Ray Kerridge has finally been dislodged from the city administrative pipeline. No word on whether he self propelled or was plunged. Either way I think this is a good thing for Sacramento. I suggested he resign when the first massive budget shortfall was announced, followed by the news that Sacramento had become the second most violent city in California (second to only Oakland). If you’ve read this space for a while you’ll remember when I lambasted Mayor Johnson for touting Kerridge as a high quality city manager. I was shocked Johnson said that at the time given Kerridge’s complicity in running Sacramento’s budget into the ground.
A lot of people praise Kerridge for curing the city of its bureaucracy ills, but let’s get real. The city is facing a $50M budget shortfall, allegations of wrongdoing ( one which is threatening to balloon insurance premiums for Natomas homeowners), water meter scandals, and many other bumps, bruises and blackeyes and Ray has been all but AWOL in the media. Transparency? Nope. Communication? Nope. Accountability? Nope. He’s been seen and not heard most of the time, and has created the perception that he is either shy, aloof, or despondent.. none of which bode well for a person responsible for managing a city.
Now, let’s be fair: Did he have the best supporting cast? Of course not. The Sacramento City Council is more dysfunctional than Jon and Kate. But come on, you have to have some brass to be in that position and frankly I never saw Kerridge demonstrate any. Kerridge seemed like a decent administrator, but that’s where his management skills seemed to end. Maybe he was a real dynamo behind closed doors, but somehow I doubt it.
It seems to me Fargo saw a like-minded greenie in Kerridge and wanted him on board to help her see her green vision through. I understand she pined (pardon the tree pun) for him to have the city manager position and was elated when he got it. Hence it would have seemed reasonable for him to bounce on down the road when she did… but that didn’t happen.
I don’t know Ray Kerridge. He seems like an honest, decent, hardworking guy. I wish him the best in his next position. I just didn’t think he was a good fit for his position, and I think his departure will ultimately be a good thing for Sacramento as long as they replace him with someone more experienced and tuned into what’s most important to Sacramentans… like jobs… and public safety.. and education… and transportation.. and small business development.
I ‘m glad he is leaving (but for different reasons) I’m sad to see him leave but glad he is, it can’t be easy working within the current atmosphere at city hall. Heck it’s not easy for me seeing all the games, deceit, backstabbing and I’m on the outside looking in and my heart isn’t nearly as big as his. It couldn’t be easy in Jellystone Park (city hall) while our self-promoted Yogi, (Mayor Johnson) “I’m smarter than the average bear” continuously asks Boo Boo (his special assistant) “Hey Boo Boo where’s our pic-a-nic basket” (strong mayor proposal) and play games with the Ranger.
Heck, since it appeared every SMP would seek to have the mayor who lacks transparency appoint the city manager If I were the city manager knowing our mayor likes to find jobs for friends and volunteers where one hand washes the other- I’d look for a new job outside of the city sector as well. This last year -the year Johnson has been in office, must have filled the managers office with distractions for a picnic basket (SMP) One can only be surrounded in so much animosity for so long before it can interrupt your peace of mind and no one should continue to work in environments which surround you with so much distrust.
I recall meeting with a former Bee writer a couple years ago- Crystal Carreon- who I greatly respected and hated to see her leave- she knew Kerridge from Portland and had great respect for the work he did and shared with me his genuine concern. A genuine concern I would get to see and know in him. He’s not really shy. It’s just not his nature to promote himself, he doesn’t need the spotlight. But I agree, I do think we need a different type of city manager perhaps one aggressive, heartless to work in an heartless loveless deceitful environment that Johnson’s inactions, reactions and actions has aided in turning city hall into a not so comical Jellystone Park.We do need a different type of Ranger one who can tolerate deceit. I wish Kerridge the up most peace of mind, and blessings on his next move. The company will be lucky to have him as an employee. I’ve spoken with him many times at community meetings, met for coffee/muffins a couple times and he requested to be on my email list (when Fargo was in office) he had genuine concern for the community divided into victims and suspects and we have an office of youth development (with some good things in the works as a result of both the council and his outreach). I will miss him!
I see this as a net loss for Sacramento. The problem isn’t Kerridge, it’s us! We have elected a slate grandstanders, will-nilly bureaucrats and reactive activists to the city council & mayors office.. We have no one to blame about the poor state of affairs but ourselves.
When an organization has a generally weak board of directors (aka city council) even the best CEO in the world will be ineffective.
Whatever Kerridge’s faults may be, real or imagined, I simply do not foresee the upcoming executive search drawing in the best and the brightest, or doing any better on the job than the guy that just quit. Sac’s city manager search will be kind of like finding jurors for the OJ trail that hadn’t yet heard the story or formed an opinion….
Similarly, candidates that are so unaware of Sacramento’s dysfunction to think that accepting the job and moving their families is a good idea are probably not the kind of “ear to ground” management that the city deserves.
Good luck Ray. Good luck Sacramento.
Rhonda, thanks for the balance and great insight as always.
rhonda, thanks for copy-ing and pasting your comment on different blog sites. very thoughtful and original. (yes, it is sarcasm).
Thank you very much Mark, I appreciate your kindness as always
Richie Rich, Don’t get your undies in a bunch, didn’t mean to ruffle your feathers. I didn’t copy and paste anything. The comment is not the exact same as on another site. Yes, I did make reference to Yogi and Boo Boo on one site- SN&R – but I didn’t go back to the site it was simply on my mind when I posted this comment.
It’s original 
I haven’t heard it said before (sarcasm (your comment) vs truth (mine) I think truth prevails 
I think I read on SN&R the writer Cosmo said you were stalking bbbmer so are you going to stalk me now on this site? yea, you’re just an average guy- smile
Now, I will copy and paste
Posted 02/03/2010 by Cosmo Garvin on Campaign money report: Robbie Waters in a real fight, and Willie Brown tries to improve KJ’s fortunes article : Garvin writes: ” 2112, I’ve noticed that bbbbmer has stopped responding to you. Is it less fun stalking him now?”
http://www.newsreview.com/sacramento/snog/blogs#BlogPost-1373040 Thanks for the idea. SN&R Cosmo Garvin has some real good information on his blog regarding Johnson and perhaps more would be interested in reading it.
Now I’m going to do like bbbbmer and exit stage left and I’ll stop responding to you. I’ll leave you alone please leave me alone and please don’t stalk me.
rhonda, i could careless about stalking you, please. let’s get real. frankly your opinions and posts warrant me to go the opposite direction. yes, you did find what cosmo wrote. very good. maybe you, bbbmer and cosmo can go huddle up somewhere and wait for the next ray of light to come down and point you in a required direction. oh, and now that i don’t you and i won’t ever have a conversation again, you just made my day. thanks.
All this arguing is really harshing my buzz. Peace. Out.
cogmeyer- I apologize for the arguing but I assure you it is over—- I’ve moved on. I wanted to mention earlier but I forgot but I do agree with your post and the problem is us and I think that ship is sailing because one thing I will give credit to occurring since KJ has been in office is their is far more dialog from community members voicing our concerns with elected officials. The people are speaking out more and taking a stand and it is really such a breath of fresh air to see so many people calling out what stinks. Again, I really do agree with your post and I do apologize for the bickering.
I wouldn’t be too offended by the Bbbbbmr thing. Until they divulge their identity, their opinion is worthless to me.
iI have no idea what the “bbbner thing” is. But surely you are not suggesting mark that anonymous commentors can’t make valid point, are you?
For me it’s not a question of validity; it’s a question of integrity. It’s one thing to be a loud-mouthed armchair political quarterback; it’s quite another to call a politician a child molester, a thief, a crook, a moron, bash their significant other, etc etc etc etc and never take ownership of your words.
Agreed…if true that sucks.