OK the party’s over and my wave of “ding-dong-the-fargo’s-gone” euphoria has passed….
As expected, and understandably, a lot of Fargo supporters are bitter over Johnson’s win. They are saying things like Johnson supporters drank the KJ “whiskey,” and voted for him because of his celebrity (and that we will all be sorry when the lawsuits come pouring in, and Fong ends up usurping him in two years). And those are just the nice things they’re saying.
I would like to state for the record that this North Natomas resident did not support Kevin Johnson because of his ball handling skills, St Hope record, celebrity, or work in Oak Park. I supported him because–in my mind–he was the only viable alternative to Fargo, and (as Chani wrote) I believed he would address the unacceptable crime problem.Maybe those saying KJ got elected on celebrity alone do not realize the City of Sacramento spans beyond the downtime map lines in every direction. Believe it or not, many of us in the urban sprawl zones have very legit beefs with Fargo and the city. And we make no apologies for demanding our elected leaders treat us with every bit as much TLC as they do midtown and other Kiplinger-List-worthy corridors.
Just prior to the election, one Natomas resident told the Bee, “Heather Fargo may or may not be to blame for the problems …” This totally misses the point. The point is that residents are fed up with government entirely, and anyone in a figurehead position who is not focused on what is most important to residents are in their crosshairs.
To say Fargo may not be responsible is to completely discount the purpose of the mayor’s position. 100% responsible? Of course not. But enough to warrant her removal as the people proved with their overwhelmingly KJ vote.
The whole “weak mayor” thing was a cop out from day one. Fargo’s supports are quick to credit her for all her achievements, but when it comes to failures “Oh no, that’s not the mayor’s job, she’s in a weak mayor’s position.” Please.
Maybe Fargo’s supporters who kept saying she shouldn’t be held accountable missed her campaign slug line on her web site: “My goal is to make Sacramento the most livable city in America.” Hmmm. If she doesn’t have any influence, then what was the purpose of such a lofty personal goal? To get votes? (On a related note, this was a terrible slug line and clearly played off the Kiplinger award Sac received for its “Victorian homes” and “midtown revitalization”).
No. Heather Fargo’s always had an agenda–going all the way back to her So Natomas activist days. She has deep roots in Sacramento politics, and I believe (as do many others, I assure you), that she and her people quietly stacked the council with people who would help her execute her “magazine cover worthy” agenda. Hello. That is how politics work.
I think people are tired of cocky politicians. Times are tough. Everybody’s fighting for their jobs. Homes are foreclosing. Pregnant women are getting robbed in their garages. Crime is sky high. And these wonks are approving cat cage upgrades? Please. Fargo was just a warm up. And her minions still on the council are not going to last if they continue to behave like aristocrats.
Back to KJ.
I am not saying KJ and his campaign did not play a role in his victory. I give KJ and Steve the Big Maviglio and their team plenty of credit for a decent campaign that stayed on course and refrained from the type of mudslinging Fargo’s campaign resorted to. And don’t forget KJ’s work ethic. Geez. He demonstrated a work ethic and passion level I don’t think people have seen in a mayor’s race since…. never?
Run KJ run.
KJ’s energy and devotion has been infectious, and it no doubt energized Fargo detractors like myself and only strengthened our resolve to see Fargo out, but I am not buying the claim that his solid campaign and door-knocking efforts got him elected. I think he got elected because he came along at the right time, and he said all the right words the majority of Sacramentans had been wanting to hear, and many residents, including myself, helped him convince the fence-sitters we deserved better than Fargo.
As I watched Johnson’s election night party, I couldn’t help but notice all the good people on stage with him, including local politicians Robbie Waters, Sandy Sheedy, Steve Cohn, Jimmy Yee. I said to my wife, “Wow, these people hung it all out on the line for KJ. They must really believe in him. They risked their reputation to endorse him, even with all the questions about his integrity and character.”
Now that it’s all over I find myself wondering: Did all those folks who put their name and reputation on the line really risk it all for KJ? Or did they risk it all to get rid of Fargo?
Who cares. Ding dong Heather’s gone.
I think the reason KJ won is because of his strong willingness to deal with the crime issue. Most of us know it is going on, even though the local media rarely covers crime stories. I have a scanner and it’s the wild west out there!
~*
Hear, hear, Joe.
I truly hope KJ lives up to his potential and his promises. He’s going to have a lot to learn (including things like being required to attend those long meetings every Tuesday in that big room with the fancy chairs).
I’m crossing my fingers and hoping his passion and energy translate into effective leadership. It was time for a shake up in our city council, and we got it.
Yeah congratulations Joe and friends. You supported a goose egg for mayor. You helped a criminal get elected to the highest office in Sacramento. You community leader you. I hope you and all KJ’s accomplices are happy. You should all be indicted for aiding and abetting a criminal.
For your celebration, go down to McCormick and Schitz or any of the other fine expensive dining establishments on K or 16th Streets and ask for a free dinner, for two, in fact DEMAND a free dinner…you paid for it, you deserve it…million for McCormick and Schitz, millions here and there, Incompetent Ray Kerridge and Ding Dong Fong and deposed Fargo knew Sacramento was “loaded” and felt free to spread the wealth around, to the wealthy…not to mention all the city salaries paid to front these operations…and we do mean “operations”….
So the celebration dinner is free…tell them Incompetent Ray Kerridge or Ding Dong Fong sent you…and they said to send the bill to City Hall…
Cole, so very true.
They will say we should have been more involved.
They will say we should have been at council meetings and protested all these things.
They will say we should have started protestant blogs a long time ago
They will say we should have never allowed our city council to become weighted down with artistocrats who were more concerned with making Sacramento “pretty” than they were in making it safer and more functional.
And they are right.
But that was then and this is now.
I think Sacramentans are now beginning to realize they CAN make a difference. They CAN decide what ideologies and priorities dominate city council meetings. They CAN stand up for what they believe and say, e.g., “I don’t like that idea and I don’t think it will make our community safer!”
The goal of this web site going to forward is to keep encouraging people to STAND UP and be heard. I see community leaders telling people their presence alone is enough. No it is not. Their VOICE is what counts.
Like Sac Blog said, we can’t stop being vigilant because the election is over. We have a LOT of work to do.
Sweet, plenty of people think Fargo’s a criminal for neglecting our safety. Some even think she should be prosecuted for abusing the mayor’s position–particularly flying around the world and missing 122 days of work while Sac became the second most violent city in all of California.
But you know what? It’s over now, and this is my last article on Fargo. She is in rearview mirror now… AND… happy day.. we just got FOUR POLICE DETECTIVES back!!!
Oh I forgot to comment
HOORAY SACRAMENTO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GOODBYE FARGO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Can I request a new song Joe? I’d like to request “Let’s recall Fong and McCarty”
Can you put that one into your rotation?
How sweet it is to be loved by Joe Sac. Joe Sac you kicked ass this election season and I thank you for your efforts. You deserve a vacation man. We should all chip in so you can take some time off. I agree with Cole.. you deserve a free dinner on Sacramentans. Put up a donate link up and I will be the first one to drop a few bucks in it.
Rock and roll Joe!
wasn’t a joke
“Sacramentans paid for those fancy diners including the kitchen at McCormick and Shitz…one million US dollars…ask Kerridge”….
no need to “chip in”….you’ve already paid your fair share…lol…
Are you serious? City of Sacramento GAVE them $1,000,000 for their kitchen???????????
Glad to see Sac gettin some soul! Holla from 213!! I used to stay in Sac Town. Had to move because it was Boring Town. Maybe yall got a chance now. I might have to come back! Go on KJaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay
Just got back from DC. KJ!! KJ!! KJ!! You gotta love that. How you feel Joe?! Get back at me!
Joe,
I just received an email from my neighborhood people saying there is a new community service center opening up near Safeway and that they need volunteers to staff it. Is this true? We used to live in South Natomas years back and they had one of those things there too and of course they closed it because people don’t have time to do the government’s job for them,
Can you check into this?
Thank you
“You mean the city gave these guys (McCormick and Shitz, guess it’s the Elk’s Building) money. Yes, 1 or 1.5 million for the kitchen. You have to be kidding. No that’s cheap for a kitchen.”…..and that’s from one of the in the know guys in Sacramento…
The City gave Friedman 10 million for his building at the corner of 16th and J (Hip Chinese Chain Joint PF Chang).
What do you think Kerridge and Dangberg have been doing with your money, besides wasting it on Sacca and Nassi? They sure haven’t been building parks or beefing up the Police or Fire it appears.
And, why haven’t you gotten your free lunch, or dinner?
<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
They just GAVE them the money for these things? Are you sure they don’t LOAN it to them?
Friday, December 15, 2006
Developers dip into subsidy coffers to make projects work
Reserves from Sacramento’s $114M bond sale in 2005 already running dry
Sacramento Business Journal - by Robert Celaschi Correspondent
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Dennis McCoy | Sacramento Business Journal
Harvego Real Estate will build high-end apartments on this empty lot, with help from a subsidy.
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What developer wouldn’t like an extra few million dollars to funnel into a project? If it’s the right project, that money is available from City Hall.
Sacramento has a long history of subsidizing individual projects that are likely to revitalize the central city. Subsidies are responsible for helping launch almost all the hotels in the past 30 years, the first major renovation of Westfield Downtown Plaza and several apartment buildings.
New subsidies are going to work renovating the Pyramid Brewery building and the Elks Building and re-creating the Orleans Hotel building in Old Sacramento. Others are being used to line up property for the Docks project along the Sacramento River.
Developers aren’t shy about asking for the help.
John Saca asked the city for an $11 million subsidy for an InterContinental Hotel on Capitol Mall. Lloyd Harvego asked for $7 million for the Orleans Hotel project. The owners of Westfield Downtown Plaza this past summer were mulling a request of $15 million to $20 million for another expansion.
That doesn’t mean they always get what they ask for. Harvego, for instance, had to settle for $6 million. But on a project whose total cost is estimated at $12 million, that’s still a huge contribution.
The city isn’t being altruistic, either. It expects the money to come rolling back in through higher property taxes when an area is improved and assessed value goes up. It’s known as tax-increment financing.
It takes money to make money
Subsidies for development and redevelopment go back to the end of World War II when the Legislature passed the California Redevelopment Act. In 1951, cities were given authority to finance subsidies through the additional tax revenue brought by development. In 1976 the state added a requirement that 20 percent of the extra taxes generated from project areas must go toward affordable housing. And in 1993, redevelopment activities were restricted to mostly urbanized areas.
Officially, the district has to declare an area “blighted” before it can be slated for redevelopment.
“When a redevelopment area is formed, that year becomes the base year,” said Leslie Fritzsche, downtown development director for the city of Sacramento. Once a flow of tax-increment money gets started, the city can issue bonds against the money it knows it will get every year.
“So we have a pot of money, and we pay back that money using the subsequent years’ tax increment,” she said. That frees subsidies from the calendar: The bond money is available until it’s used up, typically about five years. By then, the city usually is able to put another bond sale together.
“Last year we did a significant bond, about $114 million, and so that is kind of the pot of money,” Fritzsche said. In addition, the city is free to use any tax increment left over after serving the debt on the bonds. This year that’s about $1 million, she said.
This time around, the money has gone out fast.
“At this point, the funds that have not been committed — and this is just on the commercial side — is roughly $7 million to $10 million. For affordable housing we have significant resources, approximately $40 million,” Fritzsche said. “We have a current notice of funding availability for $15 million where we are working with developers to come up with single-room occupancy hotels and rehab some (of the hotels) downtown.”
The City gives/gave their favorite projects money….GAVE…not loaned, but GAVE…
Dangberg and Kerridge and Fargo and Fong are mighty free and easy with your money…
the next question IS…just how much this Bond is going to cost, when it is eventually paid off? The overhead, fees, and then the massive interest…try and get that information from the bureaucrats…good luck…they’ve got all sorts of BS to cover their tracks…
note: “the city is free to use any tax increment left over after serving the debt on the bonds”….so they actually spent more…
Poof….there goes parks, police, fire…
What a great city government lesson. I am so naive about all this stuff. Derrrr. I really appreciate this info. Info like this can be very dangerous in the hands of dummy like me
Cole! Cole! Cole!
Let’s go get our free dinner
Mayor Kevin has the energy and drive to get things done. I truly believe that he will take on issues, put the right people in place to get problems solved (even problems that aren’t part of the Mayor’s job description) and he’ll follow-up to make things better.
I e-mailed him after his “post hours City Hall visit” to let him know that I felt he made a judgement error. Guess what!….He actually replied to my e-mail, or at least, somebody did. I’ve never received a reply from Ray T. on anything I’ve ever sent. And I was polite most of the time!
Tom Sullivan always referred to Fargo as “Mayor What’s Her Name” because we hardly ever heard about anything what she was doing…or not doing! It looks like their little club may finally be breaking up and this City can make some progress.
Congrats Kevin…more importantly, Congrats Sacramento!
Terry you’re talking good. I love it! Mayor Johnson has a great ring to it!
As for Ray, if you want to get a hold of him, email him at ray@sactree.com. He responds to that one.
Joe
Cole Tax Increment funds cannot go for police and fire… as for parks..yes… but only if they are in a redevelopment zone.
The redevelopment agency is the source for most scams when it comes to subsidizing developments for rich fat cat Insider developers… all through Development Disposition Agreements (DDA’s) All in the name of economic development for the City… thats a laugh… it’s economic development for the wealthy.
If you stay on top of these redevelopment projects it is possible to stop them at times. I have in the past. But at a very minimum the public needs to be informed of the hundreds of millions of dollars going to Insider cronies. Maybe I’ll start a SRDA website and post all their spending and show the public how hundreds of millions of dollars are GIVEN to Insiders.
I’ve been working on a rumor that Fargo gave one of her girlfriends a 23 million dollar insider deal through the redevelopment agency…if anyone has any information on this feel free to email me through my website.
http://s463.photobucket.com/albums/qq351/FortNatomas/11-06-08/?start=all
what I don’t get,
Kerridge admitted that 1/2 of the past current funding for the City was coming from Natomas (that floodplain area between Chevy’s and the Airport?) by way of taxes, fees and other charges for development so why was not Natomas reaping the benefits of all this cash sent to the City?
1. Although a worthy cause, the City of Sacramento has been funding the new construction of the Art Museum (people of the City of San Francisco specifically denied public funding for the public de Young and forced socialite Dede Wilsey to raise 200 million from private sources).
2. The City of Sacramento was willing to pay, completely, for a new Arena for the Magoofs until the people stopped it (Portland made Paul Allen pay for his own new arena for the Jail Blazers and it has since come up a cropper and Portland has again refused Paul Allen’s request for help, as if he needed it and told the Jail Blazers to take a hike as did the City of Seattle to the Sonics after they too refused to pony up anymore cash for the NBA losers)
So, if the City of Sacramento has all this cash to spread around, both above and to the wealthy, what happened to all you services you all complain about missing?
Sounds as if you might have corruption and incompetence and probably both.
This is awesome. We need to keep airing all this tribal knowledge out. As this thread proves, so many residents know stuff they can be teaching the rest of us in layman terms. This is good stuff.
Everyone here is contributing awesome intel to the Joe Public knowledgebase. Keep it coming.
Ask dumb questions.
Teach others your tribal knowledge.
Air it out
I love it!
Fart Natomas, thanks for the link. God bless every one of those folks for wanting to improve the community. Hopefully those same folks will want to come out when we launch some upcoming public safety and youth development events.
http://www.sacbee.com/latest/story/1380024.html
I wasn’t sure about KJ, but I disliked Fargo SO MUCH that I voted for him. I don’t regret that. I think he may do a good job. My mother-in-law met him at some gathering & she was so excited to meet him that KJ gave her a hug. The “human-ness” of that is quite gratifying after 8 years of a cold, aloof, secretive mayor. Does anyone know what Fargo’s husband does for a living? I’ve never even heard what is name is. When they lived in that old farmhouse in So. Natomas he was always out there gardening. (Not that there’s anything wrong with that….
) Maybe he didn’t HAVE to work because the wife was raking in so much $$$$$ from backdoor deals.
Lawless, yeah I really think the Fargo anti vote got KJ in there, but more power to him. He is going to be great for our city. I am feeling very good about Obama and KJ. Government is getting some SOUL thank God. I bet you the downers on our council will be eating of KJ’s hand in weeks. Betchya