I wrote about this in May, but it bears repeating given the recent burst of criminal activity in Natomas (and the crime that is certain to follow given the significant amount of low income housing in N Natomas–and more on the way in light of “very low income” construction in progress at Del Paso Rd and Blackrock Way, next to the city’s Charter School and Benvenuti Center for the Performing Arts).
In an interview with the Sacramento Bee last fall, Heather Fargo all but dismissed Natomas residents’ concerns about public safety and expectations about city’s obligation to provide much needed (and promised) services in a more efficient manner.
“..Fargo, who represented North Natomas before she was elected mayor, said she thinks new residents hold unrealistic expectations for how quickly the city can deliver services and improvements, and what level of service they should receive.
“A South Natomas resident, Fargo noted that she had to wait 20 years for her own community center. She [also] cited the public safety issue, a major preoccupation of North Natomas residents. While she frequently hears complaints about a lack of police services, Fargo said the area has much less violent crime than many other city neighborhoods. That doesn’t mean she thinks North Natomas is a success, however…”
Once again Fargo defelcts criticism by down-comparing. See the pattern? You’ll see/hear it with other local officials too if you listen/watch closely. 20 years to build a rec center? And that is supposed to make us feel better? The down-comparing is getting old in this city….
-Is Natomas crime high? Not as high as other neighborhoods.
-Is the North Natomas rec center taking too long? No, the other one took 20 years.
-[Analogous] Is it dangerous to drink and drive with a .16 BAC? No, there have been cases where drivers were .25 and beyond in other DUI cases.
Please. Enough with the down-comparing every time you’re asked a question that calls into question your competence as a leader. I have never seen so much deference in my life as I have seen in Sacramento when it comes to local government accountability. OWN YOUR STUFF and stop downplaying legitimate concerns.
And does anyone else find it ironic that Fargo and her supporters (including Smiling Ray), constantly remind people not to distinguish between South and North Natomas, yet in this interview Fargo singles out “HER” South Natomas and refers to “HER” community center? (I will do the same and continue to maintain that North Natomas and South Natomas have little–if anything–in common besides the sharing of a moniker).
In any event, I find it unacceptable that Fargo thinks it’s “unrealistic” for people to expect the government to follow through on their commitments in a timely manner. I ask you: Are these words consistent with the lexicon of a government official who has made public safety their “number one priority” and has the best interests of their consitiuency in mind at all times? How ANYONE in North Natomas could vote for Fargo completely defies logic.
Without a reasonable doubt Heather Fargo is directly responsible for a litany of failures on her “watch” in the past 8 years and if this doesn’t ice the cake for the evidence-hungry, I don’t know what would.
Bear in mind this is the same interview where she took responsibility for the disaster that we know as the Natomas Marketplace and its lack of pedestrian friendly access saying “.. I take responsibility for this one…the plans were just coming in so fast.. “).
As I have stated repeatedly, “EVERYTHING comes at Heather Fargo too fast.. except the news..”
Thanks for heads up. Interesting.
Joe, I live right around the corner from Fargo and she is - big shocker, I know - totally oblivious. There are drug deals taking place at the park right across the street from her house, graffiti on the fence right behind her house, fires being set in the dry creek that runs alongside her house…all that and still she does nothing.
Yep big shocker there. Fargo reminds me of grandma in National Lampoon’s Vacation. Remember she didn’t know her dog wasn’t in the car until the trooper brought the leash up to the window? Yep, that’s our Heather. But listen, go easy on her right now because according to her, city council is in recess so you know what that means…
Who IS Danny Farty anyways??
I was a neighbor to the Fargo household as well. It’s like her little country house is an island amidst the track suburban decay going on around her. I moved from that area because of the constant police choppers overhead, the burglaries, auto thefts, and gang activity. I’ve got kids to raise. Wait…is that the sound of police choppers over my house in North Natomas?
The kids can’t get around by bus - because only two bus routes service the area and not very well: http://rtrider.blogspot.com/2008/05/dear-mr-transitarian.html
They can’t get jobs without transportation and all the places to work are strewn in a non-friendly, non-walkable way across the expanse of several miles. Try crossing Del Paso or Arena at any time of the day or night. You are taking your life in your hands.
There is no community center to provide them with summertime activities (because they can’t find employment because there isn’t transportation to and from said job), so, what do they do?
Partially off-topic, but I needed to rant.
Rant all you want. Allow me to join in…
I really am surprised to hear some N Natomas residents saying how great the area is. I have to believe those people are real estate agents or business owners whose livelihood’s are predicated on good press about Natomas. Why? Because everyone *I* talk to is VERY disappointed in the way the area has “shaped up” (down) and say it is nothing like they were led to believe it was going to be. And yes, Lori, crossing most major streets on foot in Natomas is like playing FROGGER… with your life.
But beware, if you complain about Natomas, you’ll quickly find thosde real estate agents and others with a stake in good PR have a habit of asking, “Are you going to be a part of the solution or part of the problem?”
Scuse me? How is my complaining being part of the PROBLEM??! Better duck because this rant will make yours look like child’s play…
It wasn’t ME who green-lighted all the ridiculous warehouses and light industrial centers in the middle of town. It wasn’t ME who made N Natomas the most pedestrian/bike-challenged “city” in all of California. It wasn’t ME who only assigned a skeleton crew of cops to patrol an area with a population approaching 100,000. It wasn’t ME who said YES! to tons of low income housing piled on top of schools, and residential neighborhoods.And it wasn’t ME who said YES! to thousands of high density housing units where residents have paid $300,000 to have no driveway, no backyard and are forced to LIVE ON TOP OF EACH OTHER LIKE IT’S THE NEW SEOUL, KOREA.
I am not part of the problem! I am CRITICAL of the problem! Take your aggressions out on the people who CREATED THE PROBLEMS, NOT the ones who are criticizing them!!
Demand better of our elected officials, not homeowners who simply want their sky high tax rate’s worth!!
Oh I know I know, “if ya don’t like it, MOVE!” they will scream. But I can’t because my family is now rooted here for another 5 years. I am stuck here. And I will raise cain on my web site as long as I feel like it.
Ahhhhh I feel a lot better now
Peace!
Excellent rantage.
Joe..I would suggest doing an audit of the amount and density of the low income house to see if it will pass the California Constitutional restrictions on low income housing…From what I have heard some of these projects may violate the requirement for a vote of the people…has anyone taken a close look at this issue?
just my two cents… I’d be happy to help and give my opinion on the matter if someone wanted to take a serious look at this issue.. there are remedies available through the courts. I would need someone to do the legwork though…I am already busy with four lawsuits against government agencies and other matters… there doesn’t seem to be enough time in the day to keep up with our governments shenanigans
Also from my cursory investigation it looks like many projects were green lighted in direct violation of the Natomas Community Plan…big surprise huh…well..the courts are a very good avenue to stop projects if they violate a General Plan or Specific Plan…
Where are the civically active lawyers in Natomas? Right now mine are all tied up on cases… It’s a rather easy task to sue the government when they violate their own plans.. and they end up paying for the legal fees and expenses if you prevail…
I would also have someone look into a suit over the firehouse issue…but I’d need to know more details and see documents to see if there is a viable suit on that matter…local 522 could help maybe
I’ve learned over the years that when it comes to getting the local government to do anything nothing works…only a lawsuit will work… bitching and moaning is fine, and people should air their frustrations.. but only a lawsuit will work…elected officials never listen to constituents..only those who put them in power…If I were in Angelique’s shoes… I’d be having a field day… I’d make a nice living off suing the City.