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National City a long way from Scripps Ranch
anniej, I share your frustration. McCann must be getting very bad political advice if this is how he chooses to portray himself: distracted driver (possibly, as the cell phone was reportedly picked up off the street) merges into oncoming traffic, thereby causing an accident...press release(s) regarding his condition, reported as such. Hyped-up stories perhaps, but then, whose fault was that??? Then the letter from the attorney to the Star-News merely to state what McCann's physical wellness is at this time, and what it is projected to be in the near and reasonably near future? Very odd choice. It is almost as if he had tried to get the medical establishment to go on record with something, but they wouldn't quite go along with it. So what is the meaning of all this, aside from McCann yet again attempting to garner as much attention as possible? Can't be much. How about if we agree to count McCann out, as he is nearly as reliable, dependable and reasonable as a superball shot from a cannon.— August 23, 2013 9:39 a.m.
National City a long way from Scripps Ranch
So why is Brand so adamant about Alliant? And again, why are Ricasa, Cartmill and McCann always so willing to do his bidding? Ricasa, Cartmill and McCann must know something that the rest of us do not know. Asking why, I will answer: they probably have the inside track on what Brand's plans really are. In total. Beginning, middle and end. The Big Unknown that we taxpayers will pay for--unless Ed Brand can be stopped before he hatches yet another bizarrely grandiose scheme. Maybe there are comfortable offices with nice titles and sweet salaries that have been promised as rewards for good behavior? More pay to play? It is obvious that Fast Eddy's thoughts aren't really with Sweetwater, because he left the school board meeting to try and finagle his way with National City. What more do we need to know? We already know that he will give away our tax dollars to Alliant, and just about any other group. It looks like Fast Eddy is deluded into thinking that our tax dollars are his to bestow as so much largesse...he needs to learn otherwise.— August 22, 2013 2:33 a.m.
National City Planning Commission prodded to decide on making space for Alliant Int'l University
It is obvious that this Superintendent and this board do not place their emphasis on the tasks they are charged with accomplishing. They 'Go Their Own Way', lurching from one messy scenario to another yet messier. It is public irresponsibility, at the very least. Ed Brand never considers the consequences of his actions and decisions in terms of how they affect others--he is only concerned with greedily getting what he can for himself, and perhaps keeping his minions under control with various loose promises. (More the fools they for believing him). Yes, Eastlake High School looks unkempt. The grounds are a mess. Open Boundaries as a policy is a quick way for allowing the best schools to rapidly go downhill, especially if there is not rigorous attention to problem areas, and even more rigorous problem-solving. One of the problems at Eastlake High School is that they have had 5 principals in 7 years, if I recall correctly, the latest having just recently arrived. I suggest that all concerned parents and guardians introduce yourselves at the earliest possible moment, and mince no words in declaring your concerns. Let the person in charge know what your expectations are as parents, taxpayers, community members. Be specific when you explain just what it is that needs addressing, correcting or simply being brought to light. We are not fools, and should not be treated as such.— August 21, 2013 7:21 a.m.
National City Planning Commission prodded to decide on making space for Alliant Int'l University
Sure wish we could see the final reports from the old Sweetwater accounting system and compare them to the initial reports from Sweetwater as it is incorporated into the County Board of Education's accounts. Does anyone think things will line up?— August 20, 2013 5 p.m.
National City Planning Commission prodded to decide on making space for Alliant Int'l University
Meanwhile, as we find out that the National City Planning Commission decided NOT to hold the special meeting, resulting in the NC Adult School facility NOT being made available to Brand's scheme-of-the-moment...the Fearless Leader Himself proclaims that the students will be bused from Sweetwater HS to a North County campus. While the news report said that Alliant would bus them, we really do not know what the payment plans are. This, while transportation fees skyrocketed for Sweetwater's own students and their activities, and buses have been cut! And, as was pointed out last Monday night at the SUHSD monthly board meeting by Bertha Lopez, the board has NOT approved the agreement with Alliant University. Yes, there was a signing of something and a photo op with/for John McCann (who seems to believe that any publicity is good publicity...)but it was NOT voted on by the Sweetwater Board of Trustees. Amazing. Remarkable. Yet another 'Brandiose' scheme, flawed, expensive, problematic and corrupt, being shoved down our throats. Thank goodness the National City Planning Commission is awake and aware enough to be on guard for this one. We can only hope someday Sweetwater's own board might be able to do the same. Until then, the battle continues. Sweetwater Union High School District, holding the dubious record of "District Most Likely to Subject its Students, Teachers and Taxpayers to Bad Planning, Obfuscation, Disinformation, Fraud, Waste, Abuse and Treachery."— August 20, 2013 1:07 p.m.
National City Planning Commission prodded to decide on making space for Alliant Int'l University
Perhaps a portion of the newly requested PI fees is to investigate the Private Investigators. Then we can investigate those who investigate the investigators, ad infinitem. And so goes our tax money down the drain!— August 20, 2013 7:18 a.m.
National City Planning Commission prodded to decide on making space for Alliant Int'l University
I am actually rather surprised he hasn't billed the district for a personal trainer and a gym membership, but maybe he has, and with all the accounting tricks we will never know!!— August 19, 2013 5:47 p.m.
National City Planning Commission prodded to decide on making space for Alliant Int'l University
I guess all those membership fees were for the access to some of these community leaders--what a surprise...— August 19, 2013 4:46 p.m.
National City Planning Commission prodded to decide on making space for Alliant Int'l University
A few thoughts--regarding the missing $80 million from Mello-Roos...would Fast Eddy have made payments to Alliant and some of the other groups he has been wheeling and dealing with? Could payments have been made on some of the real estate schemes we have learned about--or perhaps a new scheme or two? Does the $50,000 HR fee mean that they are starting a search for a new superintendent? (if only...) Has Sweetwater 'returned to the fold' of the County Board of Education's accounting system, and if so, did the county's system clear up some of the muddy areas--resulting in the "loss" of $80,000,000 that was really part of a shell game? In short, what is going on here?! When will we get the truth, the full story? When will the lies and the dissembling end? How long do we, the public, the taxpayers, have to put up with the complete disregard we are shown? Pigs at the trough show more restraint than Fast Eddy and his cadre.— August 19, 2013 9:15 a.m.
National City Planning Commission prodded to decide on making space for Alliant Int'l University
We have requested forensic accounting going back 10 -15 years--but the County Board of Education hasn't supplied us with that information. Here is what I can recall: I did hear that the county made some inquiries, the result of which was that they didn't think Sweetwater should have their own accounting system anymore. The abuses were a bit too much--but we have not been informed exactly what those abuses consist of. (We can probably make a few educated guesses). So, by this time--August 2013-- Sweetwater is supposed to be 'back in the (monetary) fold' of the County Board of Education. Or fast approaching that return. Could this have something to do with why Fast Eddy is working all sorts of further schemes for money to be returned to the District? I'm of a mind to think so. What say all of you?— August 18, 2013 5:53 p.m.