![]() |
Supervisor Richard Valle last November
2012 in Union City. PHOTO/Matt Santos
|
ALCO BOARD OF SUPERVISORS | Being an Alameda County supervisor is a tough job. As the face of many county social services, their decisions often have direct consequences on their constituent’s livelihood. This clear link can be taxing on the soul. Apparently, it’s also hard on their chiefs of staff. Last week, Supervisor Richard Valle let go his chief of staff, Ruben Briones, and the third chief of staff among the five-member Board of Supervisors to be dismissed since June 2012.
Sources say the clear influence of labor unions within Valle’s rise from the Union City Council to the Board of Supervisors is the main reason for Briones’ fate, not any issues with performance. The Alameda County Labor Council was a strong presence in support of Valle during and after his appointment to replace Nadia Lockyer last year. Newark Councilmember Ana Apodaca was an earlier favorite for the appointment, until organized labor pressured Supervisors Nate Miley and Wilma Chan to switch support to Valle. Despite having already won a special election last November, Valle is again up for re-election next year to complete what would have been the conclusion of Lockyer’s first four-year term in office.
Briones’ tenure leading Valle’s office was already seen a tenuous before his dismissal because he was a holdover from Lockyer’s staff. Briones, himself, took over from a previous chief of staff who resigned in what is believed to be conflict resulting from Lockyer’s infamous extramarital affair and drug addiction during her short term as county supervisor.
Starting with the firing of Supervisor Scott Haggerty’s long-time chief of staff Chris Gray in the summer of 2012, Supervisor Nate Miley’s chief, Seth Kaplan was also dropped from his staff. Gray’s dismissal resulted in a still pending lawsuit alleging age discrimination. Earlier this year, Gray’s legal complaint made news when it alleged various tales of corruption against his former boss and claimed Haggerty made sexually inappropriate comments about fellow Supervisors Wilma Chan and Gail Steele.
A possible landing spot for Briones, by all accounts, a loyal and hardworking public servant, might be Haggerty’s office, according to some county observers. Briones originally worked for former Supervisor Alice Lai-Bitker under Shawn Wilson, who is now Haggerty’s chief of staff. The move, they say, would be shrewd since Haggerty and Valle have routinely butted heads this year, primarily over law and order issues.
Valle’s strong progressive stances against the Alameda County sheriff’s plan to purchase two domestic drones and a call for an end of the county’s involvement with the controversial federal immigration program, Secure Communities, has repeatedly riled Haggerty; easily the board’s most conservative member. What could be better for Haggerty than hiring Briones and having access to his rival’s playbook?
Categories: Alameda County Board, alameda labor council, corruption, Gail Steele, Nadia Lockyer, Nate Miley, Richard Valle, Ruben Briones, Scott Haggerty, Seth Kaplan, Shawn Wilson, Wilma Chan
Live in the District. Can't stand the union whores. Will not be voting for Dick Valley. Just can't stand his policies.
Nacho Tequira
LikeLike
Well, I definitely DO believe the anti union troll is off his meds again. I think he is starting to realize that Richard Valle will be the supervisor for a long, long time because the District is getting more progressive every day.
That's why people like Green won't run against him again. They realize the hopelessness of challenging a very popular and progressive Supervisor who is an incumbent. Long live the beloved Richard Valle and long may he be in office. His progressive values favor the middle and lower classes so much NO one is running against him.
Thanks for entertaining me, antiunion Hayward male Tea Party troll. Your ranks are disappearing but I hope you stick around, because we all need laughter in our lives.
LikeLike
Richard has too much money, volunteers, and is too popular
in his District. Every time he has an event or a fundraiser it's
jam packed. People are very supportive of him and like what
he is doing, even though one person doesn't who always posts
on this blog.
We love our Supervisor Richard Valle in the Hispanic community because of his progressive values. We also support unions.
LikeLike
Si caca shito en Despicablo Dick Valley!
LikeLike
We love our Supervisor Richard Valle in the Hispanic community because of his progressive values. We also support unions.
LikeLike
Live in the District. Don't belong to a union. Am moderate
female. Will vote for Valle. Just like his policies.
LikeLike
Live in the District. Can't stand the union whores. Will not be voting for Dick Valley. Just can't stand his policies.
Nacho Tequira
LikeLike
Richard has too much money, volunteers, and is too popular
in his District. Every time he has an event or a fundraiser it's
jam packed. People are very supportive of him and like what
he is doing, even though one person doesn't who always posts
on this blog.
We love our Supervisor Richard Valle in the Hispanic community because of his progressive values. We also support unions.
LikeLike
An open letter from Ruben Briones:
Dear friends,
My family and I would like to thank you very much for all of your support. It is true. I was fired by Valley for no reason other than Big Labor told him they didn't like me and to show me the door. I didn't deserve this treatment. I've been looking for work to take care of my family but it has been very, very hard. We had to go on food stamps and GA.
Rest assured, many of you have told me that I should move into the district, run against the incumbent and that the community would support me. As I discuss this with Carmen and my family, you need to know that we will do what we feel is in the best interests of District 2. What is most important is that we defeat Valley at all costs. He is a continuation of the Lockyer machine, and has provided a pathetic show of leadership. My repeated mistakes were agreeing to work for either of them. Lessons learned.
As I meet with former Union City Mayor Mark Green and others to decide who is best to go up against the incumbent, please know that your concern and support are greatly appreciated. Whatever decision I come to, it will be one that allows the residents of District 2 to hold their heads up high, knowing that we have retired 'El Despicable!' Please continue to hold Carmen and me in your thoughts.
Most sincerely,
Ruben
LikeLike
Anon 6:45–I'm a good friend of Ruben Briones and have known him for years. Pretending to be him should be beneath even you. You are lying through your teeth and have no shame. Ruben is not running! Also, I can assure you if Green ran against Valle, Ruben would not support Green. Hispanics hate Green and love Valle.
Who's running against Richard Valle. The answer is NO ONE.
Mark doesn't have the money or the ground troops to take on an
incumbent Supervisor who does have those two. He's not one to
go on a suicide mission as he's smart, not foolish. He has better
things to do with his time as he has told others.
Looks like Richard Valle will be our Sup. for a while.
He'll be elected in a land slide if anyone even runs against him.
Keep ranting anti-union sexist and racist troll. If you want someone to run against our beloved Supervisor you better come up with hundreds of thousands of dollars or run yourself. I'd love to vote against you and the extreme Tea Party views you adhere to.
LikeLike
Nosotros con tu, mi hermano!
Live in the District. Can't stand the union whores. Will not be voting for Dick Valley. Just can't stand his policies.
Nacho Tequira
LikeLike
Live in the District. Don't belong to a union. Am moderate Latina
female. Will vote for Valle. Just like his policies.
Looks like Richard Valle will be our Sup. for a while.
He'll be elected in a land slide if anyone even runs against him.
LikeLike
Just got an e-mail from the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in Alameda County naming Richard Valle as their legislator of the year.
Now we have Conservatives, Moderates, Progressives, Independents, Republicans and Democrats supporting Mr Valle. The only one that isn't is the anti union Troll. LOL
We love our Supervisor Richard Valle in the Hispanic community because of his working family values. We also support unions.
LikeLike
Richard has too much money, volunteers, and is too popular
in his District. Every time he has an event or a fundraiser it's
jam packed. People are very supportive of him and like what
he is doing, even though one person doesn't who always posts
on this blog.
No one is running against Richard Valle because of his popularity across his District. Asian, African-American, Indian, Hispanic and Caucasian groups and clubs are all supporting him.
LikeLike
Live in the District. Don't belong to a union. Am moderate
Latina. Will not vote for Dick Valley under any circumstances. Just don't like his policies.
Looks like Dirty Dick Valley will not be our Sup. for much longer.
He'll be dumped in a land slide no matter who runs against him!
LikeLike
Just got an e-mail from the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in Alameda County naming Richard Valle as their legislator of the year.
Now we have Conservatives, Moderates, Progressives, Independents, Republicans and Democrats supporting Mr Valle. The only one that isn't is the anti union Troll. LOL
We love our Supervisor Richard Valle in the Hispanic community because of his working family values. We also support unions.
LikeLike
Richard has too much money, volunteers, and is too popular
in his District. Every time he has an event or a fundraiser it's
jam packed. People are very supportive of him and like what
he is doing, even though one person doesn't who always posts
on this blog.
No one is running against Richard Valle because of his popularity across his District. Asian, African-American, Indian, Hispanic and Caucasian groups and clubs are all supporting him.
LikeLike
You go Ruben. We're with you!
Supervisor Ruben!
LikeLike
Just got an e-mail from the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in Alameda County naming Richard Valle as their legislator of the year.
Now we have Conservatives, Moderates, Progressives, Independents, Republicans and Democrats supporting Mr Valle. The only one that isn't is the anti union Troll. LOL
We love our Supervisor Richard Valle in the Hispanic community because of his working family values. We also support unions.
LikeLike
We in the Chicano neighborhoods support unions very strongly.
That's why we support Mr Valle.
LikeLike
An open letter from Ruben Briones:
Dear friends,
My family and I would like to thank you very much for all of your support. It is true. I was fired by Valley for no reason other than Big Labor told him they didn't like me and to show me the door. I didn't deserve this treatment. I've been looking for work to take care of my family but it has been very, very hard. We had to go on food stamps and GA.
Rest assured, many of you have told me that I should move into the district, run against the incumbent and that the community would support me. As I discuss this with Carmen and my family, you need to know that we will do what we feel is in the best interests of District 2. What is most important is that we defeat Valley at all costs. He is a continuation of the Lockyer machine, and has provided a pathetic show of leadership. My repeated mistakes were agreeing to work for either of them. Lessons learned.
As I meet with former Union City Mayor Mark Green and others to decide who is best to go up against the incumbent, please know that your concern and support are greatly appreciated. Whatever decision I come to, it will be one that allows the residents of District 2 to hold their heads up high, knowing that we have retired 'El Despicable!' Please continue to hold Carmen and me in your thoughts.
Most sincerely,
Ruben
LikeLike
I see the anti union troll is again pretending to be Ruben. He has NO shame, only lives in his make believe la la land.
I definitely DO believe the anti union troll is off his meds again. I think he is starting to realize that Richard Valle will be the supervisor for a long, long time because the District is getting more progressive every day.
That's why people like Green won't run against him again. They realize the hopelessness of challenging a very popular and progressive Supervisor who is an incumbent. Long live the beloved Richard Valle and long may he be in office. His progressive values favor the middle and lower classes so much NO one is running against him.
Thanks for entertaining us, antiunion Hayward male Tea Party troll. Your ranks are disappearing but I hope you stick around, because we all need laughter in our lives.
LikeLike
Richard has too much money, volunteers, and is too popular
in his District. Every time he has an event or a fundraiser it's
jam packed. People are very supportive of him and like what
he is doing, even though one person doesn't who always posts
on this blog.
No one is running against Richard Valle because of his popularity across his District. Asian, African-American, Indian, Hispanic and Caucasian groups and clubs are all supporting him.
LikeLike
Richard has too much money, volunteers, and is too popular
in his District. Every time he has an event or a fundraiser it's
jam packed. People are very supportive of him and like what
he is doing, even though one person doesn't who always posts
on this blog.
No one is running against Richard Valle because of his popularity across his District. Asian, African-American, Indian, Hispanic and Caucasian groups and clubs are all supporting him.
LikeLike
Live in the District. Don't belong to a union. Am moderate
Latina. Will not vote for Dick Valley under any circumstances. Just don't like his policies.
Looks like Dirty Dick Valley will not be our Sup. for much longer.
He'll be dumped in a land slide no matter who runs against him!
LikeLike
Just got an e-mail from the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in Alameda County naming Richard Valle as their legislator of the year.
Now we have Conservatives, Moderates, Progressives, Independents, Republicans and Democrats supporting Mr Valle. The only one that isn't is the anti union Troll. LOL
We love our Supervisor Richard Valle in the Hispanic community because of his working family values. We also support unions.
LikeLike
Wow! Ultra liberal 'business' group supports one of its own.
So unimpressive.
LikeLike
Richard has too much money, volunteers, and is too popular
in his District. Every time he has an event or a fundraiser it's
jam packed. People are very supportive of him and like what
he is doing, even though one person doesn't who always posts
on this blog.
No one is running against Richard Valle because of his popularity across his District. Asian, African-American, Indian, Hispanic and Caucasian groups and clubs are all supporting him.
LikeLike
Nosotros con tu, mi hermano!
Live in the District. Can't stand the union whores. Will not be voting for Dick Valley. Just can't stand his policies.
Nacho Tequira
LikeLike
Who's running against Richard Valle. The answer is NO ONE.
Mark doesn't have the money or the ground troops to take on an
incumbent Supervisor who does have those two. He's not one to
go on a suicide mission as he's smart, not foolish. He has better
things to do with his time as he has told others.
Looks like Richard Valle will be our Sup. for a while.
He'll be elected in a land slide if anyone even runs against him.
Keep ranting anti-union sexist and racist troll. If you want someone to run against our beloved Supervisor you better come up with hundreds of thousands of dollars or run yourself. I'd love to vote against you and the extreme Tea Party views you adhere to. LOL
LikeLike
I'm a good friend of Ruben Briones and have known him for years. Pretending to be him should be beneath even you. You are lying through your teeth and have no shame. Ruben is not running! Also, I can assure you if Green ran against Valle, Ruben would not support Green. Hispanics hate Green and love Valle.
Who's running against Richard Valle. The answer is NO ONE.
Mark doesn't have the money or the ground troops to take on an
incumbent Supervisor who does have those two. He's not one to
go on a suicide mission as he's smart, not foolish. He has better
things to do with his time as he has told others.
Looks like Richard Valle will be our Sup. for a while.
He'll be elected in a land slide if anyone even runs against him.
Keep ranting anti-union sexist and racist troll. If you want someone to run against our beloved Supervisor you better come up with hundreds of thousands of dollars or run yourself. I'd love to vote against you and the extreme Tea Party views you adhere to.
LikeLike
We in the Cholo community will never support Dick Valley. He is an arrogant, conceited, son of a bitch who is in the pocket of labor. He fired one of our own, Ruben Briones, a good man simply because the labor whores weren't happy with him.
This is unacceptable.
Look who the one known as El Depicablo employs:
–a welfare grandmother who is a hack flack for the Democrats on the central committee.
–a convicted dropout labor whore who is the daughter of a laughing stock former lieutenant governor.
–a guy who is the kid of a fellow county supervisor who wanted to get his boy a cushy job without having to compete for it.
–a dimwit receptionist who doesn't do much of anything.
Three of these four are holdovers from that embarrassment Skank Lockyer–the nymphomaniac-dipsomaniac drug-addicted whore who shamed our community.
This is Dick Valley. He fires Ruben who knew more in his little finger than El Despicablo could ever hope to learn.
We Cholos will not be there for you in the future, Dick. You are a disgusting pox on our community and this county, and must go.
Vamanos, and adios for good!
LikeLike
Just got an e-mail from the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in Alameda County naming Richard Valle as their legislator of the year.
Now we have Conservatives, Moderates, Progressives, Independents, Republicans and Democrats supporting Mr Valle. The only one that isn't is the anti union Troll. LOL
We love our Supervisor Richard Valle in the Hispanic community because of his working family values. We also support unions.
LikeLike
Who's running against Richard Valle. The answer is NO ONE.
Mark doesn't have the money or the ground troops to take on an
incumbent Supervisor who does have those two. He's not one to
go on a suicide mission as he's smart, not foolish. He has better
things to do with his time as he has told others.
Looks like Richard Valle will be our Sup. for a while.
He'll be elected in a land slide if anyone even runs against him.
Keep ranting anti-union sexist and racist troll. If you want someone to run against our beloved Supervisor you better come up with hundreds of thousands of dollars or run yourself. I'd love to vote against you and the extreme Tea Party views you adhere to. LOL
LikeLike
Richard has too much money, volunteers, and is too popular
in his District. Every time he has an event or a fundraiser it's
jam packed. People are very supportive of him and like what
he is doing, even though one person doesn't who always posts
on this blog.
No one is running against Richard Valle because of his popularity across his District. Asian, African-American, Indian, Hispanic and Caucasian groups and clubs are all supporting him.
LikeLike
Gracias, mi amigo Ruben Briones. Yo trabajo con election 2014 Ruben. No me gusta el gringo Dick Valley. No cholo siempre tu y yo. Kraut Dick Valley es muy grande horse's asso!
Gracias, mi joven Ruben!
I want to thank everyone who has prayed for Carmen and the rest of my family. It has been very rough on us since I was let go with no warning and without any provocation. Doing the best I can to find work and take care of my family.
Yes, I am considering moving into the district next year to challenge the SOB who fired me. I really believe our community can do better.
Please pray for us in the new year.
Ruben Briones.
LikeLike
We love Richard Valle and his progressive positions. He's a cinch to win because his popularity in the District stops people from running against him. They know they would have no chance. Thank you Richard for all you do for the middle class and lower class families. You and Barbara have a great year. Working families make up most of your District and we appreciate all you do for us.
LikeLike
We in the Cholo community will never support Dick Valley. He is an arrogant, conceited, son of a bitch who is in the pocket of labor. He fired one of our own, Ruben Briones, a good man simply because the labor whores weren't happy with him.
This is unacceptable.
Look who the one known as El Depicablo employs:
–a welfare grandmother who is a hack flack for the Democrats on the central committee.
–a convicted dropout labor whore who is the daughter of a laughing stock former lieutenant governor.
–a guy who is the kid of a fellow county supervisor who wanted to get his boy a cushy job without having to compete for it.
–a dimwit receptionist who doesn't do much of anything.
Three of these four are holdovers from that embarrassment Skank Lockyer–the nymphomaniac-dipsomaniac drug-addicted whore who shamed our community.
This is Dick Valley. He fires Ruben who knew more in his little finger than El Despicablo could ever hope to learn.
We Cholos will not be there for you in the future, Dick. You are a disgusting pox on our community and this county, and must go.
Vamanos, and adios for good!
Esther Viet Ho, Hayward
Arnoldo Chavez, Union City
Francisco 'Franco' Zermeno, Hayward
Lupe Suarez, Newark
Nacho Taqueria, Union City
Guadalupe Sanchez, Hayward
Randy Nosotros, Hayward
Ruben Briones, Oakland
Adolfo Cheqeria, Union City
Lydia Mendoza, Hayward
Asumpto Perez, Newark
Carmen Briones, Oakland
Lupita Gomez, Hayward
Jesus 'Chuey' Armas, Hayward
Blanca Sonsul, Union City
Lupita Ramirez, Newark
Jose Gomez, Union City
Senora Matteo Jimenez, Hayward
LikeLike
Richard has too much money, volunteers, and is too popular
in his District. Every time he has an event or a fundraiser it's
jam packed. People are very supportive of him and like what
he is doing, even though one person doesn't who always posts
on this blog.
No one is running against Richard Valle because of his popularity across his District. Asian, African-American, Indian, Hispanic and Caucasian groups and clubs are all supporting him.
LikeLike
Live in the District. Don't belong to a union. Am moderate
Latina. Will not vote for Dick Valley under any circumstances. Just don't like his policies.
Looks like Dirty Dick Valley will not be our Sup. for much longer.
He'll be dumped in a land slide no matter who runs against him!
LikeLike
Now we have Conservatives, Moderates, Progressives, Independents, Republicans and Democrats supporting Mr Valle. The only one that isn't is the anti union Troll. LOL
We love our Supervisor Richard Valle in the Hispanic community because of his working family values. We also support unions.
LikeLike
Fuck Dick Valley and his union whores!
Ruben Briones
LikeLike
Richard has too much money, volunteers, and is too popular
in his District. Every time he has an event or a fundraiser it's
jam packed. People are very supportive of him and like what
he is doing, even though one person doesn't who always posts
on this blog.
No one is running against Richard Valle because of his popularity across his District. Asian, African-American, Indian, Hispanic and Caucasian groups and clubs are all supporting him.
LikeLike
Fuck Dick Valley and his union whores!
Ruben Briones!
LikeLike