Mammoth Police Sergeant Eric Hugelman has filed a claim against the Town of Mammoth Lakes for more back pay and benefits than he has already received.
Mammoth Police Chief Dan Watson confirmed that Hugelman has filed a claim. Chief Watson said, “Its a question of what he is entitled to in back pay.” Watson said Hugelman was already paid for the time he was off the job with an appeal pending on his termination. “It’s just a question of the amount,” said the Chief. “He and his attorney believe he was not given the correct amount.”
Town Attorney Andy Morris said, “The Town paid him all the money we think he’s entitled to.” When asked how much more Hugelman wants, Morris said only that the claim mentions at least $25,000. Morris said the Town will evaluate the claim and either deny it or accept it.
Former Chief Randy Schienle had fired Hugelman following an internal affairs investigation into the bar fight at Rusty’s Saloon in Bishop in 2009. Hugelman was initially charged, but later counts were dismissed. An administrative hearing officer found that Hugelman should be reinstated at the MLPD.
If Hugelman does receive more money, it will come out of the Mammoth Lakes Police budget which is already suffering. In fact, as of July 1st, a patrolman will leave the department under a lay-off. He is a patrol officer. Chief Watson said he anticipates a decision on possibly cutting back on the traffic officer position and backfilling the patrol position.
While he prefers to keep his officers, Chief Watson said, “What the Town Council did last week is far better than the proposed cut of three positions the week before.”
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Looking at the response patterns of “upthecreek” and “rob”, I would say they are one and the same sorry a$$, pathetic, self absorbed, miserable bar fly. Always quick to throw out statements and claims with nothing to back ’em except a bunch of hot air.
It’s also well known that the Eastern Sierra is a great place to retire. Which means there’s more then a fair share of folks up here getting pensions. So as popular as Surrounded by?’s comments may seem, they do not accurately display the opinion of everyone in California.
As voters and tax payers we’re upset and it’s going to change if you like it or not. Now that the private sector has taken a hit, we’re not about to pay more taxes so you public servants can keep your pensions. We live within our means and it’s time local, state, and federal agencies do the same.
Rob- boy you sure don’t know me.
You’re absolutely right about that and in the same manner you have no idea who I am either. I do know one thing I’m not sitting in a bar spending my means and complaining about how I have nothing and everyone who does needs to give it back. If you really want sympathy turn to the drunk next to you and tell them your life story no matter how miserable it is. I have lived in this area for more years than you have been alive and yes it is a wonderful place to retire except when accosted by ignorant people. Please do everyone a favor and stay in the bar where your bs makes sense to the person or persons bellied up to the courage dispensary.
Surrounded by ? – boy you sure don’t know me.
So you’re retired. If i was you I’d take my pension and keep my mouth shut.
I’d like to see you spout that bs off in Rusty’s.
this is just step number one for him. what else is this power/money hungry public official going to want next? own the town? he kinda does already(city council). run the town. he kinda does that too! as mentioned before. good luck TOML, you too Chief Watson. i admire your courage!
Rob and upthecreek
Like my name says I am surounded by ?. Becasue none of you doom sayers ever planned for your futures you want to make sure no one else has one either. Yes I was a public servant before retirement and let me tell you, when the times were good and the private sector was hot an heavy it was disheartening to be looked down on by all you saintly SOB’s. WE were thought of as your personal employees and told many times how you pay my salary and I work for you. I worked hard for 35 years and yes was rewarded with a decent retirement so I wouldn’t have to be a burden to society. It wasn’t a one way street I paid into the retirement along with my employer. Now that the times have turned and the private sector is in shambles you and all the narrow minded thinkers like you try to attack the people who served you . Please do everyone a favor and move out of the state. In fact move to another country where no one has anything. Who knows maybe once again you can look down your saintly nose at them.
What political party is in power?
So starving retirees into “submission” is a solid plan for pension reform?…nice.
It’s got to start somewhere. It’s not like they’ll be lonely, let them starve, they’ll be in the company of a lot of folks that do not have a public pension.
Mr. Ness?
Don’t waste your time with upthecreek, he has no idea what it takes to work for a company or goverment for more than 2 years.
Upthecreek; to say you are sad and grumpy is nothing, you should run for the city council of Mammoth Lakes and make changes. Why not; no courage, no guts, no knowledge of this, no resume to back yourself, one of these must apply as you never want to accept the truth! You talk about Alabama, please look into the liabilty they have NOW.
I agree to reform, but it must be taken with the highest level of research and agreement. If you work for someone for 20-30 years and do not quit (upthecreek), you desreve something. The fact is we need civil servants, like it or not.
John Eastman & Matthew Leheman (or upthecreek as you hide behind), RESIGN before the truth comes out. John, you have done so many ridiculous things to this community, you should be embarrassed of yourself. Matthew, quit before you are 100% compared to John. Matthew, think for yourself, not what other council members tell you to say. You are a ZERO; possibly just an idiot, not sure?
Bennett, please investigate the truth.
John, you were on the council that approved this debacle with the airport, OWN UP! Stop protecting your friends at the airport, as I hope you are aware when the depositions happen with the airport settlement Terry, Bill,and others who know, will be disposed. THE TRUTH IS COMING . For the record, John has not been forthcoming with his knoweldge of pending lawsuit (the one the town lost), the settlement offer years ago, nor anything as it relates to his involvement with the airport.
Second, Matthew, why do you continue to spread lies to your constituents about the Town, staff, your ideas, what the town was voting for you as it relates to growth – not town staff bashing.
When municipal pension plans started people retired at age 65 and collected for 2 -3 years. Now bureaucrats retire in their early 60’s or late 50’s and collect for 2 – 3 decades and that isn’t sustainable.
I can foresee more municipalities taking the tactic Prichard Alabama just used to slash benefits. Prichard’s pension fund ran out of money, so the city stopped paying pensions to the retirees. After a year and a half of no pension the pensioners finally agreed to a pension that was 1/3 the size they were getting. In other words Prichard starved them into submission.
State law in Alabama mandates that pensions be paid, but nobody from the state stepped in to enforce that. The matter was finally resolved in the courts when the retirees submitted.
Social Security, government pensions, Medicare, Obamacare…
You’d think these liberals/socialists would have learned from history that nanny states taking care of you fails and the only one you can count on to take care of yourself is YOU!
upthecreek
I to do not feel Hugleman should be suing the Town at this time, but if the Town owes it to him through the court judgement he is entitled to it no matter what our feelings are. This is what’s great about the USA you can have your opinion and say what you feel but remember the old saying your opinion is only only one in 350,000,000+ million and really doesn’t mean much does it..
Now then to the real reason I have replyed to your post. What is it that upsets you about the pensions? I have followed your one liners through every story on Sierra Wave long enough. I and probably numerous others would like to know what it is that can create an obsession to this extent. Are you such a bitter person because the idea of someone else having something you don’t is unbearable? Are you of the generation where everyone gets a trophy no matter how inept they are? Are you retired, live in a hole, eating catfood and festering with jealousy? Are you a Trust Fund Child who just wants to make noise so someone will pay attention to you like the way your mother tied the pork chop around your neck so your dog would like you?
LOL..
you must be a public SERVANT
In this forum public servants are easy to spot. No need to debate with them, just be sure you get out there and vote. When there’s more public servants then private sector employees it’s time to leave the State and watch what they do next.
The only companies that provide pensions are monopolies, companies that contract with the feds, and public agencies supported by taxpayers. We’ll us tax payers are tired of paying for your pensions. So I suggest getting a job with SCE or the gas company because we’re out to vote you out of your taxeating pensions.
Harry is “500 Mile” Short’s good bro. Short is Hugelman’s bro.
During the “500 mile” discussion I did support Jim Short because he was operating under the rules in effect at the time. I did not support the rule. Please attempt to get the facts correct.
Using your logic, if the rule was in effect to throw the Jews in the ovens, it would be OK to do so. Using a taxpayer funded vehicle for personal use is legally wrong no matter who says it’s OK.
isn’t the pension enough..
He needs more?
Please, Harry, enlighten us: who are you in relation to Huggelman (friend, relative, attorney, or Eric himself?), and why do you think he deserves, in addition to his two years PAID time off, more money from hard-working taxpayers and their bankrupt town? And let everyone know from where this money will come (another officer’s job?).
This lawyered-up leach should be ashamed to show his drunken face in our town. He needs to man-up and have at least SOME dignity — it’s 2011, and people are struggling for survival, while this parasite is scheming for an early, fat retirement.
Come on, people — wake up!!
I did not support the claim or the suit. I support the right of all Americans in our democratic country to exercise their constitutional rights.
I do not know Huggelman. I have heard rumors and read rants here on him. I do not see any of them as anything more than rumors and rants. Near as I can tell he has been cleared of all charges. If you have evidence of wrong doing go to the authorities with it as a good citizen should and stop being so judgemental.
Christ, what an a–hole.
The kind of response one has grown to expect from those who sit on the sidelines and only have negative opinions.
OK, Harry…Let’s ALL have positive opinions,whether they are warranted or not…be happy. Can’t we all just get along? Just what MLPD needs…ANOTHER frivolous lawsuit brought on by a Sergeant that dodged the bullet,(ever heard the expression(,”let sleeping dogs lay?) How much $ do you expect to squeeze out of a town that seems to be morally AND financially, BANKRUPT!
No, lets all be fair and recognise we live in a democratic where there are constitutional rights that can be exercised even if their being exercised are not liked.
You and I are exercising our rights to free speech. My issue is with name calling, rumor mongering and being judgemental.
Everyone has rights including the right to sue if you think your rights have been abused.
Most people would be happy & grateful just to get back on the job. MOST,PEOPLE.
Pigs get fat…hogs get slaughtered.
WOW!!!!!!…Another Mammoth Lakes lawsuit…..Between this new one,along with all the med.marijuana lawsuits going on…and up-coming….it’s little wonder why the town is so broke….Mono County tax-payers,start reaching into your pockets…..again….
The only lawsuit of serious concern is the one on the airport brought about by incompetent city councel and counsel adviser’s, and the voters who voted for these incompetents again and again. Lets put the blame where it belongs.