Yesterday the US Attorney’s office announced its investigation of St Hope had failed to yield enough evidence to warrant filing criminal charges against the organization’s then-CEO Kevin Johnson. When the DA was asked why they waited until two days after the election to share the news, they said they didn’t want to “influence the outcome. ”
How noble. While the gesture may seem altruistic on the surface, in reality it’s inanely absurd because we all know a mob of snarling witch hunters–including the ex mayor–poisoned the sanctity of the election from the outset when they flooded our mailboxes with smear propaganda, sloppily misquoted the fed’s statements on St Hope, accused Johnson of being a slumlord and a child predator.. …inhale…. Plastered videotaped police interviews with minors all over the internet (calling it “breaking news”), recklessly leaked investigation findings, and illegally demanded our police chief re-open a closed case, even though the complainant had decided not to press charges against Johnson.
[And I was chastened by the Bee's Marcos Breton for posting an image of Fargo with the words "You're fired" over it. Sheeyeah].
I think it’s safe to say that convenient little delay on the DA’s part probably cost Johnson at least 10,000 votes–not to mention a lot of endorsements. The first one that comes to mind is that of city council person Kevin “The Big Ooze” McCarty. The “Other Kevin” waited MONTHS to announce his mayoral endorsement. He described his hold-out as “remaining neutral.” But observers called it “waiting to see which endorsement will be more favorable to my career aspirations.”
Five months passed without a peep on his decision. Then, suddenly, early one September morning, the Great McCarty arose from his slumber, gathered his anxious servants around, and declared, “I have made my decision. Summon the press corps.”
Within hours a press conference was in full swing at city hall, and the born again Other Kevin was devoutly testifying before a throng of reporters how Heather Fargo was the “clear choice” for mayor. Whoa! “Clear” .. ummm .. as the view of downtown Sac from El Dorado Hills!
The Ooze was suddenly en fuego! He gushed, “Heather is the leader to invest in our youth, the advocate for our neighborhoods, the champion for sustainability and clean air, and the fighter in our efforts to curb gun violence and make our streets safer.”
Wow! What a turnaround! Five months of silence, then a testimonial that would make even St. Paul perk up. I couldn’t help but wonder: What caused the Other Kevin’s sudden decision to endorse Fargo? Did it come to him in a dream? Did he have a religious experience? Was he hearing voices in his head? Did the Democratic party intimidate him? Did his prescription run out?
Exactly four hours later that SAME day, the answer to those questions came in another press release when the Bee announced that the Federales had completed their initial investigation of St Hope and had forwarded their findings to the US District Attorney’s Office for review. In the news release Mayor Johnson was essentially depicted as a white collar embezzler, and the word “criminal” was used at least once. The Bee made a huge deal out of it and acted as though they had broken a Watergate-magnitude story.
Rumor has it that McCarty wanted to endorse Johnson all along, but when the St Hope news broke, he scrambled and called an impromptu press conference to go on record for Fargo before Johnson got bonked over the head again by the media. McCarty wanted to keep his hands clean so he separated himself from Johnson. Sounds to me like he was treating our election like the Sportsbook at Harvey’s. Too bad he gambled on the wrong horse. Gambling is a very expensive vice.
So he gambled and lost. So what? I think the incident points to a bigger problem: and that is the game of politics McCarty (and others on the council), are playing with the lives and livelihood of Sacramentans.
We did not become the second most violent city in the state by chance. In my opinion we’ve got council people whose hearts are simply not in the right place. Our “leaders” are playing games. McCarty’s behavior, both during the election season, and in any given city council meeting, is immature and smacks of an entitlement orientation that will continue to expand until he decides to clean up his act and show some humility, or is voted out of office.
Simply put, politicians like Kevin McCarty are not working for us; they are working for themselves and their special interests and political affiliations. That is not going to work. In order to make Sacramento a city that works for everyone, and city hall a place where everyone is comfortable visiting and expressing themselves, we absolutely must have council people who are : A) Professional to everyone; B) Transparent to everyone; and C) Working for everyone.
McCarty and a few others on the council are NONE of the above.
Did you see the last council meeting recently where most of the council members publicly chastened a city employee like a child for presenting–what they perceived to be–a half-baked proposal on garbage vaporization? Totally unacceptable communication. It’s shameful and does not reflect the example our LEADERS should be setting for the community.
Apparently, somewhere along the way these politicians forgot who and why they are SERVING. At some point government became administrative and bureaucratic and lost its SOUL. Where the is the warmth? Where is the love? I will say the same thing I said about Fargo when she first announced her re-election bid:WE DESERVE BETTER, SACRAMENTO!!
Early on a reporter asked KJ how far he would go to clean up city hall. He said matter of factly with that unmistakable Phoenix Suns all star competitive sparkle in his eye: “I’d clean house.”
Time to get out the mops and brooms, KJ. Show them what living a life of SERVICE TO OTHERS is all about.
Well Joe, this was my favorite article you have written so far. It is definitely one for the trophy cabinet. I agree with you very much about service to others. They should hang a big banner over city hall that says that. Maybe then our city employees would have a nice reminder every day why they are going to work. I have great hope for our city now with Kevin Johnson as mayor. I think he will treat everyone with the respect they deserve and I hope he will rub off on people like “the other kevin” and Fong. Great article Joe.
Ha ha ha. Ho ho ho. Young Joe you are so naive dear boy it’s painful to read your prose at times. Honestly what in the dickinson are you on about? Are you asking for decorum and congeniality in our government? Are you completely mad? What’s next on your blog agenda dear boy? Gourmet food in school cafeterias? Fine wine in Coke machines? Clean water in Africa?
Surely young Joe I must do the right thing and demote you back to private first class dummy, You must know this was a very difficult decision but you have sadly left me no other choice.
I should add the “snakes” image was great fun. Reminds me of county.
The city should pay you to run a clinic on customer service Joe. I agree completely with everything you say here. Our government has lost its **soul**. I could not have said it better. They have sold their soul to developers and special interests. What we need are true leaders who do not answer to **anyone** but the people they serve. Those are the changes I think need to be made.
Joe sac - From what I have read from your postings on the Bee and here on your web site, you seem to be a pretty reasonable person that stands for good government. I don’t always agree with what you say, but I certainly respect your viewpoint. There still could very well be a civil suit filed against St. Hope by the federal government. There is also an audit report floating around somwhere, rumor has it that the Bee obtained a copy of it, and has not released the information. I have also read that this audit report may not be able to be released until the Inspector general investigation is complete. When the SCUSD school board was asked about it the other night, the outgoing Pro St. Hope Board members just kind of stared out into space as if they had no idea what was going on. Who knows what has taken place so far about the audit report, somewhere in the middle lies the truth. No matter what the scuttlebut is about who so far has seen this document, there is a distinct possibility that this audit report could prove not only damaging to St. Hope, but also the outgoing Board. It is therefore inherenty prudent that this outgoing Board for SCUSD NOT make any decisions about closing any schools or do anything with leased property, especially when it comes to St. Hope so the new Board can have their say. This new Board was elected by district, not at large as the outgoing Board was. Measures J and K were passed for a reason, so EVERY neighborhood can have representation on the SCUSD Board. One of the main themes also of this campaign in 2006 was the Board was too Pro St. Hope and from the Pocket-Greenhaven area. Let’s not have the outgoing Board make decisions that could impact a new incoming Board that was elected with the intent of Measures J and K which was passed by a substanital margin. Mr. Joe Sacramento, I respectfully submit to you and your readers that if it is true that St. Hope intentionally did something wrong when it comes to its relations with SCUSD, it should be pursued with whatever means it takes to press civil and/or criminal charges and recover the money. There is alot more to this that has not been heard by the public. Let’s stand for good government and not let a bunch of lame duck school Board members make decisions that could stand in the way of saving taxpayers literally hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Hi Rich, you know I respect you 100%, and you never have to put disclaimers here. I welcome your opinion and input ALWAYS. Please know that. I have learned a lot from reading your posts as well as missappys, Bmmrs and others I don’t always agree with–but none-the-less respect.
Rich from what I have read so far, and if what you say is true, then I could not agree more. It seems absurd that the outgoing board members should be able close schools or make decisions about property. I would be interested to hear what some of my readers who are teachers think about this as well. T? R? Thoughts?
Can you also discuss examples of what’s at stake besides potential St Hope improprieties not being investigated?
Yes, I think if St Hope skirted the law they should be penalized. Absolutely. My article speaks more to the investigation into the car washes, the burger runs, the allegation by the girl not being properly reported.. and the investigation into whether Johnson was responsible for criminal misappropriation of federal funds per se…. NOT the audit or any other related investigations.
You are right. I am all for responsible/good government and I have said repeatedly that I will not favor Kevin Johnson. I’m happy to be his greatest critic.. all in the spirit of helping him be the best mayor he can be. Many residents have some great ideas for him and so far I have not seen him respond to any of them… but we haven’t even started the first quarter yet so he gets a pass for now
Thanks for stopping by Rich. Always good to e-see you
Notice of Award:
As a former 11B, then retired to
1LT, II Corp, MACV, Central Highlands, RVN, Bronze Star, retired
With the authority vested in me by absolutely nobody, hereby promote you to
1. Sergeant Major
2. Brevet Brigadier General
your choice
(as WhattheDickinson name implies, he know whatthenothing of military history as Custer was promoted to Brevet Brigadier General at 23, and with less qualification than you)
Congratulations!
Cole! Thank you! I will select #1. Do I get a pin or patch or something??? I will wear it with pride.
Hear hear Cole! Joe’s call for decorum and a more humane government is shared by a great number of citizens not just in Sacramento but across the country! Yes we can! That is not just a national theme folks. We need to make that a local theme too and Joe has been leading that charge for months!
Congrats on your award Joe!
rwake3d wrote on 11/08/2008 02:34:08 PM:
Joesac - OMG we agree again about the check cashing places - My future sister in law had a HORRIBLE experience at one of those check cashing places earlier this summer. They said they gave her money she borrowed, when it 100% turned out they did not. It took 2 weeks and 2 hours of my vacation time to get her money. Those places are nothing more than legalized loan sharking. We can do better! A 95829 liberal Democrat from S.Land Park agrees with Joesac!!
Joesac - I had to obtain some more information in order to answer your question. I spoke to a colleague of mine who lives over in East Sac - we both supported Warren Harding for County Supervisor. Here are some thoughts - most of which are hers - I agree whole heartedly with these sentiments - so with a few minor edits as given permission by the author -
The number one reason they shouldn’t be doing this now is that the new board is elected to represent the voters in their areas. The board shouldn’t be taking any action without hearing from the public. That’s what they were elected to do-it’s democracy. The district already has a hit list in mind, that’s how they operate. They want any public input to be pro forma. That’s why they want to rush to get a list out.
There are several (well all really) of the small high schools that have lower enrollment that the elementary schools they want to close. they’re also more expensive than an elementary schoo to run. Three of those small high schools have the worst dropout rate in the district. The decisions should be made with the best interests of the students in mind, not to protect the legacy of the outgoing Board.
St. HOPE’s enrollment is alrady below the threshold that was set in the new faclities agreement. After the modenization is completed sometime in the new year, a decision could be made to house others programs at the campus.
Rich, thanks. So what can residents do to support the new board?
I think the best thing we can make sure happens is that the opportunity for public input is given. Just like the plan the City put on hold for vaporizing garbage for electricity, the SCUSD should at times seek out people to voice an opinion, especially when none is present. Times are going to be tough. The Governor is proposing to cut more money from education (BAD IDEA) Tough choices are going to have to be made to consolidate services. Everyone is going to have to contribute to make it work. Bring more voices to the table and most likely intelligent thoughtful decisions will be made. Of course, as a Democrat, I have to also say, in 2010, a new Governor that is pro-education would certainly help. Anyone of the 5 or so names mentioned to be running would be a dramatic improvement from what we have now.
Hey Rich,
I happen to believe more education cuts are needed, 40, 50 or 60 billion dollars is not enough for you. The education bureauracy and pro left teacher unions are a disgrace to the state and have made our students more stupid. Have you seen the API scores from Natomas, every school but two scored worse, are you suggesting we send in more money to waste. The Natomas Middle school is on probation and their scores need to improve in three years or the administration will be replaced, I say start early and fire everybody for performing so poorly, it is too bad more accountability is not present in the schools, maybe our students would be brighter then.
Natomas Hood - please also note that 2 new members were elected to the Natomas school Board on November 4th. 2 incumbents did not seek re-election. Change is coming there as well.
Natomas Hood- the problem is so much more complex than you have pinned down in a few sentences. First off, NCLB was designed for everyone to fail. When you only teach to the middle and you require but don’t pay for bringing up the bottom and provide no support or funds for the top, no real measurable change happens. Education policy has changed to require teachers to teach to the test, not to teach analytical thinking, logic or problem solving. But there is NO incentive for students to perform on these tests. It’s not a measure of the students, it’s a measure of the teachers’ ability to bribe the students. If I’m a junior in high school, give me three reasons why I give a crap about a test that doesn’t affect my ability to go to college, my grades or my academic placement next year? So those that were going to fail, fail anyway and those that could have done better have no reason.
What would you recommend for accountability? Everyone talks about it but nobody has answers. Have you ever been in a classroom targeted towards low-achieving and at-risk students? As you know from our posts here in the past, you’re fighting against Maslow’s hierarchy. When my students haven’t had breakfast, have no warm/clean clothes, see their mom cooking crack and their mom’s boyfriend sneaking into the bed at night… really who cares about algebra? The accountability does not rest solely or even 50% with the teachers or the school. In my former job I had 120 students approx. More than half of them had been in juvie, had been arrested or were in foster care. It’s just not as simple as “get some accountability or fire those teachers and administrators”
How the f did this get turned into an education string?
So SacramentoBlog would have no standardized testing…according to her theory tests are not indicative of achievement…hmm well ok…lets work with that for a second… no tests… no standards… let the union backed teachers teach with no accountability…while we’re at it…lets do what many ultra liberal schools do and get rid of the grading system…after all its just too subjective…gee I wonder what the outcome of her education system would be….but hey it’s all too complex for us simpletons to understand according to her…
Hive me a break, and your sad analogies hold no water…everyone has a sad story, even in the burbs…what is your answer… More social programs? Guarantee every child a good parent?
I know a just a little about education, I taught for three years, I quit in disgust over the school administration.
We are doomed, and SacrmantoBlog has been one of the cogs in the wheel of our country’s demise.
So SacBlog how would YOU educate our children if you had complete control… how would YOU teach them critical thinking skills? (Remember; be careful not to teach them too much, they may end up critical of your methods)
Perhaps you all who live in Natomas should have the new Natomas Board start working with the Twin Rivers School district. I would be willing to bet many of these students you are referring to should be attending school in that district. I have a friend who used to teach in Natomas USD. It was fairly obvious some of the students attending Natomas High should be attending Grant or Norte Del Rio. Stuff like that happens all the time.
This got turned into an education string because rich brought up some very good points in response to my saying that Johnson had been cleared.
Sac Blog has more than a few years of experience. I like hearing her point of view. I have learned a lot from her. I think she makes a really good point about Maslow. That is one that is very close to my heart. How you going to get kids excited about school when they live in filth and eat dry top ramen for breakfast–if they’re lucky
SacInsider-
First off, let me clarify that I am not a union teacher and have never taught in a union school. I’ve taught in charter schools since 1999 and I have no idea what it’s like to work under that system. I do know what it’s like to be held accountable for your job and do a service to your students or get fired. Teachers unions hold way too much control and allow bad teachers to fester forever. But they are not the root of all evil.
Second, I did not say no standardized tests. I said tests that hold no weight with the student have no purpose. If the students don’t have a reason to perform, you get nothing out of even the best of them.
Perhaps my ideal school should be it’s own post for all to discuss- Joe- thoughts? Here’s some general ideas.
Universal preschool for all, mandatory participation in free breakfast programs for all students in any school that is identified 25% or more “free lunch eligible”, tenure status only after TEN years in the union, standardized tests that determine whether to promote to the next grade, separation out of ESL and special ed programs until a student is able to be mainstreamed with minimum disruption to the rest of the class (yeah, start screaming now, it works better I promise), open enrollment in every school district, mandatory volunteer parent hours for every school, individualized education plans for every student that require goals to be set for the student- not the teacher or the textbook, return of PE, music, science and foreign language to every classroom in elementary school- by specialized teachers and at least 3x a week.
Sacramentoblog -you are right on. I would like to know if you teach in natomas? My child attends a charter school and I can tell you it is the best move we made by far. My only concerns are a few that you listed. I agree 100% in regards to mainstreaming special ed and ESL. Our school is having issues right now with this. Parents who want their child mainstreamed but with complete disruption to the rest of the class. Why does that child have more rights than the rest of the class? I see displine as a huge problem. I love the parents who want to blame their childs behavior on everyone but their own child. I think teachers and principals and school boards need to have a no tolenance policy when it comes to disipline. Children do have the right to be educated but not at the expence of the children who obey the rules. Parents should be held accountable. Our school has PE,ART AND SPANISH at the elementary level and it is definately a great asset. Hopefully with KJ as mayor he will work with some of the local schools to acheive this. I love his no tolerance policy at sac high. You don’t want to follow the rules (parent and child) and you don’t keep your grades up BYE BYE!!!! There are tons of schools you can go to and just get by if you don’t feel like you want to step it up.
Hey Rich,
Thanks for the comments, was unsure why you would send poor kids to Grant HS, one of the worst schools in the state, (except their football team is good.) Having Natomas and Twin Rivers work together, for what reason?? Send our children to an inferior school Dist. Natomas has low enough test scores, let us improve our own house first.
Ok SacBlog…I may have misunderstood your points… and with the exception of mandatory free breakfast…I agree with you 100% I would add some things.. but wont here..btw how does giving free breakfast to kids who can afford it help anything? I support the program..along with free lunch’s but why free for those who do not qualify?
SacInsider-
It’s mostly about stigma. In many schools where the free breakfast/lunch program exceeds 25% qualification, few take advantage of it- especially above about 4th grade. The stigma of going in to sit in the cafeteria and eat is just too overwhelming for kids that feel the peer pressure. Add to that how many kids CAN afford breakfast but either aren’t fed by busy slacker parents or eat piles of crap called food for breakfast. No… PopTarts are not food.
If everyone has breakfast together, everyone is fed a healthy meal and starts school with great brain power. On standardized testing days when I was in my own classroom, I fed my students every morning. A small brag- one year my students scored in the 87th percentile in the US History test- I blame it on the fresh fruit in combination with my stellar teaching methods