This group has done its homework. I appreciate their efforts. It will be a VERY difficult budget year, particularly if the state dumps its problems on our cities.

You're right, I do!

Thanks for your comment about the pricing. That's for Open City Hall, which is another product of Peak Democracy. Those are not the rates I'm paying. And for your information, I am paying for this personally, not the city, because I believe so strongly in it.

Actually, the focus on Tent City is leading to action. We're going to take on the challenge of helping people there instead of continually sweeping the issue of homelessness under the rug.

Nice article, Mark. I've been out to Tent City just about every day in the last week or so, and you hit the nail on the head describing what's out there. I had a great meeting today with about 35 advocates, landowners, neighbors, SMUD, Union Pacific, Sister Libby, and two council members to talk about short- and long-term goals. I'm hopeful we'll be taking some quick actions to help everyone involved. My office also has been overwhelmed by the support from the community, and we're doing the best we can to ensure those who need it the most get it immediately. I'll keep you posted on how that's going.

Scott, I'd welcome you to drop by City Hall or come to a Town Hall. There's plenty I'm working on (specifics!) that I'd be glad to share. But don't underestimate the value of listening!

Thank you for your commentary. I appreciate and respect your point of view. Rev. Jesse Jackson and Rev. Al Sharpton are national leaders, and I am honored that they are coming to Sacramento. Rev. Jackson has a 40 year history of community organizing with PUSH/Rainbow coalition, and I was pleased to have Congresswoman Doris Matsui and Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg join with us to launch Volunteer Sacramento (http://www.handsonsacto.org/AboutUs/index.php/VolunteerSacramento.htm). Rev. Al Sharpton is a leader in education reform, part of the same coalition as NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Jeb Bush, John McCain, as well as progressives (http://www.educationequalityproject.org/). As for your comments about his activism, I think he says it best himself: "An activist’s job is to make public civil rights issues until there can be a climate for change. So when people get angry at me for raising these issues and making them public, well, that’s my job! That’s what I’m supposed to do. If I could not get the public’s attention on an issue, then I’m not a good activist." As for my first months in office, yes, I have convened Summits on education, crime, volunteerism, and gang violence because I believe it's critical to hear what the community is saying beyond the confines of City Hall. That's the other reason I've held Town Halls and community office hours, and why I'm online every week at News10 taking community comments, and calls on KFBK every week (not to mention reading the comments to my posts on sacramentopress.com). I find it extremely productive to listen to what the community is saying. I am proud of my work to building consensus on the City Council to protect public safety, including the unanimous vote to reject additional fire station brownouts and keep police on the beat. I have kept my promise to focus on the core issues of public safety, economic development, and education and am confident we will have significant changes in policy (remember, I've been in office only about 90 days!). Again, appreciate the feedback. Come down to my Town Hall meeting coming up -- I'd be glad to talk to you in person. A full schedule is on the city website, http://www.cityofsacramento.org/mayor/index.html.

Yes they are. We are working through handsonsacramento.org to give volunteers a wide array of choices of ways to help their neighbors, neighborhood, or citywide needs.

Thanks for the comment Scott. I urge you to check out my daily schedule, which I post on my city website (the first Mayor to ever do so). You'll note that I spend about 75 percent of my day doing just what you suggest -- meeting with local business leaders, neighborhood associations, my colleagues on the City Council, and individual residents. While I appreciate the hard work of Congresswoman Matsui on the economic stimulus package, I'm not going to be shy about using my connections with the Obama Administration to lead the regional efforts to secure funding for our area. Congresswoman Matsui has welcomed our participation in the process. As for "hob nobbing with celebrities," I'm proud of the relationships I have with connected people, and it has already opened the doors for our city on a number of fronts. I've been in office a total of 87 days, and am excited about the consensus we've been able to build to move our city forward and protect core public safety services (such as stopping an additional fire station "brownout). As always, thanks for your comments. I appreciate your being straightforward with your thoughts!

As you know, I can't "instruct" the City Manager to do this without a majority vote on the Council. Earlier this year, I suggested an INDEPENDENT audit of city government (and it would have resulted in no net costs to the city), but that was rejected.

Absolutely. I've been willing to lend a hand personally to do what I can to help with fundraisers, events, etc. If there's anything specific I can do to help, let me know. As you probably know, I'm a big fan of the 40 Acres Gallery in Oak Park.

You are welcome to drop by anytime. The unused section of the third floor has been turned into open office space with a public counter. It looks like a newsroom -- wide open. Please stop by and say hi.

A revision of the city's disclosure policies will be brought up at the City Council meeting next Tuesday. I urge you to attend and share your views.

Thanks for the note. I had the opportunity to visit (and shop!) at the Sacramento Natural Foods Coop several times during the campaign, and discussed food supply with the general manager there. In addition, I also frequent the X Street Farmers Market. Say hi if you see me there.

You make an interesting point. But like in business, the importance of networking cannot be underestimated. I also was provided with the same briefing that the City Council received prior to my departure. Also, as you my know, I have proposed a review of the city's books by the nation's premier municipal finance firm at no net cost to the city.

The City Manager appoints Department heads (the person responsible for the potholes), not the Mayor nor the Council. As another example, the layoff of eight city employees yesterday was a decision made by the City Manager. My role: receiving talking points about it distributed by his office. I support his decision, but this gives you a view on the process/power at City Hall.

Sarah is correct. It works just like the President/Congress, Governor/State Legislature. It's an executive/legislative system. The City Council actually will GAIN power.

I provided the link to the text above. The language is on the petition, which can be downloaded from the website

http://www.reformsacramento.com/pdf/Sac_Init_CharterAmendment_WEB.pdf

http://www.reformsacramento.com/pdf/Sac_Init_CharterAmendment_WEB.pdf