County CAO Ryan Alsop says declaring impasse still an option in negotiations with the firefighter's union, anti-gay graffiti appears on a local business and a Saturday funeral service planned for Christopher Kreiser

Friday, January 4, 2018

 Welcome to Bakersfield Observed. Our mission is to celebrate life in Kern County by focusing on newsmakers and events and the local characters who make this such a special to live. Send your tips to rsbeene@yahoo.com.

 * ... COUNTY FIREMEN: Kern County chief administrative officer Ryan Alsop has once again signaled the county may have to declare impasse with the firefighter's union over the long stalled negotiations on a new contract. Speaking with me on KERN NewsTalk 96.1 FM, Alsop said

declaring impasse (and in effect forcing a new contract on the union) is a last resort, but one that would be used if the parties cannot agree. The issue: the county is currently paying well over the minimum for overtime, and with the fire budget well in the red, the union needs to agree to new terms. Stay tuned.


 * ... STUPIDITY: Most of us don't need to be reminded about the stupidity that lives amongst us (72 DUI arrests over the holiday period in town, random people shooting their guns off on New Year's Eve) but check out this vandalism at the In Your Wildest Dreams antique and consignment store on 19th Street. Just heartbreaking.

 * ...CHRIS KREISER: A funeral service will be held this Saturday for Christopher Kreiser, the 39-yeaer-old son of Rick Kreiser who died of lymphoma on Dec. 17. The service and mass will begin at 10:45 a.m. at St. Francis, followed by a reception at the Crystal Palace. I spoke to Rick about the death of his son, and you can hear the interview by going to www.kernradio.com and clicking on the link. (Facebook photo of Christopher with two of his children)

 * ... SPOTTED ON FACEBOOK: "I got kicked off Wheel of Fortune for solving every puzzle with  'I want you inside me, Pat.'"

 * ... KERO TV: Adam Forrest Chase, general manager of KERO TV, is leaving the station to assume the GM role at a pair of Scripps' owned stations covering Waco/Temple/Kileen and KRHD covering Bryan College Station.

 * ... MEMORIES: How about this old photo circa 1970 from the Kern County History Fans Facebook page?