I agree it would have been nice for the position to be filled by someone from Sacramento, but the search was national. The Mayor and his team hired the person they believed was best for the job. The position was posted on the Mayor's page on the City of Sacramento website (http://www.cityofsacramento.org/mayor/). When the Mayor suggested he's addressed every criticism, he's referring to the process and the merits of the charter. Maybe you're right about the Mayor not being qualified, but the initiative should not be about him. If the voters decide they want charter reform for Sacramento, the new governance structure will be in place long after Johnson leaves office.

You are one person, Isaac. And while your efforts are to be commended, the goal of the Chief Service Officer (who is being paid not by the City of Sacramento, but the Rockefeller Foundation) is to spread volunteerism throughout the city and region, quantify the work of the volunteers and make large-scale impact. You're absolutely correct about the city's inability to provide the services we pay for with our taxes. That's precisely why it is important to empower volunteers to supplement the city's efforts. Again, I'm sure you'd be able to accomplish amazing feats with your cans on wheels, but think how much more we'd accomplish collectively if there thousands or hundreds of thousands of people just like you.

No. The Mayor conducted a 40 minute press conference on volunteerism. After five or six questions on volunteerism, Ben Adler asked a question about charter reform. Two completely separate issues.

You've missed the mark by a mile, David. Allow me to retort. "Then he told The Sacramento Press: "The agents of status quo — a small group of people — are still dictating what happens in our community." Union leadership is a small group of people -- but they have a lot of money and a lot of power. With the exception of Rob Fong, each of those staunchly opposed to the initiative is a union pawn. Do you think it was just a coincidence that in the final week of Ray Tretheway's bid for re-election, Tretheway received $50K from labor unions AND held a press conference accusing the Mayor and others of quid pro quo politics? "Then he went to a fundraiser...for the strong mayor initiative." The fundraiser was scheduled a month prior to the vote. The hosts wished to move forward because they believe in reform and agree Johnson and other proponents should push forward. "On the other hand, the mayor's office has resisted releasing any explicit proposal." That was the purpose of the motion, David. The Mayor needed five votes to direct the City Attorney to draft the language for the initiative. You don't have details because Council did not allow the City Attorney to move forward. "And they have rebuffed requests by Sacramento Press reporter Kathleen Haley to see a copy of an earlier draft of the proposal. So much for transparency." As was told to Bill Camp -- and then Kathleen Haley -- there is no earlier draft of the proposal. "He is, in fact, showing that he doesn't know how to use the power he already has, which is considerable." Your position requires further explanation. Do you "in fact" know what "power" he has? Consider the work he's done on homelessness, arts, green, volunteerism, the entertainment and sports complex task force, progress with Westfield, lobbying on behalf of the city for stimulus dollars and education, then reconsider your assertion. "if he had shown a little humility along with his drive and focus, well...who knows what he might have accomplished?" Council's opposition to the Accountability Plan of 2010 has nothing to do with Johnson, nothing to do with his pride or humility, and nothing to do with any other specious argument they've made publicly. Council is opposed to reform. They do not want accountability. And they do not want anyone putting their part-time, $60k/year jobs in jeopardy. I suggest you change your expectation. Heather Fargo's campaign slogan was "Progress." A better fit would have been "Maintenance." If a Mayor's job is to maintain -- keep everything even kiel -- then this city should have re-elected Fargo. Things wouldn't be great and they wouldn't be terrible; they'd just be ok. And if that's good enough for everyone, in 2012, elect another Fargo. But no progress -- real progress -- will ever be made without first shaking things up. Council dissension is a good thing. There needs to be a clear distinction between the status quo and those who support reform. It is just a matter of time before the "maintenance" people fade away.

That's Einstein's definition of insanity; not Franklin's. The public hasn't been excluded. There has been over 18 months of dialogue. Council is being excluded either. It will take five votes to put the proposal on the ballot. "His proposal" is the language the reporter chose to use -- but clearly inaccurate.

I think I stopped reading right about here: "We need more strong residents, more strong activists such as fifthgensacramentar, William Burg, naga, bbbbmer, heidimclean and others holding elected officials feet to the fire." Two thumbs up for creativity.

You should check out PS7's scores. One of four SCUSD Distinguished Schools. Numbers don't lie.

Shocked that this story was written. I expect more from Sacramento Press.

You're actually becoming amusing. Keep them coming!

I read this same blog on a different website. On the other site, Devin Lavelle is credited with writing "Is the Quickest Way to the Mayor's Office through the Strong Mayor Campaign?" On Sac Press, the author is Evan Hawkins. Ironically, neither Devin nor Evan wrote this article. Sac Press should investigate...

Susie, here are a few of the Mayor's accomplishments: http://www.kevinjohnsonformayor.com/kjfm/?p=174

Sacramento is currently the second most dangerous city in the State of California. In spite of this, Sacramento allocates a smaller percentage of its general fund to public safety than any other major city. A mayor with the authority to propose a budget could allocate an additional $3MM dollars to hire 30 more additional police officers.

Please update your profile. Based on experience, anything short of full disclosure is problematic. Your concluding disclosure paragraph simply summarizes your lengthy mayor/driver analogy. I encourage you to attend the Mayor's town hall meetings. There is one tomorrow from 7-8pm at the Robinson Community Center in Del Paso Heights (3525 Norwood Avenue). This is one of the dozens of arenas in which Mayor Johnson has made himself available for public input.

“It’s especially great to be in a city where the mayor shares the ideals of President Kennedy that the arts are so crucial to a healthy society.” – Michael Kaiser, Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Reported by the Sacramento Bee: Kennedy Center officials said they chose Sacramento out of 27 interested cities from around the country in part because of the city's For Art's Sake initiative, started by Mayor Kevin Johnson. That initiative has worked to coordinate local arts organizations and has formed committees working on arts education, funding, facilities, marketing and film.

Read the initiative: http://www.reformsacramento.com/images/stories/pdfs/charter_amendment.pdf

I am in agreement with many of Councilmember Cohn’s views on reform. However, Mr. Cohn is misguided on two points, specifically his interpretation of checks and balances and hire/fire authority. The Strong Mayor Initiative clearly places all legislative and quasi-judicial powers in the hands of the Council and all executive and administrative powers in the hands of the Mayor. The system of checks and balances is very similar to that of the federal government. In regards to hiring and firing authority, the wording of the Initiative is almost identical to the current Charter. The Initiative impacts only the 742 exempt City employees (approximately 16% of the total workforce) by shifting hiring/firing from the unelected City Manager to the elected Mayor. Further, the Initiative balances the Mayor's firing authority by requiring City Council concurrence on all Mayoral hiring decisions. The current Charter allows for the City Manager to hire City employees without Council approval. The Strong Mayor Initiative balances legislative and executive powers without creating term limits. I agree that term limits should be addressed on a city-wide basis and should encompass a discussion of limits for both the Mayor and the Council. Like Councilmember Cohn, I also look forward to a “vigorous debate at Council.” But for those debates to result in sound decision-making, our elected officials must have their facts straight.

As is done each year, Sacramento applied to host NCAA regional tournament games. This year, the NCAA contacted Sacramento's Sports Commissioner John McCasey to notify him that games would not be held at Arco due to substandard facilities. Arco arena is one of the oldest NBA arenas - older in fact than many college arenas. This was not a scare tactic or conjured up ploy to get residents on board for a new arena; this is the reality and simply highlights that yet again, Sacramento is behind.

Yes, history has taught us that "absolutely power corrupts absolutely", however if you read the initiative, you'll find a system of checks and balances similar to that of our federal government. I suggest conducting your own research instead of regurgitating the jargon reflective of the status quo.

The Mayor is my brother. I've made this clear in past posts. I am not compensated by the "taxpayer dime."

People of all colors, genders, shapes and sizes will have the opportunity to offer their input on June 8, 2010.