“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 on the part of the city, not to mention gross negligence on the part of Sac Tree Director Ray Treetheway (who sometimes poses as a councilman for our district when it is convenient), it’s hard to even muster up the energy to talk about it sometimes. Thank God for people like Angelique who keep these things in front of the community, in the hopes that some day the community will stand up and scream in Fargo and Tretheway’s face: “WE’RE NOT GOING TO TAKE IT ANYMORE!”
Is this what we consider PROGRESS!? Fargo is busy approving corian cat cages and tree counts when we don’t have enough money for basic public safety services? Are you kidding me?
Sacramento is in desperate need of leadership:
On Tue, Oct 7, 2008 at 12:41 PM, Angelique Ashby <xxxxxxxx@yahoo.com> wrote:
This morning their was a home fire in North Natomas on the West side of I-5.
It is the nightmare scenario we have all been dreading and praying would never manifest.
Engine 15 from Truxel in South Natomas near West El Camino was first on the scene in an amazing 6 minutes and 7 seconds (lightning speed, beating all predictions by the shear will of the firefighters at that station determined to get there).
Following them with an equally amazing response time, just 17 seconds later was Engine 18 (on New Market near the Coke Cup & old Arco Arena).
These response times are absolutely incredible but were not good enough because minutes create major problems in a fire scenario - the fire intensified and became a smoldering trap.
Once the firefighters got on scene and entered the home they were trapped by the over-developed flames.
Engine 18 & 15 tried to fight back to free the 4 firefighters stuck upstairs.
By the time Engine 30 (Regency Park) arrived they had a 10 minute response time - which is fast for the distance they had to travel, but not good enough. Engine 2 from downtown also responded but more than 30 minutes after the call.
They needed more help or a faster initial response - as a result the 4 firefighters trapped were all injured. Two have second degree burns but will be fine.One has 1st and 2nd degree burns on his face, ears and neck but will probably be okay in time.
The Capt. of Engine 15 is in critical condition with severe burns and will need surgery, skin replacement and a lot of time and prayer.
This is the scenario Natomas has been screaming about for the past year or more.
We are supposed to have a fire station on the West side of I-5 at El Centro and Arena.
Had that station been in place the response time would have been between 2 and 3 minutes and stations 15 and 18 would have been back-up support to a much less intense and more managable fire.
Instead we have a tragedy.
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?
The Capt. now in critical condition is married with two young children.
Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers and lets do all that we can to get that firestation before this happens again.
Angelique Ashby, JD
President, Creekside Neighborhood Association
Co-Founder Greater Natomas Crime & Safety Team
Angelique has my vote for D1 council. Tretheway should have sent this letter. But of course he is probably out planting or hugging a tree right now.
Tretheway, step away from the Douglas Fir and put the branch down. You should do the right thing and resign and let a more capable leader who is truly passionate about the community take over.
This city will be so much better off when Fargo and Tretheway are gone.
I just found your web site. It is wonderful. You sir are a gifted communicator, and you are obviously very steeped in leadership principles, especially as they apply to accountability and open communication.
The community needs far more people like Joe Sacramento, and far less people like those who write comments such as “If you don’t like it move away.” I moved here from Nebraska in March, and so far I am blown away by how divided residents here are. They are downright mean to each other. I agree the city needs a leader that will unify people. It is obvious the current mayor has splintered the city severely, and if her anger last night was any indicator, it is obvious how it happened.
Here’s to a brighter future for Sacramento
Welcome New Reader. I too am hoping for a brighter future for Sac. After witnessing the trainwreck meltdown nuclear reactor accident that is Fargo last night, I am certain we are doomed if she stays on for another four year vacation
When can I write a campaign check to Angelique? Seriously… When and where?
The environmental revolution will not be televised. I’d rather watch a golf tournament on TV (yack) than a tree census. Can you believe they are actually paying $650,000 for a tree census? Can you believe Raymond Tretheway sold the council on the need for a tree census in his homespun video?
Angelique is the front-runner for D1 council seat in my opinion. She would fight for our district. She already fights for our district. And did you know she is a JD? Wow.
OH MY GOSH!!! Where has this website been and why did I not know about it. These things will continue to happen as long as Natomas is thought of as the stepchild of this city. Lets see Natomas brings in 75% of the property taxes for the city and we get the shaft on fire and police. should we have 75% of the protection? Ask Fargo where that money is for the firestation. The developers in that area tried to build the station for the city but Fargo and city planning said no. They had the developer give them the money and they but it in the city funds to build it at some other time. Well when is that time and where is that money. Let me guess did you spend it on your driver or to count trees? In other cities in our area (lincoln, roseville, rocklin) the develpoer builds the firestations, police stations schools. How can the “capital” be so behind? The good old boys of this city do not like change. they don’t want change they are comfortable in things staying the same. We are the ones suffering. Also Just so others are aware if you haven’t figured it out by now with Fargos content digs at the depertment SHE HATES THE FIREFIGHTERS!!!!! They are paid less thatn any department in the area (including GALT) and they are one of the busiest departments in the state. FARGO AND TRETHAWAY MUST GO. I
Hi Rachel. Where have you been? What chutzpah you have!
“The good old boys..” yep. That is the “status quo” KJ spoke to last night. The status quo’ers like Fargo want to tell you all the things that are impossible, can’t be done, unrealistic, blah blah blah. I have never seen such a bunch of non-visionary, pessimistic, dismissive old hound dogs in my life as I have seen at our city hall. And then ones who aren’t vocal are just deer in the headlights. “Who? Me? What did I do?” Nothing. Absolutely nothing.
Example: how did Kevin McCarty get away with spending all that time and money to get his (arguably unconstitutional) ammo ordinance passed? How does Ray Tretheway get away with being the director of Sac Tree Foundation AND a city council person? How is it possible that FIVE members of our city council all have the same paid political consultant in Richie Ross?? And Fargo brags about being able to get 5 votes for the hurried anti gang tax initiative that failed? Well DUH.
I think Tretheway is a flat tire who needs to be changed, and quick. He ran out of air the day his district actually had a population. Now it has completely outgrown his small mind.
Both Ray Tretheway and Heather Fargo should be working for Green Peace or PETA or Sac Tree full time. WTF are they doing commandeering our city hall to push their enviro agendas? Man you gotta have a damn community before you do all that save the planet shit. People in this community don’t even like each other cuz of Heather Fargo being all nasty and hateful towards opposing views. Yo Fargo “I know you like to think your shit don’t stink, but roses really smell like poo poo poo.. ”
Now give us our damn money and build the police and fire station damn it!
Even Sarah Palin knew how to get money for her little small town. Palin got more for that little town from the Fed than Fargo has got for the capital of California!! KJ might be on the no-pay Fed list with St Hope, but Fargo put out city on the no fed pay list too!!
May I gently pose the question: IS the fire department investigating the cause? I ask because homes are being intentionally burned all over America right now. First thing I want to know is were they behind on their mortgage? Don’t get at mad at me for asking. It is a legit question in these times
Prayers out tot he firefighters and their families
There should never worry about questioning what really happened…on all levels…
looks like the natives are restless…. now ya’all just need to get organized
D1 should have SEVERAL people run not just one…and anyone figure out how many signatures we need for a recall?
Is the fire department investigating the cause? Yes. Of course they are.
I met the family today whose house was damaged by the fire. They are devastated, I’m sure especially because of the injuries the firefighters endured. They were not home at the time of the fire.
Hey Joe - while I didn’t want to be a nitpicker like those SacBee readers, I just had to weigh in. The fire was not in Westlake, it was actually in “Park View” which is a community over here on the West side of Natomas, close to San Juan Rd / Duckhorn. Come on now, do you really think Westlake residents would not be on here screaming their heads off if it had happened there?
I also concur with those who hope Angelique or someone with the same commitment she demonstrates would run for Tretheway’s job. I hope the firemen injured in this fire get better fast.
Finally, since I’m on a roll, can we please leave the corian cat cages alone? Honestly, there were lots of discussion from veterinarians and other animal care professionals, including meetings of a volunteer advisory group of citizens (which also could have been attended by any joe schmoe) and these cages are actually going to last longer, keep the cats on display in much better health, and make it more attractive to those looking to adopt. All of which actually will increase adoption rates, reduce the killing, and save money. Hasn’t anyone ever gone into the cat shelter before, and saw the dismal row after row of metal cages, try to get a peek at a cat or two? Come on now, they didn’t spend $200K MORE than what the ugly metal cages were going to cost, it was already expensive. There was input, which was my point, from other than the city council and mayor on this one. Which is more than I can say for some of their tree counting boondoggles.
Which, by the way, if crime and safety are so dang important, which we all know they are, why did we really need the library that just broke down? I like libraries too, but I like our firemen and police more…..
In response to the statement about investigating the fire. They do that after the fire if they find anything that looks suspisious. Strange that it seemed to have been upstairs and know one was home.
Also thanks Joe. I like to think that of myself. I guess in the 8 years living here I am so sick of listening to the same old crap just a different situation. I am ready for KJ. Not to say that he doesn’t have some issues himself but enough is enough already. I have learned that I might not think cat cages are important, or counting trees (notice how that became a priority after fargo was almost hit by one) , but its important to someone. We need to have a mayor and a city council that will say I know this is important to you but the safety of our citizens is our top concern and making sure we have the money to do that. (you might want to start with revamping city planning, they have know clue what they are doing)
While I am on a rant Joe can you find out what is going on iwth the sonic and TGIFridays. Know onw has been working on those for weeks and I called trethaways office and got a canned answer “well they might have a problem with their loan. I also noticed know work has been done.” SO shouldn’t you call the builder and say hey just wondering why know one is working on this people are asking.
Keith, thanks. We should definitely reserve judgment until investigation complete… but, it does seem suspicious to me at first glance..
Becky, thanks. Sorry about that. I corrected. I can not wait to see what an audit of our city turns up. I have a funny feeling most of us are going to be outraged. Fargo and council have pretty much done whatever they wanted for the past eight years with essentially no accountability whatsoever.
Rachel, thanks. Yes, very strange about the fire upstairs, and the way it kind of escalated so quickly, sending firemen out windows to save their own lives.
Thanks, all and have a great Wednesday!
How is the investigation coming along?
I think you guys are barking up the wrong tree, literally. The Tree Census allows us to maintain our urban forest and gauge its health and viability. Its cheap and effective, and needed. Without our city-managed Trees, This would be a searing hot, barren desert. And we are already the worst City in the nation for air quality. Do you want even higher electric bills and more days spent coughing and choking? Save the trees- they are saving us.
More to the issue of the City’s mismanagement and waste of public funds are the recent lavish raises given to all the City’s senior executives, the $250,000 handouts EACH that were given to the retiring City Manager, Fire Chief, and Police Chief, and the unfortunate creation of a full-time Mayor which creates even more expense$. Plus there were large multi-year raises (as high as 25%) recently given to the City’s hardworking police and firemen which we just simply can’t afford.