Humboldt Superior Court CEO retires effective today

 

(Photo by John Chiv)

I had predicted this and was the only one and the first one to report that  Humboldt Superior Court Kim Bartleson was on leave. Effective today, she announced her retirement. I previously reported that the Acting CEO is Meara Hattan.

While I mentioned this in a few posts, this one in January is specifically related to Bartleson on leave and Hattan taking over. 

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2023/01/humboldt-superior-court-ceo-on-personal.html?m=1

At 2:24, a brief press release statement was issued by Humboldt Superior Court confirming Bartleson has retired.

 "Kim Bartleson, Court Executive Officer and Jury Commissioner, has announced her retirement from the Court effective today. Meara Hattan is currently the Acting Court Executive Officer. This administrative change will not affect the services offered to the public, or courtroom processes.Thank you for your cooperation."

There are more people who have left or are leaving or retiring from Humboldt Superior Court within a couple of days, couple of months or by the end of the year.

Carolyn, the clerk who handles appeals and staffs the 2nd floor is leaving for another job. I heard someone from civil who was  on the job less than two months just walked off the job yesterday and Shannon Walker an employee from court finances is retiring end of July Haley, a courtroom clerk is leaving.  There has been such a shortage of court reporters and clerks with people leaving and retiring that administration is filling in and some court proceedings are being recorded. I previously mentioned Humboldt Superior Court Operations Manager Kelly Nyberg said she would retire this December.

The person who needs to leave with Bartleson is Judge Gregory Kreis. They aren't the only ones who need to go. Their leaving, Joe Hale being gone won't change the den of incompetence, evil and injustice . The leadership under the current Presiding Judge Kreis has been even worse than the Kerri Keenan debacle. Kreis has a lawsuit with serious allegations against him and several complaints and he has been disqualified more than any Judge in the decade I have covered Humboldt courts. Kreis needs to lose his $260,000 salary and never be in any position of power. Kreis is gone for weeks and Visiting and Retiring Judges cover his assigned court. Compared to the other Humboldt Judges, how is he earning his overpaid salary?

Bartleson got hundreds of complaints about former court mediator Joe Hale and other issues. In 2021, Bartleson made $228,569 for ignoring issues and gets to retire with no accountability and no consequences. Before she was on leave, she was working from home.