly twenty years earlier, when Caspers was a 23 years old rich kid.

     ALOHA MEANS GOODBYE. According to former OC GOP chairman (1969-72) Thomas C. Rogers in his Agents’ Orange (2000),

     Caspers had made headlines prior to ... [1970]. He and his wife Beatrice had been cruising in coastal waters south of Port Hueneme in the ketch Aloha on the night of October 1, 1954. With Caspers at the helm, the Aloha veered in front of an oncoming Coast Guard cutter. The Aloha sank and the remains of Beatrice Caspers were never found, despite an intensive search by Coast Guard vessels and aircraft. An investigation by the U.S. Coast Guard of this tragedy at sea never resulted in any criminal proceedings.

     Why did Rogers choose to mention a 1954 Ventura County boating accident in a book about Orange County politics?
     Perhaps Rogers had his doubts about Ron Caspers, a man who, according to him, later had a great impact on OC politics.

* * *

     In a Nov. 8, 1970 LA Times article (“Freshmen supervisors: a study in contrasts”), Caspers described himself as a “Reagan conservative." Guess so. He seemed to like Richard Nixon, too.
     And he was rich: according to the Times, he spent $81,695 winning his supervisor seat—an astounding sum at the time—including $46,984 of his own money.
     The Supe gig made him $15K per year.
     The Times described Caspers’ education:

     The son of the late R.W. Caspers, founder and head of Mutual Savings and Loan in Pasadena, Caspers managed to enter Menlo College at the age of 16, attended UCLA, was graduated from San Jose State College as a business administration major and did graduate work in marketing and financing at USC.

Ron Caspers, c. 1973

     —OK, I’ll say it: how does a guy start his education at a fancy private college, transfer to a UC school, and then end up getting his Bachelors at a state college? What's that about?
     The article goes on to explain that Caspers did indeed make a big success of Keystone Savings—which he founded in 1957, in Anaheim, when he was about 26 years old. 

     THE CASPERS TENENBAUMS. I did a little looking, and it turns out that Caspers came from a rich and perhaps peculiar family. As indicated above, his father, Rudolph, an avid yachtsman, ran Mutual Savings and Loan. By the mid-50s, he seemed to spend much of his time traveling about the world with his photographer wife. He died in 1958 at age 64.
     I do believe that Ron Caspers’ mother had some sort of TV show—perhaps a travelogue.
     I've found references to the “residuary trust under the will of Rudolph W. Caspers.” Not sure what that's about. Ron Caspers' father was named Rudolph, but so was his grandfather.
     There was a Rudolph Caspers in show biz in the thirties and forties. Same guy? Not sure.

* * *

     MOWED BY A CUTTER. I did find some old articles about the “Aloha” tragedy, which, to authorities back then, warranted investigation.
     The ramming and sinking of the Aloha by the Coast Guard cutter Morris occurred on October 2, 1954. The Aloha had five passengers, two of whom perished, including Caspers' wife. Within a few days, there was an official inquiry. In the end, the Coast Guard investigation concluded that the actions of those piloting the two ships—Ron Caspers (age 23) and an Ensign James Frost (age 25)—were responsible for the tragedy:

     …Out of the Coast Guard’s board of investigation and military inquiry yesterday came the tragic knowledge that the Morris and the Aloha both altered direction a few minutes before they collided.
     Ensign James A. Frost, 24, on the Coast Guard cutter Morris, ordered a change to port [left]. Ronald Caspers, 23, at the wheel of his father’s $55,000 racing ketch Aloha, adjusted to starboard [right].
     And the two alterations, each made to avoid a possible collision, accomplished just the opposite. They made for a near perfect collision course. (“Double shift of course blamed for sinking of yacht Aloha by cutter,” LA Times, Oct. 9, 1954)

     The details, however, are worth reviewing.
     On it's face, the incident was strange. On that dark but calm and clear night, the Coast Guard cutter Morris spotted the Aloha when it was still three miles away. The officer on deck of the Morris, Frost, kept an eye on it, for it kept coming at the Morris. He sought to avoid a collision, but the Aloha seemed to change direction to maintain a course directed at the Morris.
     It’s clear that Caspers was to some degree negligent in the incident:

The CG cutter Morris

     …[Attorney] Keith Ferguson … seized on Caspers’ horn testimony during cross-examination.
     “Are you aware that two blasts of a horn is a signal to denote that the ship is to change course to port [i.e., to their left]?” asked Ferguson.
     “No, I did not know that,” Caspers answered.
     “Do you know the rules of the road?” the attorney asked.
     “Not all of them,” Caspers admitted.
     Caspers, far from shifting course to port, altered gradually to starboard [to the right, from his perspective] for approximately five minutes before the crash, according to his testimony.
. . .
     “I thought the craft was stationary,” he said, “and I wanted to give it plenty of room.”
     “Didn’t it mean anything to you that your bearing on the other boat remained the same even though you had changed your course?” Ferguson, an admiralty lawyer, asked.
     “It would now,” Caspers replied, “But my mind wasn’t working that way then.”
     Caspers pointed out that he would not have acted differently even had he known the Morris was moving.
     “The other boat, being on my port [left] side, would have to change course,” he explained.

     Later in the article, testimony provides a dramatic account of the Aloha's actual sinking, an account that seems designed to make Caspers appear heroic:

A ketch

     [Survivors] Caspers, Boisot and Miss Kurz all testified to their almost miraculous escape from going down with the Aloha.
     Caspers said he stood up [when collision became imminent? occurred?] in the cockpit and moved to go below.
     “I kept thinking that I had to get the people out,” he said. “But by the time I got there, the cabin was almost full of water.
     “Then I saw some hands rise up through the debris. I reached down and grasped them and pulled up on them. It was Miss Kurz. I finally managed to pull her out and then we were in the water.
     “The ship went down immediately—almost instantaneously. The Dinghy was floating free and we swam to that. We didn’t see anybody and then we heard Boisot calling out. He swam over and hung on with us.”
     Miss Kurz testified that she was asleep on the starboard side of the cabin, aft. She said Mrs. Caspers was asleep in the port bunk of the same cabin.
     “I was either thrown or I vaulted from the bed,” Miss Kurz recalled. “Then I was standing in the middle of the room. I yelled and yelled for Bea. I felt in her bunk but I couldn’t locate her.
     “I had no time to spare. I started up the ladder and somehow got myself caught in the hatch. Then Ronald reached down and pulled me out.”

     Obviously, there are at least two possible hinky Caspers scenarios. First, Caspers was simply grossly negligent—scandalously ignorant and careless. Second, Caspers deliberately collided with the Morris.
     Why would he do that? Well, you can use your imagination. One possibility would involve collusion with the two other survivors (Boisot, a 32-year-old "manufacturer" and Kurz, a 25-year-old secretary). There's no evidence of anything like that. (But it's hard to find any information at all about so distant and obscure an event.)

* * *

     AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN. The best account of the Coast Guard hearing that I could find appeared in an article in the Oct. 8 Long Beach Press-Telegram (“Cutter officer tells of crash”). According to that article, the crash occurred just before 5:00 a.m. Ensign James Frost was in charge of the cutter while the captain was sleeping. He testified that he spotted the Aloha when it was 2 or 3 miles away:

     “The young officer said that as the two craft approached one another visual bearing indicated the other vessel steadily moved from 20 to 30 degrees to his starboard.
     “At that time I considered the vessel to be passing me well to his starboard [i.e., to my right],” Ensign Frost declared.
     He said he went into the wheelhouse contemplating making a navigation “fix” but had been in only a few seconds when he looked out toward the other vessel and saw both running lights, indicating that it had turned toward him.
     “I took the binoculars and stepped out on the wing of the bridge,” he said. “I saw the green light only again. Then both lights again.
     “At this time I gave an order to the helmsman “left five.’” He explained he meant left five degrees rudder. He said the command was acknowledged and carried out.
     For a period of 10 seconds, Ensign Frost said, he could see alternately one navigation light and then both as the other vessel appeared to waver back and forth. [Presumably, Frost's seeing both lights suggested Aloha's course directly toward the Morris.]
     “Approximately 20 seconds before the collision,” he said, “I saw the port running light. I realized the other vessel was trying to cut across my bow. I gave the command “all back full.”
     “We hit the vessel approximately with our prow. We hit amidships on the port side” [the side where Mrs. Caspers was sleeping, aft].
     Ensign Frost said he did not sound any whistle signals prior to the impact and heard nothing from the Aloha at any time. At the time of the impact he sounded a series of four or more three-second whistle blasts. He said the Morris backed off about 50 yards and he gave orders to stop all engines.
     The whistles, general alarm signals, and shouting awakened the captain…. Ensign Frost said the skipper was on the bridge between 30 seconds to one minute of the collision.
     Ensign Frost said the Morris put searchlights into operation to seek survivors, but that he had seen no one on the deck of the Aloha at time of impact.
     The skipper of the Aloha, 23-year-old Ronald W. Caspers of Pasadena, told the board Thursday his version of events leading up to the collision.

     The victims of the tragedy included his 25-year-old wife, Barbara [she went by “Bea”], and Harold Kelly, Jr., 61 of New York and San Bernardino. Caspers and two other passengers were rescued.
     Caspers’ testimony brought out that the sounding of an electric horn may have contributed to the accident.
     Caspers testified that [Aloha passenger] Emile K. (Kelly) Boisot, 32, of Arcadia waked him by sounding the boat’s electric horn “two or three times” about 13 minutes before the Morris rammed the Aloha.
     The witness was asked by Atty. Keith Ferguson, San Francisco, special assistant to the U.S. Attorney General, if he was aware “that two blasts of a horn is a signal to denote that a ship is to change course to port?”
     “No, I did not know that,” said Caspers, son of Altadena sportsman Rudolph W. Caspers, owner of the Aloha.
     Caspers said he altered course gradually to starboard for about five minutes before the crash.
     Earlier, the young skipper said he had seen the Morris and thought it to be one of other fishing boats he had noticed.
     “I thought the craft was stationary,” he continued, “and I wanted to give it plenty of room.”

     It’s all very odd, if you ask me. I mean, the collision could have gone down because of a perfect storm of incompetent maneuverings by the two skippers. Speaking as a non-sailor, and given the testimony above, that seems implausible. Maybe experienced seamen see it otherwise. Dunno.
     Why was Bea Caspers' body never found? You'll recall that none of the bodies of the ten passengers of the Shooting Star were ever found either. 
     What's it all mean? Maybe nothing. Bodies get eaten, lost.

* * *

     THE HAWAIIAN YARN. Earlier, I said that we "know" that  Ron Caspers perished with the "Shooting Star" in 1974.

     Do we? There's a reason, perhaps a very slim one, to wonder.
     In his excellent 1984 article "The Sinking of a Political Machine," published (in Orange Coast Magazine) exactly ten years after the "Shooting Star" sinking, journalist Larry Peterson considered the possibility that the yacht was deliberately sunk. One theory that had been proposed at the time, by a private detective and ex-cop named Neal Graney, involved the idea that one of the ten passengers of the "Shooting Star" helped sink it and survived:

     There is some support, however slender, for Graney’s belief that someone got off the boat alive. One former west Orange County elected official told me he thinks he saw a member of the ill-fated party about three years ago in Hawaii.
     At the time, the former official says he was on the beach near the Pacific Beach Hotel in Waikiki, and the supposedly deceased man crossed the street nearby.
     “It looked so much like him that I just yelled his name without thinking that he was supposed to be dead,” said the vacationer, who was well-acquainted with the Shooting Star passenger he thinks he saw. “He took off and disappeared into the crowd….I’m sure that, when I yelled out, he would have recognized me….It seemed deliberate.”
     Scenarios just as bizarre as Graney’s based more on conjecture than provable fact, have been widely circulated and are passed on by Cella, Battin and others to anyone who asks.
     Details vary, but the essentials are this: Somebody hired either organized crime-related figures or a right-wing paramilitary group to blow the Shooting Star out of the water.
     Implausible as that may seem, there is some evidence that the boat would not normally have sunk, even with the pounding it took from heavy seas.

     Peterson was referring to the repair history of the boat and evidence that it had undergone modifications that would make it virtually unsinkable.

     Peterson raised the question of why anyone would want to sink the ship. He turns to Richard Jordan's allegations, in a sworn declaration, that Caspers and his pal Harber (who was also on the boat) were attempting to shake him down—a highly plausible suggestion, given the histories of those two men, as explained recently here on DtB. Perhaps, suggests Peterson, Jordan wasn't the only target of shakedowns? Perhaps some of these others were violent people?

     And maybe Caspers believed that the DA was closing in on him (Jordan's declaration indicates that) and he couldn't face the fall that would result.

     Admittedly, there's a huge problem with the "Caspers did it" theory: two of Caspers' sons were lost with the ship (apparently). Of course, they might have been "in on it" and survived, along with dad, but that makes the whole yarn ridiculously complex and unlikely.

     Would a guy kill his own sons? Don't think so.

     Of course, we don't know who that former elected official thought he saw that day in Hawaii. Maybe it was Fred Harber.

     We'll never know.

Fred Harber

The story of "Baby Peter"—update

Young Peter, c.1947

     Nearly a year ago, after my trip to Europe, I posted about a curious wartime episode of family history on my mother’s side: French Kiss: the sad story of baby Peter (July 11, 2011). The events of this story occurred largely in the northeaster section of then-Germany (from Berlin to the east—much of that territory is now in Poland).
     My post told the story of a relative—young Edith Martha Hänfler*—who, during the war, fell in love with a French prisoner-of-war, Frederic. These two had a baby. It’s all very Hogan’s Heroes—and a bit cloak-and-dagger. And, yes, it’s all true.
     For reasons I explained a year ago, the baby, Peter, was left by his parents with my mother’s people in the east—what was left of them—and, in particular, he was in the care of my mother’s Aunt Else, who loved children but who could not have her own. In the end, the child was taken from Else—to relocate him with his parents in France. The impending event resulted in Else’s suicide (c. 1950).
     "There are many such stories," as they say. (A line from Vertigo.)

Edith Martha Hänfler: fell in
love with a French POW in Berlin

UPDATE: 

     Yesterday (6/21/12), I was contacted by one of Peter's daughters in France. She identifies herself as Edith Hennion, and she was born, oddly enough, on Peter's birthday—February 28—in 1966, which would make her Ron's age (46).
     She had Googled her grandmother's name ("Edith Hänfler") and found my post. Amazed by what she found, she left a comment and her email address. I contacted her yesterday.

     She has already sent me several photos, including the one at left of her grandmother, Edith Martha Hänfler, who, Edith tells me, died in 1960, at age 42. (I do not know whether she remained married to Frederic.) She also sent a roughly written "family tree," which indicates that Peter's father was Frederic Francois Hennion, who was born on October 26, 1915. She tells me that he died of cancer in the early 70s.
     Peter's name is given as Peter Frederic Remo Hänfler (Hennion). For some reason, Peter's wife's name is not indicated. (In a more recent correspondence, Edith indicates that her mother's name was Josiane.)

     Edith indicates that her father, Peter, died ten years ago at age 58. That was news to us. (Sad news to my mother, who dearly loved the young Peter.)

     Edith also sent three old photos that she could not identify: one of a man by the beach, another (perhaps at the same beach) of two young children, and one of the two young children, slightly older, with a dog. She writes that she does not know who these people are. Do I know?

     I've already emailed her, informing her that the man is my father, Gunther "Manny" Bauer, and that the two kids are Annie and me. The dog, of course, is Prince. These photos were taken in 1960 and about 1961 (in Santa Monica and Orange).

Santa Monica, 1960

     Ma (our Edith) is very excited about this turn of events. She is surprised that Peter and his family had photos of our family, since, as she understood it, her sister Ilse was unwilling to part with any family photos and give them to Peter. (She and Peter were in contact, though Ilse, who is in declining health, has not contacted Peter for many years.) Maybe she did relinquish some photos afterall.
     Edith (the one in France) writes that, when she was twenty (c. 1986), she actually lived in Mission Viejo for a while as an au pair. At the time, her father suggested that she visit "his relatives" there in Orange County, but, she now says, she was young and independent and free—and she never got around to looking us up.
     Too bad. But now at long last we can connect, trade photos, stories, etc.

     For those who are interested, these old “Bauer” tales—lots of 'em—can be found on the Bauer family blog. (Baby Peter)

*Related how? Starting in 1934 (when her birth mother died), my mother lived with her father's sister, Marthe (Martha)--i.e., her aunt (whom my mother always refers to as her "mother"). Martha was married to Otto Hänfler (whom my mother would call her "father"), who had a brother living in Berlin. That brother's daughter, Edith Martha Hänfler, fell in love with the French POW, Frederic Hennion.