June 2013       

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wharf rat   |July.02.2013 once upon a time the City of Vallejo School district was one of the Highest proforming Distrcts in the whole State . If Any One wishes to contest this or any other well founded historical .. FACTS reguarding Our once FUNCTIONAL School System then "I AM HERE" ... The System We have suported for Decades has failed Our Students .. The School of Education at CAL Berkeley Onece declared Vallejo as the TOP in the STATE for Teacher and delivery of Content to the Students ... What happened ?? All races paid the price .. It as an equal oppurtunity **** up .. that will be paid by many generations for how many years ????

Contrarian   |July.01.2013 I'm with Silas and Wharf rat. What is the school district using the Bond funds for anyway? All too often these school bonds are promoted as "needed" when the big push is really to provide prevailing wage jobs at taxpayer expense. The traditional purpose of school bonds is to provide for infrastructure, or buildings. Most recently school bonds have been incorporating many items that were never intended to be a part of bond (mostly short term expenses, and even solar panels which provide cost savings that do not go back to paying the bond debt but do provide savings to general fund (hidden tax). I wonder what projects the VUSD is planning on promoting, and I wonder why they're promoting a very expensive school bond as opposed to a parcel tax. In my opinion school bonds claim to be benefiting the children but in reality they are being used to fund many things that were never intended. What program was it that Jerry Brown recently eliminated because a huge chunk of the money that was meant to go toward rebuilding Downtowns was instead diverted to pay the salaries of city employees instead? Yea, school bonds are the new that.

Anonymous   |July.01.2013 Yes Silas and Wharf Rat, I agree completely. This school district is a disaster. Can you imagine an administration making excuses for knife wielding bullies? It is absolutely criminal and beyond belief. For goodness sakes Ramona, get tough and show us that you take child safety seriously. You can count on me to strongly and frequently advocate a "NO" vote on this taxpayer rip off.

wharf rat rants   |June.30.2013 @ know Vallejo WADR My monicker "wharf rat" has broad historical and social implications .. I am not a "Mr rat" !! I am merly a generational and continuance of a strong MOVEMENT for the betterment of all , "one of many voices".. Rodents of My ilk stand strong for the basic and fundamental RIGHTS of the People that built this Country , maby an under class however proud of Our commitment and contribution .... We remain the best friend of the People and do so with ACTIONS ! .. The process of an education starts in the formative years from self feeding to identifiying colors and shapes on to social interaction and spatial cognition ... All this has been known for 50 + years yet has lagged in implementation maby because it is not sexy or does not sell. We have failed as a scociety when the very young are considered and so have failed Ourselves to the detriment of future generations both young and old when will an "awakining happen" when will Our society evolve and advance ??

GC'er   |June.30.2013 Yes it is impacting... I find it odd that voicing ones opinion, if it is different from the mainstream back and forth, is considered tiring. True, some of us are long winded and not as sharp, precise and quick with the written word, however if that does not meet the exquisite taste of others, I do suggest skipping over those posts and embark onto a search for higher intellect. Good luck with that though! Without going into further detail, as it may be too boring for some, I will not support another bond put before me by the VCUSD, especially not when I look back at my contributions over the last 20 years and see what was (not) accomplished with them.

Salty Dog   |June.30.2013 Oops, sorry Know Vallejo. My opinion was directed at Anonymous.

Salty Dog   |June.30.2013 A little harsh there, Know Vallejo. Seems to me that this is an equal opportunity site for opinion of all colors...no inference intended. I don't always agree with some opinions but I do consider the thoughts rather than the personalities that render them. Surely you wouldn't want to stifle that with ad hom. Perhaps the heat is having a broad impact on tolerance. IMO.

know vallejo   |June.30.2013 @ANONYMOUS, are you suffering with the heat? feeling a little testy? mr. rat and mr. barnabe post under the same name consistently. if you see their name, you may simply scroll past, paying no attention to what they think. i found your post to be an attack on the person rather than positive reasons to support the issue. why should taxpayers vote for this?

wharf rat   |June.30.2013 It is apparent for this bond to move foreward a full up to date accounting of the entire measure A monies is needed district management was soo poor the State had to take over "at Our expence" what has changed ? the graduation rate speaks for itself . No more bond money "my money" untill the house is in order the effect on property values of a poorly run School district is HUGE possibly in the 20 % range this depresses Our local economy probably well beyond the structrual deficit we now face "how much more should We pay"

silasbarnabe   |June.30.2013 LOL! @ANONYMOUS or to be more precise shouting in all caps Vallejo Schools shill, how in your tiny mind can you defend coming back to the tax payer 15 years before the last tax has been paid off, and ask for 30 years more debt to fix what was allegedly to be fixed 16 years ago?

ANONYMOUS:   |June.30.2013 SILAS/WR: Do you two really like exchanging your hair-brained ideas with each other. You opinions/solutions are really starting to irritate some of us, who really try to express and exchange ideas. I believe you two should exchange names and phone numbers and meet a couple times a week and discuss your issues? But why do we have to constantly read your BS...Yes, Yes I know if I don't like it here go to the T/Horrid....but thats not the point, why do I have to leave this site, when it is you two who are ruining it for the rest of us. By the way WR, prove to me what your family paid for the OUT DISTRICT schooling of your families children. One you can not go out of your District (unless you lie and fake a different residence) and if you did that, then they don't charge you unless you have a property tax bill coming from that district??? and then your family kids aren't in a OUT DISTRICT?? So you try to proof a point, but AGAIN you make so much stuff up, you are actually starting to believe it yourself. I bet if you and Silas meet for coffee on a regular basis, Silas will quit showing up after one or two get meetings.... Have a nice 4th and give us a break here for at least 3 days...Thanks

wharf rat   |June.30.2013 @ silas yes exactly this trend mirrors the COV mismanagement of public funds use infrastructure and facility maintenence money to fund staff expences then cry to the Public for more . Considering the huge costs bourne by Our Family to go out of district I will NOT vote for this bond measure and might just fight it ! We are still paying for measure A they want a double dip .

silasbarnabe   |June.30.2013 @Wharf, This might be different from other elections. The reality in this time is that whatever color or socio economic background you might be from your children are not safe attending Vallejo public schools. Despite paying to fix roofs, paint schools provide AC which is exactly the same wording of the last bond measure halfway through the bond and promises it entailed we now need another bond to accomplish the same thing. This means that we will be paying 45 years to accomplish the promises back to 1997.

wharf rat   |June.30.2013 Vallejo's student population has been in decline for years due to numerous reasons , district was slow to adapt to this trend . Less students = less money many students enrolled in private Schools while many went out of district . These Families are in effect paying twice for their Childs education . Now a proposed 239 M bond is in the works to support a flawed system with a declining student body , Our Family has spent a fortune to provide Our two Kids with a quality education (out of district) how about a bond to repay all the Families who had to excape VCUSD for the wellbeing of their Children . The stratagey for these bond scams is to market them to the renter population with the sugestion that only homeowners will pay it when in fact landlords must also pay and will raise rents accordingly at 55% to pass this could be a reality and in fact in dirrect competition with any future COV bonds to ballance Our deficit or to fund public safety . VCUSD and the PSU'S are in effect competing against each other for this slice of the local economy and will in fact spend Our tax dollars to fund their campaigns to over tax Us ! with no proforma ellement at all ....

Anonymous   |June.30.2013 I was one of those surveyed and it was definitely a "push" survey. They kept answering the same questions over and over ending with some statement like "many people change their minds after hearing some of the reasons for this bond. Would you be more or less likely to support it now?" I assured the pollster that not only had I NOT changed my mind, his effort had increased my objection and I would work hard to defeat it if it was on the ballot. The school district is racist and mismanaged. Until white kids have the same opportunities as black kids, I will support charter schools, home schooling and out-of-district transfers for kids at risk. NO MORE MONEY FOR AN ADMINISTRATION FAILING NOT ONLY KIDS BUT THE ENTIRE CITY!!!!

silasbarnabe   |June.30.2013 I think the school district is trying to pull a fast one. Prop 39 allows them to put a general obligation bond on the ballot that can pass with 55 percent of the vote. Will this revelation come out at this meeting? http://www.cashnet.org/resource-center/resourcefiles/53.pdf Also we have about 15 years left on our last bond the 1997 Measure A bonds which already show on our tax bills. The big question so eloquently covered by Daniel Borenstein of the Contra Costa Times, why are public agencies allowed to ask for more bond debt over 30 years when the things they pay for only last 15 years?

Vallejo Schools Image STINKS   |June.30.2013 As part of an effort to determine how to position a $239M District Bond a survey of 401 voters was conducted. 39% favorable view of School District 26% positive perception of quality of education 26% positive perception of managing finances Here is a link to presentation http://vcusd-ca.schoolloop.com/file/1310009036528/1341557445141/4044126201458782239.pdf

wharf rat   |June.30.2013 @ Salt yes the icecream trucks are a presence I remember last year when one was circulating our neibourhood day in day out when the Kids were still in school I almost chased it down to inform the driver that the Kids are still in school They play an endless loop of greensleves when I worked graveyards this tune was imbedded in my mind a kinda pavlovian condition that could penetrate ear-plugs with almost no young customers in My area one must wonder why they continue to troll .. Is it the quest for the American dream ? or a right of passage if they played some real classics some might be persuaded to partake of their product .. Would you go to India to opperate a Ice cream truck while playing an endless loop of Lawrence Welk Christmas specials music ? I think not

know vallejo   |June.29.2013 good. glad you feel better. now send marc a check for the therapy. LOL.

Salty God   |June.29.2013 MY SATURDAY NIGHT RANT (purely self therapy) What is with that "Welcome to Vallejo- City of Opportunity" sign on Solano- you know, the one at the first light after exiting at the bridge, a major entry point. There it sits, not plumb, askew and faded. If you are waiting for the light to change, it provides food for thought. For visitors- what the hell? Kinda says, "Hehehe....pste..hey,like if you dare, welcome to anything goes, and we mean,anything goes". So, Mr City Manager, how about springing a crew for a few houes, set it straight, maybe put some redwood strip around and make it say "WECOME TO VALLEJO-THE CITY OF OPPORTUNITY!!!!" Let's see some freakin pride. While I am at it, what is with all these ice cream trucks plying their trade with their mobile electronic music systems (contrary to municipal bylaw ). They appear to be multiplying like cancerous cells. Who coulda know- so much wealth in kiddy ice cream bars. Recology and ice cream trucks seem to be the most visible economic activity in Vallejo only to be outdone by the recreational morons with the boom boxes. There. I feel better.

Homosexual Masterplan   |June.29.2013 "The Overhauling of Straight America" and "After the Ball: How America Will Conquer Its Fear and Hatred of Gays in the 90s" by homosexual activists Marshall K. Kirk and Erastes Pill.

rocketman   |June.29.2013 But the real solution is to get governments out of the marriage business. Repeal all laws related to marital status, repeal all tax regulations associated with marital status. Just get out of it altogether. And we can't wait to see the divorce rates among married gay couples. But most importantly, and this is the issue NEVER discussed in any of this because it gets to the very heart of the issue, what are the public health issues related to homosexuality and same-sex marriage, which institutionalizes and elevates various methods and behaviors of sexual expression that are, pure and simple, physically and medically dangerous.

rocketman   |June.29.2013 Well nothing to celebrate about the idiotic DOMA and Prop 8 decisions except the demise of American democracy and the rise of the Federal judiciary, upon which it now seems all social issues are to fall--society be damned. But we've seen this before in California initiatives and in voter initiatives in other states as well. As for the 'no standing' absurdity--Brown & Harris must be impeached, recalled or otherwise REMOVED FROM OFFICE by whatever legal means. They have undermined democracy out of personal pique and spite. Disgusting people.

Mr :)   |June.29.2013 "IT IS NOW LEGAL FOR ANY COUPLE TO MARRY IN CALIFORNIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" What is it going to cost increased benefits and decreased tax collections?

Gay Backlash Begins   |June.29.2013 Dominican groups reject gay US ambassador nominee -- Religious groups in the Dominican Republic said Friday they are outraged by the nomination of a gay U.S. ambassador to the conservative Caribbean country. Rev. Cristobal Cardozo, leader of the Dominican Evangelical Fraternity, said he worried about the message that Brewster's presence might send. "It's an insult to good Dominican customs," he said. Cardinal Nicolas de Jesus Lopez, president of the Conference of the Dominican Episcopate, echoed similar sentiments. "You can expect anything from the U.S.," said Lopez, who is also the archbishop of Santo Domingo. Meanwhile, Vicar Pablo Cedano criticized the nomination as "a lack of respect, of consideration, that they send us that kind of person as ambassador. If he arrives, he'll suffer and will be forced to leave," Cedano warned, without elaborating. http://www.dailyrepublic.com/usworld/dominican-groups-reject-gay-us-ambassador-nominee/

Let the Weddings Begin!   |June.28.2013 Now that Prop 8 was sent back because of no-standing, today, the Ninth District Federal Court lifted the stay that kept queer couples from getting married! IT IS NOW LEGAL FOR ANY COUPLE TO MARRY IN CALIFORNIA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

know vallejo   |June.28.2013 @wharf rat, a little while back, after a rant i went on about children and consumerism in america, you said that i had your vote. while i appreciate your support, i don't need your vote this year but liat meitzenheimer does. i support both katy and liat. we need to elect them both to keep a sane and sensible majority.

Anonymous   |June.28.2013 Weaver and Tanner are two very seperate issues. Tanner failed the taxpayers of Vallejo and Weaver is taking advantage of the past failures of city councils as well as Tanners failure. Unfortunately the Weaver pension is only about sixty percent paid for meaning that a significant portion of his pension payout will come from the general fund, which will further reduce the COV's ability to pay for new police staffing.

wharf rat   |June.28.2013 Well I guess it's official Marti will not run for a second term . Boy will She be missed ! "a real voice of reason" on Council lets hope Katy gets ellected We are on a roll "kinda" this ellection will be uber critical to Vallejo We cant afford to move backward .

Half truths   |June.28.2013 Concerned Many of the recent City Managers were interim and only allowed to work 6 months in a calendar year or they would have lost their retirement healthcare. As to Tanner. After all of the negativity with splitting Fire and Police in negotiations there was so much bitterness he was pushed out. It was not voluntary.

Concerned   |June.28.2013 I cannot help myself. I see that people are concerned with Weaver's pay and that he only stayed one year as a Capt. Well, what about city mananger Joe Tanner. He made $400,000 pay for only one year and then he left. In fact, several city managers have left after making big money. What about the new chief of Police, making $225,000 a year. Really?

wharf rat   |June.28.2013 @ Salt yes the scanner provides a window into the opperations of the VPD and yes they are very busy . Gone are the days of dunking doughnuts rather they jam from call to call probably missing meal breaks etc : graveyard shifts can slow down at times all the other shifts are hectic . Resonable compensation is simply what we can afford to pay without incurring debt all Employee groups need to be nimble in these times and one is not more important than another . We collectivley pay for services if the barganing units can not provide affordable manpower then an alternative source will be the only answer ....

Salty Dog   |June.28.2013 I don't "feel sorry" for members of the VPD, nor do I believe they are "under seize". And I do believe the compensation is far more than what tax payers can or want to underwrite given our tenuous finances coming out of bankruptcy. However, I am not prepared to paint the entire organization as greedy opportunists. That is akin to the lazy thinking that invokes racist logic(?). And, we know how easy it is to fall into that mode.

Anonymous   |June.28.2013 There's no doubt our police force is short, I think everyone knows that (even the criminals). But I just can't feel sorry for them when they allow their union president tell the city to lay off as many officiers as they wanted (the newest/youngest of course), but don't touch their pay. And people like Weaver who is retiring or leaving en mass with his other buddies so he can squeeze as much from us taxpayers as he can, and screw his fellow officers who are left short handed. He got what he wanted, who cares if they're "undr siege". Seems like that thin blue line is getting warped by green. I'm just hoping as there are more new cops, that they vote out the angry dinosaur Matty Mustard and get a president who won't make decisions based on what's best for the older guys closer to retirement and worse for the younger cops and the city. New blood is desperately needed.

AnnoyII   |June.28.2013 All this talk about what Vallejo should or can pay public safety is fine, but it misses the real point. That point is that retirement compensation computed as it is today, is, and will be for many years, is a stone around the neck of the taxpayers to the State of California. You all need to address the concerns at the state level that sets PERS policy. And, you think public safety is out of wack, take a look at transportation agencies. You're still paying for it even if you don't live in Vallejo. Even if you are a retired police officer from Danville, you will pay!

Fear and Loathing in America   |June.28.2013 33 Conspiracy Theories That Turned Out To Be True, What Every Person Should Know

Salty Dog   |June.28.2013 @ Anonymous: note, I said, in my opinion, "they (the police) are worth every penny WE CAN AFFORD". We can't afford current compensation packages. I flashed up my VHF/UHF scanner that I had kicking around the boat last week and discovered a police force that sounds besieged at times. I also noted a high degree of professionalism and dedication to responding to bad behavior. High stress and ongoing must take its toll. They get my support because they are often the only defense against utter chaos.

Anonymous   |June.28.2013 Hat tip to you wharf rat, long live the freedom of the press! The first amendment is under attack by a Marxist criminal regime in the executive branch of our government and they are violating the constitution each and every day. Their progressive sycophants have metastasised and infiltrated our government institutions, targeting Americans that have different opinions and believe in the founding principles of this country. I hope all of us will have the courage and integrity to stand up to these traitors and reject them at the voting booth.

Anonymous   |June.28.2013 @Anonymous re: "It is so sad to watch the nightly news and see that the reporters have headed up to Solano County to interview the bigots who made Solano County the only county in the liberal San Francisco Bay area to vote for Proposition 8." Well, you better get use to it. The national Repubs and Paul Ryan looking at 2016 said California is the key for them, so just like in SoCal with "liberal" LA County and "conservative" Orange County interplay, you're going to see "liberal" SF County and "conservative" Solano County interplay. As said by the upcounty oldtimers, Fairfield is literally "mini" Salt Lake City; Chick-Fil-A was made for Fairfield. @Anonymous re:"The Bible was NOT written by God no matter what preachers say. It was compiled from a bunch of stories, that often did not agree, by a bunch of theologians covened by Roman Emporor Constantine in the 300 AD period...long after Jesus died." You're not factually correct. Jesus in the four gospels quoted many times from what we know today as the Old Testament, so he validated the authenticity of the Old Testament. That was the "Bible" that existed 2000 years ago. Today the New Testament supercedes the Old Testament Torah as confirmed by reading the entire New Testament book of Hebrews. Lookup ALL the footnotes and you will see the references. @Anonymous re:"We need to explain to the African American community in Vallejo that the Mormon controlled portion of Solano County is not their friend." Good luck. The day before the SCOTUS gay decision, SCOTUS recinded part of the Voting Act that affected th AA community. The usual suspects like Jesse Jackson wasn't happy and knew the consequences. This shows what the AA community already knows...that the "system" is hedged against them no matter what. So when push comes to shove, the Church, the Bible and "traditional values" are all the AA community have left to lean on for protection. That's why you have Mayor Osby Davis.

Anonymous   |June.28.2013 Sorry, Salt, gotta disagree with you here. They're not worth $170,000 a year in retirement for the rest of their and their spouses lives. That's a shadow workforce essentially: we are paying just about the same $$ for two police forces, one active and one retired. No city can afford that, let alone Vallejo. No disrespect to the work they do, but they money is out of control crazy.

wharf rat   |June.28.2013 Aye Salt , seems like the Vibber medal or Monicker is One of substance , concidering the "LIMP" performance of other factions who profuse to "represent" the Fair people of Vallejo ... I will continue to Play the Vibber hand , if only due to recognise the Brilliant work done before .. Such as the incredible investigative reporting done on the H Martin Foundation ... (available on VIB archives) Considering the impotent excuse for a local newspaper We are ,blessed to have a REAL "NMSM" outlet , in fact our survival might just rely on it's existence !!! yet we are retisent to support it .. ... FORTIFY your local Media outlet lest it goes away .. when the Times horible is the only News outlet that is a three minuite read daily ... just what do You expect !! It has been free for way too long VIB must be Preserved and in fact contributed to ,other Communities as it serves a great model for social change .... If we do not support this unique and functional Contribution to open Government , then just what are we ??? wanabees or sideliners ?? National attention has been focused on Vallejo due to P/B will the core of Our democrasy (the free press) be overlooked or will it STAND proud , well it is never FREE .........

Anonymous   |June.27.2013 Wharf, his pension is based on the highest years compensation; not the highest three years. That was changed about the same time years of service was reduced, retroactive pension benefits were granted, and compensation headed north. And even highest single year compensation is really the highest 12 consecutive months. As lietenant Weaver, in 2011, he earned about 171K before overtime. As Captain Weaver he probably earned about 190K. His 29 years of service will most likely be credited with an additional year for unused sick leave. He most likely will also cash out unused additional sick leave, holiday pay, and vacation leave in the form of a lump sum payment. The holiday pay can be used to increase the final years salary which increases the pension payout. My guess is that Captain Weaver has enhanced his pension significantly with his one year term as Captain. Besides his lump sum payout of ?, he will receive a beginning annual pension of over 170K per year.

Anonymous   |June.27.2013 Unfortunately, Weaver was a VPOAer, hating on us Vallejoans because we dared to ask that they be paid what the city can afford. He was captain for what, a year? He left before he got his high 3 for a reason -- screw Vallejo, get out before any cuts could come. Rat, meet ship. Oh well. He's part of the old guard that needs to go. He opened the door for two new captains who really seem to care about Vallejo. Bring on the new!

Salty Dog   |June.27.2013 Congratulations to Captain Weaver and thanks for many years service in a tough working environment. VPD personnel are worth every penny we can afford.

wharf rat   |June.27.2013 BREAKING NEWS @ 5:15 Captain Ken Weaver retired today after 29 years on VPD .

Anonymous   |June.27.2013 You probably should lay off the hate speech for a time. Are you trying to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory?

Anonymous   |June.27.2013 We need to explain to the African American community in Vallejo that the Mormon controlled portion of Solano County is not their friend. They supported slavery and pushed the framers of the California Constitution to make California a slave state with General Mariano G. Vallejo resisting vehemently. There is even a cemetary for Civil War Southen sympathizers out on Suisun Valley Road. So the AA community should figure out where their friends are. The kinds of people who gave their lives so slaves could be free are the same folks that support gay rights. Things change. Slavery ended. Women gained the vote and rights they never had. Gay rights are inevitable and the bigots, as always, are on the wrong side of history.

Anonymous   |June.27.2013 All the more reason to force Napa County to include the entire area of the Napa Vslley watershed including Vallejo at the confluence of the Napa River and the great Bay of San Francisco. The rest of Solano County is in the Sacramento Valley and they are welcome to it.

Anonymous   |June.27.2013 Solano County is conservative for a very specific reason... read up on Solano County history, or talk to the oldtimers upcounty. Longtime Mormon influx into Solano County since 1800s post-Civil War era... oldtimers said upcounty up intil today was and stil is considered Salt Lake City West. That is why you saw the Mormons and others solidly and financially back Prop 8 in Solano County. The Mormon "old money" landowners and Mormon Church in Solano County will never let Solano County fall to LGBTQ influence, ever. Be careful not to collide with this powerful force.

Anonymous   |June.27.2013 It is so sad to watch the nightly news and see that the reporters have headed up to Solano County to interview the bigots who made Solano County the only county in the liberal San Francisco Bay area to vote for Proposition 8. As I chat with my wonderful gay neighbors taking their beloved dog children down for a walk along the waterfront, I wonder how anybody could refuse them their love. What a black mark for Vallejo! We need to make sure those of us who support them in equality are speaking out. One of the interviewees last night was African American. I am sure I can find those references in the Bible that legitimize slavery too. Not to mention that that passage so often quoted from the Bible about homosexuality being an abomination is right below one that calls wearing clothes with two fibers an abomination too. So all you folks wearing cotton-polyester blends are commiting a sin just as bad as homosexuality. One of the last posters here actually opposed women's rights too. Selective bigotry! The Bible was NOT written by God no matter what preachers say. It was compiled from a bunch of stories, that often did not agree, by a bunch of theologians covened by Roman Emporor Constantine in the 300 AD period...long after Jesus died. If you follow biblical history, you find that there were numbers of Christian sects with different ideas about what Jesus was talking about. Constantine made sure that all the ideas that did not support the Roman State were excised from the official Bible. One of the key problems was that homosexuality was rampant during those early days. Even Alexander the Great wanted nothing to do with women and took his male lover everwhere. To grow the Roman State, Constantine needed to make sure many babies were born and that took demonizing guys like Alexander. I don't want people to think that just because I live in Vallejo I am uneducated and bigoted too. So very sad.

Loathing Govenment   |June.27.2013 I think that Gay people just got played. Marriage by the courts is an invite to government to be a part of your marriage. Before taxes happened the only requirement for union was to be married in the church. Then government required a court certificate. Why? Another tax base. The government made you think that you had to fight for this right and you did. They played hard ball but, let you think you all won. When all you had to do for your rights was to do legal and binding contracts between each other. Government did the same thing with women, they realized in the late 50s that there was a tax base staying at home and they (Rockefellers) financed the women's movement and Gloria Steinem. So children became latch key kids in the 60s and look how that turned out. This may come back and bite you in the butt. Government wins again. You've been played in my opinion and by the research.

Opened Can Of Worms   |June.27.2013 @tramky ... Can of worms ... Polygamists welcome Supreme Court rulings on gay marriage predicting relationships with multiple people will be next http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2349481/Polygamists-welcome-Supreme-Court-rulings-gay-marriage-predicting-relationships-multiple-people-next

tramky   |June.26.2013 The only logical step is for the government--Federal & state--to get out of the marriage business altogether. Just get out of it, and repeal all--and I do mean ALL--laws that are associated with marital status. In particular, but not limited to, all TAX laws. Simply eliminate all the distinctions between married & unmarried people. And while you're at it, eliminate all laws associated with WHO can and who can not be married. Get rid of all the laws against bigamy & polygamy, of all the laws related to incest, and all age limitations. And I would expect all gay-rights organization to now get behind the push to get government out of the marriage business. If they will not, the we will know what this was REALLY all about: it was all about the MONEY!

Mr :)   |June.26.2013 " law that essentially bars giving federal benefits to same-sex couples." Given this expansion of benefits should: 1) Taxes be increased. 2) Benefits levels of all retirees should be decreased. 3)Contributions of current workers should be increased. 4)Nothing should be done until 6 months before the checks won't clear. 5)Nothing should be done until 6 months after the checks won't clear.

Obama Happy   |June.26.2013 MSNBC Captures President Obama's Call To Prop 8 Winners: Video Obama Interrupts Activists' MSNBC Interview to Give Congratulatory Call http://www.deadline.com/2013/06/prop-8-obama-congratulations-msnbc-video/ It was a nice stroke of luck for MSNBC today during its coverage of the Supreme Court

SCOTUS   |June.26.2013 ** BREAKING NEWS ** Court strikes down federal anti-gay marriage law On a 5-4 vote, the Supreme Court struck down the 1996 law that essentially bars giving federal benefits to same-sex couples.

Anonymous   |June.25.2013 M, take the time and listen to the Supreme Court deliberation today on the Voting Rights Act. Fascinating and educational. If you can grasp the concepts here then you can proceeded to the Marketing department, IMO. http://www.c-span.org/Events/Supreme-Court-Rules-Section-4-of-Voting-Rights-Act-Unconstitutional/10737440208-2/

Anonymous   |June.25.2013 You don't have a Stupid thing M, you just lack marketing skills.

Smile!   |June.25.2013 I have STUPID disease for JUSTICE!!! Smile!

Salty Dog   |June.25.2013 It appears our friend "Memories" is in need of some binding medicine to counter sudden diarrhea. Giggle.

Anonymous   |June.25.2013 Good morning dummy.

Memories   |June.25.2013 WE are NOT going away until JUSTICE is served to those officers involved in the MURDER of Guy Jarreau! Guy Jarreau will NOT be swept under the rug! He will FOREVER be apart of our MEMORIES...Smile! And, justice for Guy Jarrea continues...

Memories   |June.25.2013 @ Criminal Minds...Please, share with us the criminal history Guy Jarreau had? Please...Because the family, friends and supporters have no clue of Guy Jarreau's criminal history! Inquiring minds want to know, Criminal Minds! Smile! No, let's look at the criminal history of the Vallejo Police Officers, you know, those THUGS in blue who run behind their badges for protection like Kent Tribble, Dustin Joseph, etc...to name a few?! Let's look at their criminal histories...JUSTIFIED, JUSTIFIED is the name of the game when it comes to the Vallejo Police Officers. None of them make any mistakes, huh?! Smile! Of course they don't...Where is the police report for Guy Jarreau?! Why pay $12,500.00 (California Public Records Act Lawsuit) to an attorney if they felt they did nothing wrong?! Smile! I will be awaiting answers, Criminal Minds...Commit MURDER...Get hit with LAWSUITS. They protect their own so, why can't we?! Smile! And, justice for Guy Jarreau continues...

Memories   |June.25.2013 @ Deja who...You said, "Guy Jarreau who?" Obviously, he's not history in your memory because you just posted a comment about him! Thank you, Deja who, for keeping the name of GUY JARREAU alive! The more others post comments about him the better! Now, you smile on that because I am! Smile! And, justice for Guy Jarreau continues...

Memories   |June.25.2013 @ "..." And, Vallejo is full of MURDERERS in uniforms who run behind their badges for protection! JUSTIFIED, JUSTIFIED is the name of the game! Smile! And, justice for Guy Jarreau continues...

Memories   |June.25.2013 That's right, Salty Dog...Giggle! Smile! Giggle at the fact that the Vallejo Police Department still refuses to give the mother of Guy Jarreau the police report...Giggle at the fact that the city of Vallejo paid the attorney of Guy Jarreau's mother an amount of $12,500.00 for the California Public Records Act Lawsuit that was filed in 2012! Smile! Now, keep giggling because I am! And, justice for Guy Jarreau continues! By the way, the Vallejo Police Department and the D.A. go the "JUSTIFIED" route for their precious MURDERERS (officers) so, why can't the family, friends and supporters of Guy Jarreau go the "CIVIL" route?! Huh?! Smile...Yes, WE are not going away! WE will be a thorn in your side and everyone else's side until JUSTICE is served. Make sure you tell that to MURDERER Kent Tribble when you see him! Now, you giggle and then smile big, Salty!!!

You Voted For Obama   |June.25.2013 ObamaCare 'Data Services Hub' to store tax return data for 10 years -- Think NSA Spying Is Bad? Here Comes ObamaCare Hub -- The Hub is a central feature of ObamaCare, since it will be used by the new insurance exchanges to determine eligibility for benefits, exemptions from the federal mandate, and how much to grant in federal insurance subsidies. In response, the HHS said the ObamaCare data hub will "interact" with seven other federal agencies: Social Security Administration, the IRS, the Department of Homeland Security, the Veterans Administration, Office of Personnel Management, the Department of Defense and... believe it or not... the Peace Corps. Plus the Hub will plug into state Medicaid databases. http://news.investors.com/062513-661264-obamacare-database-hub-creates-privacy-nightmare.htm

Anonymous   |June.25.2013 "Who cares? Is that how they set compensation levels in any of the aforementioned cities? Think that is how the decide compensation in Beverley Hills or Richmond? You guys are idiots" How do you suggest compensation be determined. How should payments to retirees be determined?

Anonymous   |June.24.2013 "Where do you think the per capita earnings of residents in the Vallejo population of 177,000 is compared to these cities" Who cares? Is that how they set compensation levels in any of the aforementioned cities? Think that is how the decide compensation in Beverley Hills or Richmond? You guys are idiots

Truth Squad   |June.24.2013 The Sacramento Bee lists Vallejo police as receiving the 7th highest average income at $133,488 in the State of California. Vallejo follows Sunnyvale as 1st with $148,886, Richmond at $147,153, followed by Beverly Hills, City of Santa Clara, Santa Ana, and then San Mateo Sheriff. Vallejo is followed by Fountain Valley, Menlo Park, Militas, Port Hueneme, Manteca, Moran Hill, Newark, and then Oakland at $129,086. Where do you think the per capita earnings of residents in the Vallejo population of 177,000 is compared to these cities

Anonymous   |June.24.2013 Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery. Winston Churchill

wharf rat   |June.24.2013 Whats new ? this has been going on forever I spy on you he spies on me spying on you and they spy on all of us spying on each other this whole news cycle is probably a diversion something far more sinister must be brewing . The real secret stuff never leaks a potential leaker is elliminated unless a leak is desired .

Really Awake & Aware   |June.24.2013 NSA Whistleblower: NSA Spying On And Blackmailing Top Government Officials And Military Officers ... NSA whistleblower Russel Tice ... a key source in the 2005 New York Times report that blew the lid off the Bush administration's use of warrantless wiretapping ... told Peter B. Collins on Boiling Frogs Post (the website of FBI whistleblower Sibel Edmonds): "They went after lawyers and law firms. All kinds of ... heaps of lawyers and law firms. They went after judges. One of the judges is now sitting on the Supreme Court that I had his wiretap information in my hand. Two are former FISA court judges. They went after State Department officials. They went after people in the executive service that were part of the White House ... their own people." http://www.washingtonsblog.com/2013/06/nsa-whistleblower-nsa-spying-on-and-blackmailing-high-level-government-officials-and-military-officers http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DmN80yi5mo

Really Awake & Aware   |June.24.2013 @Awake and Aware - This is what a US government out of control looks like ... NSA Whistleblower: NSA Spying On -

wharf rat   |June.24.2013 ont we have enough lead flying around town I have had rounds twacking through trees 6' above my head just 6 months ago a common site is bullet ridelled cars and buildings . VPD is petty quick on the draw 5 to 6 shots middle mass = DOA I can see shootouts with thugs residents and cops all shooting at each other and innocents caught in the crossfire . We have enough lead flying about now if you display a gun to a cop he will shoot first ask questions later . More guns is not the answer our biggest problem is the "build a ghetto they will come" syndrome promoted by developers and flawed urban planning myths ..

Anonymous   |June.24.2013 Amendment II A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.

Anonymous   |June.24.2013 @rocketman... Agree. If Vallejo is going to have glock blocks, it can't be a bunch of yahoos running wild without oversight. COV and City Council will have to establish ordinance for legality and difference in residents forming either neighborhood watchs or glock blocks. Vallejo PD will have to have the list of registered gun owners for monitoring each glock block to ensure safety and weed out illegal guns. NRA working with Public Safety Ad-Hoc Committee on proper training for residents and oversight.

Anonymous   |June.24.2013 Ok, enough of the name calling. Stick to the important stuff. No one else enjoys the name calling. Be gone TROLLS!

rocketman   |June.24.2013 Back to the Glock Block idea. I have little problem with it, but I am a proponent of good firearms training, not a bunch of yahoos with no clue. But there are no consequences for crimes in this country. It is my view that a couple of dead graffiti artists, killed or wounded under a legal shoot-to-kill order by the government, would largely put an end to graffiti. As for the gun-toting thugs that seem to run around Vallejo, a few confrontations with armed citizens might do wonders for this place. Yes, it's risky business, but the police will NOT protect you. They can not. They are NOT THERE when needed. Never are. Concealed carry is one element of this, but not the only one. The local authorities should enlist the help of the local NRA chapters around the Bay Area to provide education & training. That is really what the NRA is all about.

Anonymous   |June.24.2013 Oh come on wendy, why are you so down on Bill Clinton? Are you one of his many previous women?

wendy   |June.23.2013 No I do not ever want to speak with a total Whaco , pedofille ,POS , dissfunctional , crapologist , serial Women abusser , and a total POS ..... You are toast! ... And will be taken DOWN .. When the Chickens come home to roost You will experience Your true destiney as the Maggot that you are .. Mere fodder and contaminated protien , not fit for human consumption .. just toxic waste as has your whole life has been ...

ANONYMOUS:   |June.23.2013 WR: If you want to talk with the big boys, at least know how to spell ...its CEQA........

Awake and Aware   |June.23.2013 World Bank Insider - ex-Senior Counsel Karen Hudes - Blows Whistle on Corruption, Federal Reserve http://mikephilbin.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/world-bank-insider-ex-senior-counsel "A former insider at the World Bank, ex-Senior Counsel Karen Hudes, says the global financial system is dominated by a small group of corrupt, power-hungry figures centered around the privately owned U.S. Federal Reserve. The network has seized control of the media to cover up its crimes, too, she explained. In an interview with The New American, Hudes said that when she tried to blow the whistle on multiple problems at the World Bank, she was fired for her efforts. Now, along with a network of fellow whistleblowers, Hudes is determined to expose and end the corruption. And she is confident of success.

wharf rat   |June.22.2013 Developers and their lobyists have been systematically chipping away at CEQUA for decades . Yes they will try to cram bad projects down our throats We must compell Our Council not to bend to this crap and to dirrect staff not to entertain their destructive projects . Council must vote not to fund dime one for potential projects that further threaten Quality of life in our allready besieged town ..

CEQA Update   |June.22.2013 re: CEQA Update.. City of Vallejo staff will propose projects according to the master plan in the PDF file here.. RED (high opportunity), blue (medium opportunity), and green (low opportunity). Master plan is well outside Vallejo's National Register #73000460: Vallejo Old City Historic District and National Register #03001168: Saint Vincent's Hill Historic District boundaries. SB 731 (Steinberg) will give City of Vallejo staff legal cover, so they are not concerned about the Federal National Historic Preservation Act. http://www.sta.ca.gov/docManager/1000002850/Vallejo%20PDA%20Downtown%20Waterfront%20-%20no%20arial.pdf

Anonymous   |June.22.2013 to CEQA update... ABAG/MTC's Plan Bay Area designates both of Vallejo's residential National Register Districts for mixed use/high density residential development over 20 units an acre as exempt from CEQA. Luckily, the Federal National Historic Preservation Act trumps CEQA and State law. Projects that big will not meet the legal standards because they are just too big but we know the City of Vallejo staff will try anything they can to approve those adverse effects over the counter. Better start watching! Because the bad news is that the only money for new residential development in Vallejo will be tied to tied to subidized very and extremely low income housing.

Anonymous   |June.22.2013 We have Marxists in the executive branch now and look how that has worked out. No good.

Call Off PB Vallejo   |June.22.2013 Clearly, the situation in Brasil at the moment, where PB originated, doesn't support the argument for PB Vallejo. Mass demonstrations by the Brasilian people show that even with PB originating there, things have not improved for the better. Brasil is a cleptocratic Marxist nation, so we cannot bring something from that origin into Vallejo or America.

Criminal Minds   |June.22.2013 If you have a criminal background that involves guns or violence, 95 percent of the population does not care if you are mishandled by the police. You bring bad Karma on yourself with the thug lifestyle you lead. Most of the stories in the media regarding young people killed by the police don't really expand on the criminal history of most of the victims. Oscar Grant, Guy Romero both had criminal histories, just because they were not sitting in prison at the time does not mean they were not criminals, they had committed criminal acts in their past, and therefore were criminals. They would most likely have gone on to commit more criminal acts, it is the path of the criminal. It may sound harsh, but it is the truth, you can not candy coat it. Funny when the criminal Adolf Hilter died no one at the time said "he was just getting his life together." Now days we make excuses for everyone and every wrong act they commit. Most likely if Hilter was around today we would say "he was confused, he was just acting out because he felt the Jews were persecuting him..." Live Shady... Die Shady.

wendy   |June.21.2013 High on life Dawg high on life

Salty Dog   |June.21.2013 Wendy, I don't know what your on or on about, but your comments are illogical and don't correlate with anything I offer as opinion.

CEQA Update   |June.21.2013 SB 731 (Steinberg) - Revisions to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) -- This bill would provide that aesthetic impacts of a residential, mixed-use residential, or employment center project, as defined, within a transit priority area, as defined, shall not be considered significant impacts on the environment. The bill would require the office to prepare and propose, and the Secretary of the Natural Resources Agency to certify and adopt, revisions to the guidelines for the implementation of CEQA establishing thresholds of significance for noise, and for the transportation and parking impacts of residential, mixed-use residential, or employment center projects within transit priority areas. http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201320140SB731

wendy   |June.21.2013 @ Salt cmon the violence in Vallejo is an equal Opurtunity Killer that folowes no trends with the exception that most of the People Murdered have a connection with those that Murder them !! Yes the perps know their victims , and the Murderes know their Victimes ... This is bourne in extensive Criminalogical researsearch and backed up by Socialologists .... The fact is in Our Scociety if you were to be murdered it would be by the hand of someone you know or have associated with for some time ...Most of these Jailbirds sing the song to get a light sentence just has Kursnan did when he ratted on his cell mate to get a light sentance ... This is why He can not afford to go back to the hookey He is whalkin dead if he goes back to the joint ... Bagage times 1,00000000000 Run baby run .............

Deja who   |June.20.2013 Guy Jarreau, who? Unless this person was news in the past 4 days they are history to everyone's memory...and have been replaced by the new crime happening in Vallejo.....smile on that.

Salty Dog   |June.20.2013 @ Memories: "We" are not going away? Don't you mean you are not going away? Like a festering sore that won't respond to treatment you expect nothing but a dose of justice as you define it -that being, tried and convicted in your narrow universe. Giggle. There is nothing that you can give me to cash at the bank that is not ingenuous, fraudulent or counterfeit. Your checks bounced after numerous disruptive Council meetings. Of course you and your ilk can go the Civil route where the bar of culpability is much lower. A left leaning judge may grant a large award, in which case and in this case, all residents become the latest victims. Giggle. And that is what it really is about - money and victims. Nice. Giggle.

...   |June.20.2013 Vallejo is full of people like Memories. Smile!!! Stupid women making stupid kids. Vallejo is teh suxor!!11!

Memories   |June.20.2013 We are NOT going away!!! Take that to the bank and cash it! Smile! And, justice for Guy Jarreau continues...

Memories   |June.20.2013 Let's call a "spade a spade!" They can label every police-involved shooting as "Justified" and want the victims' families, friends and supporters to just accept what they say?! Really?! Smile! No, again, it's not about the "MONEY," it's about "JUSTICE!" Must I keep repeating myself to you?! Smile!!! Tell those THUG officers to stop MURDERING citizens in Vallejo and they won't have to worry about lawsuits being filed...Again, they protect their officers by labeling each and every police-involved shooting as "JUSTIFIED" so, why can't we protect our loved ones who have been MURDERED by the hands of the Vallejo Police?! So, are we supposed to walk away because they labeled the MURDERS of our loved ones as "JUSTIFIED" and not put up a fight?! Is that what you're asking up to do?! Smile! Huh?! I think NOT! Now, run tell that! Smile! And, justice for Guy Jarreau continues...MURDER is the name of the game, Kent Tribble!

California High   |June.20.2013 5% raise approved for Gov. Jerry Brown and California lawmakers -- A state panel on Wednesday approved a 5% pay raise for Gov. Jerry Brown, legislators and other state elected officials, restoring the salary level they received before it was cut during last year's budget problems. http://www.latimes.com/news/local/political/la-me-pc-pay-raises-california-legislature-20130619,0,6448702.story

California High   |June.20.2013 California in the red by $127.2 billion, state auditors say -- A financial report issued by state auditors finds that the state of California is in the red by an unsustainable $127.2 billion. http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/apr/1/california-red-1272-billion-state-auditors-say/ 5% raise approved for Gov. Jerry Brown and California lawmakers -- A state panel on Wednesday approved a 5% pay raise for Gov. Jerry Brown, legislators and other state elected officials, restoring the salary level they received before it was cut during last year

You Voted For Obama   |June.19.2013 Local governments quietly cutting hours to skirt ObamaCare -- The result is that part-time government workers... many of them low-income... face pay cuts that can top $3,000 a year, and yet will still be left without employer-provided benefits. Here is just a small sampling of local news reports about what local government officials are saying about ObamaCare, and the steps they're taking to avoid or minimize its costs. http://news.investors.com/061913-660419-local-governments-cut-hours-to-avoid-obamacare-mandate.htm

Anonymous   |June.19.2013 So now that the world know how corrupt liberal progressive politicians are, what ethical issues are left for those of you ordinary citizens who claim to be progressive? What policies do you support? A few years ago you railed against Bush and company claiming they were war criminals and engaged in illegal wars. Fast forward to today and the Obama team is on the same track, arming the al-Qaeda affiliates in Libya and other countries across the middle east. We now know that the liberal progressive Obama thugs from Chicago have people inside the IRS passing federally protected taxpayer info to democrat operatives to influence elections. A fascist government targeting Innocent taxpayers, ruining lives, businesses and entire lifetimes of hard work and savings. You cannot be an American with integrity and support these criminals in the democrat party. They are scoundrels that need to be tried for treason.

Anonymous   |June.19.2013 @Rocketman, so you agree with the Oregon "Glock Block" approach then? Maybe Vallejo PD and Fighting Back Partneship won't have an issue with a "We Don't Call 911" stance from Vallejo residents in replacing "Neighborhood Watch" groups with "Glock Block" groups. http://www.businessinsider.com/oregon-neighborhood-forms-glock-block-to-fight-crime-2013-6

Rocketman   |June.19.2013 The problem with the notion of self-defense in the face of crime is that this is California, where self-defense is a crime. With firearms registration required by the state (actually that should be judged unconstitutional), and very restrictive laws that leave Californians largely defenseless before the onslaught, it's tough to defend yourself around here. And in Vallejo, anyone with a gun seen by a cop is likely to be shot to death, and it doesn't matter who you are--the victim or the perp. Vallejo must take on concealed-carry, and the state legislature must get hammered about this issue.

la te da   |June.19.2013 so now a person was attacked while purchasing a coffee at starbucks. the attacker is on active parole. sounds like a great prospect for the new proposed parole help center. and the beat goes on.

Anonymous   |June.18.2013 With all do respect those poor black people could use a job and shops need people. The comments and suggestions I've written here aren't pie in the sky and rather than hanging in the problem I've researched and searched for a way out of the blithe that is currently Vallejo. It doesn't matter how much you or anyone else on this subject wants to rehash what's wrong with Vallejo...it ultimately won't matter. Our minds are going to be focused on the future because that's where solution is. Doesn't matter how trite or smart your comments are your just stuck in the past and wouldn't serve the greater good. Stick with your day/or night job, or no job .Because you haven't given one good idea to move this town forward. We all know what isn't working. Your redundant as several people on this blog are. Sounds like Vallejo isn't your cup of tea. You know Fairfield is just down the road and has lovely warm weather.

wharf rat/the out sourcer   |June.18.2013 Downtown died a slow death Dacades ago Valejo's commecial centers migrated to east Valleo years ago ,they followed the development , prommoteted by CITY STAFF "the bigesst mistake in the book" . when City departments can not even Ballance there books , then just ALARM BELLS GOES OFF ....The Major fault in the COV is that the People of our fair Town pay over % 72 of REVENUE for Publc Safetey ...All the while the Infrastructure IE: water delivery and associated Infrastructure is "Whored" , and put on the back burner Just when will the RIPOFF be ended , when will the fair People of Vallejo be charged for what they recieve . When will Our potholes be repaired , As in a permanent fix , like they once were done when we had a functional and productive Street Crew that laid Streets as smooth as a pool table ... When Camp and VPOA can provide Us with the services We once had .... Otherwise get out of the way as the People of Vallejo just might , Out-sourse these services , as we have not recived said services for years ......

Anonymous   |June.18.2013 "It take well planned marketing. Plus a face lift for the downtown." Come on, get real. We have too many poor blacks in Vallejo. We're over-populated with poor people due to failed social and political policies. Why don't you invite Nancy Pelosi to come here and talk about marketing strategies. That would be enlightening.

All the positivity...   |June.18.2013 sickens me. Just because we live here, and it would be in our best interest, doesn't mean its going to happen. This town is jacked, and there is little that will effectively be done about it.

madi   |June.18.2013 To clarify, The revitalization of downtown will happen. Demographics proves it out. Now or later, it will happen. The city council will handle the city finances, good or bad. There needs to be a second tier for revitalization. That takes energy and not a lot of money on the city's part. For sure not as much as another feasibility study! It take well planned marketing. Plus a face lift for the downtown. Google a documentary called "Paint The Town." A great start to see and hear what a can of paint can do. Then goggle Christopher Lienburger and listen to his lectures on revitalization. The people have the power more than most realize.

Anonymous   |June.18.2013 @madi, it's easy enough to say the city leaders shouldn't focus on the budget and just on business. I agree that would be nice. But in a city coming out of bankruptcy, the leaders don't have the option to focus much elsewhere. My hope is that they put $$, as they focus on the budget, into a better economic development that will go out and reel in those businesses you're talking about.

Vigilante Justice   |June.18.2013 Neighborhood Forms 'Glock Block' As Alternative To 'Neighborhood Watch' -- "We Don't Call 911." -- Oregon is one of 21 states with a "Stand Your Ground" law that allows people to use deadly force if they feel threatened. So, under this law, an Oregon resident could justifiably shoot a home invader. "Stand Your Ground" laws were the subject of much discussion after the shooting death of Florida teenager Trayvon Martin by George Zimmerman, a neighborhood watch member. http://www.businessinsider.com/oregon-neighborhood-forms-glock-block-to-fight-crime-2013-6

Anonymous   |June.18.2013 Vallejo woman killed in Vallejo's second fatal shootings in two days http://www.timesheraldonline.com/news/ci_2347... A woman died in a probable drive by shooting Monday afternoon that left two other people wounded, Vallejo police said. At about 5:45 p.m., police responded to a report of multiple gunshot victims inside a home in the 100 block of Frisbie Street, at Santa Clara Street. The other victims, whose identities were not immediately clear, were taken to an area hospital for their wounds. The extent of their injuries was also unclear as of press time. Vallejo police Capt. Jim O'Connell said that there's an initial indication that there was a drive-by and a

Cream   |June.18.2013 Cash rules everything around me, cream, get the money... Dolla dolla bill y'all

madi   |June.18.2013 Still curious, so we had an influx of new comer's but the rest of the note was speculation. I'm still wondering why the city hasn't or couldn't solicit IT companies and start up's IT's to consider Mare Island? From the urban revival research I've done when the downtowns come back to life cities are beginning to thrive. When downtowns come back to life Large business follows. New stores offer employment and a place for newcomers to go. There really is a formula to make this happen. And it's being done across America. Why the city isn't pursuing this is questionable. The information is out there. I found it, why haven't paid, college degreed city "leaders" found or even thought about it. When elections roll around we need to be voting for that person, the one who did his research and home work instead of buying into the same old repeated rhetoric we consistently hear. Over and over. Something I learned in business was when you stop worrying about the bottom line and concentrate on the work the money follows. The city will or won't figure out the budget but downtown is about the people and commerce and that equals wealth in so many good ways. We as a community have began that process with the 3 million spending choices. Now we need to revitalize downtown because it is the future. Do some research. It's up to us not the City who is stuck in the mud and mire of money and who gets their fair share. Walk away and into a fresh direction Downtown.

Annoymous   |June.18.2013 Memories writes that they will all be bankrupt again. The truth here is that it really is all about getting money. Nothing else really. Let's call a spade a spade.

Memories   |June.18.2013 Oops, sorry! There was a typo for the June 17, 2013 post for "Memories." I meant, "were" instead of "where!" Smile! I own up to my mistakes unlike the Vallejo Police Department! They can't make any mistakes...They are above the law! JUSTIFIED, JUSTIFIED, JUSTIFIED is the name of the game...Smile! And, justice for Guy Jarreau continues...

Memories   |June.18.2013 Yep! Everyone else is to blame for their (Vallejo Police Department) stupidity! You got that right! Sgt. Kenny Parks stated that there were no witnesses during the press conference for Guy Jarreau in December 2010 so, where did the civilian witness come from?! One minute they say that there were no witnesses because both Guy Jarreau and the MURDERER, Kent Tribble, turned the corner in the "alley" and now they say that there was this civilian witness! Smile! They need to get their lies together! They lied about airlifting Guy Jarreau from that alley when they knew he was transported to an out of county hospital (John Muir) by GROUND AMBULANCE...So, yes they are LYING! They MUST take responsibility for their actions, as well. They will learn when they are HIT with lawsuits after lawsuits! They'll be bankrupt, again...Smile! And, justice for Guy Jarreau continues. Now, run tell that! Smile!

Projection   |June.17.2013 It's called projection.

annoymous   |June.17.2013 Everyone is lying. That must the only truth.

Anonymous   |June.17.2013 So typical for Obama voters, everyone else is to blame for their stupidity. The barbershop owner who saw Jarreau with a gun is lying, the witness in the car is lying, the police officer is lying, the newspaper is lying, the district attorney is lying; it's all a big excuse by people who are unwilling to take personal responsibility for their actions.

Memories   |June.17.2013 And, justice for Guy Jarreau continues! Smile!

Memories   |June.17.2013 @ John Muir: Smile...I NEVER said that John Muir wasn't the best "TRAUMA" not "TRAMA" hospital in the bay area! I NEVER said that! Smile! The fact I'm trying to drive is that Guy Jarreau should've been taken to the NEAREST facility for his gunshot wound and NOT to the farthest facility (John Muir). Guy Jarreau was driven, by ground ambulance, to John Muir! No, Officer James Capoot was taken, promptly, to Kaiser because John Muir "was deemed too far," as stated by law enforcement not because they knew it was too late to save him! Smile! Get your facts straight, please! I only wish the city of Vallejo and the Vallejo Police Department stop labeling every MURDER committed by their officers as JUSTIFIED! I only wish! Smile! And, justice for Guy Jarreau continues...

Memories   |June.17.2013 @ Anonymous: No, you remember the facts! Kenny Parks, with the Vallejo Police Department, stated back in December 2010 (after the MURDER of Guy Jarreau-Press Conference) that there where NO witnesses to the shooting because the officer had "run" behind Guy Jarreau and "turned a corner." So, where did the civilian witness come from, huh? The civilian witness was said to have been sitting in his car and observed the shooting, but how can that be when Kenny Parks said there where NO witnesses to the shooting because both Guy Jarreau and the MURDERER, Kent Tribble, both turned a corner?! You got an answer for that, "goldie"?! Smile...And, justice for Guy Jarreau continues...Yes, I'm back! Smile!!!

Memories   |June.17.2013 @ Anonymous: Yes, I'm yawning, too! Waiting for the day the district attorney's office stops labeling every MURDER the Vallejo Police Department commits as JUSTIFIED! Smile! So, keep YAWNING! And, justice for Guy Jarreau continues...

Anonymous   |June.17.2013 What a fraud we have in the white house. All of the lies, the cover ups, the policy disasters perpetrated on the America people by Chicago gangsters. Each and everyone of these criminals needs to go.

Anonymous   |June.17.2013 Agreed @to Wharf Rat! The Dems have sold their collective souls to the unions just as the Repubs did to Big Buisiness. I struggle being a Dem anymore, because the higher ups in the party disgust me. But what to do? I hate what the Repubs do far more. So I'm stuck.

to: wharf rat   |June.17.2013 back in the day our democratic party wasn't subservient to the public employee unions. At some point that changed and not for the better. Today's democratic party doesn't seem to be hearing what the middle class is saying.

wharf rat   |June.16.2013 @ know Vallejo "right on" ya got my vote

wharf rat   |June.16.2013 @ Gc yes you are spot on I have traveled this world and never had a problem with the many "poor" people I have encountered in fact I found them to be the most generous folks in the world . When the clothes on your back are worth more than their anual income yet they will spend time to assist you to find your way without asking for compensation or even expecting it . The definition of "poor" needs an overhaul and poverty comes in many forms as seen in Vallejo on a daily basis . The ethically and morally impoverished abound in this town this is most evident in City hall and with certain PAC'S within the organisation . Those blessed to grow up in a wealthy Family (wealth not $$$$$) are truly a priveledged class and well prepared to pass on what was learned ...

know vallejo   |June.16.2013 like you, GCer, i grew up with few material possessions. but it was a much different world in our childhood. there wasn't a television and/or computer telling me that i was less if i didn't have an xbox or a pair of michael jordans or a season pass to marine world or any number of other things. our society has become obsessed with consumerism. our children suffer because of it. we buy thousands of pieces of cheap plastic crap from china in stores that pay their workers nothing and then complain that there are no jobs in america. i don't believe in entitlement. i was raised by people who lived through the depression and WWII. i was taught to work for what i wanted but i was also taught that my worth was in who i was, not what things i owned. sadly, i don't think most children are taught that now. it's all about what car you drive, what designer clothes you wear and how young you look. we've failed our children. it's just more obvious with the poor ones. as for monkeys - greed, cruelty, ignorance, hate, vanity are human traits. don't put them on the innocent animals.

GC'er   |June.16.2013 You have not offended me; nothing both of us said is untrue, maybe just awkwardly phrased in my case. There are many differing viewpoints and opinions what poor could and does mean. I admit freely that my family could have been considered poor by today's standards. My parents although educated performed work that helped bridge the real bad times after WWII. They sacrificed their dreams and gave 2 boys the opportunities they could not realize themselves, a fully credentialed education and a better life than theirs. I have been told that one of my brothers attended school in a home sewn jacket and pants made from the POW outfit my uncle wore when he returned from US captivity. My mother simply turned it inside out and remade a jacket and pants from it. As the only girl I had certain privileges and I admit that I never lacked of anything and had a very happy childhood. We had a little house, some property, homegrown produce, milk and meat, seasonable fruits and whatever my mother was able to preserve for the winter months. We never owned a car but were able to hop onto bikes that took us everywhere we could peddle to. Freedom to run with the wind and actions that had consequences when overstepped ......and all the love I would allow into my young life made my childhood rich, but I had no money in my little pocketbook unless I received a few bits for my birthday. I was poor but never felt it! Over the years I realized that money is a useful tool to acquire a lot of superficial stuff and live well. Having a lot of disposable income does not make anyone a better person if one is already corrupt,without morals and believes that the world owes them anything without personal effort.

silasbarnabe   |June.16.2013 @Anonymous, Iraqi and Afghanistan Village and City dwellers might agree with your assessment of discharging automatic weapons.

Anonymous   |June.16.2013 I didn't mean to offend you GC. It's just that to me, only a being with the intellect and ability of a primate (opposable thumb) can discharge an automatic pistol willie-nillie in the street and not consider the collateral damage it might cause. Animal behavior. I wish it were not this way but that is our reality. Should we not put into words the events we are witnessing?

GC'er   |June.16.2013 I don't know, but I bristle at the mention that poor people can be considered poor monkeys. I have seen my share of wealthy, intelligent and cunning monkeys..... What is poor in your estimation, non monied people, morally lacking, uneducated, weak minded, lazy or all of the before mentioned? Let's not forget that many uneducated and work shy people populating Vallejo today came because they were enticed to come because of reasonable housing costs provided via the taxpayer. Coupled with a laid back attitude and selective enforcements of the laws, what better place to live than in my town? We offer very little private employment opportunities that would provide personal growth and the pride of achievement to any one willing to invest in themselves, however we are big time providers of governmental handouts. Has been that way for far too long and will continue to be .....and being poor is only a small piece of the pie.

Anonymous   |June.16.2013 Obama the donkey tender. Get a note, get a note, get on the move little doggies. He knows the gov. subsidies will be your new home.

Obama All The Time   |June.16.2013 AT&T to Load iPhones With Emergency Alerts From Obama That You Can't Switch Off http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2013/06/att-to-load-iphones-with-emergency-alerts-from-obama-that-you-cant-switch-off/?utm_source=twitterfeed

Obama All The Time   |June.16.2013 AT&T to Load iPhones With Emergency Alerts From Obama

Strong Math Mayor   |June.16.2013 Lets tell Osby we wont make him strong mayor unless he gets his MBA... Attorney's strong suite is now always math, most will tell you this. Osby does not understand "the big math" there is no postulating going on, and there is no MC2 (M C squared) in his near future...

Anonymous   |June.16.2013 We're in for a difficult time folks. As the economy continues to churn, the low or no skill people in this country will become more and more desperate. Here in Vallejo we host a huge population of poor people that have no chance whatsoever of joining modern man and the high tech economy. Today these poor monkeys primarily prey upon themselves but at some point they will make a wholesale shift and begin attacking their benefactors. Once all of the resources have been scavenged within their own communities they will attack you and your family members in your neighborhoods. What we see with the home breakins and assaults in the "nice" Vallejo neighborhoods is just a precursor of what lays before us. Stay alert, stay aggressive in calling the police on suspicious activity and be brave. Remember that your brain and your intellect is far greater that the primitive souls that prey on you. Out thinking them is the best defense.

wharf rat   |June.16.2013 BREAKING NEWS !! # 103 Sawyer street multiple gun-shots a Victim has been shot with mutiple Bullets to his body .. The VPD is in OVERDRIVE ,, the Victim is going to Kaiser ... VPD is Kickin ass and Our dispatchers are "THE MOST AWSOME WORKING GROUP IN OUR HISTORY .. PERIOD .. AND END OF story" .. Any one who listens to a Police Scaner Knows that the Dispatch personal are "AWSOME" and are the life-blood of Our Police Department and in fact their connection to the real World , as well as the Crappology they have been subjected to on a shift by shift basis ..... Is more than most Mortals could handle .. Yes The Dispatchers do a job that would "kILL" most of the CAMP crowd !! they are "SuperHumans" Just power up a Police scanner and listen and learn ..... A cheap 10 channel scanner is a greate survival tool ... The Dispatchers juggle numerous calls and multi task beyond beliefe ... As I write this blog another 3 subjects are going to County One must wonder if a Buss would be cost effictive , ya know a regular pick up Schedule kinda like a pipeline to claybank ......

Mr :)   |June.15.2013 Update on the 2009 bankruptcy. Pritchard had a previous bankruptcy that did not solve the problem. Then in 09 the checks stopped clearing. Prichard pension bust was first government pension collapse since the Great Depression http://blog.al.com/live/2013/06/we_were_there_prichard_pension

wharf rat   |June.15.2013 Wow Silas ! seems you have had some strong coffee today .. Keep in mind when the Arsenal closed in Benicia they went through a depression for aprox a decade and a half . Large homes were selling for $ 5.000 then things picked up and now property values are UP Vallejo will see the same type of Renasisance soon if we can stay on track and reign in poor performing Government functions . The key is a strong local economy !!! and functional local Government . The School district is another issue and just might be the biggest challenge we face to restore our City to what it once was . Critical to this renasisance will be upcomming and future elections , this is where the rubber meets the road every Voter will determine Vallejo's fate VIA their vote , hopefully we will see some dynamic canidates . The new Council will have many challenges such as Osbys desire to become "a strong Mayor" well he has had years to perform we have yet to see any "strong results", Fiscal reality combined with old fashioned sound management needs to be the mantra re-discovering infrastructure needs to be an emphasis for the generations that follow "we have squandered our infrastructue investment" of many generations with un-sustainable compensation packages . We now must return to "the basics" the things that a City must do to maintain a functional environment where the Citizens can thrive and raise Families with futures other than a prison existence ... Forgive me i rant ...........

silasbarnabe   |June.15.2013 @Anonymous, That has always been a good question. About 15 years ago we started to have an influx of new comers from other cities relocate to Vallejo for obvious reasons (low cost, beautiful weather, great location). When these new comers saw how dysfunctional our city leaders and GOB were we witnessed the birth of VIB, and genuine community based stakeholders. These new comers knew based on the citys they came from that this city needed changes which would be to the financial detriment of the old leaders and GOBs. It could be that the leadership here would not want such companies and their families living here as their intelligence of recognizing a bad deal for residents and non favored businesses would be brought to light and new monies would be available to elect leaders that actually cared for the taxpayers well being. On a shoe string budget we have elected a new council majority that has gone against the old ways and fought for the benefit of taxpayers. It would be frightening to the GOB to actually have financially sound and intelligent companies relocate here as there would be deeper pockets than city unions and the likes of hannigans father.

Anonymous   |June.15.2013 I'm curious, has the city ever thought to solicit Silicon Valley start ups or established IT businesses to take a look at Mare Island for possible homes for their businesses?

Intintoli and Hannigan   |June.15.2013 It was the Navy and the unions that really ran Vallejo for the first 140 years, when the Navy left in 1996 they should have taken all the unions with them. Once the gazillion dollar a month payroll stopped rolling in from the Navy the unions should have known that Vallejo would no longer be able to afford unions demands that had been met for years from the surplus of money that was always rolling in. The unions are mostly made up of blue collar workers, not always so good with math, do they thought there was a magic money tree that the money fell off, they didn't say to themselves, yikes the huge money from Mare Island is gone, lets tighten our belts. Vallejo has been run by "bumpkins" for years, as long as money rolled in from the Navy and the huge ripple affect in the retail community, all this sales tax revenue rolled into the general fund. The "bumpkins" didn't have to have good math skills, forward thinking or conservative views on money. Remember even Major Davis said he didn't understand the chart, or "must have been asleep" when the money flow chart was on exhibit to show what would happen if they police got their 6 percent raise... Maybe we should look at the education and how well a person can balance their check book before we allow them to run for city council, it only makes sense, we need to pick "smarter" this time. I am going to give Intintoli and Hannigan a break, maybe they cant help that they don't understand "long math,"

silasbarnabe   |June.15.2013 @Wharf Rat, True will will never know the real reason, but I do remember the vote on the feasibility study, then the withdrawal of the project. I am really not an Intintoli fan, but I am much less of a hannigan fan. She has absolutely no redeeming qualities and apparently her supporters here are hard pressed to list her accomplishments during her disaster of a tenure here. One more thing I would say about Intintoli is that if was genuinely undemocratic, LNG, Priosn, and Casino would already be here.

wharf rat   |June.15.2013 @ Silas You will never know just why the the LNG poroject Died a slow death .. Suffice it to say the proponents , supplied an ample supply of Gourmet Coockies and a Respectabile batch of gooddies .......Only then the Locals Kicked their ass .. without even tasting their crappy offering .... We Knew to some extent just what they were all about and many Locals Knew that the Carqinez Straits , ad the -undersea area going up to Franks' tract HOLD HUGE NATURAL GAS RESERVES ......

wharf rat   |June.15.2013 @ silas keep in mind Toney railed and stated that a Major state prison on Mare island was the best that we could expect and we would be fools to resist it .. the Population KICKED his ass and told Him where to go !!!! The LNG fiasco was just another flawed concept (of wich I have first hand info re: it's demise and some expanded and interesting FACTS) In fact Tony has been one of the most detrimental and NON Democratic Players in the pollitical Circus that the People of Vallejo are subjected to and pay for for years ... Osby will NEVER BE A STRONG MAYOR because We can not afford it our form of Government excludes these types of Fifedoms and abuses of power this is why Vallejo became a Charter City Form of Government where the Mayor is just a ONE vote on the Council and in other respects a mere "Figurehead" for official functions not overlooked nor over valued .. A Spoksperson with ONE vote "take it or leave it" Forget about the "Strong Mayor concept" as you have been in power for soo many years and have yet to deliver the goods ... Just what do You propose to the Tax payers of Vallejo ... Where are the jobs for Our Youth ,, where is the Equity of the six figure salaries paid to the maority of City Management ,,, How can we sustain the payroll of Public Safety ,, and the Camp Crowd ,, How the hell can we maintain OUR PUBLIC infrastructure IE : THE COMPROMISED WATER MAINS THAT LEAK MILLIONS OF GALLONS OF TREATED DOMESTIC WATER SUCH THAT CITYWIDE WATER PRESSURE HAS BEEN REDUCED TO A ALMOST DISS-FUNCTIONAL DELIVERY PRESSURE TO REDUCE TOTAL LOSSES BY A COMPROMISED WATER SYSTEM ,, ONCE ROBUST THAT NOW RESEMBLES A THIRD WORLD SWISS CHEESE RUBE GOLDBERG CARTOON... Vallejo was once a Infrastructure and services based Commuity where all the Ultities were Volume bassed both water and Sanitation were VOLUME, costed via actual consumption .. This made perfect sence You payed what You contributed ! then the era of tag on's came into effect , where a water bill had % 40 of OTHER CHARGES tacked on to it and the 30 year plus Customers became "rate payers" not long term Customers .....Thus the demise of Municipal Victims began ... Once we were customers then We bacame "rate payers" with no rights and over charged for even the most essential services .. the funny thing is that Our usage remained the same even though We were out of Town for two weeks durring a blling period ... Well what the heck the Vallejo Water department has no oversite except Via Our City Council ..... The PUC has NO authority over this Multi jursdictional water Empire...... The Vallejo water enterprise is a Rouge opperation and well over due for an audit and in fact a grand jury .. Investigation is long over due ...

Anonymous   |June.14.2013 Big math my foot. Democrats entire party platform rests on an unsustainable concept of lavish benefits and salaries for government workers. Are you asleep or just pretending not to get it?

silasbarnabe   |June.14.2013 and hannigan did what?

Economic Development   |June.14.2013 Jeb Bush: The Future Of The US Economy Depends Upon Immigrants Jeb Bush: Immigrants "are more fertile" and create more businesses than native-born Americans. http://www.businessinsider.com/jeb-bush-the-future-of-the-us-economy-depends-upon-immigrants-2013-6

misguided history   |June.14.2013 Mayor tony was the one who pushed the LNG project and when ill winds appeared he fought it. Don't give him any credit.

silasbarnabe   |June.14.2013 Sorry I do not agree I can name one huge thing Intintoli did for Vallejo, he axed the LNG Project. With that fact in mind what good thing has hannigan ever done for Vallejo?

Intintoli and Hannigan   |June.14.2013 One and the same in my book. Intintoli is one of the reason are city is a big financial mess, he didn't get the "big math." He may have been a teacher for years, and you know what they say, "those that can't...go into politics. Hannigan, she's not so smart either, not good with the "big math" may have meant no harm, does not make her any less or smarter than Intintoli. It is one of the reasons that many of us would not vote for Intintoli, we felt the guy really let us down for more than 20 years, where as Hannigan is just getting started... Bah Humbug, where is "superman" when you need him...

silasbarnabe   |June.14.2013 Seven years? Only one person could be such a blowhard with such incorrect facts.

ANONYMOUS:   |June.14.2013 FIREBUG/ANON: at least she has a daddy. Who's your daddy. If you think she didn't win by that much, ask Intintioli if he thought it was close. You guys just can't get out of the past. CAMP, VPOA..that was 7 years ago you morons!!! I guess you believe that PB is the answer to our problems?? geez, you need to sit down with JD and really find out how the City works, but then you would have to quit sitting in front of your computer and thinking you make sense...get a life, especially you Firebug or move in with SD and your buddy? Silas........You guys make me proud to be a Vallejoan (NOT)...

wharf rat   |June.14.2013 Even better if he got thrown under the ice cream truck !!

Anonymous   |June.14.2013 Hannigan being facetious? You're being facetious. Hannigan bought the election with Daddy's money. She could never have done it on her own. Hannigan paid a lot for those votes: about $50 a piece. Considering spending $100,000 more than Intinoli, she didn't win by that large of a margin.

Firebug   |June.14.2013 Wouldnt it be remarkable if the ice cream man threw a snow cone and broke hwsnbn nose?

wharf rat   |June.14.2013 BREAKING NEWS @ 2 : 24 Georgia and beechwood streets Ice cream Man throws a snowcone in Mans face breaking his nose . Police radio trafic displayed some levity an Officer will respond and advise re : medical responce . Seems the good humor men are gettin tough these days ...

sparky   |June.14.2013 I am only speaking the truth "verbatum" her statements are on record hard to believe

Firebug   |June.14.2013 Excellent Sparky, You have enraged another sycophant of hannigan. Was she being facicious when she cut economic development and handed out raises for CAMP and VPOA despite a "structural deficit" that Vallejo still has today?

ANONYMOUS:   |June.14.2013 SPARKY: You are really something. If you don't know that Hannigan was being ficicious, you should retire. Your bias with everything you write here is evident. How about Brown's constant jibberish on her knowledge of planning matters and she couldn't even keep her job in Sacramento. (and she isn't being ficicious??)..By the way what does she do today for work?? at least Hannigan was elected (overwhelmenly to the BOS)..Retire from whatever you think you do.....

sparky   |June.14.2013 Council member hannigan : elliminate public works to ballance our structural defficet ..What a brainiac ?

Bad Roads = Deferred Debt   |June.13.2013 Pavement conditions of bay area roads, by jurisdictions, are contained in this recently released report dated June 2011. Roads are usually the first thing to be de-funded when other interest groups become the first priority. As Rob Stout has claimed during many council meetings, the cost of road maintenance grows exponentially as the PMI (Pavement Maintenace Index) declines. It is truly a pay pay me now or pay much more later proposition. Where does Vallejo rank among some 100 bay area jurisdictions? The answer is here: http://www.mtc.ca.gov/news/press_releases/pavement/PCI_11.pdf

wharf rat   |June.13.2013 Modern times , 2001 , Dr Strangelove so many masterpices such raw tallent done in the pre digital age . Hollywood lost it's way long ago soon Theaters will be a thing of the past .

Expansive Trash   |June.13.2013 re: Hollywood is going down fast with the constant trash they're putting out. Agree. Not only most are trash, they are so ridiculously expensive to make and not sustainable.

You're right   |June.13.2013 I just think they're out of touch, even if they're right.

Hollywood Going Down   |June.13.2013 @Movies This is icing on the cake. Spielberg and Lucas, the greatest icons in Hollywood, obviously know what they are talking about. Hollywood is going down fast with the constant trash they're putting out, along with Cory Feldman exposing the inner paedophile sex corruption of the Hollywood elites.

Movies   |June.13.2013 Take what these two men say with a grain of salt. These two geniuses raped Indiana Jones and thought the public wanted to see Lincoln and Red Tails. They are old decadent liberals doing what old decadent liberals do, criticize the middle-brow public.

No M.I. Movie Studios   |June.13.2013 Steven Spielberg Predicts 'Implosion' of Film Industry -- Steven Spielberg on Wednesday predicted an "implosion" in the film industry is inevitable -- George Lucas agreed that massive changes are afoot http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/steven-spielberg-predicts-implosion-film-567604

wharf rat   |June.13.2013 @ anon I have no details re : Mare Island rail service I simply observed a locomotive and a rail car entering the Island yesterday .

City Budget   |June.13.2013 re: Housing Authority isn't general fund money, is it? Who pay for the pension for those 17 people when they retire? is their pension liability covered by someone else but not general fund? Is it PEOPLE LIKE YOU who only look at NOW and not the impact of your action that screwed all our residents here.

Anonymous   |June.13.2013 Sorry Know Vallejo. Thompson and Davis are not law partners. Insurance companies normally control how long it takes for a building to be worked on after a fire. Millerville vs. Hiddenbrooke really doesn't enter into it. There is a lot to criticize about the mayor, any mayor for that matter. When you talk about his brethren at Friendship, he isn't a member there. What else you might mean by that you don't say.

City Budget   |June.13.2013 We do have a few "community development" type not under VHA but under city (general fund) payroll, do we? and most are SENIOR positions. Besides, the result of making COV a DESTINATION for "no-income" people IS PAID by general fund. (police, crime, lack of business...).. yes, you got it...no income..no business. You also miss the point that instead of cutting service, Benicia cut the highest-paid employee.

Anonymous   |June.13.2013 Vallejo is bigger than Benicia, and Housing Authority isn't general fund money, is it?

City Budget   |June.13.2013 In case you missed: BENICIA -- One of the city's highest-paid employees, Community Development Director Charlie Knox, has been laid off as the city looks for ways to live within its means, city officials have announced. . . "As you know the city continues to experience financial troubles," Kilger said in response to a media inquiry about the move, which the Benicia Herald reported Tuesday. "The city is committed to making structural changes to help address the financial issues." . . Do you see the difference here? Vallejo has 17 people working for VHA, is it time for some change?

Anonymous   |June.13.2013 Top of the morning to you Wharf Rat, details please! Did the scoundrels at Lennar get religion and give permission for the train operators to use the tracks? What gives?

wharf rat   |June.12.2013 How about some good news ! the trains are running on Mare Island again !!!

know vallejo   |June.12.2013 you are correct. davis doesn't own the building, but his good friend and business partner, michael thompson, does. so to say that he has no responsibility is splitting hairs. he has no legal responsibility for the condition of the building, but he has a moral and social responsibility to see that it doesn't remain an unsightly and unsafe nuisance. you can bet that it wouldn't still be in that condition if it was in hiddenbrooke instead of millerville. and i wonder what his god thinks of his treatment of his brethren at friendship baptist, located only a few short blocks away.

Annonymous   |June.12.2013 Not being a big fan of the politician mayor Osby Davis, fair is as fair does. Mr. Davis does not own the burned office building on Amador. You can criticize him for a lot of things. This is not one of those things.

i love vallejo   |June.12.2013 There was an interesting letter in the TH today by a woman who has had graffiti on a retaining wall that she owns and she had gotten a letter from the city with threatening fines so she took care of it as she did not want to get fined and felt it was the right thing to do anyway as she loves Vallejo. Meanwhile she brought up the fact that Mayor Osby Davis, who has his old law office across from the Courts and had a fire at his office quite a while ago. Anyway his place is boarded up and marked up with graffiti but nothing is being done to correct this. So she is wondering as am I why he is not being fined or forced to mitigate his obvious infractions. Why does he get a free pass? Is this fair to the rest of us citizens? Osby clean up your act and get with the program and Nimat in Code Enforcement, do your job!

wharf rat @ traditional   |June.12.2013 Something happened with my last post I was propossing the family get Together VIA a good Pancake Breakfest ....

wharf rat   |June.12.2013 Afirm, John Muir is a real first class trauma center and often brings back people back from the brink of death .. I heard the radio transmissions when Officer Capott was murdered , and it was HORRIBLE and will allways be remembered . ( the Officers on scene will never forget the Agony such as was transmitted over the Radio) Some were totally overcome while some were calm and collected .. A Murderer was still on the lose , and was soon caught .... Collectivley the PD took a Murderer off the Streets ... Without shooting Him !! in fact Officer Capott's demise contributed to other vallejo Police Officers eventual survival and hopefully the bouncing of Grand-Daughters on their knees ... For You see most of the people of Vallejo want a crime free City , with no Gun play and a % 100 survival rate for all of our Cops ..... The recent confrontations between Police and Suicidal/mentally Ill folks is very troublling ... One can only wonder just what is the long term effects of these confrontations ... Are People Commiting Suicide VIA cop ?? in fact Suicide is an act of Violence against Family and friends !!! Possibly the worst method to achive attention !! far better to reach out to those close to you and the associated Friendships ... hey share some pancakes or other yummies !!! ...

John Muir   |June.11.2013 John Muir hospital is the BEST TRAMA hospital in the Bay Area. If Guy was not transported there, you would be saying that we are racist and did not give him the VERY BEST Treatment. I believe Officer Capoot was taken to Kaiser as it was too late to save him, and when the ambulance arrived they already knew this. Goes to figure, Guy J gets send to Posh John Muir, I only wish my insurance would cover this hospital, it is got a really good reputation, but your so ignorant that you just think its another standard service hospital, if John Muir could not save Guy J, believe me, Kaiser would have just told him to take a number...

wharf rat   |June.11.2013 If this questionable formula was used in the EIR then it too comes under question the State clearing house might have to de-certify it or require an amendment to be attatched possibly with a Public review process . Maby the State will save us from ourselves .

Solano360 Approved   |June.11.2013 ** BREAKING NEWS ** Board Of Supervisors Voted 5-0 to Approve Solano360 development plan. Board Of Supervisors Voted 4-1 to Approve Solano360 financing timeline. This follows Vallejo City Council's earlier 7-0 vote to approve. 28 13-0460 Consider approval of a Development Agreement with the City of Vallejo for the Solano360 Project

Anonymous   |June.11.2013 I read in the Chronicle about Vallejo PB today! Great, positive article for Vallejo...until Mayor Davis took a large dump on it when he opened hiis mouth. I've only lived here a couple of years, for those more "in the know", does this guy thrive on bad pr?

Anonymous   |June.11.2013 The gold tooth grifter is back. Remember the facts goldie? A group of teens were working on a music video outside a tattoo shop near Sonoma Boulevard and Kentucky Street around 3 p.m. The shop owner noticed that one man in the group had a gun and called police. Tribble drove to the shop and saw Jarreau, 34, leave the group and run into a nearby alley. Tribble followed him, repeatedly shouting for Jarreau to stop. Jarreau stopped, turned and flashed a pearl handled revolver. Tribble shot Jarreau once in the chest, killing him. The officer "had no choice," said a civilian witness seated in a car at the entrance to the alley. The witness said he was afraid Jarreau was going to shoot at him. http://www.dailyrepublic.com/featured-stories/probes-clear-police-in-recent-officer-involved-shootings/

Anonymous   |June.11.2013 *yawn*

Memories   |June.11.2013 JUSTICE for GUY JARREAU is STILL in effect!!! Let's not forgot how Guy Jarreau was transported to an out of county hospital (John Muir) when Officer James Capoot was transported to Kaiser for his gunshot wounds! It appears as if they wanted Guy Jarreau DEAD. I wonder why! Smile! Guy Jarreau was MURDERED by Vallejo Police Officer Kent Tribble on Saturday, December 11, 2010 on Sonoma Blvd. (alley). To this day, no police report has been given to the mother of Guy Jarreau. But, they (the city of Vallejo) paid the attorney's fees of Andrea Jarreau-Griffin in the amount of $12,500.00 (for the California Public Records Act Lawsuit that was filed in 2012). Also, the federal lawsuit was filed against the city of Vallejo (Vallejo Police Department) on December 10, 2012! And, they thought they were going to sweep the MURDER of Guy Jarreau under the rug! NOT! Smile! And, justice for Guy Jarreau continues...Kent Tribble...You have BLOOD on your hands!!!

College Not For All   |June.11.2013 re: "A new report, "The Hidden STEM Economy," reveals that a university degree is not required for 27.5 percent of all jobs in the San Jose area in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math. The number is even higher -- 36 percent -- in San Francisco and the East Bay." 'Hidden' economy in Silicon Valley built without advanced degrees http://www.contracostatimes.com/science/ci_23424656/hidden-economy-silicon-valley-built-without-advanced-degrees 85% of Americans are wasting their time and money on college http://www.businessinsider.com/is-college-still-worth-it-penelope-trunk-2013-5

I am proof   |June.10.2013 Of the so-called "hidden" STEM economy. VHS graduate. No degree. Long-term STEM employment. College is for... I don't know what college is for. I was about to talk trash, but I wouldn't have know what I was talking about. College is for wasting time? Meeting a spouse? Getting a humanities degree? Anon, please post the link. Could be useful to others.

wharf rat   |June.10.2013 @ anon Wow this is a huge story ! is the housing authority doing all this behind Councils backs ? and is there a prominent polition on the dias supporting this end run on ellected Government ? I thought Council killed this project . Can You back this up ? if so please share your info with Our Editor !!! I wonder what other clandestine deals are in the works and the leagality of such and just who is on this "list" and exactly who provided this "list to developers ????

Anonymous   |June.10.2013 Just a heads up. The Seabreeze carpetbaggers have not left town. They are continuing to work with the Vallejo Housing Authority staff on turning a large complex in South Vallejo into 100% subsidized housing. Currently there is a mix of market rate and subsidized housing there. The carpetbaggers got run out by the City Council which told them in no uncertain terms that Vallejo has enough subsidized housing. So staff gave them the names and contact information for all those they have identified as NIMBYs so the carpetbaggers could sweet talk us into supporting them next time they came before the council. The carpetbaggers say they need to convert it so they can get a really big government loan (at more than favorable rates ) to fix it up...they say they can't afford to fix it up without those subsidies. Poor things!!! I want some of those subsidies too!! I can't afford all the expensive maintenance either. What a great deal. So may questions are 1. why is City staff still working with them?? and 2. why did they give out my personal information without my permission and 3. I resent being characterized as a NIMBY which is a pejorative for selfish, stupid people who are roadblocks. Just like the other N word, it is a major insult!!!

Anonymous   |June.10.2013 A new report, "The Hidden STEM Economy," reveals that a university degree is not required for 27.5 percent of all jobs in the San Jose area in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math. The number is even higher -- 36 percent -- in San Francisco and the East Bay. Drawing from high schools, vocational schools and community colleges, these jobs pay annual salaries averaging $73,000

wharf rat   |June.10.2013 @ yeah wake up the City is "bigtime" in your pocket even your cellphone is taxed just what do you get in return ????

Yeah, good luck   |June.09.2013 I want the city in my pocket like I want the NSA in my email. NOT AT ALL. No money for failures.

Anonymous   |June.09.2013 Ha! BTW Eric Holder. You are a horses ass. Good night Vallejo.

Anonymous   |June.09.2013 @drbob I share your concern. Let's try and craft parking regulations that are more global in nature. Drive down Mountain View St. from Greenfield Ave. You will see a continuous line of parked vehicles, very little open curb space. This is due to the fragmentation of the family home with sub leases in place to support the mortgage payment. When we fall under economic stress, the vehicle count goes up. Lets be somewhat smart here in reacting to economic activity in the small business sector. We need every revenue positive activity we can get in Vallejo. Yes, it's that bad imo.

drbob   |June.09.2013 @Anon.,The phrase is medical and dental offices, so I imagine a care home would not be covered there. The six client a day limit might apply though.

drbob   |June.09.2013 The home business ordinance is BACK. In addition to the prohibition of "medical and dental" offices, and byu extension, chiropractic offices, there is still the provision of a limit of one truck for a business. There is at least one frequent commentator here whose business would be impacted, so Heads Up Tuesday, current and aspiring home business operators.

Anonymous   |June.09.2013 Excuse me. s/b the profitability of basic ballpark operations can be zero. Revenue minus expenses for the operations budget can be a wash and the venture still considered a success due to ancillary benefits to the corporation, yada, yada.

Anonymous   |June.09.2013 Many of the successful triple A baseball parks across the nation have corporate sponsors. The revenue stream alone from operating the ballpark can be zero and considered a success. The corporation gets naming rights to the facility and benefits from all secondary sales of content and merchandising of the team. The difficult part about Vallejo is the marketing. Not many companies want to be associated with poor blacks. Somehow, someone here will have to come up with the magical marketing recipe for making lemonade out of lemons. You need to climb way outside the box to hit on a winner here.

Lulz   |June.09.2013 >> All is needed is additional ballpark seating to >> 2000-2500 capacity, downtown hotels and public >> parking garage across street from Wilson Park. hahaha

Sport Field   |June.09.2013 One example is the Berkeley sport field between I-80 and the bay (you can locate it by the bright lights at night). I do not have the numbers but it is usually busy late into the night.

Anonymous   |June.09.2013 Wilson Park is where the Vallejo Admirals belong, not fairgrounds. Excellent location from downtown, park and ride, and freeway access. All is needed is additional ballpark seating to 2000-2500 capacity, downtown hotels and public parking garage across street from Wilson Park.

wharf rat   |June.09.2013 @ anon RE: other Cities I have not researched this heavily however Dan Levin has and included some examples in his articles on the Solano 360 project on this very site . Vib has a large archive of past articles you will find some compelling info re: the sports economy in other Cities .. Having been a little league Dad for years I can attest to the revenue generated by Myself and the huge income from consessions & etc . Consider a sports complex with a semi pro ball team little league , soccer perhaps even rugby track and field is a possibility as is equestrian events it is almost limitless . Every visitor will spend MONEY in Vallejo!! while the development/infrastructure costs will be about as low as can be per square foot . then factor the Discovery Kingdom connection as a Family event weekend destination , Hotel tax etc: If the Maritime Accademy were included we would have College sports as well !! this would be a great land use as it would be relativly un developed and could be used for another activity in the future if needed .. The more I think about it the better it sounds revenue per acre versus cost for development could pencil out better than brick and mortar development in the long run with much lower risks .

Anonymous   |June.09.2013 @wr off thread Are there any examples of other cities cashing in on this sports boom? Is there a model sports complex that can be viewed on line that brings in ... ?

wharf rat off thread   |June.09.2013 Well looks like the Vallejo Admirals are a smash hit ! and long overdue . As presented by Dan Levin in his exelent articles re:Solano 360 development the Baseball economy is smokin hot as is Soccer . Amature and semi pro sports are a perfect fit for Vallejo and the Fairgrounds site is ideal for this industry as is the north end of Mare Island . You cant find a better land use scenerio when you compare development costs and infrastructure to the impacts/revenue generated by sports complexes . I suspect the Admirals will outgrow their current field before the seasons end and we will see other teams poping up around the region with great regional rivalries they will all need ballparks to play in and Vallejo has the perfect demographics to accomodate them. From hotel tax to hotdogs this could be a multi million dollar boom for Vallejo and good Family fun for all .. Lets not miss the boat this time we have great transportation conectivity from freeway to Ferries its time to benifet from Our attributes in a bold way ....

Anonymous   |June.09.2013 @dr bob "Health Care Offices"? is that the same as a care home?

wharf rat   |June.09.2013 Vallejo needs all the business we can get home bassed busineses are very efficient and contribute to our local economy. Barring parking and traffic issues they contribute to neighborhood securety as People are around durring the daytime .. Noise intensive opperations are not compatible with residential areas nor are high traffic ones . Cov has some dumb rules for home bassed businesses they need an overhaul to reflect modern times . With fiber nodes throughout town data intensive operations are now possible these are very low to no impact and should be encouraged , other profesional services are compatible as well consensus from the neibours would be a good first step to avoid opposition with all the abandoned and foreclosed homes in town we should embrace those that generate revenue self supporting residential properties are a good thing

drbob   |June.08.2013 Now for something completely different: The home business ordnance is coming again to City Council. City Staff seems dead set on prohibiting health care offices as home businesses. Those who care about home based businesses should come down Tuesday.

wharf rat   |June.08.2013 This stuff has been going on for ages now with technology much more info can be gathered than before . Big brother has been up to his tricks for decades , search MK ULTRA while sitting down .....

NSA Seeks Interns   |June.08.2013 National Security Agency lists 'Digital Network Exploitation Analyst' internship opening as controversy swirls over digital snooping scandal -- Spy agency seeks 'individuals who can perform discovery and target technology analysis of digital network and mobile communications' - and prepares for INTERNS to see your private communications. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2337824/Horrible-timing-National-Security-Agency-lists-Digital-Network-Exploitation-Analyst-internship-opening-controversy-swirls-digital-snooping-scandal

Silicon Valley Liars   |June.08.2013 Revealed: Google and Facebook DID allow NSA access to data and were in talks to set up 'spying rooms' despite denials by Zuckerberg and Page over PRISM project -- Sources tell the New York Times that both Facebook and Google discussed plans to create secure portals for the government 'like a digital version of the secure physical rooms that have long existed for classified information' with U.S. officials. Facebook and Google CEOs Mark Zuckerberg and Larry Page denied links to the controversial program but reports say they created specific ways for the government to access user data. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2337863/PRISM-Google-Facebook-DID-allow-NSA-access-data-talks-set-spying-rooms-despite-denials-Zuckerberg-Page-controversial-project

wharf rat   |June.08.2013 Lets be realistic our personal info is plastered all over the place nothing is secure . At the very least we do have some options *you could not have a phone *you can use cash only * you can live in a bunker * you could not drive * however you will still be part of the "system" as when you were born the recordkeeping started then you were issued a social security number ... This latest flap over survailence is just that it has been going on since 9--11 at least now some more controlls are in place in fact numerous members of congress are regulary briefed on it ... This is old news and most likely is being used as a smoke screen for something far more sinister ......

Your Government   |June.08.2013 Sources: NSA sucks in data from 50 companies -- Analysts at the National Security Agency can now secretly access real-time user data provided by as many as 50 American companies, ranging from credit rating agencies to internet service providers, two government officials familiar with the arrangements said. Several of the companies have provided records continuously since 2006, while others have given the agency sporadic access, these officials said. These officials disclosed the number of participating companies in order to provide context for a series of disclosures about the NSA's domestic collection policies. http://theweek.com/article/index/245311/sources-nsa-sucks-in-data-from-50-companies

Anonymous   |June.08.2013 "no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause" We should be able to identify probable cause based on the historical record of threats and their executed plans. At the very least the government enforcement powers can designate the broad search areas they want inspect and a judge can consider the request. At a minimum.

Salty Dog   |June.08.2013 For anyone who eschews intellectual discussion, I have one question: Do you trust your government in 2013? I don't, and I can cite a dozen recent examples but please feel free to reassure me. (this may place me on the NSA list).

rocketman   |June.08.2013 Regarding the 4th Amendment, remember that Barack Obama was a lecturer in Constitutional law. He is also a liberal Progressive and a political hack from Chicago and who knows where else. The 4th Amendment assumes that obtaining Warrants is the baseline for searches & seizures--authorities must have obtained a Warrant to engage in those actions. But a guy like Obama, and his idiot henchman Holder, and liberal Federal judges put in position by these fellows, would simply think that searching records held by OTHERS about YOU (like phone companies)without a Warrant is OK, too, if you do NOT have probable cause, and in any case these records have nothing to do with your "persons, houses, papers, and effects", they are electronic records created and held by a company with virtually no physical manifestation unless printed or displayed on a device. It is well known that Barack Obama has no tolerance for the 'constructionist' school of thought on Constitutional law.

silasbarnabe   |June.08.2013 And the next time a group of foreign terrorists destroys a landmark killing thousands, and it is found out they trained in the U.S. on how to fly jets without a worry of landing them we will forget our freedoms for eight years again...how quickly we forget the Bush era.

Anonymous   |June.08.2013 4th Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America: The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

wharf rat   |June.07.2013 Paul can pipedream all he wants but intill the Republician party floors quality canidates they are doomed ! Romney was a disaster for the party he set them back a decade or more Bush jr did a real number on the party as well this is why many Republicians rail about re-inventing the "brand" or as least defining the party to the American People. The Party lost it's way a long time ago and has yet to re-connect with modern day voters . We are witnessing the death of a political party the hope being what replaces them will bode well for the Country I am optomistic ...

Repubs On The Rise   |June.07.2013 PAUL: Retrieving California is the key to the future -- The GOP can't be a national party without it -- Last week, I spent some time traveling through a state that in recent years has become too much of a foreign territory for Republicans: California. The last Republican presidential nominee to win California was George H.W. Bush in 1988, and statewide gubernatorial and Senate candidates haven't done as well. I think Republicans will not be a successful national party again until we can compete everywhere, every time, for every vote - coast to coast. http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/jun/7/retrieving-california-is-the-key-to-the-future/

Anonymous   |June.07.2013 ...and he's a politician from Illinois, which is probably the most screwed up state in the union. You'd think we could at least promote politicians that have positively influenced their own successful state. I'm not blaming Obama for all that ale's Illinois but I'm saying his political indoctrination began in one of the most corrupt (blue) states in the nation.

rocketman   |June.07.2013 This President is a glib political hack from Chicago, with GLIB being the key descriptor. This guy is perpetrating a massive fraud on the American people. But the American people have changed over the last decades--they are not smart, they are not engaged, they are unemployed and are on one government program or another. All of this and the decision in the 1980s by Ted Kennedy that the United States should become a Spanish-speaking country have paved the road to massive damage to this nation.

rocketman   |June.07.2013 It is nice & well to suggest that the elderly 'need' supervision, but the fact is that this is America, and people--even senile old people--are free to make their choices. Case de Vallejo offers one type of living style. There are plenty of assisted living places around, but they cost more money. The people in Casa de Vallejo have chosen to NOT spend money on such a thing, either because they truly can live independently, but just as likely because they don't have the money to pay the additional costs associated with assisted living. Assisted living of course costs a lot more because you must PAY people to be on staff, often 24/7. And people cost real money. And it is likely that many tenants of Casa de Vallejo have little or no family to serve as advisors, or to even coerce them into assisted living. So you are left with old men deciding to cook something on the stove at 12:30 AM, and falling asleep after they do so. At least the alarm system & sprinklers worked as designed, but the water does massive damage to interior spaces, especially on upper floors as it flows down & around to lower floors.

A thought   |June.07.2013 >> ...set back the self esteem, the pride and the political aspirations of progressive blacks Maybe the progressive part is the problem. Seems to me that conservative black aspirations will move forward unabated, as they make arguments based on the equality of all and reject black liberation theology. You can't right a wrong with more wrongs. The world is more MLK than Malcolm X. More Booker T. than Du Bois

Anonymous   |June.07.2013 re: "The grandest irony and tragedy is this episode of the first elected black president was supposed to be a great liberation for African Americans. All of the hopes and dreams of finally arriving at equal footing with the rest of the western world and Europeans has been dashed and worse. This presidency will live in infamy and will set back the self esteem, the pride and the political aspirations of progressive blacks for decades to come." I still remember the Dems political machine in the run up to 2008... the idiot that is Howard Dean was the guy who they put on MSM television day in and day out pushing and promoting Obama and denouncing everybody who dared to challenge him on Obama's credentials. Fast forward to today... it still burns me up how obvious it was back then, and still burns me up today, how this presidency was going to be and is now a disaster. Agree that AA aspirations have been crushed, and it will be a very long time before any sane person will trust an AA to be elected at that position.

Anonymous   |June.07.2013 "In other words... it doesn't matter if you make a cogent argument. Most are not equipped to debate or discuss issues intelligently, or are politically motivated to expressly not argue in good-faith." Yes, sadly this seems to be the case. How can the average Vallejoan have any chance at grasping the concept of databases and how they work. They listen to this president say "nobody has your name in this data". How do we even begin to give people a lesson on the way relational databases work. It seems hopeless, most of them can't even compute simple multiplication and division. A majority of the nation living in ignorance and following the same type of carpetbaggers that took advantage of good, poor people in the deep south 150 years ago. I guess it just proves the idea that for those who don't know the mistakes of history, they are doomed to repeat them. The grandest irony and tragedy is this episode of the first elected black president was supposed to be a great liberation for African Americans. All of the hopes and dreams of finally arriving at equal footing with the rest of the western world and Europeans has been dashed and worse. This presidency will live in infamy and will set back the self esteem, the pride and the political aspirations of progressive blacks for decades to come. Horribly sad, really.

wharf rat   |June.07.2013 It is refreshing to see some intelegent discource on this site "unlike that other site" HNSNBM re: the Casa de Vallejo the past leathel fire was a Criminal case of Criminal neglegence that led to fatalities . Whe a life safety system is disabled a fire watch must be put in place period .... A Senior residental facility is considered a sensitive receptor IE: it requires extra dillegence and well run emergency plans this can only work when the local fire department provides oversite/survailence and assists with evacuation/fire drills We know the outcome when building management is left on their own to do this ... If Vallejo permits these facilities they must also oversee functional emergency responce/planning to protect the residents .....

To Anonymous   |June.07.2013 In other words... it doesn't matter if you make a cogent argument. Most are not equipped to debate or discuss issues intelligently, or are politically motivated to expressly not argue in good-faith.

To Anonymous   |June.07.2013 There is no link. It's not like people know their Amendments. They know political loyalties and 'our side good, their side bad' (my tribe good, their tribe bad). People know their 'talking points' on any number of issues, even when those talking points are fallacious arguments attacking messengers and not messages.

Your Government   |June.07.2013 Glenn Greenwald: U.S. wants to destroy privacy worldwide -- The journalist who broke the news that the government is monitoring vast quantities of American phone records is claiming the U.S. is building a "massive" snooping apparatus committed to destroying privacy worldwide. "There is a massive apparatus within the United States government that with complete secrecy has been building this enormous structure that has only one goal, and that is to destroy privacy and anonymity, not just in the United States but around the world," charged Glenn Greenwald, a reporter for the British newspaper "The Guardian," speaking on CNN. "That is not hyperbole. That is their objective." http://www.politico.com/story/2013/06/glenn-greenwald-us-privacy-92400#ixzz2VYrG6UMT

Your Government   |June.07.2013 Glenn Greenwald: U.S. wants to destroy privacy worldwide -- The journalist who broke the news that the government is monitoring vast quantities of American phone records is claiming the U.S. is building a

Anonymous   |June.07.2013 @You can make no difference... How in the world do you link skin color with violations of the 4th amendment?

Big Brother   |June.07.2013 'You can't have 100% security and 100% privacy': Obama defends NSA's secret 'data-mining' and tries to dismiss it as 'a modest encroachment' http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2337228/They-watch-ideas-form-type--Leaked-secret-documents-reveal-U-S-intelligence-agencies-tapping-directly-servers-Apple-Google-Facebook-spy-users Inside America's $1.9billion data mine: How all your private details will soon be stored in this vast NSA nerve center in Utah Valley http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2337420/Utah-Data-Center-The-million-square-foot-Utah-data-mining-facility-built-NSA REPORT: New Xbox by NSA partner MICROSOFT will watch you 24/7 http://dailycaller.com/2013/06/07/new-xbox-by-nsa-partner-microsoft-will-watch-you-247/#ixzz2VYZSDzox

You can make no difference...   |June.07.2013 ...when those you disagree with politically hate you. Or when your political opponent insists on doing the same things over and over, without success. Or when they explain said lack of success by saying they 'meant well'. Or when they explain that you have nothing to contribute because you don't share the same skin pigment as them. You cannot argue with lunatics.

Anonymous   |June.07.2013 Obama is a looser. His "justice" department along with the deplorable DHS let the Boston bombers slip right through their fingers despite the fact that our Russian counterparts in the intelligence community warned them REPEATEDLY. This is a bunch of clowns in the executive branch. Criminals, kick them out.

Anonymous   |June.07.2013 The Casa burned down last time not with just a cigarette but that combined with oxygen tanks and a lot of alcohol (in the person). The Casa is repeating its former scenario...renting to anyone who can sign their name without really taking into account whether they are all there mentally or have a tendency to buy drugs and prostitutes with the dealers delivering right to the door. (yes, told by one of the disgruntled current tenants) As always, the decent tenants will flee leaving only the skid row bums. (yes, the disgruntled tenant's letter is in). The COV trivializes those who object to making downtown Vallejo the North Bay's skid row as NIMBYs. The COV needs to maintain the illusion that more pavement or flags or planters will make the downtown all pretty so shoppers will flock there. Just keep throwing grant money at it and badgering Vallejo citizens to "think positive". A Potemkin village.... They can pave the streets with gold using HUD taxpayers money but I still won't venture down there.

Obama Speaks   |June.07.2013 CNN: The National Security Agency's data surveillance programs discussed in recent media reports "help us prevent terrorist attacks," President Barack Obama said Friday in San Jose, California. He added that "modest encroachments on privacy that are involved in getting phone numbers or duration ... without looking at content" are worth the result. "Nobody is listening to your telephone calls," Obama said in his first public remarks on the controversy. "What the intelligence community is doing is looking at phone numbers and durations of calls. They're not looking at people's names, and they're not looking at content, but by sifting through this so-called metadata, they may identify certain leads that" might help authorities disrupt potential terrorist plans.

GC'er   |June.07.2013 Well WR, I appreciate your explanation. My suggestion would be for you to be yourself, use words in your posts that can be understood by the other equally challenged readers of non-English speaking background, like myself and without having to consult Wiki to clarify what you really mean. Already one poster called us "intellectuals", fiddling while Rome burns and ignoring I suppose Vallejo's elephant problem, and I quote "We have a big elephant of Problems, so take your small bite and then you can go esoteric." esoteric 1.restricted to initiates: intended for or understood by only an initiated few 2.abstruse: difficult to understand 3.secret: secret or highly confidential Yeah, me Jane, who you be Toy G? Have a great weekend everyone!

GC'er   |June.07.2013 @ rocket man Leaving a pot on the stove with a burner on is a serious mistake made by many, even young individuals. I do not know if some Casa renters are "fit to live there" or not, but in my mind many seniors of advanced age should not be left without supervision, as hard as that is to comprehend by the individual. I know I know, every one is hell bent on being independent and living without being treated like a child, but it is obvious that some individuals do need checking up, like in this instance. As we age, very few of us are left with the same sharp reflexes as when we were younger and it should not be considered an assault on their dignity when that is pointed out. 'Tis love we have for our aging population that makes us concerned about their well being. I would like to point to the statement by one aged resident who thought the alarm sounding was just a test of the system and did not leave her premises despite hearing it. Ignoring the audible warning system is of grave concern and it appears the residents, young or old, need to receive additional training in procedures ...in case of. Residents of all ages living in the Casa should be aware and not ignorant of the fact that when an alarm is sounding, especially at odd hours, that it most likely is a real threat they are being alerted to. Heed it, your life may depend on it.

rocketman   |June.07.2013 Well, Casa de Vallejo burns again. It seems that the building is decidedluy NOT compatible with its tenants. A few years it was a tenant's cigarette that wrecked the whole place. It took years to clean up, upgrade & remodel the place. And now a tenant falls asleep after midnight with something cooking on the stove, setting off alarms and sprinklers on an upper floor, likely damaging at least several units in lower floors as water likes to find the lowest level. Are these people fit to live there?

Anonymous   |June.07.2013 California sues Whole Foods, Trader Joe's for selling tainted goods -- The state of California is suing Whole Foods markets, Trader Joe's and other stores for allegedly selling lead-tainted ginger and plum candies. The lawsuit accuses the retailers of failing to alert customers to the lead which is a violation of Proposition 65. The law requires businesses to warn consumers about harmful toxins in food, toys, jewelry and other products. http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?id=9126214

Mr :)   |June.07.2013 Don't mess with HUD. May 2013 Proposal to reduce section 8 HUD to respond to Middletown's Section 8 proposal 'shortly' http://www.middletownjournal.com/news/news/hud-to-respond-to-middletowns-section-8-proposal-s/nXtjz/ June 2013 response HUD to conduct Civil Rights review on city's Section 8 program http://www.middletownjournal.com/news/news/hud-to-conduct-civil-rights-review-on-citys-sectio/nYDwJ/

Mr :)   |June.07.2013 Don't mess with HUD. May 2013 Proposal to reduce section 8 HUD to respond to Middletown

wharf rat a spelling disaster   |June.07.2013 Et : all I am but a High School drop out yet humble and loveable , however devoid of the Intelect as expoused by such as Salty Dog I must defer to those that come before Me , and stake no claim as a Man of Letters .... Rather just a Welsh/British transplant who is truly a Speaker of English/Welsh as a second Language... A true ESL person in many respects .... The American vernacular is much different than that spoken in Britian and in fact can be considered to be a totally different Language in many respects ...Of note even the Brits are challenged by their own Language !! as understandibly are many Imigrants who are used to a toung with , flow and muisical and lyrical components such as the latin languages that can be spoken in "rapido" as English can not be ..... The Ancient toungs of Britan such as spoken by My People have a unique and musical flow to them as do the toungs of Ireland , Scotland and others in fact the Ancient toungs can be sung as well as spoken as they have a lyrical way about them as do many toungs of indigenous People world wide ......

tramky   |June.06.2013 So why doesn't FISA simply establish an order to have the NSA simply be plugged directly into the telephone service provider networks & databases--all of 'em! Why heck! They could then connect all that to the carriers' billing systems and get street addresses. And then they can get a FISA judge sign an order that REQUIRES every adult to wear GoogleGlass and be plugged into an ever-scanning Web that can track where they are, what they are looking at, and what is being spoken.

Reality Slap   |June.06.2013 ......"Feinstein, the chairwoman of the Senate Intelligence committee,"..... Well there's one giant oxymoron.....Senate Intelligence...

Anonymous   |June.06.2013 Here is my interpretation on the data mining that is going on. It's most likely a very effective law enforcement tool for tracking terrorist networks in this country. Even with the fires of libertarian blood flowing through my veins, I still support this lawful exercise of homeland security. Make no mistake, however, this administration is saving the data archives for electioneering purposes. The big polling firms now recognize that new voters are connected to their family and peirs by mobile devices like cell phones and iPads and such. Polling historically has been focused on land lines for the past 50 years but now the best "science" in polling recognizes the need to sample mobile data. The bastards in the executive branch are taking this data, illegally, for their own purposes - in my opinion.

Anonymous   |June.06.2013 "Hey, all you great Intellectuals, what have you done for Vallejo? " Lets start with the basics. What have you done for yourself? Once each of us asks this question we can then move on to what we do for the community. Are you receiving public assistance of any kind? I am not.

Toy G   |June.06.2013 Sorry, but most of the recent Posts are whistling past the graveyard, or fiddling while Rome burns. Hey, all you great Intellectuals, what have you done for Vallejo? Get down and volunteer at the most basic level. Or is the Ivory Tower your refuge? We have a big elephant of Problems, so take your small bite and then you can go esoteric.

The Guardian UK   |June.06.2013 NSA taps in to internet giants' systems to mine user data, secret files reveal -- Top secret PRISM program claims direct access to servers of firms including Google, Facebook and Apple -- Companies deny any knowledge of program in operation since 2007 -- The National Security Agency has obtained direct access to the systems of Google, Facebook, Apple and other US internet giants, according to a top secret document obtained by the Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jun/06/us-tech-giants-nsa-data

GC'er   |June.06.2013 "Bureaupathological behavior" as stated by SD could have simply been called "Red Tape Syndrome" amongst other similar definitions. The word "bureaucrapological behavior" as stated by WR is a bit harder to define and on the first attempt to understand the meaning of the word, I consulted Wiki and was told to check my spelling/cannot be found. I am a resourcful sort so I put my own spin on the word: Bureau chest of drawers, naw public office, yeah crap(ologi) an apology that is crap, yeah insincere apology, more refined logical based on facts, yeah clear rational thought, yeah sensible reasoning, yeah A public office that issues an insincere apology devoid of sensible reasoning, "Bureaucrapological", I believe I am getting the drift.

Salty Dog   |June.06.2013 @ Anonymous: point of clarification - Bureaucratic organization is an absolute necessity in complex modern post-industrial society so I am not in opposition. But the foundation of bureaucracy is value-less and constructed on if-then rules and regulations, which is why so many of us with values of fairness, right/wrong passions become frustrated by a system that cannot deal with anything other than what is stated by law and regulation. Bureaupathological behavior occurs when those charged with regulatory implementation infuse their personal values and distort the bureaucracy away from its intended purpose. As a synonym, I like WR's "bureaucrapological" term. IMO.

Cut off...   |June.06.2013 * Make the enemy live up to its own book of rules How does it feel Diane, to be treated by your own left-wing the way they treated W? (Admin, I think you have a problem with UTF quotation marks or something)

Cut off...   |June.06.2013 Character problem. empty comment

Alinsky tactics backatcha...   |June.06.2013 Diane Feinstein: "It's called protecting America" Rules for Radicals 4.

wharf rat   |June.06.2013 it is simply a statement of contempt for many Government sgencys and my opinion of their odifrerous condition mearly a rant om My part however I am not alone .

Anonymous   |June.06.2013 Salty Dog introduced the term "bureaucrapological". I think it means an organization of people act with a group mentality. Think Borg on Star Trek. That concept is an important consideration but it's important to stay focused on reality and our current situation. This executive branch is criminal. Eric Holder is out in left field, a criminal operator and Obama's biggest staff liability by far. Couple that with the fact that these guys and Gals come out of the Hell hole commonly referred to as Chicago. Crimes, outrageous behavior and a complete loss of right and wrong are hallmarks of this Presidency.

GC'er   |June.06.2013 @WR Could you rephrase or translate "bureaucrapological" and other new fangled key words you love to weave into your posts in considerations of and with courtesy towards simple English speaking immigrants? You are discombobulating my reading comprehension. Much obliged.

wharf rat   |June.06.2013 @ Salt one of Our local problems is the rampant bureaucrapological behavior such as is displayed by petty fifedoms and cabals of over compensated "Public Servants" combined with a punitive fine and fee structure topped off with misdirrected spending and no concept of saving for a rainy day ..

Salty Dog   |June.06.2013 Really, Dianne....it's been going on for seven years? And that somehow justifies a police state? 1984, anyone? I am sure Herr Hitler would have excused the Gestapo on similar grounds: Its called protecting Germany. If this once great nation fails, it will fail internally through default and not some external threat. IMO.

Diane Feinstein   |June.06.2013 Diane Feinstein: "It's called protecting America" -- Democratic Senator Defends Phone Spying, And Says It's Been Going On For 7 Years -- Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) told reporters on Thursday that The Guardian's revelation of the court order that compels Verizon to give data on millions of Americans' calls is a standard three-month renewal of a practice that has been ongoing for about seven years. Feinstein, the chairwoman of the Senate Intelligence committee, also defended the practice. "It's called protecting America," she said, according to reporter Jamie Dupree. http://www.businessinsider.com/nsa-phone-records-scandal-lindsey-graham-dianne-feinstein-obama-2013-6

Salty Dog   |June.06.2013 Bureaupathological behavior cuts across all jurisdictions in complex modern society and I would not need to dig far in Canadian society to find similar dysfunctional behavior that sacrifices human values to the cold regulation bound world of society bound to continuity and certainty, at any cost. But, aside from scope and a general acceptance of nanny state notions such as universal healthcare, Canadians do have parliamentery democracy as a safety valve to check behaviors that seem to leave ordinary citizens powerless. Unlike here where people rise to power on set term limits of two,four, six year set term limits (barring impeachment), politicians at the Provincial or Federal level in Canada can and do lose power on a non-confidence vote. This little quirk and historic gift from Britain shared by other former Commonwealth nations tends to be a check on rogue politics and dysfunctional bureaucracy. I am not suggesting that parliamentary democracy is superior to a Constitutional Republic. The American system has to be doing something right to make it the success that it has become. But I do believe Americans need to be particularly on guard against the bureaucratic "engine" that regulates a nation founded on the rule of law. And, nowhere is the interface between formal government and the organization more viable than in local municipal politics. Nowhere is the impact of local human values more obvious than in local politics and we have seen that recently in the pro local values initiatives such as PB and the rejection of developments deemed to be contrary to common interest. Whoever deems local politics as inconsequential is missing the point. Bureaupathological behavior is most visible and best countered at the local level. Happily we appear to have elected and non-elected residents who understand this opposite tip of the iceberg. IMO.

wharf rat   |June.05.2013 At salt just what would BC or Canadian folks do ?? They are one of our most , strongest and Commited Allies yet We have almost no Main stream Media Communicatation from them .. Just what the Hell is the whole Equation ?? The average American ,, knows nothing about the People of the north ...Eventhough a simple border (a mere line) seperates them from Our Collective Cultures ....The People of the north have unique cultures as evidenced by the Expanded actions, VIA the Europiens who have learned from them , and adapted to their Culture , and adapted to their environment .. Nuff said ... Perhaps some of the most strongest Nations should show the same restraint and reserve as do Others ....

Anonymous   |June.05.2013 Well recited Salty Dog, we live in fascinating times. Furthermore, revolution is upon us. It comes in many forms. This time it appears to be in the form of a great awakening. What a total surprise! omg.

Salty Dog   |June.05.2013 No way. We would fight like cats and dogs. But, since WE have your attention, got anything intelligent to add?

Sugar   |June.05.2013 U 2 oughta get a room

Salty Dog   |June.05.2013 Yes,WR, just the tip of the iceberg. Some day hopefully, warm human passions (values) will be back in vogue. Until then, we have the DMV and the County to look for inspiration(?). I exclude City Council because there is evidence that some are listening to and valuing communal values/concerns.

Anonymous   |June.05.2013 The value of a college education isn't just the job prospects. Just because college isn't for everyone doesn't mean we should promote the dumbing down of the USA.

wharf rat   |June.05.2013 Aye Salt great rant ! but have you looked in your backyard ? your rant can be re-titled and apply perfectly to City of Vallejo Government "with the exception of a handfull of Council Members" disfunctional Government is an organic problem at all levels ......

Salty Dog   |June.05.2013 My rant for the month: As the sky threatens to fall on the pointy heads of IRS officials, is there anybody even remotely sympathetic toward this agency's difficulties? Anyone surprised? In a Republic founded on a Constitution of laws, it is inevitable that regulations follow to operationalize laws. It also follows that a well oiled bureaucractic machine is an imperative to ensure certainty and continuity as laws are implemented and maintained. In the case of the IRS,thousands of pages of regulations. For the IRS, the timing belt is broken, a rod is thrown, the engine is seized for lack of oil. Terminal bureaupathological behavior has beset the leadership as various Congressional groups begin to delve into the guts of the machine to determine roadworthyness. Bureapathological behavior perfectly captures a phenomena in which otherwise perfectly ordinary individuals who love and care and fight for human justice are transformed to mindless automatons who are slaves to regulation...but not so much that the seedier side of human motivation isn't impressed on a system designed to be value-less. Just surmising, but I suspect the IRS fiasco is but the tip of the iceberg. Time for a little less regulation and more warm passions of human values.

Anonymous   |June.05.2013 what do you mean when you say college?

College Not For All   |June.05.2013 Report: California college grads better off than if they had sought work earlier -- Finally, some good news for new college graduates as they enter the real world, staggering under a record burden of student loan debt: As tough as it is, they are much better off than if they had looked for work straight out of high school. http://www.contracostatimes.com/bay-area-news/ci_23381744/report-degree-raises-earnings-job-prospects 85% of Americans are wasting their time and money on college -- As the cost of education continues to rise, people are questioning the value of a degree. And according to Penelope Trunk, the founder of Brazen Careerist, 85% of people today are wasting their money and time in college. "Colleges have been selling this idea that going to college will get you a job, but this isn't the case any more," she says. And if getting a college degree no longer guarantees you a job offer, then you need to really pinpoint your reasons for going. In fact, unless you're really great at school or got accepted into a top ten school, "you should just go to work." http://www.businessinsider.com/is-college-still-worth-it-penelope-trunk-2013-5

Anonymous   |June.04.2013 DEA: Soccer Mom Ran Massive Pot Grow Operation -- A suburban mom - and budding equestrian - has for years maintained a secret life as the alleged head of a multimillion-dollar marijuana grow operation that was finally broken up last month when federal agents raided a New York City warehouse and discovered nearly 3000 pot plants and state-of-the-art cultivation equipment, The Smoking Gun has learned. http://www.thesmokinggun.com/documents/soccer-mom-pot-baron-678932

Just so you know...   |June.04.2013 The cross-walk guy is a tweaker. He painted it because he's ****ing nuts.

tramky   |June.04.2013 Even Marin has a huge problem with unfunded liabilities for government retirees: http://www.marinij.com/marinnews/ci_23379521/marin-grand-jury-retiree-health-care-debt-poses

Anonymous   |June.03.2013 You do realize that the general public listening to your spin is looking at you in disbelief. They think you are liars.

Anonymous   |June.03.2013 Good evening Progressives, how's the history rewrite project coming along. Having any luck with the little kids in school? How about the man on the street? Are you getting any traction on the Benghazi issue and how the President called it a terrorist attack on the very next day?

GC'er   |June.03.2013 Had an incident a few years ago when an opossum selected my garden as its final resting place during a hot spell. While watering in the morning I found the deceased animal. I got my gloves, placed the body into a few garbage bags, sealed them and put the package into a pail with a lid. I called "Dead Animal Removal" and was told to place the pail at the curb in front of my house. After 2 days at the curb and answering many curious questions about the pail's content, the garbage bags had expanded to the point that the lid was forced off the pail. In total I placed 6 calls, the last one with the promise that I would call a TV station that would report on how Vallejo is not responding to a health hazard. 2 hours later and on a Saturday, the pail was picked up. The person who had to remove it has my thanks. I would not have minded him/her ringing my door bell so I could have thanked them in person and handed them a cool drink!

sparky   |June.03.2013 about a half hour ago a Citesen brought a dead Dog in a plastic bag to the Police Station .. Ukn circumstances , the garbage Company does the dead animal removal in Vallejo ... Perhaps this was a Citisen beyond their patience threshold maby they will paint a cross walk next ..

Anonymous   |June.03.2013 A citizen should be allowed to call a tow company and move it to the front door of a police station .See how long it would sit there or... photograph it with the date. Then file a complaint and get as many signatures' from neighbors as you can. Go to city hall and request it to be moved. Cockroaches hate light. Light it up! It will be moved.

Let me Out of Here   |June.03.2013 For almost 3 months there has been an abandoned car in front of my office on Springs Road. We immediately called it in to the city only to get a recording that started off with, "Due to budget cuts...". After 3 weeks the car was finally ticketed which gave the city the right, I believe, after 5 days. The car is still despite numerous calls to the recording and 2 calls to the city managers office. if the city could have made money off towing the car it would have been gone a long time ago. Now it sits outside my window at work and I feel like I am trapped in a third world nation.

Anonymous   |June.03.2013 The only problem with your two scenarios Anonymous, is that one of the men was committing a crime and the other man was not. So the cops could only arrest the man committing the crime, not the rude one.

Memories   |June.03.2013 Hi! I'm back! Let us NOT forget the MURDER of Guy Jarreau by Vallejo police officer Kent Tribble on Saturday, December 11, 2010! Kent Tribble MUST be held accountable for his actions! Please, check out the federal lawsuit that was filed on December 10, 2012 against the city of Vallejo! Also, let's not forget that the city of Vallejo paid the mother of Guy Jarreau attorney's fees in the amount of $12,500.00 for the California Public Records Act Lawsuit, but STILL refuses to give her the police report! What are the Vallejo Police Department and the city of Vallejo hiding from the family, friends and supporters of Guy Jarreau?! What could it possibly be?! Smile! And, justice for Guy Jarreau continues...We are NOT going away until JUSTICE is served!!!

wharf rat   |June.02.2013 @ Salt felonys are either violent or have a dollar amount they must excede you are misdemeaner material however if you painted a pedestrian ............

Salty Dog   |June.02.2013 OK, I admit it- I committed a felony crime. I painted the fire hydrant curb AND the fire hydrant...oh, and the rusty stop sign post. Naughty me....deportation is in order.

Anonymous   |June.02.2013 Let me frame the infamous case of the crosswalk painter this way. On the streets of Vallejo at 4:30am you come upon a guy with a paint brush. He is painting on the street. You might say "hey, what in the heck are you doing here?". The guy mumbles something about fast cars so you shake you head and move on. After walking a way you come across a guy smoking a cigarette. He says "hey man, you got a dollar?" You say no and keep walking, trying to appear as uninterested as you can. The guy begins to walk after you. "HEY MAN, I SAID DO YOU HAVE ANY MONEY!" At this point you reflect on the two guys you met this night. Which one should be removed from the streets and held behind bars?

wharf rat   |June.02.2013 Re: the crosswalk caper one must wonder wich crime is most serious , failure to yeild to a pedestrian or painting a crosswalk selective enforcement at its best ....

more bad news   |June.02.2013 Two men shot dead in Vallejo -- Two people were killed and two others were hurt when gunfire erupted at a house party in Vallejo, police said Sunday. The victims, two men ages 41 and 52, were shot at a party at a home on the 100 block of Linfield Drive about 11:45 p.m. Saturday, said Vallejo police Lt. Kevin Bartlett. Officers found two men dead at the scene from numerous gunshot wounds. http://www.sfgate.com/crime/article/Two-men-shot-dead-in-Vallejo-4569514.php

sparky   |June.02.2013 The crosswalk caper has gone global it;s all over the Nations news yet more bad presss for our City right in the middle of contract negoations at that "nice going guys"

wharf rat   |June.02.2013 newer homes and or those with sprinkler systems have backflow preventers is the charge to inspect them anualy ? and how do you know if they did it , and who ownes the backflow preventer ? a state licence is required to work on backflow preventers and certify them I bet We are paying top dollar ! ..

tramky   |June.02.2013 That the crosswalk painter is charged with a FELONY is beyond absurd--it is sick! Murder is a felony, drug trafficking is a felony, and so is painting lines on a street?!!! Get a grip! What idiots constructed THAT law? Could it be California legislators in Sacramento, where the inmates truly DO run the asylum?

GC'er   |June.02.2013 @ rocketman Thanks for sharing your info. I am puzzled why you have an additional charge on your water bill (Back Flow $12.84), but I do not. Do the varying locations in our town have different service requirements and are charged extra for the services provided? Rate Class: "Residential, Bi-Monthly" and the only items ever to appear on my bills was "WA Service Charge and WA Water Consumption". I agree with a previous poster who notes that there is no portal to check ones pay history online as is the case with the PG&E bill for instance. It also will not tell me if I already made a payment or not. In that case I usually check my bank account.... Vallejo Sanitation And Flood Control District bills are: Rate Class: Single Family Service: W2 Wastewater 3/3/13 to 5/3/13 $82.52 S2 Storm Drain " " $ 3.94 U2 Upper Lateral " " $ 2.76 I did receive notification that rates will go up as of July 1 of this year and the next.

sparky   |June.02.2013 water billing is a joke and has been for over 25 years when they started to average meeter readings . Some day a whistle blower will tell all the problem is that there is no oversite . We were once customers now we are rate payers our Council is the only oversite body and the water dept is so vast it would be un-realistic for council to realy oversee it an independant audit would be the only way to ensure consumer protection this could actually save citisens alot of money in the long run .

Hubba Dubba   |June.02.2013 Did you actually watch the news story anonymous? What is sad is that it highlighted a lazy whack job from Vallejo who was too lazy to walk an extra 30 steps to use one of the THREE crosswalks already at that intersection. Not to mention they can't seem to find the police reports of all the smashed kiddies from such a horrible problem...THAT ONLY EXISTS IN THE NUT JOBS mind. Yes bad press for Vallejo that highlights the type of trash people we have living here. Pure and simple laziness by a vigilante whack job that envisions a problem that already has 3 other solutions at that intersection. Personally they should have put him on his hands and knees at rush hour cleaning up his own vandalism ....problem solved.

rocketman   |June.02.2013 Here's the detail from another recent City water bill: Period: 62 days Current usage: 5 units (1 unit= 748 gals) Charges: Back Flow $12.84 Water consumption 13.55 Service charge 46.90 None of this seems to match up with anything in the Water System Rate Table, but who's watching? The rates go up next month though it may be difficult to tell the difference.

Anonymous   |June.02.2013 Just when you think the marketing of Vallejo couldn't possibly get any worse, we make the Drudge report. For the high crime rate? For the failing schools? No. We're being mocked for arresting a poor guy trying to help his neighborhood. http://sacramento.cbslocal.com/2013/05/31/vallejo-man-arrested-for-painting-his-own-crosswalk/

wharf rat   |June.02.2013 @ anon something smells about this please perview your Policy , Health insurance never goes down nor do other Insurance Policies , unless the coverage has been curtailed in a major way ..This is a major warning BELL read the fine print with a Magnifing glass .. Your percieved bennifet just might be a good old fashioned RIPOFF !!! the reduction of policy costs most likeley is a smoke screen toward a more diabolical outcome one not of Your bennefit , yet of bennifet to the provider/grifter who You pay for said services .. It's all about due dillegence No one looks after Us eventhough We pay for said services .. It's all about "due dillegence" IE: each individual covering their own ass . their is no Consumer protection , that is a myth of the past ,, the survival of the fittest as displayed by local Government actions speakes volumes .. You are only as strong as Your money or Politics... When any costs are lowered BEWHARE there is a much higher cost lurking in the shadows ..

Anonymous   |June.01.2013 I am not lying about the decrease. Got the letter in the mail on May 30th. Monthly premium was $394 (had been for about 1 year). As of June 1st, monthly premium is $306. My birthday was in May. The decrease is actually more than 20%. I am self employed, and have individual insurance through Anthem Blue Cross. PPO policy with $6K deductible.

Anonymous   |June.01.2013 "Interesting .... my health insurance premium just dropped 20%. (And I just turned 55, which usually triggers an increase.)" You Lie!

Anonymous   |June.01.2013 All I can say is: If the upcoming healthcare mandates are so great and wonderful, why are members of our government excluded from the program as presented to the regular citizen/resident?

Anonymous   |June.01.2013 Interesting .... my health insurance premium just dropped 20%. (And I just turned 55, which usually triggers an increase.)

Anonymous   |June.01.2013 Forbes: California Obamacare 64%-146% Increase In Premiums -- Last week, the state of California claimed that its version of Obamacare's health insurance exchange would actually reduce premiums. "These rates are way below the worst-case gloom-and-doom scenarios we have heard," boasted Peter Lee, executive director of the California exchange. But the data that Lee released tells a different story: Obamacare, in fact, will increase individual-market premiums in California by as much as 146 percent. http://www.forbes.com/sites/theapothecary/2013/05/30/rate-shock-in-california-obamacare-to-increase-individual-insurance-premiums-by-64-146/

Anonymous   |June.01.2013 Forbes: California Obamacare 64%-146% Increase In Premiums -- Last week, the state of California claimed that its version of Obamacare

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