Anonymous   |February.28.2010 FACT: The Europeans "KNOW" that the Democrats destroyed California...... California is a greater risk than Greece, warns JP Morgan chief (UK Telegraph) http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/financetopics/financialcrisis/7326772/California-is-a-greater-risk-than-Greece-warns-JP-Morgan-chief.html

On Fire   |February.28.2010 Thanks for the article Abominous. It's always refreshing to see a PS entity that is looking out for the safety of the community and not just it's employees. It also highlights the difference in Alameda and Soloano County decision makers. From the article: In recent months, Newark officials have sought ways to slash $3.4 million from its $35 million budget. In addition, Newark also is projecting a $3.5 million deficit for 2010-11, and $4.1 million for 2011-12. While the transition will require some revision of internal policy and some cosmetic work to the fire engines

Anonymous   |February.28.2010 Agree with Black History Month. The VIB and Times-Herald should do an investigation into the Martin Luther King papers and what MLK knew about the corruption of "Christianity" by paganism. This would be helpful as the issue of Mayor Davis's remarks in the New York Times and the December City Hall prayer vigil still resonates in Vallejo.

Abominous   |February.28.2010 Newark agrees to contract with Alameda County. http://www.insidebayarea.com/argus/localnews/ci_14480682

PSU Watch   |February.28.2010 Either way, special interests will be able to buy candidates, at large or district.

News flash   |February.28.2010 The East Bay cities of Union City (pop 72000) and Newark (pop 42000) have decided to let their fire departments "go" they have both contracted with Alameda Co. Fire. This is in an effort to cut costs. Hayward- 4th homicide of the year. Fremont- slashing school budgets. info:Oakland Tribune

Anonymous   |February.28.2010 PSU Watch said: "I blame our system that allows special interests (unions) to buy seats on our city council." So, do you prefer the current "At-Large" representation, where special interests have more power over the candidates, OR the proposed "District" representation where special interests have less power over candidates?

PSU Watch   |February.28.2010 I blame our system that allows special interests (unions) to buy seats on our city council. Yes, it's awful that there are actually people who can be bought and will vote as their owners tell them, and not in the best interest of the people who elected them and trust them to do the right thing. Yes, it's awful that there are people who will buy council members and demand performance for that money. But we can blame these people who have no morals or integrity till the cows come home, but it does no good. Until we create a system that doesn't allow this han behavior, there will always be buying and selling of votes. Which ultimately created this whole spiralling pension mess.

Black History Month   |February.28.2010 As Black History Month comes to a close, Mayor Osby Davis and the Vallejo Black Churches (other "Churches", pay attention, now) should understand that Martin Luther King himself (PhD education) knew of the corruption of Christianity with pagan Mithraism; that Martin Luther King himself knew that mainstream "Christianity" is paganism wolf wrapped up in Christian sheep clothing. You can see this from the direct quotes below from Martin Luther King's own papers. Is it the real Jesus Christ that Christians are worshipping, OR is it the pagan gods? Quite interesting, isn't it....... " In Avesta, Mithra was the genius of celestial light... The doctrine of the immortality of the soul was another view which was very prominent in Mithraism... Women were compelled to seek salvation in some other cult, for Mithraism excluded them entirely...When Mithraism is compared to Christianity, there are surprisingly many points of similarity. Of all the mystery cults, Mithraism was the greatest competitor of Christianity...That Christians did copy and borrow from Mithraism cannot be denied." SOURCE: King ML. The papers of Martin Luther King, Jr, Volume 4. Clayborne Carson, Ralph Luker, Penny A. Russell editors/compliers. University of California Press, 1992, pp. 213-214, 217, 222, 224. "To make the picture a little more clear, we may list a few of the similarities between these two religions: (1) Both regard Sunday as a Holy Day. (2) December 25 came to be considered as the anniversary of the birth of Mithra and Christ also. (3) Baptism and a ritual meal were important parts of both groups... In summary we may say that the belief in immortality, a mediator between god and man, the observance of certain sacramental rites... were common to Mithraism and Christianity." SOURCE: King ML. The papers of Martin Luther King, Jr, Volume 4. Clayborne Carson, Ralph Luker, Penny A. Russell editors/compliers. University of California Press, 1992, pp. 307, 309.

Firebug   |February.28.2010 Silas- Not just smug, how about down right obstinate. Retired_Ibew - We keep hearing that its not just the unions fault, yet the very people on the council that hired the city leadership had their campaigns financed by public unions. The very PSU bought and paid for majority council gave the VPOA and CAMP the absurd contracts. I know I am mad as hell at the Government; there is a name for a government when its highest priority becomes serving itself and retirees above those that are supposed to be served. It is called oligarthy, just because you are a ward of oligarthy it should not make you immune to criticism.

silasbarnabe   |February.28.2010 retired_ibew You have been smug to any group trying to change the way our City or State spends its money in particular poorly managed pension systems. Let's hope at $23,000 a year plus whatever other compensation you might have that you don't need home care or have grand children that are among the thousands that have lost their access to healthcare. Yes it is a modest pension if that is truly all the money you get and as such a little humility regarding your pension considering all that are suffereing might make you seem more viable than a grouchy and bitter old person.

Retired_IBEW   |February.28.2010 Captain, I'm a little 'sensitive' when someone infers that someone receiving a 23k pension is somehow denying children an education. I don't have a dog in this fight because I retired on disability long before these voodoo math pension formulas were enacted. I don't put all the blame on unions because I witnessed the City agree to bargaining agreements that contained totally absurd provisions, they did this without threat of binding arbitration, they just acted like drunks in a pool hall, spending and spending and then waking up wondering where the money went. For two decades, I watched the City waste millions of dollars and squander resources without giving it a second thought. I'm not defending unions, they played their part in causing this to be sure, but the real problem here, and the one not being addressed even after all that has happened is that there are simply no adults in charge of the City of Vallejo, and that is tragic. I don't see how BK is going to cause a sudden epiphany among the council and department heads and suddenly make them good stewards of the taxpayers money; their hired gun Sandy Salerno has already cost them millions through the absurd agreements with CAMP and VPOA yet she remains on the payroll /sigh

Captain   |February.27.2010 Retired IBEW You are correct that the California Foundation for Fiscal Responsibility CFFR) has dropped its effort to place pension reform on the ballot in 2010. The main reason, as I understand it today, is because they couldn't get the ensdorsement from either the terminator or Meg. Pundits are saying that these two people, that have been outspoken regarding out of comntrol pension benefits, are afraid of the unions/union dollars. It's a shame because I think the only credibility the unions have left is their money. What is even more interesting is what the president of CFFR had to say, Marcia fritz, regarding the groups step backwards. She said the organization is looking toward 2011/12 for a ballot measure, and that one of the issues their supporters voiced concern about was that many people felt their iniatitive didn't go far enough; people wanted to see a switch to a defined contribution plan. I support CFFR and I think taking a step back will allow more people to understand the issues and how it will cost them more money/hurt their wallet. More important to get it right long term than to get... next year you'll see a much more engaged taxpayer (for many reasons) but mostly because the taxpayers will... Not going to be pretty.

Captain   |February.27.2010 Retired IBEW Maybe the retired employees need to pay more attention to the compensation the current employees are recieving. I think we can agree that the pot of money is now limited (understated), and that increased compensation from some groups means decreased funds for others. There are more than four groups for sure, although the four groups don't seem to understand that fact. Even though we can include two more groups in the fight for what's right (taxpayers & retirees) it still doesn't account for several...If you don't have a dog in the fight then why are you so sensitive?

Retired_IBEW   |February.27.2010 Silas says: "I almost get the idea that you are proud at the retirement check you collect and from the PERS system you collect it from." Proud of my $23,000 a year? What in the world are you talking about? Should I be ashamed of receiving it? Is $23,000 too much? What should I get Silas? $10,000? $5,000? ZERO? It sounds to me like you have gone off the deep end with your hate of all government workers. I won't respond to any more of your comments, to be honest you really sound like you are 51-50

silasbarnabe   |February.27.2010 retired_ibew The fact that hundreds of thousands of people signed that petition should be a wake up call. Every year this state has cuts, every year real services are reduced to fund those pensions the momentum for reform will continue to grow. I remember all the speculation about contract shredding , retiree health care reductions being pie in the sky a few years ago. Today they are the law of the west and may possibly be the law of the land if IBEW is foolish enough to appeal after they lose this appeal. As long as services continue to erode to support people that no longer provide them I suspect there will be a growing momentum to change them. This time it failed it will likely emerge again and again until things change. I almost get the idea that you are proud at the retirement check you collect and from the PERS system you collect it from. Right now school children are suffering at budget reductions, cities and counties have pulled back services to the elderly and the poor and not one nickel is sacrificed to the members that collect retirement that sucks $4 billion dollars from the state's general fund. Please enjoy yourn retirement.

Retired_IBEW   |February.27.2010 Silas, you mean the group that gave up on trying to get a ballot measure for 2010? "CFFR Suspends Efforts to Qualify Pension Reform Initiative for Nov. Ballot". Good luck with that. I'm telling you, the people who have the big fat pensions are going to keep them, you can whine about it forever but they aren't going to lose a penny of what they are getting, so rather than waste energy on ranting about it, why not try to push the city to create a two tier system of pay and benefits? Without it they will 'exit' bankruptcy just as broke as they entered it...what a waste. And by the way, in case you were wondering, I don't have a dog in this fight, I don't get one of those 100k pensions. I get 23K a year fully taxable and out of that I pay a nice chunk for my health insurance thanks to dumb a$$ Salerno and the rest of the pinheads that run Vallejo.

Hmmm...   |February.27.2010 Take the threats seriously! When you have "true believers", then it is a short, quick step from words to actions such as being in slow motion when a call comes and then sitting back saying "see, we told you people would die". The Casa de Vallejo fire is one such incident. Disconnected fire alarms, the VFD took way too long to get there, three people died and the VFD guys were immediately in bankruptcy court sobbing that Vallejo citizens "didn't want to see any more charred bodies". If I remember correctly, there were two other potentially disasterous fires at youth group homes in that same time frame...both caused by non-code wiring. Note the linkage between the lack of Code Enforcement and disasters. (the Casa fire alarm never should have been shut off even for "maintenance" Just collateral damage to be expected in a "war". Like the BA war of 1970 with the Zodiac casualties and a beloved historic church.

Anonymous   |February.27.2010 http://auburnjournal.com/detail/143261.html Law enforcement threats should be taken with a grain of salt "Law enforcement threats "save our jobs or else..""

silasbarnabe   |February.27.2010 Modifying the PERS formula is someting that can done at a State level. There is actually a movement happening right now to do just that for new employees. http://californiapensionreform.com/

So Long   |February.26.2010 ANONO,if your leaving, I'll drink to that. VIBtinis for everybody!

Anonymous   |February.26.2010 Hooray! All caps anony is gone!

ANONY Smacker   |February.26.2010 Of thank you! Please go enjoy the anal leakage that is the Behind the Times Horrid snooze paper and never darken the door in this place of evolution.

ANONYMOUS   |February.26.2010 I just read the Times Horrid Online Blog for the first time and now know why so many of you here dislike it so much. It makes sense, creates a healthy exchange and until I saw the regular names from this blog appear, I enjoyed participating with the other citizens, but the obvious IBVALLEJO'uns destroyed the conversations, so good bye I am moving up and for those of you that have not tuned in, check it out before you drown in this Kool-aid dispensed over here..

Retired_IBEW   |February.26.2010 If the City's BK attorneys had thought they could modify PERS formulas for current employees & retirees, they would have asked the BK court to do so, that is, nless they are so stupid that they simply 'didn't think of it'. But I'm pretty sure they considered it and didn't think they could pull that one off.

silasbarnabe   |February.26.2010 My bad, it was not the Government code the PSU posters complained about it was the constitution. Very interesting captain It does look like Federal rules trump State rules, but it doesn't look like it has been tested in courts yet. II can still remember the howls of the PSU saying contracts couldn't be shredded, and now look where we are. I wouldn't doubt it if pension obligations couldn't be "enforced" on municipalities.

Captain   |February.26.2010 Silas/retired IBEW In the following link there is an interesting dialogue regarding "20487" in the comments section. The conversation begins around post #7 and continues sporadically to post #24 (only 27 posts). Here is the link: Pensions push state to insolvency: http://www.calwatchdog.com/2010/02/23/new-pensions-push-state-to-insolvency/

Captain   |February.26.2010 From KCRA: Judge stops furloughs of some state workers Apparently state workers will get paid for the furlough days taken if California' appeal of the judges decision is rejected. Kind of troubling. The video that accompanies the article is more interesting than the article itself. Apparently the unions "shop" the lawsuit looking for the right judge. The link: http://www.kcra.com/politics/22676301/detail.html

Firebug   |February.26.2010 Actually the tenth ammendment was largely used by confederate states to make slavery constitutional. The 14th ammendment makes it possible for federal rules to trump states rules. If the State is crippled with retirement obligations (City's like Vallejo only pay the contributions) I wonder if the fact that the State's inability to provide basic services would fall under equal protection? Let's not confuse cutting retiree calpers health benefits with pension contributions. http://tinyurl.com/yk32739

Retired_IBEW   |February.26.2010 firebug, I can see how you can shred bargaining agreements, I see nothing to prevent it, and if not for 20487 of the Calif. Govt. code, a BK judge could do that to pensions too, but that section absolutely prohibits any modification of CALPERS pensions through Chapter 9. And, the 10th amendment of the Constitution precludes the feds from overturning or modifying a state law so long as it is constitutional. So, it seems that after all the money spent on this BK Vallejo will be stuck with the single largest cause of this disaster- PS retirements- I really wonder if any of the geniuses in the City realized this was what they would be stuck with when they filed BK.

Firebug   |February.26.2010 Ageed Retired_IBEW, Judge McManus saw a legal reason to dissolve CBA's. I suppose the real question is can something in State code or State Constitution trump Federal bankruptcy precedents. I do know that United Airlines was allowed to modify its retirement promises when they filed bankrutpcy a few years back. http://tinyurl.com/y5n7d2q

Retired_IBEW   |February.26.2010 Silas, I don't think it applies at all.. "A bill of attainder, ex post facto law, or law impairing the obligation of contracts may not be passed" The Government code section that I cited does specifically refer to CAL Pers pensions and Chapter 9 bankruptcy.

Anonymous   |February.26.2010 Good opinion piece on the PSU "Pay or Die" tactic: http://sacramentoduiinformation.com/blog/sheriffs-threat-public-save-our-jobs-or-else/

Firebug   |February.26.2010 As I recall it was not California code, but the state constitution. I seem to remember some PSU''s belly aching about article one section 9.

Retired_IBEW   |February.26.2010 Silas, I can't find anything in the California Government code protecting union contracts, would you be so kind as to provide the section? If what you are saying is true, that federal law trumps state law, then I guess they repealed the 10th amendment to the constitution when I wasn't looking, huh?

silasbarnabe   |February.26.2010 retired_ibew, Actually precedent was set when the Federal courts dissolved the union contracts which was also against California law. One of the highlights of that precedent is that federal law trumped state law.

Retired_IBEW   |February.25.2010 By law they can't touch pension formulas for employees covered by PERS in Chapter 9.(california government code 20487) the City should have known that before they embarked on this bankruptcy adventure, shame on them if they didn't...What they can do, is to offer a different formula to new employees.

Anonymous   |February.25.2010 Momster, it's nice to agree with you!

momster   |February.25.2010 I agree. Crime is everywhere. Even in posh Marin County. I betcha' no one knos about the Sheriff who was shot at while just sitting in his patrol car in Marin--it happended just after the death of the 4 cops. Or the Pervy CEO who lives Ross and supplies his very own daughter Cocaine and a Mercedes in exchange for Sex. Do you want to know why? b/c many news castors (sp?)live in Marin County and don't want to paint a bad picture of their community and also Marin County gets gag orders right away--keeping much of the details from the public. Each community has their own unique problems. While Marinites snub their noses as Richmond and Vallejo, Marin County has one of the highest teen acholism in the U.S. and prescrition drug abuse. They also have an eating disorder task force.

Waz up wid dat   |February.25.2010 There have been some really horrible crimes in the Bay Area Rohnert Park a well known Japanese guitar maker was killed near his shop, in the Sunset in SF two separate unusual homicides, in South City a home invasion robbery in which an elderly couple was terrorized for 5 hours, Pregnant lady in Richmond gunned down, and all this in just the last couple of weeks, and not in Vallejo...

NewsTidbit   |February.25.2010 Apparently the calls for service are increasing in other cities around the bay area...imagine that. The city of Santa Cruz which is just under half our size reported that their calls for service had increased 9 percent from 2008 to 2009 and totalled 85,744 which averaged out to about 235 calls daily. Gee, who'd of thunk that crime was increasing in cities outside of Vallejo?? http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/local/south_bay&id=7288763

Anonymous   |February.25.2010 Ignore the polls and the trolls who peddle them.

On Fire   |February.25.2010 Enough with the useless polls on the horrid. I'm sure that the creator of the polls think that it's a clever way to bring attention to a topic that the "poll maker" thinks is noteworthy but it means nothing. You can vote as many times as you want to change the numbers. I wish they would stay at the horrid and keep their useless polls at that paper as well.

Anonymous   |February.25.2010 That's just depressing, Captain. Not getting pension reform is the proverbial nail in California's coffin. Why won't our elected officials get some balls and just do the right thing for once?

Anonymous   |February.25.2010 Given VCUSD's Problems, Should Vallejo Have International School Alternative? http://www.topix.net/forum/source/vallejo-times-herald/T2O7PPFL4VLBB78QB

Captain   |February.25.2010 Editorial: Arnold, Meg go meek about fixing retirement costs (pension Reform) http://www.ocregister.com/opinion/employee-236151-government-political.html

Time For Change   |February.25.2010 Time to ditch the America style of education, period. Anyone who is familiar with K-12 education outside of America knows that the British method is world class and top quality. Time for responsible people to contact the following institution below and bring in a quality top notch international school to Vallejo...... British Schools Of America - Inspiring World Class Education http://www.britishschool.org/ The British Schools of America provide high quality education in a structured, positive and caring environment, which meets the individual needs of pupils. Welcome to a style of learning that's New World innovative and Old World refined. Where we approach every student's needs in a way that's as unique as they are. Where the student is at the centre of everything we do. And where we help them build on their strengths, grow their talents, and explore all the possibilities.

Someone Else   |February.25.2010 A "Just Say No to Pensions" campaign for babyboomers may be in order

Firebug   |February.25.2010 Thanks captain, What that plan tells me is that there is nothing that can be done about PERS contributions. Any savings would have to be from extreme compensation reductions to match the increases in PERS. Sadly enough the City is putting all their hopes in new taxes a sales and and a parcel tax which are unlikely that both pass. Even with the revenue from those taxes Vallejo will revieve less services for more money!

Captain   |February.25.2010 Firebug Regarding Vallejo Pensions, I meant to post this a few days back. You commented about the article I posted but referred to its impact on California's General Fund. While it certainly impacts taxpayers on the state level, it also impacts taxpayers, services, and the Vallejo General Fund (also the County GF). According to Vallejo's "Bankruptcy Workout plan", the city 's current pension contribution rate is 28.31% for public safety. That number will increase on July 1st of this year to 32.6%. Next year it goes to 35.5%, and increases each year until it reaches 51.7% in FY 2015-16. The Misc. employees (Camp & IBEW) will see their pension plans cost increase from 17.3% of payroll to 27.3% of payroll over the same time period. And, again, Camp & IBEW also receive city paid social security which adds an additional 6.2% to retirement costs. I can't find one other city that pays the highest "@55" pension rate of 2.7% and social security. Keep in mind that these aren't just percentage points because we are talking about actual dollars that will be removed from the ever shrinking General Fund. For instance, if a safety employee earns 130K in persable income (no overtime here)the city pays $36,803 into that employees pension account (130K * 28.31% =36,803). The cost will go up each year until it reaches 51.7% in FY2015-16, according to workout plan. In that year the same employee making 130K (assuming they don't get any raises) will have $67,210 of taxpayer money added to their pension account (130K * 51.7%). The difference is (67,210 - 36,803)$30,407 more for that employee assuming he/she doesn't get any raises, healthcare cost remains flat, Calpers doesn't continue to struggle, and other costs remain unchanged. The pension issue is huge. If you haven't seen the Bankruptcy Workout Plan" here is the link: http://www.ci.vallejo.ca.us/uploads/719/122209%20-%20Bankruptcy%20Workout%20Plan.pdf If I'm missing something let me know.

momster   |February.25.2010 In 1969 I was 4 and still remember the affects the Zodiac killings had on my mother. Approx Every five years my mother would get a phone call from police or book writers which then would trigger some type of neorsis in her. For our family, The Zodiac killings hit too close to home. It may sound crazy but in her head, the zodiac killings were conspired.

Hmmm...   |February.25.2010 As I read the truth about what police across the nation think about the people they serve, I am haunted by the memory of Xiana Fairchild. Even the TH reported that the little kids she was with on Georgia Street said that she went off with the "taxi man". The police obviously did not check to see if any of the taxi drivers in Vallejo failed to show up for work the next day. The police continued to look and look sucking up massive overtime and press attention. If they had just quickly followed the lead the little kids provided, they would have found Xiana alive. I shudder to think that the VPO would put overtime before a little kid's life.

Anonymous   |February.24.2010 Thank you for the link Army. At least in New York they are honest, not like our sniveling liers Mustard and Clarke.

armyoftherich   |February.24.2010 What union bosses really think of taxpayers...and the realities of binding arbitration http://www.nypost.com/p/news/opinion/editorials/ what_union_bosses_think_Em4qoD4qx9ei7QLeYk8v6I

ADQ   |February.24.2010 In 1969, I lived in Baltimore, MD. Not a place known for being safe but it was (and is) a cool town

John K   |February.24.2010 Let Zodiac speak. I was here in 1969, and we were all a bit spooked his doings. Now that he's old and retired (hopefully), I'd love to hear his side of the story. Most of us supported PD & FD, but they did leave us in the lurch with the timing of their strike. Voters made a big mistake (twice) in approving BA, but hindsight is 20/20 or better.

Spank   |February.24.2010 Hey "Zodiak" (and why do I have this horrible vision of burky in his tighty whitey's plunking out this crap?), shuddup already. You are dead. Edinator, can this poster-in-poor-taste be banned please? There are many who remember this terrible time. Using it to make an argument for BA is super tacky.

Zodiac   |February.24.2010 "This is the Zodiac speaking" I would love to regale you all with stories of me "doing my thing." I began in Dec of 1968, then I waited until until July 4th 1969, both the Vallejo PD and the FD walked July 17th, they were very accomodating to me and my "spree." I had already created mass histeria with my letters to the Times Herald, even eluding that I might "hurt the kiddies" by jumping on a school bus. I thrived on fear, and continued "my sport" on Sept. 1969 and Oct. 1969. I was never caught, and have not reappeared in over 40 years. My legacy of fear lives on...

TRU CITIZEN   |February.24.2010 SILASBARNABE: Like I said before, where do you get your information? Do you always say something, listen to how it sounds and decide ....."this msut be factual because it sounds right?" Come on now, get real. You may have voted for BA back in 1970, becuase you were fearful of not having any police, but the strike only lasted for 5 days and the voters approved BA a year later. My belief is that you were the only one still scared? What has made you so brave since then? the "aging disco queen"; marc garman; schussel; or was it Schiveley???? How do you think she voted in 1970???

silasbarnabe   |February.24.2010 Oh My Lord I have got to email Mr. Voigt informing him of this post. So you actually think the fear factor of the Zodiac killer murders had nothing to do with voters views of the necessity of public safety... you guys have reached a new low today.

ANONYMOUS   |February.24.2010 FIREBUG; Why continue the lie, we all know that the murders (not muders) continued thru 1969 and the myth and rumors continue until today (you do realize the Zodiac has never been caught, don't you?) but don't think for a second that it had anything to do with the strike or the cause for BA. You may want to believe it was caused by that, but if you ask the people that were there you will find out it was casused by failed negotiations, inept elected officials, lack of trust and bad city managerment. Sound familiar????? NOT the Zodiac...

Firebug   |February.24.2010 For factual infromation please refer to this site. Muders continued through the end of 1969 and letters and threats continued into 1974. http://www.zodiackiller.com/Victims.html

TRU CITIZEN   |February.24.2010 Anonymous is correct, the zodiac had nothing to do with the strike or BA, the strike happened in Sept 1969, the Freeholders wrote the BA provision into the Charter in 1970 and the citizens approved it in late 1970. Now tell me where the zodiac fear came into the picutre? Matthew's TH article had nothing to do with factual information which is typical of the TH. He probably got his info from the VPD, (Pearsall??)

Hmmm.....   |February.24.2010 What is happening in Vallejo is no accident. It is a carefully crafted plan that benefits a few. Mike Davis, a professor of urban design and author has carefully analyzed the "system" in a series of books using LA as a study subject including the "Ecology of Fear" and "Beyond Blade Runner". He describes the festering urban containment zones of poverty that breed gangs and crime and the surrounding rings including the "Weed and Seed" zone (exact words). Anyone who wishes to understand what is happening in Vallejo, needs to be very familiar with Davis's work (that would be Mike Davis, not the other guy). www.huzzam.com/etext/davmurbancont/Beyond_Blade_Runner.html

BackInTheDay   |February.24.2010 http://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?pid=30458989&op=1&o=global&view=global&subj=53408263267&id=1265726634&fbid=1202924114340 Just wanted to share what Vallejo use to be downtown.

Anonymous   |February.24.2010 And Upper Case Anonymous, even the Times Herald article ties the zodiac and other crimes and strikes with the approval of binding arbitration.

Anonymous   |February.24.2010 Here's a surprisingly good history from the Times Herald seveal years ago re: zodiac, binding arbitration, fires and strikes. Written by Matthias Gafni http://www.zodiackiller.com/discus/messages/31/821.html?1166125487

Firebug   |February.24.2010 ANONYMOUSE, PSU Strike 1969, Murder on Lake Herman Road Dec 20, 1968, Murder at Blue Rock Springs July 4thy 1969. John K. I know they put a lien for garbage and utilities on a landlords home, I wonder if this crash tax bill would go to landlords as well.

ANONYMOUS   |February.24.2010 ZODIAC: welcome back. where do you get your facts. the zodiac reign did not have anything to do with the strike or binding arbitration. It wasn't even happening at the same time? you have been drinking the vib kool aid too long. but it is a nice scare tatic that you like to criticize Mustard for.

John K   |February.24.2010 ANOTHER TAXPAYER RIPOFF Is Vallejo still considering a Crash Tax, where the city sends a bill to unfortunate folks who need emergency VFD response on our local highways? Some public safety outfits are using third party scalpers to bill people for services they already pay for. "Part of the sales tactic when municipalities consider this is, 'Hey, don't worry, it's going to go to insurance,'" Jon Zarich, director of government affairs for the Insurance Institute of Indiana, told ABCNews.com. "But it's the homeowner that's responsible once coverage runs out." http://abcnews.go.com/m/screen?id=9736696&pid=74

Firebug   |February.24.2010 Tru CIT, The IAFF did a bang up job in Bankruptcy, then after making contract shredding the law of the West they ran away. Soon the IBEW will likely lose their appeal then what next? Supreme Court? As loss there would make public contract shredding the law of the land. All in all you and your minions have been about as clever as a turkey.

PSU Watch   |February.24.2010 Good article on how local governments in the country are struggling to stay afloat, with no end in sight: http://abcnews.go.com/m/screen?id=9925324&pid=4380645

Zodiac   |February.24.2010 "This is the Zodiac speaking." In the 1960's when I was on my killing spree, both the Vallejo PD and the Vallejo FD went on strike at the same time. They dont want you to remember that I was running around "doing my thing" terrorizing the citizenship of Vallejo. Some have speculated that I was actually a Vallejo Cop. Citizens were left to fend for themselves. Armed Pinkerton guards rode shotgun on the school busses. Retired military folks pulled out their forgotten handguns and the Sheriff stepped in to help. It was this time of terror that convinced the citizens of Vallejo that "binding arbitration" was needed to prevent strikes by police and fire. Well that was all long ago, I've never been caught and the City of Vallejo still has binding arbitration. Folks "not to terrorize you" but it is now illegal to strike, few cities have binding arbitration, why does it stay on the charter? It's been "fun" time to go...

Anonymous   |February.23.2010 Curious I am thinking the same thing. It's really the Union Carpet-baggers because the "buck STARTS here." It's here in little Vallejo where the council is easily bought (is Mikey Wilson as 'PURCHASABLE' as the girls on Sonoma or what?) and the electorate is easily swayed. Protect and Serve? Or Harass and Control?

curious   |February.23.2010 Just what is it that the IAFF and the POA are going to win? A completely destroyed community? Good luck guys. This is Blade Runner. Maybe we can bring film crews in to catch our own personal action heros screaching through the streets chasing bad guys, the chopper searchlights and the burning buildings leaving behind the scorched earth they have promised us.

TRU CITIZEN   |February.23.2010 FIREBUG; I hate to differ with you, but I think you have just seen the candles get lit. Now they don't have to keep paying for negotiations and can spend their time and money on fighting BA. I do not think you understand how knowledgeable and efficient the IAFF are when it comes to the political world. With their pit bull POA running inteferance they are going to wipe out the anit-psu and BA opponents. Some of the people on this blog are going to wish they had Henke back. At least he played to benefit his memebers, while not ruining the City. Just sit back and watch, you ain't seen nothing yet.

Anonymous   |February.23.2010 "Favorite councilwoman?" Didn't you say enough tonight, Bucky?

Firebug   |February.23.2010 Well then Tru CIT, I guess the IAFF is giving up on binding arbitration?

TRU CITIZEN   |February.23.2010 I have just been informed by my favorite councilwoman, that the City has just reached an agreement with the FF, the bad news is that it is for more than the IAFF offered to settle for 18 months ago. You can thank Solarno $$$$ for this one and for not telling the Council members about the previous offer?? She probably would have lost her consulting fee if they had settled then. Oh well, I hope Judge McManus is ready to conclude our bankfuptcy now.

Anonymous   |February.23.2010 Not just in Vallejo; it's happening other places http://www.topix.net/forum/source/marin-independent-journal/TSBI3SHL0C2NKINIS/p2

OhNooooo   |February.23.2010 Please stop mentioning "He Who Shall Not Be Named". We do just fine without inviting trolls to come out from under the rocks. Anyone who likes HWSNBN can visit in the land of the horrid where he exists.

Anonymous   |February.23.2010 Go away, Sam.

thanksSam   |February.23.2010 I appreciate so much of what Sam says and does for Vallejo, but I take issue with his letter to TH. If we are not allowed to hold responsible those who offend and devalue Vallejo, then nothing will change. The message that we shouldn't point fingers is analogous to saying that we should just move on. If we do not identify the people who cause problems and demand that they fix them or resign, then we are nowhere. That doesn't make me feel any better and it only perpetuates the status quo. If staff/council could be held responsible in the public arena for their actions, we might see proper change. But, again, I'm a Sam supporter in most things and though he aggravates some, he sets a higher standard than most.

Firebug   |February.23.2010 Good info John K, the sad part of this is that most people do not understand the monies are obligated from general fund of our State. What this means is if Califronia has $80 billion in general fund money to spend, and the bill for pensions and health care comes due for say $10 billion that essentially reduces the general fund to $70 billion. There is absolutely no value in the $10 billion for the taxpayers in the form of services as the money is going to retirees that no longer provide any services to the State. I think what captain has been saying is that beyond this financial crisis the State will be having shortfalls for years to come because of retiree obligations.

John K   |February.23.2010 How Much Is A Trillion ? Firebug, Captain, and others interested in pension reform. You may have already been aware but I recently learned of the Trillion Dollar Gap. The Pew Charitable Trusts report shows that states are a trillion dollars short of what they owe for public employee retirement benefits. Based on figures from the first half of 2008, states have set aside $2.35 trillion to pay for $3.35 trillion in pension, health care, and other pension benefits promised to both current and future retirees. This trillion dollar shortfall will have to be paid over the next 30 year by state and local governments, meaning less money for public safety, education, and other services. And worse, the figures do not include the second half of 2008, when pension fund investments took a beating from the financial crisis. Read more at: http://www.pewtrusts.org/news_room_detail.aspx?id=57354

Captain   |February.22.2010 Spell checker Thank you. Unfortunately Anons pension probably wont be dwindling before his eyes. The truth is that all the money his pension (Calpers) has lost, and will continue to lose,IMO, will be covered by you and I. Anon doesn't have anything to worry about.

Captain   |February.22.2010 I appreciate the advice and I'll try to do better. C U tomorrow.

Spell Checker   |February.22.2010 All caps ANONYMOUS says "why don't you learn how to spell. Maybe that is why you don't like the T/H, becuase you are ignorant????" Hey ANON - it's becAUse not becUAse. I guess you are a good judge of ignorance hehehe. To Captain - thanks again for yet another excellent link. You've obviously hit a nerve with ANON. My favorite quote is "A fifth grade math student would tell you at this rate they will go broke in four years." Reminds me of that TV game show: ANON, are you smarter than a fifth grader? I get the sense that ANON is seeing his future of a multi-million dollar retirement dwindle before his eyes. ANON should direct his anger at the legislators who made these promises and the unions who pressured them to do so.

silasbarnabe   |February.22.2010 When all else fails... there is spelling.....

ANONYMOUS   |February.22.2010 Captain: before you post anything else, why don't you learn how to spell. Maybe that is why you don't like the T/H, becuase you are ignorant????

Captain   |February.22.2010 Firebug The Pension issue is bigger in Vallejo than in any other city in the state. Here is an excellent article that was published in the Santa Clara Weekly. It is only one page but it is one of the better articles I've read on the subject. The fact that it comes from a weakly paper is amazing considering what is generated from the TH. It's a must read. Reality is about to set in: http://scw.tearn.com/2010/02/milestones_10.html Later, or maybe Tomorrow, I'll post some info that will really hit home as it relates to this article.

Anonymous   |February.22.2010 Regardless of any racial mix, any neighborhood that suffers from problems deserves proper attention from the city.

CRRAAAZY   |February.22.2010 Sam is a loon who changes his opinions more often than most of us change our clothes. To consider Sam a "source" is a very loose interpretation of the word. It wouldn't be so bad if his information was occasionaly accurate, but, it is not.

Anonymous   |February.22.2010 Sam who?

Anonymous   |February.22.2010 This should help VIB supporters to understand the Country Club Crest. Brief history lesson -- Country Club Crest was the result of a shameful policy of Southern-style segregation in Vallejo back in the Civil Rights era... a major reason why Vallejo is suffering and continues to suffer. Today, the Country Club Crest IS NOT 100% African-American because other racial groups -- including Whites, Hispanics, Indians -- now live in this neighborhood, and deserve proper attention from the City in terms of committing human and financial resources.

VIBReader   |February.22.2010 Sam Kurshan wrote a letter to the Times Horrid about VIB hating cops: http://www.timesheraldonline.com/letters/ci_14443747

On Fire   |February.22.2010 Time for change now is advocating district representatives for our elections, but somehow I don't get the feeling that his motivation is driven by his "concern" about the neighborhoods he parroted from comments by others here. District elections can benefit areas within the city if you have a strong rep. from your area. TFC seems to always over simplify the issues and again makes the assumption that areas like the Crest and South Vallejo would be stand alone districts. Since we are a Charter City, I believe that we can make the changes for a strong Mayor and district elections by having it approved by the voters. The question would be where would the district lines be drawn? Maybe we can put TFC withing the Crest's district since he is so concerned about their representation? I'd rather have an "at large" representative that is aware of the issues concerning the entire city. As it stands now, most only become aware of the issues for certain neighborhoods if someone brings it to their attention. The Crest and areas of South Vallejo have faced the same problems for all the years that I have lived here. There has been many that believe that the Crest and So. Vallejo were left blighted on purpose as both neighborhoods were used to bring in funding for police and redevelopment over the years. Both areas have had the same issues with poverity and crime, (they do go together) and nothing has changed. The redevelopement focus in the Flosden ares has always been on the development of Marine World and not benefiting the surrounding neighborhoods. Now we can see the Fairgrounds moving in that same direction. Very little has been done toward improving the living conditions and environment for those neighborhoods and that may be one reason why the people who live within those areas don't participate in city government. Too many promises that were never kept.

Captain   |February.22.2010 Anonymous In a nutshell, that is the problem. The Unions control the democrats, just like they controlled Bartee, Hannigan, Wilson, Sunga . When you here the song, "we are fam-il-y", think Unions & Democrats (at least in California). Sorry if I alienated some people, but just look at what's happened to Vallejo.

CRRAAAZY   |February.22.2010 Why is it that people seem so upset, interested, happy, etc. but don't bother to sign up for a free screen name? Having 6 different "Anonymous" people is confusing. I assume it is too much trouble to sign up? I hope you don't feel the same way at election time.

Anonymous   |February.22.2010 Vallejo is just a microcosm of the state. You can't have escalating costs and decreasing revenues and expect to balance things out. But both Vallejo and the state have the same problem: employee/retiree costs that have overburdened the system, rich promises they could never keep, an inability to change the system because the unions control the elected officials who can make the change.

Firebug   |February.22.2010 captain was right! " The state's pension fund, CalPERS, has $16.3 billion more in liabilities than assets at the latest calculation, although that number fluctuates with the system's investment portfolio. Adding to that, a state report released this month calculated that California also faces a $51.8 billion bill - in 2009 dollars - for the health and dental benefits of state retirees and future retirees." Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/02/22/MNJ71BUILC.DTL&tsp=1#ixzz0gI0iHjEs

On Fire   |February.22.2010 Time For Change, you sound an awful lot like the person who called for the curfew of kids and caining them for transgressions. You keep critizing the attempt to get people to sit down and come up with ideas on how to help the city and themselves, you put down the policy makers at the school district and the city....So what exactly are you doing? Are you volunteering to go knock on doors in the Crest and 201 Maine? It seems like you can only critize, and suggest additional violence as a means to deal with the city's problems and now here you are speaking about representation for the Crest? What evidence do you have that indicates that the people in the Crest are harbouring "thugs from Richmond and Oakland"? Why don't you become part of the solution and sign up to help get people to the next meeting instead of calling names and pointing fingers?

Time For Change   |February.22.2010 Bullets strike two Country Club Crest homes (Sunday, 02/21/2010) http://www.timesheraldonline.com/ci_14447345?source=most_viewed Fighting Back Partnership is not the answer for The Crest.... Guardian Angels are unarmed useless wimps and can't go in The Crest out of fear... Vallejo PD removed their sub-station in The Crest a couple years ago and have less cops on the streets due to budget cuts... Thugs from Richmond and Oakland keep showing up all the time because certain people in The Crest cover for them in their homes and condone their presence in The Crest... Vallejo Together organizers are useless wimps and will never go door-to-door in The Crest to solicit input and support... City Council members past and present don't live in The Crest and have no idea or concept what is going on in The Crest.

Anonymous   |February.21.2010 Silly, the Horrid trolls don't like to deal with facts. They like to create their own that are based wholly on uninformed opinions "backed up" by their stupid "polls". Shoo troll, shoo.

Anonymous   |February.21.2010 "Vallejo must follow that example" OK............................. how will "district" elections get on a ballot (short of a write-in campaign)? Just a simple question, got an answer?

Anonymous   |February.21.2010 QUOTE: "To get on the ballot, this needs a citizen initiative or a council majority vote. Show us how this is happening. Or take your specious polls and comments elsewhere." Stop lying to Vallejoans. Solano County Board Of Supervisors are elected by districts; Vallejo must follow that example. Take your special interest groups and special interest monies and shove it up somewhere. Vallejoans in the communities of concern are tired of not being fully represented at City Council.

Anonymous   |February.21.2010 "district representation for Vallejo in November elections" To get on the ballot, this needs a citizen initiative or a council majority vote. Show us how this is happening. Or take your specious polls and comments elsewhere.

Spread The Word   |February.21.2010 Yes, spread the word - district representation for Vallejo in November elections. No more special interests and special interest monies. No more focusing on Downtown and Waterfront by special interests. Communities of concern - The Crest, South Vallejo, 201 Maine Street - must be properly represented at City Council. Speak up at the public comments at City Council meetings about district representation and watch the current City Council become uncomfortable in their seats.

Time For Change   |February.21.2010 QUOTE: "Oh you Horrid trolls just hate any positive action. How sad that all you do is sit at your computer throwing darts at people who actually work/volunteer/try. We don't care about your stupid Horrid polls, get it? They're as worthless as you are." Your vote has been noted - you are against truly representative government for Vallejo.

Anonymous   |February.21.2010 Oh you Horrid trolls just hate any positive action. How sad that all you do is sit at your computer throwing darts at people who actually work/volunteer/try. We don't care about your stupid Horrid polls, get it? They're as worthless as you are.

Time For Change   |February.21.2010 Vallejo Together event proved that the areas of greatest concern in Vallejo - The Crest, South Vallejo, 201 Maine Street - were not represented at that event, and Vallejo Together organizers made no effort to include these areas of Vallejo into that event. ALSO, the Vallejo City Council has never been a truly representative body of ALL the areas of Vallejo. That is why Downtown and Waterfront gets ALL the attention and monies, and the areas of greatest concern DO NOT get proper attention and monies. Should Vallejo Adopt District Election Format For City Council? http://www.topix.net/forum/source/vallejo-times-herald/T7NSG997JR4UF968O

It's For Real   |February.21.2010 Just came in the e-mail this morning. Today's New York Times article link and a reader comment that mentions Vallejo, California, below speaks volumes about where we are as a country...... Millions of Unemployed Face Years Without Jobs http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/21/business/economy/21unemployed.html?th&emc=th February 20th, 2010 @ 9:17 pm "This toothpaste is long out of the tube, but somehow we have to get back to making things again. Consumer durables like cars and appliances have a built in obselescence that make a job like an annuity. I try to buy American but collectively we all must make every effort to buy our own manufacture. We also need to redo the energy grid, insulate and renewable energy retrofit buildings, etc. Also infrastruture like smarts roads/water lines. The little people that populate all message boards saying "is this the change obama promised" dont matter; they had their chance and gave us endless war after 9/11 on their watch, endless tax cuts, total inbalance of wealth, etc. Thinking leaders must be bold and have an intellegent WPA for energy and infrastructure- this is not make work and will pay for itself. We may fund it as govt entities go chap 9 and give unfunded and unearned govt pensions/benefits a haircut ala Vallejo Calif and redirect money from pension/benefits to self funding projects. Pres Obama extolls teachers and govt workers but to be honest i have never read any articles how they have struggled over the past 20 years or so- great security/benefits. Maybe it is time they give a little for the greater good of the country."

Anonymous   |February.20.2010 There is a general order regarding police chases. Sounds like last nights was reckless.

WAZ UP WID DAT   |February.20.2010 Crime seems to be up every where lately, not just Vallejo aka the "darling of the media." Santa Cruz Police Reports Record Year In Emergency Calls Posted: 5:30 pm PST February 20, 2010 SANTA CRUZ, Calif. -- The Santa Cruz Police Department reported Saturday that it received more phone calls for service in 2009 than any other year in the agency's history. According to data from the Santa Cruz Consolidated Emergency Communications Center, Santa Cruz police received 85,774 calls for service in 2009, a nine percent increase over 2008 and a 26 percent increase in calls from 2006. The police department's 87 sworn officers responded to an average of 235 calls each day in 2009. "This significant increase in call volume is forcing us to expend our overtime budget to simply meet demand," Police Chief Howard Skerry said in a statement. "Unfortunately, there are no indications that this workload will decrease," Skerry said

On Fire   |February.20.2010 Thanks anonymous. I thought that this was what I heard while listening to the scanner that night. No a murder, or robber, but an idiot that was not a trained driver. It was about the chase, not who they were pursuing. I remember years back that they chased this 16 year old who died after hitting a light pole near York and Marin. He had stolen the car and had only hours prior been released from Juvenile Detention. Luckily it resulted in only one death considering the fact that in another half hour or so, the transfer center would have had been filled with people riding the buses home coming from work. And before Craazy comes on and starts at me, there still needs to have some written protocol for car chases and wondering if anyone out there knows what it is.

Anonymous   |February.20.2010 Today's paper said the chase started because the car's taillight was out, and then it turns out someone in the car had alluded police before. I'm not sure this was worth 90 mile-hour chases from one side of Vallejo to the other, through the residential streets of Vallejo! Thank goodness Martinez and his wife weren't killed or injured more seriously! VPD is LUCKY nothing worse happened! The car wouldn't have been going 90 if the police weren't chasing it. And were the hell has Nichilini been? He seems to have disappeareed completely. I guess Abel Tenorio is in charge now?

Anonymous   |February.20.2010 Public-sector unions bleed taxpayers http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/politics/Public-sector-unions-bleed-taxpayers-to-help-Dems-83652517.html

Robert Schussel   |February.20.2010 Its not just Vallejo that is in finanical trouble and considering Chapter 9 Bankruptcy. Below is a link to an article that originally appeared in the Wall Street Journal http://finance.yahoo.com/taxes/article/108866/muni-threat-cities-weigh-chapter-9

On Fire   |February.19.2010 Craazy, I agree for the most part on what you are saying. I had my scanner on when the chase first started and I didn't hear anything that lead me to believe they were chasing a shooter or that the car was stolen. I did hear the officer say that the taillights were not working. I know that if some idiot thief had just cleaned my house out and the police were in pursuit, heck yeah I want them to catch the person and get my stuff back. But would I feel the same if say Mr. Martinez was killed as a result of the chase? I sat waiting to see if the chase was going to end in a crash, and it did. I've heard them chase people into the Napa vineyards and across the bridge into El Sobrante and Richmond. I'm just wondering if there are any protocols for these chases? JM, I think your neighbor is glad and thankful that you came home when you did and got involved to help him. A good neighborhood watch group is a very important tool for Vallejo right now. We have an early warning system on my block. If anyone is walking down the street in either direction, you can hear our dogs barking out a warning. You can even tell what direction they are walking in. I know my neighbors and we watch out for each other as much as we can and I appreciate knowing that someone on my block is keeping an eye out.

J.M   |February.19.2010 On Fire: very true, violence triggers more violence unfortunately, so glad our everyday citizens are not advocating for it & I'm truly not up for it either. I am not clear what the policy is on aborting a high speed pursuit with the VPD when it could potentially jeopPardise or endanger our citizens. Late in the evening at times, I often listen to patrol car sirens going at fast speeds on Tennessee Streete and even the residential streets such as Amador. In any case, I am sure there are plenty of scenarios on these high speed chases, where one needs to decide what the priority will be. I was not going to call for 911 assistance, but I surely would have appreciated Law Enforcement be there for me it the tables were turned around and also to make it clear to these criminals they will not keep getting away for ever.

CRRAAAZY   |February.19.2010 On Fire - You are making ALOT of assumptions. Why being chased? As stated, we don't yet know. License plate number = registered owner = person actually evading police? BIG assumption. What if the car was stolen or the occupant had just fired at Officers or an innocent citizen, kidnapping etc. Would you propose PD let them go? There is no perfect answer, but I believe if the thugs know PD will not chase them things will only get worse. Sends the wrong message, "If you run in Vallejo, they won't chase you". We have enough to encourage thugs to come here and commit crimes without adding these types of protocols. On another note, I am curious why no comment from PD regarding the response time discrepency and number of Officers on duty made by the VPD Sargeant earlier this week. Do they feel the public does not have the right to know what is going on with this?

On Fire   |February.19.2010 JM glad to see that you have calmed down. Retired IBEW is on point. I don't know what we are going to do about these young criminals but I'm afraid that if the everyday person starts advocating violence, carrying guns, shooting people, etc., we are only adding to the chaos. More than likely, gun violence will end with an unintended victim losing their life. Over what? A wallet? A Purse? A cellphone? There are plenty of opportunists out there taking advantage of our circumstances and all I keep telling my family is, is to pay attention to your surroundings and don't make yourself become a victim. On another note, one reason that the police are not able to respond to a call as quickly as we would like them to is the fact that we spend a lot of time and energy with police chases. We had one end up injuring innocent bystanders last night. Prior to the mugging that JM is referring to, our PD spent a great deal of time chasing a car from one end of Vallejo to the other and back again. Ending downtown with a crash. What was the person being chased for? From what I could tell, a moving violation or taillight infraction. Really? You have the license plate, you know who the car is registered to (most of the time) and if the person didn't shoot, rob, assult someone, do we need several cars racing at 70 to 80 miles an hour on our city streets,only to end in hurting innocent people? This was happening at the time when the call for the mugging came out. Do we have our priorities right?

J.M   |February.19.2010 Re: Retired_IBEW; Very good points you made, and I knew better than to make these comments. I was speaking out of anger and frustration. This neighborhood is still very nice, safe and desireable to live....The High School did have a late event yesterday, so I am sure these juveniles where in the area and randomly chose to attack. But yes, there are a few seconds of hesitation when someone else pulls a gun at you, even if you carry one yourself. These 1-4 second delays will determine who lives & who dies. I went thru all this training at the CHP Academy back in 2000, no longer with the department however. I decided not to carry a concealed weapon!

Anonymous   |February.19.2010 San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed has asked all City Employees to take a 10-15% cut in compensation to fill their gaping budget hole. Fire Dept compensation was sited as a big problem.

Retired_IBEW   |February.19.2010 J.M. wrote: "Would I have pulled the trigger on all 8 black subjects this evening in order to protect and defend my neighbor?" The problem is, you aren't a sociopath and the perpetrators probably are. Normal people with a conscience generally will hesitate for a few seconds before they fire a gun and kill someone. That hesitation affords the suspects (who clearly have no regard for others) to disarm you and shoot you with your own gun. The other 'unknown' is - what if one of the robbers is armed and pulls his gun when he sees yours? Chances are you will be dead before you can fire one round. Protecting your neighbor with a gun against 8 thugs looks a whole lot easier in the movies than it is in real life. Unless you are Clint Eastwood I would not take on 8 suspects by yourself under any conditions.

Napa Valley Register   |February.19.2010 This morning the Napa Register reported that a letter is being sent out from the City of Napa residents to let them know that there is a short fall in the general fund of 7.8 million, and 9.9 million for next year. City employees are using up 78% of the general fund. Real estate taxes, hotel taxes and wine sales are in the toilet. The City under estimated the short fall to the general fund by 50%. Let the cuts begin...

Time for a curfew   |February.19.2010 So what were these "young gentlemen" doing in this area after dark? I know they do not live in the area. We need a curfew for 7pm for "youngsters" until after this crisis is over. Young criminals are going to show up in nice neighborhoods as they think this is a "free for all." Time to inact a zero tollerance curfew. Also, there are a lot of "old timer" retired mare island folks who belong to the NRA that live around this area, one could get ones "hoodie" blown off ones body...

J.M   |February.18.2010 I believe it is important to report and broadcast any personal crimes to a person, so that our community is informed. I've copied & pasted my communication to our Vallejo Neighborhood Watch President. I have removed names. This raises the question on starting the application process to own a weapon(Gun). Will I be safer owning a gun and knowing I can use it at any time if I find myself in a life threatening situation? Would I have pulled the trigger on all 8 black subjects this evening in order to protect and defend my neighbor? These kids are out of control...I don't want to generalize, but it's that small percentage that is making our City look bad. "Subject: Re: Personal Assault & Mugging to Neighbor at 1223 Indiana Date: Thu, 18 Feb 2010 22:48:26 -0800 Good Evening, I didn't have plans to communicate with you so quickly on more neighborhood issues. I just witnessed one of the tenants to 1223 Indiana Street get mugged, robbed and assaulted. Victim(white male)was outside his home smoking a cigarette as always and was approached by 8-9 young black men around 9:30pm; all juveniles & or young black adults were wearing black hooded sweatshirts and dark colored clothing. I had just returned from the 24 HOUR GYM and was pulling into my driveway when I observed this act of cowardness and violance. Ironically I saw this same group walking North on Amador at 85pm towards the High School, as I left earlier. I was already walking up the stairs to my house when I heard the victim get attacked. I shouted loud and clear, "hey, hey, the Police has been called" as I cautiously watched for my own safety from 350 feet away! I dialed 911 from my mobile phone and CHP Dispatch answered; it was transfered to Vallejo Police Department and I was related someone would be on the way. Amazingly Solano County Sheriff responded in 3.5 minutes from my initial call. I am happy to report the Sheriff Department/Vallejo Police Department did stop a group of young men fitting the description on Tuolumne at Ohio/Springs Rd. I am not clear if the victim was able to recover his phone, money and wallet, but did sustain several bruises to his face and arms. These juveniles/young adults believe these acts are funny or just don't have any respect(bastards). Who is raising these kids?? These are random acts of violence, cowardness and opportunists. We should stay alert, vigilant and keep reporting any and all suspicious activities or events. It is important to know and talk to your neighbors to build strong communities and let delinquents, thugs alike they are not welcomed here". Stay Safe, J.M

Anonymous   |February.17.2010 As a former life-long democrat who has learned that politicians who label themselves either democrat or republican cannot be trusted. Neither will never again have my vote and I am only one of a growing majority. To belong to a democrat club implies, to me, a devotion to strategies and nominal devotion and says volumes about GOBism. Please, if you're progressive or independent, call yourselves that. If you are neither, then it is appropriate to call yourself a republican - or a democrat. There is no difference, except with strategies. As an elder, I only look to square what people say with what they do. Clinton and Obama, who call themselves civil rights proponent are disgraceful liars and no better or different than Cheney or the Bush warriors. Not surprisingly, you want money to join your club. Instead, how about an oath to truth and a repudiation all all things untruthful?

Prince for Governor   |February.17.2010 He has my vote! Sorry no more Union bought Governors, Jerry Brown! http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100217/ap_on_el_gu/us_california_governor_zsa_zsa_s_husband_3

UPDATE   |February.16.2010 The United Democrats is a political club open to all registered Democrats in Solano County. Mission To inform the electorate and develop a coordinated voice from the grassroots. Purpose To elect Democrats to local, state and national offices. To promote the interests of the Democratic Party in Solano County and the State of California. To encourage debate and/or take positions on issues that impact the community. Meeting Dates First Thursday of every month: Next meeting: Thursday, March 4, 2010 Meeting Time 70 P.M. Location Bayanihan Conference Center (to the left of Seafood City) Vallejo Plaza 3495 Sonoma Blvd. Vallejo, CA Dues $12.00 per calendar year. Phone Number (707) 642-DEMO (3366) Mailing Address P.O. Box 1349 Vallejo, CA 94590 2010 - 2012 Officers President Paula Bauer 1st Vice- President Lou Bordisso 2nd Vice- President Jim Stevenson Secretary Donald Hill Treasurer John Lewis

CRRAAAZY   |February.16.2010 LOL!

Anonymous   |February.16.2010 Craaaazy, you've got to learn the VIB handshake first.

CRRAAAZY   |February.16.2010 I understand now. The "Journalism" over there is a joke. How Shauntel still; has a job, I don't know. She misspells something in nearly every article, including Denny's (she spelled Denney's) in the headline of an article. My 5th grader has better sentence structure and spelling skills then she does. I also don't believe they have an Editor. They can't with some of the errors that make it out. Then of course you have Sam Kurshan to deal with, and he is far from stable. One thing I do like is that you can reply to the specific message if you like and it is easier to follow than on here. As far as the information goes, I find Marc has had some really good stuff and I do enjoy reading this. Does this make me a VIBer? When is the next meeting?.LOL

NotAbove   |February.16.2010 Oh I read some of the articles. (Which take me about 3 minutes.) I was speaking about the blogs, which I stopped reading last year sometime. There is only so much nonsense you can take. I tried to follow the comments of Silas and Captain but the others are so caustic that it's not worth the bother anymore.

Anonymous   |February.16.2010 Exactly. The Horrid is like a car accident. You can't help but peek as you go by.

Anonymous   |February.16.2010 But you still have to take a peek at it though, otherwise you would not be able to comment on it, right? Now I understand why the National Enquirer is big business!

Anonymous   |February.16.2010 Not to mention the Times Horrid is a horrible newspaper featuring poor journalism bordering on sensationalism and slanted "stories" that are little more than a PSU press release. Horrible.

NotAbove   |February.16.2010 No Craazy, I don't consider myself above (some of)the people who post on the horrid. But there is a difference in the content of the comments here and at the horrid. For one, the Topix people do not monitor the site and anything goes. I don't talk under people's clothing or need to speak on their anatomy, (well sometimes I refer to someone's dense skull). I don't use racist slurs, nor am I a racist. I am not homophobic nor sexist. I do not expect to find those types of comments here on VIB, and for the most part the people here can hold a conversation without reverting to a pre-pubescent diatribe. So in that respect this blog site is "above" what you find over at the Horrid.

Anonymous   |February.16.2010 CRAAZZY - The "horrid" label comes from the utter nastiness than some over there post, and the fact that the Times Herald does nothing to stop it.

CRRAAAZY   |February.16.2010 I finally see why many here call each other "Horrids" and people at the Times Herald site call people here VIBers. It seems as though soem on both sides consider themselves "above" the others. I find that funny since we are all in Vallejo. How bout if you don't like the Times-Herald, don't read it, and if you don't like VIB, don't read it? I don't see the value of labeling people based on what they read. What if you, like me, read both?

Anonymous   |February.16.2010 Firebug - you're correct!!! Salary Structure - Singapore Police Force - Career http://www.spf.gov.sg/career/so_salary.htm NOTE: 1 Singapore dollar = 0.711339 U.S. dollars Singapore Police Force - Official Facebook Page http://www.facebook.com/singaporepoliceforce

Firebug   |February.16.2010 Maybe if Vallejo public safety made what singapore public safety makes, we wouldn't be bankrupt either.

Anonymous   |February.16.2010 http://globaleconomicanalysis.blogspot.com/2010/02/central-falls-rhode-island-fires-every.html Central Falls Rhode Island Fires Every High School Teacher

Anonymous   |February.16.2010 Caning in Singapore : LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Singapore ambassador to the United States Published: March 31, 1994 http://www.nytimes.com/1994/03/31/opinion/31iht-edlet_91.html

Common Sense   |February.16.2010 Well Real Truth/Good Thinking/Anonymous/t-h poll maker, as usual, you missed the point. Since you can't seem to answer the questions that others have put to you on you anger filled remedy, I see no reason to answer yours. You come off to be an ineffective person who has poor reasoning skills and couldn't find any other way to control your children other than beating them. Since you think caining is the answer, why don't you march yourself down to the next Council meeting and demand that the city consider your ideas. I'll watch for you. By Singapore law, you'd be first in line to meet the whipping stick.

Real Truth   |February.16.2010 Common Sense - So tell us in your wisdom, why is Singapore NOT bankrupt like Vallejo, IS cleaner and safer than Vallejo? Could it be that they made better governance decisions on how a "multicultural diverse" society is actually run in real life? On Fire - Like the Christian Scriptures say, "Spare the rod, spoil the child". If you're not a parent, you wouldn't understand that quotation. But then again, those kids who attacked the City Worker the other day had such good behavior and learned alot from their parents, didn't they? African-American Parent - You're an idiot. Everybody knows that hip-hop & rap music has destroyed the mentality of ALL the kids today regardless of ethnicity, with negative lyrics and words about violence and intimidation.

Common Sense   |February.15.2010 Note how "good thinking/try this/anonymous/etc. cherry picks what he likes about Singapore, but neglects to mention that the Singapore government monitors internet use, in particular blog sites. They have strict defamation laws that discourage public criticism of government officials, and require people to register with the police before speaking in public places. They are also prohibited from speaking on subjects that "have the potential to cause feelings of enmity, ill will, or hostility between different racial or religious groups". So the the "advocator of caining" would find himself on the end of a rattan stick due to Singapore's strict restrictions of their people's freedom of speech.

On Fire   |February.15.2010 Good Thinking? More like "no thought". Whining? You avoid my questions on your position on punishment for others who participate in illegal activites and you continue to focus only on activites that involve our youth. Especially in particular neighborhoods. Your advocating violence on one segment of the community is transparent and serves no purpose other than stirring up other bigots like yourself. Your kind of thinking is illogical, dangerous and irresponsible. Go back to the times horrid blogs which are filled with people like yourself. And why not pack your bags and move out of Vallejo. I hear they have good deals for one way tickets to Singapore.

Anonymous   |February.15.2010 Don't feed the troll!

Good Thinking   |February.15.2010 Anonymous said: "Let's all see how fast the lawsuit is filed against the first public employee (teacher? police officer?) who tries it." You know what... everything has consequences. You either pay up now or pay up later. Either the K-12 kids learn early about proper bahavior, or they will learn later sitting in jail as adults. What do you want...spend $$$$$ for school discipline, or spend $$$$$ for jails? Isn't California having a problem with too many jails and high correction officer salaries? The fact is, it's way, way cheaper in the long run having a well-behaved citizenry and less prison facilities. Screw the ACLU and other Liberal wingnuts. Vallejo is suffering crises on every level, and harsh solutions are needed NOW!!!

Anonymous   |February.15.2010 Let's just stop this idiotic conversation about caning. "(Really) Good (Bad) Thinking", you can wish for caning all you want. Let's all see how fast the lawsuit is filed against the first public employee (teacher? police officer?) who tries it. If you can't offer real solutions to the real problems that will work in the real world, then go back to the times horrid blog.

Good Thinking   |February.15.2010 On Fire - Oh please, spare us the whining. Singapore Rattan Caning is exactly what's needed in Vallejo, especially for those Vallejo High School kids caught on video in the City Worker beating incident. I'll bet $$$$$$$ that if all K-12 students in Vallejo watched this Youtube video below, knowing that Singapore Rattan Caning was voted in by the Vallejo School Board as the thing to do, all the kids would think twice before even thinking about doing certain things. Watch the video. In fact, this "Vallejo Together" event at the JFK Library this Wednesday by Gomes and Brown is the perfect opportunity to discuss Singapore Rattan Caning for Vallejo School District...... Corporal punishment - Singapore High School Caning Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9S3CEgNl74

On Fire   |February.15.2010 Anon-troll, you didn't answer the question. You are quick to point out your desire for violent punishment for a certain segement of our community, but you ignore my question of how many lashes you would like to inflict for anyone else that breaks the law or doesn't follow direction. The law is the law. You want to inflict pain to law breakers, how many lashes for people that get the wrong amount of change in a bank or store and don't speak up and give the money back? That is stealing you know? Let's not forget that soliciting a prostitute is against the law, So why do you leave out caining for the clients? Hmmm, sounds like your real desire for third world punishments focus on your bigoted point of view.

On Fire   |February.15.2010 If anyone really believes that caining is the only reason why the streets of Singapore may be cleaner, needs to be cained. All Caps Ano, you just keep wishing that the voices on VIB will placed under some restrictions. Your wishing well has gone dry. :O:

Anonymous   |February.15.2010 Oh, DISTOL be quiet. Vallejo could us a lot less of you.

ANONYMOUS   |February.15.2010 I believe the best thinkg that could happen in Vallejo, if we would place a curfew and a dress code on all of the : momsters; silasbarnabees; on fire; waz up wit dats; retired ibews; bordissos and of course the schussells. old disco queens and that idiot that ran for council (that bought pants that he couldn't hold up)..Now then OUR City would be on the road to recovery....

Anonymous   |February.15.2010 Of course you'd cane the prostitutes and give the Johns a free pass. You Horridites are disgusting.

Abel Cane   |February.15.2010 No need to import Singaporean caners. I volunteer to cane the prostitutes. Heck, some might even pay me for it.

Anonymous   |February.15.2010 Vallejo might consider a curfew for those under 18. But never give anyone--let alone our VPD--authority to mete out corporal punishment. When does caning develop into removing one's finger, or hand, or... and would one have a fair and impartial trial first? Why do you think there are so many who seek political asylum in the US? Many flee from torture pepertrated by their own gov't.

momster   |February.15.2010 oh, I would rather live in SF then Singapore. Suicide with young adults is also the highest in the world in that part of the world. All Vallejo needs to do is enforce loitering laws, noise ordinances, and curfews for anyone under the age of 18, in addition to dress code as schools.

Anonymous   |February.15.2010 Singapore is calling you.

Anonymous   |February.15.2010 On Fire said: "You know they also cain kids for spitting bubble gum out on the sidewalks so how many lashes for them?" Let's objectively look at the major difference between two modern Western cities on either side of the Pacific Ocean -- San Francisco and Singapore...... San Francisco: Streets are dirty, urine smell, homeless sleeping and loitering. Market Street comes to mind. San Francisco is a "multicultural diverse" Liberal city with no Singapore Caning policy to rectify any problems. Singapore: Streets are clean, immaculate, no urine smell, no homeless sleeping or loitering, no trash or chewing gum. Singapore is a "multicultural diverse" Conservative city with Singapore caning policy to rectify any problems. ......NOW, On Fire, if you had a choice, which city on either side of the Pacific Ocean would you prefer to live in or work in and not get mugged and feel safe to walk the streets, even at night? San Francisco OR Singapore? If Singapore caning is good enough for a modern "multicultural diverse" city like Singapore, it's good enough for San Francisco, Oakland, Richmond AND Vallejo.

Anonymous   |February.15.2010 Go live in Singapore if you like it so much. You'd make us all a lot happier.

Anonymous   |February.15.2010 Time to cleanup the prostitutes and crime scum in Vallejo by using the Singapore method of law enforcement...... Gleeful about Singapore 28 December, 2009 http://www.transitioning.org/2009/12/28/gleeful-about-singapore-today-28-dec/ "You know, caning has fallen out of fashion in the United States. But ask anyone who safely walked the immaculate sidewalks of Singapore... and they'll tell you one thing: Caning works."

On Fire   |February.15.2010 To those that advocate for a third world order for Vallejo, what would suggest for those that cheat on their income tax? Or those that have that "small job" done on their homes without permits? Or people that have shady business practices that skirt the law. How many cain strikes for those people? What about people that play disco music too loud at their parties, or our biker neighbors that play that hard rock just way too loud or simply make too much noise standing in their driveways cursing and disturb their neighbors? Should we flog the legs or arms of our seniors that park longer than what's posted? You know they also cain kids for spitting bubble gum out on the sidewalks so how many lashes for them? Or are you simply advocating violent measures for a certain segment of our community?

Good Thinking   |February.15.2010 I'm sure that Councilman Hermie Sunga and the greater Filipino community in Vallejo would highly recommend and be in favor of the Singapore caning coming to Vallejo and importing the Singapore caners to work with the Vallejo PD in maintaining law and order. The Philippines is in the general area of Singapore, and alot of Filipinos make their way to Singapore.

try this   |February.15.2010 Fine litter bugs 500 dollars or 8 hours of community service. Fine Jay Walkers 500 dollars or 8 hours of community service. Fine Taggers 500 dollars or 8 hours of community service. We need serious law enforcement. Not just wussies who just give out traffic violations to old ladies driving mercedes in Glen Cove and Hiddenbroke!

Anonymous   |February.15.2010 Mayor Osby Davis and the City Council needs to adopt the Singapore method for maintaining law and order. Singapore Rattan caning, as the article below says, has proved in a "multicultural" and "diverse" society to be an effective deterrent in a number of areas of criminality. Just think how the image of Vallejo would significantly improve along with civic pride and concern for keeping the place clean and livable if the Singapore method was used in Vallejo...... Singapore: How strict are the laws in Singapore? http://www.expatarrivals.com/forum/comments.php?DiscussionID=24

Hmmmm   |February.15.2010 In the wake of the notorious riots after the Rodney King beating, the Crips and Bloods...the two rival LA gangs...worked together to write a Manifesto about how to save their neighborhoods. The document was was "disappeared" because those that profit from chaos (police,etc) said it was written by communists, not the gangs because they were not smart enough. The Crips and Bloods Manifesto is very thoughtful with smart action items in every area of urban life. It ends with the statement "give us the hammers and nails and we will rebuild the city". Even though the LA political structure never took them up on it, Vallejo could learn from it. The cure for violence is not more violence.

What About   |February.15.2010 What about cainning for people that make up stupid polls on the T-H and then come here advertising the poll they started? If I wanted to real the nonsense on the blogs over at the horrid, I'd be there. Are you a horrid employee or just a horrid troll?

More Good Thinking   |February.15.2010 YES, Rattan Caning for ALL the kids captured on video in the City Worker beating. Vallejo & Richmond Should Import Singapore Caning As Crime Deterrent Measure http://www.topix.net/forum/source/vallejo-times-herald/TQBKLHP6RE502CEOG

African-American Parent   |February.15.2010 So Solution, are you suggesting the banning of "hip-hop" music for just African American kids, or just the ones that live in the Crest? Or all kids that live in Vallejo? You do realize that this billion dollar industry exists because of the fact that the majority of the market is young white kids? So are you suggesting that kids other that A-A's should be banned from listening to hip-hop as well? On another note, you do realize that there is a difference between rap and hip-hop don't you? I would suggest that non-A-A parents listen to what's contained in their teenager's Ipods and you would find much of what many of them listen to is this type of music. The problems/issues that exist are far more complicated and can't be resolved by the simplistic notion that music is at the root of it. While it is an element in the mindset of kids,the vast majority listen to rap and hip-hop and never ran afoul of the law.

Good Thinking   |February.15.2010 YES, Agree With Rattan Caning For Vallejo. Vallejo needs this form of deterrent to stem the crime wave, punish the crime scums, and set a good example to ALL municipalities on how to tackle the crime problems. Rattan - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rattan Caning in Singapore - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caning_in_Singapore Google Video results for Rattan Caning http://video.google.com/videosearch?client=opera&rls=en&q=Rattan+Caning&sourceid=opera&oe=utf-8&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=lHd5S6r7AoOgsgPwqNG8Cw&sa=X&oi=video_result_group&ct=title&resnum=4&ved=0CCMQqwQwAw#

Anonymous   |February.15.2010 Time for Vallejo to import the Singapore marshal arts experts who perform the RATTAN CANING in Singapore. CANING has been an effective preventative measure in Singapore and Asia in deterring K-12 students from even thinking about criminal activity. Caning - From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caning

SHOW ME   |February.15.2010 Show me a"diverse" population without higher levels of crime... Crime is the price you pay for "true diversity," homogenous societies have far less crime (Japan and the Netherlands would be good examples.)

Solution For Vallejo Crime   |February.15.2010 The primary cause of the violent nature of the Crest is the hip-hop, rap culture (see Wikipedia below). Vallejo needs to clean out this neighborhood of this incidious MTV-BET-VH1 mentality by eviction of the residents who live there and support and encourage these crime scums to hang out and reside in the Crest. Concerned parents in vallejo need to petition Comcast in Vallejo to ban these cable channels from being shown in Vallejo. Vallejo School District needs to establish a strict dress code that bans the wearing of hip-hop, rap clothing with zero tolerance in place, with ALL Vallejo students wearing school uniforms like they do in foreign countries. Vallejo City Council needs to adopt a strict Truancy Law that says K-12 students cannot be on the streets during certain hours of the weekdays, like they do already in Benicia, and ask the Vallejo PD to enforce a ban on spontaneous partying and music on Mark Avenue without a City permit license. These simple steps will go a long way to curbing these incidious and destructive crime scums from Valejo and the Crest. ______________________________ Vallejo, California - From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vallejo,_California North Vallejo includes "The Crest", a neighborhood located north of Highway 37. The Crest is famously known for the neighborhoods of national rap artists Mac Dre and Mac Mall, as it is mentioned frequently in both of their lyrics.

Anonymous   |February.14.2010 T-H POLL: Crime Scums In The Crest - What's The Solution? http://www.topix.net/forum/source/vallejo-times-herald/T3QKE7RJGUQOE9363

It's Not Just Vallejo   |February.14.2010 Two teens shot during Richmond church service Update 85 p.m.: Witnesses say suspects paced aisle before attack. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/02/14/BADK1C1O68.DTL

Another Shooting in Vallejo   |February.14.2010 Vallejo man shot in North Vallejo, officers investigating http://www.timesheraldonline.com/ci_14402576 At about 7 p.m., police responded to a call of a man down on the 100 block of Mark Avenue at Leonard Street, Sgt. Brett Clark said at the scene. Police initially received a call of about 15 shots fired a few blocks from the area, but could not respond until half an hour later because all nine officers in the field were tied up with other calls, Clark said. _____________________________________________________________ Every crime activity in the Country Club Crest ALWAYS centers around Mark Street and Fairgrounds Plaza. Why is it that the FBI-ATF-SWAT cannot get together and permanently clean out the crime scums that live in the vicinity of Mark Street? Why? The Vallejo PD had their chance years ago when they had a so-called "sub-station" in the Fairgrounds Plaza to get in there and clean out the crime scum there. Vallejo PD completely FAILED.

Waz up wid dat   |February.14.2010 Retired IBEW, sit at the new Hispanic market on the corner of Mini at Sonoma and let me know the make and model of the vehicles that blow through the red light. On Friday after the light was green on my side, an Escalade, Honda Civic and a truck continued to run the light on the opposing light. If Oakland can put traffic lights at intersections so can Vallejo. Maybe we can put a few of the motorcycle traffic cops back into squad cars since a camera will be monitoring the intersections. Per the Napa Register, more tickets were issued via traffic cameras than traffic cops...

Retired_IBEW   |February.14.2010 You can't draw a comparison between Napa and Vallejo. For one thing, I bet you dollars to donuts that most of the people in Vallejo who are inclined to blow a red light are driving a 20 year old $300 beater that they never registered in their name..good luck finding out who the current owner of the vehicle is lol...

Someone Else   |February.14.2010 Waz, one rear ender isn't much but it can still severely injure someone. My aunt was out of work for a year after being rear ended. It isn't always trivial. I recently read the book "Traffic: Why We Drive the Way We Do" which came out very decidedly against stop light cameras due to the safety concerns. From a statistical perspective the cameras cause more accident than they prevent. Most people who run a red light do it safely after all (though not legally) as the lights are timed knowing many people will. That couple seconds delay where all lights are red greatly enhances safety, far more so than cameras. You really can't justify the cameras from a safety perspective, only via revenue. Keep in mind too that there has only been one reported accident. Minor collisions likely aren't hitting the police's radar. Also, most cities don't mess with the length of the yellow until after the lights have been installed for while. Waz, I know people who have been parking every day in the 3 hour lot while they take the ferry to work. For more than a year without getting a ticket. Yet a friend who got into a fender bender wound up with 6 cop cars at the scene. We are terrible at managing our resources and making effective changes.

Waz up wid dat   |February.14.2010 "Someone else" I can understand your concerns, go online and read the complete article at napavalleyregister.com They have only had one "rear ender" since May. City of Oakland has traffic cameras everywhere. Vallejo is the most "passive" city I have ever lived in...

Someone Else   |February.14.2010 Waz, cameras are good but you've got to take the results with a grain of salt. There is a lot of evidence that cameras in intersections actually increase the number of accidents, because people are more likely to stop suddenly. Some cities have even taken to shortening the length of the yellow light to make more money. Good revenue producer for a city, not necessarily so great for the average person.

Waz up again   |February.14.2010 Well folks having trouble cutting and pasteing the Napa Valley register article. Basically since May, Napa has made $147000 off the cameras. For every fine of $500 the city gets $150, not bad at all, the remainder goes to the camera company, and to administation, ie they hire an officer part time to review the generated pictures.

waz up cont.   |February.14.2010 From May, when the first camera started generating tickets, until January, the city

Waz up wid dat?   |February.14.2010 Napa has installed traffic cameras at several dangerous intersections with great results. What ever happened with the traffic cameras Chief Nichelini mentioned he was working on a couple of years ago at a council meeting? You could raise enough money to retain a couple of cops, lots of red light running at Sonoma and Mini, Sonoma and Valle Vista and all over VAllejo. Here is a clip from the Napa Register today:Where the money goes Even with today

Mare Island, Perhap?   |February.13.2010 British electric-vehicle firm seeks local site Saturday, February 13, 2010 http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/02/12/BUMH1C0TOS.DTL A British company that makes battery-powered trucks plans to open an assembly plant and sales office in Northern California, the latest addition to the region's small but growing electric vehicle industry. Smith Electric Vehicles is scouting locations in the Bay Area and Sacramento for a facility that would assemble, sell and service their plug-in trucks, used by such companies as Pacific Gas and Electric Co.

hmmm   |February.13.2010 I worked 32 years in law enforcement and I get a retirement of $5000 before it is taxed and I pay medical of $200+ the city said they would cover my medical except for $60+ when I retired and then the council voted that we of IBEW have to pay more...the city is more than VPOA and IAFF and we all deserve a decent retirement - just what we were promised....mine is lower than VPOA and IAFF but I never dodged a bullet or went into a burning building...the city has NEVER sought after revenue building opportunities, they have given all the $$ away. My familt has been in the Solano county area since 1880 and my uncle and dad worked the shipyard...and Vallejo has never changed their revenue building activites, they have been passive and letting the Navy and housing fill their pockets...times have changed other cities in solano county have got on board to get some revenue...don't give what you don't have

silasbarnabe   |February.13.2010 So Dan Healy has to resort to getting into office by running for a seat unapposed? Why are folks so shocked? We have all been exposed to his stinky underwear and his total and unabashed incompetence right here, and I don't expect such an individual to win an office any other way.

say it ain't so   |February.13.2010 http://www.timesheraldonline.com/ci_14395899

De-bench   |February.13.2010 A favorite well liked lawyer wants to be the seat. That's depressing news. How do we stop you know who from being a judge? I would be mortified after reading his comments.

audience member   |February.12.2010 according to the horrid, teachers may go on strike http://www.timesheraldonline.com/ci_14395957 thanks alot waterman!

Bordisso   |February.12.2010 Marc, Great interview on KGO! Keep up the good work.

Anonymous   |February.11.2010 Thanks Captain for the link - loved the Keynes/Hayek rap song!

Anonymous   |February.11.2010 GREAT job representing our city, Marc. I appreciate your thoughtful, measured responses to KGO and your coverage of our beautiful, flawed, misunderstood city everyday.

Captain   |February.11.2010 I just find this interesting: "Fear the Boom And Bust" A Hayek vs. Keynes Rap. http://stossel.blogs.foxbusiness.com/2010/02/11/tonight%e2%80%99s-show-the-road-to-serfdom-at-8pm-et/

KGO Podcast   |February.11.2010 http://members.kgoradio.com/kgo_archives/archives.php Today, Thursday 2/11/10 between 20 and 30 PM M. Garman and M. Mustard were on KGO radio. Click on that time frame for a podcast to hear the interviews and listeners' comments.

ANONYMOUS   |February.11.2010 Camera in The Park. Thanks for you response, as far a volunteering to help with City Park ? I already do that, in fact have been helping restore it since the inception. To be honest we have probably worked together and hopefully we will have an opportunity to meet soon. The e-mail address idea is a bad one, there are too many crazies on this site. Maybe we can come up with another way of identifying ourselves at the park. I am usually there every weekend and weather permiting, a couple nights a week as I go for my walk (prior to it getting dark)..Lets keep in touch....Thanks

Anonymous   |February.11.2010 that anon lady or man is freaky. sounds like a bomb fuse lit and ready to explode. what can we do about such creeps. i wonder if all anons are the same person. i know they have rights to be vile or neighborly, but this creep not so much. that person's friends and neighbors are probably pretty much very afraid of it.

Cameras in City Park   |February.11.2010 hey anon - thanks for your concern. of course i cleaned it up after the guy left - there was actually a lot of crap around the swing set. i left a note on the swing set to look out for leavings. i appreciate your staying on top. i read so many of your good postings here and know you to be a concerned citizen. if you'll kindly post your email in response to this note, i'd love to include you on our list of volunteers who weekly clean up the park for our kids. thanks. btw, why are you so angry?

Cameras in City Park   |February.11.2010 Anonymous, you don't have to be so demeaning, as soon as I saw this happend I called 911 and reported it, but naturally I got the same anwer from our overpaid police department. That this was not an emergency and for me to come down there and fill in a report. How ridiculous. What if this large black man and come after me. We need the Sheriffs and CHP here immediately, our safety is in danger. But I will continue to be observant.

ANONYMOUS;   |February.11.2010 CAMERAS IN CITY PARK: I assume that you went back after the man with the two large pit bulls left and cleaned up the mess he left behind? You are such a concerned citizen, I know you didn't want to leave that dog feces there for the kids to have to play in? I assume you did more that just want to let all of us VIB'ers how observant you are? Or id that BIG middle finger make your cheeks pucker??? I really would like to know and where you put it when you were done?.....You aren't a PSU apologist I hope???

Cameras in City Park   |February.11.2010 On my way to work at 6am Saturday, I observed a very big man with two very big pitbulls using the ground beneath the swings as a dumping ground. He was clearly and intentionally using an area where children play and way scanning for observers. He gave me the finger. We need cameras because children should not have to play in dog crap and human urine.

yeah right   |February.11.2010 Gomes will behind Waterman's campaign for city council. Didn't she already make her victory speech in November.

east voter   |February.10.2010 Ms. Gomes should start a recall effort against Waterman. I was amazed by her LNG campaign. Waterman claims to love the children of this town, but chose to close schools and put them on the streets.

Tina Wandasky's Assistant   |February.10.2010 You betcha anonymous observer: To go with the flow further down the road than ground zero (stop later)like a wonderful argument if for no other reason than the LAMEST excuse ever presented. We should all avoid $$$ which I admit is not a great option. Also I think we

Tina Wandasky   |February.10.2010 You betcha anonymous observer: To go with the flow further down the road than ground zero (stop later)like a wonderful argument if for no other reason than the LAMEST excuse ever presented. We should all avoid $$$ which I admit is not a great option. Also I think we

Anonymous   |February.10.2010 Hell no I won't vote Brown for mayor. That's ridiculous. She's smart, no doubt, and I voted for her, but she will not be ready for a mayoral run in less than two years. We'll be lucky if her training wheels are off by then. Come on, can't we have higher expectations than that? I guess the Oz has really brought us down pretty low.

Observer   |February.10.2010 anonymous - I don't believe that Ms. Brown is petty, just ambitious. I don't think that's a bad thing and if she runs for mayor, I'll vote for her. I also suspect that you're in her kitchen cabinet. We all know that she has one. Also, as a voter and resident of Vallejo, I'm free to make any characterizations I choose to make, as are you.

You Betcha   |February.10.2010 After last nights performance I now dub her Smarmi Brown. How unattractive her snarky questions, sighs and drama queen posturing was. Is Palin her hero?

Anonymous   |February.10.2010 "I don't agree with Ms. Brown who I believe would like to start from ground zero if for no other reason because she wasn't part of the original planning group" I don't think Brown is petty as you attempt to paint her. She showed her support of government process when she agreed to not be on the pro-repeal BA in order to avoid the brown act issues. "We've already invested lots of $$" Oh yes, sounds like a wonderful argument to go with the flow even though the ticket we bought looks like its headed for a brick wall. Invested a lot of $$$? LAMEST excuse ever presented to support a project ever put forward. Lets stick to the specifics of the plan and whether it is good for Vallejo (NOT THE COUNTY, this is not SI and avoid characterizations of council member motivations. Thats a slippery slope we all should avoid.

Observer   |February.10.2010 Anonymous, I take your point but please remember that Gomes worked on a committee in the early development stages of this project and is further down the road than most of us. Also, a yes vote only means that we can move forward for now but can pull back or stop later which I admit is not a great option We've already invested lots of $$ and I don't agree with Ms. Brown who I believe would like to start from ground zero if for no other reason because she wasn't part of the original planning group. Having said that, I realize that these projects take on a life of their own after a certain point, so I agree that we shouldn't sign-off to anything that hasn't been reviewed. I think we're on the same page. OK?

Edinator   |February.10.2010 DONE!!!!!

Anonymous   |February.10.2010 Marc, can you get a copy of the press release?

Anonymous   |February.10.2010 KCBS radio interviewed mayor Davis about the state of the city this afternoon. The interviewer asked what the Mayor thought about the VPOA press release that calls him overwhelmed and confused. Apparently Davis hasn't seen the press release so he only commented that he wasn't overwhelmed or confused, and that he felt pointing fingers was more of a problem than a solution. Thought the mayor did a pretty good job.

Anonymous   |February.10.2010 Quote: Council Members do have day jobs and/or a personal life after all and providing info 24 hours in advance of a discussion isn't reasonable unless the intent is to undermine the process in the first place. Well hello, in that case vote NO!

ThePointIs   |February.10.2010 Observer - You're absolute right. But that anyone on council should overlook your point and vote sight unseen for a flawed MOU discredits everyone. I've seen Gomes fold repeatedly on such issues. If staff can't do their work, they should be sent back until it's complete, as was the case last night. To go ahead and vote for something so incomplete discredits all involved, including Joanne and Steph. Sure, I'm a supporter of theirs, but I expect them to uphold a standard of due dillegence. I do appreciate your point.

Living in Oz   |February.10.2010 Wilson has only raised $50,000 for the assembly raise, compared to double that by the lead candidate. He needs money; the statewide and local Public Safety Unions within the assembly district will contribute handsomely to his race if he fights against binding arbitration and moves AB155 forward in the state assembly to stop other cities from filing bankruptcy and voiding burdensome employee contracts. Wilson does not care about Vallejo citizens; only his pocketbook as he runs, runs, runs, runs....

Oberver   |February.10.2010 To ThePointIs shouldn't you be blaming the entities that failed to get the relevant info to the council earlier instead of alleging that Gomes and Shivley didn't do their homework. They are to two most consistently prepared council members we've ever had. Council Members do have day jobs and/or a personal life after all and providing info 24 hours in advance of a discussion isn't reasonable unless the intent is to undermine the process in the first place. As for Marti Brown, she's great but the truth is "she's running for mayor and it's only 2010." Also, I've said it before and I'll say it again, Wilson is an embarssment. He may be in bed with the unions literally! Binding Arbitration is history come June and Wilson knows it. Kudos to Shivley for saying what needed to be said regarding committee and commission appointments. The Mayor was noticibly angry,...who cares, however, it appears that the Mayor has read the writing on the wall regarding the PSU contracts and public outrage. Thanks Marc for posting the video that documents the Police Department's position on the pay issue.

Anonymous   |February.10.2010 Yes, and all made excuses for why and for whom the study was done - who paid for it??? RED FLAGS. Watch out, anything that the snakes Vasquez and Spering touch! They are NOT TO BE trusted.

ThePointIs   |February.10.2010 Council members and Whittom acknowledged that the Nov study was not sent to council members until the night before the council meeting. The crime is that all but Brown operated without having studied the document. That's the same malfeasance we see in US Congress. Shame on Gomes and Schiveley especially because they claim to represent the people. Whittom rules. Go Whittom. Gotohell, Vallejo citizens. Will Brown rise to the top?

ex planner   |February.10.2010 Sorry, the Fairgrounds does not qualify as a "brownfield". With Vallejo's negotiators and the Housing and Redevelopment Commission working for us, Vallejo is sure to get all of the required "affordable" subsidized housing on Vallejo's part of the development area walled off from the money making stuff on the County parcels. Maybe Marti could negotiate for Vallejo; she is really good at that. Oh wait, Marti works for the Sacramento Redevelopment Department so she is in favor of more subsidized housing. The recent Solano County General Plan, led by Vallejo's own Tony Curtola, proposed to locate all of Solano County's required "affordable" (subsidized) housing on the unincorporated County parcels within the Vallejo City limits. So we can anticipate where the County is going. Perhaps the County will be smart enough to understand that social problems caused by concentrations of poverty nearby will creep over to negatively impact the money making stuff. Too bad Vallejo's negotiators will be too dumb to figure that out. I love your comments about Sunga and Oz!

Tina Wandasky   |February.10.2010 Around a star is always the best place to locate a solar system. Hermie Sunga's head would be a good place to locate a brain. Osby Davis is a good place to locate a heart. Thanks, ex-planner, for reminding us of Vallejo's track record - Lennar, Mandrich, Auto Mall (and you only just got started). Vallejo would be a good place to locate some smart negotiators. Thanks for taking charge of that, OK, ex-planner. Air drop 'em in? No, wait, based on your "site is already impacted, stopping development on Environmental grounds is specious" statement, your charge is hereby rescinded. A brownfield is always the best place to locate remediation. Please remain an EX planner.

Anonymous   |February.10.2010 "vetted again by the Housing And Redevelopment Commission because the Solano County Fairgrounds" Is this supposed to be comforting?

Anonymous   |February.09.2010 Solano360 Vision for sure will be vetted again by the Housing And Redevelopment Commission because the Solano County Fairgrounds is located in the Flodsen Redevelopment Area, which is within the scope of that specific Commission. So this project is going to be thoroughly gone over before any dirt is dug up.

ex-planner   |February.09.2010 The intersection of two major highways is always the best place for highway oriented commercial development. Highway 80 and 37 is perfect for what is proposed. Several years ago, an attorney representing the Westfield Mall folks was making the rounds of Vallejo groups looking for one that would front for a legal action against any development on the Fairgrounds site because Westfield wanted to eliminate any competition. Most Vallejo groups refused, but they did get some interest. Since the site is already impacted, stopping development on Environmental grounds is specious. The City Council made the right call. The City does need some smart negotiators though to make sure Vallejo doesn't get the short end of the deal like we did with Lennar, Mandrich or the Auto Mall. There is another intersection of two major highways in Vallejo right before the $5+ bridge where back office commercial overlooking a water feature would be perfect. All of it in the Vallejo City Limits. Is anybody still alive left in City Hall????

Tina Wandasky   |February.09.2010 Thought you were going somewhere? Moving from 5-2 to 4-3, but instead you wound up with 6-1. Say Hello to the new boss. Same as the old boss.

Anonymous   |February.09.2010 Now it's the Golden Gate Bridge Districts's turn at charging for carpools...... Carpools' free ride could be over http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/02/09/MNGI1BV037.DTL&tsp=1 All the other Bay Area bridges are doing it, so Golden Gate Bridge officials will consider charging a $3 toll for carpools on their span.

Anonymous   |February.09.2010 ALERT: Solano360 Approved By Vallejo City Council By 6-1 Vote!!! YES - Davis, Gomes, Shivley, Sunga, Wilson, Hannigan NO - Brown

firtree   |February.09.2010 Thanks for this!

OdetoFirTree   |February.09.2010 City Hall, 555 Santa Clara St, lst floor council chamber, 7pm Glad you're going!

firtree   |February.09.2010 Love the Ode! Where is the meeting held?

Anonymous   |February.09.2010 ALERT: Solano360 Approved By Solano County Board of Supervisors By 4-1 Vote!!! YES - Vasquez, Reagan, Seifert, Spering NO - Kondylis

OdetoFirTree   |February.09.2010 'twas meant in humor, but prob'ly true, the mayor's folks is stuck to 'is shoe. don't know if they'll all be there as before, just know that they easily roar when they're sore. folks like us, we ain't 'sposed to be heard - Vallejo b'longs to Davis and herd. Wilson and Shannigan will be there as tricksters, Sunga in his dumb suit, all sittin' on their keisters. Schively and Gomes and Marti too may raise a question, but not about you. Council is there for council alone, so just don't point fingers or they'll show you their bone. But please come to City Hall tonite, and we'll try just ONCE more to enforce what is right.

firtree   |February.09.2010 re: City Council Mtg: Holy Cowzah, seriously? Gack. Thanks, and, I forgot to ask where the meeting held?

CityCouncilMtg   |February.09.2010 The meeting is tonight at 7, but the mayor's church is planning to fill the chamber at 5pm for a prayer meeting.

firtree   |February.09.2010 Hi All, When is the City Council meeting? I'd like to attend when possible. Thx.

Captain   |February.09.2010 Candidate for CA Attorney General takes aim at "retroactive Pension Benefits": http://legalnewsline.com/news/225451-calif.-ag-candidate-takes-aim-at-public-employee-pensions

Anonymous   |February.08.2010 I wonder why Mr. Nichelini at age 67 would even apply for another position, anywhere.

Retired_IBEW   |February.08.2010 "Chief Nichelini applied for the open position of Oakland Chief of Police this past fall, geeze how many retirements do you need?" The one to ask that question of is Gerald Galvin who has probably retired from 3 or 4 police departments since he left Vallejo and at least that many before he worked in Vallejo lol

Waz up wid date   |February.07.2010 Chief Nichelini applied for the open position of Oakland Chief of Police this past fall, geeze how many retirements do you need? It was the second time that we know he applied for the postion, he left Oakland when he applied in the 1990's and did not get the position. He definatley has made it known that he is not interested in the citizens of Vallejo, loves to talk about how great Oakland is. The Chief "left his heart in Oakland," it may be time for a new Chief to ride into town...

John K   |February.07.2010 Wow! It's interesting to listen to a police chief who seems to understand economic conditions. Great interview, if you have time and leisure to listen to this guy. He's in charge of a much larger outfit than we have here in Vallejo. You're right that Chief Nic should hear this one. Thanks, Anonymous http://www.kcbs.com/topic/play_window.php?audioType=Episode&audioId=4367864

Anonymous   |February.07.2010 kCBS interviewed Oakland's new police chief this morning. I was blown away by the observations this gentleman made. He--the POLICE CHIEF--complained that the only news coming out of Oakland was crime related, and folks outside of Oakland never hear the good stuff, and all the negative press creates an imbalance & hurts Oakland. Batts said Oakland has 1/2 the police force it needs, but they are experiencing difficult budget constraints and he acknowledged he must work with what he has, and he has to be creative. I suggest Nichelini (who lives in Oakland) listen to this interview. http://www.kcbs.com/topic/play_window.php?audioType=Episode&audioId=4367864

John K   |February.07.2010 Jimmy... How did Kelly and his Heroes get the gold out of France? Could be something similar going on here. Sign me up! I'm jesting about Kelly's Heroes, but this piece written by Ltc. Adolfo is an obvious fraud. What if it had been written skillfully? People are warned to avoid email offers from strangers. I think that people who would respond to 419's or similar offers are way beyond any possible help or warning you can give them. TANSTAFFL. The worst scams are the ones like the affinity fraud perpetrated by the H. Martin Fdn, and I appreciate your posts on that topic.

Jimmy Sarmiento   |February.06.2010 SCAM ALERT There's spam email being blasted again, a "419" advance pay fraud with a relatively new twist, Iraqi oil proceeds. I feel silly posting this warning, by now everyone should know this is bogus, but unfortunately, people still fall for this type of trickery. Here's the text: I do hope my email meet you in good health. I am Ltc. Adolfo Derrick, an American Soldier with the 3rd Infantry Division, in Iraq. I am writing to ask your agreement as the custodian to an asset value of $15 Million that we are transferring out of this country. My partner and I are in need of a good partner someone we can trust to actualize this venture. The money is from oil proceeds and legal. But we are transferring it through a diplomatic means to your house directly or a safe and secured location of your choice, via the safe passage of a diplomatic courier. If you're agreeable get yourself a deal and replying to my private Email: ___________@yahoo.com Once you receive the funds, you are to take an awesome reward of 30% and custody our part for further instruction on whether you're shrewd enough in our assessment to invest our share. Your part of the deal is being the trustful custodian to these funds. Please endeavor to observe utmost confidentiality, and be rest assured that this transaction would be most profitable for both of us because I shall require your assistance to invest my share in your country. Upon receiving your reply, I will then furnish you with a more comprehensive detail of this transaction and what is required of you. Please reply to my private Email: _____________@yahoo.com I await your reply. Yours sincerely, Ltc. Adolfo Derrick.

John K   |February.05.2010 Anonymous: "LA mayor lays off 1,000 employees in budget crisis..." LA is looking at a $212-million budget deficit? The mayor sent a letter to department heads saying he was accelerating the effort to shift as many employees as possible to vacant positions not paid by the city's general fund and would impose layoffs where necessary. Police officers would not be affected. However, the PSU's in LA are in the same boat as the PSU's elsewhere in California. They control local governments as well as they control the State Legislature. If the mayor had the cajones to screw with the PSU'S, then of course they would bloody his nose. The public safety unions represent a privileged class of people.

Anonymous   |February.05.2010 Solano360 - Solano County Fairgrounds Notice of Upcoming Meetings Please note that the Solano360 project will be discussed at separate meetings of the City of Vallejo City Council and the Solano County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, February 9, 2010. The community is encouraged to attend. More information, including agendas and staff reports can be found by visiting the City and County websites: City of Vallejo: www.ci.vallejo.ca.us County of Solano: www.co.solano.ca.us In June 2009, the County of Solano and the City of Vallejo unanimously approved a vision for the future of the Solano County Fairgrounds. On February 9th, the City and County will be addressing next steps for the project, including a Memorandum of Understanding between the respective bodies.

Anonymous   |February.05.2010 LA mayor lays off 1,000 employees in budget crisis. "I'm doing this because I must. We have been living beyond our means," the mayor said at a news conference. Sounds familiar. I wonder if the PSUs in LA will bloody his nose?

John K   |February.03.2010 Would 5% make a difference? The state budget deficit is $20 billion? "Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has proposed a 5 percent cut in state workers' pay, which would save close to $1 billion without decreasing state services. It is a reasonable proposal given the severity of California's fiscal situation.... The governor also wants state employees to contribute another 5 percent of their pay toward pensions. Unfortunately, courts have ruled against such actions..." Maybe it should begin with a 10% cut? http://www.contracostatimes.com/search/ci_14318607

Back at Curious   |February.03.2010 Who cares? I mean really, why waste space on the TH trolls? Life is far too precious. Just sayin'....

Curious   |February.03.2010 What's up with the TH mayoral poll ? Again, there are those that think VIB is some organized group with members that march in lockstep to some leader. I would not consider several of those listed in the TH poll as potential VIB mayoral candidates as VIBers. So that is telling. Most people think others think like they do. So if you think there is some hierarchical system at VIB, then you are admitting that the GOB system is hierarchical with some GOBfather at the helm calling the shots. What is so scary about Democracy?

Gran Torino   |February.02.2010 Mr. Psychiatrist. I go by Gran Torino only. Thank you for asking. VIB is not the place to go rooting around for legal advice and information on constitutional law. If you were really a Doctor, you would be smart enough to know this. I suppose you are not a doctor, but you did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night.

FreeSpeech=HostileEnvironment   |February.02.2010 Thanks, Official Relief. Should he go with an attorney or ask a union rep to be there? He says his union steward is supportive, and the school admin has also been there for the kids. He's a strong fellow, but intimidated. I'm being conservative here for obvious reasons.

FreeSpeech=HostileEnvironment   |February.02.2010 I appreciate your editorial, GT. Do you also go by variations of anonymous? I'm more interested in knowing if free speech trumps one's right to a hostile-free work environment. Does anyone know?

official relief   |February.02.2010 The City is mandated to investigate any complaint of gender or sexual orientation bias, or hostile work environment. Have him/her go to HR. There are procedures and protections in place to deal with it. No one is going to start to investigate 'anonymous' complaints, however.

Gran Torino   |February.02.2010 Free Speech Hostile Envirnment, I'm very dissapointed in the mayors statements and I support Gay Marriage and equal rights. That said, my B.S. DETECTOR is ringing and flashing its lights. Even most PSU apologist propaganda posted here by the cops and firefighters doesn't make my detector ring as loud as this one. Come on now. Fess up, you aren't really a psychiatrist relaying sensitive patient information on this site blaming all this mans personal and emotional problems on the statemen of our mayor, right? Chuckle.

Someone Else   |February.02.2010 Be cautious of Pension Tsunami. It's a useful tool (I used to read it daily) but a majority of its links are to editorials, not balanced articles. I got tired of reading one biased rant after another. On the other hand, the only people with an ax to grind (or stand to benefit) tend to learn about pensions. It's a great tool for learning, but take what they say with a grain of salt. I'm the rare duck who doesn't have an ax to grind either way. I admit I have a pension, but it's a paltry 1.7% after 35 years compaired to 3% @ 30. My proposed pension rules: - Average final salary over the last 5 years of employment - 60% max of final income - Retirement age of 55 - No applying sick and vacation time to pensions - Assume a modest 7% rate of return on pension contributions - Require mandatory city contributions regardless of market conditions - Deduct pension contributions off the employee's wages for transparency's sake - Require a public vote for any pension increase.

FreeSpeech=HostileEnvironment   |February.02.2010 A patient of mine who is a city employee in Vallejo is under treatment as a result of a hostile work situation which he feels is beyond control. His sexual orientation is problematic for his boss, who feels emboldened by the mayor statements that my patient is "not getting into heaven" because he is gay. His children have been verbally assaulted at school since the mayor's statements and their home life is incredibly stressful as a result. The children are now in a quandry because they fear they may not go to heaven because of "the sins of the father." My patient is not able to file a report with EEOC out of fear of retaliation. Do you know if the mayor's right to free speech trumps the employee's right to be free from the hostile work environment created by the mayor? As titular head of Vallejo's government, is the mayor responsible for having created a hostile environment? Again, my patient feels that he cannot do anything. Is there anyone who can pursue this problem with the City's EEOC and act for him since the hostility is a matter of public record? Thank you in advance for any offical relief you can offer the suffering of this man and his family.

Anonymous   |February.02.2010 The best source for pension news: http://pensiontsunami.com/index.php

Anonymous   |February.02.2010 T-H Poll: Which VIB person would you vote for Vallejo Mayor? http://www.topix.net/forum/source/vallejo-times-herald/TJ26TG4ES9J5FIPP0

Someone Else   |February.02.2010 San Francisco's charter requires voter approval on pension related matters. It's the main reason their are so much better than the rest of us. Vallejo needs to contribute ~27% of a safety employee's wages to the pension fund in a normal good year with rate of return 7.5%. This will shortly jump to 10% to cover losses due the market and pension spiking.

Anonymous   |February.02.2010 Only thanking him because if politicians come out and admit their mistakes in this debacle, that possibly gives Vallejo and all cities, more leverage in getting the costs down. Honestly something's gotta give, Vallejo really will never be able to dig out of its hole.

anon   |February.02.2010 Heres a great article from the SF Chronicle about the cost of pension plans to the City. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/02/02/BA0O1BR2OU.DTL It appears that the average percentage San Francisco pays to Calpers is about half of what Vallejo pays.

Anonymous   |February.02.2010 You are thanking Willie Brown? It is easy to feel "sorry' for past mistakes that continue to benefit ones person, but can not be held against you in a court of law.

Anonymous   |February.02.2010 Thank you Wille Brown for being the only politician to admit to the HUGE mistakes you all made. Where are the Vallejo "leaders" of the past? Intintoli?..............Exline?..............All the rest?..................... I hear an echo in here. And I wonder if ol' Jonny boy's disability resulted in some spikes?

Someone Else   |February.02.2010 We need to have a rule that averages pensions over the last 3-5 years of wages. That would help stop spiking.

Waz up wid dat   |February.02.2010 Here is a little out take from the SFgate from 1/31/2010: Every year, city officials have negotiated salary raises and benefits that have increased the city's pension costs. How did this happen? As former Mayor Willie Brown recently explained, "We politicians, pushed by our friends in labor, gradually expanded pay and benefits ... while keeping the job protections and layering on incredibly generous retirement packages." However, politicians aren't the only ones to blame: Most of the benefit expansions were approved by voters. San Francisco's pension fund is also subject to "spiking." The city's civil grand jury recently found that police and firefighters systematically promote some employees in their last year of service to increase their pensions, costing taxpayers $132 million." Apparently "spiking" has been going on for some time. Here is how it often works, an employee is going to retire, would like to retire at a higher rank and pay, an employee who is higher ranking goes out on "disabilty" so the retiring employee can move into their empty higher ranking position for a period of time. The retiring employee now gets to retire at the higher ranking position and pay. The tax payers get to pay for the employee that went out on "disability" as well as for the inflated position of the retiring employee. I was actually told this was going on in Sonoma Co where my cousin a fire captain works. Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/02/01/EDJB1BPRS3.DTL#ixzz0eOG5cT8d

John K   |February.01.2010 Thanks, Inigo. It's good to read a nearby journalist who knows a little math and uses a spreadsheet. I'm wondering about our own elected officials, right here in Vallejo and Solano County. What do they know about pensions? Are there any instances of pension spiking here?

Inigo Montoya   |February.01.2010 Great article in yesterday's Contra Costa Times, "Elected officials must educate themselves about pensions" by Daniel Borenstein. http://www.contracostatimes.com/search/ci_14287627?IADID=Search-www.contracostatimes.com-www.contracostatimes.com

Truth Hurts   |February.01.2010 Chief Nic's little trouble maker probably could not pass the back ground at any decent department. You know, that little anger problems he has? Yeah, no one wants him. Not even us!

Anonymous   |February.01.2010 As to the article in today's Horrid about Vallejo cops getting hired in Hayward and Richmond, I say a hearty "BUH BYE." That's less the city has to lay off in July to pay for VPOA's raises. I wonder why the article didn't mention Chief Nichelini's son applying to work in Moraga?

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