In a sure sign of the coming apocalypse, Contra Costa Taxpayers Association Executive Director, Kris Hunt, actually defended John Gioia from union accusations, during a Contra Costa Supervisor discussion about further budget cuts. According to the Times, Supervisor John Gioia said, ‘”Everything else we do is working around the edges,” Gioia said. “The only way we’ll get through this is by sacrifice by everybody.” Gioia gave an example of how Contra Costa pays for 75 percent of employees’ retirement benefits, compared with most counties that pay half. During public comment, two union representatives lambasted Gioia for “posturing” outside of negotiations, and requesting he “cease and desist.” “No one’s going to keep me from expressing my thoughts,” Gioia responded.’
According to eyewitnesses (!) two fine ladies of AFSCME, seemingly used to getting their way with County negotiators, were out flanked when, miracle of miracles, tax watchdog,
Kris Hunt, spoke praise and defended both Gioia and Supervisor Piepho, saying, “that CoCoTax complains that contract negotiations between the county and unions are often conducted in the dark and the information he [Gioia] was providing was just that – information.” So yes, Virginia, that probably is the sky falling on your windshield; one rock at a time.
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We get rather sick of Gioia whining about his “poorest of the poor, neediest of the needed” consituents. Soon all county employees will be in this group and he will still be collection his $96,000+ year salary and benefits. It is time to boot everyone of the BOS our off office and get someone who represents all of WORKING PEOPLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am not only a county employee but a taxpayer in this county too. If people only knew off all the waste. Retired employees who come back on fat contracts while collecting retirement, the fat contracts for the Fiscal Officers of Health Services etc. Why hasn’t Kris Hunt and her group looked into this and put a stop to it???? Oh that’s right they only want to step on the little employees like clerks, janitors etc…..
Isn’t that what Kris Hunt gets paid for? She is the watch dog for the Contra Costa County Taxpayers Association. I am surprised she would even think of defending Piepho or Gioia after Piepho promised the moon to Bickert just to get the support of the Contra Costa Sheriffs Association for her election. Now she Gioia are crying poor mouth when they both new all the while making promises to everyone, i.e. Cullen, Bickert, DA’s office etc. the County was going to experience a huge shortfall in funds. So what would the other County employee assocations expect, I would assume they want to be treated the same. Both of these Supervisors remain ingnorant about how to balance a budget and run this County and keep it out of the red. Both of them must of had pillows over their ears when the financial people attempted to get them to listen to the falling ecomony. The taxpayers of this County can only assume neither of them attended Accounting 101. The only explanation they can offer, Piepho has lost her calculator and Gioia lost his brain. This drama by Gioia and Piepho is part of their act. They line their own pockets with promises and future benefits while selling out the taxpayers. Give it up Kris they must now have you fooled too, its all an act.
Nice picture of the Devil. the years are wearing well on him. As for Kris hunt as jerry garcia said a friend of the devil is a friend of mine!!