Tag Cloud
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Tretheway backtracks, listen to audio of press conference
by Kathleen Haley, published on May 20, 2010 at 4:47 PM
Storyline: June 2010 Election
Loading images
Sacramento City Councilman Ray Tretheway has backtracked on allegations he made at a press conference Wednesday that six influential businesspeople unsuccessfully pressured him to participate in a quid pro quo situation. The Sacramento Press recorded Wednesday’s press conference and has published links to audio recordings of Tretheway’s quotes below.
In a phone interview Wednesday evening with The Sacramento Press, Tretheway said he did not mean to name all six as participants. Instead, he said only one of the businesspeople — Steve Ayers — is to blame for the quid pro quo situation.
Tretheway, who is running for re-election in June, said at the Wednesday press conference that he was told he could gain an endorsement from Mayor Kevin Johnson if he voted in favor of placing a “strong mayor” proposal on the November ballot.
Johnson is leading an effort to change the city’s government functions in order to give the mayor more authority. He has endorsed Tretheway’s opponent, Angelique Ashby.
During his press conference, Tretheway said the following people pressured him to vote for a strong mayor proposal: developer Mark Friedman, developer Mike Heller, steel businessman Steve Ayers, developer Steve Goodwin, developer Jon Bagatelos and attorney Jeffrey Dorso.
In phone interviews Wednesday, Ayers, Goodwin, Bagatelos and Friedman each said they did not participate in a quid pro quo situation.
In a meeting earlier this week, Friedman said he met with Tretheway and four others. Friedman said he and the others discussed the strong mayor proposal and its merits with Tretheway at the meeting, but did not talk about the councilman’s re-election campaign or an endorsement from Johnson.
Heller, who is currently in Europe, wrote his response to Tretheway’s allegations in a Thursday e-mail to The Sacramento Press. “Weeks ago I discussed with (Tretheway) why I thought charter reform was good for Sac and encouraged him to consider but he said no,” Heller wrote.
“I accepted his answer and actually told him the following day that I decided to support his re-election. So I really (have) no idea what Ray is doing here or why. Very disappointing and NOT true.”
Listen to the audio recording of Tretheway’s May 19 press conference:
Tretheway, Quote 1
“In the last month, I have met three times with leadership from the group of 60. I was specifically told that if I put the strong mayor initiative on the ballot in November, the mayor would be ready to give me his endorsement and make certain I am re-elected. I don’t trade votes, regardless of political consequences.”
Tretheway, Quote 2
"The leadership of the group of 60, as I said — the last month, month and a half — the leadership included — who I talked with, at three different meetings — was — I wrote them down so I could remember — was Mike Heller, Mark Friedman, Steve Ayers, Jeff Dorso, Steve Goodwin and Jon Bagatelos."
Tretheway, Quote 3
“In one of the three meetings ... they directly shared with me that the mayor was ready to give me his endorsement and work actively for my re-election.”
Listen to the entire press conference:
Managing Editor Colleen Belcher contributed reporting to this article. Staff Reporter Jonathan Mendick contributed technical assistance with the audio recordings.
Kathleen Haley is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.
Flag Article As:
Conversation Express your views,
debate, and be heard with those in your area closest
to the issue.
Leave a Comment
The title of this article is misleading and indicates a bias in your journalism.
You might rethink that if you want to maintain any credibility among reasonably prudent evolved and thinking individuals who read your pieces, especially in light of what appeared to be your prior favoritism on behalf of the mayor...
First she was against it -- now she's for it, having secured mayor fop's endorsement...
At least TRY to be FAIR with your 'journalism'....(for want of a better word)...
Angelique has been totally consisteent on the whole Strong Mayor initiative issue:
- Favors a charter revision as it is woefully out of date;
- Was adamantly opposed to the back-room-drafted fatally-flawed version that qualified for the June ballot;
- Spoke before council in opposition of the measure as it was originally written
- Favored it being on the June ballot, since postponing it would have exposed the city to a lawsuit on account of the lack of legal precedent for delaying it;
- Said she would have voted "no" on that measure and would have advised everyone she knew to do the same;
- Is UNDECIDED on the new "watered-down" PROPOSAL because at this point it is only a PowerPoint presentation with bullet points, NOT a written measure that can be studied and scrutinized BECAUSE the public input stage is now JUST BEGINNING and will NOT be written until the public has had its opportunity to weigh in.
Angelique opposed the original crappy initiative for all the same reasons you did but is open to considering (but NOT committed to supporting) a new version YET TO BE WRITTEN that addresses all of the community's concerns.
You and others seem to be willing to impose a one strike rule on the strong mayor concept: the first measure was so bad that it doesn't deserve a better attempt, no matter how sensible it MIGHT be. Angelique is not willng to dismiss something she hasn't even seen yet -- nobody has because it doesn't exist yet. If it makes sense and the community supports it, fine. If not, not fine. Simple enough!
"You and others seem to be willing to impose a one strike rule on the strong mayor concept: the first measure was so bad that it doesn't deserve a better attempt, no matter how sensible it MIGHT be."
Sensible? Johnson got voted into a role he's not qualified for and didn't want. he wanted more power. immediately. how sensible is that?
I witnessed this myself on many occasions and even wrote about it once -- see http://bit.ly/Tretheway_Denies_Impact_of_RTs_Bus_Service_Cuts_on_Natomas_Residents
Sadly, you’re not being honest when you say, "Tretheway does this all the time--- he says things that are false (some call that "lying") and then appears to be surprised when people call him on his false statements" IF you want people to respect your opinion towards your pony in this race you might want to consider being honest and not fabricate and exaggerate towards your candidates opponent. Otherwise she has the endorsement of Johnson - who has questionable ethics, the support/ assistance of Maviglio who some of us question as well and then you on the site distorting truth towards Tretheway. That sends red flags and she could be honest and worthy of office but surrounded by people who we should watch out for and that's scary.
I agree with bbbbmer, In my heart I believe the man was not backtracking but clarifying and I am glad he did so, Too err is human and he was man enough to put a stop to it instead of riding with the flow of dirty politics..... It would be nice to see your candidate say enough is enough lets talk about the issues how I will improve this district..... But I guess she isn't as caring.... as you have often made her out to be..... Or is her care, concern, conditional or selective???
Though I am not a practicing lawyer, you might try earning a law degree before making such claims about 'slander'.... I did.
Btw, I never claimed 'enlightenment' -- just good taste...
In this case, I stand by my comments here. I listened to the recordings and it is clear to me that the "clarification" Tretheway made amounts to a backpedal and it was only done because he was held to account for his false statements. I am convinced that if those he openly accused/defamed had challenged him, he would have let his farce of a press conference resonate.
As for my tone and support on JoeSacramento.com where you and I participate regularly, I agree that my comments there are supportive of the publisher's satire. I will take your remarks into consideration in my future participation, but I think there there is a difference between commentary on a news Web site versus a blog that has a long history of edgy commentary of its own. I do think it's OK for one to loosen one's tie in that kind of setting. In short, the owner of the house sets the rules, and I follow them. That said, sometimes restraint is in order, and I'll remember your words as I move forward,
Guyana??? Can't you even SPELL your lame epithet correctly???
And yes, my 30th law school reunion will be next year -- and I am looking forward to it... and it's nowhere near Guyana....
And not to beat a dead horse, but I made a statement and I cited an example via a link that quotes him word for word in a false statement and the evidence to back it up. But I respect the fact that you're not convinced.
I too appreciate your respectful tone and look forward to agreeing with or not agreeing with you in the future.
As councilman you never want to be in that kind of situation, publicly accusing six local businesspeople of pressuring you for support of the mayor and then withdrawing five of those names. You say who pressured you the first time so you don't have to pull out names later on.
And if the mayor is responsible on his part, he shouldn't have done what he did. Nothing has been proven on either side yet. It's a serious situation and should be resolved soon. In the end, the one who's guilty should have know that they're in public office and what started as something bad in the end just makes you look worse.
"Uh, Tretheway is the one who recanted/backtracked/clarified....whatever." So what? They all pressured him, threatened him, he named names, got a talking to and said only one of them actually said the words/deal/scam. if your pal and candidate gets elected, better hope they don't work there nasty tricks on her.
"Uh, Tretheway is the one who recanted/backtracked/clarified....whatever." So what? They all pressured him, threatened him, he named names, got a talking to and said only one of them actually said the words/deal/scam. if your pal and candidate gets elected, better hope they don't work there nasty tricks on her.
frankly,i am suprised that most people are still suprised at the actions of KJ, thretheway and any other politician/businessperson. being in those positions is an ego trip and that is all they are feeding. the sad part is you have to be connected to get elected. and being connected means you can be bought. it is a sick, vicious cycle and one that won't be fixed for a long time. money is power and power is money. i don't agree with it, but it is the way life, politics and business are run. rhonda you are a good person and it is people like you that actually make the difference in this world. unlike bbbmer, you actually get out into the community and put your words into action. keep up your good work and this world will be fine.
"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."
- George Santayana
“The money power preys on the nation in times of peace, and conspires against it in times of adversity. It is more despotic than monarchy, more insolent than autocracy, more selfish than bureaucracy. It denounces, as public enemies, all who question its methods or throw light upon its crimes.”
- Abraham Lincoln
selfish, insolent, criminal conspirators want to install a despot.
Glad that's all cleared up.
But we should fully expect another press conference next week where Ray will suddenly allude to a mysterious 2nd businessman that pressured him from a grassy knoll.
Seem to be some pretty worked up Trethaway supporters. That's cool, stand by your man. As a rather impartial observer all I can say is that Ray is coming out of this sounding like a nutcase.
Look at the facts... He calls a press conference specifically to shine light on some underhandedness related to SMI lobbying, which in itself is a little bit immature. And then a guy who has been a public figure for 8 years plus manages garbles the very same message which is the entire point of the press conference. Pull it together Ray.
Now back to the exotic dancer story. If you can get some photos as proof that would be really great. I will need very high resolution photos, quite a lot of them in fact. I will to examine them very closely. Thanks.
@ Rhonda E. - could you do me a favor - giant blocks of text are a pain to read in this format. Use the return key if possible.
naga: lol, you're so right. Heck, the less I knew the happier I was. lol - Ignorance is bliss . Oh, the good ol days... (well they weren't so good but sure as heck weren't as painful). lol
Tretheway held a news conference to proclaim he is honorable and a man of his convictions duly representing the best interests of the City of Sacramento, and that he was threatened by six prominent developers and businessmeen with not receiving the mayor's endorsement and support in his re-election campaign if he did not vote to put a more modest form of the strong mayor initiative on the ballot.
He then changed his story, saying it was actually only one man who made the threat.
And the man who allegedly made the threat adamantly denies that it happened.
Whether you believe Tretheway's version of the story or his key claims of honor are up to you -- but what is clear and what Tretheway himself admits to is that the whole premise of the press conference is invalid.
To call a press conferences to announce serious allegations against six people, only to recant the story and scope it down to one, strikes me as an abuse of the trust he has (or had?) with our press. It was a desperate political stunt done within 20 days of Election Day.
The man is desperate, confused, inarticulate, and lacks credibility, as evidenced by the circus act he performed.
Whether the strong mayor "lite" initiative is worthy of the November ballot is a worthwhile debate and I'm looking forward to participating in the forums and reading the language that comes out of that process. But the people of Sacramento, and District One in particular, will not forget this episode and how what was engineered to make Tretheway appear honorable has actually disgraced him. I'm sure he won no votes this week -- if anything, it put a spotlight on the mayor's endorsement of his rival and showed him to be a liar or very confused, neither of which are fitting traits for an elected member of our city council.
You seem defiant in applying to Tretheway standards you do NOT apply to Ashby...
Shame on you for that!
I'm seeing a pattern. You will post a concern / comment and then you're ambushed with personal attacks. I'm glad to see you not letting it throw you off your game. Heck, I can see why you come back swinging and sometimes swing first it seems even when you don't personally attack someone you will still be attacked.
And finally, your husband should be proud!! And Heck with all this practice, being ambushed and fighting back; I BET he doesn't win many - if any-- arguments at home lol.
Bethenny has my vote too -- she's got BALLS! She's also a good friend of the daughter of Martha Stewart's CEO, and appeared in Martha's own version of 'Apprentice' after Martha was released from prison... Martha is a true hero of mine, btw... and a good Democrat, too...
Plus Andy Cohen is so adorable....
But poor Kelly Bensimone -- what a mess... oy....
I know I shouldn't react to these toxic critters who are just there to express their bile rather than to add to the discussion. But sometimes it's just kind of another form of indulgence to do so, and to do so very wittily, kind of like the old Daffy Duck cartoon where he's spun around on a stick by a Porky Pig zen master...
You might check out Cosmo Garvin's comment on the SNR about Sharward -- he has his own skeletons that are worthy of noting, especially regarding opposition research and tactics...
My husband/partner/mate/lover and all around chief schlep just left for our home in SF, and I'm going to settle down to work for a few hours before the weekend ends...
Finally, Rhonda, you have more balls than so many in this town -- I think you are formidable and a real activist for your neighborhood and this city -- for the good -- unlike certain others who shall remain nameless... I am very very grateful for your unsung service to this community, as are others who have expressed similar sentiments to me about you...
Thank you for your very kind words, and keep on truckin' gurl!!!!
I get why you do what you do I can see how it's another form of indulgence. Heck with the current form of deceit, trickery... in Sacramento elected offices, one has to find an outlet when you aren't a part of the deceitful cult, it's a way to vent. The games being played in Sac can drive an attentive
person (with ethics) mad if they don't release it. lol
I'll check out Cosmo's comment. I like him lots he calls it like he sees it and doesn't play games insulting or underestiminating the intelligence of the community and he can't be bought or sold.
Thanks for the kind words heck I'll keep on truckin cause it ain't over til the fat lady sings and this fat chick can't carry a tune so I won't be singing - by the Grace of God and if it's the will of God, I'll just continue with unsung service.
Have a great week.
Your comment could have better served a point if you hadn't came from the ambush to sucker punch bbbbmer when bbbbmer wasn't attacking you. Perhaps if we treat others the way we'd like to be treated we'd get along better, move past the distractions, and stay on point with the concerns.
I don't see nothing wrong with a little bump and grind - lol (a little wit to make light of a issue so we'd laugh instead of screaming) But when several attacks one person, when the person has laid it to rest....., well it seems there's more to it than what's on the surface. It's a means to disarm heck
shoot the messenger when you know that particular messenger will shoot back
Please Keep the bump and grind... it's a bow - makes your gift distinct- but don't let personal attacks outweigh your heart, passion, insight, knowledge.
Please don't see this as an insult. I do have great respect for you. I look beyond the personal remarks (distractions) to look at your message but everyone won't do it. You have a gift and when God gives us a gift we should use that gift to bless others. If I didn't value your opinion I wouldn't even say anything but I want more to see what you see, see your gift to see through people and the deceit...... I think your gift is intended for a greater audience, it's not about us, it's about what we bring and girlfriend you can bring it!!!! I just want more to hear it.
People of limited abilities and knowledge who have a right wing bent most of the time many times hate those that appear smarter and more achieved and a little higher up on the food chain. THAT is my unfortunate lot in life, and I've developed my own defenses against such people...
Sometimes when a dirty fight is lopped by dirty people with plausible denial to the lopping, it requires responsive tactics that aren't as pretty as one might like. But it is effective -- look how they run (or delete, or clumsily attempt to respond in kind....)
The people who matter know my intent, and like I've expressed before, I answer to no one in this field, except my conscience, and on the side of people of modest means who do the heavy lifting in this town, this state, and this nation -- and the world, frankly...
But, on the other hand, the great author Aldous Huxley, when asked in a deathbed interview, how to solve the world's problems, responded, "Be a little nicer..." I wish I had his wisdom and patience and saintly kindness...
Unfortunately I don't...
You owe no one an explaination, don't have to explain yourself to anyone, and you know who you are and what you stand for, and I really appreciate and respect the fact that you even responded to my previous comment. with an explanation.
I read my comment before I hit submit and thought who the heck do I think I am???. lol But I wanted to see where it would go.... And again, I see your heart.
Heck, if you like it I love it. I love the gusto, articulate words, and the fervor. That's passion baby. The only person you are to answer to on this field is your conscious and by all means continue to let your conscious be your guide.
The only thing I disagree with is your very last line when you wrote, "Unfortunately I don't...." Because I see you differently, you have the wisdom, patience and saintly kindness at least you've always exhibited it towards me. Who am I to suggest how you should or should not respond? You could have blew my hair back. But you didn't.
I agree, you almost never initiate personal attacks and it appears to me your reaction can often times be a reaction of a personal attack towards you. Thank you for responding I really got to know you better; and I continue to like what I see.
rhonda, bbbbmer isn't a fighter, he is a complainer. he bitches and moans and sits on the sidelines. i have seen you actually do things, that is why i respect you. bbbbmer floats his degrees out there, his 1000 companies he so-called "oversees" and all of the other garbage that comes out of his mouth. but i have never seen him say he volunteers his time at schools, or WEAVE or any other non-profit organization. what he fails to realize is he is part of the same vicious cycle he constantly complains about.
he acts like a child because he has never grown up. and if he wants to justify that he gets personal because others get personal with him, that is the same as a child calling someone a poophead because another child called him a dumbcrap. its childish, bbbbmer is childish. grow up bbbbmer and get a life HONEY!!!!!!
I've had enough of this discussion. You'd think the article was about bbbbmer. It appears more discussion has been on bbbbmer than the article. For someone you say is on the sidelines it appears he's continously put front and center so some can have at it. I have had enough and won't participate in this distraction any further.
LET'S talk about Ashby afterall Ashby is running for District 1 seat --not bbbmer ---I'm more concerned with Ashby since Ashby could win a seat and Ashby appears to condone misconduct when it benefits her. Ashby is my concern. I'd like to talk about Ashby and her turning a blind eye and deaf ear and closing her mouth to integrity and possible illegal behavior................................
"i have never said people should think the way i do."
welcome to the "irrelevant liar" file