this snl clip is still pretty good

even though chris kattan is EASILY the worst saturday night live cast member. i can't fucking stand that guy.

via videosift.com

The Gunn Family Speaks

According to The 818 Now, the family of deceased Sgt Neil Gunn will hold a press conference today, November 3, 2009, at 6:30pm outside of the City Hall, 275 East Olive Avenue Burbank, CA 91502.

This will also be shown on Burbank TV (Channel 6) live which can be accessed on the City's website, http://www.burbankusa.com/.

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Blog posts which have their hand on the pulse of Burbank
A Writer's Groove

Burbank, California


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Original Post:
Burbank Police Sergeant in FBI Probe Killed
http://sonomanewstoday.blogspot.com/2009/10/burbank-police-sergeant-in-fbi-probe.html

welcome to the team, smokey!

introducing new cat homie, smokey. he lives with ness, joel, walter, and melba. little dude LOVES lounging in joel's bass drum.

Autopsy for Neil Gunn? Suicide Note? Witnesses?

Yes, folks, we have more questions:

Q1. Will there be or has there been an autopsy? If yes, when will the results be available?

Q2. Was there a suicide note? Typed or handwritten? Content?
A2. Yes. Scroll down to Burbank, California Post

Q3. Again, who saw him pull the trigger? Name/s?

Q4. What was the weapon?

Q5. Will there be a funeral/memorial? Where and when?
A5. Yes, Thursday in Northridge.

Today received an email with a link to an article regarding the recent suicide of Los Angeles Sheriff Deputy, Zoltan Richard Tombol. This comment was included:
"Isn't this how they usually commit suicide? Not on some residential street in broad daylight!"

Here is the article:

Los Angeles County deputy found dead in forest committed suicide

Posted on 2009 October 30 by BBVM
source: http://bbvm.wordpress.com/2009/10/30/los-angeles-county-deputy-found-dead-in-forest-committed-suicide/

Authorities said Tuesday that the death of a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department deputy whose body was found in the Cleveland National Forest after a massive search last week has been ruled a suicide.

An autopsy performed on Zoltan Richard Tombol, 42, of Yorba Linda, showed that he died of a shotgun wound to the head, said Lt. Scot Collins of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department coroner’s bureau.

Collins said a 12-gauge shotgun and a cell phone were discovered near Tombol’s body, which was found Oct. 20 on a hillside near the 91 freeway and Green River Road in Corona. His body was discovered by a search-and-rescue team walking through the area.

Collins said a suicide note was not found.

The search began after Tombol’s wife filed a missing-person report the evening of Oct. 18 with the Brea Police Department after he failed to pick up his son from a cousin’s house. His wife last saw him at about 6:30 a.m. that day, said Brea Lt. Darrin Devereux.

Corona police found Tombol’s Ford F-150 pickup parked at the end of a fire-access road a couple of hours after the missing-person report was filed. There were no signs of foul play, said Brea Sgt. Bill Smyser said.

Tombol was an avid hiker and cross country runner who was initially believed to have gone on a hike, Smyser said.

Tombol was a 19-year Sheriff’s Department veteran who had worked in the training division since 2005. He was also a veteran of the U.S. Army’s 82nd Airborne division, said Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department spokesman Steve Whitmore.

Whitmore said Tombol is survived by his wife, who is a sergeant with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, and a 14-year-old son.

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And another article on the same event:

Autopsy scheduled for body of L.A. County sheriff's deputy

Daily News Wire Services
Posted: 10/21/2009 06:39:20 AM PDT
Updated: 10/21/2009 06:46:54 AM PDT
source: http://www.contracostatimes.com/california/ci_13605546?nclick_check=1

YORBA LINDA - An autopsy is scheduled Wednesday morning on the body of a 42-year-old Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy found dead on a hillside in Riverside County.
Zoltan Richard Tombol of Yorba Linda was reported missing Sunday after he went for a run in the Cleveland National Forest outside Corona.

Searchers found Tombol's body about 2:20 p.m. Tuesday, said Brea police Sgt. Bill Smyser. Brea police led the search for Tombol because they patrol Yorba Linda.

The body was about 350 yards southwest of Green River Road and the Riverside (91) Freeway in Corona, according to the Riverside County coroner.

The Riverside County Sheriff's Department launched a death investigation, and an autopsy will be performed by its Coroner's Bureau in Perris Wednesday morning, said Sgt. Dennis Gutierrez, a department spokesman.

Determining the cause of death may depend on toxicology tests, which could take six to eight weeks, he said.

Tombol was reported missing by his wife about 6:30 p.m. Sunday after he failed to pick up his son as planned, said Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department spokesman Steve Whitmore.

A multi-agency search team of more than 100 people -- some with bloodhounds, some on horseback -- scoured a three-mile area bordering the Cleveland National Forest, with two helicopters scouting the slopes from above, Whitmore said.

Tombol, a 19-year law-enforcement veteran and former member of the U.S. Army's elite 82nd Airborne Division, was an avid outdoorsman and hiker who was in great shape, he said. Tombol, reported to be 6 feet tall and 205 pounds, worked in the sheriff's Training Division.

"He handled use-of-force training," Deputy Jeff Gordon of the Sheriff's Headquarters Bureau in Monterey Park said Wednesday morning. "He trained deputies in new force techniques, new weapons and defensive tactics."

No foul play was suspected in the disappearance, Smyser said before the body was found.

Tombol's gray Ford F-150 pickup truck was discovered Monday by Corona police at the end of a fire access road south of Green River Road and the 91 freeway, Smyser said.

"This is all under investigation, and all of this will be looked at from top to bottom," Whitmore said. "It's a sad day for the L.A. County Sheriff's Department. We've lost a 19-year veteran, a valued member of our family."

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BURBANK VIDEO CLIPS



Mike Nolan brings up points of contradition in the statement read by Burbank Mayor Gary Bric regarding the investigations of the Burbank Police Department. Posted September 30, 2009

source

CLICK HERE TO VIEW MORE BURBANK VIDEOS

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EVENING UPDATE

Sgt. Gunn’s family to address the media

source: http://tcnnorth.wordpress.com/2009/11/02/sgt-gunns-family-to-address-the-media/
The 818 Now
Written by Christopher Cadelago
November 2, 2009 at 5:52 pm

The family of Burbank police Sgt. Neil Thomas Gunn, who died last week, have called a press conference for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday outside Burbank City Hall.

Gunn’s children and other family members are expected to tell the media that his suicide was motivated, in large part, by the treatment of the Burbank Police Department, according to a news release issued Monday.

Gunn, a 22-year-veteran of the Burbank Police Department, received several commendations for his work, including Ministerial Officer of the Year in 1992, and two professional esteem awards.

The Burbank City Council meeting begins tomorrow at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 275 E. Olive Ave.

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BURBANK, CALIFORNIA Post

November 3, 2009...2:22 am

City Council meeting will feature Gunn family, others. Don’t miss We can’t stress this enough. If you can’t go to tomorrow night’s city council meeting, be sure to watch it on Burbank’s Channel 6. It will be a very important one, for a number of reasons. This is one of them:

Media Advisory

Burbank police Sgt. Neil Thomas Gunn Sr. family members to address the media

BURBANK, Calif., November 2, 2009 – The family members of Burbank police Sgt. Neil Thomas Gunn Sr., who died last week, will speak to the media following the Burbank City Council meeting tomorrow, November 3, 2009 at 6:00 pm.

Sergeant’s Gunn’s children and other family members will tell the media that Sgt. Gunn’s suicide was motivated, in large part, by the treatment of Sgt. Gunn by the Burbank Police Department.

Sergeant Gunn was a 22-year-veteran and patrol sergeant with the Burbank Police Department. He received numerous commendations for his work, including Ministerial Officer of the Year in 1992, and two departmental Professional Esteem awards.

The Burbank City Council meeting begins tomorrow at 6:00 pm at City Hall, 275 E. Olive Avenue. It is anticipated that the family will talk to the media at 6:30 pm outside of the Council Chambers.

CONTACT: Englander & Associates, Eric W. Rose.

There will also be another appearance that we can’t talk about right now, and a candlelight vigil. We can expect some details about motives and a possible legal action against the City of Burbank, as well as a call for immediate change. The city council-majority will no longer be able to hide behind soft words and e-mail missives between each other that get sanitized for public consumption.

BTW, we can confirm that Sgt. Gunn did indeed leave a suicide note on his person, as we reported last week, and that it was found by the BPD at the Harvard Road site. It specifically named Chief Stehr as a principal in this situation.

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Burbank TV (Channel 6) streams live on the City's website, www.burbankusa.com

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Original Post:
Burbank Police Sergeant in FBI Probe Killed

freak when i'm dead

i'm pretty into this song right now... nice to hear a garage band that sounds like they actually like garages more than bars.


also this video says live at the longbranch. isn't there a modern lovers record recorded there or am i confused?

Pot... kettle

The Prime Minister has delivered a statement to the House of Commons regarding last week's European Council meeting, with more than a few questions directed towards him regarding the hoo-ha surrounding Tony Blair's candidacy to be the EU's first permanent President.

A question from Labour MP Ian Davidson made reference to the news this morning that the Conservatives have indicated they are unlikely to 'un-pick' the Lisbon Treaty via a referendum if it has already been ratified. He suggested that those who "capitulate" on their pledges betray the promises made to the British people.

Quite extraordinarily, Gordon Brown seemed to agree with him, and said that David Cameron had made a "cast-iron guarantee" to hold a referendum, and that it was now up to the leader of the Opposition to make his position on the Lisbon Treaty known.

Perhaps someone should remind the Prime Minister of his own words:

12 May 2004: "If we secure a treaty that is acceptable for Britain, then i believe we can also put it successfully to the British people."

24 June 2007: "The manifesto is what we put to the public. We've got to honour that manifesto. That is an issue of trust for me with the electorate."

and those of the Labour Party manifesto in 2005:

"The new Constitutional Treaty ensures the new Europe can work effectively...We will put it to the British people in a referendum."

This has a very strong and ugly odour of the pot calling the kettle black.

PS - With the debate about the Tories and their Europe policy really cranking up now, watch this space for Open Europe's upcoming take on what should be done...

The rise of the EU's surveillance state

We've written an article for the Guardian's Comment is Free looking at the themes in our latest report on the EU's surveillance state and the Government's complicit role in its rise.

Click the link below to have a read:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/libertycentral/2009/nov/02/europe-surveillance-state

What are Chemtrails?

The short video was taken last year outside of London in the UK.

source

City of Burbank Family or Dangerous Nepotism?

Burbank City Hall

Nepotism is favouritism granted to relatives or friends without regard to their merit. This can also be called cronyism which is when friends are appointed to positions of authority regardless of their qualifications.

Government organizations have or should have anti-nepotism policies because friends or relatives who work together may collaborate to advance their own interests above the good of the people.

Again, because this is where I grew up, I have interest in the affairs of Burbank, California.

And while researching more about the tragic death of Sgt Neil Gunn, I've come across other interesting and pertinent information and comments.

For example, on June 12, 2009, A Writer's Groove posted Former Burbank Official Marsha Ramos speaks out on hot city issues and below are a couple of the comments by Carma:

June 14th, 2009 at 2:47 pm

Somone said they are worried about the advice given by the City Attorney. They should be. Juli Scott, Assistant DA, is council to Chief Stehr on all issues of the police department and outside litigation.

The problem is they are friends outside of work and vacation together. Juli Scott’s assistant Linda Rosoff is the wife of Lieutenant Rosoff, who is the subject of several internal investigations, one being the FBI. Juli Scott is the Godmother of Rossof’s daughter. Serious nepotism going on here.

It gets worse! As a result of the media coverage, a women has come forward with proof that years ago multiple members of the police department (a captain, a lieutenant and the chief) had a house (brothel) in Burbank where they used to take women other than thier wives.

One of the officers, now a capatain, is said to have beat one of the girls and the police responded. The girl went to the hosipital. Officers responded to the scene and made a “ghost” report to satisfy the girl. The sergeant, now Chief Stehr, covered up the investigation and the girl was told not to make any further inquires.

The guy renting the house was named? You guessed it Rosoff. The guy accused of beating the girl, Pat Lynch, now captain promoted under Stehr.

Oddly, all three of these guys are also named in the current lawsuit? Go figure.

Then Carma wrote:

Assistant City Attorney Juli Scott is quoted as saying “The City of Burbank has a long history of nepotism….we encourage nepotism around here” This was in 2006, to while in a training session to over 150 police officers.

People just laughed

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At the same website, another post Burbank City Council speaks out on those lawsuits and investigations brought this comment by Stretch:

September 30th, 2009 at 9:07 pm

I only have one thing to say to Mr Bric. Get real!

How can the very same people who are charged with allegations still be in charge of their own investigations? Getting to investigate yourself must be nice.

Chief Stehr, Juli Scott, and now Mike Flad are all named in complaints, yet they are hiring lawyers, vetting witnesses, and briefing the city council. Please get a grip folks.

All the other officers are on admistrative leave after being accused…why is Chief Stehr still sitting in the council meetings?

For instance, Juli Scott was recently giving “sexual harrasment” training at the police department. In front of 75 or so officers she starts to talk about the lawsuits and how they are all BS. It is reported that Scott continues her rant and says the city will fight these suits and if they lose they will appeal them at all cost. Then they will seek damages against the complaining officers. Cost to who…not you Juli..just the taxpayers.

Great Scott! Problem is one of the officers in the room is the female that is suing the department for this very same behavior Scott is training about. Isn’t that harrassment? Humuliation, intimidation, and legal threats at your work place mean anything?

And here's a comment by Jim C.:

September 30th, 2009 at 10:16 pm
Julie Scott’s a fool if she thinks the city can collect “damages” from a plaintiff when they don’t prevail. The most they could get– the most– is legal fees paid.

She is also clearly harassing the female officer in front of her peers in a “sexual harassment” workshop by threatening and subjecting her to humiliation and embarrassment about the PROTECTED ACTIVITY of filing a discrimination lawsuit to address wrongs. The woman should contact her attorneys immediately and amend her complaint to include this recent reprisal incident, if true.

What Scott is doing is trying to unlawfully intimidate the Plaintiff at this BPD employee meeting, which is– I believe– the root claim in many of these officer suits in the first place, right?

Don’t you love how these incompetents prove their own charges against them, by act, word and deed? They’re fools. Even if there’s nothing to the original lawsuits, the city is clearly engaging in ‘retaliation for engaging in protected activities’ by going after the employees for bringing up the concerns.

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Here is the City of Burbank's Nepotism Policy for us all to review:

Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Burbank and the Burbank Police Officers’ Association July 2007 through June 2009

Page 47

D. NEPOTISM POLICY

D.1. Statement
The City of Burbank, for business reasons of supervision, safety, security, or morale may refuse to place a new hire or promotional candidate under the direct supervision of a relative.

D.1.a. The City may refuse to place a new hire or promotional candidate in the same department, division or facility if the situation may result in potential conflicts of interest or other hazards greater for relatives than for other persons.

D.1.b. If co-employees marry or fellow employees become relatives by marriage as a result of the marriage of others, either inside or outside the organization, the City shall make reasonable efforts to assign job duties so as to minimize problems of supervision, safety, security, or morale.

D.2. Definitions

D.2.a. Relatives For the purpose of this policy, the term “relative” includes wife, husband, son, daughter, mother, father, brother, half-brother, brother-in-law, sister, half-sister, sister-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, mother-in-law, father-in-law, aunt, uncle niece, nephew, grandchild, stepparent, stepchild, or any other relative living in the same household.

D.2.b. Direct Supervisor This is the person that assigns, prioritizes and evaluates the employee’s work.

D.3. Procedures In order to carry out this policy, the following procedures are established:

D.3.a. Management Services Department will ascertain if new hires or promotional candidates are related to current employees in the City.

D.3.b. Failure to disclose such relationship will result in disqualification from consideration for employment or promotion.

D.3.c. Management Services Department will notify the appointing department of such relationships and ask the department manager to:

D.3.c.(1) Make a determination that no supervision, safety, security or morale issues will arise out of the hiring.

Page 48

D.3.c.(2) Identify and agree to workable accommodations to allow the hire, while avoiding or mitigating the potential negative impacts on supervision, safety, security, or morale.

D.3.c.(3) Management Services Department, with the oversight of the City Attorney’s Office, will review the response of the department manager and make a recommendation to the City Manager.

D.3.c.(4) In the event the department and Management Services Department disagree, the City Manager’s Office will make the final decision.

D.4. Promotional Candidate Appeal Process

D.4.a. If a promotional candidate is rejected on the basis of this policy, they shall have the right to appeal the decision through an Administrative Appeal Procedure. The Administrative Appeal Procedure is as follows:

D.4.a.(1)The candidate, upon notification of rejection, may, within three (3) working days, file a written appeal of the decision with the Management Services Director. The written submission must include the specific basis for the appeal under the policy.

D.4.a.(2)The Management Services Director will review the matter and respond to the appellant within five (5) working days of receipt of the appeal.

D.4.a.(3)If the Management Services Director denies the appeal, the candidate may, within three (3) working days, appeal the decision to the City Manager or his/her designee.

D.4.a.(4)The City Manager or his/her designee will review the matter and respond to the appellant within five (5) working days. The decision of the City Manager or his/her designee is final.

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More interesting reading from A Writer's Groove:
UPDATED 10/29/09:New developments about the Burbank Police Commission

And to catch up with previous posts on Neil Gunn, please go here:
Burbank Police Sergeant in FBI Probe Killed

Traffic Accident Arnold Drive at Watmaugh Road

Heard sirens a bit ago and found this at the CHP Traffic website:

1586 5:01PM Traffic Collision - Ambulance Responding ARNOLD DR AT WATMAUGH RD


View Larger Map

Incident: 1586 Type: Traffic Collision - Ambulance Responding Location: ARNOLD DR AT WATMAUGH RD ThomasBrothers: 467 3C info as of: 10/31/2009 5:42:01 PM
ADDITIONAL DETAILS
5:18PM 1039 3A VOLK PASSAT C# 6111 BONNEAUS
5:18PM 1039 3A CROWN VICTORIA C# 6105 BONNEAUS
5:03PM 1039 REDCOM
5:02PM DEBRIS IN RDWY
5:02PM VEHS PULLED TO RHS
5:02PM ROLLING 1141 PRECAUTIONARY
5:02PM GRY TOYT CAM VS BLK SEDAN VS UNKN VEH
RESPONDING OFFICERS STATUS
5:48PM CHP Unit On Scene

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I hope no one was hurt.