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 learned about it. I even emailed the Farg’ and city hall on it for clarification and expressed my criticism of it. What’s the topic?
SECURITY DETAIL.
You read the Bee’s article, right? If not check it out here. It’s a dandy. I have a new favorite reporter and her name is Kim Minugh. Go Kim! Go Kim! It’s your birthday! No, it’s MY birthday and this calls for a celebratory RANT!
SECURITY DETAIL!!??
Like Kevin Costner protecting Whitney in the bodyguard?? Really? Give me a BREAK! Do you think Fargo’s use of OUR scant police resources to courier her around Sacramento (including her campaign events!!) is acceptable? Hey these are ELITE DETECTIVES (who Rick Braziel recently said were overrun with increased murder investigations) sitting behind the wheel of a car driving Miss Fargo like Morgan Freeman did in Driving Miss Daisy. Elite detectives that should be investigating crimes! It takes a rotation of four of them to accommodate the Farg’s driving requests. Can you believe it? You wouldn’t vote for someone who would accept such a “security detail” at the expense of the public’s safety, would you? Gosh I hope not.
I find this totally unacceptable, if not completely negligent, ARROGANT, not to mention SCANDALOUS, given the public safety issues we have in Sacramento—- the second most violent city in the state. Whiskey tango foxtrot yall!? What kind of public servant in Sacramento would be arrogant enough to think they justify having a security detail? JOE SAC needs a security detail more than Fargo!
But my sentiment is not shared at city hall. The ONLY guy with the power to yank the queen’s security detail (as he should–as in right NOW) is the guy KJ calls “excellent,” and that is city manager Ray “Rainman” Kerridge (the mastermind architect of our $58 million budget deficit). When ol’ Excellent Ray was asked by the Bee why he continues to support the security detail, he had the NERVE to cite Fairfield City Councilman Matt Garcia’s recent murder as proof the “threat” to local politicians exist!!
WHAT!!??
Are we going to let him get away with this? Matt Garcia’s murder was a case of mistaken identity, NOT a political assassination!!! Fargo is not important or even controversial! She is a lazy, self-serving, elitist bureaucrat who only serves a handful of special interest groups. No one wants to physically harm the old lady. WE JUST WANT HER OUT OF OFFICE!!!
Our city is a mess, and it is obvious why. It is being run by a bunch of buffoons. :( The only DETAIL Fargo needs is a TRASH DETAIL to sweep her and her garbage cronies out of city hall for good!!
Trust. Fargo. Yeah right!
Rant off.
The Bee didn’t use the incendiary term “limousine” either…and the truth is they drive her around in a black gas guzzling Lincoln Continental with tinted windows…not so green eh Farg?
And if the purpose of having four detective protect her, why is that every time she left the car to go into a campaign event, sometimes for hours, the police officers stayed behind in the car? How the hell where they supposed to be protecting her?
The Bee also did not mention that this article came out of a request by Citizens For Accountability to the Attorney General to investigate the misuse of public resources for personal campaign events. That request also included much more sinister accusations of criminal extortion by Fargo.
I hope and pray there is some justice or karma in the world. Fargo needs to be moved into an assisted living facility…at her own expense.
and if you don’t mind Joe can I plug the website I got this information from?
http://thesacramentoinsider.squarespace.com
Keep up the ranting Joe, you make my day!
Great comment. With you all the way. No let up here
What a rip off. Can you say “rip o f f ” ? Once again Fargo abuses her position, the public’s trust and taxpayer money without any ramifications. Unbelievable. As if screwing the city out of good schools wasn’t enough. When are we going to get rid of this white collar criminal again? Fargo should be driven by the police all right.. right to the city jail for ripping us off!!
I went to the Natomas town hall meeting tonight with Kevin Johnson. Sorry, but I’m not impressed, Joe. All he did was talk about himself. He didn’t even have people introduce themselves by name. He apparently doesn’t need to know people’s names. He took a total of maybe 6 questions and decided not to answer several people’s questions. He said he ends his meetings on time and so he had to cut it off. You say Fargo is arrogant? So is Johnson. Not impressed. I think our choices are terrible. Same with the presidency. Maybe in 2012 a genuine leader will emerge. Kevin Johnson talks a good game, but his game is all about him as far as I can tell.
Sorry to rain on your parade, Joe.
-L
Lauren, I was at the same meeting…I could not of come away with a more opposite opinion of tonights town hall, and I am a professional skeptic. I thought he was very charismatic and he filled the room. He is clearly a leader, and a strong leader is exactly what Sacramento needs right now.
As for egos. Let me tell you a little bit about anyone who runs for office, it takes a big ego to run a city, or to be an Assemblyman or just about any other elected office. I have met hundred of politicians throughout my carrer, and I can tell you one thing non of them lacked was a strong ego.
He may not be the next coming of Christ to save us all, but he is clearly what this city needs at this time in history.
I will vote for him and hope he follows up on his plans to make Sacramento a City that people want to come to, not just a stop on the way to Tahoe.
I especially loved his plans for the waterfront.
With Fargo, we know what we’re in for…more good ol boy bullshit from an entrenched bureaucrat who believes she is above the law.
F%#K Fargo and all of her cronies on the council.
I did not make the meeting, but my wife went. She said Johnson “stole the show,” as in literally stole it away from the people who attended. She said he talked about himself and his style so much that it felt like she was watching a campaign commercial being filmed.
She also said Johnson has an excellent sense of humor, and uses it strategically when answering questions and communicating his views. Her armchair psychological take is that he leverages his celebrity bravado to fill in his public speaking ability gaps, and he is pretty effective at it given the laughs he was getting.
I also hear the Benvenuti Center was only about 1/4 of the way full. Not too great of a turnout. Does this mean people aren’t impressed? Maybe they didn’t hear about it? Or hell maybe they don’t give a shit.
The majority of the people who live on my street are recent immigrants from Iraq, India, Yugoslavia and so forth. These people think Sacramento is pure paradise. The crime could quadruple and it would still be paradise compared to where they came from. These people don’t think there are any problems in the city. They think Sacramento is heaven. And therein lies a huge problem in getting people to come out and get involved. Good luck with that.
I also attended. My take is that Kevin Johnson is very competitive. But then I knew that firsthand from his NBA days. The thing I like about him is that he has common sense. What he stated about Sacramento completely missing the boat (pun intended here) on riverfront development could not have been more spot on. I think he has some good ideas, and I like the fact that he wants us to be spending 60+% on public safety as other cities our size do. Sac only spends about 50% on public safety, although that should come as no surprise given the fact that the current mayor {crrrringe) is an over-the-top environmentalist who fell sucker to big developers and sold Natomas down the river with the express goal of funding her urban lifestyle fantasy (which has not materialized) and quest to eradicate global warming.
Regardless of your personal hang-ups with KJ and/or his style, he beats the competition hand over fist and I agree with Fort Natomas that he is the leader this town deserves and needs. PERIOD.
Thanks Charlie Leo for use of the Benvenuti Center. Charlie Leo is the best thing that ever happened to Natomas and I was thrilled to see KJ give him his due.
Also, Lisa Kaplan was there to express her support, and in my limited experience with her via email, I think she is a stand-up professional whose heart is in the right place for our kids. We need more people like Lisa, and less people like Heather.
I tend to agree with most of the comments here, what is left out is her health. Someone told me they saw here recently, she looks weak and wobles, the MS may be taking a toll on her body and maybe her mind. It is probably safer she does not drive, remember Carol Migdin, the former state senator, she almost killed people last year on I-80, she had medical problems and was medicated and not fit to drive. Ray T. comment is absurd, the Sac PD does not need to drive her everywhere, if she was smart she could use private funds or campaign money and hire a friggin cabbie or limo driver. As with all politics, perception is key, with a huge budget gap, small police force, it is pathetic she utilizes this resource. Take a bus, she lives 5 minutes from work. Probably worse is KJ, I have been to a meeting where he left earlier than expected and was unable to answer questions. Again, perception is the issue, he is probably not that smart, and his handlers are not allowing him too much exposure for fear he’ll look stupid. Besides, his idea for the Arco land when the Kings move is to build a soccer camp, can anybody out do that. If he loses, I hope no one blames race, he will have lost because he was just another rich slumlord making promises he could never keep, and has never held elective office whereby we could judge his merits and ability to lead and govern.
My old pal Charlie.
Where ya been?
Well, IMO that is kind of harsh on KJ, Charlie. After all, he is a freshly-minted politician, and he shouldn’t be expected to have the answer to every question.
He did say something in particular I found interesting. “Thank God I am not a politician..” or “Thank God I do not have political experience..” Something to that effect to separate himself from the stale old bureaucrats at city hall who have dug the city into a $58 million dollar budget crater. Trouble is, in the next breath he said he knows he would need to work with people who oppose him ,the council, etc to bring them to consensus… but check this out….
Wikepedia defines a politician this way: “A politician (from Greek “polis”) is an individual who is involved in influencing public decision-making through the influence of politics or a person who influences the way a society is governed through an understanding of political power and group dynamics.”
Hmm.
That definition supports my position: Lacking political experience is not an advantage whatsoever. “Understanding political power” is huge. Ask a successful politician like Bill Clinton. He was a successful president because he was a successful governor. He learned the system. He learned how to get things done. KJ has not even served in the city council. He has been a bit of a maverick when it comes to politics and business.
But now he’s crossing over (pardon the basketball pun). Maviglio is on board and knows the game, and he’s teaching it to KJ. I know this because of the change in KJ’s vernacular of late. Tonight he started off by saying he is a “Heather Fargo fan..” [whoa] and that he fully appreciates her 12 years of public service (actually it’s been 19, right Tracy?). At first I was taken aback, then it dawned on me (yes, I’m slow): He’s playing the game now. I couldn’t do it. I could never stand up there and be so, well, political. I would come right out and say she is a liability and must be replaced ASAP, because that is the truth and I have to keep it real.. and we know keeping it real is not politically cool.. you have to be able to spin the truth to politic. That’s the just the game.
Anyways, I think KJ’s starting to play the game admirably. If he can learn those NBA playbooks (picture a Webster’s dictionary), I’m sure he can learn the political game, but it will take time. Gotta love his eagerness though. I would drop dead of boredom in the first council meeting.
In sum, by ALL MEANS KJ’s lack of political savvy be a liability for him (and US) in the first year or more. BUT, the thing about KJ is he is in fact a very smart guy, quick study, and I believe he loves this community. And I will continue to support him.
You gotta believe her health is not that great. Personally I agree with Charlie. Matter of fact I think she showed her arrogance when she decided to run again. She knows damn well someone younger can get in there and do a better a job than her, yet she still clings to her office like a starfish. That in itself should be seen as her not having the interest of the public as her priority
I don’t see what all the fuss is about chauffering the old lady around. I think we all agree that Heather Fargo does not now, nor has she ever, thought of herself as a public servant. She thinks she’s royalty. So in her mind she is entitled to royal treatment. She may view the police as her royal police force. Remember when she asked the police to investigate Kevin Johnson? That was not behavior consistent with a humble public servant. Heather Fargo sees her position as one to be served, not one to serve.
A little birdy told me Joe Sacramento is Enemy of Politicians and Fort Natomas and Enemy of . That he is the same nut who runs the quasi lobbyist group home Citizens for Accountability. Is this true, Mr Joe?
I have never met Joe..I only post on this site because I support freedom of speech, and I dont know who the others are…As for you, trying to fish for who is who…what does it matter to you?
From the office: tell your birdy to stay away from the green plants with the star-shaped pointy leaves. Birds already have tiny brains as it is.
Sorry to disappoint you, but I don’t pose as anyone else. One of me is clearly enough. Just ask my wife.
Hey President why are you grinding your axe against Citizens For Accountability? From everything that I have read they are looking out for taxpayers and fight corruption. So in what way are they nuts? Whats your agenda? So you support our morons in the council and corruption? Seriously dude…or dudette…WTF? So either explain why they are nuts or go post your pro Fargo propaganda elsewhere.
Who gives a shit who Joe is. I’ve always thought of Joe Sacramento as a voice for the average Joe. I give him a standing ovation for exposing the Fargo mayorship. He cleary did what no other person had been able to do. You can thank Joe for the flood of resentment towards Fargo and the KJ primary win (unless you’re a Fargo shill).
Joe’s not running for office. He’s not burning your tax dollars on tree counts and cat cages. He’s not flying around the world on *your* dime going on sightseeing tours of every country on the globe. He’s not being chauffeured around in a limo by *your* cops every day. What the fuck is wrong with you people!? You’re going after citizens like yourself who are ranting and raving for *your* benefit! If you want to attack someone, attack the morons that are stealing *your* tax dollars!!!!! Sheesh! What is wrong with people!
You know, I’ve always suspected that “Joe Sacramento” isn’t even his *real name*! What a fraud!
Good explanation Gang Green, Joe should be commended for stating his opinions and letting other’s do so on this site. It has been refreshing to read the material here, besides what point is the President making. People have expressed strong views on any number of issues, but but please spare us the personal attacks on Joe or other’s, or go elswhere with your diatribe.
6 Deg you should consider forensic science as a possible career field
Ty Charlie
All joking aside, I am appalled to see skilled detectives pulled off their regular duties to schlep the mayor around. Of course, I don’t know what sort of threat to Fargo initiated the original police protection–I can imagine that it was probably something not to be taken lightly. Nonetheless, if the mayor needs protection from some wacko(s), I don’t begrudge that. I do begrudge it being handled the way it’s being handled, though.
As always, Joe, your commentary is enjoyable and relevant.
I am not bent on harassing Joe. He and I have had a running light-hearted exchange and I’m sure he understood the nature of my ribbing.
I also agree with 6 Degrees that the driving of Miss Fargo is appalling. All taxpayers, even her supporters should be appalled. I seriously doubt she is in any imminent danger. Fargo is very self important and I bet anything this security detail thing happened because she requested it, or Kerridge told her they shouldn’t take any chances.
I think it’s also interesting to note how many people who post on Joe’s site used to support Fargo, but now do not… myself included.
Hey President, you didn’t answer the question, I am seriously very curious about your response. Why do you call people who want to fight for citizens nuts? If it wasn’t for people like Joe, no one would question our elected officials. When someone does question Fargo and her cronies, you promptly stand up call them a “nut.” So explain why the Citizens For Accountability folks are nuts.
I also like how you suddenly reversed course and now agree with Joe, I think it may be a tactic to try to appear to be anti-Fargo, while still being a Fargo shill and most likely an insider.
Trying to deflect the message by attacking the messenger is one of the oldest tactics by hacks who have nothing else substantive to say, and whom are incapable of presenting an articulate and reasonable debate of the issue/s in controversy.
I personally support anyone who questions what is going on in our world, our country and our community. Look around, if your not pissed, your not paying attention.
However, that being said, occasionally there is no middle ground to debate because some issues are simply are too polarizing, in that case sometimes you just have to say F#@K YOU to Fargo and her cronies.