Dear Brenda
By Joe • Oct 10th, 2008 |
A fellow community member sent a great email to members of a neighborhood association list I subscribe to. In it she opined that more residents must get involved in their communities in order for change to occur. I responded to her with my theory as to why more people don’t get involved. Of course my theory is only based on my own experience. I recognize your mileage may vary..
Dear Brenda,
In my opinion it all starts at the top. We [Sacramentans] are in need of a leader who is capable of engaging people and bringing them together for THE COMMON GOOD. To do that, community leaders (especially those holding the purse strings, or in positions of influence) must take the time to invite people to participate, truly listen to them, empathize, prioritize, and ACT accordingly to address their issues.
When residents feel their voice matters, they spread the word, and they act as surrogates and tell their friends and family and co-workers ..and congregations. Soon more people get involved. This inclusive culture inevitably leads to COOPERATION. It’s ALL about cooperation. Once people are cooperating for the common good, community pride will prevail. And DEMAND for accountability will follow.
Why don’t more people get involved? I know why. We currently have a culture that actually discourages resident involvement. See what happened when residents came out and implored the city council not to brown the fire stations out, and the council forged ahead and did it anyway? That sent a direct message to residents from the council: Thanks for your participation, but no thanks. Read the rest of this article»
Chicken soup letter from Tretheway tells Natomas community to focus, while rumors of funding impropriety swirl
By Joe • Oct 8th, 2008 |
Shortly after I published Angelique Ashby’s smoldering letter to the Natomas community about the West Natomas fire, District One Councilman Ray Tretheway sent his own email to the community, replete with canned sentimentality only Razor Sharp Ray could cook up on a moment’s notice.
I received Sunshine Ray’s letter via email this afternoon. In classic Tretheway style, he opens by sharing a riveting anecdote about having lost his own home to fire (who knew?), then goes on to state his commitment to getting the second fire department built in Natomas. He concludes by suggesting Natomas focus on “what matters most” … as though he’s some sort of inspirational leader the community turns to Read the rest of this article»
Natomas community leader raises questions for Tretheway and city after West Natomas blaze severely injures firefighters
By Joe • Oct 7th, 2008 |
“The question to ask is how many more tragedies before we get the fire station we need on the West side of I-5? Whose home will be next or will it be a school? Which brave firefighter will have to try to beat the odds because we don’t have enough help? And what price will that firefighter and his family pay?” - Angelique Ashby
Community leader Angelique Ashby, President of the Creekside Neighborhood Association, and Co-Founder of the Greater Natomas Crime & Safety Team, sent out a somber email to the Natomas community today about a residential fire in Natomas that nearly claimed the life of a City of Sacramento fire captain recently (not to mentioned severely injured several of his colleagues).
Most Natomas residents seem to think the firefighters’ injuries–and the extent of the fire–could have been prevented IF there had been a firestation on the west side of I-5, as the Natomas community was promised. Then again, here in Natomas we are so accustomed to broken promises Read the rest of this article»
Fargo’s snarky grin, interruptions, and mumbling don’t faze Johnson in second televised mayoral debate
By Joe • Oct 6th, 2008 |
Updated 8:30am - 7Oct08
Fargo was absolutely pathetic on every level last night. In 22 years as a business professional and voter, I have never witnessed such an egregious, vindictive public official so replete with resentment. One absolutely can not be an effective leader (let along consensus builder!) with that kind of emotion ruling one’s entire being. No way. Last night Fargo showed through her snarky grin, condescending sighs and defensive body language why there is so much division in this city, and more importantly, why nothing gets done. She is a bitter old lady and a divisive politician whose ignorant obsession with only a handful of issues pits resident against resident, and gender against gender. And how dare she talk about KJ treatment of women, given her discriminatory treatment of MEN! And (on the Bee’s web site) please stop with all the fake “Former KJ supporter” pseudonyms and “I-used-to-support-you-KJ” posts. We all know you are the same Fargo soldiers who have been here defending the queen’s honor since day one
Updated 8:39PM PST
Well, how about that debate? And how about those great questions? I especially loved the one from John asking Johnson how he would rebuild bridges between disenchanted residents and council members (like Treetheway) who have failed them. Great question John!
I found Fargo’s snarky grin and huffy body language to be insulting. Wow is she condescending and patronizing and immature or what? How many comments did she make under her breath? I lost count. She is a true embarrassment to our city.
And her lies. I lost count of how many she told. She says she only spent $4,000 in taxpayer money traveling? Not true, according to the Bee. More like $45,000. There were countless others. Every time she was lying her eyelids batted rapidly. She would be a terrible poker player. I only wish Johnson would have ripped her on the corian cat cages and tree counts when she asked him where he was going to get the money.
I think Kevin proved why he is the right person for this job. And Fargo proved why EIGHT IS ENOUGH years of her “that’s not realistic” so-called “leadership.”
I sent Melanie Sill of the Bee an email tonight. I suggested the Bee do a follow-up story about the debate titled “Fact Check.” It would be very interesting to see who exaggerated and/or stretched the truth the most.
Written prior to the debate:
I think it’s appropriate to hold the debate in the ballroom at Sac State. This is–I think–the same ballroom where, earlier this year, our imperturbable mayor opened her 2008 State of the City address with arguably one of the cheesiest, and deceptive, greetings ever: “The optimism and opportunity in Sacramento is so clear… as I look out across the room I see your beaming faces reflecting that optimism..the optimism and energy in this room today is as strong as it has ever been..” Bear in mind, a mere month later she would disclose the severity of the budget crisis, and when she did, Sacramento area business owners (many of the same ones in her State of the City audience) slammed her (see pasted article below) for misleading them about the city’s dire financial situation, and promptly announced their endorsement of Kevin Johnson.
It will be interesting to see if the questions have been diluted by back room moderators. Heaven knows it could get ugly if students were to pose unfiltered questions to Fargo about her storied partisan bias, deceiving statements about the severity of the budget deficit, taxpayer funded sightseeing trips around the world, disregard for the Hatch Act (the federal law intended to prevent a city official from interfering with an election, as Fargo did when she Read the rest of this article»
Schwarzenegger clears way for Sac Town “Docks” project, but Poopnear Reservoir a stinking point
By Joe • Oct 5th, 2008 |
I went to a “town hall” meeting featuring mayoral hopeful KJ in Natomas a few weeks ago. I recall Johnson saying he didn’t think Sacramento had done a good job developing along its rivers. How Portland and other cities have done a far better job. Take San Antonio for example, said Kevin, to the delight of the small group of people in attendance, “..they’ve actually developed around a canal that isn’t even a real river!” cried Kevin,
To hear Kevin tell it, one could easily infer that Sacramento area officials are perhaps even averse to riverfront development. But with a bit of research of late, I have found that isn’t exactly true. In fact, this past Thursday, Read the rest of this article»
Friday’s $700 BILLION RESCUE Plan Question.. and other musings..
By Joe • Oct 3rd, 2008 |
Why is Nancy Pelosi smiling as she signs the bailout rescue plan? Anyone? I can’t figure it out.
Why is Nancy Pelosi smiling as she signs the bailout rescue plan? Comment your best caption for this image!
Here’s another great one…
And in related news…California may need some serious bread, man
Arnold wrote a letter to U.S. Treasurer today. In it he said CA may need a multi billion dollar loan to finance errrr the state of California if something doesn’t give by October 29th. He says Cops, teachers, etc etc won’t get paid. How could CA be this in debt? Are we always just a cigar puff or two away from Armageddon? It sure sounds like it. I heard in other news today that Army-Navy stores are SOLD OUT of nearly Read the rest of this article»
Weekly Wrap: Why SMUD Sucks, why I tolerate Natomas, and the value of some hair plugs and a shiny grill
By Joe • Oct 2nd, 2008 |
SMUD SUCKS
I am so happy it is Friday.. almost. What a week this has been. And how does it wind down? With a POWER OUTAGE ten minutes into the vice presidential debate! A what!? Yes, a friggin’ power outage! I had just finished off a few delicious chili dogs and was settling into my sofa with my wife to watch the debate when BURRRRRrrrrrrrrrrr. Silence.
I immediately called SMUD. The rep. confirmed power had been cut to 3,000 homes in Natomas. I said, “Why is my power out?” He said he would look. He came back on, “Apparently a fuse blew.” I said, “A fuse? Like a fuse in a car? You use fuses for residential power grids?” I was so hot. And so was my house. Tick Read the rest of this article»
Wednesday weigh in
By Joe • Oct 1st, 2008 |
Lots of good stuff to talk about this (finally) cooler Wednesday. Here are some topics I’m reading about and some thoughts..
Kevin Johnson says Mayor should make personal schedule public
First I heard of this, but Mayor Fargo does not share her schedule with the public. Surprise! Her position seems to be that it’s none of our damn business what she’s doing. This came to light when Kevin Johnson said he would make his daily appointment book public if he were mayor. When asked about this, Fargo said she “opposes” the idea, and prefers to keep her schedule private. In a press release KJ pondered what she might be hiding. Well duh Kevin, should it come as a surprise that the most ALOOF, arrogant, entitlement-minded public servant in the history of the city does not want to tell us what she is up to? I’ll give you clue what she is doing: NOTHING!! She doesn’t want to share her schedule because it is B L A N K !! Her whole appointment book is probably nothing but doodles of unicorns and rainbows.. and trees… with a few “happy hour martini night” entries peppered here and there… oh.. what’s that? We just got an actual PAGE from Fargo’s day planner?? This just in…
ARC Student Council Votes 8-3 to support Prop 8 ban of gay marriage
Turns out 5 of 8 of those YES votes were from former-Soviet-Union immigrants. This has created quite the uproar at the school, amongst student body. One can only imagine the lame rhetorical questions bespeckled profs are asking students in poli sci 101 at this moment. Shudder. Forget the vote (it is superfluous anyways), the Russians are coming! The Russians are coming! No wait, they are already here! Ack! Talk about a CELL. You know Putin recently said something like he wouldn’t mind another cold war with the U.S…. Hey, I like Russians. I know several. Hell, I work with several. They are incredibly Read the rest of this article»
Is Kevin Johnson a true Democrat? Who cares
By Joe • Sep 28th, 2008 |
Throughout this election season, Sacramento voters have been bombarded with lectures, stories, blog entries, speeches, mailers, press releases, and even bumper stickers touting which mayoral candidate is the true Democrat, as though the title were some sort of regal honor that will determine the outcome of the election. Do voters even care? I sure don’t. I care about issues; not race, not gender, not stance on gay marriage and DEFINITELY *NOT* whether the candidate worships an elephant or a donkey.
Maybe it’s my upbringing in such a neutral environment (a placid mental facility—-tweet, tweet), but I have never understood why people go so ballistic over their “party.” What is with the rabid allegiance? I know this will come off as sacreligious to some of these zealots, but Read the rest of this article»
Eight is Enough: Local newspaper publisher says no to Fargo, sings KJ’s praises in endorsement letter
By Joe • Sep 25th, 2008 |
What a fabulous letter from Cecily Hastings of Inside Publications. Inside Publications publishes newspapers such as Inside East Sacramento and Inside Arden [hey when is Inside Natomas coming?]. The basic premise of her support for Kevin Johnson is that eight years of Fargo is enough. Eight years is enough for a president, a governor, and should be for a mayor as well. I could not agree more. Great points all the way around.
Eight is Enough: Why I support Kevin Johnson for Mayor
By Cecily Hastings, insidepublications.com
There’s no doubt that change is in the air. As our nation gets ready to elect a new president, here in Sacramento we have another important choice to make. We have a two-term incumbent mayor challenged by a former NBA basketball star who returned to his hometown to make it a better place.
After much consideration, I join many other civic leaders in supporting Kevin Johnson for mayor. Since I’ve rarely endorsed a candidate for local public office, I’d like to share with you some of my reasons.
Four years ago, Mayor Heather Fargo rolled to re-election without much trouble or competition. Without Johnson’s entry into the race this spring, she might have had that same experience this year.
Thankfully, Johnson joined the race, because eight years in office is enough for our political leaders. Eight is enough for our presidents and our governors and Read the rest of this article»
Mayor Fargo and City of Sacramento say no thanks to managing small public safety program
By Joe • Sep 22nd, 2008 |
In a development that validates what us anti gang tax gadflies have been saying all along, the City of Sacramento has decided the Red Light Camera program (aka Say-queso-for-big brother-as-you-illegally-pass-through-a-photo-enforced-red-light), should remain in the hands of the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department for another several years, and in Public Hearing Item #13 at tomorrow night’s city council meeting, they will make it official.
Reason? Simple: When the city of Sacramento was managing the ten-light program in city limits, a state audit revealed it was operating at a $50,000 per year LOSS.
Trust. Progress. Fargo. Not.
Since essentially surrendering management of the program to the more competent county, specifically the Sheriff’s Department, the program has Read the rest of this article»
Reverend calls mayoral hopeful Kevin Johnson a “weak person” for not supporting Prop 8
By Joe • Sep 21st, 2008 |
A dozen “evangelical Christians” gathered outside KJ’s Baptist church this AM to protest his position on gay marriage. Johnson has said in the past that he “believes” marriage should be between a man and a woman, but recently said he will not support proposition 8, which seeks to ban gay marriage.
The demonstration wasn’t nearly as interesting as the quote that came out of it, attributed to a Christian REVEREND, who stated Johnson was a “weak person” for not supporting Proposition 8.
Wow. A “weak person”? I have to disagree. As mayor, KJ needs to govern impartially. It is that simple. He can’t bring his religious Read the rest of this article»
Sacramento Mayor Fargo and City Manager Rainman Kerridge defend Driving Miss Daisy scandal
By Joe • Sep 18th, 2008 |
You didn’t think I was gone for good, did you? Hey, I have to work, too. My job is such that is fluctuates from semi-organized chaos to blissful tranquility (with nothing in between) and the past few weeks have been the former.
I recently got promoted, and with my promotion came a ton of new responsibilities. Sigh. But I’m happy blessed to have a job. Times are tough, and I empathize with those who aren’t as fortunate. I have been in their shoes. It sucks. And speaking of suckage, Heather Fargo is BACK in the news, and it’s time to par-tay here on Joe Sacramento.
Looks like the Bee is starting to turn a new hive with its increasingly critical coverage of our own Queen of Green, Miss Daisy Fargo. I have harped on this one NON STOP since I Read the rest of this article»
Local police officer hosed after Rocklin arrest
By Joe • Sep 15th, 2008 |
Sac Bee reporting today that a local police officer allegedly ran into some trouble with Rocklin Police over the weekend. He was arrested and taken into custody. This is bad news for Sacramento residents. Man, we need every single pair of boots we can get on the street right now given this budget nightmare Fargo, council, and Kerridge created for us. 
Anyways, the Bee’s verbose (ahem) report on this incident read: “the officer, of Rocklin, was arrested by Rocklin police late Saturday on suspicion of indecent exposure, exhibiting a deadly weapon, disorderly conduct and threatening to commit a crime resulting in death or great bodily injury, according to online Placer County Jail information.”
As always, I read the Bee’s user comments on this article. I about fell out of my chair when I read the one below. I was in a hurry at the time so I didn’t respond. When I returned, I saw the comment had been censored by the Bee (tagged as “abusive” by some communist), but fortunately, I was pleasantly surprised to find the person who wrote it had emailed it to me to post on my site. So in the spirit of satire and plain old having fun, here it is for your Monday chuckling pleasure..
Let’s play Sac Bee mad Libs!
Why do they always withhold details of the crime when a cop is involved? If this was me or you it would be all over the news with our mugshots and life history. We should hold a contest to see who can guess what the heck really happened since the Bee won’t say. Here is my entry: after a few beers with the guys, and at the conclusion of Sunday afternoon Raiders game, the off duty cop was washing his car in his front yard when his hose began whipping around. A passer-by saw the commotion and attempted to help him subdue his hose. With his judgment slightly impaired, the cop thought the passer-by was trying to steal his hose. In an attempt to protect his property, the cop brandished his service weapon and screamed to the passer-by, “Get away from my hose, or I will ^$%%#& your ^$%%#^@& off!” At that, the passer-by left the scene and called 911 and reported, “A man with an exposed hose in his front yard just threatened my life with a gun after I tried to help him put it away.” -CowTownCarl user comment posted on Sacbee.com in response to article.
Thank you “CowTownCarl” for Read the rest of this article»
Joe Sac Exclusive: Memo from Chief Braziel to City Manager listing deep cuts to police department staff and services
By Joe • Sep 10th, 2008 |
According to Heather Fargo, her #1 priority has ALWAYS been public safety. That’s why she’s been green-lighting continued building in Natomas right up until the final minute of the December deadline (although KJ approves of the same, so they both seem to think tax revenue is more important than our safety), despite the incredibly severe and real danger of CATASTROPHIC flooding worse than Katrina. WORSE THAN KATRINA.
Yes, Fargo is big on safety. That’s why the police department is in the unenviable position of slashing it’s budget by 8% to help the Queen of Green and Rainman Kerridge dig their way out of a $58 MILLION dollar deficit crater they dug the city into. And man the cuts are DEEP Read the rest of this article»
Despite expert’s ominous levee failure prediction, Kerridge & Fargo circus approves more Natomas building
By Joe • Sep 8th, 2008 |
“When you have a community that is on track to get a level of flood protection, to cripple us economically in the process is absolutely dumb,” -Heather Fargo in January of 2008 to KCRA in response to the Federally mandated building moratorium in Natomas.
Ben Adler of Capital Public Radio did a fantastic spot this morning on the building moratorium in Natomas, and how Sacramento officials like City Manager Ray “Rainman” Kerridge (and Heather Fargo and the Council), are going absolutely bananas green-lighting every possible Natomas building permit application they can before the Fed-imposed deadline this December.
In case you missed Ben Adler’s great piece, here are some bullets (reprinted without permission) and commentary…
“..the federal government is effectively barring all new development [in Natomas] from early Read the rest of this article»
Will the REAL Joe Biden please stand up?
By Joe • Sep 7th, 2008 |
I couldn’t resist. More proof that Joe Biden is a shady character (not to mention an elitist, given his well documented racial gaffes).
This is NOT an anti Obama post. I like and admire Obama, and if you bother to read my archives you would find I have written some very complimentary stuff about him, and even designed a t-shirt logo for his campaign!
But that doesn’t mean I like Joe Biden. And just because the Democratic party says Biden is the VP running mate, that doesn’t mean I have to fall in line and be happy with this tandem that I played absolutely no part whatsoever in choosing. I am not going to Read the rest of this article»
Kevin McCarty endorses Fargo hours before Feds announce St Hope probe conclusion
By Joe • Sep 4th, 2008 |
In what will undoubtedly be remembered by perceptive types as one of the slimiest political moves in the history of Sacramento politics, holdout councilperson Kevin “Forest Gump” McCarty (oh come on, I kid the McCarty!), FINALLY announced his “endorsement” of Heather Fargo on the steps of city hall today.
The Big Ooze, as we like to call him, dug deep into his bag of speech tricks and called proud Mama Fargo a “leader” (whiskey tango foxtrot?!), and told hapless onlookers and zooming cameras she was the right person to fight crime, and tend to Sacramento youth (Yes, now they are just flat out shamelessly stealing Kevin Johnson’s mayoral agenda. Pathetic. I know).
Several hours later the feds announced they were turning their St Hope investigation findings over to the US Attorney General.
Clearly we have a winner for “Weasel of the Year” award in McCarty. He was OBVIOUSLY Read the rest of this article»
