thsas comment-23492 2010-03-18T15:33:31Z 2010-03-18T15:33:31Z Sorry that this type of effort is so exclusive. Such a small tent. thsas 2010-03-18T15:33:31Z Lesley Miller comment-23451 2010-03-18T00:30:20Z 2010-03-18T00:30:20Z Great article. Thanks for covering this important issue. I'm hoping people in all minority groups will be educated on why the Census is especially important for them to complete. Lesley Miller 2010-03-18T00:30:20Z thsas comment-20621 2010-01-14T23:38:48Z 2010-01-14T23:38:48Z And what a fine job they are doing. It's like Eden out here. Opps. The typical Dem will not know what Eden is, so the point is lost.. thsas 2010-01-14T23:38:48Z bbbbmer comment-20561 2010-01-14T14:51:35Z 2010-01-14T14:51:35Z KJ's toxicity seems to be catching on -- like a bad virus... And 'Info Wars' has it bad... bbbbmer 2010-01-14T14:51:35Z Marion Millin comment-20537 2010-01-13T20:30:40Z 2010-01-13T20:30:40Z Susie, you're right. Which is why the power grab is bad enough. The fact that the missing 9th Council Member's vote would go to the proposed Boss Mayor for an undetermined length of time makes it even more dangerous. Marion Millin 2010-01-13T20:30:40Z The Parrhesiac comment-20524 2010-01-13T09:19:51Z 2010-01-13T09:19:51Z So let me get this straight Devin, you believe in majority rule in a democracy even if the majority is wrong? I suspect you do agree... unless you don't like the results of majority rule... like prop 8 And you think that public employees should have more protections than the private sector, including private sector union employees? Why should public employees have any greater benefit than anyone else in our society? Are they the new elite class? One look at their benefits and pensions would seem to confirm that. Democrats are hilarious. The Parrhesiac 2010-01-13T09:19:51Z TomRunge comment-20522 2010-01-13T06:39:06Z 2010-01-13T06:39:06Z So is outing and name calling the norm at Sac Press now? TomRunge 2010-01-13T06:39:06Z TomRunge comment-20521 2010-01-13T06:37:43Z 2010-01-13T06:37:43Z You were there last night, were you not? Your report seems incomplete. You also failed to mention how the club decided to vote when there was no notice to members that there was going to be one. Why did the club sneak it through? TomRunge 2010-01-13T06:37:43Z Susie Shields comment-20498 2010-01-13T05:42:35Z 2010-01-13T05:42:35Z Marion- you can tell info wars is Jim Knapp just because of the bullying, brash way he writes. Just like 2112 and RegularJoe. Could they all be one and the same? Susie Shields 2010-01-13T05:42:35Z Susie Shields comment-20499 2010-01-13T05:42:10Z 2010-01-13T05:42:10Z Well said Marion and I agree. I think only someone with delusions of grandeur would even attempt to do what KJ has done. it isn't because he's smart or even capable, he just believes he is the chosen one. He truly believes he is very ,very special and he will save the city and education, and the world. I've never met anyone with so much hubris. People like him are very dangerous. Susie Shields 2010-01-13T05:42:10Z Marion Millin comment-20496 2010-01-13T04:04:56Z 2010-01-13T04:04:56Z What's your real name, Info Wars? Who do you work for? KJ? Or are you a "Volunteer"? R.E., is that you? Marion Millin 2010-01-13T04:04:56Z Marion Millin comment-20494 2010-01-13T04:01:17Z 2010-01-13T04:01:17Z Good piece, Devin, well done. Thank you Stonewall Democrats and thank you SacPress. Good to see mention of the 9th Council District/Member Mystery ( un-addressed and unresolved for the foreseeable future) since it is not only a HUGE red flag in its own right -- the fact that it is UN-ADDRESSED is completely insane. No member of the public who learns about it can believe, that it is going to be left hanging and pushed off into the future with "unforeseen" consequences including lack of representation and inevitable lawsuits, which come out of the City budget. There is something even more basic here, though. On a gut level, people have got to be alarmed by the fact that someone with Zero policy making or political experience would choose to run for their FIRST political position as Mayor of the capitol of one of the largest economies on the planet; whose ONLY visit ever to the Council chambers -- he never attended any meetings -- was his illegal, after hours, "private tour" by a misguided security officer, to sit in the Mayor's seat ....... and IMMEDIATELY upon taking office ("first 5 minutes" according to KJ attorney Hiltchack who wrote the SMI) would seek to acquire for himself unprecedented powers, by completely CHANGING the form and process of the capital city's government. How much confidence are we supposed to have in someone so impressed with themselves that they can skip over ALL of the existing public process and history and without any experience (except playing ball and running a school, that led to multiple local and Federal investigations and fines for misuse of funds, abuse of privilege, fudging statistics and alleged sexual misconduct) proclaim themself Emperor of Sacramento.... Any warning bells going off yet? Oh yeah, about "running that school": being illegally given the operations and trappings and taxpayer funded facility of the Central City's historic high school, displacing all those high school students who don't want to go to St. HOPE for numerous reasons including all the scandals, using all of that for private gain and as a springboard to public office and THEN claiming to care about the education of the students of Sacramento, whose high school student body he has made HOMELESS? Folks, sometimes when it seems crazy, it really is. Marion Millin 2010-01-13T04:01:17Z Devin Lavelle comment-20489 2010-01-13T00:16:39Z 2010-01-13T00:16:39Z My point is that the Democratic Party generally represents the views of the majority of this city (though I happily acknowledge that none of us are perfectly in line with any group on every issue). Any employee can be fired for cause under the present arrangement. The change being proposed allows them to also be fired for politics. That's a problem and the voters of our city know that. Devin Lavelle 2010-01-13T00:16:39Z Devin Lavelle comment-20487 2010-01-13T00:10:38Z 2010-01-13T00:10:38Z You'd have to ask the Club for that information. I noted Chris Tapio's vote specifically, because the context of the Mayor's appointee to the commissions being the only vote in support of the initiative is somewhat relevant. Devin Lavelle 2010-01-13T00:10:38Z TomRunge comment-20482 2010-01-12T21:07:03Z 2010-01-12T21:07:03Z "After rigorous debate, the Stonewall Democratic Club affirmatively opposed the Strong Mayor Initiative. The lone dissenting vote was cast by panelist Chris Tapio." What are the names of the 99 people who voted "Yes?" TomRunge 2010-01-12T21:07:03Z The Parrhesiac comment-20480 2010-01-12T20:29:01Z 2010-01-12T20:29:01Z Yeah so whats your point Devin? That the Democrats control Sacramento? That secret was out a long time ago. The Parrhesiac 2010-01-12T20:29:01Z The Parrhesiac comment-20468 2010-01-12T20:27:29Z 2010-01-12T20:27:29Z blah blah blah bla bla blah blah bbbbbbbmr The Parrhesiac 2010-01-12T20:27:29Z Devin Lavelle comment-20474 2010-01-12T18:15:36Z 2010-01-12T18:15:36Z Voter registration in our city: Democrat 55% Decline to State 20% Republican 20% Others 5% Devin Lavelle 2010-01-12T18:15:36Z bbbbmer comment-20464 2010-01-12T14:19:55Z 2010-01-12T14:19:55Z Nothing in the SMI provides 'accountability' -- PERIOD! Those who brought the measure into being are guilty of some of the worst examples of Orwellian double speak to ever have found voice in local politics. And then there are those pesky legal and constitutional issues that just won't go away... The SMI is a study in corruption, in covert corruption of a small well-place minority seeking to further taint local decision making to their favor by fooling stupid voters into believing this measure is something it is most certainly not -- perhaps because they know stupid voters won't actually READ the measure... What is even more telling about the SMI is that it's front man has become a pariah locally, with escalation of backstory information about alleged child sexual abuse dropping routinely -- so much so that even his own kitchen cabinet of 'volunteer' staff (who were very well compensated by the interests heading the SMI effort) are dropping like flies.... It's unfortunate that this measure is symbolic of this mayor and his flaws on stage for public consumption as a profound embarassment for this city, and each time he is viewed in a public forum, that creeping nauseating feeling lurks in the minds of reasonably prudent people that THIS is what our local politics has come to -- and it is a shame.... bbbbmer 2010-01-12T14:19:55Z The Parrhesiac comment-20462 2010-01-12T08:39:55Z 2010-01-12T08:39:55Z Gee go figure, Democrats opposing an accountable Mayor who could fire unaccountable UNION employees... The Parrhesiac 2010-01-12T08:39:55Z Rhys02 comment-20450 2010-01-12T03:28:22Z 2010-01-12T03:28:22Z What amazes me is that the Democratic Party takes no responsibility for any of this. Lat time I checked they controlled the Legislature and had gerrymandered the districts so well as to make California a single party state. For example one of the steps the governor is proposing is a 3% withholding on independent contractors. This single proposal would have gone a long way to increase state revenues and lessen the amount state employees would need to give ...but Steinberg and company rejected it out of had. I would suggest the Dems and their state union supporters recognize that the train they are riding is headed for a cliff. Look at what happened to the auto industry..it went either overseas or or to the right to work states in the South. Another example is the grocery industry..in response to the ever escalating union demands, there ar few if any full time employees. They are directly ensuring that non-union shops like WalMart will eventually kill the unionized grocers... Rhys02 2010-01-12T03:28:22Z sjo comment-20441 2010-01-11T10:54:19Z 2010-01-11T10:54:19Z Yes, and when the Governor returns to the silver screen maybe we can get somebody in office who can stop that 15 billion bill that got him elected. The 15 billion that the energy companies thought they could stick Californians with when we voted for a more relaxed version of paying for our energy. It got the Governor elected but he has done nothing to get it paid off. That 15 Billion is now almost twice the debt even though we have cut our workers to the bone. sjo 2010-01-11T10:54:19Z Corin Choppin comment-18888 2009-12-08T00:10:27Z 2009-12-08T00:10:27Z Cortez Quinn is on the Twin Rivers School Board FYI. Corin Choppin 2009-12-08T00:10:27Z Natalie Anaston comment-18507 2009-12-01T18:49:05Z 2009-12-01T18:49:05Z Scavenging is usually a business, not a "need." And if Dems are so interested in helping—not marginalizing the Homeless by forcing them to scavenge—perhaps we need to rethink the mandatory fee added to residents' utility bills, since by the time the truck comes around the bin is already empty. It's time to redirect the $1.00 weekly fee assessed to residents directly to Homeless services, and end a process that encourages lawlessness and marginalization. Natalie Anaston 2009-12-01T18:49:05Z Laura Good comment-18346 2009-11-26T05:41:10Z 2009-11-26T05:41:10Z What an awesome ministry! I am seeing Jesus shine through in this outreach. Caring for people is walking the walk. Way to go First United Methodist! Laura Good 2009-11-26T05:41:10Z thsas comment-18250 2009-11-25T00:09:52Z 2009-11-25T00:09:52Z Plus significantly more liberal. Shocking! thsas 2009-11-25T00:09:52Z thsas comment-18227 2009-11-24T21:12:16Z 2009-11-24T21:12:16Z So, taking money from people helps them. Hmmm. thsas 2009-11-24T21:12:16Z bbbbmer comment-18224 2009-11-24T19:33:35Z 2009-11-24T19:33:35Z So, thsas, you're stating that I'll be punished because Republicans are debilitated??? I'll take my chances...karmically... bbbbmer 2009-11-24T19:33:35Z bbbbmer comment-18223 2009-11-24T19:32:15Z 2009-11-24T19:32:15Z Poverty is not resolved by the origins you claim. Up until Jimmy Carter left office, the 'great societies' programs, although gutted and harmed by Republicans since the 60's, cut poverty in HALF -- that's right -- HALF! There is no such mythology as 'tax and spend Democrats' -- for it was the 'tax breaks and spend more' REPUBLICANS that caused both dips in our national economy over the past forty years -- once as a result of Reagan's credit card economics based on Laffer Curve ridiculousness, and the Bush/Cheney adventures into Iraq for oil profits, that have both times left our economy reeling, only to have Democrats save this nation from ultimate collapse. But, Republicans are seldom creatures of fact -- in fact 'facts' are fiction to them, a la Sarah Palin and her fictional bio of late... bbbbmer 2009-11-24T19:32:15Z bbbbmer comment-18222 2009-11-24T19:27:42Z 2009-11-24T19:27:42Z Um, actually, if you've watched Congress lately, or anytime, most Republicans ARE bad people, indentured servants to corporate greed, total hypocrites about imposing social norms upon others they themselves can't possibly live up to, and just a plain unpleasant lot... Most Congressional Republicans have fought against virtually every environmental issue, including what have become LEED standards, every step of the way throughout the past four or five decades of environmental legislative history... It's interesting that they would now deign to build a LEED certified ANYTHING, let alone a home for a person of modest means... bbbbmer 2009-11-24T19:27:42Z thsas comment-18216 2009-11-24T18:43:28Z 2009-11-24T18:43:28Z People who make such comments often find that karma catches up with them only to plague them with the very debilitations they ridicule others for... (quote from bbbmer) thsas 2009-11-24T18:43:28Z Devin Lavelle comment-18214 2009-11-24T17:23:39Z 2009-11-24T17:23:39Z correction: Chris Parker is the Fundraising Chair, not the Treasurer. I apologize, Chris. Devin Lavelle 2009-11-24T17:23:39Z Devin Lavelle comment-18212 2009-11-24T17:15:57Z 2009-11-24T17:15:57Z Actually, Terry mentioned that a Republican group is volunteering in a couple of weeks. Most folks who care enough, one way or the other, to be actively involved in their local Party, care enough that they probably spend a heck of a lot of time volunteering for worthwhile causes. Most Republicans aren't bad people. They just approach policy with different assumptions and values than we do. Devin Lavelle 2009-11-24T17:15:57Z thsas comment-18209 2009-11-24T16:54:54Z 2009-11-24T16:54:54Z Was this an exclusive event, or were any Republicans invited, and who declined? I doubt you would ever see Republicans create the widespread poverty with resulting homelessness that the Democrats do, with the high the tax and spend behaviors. Every tax results in a little bit of everyones home being taken away from them. Fact. thsas 2009-11-24T16:54:54Z bbbbmer comment-18204 2009-11-24T13:17:39Z 2009-11-24T13:17:39Z I doubt one would ever see Republicans make this kind of effort. It's also way cool to see that these volunteer-built homes are LEED compliant!!! Great work!!! bbbbmer 2009-11-24T13:17:39Z Nick Berruezo comment-17637 2009-11-12T00:35:37Z 2009-11-12T00:35:37Z Great article Devin, I can't wait to see how it turns out tonight! Nick Berruezo 2009-11-12T00:35:37Z Samantha Corbin comment-13910 2009-09-17T22:00:29Z 2009-09-17T22:00:29Z Like savvysydsam, I have a child going to a SCUSD school. This is an issue that cuts deep for many who live in the former Sacramento High School area - in a neighborhood with no traditional, comprehensive high school that aims to meet the needs of all our children. Savvysydsam is absolutely correct. At no time was Sacramento High going to be "taken over by the state." But as Mark Twain once said, "a lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to put its shoes on." Samantha Corbin 2009-09-17T22:00:29Z Steve31 comment-13893 2009-09-17T20:50:54Z 2009-09-17T20:50:54Z What a bunch of idiots. "... an alternative for some of the homeless while they try to get themselves back on their feet..." Are you completely blind? Have you had ANY experience with the homeless in midtown/downtown? They do not want to get back on their feet? They just have their entitlement attitude encouraged by the Burkes, Libbys and now, apparently, my party. They want to be able to live outside in tents, get free food and not follow any of society's rules. That's fine, just don't force them on me who lives 1 block away from Merin's illegal campground. The DPSC needs to get their heads out of their asses as well. I have NEVER gotten asked about my views on this and yet they are voting away against ALL the democrats who live in Alkali/Mansion Flats. I am so sick of you people that keep using NIMBYism as a bad word. It's not a bad word if you don't want a nuclear waste dump in your backyard. Or a highvoltage powerline in your backyard. How about a new city dump? When you put a safeground campsite next to your house and have 40 homeless people with unknown criminal (felony, sex crimes) backgrounds in it, then speak, otherwise just shut up. Steve31 2009-09-17T20:50:54Z TomRunge comment-13884 2009-09-17T19:05:51Z 2009-09-17T19:05:51Z Speaking of Ethics.....Why doesn't the Bossmayor group have a FPPC# on their website? How are the people of Sacramento supposed to know who is funding their organization it they don't want to disclose who their donors are? TomRunge 2009-09-17T19:05:51Z bbbbmer comment-13872 2009-09-17T15:35:15Z 2009-09-17T15:35:15Z I was absolutely THRILLED to see that a group had formed to defend a more sensible and accountable approach to city governance, and to oppose Johnson's power grab, especially because the group is affiliated with labor and the imprimatur of the local Democratic Party, to take up the mantle that the 'Stop the Power Grab' folks started. This development, coupled with the very thorough and painstaking legal analysis by the City Attorney the other night, and the myriad cracks and exposures caused by the SMI that could cost the city MILLIONS in litigation costs should the measure pass, and the very real possibility of the Council reversing their earlier vote to ballot the measure, had to have the SAG group, and its interested parties, most particularly their counsel and the measure's drafter, Tom Hitlchak, quite literally flustered and frowning at the REAL community will demonstrated against the SMI. This time the measure will be opposed by an organized and funded and angry group of REAL citizens, not just those who were told some fiction to obtain a signature in a parking lot, and now there is REAL hope that this very bad measure will be defeated, and perhaps BEFORE election day. bbbbmer 2009-09-17T15:35:15Z TomRunge comment-13812 2009-09-16T19:32:22Z 2009-09-16T19:32:22Z The SCDP should be very wary of pursuing an Ethics Commission here. In San Francisco, the Ethics Commission has turned into nothing more than a fee generating scheme for the City by going after small Democratic Clubs for minor filing violations. The Noe Valley Democratic Club---a small, all volunteer group---was fined over $10,000 over late financial filings. Most of the other Clubs have similar horror stories. The DPSC should be very careful what they wish for. The Ethics Commission sounds great on paper---who doesn't like ethics?---but without proper safeguards, it can really be used to squelch grassroots activism. TomRunge 2009-09-16T19:32:22Z bbbbmer comment-13728 2009-09-13T18:05:35Z 2009-09-13T18:05:35Z DFER has not one actual teacher on its governing board, and no teachers organizations among its ranks. Couched in the pretty words of its mantle, it seeks to gut public schools via charterization, all under the gauze of 'reform', which isn't reform at all, but merely an effort to disempower front line teachers from any say in retooling America's schools. As with so many other organizations touched by KJ, DFER is a well placed well financed corporatist shill attempting to sweep the public will of unknowing progressives into policies that work the will of right wing virulently antiunion interests while cloaking itself in thinly veiled sheepskin... They are NOT nice people. And Johnson as an advocate of education 'reform' has about as much credibility as Sarah Palin on women's rights.... bbbbmer 2009-09-13T18:05:35Z Devin Lavelle comment-13723 2009-09-13T16:22:55Z 2009-09-13T16:22:55Z Except that they don't. Charter schools do not out perform public schools. That is simply not true. Devin Lavelle 2009-09-13T16:22:55Z Susie Shields comment-13720 2009-09-13T06:15:49Z 2009-09-13T06:15:49Z Jim, if you would have scrolled down, I mentioned that I do indeed have kids who go to a SCUSD school and whose neighborhood high school was closed. You are so quick to condemn others but I doubt you were directly affected by the closure of the school. Those of us who were directly affected and who know the history have every right to be angry about it. The law was changed as a result of the way the school exchanged hands. It can never happen that way again. They closed the school for one reason only and it was to give it to Kevin Johnson. It was never going to be taken over by the state. It is a myth that St. HOPE perpetuates so that people like you will continue to sing their tune. Susie Shields 2009-09-13T06:15:49Z Marion Millin comment-13714 2009-09-13T03:53:52Z 2009-09-13T03:53:52Z JK, even after savvysydsam corrected your misinformation on how Sacramento High School was given away illegally, without the proper legal steps, which is why there was a lawsuit, that the district lost, while SCUSD has still failed to provide the replacement comprehensive high school, you repeat -- repeat!! -- your lies. Like savvysydsam pointed out, you can't compare apples to oranges. No, charters are not the same as public schools -- you know it, everyone pushing that lie knows it. You confirm yet again that you can't participate here without antagonizing and insulting others, yet you are making demands of Ben and SacPress leadership regarding what you consider other abusive voices. Whether or not others have children is none of your business. If you tell people to "shut up" because you say so, you may find someone expressing dismay that there is another generation of belligerent knapps being trained by you. The whole community -- not that this may concern someone as shortsighted and selfish as you present yourself to be -- is invested in education. Education defines community. That is one reason that many here, who understand -- don't expect you to -- the community-building aspect of the real Sacramento High School -- know that yes, we were robbed. The whole community -- its history and its future -- was robbed. Marion Millin 2009-09-13T03:53:52Z joanquinn58 comment-13712 2009-09-13T03:08:50Z 2009-09-13T03:08:50Z What can I add to Kerri Asbury's comment above? She has said it all! Thank you so much to all wonderful advocates for the homeless like Tammie Dramer, Joan Burke, Sister Libby.... Heartfelt thanks to attorney Mark Merin who has provided Safeground for the homeless to camp and who states he will fight to keep it available. I am so proud of the DPSC for their support of Safeground. The city would spend less money supporting Merin and Safeground then they do arresting, prosecuting, and filing legal action against those who would help the homeless. joanquinn58 2009-09-13T03:08:50Z Kerri Asbury comment-13710 2009-09-13T02:23:39Z 2009-09-13T02:23:39Z The DPSC can only be as effective as the knowledge and tenacity of local leaders and activists. Thank You Tammie, Joan Burke, Sister Libby, and all the many others for the hard work. knowledge, and insight into the issue of Homelessness in Sacramento County. Safeground is not a solution, but until more affordable housing can be provided, it is an alternative for some of the homeless while they try to get themselves back on their feet and await the availability of some housing. No one is trying to force anything in your backyard, and right now it costs the city more to arrest the homeless than it does to provide a Safeground (which would cost no money because any expenses would be paid by private donation). It is about humanity and doing the right thing by citizens, who deserve a place to go where they don't have to be in fear of being harassed, beaten, or raped. These economic times have meant that people who have never found themselves in a destitute situation, are now having to live on the street. At the same time the county is having to cut even more programs and shelters. I encourage everyone to talk to some of the homeless who have, or are living at Safeground. I think you would be surprised by their graciousness, earnestness, and commitment to a peaceful life. Kerri Asbury 2009-09-13T02:23:39Z The Parrhesiac comment-13708 2009-09-13T01:25:41Z 2009-09-13T01:25:41Z The school would have been closed unless it was taken over by a Charter... The State forced the change...(As I recall Jack O'Connell himself said that the school was taken over by the State...)You morons would rather see a school close than become a charter school....thats because you don't have any children in the District. Marion, Up your meds honey. You keep blathering that charter schools are not public...despite the FACT otherwise as is stated in the California Education Code. How many of you complaining about charter schools have children... this is like the third time I've asked this... If you don't have children in school then shut up about this... none of this is really any of your business... other than just promoting unionism. The Parrhesiac 2009-09-13T01:25:41Z The Parrhesiac comment-13672 2009-09-13T01:16:35Z 2009-09-13T01:16:35Z It does not make sense because of your altered sense of reality Marion, what I stated is rather easy to understand. I care more that my children receive a quality education than I do about unions... If a public charter school, which are non-union, can do a better job than a unionized public school, then it is a no brainier to support charter schools and choice in education. I can just about guarantee you that all of the people bitching about charter schools either don't have children in school, or they send their children to private or charter schools. I know many public school teachers, the majority I know don't send their kids to public schools. What I find rather telling is that unionized teachers make a lot more money than charter school teachers, yet the kids they teach on average do worse on standardized tests...so except for putting more money in the pockets of unions, what good does it do our children to have unionized public schools?" The Parrhesiac 2009-09-13T01:16:35Z tdramer comment-13703 2009-09-12T23:25:34Z 2009-09-12T23:25:34Z 15 homeless folks who are currently living at 13th & C Sts. were arrested again this morning. Once again we are wasting precious local resources to lock up and needlessly punish people who have no place else to go. Criminalizing sleeping/living for people who have no homes only costs us money. SHRA owns land between 2 existing shelters that is designated by Senate Bill 2 to be used as "Shelter by Right"- SB 2- says the land is held for use as emergency shelter -no matter what the neighbors say, (NO NIMBY-ism.) So the land is there and the existing neighbors are homeless people themselves, all that is lacking is the political will to open it up and get it done. The pissing contest between the Mayor and the City Council & City Manager is bleeding over into this solvable problem. Thank you to the Democratic Party of Sacramento for remaining above the fray of local politics by taking a stand in favor of, and by passing your resolution to support a SAFE Ground designated location or locations for homeless people to be able to rest and live in peace until they can pull their lives together. Your humanity is showing! and your common sense! tdramer 2009-09-12T23:25:34Z Marion Millin comment-13702 2009-09-12T22:08:45Z 2009-09-12T22:08:45Z Jim, your attacks under your real name are no more welcome or constructive than attacks under a false name. And you've done both here as JimKnapp/Gadfly/Jim Knapp. Something for you three to think about. Marion Millin 2009-09-12T22:08:45Z Marion Millin comment-13701 2009-09-12T22:06:09Z 2009-09-12T22:06:09Z Jim, none of that is true. Your uninformed "If I say it, it's so," certitude is consistent with your inability to make a comment without insults. Marion Millin 2009-09-12T22:06:09Z Susie Shields comment-13700 2009-09-12T20:22:43Z 2009-09-12T20:22:43Z Jim, in regards to your comment above, the state DID NOT take receivership of the school nor had it ever taken receivership of any school at that time despite 24 schools who were faced with that possibility. Of those 24, Sac High was far from the worst. There were numerous steps to take before the takeover even became a possibility. None of those steps were taken. It was an illegal process. I don't think St. HOPE was considered a better management company as they were untested and had never taken over a school before. The deal was done between KJ and Sweeney, the public be damned. Susie Shields 2009-09-12T20:22:43Z Susie Shields comment-13679 2009-09-12T19:38:23Z 2009-09-12T19:38:23Z Jim, it is not a much better school than it was before. It's just a different school than it was before. I get frustrated with people that look at test scores and say, this school is so great without looking at the reason why. It's not that the school itself is better. This is the problem with schools like St. HOPE. It keeps comparing itself to the school it illegally replaced. That school had 2000 kids. Of those, there were huge populations of special ed, English Language Learners, and deaf and hard of hearing students. All of these difficult to educate populations lower the school's overall test scores considerably. The school must educate these students by law. A charter school, most noteably Sac Charter,does not have significant populations of these students which means, there are so few that their test scores aren't even included in the total API score at all. This is so significant. You are comparing two completely different schools. The old Sac High tested 1000 MORE kids that the charter school and had hundreds upon hundreds of students who historically don't score well on tests (special ed ELL, deaf HOH) It is really like comparing apples to oranges. It's a completely unfair and inaccurate comparison but St. HOPE milks it for all it's worth. They are dishonest. If you were to research, you would find that out for yourself. The whole debate is charters should be available to the population. Charters should have more accountability to tax payers. Sac Charter is over 1 Million in dept to SCUSD, they owe the feds, they owe the Ca Dept of Ed all because no one was watching them. It can be very dangerous when people get taxpayer money but don't have to show what they do with it. Why do you think so many people are rushing to operate charters? There are ways to get around the "nonprofit" part of it. Susie Shields 2009-09-12T19:38:23Z Susie Shields comment-13678 2009-09-12T19:21:16Z 2009-09-12T19:21:16Z Jim, you obviously don't know the history of the school and the reason why it was closed. I suggest you read the articles posted above. The school was not the worst of the bunch, it was right in the middle of the pack as far as the high schools go. It was not failing as bad as Hiram Johnson or Luther Burbank. Those schools were performing much worse. The fact of the matter is, there was terrible management at Sac High. They applied for a special grant that said if the school didn't improve, it would face sanctions. Well, the school didn't improve but the district skipped all the steps involved and just converted the school to a charter to avoid looking bad in the state's eyes. Kevin Johnson had $3 million bucks to start the school. He wanted it, the district didn't want the headache. They gave Johnson a gift of 1800 students who didn't have any where else to go. It was an illegal process and that's why the SCUSD was sued and have a court order to replace the school. Now there is a state law passed so this can never happen again. I don't mind charter schools as long as they are overseen by the district, have some accountability to parents and tax payers and that they augment public schools and not replace them entirely. I have 3 kids who attend a title 1 public school (Over half are free and reduced lunch) that has kids from Oak Park, downtown, midtown, and East Sac. It is an example of what a regular public school can be. Extra funding (title 1) + huge parental involvement = success. Their API is 834. That's incredible, really. It's not a magnet school, it's just a regular public school. I don't begrudge you choosing a charter school. It's a highly personalized decision. You have every right to do what you think is best for your children. I don't choose a charter because I have a great public school for my kids to attend. I am lucky. I also support their school and volunteer and fundraise. I want to fix public schools. I don't want to flee or give up. I will fight to make it better. Too many people have bailed and that's unfortunate. I choose not to. That is my personal choice and I'd appreciate it if you would respect my personal choice and the research I have done on this issue. My name is Susie Shields and I have researched this inside and out. Susie Shields 2009-09-12T19:21:16Z The Parrhesiac comment-13676 2009-09-12T16:18:53Z 2009-09-12T16:18:53Z You've been robbed? of what? a failing school? That was no loss. They had a choice to make at the time, close the school or allow it to become a charter school. So your saying having the schools closed is better than allowing it to become a charter school? Let me guess, you don't have children. The Parrhesiac 2009-09-12T16:18:53Z The Parrhesiac comment-13675 2009-09-12T16:13:09Z 2009-09-12T16:13:09Z Which issue Ben? That people make anonymous attacks while using a pseudonym? Last time I talked with you this was against Sac Press's Terms Of Use agreement? I obliged you and stopped using one, I would hope that Sac Press enforces this rule equally to all posters. Otherwise change the TOU and allow anyone to post under any fake name. The Parrhesiac 2009-09-12T16:13:09Z The Parrhesiac comment-13674 2009-09-12T16:07:05Z 2009-09-12T16:07:05Z The State of California took receivership of Sacramento High because it was a complete failure. The State of California did not violate the law, when it found a better management company to run the school. Regardless of Johnson's involvement, Sac High is a much better school than it was prior to the takeover. The Parrhesiac 2009-09-12T16:07:05Z The Parrhesiac comment-13673 2009-09-12T16:04:01Z 2009-09-12T16:04:01Z Once again Marion you are are living in a false reality. Under California law, charter schools, are public schools. And as for union busting, I am a former union member, I support private unions and their right to compete in the marketplace. In fact, when it comes to large private construction jobs, I strongly support unions because they are competitive. Unions have done great things for the American worker. But public employee unions are a different animal altogether, they do not compete with anyone, and a lack of competition harms our society. The Parrhesiac 2009-09-12T16:04:01Z bbbbmer comment-13670 2009-09-12T10:04:08Z 2009-09-12T10:04:08Z There certainly is considerable residual anger over St. Hope in its origins, the covert nature of its takeover of Sac High infrastructure, secretive funding from the District to maintain cash flows amid abysmal fiscal management, misuse of funds, unqualified teachers, mishandling of child sexual abuse allegations against Johnson himself, and most recently, FBI investigations into obstruction of justice allegations and pending grand jury investigations, not to mention the displacement of thousands of school children due to St. Hope's cherry picking of students, all while KJ oversaw operations either directly or indirectly. The issues are broader than just neighborhood concerns -- they are issues of fundamental justice and the antecedents that brought this mayoral incumbent into political being, and the forces at work behind him. These are not easy issues to navigate, though I'm very glad to see the prior reference to SNR's investigative work on them, for these days, now that what few competent journalists that were left at the Bee have departed since Johnson's election, coincidentally or not, and with Johnson using local community press apparatus as a p.r. tool to direct bright shiny lights away from his more insidious past, the SNR, along with a smattering of comments here and elsewhere, seem the only truly investigative penetration into these issues available. More is needed for context is everything when wading these waters. bbbbmer 2009-09-12T10:04:08Z Marion Millin comment-13663 2009-09-12T03:33:45Z 2009-09-12T03:33:45Z Thank you for posting some background information on what the issues are, directly affecting one half of the residents and families within the city limits. The whole community ought be concerned about the deceptive tactics used to fool the public and misrepresent the record, operations and motivations of Kevin Johnson -- and his cronies and enablers. Marion Millin 2009-09-12T03:33:45Z William Burg comment-13658 2009-09-12T01:43:11Z 2009-09-12T01:43:11Z bbbbmer: I have edited my reference to your name and won't use it in the future. I found it in another context and was unaware you were uncomfortable with its public use. No aggression was intended. I use my real name in online communication because I want to ensure that things I post on the Internet are things I wouldn't mind saying to someone's face; it makes me directly accountable for the things I say online. And personally, I would like to meet with you and have coffee sometime to talk about this stuff--if you ever have the free time. I'd consider myself a skeptic more than a cynic--a cynic expects the worst even when presented with evidence to the contrary, a skeptic weighs the evidence to reach a conclusion and is sometimes pleasantly surprised when things don't turn out to be as bad as their initial assumptions. William Burg 2009-09-12T01:43:11Z William Burg comment-13627 2009-09-12T01:30:49Z 2009-09-12T01:30:49Z bbbbmer: See this? (rubbing fingers together) It's the world's smallest violin, and I'm playing it in sympathy for your lack of free time. I work full-time, am a graduate student, am on the board of two nonprofits and my neighborhood association, organize a music festival and an annual street fair, and attend a lot of City Council meetings too. But I still have time for writing--both here and for other publications. It is obvious that you can bang out a few hundred words in response to stories in the Bee, SN&R or here, so pretty much all you would have to do is type something not much longer than your typical response, include some of the information you would like to see in the media, and post it as a story. It isn't really any harder than posting a comment. Here's an example: http://sacramentopress.com/headline/2200/Strong_Mayor_Weak_Ethics 400 words, done in a couple of hours. Nobody's asking you to write the be-all and end-all article to end all articles on KJ, just do exactly what you're doing--tell us what YOU think, and what YOU know. Just do us the courtesy of posting it as a story, so it can take its place on the front page with the "puff pieces" about KJ's travel itinerary. If you're lucky, Steve Maviglio will comment on it and make himself look even sillier than usual. William Burg 2009-09-12T01:30:49Z Susie Shields comment-13657 2009-09-12T00:47:07Z 2009-09-12T00:47:07Z Here is an excellent article written in 2003 that explains what happened with Sac High. It's called the Miseducation of Sac High http://www.newsreview.com/sacramento/content?oid=14185 Here is another excellent article right here on Sac Press that explains what the former Sac High attendance area parents are facing. http://www.sacramentopress.com/headline/184/Wheres_My_High_School There's a lot of anger around this issue for those of us who live in the former Sac High attendance area. We've been robbed. Susie Shields 2009-09-12T00:47:07Z Marion Millin comment-13635 2009-09-11T21:27:09Z 2009-09-11T21:27:09Z Ben, thanks to SacPress for the opportunity to publish and discuss these matters here. Many of bbbbmer's comments go directly to the crux, as other long pieces may not: "I haven't the time to dedicate to the effort to perfect a story that would consider in depth the very profound conflict between this profoundly unfit mayoral incumbent and his gang's strategic attempt to take over this city's schools and enhance his power and authority over this city's governance." There are many small stories that contribute to the big picture. That in-depth story has not been told. Marion Millin 2009-09-11T21:27:09Z Ben Ilfeld comment-13630 2009-09-11T21:08:59Z 2009-09-11T21:08:59Z Yes, let's get back to the crux of the issue. Ben Ilfeld 2009-09-11T21:08:59Z bbbbmer comment-13629 2009-09-11T20:00:43Z 2009-09-11T20:00:43Z Mr. Burg, though I appreciate the effort you put into your writing here, you have not been given permission to use my given name in addressing me, and I resent your presumption in doing so. Such aggression indicates an animus that is all on your side. We have not met, and it is unlikely that we will, so please cease this familiar address immediately. I use my pseudonym to protect my privacy, having received belligerent and abusive communications before when my name was exposed, and I find it rather passive/aggressive of you to need to address me in the manner you do. I would have given this message in private, but I have no contact info for you. I'm sure a comparison of our respective resumes and schedules would stagger even a cynic like you. Now, let's get back to the real crux of this issue -- KJ's history, his gang, and his actions in office. Thank you. bbbbmer 2009-09-11T20:00:43Z Marion Millin comment-13626 2009-09-11T18:50:38Z 2009-09-11T18:50:38Z Devin, you are not responsible for the myth of "Sac High" and Kevin Johnson's "success" there; or for the lack of honest reporting on Johnson's story in the major daily paper and other media. However, you can contribute to a more balanced perspective on SacPress, if you want. Please be aware, if you weren't before, of how much of the KJ story has (intentionally) not been told. Consider that, if you title your piece, "Mayor Johnson and Sacramento Schools," you are going to hear from the people who think that that untold story matters. That story includes the fact the the historic central neighborhoods still don't have their high school. How is that even possible? How is it possible for Johnson to pretend to be about the education of Sacramento students? Consider that, your last paragraph begins, "The Mayor's ability to effect positive change is largely debated," refers to Sacramento Charter High School (thank you for using the correct term!), mentions that school statistics "are criticized by skeptics..." Consider that, if your first sentence begins, "Opponents have argued that one of Mayor Johnson's ultimate goals is to move Sacramento's public schools under the control of the city's mayor..." there may be some missing background on which opposition is founded. Referring to "skeptics" may skim over and minimize important information. Simply countering with "however, the Mayor has consistently insisted that this is not the case" and proceeding to "In Inside City Hall, Ryan Lillis gives us some insight into Mayor Johnson's intentions," means what? We take the Mayor's word for his intentions, from "Inside City Hall," with no reference to his actual record? Again, you are not responsible for how misrepresented that actual record is in local media. You can, however, be part of the solution. SacPress management has made it clear that that opportunity exists, for citizen journalists and SacPress staff. Please don't miss the point made above: "I haven't the time to dedicate to the effort to perfect a story that would consider in depth the very profound conflict between this profoundly unfit mayoral incumbent and his gang's strategic attempt to take over this city's schools and enhance his power and authority over this city's governance." That is the story. Thank you for posting this story on an important topic. Marion Millin 2009-09-11T18:50:38Z Oracle comment-13619 2009-09-11T17:19:12Z 2009-09-11T17:19:12Z How about homeless camps in Land Park, McKinley Park, River Park of Curtis Park where most of the homeless advocates live? That would spread out the collateral damage midtowners now face daily. You can guess how fast that proposal would be torpedoed! Oracle 2009-09-11T17:19:12Z Devin Lavelle comment-13618 2009-09-11T17:18:19Z 2009-09-11T17:18:19Z Neither I, nor this outlet, have anything actually resembling a pro-KJ stance. As an example, if you google me, 4 of the top 8 hits are me being quoted in articles or appearing on the news, speaking against the Boss Mayor Initiative. http://www.google.com/search?q=devin+lavelle+sacramento&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a Devin Lavelle 2009-09-11T17:18:19Z bbbbmer comment-13615 2009-09-11T13:52:42Z 2009-09-11T13:52:42Z I run three companies. My duty is there. It's fine for *some* to claim "if I don't like it (the seemingly endless barrage of pro-KJ, all-KJ, all the time junk stories, don't kvetch (I wanted to use another word but local provincialism precludes such) and moan about it -- be the media", when such critics are retired, students, or nominally employed. But I think it's a safe bet that even despite my own time challenges I am able to stay reasonably well informed -- certainly enough so to challenge puff pieces like this one. I haven't the time to dedicate to the effort to perfect a story that would consider in depth the very profound conflict between this profoundly unfit mayoral incumbent and his gang's strategic attempt to take over this city's schools and enhance his power and authority over this city's governance. Nor have I the inclination to offer other than these opinion blurbs to counter such articles that just beg for context, especially given this online media outlet's apparent pro-KJ stance, which your piece demonstrates. Merely regurgitating KJ's talking points, travel schedule, or Ryan Lillis' Bee drivel, skewed by an ed. board bent on providing a platform for this empty suit mayor and extolling a past that now merits criminal investigation, amid a background of corruption this city, in its relative innocence, has never seen before, well, it's just plain irresponsible. This ezine holds itself out as a platform of journalism -- albeit citizen initiated -- and seems to have merely become a mouthpiece for this mayor and his gang of suckups and sycophants, and to the extent that my time and my anger allow, I offer mere comment to challenge contributors here to do better than what i have read, your piece included. bbbbmer 2009-09-11T13:52:42Z Devin Lavelle comment-13613 2009-09-11T07:58:22Z 2009-09-11T07:58:22Z Wow ... fair enough, I won't cite it on my resume. You do realize this is citizen journalism, right? Feel free to do a better job -- anyone can publish here. Devin Lavelle 2009-09-11T07:58:22Z Marion Millin comment-13612 2009-09-11T07:44:20Z 2009-09-11T07:44:20Z Wow. He totally avoided your question. Guess that's how he can "have it both ways." Marion Millin 2009-09-11T07:44:20Z Marion Millin comment-13608 2009-09-11T07:29:32Z 2009-09-11T07:29:32Z And JimKnapp loves those "No brainers." And ah, look, there it is, the false equation with a unique, Knappy twist: "Charter schools, which are public schools, without the unions...." Charter schools are not public schools, as so many of the phony promotors insist. Here we see the difference broken down to UNION BUSTING, part of the not-so-hidden-agenda. Thank you JP!! What he responded to off target was "I attended the first summit with the expectation that I would hear innovative and thought provoking discussions about education. What I heard was that the only way to accomplish education reform was to support the strong mayor initiative and by closing failing schools and creating more charter schools. ALL of the speakers supported the idea of a "strong mayor". Nothing else was discussed except charter schools." It's not (entirely) about charter schools. It's about inappropriate and illegal power grabs and the LACK OF PUBLIC DISCUSSION about the future of education, before the public schools and public property are privatized by con artists. Marion Millin 2009-09-11T07:29:32Z bbbbmer comment-13611 2009-09-11T07:26:19Z 2009-09-11T07:26:19Z Obviously St. Hope wasn't included in the Stanford study... And I would bet a LOT of money that the study isn't as simplistic as you put it, or if so, it might have been tainted by grant funds that favor gutting public education.... In response to your earlier remark, where on earth have you been for the past two years??? Are you totally unaware of Johnson's record at St. Hope, including the ongoing FBI investigation now underway regarding allegations of obstruction of justice with regard to the Inspector General's earlier investigation on misuse of Americorps funds and mishandling of child sexual abuse charges against Johnson himself???? How someone like Kevin Johnson continues to receive fluff treatment from tabloidies like 'Inside Sacramento' and online tabloidies like this one is beyond me... The News & Review at least has the testicular fortitude to take on these issues directly -- head on -- and writes some of the best expository prose in the business... Your piece provides no context and not much content apart from what is put forward by KJ's press apparatus, skimming the surface of this and so many other issues, rather than doing the hard work of actually REPORTING issues and events with a contextual spine... Your piece was lightweight fluff -- I wouldn't suggest citing it on your resume.... bbbbmer 2009-09-11T07:26:19Z Marion Millin comment-13606 2009-09-11T07:23:37Z 2009-09-11T07:23:37Z "All of you people need to put down the crack pipes and adjust your tin foil hats." \What's with the abuse, JimKnapp? Unable to make your points without it? "I personally could care less who controls the schools... all I care about is results." That doesn't even make SENSE. Marion Millin 2009-09-11T07:23:37Z Marion Millin comment-13610 2009-09-11T07:20:33Z 2009-09-11T07:20:33Z No. It's not "fair enough." "The mayor maintains that he does not wish to take control of the schools, clarifying, "what's on my radar is the mayor playing a critical role in our schools." Fair enough, complete control and "a critical role" are two very different phrases." The mayor's office and jurisdiction have nothing to do with the public schools. Even if they did, the 10,000 lb. gorilla in the room is the FACT that central Sacramento's historic high school was handed over by the SCUSD illegally; that the displaced families and teachers sued the district; that a court order required the SCUSD to provide a replacement comprehensive high school; that the SCUSD failed to do so for five years, until the present; this this mayor used his hijacking of Sacramento's historic high school for personal and pollitical gain; that this mayor continues to hijack Sacramento's historic high school without the enrollment numbers or statistics to support his charter's presence there; that this mayor seeks unprecedented power over City politics; and that this mayor seeks unprecedented and inappropriate jurisdiction over the local school district. The writing is on the wall, Sacramento. Do you know how to read? Marion Millin 2009-09-11T07:20:33Z Marion Millin comment-13609 2009-09-11T07:08:32Z 2009-09-11T07:08:32Z Fluff? Where is the author's mention of the NONEXISTENT Sacramento High School that replaces the one given illegally to Johnson for his charter/springboard to political office, pretending to care about education and the community? PRETENDING THAT THIS IS HIS JOB? Oh. We don't talk about that. "The Mayor's ability to effect positive change is largely debated. Mayor Johnson's non-profit, St. Hope, established St. Hope Public Schools in 2003. It operates two charter schools, PS7 and Sacramento Charter High School, which have been credited with raising test scores and graduation rates. Those numbers are criticized by skeptics who claim that struggling students are removed from the school, absorbed by the district and paint a false picture of achievement. Currently, St. Hope Public Schools is $700 thousand in debt to Sacramento Unified School District and suffers from declining enrollment." Fluff. AND THE CENTRAL CITY STILL DOES NOT HAVE IT'S HIGH SCHOOL. Fluff? How about FARCE? Marion Millin 2009-09-11T07:08:32Z Christine Thomas comment-13607 2009-09-11T07:01:27Z 2009-09-11T07:01:27Z You have a very valid point, Midtown/Downtown Sacramento is certainly shouldering an unfair share of the burden of area homelessness .. .. It would be strategic to success if surrounding communities and counties would become part of the solution. Christine Thomas 2009-09-11T07:01:27Z Devin Lavelle comment-13605 2009-09-11T06:23:24Z 2009-09-11T06:23:24Z Well that's just not true. "California charter schools outperform traditional public schools in reading but significantly lag in math, according to a national study released Monday by researchers at Stanford University. The study of charter schools in 15 states and the District of Columbia found that, nationally, only 17% of charter schools do better academically than their traditional counterparts, and more than a third 'deliver learning results that are significantly worse than their student[s] would have realized had they remained in traditional public schools.'" http://articles.latimes.com/2009/jun/16/local/me-charter16 Devin Lavelle 2009-09-11T06:23:24Z savemidtown comment-13604 2009-09-11T06:22:01Z 2009-09-11T06:22:01Z On any given night in Midtown several areas are concentrated with homeless camping; 20th & O, 21st and O, 24th & L, and several other spots. Inclusionary housing and enhanced services are key but until then, where on earth can people camp where it does not affect nearby residents? Please no more centralized camps on the grid. We already bear the brunt of this regional problem and can take no more. savemidtown 2009-09-11T06:22:01Z Devin Lavelle comment-13603 2009-09-11T06:15:09Z 2009-09-11T06:15:09Z Jerry Brown did what in Oakland? Jerry Brown did not take control of the schools. That's simply, verifiabley false. Not that he had anything to do with it one way or the other, but the Oakland Public Schools went into state trustee-ship for financial problems while he was mayor. Devin Lavelle 2009-09-11T06:15:09Z The Parrhesiac comment-13602 2009-09-11T06:04:34Z 2009-09-11T06:04:34Z Charter schools, which are public schools, without the unions, do a much better job at educating our children. Both of my kids go to a charter school, the other option would be to put them in public schools that rank at or near the bottom in California...for me it's a no brainer. I care more about my children's education than I do about hurting the feelings of unionized teachers. The Parrhesiac 2009-09-11T06:04:34Z The Parrhesiac comment-13601 2009-09-11T06:01:50Z 2009-09-11T06:01:50Z Like I said, he cannot do it without approval of the voters...and in this town that is not going to happen because of the unions. Jerry Brown did this in Oakland and improved the schools. I personally could care less who controls the schools... all I care about is results. The Parrhesiac 2009-09-11T06:01:50Z Christine Thomas comment-13600 2009-09-11T05:43:59Z 2009-09-11T05:43:59Z Trapper, at the rally today, the cost of Safeground was discussed. The current Safeground was run, trash collected, toilets furnished, etc. without one dime of tax payer funding. The one the city is proposing is already at $400K estimate and rising . . . Where will they get those funds with our current budget crisis? The county is already not paying UC Davis for emergency beds its mental health crisis victims fill each night. Currently we have a system which institutionalizes disenfranchisement of the poor and minorities, and then criminalizes them. It should not be a crime to need a place to sleep .. . . all this theory is great, Trapper and Tom, but where do they go until you've made theory a reality? Christine Thomas 2009-09-11T05:43:59Z Devin Lavelle comment-13578 2009-09-11T04:40:49Z 2009-09-11T04:40:49Z Pike -- best of luck to you and God bless. At my church on the last two Sundays of every month we serve a hearty breakfast to anyone who is hungry, if you ever want to partake. First United Methodist at 21st and J. We usually start serving at 8:30 or 8:45. Devin Lavelle 2009-09-11T04:40:49Z Devin Lavelle comment-13577 2009-09-11T04:38:13Z 2009-09-11T04:38:13Z So where would you prefer Sacramento's 1,200 homeless sleep tonight? On whichever doorstep they haven't yet gotten chased off of? In a city jail, at great taxpayer expense? Some option I haven't thought of? (I do not pretend to have all of the answers) In the medium to long term, we should be working to get them into shelters, or better yet, affordable housing. But until the shelters re-open and/or the housing is built, we cannot simply wish them away. If you have a better solution, I would love to hear it. Devin Lavelle 2009-09-11T04:38:13Z Devin Lavelle comment-13576 2009-09-11T04:35:48Z 2009-09-11T04:35:48Z Generally speaking, these sorts of statements of principal leave out the details of how because those need to be resolved through negotiation, public opinion, etc. If we get too specific, we limit our ability to achieve our goals. Devin Lavelle 2009-09-11T04:35:48Z izzy comment-13575 2009-09-11T04:34:27Z 2009-09-11T04:34:27Z Johnson's has had two education summits since taking office as Mayor. I attended the first summit with the expectation that I would hear innovative and thought provoking discussions about education. What I heard was that the only way to accomplish education reform was to support the strong mayor initiative and by closing failing schools and creating more charter schools. ALL of the speakers supported the idea of a "strong mayor". Nothing else was discussed except charter schools. Johnson is clearly aligning himself with national education bigwigs so that when the money falls from the sky he'll be around to catch it. He has no business, as Mayor, being involved in the education of my children. izzy 2009-09-11T04:34:27Z bbbbmer comment-13574 2009-09-11T04:15:13Z 2009-09-11T04:15:13Z ....not to mention his abysmal record at St. Hope... bbbbmer 2009-09-11T04:15:13Z William Burg comment-13573 2009-09-11T03:49:53Z 2009-09-11T03:49:53Z um, you are aware that the subject matter of this article was the mayor declaring his intent to do exactly what you said could never happen, right? And that other mayors in "strong mayor" cities have done exactly that, including one with the direct participation of the Mayor's girlfriend, right? Remember Jim, wearing the tinfoil shiny side in stops them from reading your thoughts, but wearing the tinfoil shiny side out stops them from beaming thoughts into your brain. Fnord! William Burg 2009-09-11T03:49:53Z trapper comment-13572 2009-09-11T02:38:50Z 2009-09-11T02:38:50Z How about the Police and City Council enforce the laws on the books. All those that pay property taxes for law enforcement to do there job say “I”. This attitude that we should create something because a few people want it sounds crazy. Why doesn’t the city put it up for a vote to see if the community wants a “homeless campground” in the city since will all be paying for it with taxes. trapper 2009-09-11T02:38:50Z TomRunge comment-13569 2009-09-11T00:57:46Z 2009-09-11T00:57:46Z Stating: "Increase the construction of affordable housing to alleviate and prevent homelessness, and develop supportive housing with continuum of care services to help homeless people re-establish themselves as self-sufficient contributors to society;" without stating how you are going to pay for it is meaningless. Kinda like telling homeless people living in a tent on a dirty lot is "safe ground" is meaningless. TomRunge 2009-09-11T00:57:46Z Susie Shields comment-13568 2009-09-11T00:08:42Z 2009-09-11T00:08:42Z Jim, there is a national trend for mayoral control over large city school districts. U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan wants more big-city mayors to follow the lead of Michael Bloomberg in New York City and take over their cities' school systems to apparently help improve their leadership and stability. "Where you've seen real progress in the sense of innovation, guess what the common denominator is?" Duncan asked. "Mayoral control." Johnson absolutely wants control of the schools. He is simply getting his foot in the door by changing the city's charter and he's got an agenda. He says he wants Sacramento to be a national leader in education reform. He wants to be a national leader in education reform. He's just using Sacramento to get there. Why would this never pass? You said yourself that most people support school choice in an earlier comment. So which is it? Susie Shields 2009-09-11T00:08:42Z The Parrhesiac comment-13563 2009-09-10T23:29:51Z 2009-09-10T23:29:51Z All of you people need to put down the crack pipes and adjust your tin foil hats. Johnson has no control over the schools whatsoever AND he could not gain ANY control over the schools without a referendum put to the voters. WHICH WOULD NEVER PASS! So until the time comes when he circulates an initiative. (Which he will never do) Please stop making wild accusations about some hyptothetical situation that could never happen in Sacramento. The Parrhesiac 2009-09-10T23:29:51Z Susie Shields comment-13562 2009-09-10T23:15:30Z 2009-09-10T23:15:30Z Here's a statement from Democrats for Education Reform's website under What We Stand For "We believe in empowering mayors to lead urban school districts, so that they can be held accountable by the electorate." It doesn't say anything about working with the school district, having a liason with the school district, it says EMPOWERING MAYORS TO LEAD URBAN SCHOOL DISTRICTS. Usually school boards and the superintendent lead the school district. If the mayor takes control, what will happen to the members of the school board who are elected by /for their district? Aren't they already held accountable by the electorate? I don't see the benefit for the community. I only see the benefit for charter school operators like the mayor. Susie Shields 2009-09-10T23:15:30Z pike comment-13560 2009-09-10T22:48:22Z 2009-09-10T22:48:22Z Im homless and i care not to be. But i am seeking to redeem my life...I don't care to harm or be harmed If theres any one caes to help the homless Great if not O.K. that fine to but please understand im alive too. pike 2009-09-10T22:48:22Z William Burg comment-13559 2009-09-10T22:12:24Z 2009-09-10T22:12:24Z If you don't like the articles you're reading, start writing them instead! Don't just react to the media--BECOME the media! William Burg 2009-09-10T22:12:24Z Devin Lavelle comment-13557 2009-09-10T21:21:01Z 2009-09-10T21:21:01Z From the Democratic Party's Platform: "Increase the construction of affordable housing to alleviate and prevent homelessness, and develop supportive housing with continuum of care services to help homeless people re-establish themselves as self-sufficient contributors to society;" http://www.cadem.org/atf/cf/%7BBF9D7366-E5A7-41C3-8E3F-E06FB835FCCE%7D/2008%20Platform%20Combined%20Final.pdf It does not specifically mention a fee, I will grant you -- but it is a high priority of the Party's. Devin Lavelle 2009-09-10T21:21:01Z Samantha Corbin comment-13555 2009-09-10T21:16:46Z 2009-09-10T21:16:46Z You're absolutely right. Anyone who wants to read up on the Bloomberg project can find a brief synopsis here: http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2009/05/20/32nyc_ep.h28.html I'll leave it to the reader to identify frightening parallels. Samantha Corbin 2009-09-10T21:16:46Z