I guess some clarification is in order. We’re moving from the Natomas area because it has not turned out to be the community we were led to believe it was going to be. Had we known how it would turn out, we would not have chosen to live here. We desired a really family oriented community, not a “paved over” (as the Bee called it) maze of stucco and concrete. We feel duped.
So, feeling duped, we now recognize Natomas is NOT consistent with our life goals. We have been in Natomas for 7 years and waited to see how it was going to turn out. ALL SEVEN YEARS we pondered moving, but we held out HOPE it would turn out ok. As I said in my original letter, we finally caved in. There is already 8% low income housing here and the goal is 15%? And the city is “not likely to change its plan”? As I type I can hear construction sounds from the latest “very low income” housing complex going up across the street from our house. That should be a bowling alley!
We have city-leading low income housing in N Natomas. Enough already! Spread it out! Send the next 7% to WESTLAKE where the Maloofs live! See how that goes over.
We’re not just fed up with crime. We’re fed up with N Natomas being the city’s LAST priority. The cost of living here is not by any means consistent with the quality of life for a family. And every piece of news I have read in the past 2 years has led me to believe none of this is going to change any time soon. There is a letter in the Buzz imploring citizens to come to the city council meeting to convince council members and developers N Natomas should get a FRACTION of what it was originally promised! This is not acceptable. The city has bamboozled N Natomas homeowners, and I am not going to tolerate being bamboozled anymore. That’s just ME. I accept not everyone shares my views. Nothing new here.
We have no misconceptions of crime levels elsewhere. We understand crime is a way of life in the U.S. But Sacramento violent crime is one of the highest in the nation. There is no getting around that. Is that acceptable? Some people might reason: “Hey Natomas needs families like YOU to help all of those in need, we all have to work together and make personal sacrifice to help reduce crime!” It’s almost as they want you to feel guilty for leaving. But really, let’s face it, if that line of reasoning held any water, every concerned citizen would be living in Kenya.. or Darfur.. where we are needed.. right? It’s all relative. EVERY CITY in the U.S. needs good families, not just Natomas.
Finally, some very concerned people (more than one) have asserted this blog, and its focus on the problems in Sac may have jaded me and made me a cynic, and forced me to give up hope. That could not be less true. This blog actually made me feel better about Natomas than when I started it! In fact it was through this blog that I met all the great people in Natomas like Angelique, Brandy, Mike, Julie, Dianne, and many many many others. If we were basing our decision on the quality of people in Natomas overall, we would be staying for sure!
But alas, there is far more to the story. And I would be remiss if I didn’t state: DESPITE THE MANY WELL DOCUMENTED FAILURES IN NORTH NATOMAS, my family and I have been pondering this move for about 6 years now. We finally just decided to make it. By no means are we running away from Sac out of fear for our safety. We’re taking our family to a place we feel will be a little less hectic, a little less paved over, a little bit safer, a little bit more family oriented, and little bit more conducive to our life goals. After all, we would not even BE here in the first place had we known how it was going to turn out. Maybe WE were the fools for buying here. If so, call me a fool. I’m fine with that. But I don’t want to be a fool anymore.
Thanks to EVERYONE for their words and support. We appreciate it immensely.
Joe, no justification needed! I live in N Natomas and am moving for the same reasons! Don’t feel guilty. with the taxes we pay we deserve a better quality of life. I could not agree more with you. I wish you thousand times better luck than you had in Natomas. It’s always tough to move into a newly-constructed area but I think most would agree that is you have lived here seven years you have paid your dues. Best of luck.
PS: please keep the site up and let us know how you like life wherever you are going. Would love to get updates and comparisons.
Dear Joe Joe you have ignore the oldest rule in the book–> misery loves company. Go where your heart takes you my friend. You live in a free country. Be free! You puke
Joe I am sad to see you go but I don’t blame you. I will leave it at that.
I say get the hell out of any community that thinks it’s ok to take 20 years to build a rec center. 20 years. A rec center. Can you say s-c-a-n-d-a-l? More like just laziness and deprioritization.
Joe go to the elk grove blog capitalelector. There is an interview with Kevin Johnson there. Kevin Johnson gave an interview to the guy who smeared his name all over the valley. The guy who owns the site is not even a Sacramento resident. Why is Kevin JOhnson interviewing with that dork?
Aw fer cryin out loud you are back! i was hopin we got rid of you. but i do think you should keep the site up to. you done put a lot of work into. leave it up for voters to read. that is the right thing to do. good one
Hi Keenan. No idea. I have no contact with Kevin Johnson. He’s never even acknowledged this site for defending him and offering voters an alternative perspective than what the Bee and local blogs were spewing about him. It’s all good. Not worried about it
We got an offer for our Natomas house this week. It is a miracle. Joe we will be not too far behind you with any luck! -L
Natomas blows. It’s been neglected by the city for years. Anyone wanting to move out of Natomas should be high-fived not belittled. Joe I say go for it.
We’re following in your steps Joe though not quite yet. We’ll probably put our house on the market next year. Can’t keep paying for public school that sucks and also paying out of pocket for private school too. We won’t be leaving Sac though, just relocating to a proven neighborhood. It was one thing to take a chance when we were young and kid-free. I can’t keep risking our son’s future on that chance.
Joe, you will be missed. I admire you for having the gumption to pick up and move. I’d love nothing more than to do the same and Mrs. Farty and I have been actively discussing it for some time now. I hope our day arrives soon. Best of luck to you.
Concur: you will be missed. I would say “Joe don’t go!!!” but maybe you’ve made up your mind :((
Joe it’s your life but my husband and I love your column and wish you would stay!!
Joe! What’s wrong with you a#@ wipe! Can’t you see people need you here? Have you no sense of civic responsibility? You have a cult following and you’re willing to squander it for a better life in a better city? You vermin! What about kevin johnson! You probably won the primary for him! He knocked on 20,000 doors and your web site got how many hits before the election? 50,000? What was it again. Anyhowza, Joe what is your malfunction! Don’t leave us with the capital electric flunky!
Not posting negative comments about my decision to move out of Natomas. Don’t even bother. Enjoy your day.
” It was one thing to take a chance when we were young and kid-free. I can’t keep risking our son’s future on that chance.” I feel the exact same way. What is so wrong with demanding a better quality of life? Seems the only people that are angry with those who want to leave are those who are stuck here. So in that respect, I feel their pain.
It’s never easy to relocate. We have a lot of work ahead of us
I’d leave if I could. Tomorrow. I can’t lie.
Let me see if I get this right: you posted a graphic honoring Fargo and sac city for breaking 40,000 comments to Natomas residents, bashed the cit for its truly d i s m a l performance non stop for two months, were so desperate for change that you supported a child molester for mayor, and people are actually surprised you want to move? Are all your readers retards? I may not be the brightest star in the galaxy but I knew within a week of reading your blog that you were extremely disappointed and would probably not be around long. I mean, come on people. Did you think he was going to run for mayor? hahahaa pretty funy
Hey there are bloggers who do not live in Sacramento who blog almost exclusively about Sacramento. See the blog Keenan posted. So maybe it is ok for me to move somewhere else and still blog about Sacramento. Apparently you do not need to be a Sacramento taxpayer to have an opinion about every aspect of it. Sweet.
Blog away. The cartoons are worth the weight of the site in gold alone. Personally I couldn’t care less where you live. News is news. Brang it on
Joe Joe Joe Joe Joe Joe!!!! I was so happy to see your site back up. Joe my wife and I love the site. Sorry we didn’t comment before. When we saw you were leaving we were bummed! When we saw you were back I actually called my wife on her cell and told her. You have some of the best comic relief, satire, and editorials Sac has to offer. Stick with it even if you move! Love ya and love the site!
I too want to see the site stay. Your angst over Natomas issues is warranted. I’d move too if I lived over there. But yes please keep the site up. More cartoons! :-P~~~~~
Another vote for site to stay. thx
Joe Sac, I welcome the site no matter where you are. I’m sure it will keep on rocking. Add more contributors who live in the area too. Keep up the good work. Art in Fair Oaks
Who gives two shits? Blog if you want.Say what you want. You don’t need anyone’s permission. I guarantee you people will still come here to get a good laugh at this backwards tarded city council even if you live in Alaska. Keep on blogging!
Joe, you know I support the site totally regardless. I thank you for the superb coverage of the Fargo mayorship. I share the sentiments of those who appreciate your efforts. You have easily typed three books here
crap
We moved out this spring after 7 1/2 years– we moved to placer. Got sick of trying to fight for basic services in Natomas. It is an area that was great and had amazing potential, but the City botched up the area. I know lots of residents would love to move out but are waiting til the market improves.
I think you should keep blogging.
Glad to see the site back up too. I have to admit, I was a bit bummed that the site went dark. I checked periodically to make sure I wan’t being punked. When it came back up, I literally announced it to my coworkers. It’s become a routine of mine to check for new content and reader comment. Thanks for the laughs and bringing attention to local issues.
SAcramento has many issues. You rocked my day with the gbye page… Don’t stop your heart from sounding off with points of interest. You may come back! (Who knows?)_
MANY issues abound here. People will rise to the occasion when it suits them. As this City has been in decline for years. Law Enforcement will triumph in time. Just not on Fargo time….
Joe, glad to see you back. Please keep the blog. It rocks and so do you. Thank you!!
Joe Blow is back. I love it. Don’t leave again. This is your only warning
I was pissed because this is the only site in existence that calls out Fargo and Tretheway. Please do not take it down. It’s all we’ve got. Jo, please email me as I would like to hook up and chat. I will buy lunch anywhere you want