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Dirt Dumped at Southwest High School's Campus Still Under Investigation
It appears things have gone from bad to worse in our once reputable community. The leadership, or lack thereof, that Dr. Brand, John McCann, Jim Cartmill and Arlie Ricasa have shown leaves one speechless. Pearl Quinones was and has always been a no brainer, literally. Bertha Lopez appears to be the only board member who will not cow tail to the wishes of the others. Talk of insolvency abound. If this happens the County Board of Education will have quite a bit of explaining to do. It is time to once again bring in the Grand Jury as oskidoll suggests. They are no strangers to Sweetwater, Dr. Brand or Bond monies; as they were contacted under Proposition BB. Perhaps if several taxpayers submit the paper work it will more than get their clear attention. What is happening here must be investigated by the highest authority. I agree with others comments regarding the need for new board members. However, it must be established that anyone running has no ties, of any kind to Dr. Brand, John Mc Cann, Jim Cartmill, Arlie Ricasa, or Pearl Quinones. The last thing that is needed is more of the same. Origin of campaign contributions will be a major factor in the upcoming election, as will affiliations.— July 16, 2012 8:27 p.m.
It's a Small World After All...Another Gandara, the Same GCR
Anniej - You and many others have been following this story since its beginning. I am a late comer to commenting but I too follow district business and for a lack of better words I will say business is not looking good. I find myself echoing the chants of many of my neighbors when they say the time has come for change. I concur. Recent personnel changes within the district line up has many of the residents on the east side questioning the rational of the superintendent. Persons being moved to the district office way before their time - the underlying reasoning used suspect. No doubt the elections will help to rid us of those not deserving of their positions. What is needed is new blood, and a reassessment of all who hole the title of leaders.— July 3, 2012 6:42 p.m.
Toxic Dirt Trucked to Southwest High School?
Visduh - Why is it that the board has hired such imposters, foxes in sheep clothing? I found Mr. Gandara's thesis on line. I am pretty certain that he did not write it himself. I have been looking for Brand's but have not been able to locate it so far. Having said that, neither one of these men have helped the district any; it appears they have only helped themselves, to anything that would benefit them.— July 1, 2012 9:42 p.m.
Toxic Dirt Trucked to Southwest High School?
Eastlaker - The fact that Brand lied to the entire city and county of San Diego is simply beyond comprehension. He is well known for his arrogant audacity, but this borders on dereliction of his position as superintendent. Sooner or later one of these incidents is going to tip the scales and when it does all gloves will be off. I believe there are some not known to the general public who now believe it is time for Dr. Brand to go. The recall that has been put in motion no doubt will be successful at the rate signatures are being collected. More and more of those I know have signed, those that have not are planning to do so. Some are simply tired of lack of representation by the four board members who live in our community. As far as Ms. Quinones is concerned popular opinion is that she is no longer an issue, as she will be voted out of office. Why on earth would Ms. Ricasa and Ms. Quinones have chosen to continue as board members? No matter how you look at it it is becoming embarrassing to say what district you live in. It is long past a time for real change.— June 28, 2012 8:40 p.m.
Toxic Dirt Trucked to Southwest High School?
Eastlaker - I am wondering if there would have been a difference if this was a school on our side of the 805? Dr. Gandara professed his deep interest for the youth, spoke about specific demographics needing the protection of persons like himself. If, as rumored, he signed off on this dumping, it is indeed a crime of dereliction of duty at the very least. All of those at the district who have had knowledge of this situation and failed to act on behalf of the students, staff, and residents should resign immediately. Has anyone contacted State regulators to ensure that they are monitoring this situation, to in effect protect those who will be receiving these toxic substances into their community?— June 28, 2012 11:26 a.m.
Toxic Dirt Trucked to Southwest High School?
I believe anniej about it summed it all up in her last two sentences - COVERUP. Dr. Brand and Ms. Russo need to be held accountable for this situation. I am told that others who were there at the time and now brought back were aware of the situation as well. There are rumors that this dirt might have come from property or other school construction sites that the district owns. Apparently Southwest Middle had an underground gas tank that was found and also the District yard had a tank that needed to be disposed of - could one of these be the hidden source of all of this contamination? Rumors, why are we even listening to rumors? Perhaps because those persons that we elected to represent us have failed to do so. Susan, thank you for shedding light on a very troublesome issue.— June 28, 2012 9 a.m.
Has the Lincoln Club Lost Sway in the South Bay?
Ms. Luzzaro: I apologize for the long post.— June 25, 2012 9:43 p.m.
Has the Lincoln Club Lost Sway in the South Bay?
In any event it is clear that the South Bay is beginning to take notice of candidates and their affiliations - does McCann really represent the Lincoln Club? Whether right or wrong it appears that the South Bay thinks so. It is a shame as many members of the Lincoln Club are seen as positive members of San Diego city and county. No matter what your affiliation it is imperative that all representatives carry themselves in a manner that reflects integrity. Many in the South Bay are beginning to question the votes they cast in the past, and truly becoming reflective about who they will choose in November. Will McCann, Cartmill and Ricasa be RECALLED, who knows - one thing is for sure, politics as usual may not be politics as usual for Cartmill or McCann - their political futures are surely in doubt - whether it be this November or next it appears they will forced out by the voting populous - as the community wants a change in direction. Ricasa and Quiones, well the two of them are up to 12 of their peers. The community of the South Bay is sick with all that is wrong with Sweetwater and are looking to break the pac of McCann, Cartmill and Ricasa. Up until the indictments it was a standard 4-1 vote, Quinones use to run with the pac - now it depends on which way the wind is blowing as to how she will cast her vote. The only person who is seen as a viable board member at this time is Bertha Lopez - her documented votes on the Board docs is indicative of her direction. Can we just get back to candidates who vote their conscience - some where along the way things got broken. Where are all of the good Republicans?, surely you are there - where are all of the good Democrats ?, where are all of the good Independents? You are out there, you have to be - for if you were not God help us all. just my opinion.— June 25, 2012 9:40 p.m.
Has the Lincoln Club Lost Sway in the South Bay?
Then there is the issue of the while legal, quite worrisome, campaign contributions of the last election that were given to not only McCann but James Cartmill and Arlie Ricasa as well. It has been stated that McCann received donations from one of the contractors that recently pled guilty in the Sweetwater indictments over a year after McCann took office. Many are questioning this since this same firm appears to be the firm that was given many of the architectural contracts for the Prop O Bond Construction. In all fairness it is important to note that all of the candidates that WON Sweetwater seats in the last election were the recipients of many thousands of dollars from contractors who were or now are working on Prop O projects. One of the board members received $20,000.00 with one phone call, from the management company overseeing Prop O so it is reported on the Registrar of Voters. When community member Maty Adato submitted the paper work to have campaign contributions and gifts brought to a halt, the board decided they would vote in a new policy in (June 2012 meeting) where an item can be heard only once a year. When the item was initially brought before the board the board simply sat there and failed to even open it up for discussion the item died for lack of motion. True, McCann sent an email to someone (UT or Brand??) requesting a limit on gifts, the item however has never been brought forward, kind of suspicious don't you think? It is time, I think for each one of us to truly consider the facts as reported by the Registrar of Voter - compare them to the Prop O contracts that were awarded and then make up your own minds. There was an issue a few months back when the board was voting on paying for the defense of those indicted, it is alleged that the Republican Party paid for the robo calls that went out the same day of the board meeting - the robo call states that McCann would be voting No. Kind of peculiar, why not wait and vote with the rest of the board - this was not received well by either Party's constituents, and seemed to backfire big time as an attempt for McCann to grandstand. And, it was McCann who brought Dr. Brand in as the interim - the very night Gandara was retired. So how did that happen, how did Brand know what was coming down the pike before the vote to retire Gandara ever took place? Brand lives in the North County and the meeting was held at Southwest, now that is what one would call due south.— June 25, 2012 9:40 p.m.
Has the Lincoln Club Lost Sway in the South Bay?
I am thinking one of the reasons is the backing of John McCann, a board member of Sweetwater Union High School District. There is much publicity regarding this Districts problems, both historically and present - most involve alleged corruption. Many in the district listened to his living room discussions where he vowed to clean up the district however now, McCann is seen as the board member who failed to share a second legal opinion which allegedly suggested that Dr. Gandara (x superintendent currently under indictment) could be fired for cause. Recently he filed a restraining order on one of those persons who went to the DA with their concerns about the district and then McCann requested and received his legal representation paid for by the taxpaying public even though the judge evidently failed to issue a permanent restraining order. The judge allegedly stated that McCann had changed the events of the evening as the initial statement given to police officers differed from the statement he provided to the courts. Putting all of the politics aside there is much talk about some of McCann's perceived immature actions i.e. he allegedly became upset with one of his fellow board members and turned off their mic. He was taping certain speakers the night the board voted on whether to pay for the legal counsel of those under indictment - sat there with a bizarre grin on his face when he was asked why he was doing it - refusing to stop. The night of the alleged threat of assault one of his complaints was that the community member called him Howdy Doody. Recent articles in the UT elude to the fact that the current interim superintendent may be double dipping - he is receiving his pension from the state based on his tenure with his school employment and is also receiving around $20,000.00 as a salary under the name Brand & Associates. Additionally the CFO of the district is doing the same, even though she took an early retirement and received an financial incentive to do so - but in fact she never left, she was rehired after her alleged early retirement under her intials with associates tacked on the end. So, if McCann is truly a politician who is calling for fiscal responsibility why is he voting for these contracts?— June 25, 2012 9:39 p.m.