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Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson and Washington, D.C. Schools Chancelllor Michelle Rhee are engaged to wed.

Few details were released, but the Mayor did issue a statement.

"This is an exciting time in our lives and I feel truly blessed," Johnson commented in a public statement issued Friday. "Michelle is an amazing person, and I could not be happier."

Rhee, who served on the Mayor's St. Hope Academy before leaving for Washington, D.C., is divorced and has two children. The Sacramento Bee reports Rhee was once on the cover of Time Magazine as a prominent education reformer.

No wedding date has been scheduled as of yet.

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Matthew Keys is an online news writer for FOX40.com and community contributor to The Sacramento Press. He can be reached by e-mail at mkeys@tribune.com.

Photos appear courtesy Time, Inc.

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bbbbmer

edited on November 7, 2009 | 8:44 AM

...and how long is THIS match made in Hell going to last??? The only thing these two could possibly have in common is a pathological quest for power without having to do the heavy lifting such authority requires.These seem to be compassionless people, driven by a hubris, all hat, and no cattle...

Given recent scandals and the press they attract, and an increasingly hostile sentiment toward this mayor, such a PR-driven photo-op couldn't be a better remedy. Everybody LOVES weddings, and this one ought to make the next season of Bridezillas.

Michelle Rhee is also having her own troubles in DC, for she very well may soon be under grand jury investigation for deliberately over-hiring for the current school term in order to facilitate the firing of about 300 teachers/administrators she just didn't like -- and yes, she's just that capricious.

Where education is concerned she and KJ have a lot in common, both being virulently anti-union, both with little or no actual classroom experience while pretending to all sorts of nonsensical theories about education 'reform', both with membership in the DINO organization 'Democrats for Education Reform' which is nothing but a corporate-funded front group which stands in direct opposition to collective bargaining rights for teachers, and both having served at the helm of schools and/or districts that have misused funds and engaged in significantly questionable, and potentially illegal, practices while running such organizations.

There have been several articles published in DC's local equivalents to the SNR and SacPress that bear on Ms. Rhee's current troubles and past questionabilities that should make for interesting reading as this match made in Hell advances to a wedding day that will probably never materialize, given the probable PR flavor of its arrangement.

See http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/citydesk/2009/10/12/michelle-rhee-feels-the-blowback-loose-lips-daily/ for more details...

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The Parrhesiac

edited on November 7, 2009 | 9:10 AM

Anti union? Show any proof of that statement...Johnson was supported by the Central Labor Council and many unions when he ran for office.

He fought tooth and nail to save union jobs in the City.

bbbbbbbSSSSS

I really wonder what your personal issue is with Johnson...?

I do not care for him, mainly because he has done little as Mayor and that he could be doing a much better job helping those that need help, rather than helping developers and cronies who are already very wealthy... Doh...oh yeah...except that being Mayor in this town is ONLY a ceremonial position....you have no power to get anything accomplished.

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bbbbmer

edited on November 7, 2009 | 1:21 PM

I have nothing 'personal' against the mayor. I believe, however, that his past and present efforts are peppered with corruption and fraud, and this has been demonstrated time and again to this reasonably prudent person. Apparently you're unaware of such things, or care to deny their existence. I do not choose to live so ignorantly.

Johnson's campaign was supported by BILL CAMP of the Labor Council, with strong objection raised by other members of the same body. Mr. Camp does NOT support SMI, and now barely supports the mayor's current efforts, if his testimony before the City Council is any indication.

What is it that KJ has done to 'fight tooth and nail' for union jobs??? That's just more of your ill-informed nonsense...

The great mayors of this town, including Anne Rudin, Philip Isenberg, and even Joe Serna (though I would argue whether he was truly as 'great' as his post-mortem hype) and Heather Fargo, did not need a 'strong mayor' platform to 'get things done'. They collaboratively sought solutions to problems and buy-in from colleagues -- they did NOT 'dictate'.

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Rhonda Erwin

edited on November 7, 2009 | 8:45 AM

I love weddings. I wish the two of them the best. But in the back of my mind (or heck maybe even the front) I also saw and thought it could possibly be a publicity stunt. Heck Michael was married to Priscilla in the midst of his troubles and when many questioned him.... But for once I hope it is more than a PR stunt and if this is a marriage of love and truth I do wish them much personal happiness. (but in business I have a totally different opinion) My complaints against Johnson aren't personal - it is business and I hope and wish him personal happiness -- heck perhaps maybe then we'll see better business. Heck a few litle Johnson's running around might cause him to think of the next generation and life and freedom. I think a marriage can sometimes help folks begin to see and think outside a driven nature of stepping on people..... and become less self-absorbed. But I do like weddings and would love to see a happy ending after being shown so many negative chain of events..... I don't wish bad on anyone and I do wish them the best with their long engagment and marriage.

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Matthew Keys

November 9, 2009 | 4:18 AM

When people give an article a "thumbs up" or a "thumbs down," I often wonder if they're critiquing the way the article is written, or the subject of the article.

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Richard Julian

November 9, 2009 | 8:42 AM

I wonder the same thing. In this case, it's pretty obvious that it's about the topic, not the writing. There's not exactly that much writing to critique.

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Marion Millin

November 9, 2009 | 12:33 PM

Will it be a privatized ceremony?

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Susie Shields

November 9, 2009 | 12:55 PM

Best wishes to the couple. I hope this public pairing helps the public to become aware of Rhee's ties to Alvarez and Marsal, the auditoring firm that the Mayor said would do an audit of the city "for free." The firm was essentially hand-picked by Rhee as she used them to help her and DC Mayor Fenty take over the school district and start the charterization of DC schools. Does anyone see the connection here? I sure hope so...

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William Burg

edited on November 10, 2009 | 11:12 AM

Interestingly enough, Gerald Walpin, the federal investigator Johnson got fired for whistle-blowing about Johnson and St. Hope's misuse of Americorps funds (you know, the funds that Johnson has to pay back 50% of), was cleared of wrongdoing and now wants his old job back. Johnson, and even Steven Maviglio, declined to comment.

http://www.sacbee.com/latest/story/2317047.html

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Susie Shields

November 10, 2009 | 1:40 PM

Mr. Burg, thanks for the info regarding the former Inspector General. I also find it interesting that Acting US Attorney Lawrence Brown, whose letter prompted an investigation of Gerald Walpin, was not nominated to the US Atty General positon. He has dropped down to the #3 spot. I wonder if it's because Mr. Walpin was cleared and Brown's charges were unfounded. It appears his actions assisted Mr. Johnson in getting rid of Mr. Walpin prematurely and perhaps illegally.

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