InlandPolitics: San Bernardino County retaliates against blogger Sharon Gilbert

San Bernardino County executives have come down hard on one of their own employees who also operates a local political blog.

A blog popular with readers, but not county leaders.

Sharon Gilbert, an almost thirty-year county employee, has taken on county government with great success through her website www.iePolitics.com. A widely-read blog in Southern California’s Inland Empire, which consists primarily of San Bernardino County and Riverside County.

Ms. Gilbert has a network of sources that aid her in routing out issues with local governments and exposing problems. A resource that has contributed to the blogs success.

However, Gilbert has paid a steep price for her crusading.

More than a year ago, at the direction of ousted county administrative officer Mark Uffer, county human resources officers overrode a physicians off-work order and pulled the plug on Gilbert’s disability benefits coverage.

An off-work order, which had the concurrence of a county-approved physician.

Mitzelfelt to reject pot dispensaries

SAN BERNARDINO • County supervisors Tuesday extended the moratorium on medical marijuana dispensaries for up to 10 months while county staff evaluates possible permitting options.

No matter the staff recommendation, 1st District Supervisor Brad Mitzelfelt said he will reject all proposed dispensaries in unincorporated areas.

“County staff are right now studying the land use implications of dispensaries, but regardless of what land use staff reports back to the Board, Supervisor Mitzelfelt will not support the approval of any dispensaries in the area he’s responsible for,” said David Zook, chief of staff for Mitzelfelt.

Proponents of the marijuana facilities argue that if regulated properly, dispensaries can serve those suffering from debilitating and life-threatening health problems without negatively impacting surrounding communities. Fifty-six percent of California voters approved the use of marijuana for medical use in 1996 with Proposition 215.

But Mitzelfelt sides with anti-drug advocates on the issue and believes dispensaries “will encourage illicit drug activity and are therefore dangerous to communities,” Zook said.

For the full story, read  Wednesday’s edition of the Daily Press. To subscribe to the Daily Press in print or online, call 241-7755 or click here.

Get involved
E-mail your viewpoint regarding medical marijuana dispensaries in unincorporated areas of San Bernardino County to jsquire@lusd.sbcounty.gov.

Or send your written opinion to: Jim Squire, Deputy Director/Advance Planning Division/San Bernardino County Land Use Services Department/385 N. Arrowhead Ave., First Floor/San Bernardino, CA 92415-0182.