That's not why Kerridge is leaving. Kerridge has stated his reasons for leaving... We don't have to pour salt on wounds. Their are issues existing within city hall which are concerning to many of us but I don't see Kerridge as seeing the folks as "lazy overpaid public employees...." We can each have our own opinions but we should express them as being "our" opinion and not put our opinion on to someone else. We shouldn't put words in someone else mouth, it can leave a bad after- taste when it's not their words and they don't share the same appetite (opinion, view)

Jim: Kerridge laid off hundreds of city employees, which is why it's so difficult to get permits at Development Services/Community Development now, because most of the customer service staff were laid off! It is the City Manager who currently has the authority to hire and fire employees. Get your facts straight.

He laid off a few, none of them union employees from what I hear...

but not enough to stop the bleeding - public employee salaries and benefits are destroying our state.

william my friend the lay offs are not the reason it is so dificult to get permits from DSD
DSD staff is terrified to make a decision on their own after what has transpired at city hall
ask someone who actually pulls permits
and vivian, my friend as well (savemidtown) the DOC is not made up of developers ( some are , most are not ) agreed their affectiveness has varied but there are some great folks there ( as well your neighbors) that made the right recommendations to council and council chose their path
your anger should be directed at council for not doing its job , council knew what was going on ...

Shawn, if DSD staff is terrified to deliberately break city codes, ignore warnings and bypass the city's computer system to make a decision, I consider that a good thing.

Jim: You are entitled to your own opinions, but you are not entitled to your own facts. Development Services alone was cut by half its employees.

http://www.sacramentopress.com/headline/7026

http://www.sacramentopress.com/headline/8692/City_employees_receive_pink_slips_168_possible_layoffs

As to the DOC, here they are:
http://www.cityofsacramento.org/dsd/meetings/commissions/development-oversight/commission-members.cfm

Holger Fuerst: Construction
Brian Holloway: Mouthpiece for developers
John Packowski: Architect
Dennis Guerra: Architect
John Nunan: Construction
Darryl Chinn: Architect
Kristina McBurney: Real estate sales
Roger Valine: Retired CEO of Vision Service Plan

Which means that one member of the DOC doesn't make their living dealing with architecture, construction or real estate, all professions related to development.

william it is critical the DOC is filled with folks who have a clue about development ( duh ) who else could be on a "development " over sight commission . this group is far from "developers"
( except maybe brian :-)
additionally, i said nothing about staff breaking rules or the acts that happend in the natomas or even nestle
it makes me sad you do not understand the DSD environment i would love to let you spend a week with me ( a little baby builder of things) to truly feel the effects of a polarized staff on a small business person or builder etc.
your defensiveness and accusatory tone towards this group saddens me as you are a great mind in our city yet this group of folks from DOC , DSD staff and those that use DSD are not the enemy and they need help to get things built or improved etc. not hinder. i would like to have more conversation with you offline ( definitely a less combative feeling conversation) about this issue

William, I like what you wrote- "You are entitled to your own opinion but you are not entitled to your own facts" and then you list facts. Thank you too for another lesson. I can honestly say I am learning a great deal by watching this site and watching the people share their opinion, beliefs, facts.... For me it's not just about learning what's going on in the city of Sacramento but it's also about learning the power of and within the people of Sacramento. I recently read a Midtown magazine "The Oak Park Issue" and I read your article on 'a Brief History of Oak Park" you are very impressive and one (of many) for me to watch and learn from on this site. Thank you

So WIlliam your saying we should not have laid off City workers when development went in the tank? SHould we pay them to play video games?

They need to lay off 500 more, as well as cut their pension and health benefits.

Jim: First decide whether or not they were laid off, then get back to me.

Shawn: I interned at Development Services. There was plenty of terrified staff back then, mostly afraid they would get the axe if they stepped out of line--and plenty of them did. There is always plenty of hassle for the little baby builders of things, and individual homeowners, but the changes Kerridge and Thomas brought to DSD and the city had little to do with folks like you and me. They were using the principle of the Golden Rule--the folks with the gold make the rules.

Another point about the DOC: They are not a mandated body like the Planning Commission, they aren't part of the development approval process like Design or Preservation, they were created as a special task force in 1999. The city is so strapped for cash that they are cancelling meetings of some city commissions. After 11 years, it seems like they have outlived their usefulness--how much money could the city save by getting rid of the DOC?

I'd see a problem in Developers setting policy for Developers with no oversight. Sacramento's Police Accountability oversight committee is not Police setting policy for Police. Their should be oversight with Development as well. I've learned even with oversight committees sometimes people become more interested in making friends instead of overseeing the departments. But I can see your point. I don't know if the DOC loved Kerridge (heck, he is a lovable guy when you get to know him) But it shouldn't have been personal it should be business. I don't think "Kerridge let the development community get away with almost total lawlessness for five long and dark years" but what's done in the dark will always come to light. Kerridge is leaving, seems now we can look to see to it the acting city manager or next manager isn't, as you say, loved by the DOC.... It's good to look back to not repeat mistakes but it seems we should be looking forward to knock down obstacles and not bashing what is behind us.

Rhonda: "I don't know if the DOC loved Kerridge . . . ." You might find it interesting to check out DOC former chair Starkwether and Kerridge's close personal and business relationship.

Developers control every aspect of this city and OWN every single one of the Councilmembers.

Jim, that 's a whopper of a mis-statement, unless you believe developers are now funneling contributions through the pipefitters union.

amen brother rich (punn intended)
just check the contribution logs & see who is running this town today

Yeah go ahead and look at who gives the majority of money to council candidates. Developers, and those who make money off develoment.

So your pro union Shawn?

Rhonda: Kerridge is still the city manager for another two weeks, so you still have a chance to hold him accountable, should you wish to. As to why he resigned, how many public officials resign for reasons other than those they state in their press releases? And why the resignation in the wake of the dismissal of his other dear friend Bill Thomas, following a permit scandal and investigation?

Does a resignation clear someone of responsibility (or, should I say, liability) for wrongdoing?

"As to why he resigned, how many public officials resign for reasons other than those they state in their press releases? And why the resignation in the wake of the dismissal of his other dear friend Bill Thomas, following a permit scandal and investigation?"

... and where in Sacramento's press are the investigative reports on this? Turning a blind eye at the very moment that the two main players in the recent investigations and scandals choose to depart, is no way to "be looking forward to knock down obstacles" or deal with "business as business." We are living with the results of Kerridge and Thomas' five year reign NOW.

William, I checked the agenda for council session for Tuesday and I noticed Kerridge's photo/ name had been removed and replaced with the acting city manager. I imagine many public officials resign for reasons other than what is on a press release. But I'm not going by the press release. I met with Kerridge for coffee and conversation on Monday. We talked. As always, he didn't just ask me how I was doing. He listened. I asked him how he was doing. I listened. You have questions and deserve answers but I am not the one to give them to you. And no, a resignation does not clear anyone of responsibility or liability for any wrongdoing. We all should be held accountable and responsible for our actions.

Marion, You also have questions and deserve answers and I hope you get them. I'm not turning a blind eye. I'm just not playing Nancy Drew investigative Services looking into Kerridge whose friend Thomas has also resigned, I have bigger cases to solve- bigger fish to fry. For me Kerridge is a guppy in a sea of sharks and I'd rather look for and go after the sharks. We can agree to disagree on how to look forward. I believe I wrote, what is done in the dark will come to light. As I previously wrote I don't think I should be in this discussion. Here's why. I'm from a community where many are believed to be guilty by association....judged not by a jury of their peers- but where many (especially people who post on media sites) will judge them- think they know them...and find them guilty without ever hearing any evidence. I'm from a community where sometimes cases are nurtured often times by an overzealous prosecutor. Who sometimes just wants to make a name for themselves and isn't really looking for justice. I've seem some convicted with a lack of evidence, false evidence and yes, sometimes innocent. I've seen innocent until proven guilty shift to guilty now prove yourself innocent. I've seen people suffocate by accusations and cases nurtured until the innocent look guilty.. Forgive me, if I decide to wait until evidence is shown where their was wrong doing by Kerridge. As I said, he is my friend. But my community is my life and what I live and breathe. And if their is wrong doing I can separate friendship from business. In the meantime Kerridge is innocent until proven guilty --until I see evidence otherwise and not just accusations and that’s not turning a blind eye- that's giving him and I'd do so for anyone until I see their deceit- the benefit of the doubt. Again, I don’t think I should be in this conversation.- I’m from the unprotected members of society and I’ve seen some people presumed guilty simply by association.

Sorry for the confusion, Rhonda. The "blind eye" reference was not toward you, but toward the investigative journalism that has not and will not occur.

I know others who have been charmed one on one by Mr. K, but to the neighborhoods his policies were impacting with short sighted policies, he was inaccessible and as SacPress writer's have stated, "invisible."

You need evidence. As I said, "We are living with the results of Kerridge and Thomas' five year reign NOW."

And every time there was overconcentration of SPD in Midtown for Kerridge's bar culture or playing crossing guard for mobs on Second Saturday, there were that many fewer responses in your end of town..........

Marion, you can very well be right - I'm not saying you or anyone is wrong. I'm saying “I” just can't agree. I can't honestly say he wasn't accessible to neighborhoods when he was assessable to some that I've spoken with and myself. I saw at anytime during any city planning.... meetings he was accessible to people in attendance. I'm not saying you or anyone else is wrong but I can't agree when I saw different. Look, I get downright angry at officials who will ignore the concerns of those within the community divided into victim and suspects- I am the last person who can argue that anyone is wrong when they feel a public official was inaccessible or "invisible". People have a right to their comments, opinions, insight and I thank you all for sharing it. That’s why I’m here to get a feel of what others experience… That doesn’t mean I have to agree or that anyone has to agree with me. And Marion, believe me when I say, every time their was over-concentration of SPD in Midtown for the bar culture or Second Saturday, their wasn't fewer responses on "my end of town' .. I will agree people have a right to be concerned if an official is "invisible or inaccessible. I will give you and others the same benefit of the doubt I give Kerridge- perhaps you are not wrong about possible wrong doings. But for the love of truth the midtown bar culture and second Saturday has little to no effect to the responses on 'my end of town"

Rhonda. How so?

"And Marion, believe me when I say, every time their was over-concentration of SPD in Midtown for the bar culture or Second Saturday, their wasn't fewer responses on "my end of town' "But for the love of truth the midtown bar culture and second Saturday has little to no effect to the responses on 'my end of town"

How do you know this? How could it not? Overapplication of resources for unnecessary City-created problems means they are not available -- or allocated -- for other community needs.

Marion, .I should look into the number of crimes reported/ committed on this end of town during the hours of Second Saturday to determine whether or not it affects responses on this end of town and compare them to the number of crimes reported/ committed on the 3 remaining Saturdays where their is no second Saturday event, before I suggest otherwise… Their are also bars on this end (although not as many as downtown) and officers (SPD, SSD...) in the area and back-up for those officers. . . during the time when the bars are open and closing. I should look into the whether or not most crimes are committed on this end during hours when the bars downtown are open or closed to determine whether or not it really has an impact. Since addressing youth violence is important to me I'll again look into it.... Unfortunately it is lots of work, information isn't so readily available... If the community was truthfully informed by comprehensive evidence, research, scientific -based studies and not one-sided LE statistics we'd have less cries for "we need more officers" But proving my point to argue or debate my opinion & facts regarding crime, on this end, as a comment on this article is really not that important to me. I apologize to you and anyone I might have offended by sharing my opinion/ beliefs. It is as I continuously stated- just my opinion. I respect your beliefs towards officer response. Again, if their is wrong-doing the community deserves answers to the questions you and others presented . We all deserve to know the truth to move forward. Thank you for the conversation and the lesson (I should back it up with research before putting it out there)

Dale, it is what it is- your opinion and you are entitled to it. For me and many others, he IS a guppy. Perhaps for you and some others you'd see him as a shark- Different strokes for different folks. Some of us have giants in our way far bigger than what Kerridge was for the city of Sacramento. Our friendship is not unusual and it is shared by many others instrumental for making the city what it is today. For the record, I've addressed youth violence for over 6 years with many public/ elected officials from the city, county and state and become friends with many of them. And I've met many wolves in sheep clothing. I am not easily persuaded. And many know, including Kerridge, not to take my kindness for weakness. Okay, I could be missing facts but it seems some are missing valid hard solid evidence and it doesn't seem to stop them from commenting. The only reason I remain in the conversation is because it appears my comments have become the topic of some of the conversation. Just as you have a right to your opinion I have a right to mine. And we can agree to disagree. I am not a knight in shining armor riding in on a white horse to save the day for Kerridge, And I don’t think he needs one. I post my opinion, from my heart, with observations I've observed, in truth and you post your opinion from your observations, truth… It is what it is- opinions are like ***holes everybody has one. But that doesn’t make it fact. I previously said, I could be wrong and heck, so could you.

Dale--For goodness sakes "my kind "of "community involvement" - that's very PC of you. LOL. If it was very PC for him or anyone else more elected officials would address it. Apparently you can go wrong on that one- when you're going against many who will profit.... OF course youth violence is one small portion of what makes neighborhoods safe which is why I attend so many meetings relating to efforts other than youth violence and why I'm on this site trying to learn from so many others. I don’t stay among people with the same thoughts as I. I do not limit myself to just my understanding- or like-minded folks. I leave my comfort zone to understand and see the opinions, insight… of others. Mark Twain wrote: “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime."

I have met people (one a writer from Portland) who knew of Kerridge work in Portland and they do not share your opinion and they are not simple folks from well, “my kind of community involvement“. Surely their are readers who know what you're talking about and readers who will agree to disagree. After all one man's junk is another man's treasure. My opinion may be junk to you but it may be treasure to someone else. and visa versa Have a good day.

Dale, you are right you never said my opinion was junk and that was a poor choice of words for me to use. I apologize and their is no excuse for my bad behavior and I will not underestimate or insult your intelligence by suggesting or saying otherwise. Apparently If I say I can separate business from making things personal - THEN I need to work on my emotions and put myself in check. WOW, while we may disagree on some things I learned something of value from conversating with you. I respect your beliefs and respect you for stating them and I really respect you for staying firm/ true to your beliefs. Also, to be fair, you didn't dismiss my comments/ opinion you gave me respect by following up on what I wrote, having a discussion and you deserve more than me firing back as I did. I was wrong. Thank you for the response and thank you for not one but two valuable lessons!