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No process yet to replace Sweetwater trustee Ricasa
Exactly. Brand will leave when he has bled Sweetwater so dry that no bills can be paid. Failing that he will leave when he is chased out of town by a consortium of angry taxpayers and law enforcement...the man epitomizes sleaze. What's that we heard about sometime back regarding Brand, his pals and voyeuristic behavior...something about binoculars and Black's Beach?! Yes, he is quite the educational leader.— January 15, 2014 8:24 p.m.
No process yet to replace Sweetwater trustee Ricasa
Meaning--to physically be in attendance. Not to vote responsibly, think anything through to a logical conclusion or--do anything that does not personally benefit himself or his pals. That's what we can count on McCann for...— January 15, 2014 8:01 p.m.
No tough justice for former Southwestern College official
We have a suspicion of pan-system corruption. We have thoughts that NONE of the elected and appointed officials in this part of the county really care one iota for the constituency. They are all only in it for themselves, their remuneration, whatever side-deals they can arrange and for publicity and support for future positions. A pox on all their houses!— January 14, 2014 7:22 p.m.
No tough justice for former Southwestern College official
Visduh, it is as if open season has been declared on decency in public office and administrations in these three school districts in south San Diego County. And the judge...who probably was appointed without working hard enough to really respect that appointment. No gravitas, no wisdom, too, too ready to be a political stooge. What a shame on her, her family, people who helped her along her journey thinking that it was an honorable journey. Now it is all just part of the sickening mess of south bay politics. The rancid, stinking cesspool that was once school districts we could be proud of. Foe their parts Ed Brand and his loyal voting buddies Jim Cartmill and John McCann aught to be very proud of themselves for all they have done. Producing such a vast quantity of undeniably bad decisions that take the funds away from those for whom they were meant is really quite an accomplishment. How much is being built now? What is being repaired and maintained now? What is happening to all those properties that Sweetwater purchased in confusing and manipulative ways, that we taxpayers are on the hook for--but don't really own? Because ownership went to a corporation of "unlisted"--unlisted at least to the public who happens to be paying for this and all the other Ed Brand messes. Is there anyone out there who really gives a rip that we are being robbed blind in Sweetwater?— January 10, 2014 12:31 a.m.
No tough justice for former Southwestern College official
Perhaps Judge Espana is really communicating to the public that she does not understand what judgeship is as well as what judgment is...perhaps it has never been completely explained to her? Or--perhaps she wants to go lightly on all these people, as she thinks that is the nice thing to do? Or perhaps someone DID explain something to her, i.e. that going lightly on these people would pay off down the line? Choose your favorite. None of the above possibilities demonstrate much skill, knowledge or ethics on the part of the judge. What a shame for her and what a shame for our community. And especially, what a shame for all the school districts that have these blood suckers working for themselves as they pretend to be working for the students and the betterment of society.— January 8, 2014 10:57 p.m.
Few details on Sweetwater district's student-data-sharing deal
Words to ponder, savor and keep in mind: "There's a reason to keep fighting against the powers that be. Because no matter the setbacks or the years it may take, you can win." --Bill Moyers— January 5, 2014 8:17 p.m.
Pfingst and murder defendant win pre-trial hearings
Aren't fees supposed to be paid in a somewhat more formal manner? Unorthodox at best, taking handfuls of cash. What is really special would be the Phingst statement made after the hearing on Jan. 3. Lots of confidence.— January 5, 2014 11:26 a.m.
Few details on Sweetwater district's student-data-sharing deal
Just a thought, possible title for Ed Brand's bio: "Growing Fat on Sweetwater, A How-To Guide to Financial Security Via Stripping Public Assets".— January 5, 2014 10:50 a.m.
Few details on Sweetwater district's student-data-sharing deal
P.S. Love the new high school in Carlsbad! Built by some companies that Sweetwater deep-sixed in favor of payoffs. Take a look in the UT. Award-winning architects and everything. And I haven't heard a thing about pay-to-play in Carlsbad. Guess they know how to do things the right way. County Board of Education, are you paying attention? How about enforcing some of the standards you are supposed to STAND FOR? Have you washed your hands of Sweetwater, ready to declare it 'someone else's problem'? Just how does that work? Nominal governance, minimal performance?— January 5, 2014 8:51 a.m.
Few details on Sweetwater district's student-data-sharing deal
Getting back to the excellent article that prompted all these comments, what is happening with this, now that the public knows their information has been sold? That private student records were released to a corporate entity in unauthorized fashion? That vulnerable students were preyed upon to sign up for expensive classes through Alliant (20 actually did sign up...). Is the old boy/old girl network that strong that nothing warrants even a slap on the wrist for South Bay Community Services? Just what do the administrators do there to justify their high salaries? Extort information from a complicit school district, handing over the $100,000 after the illegally acquired private information was passed along? Just the usual back-scratching? At the expense of the students--in more ways than one. Just another hijacking of our educational system? The students really are the last to be considered by Ed Brand and his clustering, deluded followers (most of whom are clamoring for or have successfully clamored for jobs at district expense). It really is a disgusting mess, brought to you by the Sweetwater Majority Board and their Fearless Leader, Fast Eddy, the Scam Machine.— January 5, 2014 8:47 a.m.