Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson has not been deterred by two court rulings that prevent his strong mayor initiative from being placed on the June ballot. His latest strategy is to ask the City Council to place a new strong mayor proposal on the ballot. But Johnson’s new plan, which he announced on his blog Monday afternoon, cannot include the existing strong mayor initiative. That's because Sacramento Superior Court Judge Loren McMaster struck down the initiative last month, saying it broke st... KathleenHaley LARRY MEADE comment-21961 2010-02-10T07:33:57Z 2010-02-10T07:33:57Z I can't believe the gossip around 40 Acres hasn't gotten more attention; it would be career ending, given his record. Unfortunately, I'm not all that surprised because nothing sticks to KJ.... he must wear Teflon underwear, Teflon clothes, and Teflon jackets. Given the challenges our city is facing, KJ really thinks that this is the best use of our limited resources and time? Ugh. The only upside to this is that he truly is showing how much he only cares about KJ and not the city... Who is starting the recall petition? PS - I've also heard murmerings that he's doing this so when the city council fails to put it on the ballot, he'll hold a press conference announcing that he can't work where people don't want change and will resign. I don't think this holds any water, but I'm still crossing my fingers... LARRY MEADE 2010-02-10T07:33:57Z TAB comment-21939 2010-02-10T06:46:03Z 2010-02-10T06:46:03Z I SAY AGAIN IMPEACH KEVIN JOHNSON TAB 2010-02-10T06:46:03Z Rhonda Erwin comment-21937 2010-02-10T01:43:56Z 2010-02-10T01:43:56Z Gheez, he is a persistent little squirrel or a nut Rhonda Erwin 2010-02-10T01:43:56Z Marion Millin comment-21936 2010-02-10T00:51:28Z 2010-02-10T00:51:28Z Excellent point, StellaM. I wonder if KJ's new ideas address the missing 9th Council District/Member at all. Marion Millin 2010-02-10T00:51:28Z Stella M. comment-21933 2010-02-09T23:25:17Z 2010-02-09T23:25:17Z Well, so much for the recommendations of the Charter Review Committee. I believe that was a truly collaborative process that actually involved input from Sacramento citizens. Stella M. 2010-02-09T23:25:17Z Marion Millin comment-21929 2010-02-09T21:42:07Z 2010-02-09T21:42:07Z He's still under investigation for various matters (not all of them stopped by the Obama administration, as the Gerald Walprin investigation was). After hearing repeatedly the same version of "gossip" regarding the 40 Acres and a Mule story, KJ may have plenty of reasons to resign his office. Marion Millin 2010-02-09T21:42:07Z bbbbmer comment-21928 2010-02-09T23:23:21Z 2010-02-09T23:23:21Z The following is just 'gossip but may be true', but at lunch I heard that if this thing isn't passed tonight -- correction, SOON -- KJ's thinking of resigning.... Wouldn't THAT be a godsend!!! CALL YOUR COUNCIL MEMBER TO ASK THEM TO VOTE 'NO' ON KJ'S *NEW KINDER GENTLER* POWERGRAB!!!! bbbbmer 2010-02-09T23:23:21Z Marion Millin comment-21927 2010-02-09T21:11:16Z 2010-02-09T21:11:16Z If Kevin Johnson did not believe the existing City Charter and Council structure provided him the Mayor's role he wanted, he should have worked to change it before being elected. If he believes he can't be effective and accountable as Mayor with the power he now holds, he should be removed from office. Ah yes, the "collaborative executive mayor reform package" had a Frank Luntz Orwellian ring to it and here he is in the story, helping KJ craft the strategery for an Imperial Executive Mayor and a privatized takeover of the public schools, with Queen Rhee at his side. Glitz and glamour, Arne Duncan, Arnie Schwarzenegger, Willie Brown, Obama ...... The problem that KJ and his Luntzheads have is Sacramentans is not suckers. "Collaborative executive mayor reform package....." Hmmmm Focus Group, whaddya think, how 'bout the: "Pre-packaged Reformed Executive Mayor Collusion" or PRENC. This is a PRENC -- a prank on the people, the history and the future of Sacramento. Marion Millin 2010-02-09T21:11:16Z Marion Millin comment-21926 2010-02-09T20:54:43Z 2010-02-09T20:54:43Z He doesn't even hide his back room deals. He sent Nestle and City reps into a side room to make a deal, DURING the City Council meeting. If Johnson is incapable of performing as a good and effective mayor under the current system that he was elected to serve in, then yes, a recall is the only reasonable solution. Let THAT be the Council resolution on the next ballot. Marion Millin 2010-02-09T20:54:43Z fifthgensacramentan comment-21921 2010-02-09T16:25:00Z 2010-02-09T16:25:00Z From KJ’s Blog: “In the next week, I will ask city staff to draft the appropriate resolution, which the council can place before voters in June.” “Tuesday night at City Council, I will ask my colleagues to place a collaborative executive mayor reform package on the June ballot.” To KJ- Why don’t you try to READ and COMPREHEND the existing charter & The Brown Act!! § 62 Non-interference with City Manager. The city council and its members SHALL DEAL SOLELY AND DIRECTLY THROUGH THE CITY MANAGER with respect to the part of city government under the direction and supervision of the city manager; provided, that nothing herein shall limit the power of the city council, or members thereof, to do the following: (a) to conduct investigations as provided in Section 34 of this Charter, or (b) to contact officers and employees of the city for the purpose of inquiry or obtaining information that is a public record, or (c) to contact officers and employees designated by the city manager for the purpose of advising said officers and employees or citizen complaints relating to the operation of city government. At the top of every City Council Agenda it clearly states: Government Code 54950 (The Brown Act) requires that a brief description of each item to be transacted or discussed be posted at least 72 hours prior to a regular meeting. The City posts Agendas at City Hall as well as offsite meeting locations. This SM discussion is not on the Agenda This is not a DEFCON 1 situation You want reform? You want Transparency? Why do You and Hiltachk fear and disparage The Charter Commission process? Oh Right-You can’t Buy it or Control It. fifthgensacramentan 2010-02-09T16:25:00Z bbbbmer comment-21920 2010-02-09T12:09:36Z 2010-02-09T12:09:36Z This mayor has no shame. His unyielding gall, hubris, and just plain overreaching bad taste, has no bounds... Sacramento's form of governance is collaborative already, and has spared this city the disastrous prosecutions for corruption experienced by other cities of similar, and greater, size and complexity. Our form is a paradigm of democratic rule, and the ONLY reason for seeking its modification at this time by this mayor is for self aggradizement of authority to hide the backroom deals his backers have engineered without public consent or knowledge... There is no pressing need to change this city's constitution -- PERIOD! What is needed is the ouster of this mayor and the sinister interests he has brought with him, aiming to covertly undermine the Council's role to enable things like an unnecessary arena build, among so many other covert corruptions, only paying lip service to public input... And with people like Frank Luntz, who seems to have suffered an integrity bypass at birth resulting in a conscience-free amoral combination of Orwell and Macchiavelli, all on behalf of the most right wing conservative corporatist interests, you can bet that Johnson is certainly not doing the bidding of Sacramentans of modest means who do the heavy lifting in this town.... It's time to move forward on recalling this woefully inadequate woefully unfit incumbent and closing this darkest chapter in our city's history.... bbbbmer 2010-02-09T12:09:36Z