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ByAndreByik abyik@redbluffdailynews.com @andrebyik on Twitter REDBLUFF TheCaliforniaState Controller's Office announced that it has updated its public employee compensation data- base to include city and county data for 2013. "Our website continues to evolve as do our efforts to use technological innovation to make government spending de- cisions more accessible to the public we serve," State Control- ler John Chiang said in a press release issued Monday. "Maybe the most troubling takeaway from this last election, which set records for voter apathy, is that Californians feel discon- nected from their governments. To reverse course, California must not only restore public confidence that their govern- ments are responsive and ac- countable, but provide the nec- essary information and tools to empower citizen participation in civic decision-making." The website — publicpay. ca.gov — was established after The Los Angeles Times in 2010 shed light on a salary scandal in the city of Bell in which the city manager there made nearly $800,000, among other exorbi- tant city employee salaries the paper uncovered. Monday's update includes sal- ary and benefit information for 455 cities and 53 counties, in- cluding Tehama County, Red Bluff, Corning and Tehama. Average city employee wages statewide totaled about $61,690 in 2013, according to the web- site. The average retirement and health cost statewide was $17,344. The average wage for Red Bluff's 165 city employees in 2013, according to the website, was $30,882. The average retire- ment and health cost for em- ployees was $9,159. The city's top compensated positions in 2013 — includ- ing total wages and retirement and health benefits — were the city manager ($186,306), po- lice chief ($145,350), police captain ($136,112), fire captain ($133,396) and another fire cap- tain ($131,598), according to the website. In Corning, average wages for city's 66 employees totaled about $40,600 in 2013, accord- ing to the website. Average re- tirement and health costs to- taled about $16,100. The city's top compensated positions were police sergeant CALIFORNIA Co nt ro ll er u pd at es pu bl ic e mp lo ye e sa la ri es we bs it e WagedatashowscityofRedBluffemployees earned half of statewide average last year HOLIDAYS COURTHOUSE DECKED OUT FOR CHRISTMAS RICHGREENE-DAILYNEWS The annual Christmas display at the historic Tehama County Courthouse opened Monday. Once again staff of the Tehama County Facilities Maintenance Department donated their time and most of the materials for the display. Donations were also received from Walmart and the Roudebush Family. By Andre Byik abyik@redbluffdailynews.com @andrebyik on Twitter RED BLUFF A trial date has been set for the man charged with ve- hicular manslaughter stemming from the death of 5-year-old Gun- ner Langenderfer last year. A Tehama County judge on Monday scheduled a jury trial for April 29, 2015 in the case against Tyler Allan Burrone of Fort Jones, according to online court records. A trial readiness, status and final pretrial conference was scheduled for April 6. Burrone has pleaded not guilty to a single charge of vehicular manslaughter. Tehama County prosecutors have said that Burrone was alleg- edly texting in the moments before he rear-ended a Nissan Maxima on State Route 99E near Sherman Street, forcing the vehicle into the path of a northbound big rig. The Nissan's driver, Katie Ramsey, suffered major injuries in the July 2013 crash after her vehi- cle struck the big rig, which over- turned in the incident. Her son, Gunner, was killed. It was said that Ramsey had stopped or slowed to make a left turn toward Sherman Street, just south of Los Molinos, before she was rear-ended. Neither Burrone — who was 22 at the time of the incident — nor the driver of the big rig was hurt in the crash. Burrone remains out of custody after posting $20,000 bail. Corningmenmaintainnot guilty pleas The three Corning men charged with murder stemming from the July shooting death of 24-year-old Walter Dewayne Dani maintained their not guilty pleas in Tehama County Superior Court on Monday. Poly Duenas Sanchez, Gabino Madera and Lucio Madera pre- viously waived their preliminary hearings and entered not guilty pleas Monday when they appeared in court for arraignments on in- formation. A pretrial conference was sched- uled for Jan. 26. The three men face charges of murder, conspiracy to commit a crime and the special allegations of discharging a firearm causing TEHAMA COUNTY Judge sets trial date in case Man charged with vehicular manslaughter in death of 5-year-old By Andre Byik abyik@redbluffdailynews.com @andrebyik on Twitter RED BLUFF The Red Bluff City Council on Tuesday appointed Suren Patel to its vacant City Council seat, bringing the govern- ing board back to five full mem- bers. The City Council considered four candidates for appointment to the seat previously held by Ray- mond Eliggi, who resigned Oct. 28 because of health reasons. The City Council appointed Patel in a 3-1 vote. Council mem- bers Orville Knox, Daniele Jack- son and Rob Schmid voted in fa- vor of appointing Patel. Mayor Clay Parker was the sole no vote. Patel is a hotel manager who's been a member of the city's Parks and Recreation Department Ad- visory Commission. He has said he's lived in Red Bluff for the past six years. Patel will serve out the remain- der of the seat's term, which ex- pires in 2016. He was sworn in af- ter his appointment and took his seat at the dais for further coun- cil business on Tuesday's agenda. The City Council also consid- ered Shannon Hatfield, Greg La- tourell and Amy Schutter for ap- pointment. Patel's appointment came after a brief deadlock by the City Coun- cil, which went through a series of motions for appointments before Patel got the three votes needed for selection. Knox initially moved to nom- inate Schutter for appointment. Parker seconded Knox's motion but Jackson and Schmid voted against appointing the grant di- rector and consultant. Schmid then moved to appoint Hatfield, a speech-language pa- thologist, but that motion ulti- mately resulted in a 2-2 vote with Parker and Knox voting no. Jackson then moved to ap- RED BLUFF CITY COUNCIL Patelappointedtocouncil Suren Patel selected for vacant seat in 3-1 vote Opinion............A6 Business .........A4 Sports.............. B1 Comics ............B6 Community.....A3 Life...................A5 Index............... ## INDEX The Red Bluff-Tehama County Chamber of Commerce sends out holiday wishes to the local area. PAGEA4 BUSINESS Chamber of Commerce spreads holiday wishes The Gleaners will be distribut- ing food today at locations in Red Bluff and Corning from 8 a.m. to noon. PAGE A3 GLEANERS Food distribution scheduled today Los Angeles mayor announces a plan to equip 7,000police officers with on-body cameras by next summer. Page B5. $10 MILLION Body cameras planned for LA police next year Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush on Tuesday took his most definitive step yet toward run- ning for president. Page B3 FORMER GOVERNOR Jeb Bush to explore run for president in 2016 SALARIES PAGE 7 COURT PAGE 7 PATEL PAGE 7 » redbluffdailynews.com Wednesday, December 17, 2014 50CENTS AN EDITION OF THE CHICO ENTERPRISE-RECORD 7 58551 69001 9 Volume130,issue19 Good morning, thanks for subscribing Charles Walter BASKETBALL Holiday Classic preview Sports B1 CATTLEWOMEN Zesty barbecue burgers Community A3 FORECAST High: 53 Low: 42 #B8 FollowtheDailyNews on Twitter to keep pace with breaking news and events @REDBLUFFNEWS FOLLOWUS ONTWITTER