CA: Gov.'s Top Aide Was Paid by Developer (Susan Kennedy , $120K)

LA Times ^ | 2/10/06 | Robert Salladay

[NormsRevenge]

SACRAMENTO — Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's new chief of staff, who is spearheading a $9-billion plan to improve California's water system, was paid $120,000 last year by a Los Angeles developer seeking to build a massive water storage project under the Mojave Desert.

According to interviews and her financial disclosure statement, Susan P. Kennedy earned $10,000 per month in 2005 as a consultant to Cadiz Real Estate, operated by her longtime friend Keith Brackpool.

For nearly a decade, the British-born Brackpool has tried unsuccessfully to put together a public-private partnership that would use the aquifers under his San Bernardino property to store water for use during droughts.

--snip--

Paul S. Ryan, an attorney with the Campaign Legal Center in Washington, D.C., said Californians should be skeptical of "revolving door" arrangements that bring people from the private sector into government positions that could potentially benefit their former industries.

Such appointments, although common, "create the appearance of impropriety," he said. "It would be wise for such an individual to recuse himself or herself from any dealings that would add to the public's cynicism about the government."

A representative for Cadiz did not return calls seeking comment. Margita Thompson, a spokeswoman for Schwarzenegger, said Kennedy has no conflict of interest.

"If something on the project were to come up, she would recuse herself," Thompson said. "But under no current scenario would the project come up during state business, because it's a private project."

Cadiz came close in 2002 to finalizing a deal with the Metropolitan Water District to store Colorado River water for the agency during wet years that it would sell back in dry years. The proposal was defeated in a close vote of the MWD board over concerns about Cadiz's finances and about the environmental impact of the project.

[NormsRevenge]

"If something on the project were to come up, she would recuse herself,"

---

just like she will recuse herself on all LGBT issues as well, I'm sure.

[Thom Pain]

Isn't she a Dem? What would you expect?

[NormsRevenge]

It's just one more reason why we need to have a Gub primary this year and not let the Gub have a free pass.

For a guy who ran against the power and sway of special interests in the recall, he sure has been a major disappointment in more ways than one.

[MillerCreek]

Is this related to the "Hispanic Hall of Fame and Water Park" that was recently exposed here on FR (about a week ago), attempted in Hemet by some fellow in Orange County?

I ALSO RECALL a substantial statement from Senator Dianne Feinstein (D/CA) from a few years ago about 'WATER' issues being argued out by her with other Senators, contesting who got what share of water from the Colorado River source, and I always wondered about that statement, since I'd never even raised the issue with her or any other Senator...then this long defensive statement about CA water rights and demands and such. Struck me as quite peculiar at the time.

Now I'm thinking it's not so peculiar, particularly given the investments that Feinstein and husband are involved with to one degree or another.

This does nothing to change my opinion that I won't be voting for Schwarzenegger for re=election, nor that the current CAGOP is no more conservative than is Barbara Boxer.

[NormsRevenge]

DiFi has been involved in natural resource affairs more than once, it appears.

Chocolate Mountain

[calcowgirl]

Here's some FR history:

Davis to Mohave
Forest ^ | 11-4-02 | Forest Glen Durland
Posted on 11/04/2002 6:44:46 PM PST by forest

Dead in the desert (Cadiz)
Sac Bee ^ | 10/10/02 | Editorial
Posted on 10/10/2002 10:51:47 AM PDT by NormsRevenge

Would-be water king awash in controversy
Sac Bee ^ | 8/19/02 | Dale Kasler
Posted on 08/19/2002 10:08:36 AM PDT by NormsRevenge

Babbitt Will Head New Cadiz Unit
The Wall Street Journal ^ | March 12, 2002 | Rick Wartzman, Staff Reporter WSJ
Posted on 03/12/2002 10:00:39 AM PST by spald

Bid to buy desert water up for vote (Cadiz - MWD - California)
Source: The Orange County Register
Published: April 10, 2001 Author: By PAT BRENNAN
Posted on 04/10/2001 13:40:59 PDT by Ernest_at_the_Beach

[Czar]

Lovely...

[calcowgirl]

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's new chief of staff ...was paid $120,000 last year by a Los Angeles developer ...

Kennedy, a Davis appointee, was paid about $114,000 for her full-time job as a PUC commissioner.

What a nice little "part time" gig.

[SierraWasp]

"For nearly a decade, the British-born Brackpool has tried unsuccessfully to put together a public-private partnership that would use the aquifers under his San Bernardino property to store water for use during droughts."

There's that cryptic/mystic phraseology again... kinda like Italy, Germany and Japan in the 1930's and 40's... Oh, but I reminisce in my mis-spent old age... "Brackpool." Doesn't that describe a brackish pool of back-water that is hard to see through???

Wonder if it's anything like a "Liverpool?" (Yuck!!!)

[calcowgirl]

I should have included you in the ping to FR History on Cadiz, above.
Feinstein vocally opposed the Cadize MWD deal, but IMO it was mostly for show.
Cadiz has their hands in many other municipal and government pots.

[calcowgirl]

public-private partnership ... There's that cryptic/mystic phraseology again...

To people like Brackpool, it means only one thing: Opportunity.

Taxpayers should remain wary, imo.

[MillerCreek]

Yes, thanks, and for any future pings, please do include me if remembered. I have not been routinely reading the CA-keyword threads but am trying to now make at least a weekly effort (if not more often eventually) to do so.

I see there is much I've missed and in even one, two weeks!

So, any pings are appreciated, and thanks for thinking of me if so.

[MillerCreek]

Yeah, utterly mystifying! I wonder what she is providing, specifically delivering, for all those dollars.

[MillerCreek]

Sorry, NormsRevenge, link's a no-go. Certainly an interesting term, however...I'll go google it in relationship to Feinstein.

[ElkGroveDan]

What does the Information Minister have to say about this?

[calcowgirl]

>>Sorry, NormsRevenge, link's a no-go.

Try this one--you'll get the idea.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/955487/posts

[calcowgirl]

Did Susan Kennedy train under Willie Brown, by chance?

[NormsRevenge]

Thanks and Oops on the link..

MC - if you take that quick search and make it an archive search thru the dropdown menu box, it will show up too.!

[calcowgirl]

For Brackpool's history and his dirty dealings, see this long article:

California: Davis adviser's influence shows water and money can mix?
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/693556/posts

I wonder who the "top Davis aide" was.

Brackpool led a group that spent $2 million promoting a $1.9 billion water bond package approved by voters in 2000. And when it came time to distribute the money, he consulted with a top Davis aide to delay a construction project that could have affected a Cadiz subsidiary."

[MillerCreek]

Oh, Hahahaha! Can I copy and use that?