(Ed Note: This kind of thing happens with enough regularity in public sector Mendocino County, and is just as often kept top secret, that the only way to make the public aware of the more grotesque cases is to publish whatever we get about them. No one in local government will say anything other than the pro forma baloney from the Superior Court printed here. BTW, Mrs. Markham's former husband was David Markham, one of Kenny Rogers’ series of incompetent attorneys, appointed natch, by the Superior Court of Mendocino County.)
* * *
Editor,
On [blank] March, [blank] 2017
[no other letter head, but looks like a All Department Staff email]
“The following e-mail is being sent on behalf of Judge Reimenschneider:
Dear Probation staff:
This notice is to advise you that probation of adult division manager Kevin Kelley has been appointed as acting chief probation officer effective immediately and until further notice. I understand you may have questions; however, we will not be able to provide additional information at this time.
The court and the county appreciate the hard work you do every day at probation and Juvenile Hall. We anticipate that you will continue to do so and that you'll give acting chief Kelley your full cooperation during his appointment.
Please feel free to contact me or Heidi Dunham, County Human Resources Director, if you have questions or concerns.
Sincerely, Judge Reimenschneider”
* * *
Is it bad luck or just bad leadership? The brand new Chief Probation Officer out on paid leave being investigated? Who knows? Of course it's confidential but once again the staff are left hanging, being told nothing as rumors fly of her affair with one of her managers resulting in her third divorce. And the CEO and judges were warned she was a party girl who openly discussed already being fond of the boys "in" the good old boys club at probation. Her own words that she foolishly shared at training with line staff prior to being her being hired but she smoothly turned it all around when confronted and warned by the judges.
She told the entire staff how hurt she was when her new boss told her this "gossip" after she gave up so much to come to Ukiah (better salary) with only good intentions for saving the department.
Like becoming a female chief probation officer at her age with her experience was likely in a larger county. This is what everyone uses as a steppingstone to a better paying county when they can't get promoted in their own county. She was very convincing that she was only here for us, wanting to make things better. We were directed to not discuss the past investigation, everyone gets a clean slate with her. Right.
Well, not quite everyone, she clearly didn't want to include or work with specific managers, supervisors and line staff. She hadn't been here a week before she was changing assignments, shunning and excluding.
It is truly a mystery what she is on leave for right now. It's hush hush, but conveniently thr affair has now come out giving the department staff time to accept the news should she return unscathed and even more empowered.
This woman knows how to "lean in" and "use her womanly ways," which is her phrase. But there must be more than just the sex, divorce and scandal, because following the last year long investigation under the previous chief for sexual discrimination, harassment and favoritism, this department was ordered to attend several mandatory meetings with human resources to "train" on sexual-harassment so everyone was clear per the county it is okay to have sex with coworkers, even married supervisors sleeping with line staff. As long as it isn't connected to promotions or discipline that isn't sexual-harassment and the county only cares about getting sued.
But wait, she just got approval for a new assistant chief and lead supervisor positions and it was obvious to all of us that this boy toy manager is the only one qualified for the big promotion. She completely excludes the other managers from her team, they are openly left out of meetings as she sits in the Superintendent of Juvenile Hall’s office for hours or he sits in her office. It's like being a voyeur on their dates. If you try to discuss work you feel you're interrupting. After all, who wants to talk work?
We staff were told by human resources that it isn't good practice having affairs at work and it could end up badly but as coworkers we just need to accept this in our work environment. But she says she has an open door and we can ask her anything, but because she is so open she also says if she finds anyone "gossiping" about her, it will not be tolerated and they will be written up. She doesn't want to hear negative information about anyone or anything, only solutions if you come to talk to her. Sort of tough to go in and ask her if her affair with the only manager she has leaned on since her arrival seven months ago is going to have any impact on her decision about who should be promoted to that new fat salaried assistant chief position. Perhaps if she was focused on running the department she wouldn't need an assistant since no one has needed one for over 25 years at probation.
This woman got the red carpet rolled out for her when she came here, the CEO basically gave her an open checkbook, a little human resources helper was at her side like a personal assistant, a direct line to give her whatever she needed to get this poor department back on track. But the CEO and judges who hire and supervise her once again underestimated her will and the power of the "boys" club who were clearly in favor the day she started.
Part of the problem is that no one really supervises the chief probation officer. They are an at-will employee but our staff has been told over and over by human resources that the chief can do anything they want. Department staff have risked telling the judges and investigators about improper use of department funds, no accountability or discipline for really bad behavior inside and outside of work by supervisors. But ultimately feedback and directions from the CEO and judges are only suggestions that can be completely ignored by the chief.
They even went so far as to spend lots of money to hire a retired chief to be a "consultant" for the last bad chief but he still wouldn't take a look at what was wrong in the department and fix it. So when that chief "retired" we searched far and wide to get this new out of county chief to ensure no favoritism.
But only one person applied and amazingly it was a woman. How perfect? Of course a woman will protect us from sexual discrimination and favoritism.
Whatever the outcome of this time off for her, we know we won't be told anything. It's confidential. But trust the CEO and human resources and the judges that they have taken steps to ensure it is addressed. Right. For God's sake, what will it take for the probation department staff to get help to heal from years of trauma due to poor leadership?
If Mendocino county would pay competitive salaries perhaps they would get quality department heads and managers. We have become the training ground for everyone to learn and then move on to a better paying county. But the trauma of surviving new leadership to the underpaid lines staff is unreal. Our CEO’s decisions don't seem to be based on getting high performance from happy staff as much as minimizing the fiscal damage of potential lawsuits and wasting lots of money on internal investigations and consultants.
Oh yes, the new chief recently announced we are being sued in federal court by a past female employee, Amanda Carley. Nothing more about why, but we were warned we can't discuss it at work and don't erase your e-mails.
Here we go again.
But I find it amazing as a taxpaying citizen of this county that our CEO is more willing to pay for these investigations and lawsuits, most of which are resolved with a clause that the county will pay lots of money, but the defendant is sworn to secrecy about the outcome and the amount paid. This must have a huge fiscal impact on the budget which ultimately impacts the CEO’s ability to give the working staff raises which would ultimately get us better quality staff and leaders who would stay around and not behave immaturely as they learn how to lead.
Oh my god, and this poor sucker who has to be the interim chief! This should be his opportunity to prove he can lead and fix this new mess but this is quite possibly a setup for the poor guy if she comes back. She already is open about the fact that she doesn't like him, so he is a dead man walking if he doesn't do what she would do. They should have just given the interim position to her boyfriend. He knows what she wants and he won't get punished. If it is already this bad in only seven months, why would they work so hard to keep her there? Everyone knows an employee will do their best during the first year. So if there are problems during that time it won't get better.
Obviously I can't sign this.
I hope you can do some investigating and report on this.
* * *
From the Probation Department’s webpage:
Leadership: Leadership for the Probation Department is provided by the following individuals:
Chief Probation Officer — Pamela R. Markham
Adult Division Manager — Jean Glentzer
Juvenile Division Manager — Kevin Kelley
Juvenile Hall — Brady Bechtol
Business Services — Cathy White
* * *
(Superior Court press release May, 2016)
Pamela Markham appointed as new Chief Probation Officer for Mendocino County
Pamela Markham of Lakeport has been appointed as the next Chief Probation Officer for Mendocino County. Markham will succeed Buck Ganter, who will be retiring in July after serving as CPO since May 2013. She will assume her new duties on July 5.
Carmel J. Angelo, Mendocino County CEO, stated, “We are very excited to have Ms. Markham joining our executive leadership team as the County’s Chief Probation Officer. Her experience and leadership skills will be an asset to the County and will bring a new energy to the Probation Department.”
Markham has a bachelor’s degree in administration of justice from Sacramento State University, and is pursuing a master’s degree in justice management from the University of Nevada in Reno. Since February 2014, she has served as probation program manager for the Nevada County Probation Department. Previously, Markham served as a deputy probation officer and as a supervising deputy probation officer in Nevada County. She has also served as adjunct faculty in administration of justice at Yuba Community College. In 2014 she received the Trainer of the Year Award from the Chief Probation Officers of California.
She currently lives in Lakeport with her husband, attorney David Markham, and her four daughters.
Juvenile Court Judge David Riemenschneider, chair of the CPO Search Committee, stated, “We recognize this is a very important appointment and position to fill for Mendocino County; and after a thorough search process involving many people, I concluded that Pamela Markham is the right person for this job. We are fortunate to have hired someone with her experience and qualifications, and we look forward to many years with her as our Chief Probation Officer.”
Markham stated, “I am honored to be chosen as the next Chief Probation Officer; and I am excited to work with the Court, the Board of Supervisors, community justice partners and community based organizations in Mendocino County, as well as the staff members at the Probation Department. I look forward to filling Chief Ganter’s shoes and continuing to implement evidence based practices to promote public safety by reducing recidivism.”
* * *
I like David Markham, I’ve dealt with him on a couple of occasions here in Lake Co, but he is a lawyer.
Everyone sleeps with everyone in Mendocino County. HHSA is a cesspool of sexual upheaval including married coworkers shacking up with a third and fourth coworkers, preference given when interviews for promotions come around. It’s disgusting that management continues to turn a blind eye.
Thank you for being brave enough to expose the dirty truth.
The civil grand jury needs to investigate the county HR dept. To borrow a phrase from Donald Trump, the system is rigged.
In response to Joe Hansen’s comment.
You are 100% correct. The director of HR Heidi D. Is close friends with the adulterous chief Makham. Personally I think she try’s to cover up for her and slowed down the investigation to a snails pace to cover her own errors as well. The favoritism that they all play on a daily basis taints the entire department and county. Heidi D. is just as dirty as the rest of them. If a man would have done this as the Chief he would have been let go the same day they found out. But someone is playing favoritism to cover up for Markham. Shame on you HR. I think that they are equally responsible for the mess she has caused for the county. What consequence did the staff member that she had the affair with get. Or are the playing favoritism with him as well?
Check out the press release. Seems exaggerated to me. Husband with four daughters and vast experience? Really? Family values at it’s worst. http://www.mendocino.courts.ca.gov/docs/press/2016-0523.pdf
She’s formerly known as Pamela LaFountain, with a long history working for the Nevada County Probation Dept and before that the jail. Her previous ex is an investigator for the DA and was also a detective for the S.D. So maybe she can go back to her life up there, particularly if this guy is the father of her kid(s), and put this misadventure behind her. As I recall two of the daughters listed in the ptess release were Markham’s; I think she only has two of her own. She was only married to him for a couple years.
Hey…if they can fire Bill O’Reilly with his sexual scandal… Little ole Mendocino county can certainly fire Pamela Markham with her own sex / discrimination scandal with Bechtol. He’s a big cheese and she is just a yokal nobody. Just sayin.
Is Bechtol still running Juvenile Hall?
Yep.
Does anyone know more about the 5 million dollar law suit regarding Amanda Carly? I heard that it was also regarding a sex scandal regarding the former Cheif Buck Gantor and the same crew of bad boys which are Markham’s boy buds. The common connection with the core issues of trouble is her boyfriend Bechtol. It is his core group that causes most if the issues in probation. And it seems that he is still working although he was having an affair with the Cheif during work hours. Why he wasn’t put on leave baffles my mind….. FYI?.. Bechtol was also married at the time to another person. I feel sorry for his wife which seems to have been forgotten in this mess….. I hate to keep throwing the favoritism card around. But… someone is playing favorites with Bechtol as well as Markham. Buck Gantor palyed favorites with him and it got even worse with Markham… The people I know who are working there are left hanging not knowing if she is coming back. The judges should just let her go , cut their losses and let the good working folk get back to work and move on from this dirty mess. Hey. But this is a county cover that needs to be kept out in the open.
A friend of mine that works at probation and the stories she tells me are very disturbing.
She is so upset and disgusted, as is most of the department based on her observations with what these two (Markham & Bechtol) have done to the department that she is looking for employment else ware.
My friend makes a great point. What do you do if she does come back? How do you work under someone that you have lost all respect for? How can she continue to follow a proven liar & cheater? How can you trust her? Well.. I say you can’t. People usually try to prove themselves worthy when they have a new job. It appears that Markham liked the power of her new title. But did not prove to be worthy.
I have lived Willits my entire life and it stories such as this that puts a stain on our beautiful county. It also is disappointing to have a female behave in the traditional manner that men have done by cheating on their spouses while in power. My friend had high hopes that a female would have done different. Who would have thought that it would be worse?
According to my friend the department is a joke to other departments. Remember that there are wonderful people living in this county. Too bad she had to embarrass us all.
While attending the Mendocino College Plant sale today I over heard two women talking….
The exact words that I over heard from their passionate conversation was… well…. wait… let’s start from the beginning. I heard her mention Pam Markham and Brady Bechtol to her friend. This caught my attention because of this very article…. so my curiosity was sparked… and I listened to more.’
She said. ” Come on…. she was the Chief for God sake…. but I don’t understand why they didnt take disciplinary action regarding what they did.”
The keyword was “they did”. And she mentioned disciplinary action for both. Many people feel that they did not take proper disciplinary action regarding her.
I thought that this was interesting. It made me wonder how many people in Ukiah are aware of this ugly situation that is on going over in the Ukiah Probation department.
It seems that people out in the world are still talking about the impact Mrs. Markham has had on the people who work for the county. People still working there lives have been impacted in a negative way. She created a toxic work environment.
Sorry for eves dropping. But this story is a big deal for this small town.
I used to work for the county but fortunately not in the Probation department.
I have just one simple question. Just how close are Heidi Dunham and Pam Markham? Because I have seen them socializing in town.
Dunham has a history of covering up for her friends.
I saw it in the department that I worked in for over 20 years.
I just saw this article for the first time yesterday on recommendation from a buddy that still works there. Unreal.
One more thing…. Why wasn’t Bechtol put on administrative as well?
It takes two to tango you know. That’s the county for you. Favoritism. Yup.
Wes Forman, a former Chief Probation Officer had interviews for juvenile hall superintendent years ago, when all said and done it was discovered that job was promised to Bucky Ganter. Wes left in disgrace Bucky remained in power under Jim Brown., with Brady in tow. Brady could do no wrong. Bucky was named CPO when Brown retired. God ol’boy system again. Bucky was incompetent which was later discovered last year when was forced out with lawsuits trailing him. In the meantime Dunham was in charge of the finances of probation then moved up farther w more power. Questions always arose about budgeting and how money was spent and covered up. Now the new chief has sex w a manager and both appears to be keeping their jobs. good ol big system covering up as usual. What needs to be done is firing the chief and Bechtol and anyone else is covering this mess up. The county will be paying big bucks due to incompetence. Bucky is being sued civilly and in federal court with the county possibly being included… Brady and Bucky should have been let go years ago
You will always have people who think that they are above the rules and laws that we all should abide by.
I find that within the law enforcement community there are people who have gotten away with breaking the rules that they continue to do it without any concequence because nobody is really supervising them. Because they are the ones in power. They are used the NOT answering to anyone.
Especially the ones in higher positions. Like the Chief. LIke a person like Bechtol who is a favorite to past and current chiefs.
Like the head of HR. Like the CEO. Like the Judges.
Who supervises them? These people seem to be untouchable. Even when they break the rules or laws that we all should abide by.
When you have two people who are married to other people. And you work with you new lover. You have to find a place to have your affair. Like your office. Like a business trip. Like a training trip.
They walk around like nothing has happened. But Everyone knows.
Everyone is talking. Everyone looks at them as if they are sleepy. And they are a topic to joke about and gossip about. Their reputations are ruined. And it will be going forward. This is their concequence.
Correction… darn the ole auto correct.
Everyone looks at them like they are sleeeezzzy. Everyone that I know that has discussed the sleeezzzy Markham Bechtol scandal. Thinks this about the both of them.
Her unprofessional demeanor at her swearing in was striking, like she just had won a prize on a game show.
It’s been many weeks now that Pam was sent out on administrative leave under investigation for her affair with Bechtol and for discrimination in the workplace.
It’s been nice NOT to have her here. But more importantly it’s been great to have her discriminating ways that were common knowledge to be STOPPED.
THANK YOU!
Too bad for all the FAVORITES of hers NOT to get their way any longer.
WORK is actually gradually resuming even though HR has keep us all hanging. Uncertainty looms over our heads while this investigation continues on. There is only a handful of people that really want her back…. And these people are NOT of best character anyways and that would explain why they support her. “Comrades in crime.” The Majority would be more than happy to know that she will NEVER be coming back.
It would be such a GIFT to finally hear that she has been TERMINATED. Then we can all finally get back to WORK like we are supposed to be doing anyways.
Working without clarity does not create a healthy work environment. Having closure and moving on from this SCANDAL will be for the BEST interest of the department. Bringing her back will just resume her TOXIC regime. Let’s hope that we will receive word soon of her permanent termination.
Why would someone in her position f*ck up to this magnitude unless she was a complete utter idiot. Unreal she was only on the new job for a handful of months and only proved herself to be a disgrace to the department. I agree with the post before me. She needs to be let go and her boyfriend should be investigated too. He plays a much larger role in this entire mess the department is in right now. Both have proven themselves to be untrustworthy.
Her name has finally been taken down from the probation department website so maybe she’s on her way out.
We can only hope. Still now word. July 14, 2017.
Iit’s about time!
You know who people forget about is the victims in this case. The humiliation and the pain that their families must feel.
Markham’s husband and daughters that she cheated on.
Bechtol’s wife who he cheated on.
Then all the people who work in the probation department that she discriminated against & tainted their careers & work environment.
It’s like throwing a stone in a pond and watching the ripples.
Whatever happened to being accountable, having integrity or having a moral standard?
What kind of message does that send to everyone allowing Markham & Bechtol to not be accountable for what they have done.
She is simply too immature, inexperienced, and reckless to be a leader.
I would love to know what this whole affair is costing, ”US” the tax payers.
I have several friends who work for the county they are just shocked and disgusted by the whole situation.
At one time I worked for a company where this exact type of situation happened and the only way that we recovered was with change. But you never know poor leaders make poor decisions so who knows what will happen.
Well stated.
I’ve seen Pam with Brady several times in Ukiah. Loud and laughing it up in the pub. They have absolutely no shame about what they have done. It just shows their true character. They act like they have done nothing wrong. But that’s what immoral people do.
Thought maybe he would have ditched her by now out of concern for his job, but I think I saw somewhere his grandfather had been Ukiah fire chief back in the day, so maybe he figures he’s bullet proof.
There’s been a certain amount of talk here about morality, but it isn’t exactly a question of that in terms of potential employment consequences. Rather, as with the military, it’s the nexus between this behavior and the workplace (which in the military encompasses residential life) and its effect on morale, good order and discipline and when it involves command staff these consequences can be so much more material to that.
So it is really not a question at all of imposing orthodox sexual mores and religious culture on someone. If this had discreetly involved someone outside the workplace then it would not have been anyone’s business but David and Pamela’s.
Alcoholics both of them, part of what led to the affair.
Department still in chaos, still don’t know if she is coming back. Off over 4 months still receiving full pay.
Bechtol untouched, walking around acting the victim.
Birds of a feather flock together, I’d use the other f -word rather than flock but that wouldn’t clear the censors. Brady and her have poor ethics and standards. In the past you could always tell when Brady was at work by the use of the F word. Between talking to staff with that word, yelling over the phone or even during meeting he would slip in the f-word constantly. When other staff and client complained to the juvenile manager, over his lack of professionalism and fowl language, she would always say thats just the way he is..nothing changed. The. Chief even was aware of this but nothing was ever done. He always had someone looking out for him, one of the good ol’boys. He was known as the “golden boy”, someone who was destined to go far. Multiple Chiefs and nothing has changed, Forman, Brown, Ganter and now the cheating female. All this within the juvenile division. Meanwhile in the adult division, workers showing up late a female who arrived 8 out of 10 days late, for weeks at a time,with no disciplinary action although supervisors tried to hold her accountable but over-ridden by management. A Probation Officer assigned away from Ukiah with a 5th grade writing level never held accountable by management. Reports for Court turned over to clerical staff to type and correct turned in constantly late. Caseloads required to be audited always threatened but never done for all officers. Favoritism was very noticeable. That decision was made by upper management. Supervisor complaints fell on deaf ears. The result supervisors just did the bear minimum to get along, earning their keep and looking forward to retirement. If you could describe this as dysfunctional it would be an understatement. This good ol’boy system has been in place for over 20 years, the BOS and the courts have known about this….the result….Another mess, time to clean house finally….but I am only dreaming…..glad I’m out, miss some employees but not the system
It is essential that someone bring these issues to the attention of the civil grand jury.
Found something interesting on the internet when I typed in Brady Bechtol Ukiah in the search field. I was curious about this guy since he is so closely tied into this scandal with Pam Markham.
This is what came up on Google.
“Ukiah Daily Journal from Ukiah, California on June 23, 1992” 25 years ago
What is interesting is that Jim Brown who is one of the former Chiefs of the probation department had some kind connection with Brady 25 years ago.
LINK: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/1122123/
The search says… “Jun 23, 1992 – Jim Brown and Brady Bechtol were the overall winners of their division.” Just seems odd to see their names together like this. Does anyone know the connection?
Then I heard from a former employee that worked in the probation department that Buck Ganter the former Chief is Brady Bechtol’s God father. Does anyone know more about this? Interesting. No wonder he was given extra preferential treatment by this Chief. It’s starting to make sense this whole favoritism thing that everyone keeps talking about.
Then in 2017 he has an affair with the new Chief Pamela Markham.
What is it with this guy and making sure he is closely tied to the Chiefs. Seems a bit strange that so many Chiefs get so closely connected to Brady. He seems to be the common denominator for three different Chiefs. Does anyone know more about this guy? Maybe it is just a coincidence. But it just seems odd all these connections. Maybe not?
Not Ganter’s godson, but Bechtol’s father is a neighbor and best friend of Jim Brown’s, former chief, long term supervisor at Probation/Juvenile Hall. Brown opened the door for Bechtol and started the good old boy program.
As it stated in the press release when Pamela Markham was appointed.
“Please feel free to contact me or Heidi Dunham, County Human Resources Director, if you have questions or concerns.
Sincerely, Judge Reimenschneider”
Remember Heidi Dunham can not be impartial since she is close friends with Pam Markham. She is NOT trust worthy. So all you are left with is the Judge that appointed her. Judge Reimenschneider say’s if you have questions or concerns to contact him.
http://www.mendocino.courts.ca.gov/docs/press/2016-0523.pdf
Boy…. did someone make a huge mistake hiring her.
The Probation department was already in a messy state… but she completely destroyed it with the help of her boyfriend. They both need to be let go in order for anything to really change. People need to start thinking about what is in the best interest for the entire department. Not just for certain individuals. This department needs to be allowed to be put on a positive path towards recovering and with the uncertainty of her still getting paid to be on leave while the investigation is going on just keeps prolonging the lack of real productivity. She is still the cause of the standstill that the department is facing right now. Everyone is doing their jobs but there is a feeling of a lack of clarity since she is still technically on leave… Once she is officially fired then everyone can get on with fixing the mess that was created due to her being hired.
When is enough is enough?
Her arrival and departure has fractured the department. Pro Pam vs. Anti Pam. As long as she is “employed” they rift will widen. HR, specifically Heidi Dunham does not care, she has way too much power over the Probation Department right now, what she always wanted.
CEO’s office doesn’t care, they just don’t want too look bad.
Heidi Dunham and Pamela Markham are drinking buddies.
Don’t know that there’ll ever be any public acknowledgment of the outcome as this is now a confidential personnel matter and Kelly will remain as Interim Chief until a new chief is appointed. Those looking to read the tea leaves should look to BOS agendas regarding any closed session involving a personnel matter out of Probation.
BOS AGENDA = Board of Supervisors Agenda
Go to Mendocino County website that find this if and when it gets posted.
https://www.mendocinocounty.org/
If she was still within the probationary period most county new hires are subjected to, then there is less of a showing of good cause required for her to be let go.
One of the biggest issues is that respect and trust has been broken to such an extreme level. It is unforgiveable at this point. Especially since Pam and Brady are both law enforcement. You are expected to represent yourself within your job at a higher standard because of this. And they are accountable for their actions. The other issue is that it seems that HR does not care about ethics either? And they should. This also speaks a lot about the head of HR as well.
My opinion is based on the opinions of all the people whom I personally know that have been effected by both Pam and Brady. The concensses is that they all feel that they can not trust either of them. I have heard so many stories from so many trustworthy people and they don’t respect Pam or Brady. What they have to say conveys a picture of two very corrupt people who have teamed up personally and professionally to empower themselves while excluding anyone the don’t like. Simple as that. Playing favoritism to their own group of friends. Very transparent. They are both seen as such unethical and immoral people on a personal level. But they are also unethical in their business practices and this is why they should not allow her the come back. This is fairly common knowledge amoung county employees about their clicky deceitful practices. Pam directly has an influence on Brady and more importantly vise versa with Brady influencing Pam since he was working in this county long before her and he is not squeeky clean by no means. There is a crew of close friends of their’s who would be happy to have her back. Because they would benefit from her favoritism. And many of these people whom I will not name names know who they are. You just have to see who party’s with Bechtol or visits Pam for lunch. Like attracts like.
Like my mama always told me. Be careful of who you surround yourself with as friends because it reflects upon your character as well. She was so right.
So here we are at the beginning again…. how can either of them ever have respect or trust from anyone going forward. You can not be a good leader without it.
I wish them good luck luck with each other. They are surely gonna need it.
I agree with the post above that these two have lost respect and trust all driven by their own actions.
How can anyone trust either of them. You can say sorry a million times over but trust is gone.
If I hear one more time… What were they thinking?
Well obviously they were not thinking.
Food for thought. Pam Markham and Brady Bechtol’s jobs are working as law enforcement agents. They oversee people who have broken the law and are on probation for their crimes. They oversee people who have to pay dearly for the laws that they broke. This is the consequence of their actions. And as it should be.
WHAT makes Pam and Brady think that they are any different from the people on probation? They may think that they are above the law for whatever reason. Mainly ego. But what it makes them both is a hipocrate. They are hipocrites.They broke the laws of honoring their own marriages. They have an affair on the dime of the county. And the worst of it is their practice of discrimination and favoritism. They have and continue to effect lives of many people in a negative way. There needs to be a consequence for this.
They should not be rewarded for bad behavior. And if they meaning the Judges, CEO and HR allow Pam to come back to resume her job as Chief they are rewarding her for bad behavior. What this will open up to the people working currently at the county is that you can do what ever you want and get away with it. This is the example that they have set up for themselves and indirectly for everyone who works for the county. If she comes back get ready for a free for all of continuing bad behavior without any consequence.
One set of rules for the people on probation and special treatment for their officers. I advise the Judge, CEO & HR to choose set a better example so that this statement is not true. Don’t make it the truth. Do the right thing in this case even if Pam is your BFF. Do the right thing and set an example that Law Enforcement officers should abide by.
Just one question….. I’m retired but how come I always see Bechtol for the last couple of years on the golf course at 1 in the afternoon on Friday? What happened to the 40 hour work week? I’d love to have his work schedule.
His nickname is 2 1/2, how many days a week he works.
Some of them work four ten hour days with either Friday or Monday as an additional day off
Not the division managers or supervisors.
They can take off sick days and personal days.
And they are supposed to sign out… Or do they?
Bechtol is a grand master of the disappearing act. He even comes in the building the back way.
He is a Juvenile Hall Superendant, 40 hour minimum, not authorized for overtime due to nature of position. He just comes and goes as he pleases. No time card to prove hours worked or if even there. Clerical staff intimidated not to say anything negative. It’s been like that for years and as recently as Buck”no show” Ganter. Delegate by intimidation not by example. Living off his name and connections rather by a leadership example. Fear of retribution keeping others quiet. BOS and County Admin is aware but afraid to do anything because others ( management) are doing it too. Employees are still under orders from the county to keep quiet and not to speak or contact the press. Leaks however still trickle out….
It’s very interesting that employees are under orders from the county to keep quiet and not to speak or contact the press. But everyone talks about it all the time while at work. In the privacy of their own homes.On the streets. In line at the market. This is a really small community. Hear me again – ALL THE TIME. EVERYONE!!! Don’t tell me that Pam and Brady do not discuss what goes on in the department when he get’s home from work in the evenings. After all they are living together. I saw the truck drive up to their house in town the day he moved in more of his crap. Although Pam is the cause for this entire mess she still has lunch dates with these very employees and parties with them on the weekends. As does Brady. They have been seen. HR is well aware of this and does nothing. NOTHING! As the person states in the above quote. All this s*it that everyone has been posting is true. 40 hour work week for Brady. What a joke.
Bechtol’s salary is approximately 81K per year, with benefits yearly total is $130,173.00 per Transparent California web site. Ganter made 91,630 plus benefits in 2016 and was forced to retire in disgrace. Now you are paying a interim chief and full time chief. What a waste of taxpayer funds. These two are classified as peace officers,they are and should be held to a higher moral and ethical standards.Love had nothing to do with it. Lack of ethics,lack of morals, the quest for power and authority. Like the old saying” absolute power corrupts absolutely”.
Again, we don’t know what her status is or whether she’s still on the payroll or not as any action taken regarding her job would remain confidential. Even if she was let go, the interim will remain an interim until a new chief is officially appointed, who may indeed be Kelly. So just because Kelly remains Interim Chief is not a fact that we can infer anything about Pamela Markham’s status from.
You are clueless to the situation.
When you make the amount of money that these two do. And you have in affair during work hours. Should their boss the county be paying for it? Lena B. this reveals a lot about you. Your boss should be worried about you. Clueless to the situation. Unreal.
Getting paid $100,000.00 a year. Receiving your paycheck and spending your day in your office with your new lover doing what lovers do at the office during work hours instead of working is the issue here. Road trips and hooking up pretending you’re at a training and the county pays for your room. It’s called stealing money from the county. It’s kinda like when you spend your day at work purchasing Giants tickets or planning your next vacation and ordering a new pair of shoes. Watching Netflix and lowering the screen when someone walks in while you pretend that you are working. Again you are stealing time from work. Get the picture.
This has nothing to do with falling in love.
Let’s get back to the main issue at hand. Ok they fell in Love while having an affair on the dime of the county. But an even more serious issue here is that they played favoritism with their buddies appointing them to higher positions with big pay raises and then discriminated against anyone who was not part of their group of friends trying to push them out This is always grounds for an investigation.
Just like age discrimination. Sexual harassment, hostile work environment etc. Pam is not being investigated because she fell in love. This is not the issue.
Becoming involved with a subordinate at work is a very serious situation, particularly if favoritism is shown to him or her. Moreover, it effects morale and the culture at work when it involves supervisorial staff. It is conduct unbecoming and unprofessional.
You’re missing the point, the issue is not playing favorites by not having personal relationships with all, but rather having a person in a position of authority playing favorites by making work related decisions that adversely affect those who are not part of his or her clique.
To all the posts above talking about the new girl in town. And her title. What a joke…. How immature are you people?
She was lucky to even get this job with the lack of real experience that she had. How does being a trainer and a program manager qualify you to be a Chief? When she reassigned people in Ukiah none of them received any training and she made sure that certain employees did not get any assistance and training because she wanted to set them up to fail.
Zero training and the department began to crumble even more thanks to her leadership.
Pam was warned by her higher ups to stop being so vocal about her attraction the good ole boys that she thought were so hot. You ladies must be some of her girlfriends writing the posts.
It was more like Pam Markham flaunted her sexuality at work and Brady was the weak one that bit the bait.
She made several men feel very uncomfortable how she would lean in at their desks. Giggling and flirting with them. She was on the make for this and her poor husband was kept in the dark until she/they got caught.
The bottom line is that you do not get paid the big bucks to have an affair during work hours period.
Also I heard that she started out at top pay for her position when she came on board. So she really is making the big bucks and now she is even getting paid to sit at home. It’s a free for all.
What a great role model for women and young girls. We should all strive to have our daughters turn out just like her. lol wow!
That’s exactly what we’re saying, among other things.
Have you read everything above that numerous people have expressed their views on this subject regarding Pamela Markham and the situation involving her?
Re-read the full trail. All the posts from the very beginning and then post what you think.
Just out of curiosity, does anyone know what the allegations of Amanda Carly’s lawsuit are?
I would be happy to tell you the details if you would like to reach out to me:)
amandacarley1980@gmail.com
Also, there are many documents on file at the Ukiah Courthouse. This is a matter of public record.
Guess what’s next to Juvenile Hall? Bechtol Field, Home of Ukiah’s Youth Baseball League.
As they say, “he who is without sin among you, cast the first stone.” The probation department is full of excellent employees and unfortunately this whole debacle, and more importantly those who feed into it, are distracting the rest of the community from the importance of their work. Let’s get on with our lives and look in the mirror at how we can improve our shortcomings and better serve those we work with.
What you say sounds fine and dandy…. but why does the county allow the continued bad behavior to go on in the work place? Hey I agree that there are many fine citizens of Ukiah who work in the probation department. But not all are as excellent as you make them sound. Excellent is a bit over the top. We need to remember that these people excellent or not are law enforcement agents who take oaths. They need to present themselves at a higher standard because of this. It’s part of their job to enforce laws. Monitor people who have committed crimes and are now on probation. I’m sure you are well aware of this since you are a probation employee.
Your flowery words sound more like a distraction to the core issue here. How do you serve those you work with? Are you fair and respectful to all?
The distraction is that no clear decisions have been made in regards to Markham. 6 months the county has been giving her full pay. How long will this keep going on? It’s almost half a year.
This causes the distraction for those who work in probation to feel a sense of uncertainty of where they all stand. Those probation employees would be able to move on and get back to real work if they had more clairity and certainty of an outcome concering her final outcome. Prolonging her termination causes the uncertainty and friction within the community of the current employees working in probation.
The decision makers need to finally make a decision. This would help tremendously. Then all those excellent workers can be even more excellent without the distraction of the Pam Markham & Brady Bechtol Scandal.
Well said Ukiah Citizen.
You take an oath as a law enforcement officer,you represent not only yourself but the department, the county,the Country, and your family.
AS A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER, my fundamental duty is to serve mankind; to safeguard lives and property; to protect the innocent against deception, the weak against oppression or intimidation, and the peaceful against violence or disorder; and to respect the Constitutional rights of all men to liberty, equality and justice.
I WILL keep my private life unsullied as an example to all; maintain courageous calm in the face of danger, scorn, or ridicule; develop self-restraint; and be constantly mindful of the welfare of others. Honest in thought and deed in both my personal and official life, I will be exemplary in obeying the laws of the land and the regulations of my department. Whatever I see or hear of a confidential nature or that is confided to me in my official capacity will be kept ever secret unless revelation is necessary in the performance of my duty.
I WILL never act officiously or permit personal feelings, prejudices, animosities or friendships to influence my decisions. With no compromise for crime and with relentless prosecution of criminals, I will enforce the law courteously and appropriately without fear or favor, malice or ill will, never employing unnecessary force or violence and never accepting gratuities.
I RECOGNIZE the badge of my office as a symbol of public faith, and I accept it as a public trust to be held so long as I am true to the ethics of the police service. I will constantly strive to achieve these objectives and ideals, dedicating myself before God1 to my chosen profession…law enforcement.
With this said, the two named in this scandal both were held to this standard when they were sworn in. By the County not doing anything but sending one home with pay,what signal are they sending to the public,but most of all to those who proudly wear the badge of the agency they represent? Other agencies see this and wonder what Mendocino County will do. Respect is earned not given. The department and the County has lost respect within the law enforcement agencies within and outside the county
Great response. Thank you for posting!
Again, we don’t know whether Ms. Markham is still on the payroll or not as that is a confidential personnel matter. So I tend to agree with Probation Employee: Markham is not coming back, so time to put this sorry episode behind us and move on.
She’s still getting paid.
Read the August 20th “Markham Out” AVA article. Is this for real!
Yes.
They have not announced it to the department. We are still under the impression she is still our “chief”.
Figures.
This is Heidi Dunham’s leadership here based on her long time relationship with Brady and a history of protecting him.
It seems that the “Good Ole Girl” network is still protecting their protege by not announcing this to the probation department. The head of HR needs to step up to the plate and make an announcement within the work environment. Enough secret keeping already. It really is about time to give closure to all the excellent workers so they can finally put and end to this and make a positive move forward! The dark ages need to come to an end.
Finally a correct decision has been made by terminating her. Now make it public!
Does this actually mean the “Bram” show is finially over?
Oh goody, now we get to watch the “Kevack” show ?
Hillary C’s comment sums it up….finially…obviously works in probation.
I can’t believe that floozy was even hired in the first place or that she was ever even a probation officer. What a frivolous person.
Poor Bechtol born and raised in Ukiah, zero life experience.
If they tie the knot he will be her 4th victim.
I wonder if she’ll wear white?
hahahahaha
She is still on admin leave, as far as I know, still being paid full salary. Which I recently found out she started at the top level for CPO pay. Pretty nice bring home, to stay home and play house with Bechtol.
Sounds like her face saving version she’s telling people.