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Shocker: San Diego Opera to fold
The scenario that is playing out in my head shows the very comfortable and comfortable-with-each-other group of insider supporters realizing that Mr. Campbell was thinking about retiring. The group has a collective shudder to think that someone new would have to enter into their august circle. Who would this person be? Would they recognize just how wonderful everyone is? Would bumptious newcomers disturb the pleasant atmosphere? What a horrible thought! 'Let's just call it a day...we can organize fundraisers for *some* good cause at the golf club or the yacht club when we want to get dressed up, and we can hire the musicians really cheaply now!!!' -------------------------------------------- I think it is a travesty of a sham of a farce of two travesties, to paraphrase Woody Allen. At the very least, three years ago, there could have been a search for Mr. Campbell's successor. Someone much younger, energetic, willing to go out to all the schools and fill seats, even if it would be for nothing--allowing young people to be introduced to the opera in person. There should have been a massive information campaign regarding the state of affairs, instead of keeping it a secret for the insiders. It is all very well and good for these insiders to declare they are tired of it all--but it is deeply irresponsible to implode everything and waltz off into the moonlight. Not very honorable, to my way of thinking. Sort of like an operatic hero or heroine sitting up from the fainting couch on which they had recently collapsed, checking a watch or cell phone, and announcing--"ohhh, darlings, it's time for me to go--my broker has some thoughts regarding some stronger positions. Don't think I'll be back! Toodles!!" And then exiting. With the audience in the lurch.— March 21, 2014 8:17 a.m.
Sweetwater trustees to vote on property sale
Meanwhile, we wait and wonder what comes next--is Ed Brand still holding all the cards, or is it time for him to fold and retreat back north. There is no one who respects him. What he is doing is willfully destroying a school district, and little is happening to prevent it. County B of E, really, can you earn your salaries for once and actually do something?— March 20, 2014 9:25 a.m.
Rankled by Sweetwater district meeting cancellation
joepublic--what you say about the County Board of Ed and the ed code is correct, of course. However, the reality is that this County Board of Ed has been ineffectual since the get-go, and the likelihood of that entity actually doing anything is not great. They like their nice offices and the meetings where nothing really has to be done, and that is about it. Another huge disgrace for San Diego. Will they wake up and actually do what they are paid to do? Can anyone make them? They have comfy jobs for life, and apparently don't feel the need to actually serve the public and make sure students have a chance for a decent education. Shame on them, and all who stand by doing nothing as Sweetwater disintegrates.— March 19, 2014 10:34 a.m.
Rankled by Sweetwater district meeting cancellation
I have come to the conclusion that Brand, Cartmill and McCall are slime-merchants more than anything else. Because they may like to call themselves professionals, or elected officials, or educators, but they really aren't. They are trying to sell the public on all sorts of schemes that really end up giving the public nothing, but lining pockets...of whom? Must be some kind of friendships going on here. Posturing that the teachers can't go on strike because the district is negotiating in good faith? What a laugh and a half. As if there has ever been any good faith with any of these three. Low, lower and lowest, what's the next installment? Fast Eddy's University of Universal Truths, Course Listings: Give Us Your Money, and We Will Mortgage Your Future. There Is Always Another Deal To Be Made, Especially When You Are Working With the Public's Money. Learn How To Finagle Your Way By Cheating Those Who Trust You. Make Sure You Are Always Smarter Than Your "Friends", So They Won't See It Coming When You Stab Them In The Back. Success Means Learning When To Skip Town. If People Are Willing To Give You Money, That's Their Problem.— March 18, 2014 6:18 p.m.
Rankled by Sweetwater district meeting cancellation
Exactly. There was a quorum, but it wouldn't have been the "right" quorum for Ed Brand's taste. Guess this proves we are not living in a democracy here in Sweetwater, are we? But we already knew that. We have known for some time that Ed Brand functions as an autocrat, or worse. I also think that Ed was somewhat afraid of what Ms. Quinones might have said, as she must have known that that could be her last opportunity to speak publicly as a Sweetwater trustee. Wouldn't it be great to actually hear what some of these people have to say. Maybe Al Alt and friends can go on a lecture circuit around town telling us what was going on? Where the tax and bond dollars ended up? What properties Sweetwater is developing? The full length and breadth of all the schemes? The deals with the iPOD suppliers...all the back-scratching.— March 18, 2014 2:52 p.m.
Developer Stuck in the Rough gets warning letter
Why is it that this does not seem believable.— March 18, 2014 2:20 p.m.
Mayor Faulconer kills proposal to purge emails
Wonder what measures Goldsmith is considering at this point?— March 18, 2014 1:50 p.m.
Sweetwater trustees to vote on property sale
Ed must have known the timeline on Pearl's situation, and decided postponing the board meeting would help his position. Because--Pearl could have used that as an opportunity to put many issues out into the open, issues that Ed wants to keep packed away in the dark recesses of his guilty conscience, allegedly. So--Jim running errands all around town, but being too incapacitated to attend a board meeting...what could it be? I hesitate to speculate on the health of someone, but must say, if an elected official wished to be taken seriously, doing what Jim did would not be the way to act. Again, Jim is playing the patsy for Fast Eddy. You'd think he'd be getting tired of that role, and be more interested in expanding his options. How about trying out "Responsible Elected Official" instead of "Scurrying Lackey"? Then there is McCann, tin ear all abuzz, unable to actually accomplish anything, yet drawn to the spotlight like the unwitting moth to the flame. Get a grip, McCann and Cartmill. Fast Eddy is not going to save you. He will worry about himself, and drop you two faster than you can say, "BBBBut I did everything you asked me to!!!"— March 18, 2014 1:46 p.m.
Sweetwater trustees to vote on property sale
Just got off the phone with a secretary at the district. There will be no closed session, nor no open session this evening. The board meeting is postponed. They are working on rescheduling for the week of March 24 - 28. I checked online, and still didn't see notification of the meeting postponement. Which does seem odd to me. Calculated move, or just not that good at posting information?— March 17, 2014 10:11 a.m.
Sweetwater trustees to vote on property sale
I heard it from an SEA notification that was shared. Are you thinking that the district might say they are cancelling, and then hold the meeting anyway? I just checked Board Docs and there is nothing posted regarding cancellation or postponement, but then perhaps that can only be done when clerical staff reports tomorrow morning?— March 16, 2014 9:04 p.m.