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Sweetwater scandal spotlight: trustee Jim Cartmill
Yes, 'There's a dead skunk in the middle of the road, and it's stinking to high heaven!' Somehow the lyric to that song popped into my head. Can't think why. To ensure I won't be misinterpreted, the metaphoric stink would be from the corruption of the lies, including payoffs, shakedowns, pay to play, and all the other variations this tragically inept and corrupt aggregate of human specimens has managed to employ. The metaphoric dead skunk is the evidence that has been provided...— June 7, 2013 11:13 a.m.
Sweetwater scandal spotlight: trustee Jim Cartmill
Sorry--it's early in the morning--they were shorted about $100,000. But, my question still stands--why make HAR pay for the mistakes of another company, another job, another bond offering? Is it just too difficult for this board to figure things out?— June 7, 2013 8:01 a.m.
Sweetwater scandal spotlight: trustee Jim Cartmill
If I recall from reading the testimony, they (meaning HAR) were shorted about one million dollars. That's a great deal to absorb...and the board members just said they (the board) could pay up to $149,000 without a special vote or something, so that's what they were paid. They testified that a previous job by another company was supposed to have put in the conduit with wiring that ran the length of the school--but only a small portion was there, and that was filled with 'old rope'. What is a contractor supposed to do under those circumstances? Could it be that this local small company was given a job that would be impossible to complete? Why wouldn't the school board have wanted to pursue the company that didn't complete the work with the conduit and wiring? Why put all of that on HAR, and then simply refuse to pay them? Honestly? Who does that? Would it have been too embarrassing to look into the problem, or was the majority board too busy feeling powerful to act in a legitimate, decent manner? Why can't this majority board EVER get something right and solve a problem or two in a sensible, steadfast, reasonable fashion? I don't know...maybe they lack intelligence, maybe they lack the ability to empathize, maybe they are only in it for themselves. Maybe they are just selfish, ignorant oafs, pretending to be semi-literate, and should never have been voted into office in the first place.— June 7, 2013 7:37 a.m.
Sweetwater scandal: Ed Brand’s claims contradicted
When I went to the boarddocs, it seemed to indicate this was regarding teacher layoffs. Do you think there is more to it?— June 6, 2013 3:55 p.m.
Sweetwater scandal: Ed Brand’s claims contradicted
I can't really answer for anyone but myself, but I will jump in and say that IMO, if the state and/or the county were to declare Sweetwater in need of 'guidance', and put someone in to ensure that things are run according to the laws and regulations under which the board should function, maybe we could make some progress. If that would remove Ed Brand from a position of authority, fine with me. Then, I would hope, a committee would be formed which would be in charge of transitioning from the overweening corruption and influence-peddling and empire-building scams into a more reasonable format, whereby the students are the focus. A search committee should be separate, and should consist also of members of the community, as well as others more familiar with the educational procedures (not appointees from the ranks of pals of Ed Brand and the cronies). Maybe some representation from the BOC. Some from teachers in Sweetwater. A middle school student and a high school student. People with varying perspectives, all valid. A diverse group--no overrepresentation from any one ethnicity. People who really want to be a part of change and improvement.— June 6, 2013 3:50 p.m.
Sweetwater scandal: Ed Brand’s claims contradicted
It must be time for sharing hour. Here are a few of my "favorites"...From Rene Flores, day two of questioning, p. 1689 ongoing from line 4. In an email from Mr. Ortiz to Mr. Flores, a lineup of how Sweetwater's board is going to vote on a Project Labor Agreement. The email states it will be a "no" vote at this time, but that may change in a year, because of upcoming elections wherein it may be beneficial to let labor organizations know the board is in favor of the PLA. Of course, this is PRIOR TO the board meeting. Pretty much proves to me that decisions are made ahead of the meeting. The fact that it is discussed in such a straightforward manner indicates to me that this type of thing is not out of the ordinary, in fact is the way things are done. Ergo, votes are predetermined. Brown Act Violation, in spades? Mr. Flores' testimony, P. 1779. The district received $55 million from the state, which is for construction projects--actually is for projects that the state approves, some sort of special reimbursement from the state because the state had inspected and found certain completed construction projects to meet some standards. So--this $55 million is again supposed to be used for more construction, but instead was put into general funds. Flores and company pointed out that should not be done, in fact the testimony indicates they pointed this out in a public meeting--and it was after this that the company was suspended from working on Sweetwater projects. How many times have we spoken out saying that Sweetwater's finances need forensic auditing? Many, many times. This sort of thing is one of the reasons. CLEAN IT UP!!! And my final favorite of the evening, from Mr. Amigable's third day of testimony, p. 563. Gandara (he of the double meals and all sorts of tricks) would BUY Mr. Amigable's Southwest Air frequent flyer vouchers at $100/round trip, using them to fly to destinations in northern California and Texas. Wow. The man was making good money, and he needs to chisel out more by misusing a frequent flyer program??? I guess some people are not happy unless they are running a scam. Well, here's to their new, scam-free lives...— June 5, 2013 11:31 p.m.
Sweetwater scandal: Ed Brand’s claims contradicted
Food for thought, anniej. With the news of the FBI raid on a Latino political organization with links to quite a few Democrats in office in this area, some of these individuals might be thinking that telling the truth is starting to look good! (I say this as a registered Independent with no ax to grind one way or the other). I have come to the conclusion that when it comes to electing representatives from our community, we need to really hear what they say. What they are capable of saying, what they believe in, what they hold themselves to. If they are unwilling or unable to specify, enumerate, and clarify who they are, then they should not hold public office. We cannot rely on glossy family photographs, lists of organizations who have given their support--or simply ethnic background. o Do we have candidates who can rationally examine a situation and come forth with solutions that are reasonable? o Do we have candidates who will not just use their position as a platform to hire all their friends for cushy consultant jobs? o Do we have candidates who actually have a concept of what the job at hand consists of? o Do we have candidates who are capable of thinking their way through complex issues, or do we have candidates who are stymied at the 'wet-paper-bag' level? People, if you want a really good Political Action Committee, make sure it adheres to the rules that govern it. Make sure it doesn't try to subvert the laws under which we live. And try to keep improving these committees and the communities which represent them. Corruption is NEVER 'our friend'.— June 5, 2013 12:55 p.m.
FBI raid draws spotlight to San Diego donors and legislators
Strangleholds have been proven time and time again to be disadvantageous in the long run. It is time this bit of knowledge takes root among some sectors. I, for one, am very happy to hear about this raid. We need some light and air to be let into political decision-making around here. This back-room anti-democratic nonsense must end. Corruption should not be tolerated. The ends do not justify the means.— June 5, 2013 12:39 p.m.
Sweetwater scandal: Ed Brand’s claims contradicted
If he is working on reinventing himself--maybe I would have bought it a couple of years ago. But people have pleaded with him to step up and do something, and he did nothing. Cheap opportunism is about all we can expect from McCann. There is no depth of character. There is no 'there there'. I have said it before--for a politician, he has such a tin ear that I cannot imagine what he is even thinking. All those ridiculous and off-base stories he planted in the SD Rostra...and then when he was completely schooled there, he didn't learn a single thing from it. All that attempting to smear Bertha Lopez--and then continuing to bring up her name again in this blog via his persona as timtim. What is his problem?— June 5, 2013 9:22 a.m.
Sweetwater scandal: Ed Brand’s claims contradicted
Maybe it's a variation on the old thermometer as fundraising graphic--the redder Ed's face, the more the public is tracking his misdeeds.— June 4, 2013 3:18 p.m.