Update: if you have any issue watching the video, watch it on Youtube.com here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKGHvSQuGU0.
I spent some time downtown today with lifetime Natomas resident, Navy veteran, and Sacramento City Council District 1 hopeful John Dahilig. The purpose of our venture was to find out what kind of impact the claims and words of Heather Fargo and Kevin Johnson are having on every day Sacramento residents.
This is part 1 in a series of segments John and I will be shooting together in and around Sacramento. Thank you to everyone who took time out to speak with us. It was great to get out in the city and check the opinions and views of those we might not otherwise hear from. We threw this together extemporaneously so please forgive the lack of formalities and polish. We are very grateful and humbled by the amount of time people took to express their views, expecially the teens we talked to (several of them homeless) who we would have spent more tine with had it not been for a dead camcorder battery. Rookies.Special thanks to the Sacramento Insider.
Lack of polish my ass. That was a great little short.You guys did a nice job. Not everyone can go do that. John you seem like a great approachable guy and Joe I have nothing but respect towards you for getting out there and talking to people and giving us some much-needed perspective. The buly pulpit thing reminds me of a David Letterman piece and had me sitting here cracking up. And it’s about time someone put a camera on the kids hanging around downtown plaza. Most of them are transients as you found out. I live downtown so I know this for sure because I see them constantly. A few in the video are familiar to me in fact. It would be easy to get mad at them if it weren’t for the fact that the city has completely swept our homeless and loitering problems under the rug since Fargo took over.The summer reading program for little kids is all she preaches. Listen to the kids in this video Fargo. They may not speak as pretty as you do but you and anyone else can’t deny they think Sacramento under-priviliged youth get the short end of the stick and they are right!!!Thanks for letting me vent and comment and keep up the good work. Sacramento needs Joe’s and John’s to keep shining the light on all the problems that are eating away at our potentially great city
I watched your video and I really enjoyed it. Every meeting I’ve attended, including the Youth Speak Out Mayor Debate (which Johnson didn’t attend due to prior obligations) the youth have always stated they need opportunities, resources, something to do.
Great job going to homeless community…as James Baldwin stated, “If one really wishes to know how justice is administered in a county, one does not question the policeman, the lawyers, the judges or the protected members of the middle class. One goes to the unprotected-those who need the law’s protection the most and listens to their testimony”
I appreciate your coverage and your dedication to making those elected into offices accountable/ responsible for representing all within their districts. I do however don’t believe Johnson will be the answer to all that ails our city. I’d like to believe otherwise, but as Dr Martin L King stated, “A genuine leader is not a searcher for consensus, but a molder of consensus” In matters of crime I do not see Johnson as molding crime prevention. I see him searching for consensus from a union and as Benjamin Franklin stated, “The definition of insanity is to continuously do the same thing over and over and expect different results.”
Real change comes from the people. Not necessarily the elected that too often falls prey to politics overshadowing people with hidden agenda’s, career advancements, special interest… Margaret Mead said it best, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world, in fact it’s the only thing that ever did.” That’s why I’m drawn to your site. I see thoughtful committed people. I’m not drawn to the site due to the support of one Mayor candidate. I’m drawn to Joe and friends –a small group of thoughtful committed people– who can change the city.
Real change comes from the people
The finish product is amazing! Even thou we hit the streets one hour after talking about doing this project the message speaks for its self. A huge group of people in Sacramento “don’t do that thing” as local citizens stated while we combed the streets looking for answers. What will it take for everyday “Joe” to wake up and realize that he is involved in politics just as much as Joe and myself is. However, people in today’s society think that politics does not involved them so they will just stay out and let someone else handle it. Not me! I came back home to Natomas from being stationed over seas with a different perspective of life. I know I have the right to call peoples bluffs when they are doing something wrong. Just because someone is in an elected office it does not mean they have the best intentions for there constituency. Enough is enough! It is time to roll the sleeves up and take a stand! I know just like the military if you want to get something done you have to do it yourself! Here I am Sacramento a Veteran who served his country in a time of war will now serve his community in a time of epidemic crisis. Lets stand up together and right the wrongs of Sacramento!!
John Dahilig City Council District1 2010
Rhonda Erwin I am in agreement with you. I must say I liked this video to and in my opinion it is much more “grass roots” than how most politicians abuse that word, plus the types of earthy honest people in this video are the ones I like hearing from for the same reasons James Baldwin stated in your quote. Then again this site is called Joe Sacramento so I am not too surprised that Joe and company continue to be focused on the average Joes in our town. I am very happy someone is giving them a voice on the net and I look forward to more and more of these.
Joe, I sent you an email. Let me know when you want to hook up. Good stuff!
Thanks all for the encouraging words. Makes me want to get right back out there and do it again. Thanks!
John’s post reminds me: You would not BELIEVE how many people we spoke to who were either not registered or said they don’t get involved in elections! We were shocked. One guy said literally “I don’t get involved in that stuff.” That’s one of the problems!
YO!!! This was dope!!!!! I love those kids how they kept it real!! Bring those kids into a city council meeting and make the city council people listen to them tick off their laundry list of beefs with the city. That would be hot!! I know some fools will say it’s the parents fault it’s the parents fault bla bla bla. But guess what they aint got no parents and no one is going to ground them for coming home late. If we don’t pick them up no one is going to. Peace!
Joe writes: ” Makes me want to get right back out there and do it again”
You go Joe!!–Literally– You go right back out there and I for one look forward to hearing/ reading/ learning what you bring back. Your enthusiasm is so refreshing. It’s so good to see the half empty glass of Sacramento politics shift to half full. Awareness is key and you bring awareness. Your video gives a voice to the unprotected… You shift the paradigm from power-over community members to power-with community members. Again, great work and by all means go back and bring back more.
Joe I am having issues watching the video. John I would like to speak with you about your interest in city council. I also plan on running for city council in 2010. I am so glad the residents of Natomas are standing up and saying enough is enough! I have always felt theat if you don’t like the way something is being done you need to stand up and do something about it.
DON”T FORGET TO WATCH THE DEBATE TONIGHT!!!! Should be interesting…..
If you have any issues watching the video, go to : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKGHvSQuGU0
Good video. Nice blend of humor and politics as well as issues in our city. I will definitely watch the debate tonight. I can’t wait to see if Mr. Johnson uses the word “bully pulpit” after this. lol
Rachel said.. “DON”T FORGET TO WATCH THE DEBATE TONIGHT!!!! ”
I agree… but better yet…go down to City Hall and attend the meeting yourself.
We need boots on the ground in this battle.
Sac Insider, Rachel is referring the KCRA debate tonight, not the city council meeting tomorrow night in which the city council will approve de-funding $95 million in PROMISED infrastructure projects in North Natomas for the fire station in West Natomas that Ray Tretheway and Heather Fargo are pushing like crazy to get passed before the election. Shameful. There are definitely going to be some fireworks at the council tomorrow night from what I am hearing
holy Toledo.. there is a debate tonight? so much for being the “Indsider” though I always call my self the Outsider…
Hi Joe,
I live in an area of Sacramento that is not within the City limits. Does this mean that going to a City Council meeting would be pointless? I’m assuming that the City Council is not interested in the opinions of people who are not in City limits but don’t I have the ability to vote for Sacramento mayor? What do the areas of Sacramento that are outside city limits have as an option for influencing the direction Sacramento is going?
Hi Rob
You may not vote for Sac mayor.
But, you can definitely come to city hall meetings and express your opinion! Especially considering Sac city and county may merge eventually (happened in San Francisco and Kevin Johnson seems to have alluded to it at least once. I myself have called for Sac Sheriff and Sac Police marriage. The silo effect is killing us regionally. We need to combine forces. I say get involved now. Can’t hurt.
Thanks for the reply Joe. I don’t really know if I’m in City limits or not. I’m in 95826 which is Rosemont.
Pwned Fargo! Wonder what she thinks about this video. Wonder if she watched it. Wonder if KJ watched it to hear how foolish he sounds with his bully pulpit crap. Thank God for this web site it is clearly one of the only places in Sacramento to go for a reality check. Sac Bee is a joke, SNR is a uber liberal rag for people so far left they are right. Joe Sac? Joe you are the Eminem of Sacramento like it or not dude. That is what I’m going to start calling you. hahahahahahahahaha
