Newest articles on The Sacramento Press tagged as "mayor johnson"

Johnson: People are ready to talk about strong mayor initiative

2011-11-23T03:22:06Z

The 2012 election cycle is ramping up in Sacramento, and one topic that is sure to be on the table is a strong mayor initiative.

Mayor Kevin Johnson brought the topic to the fore ~~during his 2008 campaign for mayor~~ shortly after his 2008 election win in his race against then-mayor Heather Fargo, but the idea didn’t fly with members of the City Council, and the initiative never got off the ground.

With another mayoral race coming up in 2012, Johnson said he believes the idea of a strong mayor initiative is ripe for ballot consideration once again.

“This is a topic that people are ready to take on,” Johnson said at a press conference Tuesday. “There are many people involved and interested in changing the way things are happening here in Sacramento.”

Johnson announced in September that he will run for a second term as mayor, and one other opponent – Edgar Hilbert – has already stepped up to run against him.

A strong mayor form of city governance is one where the mayor acts as chief executive and the City Council is the legislative body. In this system, which is modeled after the U.S. Constitution’s structure of government, the city manager’s role is eliminated in favor of a chief administration officer appointed by the mayor.

Currently, the city of Sacramento is governed under a council-manager form of governance: The elected body establishes policy that is carried out by an appointed city manager.

The city manager is accountable to the entire council for implementing council policy and for the day-to-day operations of the city, such as preparing the city budget, hiring and firing employees and acting as a technical advisor on government operations.

According to the California City Management Foundation, council-manager government is the fastest-growing form of government in the United States. In California, 31 of the state’s 50 largest cities have a council-manager system in place.

Johnson said he believes people are “convinced” that a strong mayor initiative is necessary after watching the City Council work for the past three years of his term as mayor.

“I’ve been the mayor for three years, and we’ve had four city managers in that short period of time, which is very strange,” Johnson said. “It’s something that is very dysfunctional.”

Sacramento city managers and interim city managers since 2005 have included Ray Kerridge, Gus Vina, Bill Edgar and current city manager, John Shirey.

The strong mayor initiative was controversial from the outset and, despite more than one draft of the proposal, Johnson could not garner enough support on the council to move the initiative forward.

In June 2010, the City Council voted 7-2 against putting a strong mayor initiative on the ballot for the following November. The two votes in favor came from then-City Councilman Robbie Waters and Johnson.

After the proposal was voted down, Johnson said he wouldn’t continue campaigning for the initiative, but would not stop fighting for it – essentially putting the initiative on the back burner.

With the 2012 election forthcoming, however, the issue will likely come up for discussion again, Johnson said.

“I’ve made no secret that I believe we should modernize and improve our form of government,” Johnson said Tuesday.

Johnson said that citizens want accountability and transparency, and that the checks and balances people want are possible within a strong mayor government.

“I think the best goal would be for council to put it on the ballot and allow the people of Sacramento to vote on it,” Johnson said.

Shirey said Tuesday that he’s uncertain a strong mayor proposal will be on the table for the City Council – but if it is, he wouldn’t be interested in playing a role in it.

“The mayor has had that goal for a long time,” Shirey said, “but I don’t know that anyone (on the council) is willing to talk about it.”

Shirey said he believes the council-manager form of government is the best form, but the key to success for a city manager is a City Council that works well together.

“That doesn’t mean they can’t have disagreements,” Shirey said. “It means that, at the end of the day, they work together for the betterment of the city. They don’t make the manager the issue – they make the issues the issue.”

According to Stephanie Mizuno, assistant city clerk, a charter amendment such as a strong mayor initiative could appear on the June ballot in one of two ways: by certified petition from voters, or as a measure initiated by the City Council.

In either case, all initiatives headed for the June 2012 ballot must be filed with the City Clerk’s office by the end of February.

Mizuno said that a citywide mayoral race will incur the initial cost on the June ballot – an estimated $120,000, paid from the city’s election budget.

If a strong mayor initiative – another citywide issue – is added to that ballot, it would cost an additional $21,000. Further initiatives would also cost $21,000 each.

Mizuno said the current balance of the city’s election budget is sufficient to cover the estimated $400,000 cost of the June election, including any potential strong mayor initiative.

Melissa Corker is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press. Follow her on Twitter @MelissaCorker.

Editorial Note: A correction has been made to this story after it was published. The incorrect information has been struck out and the correct information has been added.

Fiesta en la Calle concert finale

2011-08-01T19:12:55Z

Fiesta en la Calle’s summer concert series began on the first Thursday of June and ended this past week. The nine free concerts at Cesar Chavez Plaza came to an end with Gustavo Galindo, Cambio De Piel and Orixa closing out the successful first year concert series.

Vince Vicari served as emcee for the event. As he came to the stage he thanked the event sponsors including Corona, D’Chaleco Magazine and radio station Latino 97.9. Ricardo “El Niño” Rayas once again served as DJ for the show.

Vicari took the stage to introduce the evening’s performances saying, “We have three great bands out here tonight. We are very excited to close our summer concert series this way. We also have great food provided by great vendors out here tonight. Let’s get this under way with our first band shall we? This guy is a Sacramento native and has been out there trying to make it big-time. He’s come back to visit. He has a new recording out entitled Entre la Ciudad y el Mar his latest album. You can pick up your own copy after the show so make sure to come by and say hi to him and members from all the other bands. It’s our pleasure to introduce to all of you, Gustavo Galindo.”

Gustavo Galindo was joined on stage by his other band members; Josh Sonntag, Luke Benedum and Brian Zarlenga (drums). Gustavo Galindo sings in both English and Spanish but most of his songs were in Spanish while as he talked to the audience he spoke English. His strong stage presence and sound has brought the band many fans.

Galindo welcomed the audience saying, “I’m happy to be home in Sacramento. We want to thank everybody for coming out and hope you enjoy a good night of music. This next song is from our new album Entre la Ciudad y el Mar. It’s called ‘Te Perdí’ it’s about when you win and you lose and the thing is that you learn from what you lose and that makes you who you are and that’s what this song is about.”

“Paracaidas” (Parachutes) was their next song. As they played their pop/rock songs from their last release many fans saw the talent behind Galindo and his band mates. Their Entre la Ciudad y el Mar (In Between the City and the Sea) release debuted at #1 on the iTunes Latin Pop charts and #14 on the Latin Pop Billboard charts.

A huge Latin music market exists and continues to grow. These concerts are attended by music lovers and the concert series has played all genres of music including Latin alternative, rock, pop, reggaeton, reggae, ska, cumbia, salsa, WorldBeat and a combination of all of these.

Galindo introduced his song “Amor de Alta Mar” (Love in the Open Sea) by giving thanks to Sacramento fans saying “We’d like to dedicate this song to all the people who are here who played an influence in my life; from Sacramento Country Day School and parents and friends who I’ve met to say thank you. This song is dedicated to all of you.“

Several others songs were played as they came to the end of their set with “Llevate” (Take). Galindo thanked the Sacramento audience for making them feel welcome at their first Sacramento concert and said they’d like to come back more often in the future. Galindo ended the set with “La Ciudad” (The City) and dedicated it to the city of Sacramento where he grew up.

Vicari came back to introduce the next act. He reminded the audience that radio 97.9 was giving away promo items and names were drawn in between acts. Vicari introduced Mayor Kevin Johnson who made an appearance to say a few words.

Johnson, wearing a polo shirt with the Kings logo, said, “How we doing Sacramento? Thank you all for coming out, we’re so excited. This is the best of Sacramento. You look around and you see the diversity, the multiculturalism that makes up Sacramento. We have to give a hand to the man who puts this on. Miguel, where you at? Please give a round of applause for Miguel. The man behind the scenes.” Miguel Castillo came to the stage to receive a warm welcome and thanks.

Johnson continued, “I get a chance to introduce the next band. Are you guys ready for some music? Sacramento, you know we have a lot of local talent and this band is from Sacramento, let’s make some noise for C-D-P.” Arturo Barrega, lead vocals, thanked Mayor Johnson and welcomed the audience.

Their music was a blend of alternative, funk, reggae and rock. Alonso Camacho, guitar, Jair Camacho, bass, Rene Ramos, guitar, and Jesus Ceballos, drums, make up the band Cambio de Piel (Change of Skin).

Cambio de Piel (CDP) started with a great rock guitar riff and as they went through their set their rock roots were at the core of their songs, most or all which were sung in Spanish. Barrega’s vocals incited the audience to come closer to the stage.

They played several of their hits including “Hecho de Tí” (Made From You). As they continued to rock CDP also thanked the sponsors specially Corona but noted that nobody had brought them a drink and in the heat of the day they needed at least one. They took time to thank Mayor Johnson as well and then jumped into one of their newer songs called “Tiempo” (Time).

As they continued to play many of their own compositions they took time to play a Jorge Negrete song which started many in the audience to sing along as they sang “Mexico Lindo y Querido”. Their hard rock rendition of the Mexican classic song had many in the beer garden singing along.

Another hard rock song “Entre la Obscuridad” (Within Darkness) showed their dynamic range as they continued to energize the audience. As they ended their set the crowd chanted “one more song” but alas it was not to be. It’s always nice to leave your audience wanting more. After CDP left the stage more raffle winners were called to pick up 97.9 merchandise.

This Wednesday, August 3 CDP, Zoe and Diciembre Gris will be playing at Harlow’s.

In between performances Ricardo “El Niño” Rayas put together some mixes for the crowd to enjoy.

Miguel Castillo came to the stage and said, “I am really humbled by the attention and the support we have received from the community, it’s been awesome. This concert series is for you guys that’s why we’re bringing so many different styles of artists from Goth, regaetton, punk cumbia, rock and salsa. Next year we promise to bring you more of that. What you like is what we’re going to be bringing to the stage for you. We just ask that you keep coming and spread the word. I want to thank the people that have made this concert series possible. A lot of credit should go to Corona they’ve made this possible building the foundation. A special thanks to all those who volunteered their time.” Castillo also thanked Kevin Johnson, the vendors, and the city of Sacramento.

The last band to take the stage was Orixa. They began their set saying, “This is Orixa from the East Bay, put your hands together. I know it’s hot and you guys have been sitting down but it’s time to get up. Get on your feet and let the blood flow through your body.” Rowan Jimenez, Orixa’s lead singer elicited cheers from the audience and they crowd responded well.

Their sound is a mixture of Latin hip-hop, rock, alternative and reggae. After their first song they went on to play “The American” from their Siembra album. Their Spanish rap songs were done quite well as they mixed hip-hop with some heavy guitar sounds. As they continued to play more people moved closer to the stage and Orixa encouraged those in the back to come forward as well.

While many bands that play Spanish and English songs they choose one or the other language but some of Orixa’s songs use Spanglish giving them more versatility as they play. Most of their songs though are just great to dance to as they touch various genres of music on one set or sometimes in just one song.

At every change Orixa tried to get the audience involved and eventually most of the crowd took part as they played “Funky Lazy”.

Rowan Jimenez, lead vocal, took the microphone to tell the audience a little about Orixa. Jimenez said, “We’ve been a band who has been together for at least 15 years now. We took a little hiatus for the past 4 years as we went to take care of some business. Now we’re back, and just for this week we assembled this show and brought together some friends. Thank you very much for being here today.” Jimenez introduced another song from the Siembra album called “Gonk! (gonna rock the boat!)”.

Many friends and family members of Orixa were present at the show and several kids belonging to band members danced up and down the stage and it was wonderful to watch them sing along with their fathers and other kin.

As they came to the end of their show they played “Lucha, por la freedom” (Fight for Freedom), “La Razón” (The Reason), and a crowd favorite the catchy song, “Siembra” (Sow).

Their last song was “Sacudete” (Shake it Off). This was another popular song that was a request. The last show of the season was a delight and the sponsors, volunteers, vendors, bands and the fans should be thanked for their contributions.

Fiesta en la Calle is planning to come back next year and if you liked the concert series be sure to let Miguel Castillo know about it as planning for next year’s line-up may have already started.

Sacramento welcomes a new generation of public servants

2011-07-19T23:57:51Z

Mayor Kevin Johnson unveiled the future leaders of Sacramento at Tuesday's press conference, introducing 13 of the nation's brightest young people, who will spend the summer working on city issues like homelessness, childhood literacy, downtown revitalization and green development as part of the Mayor's Fellowship and Internship Program.

Johnson said that the program, which builds upon the Volunteer Sacramento Initiative, has been the “brainchild” of his chief of staff, Kunal Merchant.

The mayor's office has partnered with "the best universities in the country and the region," recruiting students from schools like Harvard, Stanford, UC Davis and Sacramento State, Merchant said.

Stressing the idea of "novice leadership," Merchant explained that those students who have no prior experience in the public service sector are still encouraged to apply, noting that talented young people are capable of "rising to the occasion" when placed in a challenging role.

He added that the program aims to be the "city of Sacramento's version of the White House Fellows Program," in that it strives to be diverse and selective while presenting participants with opportunities to complete "real work" on projects like Think BIG Sacramento, Safe Ground Sacramento and the Greenwise initiative.

"We want to put them in high-need areas, wherever we think the biggest opportunities are to make an impact," Johnson said.

The mayor's group of interns, who work full-time during the summer for eight to 10 weeks in policy, media and communications, is composed of undergraduate-level students. Mayoral fellows are graduate students who work full-time strictly on policy issues.

Merchant announced that a third position, the leadership fellow, has been added to the Fellowship and Internship Program this year. The position lasts for one year and is conducted through the Harvard Business School, which chose the mayor's office as one of eight organizations across the country to benefit from the placement of a leadership fellow.

This year's mayoral leadership fellow is Mariah Sheriff, a Harvard Business School graduate who said she will be advising the mayor on "all matters related to education, on both the policy and initiative side."

Mayoral Fellow Tarren Corbett, a student at the UC Davis Graduate School of Management, is spending her summer working on the mayor's third grade reading campaign, the goal of which is to ensure that within the next 10 years, all third graders in the Sacramento region are reading at grade level.

Intern Sara Garzon graduated from Sacramento State with a degree in art history and is putting it to work implementing the mayor's arts initiative, "For Arts' Sake."

The Fellowship and Internship Program's participants have the opportunity to work closely with Johnson both in and out of the office. Johnson said that he and the group recently attended a River Cats game and will be seeing country music star Lee Greenwood in concert tomorrow night.

"They're trying to make me a hip and cool mayor," Johnson said.

In addition to the Fellowship and Internship Program, Johnson touched on his plan to secure funding for and determine placement of two new bridges in Sacramento and said that his staff is currently interviewing candidates for the position of city manager, to be decided within the next few weeks.

Mayor's Initiatives Pep Rally Squad

2011-02-07T19:35:10Z

A Perspective:

2011 City Management Academy's Class #2:

Mayor Johnson Presents with his Initiatives’ Pep Rally Squad

The second session of the 2011 City Management Academy (CMA) 12-week classroom for neighborhood association and other community & business leaders began with a 4-minute, professionally-produced video presentation complete w/ pulsing background music and splashy visual edits which highlighted some of Mayor Johnson’s accomplishments while in office.

As the video ended, Wednesday evening’s first speaker, the mayor (waiting in the wings -- poised in the doorway shadows of a 5th floor New City Hall conference room, standing very still & quiet, head bowed, anticipating the room’s re- lighting and, perhaps, applause) was introduced to the class of 30 by an alumna of a previous CMA, and applause.

This observer experienced the next 3 hours as a press conference -- albeit a somewhat well-spun one. But instead of the typical professional spokesperson offering calm, carefully-scripted soundbites for the consumption of an equally professional audience of media, the eight speakers who presented on the Mayor’s “Vision & Initiatives” seemed at times to be on the verge of a pep rally cheerleading squad in their zeal and almost relentlessly positive enthusiasm. At moments during the evening, a more apt comparison might have been that of a pharmaceutical sales rep to a physician's medical office staff, meal included. The sell was on -- and even a hard sell, at times.

Johnson opened his remarks to the class by describing the just-watched video as much briefer than the 24 minutes of his annual State of the City speech given earlier in the week.

He reiterated the three most significant highlights of his “Think Big” vision concept:

Green Energy (the Emerald Valley) branding for the region’s economic growth
re-development of the J, K, L Streets downtown core district (including some version of an entertainment & sports complex known as the SacramentoFirst initiative)
a focus on improving educational resources and outcomes (perhaps initiating 3rd grade proficiency exams) and a "School Report Card" program for city schools

Several informed, specific questions from the room related to recent news including

the “Crash Tax” just passed by the Council
looming Housing & Redevelopment Agency (SHRA) funding cuts proposed by Governor Brown
county budget reductions affecting area social service agencies

got upbeat, non-specific, unsurprising responses from Johnson. For those wanting even more details of Johnson's currrent version of public speechifying, check out this great Sac Press article covering an appearance from the Mayor at the Oak Park Neighborhood Association the very next evening. Folks who saw both appearance noticed a strong similarity in content.

Following Johnson, we at the CMA were treated to a barrage of well-enough rehearsed spin-meisters hawking a variety pack of the Mayor's initiatives, some with the now-ubiquitous PowerPoint presentations so common to this style of efficient information and idea exchange:

- Anne Moore from Sacramento Steps Forward on the city’s homeless population challenges and solutions.
- Lauren Altdoerffer, Greenwise Sacramento, on the Mayor's branding push to create the "Emerald Valley" green initiatives.
- Andie Corso with STAND UP for Education, an education initiative to promote better city schools.
- Deborah Edwards of For Arts’ Sake on the "Any Given Child" & other programs to develop & promote Sacramento's arts and entertainment communities, venues and organizations.
- Keith Hart & MaryLynn Perry from Volunteer Sacramento on the push to make Sacramento's civic volunteerism "no longer nice but necessary" through various programs and agendas.

Others in the class may have gotten something in the way of new information, interesting ideas and, perhaps, encouragement from the presentations. The time constraints caused by a perhaps overly ambitious evening's agenda seemed to leave little opportunity for question-and-answer, or much more than rapidly moving through the speaker list.

What little time was available for questions drew mostly very specific, recent events-based attempts to get deeper explanations from presumptive key players, or at least those on the inside. But with few and brief noteworthy responses, and candor rarely in evidence, a gloss of urgent, near-keening optimism was the apparent substitute for a conversational exchange of ideas with the class.

Some might fairly call this writer a cynic, and only skeptical on my better days, but public relations -style mechanisms for outreach specific to a room of decidedly engaged civic leadership seems verging on contemptible to me. The evening’s lingering aura of non-inclusion of outsiders by the Mayor's "pep rally team" of initiative insiders, the result of so many superficial & slick presentations, left this participant feeling dissed and disengaged instead of welcomed and encouraged. And definitely not sold in any way. Grrrr...

Next week's class #3: a field trip to the city's 24th Street Corporation Yard & 311 Call Center Tour... so do stay tuned with this "storyline" as the 12 week odyssey continues. Next Sac Press update will be posted here online Friday night, fer shure!

Sac Film & Music Fest: New dates and a new "Pitch Sacramento" competition

2010-10-21T09:02:55Z

Sacramento Film & Music Festival
New dates and “Pitch Sacramento” filmmaking competition for 2011

For the past 11 years, the Sacramento Film & Music Festival has screened the best indie films from around the country and the world. And for the past 7 years, it has established a reputation for local filmmaking competitions, with approx. 150 music videos made for the Sac Music Seen program and 100 short films made for the 10x10 Filmmaker Challenge.

For 2011, the Festival is making two major changes: A split into two separate seasonal events and a new competition for local filmmakers.
Rather than continue as a 10-day Summer Festival, the 12th year for the Sacramento Film & Music Festival will be presented as a shorter “Winterfest” in January and a complementary “Summerfest” in August. This better serves audiences and filmmakers by avoiding the daunting 10-day schedule and continues to provide the programming opportunities for the same quantity of exceptional films, including the popular student film category, with continuing sponsorship from Sony Creative Software. The dates for the first Winterfest program are January 15th-17th, 2011 at the historic Crest Theatre in downtown Sacramento.

The 10x10 Filmmaker Challenge will continue as a Summer program at the Summerfest, and Sac Music Seen will be join the Winterfest program in 2012. But for Winterfest 2011, a special filmmaking competition “Pitch Sacramento” will help promote Sacramento as a filmmaking community and destination.

During Mayor Johnson’s Arts Initiative discussions, a recurring theme emerged in the need to spread the word about Sacramento as a great place to both shoot films and to be a part of the thriving film, video, and television arts community. With that in mind, the Sacramento Film & Music Festival is calling for short films of no more than five minutes that promote that message for its “Pitch Sacramento” competition. It is expected that these will be of an informative and factual nature, expounding on the locations, resources, cast and crew talent, and opportunities that Sacramento has to offer filmmakers.

Completed films will be accepted through December 31st on miniDV or DVD (two copies: both a data disc and a playable disc) with alternate formats to be approved in advance with the Festival directors. Cash prizes will be awarded to at least the top two films, with a prize of at least $500 being given to the first place winner. Cash prizes funding has generously be provided by the Capital Film Arts Alliance and the Crest Theatre. If more funding is forthcoming, the cash prize pool will be increased. Completed films will be screened during the 2011 Winterfest (if more than 24 completed films are submitted, the festival directors reserve the right to screen only the best 24 entries). There are neither submission fees nor complimentary tickets associated with submitted films for this competition.

Contacts:
For alternate formatting and submission questions: Festival Co-Director Nathan Schemel – nschemel@aol.com
For other questions: Festival Co-Director Tony Sheppard – tony@csus.edu

Completed films must be accompanied by the following information:
Name of primary contact person;
Contact information to include phone and email contacts;
Title of project;
Total running time (not to exceed 5 minutes);
A short statement from the film’s primary producer stating that the film does not contain any offensive or legally protected content;
A short statement granting permission to the Festival to screen the film.
Completed films should include a single credit at the end (in addition to any other credits) that states “Produced for the Sacramento Film & Music Festival’s Pitch Sacramento Program.”

Films should be sent to:
Sacramento Film and Music Festival
10445 Ambassador Dr.
Rancho Cordova, CA 95670

Sacramento Protects and Serves Business not all Youth- Part 2

2010-09-26T23:49:21Z

(Please see Part 1)

In front of me, the officer continued to make my son feel like crap, like less than a human being. And my anger grew. The officer told me he will talk to me but not my son, not in the presence of my son and for my son to stand back and he and I could walk away and speak.

I should have turned and walked away at that moment. But instead I wanted to give the officer the benefit of the doubt. I walked away from my son to hear the officers explanation. The look in my sons eyes haunt me as I write this, I could see his pain was compounded.

I believe the officer could not justify his actions and somewhere in that uniform he couldn't face my son telling me the truth in front of him. My son had no problem telling me what occurred in front of the officer.

One of the officers on the scene told me my son was given a ticket. My son kept saying, "Mom, he told me about the ticket but never gave it to me." Several times I asked the officer for the ticket. He said, "Get it from your son" I told him my son doesn't have it." He stated, "He has it. That's between you and your son. Once it leaves my hands that's too bad what he does with it."

I asked another officer to ask the officer to check his tickets to see if by mistake he thought he gave it to my son since so many Black kids were getting tickets at that light rail." The officer checked his tickets and said he didn't have my son's copy.

Fed up with the officer and his attitude I asked him to show me the ticket that my son signed. I explained I don't want to get a failure to appear. I don't want a warrant. I want to know the charges. The officer hesitated and then attempted to go through the tickets.

From where I was standing I could see all but one ticket had a white back copy. I asked to see the only ticket with the pink copy still attached. He hesitated and still insisted my son has the ticket. I leaned towards the officers window and I could see the ticket with my son's name. It was the one with the pink copy still attached. I told the officer, "I want you to show me that ticket, with the pink copy, with my son's name on it." The officer then stated, "Well what do you know" and gave us the ticket at that point"

September 22, after going through the pages of deceitful discovery of my oldest sons case and the deceit of the SPD officer at the light rail station towards my youngest son my patience was thin. All the pain has taken a toll on me. My last comment to the officer, "I see now, you are a liar. If you can't tell the truth here today how can we expect you to tell the truth on a witness stand? How can we expect you to write truthful accurate police reports? You are an officer and I am learning their are several, who can't be trusted."

A woman came up to me and stated, "It's okay. You should be glad at least they let him go." Why should I be glad they let him go when they never should have detained him the first place? Why should I "be glad" he was given freedom by an officer when he has a right to freedom?

It's hard out here for a Sacramento youth. I'm told many of our youth had their spirits broken at 2nd Saturdays, rounded up as cattle and given tickets. I saw many have their spirits broken at the light rail. It seems everywhere they go they will be run off as the city which alleges to work for everyone works to shift the youth around away to make room for businesses or others to profit.

Regarding the 2nd Saturday's shooting/killing, our Mayor and I'm sure it wasn't his intention, sent a message that the city of Sacramento doesn't care if you die just don't die where businesses can be affected.

A message is sent with the chaos at the light rail station is don't delay, don't stand here where state, county, federal workers may ride the light rail home from work at this hour when they need to exit the light rail to leave in their cars. Go across the street and stand. We're not here for your safety; We're here to protect the business of the light rail.

It appears, in Sacramento, Law enforcement is used to Protect and Serve Sacramento Businesses. And perhaps we should refer to it as Business/ law enforcement since it appears many are looking at preserving businesses and not looking at preserving our youth.

The enforcement tactics/ strategies we are seeing have not reduced crime nor do we feel they're designed to reduce crime. Perhaps they are serving their intended purposes. Perhaps they are designed with the purpose of preserving and increasing the business community.

The pain many are experiencing is compounded when so many want to go to and question the policemen, the lawyers, the judges, or the protected members of the middle class. And so few want to go to the unprotected--those, precisely, who need the law's protection most!--and listen to their testimony.

And finally, the Saturday September 25th Office of the Mayor, Council member Steve Cohn Community Forum Discussing Midtown Nightlife did not have one youth on the Panel. In regards to youth / violence comments were handpicked by the panel; filtered by those on the law enforcement panel.

I have much respect for Council member Cohn for paying respect to the victim. I have no respect for Mayor Johnson who was not in attendance. It was mentioned his right-hand man, R.E. Graswich, is in attendance. But heck, that doesn't do us any good. I still haven't found out exactly what he was hired to do. I thought it was work with the community but I wonder which community since he doesn't appear to be working with mine, the community divided between victims, suspects and police abuse.

The meeting was facilitated by a woman from the business community who appeared really nice and sweet; until after the meeting when I simply asked her, "Who decided which comments would be read?" In essence it was the blind leading the blind and catering to many on the panel.

And what makes matters worse I did not see a representative from any civil rights organizations in attendance at the meeting as many Sacramento Teens and Youth aren't climbing a crystal stair.

In the Spirit of love, truth and some anger

Rhonda Erwin

Disclosure: Mother of three: One girl and two boys. Two of my children my oldest and youngest have never been on probation, parole, in jail or prison. I fight for my middle child, in a California State Prison, to know freedom, as he is graced by God to keep climbin, when life for him ain't been no crystal stair.

I am the mother of a son who I now fight to keep alive, keep free, and not have his spirit broken in a city negligent in protecting our children. I am a mother, by the Grace of God, who will not sit down on these steps of injustice, pain, deceit, trickery because I find it's kind of hard to get so many, including our mayor, to look at our youth where life for them, in Sacramento, ain't been no crystal stair.

It's not a business for me. And it's now very personal as I watch my younger son experience the pain my older son experienced. I am directly affected and exposed to both the violence and the deceit of many. I am a mother of two unprotected sons. Full disclosure: I am so very angry in labor trying to give life and freedom to our children through repetitious painful contractions and prayers that one day this city will give birth-- to resources, opportunity, employment, a better quality of Life for Sacramento area teens and youth

Second Saturday: A Tragedy Waiting to Happen Can Anything Be Done To Save It?

2010-09-17T21:37:11Z

A rock band steps onto a portable stage set up in the old Sacramento News and Review parking lot at 20th and J streets. They tune up and begin to play. This promotion marked beginning of the end of the traditional Second Saturday.

Second Saturday was no longer going to be an art walk and about visiting art galleries. Second Saturday was going to be about bringing large numbers of young people to Midtown to stay after the event and continue partying and drinking in the Midtown bars and nightclubs.

City officials and the Midtown Business Association (MBA) immediately tried to distance the Midtown Second Saturday Art Walk event and themselves from the unfortunate and preventable death of Victor Hugo Perez Zavala and shooting of three others.

Why unfortunate and preventable? There had been plenty of warnings from Midtown residents and others that the art walk (Second Saturday A) and, more to the point, the after-event – the unofficial party in the streets of Midtown (Second Saturday B) – was rapidly reaching the point that a major incident was becoming a foregone conclusion.

This peaked after August’s Second Saturday (both A and B). The outcry become so loud that it was finally reported by The Sacramento Bee and The Sacramento News and Review. Both promptly poo-poo’d it along with city officials and the MBA.

So why were things allowed to spiral so out of control that Sacramento Police officers at the scene of the shooting last weekend could not prevent it or even identify a suspect? It can be traced back directly to the relationship between city officials and the MBA with the purveyors of highly profitable liquor in Midtown.

A little history: A few decades ago there was no way there would be a clubbing scene in what wasn’t even known as Midtown. White flight to the suburbs had left the area to drug dealers, prostitution, social services and Section 8 subsidized housing.

Slowly, a small group of determined individuals and families recognized the potential of the neighborhood and started demanding that the city help clean up the area and contribute to its livability.

About the same time, some art galleries began opening, along with a few nice restaurants. As Marion Millen described in an earlier SacramentoPress.com article,

“Gallery owner Michael Himovitz brought Second Saturday to Sacramento two decades ago, to ‘educate and connect people through discussing art.’ He advocated coordinating individual efforts into an event that benefited all the galleries, their customers, local culture and the community. It worked.”

It worked very well for a long time. Midtown grew to have a good quality of life (livability). It had a variety of businesses within walking distance serving the neighborhood. This included restaurants focused on food and a vibrant art scene.

It needs to be emphasized that what is called Midtown is overwhelmingly residential. It is an area made up of several-century-plus-old historic residential neighborhoods. Midtown is crisscrossed by two two-block-wide commercial strips: J and K streets and 19th and 21st streets.

The other small commercial areas are 28th Street south of J Street and a small area on Capitol Avenue. All the rest is residential. A significant amount is single-family homes. A lot of these residents are still occupied by those who fought for a good quality of life or those attracted to the neighborhoods because of the quality of life and the philosophy of new urbanism (Live where you are not dependent on a car, goods and services are within walking distance or public transportation and your living situation takes up much less space).

The latest changes to Midtown started a little over a decade ago. Midtown went from livable to being marketed as “THE HOT” location in Sacramento. High-end restaurants that morph after 9 or 10 p.m. into bars and nightclubs designed to attract 20-somethings from the whole region and beyond displaced the businesses serving the neighborhood.

Except for negative impacts on nearby residents, it worked for a while. But then came the recession coupled with overconcentration. And along with that came desperation. The bars and nightclubs became desperate to find any way to attract patrons to their near-empty businesses. No one was in a better position to witnesses this than the residents of Midtown.

It didn’t take the alcohol purveyors long to realize that they could have an OK to even good night once a month on the night of the Second Saturday Art Walk. Soon there was promotion of the Second Saturday “After Party.” The one city block of eight bars and nightclubs between 27th and 28th on J Street, the self-named “Bloc,” is a good example. With nary an art gallery in sight they started proclaiming, “Come to the Second Saturday After Party at the Bloc!”

Now here comes what really led to last Sunday morning’s shooting. Not content with the amount of business they were getting from Second Saturday A (the wine-sipping and cheese-nibbling art crowd was not contributing to their business), through the MBA and with the assistance of the city, they hijacked Second Saturday A.

There is a thing with late-night talk shows sometimes called the “warm-up.” This consists of someone, sometimes the star, appearing before the show starts telling jokes and getting the audience going. So when the show starts, the audience members are all excited, and the home audience sees them on their feet cheering.

Second Saturday A has now become the “warmup” for Second Saturday B. This is well-documented. No one denies that Second Saturday A has become more of a Mardi Gras event.

Loud bands are located throughout the area with large numbers of street vendors. Many galleries have dropped out, complaining of vandalism, thefts and crowds only interested in drinking their wine with no interest in purchasing art. Few feel it is safe to bring their children. In fact, few genuinely interested in art attend. Many are afraid of the crowd that has gotten more and more out of control.

Second Saturday A getting everyone in a major party mood for Second Saturday B has been a massive success. Well, at least in terms of attendance and rowdiness.

Now add to this ready-to-continue-to-party crowd an unwillingness to disperse them.

The whole mood is conducive to partying and, more importantly, drinking. With word of the Second Saturday B spreading, and with a lot of promotion, the event has continued to grow.

Along with the frat boy types and others with a propensity to drink spending money in the bars and nightclubs, Second Saturday B has attracted the underage with not much else to do, and, sadly, those prone to anger and violence.

With no mechanism to sort out and remove the latter, it became inevitable that there would be a major incident, and sadly that incident took a bystander’s life and injured three others.

So what is the City of Sacramento’s role in all this? What were they thinking in allowing these crowds to grow so large in the first place? Did they not listen to their officers telling them this was getting beyond what they could control? Do they truly think that this is what makes Sacramento a world-class city – ignoring the loss of quality of life for the residents of these neighborhoods? Are they so beholden to the political power of the bar and nightclub owners that they are so willing to put people’s lives at risk?

The city had almost exactly the same situation in Old Sacramento. When this started to threaten the business interests, the crowds were forcibly driven out of Old Sac. Police officers told residents of Midtown neighborhoods that that is where these individuals ended up, making it more difficult for the police to deal with them.

When the the Thursday Night Market got so out of control that the police realized they no longer had the resources to deal with it, city officials at the time wisely shut it down before someone was killed.

In regards to the Midtown Business Association: the MBA started out many years ago, founded by owners of many of the small individually owned businesses that served a number of the needs of the neighborhoods.

It has changed into a business association that primarily represents the interests of the high-end restaurants, bars, nightclubs and associated businesses. As I have already stated, many of the original businesses have been displaced, and those that are left are mostly ignored. If you don’t believe, me just attend their monthly meetings.

After a shooting on the patio of Harlow’s Nightclub, there was a lot of media coverage. During the same period, female patrons were robbed at gunpoint crossing 27th Street at J Street. The bar and nightclub industry feared a loss of patrons afraid to come into Midtown.

A security company was hired and instituted things like security patrols and other systems that improved the situation for residents while making it safer for patrons. When the memory of the shooting faded, the security was discontinued. The problems for the neighborhood returned.

It is not surprising that the public has not heard anything from any of the bar or nightclub owners that have benefited so much from Second Saturday. That is what they have the MBA for.

Some immediate solutions: If the City, they MBA and everyone else involved truly wants to save the 6 to 10 pm Second Saturday A they need to shut down the after party crowds of Second Saturday B. It has been made crystal clear that even with added resources the Sacramento Police Department can not control what happens in these crowds. After 10:00 pm anyone who is not in a restaurant/bar/nightclub, coffee house or other legitimate business or on their patio needs to move on. There are plenty of locations east and west of Midtown to legally drink and enjoy them selves.

The crowds need to be controlled so they do not move out into the residential area. To help prevent this a two hour or less no parking without a residential permit zone needs to be instituted throughout the Midtown residential areas and ENFORCED. 311 needs to be staffed adequately on the second Saturday/Sunday morning so that residents can call and report drinking and other illegal activities. Police need to be dispatched to deal with this. Some residents are going to whine about the parking but it is a small price to pay to have peace in the residential areas. Guests at legitimate gatherings can move their car every two hours or hosts can easily obtain one day visitor permits.

These two things would go a long way in having a post Second Saturday that would much safer and sane.

About those of not of drinking age and the problem of gangs: Youth are attracted to the Second Saturday events to see and be seen. An area in the central business district needs to be set aside for them that access can be controlled. Possibly a section of the convention center. It needs to have food and soft drinks available at a reasonable cost and feature music. Could one or more of the bands at Second Saturday A be brought in?

As for gangs, having a controlled access area would make it much easier to exclude them and weapons.

But sadly gangs are a long term problem with no quick solutions. While a lot of resources have been put into Second Saturday the city has cut youth programs and gang prevention nearly to the point of non existence. Mayor Johnson talks of working for youth but with out the support of the whole council to find money and other resources how is this city going to have a better future for its’ young people?

City Council Discourages Public Comment

2010-08-20T20:28:21Z

I am concerned about a proposed change regarding City Council meetings. Currently, people wishing to address the Council on items not on the agenda may address the council (for 2 minutes each) at the 6 PM start of the evening’s agenda. The Council has voted to move the open comment period back to the very end of the agenda-which is sometimes very late at night, and discourages people from bringing their issues before the elected body that is supposed to represent them. This action is directly targeted against Safe Ground’s homeless activists who have been speaking before the Council every week about the need for Safe Ground and yet another attempt to disenfranchise Safe Ground’s homeless activists, and others with little power. It will impact all organizations and citizens who also use the public comment period to raise timely issues with the Council, and awareness about their concerns.

I’ve had the opportunity to watch as the public addresses the Council. It is truly moving to hear ordinary people speak up for themselves. Some are articulate; some are visibly nervous; each has a point to make. It is a pure form of democracy in action to be cherished. Yet the City Council’s action shows their lack of respect for their constituents. The amount of time that Public Comment takes is not long – usually well under 20 minutes.

To their credit, Mayor Johnson and Councilmembers Kevin McCarty and Ray Tretheway voted against this change. Steve Cohn was absent so did not vote. Councilmembers Waters, Pannell, Sheedy, Fong and Hammond unfortunately did vote for this change.

The Sacramento Bee’s editorial opposing the change is here: City Council Plays Meeting Games

I am asking as many individuals and groups as I can get to turn out next Tuesday evening, August 24th at 6pm at City Hall and express their opposition to the change. If you can make it to the next meeting, I would appreciate your support for keeping the Public Comment period at the front of the weekly agendas. Your presence alone will show support; you’re also welcome to speak to the Council if you wish.

Thank you for anything you can do! Please forward this information to anyone who you think will attend and/or call or email their City Council representatives and voice their opposition to the change.

Contact info for our City Council representatives is below.

Mayor Kevin Johnson– Mayor@cityofsacramento.org
916.808.5300

District 1, Ray Tretheway- RTretheway@CityofSacramento.org
916.808.7001

District 2, Sandy Sheedy– SSheedy@CityofSacramento.org
916.808.7002

District 3, Steve Cohn– SCohn@CityofSacramento.org
916.808.7003

District 4, Robert King Fong– RKFong@CityofSacramento.org
916.808.7004

District 5, Lauren Hammond– LHammond@CityofSacramento.org
916.808.7005

District 6, Kevin McCarty– KMcCarty@CityofSacramento.org
916.808.7006

District 7, Robbie Waters– RWaters@CityofSacramento.org
916.808.7007

District 8, Bonnie Pannell– BPannell@CityofSacramento.org
916.808.7008

(This is an excerpt from an Action Alert email sent out by Joan Burke, the Director of Advocacy at Sacramento Loaves & Fishes)

An Open Letter to District 8 Councilmember Bonnie Pannell

2010-07-08T08:27:50Z

Councilmember Pannell

I received a phone voice message from Open Sacramento. I don't know how they received my phone number nor do I know how they received my email address. I never signed any attendance sheets for an event held by Open Sacramento that would contain my personal contact information.

When I sign in to speak at city council sessions I provide both my email and phone number. I hope that information is not shared with others. I do not like feeling strong armed into a Strong Mayor plan which I believe still has minimum community input.

The voice message states, " Hi, This message is for Rhonda. My name is Eli and I'm calling on behalf of Open Sacramento. If you're in support of the Strong Mayor Initiative we ask that you contact your councilmember Pannell and urge her to place the accountability plan of 2010 on the November ballot. We have emailed you contact information and we hope that you have the ability to do so."

Council member Pannell I also received the below email:

"Dear Supporter:

My name is Eli and I’m emailing on behalf of Open Sacramento.
Did you read today’s Sacramento Bee article, Johnson hasn’t given up on Sacramento strong-mayor proposal?
There is still a chance to qualify the Accountability Plan of 2010 for the November ballot. We just need five votes.
Please send an email to Council Member Bonnie Pannell. Here are some talking points:
- You have denied my right to vote
- Since government cannot reform itself, voters should have the right to vote on the Accountability Plan of 2010
- We need more accountability, efficiency and transparency at City Hall
- We have been discussing the issue for 18 months; we cannot afford to wait any longer
- You supported putting the plan on the ballot once; we need you to do it again
Email addresses are listed below.
Bonnie Pannel
bpannell@cityofsacramento.org

Thank you for your support,
Eli Rymland-Kelly
Open Sacramento
www.OpenSac.com

Council member Pannell, I am not a supporter of the SMI so I have no idea why I received an email beginning, "Dear Supporter...."

Councilmember Pannell you have not denied my right to vote. I appreciate you for protecting my right to transparency. I do not feel our Mayor is transparent in his reasoning for the Strong Mayor Plan. I also fail to see how it holds our Mayor Accountable when it appears our Mayor is not currently held accountable for overlooking the pain and struggles many city residents currently face as he strives for more power.

Councilmember Pannell, "we" (the community) have not discussed this issue for 18 months, as the email suggests, with those who constructed or designed the cleverly evasive plan. It is evasive since it fails to inform us what the Mayor can do with the new and improved power under a new form of government that he can't do under the current system. It fails to specifically inform us on how we can hold him accountable.

Council member Pannell the community should know exactly how the new plan will hold our Mayor accountable and how it will prevent him from skating through misconduct as he has in the past. Council member Pannell our mayor can and has afforded attorneys to not hold him accountable, appears to have difficulty in transparency and hasn't proven to be worthy of additional powers.

Our Mayor spent little time preparing for this devastating budget, which unfortuantely included many program cuts, as he sought out more power. Why would you vote to give him the power to develop a budget ?

I appreciate your vote against placing the plan on a ballot until their is comprehensive community discussion.

I am pleased with your outreach and hard work within the community I reside. Council member Pannell I read in the Sacramento Press, "Johnson said he is still encouraged and sees "a window of opportunity that three council members can change their perspectives." I hope that you are not one of the three council members our Mayor feels will change their perspectives.

I also hope we can close this window of power for our mayor and open a door for a better quality of life for residents with a council looking beyond strong power for our mayor to finally look at the people crying out for genuine change and not the status quo practiced by our Mayor of overlooking the cries, pleas and concerns of many city residents.

Council member Pannell you did not deny my right to vote as the email suggests. You protected my right for truth and transparency and I appreciate your sincere efforts.

It is my hope that you stand firm and true to your past decision to vote No on placing this agenda on the November ballot. I appreciate your hard work for District 8 and your ability to look, listen and hear the people.

It is unfortunate that our Mayor is so focused on more power as city families continue to bury their youth.

Today I passed a car wash, held in your District, where friends of family members of yet another Sacramento homicide victim were attempting to raise money to bury their loved one. Recently I was a victim of a crime. I do not appreciate the fact our Mayor is preoccupied with more power when youth are losing their lives.

I am impressed with the fact, that while our mayor ignores all else that matters towards the quality of life of many city residents, you are working overtime towards providing life and freedom opportunities for city residents.

Councilmember Pannell if necessary I will provide a list of homicide victims since our Mayor has taken office. I will provide a list of crimes occuring within the city of Sacramento since our mayor has taken office. I will provide a list of programs cut since our Mayor has taken office. I will show a need for the city of Sacramento to focus on more pressing issues than more power for our Mayor.

I can't see how our mayor having more power would have prevented the death of our youth nor the recent attack on myself. Thank you for your time on this matter and I hope you will Vote NO once again so that the City of Sacramento can move on to address issues which affect the residents of Sacramento.

I hope you will take a firm stand and allow city residents to get off the strong mayor treadmill our mayor has placed the city on as many of our youth are in crisis; fighting to live and living to die.

I am pleased to know that while our Mayor has not the time or energy to address our concerns that the councilmember we vote into office has the ability to look beyond the Mayor's quest for power and listen to our questions, see our needs and concerns.

It is my hope and prayers that you continue to look at the residents of your district and not the strong arm tactics of special interests and our politics as usual- status quo- nothing has changed-Mayor.

I ask that you again Vote NO and please forward this letter to our Mayor and fellow council members.

Thank you

Rhonda Erwin

Resident of District 8 watching our Mayor as our Mayor turns a blind eye and deaf ear to our concerns as he looks for more power.

CIP July 2, 2010

2010-07-03T09:32:38Z

The first Concerts in the Park venue for July included four bands for the evening. The Sea of Bees, Chelsea Wolfe, Sister Crayon and the New Humans made up the line up for the evening. This was the first time I’ve seen or heard the Sea of Bees and I don’t remember seeing their name in the line-up for Friday’s show. The four member group played a very impressive set. Some members of the audience took to the dance floor and this continued through all sets.

Chelsea Wolfe is another band I had not heard and their presence on stage was quite dramatic. Chelsea was dressed in mourning including a black veil that prevented the audience, or at least me, from getting a glimpse of her face. Their music followed suit and was different enough to instantly click in my heard. The mystery behind the veil also served a purpose, I don’t know about anybody else but I paid close attention to the lyrics trying to find hidden meanings but no obvious ones were to be found. I enjoyed their set and will probably look for more of their material.

I have seen Sister Crayon before and I’ve enjoyed their sets. Their Indie sound is full of great music that includes synthesizer sounds. The audience bobbed their head and tapped their feet in approval of the rhythmic beat. Terra Lopez, the lead singer, indicated one of their members was doing their last show with Sister Crayon but did not hear who that was.

The last act of the evening was the New Humans who’ve I’ve been fortunate enough to sit at a couple of their previous performances. By the time they started their set the audience had moved closer to the stage and soon begin to dance in front of the stage. The New Humans did not disappoint when they performed. One thing I’ve noticed is that very few of the acts perform encores. I think tonight may have been a good night for that.

Sometimes what goes on in the beer garden and other areas of Cesar Chavez Park make the whole evening that much more interesting. Tonight, Mayor Kevin Johnson walked around for a little while meeting with the audience and posing for some pictures. A group of people walked around with cardboard signs for Free Hugs. Kassandra Johnson, Jen Pearson, Amanda Massengill and Shane Gordon were here tonight to give out hugs. Abigail Jones was lucky enough to get free individual hugs as well as a group hug. A golden Human Robot performed for tips around the fountain area and I believe he’s been here before.

Another great Jerry Perry promotion with lots of great music and entertainment. Next week Izabella headlines the concert with opening performances by Walking Spanish and the Inversions.

Photos:

1-7 Sea of Bees, Chelsea Wolfe, Sister Crayon (2), New Humans (3)

8-14 Fan, Free Hugs (2), Mayor Johnson, Human Robot, Silly Dilly, Fan

City budget, strong mayor debate at Tuesday meetings

2010-06-22T04:50:09Z

With the city budget and Mayor Kevin Johnson’s updated strong mayor proposal on the City Council’s agenda, the public is likely to see political fireworks at two meetings Tuesday.

During the first meeting, at 915 I St. at 2 p.m. the City Council will discuss key issues related to the city’s budget for the 2010-2011 fiscal year. The city must settle a $43 million budget gap.

Council members will consider whether to scale back proposed cuts to the city’s fire, parks and police departments. Read the report on some of the planned budget cuts here.

Another issue on the council’s afternoon agenda is the Utilities Department budget. Find information on that budget here.

The City Council will also decide whether to extend city management’s negotiations with three unions for 30 days. The unions are Stationary Engineers, Local 39; Auto, Marine & Specialty Painters, Local 1176; and Plumbers & Pipefitters, Local 447. A document from the interim city manager’s office on the issue can be readhere.

In addition, council members will discuss their views on a possible ballot measure which would tax local medical marijuana dispensaries. Learn more about that discussion here.

At the evening meeting, to be held at 915 I St. at 6 p.m., the City Council will make a final decision on the budget and then discuss Johnson’s new strong mayor plan.

The City Council is discussing, but not voting on, Johnson’s plan. Johnson aims to ask council members to vote in mid-July to put the plan on the November ballot. Read a report on the issue from Johnson’s office here.

City Council meetings are open to the public.

Kathleen Haley is a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

Sacramento Pride 2010

2010-06-20T09:50:16Z

Saturday’s Sacramento Pride Festival kicked off with the 2010 Pride Parade starting from Southside Park (its previous destination). The parade moved from the park up 7th Street and ended up at 7th and Capitol. Attendance was estimated at 10,000 for the day.

As with most other festivals food, merchandise, informational, and services booths were set up all around Capitol Mall from 3rd to 7th street. A children’s play area was set up in front of the Wells Fargo Offices. There were several stages set up for entertainment and announcements. Sacramento Mayor Johnson and other elected officials gave opening statements and the festival officially started after 11:00 a.m. The event seemed well organized and the Pride Festival may have found a new home for the next few years.

Many acts came to entertain and I had the opportunity to catch several of them. Of the many live entertainment shows I was able to catch acts by the All Gospel Choir and the Gay Men’s Chorus who performed a couple of arrangements after Mayor Johnson’s opening statements. There were also several cheer squads performing at the 4th Street Stage. The Sacramento Sirens Cheer Elite, Cheer SF, Cheer Sacramento and Folsom Cheer Elite showed of their stunts for a fairly good size crowd. A band that performed on the Second Saturday event, RWCB (Rendezvous w/Cool Beans), played several songs as did TWSS (That’s What She Said) on the 6th Street Pride Stage.

Bebe Zahara Benet, winner of the “RuPaul’s Drag Race” had quite a following as she performed several songs. Rusty Nails kept everyone entertained as different acts took the stage. The last act that I saw before making my way out was Karmina, which is made up of two sisters Kelly (keyboard/vocals) and Kamille Rudisill (guitar/vocals). Karmina had two other members Alex on bass and percussionist James. The entertainment continued at the site and moved over to the local clubs afterwards.

Photos:

1, 2 - Pride Parade

3 - Qeens

4, 5, 6, 7 - Opening Ceremony Stage

8, 9 - Cheer

10 - RWCB

11- Rusty Nails

12 - Bebe Zahara Benet

13, 14 - Karmina (Kelly and Kamille Rudisill

Trying to Find Comic Relief in a Somber City Budget Session

2010-06-11T17:01:13Z

Trying to Find Comic Relief in a somber City Council Budget Session

During the June 10, 2010 City Council Session the atmosphere was bleak. Many of us were concerned of various different proposed cuts. City hall was filled to capacity.

Across the board the lives of many are affected by the impact of an overwhelming city deficit. Employees are facing layoffs. City department budgets are cut. City residents are also feeling the impact, of the 43 million dollar budget deficit, as we lose many valued services.

Youth and Senior services, which are already minimal, were struck with a blow.

Parks and Community centers are closing. In fact out of 10 centers only 3 are scheduled to remain open. I believe Councilmember Sheedy is losing three Centers. A few council members spoke up regarding the massive cuts which will affect youth and seniors.

Council member Sheedy is a seasoned council member. She was impressive throughout the session. Council member Sheedy, Pannel and McCarthy often spoke up for the poorest of residents.

The impact, of the city’s budget deficit, has on the community appeared to bring depression throughout the room. The council and residents sat in a somber mood.

As many, including myself, agonized over the city budget; I looked at our mayor and I saw not-so-funny comic relief. There was nothing to laugh at with the proposed cuts but I did find humor when at one point city hall transformed into Jellystone Park.

Ranger Braziel gave a fair presentation of the affects of the cuts on the Police Department. Once the presentation ended none of the council persons addressed the Ranger. If I am not mistaken no uniform officers will lose their jobs.

Mayor Johnson, Aka Yogi Bear, who appears to think he’s smarter than the average bear, was up to his tricks again. Yogi appeared to search for a way to repay his debts to Boo Bo. (Aka, SPOA) Yogi was trying to be inconspicuous in his search for a picnic basket for Boo Boo. But Yogi’s moves were obvious and it was fun to watch.

I had the best seat in the house. I sat in the row directly in front of the row of law enforcement officers and whatever I missed, I would overhear. The budget crisis does affect us all and I do not make light or humor in the labor/ efforts of our officers.

No council person spoke after Ranger Braziel’s presentation. Yogi, (Mayor Johnson) made no comments towards Parks & Recreation during their presentation. It appeared Yogi Bear didn’t have much use for the recreation of our Parks anymore.

Instead of the Ranger trying to catch Yogi to bring back the pic-a-nic basket; Yogi was running interference for the Ranger. And Boo Boo (Vice President of the SPOA) was there watching how it would all play out. It was priceless to watch City Hall transform into Jellystone Park.

I said hello to some of the officers I've always spoke to and I’ll admit I felt a little uncomfortable as I caught a winter chill while in Jellystone Park. Some in LE who would often smile and speak to me suddenly made me feel like Jack Frost or Frosty the Snow man. Eyes froze and I received no hello in return

I didn’t mind the cold shoulder. But if looks could kill well let’s just say I was glad the fire department was there. Councilmember Cohn found possible funding to prevent one brown-out and the mood was a little less somber so I think I would have been rescued.

As I left city hall I thought of Yogi and realized he’s also known as Chicken Little as he tried to plant the seed that the sky is falling. Mayor Johnson did try to pump up the volume on fear tactics once Ranger Braziel, did not use the propaganda often witnessed at budget hearings when Najera was Chief of Police.

At City Hall last night Mayor Johnson, aka Yogi Bear, aka Chicken Little, tried to smoothly get a picnic basket for Boo Boo.

I haven’t given Johnson enough credit I always gave the credit for our Mayor’s manipulation to a special assistant, campaign manager or volunteers. But last night Mayor Johnson didn’t skip a beat. He performed on his own and I have to hand it to him he was smart; but not smarter than the average bear.

Braziel: I'm staying

2010-06-10T03:30:16Z

Sacramento Police Chief Rick Braziel announced Wednesday he has withdrawn his candidacy for the chief of police job in Seattle.

The 30-year veteran of the Sacramento force will get an 8 percent pay raise city officials said had been promised to him when he was hired. But Braziel said the extra $15,000 was not the deciding factor for him.

Instead, he decided that living and working in Seattle would not make him and his family happier. He was able to make the decision only after getting far enough along in the process to get to know the city of Seattle and its leaders, including Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn, Braziel said.

"I'm staying here. I love the (police) organization and I love this city," he said at a City Hall press conference Wednesday afternoon.

"It goes back to, when you wake up in the morning, where are you going to be the happiest?" Braziel added. "Sacramento is a better fit for Rick Braziel."

Braziel, 50, was among three final candidates considered for the top spot with the Seattle Police Department. He met with interim City Manager Gus Vina Tuesday night to discuss staying in Sacramento. They then notified Mayor Kevin Johnson and Seattle officials about his decision.

Calling Braziel an "out-of-the-box thinker," Johnson said the city's goal now is to keep the police chief here until he retires.

"You don't want to let a good person slip away," Johnson said.

Braziel had initially been offered a 20 percent pay raise when he was promoted to police chief more than two years ago. He "voluntarily" accepted just a 12 percent raise because of the city's financial woes, with the understanding that the other 8 percent would be forthcoming, Vina said.

Braziel would have replaced former Seattle Police Chief Gil Kerlikowske, who was tapped by President Barack Obama to become director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy in 2009.

Cities from around the country have come courting Braziel and may continue to do so, Johnson said.

But Braziel said he expects to retire from the Sacramento Police Department in three to four years.

Seattle's mayor said Braziel was "a strong candidate" who has accomplished "remarkable things" in Sacramento.

"I am disappointed Sacramento Police Chief Rick Braziel withdrew his name today from consideration for our city's next police chief," McGinn said Wednesday in a prepared statement. "The people of Sacramento are lucky to have him."

Photos by Suzanne Hurt, a staff reporter for The Sacramento Press.

Mayor Johnson discriminates against community members

2010-05-26T07:22:46Z

Tuesday, I thought a discussion for the budget was scheduled. I rushed to cook dinner for my son and hurried off to city hall. When I arrived at city hall, to my surprise, there was a very long line.

I patiently stood in the back of the line speaking with people around me to learn why they were at city hall. I was surrounded by lots of nice and interesting people.

An officer would continuously come to the line and tell us we could fill out a speaker request and go to the overflow room whereas we could sit and not have to stand and wait.

I chose to stay, stand and wait. I was enjoying hearing the people around me discuss their concerns. I wanted to go into the chambers to see more than the speakers but to watch the reactions of the people.

After some time, I was among the fifth group who was allowed to enter the session. But I was fortunate to enter prior to item #25 Arizona Illegal Immigration Legislation SB 1070 discussion began.

The room was filled with both passionate and angry folks. Folks were angry the city would address Arizona law and folks were angry that some folks were against the city addressing it.

I had not read the law and was not familiar with the law and I stayed, after learning there was no budget discussion, to learn more of the Arizona law and to listen and learn from the people in attendance.

There were people of all ethnic groups who voiced their concerns of Sacramento not having the discussion or supporting the boycott.

There were people of all ethnic backgrounds who voiced their concerns and appreciations that Sacramento was having the discussion.

Initially I had not filled out a speaker request. But Mayor Johnson gave his opening remarks and to be honest, I was impressed.

As I listened to one side voice their concerns (the side who opposed the city addressing and supporting Boycotting Arizona) I decided to compliment Mayor Johnson on the way he conducted the hearing.

I will admit, I would desperately like the city to address life and freedom for Sacramento area residents but seeing how what is happening in Arizona is affecting the emotions, feelings, life of Sacramento area residents I supported the city addressing the issue.

Tempers were bouncing around the room. One man yelled in a irate tone to the Mayor, “Look at me. Look at me Mayor Johnson”. The Mayor did not lift his head. I wouldn’t have lifted my head either. In fact I might not have been as nice as the mayor.

One audience member yelled,” KKK” as one person spoke against Sacramento addressing Arizona law. I felt it was uncalled for since the people in front of me were also against it and they were Latino and angry at the city for addressing it.

Again, there were people of all ethnic backgrounds on both sides.

Nearly three hours had gone by. I patiently waited, with many others, for the time when the next group could speak of our support to the city for addressing the issue and even boycotting Arizona.

Finally, our time had arrived to have our say on the matter. I stood up to begin to line up and actually compliment the mayor and to my surprise Mayor Johnson sucker punched many of us.

The group who supported Sacramento addressing and boycotting Arizona law were told, after we began to line up, were told by the mayor "we're doing things different..."

People were lining up and the Mayor told us with a slightly agitated tone, he hadn’t told us what to do and not to get in line.

Confused, since the prior group simply lined up I was wondering what the heck was going on. Then he said it, “We’re going to let the leaders speak first…..”

What the heck, we’re all leaders, didn’t we lead our way to the session? But Mayor Johnson wanted titles, people he considered leaders to have the privileged of speaking first. Some of whom just arrived at the session.

I waited three hours to feel like a second class citizen. I was going to stand in line anyway, with “the leaders” because I don’t believe in discrimination of any form.

But I wanted to prove a point and get up with my people; the community members who went to city hall concerned with an agenda many felt was based on discrimination only to discriminated against by the mayor for not being “leaders”.

The same Mayor who gave a beautiful opening remark on his opposition to discrimination would overlook some of us. Wow, if that isn’t hypocrisy.

How can a Sacramento mayor concerned with residents in Arizona not be concerned with how he can make residents of Sacramento feel discriminated against?

I sat back down and waited until it was plain ole community members without a title turn to speak. As I sat down I scribbled out my praises that I was going to give the mayor of how he conducted the meeting to my disgust of being treated like a second class citizen.

After the first group of leaders spoke I stood up again and got in line. Then we were told we would have one minute instead of two minutes. I was okay with that because everyone else had basically said what I was feeling and I only needed one minute to say what I needed to say.

Basically I wanted to inform the mayor he needs to learn to shift the paradigm from power-over community members to a power-with.

Then a city official came and told the person in front of me, “I need you and everyone behind you to sit back down, we have to clear the walk way….”

At first I refused to sit down. I was agitated. I had enough of being bounced around. I was tired. But I sat down.

After hearing a few more people speak I decided to leave. It was 9:10pm. I decided I don’t have to go to city hall to be treated like a second class citizen, by a mayor who sees or is impressed or wants to get support from “leaders” over home-grown- grassroots -community members.

Heck, what we have to say must be of value; after all “leaders” come into the community to recruit us when they need us to promote, speak, and join their grant funded organizations.

I decided to leave. I don’t have to sit around as a second class citizen. I can come home and write my opinions, views, feelings and be treated with respect by people who don’t care if I have a “title” or considered by the mayor a “leader”. I stay true to who I am; a concerned community member.

On Tuesday, Mayor Johnson proved to me, yet again, he does not need more power. He still doesn’t see or respect or value the city’s everyday folks.

In the Spirit of Love and some anger
Rhonda Erwin
I’m leaving the news of the event to the journalist. I am merely writing of how the session caused me to feel like a second class session.

Omri Caspi Recognition at City Hall 4/1/10

2010-04-02T09:27:09Z

Thursday evening at the City Hall town meeting Mayor Kevin Johnson and the rest of the council members started off their agenda honoring the Sacramento Kings basketball player Omri Caspi. Caspi is the first Israeli born athlete to play in the NBA. There was a short but sweet video played showing some highlights of Caspi's first season as a professional. Then District 3 Councilman Steve Cohn presented Caspi with a recognition award. Well over two-thirds of the audience was there to witness Capsi being recognized not only for his basketball skills but for him being a big part of the jewish community here in Sacramento. After a standing ovation for Capsi he said a few words of gratitude as his shyness was very apparent.

The Broad Road Show finally comes to Sacramento

2009-12-24T02:37:54Z

Mayor Kevin Johnson announced STAND UP; a new initiative launched on Monday. A $500,000 grant will kick-start the first phase of the new nonprofit's development. It will focus on raising academic achievement and college completion rates by advocating, supporting, and developing excellent public schools. The seed money comes from a national philanthropy group, the Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation.

Mayor Johnson said he's looking for a new education liaison; someone who will work with STAND UP. Rumors and speculation has Michelle Rhee, lightening rod Chancellor of Washington DC Public Schools as a leading candidate. Rhee a nimble leader, has played a major role in the Education Reform movement which is currently being promoted by the Obama administration, Governor Schwarzenegger and the Mayor. This reform movement promotes privately operated public Charter schools which are opposed by teachers unions and some parent and community groups. Ms Rhee and the Mayor announced their engagement last month.

Really, what could be better than some rich guy (billionaire) coming to town dropping a cool half million on our public schools in these times of shocking budget cuts. In Sacramento I think there are three schools of thought on that subject:

1) Stand Up
2) Sit Down
3) Shut Up]

If there are some who don’t get Stand Up, it could be that it is not certain which public schools the plan refers to, community-managed excellent public schools or corporate-managed excellent public schools.

The Sit Down community sees Stand Up as irrelevant due to the questions unanswered at St. Hope: the controversial AmeriCorps investigation, enrollment numbers and finances. Or some just don’t like KJ Local parent groups and community advocates blogs Sac Chartergate and Scusd Observer often focus on Sit Down issues.

The Shut Up people firmly believe that STAND UP is part of a vast education conspiracy as presented in “The Rise of Venture Philanthropy and the Ongoing Neoliberal Assault on Public Education: the Eli and Edyth Broad Foundation,” by Dr. Kenneth Saltman. of DePaul University

Most of the conspiracy allegations centers on Mr. Broad: Either you think he is the coolest guy who ever lived or a diabolical capitalist sent to kill public education. Schools Matter, Perimeter Primate , Seattle Education 2010 and The Broad Report make a case for the Shut Up group with opinion, data and a lot of passion.

My best move, most surely, is to Shut Up. One thing I am sure of is that things that are happening at city hall have a lot to do with what is happening at the state capitol.

Peter Schrag of theCalifornia Progress Report stated: “This is not a tempest in a teapot. It reflects fundamental disagreements, some philosophical, some political, some mere turf fights, over the future of the state’s K-12 schools. Either the Senate bill, by Sen. Gloria Romero, a Los Angeles Democrat, or the Assembly substitute by Julia Brownley of Santa Monica, also a Democrat, which the governor threatened to veto, would have been likely to produce significant changes in the state’s school standards, in its testing program, in school transfer rules and parental rights, and in the reconstitution of failing schools.”

The point is we need to have this conversation. This brings me to my real point.

I ask you to join me here at the Sacramento Press to a have a discussion on this community education issue as well as many more pressing issues facing education in Sacramento today. Sacramento Press represents an opportunity for the entire community to hear and express different points of views. If you don’t know how, Sacramento Press invites you to participate in regularly scheduled community workshops.

Response to Sacramento Steps Forward Initiative article/ Mayor Johnson

2009-11-06T20:06:07Z

Letter in regards to Sacramento Steps Forward Initiative article:

With all my heart I wanted to read the article and only see the good. With all my heart I wanted to not write anything negative towards such a positive step for this city. But in all honesty the article raised deep concerns and to avoid writing a long post I'm writing my concerns here. Is this a Step forward? When will a community begin to Take Steps Towards Healing??? I feel as though sometimes we takes steps and then we step on a treadmill and no longer move forward.

I've addressed youth violence for many years. I've seen many "steps forward" which ended in people walking in reverse or walking on a treadmill. I've watched the recognition, funding, employment positions go to everyone but those affected and or exposed to the violence. I know what it feels like to hurt so bad and have that hurt compounded when poverty pimps ride in alleging to save the day with hidden or not so hidden agenda's or for the love of money and not the love of people.

In addressing youth violence I've seen people parade around as peacocks more interested in themselves than the cause. I've seen people manipulate and sway public interest and it compounds our pain. I've watched the homeless come to city hall weekly and it is my opinion that Mayor Johnson's continuous statement of " the homeless do not need a handout, they need a hand up, they want to be empowered" Can the homeless get credit? After all they were at city hall each week begging for shelter and informing the mayor of the empowerment and resources they needed. The mayor's comment adds insult to injury , it underestimates and insults the intelligence of many.

Mayor Johnson is appearing to once again make himself look good by ---this time inadvertently--- by not only making the homeless look bad but by also making the city counsel look bad. I appreciate the beautiful, heart-felt and insightful comment written by both bbbbmer and William Burg on the article. Bbbbmer writes, ".... We are our brothers' and sisters' keepers, and there but for the grace of God go you or I... But a nice P.R. event, complete with appearances by minor celebrity backers of this mayor, is not enough. This merely turns such efforts into a party... The proof of the puddin' will be when such parties materialize into real units of shelter -- not just 'beds' -- but four walls, a kitchen, a bathroom, and a job, for all who need it..." -- AMEN

It is a shame that community members are put in a position to where we have to make our mayor's " fastest move our slowest". Is he looking at the homeless or is he looking at himself? Personally I don't care how the homeless get shelter. I'd want the homeless to have shelter by hook or crook. But I do care of what occurs beyond the shelter. It's like we have a mayor playing a game of chest and doing so with the homeless. It is concerning and overwhelmingly painful when it appears we have a mayor making the homeless--Prawns. It appears the homeless are Prawns being bumped around by people protecting the King (the Mayor). The special assistants, strategists, campaign managers, volunteers (the rook, knight, Bishop, queen) all protecting the Mayor gliding across the board (community) as the prawns (homeless) can only take one step at a time and able to be bumped off by everyone on the board including themselves....

I know what it feels like to be a prawn and be overshadowed by everything and everyone because in addressing youth violence - I too have been a prawn- but I do know the prawn can be taken out but is also the only player in the game who doesn't remain the same and can come back on the board as a higher player. I give thanks and appreciation to the homeless not Lisa Ling, Mayor Johnson....

It is wonderful that people are extending love to the homeless. But for goodness sake why does it appear LOVE is being used for promotion? It breaks my heart.

Love is a 2-way street, we are not riding on one way roads. We appear to be sending out a message of love for the homeless but where is the mention of the love possessed by the homeless? The love of the homeless, loving enough, to stand with Johnson as he overshadows love with promotion. Johnson is appearing as a knight in shining armor to help the homeless when it is the homeless who are helping Johnson and others with recognition. The "Give a man a fish he can eat for a day; teach him how to fish he can eat for a lifetime" goes both ways. The homeless issue has taught ( is empowering) Mayor Johnson how to fish. Mayor Johnson appears to have his hand out instead of looking, working, laboring for a hand-up.

Johnson should give credit and respect to the homeless for teaching him how to fish through homelessness instead of appearing to ride in on a high-horse to save the day. I've watched so many take credit on issues regarding youth violence and so many of us who are actually laboring for free without pay, without even wanting credit are seen as simply wanting our hand-outs.

It breaks my heart every time I look in this city for a dove of peace and I find another vulture surrounding the crisis of the poor for either profit or recognition into advancing a department or career.

Our mayor isn't doing anything that people with limited resources haven't tried to do and with resources at his disposal he should do it. I can't in all honestly give kudo's to him for not going beyond what is expected. He is doing what is expected of a Mayor - with a weak form of government or strong. We know he can take photos, we know he has no problem with promoting himself. We know often times it appears he does just enough to get it mentioned and not enough to get the job done. Heck the gang/ youth summit was a good photo and nothing more...

I give the initiative Sacramento Steps Forward the benefit of the doubt since so many others are laboring who I feel are sincere at heart. Heck I expect to see more good deeds from Johnson (that his PR team will make sure doesn't go unnoticed and make sure the counsel is not noticed) as he moves towards his Stong Mayor Proposal. Surely Mayor Johnson knows that out-of-sight is out-of-mind and will remain in our sights on photo ops until the SMP goes to voters. Heck we have to crawl before we can walk, walk before we can run.... and I am very glad the homeless are getting shelter whether it is by hook or crook. One good thing came from the Strong Mayor Proposal it put fire behind our mayor and his strategist to move on some issues.

But for goodness sake for ONCE I'd like to see our mayor take a photo NEXT to his colleagues- his associates- his peers- OUR- TEAM-THE-COUNSEL and stop making it appear he's moving this city by himself to sway others of the need for a strong mayor. Every time I see Mayor Johnson in a photo I wonder why he doesn't take photos next to his colleagues-- all the city counsel members showing the public a team effort? Personally I feel he's not a team player with our team- our city manager, our city clerk, our city counsel. But a team player with his team- his lawyers, his strategists.....

IF Mayor Johnson were a humble man every time he stood on stage to mask in his own glory he'd stand with our counsel. For goodness sake they are suppose to be a TEAM. The article reads: After Johnson thanked Brown, Sister Libby Fernandez and Joan Burke, both of of Loaves and Fishes, he introduced Sacramento-native Ling, the host of National Geographic Explorer. Earlier this year, as a special correspondent for The Oprah Winfrey Show, she reported on Sacramento's "tent city," which brought other media outlets to the site."
---- Did Johnson thank the city counsel or the city manager? No

The article reads-"Your mayor, so many members of the homeless advocacy community, members of the city and county rose to the occasion and decided to tackle (homelessness) head on," Ling said. "I'm so proud of the way so many members of this community have come together (and) if Sacramento is successful (housing the homeless), it could be a model for the rest of the country."--- It wasn't Ling's responsibility and she did not specifically mention the counsel.
---- Was Johnson humble and redirect Ling's comment and give appreciation to or mention the city counsel? No

It appears some are trying to show us the need for a strong mayor with further trickery. Of course we would need a strong mayor proposal if we have an absent counsel, a weak counsel, a counsel not moving in efforts..... The homeless agenda is moving forward but we as a government are moving backwards with a Mayor who will not play with OUR TEAM--all of us. Mayor Johnson is not Kobe, at least Kobe was a ball hog but got the job done. But Johnson can't be a ball hog and get the job done (that's why he has so many assistants!!!) And even Kobe needed the rest of the team.

We are a team and we should be treated as a team. Mayor Johnson appears not capable of shifting the paradigm from a power-over us to a power-with us and that is concerning.

Rhonda Erwin
Disclosure: A Prawn who has addressed youth violence long enough to know and see all the players on the board. I am a prawn so I know the value of those not privileged in income but rich in love. I am a prawn who was bumped off the board but came back... I've addressed youth violence long enough to know a prawn needs more than prawns to put the king in chest mate and I look forward to more community members to join the red-flag campaign to knock off the Queen (developers) Knights (assistants, special interests) Rook (strategists) and put the King (Mayor Johnson) in chest mate. The king doesn't have to leave the board--- but we can stop his movements and insist the mayor has a power-with the community and not a power over us.

Sacramento Press: Enabling the Community to Offer Food for Thought

2009-10-29T23:27:19Z

Give a man a fish, and he can eat for a day; teach him how to fish, and he can eat for a lifetime. Words to live by and appearing to be the motto of Sacramento Press..

Recently I read the article "Is the Sacramento Press Fostering Civil Debate -- Or Encouraging Hate Speech?", written by Steven Maviglio.. Maviglio writes, "There's some good back-and-forth, and we agree to disagree without name-calling or insults or questions about our motivation. It's free speech -- the kind of debate that is good for this website and good for our city."

I agree. The "back-and-forth" without insults or questions about our motivation is good. It is dialogue -- if we plan to only eat for a day, but many of us plan to eat for a lifetime. So our comments can go beyond simply agreeing to disagree and become passionate food for thought.

Maviglio also writes, "There are some who typically hide behind screen names, that think name-calling and obscenities are effective ways to make their point."

I'm no stranger to personal attacks by someone hiding behind a screen name. I know people can become frustrated when someone deliberately insults or underestimates their intelligence.

Having read many of Maviglio's comments I can understand the frustration community members can feel toward his attempts to sway public opinion. But two wrongs don't make a right.

I learned from Maviglio's article that I too should tone down my responses and try not to offend others even when I am offended. But I don't dwell in hate and nor do I see the comments of others posting on Sacramento Press toward Maviglio being written in hate.

I know I've become frustrated with him on more than one occasion. I've learned Maviglio is a professional campaign manager whose comments I've read, on Sacramento Press and other sites, appear to have a tendency to stretch the truth to get a desired effect. However, I can't put much weight on the argument in his article since I haven't read any obscenities.

I enjoy reading the Sacramento Press because I feel it can disarm hate by giving the people a voice.

Recently I read an article by Mayor Kevin Johnson, "It's all about accountability," in which Johnson writes, "I love accountability ... and I find it curious when elected officials and the media decide the moment has arrived to wrap their arms around the fundamentals of accountability for the time being. They demand accountability for everyone but themselves. They choose which rules they follow .... Let's talk about accountability. It's a subject I understand ... I demand accountability for myself, my staff and every employee in the city of Sacramento."

Surely we can see how community members can be frustrated when many feel the mayor hasn't been held accountable with mismanagement of St. Hope, with allegations of a relationship with minors, with the $25,000 loan to SAG which was forgiven and became a gift in the midst of controversy and other concerns.

Whether the allegations are true or not I do not know but I do believe where there is smoke there is fire.

I do know community members are frustrated by a mayor who doesn't appear to be accountable for his own actions or the actions of those he hires to protect and serve him. And people need an avenue to vent, they need to let their voices be heard to disarm hate.

I find it curious when our mayor, for the time being, has found the moment to wrap his arms around the fundamentals of accountability.

Does our mayor really demand accountability for his staff? Is his staff solely accountable only to him or can they be held accountable to the public? The mayor is a public servant so it would seem anyone employed or assigned a volunteer position by him should also be held accountable to the public and would face strong criticism by the public when it appears they are not truthful.

Both Johnson's article on accountability and his campaign manager Steve Maviglio's article on civil debate appear to be attempts to also sway public opinion and both articles can foster hate. I value the Sacramento Press for giving the community a chance to create a much needed balance and disarm political manipulation.

We could argue whether Johnson is fostering civil debate or hate speech with his article, in which he claims he is asking the city council for accountability.

Johnson -- a mayor who has failed to be transparent in other avenues -- calls out council members in a public forum on his blog rather than working directly with them to overcome this issue.

Johnson, who will meet in secrecy, without the public and without council members, to develop the SMP and who did not have the courage to hold community meetings prior to the Strong Mayor Proposal being written in stone, wrote, "... but they have no courage. And while I won't speculate as to their motives, their lack of courage and need for secrecy erases any legitimacy of their act."

Johnson, who took a "situation" and asked the City Manager to investigate how privileged city documents were being leaked to the media, writes, "Accountability is not situational. It can't be used for political convenience. You are either accountable, or you are not."

Without a public outlet the mayor's article can cause a great deal of frustration.

When you only have two minutes to address the mayor during council sessions and a mayor who has given you so much to complain about and will not acknowledge your complaints, you can begin to comment in an angry tone. Between Johnson's political swagger and his campaign manager's more than 125 comments on Sacramento Press and many other comments on other news sites regarding articles on the mayor, people can be frustrated with all the propaganda put before us.

We can agree to disagree to comments by community members, but when Mr. Maviglio appears to manipulate the comment site it becomes concerning.

I confronted the mayor at a city session and the man who claims to demand accountability for himself and staff, would not be accountable. Did he apologize? No. We know he's capable of offering an apology. He's apologized to Nestlé. The mayor's apologies as well as accountability appear to be situational.

When you have a mayor who appears to transform city hall into a castle and the city of Sacramento into his kingdom you have to expect public outcry.. When you have a mayor who appears to disregard the voice of the people raising concerns, questions and disapproval of his behavior and you have media outlets who will also disregard the voice of the people -- the people can become angry.

When you have a mayor who appears to create a moat around the castle (city hall) making it too deep for the public to simply wade through with special assistants, campaign managers, volunteers to defend him against the public the people can become angry. When you have a mayor who appears to begin warfare against his colleagues, the council members we voted into office, the anger can cause some not-so-kind remarks. But it is anger and disappointment and not hate speech.

Has Johnson ever apologized for the negative comments by those under his advisement toward the city attorney, opponents of SMP or attacks on council members? No. I stood in front of the mayor at a council session and was later laughed at. Did he apologize? No.

He laughed and with the assistance of an assistant, he mocked me. Does the mayor address the concerns of the general public when they are given two minutes to speak? No. He simply looks at their name on the speaker request form and says "thank you."

Johnson does not appear to foster civil debate and his deliberate attempt of dismissing the public concerns can foster anger, animosity, division and yes, sometimes hate.

It doesn't appear to be the Sacramento Press who is fostering hate. It appears to be the actions of our mayor and his campaign manager and the fact he is not accountable for his actions or the actions of his assistants which can and has frustrated a community and at times caused hate speech.

Fostering hate goes beyond comments some may write on a Sacramento Press site. In fact the site offers an opportunity for people, like myself, to air out our differences, concerns, complaints in a constructive forum. Sacramento Press offers an opportunity for us to have a voice and build a constructive bridge of dialogue.

The media is a powerful tool and a tool which it appears politicians, including our mayor, have found a way to manipulate. But on Sacramento Press (as well as SN&R) writers balance out the bull with the truth and the community responds.

On Sacramento Press, the community is given a forum to write and balance out all the political propaganda we're reading and seeing from press releases and actions constructed by political hired help to sway public opinion. I've seen this deception cause a great deal of anger. But I have not seen the tone of anger on Sacramento Press that I have seen on another site and I believe it is due to the fact the community has an input and direct ongoing dialogue with the writers.

I don't see Sacramento Press as fostering hate. I see it as a tool to remain in the spirit of love and overcome hate by giving a voice to everyone.

The mayor, in an effort to make himself look good by making the council look bad, writes "How did a majority of the city council respond? With disdain, ridicule and ambivalence ..." It seems disdain, ridicule and ambivalence goes beyond Sacramento Press commenters. It appears the common denominator to fostering hate speech, disdain, ridicule and ambivalence is Johnson and the fact that he is not so transparent and neither are his special assistants and campaign manager.

I've read hateful comments on Sacramento Bee where people wrote "get ready, your young butt will be raped in prison, hope you're found hung."

I've read truly disturbing hateful racial attacks on youth, hateful comments regarding low income community members when articles are written during budget times. I've read hate-filled comments from both some within the community toward law enforcement and some within law enforcement toward community members.

What I am reading on Sacramento Press is far from hate. Even the comments personally directed at me by one person, in my opinion, aren't hateful. They have grown to be annoying but I've learned now to dismiss it. We don't have to all like one another and that is what gives the debate substance. I learn from those who appear not to like me and I welcome the sometimes not-so-kind dialogue. Sacramento Press is a valuable tool to become a contributor by offering personal insight and a forum to learn and grow.

Mark Twain wrote, "Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness, all foes to true understanding. Likewise tolerance, or broad, wholesome charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by bigoting in our little corner of the earth all one's lifetime."

I read the articles and comments on Sacramento Press to leave my little corner of the earth and learn to see and hear others. I know I need to travel outside my comfort zone to go beyond seeing so much prejudice, ignorance, bigotry and narrow mindedness.

I'm reading the comments to learn more about the city of Sacramento and its people. I read Sacramento Press comments so I won't be like our mayor and surround myself with people who only tell me what I want to hear or what they feel I want or need to know.

If I solely relied on media propaganda from political hired help I would have suffocated by their divide and conquer tactics of using prejudice, ignorance and narrow mindedness as a tool. I wish more who are oppressed would read the Sacramento Press articles, post comments and vent.

By venting, through writing, I was able to breathe through so much confusion, pain and anger. I once felt suffocated and angry but in writing I've learned to remain in the spirit of love and not foster hate.

I learned to overcome the hate caused by reading so many untruthful political propaganda news stories. I learned to have a voice by reading the comments of many who let their voices be heard. I learned to speak out by being embraced by those not experiencing the same pain as I but still experiencing pain.

I've learned to see the pain of others. I've learned by seeing others speak out about subjects which interest or affect them. I learned to look for the passion even if the comment or person making the comment is attempting to attack me. I've learned a great deal from readers of Sacramento Press and I look forward to learning even more.

If I relied on manipulative media releases or sway-public-opinion articles from our mayor and if I had not met so many writers within SN&R, SacBee, Because People Matter, Sacramento Observer, bloggers like JoeSacramento and writers within Sacramento Press, it's possible I would harbor anger.

And now reading comments from Sacramento Press readers such as Marion, bbbmer, Burg and others it's like the icing on the cake, it's like gravy over the meat, it's such a good feeling to see so much community involvement, insight and passion. On Sacramento Press you get a buffet of food for thought. On Sacramento Press you go beyond eating for a day and learning to eat for a lifetime.

In the words of Margaret Mead, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever does." And for goodness sake I see those small groups of committed citizens such as Marion Millin, William Burg, bbbbmer, fifthgensacramentan and others responding on Sacramento Press.

I attended the last two Sacramento Press workshops and I want to say thank you, Sacramento Press, for not only giving a man a fish to eat for a day but thank you, Sacramento Press and those who comment, for teaching more how to fish so we can eat for a lifetime.

The workshops are great. The people are great. The forum is great. So, to answer Steve Maviglio's question -- no, Sacramento Press is not fostering hate. It appears hate is fostered by a mayor who is not accountable and the political propaganda press releases. But fortunately hate can be overcome by Sacramento Press offering a voice for those without political hidden agendas and not swayed by special interest or greed.

Every now and then someone may criticize, argue or debate with a hostile tone but when it happened to me it didn't foster hate it actally gave me the ability to both look at myself and look at them. I learned some people are not really interested in the subject and can be a distraction as they redirect the focus and attention towards you. But I learned personal attacks can give us the ability to learn and to grow in understanding.

Any fight worth fighting is worth being criticized, sometimes attacked, and often disagreed with. I don't expect everyone to agree with me or my opinion. I don't expect to agree with everyone. But on Sacramento Press our similarities (passion) outweighs our differences of opinion.

On Sacramento Press I've learned not just the content of the material written but how it is written -- the force behind it. I've learned so many are fighting. I've learned how to make the pen mightier than the sword.

I'm learning we can disagree and not foster hate. I've learned if you're afraid of being wounded perhaps you should not come near the battle. I've learned hate is deep-rooted and not on the surface of a simple post. I've learned their is always one who will fight individuals rather than a cause.

Most importantly I've learned "Give a man a fish he can eat for a day; teach him how to fish he can eat for a lifetime."

Thank you to the readers of Sacramento Press who post articles and comments for the lessons I am learning and the hope I am receiving which will go beyond the moment -- but hope for a lifetime.

Thank you Sacramento Press for doing what it appears our mayor and his special assistants have failed to do and that is disarm hate by giving the community a voice. Sacramento Press and those who comment provide an all you can eat buffet of food for thought.

Rhonda Erwin

Local artist David Garibaldi motivates at arts community meeting

2009-10-29T01:52:30Z

Sacramento-raised painter David Garibaldi delivered a poignant speech at Wednesday's "For Art's Sake" meeting. The 26-year-old thanked Mayor Kevin Johnson and the city for its support and guidance when he was growing up in Sacramento.

While Garibaldi was a high school student interested in the arts, the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission recognized his potential and sent him to California State Summer School for the Arts on a full scholarship, he said. Garibaldi credited this and his high school art program with helping him redirect a creative fire that led him to graffiti the streets of Sacramento, inspiring him instead to become a performance artist.

The "For Art's Sake" initiative launched in June and holds meetings once a month, the fourth Wednesday of the month from 10 to 11 a.m., in different locations throughout the Sacramento area. "For the next three and a half years, the arts initiative will be something I'm fighting for," Johnson said in a previous meeting.

More than 150 people showed up at Hot Italian pizzeria at 16th and Q streets to see Garibaldi deliver a speech and visual presentation. He is currently a licensed artist with Elvis Presley Enterprises, the Bob Marley Estate and Jimi Hendrix Estate, as well as an official Disney artist in the Disney Fine Art program. He recently performed his art show "Rhythm and Hue" as an opener for Blue Man Group and Snoop Dogg.

After the meeting, Hot Italian served pizza as members of the arts community mingled. The Sacramento Press spoke with some of the attendees.

"It's nice to have a mayor bringing this type of support to the arts," said Jay Bridges, of a film initiative called 916 Hollywood. He said the company will help bring Sacramento to the attention of the film industry, and also praised the level of support Johnson has received from corporations.

"It's really inspiring," said Kathy Ossmann, a singer and president of the Sacramento Master Singers board. "This is the first real support for the arts that raises public awareness and focuses on the arts."

She also addressed questions of whether or not the initiative was accomplishing enough.

"The most concrete accomplishment is being accepted for the Kennedy Center's 'Any Given Child Program,' (but) one year is a short time to accomplish something like building a new facility," she said. "This is much more about public awareness and perception, so I'm not disturbed nothing more concrete has been accomplished."

Next month's meeting will not take place on the fourth Wednesday of the month, due to its proximity to Thanksgiving. Instead, it will be held Nov. 18 at the Sacramento Theatre Company, 1419 H St.

For more information, please visit http://www.cityofsacramento.org/mayor/forArtsSake.

Mayor Johnson - Driving Under the Influence

2009-10-21T05:19:52Z

'People ask the difference between a leader and a boss. The leader works in the open, and the boss in covert. The leader leads, and the boss drives." -- Theodore Roosevelt --

I would love to give Mayor Kevin Johnson the benefit of the doubt and call him a leader. But as time goes by, I see less of a leader and more of a driver.

Heck, with lessons, anyone can drive. With a GPS navigation system of special assistants, a campaign manager, volunteers and a spokesperson it certainly may appear the mayor is leading the way. But even with GPS and a car full of backseat drivers, people have gotten lost.

A GPS navigation system can't prepare Johnson for traffic conditions, debris left in city streets or points of interest that are of concern to residents.

Will the "strong mayor" initiative drive us down a one-way street against traffic, causing a collision? Will we want to be a passenger if the "driver" suddenly begins to drive recklessly or appears intoxicated (full of himself) and is driving under the influence of deceit and trickery? Will we want to be on the road with someone under the influence of special interest?

Should we stand by while the mayor, who could have a suspended license, suddenly begins to drive exceeding speed limits to get to a strong mayor proposal?

Drivers who are not leaders don't always reach their destination. Mayor Johnson appears simply to follow drivers of other cities. He doesn't appear to be a mayor leading the way. We've heard Fresno has the strong mayor charter, Oakland has the strong mayor charter. Many residents in Fresno and Oakland have become hit-and-run victims because of the strong mayor charter as the mayors driving their cities overlook and run down the cities' underprivileged residents.

If Mayor Johnson were driving in the open and giving residents a map with clear directions on the strong mayor proposal before blindly gathering signatures, perhaps he could renew his license without taking another drivers course. If Mayor Johnson showed respect, consideration and courtesy and valued the cars, bikes and pedestrians on and near the road and called community meetings before the proposal was written in stone and before the proposal was taken to the City Council for a vote, perhaps we wouldn't drive now with so many calling out for speed bumps because of unsafe drivers masquerading as leaders.

Our mayor is a driver who appears not to value community input. The strong mayor proposal does not reflect the desires of the community. The strong mayor proposal reflects the desires of the mayor and outside influences. The community was of no value to the mayor until signatures were requested by hit-and-run signature collectors who carried no insurance. Many, if not all, of the paid signature gatherers I spoke with had no knowledge of the petition for which they were gathering signatures.

Traffic control is called out in the form of a Charter Review Commission. After a comprehensive study that listened to drivers, pedestrians and motorists of other cities, it was determined that the strong mayor proposal could be hazardous and cause slippery roads and unsafe driving conditions. But the mayor appears to drive the proposal by any means necessary, through thunders of confusion, rains of deceit and the thick fog of trickery. Now we are left with a measure that CalTrans cannot revise. The strong mayor proposal is written in stone.

Mayor Johnson appears to drive without insurance. Residents have asked but have not been told what specifically he can do with the strong mayor charter that he could not do with the current form of city government. Perhaps we wouldn't mind him going slightly over the speed limit if we knew where he was going. Perhaps we wouldn't call our council members to complain of high speed traffic racing through our neighborhoods to get to a strong mayor proposal, if we had a leader working in the open.

Perhaps if the mayor would appear as a leader and not a boss who simply is following drivers of other cities we wouldn't have to call our representatives and request that the mayor pump his breaks, slow down or get his car (strong mayor proposal) towed for driving with a suspended license, driving under the influence, hit and run, reckless driving and causing so much road rage.

Community members are no longer riding blindfolded with the drivers elected into office. There's been too much propaganda and too many promises that have fallen to the curbside or become road-kill once the politicians' self-absorbed goal is reached.

Sacramento's mayor can drive but can he lead? After all, he is a political adolescent behind the wheel. Motorists cannot dismiss the fact that Mayor Johnson has had some fender benders, causing a collision or two with St. Hope, loaning SAG $25,000 in June without notifying our insurance broker- Eileen M. Teichert, city attorney that he forgave the loan and made it a gift. Mayor Johnson has been known to hit and run and contact his collision specialist attorney to make the problems go away. A mayor without full coverage insurance and no past experience with driving should not expect the public to rush into traffic for a strong mayor proposal.

It seems Sacramento roads are beginning to fill with curves, bumps and debris. The community is expected to trust the mayor not just on highways but now on the freeway as he takes off on a high-speed chase to a strong mayor proposal. We have no idea what the destination is and don't really trust some of his passengers. After all we haven't been told what he can do as a strong mayor that he cannot do under the current charter and we haven't been told if he picked up hitch-hikers or who exactly went along for the ride.

Our view is obstructed as we are told, "People who don't want the strong mayor form of government are afraid of change." Some of us are afraid of collisions by a mayor driving without insurance.

Our mayor appears to disregard others on the road as he races by the council members who we voted into office. The mayor did not consult with experienced drivers, some of whom have lead their districts; he did not value their input. Our mayor appears to disregard pedestrians and did not consult city residents to listen to their desires, or allow them to voice their concerns and offer their input in changing the city's charter. Those opposing the mayor are not consulted to see if there is a charter suitable for the vast majority of residents. It appears that the mayor requests that residents vote "yes" on the strong mayor proposal blindly, in the dark, and without lights or reflectors.

Yes, the mayor will drive with passengers, as he rode with arts liaison Sharon Gerber, to assist with bringing arts to Sacramento. He can be a boss. But he doesn't appear to have the drive to ride in the carpool lane with the community.

As a resident of Sacramento I would not wear a blindfold while a person with no driver training gets behind the wheel and starts racing down the city's streets. I do like Mayor Johnson's energy. I do like the fact that he can charm a crowd. He can be a good boss. But he is new to city government and passed a written test but has not quite passed his driving test nor received his driver's education certificate.

I would like to give the mayor the benefit of the doubt and call him a leader. But right now I see him as a boss. Perhaps I've become frustrated with so many of the drivers whom we elected to drive on our roads. Now the roads have become congested with heavy and dangerous traffic, causing accidents. Now I, too, have road rage.

Rhonda Erwin

Disclosure: I am a community member looking for a leader who works in the open, not a boss working in secrecy. I am looking for a leader who leads, not a boss who drives with so many intoxicated passengers and backseat drivers.

Mayor Kevin Johnson: New arena is a "front-burner" issue

2009-09-30T04:53:15Z

Mayor Kevin Johnson brought up the possibility of a new sports arena in Sacramento at a press conference Tuesday.

Johnson announced his top-three priorities are public safety, education and economic development, the latter of which a new sports arena could positively impact.

Johnson reiterated that a new arena would be crucial not only in keeping the Kings in Sacramento, but also in terms of creating a "world-class" downtown. Currently, Arco Arena holds more than 200 spectator events each year.

"We got a wake up call with the NCAA when they said we are no longer going to hold big-time college basketball in Sacramento because [we] have an outdated arena," Johnson said.

Last week, after learning about the NCAA's decision, Johnson said he became worried that Sacramento might lose the Kings and wanted to see a new proposal for an arena at Cal Expo.

The National Basketball Association is now leading the effort to build a new arena at Cal Expo, according to a recent Sacramento Bee article. However, it has been difficult in the current economic climate to find a developer for the plan, said a Bee editorial.

Johnson, however, seems willing to change turn the conversation away from Cal Expo, still not ruling out downtown as a location for a possible arena.

"Before I was the mayor, I would have always liked to see an arena downtown; and now that I am mayor, I would still like to see an arena downtown," he said.

One possible location would be the Sacramento Railyards, one of the largest infill projects in the country, Johnson said. Though technically not downtown, the city is buying about 33 acres of the 244-acre site, enough room to fit both a planned transportation corridor as well as a new arena.

Johnson said it fits into a larger plan to revitalize Sacramento.

"Part of our overall strategy, [which includes] Westfield Plaza and the J, K and L corridors, is how we revitalize the mall, retail, offices and housing," he said.

Johnson also pointed to his time as an NBA player, which he said he doesn't talk about a whole lot.

"I lived in Phoenix when there was no arena downtown, and I was also part of a team that helped bring an arena downtown," Johnson said. "Phoenix was a ghost town, much worse than Sacramento. If you go to downtown Phoenix now, it's a whole new town because of the catalytic impact that the arena had [on] downtown. I think the year was 1993; if you look at what has transpired over the last 16 years, [it proves] that [an arena] can galvanize a downtown community."

Downtown arenas have a "multiplier effect" in boosting local economies, he added. However, Johnson said a downtown arena could just be "wishful thinking," and still has not mentioned how the project might be financed.

Maloof Sports and Entertainment was contacted for this article but declined to comment.

Mayor Johnson, Bobby Jackson and VSP Partner for Local Kids in Need

2009-09-24T22:04:30Z

VSP® Vision Care partnered with Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson and former Sacramento Kings player, Bobby Jackson, to provide no cost eye exams, eyewear and school supplies to students at Herman Leimbach Elementary in South Sacramento this past Sunday, September 20th.

VSP provided a fully-stocked 45 foot mobile eye exam clinic where volunteer VSP doctors conducted full comprehensive eye exams with students in the two state of the art exam rooms.

“This event was a natural fit for VSP, Mayor Johnson and Bobby Jackson,” noted Cheryl Johnson, VSP’s Vice President of Provider Services. “Together, in the spirit of giving back to our community, we were able to help more than three dozen kids with their eyecare needs, and provide a day of exciting sports activities with two hometown heroes for these students and their families.”

Mayor Johnson and Jackson helped the students select their new eyewear. Jackson also conducted basketball drills in special goggles which simulated visual impairments such as glaucoma, macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy.

“The impact these diseases had on my vision was amazing,” stated Bobby Jackson. “It was a great way to show the students how good vision and healthy eyes are essential components to being successful in both sports and school.”

Students also received school supply kits delivered through a fundraising effort lead by students at two local elementary schools called, “Focus on Learning” and a contribution by VSP employees. The students allocated over 200 school supply kits. Each included items such as writing utensils, glue sticks and rulers.

For more information about VSP's community programs, visit www.seemuchmore.com.

Wynton Marsalis speaks to the arts community

2009-09-24T02:26:21Z

Wednesday's For Art's Sake meeting at the Sacramento Ballet studios feautured a surprise visit from musician Wynton Marsalis. The nearly 100 audience members were treated with a speech from Marsalis, who Mayor Kevin Johnson had previously mentioned in June's For Art's Sake meeting.

After the normally scheduled meeting, Marsalis entered the room to a standing ovation. He gave a 30-minute speech followed by a 15-minute question-and-answer session.

Marsalis, a jazz educator as well as nine-time Grammy winner and Pulitzer Prize recipient, spoke of the importance of music education.

"How can we get kids to our shows?" Marsalis asked the audience early in his speech. "We need to get kids to go to events whether they like it or not!"

California Arts Council director Muriel Johnson noted that California ranks 50th in providing state money to the arts and that music programs in schools have lost 50 percent of their funding in the last decade. She asked if Marsalis could back her up in speaking to state legislators.

"I talk to legislators all the time, and they smile, but they're not going to do anything," Marsalis said. "Our system is based on money, and we have to change [legislators'] consciousness [of the arts].

Marsalis also answered questions about jazz and its importance. "All music is becoming less important because we're not teaching it," he said.

"The root of the arts is humanity," Marsalis said. "I did a better job when I understood all the other jobs connected to my job, understanding the perspective of everyone else."

Marsalis described the arts as a "nourishing soup." It can be "soul food" in that it helps shape a community's intelligence, as well as preserve culture, but its ultimate goal is to create a "healthier populus."

Johnson retold a story of how he first learned about Marsalis in the early '90s when he was in the NBA and Marsalis and was on the ESPN show "Up Close" with Roy Firestone. Firestone called Johnson a hypocrite for speaking of the benefits of education while not finishing his degree at UC Berkeley before entering the NBA.

Marsalis, a devoted Johnson fan, stood up for Johnson back then, arguing that he might be planning to finish his degree after his NBA career (which Johnson did in 1998, earning a bachelor's degree in political science from UC Berkeley.

Ever since then, Johnson has respected Marsalis, and even spoke to him after a concert in Arizona back in the 1990s. Backstage at the concert, Marsalis promised the young Johnson that he would do whatever he could do to help Johnson's career.

Tuesday, Johnson finally took him up on the offer. Marsalis also happened to be in between shows in Monterey and Davis, where he will play this Friday at the Mondavi Center.

The first half of the meeting described the arts initiative's progress: creating a logo, creating a website and developing an "action plan." The action plan will be carried out over the next 12 to 18 months to help the arts in Sacramento secure continuous funds.

After the meeting, Michael Collett, an employee at La Raza Galeria Posada, described his feelings about the arts initiative. More "press and awareness" is always helpful, he said, "but I'd like to see a serious effort from the city to push the envelope."

"It's in the formative stage, but it's gaining a broad base," Donald Sronce, a past chairman of the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission, said of the initiative. "Each meeting has grown, and it's indicative of the community's support."

The next meeting will be at Hot Italian, 1627 16th St., Oct. 28 at 10 a.m. Pizza will be served following the meeting. Those who wish to participate should email Sharon Gerber at sharongerber@sixdegreez.net.

Mayor Kevin Johnson addresses homelessness

2009-09-23T04:02:45Z

Tuesday morning, Mayor Kevin Johnson was joined by a handful of Safe Ground supporters for a weekly press conference inside City Hall. After reiterating his goal to end homelessness in Sacramento, he invited Sister Libby Fernandez and Greg Bunker, the respective executive directors of Loaves and Fishes and Francis house, as well as a homeless man named Thomas Jackson Ashmore III, to speak.

Johnson spoke about his meeting over the weekend with campers at the recently vacated 1220 C St. campground owned by Mark Merin. At the camp site, Merin had also been involved in a property dispute over the land with the neighboring Pedro and Gracilla Hernandez residence.

Johnson mentioned that a comprehensive plan to end homelessness would be launched in October, but also that two immediate issues are the most pressing: creating a legal "safe ground" called Stepping Stone; and helping finda location for winter shelters as they are set to open in mid November.

Johnson has created a task force for both issues, but it will take up to three to six months to create Stepping Stone, he said. Some key factors the task force is looking at for Stepping Stone include size, location, resident selection criteria, governance, security and services.

"The county cut 84 percent of their funding for the homeless," Johnson said. "They're talking about making even more cuts; that means there's a disproportionate amount of cuts going to the homeless population."

"This is a moment that we advocates really appreciate," said Fernandez. "This is the first time a city mayor has stepped up to the plate to think not only for the city but also for the county and the region of Sacramento when it deals with homelessness."

"We need to stop the arrests on people being homeless; we need to put a memorandum on enforcement of camping ordinances," said Ashmore, a homeless man, whom Johnson introduced to the crowd by the nickname "Hawk."

"It's a waste of taxpayer money. Every time we are arrested, it costs between $1500 and $2000 to take us all into jail," he added. "Then we're put back eight hours later on the streets, just to be arrested again."

Bunker also applauded Johnson and asked the entire community to join the effort to think of solutions to house the homeless.

Asked if Johnson would do a good job in helping homeless people, Merin said last week, "I think the Mayor is certainly well intentioned. The question is: can he get the majority of the city council to support him? It just depends on him knowing how to get something accomplished."

"The goal is to get people into housing," said Tim Brown, director of the Ending Chronic Homelessness initiative, in a phone call before the press conference on Tuesday. "We're spending so much on keeping them homeless, it's cheaper to provide housing and services in a lot of cases for chronically homeless."

"With federal stimulus money, for the first time, we're going to be able to prevent homelessness," Brown added. About $4.8 million will become available Oct. 1 for homelessness.

"We've housed 350 people in two-and-a-half years," Brown said. "What has made a dent is the switch to permanent housing."

As far as the vacated Safe Ground location at the Merin property (only a pair of port-a-potties remains), the Hernandez family have expressed "gratitude and relief" that the camp is gone, said their lawyer Aldon Bolanos. Their health has been deteriorating since the campers moved behind their property, Bolanos said.

"They're trying to get on with their lives," he added. "They absolutely are traumatized and it's going to be a while if ever before life gets back to normal for them."

"I'm not going to tell you that what [Merin] is trying to do [for the homeless] is wrong," Bolanos said. "This time when he did what he did, it really trampled on the lives of some innocent people; the real civil rights that were violated here were Pedro and Gracilla Hernandez."

Bolanos explained his view of the homeless.

"This whole episode really seems to underscore a leadership problem in this city, where no individual or group is willing to take accountability for what was happening here for over a month. This [homeless] situation is not going to go away, and providing this 'safe ground' outside of the downtown grid is just going to push the problem into someone else's backyard and the city is going to experience sad and difficult times and consequences."

Photographs one, two and three credit Sacramento Press staff reporter Suzanne Hurt. All other photographs credit staff reporter Jonathan Mendick.

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan hosts town hall forum

2009-09-04T03:20:16Z

Upon Mayor Kevin Johnson's invitation, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan came to Sacramento Thursday to discuss his views on charter schools and education reform. He also met with Sacramento legislators, students and teachers, before answering questions in a town hall forum.

A little after 5 p.m., Johnson introduced Duncan to a public audience who gathered inside Sacramento's Central Library. In a five-minute speech, he outlined Duncan's resume as a Harvard graduate and superintendent of Chicago's Public Schools.

"I'm more excited about the state and the potential of what we can do in this country with the leadership of President Obama and U.S. Secretary Arne Duncan," Johnson said. "They are talking about some bold reform ideas that I think we all know make good sense."

Duncan took the microphone to a round of applause and gave a 10-minute speech. He also posed questions such as, "How do we as a country get dramatically better (in education)?" and, "How do we educate our way to a better economy?"

"California is a big deal, hold(ing) one eighth of the United States' students," Duncan said, adding, "How California goes, the country goes."

"We want to invest north of $10 billion. We've never had this kind of discretionary money to invest in states, districts and nonprofits to help close the achievement gap. It's a time of tremendous opportunity," he explained.

Then he opened up the floor for 30 minutes of questions.

When asked about his opinion on charter schools, Duncan said, "I'm not a fan of charter schools. I'm a fan of good charter schools."

"What we need in our country is more good schools, and a number of things have to happen; charters are a piece of the solution - never the solution," he added.

Another community member asked what Duncan thought about promoting arts in schools.

"It's always the arts that get cut when money gets tight, (but) it's often band, choir, musicals, being on a sports team, being on a debate team that keep children in school," he said. "We cannot afford to narrow the curriculum, and (teaching the arts) is one the best underutilized strategies for keeping children in school."

Duncan also addressed a question on how to engage parents to be a part of the learning process. "Parents are always going to be kids' first teachers, and they're always going to be their most important teachers," he said. "When parent's aren't engaged or they're fighting the teachers, they're part of the problem."

"We need to do as much as we can to challenge parents to meet us more than halfway," he added.

For Art's Sake initiative receives funding and community support

2009-08-27T01:56:18Z

The third monthly "For Art's Sake" meeting held Wednesday morning at Capitol Public Radio had a big announcement. Over 100 people stuffed into CPR's conference room to hear the news that $100,000 had been raised for the For Art's Sake initiative.

In addition to the financial support, Mayor Kevin Johnson announced a more active web presence. The initiative has a live Facebook page, and a website is in the works to be launched in the next month, Johnson said.

Familiar faces filled the audience which included the likes of Sacramento Ballet artistic director Ron Cunningham and Sacramento's poet laureate Bob Stanley, as well as new faces such as Keith Ochwat of the Documentary Foundation and Kevin Santos-Coy of Bridge to Art.

Also announced in the meeting were the committee leaders for five subgroups. Dennis Mangers was named funding leader, Steve Winlock facilities chair, Garry Maisel marketing chair, Don Roth film chair (this committee will market Sacramento as a film location) and Ruth Rosenberg education chair.

With 10 months of meetings left, the goal of the initiative is to "craft a city and regional vision for the arts," Johnson said. "There are people dying to support the arts."

He drew this conclusion after each of the first four groups he asked for funds all agreed to donate $25,000, putting an end to the group's fundraising efforts in a mere seven days. In doing so, Johnson fulfilled his promise to raise $100,000 to hire interns, graphic designers and consultants to help with the group's logistics.

Those four donors — Western Health Advantage, AT&T, Wells Fargo and Sacramento Regional Community Foundation — all brought representatives. Each said they were honored to support the group.

"It's no surprise that these four stepped forward, because they've been supporting the arts in Sacramento for a long time," Mangers said. He also introduced the four donors to the audience.

"It's your initiative," Johnson said to the audience. "But they're helping us weather the storm."

Several other guests spoke including Michael Fahn of Fahn & Co., who presented Johnson with a piano key signed by jazz legend Dave Brubeck. Brubeck will be playing a concert in Sacramento next month at the Radisson Hotel.

Darrell Ayers, vice president of the Kennedy Center for Education, a national group, was also on hand to speak to the audience. He said that the Kennedy Center's Any Given Child program will help look at Sacramento's resources to develop a long-range education plan if the group wants to work with the center.

Before closing the meeting, Johnson recognized the courage of the "Lion of the Senate," Ted Kennedy, who passed away Aug. 25. He recalled that Kennedy had a great sense of humor and that it was a joy to have met him.

Each of the 10 remaining For Art's Sake meetings has a different location in an arts-related facility; the next will be Sept. 23 at 10 a.m. at The Sacramento Ballet's studio. Those who want to join the group should contact Arts Liaison Sharon Gerber at sharongerber@sixdegreez.net.

Meetings "For Art's Sake" gaining momentum

2009-07-23T02:50:55Z

Wednesday morning Mayor Kevin Johnson held his second "For Art's Sake" meeting, which saw an increase in attendance over last month. More than 100 people crowded into the Verge Art Gallery on 19th and V Streets.

To open the meeting, Dennis Mangers, senior adviser for Senator Darrell Steinberg, summarized the previous meeting. Afterward, Johnson took the podium to lay down his vision for the arts initiative.

"What is our vision? What are our goals? Who do we want to be as an art community? Those are things we are going to start answering ourselves," he said. "Over the next 11 months, we're going to create a sustainable arts community."

He mentioned that as a whole, an estimated $100,000 would be necessary to fund the initiative. This would enable the group to build a website and hire consultants and interns to help organize logistics.

"I need you to understand that there's no 'I' in 'art,' and there's no 'I' in 'team,'" Johnson added. "For the next three and a half years, the arts initiative will be something I'm fighting for."

Johnson then announced the creation of a leadership committee, and five committee subgroups. These subgroups will concentrate on arts issues such as funding, facilities, marketing and education, and one group will concentrate on film.

The film subgroup will meet to ensure Sacramento is perceived as a great filming location for studio productions. Johnson invited Jeremiah Jackson, a Harvard Fellow working with the mayor's office for eight weeks, to speak about the film industry.

Jackson noted that the group will raise the profile for the city, expose youth to the arts, and bring in revenue. Over the past few weeks, Jackson has been studying ways to change the perception of the city and raise the city's profile as a good location for filmmakers.

Each committee will meet at least once a month, and the team's leader will research how to build an "action plan" for the group's issue. Each person who attended the meeting was told to write down two subgroups they would be interested in.

There was a similar crowd at last month's meeting, consisting of representatives from organizations like the Sacramento Ballet, Chalk It Up! and Sacramento Theater Company. Sacramento's Poet Laureate Bob Stanley also attended.

Every fourth Wednesday of the month, "For Art's Sake" will meet in a different venue. Next month the meeting is on Wednesday, August 26 at Capitol Public Radio from 10 to 11 a.m.

Sharon Gerber, the mayor's Arts Liaison will be the point of contact to tie all the subgroups together. Anyone interested in funding the initiative or attending the meetings should contact Sharon Gerber by emailing her at sharongerber@sixdegreez.net.

Mayor holds meeting "For Art's Sake"

2009-06-13T04:50:13Z

It was a veritable who's who of Sacramento artists, arts organizations and art supporters inside KVIE Public Television's offices Friday morning.

Nearly 100 invitees gathered to listen to Mayor Kevin Johnson's remarks in a meeting entitled "For Art's Sake."

"Performing arts, visual arts and literary arts -- we need all three to reach the potential of what Sacramento can be," Johnson said in his speech. "Our commitment: We are going to promote the arts in a real way."

The mayor stressed that the arts community doesn't just use city money, it creates revenue for the city. Therefore, the relationship is a reciprocal one.

He then introduced Sharon Gerber, founder of arts and event planning company Six Degreez, as his liaison to the arts community. Gerber introduced herself to the audience and gave a short speech. She then asked each person in the audience to stand and identify themselves.

Members of the B Street Theater, Crocker Art Museum and the Sacramento Ballet introduced themselves. Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission members and Councilman Rob Fong attended.

This was followed by a town-hall style forum addressing the question: What do art organizations need from the mayor and City Council?

What followed was a smorgasbord of ideas.

Some wanted federal money to support artists, who are by the nature of their profession unemployed for extended periods of time. Other groups wanted money to go into new arts facilities.

Some even noted how Second Saturday artists get relatively nothing in return for Second Saturday, and some of the money that the city generates from the event should be given to the artists as an honorarium.

"I interviewed a lot of gallery owners and the community, and the thing that I found was that the galleries and the artists are not really benefiting from that event. As this economy continues to tank, those galleries are going to continue to suffer," said Liv Moe, senior editor of Midtown Monthly and an artist herself.

Several people addressed youth programs. It was brought up that Sacramento needs to recognize young artists in the media, and the youth need money for new art resources and technology in the classrooms.

Others wanted to create a new process for how money is delivered from the city to artists so that when money does become available, nonprofits don't end up with the short end of the stick.

After the comments were made, Johnson announced that this meeting would be the beginning of an ongoing process. This group will reconvene every month for 12 months, build an action plan to focus on key issues and build a leadership team of six to 10 volunteers who can meet more regularly.

"On one hand, there are tremendous challenges, but we're not just going to ask [businesses] for a handout." Johnson said. "We've got to say a little bit more, we've got to get people out to see the project."

Saving the Oak Park Starbucks

2009-04-22T17:41:53Z

When the Seattle-based Starbucks Corporation decided to shutter its Oak Park store on Stockton Boulevard, it sent shock waves throughout the neighborhood.

The Oak Park coffee shop is more than just a place to grab a cup of Joe; it's a community hang out. Civic groups meet there, art lovers visiting the 40 Acres gallery next door linger during Second Saturday, and it's one of the few places in North Oak Park where neighbors can get together.

Vice Mayor Lauren Hammond, Mayor Johnson, and community activists have been in touch with Starbucks to ask the company to reverse its decision. So far, the corporation isn't budging, saying it needed to close the store (along with more than 400 nationwide) to help its bottom line.

But neighbors aren't giving up. A new effort is being launched today to convince Starbucks to change its mind. Neighbors are hoping to gather 1,000 signatures in the next 24 hours.

Here's the link: http://www.inmycommunity.com/imc_joomla/.

Strong mayor initiative and petition

2009-01-08T01:50:14Z

Here is a link to the Initiative Measure to Amend the City of Sacramento Charter to Change the Structure of City Government. It can be found on the Sacramentans for Accountability website, and is the same link provided by Mayor Johnson in the previous article's conversation. To view the previous article, click on the "storyline" tab to the right.

A stronger mayor for a stronger Sacramento?

2009-01-06T23:55:38Z

Monday marked the kick-off of Mayor Johnson's unprecedented campaign to transition the mayorship from a weak mayor to a strong mayor. The campaign needs over 32,000 petition signatures by Jan. 16 to make the change.

Sacramento has previously operated under a "weak mayor" type of city government. The city council operates as the executive body as well as the legislative and the city manager - an unelected official - acts as the city's Chief Executive Officer. The mayor serves only ceremonial duties.

A "strong mayor" type of government gives the mayor a wider range of political independence and authority. The city council functions solely as a legislative body while the mayor retains his executive powers and functions as the city's Chief Executive Officer.

So what does Mayor Johnson hope to gain with this transition? In a word: accountability.

Since Sacramento still has a weak mayor system in place, the Chief Executive Officer is the unelected city manager.

"[Ray Kerridge is] the Chief Executive Officer of the city and he's not an elected member. And as a result you have council members and a mayor who are actually elected but aren't accountable for the day-to-day operations of the city," Mayor Johnson said on Monday in an interview on NPR's "Insights" with Jeffrey Callison. "If a mayor is the Chief Executive of the city then a voter's vote is able to hold that mayor accountable."

What do you think about Mayor Johnson's campaign for a strong mayorship? Do you agree that it will provide more accountability? What do think are the upsides or downsides to a strong mayor? Do you think a strong mayorship has a better structure than a weak mayorship?

This is what SacBee and KCRA also have to say about the campaign.