Ronald West comment-32298 2010-07-07T16:22:35Z 2010-07-07T16:22:35Z 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. Ronald West 2010-07-07T16:22:35Z Ronald West comment-32296 2010-07-07T16:14:20Z 2010-07-07T16:14:20Z 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. Ronald West 2010-07-07T16:14:20Z Ronald West comment-32295 2010-07-07T16:08:36Z 2010-07-07T16:08:36Z 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. Ronald West 2010-07-07T16:08:36Z Ronald West comment-31452 2010-06-25T17:27:39Z 2010-06-25T17:27:39Z 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. Ronald West 2010-06-25T17:27:39Z Ronald West comment-28828 2010-06-02T16:49:55Z 2010-06-02T16:49:55Z 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. Ronald West 2010-06-02T16:49:55Z Ronald West comment-28001 2010-05-25T21:26:13Z 2010-05-25T21:26:13Z 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. Ronald West 2010-05-25T21:26:13Z Ronald West comment-25718 2010-04-27T17:01:22Z 2010-04-27T17:01:22Z You should check out PS7's scores. One of four SCUSD Distinguished Schools. Numbers don't lie. Ronald West 2010-04-27T17:01:22Z Ronald West comment-25270 2010-04-21T15:18:43Z 2010-04-21T15:18:43Z Shocked that this story was written. I expect more from Sacramento Press. Ronald West 2010-04-21T15:18:43Z Ronald West comment-24060 2010-03-31T15:15:30Z 2010-03-31T15:15:30Z You're actually becoming amusing. Keep them coming! Ronald West 2010-03-31T15:15:30Z Ronald West comment-23447 2010-03-18T00:01:16Z 2010-03-18T00:01:16Z 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... Ronald West 2010-03-18T00:01:16Z Ronald West comment-22665 2010-02-26T21:58:24Z 2010-02-26T21:58:24Z Susie, here are a few of the Mayor's accomplishments: http://www.kevinjohnsonformayor.com/kjfm/?p=174 Ronald West 2010-02-26T21:58:24Z Ronald West comment-20467 2010-01-12T15:57:07Z 2010-01-12T15:57:07Z 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. Ronald West 2010-01-12T15:57:07Z Ronald West comment-15941 2009-10-21T15:06:21Z 2009-10-21T15:06:21Z 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. Ronald West 2009-10-21T15:06:21Z Ronald West comment-15334 2009-10-12T16:16:32Z 2009-10-12T16:16:32Z “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. Ronald West 2009-10-12T16:16:32Z Ronald West comment-15167 2009-10-09T14:41:27Z 2009-10-09T14:41:27Z Read the initiative: http://www.reformsacramento.com/images/stories/pdfs/charter_amendment.pdf Ronald West 2009-10-09T14:41:27Z Ronald West comment-14884 2009-10-02T22:47:15Z 2009-10-02T22:47:15Z 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. Ronald West 2009-10-02T22:47:15Z Ronald West comment-14708 2009-09-30T16:33:36Z 2009-09-30T16:33:36Z 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. Ronald West 2009-09-30T16:33:36Z Ronald West comment-14600 2009-09-28T22:54:55Z 2009-09-28T22:54:55Z 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. Ronald West 2009-09-28T22:54:55Z Ronald West comment-14599 2009-09-28T22:49:58Z 2009-09-28T22:49:58Z The Mayor is my brother. I've made this clear in past posts. I am not compensated by the "taxpayer dime." Ronald West 2009-09-28T22:49:58Z Ronald West comment-13806 2009-09-16T16:58:45Z 2009-09-16T16:58:45Z People of all colors, genders, shapes and sizes will have the opportunity to offer their input on June 8, 2010. Ronald West 2009-09-16T16:58:45Z Ronald West comment-13076 2009-09-02T18:15:24Z 2009-09-02T18:15:24Z Of course there is no singular solution for providing all students with a quality education, but what the Obama administration is doing is a step in the right direction. More important than the hundreds of millions of dollars that is up for grabs for the State of California, is the policy change California will have to make to become eligible to receive the funding. What Secretary Duncan is proposing for secondary public education is no different from fundamental principles of business: raise expectations, measure results, reward those who achieve results and take a creative and innovative approach to achieving measurable goals. The people who zealously oppose this necessary education reform are perpetuating the status quo. To significantly improve education in California, we cannot keep taking the same approach and expecting a different outcome. Ronald West 2009-09-02T18:15:24Z Ronald West comment-12733 2009-08-27T16:15:41Z 2009-08-27T16:15:41Z Excellent article. I appreciate the thorough coverage. Ronald West 2009-08-27T16:15:41Z Ronald West comment-12600 2009-08-25T15:11:06Z 2009-08-25T15:11:06Z Nice story Kathleen. Shamefully, the Bee failed to cover this story so on this topic, you are the key source of information. What is also good to mention is that the U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan will be coming to Sacramento on Thursday, September 3 at Mayor Johnson's request. Duncan will headline an education town hall. Ronald West 2009-08-25T15:11:06Z Ronald West comment-11721 2009-08-08T00:38:09Z 2009-08-08T00:38:09Z As it seems that City Attorney Eileen Teichert's strong mayor initiative comparison and analysis report has been referenced for many of the comments, it is important that some clarification is made: - 9 of the 10 aspects of the strong mayor initiative are in alignment with the League of Cities model city charter - Teichert's "comparisons" are often apples to oranges, i.e. suggesting that "the initiative gives power to the mayor to appoint and remove the city attorney. Not one of the top ten cities in California gives this type of unchecked authority to the mayor", which ignores the fact that some of the comparison cities have elected city attorneys. - There are 16 elements to the strong mayor initiative, but Teichert's report only analyzes five of them. - The strong mayor initiative proposes seven substantive changes to the Council, but Teichert's comparison and analysis only discuss one. Making sweeping claims based on this document amounts to flawed arguments. Perhaps the commission will produce a more objective report that will provide for more objective dialogue. Ronald West 2009-08-08T00:38:09Z Ronald West comment-11537 2009-08-04T16:37:47Z 2009-08-04T16:37:47Z The title I held two years ago was Director of Facility and Operations for Sacramento High School. And you are? Ronald West 2009-08-04T16:37:47Z Ronald West comment-11526 2009-08-03T19:40:52Z 2009-08-03T19:40:52Z After reviewing the agenda for Thursday's City Council meeting, namely the hour that has been scheduled for Eileen Teichert's presentation, I fear that those on Council who are opposed to the executive mayor initiative will force a vote to preemptively delay a vote on the initiative until 2012 or 2014. Doing so will make the Council guilty of the very thing for which they've criticized the Mayor - bypassing process to force an initiative. Ronald West 2009-08-03T19:40:52Z