Voice of the People: Auburn Journal

As of April 9, there have been 9 Letters to the Editor concerning Aaron Klein. 6 of them are critical of Klein and call for his resignation or removal from office.

Klein made a 'scapegoat' in college politics
Saturday, March 25, 2006 11:19 PM PST

Once again, Aaron Klein is being made a scapegoat for attempting to uphold the oath he took when sworn in as a Sierra College trustee.

For many years, Kevin Ramirez led a majority of the trustees around like a herd of cattle with rings in their noses. While this was going on, the repair and maintenance budget was being raided to increase salaries of administrators and others. As a result, the college has millions of dollars of deferred maintenance that Ramirez wanted a $394 million bond issue to fund.
Virtually every time the grand jury investigated the college during the Ramirez "regime" the reports issued were scathing and extremely critical of "leadership" and fiscal management. The response of Ramirez was always dismissive as he blithely moved forward like Mr. Magoo of funny paper fame.

Now, all of a sudden, a grand jury gets bamboozled and issues a report very supportive of Ramirez and hammers Aaron Klein for attempting to represent the poor abused taxpayers who are sick and tired of seeing money squandered, spent on inappropriate activities while the college leaders keep whining they need more bond money.

Mr. Ramirez feels he has been exonerated by the grand jury. He should be cautioned not to break out the champagne just yet.

It is highly likely that the Fair Practices Political Commission will find the "minor" amount of $104,000 funneled through the foundation to support Measure E was illegal.

Carl E. Hass
Rocklin

Placer grand jury needs to apologize, not Klein
Tuesday, March 28, 2006 12:10 AM PST

In the headline article in the March 24 issue of the Auburn Journal, we were surprised that you would so blatantly print the comments of the Placer grand jury and so viciously denigrate a public servant when in fact, it is the Placer grand jury that should be apologizing to the public for being so blatantly incompetent and reeking of small-town politics and impropriety.
How can the grand jury accuse trustee Aaron Klein of not having dug deep enough to uncover the facts, when they have taken over a year to understand the basic essence of the matter? Meanwhile, everyone already admitted the law was broken; the former president was ousted and, along with his attorneys, negotiated a very comfortable severance, approximately $500,000, including strict "gag" orders to keep the college, Mr. Klein and other trustees from discussing the case in public.

It appears that the Auburn Journal and other periodicals have been duped into breaking the gag order in a manner to "promote" former president, Kevin Ramirez who appears to have friends - or should we say "cronies" - on the grand jury and with the press. It certainly is not correct to attempt to right a wrong - if such is the case - by negatively blaming the one person who was doing his job and was representing the voters in a highly ethical and intelligent manner.

Steve and Paula Ricketts
Meadow Vista

Aaron Klein should resign from Sierra board
Tuesday, March 28, 2006 11:33 PM PST

The criticism Aaron Klein receives is clearly a result of his own actions. The grand jury did a very thorough, unbiased investigation into Klein's claims and found that his charges are utterly without merit. They needed to set the record straight for the good of the college, something that Klein doesn't seem to understand.

It's a matter of public record that Klein made his unfounded claims after exercising extremely little due diligence. He based his claim in part on a second-hand rumor of a men's room conversation from Jerry Simmons.

Klein makes hollow claims about his fiduciary responsibility, yet, his own deeds were, in fact, directly responsible for the college having to pay out hundreds of thousands of dollars unnecessarily, creating undue upset and chaos within the college environment, and contributing to declining enrollment.

Aaron Klein greatly harmed Sierra College by what was essentially his first act after being elected as a trustee. This alone demands that Klein should do the right thing and resign as a trustee.

It's also prudent for Jerry Simmons to, at the least, resign as board chairman. The buck stops somewhere, and we need to restore trust and accountability to the college board.

Andrew Wright
Auburn

Apology and resignation asked of Aaron Klein
Wednesday, March 29, 2006 11:39 PM PST

I am disgusted that Aaron Klein continues to deny any wrongdoing in his attacks on Sierra College. Let's make no mistake, his actions have not just damaged Mr. Ramirez's reputation, but have had a serious negative impact on the college.

As a trustee, Mr. Klein's behavior is unconscionable, and he should be disciplined by the board for what he has done. He also should publicly apologize for his actions to the College, the community, and Mr. Ramirez, as the grand jury has suggested. His apology should be followed by an immediate resignation.

Jeff Cowen
Auburn

Grand jury 'careful not to jump to conclusions'
Thursday, March 30, 2006 11:35 PM PST

In response to the letter written by Steve and Paula Ricketts titled "Placer grand jury needs to apologize, not Klein," Journal, March 28, I'm wondering if Steve is the brother, or maybe Paula is the sister of Mr. Klein, or maybe either Steve or Paula is a cousin, maybe brother or sister-in-law?

I wonder how you know so much more about the situation than the grand jury, which in your own words "have taken over a year to understand the basic essence of the matter." That would tell me they are doing their job by being careful not to jump to the wrong conclusion. It sounds as though you may have been "duped" by Aaron Klein into believing he was representing the voters in a highly ethical and intelligent manner.

Dan Campbell
Applegate

Klein, Simmons should resign from Sierra board
Tuesday, April 4, 2006 11:19 PM PDT

For Sierra College, the real issue at hand is the overall welfare of this top-notch institution itself. Sierra College's success should be of the utmost concern for all of us and starting from that core principle, Aaron Klein's personal pride and political ambitions should take a back seat.
There is no excuse for any individual to hold themselves above the good of the college itself, and yet this is what he is doing. Klein's unfounded allegations, which have proven to be utterly without merit, have caused bad press and chaos for the college. From a financial standpoint, his actions have cost the college dearly.

Yet, from the beginning, Klein has refused any responsibility in this matter. Klein continues to justify his unjustifiable actions, thereby willingly and inaccurately advancing the idea that there is something amiss at the college.

Klein must resign as he cannot continue as a trustee while he maintains such an irresponsible stance, with a blind spot for what is right and what benefits Sierra College. This is not about saving a political career that very quickly went south. It is about the good of Sierra College. Period.

In order to restore credibility to the college board of trustees, Jerry Simmons should also make a statement that the "buck stops here" and resign as the board chairman for his apparent complicity with this situation and his dubious leadership over this period. Let's restore true fiscal accountability for our college.

Jonathan Taylor
Auburn

Youthful Klein doesn't get it; vote Weygandt
Sunday, April 9, 2006 9:53 PM PDT

Aaron Klein states that the county budget has tripled in the last six years, but fails to mention the enormous growth in county revenue from property taxes. He seems to imply that Robert Weygandt has no sense of fiscal responsibility and that is a falsehood. Unlike Klein, Weygandt has decades of experience in running a successful business and he personally understands the consequences of irresponsible government.

For Klein to state that Weygandt is more concerned about saving frogs and shrimp than "funding law enforcement, traffic reduction and flood control," Journal April 4, is laughable. The preservation of open space through Placer Legacy directly benefits the issues of traffic reduction and flood control. It is a visionary effort that should not be sacrificed on the altar of partisan politics. In the long run, property values and quality of life are enhanced by open space programs.

I cannot respect the aggressive behavior of Klein, or the Republican Central Committee's inability to tolerate dissent. It would appear that raising a voice of moderation in the debate over property development will invite the wrath of the party leadership.

I urge you, my fellow citizens, to vote for principles over party affiliation. And I urge Klein to acquire more life experience before he considers himself worthy of leadership.

David Ryland
Meadow Vista

Remove Simmons and Klein from board
Monday, April 10, 2006 11:11 PM PDT

Dirty politics has already started.

In the race for Placer County supervisor, the Republican Central Committee endorsed Jerry Simmons, while attention-seeking committee member, Aaron Klein, justified this choice by challenging incumbent candidate Robert Weygandt's conservative credentials because he's interested in "saving the fairy shrimp and the red-legged frog."

This is the same Klein who, last year, went witch hunting and disgraced former Sierra College president, Kevin Ramirez, with irresponsible allegations of college spending improprieties that turned out to be false, as proven by the grand jury. Voters should know that this act was done with the complicity of Simmons, who now is a candidate for Placer County supervisor.
Their agenda is all too obvious and they give politics and the Republican Party a bad name. The American people are sick and tired of this type of "throw it out there, maybe some of it will stick" type of dirty politics to advance their special interests.

It has been suggested that Simmons and Klein both resign from the Sierra College board of directors and apologize to Ramirez for the damage they have caused him.

In my opinion, they deserve nothing less than immediate removal from the college board and a possible lawsuit for defamation of character, libel and slander. Maybe this is the only way they'll understand the consequences of their dirty tricks.

Irene Smith
Loomis

Placer residents should be thankful for Aaron Klein
Sunday, April 9, 2006 9:53 PM PDT

When elected officials attempt to divert money in directions other than where the money was voted to go, Placer County residents have a right to know, and action should be taken. Unfortunately, everything comes down to politics, and the recent writers, Jonathan Taylor (Journal, April 5) and Dan Campbell (Journal, March 31), appear to be playing a little politics themselves.

I can't help but wonder what the Kevin Ramirez fans would be saying if it were Aaron Klein caught up in this type of scandal, or even better, John Doolittle. What part of "public disclosure laws were not obeyed," don't you understand?

Just because Ramirez may have a group of buddies on the Placer grand jury, doesn't mean he is innocent of the board's complaint. The state's Fair Political Practice Commission will determine whether charges should be filed against him. It is my understanding Ramirez has been reprimanded for similar actions by past grand juries. However, it obviously didn't do any good.

I am grateful for the work Klein has done for the school, as are the tax payers.

Klein, if you're listening, keep up the great work. Ken Campbell, I think you're the one that has been "duped."

Patrick Hutton
Auburn