Gary Frago, the infamous Atwater city councilman who flashes a taste for forwarding less than tasteful e-mails, isn't the only politician in that fine city who has a habit of sending unsavory electronic messages.
His colleague, Councilman Nelson Crabb, that dapper packer (Crabb carries a 9 mm Smith & Wesson) and ex-cop, likes to send e-mails, too. But instead of racist jokes, Crabb prefers gore.
Crabb's e-mails, obtained by Lips, contained photos of a series of dead and dying men who had been gunned down on the streets of El Paso, Texas. The photos showed dead bodies drenched in blood. The one survivor was writhing on the ground. Apparently, three men had attempted to rob an off-duty cop. Instead, two of the thieves were killed. Don't mess with the fuzz.
In the e-mail Crabb wrote, "One of the people who forwarded this wrote, 'Here's a good reason to carry off-duty.' I agree. Be safe."
Crabb said he sent the e-mails to remind Atwater's public safety committee how important it is to have off-duty and retired cops carry their weapons.
Crabb, who packs, said he does so for personal safety. "I usually carry it on my hip," he said.
He may no longer be a badge-wearing beat cop, but if Crabb happens to be nearby as a crime is going down, he will be ready to take action. Even if it takes place in city hall.
Buddy Buddy
The recent hiring of John Sweigard as the new general manager of the Merced Irrigation District has got Lips scratching its head.
Where does the appearance of conflict of interest stop and actual conflict of interest begin?
If you've paid attention to recent events at MID, the answer would be hard to come by.
Not only did MID Director Suzy Hultgren vote with the rest of the bunch to hire her cousin Sweigard, but the man paid by the board to find Sweigard is Director Will Hunter's golfing buddy.
While Hultgren couldn't be reached for comment on why she didn't recuse herself from voting to hire her cousin, Hunter did have something to say about the hiring of his friend Jim Zopolos for MID's executive search.
"There was no conflict of interest," said Hunter of both the hirings. He said he introduced Zopolos to the board and told the board they're buddies. Hunter said that having a friendship in business is one of the best ways to know who you are dealing with and who is good at their job.
That may be true, but it doesn't mean a Merced City Council person, for example, wouldn't have a conflict of interest if he voted to hire his father's company to fix roads in Merced. Business is one thing, government is another. Remember, Mr. Hunter, you work for the people of Merced -- not a private company.
More-Mart
It looks like everyone's favorite store, Wal-Mart, may be opening yet another store in Merced County. In addition to the controversial Wal-Mart distribution center in Merced and the proposed Super Wal-Mart in Livingston, Atwater will be getting a Wal-Mart too, Lips has learned. Atwater's tax rolls may grow because of the move, but it's a sure bet downtown Atwater probably won't benefit. Let's hope no lawsuits slow down the endless march of Wal-Mart. Anti-Wal-Mart crusaders, you've been warned.
