TheBakersfieldCalifornian.com

An appeals court has denied former Kern County Sheriff Carl Sparks’ request for attorneys fees and costs from the county of Kern related to a long-simmering pay dispute.

Sparks did not file the proper paperwork, according to the ruling posted Thursday by California’s 5th District Court of Appeal.

Kern County sued Sparks in 2004, alleging several sheriff's commanders were paid $39,000 without approval from the Kern County Board of Supervisors.

Many twists and turns followed but ultimately, the 5th District court said Sparks was wrong to do what he did. The supervisors ended up dropping the case because key issues were resolved.

Sparks sought attorneys fees back.

But wait, it’s not over. There’s an action that’s been on hold in the Kern County courts regarding attorneys fees in the case that will now be activated given the 5th District ruling, said Sparks’ attorney, Paul Coble.

— Government team leader Christine Bedell
 

PIUTE FIELD TRIP OFFERED

The Kern River Ranger District of the Sequoia National Forest has scheduled a field trip to the 2008 “Piute Fire” area.

The field trip will include site visits and information on planned restoration projects. This will also be an opportunity to see some of the restoration work already completed as part of the Burned Area Emergency Response efforts.

The Piute Fire began on June 28, 2008, burning approximately 37,000 acres. The acreage includes about 33,000 acres of the Sequoia National Forest, about 2,600 acres of Bureau of Land Management land and 1,500 acres of privately owned land both within and outside the National Forest boundary.

The fire was contained on July 25, 2008.  

The field trip is May 16 at 9 a.m. at the Kernville Ranger Station, 105 Whitney Road, Kernville. A short overview of the day's activities will be presented prior to the field trip with expected time of return by 5 p.m.

Participants need to bring a sack lunch and drinks for the day. The Forest Service will be carpooling participants or you may drive your personal vehicle.

RSVPs are required by May 13 to Cindy Thill, at 760-376-3781, extension 625.

— U.S. Forest Service news release

FULLER BILL ON MEMORIALS ADVANCES

Legislation by Assemblywoman Jean Fuller, R-Bakersfield, to allow friends and family of fatal car accident victims to memorialize their loved ones received bipartisan support this week in the Assembly Transportation Committee.

The bill, Assembly Bill 882, was inspired by the April 2006 crash on Highway 119 in which three young adults from Taft were killed.

“It is unfortunate that the idea for this bill came from such a horrible tragedy,” said Fuller, “but it is my hope that this small gesture can help the family through their healing process and lend a hand in memorializing the lives of these young people.”

Illegal makeshift memorials of stuffed animals, balloons and other mementos mark the sites of fatal car accidents along state highways. AB 882 gives grieving friends and family a legal alternative to erecting these makeshift memorials, while still giving them the opportunity to remember their loved ones. Under this legislation, family and friends may purchase memorial signs that state “Please Drive Safely in Memory of [victim’s name]”.

AB 882 expands current California law that allows for the purchase of signs memorializing the death of an individual who was killed by a drunk or otherwise impaired driver. Those requesting the signs are responsible for the costs including design, installation and upkeep of the sign.

Assembly Bill 882 now goes to the Assembly Appropriations Committee.

— Fuller office press release