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 asked the Sac. police to investigate her opponent), public safety negligence, continued support of building in Natomas all the way up to the deadline in December despite experts’ warnings that the Natomas levees are broken and pose a catastrophic risk to people and property, how $1.5 MILLION DOLLARS worth of water meters came up missing on Fargo’s watch, how she allowed the 20 year North Natomas Master Plan to be abandoned in favor of a 6 year plan that would result in dangerous levels of public safety resources in the area, or how she and council favored big box stores and warehouses over family venues and….. or… shall I go on?
No. It’s pointless. Because no one will ask her the tough questions. No one wants a confrontation. No one wants to “make waves.” No one wants to hold our local WELL PAID officials ACCOUNTABLE.
I’m holding out hope for a few tough questions hurled Fargo’s way tonight. SHe has gotten away with more malfeasance than any elected official in California in recent memory.
Here’s to a good show.
From the Sac Metro Chamber web site:
| Date | |
| 5/7/2008 | |
| CITY SHOULD HAVE ACTED SOONER TO CURTAIL EXCESS BUDGET: Deficit of $58 million in city of Sacramento budget reflects poor leadership from mayor | |
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The city of Sacramento’s $58 million budget deficit ballooned because Mayor Fargo did not act sooner and bolder last year when the crisis was impending. City officials released details of the 2008-09 budget last Thursday that showed the need to dip into the city’s reserve fund of $30 million to weather the crisis. “But it’s only a partial fix, as of now $20 million of the deficit is pushed off into the following year,” said Sacramento Metro Chamber President and CEO Matt Mahood. “Unless something drastic is done very soon, we believe by the time next year comes, the numbers will be much larger.” “On Mayor Fargo’s watch, the city projects the largest deficit in our city’s history. In 2006-07, Sacramento had a surplus of $30 million. Since then, we’ve gone upside down. If this were a private industry business, the mayor’s job would be in serious jeopardy for failure to act prudently.” The city of Sacramento has had a goal of having 10 percent of its General Fund held in reserve since at least 2005 (specifically mentioned in the budget resolution in section 6.1), but hasn’t reached that level in the previous five fiscal years. According to the city’s approved budgets over the past several years, the reserve has only been as high as 8.3 percent or $29.15 million of the $352 million General Fund, but dipped to a critical low of 5.9 percent in 2007-08 budget. The mayor and council are expected to lead and direct city staff, Mahood said. “But Fargo failed to act boldly on this crisis. She cites that her leadership has brought ‘progress.’ But with such a substantial budget deficit, we struggle to see the progress she claims.” Mahood cited these concerns with the mayor’s budget and her approach to removing the deficit: • At the May 15, 2007 city council meeting, Fargo casually dismissed the impending deficit as “modest.” Over the next two days at the Tuesday Sacramento City Council meeting and during Wednesday’s televised mayoral debate, Mayor Fargo will have the opportunity to provide clear and decisive details surrounding her plan for resolving the city’s severe budget state. “Sacramento’s future cannot accept lousy budget planning,” Mahood said. “The bright side, is that this crisis will force the city to better manage its expenditures. We encourage them to use this opportunity to consolidate services where possible, streamline process, eliminate bureaucratic barriers that fundamentally are anti-business and are job-killers for the city and its citizens.” |
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My live blog of the last 15 minutes.
7:43 Question time from the candidates themselves!
7:43 Achievement gap? Pathetic topic. Why didnt’ Kevin bust out the reduced police force (who by the way had time to pull me over for driving without a plate!)
7:44 Heather asks policy related questions.
7:44 Heather asks, then interrupts the question. Then asks again. “That doesn’t matter”. Let the man answer and (bury himself)!
7:45 I noticed earlier that Fargo is slumped while Johnson is leaning forward. Interesting posture!
7:45 Fargo’s turn. Starts with an insult (not a question FARGO!)
7:45 She asks about police! Awesome.
7:46 And budgets. (not bad). Kevin’s response includes percentages. How very business like.
7:47 She is interrupting again. Annoying. Audit the budget (not a bad idea!) and use that fat to fund the police and fire departments.
There is plenty of waste in the Sacramento budget. Can Kevin find them?
7:47 Cut the mayor’s travel budget? Where does she go now?
7:48 Fargo says there is no plan. She wants to know the cuts.
7:49 Kids don’t user the Internet at the library Fargo!
7:50 View on the public school system? That’s a State and Federal matter. Kevin is responding with more percentages. He isn’t really answering the question but he sounds knowledgeable.
7:50 People live where they can afford. Except me. I love Oak Park!
7:51 Fargo will do what she’s been doing with the schools. She wouldn’t kick kids out like Kevin (ohhhhhhhhhh).
7:52 Smaller highschools sounds great! Fargo has a good idea?
7:52 Where is Shawn Eldridge?
7:52 The flags on the TVs behind the candidates are distracting.
7:53 Kevin has been endorsed. I’m guessing because he made a few promises.
7:54 Sac City teachers endorse based on party. Meh.
7:54 What is the role of the Mayor?
7:55 Kevin responds that the mayor is a leader. We are a weak mayor structure (sadly true) and city councils. Increase of crime at 55% over the last 7 years (I know why but won’t say). Kevin wants to balance the budget (good)
7:56 Fargo responds: Just what I’ve been doing. Setting tone (loud and annoying), set the agenda (limited progress), talks about K street (although little has been done in 7 years) and be the face for the city.
7:57 I’d like to see the candidates stand. Sitting is lazy.
7:57 Wrapping up - awful audio and lighting.
7:58 Kevin goes for the handshake (classy).
7:59 I’ll live blog in the future. Perhaps using a new domain.
Ok Whats up with Walt Gray’s attire…and the other bald guy’s.. Walt was wearing a friggen t shirt with some writing on it and a green sports coat (to match Fargs?) his toupee was crooked.. and the other guy was wearing a purple shirt and running pants…WTF is up with these slobs…I especially liked how Gray and the bald guy and the Asian woman would interrupt KJ and then ask him questions clearly intended to trip him up… but KJ answered everything very well…he did a great job in this debate despite the obvious partiality of the so called “moderators.”
I really loved Johns question on Tree-the-way being too busy with the Tree Foundation..and asking KJ to support a recall… PRICELESS!
Stay tuned…more coming soon on the Tree-the-way investigation
BTW a friend working with Citizens For Accountability just showed me copies of Fargs complete schedule for the last two years….holy cow it must be nice to be the mayor…hmm lunches..parties…more lunches…doctors appts…physical therapy…meetings with Richie Ross over martini’s….campaign events….campaign fund raisers…. all the while accompanied by her “special assistant” Sue O’Brien…I don’t think she ever actually “worked” by looking at her schedule…all the while being driven around by one of EIGHT detectives…FOUR patrolmen and THREE reserve officers…(rotated of course) I want to PDF the entire 100 page schedule for publication…I’m having trouble posting it on my site due to technical problems….(damn squarespace) If I cant…. I’ll give it to you Joe if you want…
Joe I am disgusted. I will tell you my honest opinion of Fargo. I think she is a closet lesbian who despises men. She truly despises the entire male species and no matter how hard she tries, she can not hide it. Her egregiousness as you called it was not about just KJ, it was about every man she has ever met who disagreed with her. She is a shaken bottle of mistrust towards men and the slightest questioning of her integrity pops the cap off and sprays the entire room with her emotional psychobabble disguised as political rhetoric. I’m telling you, this chick is a nutbag from the word go.
I agree Fargo is a bitter old bag of bones who should retire. There is no place in the public forum for such a nasty old witch. What a terrible example she set for youth last night, too. She pretty much taught them the way to defend yourself is to call your opponent names, sling mud, and accuse them of things there is no proof to support. Nice. What a f’g scambler she is.
On the other hand, let’s agree that KJ is generally full of doo doo. I think he has great intentions, and I honeslty believe he is capable of unifying people and pumping new life into the city. He has youth and energy on his side. But really, an audit? Audit this. Fargo is right, he has had time to look at the budget. And how many hours did he spend with Kerridge and the gang in private meetings? Did he learn nothing? Kind of scary they spent that many hours teaching him the ropes and all he walks away with is “Let’s have an audit.”
I think they both suck honestly. From everything I have seen and heard I am convinced Joe Sacramento has more common sense than the two of them combined.
Just my two cents worth
I am still in shock over how condescending Fargo was. Joe is right: she is an embarrassment to the city, the college, and to the entire state. She acts like a grade schooler who got her lunch pale stolen. How utterly immature and without substance she is. She is desperate and she knows KJ is going to win. It is written all over her face. Those were not knocks on KJ she was spewing. They were *parting shots*. Trust me on this
Anyone see the piece on Tretheway and the Tree Foundation? on KOVR? More in depth stories on this coming…
http://cbs13.com/video/?id=40253@kovr.dayport.com
Hey “Frankly I am not impressed with either” you obviously have no idea how city budgets work… the so called “budget” is but a myth and is a mere guideline that gets thrown out the door once it gets adopted… You will not see pork barrel spending, or very little in the adopted budget, that is on purpose to hide the real spending from the public. The so called “Budget” is posted on the internet….the rest of their spending is not.
Only an audit can find out the true costs of running this city, and Fargo agreed and has asked for an audit herself…Kevin should have slammed her on this fact, when she was being so snide…