DeeDee Wilson.
The “small group of employees” at the Eureka Police Dept. who have been waging a public relations war against EPD Chief Garr Nielsen just got smaller.
EPD Support Services Manager Devora “DeeDee” Wilson resigned her position with the Department following vindication of the Chief by the Humboldt County Grand Jury.
Wilson had been a vocal opponent of Nielsen since he took over the Department in 2007. Last year she filed complaints of harassment against him which were found to be baseless after an independent investigation.
But the outcome didn’t stop the nastiness. The now defunct Eureka Reporter newspaper disallowed anonymous comments following a slew of sleaze left on the paper’s website. The ER noted that nasty comments on the site “came in a flood in the wake of the City Council’s [April 2008] session in which Eureka Police Department employees were given the floor to criticize the chief.”
Wilson apparently had high hopes for the 2008-09 Grand Jury report released late last week. But additional investigations by the GJ also found complaints against the Chief to be “without merit.”
Wilson still faces a civil lawsuit by a former co-worker who was maligned with malicious rumors on the Above the Law blog, which is believed to have been run by Wilson and others inside EPD.
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July 5, 2009 at 12:45 am
What a flattering picture, in real life she has a permanent scowl. Well she as sure reeked enough havoc in the PD to last for awhile. Poor supreme leader he promise DeeDee she could get her old job back once he trashed the Police Chief. WRONG! It looks like the supreme leader maybe collateral damage in this whole sorted power play.
July 5, 2009 at 12:51 am
wreaked. sordid. (just trying to be helpful.)
July 5, 2009 at 8:02 am
This woman is a lonely, wicked, nasty, troll. Maybe she will finally crawl back under that rock to rejoin her foul friends.
July 5, 2009 at 8:23 am
Only in government can disgruntled employees criticise their bosses in public.
In the private sector, she would have been fired years ago.
July 5, 2009 at 8:55 am
EePeeDeeDee’s kindda creepy.
July 5, 2009 at 9:12 am
Does anyone know when Hansen V Wilson is set to be heard?
July 5, 2009 at 9:19 am
The next hearing is August 12.
July 5, 2009 at 9:29 am
Employment is a double edged sword. The employer is “forced” to pay taxes based on generated earned income. Some taxes are independent, some are matching what the employee has stolen. These taxes are levied by a system that creates and destroys the economy. Therefore, there is something inherently wrong when government charges the EMPLOYER AND EMPLOYEE MORE due to the impacts of a destroyed economy that the government and big business created through their manipulations and corrupt activities.
Example: Bonnie wants to retain Johnny on her payroll, but work looks slim at best. Bonnie forsees honestly that there exists no more work to give to Johnny for employment purposes. Bonnie now has to let Johnny go because she has no more clients. Then, California charges Bonnie more taxes because she could not retain an employee based upon “market conditions and reality” that were perpetrated and antagonized intentionally by those elected officials favoring a “welfare country” of unjustifiable dependencies and unwarranted special wants.
Jeffrey Lytle
McKinleyville – 5th District
July 5, 2009 at 9:30 am
Oops,
in reference to High Finance re: private sector.
Jeffrey Lytle
McKinleyville – 5th District
July 5, 2009 at 10:27 am
High 8:23,
Actually, one of the few reasonable aspects of government employment is that you CAN criticize your boss and not get fired.
In the private sector, you can be of enormous benefit to a company’s owners (and maybe even its customers) and still get dumped by getting on the wrong side of your boss. The theory in government employment policy is you don’t want people getting dumped because their politics happens to disagree with that of someone above them. And you don’t want good long-term employees dumped every time someone new comes into power.
That’s not to say that this right to non-retaliation always works in favor of what’s “good, true, and pure.” Almost any good thing comes with a potential for abuse. But I’d rather live with a system that allows too much freedom to the employee than too little.
July 5, 2009 at 10:37 am
It’s a long leap from criticism to a planned campaign of viciousness, backstabbing, and outright lying. Ms Wilson’s departure is a very good thing if she was so immature, bitter and resistant to change that she had a hand in any of the actions that led to the lawsuit.
July 5, 2009 at 10:41 am
too bad she doesn’t take a few friends & family with her….Murl, Suzy, Pammy, are you listening?
July 5, 2009 at 10:51 am
So one of the nefarious EPD cabal has finally turned in her notice. That’s a good start to getting rid of the old guard, but when are we going to get rid of the oldest? I know it’s sacrilege to speak ill of Lt. Harpham (Aka MR SMITH), but he needs to go. He has been sowing discontent among the troops since the beginning of Chief Nielsen’s tenure. He threw out the mud, (which based on his 1950’s thought process he thought would oust the chief) but since the chief has been vindicated he should think about retiring.
I can tell you as an insider that with Lt. Harpham gone, the last of this Cabal will either assimilate into the new EPD culture, or get the heck out.
Think about it…a 75 year old man get’s paid top dollar to clean up garbage/transient camps at the foot of Del Norte and attend a few neighborhood watch meetings. And if that wasn’t enough for his pay, he’s been fomenting dissent with the disgruntled EPD officer’s and telling innapropriate joke’s (ie; the term’s he uses for minorities and the sexually explicit email’s he sends on work email, just get on the city server and bring up his past emails, you’ll see). This man still has a good reputation with the citizens of Eureka. He should think about having the HUGE retirement party he would recieve now. Otherwise, his recent “Old School” racist, sexist, homophobic attitudes and comments that are accepted because he’s 75 will come to light, and the community might not be so supportive of his “impecable” career.
It’s time to retire Murl. The budget’s bad, there are young officer’s looking to make a difference that could be hired with the salary savings from your pay, and at this time, you can retire with you’re head up as the gentleman who stepped down for the betterment of the City of Eureka.
July 5, 2009 at 10:56 am
I meant your head up not “you’re head up”. Sorry for the faux pax
July 5, 2009 at 11:12 am
Yeah and think how much you can save on hair products since you won’t have to bother covering up the grey trying to look younger than the septuagenarian that you are.
July 5, 2009 at 11:47 am
Let us hope that all concerned will examine their positions, now that some clarity has been brought to the subject. Let’s get back to full time, doing the city’s business. God knows there are enough real problems to deal with. The group that spun this yarn better move on, hopefully to greener pastures, rather continuing an obstructionist approach to the people’s business. This includes our, not so illustrious, leader. We are moving into a very difficult financial period and we all need to be pulling on the same end of the rope.
The council needs to take a firm stand and tell all concerned to stop this destructive behavior. Tyson better get his cap on straight, as to who he serves. . He has been lying, obstructing, and protecting his “little” brood. That is a game we can not allow him to win. If council does not do this, they will be seen as enablers and painted with the same brush.
July 5, 2009 at 11:50 am
If you are getting a paycheck from your employer, he deserves your loyalty, at least in public.
If you have no loyalty, quit. Stop taking that paycheck & then criticise. Otherwise you are hurting the person who is helping you and you’re stealing his money.
Jeffrey, your somewhat confusing post must be referring to California’s unemployment insurance tax. Yes, its possible that an employer’s unemployment insurance rate may (stress “may”) go up if you fire too many employees. But the amount is minimal.
July 5, 2009 at 11:55 am
As far as Murl Harpman, I know & like him.
Although he is 75, he could easily pass for 65 and he can beat up anybody who is 55. The man obviously has good genes.
But, get real. He is 75. Time for him to be gracefully retired with honor & let a younger man keep his job.
July 5, 2009 at 12:09 pm
Another example of government and their taxation backed up by firearms, being a total waste of money.
I would rather have the choice to with hold payment to these “people” and hire my own security company to protect my property- atleast you would have the option of CHOICE if they don’t live up to the job.
July 5, 2009 at 12:26 pm
Black Flag, do you publish CliffsNotes for your various messages?
July 5, 2009 at 12:45 pm
We could hire Blackwater. I hear they did a great job in Baghdad.
July 5, 2009 at 12:58 pm
It sure would be nice if the police chief could get down to the business of continuing the positive and visible changes he has made (1 of which has been getting rid of dead wood). The community is better off since he has been here. EPD hasnt killed anyone, they actually act like they are professionals who care instead of bad asses who shoot 1st and think later. I have hope that the council recognizes this and sees that the efforts of bossypants to protect his sycophants and sabotage the chief hasnt fooled anybody. Best he concentrate on the dismal state of the city finances and worry about his own secrets.
July 5, 2009 at 1:02 pm
I too think that Murl Harpham has had a good run and should quit or retire at 75 (as should Ted Kennedy, Arlan Spector, and many many more) but, “One Down …. Says” should chose a nicer way of expressing his/her opinion. You trash a group of people on this blog for their trashing of others on another blog! I’m a bit confused, how does that make you different let alone better? Is this the new EPD culture?
July 5, 2009 at 1:13 pm
I think Murl should stay as long as he damn well pleases. He’s a fine officer doing a great job. Don’t get rid of your best officers to appease anonymice.
July 5, 2009 at 1:16 pm
High Finance,
If you are confused, what is it about and why?
You seem capable at understanding my example stems from SUI, thus you would also understand by observation and reading that I never used the word “fire” or “firing”; and, the structure of my comment had nothing to do with “fire or firing”; and, that the point of the structure was clear in delineating the private sector from the public sector, yet you fail to act on your knowledge to recognize that firing and losing(letting go) an employee are two different situations in two different economic environments. I know that you are knowledgeable enough to understand what I was talking about, yet you slide over to engage in the “firing” aspect that you attempt to divert attention away from the example and original comment that was made on my part – the private sector employer and employee relationship with taxes. I am callin’ ya out on your spin attempt.
In the Private Sector, you pay increased SUI taxes when you have to let an employee go due to economic conditions – remember that it has nothing to do with “The Employer or Employee” as much as it does with the economic climate and environment in which opportunities exist for work or not.
Jeffrey Lytle
McKinleyville – 5th District
July 5, 2009 at 1:25 pm
Murl can work for as long as he wants – unless the City wants to wrestle with the Feds over Federal Law restricting age discrimination. You see, The City would have to PROVE Murl is unfit, psycho, not-all-there, etc… The City CAN’T. The City is limited to cutting job positions; not renewing job positions; or, spending less money before asking for bailouts or encountering legality issues.
Jeffrey Lytle
McKinleyville – 5th District
July 5, 2009 at 1:45 pm
What, you mean the city can’t do what all these anons want? They can’t discriminate? Darn ethics!
July 5, 2009 at 2:07 pm
OK, count me confused. The Eureka Police Department has no right to force a 75 year old to retire?
July 5, 2009 at 2:26 pm
You can’t fire someone because they aren’t as young as you’d like. It’s sad that this has to be explained.
July 5, 2009 at 4:29 pm
She looks more like a Devoura.
July 5, 2009 at 5:14 pm
GOOD RIDENCE TO DEE DEE…IT WAY OVER DUE!!!
July 5, 2009 at 5:30 pm
She looks like a real Debbie Downer…..
July 5, 2009 at 6:30 pm
If you terminate someone becuase of age you may be liable for damages for age discrimination.
However if you terminate someone because of economic neccessity, (you can’t afford them anymore, and some employees must be cut) there is no problem at all, especially if that employee is one of the highest paid in the organization.
This is Employment Law 101.
When you prune an unruly out of control plant, you start at the top not at the roots.
July 5, 2009 at 8:17 pm
Murl is actually pretty good with the Neighborhood Watch program and how abatement issues are resolved. If he stays on, those are good community outreach areas to work on.
July 5, 2009 at 8:25 pm
I love the slant. Has anyone provided a shred of evidence for you to approach the issue with the assumption that he’s leaving?
July 5, 2009 at 9:00 pm
No, we just wish he would, the vain,selfish bum.
July 5, 2009 at 9:16 pm
dude, are you kidding me?? in the year since the new chief came to town, no one has been shot. all the creepydeedees and mustymurls should quit or be fired. get along with new boss or get out. let the chief do his job and keep the citizens of eureka alive and well please.
July 5, 2009 at 9:22 pm
Ohhh, I get it now… we’re hearing from people suffering from Murl-envy. OK, it makes sense now.
July 5, 2009 at 9:36 pm
Jeffrey, “Let go” & “fired” are the same thing.
July 5, 2009 at 10:07 pm
how many citizens have been shot, stabbed, or blugeoned since the new chief came to town?
July 5, 2009 at 10:37 pm
2:26,
It’s called mandatory retirement, not firing. I’m surprised the police don’t have mandatory retirement after a certain age. I wonder why they don’t.
July 5, 2009 at 11:19 pm
10:37, it’s not called mandatory retirement if no contract clause exists. In that case it’s called age discrimination.
July 6, 2009 at 12:29 am
Your “fired” for doing something wrong or dereliction compared to Your “being let go” because no work exists. This is different H.F. in the context of what motivated the decision or action by the employer.
Jeffrey Lytle
McKinleyville – 5th District
July 6, 2009 at 3:14 am
Why is everyone focusing on getting Murl out? Why not get rid of Tawnie, who the city is still paying while she’s out on admin/stress leave? She’s obviously not too stressed out to vacation with the chief of police.
July 6, 2009 at 7:01 am
I wouldn’t be surprised if we’re dealing with one or two individuals who have a grudge. Boy, this sure deflected us from discussing the news Heraldo announced, huh?
July 6, 2009 at 8:17 am
You know, I haven’t really been following the story, and maybe this woman did some wrong. But some of these comments are over the top vicious.
The next hearing is August 12.
Probably a case management conference, most likely to be uneventful.
July 6, 2009 at 9:32 am
cmc’s are a tool used to perpetually extend court/case processes (while attempting to act upon scare tactics for leverage and case control) so that more money is shelled out to “you know who”!
Jeffrey Lytle
McKinleyville – 5th District
July 6, 2009 at 9:35 am
11:19,
Maybe you want a 75 year old running after someone who mugs your mother; I don’t. I’m 100% for mandatory retirement in the police and fire departments. If you want to make it based on a physical test rather than an “arbitrary” age, fine by me. Any 75 year old who can compete with the 20 year olds is welcome to stay.
This is interesting. All of a sudden the conservative twits are against discrimination and putting their PC faces on.
There are jobs where declining strength is no barrier, and there are jobs where simple common sense says it is. I’ve got to admit, I’m astonished to discover that this is an issue.
July 6, 2009 at 9:36 am
useless conversations about a useless “government” that exists only to oppress and rip you off
all government is the enemy of The People, taxation is slavery with a central bank collecting every cent of your tax dollars to service debt-
the queen of england owns a share of the federal reserve- how stupid many of you would appear to The Founders
July 6, 2009 at 9:40 am
The EPD must, to put it in business lingo, “downsize.”
When businesses downsize, they eliminate the most expensive and least productive employees. It is not a matter of age, but of economy. Businesses do this all the time and courts routinely rule in their favor.
July 6, 2009 at 10:09 am
Eric – welcome to inside your brethern’s heads. You are correct, much of this is vicious and over the top. It is offensive and embarrassing.
July 6, 2009 at 11:11 am
Let the old clown Murl stay on forever. Who cares? Just stop paying him chief officer’s wages to do a rookie’s job.
July 6, 2009 at 1:37 pm
Let anon continue to smear a great officer because he has a serious case of Murl envy.
July 6, 2009 at 4:01 pm
Put the marble-headed Murl-let out to pasture.
He’s a nutcase, once attributing crimes today to genetic changes in the children of parents who took LSD in the 60’s. With that kind of feel-good talk for the reactionaries, he’s just another “warrior” in the Humboldt culture wars.
And what good came of his declaration that Eureka is a “Hellhole”? Where’s the “positive solution” in that statement that the conservatives hereabouts always say is the duty of responsible public officals?
And didn’t his son have to leave town for Oklahoma after shooting Cheri Moore? Thats the perfect spot for Murl to retire too. Lots more there just like him. Or maybe McKinleyville, in a pinch.
July 6, 2009 at 4:18 pm
Murl envy… that’s pretty funny. Bout the only thing he has to envy is the great retirement check that’ll come his way if he can ever see through his vanity enough to join his pal Devoura.
July 6, 2009 at 7:16 pm
Ha ha bye bye Dee Dee!
July 7, 2009 at 10:14 am
Some of you must lead very sad lives to be so negative about others. It is a sad commentary of Humboldt.
July 7, 2009 at 10:22 am
You mean like how nasty the “Above the Law” blog was about Nielsen and Hansen?
July 7, 2009 at 6:35 pm
dd, dd thought she sat tall
but dd, dd had a great fall
she was such a disgrace
to the pd’s good men
they never wanted to see her again.
July 8, 2009 at 5:43 pm
I hear Murl wants to run for city council in the 5th ward.
July 14, 2009 at 4:17 pm
Good think Dee Dee is being hired by Citrus Heights Police Department, CA. She will fit in perfect there, due to the fact they dont do backgrounds and that is how 90% of their sworn staff was hired. Lets see, Chief Christopher Boyd already had a sustained law suit for discriminating against two black officers and two gay officers in Menlo Park PD, CA. Then there is his staff under him that he allows to harass and start false IA’s on people without allowing them their POBAR. Whatever they too will get their’s. Good Luck Dee Dee, you will fit right in.
July 14, 2009 at 4:21 pm
So the fact that Chief Christopher Boyd (CHPD), Dee Dee’s new boss, has three more people suing him just within a year and a half of being top dog at CHPD. So Dee Dee will fit right in with the corupt, harassing, evil so called Officers, Sgt, Lt.’s, Commandors and the must corupt of all Chief. Hey Dee Dee say hi to the troll when you see her, you will know which one she is.