10/1/12 This morning at 11 AM Mayor Osby Davis addressed the press from City Council Chambers regarding what is now a confirmed arson attack on the law offices he shares with Micheal Thompson at 410 Tuolumne St.
Police sources also indicate that there is surveillance footage of the incident, but how extensive or conclusive the footage may be is not being released at this time.
Davis also mentions prior incidents of vandalism etc. that have been directed at his home and office.
That Rand Woman is just plain caustic and Salt glad to see your book list is superior to your political affiliations I have read the complete works of Dickens and he remains one of my favorite Authors
a fun read is the Milagro beanfield war by John Nichols his inventive characters closely match many found in Vallejo the never ending fiction and part tragic novel we live in every day .
WR
Salty Dog
|October.04.2012
Quite right, Mousy. Note, I said that I didn't necessary agree.I only mention these two authors because Dickens' writing is so descriptive of the human condition two hundred years ago, and Rand's writing with its uber right wing bias invites a look at the economic,political and social condition from a more contemporary perspective.
Both are idealists and deal with idealism, albeit with flawed characters.
But then, what is wrong with striving for the ideal. Is that not what we strive for- even in little ole Vallejo?
Mousy
|October.04.2012
Salty, I've read both Rand books and why I enjoyed them, they're complete BS. Her characters are too much the archetype to aid her story, almost like a kid's book in its simplicity of goodness and badness. There is no one who is both a moocher and a creator as you get in real life. She fundamentally misses that element of human nature, how easy we can deceive ourselves into think we deserve stuff for free, particularly if we work hard. Things like stiffing paid staff of earned wages. She's blinded to human self-deception.
Dickens' characters however are flawed. They make mistakes and pay the consequences, but are also caught up in a system that's out of their control. Yes they can be pigeon holed but they can also surprise you. None of Rand's characters do. She's too narrowly focused on a tiny slice of life to be a good role model.
Anonymous
|October.04.2012
Salty, I
Salty Dog
|October.04.2012
Yes, I would commend Dickens's "Pickwick Papers" and "David Copperfield" as a study in right and wrong living and the strength of the human spirit. For Americans, specifically, I would commend Rand's "The Fountain Head" and "Atlas Shrugged" for similar reasons- not because I agree with either author, but because they both invite an examination of the human spirit and philosophies of right living.
Of course, that presupposes people with literacy skills which, in my short experience with the local natives, isn't particularly promising.
wharf rat
|October.04.2012
Well Salt while it might pain me beyond
human endurance it seems we agree on some
Community/fundamental issues , Your refrence to Lord of the flies brings back a bad memory. in the 60's this Novel was required reading. This the age of enlightenment (LSD , peyote, weed and other numerous phsycotropic drugs was the norm)as well as the purple haze that was our education system . Experimentation
and re-inventing "the system" was the clarion call all the while we still read
the Dick and Jane books . (the educators were so enamoured by their self importance that they forgot just what they were employed for) Once they woke up We were required to read some real Novels one of wich was Lord of the Flies . What an inapropriate read for Children of that age , A bunch of plane crash survivors from a British boarding School who went tribal . While the anthropological aspects were very profound and quite Adult in nature it was a horrible book for Children to read
considering all the great Literature out there . Perhaps you have some reccomendations "as a carear Educator"
for youth to read that focuses on Personal development , empowerment , and
the betterment of the Human condition .
ps: its a sad day when an Academic recycles literary refrences from a High School drop out and a legendary bad speller , but hey many of us are down on our game .
Salty Dog
|October.03.2012
I am not a suporter of Osbey Davis. I don't like his religion; I don't like his politics and his political alliances; and, I don't approve of the way he runs a meeting. Definitely not a fan.
But that isn't the point.Whether it be egging or paintballing or vandalizing property, Davis was correct- the purpose is to intimmidate through cowardly acts.
But in the latest incident targetting the senior governing member of Council, the bar is raised significantly. In effect, the intimidation targets the state and, in effect, targets every member of the community. And that outrage should be a cause for great concern.
If we are to ever strive for a peaceful and civil community, damaging actions against duly elected representatives can never be tolerated. The perp(s) need to arrested and dealt with severely. It has to be that way because the alternative is unacceptable in civil society.
The personal attributes, accomplishments or failures of Davis are mere secondary thoughts. What is germane is the confidence we have in a free and democratic society where all opinion can be vetted without intimidation. Anything less is pure "Lord of the Flies" stuff.
Osby the Martyr
|October.03.2012
Come down off that cross, Osby. We need the wood.
Mousy
|October.03.2012
What about the paint bombing of a private home that was against Measure A?
Goes both ways.
Too may motives on this one. Speculation is pointless.
Salivating GOB's?
|October.03.2012
If the GOB's (you)believe that someone at VIB was behind the fire station incident, then they are stupider than we ever imagined.
Anonymous
|October.03.2012
Yawn... All those VIB folks you fear lurking under your bed are in the "pen is mightier than the sword" crowd. Why would any of us use threats, intimidation or, gasp, terrorism when we have words, education and determination to use. None of us are on UTube brandishing guns or on City Hall video threatening public officials.
Anonymous
|October.03.2012
Don't forget the 1% club members who "invest" in Vallejo homes so they can reap the benefits of the HUD subsidies with no efforts at all. The rich are moving their money out of the stock market and into the "sure thing" subsidized rental market. Fannie and Freddie are bundling up foreclosed mortgages to sell to their rich friends for pennies on the dollar. Welcome to Pottersville. General Vallejo who envisioned his namesake city as a place for immigrants to own a little plot of turf must be spinning in his grave.
Anonymous
|October.03.2012
VIBers Not Worried, are you sure about that? How about VPD telling FBI and BATF about the fire station incident on Louisiana Street during bankruptcy, and who was behind that? The GOBs are salivating with the chance to using this Osby incident to take down the VIBers.
VIBers Not Worried
|October.03.2012
Oh please investigation, no one here is the worried in the slightest about any investigation. No one advocated any negative action against anyone. You are beginning to sound like the village idiot "he who shall not be named".
And The One Percent Club
|October.03.2012
Along with the republicans that totally ignore the issues, pump out more and more free gun legislation which allows easy access to assault weapons which are used on the streets. Then the repubs take away all funding for schools and their rich fat cats build more prisons which makes them even richer while the nation falls apart. Meanwhile the "no business while a democrat is in office" repub puppets sit back and point fingers about whose fault it all is.
Anonymous
|October.03.2012
Isn't it sad to watch the AA community rant, rave and burn down buildings about a few police shootings while their own young black males are killing thousands of black women and children each year. It shows how lost this segment of America has become. I blame the democrats who farm these black communities for their votes, pander to them saying "it's the mans fault!". An entire population of virtual slaves living among us in the twentieth century. It's a humanitarian disaster orchestrated by evil people seeking political power.
Anonymous
|October.02.2012
@Investigation
re: SO, has the VPD forwarded info to FBI and BATF about the prime enemies of Mayor Davis and Public Safety?
you mean info like several recent VIB videos in city council chamber and in front of city Hall?
Anonymous
|October.02.2012
With 51 mandated reforms supervised by prominent civil right attorney John Burris, you would think Oakland PD is the model PD for treating black Americans.
Thank again!
Is black happy with the current condition? Is non-black happy with the current condition? Is police happy with the current condition?
I guess John Burris is happy making lots of money managing one crisis after another.
Investigation
|October.02.2012
SO, has the VPD forwarded info to FBI and BATF about the prime enemies of Mayor Davis and Public Safety? Certain people must be on pins and needles now waiting for the other show to drop.
Angry Mob of White People
|October.02.2012
Along with Black people disrupting the City Council meeting, demanding an independent investigation to an officer involved shooting which killed a 18 year old student. Oakland police department close to being taken over by federal government as questions arise on the issue of cops shooting too quickly and without clear immenent danger. Oakland has the highest number of officers in recent history yet crime still out of control. A perfect study to point to the fact that more cops doesn't mean less crime.
whar frat/rants
|October.02.2012
VALLEJO HAS the most Corrupt City GOVERNMENT IN THE STATE . just REVIEW the
reports that many People who populate our fair Town report, and the good folks that contribute to our salvage/survival , have to say the State of California Staffers know what to expect when A Vallejo request comes over the wires . Who is the Main Prostitute . And ask WHY ? Staff are the Main Prostitutes as they sell out all of us for Pennies on the Dollar and tell us why we should love it
We have become a Municipal Whore . at least a Whore provides pleasure to the ones who pays for their attention so much unlike our dis-functional City Govt .Of course this rant excludes the great Women who serve us so very well and in fact an all Women Council could serve us very well ........
Anonymous
|October.02.2012
Another proof Oakland is not the place to look.
Anon
|October.02.2012
Oakland cops admonished for shooting first and asking questions later.
The Richmond model appears to be effective in arguably one of the toughest jurisdictions.
Community Policing
|October.02.2012
CA A-G investigation will not re-build trust; no matter what the result will be so it will not deliver what we want.
People interested in improving trust with police need to look into community policing - every community takes on some responsibility and work with police to ensure their own safety in their own community. With limited resources, police just can not do it all.
Richmond is a good example of community policing.
It has 1 police shooting death in 5 years. That is 1 in 5.
Look at what they do in Developing Positive Community Partnerships.
http://www.wesupportrichmond.com/developing.html
Also check out what is perceived by many residents:
Even if we can not get to 1 in 5 due to our own limitation. 5 in 5 will still be 5 times better than we have now.
NOW he cares
|October.02.2012
Oh NOW the Mayor is available for comment. NOW he is worried. Hope you enjoyed your 2 plus year nap Mayor, NOW WAKE UP!
Salty Dog
|October.02.2012
It should come as no surprise that the Cal A-G has declined involvement. As the head state law enforcer, any activity that may undermine the credibility/veracity of police action and investigation, at any level,could be construed as an inditement of the finest policing in the Union.
So,we are left to our own devices. What could the Mayor do to reestablish his legitimacy and that of local governance?
I have a modest suggestion. Devote all resource to by-laws and prosecute violators. Change the anything goes ethos and the cowboy mentality.
THAT is something the Mayor could do with the backing of Council.
Anonymous
|October.02.2012
Kamala Harris, CA AG, has refused Davis' request for an inquiry. She has said they will review whatever inquiry is made by VPD internal affairs only.
Davis only made the request because he knew that the AG would deny any such request as is their policy. He also only made the request when community leaders told him if he didn't he would have a riot on his hands. His response when told he needed to do something was "What can I do?"
Osby Davis, the uniter of Vallejo. Talk about empty campaign promises.
Mousey
|October.02.2012
The point is that Osby has made many groups in town mad with him. Speculating is just that, speculating. No one comes off looking good bashing some political group or another, because at this point all we have is personal prejudice.
Not arson, but we've seen private homes attacked for supporting certain politics (Measure A). So this was the next step. And that should scare the crap out of us.
Has anyone else noticed the recent spat of fires in Vallejo? One yesterday morning in Millerville, somewhat near Osby's office (saw the smoke on my way to work) and one this morning in the Vistas on El Camino Real. We don't have actual house fires all that often so 3 in 4 days seems like all lot. And the FD has done a bang up job.
Mous
|October.02.2012
The point is that Osby has made many groups in town mad with him, many with cause. Take your pick. Speculating is just that, speculating. No one comes off looking good bashing some political group or another, because at this point all we have is personal prejudice.
Not arson, but we've seen private homes attacked for supporting certain politics (Measure A). So this was the next step. And that should scare the crap out of us.
Has anyone else noticed the recent spat of fires in Vallejo? One yesterday morning in Millerville, somewhat near Osby
Anonymous
|October.02.2012
@Investigation
re: VIB, Better vallejo and Osby Ain't Right For Vallejo people
How interesting. You included everyone that you do not like but conveniently left out a group of people who publicly intimidated Davis recently and I wonder why?... Are you part of that group?
Investigate VIB, Better Vallejo all you want, when the tide goes out, we will know who is swimming naked.
Anonymous
|October.02.2012
re: That would make the AA community and Lawyer Burris happy already.
Do not hijack the AA community for the recent event. There are decent AA residents who are not on this.
Also do not use common sense to judge if certain thing is probable or not. If people had common sense, they would not get themselves into the type of trouble the did.
Patrick Henry
|October.02.2012
Point accepted, but couldn't you also interpret the "solidarity optics" as Osby humbly accepting discipline from his bosses?
Anonymous
|October.02.2012
@Patrick Henry - You're forgetting something. The press conference. Mayor Davis and Public Safety standing together as one. A picture is worth more than a thousand words. Who are the common enemies of both? Isn't it the VIBers? Even a child can figure it out that with FBI and BATF in the mix, that this is a dream opportunity to get rid of their greatest enemy - investigate recent words and actions against Mayor Davis by the VIB, Better Vallejo, and Osby Ain't Right For Vallejo people. This is a classic setup job.
Patrick Henry
|October.02.2012
Anonymous- You almost got there on your own. Osby reaches out to Kamala Harris for independent investigation of the police shooting. Three days after the CC vote, his office is torched. The VPOA owns Osby, Hannigan and Herme. The brotherhood expects some loyalty and respect for their campaign contributions. This seems like a straight up case of "law enforcement" to me.
Did anyone else notice in the protests many speakers mentioning that they felt they were already on surveillance and had their phones tapped by Police? If Davis wanted to make a case to "investigate" his perceived enemies, this arson certainly would help his cause. Considering the mistrust between many in the AA community and the VPD, I think it would be a good gesture for Vallejo Officials to "step aside" and let the Feds take over this entire investigation.
Anonymous
|October.02.2012
@Anonymous - Mayor Davis and Council all approved California Attorney General to look into VPD to clarify the recent situations. That would make the AA community and Lawyer Burris happy already, so no grievance there against Mayor Davis. So how does one figure then AA community now against Mayor Davis? That doesn't make any sense, and would be counter-productive on their part. What would make alot of sense though is other people not connected to AA community who have a different grievance against Mayor Davis.
Anonymous
|October.02.2012
Anyone that is awake, paying attention and has a semi-functional brain can see where the threats came from. The ignorant crowd, you know the ignorant people that have ruined the schools and the town generally, made direct and indirect threats from the podium at Davis. Their point was 'we're black and your black mayor so get behind us and support what we're asking for'. That's racism and ignorance all rolled into one but now we can domestic terrorism to the list of "accomplishments" for this group of people.
really?
|October.02.2012
No one deserves to suffer the results of arson, but Davis and this press conference about intimidation is strange. He never answers the question who is trying to intimidate him or why. The arson could be against Thompson, it could be something unrelated in light of the arson 3 buildings down. Strange....
Anonymous
|October.01.2012
Wanted to add:
The perp is dangerous and needs to be arrested.
I'm relieved for Osby Davis & Micheal Thompson that their important files were mostly undamaged (I hope they cloud-compute or have a great biz continuity plan -- any attorney/accountant/etc should, as should all of us!)
Anonymous
|October.01.2012
The reporter had a great question: who is trying to intimidate you, Osby, and for what?
Davis saying he will not be intimidated:
Does he feel pressured to back off calling for Atty Gen'l investigation for Mario Romero? (maybe Kamila set it)
Not representing landlords in eviction cases? (May be a Marina Vista tenant set it)
Continuing to say Gays are going to hell (may be Gary Cloutier set it)?
Maybe the attack was brought on by a disgruntled client of Thompson's (poor guy, he lost his building, Osby rents).
And, tonight's TV reports indicate there was a fire right down the street, and evidence of an attempt to light another one. So it could just be a "firebug".
Too many open ended questions for Osby to play the victim ("I will not be intimidated".
Salty Dog
|October.01.2012
But Davis says it best- the message of (intimidation)the boom box croud and loud bikers is intimidation.
They intimidate with noise and violent rants; they say screw you and the law.
Salty Dog
|October.01.2012
@ Silas:
Now,Silas, the hunchback is pure fiction. Good fiction, but still fiction. What I hear every day, is hard reality- one in which dwell narccisists
who insist on...need to act out their dysfunctional socialization through noise pollution.
Boom Boxes PUblic Nuisance and
|October.01.2012
From SF Chronicle
Thousands of angry East Bay residents complained to local police departments Saturday night when an outdoor rave concert in at the Oakland Coliseum rattled windows from Alameda to San Leandro. The "Beyond Wonderland" dance party featured three separate outdoor stages and 24 electronic acts from 6 p.m. Saturday to 2 a.m. Sunday.
Nearby residents said the booming bass could be heard and felt miles away.
We were "disturbed by an impossibly loud rave that went on for hours, with thumping music so loud that it caused vibrations to our house - even with all the windows closed," said Natalie Dolgireff, a resident of Alameda.
Police dispatchers in Alameda received 1,900 phone calls from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m., said Alameda police Capt. Paul Rolleri. On an average Saturday night, dispatchers might receive 300 calls in that time period, he said.
Silas, really you are ok with boom boxes from cars and houses so loud they shake windows and vibrate floors ? And for me, cause migraines .... This city is the worse when it comes to this level of obnoxious and harmful noise 24/7 and hate to burst your bubble but it happens in glen cove also. It's a public nuisance and just one more piece of evidence of the pollution this city tolerates.
SFGate
|October.01.2012
Though the FBI and BATF were notified, their role so far has only been advisory, O'Connell said. "They've offered assistance, and I suspect we'll be asking for that in the very near future," he said Monday.
http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Mayor-arsonist-trying-to-intimidate-me-3909994.php
Hey there Salty: I do not believe that the Hunchback always rang the bells around designated times. My point was around the atmosphere here in Vallejo. There is enough hate from many groups to go around. Why not move out to Glen Cove (Firebug convinced me to move here)? No Boom boxes, Hunchbacks or corrupt City employees to ruin your day. I would be the first to share a VIB Tini with you out here.
A crackdown of anyone that has exercised their right to free speech? I see a huge lawsuit and settlement coming to folks if the FBI were dense enough to investigate conspiracy theories where their evidence around the crime scene does not corroborate.
Salty Dog
|October.01.2012
@Silas:
I disagree with your logic, Silas. The Bells of Notra Dame are legal and chime at specific times. Boom box noise and loud bikes are Illegal. They know it (the perps) and they alsp know that thumbibg the law is somehow cool....and can be done with impunity.
@ Anonymous:
I also disagree with your logic. Personal or not (Conjecture), Davis Is the Mayor(non conjecture) An attack on the Mayor is an attack on me and every member of the community.
Otherwise referred to as terroriem, home grown.
No Investigation
|October.01.2012
BATF and FBI have declined to become involved. VPD is handling all on it's own. If they want to start investigating everyone who has made "nasty remarks" about Davis, they're going to be very busy indeed. I suspect the list will resemble the Solano county phone book.
Anonymous
|October.01.2012
So this is what is called "lighting a fire" under the mayor of Vallejo in order to get some action out of him. Now we see him doing something, only when it's to his advantage.
PS. This couldn't have happened to a nicer guy. Next.
Investigation
|October.01.2012
Now that both FBI and BATF are in the mix, everyone in Vallejo who has made nasty remarks against Mayor Davis in recent times is liable to be thoroughly investigated for ulterior motives - that includes VIB, Better vallejo and Osby Ain't Right For Vallejo people.
Anonymous
|October.01.2012
Davis should not imply that the acts are due to him being Mayor of Vallejo unless he knows for sure. It is more likely it has something to do with his personal actions.
Be real. Davis barely stays awake on the dais and certainly has done nothing as mayor to provoke this or any of the alleged attacks.
The boom boxes of Vallejo, the Bells of Notre Dame are odious by some; none of which I am certain are purveyors of violence. I also am very interested as to which group (if any) committed this act....no assumptions right?
Salty Dog
|October.01.2012
"The message of intimidation...is intimidation." Right on.
And, when the Mayor or other duly elected people are intimidated, each and every member of the community is intimidated.
.
